#but just who in the crown Keepers was going to die

[she-aint-no-slow-regard]

Not my emotional support himbo :(

[no-less-than-a-god]

“May I ask a question?” The Lamb’s voice carries easily through the Afterlife, and if The One Who Waits hadn’t just watched them die (an attack that they were too weakened to dodge, an arrow piercing their chest), he would have startled at how it echoes around them; Aym and Baal didn’t have such foresight, and both of them jerked, ears flicking and tails fluffing up for only a moment before calming.

“I have told you, Vessel,” The One Who Waits answers, as the Lamb grows close. “You are free to ask anything of your god.”

“Who are these two?” the Lamb asks, and gestures to the disciples on either side of the god. Having been directly referenced, both of their ears prick up, and they stand as straight as they can, alert and curious.

“They’re my disciples,” The One Who Waits replies, “gifted upon me as kits.”

He does not mention his sibling’s name, or the fact he knows it was them. It hurts to think about it, even now.

“Do they have names?”

The god makes a motion with his chained wrist, and addresses his keepers. “Speak freely, and introduce yourself to the Lamb.”

“Baal.”

“Aym.”

“Are you two brothers?”

“Yes,” it was Baal who replies, his brother’s head tilting as he answers. “Twins.”

“Who’s older?”

There is a pause. Both disciples look upon each other silently, before turning back to the Lamb they towered over.

“I think,” it was Aym who speaks this time, as he points his staff towards Baal, “he’s older.”

“Huh…” the Lamb trails off then, before speaking up again. “Who’s better at fighting?”

“I am,” both of them reply simultaneously, and then shoot each other a look.

“I beat you last time we sparred,” Aym says.

“But I had beaten you thrice before that,” Baal counters.

“Twice,” Aym corrects.

“Thrice,” Baal insists.

In a sudden move, Aym pounces on his brother, staff brandished. “I’ll show you who’s a better fighter!” he yells, and the two throw themselves off to the side, bickering and fighting.

Both the Lamb and The One Who Waits watches the brothers for a few moments, before the Lamb looks up at their god.

“Apologies, I seem to have caused that,” they say.

“They fight, it happens,” the god replies. He does not stop his disciples, or reprimand them from fighting in front of his vessel. Instead, he watches with amusement.

“It’s entertaining, most of the time,” he adds. “I’ve been keeping track of who wins.”

“Who’s winning, then?”

Beneath the veil, The One Who Waits begins to smile, and he turns back to the Lamb.

“They’re tied.”

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

“May I ask what happens to the offerings I give you?”

“My disciples eat the fish.”

“You don’t?”

“I cannot.”

“Would you like me to send other things, then?”

“The fish is adequate, Vessel. You do not have to.”

“Do you know what fish they prefer, then?”

“Aym prefers swordfish; Baal prefers tuna.”

“And you?”

“...It’s been too long for me to remember the tastes, but I remember being partial to salmon the most.”

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

“Does it hurt?” they ask, sitting among the ethereal ground. The One Who Waits watches them, as they peer up at him.

They look so small.

“Does what hurt?” he asks in return, although he has a speculation.

“The shackles, the chains. Being bound.”

The One Who Waits remains silent, contemplating, before he speaks honestly. “They have pained me for so long, I take no further notice. I have been forced to grow used to the unbearable agony; it no longer affects me as greatly as it once did. Is there a reason you ask, Vessel?”

The Lamb, The One Who Waits surprisingly finds, is silent. They’ve looked away from him, and suddenly, they’re standing up.

“I’m ready to go back,” they claim, and there’s a tremble at the end of their voice.

Ignoring that they failed to answer his own question, Narinder raises his bony arm, chainlinks clinking together, as he resurrects them.

Later, watching through the crown, he sees the Lamb descend upon the stone statue of Heket with their oversized hammer, smashing it to pieces.

Even as it rebuilds itself, the hammer brings it all down in a fit of rage, until the Lamb is doubled over with fatigue, panting and sweating.

Eligos brings their demise two days later, and neither god nor vessel speak as the Lamb looks upon The One Who Waits.

Thank you, he wants to say, for your rage. For caring. You did not have to do that, but you did. 

But he says nothing.

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

“Do you know how to play knucklebones?”

“I’ve watched the rat play it, many times. And I’ve watched you play it, many times more.”

“But do you know how to play?”

“I do not.”

“Can I teach you?

“With what dice, Vessel?”

“I have some in the crown. I can teach Aym and Baal too, if they want.”

“I’m sure they’ll enjoy it.”

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

“Have you always had a veil?” the Lamb asks, resting in their god’s hand. They had requested to lay down, after a painful and quite literal run-in with an explosive fiend. They sit up, a curious tilt to their head.

“I acquired one not long after my ascension to a Bishop,” The One Who Waits replies. Nearby, the sound of staff clacking together continues as the twins spar. “There were complaints of my gaze being uncomfortable. Unnerving.”

The Lamb pauses, before they softly ask, “May I see?”

“The veil?”

“Your face.”

A century ago, a request as such would have given him pause. He would have declined, and sent the Lamb away.

Instead, he slowly brings his arm up, and leans down. The Lamb ducks under the veil, and for the first time, the god and vessel make true eye contact.

Red meets white. The One Who Waits looks, unblinking, as the Lamb stares back into his eyes.

Something touches his nose, and it twitches involuntarily at the unfamiliar sensation. It takes the god a few seconds to realize it’s the Lamb’s hand.

The Lamb smiles, gently. “Your eyes. They’re a pretty red.”

The One Who Waits’ ear flicks.

“Like camellias. Or fresh blood. It’s nice.”

“Vessel,” the god whispers, because they’re so close. “I ask you to stop talking.”

The Lamb leans against The One Who Waits’ nose, and all he can smell is them. “And I ask,” they reply, their smile growing, “is that I can continue praising my god’s bea-”

“Lamb-” The One Who Waits interrupts, and it comes out soft. Something warm curls in his chest, around his unbeating heart.

“What shall become of me, if I don’t stop talking?” the Lamb asks in a whisper. 

A purr threatens to rip itself from the god’s chest.

“I’ll send you back to your followers,” The One Who Waits replies.

The threat is empty, and both of them know it.

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

“Was Kallamar your elder or younger brother?”

“Elder.”

“And Heket was younger. Does that mean you were the middle sibling?”

“Yes, I was in the middle. Two came before, and two after.”

“May I ask what it was like, having siblings?”

“I assure you, Vessel, my experience with siblinghood is most definitely different from the norm.”

“I rephrase: May I ask what it was like for you, having siblings? May I know more of my god’s past?”

“Draw close, Lamb, and I shall tell you.”

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

“Shamura spoke to me.” 

The One Who Waits flicks his ear, half because of hearing his sibling’s name on his lamb's tongue, half because they sound nervous.

The Lamb continues speaking. “They told me something. A name.”

The god freezes. He stills so suddenly, not even his chains clink. It's silent.

He knows what name Shamura had spoken. He wasn't watching the Lamb during their crusade, but he knows.

He remembers, faintly, his name uttered in vain, in fear and disgust. In hatred, or indifference.

“Were they telling the truth?” the Lamb asks. “Is your name Narinder?”

Reverence. How long ago did someone last say his name with such reverence?

“It is,” he replies, and he pretends his voice doesn’t tremble at the end.

“Can I call you that?”

The answer comes at once, without thought or hesitation, “Yes.”

“Much easier to say than your title,” the Lamb smiles a little, “right, Narinder?”

His own purr surprises him, and he watches as the Lamb’s smile grows into something soft, something fond.

Off to the side, Baal and Aym shoot their master a strange look.

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

“What do you plan to do, once you’re free?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’ve been trapped for almost a millennium, Narinder, surely you’ve thought of something?”

“I’ve had ideas in the past, but they’ve changed. Now, I’m unsure.”

“I can help you think of something, if you want.”

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

Narinder, The One Who Waits, has dreamed of freedom for centuries. All he’s wished for, as time passed in his eternal prison, is that he could be set free.

The Lamb’s arrival to him, covered in chains and looking ragged, had filled him with ecstatic bloodlust.

They were it, his key. With them as his final sacrifice, he’d be free.

That thought would keep him gleeful, a comfort. With their death, he’ll find his freedom.

But something changed.

Now, the thought fills him with dread.

With their death, he’ll be free.

For the first time since he was shackled, his dreams aren’t filled with revenge, with tearing himself free and escaping.

For the first time, he becomes weary of his own domain.

He doesn’t want the Lamb to die.

He doesn’t want the Lamb to die to free him.

He wants them alive. He wants them to stay, sleeping against his claw and chest, saying his name, peering under his veil.

He doesn’t want the Lamb to die.

Which is why, when they bow to him, his crown in their hands, he cannot find the words he’s dreamed of saying for centuries, the words he’s supposed to say.

It’s why, fists clenching, he says, “No.”

Good afternoon, I woke up and chose violence today! More specifically, I decided today I would write short fragments of interaction between narinder and the lamb during their vessel years

also. lore :)

anyways if anyone's curious I listened to "Home" by Pinkshift while writing this

[idontknowmyownmind]

OG!Cale Fanfics Recommendation

COMPLETED

[og!Cale-centric] in accordance by pheenick 💝

[LCF] Love is gone by sleepycale 💝

[LCF] Are you saying Goodbye? by JadedMindscape

[og!AlCale] "Unexpected Meetings" - series by abralhugres

[og!AlCale] "dreams" - series by abralhugres

[og!AlCale] the root of the problem by abralhugres

His Majesty's Messenger by Aisha_mirai

A Man who had No Love by Justsamrandumbfujoshi

[og!Cale-centric] Forgive Dad by Verzy

[og!AlCale] Winter Affliction by abralhugres

[og!Cale-centric] the red means... [you belong to me] by Further_From_Humanity 💝

it's you by Milamimi

[og!AlCale] In another life by Verzy

[og!AlCale] don’t go where i can’t follow by shuangxuans 💝

[og!AlCale] a Lout and a Prince by abralhugres

[og!AlCale] the villainess gets revenge by abralhugres

[RokCale] feelings too strong to contain by abralhugres

[RokCale] Type of kisses by wifteria

[RokCale] Knock on the Coffin by esdegen 💝

[RokCale] Salvation & Sin by Luc_00 (Dawn_007)

[CJS x Heniroksoo] you drew stars around my scars (but now i’m bleeding) by todoloey

[og!AlCale] "Switched" - series by abralhugres

[og!Cale-centric] Nightmare in the Flesh by Verzy

Complicated by abralhugres

[Og!StarCale] Cry for me by wifteria 💝

[ROokCale] Why Cale Henituse can't leave the duchy by wifteria

[Og!AlCale] ( IF I AM THE SUN ) by AKingsAffection

[RokCale] the secrets we left under the distant sky by Luc_00 (Dawn_007)

[RokCale] You Are Mine by ThisIsVee 💝

ON-GOING

[LCF AlCale] Crown Prince's Rule Breaker by minamintsoo

[LCF x ORV] The Kimcom in Rowoon by Tsukki_yan 💝

[LCF x ORV] Crossing Paths by your_serialdreamer

One Bad End is Enough by AsterEfflores 💝

Can't an Old Man Die in Peace? by AsterEfflores

[og!Cale-centric] his brother's keeper by thursdays 💝

Cut Yourself On My Glass Plate by SkylerSkyhigh 💝

Open Your Eyes And Take A Look Around You. by VaraUser 💝

Reacting to Reading by Cortes01

Acquaint Fate by Unlucky_Cactus 💝

[LCF] Ancient Powers Hijack Cale's Body by mishamoonberry

[og!AlCale] Fuck our Problems by Verzy 💝

[og!AlCale] death is the only ending for the trash queen by abralhugres

[og!AlCale] crossed fates - series by abralhugres 💝

[og!AlCale] puppy love by abralhugres

[og!Cale-centric] Vermilion made of Cinnabar by PoisonousLana

[PolySoo x og!Cale] more is better ;D by abralhugres, small_mew 💝

[LCF x BNHA] BNHA react to TCF by KNX7

Hunter by Theta_Shi

[og!Cale-centric] OG!Cale receives a family by Verzy

The Silver Coin and The Pretty Rock by ThisIsVee 💝

This Time Around by ThisIsVee

everyone around him dies by abralhugres 💝

[og!ChoiCale] 그렇더라고요 (When You Love Someone) by mishamoonberry 💝

[og!AlCale] (what we lose in the fire) by AKingsAffection 💝

my world as i wish for by mishamoonberry 💝

Group Hug!!!! by squidballsinc

[RokCale] Damage control by Mir_Hope20 💝

Patchwork Soul by ThisIsVee 💝

Cale's Guide to Raising Your Yandere Brother by GingerVee (ThisIsVee), ThisIsVee 💝

End My Suffering Dear Duke! by Aceresa 💝

[RokCale] Everyone Deserves to be Loved by Loveable_Psychopath

[RokCale) Zenith of the Crimson Sun and the Obsidian Moon by Kimera20

I Reject The Maidens! by C0rr3ct 💝

[RokCale] Sleeping Partners (they really just sleep) by FollowerOfCaleism 💝

[RokCale] The Sun Proposed to the Moon by Nami_San18

Blood is Thicker than Wine by seasskies 💝

💝 The one I love the most ❤❤❤

This is my latest updated og!Cale fanfictions I've read

The one without [...] in front of its title means that the story /somehow/ involved both KRS and Cale

And, yes, I'm a hardcore og!AlCale and RokCale shipper

I do read some krs!Cale-centric fanfiction but when it come to LCF 'canon'-verse, I avoided E-rated and shippy ones and I don't usually bookmarked them

It's hard to find one to my liking because most M-rated and T-rated ones still with ships and s3xual content while there are few with those rates because of the theme or gore or language but most are not, so...

I like the light read ones, but most of the times I just want to read the heavy ones that without ships but those are so rare...

Idk whether you, @grumpywiltedlettuce, already read them or not but these are the one I like the most!!

Will updated if I found more!!

[dark-frosted-heart]

Roger Barel Main Route - Chapter 16

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this. I’m doing this for archiving purposes and you can probably find a better translation out there.

Kate: …Nn…Where is this?

I regained consciousness on the cold floor.

(That’s right…I ended up smelling something that came from behind me…)

(is this…a warehouse…somewhere?)

My head still felt heavy as I raised it, and stood up.

(I’m not tied up…)

I sighed in relief, but then—

Kate: …!

When I sensed a presence, I turned around and saw a boy and girl looking pale and trembling.

(Who are these kids?)

(...Could it be that—)

~~ Flashback ~~

Barkeep: These days you hear a lot of young men and women get attacked or go missing.

--

Liam: Lately, young people have been getting attacked or going missing.

Ellis: Do you mean the incidents Victor and Will are investigating?

~~ End flashback ~~

(...Did I end up getting involved in the incident?)

While I sat there in surprise, I suddenly heard footsteps from the darkness.

Man in a black hood: Looks like you’re all awake.

One, two, three, four men with black hoods over their eyes appeared.

(These were the criminals who attacked me…)

They each held either a gun or a knife.

(I thought I was glad that I wasn’t tied up…How naive)

The fact that I had such freedom meant that there was no way you’d get away.

Depending on what they do, my life could be taken instantly.

I went pale with fear and fell to my knees.

(Calm down…I’m a fairytale keeper trained by Roger)

(Out of everyone here, I’m the one most familiar with “evil”)

I felt for the gun strapped to my garter belt. Luckily that wasn’t taken away.

(Everyone should soon realize that I’ve disappeared)

And then Crown…Roger will come save me.

The evil Crown was the best group you could have as your ally.

(Besides, Crown’s been following this case)

(If they thought that saving me would help solve this case, then they’d be on it now)

I just had to wait.

(...I’ll need to buy some time)

(Or else…the kids and I—)

A shiver ran down my spine when it felt like the Grim Reaper was drawing near. I mustered up all my strength and stood in front of kids to protect them.

Kate: …Why are you doing this?

Man in a black hood: I don’t see a point in explaining ourselves to someone who’s about to die.

(“Someone who’s about to die”...)

Meaning they plan to kill us in the end.

(We’re not being held for ransom)

(They kidnap random youths)

(But…why would they kill all these people?)

I didn’t understand their intentions.

That made me anxious, and after putting all that effort into standing, my legs started shaking.

Look for a chance to escape

Beg for your life

Provoke him +4 +4

Kate: …It’s not like you’re going to let us run. If we’re waiting to die, then wouldn’t it be nice to have something to take with us to the afterlife? But if you can’t even give us that…then do what you want.

A look of annoyance crossed his face and he gulped audibly.

But the provocation did its job and the hooded man started to talk with an air of confidence.

Man in a black hood: In this world, there’s a thing called “being useless”. Withered flowers, abandoned buildings, dead people. However, there are some people who find value in these.

Kate: There are people who value us even after we die?

(I think…Roger and I had a conversation like this before)

~~ Flashback ~~

Kate: Roger, what’s this law written here in “Dissection Laws”?

Roger: As you know, medicine’s advancing pretty rapidly in England. With that comes a lot of dissections performed by doctors and researchers. Now here’s a question. What do you think the problem with this is?

Kate: …They run out of specimens to perform dissections on?

Roger: Correct. So then people go and collect human specimens however they can.

Kate: Ah, I’ve heard of people who dig up graves to steal corpses.

Roger: That’s why the “Dissection Law” was established to prevent that and ensure cadavers were acquired legally.

~~ End flashback ~~

(...Being regulated by law increases the shortage of human specimens)

That’s why they were killing young people.

Not for ransom.

But the corpses had value.

With this, I came to a conclusion—

Kate: Are you all doctors or researchers who need human specimens?

Man in a black hood: Oh? You’re clever…Who are you?

Kate: I don’t have a name to share.

Man in a black hood: Hmm, cheeky. You’re not entirely wrong, but… Let’s stop chatting. My client wants silent offerings.

The hooded man took something out.

What reflected the dim light dully was—

(A knife…)

--

Roger: This is supposed to be the base, but there’s nothing here…Did we get it wrong?

When they entered, the warehouse was only filled with silence and the smell of dust.

Nica: It’s too early to give up, no? These places tend to have dummies. Like hidden passageways or hidden doors.

Roger held up a finger to stop him from talking.

Roger: …I can “hear” something. There are people in the basement.

Nica: Oh, so that’s abnormal hearing. I thought it had its limitations, but it’s pretty useful.

Ale: Arf arf.

Jude: The dumb dog found somethin’.

Picking up Ale who was sniffing around a wooden crate and moving said crate out of the way revealed—

Roger: A hidden passageway.

Nica: See, I knew it. That means you’re likely right.

They descended into the hidden passageway.

At the base of the stairs, a lone candle casted a shadow on the wall.

Roger: There’s no hiding spots though. Guess we’ll have to get out.

After they emerged, someone saw the shadows their shadows on the wall.

Man with mouth covered: …Who’s there!

10 men appeared, all with their faces covered by cloth.

Jude: Oi, quack. Keep goin’. Princess will be dead if ya don’t hurry.

Roger: …Jude

Jude: Huh? What’s with that face? It’s on your conscience if she dies. Go.

Roger: Sorry. I’ll waive your medical bill. Don’t die, Jude.

With that, Roger ran into the darkness.

Man with mouth covered: Hey, one’s running away. After him!.

The once quiet underground  space turned into a warzone full of angry shouts.

Nica: Oh, I caught something good. You might look mean, but you’re a quite the compassionate fellow aren’t you?

Jude: Don’t think ya got time to chat when you’re gettin’ attacked from behind.

Man with mouth covered: …Die!

Nica: …

Less than a second after noticing the shadow on a ceiling, a gunshot rang out from Nica’s hand.

He killed his target with precision without even looking.

Nica: Unfortunately, I’m not easy to kill. You chose the wrong people to fight.

Man with eyes covered: …Shit, I thought I had you…Gah.

Jude broke the man’s jaw with the tip of his shoe.

Jude: Shaddup.

Jude: …Who the hell are ya.

Cobalt blue eyes smiled at the cold gaze.

Nica: Nica Schwartz, a member of the German Empire’s Vogel. It’s cruel that you’ve forgotten after I’ve already introduced myself. I have a glass heart you know.

Jude: I’m not imaginin’ things when I say you’re too experienced for a mere lapdog. How’d you know ‘bout his abnormal hearin’?

Nica: Don’t worry, I know about you too. Jude Jazza, the president of a trading company. A company that deals in materials and food that don’t often face changes in demand, as well as luxury items and jewelry… You’re also skilled in handling what’s trending in the market. Having a diverse range of products limits risk, so you must be making a lot of money. …Want me to keep going?

Jude: Tch, all that snoopin’s makes me sick.

Nica: You need to know someone to get along with them. Don’t you think we’d get along, Mr. President?

Nica smiled suggestively. Then, multiple footsteps approached.

It appeared that the mens’ colleagues noticed that something unusual happened in the basement and assembled.

Nica: It’s rude to interrupt when I’m trying to solicit* someone. Let’s finish you off quickly.

Jude: Careful I don’t kick you by accident, Vogel lech.

Nica: That’s my line.

--

Meanwhile—The noises underground haven’t reached the warehouse where the kidnapped youths were being held.

Man in a black hood: Let’s stop chatting. My client wants silent offerings.

Kate: …

I gasped at the dull glint of the knife.

Man in a black hood: Ah, yes. You lot, make sure they only get one stab in the stomach. Our client wants the bodies as clean as possible…Ugh, drugging would’ve been easier.

Another man had warned the man with the knife out.

(There are 4 people…My gun has seven rounds. I can take them)

(However)

—Am I able to kill people?

Kidnapped girl: *sob* …No, I don’t want to die…

Kidnapped boy: Me too…Getting killed…In a place like this…

(...Don’t be scared, don’t hesitate)

(They need to be condemned for taking so many lives)

To not arouse suspicion, I slowly reached under my skirt and then pulled out my gun.

(Roger gave me this gun for self-defense)

(But…Now’s the time to use it)

I hated myself for being weak.

I felt frustrated and wanted to change, so I decided to get stronger by being with Roger.

(Roger would definitely kill them all)

An image of him shouldering the guilt while taking however many lives with his rifle popped up in my mind.

(That’s why, I—these people, kill evil)

I held my gun up and placed a finger on the trigger.

(...)

But my finger was shaking— 

Kate: Ah.

The bullet I resolved to fire went way off the mark and made a hole in the wall.

The hooded man turned at the sound and looked at me with my gun still aimed.

Man in a black hood: Pfft, hahahaha! You use a gun like a child playing with a toy.

Kate: Eek…

He grabbed my arm and took my gun away.

Man in a black hood: I’ll show you how you use a gun properly…When you want to kill someone.

Kate: …

The feeling of the barrel of the gun pressed against my temple was a firsthand lesson in the price of failure.

(Ah…Damn)

(So this is the end…)

The only sound I could hear was my own heartbeat, yet as I stared into the darkness, I wished that I could see Roger’s face one last time.

(Farewell, Roger…)

-

*The word Nica uses can also mean flirt, hit on, make a pass at :3

[judesmoonbeauty]

Miss Fairytale Keeper, Come Have Fun With Us: Nica Schwartz EPILOGUE

Translations will not include screenshots or CGs as mentioned here. Fan translation only. Not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Cybird owns everything. Feel free to re-blog, but please do not post my translations elsewhere. Thank you, for you support! ☾.

Nica: She truly is a cute robin.

I heard a muttered voice and turned around, but he just smiled and waved.

Kate: Did you say something?

Nica: Nothing at all. Anyway, if you don’t go home, then will you keep doing naughty things with me?

Kate: I won’t!

When I turned away from him, Nica began to walk ahead, chuckling.

(I’m so tired today…..)

(It’s all because of Nica’s teasing me)

As I watched his nonchalant back, I felt a little irritated, but I didn’t feel any regret about taking his hand.

[Transitions to the Palace.]

One day, a few days after the mission —

(I’m glad the issue was exposed because there was evidence of illegal gambling.)

It was thought that the evidence had been lost in the fire, but a ledger left at the scene revealed illegal gambling, and was delivered to Her Majesty the Queen.

(This is just the tip of the iceberg.)

I recalled Nica’s words and came to a halt.

(Still, I think we need to solve the problems in front of us one at a time.)

With a changed mindset, I started walking,

(Maybe I should talk to Nica about it?)

I turned on my heel to search the entire palace to lay out the facts.

Nica: I found a cute robin looking for me.

At that moment, Nica appeared before me and I jumped in surprise.

Kate: How did you know I was looking for you?

Nica: Heh, so you really were looking for me.

(I’ve been taken along for a ride…..)

Nica: Is there something you wanted to say to me?

Nica: How about some tea?

When I accepted the invitation with a nod, he escorted me to the drawing room, where I sat down on the sofa.

Nica: So, you wanted to have a chat about the casino the other day?

Kate: How’s that….

Nica: I’m a staff officer, right?

Nica: Information gathering is a skill.

He takes a sip of his tea and begins cutting the deck of playing cards he has in hand.

Nica: The core of the aristocrats were arrested, but the children of the upper class were released on bail.

Nica: Well, they’re nothing more than debauched sons and daughters.

Kate: …..People who’ve lost everything because of gambling.

Nica: At best they’ll go to a rescue institution, otherwise won’t they die in ditch somewhere? [1]

Nica: I don’t care what happens to the gambling addicts.

I frowned at his skillful shuffling.

Kate: They certainly brought it upon themselves.

Kate: But I don't believe that all of the people who attacked me had ill intentions that were beyond the point of no return.

Whatever the reason, it was a crime to cause an explosion and attack so many people.

Kate: I don’t approve of methods that do not allow room for rehabilitation.

Nica’s eyes widened and he blinks repeatedly.

Then, there’s a loud laugh.

Nica: I’m jealous that a kind young lady is worried about them.

Nica: Would you like to gamble to find out how they feel?

Kate: Huh?

Nica: You might understand if you experience the thrill of not knowing if you’ll win or lose,

Nica: The exhilaration of winning and the despair of losing.

When I gazed at him who was dealing the cards alternately,

Nica: What will you bet? Money? Your body?

Kate: I won’t bet that!

Nica: The bigger the stakes, the more intense it is.

When he picks up the cards dealt,

Nica: If I win, show me around the city.

Nica: Of course, without telling Crown.

Nica discards a pair of matching cards, and I realize this is a game of Old Maid.

Nica: You might not be trusted as a fairytale keeper anymore.

Kate: What’s in it for me?

Nica: If you win, I’ll tell you all about us.

Kate: What?

He flashed a card,

Nica: What’s our aim, what we’re going to do, I’ll answer all your questions.

Nica: What will you do?

He smiled meaningfully and crossed his legs.

(Maybe I can learn about “their lies” that Harrison was talking about.)

Kate: I’ll do it.

Nica: Now you’re talking.

Taking a deep breath I faced it.

Nica: Ladies first.

As he said that, I reached and pulled out a card, but

(Ah,)

I drew the joker, and resisted the urge to make a facial expression.

Then Nica smiled widely.

(Maybe he knows what I drew…..?)

Nica: Why are you staring at me like that. Have you fallen in love with me?

This battle may have been decided who’d lose from the start.

Ftn [1] 野垂れ死に 'Notarejini' - Literally, to die in a field or die a dog’s death.

[Master List] Dividers: @.adornedwithlight

Tags list: @sh0jun @theimaginativelyreticent @sapphire-323 @letter-from-afar @nateko Please let me know if you'd like to be added to my tags list!

[corneliaavenue-ao3]

Drunk prompt:

Harpies just won the quidditch cup and they’re celebrating at the pub with the all their teammates and their families. Ginny is drunk and starts to tell her family all the naughty things she and Harry got up to as teens and things he does to her that drives her insane.

Around 3 AM, the party finally started to die down.

Gwenog left at least two hours ago, claiming that she couldn't keep up with the rest of the team at her age. The Harpies' keeper and other beater left together around 2, arms wrapped around one another, not at all hiding what their after-party plans were.

On the other hand, Ginny and the other two chasers were not letting the party quietly end.

"Another round of shots?" Ginny hollered from atop the bar. The crowd cheered as the bartender poured glittering alcohol into shot glasses.

"Let's get you down from there," Harry said, extending a hand to his girlfriend. Ginny ignored the hand and jumped down, only slightly stumbling as she landed.

"Dear Merlin, save her," Harry muttered to the sky.

"I'm fine!" Ginny reassured Harry, "I'm a fucking champion, and champions don't get hurt."

"Come on, Champion, let's get you to a table." Harry paused and added, "A table that you can sit at."

Ginny pouted, but allowed herself to be drug to a back table where Ron, George, and Hermione were sitting at.

"Is that a UK Quidditch champion walking toward us?" George shouted.

Ginny twirled before taking a bow, "It is. It is. You are welcome for blessing your presence with a champion." Ginny gasped, "I should get a crown!"

"You should get some water," Harry said.

Ginny waved him off, "So what are we chatting about?"

Hermione started to pour a glass of water from the pitcher sitting on the table, "We were talking about Hogwarts, and all the various rules we broke. Here. Water." Hermione passed the glass of water to Ginny.

"Ooh gilly-water! Thanks!"

Hermione did not correct her.

"George was saying how he used to sneak out to the Quidditch field to hook up with this Ravenclaw girl," Ron said.

"I mean, who hasn't," Ginny said.

"What do you mean who hasn't?" Ron asked.

"Wait, does that mean you haven't?" Ginny asked back. "I just assumed everyone did. Especially Quidditch players. Harry and I did it several times." Ginny took a swig of her water. "Ew. I thought you said this was gilly-water."

Ron turned his full body to Ginny, "What do you mean you snuck out?"

"We snuck out to hook up, I thought what I said was pretty clear," Ginny replied.

"Gin," Harry interrupted.

Ginny ignored Harry's interruption.

"So if you didn't sneak out to the Quidditch fields where did you go? The Room of Requirement was also a staple. Actually, fun fact, it is where I took Harry's virginity," Ginny swirled her glass of water, and took another sip. "Still not gilly-water."

Hermione grabbed onto Ginny's wrist, "Ginny, maybe you should stop-"

"Okay, to be fair, he also took my virginity, but it isn't as fun to say that."

Ron glared at Harry while George threw his head back and laughed.

"Okay Ginny, maybe it's time to go home," Harry said, but not loud enough.

"If it's not the Room of Requirement, during lunch, we would have picnics by the Lake. And lunch was not the only thing Harry was eating, if you're catching my drift." Ginny winked at Hermione.

"Okay on that note, I will be taking our champion home!" Harry said, finally successfully interrupting Ginny. "We will see everyone later!"

Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and her water and pulled her out the door.

"Aw, Harry, I was still having fun," Ginny pouted.

Harry pulled her to the side at the apparition point. "I will eat you out at home, I promise."

[underwaterbanshee]

As brutal as the breaking of the Crown Keepers was last night, I am kinda here for it.

I'm here for those friendships that seem so ride or die until they just...aren't. That best friend you had that you held onto so tightly until the two of you went in different directions. That circle of friends that love each other but not enough to stay when things get weird or rough or not even when things get hard just you have different plans and lives to live.

So often the DnD story that gets told is the adventuring party = the chosen, found, perfect, ride or die, family. There is nothing wrong with that and it is a powerful story for those of us who need the story of our chosen family fighting to the death to save our precious hearts and souls because in the real world we need that fantasy.

But what happened last night was a smaller, more accurate story, that we're more familiar with. Less of a fantasy and more raw and real.

Love for your friends and your friendships can just fall apart. It doesn't make you a bad friend or a bad person. It doesn't mean your love was less or wrong. It just means that that this was just a stop along the journey to who you might become some day.

Letting go of that which cannot serve you might be good for the future but fucking suck in the present. How many of us have let go of friends, situations, just stuff, and it was painful now but (hopefully) the right choice later?

The story is never over and I'm here for it every time.

[archiveikemen]

『Surprise Bag』 Story Sale: Prologue

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection and is not intended as replacement for official localisation. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Warnings and FAQ

Ever since becoming the Fairytale Keeper, I’ve built some level of resistance to unusual happenings.

However, despite that, some strange things that happen in Crown still manage to surpass my expectations.

…

“Jude” (Ellis): Good morning, Kate. I’m going to make you happy today too.

Kate: … Jude, uhh… did you suffer a blow to the head?

“Jude” (Ellis): Eh? I didn’t take any blows to anywhere, I’m feeling great.

Kate: What happened to your usual scumbag attitude?! Are you sick? Injured, perhaps? We must take you to the hospital at once!

“Ellis” (Jude): Tch, what’s the ruckus about?

“Jude” (Ellis): Oh, Jude.

“Jude” (Ellis): Huh? Why is Jude me?

“Ellis” (Jude): That’s my line. Why are YOU me?

Kate: W-What?

“Elbert” (Alfons): AHHA! This is getting awfully amusing.

Kate: Al… wait, Sir Elbert?!

Kate: Don’t tell me… the one behind you is Alfons?

“Alfons” (Elbert): … When I looked into the mirror, I saw that I turned into Al.

“Elbert” (Alfons): It’s interesting to look at myself objectively.

“Elbert” (Alfons): Oh, El. Please put in more energy when speaking. It’s disturbing to hear myself sound so depressed.

“Alfons” (Elbert): … Energy? … I’ll try.

“Alfons” (Elbert): … ahha.

“Elbert” (Alfons): It was a mistake on my part to expect energy from you.

Kate: Maybe, or not just maybe…

Kate: — Did Jude and Ellis, Alfons and Sir Elbert swap bodies!?

Kate: How did this happen…?

“Ellis” (Jude): Definitely that quack’s fault, I’m going to beat him up.

…

All members of Crown gathered to question Roger, who simply laughed at the situation.

Roger: My bad. I can’t believe it took effect this fast. Aren't I a genius?

Victor: Don't say such things, Roger! Why did such a cute… I mean, serious thing happen?

Liam: Victor, you’re exposing your inner thoughts. Also, your words and facial expression don’t match.

Roger: I was conducting research on whether a curse can be transferred if I swapped the bodies of a cursed person with a normal person.

William: Your insatiable inquisitive mind is truly eye opening, but shouldn't your test subjects be a cursed person and a normal person instead?

Roger: I thought it’d be dangerous if something were to happen to someone who isn’t cursed, so I decided to experiment on these guys first.

Harrison: What do you take us for? We die just like normal people.

“Elbert” (Alfons): Let’s drown that four-eyed musclehead in the River Thames.

“Ellis” (Jude): Yeah. Tie some stone weights onto him and plop him in to make it quick.

Kate: Wait, please don't say such unsettling things with Sir Elbert and Ellis’ faces!

“Jude” (Ellis): But Roger is so cool for being able to make a drug like this.

Liam: … Now Jude is being a softie. Goodness, this is chaos!

Roger: Relax. I’ll produce an antidote if you let me collect the data I need.

Roger: … If I can produce an antidote, that means I can experiment on the others too.

Harrison: … You just said something disturbing.

Roger: I said nothing.

“Elbert” (Alfons): I must say, you have no rights to be bargaining with us. Pardon my vulgar language, but please die.

Harrison: Woah, um… Liam? Oi, oi. — Is he asleep?

“Jude” (Ellis): I touched his head, sorry. I was curious to see if I can use Jude’s curse’s abilities.

Roger: Heh, the curse’s abilities remain in the body, huh. So I am a genius after all!

(This is getting out of hand…!)

Kate: Please give us the antidote immediately, Roger!

Kate: … Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen if this reaches Her Majesty's ears?

Roger: She might fire me for this.

Roger: … That’s why you should help keep an eye on them so word doesn't get out, lil lady.

Kate: Eh? Roger? Hey!

“Ellis” (Jude): Tch… useless. Getting fired just like that.

“Jude” (Ellis): Oh, Jude, body can’t take cig—

“Ellis” (Jude): *cough*... tastes like shit. Ellis, you need to train yourself to take at least ONE cigar.

“Elbert” (Alfons): I could get away with a lot of bad things with this face, don't you think?

Alfons: … Is this spoon beautiful, Kate?

Kate: T-This is driving me insane…!

I so badly wanted it to be some horrible april fools joke, but the scene unfolding before my eyes showed otherwise.

At that point in time, I still didn't know.

— To be continued.

[darushi-chan]

HOTD Modern AU where everyones dragons are some kind of reptile or amphibian.  Sooo, I finally gathered the courage to add my own stuff to the HOTD fandom, lol. I love reptiles, specifically Komodo dragons, I’ve made like 3 different college projects with them and it was impossible for me to not see Vhagar as one, I’ve seen other really good takes with old grandma V being a snapping turtle, an alligator and so on, and then I decided to imagine my own modern AU were all the Targaryan dragons in HOTD are some kind of reptile pet! -Because Targ shenanigans they do have a special bond with their reptile friend (Thats the only way you get a croc and a Komodo to dont eat you, lol). -The dragon keepers are a special reptile breeder company, the Targs are like one of their most important clients . -To add more lore and stuff I like the idea of them living in a made up european country called Valyria, like Genovia from the princess diaries, or at least just a modern westeros and Valyria being their something something big company where they work. -If they live in Valyria they do have the monarchy problems, but without the murder plis, Aegon ll its like fuck you all and runs away to Italy or France and starts a wine company called “The usurper” xD.  -Because I like Jacegon, Jace goes along with him so he doesn’t die from bad decisions and because I think he’ll be more reliable with the new company stuff hahahahaha, Aegon just tests the wine ok 😂?  -Lucerys its also like, the crown? No thanks, and goes to college to study literature, also in the some college as Aemond, who’s in a History major, they’re roommates 👀. -Joffrey its even less interested in the crown and decides to help his grampa Corlys with Driftmark. -I’m mexican, I dont know how Dukedoms and all that fancy european stuff works, Driftmark can be one of those or something, I’ll do some research after the reptile drawings ok xD? -That way the crown can go to little Aegon the younger without anybody dying yay. -Rhaenyra its not that ok with this, but she loves her kids, and hopes little Egg doesn’t run away too.... Im just starting with my favorite incest deranged couple, Lucemond 😚. I think its obvious this is not completed at all 😅, but I was really exited about it and wanted to talk about it after being working on it all day 😄.

More stuff about the not dragons! -They can’t live the hundreds of years of the dragons, so lets make them live as long as their owner lives, an average 80-90 years, for this HC sake hahahaha, specially because turtles, komodos and crocs are able to live long lives too! So lets make all the other special Targ reptiles/amphibians live longer too 😝. -This makes Grandma V, Vhagar ll, because Vhagar l was Visenya’s, when Laena dies in some kind of accident Aemond claims Vhagar ll so she doesn’t die, specially because she wasn’t that old then, wiki says Laena dies at 27, I havent thought that much about what happens in the Driftmart incident, but something happens 👀! -Then the Viserys l Balerion it’s Balerion ll too! Vissy T gets to keep his croc and makes him an awesome enclosure, lol. Alicent never goes there 😂, but Viserys likes to see when the servants feed him or to just chat with his friend, he has this really nice enclosure like in the zoos where you can go like underground and see them swim.

-Helaena’s kids can have little geckos or something cute like that, I need to think about it 🤔.

-Im not very sure about Caraxes being a red Tegu, they’re awesome, but I don’t know if I should make him be something else, any thoughs anyone 🤔? If you have any other ideas that are different from the ones I have so far let me know 😉!! The only ones that Im very sure about are Vhagar and Arrax, I’m really in love with the idea, and I also like them all being something different, except for Silverwing and Vermithor uwu.

[pinkydevil16]

Aemond targaryen x targaryen reader: part 17

When no one spoke Y/n laughed, a crazed look on her face as she turned her face towards Aegon and Alicent.

"You are a pathetic King, you take my mothers crown, you let your brother keep me as a prisoner. AND THEN YOU HAVE MY BROTHER SLAUGHTERED. A CHILD." She screamed, her face red with anger as she turned and began slashing at the guards near her. Aemond screaming at them not to hurt her as he walked closer, he did not have a plan but he could not let his wife get herself killed. Taking down another guard she saw Aemond approaching behind, his sword drawn. 

"If you wish to know who killed him then put down the sword and surrender." Aemond spoke with authority. Spinning she slammed her sword into his, he was stronger and quicker but she was filled with her fathers rage. 

In the dragon pit Casmir was losing his mind, his chained rattling as he roared, the keepers terrified as he spread wild fire across the room. He had been placed by himself, far away from other dragons. His fire slowly burning through his chains as he began to take flight. Feeling his riders anger and determined to find her, he had been locked up for more than a moon now and the flight stretched his aching limbs.

Y/n swung quickly at Aemond, nothing but the urge to kill him in her mind. Cutting into his arm as he moved, her sword almost into his head.

"Y/n stop this foolishness." He shouted at her, grabbing her against him, knocking her sword to the floor, his sword digging into her neck.

"I would kill me if i were you, because i will slaughter you all." She spat at him, her nails digging into his skin. Aemond moved the sword slightly, his hand wrapping around her throat to stop her moving.

"You are mine. I will not kill you or let you die." He spoke so darkly against her ear, squeezing her neck.

"I have clearly been too nice to you, let you have too much freedom." Y/n scoffed thinking about her so called freedom. Before she could respond a loud roar was heard as Casmir crashed into the throne room. His mouth open to breath wild fire, everyone chucked backwards, Aemond losing his grip on his wife as she fell a few feet away. Y/n was quick to stand, Aemond only seconds behind as she ran towards her dragon. Aemond chasing behind her as Casmir roared louder seeing his rider. Y/n grasped the side of his saddle, beginning to climb as Aemond caught her.

"CASMIR GO." She screamed in Valerian, Casmir flapping his wings as he lifted, her arms gripping as hard as she could. Aemond pushed off her by the wind as Casmir took off. Aemond lay on the ground before he screamed, guards coming closer to assist him up. The closest one being grabbed and beaten by Aemond as he continued to scream. Turning to the rest he shouted.

"GET HER BACK HERE BEFORE I KILL YOU ALL." His eyepatch moved revealing the sapphire gem in the dark hole. His body rising and falling as he stomped towards his sword. The guards running to follow Y/n.

"I will kill that blasted dragon and drag her back by her hair and lock her in a cage." He raged towards his family, Alicent holding Aegon as she watched her son deteriorate. No one went near him as he stormed out the room, towards Vhagar he would get her back even if he had to break her completely to do so.

Y/n climbed along her dragon until she was in the saddle, crying as she hugged him. He had grown since she had last seen him, quicker in his flight as he roared towards dragonstone. She prayed she could get there before Aemond could get her, she knew it was unlikely she could outfly Vhagar but she would rather die than go back to him. It had been clear who had slaughtered her brother, he hadn't said it directly but only one person would see Lucerys as a threat and that was the man who lost his eye to him. She wasn't far from King's landing when she heard Vhagars roar, her whole body tensing up as she cried for Casmir to go quicker. She just needed to get close enough that her father and mother could help her, she begged Casmir to continue her pleas swallowed by the winds rushing behind her. She didn't dare look to see if Vhagar was close, the fear too much for her. A loud roar behind her as she saw a large shadow come over Casmir, her cries louder as she sobbed out. Looking up Vhagar flew over her, dropping down infront of Casmir. Both dragons rearing back to roar at the other, Y/n staring at Aemond. She had never seen someone so scorned, she had not thought through her plan but she no longer cared. She would take him down with her. Vhagar went for Casmir as Aemond screamed out his commands, Y/n directly Casmir to dodge and try to fly away, Casmir was not faster but she would try to save them both. The only direction she could go towards the beach, flying him as close to the sand as she could before launched herself. Screaming one last command for him to fly to dragonstone. She had no weapons, nothing to defend herself against him anymore. She landed harshly, sure she had broken a rib as she fell. Forcing herself up as she watched Casmir hesitate once again screaming at him to go. Vhagar dropped before her, her presence knocking her back into the sand. Aemond climbed down from Vhagar, Y/n tried to stand, screaming again at Casmir who roared a tearful sound back. He would not let her be taken again, tears streaming down her face as she weakly tried to scream.

"Draca-" before she could finish Aemond grabbed her brutally, his hand over her mouth as he fisted her hair. Forcing her head up, her knelt body held in front of him as he commanded Vhagar to kill Casmir. Y/n's tears coating Aemond's hand as he forced her to watch as Vhagar and Casmir fought. Y/n tried to scream, scratching at Aemond and fighting as hard as she could. Trying to close her eyes as Vhagar grappled Casmir, her grip on his neck deadly as Casmir screeched out. Aemond ripped her hair back, her eyes opening as she sobbed in pain, Casmir dropping into the ocean staining the water red. Aemond forced her around, not letting go of her hair as he gripped her face smushing it together.

"Well darling wife, you fucked up didn't you? I will kill your whole family, i will burn them to the ground and bathe you in their ashes. YOU BELONG TO ME! I own you!" His voice going from deep and gravelly to screaming in her face, his grip getting tighter as she cried out.

"I hate you." She screamed back, trying to free herself as the blood tainted water stained the beach. Her bare legs staining with her dragons blood. Aemond forced her to the ground as Vhagar dropped on to the beach, using his sword to hit her hard in the head knocking her unconscious as he stood. Climbing onto Vhagar and commanding her to pick up Y/n, her limp body in Vhagar's claws as he flew them back to kings landing. 

how are people liking unhinged Aemond? Sorry for everuone who wanted some more lovey dovey reader and aemond but i couldn't stop myself from trying to get her to escape. She is her mother's daughter.

[inconmess]

So... definitely spoilers under this cut cuz holy shit the episode went all ways fucked today! But...

First things first, loved the ruthlessness of the Spider Queen and the gods kinda opening a channel of communication as to why they are insisting so much about champions and the urgency (especially the Matron and SQ)

That was a whole lot of physical, mental and emotional damage thrown all the fuck around so I go character by character

Morrighan, known the Crown Keepers for the shortest time and yet, the way she goes to preserve Opal's memories and her hesitation to leave but still knowing that she needs to go and giving Opal a promise to save her memories

Fy'ra accepting the Wildmother's call, jumping in on the Spider meeting because she cannot lose another sister, no matter what and just also watches as Dorian, Dariax and Morrighan leave, probably not knowing what motivated them to.

Cyrus was just in the sidelines. He didn't have to die 😭😭😭😭

Opal. Poor Opal. She didn't really know what was really at stake and now she has a corrupted memory or two, lost her Original name, her childhood and TED! And important info about her mother too, all due to the lack of communication between the SQ and her regarding the stakes.

And my god, Dorian and Dariax! I don't even know who to start with because they both took damage in a different yet equal level here?

I mean, I guess I will start with Dorian cuz... well, he lost his fucking brother and the way he couldn't even approach him one last time due to Opal's suggestion to find Orym? Not even allowed to process what happened, grieve and one of the last fucking things he did was not to talk to Cyrus but hit him in an attempt to save him and hear his screams and howls of pain? Wondering how much you ever knew your brother and now the responsibility that was upon his shoulders fall onto you? The Spider Queen taunting at your helplessness and just the cold ass way of just turning her own against her in some sort of a revenge? (a badass move by the way, "Kill your Mother") Going on a revenge spree. being lost and without purpose only to reunite with Bells Hells, another group of fucked up people after you leave Dariax. WHO SPECIFICALLY WAS FOLLOWING YOU??? BECAUSE HE WAS ALSO LOST ON HIS OWN??

And Dariax man. He was just asked by Opal to find Orym and so he goes, not understanding why they weren't going with him, not really understanding what happened to Cyrus initially and later on it just... hits him when the compulsion wears off and the betrayal he doesn't focus on because he follows Dorian and is worried about Dorian only for Dorian to leave him with his fucking lute in a, technically, unknown area? Now that's like two betrayals to process unless Dorian makes a fucking attempt to meet back up with Dariax again real soon cuz I swear to god you are just putting the sweetest person who just wants to support everyone down the deep end real quick cuz his sole purpose was to support Opal and she doesn't want him and now he follows Dorian and he also leaves him and I DON'T WANT THIS MUCH EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE ON DARIAX! I LOVED THE HIMBO THAT HE IS! OBSERVER LEAD HIM BACK TO DORIAN AND MAKE HIM WHACK HIM OVER HIS HEAD WITH THE LUTE! KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO THE GENASI FOR ME! I want Dariax to meet Orym and the Hells and the meeting should be in the most unbelievable way and- (starts an idea for a fic)

(I mean, narratively I get it, Matt can't DM and play a PC character but really, leaving him cold shouldered like that? Come on man! I understand the motivation characterwise too but really??)

And don't get me started with the reunion. I am glad Dorian asked Keyleth for some support, man I really do. But the way the reunion was going on, I think they are really skipping over some of the serious stuff in an attempt to catch up (which, realistically is going to be a mess because it is a lot to catch up tbh) but the way some of the stuff which could've been talked a little bit more about but bottled up is like... a lot. And I want those conversations so bad. I want Dorian to sit down and tell Orym and Fearne about what exactly went down. I want the Hells to properly talk about Thull. I want them to lay everything out in the open. The Deals. The risks.

I said it once and I say it again. I want the fucking Bells Hells to play a game of What the Fuck is Up with That under a Zone of Truth and talk about every single fucking thing for a really long time and I need proper conversations. I really do. And I want them to stop avoiding stuff.

And my man Dorian. Get Dariax back. You can't give me a joking "bonus action, Double Ds kiss" and immediately abandon him in Zephrah. You cannot do it to my poor heart. Not after all the elder sibling feels I am going through. I am sorry but you cannot.

I am going to miss the Crown Keepers a lot man. I am going to miss them a lot. They were my intro to CR and it is so fucking emotional to see them disband like this in a heartbreaking manner.

Thank you @quidde for this lovely story you gave us with all the silliness and all the heartbreak 🥺🥺🥺

I think I am going to catch some sleep rn even tho it is the afternoon. After a conversation with my teacher which I totally forgot about shit.

[nikethestatue]

The Last Flight of the Shadowsinger

Elriel Month 2023 Peace and Quiet

Warnings: Death/death in childbirth

Sorry for this one everyone

“I am sorry, my lord.”

Sorry. How do you encompass a life well-lived, a life of happiness and heartache, joy and kindness, horror and bloodshed, hopes and exhaustion, love and…ahhh, so much love into a sorry? Love, love, love.

Azriel had loved Elain Archeron from the first moment that he saw her, a human woman. He didn’t know that he loved her, but he felt in that moment of seeing her there, in her cobalt dress and with her gorgeous hair, that his life would be irreversibly tied to hers.

He didn’t want it at first. Didn’t want the sheer hassle of love, and didn’t want this sweet, kind girl to be tied to him. She was shy, but brave, and unattainable, and he thanked the gods for that. She’d be married to her human man, and they’d live their short lives, with her getting older in mere decades. And then she’d die, and he’d be left with the memories of a beautiful woman, who looked like the sun.

It wasn’t to be though. Fate was both cruel and accommodating. It gave him what he wanted. What he desired most in his wretched lonely life. He was given Elain—his partner in life. A friend, whose laughter sounded like a bubbling brook. A lover, who matched him in his own passion and his madness. She had consumed him, both body, mind and soul and he never wished to come up for air.

The Healer sighed and whispered,

“The Lady…she was happy, my lord. She had passed on beyond the Veil. but she was a mother, just like she wished to be.”

Azriel had nothing to say to that, but he supposed that the Healer was correct.

Elain, his wife, always wished to be a mother.

It took seventy-seven years, but on her 100th birthday, she found out that she was expecting their first child. Children. In fact. Two.

She was a mother. For twenty minutes she held her babies, even if they were both dead.

Azriel wasn’t sure if she even realized that they were not living, because she was so delirious from pain and blood loss.

He knew it. At some point, he knew that everything was crumbling and that this would be the last day of their lives.

And that was alright with him.

As long as he was with her. As long as he was with her and their babies, it was alright with him. The world beyond the Veil did not frighten him, but life here, without her, did.

When she opened her eyes one last time, she took his hand and brought it to her lips.

“Beautiful,” she whispered.

He smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

“Never let me go, Az,” she requested.

He shook his head.

“Never,” he promised. “As I promised, I will always walk with you.”

“You know, there was always only you.”

As you, my love. He didn’t get to say the words.

But he promised to always walk with his wife, until the end of time.

Calmly, he asked for the Keeper of Records and the Court Scribe to be sent to him. There were matters that needed attendance to. He was the Prince, after all.

He covered his wife’s body with a blanket, to preserve her dignity, with their children tucked at her side.

The Keeper and the Scribe averted their eyes upon entry, and when he announced,

“Record in the Annals of Prythian, that on this day, Princess Ellington and Prince Elessar were born and then passed beyond the Veil, alongside their mother, Crown Princess Elain.”

A sob and a gasp tore from both male’s throats, but they wrote diligently as their Prince commanded.

It was dusk by the time he was left alone with his family.

The four of them, together. He took his baby girl Elli and washed her. She was robust and perfect, lying peacefully in her eternal sleep. Wrapping her in her swaddling blanket, he then did the same with his son, who was big and strong. Azriel wondered that perhaps, they were simply too good for the world, and this land, and this cosmic dimension, and truly, they belonged somewhere else. Maybe Beyond the Veil was just another world, where they’d live full lives.

He didn’t know. He only knew that he didn’t want to be without his family.

The sun was setting beyond the windows, and he heard the commotion outside—the High Lord, the sisters, the general, the friends, all clamouring for a look, for a final goodbye.

But he felt that it’s been far too long already that he’s been apart from his Elain. Hours. And he promised her that he would always walk with her. He would always be her, and that she would be his. He was her husband, her Prince, her lover, and he was the father of her children. He should’ve been a better male and allowed the sisters a final goodbye, and a few final words from his brothers, but…he’s been apart from Elain for too long now and he didn’t want to wait any longer.

He opened the tall windows and the sun bathed the world in a bloody crimson light, spilling across the ocean and the mountains in red tears. Even the sun wept tonight.

Azriel lay his wingless children in their mother’s arms, wrapping them tightly around her, and then lifted her from the bed and into his embrace.

She felt so good next to him, just like always. She was where she belonged. Stepping onto the terrace, he breathed in the salty air, which was suddenly perfumed with jasmine and honey. He smiled and kissed her.

“Let’s go, flower,” he whispered and shot up into the skies, his massive wings beating strongly, for the last time. Flight was freedom and joy and peace and he was enjoying it. The last flight of the shadowsinger.

He didn’t give it much thought when he closed his wings forever. He was with his family and he was happy.

And then, there was peace and quiet.

[dark-frosted-heart]

Roger Barel Main Route - Chapter 9 His POV

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this. I’m doing this for archiving purposes and you can probably find a better translation out there.

After solving the ongoing case at that archaic village, Kate and I boarded the train back to London.

From outside the window, twilight dyed the sky.

Beautiful scenery and a peaceful time. Yet what I remembered after the case settled was…

Roger: Pfft, haha. The look on that guy’s face when you slipped out of his arms was a masterpiece.

~~ Flashback ~~

Spirit God: If you don’t want this woman to be killed, forget everything you saw in this village!

That way, I can live as a god again.

The man who was revered as a god delivered that ridiculous announcement and wrapped an arm around Kate’s neck.

I think I was the only one smiling while everyone around turned pale at Kate’ predicament.

(...I could easily save you, but you don’t need it)

(Since you said you “wanted to be strong”)

(Come on, Kate—You can get yourself out of this despair)

Roger: …

Kate blinked and then smiled as if accepting my provocation— 

~~ End flashback ~~

Kate: Heh, hehe…

Wait, why am I laughing. I thought I was about to die.

Kate glared at me cutely, but I just smiled and propped myself up against the windowsill. 

Roger: Sorry, sorry. But the way you handled self-defense techniques honestly had me impressed. Not to mention you secretly studying medicine. So Kate, close your eyes.

Kate: …Don’t do anything weird, okay?

When Kate closed her eyes, I pulled “that” out of my pocket.

And then I put it around Kate’s neck.

Roger: You can open your eyes now.

Kate: This is…

Decorating Kate’s neck was a choker so delicate and lovely that I couldn’t help but smile. 

Roger: A collar of course. You’ve now been promoted from dogsbody to pet. Congrats.

Kate: Thank you! This is a cute collar…Hm, collar? Wait, didn’t I tell you to stop treating me like a dog?

(...You’re so cute. Even when you’re glaring or pouting, it’s all cute)

—Lately, I’ve been finding a lot of things more enjoyable.

It’s been pretty obvious since I started spending time with Kate.

By following the “robin growth map”, I’ll guide Kate to becoming a strong woman.

In return, Kate will teach me about romantic feelings and prove to me that love exists.

Our relationship started off as an exchange, but Kate’s existence seemed to take root in my everyday life.

(Kate, I have fun being with you)

(It’s like I’ve gone back to being a clueless kid again…But)

I know that this isn’t what Kate would call “romantic feelings”.

(I wonder if I’ll come to understand it if I continue spending time with Kate. Romantic feelings aren’t something that can be scientifically proven)

As I thought about this, Kate suddenly spoke up.

Kate: Roger, um…Can I get one more reward?

Roger: Oh, that’s rare coming from someone who tends to be reserved. Go ahead and say it.

Kate: The more time we spend together, the more I wonder why you chose to be with Crown. And then I start to wonder what you’re even researching at this point. That’s why, I want to know the reason why…

(...Ah, I see)

People drew boundaries.

The moment you crossed that boundary, your relationship changed.

(So the lil’ lady’s ready to get closer to me)

Roger: Are you asking as my exclusive Fairytale Keeper, or for your own personal interest?

It was like I asked “are you sure” as a final warning. Kate looked me straight in the eyes.

Kate: …Probably both. Still, I don’t want to overstep any boundaries, like a past you don’t want to talk about. If you don’t want to, then we can forget…

With her intentions clear—Kate crossed that boundary.

Roger: Pfft, haha. You really are a sincere one. Sure, I got nothing to hide. Summarizing it would be a pain, so hope you don’t mind a long story.

Kate: I don’t mind. Please tell me about you, Roger.

There was a look of lust or curiosity in her challenging gaze…And it caused some unfamiliar emotion to stir inside me.

It felt like what Kate would calle “love”.

Roger: In that case, let me tell you a story for our ride back to London.

—Unlike the train that’s moving us forward, I uncovered memories that took us back into the past.

[little-de-vil]

hello!! always nice to find people way too invested in d2 as well :D

do you have any thoughts on volunteering culture in district 2? (e.g. did it begin in d2 or did it just spread there? when do you think it began?)

Hi Backpacks, nice to finally meet ya! Funnily enough, I have very little interest in volunteering culture in 2. But if we’re looking at it from a historical standpoint, now you’ve got me! 

I don’t think it started in 2, it definitely feels like a country mandated rule—or rather addition, because we didn’t see it at all in TBOSBAS & the epilogue strongly implies Snow adding to the Games. 

I do believe that it is the most common response to a reaping in 2 because of that heavy Games propaganda. Do I believe that is it stronger with the Keepers than the Cutters? Absolutely! Does that mean that it’s only Keepers going in to vie for the crown of Victory? Not necessarily but it is, again, Common. 

To me, at least in 2, the Games are dependent upon Volunteers as a way of honor & valor as is culture within that district thanks to the propaganda. But it is also a chance of upper class mobility for the community. Which makes most of us think that Cutters volunteer for that very reason. I don’t entirely think that’s the case as I see volunteering as honor/valor for the Keepers whereas the Cutters are not as interested in becoming richer at the expense of their community & values. It’s easier to groom a warrior who’s been drinking propaganda posca & training for this their whole lives than a poor quarry kid who will no doubt have someone take their place who’s more willing to die or win for the prestige. I do think that the popularity of volunteering did not become widespread in the district until after Haymitch’s games. I break that down a bit in this video here.

I do also mention it briefly in another video (the one right after that lol) where I see that theme of upper class mobility extending itself towards the Cutters with becoming a Keeper. I think that if a Cutters family is thinking of becoming richer in any way, they will do it by joining the military. It sounds odd, I know, but I can’t picture a Cutter willingly volunteering for the Games because of the brutality it will bring, but it seems like an easier route for them to become someone of wealth(-ish) by becoming a part of their oppressors. Which is another topic in & of itself, but that’s for another day!

[lya-dustin]

Someone will remember us

Chapter 59

Cw: childbirth

Gif by @notsosecretlyalesbian

Taglist: @stargaryenx @mercedesdecorazon

He dreams of her.

In most of them, his father is alive and healthy, all is good and everything was just a bad dream.

In some she is pregnant, in others she is curled up against him holding their little son between them.

Aemon is a mass of thick silvery white curls and skin as wonderfully golden-brown hue reminiscent of his mother’s. He is warm, alive and a cruel fantasy that reminds him that he will never meet his only child.

“He will be born today.” Helaena prophesied as he escorts her back to her chambers and carries Jaehaera who’s screams had alerted some dragon keepers at the Dragonpit. “He is all you even if he has her coloring.”

“Oh joy, I will torment her from beyond my watery grave then.” He said sarcastically.

It would have been best for all if Aemon looks like Laenor. To look like the only man who didn’t disappoint her in his lifetime.

“Did you dream of her last night?” his sister asked quietly.

She claims she can tell when he did, says there is always something that hints to it in his demeanor.

Last night, Aemma, his Aemee, was nursing their son and seated on the Iron Throne, wearing a soft blue gown and Viserys’ crown.

She had smiled upon him and asked him to come hold his son, but when he had reached the foot of the Iron Throne, he fell to his knees as his own mother drove father’s dagger into his back.

“That terrible, gods, and I thought mine were bad.” Helaena made note of his silence.

It had been two days since he learned his brother had sent Arryk to kill his wife and that Cole had been the one to suggest it.

He no longer trusts his mother, not her not Aegon and certainly not Cole.

They all only cared about one thing: keeping Aegon on the Throne at whatever cost.

“Where will you go?” he asks Hel to avoid speaking about it.

“Quiet Isle, just until the war is over and I can find a place for my children and I.” she answered. A fantasy, like the ones he has of getting to be a father to his child.

“Mhm, how would you explain Dreamfyre and Morghul?” it could work, if they had enough time and a big enough diversion.

They would be leaving for Rook’s Rest tonight, perhaps Hel can make her escape then.

“We leave without them. If there’s no dragons, there’s no trace of us anywhere.”

If she thought pregnancy gross, childbirth soon disabused her of that notion.

The twinging at her lower back last night had turned to an agony as old as the world itself by the time she had waved Rhaena and Joffrey goodbye.

By the time the page came with the latest ravens from Rook’s Rest, Aemma was being carried to her rooms by Daemon of all people.

“It’s a trap, I know it. Aegon is going to kill you!” Aemma bit her lip bloody as another contraction came and went and clutched her grandmother’s arm with all the strength she could muster. “Don’t go, grandmother, please, don’t go!”

Aemma knew what childbirth was and how it looked like, never did it occur to her that one thing was seeing it happen to mother and the other ladies and it was a different beast all together to have it happen to you.

“Someone must go, if someone must die, it has to be me.” Rhaenys said resolutely.

Mother looks at her with tears in her eyes and pleaded for her to stay. “At least, wait until the babe is born, Rhaenys.”

“If I do not go, Jace and Baela will answer the next raven.” The queen who never was looked back at them sadly. “We cannot lose more children, Rhaenyra.”

“They can hold off for a day. We must have a strategy in place, they cannot succeed in killing more of us.” Her mother argued and this time Rhaenys had nothing to counter with.

Its evening when the birth finally ends.

The babe had not wanted to come, and then when he did, he came feet first needing Gerardys to turn him with the help of the midwife who once delivered Laenor and Laena.

“Aemon, my Aemon.” Her daughter weeps from exhaustion and joy and sorrow because her baby will never know his father.

She hides it, but there were moments when she cried for her husband.

But her husband had killed her brother and under no circumstance could he be allowed to live when her sweet little Luke was dead.

“Prince Aemon Targaryen, first of his name.” Rhaenyra calls her grandson by his name and cuts the umbilical cord at Gerardys’ suggestion. “The Prince Who Was Promised.”

“Do you plan to send a raven to your goodson?” Corlys, her Lord Hand, asked once the Small Council convened to discuss the birth of her daughter’s heir.

“Not a raven, Maester Mathis did an excellent job with Ser Arryk’s head, dear husband. We mean to make it a gift to the Usurper and his new Hand.” Rhaenys said with a smirk.

Woe to all who forgot Rhaenys Targaryen is still a dragon.

“Now with that out of the way, we must discuss the situation at Rook’s Rest.” The queen turned to her council, composed of men and women who would rather kill themselves than accept defeat.

“We need to send two dragon riders. They want you and won’t hesitate to kill whoever we send. Send me.” Anyone who goes will die, no one could face Vhagar and Sunfyre and live.

Not unless you send two.

And who better than the man who knows Vhagar almost as well as he knows Caraxes and the woman who could override Aemond’s control of his dragon because she was the one who taught Laena everything she knew.

Staunton demands a dragon to fight the dragons his outriders and scouts have seen, demands ‘Our Queen to come and fight for her throne’ and save them from the Greens.

The man who took her maidenhead now wants her other head, you would have thought one would be enough, the queen thinks as she waits for Corlys’ abject refusal.

Its too risky, like all of Laenor’s and Daemon’s strategies.

If there was another way, Rhaenyra would take it, but there isn’t.

No matter what she does, blood is shed. This time it is shed on their terms.

“And if you die just as Helaena foresaw?” Corlys asked his wife, his voice strangely soft making her feel she is intruding in a private moment.

“Then I will take as many as I can with me.”

[judesmoonbeauty]

Fairytale Keeper's Final Assessment SE:

Ellis Twilight’s POV Bitter END ཐིཋྀ

Fan translation only. Not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Cybird owns everything. Feel free to re-blog, but please do not post my translations elsewhere. Dividers: @/natimiles

(I told her to take a little time away from me, but I couldn’t resist.)

(I feel stupid, even though I’m the one who suggested it.)

I used to be so good at being patient.

It was all so easy to kill my desires.

(I’ve been a mess since I fell in love with you Kate.)

But you accepted me like this with a warm smile, this desire that overflows and doesn’t stop.

(Kate, choose me.)

At that moment, my eyes were drawn to a certain point.

Ellis: Kate….?

Kate was running desperately through dark night with a very anxious expression.

(…..Why since our promised time is still so far away?)

(Perhaps….you’re feeling the same way?)

Ellis: …..

(I’m right here, Kate.)

(Please Kate……don’t go anywhere.)

(Stay by my side. Stay with me forever.)

Kate: …..Ellis.

Kate spotted me.

When I was about to run up to her, she gently held up her hand to stop me.

Kate: Ellis, stay where you are.

Ellis: ………

Kate: Actually, I was going to wait until morning as promised…

Kate: Otherwise, the whole day would be meaningless.

Ellis: ……Yeah.

Kate: But, it was impossible.

Kate: A little time apart and I couldn’t help but miss you.

(Yeah, me too Kate.)

Kate: You’re all I can think about…..and I can’t think about anything else.

(Yeah, that’s me too.)

Kate: ……I wasn’t like this until I met you, Ellis.

Kate’s eyes reminded of me when I first met her.

When I passed by the room of the girl who’d just become the new Fairytale Keeper, I heard a voice coming from inside.

Flashback(Ellis Main Route) -

Kate: It’s only for a month. You can do it, you can do it…….okay.

Ellis: …….

(It was like you were trying to persuade yourself.)

Flashback Ends -

Kate is hardworking, mature and kind person who is considerate about others, and tries not to cause any trouble.

(Even if you’re having a bad day or are sad.)

(Even if this world is not kind to you.)

Flashback (Ellis Main Route):

Ellis: How happy are you right now?

Kate: So happy my life could end right now!

Ellis: …..I see. Then, shall I finish it for you?

Kate: I’m so happy right now that I don’t mind ending my life, but….

Kate: It’s okay because tomorrow I might be even happier.

Flashback Ends -

(My darling, who laughs and says that tomorrow will be better….)

Such a person is standing here in the darkness with a lost expression on her face.

(I’m worried that you’ve become screwed up because of me.)

(And yet…..)

(I’m so happy about that.)

I love you, I love you. I won’t let you go, I won’t let you go.

All the feelings that flood my heart are my desires and ego.

But I won’t put a lid on them anymore.

(Because “I want you” for myself. That’s my desire.)

Kate: I’m lost without you, Ellis.

Ellis: ……..That’s okay, Kate.

Ellis: I won’t leave you even if I die.

Ellis: ……That’s why it’s no good.

Kate approached me slowly and then hugged me tightly.

Kate: Ellis, your still a bit of a troublemaker.

I know.

When she smiles at me and says that I’m troublesome, it means she loves me.

Kate: Ellis, the place that I’m happiest at is by your side.

Kate: So, I choose to be the Fairytale Keeper myself.

Kate: Will you sent the continuation agreement?

Instead of answering, I kiss Kate’s lips.

(Thank you, Kate.)

(For choosing me, the Crown, and for being the Fairytale Keeper.)

After taking Kate back to Crown castle and making love to her many times

Kate tilted her head on the messy sheets.

Kate: Speaking of which, why did you come for me, Ellis?

Ellis: Because I’m just like you.

Ellis: I was dying to see you after being apart from you even for a little while.

Ellis: I’m sorry for being so selfish.

Kate: I see. I’m glad…..

Ellis: Are you happy?

Kate: Of course I love you Ellis, you were nice to me for no reason before we became lovers.

Kate: But I like the slightly selfish Ellis even better.

Ellis: ………

Ellis: You’re cute, but also a little crazy.

Kate: ….Do you hate it?

Ellis: I love it.

Kate accepts me no matter what, so it seems like there will be no limits.

(But in return, I’ll make you happy too.)

(Let’s be happy together forever.)

(Until the day when time stops and becomes eternity.)

[Premium End] [Epilogue] [Master List]