#brimstone island

[scenicworlds]

August 6, 2023

Enjoying the magical rocks of Brimstone Island, ME.

[bucknastysbabe]

I just read all your hotd posts and let me tell you I am OBSESSED!

Wanted to ask if you could potentially write something for cockwarming with Jace please? Maybe not as an modern au but with actual prince Jahaerys Valeryon?

If not that’s totally fine but I would go CRAZY if you would! Absolutely love your work

YES I CAN- I LOVE SOME CUNTY JACAERYS HES PERFEXT AND HUNG. Sorry for the wait hope you like❤️❤️❤️❤️

Dreary - Jace Velaryon x Bar Emmon!Reader

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Fluffy fluff, sweet baby boy jace, who has a horse cock, set around 2x02, intimacy hehe, cock warming, Baela is a bad bitch she ALLOWS jace to have his little swordfish gf, rip luke ily baby, anyways pnv!sex, some angst, PREP, also I just know the vibes at dragonstone are rancid I would be pissed

Taglist: @aemondfairy @aemonds-holy-milk @arcielee @elaratyrell @jamespotterismydaddy @lovelykhaleesiii @peachysunrize @starogeorgina @towriteloveontheirarms @zaldritzosrose @simp-aholic @jacevelaryonswife (I just added you bc jace wife)

It was a dreary day on Dragonstone. Which was more often than not. Chilly, fierce winds blowing across the Gullet into the Blackwater. You knew how harsh these winds and storms could be, being born Bar Emmon of Sharp Point.

Something was stagnant around the ancient keep of Dragonstone. Perhaps it was the war beginning to ramp up, the continued grief of Prince Lucerys’ death. Going outdoors was a luxury on the volcanic island, anything to escape the mounting emotions within.

Baela was deep within the keep with Queen Rhaenyra. You were a lady-in-waiting of Princess Baela, but she oft preferred her independence or family. The Targaryen dismissed you to ‘find some rest’.

Walking aimlessly around the fused Valyrian stone, hand dragging upon the cold wall, you entered the library. The smell of books and the usual brimstone filled your nose. Haggard gargoyles and wyverns decorated the walls. A small fire crackled in the fireplace, that in the shape of a dragon’s maw. You’d be lying if you said this place wasn’t strange.

Peering among the old tomes and stacked scrolls, you noticed a familiar tousled head sitting in front of the fire. The Prince Jacaerys, the betrothed of Baela. Even if they seemed better friends than to be married as of late. Baela confessed to you late at night that she didn’t want to fall for him during a time of war.

You’d taken to the Prince meanwhile. Guilt didn’t pool in your gut when the Princess didn’t seem to care. Baela knew about your trysts and caught you kissing him in an alcove. Your lips quirked up at the memory— the gorgeous Princess merely laughed, “I was wondering if you had it in you, Jace.”

Coming close to him, you paused. Jace had been struggling as of late. He was brooding and ridden with grief over Luke. You nervously fingered at your dark blue dress, debating if you should leave him be. He was taking on more of a role in the escalating war.

“My Prince,” came your softened call.

He straightened up, turning to face you over a shoulder. Jace hummed, “Lady Bar Emmon. Are you finding yourself stifled again?” He turned further to get a look at you, brown eyes softening. He looked handsome in his black tunic, fine red dragons woven upon the sleeves.

“Quite stifling today. Winter is coming.”

He laughed softly at that, beckoning you over.

You padded to the chair adjacent, Jacaerys familiar arms pulling you back into his lap. You bit back a yelp, looking at him in shock. His full lips curled up a bit as he murmured, “Winter is coming. I saw it firsthand at the Wall. The Stark in the North himself told me all about it.”

You adjusted to curl more to the side, gently petting his curls, careful not to pull. “That sounds…frightful actually,” came your admittance. Jace looked amused as he replied, “Lord Cregan, I liked him, but he was intense. I do prefer the South, Vermax does. He’s likely all snug in his nest.”

The Dragonmont. You wouldn’t mind a warm nest for a minute. Albeit not at Dragon levels.

You laughed softly, “What about the Eyrie? I suppose it was nicer flying up the Mountains of the Moon. I’ve heard it’s the most beautiful of the Castles.”

Jace’s dark eyes sparkled a little as he teased, “Not as beautiful as Sharp Point my lady.”

You batted his shoulder with a scoff and a frown, “Very funny, a big watch tower and old fortifications. Tell me about the Eyrie!”

He chuckled softly, a hand coming up to cradle your neck, his other arm securing your waist. Jacaerys hummed, “Very well, the home of Lady Jeyne was magnificent. All white marble with blue veins. Seven slim towers, no stables, no smithy’s, but a large granary. You can hear Alyssa’s tears, it’s very soothing.”

You looked on in awe as you imagined the painting come to life with his words. Jace continued as he nuzzled your neck, “Mm- just as gorgeous and crisp on the inside, I slept quite well, and got to see the infamous moon door and sky cells. Very Andal castle, don’t know how they did it.”

You gripped his hair as his plush lips began to press against your neck. “Did Vermax like it?” You asked in a shaky voice. He laughed against your sensitive skin, “Of course, scaring the tribes and eating their goats.” Jacaerys pressed one more kiss before pulling back, his ringed hand cupping your cheek.

“I’m sorry I’ve been…distanced,” he murmured, those damn dark eyes and long lashes piercing your heart. Shushing the Prince you shook your head, firmly stating, “You have been grieving. We all grieve, especially for you and your family. For him.”

You didn’t want to speak his name out loud, the lingering implication made sweet Jace blink and look away. Thumbing away his stray tear you murmured, “I wish I could take that pain from you.” He looked back, croaking as his arms engulfed you.

“I missed you so much.”

You sighed the words back, realigning your hips to face his, straddling the prince. Cupping his cheek once again you closed into his mouth, gentle at first. It felt like years while he was gone. Jacaerys grabbed your hips, pulling you flush as he kissed back, full lips soft and careful.

His length throbbed against your thigh as the kisses deepened, Jace’s hands wandering from your ass to your waist, greedily grabbing any flesh. You moaned into his mouth, Jace filling the space with his tongue, sliding it against your own. The brunette moaned, “Gods I missed you. More than just this.”

You pressed your forehead to him, panting, “I missed you too, love. More than this, as much as I enjoy it too.”

He laughed, nibbling at the hollow of your throat, hands sliding up your skirts to reveal your stockings and bare cunt. Jacaerys groaned again, his cock twitching. He mumbled, “Need to get you ready for me again angel.” You nodded, weakly nodding.

Jacaerys’ cock could easily make you bleed everywhere, especially after months apart. He resumed his attention to your neck, thick fingers sliding down to drift across your slick folds and opening. He teased at your clit, drawing a gasp.

You grabbed his hair and pulled him back, kissing him hard as one finger slid into your cunt, pumping just so before quickly adding another. Jace breathed against your twitching lips, “You’re eager.” He had that cocky lopsided smile, eyes hazy.

He pumped his fingers deeper, curling them as you gasped, “I- ah! Could say the same.” You felt his cock straining his breeches, rubbing against heated flesh. Jace moaned again, fingers stretching and scissoring, adding his third finger.

You mewled a little at the pinch, tucking your face into his warm neck. The prince cooed and drug the heel of his palm against your clit, the other hand rubbing your trembling back in slow circles. His voice was a near whisper as he praised, “You’re alright my love, you’re doing so good, gonna feel so good.”

His pinky slipped in your slippery, stretched cunt now, keeping you open as he eased the four digits in and out as you whimpered, Jacaerys kissing your lips and cheeks, shushing you. He adjusted and curled upwards again, dragging roughly against your sweet spot.

You cried out in the library, Jace using his off hand to pull down your dress, suckling and nibbling at your tits as he spread you impossibly open. He sealed his mouth over your nipple, flicking his tongue, playfully humming.

The discomfort was edging into pleasure quickly as Jacaerys worked your body. Your whimpering had turned to panting, then whining in ecstasy as he stuffed you with his sinful fingers, those pretty swollen lips around your tit. You couldn’t help but shiver and grab his hair, muscles tensing up as you moaned his name.

He groaned, kissing his way across the valley of your tits to latch onto the other, his ever-wandering hand giving your now neglected teat a playful squeeze. His fingers were only moving quicker as your cunt practically drooled all over his hand, the lurid squelching loud. You blushed at the sound, heaving and shivering once more.

He swiped your clit one good time, sending you over the edge with a muffled cry, gushing and spasming from head to toe. He pulled off your nipple to watch in awe, murmuring, “My pretty girl.”

You shook through the remnants of the orgasm, cunt twitchy and sensitive even after Jacaerys eased his fingers out. He was undoing his breeches now, moaning under his breath as you watched him pull out his flushed cock, slathering his wet fingers all over the organ.

The sight drew out a low mewl. Jace’s pretty cock was a sight to be seen. He was blessed by the Father, to say the least. Abnormally large yet otherworldly. Dragon cock or whatever they called it in jest.

You lifted your tired hips, the brunette whimpering a little as he slicked himself up further against you, gasping as he swirled the blunt head around your entrance. Jace moaned, “F-fuck, okay, okay, ready my love?”

You nodded, eyes on his as you began to sink, mouth falling open as the oversensitivity and fullness struck. Jace’s thumbs were on your hips, swirling little circles as you descended. The pair of you gasped and panted wetly into each other’s mouths, eyes watery and intense.

Your ass met his lap, a tremble up your spine from the fullness. Jace pulled you against him, stretching his legs out as he pressed kisses to your jaw and neck. His hands rubbed your back, lulling you into relaxing. Taking a deep breath, you settled atop Jace, your cunt pleasantly full and stretched, throbbing a bit.

“Can we perhaps, sit like this for a bit?” You asked him, holding his cheek. Jace seemed more than fine, running his hands lazily across your back still, petting at your hair. He hummed, “Mhm, yes, that’ll be perfect.”

So the pair of you sat in relative ease, humming and lazing by fire. There wasn’t much of a need to speak, more of a time for comfort and intimacy. Jace rambled a little about how much he cared for you, getting shushed again. He smiled at you, rolling his eyes.

The feeling of your lover’s molten cock was beginning to make you sweat. Jacaerys fared no better, shifting restlessly, hands sliding up to grab your ass. He moaned as you clenched involuntarily, needing more. The brunette whispered, “You want it now love? I want you now.”

Indulging the prince you nodded, moaning, “Yes my prince, it’s time, ngh- gods.”

His head fell back as his hands gripped your waist, thrusting up for the first time. Jace’s moan echoed as he pulled back to fuck up into you again. You gasped and whined as he seemed to stuff your cunt further, hips slapping against your ass.

Jacaerys planted his feet, breathing hard as he began to fuck in earnest, mouth hanging open, lips puffy. You felt him eyeing you, your tits bouncing, your stomach baring the vague outline of his cock deep, deep inside. He grunted and held you tighter, losing himself in your slick core.

He inhaled sharply, stuttering his hips, babbling, “Fuck- you feel- so tight my love.” You were at his mercy, reduced to little whines and tears, he was rubbing everything, the friction rising. You clenched further and further as he forced his cock into you, grunting and groaning. Jace’s heavy balls slapped your ass, just another sound in the cacophony of sex.

You shivered and came first, having to pull yourself off, sharply crying. Jace’s cock was hot against your backside, whining some as he pumped a heavy load on your back and ass. You fell against him again, legs shaky and aching from the splendid pain. He panted, holding you tight.

Jace kissed the crown of your head, the comfortable, loving silence between you two and the crackling fire filling the library again. You’d wash up once you figured you could walk again. Damn, Prince.

[kickmuncher3]

Emily Axford’s PCs Ranked by How Likely They Are To Have Worn Crocs:

There was discussion on a recent short rest about which of Emily’s PCs are most likely to wear crocs, so I humbly present my findings:

1. Brenda Elizabeth: 100% canonical that she wears crocs. She is even wearing crocs in her canon artwork. God bless you Zac Oyama.

2. Tarragon Snakeroot: Also 100% canonical that she wears crocs, but the DM is being a little punk about it. Regardless of whether or not Murph thinks crocs exist in Eldermourne, if Emily says she’s wearing crocs, she’s wearing crocs.

3. Sophia Lee: A human living on present day earth. I’m certain she’s worn crocs around her place on Staten Island.

4. Chirp Featherfowl: Lives in the Feywild, but has a wife and child on present day earth. Has definitely tried on her wife’s crocs. Loves the novelty of them.

5. Ylfa Snorgelsson: Same voice as Brenda Elizabeth, so she’s already croc-coded. Plus, due to multiversal shenanigans, it’s almost guaranteed that there exists a version of her who’s worn crocs.

6. Onyx Lumiere: I don’t remember if crocs have been confirmed as canon in Trinyvale, but they definitely are. If Onyx didn’t already own a pair of pastel crocs, she’s surely looted a pair from someone she’s killed.

7. Fia Boginya: Crocs are not necessarily her style, but she lives in Eldermourne, so she’s had ample opportunity to wear them.

8. Brimstone Billy: Also, lives in Eldermourne, but I’m not sure if crocs have made their way to Endoterra yet.

9. Sundry Sidney: Technically exists in our future, but crocs are probably ancient relics in her time. Even if she could get her hands on a pair, she wouldn’t be able to get them on over her permanent roller skates.

10. Fig Faeth: I’m gonna say that crocs probably exist in Solace, but Fig was too preppy to wear them as a kid and is too punk to wear them now.

11. Moonshine Cybin: I’ll throw Murph a bone and say that crocs don’t exist in Bahumia, but if they did, I bet Moonshine would wear them. If a crick elf was gonna wear shoes, they’d probably wear crocs.

12. Calliope Petrichor: Again, no crocs in Bahumia, but even extra no crocs in the Feywild. Furthermore, they aren’t really the shoes of choice for either crime families or knights. No crocs for Calli.

13. Saccharina Frostwhip: Calorum is the setting least likely to contain crocs. It’s such a classic medieval fantasy world. That said, growing up poorer than the other PCs makes Saccharina the most likely A Crown of Candy character to have worn crocs.

14. Jet Rocks: By far the least likely Axford character to have worn crocs. Spent her short life growing up royal in a lavish castle with dreams of becoming a military commander in a world where crocs absolutely do not exist in the first place. Case closed.

[mezzy-1]

Radiant Recruit (Valorant x Reader)

Name: Y/N 

Class: Radiant

Callsign - Nomad

You had been at odds with Kingdom for causing your abilities, and saw Valorant as nothing more than another group trying to reign you in.  Your power store radiant energy and unleash it proved difficult to contain.  Even worse, you could turn to pure energy and phase away.  It was a trick you used to escape Valorant time and time again.  Where you came from was only for you to know, until you were captured.

(An idea of what Nomad can do // source: Infamous: Second Son)

Fade 

“Stop Y/N!  There’s no place you can run to that I won’t find you!”  Fade yelled down the hallway.  She had you cornered in Bind, inside the Kingdom refinery

“Leave me ALONE!” you screamed, unleashing a wave of radiant power at nearby pipes.  Steam filled the hall and you sprinted further away

A screech behind you caught your attention as one of Fade’s nightmares spotted you.  A terror trail led from your feet

Snarling prowlers rushed towards you and lunged.  You raised a hand and blasted them as they pinned you down

One sunk its teeth into your leg and darkness filled your vision.  Whispers surrounded you as memories of Kingdom spying on you resurfaced

Radiant power surged into your eyes before blasting through your body.  In your fear, you burnt through the last reserves of energy

Suddenly a voice cut through the chaos

“I have you now, ”

Weak sparks shot from your palm in an attempt to block the ball of tendrils Fade tossed at your feet

Seized by her power, unable to destroy the bindings, you found yourself resorting to struggling against the tethers

Fade took a Sheriff from its holster, the gunmetal gleaming in the red alarm lights.  She began to raise it upward towards you

Then turned and emptied the cylinder, catching the bullets and storing them in a pocket

“Valorant is not what you think, we are trying to do something important for the world!”

“So was Kingdom, I don’t care about what your cause is.”

“I was where you are right now, Y/N.  I was hunted by Valorant too.”  Fade’s tone softened

“What are you talking about?” You were slightly intrigued

“I…blackmailed them.  They sent a squad to catch me and could’ve killed me.  They gave me a home instead.  I trust them.”

“Prove it, how do I know you aren’t lying to get my guard down.”

“You can’t, but you have my word that we will let you go if you want to leave.” She reached a hand to you.  “Deal?”

Against your better judgment you decided to come along.  In an hour you were being flown to a remote island in the middle of nowhere

“So you know my name, but what’s yours?” 

“Hazal.  Memnun oldum.”

Hazal sat with you, either for security or reassurance, in the conference room with Brimstone

“Y/N, I apologize for the methods we used but Valorant doesn’t have time for delicate approaches.  Fade has first hand experience with that.”

“I didn’t offer you another choice Brimstone,” Hazal seemed to feel some regret 

“We wanted to get your help with Omega Earth,” he directed you to a hologram that showed all current information

It was unnerving, the doppelgangers and your personal clone trying to destroy the world.  The situation didn’t leave you feeling like you could run away

“So…are you in Y/N?”

“Count me in,” you went over to shake Brimstone’s hand.  He took it and handed you a keycard to your room

“You’re part of Valorant now Y/N.”  Brimstone nodded to Fade and you exited the room with her

“You’ll be assigned a callsign Y/N,”  Fade said as she led you to your quarters.  “Did you have anything in mind?”

“Uh, I guess we should figure it out while we have time.”  Your opened the door to your room and took a seat on the bed

Fade took a seat at your desk, looking around at the sparse interior before settling on you

“Y/N, what do you think about going by Nomad?  It would fit, don't you think?”

Iso

“Oh shi-” you were surprised by a bullet ricocheting past you and putting a hole in the elevator controls

“Nice try Y/N, but you aren’t getting out of here unless you come with me.”  Iso chambered another round.  “Or else.”

“Go to hell!” you triggered a maelstrom of energy inside your body.  Radiant pulses fired from you and Iso lept to cover

Shifting into energy, you charged straight at him, ready to plant your glowing fists directly into his face

Hexagons spilled out under your feet.  Violet light blinded you before placing you into a strange space made of similar shapes

“You’re all mine Y/N.” a familiar voice echoed.  Iso had somehow captured you 

The structures around you disappeared and a single shot rang out against the silence of the realm you were in

A bullet hit your chest, but the ballistic plate underneath stopped it.  It didn’t stop the force from slamming into you though

“Y/N, I admire your spirit but you lost this fight.  I won’t hurt you, I just want to show you what Valorant is trying to do.”

“And if I refuse?”  

“You won’t leave here.  Ever.”

He wasn’t bluffing, but he didn’t seem like he wanted to condemn you to that fate either.  His aim was steady but his eyes were more focused on your response

“I’ll go with you, but if you try anything you’ll regret it.”

Iso sighed something in Mandarin

Purple energy wrapped you and placed you back in the building.  Iso waited for you to get to your feet and led you at gunpoint 

The elevator controls were shot, so you and Iso took stairs to the roof.  When you arrived at the helipad, the VTOL was just landing

“Remember, I can trap you at anytime Y/N.  Don’t try to escape until we get to the island and we brief you.”  Iso was dead serious

He left you in the cargo hold of the VTOL while it took off.  He returned later on his phone and looked over at you

“Any requests for music?  I don’t like silence.”  Iso pointed at the phone

“(Your favorite artist).”

“I have a playlist for them, tell me what you think.”

The ride to the HQ was more pleasant than you expected

Subsequently, you were lead to a room with the leader of Valorant for more information

Brimstone finished explaining the situation.  Needless to say the Omega Earth version of you destroying city blocks was a frightening prospect

“Y/N, if you help us out you’ll be giving us the advantage.  We can let you go but we can’t guarantee your mirror won’t try to come after you.”

“I’ll join your protocol if it means I can protect people from my double.”

“Welcome to the fight Y/N.  Iso, take Y/N to the armory and get them fitted for their gear and run a basic shooting test.”  Brimstone shook you hand warmly

Iso and you walked down the hall, passing a few other agents that gave you a wave or raised an eye at your presence

Once you were in the armory, Iso went over ballistics and you did some basic target practice

“Y/N, have you given any thought to your callsign?”  Iso finished marking your grade in a tablet

“Not really, I do want something that sounds good and makes sense.”  you placed your rifle down and began a field strip test

“Since you were constantly on the run, how does Nomad work for you?”  He raised the tablet with the name entered in

“Sounds good.”

“I can’t wait to work with you, Nomad.” Iso nodded to you and handed you a magazine

Viper

“Oh Y/N it’s precious that you think you can hide from me, but I like games of cat and mouse.”  Viper purred as you crept around Icebox

The woman had managed to cut off every escape from you, a fact she reveled in

“I assume you’re thinking that if you attack me, you can shut the toxins off and leave.” she was trying to draw you out, so you continued to sneak around

Viper turned and left 

Green fog began to empty from the vents everywhere, catching you off guard.  It was then you realized she had been waiting for the toxins to get in the system

“Is it hard to breathe?  Try not to die before I find you, I don’t want to explain that to Brimstone.”

Coughing loudly, you attempted to crawl away as vertigo set in.  The toxins smelled like acetone mixed with acrid sweetness

Viper’s silhouette appeared as you lost consciousness.  Her figure towered above you as your eyes shut

“You’re awake, good.  I need you to listen to me Y/N, can you do that?”  Viper had unmasked and was now looking you directly in the eye

You nodded your head weakly while taking account of your surroundings.  Toxins had rendered your powers and muscles useless

“What do you want from me?” you hissed

“Join Valorant, we could use your-”

“NOBODY’S using me.” you spat back.  Viper glared at you 

She removed a vial of poison and opened it.  She tilted the glass over your head, letting a drop hang over your eye

“Don’t interrupt me,” Viper narrowed her gaze, “Understood?”

“I’d rather die than be some kind of weapon for a bunch of sociopaths.”

“You aren’t in a position to argue, but we are going to play nice and show you the protocol.”

“Easy to do when I’m your prisoner.”

“Exactly Y/N.”  

Minutes later you were being flown somewhere new, but had no idea what was waiting for you once you regained your motor functions

Viper and Brimstone sat with you, going over confidential files on Omega Earth and their agents.  It was shocking to your face among them as well

“We know they’ll end up using your mirror against us, so we need all the support we can get.”  Brimstone passed a keycard to you

You took it and shook his hand

“I’ll take Y/N to the medical wing and run biometrics so we can plan countermeasures against their double.”  Viper motioned for you to join her

The biometrics were mainly just scans and a blood test, but Viper took time to explain what each piece would be used for

“Y/N, you need a callsign for me to enter your information under.  Any ideas?”

“Not really.  I guess there’s the fact I was always escaping, that could be something.”

“Well you didn’t escape me,” Viper smugly raised an eyebrow.  “But I do like that idea, how about Nomad?”

“I like that, it sounds mysterious.”

“Perfect, now let's get you to your quarters and finish the tour so I can get back to my lab.”

“Can I see the lab?”

“No.”

Neon 

“I thought you were supposed to be fast!  So much for the protocol’s ‘Sprinter.” you taunted as you sped away down a street in your energy form

Neon trailed behind you, each pace pulsing with electricity.  She had almost caught you but a quick energy burst saved you

Now it was a matter of running, which was easy for you to do because you could move through obstacles

That was your thought until you ran out of radiant power in the middle of the street

“Slow huh?” Neon was on you quickly.  You decided to fight, unleashing what little energy you had left in missiles of force

She dodged and closed the distance, using her speed to shift her target faster than you could aim

In the blink of an eye Neon grabbed your arm.  Volts spasmed down your body, paralyzing you

“No more running Y/N.”  Neon dragged you to the side of the road and away from the public.  She hid you under a bridge, seating you on a bench 

“So Valorant sends you to catch me and then what?  Lock me in a cell until you need to destroy something?”  

“No, we want you to learn how to control the power before you hurt anyone.”  Neon trailed off, lost in thought

“Do you really control your power or is it just them letting you loose on anyone they want?”  You needled at her doubt

“So you must have lost control at some point then, did they show up and lock you away?  Just like what you want to do to me?”  Provoking her was the only thing you could do

“It wasn’t like that!  They found me…but after I had lost control,” 

“Don’t lie to me, they can’t help me and they can’t you either!”

“SHUT UP!”  Sparks scorched the ground near Neon’s legs

Neon’s anger turned to regret “They gave me training for it and helped me make the best of it.”

Neon began to smile a bit as an arc of electricity moved up her hand

“I’m sure we’ll do the same for you.”

Once you could move, you and her walked back to a extraction point 

“Do you really think they don’t want to use my power for themselves?  You were sent on this mission right?”

“I volunteered for this, Y/N.  You won’t have to fight unless you want to but we have Radiants that want to help you control your abilities.”

It wasn’t much reassurance without definitive proof, but it was good to hear as you stepped onto the VTOL

“Plus you’ll train with me Y/N.  So I’m hoping you decide to stay with us so we can have a rematch.”

Neon fidgeted in her chair at the conference with Brimstone and Sage.  Reyna stood in the back eying you over and occasionally muttering something in Spanish

“Y/N, your power is going to make the difference in the fight against Omega Earth.  We need you to back us up.”

“I- I want to but I’m not,” 

Neon looked over at you and her nervousness switched something in you

“I can get ready for the field.  I’m on board sir.”  Neon relaxed at your response

“Good Y/N, glad to have you here.  We’ll enter some information for your file, in the meantime Neon can show you to the gym for a physical assessment.”

He passed her a tablet 

Neon led you around the protocol and took you to the training area.  She took the tablet Brimstone gave her and had you start the tests

It wasn’t a great couple of hours, especially because Neon kept her eyes on you struggling the entire time 

Finally the running test came up, and Neon readied a stopwatch

“Y/N, do you want to race?” Neon tossed the stopwatch in the air towards you

“Sure,” you caught the watch and readied it.  “Go!”

She cleared the mile in under 7 minutes without her power before taking the watch

“Beat that Y/N.” 

Your mile was about 9 minutes, which was expected from someone who didn’t run often.  Neon did tone her taunting down during the run which was a welcome change

“So…Y/N what callsign do you want?  I have to put one here so what do you want?”

“I don’t really have anything.  I would pick something about running or escaping-” Neon looked up disapprovingly “-but I guess that’s your thing right.”

“Well you aren’t fast, just hard to keep in the same place.  Like a nomad. Oh that could work!”

Neon put down Nomad in name entry

“We even sort of match too.  I like Nomad, enter it in!”  You nodded to her and got ready for the next step in becoming an agent

Reyna

“Tienes miedo?  I love a good chase Y/N.”  Reyna’s voice barely held her sadistic excitement back 

Carefully, you hid behind cover while Reyna stalked through the courtyard of Sunset.  Loading your pistol, you sprang from the cover and opened fire

A glaring eye filled your vision, and you shot blindly at the space.  The bullets dissipated the eye, but Reyna was gone

“I’ve heard so much about you, your power.  Don’t disappoint me.”  Reyna’s skin turned to shadows and glowed with unnatural energy

“I WON’T!” you bellowed.  Particles of radiant energy spiraled around your body and blasted straight through Reyna

She made no effort to dodge your most powerful blast as it corkscrewed into her.  At first you thought she was going to die

It was much more terrifying than that

Reyna walked calmly through the beam toward you, her intangible state keeping her from damage.  The blast lost power and stopped

“Que fuerte, but not enough.”  Reyna grabbed your throat and slammed you to the ground

“If you struggle, I will continue to have fun with you.”  Her grip tightened to emphasize the point

“I’m not joining your damn organization.  You and Kingdom are all the same, just preying on Radiants.”

“QUE DEMONIOS ME DIJISTE?”  Reyna yelled, she drove her nails into your neck.  “I- We are nothing like them.”

Her outrage was enough to quiet you down

“Kingdom is our enemy Y/N, we can bring them down together.  Join me and we will destroy them.”  Reyna reached a hand out

You took it

Reyna leaned in and whispered in your ear

“Somos unido, contra el mundo.  Do not forget they are terrified of us.”

Reyna sat at your side at the table in the conference room.  Brimstone and Sage went over the situation with Omega

“If Omega uses the mirror version of you, we would have a hell of a fight ahead of us without you to help us out.”  Brimstone gave a worried look to the holographic files

“Don’t worry, I’ll join the protocol if I can make a difference.”

“Come with me Y/N, we will see how useful you can be to us.”  Reyna took your arm and moved you to the training room

A few bots appeared and Reyna took a seat 

“Go on, end them Y/N.”

It took little effort to turn the bots into scrap metal and burnt plastic.  In your elation, you blasted a hole in the window near Reyna

“Que increible Y/N, you certainly have potential.”  She ran her fingers over the scorch marked bots

“The protocol requires a callsign,” she passed you a tablet with an input.  “I would put in my suggestions but I don’t want to speak for you.”

“Wait, what did you have in mind?” you looked over to Reyna while she leaned against the exit

“Pues, I was thinking something that felt unburdened.  Something freeing.  Viajero, no como se dice,” she paused feeling for the English word, “Nomad.”

“It means someone on the run or that moves around.  That does sound like me.” 

“Claro, I think it suits you perfectly Y/N.  Now, let's begin your training and sharpen your strength.”

She sauntered across the room and started up more bots

“Mataremos, Nomad.”  You and Reyna tore into them together

Sage

“Do not make me pursue you further Y/N, I wish no harm on you.”  Sage cried to you

“Then let me leave,” you readied an energy bolt, “I doubt you could even hurt me!”  You shot, directly into her chest

“So be it.” Sage muttered

Jade, tougher than steel, coated her hands and began to work into her skin.  Life energy flowed in and she rose up

Her skin healed as she charged you.  You burnt through your power to launch a vortex of radiant energy

The sphere engulfed her, but when it passed she was completely gone to your surprise.  A hand landed on your shoulder, then a chop connected to your temple

Sage had catapulted herself over the vortex using her wall, and gotten directly behind you

As a monk, she was adept in martial arts.  It didn’t help that the barrage of fists, palms, and kicks was hard as iron

You tried to swing back, but couldn’t move.  Sage coated you in jade, effectively restraining you with every blow

“Do you doubt I could hurt you now Y/N?”  Sage’s tone was retributive but took satisfaction in her position over you

“I don’t care what you try, you can’t force me to work with Valorant.  You chased me down like an animal, just like Kingdom.”  

“We did pursue you Y/N, but we aren’t like Kingdom.  We want to help you, not use you.”

“I’m not interested in what you have to say, I’ll break free eventually.”

“No you won’t, it is unmoving and you are too.  I want you to see what Valorant truly is, not what you think it is.”

“I don’t give a shit what Valorant is, you tracked me and trapped me in this.”  

“We tried to bring you in but you refused because you thought we were Kingdom.  I want to prove we’re better than them.”

“By encasing me in rock and hauling me somewhere against my will?  Just like Kingdom tried before?”

“You’d run away otherwise, and I went easy on you.  I could have broken your legs and healed them later, but I wanted you to see we aren’t cruel.”

It was true, she had held back enough not to render you unconscious or cripple you.  Plus she didn’t sound like she was lying, her tone was honest

“I don’t know if I can fully trust you, but if you want to show me Valorant I don’t really have a choice do I?”

“Not particularly, but I promise you are safe while under my watch.”

She had your petrified body loaded onto a VTOL and flown to the HQ

Once you had been briefed, and Sage released you, she passed you a keycard.  Brimstone finished his report on Omega

“Y/N, please lend us your aid.”  Sage pleaded

“I’m in, don’t worry.  I was wrong about you all, I’m happy to join.”  

“Sage, take Y/N to the clinic and give them a check up.  I’ll finish Y/N’s file and send word to the agents that we have a new member.”

You and her went over to the clinic and she sat you down on the table before taking a few instruments out

“Y/N, please remove your clothes.” she took a tablet and started marking things as you cautiously took your clothing off.  You blushed the entire time

Sage moved quickly, giving you questions while she looked you over.  She finished her check up and had you dress back up

“Y/N, do not worry I have seen the entire protocol naked.  I am just doing my job.”

“I know, it’s just strange because I don’t know you that well.”

“Then I hope we become close,” Sage smiled at you, “I must ask you about what you want to use for a callsign.”

“I didn’t think about that.  Do you have any ideas?”  

Sage responded with a long pause

“I suppose something that suggests your strengths.  You are flexible and spirited.”

“Do you have anything that sounds like either of those?”

“Would you accept Nomad?  It is the word for people that have no single place they call home.”

“Nomad…” you thought about it for a second.

“I love it!”

“Wonderful, now let’s finish your recruitment Nomad.”

Jett

“I’m not gonna work with the woman that destroyed Venice!” you screamed as you launched a volley of energy at Jett 

The backstreets of Split had turned into a storm of bullets and radiant explosions, Jett was lurking in the rafters while you stuck to the ground

She nimbly dashed from cover to avoid the bursts of plasma, then took aim with her Vandal

“Shut up!  You don’t know what you’re talking about!”  Jett’s serious tone cut through the chaos.  Her gun ran dry and she began to reload

“You can’t lie to me!  I’m never joining Valorant!”  A gathering of particles rushed through your hands, charging a pulse of energy that blasted Jett from cover

Her body flew through the air from the force, and you watched with satisfaction.  Then she suspended herself in midair, turning to you

“I’m done with your shit, Y/N.” Jett summoned her knives, and sent them for you

Acting quickly, you used the rest of your energy to blast the knives from their paths.  Each failed to connect as the knives moved on their own, weaving around 

Blades sped past you, then sinking into your clothes and pinning you to the ground.  Jett drifted down and knelt next to you, a smug grin painted on her face

“So,” a blade twirled over her finger, “care to correct what you said about me and Venice?”

���I saw the footage, it was you.  I won’t work for people who shelter a monster.”

“IT WASN’T ME!”  Jett’s control slipped and the knife embedded itself next to your neck

“She took everything from me,” a few tears fell down from Jett’s cheek.  “You of all people should know what being slandered feels like!”

It was true Kingdom had done their best to scare the public after they lost track of you, and wasted no time showing how dangerous you were

“You want me to feel bad for you when you’re hunting me like them?  They took so much from me and you’re no different.” 

“Y/N, you don’t have anywhere to go.  Valorant stood with me against the world, I stay with them because they know I’m not the enemy.”

Silence gave you time to digest how genuine she was being.  You could see how wounded she was and what Valorant meant to her

“I want them to help you Y/N.  We both had our lives ruined but Valorant is our second chance.”

“I’m not against it, but even if I was you’ve already caught me.”

Jett rolled her eyes and helped you up

“Valorant will help you, it’s like a second family to me.  I hope it becomes that for you too.”

The fact Jett’s double had ruined her life was made clear to you once you were in the care of Valorant

Her anger flared whenever the photo would appear in the report Brimstone gave you.  Wind would pick up in the room, moving papers about

You signed on immediately when you realized that you could make a difference and stop the mirrors from unleashing more Spikes

“Jett, I’m sure Y/N is going to need some help navigating the protocol.  Do you mind giving them a tour of the premises?”

“Yeah, let’s go Y/N.  This place is huge so we should start now.”

You and Jett took a walk through the corridors of Valorant.  Jett took you first to the training room and showed you the scoresheet

“As you can see, I have some high marks but no big deal.”  Jett gloated, making sure a nearby Phoenix could hear here

She took you next to the living quarters and introduced you to Killjoy and Raze, both of whom greeted you excitedly

Jett next took you to the cafeteria, mainly to flex the fact she cooked last night

“I bet you’re hungry after everything, we can probably take a minute here and have some of the chap chae I made.”

You and her reheated the noodles and added some onions and carrots to it

“So Y/N,” Jett practically inhaled her food, “what were you thinking for a codename?”

You finished a bit of food, “I don’t really know what I’d go with.”  

“How about Nomad?  I mean it makes sense ‘cause you’re hard to catch.  Plus it sounds cool.”

“It does, we should use that!” you agreed

You and her finished up and cleaned your plates, then finished the tour 

“Y/N, Nomad, tomorrow Phoenix, Neon, and I are gonna get together for movie night.  You should totally join us!”

“I’ll be there!”  

Deadlock

“Don’t try and run Y/N, you can’t escape me.”  Deadlock’s eyes trained on you, watching for any movement

She had you at gunpoint, pointing a Phantom at your chest ready to fire.  Her finger was slightly above the trigger

“Nobody is taking me prisoner!” you shouted before leaping out of the way and phasing into energy

Deadlock fired through you, the bullets disintegrating as they passed through you.  You sprinted through a wall and detransformed

That wasn’t so bad you thought to yourself as you began to make your way across the room you had entered

A beeping noise caught your attention as you exited, you searched for its source.  Then you looked to your left and saw the Sound Sensor

It concussed you and sent you reeling into the main room of the Kingdom outpost.  You spotted the exit on the second floor and dashed up the stairs

“YOU’RE NOT LEAVING MY TERRITORY Y/N!” a yell caught you off guard.  A blue string floated in front of your face for a single second

Then an onslaught of fibres wrapped your arms and legs, restraining you.  You did everything you could to escape but it was too late

The cocoon floated somewhere, but a brief minute later you felt yourself being picked up and carried outside

Bitter cold crept in through the gaps in the nanowire, causing you to shiver.  Then you felt yourself being rested on snow 

A knife cut through the web, a centimeter from your face.  It opened your face up to the chilling weather and Deadlock’s stoic expression

“Are you cold?  You keep moving like you’re shivering.”  Her voice was flat, unbothered by the freezing winds

“I-I’m f-f-fine, I don’t, n-need any he-help.” you did your best not to let her notice your teeth chattering

“You are an awful liar, we’re going back to the station.” Deadlock began a march back and threw you over her shoulder

“Put me down!” 

“You’ll freeze Y/N, I don’t want you to get frostbite.”

“Why?  You opened fire at me why does it matter if I get cold?”

“I know you don’t deserve to suffer out here, and I didn’t shoot to kill.  Valorant sent me to collect you but we won’t mistreat you.”  

“You’re part of Kingdom, I know you are.”

“I’m not, when our extraction arrives we’ll take you to our headquarters and you can see that we have your best interests at heart.”

You went silent, confused at the fact she was taking you back to the outpost instead of directly to her allies.  It wasn’t something a typical mercenary or Kingdom would do

“How long until they arrive?”

“A few minutes from now.”  Deadlock shut the door and laid you against a wall near a heating vent

“Rest Y/N, I don’t want you to freeze.”

Hours later, you were in the tropics at the Valorant HQ

You exited Brimstone’s office with a newfound appreciation for Valorant.  Your Mirror concerned both you and the agents around you

Brimstone had finished signing you up with the protocol, and you agreed to go to the armory to get an idea of what you would be training with 

Deadlock led you through the headquarters, giving you a brief tour of the base before stopping at the weapon room

“Y/N, we are going to go over weaponry while the others finish notifying the protocol about you and readying your quarters.”  Deadlock handed you a Guardian

“Take it and see how it feels.”  She watched you explore the rifle and attempt to take it apart.  Field stripping was not your strength

Deadlock began to help you, as well as go over the rest of the armory’s collection.  You learned how to clean the guns which seemed to be enough for Deadlock

“I’ll have a kit sent to your room, but I have to ask what were you thinking for a code name?”

“Codename?”

“Every agent gets one, so we have to assign you one.”  She referred to her own ID card and took a seat at the firing range 

“Come on, I don’t have the slightest idea of what to put for one.  What would you put?”

Looking upwards in thought, Deadlock paused for a second before meeting your gaze

“They gave me my name because I can stall the enemy.  You specialize in moving and being unpredictable.”

You nodded in agreement

“Perhaps, Nomad?” Deadlock shrugged her shoulders

“You know that sounds good.  Put Nomad as my codename please.”  You felt the name around a bit before settling into the callsign

“Hey Deadlock,”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for the name and for not letting me freeze.”

“It was no trouble at all.” 

(This might be the first of many -X Reader things, so follow me if you're interested. Comment your favorite parts so I know what people like to see!)

[bl00dlight]

A Song of Shadow & Flame

CANON Dark! Aemond Targaryen x OC niece Targaryen. | SERIES

All NSFW warnings apply in future chapters.

Word Count ~ 3.5k+

Index

i ● ii ● iii ● iv ● v ● vi ● vii ● viii ●ix ● x ● xi ● xii ● xiii ● xiv ● xv

vii ~ 'Lord of the Tides'

129 AC

VISENYA - DRAGONSTONE

The sky above was grey, as it always was upon Dragonstone. The air thick and cloying, the inescapable stench of salt, smoke and brimstone filled the lungs of all who dared cross upon its stormy threshold. It was always warm here, clammy - even when it rained.

I oft found solace, riding high over the plains of ashen volcanic rock. The sulphuric steam stinging my skin as I let my dragon take me high upon Dragonmount. There I let myself venture upon its edges, discarding my boots and feeling the jagged stone beneath my feet. I enjoy feeling how it cuts and presses into my skin, sometimes I leave bloodied and limping. Though it feels good, feels righteous to have my blood dried upon its rocks, ritualistic. Just as I claimed Silverwing, I shall claim this island as my own one day.

I watch as Silverwing scurries into the large cavern etched into the side of the mountain. She oft goes there, for that is why Vermithor can be found lazing. It is a strange sight, seeing two beasts which strike such fear into the hearts of men, so affectionate with each other. I too have found comfort in their embrace, often falling asleep aside the two beasts as a child, usually as they coiled. My father, Daemon would be the one to find me, to scoop me in his arms and return me to Dragonstone.

Vermithor had taken a liking to me, he was an aloof beast - distant. Yet it was my bond with Silverwing which softened his gaze upon me, allowing me to sit by them both under the torch light, reading. Silverwing had always been the most gentle of the elder dragons, tentative to my thoughts and whims. I needn't say many commands, for she already knows my desires. Many found it odd I had claimed her over Vermithor, thinking his temperament was more aligned with my own. In some ways, I wish I had. There was something terribly revealing about claiming such a docile dragon. Something vulnerable, as though it revealed my own heart to others without any need for confession.

This was my home, not King's Landing - city of piss and rotting teeth. Dragonstone was a place of magic; I can feel it simmering in the air and ground. Sense it when I place my palm on the rocks. That low humming of the hearth of Valyria, of the Targaryen's. Many find it to be a grim place, akin with Harrenhal - though mystified with blood magic instead of a curse.

But it is that which drives me to it, my heart doesn't fear it's darkness nor its danger. For I know within it, for those truly of the blood of the dragon - its darkness is merely there so that our fire may burn brightly. A cocoon of warmth. It is not like the emptied and sullen corpse of Harrenhal, no, Dragonstone is full - it is alive. So, it came as no shock to my mother that I had forfeited my claim to the throne, opting to rule Dragonstone instead and allow my brother, Jacaerys to be her heir.

The realm deserves a King of a kind and just nature; that is not me. My temper burns too hot, and I have no desire to be pulled as a puppet on a string. I have no taste for politics, nor can bear the burden of pleasing the faith. In that regard, I am much like my father, and he was not meant for the throne either.

Daemon, of course was outraged by this notion and doubled down, claiming my willingness to give up the throne proved I was fair enough to sit upon it. But I know that is not true, for if it were - my mother would have refused me. At first, of course she protested but came to see that my heart lies here, not in court. And I shall continue our line, where our House belongs and I shall raise my brothers Viserys, Aegon iii and any child I might have here - amidst the ash and warmth.

My mother has been generous in her patience of me, and my father overjoyed with the notion that I have not wed yet. They are letting me decide who is worthy, and I still have made no choice. Marriage is to be political yes, but I cannot bare marrying and laying with a man I feel little for. I wish to have what my mother and father have, but there is an unlikely chance it seems.

The most promising match's hail from House Stark and Blackwood. Though neither of which please me greatly. In truth, I had wished to marry as mother did, to a Targaryen, to have an ancestral wedding too. Though it seems the God's did not write such a thing within my fate. So, in turn, I wait. I wait to see just where this path of what has felt like endless girlhood shall end. I am but eight and ten, still no marriage or children to speak - some have suggested that I shall take after my great Aunt Saera Targaryen. In truth such a life sounds rather pleasing; fucking lovers then taking off to Lys, pretending to be a maiden to exploit patrons of pleasure houses. Only difference being I would not have to pretend at first.

As I made my way across the stones, I noted the sky dimming slowly, twas time I return home. Even for a Targaryen, nights on Dragonmount can be treacherous. It was no surprise to me that upon my return, more news of dramatics at King's Landing filled my ears. Luke's legitimacy was being called into question as heir to Driftmark by Vaemond Velaryon, on account of Lord Corlys' sudden illness. Of course, we were to be dragged to the capital for his trial. Despite the matter being settled already, it seemed those sniveling Hightower’s were to reconsider claims that had already been declared by King Viserys, though it was no surprise either to hear how my grandsire had deteriorated in years passing. A part of me longed to visit from time to time, though I knew why mother had to leave. Why it was impossible to stay amongst those dens of vipers.

I sat in Lucerys room, my hand entwined with his as he sat upon his bed. The both of us watching as Jace paced back and forth, ranting and muttering.

"Tis an outrage... how can Grandsire let this stand!" Jace paused and turned to us, his face curdled.

"I... do not know." I say softly, contemplating his words.

Jace's face hardens, he scoffs and turns to where Lucerys and I both sit. His finger pointed directly at me," We should not have spent such time away from King's Landing. Mother ought to have trusted us to face them!"

"She has been rather busy brother, rearing us. Tis not her job to entertain the Hightower’s wicked lies and let us spend our lives defending ourselves against them." I can only shake my head at my younger brother's fierce words. For I know he is brave and true, at times Jace can be too stern for his own good.

Jace purses his lips and turns to look upon the view of the bay. I can tell he has no argument against me, so I smile softly and turn my attention to my other brother, who nestles himself upon my shoulder.

"They aren’t lies though... are they?  Even the Velaryon’s think it so. " The silence is broken as Luke's soft voice fills his chamber. His head rising from my shoulder as Jace turns once more.

“Ser Vaemond does not speak for the Sea Snake, brother…” I said, gently brushing his dark hair from his eye.

“But he speaks the opinion many seem to share.” Luke mutters lowly.

 I turn my head to Jace, and both our gazes interlock as we struggle to confirm what our younger brother already knows. The silence continues, and then, Jace steps forward, his tone proud and measured.

"It matters not what they say. The only relevant truth is the fact we are Targaryen's and that Grandsire, and the Sea Snake supports yours and all our claims." Jace beckons, giving Luke a small smile. We both exchange another look before I watch as Jace turns, making his way towards the window once more.

In the corner of my eye, I can see how Luke’s face curdles with discomfort, I turn my head and give him a gentle nod, “You worry too much. All will be well in time.”

“There is much to worry about. I… I do not feel I am right to rule Driftmark, mayhap they are right to challenge me. I know nothing of commanding a fleet.” His dark eyes lower themselves to the ground, Lucerys frowns softly and I can’t help but pull his chin up so that he might look into my eyes once more.

“What do any of us know of our future duties, brother? What does Jace know about protecting the realm, or I about ruling Dragonstone? That is for us to uncover in time. Fuck the treacherous webs our enemies spin, they have their own wants… desires that tempt them. We need not listen, for once we sit upon our thrones their voices shall be too quiet to even hear.” As I let go of his chin, I found the excitement in my tone again. Lucerys face shifts to chuckle quietly and I do the same, he nods giving me a soft glare before rising to his feet to speak with Jace.

I take a moment to gaze upon my two brothers, to see them now growing into men… when it felt like only a moment ago they were mere boys before me. To see how their temperaments became more distinct by the day, gave me a sense of relief for our futures. They were good and brave, it seemed such were rare traits in times such as these. Their dark hair gleamed bronze in the sunlight for a moment, and I was filled with a warmth, a love that I couldn’t quite explain. Though yes, they were my mother’s sons – at times it felt like they were just as much my baby’s as they were hers. How I had held each one upon their birth and ran my fingers across their fat cheeks when they were babes. How, now as they grew into men it was the hard bone of their jaws my fingers would feel beneath them. Such sentiments made my stomach coil with a grief for our youth, for the innocence I felt was being chipped away at by the day. Yet now, seeing them before me, they still appear as the small boys I once held so close, and I knew it would not be very long until I had to let them go.  

●

The trip to King’s Landing was but a short one on dragonback and the Princess Visenya indeed watched her earthly surroundings go from smoky wonders of Dragonstone to the dust filled haze of the capital. She practically felt her stomach reel from the mere thought of the familiar stench, and after leaving Silverwing in the Dragonpits it came as a surprise to all her family that upon their arrival to the Red Keep, none from their own House were there to greet them. Only Lord Caswell appeared before Princess Rhaenyra, approaching her with an understanding gaze. Of course, Alicent and her peculiar spawn would not show the decency of kin, for they weren’t. Not truly. Perhaps by blood, but it seemed that made matters worse given the context of the Blacks return. Still, Visenya thought, it had been six years since last they saw the rest of their family. Six years since the night on Driftmark which led to an even greater rift… six years since he had lost his-

“Sister!” Jacaerys snapped his finger before her face, snickering at the dazed Princess.

Visenya looked up from her entranced gaze, realising she had been staring at the ground below, she looked around to see the bustling of carriages and servants around her. The Princess shifted to her two half-brothers, Jace and Luke standing before her. The glimmer of Rhaenyra and Daemon’s silver hair disappearing into the darkness as they made their way into the keep.

“Mother and Daemon are to have an audience with Alicent, and it seems none of the Hightower’s have made time in their day to greet us. We are on our own.” Jace scoffed, folding his arms as he cocked his head.

Visenya raised her brow, nodding as she began to walk, “Tis a blessing really. I do not wish to ruin such a beautiful day with the look of their sullen faces.” Her head turned as Jace and Luke followed alongside her.

“They did all seem rather grey didn’t they?” Jace jested, chuckling to himself.

The three young Targaryen’s continued forth, making their way up the stairs from the middle bailey and into the halls of the Keep. Visenya spoke once more.

“I’d imagine all the years of conspiring and prayer has meant for little time in the sun. They likely appear as corpses now.” The Princess hollowed her cheeks as she gave a wink to Luke, winning a small giggle from him.

Once they had reached Maegor’s Holdfast, the siblings had branched off, returning to settle in to their childhood chambers. As Visenya reached hers a wave of bitter nostalgia washed over her, she let her fingers glide upon the stone walls observing how it had been kept so similar yet… different to how she had left it. Naturally, she had taken her belongings with her but the furniture and the deep crimson bedding. Yes, it had been left just as it was. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the freshly lit candles, the small dish of water and soap which sat in a silver tray upon her vanity, a small rag draping over the chair. Visenya smiled, knowing the servants had remembered such preferences of hers. Near her bed, sat the small trunk of the few belongings she’d brought from Dragonstone. Upon the mattress itself, lay the scarlet gown and matching slippers.

She sat upon her bed, taking in the smell of damp and mildew. The air around her was quite cold, though a fire crackled. It was likely her chambers had not been used since her departure, from the smell of it – it seemed to not have been cleaned very often either. She settled in, and soon found herself sitting at her old vanity. Admiring how she had grown, how the last time she gazed into this mirror she was but a girl.

The princess had indeed grown vigorously as the years passed. Much like her parents it seemed she had inherited both the mind and body of a dragonrider. Imposing, her body had become – not only to others but to herself. Her form Junoesque, unyielding in its femininity as her hips and breasts were among the first thing to develop suddenly. It seemed almost overnight she had no longer fit into the clothing she once freely adorned, her body changing, aching even. The first time she had gotten her moonblood felt like a life sentence for Visenya, as no more did she feel the same kind of unawareness of her body. The princess had felt like she was now very much a prisoner to her newly found womanhood, she seldom understood why such changes were needed. Why every moon her belly would swell, growing heavy and coil with pain, how she would have to crawl to her mother’s quarters and lay by her side simply to reassure such things were normal. Though, as the years had gone by, she adjusted to such feeling, relished that the pain she felt at times was proof of her fortitude. That no man could endure such sufferance so frequently.

Visenya marveled at her sun-kissed skin, the way her silver hair gleamed now that it had grown even longer than her mothers. She kept it loose, unbound; for she relished in letting her body grow as it pleased, there was no use in taming herself; her hair included. Indeed, did the Princess enjoy herself – for no matter how beautiful a man thought her to be, it was herself which she wished to appease the most. The Princess was strict regarding her standards, unwavering that she would be dressed in the finest gowns, and smell of the richest scents the realm had to offer. Whether it was silk from Dorne or perfumed oil from Lys – she simply refused to lead a life without such beauty within it. Some may think it shallow or indulgent, but Visenya knew it was merely her lust for life which drove her towards such luxuries. She wished to experience everything, wished for a life of sensuality and passion. There was no grey cloud in her sky that was without a silver lining, for she would not accept much less than satisfaction. After all, there was so much suffering in the realm, so much ugliness and brutality. She owed it to every poor soul who died so terribly, to live life as it ought to be lived. Indulging and embracing pleasure and beauty in every way, for so few had the opportunity to.

Such mentality, did however, lead her at times to indulge in the filtrations of men and despite Visenya’s bravado, she was gentle at heart - oft stringing men along rather than shatter their dreams of winning her favor. Such is exactly what her father had told her worried him before their arrival to King’s Landing. He spoke of how difficult it was stopping his inclinations to assault the few men he might find leering at her at Dragonstone. King’s Landing, however, was a different beast and Prince Daemon had no doubt he would be combatting an endless sea of men who might have more lecherous ideas. He had spoken sternly about keeping to herself, not drawing attention to herself beyond what would already be given. That if any man were to approach her, she would deny him.

The Princess of course, found her father’s worry amusing, the few times she had entertained men had only ever ended up with innocent mischief being made, and at times drunken affections… which were oft less innocent in nature.  But she was no fool as to lose her virtue before marriage, for she knew how such a thing impacted her mother and she had promised herself that her virtue was a pleasure in itself. That there is beauty in saving herself for the truest, purest of loves, as there is beauty in indulging in fleshly pleasure. Visenya was positive no man would attempt to accost her in such a manner, for if they did they would face the wrath of her mother and of course the looming threat of her rumoured father, Prince Daemon.

As she prepared herself to leave, she peeled the thick, black riding leathers from her frame, cringing at the particular scent of sweat and dragon that ruminated from them.  Visenya then doused the rag in the bowl of water, using the soap to scrub at any and all places which eluded to such a scent. Soon, she had changed her undergarments, and drew the scarlet shaded gown over her frame; it’s sleeves long and elaborate, intwining string which laced across her structured shoulders. Visenya then pulled a small vile of perfumed oil, from her trunk, dabbing it upon her skin and threading it through her hair. The contents of which filled the room with the smell of heady jasmine and musk, a recent gift from a nobleman in Lys.

As she left her chamber, she was accosted by Jace and Luke. Who swiftly grabbed her wrist pulling her along the corridors as they babbled about going back to the middle bailey to re visit where they trained as children.

 Once they reached those fateful steps, they let go and waved for her to join them in a busy yard below..

“Come. You can watch.” Jace beckoned, Luke stopping upon the steps to look up towards her.

Visenya shook her head, leaning against stone banister upon the mezzanine which overlooked the commotion below. The Princess cocked her head to the side, “I’ve just changed… I have little intention of getting myself filthy once more.”

“Of course…” Jacaerys shook his head, rolling his eyes as he let out an amused scoff, “Suit yourself then.”

With that, the two boys trotted down the steps, and Visenya looked upon the bustling yard below.  She watched with a hearty smile as her brothers made their way towards the wooden weaponry stand, Jace playfully swinging one of the swords at Lucerys. However, she noted the few people who glared at her brothers and the whispering that occurred in their presence. A slight anger rose in her belly, do these fat old Lord’s and Lady’s have little else to do but gossip?

She waited until a pair had noticed Visenya’s scowling from above, and smiled smugly when swiftly they turned their heads and went about their business. A small gathering had distracted the Princess, as it seemed there to be an on going sparring session in the far corner of the yard. The whipping of long silver hair catching her attention, and she noticed how her brothers had soon caught wind of the action, joining the crowd below.

The silver haired figure was lithe with lean thew and a tall frame all tightly contained in black leathers. He swiftly jostled the sword in his hand with a fine precision, but her eyes caught a familiar sight, that it was Ser Criston whom the figure dueled against. A cunt, though he may be, but a talented fighter indeed.

Criston swung his Morningstar, shattering the figure’s shield. He’s done for. Visenya thought. However, she raised her brow in intrigue as the figure discarded his shield with fierce aggression and then began striking. Perhaps not. She thought again, impressed by his fortitude. One after the other, a flash of steel and light locks before he ducked and turned – it was then when she felt her heart practically fall into her chest. The figures face sharp and aquiline, his skin pale… too pale. That familiar grey.

It was the black eye patch which was tightly fastened over his right eye which gave it away.

Aemond.

He continued on, fighting harshly and fiercely against Cole before finally, winning the duel. Visenya looked at her brothers below, hearing Aemond’s voice mutter something to them both as he had finally acknowledged the two young Princes’. Though something had told her, Aemond was well aware of their presence. Jace looked up at Visenya pleadingly, and it came as no surprise then when she looked back, she noticed Aemond’s gaze follow her brothers upwards.

For what could have only had been a second, they clocked each other. The Princess felt her eyes widen, shock, fear, anger, intrguie, digust; any and all emotion flooding through her in those fateful seconds. He noticed her, he took her in. He knew it was her. She tussled her hair back and looked away, pretending as though she hadn't recognized him.

Aemond narrowed his eye upon the Princess, scanning her briefly. He had only gazed upon her for a second, he tilted his head as if he was contemplating something before his attention was drawn to the incoming drawing of the heavy gates.

Visenya steadied her breath and watched as the gates opened with a heavy moan. If only to make matters worse, the arriving party was another headache in itself... Vaemond Velaryon.

○viii○

[blackblooms]

So, didnt have a lot of progress to talk about on my new game since i had taken about 2-3 weeks to work on other things, but heres some of the work i`ve been putting into the world map and struckture.

So here we have what i call "zone maps" which consist of rough drawings of what areas are planned and how they are placed and connected. Since the game is themed around fire and wilderness, most areas are fiery twists on common fantasy environments and explore the many forms that heat and fire can take.

Some notable areas are:

Great caldera/Caldera outskirts: (dark red) Since flamebearers are highly resistant to heat and fire, it was an interesting subversion for the first area of the game to be a volcano. Boiling ridge/Boiling caverns: (cyan) The water area of the game, featuring harsh cliffside battered by a raging sea and plenty of geysers and thermal vents.

Pyrewoods: (bright red) A perpetually burning forest. The trees have adapted a thick insulating bark to protect themselves from the flame. Ashen highlands: (pale grey) An expansive plateau, located above the smoke of the forest. Deposits of ashes from the forest and caldera, fertilize the ground, making it a suitable place to build fields and villages. Sundered plains: (bright orange) A deadly desert, with plenty of glass structures formed from the scorching heat battering the sand.

City of cynders/Charred city (brown) The capital of an ancient civilization, burnt to the ground in times long past. Now only rubbles of sandstone and glass remains, and many myths of how exactly this city may have fell...

Frostburn pass: A gnarly canyon where frost and flame meet. Located between the great caldera and the ashen highlands. Brimstone bogs (dark green) ADark, smouldering swamps, where monstrous creatures lurk. A place long abandoned by the flamebearers and left to rot. Fuming crags (purple) Toxic fumes emanate from ancient fissures in the ground, rendering this region extremely dangerous to korugues and flamebearers alike. In the distance, an old castle lurk, long abandoned by those who used to call it home.

The melting pot: A loathsome pit of molten sludge, the heart of a twisted curse that cannot be destroyed or contained...

- Since were giving some building here, lets also describes some faraway lands that exist i nthe lore, but wont be seen in the game. South west: Nameless islands The great sea house many archipelago, conquered by the descendent of the flamebearer of the sea. South east: The frozen continent A distant landmass, overtaken by the ruthless cold. Ruled by the descendent of the frostbearer who could channel its power into cold instead of flames. North west: The endless peaks Towering mountains, reaching higher than the eye can see. Conquered long ago by the flamebearer of the sky and her children. North: Desolated expanse The sundered plains make way for a great wasteland. Long ago, the flamebearer of earth crossed through the desert and was rumored to have found habitable land on the other side, but very few dared cross the waste to verify those claims. East: The dark lands Lush forests cover the landscape, but those lands have long been forbidden. It is said that none of those who ventured to the east, not even the eldest and strongest son of the original flamebearer, was ever heard from again. My goal with these was that i wanted to imply a much bigger world beyond what is seen in the game (compared to irredeamable, almost claustrophobic worldbuilding) This next game will have plenty of distant lands and families to speculate on. I probably just wont do much with them myself. Anyway, all that stuff is subject to change as i work on it. The maps i provided are already pretty inaccurate, but that just means there will be much to discover when the actual game comes out.

[lalalian]

aenaroth - aethergarde academy dr map

date: september 8, 2024

1) map view

2) labelled map

3) closer look at continents

4) continents

Purple: Kaerinthos (‘Care’-‘in’-th-‘oh’s)

Red: Onin (Oh-nin)

Orange (sky islands): Leumisan (Lee-oo-mee-san)

Light Pink: Brimstone

Green: Yeteros (Yet-‘air’-‘oh’s)

5) territory map, followed by the key

continents transparent

the filled aethergarde academy script has been updated with the map and some info about each kingdom and empire!

besides for the mermaid ones!

Pronunciation guide for the names are in the script as well!

wanna know more about my aethergarde academy dr? here's a masterlist with everything I've posted about it!

[rosexhart]

Waiting For Sunset

————————————————————

Gekko x Reader

Accidentally running into the agents of Omega Earth, you are taken hostage. Hostages aren’t common for them, but you seem to be the exception. So much for your first time in L.A.

Word Count: 4.5k

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

————————————————————

The landing was rough and bumpy. When we did plan everyone started to get off the ship except Sage and the purple smoke person.

“Omen, you will inform Brimstone of what happened?” Sage asked and the person glanced back before nodding.

“Yes,” The light coming from beneath their hood flicking brighter for just a moment.

“Thank you,” She said before coming over to me, “You have been very brave thus far.” She said softly as she unlocked the buckles.

“Follow me, you wouldn’t want to get lost here.” She said, and I swallowed my pride. If I wanted out, I was going to need to play along.

“Welcome to Valorant.” She mentioned as we stepped off the ship. It was a rather large facility, floating far above the earth. I assumed it was from one of the explosions that happened some time ago, perfectly suspended and untouched by time.

“We are keeping those from Omega Earth from killing more people with their explosions. The damage already done by kingdom however, is always a constant reminder.” Sage said as she entered a building and held the door for me. There was a large, portal like arch. She stepped through it and my breath caught. She was gone? I hesitated, sticking my hand through as if to test it but I could feel nothing. I pulled my hand back through and held my breath. I walked through much like she did and we were in some type of military styled base.

“There are several agents here. We currently have 23, however, we are expecting another agent within the next few days.” She stated as we walked past hallway after hallway.

“Wait hold on-“ I started but she stopped and turned sharply on her heel.

“You are here, you are not allowed to leave until we make sure you will not be used again or against us.” Sage stated sharply and my jaw was slack. “It is not your decision to make. You have become apart of our cause whether or not you wanted to.”

“What about my family,” I started, “or the people who care for me.” I mentioned to her and she turned to keep walking.

“We are working on that currently.” She stated as she kept forwards. The place opened up into a larger living space. A large talking pit built into the floor with a large tv, a fairly large kitchen with an island, a balcony that over looked the kitchen and living space with a large dining table and chairs.

“Brimstone will want to speak with you about today. He will have many questions about what happened and how you came in.” Sage stated as she kept walking, I jogged a bit to catch back up.

“Is he like the head of this whole thing?” I asked her and she nodded.

“Something along those lines.” She stated as we walked through another doorway. There were only a few doors, and she entered the last one. It opened up to a warm and welcoming office. There were file boxes stacked to one wall, a large monitor system, showing some areas that reminded me of paint ball ranges. Then a large desk, covered in paper work. Behind it all sat a man. He was gruff looking, his beard well trimmed and styled showing his grey hair.

“Sage I told you to knock.” His eyes did not glance up as he wrote feverishly.

“It is an emergency,” She said and he glanced up, he glanced back down but then immediately straightened when he saw me.

“Who the hell is this?” The man asked.

“She was used as a human shield by Omega Omen.” Sage said, and she stepped forwards. The man stood up and came around his desk.

“How do we know she’s not from Omega Earth?” The man asked looking at her.

“I had Cypher run a check on her.” Sage said and my eye brows furred.

“Shit, how much did she see?” The man asked her.

“Too much Brim. He nearly planted the spike next to her.” Sage said and he huffed pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Great,” he turned back towards me and sighed. “We are going to set up accommodations for you. For now, welcome to the Valorant Protocol.” Brim said and I went to speak but was silenced.

“Sage, Brim, I have the results back.” A voice came through by the monitors.

“Thank you Cypher, we will be down shortly.” Sage answered.

“For now, Sage walk her back to the living room. Give her our welcome files to go over. She’s see too much she needs to know how we handle things.” Brim said straightening again, his heavy boots coming closer to me before passing me and opening the door.

“Understood,” Sage mentioned before also coming over with a tablet in her hands.

Four hours later, I set the tablet aside and rubbed at my eyes.

“It is a lot of information.” The voice made me jump as I looked up to see a man, wearing a white coat, a white hat, and some type of mask.

“Who are you?” I asked looking at him.

“You may call me Cypher,” He said tipping his hat towards me.

“Cypher, can you tell me how long I’m going to have to stay here?” I asked standing up from my place in the talking pit.

“Probably awhile. Omega Earth has a file on your presence and that can cause more issues and the solutions if you are caught again.” He said, flipping what looked like a coin between his fingers.

“Great,” I said sighing and rubbing at my eyes.

“Perhaps I can ease your mind.” He said standing up.

“How so?” I asked and he waved me to follow. I was getting tired of no one just saying what we were doing.

We entered what seemed like an office, covered in monitors, wires, gadgets, and tools. In the center was a table with a chess board. Set up as if two people stopped mid game. Black was in trouble.

“Here,” he pulled up a screen with my whole life practically written out. “As far as all data of you across our world and theirs, it doesn’t show you ever possessing abilities like the rest of us. So sooner or later they will forget about you, and you will be able to continue with your mundane life.” He stated

“Mundane?” I stated with a scoff

“I’m sorry, what else would you call your life? It is… without many lies and secrets.” He stated flipping the coin.

“Yo, Cypher! We need to talk about-“ the same neon haired male from before entered.

“Gekko, good timing.” Cypher said brushing things aside and picking up a spatter painted case. “I fixed your ear pieces. Try hard to not let your… dizzy. Get them all gunked up again.” He scolded handing them to Gekko.

“Thanks… so uh.. guess you really are staying huh?” He asked me and I sighed.

“Guess so,” I stated and he hesitated, scratching at the back of his neck.

“Cool, cool,” He looked back to Cypher clearing his throat, “thanks again,” He muttered before leaving the room, I felt a small tug at my pants and looked down. The same little yellow creature was pulling on my leg. Garbling out some noises.

“Aye , Wingman, they won’t go for that dude. Come on,” Gekko scooped up the little creature, setting him on his shoulder.

“Great,” Cypher said after he left. “I will provide you with your own ear pieces soon as a precaution. We all wear them typically in the field but it can be convenient here too, with how large our facility is.” Cypher said, tinkering on something.

“So I’m just stuck here?” I stated and he turned back.

“Stuck isn’t the term I would use. You are safer here than anywhere in the world.” He said turning back and I huffed, walking out of the space. He wasn’t wrong though, this place was a maze.

Wondering around, there were names on a lot of the doors. Phoenix , Neon, Gekko, Jett, Iso, Yoru, and so on. Then other rooms were labeled. Server room, locker room, baths, and it felt like it never ended.

“Learning the lay out?” I whipped around to see the blue haired girl.

“Trying… it’s really large.” I stated and she laughed a bit.

“Yeah, I guess if you aren’t running through it all the time it is.” She said glancing around. “Ever shot a gun before?” She asked suddenly, catching me off guard.

“No… well-“ I was cut off.

“There you are.” Sage said behind her, we both looked to her. “I was going to show you to your room, (Y/N).” She stated and the girl looked to me.

“She’s all yours, Sage.” She said throwing up her hands and walking off.

“Neon, she is one of the agents. She is a good person.” Sage said waving me forwards.

“Most of us here do not go by our birth names. We are under different aliases.” She said as we walked. “It is mostly for safety.” She turned down a hall way and stopped in front of an empty door.

“We are working on a name plate, but for now, these will be your quarters.” She said opening the door. Inside was plain grey, a bed, a desk, and a monitor with a large V displayed on it.

“I’m sure the others at some point will take you to get some decorations for you. For now, they are getting your things from the hotel you were in as we speak.” She said and turned towards me, interlocking her fingers in front of her.

“Sage,” I started running a hand through my hair, “look this has all been… incredibly in formative and… disturbing. But, you truly can’t expect me to stay here.” I mentioned.

“I mean…before sunset I was sitting outside of a boba shop happily planning out which college I wanted to pick and now… now I’m sitting here. In a super high level security base that acts more as a prison for me, with nothing familiar to me.” I stated, frustrated. She looked to the floor and I could see her swallow before she looked back up to me.

“I understand you do not wish to stay here. But you know more than the average person, and in the hands of the Omega Earth agents you would be good as dead for knowing what you know. It is in your best interest to remain here for the time. I will leave you alone to settle. I will send a few to check in on you later.” She mentioned going to the door and opening it.

“I hope you can come to like this arrangement at least for a little while.” She said before leaving me in silence.

Sometime later there was a knock at my door. It had a short rhythm to it. I got up from the grey bed and opened the door to see Gekko.

“Sup,” he said, he no longer had the little yellow creature on his shoulder like I’d seen earlier.

“Hi,” I said awkwardly leaning against the door.

“Sage sent me. She wanted me to help you get more comfortable with the place.” He said shrugging a bit. A garble came from his feet and I looked down. There was the little yellow guy.

“Oh right, this is Wingman,” he said picking up the little guy and setting him on his shoulder.

“Hi Wingman,” I said smiling and giving a little wave.

“I have a couple of other little critters running around, but don’t mind them. They are all super nice when they get to know you.” He said scratching wingman’s head. “Anyways, follow me. Everyone has heard about you and I promised I’d pull you out of your room to introduce you.” He said turning to walk. I stepped out and joined him.

“Are you always this persuasive?” I asked him and he shrugged.

“Depends on who you ask.” He stated, and we walked in a comforting silence. With Gekko, I didn’t feel like I needed to talk to be comfortable around him.

We walked into a small sitting room with monitors pulled up like in Brim’s office. The pictures were a lot clearer here. There were people in the area now, the blue haired girl, a guy I hadn’t seen yet with a fade into dreads and a short white jacket, then Yoru and a red haired girl I recognize from when I was first taken hostage.

“The blue haired girl there is Neon. Then Phoenix is the one wearing the white jacket. You met Yoru on the heli, and then Skye is the chica with red hair.” He pointed each of them out.

“I read some about them in their files.” I said crossing my arms, “So everyone here has like abilities and stuff?” I asked and nodded.

“Most of us yeah, I don’t know if Cypher actually does or if he’s just always been that smart.” Gekko said scratching at the back of his neck. He rested his arm back down, keeping his hand on his neck. “Looks like they are finishing up. Come on,” he pulled at my wrist and we walked into a room off the viewing room. It resembled a locker room but instead of clothes or shoes it had guns of all kinds.

“Woah,” I muttered glancing at the different weapons, their colors, and sizes.

“Cool right?” He said pulling a brightly colored gun off the wall. “This one is mine, I call it the Daydreams Phantom!” He said showing off its paint job.

“It’s really pretty,” I muttered, running my hand over the cool surface.

“Thanks, designed it myself.” He said hooking it back in its place.

“All of us have our own designs. Sometimes if we are lucky we can get the omega earth guns, which have these weird almost ethereal effects.” He said picking up another that look like it moving with smoke. “Like this one, Yoru calls it the Imperium.” He handed it to me, the smoke running across the metal like it had its own atmosphere.

“That’s insane,” I muttered and he laughed.

“I know, that’s what I said.” Gekko said placing it back on the hook.

“Oy! Gekko!” The sound of electricity crackled in the air and the lights flickered as Neon slid into the room.

“Did you see that score board,” she asked as she stood up. Shaking off some of the bolts. They would shoot off her skin and hit the lockers.

“Yeah, way to flame them!” Gekko said dabbing her up. Phoenix came in next straightening up the collar of his jacket.

“Never saw it comin’.” He said with a smirk, “And who’s our guest of honor.”

“Right, this is (Y/N).” He said giving a dramatic wave. Phoenix came over doing a small circle as if circling prey.

“They don’t look radiant,” he mentioned and Neon rolled her eyes.

“Nice observation genius. She’s not,” Neon said hanging up a pistol in what I assumed was her case.

“Woah, and they just let them in?” He said looking at her and Gekko.

“She got caught up by the Omega Earth versions when we were on our last mission.”

“I swear every mission you go on, you just cause more chaos.” Pheonix said, also dropping off a weapon.

“¡Ey! Whatchu mean by that!” Gekko asked as Yoru walked in.

“He’s not wrong,” Yoru said, slicking back his hair with a comb.

“Oy, I’ve gone on plenty of missions where nothing happened, just because I’ve had two go crazy ain’t my fault.” Gekko said tossing his hands about.

“Naw, what matters is that you’re the outlier.” The red haired girl said as she came in.

“Y’all always got a problem with me and the little guys.” He said crossing his arms.

“Don’t take it personal. We are always going to pick on you for somethin’ mate.” Phoenix said patting his shoulder before coming up to me.

“Welcome to the team.” He said before walking away.

“I’m not apart of this,” I argued and Neon slung a bag over her shoulder.

“Sure you’re not,” she said shaking her head and walking out.

“Don’t worry, everyone here’s like a family. You’ll get used to it in no time.” Skye said to me as she also left, leaving Gekko, Yoru, and myself.

“Honestly, the fact that Brimstone allowed you to stay is a joke. It won’t last.” Yoru said, “As soon as they can they will make sure you’re done.” He walked out as well.

“Well I think that went perfectly.” Gekko said with a smile. I looked back at him like he had grown a second head.

“That was perfect?” I asked and he smiled with a quiet giggle.

Sometime later I found myself alone again in my room. It was late, and most of the others had turned in for sleep some time ago. I found myself wide awake though. Clutching the things that were in my hotel room. There was an ever present drone in the whole facility that seemed like a siren now that all else was quiet. I threw my pillow up over my head and sighed. I did not do well in strange places and this was no exception. I got up, and stepped out into the hall. It was quiet, and most of the lights were on some sort of dimmed setting. I paced through the halls and sighed as my body continuously fought me trying to stay more and more awake. Garble garble. I looked down to see Wingman. He looked up at me from the door of Gekko’s room and I shook my head.

“What are you doing up little dude?” I asked as he closed the door behind him, leaving only a crack. He tilted his head at me. Garble.

“I can’t understand you, but you should go back to bed. I’m ok, just… everything is new and scary for me.” He put his hand up towards his face as if contemplating. Then he walked forwards and hugged my leg gently. I reached down and mimicked Gekko’s way of petting the creature. What I thought was hard armor like skin was more squishable like a baby turtle shell.

“Thanks little dude.” I said gently before he walked back into the room. I sighed, grateful for the little bit of comfort he provided before I continued walking. Moving down the all so similar corridors.

Eventually I had slept. Horribly, but I slept. My mind ever foggy as I got dressed and made my way out into the halls. I could hear conversation as soon as I exited my room. This place had impeccable sound proofing. I walked down the halls and made my way back into the living space where Neon, Yoru, and Phoenix were all talking. They all glanced at me as I came in.

“There’s our new Star,” Pheonix said as he shifted his feet. “Do you eat?” He asked me as he sipped on a drink.

“Yeah,” I muttered, unsure of what exactly they had cooked. Neon smiled and started working on something.

“I’m not nearly as good of a cook as some of the others here but I try.” She dished it out onto a plate and set it down on the island. I walked closer, of course it just had to be my favorite breakfast food.

“Um, thank you. I’ll have to make you food sometime.” I said gently smiling at her and she shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it. Most of the time the world class chefs won’t even let us cook.” Neon said shaking her head, a few bolts of electricity getting knocked around her hair, almost like static on a sweater in the winter.

“World class. Yeah right, if they are world class then I can’t aim.” Yoru said gingerly eating at his own food.

“Did someone call for a chef?” I heard a voice from the hall and turned to see Jett.

“Speak of the Devil and she shall appear.” Pheonix said crossing his arms.

“In a haze of smoke too if you let me.” She said approaching the kitchen.

“How did you sleep?” She asked me as she got up on her tip toes to reach in a cabinet for a mug.

“Uh. Not that great… I was up for awhile.”

“I get that. New places can be tough. I think it took me like three weeks to get used to it.” Jett said smiling back at me as she started to make herself a drink.

“I have always slept soundly,” Yoru stated

“Really I didn’t think vampires slept.” Pheonix said and Yoru glared at him.

“Yo what’s with all the racket? Way too early to be makin so much noise.” Gekko said as he came out.

“Morning to you too Gekko.” Neon said running a hand over her hair, “alright, I’m out of here. I need to run off some of this built up energy.” She stretched out her arm as she walked towards the hall.

Gekko sat down next to me, and Wingman hopped down from his shoulder and looked up at me. Garble.

“What are you talkin about dude?” Gekko asked rubbing his eyes as Jett leaned on the island counter. Garble garble.

“You were up late?” Gekko asked looking at me and I nodded. “I’m sorry, it does take time to adjust. Me and the little guys didn’t sleep super well for a while. You get used to it.” Gekko said setting his head on his hand.

“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” I said smiling, and Wingman laid up against Gekko’s arm.

“Well, training time rookies. I’m goin’ for that high score.” Pheonix said pressing the wrinkles from his shirt.

“Good luck with that,” Yoru said standing to rinse his mug and place it in the dishwasher.

“I’m nearly there. I can feel it.” Pheonix said snapping his fingers and letting a few sparks of flame come off them.

“I’ll join you guys but let me finish my coffee first.” Jett said as Yoru and Pheonix headed out. Gekko stood and went to grab himself some food.

“Feel free to explore a little, (Y/N). There’s a lot to do here. Took me forever to learn until Cypher told me.” Jett said finishing off her drink and doing the same as Yoru. She left and I was alone with Gekko.

“Alright guys,” he said, opening the small bag on his body. A small green ball creature came out, a floating blue creature, and a pink creature that reminded me a lot of a shark.

“(Y/N), this is Mosh, Dizzy, and Thrash.” He said pointing to them in order. “They are part of my crew.” He said as he threw them all something and then wingman a small bit to. Wingman plopped down and began to eat it? I couldn’t really tell.

“Nice to meet them all.” I mentioned as Dizzy floated over near me.

“They are all really chill. You’ll have to forgive Dizzy. She can’t help when she sneezes and gets goo everywhere.” He said shaking his head, “Can’t tell you how many lectures I’ve gotten from Cypher about it.” He said as he took a bite of food.

“Your file mentioned you’ve had them since you joined Valorant.” I stated and he nodded.

“Awhile before that too.” He mentioned but I didn’t want to push and figure out exactly how long.

“They are really cool. You take them on missions too right?” I asked poking at Dizzy’s small paw like appendage.

“Yeah, everywhere I am, they go. Most of the time anyways.” He said as he was eating.

“Means you’ve always got company which I’m sure is nice.” I mentioned and he nodded.

“I’d probably be pretty lonely without them. I’m too used to having them at this point.” He mentioned

“Good morning,” Sage said entering the room from where Brim’s office was.

“Mornin’ Sage.” Gekko said with a mouthful of food.

“Good morning,” I said as I walked over to the sink to wash the dish.

“This morning, Brim would like to talk with you, (Y/N).” Sage said as she prepared a coffee for herself.

“Probably just going over what he would like you to do while you’re here.” Gekko mentioned, “Don’t worry about it.” He finished waving it off. I nodded and placed the dish in the dishwasher, before walking towards Brim’s office. My heart racing in my ears. I knocked on the door.

“Come in,” he said from inside and I opened the door. Brim, much like yesterday, sat at his desk, his head in his hand as he looked over a sheet of paper. He looked up and sat up a little straighter.

“Good morning, you wanted to see me?” I asked as I closed the door behind me.

“Yes, we are going to have you trained, but after that I’d like to have you working with Cypher on recon for us.” He said standing up and I nodded. “Do you always just willingly agree?” He asked skeptically.

“No, but I’ve been told repeatedly I don’t have a choice in the matter so.” I shrugged and he nodded once.

“Right. I’ll have someone meet you down at the range. Go ahead to the armory and they will meet you there.” He said waving me off and I nodded. Walking back out of the office.

Sitting in the viewing room I watched on the screen as Pheonix and Yoru went head to head. They both had some type of flash mechanism, but other than that, their abilities were a stark contrast.

“They are pretty entertaining to watch once you really see them going.” Gekko said plopping down in a chair beside me.

“Yeah, they both do really well.”

“Two of the strongest.” Gekko said smiling, “Brim wanted me to take you out there once they were done.” His eyes glanced at me and I looked at him with a puzzled gaze.

“Not like- ok not like in a date way or nothin’ he just wants me to work on your training.” He said pulling his shirt off his chest and then smoothing it back out. I only laughed as he became flustered.

“I understood what you meant before Gekko.” I mentioned, laughing as my attention went back to the screen.

Once they were done, Gekko led me into the armory which ended up being what I thought was a locker room yesterday. He walked me over to a locket with an all black set of weapons.

“Ok, probably start you with a pistol or two, and then we will move onto the ones with more kick.” He said pulling a simple looking thing off the wall.

“Have you ever shot before?” He asked before we went into the basics. Hours later he was using Dizzy to blind max bots for me as I shot at each of them.

“Gekko, (Y/N), wrap it up.” Brim’s voice boomed out and I came out of my stance.

“Alright. Let’s get everything back where it was. You did good today for a rookie.” Gekko jested nudging my arm with his elbow.

“Thanks, I have a good teacher.” I mentioned and he smiled before we started back inside the main facility…. Unknowingly being watched by prying eyes.

[brinefathomcaves]

Brinefathom Caves Level 4, Week 9

Tombstone Island (7, 0) The Brimstone Caverns under it

The Dead Volcano (12, 7)

The Lonely Marshes (14, 2)

Isle of the Stones (16, 13)

The Ruined Temple (19, 16)

[shegxox]

special christmas episode | valorant protocol

how you experienced christmas within the valorant headquarters

notes: hc style with images right after, not proofread bc it's hella rushed– will edit soon

a.n: literally started writing this five hours before christmas. I suddenly realized I haven't whipped a christmas special yet 💀 hope you guys enjoy and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

previous : next

THE START OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Brimstone is actually a big fan of holidays

loves celebrating it, loves seeing everyone at the table

Christmas is one of his favourites

Plans to throw a party before sending everyone for their short vacation

the 'white christmas' theme is obviously out of the picture

headquarters is literally within a tropical island. . .with a volcano.

despite that, even without snow– christmas is christmas

first task of the christmas celebrations: decorating.

majority of the agents love this part

but there's one thing they hate about it

getting the artificial tree from the stockroom

cue jett, phoenix, and yoru fighting about it

"why don't you get it, I thought you're the strongest one around here." Jett spats out

"I am." Yoru frowned. "But my strength is not worth. . .this. Are you insulting me??"

But then. . .Brimstone remembered what your radiant abilities were

"Gaia."

Brimstone eyed you intensely as he sat with his elbows on his desk, fingers intertwined and pressing them against his upper lip.

"Ye-Yes, Captain?" You sweatdropped, trying to avert from your leader's firm gaze.

'What's with this weird atmosphere. . .'

"Can you do it?"

Your eyebrows shot upwards, mouth parting slightly.

". . .Do what, exactly–" is he asking what you think he's asking? "–Captain. . .?"

"A pine tree."

"Huh?"

"Can you do it?"

What.

Did you just hear him right?

You let out a nervous chuckle, "Wait– Hold on a sec, Captain." You thought he was gonna ask you to hide a body or something, "Let me get this straight—"

Brimstone didn't react much, he continued to just stare at you.

"You're asking me. . . If I can make a pine tree?" You questioned. "Is that right?"

Finally, your captain moved from his position.

"That is correct." He nodded, putting down his forearms on his desk. "So, can you do it?"

"Of course I can," You grinned awkwardly, still a little confused about where this is going. "But. . .why?"

Turns out it was already the month of December, you couldn't believe how time flies so fast, you swore you were just celebrating Halloween a couple of weeks ago.

Anyway, Brimstone requested you to make a pine tree in the common room where the Christmas party will be held soon, and honestly? You were kind of excited.

You love celebrations as much as Brimstone does, but mostly because there will be lots of good food laid out once again.

"Is it true?!" Jett bursted through the common room with excitement filling her smile, "Gaia's making a pine tree?!"

Sage, Raze, and Killjoy were already in the room with you, waiting for you to work your magic.

Reyna sat quietly by the bar, sipping her purple drink peacefully with a pinch of interest towards the situation while Chamber– who's wiping a glass behind the bar looked at you with a hint of glee in his eyes.

Omen casually sat on the couch knitting away, only glancing towards the scene in front of him every now and then.

"I was just about to." You chuckled hands already raised in the direction where you plan to create the tree.

"Perfect timing," Killjoy chirped before motioning her hand to Jett. "Come, come!"

The wind radiant eagerly made her way next to Sage.

"Oh man, I love watching you use your power." Jett comments. "So magical."

"Agreed." Sage nodded.

"Alright fam, you sure this one's a good spot?" You asked for the last time.

"Yup."

"Yes."

"Absolutely!"

You sighed, shaking your hands, "Here we go then."

Using your radiance, your palms glowed green. The ground of your target space started to rumble just a bit before breaking and sprouting a small pine tree.

"Woah." Jett gasped in amusement.

Raze tried to hold a giggle bubbling from her throat

"That's so cute."

"Tell me when you're satisfied with it, okay?" You say before making the tree grow and sprout its leaves.

Everyone in the common room watched as the tree bloomed beautifully.

"Wait, stop!" Jett exclaimed and you did, the green glow on your palms fading. "That's the most perfect tree I've ever seen."

And just like that, there's an actual pine tree in the common room. Not an artificial one, a real one.

"Oh look, it even sprouted some pinecones." Sage pointed out, grinning delightfully.

"Ah, it smells wonderful too." Killjoy sighed as the aroma of fresh pine started to creep into the space.

"Welp, what are you guys waiting for?" You grinned. "Time to decorate!"

Just as you said those words, Phoenix entered the room, his eyes glancing at the tree by the corner before doing a double take.

"Wha–," His eyes widened. "Where did that come from?"

"Gaia made it." Jett responded. "Cool, right?"

"Uh–"

"Oi, what's the hold-up? Get your ass out of the way," A male voice grunts from behind Phoenix, a very familiar blue jacket peeking. It was Yoru, and he's carrying the artificial tree that he got from the stockroom due to Phoenix's insistent pestering, the tree blocking his vision upfront.

"Um, Yoru?"

"What?" The riftwalker spats out, clearly annoyed from carrying the tree.

Phoenix laughs nervously

"So uh, funny story. . ."

TROPICAL CHRISTMAS

You requested everyone to put a personal ornament on the tree

And you even grew some mistletoes and wreaths for everyone to decorate.

It was fun decorating

You all finished dressing up the common room that same day as well

The room looked magical, especially at night when the Christmas lights are all on

Holiday dinner will be in the next few days

So before that, you all decided to take on the 'tropical christmas' theme and have a day out on the island

A beach episode within a christmas episode

Even Viper agreed to get some sun in her system

Sage, Neon, and Jett dragged you along with them in picking swimsuits

"Oh! I bet this looks cute on you, Gaia!"

You tried on at least ten swimsuits that day

The girls coaxing you to show more skin and be more confident

"Gaia, I think you'd have Sova drooling if you wear this–"

"Neon!"

"Sova? You mean Chamber?"

"Sage, not you too–"

"You think Omen would knit you a biki–"

"Jett, stop!"

Cue you turning fifty shades of red

Today was a beautiful day.

The sun wasn't too harsh on the eyes nor its heat was too much on the skin. The sea was sparkling clear with a tint of blue that makes you feel refreshed as soon as you jump right in.

Breach and Brimstone were surprisingly getting along at the grilling station, chatting and watching over the others at the shore.

Jett and Phoenix were already playing some beach volleyball against Yoru and Skye, both teams were clearly riled up with their own competitiveness with Neon keeping score.

The two lovebirds– Raze and Killjoy were making their sand-snowman. . .sandman, on one side, gathering seashells and washed up sticks and branches for the sandman's body parts.

Reyna peacefully lays on her deck chair under an umbrella, dark shades covering her eyes with a refreshing drink in her hand with Viper doing the same next to her.

Astra and Sage stood near the grilling station, preparing some snacks and refreshments for everyone to enjoy.

"Is Gaia not here yet?" Sova asked aloud, just stepping out of the water wearing blue trunks with his muscular upper body confidently exposed, he slicked his long wet hair back, biceps flexing as his eyes wandered around looking for you.

Sova lets out an teasing grin, reaching out for his towel from a deck chair.

"She'll be here any minute now," Sage said with a smile before chuckling. "She must be shy because if her swimsuit."

Sage made sure to find you the perfect swimwear that not only matches your skin tone but also greatly compliments your body.

"Did you actually get her in one?"

Absolutely not doubting the idea of you getting into a bikini.

"Ah, you do not know the struggles we faced in forcing her into one." Sage said in a playful tone.

"I don't want to ruin your expectations but," Chamber's voice chimed in, he was sitting on a deck chair next to Sova's wearing swimming trunks and an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt exposing his lean upper body.

"Isn't that Gaia over there, approaching us?" The french man's lips curled into an amused smirk. "Personally, I like what I'm seeing."

Following his direction the two looked to their left and immediately saw you.

Sova lets out a laugh and Sage's mouth fell.

"Oh my. . ."

"LET'S GOOO!" You shrieked from afar as you started to run towards the water.

You were literally wearing a black and white striped t-shirt and swimming shorts (yes, like the one from. . .idk old old times) with a bright yellow duck ring floatie around your waist and more floaters on your upper arms. Bright pink goggles already covering your eyes, kicking off your slippers as you neared the shore.

You didn't waste any precious time in jumping into the refreshing waters.

"Was that Gaia?" Brimstone asked.

"Yes. . ." Sage answered with an empty smile. "Out of everything we bought for her. . ."

Astra lets out a light-hearted laugh, "Well, what do you expect from our mother earth."

"Yo! Gaia's finally here." Phoenix announced from the volleyball area. "Chicken fight!"

"I've got the water guns over there!" Jett dashed towards her deck chair.

"Oi! Are we just forgetting this fight?" Yoru frowned, fire still in his eyes to play volleyball.

"Who cares bro, we were gonna win anyway." Phoenix said smugly.

"Why you–" Yoru went after him towards the water. "Get back here!"

"Hey, wait for me!" Neon excitedly dashed her way to the water as well.

Sova put down his towel before running towards the sea, "I call Gaia's team!"

"Not if I get to her first." Chamber suddenly said, running alongside the russian man.

Watching you already enjoy yourself in the water, the two were so close to you when suddenly, out of nowhere, you were raised from the water.

"Ah!" You squealed grabbing a hold of what seemed to be. . . Shoulders?

"Omen?"

". . .I wish to participate." He states in his deep voice, carrying you on his shoulders with his head in between your thighs. Jett and Phoenix had just joined in the waters as well with Yoru hot on their trail.

Chamber and Sova almost tripped to a stop.

"Merde."

"Гавно."

"Not fast enough huh?" Cypher teasingly mused at the two obviously looked distraught. Sova gave him a weird look.

"Why are you still wearing your work clothes." Sova comments.

From afar, Viper slipped on her shades.

"The children are getting noisier. . ." Viper uttered to herself.

"Lighten up, Viper." Reyna smiles, sipping her drink.

"Today is a great day."

HOLIDAY DINNER

You know what time it is: Cooking time

This time with Jett

This is going to be grand feast for sure

Sova tried to help again like before

Got blocked by Sage though

"I just want to help." Cue cute pleading face Sova

"Sure you do, friend." Sage dismissed, knowing another person might come by as well

It's already a little crowded in the kitchen

Finished a little earlier making dinner

Jett turned a little bit like Gordon Ramsay while cooking

"Where's the sauce??"

"Shit– uh, I'll make it right now."

"Double time, Gaia!"

"Y-Yes chef."

By Brimstone's royal decree, the dinner is now deemed: formal.

Everyone has to wear something formal

Thank gods you have more time to prepare.

You had just finished doing your hair and make-up when you suddenly heard a soft knock on the door.

Quickly getting up, you smoothed over the skirt of your dress and and cleared your throat.

"Come in."

The door slid open and you were face to face with–

"Ah, Chamber." You smiled. "What a nice surprise."

The man looked exquisite with his all-black suit, as always his hair was neat and slick, and that familiar scent of his cologne was starting to waft around your room.

Chamber stepped into your room before gently taking hold of your right hand.

"Ma chèrie," He smiles charmingly. "You look wonderful tonight."

You wore a short yet elegant cream-colored dress with puff sleeves partnered with a big bow styling your loose half up half down hair.

Bending slightly, he placed a soft kiss on your knuckles.

"As do you, monsieur." You grinned. "What brings you here."

"Well," the man sighs, straightening his posture once again. "I would like to have the honor of escorting you, ma belle."

You gave him a light chuckle, "It's just dinner, Chamber It's okay."

He then went to your side and stuck iut his arm.

"But if you insist." You smiled, accepting his offer as you wrapped your hand around his bicep, feeling it tense just a bit as you did.

"I'll take that offer."

As the two of you entered, almost everyone was already there.

"Oh, what's this that I see?" Phoenix grinned. "Gaia and Chamber are finally here!"

Your friends came to greet you as they slowly peeled you from Chamber's hold, complimenting your look and chatting you away from his grasp much to the french man's dismay.

"Well, I'll consider this your redemption from that swimsuit you wore three days ago." Sage joked, linking her arm with yours. "Your dress is adorable! Where did you get it?"

"Your bow reminds me of that old disney movie," Raze comments. "I think it was the little mermaid?" She turned to Killjoy for confirmation and her lover nods.

"Yup, the little mermaid."

You gave them a bright grin, "Thank you, my loves. You all look wonderful as well."

Sage wore a long and flowy baby blue dress while Killjoy and Raze wore matching white suits that were styled to match their own aesthetic.

"Sorry I'm late, everyone." Your eyes turned towards the door and found your mentor at the entrance.

"Woah. . ." You accidentally slipped under your breath

Sova came in wearing a tight black fitted button-up partnered with a dark blue blazer and slacks.

"Sova!" You greeted him with a wave, instantly gaining his attention, he gave you a smile before walking towards your direction.

Sage smiles coyly, pulling you a bit in place, "Ah, excuse us for a moment, Gaia."

"Oh yeah sure."

"Wait hold on I need to ask–" Killjoy was cut off by Sage ushering them out of the scene.

"Later, laterrr."

Exactly when the three of them had gone, Sova had reached you.

"Gaia, you look lovely." He compliments with a soft smile.

"Thank you, you look–" Your eyes accidentally darted towards his chest, catching yourself off guard from the sudden action, you quickly looked up– heart beating a little fast.

"You look dashing."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Sova utters, a little out of breath. "I went to your room but I guess you already left."

"Ah, yeah," You chuckled shortly, "Chamber came in and asked if he could escort me."

Sova raised an eyebrow, "Did he?"

"Yup, he's right over there now." You nodded your head towards his direction, Sova following your gaze and locked eyes with the weapons designer.

Chamber gave him a smirk before lifting his champagne glass to your direction slightly.

"We're just waiting for Brim, then we can all finally eat." You comment with a sigh, looking over to the buffet of food laid out on the table. "Damn, I wanna eat already. What's taking him so lo–"

"Gaia."

"Hm?"

You gazed up to Sova with an innocent look, "What is it."

The man didn't say anything, instead he merely glanced up.

"Huh. . ?" Confused, you looked up, eyes widening as you saw what was above the two of you.

'Ah. . .' You could feel your cheeks starting to get hot as you looked at Sova with wide eyes.

Above your heads, there was a mistletoe.

[undeath1245]

Headcanon full names for the TD contestants

I figured that I should share my list of headcanon full names of each of the characters of Total Drama, with a couple of exceptions here and there (i.e. Chris McLean, Blainely O'Halloran, Alejandro Burromuerto, Cody Anderson, Harold McGrady, Devon "DJ" Joseph, Dakota Milton, Lightning Jackson, Cameron Wilkins, Nichelle LaDonna, Valentina MacArthur). Results may possibly vary.

Original Total Drama contestants

Gwendolyn York (sharing the same name as the York Region)

Trent McAllister

Duncan van Jensen

Courtney Ferrera

Heather Yang

Lindsay Berglund

Tyler Greenwood

Bethany Collins

Geoff Baskerville

Brigette Heinemann

Justin Carroway

LeShawna Martin

Isabella Crampton

Eva Alexandrova

Sierra McAnthony

Katie Bisonette

Sadie Jeong

Ezekiel Brimstone

Revenge of the Island contestants

Michael Holmvik

Zoey Abendroth

Brick Hopkins

Scott Bronson

Josephine "Jo" Arnold

Samuel Braxton

Anna Marie Lombardi

Dawn Nicholson

Beverly "B" Norwood

Staci Murray

Pahkitew Island contestants

Shawn Romero

Jasmine Abbott

Sky Rouleau

David Corduroy

Sugar van Hoffman

Amanda Dufresne

Samantha Dufresne

Topher Fellows

Ella Grimm

Maxwell Hunter

Scarlett McGrady

Rodney Fieldston

Leonard Hammersmith

Winslow Beardman

The Ridonculous Race contestants

Devin Letterman

Carrie Brennan

Thomas Wesley

Jennifer Walcott

Brody Simpson

Stephanie Fairchild

Ryan Carmichael

Rosalind Sanders

Josée Guillaume

Jacques Beaumont

Emma Zhong

Katherine Zhong

Stuart Rockford

Theodore Spudman

Dwayne Broker Sr.

Dwayne Broker Jr.

Kelly Greenwood

Taylor Greenwood

Jay Henderson

Mickey Henderson

Ennui Craven

Marie Crimson

Tammy Lundgren

Laurie Delcroix

Kristoffersen Miles

Ellody Newton

Marie Poindexter

Chet Levett

Lorenzo Antonelli

Gerry Drummond

Peter McLean

Total Drama Revival contestants

Caleb Edwards

Priya Rouhani

Millie Baldridge

Hezekias "Zee" Wanchai

Julie Martinson

Mary Kate "MK" Chung

Wayne Rupert

Raj Samaroo

Bowie Davison (based on the late English pop star)

Emma Wahlgren

Damien Laurence

Ripper Alderman

Axel Emerson

Chase Rodgers

Lauren "Scary Girl" Metcalf (sharing the same name as the actress)

Why don't you share me your fan name ideas?

[twilights-800-cats]

<< Chapter 25 || Chapter 26 || Chapter 27 || From the Beginning || Patreon & Ko-Fi >>

Chapter 26

“Well?” Brackenfur wondered, stepping forward. He stared between Shadepool and Crowflight, who were still huddled over Emberstep's soaked and motionless body. When neither responded, he asked again, “What happened here?”

Shadepool couldn't speak. A terror beneath her pelt gripped her in its icy talons like a hawk carrying away its prey. She had expected Nightfrost to come and investigate what was going on, but she had never in her wildest dreams thought Brackenfur would be here, too. His presence could only mean one thing:

He knew about her and Crowflight.

“It was an accident.” Crowflight's voice sounded far away, as if he were shouting from the Gathering island and not mumbling in shock, so close to her that their pelts touched. “Emberstep, she...”

Shadepool heard him explain what had happened as if her head had been dunked underwater. Crowflight kept details sparse - that Shadepool had come to warn him of an oncoming danger and that Emberstep had taken the opportunity to attack, revealing herself to be that danger. She had no idea how he managed to sound so normal right now.

“Shadepool,” Brackenfur meowed carefully, “is this true?”

Shadepool trembled, trying to remember how to form words. “She... She slipped and fell into the Divide,” she managed to say, “while chasing me down.” Shadepool swallowed, looking down at Emberstep's soaked, stiff body. “She struck her head on a rock. I-I think she died before she hit the water.”

“StarClan!” muttered Nightfrost. There was a conflict in him, oscillating between sympathy for Crowflight, anger at Emberstep, and concern for Shadepool.

Brackenfur's eyes glittered with sorrow, and he dipped his head. “May her spirit find peace among her ancestors,” he murmured, “if they deem her worthy...”

Shadepool's ears rang hollow. Why wasn't Brackenfur scolding her, spitting fire and brimstone about how horrible it was for she and Crowflight to be together like this? Had Crowflight's explanation smoothed the situation over? Was Shadepool worried over nothing?

Nightfrost pressed his nose into her shoulder. He could feel her terror and knew it wasn't just because of Emberstep's attempt on her life. She could feel his reassurance that he had not revealed anything to Brackenfur - that he hadn't even known the medicine cat had followed him into the forest. It didn't help as much as he hoped it would.

Brackenfur's breath rattled as he spoke, his voice grave: “You know what this means, don't you, Crowflight?”

Crowflight froze, and Shadepool stiffened in response to the tension that suddenly gathered in her mate’s shoulders. What was Brackenfur talking about? She glanced at Nightfrost, who didn't seem to understand, either.

But Crowflight knew. His dark blue eyes went hard as polished stones. “I won't be able to stop Mudstar, now,” he said, his tone grave. “No matter what I say, it looks like ThunderClan cats killed Emberstep.”

Shadepool's pelt crawled. She immediately snapped, her voice hoarse and high-pitched, “But that's not what happened at all!”

“It doesn't matter.” Her sudden burst of fury didn't move Crowflight. He stared back at her, solid as a rock. “WindClan is spoiling for a fight. I could tell them a fish swallowed Emberstep, and they'd still blame ThunderClan for it.”

The grim reality crashed down onto Shadepool's shoulders. Crowflight was right - WindClan had been looking for an excuse to exact their justice this entire time, held back only by Crowflight’s attempts to buy time. This, what looked like another WindClan cat killed by ThunderClan claws, would be precisely the excuse they needed. How or why it happened didn't matter - their minds would fill in the blanks.

“It doesn't help that she washed up on our land,” Brackenfur admitted tersely, “and that she has a wound.”

Nightfrost shivered. “It does look like she got into a fight...” he agreed, his tone quiet. A wave of hopelessness washed over him. “Great StarClan,” he mumbled, “this can’t be for real...”

Shadepool's mouth was dry as bone. Helplessly, she stared at Crowflight. Was this a nightmare? She longed to blink open her eyes and be in Mothwing's den, her own nest, or even just by his side. Anywhere but here! This couldn't be real.

But it was.

Crowflight hung his head. “I did everything I could to stall my Clan,” he murmured softly, utterly defeated. “But there's nothing more I can do.”

Nightfrost leaned toward him. “Did you?” he asked quietly. His eyes showed an earnestness and a desire to know the whole truth. “Did you really try to stall Mudstar?”

Crowflight lifted his muzzle and stared Nightfrost in the eye. He murmured, “I did. I really did.”

“Noble,” Brackenfur commented, his tone soft, “but foolish.”

Crowflight winced at the truth in the old medicine cat's words. “That's why Emberstep was furious with me in the first place,” he said, his voice cracking. “I wanted the truth, that's all! I tried at every turn to keep WindClan warriors from antagonizing ThunderClan, but Mudstar's orders meant more than mine in most cases.” He shook his head again, slowly. “Even if it made me look weak, I never wanted anyone to be hurt.”

He lifted his muzzle, staring into Nightfrost's eyes. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

Nightfrost sucked in a breath between his teeth. Shadepool felt a wave of shame wash over her brother, hot and powerful. He had doubted Crowflight, and his actions at their last meeting nearly shattered his faith in this cat, his dear friend. Now, it was clear he had been wrong to feel that way. Shadepool brushed her tail against her brother's side.

Nightfrost stepped away from Shadepool and touched his nose to Crowflight's ear. “I'm sorry,” he whispered. “I know you did your best.”

Crowflight's legs trembled, and Shadepool thought he might collapse into Nightfrost's embrace. To his credit, he didn't - but Crowflight did rub his muzzle against Nightfrost's with a soft, rattling purr that lasted only a brief moment.

Shadepool felt a warmness from her brother. For a moment, the two of them were back in the Tribe of Rushing Water's mountain home, pelts brushing as Tinystar and Tallstar and all the Clans heralded them by their new warrior names. There was a joy in Nightfrost, raw and pure, that their friendship had been strained but not truly broken. Shadepool couldn't help but smile despite everything else going on around them.

Brackenfur's cough interrupted the moment: “Crowflight. What you did was honorable, though it skirted the boundaries of the warrior code to be sure. Now, however, the time has come. There can be no more delaying the inevitable.”

Crowflight's jaws parted as if to protest - but he nodded instead. “I know,” he rasped. He somberly placed a paw on Emberstep's body. “I must take her body home. I doubt that Mudstar will even wait to bury her before he descends on ThunderClan.”

“Were I him, I certainly wouldn't,” Brackenfur agreed grimly.

“Let me help you get her across, at least,” Nightfrost offered. He looked down at Emberstep’s body. “It’s cold, and she’s soaked through.”

Nightfrost took Emberstep's flank in his jaws. Shadepool thought that perhaps Crowflight might protest, but there was just no easy way to get the body across the tree-bridge - and, not only that, Shadepool caught the wisp of a morbid thought from Nightfrost: If Emberstep was going to play the part of being killed by a ThunderClan cat, she might as well smell like it.

The idea curdled Shadepool's belly, but she supposed there was some dark sense to it.

Crowflight took his Clanmate's scruff between his teeth, and Shadepool watched as, awkwardly, they managed to shimmy her across slowly, dangling her between them as they crossed. She prayed to StarClan that they didn't fall and that Emberstep's spirit had made it to where it truly belonged - the aggressive WindClan she-cat might have tried to kill her, but Shadepool guessed that Emberstep had been doing what she thought best for her Clan at the time.

At least, that was what Shadepool hoped. Perhaps that would be enough to let her walk with her ancestors, as any Clan cat should.

The rough grass crinkled beneath his paws as Brackenfur came to her side. She felt his fur brush against hers. He smelled of his nest, and herbs, but mainly like the juice of a juniper berry.

“I am not blind, you know,” he murmured.

Shadepool stiffened. A cold feeling trickled down her spine. “I... I'm not sure what you mean, Brackenfur.”

Brackenfur's breath was warm in her ear: “I am not some kitten born yesterday, Shadepool,” he repeated more firmly. “I know.”

The terror that had calmed moments ago roared awake again. With ears ringing, Shadepool dared to look at her mentor. Brackenfur's face was so close she could see the gray hairs in his muzzle. More striking, though, was the sharp look in his eyes, which were like chips of ice reflecting the pinkish light of the coming dawn.

“I...” Shadepool could barely breathe. Suddenly, it felt like she was drowning, that Brackenfur had dunked her head into the lake and refused to let go. How had he found out? Did that even matter now?

What is he going to do? she wondered. Her heartbeat quickened. What am I going to do?

“We will discuss this later,” Brackenfur promised her, as if he could read her thoughts, his tone decidedly even. “ThunderClan needs us both to survive what is to come.” He set his jaw. “Hard decisions will need to be made.”

Shadepool was taken aback. He wouldn’t tear off her pelt and leave her out to dry? Take away her medicine cat name? Something in his voice was just as frightening as all that, perhaps even more so: Something he knew was keeping him from punishing her right then and there.

Before she could speak, Nightfrost was back - he leaped off the tree-bridge and landed on all fours. He shook out his pelt and looked over the Divide one more time. Shadepool followed his gaze - Crowflight stood there, Emberstep's scruff in his jaws, her back legs dragging limp in the grass.

His dark blue eyes blinked at her, a wordless farewell. Shadepool's heart clenched - would she ever see him again, she wondered, now that Brackenfur knew? Was this goodbye forever?

She watched his dark shape walk away through the woods and up into the hills. The dawn light lit the shape of his ears and shoulders until he was too far away to see. Shadepool's heart ached terribly. Part of her wanted to break away, leap across the tree-bridge, abandon the Clans, and take her dear Crowflight with her. They could build a life together in the hills beyond WindClan territory or go wherever their hearts took them, and they would be happy.

But that was a dream, and this was reality.

“We have to head back,” Nightfrost meowed, his voice grim. “There's not much time to prepare the Clan.”

“Agreed,” Brackenfur meowed curtly. “Let's go.”

———————————————————

Brackenfur managed to keep up with their mad dash through the forest, though even with his shorter legs, Nightfrost burst through the gorse tunnel and into the clearing before either of the medicine cats. The moon had long since disappeared, and the sun was just peeking up over the trees. The hollow was cast in a warm, quiet darkness immediately disturbed as their scents flooded the camp.

Nightfrost went instantly to the Highledge and Tinystar's den, while Shadepool and Brackenfur headed for the medicine cat's cave, their steps quiet and urgent, trying to disappear before some cat woke up and began asking questions.

Dustpelt, Whitewing, and Larchpaw rested peacefully in the soft shadows, each smelling fresh herbs and ointments from Mothwing’s generous donation. Shadepool breathed in their scents and resolved to find some way to pay her friend back.

Before any of that, we have to survive.

There was no time to reflect on her patients’ conditions any further. Shadepool immediately set to work, pulling out every herb they had from the storage cave and beginning to bundle them up in dock leaves with paws that shook slightly under the pressure.

Brackenfur woke each of their sleeping patients with a firm paw. Dustpelt snapped his teeth at being disturbed, while Whitewing looked terrified by Brackenfur's expression. Nose streaming, Larchpaw woke with a sneeze, his eyes bleary - Brackenfur had to speak loud and clear to ensure the half-deaf apprentice heard him:

“We must evacuate all of you,” he said firmly, “now!”

“W-What's going on?” Whitewing asked, her voice pitched in worry. She sat up slowly, her belly wound still a bright pink weal parting her snowy fur. When the medicine cat didn’t answer, she begged, “Brackenfur?”

Dustpelt slid out of his nest, lip curled. “Why do you smell like WindClan?” he growled. He moved his head stiffly, his throat caked with herbs. “What did those rabbit-tossers do this time?”

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!” Tinystar's voice was sharp and shrill, echoing into the medicine cat's cave. “Immediately!”

That made Dustpelt's ears prick. “What in StarClan's name...?”

“I've never heard him sound so urgent!” Whitewing whispered, her eyes wide to their whites.

“Go,” Brackenfur insisted. His tail swept the stony earth impatiently. “Wait for us beside the warrior's den. Hurry!”

He all but pushed them out of the cave, with Whitewing and Larchpaw both startled by his tone while Dustpelt held a resolute look in his eye. When the three of them were gone, Brackenfur came to Shadepool's side and began to help her. He began to make leaf-wraps so fast and so furiously that he far outstripped the amount Shadepool had managed to make all this time, his paws working expertly without a hint of nervousness.

She might not have been able to sense Brackenfur's emotions the way she could Nightfrost's, but she didn't have to - his fur was fluffed out to its ends, electrified with a sort of focused panic that Shadepool envied. Despite his terror and the fear that edged his usual cloying smell, his breathing was even, and he seemed the picture of the calm and collected medicine cat that could handle any sort of situation.

“Brackenfur...” Shadepool murmured. “I... I'm sorry. About Crowflight.”

“No,” Brackenfur huffed harshly, “you're not.”

Shadepool swallowed.

Brackenfur shoved his completed herb bundles out of his way and started on another set. “I said we would talk about this later, Shadepool, and believe me, we will. Right now, we must ensure that the sick and injured are made safe!”

“But if I'm not a medicine cat anymore-”

Brackenfur hooked one of the herb bundles with a claw and then stuffed it into Shadepool’s mouth before she could finish her sentence. Stunned, Shadepool could only stare at her mentor, the bundle shifting awkwardly against her tongue. If she dropped it, she had a feeling he might claw her - he looked more like Yellowfang now than ever.

“There are far more important things going on,” he hissed, coming close to her face, “and you know that.”

Shadepool's pelt fluffed, and she spat out the herb bundle despite her fear. The fur along her neck rose. “How long have you known?” she demanded. She just couldn't believe that Brackenfur had let this grievous breach of the medicine cat code go on for longer than a heartbeat!

“Before you did, I'm sure,” Brackenfur growled, his striped tail lashing. “Do I approve? No! Not at all. And regardless of what you have done, you are a medicine cat!” His muzzle tightened. “StarClan has watched your every step, and not once have they intervened.”

Shadepool hesitated. He was right - though she had broken the code of the medicine cats, StarClan had not ceased communicating with her. Their messages only seemed to increase in intensity, in fact. Did that mean StarClan approved?

Brackenfur's whiskers twitched. “I need you. ThunderClan needs you. StarClan needs you.” He paused. “The Omen needs you.”

Shadepool swallowed. “The Omen...?”

“Go and get the injured and Sorreltail someplace safe,” Brackenfur told her. “I'll be right behind you.”

Shadepool wanted to talk to him more, but he was right - there was no time. WindClan would be breaking down the gorse barrier any moment now, howling for ThunderClan blood. She needed to be where she could help her Clanmates most, even if this might be the last time she could call herself their medicine cat.

On her way out, she nearly rammed right into Sootfur. The young gray warrior was alarmed and alert from ears to toes, his claws flexing. He seemed charged with nervous energy, a polarity opposite to Brackenfur's.

“Tinystar told me to help you,” he meowed.

“Brackenfur needs someone to carry herbs,” Shadepool told him, “and to help us get our patients to safety.”

Sootfur nodded, brushing past her. Such a task would typically be beneath him as a warrior, but he was not complaining. There simply wasn't room for it. WindClan was coming, and every paw was needed.

Shadepool ducked out of the cave and emerged to a camp in motion.

Every warrior was awake, alert, and doing something: Mousefur and Spiderpaw practiced quick battle moves with Ashfur. Graystripe and Cinderpelt were hastily weaving more sticks into the gorse barrier. Silverstream and Ferncloud were helping Sorreltail and Sun across the camp to join Dustpelt, Whitewing, and Larchpaw near the warrior's den.

Cloudtail and Swiftfoot were refreshing combat maneuvers with one another, Cloudtail barking orders and improvements over the sound of battle preparations. Brightheart and Longtail were practicing, too, and Longtail seemed just as confident as the young she-cat despite his total blindness. Snowstep and Rainwhisker blocked the fresh-kill pile with a tightly-woven bush, determined to keep WindClan out.

Shadepool's limbs felt electrified, a feeling that she knew came from her brother - the feeling of a warrior preparing to do battle, fear and excitement mingling into a type of anticipation that frightened Shadepool with its fizzling intensity. She searched for Nightfrost and found that he was talking with Tinystar and Mistyfoot just below the Highledge, their heads bent tightly together.

She joined them, catching their conversation over the commotion of the camp:

“...we need their help,” Tinystar was saying. “Nightfrost, you have to go.”

Go where? Shadepool wondered. Her pelt prickled with worry.

“We had no clear answer from Russetstar,” Mistyfoot meowed, her tone worried, “and Leopardstar didn't exactly say yes, either. It's risky to send him away alone when we need every paw here to defend us!”

Oh. Shadepool realized what was happening - Tinystar was planning to send Nightfrost to ask for help from RiverClan and ShadowClan. That made her heart leap into her throat. It was a clear admission from her father that ThunderClan might not make it out of this battle alone. She trembled. With so many cats already hurt and unable to fight, they were on a far more even footing with WindClan than it seemed.

“We risk everything by not trying,” Tinystar insisted, flattening his ears. He turned to his son, ice-blue eyes blazing. “Nightfrost, you have to leave now.”

Nightfrost nodded. There was no time for protest, and he knew it. He spared Shadepool a glance before shooting off, streaking through the camp on swift legs, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. He disappeared into the gorse tunnel and was gone, though Shadepool could feel him heading for ShadowClan territory as quickly as his paws would take him.

Mistyfoot stared after Nightfrost, her blue eyes wavering. Shadepool rested her tail along Mistyfoot’s shoulder, hoping to comfort the older warrior, touched that she was so worried for her Nightfrost’s safety.

“If any cat can convince them to help, it's Nightfrost,” she assured quietly.

“I know,” Mistyfoot whispered. Her gaze was unwavering, though, and Shadepool imagined she was worried about losing another cat she cared dearly for.

“Shadepool,” Tinystar meowed quickly, “are you and Brackenfur prepared?”

Shadepool turned to her father. Truthfully, she knew that they would never be fully prepared - but Tinystar was not looking for an answer like that. She dipped her head in confirmation.

“We'll be hiding just outside of camp with herbs to treat others,” Shadepool told him. She gestured with her tail to the fallen rock pile near the warrior's den. “We'll go up into the forest through there and find someplace out of sight.”

Tinystar stared at the path, grimacing. For a moment, Shadepool wondered if he would protest its use - it wasn't exactly the safest route. But the only other way out of camp was the gorse tunnel, and that would risk running right into WindClan's battle party. Tinystar knew well enough that they couldn't risk that.

“We'll be sure to send any injured your way if they can make it,” Tinystar said, nodding. “If not, they may have to shelter in the nursery.” He looked at her, then, his gaze soft and wavering. “Sootfur will stay with you for your protection. I would offer more, but every warrior will be needed here.”

Shadepool nodded in understanding. She touched her nose to her father's ear and knew he was afraid to lose both his kits more than anything. Perhaps that was another reason why he had sent Nightfrost away, not someone else.

I am not so helpless, myself, Shadepool insisted. Her training might've been moons ago, but she still had claws. By StarClan, she would use them if she had to, even if it terrified her.

“Nightfrost told me some of what happened this morning,” Tinystar meowed. He leveled his eyes on Shadepool, his icy gaze fierce. His lips curled over his teeth. “I will make WindClan pay for thinking they can try to kill any one of my Clanmates - let alone my own daughter!”

Shadepool wondered just what Nightfrost had managed to tell Tinystar. It couldn't have been more than the barest of details, perhaps leaving out Crowflight's involvement altogether. Nightfrost was too far away to ask.

Before she could wonder any further, Cinderpelt's yowl raked through the camp like the cry of an eagle:

“WindClan is here!”

[ihasnotomato]

Brimstone Beach: The outfits of Alice!

Various outfits for one of my main characters Alice, for my story: Brimstone Beach!

My good friend Mabeanie suggested compiling Alice's various outfits into an image so of course I ran with it a bit too far lol.

We have 6 outfits featured here and in order we have:

1: Default: Alice's defualt kimono that she is first seen in in the story. It's her favourite outfit as it has much sentimental value to her.

2: Casual: The outfit Alice begins to regularly wear as she grows more comfortable living on earth as the story goes on.

3: Summer dress: A loose flowy dress for thos particularly hot days on this tropical island.

4: Hawaiian shirt: She doesn't actually like this outfit at all, this was one of Tomato's initial attempts to get Alice into the "holiday spirit".

5: Bikini & Sarong: Alice's swimming outfit.

6: Original attire: This is an outfit that is admittedly still in it's early design phase. This was Alice's main outfit from hundreds of years ago before she acquired her kimono (as illustrated by her shorter hair here). I'm not 100% sure if I'm happy with this yet so it's very subject to change in future, but I still wanted to include it to at least showcase one new outfit with this piece.

[fox-buried-in-maple-leaves]

Reunion Track ; Two ; Omega

Following Grimshaw's release, he has little time to rest, with no more time left before he has to face Omega's threat. But he isn't going to Corfu Island, Greece alone.

Pua and Ryuujin belong to: @ha-ule-nalu

Silver belongs to: @cat-buried-in-tall-grass

and the taglist is those two mains' so..

“This mission will remain strictly need to know. You are the agents Grimshaw has chosen to enact it. Understood?”

Ryuujin clasped her hands on the table, leaning forward to listen more clearly. But she gave the man beside the monitor a nod of affirmation.

Silver refused to sit, instead pacing nearby, arms crossed over his chest. “Got it.” He agreed, annoyed by Brimstone’s mere presence.

Pua had her legs up on the table, leaning back in her chair as she nodded. “Doesn’t leave this room.” She affirmed.

“You know me.” Cypher tilted his hat, leaning against a nearby pillar in the meeting room.

“All yours, Grim.” Brimstone tossed the remote to the man as he stood, the two switching spots.

Grimshaw hesitated as he situated himself beside the monitor. He wasn’t nervous because he’d just been released from the holding facility, but revealing this part of his life to other people? This scared him. The risks were near insurmountable, and any mistake could end with his death. 

“This is an extraction mission. But unlike Omega, we aren’t going for radianite. We’re going for something more important.”

“Something my counterpart has?”

Cypher’s question turned heads as he flipped his tripwire in his hand, the eyes of his mask remained focused on Grimshaw. “Yes, that’s correct. He contacted my sister and told me that.. Well. Let’s just.” Grimshaw pointed the remote at the monitor, clicking it to show a photo.

A headshot of a brunette woman with tanned skin and striking pink eyes showed on the monitor. 

“This is Vera González. She’s a researcher with Kingdom.” The attention was turned back to the screen. 

“Is she who we’re getting back? She’s pretty!” Pua complimented but Grimshaw shook his head.

“No. More accurately, she was a researcher with Kingdom.” And the man remained outwardly calm despite what that meant to him. “Several years ago she was slated to join Kingdom Industries’ research in New Mexico.” He clicked the remote and a photo of himself before radianite changed him.

“I took her place to provide Legion with information on the collider and of course, the cross-world teleportation side effects. She uh. Well.” Grimshaw rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “She divorced me after that.”

Pua choked, sitting up straight so hard that her chair rolled back slightly. Silver stopped pacing, eyes widening slightly at the information. Cypher chuckled watching their reactions while Brimstone did his best to shush them, even though he too was surprised by the information that Grimshaw was married.

Ryuujin typed on her bracer, finding it easier than mouthing all of the necessary words. “Is this the rose you’d mentioned during work?” Her mask’s machine voice sounded out for her. But Grimshaw shook his head no again.

“In my time masquerading as Alpha Achlys, I’ve learned that Vera died when she was sixteen, a car accident. That would have been a year before..” Click and the slide changed again.

A young girl holding a stuffed plant themed teddy bear was the next slide. Her eyes mimicked Vera’s, but a darker hue of pink. Her dark brown hair was tied into low pigtails, and the thickness matched Grimshaw’s. Plum streaks lined her hair as she grinned into the camera.

“Jacinta Hajime.”

Ryuujin’s expression softened immediately.

The lollipop Silver had acquired at some point dropped to the ground, shattering in pieces as the information in front of him came to light. “You- You have- you have a? huh?”

“A daughter.” Brimstone exhaled, he brought his hand up over his face, sighing into his hand.

“I do. And I haven’t seen her in.. Three years. Omega Cypher and I were very close, unable to tell the truth to our wives, a child. He is her emergency contact. And now she is in his possession.”

“But he won’t hurt her.” Cypher reasoned, using what he’d do as reference. Grimshaw nodded, affirming his theory.

“No, he won’t. But I can’t promise an ambush when I attempt to retrieve her. That’s why I need a team, that’s why I’ve chosen all of you.” 

Pua had been silent as she processed the information in front of her, her eyes wide as she stared at the little girl on the screen. She couldn’t have even been ten in the picture in front of them. Orange eyes blinked, once, twice. 

“We’re gonna get her back.” The bunny radiant decided, already prepared to risk limb and life for this child she didn’t know.

“I agree.” Ryuujin nodded, closing her visible eye as she smiled beneath her mask, hoping it reflected on the rest of her face.

Grimshaw smiled beneath his own mask, pleased by the reactions of those he held close. “There is one other thing, however.” He admitted, clicking the remote again, the slide changed to a video of the little girl in question but much younger. 

She was sitting on a bed of flowers, giggling as little green sprouts grew from her hair. 

“She’s a radiant, similar to Pua. But..” The flowers disappeared in the video, a man that was clearly Grimshaw when he was younger diving to catch the toddler before she hit the grass. “She never had a good grasp on her abilities. And maybe that has changed in three years, but it might not have.”

“Her abilities were often triggered by two things, one if she wanted to impress mom, another radiant, or two, if she was anxious. We cannot set her off. I don’t know what Jacinta is capable of anymore.”

“Alright, you’ve heard the man. Are you all prepared to go to Omega?” 

“Duh.”

“Let’s get her home!”

“After you.”

Ryuujin gave a double thumbs up. 

“Fantastic because I already set up a meeting spot with Omega Cypher. We leave in two hours, go get geared up.”

Killjoy looked up at the man as they all finished their preparations in front of the teleporter. “Be safe, okay?” She spoke quietly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Grimshaw’s smile faltered beneath his mask as he brought his hand up to her back. 

“I’ll try.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t you.”

“I know, Klara.” He leaned down, pressing his face to the top of her head. 

And then just like that, they were transported to a whole different world.

“How do you know he’ll be in Corfu?”

Cypher laughed at Silver’s question, adjusting the duffel bag with their guns he was carrying on his shoulder. “Because that is where they met.” The masked man mused, looking at the man ahead of them.

“Yes.. When Kingdom Industries began construction on the island, I worked here for a short time. I got lost very quickly and that was when I met Amir. And I was recruited into the Legion not long after that. But Corfu.. It’s..”

“It was Alpha Achlys’ and I’s place too. That’s where we met as well. My my if only I had been able to recruit that one the way my counterpart did you..”

But Grimshaw merely shrugged as they walked towards the main town from where the teleporter dropped them on the island. If Valorant Protocol had recruited his counterpart, would he even be here? Grimshaw didn’t want to think of it.

“Is it that small restaurant I showed him to?”

“Anthos, yeah.”

“Great food.”

“Amir always got takeout.”

“You and Omega Cypher were really close, huh?” Ryuujin asked, moving a little quicker so she could be beside Grimshaw.

Grimshaw hesitated, but nodded. “We were. The similarities, right? I mean.. We understood each other.” 

“I can’t believe you managed to hide having a daughter! And one with flower powers? That’s crazy.” 

He snickered at Pua’s comment, turning to ruffle her hair between her ears. “Yeah I found another one. Now I get two!” He joked, the woman sticking her tongue out at him as she dodged away from his hand. 

“She’ll be surprised to see you as a radiant, are you worried?” Silver questioned, well aware of what it’s like to suddenly not be human.

“Always.” 

He looked up at the main street into what was once a beautiful quaint town, now overrun by his former employer. “Position’s everybody.” He reached behind him, taking the ghost that Cypher slid into his hand, he hid it within his cloak. 

“Pua and I go in alone. Cypher I want you providing constant updates on the location outside the restaurant. I don’t want anybody sneaking up on us. Silver you’ll be ready to act on Cypher’s intel, nobody gets close to us. Ryuujin, I need you to control the citizens in the surrounding area as best as you can. Remember, Legion is famous here. Your task is to make sure nobody gets too excited.”

“I’m the only outlier, my team became famous after I left. We’ll use that. Pua if you have to defect, do so.”

“Got it.”

“Alright, team. Operation Overhaul is go.”

And the team split off from one another, Ryuujin stayed on the main road while Silver and Cypher took to the rooftops. Pua nodded at Grimshaw and the two entered the side street the restaurant was situated in. 

The sun of Greece burned his visible skin but he did his best to ignore it as they approached carefully. Pua kept careful guard, ears alert to any strange sounds as she walked beside him. Upon hearing fast steps, the radiant was prepared to react, but she was caught off guard by a child running towards them.

“Papa!” 

Grimshaw crouched down, catching the girl and picking her up. “Other me is approaching.” The comm crackled and Pua looked up in time to see the Cypher in question approaching leisurely. Grimshaw narrowed his visible eye, holding onto Jacinta protectively as the man closed the distance.

“Achlys.”

“Hello, Amir.”

“Papa!” He looked down at her as she stared up at him. “You’re hurt.” She brought her hand up to her eye, bringing attention to the bandages over his on the reflecting side.

He smiled softly, leaning down to gently press his forehead against hers. “I’m okay, sprout. Let’s go inside, okay?” 

“Okay!! Come on Amir!” She wiggled out of Grimshaw’s arms to grab Ω-Cypher’s hand. Pua looked at Grimshaw behind the girl’s back, raising an eyebrow as the man stood straight. She didn’t like this, and he knew just by her expression. But they had to play along.

Inside of the restaurant was quiet, the building was empty sans one waitress and the chef visible through the window. “In you go.” Ω-Cypher released her hand so she could slide into the booth before he slid in beside her. Grimshaw slid into the booth followed by Pua, allowing the woman to be on the outside just in case. After all, she was faster than him.

“Do you know about mama?” 

Grimshaw didn’t expect her to get into it so quickly, she was only twelve. But then, she’d been abandoned and now her mother was dead. It was no surprise she grew up too quick. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” He spoke softly, reaching his hand across the table. A hand the girl was quick to take.

But she shook her head at him too.

“Amir said you got hurt too. And you couldn’t come home until you were better.”

Pua did her best to control her expressions, but she was an expressive woman, eyebrows furrowing at the mere idea one of their omega counterparts could have so much heart. 

“I did get hurt. I was in an accident.” He explained, tilting his head somewhat at her. “Did mama tell you where papa went to work three years ago?”

“New Mexico!”

He smiled beneath his mask. “Poor naive girl.” Cypher’s voice in his comm made him twitch slightly.

“Shut up, Cy.” Silver hissed, the sound of the younger agent smacking the older man’s arm clear as day through the communication device. Pua bit the inside of her cheek so as not to snicker.

“Right, but not our New Mexico.” She looked visibly confused, and Pua saw when she tilted her head, the resemblance between father and daughter was uncanny. “This is Nohealani.” He introduced the woman sitting beside him.

“Pua! I have an action figure of you cause you’re like me!”

“Oh- aw.. I’m- that’s cool kid!”

Grimshaw nodded. “But she’s not your Pua. Nohealani here is from a different world, a different earth entirely. Isn’t that cool?”

“Whoaaa, really?!”

“Yeah! I’m from Alpha Earth.” 

“And I got stuck in Alpha Earth after the accident. But my counterpart didn’t make it. So..”

“Is there another me?!”

“No, you’re the only you, sprout.”

“Awww..”

“She’s taking the whole two worlds thing pretty well.” Ryuujin observed as she diverted another person from entering the side street.

“Yeah, she’s a hella smart kid, Grim.”

“I have to go back to Alpha Earth. And Amir brought you here so that you can come with me.”

Jacinta blinked, straightening out again. “Why can’t you stay here? Why can’t we stay with Amir?”

Grimshaw reached up, pulling his mask off his face and setting it on the table beside their hands. “Because my life there is very important to me. But not as important as you. That’s why I want you to come with me.” 

“Is.. Mama there?”

“No, mija, I’m sorry. It’s just us. Auntie Hemera is there though. You always thought she was so pretty.”

“She is?!”

He nodded. “Amir, can I really go?!” She looked up at the man who had been taking care of her for the last few months, her eyes wide and shiny. 

“Of course, ayouni. Your dad will keep you safe.” He brought his hand up, poking her nose gently.

Jacinta turned her attention back to her father, nodding eagerly in anticipation. “Can we go home to get my things? I wanna show Pua my action figure!”

“You can call me Lani if you want.”

“Yay! Can we?” 

Grimshaw lifted his head to look at Ω-Cypher, even with his mask, even with all the technology that went into it to obscure his face, obscure his identity and feelings. The man could read him to such a worrying degree, and Ω-Cypher knew that.

“It’s too dangerous, sprout, I’m sorry.” 

“Wait, how can you tell?” Silver asked over the comms, confused at Grimshaw’s decision.

“They wouldn’t set up an ambush here, Legion doesn’t want to look bad attacking a man with his child. Inside their house though…” Cypher reasoned.

“Damn, that’s fucked up.”

“Language, Silver.”

“She can’t hear me!”

“Anything you need from home we’ll have Amir send over, okay?” She nodded, that seemed reasonable. “Good girl, now are you hungry? Let’s eat while you make that list for him.” He leaned back, waving the waitress over.

“Are you sure that’s smart, Grimshaw? What if they use the time to ambush us here?” Ryuujin questioned.

“I’m going to feed my daughter, Ryuujin. Hold your position.”

“Do you have an earpiece!?

“Sure do, sprout.” He pulled something out of his cloak and tossed it towards her, the girl catching it with glee. She put the earpiece on, tucking her curly hair back so she could listen in on their conversation.

“No swearing, Silver.”

“That’s rich coming from you, Pua.”

Jacinta worked on her list while the four waited for her food, Pua too nervous to eat, Ω-Cypher unable to, and Grimshaw ordering a single glass of coke. “Man can we go in there for grub? I’m starving. Did anyone bring any snacks?”

“You sound like Iso.” Cypher muttered, but judging by the rustling and Silver’s ecstatic noise, he did in fact bring a snack of sorts. Jacinta giggled as she listened, finishing off her list with the waitress’ pen, she handed it to Ω-Cypher who took it.

“I will have it sent to our safe spot in your world.” Ω-Cypher slid out of the booth, but leaned into it to press his face against the top of Jacinta’s head. “Be good for your father, ayouni.” And she nodded excitedly as he stood straight. “Take care of her, azizi.” He looked to Grimshaw who smiled at him.

“Thank you, Amir.” 

“Until next time, my friend.” 

He gently smacked the top of Pua’s head, almost playfully, with the paper list as he walked by her. She scowled at him but he had already walked on by, unbothered by her response to his casualness. 

“Papa?” Jacinta drew the man’s attention to her as she picked her fork up. “Are you a radiant like me now too?”

“Sort of. Not like you or mama. More like frankenstein’s monster.” He laughed, and Jacinta lit up when she realised he remembered her favourite book. He let go of her hand to hold it up, the limb dissolving into shadowy wisps. Her eyes widened, fork and food a mere inch from her now gaping mouth.

“Whoa! You’re a shadowman!”

Pua laughed. Loudly.

“S-Sorry- hehe..”

Silver was also audibly laughing on the other end, with small huffs of mechanical sounding air signifying Ryuujin’s giggles.

“I.. Yes, sprout, kinda. I can do a lot of cool things. Nohealani, do you still have that scrape from when you fell out of the teleporter?”

“I didn’t FALL- it was a tactical landing.”

She shifted in the booth to bring her knee up, pulling her baggy pants up so she could show him her scraped knee. Grimshaw’s hand reformed and he formed a small shadowy ball in his hand, the darkness leaching into Pua’s skin. She shuddered, it was always so cold when the heat of battle wasn’t getting to her.

When the darkness dissipated off of her skin, the scrape was completely gone. “I like healing.” He announced to his daughter who was stuffing her face with chocolate cake, nodding with big wide pink eyes.

“That’s so cool-” She spoke with her mouth full.

“Chew, mija.” And she nodded, closing her mouth and chewing.

“The background check on that waitress just came back, she has ties to Legion, you have to get out of there.” 

Pua’s eyes widened and she slid out of the booth. “Come on kid, we gotta go. Bring your plate.” She looked over her shoulder, where was the waitress? Or the chef for that matter? Jacinta nodded, but she just stuffed the rest of the cake slice in her mouth as she bounced out of the booth with her backpack.

Grimshaw slid out of the booth calmly, picking up his full glass of cola. Pua dodged when something sharp was thrown at her. “Hey we have a kid here!” She growled, grabbing Jacinta’s arm and tugging her behind her. Jacinta clung to the back of the woman’s shirt as another icicle came their way. 

The waitress came into view, a radiant with ice abilities no doubt. But before she could throw another sharp blade of ice at the bunny radiant, Grimshaw threw the contents of his glass into her face. The waitress yelled out, bringing her hands up to wipe the cola from her eyes. But the trio were gone before she could.

“How did you know?!”

Pua asked, Jacinta on her shoulder instead as it was faster to run away. “Her hair was down, not proper attire for a waitress really.. Okay, team. Like we discussed. The extraction is the most important part.” 

“I’m on it.” From above, Silver leaned over the edge of the roof, throwing down several of his mats to block anybody from following the trio from the sidestreet into the main road. Ryuujin followed suit in blocking areas, disappearing in her phased world to set several water orbs.

“Jacinta, stay with Nohealani no matter what, got it?”

“But what about you?”

“She’s faster and stronger than me. But I’m right behind you. Pua get her home.”

“Got it, Shaw.” 

Grimshaw stopped suddenly, turning quickly, his cloak blew softly in the wind as Pua carried the girl away. He brought his right hand up, the glowing tattoo changed in hue from a navy blue to a deep red as shadows wisped off of his skin. “Knock knock.” He mumbled, sending forth the dread call in range in front of him.

And with the area between his daughter and Omega’s forces blocked by metal, water, and shadow. The Alpha team was able to get away.

[dollypartonswig]

My top 10 books of the year!

1 ) The Nothing Man - Catherine Ryan Howard -

At the age of twelve, Eve Black was the only member of her family to survive an encounter with serial attacker the Nothing Man. Now an adult, she is obsessed with identifying the man who destroyed her life. Supermarket security guard Jim Doyle has just started reading The Nothing Man--the true-crime memoir Eve has written about her efforts to track down her family's killer. As he turns each page, his rage grows. Because Jim's not just interested in reading about the Nothing Man. He is the Nothing Man. Jim soon beings to realize how dangerously close Eve is getting to the truth. He knows she won't give up until she finds him. He has no choice but to stop her first.

2 ) The Night Ship - Jess Kidd -

1629: A newly orphaned young girl named Mayken is bound for the Dutch East Indies on the Batavia , one of the greatest ships of the Dutch Golden Age. Curious and mischievous, Mayken spends the long journey going on misadventures above and below the deck, searching for a mythical monster. But the true monsters might be closer than she thinks. 1989: A lonely boy named Gil is sent to live off the coast of Western Australia among the seasonal fishing community where his late mother once resided. There, on the tiny reef-shrouded island, he discovers the story of an infamous shipwreck…

3) The Reading List - Sara Nisha Adams -

Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Ealing after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries. Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home. When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list… hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.

4) Midnight Is The Darkest Hour - Ashley Winstead -

Ruth Collier has always felt like an outsider, even as her father rains fire and brimstone from the church pulpit. In Bottom Springs, his word is as good as law. But there are things the townspeople fear more than God, like the Low Man, a vampiric figure said to kill sinners in their beds on moonless nights. When a skull is found deep in the swamp, a hunt for the Low Man begins. Suspicion turns to Everett – Ruth's oldest friend, with a dark past. As Ruth and Everett grow closer, Ruth begins to unearth the town's secrets, determined to discover the truth. But as the line between good and evil grows ever thin, how far will Ruth go to save the person she loves most?

5) The Appeal - Janice Hallett -

The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife Helen, the play’s star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, their castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival. But not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatment’s efficacy—or of the good intentions of those involved. As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head at the explosive dress rehearsal. The next day, a dead body is found, and soon, an arrest is made. In the run-up to the trial, two young lawyers sift through the material—emails, messages, letters—with a growing suspicion that the killer may be hiding in plain sight. The evidence is all there, between the lines, waiting to be uncovered.

6) My Sister, The Serial Killer - Oyinkan Braithwaite -

When Korede's dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what's expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This'll be the third boyfriend Ayoola's dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede's long been in love with him, and isn't prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other...

7) Outlawed - Anna North -

The day of her wedding, 17 year old Ada's life looks good; she loves her husband, and she loves working as an apprentice to her mother, a respected midwife. But after a year of marriage and no pregnancy, in a town where barren women are routinely hanged as witches, her survival depends on leaving behind everything she knows. She joins up with the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang, a band of outlaws led by a preacher-turned-robber known to all as the Kid. Charismatic, grandiose, and mercurial, the Kid is determined to create a safe haven for outcast women. But to make this dream a reality, the Gang hatches a treacherous plan that may get them all killed. And Ada must decide whether she's willing to risk her life for the possibility of a new kind of future for them all.

8) Madhouse At The End Of The Earth - Julian Sancton -

The harrowing true survival story of an early polar expedition that went terribly awry--with the ship frozen in ice and the crew trapped inside for the entire sunless, Antarctic winter. Drawing on firsthand accounts of the Belgica's voyage and exclusive access to the ship's logbook, Sancton tells the tale of its long, isolated imprisonment on the ice--a story that NASA studies today in its research on isolation for missions to Mars. In vivid, hair-raising prose, Sancton recounts the myriad forces that drove these men right up to and over the brink of madness.

9) Morbidly Yours - Ivy Fairbanks -

Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner and a movie. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business and carry on their legacy under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. So it’s out of the mortuary and into the dating scene. Lark Thompson would rather get crushed by a falling anvil than stay next to a funeral home during her stay in Galway, Ireland. The vivacious American cartoon creator and animator came here to embrace life, not be reminded of losing her husband. When Lark learns of Callum’s dilemma and aversion to marrying out of necessity rather than love, she agrees to help the introverted mortician. Although sworn off love herself, she is optimistic that Callum can find The One and secure his inheritance. But as the dating project progresses and their friendship grows, so does a mutual attraction. The more time she spends with serious, sarcastic Callum, the more she dreads finding him a match. And the more disastrous dates he endures, the more he dreads Lark’s imminent return to the states. If they think it’s possible to ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.

10) Bunny - Mona Awad -

Samantha Heather Mackey couldn't be more of an outsider in her small, highly selective MFA program at New England's Warren University. A scholarship student who prefers the company of her dark imagination to that of most people, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort--a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other Bunny, and seem to move and speak as one. But everything changes when Samantha receives an invitation to the Bunnies' fabled Smut Salon, and finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door--ditching her only friend, Ava, in the process. As Samantha plunges deeper and deeper into the Bunnies' sinister yet saccharine world, beginning to take part in the ritualistic off-campus Workshop where they conjure their monstrous creations, the edges of reality begin to blur. Soon, her friendships with Ava and the Bunnies will be brought into deadly collision.