#but we shall see that chaos unfold in the coming weeks for now i am going to bed <3 goodnight wtfock tag | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

into-the-linkverse · 3 years

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Of rupees and Koroks

my first LU fanfiction! I am horrible at endings so...yeah. i definitely went off the rails from my original plan (ADHD my beloved) and I am SO SORRY in advance if any of the characters are OOC.

“Okay, and that would come to…200 rupees, Mr. Captain Hero Sir!” Ravio cheerfully stated, holding up the bottle of shimmering red potion for War to admire. The warrior actually scoffed upon hearing the intended price.

“Something wrong, War?” Legend asked, his back leaning against a rather large crate.

“No, no, it’s just…really cheap.” War pointed towards the potion. Both Legend and Ravio blinked blankly. Legend’s face soon turned into one of severe confusion, whereas Ravio’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“200 rupees? Cheap? Were you hit in the back of the head by a bulbin?!” Twilight almost shrieked from his side of the Barnhouse He stopped playing with the cows and quickly jogged over to Ravio’s makeshift shop.

“Back home, a red potion would cost around 10,000 rupees. Isn’t that the case here?” War stated eyebrow raised as Twilight began twitching at the mention of the rupee count. Ravio’s jaw practically dropped.

“My wallet can’t even hold that!”

“Hey, I heard screaming. Who’s dead?” The barn’s door creaked open to reveal Wind, accompanied by a sweating Sky and an unfazed Four.

“War said a red potion would cost 10,000 rupees in his world!” Legend blurted out, almost barking at the heroes. Four huffed for a second, then walked up to Ravio and snatched the red potion.

“Hey, 200 rupees, y’know!”

“This. Costs 20 rupees.” He pointed at the potion, as War soon broke down in a fit of laughter.

“What’s so funny, pretty boy?” Legend folded his arms.

“You guys must be broke! 20 rupees? That can’t buy you shit!” He managed to get out before banging his fist against the hay covered ground.

“Hey, watch your language!” Sky shouted, moving to cover Wind’s pointy ears. “There are children here.” He lowered his voice as Wind swatted his hands away.

“Okay, okay, I’m trying to run a business here. Let’s go…2,000 rupees, Mr. Captain Hero Sir!” Ravio clasped his hands together, only to realize the item he was selling was nowhere on the table.

“Um…Mr. Smithy? My red potion?”

“Oh, sure.” Four passed the glittering potion back to the purple-haired hero, acting as if he wouldn’t be committing a crime if he didn’t hand it back.

“Here you go, Mr. Captain Hero Sir! Please come again!” Ravio smiled gleefully, having 2,000 rupees handed to him like it was nothing.

“Pfft- I guess War really is a rich snob.” Twilight sniggered, shaking hands with Legend in a mutual agreement.

“Hey, you take that back, farmers!” War shouted, fiddling with his glove as if preparing for a fight.

“War, you realize you’re saying that on a ranch?” A voice called from outside. The door was already opened (Wind forgot to close it) so it was easy to tell that the voice belonged to Time.

“Oh, hey, pops, wanna help us take on pretty boy?” Twilight greeted happily, only making Warriors more enraged.

“No, I’m quite fine. But thank you for the offer anyway. Hyrule asked me to collect you all. He’s having trouble with something. And for Nayru’s sake, behave yourselves.” Time explained to the group, trying not to bring up the fact that he almost locked them in the barn to keep them out of trouble.

“What do you mean “something”? I thought nothing happens on this ranch!” Wind protested, running his hands through his hair, obviously trying to make himself more presentable.

“I have no clue what the deal is myself. Wild and Hyrule are already investigating.”

“Those two? They were better hosts than us?” Warriors looked almost horrified at the idea of being upstaged by Wild of all people.

“Do you want to be cooped up in here all day?” Time asked, almost laughing at War’s sudden reaction.

“Come on, let’s get moving now!” Warriors announced, starting to direct (push) the other heroes out of the barnhouse.

Hyrule was ecstatic. He’d been picking up stray rocks for weeks in hopes to find the small beings called Koroks. Wild had told him all about the strange little creatures that hid under rocks and in trees, and Hyrule soon became intent to find one. At last, at the gates of Lon Lon ranch, Hyrule mindlessly picked up a rock and proceeded to shout in happiness.

“Wild! Wild! I found one!” He cried, perking the ears of the long-haired Hylian. Wild rushed over, practically throwing the Cucco he was holding. He jogged over, only to stop a few feet away from the brown-haired hero.

Hyrule’s eyes were alight with glee, his smile looked like an innocent rabbit’s. He tossed the rock aside, unfortunately landing on Wild’s foot, as he winced. He placed the rock to the side and crouched down to the Korok’s level.

“Yahaha, you’ve found me!” The Korok excitedly squealed, Wild rolling his eyes as he heard the line for the 400thtime. Hyrule nodded in response, too glad to speak and ruin the moment. Before he knew it, Hyrule was handed a small, foul seed. He looked confused for a second and looked up to Wild.

“Yeah…not that impressive, is it?” He sighed, snatching the seed from Hyrule, and adding to his collection. Hyrule blinked as he saw Wild open to pouch to see a mountain of the horrid smelling things. “Gotta get these back to Hestu sometime.” He casually stated, closing his pocket again.

“Buh-bye!” The Korok exclaimed, waving his small, rounded hand towards the two Hylians. Hyrule was not having this. He had spent two weeks searching for the little creatures, and when he does, he’s just supposed to say good-bye after minutes of meeting one? He reached out his arms and took the Korok up to his torso in one swift movement.

“I shall name him Peppers and he shall be mine!” Hyrule proclaimed loudly, much to Wild’s shock. He tried to wrangle the Korok out of Hyrule’s embrace, but the Korok spoke up.

“Actually, I’d love to be Mr. Hero’s friend!” It chirped, sinking into Hyrule’s green tunic. “Aw, see? He likes me!” Hyrule cuddled the Korok, adding a whiny tone to his words. Wild groaned, as he almost felt like Time, having to take care of someone like this.

“You’ll have to ask Time if we can keep it.” He sighed, poking the pointy nose of the leaf faced spirit. As if from nowhere, armored footsteps approached the two Hylians. “Keep what?” The firm voice spoke, making Wild jump for a moment.

“The Korok…?” Hyrule trailed off, still clutching the forest spirit. As the chain came into sight, some stood dumbstruck, whereas Wind’s eyes widened drastically. “Korok!?” The pirate pointed; mouth open wide as he bolted to Hyrule. “What in Din’s name is a Korok?” War groaned; his breath slightly hilted from jogging across the ranch.

“I’m not sure myself…but it definitely looks cute!” Time let slip a small remark of childish nature, a warm smile creeping up on his face. Legend soon ran up to his descendant and grabbed the Korok out of his hands.

“Where’s this little bugger from anyway?” He mumbled, turning the spirit face down to have a proper look at it. He furrowed his brow, then turned to Ravio, gestured to see if the rabbit hero had any clue about the creature. Ravio simply shrugged at him. “Hey! He isn’t some toy to be held like that!” Twilight shouted, scooping up the Korok from Legend’s hands. He held it carefully on his shoulder as one would a cat, as the Korok began playing with Twilight’s hair.

“I’m the best at dealing with animals here. I say we keep it,” Twilight nodded as the Korok’s hands started folding braids into his hair. “Peppers.” Hyrule quickly added, placing a hand on the little Korok’s back. “What’s this about p-peppers?!” Four almost leapt out of his skin after hearing “peppers”. Wild simply laughed and wrapped an arm around him.

“His name is Peppers!” Hyrule said once again, a smile dawning on his face. “Why peppers, though?” Four protested, his disdain for the food clear as day. Wind coughed a bit, trying to hold in a laugh. Sky gave him a light pat on the head and shook his head, mouthing “don’t”.

“Well, I think it’s a great name! Did…Did Wild pick it out?” Sky laughed wistfully, trying to discourage Wind from making fun of Four. “Nope, completely ‘Rule’s idea.” Wild answered, causing Four to instead eye Hyrule suspiciously. Legend folded his arms and let out a huff as Ravio giggled behind him. “Perhaps he’d be interested in renting?” Legend twisted around as Ravio flatly suggested.

“No one in their right mind would be interested in renting, Ravio.” He scoffed, turning back to face the rest of the chain. “I, personally, don’t want it. What if it steals our items and flees in the night?” War accused, pointing a finger towards the creature. A paranoid Warriors, Time couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, the Korok’s come from the Lost Woods. They’re the children of the Great Deku Tree, so I’d doubt they’d do that.” Wild explained, peaking the attention of Time. If the Korok’s were from the Lost Woods, he would have seen some by now, wouldn’t he? Or maybe they only showed up far after his era…

“Wait! You’ve met the Great Deku Tree too?!” Wind’s small figure jumped up, tugging on Wild’s tunic. Twilight eyed the older hero for a moment, he seemed…off. Korok still in arms, he strode up to Time and placed his free hand on his shoulder. “You alright, dad?” Time snapped out of his state of thought and quickly waved it off.

“I’m fine, just…glad that the Deku Tree still exists to them, I guess.” Time replied wistfully, his gaze trailing to the two blue-clad heroes, sharing their experiences with the ancient talking tree. “He was the…closest thing I had to a father.” His next comment caught Twili completely off guard. Does that mean he was related to a tree?

“Wait, your dad was a tree?! Are you joking?” Twilight exclaimed a bit too loudly, catching the attention of Four and Sky, who had been watching the unfolding chaos. Sky’s eyes widened immensely, full of curiosity as he quickly trotted over.

“Time’s father? A tree? My, that must be an interesting story!” Sky clasped his hands together in delight, eager to learn more about the mysterious Time.

“No, the Deku Tree was the closest thing to a father I ever had. I am not part tree.” Time had to hold back a snicker as he clarified that he was not of leafy descent. “I doubt that. Your hair is a very light shade of green.” Four pointed out, raising a hand to his chin in deep thought.

“I think that colour’s called yellow, dumbass.” Wind called from where he stood. Sky growled for a moment then proceeded to shout back: “Watch your language!”

For the rest of the evening, the chain shouted and argued, but settled on to keeping the Korok, naming it Peppers, much to Four’s disgust.

@bokettochild I hope you don't mind I borrowed Ravio's nicknames for everyone :)

#ah #lin writes #linked universe #lu fanfic #lu sky #lu warriors #lu twilight #lu legend #ah i'm not gonna tag all of them #botw #wind and wild bonding #warriors swears once what a badboy

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imjustwritingg · 3 years

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First of all, I’m glad it made you smile because the joy and comfort your writing has brought me on numerous occasions is absolutely UNMATCHED so you deserve a little bit of that joy and love in return (especially when the internet is as much of a cesspool as it can be sometimes 🙃). Your writing has completely changed the trajectory of my day or week on multiple occasions and I wish I could thank you in some way other than screaming in your ask box about asshole Jay and what my currently weekly schedule is 😂

That being said, I am definitely going to take you up on screaming at you some more because I’m not just invested… I’m ✨too✨ invested 😂

You’ve somehow managed to take all of my favourite tropes in writing and combine them into this incredible fic and I can’t handle it 90% of the time because the spiral is real!! Everything about that conversation at dinner absolutely sent me and I cannot wait for more Jay/Adam/Kevin conversations surrounding Hailey. Jay being an absolute douche canoe but knowing that underneath all of his hurt is the worlds largest teddy bear who just wants a hug (couldn’t help myself 😂) makes me lose my shit thinking about where you are going to take these characters. Protective older brother Adam is absolutely everything and Hailey telling him to step back because she is a grown ass woman was… uuuuugggggghhhhhh. The spiral is R E A L, Morgan, it’s real 😂

I can’t wait to see what happens with Hailey and mama Halstead because I just know you’ve included her with all of the chaos up your sleeve and I’m definitely not ready for it but I’m also so ready for it.

I’m also obsessed with all of the ways you’ve written Hailey challenging Jay and giving it right back to him, often better than she gets it. This new arrangement they’ve entered into is going to kill me. And then I’m going to come back from the dead to read the next chapter, and it’s going to kill my ghost. Even though Hailey ultimately initiated their fun time at wedding, and Jay made her admit that she wanted him (dead. I’m dead again just thinking about it), I CANNOT wait for Hailey to jump him out of the blue because of their new arrangement. Whether it’s at his office or the club or his place or wherever it ends up happening, I am ready for her to seek out Jay and initiate it completely and his response to that will kill me.

Hope you don’t regret inviting me to yell some more 😂 I reread the entire fic today and I’m spiralling and now you’ve gotten paragraphs of my word vomit thrown at you 😂🤷🏼‍♀️ the overarching gist is that I’m losing my shit over your story and I’m super grateful you are continuing to write and share 💕

Wow. You truly are invested and I was stunned for a moment when I saw this message, and then I teared up as I started reading.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I shall continue this below the cut so I don’t annoy anyone with our musings my friend. 😅

I’m always here for yelling and for chaos of any kind. I don’t know why, but I truly thrive in the chaos. It really is my brand and I don’t think that will ever change. 😅😂

The dinner scene in the last chapter was so much fun to write!! I had this very vivid picture in my head of it playing out and all of them sitting around the table and the scene unfolded just I had hoped. I’m so, so glad you enjoyed it!!

There will definitely be more scenes and conversations involving those three!

Describing Jay as a teddy bear who just wants a hug made me giggle. You’re not exactly wrong there, but it might take a little while before he gets his hug. That guy has got some walls up for sure that need a wrecking ball to be knocked down.

Hailey is a queen. I don’t know what else to say about her. She’s just wonderful and I love her. We always love a good spiral. 😉

Mama Halstead. I love her. I LOVE HER. I will forever be bitter about the fact that we didn’t get to meet her so I had to include her somehow, some way, if not for my own sanity and headcanons. I have absolutely included her for reasons which will be shown soon. Or soonish?

Hailey challenging Jay and throwing it all right back at him is some of the most fun I’ve written in fic. She’s just so sassy and stubborn, and she takes no shit. Not very different at all to how she is on the show honestly, but it still somehow feels a little different. If that makes sense.

Oh it is for sure Hailey’s turn to seek him out. Better be careful what you wish for friend. 😉

I never regret yelling about fic or Upstead or both. Those idiots have the tightest hold on me and I fear they ain’t ever letting go.

Your messages have made my night, my week, my everything. The response to this story has been so incredibly mind blowing and I cannot thank you enough for reading it and loving it and caring about anything my brain comes up with. Seriously. Thank you. 💜💜

#anon ask #upstead fic #chicago pd

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bonniebird · 5 years

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The Girl Ivar Loves (Part Four)

Ivar x Reader

Requested by Anon

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Today was the day your parents had died. Aslaug had cme personally to her son's cabin. All of them were away on a raid and you hadn’t seen them for so long you worried you would forget their faces. She summon Thrall to clean the home, to have you bathed. For a long while you thought of how disappointed she would be that you’d failed her sons and slipped away into a sadness that was absorbed into the wooden building.

Until you were quickly stuffed into a warm nightgown. Aslaug sat you by the fire as you were handed warm food and told you stories about your parents, shared stories of her own parents. She even spared a few for Ragnar, though the edge of her tone sharpened as she spoke of him. As She spoke she combed through your hair, softly fussing, the warmth from the fire she’d ordered be lit taking away the cold from the breeze that rolled it’s way across the wooden floor.

“You should rest. Now is the time for you to mourn. I am sorry I did not come sooner.” Aslaug said gently.

“It is fine. You are the queen and… I should not be in such a…”

“You lost your family, had your home stolen and your boys have been gone for so long. Of course there would be sadness in your heart.” Aslaug said carefully. Your boys. She hadn’t said my boys as she used too. She smiled knowingly. “I do hope you caring for them has not impacted their ability to survive their raid.”

There was an awkwardness now. When Ivar had gotten on the boat he paused beside you for a long time. You’d kissed, something had passed between you. Could you kiss him again, should you. He seemed troubled as he looked at you then moved on, getting comfortable in his boat and not looking back at you. Aslaug had watched carefully as the exchange unfolded. Then she saw how Sigurd, Ubbe and Hvitserk each hugged you, kissed your cheek and bounded off.

“You should rest. Sadness devours our energy. It will be winter soon. You will need to be strong then.” She smiled as she finished with your hair and gestured to the bed that had been made. Frowning you looked at it wearily. A small but beautifully crafted bed was under the window of the cabin where your makeshift bed had been. Your things were neatly stored under it and new furs draped invitingly over what looked like a new mattress.

“This is..?”

“Yours. Those boys really had you sleeping on the floor with them! If I had known I would have taken Ubbe’s bed from him.” Aslaug tutted disapprovingly. She smiled, giving you a motherly kiss on the forehead as she hugged you, gave you another approving look and left.

The bed had been so comfortable and warm that you were able to sleep, freshly washed and fresh bed clothes improved your mood immensely, but it didn’t ease your mourning. Something roused you from your sleep. A firm hand holding the back of your head and soft lips nervously brushing yours. You kissed back as your eyes fluttered open and you realised it was Ivar.

“Mother said you were ill and could not meet us at the docks.” Was all he said as he kissed you again. He sounded different. Looked different too. Older and more fierce. His brother’s stumbled in and he pulled away from you, giving his siblings a dangerous glare.

“We shall be cooking for you because we must take care of you.” Hvitserk said quickly, he had your little cart and it had clearly been stocked by someone at the main hall.

“Mother says we have to take care of you for a change.” Ubbe said playfully as he sat on your bed and grinned.

“I have many new songs, I think you will like them!” Sigurd said eagerly. He’d carried Hvitserk’s things from the dock and looked quite pleased when you agreed to hear some. He sat at the table and started strumming away as he sang.

Hvitserk and Ubbe bustled about trying their best to make something that, as their mother had put it, was worthy of a woman who has given so much to them. Once Ubbe had moved Sigurd took his spot, telling you about the art and beautiful scenery he’d seen. Ivar sat silently at the end of your new bed. Watching the chaos and listening to the voices raise above one another you smiled. Your heart was warming as if what it had truly missed was the chaos of Aslaug’s boys. Your boys. You didn’t notice the sad look Ivar gave his brothers as they talked about the raid and rushed about the cabin.

****************************

“I need you to help me.” Ivar complained from his seat at the end of the table. They had been back for a few weeks now. Something funny was going on with Ivar but you assumed it was the raid that had bothered him. There wasn’t anything else you could think of that had caused his odd mood.

“I’m sorry Ivar. I promised to bring this to Hvitserk and Ubbe. I need to fetch some parcels from town and…”

“But… I have no one to play against.” Ivar said in frustration. Floki and his mother had rejected his request.

“That is all. Ivar I do not have time!” You scolded. He watched you gather his brother's worn out clothes and set them on your bed. Carefully you note which colour you needed to fix them and turn. Ivar was behind you, looming over you.

“How can you show them more favour? You act as if you do not love me!” Ivar shouted.

“Ivar… You are frightening me. I will be more than happy to talk with you when you are calm.” Your voice had started off as a nervous waver but by the time you’d finished it came out as a stern bite. In a flash he’d stopped you turning away from him but snatching your hair into his hand, dragging you closer to him.

You cried out in surprise, eyes stinging as Ivar shouted, you couldn't hear what he was saying. Blood rushed in your hearts as your heart pounded and you tried desperately to claw free.

Something collided with you and Ivar. He fell with a pained grunt as you were dragged out of the cabin by your arm. “(Y/N)?” Ubbe asked softly.

“I’ll get mother to deal with Ivar.” You heard Hvitserk say from nearby. Ubbe hoisted you over his shoulder and walked towards the beach.

By the time you’d reach it calm had run through you, leaving icy cold fear in its wake. “He did not mean it.”

“Then why did he do it?”

“It is just how Ivar is. He tries to hide from you. He tries so hard, I suppose it just bubbled over and he couldn’t control it any more.” Ubbe said as the two of you sat on the beach, watching the sunset.

********************

“How could you!” Aslaug bellowed as she stormed into the cabin. Ivar was upset but he hadn’t thought his mother would care so much. She stood and glared at him. Hvitserk dawdled in the doorway before stepping out of sight.

“How could I?” Ivar spat out. He didn’t have anything to say. How could he hurt you like that. He just… did. He hadn’t meant to. All that anger just bubbled over.

“You came home the day that poor child was mourning her parents. Having you all with her is like having her family again. All she does is care for you boys and you most of all Ivar! If she did not love you all would she not just leave you all to get by?”

Aslaug looked furious. Ivar hadn’t ever seen her look quite so angry. “Mother...” He said as he reached a hand out to her from his spot on the floor by the fire.

“Of all the things you could do, all the people you could hurt. You need to fix this. Not me, not your brother’s but you.” With that she left, Ivar’s hand still outstretched. He’d wanted comfort. He needed something to sooth the cold aching in his chest that made his heart pound horribly. He needed… something.

“She will not trust you any more Ivar.” Hvitserk said as he came back inside. He’d heard everything.

“But I didn't mean to!” Ivar said in a voice that was almost a mulled whine.

“She will not care. We are all important to her. She thought you understood that but instead of understanding you showed anger and you hurt her.”

“What do I do?” Ivar asked, looking up at his brother who sighed and glanced at the door before crouching beside him. “Keep that anger away. Be kind and patient. Know her, know her secrets… Ubbe knows she loves that little beach because it calms her, I take her the back way when we catch rabbits because the flowers that way are her favourite. Sigurd trades drinks for song at the docks because (Y/N) loves the sea shanties.”

“She loves me… is that our secret?” Ivar asked quietly.

“No. That is a secret everyone knows. You should mourn what you’ve lost.” At this Ivar’s head shot round to look at his brother. Desperation in his eyes as he turned back to stare at the fire. “You say you did not mean to so you are not sorry. If you have that empty feeling in your chest then you regret it, you changed things for the worse, maybe the better. Learn from what you did.”

Hvitserk left Ivar staring thoughtfully into the fire. Pitying sorrow was carved on his face but he could see the thoughts harden his gaze, Ivar was mulling his advice and until he understood completely he probably wouldn’t move. At least, he would stay until he thought he had the answer to his problem.

#ivar the boneless #ivar ragnarsson x reader #ivar ragnarsson #ivar the boneless x reader #bonniebird #vikings

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ofcastora · 4 years

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SHAKESPEARE’S CORDELIA + DIVERONA’S CATHERINE

happy birthday, kiersten! @catherinedaly

INSP.

FULL PASSAGES UNDER THE CUT

SHAKESPEARE:

LEAR: Thou hast her, France; let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again. Therefore be gone Without our grace, our love, our benison. Come, noble Burgundy.

[ Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, Cornwall, Albany, Gloucester, and Attendants. ]

KING OF FRANCE: Bid farewell to your sisters.

CORDELIA: The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults they are nam'd. Use well our father. To your professed bosoms I commit him; But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place! So farewell to you both.

GONERIL: Prescribe not us our duties.

REGAN: Let your study Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted.

CORDELIA: Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides. Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper!

KING OF FRANCE: Come, my fair Cordelia.

[ Exeunt France and Cordelia. ]

DIVERONA:

[ In conversation with Grace Daly / Goneril ]

If she’d known, she’d have brought her gun.

But, hindsight is 20/20 and there’s no time to mull over how differently this fight would go if she brandished a pocket pistol rather than a blade; either way, she’s hellbent on showing her estranged sister that she’s no longer the little dove of a girl that Grace abandoned so long ago. Catherine smirks in spite of the eldest’s jab, deciding its better to keep her talking for as long as she can before they clash and spill the blood of their family. “Oh, Grace,” she sneers in return, a sickly sweet smile gracing her visage, “I’ve withstood your taunts and assaults for twenty-one years now. Don’t further insult your poorly-executed cruelty by doing me any favors.”

“Besides, soldatessa, haven’t you heard? I’ve received a promotion while you’ve remained stagnant. Tell me, sorella, how does it feel to be Hamlet’s bitch?” she cruelly goads, spurred on by the chaos that surrounds them both. “How many coffee runs have you been on in the last week, hmm?”

SHAKESPEARE:

CORDELIA: [ aside ] Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since I am sure my love's More richer than my tongue.

LEAR: To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that conferr'd on Goneril.- Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to whose young love85 The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.

CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord.

LEAR: Nothing?

CORDELIA: Nothing.

LEAR: Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again.

CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond; no more nor less.

DIVERONA:

[ In conversation with Everett Craven / Edgar ]

You love her.

There’s something jarring about hearing her stream of consciousness reduced to three simple words: You love her. There’s something powerful about putting a name to her feelings, something she’s refrained from giving into—for her own sake and Brielle’s. But, here, with Everett quietly and simply filling in the blanks, she knows and finally concedes.

She’s always known.

Even though she’s not yet said it to Brielle, she knows.

It makes her wonder, then, if Brielle knows, too. It makes her wonder if the brunette’s heart sings at the sight of Catherine like Catherine’s heart does at the sight of Brielle—if she loves her like Cat does. Everett can see it, clear as day. It’s etched in the pensiveness in his green gaze, in the way he schools himself into the perfect embodiment of patience and acceptance despite the treasonous words that pour from her lips. You love her.

“I do,” Catherine murmurs after a slight pause, “and I can’t help it.”

But, it doesn’t need to be helped—at least, according to Everett who, perpetually devoted to his favorite godsister, is quick to remind her that her feelings aren’t wrong, but they are dangerous. “I know,” Catia says, voice barely louder than a whisper. The hefty weight of what if nearly buckles Catherine’s shoulders every time she gets a chance to see Brielle; an unabated sense of impending doom settles like lead in her bones and makes her question if it’s worth it—worth risking Brielle’s life, worth risking her own, worth risking her beloved Everett.

(She’s always answered yes, even if she’s the only one who ever hears her response. She doesn’t have the gall to voice such selfishness, such fervent longing.)

SHAKESPEARE:

CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord.

LEAR: Nothing?

CORDELIA: Nothing.

LEAR: Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again.

CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond; no more nor less.

LEAR: How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes.

CORDELIA: Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty. Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all.

LEAR: But goes thy heart with this?

CORDELIA: Ay, good my lord.

LEAR: So young, and so untender?

CORDELIA: So young, my lord, and true.

DIVERONA:

[ In conversation with Everett Craven / Edgar ]

TW: DEATH, SUICIDE MENTION

At eight, she was too young to bottle her own emotions for the sake of others. At eight, she cried alongside Everett because life wasn’t fair; because she, too, was sad; because she ached for him, knowing that he’d never have a mother to tuck him in again like Simona did for her. At eight, even with her tender and too-loving heart, her world was Catia-centric. And despite the politeness in her words and her honey-sweet disposition, she liked it. Craved it, even, because at least she, the golden daughter, deserved it.

But now, at twenty-one, she’s wiser and less selfish–and less deserving, too. At twenty-once, she will bottle her emotions for Everett’s sake. At twenty-one, she will not cry alongside him because life isn’t fair but there’s nothing one can do except keep going; because she, too, is broken–but the pieces of the Craven man are crumbling so much that even Catia’s dainty fingertips might not be able to pick them up; because she aches for him, for Maeve, for herself–but she doesn’t cry. She can’t.

Instead, she engulfs her godbrother in a massive hug and squeezes tightly. She holds him while he cries, remains steadfast and strong. There are no words, but she speaks anyways: “Why? What–” Her voice trembles and cracks. “Was it really her doing, or a framing like Lillian and Cassian’s murders?” She’s not sure which option is worse.

#diveronatalk #catherinedaly #one of the passages under the cut talks about maeve's passing so #death tw #suicide mention tw #happy birthday kiersten!!#(potentially belated depending on the timezone!)

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siremasterlawrence · 4 years

Text

Cirque Du Soirée

8:00 PM -

“Cirque Du Soirée.” A young voice says to my neighbor Óscar who enters in the middle of the Circus tent. He is a dad of a very young boi all to excited to attend the opening even this week. “Can I help you sir?” The man continues to walk in as he asks.

“Sorry to walk in on you like this, but I saw the whole Circus area folk dancing around the area in a weird patten.” The man Óscar says becoming more enamored by events unfolding in his eyes. The man swings his hand jumping on to the flying trapeze.

The man stands on swinging back, and forth over the height of the arena in to the net below ready for it. Oscar cannot believing who godly he appears in the sky the man back flips off of the high trapeze. He bounces of next doing a summer salt to the floor.

8:30 -

“Who are you? What is this place a real kind of circus or what?” Óscar says unbelievably in awe at what he sees simply the man takes a bow. He spins around on the stage taking off of his jacket to show off his cool new out fit just designed;

“I am the Master of ceremonies, head of the stage kind of the circus, and the one true ring leader.” The ring leaded removes a small wand out of his pocket, he flings it in the air as it is about to expand, and he begins to swing it in the air.

“Yes, the ring leader that is what I shall call you only you.” Óscar free flowingly unaware of what he is saying, the cloud swirls above them picking up over everything, and the race is on. The entire Circus troop, facilities, and its workers disappear in to a new realm.

9:00 pm

“Why don’t you join me for a little party game my new pal Oscar? All you have do is follow the rules, obey my command, and make me happy.” The ring leader says taking a bow right before he stares upward, and drop his hand down.

The ring leader snaps his fingers causing a chain reaction, Oscar felt the entirety of his life spin out of control, and everything becomes vertigo. “Our of nothing spinning out of control comes the mind, breaking, and chaos.” The ring leader says.

“Freeze for me.” The ring leader says sitting on a throne seat overlooking his new party pet to play with. The ring leader points to the water laying below him, he stares down at not sure why, but the ripples in the water flow over and over.

9:30 pm

Craziness unleashes as Oscar falls forward in to the pool of water sinking in further away in to nothing. Oscar body washes away all of the impurities from his body, his body is now so pure and soon all his right article of clothing.

The top of tent opens up as they fall through it to the ground hitting hard, making him rise to his feet forgetting everything else, and he is stunning in his birthday suit. “Stare in to the void of the mirror Oscar it is time to move on now.” The ring leader says.

“Stare in the void of the mirror give in to me right now, forget the existence of a life no yet living, and except the dream world as the one truth.” The ring leader makes it clear throwing powder through the air on to his face turning him clown white.

10:00 am

“How are we settling in this new reality of yours Oscar? Enjoy it much changes are too be had you will see.” I pat his back hard as he joins us in sync, he runs like a lunatic on fire bro sure what to do, and he goes crazy trying to comprehend what is going on.

“Let us make it happen babe whatever you want, I am so super excited to see what comes next, and I love what you are doing to me right now.” Óscar says with hugest smiles plastered over his face, he shakes his head like crazy at me, and he freezes again.

He shakes vibrating out of his life most of the parts of his life are erasing one thing at a time, and soon his colors glow multicolors becoming like a clown. “My little clown boy is so cool.” I announce walking over to him grabbing his cheek, and shake them.

10:30 am

“Tempting fate? Huh?” That is the question of the day for Oscar who’s identity is totally been compromised. “This time the tempting of fate happens to me due to the fact I own only you the man of your dreams.” The ring leader held him tight.

“I love you, Master Sire Sir Lawrence the king of my universe, this world that we shifted in to total existence, and they both submit to my feet on the floor.” We make out a bit thinking his hair, turning his lips red, muscular body, and even redder tongue.

The end.

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tardistimes · 4 years

Text

Aractune

Summary: The Master's companion is scared of spiders. How could he possibly abuse that knowledge?

Series: The Planets Part 3 | Part 2 | Part 1

Word Count: 5194

N.B. Okay, I know some people will be put off by the mention of spiders in the description (I would be, as I have a spider phobia) but I promise I use minimal descriptions and their appearances are intended to be funny not scary!

AO3 link here.

“You’ll like this one.” The Master promised, opening the door for her. “Zenus. It’s a level five planet, like Earth. Its main inhabitants built their civilisations from the treetops, using a series of interconnected bridges to travel between the forests.”

“Err, I don’t think so,” Ana said, glancing outside at the arid landscape before them. There wasn’t a single tree in sight.

Giving her an innocent look after he peeked out the doors – immediately making Ana suspicious – he declared, “How strange. The TARDIS must have brought us here for some reason. Well, it would be a shame to come all this way and not have a look around. Shall we?”

Reluctantly following him outside, Ana took in their surroundings. The sky overhead was a reddish hue, a stark contrast to the greenish-black soil covering the majority of the landscape before them. It was only broken up by the odd jagged rock protruding from the dirt or a short plant of some variety, which resembled a black cactus.

“Where are we?” She asked once she had seen enough. It really was a desolate looking place, especially when she had been prepared for a luscious forest full of treetop houses.

“Hang on, I’ll check.” The Master said, turning to go look at the console.

“You mean you don’t just know?” Ana teased, taking a chance. “Wow. If the Doctor was here, she’d probably eat a bit of soil and immediately know where we are, what week it is and where the nearest doughnut shop is.”

She didn’t often try to compare him to the Doctor, knowing their relationship was a sensitive subject, and Ana immediately bit down on her lip after making the remark as she waited nervously for his response.

The Master glared over his shoulder at her, resolutely shutting the TARDIS door before stalking back to her side. “Fine.”

He drew in a deep breath. “Aractune.”

“No doughnut shop?” Ana asked, glancing at him out the corner of her eye.

“No. And I don’t need to eat dirt to figure that out.” The Master replied dryly.

“Good,” she smiled, “to be honest, I always found that kinda gross.”

He grinned back. His smiles were always so sharp, but Ana found them increasingly endearing. Especially as he moved closer to weave their fingers together. “Come on, pet. Let’s see what’s around.”

“Doesn’t look like much of anything.” She pointed out. There were no roads or trails to suggest a civilisation of any kind. The landscape, to her, looked too barren to support any kind of life, but, as the Master said, the TARDIS wouldn’t take them there for no reason.

The Master swung their hands between them as they walked, making her laugh. He was only doing it as a joke; even without an audience, he loved to be dramatic. Ana still enjoyed the contact though. Usually, his touches were possessive, it made a nice change when they could be light-hearted like this.

“So, what do you know about Aractune?” She asked as they walked along. They were getting further away from the TARDIS, currently disguised as a large boulder, but no matter how far they walked there were no signs of people.

“Level two planet,” he replied, “so not much chaos to create here. I do seem to recall though,” the Master drawled, “I mean, I’m not the Doctor so I’m not sure how accurate this is…”

Ana rolled her eyes. She should have known he wouldn’t let the matter go.

“…but Aractune is known for a nightly meteor shower which, when viewed through the planet’s atmosphere, is meant to be quite spectacular. To a human, anyway. Can’t imagine it would hold much interest to me.” He sniffed.

“We can leave if you don’t want to be here.” Ana said. “We were meant to go to Zenus anyway.”

“Yes, us Time Lords always taking you to the wrong places.” He said lightly.

“This is the only time you’ve ever done that.” Ana pointed out. “And you said that was the TARDIS’s fault, not yours.”

“It is.” The Master agreed.

“There you go then. The Doctor was always taking us to the wrong place,” she laughed, perhaps overexaggerating a little but it wasn’t a lie, “did I ever tell you about the time she promised to take me home and we ended up on an iceberg? No? Well, I’ve made my point. You’re obviously the superior pilot.”

His grin grew and he preened under her compliment. The Master was such a vain creature, which she never failed to find hilarious.

“So we’re staying for the meteor shower?” Ana asked. “I guess we can only see it at nightfall? How long do we have to wait?”

“The days are quite short here. I’d say we only have to wait half an hour before sunset.”

“Great.”

Glancing around, she was unsurprised to see there was still little to do to pass the time.

“What do we do until then?”

Reaching into his pocket, which Ana had learned were bigger on the inside a while ago, he pulled out a blanket and unfurled it on the floor.

“Do you just carry that with you all the time?” She asked sceptically. That didn’t sound like something the Master would waste space on.

“Never know when you might need a blanket.” He told her.

She still didn’t believe him but took a seat beside him on the ground. He laid back after he was sure she was comfortable and, as always, she followed him. Pointing up at the sky, he told her more about the planet, some of the reptilian-like animals which had begun to develop over the past million years, how the environment would develop over subsequent millennia until it was suitable to maintain intelligent life; trying to show off with his knowledge and dispel any comparison with the Doctor.

As he started to tell her about the natural satellites in orbit, the reddish sky darkened into a deep purple before fading into black. The stars lit up the night sky, softly illuminating the landscape around them. It was very dark once the sun set on the planet and, feeling slightly exposed, Ana shuffled closer to the Master where she felt safer.

“Are you warm enough?” He asked.

While the temperatures had dropped with the departing sun, she was fine beside him. “No.”

“Scared?” He teased next.

“No.” Ana intoned.

He stretched his arm out and, taking the invitation, Ana rolled into his side. “Silly human.” The Master mumbled into her hair, pulling her closer with his free hand.

The meteors began to shoot across the night sky, pulling a delighted cry from Ana as she saw them. The sparks from their trails flared brightly, illuminating the entire sky above them with flashes of warm yellow. They swirled into the dusty atmosphere, mixing into explosions of bright oranges and fiery reds.

The Master grinned smugly as Ana exclaimed how beautiful it was – his human was so easy to please.

She became entirely entranced with the display as it continued to unfold overhead, so Ana barely heard the rustling that first sounded behind her. When it came again, however, suddenly closer, she jumped. Pressing her hands to the Master’s chest, she pushed herself up and squinted through the shadows surrounding them.

“What was that?” Ana asked nervously.

“What was what?” The Master replied lazily, idly running his fingers through the ends of her hair.

Shaking her head, sure she was imagining it, Ana settled back against him.

“Okay, no. Do you not hear that?” She said a minute later, sitting upright as the noise came again.

“It’s just the wind.” He dismissed, still laying down. “Now pay attention to the meteor shower. You see those meteors at the end? In about ten thousand years they will finally come close enough to the planet to be pulled in by its orbit. Where they crash will become the first major body of water, which will advance the development of intelligent life. As for the other meteors, they crash five million years from now and destroy the civilisation which ultimately forms here. Absolute devastation, we really should visit…”

“Master!” Ana exclaimed. Whatever caused the noise was close enough now for her to pinpoint it, coming from her left.

Her head turned just in time to see the spindly creature approach, its numerous legs slowly breaking through the shadows as it neared them and Ana realised with a stab of terror, “SPIDER!”

It was nearly the size of a basketball and scurried towards her. With a cry, she rolled over the Master’s torso until she was firmly behind him, fully prepared to use him as a human (alien, she corrected) shield.

Instead of complaining about the indignity of her actions, the Master calmly pulled the TCE from his pocket and killed the creature approaching them.

“Honestly,” he tusked, once it was taken care of, “that is not a spider. We’re not on Earth, darling. Look.”

Reaching forward to pluck up the miniature, he held it close to Ana’s face, sighing when she immediately scampered away.

“Don’t put it near me!” She yelled.

“Pet, I’m just trying to demonstrate that it only has seven legs. Not eight.”

Refusing to look, Ana declared, “I don’t care, it still scared the crap out of me. Sneaking up on us like that. Hang on a minute,” she said, a shudder running down her spine, “are there more of those?”

“Yes. At this moment in time, they’re the dominant life form on the planet.”

Hurrying back to his side, Ana grabbed his arm (the one not holding the spider-like creature) and held him tightly. “Get me the hell out of here.”

The Master raised an eyebrow at her. “It’s fine. As I just demonstrated,” he flicked the figurine away from them, “I am more than capable of protecting us. Besides, they’re not venomous. Not to humans anyway. As far as I know.”

Ana shot him an unimpressed look. “I am not sitting out here with those things all around us.”

“But love, the meteor shower.”

“No.” She insisted, standing up and crossing her arms.

The Master, unable to remember a time he had seen Ana ever so resolute, slowly stood. Carefully folding the blanket while she tapped her foot impatiently, he only led her back to the TARDIS once it was properly tucked back inside his pocket. Offering her his arm, she quickly took it and stayed pressed to his side the entire way back.

Holding the door open for her, Ana hastened inside the TARDIS – determined to have a scolding hot shower in the hopes it would kill the feeling of invisible spiders crawling over her skin. She always felt that way after an encounter.

The Master watched her go, waiting for her to leave the console room before allowing a mischievous smile to cross his face.

________________________________________________________________

Every few weeks, the Master returned Ana home so she could maintain the life she’d left behind to travel with him – making calls to relatives and paying her bills. He was never happy about it, constantly making the argument for her to quit her job, sell her things and move aboard the TARDIS permanently. Every time, Ana pointed out she still had family on Earth and she needed somewhere to stay while visiting them.

Really, she knew it wouldn’t matter much to her if she never saw her family ever again, and she had no friends of note. Getting rid of her home, however, seemed too great a risk. Realistically, despite the developments in their relationship, Ana would always think there was a chance the Master would tire of her one day and leave her somewhere. On the chance he had enough compassion for her left to make that place Earth, it would help to have somewhere to go.

The Master was stood in the console room when she came back from her bedroom – where she had collected a few things she’d need on Earth – scrutinising the screens to try and avoid a goodbye.

With a sigh, Ana crossed over to his side. It seemed her trip home would be like every other. Just once, she wished she could say goodbye for a few days without the Master treating it as though she were saying goodbye forever.

Pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, Ana said, “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Three days.” The Master confirmed grumpily.

She didn’t know why he always made such a performance about this. He had a time machine. He could literally close the door and travel to exactly three days’ time when she was due to come back to the TARDIS, leaving no time to miss her. Instead, he’d go off on his adventures – which he’d tell her all about once she came back, making them sound as enchanting and wonderful as he could – in the hopes it would make her regret her decision to leave and choose to move into the TARDIS permanently.

If she were being honest with herself, Ana did miss the Master and the TARDIS when she left. In an ideal world, she would stay with him for as long as she could before her mortality got in the way. Life was never ideal however and she knew she had to maintain a life beyond him.

“Goodbye, Master,” Ana said, saddened when he wouldn’t meet her gaze.

He started toying with the switches on the console, which she took as her cue to leave.

Sighing again, Ana pulled open the TARDIS door and stepped outside into her living room.

Glancing around, customarily checking to see everything was in place, she paused when she saw an ominously large cobweb in a corner of the room. It spanned about a foot and was worryingly empty.

Leaving the TARDIS door open just to be safe, Ana tentatively stepped closer to it, her eyes jumping around so nothing could sneak up on her. The experience of Aractune was still fresh in her memory and she had no desire to relive any part of that.

Rationally, she knew her fear was irrational. Unfortunately, there was nothing rational about phobias and she’d been scared witless of spiders for as long as she could remember. It was something her family had always teased her for, using it as an obstacle to her following in their footsteps. How could she work in law enforcement, act in a capacity to keep others safe, if she fell prey to irrational fear so easily?

There was nothing around the cobweb and Ana prayed the creature that had created it had since departed her apartment.

Turning around, she clapped a hand to her mouth to contain the squeal which left her lips.

She only muffled part of it, enough escaping to capture the Master’s attention.

“Was that you?” He asked, stepping into her house. Casting a disparaging look at his surroundings, he declared, “Honestly pet, I don’t know what you see in this place. You could fit the entirety of this apartment inside your room in the TARDIS. At least let me find you somewhere suitable on this scrap heap of a planet?”

“Master.” Ana squeaked, jabbing a finger towards the dead, offending creature laid in the middle of her living room floor.

“What is it?” He said, curiously following her gesture. When he saw what had gotten her so excited he groaned. “Not this again. I do not understand your preoccupation with eight-legged animals. We have faced far worse, love. Significantly more dangerous and, in my opinion, much uglier. This,” he condemned, scrutinising the small arachnid before him, “it would barely fill the palm of your hand, let alone mine. And it’s already dead!”

Ana shuddered at the thought of touching it.

“Can you just get rid of it, please?” She implored, trying to keep her tone even and courteous. The last thing she needed was the Master to decide the situation was funny and torment her with the thing even further.

Luckily, after one glimpse at her face, he realised how strongly she wanted it gone and did so without complaint. Only once he’d scooped it up and left the room to dispose of its body, did Ana feel the tension leave her body. That encounter had come too close off the back of the one on Aractune and she prayed, for the sake of her nerves, she wouldn’t encounter any more spiders for quite some time. Or, ideally, ever again.

“All gone.” The Master announced as he came back in.

“Thank you,” Ana said, gushing with gratitude. If he hadn’t just handled its body, she would have thrown herself into his arms to show just how appreciative she was.

“Don’t mention it.” He grinned. “Now, about this flat of yours. I really do think you can do better. Why don’t I…”

“Master.” Ana moaned. Not again.

He held up his hands. “Very well. I won’t mention it. You stay here, in your adorable little hovel. I just hope, for your sake, that you don’t have an infestation of those silly little creatures.” The Master said idly. “Hey, do you remember that woman who was killed by those giant spiders in her apartment when we first met? I couldn’t say so at the time – given the part, I was playing – but that was quite funny, wasn’t it?”

Ana felt all the colour leave her face.

Her eyes bounced around the flat and suddenly her body was tense again.

That sneaky bastard.

Shooting him a glare, Ana stalked past him back into the TARDIS.

“Oh, are you not staying? How delightful, darling.” He grinned. “Now, how about we try and get to Zenus this time. I really do think you’ll enjoy it.”

________________________________________________________________

Ana had been trying to shower away the grime from their latest adventure when she caught sight of the first black leg emerging from the drain. With a shriek, she leapt out of the cubicle, hollering for help.

Grabbing the closest towel, Ana wrapped it around herself just in time for the Master to burst through the door to come to her rescue. If she had thought about it rationally, she might have questioned how he had responded so quickly – given he had last been seen in the console room and, no matter how much the TARDIS aided him by rearranging the corridors, he shouldn’t have been able to get to her so fast.

Instead, she watched him kill the spider and flush it down the toilet, before hurrying to his side to thank him. He pulled her into a hug, grateful for all the skin bared to him by the towel she wore, as he ran his hands along her arms before pulling her flush to his chest.

Once her heart had slowed down to its normal rate, Ana pulled back and switched off the water.

“Your clothes are all damp.” She apologised when she returned to his side.

“Don’t worry about it. I have plenty more where these come from.” He assured, pushing the hair out of her face. “Besides, all in the line of duty. I can’t let those pesky things get to my human now, can I?”

His hand trailed down her face to brush over her bottom lip and he delighted as Ana immediately gave into temptation and leaned in to initiate a passionate kiss, the leftover adrenaline from her encounter making their embrace increasingly desperate.

________________________________________________________________

“How do spiders keep getting aboard?” Ana lamented, her legs pulled up onto the seat of her chair while the Master caught the spider which had just crawled out the kitchen cupboard while she was trying to get some cereal for breakfast. “We’re in space!”

“We must have picked some up when you wanted to go to Earth yesterday.” The Master explained pointedly. He’d given Ana free reign to choose their destination and, to his chagrin, she wanted to go to Earth to see the launch of Apollo 11. To him, a trip to her sub-par planet to witness the development of primitive technology was a waste of a trip, but she’d found it fascinating.

“The launch probably disrupted a lot of the wildlife and they would have sought shelter.”

The notion that the latest scare was probably her fault, made her apologise for causing such a commotion.

“It’s all right, pet.” He said good-naturedly. “Gave me an opportunity to swoop in and rescue you.”

He waggled his eyebrows at her, making Ana laugh.

“My hero.” She grinned, going along with the joke.

At least he was trying to be.

________________________________________________________________

Picking up her phone, Ana quickly dialled the TARDIS phone.

“Miss me already, love.” The Master answered, picking up after the first ring. There was a sound of machinery clunking in the background, so Ana presumed he was working in the console room.

“Erm, are you busy?” She asked nervously.

“You do miss me, don’t you?” He chuckled deeply. If the hairs on the back of her neck weren’t already standing on end, they would have been after hearing his pleased tone. “Good pet. Why don’t you tell me what it is you need?”

She was too panicked to respond to his flirting and demanded, a bit too sharply, “Can you just come back? Please?”

The line was silent for a moment before the Master slowly agreed.

“All right, Ana. I’ll be right there.”

Pocketing her phone, Ana concentrated on what was before her. As long as she kept her eyes on it, she wouldn’t lose it. The Master would arrive and get rid of it, then she could go back to enjoying her holiday.

In exchange for the night she’d missed on Daviron – when he’d eagerly whisked her away from her vacation early despite their deal – Ana had convinced the Master to let her stay at a resort for the day. They’d come across the place on their latest adventure. The resort was surrounded by natural geothermal springs and sat secluded in the middle of the planet’s woodlands. It had seemed so beautiful and peaceful, that Ana had implored him to spend more time there and, like last time, the Master had secured her a beautiful suite at the resort’s hotel where she would stay overnight.

Her time there had been blissfully relaxing. Right up until the spider before her emerged. It was the biggest she’d seen since Sheffield and Ana was desperate to get away from it, however, it was between her and the door, leaving little room for her to escape without coming into contact with it.

The sound of the TARDIS landing was the most wonderful noise in the universe Ana decided, as it landed in her bedroom. Taking up space beside her wardrobe, it disguised itself as an additional door.

Stepping outside, the Master raised his hands in question.

Jerking her head towards the problem, she watched as he amusedly realised what he had been summoned for.

“Darling, if you missed me all you needed to do was call. You don’t need to orchestrate these things to justify it.” He jested, raking his eyes up and down the length of her body. “You know I’d never leave you lonely.”

“Master, please.” Ana pleaded, returning her eyes to the oversized bug so it couldn’t disappear on her. She’d spend the night dreading its reappearance.

With all the airs of a long-suffering man, the Master sighed as he withdrew his TCE and killed yet another creature which had offended his human.

Turning on her heel, Ana threw her arms around him and hugged him desperately.

“I knew you’d missed me.” He crowed into her hair, reeling her close.

Shivering slightly, she tried to will herself to relax. It was gone, the Master had dealt with it and she was perfectly safe.

The Master sensed her distress and hugged her more gently, with a firm hand stroking her back to calm her. “It’s all gone now, Ana.” He promised. “You can get back to your holiday now.”

She grimaced at the thought – no longer feeling safe alone in the room it had emerged in – and, after a moment, the Master added, “Unless you want to come back to the TARDIS early?”

Nodding into his shoulder, Ana was unable to see the delight on his face.

Scooping her up, the Master hastened her into the TARDIS without a backward glance.

________________________________________________________________

In hindsight, Ana should have realised what the Master was doing long before she did. As it happened, she only found out when she caught him in the act. The squirming spider was trapped between his fingers by one of its legs, about to go on Ana’s bed.

Slamming the door behind her, the Master froze before he could let it go.

Glancing over his shoulder, he gave her a guilty grin. “Pet. I thought you were going for a swim?”

“I forgot my towel,” Ana explained dryly, pointing to the item she had left slung over a chair.

“We have spares in the lockers beside the pool.” He told her, his tone casual as the spider continued its struggle against his grip.

Ana arched a brow. “I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t know that or I wouldn’t have come back so soon.” She drawled. “Just what exactly are you doing with that spider?”

“I was removing it.”

She hummed sceptically. “What were you doing in here to begin with?”

As the Master of lies, he spun her a pretty story about wanting to do something romantic by leaving a gift on her bed – he even had a box in his pocket to produce as part of the charade, something he often kept on him in case he attracted his human’s ire and needed a distraction. The lie may have worked on her – it was, she begrudgingly conceded, convincingly told – if, while he spoke, her memory hadn’t produced all those times she had been terrorised by one of those eight-legged creatures, with the Master always conveniently placed to come to her rescue. Taking her to Aractune, even though he knew from their first meeting she was terrified of spiders (or in Aractune’s case, spider-like creatures). The one in her apartment, in the shower, in the TARDIS’s kitchen, in her hotel suite, and now one on her pillow. Undoubtedly he would have waited just around the corner, waiting for her screech of terror before dashing in to rescue her.

“If you want me to be your damsel in distress,” Ana said acidly, once he was finished telling his fabrications, “perhaps you could try something different next time? Maybe pay someone to dangle me off a building or accidentally drop me into shark-infested waters? This act with the spiders is starting to wear a bit thin. How about some real jeopardy?”

“Pet, I just told you…”

“Treating me like an idiot isn’t going to win me over, you know.” She bit back. Marching over to her bedroom door, she yanked it open and gestured outside. “Take your eight-legged friend with you on your way out.”

“This is my TARDIS, Ana. I’ll go where I please.” He stated, immediately rebelling.

“Fine. You can take me home then. At least I know you haven’t had time to sneak anything into my house just to scare me back to you. Take me home.”

The Master crushed the spider in his hand, annoyed with its wriggling, and Ana fought not to grimace. She must have failed as, upon catching sight of her face, his ire magnified.

“Why don’t you get the Doctor to take you home if you’re so disgusted?”

Ana was taken aback. “The Doctor? What has she got to do with anything?”

“I travelled with you all, pet.” The Master reminded. “I saw you all together. The way your eyes used to light up whenever she would swoop in to rescue you from danger – which, for the record, she also used to put you in. Never did you blame her for that, instead you would all simper and praise her intelligence, her bravery. Your precious Doctor. I’m sure if she had done this, you would have found it delightful!” He yelled, the bitterness dripping so heavily from his words, Ana could feel it wash over her from the other side of the room.

Her bewilderment grew. “That’s why you did this? You wanted an excuse to rescue me so you could be more like the Doctor.”

Out of habit, he rejoined, “I am nothing like the Doctor!”

“I know!” Ana yelled back. When his face fell, she added softly, “That’s why I chose you.”

Walking closer, still mindful of his hand and the crushed remains of the insect smeared over his palm, Ana looked at him. “When I was with the fam and I got into danger, there was always a part of me that thought they wouldn’t miss me if I was gone. I was never really a part of their family, and part of me wondered if sometimes they wouldn’t like to get rid of me. That, given the opportunity of me being in danger, they would just leave me there. That’s why I was so happy when O started to come with us because, with you there, I knew there was always someone who would notice if I wasn’t there, who would push to get me back whatever the risk. That’s why I’m with you now. You might get me into ridiculously dangerous situations, but I know you’ll always try to rescue me from them.”

“Always.” The Master confirmed without hesitation.

Ana believed him. While she knew there was a chance the Master might get sick of her one day and send her packing, she was confident he would never leave her to fall victim to one of his messes. She believed he cared for her enough to never wish her physical harm. If she was in danger, he would rescue her. There was no doubt in her mind. And she certainly didn’t need any convincing to stay with him – she had never regretted her choice to leave the Doctor for the Master and couldn’t imagine there would ever be a time that she would.

“You don’t need to play pretend being the hero, Master. There’s nothing for you to live up to. I’m happy where I am.” Ana said. “No more spiders, okay?

“No more spiders.” He confirmed. Raising his hands, ready to tug her into a kiss, he pouted when Ana hastily backed away.

“Okay, don’t get me wrong. I’d love to kiss you, really I would. But you’ve got to wash that hand first, I’m not getting spider guts in my hair.”

His dour expression was replaced with a grin as he realised her true motive for pulling away. Pointing a finger at her, he said sternly, “Don’t go anywhere.”

The Master hastened into her bathroom to do as his pet desired, Ana giggling as she watched him run off, so eager to return for his kiss.

“I’m still mad about you planting all those spiders though.” She called after him.

“I know.” He replied sulkily, prompting her to laugh again. “I’ll make it up to you.”

My hero, she thought wryly.

Note: That second experience is based on something that happened to me when a relative, who had been house sitting for us, thought it would be funny to leave a dead spider in the middle of my bedroom floor for when I got home because they know how much I hate spiders. Suffice to say, I didn't find it funny!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this and no one found the spiders creepy! I know this story doesn't progress the series much, I just thought it was a funny idea as I'd already set up that Ana hates spiders in Vabivis. Let me know your thoughts!

N.B. I've now made a Discord group for Master fans (and other Dhawan characters like Orlo, Davos etc). If you're interested in joining, message me for the link!

#doctor who #dhawan!master x original female character #dhawan!master #Dhawan Master #The Master

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angstmatsuscenarios · 5 years

Note

What about Mom and Dad remember when the sextuplets were born? They were frail and the doctor tells them it’s unlikely all will survive and probably wouldn’t reach their first birthday. But they did! They look at their grown up boys who are healthy and strong! And even visit the doctor who delivered them to show him that they survived! And he’s stunned he can’t believe it!

This may be a bit more soft than truly angsty, but I do hope you like it!!

Warning for references to death under the cut:

Another year had flown by. Once again it was the sextuplets’ birthday, and they were celebrating it in typical fashion--a special cake made for them by their mother, and a lot of shouting and joking around.

Matsuyo watched them, or rather, the chaos unfolding once the cake had been cut--Osomatsu trying to swipe Choromatsu’s slice of cake before he’d even finished his own yet, Ichimatsu threatening to throw his piece at Karamatsu if he didn’t put down the guitar and stop singing, Jyushimatsu inhaling the whole slice in one big gulp, Todomatsu taking a picture of his--and shook her head slightly, but she smiled fondly all the same.

They were every bit as rambunctious as they’d been as children, and while it grated on her nerves sometimes, she couldn’t deny they were still her boys. She loved them and would always love them, no matter what. But on this day in particular, just as she had on every birthday of theirs, she couldn’t help feeling grateful they were as active and healthy as they were now, that they were all still here.

It could have been so different...

Matsuzo placed a hand on her shoulder, startling her out of her musings. “You look deep in thought,” he commented softly, pressing a quick kiss against her cheek.

“I suppose I am,” Matsuyo replied with a sigh. “I was just thinking about the day they were born.”

“Ah.” Matsuzo nodded, his expression solemn. “Even after all this time has passed, I’ll never forget that day...or the months that followed.”

“It was such an awful, awful time…” Matsuyo recalled, her voice trailing off as the memories took over. “They were so small, so frail...they could barely breathe on their own. It was like torture at first, seeing them in the NICU, not being able to hold them and not knowing if I’d ever be able to. If they would ever even be able to come home with us. The doctors were so sure not all of them would make it through--that they’d be lucky if they even reached their first birthday.”

“It was the worst spring we’d had in a long time, too,” Matsuzo recollected. “The rainiest in a long time. It felt like the sun would never shine again. I think...that’s what it felt like for us, too, as we waited and worried. We’d wanted this for so long, wanted to be parents, and it seemed like that was being taken away from us. We never gave up, but there were days we came close to it.”

“And then one day, one day at last…” Matsuyo’s voice grew husky as she became choked up. “It was like a miracle happened. At last, they started showing signs of improvement, all of them. The doctors said they might truly have a chance. And then...then, we were able to hold them.” Tears shone in her eyes, but she smiled faintly. “I held Osomatsu first, and the second he was in my arms, I started sobbing. I couldn’t believe my baby boy—all my precious baby boys—might make it after all.”

“I remember well.” Matsuzo had also gotten a little teary-eyed at this point, and took both of Matsuyo’s hands in his own. “I held Karamatsu first, and almost as soon as he was in my arms he burst into tears, but they’d been so quiet all this time that hearing them cry was like music to our ears. A sign our babies were getting stronger.”

“And finally, at long last, we were able to bring them home—all of them, where they belonged.” Matsuyo gave her husband’s hands a gentle squeeze. “We weren’t in the clear yet. We spent that first whole year on pins and needles, expecting something bad to happen. Every sniffle, every little fever was cause for concern. By the time their first birthday rolled around at last, it felt like we were finally able to breathe. Like everything really would be okay.”

Matsuzo craned his neck to see past his wife’s shoulder, at the boys gathered around the table laughing and goofing off. “And just look at them now. Everyone is fine, everyone is healthy...give or take a few scares. But that’s life, I guess.”

“I suppose so—but I’d gladly take that over anything else.” Matsuyo brushed the lingering tears from her eyes, and she and Matsuzo exchanged little smiles, knowing how incredibly fortunate they both felt over how everything had turned out in the end.

It may not be perfect, but it was perfect for them.

—————

“I can’t believe we’ve never done this before,” Osomatsu commented.

He, his brothers, and his parents had just stepped through the doors of Akatsuka Hospital, where they’d been born all those long years ago. Although they’d been here several times since then--with six rowdy boys, hospital trips were inevitable at one point of another--this was the first time they’d ever come for this specific purpose.

Choromatsu checked the hospital’s directory. “The maternity ward is on the third floor,” he said.

“Then let’s go!” Jyushimatsu was already sprinting toward the elevators, with Todomatsu chasing after him, calling after him that running in a hospital wasn’t a good idea.

Matsuzo chuckled and linked his arm through Matsuyo’s. “Well then, shall we?”

Matsuyo and Matsuzo let the boys lead the way up to the maternity ward. When they arrived on that floor, they were met by a doctor with graying hair and thick glasses, wearing a crisp white lab coat. It was Dr. Hayashi--the doctor who had delivered the sextuplets, and had overseen part of their care in the hospital. Matsuyo had called the hospital in advance and requested they be able to meet with him, and fortunately it had worked out.

Dr. Hayashi couldn’t mask his surprise as the sextuplets stood before him, his eyes wide behind his glasses. “Why, if it isn’t the Matsuno sextuplets--all grown up!”

“Yep!” Osomatsu grinned, brushing the underside of his nose. “Alive and well, against all odds.”

“It’s amazing,” the doctor mused, gazing upon each brother in return, his expression still awed. “Truly amazing...when you were born, you were all so weak and sickly. We didn’t expect you to make it to your first birthday...and now, look at you, all still here and all healthy adults now.”

“Well, maybe ‘healthy’ is debatable,” Ichimatsu remarked, though his flat tone was a little more joking than usual.

“Yeah!” Jyushimatsu nodded vigorously. “Last week Karamatsu had to be taken to the ER because he fell off the roof. Again.”

“Er, well, I doubt he needs to know about that…” Karamatsu intercepted, blushing at the sudden attention being thrown upon him.

“The point is, we are all still alive and well, like Osomatsu-niisan said,” Todomatsu cut in, before they could stray off topic. He smiled at Dr. Hayashi. “Thanks to all the doctors here who took care of us, like you.”

“That’s right,” Choromatsu chimed in. “We wanted to come by and visit today, to show you how we’re doing and to thank you for not giving up on us. It’s...it’s hard to believe it could’ve gone a different way.”

The others nodded solemnly at this, the mood shifting to a slightly more serious one. Although the sextuplets didn’t think about this daily, it was hard for them to imagine how they almost hadn’t made it, how it had been entirely possible that not all of them would be standing here right now had things not turned out well. It was quite a sobering thought.

The mood lightened a little the more they chatted with Dr. Hayashi, telling him a little more about themselves and their interests, while he listened intently. He was clearly still impressed that they were all doing so well.

Matsuyo and Matsuzo hung back, watching their sons. It felt like they’d grown up so fast—it felt as if they’d lived through that horrible nightmare just yesterday. But they’d survived, growing from babies to kids to teens, and now they were adults, ones with big futures ahead of them even if they weren’t there yet.

Though secretly, they would always see them as their children, not always precious but always loved.

#osomatsu san #osomatsu san angst #birthday #reference to premature birth

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another-sonic-blog · 5 years

Text

That Makes Us Two Chapter 1: Switched

Switched Bodies AU ShadAmy Boom!:

Shadow and Amy hate each other, but if they want to get their bodies back, they must first embark on a mission together.

Can love repair the circumstances that were broken by hate?

Life was completely normal for Amy Rose. As normal as it can get when you have to defeat evil every day.

Fighting robots, villains, mostly destroying Eggman's plan. Yes, everything was going as usual in Hedgehog Village.

"Can't we do something else?"

Amy sighed as she looked to her Meh Burger.

"What do you mean?" Tails asked as he took a bite of his burger. "Don't you guys ever wonder where the meat we eat comes from? I mean, we are animals after all-"

"I mean we just do the same thing over and over again! We wake up, fight some villains, come to Meh Burger, repeat" Amy interrupted Tails as she looked to her teammates.

"Well, Ames, that's what we do. We are heroes and Tails that's actually a pretty good question, where does the meat come-"

"So we are bound to do this forever?"

Amy looked at Sonic who was now concentrating on his burger, too focused to figure out the mysteries behind it.

Sticks took a sip of her juice as she looked at Amy and with a burp, she added, "That's what the government what's you to do."

"If you don't feel like being a hero, then why don't you take a vacation?", Knuckles said.

"Knuckles we know that you may not have the brightest mind, but you may just have made a breakthrough!"

"Um, thank you?"

Amy stood up from her seat with a victorious smile on her face.

"I'll take a vacation!"

And so she desired, and so that became. Everyone on team Sonic agreed that Amy deserved a vacation away from all the fighting. Now, Amy was headed to do one of the things she liked the most...Archeology. According to her research, there was a cave on the outskirts of the city that may have important information about the 'Ancients'. The old civilization was well known for its technological advances. However, one day the entire civilization disappeared without any clues.

and this cave might just have the answers to that.

Amy was well prepared, lanterns, proper clothing, and equipment around her waist. It seemed like the lanterns weren't going to come in handy as the cave contained some purple markings that lighted the entire cave properly.

As she made her way through, she found a larger purple rock. It was the size of her hand and to her surprise, it was pretty light. She continued to appreciate the beauty of the gem and as she did, she noticed there was something engraved on it.

It was written in the Ancient language but she had a pretty good knowledge of it to know the meaning of the words.

"If in front of me war unfolds, I'll curse both until love is found."

Amy gave it a thought. Just what could this mean? She was deep in thought and she didn't notice someone approaching her.

"What in the name of Chaos are you doing here?!"

Amy was startled by the voice behind her. She dropped the purple gem, and it broke into five different pieces.

She turns around to find no other than Shadow the Hedgehog, Team Sonic's number one enemy standing right in front of her.

And he didn't look happy at all.

"YOU BROKE THE GEM, YOU IDIOT!", Shadow yelled at her and like hell was Amy was gonna let him have his way.

"YOU APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE WITH YOUR GLOOMY FACE AND EXPECT ME NOT TO HAVE A REACTION?!" Amy yelled back at him, angry that Shadow had made her drop an important piece of her research.

"WELL, I EXPECT MY HOUSE TO BE FREE FROM PINK PESTS LIKE YOU!" Shadow walked closer to Amy and as the argument got more heated, they failed to realize that they were both stepping on the four remaining of the purple gem.

"YOUR HOUSE? WELL MR, I MUST SAY THAT YOU SENSE OF FASHION IS TOTALLY OUTDATED!"

"YOU LITTLE BRAT-"

Without knowing, the remaining of the purple gem began to glow at fast speed.

There was nothing the hedgehogs could do and the next second, they were both surrounded by the light coming from those four pieces of the purple gem.

It was just too bright...too blinding.

and then everything became black.

It must be around night time because Amy couldn't find any light source coming from outside the cave. Good to know that at least Shadow didn't murder her. Her body felt heavier than ever.

Also, she felt cold.

Around her chest area and her legs. Wait, what?

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG!?"

Amy screamed on top of her lungs, expecting the worse. She was terrified but she was more scared at the fact that her voice didn't sound like the usual.

She looked at her hands, which were more bigger now. Bandages, a lot of bandages around her hands, covering her black fur. She touched her chest expecting something round and soft; only to find a firm, sculpted, more mainly one. White chest fur covering it.

And oh god those horrible, outdated fashion shoes.

Oh, Chaos.

"I AM AN EMO!"

As if the first scream wasn't good enough to wake him up, now the second one certainly did.

He moved his head to where the screaming was coming from.

Not believing his eyes, he rubbed his eyes one, again and again just to confirm what his eyes were telling him.

He looked at himself really quick, pink and pin everywhere.

Boots, clothing, fur...

"I am an oaf!"

"Hey, I heard that!"

Shadow stood up from the ground as he approached Amy.

"Who's the fault is it that we are on this mess?", Shadow said with a hiss.

"Do you think I like this? Look at me! I am you!" Amy looked at Shadow's body once more showing a disgusted look.

"AND I AM YOU!"

"AND WHO'S FAULT IF THAT!?", Amy got closer to Shadow ready to get into hand-to-hand combat.

"If you hadn't broken that gem, we wouldn't be on this mess!"

"Well if you hadn't scared me then we wouldn't-"

Amy stopped midtrack as she realized that the five remaining pieces of the Purple Gem were gone. "The broken pieces of the gem...they are gone!"

Shadow turned to his previous spot to confirm her words and she was right indeed.

"Breaking the Gem must have caused us to switch bodies...maybe if we put the gem back together, we can undo this!" Amy said as touched the ground, making sure that there were no fragments of the purple gem hidden under it.

"HEY, DON'T DO THAT! THOSE GLOVES WERE HANDMADE!"

Amy frowned and game Shadow a 'really?' look. The look had triggered Shadow, didn't she know that her face was annoying enough?

Wait, no that's his own face.

"Seems like we are going to be hanging out for a while now," Amy said sarcastically.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't mop the floor with you."

"One, you don't have a floor, you live in this cave. Second, you NEED ME to be able to get your body back. Want to mop the floor with me? Fine, at the end of the day it's your body who you are harming."

"You have no idea how much I despise you right now" Shadow had to admit that this moment was uncomfortable. He was threatend his ownself while looking all...small and cute. This body of hers, it felt weird enough.

"The feeling is mutual, Shadow"

Shadow sighed, defeated. "Fine, we find the missing broken pieces of the Purple Gem, put them back together and we get our bodies back...after that, I never want to see your face ever again."

"and we shall never see each other again," Amy repeated, confirming what Shadow had said. She pulled out her hand expecting Shadow to shake it on agreement.

He pulled out his hand, ready to shake Amy's hand but as soon as he held it; an electric shock ran through both of their bodies. The electric shock made both their bodies jump to opposite sides of the cave.

Just what in Chaos had happened?

Shadow looked at his hand. He noticed that the bandages that were covering Amy's clothes were now gone due to electric shock. Her golden rings seemed a bit scratched but her glove was completely gone. He noticed that the shock had made a weird engraving on her hand that for sure would heal into a scar.

If Shadow didn't know better, he would think that the scar had a moon shape.

"Hey, Amy...", Shadow said now in a more serious tone.

"Yeah, I see it too...the engraving on my hand looks like a circle," Amy said lost in thought. "Wait, how do you know my name?"

"It's probably meant to symbolize a sun, mine looks like a moon." Shadow ignored her question. Actually, there was a story on how he found out her name, but he didn't feel like telling her that embarrassing story just yet.

Amy got close to Shadow and looked at Shadow's hand.

"It looks like a banana," Amy added.

"What kind of bananas do you eat?"

"Anyway, doesn't it hurt? My body has always been delicate when it comes to injuries." Amy added.

"Of course not, I am the ultimate life form, this is nothing to me-"

Oh, but he was wrong. He wasn't the ultimate life form no more. His body now belonged to Amy and he was trapped inside of her. He wanted to scream, yell but his pride got the better of him. But he couldn't hold it for too long. Now he felt it...a lot and a lot of...pain.

"SON OF A-"

Sonic couldn't go to sleep. After all, he hasn't heard anything from his girlfriend in three days and he was starting to get worried.

Did he say, girlfriend? He meant to say Amy, yes, Amy.

He wanted to give her her space but she promised to let him know if she was alright just so he could be at rest.

But she didn't do it.

Amy went for a vacation for a week on the last three days of her trip she hasn't communicated to him nor anyone on Team Sonic.

And so, Sonic decided to look for her.

He looked everywhere she could, the beach, museums, important historical places but nothing.

He checked everywhere but the cave he was about to go into.

"I am also hungry, I've never felt this way! I am...I am starving, I need food!"

Sonic could swear that the voice he heard was Amy. But damn, since when did Amy speak like that?

He walked a bit more, letting the purple engravings of the cave light his path.

"I have dried meat on my bag"

Hold on a second...was that Shadow's voice?

"Oh Chaos no, I am vegetarian! Do you have any idea where does the meat you eat comes from?" Shadow said to Amy with a disgusting look. Before this could turn into a fight, Shadow and Amy looked towards the end of the cave just to see the blue blur standing right in front of them.

"Sonic!"

Amy was so glad to see him she wanted to run and hug him but knew it was impossible as long as she was in Shadow's body.

"Amy, what's going on? Why is Shadow here with you?", Sonic questioned as he gave Amy a nasty look. Sonic walked close to Shadow unaware that it was him due that Shadow had switched bodies with Amy.

Sonic placed a hand on top of Shadow's head, he looked into the pink fur, making sure there were no injuries.

"Touch me again and I'll bite your hand off," Shadow said and Sonic was taken back by this, still not believing his ears. "What did you say, Amy?"

"We are here because I am a creep and I just wanted to scared this pretty little girl hahaha!", Amy had now broken the tension between the two. She thought that being trapped inside Shadow's body would make it easy to impersonate him, but it seems like she needs more practice than that.

"Well, get lost Shadow! I am here to protect Amy! And if you don't like that, I am gonna have to fight you." Sonic said he put Shadow behind him.

"Oh no, please! Have mercy! Please take this beautiful hedgehog away before I pass on my gloominess into her!"

Shadow was having none of this crap. Amy was using his body to play jokes on him. Well jokes on her, two can play the same game.

"Actually, Sonic, there's something I've been wanting to tell you.", Shadow said with a teasing voice.

"What is it, Ames?"

"Sorry I never told you this but...I am in love with Shadow"

"WHAT?!"

"WHAT?"

Both Amy and Sonic yelled in unison. Shadow walked up to Amy who had a priceless expression. Even if Amy's face was his own, he had to admit that it was pretty comical.

"Yes, he is just so strong and way cooler than you!"

"Wait, not Sonic, it's not true, he, I am she is lying!", Amy tried to explain but Sonic had that look that Amy knew very well. He had heard enough and he wasn't going to listen to reason.

"I see...then, I'll leave you two alone."

And so, Sonic began to walk away. It took Amy everything to not stop him and tell him the truth. But knowing Sonic, she knew that he was going to take the wrong way. After all, you don't switch bodies every day.

After Sonic left, Amy turns to see Shadow smirking. Oh, how she wanted to wipe off that stupid smile but she stopped herself as she didn't want to leave a mark on her on the face.

"You will pay for this Shadow the Hedgehog!", Amy threatened him.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to pay all of it...every single one of them," Shadow said sarcastically.

"You are such a jerk! I am sure you can't even stand yourself!"

"You are right I can't stand myself and neither do you and according to math...that makes us two."

Next Chapter: https://another-sonic-blog.tumblr.com/post/186691087620/that-makes-us-two-chapter-2-duo

#Shadamy #shadowxamy #shadow and amy #shadow the hedgehog #Amy Rose #sonic boom #sonic the hedgehog #shadamy boom #amy boom #Shadow Boom #sonic fanfiction #sonic fanfic

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anaithya · 6 years

Text

2018, etc

2018 was one hell of a ride.

I spent the NYE working on thesis proposal with my best friends A & G at G’s home. It was tense, since the deadline was close but none of us was even halfway through. At midnight we took a break and walked to Bundaran HI to join the crowd and watch fireworks. We had a bit of fun, grabbed some food in the nearest McD, talked all the way back, and prayed for our hopes and dreams for the year, before finally continue to work.

We had our common goal: to graduate. Little did we know it will took a long, winding road before we finally reach one.

January was fine. IECOM was successful, despite me being a zombie for several days. It might not be perfect but I’m very proud of what my team has done. There were unexpected things happened in D-Day but we handled them well. It feels so nice to see people work together--voluntarily put their time, mind, and energy to make the plan come true. We did our best and that’s what mattered.

Two days after IECOM, batch 2014 went to field trip in Malang and Bali. Having too caught up with IECOM, my friends and I planned our extended trip on the bus lol (I wrote about it here). It was reaaal fun! I liked how chill we all were, stopped for a moment not thinking about thesis or our routine anxieties, living the moment we were in. Thank you crew #gogotrip.

But the chaos was waiting for me. From then on, I was drained working on my thesis. Thesis was like the epitome of my uni life: crappy and messed up. Full of regret and wrong decisions. Perfectly summed it up! I thought I planned everything perfectly, but then Murphy Law happened. I remember panicking when things were still uncertain. I overthinked a lot, I was desperate and felt so clueless on April, but things began to unfold in May. In early July, I was finally certain in what I had to do. But still not sure whether I could make it or not in October. The pressure was even higher after you see your own friends graduating.

Whole September I couldn’t manage to do anything but working on my thesis. The month slipped perfectly from my life, I barely remember anything but me sitting in my computer, whether looking on Word, Excel, or Lingo. I remember staying up all night in the then-newly-opened coffee shop until 2 in the morning with my friend N (we’ve been there for hours), working on our thesis, too tired to talk to each other. Then we do the same thing in the day, only in our lab, and there will be our other friends. On repeat, for days.

On Tuesday, 25th, I finally did my thesis defense. Got an A, with extremely minor revision. Happiest day of the year. Took a day off on Wednesday, printed the final draft Thursday, got my supervisor’s signature, submitted it to the library, and signed up for October graduation on Friday.

Took two companies, months of hustles and hurdles, loads of papers, countess lingo solving, and series of sleepless nights to finally did it. And also a great supervisor. I couldn’t thank my supervisor enough for all the help that he gave me. If it wasn’t him, I don’t know if i can still manage to graduate in October.

In between the mess, with the thought that I need a break, I signed up for HPAIR conference. After two essays and an online interview, I got accepted! So for a full week in August I went to KL. It’s been a long time since I visit KL, and it was my first time participating in an international event like that. (one bucket list checked!). The conference was lit with the intriguing theme and notable speakers. I made new friends and tried superb food in town.

I also got the chance to participate in Maybank Impact Challenge, which I think the most interesting part of the conference. It was modelled upon Maybank Go Ahead Challenge. We were divided in teams, and the members came from different backgrounds and nationalities. In the span of 6 hours I had to make a country development plan, played board game, took the role as a COO in an engineering company, cracked codes and analyzed financial statements, ran for 1-2 km?--wearing a smart casual attire--from Sunway Uni to a bowling alley in Sunway Pyramid, pitched my company to investor WHILE playing bowling, ran back to the Uni, and took the role as management in company-in-crisis. Too much for a day, eh? It was crazy but I got to learn a lot: 1) How to work under pressure 2) How to work with strangers, especially with a very dominating person 3) How to estimate and make up numbers that still make sense 4) How to do impromptu speech.

(I also signed up for IELTS and Germany course. The courses were so refreshing since I love learning languages. I stopped showing up in September tho when the stakes on my thesis were high)

October 19 was my graduation day, and 20 was the parade. Bachelor of Science, I am now. I finally ended my university life. (another bucket list checked!)

The past four years was rough for me, especially in terms of my own ambition and personal development. To be honest, I hate my university life so much. I hate it to the point I don’t like to talk about it. About this class, about this exam, about this task, about this A B C, about this time when we had to do X.

If I could turn back the time I would definitely pick another major and another university. I hate how I didn’t work hard enough. I hate how I didn’t give my 100%. I hate how I DID work enough but still failing anyway. I hate how the world seemed so unfair. I hate how unprepared and unplanned I was. But what I hate the most is... I hate that I didn’t pursue for things I really like the most, because I was too scared. I hate how I wasn’t willing to take chances and chose the easy path. I hate how scared I was, to the future, to the what-ifs, to things that were actually in my head.

So messed up. So many wrong decisions. So many regrets.

Nonetheless, university life gave me valuable friends and... meaningful relationships! I really didn’t expect this from ITB back then, but yeah. The people I met were good ones. MTI ITB IS AWESOME!!! (at a certain period of time lol). I’m thankful that I found trusting, reliable friends that might not be 24/7 for me but surely make me laugh and make me feel much better when they’re around. It is my memories with them that I cherish the most.

Several days after graduation, I secured my first job (or not? I’m not permanent yet but nevermind), and started to work rightaway--in a company that I really admire. (bucket list checked once again!!!)

November and December were about adjustments. Adjusting myself back to Jakarta, coming back home after years of living alone. Adjusting to the new role that I take, as an employee. Adjusting to the new routine.

I also got two free concert tickets in November: Gun N Roses and Blackpink lol.

I spent the last day of the year with my high school friends in a friend’s house. Learned to play poker, chit chatted about life, reflected on how the year was for each of us.

Calm and serene.

Despite the sour, sour lemons, I learned a lot in 2018.

Four years of desperation crafted this worrisome and pessimist attitude in me. Contrary after graduating high school, after uni graduation I feel like I have self-confidence issue and I feel like not knowing what I really want or what I have to do next. I am still clueless apparently.

However, knowing the fact how terrible last year was, and I still survived after all gives me this weird strength to carry on. It gives some me kind of positivity and energy for 2019.

I get this epiphany that... maybe life indeed sucks, it still has loadsss of lemons to be thrown at me. There will be more cancelled and altered plans, and there will be other twists, turns, and surprises. Nevertheless, I shall focus on things that I can control and let go the ones I can’t. I shall control my perception and reception towards what’s happening instead of letting it affect me. I shall not waste my energy panicking and thinking too much on things that don’t matter like I did last year (and throughout my uni life also). I shall let go of my fear and let loose, be less rigid.

I shall focus on me and my personal growth, also on people that matters. I want to regain my confidence and cut all the negativities that the past might have caused me. I need to reorganize my life and construct my future plans.

This year, I want to be chill like I was in Bali.

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canadian-buckbeaver · 6 years

Text

Into the Portal Hole

As the others back home work on Gaster's machine, Sai finds that her friends of the other dimension are more than willing to lend a helping hand.

Sai couldn’t believe it. She honestly couldn’t. She knew from Blue’s previous conversations that Stretch had once worked with the other scientists under his father, W. D Gaster, and her Edge had said something similar about his brother too.

But she was not expecting to have a small, ultra-intelligent taskforce in their kitchen. Gaster was re-drawing his blueprints from memory, his glasses taped to his skull. Stretch, Bee, and Red were hanging over him, all making comments or calculations about what could have possibly gone wrong in their test. “Do you think it was an external factor? One that you hadn’t calculated in?” Red asked, peering at the sketch. When he wasn’t crackling awful jokes, or moping around either of his mates, Sai could see exactly what Edge meant. Red was smart, almost as smart as Gaster.

“it would have to be, otherwise the failsafe would have kicked in and would have spawned back in their own universe…” Stretch muttered, squinting as he followed a gear line in the engine.

“try adding a quadrant of five here…” Bee said, pointing at something on the paper.

It honestly just made Sai’s head spin though she was grateful that progress was being made to get everyone home. If slowly. Bucky giggled. “You have the same facial expression that I do when the twins start talking science.” She said, smiling at her.

Sai sighed. “They are all just too smart for their own good… I hope the twins take after their daddy’s mind at least. If they take after me, they’ll be hooped. Gaster will have them enrolled in all sorts of math and science…” the twins were nestled in her lap, leaning against her as they fed off her magic.

“Hey now. If they take after you, they will be just as lucky.” Lines said, bumping her head against Sai’s hand. “After all, it takes a special person to keep monsters in line, and you have more than the rest of us.”

Nikki snorted and shook her head. “Certain punishment just gets Red all excited. You’ll need to show me how you do it with the rest of your crew.” Beside her, Artemis nodded.

Sai had to smile. Everyone was just so welcoming and friendly. Out of the rest of the AUs, she supposed that they were lucky to make it into one where she had the head start on friends… “Do you happen to have some water?” Sai asked Bucky. Feeding the twins always made her thirsty.

“Sure. I have bottled water in the fridge, bottom shelf, right-hand side.” She gently took Corbel from Sai, cradling him close. “Mind grabbing me one too, please?”

Nikki took Ignatius and carefully held him. “Me three,” she said, her eyes not leaving the babies.

Excusing herself for a moment, Sai walked by the scientist group where a stunned Grillby had been forced to listen to the numbers and scientific formulas. The poor man looked half asleep. Maybe she’ll need to save him and let him escape for a nap for a bit. He hadn’t been sleeping well at the mansion either, Sai remembered, pulling open the door to the fridge and scouring the shelves. Christ, there was a lot of honey here. She supposed that with double Stretches, the honey devouring was also increased. Por Bucky and Blue really had their hands full with these Papyruses.

Chuckling, Sai closed the door, eyeing the pictures that scattered it. There was a world here too, different perhaps, but just as developed as her own. There was a baby Blue sleeping next to his elder twin brothers, then the three of them standing beside what looked to be the Gaster of this world. The twins, now older and more tired looking, sitting at Muffet’s café – the shot had to be taken by Blue. Then there was Bucky sitting between the twins, a dark blush on her cheeks as the twins kissed her. And then a sonogram of four tiny souls curled close together….

Wait… WHAT?

Suddenly that explained Stretch’s and Bee’s reluctance at letting her out of her sight or move much.

“YOU’RE PREGNANT?” Sai cried out, interrupting of the all conversations that were being held in the dining room. Everyone jumped, spinning around to look at her. “WITH QUADRUPLETS?”

The Papyrus twins looked smug and proud of themselves, grinning as they chewed on their lollipops. Bucky smiled warmly at Sai. “Yes…. The twins went into heat about a month ago. We just found out the good news and told everyone about one… two weeks ago?” Bucky asked, looking around at the small group of friends, her arms wrapping around her middle. Now that Sai was looking at her closely, there was the smallest bump to her.

Sai’s mouth was agape, and she trembled slightly. Dropping the water on the table, she wrapped her friend in a huge hug. “Oh, I cannot believe it!” she exclaimed. She pulled back, looking at her other friend. “My goodness, you are small…. You’re gonna look like you have an exercise ball under your shirt by the end of it.”

There was a snort from Bucky. “I always imagined something of my stomach out to here,” she gestured with her hands, giggling. “Something like a half Pacman character.”

Nikki grinned, pulling out her phone. “Now we were practising,” she whispered in a stage-whisper. “We haven’t shown the twin these pictures but…”

There was an odd, high pitched squeak from a quickly reddening Bucky. “Hey! No, you promised that you guys didn’t save them!”

Sai caught a quick glimpse of a picture of Bucky with what looked to be a basketball shoved under her shirt before the phone was snatched by a bony hand. Stretch and Bee were peering at it, hearts in their eye lights. “you should send those to us,” Stretch said to Nikki. “we’ll pick up some of that salami that you like.”

“Deal,” Nikki said, grinning and taking her phone back, ignoring a sputtering Bucky.

“I SWEAR TO THE STARS IF YOU DON’T DELETE THOSE RIGHT NOW, I WILL KICK YOUR ASSES.” Bucky threatened them.

Bee and Stretch chuckled. “aww come on sweetheart. you know that you can’t do that to us 1 HP monsters… our children need us~” they purred together.

“I CAN LOOK AFTER THEM MYSELF IF NEED BE. ESPECIALLY IF YOU KEEP THOSE FREAKING PHOTOS!” Bucky threatened, the others laughing.

Lines shook her head, shaking her fur. “I keep telling you that I know a great place to hide a body. Or two. You just need to ask me.”

Grillby knelt under the table, grabbing a slowly escaping Ignatius. He came close to a laughing Sai, wrapping an arm around her, watching the chaos unfold. ‘Almost like home?’ he signed to her, his eyes twinkling.

Sai nodded. It was close to home… “So how are we getting home?” she asked, nodding to the paper.

“I believe that there is a movie that you close your eyes and clink your heels together three times.” A familiar, English voice said behind her.

Silence fell heavy on the group as the others turned around to face the newcomer. Stretch and Bee came in front of Bucky, Fell stepping in front of Lines in a similar manner. Nikki’s tail wrapped around a growling Red, a large red spike erupting from the grey fur, Pizza taking a defensive stance.

However, Sai leapt at him, hugging him tightly. “Sebastian!” she cried out, hiding her face in his crisp, white button-up. “How on earth did you find us?”

The demon butler chuckled, his eyes glimmering slightly red. “Now, how good of a butler would I be if I couldn’t rescue my mistress?” His eyes looked around at the others, his eyes resting at the familiar and unfamiliar, scanning them in his own way. “Though I am pleased to see that you were not in any danger.”

“Of course not! I had Grillby and Gaster here, and Edge has taught me more than a few things.” she fake pouted, a large smile on her face. Sebastian was here. They could go home.

Sebastian chuckled. “I do not doubt your skill m’lady. Forgive me if that is how it came out.” he smiled at her. “Now, shall I escort you and everyone home?”

“Yes!” Sai said, far too quickly. “I am so ready to get home and see everyone…” she paused, turning around to see her new friends. The others were silent. A little numb over the sudden appearance, but also that they would be losing her so soon… “I… I mean…”

Bucky smiled at her. “It’s alright. We understand. We are friends but,” here she chuckled. “I think that we would all feel the same way if it was us in your situation.”

The others nodded in agreement, still eyeing the demon butler as they slowly relaxed. “I would do anything to get back to Red and Nikki.” Pizza said, his hands reaching out to his mates. Giving them a gentle squeeze, he shot a dazzling grin at Sai. “We know what you meant.”

Sai trembled for a moment before coming up and hugging them all tightly. The little group hugged her tight, being wary of Bucky’s stomach. Sai was surprised to feel the tickle of tears in her own eyes as she stepped back. “I’m going to miss you,” she whispered.

“We’ll miss you too,” Bucky whispered back to her, smiling. “But now that you know we are here, you could always visit us.”

Sai nodded. “Yes… maybe you can come up to our universe and live there?” Sai wondered out loud.

Gaster chuckled. “We’ll update the mansion first before then.” He said to Sai, winking at her.

“Very well…” Bucky pulled her into a tight hug. “Then until we meet again.”

Hugging her back, Sai nodded. “Until next time.” she agreed. Drawing back, she quickly wiped her face, stepping back to be close to Sebastian again. Grillby and Gaster stood next to her, each of them holding one of the twins in their hands. Sai waved at the other universal copies even as the colours blended together, whirling together in a dizzying manner.

* * * * *

Sai stumbled a little bit as the floor solidified under her again. Sebastian’s teleport was a little different than Gaster’s… she gasped as there was a sudden vice around her, knocking some of the wind out of her. “SAI!” Bucky, her Bucky exclaimed, holding tightly to her. “Oh I was so worried and the machine wouldn’t turn on or work or…”

Another hug captured her other side. “I knew you would be back!” Alana exclaimed. “Oh, but I was so worried. I just…”

Sai sniffed and held her friends close to her, watching as Sebastian stepped out of the room, quietly as if he had never been there. Gaster and Grillby chuckled to themselves, holding the twins close to them. “I missed you guys too…. but I have so much to tell you guys!”

#undertail #polyamory #w.d. gaster #ut!grillby #us!papyrus #uf!papyrus #uf!sans #oc #female oc #w.d gaster/grillby/oc #twin papyrus au #underswap #established relationship

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starswornoaths · 6 years

Note

♚ - a memory of something paranormal for both?

(I’ll separate them by their names just to make it a little easier, thank you for the patience!!!)

(Also adding a cut because gosh, this wound up longer than I thought it would be)

TL;DR: Uthengentle has an Echo, Serella almost dies, neither are exactly pleased about it

Uthengentle Arcbane

Were the sultana still alive, Uthengentle would be absolutely aghast that security in the Ul’Dahn palace was so lax.

As it stood, it made slipping into the adjoining room to the sultana’s chambers all the easier, though he still took care to lighten his footsteps as he slipped into the dark room and closed the door behind him.

It struck him as odd for how…normal the room looked in the dim light of the moon peering through the shuttered windows. Even as his eyes adjusted, he saw nothing out of place, nothing ransacked—it was as though the sultana had simply stepped out for a moment and would be back any second.

Out of respect for her memory, he did not cross into her bedchambers; that room was not his goal, anyhow.

Breathing deeply, he could smell no trace of death clinging in the air—even for how recently she had died, the room still faintly smelled of sweets and wine. Perhaps it was his proximity to death—and how frequently he came across it in his work—but that he could not pick up that faint smell of decay, even a week on, was enough to press at the cracks in his faith in Ilberd’s words—had the sultana even died, a part of him wondered.

Moving deeper into the room, Uthengentle was suddenly struck by the fact that he only barely knew how Nanamo had died; according to Ilberd, she had been poisoned by Serella’s hand, sure, but how had she managed to slip the sultana the poison? Through her wine? Did no one check her drink before she was given it? How did Serella even get access to it in the first place?

With his anger having been given time to cool, the more he dwelled on Ilberd’s account of events, the more he found himself unsure of what to make of it. What had been a solid, if utterly heartbreaking and enraging explanation of what had happened suddenly seemed…conveniently nondescript.

The more he had sat on it, the less sure he was of anything anymore.

Visiting Raubahn in his prison cell every day since his incarceration had done nothing to quell the feeling that he had made a very, very grave mistake. The Ala Mhigan Bull, his General, his idol, had simply looked at him with what he could only describe as silent disappointment whenever he would bring meals to the former Flame General.

What else could have happened, Raubahn?! Uthengentle had asked him when the silence had gone on for too many days. There was no one else there!

If you have less faith in your sister than I, Raubahn had finally said, his voice a gravelly rasp from disuse. Then you never had a right to call her family at all.

It had angered him at the time, hearing someone he had looked up to so fondly telling him that he was the failure from within a jail cell. That rage had pushed out the thought that maybe Ilberd was wrong, because Uthengentle had made the choice—he had to have made the right one. He had to have.

He wasn’t sure how he would cope otherwise.

But that had been the only thing Raubahn had said to him—any other talking, any other pressing or insistence that Uthengentle wanted to help—was met with only silence, and that same stare of I expected better of you.

As if that had not been enough…no one outside of the Braves looked at him the same anymore. Even some in the Braves gave him a wide berth. Friends, those he had considered family—even the innocuous acquaintances he had made just from regular contact—all suddenly had nothing to say to him.

Uthengentle had enough of the feeling of being ashamed for the coat he wore. He needed to investigate closer, he needed to know if he had earned those looks of open scorn.

His soft soled boots were near silent as he moved about the room, taking in the elegantly domestic space. It was a grander type of domesticity, with the knickknacks and baubles still more opulent than what he had grown accustomed to—in either of his families—but the place had the same familiarity of being made to feel like home.

Moving away from the shelves and the cabinets, all beginning to gather dust, he stepped past a partition in the room. His bright gray eyes settled on the table where it had all supposedly gone down.

It was…strange to look at, he felt. With the chairs kicked over or shoved away from the table, it was an implication of a flurry of chaos, frozen in time amidst the otherwise undisturbed space.

Looking at the scene, Uthengentle hesitated; would he truly be able to find anything without disturbing the furniture? If he had to move anything, would anyone actually be able to tell? Would they even care? Given how infrequently this area was suddenly patrolled, he highly doubted it, even as he quietly edged himself closer to the space.

That was when it hit him.

His sensitivity to the Echo had always been relatively low, typically, and always much, much lower than Serella’s. Rare was it that he had visions of anything at all; whenever it did happen, it would typically be naught but the feeling of remembering something, as if it he were vaguely recalling something someone had told him happened. As if he had always simply known what the Echo had shown him.

This was…it was as Serella had once described it, that he had simply stepped into the past and was watching it unfold, was the one that everything was happening to.

Suddenly the room was flooded with soft, warm light, and the once stagnant air smelled… sweeter. It still smelled of dessert and wine, but it was not a stale and lingering scent, but a richly fresh one, as if something sugary and delightful had just been pulled out of the oven. In a flash, the table was laden with a large tart that had been cut into, with slices served on dainty and decorated plates.

And sitting in chairs that were suddenly upright and neatly tucked closer to the table were Nanamo, smiling and alive, and just beside her was Serella.

Seeing them both made him feel faintly queasy; Nanamo and her alleged killer, seated over a baked good and chatting made him feel helpless—if he could just reach out, if he could just stop what was to come—

“My thanks for indulging me in this small break from socializing, Serella.” Nanamo said, now over a week ago. “Do forgive me, I fear that there are times when such gatherings tire me.”

“Think nothing of it, Your Grace,” Serella said in a tone Uthengentle recognized with a sharp pang of agony—she was deliberately softening her voice, as she often did when she suspected those she was around would prefer quiet, or had a headache, or just needed to breathe. She…had used that voice a lot with him, in the weeks and months leading up to the banquet, he realized. “I admit, a moment of quiet is nice.”

“If I am being honest, there was another reason I brought you here, more than just a need for a reprieve.” Nanamo admitted, staring at her hands in her lap. “I had wished to discuss something of great import with someone I can trust—someone other than Raubahn.”

“Import, Your Grace?” Serella asked her, straightening a bit in her chair. “If there is anything you need of me, you need only ask.”

Watching the exchange, Uthengentle felt Serella’s worry as if it were his own—was he remembering her Echo? Was that why it was so powerful for him? He heard her thoughts as clear as if she had spoken them: Would now be a good time to mention the bottle Third Unit and Uthen found? Is this related?

Nanamo went on to describe her intent to turn Ul’Dah into a republic in a desperate attempt to give her nation back to her people. She spoke of her intent to step down as sultana, acknowledging that she had failed her people as a leader.

“That was hardly through any fault of yours, Your Grace.” Serella reassured her. “For how young you were when your power was taken from you, you have done the best you could.”

Not exactly the words of a killer, his heart hissed.

“All the same,” Nanamo dismissed her reassurances. “Whether I would have been able to do aught to stop it matters little. It has happened, and my people have suffered for it.” She shook her head. “But no more. This is the last night of Ul’Dah as a sultanate.” She lifted her gaze, her eyes burning with determination. “Tonight, at the conclusion of the banquet, I shall dissolve the sultanate, and let my crown rest where it belongs: in a museum.”

“If that is your wish, Your Grace.” Serella murmured, lowering her eyes respectfully. “Then I will still be your shield. Whatever your goal may be, you need only tell me.”

“Please, Serella.” Nanamo said with a wide, sympathetic smile. “This is a break for both of us.” She gestured to the plates of dessert before them. “Much as I have left my title at the door, I must implore you to do the same. Let us speak as friends; it’s all I have wanted us to be.”

“…Very well, Nanamo.” Serella said, a smile tugging at her lips. “Or should it be Lilira?”

“Perhaps when we are not in the palace walls,” Nanamo said with a playful wink. “I can be Lilira. Maybe I can be her more in the future.”

“I certainly hope so.” Serella said softly.

Nanamo called for her handmaiden to bring them wine as they nibbled on the fruit tart. Standing there with a mouth dry as the Sagolii Desert, it was more than a little strange for Uthengentle’s tongue to suddenly taste rolanberries and custard, a burst of bright sweetness as Serella took a bite of the tart.

Did she have to deal with this when her Echo acted up? He felt a pang of sympathy—and vague hunger—hit his stomach.

The sultana’s handmaiden stepped into his line of sight cradling a bottle of wine, and he recognized her as having recently moved out of the palace following the Sultana’s death. His suspicion—but not Serella’s, he noted—only mounted as the handmaiden poured Nanamo a goblet of wine—but not Serella. That the handmaiden did not even offer it to her struck him as odd—and struck Serella as odd, too, he realized; even if he could not feel her confusion, he saw the way her brow arched as Nanamo lifted the cup to her lips with a soft smile.

And the handmaiden scurried off like a woman being chased, Uthengentle noticed.

“Your Grace, if I may.” Serella said suddenly, reaching a hand out to take the goblet from her.

It might be nothing, I might just be paranoid, but this doesn’t seem right… Serella’s thoughts invaded his mind. His heart squeezed—he had heard more than enough, did he truly have to watch the rest unfold? What was the Echo trying to tell him?

“Whatever for, Serella?” Nanamo asked. “I believe she simply forgot your cup—she should be along with it shortly.” She smiled reassuringly at the Paladin and lowered her glass slightly. “I appreciate your concern, but it is alright. She has been in my employ the longest of all my staff.”

That doesn’t mean anything. Serella and Uthengentle both thought at near the same time.

Before Serella could interject—insist that she at least test it—Nanamo brought it to her lips and sipped.

The poison worked in less than ten seconds.

Uthengentle watched, Serella’s helplessness matching his own as the sultana choked and grasped at her throat. Her eyes filled with tears as she tried to just breathe.

“Nanamo!” Serella cried in alarm, standing abruptly enough that her chair toppled over—exactly where it still sat, Uthengentle realized.

She caught the sultana before she completely fell out of her chair, her body limp. The goblet of tainted wine clattered to the floor—the wine splashing in the shape of the stain that yet lingered on the carpet—and then Serella was ripping a gauntlet off to check Nanamo’s pulse, her faint and ineffective conjury glowing at her fingertips in an effort to keep her alive, and Uthengentle felt a sick twisting in his gut as he heard the door open again.

“Ilberd!” Serella called as she looked up at him—and the ten men he brought with him in alarm. “The sultana, she— go get help—get a chirurgeon, she needs—“

“My, my,” Ilberd hummed in an amused tone as he stepped closer with the pace of a man with all the time in the world. “It would seem the sultana has been poisoned—by the Warrior of Light.”

Cold dread filled Uthengentle’s veins—or was it Serella’s, and he was simply feeling the way she felt? Or was it both? He was lost amidst the reactions his body was having, unsure of where his ended and hers began. Seeing this, knowing the truth…it was little wonder Ilberd’s recounting of events was as flimsy as it was.

But he didn’t need to feel what she felt to know the moment she figured it all out.

The panic on her face turned to cold and unbridled fury—she only barely snapped her gauntlet forcibly back on before she was reaching for her sword.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Ilberd tutted at her, waggling a finger condescendingly. Behind him, the movement of the squadron unsheathing their weapons gave her pause. “I wouldn’t, if I were you, traitor.”

“Funny,” Serella spat. “I was about to say the same thing.”

I can’t fight them here. Uthengentle heard her thoughts, her desperation and despair. I might hurt Nanamo—and any chance of saving her.

“Go on, then!” Ilberd goaded, spreading his arms out wide as if to accept her blade’s embrace. “Strike us down and cement your guilt.” He sneered down at Serella, still knelt beside Nanamo. “For it would look suspect, would it not? An entire squad of Braves, all murdered in an effort to avenge an assassinated sultana?” Ilberd clucked his tongue. “One would hardly call that a sign of innocence, Serella.”

“I have done nothing, and you godsdamned know it.” Serella snarled as she got to her feet.

“Nothing?” Ilberd asked her tauntingly. “Then you will have nothing to hide.” He motioned with his head to one of the Braves. “Restrain her.”

Though there was hesitation from the Braves, they still did as they were ordered, moving to grip her arms and holding them behind her back. Ilberd stepped forward, his hand reaching out to the pouches along her belt. He moved to a specific pouch at her hip—almost as if he knew exactly what he was looking for—and produced a vial.

Uthengentle’s throat closed. He knew that vial—they had found that vial together just before the banquet, he and the very same men detaining his sister as though she were at fault.

“And what have we here?” Ilberd mocked her. “The very poison that stole the life of our radiant sulta—“

Quick as lightning, Serella’s left arm—her dominant arm—broke free from the man holding it. Uthengentle’s knuckles sharply ached the second Serella’s fist connected with Ilberd’s jaw—well, that certainly explained the egg he had on him when he regrouped with Uthengentle later that night.

He felt a bit of pride for his sister managing to slug Ilberd hard enough he staggered to the floor—and even as Serella was restrained again—with cuffs this time— he could feel that she was darkly satisfied with the way the Braves Commander had to hold his jaw.

“Oh, you will be made to pay for that, Warrior of Light.” Ilberd sneered, still nursing his jaw. “Take her to the Alliance leaders—they deserve to know this bitch’s treachery.”

“You’ve not known my treachery yet, Ilberd.” Serella said in a low voice, even as she was forcibly dragged away. “But you fucking will.”

Coming out of the Echo was…disorienting. Having such a vivid recollection of the past that carried the reactions of another person made his body heavy and sluggish—or perhaps that was the weight of the revelations that now hung on his head. He wasn’t sure of a great many things.

Not the least of which was what he was meant to do now.

He stared at the table and chairs, returned to its state of distress and anchored in the now but holding such dark secrets from not so long ago. It was a scene suspended in perpetuity, as if frozen in waiting for him to discover it.

His anger ran hot beneath his breastbone, and the once dim room flickered with the light of his Berserker’s aura, ethereal flames licking at the air around him in search of something to burn.

How had he not seen it? How had he chosen Ilberd over his own sister, with no show of proof to back his claim?

Even in the midst of his fury…he knew why he had: because Ilberd had wanted him to. Ilberd had planted a seed of doubt and bitterness in his mind from the first time they spoke, saw Uthengentle’s frustration at playing second fiddle to his little sister, and rather than accept Raubahn’s dose of hard truth— that he had engineered his own situation by avoiding taking his share of the credit, even despite her insistence he stand beside her—Ilberd told him everything he had wanted to hear at the time: it wasn’t his fault, she was gatekeeping his glory from him, she was the one belittling and degrading him.

And this was what he had to show for his actions: his sister, spurned and framed—in Coerthas, from what he had heard—the sultana that he had sworn to protect murdered, and every person that he loved and cherished estranged and ashamed of him.

Himself included.

And yet, even through the blood red rage that obscured his vision, he saw two choices available to him: he could continue to stay angry, continue to kick and scream and cry about how unfair things are and lash out ineffectively. He would do nothing but exhaust himself— and those few that were still close to him.

Or, he thought, sucking in a calming breath even as he wrestled his raging aura back down. Or…he could figure out how to fix this.

Stepping out of the chambers and slipping back into the night, Uthengentle’s face was once more a mask of neutrality, even as his mind whirred with plans on how to get out of this.

Serella Arcbane

It had been a slow struggle against the leader of the assault on Rhalgr’s Reach— a prince of Garlemald, if what Serella had heard amidst the din of war was to be believed. Slow…but eye opening, she decided.

Their clash was one of an unstoppable force and an immovable object, where neither side had yet given an ilm— but Serella knew that it would not last; she could feel her strength begin to wane, even as she dug her heels in and shoved the mountain of armor and an unflinching mask a few ilms away. Her every muscle screamed in agony— how long had they been at this, a part of her screamed in despair.

And then she heard her brother scream in unbridled rage.

She had only heard Uthen scream that way when he had truly succumbed to the rage roiling within him. It was a scream she had only heard twice before— though given that this was his homeland that was being burned, his brothers and sisters all being struck down, she didn’t exactly wonder at the why.

It surprised her even less that he had, in effect, shoved her out of the way. That he had screamed and yelled until his voice broke and his throat bled as his axe swung with reckless abandon against an unmoving suit of armor that Serella could only assume had a person beneath it.

Her pleas to him to stand down— because he was not going to win like this— fell on deaf ears, but the moment she saw him overextend, the second she saw him swing his broken axe blade too far and expose him to what would have been a fatal strike to his neck…she shoved back.

The Garlean prince’s blade had sliced across her back, from hip to shoulder and carved into her as though she had worn no armor at all. She had fallen— hard— into the blood soaked sand beneath her. Even as she had struggled to stand, to reach for her sword because she needed to keep fighting, the prince had only sought to continue to break her until she lie in the dark and the silence.

Serella felt…cold. Maybe she was wet— was she in water? She had lost herself…but perhaps that was for the best. Though she did not know where she had gone…where she was, she did not hurt. That…that was enough, right? She had been doing something— what had she been doing? Her mind was hazy.

This is no time for sleep, little Ella. From some twenty summers ago and too far away to remember, she heard her father say to her softly, sweetly.

She could feel a sheet— a bed— distantly familiar, as though only recalled through a dream but solid beneath her. A warm blanket being slipped away from over her. The bed dipped with added weight.

Blearily, Serella blinked her eyes open— there was sunlight streaming through a curtained window, and sitting beside where she lay, she beheld a man she had not seen since her eighth summer. With deep umber skin and kind blue eyes he looked at her with all the fondness in the world— a fondness she still felt she did not deserve.

“Da,” she croaked, her eyes stinging and swimming with tears. “I’m so tired.”

Even admitting it exhausted her.

I know, little acorn. He said, his smile growing sad. But today is not a day for sleeping. The dawn has only just come, and it is time you rose to greet it.

“Again?” She asked tiredly. She blinked away the tears that fell— they obscured him, and she did not want to see him without clarity ever again. Not now— not now that she finally got to see him again. “Can’t I just sleep?” She sniffed. “I’m…I’m broken, Da.”

Bent, he gently corrected her. Bent, little one. Not broken. He held her hand— he was so warm— he had always been so warm, she had remembered— and pressed her own palm over her heart. Do you feel that, little one? She did— her heart thumping steadily, if faintly, beneath her palm. That is your purpose, my little Ella. Up, up, now— you must greet the dawn. He leaned over her and smoothed her sweat slicked hair back. She let out a broken sob as he kissed her forehead. I love you, my little Ella.

Remembering how to live— how to be alive— was agony. Serella choked and gasped and coughed at air she struggled to recall how to breathe. Her body felt as though it had been tossed into a pyre— had they declared her dead, only for her to come back in time for her own funeral? No…this flame was only at the wound on her back, she realized. The burning spread from there— but she was alive. She lived.

Though there was roaring in her ears, she could hear her brother speaking— what was he saying? He sounded like he was trying to call her back from the abyss, as if he were shouting from the surface into the murky depths she had sunk to.

“Uthen?” She wheezed. Speaking felt…foreign to her, somehow.

“Ellie—!” He sobbed. There was a light— too bright, too much— where were the curtains? Da had them closed, why did Uthen open them? “Oh gods, you’re breathing— hold on, alright sis? I’ve got you— I’ve got you— you’re going to be alright.”

Even as he frantically healed her…she wondered if he was wrong this time.

She just wanted to go back to bed.

#I wasn't preparing to tear up while writing Serella's bit but I guess #that's just how this works on this bitch of an earth #thank you so much for the ask!!!#and your patience!!!#ffxiv ask #latenightsenpai #Serella Arcbane #Uthengentle Arcbane

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talesofnecromancy · 6 years

Text

March 2018 #358

H: (coughing quite a lot) Darlin’.

Me: You okay?

H: Weather’s dropped again. I swear this place doesn’t know what Spring is.

Me: There was snow here today. All the daffodils came up last week when it was mild - bet they’re really regretting that life decision now!

H: Poor golden heads bowed by frost.

Me: Is that Keats does Wordsworth?

H: Beg pardon? (coughing)

Me: Never mind. How was your day?

H: I penned letters in the main. I have been invited to spend Easter with my family. Although there is some argument as to whether it shall be hosted by my father or Uncle J.

Me: I think my little sister and her two children are visiting for Easter - that will be chaos… What are you thinking?

H: I am thinking on the cruelty of time and separation.

Me: That’s not a very cheerful topic.

H: No, but it is an apt and thorny one.

Me: Anything in particular?

H: (bitterly) The damnable waste of it. We may be hard to break, but we wither easily I think. Away from what or whom we love, we diminish. Becoming thin spectres of ourselves, watching our own life unfold as if it were a funeral procession.

Me: Bloody hell, H, where did all this come from?

H: Nowhere. It is just a truth observed and uncomfortable to acknowledge. Forgive me darlin’, you’re right, this isn’t maudlin it’s downright morbid.

Me: Which is pretty ironic for a dead man.

H: (laughing) Indeed. How’s your day passed?

Me: Reading. Watching stuff. Letting my brain sort itself out after writing. ... I was given an antique linen nightdress by Tommy’s grandmother.

H: Don’t you already have one?

Me: I do. This one’s more fitted and has cap-sleeves - it’s lovely. D’you have chittens?

H: No, I have not been stationary when they desired company. For now they nest elsewhere. …And now you are pensive.

Me: Since your last jaunt in Bedlam, the Storm House has felt further away. I don’t know if it’s to do with seasons or waypoints or what… I’d just like you to be closer again.

H: Do you know a spell?

Me: No - everything necromantic I’ve ever done has been made up. Instinct and bloody mindedness…

H: Then bring that to bear.

Me: I don’t want to use brute strength like I do with the wards or-

H: I am not a spider’s web and you are not a child convinced that dewdrops are diamonds. You won’t break me. (coughing)

Me: I know, I just… I’d rather something with more structure - or any shape at all!

H: What is the greatest thing you have ever achieved with magic?

Me: Protecting people or making them happy.

H: (coughing) I mean - …never mind.

Me: You mean one specific spell?

H: Yes.

Me: That’s… difficult to answer. I’ve done spells that had ridiculously unlikely affects. Done simple spells that meant a lot to the person I cast them for. Did spells that probably had no affect because the thing was a dead-cert anyway. And done spells that failed… (wry) Know the two spells I’m shit at?

H: (coughing and lighting a cigarette) Money.

Me: Yes. Know the other?

H: No.

Me: Death spells. How dumb is that? I’m a necromancer who can’t pull off a successful death spell.

H: You may call me gauche for telling you your business, but in my experience, that is not what a necromancer does. It is not your place to bestow death - you’re a witch, not a bullet. Killing is not for you darlin’. It’s not your job to lay the fence. You help folk on one side or the other shake hands over the posts. And sometimes deal with trespassers.

Me: That makes me sound much cooler than I am - like some supernatural frontier marshal!

H: (teasing) Nonsense - you don’t even dress the part.

Me: Right. And who heard of a marshal with hair like wisteria?

H: I’d pay good money to see it.

Me: See what exactly?

H: You in your Sunday best, frock coat and all: pocket watch, rig, two Colts. That hat you have bent at an absurd angle. And a silver star.

Me: And mauve hair.

H: That depends on the star.

Me: There are different types of marshal badges to go with different styles?

H: When your hair’s ash white the badge is Bedlam’s star.

Me: Ha! Figures. Damn - gotta go.

Next Conversation

#notes #ouija board #ghosts #ouija #saying hi to ghosts #necromancy #witchcraft

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bonnieberries · 7 years

Text

queen in the north

The King in the North abdicates his throne and pledges allegiance to the Dragon Queen. However, the North remembers, and doesn’t follow suit. one shot 3k+

The walls of Winterfell and the people within them are cold and unforgiving.

This realization is something Daenerys takes to heart. For she is meant to be their ruler, and a good ruler is supposed to be beloved by the people. She cannot be like her father. She is no Mad King.

Despite the chaos of the preparations for war, she tries her best to garner favor with the lords and common folk. She sends Missandei out to deliver bread and warm blankets to the poor in baskets adorned with the Targaryen emblem so that they know exactly which ruler they have to thank for those goods. Missandei assures Dany that she only hears nothing but positive words in gratefulness and adoration for her. This relieves her, but she had always known that the common folk would be easy to sway into her favor. Their minds are ruled by hunger and cold, and they will say anything to ensure that there is a solution to their problem. The real challenge, has been the Lords.

The Lords staunchly deny her, her rightful place. When Daenerys first arrived in Winterfell, smiling proudly besides Jon as he announced his wish to bend the knee, the chaos that unfolded made the smile slip off her lips in a blink of an eye. The Lords sneered and jeered, spitting insults with no qualm. “Dragon Lover”, “Mad Queen” and “Traitor” were popular insults that echoed around the hall. Daenerys had looked at Jon, hoping he would force some sense into their minds, but he was at a loss, his dark eyes lowered, and his shoulders sagged in defeat.

It was the lady of Winterfell who had silenced the crowd as she stood from her place. Jon Snow’s half-sister could not look more different from him with cold blue eyes and auburn plaits. Dany had yet to speak with her. Lady Stark had not been at the greeting party when they first arrived, but she knew Jon had gone to speak with her that night. He had not come back to her chambers, like she had expected, but it was understandable. He was back home after a long while, and if he wanted to spend time with his family, then how could she speak against that?

“My lords,” Lady Stark’s voice was measured. “There is a war brewing outside of our walls, let us not have one brewing inside our walls as well.”

“Tell the bastard traitor that!” Some man spat out in the crowd. Dany watched as Jon’s hands tightened into white-knuckled fists.

Lady Stark stayed composed, but a hardness flickered into her eyes. “I understand your ire, my Lords. Northern independence is what my brother Robb, fought and died for. So many of your own family fought alongside him and sacrificed so much. But, I beg you to understand that our king has not betrayed us. He only wishes to unite our defenses against the Long Night. You have seen proof of what is out there, you know how fearsome it will be, and we cannot fight that alone.”

A young girl stood up imperiously. She could not have been more than one and ten, but she was seated among the lords. “With all due respect, Your Grace,” she nodded towards Jon Snow, “Alliances are a thing of war. Assistance from good rulers, can come without requiring deference.” The girl’s words were dripping with acid, and it was clear from how her black eyes fixated on Daenerys, who the words were meant for. The Lords around her murmured their agreement and more insults were hissed.

Fury surged deep within Daenerys. She would have burned them all if she could, but she restrained herself for Jon Snow’s sake.

Jon Snow spoke, addressing the younger Lady. “Lady Mormont, my decision has not been an easy one. But, again, as Sansa has stated, I have made this decision with the North’s well-being and needs at the forefront of my mind.”

The girl’s brow rose, impetuously. “Truly? I would say you acted contrary to our needs and desires. We proclaimed you, a bastard son, our King in the North. You have given that right away to a foreigner queen, when that right was not yours to begin with. Lady Stark has done excellently in your absence. If you do not want to be king, then she is our choice. Eddard Stark’s trueborn daughter shall rule us in your stead, not the Dragon Queen.” The Lords around her mutter their assent.

Daenerys stared stonily ahead at the Lords, wishing with all her might that Drogon would swoop down and cave in the rooftop. Their king had abdicated to her, and yet they ignore his wishes and instead defer to his sister!

Lady Stark sighed and sat back down, sharing a pointed look with Jon Snow. “I am flattered, Lady Mormont. But, we should not be squabbling about who wears a crown when there is a war to fight. I can think of no better person to lead us in the Long Night than Jon. He led us bravely to victory against the Bolton army and he will do once more with your support.”

“He cannot have our support, if he wishes to abdicate.” It was a gray-haired lord this time, with a trident embroidered on the front of his shirt. “The throne is empty, and we want you, Lady Stark, to sit on it.”

“Hear, hear!” The Lords called. There was a growing din, as the Lords grew emboldened by each other.

“You are the trueborn daughter of Eddard Stark. The right to the throne belongs to you and only you.” The gray-haired Lord knelt and suddenly, the entire room had followed suit. Cheers of ‘The Queen of the North’ filled the room with a deafening roar and Lady Stark looked on, wide-eyed in a daze.

Daenerys could not contain her rage. It was all an affront to her birthright. She twisted around to face Jon Snow, her violet eyes aflame, “Do something!” she hissed.

“I-I cannot.” He mumbled, scrubbing his beard in exasperation. “I told you, the Northern folk are stubborn, loyal to their own.” “It is best to accept their wishes for now, so as not to lose their favor.” Jon murmured. “We can re-negotiate once we are in private with Sansa.”

He is a perfect coward. Daario, Drogo, or even Jorah would have fought for her honor. They killed for her, and this man cannot even speak against his younger sister for her. Daenerys turned away, burning with resentment.

Her hand, Tyrion, is no better than Jon. She unleashes her fury at the Northern Lords upon him and is only met with a chagrined expression. “It was to be expected, I suppose.” He sips his wine.

“Expected?” Her voice raises a good octave. “This is not what should be happening. Their king has abdicated to me.”

“Jon warned you before he bent the knee, we knew this would not be easy. Especially given the tumultuous history between the Starks and the Targaryens. It is best to do as we have been doing. We cannot take the North, not now. The Lords are staunchly loyal to the Starks. We must wait until the end of the war. They will see you astride your dragon and how you fight to protect them. No house will be able to deny you your throne, then.”

“Or I could burn them all in their sleep.” She mutters under her breath. “They would rather have that Stark girl as their queen. She looks pretty in her furs, but what does she know about matters of war.”

Tyrion raises his eyebrows, “Sansa Stark is quite the clever girl. It’s no miracle she’s survived this long, I assure you.”

“Oh? Would you also rather have her as your queen?” Dany snaps.

“Your grace,” The imp replies in a measured tone. “I only meant to advise not to underestimate the Starks. The lone wolf died, but the pack survived. It would bode well for us not to make an enemy of the pack.”

Daenerys turns up her nose, “A dragon has no need for a couple of wolves.”

Tyrion simply takes another sip of his wine. His silence only serves to fuel her anger.

The next week, she receives a servant who brings a message from ‘Queen’ Sansa Stark who requests an audience with her in her solar.

She arrives, strategically dressed in one of her finer gowns, a deep plum silk that brings out the violet in her eyes. A silver dragon snakes around her neck and comes to rest at her collarbones. She will not cow in front of the Stark girl, she is Daenerys Targaryen, mother of dragons, breaker of chains.

“Your grace.” The Stark girl greets with an elegant, practiced curtsey. She is dressed in a black velvet gown embroidered with twin, silver wolves stitched into the waist. It isn’t as eye-catching as the gowns that Daenerys owns, but the Dragon Queen has to admit that this style suits her demure elegance.

Daenerys nods curtly. “Lady Stark.”

The serving girl notices Daenerys’s failure to address her queen properly and coughs nervously.

“Jeyne, please serve Queen Daenerys some wine.” Lady Stark instructs. The servant girl nods hurriedly, and rushes to do as told. Once she does, she scurries out of the room, leaving the two women alone. Daenerys studies Sansa Stark with a critical eye. This is her first time seeing Jon Snow’s half-sister up close. She is a pretty girl, there is no denying it, but there is a distinct hardness in her eyes, and a tiredness in the lines of her face.

“How are you finding Winterfell?”

Daenerys suppresses a snort. She despise small talk such as this, but she indulges the girl. “It is cold. I will be glad when this war is over, so I can return home to Dragonstone.” She says truthfully.

Lady Stark nods, pulling her auburn plait over her shoulder. “And what are your plans for your kingdom?”

She wonders what Lady Stark means to accomplish by asking such a foolish question. “I plan to unite the kingdoms, of course, including the North. This goal of mine has been no secret.”

“An idealistic goal.” Lady Stark replies. “Wouldn’t you say?” There’s a challenge there and Daenerys is damned if she backs down now.

“You don’t think it’s possible.” It’s not a question. Of course, the Stark girl could not understand. She had been sitting pretty in the North while her brother ventured out to seek the other rulers and hunt past the wall for wights. She did not understand the need for the unity of the kingdoms, she was a simple girl who only knew of the North.

Lady Stark’s lips thinned into a tight smile. “Jon may have told you this, but the Northerners are loyal to their own. Some of the Lords would sooner die than accept a Southern ruler. I don’t mean any disrespect when I say this, Your Grace, this is simply what history has shown.”

“Then the choice has already been made.” Daenerys snaps back. “I have done no wrong to them. If anything, I have showed the Lords and the common folk only kindness.”

Lady Stark raises a brow, “By giving them bread from Winterfell’s kitchens and handing them out as though you have brought them from Dragonstone, yourself?” She retorts.

Daenerys’s face goes aflame with embarrassment. “Your people are starving in this winter, I only meant to ease their suffering.”

Sansa sees right through the lie, and her face hardens. “Do not presume I am some silly girl, with no notions of politics. You meant to garner their support with resources meant for our brave soldiers.” She pauses sharply. “I respect, Your Grace, I do. You can have the Iron throne, but the North will be independent. If that changes after the war,” she shrugs, “Then so be it. I will be a queen for however long the North wishes for me to be their queen. For now, I am the Queen in the North, and you are my guest here.”

A heavy silence passes through the room, and the two queens eye each other, testily. Daenerys wishes she could throttle the Stark queen on the spot, to do so would be satisfactory beyond imagination. For now she settles for a saccharine smile, “You are right. Let the people decide. After the war, we will see who they wish to rule. The Queen who rode astride a dragon in battle for them, or the Queen who cowered behind these castle walls.”

A glint comes into the Stark queen’s eyes, and Daenerys imagines that the queen would throttle her too, if she could.

The preparations for battle are tiresome and Daenerys wants nothing more, after conversing at length with Tyrion and Ser Davos, than to find Jon Snow and have him take her to bed. They have not coupled since they have been at Winterfell, and her body aches for release.

Jon was strangely absent from this war meeting, although the Stark girl had named him Commander of the Northern army. The Northern lords predictably grumbled, but they could not deny his great fighting prowess and a dark look from Sansa Stark shut up any Lord that dared to mutter ‘bastard’ in her presence.

She comes to the door of his chambers, and raises a hand to knock, only to notice that the door is slightly ajar. Without thinking, she peers in to see if Jon is in the room, and is taken aback when she sees long, auburn hair instead.

Sansa Stark.

From the opening, she can just make out the Stark girl, sitting at the desk, shuffling through paperwork. She looks different, more casual than the regal, elegant queen at court. There are no heavy furs bearing down on her shoulder, and she wears a simple gray gown with her hair pulled out of its usual braid and fanned about her shoulders.

“Is Arya still training in the courtyard with Brienne?”

Daenerys jumps a bit when she hears Jon’s voice. He moves into her sight now, standing just a couple feet from his sister, pacing around the room in his heavy furs.

“Most likely.” The Stark girl replies. “She wants to fight alongside the soldiers, you know”

“Arya must stay here at Winterfell.” Jon’s voice is firm. “She must stay to protect you.”

“She will do what she wishes.” Sansa replies, simply. “You are not her king, you do not command her.”

There is nothing but silence for a few beats, and Dany watches as Sansa Stark coolly continues to attend to her paperwork, while Jon Snow can do nothing but rub his face in exasperation.

“I thought we were past this.” Jon Snow says, sullenly.

“Past what?” The Stark girl gives an un-ladylike snort. “Past you giving up our home to a foreign queen?” She continues filing through papers, as though she could not care less about this conversation.

“What I did, I did-“

“-In the North’s best interests.” She fills in, with a drawl to her tone. “I know, Jon, remember? I recited those exact words in front of our Lords, myself. I defended you as you wished me to.”

“And for that I am grateful.” He places a hand on her shoulder, and Lady Stark ceases her paperwork, to stare stonily ahead, though she does not move his hand away. Daenerys considers pulling away from the door, to leave the two siblings to their argument, but she finds herself glued to the frame, wondering with bated breath what will happen next. She has never seen the two Stark siblings together like this. In court, they are often seated together, but they hardly converse with one another, if only to interject about a certain war strategy or an issue of castle matters. They keep their distance, so it is a surprise to see the two of them together in Jon’s chambers. She wonders at the back of her mind, if they have met like this, often.

Jon continues, “I know you are cross with me. But, you are still my family, and despite everything, you have stayed with me.” His eyes lower sadly, “I have tried to reconcile with Arya, but it has been difficult.”

Lady Stark turns in her seat to look up at him and sigh, “Arya has told me, she doesn’t wish to see you, not just yet.” Jon flinches and she reaches for his hand. “I don’t say that to hurt you, Jon. I only am saying this so you know. She idolized you, adored you, and to see you come home with Daenerys Targaryen has shattered her expectations of a home where we can all be together as Starks. Although she’s been scarred, and changed so much, a part of her still wishes for that happy ending.”

“And what about you?” Jon murmurs, quietly. Daenerys strains harder to hear his next words. “What do you wish for?

“I don’t wish for much anymore.” There is a sad, mournfulness, to Lady Stark’s voice that breaks Daenerys’s heart just a bit. “I find the Gods have a dangerous way of interpreting our wishes.”

“But if the Gods were kind and generous, what would you wish for?” Jon presses, insistently.

Sansa Stark is silent before she replies, “I wish for happiness with you, Bran, and Arya. I want us to remain in Winterfell until we are old and graying, ruling over a prosperous kingdom. I wish there was no Cersei Lannister, no Dragon Queen, and no Night King.” Her voice lowers, and then she adds fiercely. “I wish they’d all fade away.”

Daenerys realizes now, that she will never be able to fully understand the Starks. Their house is built on something more than ambition and power. It is built on their love for each other, a foreign concept, as she will never know that same fierce loyalty. All she had was the weak-willed, and cowardly Viserys.

She nearly misses Jon’s reply, it comes softly, but she catches his low whisper. “I wish that too.” He sweetly presses a kiss atop her head. The guilt comes now, as she realizes what an intimate moment she has stumbled upon. That moment was only meant to be shared between the two siblings, and she has intruded on it enough.

Quietly, she moves away from the door, and heads off into the dark hallway, her retreating steps illuminated by the flickering torches.

#jonsa #jon snow x sansa stark #jon snow #sansa stark #fic #got #s8 is sansa's stark season yall!!!!

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padfootagain · 7 years

Text

Lioness (V)

Part 5 : The Tide

Here's a new part for the Lioness series, hope you like it. I’m afraid it doesn’t really get better for now though ;)

Part six coming soon.

Gif's not mine

Caspian was starting to be worried. You had not arrived to the Castle yet, and dawn had since long bathed Narnia with its burning lights. He wondered if you had managed to convince your father. He wondered if you were already back in the Castle but didn't want to see him. He had almost went back to your father's house, but Trufflehunter had convinced him otherwise. Your father needed time to accept his love for you and he could understand that.

The truth was, Caspian didn't think himself as a man good enough for you.

So instead of going to the royal stables again he remained in the gardens for the morning, his mind too busy with you and your family to focus on any royal matter.

But when a guard came running towards him, Caspian knew something terrible had happened.

"Your Highness, a man is here," the soldier said. "He says he is Lady Y/N's father. He says he must see you right away."

"Is she all right?"

"He says she was kidnapped, my Liege."

Caspian immediately jumped on his feet, his eyes wide in horror.

"What?" he breathed, walking closer to the soldier.

"The man said she had been kidnapped. He found this in a wood near his home."

He handed him a piece of torn cloth. And Caspian recognized it in a second.

It was a piece of your gown.

"Where is he?" he asked, taking the cloth in his hands, and starting to stride towards the Castle already.

"In the throne room, Your Highness."

Caspian hurried there, the soldier in his wake.

When he saw your father waiting, standing still before the tall throne, looking desperate, he felt like his heart was slowly breaking in his chest. He knew it was true.

You had disappeared...

Your father bent down. The man was shaking.

"Your Highness," he breathed, his voice trembling.

"What happened?" Caspian asked urgently, striding to him, not caring about the protocol or any polite gesture.

They didn't have any time to loose...

"We..." the elder man stuttered, looking at Caspian now. "We had a row. And she walked out of the house, infuriated because I didn't want to change my mind about the two of you. But when she lived with me, she used to walk through the woods when she was angry against me, so I didn't worry much before the night had fallen. Then... I went looking for her because... I know these parts of Narnia are not quite safe yet. But she was nowhere to be found. And then I found this..."

He pointed at the piece of clothing that Caspian was still holding tightly in his hand.

"She must have been kidnapped or something," the elder man went on. "I'm sure you've heard about all the unrest in the Northern parts of Narnia."

Caspian nodded slowly.

"Of course," the King breathed.

"You must help me find her," the old man said, begging now. "I'm just me, but you have a damn army out there..."

Caspian rested a soothing hand on the man's shoulder. Although, your father could read in his eyes that Caspian was terrified as well at the mere thought of losing you.

"Of course I'm going to do everything I can to bring her back," Caspian promised.

He turned towards the soldier again.

"Call for the generals, right away. Tell them to meet me in my private office."

"Yes, Your Highness."

He ran outside, while Caspian guided your father to an adjacent room. Caspian offered the old man a sit around the wooden table around which his most trusted men often came to meet him and advise him. He splayed a map on the table.

"Where did you find this?" Caspian asked your father, nodding towards the piece of clothing that he was still holding tightly in his hands.

But they were interrupted as soldiers walked into the room.

Reepicheep jumped onto the table.

"We have just learned, my Liege. It is terrible," the mouse breathed. "I guess you will use all our men to find her."

Caspian clenched his jaw.

"We cannot offer to use all of our troops," he said slowly.

Your father looked up at him, rage burning in his eyes.

"The men that are already on duty securing the Northern parts of Narnia will not be called back to help into our search. But we will use most of the men who are still here or close to the Castle."

"But we'll waste time..." your father protested.

"We must search for clues, and not start to look for ghosts across all of Narnia," Caspian replied.

"I've been there, I've searched the woods. There is nothing to be found..."

"I don't have the men."

Caspian's tone was definitive. And when your father looked at him again, standing tall, looking down at the map, he saw the King in him that you saw as well.

The one who was ready to sacrifice anything for his people, and would never take a decision carelessly.

Suddenly, the door opened on General Dalon, who hurried next to Caspian, breathless after he had crossed the Castle running. He handed his King an arrow and a piece of parchment.

"We just found this at the gates, Your Highness," he said, struggling to catch his breath. "I am sorry. I didn't know what it was so I read it."

Caspian unfolded the note, and his jaw clenched as his eyes roamed across the dirty parchment, a merciless glint suddenly alit in his eyes.

He cleared his throat, before reading the note aloud.

"'We have Lady Y/N. The bargain is simple, if King Caspian yields down his power, her life shall be spared. If he doesn't, by midnight today, she will be killed, and you'll find her body wrecked upon the shore.'"

A deadly silence fell upon the room.

"You must give up on your throne," your father said, staring intensely at Caspian. "You must, it's the only way to save her."

But Caspian slowly shook his head.

"I can't do that," he answered calmly.

Your father stood up.

"See... I was right not to agree about this marriage," he spat, his tone bitter and desperate. "You would rather keep your power and your lands than save my daughter..."

But Caspian turned towards him, and your father fell silent before his intense glance.

He could read in his dark eyes that it was killing Caspian. That if he could, he would have gladly given his life to save yours. But he couldn't.

"And then what will happen?" Caspian asked through gritted teeth. "After I've yielded my power and the people finds itself leaderless? These people who kidnapped Y/N, they don't accept that I fought alongside Narnians, that I protect Narnians. They don't accept the idea that we can all live together peacefully. If I step down from the throne, it will merely be chaos. I can't let that happen, no matter how much I love your daughter and how much I would suffer if anything happened to her."

He turned towards the note again, examining every detail, from the parchment to the handwriting.

He examined the arrow as well.

"How can you know it's the same people who organized raids against Narnians?" Dalon asked him.

"There are not many people who want me to give up on the throne. And this is one of their arrows," Caspian added, giving the weapon to his general.

"So what do we do?" your father asked.

"Give me a minute," Caspian asked, leaning against the wall behind him.

"We don't have a minute..."

"I need to think."

Caspian reread the note for the fifth time, before looking at the map.

The forest where you had been kidnapped was not very far from the sea...

"Admiral Demos," Caspian said softly. "Is anything supposed to happen near the sea tonight at midnight?"

Demos shrugged.

"It's the highest point of the tide. But I don't see anything else particular at this hour. None of our boats are to leave shores before the end of the week."

But Caspian had stopped listening, his long finger tracing the shores along the length of the map.

"What are you looking for?" Reepicheep asked him.

Caspian gave him the note.

"They're talking about the sea. They're talking about finding her body on the shore. Why would they do that?"

"You think they hold her near a shore."

"I assume it's plausible," Caspian nodded. "And if midnight is set as an hour for her death because of the tide..."

"They mean to drown her."

"But why do something so complicated?" your father asked.

"Actually it's quite clever," Caspian replied. "If they just... leave her to be drowned somewhere, they won't have to be around."

"Less chances of being discovered," Reepicheep nodded.

Caspian nodded.

"I don't know the shores well enough," he breathed, before looking up at the soldiers around him. "Do you know of any... cave or... any place where they could leave her alone without being noticed by anyone?"

They looked on the map for any cave and creek where you could be held prisoner.

"We will search all along the coast," Caspian finally decided. "We don't have much time. We must hurry."

Caspian looked by the window, staring at the sun.

It was midday already.

He had so little time to find you...

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You fought against the man's hold on your wrists. They had tied up your ankles and hands. You knew you could never escape, you had tried all along the long trip that had brought you on the beach where you were dragged now.

You tried to look for clues about where you were. You had remained with a blind on your eyes the whole trip, but now your eyes were uncovered again. You looked up at the sun. It was probably around four or five in the afternoon now.

You walked towards a little cave craved by the sea into the pale cliff. You struggled out of the man's grasp, but all you managed to do was glimpsing over his shoulder. And your eyes grew wide at the sight of white sails further down the beach.

It was the Dawn Trader, you were sure of it.

You were pushed into the cave, and you were surprised to find men in there, apparently waiting for you. They were carrying torches, and the red light was drawing crazy forms upon the walls of the cave.

There was a tall man there, at the back of the cave. He was turning his back on you, although you were sure that his silhouette was familiar to you. You noticed that he was more richly clothed than the rest of the men who were gathered in the creepy cave.

You finally noticed the hook in the ceiling. A circle of metal, made rusty by the water and salt of the sea.

"Hello, Lady Y/N," the tall man said, and you struggled with your memories to find out who he was, his voice sounding familiar to you. "I am sorry for this... unfortunate course of events. Know that I have nothing against you personally. No one here holds any angst or hate against you. It's against our dear King that we are angry. Betrayed even. I feel very sorry that we need to go so far."

He turned slowly, and your eyes widened as you recognized his face in the dim light of the torches and the distant sun.

It was Dalon...

You were lifted up, and hung to the hook by the chains that had been used to tie up your wrists.

And tried to free yourself, but you knew you had no chance, so you slowly stopped struggling.

Dalon walked towards you, staring right into your eyes.

He took off the gag from your mouth. But you didn't scream, nor speak. What for? You knew there was no one around to hear you anyway.

"You see," Dalon went on, "we gave King Caspian a simple choice. You life against his throne. But he will not give up on his throne. So I'm afraid that we now have to honour our part of the deal, and let you die here."

You didn't flinch, you merely stared at him, a defiant glint in your eyes.

"You see... when the tide reaches its highest level, this cave is completely filled with water," Dalon added. "And you have no chance of escaping. So... I'm afraid that, when the tide will rise, you're going to die, drowning."

You merely clenched your jaw tighter. A small smile appeared on Dalon's lips.

"You really are brave, I'll give you that," he said. "And you're extremely beautiful. I guess I understand why even King Caspian fell for you."

He turned around, and his men and him started to walk out of the cave.

"He's going to find me," you cried.

Dalon froze, turning towards you again.

"Caspian's going to find me," you said, and you believed so much in your words that he felt sorry for you. "He's going to save me, and then I wouldn't hope much for your life..."

"He's not going to find you."

"He will. He will search all of Narnia if he has to."

"Oh, but that's what he's doing. He was clever, he understood that you were near the shores, but... guess which one of his most trustful men volunteered to come and investigate in this part of Narnia?"

You gasped.

"What a shame really," he went on, "that I didn't find anything here."

And he walked away, leaving you alone in the cave.

A tear rolled down your cheek.

"Caspian... Caspian please find me..."

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