#beginning of a bond

[primusfortuna]

Mel ✦ Beginning of a Bond (05)

[01] [02] [03] [04] [XX] [06] [07]

“Out of the Key”

Emma: Mel, could you come out of the key?

After Volks-san asked me to arrange a place to speak with Mel, I was trying to call him from inside the key.

Emma: (No answer... I'm sure he can hear me, though.)

(Mel appears)

Mel: ......What? Something you need from me?—ah!

Mel: ...You're here too, Volks?

Volks: Yes. I asked Emma to summon you for me.

Mel: You did, for me? O-Oh really? ....So what, you want my opinion on something again?

Volks: No, I wanted to thank you for your assistance with coordinating that outfit the other day.

Volks: Mel, this is for you.

Mel: Hm...? Uh, isn't that the garbage gem you showed us before? I don't want it.

Mel: You're gonna force something on me that's not just worthless, but garbage too? This is far beyond nonsense now, it's total harassment.

Volks: Hehe, you misunderstand.

Volks: As a jewel appraiser, I can assure you: this gemstone is an extremely valuable jewel.

Mel: ...Hmph! Trying to fool me? Not happening. If this garbage gem's a jewel, then the whole world must be full of jewels too.

Mel: Ah-ah! I shouldn't have even bothered coming out of my key if it was just for this.

Emma: (It seems like he's in better spirits, a little bit... but he's more combative than usual.)

Volks: Mel, I have a proposal.

Volks: Would you agree to a competition with me?

Mel: ...Hah? Competition? What made you bring that up?

Volks: Please, give me a chance to explain first.

Volks: I'd like for you to polish this uncut gem into a proper jewel, using your own hands.

Mel: !?

Volks: When you are done polishing it―if it even remotely changes your values, then I win. If nothing happens, you win.

Volks: What do you say?

Mel: Uh, I-I'm not sure―

Volks: Ah, of course, as far as polishing is concerned―it will be deemed acceptable as long as it holds a shape. This is your first time, after all.

Mel: Er, I'm just confused. There's no reason for me to agree to this in the first place.

Volks: That is a fair reaction. This does demand quite a bit of your time and energy.

Volks: Therefore, I'll present a few conditions that may motivate you.

Mel: Conditions...?

Volks: In the event that you win, I will accept your argument and consider all uncut gems present at the scene to be garbage.

Volks: They'll be deemed worthless, just as you say. No processing will be done.

Mel: ......

Emma: (Volks-san...?)

Mel: ...Are you sure? Is it fine for a jewel appraiser to be saying that?

Volks: Well, this is a competition. Between your values and mine.

Mel: ...If you're that serious, then I'll accept. You're not going to back out and say "Actually nevermind" now right?

Volks: Of course not. I'm looking forward to seeing you make full use of your knowledge and insight to tackle this challenge.

Under Volks-san's guidance, Mel immediately got to work polishing the uncut gemstone.

Mel: Polishing just one gem? Piece of cake. I'll make you regret underestimating me as an amateur.

Volks: Heh, the thrill is all mine.

Mel: ...Huh? I'm polishing this gem plenty, but I can't smooth it down at all.

Mel: Hey, Volks! This sanding tool is faulty, isn't it?

Volk: Oh? But I acquired it just recently.

Mel: Eh? Then maybe I've got to use more force―

(Clatter!)

Mel: Egh!?

Emma: (The tool broke...!?)

Mel: A-All from this drab, worthless gem...! Agh, this is so annoying!

Mel: Fine, I'll just smash it with a hammer first―

Emma: Mel!? That'll crack the inside too...!

Volks: It's all right, Emma. For now, let's just watch over his work.

Emma: ...O-Okay. I understand.

Mel: Okay, first I'll clamp the gem into the vise... There. Get ready, you drab gem! Hup!!

(Thud!)

Mel: ...No way!?

Mel: I can't believe the hammer couldn't crack it either... There's not even a scratch!

Undeterred, Mel went on to test out every lapidary tool he could find in the workshop.

And still, that raw gemstone wouldn't budge one bit.

Volks: Mel, I take it you need a hint?

Mel: N-No, I don't!

Mel: I know this isn't a normal rock, so I've just gotta polish it in a way that's not normal either!

Mel: I swear! I'll get this thing all polished up!!

Mel shouts at the top of his lungs, while bending his upper body further back than ever.

Emma: (Rather than motivated, he seems really worked up over this.)

Emma: (Anyway, I'll keep watching over him...!)

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[TL Notes]

"If this garbage gem's a jewel, then the whole world must be full of jewels too."

I'm not sure that I conveyed this line properly: he's supposed to be distinguishing raw/uncut gemstones from polished gemstones.

[starry-bi-sky]

I am loudly pushing the batdad agenda i am loudly pushing the— DPxDC Prompt

“Woah. You look like shit."

Granted, that’s probably not the first thing Danny should be saying to the guy that just bit the curb, but in his defense; he’s not running on 100% right now either.

The man -- tall, towering, and broader than Danny is tall -- whips around on his heel, black frayed cape flaring out impressively. Danny would've whistled in appreciation, but he takes the time instead to wipe the back of his hand across his mouth, smearing the blood running from his nose across his cheek.

"Sorry." He blinks widely, not even flinching as the man with the horns zeroes in on him. "That was rude of me. I have a really bad brain-to-mouth filter; Sam says its what always gets me into trouble."

And she's not wrong either, per say. His smart mouth is what landed him in this situation -- with blood blossom extract running through his veins and cannibalizing the ectoplasm in his bloodstream. Thanks Vlad.

The man grunts at him; a short, curt "hm" that shouldn't make Danny smile, but he does because he's somewhat delirious and probably concussed. The man keeps some kind of distance, sinking towards the shadows of Gotham's alleyway like he dares to melt right into it.

If it's supposed to scare Danny, it doesn't work. Danny's never been afraid of the dark; he's always been able to hide himself in it. He blinks slowly at the mass of shadows.

"You look hurt." The shadows says, blurring together around the edges. Danny squints, and licks his lips to get the blood dripping down his chin off. Ugh, he hates the taste of blood.

"I am." He says, "My godfather poisoned me. M'dying." The agony of the blood blossom eating him from the inside out looped back around to numbing a while ago, so all he feels is half-awake and dazed.

"Hey," Danny stumbles forward towards the man, a bloodied hand reaching out to him. "You-- you're a hero, right? You're not attacking me; which is more than I can say for most costumed people I've met." Maybe it's a poor bar to judge someone at, but he's already established that Danny's not in his right mind.

The man makes no change in expression, but Danny realizes blearily that it's hard to tell with the shadows on his face. He stays still long enough for Danny to latch onto the cape -- stretchy, but almost soft under his fingers.

He looks up blearily into the whites of the man's eyes. "Can you help me? I don't-- I don't wanna die." Again. He doesn't wanna die again. He blinks slow and lizard-like. "I mean- I'll probably get to see mom and dad again, but I told them I'd at least try and make it to adulthood."

There's a clatter down the street, and Danny's ghost sense chills up his spine and leaves a bitter, ashy taste in his mouth. He immediately knows who it belongs to even before the deceptively gentle; "Daniel?" echoes down the way.

"Daniel? Quit your games, badger, Gotham is dangerous for children."

Danny's mouth pulls back, and blood spills against his tongue. "Please." He rasps, and grabs onto the shadow's cape with both hands. "Please. He's going to kill me. Please--"

"Daniel? Is that you?"

His lips part, dragging in air to plead with the darkness again. He doesn't need to, the whites of his eyes narrow, and the cape whirls around him before Danny can blink. Soon swaddled in shadows, the Night lifts him up, and steals him away.

[artzee534]

"Where have I seen this before?"

The individual frames:

Bonus: concerned brothers

[thosewildcharms]

no but seriously he's "cut off my own hand to get back to my wife" crazy and she's "grab my husband and jump us both out of a flying helicopter in the middle of a storm to deprogram him" crazy. have two people ever been more made for each other

[trilobitepunch]

"Tea"

[agentc0rn]

I was meant to protect and nurture life, not destroy it.

[kamuucab]

Okay ngl I resonate with Sun's new voicelines I feel like he'd be such an excellent person to bitch with. Just talk absolute smack about the terrible people you deal with on a day to day basis, do the thing where your customer service facade drops as soon as they turn their back and just call em an asshole. Sharing that "are they serious rn" look. Ribbing each other and bantering back and forth reading each other for filth. I think he'd have snappy and funny as hell comebacks. I think he'd love making whomever he's working with just break down in giggles over his deadpan delivery and sarcastic theatrics, especially if it interferes with their work and makes them stop what they're doing completely to double over with laughter. Those are his proudest moments. Just a right clown that stops you from being as productive as management wants but it's only a little irritating because he's funny as hell and the place you work at sucks.

[jaybirdscoffee]

see because the most insane thing about malevolent part 1 is the song that plays right as it starts:

“i can’t forget the night i met you. that’s all i’m dreaming of. and you call it madness, ah, but i call it love.”

and then it immediately cuts to when arthur wakes up and starts talking to john. i’m so.

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

Ooo do you write for Dain? How about a small scenario abt Melusine creator and foul legacy just doing their rare occasion on going outside and as they walk around they saw Dain

It'll be like

Dain: 🧍🏻‍♂️ Foul legacy: 🧍🏻‍♂️

Maybe after some reassuring and making sure there's no misunderstandings, Creator could bond with him about not liking the Archons lol

Dainsleif Khaenri'ah lore man,,, PLEASE VISIT MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR I'M SO IMPATIENT

Dainsleif knows it's you almost immediately, from the unusual, swirling markings on your colorful skin to the way your Abyssal companion growled at him so fiercely, protecting you from further harm the first thought on his mind. Dainsleif takes a step back, holding up his hands to show that he means no harm before he sinks to his knees into a deep, sincere bow. Foul Legacy's wings twitch as he glances at you, his gaze guarded when you take a few tiny steps towards Dainsleif, and slowly bow in return to him. the disgraced knight blinks, and a silent smile spreads across his face as your little tail begins to wag. Legacy's cautious demeanor gradually softens, and he walks over to rejoin your side, kneeling to your height and gently nudging your cheek with a curious trill. Dainsleif can't understand a word he says, but you simply nod and look up at him, kindly asking for his name

the knight doesn't join you in Merusea, not permanently, but he drops by every once in a while, still slightly in awe at the sight of the Creator living a simple life as a Melusine. your siblings adore him almost as much as they adore Foul Legacy, fawning over his starry cape and otherworldly air. it actually gives Legacy a bit of reprieve from their constant attention, a chance to quietly curl himself around you as he watches you and Mamere paint away... of course, they all return when Dainsleif comes to your little shell house to say hello, many Melusine trailing after him and darting over to Foul Legacy so they can clamber onto his shoulders and hold onto his horns

Legacy huffs, and you can't help but laugh, the sound so wonderful and reassuring to him and Dainsleif after all you've been through

[feyreswaterybowels]

⭒The Silent One⭒

#3 Azriel x Fem!OC

⭒Part 1⭒Part 2⭒Part 3⭒Part 4⭒

Word Count: 3.6k

Summary: Azriel finds the guy that sold Cassandra. Lots of bonding happens with Cassandra, Azriel and other members of the IC. Slight cliffhanger.

Warnings/Tags: mentions/implied rape. Mention past sexual abuse. Mentions pregnancy from rape. Slow burn. Violence. Brief victim blaming. Found family. Protective!azriel. Protective!IC. GRAMMER ERRORS—I plan on going back to edit this please don’t judge me too hard I’m gonna have a busy week and just really wanted to get this posted for y’all🩵

Authors Note: all reblogs, likes and comments are welcome, appreciated and encouraged! Let me know if you’d like to be added to the tag list for the next chapter. Regular italics are inner thoughts and bold italics are mental communication.

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Azriel stands in the darkness of night watching. Waiting. Body thrumming with anger. Calm cold anger. The kind that got people killed if they didn’t give him what he was looking for.

Only moments after Cassandra’s departure had his shadow returned to him. Telling him where to find this Vale. This horrid male who was taking females away from their family and selling them off—profiting off of them like livestock.

He sees the male, recognizes him from the briefs flash of memory Cassandra let slip at dinner, the one where this mad had choked her, slammed her against the wall just for needing to use the restroom.

The male is loading something up in the back of a wagon, the building behind him dark and dingy. Azriel let his shadows take him closer. Closer. Until he was standing in the alley between this man's house and another. The smell was horrid, small creatures scurrying about looking for their meal for the evening.

The male retreats into the building and Azriel lets a shadow loose to follow him—to be his eyes inside of this building. Inside is just as dark and dingy and piled high to the roof with…stuff. The blue skinned male navigates the maze of boxes and bins and trash with ease. He seems to be the only one here but Azriel knew better so he waits following the man through the seemingly endless maze.

That’s when he hears it, his shoulders going tight, his jaw clenching. Crying—no sobbing. A girl begging to be left alone as the male grabs her and pins her down to the floor.

“Fuck,” he growls. He pounds his fist against the outside of the building, taking chucks of the stone out. It’s loud enough to distract the man, to get him away from that girl as he rushed from the room under the floor, locking the locks and coming out. Looking around wildly for the source of the sound.

Azriel winnows, leaning against the wagon the man had been loading before, whistling to get the man attention. He whirls around, black eyes narrowed in anger, freezing in place when they land on him.

“Shadowsinger?” He grunts, narrowing his eyes at Azriel. “What brings you to these parts?”

Azriel looks him over, the smell of shit, piss and rot was overwhelming even from this distance.

“Vale,” Azriel says, to let the male know he knows who he is, rightfully see the fear in his eyes. “I’m looking for something and I hear you’re the one to help me.”

“I ain’t got nothing you need, pretty boy,” Vale sneers, crossing his arms, looking Azriel over. Trying to come off as tough but it’s actually laugh-able.

“Are you sure?” Azriel asks, pushing off the wagon. Letting his wings spread wide, walking closer, towering over the male. “See, I’ve got this female telling me you bought her from her dad and sold her to a pleasure house. I mean, tell me I’m wrong, man. I’ve just gotta check on these things. It’s a pretty serious accusation and all.”

“That chick’s got the wrong guy. I would never do something like that. These bitches are always trying to get us males in trouble,” Vale said, seeming to relax. Big mistake.

“You think so? Just tell me if you know her man. About this tall, really pretty, tan skin, white hair. Wings.” Azriel growls the last word, the man’s eyes widening again, taking a step back.

“Look, man, it’s not like that. Her dad owed me money, so he gave me her instead cause he couldn’t afford to pay me back, okay? So I didn’t technically buy her,” He stammered out, trying to explain himself.

“Oh,” Azriel said, nodding his head. “Well, I mean, if you didn’t technically buy her then no law was broken.”

“That’s right!” The male nods, sighing in relief. “No law was broken, man. I wouldn’t—I wouldn’t do that—”

“Yeah. I get it,” Azriel nods, shifting. Looking towards the building, then back to the low life in front of him. “And that female inside? Did you buy her? Is she here of her own free will allowing you to rape her daily?”

“Fuck,” Vale whispers, turning and running down the cobble stone road. Azriel stands there watching, a grin stretching his lips as he lets the male think he’s getting away.

“Send Morrigan,” He calls out to Rhys as he watches the male.

“She’s coming.”

Then he's gone again, just as Vale looks over his shoulder to try and spot him, only to smack hard into a body that came out of nowhere. He looks at the shadowsinger towering over him, swallowing thickly.

“What do you want from me?” The male nearly cried out as Azriel grabbed him and pulled him up, slamming his face first into a stone wall. The resounding crunch of his nose breaking is ever satisfying.

“Her name is Cassandra,” Azriel snarls into the man's ear. “She told us what you did to her. What you did to that female you have locked in that disgusting building. We know there’s more girls. We will find them all and when we do, I’ll let each one take a turn with you. Their weapon of choice. And you’ll feel exactly what they felt.”

“Ple-please. Please, just kill me,” The man begged, fighting in Azriel’s grasp but he was no match for Azriel’s strength.

“And what kind of justice would that be? Did you stop when those girls begged you to? Did you give them death with they would have preferred that over you using their bodies?” Azriel asked, scenting the smell of urine as the man pissed himself. “You deserve everything you’ve got coming to you.”

Before the pathetic excuse of a male could beg or plead any more Azriel grabbed the back of his head, smashing it into the wall, letting him fall unconscious to the ground. He left him there binded and hidden by shadows, stalking back to the building where he spotted Morrigan easily.

“Don’t tell me this is where he’s been keeping those poor girl?” She asked when she spotted him approaching.

“Unfortunately, I think it is. She said under his house but he could live here. I’ll question him more. I know there’s at least one female inside,” Azriel explained, guiding Morrigan into the building. Be could get the female on his own but he knew it was safer to have a female companion—after all they’d been through the least he could do was make sure a female was the one to comfort them.

They get to that basement floor, unlocking the various locks and pulling the hatch open. It’s as dark and dingy down here as it was in the rest of the building. Morrigan enters first, taking Azriel’s hand to steady herself on the old wobbly stairs.

“Your wings won’t fit down here,” She said, hushed. He nods at her. “Send a shadow if I call for help.” It’s said jokingly but he knows she’s serious. He’d rip the floor from this building to help her if she needed it.

Mor squinted her eyes in the dimness of the sellar, resisting the urge to plug her nose from the horrid smell.

“Hello? Is anyone down here?” She calls out, looking up from at Azriel when there’s no reply. “Hello, my name is Morrigan. I work for the High Lord. The male keeping you here is—”

Morrigan’s cut off when I body slams into hers, knocking her to the ground. She cries out in surprise when a sharp sting slices across her cheek.

“Stop, hey, stop! I’m here to help!” Mor calls out, trying to catch the hands of the female fae on top of her.

“Mor!” Azriel’s deep voice calls.

“I’ve got it!” Mor calls back, grabbing the girls wrists. “Please, stop! Vale is gone! He can’t hurt you, please, stop!”

The girl stops fighting then still tense where she’s straddling Morrigan’s middle section.

“He’s gone?” She whispers and Mor nods.

“Yes, he’s gone. He can’t hurt you any more. I swear,” She promises. Eyes finally able to take in the sight before her.

A fragile, naked, malnourished body sits atop her. Eyes not only shut but scarred as if they’d been cut—maybe by the same person that took Cassandra’s tongue. But what really got Morrigan, what had her ready to lose the contents of her stomach was the rounded belly attached to that nearly skeleton body. Her eyes welled and she helped the female to shift off of her body.

“Are you pregnant?” Mor whispers, trying to keep her voice from breaking as the female nods.

“Please, don’t let him take this one too,” She cries, reaching out to find Morrigan’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Promise me I get to keep my baby.”

“I promise, no one is going to take your baby away from you,” Morgan swears, a single tear falling down her cheek. “What’s your name, sweet girl?”

“Neema, my name is Neema,” She answers and Mors eyes widen. The girl Cassandra told them about.

“You and your baby are safe, Neema. We’re gonna take you away from here, okay?” Morrigan says, standing and helping the pregnant female stand as well.

“I have my friend Azriel here too, he will not touch you, he’s only here to make sure no further harm comes to you. He’s handing me a cloak for you to wear,” Morrigan explains so the female doesn’t feel uncomfortable. She nods, allowing Mor to wrap the cloak around her.

“Are there any other females here?” Azriel asks gently, wishing he hadn’t with the way she clenched at the deep mess of it.

“Not—not that I know of. The females come and go. There’s been no others for months…” Neema answers, grasping the fabric tighter around her body.

Azriel and Mor share a look the last females had to have been Cassandra and the other two she mentioned.

“I’ll stay and check the building before I head back,” Azriel informed, consciously softening his voice so as not to scare the female again.

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Morrigan winnows away with Neema and Azriel searches every inch of the building with his shadows. No signs of any other females. He leaves the building, needing to relieve himself of the horrible stench.

He retrieves the still bound and unconscious male, winnowing him to his dungeon. He strips him, places a gag in his mouth, dumps him into a chair and binds him to it. He would be dealt with later.

The sun would be rising soon and he wanted to be there when they informed Cassandra they found the male and the female—her friend?

He enters Rhys' study, Cassian and Mor there too.

“How is she?” He asks, glancing at Morrigan then his brother.

“Resting,” Rhys answers. “Madja looked her over. Thankfully the baby seems healthy, Madja’s main concern is getting Neema to gain some weight and begin healing herself.”

“We offered her to live amongst the priestesses in the library, she agreed,” Morrigan said, her brown eyes bloodshot and cheeks flushed.

“Good, that’s all good, they’ll help her heal,” Azriel nods his head crossing his arms. “I have the male in my dungeon.”

“Have you gotten any information out of him?” Rhys asks, standing from his desk.

“Not much. He admitted to knowing who Cassandra was, receiving her from her father and holding her. He never admitted to selling her but that information won’t be hard to get out of him,” Azriel explains and Rhys nods in agreement.

“You get whatever information you can out of him and then he’s dead,” Rhys orders, Azriel doesn’t need to confirm he already knew what Rhys decision would be.

“Are we telling Cassandra?” Cassian asks, the first words he’s said the whole time.

“We are. She needs to know he’s here, it may bring her some comfort knowing he’s locked away and Neema is safe. I think you should be the one to talk to her, Azriel,” Rhy says, turning his attention to the shadow singer.

“Me? Not Mor?” Azriel asked, a bit confused.

“Yes, you. She’s comfortable with you. You’re the one that apprehended him. I believe she would prefer to hear it from you,” Rhys nods.

“Okay, I can do that,” Azriel agreed.

“You handle that, I’ve got some business to attend to with the priestesses. We’ll all meet up in a few hours to discuss further action.” Rhys stepped around his desk, patting Azriel’s shoulder when he passed by him.

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An hour goes by before Azriel tracks Cassandra down. Finding her in the library, flipping through a book where she’s sat in the large window seat that overlooked the city below. A steaming cup of tea next to her.

“I thought you couldn’t read?” Azriel asks, leaning against the door frame, grinning when those green eyes meet his.

“I can’t. I’m looking at the pictures,” She said, holding up the book, some romance book from the looks of the two people in a colorful garden.

“Ah,” Azriel says, walking further into the room. Trying not to focus on the way her eyes track up and down his body the closer he gets. He holds his hand out for the book, flipping it over the read the title, snorting at it. “Secret Garden Romance, huh?”

She shrugs, taking the book back.

“I asked the house for a book with a lot of pictures, this is what I got,” She said, a small sweet breathy laugh escaped her lips and he couldn’t help his own smile.

“Did you end up getting some sleep?” He asks, watching her set the book down and grab the warm mug.

“I slept but not great,” She shrugs. “I can’t stop thinking about my sisters.”

“We’re gonna do everything we can to find them, I promise you that,” Azriel said, not even waiting for a beat. He would find her sisters and he’d beat the shit out of her father too.

“You know I took my older sister's place. It was supposed to be her he sold off but the way she had cried when he told her. I couldn’t let him do that to her so I told him to take me…I didn’t really know what he meant when he was selling me. I thought I’d be a servant like the ones we had when I was a kid or something. I never thought…” She trailed off, taking a deep breath.

“You’re not to blame for what happened to you. You were protecting your sister. You did a very selfless thing. You're safe now and your sisters will be, too,” Azriel said, resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned towards her.

“Well, what about you?” Cassandra asked, gently changing the subject. “Did you ever get any sleep?”

Azriel sighed with a head shake. “No, actually. That’s kind of why I came to talk to you.”

Cassandra fixed him with a curious look, leaning forward as if to give him her full attention for whatever he needed to say. He looked into those glowing green eyes, filled with curious concern.

“We found that male. Vale. We found him,” Azriel said, watching the vast range of emotions flash through those emerald eyes.

“He’s here?” Is what she asks, fear tinging her voice. Azriel straightens his back.

“He will not touch you,” he declared, holding her gaze. “He won’t even come near you.”

I’ll fucking kill him if he does. He thinks but doesn’t add it out loud.

“He can’t get out of…wherever he is?” She asks, and he wants to reach out so badly to comfort her. The ache in his chest drawing him to her.

“No. He’s being held in a very secure place. I promise you’re safe here. You’re safe with us.” Azriel promises. You’re safe with me.

“Were there any females with him?” She asks and Azriel nods.

“The girl you told us about, Neema. She was the only one there—it had been only her for months.”

He watches as her eyes fill with tears, offering his hand for her to hold. She takes it, thumb tracing his scars unconsciously.

“Just her…alone with him for months. Gods, is she…I feel like okay isn’t the right word for what I want to ask,” She says, sadness written all over her face.

“She will be okay,” Azriel said. “She’s in bad shape. Pregnant, malnourished but we have an amazing healer and a library below the mountain. Many priestesses live there. Many of them have experienced similar traumas. They’ll help her heal.”

She looked thoughtful for a moment. He wasn’t sure what was going through her head as she sat there silently, grasping his hand and tracing his scars.

“I want him to die.” It’s fierce. Heated. Emotional. And it does something to Azriel’s heart, to his brain. He squeezes her hand. “I want him to feel everything we felt. To know the fear he put us through. I want him to suffer and then I want him to die.”

“He will die. I swear to the Mother. I’ll get every drop of information from him and when it’s time his death will be painful and slow,” Azriel swore, gently swiping a tear from her cheek.

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The next day is a day Cassandra would remember forever. She hadn't slept much the night before but Morrigan had practically begged her to have lunch.

Cassandra wasn’t entirely sure she was ready for a day out in the city but she felt safe with Morrigan. She nearly asked if Azriel could come too until she learned he would be spending the day collecting information from Kamari and Vale.

Morrigan picked out her outfit for the day and it was one of her favorites she’s worn since being here. A flowy silk top that tucked into a dark pair of slacks that raised high on my hips. They emphasized her longer legs in a way she had never noticed before. She had also pinned Cassandra’s hair up and out of her face.

She liked the way Azriel smiled at her when he saw her dressed this way. She blushed but was quickly rushed away by Morrigan, shouting something about wanting you to herself for the day for girl time.

Their first stop was a place she called the River House. A beautiful home that her mother would have loved. Morrigan had only had them stop here briefly to grab a few tote bags, wanting to shop while they were out but promised to bring her back and give her a proper tour of the house.

The city was even more beautiful when you were in it. The sun was shining bright in an endless blue sky. Better than any dreams she had ever had about it.

They went to bakeries, where Cassandra single handedly filled half a tote with various pastries.

Then a clothing shop where Morrigan helped her pick out some new clothes. A few everyday pieces. A gorgeous gown she wasn’t sure where she would wear it but Morrigan swore she would need it sooner or later. And then the softest, satin, dark blue nightgown—it had reminded her of the stones that glowed atop Azriel’s hands. Morrigan herself had picked out quite a few outfits and gowns of her own and a lace set that looked like something the girls in the pleasure houses would wear but she paid no mind to it—she was sure it would look gorgeous on Morrigan wherever she planned to wear it to.

Then they went to a place near the river for lunch, the glistening river was the perfect view while they ate.

“Do you feel like you’re settling in okay?” Morrigan asked, sipping on some kind of iced fruit tea while they waited for their food.

“I’m still…adjusting. I enjoy the company of everyone. I feel like I can trust you all. It’s just odd.” Cassandra says, taking a drink of her tea that was just slightly too sweet but she wasn’t complaining.

“What’s odd?” Morrigan asks gently.

“Trusting strangers more than I’ve ever trusted anyone else,” She says it like a confession, like she should be ashamed for feeling that way.

“I don’t think that’s odd,” Morrigan shrugged. “You’re around people like you, people you can relate to and get to know. It’s easy to feel safe with us in turn, causing your trust. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Cassandra smiles at Morrigan.

Their food comes soon after and they talk the whole time. Morrigan gives her the rundown of how Rhys, Azriel and Cassian all knew one another. She explained more about their titles and what each one of them did as a member of the inner circle. She told her about so much that Cassandra could believe she’d spent her whole live knowing practically none of it.

When they go to a bookstore Cassandra looks at a few before putting them back. Morrigan grabs them and tells her they’ll teach her to read—that she’ll love these books and so many more.

And when they finally get back to the House of a Wind it’s late. She's exhausted from carrying around nearly overflowing tote bags and eating more muffins then she can count.

A top the house where they have to land they’re greeted by the three males. Their solemn faces wiping the smile off your face. She caught Azriel’s eyes, sees the look of pure death there—a look that she just knows means he wants to kill someone.

And just like that, her perfect day with Morrigan took a turn straight down hill.

Tag List: @aelinwya @starlightandsouls @fullmoon-94 @aetherl0l @caticorn61 @lilah-asteria @blackgirlmagicforever @div94 @purple-writer8 @little-missbookyworm @saltedcoffeescotch @namelesssav @slytherintaco @whatsupb @little-missbookyworm

[saturnniidae]

People give Valka a lot of shit which makes me sad bc her flaws are what make her interesting, and I LOVE thinking about her character.

Like, Have we considered how she had Hiccup at 20 and was married before that? Have we considered that, though she was in love with Stoick, marrying the Chief (or soon-to-be-chief) is a lot of responsibility? Have we considered how young 20 is and Hiccup takes after her in so many ways, not feeling ready for responsibility or wanting to settle down could be one of them? Have we considered she deliberately didn't come back because she maybe felt she wasn't ready to be a mother? Have we considered she loves Hiccup and Stoick so dearly but needed to live her own life? Have we considered how bittersweet the reunion really was because she realized she missed her chance to actually be a mother and how much the guilt of not coming back must've weighed on her?

I LOVE YOU VALKA HTTYD!!!!!!!

[primusfortuna]

Mel ✦ Beginning of a Bond (01)

[XX] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07]

“A Thorough Critique”

If you're beautiful, you'll be envied. If you're brave, you'll get injured.

If you're kind, you'll get taken advantage of. If you're wise, you'll become a coward.

See? It's all pointless, isn't it?

One day, I was working as the guildkeeper for Dream Weavers.

Emma: Volks-san, I brought the documents you asked for.

Volks: Thank you. I imagine it was a hassle for you.

Emma: Not at all. If there's anything I can do, just let me know.

Emma: ——! Wow, those are beautiful. Are these uncut gems?

Volks: Yes. They give off a lovely color, don't they? They still have yet to be polished, but these stones are certainly promising.

(Mel comes out of the key)

Mel: Heh~? These are the gems you think are promising, Volks?

Emma: Mel?

The dark fairy who appeared from my key, Mel, draws his attention to Volks-san's hands, while striking his signature eccentric pose.

Volks: Oh my. Are you interested in these gemstones as well?

Mel: Well, in a way, I guess. I'm just amazed by how blatantly obvious all their flaws are.

Volks: Oh? Flaws, you say?

Mel: Yeah, exactly. Look closer. Like, this gem—it's pretty at first glance, but there are tiny cracks in it.

Mel: And that gem has carbon in it, so it'd still be a low-grade product even if it got polished.

Mel: Sigh, I can't believe this. What a load of nonsense.

Emma: (The cracks... are those fissures, right? And carbon should mean――)

Volks: That is one of the main factors contributing to its lowered value.

Taking a look at the gemstone Mel pointed at, there were indeed black spots in some areas of the crystal.

Volks: Heh, you are well-informed with a sharp eye, Mel.

Mel: Obviously I'd know this much. There'd have to be something seriously wrong with you if you didn't.

Emma: (I just realized this, but Mel is always in that pose when he talks. I wonder if it ever gets uncomfortable for him...)

Mel: Anyway, so? Why's the top meister of Dream Weavers, a jewel appraiser no less, wasting time on these garbage gems?

Volks: Heh, these gems are certainly not garbage, Mel.

Volks: It's true that they are uncut gemstones with some flaws, but...

Volks: Take this vibrant stone for example. A few cracks don't render it completely worthless.

Volks: Considering the qualities of the gem, it's best to polish it into a freeform stone. This not only removes the cracks, but also imparts a distinctive character to the stone.

Mel: ......

Volks: Even the gem with carbon inclusions is otherwise highly transparent and beautiful.

Volks: The inclusions themselves are quite minute. With careful planning of the cutting process, I fully believe we'd be able to adorn it with decorations and other pieces.

Emma: I see... It all depends on how it's processed.

Volks: Precisely. My opinion is that placing arbitrary values on anything will only cheat you out of many opportunities.

Mel: Hmph~? But in the end, aren't you just forcing a worthless gem to be useful to you?

Mel: You can cover it up all you want, a garbage gem is still a garbage gem. All things are worthless if they're not perfect, in my opinion!

Emma: (He's posing with his head thrown back again...)

Volks: ......

Volks: Humor me, Mel. Out of these uncut gems, which one do you consider the most valuable?

Mel: Hah? Like I said, they're all the same. All garbage since they're full of flaws. Imperfect things are worthless.

Volks: Well, they're still uncut, after all. They won't be perfect at the beginning.

Volks: Even so, could you try to pick one for me?

Mel: ...You're so pushy. Fine, whatever, I guess that one.

Mel gestures at one as if he doesn't care that much. Out of all the gemstones, it's the plainest-looking one.

Volks: Heh. You truly do have a good eye.

Mel: H-Hah!? I mean, I do have pretty good eye... That's plain obvious.

Mel: But I just picked that one at random? You're pretty wishy-washy yourself, Volks!

No matter what biting words Mel spits out, Volks-san maintains his calm composure.

I could tell that Mel was growing somewhat exasperated with Volks-san's nonchalance.

Next →

[kasterarts]

"Hey Sara... would you help me make Sou a cake for his birthday?"

(spoilers below)

[pianokantzart]

I know I've mentioned this before, but whoever worked on the script of The Mario Movie and decided to lay the groundwork for Luigi's Mansion by establishing that Luigi has a fear of dogs of all things needs a raise.

[nichetheorist]

Saximilian Jones.

[identityquest]

here with me