#alas poor knights...

[melittosphex]

Dead man come to life again Heaven, what use is heaven for you? Spend your time instead with us

[dialalagirl]

Is this how subaru hugging his beloved for the first time feels like?

[volivolition]

sighssss okay. okay... disappointed but not surprised. will draw volition consolation kissies once i get back to my laptop. because hes a winner to me.

[vaguely-concerned]

oooh after I internalized the hard rule that do not, under any circumstances, attack the king of storms' legs (just say no. no chicken thighs on the menu tonight unless you want to end up as the grilled. never worth it that way lies only pain and camera-breaking AOE fire attacks), the nameless king fight is definitely one of my favourite bosses from across the series now! starting to get the dodge timings right on his second phase was brain-ticklingly satisfying and made up for the camera having a very hard time of it at times during the first. also it looks really metal the whole time. which is always an important factor in a souls fight. style points very much count

(I make a lot of jokes but honestly I think where the souls games shine above basically all others is as a flow state inducer. which is one of the most potent forms of mental pain relief I know and is very handy at times)

[vesperosy]

alas, poor knight

[2-dsimp]

POV: You’re the sidekick of a crash-out alien hero.

Tw: yandere alien! hero x gn! sidekick reader, toxic relationship, trauma, angst, gaslighting, manipulation, coercion, narcissism, bullying, corruption, unhealthy coping mechanisms, mentions of gore, holding hostage, torture, jealousy, possessive tendencies, controlling behavior,

•:•.•:•.••:•:•:•:•☾☼☽•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:

“Aha! Ha! Ha! Don’t make me laugh!” The hero cackled, even bending over with a hand pressed to his chest. He found you utterly adorably stupid.

“Oh gods you’re a riot! Now cmon tell me, where are the cameras you set up to make me look bad?” Adonis, your assigned hero partner, looked around exaggeratedly.

A gloved hand over his brow to scope the area for the cameras which were nonexistent. Meanwhile, you stood your ground protecting a feeble villian from his brutality.

“This is no joke, I’m done paying a blind eye to your blatant insanity!” You snapped, the laughing man in front of you was none other than Adonis Apollo.

He was an alien parading in human skin, he adorned his superhero attire. Wearing a spartan inspired helmet, his liquid golden irises vibrantly glowering down at you.

Adonis was a two-faced glorified prick. Often seen as the face of the Hero Association. The famed Sunset Knight known for his valiant efforts. The generosity to care for the wellbeing of the citizens.

The iconic slogan in his campaigns; ‘If the sun begins to set and you find yourself in trouble. Like a ray of light, Adonis will appear!’ To save the day time after time again.

The women swooned for him, all the men aspired to be him, and worst of all you used to admire him. What a mistake that was.

If only you hadn’t seen his true nature, if only you hadn’t have acknowledged it! Played pretend and continued life as if everything was normal…

Then maybe he wouldn’t have targeted you.

Once upon a time back when you were just a newbie. Staring out to train to be a prospect sidekick for one of the hero’s signed to the association.

During your nightly jogs through the tight alleyways. You stumbled across a graphic scene, recognizing the signature spartan helmet.

Adonis didn’t even have any sign of emotion on his face, he looked to be bored. Even after he squashed the head of a burglar like a grape.

“Ugh great, I’ve stepped on some shit.” A small sneer on his lips as he used the thief’s chest as a damn foot rug. To wipe off the brain matter from underneath his heels.

Being one imbued with a sense of justice you saw him unfit to be a hero. He was nothing but a crook, a damned fraud.

You took photos of the crime with an aim to condemn him. You meticulously filed numerous anonymous serious charges against him through the Hero’s association. Stalking him on his endeavors, journaling his every transgression.

Yet it was as if everything ounce of pure evidence fell on deaf ears. The submitted reports were labeled ineligible, they marked you off as one of the malicious antifans of heros. So they dismissed you without a second thought.

The notion made you seethe, wondering how could they allow an unstable psychopath to play hero when he was seeing folks as lesser than dogshit?

When it came time for your training to pay off and be assigned to a hero. You had prayed to be assigned to anyone but him.

But alas your prayers were never answered, you suspected that he knew that you were the one behind the anonymous reports.

So he pressured the board into making you his sidekick. And you surmised that he only did so to make your life miserable. Which he did to an annoying extent.

He’d condescendingly flirt with you, make you clean up after all his messy accidents in handling the criminal suspects. He even made you shake the detached tentacle hand he ripped out from a poor squidman as a joke.

It’s as if he lived for getting a reaction out of you no matter how negative it was you gave him high endorphins.

He’d ask sometimes if you hated him, to which you replied with a knowing glare. Nonetheless he’d have an elated expression on his face a faint blush and a sharp callous grin. Pitching a huge tent in his spandex.

But now he wasn’t grinning after looking at you and your defensive stance. He scoffed rolling his eyes, flexing his fingers. “Alright, this is getting old, be a good lil sidekick and move aside so I can deal with the whelp.”

“No, I won’t move.” You had your arms spread guarding the villian collapsed from behind you. He was shaken up, coughing blood after his body was lethally thrown against the concrete walls.

“Look, stop acting brand new, all I’m doing is what’s asked of me by the people of this city. Removing garbage from the census” He said flippantly, the sunset hitting his face making him look as if he was some angelic savior sent to purge the earth from impurities.

“The people didn’t ask for glorified acts manslaughter! Nor did I ask to be apart of it!” You stepped up to him chest to chest, you hoped to give enough time for the criminal to escape.

You weren’t confident in your abilities to properly go toe to toe with the biggest presence in the hero industry. “All this needless bloodshed and for what? To make your day less boring?” You hopped to provide an ample distraction.

Adonis simply smiled, his narrowed eyes trailing to the villain who caught onto your intentions. And was currently trying to gather the strength to make a break for it.

“Oh I’m so touched!” He sighed, cupping his face acting like a swooning fan. “You really do know me all too well honey dearest~ in fact you’re the only one I can really be myself with...” He’d coo in that overly cutesy honeyed voice he’d use to piss you off stepping forward to obnoxiously pinch your cheeks.

Before he simply phased past you via his powers which enabled him to pass through any solid form of matter. “Which is the only reason why I keep you alive.” You flinched, hearing his low disembodied voice rasp into your ear.

You shivered, a tingling sensation which made your goosebumps rise. There was no time for you to be struck with fear, a life was being threatened!

“Wait Adonis! This it’s beneath you! You’re the top hero for crying aloud! Just let me handle this!” You desperately tried to grab at him, but all you managed to do was grasp at air.

You started to panic you couldn’t stomach yet another death on your conscious. “Oh you’re singing me praises now? How charming.” He’d jest, briefly glancing over his shoulder at you to give a smirk.

Once he rematerialized, the hero crouched down to grab at the neck of the villain. Hoisting them up in the air. “Say if you truly want this pest to stay alive, how far would you go to make it happen hmm?”

You gritted your teeth, hands balled up as you glared at him with a bubbling rage in your eyes at the unfairness of it all. To be at the mercy of a damned devil such as he.

“Name your price.” You spat, surely you’d regret it but you couldn’t squander an opportunity to finally have a chance at saving someone from death by his hands.

Contrary to what you thought, you figured the hero would show satisfaction at you giving in. Yet all you saw was a blank expression.

“Oh you’re being serious? Are you being fucking for real right now babe?”A dry laugh came from his lips which was soon covered up by his free hand to hide the scowl setting upon it.

”You actually care about this—this pathetic wriggling thing here?” His voice genuinely sounded perturbed, as he shook the criminal by the throat. Like they were some minor decoration.

He was pissed.

Adonis had surprisingly found himself bothered. Only you could invoke such fleeting moments of jealousy within him.

He despised how you’d pay more attention to someone other than himself. But he’d never admit to it, it was considered weak after all.

“Name your price ey? Who’re you a mere sidekick, To be making demands of me like that?” He’d snap, carelessly dropping the criminal, so they’d grovel before him.

“And to think your standards would be so low as to pay mind to this vermin. I thought our precious time together would’ve taught you better.” His voice carried a heavy weight with thin lines of venom tracing it. You could sense things weren’t going to end well being the manchild he is when things didn’t go his way.

“Adonis… I— look I apologize, just please hear me out.” You started slowly, approaching him carefully like he was a cornered feral animal. Adonis was unstable, you had to be careful not to set him off.

“That villian is already incapacitated so we can leave him to the law enforcement and go on our merry way yeah?” Adonis was radio silent. Which wasn’t a good sign at all. The alien was never taught how to properly expressing himself.

He made you decline every mandatory psych evaluation therapy session on his behalf. Making it evident that he didn’t see the purpose in having a therapist.

The hero was confident nothing was wrong with him. After all he was born to be perfect, it was in evident in his superior alien genetics. So why would he let himself be labeled as anything other than that, with silly mental diagnosis? He couldn’t begin to comprehend the concept.

Even if his striking inability to control himself, whenever he got too stressed. In coping with certain feelings that was unfamiliar to him. Was something he denied all accountability for.

“Ah fuck this is really bumming me out.” He finally spoke, His fingers were messaging at his temples to soothe the veins from popping out even further.”I just haha, cannot fucking believe it. You’d actually prioritize a villain over me?—”

You barely registered a sound crack, before you saw that the hero had delivered a sharp kick at a man already down. His heel digging into their ribcage effectively breaking one rib.

“The motherfucking sunset that presides over this whole city to keep the people safe?” At this point you were grappling around his waist to haul him off. “You think this lowlife is better than me!? Worth more of your time?” But he’d frequently phase in and out of like a flickering tv channel. He was untouchable.

“No! No I don’t think that at all! Just relax please! Adonis they’ll die at this rate, they’re choking on their own blood!” You’d pleaded, desperate to do something, anything. You had even laid yourself over the curled up body of the villain. Whose breaths were getting shallower by the minute.

“Awe that’s the point sweetie, now move—” He paused, ear twitching hearing sirens coming. frowning he bends down to take your jaw into his hands. “Why must you be such a buzzkill.” Taking advantage of you being distracted, he sneaked another petty kick to the ribs of the offender. Making that broken rib no.2

“Fine… wrap this mess up as usual, I’ll see you in my office later to discuss about your insubordination.” Adonis clicked his tongue, already phasing through the wall of the alleyways. leaving you in a compromising position with a villain hanging onto his last breath.

And the law enforcement arrived at the scene had varying expressions of ‘what the fuck happened’ and at this point you were well over regretting your career decisions.

—-/———-

A/n: just wanted to flush out Adonis’s character more lol. Let me know if you want pt2 to his main story line.

[amoritasart]

ALSO I just … NEED to mention this creature. LOOK AT HIM. WHAT IS HE. WHO IS HEEE? So this is what is supposed to be Beta Hunter or whatever. Interesting, but even more so that apart from his familial connection to Obron and his eventual bond with Luz (that starts off a bit antagonistic) he is SO different to what ended up in comparison to the other characters. But you know who he does remind me of though?

Red overalls. Blue eyes. JAGGED KNIFE SWORD. Avid witch HATER. ENGLISH?? ANYWAY-

This kiiiind of convinces me that Belos and Philip were originally different characters because ?? What is this. BECAUSE HE JUST STRAIGHT UP SOUNDS LIKE HOW I’D IMAGINE TWEEN PHILIP TO BE LOL a bratty witch hater who is too proud to ask for help, but will happily accept it. Except he would have gotten to actually interact and bond (EEEEP🥹!) with Luz as humans out of place. What a tragedy !!

He sounds like such a little shit. But he’s cute! I ADORE HIM. All this time I thought William was the original Hunter… but this sounds more like he was the original Philip 😆 but contained in a time capsule instead of allowed to grow into a menace.

Alas, poor William went from witch lunatic, to knight prince, to being eradicated from existence. Such is fate. But parts of him live in Hunter and Philip. But just like the non existent Wittebane story… Won’t stop me from wondering what if !

[bumblesimagines]

Imagine:

Having the attention of Oberyn

Request: Yes or No

Pronouns: He/Him/His, M!Reader

CW/TW: Oberyn being clingy

~~~

Vipers were notorious creatures; quick, deadly, and adept hunters who'd strike and catch their prey before the poor creature even realized its intentions. They were beautiful with scales that glimmered under direct sunlight, smooth to the touch as they slithered against the skin, entrancing with their beauty and charm. The Red Viper was perhaps the most deadly with his ability to dance on the line between a vicious warrior and a dutiful lover. 

But alas, even with their sweet words and gentle touches, one always had to be careful of growing attached to a viper.

With the sun beginning to rise over the dunes in the east and chasing night away with its light, (Y/N) similarly went with the shadows. He moved quietly, managing to untangle himself from the prince without waking him and collecting the clothes Oberyn had haphazardly tossed around his room. Mindful of the crinkling of the clothes, he slipped them back on and spared the sleeping prince one last glance, ensuring his chest continued its steady rise and fall and his eyes remained closed. 

It was not uncommon for figures to be seen coming and going from the bedchambers of the prince, ladies and men alike slipping away for whatever reason after spending a night with Oberyn. Servants barely batted an eye at him when he stepped out into the halls, merely smiling and murmuring greetings before continuing down the halls. (Y/N) could only return the knowing smiles as he returned to his room, finding relief in the fact his elder brother remained in Starfall, although the whispers would no doubt reach him in no time. Those who resided in Sunspear or even in the shadow city sitting at the feet of the castle knew of Oberyn's infatuation with him, how he frequently courted and flirted but was left brushed aside. A game of chase they both equally enjoyed.

"And so you've finally fallen into his jaws," A husky voice purred right as he reached the doors of his bedchambers, hardly needing much else to identify who the voice belonged to. He pushed his door open and turned to face the heiress of Sunspear with the hint of a grin on his lips. "It was only a matter of time. Shame, though," Arianne batted her long lashes, slim fingers toying coyly with one of her dark curls. "I hoped to catch you first." 

"I'm not one of your little knights, Ari." (Y/N) replied, chuckling when her lips formed an exaggerated pout. "Nor am I my cousin."

"You most certainly are not." She laughed, crossing the distance swiftly and tossing her arms around him, purposefully pressing up against him and making use of the sheer silks she so often enjoyed wearing. With her shorter structure, she had to tilt her head up to look at him as she did with everyone else, flashing another smile. "You are much more interesting than Gerold. But alas, I love my uncle, and I will not steal his catch unless he decides to share." 

"Run along then, Ari." (Y/N) gave a small eye-roll, listening to her laugh echo down the hall when she retreated, the purple skirt of her dress flowing freely behind her. 

Once the sun rose and stepped out of hiding, (Y/N) knew it'd only be a matter of time before Oberyn would be on the prowl again, no doubt more determined to find him once he realized he'd snuck out of bed. He kept himself on the move, visiting his usual spots but only lingering long enough for a servant or courtier to be able to point Oberyn in the right direction.

It'd always been fun; pretending as if he wasn't fully aware he was being hunted down by the Red Viper. It'd started as youths when his parents had brought him to Sunspear, back when his siblings, Arthur and Ashara, as well as Elia Martell, were still living and breathing. (Y/N) had never given in to the prince, but he supposed Oberyn had caught him in a better mood than usual.

(Y/N) peeked over his shoulder, his footsteps light and quick while he walked, gingerly plucking a plum from one of the trays once he confirmed he was in the clear. He stepped forward toward the railings overlooking the gardens, searching for any sign of Oberyn or one of his Sand Snakes who'd no doubt betray him in exchange for helping their father. He bit into the plum, tasting the tart flavor from the skin and then a sweetness. He considered heading to the Water Gardens but right as the thought crossed his mind, arms wrapped around him from behind and caged him against the railing.

"Little Star," Oberyn's familiar voice murmured in his ear, lips brushing over his earlobe before dipping to kiss the base of his neck. (Y/N) tried biting back a smile. "You left too soon. There was more fun to be had."

"Was there? I thought that perhaps you'd be... too tired." (Y/N) replied teasingly, taking another bite of the plum before Oberyn spun him around to be chest to chest. His dark eyes narrowed playfully yet he planted a chaste kiss between (Y/N)'s brows. "A man of your age needs much rest, no?"

"You say that as if you're Arianne's age." Oberyn huffed, palms moving to run along (Y/N)'s hips and back with a familiar spark igniting in his eyes. He glanced at the bitten fruit in his hand and arched a questioning brow, the corner of his lips twitching upward when (Y/N) offered the rest to him. Instead of plucking the fruit from his hand, Oberyn swooped in to kiss him, tongue darting between his lips. (Y/N) couldn't help the muffled laugh that escaped him, his hand lightly shoving Oberyn's shoulder and breaking the kiss. 

"I should have known." (Y/N) allowed himself to melt into Oberyn's arms when he brushed their noses together despite knowing fully well how enchanting the Red Viper's eyes were. 

"Come," Oberyn tugged on his hips and kissed the corner of his lips. "You must make this morning's escape up to me, Little Star."

[snippet-z]

In honour of @dbdahauntevents DBDA Pirate Week, here's a little unfinished something.

It'll probably remain in its nowhere-near-started state for forever the foreseeable future, but alas, it was written for the occasion and it would be a shame to let it go to waste. Tough luck.

Brief description of the AU:

Charles, a pirate capital of great infamy, embarks on a quest set out by a royal decree: to find the Navigating Star - Etteh Wynth - which fell from the sky. Along the way, he and his crew rescue a man abandoned in the middle of the ocean. The man doesn't remember anything about himself outside of his name - Edwin. They strike a deal - Edwin, who turns out to be an excellent navigator, will help Charles's quest, and in return Charles will help get him home once he remembers where exactly that is.

This was supposed to be a mixed medium fic of poetry and prose, with bits of the poem kept in the ballad meter scattered throughout the story - but capitalism kills creativity so here we are instead.

The Ballad for Lost Souls

Come sit, my child, don’t shed a tear

As sun withdraws its gold;

There is a myth for you to hear,

A fable to be told.

-

It begins in the days of old,

With sky and sea still bound;

The earth was playground for the bold

When bold still could be found.

-

Though many tried, one could be crowned

The bravest of them all;

Infamous he, relentless hound,

His faith – the ocean’s call.

-

‘Beware of him!’ maidens would bawl,

‘Eschew his wretched fame!’

He who is known for hellish brawl,

And Rowland was his name.

-

His soul no human hand could tame,

Fathered by high water

For no man’s seed could be to blame,

Bore him no-one’s daughter

-

Where he went, Hell doth burned hotter,

Death was as his own bride,

With cutlass high, set for slaughter,

No soul could flee to hide.

-

His name was known through far and wide,

Vile Beast in Good God’s plan;

‘Escape’, they’d say, ‘The rising tide,’

‘And run while you still can.’

-

The monster, still, was but a man

And work had to be done,

His crew, Caravan of the Damned,

Aboard Prodigal Son

-

The vessel's speed second to none,

It flew when wild winds hailed,

Its insides held many a ton

Of treasures took or bailed.

-

Through waters calm and wild they sailed

To plunder and to steal;

With black flag high, all others paled,

And grown men would doth keel. 

-

But you must know there was a deal 

The wretched crew kept tight:

To give the gold for but a meal,

To help the poor ones’ plight.

-

For Rowland knew the wrong from right;

As cruel as he could be,

For some he was a shining knight,

A symbol for the free.

-

It was the rich who would agree

On his nefarious ways;

For they would pay unwilling fee

Which set their hearts ablaze.

---

And there you have it I guess, the thing which kept me mildly insane while I tried to figure out the ridiculous rhyming pattern I set out for myself until the creative juices ran dry.

Peace ✌️

[ellitx]

Chapter 20: Wind's Soliloquy

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

previous || next

art belongs to: srr_yo

word count: 6.3k

           The rain had been pouring ever since. It never seemed to stop but it was not strong and heavy, fortunately. Yet the frequent raindrops made the land so gloomy as if the Hydro Archon was crying for days.

           A young maiden ran towards a nearby shelter, her shoes stepping on the muddy field and forming a small splash with each stride. Alas, she shielded herself from the cold droplets.

           The flowers in her arms were wet yet they still retained their shape and form. As much as she wanted to complain and scream at the sky for ruining her journey, she feared the Anemo Archon may hear her and punish her for saying such unthinkable things.

           She sighed disappointingly. Her fingers buried against the bouquet and held it tightly close to her. Her trip near the tower’s entrance had a purpose. She wasn’t aimlessly wandering, nor was she just a citizen passing through.

           No, she was here to ask for blessing from her nation’s god and his beloved. Legend has said if you offer an offering near the entrance, your wishes will be heeded. Of course, at first, she had doubts. There was no such thing as miracles. But she took back her word when an unbelievable and impossible incident became possible.

           Shortly after Ludi Harpastum, a festival of joy and celebration, a calamity struck. A massive storm surged. Houses were damaged, and the once vibrant fields lay ravaged. The disaster had devastated her family's home. Thankfully, the Knights of Favonius offered to let the victims stay at their headquarters for the meantime while they restore the city. And one thing she noticed, in particular, was how frequently the villagers are going outside the city to travel to the old broken tower.

           At first, she thought of it as simply gathering materials and the like. And her friends were tagging along with them, so she didn’t pay too much attention to it. But when those expeditions had become nothing with no result, she had grown suspicious.

           Everyone was bringing flowers, wines, and food.

           What were those for? That was the first thing she asked her mother after she returned to her “expedition”. Her mother smiled tiredly, patting her head affectionately before she motioned her to sit next to her.

           It seemed the offerings were meant to seek favor from the Anemo Archon.

           “By offering gifts and prayers to Lord Barbatos and his beloved, the city will be restored.”

           The daughter’s eyebrows scrunched together, her doubts growing further. “But will that really work? We can’t just simply sit still and pray then— poof!” She raised her arms, motioning them slowly like acting out an explosion, “Everything will magically return to normal,” she continued before flopping back to the edge of the bed.

           “Oh, you silly girl!” Her mother pulled her to her chest and playfully messed her hair which earned her a huff, but a lighthearted one which the mother fondly recognizes.

           The giggles and laughter died shortly as the dawn of silence took over the room. The candle was their only source of light and despite the poor lighting, she could easily notice there’s something on her mother’s mind that’s been distracting her.

           “Mom?” She called out. Her mother’s eyes flickered before snapping her gaze to her and forcing a smile.

           “It’s getting late, love. Do you want to hear a bedtime story?”

           It was ridiculous. Laughable even, that her mother just offered to tell her bedtime stories when she’s already in her teens.

           “I think I’ll pass. I’m too old already for bedtime stories,” she replied, trying to lighten the atmosphere with a playful grin. “Who said you’re too ‘old’ for bedtime stories?” The mother feigned shock, her tone higher than before.

           She chuckled, shaking her head at her mother's antics. “Mom, you know what I mean. I’m sixteen!”

           Her mother's expression softened, a flicker of sadness in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed. “You'll always be my little one, no matter how old you are.”

           The daughter’s heart tugged in guilt then sighed in defeat. Whether it’s because her mother was manipulating her feelings or not, she’s unable to resist her pleading gaze. “F-fine, I wouldn’t mind hearing another story as long as it’s you telling me.” The woman smiled widely and supported her weight by resting her face on her palm.

           “Legend tells of a corner of the city that has been forgotten by the wind.”

           Her fingers brushed over her hair, tucking it behind her daughter’s ear whilst lovingly gazing at her, taking notes of the changes in her features. She knows her mother is being sentimental again over how quickly she grows. She understands those sentiments yet it’s best not to speak of the topic and make it depressing when the blitheness was there a minute ago.

           “To reach that place, one must stand before the fountain and close their eyes, then wait for thirty-five heartbeats, then walk seven circles clockwise around the fountain followed by seven further circles anticlockwise. Upon opening one's eyes, one will find they have arrived at a little shop…”

           The daughter closed her eyes and let her ears envelop the tune of her kin’s soft voice. Time had slowed down between them. It was only her and her mother together in this lone room with a single stalk of candle. She didn’t mind. After all, her voice was calming and soothing.

             She didn’t exactly remember when and how it happened. Because by the time she woke up and heard ruckus and clamor outside of the Favonius’s Headquarters, her eyes couldn’t believe what she saw.

           Everything was restored. As if the aftermath of the storm wasn’t there from the beginning… Everyone was cheering, crying, applauding, and gathering at the plaza where the statue of the nation’s god stands. She didn’t bother changing her clothes and doing her morning routine.

           She needs to understand— know— what in the world just happened. Pushing and squeezing her lithe frame against the closely packed multitude, she looked for any familiar faces to answer her horde of questions that began to bubble over her head.

           She called out to her friend and finally freed herself from the applauding audience to stand next to her friend.

           The girl's friend turned with a wide grin, their eyes reflecting the joyous atmosphere. "Can you believe it? It's like a miracle! The city is restored!"

           "But how?" she questioned, her eyes scanning the crowd for anyone who might have answers.

           "Rumors say it was the Anemo Archon himself," they replied, pointing towards the statue of the god. "They say he granted our prayers and restored our home."

           She gazed at the statue, still skeptical of the sudden turn of events. “Wh-what are you talking about?” Her lips stuttered, unable to fathom their collective and unanimous praise.

           The corner of the friend's lips trembled. Their hands were shaking even if it was already on the girl's shoulder. She could feel them shaking— shaking like a scared dog but there was a big grin on their face.

           “The Anemo Archon forgave us of our sins.”

           That was the last thing she heard. The mutual and unified cries of the civilians, priests, and nuns, all together as they clasped their hands to one to honor and pray for their lord.

            But something felt amiss, a whisper of doubt amidst the jubilation. Why would the Anemo Archon intervene now? What sins were they being forgiven for? The questions swirled in her mind, leaving a lingering unease.

           If it was indeed the Anemo Archon's doing, she couldn't help but feel grateful. Yet, she wondered what had truly transpired. The mystery of the sudden restoration only deepened her curiosity.

           But days after days of trying to uncover the truth, all of those doubts are nothing but a disguise for her lack of faith in her god. She was just being an unfaithful devotee of Lord Barbatos. How could she? And she truly felt remorseful and guilty for having doubts of the Anemo Archon’s capabilities.

           He had saved their nation more than once aside from the recent events of the storm, and that was enough for her to be grateful to him. If it truly was a blessing from the Anemo Archon, a miracle of wherein she can believe in it, then please…

           The bouquet in her hold was settled on the concrete flooring. She ignored the raindrops collecting into the fabric of her blouse, focusing on her prayers and her prayers alone. Her fingers clasped together, intertwining into a tight grip as she muted out every noise, every raindrop.

           “Oh, Anemo Archon. I do not wish for anything but for the good health of my mother. I implore you to please guard her against illness and adversity,” she whispered fervently, her voice barely audible over the patter of the rain.

           Her mother had always been her pillar of strength, her unwavering support. The thought of losing her was too much to bear. So, with her heart heavy with worry, she offered her prayers to the divine, seeking protection and healing for her loved one.

  —

             The tempest of the snowstorm was undoubtedly so cold that even his cloak was not enough for him to provide the warmth he sought. Venti peeked over the window of his room, watching over the tower looming over them so ominously.

           A little jingling was heard next to him and it was enough to recognize who it was even if he was not looking where his little friend was.

           “We are so close to the outside world…” He mumbled to himself, vigilant eyes unfaltering as if he was fighting against the mere stack of bricks. “And tomorrow we’re going to face Decarabian…” He shifted his gaze to the figure sleeping on the other side of the bed.

           The little wisp levitated over to him slowly and tilted its head before letting out another chime of jingle. Venti chuckled and lightly patted the two little sprouts sticking out of its head.

           “I’m not afraid,” He replied. “But I am afraid of losing her…”

           He glanced at the sleeping figure once more, a wave of emotions crashing within him. The weight of the impending battle was heavy on his shoulders, but his love for her, and his determination to protect her, was even heavier. The wind stirred outside, a reminder of his responsibility to liberate the nation, but in this quiet moment, his thoughts were only for her.

           Barbatos’s two dotted white eyes squeezed, reassuring his friend as he twirled over to you and gave another set of ringing. He patiently waited if he had another word to say, but it was enough of an indication when the wisp returned to lodge next to him. Venti easily deciphered what he was saying:

           “I may be a wisp, but I will do everything in my power to protect the both of you.”

           His eyes creased before he cupped his hands and gently lifted Barbatos so they could see each other eye to eye. “Thank you. That means a lot. I started this rebellion myself and I’d be willing to do anything. However…”

           The young bard briefly paused, staring absently at where you lay and Barbatos followed his gaze. It was not unusual for Venti to be deep in his thoughts. With how they have often been together, it’s one characteristic of him that Barbatos took notice of.

           But unlike his deep pondering, within his deep blue eyes he could see swirls of uneasiness. Eyes of worry lost in contemplation, reflected a storm of concern. The furrowed brow framed windows into a troubled mind, where the weight of thoughts etched delicate lines around the eyes. In their depths, shadows danced, revealing a tumultuous sea of unease. The gaze, once bright, now carried a subdued flicker, like embers struggling against the encroaching darkness.

           Barbatos was quiet but he slowly approached his friend and flew over his shoulder. The wisp already knew what was bothering him, but he didn’t break the silence. Rather, he let the silence consume them.

           He already knew this war would be a matter of life and death. Full of bloodshed and ruthless crashing of swords and greatswords all for the sake of freedom. They had lost several allies, what more if Venti loses you?

           What more if you lose him?

           Venti bitterly laughed to himself, catching Barbatos off-guard. He wanted to soothe his friend, but the cold sweat running over to the nape of Venti’s neck and the clenching of his fist over to his shorts was enough to come to a conclusion: Venti was scared.

           How come when he’s this close— they’re so close, he began to cower? He prepared himself in and out. From days to weeks, weeks to months, he led and planned everything with precision. Did he doubt his capabilities? Or was he scared they would never obtain freedom? Perhaps the weight of responsibility pressed harder than he let on.

           The impending battle with Decarabian, a foe of colossal proportions, bore down on him. The prospect of facing an archaic power, an entity that once ruled over Mondstadt, sent shivers down even the god of freedom’s spine.

           Venti cast a sidelong glance at the peacefully slumbering figure beside him. In the quiet of the room, the rhythmic rise and fall of your chest served as a stark reminder of what he stood to lose. The very thought of harm befalling you awakened a vulnerability he tried to bury beneath the bravado.

           He sighed, a mix of frustration and self-awareness. The war-torn history and the battles fought in the shadows, all led to this moment. Yet, the proximity of his friend, the one who anchored him, uncovered a layer of trepidation he never fully acknowledged.

           The little wisp fluttered near him, its tiny form a manifestation of loyalty. It chimed softly, a melody of encouragement. Venti managed a rueful smile, realizing that even Barbatos wasn’t immune to the currents of fear and doubt. The approaching conflict, an inevitable clash with the remnants of a bygone era, hung heavy in the air.

           Perhaps it was fate upon meeting two important people,  in Barbatos’s life; and never did he foresee he’d forge a deeper relationship with them.

           Amidst the raging storms, he thought he would never be heard but alas there a boy clad in a dark cloak with a lyre in his hand appeared in front of him.

           “Barbatos,” he called. “If anything happens to me, protect [Name] for me, alright?” Venti stood up from his seat and discreetly walked over to your bed. Barbatos watched from a distance. The bard’s hand gently brushed over your tousled locks as he lovingly smoothed the disarray of strands.

           Venti's eyes held a tenderness, a silent promise etched within the gentle caress. The room was filled with a hushed intimacy, interrupted only by the soft rustle of hair beneath his fingers. He delicately gathered a handful of your hair, the strands flowing through his fingers like silken threads. Holding them close to his lips, he pressed a tender kiss upon them.

           “Watch over her. Promise me that. Please…”

           Barbatos, observing this silent exchange, nodded in understanding. The air in the room seemed to shimmer with an unspoken bond, a connection that transcended the uncertainties of the impending conflict.

  —

             Freedom. That’s all that matters. That’s all that matters to the people of Mond. Freedom is everything to them, and if it were to be taken from them, they would rebel and fight for it to get what is rightfully theirs.

           That is what everyone fought for. That is what Venti fought for when the tyrant locked them up. And that freedom is what he promised to seek for his dearly beloved.

           The promise��� That’s right, the promise.

           Barbatos made a promise to his friend: to guard and keep you safe from your father’s wrath. That he achieved. He did not need any of those extravagant praises from everyone, or a luxurious celebration that he protected the last survivor of the royal family. Your love and attention were enough for him as his honorarium, and if his plans went smoothly, then he couldn’t ask for more than your presence.

           But what about his promise to you? Not as Venti, not as Barbatos the Anemo Archon, but as Barbatos the wind wisp. He faintly recalled from his memories, vague echoes of your voice ringing in his head to protect your dear. He could hear your cries, he could vision your tearful face, and he could smell the faint aroma of smoke and blood from the past.

           “Barbatos, please. Protect Venti…”

           He stood at the precipice of conflicting roles, torn between the weight of his promise to the girl he cherished and the duty he bore as the Anemo Archon. The memories of her pleas echoed through the chambers of his mind, each word a poignant reminder of the sacrifice she had made.

           As he prepared for the impending battle against Decarabian, Barbatos couldn't shake the dual nature of his existence. The freedom he had fought for was now intertwined with the personal pledge he made to safeguard Venti—the mortal guise he wore to be closer to you.

           The wind wisp, a manifestation of his divine essence, hovered beside him, a silent witness to the internal struggle. Barbatos knew that protecting Venti meant more than shielding the bard from physical harm; it meant preserving the essence of the person he had become through his interactions with you.

           The wind wisp chimed softly, a comforting melody that seemed to say, "I'll protect what you hold dear." At that moment, Barbatos made a silent vow to honor both promises—to secure the freedom of Mondstadt and to shield the vulnerable heart of the bard who had become an inseparable part of his divine existence.

           Yet no matter how much he convinced himself that he still preserved the life of Venti for all these years, those were merely pathetic excuses he gave to himself that he was unable to protect him. That was the harsh truth he wished to never know. The harsh truth he often ran away from. The harsh truth is the least he wanted you to know. And because of that harsh truth, you will never be able to uphold your promise to Venti to travel the world with him.

           You were living a life of lies.

           “I hate you,”

           Such vile words escaped from your delicate lips, coated with nothing but hatred. All love was lost and diminished. Resentment smoldered within you, a slow-burning fire that refused to be extinguished.

           “I hate you!”

           Three venomous words stung into his heart and soul. His eyes, once alight with the sparkle of mischief, were now dimmed by the torrent of tears that streamed down his ethereal face. He reached out his hand to you as tears cascaded down like a torrent.

           “[Name], no… Don’t leave me, please!”

           His voice cracked, carrying the weight of a thousand heartbreaks. His outstretched hand trembled, fingers desperately reaching for something that was slipping away.

           The once carefree Anemo Archon was now a broken deity, his essence shattered by the cruelty of your hatred.

           “No, no, no!! Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me here!!”

           His chest heaved with sobs, each tear a testament to the agony that consumed him. The celestial realm seemed to weep alongside him, mirroring the storm within his soul.

           Barbatos jolted upright in bed, gasping for breath. The echoes of your anguished words still reverberated in his ears, a haunting melody that refused to fade. The room felt oppressive, shadows dancing on the walls like spectral remnants of the nightmare that had gripped him.

           His chest heaved as he tried to dispel the lingering emotions from the dream. The remnants of your hatred clung to him, a weight that threatened to drown him in a sea of regret. The moon cast a soft glow through the window, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had unfolded in the dream.

           With trembling hands, Barbatos wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, realizing that he had been pulled into the depths of a waking nightmare. The images of your tears and the venomous words hung in the air, a phantom reality that felt too close for comfort.

           He whipped his head and cast his eyes promptly into the quiet room until they landed on a maiden deep in her slumber. Barbatos sighed in relief and for a moment, he simply sat there, the silence broken only by the erratic rhythm of his heartbeat. The nightmare had been a cruel reminder of the consequences of his choices, a vivid manifestation of the fears that lingered in the recesses of his heart.

           The lies Barbatos had forged for years were now haunting him. The lies that shielded you from the brutal reality all for the sake of selfish love. Barbatos had meticulously woven a tapestry of deception to protect you from the burden of his divine obligations, but mostly from his growing sick and obsessive love for you.

           You still haven’t discovered he was the new Anemo Archon until the blonde traveler told you everything about him during the night of the Ludi Harpastum festival. Barbatos scoffed, recalling how you were so caught off guard when the truth finally surfaced after you were separated from him. If only that pesky traveler and his fairy companion just minded their own business, he wouldn't need to cast you into a deep yet tranquil slumber.

           With great reluctance, he drew himself up and looked at the girl who held a very special place in his heart. You’ve brought so much joy and happiness to his life, not to mention more laughter than anyone else ever could. To see you seething with anger and searing pain would bring a weight on his chest like nothing else.

           Barbatos slowly embraced your hand to his, slipping his fingers in between, and softly brushed his lips along your knuckles, kissing each of them one by one. His vision blurred as his gaze wandered towards your angelic features, but a sudden pang of panic gripped his heart.

           “I didn’t knock her hard, have I?” he asked himself, his mind suddenly clouded with worry. The archon sighed deeply, berating himself over his unplanned actions. It was fortunate he still knew how to wield his powers and put you to sleep. He just hoped he didn’t dose you too much where it’ll take you years for you to wake up. He could only hope you’ll wake up soon, otherwise he might throw another outburst in Mondstadt.

           You've always brought light into his world and filled him with warmth. In a matter of minutes, you've managed to affect him in ways he never thought possible. He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes tightly, replaying the many times he found comfort in your arms or gave him a loving smile. There were many things he would like to say, but for now, his turbulent state of mind is not helping him.

           Barbatos groaned in frustration, ruffling his head in sheer irritation. It took every ounce of strength within him to restrain himself from throttling some ignorant traveler. Those ungrateful bastards deserve to pay dearly for ruining his precious morning.

           His rigid frame softened and he shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. Barbatos slumped on the floor next to you and hugged his knees.

           As if afraid to wake up, it feels like a waste to even blink within this dream. And to think that the other side of the sky is so vast… Does he deserve this ending?

           Sometimes some things can’t be helped. While wounded by his own helplessness, the present in all its clumsiness, is changing into a brilliance of fabric reality.

           The more I protect it, the more it looks fragile. And the more I steal it, the more I want it…

           Barbatos sighed, the weight of his internal conflict bearing down on him. You’re everything to him—his source of strength, his light in the darkness, and the light at the end of the tunnel he was always seeking. The guilt that slowly piled upon him like countless millstones on a tree of regret and the past memories won’t let him move forward, hindering him from doing what’s right.

           He knew you deserved better than what he had given you. He’s been hiding a lot of things from you: his identity, his status as an archon, and even the death of Venti.

           Barbatos tugged his hair tighter, his frustration palpable in the agitated movements. He couldn't escape the relentless truth that bound him — because to you, Barbatos was merely your wisp friend. He was not the Anemo Archon, and certainly not the free-spirited bard.

           It frustrates me because I can’t be him and it begins to burn at my throat.

           Biting his lips, blood drew out. How cruel was he to decide to pose as your lover? He only wanted to be loved, cherished, and adored. To hide behind masks of illusions and cruelty? It’s not what you deserve.

           He clutched at his chest as if trying to quell the searing pain that echoed through his heart. The memories of carefree days as Venti taunted him like elusive specters. The laughter, the music, the unburdened joy — they felt like distant echoes mocking him in his current divine form.

           Barbatos needs you. Venti needs you. He fumblingly sauntered to your bed and gently opened his palms, caressing your soft skin. He felt a newborn warmth along him.

           The deceptive dance of his identity left him feeling vulnerable. The looming possibility that you might leave him once you wake up and still remember the truth was a haunting specter. Every moment spent with you was tinged with the fear of losing the connection he so desperately craved. For now, everything is falling into place. He'll continue to act as him even if it means to deceive you. But that won't ever happen again, he'll be careful— cautious— about everything he does around you. The past will never haunt him anymore. It will never touch you.

        You will never know. It was all a dream. A nightmare. But it's better not to mention anything of what happened that night, isn't it? It's the best and safest option. The world that should be smiling kindly to you and his friend reverted to his direction, taking their wishes that were never his from the beginning.

           There’s a place he yearns for but can never reach. The place he wants so much but can never grasp. He almost forgot to wish when he gazed in the distance.

           In his tightly clenched fist, his heartbeat is heating up again. Leaning down, he rested his head against your stomach and closed his eyes, breathing in the same pattern as yours in rhythm.

           “I love you,” he whispered, fluttering his lashes to where you lay and gazing at you oh so lovingly. His fingers trickled to your arm, clinging and clutching, before traveling to your bare neck. “You love me too, right, [Name]? You’ve always said you love me.”

           He crawled over you, his physique looming over your comatose state. His teal irises glittered as he peered closely at your sleeping face. His lips curved upwards in a smile before pressing a soft kiss on your forehead.

           That dreamless sleep, the veil between worlds will fall aside. His lingering touch, beaming with emotions he wasn’t aware of, glistening with affection, reverence, and lust all at once, creating a warm nimbus aura around his body. All while his unguarded words formed something like a prayer.

           “Oh love, you’re so pretty… so tender, and so beautiful.”

           His slender finger gently traced the contours of your face, tracing every outline of the contour of your nose, cheeks, and lastly lips. It lingered for more than a few seconds. He leaned in, slowly and carefully. He stared at you and let them blur as he stroked your cheeks.

           There was no response, not even an inkling of recognition or reaction.

           He exhaled shakily, taking off any remorse or guilt left in his conscience, and pressed his lips against yours. He savored the sweet taste that lingered on your dry lips.

           I love you, I love you, I love you…

           Despite their parched state, he paid no mind, lost in the intoxicating essence of your embrace. His kiss was light and soft, yet it held a fervent passion as if the dryness of your lips only intensified the craving for the delectable flavor he found there.

           I love you so much, [Name]. The things you do to me…

           With a happy sigh, he closed his eyes and relished every bit of your breath, wanting nothing more than to get drunk on its sweetness. Barbatos slowly pulled away, his lips tugging your bottom lip before it bounced back to its place. He panted, blinking for a few moments.

           A kiss with you has always been his favorite, and it didn’t take too long for him to know he wanted more because shortly he went back and connected his lips with yours again.

           A kiss here, and another kiss, and another, and another. It went on a cycle, an endless loop that he didn't even know how long he had been kissing you repeatedly. So sweet. So enticing. One short kiss after another, he wanted to engrave this in his mind.

           With every passionate lip-lock, he became more obsessed. In all honesty, he felt that he would die if he stopped, the taste still lingering in his mouth and permeating through his whole being. You’re the ethereal drug, a celestial intoxication that transports him to heavenly realms.

           Barbatos, feeling an unsettling shift in the air, abruptly sensed an intruder nearing the ancient ruins and broke the kiss. He gritted his teeth and summoned swift wind spirits to investigate the entrance. Their ethereal forms swirled with urgency as they darted towards the source of the disturbance.

           Whoever dared to step foot in here will not be spared. He already warned them if they wish to be spared from his wrath. The archon's eyes, usually serene, now flickered with an intensity born of both irritation and vigilance as he awaited the wind spirits' report.

           Upon checking, a lone maiden was standing near the wind barriers. She placed the bouquet of Cecilia flowers on the altar created by the Church for their offerings.

           "For Mondstadt, as always. For the verdant plains, for the hills, and for the forests of Mondstadt. May they continue to flourish, as always. For Mondstadt, as always. For the everlasting freedom of Mondstadt from the blizzard and the tyrant, whose coldness and oppression are one and the same.”

           What a peculiar girl letting herself drenched in rain. The rain was strong and despite the bad weather, she still offered her prayers to him.

           “Oh, Anemo Archon. I do not wish for anything but for the good health of my mother. I implore you to please guard her against illness and adversity,”

           Her prayers echoed in his ears. Barbatos crossed his arms and watched her from afar through the eyes of the spirit he cast. A lot of things have changed in Mondstadt. The city, the village, and even Stormterror’s Lair where he currently resides with you.

           He didn’t pay any particular attention to the changes outside of the ruins. But he did notice many of his people frequently visited this area to pray and ask for their blessings. Perhaps someone from the Church must have noticed him and thought this was his abode, and decided to create a shrine here, but also making sure it won’t ever disturb him.

           It’s been a while since Ludi Harpastum ended. He didn’t want to admit it but he’s been counting the days since you’ve been asleep. From minutes to hours, hours to days, and days to weeks, he never left your side. But he didn’t merely sulk in the corner, waiting for signs of you waking up. Unlike before, he decided to terraform the ruins to make it more to your liking.

           He remembers very well that you love the garden of the manor, so he made a special area for you. He remembers you love your library in the tower, so he prepared lots of books for you to read. He remembers the fountain you’d always whisper your wishes at, so he built it for you. All these things he had done, he did it for you while he waited for you to open your eyes.

           The very essence of his being intertwined with the elements, breathing life into the desolate ruins. As he lifted his hands, a harmonious dance of nature began.

           The once crumbling tower regained its majestic stature, rising from the ground as if it had never suffered the scars of time. Petals of vibrant flowers cascaded in a gentle descent, wrapping around the structure like a colorful embrace. An intricate tapestry of blossoms adorned the surroundings, replacing the debris and rubble with a carpet of nature's beauty.

           The Anemo Archon had woven a tapestry of renewal and growth, turning the dilapidated ruins into a sanctuary of life and vitality. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blossoms, and the ambiance echoed the melody of his power, a testament to the god's ability to shape the very fabric of the world.

           He made the once rubbled, stormy lair into a sanctuary haven for his dear. It’s his gift for you that once you’re awake, you’ll dance around with him and live the life with him you’ve always dreamed of.

           He must admit though, the shrine built by the Church of Favonius was exceptionally well made and further enhanced the beauty of this sanctuary. Barbatos sighed, contemplating if he should aid the young girl by sheltering her. He never meant to become a ruthless archon and that is far from his ideals.

           His drastic change was all because of Aether. Of course, it was him. He’s too smart for his own good and Barbatos hates how quick he is to catch on to his relationship with you. But he’s here to change everything. So if he wanted to make a good image as an archon to his people, then so be it. After all, he only wanted your perception of him and that’s all he cares about. Nothing more, nothing else.

           He’ll make everything right this time. If you see him as reliable and trustworthy, then he’ll be loved by you. Finally taking his decision, he ordered his little spirits to guide the girl to find shelter. As for her prayers…

           Barbatos is no genie. He couldn’t guarantee all of his followers’ prayers. He’s not like the Dendro Archon who could cure illnesses…

           He sighed, the weight of his responsibilities settling on his shoulders. Being an archon was not a walk in the park. The expectations of the people, the intricacies of diplomacy with other nations, the constant struggle to maintain balance—all of it took its toll. Barbatos couldn't afford to let his guard down.

           News about his rampage must have reached his neighboring countries and he doesn’t want another burden to be added to his already tumultuous situation. As he watched the wind spirits guide the girl to safety, he couldn't help but feel the isolation that came with his position.

           The tower, now restored, stood as a symbol of his power, but it also harbored the secrets he desperately wanted to keep hidden. Aether's presence had disrupted the delicate equilibrium he had crafted, forcing him to confront the challenges that came with being both a god and a man.

           His thoughts circled back to you. Would you ever understand the complexities of his existence? The burden he carried for Mondstadt and its people? As the archon, he had to maintain an image, but beneath the divine facade, there was a being struggling with the desire for love and understanding. He also wanted you to see him as Barbatos.

           Not the Anemo Archon, but simply Barbatos, a young man who loves you through Celestia and Teyvat. Who harbored feelings for you for millennia.

           He shook off his inner turmoil, his eyes focusing on the horizon beyond the borders of the sanctuary. The wind carried whispers of prayers, and he knew he couldn't fulfill them all. The duties of an archon were exceptionally hard, and the struggles were his to bear. The winds howled in response, a melancholic melody echoing the challenges he faced.

           He sighed for the nth time, exhaustion began to creep over him. He placed the back of his hand over to his head to ease the throbbing pain of a migraine. The constant internal conflict and the strain of maintaining appearances were taking their toll.

           As he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he summoned a gentle breeze to soothe his troubled mind. The rustle of leaves and the familiar scent of the wind helped him find a moment of peace amidst the chaos. He turned his back and returned to where you were.

           Barbatos kissed you on the lips and it calmed him, more effective than the breeze he used to himself. You’re always his cure, the one constant that brought tranquility to his turbulent existence. The soft touch of your lips against his was a momentary escape from the weight of his responsibilities. As he pulled away, a faint smile played on his lips, grateful for the solace you unknowingly provided him.

           “I promise you, I’ll make this our sanctuary.”

           At the end of his lonely world, maybe he’ll arrive at his true world with no regrets or remorse.

taglist: @trust-the-oxygen @so-uncute

sorry for the delay on the update. i announced on my tumblr that i would be posting this chapter in late august or early september but a lot of things happened and i self-sabotaged this sob

[rei-ismyname]

The Avengers rudely thrash Magneto

Magneto and Warlock head to rescue the New Mutants from the clutches of The White Queen. Unfortunately, she called the cops Avengers on him, lying that the fearsome Magneto was coming to kidnap her students. Attacking without warning, Earth's Mightiest dropped a demigod on his alien student and sent them both plummeting.

I'm really not sure what outcome they expected from this hard-hitting sneak attack, but Warlock nearly died from it. Magneto's primary concern is that no further harm comes to his wards - easier said than done with supercops after you. He brushes off The Wasp and Black Knight as major threats but isn't too keen on another pounding from Hercules. He asks why TF they attacked him and is informed that he's under arrest. Herc must be cold FR

Hercules demands Magneto's surrender to no avail, as Mags dismounts the Black Knight and whacks Herc with it in one swift motion. He tries to put some distance between him and the Avengers but his ex catches him off guard and leaves him wide open for Namor and Cap. They really start beating the shit out of the poor guy then Herc gets in close for a bear hug.

As Magneto protests this attack Wasp informs him why they're after him. He quietly praises Emma's snitch strategy while trying to explain himself. Alas, the difficulty of proving a negative to people who don't trust you is near impossible. Mags points out that they have fucking Namor on the team and questions why he gets a pass. Cap's dumbass answer strikes a chord and fires Mags up enough to throw Herc off. Bringing up Nazis to Magneto is generally a bad idea, obviously.

Mags tries to fly off but Captain Marvel blinds him and Black Knight cuts down a tree, thwacking him out of the sky. Most of the Avengers fan out to look for Magneto, but Cap is having second thoughts. He disobeys Wasp to follow a hunch, unknowingly observing Warlock's shattered body.

Cap explains to Dane that Magneto is not using his powers offensively. He's talking instead of even trying to fight, though Dane disregards that with the incorrect assertion that Mags is a fugitive. Cap still attacks him as a piece of Warlock watches in anger. Mags manages to dodge it, but backs off a cliff avoiding Hercules. He's sore and tired from the strain of holding back, deciding 'fuck this' and yeets Herc into the ocean. See ya!

'Nasty, nasty Mister America' lol

At Emma's school, Magma senses Magneto fighting far away and Magik volunteers to have a look. Mags implores her to get out of danger and Cap overhears, revealing that they have excellent information on Magneto's recent activities. The dissonance between those thoughts and The Avengers pounding TF out of a dude who's not fighting back is heavy, a sentiment Magik agrees with as she teleports away.

You're a mutant too, idiot

Mags struggles through cracked ribs to gather up the bits of Warlock but The Avengers just keep coming. Wasp lifts him up for an alley ooo and Namor dunks his ass into freezing water. Mags takes his lumps until he passes out, either from shock, hypothermia, or lack of oxygen.

The Avengers are looking to take the beaten Mags to the feds when Warlock freaks out, believing correctly that it'll ruin everything for them. The techno-organic legend attacks the oafs and would have killed them if Magneto didn't knock him out. The gung ho idiots are aghast that the 'thing' tried to kill them, as if it's not their fault he's at death's door. Cap just asks why, proving that Avengers lose brain cells as soon as they step into an X-book. 'Why didn't you let us die?' Gee, I wonder.

Ilyana returns in the nick of time with all The New Mutants in tow, who threaten the Avengers and proclaim Mags a hero. They're unable to stop them taking Magneto and Wasp concludes Magneto has formed a 'baby brotherhood,' despite less than zero evidence of that. Cap muses on reform and wonders if the dude who let them beat the shit out of him might be a candidate. I GUESS WE'LL NEVER KNOW 🫠. Maybe surrendering himself to the World Court, saving the judges from a terrorist attack, being acquitted, joining the X-Men, fighting the Beyonder, and saving all their lives after a savage beating is just a cunning ruse. He's even rocking all pink! Fucking idiots.

[hanafubukki]

HANAAAAA

The post about lilia oversleeping and him saying fiddlesticks, can you do the ot3's reaction of lilia somehow managing to oversleep that badly that they just go withoit him and wait for lilia to show up.

Like

Yuu: welp true loves kiss didnt get him up. Dawn your turn.

Dawn: * smooches*

Lilia:is slep

Dawn: alas, true foes kiss didnt work either.

Yuu: i'm taking our son and going to class dawn, you should do the same

3ish hours later or smth

Lilia: jolting up: Im LATE FOR SCHOOL

lilia: i graduated years ago

Also lilia: I RE ENROLLED

[Masterlist; in reference to this post too]

Hello Ladyzsgolla🤗 🌺🌻💚

LMAOOO, the way I laughed at “true foe kiss” from Dawn. 😂🤣

Poor Lilia had to go to school…twice. Lmfaoo now that’s pure torture. I would know, I had to do that too 😭😩

You and Dawn stare as Lilia slept, heavily.

One look around the room told both of you right away that he had spent most of the night gaming, despite both of you telling him to come sleep last night.

Dawn poked at his cheek, smiling slightly as Lilia’s tongue poked out in response.

You couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, “It seems our Sleeping Beauty won’t wake up.”

Dawn knew right away where your thought process headed, “We need to break the curse. True love kiss?”

You grin, “Is there any other way?”

You leaned down and kissed Lilia, only to have him turn towards your warmth.

Okay, that was too cute for your heart.

You gestured for Dawn to do the same, only for him to get the same response.

“Well, looks like true foe’s kiss didn’t work,” Dawn smirks at you.

“Well My Knight, we have no choice but to leave our dear princess to his sleep. We can’t have the kids be late to school.”

Lilia: I can’t believe you two left me!

YN: It’s not our fault True Love Kiss didn’t wake you. In fact, you seemed to sleep more peacefully.

Dawn: It was rather cute.

Lilia: …you two better not tell Meleanor.

[silviakundera]

Snowfall ep 1 watch comments

I'm so very ready for patriotic Republican era vampires

Communist vampires lets goooooooo

Big get together of all the important people in town, at an asshole's mansion. Very 1930s. or 1920s. Damn it, someone tell me what approximate year we're in

Everyone knows ML waters his flowers with blood, good job keeping a low profile 👌

Dad of the FL is a rich ass dude w 8 wives, squabbling w the main one loud enough that even chinese opera can't drown it out.

I'm having flashbacks to The Tudors as this guy announces to the crowd that after only having a disabled daughter, he finally has a son to celebrate! Hope he goes the way of Henry VIII with a stinking, puss filled wound that never heals.

Or perhaps he can water ML's garden.

Mr Li is an attractive, smouldering antagonist type guy who wants to win over or kill ML for....mundane reasons? The way our vamp gentleman just paid him zero positive or negative attention, the absolute indifference. Brutal.

ML just fucking hears some domestic violence bullshit and walks out to smoke and casually ruin the hand of abusive mom, then strolls away like a boss. He is THAT kind of cdrama protagonist

Haidong Army are run by some local warlord, I presume. Superintendent Chi? Now that he was so rude to Mr Li they want ML dead and try to kill him 4 different ways. Which the vampire finds v annoying.

Really love how everyone is running around in leather jackets and tailored suits and lighting matches for dramatic effect.

This poor henchman: I ran him over 3 times! Then shot him in the forehead! Then I double fisted machine guns and filled him with lead! Definitely definitely definitely dead!

Abused, blind FL takes a walk in the snow to find a nice place to die. Lucky for both of them, she finds our injured vampire and he very politely asks her to pause seeking death in order to help him out.

Honestly, just what that poor girl needs to give her back some fighting spirit: a project!

Just like in Forever Knight, he has 1 doctor friend. (But probably not an incredibly homoerotic, though censored for television, relationship w his maker. alas!)

Hot antagonist Li is apparently not a total scumbag, just a normal baddy, as he sees a blind teen wandering the streets and stops to help.

But maybe touching vamp blood allowed FL to see for a few seconds???

[tinycheesecakedetective]

Relationship Post #1 Wilted Lily Edition, Part One

Since the fall of one of the Faerie Kingdom's finest, many of it's residents have tried to readjust with the changes. Alas, this would neither be the first tragedy to occur, nor the most costly.

This post will be showing some of the relationships the characters in The Faerie Kingdom have. More will be expanded on in later posts.

KEY: Red Text: Hatred/Rivalry Grey/Black Text: Tension Green Text: Friendly Blue Text: Trust Yellow Text: Admiration

Elder Faerie Cookie The Resilient King

Elder Faerie remains the king of the faeries and the faithful warden of the Silver Tree, albeit more regretful on how things ended. He chooses to be strong for the sake of his subjects, but he stops himself form mourning. He has a job to do, and no amount of familiarity or sentimentality will get in the way of protecting this world from evil. Deep down, however... A part of him wonders if any of this could be prevented.

For now he has bigger concerns, like the beasts' leftover influence looming over the kingdom and the fear their desperate followers might attempt to attack the Fae again, or worse, attempt to release the demons within the tree.

Relationships Mercurial Knight Cookie: He has protected this kingdom since his very creation. I believe he is more than capable of being at my side.

Silverbell Cookie: Poor child. I know what occurred wasn't your intention... But I will do what I must to protect the others.

Wilted Lily Cookie: ...I don't care what you were to me. I can't afford to. Not when your existence threatens Earthbread. And yet...

The Faeries: Even in our darkest hour, we must keep hope and perseveres. For the ones we've lost along the way.

Mercurial Knight Cookie The Replacement

Now holds the title of "Silver Guardian." After an incident that eliminated a third of the fairy population, he not only is responsible for overseeing the remaining Silver Tree Knights, but advising the king in official matters as well. To make matters worse, he knows that one day he'll have to face cookies he once protected and trained as enemies. He'll have to fight someone he once looked up to because she poses a threat to the kingdom, nay, the world. Though he insists that he's more than capable of handling his new role, one wonders if the weight of all that responsibility is too much for one cookie to bear, even for someone like him.

Relationships Elder Faerie Cookie: His highness placed his faith in me. I cannot let him down. No... I won't.

Silverbell Cookie: If I had known where you were going that day, could I have stopped you..?

Wilted Lily Cookie: You. His highness loved you, our kingdom adored you, Silverbell BELIEVED in you, and THIS is how you repay them?!

The Faeries: I'm... flattered you all trust in me this much. I will do my best to protect you all.

Silverbell Cookie..? The Exodus Days after White Lily's corruption he tried to find her again, hoping to reason with the witch and return her back to her senses. He ended up escaping with only an inch of his life and passed out on the forest floor. Silverbell was later found and taken back into the kingdom, but he was never quite the same since. He claims to still hear the forest, and wakes up to singing only he hears. He soon breaks free, storming the streets of the kingdom and spreading the madness to others in his desperate bid to return to the wilds. Eventually Silverbell is stopped, and soon banished alongside countless other victims. With no one left to stop him, he flees into the woods once more, swearing his fealty to Wilted Lily Cookie and serving as her right hand and confidant.

Relationships Mercurial Knight Cookie: How dare you try to hurt her majesty?!

Elder Faerie Cookie: Even after everything, I can't bring myself to resent you. But you'd better stay out of our way.

Wilted Lily Cookie: You have my life, your majesty. I will help you any way I can!

The Faeries: You and your devotion to that stupid tree irks me. I can't wait to burn it down and show you all the truth.

The Faerie Kingdom Residents United in Grief

Mourning, not just from the loss of their beloved guardian, but the loss of their friends and family. Even if many of them survived the attack, their hearts are filled with sorrow. Dirges fill the air in the coming months as the streets are lined with flowers and offerings. Only when the new Silver Guardian is chosen do they begin to heal and pick up the pieces.

Relationships Elder Faerie Cookie: O wise and powerful king, hear our call! Lead us to happiness for one and for all!

Mercurial Knight Cookie: Guardian, your journey has yet begun. Protect us, protect us from the wicked one...

Silverbell Cookie: Lost child of silver, now bathed in green, your face we hope we never see...

Wilted Lily Cookie: Fallen friend, now foe to all, we pray for your swift and painful fall! We pray the tree holds strong and true, and we pray the wilds will never release you...

[anxiousapplepie]

Hi. Ive gone through your rose knights tag. Several times already but only like, 5 minutes ago understood whats happening there. Maybe

(Poor girl got alice-in-wonderland-ed right??)

SO silly question but lapis being Tone Deaf is . Because shes different or its her personal nerf? Is it common to not hear the difference?? Is it like cats use of frequencies unheard by humans......

Lapis got Alice-in-wonderlanded so hard you are absolutely correct XD One minute she was striking cool poses in front of the mirror, and the next she tripped into a world full of super-powered plant people/silly ALSO THANK YOU for giving me literally the perfect way to describe the color of a voice- YES. It is like cats making noises we can't hear! I will now forever think of it like that Most, if not all humans, can't hear the differences in colored voices. Humans are built differently! And alas, humans are not wired to understand or perceive Rose Etiquette XD

[stellastra-scribbles]

Finally completed the outfit reference for Jayna Stiles, a half-elven NPC follower from Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.

Outfit breakdown (or "outfit onions" as I like to call them lol~)

I really like Jayna Stiles and her backstory + goals of becoming a technological healer. I'm also a sucker for 19th-century fashion and I have an unhealthily large collection of reference books and a bunch of files saved from online museum collections (I've got about 22+ gigabytes of refs downloaded from the Library of Congress alone haha I need more hobbies).

More unrestrained detailed design ramblings below the cut~

Back on track, I really just wanted to design Jayna an outfit that suited her character more than her in-game sprites while also being practical for travel/adventuring.

Individual layers. I pulled most of her colors from her default outfit.

Since Arcanum's starting year is 1885, I usually picture the "modern" sense of fashion in big cities like Tarant and Caladon taking cues from real life 1885-1890s western fashions (to give myself some leeway with references). Smaller towns can be a bit more dated, but I try not to go back further than the 1870s in most cases.

However, for a character like Jayna, who hails from Dernholm, I gave her clothing from references dating back to the 1850-1860s. I did this because Jayna says in her recruitment dialogue that "[her] parents weren't wealthy people, and [she doesn't] make much money here in Dernholm," so I took this to mean that she likely wears clothing to last, wearing hand-me-downs, makes her own clothes, and mending it over the years rather than buying new clothes.

Given that Dernholm (+ the Kingdom of Cumbria in general) isn't in the best state when the game starts, they may be behind the times and the latest fashions take longer to reach Dernholm.

Gar: “Alas, poor Dernholm! Once home to the legendary Dragon Knights, it has fallen on hard times since Praetor became king some 60 odd years ago. He despises all technology, and I think he's recently become sour on magick as well.”

Herkemer Oggdoddler: “For two generations Cumbria languished as an economically abused and technologically impaired backwater in the shadow of Tarant. Its once fine capital, Dernholm, has become a ruin.”

Layer 1 - Chemise + Open Drawers. I deliberately drew the drawers as fairly loose so as to not expose her without having to redraw the pose or resort to "Barbie doll anatomy."

Various resources demonstrated the chemise being tucked into the drawers or worn fully untucked/loose, but I drew it as tucked-in for the sake of reference visibility, so perhaps either one works in practice.

Layer 2 - Corset + Socks/Stockings. I picked a more "contemporary" (1880s) design for the corset as I imagine it would be a more custom-fitted garment. Plus, anyone who has ever worn bras will attest that a bra that properly fits is comparable to a good pair of shoes: never cheap out on it because if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Perhaps that same logic can be applied to corsets in ye olden days and historically-inspired fantasy settings.

For Jayna, despite the simplistic design, it might be one of the few luxuries she can afford for herself given the necessity of the garment for bust support.

Layer 3 - Trousers + Shoes. I was inspired by vivandières and Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, who typically wore trousers beneath their skirts. Dr. Walker was a "surgeon, women’s rights advocate, abolitionist, and spy, [and] the first female U.S. Army surgeon during the Civil War." Since Jayna is an aspiring technological healer, I feel like an allusion to Dr. Walker and her practicality was appropriate.

Layer 4 - Petticoat. It's just something to fill out the skirt volume a tad. I considered adding a corset cover in this layer but I did like having the upper outline of the corset somewhat visible in the shirtwaist layer to illustrate her living situation (aka she doesn't have one or just has a poor-quality one). As a modern-age woman, I think this this all already looks like a laundering nightmare to wash by hand.

Layer 5 - Shirtwaist + Outer Skirt. I really like the shape of the 1860s Garibaldi blouse's sleeves (I think these are bishop sleeves? correct me if I'm wrong...) and the stripes allude to some 19th century nurse uniforms. I initially went for a plaid pattern but that was a pain to draw and using a pre-existing plaid brush/pattern just didn't look as good as I wanted it to be.

Layer 6 - Sash + Pistol Holster + Bag. Given Jayna's goals of becoming a tech healer, I took design cues from vivandières, who were 19th-century women attached to military regiments, with a few known vivandières being nurses (like Anna Etheridge).

However, rather than lifting the vivandière look completely, I imagine Jayna would attempt to replicate the silhouette with her own clothes. The bag is a bit of an amalgamation of various 18th-19th century hunting/frontier bags, so I apologize that I don't have a direct reference image.

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

Of course, in the end, I did take some liberties with the outfit so it's not completely historically-accurate, but that's okay since Arcanum is a fictional universe.

I guess I should've prefaced that I'm no expert on historical fashion, just a casual enthusiast who thinks "ooh old dress is pretty!"

I just wanted to see how far I could go before I had to make some concessions, such as:

Jayna's hair is short and worn loose while irl Victorian women typically had long hair and wore them up (there were documented exceptions of course). Many portraits for both female player characters and female NPCs across all in-game races show short hair and loose long hair, so let's just assume that 19th-century Arcanum has more relaxed feminine hair standards compared to the real-life 19th century western world. Also, irl 19th-century rural women did sell their hair for money, so maybe there's something to apply to the world of Arcanum with that. Or maybe the short-hair craze just hit Arcanum a few decades early *shrug*.

I initially planned to give her gloves, but many resources show vivandières not really wearing them, preferring to go barehanded.

The clothing colors may be a bit too saturated for the era I took inspiration from, but I wanted to stay somewhat faithful to Jayna's original sprite colors.

I did simplify some garments down for the sake of me having to draw enough layers as it is lol. Sorry if the lace wasn't fancy enough or that she doesn't have headwear. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Sometimes you just wanna finish a project and be done with it.

hoo boy, that was a lot

Thank You For Coming to My TED Talk :)

Now go play Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura~