#Sparrow Swift

[gayfanboyfred]

The Honor of Loving You

Sparrow Swift was at Belethor's General Goods selling off the spoils from his most recent escapades clearing out yet another bandit encampment. Jesper and Lydia were there as well with everything they'd been tasked to carry back to town for their thane.

While the dragonborn was pulling out this and that and Belethor was half distracted inspecting it all, Jesper piped up.

“Oh, Belethor,” he began a little awkwardly.

“About that amulet of Mara I bought from you-” he paused, steeling himself. Trying to pretend Lydia wasn't in the room with them.

“It's not working,” he eventually said. “Maybe it's defective?”

Sparrow Swift's ears and whiskers twitched. “Defective?” he asked quizzically. “Is the enchantment not working? This one has been working on his enchantment skills. Perhaps this one may be able to help, yes?”

“The um- the restoration enchantment still works but-”

“Ah, this one understands. You speak of a secondary enchantment. This one hasn't quite managed that intricate of enchanting.”

“He means that he's still alone despite wearing the amulet for a month straight,” Lydia explained, annoyed he'd bring it up in her presence.

“That's a bit of a harsh way of phrasing it, but,” Belethor chuckled to himself, “not inaccurate.”

“This one doesn't understand. Why would an amulet find your heart for you?”

“You don't know about Skyrim's marriage traditions do you, my furry friend?” Belethor laughed.

“This one isn't your friend,” Sparrow Swift snapped, baring his teeth. “But you are correct. This one knows not of the marriage customs of this frozen land.”

“In Skyrim, the amulet of Mara is an open invitation to any that wish to propose to the wearer. Wearing one signifies that you're open to new love and ready for marriage, should the right person ask,” Lydia explained.

“Interesting. But this one prefers to find his heart on his own. He would feel humiliated if he approached one wearing such an amulet and was rejected.”

“So now you know how I feel to learn that no one is even the slightest bit interested-” Jesper began.

“Ah, yes. That is upsetting to learn. To think Skyrim is populated by blind fools,” Sparrow Swift cut him off, suddenly quite annoyed.

“What makes you say that?” Belethor said with a raised eyebrow and an edge to his tone.

“Well, they are all of them overlooking an absolute catch. Kind, sweet, funny, and friendly. With a good singing voice and an amiable personality. It baffles the mind that you haven't found a wife, or been made one for that matter.”

“Oh!” Jesper blurted out, even more shocked than he let on. “Well, thank you, dragonborn. I- that- it feels good to hear that.” He scratched his neck under his helmet. “But that doesn't really help me, I guess.”

Lydia laughed. “Of course not!”

“Why are you so cruel to him?” Sparrow Swift asked, tail twitching irritably.

“What?” Lydia replied, taken aback.

“First you break his heart. Then you flirt badly with others in front of him. Now you poke fun at his misfortune,” Sparrow Swift accused. “This one doesn't understand.”

“Flirting badly!? What do you mean?” Lydia snapped.

“This one means that you are bad at flirting. And also bad at reading people and taking rejection. This one hopes you can eventually grow up a bit and have more respect and maturity regarding matters of the heart.”

Lydia wanted to say many venomous things but held her tongue. He was still her boss. What's more, he was her thane and the dragonborn of legend. She was his subordinate. She used to feel pride in that fact. No longer.

“If that's done, this one would like to sell some of his spoils,” Sparrow Swift said with finality.

“Music to my ears,” Belethor grinned.

Jesper stood back by the door, watching the others. Hearing the dragonborn's praise made his face and ears feel hot and his stomach flip. Hearing him come to Jesper's defense only made those feelings more intense. He couldn't quite explain it. Couldn't quite place the feeling. It felt strangely good though.

Later that night, Sparrow Swift came by his room at the Bannerd Mare. The glare he usually wore was different somehow. Jesper couldn't tell if it was softer or harder. Maybe both somehow.

“Jesper, dear friend. Sparrow Swift has something he must ask you,” he said, voice low and growly.

“Oh, uh, sure, dragonborn. What do you need?”

The burly khajiit winced. “Sparrow Swift would prefer you not use any of his titles for the rest of the conversation. They're too impersonal for the matters this one wishes to discuss.”

“Ookaayy,” Jesper said suspiciously.

“Upon learning about Skyrim's marriage traditions, this one had much to think about. The traditions this one is used to involve a long courting period. This one had no idea you were looking for love, for your heart as this one’s culture would say.” The khajiit took a deep steadying breath. “This one has long admired you, Jesper. Ever since first meeting you, just downstairs, all those many nights ago. This one has been keeping his feelings to himself however. For he believed you were not ready to move on from- from Lydia.”

His eyes were definitely softer now. Maybe because his pupils were more dilated. More roundish.

“This one is very sorry for what she did. The how she left and the why. This one believes she wanted freedom to pursue him. It has happened before. This one is truly very sorry if that is the case. You deserve much better than that. You deserve someone to cherish you. Someone who delights in your presence. Not just tolerates it.”

He got down on his knees in front of Jesper. Looking up at him with the roundest eyes Jesper's ever seen on a khajiit.

“Would you allow this one the chance to be that person for you? Would you allow this one the honor of courting you?”

Jesper felt his stomach drop. This had to be a trick. There's no way this was real.

But he was on his knees! Looking up with those pleading eyes. Jesper's never seen his eyes do anything but glare. Like he's angry at the whole world.

But not Jesper? At least not at the moment. He seemed so genuine. He always seemed pretty genuine but even more so now.

“I- uh,” he stammered. He didn't want to miss this shot like he lost out with Hulda.

“If this is too much pressure to answer immediately, this one understands. He did just admit to quite a bit. He understands if you need time to process,” Sparrow Swift said, averting his eyes.

“I admit this all feels so sudden,” Jesper said awkwardly. “It wasn't all that long ago that Keith had to convince me you didn't hate me.”

“Sudden?” Sparrow Swift chuckled, almost bitterly. “The nords' idea of marriage sounds quite sudden to this one as well. But this one regrets there ever was such a misunderstanding between you and himself. He will have to thank Keith for clearing it up but it pains him to know it occurred at all.” He seemed to be deflating the more Jesper stalled.

“It was pretty much entirely my fault,” Jesper said, still not ready to face the music. “I made some uncharitable assumptions about your motivations. And you were always glaring at me and standing really close. And always stopped whatever you were doing to glare at me while I hummed or sang to myself. I thought you hated my singing voice honestly,” he blabbered with an awkward chuckle.

“This one regrets that you ever thought such things. Your singing is one of your most wonderful traits.”

“Oh, well thank you dr- Sparrow Swift,” Jesper said, snapped out of his spiral by the sudden praise. “I gotta admit I don't really know what this courting period would entail,” he said sheepishly.

“It is a chance for lovers to show each other what they have to offer to the relationship should it become more long term, like a marriage. It is a tradition rooted in boasting status but has evolved somewhat to a safeguard against unhappy marriages,” Sparrow Swift explained. “This one can't fathom being unhappily wed to you.” He sighed. “But it feels wrong to skip ahead to that stage. To miss out on all the memories that could be made between.”

“Love in Skyrim is usually on a much quicker timeline,” Jesper said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“But you don't love this one. Not yet,” Sparrow Swift said.

“I-” Jesper faltered. “I guess you're not wrong. I do feel..something for you. I don't really know what to call it.”

“You do not have to give it a name. This one believes he understands regardless. Those feelings would continue to grow and develop over the courting period. By the time of the wedding, if all is as it should be, you will know for certain that you love this one.”

“I- that sounds kinda nice actually. I always imagined I'd be marrying my true love,” he chuckled softly to himself. “I guess I lost sight of that along the way.”

“Heartbreak can do that to you. You thought Lydia was it. That you'd be together for the rest of your lives. It can be quite overwhelming when that all falls apart.”

“I- yeah,” Jesper sighed. “It still hurts to think about honestly,” he said with an awkward chuckle.

“Yes,” Sparrow Swift nodded. “It'll be long before that passes. Sometimes people hurt you so deeply that even the memory leaves a scar on your heart. That is why this one kept his affections to himself. He wanted to give you time to heal. It is difficult accept love from someone new when your heart is still hemorrhaging love for another.”

Jesper chuckled. “Y'know, that's a very apt way of putting it.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I- I guess I'd like to try your courting idea. I'm sure it won't take long for me to- to fall in love with you. You're already pretty amazing.”

“This one would be honored to court you, Jesper,” Sparrow Swift said with a wide smile. “May he take your hand please?”

Jesper held out his hand, confused but interested. Sparrow Swift took it in his own and kissed the back of his knuckles.

“This one would like to swear an oath of fealty to you, Jesper. It is not necessary for the courting period but it would steady this heart to make intentions known.”

“An oath of fealty? That seems like a bit much, don't you think?” Jesper said nervously, gently pulling his hand away. “Isn't that like knights and kings and stuff?”

“Famously, yes,” Sparrow Swift said. “But this one has always admired that dedication. That clearness of intention. Absolute devotion in its purest form.” His eyes softened. “This one has never had anything he'd pledge himself to in such a way. Nothing short of his heart's truest desire.”

“And I'm your heart's truest desire?”

“Yes,” Sparrow Swift said, so matter of factly Jesper couldn't really argue with him. He still tried.

“Are you sure?”

“Does this one need to repeat what he said in Belethor's store today? Perhaps with more detail since there are no antagonistic witnesses.”

“Why'd you say it like that?” Jesper asked suspiciously.

“This one always assumes there's a 45-95% chance that Keith is in the room or at least within earshot. Currently feeling more like 70%. Would be higher but many sweet and genuine sentiments have been shared and this one has heard no groans from the rafters or windowsill.”

“I should probably just assume that too, huh?”

“He does often get bored and eavesdrop on his friends. You and this one are apparently among the most entertaining.”

“Huh,” Jesper mused. “I don't know if I should find that annoying or flattering.”

“This one chooses not to acknowledge how it makes him feel. Other than paranoid about being watched, admittedly.”

Jesper chuckled. “Yeah, I can see that.” He sighed. “What would this oath entail?”

“This one would promise to remain faithful to you for the rest of his days. That you will be under his dedicated protection for the rest of yours. That this one would stand with you against the whole of creation. That you will never hunger for this one will provide. Your cup will never empty for this one will fill it. That sort of thing.”

“Those sound like marriage vows,” Jesper chuckled nervously. He couldn't deny how his chest squeezed tight at those words of promise, nor how his cheeks heated.

“Perhaps you are correct,” Sparrow Swift said thoughtfully. “This one would promise more in his official wedding vows, however.”

“More than all that?” Jesper gawked incredulously.

“This one would promise you the finest cuts of every meal, the sweetest of treats in constant supply, your favorite mead with every meal, the most exquisite gear always in top shape and hand crafted by yours truly. This one would promise you everything within his power to give.”

Jesper felt his heart skip a beat. “Oh, wow!” he gasped, blush deepening. “I guess that is more. I don't really need all that much though. Just someone that I love who loves me back. The rest doesn't really matter.”

Sparrow Swift's eyes softened impossibly more. “Then you are already halfway to bliss. This one loves you very much.”

“And soon I'll be able to say I love you too,” Jesper said with a fond smile. His face felt like it was on fire, and the heat spread to his ears and chest.

“In the morn this one shall begin his attempts to woo you in earnest,” Sparrow Swift promised. He sighed. “But now, it is late. You should return to your bed. Get whatever sleep you can. This one will attempt the same. With any luck, the divines will bless us both with sweet dreams of burgeoning love.”

“I look forward to it, dear,” Jesper said with a grin as he reached out a hand to help Sparrow Swift up. He wasn't expecting it to already feel so natural to call Sparrow Swift such endearments. He couldn't deny how easily it rolled off his tongue though.

Sparrow Swift's ears and whiskers twitched and his eyes almost seemed to sparkle for a moment in the dim candlelight. A grin split across his face at the endearment.

He took Jesper's hand in his own but raised it to his lips to pepper it with kisses. He stood on his own, seemingly misunderstanding the gesture entirely. Jesper couldn't bring himself to pull his hand away. It felt nice being loved.

Sparrow Swift placed on final kiss into Jesper's palm before releasing him. “Sleep well, darling,” he said, voice buzzing with excitement and endearment.

“Sleep well, darling,” Jesper echoed as the khajiit turned to leave. From here he could see the thrill that ran down Sparrow Swift's back. He chuckled softly to himself as he closed his door.

It all felt entirely unreal. This morning he felt hopeless. Now he'd found someone who already loved him? Now he had the dragonborn courting him? How did that just happen?

He went over to the window to watch Sparrow Swift walk home. He had a skip in his step as he trotted over to Breezehome just down the road. He seemed genuinely happy.

Jesper held the hand he'd kissed to his chest. This wasn't love. Not yet. But it won't be long.

He turned and went back to bed. Staring up at the ceiling with anxious excitement buzzing under his skin, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to get to sleep. He got out of bed and grabbed his crochet needles and most recent project, a scarf for Kevin. If he couldn't sleep he could at least crochet his feelings out. Maybe they'd make more sense in an hour or two.

Just outside his window, Keith leaned back against the roof with a self satisfied smile hidden behind his mask. “Fuckin finally,” he chuckled softly to himself. “Lenny owes me 20 septims.”

[mikeystrawberry]

Today is Dungeons & Daddies’s 5th Anniversary!

I haven’t been listening for nearly that long but the podcast and all its characters means a lot to me. Happy Anniversary!!!

Throwing the cropped sections under the cut because there’s a lot of stuff going on and I know Tumblr likes to throw half the pixel quality out the window. And also so I can ramble a bit about this piece!!!

This piece has been months in the making, possibly an entire year. And by that I mean I’ve had a sketch of the comp scribbled on my whiteboard for ages because I wanted to save this specifically for 5th anni art. Now onto design stuff!

(First off a random thought: I really love how the garlic knot came out, I kind of want it as an enamel pin.)

I knew I wanted to make this a stained glass piece since the beginning, but I was also going to add flowers at one point but quickly dropped the idea. It felt like too much and I also didn’t want to fuss over flower language assignments for everyone. I was also going to add Doodler tentacles, but also dropped that idea pretty early. Kind of on accident, right at the end, I figured out how to make it even more stained glass-like but taking a duplicated lineart underneath the regular layer and turning the brightness all the way down, then setting it to overlay and adding a guassian blur. It’s very subtle but it adds that tiny bit of depth that makes it look more real. As for shading on the lineart/gold, I tried adding more highlight on the characters who died but once I evened everything out it wasn’t as noticeable anymore so I’m throwing that thought here so the attempt at least known lol.

The order of characters only changed a little bit from my original comp, I flipped the Wilsons and the Oaks so the rainbow could work. As for the anchors, specifically in season 2, I lined them up to the teens since the season 1 anchors lined up with each dad:

Tony —> Scary: his death was the beginning of Scary’s betrayal arc and also Willy killed him.

Guitar Pick —> Taylor: it’s not really aligned with Taylor at all, but the anchor was with Glenn so I put it next to his blunt.

Scroll —> Normal: was only because it was the last left to give him, but there’s the whole scene of him and Hermie in the Green Room so it still works!

Garlic Knot —> Link: one of two that he broke, but the more significant of the two with him telling Grant he never wants to see him again.

Small notes on the season 1 anchors: I put the layer of mold in the overnight oats but you can’t really tell with the overlay. And to make the supper bowl more interesting I added the fantasy sodas mix they dumped into it. The lure of actually drawn before so I just traced my own art lol.

As for the other smaller triangles, it took me a bit to figure out what I wanted to put there. I didn’t even think of adding the vehicles until two days ago but I’m so glad I did. I don’t really have my own take on the mascot version of the Doodler (yet?) so I borrowed the design from one of the stickers in their merch shop. Teeny was terrifying as just a front facing head so I made him cute again.

In the outer circles, I put what I felt was the most significant quotes for each family. I really wanted to use “It’s okay to be angry, it’s not okay to be cruel” but it was just a little too long.

That’s all I can think of! If you read all the way through, thank you for indulging me in my excitement to gush over this piece.

[undefbug]

Sons and their loser dads :)

[keepin-it-on-the-d-l]

It’s Mr. Steal Your Kids

[dovesdreaming]

౨ৎI want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck౨ৎ

Hi I hope this is good! I found getting jacks character hard and when I first imagined this it was a lot fluffier than what it turned into! But I would be happy to right a fluffier version of anyone would like that!! 1.3k words

Needs editing!!

Warnings: suggestive

Requested:@fuck-i-burnt-the-tea

Jack had never been a sentimental person. He was a pirate, they couldn’t care for anyone but themselves. Jack was widely known for that, not even having loyalties to his crew. There were very few things Jack cared about in this world. The first being his compass he kept it by his side at all times and never let it out of his sight and the second was a recent development. He had developed feelings for you. He didn’t know how it happened it went from you joking around with each other to him actually confiding in you, what was happening to him. Jack thought he could get rid of these feelings by pushing you away but the distance only made his heart want to be in your presence more. Jack didn’t understand feelings and he’d be damned if he let them get in the way of finding his recent treasure interest. There was a slight issue with this though as his compass would point in the direction of the treasure but then make a ticking motion towards wherever you were. He debated throwing you overboard or getting rid of you somehow so that he could finally get back to his pirate life yet he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

His crew had also become attached to you, it was impossible not to. You had a way of drawing everyone and making them feel comfortable. The men aboard also didn’t mind a woman on ship but they all respected you and would protect you if needed but after they had seen you fight a rival pirate ship they decided they more than likely would never be needed.

Gibbs had noticed a change in jacks behaviour, how could he not he was the only other person than you that was close to him.

He had suspicions but never brought it up because he knew that the Jack sparrow would never admit to having feelings for someone.

Jack was always a flirtatious person and when he noticed his feelings for you develop he cranked his flirting up to the point he would flirt with a mop if it looked like a woman to rid himself of thoughts about you. He needed you out of his head and this lead him to have multiple one night stands every time the ship docked somewhere, sometimes even several a night. He thought it was working but in reality it only made him crave you more.

You had feelings for Jack sparrow before you even joined his crew. His name was whispered throughout the pirate community with many mixed comments about him. From some of the stories you had heard he sounded like just your type of man. You however ended up on his ship by accident you had been looking for a permanent crew to join and this had been the only ship accepting new crew mates. You and Jack found common ground straight away and from there you only grew closer. You never thought much of your relationship until you felt you stomach bubble with a mix of anger and sadness every night when you saw Jack take another woman to bed. Inside you knew you were jealous but you weren’t ready to admit that to yourself yet, especially when he takes a new woman every night.

One night when you and Jack were hanging out at the bar you both had a few two many drinks. Most of the words coming out of your mouths now didn’t make sense to anyone, it was just drunk babbling. Jack had been eyeing up a few women that were across the bar all night and this had deepened the feeling in your gut. You were nearly blind drunk and jealous which were not good combinations. You became touchy with Jack, reaching your hands out to touch his hair and rub his shoulders. You also stared directly into his eyes making Jack question what had gotten into you. You launched yourself at him, grabbing his face in your hands and smashing you lips into his. He hesitated before his drunk haze of want took over and he kissed you back. The kiss got deeper and deeper before he lead you away and you became another woman he took into the night with him.

You woke up in an unfamiliar bed and you looked around to see clothes strewn across the room. The vague memory of last night was at the forefront of your mind yet the face of who you left with was a blur until you turned your head to find no other than your captain. Realisation hit you like a wave and you were frozen in panic. Your mind raced with thoughts and as you saw Jack stir from his sleep all your mind could come up with was to pretend you were asleep til he left, leaving all decisions to him.

Jack awoke and collected his clothes like he did every morning after his nightly activities. It was routine at this point and he usually didn’t bother to even spare a glance to the person in bed with him. He couldn’t remember any of their faces if he tried. Yet as he was walking toward the door he stopped dead in his tracks as he recognised the article of clothing on the floor. It was your average dress yet it sparked an image in his mind and that’s when his memory flooded back. He saw images of the night before with a woman under him. The face of the woman slowly came into focus and it was you. His head snapped to the figure in bed still and sure enough he saw your face just peeking from the covers still asleep.

He panicked and ran out the door slightly slamming it in his hastily exit.

Your relationship was slightly strained from this point on both wanting the other yet feeling as though the other didn’t feel the same. Jack was also still struggling to allow himself to have feelings like this. He wanted to make a gesture to show he cared for you. He was just waiting the perfect thing to present itself to him.

He had found what he thought might do the trick. He found a necklace within the chest that the crew had been looking for the past couple of weeks. It was a chain necklace embroidered with jewels and conveniently a j engraved into it. It was like his compass had led him here all along, knowing his heart wanted to give you himself. He snatched it from the chest before anyone else saw and stuffed it into his pocket for safekeeping.

Jack had been going back and forth about giving you the necklace. He couldn’t decide whether it was too big of a gesture or too small of one. He just wanted to show you that he cared about you.

He had called you into his quarters and sat down on his desk. You were left standing in front of him, questioning why he had brought you in here. He stared at the ground before reaching into his pocket. You saw the necklace shimmer in the sunlight from the window behind, it casted spots of sunlight across the room. This made you even more confused. He twirled the necklace in his hands before speaking “this is for you”. He leant his arm out with the necklace in. You took the necklace carefully into your hands, taking every detail of it in. You heart jumped when you saw the j engraved and ran you thumb over it. You looked up to him questioningly, what did this mean? He looked away and said he wanted to show his fondness for you (jacks code word for something along the lines of love you guessed). You walked over to him and asked him to put it on for you. As he clasped his initial round your neck you didn’t feel owned by Jack, you felt he knew you. This necklace was the silent acknowledgement that you both liked one another and wanted more. It was a silent agreement that you were each others and no one else’s.

Thank you for reading! And again if anyone wants a fluffier version I have a good idea for it!!

[heuheu-art]

I've really loved doing these character designs and would love to do more! Perhaps I'll draw the earlier generations or the spouses in the future.

[7cfc00]

Hey guys remember this episode

[sanpape]

I noticed that Matt and Beth tend to (whether willingly or accidentally) create really well earned happy endings for their characters whereas Freddie and Will are really good at ending their characters on bittersweet, or even just straight up tragic notes in a way that feels incredibly fitting. If I had to put it succinctly I guess it'd be:

Matt and Beth's PCs and kin: The narrative feels inevitable but is excapable. You're out and you can heal.

Will's PCs and kin: The narrative is escapable, but not without changing you on a fundimental level. The choices you've made while escaping the narrative haunt you for life.

Freddie's PCs and kin: The narrative feels inevitable and is escapable, but it would require an incredible amount of introspection that this character simply isn't capable of.

[macksartblock]

see you know i couldn't resist this

thanks @babacontainsmultitudes for the idea i hope i did your vision justice lol

[transformersweatpants]

Lark Oak Garcia vs The World (aka the Nark Scott Pilgrim AU)

[navigaviafanpage]

It's just soul-crushing how in Dungeons and Daddies, technically a comedy podcast, practically the greatest execution of themes and representation of generational trauma in the history of medias, everyone's storyline resolve itself in the most fitting and tragic way possible, for some more than others.

There are those who get their "happy ending". Darryl, Lincoln, Ron, Terry Jr, they make the active choice of being happy, to love and be loved and renounce the fight.

On the other hand, Normal, Grant and Scary, at the "end" of the story they find a fight, the realisation that they need to change themselves and/or their perception of things to be happy and it's completely up to them. That's where Glenn failed and, one could argue, Sparrow too. That's somewhere Taylor and Lark will never arrive, because they enjoy the fight more than thinking about the consequences and for better and for worse they're okay where they're stucked.

And then there is Harry, our crunchy, munchy, hippie druid dad, who tried his best and made many mistakes, but never fucked up that badly to deserve his ending. Henry was just a man, not an eldritch entity nor a god, just a man, and a decent one. What to do when things go shit and is no one fault (Willy’s)? To share the stage of this cruel turn of events there is Nick/Nicholas/Nicky Close Foster Freeman Swift, fate's puppet, the martyr and no one's son, who wanted to go home and hadn't got such a thing. He never got a chance to start with. Would have he been a good father? What mark would he have left on his son? Would he have left anyway, in the end? Henry and Nick, they were both betrayed and left behind, one went to the woods of the plastic heavens, the other straight to hell. They were never in control. What does that mean? What's the moral if not that shit happens every day? The reason why they keep trying is very simple: that's all there is left. Love. Sometimes it's enough. Sometimes you have to make it enough.

[gayfanboyfred]

Oh Guard My Heart

Sparrow Swift stood on top of the keep he'd just cleared of a necromancer coven. The things he'd seen in that building he shuddered to think about. They would keep him awake at night for a while yet.

He was thankful he'd left Whiterun under cover of night, allowing no one to offer him aid. Save them all from the horrors he'd witnessed within those ancient stone walls. No one else needed to suffer the nightmares that awaited him when he finally closed his eyes.

He needed to pull himself together and get back in there. The jarl would undoubtedly send men to clean out the dilapidated fort for a better defensive hold against whatever side of the war that sent troops to Whiterun first.

The walls were still strong. Still 90% intact. A well manned garrison could hold out for months if it had enough provisions stocked. There was flooding in the cellar but the guards could handle that in an afternoon provided they had enough buckets and towels.

So long as he removed as much trace of the necromancers’ grim work as he could, none of them would have to know what all really happened here. He'd make sure they never found out either.

He just needed a moment. It was almost sunrise. That would be a lovely sight from up here. Something to give himself a bit of reprieve from the evils he'd just born witness to.

He missed Jesper. His lovely voice would soothe Sparrow Swift's heart. Drown out the memory of the blood curdling screams of the necromancers’ victims as they were dissected live.

In all his years traveling the whole of the empire, that was the most disturbing thing he'd ever seen or heard. He was glad Jesper didn't see it. Didn't hear it. Would never even know.

He needed to stop dwelling on it all though. He needed a distraction to give himself a bit of hope. Just enough to collect the bodies in the center of the courtyard and burn away all evidence of the evil perpetuated here.

What was that song Jesper was singing the other day? The one about rainbows?

Sparrow Swift tried to remember. He was sweeping and he seemed pretty down. He seemed to be feeling better by the end of his little song though.

Even sad he was adorable. Even just standing there in full uniform he was adorable. Everything he did, adorable.

Sparrow Swift sighed. What he wouldn't give to see what's under that helmet. Whatever it was he wanted to cover it with kisses.

He still needed to give Jesper his space though. It hadn't been that long since Lydia broke his heart. He was likely still putting himself back together. He needed to focus on himself a while.

He didn't need a 6’5” 295lb khajiit overwhelming him with affections. It might be an initial boost to his confidence but that confidence shouldn't come from Sparrow Swift. It should come from Jesper himself. From being comfortable with himself by himself.

Sparrow Swift would wait until that day came. Until then, he'd just admire from afar and quietly pine to himself.

Well, admittedly he definitely annoyed Keith with his pining too. He really needed to make more friends. It wasn't fair to Keith to make him listen to him ramble on about his infatuation.

Was it still just infatuation at this point? He felt like he'd gotten to know Jesper pretty well by now. The more he learned the more he wanted to hold him and never let go.

It was definitely intense, whatever this feeling was. Maybe intense enough to chase the horrors from his thoughts.

Metal scraping bones and the sound of screaming. Drowned out by the memory of Jesper singing. It seemed to be working fairly well.

He looked to the sky. The moons were still fairly high. Perhaps he'd overestimated how long he'd taken inside. Dawn was likely still a few hours away.

He should go gather the dead. Gather firewood for their pyres. Gather their dark research for kindling.

He took a deep breath. Was he ready?

Sure. He had to be. If he hesitated another hour, he'd surely hesitate another day. Then he'd run out of time entirely.

He had to move. Just one step. Then the next.

His limbs were heavy from lack of sleep. It didn't matter. One step. Then the next.

Standing still wasn't his forté. He was a runner. A coward at heart. He needed to change that.

He needed to be stronger. To face his fears. All of them. He needed to be better. To become someone more reliable. Jesper deserved someone more reliable.

Jesper did deserve someone more reliable. Someone strong and kind and fearless.

Someone fearless.

Fearless.

Sparrow Swift took a step back towards the hatch that led back into the keep. He would become fearless. For Jesper.

He took another step. Then another. Then another. Each one more determined than the last. He needed to be someone strong enough to face the things no one else could. He needed to be someone Jesper would be proud to know. More proud to call his own some day.

He opened the hatch and the scent of death nearly knocked him over. He should go through and open all the doors to let the keep air out. Perhaps then the jarl's men would be able to keep their breakfast down when they arrived. He was just thankful there was nothing in his stomach to empty out.

Down the ladder he went. Then systematically, room by room, he cleared the whole place out. Left all the bodies in a pile in the courtyard. Left all the doors open to air out. Left to gather firewood.

He returned when the moon was getting low and built one massive pyre rather than several smaller ones. Tore out the pages from the necromancers’ notebooks and stuffed them into the gaps in the logs. Ripped up the covers and shoved them underneath. Stripped down the corpses and stacked them on top.

Finally satisfied with his funeral pyre, he lit it with his favorite fire spell just as the sky began to turn pink. A new dawn on this place. Banishing the evil perpetuated here. Poetic.

He stayed there for the next several hours. Recasting his spell or adding more logs whenever the flames looked like they may need some encouragement. He ate food from the necromancers’ storeroom to sustain himself.

Finally, as the sun began to set once more, the pyre was not but smoldering embers. All bodies and evidence destroyed. Blood still coated many surfaces inside, but the jarl's men could handle blood.

Blood in itself isn't evil. Healers are often covered in the blood of their patients after all.

Sparrow Swift gathered up anything worth selling and prepared to walk back to Whiterun. To return as he'd left, under cover of night. He couldn't wait to see his bed. Blessed Queen of the Night Sky he wanted to sleep for eight days straight.

Could he? Probably not. There's too much more to do.

He's never made a stand like this before. Never needed to. Never set down roots anywhere. Never cared to.

Now he's fallen for a city guard. That's about as rooted as a body could get.

And as a guard, Jesper would be on the front lines if violence came to Whiterun. Sparrow Swift needed to do everything in his power to be sure that didn't happen.

He'd prowl the perimeter and keep every keep, fort, and cave in the surrounding areas completely free of bandits, criminals, and rogue mages of any specialty. He'd help the jarl set up outposts in the most promising of those areas and further expand the city's protection zone. He'd do whatever it took to keep either side of the war from attacking Whiterun.

Even if it killed him. Jesper and his home would be safe.

He shook on his pack and took a deep breath. So very much work to do. But not right now.

He needed to get home and let himself rest. He wouldn't have the strength to do any of it if he kept pushing himself too far.

[mommaboyhalo]

The brain rot has gotten so bad. Here's some dungeons and daddies characters and what I think their favorite pop/soda would be.

S1 gang

Darryl: he don't fuck around about Dr pepper.

Henry: sparkling water. The occasional LaCroix. Says ginger ale is too sweet.

Glenn: look at this man. You cannot tell me he's not guzzling diet coke like it's his lifeline. He has at least one diet coke merch piece.

Ron: if asked his favorite is cherry Pepsi. His real favorite is crystal Pepsi and he is the only person who misses it.

Jodie: Starry. He insists it tastes nothing like sierra mist. He mixes Skittles in it like a fucked up boba.

Scam Likely/ Actually: actually thought scam was dying the first time scam drank a carbonated beverage. Cannot drink soda.

Walter: Dr pepper and thinks all soda is Dr pepper. Because Darryl would bring him a cup every time they ventured into the realms.

Paeden: thinks carbonation is icky but if he had to choose a flavor it would be coke.

S2 gang

Grant: drank so much monster in his youth he got kidney stones and now isn't allowed soda or energy drinks per Marco's request

Terry: strawberries and cream Dr pepper. Doesn't like actual Dr pepper but will drink this stuff till he gets a tummy ache abt it.

Lark: grape soda. That shit that tastes like purple? He loves it. Also don't leave him alone with sweet tea.

Sparrow: owns a soda stream and actually uses it. Doesn't flavor it at all tho. Sometimes put a lemon in for "flavor"

Nicky: Not much pop tastes good in the sweltering heat of hell but he is able to raid Glenn's fridge at any time. Which is stocked with an ungodly amount of diet coke. Not his favorite but he'll drink it.

Lincoln: also under the carbonation ban but he will fuck up a rootbeer if given the chance. He loves rootbeer floats.

Scary: Vanilla Coke. Wants a freaky amount of vanilla syrup added to it when they order from sonic.

Normal: Grape soda out of convenience. Hasn't tried much else but Lark has a stash of it in the basement. After a long day at school he'll go down and say "I need a drink, something strong" and be given a grape pop.

Taylor: Mountain Dew. Look at him. Look at him and tell me he wouldn't drink mountain dew out of a wine glass.

Hermie: Mountain Dew code red. But if given the chance he will carbonate straight Red-40 and drink it like water.

O-Dads

Willy: Crystal Pepsi. Thought about his first decree on the throne of god making it a thing again till he found out it was also Ron's favorite.

Bill: Coke but he thinks it's just a mixer for Jack Daniels and doesn't realize people drink just coke.

Barry: one time Bill let him have a cup of his coke and he threw up because he chugged it. Thinks all soda is poison and isn't convinced Bill didn't try to kill him.

[serikyl]

The kiddads refusing to go to actual therapy, bc why would you when you can just harmlessly vent your problems to a whale?

[alien-bluez]

an assortment of random sketches womp

[mintythyme]

Canon hermie art real we stay winning