#ask miasmat | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

detectivelokis · 2 years ago

Text

words: 1.6k

warnings: none

a/n: happy Valentine’s Day @miasmat 🖤 It was so much fun to learn more about your boy! Hope you enjoy!

Celebrating Valentine’s Day wasn’t a common occurrence in the Mojave. Or anywhere else as far as Thomas was concerned. Unlike Christmas or the birthdays one would celebrate in the vaults each year, the day was nothing short of a pre-war relic that never made its mark in the wasteland.

But, Thomas wanted to change that. Or at least he wanted to change that for himself and Arcade. Things hadn’t been easy since the two had first met at the fort. The scientist had been wary and almost reluctant to leave Freeside with him. But, the young courier, despite being capable and competent at his job, was a bit too naive for the situation life had thrown him into. Especially when it came to dealing with Caesar’s Legion.

Over time, Arcade had slowly grown to trust him and soon, that trust had blossomed into something more. Flushed cheeks, stammered words, averted gazes… Thomas had known he was catching feelings, he could feel them creeping in the longer he spent in the older man’s presence. His dry demeanor and intelligence had captivated him from the start. Plus, it didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes.

Once New Vegas became independent, though, the two were able to settle down once and for all. No more gecko attacks out in the desert or threats of being crucified by an old man pretending to be a gladiator. Despite the raucous nature of the city, regardless of who governed it, it was a peaceful and serene existence. Thomas finally had time to relax and heal from Benny shooting him in Goodsprings and time to get to know Arcade in a different environment.

But now it’s Valentine’s Day, the day of love, and Thomas has big plans. Having had the caps, he was able to find an old holotape of a gladiator film Arcade had mentioned on the very first day they met. He also picked up some top of the line drinks, brahmin steaks, and dessert. Some would probably consider the gesture corny, but he thought it was quite romantic, himself.

“What is this,” Arcade asks as he makes his way into the suite where Thomas was setting up.

Jumping to his feet, Thomas tries to regain some composure before speaking. “Well, this was supposed to be a surprise,” he replies, awkwardly fidgeting with his hands.

Arcade cocks an eyebrow as he casts his eyes around the room. Paper mache hearts he and Veronica made stream down from the ceiling and a bundle of some of the local flora sits wrapped in a vase on the table behind him.

“Is this -,” he pauses, the lines around his mouth deepening as a smile tugs at his lips. “Is this for Valentine’s Day, Thomas?”

Thomas should have known that Arcade would have realized what it was once he took in the pink and red decor. That brain of his is filled with copious amounts of knowledge that he has no doubt that the doctor could probably spout off the centuries old history of the holiday at the drop of a hat.

“It is. You know I love our friends, but I was hoping that we could have a day together, just us two, where we can just relax and decompress.”

Thomas doesn’t want to admit to it, but deep in the pit of his heart, there’s a part of him that still feels indebted to Arcade for having saved his life on that fateful day out in the wastes. Having him mend him back to good health still means the world to him and he just wishes he could show his partner how grateful he is to him everyday for the rest of their lives.

Turning his gaze back towards the younger man, a curious look glimmers in Arcade’s blue eyes. “Have we not ‘decompressed’ enough?,” he teases, a droll tone lingering behind his words.

“Come on,” Thomas tuts with a click of his tongue as he reaches out for his partner; a hand wrapping gently around his wrist. “Don’t you want to see what I have in store for us?”

Arcade relents, allowing Thomas to tug him to sit on the well-worn sofa. The cushions groan under his weight as he seats himself on the edge of the couch, curiosity clearly ignited now.

As Thomas makes his way towards the kitchen to fetch their food, he suddenly feels grateful towards Mr. House for bestowing him with the gift of the hotel’s suite. Sure, he was never particularly fond of the man, but the ability to have fresh food, clean water, and comfortable beds for himself and his friends to sleep in would’ve seemed like a pipe dream before he wound up on the strip.

“Just you wait until you see my wares!,” he calls out to the other room as he balances the tray of food on an elbow so he can kick the door of the fridge shut. “I really think you might enjoy this.”

Arcade is still waiting for him when he reenters the living room area, his chin resting atop his hand as his eyes dart between the meal and his partner. “You - You cooked?”

“Don’t act so surprised,” Thomas replies as he unceremoniously deposits the tray onto the table. “Let’s see,” he pauses, blowing back a stray lock of dark hair. “We have some fresh brahmin steak, oranges for the side, and some type of cake a cook at The Tops put together for me. I’m not exactly sure what’s in it, but I figured it’s for the best that we don’t know.”

“Wow. You really did all this for me, huh?”

If Thomas didn’t know Arcade like he does, he would assume that the cold, wide-eyed look upon his face was something to worry about. But, if anything, the doctor is just shocked. He knows it’s been a long time since he’s let anyone in like this.

“Of course I did. Arcade, you mean everything to me.”

“I love you too, Thomas.”

Despite having heard that declaration more than a few times now, Thomas can’t help the flush that creeps up his cheeks. “I love you. But, if you thought that was all I had planned for you… Prepare to be surprised.”

Before Arcade can even muster up a reply, the younger man saunters over to where the old television sits, dusty and fairly unused, in the corner of the room. “Remember the first day we met? You were able to provide so much help with Caesar and his legionnaires since you’re fluent in Latin and what not. But, do you recall how you said you learned all of those facts about Ancient Rome from watching some old gladiator holotape?”

“Yes…”

Thomas doesn’t have to see Arcade to hear that slight hint of skepticism looming behind that one word. He chooses to ignore it for the moment instead, letting his hand glide over the top of the television in search of the neatly packaged holotape. “What would you say if I managed to get my hands on said tape?,” the younger man asks as he gently slides the tape out of its casing.

“I would say you went to a hell of a lot of trouble just to surprise me. But, that’s not to say that I’m not appreciative. Far from it, in fact.”

“Like I said, I just wanted us to have a special day. One that we can have all to ourselves every year.”

It’s probably overly sentimental, but it’s his truth. Thomas has read so many novels that took place before the bombs dropped and the romance in them seemed so spectacular and grand. He may not be able to offer that same type of gesture in their time, but he can do his best.

Placing the holotape into the machine atop the television, the courier steps back; watching curiously as the device slowly descends back into the television. He doesn’t know how Mr. House was able to keep something so old and fragile in such an impeccable state, but he can’t help but feel impressed as the screen whirs to life; gray static blurring the screen before the black and white image of two men in gladiator suits appear on screen.

“Bravo!”

Thomas looks over his shoulder at Arcade, the older man smiling fondly at him as he pops a slice of orange between his lips. “Glad to see I managed to impress even you.”

“You always impress me, amica mea.”

Thomas playfully rolls his eyes before heading back towards the couch. “I’m so happy that you like it,” he admits. “I know it’s a bit dated, but -”

“No ‘buts’,” Arcade states as he pulls him back down into the cushions; back down into his warmth. “It’s perfect, Thomas. Anything you could’ve concocted would have made for the perfect day. Except for having to fight off radscorpions or going back to Caesar’s -”

He’s cut off as Thomas crashes his lips against his, swallowing his words for him. It was gentle at first, just enough for him to taste the burst of citrus lingering on plump lips. It doesn’t last long, though, as Arcade’s hand comes to the back of his neck, pulling him in closer; tongue sliding past his mouth to glide smoothly against his own. Despite the intensity of it all, the kiss is more loving than lustful.

“Wow” is the only thing Thomas can say as he rests his forehead against his partner’s. “That’s certainly one way to say ��thank you’.”

Arcade beams a rare grin before placing a quick peck to his lips. “Happy Valentine’s Day, amica mea.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day to you too, Arcade.”

#grrr I really love them so I hope this is okay 🙈#oc: thomas #arcade gannon #arcade x courier

18 notes · View notes

shatterstag · 2 years ago

Note

I remember bellamy and indi from before you moved to twitter! I was always really interested in their story and you inspired me to create my own dnd character and patron! so i'm happy to see you posting about them again :D

This is the best and sweetest ask ever, thank you for responding to my thirsty desperado tweet about my ocs LOL.

THEIR STORY IS THE BEST AND ITS REALLY REALLY COOL I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH IM NOT EVEN SCARED TO SAY THAT BECAUSE IT! RULES! they were both originally from a Curse of Strahd campaign i played in! Bellamy was my grave cleric Revenant plague doctor who was covered head to toe 24/7 because he was actually a dead wraith haunting the plague suit he died in, and none of the party characters OR the players themselves knew 💀

(I actually never got to do an in-game reveal of this because we stopped playing :))))

And Indrejk was his npc evil god (and my dm's beloved oc) Bellamy was in terrible thrall to who had brought him back to life, and history was made when i nervously asked my dm if they should kiss 🫣

Now, like, seven years later, they have an insanely complex original scifantasy post-post-apocalyptic story set on a mostly exploded planet cursed with a toxic atmosphere of miasmatic storms that MIGHT BE the blood of the god Bellamy is in love with who is slowly bleeding out

IM SO STOKED THEY INSPIRED YOU!!! PLEASE SHARE YOUR DND STORIES WITH ME, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR

#bellindi #my ocs #bellamy #indi #my 2d art

9 notes · View notes

fipindustries · 2 years ago

Text

girl got titties so hot they explode

if i want to be hyper charitable i would say to never put too much stock to anything anyone says on twitter because that website has shown to have a powerful miasmatic stupefying effect on people's brains when they post there, although we should probably not let slide something if it turns out to be really dumb either.

but from what you told me in the ask i dont think i dissagree with anything that might be on the video that i did not watch

2 notes · View notes

scribbliff · 3 months ago

Text

Just a little Final Fantasy XIV thing...

The amber libation swirled around the cloudy glass with rhythmic impetus, its locomotion encouraged by the gentle rotational movements of the Duskwight’s wrist.

He’d nursed it for half a bell already, yet hadn’t mustered the courage to drink even once - his mind was wreathed in a miasmatic shroud that had, as of yet, been entirely impenetrable by thoughts both within the central sphere of his mind, and beyond it. Such an oppressive feeling had, in the past, correlated with the proximity of a hunt’s conclusion, an internal mechanism that guaranteed effectiveness and yet, this time, he found himself dissatisfied and distant. A frustrating predicament was the cause of this oppressive malaise, and the need to choose one of two altogether terrible solutions

The first, he could not abide as a consequence of his incredibly high standard of work, not to mention the immense personal danger that could be awaiting him - going in without the necessary information was seldom done, even during his resistance days… and for good reason. The second, and perhaps most grievous, was an ideological problem - the notion that a man who’d sided with the Empire the moment Bozja had come under siege, had dispensed suffering wholesale upon his own people and had, miraculously, escaped justice many times since its liberation, would once more elude his grasp… it was a prospect he could scarcely stomach, let alone allow to occur.

Once more, the barman sidled up to his booth. And once more, he raised a hand in dismissal - he had been polite the first few times, but at this juncture, he felt no such obligation to submit to etiquette’s whims. The lingering man paused at the gesture, then retreated back to the front of the establishment - it wasn’t a reputable place by any means, a dingy offshoot from the main promenades of Tulliyollal, down a plethora of winding, poorly maintained alleyways and nestled firmly between two buildings long since derelict. It was a far cry from what he’d grown used to over the years, but circumstance demanded he eschew the finer, better establishments in favour of the clandestine, the… He struggled to think of an apt word, and settled on the almost-complementary ‘humble’. The risk of identification was far too great, otherwise, so laying low was his only recourse… it was nostalgic, in a way: to be surrounded on all sides by rugged types and opportunists brought to mind his days spent in and among the resistance’s own.

The silhouette of the barman once more returned. By his very nature, and with many moons of practice besides, the Duskwight was reserved and almost immune to such vexatious behaviour, however, in his current state of mind, to have a target so eagerly volunteer itself to weather his frustrations gave him little room to resist. The man’s eyes rose to meet the barman’s own, and his exasperated expression broke into a slight, but relieved, smile. In retrospect, he should’ve absolutely noticed the barman’s sudden shift in stature and demeanour.

“A bird by any other name…” The Duskwight began, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over the man’s features, and gestured for him to sit. “I do not wish to lay claim to your time on these beautiful islands, but my conscience leaves me little other choice…”

The Duskwight leaned close, and consequently, into the low light of the establishment - he looked not a day older than when they’d last met, all those seasons ago, and spoke in a hushed whisper: “Slavosz goe Alyuba is here. Right here, and I’m ready to give him what he’s long overdue for… My predicament, however, stems from the fact that I’m not currently operating with everything I need to know… but I have a suspicion you may well be the one to change that. Back in the day, in fact, I recall you being the first sought out when assignments to gather intelligence were being handed out. Asked for by name, no less.”

With his prospects upturned, and his mood changed for the better, the man finally took a drink from his long-dormant beverage, and concealed his revulsion by flashing a toothy grin across at the Miqo’te insurgent, dressed like a barman. “It’ll be like old times. Hells, I’ll even let you come along for the operation, if you get me exactly what I need. Should be enough of an incentive, given your history with the marked man…”

The Duskwight let the words hang in the air, his gaze, however, remained fully fixated upon his companion’s expression - he was searching for any indication, no matter how slight or unformed, of the man’s willingness to step back into boots that could be half a decade old. But if his penchant for disguises had clearly not faded, perhaps there was still that spark lingering beneath the surface… Not that he could ascertain, of course, the man’s poker face was by all counts, insurmountable.

Unsurprisingly, it was the Elezen who broke first: “Understood, loud and clear. Reasonable and fair compensation as well, then, given you’ll be disrupting your quality time upon this beautiful island nation to lend your expertise. That is my final offer: a hefty pouch of coin, and the satisfaction of knowing you took part in dispensing long-awaited justice to the most treacherous, slippery bastard to ever split his name with an imperial ‘honorific’.”

The final word was delivered replete with venom, to the extent of being almost spat - but it was only now, after all was said, and promises made, that the disguised man offered a smile in return.

And it was not slight, by any means.

#writer #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv oc #ff14 #roleplaying

1 note · View note

glassprism · 3 years ago

Note

Hihi! I’m kind of curious, I used to be in the OG’s Obediant Servants discord back in the day, does that server still exist? I left so long ago because it was completely dead haha but I’m a bit curious nonetheless

Yeah, that server was taken down a while ago, I want to say a year ago? Couple of years? It had become pretty inactive by then, so it wasn't a big surprise, but I do miss a lot of the people I met on there. Anyway, I hope that helps.

#GP gets asks #miasmatically

2 notes · View notes

schizopositivity · 3 years ago

Note

Okay so this is terrifying to send but like

Is it Normal to have had like 3 or so psychotic episodes in your life, and like have paranoia episodes maybe 3-4 times a year (used to be much more, but I found out how to avoid my triggers better)….

Like I know it’s not Normal. But… like.. ig what I’m asking is… that’s not.. like… a neurotypical thing is it LOL

hey so i cant diagnose you through the internet, but i can give my two cents

i think neurotypicals generally dont experience psychosis without some sort of other cause, maybe look back and think if there were any factors consistant each time you experienced it

but also i think its great that you are already aware of your triggers and make an effort to avoid them, keep up the good work!

overall i would advise you to try and get professional help for more accurate assesments, and getting even more tools to help you in case you experience those things again

and if it turns out you arent neurotypical, youre still the same person you always were, you still deserve to be loved, and have dreams, and have your voice be heard

#asks #miasmatically #thanks for reaching out i hope youll be able to get the answers and help you need eventually #also idk if you meant this to be posted but it is an ask #my dms are open if anyone has questions

5 notes · View notes

taino-ti · 6 years ago

Note

meowmeow I love you

I love you too, honey!

#miasmatically #ask #ask me

1 note · View note

miasmat · 1 year ago

Note

YOUR ART IS SO GOOD 🙏🙏🙏 THEY R SOSO CUTE !! thank you for feeding me silverv content because im definitely late to the cp2077 hype but i just got the game after 2.0 update and the endings left a gaping hole in my chest

Reject canon, embrace the delusion

They are both alive and smooching, can't change my mind

#thank you so much anon!!!#I'm glad you're enjoying my art ;w;#i offer a fresh sketch of blorbos #also send help they entered my head and wont leave #silverv #ask miasmat

83 notes · View notes

jollybone · 2 years ago

Text

OC Speech Mannerisms

tagged by @ziorre thank you so much :) 💕 (sorry for taking so long to do this )

tagging: @bl-beater @red-nightskies @fadedjacket @miasmat @minilev @lobanhart @derelictheretic and everyone who wants to do it :) (I’m sorry if you’ve been tagged already-)

Aaron “Cicatrix” Wright | Rainbow Six Siege

(art by rooji.r.r on Insta)

NO. OF SPOKEN LANGUAGES: 1 / 2 / 3+

TONE OF VOICE: high / average / deep

ACCENT: yes / no

DEMEANOR: confident / shy / approachable / hostile / other

POSTURE: slumped / straight / stiff / relaxed

HABITS - head tilting / swaying / fidgeting / stuttering / gesturing / arm crossing / strokes chin / er, um, or other interjections / plays with hair or clothing / hands at hips / inconsistent eye contact / maintains eye contact / frequent pausing / stands close / stands at a distance

COMPLEXITY:

VOCABULARY: ⚫️⚫️⚫️ ⚪️ ⚪️

EMOTION: ⚫️⚫️ ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️

SENTENCE STRUCTURE: ⚫️⚫️⚫️⚪️⚪️

PROFANITY:

FREQUENCY: ⚫️⚫️ ⚫️ ⚫️ ⚪️

CREATIVITY (in regards to profanity): ⚫️⚫️ ⚫️ ⚪️⚪️

BOLD ALL THAT APPLY - arse. ass. asshole. bastard. bitch. bloody. bugger. bollocks. chicken shit. crap. cunt. dick. frick. fuck. horseshit. motherfucker. piss. prick. screw. shit. shitass. son of a bitch. twat. wanker. pussy.

THIS OR THAT - straightforward or cryptic? / finding the right word or using the first word that comes to mind? / masculinity or neutrality or femininity? / formalities or with abrasiveness? / praise or equivocation? / frankness or lies? / excessive or minimal hand gestures? (kinda in the middle) / name-calling or magnanimity? / friendly or blunt?

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:

DO PEOPLE HAVE A HARD TIME HEARING OR UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHARACTER? - almost always / frequently / rarely / never.

DOES YOUR CHARACTER’S POINT COME ACROSS EASILY WHEN THEY SPEAK? - almost always / frequently / sometimes / rarely / never.

WOULD YOUR CHARACTER INITIATE CONVERSATIONS? - almost always / frequently / sometimes / never.

WOULD YOUR CHARACTER BE THE ONE TO END CONVERSATIONS? - almost always / frequently / sometimes / rarely / never.

WOULD YOUR CHARACTER USE ‘WHOM’ IN A SENTENCE? yes / no / only ironically

YOUR CHARACTER WANTS TO MAKE A COUNTERPOINT. WHAT WORD DO THEY USE? but / though / although / however / perhaps / mayhaps.

HOW DOES YOUR CHARACTER END CONVERSATIONS? walk away / ask if that’s everything / say that’s everything / give a proper goodbye / tell their company they’re done here / remain quiet / they don’t.

WHAT SOCIAL CLASS WOULD OTHERS ASSUME YOUR CHARACTER BELONGS TO, HEARING THEM SPEAK? - upper / middle / lower.

IN WHAT WAYS DOES THE WAY YOUR CHARACTER SPEAK STAND OUT TO OTHERS? - accent / vocabulary / tone / level / politeness / brusqueness / it doesn’t.

#tag game #oc #cicatrix #rainbow six siege #this was fun :)

16 notes · View notes

klirk-hammurton · 3 years ago

Text

Holy Shit ya'll......159 followers in just a few months???? I am genuinely honored by this. You have no idea. There are so many great and amazing people/bloggers I have met here and became friends with so I would like to give them all a shout out.

@thayerslayer you were one of the first KISS blogs I came across and ever interacted with. Kat, you're so sweet and amazing and I would give you the world my friend.

@ericcarrwhatafox I remember when you very first embraced me into the KISSblr community. You've always been so sweet and kind, Becc. The interactions between you and Kat always melted my heart.

@kissmaidens-blog Kylie my dear, I am so happy we've become friends and mutuals. Seeing you pop up in my notifs always makes my day. You're always so sweet and kind to me and others.

@to-the-stars-and-forward BESTIE!!!!!!! To think.....Gene Simmons is what brought us together. Rabs, I don't know what I would do without you. Your content in the KISScord server always kills me, but it always makes me smile.

@you-were-just-a-dream MY OTHER BESTIE!!!!! Saturn....oh my lord how I love you my dear. I'm so happy to call you bestie as well as friend. You've been so kind to me since day 1 on here.

@doodoostinky Sloane, we really should interact more ❤❤❤ I love your content AND YOURE SO FREAKING TALENTED WITH A PEN!!!!! You're sweet, kind, and so generous. I'm more than proud to call you my friend.

@your-local-rockstar-simp Ava!!! I absolutely adore our friendship. Your requests never cease to amuse me, but I live for them. The thirst between us is utterly hilarious, but I love it. You're also incredibly sweet and kind beyond words. I'm so glad we're friends

@blutandbone we really should interact more!!!! But you've always been very nice to me and others.

@its-forks I'm so glad you started the KISScord server as well as pioneered the #KISSblr tag. I hope we get to interact more together my friend

@miasmatically @kisspits I enjoy the interactions we have and look forward to plenty more to come. My inbox and ask box are always open.

@jack-spawn you are so sweet and absolutely awesome! I love the interactions we have, especially so that you have exposed me to new music. I think it's really cool. You're also so kind and thoughtful as well.

@vinces-live-wire Kayla, omg where do I start? It was an instant connection between us and I cherish it so. You're sweet, kind, funny. Your posts always bring a smile to my face and seeing you in my notifs makes me smile even more. You're an awesome person and om glad to call you my friend

@katiegameplays though we're still getting to know each other, I wanted to say I enjoy our interactions thus far. You are such an amazing friend, especially to Kayla. You two are tow peas in a pod and ya'll both always make me smile.

@wonhakwoon though we may be on completely different sides of the globe, I'm honored to call you my friend. You're a really awesome person with an awesome taste in music. Our interactions together always make me laugh and giggle and I love it. You're never completely alone in this mess of a world ❤

@songbirds-sweet Cassie, you are so genuine and sweet. I know i probably flood your notifs a lot, but that's what happens when you become friends with me 😅😅😅 I become your hype man. I will tag you weirdest and funniest shit. I'm happy to be your friend and look forward to so many years to come of our friendship.

@kirk-dammnitt Sophia, oh my god. Our degenerate and unhinged thirsting we share is priceless. You were so shy to be blunt and open and it was the funniest and sweetest thing. Now look at us 😂😂😂 you're so kind and sweet, but your degenerate and unhinged side is a hot mess that I live for. You always know how to make my day and I always seem to send you thrust material at the worst possible time.

@thatnerdwriter @dedicatedtopapahet even though we are still getting acquainted with each other, I'm happy to have you as a mutual and a friend, Kate. I'm looking forward to see where time takes us and our friendship.

If I didn't tag you, it's nothing personal. There's just so many amazing people I have come across and befriended that it's sometimes hard to keep track of everyone. I am eternally grateful to each and wvery single one of you. You have no idea how precious our friendships are to me. I enjoy every moment we have on here and our discord communities. You all have become family no matter how close or how far we may be, we are still family.

#guys....I'm genuinely emotional and touched #i NEVER expected to get this level of love and support #my demon layer blog all started out as a joke and hyperfixation i thought would die out but here i am all these months later #im still a thirsty ass demon entertaining you all with my shenanigans #i want to give each and every one of you the biggest hug

26 notes · View notes

diddlesanddoodles · 4 years ago

Text

DUMPLING ch 37

Barnaby wasn’t in the library when Maevis arrived and he explained that Yaesha and Sawyer had awoken Jae up that morning and Barnaby requested to be there. He cleared a spot on the large table near Banaby’s paints and such to lay her makeshift bed down.

“Would you like some tea, Nenani?” he asked her sweetly and she knew he was trying to steer her thoughts away from the Lords. She shook her head. Above her, Maevis sighed deeply, frowning.

“I am sorry you had to hear all that,” he said quietly and he did sound genuinely apologetic. “Please. Do not take their words to heart.”

“...I’m tired,” she said in a quiet, broken voice, and she slipped under the covers and curled into a ball. Above her, Maevis regarded the small lump sadly and reached out to gently pat her back.

“Rest well, Nenani,” he said. “When you get to feeling better, we will begin your lessons.”

Only after she heard the door to his private study close did she sit back up. The amulet lay heavily in her lap and she looked down at it. Maevis must have shrunk himself to go fetch it from the catacombs. She wanted to feel grateful and she knew she should be, bu the amulet only seemed to mark her further apart. She was wild. Like an animal. Couldn’t be controlled. Dangerous. She was dangerous. Those vines, those thorns. How they had torn and ripped burned the snake. The look of horror on the guards faces, enough for them to forget their duty for a moment and step back in fear...

Lord Eldherst words echoing in her head. “That thing is cursed and we should rid ourselves of it before someone is killed!”

The King decrying her. “She is a child with the power to kill. She is an untrained, wild mage.”

She looked over her shoulder to gaze out the large window when an idea struck her. Her eyes went to the window latch.

………………………………

The roof tiles were the same awkward curved shape and even though she wasn’t trying to run across them, it still made her trek a little daunting. She was vaguely aware that what she was doing was incredibly ill-advised, especially after the events of earlier that day. She could almost hear Farris yelling at her in the back of her mind, but she was surprised at how much she could not bare to care. Despite the sheer size of the castle, it suddenly seemed far too suffocating and she needed air and sky.

The window inside the library, the very one that she and Jae had escaped through, was easy enough to unlatch and push open. Though it took a little effort and she was already tired from crawling up the stairs to get to the window, she finally slipped down and onto the tiled roof. And began to walk.

The green hills of Vhasshal stretched out in every direction and she realized that she had never really seen that much of it; this strange place that she had been calling home for the passed few months. It was as though she did not know it at all. Everything had changed and had changed so quickly. Too quickly. She felt as though she were slipping and did not know where she would land. And it scared her not to know. The amulet bounced against her as she walked and she began to hold it to her body just in case the thin gold chain broke. It felt odd to be wearing a stone of power that, for hundreds or even thousands of years, had been resting with the remains of a long dead mage. Down inside the castle somewhere.

The sun was hidden by misty grey clouds and a chill was beginning to descend upon the land. It could snow, she thought to herself. She was cold. But did not wish for her coat or her scarf. After so much fire all she wanted was to feel cold. To feel numb.

...to not feel. She found a high roof that gave her sweeping views of everything and sat down. And watched the world turn.

………………………………………..

The sound of metal on metal and men crying out and yelling drew her to the roof overlooking the east wing. One roof slopped downward towards another that slanted the opposite direction and she was able to slide down to a lower level roof overlooking a square courtyard not unlike the one near the kitchens. Peeking over the edge, she looked down to see Vhasshalan guards in light duty armor swinging at one another. But after a moment of watching them she caught on to the pattern of how they were all standing.

They were sparring.

She watched them for a time. One guard in particular seemed to be very skilled as time after time, he bested his partner and even going to far during one match as to pull his fellow guard over his back and slam him to the floor.

“Alright, Clint! I think you’ve battered the poor man enough,” called a voice below her, but not so far down as the other guards. She pulled herself further over the roof’s edge and peered down to find a wooden walkway just below and standing under her was Captain Rheil, his long gray hair stark against his red armor. “Edmond, go get cleaned up. Willard, take his place. Remember to watch your feet, men. Your swordwork can be impeccable, but it won’t mean shit if your arse in in the dirt.”

Nenani watched the matches with deep fascination. She’d never see proper fighting between giants and it was amazing to watch the swords arc into the air and swing down only for the target to either sidestep away or bring up their own blade to block. Clint was making short work of Willard who was a good bit taller than the other, though he appeared to be younger.

“Nenani?” She looked down to find Rheil starring up at her. His eyes narrowed. “What in the seven hells are you doing up there?”

“Nothing...” she said shrinking back a little. “Thinking...”

“Thinking?” he echoed dubiously. “Well get down before you hurt yourself. It’s awfully cold out here and it wouldn’t do for you to catch your death just so you could think. Besides,” he added with the smallest of knowing smiles. “Haven’t you had enough adventure for one day?”

“I’ll be fine,” she replied flatly and held her hand out. After a moment, a small ball of twinkling mage fire sparked into existence and floated lazily an inch just above her palm. “I’m a fire mage.”

She hadn’t expected for it to be so easy. Somehow she thought the amulet would make it harder to pull her magic out, but it was as easy as pulling a petal from a flower. Below her Rheil’s expression darkened. Her heart sank at the sight of his glaring up at her and in her mind, it looked very much like the same expression on Eldhersts face.

“Nenani, get inside,” he said, voice slipping into a command. “Now.”

Closing her fist, the mage fire dissipated into a plume of white steam and she pushed herself up from the edge. Without a word, she began to climb back up the way she came. Behind her, Rheil called out to her. “Nenani? Nenani, where are you going?” he sounded angry. “Little girl, I am serious now. Get yer little butt inside now!”

After a moment, he called out again, “Nenani? Say something, lass...Nenani!”

Ignoring the pricking of tears, she pulled herself back onto the top roof and began to walk. No direction in mind at all.

…………………………………………

What am I doing? She thought miserably from under the alcove, her back pressed against a window. Watching the rain pour down from the hard grey sky, soaking everything with a cold seeping wet, she was aware that she was shaking. And she wasn’t entirely sure it was because of the cold.

Should she go find her mother? Nenani hadn’t seen her since that morning. Did she know what had happened? That Aidus had sent more of his avatars? Did she not say that after Nenani killed the dragon that he would be weak for a while? A month, she had said. But it had barely been two days. She was probably worried. They would yell at her. More angry voices, more narrowed eyes, disapproving stares...

There was a knock from behind her that startled her from the grip of her own miasmatic thoughts and she whirled around to see a dark haired human boy peering down at her from inside, his face familiar and terribly missed.

“JAE!” She was on her feet, heart hammering, and she looked at him through the glass. “You’re up! How are you feeling? Does your arm hurt? Yaesha said you have bruised ribs! Should you be up and walking? You shouldn’t be climbing around if you’re still hurt, he said you could injure yourself all over again!” She took a breath and added with a wet smile, “I’m so happy to see you...”

Jae was glaring at her.

“Nenani, what are you doing out there? It’s freezing!” He said. He looked over to the window latch and walked over to it and pulled on it. It wouldn’t budge. “Damn it.” He looked back at Nenani. “Everyone’s freaking out that they can’t find you, y’know.”

She wilted and looked down at her feet. “I know. I just...”

“...and moping on the roof is my thing,” he added with a frown, but as soon she she looked at him, it broke and he was grinning. “And no, my arm doesn’t hurt. Sawyer’s forced me drink enough tonic to numb a giant. I could probably jump off this table and not feel a thing. For a few hours at least.”

She grinned back at him in relief. “Well, don’t do that. If you broke your other arm, someone would have to feed you like a baby!”

Jae rolled his eyes. “Believe me, enough of them have been trying to baby me since I woke up. Even the queen’s been mother-henning me all morning. Can you believe it? If I’d known getting her to like me was as easy as almost dying I might have considered it way sooner.”

Nenani laughed, but her expression fell after a moment and then she said, “I’m sorry he hurt you.”

Jae shrugged the shoulder of his good arm. “Sounds like he did way worse to you. So what’s it like? Being eaten by a dragon?”

“Not fun,” she replied with a laugh, but it soured in her mouth and she bent her head against the glass, tears dripping from her cheeks. “Jae...I...so much happened. I can’t...I can’t think straight…”

“Talk to me,” Jae said quietly, putting his hand on the window where her hands were, palm to palm. The only thing separating them was the pane of glass. “Whatever is bouncing around inside your head right now, just say it out loud. Believe me, I spent years doing this. It doesn’t help. At all. It makes it so much worse...”

She sniffed and used her damp sleeve to wipe at her face. “I’m a fire mage...”

“Yeah, I heard about that,” Jae said. “Must be weird.”

“It’s so weird...and I don’t like it,” she said. “I don’t want this...”

“Why? Seems like it would be really handy to be able to just make things explode.”

“Not when everyone looks at me like I’m dangerous!” she wailed. “Aidus sent his snakes and they attacked when we were in the kitchen camp and I...I did something. And it freaked everyone out and I made the King angry and I worried Farris and everyone all over again because I stopped breathing. Maevis said all my magic spilled out and I almost died and then all the lords told the King he needed to get rid of me because I’m dangerous and he called me cursed and...”

“Who? Who said Warren should get rid of you?”

“Eldherst,” she replied and Jae laughed. Nenani looked up at him, brows furrowed. “What?”

“You’re worried about something Lord Eldherst said?” he asked. “Nenani, Lord Eldherst is a moron with nothing but a title and an ego large enough to build a bridge from here to Ibronia. The man wants to build an armory on the south moor. The south MOOR! The damn thing’s practically a bog and anything he built there would sink!”

“It wasn’t just him, though. All the other lords were agreeing with him.”

“Warren would never go for it,” Jae tried to assure her. “Nenani, I know him. He would never do it.”

“What if they’re right though?” she asked. “What if I am dangerous? Mage fire uses fear and anger and all of a sudden that’s all I feel! I’m terrified about Aidus trying to hurt Mama and Haiyer or that he’ll attack and I’m afraid that it’s too much and I’ll hurt someone. I hate him so much for everything he’s done! He killed Papa and my Uncle and took Mama from me! I was all alone for months because of him and I never got to know my little brother until now. I hate him! I hate him so much it burns! The only reason I’m not all covered in fire is because of this!” She grabbed the amulet and pulled the chain from around her neck and let it drop to her feet. Angry red flames shot up her arms and she was engulfed by it. Her hair lifted and swayed in the wind and her eyes were glowing white orbs. Jae’s eyes grew wide and he stepped back.

“Holy shit...”

“See?” She yelled. “You’re scared of me too!”

“That’s not fair,” Jae said, frowning and stepping back to the glass. “I’m not scared of you Nenani. I’m scared that you’re going to do something stupid. You’re upset and you’re scared. And you’re standing on the rooftop during a thunderstorm so I know your not thinking straight right now.”

“My magic is dangerous. Even Maevis said so.”

“I’m pretty sure he didn’t,” Jae replied.

“He said my magic was potent. That it shocked him.”

“He was just saying that it’s strong...”

“And I can’t control it! I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just...I just want for it all to go back to how it was. I don’t want this, Jae. I don’t want it...I...” She took a great breath and sobbed. “Everything was just starting to make sense again. I had a home and people who cared about me again...but now...

“...I don’t have anywhere else to go if I have to leave...”

Before Jae could reply, a large hand swept in beside him, gently nudging him to the side and reached for the window latch. It was flipped up and the window pushed out. Struck dumb with surprise, Nenani pushed herself against the wall as the large pane of glass swept by. Yale stepped up behind Jae and reached out to grab the amulet where she had dropped it. He leaned over the small table where Jae was standing and peered at her with his soft copper eyes. There was a light bruise around the base of his neck, peaking up just above her shirt. “Ye really think we’d let them kick ye out like some leper? ‘Cause I’m tellin’ ye now. Not one a’ us is gonna let that happen. I told ye before all that time ago, lil’un: even in the pits ‘a Hell, we take care of our own.”

She couldn’t meet his eye and stared down at her feet, ashamed and embarrassed and upset. His fingers brushed her hair as he carefully laid the chain of the amulet around her neck and after a moment, the red and angry flames flickered, the light of her eyes dimmed to green, and it all faded away until she was herself once more.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, looking at the bruise.

“Nah,” he said lightly and shrugged. He poked at it as though to prove it was not painful. “I’ve had much worse. Surprised the fuck outta me, though.”

“Is Kol okay?”

“Aye. He’ll probably be proper sore and sorry tomorrow though. So that’s somethin’ to look forward to; hearin’ him whine. But we’re all fine,” Yale said and then he added a little softer, “Not thinkin’ yer doin’ so well though.”

“...is everyone mad at me?” she asked quietly.

“No one’s angry with you, Nenani,” he said to her. “Just worried. Ye gave poor Maevis a heart attack when he went to check on ye and ye were gone.”

“I just needed to think...”

His smile was small and indulgent. Patient. “Did it help any?”

“No...not really,” she said and sniffed miserably and held her arms out as though to show off her soaked clothes. “Now I’m just wet and cold on top of everything else...”

Yale chuckled and reached out to pinch her face between two of his fingers, but when she did not react as he had expected, he leaned in closer and said, “Not lettin’ go till I see ye smile, Dumplin’.” She looked at him askance and seeing his dopey lopsided smile, she could not help but smile back. Yale grinned in triumph. “There we are...”

She pushed at his fingers, but the moment he released her face, his hands fell to either side of her and plucked her up from the window’s edge, drawing her into the drier and warmer interior of the corridor. He closed the window and set the latch back in place.

“All right, baby girl,” he said quietly as he tucker her into the curve of his shoulder. “Let’s go get ye dried and warmed back up, eh?” He glanced down at Jae. “Thanks for yer help, lad. Really.”

Jae shrugged with his good arm. “At your service.”

“Funny,” Yale said with a smirk. “I don’t remember ye ever bein’ so helpful. Finally got tired of bein’ a brat?”

“Heh, yeah. It was getting pretty old,” Jae said, but his smile faltered and he looked at Nenani for a moment. “We’re not too different. Nenani and me. Well, besides the mage thing. But, I think I can understand a little about...how she’s feeling. It’s confusing and it’s scary when things change and change really quickly and you don’t feel like you have any control and things you thought were set in stone turn to dust in your hands.”

Yale nodded, a knowing smile on his lips. “Aye.”

“And also,” Jae added. “Sometimes, you just need really someone you care about to remind you that you’re still loved.”

In response to the young man’s words, Nenani pressed her forehead to Yale’s neck, as though confirming what Jae was saying. Yale’s fingers rubbed at her back.

“Well,” Yale said to Jae. “I suppose we should be gettin’ ye back to yer room before the King sends out the guards lookin’ fer ya, huh?”

Jae just grinned. “Wouldn’t be all that shocked to find out he already has.”

Almost as if on cue, there can the sound of hurried feet and Yale turned to see Master Donal rushing down the hall. The Steward looked up and upon seeing Yale, frowned. “Just what do you mean by loitering up here, Yale? You have no business up this way. You should be down in the kitchens and...” His voice trailed off upon seeing Nenani and his mouth fell open. “Oh! The Princess! You found her! Wonderful, I can tell his majesty to call off the search and...Jae?”

“Hey, Donal,” Jae said with an innocent smile and a wave. “How are...things?”

The man gaped at Jae, fumbling over his words until finally, he seemed to have gathered himself back together.

“What do you mean by this?” the Steward demanded, his face reddening. “Gallivanting around the halls as though you are not in possession of a broken arm and no less that three bruised ribs! Young man, I know you to err on the side of recklessness, but even for you this is most ill advised! What would his majesty say if he were to see you? Or the queen! I do not presume to speak for her majesty, but I do believe this sort of thing is exactly what she was referring to just this morning!”

“I wasn’t gallivanting,” Jae protested. “Yale carried me the whole way. Besides, I’ve got so much tonic in me I don’t think I could even walk a straight line right now. But I had an idea where Nenani might’ve gone when I heard what happened and I figured Yale would be the one person she’d actually listen to, so yeah. I did. Put him up to it. But hey, we found her. She’s fine. Everything’s good!”

Donal looked as though he had a terrible headache. “Well, I suppose we should be thankful the poor girl’s been found at least. But if his majesty sees you out of bed, I will not be held responsible for the lecture he’s sure to give you...”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, sir,” Jae replied.

The poor man rubbed his temples and then looked to Yale with an almost pleading look. “If you would be so good as to follow me, Yale. We shall return these two neerdowells back to the keep and back into the hands of those sensible enough to keep them there!”

Yale nodded with a chuckle. “Yes, sir.”

After a few moments of Donal trying to figure out how best to carry Jae without aggravating his injuries, Jae finally snapped and told the Steward to just think of him as one of the silver candelabras he so meticulously dotes over. It seemed to have done the trick as Donal carefully lifted Jae and held him in his arms. Awkwardly, but secure enough. Jae gave the steward a pitying smile as they set off.

Nenani laid her head against Yale’s shoulder and closed her eyes. The inside of the corridor felt almost sweltering against her skin. She hadn’t realized how cold it had been outside. All at once she felt incredibly foolish and stupid.

“Say, Master Donal,” Yale asked as they walked. “You haven’t heard anything about Lord Eldherst tryin’ to convince the King to throw Nenani outta the castle, have ye?”

“If I were to have any such knowledge, it would be highly improper for me to tell you, Yale. As you know,” Donal replied shortly. “But I will say this on the matter. Lord Eldherst does not have the authority to pressure the King into such an action and in any case, I cannot imagine Princess Aine would ever allow that to happen.”

“Even if she isn’t really a Princess anymore?” Nenani asked.

Donal stopped in his tracks and turned his head back at her, expression both startled and choleric. “My dear girl, whatever would make you believe that?”

“Grandfather made Barnaby erase her name,” she replied. “So she’s not a Princess anymore. And I’m not either. I never was. I’m just...well. Lord Elherst called me a bastard.”

Donal snorted through his nose, lips pursed and his face was red with ire. “Well, that is simply untrue! Barnaby told your mother just this morning that he never struck her name from the official records. Merely the personal family tome. She is, has always been, and forever will be a Princess of Silvaara. And as she is the only one of the late King’s children still alive, the presumptive Queen. Making you, therefore, a Princess.” He looked as though he tasted something particularly unsavory. “Lord Eldherst is quite mistaken in his remarks and I am confident that his majesty will set him straight.”

She felt Yale stiffen beneath her and, after a moment, give a small laugh. “Princess Dumplin’...”

“Don’t call me that,” she said tiredly and weakly slapped at his cheek.

………………………………………………..

Her mother…

Was…

Furious…

Nenani stood with her head bowed atop the long table inside the great hall, her mother a foot or so away as she filled with air with heated words that echoed loudly in the large space.

“...would ever make you think it was permissible to just up and leave, not say anything to anyone, right after all that happened this morning and you almost kill yourself trying to do magic you’ve never tried, don’t understand, or how to control! And now you’re soaked to the bone! Gods above, Nenani, I never would have thought in a thousand years I had to tell you just how incredibly stupid it is to stand on top of a roof...during a thunderstorm!”

Nenani pulled the towel a littler tighter around herself, unsure of what was worse: her mother so incredibly angry at her or the audience watching them. Farris and Yale stood a little further back, but the King was there as well Maevis and Donal and Jae and even Captain Rheil and several guards and servants. They all had been scouring the castle grounds looking for her when Maevis had discovered her missing. Lolly had been there as well, but left to draw a bath and to fetch Nenani some dry clothes. But she had leveled such a displeased and disappointed frown at Nenani as she passed, that it made her want to cry.

“You will apologize to Maevis and everyone else for your selfishness,” Oira told her. “And then you will go to the room. Without dinner. And think about everyone you’ve hurt today.”

Nenani nodded mutely, using the corner of the towel to dry her eyes.

“Well?” her mother demanded, turning towards the large gathering of Vhasshalans and gesturing to them. “What do you have to say?”

“I...I’m sorry,” she said, voice small.

“Louder, Nenani,” her mother snapped. “No one can hear you.”

“I’m sorry!” she said, as loudly as she dared without screaming it. Her voice broke as she continued. “I’m sorry for being selfish and I’m sorry for leaving without telling you, Maevis. I’m sorry.”

The magician looked as though he wanted to reassure her, but one glance at Oira silenced anything he would have said. It seemed better to just allow the woman to discipline her daughter as she saw fit.

“And apologize to His Majesty for wasting his valuable time with this nonsense.”

Nenani turned slightly to her right where Warren stood and said, “I’m sorry Your Majesty. For wasting your time. I’m sorry.”

The King inclined his head towards them, but said nothing. Farris and Yale exchanged glances, trying not to show how amused they were with the spectacle. Oira was not a large woman by any means and most of the time she appeared meek and frail, but in that moment no person would have been able to guess it. Her fingers were flaming as she reprimanded her daughter and she held such an authoritative presence, no one seemed inclined to step in. Farris looked fairly impressed.

When at last Oira seemed satisfied, she turned to one of the footman closest to them. “Could you please take her back to our room?”

The footman looks unsure for a moment and darted a quick glance towards Warren. The King nodded and the footman stepped up to gather the towel wrapped human girl into his arms, muttering a quick “Apologies, m’lady” as he lifted her from the table. He left the room swiftly and just as the door closed behind them, Nenani heard more than a few amused snickers.

………………………...

When the footman arrived at the Blossom room, Lolly was inside waiting. She had a metal tub filled with steaming water on the side table and a stack of fresh linens and one of Nenani’s spare dresses.

“Thank you, Fin,” she said, plucking Nenani out of his arms. “I’ll take it from here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Once the door closed, Lolly sat her down next to the tub and pulled the towel from around Nenani away. She made an impatient motion with her finger. “Off with your wet things.”

Nenani obeyed in silence, pulling off the amulet, and slipping out of her soaked dress. Lolly instructed her in a short command to get into the tub. The water was a little too hot, but Nenani did not want to complain and just sat in the heat. Lolly cupped her hands into the water and poured it over Nenani’s head.

“I should throttle you little girl,” she said.

“I’m sorry,” Nenani replied mechanically.

“You had us all thinking that mage had come back and snatched you!”

“I’m sorry...”

“No one could find you! And then Rheil said he say you on the roof and then of course the biggest storm we’ve seen in months hits and still we have no idea where you are and it’s freezing!”

“I’m sorry...”

“Is that really all you have to say?” Lolly asked, planting her damp hands on her hips.

Nenani hiccuped and tried to hold back the sob building in her chest. The water around her started to glow as mage fire crept up along her arms. Lolly’s ire lessened and her eyes widened as she watch Nenani’s whole body slip into fire. “I’m sorry...” she said one more time, voice squeaking as she spoke passed the lump in her throat. Lolly sighed and reached down to scoop another handful of water and pour it over the little mage’s head, slower that before.

“No matter,” she said softly. “Let’s get you warmed up before you catch a cold.”

................................

Dumpling Playlist track for this chapter: “Quiet”.

#Dumpling #g/t writing #G/t story #Giant/tiny #g/t fantasy story #Fantasy Story #Nenani #Jae #Maevis #Yale #hurt/comfort

38 notes · View notes