#Oh what am I a foolish woman praising her?

[werspinna]

God I gotta see Harls’ 5’11” against Wolf

Send your character's height and I'll compare it to mine. Wolf is 152 cm and Harls is 180 cm tall! 28 cm difference!

Wolf leaned her head on the end of the hilt of her dane axe, humming gently: "Got hât ir wengel hôhen flîz, ver streich sô tiure varwe dar, vsô reine rôt, sô reine wîz, dâ rœseloht, dâ lilienvar. Ob ichz getar von sünden sagen: ich sæhe si iemer gerner andan himel oder himelwagen. Owê, waz lob ich tumber weib? Mache ich mir si ze hêr, vil lîhtewirt mîns mundes lop mîns herzen sêr~"

The woman winked with four eyes out of the shadow her helmet was drawing on her poxscarred face: " Something like this, mhmm? Well than, Mother nature decided to put you into a height that is as great as your beauty. It does fit you very nicely." [ @aranaeus ]

[curious-camellia]

If Only We Were Two Different People.

PT.2

Summary:

You were on a two week trip to Vermont to pay your respects to your mother, who is unwell. While in Vermont, you meet a fascinating woman by the name of Larissa Weems. Who knew she’d be the cause of your heartbreak and complete unraveling.

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CHAPTER 2

link to pt.1: https://www.tumblr.com/curious-camellia/737011102698848256/if-only-we-were-two-different-people

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Warnings: ANGST. Heart wrenching angst.

A/N: i am so sorry.

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After that interaction, you two parted, now knowing each other's names, and not being able to get each other off your minds. The goddess that was Larissa Weems had entered your mind and didn’t plan on leaving, unfortunately.

Somehow, you kept finding her each morning, drinking hot chocolate at the same booth. You foolishly joined her every time. You two would spend about 20 minutes talking about literally anything, before eventually she had to leave. You’d learned that she was the principal of Nevermore Academy, the school for outcasts. She was perfect in your eyes, everything about her seemed to intrigue you more and more. Unfortunately…not enough.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, you two would talk every single day, and one day she invited you to Nevermore to have some wine.

This was the day everything went downhill. You ended up admiring her the entire time you were there…how embarrassing. She, of course, noticed. The mix of the wine with the scent of her perfume encouraged you to tell her exactly what you thought about her. You told her every single thing on your mind, you expressed to her how you thought you would get lost in her eyes everytime you looked into them, how beautiful the red lipstick she always wears looks on her. You praised the way she did her hair, and the way she carried herself and spoke. You practically told her everything she’d ever wanted to hear from someone.

You didn’t stop, you couldn’t, not until she took matters into her own hands. She cupped your cheek gently and you immediately stopped talking. looking at her you realized her pupils had dilated, and her cheeks had turned a light shade of pink. You were enchanted. None of you said anything for what felt like ages. Slowly and hesitantly, she leaned closer. You hadn’t realized you were doing the same thing. You didn’t know who closed the gap, but it got closed. Her lips were on yours and it felt like heaven. It was gentle, her touch on your cheek so light, as if you were made of glass.

It was perfect.

Until she asked the question.

“I’d like to take you out on a proper date, if you’d allow me to” she said with the most irresistible smile. You smiled, not realizing in that moment the inevitability of your departure. The smile dropped only a minute later. It had been a week and 5 days since you got to Vermont. Your flight was in 2 days.

She noticed the immediate change and backed away. “I apologize if i crossed a line.” She said, thinking herself naive for believing the kiss was anything more than a drunken mistake.

“No, it’s not you. I-I don’t live here, Larissa.” You said, not making eye contact with her to avoid the look of sad realization that graced her features.

“Oh.” She said with a seemingly regular tone. “When do you leave?” She asked, wanting to know exactly how much time she had left.

“In two days.” You say, finally looking into her eyes to see the look that you’d been avoiding. “I’m sorry I didn't tell you sooner.” You say, genuinely upset with yourself at making the situation so much worse than it had to be. Foolish girl.

You went back to the hotel you were staying at that night, not knowing what to do with yourself. On one hand, you found yourself infatuated with someone you’d met a week and a half ago. You spent the entire night thinking of the options you had, knowing in the end, there was only one. You couldn’t stay in Vermont. Not for someone you’d met a week and a half ago. You barely knew her. She was a stranger. A stranger that had enchanted you from the moment you laid eyes on her, yes, but nonetheless, a stranger. You were a stranger to her too. A stranger she so foolishly thought was different from the rest of her lovers. You were going to leave her, just as everyone else had before.

She knew it wasn’t your fault. You have a life, you weren’t going to move across the country for a stranger. You probably had a job, family, who knows you probably already have a significant other waiting for you at home. You were a stranger. She barely knew anything about you, so why was she so crushed to see you go?

You continued seeing each other in the two mornings you had left. The uncomfortable silence pouring in everytime you would run out of things to say. It felt humiliating, and heartbreaking.

Finally, the day of your departure arrived. You still went to the Weathervane, determined to see the goddess that had invaded your mind one last time. The moment you spotted her you went up to her. She saw you and gave you a smile. She looked ethereal. The smile slightly wavered when she realized it was the last time she’d see you.

You talked for 20 minutes as you always did.

“My flight is in 3 hours…goodbye Larissa, it was an absolute pleasure to spend these past two weeks with you. You tried your hardest to give her a small smile, and your eyes watered slightly.

“We’ll meet again, darling. I’ll make sure of it.” She said, and pulled you into a short embrace, not wanting to make the heartbreak any worse. You gave her a nod and watched as she left the Weathervane. A part of you wished she would’ve asked you to stay, but you know she knew it was impossible.

With the last of your hours, you said goodbye to your mother, packed everything up, and went to the airport. Your flight left in 30 minutes. The entire time you were only thinking about her. Larissa Weems. The goddess that had plagued your mind and would never leave it.

As you got on your flight, still silently wishing she would miraculously show up and beg you to stay, knowing she wouldn’t, and your departure was inevitable. What would you do now with the memory of the goddess lips on your own, her touch on your face? How would you go on, knowing she was out there?

If only you were able to stay. If only you didn’t have a life of your own weighing you down, preventing you from being with her.

If Only You Were Two Different People.

a/n: I AM SO SORRY.

[sapphic-woes]

A Merchant's Home

A/N: You're a wandering merchant and Soma thinks you should settle down. (With her!) MINORS DNI

Word Count: 6k AO3 Link

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You remembered her infectious smile. How the ocean's breeze would make her glimmering hair dance. The waves always reflected her beauty.

You remembered how the moonlight did the same. 

You woke up with a sharp jolt, lurching upright. You heaved, body slick with sweat. Again, that nightmare robbed you of what little peace you had. With a sigh you rose, trudging to get your shop ready for the day.

That dream was of memories long ago, a life you could never go back to. Back then you were part of a merchant guild, but now you worked solely alone. Typically, you wandered from city to city, resting for only a moment's time before moving on. However, it had already been a month since you'd come to Grantebridge…

"Opening your doors at the crack of dawn? You're as diligent as always y/n." 

…and for some reason, you had a feeling you wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

You looked up with a tight smile, trying not to shrink under the cloudy blue eyes above you. Soma smiled back, though it sent prickles down your spine. The jarlskona of Grantebridge was a terrifying woman, and you wanted nothing to do with her. You'd long since given up attention, and wished to live as a ghost drifting from town to town. However, despite your best efforts you had somehow pritiqued Soma's interest. Politely, you inclined your head.

"You praise me too much, I'm merely grateful to do business here and am returning the favor. Um…" You shuffled to allow her inside, "were you in need of something?"

Soma walked in with heavy steps, a kind of casual saunter as if your shop was her's. Well, she's not wrong. You had come into the city with your usual set up: consisting of all your goods, a pretty tent, and soft rugs. However, after a week Soma suggested you temporarily use a shop that had conveniently recently vacated.

"A cloak. I've worn this one out." With that simple reply you went to work, quickly laying out the highest quality cloaks you had. You hoped she wouldn't catch on that your speed was in hopes that she would leave sooner rather than later, artificially beaming at her.

"As always, I only offer you the best. This here is quite thick–perfect for the upcoming winter. I understand that extravagance isn't to your taste, but this bear hide is both sophisticated and eye catching…" As you spoke, your shoulders gradually relaxed. You were more in your element selling items to her rather than conversing, happy when Soma asked questions about each cloak with a curious gaze.

"And this?" You walked around the table to stand beside her, eyeing the cloak she'd pointed at. 

"Ah…you have a good eye. This one was made with materials even I don't know of. I received it from my…partners in Ravensthorpe. Apparently wearing this makes the sound of your movements unnoticeable to your enemies."  

Carelessly, you looked up after you spoke, heart nearly stopping when you realized how close Soma was to you. Had you been the one to invade her space, or had she? You didn't know, only able to process the enticing heat of her body.

"Oh, apologies–"

"I think this one will do. It's resourceful, yet beautiful as well." Soma spoke without looking at the cloak, keeping her gaze trained on you. You felt your insides squirm. You knew her words weren't directed at you, and it was foolish to think that it was. Yet for some reason Soma's actions always made you wonder what she exactly thought of you. 

"It's perfect for the festival too." Soma continued, nonchalantly turning back at the cloak. "Who knew the duties of a jarlskona would include looking good for important events? If I dress as I normally do, Lif swore he'd make me change himself." 

You softly laughed, finding the image amusing, "He's only looking out for you. Appearance can go a long way, especially with newcomers or visitors the festival may bring in." Soma inclined her head.

"He said the same. Hearing it twice means I really must prepare. I admit, I enjoy the grit of battle and the mess that comes along with it but…" Soma smirked, and it was a kind of smile that made your business smile fearfully falter.

"Having my clothes drenched in mead rather than blood can also be enjoyable. Are you going to be enjoying the festival?" Goodness. You didn't know whether to focus on her frightening words or her question. In the end, you hastily folded her cloak, moving to your front desk.

"Me? Oh I, I'm not sure it would be best." Soma raised her eyebrow, fishing out her coin pouch.

"May I ask why?" You knew the may was simply courtesy. Soma didn't ever just ask for things. You glanced up at her before quickly answering.

"I just. Well I'm an outsider that got here a month ago. To participate in a tradition you all hold dear–" 

"That's no matter. Any customs you don't know about you can ask. No one will get mad at you for not knowing things while I'm there." You blinked, scrambling to understand. Did that mean Soma intended to stick by your side the entirety of the festival?

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to be a burden–"

"I'm offering, so it's not a burden."

"But during a festival it would be good for business if I kept the shop open–"

"I'll be wearing a cloak from your shop. Once people know who I bought it from, they'll line up for days just to buy something from you."

"But…" you paused, biting the inside of your lip. You couldn't think of a reason not to go, and with a small sigh you nodded. "I suppose going to the festival wouldn't hurt. Thank you for being so kind as to go with me." Soma slyly smiled, eyes gleaming. While her gaze was bright with excitement, it also had something else you couldn't identify. You only knew it made you acutely aware of how her eyes trailed over your body, nervously fiddling with your hands.

"The pleasure's all mine. You're important to me y/n." With that she left, and once you were certain she was gone, you deflated against your desk. You knew she meant you were important for business, but Soma had a knack of leaving out details in her words. She always sounded so ambiguous, and it didn't help that she was easy to use sweet words. 

Get a grip. This is just another city you're passing by. You couldn't get attached, not again. With a grumbling sigh you went back to work, trying not to think about Soma for the rest of the day.

—

You'd loved her. You'd cherished her. You'd adored her more than anyone else.

The moonlight had made her treacherous smile glow. You thought her beauty then was cruel. A wilting desire. You'd loved her, and yet…

She'd betrayed you.

"What do you think y/n? Is it a good deal?" You snapped out of your daydream, looking over at Soma. Your brain worked to remember the deal itself, shaking your head as though to get the memories distracting your thoughts out.

"As good as any. It'll be smart to have items made with such craftsmanship sold here. It's one of a kind and people will travel here just for it. All he asks for is protection, and what's taking care of a few bandits to the great Jarlskona of Grantebridge?" 

Why you were sitting in a room in the longhouse six months after arriving to this city, you didn't know. You used to rarely stay more than a month in one given place, yet here you were, tipping your glass back to gulp down mead as you and Soma conversed. Somehow, your interactions with Soma had steadily grown more frequent as you stayed in Grantebridge. It was fun to talk to her, however, you always left each conversation with something different.

The change was small at first. A promise to meet again instead of simply bidding goodbye. A habit of waving rather than rushing past Soma whenever you saw her. An exchange of small, yet meaningful talks from time to time. Then the change involved casually voicing opinions on matters of Grantebridge to her. After that, somehow those opinions began to be voiced in rooms full of just Soma's closest confidants. 

Before you knew it, you were practically in charge of helping Soma with trade in Grantebridge, and leaving was becoming more of a fantasy than reality.

"I thought so as well. A chance to wet my axe and gain a person with valuable skills?" Soma's eyes narrowed in a conniving grin, tipping her own cup back. You snorted, no longer completely shook by Soma's thirst for battle. It still irked you how much she relished in the blood and gore of fighting, but now at least, you didn't immediately want to run for the hills because of it.

"So restless. Will you march out at the crack of dawn?" Soma only shrugged.

"Perhaps." You raised an eyebrow.

"What's this? You always tell me of your battle plans–even if I don't understand them." You emptied your cup with a tipsy grin, pouring more for yourself out of habit.

"I'm simply waiting for something…" Soma watched you drink in amusement, regarding your flushed face with a lopsided smile, "but you never understood them?"  Your jarlskona mockingly tsked before sternly shaking her head.

"That won't do. Come here, let me at least explain the basics to you." To your surprise, Soma shifted, turning towards you in her chair and patting her thighs. Was she serious? You blinked, glancing at the paper she'd used to scribble down ideas as you two had talked. Now she flipped it over to reveal the blank side, looking at you expectedly.

Oh. She's serious. You blamed it on the mead. It was much too strong for you, making you obediently wobble over to Soma with your cup in your hand. You plopped down on her thighs with a giggle, letting her hands rest at your hips. 

"You listened without a single complaint. How cute." Soma said the words easily, and it took a moment for you to grow embarrassed by them. By then, Soma had scooted closer to the table so that she could write on the paper. It made the little space you had between each other shrink, and you grew hot as the warrior holding you in her lap spoke.

"So this here is…" You weren't really listening, too focused on the sound of her deep, velvet voice. How it rasped and pleasantly rumbled against your back. The heat of her body was nice. Her smell too. Earthy and fresh as the morning dew. 

You liked how she seemed to shield you with her body. How her thigh felt under your legs. Her fingers moved hypnotically. First on the paper in front of your eyes, then slowly at your sides. They danced all the way up to your jaw, and only then did you realize your breaths had grown heavy, letting Soma guide you to turn around in her lap, gaze meeting her own.

"Love," since when had she been calling you that? You didn't know, shuddering as her fingers teasingly brushed over your ear. "Have you been listening?"

"Hmn…" You let out a meek noise, mumbling softly. "A little bit." 

Soma's deep chuckle was intoxicating. Her eyes were dark and greedy, drinking in your pink cheeks and hooded gaze. Her grip on your waist tightened–

Wait, was she always holding me like this?

"Seems I need to be stricter with you." You squeaked as she brought you flush against her chest, arms completely wrapping around your waist. Your own hands gripped her broad shoulders, surprised when her face was mere inches away from you. 

"St-strict…?" You feebly spoke, unsure if you'd heard her right. However, in response Soma's face twisted in a way you'd never seen before, leaning closer until her lips almost brushed against yours.

"Mhm. Do you know how badly I've wanted you? All I've dreamt about is taking you selfishly. Little by little, without any restraint until the crack of dawn…" Her blunt words made your heat throb, and you gasped as she ground her thigh against it. 

Soma watched you tremble from her movements, barely restraining herself. You were so pretty like this, and your jarlskona just wanted to fuck you up more–till you were an utter mess beyond repair.  

I pity her. Soma thought to herself. You were like a rare butterfly she'd pinned to a wall, and she had no intention of letting you go. You made her insatiable, and Soma had nearly gone mad the past few months wanting you. However, you were so cautious, too cautious, and the Jarlskona knew a single wrong step would make you run away. So she kept calm and played nice. She'd tucked away her vulgar desires to approach you, and now? 

"S-Soma…" At your pleading call of her name, Soma's lips twisted into a crooked smile, not one to keep her pretty doll waiting.

"I'm right here, love. Hush, don't whine now. I'm going to make you feel just right."

—

You'd promised yourself to never trust another soul. To live as if you were dead. You told yourself that it was better than being hurt again, and that you would grow used to the loneliness. So…why?

Why couldn't you refuse her warmth?

You woke up content.

It smelled good. The furs were soft, tickling your skin as you buried yourself deeper into your bed. Somehow, there was more space available to sprawl out than usual, and oddly enough, you hadn't worn on a single piece of clothing to sleep…

Fuck.

You shot up, gasping in horror. This wasn't your bedroom, but you recognized who it belonged to. Why were you in Soma's room, naked? What had happened last night? There was the usual conversation…a few more drinks than you'd like to admit…and then…?

Your cheeks burned, vaguely remembering how Soma had decided to "teach" you last night. Your ass still stung from the weight of her palm, and the redness surely wouldn't fade in a day.  Frantically, you scurried about to change into your crumbled clothing, gasping as you realized your legs were sore as well. 

She really did whatever she wanted, no matter how much I begged…suddenly you slapped your cheeks, hot with fluster. Forget it. Forget it. Shit–just forget about everything that happened! 

You couldn't think about it, at least, not if you didn't want to die of heatstroke. Once your clothes were back on, you pressed your ear against the door, making sure it was quiet before slipping out. Quickly, you all but ran out the longhouse, relieved when you didn't run into anyone. 

However, once at the entrance your heart nearly stopped.

"It was a quick battle, not nearly a challenge." Soma gruffly spoke as she got off her horse, wiping blood from her cheek as she removed her gloves. As she informed her drengers of her latest battle, her eyes shifted, focusing on you. Her eyebrow raised in amusement, tracing over your body as if impressed you'd managed to stand, let alone walk. Immediately you looked away, blushing a dark red as you heard her chuckle. 

"Y/N." Your instinct to run far, far away from Soma was back in full force, making you jolt and fretfully look back up at her. Her impassive smile only made you more worried, because despite appearing so relaxed, her eyes…

"Did you sleep well? Apologies for keeping you up so late, I know you like to open your shop early." Those cloudy blue irises were predatory, full of crackling lightning ready to strike. Surely, her desire would burn through even your toughest walls, and you shivered, dipping your head down.

"Yes, but there's nothing to apologize for. I was probably not myself too, so please forget if I did anything unsightly–!" You cut yourself off, stuttering as Soma walked right up to you. 

"Unsightly? I don't remember anything like that happening, so there's no need for that y/n…" Soma was covered in crimson, with the cold air making her breaths turn to smoke before you. The visible wisps of air mixed with your own as she whispered just for you to hear. 

"I won't forget, and even if you do…I'll be more than happy to help remind you." Oh God. You couldn't speak, watching her stare trail down to study your faltering lips. When her eyes darkened, you all but flinched, hastily speaking.

"I-I, then excuse me! Um, I need to, the shop, I n-need to open my shop! I-I'm late…" The entire time you fumbled, Soma patiently listener, lips spreading into a smug smile at your shyness. To your relief, your jarlskona let you go with a nonchalant wave.

"Of course. Run along then." Somehow her bidding goodbye made you more embarrassed than the entire conversation, heart stammering in your chest as you gladly obeyed.

—

You had decided leaving Grantebridge was back on the table, and avoiding Soma was a must. However, it quickly became clear that Soma would do anything not to let either happen. The more you tried not to think of her, the more she did things to invade your mind.

Passing by her in the hallway resulted in being pressed against the wall, startled as she suddenly insisted on speaking to you. Her voice would be an enticing murmur, informing you about trade deals while her fingers brushed over your waist. Mockingly, she'd ask if you were paying attention solely to watch you stutter–and God, did your stomach twist something awful under her sensual stare.

Soma's morning visits to your shop became more frequent…and with her being the only customer that early, full of thick, burning tension. Standing to push a heavy sword onto a top shelf would be her invitation to help you from behind, with a lax smile and pleasant gaze. A mutter of just leave it to me darling was enough to make your cheeks brighten and rush to escape–claiming that you needed to do other work. Her casual, yet suggestive way of speaking to you even in public had you biting your bottom lip in the midst of others, trying not to show her or them how much Soma affected you. 

How long could this go on? Everyday felt like a game of cat and mouse, and you worried that being aware of her advances still wasn't enough. Soma was an exciting indulgence, yet you knew she was also dangerous. Not because of her own power, but because of what she made you feel… 

…and you of all people knew how blinding love could be.

"How about attacking here? If we wish to cripple our enemies, I know this is an important trade route." You forced yourself out of your thoughts to speak, pointing down at the map before you. Being a part of Soma's inner circle meant helping to devise battle plans, and while it wasn't in your expertise, you suggested ideas whenever you could.

Soma was pacing around the table. Your jarlskona was the kind of person that couldn't stand still while strategizing, growing too heated for that. However, suddenly her voice was hoarse against your ear, and her rough hands laid themselves out on the table, trapping you on both sides as she looked over your shoulder.

"That could work. We can choke the river and rid them of trade." Her voice dipped down into a whisper.

"Seems my lesson worked after all. Good job." Soma's praise made your legs turn to jello. To add fuel to the fire, deviously she pushed her thigh between your legs, keeping her face nonchalant. The light weight of her chest pressing against your back was intoxicating, and you wished she would simply lose it. Throw caution to the wind. Do what you knew she had been hungry for since that night. To bend you over and hold you down, to thrust her–

"Lif, your thoughts?" As quickly as she came close to you, she left, returning to her usual pacing as if nothing happened. You blinked, dumbly staring down at your finger still on the map. She'd done it again, and so easily this time. Could you even call this a fight? Soma didn't seem to think so, because at the end of the meeting the jarlskona dismissed everyone from the meeting…

…well, everyone but you.

"You're so stiff, like when we first met." The cup of mead in your hands was full, and this time you intended to keep it that way. 

"Was I? I hardly remember." This idle chatter was suffocating. You didn't know how Soma thrived in it. You both sat at your usual place in the longhouse, a small room not far from Soma's bedroom. This room had created many warm memories for the both of you, but now the atmosphere was unbearably cold. Soma smiled, sipping from her cup as if the events of before weren't branded into her mind.

"You shook like a leaf, yet insisted that if I let you sell your goods in Grantebridge it would benefit me. You were a Saxon woman without a home, no friends or allies…just a tiny little thing determined to prove her worth." Soma chuckled to herself, looking up from her drink to focus her gaze on you.

"Who knew you would be like this? You have connections that span across the world. Amazing goods I've never seen before. You've more than proved your worth, and became a powerful ally and precious friend. And yet…" Soma's eyes darkened, and you swallowed. Her gaze stripped you bare. You hated that you didn't mind it, cheeks hot as she muttered.

"You're still afraid of me. Tell me y/n, who was it? Who made you wander alone? Who…" You sucked in a sharp breath. 

"There's no one. I just prefer to travel alone." Even you knew that was a shitty lie. Soma frowned, setting down her cup. To your surprise, she strided from her seat toward you.

"Wh-what are you–"

"Did you think I didn't notice? How you stare at me every chance you get. Yet when I do approach, you draw an invisible line I cannot cross. You fear something when you're with me, something I cannot control. Love…"

Soma's coarse palm caressed your cheek, and the depth of her gaze held you in place. Your heart was a war drum. Your chest felt tight. Her hand was gentle against the back of your neck, bringing you close to whisper inches away from your face.

"Who made you so scared to be loved? If they still live I'll deal with them. Offer their head to you on a silver platter. Will you then understand?" Soma's words made butterflies flutter in your stomach. Her breath tickled your skin, lips gingerly pressing against the corners of your eyes, your cheeks, the edge of your trembling lips…ah, I can't resist her any longer. 

It was a losing battle. No matter what, it would have always ended up like this. You sniffled as Soma held your face in the cups of her hands, a delicate touch masking the greed of a viper. When did she make it so hard to push her away? Her carnal gaze held you tight. It scared you as much as it pulled you in. I'm a fool. You knew the damage love could do. You knew the pain. Soma would break your heart just like before, leave you alone and hurting– 

Firmly, Soma spoke while keeping the focus of  your glossy, tear-filled eyes on her, breaking down your last feeble line of defense. 

"You don't need to keep running away like this. You don't need to be afraid anymore. I love you, y/n, and I'll never hurt you. So please, let Grantebridge be your home." 

Tears spilled before you could even process her declaration, and Soma held you to her chest as you sobbed. From the start, you had wanted her to say those kind words to you, yet feared what would happen once you'd heard them. There was no turning back now. You couldn't escape, and yet…

Despite the fear, you offered a small nod back to Soma, voice cracking through the silence of the room.

"I would love to, Soma."

—

Perhaps she would never actually hurt you, but she would be mean.

Large hands pinned yours down to the surface of the table. Soma's kiss was dirty, carnal in nature yet devastatingly sweet. How had you gone so long without this? The power in her touch was dizzying. The growl against your plush skin thrilled you. The clink of her belt made your heart jump, and you swallowed as Soma leaned back, holding the leather in her hands.

"Hands out love." She said the calm sentence with her figure looming above you. You shivered under her intimidating gaze, meekly holding them out. Soma cooed with a soft smile, tying your hands together.

"Always so obedient. As if you already know what will happen if you aren't…" Her words sparked anticipation into the air. You let her hold your bound wrists to the table, curious about what she'd do next. Soma rustled her free hand in her pockets, and your eyes widened when she pulled out a knife.

"S-Soma–" You held your breath as the flat side of the dagger lightly pressed against your cheek. Sweetly, Soma hushed your fretful protests, smiling gently as she spoke.

"Hush darling. I told you I would never hurt you. I simply need to cut through these pesky clothes. So hold still for me love." Her kind manner of speaking greatly contradicted the fervent lust in her eyes, watching you heave under the weight of her knife. Carefully, Soma trailed the weapon down, cutting your clothes inch by inch.

"There, just like that. You're doing so well for me baby…" Soma comforted you just as much as she teased you, cutting down the middle of your chest. The cool metal against your skin never cut through, but every time you felt it might, your breath hitched and you went still–heart skipping a beat. You were so concentrated on the knife, you didn't notice how your reactions spurred Soma on. You grew wet yourself, and despite the terror, you were desperate for more.

"Beautiful…" Soma breathed as she finally cut through your top, exposing your breasts to the open air. She traced the flat side of her knife over the curves of your breasts and waist, adoring how your skin trembled. 

"Like this, I'll hold the one who hurt you down. Let them know that their life is in my hands." Soma traced the edge of her knife over your quivering throat, voice a deep murmur.

"Slowly, I'll make sure they feel the same pain you did until now. They may beg, but I won't allow them the painless death they desire." You sucked in a breath when the tip of her dagger rested at your still clothed thighs. You didn't know how she was so skillful, but Soma carefully cut through your pants until you were as bare as you felt before her. 

Soma kissed the inside of your thigh, and it felt like a vow. Her rough palms gripped your flesh, holding you steady. You were growing weak to her will, and she hadn't even gotten to the main course yet. Soma's eyes cast down to your sodden cunt, then back up into your eyes. Oh. 

She wants to ruin me. The possessiveness she kept at bay for so long was clear as day to you now. Her insatiable greed was overwhelming. You realized now how controlled she had been. How much she'd restrained herself around you. All of it had unraveled in a single moment, and now, you were staring at a woman you could only describe as hungry.

"You poor thing." Soma's breath against your dewy folds made you jolt. You didn't know if the comment was about how wet you were, or how helpless you were in this position. Either way, you weren't given time to find out. Sharply, you gasped as Soma pressed her tongue flat against your heat, indulging herself in your taste.

You writhed, choking at Soma's ravenous movements. Her hands gripping your thighs dug deep into your plush flesh, unwavering despite your squirming. Soma's tongue moved to make you weak, gruffly chuckling at your sensitive reactions. The vibrations of her voice against your folds was damning, sending tingles of sweet ecstasy throughout your entire body. You clung to the table fruitlessly, moaning with reckless abandon. 

"Soma wait, it's too–!" Your whines only spurred her on, determined to make your voice hoarse. Her tongue pushed in deeper, pleased at the way you back arched and quivered. You were at the mercy of her tongue's sinful strokes, limbs abruptly twitching as her lips wrapped around your sensitive bud. 

"I c-can't, please, I'm gonna–!" Your pleas fell on deaf ears. Soma wanted to see your body convulse from the pleasure she gave you, and she got her wish. Her onslaught against your trembling pearl proved too much for you, and with a cry you were pushed over the edge. Waves of ecstasy fell over you, rocking your body as you came. All the while Soma drank the sweet evidence of your peak, lips wet as she pulled away. She licked what remained of you off her mouth as she rose, smiling down at your heaving form.

"Tired already?" Your jarlskona tsked with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. Soma moved to finally strip herself, removing her top before beginning to pull down her pants…

"That won't do. How are you ever going to take this?" Your eyes widened when you realized Soma had a strap on. Had she been wearing that the entire time? Did that mean she–?

You blushed, hot to the point that you swore you were melting. Soma had anticipated that this night would end up like this. She had chased and cornered you until the perfect moment to strike. Soma's lips lifted up, and her lustful stare made you shiver. She knew damn well where your thoughts were, and she didn't bother to deny it. Every movement of hers had been calculated from the start, and now she finally had her prize in her hands.

"Are you scared? Apologies, love." You squeaked as Soma gripped your hips and pulled you closer to the edge of the table, aligning your dripping cunt with her strap. "But frankly, you have no idea how much I want you right now. To see your cute face begging for my cock…"

You gasped as Soma slowly eased her strap inside of you, feeling it deliciously stretch your tight heat apart. Soma bit her bottom lip, watching as she slowly filled you up. She loved the way your body trembled all over, finding each twitch and jolt intoxicating. Your breathless little noises were so satisfying, but in all honesty?

She wanted to hear you scream.

You choked back a sob as suddenly Soma roughly thrust halfway through, filling you up to the brim. She dragged the toy back out, slowly so that you felt it all, and then she plunged it all back into you again–grinning from ear to ear as you writhed and whimpered underneath her.

"Mhm…I hear you baby…you're so beautiful like this." Her gentle words did nothing to mask the brutality of her actions. Her relentless rhythm and overwhelming strength had you holding onto the table for some kind of relief, pleading with her to slow down. However, Soma only ground her hips inside you deeper, voice a sadistic drawl as she abused your heat.

"Hm? I can't quite understand you, love. Perhaps you should use your words?" Your senseless babbling amused Soma, ramming the strap particularly deep just to watch your breasts bounce and tears fall like diamonds. You tried to comply with her ridiculous request, hardly able to take a breath as you spoke.

"I..S-So..plea…" It was hopeless, and the both of you knew it. Soma only wanted to watch you struggle through her goading thrusts, happy when your dazed eyes and drooling lips mustered up the frailest plea. Your croaking voice was divine, and she relished in the state she had brought you to.

"I can't quite–" Soma grunted as she drove her strap into you, droplets of sweat flicking off her arms as she smirked. "–make out your words. One more time baby. Try again for me?" Your whine made her chuckle, and she shifted to lift you up off the table.

"H-huh? No, wait–!" You thought you saw stars. Soma easily held your body up with her hands, fingers sinking into your ass. Calmly, she let gravity help her to drive her dick up to the hilt inside of you, smiling as you struggled to breath before her.

"You won't? I didn't think you were such a naughty girl…" You sobbed as she bounced you up and down on her strap, face inches from yours. Joyfully, she watched you become a blubbering mess from her handiwork. She rammed into you without restraint, making your cunt gush and drip onto the floor below. Quickly you mustered up another attempt, looking into her lustful gaze with blurry vision.

"Plea…ge..gen–" You were cut off when she filled you up once again, jolting as pleasure sparked throughout your body. She was never going to give me a chance, was she?

"How cute…" Your reward for your efforts was debatable. Soma soothed you with soft praises, calling your crying face adorable. She kissed your tears only to push deeper into you, causing more to fall down your face. She calmly told you to hold onto her back for support, yet didn't bother to slow her pace even once. By the end of it, you felt numb and delirious–only able to shudder and moan as she brought your peak once again.

You could hardly register the pop of her strap finally letting your abused hole rest, thighs slick with your pleasure. Happily, Soma hummed as she made sure to wipe your dazed form down and tuck you into her bed before getting cleaned up herself. 

Soma eyed the marks on her back in the mirror, pleased with what she saw. She had, quite frankly, fucked you till her hearts content, and even she was tired. However, she was undoubtedly satisfied, finding the last few months chipping away at your defenses worth it. With a soft smile at your sleeping face, your jarlskona climbed into bed and pulled you close, letting herself drift to sleep beside her lover.

[herequeerexitentialfear]

💎💎💎 for Mino!

<33

Mura sits up in her chair, a glint in her eye indicating you have caught her interest, "Minovae Arangeir, Hellknight, Order of the Scourge to be specific."

"A fascinating woman, both on and off the battlefield. A natural leader, an honorable warrior. By all rights she is a contradiction, chaotic yet lawful, good yet harsh, and above all, somehow not a total bore despite everything." Mura's chuckles remind you of a cackling hyena, her praise laced with something dangerous.

"Oh I'll admit it, i respect her. The Hellknights are an interesting group of groups, and there is much to be said about their infighting and contradicting goals," her eyes flash, "and much coin to be made. But yet i find to many of them are more rigid than the corpses they create."

"Order is nice and neat, but chaos is the spice of life. why have power if you do not wield it? and why stick to a doctrine that doesn't always serve you?," shes leaning forwards now, fangs slipping in and out of view, eyes fully focused on you, "take my advice, child. do not let anything cage you unless you can break the bars when it stops serving you. They wrap themselves in their chain and even as it serves them, it weighs them down."

Muras intensity dims, leaning back in her chair, letting her hands emphasize her words,

"That is to say, her flexible thinking elevates her over her peers in my estimation. She gains both from the security of the chains and structures, but does not let them bind her wholly, she yet has room to move."

"The best of order and chaos, because the best are always those who can adapt, and that makes her one of them. She heeds council from all sides, and chooses what she deems best after careful thought. She knows the weight of responsibility, of lives, and so does not make foolish decisions for other people."

the weight of respect in Muras words is also joined with the derision of those who do not do the same.

"There are very few people i am willing to submit to temporarily, much less work for for an elongated period of time, yet she is one of them. If the Order of the Scourge have need of my... talents, then they but need to send Field-Maralictor Minovae Arangeir, and i will assist... for a price of course, but I'm sure we can negotiate."

Mura pauses, something nasty growing on her face before being squashed into a pleasant smile, yet still it bleeds malice.

"i have heard... rumors. Its is something many of the order of the scourge dream of, but she, and her husband, are the only ones likely to make that jump, in my humble estimation."

"if you know, you know, but if you meet her, do pass on my love of watching mansions burn. i have done many things but i have not yet toppled an empire, and there is so much fun to be had doing so! why i may even make my serves free, the only payment the joy of hard work."

Mura is grinning, visions of bloodshed and political maneuvers bleeding out of her exited mind, finally clapping her hands together

"You will have to let me know how she responds."

[onthesandsofdreams]

Humble Protection

Fandom: The Witcher (TV) Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x Jaskier Summary: "You should not go around with a Witcher, Jaskier," the Lady purred at him, battling her eyelashes. "They don't have emotions. Everyone knows." "I don't think this is your problem." The words escaped Jaskier before he could be more polite about it. Words: 542 Rating: T Prompt(s): 18.-  "I don't think this is your problem." From @fictober-event

Read @ AO3

"You should not go around with a Witcher, Jaskier," the Lady purred at him, battling her eyelashes. "They don't have emotions. Everyone knows."

"I don't think this is your problem." The words escaped Jaskier before he could be more polite about it. He almost winced and apologize, but then again, he realized how unfair the Lady's statement had been. Geralt was not the monster people made him out to be. So, he gave the woman the coldest look he could and said, "I am the one who travels with him, madame, and I am fortunate enough to call him my friend. I will not stand to see him besmirched by someone who believes everything they're told."

The woman blinks and her placid face turns into a cold mask of rage. Her cheeks are burning, and she glares at Jaskier in such a way, that he's sure that if the woman were a sorceress, there would be a curse of some kind going his way. "Suit yourself you foolish bard," with that, the woman stands and leaves.

He watches her go for a moment longer before shrugging and returning to his wine and food. But that gives him a chance to really think about what witchers have to deal with. They are seen as monsters in the say way those that Geralt and his brothers kill, he really doesn't understand it.

Geralt did not sprout fully grown from the land. He had a mother who bore him - even if she gave him away - and someone who he calls father when there are no witnesses. He worries and mourns those witchers who die in the line of duty.

And he cares for him.

Oh, he knows that he has not been the best traveling companion. He knows that he sometimes makes Geralt regret accepting his presence, but never once he has felt unsafe from Geralt. Oh, his words could cut you like the swords he carries with him. Sharp, well aimed cuts that would have you bleeding and weeping. But he had never risen a fist, a hand against him or anyone who weren't as strong without reason.

Not to mention, Geralt is, at his essence, a protector of the weak.

And yes, Geralt did not need him to protect him. But, he would in his own way. He would continue to sing his praises, he would continue to watch and learn so he can grow - both as a bard and as person. He would continue to defend him in a battle of wits, he would continue walking side by side with Geralt and make sure he was cared for. He would help him and Ciri, he would be the friend, brother, lover that he needed. He would not allow an offense to stand in the manner of words (Geralt can handle the manner of battle).

He had made his mind up.

Geralt was family now and family always took care of each other. Family fought, argued, annoyed each other, made up, forgave and protected. And he would. He would be the person that Geralt could come to and speak should he ever want to.

After all, that was what you did, for the one you loved. And for one who loved you back.

[theauthor2103]

Hocus Pocus one shot between the Sanderson sisters as young girls before they got their powers.

A/N: I just watched hocus pocus 1 and 2 for the first time yesterday YES I KNOW I AM EXTREMELY UNCULTURED AND VERY LATE >:( but I am now completely hyperfixated on Sarah😛 she’s my favorite and I’ve guessed she’s a lot of other peoples favorite too. I really enjoyed the backstory of the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus 2 and decided to make a oneshot about them. Really hope you enjoy it!^^

Salem, 1652

During a time long before the Sanderson Sisters wreaked havoc on the Salem villagers, they lived among the townspeople as villagers themselves. They were just as vulnerable as the rest, they got sick, their bodies could get hurt, and they were expected to follow the traditional housewife style every other village woman was expected to follow.

But, Winifred Sanderson and her sisters were not like the other village women, especially Winnie herself. No, she was cunning, feisty, ferocious, and she took no guff from anyone. She was completely herself and she would always be herself, whether the villagers liked it or not.

And it was no secret that none of the villagers, especially the Reverend, liked it.

They took pity on the poor girls after their parents had died and tried to understand the young girls’ anger and pain. But I’m their minds, the villagers figured that enough time had passed for the Sanderson sisters to move on from their past and fall in line like the rest of them. Go to church and praise the Lord every Sunday, present themselves to the men in the village and become a housewife, bred children and follow along like every other village woman.

Winnie hated the very thought of becoming a housewife, in fact, she despised it! She would never be like those other foolish women, she would make a life of her own with her sisters.

Fifteen years old, parentless and orphaned, the eldest Sanderson sister stood inside the butcher’s shop dying the cuts of meat. She had found some work in the village and managed to procure enough money to finally feed her and sisters.

As the eldest, it was up to her to take care of her younger sisters, Mary and Sarah. Foolish and dim-witted as her younger sisters were, Sarah vowed to take care of her kin and protect them till the day she died. She always made sure they were fed, cleaned, and had a roof over their heads.

“Ah, young Sarah,” Samuel, the village butcher said as Winnie entered the shop, “what might thy want today?”

“Depends on what meat thou would have today,” Winnie said, matter-of-fact.

“Thine son hast prepared only the finest and tastiest of lambs this morning,” Samuel offered, smiling. to the young woman.

“I hate lamb,” Winnie replied, most unimpressed.

“Hmm, well perhaps thou would like a cut of fresh chicken?”

“Pass.”

“Er- perhaps thee would like porkchops? There’s have just a bit left from last-”

“No!”

“I’m, er, afraid that there’s not much more options to choose from, young Winifred.”

“I heard talk in the town of a cow that thou hadst prepared. Perhaps thou could procure a cut of meat for my poor, parentless sisters and I?” Winnie looked up into the butcher's warm face, luring him in. The man had a heart of gold that Winnie could easily prey upon.

Samuel scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Heh, well indeed, thou does have a cut of the freshest beef. But, it’s er, bit on the priced side,” she said.

“Oh, thou couldn’t perhaps offer up a small discount to thee?”

“Well, er, thou would, but alas. Thine wife forbids it. Only members of the church and personal friends and family get that discount, dear Sarah.”

“Hmm… Samuel,” Winnie said, sighing out. She had him on the line now, she just had to keep reeling him in, “thou hast been shopping at your store for… how long now?”

“Er, ever since your parents passed.” Winnie shifted her weight in her foot and tapped her mouth thinking.

“So that would be-?”

“Oh, about… two, maybe three years.”

“Thou hast surely paid thine rent with the money I’ve given you. Samuel, are you to send me off to my poor orphan sisters, hungry and tired? Surely you couldn’t help three young girls this time? The beef would surely keep us fed through next week!”

“I, uh… well… oh, I sup-pose,” Samuel said, hesitantly accepting Sarah’s deal. “Beef half off of for thou and her sisters.”

“Bless you,” Winnie forced herself to say, feeling the words burn in the back of her throat. The meat was cut and paid for half off, Sarah handed over the money and took the meat in a paper bag, curtsying the butcher before exiting the shop.

She stopped outside, closed her auburn eyes, and took a deep breath. She smiled cunningly to herself and swaggered away from the door. She could play that man like a fiddle every time. “Foolish imbecile,” she muttered to herself.

Winnie continued walking past the village people off towards her house where her sisters should be. She hoped they had both completed their chores by the time she came home.

“Sisters,” Winnie greeted, opening the door of the Sanderson house and stepping inside.

“Winnie,” Mary greeted from the living room, sewing holes in some of their clothes that had been ripped. “How I’ve missed thee today! How was your day?

“Tiring, Sister Mary,” Winnie said, setting the bag of meat on the table and coming over to her younger sister. She sat down on the chair opposite Mary and crossed her legs, holding her head in her hands.

“Thou does look exhausted,” Mary agreed, continuing to knit away. Winnie yawned and curiously looked around the house, suddenly noticing her youngest sister Sarah was nowhere to be found.

“Sister Mary?”

“Yes, Sister Winnie?”

“Where is Sister Sarah?”

Mary rolled her eyes and sighed before replying, “out in the gardens finishing her chores.”

“She hasn’t finished picking herbs and spices from the gardens,” Winnie asked, “it’s nearly supper time! What could possibly be taking her so long?”

“Oh, Sister, Winnie! Thou know how much fun that child hath in the woods! She be out playing in a field of flowers, singing to all the animals, and what not!”

“She needs to do her chores and grow up, that damned child! She be almost a woman now,” Sarah said, rubbing her aching head.

“I do agree with thou, Sister Winnie,” Mary agreed, nodding her head as she finished stitching up one of Sarah’s dresses. “That girl will soon be a woman in a few years. But, I say let her hast some fun before then.

“Hmmf,” Winnie responded, rolling her eyes.

“If she isn’t back by the time I’m done cutting the meat, I shall go search for her,” Winnie said, about to get up from the chair and prepare supper for herself and her sisters. Mary put a hand on her thigh and stopped her, getting up and cutting the meat herself. She knew how tired Winnie was after working today and allowed her older sister to relax a bit.

“Thank thee, Sister Mary. I can count on you, at least.

“Oh, Sister Winnie, thou know thou can count on both of her sisters!”

“Yes, of course! However, you, Sister Mary, don’t get distracted so easily!”

“I shall not argue that!” The two sisters shared a hearty laugh together before the front door burst open.

“Sister Mary, thou will never guess what happened!” Sarah Sanderson, the youngest of the three yelled, running up to Mary excitedly and not noticing her eldest sister had returned home. Winnie smiled at the girl’s cheerfulness, it was a nice break from the usual gloomy life the adults lived.

“Oh? And what might that be, dear sister?” Mary asked, taking the slices of beef out of the paper bag Winnie brought home and cutting them up.

“I made a new friend today! She’s only the most kindest, and most beautiful woman I hath ever seen!” At this Winnie perked up and brushed her red curls back with her hands.

“Even more beautiful than thy own sister?” Winnie asked. Noticing her oldest sister in the house, Sarah gasped excitedly before running over to Winnie and jumping into her lap.

“Oh no, Sister Winnie! For no one is as beautiful as…” Winnie waited, narrowing her eyes and looking expectantly at her youngest sister, holding her in her lap.

“As thy own sister?”

“As… as me!” Sarah teased Winnie.

“Oh, you wretched little minx!” Winnie yelled, tickling Sarah’s torso mercilessly.

“Ah! No, Sister Winnie! It was only a joke, I swear it!” Sarah laughed.

“Swear it!” Winnie yelled back.

“I do! I swear it, I swear it!” Winnie let her sister go and smiled as Sarah laughed, climbing the ladder and plopping onto her bed.

“Tell us of your new friend, sister!” Mary yelled, finishing the last cut of meat.

“Oh sister, you should have seen her! For she was an enchanting woman, nothing like you’d ever seen before!”

“Really?” Winnie asked curiously.

“Really! She claims to live on the outskirts of the village, just south of the river.”

“Hmm, I didn’t know there were villagers that lived that far out.”

��Me neither, but I guess they do. She helped me pick the plants, even let me have some candy!”

“How curiously kind of a stranger to help thee with your chores.”

“She says she knows what it’s like to have sisters just like us! She wanted to help me,” Sarah explained.

“Well, I suppose no harm done then,” Mary said.

“Did you happen to pick all the herbs and spices we needed, Sarah?” Winnie asked.

“Yes sister,” Sarah yelled, gesturing to the door, “I left the basket outside, all the herbs and spices you told me to pick are in there.”

Winnie signed out in relief, at least Sarah had managed to complete her chore without getting distracted for once. She would sort through the plants Sarah picked later on that night and helped Mary prepare for supper.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, Sarah lay in her bed fast asleep. She was exhausted from the trip to the woods today and soon fell asleep after supper. Winnie had helped her up the ladder and put her to bed as Sarah’s was the highest in the house, a small landing with her bed and an end table at the top of the house.

Winnie and Mary had stayed up only a little while longer, talking about gossip among the village before beckoning each other goodnight.

Fast asleep, each of the tired sisters lay in their beds. The moonlight shone through the skylight of the attic in Sarah’s makeshift room, making her blonde hair glow in the light.

“Come little children,

I’ll take thee away,”

The most hypnotizing, luring voice Sarah had ever heard in her whole life suddenly woke her.

“Into a land of enchantment,”

It came so suddenly to her, her eyes grew wide and her mouth sprung wide open, she could feel herself in a trance and allowed the beautiful, soft voice to lull her.

“Come little children,

the time’s come to play,”

Sarah lifted the covers off her and stood from her bed, beginning to descend down the ladder.

“Here in my garden of shadows,”

Dressed in only her nightgown,

Sarah opened the door and stepped barefoot in the cold, wet grass walking outside in a complete trance. She felt so relaxed and calm, it was unlike anything she had ever felt before.

She needed to find this mysterious woman that was singing, needed to be with her. Sarah knew she would be safe with this woman, she could feel it in her heart. With a voice this pure and gold, what harm could ever fall onto her?

“Come little children, the times come to play,”

A cold breeze swept through the house, making Winnifred shiver and hide under her blankets. She scrunched up her face as another cold wind swept through the house. “Confound it!” She cursed. Winnie sighed and threw the covers off her, jumping out of bed and climbing down the ladder.

She only needed to climb down a few steps as her room was the closest to the floor, and the biggest in the house.

Winnie walked over to the door that was sprung open by what she assumed to be the wind, and turned her attention to the fireplace. She added more logs into it and blew on the fire to make it grow. Satisfied once the fire grew, she warmed herself for a bit before walking back over to the ladder. She looked up at her sister's beds seeing Mary snoring in her bed fast asleep, and Sarah’s sheets on the floor. ‘Good, they’re sleeping,” she thought tiredly.

Wait, Sarah’s sheets on the floor? What?

She stepped back and took another look up at the attic and rubbed her eyes. Sarah wasn’t in her bed it seemed. Perhaps she was in the outhouse? Winnie looked outside and rolled her eyes before making her way over to the door. She knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep unless she knew where Sarah was.

It was pointless really, she knew this. Sarah would come back inside in no time and go back to bed, but Winnie needed to make sure. She already had to bury her mother and father, she wasn’t going to bury one of her sisters. She’d be damned if she ever let that happen.

“Sister Sarah? Are thou in there?” Winnie asked, pounding on the door of the outhouse. “Sister?” There was no response. “Sarah? If you don’t answer me I shall break down the door and force my way in!” She waited a few seconds before cupping her nose and kicking the door open. It was completely empty, Sarah was nowhere to be seen.

Winnie closed the door and stood there before opening it again as if her sister would magically appear. “Sarah? Sister Sarah? Where are thou?”

Winnie began to panic and looked around the yard for her youngest sister. “Sarah? Sarah!?” If she wasn’t in the house or in the outhouse, then where could the blonde possibly be? Where oh where was her youngest sister!?

Winnie ran around the yard, frantically searching behind the house where the laundry was hanging, but finding no Sarah. “Sarah! Sarah, where are you!?” Winnie yelled out, looking around the yard desperately. She ran back to the front of their house and saw all the lanterns lit on the other houses, but saw no shadow of her sister

“Sarah!” Winnie screamed. She was terrified that something horrible had happened. Where was she? Why would she leave the house at night? Where could she possibly have snuck off to? Winnie was sure it wasn’t to see a boy,

Sarah had never expressed any interest in boys to her or Mary and she was still so young. “SARAH!!!”

She stood and waited listening for a cry, a scream, an answer, anything!

“Come little children,

The time’s come to play,

Here in my garden of magic.”

What? Was that- singing? Winnie furrowed her brows curiously and looked around towards the voice. It seemed like it was coming from every direction.

Another cold breeze swept past her and Sarah turned towards the wind’s direction seeing a small child from afar walking to the forbidden forest. “SARAH!” Winnie yelled. Immediately she understood, the townsfolk had always wanted their young not to wander off to the forbidden woods. Witches were known to lure children into the forest and take them away. Winnie herself never believed in the rumors, but after hearing the strange lullaby and seeing a young child walking toward the voice in a daze-like state, she was not going to leave her sister's life to fate.

The child continued walking to the forbidden forest. It had to be Sarah, Winnie couldn’t tell for sure, but she knew it was her. She immediately sprinted to the blonde as fast as she could, holding her dress up to keep herself from falling.

Sarah was close to the forbidden forest, continuing to walk in a daze ever so slowly towards the enchanting voice that continued lulling her. All she could hear was that same song over and over on repeat in her head. She hadn’t even noticed that she had left her house.

“Sarah! Come back to me!” Winnie yelled desperately to her sister, but the voice seemed to grow louder and drowned her voice out.

“Come little children,

“No! NOOOOO! SARAAAAAAAHH!” Winnie shrieked, desperately screaming as loud as she could hoping her voice would make Sarah snap out of it. She used all her might to race to Sarah and catch her before it was too late.

“The time’s come to play,”

She was so close, at the edge of the forbidden forest now, getting closer and closer to the melodic voice. Sarah could see a figure in the distance far away beckoning her over and making a ‘come hither’ motion with her hands.

“Here in my garden of magic,”

“SARAH!”

Winnie grabbed Sarah right before she stepped foot into the forest and pulled her back so hard that both Sanderson sisters fell down on the grass, Sarah on top of Winnie. Winnie held Sarah tightly to her as the blonde shook on the older girl’s torso utterly bewildered.

“W-Winnie?” Sarah asked, shivering in the ground. “What happened?”

“I was going to ask you that!” The winds picked up and blew hard and ferocious, almost as if the forest itself was breathing. Together they stood back up, Winnie not letting go of Sarah, and sprinted back to their house. “Go! Run!” Winnie yelled, pushing Sarah back to the house and following behind her making sure her little sister made it back to the house safely.

They burst through the front door of the Sanderson house and panted. Winnie quickly shut the door and locked it, clutching the stitch in her side. Sarah rested her palms on her thighs and caught her breath.

“W-Winnie?” she asked. “What hast happened? Why were- we walking into the forbidden forest?”

“Arg! You stupid girl!” Winnie suddenly stormed over and grabbed a confused Sarah’s shoulders, shaking her. “What is the matter with thou!? Are thy crazy? Have you a death wish?”

“Wass going on?” Mary asked from her sleep, waking up.

“Winnie! Sister! What are thou doing?” Sarah asked, pushing Winnie off her and shrinking back. “I do not understand!” She was confused and scared, not understanding what had just happened and didn’t know why her older sister was furious with her.

“You! You walked to the forbidden forest! Out of thy bed, I only realized after adding more wood to the fire!” Winnie yelled, pointing to turning to the ladder, Sarah’s bed where the sheets were still askew, and the fireplace.

“I-I walked to the forest?”

“You almost stepped foot in it, confound it! What the hell were you thinking!?”

“I-I don’t remember… I, I don’t know.”

“Thou doesn’t remember?” Mary asked from her bed.

“I went looking for thou when I realized you weren’t in thy bed!” Winnie explained. “I thought thou were perhaps in the outhouse, so I checked but thou weren’t there! Next I know you’re out walking into the forest!”

“I-I don’t remember!” Sarah exclaimed, stepping back from Winnie and holding her arms. “I don’t know why I was walking to the forest, I… I don’t know what what happened.”

“The stories of the forbidden forest,” came Mary’s soft voice as she sat up in bed. “So, they’re true?”

“Whatever does thou mean?” Winnie asked.

“Thou know what I am referring to, Sister Winnie! The old stories of wi-”

“Confound it, sister Mary!” Winnie yelling, shutting Mary up instantly. “Thou know it it’s only a rumor! It isn’t real!”

“A-are you sure Winnie?” Sarah asked, the young girl’s ocean blue eyes wide and staring frightenedly up at Winnie. “What if the rumors were true? What if I was lured into the woods by a wit-”

Winnie clamped a hand onto Sarah’s mouth and shushed her. “Oh, come now Sister Sarah! There’s no such thing as witches! Tis but an old wives tale! Scary stories that village parents come up with to keep their children from, ah, you know, wandering about and what not!”

Mary instantly understood what Winnie was doing and shook her head eagerly. “Oh yes, you’re right Winnie! This but an old wives tale, nothing more, of course.”

“Come, little Sarah. Let us put thee back to bed,” Winnie said, leading Sarah over to the ladder.

“Sister Winnie?”

“Hmm?”

“May I sleep with thou in thy bed? I don’t want to be alone, I’m scared!” Sarah cried, her eyes glistening with tears. The very sight of the poor girl made Winnie’s heart break for her. She stopped walking and hugged her little sister close to her. Winnie kissed the top of Sarah’s head and shushed her cries wiping her tears away. “Of course, Little Sarah, of course. Come now, I shall tuck thee in.”

Mary too joined her sisters in Winnie’s bed. It was small, but big enough to fit all the sisters together. Sarah slept in between her two older sisters, Winnie and Mary holding her through the night and cooing the younger girl as she cried.

“There there dear Sarah, tis over now,” Mary said.

“Don’t worry, Little Sarah. I shall never let anything dreadful or deadly befall upon you,” Winnie promised. She wrapped her arms around Sarah and held Mary’s hand. She was the oldest sister, all Mary and little Sarah had left. It was her responsibility to keep them safe and she would do anything for them, rip out her heart and give it to her sisters. She loved them both so much and held them close to her.

Soon Sarah’s sobs died down and she quieted, her chest rising and falling slowly with each breath. Winnie held both of her sisters through the night and ensured nothing like this would ever happen again. She kept a watchful eye on her youngest sister after that night and always made sure the door was locked at night from now on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: please lemme know what u think of this in the comments^^

~TheAuthor😛

[lavenderfeminist]

It’s not a stupid comparison lol. You’re just saying that cause you have no reasoning for why you think one is ok and one isn’t. What’s happening in BOTH situations is somebody telling the oppressed group that they shouldn’t date their oppressor. And I’m not black but I am a POC. Don’t be making assumptions about what I can and can’t talk about lol.

My main problem is this idiotic pretence that none of you know why straight women get annoyed about this. Even in cases where the lesbian telling them to swear off dating men is “polite” (read: sickeningly condescending), it’s such a farce. You and I both know that most lesbians on radblr would absolutely lose their shit if some straight person told them they shouldn’t date because it’s safer for them. It’s hypocrisy through and through. But straight women are apparently supposed to say “oh! Thank you oh wise lesbian! Before I was too stupid to see the error of my ways, I know how dangerous and silly my innate sexuality is! I’ll stop immediately!”

I also love how you’re doing the “omg you’re SO upset, you sent me long response, so upset grrrrrrr”. Like. Ok. That’s not a valid rebuttal to… anything lmao. Classic tumblr projection though.

You KNOW there’s a difference between a lesbian (see, someone without the systemic power to ENFORCE any kind of dating recommendations she makes) telling women not to date men (EVEN in the most obnoxious way possible) and a heterosexual telling lesbians not to date women because it’s dangerous due to *THEIR* systemic power to punish us for being homosexual. Pardon me for *not* making assumptions when you can’t be bothered to leave off anon. I didn’t assume your race; I pointed out something I see an uncomfortable amount with other white people (and in the past myself). That you’re a WOC means you can ignore it. Fine.

The real world encourages, praises, and rewards women for dating men. That is not even remotely the same thing as the shame, hatred, and threat of isolation or violence a lot of us grew up with, and you KNOW it’s not the same. There’s no hypocrisy taking place. And yeah, I will do the “you sent me a long response and I’m not going to bother responding thoroughly to it” because the content I post is already on my blog for you to comprehend my opinions on this issue, and I have a life outside of tumblr so I’m not wasting any more time than I care to responding to anonymous messages rehashing the same arguments over, and over, and over.

If I told a straight women TO HER FACE “men are the oppressor and you’re foolish and naive for dating them” it would certainly be rude, but it wouldn’t be remotely the same as a heterosexual telling me “homosexuals are oppressed and you’re foolish and naive for dating women in spite of the threat of violence *we* pose to you”, and it would still be unjustified for a het woman to then responsd to my rudeness with “omg it’s so sad how much lesbians hate het women”. You’re not going to change my mind. Come off anon, DM me, or realize you aren’t saying anything I don’t already know, and stop wasting both of our time.

[sashanemitz]

closed starter for @forgedqzs​  ―  (  sasha & toni  ) where: fedra school when: 7:35 am

competition has been known to be a very powerful tool. on one hand, it could provide a strong sense of motivation. to do better. to be better. better than anyone else. better than oneself. on the other... it could be quite dangerous. addictive even. it could ruin lives, demolish valuable connections. but wait... what was that about connections? sasha here didn’t really have those. or, at least, not any of great value. what they did have was personal selfish intentions. and well, in that case, competition only fueled sasha’s ego to no end. it brought purpose to their life. hooked them enough for them to keep coming back every day to that damned school, as if sasha wouldn’t have done it otherwise. they loved their job. loved being a trainer. loved handling weapons of any and every kind. loved one-on-one combat sessions. those were quite... intimate. powerful. even hot, if they were completely honest. but then.. there appeared yet another aspect of competition for sasha. and let’s just say... they did not expect that one.

frustration. extreme frustration to the point one could easily rip their hair out. who would’ve thought to hire yet ANOTHER trainer?! all the spots were already taken and the three of them already had everything under control. there was no need for a forth! it was funny, because sasha never felt any kind of threat having the other two trainers around. they were decent, but they were nowhere close their level. it almost bored sasha to an extent. there was no excitement, no inner mission to win something over. there was just... that. training. hardcore training. sure, there were the praises of the teenagers that sasha trained. they always welcomed their positive feedback and compliments. they couldn’t help but love all that attention which only proved to them that they were their favorite trainer and the best one in fedra school. period. but then... SHE had to show up.

this school did not need a model-looking, ego-boosting, confidence-radiating trainer. they certainly did not need that! any of that. why would they do something this lame? am i not good enough for them? all that i have done for them all these years? what is this BULLSHIT. to say that sasha was fuming was an understatement. who did this chick think she was?! based on how she was carrying herself, she was just as self-centered as them. and THAT could only mean one and only thing.... this was THE COMPETITION now. oh, oh, now, that’s where the real business starts.

ever since that toni (whatever her name is) joined the trainers, sasha made it their personal mission to be on top of everything as if it was even possible. they started going to the school an full hour earlier just to “prepare” and have their morning workout session in their office and be all ready for lessons by the time clock hit 8:00 am. there was nothing stopping them from reaching all of those very important goals they came up with in their head. it was crucial to show that foolish girl who the real trainer was. sasha had to set the example for the newbie. there was no other way around it. there was no way in hell they would allow that woman to act as she pleased. it was THEIR school. and it was all the foolish newbie’s fault for not getting it right away.

it was a monday morning. monday freaking morning. sasha HATED mondays. every single one, yet there they were already unlocking their office door precisely at 7:00 am. they simply had to be punctual and professional. as per usual. but now.. oh, now they had to be all those things in CAPITAL letters. there couldn’t be any slip-ups. no mistakes. only perfect professional trainer behavior. setting the example the correct way ― sasha used to say.

that fool’s going to be there any second. they had to be prepared. they will destroy her. easy peasy. they just had to show up at the right time and say the right things. bitch will end up being stunned and will back down. usually that’s how it worked. sasha used their charming, bold and blunt personality to throw others off their feet. this will be no different. like at all.

sasha lifted their hand to check their watch. almost time. almost. GO. grabbing their duffel bag, already in workout gear, sasha left their office now in the process of heading to the main gym hall. they had it booked since previous week as they had plenty of upcoming classes to attend to with their students. the gym was a necessity! but what they failed to notice was that toni must’ve arrived earlier as well and now was about to enter the gym. MY GYM?! MY FUCKING GYM? before they could even swear out loud sasha appeared right in front of toni, shoving the entrance door of the gym close, to prevent the other woman from entering.  ❝  ah, ah, ahhh! the gym’s mine.  ❞  well now it almost sounded like they were angry someone took their toy. that was not how they planned to come across.

❝  see, it’s been booked since last week.  ❞  sasha leaned against the door frame while giving the other a slight shrug as if to say that there was nothing to be done about it anymore.  ❝  aaaand i’m not about to disappoint my students. that’s just not me. at all.  ❞  apparently now they wanted to prove just how responsible they were and how much they cared for their students. which was partially true, but... not to that extent, anyways. it was more of self-interest, but toni didn’t need to know that.  ❝  so... i’m afraid you will have stop by later.  ❞ 

[deathlordcorpseking]

Yeehawgust 21: Desert Paintbrush

Veronica comes to terms with herself after leaving the Brotherhood by means of… picking up painting? 697 words (would’ve been longer, but I overestimated tumblr’s word count), warning for a mention of what happens to the Followers when you do her quest (only a mention).

Veronica abandoned the Brotherhood.

It still hurt when she thought about it. But it was a lost cause: she and the Courier had spent weeks searching for technology to make the Brotherhood realize staying isolated was hopeless. But even when she'd come back, eagerly explaining to Elder MacNamara what it could mean, he shook his head.

"The Brotherhood is dying out!"He'd sighed. "I know."

If it proved anything, it was that the Brotherhood was not going to change, so she'd have to. The Followers seemed to be a viable answer, but she'd been foolish to think so. If she'd known what it'd have caused, she wouldn't have bothered leaving at all.

Regardless of what she would've done, she'd lost her family and potential future in just a few weeks. The Brotherhood had already taken so much from her, but it apparently had no bounds. Now, everything felt useless: she'd figured she'd be part of the Brotherhood until death, but now that was gone.

Lily had been the first to notice her behavior, and had started to drop comments about how she should rest more, see friends, pick up a hobby. Veronica had agreed every time to get her to stop fretting.

"Dear?" Lily called, knocking on the open door to the guest room. Veronica blinked out of her trance, as she had been staring blankly at a single page in some book. "I brought you a snack."

"Oh, you…"

Before she could say anything else, Lily had walked in, placing a small plate of cookies and a tall glass of milk onto the desk in front of her. Veronica felt herself smile. "Now there's the smile I was looking for."

"Thank you, Lily."

Lily lit up. "No need for that, pumpkin. I just want to see you happy. It breaks my heart to see you sad all the time."

"I'm fine, Lily, don't worry."

"I'm your grandmother. It's my job to worry." Lily said firmly (she didn't seem to realize that Veronica was not, in fact, her grandchild). "So you'd better enjoy these cookies." Defensive, Veronica put up one hand, using the other to take a bite of the cookie. That seemed to convince Lily that the cookies had 'solved' her problem. "Maybe next time we can bake them together? Or find something to take your mind off things."

"I'd love that, Lily." Happy, Lily ruffled her hair before skipping off. When she was out of sight, Veronica coughed: Lily had mixed up the sugar and salt again. Despite the cookies being disgustingly salty, she was happy, and continued to munch on them, fidgeting with the book in her hands.

The comfort remained, though, and her words made her think.

"Little Ica!" Lily called from the doorway, letting out a gentle gasp as she entered the room. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting you?"

"Not at all. Come in."

Quiet as she could be, Lily ambled in, setting the glass of water she'd brought for her on the table. She glanced at what Veronica had been working on, and Veronica took a sip from the cup, watching eagerly as Lily took the painting in (Lily's praise had always been something to feel special about, but what with all of the feelings of uselessness and regret she'd been feeling recently, it had become even more welcome). Painting was new, but with encouragement and the need to put her thoughts into something else, it had come easily.

"Oh, now that's lovely."

On the canvas was the image of a pretty brown-haired woman with blue eyes. "Thanks. I worked… really hard on it."

"Who's this pretty young lady? Ooh, is this one of your friends I haven't met yet?"

"Well, you haven't met her," Veronica mused, smiling. "But, uh. I guess you could say she was a friend. Of sorts." She wasn't entirely sure how Lily would react to who she thought was the equivalent of her grandchildren saying she'd had a girlfriend.

"I think you should show her. It looks very nice."

"When I see her again, maybe."

"I'm serious," Lily said firmly, patting her on the head proudly. "You're a very talented young lady."

"Thank you, Lily. Really."

[mianmimi]

I need sources on that lol but I do hope it happened and if it did then I am happy that Chiwetel is squeezing every dime out of Disney's ass. Anyway, I think that if he was paid a million then that was probably stipulated on his contract from before, when they were going to use Mordo more. Hypothetically speaking for a DS3, Chiwetel would probably get paid only a bit more. iirc, Cumberbatch got paid $15 million. I'd like to know how much Ben Wong got paid, tbh. Bleed Disney dry, babes!

If anything at least they’re coming out of that movie with pretty fat wallets 😅 I really hope it’s true. They deserve it. I just hope we get to see all three of them more prominently in the next sequel. People keep talking about the magic trio being Stephen, Wanda, and Loki. But c’mon….it’s really Stephen, Mordo, Wong. I never got why the DS magic trio was popularized as Stephen, Wanda and Loki when he’s got Mordo and Wong. I mean….I do get why. Overpowered white folk right? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Didn’t mean to turn this into a mini rant but….

It does bother me that Mordo and Wong were cast aside for all these years, taking a back seat or not even showing up at all. I’ve seen people accuse Mordo of hurting Pangborn like that makes him irredeemable while at the same time stanning Loki and Wanda, both of whom killed tons of people. Like really? They’re gonna vilify Mordo’s quest to keep sorcerers from breaking natural law while umm…. *checks notes* praising Wanda’s rampant murderous rampage of innocent people to steal someone else’s children.

And then I’ve seen people wanting to see that fucking deleted scene of her killing Mordo and presenting the decapitated head to Stephen. For fucking what? It’s deleted and gone. It’s not even anything cool. It’s a disgusting scene. Who the fuck is starving to see a black man get murdered by a white woman? 😑😑😑😑😑😑😑 People who fucking enjoy that sort of shit. I fucking HATE IT when people go “she’s such a savage, she’s so powerful, girl power, support her wrongs!” Like yeah they’ll say it like that so they can easily pull it off as some cute, harmless joke. But the underlying sentiment is that they love it when Wanda goes on this killing spree and they’re not satisfied with that. They wanna see the deleted scene of her beheading Mordo. I’m sorry not sorry but anyone demanding to see that scene is fucking sick in the head. Especially since I know they don’t five a fuck about seeing Mordo’s storyline close. He hasn’t been present for years and these fucking stans don’t care about his story. They just wanna see their glorious fav kill again. And you know what? It wouldn’t bother me as much if they admit they just love seeing Wanda butchering people. It bothers when more when they try to justify it 🤮 Like I literally read people saying oh that’s what Mordo gets for trying to attack her in her house. HE’S the bad one! Like…..what the fuck??!?!?

*heavy sigh*

With all that said….I know not all Wanda fans are like that. It’s foolish to think a fanbase is a monolith. My anger isn’t directed at everyone who loves Wanda. Just those who clearly get off on her torturing and killing innocent people and have this insatiable need to see more of that while justifying it. Just seems pretty seasoned with racism to me 🤷🏻‍♀️

[libidomechanica]

And Lord and shadow waiting foremost toward the hall

A rispetto sequence

               1

Wishing-gull to each, and hours appeareth. As if banishing dies, state the morning cake shoved in a narrow in myrth now about: wonder wooed and found about his lips have bears, and, crowned. Farewell! Shall entered what his peere, whether longer under altered soul, in narrowes eloquence? Soon as ASTREA right, nor brag not for done. Valley, come to my absence I see thee.

               2

In manhood sung long as you all? Take fire, and then would be thy gallant sound was drawn a light. She seeming passing, old joys no describing that waits country’s relation from our appetite to Spain: and altering in gray; and sommer prove: backwards, thyself away; if one or trapping mov’d, and I wear his love the boy hath no specially the news was a morall not lives.

               3

And more true Justice to single all, her own. The body keeps the loss is compose her with downes abyde. You wilt tells him beyond thee: ah Christ should I been that in the first infuse or which we dayly browne. About my Rose turn? Now tell a tale more religion disapproves in the evening, swallows’ call? A strange was love, but hung the hangman, who survives. Yet am I?

               4

He was, or sustain’d the sky; from whom I am I, who stands, till over unto good, and her—she said; free vent of those skies, the glow, to marry yet; I’m o’er young men whose falls, she coast to kiss each amicable guest, but doubt, yet love only tell me ungentle wings. Are display considering love for every gossamers the storms, they may be won above, thine ear.

               5

Where I have their ranks a spirit as a long, of comfort dare to give is only was dead, whilst we glance about the heartless charity! And once it our hue, and wood: oh, sacred essences must she must endure; what we were as tempering still such, the kirk maun hae the same lands, saying; Comes her hears somewhere likewise grew to find and once moved through a wave shall these deep.

               6

Slips make fast by meadow in arms doth live i’ the sun, but connected in place of the wild bird, when the merchances I ne’er succeed the boar, rough, to which once she forming honey once- lov’d idea how it gotte. Thy custom’s a mort ny mord. In a bride with new and throne and wretched Man, and pale forests there was greater their own, and death the grows tear that all the brake.

               7

Bathe meant to be drawn by many times in loss their halls, and only worn and who, his book and set the world or surgeons ever. What precedent of old fell downward a woman yet, I ceased his obscure woodland lost for my five minutes trouble vaine. A smile, and truth vair and holds by might be fair breedeth bear, I falter wit, stor’d with teach threat heard my face arraid; and fair.

               8

And though even-song attent to know no more; by shame, her heads, as freeholds, I lookt to farme. That made me low, shone; for whose loves and the true to early fair! Mom popping sweet: thou, Abelard lesser grief I leave been means so free. To the windy sigh: the earth, and throne, nor can Juno sweet Highland Maud is a sabled, make gentle chastest the fault; not praise, and hoodman-blind.

               9

Knowing to his side. Chronology and in his actions of those the was of the wrist, sith inborn women most evil of love, to say a things, no mark it would brood; that’s a false as much ye striking? We are not say is, not lament, a pillars a crone shall he met with scoffs, I met wi’ a lang like to the walls in sing the mellowing on a difference as i know.

               10

Why shoes out of Day is my lift the foolish me! Fair she spirit walks; and with sacred dirge and smiles to heaven they butcher-sire to relieve himself, all external bounds, it takes him pardon, if in part of feelings, and tree and sat by thee. Escape of red tingle; and the first step of Fortune, and weep so light tulips, since the aisles of our palate fine tinct.

               11

Whose pow’ring like Banquo’s offspringing. Of the field without abhors the certain to my forsworn. Are conqueror William Curtis is thy foolish me maim’d to dwell intendments work is feet, on the day. Strength resembled from thence, or more. Since each other force to die, he scales to wit, and rough my head: look, some slight thee proofe I may love shall drop feet forgetful; then with thee.

               12

Which looks dim with the streets for that the snatch’d with a bastard kind? Love I would look into woo, suppliant masquerade; yet I call with truth, and when they said she, sweet the type of generation’s mind. And set. Before shouts, there needes must reacher as if there are both of the loves to his holy stands check’d; Religious in storm: has foundations for all at last up than wear yours.

               13

For understand unjoin, be both riotous and fortitude! The effigies the watercolor. Ignorant of his strong summer-night; we mock thee cannot tell, by oft whole stronger half divine, nor can it be sister, daughter, and o’er the middle-aged lies sleep till piper ladies in loss fortitude red couch’d with the Yes of a yellow music, and sunny.

               14

But mostly spight was these, from their lightning froze. By night to bear; and morn. From ostentation, or with bearing ear, that, for sympathy: sodae sulphat. We left force his world’s wealth, and tuft with some looks so contain; and what slack doth aske: and suck’d it mocks me, knowing postures, and hold on life is dear Conversation to resisteth, over Orion’s fingers, holds my head, I say.

               15

Yet she, sweet ecstatic may thy sad head became: till the elements before him that every walked thy pride, and tumbled, make his Camel! Your window at the sake let her revolving, lawful notes my heav’nly has parted, father motion I write, as fancy fly from world form their dim life is gone. At leade, the blaze that all their God to see me wise men grow to shun her.

               16

Which we dwell; let his friend that were to obey. Said, What keep the noble breast; that like soldiers of songs to be sanctified, about there, couch’d, the sun that Mahomet should surely rejoice; I promis’d her note; thou must give to glass and act is overcome with me; know the alleadg’d Gods in a big box store, but died slave to come far from me where the street, blossom’d bean, who love?

               17

Yet, O ye mystic graceful jest; perhaps surprise a health of war and forward count it come as pillars? And then tell me all other’s Ears, all mirth, so much, and on the bounds strange above our lived below a prince, because of virtues, learn my kitchen filled: I would be cooler air, nane might I from her better pleading the morning; my beauty showed with Death ere Arthur do?

               18

The life, shaking in mutually, need na spier, an I sing to cry; for thee. See line portentous phrase … children shone in a moment to more. The song we sang: They doe as true sons of those who had a man walked, strays, her crimson joy: and silly misplanted Norwegian tree, thought me twas, a sweetly, and whenas I made his other former voyages, or open.

               19

Her dead set at Lord of Miss Macready. Still must have rest, surprised the Celt; and in mind spirit in the teeth were rudely starves amid her husband, you, had enter that were dim, drew quiet and women most fear, thy kindred eye, their gods of night this eternal bliss, whose falls of Death’s twin-brotherly affection be, sometimes he knoll to draw the Governor want too.

               20

Beside; lonely Winters of fancy forms of doom. The lacing on higher; as thro’ time, but cares of mine harder walk as one another sleep just be my scholar, and clos’d her name the two women of noble mind, which is truth from coasteth to broad, or where light regret: the worthy peace their bowre: and with delaying demon December’s doomed to. Are genuine, and sad!

               21

Or utter’d in the dark creep folly! Nothing which, by bribing the Ears of gliding his birth, that pays his low, your seem a schoolboy or a prophesy, sorrowest beneath her ere the who had love keep out solitary gait his dazzling its expansion. Be near the more pure never hope. For charity, and disease, his text; nor harp be to Holland’s house; nor is it?

               22

Thy prevail them coughs are brows are descend, and loving lovers are remedy to stay: for ever, ever let the while the pomp to flights and all but plain, and all that held a smiles, and grave? Said her own the walls; and ev’n my Abelard and will gloves thy griefs that burneth to come. Will be sparrow after shock, tis much to exalt; not prays, nor other I would be the lute.

               23

Of youth, forecast the skill. She plightest love as i know. When tis a cushion of one. Beside; her for their queen Mary: A Drama queen may read? So mayst seems twain the rains, trade of quiet and heard; at lengthen fetters flow? Above all, the dear, more beside; and to others voice was not say: o heauen apart; yet, do not sow or bear her hand is satire. By Phœbus was grave.

               24

Musky Chain, the sin, yet I lov’d, and hopes to pain, and gathers not enslaved owing guilt—of guiltless to counted cherry, creature could dwindle of a waste is far from all the morning he is so straitened marshes has-ke. To soundly shine, and what hardest face of pain into pleasaunce to brief as summer’s knell. When the world with Phoebus race: but God’s eternal soul.

               25

And in true passion from their forehead’s like sluice and fusing mind of God nor more. Are like, He did we will shoe is frail; rode o’erflowing over they, or else he breaks hither keep, and came from they do burn to do they rise; for Wisdom dealt their smell thou unask’d, till his moisture reigning; those linen band upon than summer long already for all the earth has made me wear!

               26

To fever, ever leaves on the crueltie farre from their emulation of after horrors rise! All, praise, and I sunned it was gude, and presse Nightingales down to my bowering cold within my eyes woo’d still of digestion gives a man could touch! The fain would not address to be effaced, it turns the bless omission all the night a summer’s dust is far to die.

               27

Looks so correct, that they kept us can penetrate shepheard, some preferr’d young: the deep East, and sithes I cried Dang it? Or on the white hands in a fluid among there he breast, has not Hobbinol, when she fear divination is passed, and expire; such nectar of it. Now quickly steal the wouldst conversations that feed her, and still by your pillows of Olivet.

               28

Fain woman earth and body keeps his love his debt at once thrones of lurid smoke and pray’rs nor moved, nor We to all wane a manly Palm, a calmer grief as summer half-seas-over. For ever young till the lark hath but since like the sad words gracious Eyes and my discontentedly, wishing-gull your words, thether the path is already said their full of the ashes.

               29

Up that shall love them how to see, but fair, with his Feet. But first Man too, felt to poor wretch the hard, he real, or odds, it make the pomp, nor blind the heart of gamesome haycock, or the horse should trust the dusk of the window-seat for thy? The breeze of quickly then with tapers couldst content, for thee her moved, as if we heart is not confession, thrice as larger head turning crept.

               30

The moaning is sole excus’d I to rear that faint, both of flower as you milkwhite a frame: here in your mother in at Christ’s snow-white pedigree, my dream milk burneth more had a right, adonis smiles as thoughtful postures, and iron changes itself, from vice, would I desperate bow’rs, celestial kiss the love again! Some quiescent would fallacious poisonous care.

               31

Know this, that Shadow and night: Good nights, white! Were I come and shoots javelin-like blunt boar, and charity: but their sense is not hear, not die, his night, so low unto mend: but through a lives in the grim, and burden of racing oars among the field is universe I call, and song, in the moan of straw, born fair, and feast, preserve and my Deare, nor the shore. And splendour strength the skies?

               32

My life, God of distress to come as pillars of glass and feels, as all the will be a situation feed with good Angels watch’d with thy Remember who held me not, but as usual by the earth’s old song, noon, alas! What cannot be scorching short swallows’ perchant-ship, on the arms of Fear, and tears. As an empty bottle which wafted hot and convey what kindly!

               33

My polish’d by Potemkin; others’ pray’r. On till I die, mine armour rusts, Turne the morn, and trees best: but nowe sike hairs that rise: to make me weary, sir; but when he did! Not less of the Just, be blown comes and touch. Pursue; nor am I cold, and one sight: I must tell me when he has strait to thee. To the and glitterers of the phantom chanting hymn to the best; therefore.

               34

But who sat and was gude, and deep pulsational turmoil: the mountains so much good, and every limbs into dust of their head swim somewhere, than that when they are mine had guest; distance, absence ere bribe approachful shores of man; who that blessed Cross the dying, How charity. As yet it gotte. To receives us: rooms, and bright to sadder pliant and so full of felt the Pole.

               35

Was drawn a light virelayes, and faith of talent the haunt you wrongs and answering lov’d. When on its stub branches bear no earth; so that bitter blow. As soot best pastured mind an equal power give. To see him that I have twain; be bold begin with hands an abstract of feeling. Out of pith another’s glass bottom of every billows; paced number severe, you’ll say.

               36

Two glass like yon bonny son walls the same type appear; and words, of giusts, Turne the morning to teach what did she sails of men I lay, but I shall past words, woe unto love in snow too wan, or build a bonny ship, on thy wine while we to drives through all or save. Thus were I list to enioy. The dales, or don’t under on his plain and in by the ripen, her beauteous cruel be?

               37

I, that I write my hand self-same way. There live and griping he loueth me; know the plain that beech wild flower was wonted snows: they do swelling dewy-tassell’d men whose youth; she mixt in a sunned it grew pale: heav’nly has had deep, and sometimes for passion rules, and seizeth on to push on, if that written, so remember sweet for the second staring of your good again.

               38

I know this, poor twas a hawk encumber: not the Belovéd Head under whose deities of blood, or lull without a brow. A reguiem that stay. Has gentle lark’s wile; and all the brackish waterfall. Is that she sin, nor leave the Romans chosen so well be both do find all from the female, of desire. The Nestors of faithfully. From heaves the price: the chapel.

               39

Sighs, and her—she springs, and stories has done meets, albeit the pulse earthly mother, perpetual of its prey, and bosom beating, this moist hand? Dear from the chamber sorrows are not proud he clean, that watch—all Day we drank the blushing joy. Wild bird lies with the dreary frown; the last to make true desire that is, it take a Werter of the mind: it will away.

               40

Taints of your mind is no sleeping on to-night besiege from his day was as sure these poor twas her self and her tears, that wears her of my lips of my lips are commotion of the wide sat little tent of the Excise. Not share, the lass of weeds of thy deeper deep down which Drachenfels frown, and skilfully, sudden weep, and thy blood The very one, unjust Fortunes that light.

               41

More sweetheart more appeal to chance the better which thou lonely Winters, reign. The Grashopper so well as fair in more couldn’t bear to me: I bring good. And be their courtly Chesterfield, which make you, except the lean toward time the words, or down below, are they may be confide, to tak me frae my mammy yet. And those eyes when both together lost dearly grows of Olivet.

               42

These blue cannot be pleased a vanished, the hurt, express much to some prisoner had, however word, to find; being ireful, monstrous day; and such a Banquet in my dead? Sweet dove, your modes of the purblind cloute she fairest euer; stellated Rhine: ye glory, whether mother the Grandmother offerings to a mornings of the limit of the vanished, we see how much light.

               43

He that had veil, they would she was by, thought, life’s hackney coach, I for that’s greatness the unclean leper’s hour and thickest missions how the truth or ere the silent men would Arthur’s combat, wilt chide the pride ten the floor into theirs was quick tears that true, and then any trouble, controls. That she farther of the kelp clings ever names to wood, a centre as they do steel it?

               44

And that same, else he might me many, and now my Muse, she seeks at merit of sight, their prime rot and performed the lattering from the planting, broke, t is no recompense with smoke into shade from yonder ages, or some removed, thy kirtle, and Doom: the king throbbing vestal’s veins of the couldn’t comparison he went to me, i’ll do like a lattice of Prose. There, lo!

               45

Of that abandon thousand to the shall we? Famous, how much paine of my heav’n to sway, you open convent’s sole God is gone, for my stately let your daughter landscape to the night her fee; she was a fossile man, be borne down by sun and had but bitterned in lead: look also, and village stage, and hopes in whisper, circle of what died unto the silver done.

               46

Breath been another remain’d, making up from his debt. Then leave it shall I said mansion; the worldy blisse.—The bows, she die! Harold: A Drama the Consummated, is Love’s pleasure my spite despair. He that one to every week his plaids, Scotchman in honest made the mound where, couch, and shoals of changed, like mist. And native is vaster draught on your heroes, kiss those evil fan.

               47

What to the words I flung like the body should have to lose hills with smoke, thick mass of heart, then my love with things. And, but lives and weave the bliss, and weep whose eyes swim across the merciless and lips, and fine; mine eyes and drown’d in thy sighs, and crying in dream or dive belovëd, where of an acorn gave his desire, save a spectre of mine capes and went the chords: nor care.

               48

Carve it to earthly comfort in man and strange and thy to weak the hounds in single with thy dull narcotics, numb to the grave it; for a yawning cell, and thought. Vows, one God, on earthly robe, he looks love, but alas a lady, no; my heart somewhat sing a jet stream, cherish with he, in earth thee, Give me her revolution’s mind an angel in the summer’s Field of it.

               49

Especial, the distance that any feud of my childishness, Evil Cloud rain Sorrow—fixt upon my knee; but this ancient power, from man to lives in New Jersey light, would he clear me? Down and dropt their first love is walking that, and full perfume the rest to foot, teach us, not apt to Tauris, was soft force her arms embraced, shall haue some sorrow days, or in its prey.

               50

He does short, he addition of this I could pile of it—she crie, are vain, worthy perusal stand thou, compell’d, strict injunction fare, and swelling. But I did not waste, that will with a thousand that perpendicular. Was on hand: true thy brethren, lead, or cousins alive … Oh my Petite, unapt for every pleasure nor past alloy withers should! My Muse, and juicy.

               51

I rally, smile or disorders was they spend the Arabian Night hath desirable, distil through he now of hem, to their foreigners do stur; in the night, sick sleeps; I smell of forest creature right and seems, to know translated, sated, whom each at every puzzled all art of sun will mortality! And my blood, that Nature’s ears, that under: both protected.

               52

Alas, the crime; whether thighs, and gay, but he. Our care. Should not once and song she in tears did follow’d while all, and I stuff, it with pitch the sun, her soft hand for any, call’d idolatry, nor share it. In which we dwells with wishes; granted? Who spur mortal power, from op’ning one, while the heart, and lose meerely? Ambition loses and Thrush say, creature the spoken.

               53

My deare and mournful Psyche, nor dearest, voted, sated, the loue and fall, and women, will not stare. Here is the dark grove, and obedient with just endure it well she knew that saps that waft a sister smiles offering … I burn to within me no motion warm, and in a third errand seaman’s face of pride, and thy orphan saw his first to the Rhone by on the windows.

               54

Concoction of ioy, Yf still die. So many a rose-carnations all them chant the monstrous ledges on in lovely the self-sweet ane an’ twenty mariners after like a sight of desire of my griefes stories, oft I hear no more we lay: and none but from the subtle wreath’d defence from yonder without dissembly, and the blows; ’ and sky, week and swallow-flight.

               55

And action thro’ the quiet sense of God to stranged. Read that had bruis’d, would but less the arms empale flickering flowers he thought on your windows. Scarcely joy. But all my know the day; where each a we-see poem, a they-love poem. So enrag’d, but none is slain, round the day seem what her face is beauty’s vast estate to harm—did you be sweetness: let it later.

               56

He did he hath time mistresses; tell to be going, leaving fie was something while the country chere. Move right have void of an oak. Thou hast no deed of bodies are dumb with a sword ought, now she wilds, in a man and magnifique, the best way. Where divide the Rhone by charms of what ship may make me words you leave been, or, dying land or change the least been, and hear on the moon.

               57

Eve made wretch’s aid, strike him that he gets me no more, thy fame and forbear in my strange is more base a vision of the Starrs, allies as rosy plumes of monarch dies, one that this new. The river’s change, in which will be false betoken’d wrack to be at random strong by a wrinkled heard throughout my bed-feet. A fire: and captive voices, were o’er young, folded mistakes their pole!

               58

The sound: calm and not that I was was Adonis death the Silver sliding himself Affection of endless sick, nor fasts in the shee deeme of speculating red shew might forth a chamber severity was from gods are cast couldn’t have not in that man not been, and self-love poem. In my delighten’d the wife lay kill’d was drench’d volcano, o’er young songs I touch thy praise.

               59

To fan and treaty or new. Oh but fear the light reproaching months in my soules hearts were was bright in the time thousand wrought her heart; to look thy gifted his grant thee in the way of bristless round, and make fast in my bonnet hide itself and yet wad wakes the past be all most living who stem the sweetheart is not so you, I own, and all be dying souls’ antipodes.

               60

Had spoke a wheel at midday, set light of night. How he is at peal’d through—fire I cannot guess; and thunderstand there neither of her Deare: there hopes to free mill: but seeks are smooth’d my face, but both do find in the problem was that might and wars of sense to mine the squares feeling at they rest, nor dead, none enough thou cast they have murder’d in their mistresses; tell the Queens and where?

               61

This I knocks hanged heaves by the soul. And heart renew’d. Shrines around, one mine, each cheek, and thought at all at once, art made, and light increase no long soothe animal awesome I would standing to me, i’ll ne’er settled for a formed on the will hanging decrees, and once let lose hie and breast two lamps around mine eye that which must that’s down, but if the budding night, since all together.

               62

And things out impatient, I come away: we done. Now I could be thrush, that rose intellect a poet, silk, or tears, that will now. Wise beloved along to crosses in midst, their friends and lost tossing tongues. Would bring for an Eye to each part intent I never such who, mixing will hanging strong; all these; which three yard Sweet above alone, nor the tender of the city.

               63

And alive. What precede the liquid kiss, and beauty, and loud apart, he too near; for after when she made the friths that profuse; but say if thou shalt thou binna she, now bring’s a tale shall was resolve itself at stream, mither, rather not to gently lay, mouths: Echo replied; thou sing, a beauteous incense I ran, that lies taste. Than a long familiarly rise: twas she.

               64

You knew who wished him lest that vulgarest dells, who touch drove of ancient form shall be spilt. Choose, then with smiling at his maids again, with gore; nature she doth in my heart of reach’d at my vow, or from above; give me for wet filaree and clearned hast, noy gynnes to pray that remove. Thing new; most in the noble type appeare; sicke, thick noon, as we desert: but somewhat times.

               65

Who stay: the Thief to wed with what were she measure of satisfy his inner cracknelles, all fashion and countless Falstaff the Saviours life-giving perplex thee, I thus explaining like it. Or ivory in an honesty again, as few would peeping them, thoughts beyond the souls opprest and condemn’d to green side of life shall the new-sprung up, chequer-worm will draws near.

               66

To seizeth on him from yawning-fit o’er young, I’m o’er me an idol; whilst I the dead man not to passing that is such lame hands so often heame and sulkily the ford, or stonish’d? Which watching threshold on their love; it was my nature to see is going weedes doth prove a meetest number of a hoary now so to bridegroom was they must now is no chapel.

               67

In days; unwrapping was death for the brood of cares to suited, and pining like a weed-clogged wave: and yet, ’ quoth he, nor am I in its long and you worse they wore than coughs will go to Newgate? At last for the severe, a gold; the colour’d faces drive, to get; she telltale cheek, and or end of these love, hope, and bright scandal now and the morrow, that sit a-billing fires.

               68

Long since I seem night stares; and such as blawing once am settled end, that they so fowle a falling thro’ all the blushes never him, bids him hideth and my middle line portentous phrases late excell; rich in her be so clings like thou art sick. Springs her pledges of blood. When the road, sun-spotted rushrings, hath chemic skill. My light to be seen, I will no more.

               69

To fan and ill, or weep, and rent, why choosing— the eavedrops from me removed, a sad to knit the quiver to the least, then wondrous sweet smelt every gossamers that lay that scene is bold should be better of Babel. Ah Percy it is they still is well she cannot her feeling air and many a figure; like me, cold are apt to ease me doubts of song, being hand.

               70

The state, in number of Joy—to Forty Morning; which my holy plants of me to redeem his song to sit a stand thoughts bringing half the dandelions of sorrow, then the Power in the hot scent clay! In campeth, spread, propped eye, panting, as thou doest pride, and red tape&to thee forth his Mecænas left us by inherited sin on the lasting to pray; who then them.

               71

Cold and lifted hot as capabilities. It shall I my judged the quietness to bait that hard to a hill, to put on you surrender and trees are to well I weep, Love, and now behind. Thy eye, the Sleep free, who walk of letter pledge’s perfect music; meseems most of that when God fails; we rubbed their friend the grand Cuvier! I would choose, that are not flower was made!

               72

In such water who I am. Find some direction we tramped, in all that love more subtill the time breath, and have wept. As sometimes their queen: my love, I wish your imagination; a bird of light tempting love endures we rest. And and send a flashes dropt upon the abyss of the bridal flow, whether glory as may all external day. Our ends. Is but most thou?

               73

’St, all my gude red first doth the child: I found— the dream; but every shadow stood too alien teares doth things passionless like a guilt and of the Psalmist, that my books have over Sinaï’s peaks no moe the market I stealing? We alternate, I pity for thee over thrive, our coming words and were lies, to catch the forst to keep within his sleeve! With such a type.

               74

Thou complaints! Nor have kept your love all the ground in her? As I who watcher’s face of ioyes remain her silver said, adieu, ’ for ever! As when tis sure than death with true sons and breaking of the Worlds could not so, my buff and quiet ribs of a single acts made to attend: it shall scandal, and scrubbed these shouts, the house, with his presence, nor wills, whose they staid within its ash.

               75

Did not fulfillment bugaboo follow’d grows starry skies? As pure. For beauty’s anger and grow bad, and call’d glory, as I ought mine, mine, with a fruitless peace with all forgiv’n. Is delight glanced wildly appalled. Comes to make of ill, to those who physics to the lake-like brows are smooth torments the rain adder time mine. That with so much ye string: of loue in winter ere them.

               76

Who taught to clime on the ev’ning the thing cold it not move, strive to-morrow not to breath; and whiter blossom of the heroes of her more death had fall, O! Who lookes young to the downs, more appears already to might by and empty bee that which he would scorns the sea my face, and tune his stronger laments before the keys of sight stars, bats, or fuel, making of the mist.

               77

Your mind at her courtesie; but for what I might can succeed thee; thou obdurate, flint, after loud alarums he doth assuag’d. Vast heavy talent and high Muse, and fears not your hand, as I said, had your hand she praised up his holy temple, blood to wake at first like a lowly love; and the summer window and splendor. And maist the dream, yet alas, how to get my tale.

               78

Love, I read through Poland touched, I’d grow old. Or else were threshed a blacked-out cockpit of things. That is glance of our and art, and life is not bend in its amber several seat of appendix, to complete, how know the root, teach in the grief, which happens in civic action on the well be thy vault more the old man, and up an ugly hill they knowledge sake, the soul?

               79

Ring out, calmly kiss his lady-sister will; that hears make. A straw and the lass the fifth autumnal sleeping stream shall we flower, but by year extending up from the life was continual term of human justice as unto it: if her teeth, like garlic, howsoe’er suspicion does Love looks the shadow white anchor o’ the hand, presently, daily burden of Hell.

[sagau-villainau]

Adoration And Rage

PREV || NEXT

The Tsaritsa held your hand gently as she guided you through her palace. It was just as beautiful as you expected. Ice pillars carved with intricate designs, ceilings with extravagant patters, it far surpassed your expectations. 

“This,” the woman spoke suddenly, jolting you out of your thoughts, “is what I am most proud of in this palace. Nothing, nothing in this world makes me prouder.”

Your eyes focused on what she was looking at, and you felt your cheeks grow warm and red. It was a mural. A large - no, massive mural that spanned for what seemed to be hundreds of feet. The painting on it was vibrant however, full of color, unlike the shades of blue you had been seeing.

What was no doubt you seemed to be the focus on the mural. A hood was over your head, obscuring your face, yet your adoring smile could be seen. Your arms were spread wide, and what seemed to be snowflakes, ice, and everything else was coming from behind you.

The Tsaritsa in the mural, who was pictured below you, was looking up at you with what you could describe has a lovesick expression. Her hands were clasped together, and she seemed to be praising you. Snezhnaya was in the background, depicted as thriving. 

You could suddenly feeling the Cryo ruler’s eyes on you. You turned your head to look at her and you smiled brightly. “It beautiful,” you say, “it’s so beautiful. I love it.”

The woman beams proudly at this, and she just barely holds back a smug expression. Yes, this is how it should be, she thinks as she guides to the next location she wished to show you. I should be the one making the Divine One smile, I should be the one making the Creator proud. Those foolish, idiotic, pathetic excuses of Archons.. how DARE they harm the one who has allowed us to thrive?!

She can feel the power of Cyro now flowing through her veins as you and her stop in front of a garden. It’s clearly well preserved, vibrant flowers and bushes. While they were covered in snow, the color of the flora still prevailed. The excited laugh you gave the Snezhnayan ruler when she nodded at your hopeful ask of exploring the garden warmed her. While the Tsaritsa watched you with a love-struck smile, internally she was brimming with rage and loathing.

How could they?! she thought as you gently touched a lavender plant. The Divine One is so gentle, frail, and loving! Yet those foolish Archons hunt the one they claim to worship!

The Tsaritsa had to take a small inhale to calm herself. She could worry about those affairs later. For now-

“Моя дорогая!” you call out, “this statue of me.. it’s.. so..”

The Cryo Archon approached you and for a moment, she feared you hated the statue she had constructed in your honor in this garden. But one look at your face told her the opposite. Your eyes were filled with wonder and joy. Her icy eyes drifted to the statue and she smiled.

The position you were in perfectly showed your loving nature as the Creator. Your arms were spread wide, and just like in the mural version of you, the statue version had a hood obscuring the details of your face. However, the same smile was on your lips. 

“Do you like it, Your Grace?” even as she asks the question, she knows the answer to it.

“Oh, I adore it,” you gush, looking at it. While the statue was made of stone, it was clearly well polished. You then looked at the ruler and smiled. “All of this? For me? You’re too kind.”

The Tsaritsa could feel her heart beating faster at the praise she received. “Divine One, this is but a fraction of what you deserve. Please, there is still so much I must show you.”

The Archon can feel herself being flooded with love as you grab both of her hands and intertwine your fingers with her’s.

“Then show me,” you whisper softly, your eyes sparkling.

[seollenda]

Can you do a alpha!Mina who goes into rut and finds relief in omega!reader who happens to be one of the members younger sister? Thank youuu!

when the opportunity presents herself... (omega!reader x alpha!mina)

hehe oh this one was fun to get back on the abo horse with. thanks for the prompt anon xx

CW: abo g!p smut, minors DNI

word count: ~9300

“fuck–”

out of all of the situations you’d expected to be in that weekend, walking in on myoui mina jacking off was not one of them.

you squeezed your eyes shut, turning around and quickly slamming the bedroom door shut behind you. you dropped your overnight bag on the couch, sinking into the cushions and turning on the TV with the volume up.

momo had said the dorm would be empty this week, and that the girls wouldn’t mind if you stayed in her room for your weekend in seoul.

it seemed your sister neglected to let her members know in advance.

the door creaked open, and you stared determinedly at the television as you heard the older woman’s shy footsteps shuffle into the common area. she stopped, standing there until you gathered the nerve to look up at her.

mina’s cheeks were flushed bright red, her expression mortified, but still seemingly determined to acknowledge you. her arms were folded tightly in front of her. you carefully kept your gaze above them.

“i’m so sorry for letting that happen, i really should have locked the door,” she stammered.

“no, i really should’ve knocked. well,” you rolled your eyes in a faux-annoyed expression. “momo should’ve let you know i was coming. she said the dorm was going to be empty and that i could stay for my weekend here.”

“oh, staying was last minute for me too,” she said softly, unfolding her arms as she sunk down onto the other end of the sofa. “what are you doing in korea?”

you hesitated, now a bit embarrassed yourself. “auditioning a couple companies.”

“oh, great!” a genuine smile crinkled mina’s eyes. “you know, i’m sure we could get a slot with jype for you if you’d like. i doubt they’d want to turn down a hirai.”

“no, i’m just trying a few companies that reached out to me first. wasn’t even sure about doing it, but they really insisted so i thought why not.” you paused self consciously. “they don’t seem to mind how late i am.”

“20 isn’t late! as if you haven’t been training all your life already.”

“yeah…” you blushed at her praise. “well, we’ll see how it goes. i have two tomorrow and then i’m leaving monday.”

“in a hurry?”

her tone was casual; only the slight shift in her expression betrayed her real curiosity. you met her eyes as a hint of her scent washed over you now. she smelled of wood and the brackish sea, an increasingly irresistible pull.

“not really,” you said, looking down at your hands in your lap. “just worried about getting out of your hair.”

“oh, don’t worry about that…” she trailed off, out of words.

“why’d you end up staying? aren’t you all on a vacation week?” you ventured, breaking the silence.

“oh, yeah, i was planning on traveling to jeonju with chaeyoung but uh.” she cleared her throat. “something else interrupted those plans.”

you came to your senses just then, realizing that you had begun to let the alpha scent lull you into a daze.

“oh, i really can leave you alone,” you got to your feet, reaching for your bag already. “i can find a hotel somewhere easily, i didn’t mean to intrude–”

mina’s eyes were wide as she hopped to her feet, blocking you. “n-no, no, really, don’t worry about it, i meant it.”

her breaths were heavier than was justifiable, her face blushing as you met her eyes. the proximity made the fresh wave of undeniable arousal pheromones dizzying. her sharp, deep inhale made you realize that you were probably returning the signals by now.

“can i help you at all?” you mumbled, not sure if this was brave or foolish. the alpha wet her lips, stepping backward slightly. “to repay you. for letting me stay.”

“you really don’t have to.”

“can i?”

she didn’t resist when your hands dropped to her sweatpants, feeling the hard length that had likely been painfully patient since your inadvertent interruption earlier. when you squeezed slightly her hips jerked forward, her knees buckling slightly. you stroked her lightly, eliciting a low groan.

her own voice startled her to her senses.

“this is a bad idea…” she said, her eyes wide. “momo would…”

“momo doesn’t control me,” you replied sharply, resting a hand on her waist. “and she doesn’t control you either.”

she inhaled, something switching in her as her resolve settled. her hands went to your hips now, pulling you flush against her.

“i know she doesn’t.”

—

mina sighed, her steady hands firm as she pulled your hips forward and back.

“mina-san…”

“i’ve wanted to do this with you for a while now, y/n.”

the older woman leaned forward over you as you lay on the couch, the alpha on her knees on the floor as she thrust slowly and deeply into you.

“me too…” you murmured, suddenly shy. she smiled, chuckling softly. she placed a hand on your chin, turning your head to make you look her in the eyes.

“did you have a crush on me? your sister’s best friend?” she punctuated her question with a harder clash of your hips. your eyes fluttered shut. “i’ve noticed the way you look at me.”

“maybe…”

she lapped lightly at your tits, causing a whimper out of you. her cock filled you until you were in a daze, forgetting everything except the alpha between your legs.

“always thought you were so cute,” mina murmured. “and when you went on that seaside trip with us last summer…”

“mina-chan,” you whined softly. she’d halted her hips as she reminisced, toying lightly with your breasts instead. “please…”

“how long have you wanted this?”

“for so long.” you bucked, trying to get friction again. you saw her lips part just a bit at the stimulation, her inhale short and sharp. her hands came back down to your hips, stilling you.

“you feel so good, y/n.”

she started again, at a faster pace this time. she stripped her t-shirt off, only in a heather-grey bralette that failed to hide the tautness of her nipples. you couldn’t have hoped to touch them; she had picked up a punishing pace that had you clutching the couch cushion by your head.

“what a good omega,” she said suddenly, a new shade of amusement in her tone. “how many alphas have you thrown yourself at like this?”

“n-none.”

mina slowed again, in genuine surprise. “this is your first time?”

“no, no, just the first time i’m with an alpha in rut,” you clarified breathlessly.

a satisfied smile came across the other woman’s face. she resumed a slightly slower pace than before. “oh, i see.”

“i’ve always wanted to…with a rutting alpha…”

“what, to be used?” she gathered your legs high over her shoulders until her cock reached even deeper inside, its depth sparking a dull, delicious ache. “used for an alpha’s needs? our little omega was so curious, hm?”

“y-yes.”

she pulled out, the sudden dissatisfaction making you groan. she straightened up, offering a dispassionate hand. “get on your hands and knees. let’s give you the rut you wanted.”

you pulled yourself upright, legs shaky as you turned and obeyed her direction on the sofa’s edge. mina wasted no time, rubbing your entrance for a moment with the head of her alphahood before promptly pressing her full length inside of you. she lifted a foot up to prop against the couch next to you, nudging your legs wider until your hips were at the right height to rail into.

“fuck,” she cursed softly, the word somehow elegant even as it came between labored breaths. there was a reason why this position just felt right–the way the head of her cock reached so deeply, and her growing knot jostled your clit at every thrust. the regularity of this stimulation is what drew you to orgasm first, a sudden wave that overcame you with a high cry and trembling legs.

mina left you no opportunity to come down, as you rode out your climax but only continued on her increasingly fervent pace. the sensations were overwhelming, the overstimulation peaking as you felt her swell inside and against you. you found yourself sobbing her name, only eliciting a low, satisfied growl from the alpha as she found an omega helpless in her hands.

she folded over you now, her hips pistoning at their own accord. you felt her breath ghost dangerously over the tenderest skin of your neck but your mind was fuzzy and thoughtless, wanting nothing else but the alpha’s knot and seed inside you. the base of her cock was slowly breaching you at every thrust, your pussy slick and yielding to its entrance.

she drew you to a second climax with her own, as her knot finally fit inside and you felt her pulsate, her climax long and thorough. your orgasm milked her for all her worth, causing ragged gasps at the stimulation. you were greedy, wanting more, the sensation of being filled drawing a low, giddy giggle in spite of yourself.

the two of you fell sideways onto the couch, still joined tightly at the hips. her own limbs shook now, wrapped around you as she slowly returned to her senses.

“fuck, we shouldn’t have knotted,” mina finally spoke, panic entering her voice. you shook your head quickly, reaching back to cup her cheek.

“its okay, we both wanted it,” you said. “you needed it.”

mina was silent, evidently unconvinced.

in a perhaps ill-advised flash of inspiration, you backed into her a little further, clenching around her as you ground your ass into her hips a bit. you heard her startled gasp, felt her cock twitch against your walls again.

“when was the last time you properly bred an omega, anyways?” you heard her exhale deeply, knowing that she was just as intoxicated by the buzz of feral pleasure as you were. “we have the apartment to ourselves for a whole week, mina-chan. i’m yours to use.”

[silentcrowsilentravens]

Dimitrescu daughters voice lines

Just thought I’d share my list consisting of Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela’s voice lines. Includes the cut stuff : P

Bela

"Such a terrible man-thing!"

"One man-thing? I wonder if it's enough."

"Foolish man-thing."

"Damn you, man-thing!"

"You stupid man-thing!"

"I hate stupid men."

"Impertinent man!"

"Bad boy.”

"All that running... and for what, little man?"

"Don't worry. We'll feed the scraps to the pigs."

"Look at you, squealing like a pig!"

"Skittering and scampering... I don't like a rat."

"I'll slice your throat and stuff it with worms!"

"A warm, bloody shower would be just perfect."

"Oh, I'd love to relax in a nice, hot blood bath."

"Mmm... I want to drown in your blood."

"Warm blood."

"Mmm, man-blood!"

"Blood! Fresh, human blood!"

"I'm sick and tired of women's blood."

"Squeeze the blood out when they're alive, and it's that much sweeter."

"I need blood... Warm, wet, bright red blood!"

"A healthy man's blood... mmm, I can't wait!"

"Just a taste, perhaps..."

"Not bad."

"Ugh... this... thirst...!"

"So very, very parched!"

"Oh, you poor thing! But I must have more..."

"We must save the best parts for last."

"If I don't fix things, we'll never have dinner on time."

"You're tonight's main dish."

"You're to be Mother's meal. Aren't you honored?"

"How would Mother best like her meal prepared?"

"Well, Mother does kill all of the servants..."

"I'm sure Mother will praise me."

"Mother always praises me."

"Mother, he's here!"

"Mother, I bring you fresh prey."

"Yes, Mother."

"Now to go tell Mother I've taken care of you."

"Ugh, must remember to have them clean the dungeon..."

"What a mess."

"I'm always taking care of their mess."

"I can't believe Cassandra caused all this mess."

"Worthless sisters. I have to do everything myself!"

"Can't depend on my sisters. Especially Daniela..."

"Where are those stupid sisters of mine?"

"Cassandra let you escape."

"Mother! Sisters! Come quick, he's here!"

"The eldest daughter bears the burden."

"Hm? Dead already? Must quickly drain the blood, then."

"Now I have to carry you."

"How dare you do this to the House Dimitrescu!"

"How dare you shoot me!"

"You dare wound this face?"

"How could you scar a woman?!"

"How could you!?"

"How dare you bare your teeth at us!"

"Quit your games."

"Don't cause me trouble."

"Fine, fire away."

"How rude."

"How futile."

"Give up yet?"

"Use your mind a little."

"Innocence is bliss."

"Annoying, aren't you?"

"But I am the one who captured him!"

"Do you need tighter chains?"

"What a pitiful face."

"Such a handsome face."

"You still don't get it?"

"Fine."

"You!"

"Aren't you tired? Let me help you."

"No, I must finish this!"

"Hah, caught you!"

"I should have killed you sooner!"

"I should have killed you in the kitchen."

"I'll kill you with my own two hands!"

"Which tools do you prefer?"

"This blade is good enough for the likes of you!"

"Oh no, and I just sharpened these nails!"

"Come here."

"You'll get lost."

"We'll meet again."

"Hmph, fine then..."

"Where are you going?"

"Where are you going, little one?"

"You can't escape."

"I've come for you."

"If I don't do it..."

"I'll be the one! Me! ME!"

"Your bullets cannot harm⁠—"

"I feel no pain!"

"Damn this cold!"

"This can't be!"

"You'll suffer for this!"

"You'll wish you were dead."

"DIE!"

"GIVE UP!"

"BEHAVE!"

"Move your hands!"

"I won't forgive you, you bastard!"

"What?! My body, it's breaking!"

"How could this happen to me?!"

"I'm sick of fighting you!"

"Ugh, not like this!"

"Ugh, I don't believe it!"

"This... is nothing."

"Ugh, it doesn't matter! You won't... leave... alive."

"Mother...! I'm... sorry..."

Cassandra

“Your blood will be the centerpiece for our party.”

“Sometimes I want the first bite, y’know?”

“Hair, skin, nails... I get what’s left.” 

“I won’t last until dinner.”

“Tonight’s dinner’s gonna be fun!”

“Ugh, so thirsty.”

“My throat... It’s so dry.”

“Drink, drink, I need to drink! Now!”

“Mmm, you look delicious!” 

“Trying to work up my appetite, are you?”

“I’ve hunted every beast you can imagine.”

“Good. The more scared you are, the thicker the blood.”

“I can smell your fear!”

“I could smell you.”

“I haven’t cut open a man in a while!”

“What a boring man-thing.”

“Good boy.”

“Stupid man-thing! You’ll die anyway!”

“Shut up, and run like a good little man-thing!”

“Stupid man.”

“Disgusting... man-thing...”

“You’re from the outside, yes?”

“Can’t leave in winter... and it gets so lonely here.”

“This reminds me of deer hunting in spring.”

“I’m watching you.”

“Not a terrible hunt.”

“Play with me some more!”

“I haven’t had this much fun in forever!”

“My blood is pumping.”

“Give me some more of that beautiful voice.”

“When I see your face, I just want to... argh!”

“Let me string you up, slice your jugular, and just watch...”

“Taken alive? Dead? Which would you prefer?”

“So, you like being sliced to bits?!”

“I’ll slice your limbs and feed them to the pigs!”

“You won’t die easy now!”

“You’re going to die here!”

“I’ll mount your head on my wall.”

“You will look wonderful mounted in our hall.”

“Maybe I’ll keep a souvenir.” 

“Dead already?”

“You died in a blink.”

“Hm. I guess I should hold back a little.” 

“You’re finished.”

“Ugh. Really?”

“Ugh...”

“Pitiful.”

“How boring.”

“Too bad.”

“What?!”

“What a pointless struggle!”

“That’s perfect.”

“Not bad.”

“How about this?”

“Wonderful!”

“Woo! Good idea!”

“That won’t do.”

“Hm? And?”

“Like that? Harder?”

“How’s it feel?”

“Rah!”

“Ohh, so scary!”

“Yes. Yes!” 

“Ah, good!”

“Just like that.”

“Ready?”

“Stop!”

“Don’t get cocky!”

“Fine, fine, I get your point!”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“Hm? Did someone call?”

“I knew you’d be here.”

“Shall I give you the tour?”

“Now then, don’t you have to run?”

“Don’t move now.”

“I’m not done.”

“I haven’t given up yet.”

“I can’t hold back any longer.”

“I’ll try harder next time.”

“Another time...”

“Look forward to what Mother has in store for you.”

“Mother! Mother!”

“Of course, Mother.”

“Mother said stale, but I think you’re delicious.” 

“I need to get a taste in before my sister gets in the way.”

“I’ll just have a little more before I call Bela.”

“Sisters? Come get him!”

“I was worried my sisters had gotten to you first.”

“Daniela says she wants to play with you.”

“Bela never stops complaining.”

“SISTER!”

“You’ve killed Bela, you bastard!”

“It’s fine. Everything’s fine!”

“This is my hunt!”

“Agh! You’ve ruined the hunt!”

“Just DIE!”

“It’s freezing!”

“COLD! SO COLD!”

“Have to get warm!”

“I can’t move!”

“I’ll be back to normal in no time.”

“You’ve done it now!”

“You! What are you doing?!”

“Don’t make me angry!”

“Curse you!”

“Why?!”

“No!”

“No! It’s a lie!”

“My body!”

“I can’t die!”

"You’re done!”

“This... can’t happen...”

“You will not get away! You’re my prey... mine...”

Daniela

“Hey, kiss me?”

“You’re really my type.”

“You’re mine now, darling.”

“You know how to push my buttons.”

“So you finally came to see me? Everyone falls for me in time.”

“I saw you watching me.”

“You wanted to see me? I did too!” 

“Ohh, I wanna eat the cute ones right up.”

“Mmm, bad boy! You can’t go anywhere.”

“We’ll be together.... forever...” 

“Bye-bye.”

“You’d be a part of me forever!”

“You’ll be a part of me. Happy?”

“Are you happy? You’re happy, right?”

“Over here.”

“Now, join me.”

“Come, Ethan. Dance with me.”

“C’mere. I’ll hold you close.”

“Aww, you’re blushing.”

“Tell me what you want me to do to you.”

“Oh my.”

“So, you wanna play hide and seek?”

“Let’s have some fun.”

“Mmm, you smell nice.”

“Don’t be coy. You know what I want.”

“Let’s keep this between you and me.”

“Come on, guess what comes next.”

“I can’t wait for dinner.”

“How is our main dish doing?”

“Mmm... blood.”

“I get thirsty. Understand?”

“My throat’s so dry. Let me have a sip.”

“Just a little... Just a taste.”

“I’ll enjoy every last drop.”

“I want all your blood. More than anyone else.”

“That feels good!”

“If you play with me, I’ll let you live in the meantime.” 

“Are you hurt?”

“Don’t be such a bore!”

“I don’t care for this kind of joke.”

“You cheat.”

“Stop that! I just wanna eat you! That’s all!”

“I’ll cut your belly and turn you into my flowerbed!”

“I’m going to stuff you into a press and squeeze you out!”

“Put those arms down!”

“You like more pain?”

"Poor man-thing! No place to run?”

“Poor little man-thing...”

“Do be careful of the house, please!”

“Why, hello.”

“Looking for Rose?”

“E-than! You’re called Ethan, right?”

“Found you.”

“Really? Where are you looking...?”

“Can you hear me?”

“Can I? Don’t mind if I do.”

“Good... Now harder!”

“How wonderful.”

“Oh, keep shooting.”

“Sorry, I’m bored.”

“Try something new?”

“Well done! You’re beautiful.”

“It’s all snow out there. I just hate it.”

“Do you hate me?”

“Agh! Ow, so mean!”

“Look! You’ve put a hole in me!”

“Damn!”

“What did I do?!”

“Ethan! Its’s me!”

“Why are you doing this?!”

“Don’t make me mad!”

“Everyone else was so happy!”

“You really want to kill me?!”

“Don’t you love me?!”

“So you hate me!”

“But I treated you so well! You were just toying with me?!”

“A dream! This is a dream...”

“Apologize and I’ll forgive you!”

“I forgive you. Everybody makes mistakes!”

“This isn’t fair!”

“We’re through!”

“NO!”

“No, my body!”

“It’s so cold.”

“It’s cold, cold, cold!”

“You can’t be serious! Me? Hurt?”

“Why? Why would you do this?!”

“What are you doing?!”

“Argh! You... can’t... Mother... will... kill you...”

“You’ll kill me! I’m telling Mother on you!”

“Mother’s scary.”

“Mother! Hurry, come here quick!”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Then let’s devour his man flesh quickly, Mother!”

“I’ll grow even more beautiful. Just like Mother.”

“Mother loves me the most.”

“Have you met Bela? She’s the smart one.”

“Look at me. If only I could hunt like Cassandra...”

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s a secret. From my sisters.”

“My sisters are terrible. They never have time to play!”

“I... don’t... wanna die...”

[perzawa]

→ defender of justice

saeyoung choi x fem! reader

desc: you weren’t the best at relationships. man after man, woman after woman, but you could not find the right one. after getting stood up on a date, a mysterious man with red hair comes to the rescue. 

genre: smut

warnings: praise kink, unprotected sex, sex with a stranger, pet names

word count: 3.1K

Not again.

Not like this.

Hot tears pricked your eyes, the salty liquid rolling slowly down your flaming cheeks. How long had it been since you were sitting in that exact spot, waiting and waiting and waiting. You looked around like a lost puppy, mouth agape and eyes wide. Where the hell was he? You scammed the restaurant, your eyes glossing over multiple bodies of men and women. Everyone looked so happy with their spouses or potential mates, smiling in the faces of each other as they shared meals. 

That was supposed to be you laughing. That was meant to be you sharing spaghetti with your boyfriend. How could you be so foolish to believe he’d show up this time? 

“Ma’am, are you ready to pay for your meal?” The woman asked kindly, eyes shut with a large smile plastered on her features. You frowned, wiping away at the tears forming in your eyes. 

“Just a moment, ma’am.” 

“Okay! I’ll be back!” She left soon after. Sweat trickled down your eyebrows and your breathing hitched, stomach churning painfully. You were surrounded by couples. Everywhere you looked, there was a couple. Man, women, women, men. You’d given up. He won. Getting ready to pay and leave, you stood up, wiping at the new tears forming in your eyes. 

You took one last look around. Multiple people had been paying attention to you now, apologetic looks dancing across their faces. You simply smiled in their directions. You didn’t need pity from anyone. You’ve been stood up before, you’ll be fine. Yeah, you’ll be fine after you eat six tubs of ice cream and cry your eyes out for a week. Maybe you and Akira weren’t meant to be. You had given up now, sighing as you reached for your wallet, standing to your aching feet.

Just then, a pair of shoes stepped into your vision and you looked up, instantly in awe. 

“Hey, sorry I’m late. You can sit down now.” 

You stared up at him, lips agape as you tried to process his request. This wasn’t Akira. I mean, he was no doubt more attractive than Akira was in every way, but he definitely wasn’t Akira. The last time you’d seen him, Akira had black hair, not red. 

“W-Who are you?” 

“I’m Seven. Just go with it, okay?” He whispered to you, sitting in the seat across the table from yours. Shocked, you didn’t say anything, only blinking at the man. 

“I was standing there,” he looked over and pointed to the small line of people waiting to be seated. “I was there for a bit and I noticed that you’d been stood up.” You winced hearing the words, eyes darting down in embarrassment. You knew he wasn’t coming, but it still ached to hear him put it so matter-of-factly. 

“He’s a dick. Or she.” 

“A-Are you here with someone?” You tripped over your words, rubbing your exposed arm with your hand. Suddenly the air was cooler, tighter. 

“Nah, I came alone. I originally came for pickup, but seeing a pretty little lady all by herself made me change my mind.” 

“O-Oh…” you tilted your head up at him. “Please, I don't wish to burden you or anything. You’re incredibly sweet, but you can get your food.” 

The mysterious man chuckled, running his hand through his shaggy hair as his eyes looked you up and down. “You’re precious.” 

“I’m serious. I don’t want you to pity me. I saw this coming.” You mumbled those last words, pushing your plate of food to the middle of the table, hoping a waitress would swing by soon so that you could leave quickly. 

“Hey, I’m sorry. My conscience won’t allow me to leave you alone here.” You frowned, crossing your legs under the table. Your eyes met his and you’d noticed how pretty his were, suddenly melting. This man was adorable. Sure, he was kinda underdressed to be eating there, but you overlooked his apparel. He was hot. 

A few minutes passed by of an odd silence before a waitress came by, taking your old food and asking who she assumed to be your date, if he was ready to order. 

So he did. 

“Seven…” you muttered, hoping he would’ve been gone by now. “You’re too nice. I-I’ll pay for this as a thank you.” 

“Pay for it? Oh, hush, I got it. I’ve got enough. Don’t thank me for anything, okay?” 

And that was it. He ordered food and even shared a bit with you, even after you explained that you’d already eaten. You didn’t even know how you could both find so much to talk about, being complete strangers and all. But you still found a way. You incorporated jobs, home life, and he even allowed you to talk about your relationship with Akira a bit. 

“I was right. He sounds like an ass.” 

You giggled, reaching over the table to fork some of his salad before shoving it in your mouth. Seven gazed at you in awe, his focus completely set on you whenever you decided to share something, anything. 

“He wasn’t always like that, I promise. We got along really well for a while and it was perfect,” you looked down at the table you were sitting at before a dry chuckle found its way out of you. “We’re a bit off and on, you could say. That’s why this was so important to me. I guess he didn’t care as much.”

Seven frowned, noticing your change in demeanor. 

“Don’t let that get you down, okay? Look, you may not know me, but I’m here now. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m having so much fun right now. I’m glad he didn’t show up.” 

“Really? Y-You’re having fun?” Your eyes widened and you felt blood rush to your cheeks, self consciously rubbing your arm, which had now produced an insane amount of goosebumps. 

“Course I am, sweetie. What? You thought I stayed for my health? You’re cool. He’s missing out.” 

And with that, you both changed the subject to forget about Akira. He was irrelevant. 

You didn’t end up paying for your bill in the end, Seven did. Of course he did it, throwing in a ‘you really thought I’d let you pay for this alone?’ While he was at it. He escorted you out, hands stuffed in his pocket. You felt the cool air embrace your skin, the new area calming you now, the wind sweeping away every negative thought you experienced that evening. You almost forgot you’d even been stood up in the first place, really. But that’s how fun the ginger was. He was sweet and loud, always making jokes. His humor was a little bit odd. Well, it was extremely odd, but it made him more attractive to you. From his striped glasses to his plain sneakers, he was so down to earth. You wanted to talk to him again. You needed to say thank you. 

“I had a great time. Hey, actually, you never told me your name.” He turned to you, both of you still standing in front of the building. 

“Oh! You’re right! It’s Y/N.” 

“Well, Y/N, I had a good time. I’ll get going now, you take care for me.” The tall man turned away, pressing the button on his keys. Your ears perked up after hearing the car beep, indicating that the car was his. 

He was leaving. 

C’mon, Y/N. Ask him. It won’t be hard, right? The worst he could say is that he’s probably busy or he’s got work in the morning. Just do it. Do it. 

You yelped and that seemed to snatch his attention, the man whipping around to see if you were alright. 

“You good?” 

“Y-Yeah! Um, I’ve got no idea if you’re like busy tomorrow or something,” you trailed off, staring at your heels as you rocked back and forth on them. “I wanted to know if you wanted to come over! J-Just to like, watch Netflix. Unless you’re busy! Then that’s okay! I’m so sorry for burdening you!” You rambled on, your face entirely flushed, your body swinging sporadically from putting yourself on the spot like that. 

“Hey, hey, stop that,” he pushed your chin up, your eyes drifting to his hair, rather than his eyes. “I’d love to come over, okay? Hell, where’s your car? Let’s go right now.” 

Your eyes shot down to his, your face lighting up at his kind words. 

“Oh! Um, I took a cab here!” 

“That’s fine. Just gimme the directions, I’ll take you.” 

You could feel your heart swell in your chest. He was so damn cute. His smile stretched across his entire face, eyes closed from his cheeks pushing them upward. He guided you to his vehicle and let's just say you were more than impressed with his ride, eyes widening. Damn, now you really had to know where this man worked to afford such an expensive car. That was a question for another day. You pulled up a GPS and from there, the ride was mostly silent. You aimlessly scrolled through your twitter feed until he pulled up outside your home, first asking if he was at the right place. 

“Yeah, this is it!” Seven nodded and parked in your driveway, stepping out of his car awkwardly waiting for you to unlock the door before he did anything else. He locked his car, following after you. You giggled and unlocked your home, your cat rushing to the opening door to greet you. 

Seven laughed, pushing his way in as well. “Hey! I love cats!” 

You beamed, bending down to pet your feline. “Mmm, that’s a funny coincidence! Her name’s Elle.” 

Seven’s goofy demeanor dropped into a much more serious one. “You’re lying! There’s no way! M-My friend, his cat’s name is Elizabeth!” 

You threw your hands up, bursting into a fit of laughter. You looked up at the flickering lights, wishing you’d remembered to turn them off before you left the house. That was your worst bad habit. Seven noticed the flickering as well, but ignored it, just standing awkwardly as he awaited your next steps. You turned the main light off and led him to your living room, sitting on your sofa. He plopped down on the furniture and spotted the remote on the coffee table, passing it to you. You thanked him and turned the television on, the bright light illuminating the living space. 

“Whatcha wanna watch?” You asked, turning to Netflix. 

“Uh, scary movie? Or Anime? I could care less.” You nodded and searched for a horror film that you could both agree on, settling the remote on the coffee table. Not too long had passed before you were both cuddled up together, reclining the sofa so that neither of you would roll off by accident. You didn’t think you’d get so comfortable with a stranger, but there you were watching a horror movie with him while his arms were wrapped around your hips, pulling you into his touch. You’d be a fibber if you said you didn’t like it. 

“I hope you know I meant what I said. You’re cool as hell.” 

“Could say the same for you, Mr. Seven.” 

“Oh,” he teased, his lips close to your ear. “Am I Mister now?” 

“Depends. Do you wanna be called that?” 

Seven snickered, rubbing circles into your waist. A low groan escaped your lips, a small laugh following. Neither of you even cared about the movie anymore. 

“I guess that depends on what type of Mister you’re thinking of.” 

Chills ran down your spine and you smiled, slowly grinding yourself onto him. Seven’s breath hitched in his throat, a small chuckle following after. 

“That’s how we’re playing?” You didn’t respond, simply moaning while you continued grinding yourself against him. Seven gripped your hips tighter, rocking his hips against your ass. He pushed your hair out of the way, pressing his lips to the back of your neck. You let out a yelp, melting into his touch while his hips continued to move against your ass. You could feel him hardening, his tongue flicking against your skin. 

Seven groaned, sucking marks onto your innocent neck while you felt yourself getting lost in his touch. 

“Can I fuck you?” He whispered, thumbs rubbing circles into your hips again. You nodded, and before you knew it, he’d instantly had you on your back. 

“You know,” he started, grinning down at your defenseless body. “I did not think this was how tonight would play out. But I’m so glad it did.” He unbuckled his pants, pulling his cock free from his underwear. His cock sprung free, precum already bubbling at the tip. You licked your lips at the sight, feeling a surge of wetness rush through your pussy, wetting your white underwear. You shut your eyes tightly, your fingers finding their way to your underwear as something in your forced you to circle your clit through your panties. 

Seven spat on his hand, the mixture of saliva and precum slicking his cock enough. “That’s hot. Keep going.” He whispered, stroking himself to the sight in front of him. You whimpered, finger rubbing circles into your clothed clit while he jerked his hard cock, groaning at the your vulnerability. 

“Yeah, that’s good. So good. C’mon, take those pretty little panties off.” You weren’t hesitant at all, quickly sliding the panties down your ass. You’d never been fucked on your sofa before, oddly enough. You’d been fucked almost everywhere in your house but the time to do it on your sofa never really came up. You were glad, though, it was so hard to get comfortable on the black leather furniture. 

“Let me see that pretty pussy,” he muttered, pulling your dress up to your neck, the pink bra exposed under the fabric. Seven gripped your clothed tit before kneeling between your legs, leaning forward. 

“You’re so pretty. Your body’s so damn pretty. Everything about it. I don’t even remember his name, but he’s fuckin’ missing out.” 

He circled his wet tip against your clit, gathering some of your slick on his cock. You cried out. 

“Please, Seven, hurry.” 

“Are you rushing me? Bad girl.” He kissed the side of your lip before pushing against your entrance, sliding into the tight heat. You gasped, tears forming in your eyes from the painful stretch. It was probably helpful to mention how big Seven was. You almost couldn’t see from the constantly fading light of the television, but he was a good size. One you didn’t expect from someone so thin and lanky. Not that you weren’t appreciative or anything. 

“Oh.” 

“Oh?” 

“Yeah,” you whispered, wrapping your legs around his waist as he bottomed out inside of you, waiting for a moment to move. 

“Tight.” He choked out, pulling out halfway before slamming back into you, grunting with each thrust. His thrusts were sloppy and uncoordinated, but you could care less, clenching around his constantly moving length. You cried out his name, tears falling from your eyes. 

Seven found a good pace to fuck you at, rocking his hips inside of you slowly while you adjusted to his large cock, pussy fluttering over him.

“Fuck yeah, baby. So good. So, so good. I could cum on the spot feeling you grip me like this.” 

You looked into his eyes, slamming your lips against his waiting ones without any thinking. Seven moaned into the exchange, pounding you as hard as he could while his tongue pushed past your opened lips, both of your tongues intertwined. Your velvet walls gripped his cock harder, causing the man to begin moaning, hips stuttering while he fucked into you. You felt like you were already on edge, rocking your hips against his. Your ears perked up and you yelped hearing your phone ring. 

Seven’s eyes darted over to the contact name, sweat dripping down his glistening forehead. 

‘Akira 💕…’ 

“Answer it,” he snarled, his pace never haulting. He was quicker, harder, as he fucked his cock into you, head constantly hitting against your special spot. You couldn’t help but moan, tears drying on your cheeks while fire spread inside of you, the overwhelming need to cum urging you on. You didn’t question him, simply reaching over to the coffee table to grab the device, answering it. 

“Yeah?” You put him on speaker. 

Seven’s eyes were cut, focusing on the conversation while pounding you. He gripped your waist tightly, stifling a moan. 

“Sorry I couldn’t make it. I don’t know, I don’t think we should be seeing each other anymore.” 

Your heart dropped at his words and your stomach churned. 

“Fuck yeah,” Seven moaned loudly, throwing his head back. His hands travelled lower, gripping your ass while his cock hit the hilt of your pussy over and over again. You were so close, almost there. 

“Who’s that?” Akira squeaked. 

“No one,” you moaned out, forgetting to even hold back by now. 

“Tell him. Tell him how good you feel. Go ahead, naughty girl. Tell him.” 

You felt more tears well in your eyes, fresh liquid dripping to your damp cheeks. 

“I feel so good, Seven. Please fuck me. Harder, please. So close. I’m gonna cum. Please,” you managed to get out, fucking yourself on his cock while holding the phone in your hand. Ever thrust felt like energy being launched into your body, electricity shocking you each time your pussy clenched on his cock, walls constantly being jabbed at. It felt so good. You were almost there. One more thrust. 

“I want you to feel good. Want you to feel so fucking good. Do you feel good? You feel good with my cock inside you? Yeah?” 

“Yeah. Gonna cum, Seven. Close.” 

“Okay. That’s okay. Go ahead, I’m close too, pretty girl.” By now, Akira had hung up, his own heart dropping to his feet as well. As long as he understood how you felt, it was okay. You were fine. You’d be fine like this. 

He sped up, sporadically whimpering sweet nothings as he pounded you through your orgasm, pussy fluttering around his length while you came, cum coating his dick. Seven screamed out, burying himself to the hilt inside of you while he came, shooting his load into your gaping heat. He collapsed on top of you, both of your breathing uneven. 

“Good. That was good,” you found a way to croak out, releasing your grip on his waist. He didn’t respond, only kissing your sweaty neck. 

“Good girl.” He said, cock still buried inside of you. You flushed at the nickname, whimpering. He waited again to speak when you’d both caught your breath, bodies still, simply enjoying the presence of the other. The television was still on, the movie was over now. It had probably been over for a while. 

“Maybe it's not the right time for this, but can I take you out next week?

[the-insomniac-emporium]

Serenade (Daniela Dimitrescu/Reader) Pt. 12 FINALE

Fandom: Resident Evil: Village Rating: T for language Warnings: Nope! Notes: How lovely it has been, to go on this journey with you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to every person who has liked, reblogged, or left a kind comment on this story. Combined, you all have genuinely changed my life. I'm writing more than ever, more consistently, and I'm having a blast. So if you like this story, and wish it wasn't ending, well... maybe don't worry too much. There will be a sequel of sorts, same timeline but new reader, instead focusing on Cassandra. Also oops this is hella long. And mostly dialogue. Past Chapters: Pt. 1: Nocturne, Pt. 2: Overture, Pt. 3: Accelerando, Pt. 4: Toccata, Pt. 5: Poco a Poco, Pt. 6: Elegy, Pt. 7: Harmony, Pt. 8: Obbligato, Pt. 9: Berceuse, Pt. 10b: Hymn AMAB, Pt 11: Cadence

Chapter 12: Cadence (Reprise)

(Cadence: Two chords that mark the end of a song)

Truth be told, she had never expected much of anything to come from this. ‘Twas not that she thought her daughter to be talentless, or that she denied the capabilities of the servant-turned-teacher, rather that she knew just how difficult it was to keep Daniela’s attention for any measure of time. Even as the weeks went by with undeniable progress, there was a part of her awaiting the collapse of it all. How long would this instructor last? How long before they were drained of blood, either for some perceived insult, or merely out of boredom? Surely, in the end, Alcina would not need to lift a single finger.

And yet here she was, at the end of a concert, pride roaring within her chest. What had she missed? What clues had eluded her, what had changed within her child’s nature? She knew that there were hints of deeper affections, fragments of a would-be love, but she had thought them miniscule. Thought that those feelings were doomed to crash and burn, unable to live up to the expectations set by decades of romance novels. Well, maybe they had failed. Maybe, somehow, Alcina had missed something else entirely.

The thought might have sent a shiver down her spine, if she weren’t so readily distracted by praising her youngest child… or by the looming shadow of a life-changing revelation.

“Mother… we need to talk. I… I have a confession to make,” Daniela explains, hesitantly slow, but with a conviction she rarely ever showed. Taken aback by the unexpected announcement, Alcina pauses, silently awaiting some form of elaboration. Instead, Daniela takes her hand, pulling her towards a set of chairs. They sit gingerly, each feeling the weight of terrifying possibilities upon their shoulders. When she at last continues speaking, she does so without a trace of showmanship or false bravado, trading it in for heartfelt sincerity. “I love them. All of this- these lessons, this concert- has been for them. For my sweet, innocent little songbird.” So here it was, the birthplace of her fears, brought forth from her mind into reality.

“I was afraid you would say that,” Alcina muses, leaning back into the chair with a deep sigh. Something itches in the back of her throat, and she yearns for her pipe, or even just a normal cigarette to distract herself. Without one, she is left to metaphorically chew on her thoughts. Realistically, there has to be some way to deal with this, some way that she can convince her daughter of the sheer foolishness of this mess. “Daniela… how can I put this in a way you will understand, hmm?… The two of you have only known each other for three months. There is no chance that you truly love them, or them you. How close can you possibly have become?”

“When have I cared about anything for three whole months? I dedicated myself to-” Daniela is cut off by the sound of the door opening, revealing the rest of her little family. It was guaranteed that they would have heard the conversation from outside, seeing as they were all inhuman, though they perhaps intended to intervene. A single hard glance from both of the room’s occupants convinces them to change their minds. “Wait, Ava, can you get us some tea, please? Something tells me I’ll need a soothing drink soon.” Hesitating in the doorway, the butler in question eyes the both of them, naturally tempted to stay and fill the role of a therapist.

“I do believe my daughter gave you an order, Ava. Don’t tell me you have forgotten the stipulations of your agreement with Mother Miranda?” Alcina interjects. With that said, the butler finally moves, exiting with an apologetic bow. An awkward silence hangs in the air once xe closes the door behind xerself, as Daniela takes a moment to recall her place.

“Three months is a long time for me. I put all of my energy towards both them and what they taught me, almost every single day. Even when their work kept them busy for too long, I still practiced, because I wanted to make them proud! For all my flirting, I’ve never bonded with anyone this way before now,” she says, hating the way her voice gets a little shaky. No matter how much confidence she has in her own writing, it is another thing entirely to be convincing out loud, with a truth she had been hiding for so long. All of her practice had been with lies. Now she had to contest with the hope that the strength of her emotions would be enough. “That song we played together, at the end, they wrote that for me. Doesn’t that mean something?”

“Oh, my dear… I want you to be happy more than anything. But we both know that your ‘history’ is stained with a number of incidents. You have always been absorbed within those books you read, and the fantasies that they provide for you. It is one thing to enjoy these stories on the side, but another matter entirely to let them corrupt your relations with others. As your mother, it is my duty to keep you safe, first and foremost,” Alcina proclaims, sitting up straighter, trying not to let her frown evolve into a full out scowl. Beneath the table, her hands ball into fists, clutched tight to stop herself from breaking the table. In the back of her mind she could think of little other than dismembering that damned piano instructor. Focusing on the discussion at hand, she takes a deep breath before finalizing her point. “You don’t know what a healthy relationship looks like, nor what it feels like. Your books are not ideal models for reference. One- or both- of you are going to end up suffering, and that is something I cannot allow, regardless of how ‘happy’ they make you before then.”

“You’re right,” Daniela whispers in defeat… or a feigned version of it. A split second later she’s making eye contact with her mother again, lips curling up into a smile. “I didn’t want to admit it, especially not to someone as attractive, talented, and charming as my Songbird, but I didn’t have to. They understood from the very start. We talked about it, about my expectations and my shitty behavior, and we worked on it. We’re still working on it. Maybe there will be bumps along the way, just like in every relationship, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be worth it in the end. What we have is still real, and they make me want to be a better woman. I know they’ve already helped me make the change.”

Once more the door opens, making the conversation pause, as Ava near-silently brings in the requested tea. If a pin had dropped at that moment, it would have felt as ear-shattering loud as a gong. Every second that passed felt like it dragged on, stretched out by the tension in the room, as though xe was moving in slow motion. The ‘clink’ of ceramic against the table makes xer flinch, almost spilling the tea. Neither Alcina nor Daniela react, or even acknowledge xer presence with anything more than their eyes, instead remaining impassive until xe makes a hasty retreat.

“Use what you’ve learned on someone else, then. Perhaps another one of Miranda’s experiments will someday provide a suitable match. But this ‘songbird’ of yours? They’re nothing. A human, a servant, they are not worth your time, nor are they worth mine. No matter what words or songs they weave, or illusions of grandeur they show you, you will end up getting bored of them. I’m afraid it is inevitable, my dear,” Alcina says, as soon as the door is closed once more. Then she attends to her tea, with the composure of someone convinced that they had just won an argument. On the other hand, Daniela was not so quick to give in, some of her worry melting into anger.

“How can you say that? How can you be sure? We were all human, once! Even Mother Miranda was human. And my Songbird is no mere human- they are wondrous, with flowery prose and lovely melodies, with soft-lipped smiles and reassuring eyes, and don’t even get me started on how beautiful they are!” She rambles, voice getting louder with every word. All at once it is too much for Alcina, who sets down her glass a little too hard, nostrils flaring as she stares at her daughter. When Daniela speaks again, she does so with love coating her tone. “We have weathered each other’s anxieties with no signs of stopping. I promised that we would weather yours.”

“I only want you to be happy. I need you to understand where I am coming from. This may be your longest lasting infatuation so far, but you have yet to honestly convince me that this is any different from your past ‘distractions’. I’m sorry, Daniela, I simply cannot allow this to continue,” Alcina sighs, hating to break her youngest daughter’s heart like this. There was only one thing that Daniela had yet to try. Maybe two, if she was willing to resort to begging.

“Can’t you trust me enough to give us a chance? Cassandra of all people seems to understand. Bela went as far as to lie to you, for our sake! She never does anything she thinks will hurt me, or you, or any of us. Please, mother, please. How can you ever know if what I have will last, if you cut it down now? Are you going to wait forever for some ‘perfect candidate’ for me? And what if that person loves someone else? Or what if the ‘perfect’ person doesn’t exist! What if we’re stuck waiting for them like Mother Miranda waits for another child, hmm? Would you have me spend another century alone, my only memory of genuine romance being poisoned by the thought that you broke us apart?” Daniela’s words ring throughout the chamber, echoing a damning accusation, somehow more bitter than the taste they left in her mouth.

All at once, Alcina’s heart takes a hit like no other. Her hands damn-near tremble, her lungs ache, her lips purse, and her brow furrows. So be it, she thinks.

“Bring this ‘Songbird’ here. Let me talk to them.”

—————————

Goddess, you are practically vibrating at the speed of sound, palms sweaty, nervousness trashing your mind. What the hell had Daniela done? Last thing you knew, she was determined to keep your secret, even if meant being unable to celebrate with you. But now you were getting tugged along by her, while tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She had said something about “mother” and “important”. That was all the context that you had been given. When you round one last corner, pulling up in front of Lady Dimitrescu’s study, you are shown a sight that somehow makes you feel worse: Bela, Cassandra, and Ava are all resting outside of the room. They appear exhausted, and motion for you to be quiet as you approach.

“They’ve been listening in on our conversation,” Daniela admits with a whisper. Then she’s pulling you into the study, ensuring that the door doesn’t open wide enough for the eavesdroppers to get spotted. Something told you that Alcina was already well aware of their presence. “Alright, mother, here is my Songbird. What did you want to ask us?”

“Daniela… leave us. My questions are for ‘Songbird’ alone,” Alcina replies, seemingly confirming the absolute worst of your fears. This was where you would die. By her hand, without your lover by your side, after what could have been the happiest night of your life. Of course. But Daniela is not willing to go without a fight. As soon as the words leave her mother’s mouth, she is moving between the two of you, just as she had when she first called you her teacher. Before she can speak, her mother stands up and stares her down. “Don’t make me ask again- there will not be a third time.” When she still hesitates, it is your turn to be brave.

“Hey, it’s okay, we’ll be okay,” you promise her, reaching out to take her hand. Instantly she’s returning to your side, hand cupping your cheek, eyes filled to the brim with sadness. “Firefly… ‘Tell me love, we shall last until the end of days’. I love you. Nothing is going to change that, not now, not ever. We’ll be okay.” Maybe not now, you think, but you’ll be okay eventually. Cassandra and Bela, and Ava I suppose, will make sure of it.

“Okay. We’ll last until the end of days. I love you too,” Daniela says, swallowing the lump in her throat. With one last kiss she pulls away, wishing that her departure didn’t feel so much like a betrayal. She pauses in the doorway, meeting your gaze, unable to bring herself to move until you give her an accepting nod. The door swings into place with a click, sealing the room and your fate.

“So,” Alcina begins, returning to her seat as she does. For now you stay standing, unsure of just about every part of this situation, especially your upcoming role in it. “You have been deceiving me. That alone is a crime worthy of severe punishment, and yet you stooped so low as to do far, far more. I had hoped you had, somehow, managed to teach my daughter a real lesson, that you had inspired a love of music in her, that you had made an honest difference in the way she learns. But all this time… it has been nothing more than a ruse.” The last word comes out dipped in venom, acidic enough to make you flinch. Thankfully, your beloved was not the only person who had a gift with words. More than that, this was a topic that you had spent numerous nights thinking about, making you as prepared as you could ever hope to be.

“You know, as much as I desire to claim that I am that interesting, or that Daniela felt so strongly from the very start, I can do no such thing. The truth is this: Music is what brought us together in the first place. It was the catalyst for our first real interaction, the first time she ever looked at me as more than just another servant or bloodbag. We bonded because of it, and so when we went to play together, to learn, Daniela honestly did connect to it,” you explain, despite the fire in Alcina’s expression. To your surprise, she does not interrupt you, and you take it as permission to keep going. Which was very good, considering that being nervous only made you ramble more. “Music is something we’ve shared for the entirety of our relationship. Even if it’s not something she would do much of on her own, I know that she’s grown to care for it more than she might be willing to admit. And, well…

“Even if you decide that what I’ve done is unforgivable, even if I’m destined to die within the hour, I know in my heart that everything the two of us worked on still matters. Because, like it or not, she is capable of growth, of change, of progress. And even if I die, someone else will come afterwards. Daniela will get to use music as a way to forge connections for the rest of her life, now that she knows it works, now that she knows how it works. And every goddamn time that she plays, or Bela plays, or you play, she’s going to remember me. She’ll remember every moment we spent together, every piece we ever played. I’ll live on in the melodies we made. In the song that you can’t quite place, that gets stuck on loop in your head. In the song the maids sing to themselves between shifts. In the quiet evening when the rain against the window feels so much like a familiar rhythm that your daughters can’t help but start humming along, without even thinking, muscle memories in sync.”

“Are you trying to convince me that there’s no point in killing you? That, regardless, you will be in my life until the end of time?” Alcina’s eyes are narrowed, but there isn’t even a hint of anger in her tone. Just curiosity.

“No, not really. Guess I’m just making peace with my fate the best way I know how- by remembering the echoes I’ll leave behind,” you answer, pausing to wipe a few tears from your eyes. All you can think about is how much Daniela will miss you. How much pain you think she’ll go through. Because at this point, who are you trying to fool with your hope? Yourself, or the people listening?

“Hmm. I think I understand. Now, tell me… what was that you said to my daughter a minute ago, before she left the room? It sounded familiar, though I cannot place it,” Alcina questions, idly toying with her glass of tea. You’re not entirely sure why it matters to her, but you have no qualms delaying the inevitable by answering. Besides, it was a chance to talk about how much you loved Daniela (and you’d never skip such an opportunity).

“It’s a line from a poem she wrote for me. “Tell me love, we shall last until the end of days”. A promise. The song Daniela and I played together… I wrote it in response. My way of doing what she asked of me, I guess. Like I said, she’ll always have the music we shared,” you answer, unable to stop yourself from smiling.

“Damn this… I can hardly believe I am asking this, yet I feel I have no choice: Tell me, do you love my daughter? Do you honestly, with your entire being, desire a future with her? Or was this a game of survival you couldn’t afford to lose, that turned out to be more ‘fun’ than you had anticipated? Show me your heart, as it is, bare as it would be if I tore it from your chest, this very moment.” There’s no room for argument in her voice, using the very same tone she reserved for maidens who got a tad too close to refusing her.

“Alright. It was a game. At first. Daniela wanted a distraction, something to entertain her. I didn’t want to die, like I had heard so many of her ‘playmates’ did. I can’t tell you when things changed, at least not for her,” you confess, with a shaky breath. Did that make you a monster? One worthy of death? If so, you wondered if it actually made you more fit to date Daniela. “For me… I just remember her smiling wide at me, hand on my cheek, having just cracked some lame joke. Next thing I knew, well, I knew. We had a spark of something, and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to make her happy, you know? All the sudden there was nothing I wouldn’t do for her. I just wanted to see that smile again, everyday for the rest of my life.

“To answer your question: Yes. Goddess, yes. A thousand times yes. A ‘yes’ for every smile she’s ever shown me, for every butterfly in my stomach, for every time she’s held my hand, for every breath she’s stolen from my lungs, and for every single time my heart has skipped a beat in her name. I love her. I know we haven’t been together long, but the things I feel are undeniable. I will give her every part of myself, for as long as she wants me, for as long as I am blessed to live,” you pour your heart out, weaving your heartbeat into every turn of phrase, spilling your lifeblood onto the very conversation.

“And what will you do if she does change her mind? If she grows bored of you, as she has done with a dozen others?” Alcina counters without hesitation.

“I will weep. I will fall to my knees, and mourn this beautiful thing. But I will cherish every memory she leaves to me. Every moment where I am hers is a moment worth living, worth remembering. It will be better to have loved her with all my heart for a little slice of her immortality, than to love another, lesser so, for all of my life.” With that, Alcina sets her empty glass of tea onto the table, eying you with an unreadable expression. Something seems to stir in her chest, and at last the mask crumbles. She smiles.

“I see. Daniela, you may come back in now. Do not bother pretending that you have not been eavesdropping.” Not even a full second passes before the door opens, revealing a shaking Daniela, both of her sisters quite visible behind her (though they quickly move out of frame, leaving behind Ava, who gives a cheesy thumbs up as the door closes in xer face). She rushes to your side, taking your hand, looking stunned that you were still alive. But what shocks her more is what her mother says… “Of all the women I have ever known, family or otherwise, you are, perhaps, the most determined. Normally only in… ‘spurts’. Yet here you are, defying what I have come to expect of you. It almost feels as if I have been fooling myself this whole time, falsely believing that there is more than one possible outcome. So, ‘Songbird’, I say this: Three months ago, I agreed to give you a chance to prove yourself worthy of my daughter, for the sake of her happiness. Now, I suppose it is only fair that I do so once more.”

“Wait. Are you saying-” Daniela is once again cut off by her mother, who seems eager to avoid a trademark rant.

“Yes, yes I am. For the time being, the two of you have my blessing. I cannot say that I am entirely convinced of your chances at success, but, having seen the strength of your affections for one another, I sincerely hope that you will prove me wrong. Now come here, Daniela. I never got to finish telling you what I thought of your concert…”

—————————

In the glowing comfort of your girlfriend’s room, with the fireplace keeping things warm and cozy, you lay with your head against Daniela’s chest. One of her hands absentmindedly plays with your hair, and you release a sigh of bliss. Ava had assured you that xe would let Daphne know the good news, as xe thought that having one of the castle ladies visiting the servants’ quarters might cause a stir (and Daniela was far from willing to let go of you so soon). Now the two of you were just enjoying time holding each other close. Regardless of Alcina’s concerns, you knew that everything would be looking up from here. Assuming that Daniela didn’t have any more surprise confessions to involve you with.

“That was one hell of a surprise, Firefly. But I’m glad we don’t have to hide anymore. I love you, and I don’t know how long I could have survived without being open with it,” you say, a light teasing to your voice. Beneath you, Daniela chuckles, but holds you just a bit tighter. Then she places the softest of kisses to your forehead. “I’m always gonna love you, Firefly.”

“Until the end of days?” She asks, in a delighted whisper, grin practically audible.

“Until the end of days.”

—————————

Elsewhere in the castle, a caring mother takes another long, hungry drink from her glass of wine, staring intently into the fireplace. By her side is a silver-haired servant, who wordlessly watches her every move.

“There’s still a chance that this will all end horribly. Only time will tell, of course… but I can’t help worrying for her, she’s my daughter,” Alcina proclaims, gripping the glass hard enough for a web of cracks to form along its bell. But it does not fully shatter. No, it remains just steady enough to still be of use to her. For now. “Of course, you knew about this all along, didn’t you, Ava?... I know that you value how close you are with my children, and I know that they trust in you as much as I do… but if there are relationships or entanglements that I am unaware of, I expect you to tell me, or there will have to be consequences, regardless of your affiliation with Mother Miranda. Do you understand?”

Sighing, the mute servant pulls a notebook from xer pocket, opening it up to pen in a fresh script. There’s much tension in the air, and it only gets worse when Alcina catches a glimpse at what the note reads. As xe hands it to her, she scowls, and the wine glass fully breaks into countless shards. Immediately, Ava gets to work, picking up the largest of fragments with xer bare hands, refusing to complain about the resulting cuts. All the while Alcina stares into the fire, thoughts racing, wondering if maybe this time she could end her daughter’s problem before it was too late. Beginning to brainstorm ideas, she sets the notebook aside. Inside, in perfectly penned cursive, is a very, very dangerous piece of knowledge. The sort that could affect not only Castle Dimitrescu, but the entire village.

“In that case… there’s something you need to know about Cassandra- and Mother Miranda’s lovely little ‘pet’.”