#caleb loved molly he really did

[dent-de-leon]

love is the campaign starting with a "big kiss on the forehead" and ending it with "I kiss him on the forehead where he kissed me a long time ago"

[luckthebard]

I’ve been thinking about this for a while but the most recent round of Orym slander on twitter and some of the player assumptions accompanying it are making me finally write this:

Liam is not a “glutton for tragedy”. He just likes emotionally intense storytelling, and is actually very drawn to hopeful endings.

I am so beyond exhausted of seeing that take. Liam did not plan for Vax’s tragic ending. Vax’s ending was a result of dice rolls that Liam honored because he’s always true to the emotional journey of his characters. Caleb, who so many people cite as tragic, has a happy ending. He lets go of his selfish and borderline impossible plans and settles down and achieves his childhood dream and finally makes some peace with his past. Orym is grieving, sure, but he’s focused on his job and loves his friends and wants to help people and is finally getting on with things. The insistence he’s “going dark” or going to “take a tragic turn” seems to mostly be coming from this assumption that Liam always chooses tragedy which just isn’t true.

I think the level to which Liam allows his characters to openly express grief and deal with very difficult emotions has led to this idea his characters are “sad” but prior to disintegration Vax’s ending was building to an at-peace happily-ever-after with Keyleth. He didn’t choose to have Vax die, the dice did, so Liam honored that. This would be like claiming Taliesin always makes tragic characters because he had Molly stay dead and very nearly had Percy not come back one time after the dice led to their deaths. Caleb has a tragic backstory, sure, but his journey and ending are incredibly hopeful and positive.

Orym’s really out there being a little halfling on an adventure as if Merry Brandybuck stepped into D&D and people are acting like he’s destined for a tragic downfall just because Liam’s an openly emotional player.

[zyinn-corner]

I have procrastinated this long enough that I should just post it

Demon Molly, Cat witch Caleb, and Vampire Essek! Below is just some setting/ story that was brewing in my mind while I was drawing this. If you want to read it, beware of grammar mistakes that I have probably made. I'm not that good with language/writing and it's kinda long?

Cat witch Caleb who lost his memories of quite a large chunk of his life and for some reason that he can't remember, can't hide his cat ears and tail to have his full human form back. Which he knows instinctively that he should be able to do. He has been living a quiet and kind of isolated life with his cat familiar in a forest under the protection of vampire Essek. One day a lost demon, Molly, somehow gets past the protective barrier that Essek has set around Caleb's area to hide and protect Caleb from people who appear in Caleb's nightmares who might be real, who will want to hunt Caleb down and hurt him. Caleb can't seem to retain the memories of the appearances of those people who appeared in his nightmares. Molly asks Caleb's help to find a specific rare flower for his best friend and to help lead him out of the thick forest. After some convincing and promise that he will protect Caleb and his cat, Caleb agrees.

Caleb hasn't really spent any time with a demon before (or if he had, he can't remember) and Molly who is not careful enough (is he really though? Or does he do this on purpose?) accidentally entered into a pact with each other. Essek, who had a verbal pact with Caleb, is not that pleased about the situation. He stays by Caleb's side more often now, being protective because he is worried and he doesn't trust this demon that comes from nowhere, yet. Essek knows that Molly is hiding something. Caleb and Essek have been pining for each other for a while now. After spending some time with Molly, Caleb realizes he is starting to fall for Molly too. Molly who had loved Caleb before Caleb even realized it, has a talk with Essek, and they both agree that they can share Caleb, as long as Caleb is happy with the arrangement. So yeah, Caleb has two purple boyfriends here! :D

If you are wondering, Molly did know Caleb during the years that Caleb lost. He tried to save Caleb and sort of half succeeded? He did manage to get Caleb out of the bad situation but also lost him in the process. He had been trying to search for Caleb for quite some time now without much hope. The last time he saw Caleb before they were separated, Caleb was on the cusp of death. I imagine Caleb was in the care of Essek for at least 4 or 5 years before Molly stumbled upon Caleb again.

Molly is hesitant to bring up the past after learning Caleb doesn't recognize him and also doesn't remember what happened during those years. He is not one that likes to bring up the past anyway.

The only reason Molly manages to get past the barrier without having to force his way in is because subconsciously, Caleb still trusts Molly. Essek had set up the barrier so that only people that Essek or Caleb trusted could get through it without problems.

Also, do I tag this as shadowidomauk when technically it's widomauk and shadowgast? Essek and Molly are not really in a romantic relationship with each other here.

[utilitycaster]

🔥 about each member of the mighty nein (instead of sending you a million separate asks lol)

Fjord - this is actually the only character from all of Critical Role where if someone does not like that character I am immediately done with anything they have to say. Ashton and Vex are my favorites from C3 and C1 respectively but I get not being particularly into what they're doing even if I disagree, but like, if you don't like Fjord you either have no understanding of the idea of characters being defined by their settings and narratives and vice versa and therefore you have no media analysis statements worth hearing; or you made a snap judgement based on like 20 minutes of campaign 2.

Beau - I wish the circlet had gone to Veth; I liked Beau's arc a lot but she started as one of my favorites and was later surpassed by a number of other characters and I think it was in part because I liked her getting things the hard way and also doing more with the Cobalt Soul and Dairon than she ultimately ended up doing.

Caleb - I think I kind of covered it with my post about his trauma recently, namely, I think he's a fantastic character and Liam did a great job and also whenever someone acts like Caleb is objectively correct at all times or should have murdered everyone in the assembly it's a MASSIVE red flag.

Veth - weirdly unpopular in this fandom but I like her more as a halfling. Also, I actually think arcane trickster was a phenomenal fit for Sam mechanically even though he wants more spells and would love to see him do another 1/3rd or half caster.

Jester - I feel I've covered my main one repeatedly (people LOVED to talk about her agency and the second she kissed the wrong person she was suddenly a stupid baby girl who didn't know what was good for her) so I think my other one is that as with all of Laura's characters she is much more fun, especially early on, if you lean into the fact that she does say a lot of shit that makes people really uncomfortable or annoyed instead of trying to turn this into a SHE LOVES SO HARD AND NO ONE LISTENS because both can be true, your love can come out in ways that people are very annoyed by, this is how cats feel all the time actually, and so much of Jester's arc is figuring out how to share this love in a way that other people can appreciate without losing her own personality in the process.

Caduceus - I've also covered this a zillion times but I will say it again, Caduceus deflected so many attempts to check in with him and he does not want to like, fix Molaesmyr, he was not neglected, he was built out to be a character who was more of a low-key support guy and Taliesin did an incredible job with that.

Molly - honestly my unpopular opinion remains that I simply found him very well built and a great concept and also irritating as hell, and the Nein's response to him was valid but the fandom's post-death lionization was very tiresome. I'm genuinely not sure the party could have bonded the way they ultimately did if someone who was throwing around "enthrall" like that were still around.

Kingsley - now, while I don't mind if you dislike Kingsley, acting like Kingsley and Molly are the same character is actually equal to the not liking Fjord thing; that's an instant "this person's interpretations of media are so bad I am blocking so as to not accidentally see anything they have to say."

Yasha - I'm not sure I have any unpopular opinions? I do think she is at times underappreciated but I also think specifically she is, like Caleb, a victim of the terrible and weirdly common fandom idea that the only way to move on from abuse and horror is by killing everyone and everything that hurt you rather than rejecting violence and finding your own path and your own meaning.

Essek - sticking specifically to his role in the Nein, again, I love Essek and he is a member of the party and also he is an NPC and acting deeply offended that he doesn't get the same treatment in terms of comic books or merch or appearances in one-shots is very childish.

[thecavernsabove]

okay now i just want to talk about my expectations versus why i have ended up liking certain characters because i am just so intrigued by everything these people and characters do. for bells hells, i went into it knowing i would love ashton because they are the reason I started watching, i didn't think i would really latch onto any other character, apart from maybe fearne because she's a satyr and i am particularly partial to satyrs, and imogen because i mean it's laura bailey!

but what actually happened, is that yes i did get super attached to ashton of course i did, but my top three quickly became ashton, orym and laudna (and as someone who started being able to watch live at the split you can imagine how devastated i was). and recently chetney is really creeping up there. i do love all the characters dearly though.

ashton just reminds me of myself so much, apart from the fact that they are much braver than i could ever be, and blunter too. i wish i could be them and also see all my faults in them. its a lot.

orym was my first introduction to liam o'brien and his devastating little guys (more on caleb later), and just his backstory and the way he deals with people intrigues me so much and i want to see him happy so bad.

laudna oh laudna. marisha ray you have ruined me. even going into this with my minimal knowledge of the briarwoods, her backstory reveal was so intense and it hurt. also, creepy unnerving girlies stick together! she's iconic.

chetney is so wild to me i love him so much. he is so intensely gender as well i love him so much. i love gruff and grumpy characters that are actually nice once you are more friendly with them.

imogen. i will say it took a little bit for her to grow on me but i do love her. i think the bassuras dusk stuff really helped me like her more. also her immense power and lightning scars are pretty cool if you ask me.

fearne. i love how sweet she is and the stuff like being bad at lying and also just stealing little things here and there was really fun. but what made me like her more was when she got more serious and i didn't expect that (foreshadowing for later!)

fcg. now, i still have, mixed? feelings for fcg. in a sense of i dont hate the character but i think the character arc is not something im too interested in, but i do still like them. the stuff with frida was very nice, and i do like the bits that they do - but i think there still feels like there is something missing for me somewhat.

now, with the mighty nein, i had an inkling on who i would like. i thought caleb certainly because we seem very similar, molly maybe because i liked ashton so hey i might like this taliesin character too! and that was it really. going into it though, because i had seen so much of jester (talking about her and cosplays mostly) i thought that she would be probably my least favourite because her personality didn't seem to really gel with what i usually like in characters. but here i am, on the other side with my favs being caleb, fjord, and jester! it was so much watching everything for the first time, even with knowing the big spoilers and then looking at more minor spoilers so i knew somewhat what would happen - but i do that with a lot of things, its different knowing what happens versus actually watching and experiencing what is happening.

caleb. caleb widogast is such an intense character and i loved every minute i spent with him. i spent so much time checking when i would finally see the nein sided tower of his and watching liam describe everything for an hour was so incredible i was in awe. i truely love that dirt wizard so much.

fjord was a truly unexpected character for me to fall for. the first time i realized that i was going to love him though was when they were in the one politicians house early in the campaign and he held his sword to caleb to make sure he wasn't fucking with them. then seeing his growth, the accent change, and just his whole deal i was enraptured. i do miss the southern eldritch blast though.

jester oh my goodness did she creep up on me. i think her initial cuteness that i had experienced throughout just existing on the internet put me off for some reason but i don't know why. however i did quickly fall in love with her, when she had one of her more sinister/serious moments early on. i don't remember what it was but i remember thinking oh. /oh./ okay. i love her. and then her relationship with her mama, and artie, gosh i just loved watching laura bailey do literally anything. the cupcake bit! also the sprinkle bit is quite funny. i also just love doing her voice when im talking to myself. she is also the reason that i take a decent amount of damage spells with my current cleric.

beau. i think i thought that i would have liked her more than i did (don't get me wrong i liked her a lot but she is not in my top three), but she is incredible. as a fellow monk pc i do love going the extra mile with those stunning strikes, and also seeing her relationship with yasha blossom was so lovely. and her bro relationships with fjord and caleb were also some of my favourites.

yasha. after starting with campaign three, it was really hard to not see ashley all the time and i remember having to look on the wiki while watching to check when she would come back every time she left. i think i really started to like her more after her she got taken, and went through that big arc, and we were around her more often. i loved watching her dreams. i loved watching her so much.

veth was so unexpected are you kidding me?? i will say i have yet to have a sam character be in my top three but god he knows how to throw an emotional punch and i love that kind of stuff. i love her relationship with caleb, the detective agency, the chaos crew. i love her arc of getting herself back, of seeing her family again. ough. im a big lover of families.

caduceus. goodness gracious me what a character. i just absolutely loved the aesthetic and caduceus's whole relationship to how he approaches death. he is also the reason i started playing a grave cleric in a newer campaign. but truly, has made me think differently about death - which was especially needed for me this year.

mollymauk. i knew he was dead. i knew he would die. but that didn't make me any less upset when it happened! i think about him often, what could have been. especially since i was so sure he took the wrong amount of damage in that fight and should not have quite have been knocked out at that time. but his whole maximallist aesthetic is something i very much enjoy, and i love the through line of his cards with jester.

wow okay this has gotten to be very long but i need to get my thoughts about everyone out somewhere!! if you've read this far im so sorry this is so much of my own ramblings.

[tiny-vermin]

I want to know more about the m9 artist au!! I remember reading a post or two about it a billion years ago (and would love to read them again) 💜

hi jess!!!! thank u for being interested hehe :")

so ever since i drew that lil thing of essek painting a frank stella inspired painting (or even before), ive been thinking of what kinds of art each of the m9 would do. essek ofc is inspired by a minimalist show that i went to here, all the big names from that movement were shown, but those really dark, sinkhole-like paintings are speaking to me. another artwork of boxes made of mirrors also seems like the thing he would do too

there's a kiln here that we visited which was huge, and surrounding it were artists' studios and some other ceramic sellers, i imagine the clay family having a place like this in the middle of nowhere amongst the trees, and caleb would do his work there

anyways because at heart im a shadowgast luver its centred around them,, they meet at an artist residency or something like that and its an incredibly slow burn that involves talking and not-talking and looking and not-looking. in the end i am but a simple wong kar wai fan so. that kinda vibes would definitely influence this, i would describe it as a quiet burning i guess?? time skipy and words that are not said

i think im gonna rant a bit more about their different mediums and styles so i'll keep it under the cut

i think caleb sculpts figures and portraits, but in a sad, kathe kollwitz charcoal vibe. maybe some funky looking animals, perhaps some pots and vases to look at the pretty glazes. he's interested in using fire to burn texture into different mediums, like ive seen it being used on shellac to make a really cool net of ink looking structure.. but yknow, just seeing the aftermath of glazed ceramic from the kiln is enough, and probably better for him to keep his distance anyways

the clay family produces most of the ceramic to sell, vases, pots, plates, cups, teapots, yknow just a whole array. and its really colourful too, depicting every family members different style. i think caduceus would do some matte glazes with a lot of different colours, theyre all a little wonky but theyre better off that way anyways. he does some really mean ink calligraphy and painting though

jester definitely does,, everything, whatever her heart desires kinda thang. she makes pastel textile installations and lighthearted cute paintings, but theyre always so contemplative and soothing. she gets m9 a lot of work cus her mom has connections, etc etc. i really love the idea of jester creating works that talk about the female body and femininity (definitely not projecting no)

beau is a printmaker and photographer who's really experimental, she loves cyanotypes and printing flowers (for yasha), idk she seems like she would put fabric and rocks into the washing machine to see what would happen. u would probably catch her in someone elses studio learning about what they do or in the library learning about what old people did

veth works in a museum as a curator, getting beau to help her sometimes with gathering artworks and artists etc. she probably organises community art projects for kids and public art installations. her house is full of m9's artworks and various other artists shes worked with.

yasha does bouquets as her post-retirement part time job, prior to that no one really knows what she did ("she probably murdered a bunch of people and is now hiding from the government"). fjord draws comics for fun but is also not a job for him, molly is a question mark for me. but these guys probably wont be in it as much anyways

im still not sure what format i wanna do this in, im actually having fun just writing it in my notebook now (digital does not facilitate the creative juices) but i do want to do some visuals like fake movie stills or storyboards. maybe they will work together well???? dunno. working on the other shadowgasty thing im doing made me realise how much easier it is to draw when there's a script already there, so im writing the script for myself

im definitely not as practiced in writing as i am in drawing, but idk im just gonna have some fun and see where that takes me, meanwhile try not to feel too bad that its fanart HAHA (very bad habit)

edit: i just saw my previous thoughts on beau being an art journalist, but i kinda like this better.. but maybe she can do both muah

[stray-tickles]

Concentration

Read on AO3

Summary: A tickle fight breaks out, but Caleb can't participate because he needs to concentrate on his spell. No, really.

--

Jester hadn’t met any other tieflings before, besides her mama. Hadn’t met many other people, really, until she’d gone off travelling and found her group of friends. She hadn’t known what she’d expected to find out in the big wide world, but Molly was one that she’d never dreamed of.

Her mama had told her how not everyone felt the same as they did about things. How humans and half elves and orcs and goblins were a bit odd about touch in a way that she’d never understand. Jester had never been one to resist the urge to cuddle, to hug, to poke and play with those closest to her.

Molly, apparently, was the same. Jester had barely squeaked out a few giggles at his teasing prods to her belly when she pounced, fingers slipping past the edges of his coat to wriggle at his ribs and draw out delighted snorty laughter.

She giggled at how quickly he folded. “You could have asked, Molly.”

He definitely flushed at her words, illuminated by the edge of Caleb’s dome. “No- pfhaha- no fun!”

Jester could hear the others talking in the background, their voices coloured with amusement. Molly was curled up into a weak ball, twitching at her tickly assault, otherwise not resisting but to hiccup with laughter.

“You have such a good smile Molly, I should tickle you forever, then it would never stop!” Her fingers climbed to burrow into his armpits and earn a loud shriek. “Doesn’t that sound nice?”

Molly was laughing and kicking too hard to speak, but he managed a nod amidst his squirming.

Jester chuckled evilly. “Hehehe, did I find your worst spot, huh?” She continued to wriggle her now trapped fingers in his armpits, loving how dark purple he got. “Is this your tickly tickle spot?”

A soft voice just behind her made her jump. “Try his tail.”

Jester stopped in surprise, looking around to see a somewhat awkward looking Yasha, eyes fixed deliberately on the rain falling just past the edge of their little dome.

Molly wheezed for breath, feeling very warm and buzzy. “Traitor!” He shouted weakly, rolling onto his back for completely unrelated reasons.

“Oh?” That seemed to get Jester’s attention back on him. Presently, Molly wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or not. “Is she right?”

Molly swallowed nervously, that giggly anticipation swelling up in his stomach. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

She giggled. “I’m gonna find out!”

He could feel himself grinning, and made no move to get up. “Best of luck to you!”

Jester glared playfully and made a grab for his tail, which Molly smugly twitched away at the last second. He was chuckling by her third attempt to catch it, and was just about to say something mocking when he felt something that sent a shock up his spine.

Jester’s tail, which had apparently wormed its way under him to the giant weak spot that was his lower back.

His eyes locked on to hers with horror, noting her smug satisfaction. So it had all been a trick. “You little- SHIT!” Molly was interrupted by a loud shriek when Jesters tail started wriggling like a worm against his back, and also, horribly, allowing her to finally catch his tail, which she assaulted with fingers that fluttered so lightly he felt like he’d die.

And okay, Molly could admit that he loved this, loved the play and the laughing and the warmth and the touch, but that didn’t mean he could handle it.

He managed barely a moment of squealing laughter before the thrashing began, twisting and rolling around to escape her tail from poking and wriggling against his back as he cackled wildly, tugging frantically at his own tail if only for the chance to catch his breath.

Then Jester’s tail found the hem of his shirt, and the moment it touched bare skin Molly shot straight out of her grip with a scream, right out the side of the protective dome.

Jester burst out laughing, only laughing harder when Molly returned a moment later, plastered with rain and catching his breath.

“Oh, you think this is funny?” Molly asked playfully, then surprised Jester by pouncing past her, somehow tackling Yasha to the ground.

“No- Molly wait-” She managed, before clasping both hands hard over her face and giggling.

Jester cooed at Yasha’s flushed face and soft laughter, then let her eyes scan over the rest of them for her next target.

And, well. Their wizard’s ears were very red.

She grinned. “Oh Caaay-leb…”

He glanced up from his bedroll, jittery as usual. “J-ja?” Then caught the look in her eye. “Ah- no, no, nein!” He yelped, scrambling backwards away from her. “Nein!”

Jester snickered, following him and wiggling her fingers playfully. “Are you like, super ticklish or something?”

Caleb curled in on himself, locking his arms at his sides. “Nein!” Oh gods, this was bad, he could tell from Jester’s smirk this was bad.

Then a familiar clawed hand squeezed at his side and it became worse. “AHA- noplease!”

Nott snickered. “But Caleb, you just said you’re not ticklish!”

“Yeah!”

He was trapped between them, and Caleb knew, knew he was going to perish. “No- wait! The spell, I need- I cannot lose concentration!”

A lie. One he was honestly quite proud of given the circumstances, but one that they could very well see through.

Instead, Jester shrugged, a disappointed pout on her lips. “Ugh, right.” She paused. “You can recast it though…”

Nott batted her away, clearly cowed by the thought of letting the rain in, and the two backed off, leaving Caleb sitting on the soft base of the dome, watching Jester leap onto Fjords back and dig her fingers into his stomach in a way that had him cackling in seconds.

This was… good. This was what he’d wanted after all. He was not being attacked, not made to laugh like a fool, to shriek and squirm like Nott was after her attempt to get Beau backfired. He didn’t want to feel like that, even if they did look happy and close in a way that made Caleb’s heart ache. This was… better.

It wasn’t like he could bear to look any of them in the eye once they found out how godforsaken ticklish he was anyway. It had never been a trait that had felt like it fit him. Caleb was awkward and stuffy and dry, it- it didn’t suit him to drop to the ground giggling from the littlest wiggle at his stomach.

It was silly.

Besides, it had been years since anyone had felt comfortable and playful enough to tickle him, Caleb wasn’t sure it would even work, if he remembered how he was supposed to react.

He’d never known how to react to things properly. He felt his lips twitch up slightly. That had always been what felt so… easy, about being ti- touched like that. He had no choice in his reactions, no chance of saying the wrong thing when he couldn’t speak for laughing, his self-consciousness unable to bury his smile in the face of that bright sparkling silliness.

Ah, gottsverdammt. He wanted that.

He glanced over to Molly and Yasha, who had now switched places, Yasha’s fingers worrying at Molly’s ribcage enough to have him in fits of giggles, flushing dark violet and grinning so big it looked like it hurt. Caleb’s arms tightened around his sides, his sympathetic smile getting a little wider. He could almost feel it, Yasha’s fingertips softly but persistently plucking at his own ribs, melting away his resolve in a moment, turning his bones into goo.

Caleb cleared his throat in a way that he hoped was just attention-grabbing enough, and unbuckled one of his books from its holster, finding that for once he wasn’t able to concentrate on the words on the page in the way that was normally so distracting for him, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that it was normally distracting. That he couldn’t maintain concentration while reading.

They all knew that.

Which was why it was so disappointing when they were all so distracted by their playful roughhousing to notice. After a few minutes, Caleb half-faked an irritated sigh and summoned his lights. It was getting to dark to read, which would be a problem if he was trying to read. It did have three globules of light circling his head though, and that had to be enough.

It was, to his eternal chagrin, not.

Mollymauk was curled up in a giddy giggly ball by the time Caleb realised that this wasn’t working, and decided to tuck himself into his bedroll and pretend to sleep. At least this way he didn’t have to look at them.

He didn’t quite notice Fjord’s now wheezing giggles come to a halt, nor the soft footsteps creeping over to him. In fact, Caleb didn’t notice anything at all until a hand snuck under the edge of his bedroll and a nail drew a very quick, very ticklish line up his foot.

“Scheisse!” He sat bolt upright, feet curling up to him and a hot flush laying claim to his face. It only grew hotter when he saw the mischievous grin levelled at him.

Jester giggled, hopping onto his knees. “Hiiiii Caleb.”

He swallowed. “Uh- H-hallo, Jester.” Oh dear.

She leaned closer, grin widening, and actually this might have been a mistake.

“So, you like, totally need to focus so the dome stays up, right?”

Caleb cleared his throat. “I-ah… Ja.” He barely resisted the urge to push himself backwards.

Jester pretended to think. “Is it super hard to concentrate when you’re sleeping?”

The question spurred a smug snicker from Molly, who was still giggly and floppy, snuggled up to Yasha.

“U-uh… ja.” Oh dear, he was getting jittery.

Fjord snorted an exhausted laugh. “Quit messing with him and get to it.”

“Ja!” Caleb blurted, then flushed red. “I-I mean nein, no!”

Jester laughed delightedly. She loved the game. “Sooooo… don’t stop messing with you?”

“Jester bitte!”

She grinned widely. “Maybe I should just let you go…”

By the way her eyes glinted, Caleb knew she had noticed his hesitation, his startled silence at her words, his lack of real protests. She knew that he wanted this, and the thought had him shrinking back and squeezing his eyes shut.

Jester held back a giggle. Well, if he was going to leave himself open like that…

Soft hands latched onto Caleb’s sides, followed by surprisingly gentle claws scratching at the fabric of his shirt and skin and he let out a loud squeak, flopping onto his side. He was already smiling, he could feel it, trying desperately to muffle further squeaks and giggles that the niggling, playful feeling elicited, shit.

Jester’s smile grew bigger. “Aww, Caleb you have such a sweet smile!” She cooed. Caleb’s hands came up to cover his reddening face, and her fingers shot up under his arms, getting a loud snort and breaking through what little control he had.

Caleb’s elbows snapped down too late, only trapping Jester’s hands in what was, apparently, a very ticklish spot, though he didn’t have the time to think about that given he was trying and failing to control his stuttering laughter. One eye cracked open and he immediately wished he hadn’t, when he saw the fond, knowing grin that Nott was giving him from her bedroll. She knew, of course she knew, and the thought had him burrowing into his own bedroll.

That playful laugh melded with his own squeaky giggles for a moment. “Where do you think you’re going?” Jester teased, even as Caleb burrowed deeper, away from her delightfully horrible claws. Not to escape, even in his growingly delirious state he didn’t want to get away. But there was nothing quite so delightful as being chased.

Fingertips vibrating under his arms already had Caleb cackling helplessly and writhing like a fish on a line, but when Jester’s littlest fingers started delicately scratching at his top ribs at the same time he screeched.

On the edges of sanity, a chuckle broke through. “Oh, this I gotta see.”

Schiesse.

Caleb wasn’t sure it would be possible to curl up into a tighter ball than the one he was in, but he tried his best, as he heard the footsteps coming closer.

It was a mercy that Mollymauk only moved the blanket aside enough to whisper in his ear. “Doing okay there, Widogast?”

Even his breath tickled, Caleb lamented, keeping his helplessly laughing face as hidden as he possibly could.

Molly laughed quietly. At a guess, none present had seen Caleb laugh before, or smile beyond that wry smirk he sported once in a blue moon. And this, this was something else. Who would have thought their wizard could get so melty? A quick glance to Jester confirmed it, they were definitely doing this again. Regularly, if he had any say in it at all.

He let his claws trace down Caleb’s neck experimentally, eyes widening at the full body shiver that ran through the wizard. Oh. This was too good.

Caleb… wasn’t sure if he was capable of thought, anymore. Jester’s hands had migrated to poking and squeezing at his abominably sensitive ribcage, and Molly, damn him, was tracing and scratching at his ears and neck, laughing just close enough that his warm breath brushed Caleb’s skin as well, and everything was tingles and static and tickles.

He hiccupped. “Please- ehe- ohno please!”

Jester’s hands slowed, Caleb could just about make out her disappointed pout. Mollymauk’s teasing claws only continued to trace and skitter around his neck and ears, wiggling teasingly under his chin as he leaned closer. “Please what?”

Jester caught on quickly. “Oooh, please keep tickling you?” She started gently kneading his stomach, getting wheezing laughter and a fiery blush in response. “Oh my gosh, Caleb, you’re ticklish, like, everywhere.”

Caleb whined, past the point of doing much other than curling up into an utterly ineffective ball. “J-Jehester please, Molly!”

Molly’s claws had migrated to wriggle under his arms. He leaned closer, amid the wizard’s incoherent begging. “Do you want us to stop?” He murmured, to quietly for any but Jester to hear.

Caleb knew the answer to that question. “Nein!” He squealed. “Nein!”

Molly pressed a long kiss to his cheek, smiling. “I thought not.” He grinned, then with a parting pat on the head, leapt away to wrestle one of Caleb’s legs from the blanket.

Knowing now that he was safe to, Caleb kicked playfully, as if he had any chance of deterring Mollymauk whatsoever.

He squeaked unexpectedly when Jester wormed her fingers around him to scratch at his lower back. She laughed. “Molly he’s almost as bad as you here!”

He grinned in return, getting a good grip on Caleb’s ankle. “If he were any worse, I think he’d die.”

Caleb cackled his agreement.

“Now, I hear humans have more toes than we do.”

What?

Caleb looked over at him in confusion, panting for breath. “Nein, I do not think-” Then he caught the evil smirk and flushed bright red.

Molly chuckled. “Well, I should count to be sure.”

Caleb mumbled incoherently into his hands, reaching to pull his pillow over his face and shrieking when Jester made as if to dart her fingers under his arms. She snickered. “Aw, I think he’s almost done, Molly!”

“Hmm.” Molly cocked his head at the blushing, giggling lump known as Caleb Widogast. He did seem pretty far gone. But he also seemed happier than Molly had ever seen him, tickle drunk and all.

Always nice to end these things gradually. “Guess I’ll have to take this slow then.”

He noted that Caleb didn’t protest.

He did giggle uncontrollably with every toe that Molly caught between his fingers, wiggling teasingly and scratching a nail up each. Cute.

Caleb was well past the point of doing even as little as curling up in a ball. His mind had become giggly mush, and all his body could do now was shiver and laugh, burying his face in his thin pillow to hide from the world, from anything that would end this sooner than it absolutely had to.

“Hm, you know, I think I’ve actually forgotten how many toes tieflings have.” Molly said, pretending to think, only to quickly knock Jester onto her back and grab her leg too. He smiled wickedly. “Let me check!”

Jester squealed delightedly, already laughing. “Molly!”

He only grinned back, swiping a nail up her sole and getting a loud laugh and sending Jester flopping back onto the ground, right next to a still giggly Caleb.

Molly quickly sat atop both legs, keeping them both pinned and laughing. “Okay, now count with me, you two!”

Jester snorted and burst into loud laughter the moment Molly started wiggling her toes, as much from the silliness as from the tickles. Caleb wasn’t much better, hiccupping with giggles and unable to even try hiding his wide grin from the world. Cuuute.

His eyes cracked open for a moment, squeezing shut again when he noticed Jester’s affectionate gaze on him, arms coming up to cover that smile again.

Oh, no, definitely not, Jester decided, and rolled as close to him as she could with Molly still tickling her like that. Caleb flinched with a loud laugh when she reached for him, only to melt completely into her embrace once he realised what she was doing, burying his face into her shoulder, unable to get rid of the smile for anything.

Molly stopped a moment later, grinning up at the two of them and barely needing Jester’s grabby motion to convince him to join the cuddle pile.

Jester smiled and pressed a kiss to that mess of red hair. Maybe not every human was as different from her as she’d thought.

[overnighttosunflowers]

So here’s a theory that’s neither “it will all stick just like that” and “it was a dream”—time loops. (The actual theory here is all @xanthera; I’m just pulling together some supporting evidence and some follow-up thoughts.)

First of all, while Matt’s most recent tweets about high stakes and player choices do clearly say that this event will have lasting repercussions, he did also like this tweet, which I think implies that there’s more going on than just what we saw on Thursday. (So, to me, does his whole bearing during the fight, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Secondly, we know that this show loves to see its threads through, and particularly that this is a campaign MADE of threads from the previous ones. Right now, dunamancy and Aeor are the biggest two c2 threads that are clearly being pulled, to an as-yet-unclear end. So we have:

The T-dock Caleb destroyed, which can’t be the only one that existed… and also, a PC who is walking evidence that stuff from Aeor is now making it out into the rest of Exandria

The dunamancy vials that the Assembly forced Yeza to invent… which are now being traded by the Paragon’s Call, which Otohan leads

A backpack worn by Otohan, which Matt has called attention to multiple times, which seems to be tied to her abilities and which has two cavities in the middle… what for? Dunamancy juice?

Evidence that Otohan was the one who attacked Zephrah, an attack which “came from out of nowhere and disappeared almost before it started”

A PC who lived 100 years inside 6 years due to being trapped in a time loop in the feywild, making it clear that the most powerful fey can manipulate time

Knowledge that Otohan has been spotted in the feywild collaborating with Unseelie fey

A Cerberus Assembly leader, who is the reason that the dunamancy vials exist, also in said feywild collaboration

Taken all together, feels like pretty clear evidence that dunamis and the feywild are entangled and will be playing a major role in this campaign, no?

So then @xanthera pointed out: what if Otohan has an ability to use chronurgy to reverse the last few minutes while allowing everyone to keep their memories of what happened? It would traumatize everyone and make very clear what can happen if they don’t do what she wants.

This can be consistent with “lasting repercussions,” per Matt’s tweet. It’s compatible with characters staying dead if that’s what their players really want.

BUT, for everyone else—isn’t that still a real consequence, to live your death in reverse and come back? To realize the extreme extent to which this group you’re with is truly a powder keg, the extent to which you can’t protect others or yourself when push comes to shove, the extent to which you’re a danger to your loved ones, to which your loved ones are a danger to you? Wouldn’t it be campaign-defining?

Wouldn’t you seriously change tactics in the way the M9 did after Molly died, when—as Matt noted in interviews not long after, when he also spoke about this being a game with real consequences—they started becoming much more careful researchers in forming their plans? Wouldn’t you have to find new ways of operating as a party to have a shot at ultimately defeating this? Wouldn’t it shake up the status quo in ways that reverberate, and reverberate, and reverberate?

And, on the “better than it was before” side of consequences, wouldn’t it kickstart some major character arc shifts? To realize all the things you could’ve died left unsaid? Couldn’t it lead you eventually to (checks Matt’s tweets) “the brightest epiphanies” and “joy and catharsis”? Wouldn’t you go confess your love to your sending stone buddy wouldn’t you kiss your Girl Best Friend

Anyway, I mean, who knows. Maybe it’s all absolutely real and Liam and Ashley want their characters to stay dead and Otohan will walk away from a pile of corpses and we’ll have 2-4 new characters at the table and Imogen will be a DM-controlled villain. Or it’s all real and Otohan will walk away from a group frantically cascading heals and revivifies and hoping to reach everyone in time and Imogen will be battling her way through a corruption arc.

OR, maybe, they’re all just left gasping and alive and burning with the memory of everything that just happened and unhappened, and could happen again. And they’re changed by it.

[critter-genfic-events]

This week, we've got nineteen gen fics featuring your favorite purple tiefling! Whether that's Molly, Lucien, or Kingsley, they're covered here, under the cut. As ever, if you liked them, please leave them a comment or kudos!

it takes two by wastrelwoods (3023,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Beauregard Lionett & Mollymauk Tealeaf

Beau and Molly get trapped in a cave-in. Vitriolic bonding ensues.

Reccer says: This fic just absolutely encapsulates everything I love about Molly and Beau.

there’s a ghost in my lungs by QueenWithABeeThrone (289247, Teen) Warnings: Heavy Angst, implying/reference to brainwashing and torture, Hurt/Comfort, mind control aftermath. Pairings: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Caleb Widogast, Beauregard & Fjord & Jester& Nott & Mollymauk Tealeaf & Caleb Widogast & Yasha, Beauregard/Yasha, Fjord/Jester

it is a Mollymauk!Winter Soldier AU

Reccer says: I will never not recommend this fic

Carry It Until We Die by starkraving (64513,Teen) Warnings: Hurt/comfort, angst, temporary Character Death, Whump, canon, divergence Pairings: Mollymauk Tealeaf & The Mighty Nein

Mollymauk resurrection au. Molly comes back to yell at his Level 20 friends.

Reccer says: I liked it!

A Reversal of Fate by FeralScribe (40580, Teen) Warnings: Pairings: Mollymauk Tealeaf & Caleb Widogast

It is a role reversal between Molly and Caleb. So now Molly is the shy traumatized one and Caleb is the carnival amnesiac.

Reccer says: I liked it!

Hook, Line, Sinker by steelneena (5141, Teen) Warnings: Minor Character Death Pairings:

The Nein's arrival in Balenpost from Lucien's POV.

Reccer says: This fic has wonderful characterization, takes a crack theory and runs with it, and is just an al-together delicious read.

what the promised land would promise me by grayintogreen (3169, Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

The Tombtakers' side of the intuit charge trap.

Reccer says: I liked it!

He Did the Goat Dance Very Well by Operafloozy (13529, Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

Five tales Kingsley hears about Lucien and Molly, and one time he tells his own.

Reccer says: I love a good Kingsley coming into his own story and coping with what other people say about his previous lives and how he takes that and runs with it. This is a more humorous take on that concept than most.

steady lodged between beast and god by Junkyard_Rose (6737, Mature) Warnings: general suicidal ideation Pairings:

Lucien survives the fall of Cognouza; Essek is left with custody.

Reccer says: A well-characterized "Lucien lives" fic that really gets into the trauma of surviving your swan song. Both Lucien and Essek are wonderfully written.

Autotomous, We by InsanitySilver (53978, Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

Years of high seas adventures pass, but for every ounce of freedom Kingsley Tealeaf gains, the nightmares grow in kind. With the help of the clerics, he sinks into his own mind to root out the source of the corruption, but, in that claustrophobic dream world, he finds unfortunate company—some more … palatable than others.

Reccer says: This fic has a wonderfully unique set piece, a lovely original backstory for Lucien, and vivid descriptions. It's an excellent tale of self-acceptance.

in the dream we are always posthumous by hanap (4219, Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Lucien & Kingsley Tealeaf & Mollymauk Tealeaf, The Mighty Nein & Kingsley Tealeaf

Kingsley reconciles with the people he was and the person he is now.

Reccer says: This is such a poignant exploration of identity through Kingsley and the Threeleafs. Gorgeously written and structured, it has stuck so vividly in my memory.

Crown of Cinderz by AkizaDragonBane (148365, Teen) Warnings: Slow Burn, Inspired by Tumblr, Alternate Universe, royal au, Fluff and Angst, Eventual Smut, Violence, Blood and Gore, Implied/Referenced Torture, Childhood Trauma, Attempted Murder, Attempted Kidnapping Pairings: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Caleb Widogast, Ashton Greymoore/Mollymauk Tealeaf

Mysteriously appearing when Lucien Nonagon starts hunting his two brothers. It also happens Mollymauk is seeking refuge for him and his toddler brother. Coming to the throne of the most fearsome ruler in Wildmount. Will Caleb Widowgast take the risk and take them in is the real question?

Reccer says: I liked it!

Wine-Dark Sea by fruitzbat (161010, Mature) Warnings: This piece is pretty heavily focused on post-traumatic, post-apocalyptic and post-genocidal themes. Most of the POV characters are struggling with some form of PTSD. Pairings: Kingsley/Original Character, Fjord/Jester.

Kingsley has just freed himself from something extraordinarily traumatic and is trying to rebuild something after it -- the question is more *what*.

Reccer says: This is a sequel to another iconic Kingsley-centric fic that may have already made the list; unlike the first, this is slower in pace and focuses a lot more on the characterization. I love the way that, while it does have some focus on his relationship to a supporting character, it's entirely about exploring Kingsley (as a character)'s relationship to the notion of free choice. His character arc in this is really well done. The themes are quite heavy, but are explored very thoughtfully and with the weight that they deserve.

The Fathoms Below by Lady_King (6423, Teen) Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Pairings: Fjord & Jester Lavorre & Kingsley Tealeaf

while shipping a priority item, the crew of the Nein Heroez attract some attention from the deep...

Reccer says: An extremely well-written fight scene and aftermath that feels like it could slot perfectly into canon.

It’ll Be Over Soon by NKMLN (27,898, Mature) Warnings: Pairings: Fjord/Jester, Fjord & King, Jester & King, Caduceus & King, King & Molly & Lucien

When a trip to check on Bwualli goes wrong, Kingsley finds himself marooned in the Shattered Teeth, far from the reach of the gods. World history ensues.

Reccer says: This fic is my baby. I worked really hard on writing a good horror fic, only to be informed that i had not written a horror fic and had, in fact, written a tragedy. I put a lot of love into this. I hope you enjoy.

looking glass by Anubis_2701 (26721, Mature) Warnings: Pairings: Lucien & Mollymauk Tealeaf, The Mighty Nein & Mollymauk Tealeaf, Cree & Lucien, Lucien & The Mighty Nein

Lucien and Molly are twins. with a different back story

Reccer says: I liked it!

The Fool and The Soldier by mare_astrorum (123354, Mature) Warnings: Pairings: The Mighty Nein & Mollymauk Tealeaf

Mollymauk Tealeaf survived the Mighty Nein's encounter with the Iron Shepherds on Glory Run Road, but a short time later, a spirit began hunting him, claiming that he stole his body. This Campaign 2 AU begins with Episode 26 and continues on from there.

Reccer says: I liked it!

Let Your Bloated Brain Balloon and Float Away by R_Black (5074, Teen) Warnings: Major Character Death Pairings: Lucien & Mollymauk Tealeaf

After Lucien dies for the second time, he gets to chat a bit with the special sliver of his soul that broke off after his first death.

Reccer says: I adored the descriptions and worldbuilding of this version of the afterlife, and both Lucien and Molly's characterizations felt true to form and uniquely distinct in the best way possible.

And then two recs each for these two fics!

the same twist in your heart as mine by hanap (6000,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Kingsley Tealeaf & Aldreda Tavelle Seriblo, Lucien & Aldreda Tavelle Seriblo, Kingsley Tealeaf & Essek Thelyss, Kingsley Tealeaf & Caleb Widogast, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

In which Kingsley discovers that the last occupant of his body had a younger sister.

Reccer 1 says: I think the most compelling thing to come out of the Nine Eyes of Lucien was that Lucien had a sister living in Rexxentrum the entire time. I like this fic's characterization of Kingsley, and the soft and heartbreaking reunion. Reccer 2 says: One of the thoughts that loomed largest in my mind after finishing Nine Eyes was "What would happen if King learned about Aldreda?" and this fic is *such* an interesting, emotion-filled exploration of that. Things did not play out how I expected they would in the best of ways, which is all I'll say on that. Never enough Kingsley fic in the world and getting into his head and how he would handle things was so fascinating and enjoyable here. Also, Essek and Kingsley's friendship is to die for and an excellent side to this fic!

Crowned Teeth (Or, An Offering Revoked) by fruitzbat (130,570, Teen) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Pairings: Kingsley Tealeaf/Original Character

After a standard trip towards the Bay of Gifts goes horribly wrong, Kingsley finds himself trapped and vowing to himself to hold those responsible to the light -- betrayed, isolated, and far from home, Kingsley must carve out his own destiny and forge a legacy he can say is worthy of those who came before him.

Reccer 1 says: This fic is absolutely amazing on every level, taking a sentence worth of a setting and expanding it into a beautiful bunch of worldbuilding. The original characters are amazing, the lore is air-tight, and it reads very much like a canon novel I could pick up in a bookstore. There is romance towards the end, but I consider it more of a "story with kissing" as opposed to "kissing with story" and the relationships between King and his crew are all developed well. This is also the first fic in a trilogy and all of them are worth a read. Reccer 2 says: This has some of the best worldbuilding I’ve ever seen in a fic. The world of piracy and sailing Kingsley inhabits is painstakingly described and true to life, and the portrayal of Kingsley’s state of mind, his friends and his enemies here is on point. I highly recommend this whole series for anyone who likes to wonder what Kingsley’s time on the seas and eventual journey to become Plank King might have entailed.

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. Want to make your own recs? Check out the rules, and then use the form to submit!

Next week, we'll be reccing fic featuring any of the campaign's pets! This includes familiars, noncanonical pets, Trinket and any flame spirit monkey children that pop up from time to time.

If you're looking for some more, there's some good stuff in the critter genfic bingo tag! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

[sporadically-writing]

Did you get a request? It's headcanons of dating Mollymauk, Essek, Caleb and Fjord. Thanks!

Love me some Crit Role prompts, hope you like 'em!

Mollymauk Tealeaf

Molly is chaos incarnate regardless of whether you are in a relationship with him or not. Your life with the Nein is never dull anyway, but especially not when Molly's around.

Molly, however, is also incredibly smart for essentially being two years old. He's perceptive and picks up things about people very quickly. He is also adept at using that knowledge for his own benefit. All this to say, he picks up on your crush on him very quickly.

And uses this knowledge for evil...

...constantly.

Molly flirts with you every chance he gets with every possible idea he can think of just to see what kind of reaction he can get. He's incorrigible, but you blush all the same.

Don't worry! He also finds a nice time to chat with you when the two of you are on watch and lets you know that he has become just as fond of you. He, "just likes teasin' you, love."

Will find every opportunity to make you laugh or smile and is your biggest supporter and defender on and off the battlefield.

He's your circus man. He loves you fiercely, loudly, and sweetly as the world allows him for as a long as he can.

Essek Thelyss

Essek is a very difficult man to get to know. But, it has been scientifically proven that he can be worn down. Just keep at it.

Once you find something to bond over, Essek can be very sweet. He, despite any attempts he makes to instruct others that he does not, has a very big heart and cares an awful lot about the people he allows to really see him.

If you have a problem he will do whatever he can, within his abilities and around his busy schedule, to help you.

He is very hard on himself and in some instances probably should be to a degree, but you have to be there to stop him and that brilliant but treacherous brain of his from hurting his poor heart and soul.

Watch out for him please. He's battling a lot.

A relationship with Essek would be a sweet and loving one but it would also be fraught with the dangers of the lines he walks on a daily basis. The good news is, the love the two of you share is more than enough to whether it.

Caleb Widogast

Caleb, like Essek, cares very deeply for those around him. But, unfortunately also like Essek, also suffers through a lot of mental and emotional torment of his own making.

He's gotten better being with you and the Nein but you can tell that he still struggles. The kind of things he's been through are not things you can simply forget. He may need your help in the mental fight against his demons every once and a while.

Caleb would need a lot of coaxing to get him to really open up to you about his feelings for you (I mean we all saw how he got around Jester sometimes). You might have to be the one to make the first move because he will likely have plans to keep that secret to himself until the end of time.

I feel like Caleb would oddly be really good at taking care of you? Like reminding you to get the proper amount fo sleep (after all, he knows exaclty how many hours you've been awake for), and eating the proper amount as well as taking breaks. But, at the same time, he is awful at doing that for himself. Watch this one, make sure he doesn't fall asleep with his head in a spell book.

I also imagine that Caleb, once you get to a certain point of comfort in the relationship, is as cuddly as his cat. Imagine that after a particularly long day, he just flops on top of you, absolutely exhausted, curling in to you. Probably mumbling things in Zemnian that makes absolutely no sense regardless of whether you speak the language or not. He's very tired, just hold him and let him sleep.

Caleb is a very attentive person and he remembers literally everything. He constantly mazes you by the things he remembers about you and your relationship. He loves you and that love comes through in the detail he puts into every magical creation that you are included in.

Fjord Stone

Fjord, Wildmother love him, constantly finds himself in ridiculous situations. You, as much as you love him, have to find the humor in it. You are always there to help him out, but you almost have to laugh at him sometimes. 

Regardless of his occasional fumbling, Fjord is very attentive and romantic. 

He finds his own ways to fluster you, finding moments to be almost comedically romantic like someone out of Jester’s novels.

He, being a Paladin, and a new one at that, most likely feels a need to protect or like he has to prove he can protect you. He knows you are fully capable of defending and protecting yourself and he never wants to step on your toes in that field (he, like everyone else mentioned, is a respectful boi) but he loves you and sometimes assumes that he needs to prove that he is worthy of loving you, prove that he can keep you safe, prove that he himself is safe for you to be around.

He knows how to make you smile in the simplest of ways. Whether it be a flower left for you, a kind word, a reassuring hand on your shoulder, Fjord somehow always manages to know when you need something sweet like that.

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Request Rules/Character Sheet

[thebest-medicine]

Really Cool Rings & Magic Things

Summary: Essek gives Jester a fantastic gift with Caleb in mind. She enlists Molly to help her test it out on him. Something, something, ticklish!Caleb >:3

Characters: Jester Lavorre, Mollymauk Tealeaf, Caleb Widogast, Essek Thelyss (mentioned)

Words: 8,029 (huh? how did that happen?)

[AO3 link]

…

“Cay-leb!” Jester’s voice, bubbling with excitement, comes from the doorway. “Essek is such a good friend! I have to show you this really, really cool gift he got me!” 

A slight smile curves on Caleb’s lips as Jester bounds into the room. She dances over to where he is sitting at his desk, placing hands on his shoulders. 

Caleb moves to set his quill down on the desk and turns his head, tilting his chin to look up at her wide, ever-mischievous tiefling grin. He sighs, unable to fight off the smile she often brings to him and the other members of their party, and turns to better face her. 

“And what did you get, hmm?” Caleb asks.

“Come on, come on. I have to show you!” Jester insists happily.

“You are not just trying to distract me from studying, are you?” Caleb squints at her. It goes unsaid that he does not mind the interruption. 

He pauses, takes the quill back in his hand, and moves faster than Jester expects him to, and—

—he runs the fluffy end under her chin. (What is he thinking?) He expects a giggle and perhaps a move or two in revenge. Another distraction that would not be unwelcome. 

Jester just lets out a little chirp, rounded off at the end with a little giggle. She catches Caleb’s eye, giving him her best faux-scandalized stare. “CALEB!” She squeals, shaking her head away from the feather. “Come on, this is serious!” 

This, he isn’t expecting. Jester is a tiefling, after all, and a particularly tricky one at that. She would generally be stirred to action the instant someone brought up feathers or laughing or—

She squeezes his shoulder — Caleb flinches just slightly at the contact — as she continues sincerely with a little wink. “You can tickle me later if you want to though!” 

Caleb flushes a bit at her unabashed enjoyment of being tickled, he can’t help but feel a little jealous at her sincerity. He struggles not to connect the feeling of um, that — with a flustering embarrassment and flare of shame. Oh, to enjoy so genuinely, love so openly. He was learning, with them, slowly. 

“You’re gonna think this is so cool, I promise.” She gives him her best puppy-dog eyes.

“Ja, fine, alright. Let’s go.” He puts on a good little show of looking put-out and annoyed as he cleans up his notes and closes his book, leaving the quill on the table. For a half a second, he wonders if he should bring it—

Her hand slides down his shoulder and into his palm, and she leads him out of the study with a skip in her step toward her room.

“So what is this mysterious magical item, hm?” Caleb asks as he follows, his hand warm in hers.

“Oh, Caleb, it is so, so cool, seriously! Essek gave me this really pretty magic thing and taught me this super cool magic stuff!” Jester teeters toward her door, gesticulating excitedly with her other hand as she explains. She is wearing a few rings, which catch his eye as they sparkle in the torch light.

“Hmm… How specific.” Caleb teases as he listens, following her to the doorway—

—to see Mollymauk sitting on her bed, casually holding Tusk Love and apparently reading (pretending to read?) comfortably against the headboard. 

Caleb freezes at the threshold of the room. “Mr. Mollymauk.” He nods to the purple tiefling, then turns back to Jester. “I see… And what are you two planning then?” He tries to feign annoyance but has a familiar, friendly sparkle in his eye and half smile he can’t fully hide.

“I just want to show both of you the cool gift from Essek, no scheming!” Jester insists, tugging him into the room.

Mollymauk closes the book, setting it down. He turns to regard Caleb with his best innocent smile. “Don’t you trust us?”

“Not even a little bit.” Caleb huffs out with a laugh, a fond smile starting to form.

“Come now, Jester, what have you got to show us?” Mollymauk shifts and pats the bed. Jester plops down near the foot of the bed, leaving a space between them for Caleb. 

He walks over slowly, eyeing them both. Molly gestures to the seat next to him. Caleb lets out a surprised little laugh, raising his eyebrow at them. “I think not.” Caleb gestures to the spot, then to Jester, looking at her and waving his hand a little. “You should sit in the middle so we can both see.” He suggests firmly.

She rolls her eyes at him but scoots over into the middle seat. Caleb, looking a bit smug, takes his seat beside her toward the foot of the bed. 

Jester settles in with a wriggle and begins to recount the tale. Walking by Essek’s home earlier in the week, stopping in to ask him questions about spells that could be useful for pranks, shenanigans, and general trickery. She had gone back to his house earlier today after sending him a message to check in and him replying that he had something that could be really super cool (a direct quote here, Caleb was sure) and helpful for her.

“Wait, wait I—“ Caleb speaks up. “I still have some work to finish with the books before you start doing magic tricks and pulling pranks.” He makes a move to get up. “This seems awfully like a scheme.”

Molly and Jester share a brief look that Caleb catches.

“Nothing gets past you.” Molly says, rolling his head to one side, then the other, stretching his neck muscles. “Why are you always so suspicious of us anyway?” 

“Because,” Caleb stands carefully, slowing his pace to not trigger their instinct to chase. He continues. “Like now, I am usually correct in my suspicions.” 

“No no no, you are to-tally going to love this. You have to stay!” Jester reaches out for Caleb’s sleeve, trying to reach for his hand with a finger or two. Her eyes shine so sweetly for someone up to so much mischief. 

Molly is soon standing as well, he makes a move to walk toward the door. “Oh, are we leaving already?” He exudes a calm indifference, but Caleb knows him better than that.

Eyes wide like a prey animal, Caleb moves to do the same. 

Then, the tiefling is spinning around, facing him, his exit cut off. “We’ll make it quick.” He winks and pushes a slightly panicked-looking Caleb back without much resistance, knocking him onto the bed. “We insist, dear.”

Caleb laughs a little as he is thrown softly back. Jester is already starting to curl around him with teasing, poking claws. 

“Nooo.” He mewls as Molly hops onto the bed after them. Caleb weakly crawls back from Molly, further into Jester’s arms.

“May-be,” Mollymauk starts brainstorming aloud, “We need to make you a little more agreeable.” 

Jester makes a noise in agreement. She squeezes his sides and Caleb chokes on a yelp. He’s shivering as she moves to sit in Caleb’s lap and Mollymauk moves next to him. She takes his hands and rubs her thumbs over his wrists gently. “Come on, you wouldn’t have come hang out with us if you didn’t want to have fun.” She hands his wrists to Molly. He shifts up behind Caleb.

Caleb fails to be nearly strong enough to resist being pushed fully onto his back by Jester; he finds himself looking up right into the soft, teasing gaze of the purple tiefling. Caleb blinks a few times before shifting his gaze to Jester, who is adjusting her seat over his upper thighs. 

“Alright, you know the drill.” Mollymauk grins. Caleb whines. “Up we go!” And he gently pulls on Caleb’s wrists, not meeting much resistance, bringing his arms from near his face to up over his head and pinning them on the bed. 

A few giggles start to fall out as Caleb squirms, thoroughly stretched out on his back before two hungry tieflings. 

“Awww, Caleb, you are so cute like this!” Jester begins, leaning down to bring her face close to his stomach. He shakes with anticipatory laughter. “But, I really wish you weren’t always so suspicious of me and Molly. It’s not very nice.” 

Blue fingers pinch at the edges of his shirt, lifting the fabric slowly. She brings it up to the bottom edge of his ribs. Caleb curls his toes in anticipation, making a desperate noise. “I— I don’t.” Caleb closes his eyes and makes a frustrated little sigh. “You literally just lured me in here to— to…” He trails off, squirming in their hold. 

When no one speaks, he peeks with one eye to find Mollymauk watching him curiously. Molly leans in a bit. “Mmm. To do what?”

Caleb makes a strangled noise, closes his eyes again, takes a shaky breath. “Y-You—“ Caleb whines, shaking his head and mumbling out a few Zemnian curses. “I cannot—“

“I’ll help!” Jester nearly sings. “We’re gonna tickle youuuuuu!”  She wiggles her claws menacingly; they reach out for his stomach, stopping a few inches short.

Caleb gasps and recoils as much as his body will allow. His legs scramble for purchase on the bed behind her. 

“Oh!” Molly coos fondly. “You are too cute when you’re all wound up.” 

Jester grins down at Caleb, then up at the other tiefling. “Oh Molly! When I went to get him, did I tell you?” Caleb winces at what he knows she is about to say. “He tried to tickle me!” She continues digging Caleb’s grave for him. Mollymauk makes a pleased little sound and fixes the wizard with a knowing look.

“I- I didn’t mean— well I…” Caleb feels the heat in his face rushing down his neck and over to his ears and stops talking.

“Oh you are just asking for it.” Mollymauk grins. He takes one finger from each hand, tracing it lightly over his captive wrists. Caleb shivers.

“Aw, you totally wanted to start a tickle fight with me so you didn’t have to do anymore of your stinky, boring work.” Jester concludes. “Well, we have something a little different in mind but I still think you’re gonna like it!”

Part of Caleb wishes he could sink into the mattress, or use his hands for somatics, or that he wasn’t so partial to his friends that he would leave his work to follow them. The other part of Caleb is fluttering with an excitement deep in his belly at the prospect of the attention and affection from his friends, even if it can be a little unbearable at times. Caleb takes a moment to gather his will with his eyes closed. He draws an anticipatory deep breath that comes out shaky with giggles. “Okahahay, okay, whahahat is it?” Perhaps knowing your fate can help you… better prepare for it? Or feel better about suffering it?

“You’re gonna seeeeeee.” Jester assures him as she pokes a few places along his stomach and ribs. Caleb wheezes out a snicker, squirming under her touch and their gaze.

“Okay, okay, let’s try it already! Do a spell — I need to get in on this.” Mollymauk says with an insincere impatience, an eager grin on his face. “He’s too cute to not tickle.” Molly whines to Jester. He watches Caleb change from pink to red and laugh below him. It’s almost too easy for Mollymauk to tease, especially when he’s being truthful — and Caleb really is unfairly adorable when he’s being tickled. Jester’s fingers tease sporadically around his sides, his stomach, making him tremble. 

“S-Spehehell?” Caleb questions through his giggles, trying to follow. “W-what?” He feels two dexterous blue tiefling hands finally give him a respite, and Caleb tries his best to ignore the swoop of disappointment when her hands and attention leave him. He takes a few seconds to recover. 

Jester starts fidgeting with the wide golden ring on her right hand. An itch of panic grows in his stomach. “Y-you said Essek… He gave you something?” 

“Yes!” The blue fingers move up near his face, making him jump. “Guess what it is!” Jester can barely contain her excitement. She wiggles her eyebrows at him, making a theatrical show of pulling off her — or Essek’s — ring, a beautiful gold double fingered ring, with two little heart shaped jewels added on the top. (Customized, perhaps?) It shimmers with a spark of gray energy and magic.

A moment of silence goes by before Caleb opens his mouth again. “Oh, no.” Molly can feel Caleb reflexively try to pull his elbows inward to cover his face. “Fuck, it’s- it’s a ring of spell storing?” 

“You are so clever!” Jester reaches out to boop his nose and he flinches. “Now I can do some crazy cool wizard spells too, Caleb!” She tells him in a silly voice.

“D-Don’t tell mehehehe he found sohohome kind of — Ich weiß nicht — like a, a tickle spell?” He flushes at the thought, stumbling over the words.

“No — but, oh my gosh what a good idea though! I’ll ask him about that next time! You have the best ideas, you should come with me!” Jester replied sincerely, making Caleb let out a whine. “I do get to try out some new spells though. I’m so excited, aren’t you?”

Caleb whimpers beneath her, letting his head fall back. “Maybe more so in another circumstance..” He catches Molly rolling his eyes above him. 

“Oh, it won’t be that bad.” Mollymauk says, only to laugh just after the statement leaves his mouth. He watches Caleb’s pouting face, a soft smile forming. “Okay, okay— it’s probably going to be quite bad. Hmmm.” Molly leans down close to Caleb’s ear, making him flinch to the side. “Want to make a deal, Mr. Caleb?” He stays there, breath tickling against Caleb’s ear.

Caleb swallows. “What.. What kind of deal?” He asks slowly.

“If you cooperate with us while we try out Essek’s fabulous gift— .“

“—Yes! And we HAVE to thank him after this.” Jester butts in. 

“Then, we’ll make it worth your while.” Molly continues with a wink.

“It will be so much fun if you are good and cooperative!” Jester beams. “And I promise we’ll be really, really nice if the spell is extra mean!” She agrees. 

Caleb, fidgeting and red-faced, looks from a purple tiefling to a blue. He sighs, somewhat defeated. “I… don’t suppose I want to make this any worse on myself.”

“Don’t you?” Molly whispers quietly before lifting his head back up, noting the red hue of Caleb’s ears as he stubbornly avoids eye contact with the tieflings.

Jester squeals with glee. “Okay, so… For this one…” Jester scrunches up her face in thought. “It’s gonna be kinda quick.” She assesses Caleb, looking him up and down. She turns behind her to regard his wiggling feet. “Hmmm. I know! We are gonna need you to spread your toes out.”

Caleb looks as though he’s swallowed a frog. “Was? Nein! What? You— you cannot be serious—“

“You heard her.” Molly sing-songs above him, making Caleb shiver.

“And… If I don’t?” He replies slowly.

Jester waggles her eyebrows down at him. “Well, then we’ll have to convince you! But remember we’ll be a lot nicer if you just listen.” She looks back to his feet expectantly. 

His toes remain scrunched in anticipation. Jester shrugs, turning back to face him. “Alright, well, just let me know when you’re ready to spread your cute little toesies!” She dives forward and starts tickling his ribs, this time precise, cruel, deadly. 

Caleb shrieks and shakes his head back and forth between Molly’s legs. His arms struggle weakly against the tiefling’s hold and his legs drum against the bed behind Jester.

“If you don’t want to listen… We can keep being meaner— remember, I haven’t even started helping yet.” Molly informs him with a tease. “Or, is that exactly what you want, Mr. Widogast?” 

Caleb’s face grows even more red as laughter punches out of him. Jester is moving up his rib cage at a dangerous speed. “N-No! HAHA— ah no hehe I-I okay, I will— Ihihihihi I just-Ah I CAHAHAN’T!” 

“Yes you can, come on silly!” Jester says as though it’s the easiest thing in the world. 

“Ah, Jes, let’s give him a chance...” Mollymauk smiles with a bit of pity. Jester obligingly slows down her vicious rib tickling to a few faintly wiggling fingers. 

“Ahaha— Ok okay, just— just a moment, plehehehase.” Caleb pleads, sucking in air. Jester changes tactics to lightly run one finger up and down Caleb’s sides, from his upper ribs down to his hips and back. He squirms, taking a good minute to stop laughing so hard.

“Are you reaaaaady, Caleb?” Jester asks the wriggling wizard. She brings her hands up in front of him and flexes her fingers, spreading them out. “Let’s see those toes!” 

Caleb can’t help the whine that trips out of him as he tosses his head back, defeated. Jester and Molly look down to his feet expectantly. 

With a trembling sigh, Caleb slowly flexes his feet, spreading his toes. 

Jester begins to fiddle with the ring, unfamiliar with casting another’s spells through a conduit, and places the hand briefly on Caleb’s heaving chest. “Okayyyy!“ She claps her hands. “Hold Person, Go!” She says in a silly voice. A gray-white light passes from the ring and spreads quickly over Caleb before dissipating. He freezes with a look of panic in his eyes.

The purple hands above release Caleb’s wrists. “Did it work?” Molly tilts his head to the side curiously.

No! What did you—? Caleb realizes he can only think it, but not actually speak. He is stuck, held in this position. He can still breathe, and perhaps make a bit of sound, but no squirming away, no scrunching his— Oh no. At least the tieflings had stopped t— focusing on his ribs for now. They promised to be nicer if he listened… But, to Caleb’s dismay, they then both start scrambling down toward his feet. 

Caleb lets out a semblance of a shriek from his paralyzed position on the bed. 

Weight settles on each of his shins. “Oh don’t worry. We’re gonna be so nice, just like I said, okay?” Jester turns to look at Caleb over her shoulder, smiling sweetly. “Even though you took some convincing. And it only lasts for a minute! And the minute already started!” 

Mollymauk curls into position around his other ankle. “We’ll be nice and gentle, don’t you believe your friends?”

Caleb sees Molly’s head lean down and a panicked sound comes out of his throat. 

Soft lips press against his big toe from above, and he would give about anything to be able to scrunch his toes. He waits for the nibbling, the tongue, the claws scribbling over the feet he can’t move. But then the lips are gone. 

“See?” Another kiss to his second toe, teasing, gentle— and indeed though not horribly, still in fact ticklish. 

Little whimpers and joyful almost-giggles start to pour from Caleb when Jester joins in the fun, tracing a few fingers over the top of his foot. “Tickle, tickle, Caleb!” She sings as she takes one hand and wiggles her fingers gently over the tops of his toes, her other hand coming up beneath them, mirroring the other hand’s dexterous ministrations. Caleb knows Jester can be much more cruel, and for now, her touch remains slow and light, but gods does it tickle. And he can’t even flinch away…

“Oh my gosh Caleb, I bet you really wish you could move your cute little toes!” Jester says, reading his mind without the use of any magic. “This probably tickles so much!” Jester grins proudly and looks over at her partner in tickling. “Look- Molly, I made a tickly toe sandwich!” She’s drawing her fingers from the tops of his toes, over and under them, tracing ten unbearable ticklish lines down the top and bottom of his foot.

Mollymauk looks over from where he’s been focused, scritching softly with one finger beneath the wizard’s toes. “Well, that looks delicious. In fact…” He plants another peck on Caleb’s toes. “It looks good enough to eat.” The words slide out of his mouth like silk, warm and teasing, the sound almost a comfort to Caleb before his brain catches up with what Molly just said. 

“Oooh yummy!” Caleb catches Jester saying before—

“MMMMPH- N—“ Comes an alarmed wail just as Jester’s mouth slides — warm, slick, devastatingly ticklish — over his toes, her tongue flicking lightly between them.

Molly soon realizes he’s been wasting valuable seconds watching Jester work. The part of Caleb that isn’t completely lost in laughter catches a wink from Mollymauk before he feels the lithe finger on his right foot return to a more deliberate track. The finger pad lifts to leave only a nail pressed against the ball of his foot. Then, more nails. One hand claws gently along the upper ball of the foot, curling under his toes, while the other tickles along where the ball meets the arch. Slow, calculated, nice— well, nice enough anyway. 

As his hands work in tandem, Molly feels a pleasant shiver at the thought of his own foot being stuck like this and subjected to endless teasing. Maybe they didn’t have to try ALL the spells on Caleb…

Just when it starts to feel like his chest is going to burst with laughter - so maybe a few seconds later - Jester pulls her mouth away from Caleb’s toes with a pop. “Mmmm. That was so good!” Jester loudly licks her lips. “I think we’re almost out of time, though Molly. We were pretty nice, I think…” She gives Molly a pointed look.

“Yeah,” Molly shrugs. “We can be a little mean.”

Caleb tries to scream as best he can when ten tiefling nails touch down on each foot, twenty claws scribbling ever so lightly around and under his toes. Caleb can not move, can not kick, can not do anything to stop the intrusion. It’s still not nearly the most devastating they can dole out, but not even being able to flinch away… Gods. 

Mercifully, the spell comes to an end about 8 seconds later. 

Caleb’s toes finally curl, and he tries to unsuccessfully dislodge the tieflings from his legs as soon as the spell ends. “P-Please— no, this ihihis not fair— bitte! Nein, Jester— AH MollYEEHEHEEHEHE!” 

They continue tickling, fighting to follow his wiggling feet. “Aww, does it work more than once?” Jester muses. “I wanna try that last part again!” 

“No!” Caleb swings his body upright into a sitting position to push on the tieflings’ shoulders, they keep scribbling around his soles. “P-Please— HAHA-ahaha!” 

“Please what?” Mollymauk turns his head over his shoulder to meet the wizard’s wild blue eyes with a smirk. “Please cast Hold Person on me again so you can keep tickling my toes?” Molly wiggles an eyebrow at him. 

Caleb’s breath leaves him with a whoosh. He tries to take a deep breath. “No! Naahahaha Aha bitte— a breheheheak— I hehehe I- I can’t—“ Caleb wheezes as he struggles to fight off the persistent fingers searching for sensitive spots on his now scrambling soles.

The hands stop briefly, and then Jester grabs Caleb’s foot in both of her hands and lowers her head again. 

Caleb squeaks at the motion, but she just kisses the top of his foot and releases it. Molly sneaks in a few more scribbling nail tickles before giving Caleb a well-deserved break. 

Caleb feels the weight of them lift off of his legs and cannot fight the instinct to curl up. Jester backs off of him for a moment, giving him some space to create his best impression of a ball, and looks in her notebook for the list of the spells stored in the very practical jewelry.

Molly sidles up behind where he’s hunched over his legs, hugging them to his chest, and places a firm hand on his back; of course Caleb still jumps. The hand begins tracing soothing circles around his back, firm enough not to tickle. Caleb closes his eyes, leaning slightly into the touch, and feels the residual tingling tickles become less notable. 

A minute goes by, and Caleb feels a pleasant floating feeling overtake him. “So.. What did you two do to Essek to get this ring?” He asks as he finally catches his breath.

“What do you mean?” Jester tilts her head as she plops down next to the bundle of limbs curled up that is Caleb. “I just asked him!”

Caleb opens his eyes and gives her a look. “What? Did he, hehe— did he know what it was for?”

“Oh, yes dear, she explained just why we needed each of these spells to study with you.“ Mollymauk assures him. Caleb whines faintly. Molly hooks his jaw over Caleb’s shoulder. They stay like this until Caleb’s breathing is even. He first senses his impending doom when he notices two tails swishing impatiently in the air, like Frumpkin wanting attention. 

“Are you ready to try the next spell?” Mollymauk nips at his ear, making him scrunch up a bit. 

“You’re still going to be nice, ja?” Caleb says into his hands. “Since I have been so forthcoming?”

“We‘ll be so so so so so nice!” Jester giggles. “But you have to keep being cooperative!” 

He mumbles a little Zemnian curse into his hands, and then, “Okay, okay. Let’s get this over with...” Caleb says sheepishly.

“Don’t worry, there’s still plenty to go. I can’t believe this ring holds FIVE spell levels! That was just two of them — plus it doesn’t even cost ME a spell slot. It’s using Essek’s — isn’t he so sweet?” Jester exclaims. 

“W-Was? How many spells did he—?” Caleb shivers.

“Let’s find out.” Molly makes a show of cracking his knuckles. “But, after we go back to Essek to recharge this, I’m the one attuning to the ring next time.”

Jester stretches her arms, wiggles her fingers, and fixes Caleb with a grin. “What would you like to try next, Caleb?”

Caleb can’t stop the desperate sound that starts at the back of his throat at her mention of him having to make a choice. 

She looks back at her notes. “Immovable Object? Or Tasha’s Hideous Laughter?” 

Caleb hides behind his hands.

“Do you want me to pick?” Jester asks. 

“The next one I want to try,” Mollymauk starts to explain in a calm tone, “Is one we are rather curious about.” 

Caleb listens and melts into their touch, not that he can do much else.

“Oh yes.” Jester rubs up Caleb’s shins, using her palms in a way that he can tell is actively trying not to tickle. It must be hard for her to restrain herself even for a few moments, he thinks with a smile. “You see Essek said that Tasha’s Hideous Laughter is supposed to incapacitate you with hysterical laughter— keeps ya from spell casting and fighting and anything else you might wanna do!”

“Which works quite well, as we know.” Mollymauk adds.

Caleb giggles a little, still very aware of his position, trapped between the two tiefling bodies, unsure of when their touch would start to shift.

“So I asked him, how does it make you laugh? Could someone die from laughing too much? Does it tickle at all? Essek said he didn’t think so.” Jester’s voice starts to pick up speed as she gets excited wondering about the workings of the spell. The wizards must really be rubbing off on her. “Does it tell you a funny joke? Does it just make everything funny?” 

“So, we’re gonna test that spell out, but not tickle you, and see how hard it makes you laugh.” Molly explains. “Then, we’re gonna see if we can beat it.”

Caleb lets out a little “Ah! Fuck—“ and curls his toes in anticipation. “B-but the spell will not tickle?” 

“It shouldn’t.” Mollymauk shrugs at him.

“I wonder if you and Essek could tinker around with it though, it can’t be that hard to get it to add tickles too!” Jester adds with a giggle. 

Caleb tucks that away for later. Perhaps he could use it to help get some guaranteed revenge on these two. 

“Okay.” Caleb swallows, draws in a deep breath. “Okay. Do it.”

Jester once again wields the ring, pointing at Caleb. 

His eyes go wide for a half a second before every single thing in the room and in Caleb’s mind and in Caleb’s chest is suddenly the funniest thing he has ever heard. A wide smile stretches across Caleb’s face. He would be blushing more if he had the wherewithal to notice two sets of tiefling eyes studying him. Instead, all he can do, all he can think about, is laughing. Within a few seconds, it’s a little hard to breathe. 

There is some part of it, he realizes briefly, that does remind him of the tension and energy that builds up and bursts out of you when being tickled nonstop in a really bad spot. The tingling, electric feeling isn’t present anywhere on his skin, but he can’t stop laughing, can’t get the energy out fast enough. He cackles until he is red in the face.

Caleb blinks when he realizes the spell ended. There are tears in his eyes again, and a few streaking down his cheek. His breath comes out in heaves. A few seconds after he stops laughing, he notices a blue and purple face on either side of him, watching him.

“What did that feel like?” Jester asks. “It looked like you were having fun.” She wiggles her eyebrows. 

“I can… see how that would incapacitate in combat.” Caleb stumbles over the words, breathing heavily. He realizes as he comes down from the high of laughter that he has curled himself into an even tighter, squirming ball.

“Want some water?” Molly asks sweetly, petting Caleb’s hair.

A slight nod as Caleb leans into the touch. Much more pliable and cooperative like this indeed.

The touch leaving his head makes Caleb let out a little indignant sound as he tries to follow. Molly takes a cup from the nearby table. 

He takes a sip when Molly brings the glass to him. Molly doesn’t let go of the cup as it trembles in Caleb’s hands. He drinks in a long breath of air, looking from the water to Jester, who was watching him sweetly from just a few inches away.

“Are you ready to try the last one?” Jester asks when Mollymauk takes the cup away from Caleb’s face and moves to put it back.

Caleb whines, pulling his hands up to cover his face.

He hears Molly make a contemplative sound and looks over at him. He makes an indiscernible noise behind his hands just as Mollymauk moves to grab a large, comfortable chair near the table in Jester’s room. “Will this do?” He asks, and she smiles back at the other tiefling with a nod.

He lifts it sideways in the air, and pulls out 4 soft silks from his pockets. He holds the chair in the air leaning all the way back, watching as Jester activates the spell. Another slightly gray crackle of magic envelops the chair for a second and it stays in place, tilted at a 90 degree angle to the floor with the feet of the chair facing the bedside. 

“Alright.” Molly looks at Caleb, looks at the floating chair, looks back at Caleb. “C’mon.” He pats the seat.

“W-What? So you want me to…?”

Molly grins. “Up we go!” He repeats from earlier. Jester tugs on the side of the chair and it doesn’t budge. Her smile widens to match Mollymauk’s.

For a moment, Caleb winces, mentally kicking himself for allowing him to be so distracted from his studies… and for being so willing to go along with said distraction. “I—“ Caleb stops talking under the eyes of both tieflings. He opens his mouth, unsure of what to say.

“Here, I’ll help!” Mollymauk starts to reach out for him. Jester moves under the chair to where the boys are. 

Caleb squeaks as Molly grabs under his arms, moving to lift him up while allowing a small window to tickle. Jester pushes his legs, squeezing his knees a few times. He laughs but allows himself to be hoisted up by two tricksters and sat, or rather, laid, in the chair several feet off of the ground. Caleb lays his head back against the chair, resigned to his fate and already giggling. 

“Oh, you are cute.” Mollymauk clicks his teeth. He grins and watches Caleb avoid looking at him while he lets him tie his arms to the sides of the chair with the silks Molly grabbed. 

Molly starts to move down to secure Caleb’s ankles while Jester passes back under the chair, pausing for a moment to reach up and squeeze once, twice on Caleb’s sides. 

“Ah! Nein!” Caleb’s legs shoot up at the unexpected tickle, and he squawks in protest. His knees curl toward his chest protectively.

“Give me those back, if you have any sense of self preservation.” Mollymauk threatens with a smile. 

Caleb’s leaning his head to the side trying to get a visual on Jester. “I-I’m trying!” 

A blue hand appears near the side of the chair, squeezing once on his thigh. Caleb squeaks.

He schools his features best he can, takes a deep breath, and shoves his ankles down into Mollymauk’s waiting arms. “Hurry up.”

The smile Molly gives him at his petulance makes butterflies form in his stomach. “So eager to start?” He teases with a few tickles to each foot as he secures them in place.

He jolts when Jester pokes his side one more time before popping up next to him. Caleb strains against the bindings, but knows the chair is not going anywhere for an hour.

“So, are you ready, hmm?” Molly purrs as he secures the final limb to the floating chair. “I won’t keep you waiting, don’t worry.” He winks, taking a seat on the bed and wriggling into the mattress comfortably, nearly eye level with Caleb’s suspended right foot. 

“Scheiße, what did I get myself into?” Caleb muses anxiously at the ceiling, mostly to himself.

He finds the answer rather quickly, when Jester, having joined the other tiefling on her bed, and he feels rather than sees her and Molly both start trailing fingers up and down his feet. Why did they have to go for his feet again?

They soon begin a sort of little competition, who can get Caleb to squirm more, laugh harder, which foot is more ticklish? Caleb’s slowly ratcheting up to lose his mind in the meantime.

“I wonder if we could find a way to make Hold Person work on just part of someone? Like it was cool but I love to see him squirm and laugh when he gets tickled, you know?” Jester wonders aloud as she scrapes several fingers against the ball of Caleb’s foot.

Caleb just catches Molly humming in agreement.

“Hey Caleb! Imagine if we could do that again, but just to your toes.” Jester says, though Caleb can barely tell she is addressing him.

“We were pretty nice to his toes that time.” Molly reminds her, scribbling his fingers up to wiggle between Caleb’s toes. “Hey. Is it worse when you can’t wiggle at all? Or when I do this?” And Mollymauk is pulling back Caleb’s toes, using his other hand to scrape, scribble, and mercilessly tickle all over the area between the bottoms of his toes and the ball of his foot. Caleb shrieks, cursing as he fights, instinctive yet futile, against the hold.

“Oooh that’s a good substitute!” Jester agrees, pulling his toes back tight on his left foot to match and holding them steady.

Caleb wails in response to the escalating sensation and increased vulnerability, gasping for breath in the two-fronted tiefling tickle attack. “AI AHA HHHA— NO— AHAHA WAIT! BITTE— HEHAHA PLEHEHEASE!” Caleb all but shouts through his laughter. 

“This was such a good idea!” Jester proclaims.

Caleb can sense Jester wiggling excitedly on the bed. He catches her leaning her head forward toward where he knows his toes are. A sob comes out between laughs. He anticipates it won’t be the last by the time they’re done with him. “No- no, hahaha nein!” He cries. His view is obstructed at this angle by his own legs — not that his head has much maneuverability anyway. 

Warm and wet, all at once Jester’s tongue is on his toes again. Caleb feels his body jolt at the contact. Her tongue flickers between his toes and Caleb sobs again. 

Meanwhile, Mollymauk’s fingers continue a trek up from heel to toe and back again on his other foot. Again, it’s still definitely not the worst they’ve dished out to him, but he feels particularly helpless at their unmoving mercy. The chair, the silks, and the tieflings’s points of ticklish contact all hold steady. Jester sucks on one toe at a time while she wiggles her fingers up and down Caleb’s soles. Tears fall from the corners of his eyes as Mollymauk begins spidering his fingers gently over the sides of his feet, the tops, his ankles, and back around his heel to the bottoms. His feet wriggle helplessly, as much as they can, at the dual onslaught.

Several minutes go by with Caleb squeaking and giggling and scrunching his toes as much as he can manage. “Hmm. Let’s give him a little break, shall we?” Mollymauk ponders after looking up to gauge how red Caleb’s face is. “We did tell him we would be nice.” 

Caleb draws in a ragged breath when they stop. Jester starts rubbing his feet and Caleb jumps at first, then relaxes more into the touch when he realizes she isn’t trying to tickle. “Mmm-“ Caleb groans.

“Feels good, huh?” Jester asks.

“Mmhmm.” He closes his eyes and drinks in the feeling. Again, he’s so much more pliable like this, accepting of love and positive touch. 

“See how nice we can be when you aren’t a brat.” Mollymauk’s voice comes from unexpectedly next to Caleb’s side. He jumps a little and opens his eyes, narrowing them at Molly. He opens his mouth to retort something petulant, but falls short when he feels Jester pushing into his arches. Probably not the smartest idea to mouth off while your feet are literally in a tiefling’s hands. Though, that hasn’t stopped him before.

“Want some more water?” Molly asks him. 

“Bitte, ja.” Caleb wheezes.

Molly moves away from him and over to a desk. He comes back with a gentle smile and uses one hand to help lift Caleb’s head so he can take a few sips of water. It can be draining getting the life tickled out of you, he knows, and Mollymauk prides himself in taking good care of those he takes apart. He puts the water down and starts rubbing Caleb’s temples, brushes a hand through his hair. Caleb moves into the touch like Frumpkin receiving pets. He takes more than a few sips this time as Mollymauk helps him. He sighs. “Did.. one of you note the time that you set up the chair? I would prefer not to fall on my arse after all this.”

Molly smirks at him. “You can’t tell how long it’s been?”

Caleb huffs out a little sigh, blushing. “Obviously less than an hour.” He looks up at the ceiling.

Molly’s smirk turns to a full grin. 

“I know we said we were gonna be nice…” Molly says. “But…” 

“I really really really want to see if we can make him laugh harder than that silly spell.” Jester rushes out, bouncing in place. Seems they are of the same mind. “We’ll be mean for a few minutes, and then we’ll be really nice all night, okay?”

“And Jester already said you could tickle her later, right? I can help!” Molly winks, poking Jester’s side. 

Caleb squints at them, hitting them each with a stare. “You will both get what is coming to you.”

“That doesn’t sound like a no…” Molly smiles. 

Caleb flushes pink. “As long as you stop before this fucking chair falls from the air.” 

“Well we did just spend a little time tickling your little feets.” She pinches a toe between her fingers and wiggles it, making Caleb flinch. “And a little time for breaks. It can’t have been more than 15, maybe 20 minutes.” Jester adds up aloud. “How about we tickle you reeaaaaally good for just 5 minutes?”

“Just 5 minutes?” Caleb squeaks out, a little incredulous.

“Maybe ten?” Molly raises an eyebrow at Jester. “The chair will definitely still be up there for 10 more minutes.”

Caleb’s eyes shut as his giggling starts up again at Molly’s words. He squirms in his seat. Warmth rushes to his cheeks. “Was mache ich? Fine. Would you just— just ehehe get it over with?” Caleb whines as they begin to chatter amongst themselves, discussing timing, methods, technique, placement. 

Molly turns to catch Caleb’s eye. “Aww, can’t wait?” 

Caleb makes a face, one that looks quite silly with his blush. His eyes flicker away from Molly’s and fixate on the ceiling above him. 

Mollymauk’s presence grows closer, and suddenly Caleb’s ceiling view is blocked by a smirking purple face above him. He closes his eyes to avoid looking directly at Molly, giggles falling sporadically from his lips. 

Jester, standing to the side of the floating chair, slowly begins walking two fingers over the top of his foot, along his ankle, up over his shin. She pauses when she gets to his knee, pointing all her fingers together at the center of his knee and splaying them outward slowly. Caleb shudders as a laugh tumbles out of his lips. 

He can feel Molly watching him; he can’t see him but he knows well the smug, confident smirk slightly soft with fondness. He shakes his head, trying to shoo away the image in his mind. What good is closing his eyes if he knows exactly what’s beyond his eyelids? 

Caleb trembles when Jester gets bored of his knee and starts walking her fingers again, up his thigh. He trembles, an “Ah, no—“ escaping his lips when Jester gets up to his hip and pinches lightly. 

“So. Where do you think we need to tickle you to get you to laugh as hard as that spell?” Molly’s voice comes from closer to his ear than Caleb anticipates. “Because I think I have a couple of pretty good ideas.” 

A finger traces the shell of Caleb’s ear and his whole body shudders, just in time for Jester to start walking her fingers up his side. Pitchy, soft little giggles begin to pour out more consistently. He doesn’t answer, but squirms away from the blue hand at his side. 

“EE— ahaha NO hehe J-Jester!” Caleb lets out a squeal when she gets to his ribs, and instead of the familiar lazy finger-walk, she starts pinching each rib individually, wiggling her fingers around to find them through his shirt. He’s full on laughing now.

As much as Mollymauk is enjoying watching Caleb slowly lose his composure, he knows they are on a time limit. A fluttering of fingers appears on either side of Caleb’s neck, and he tries to scrunch. It’s adorable, Mollymauk thinks. 

“Eheheehee— dohohohon’t!” 

“Don’t what?” Molly teases.

Caleb makes a slightly frustrated noise in response, but then he opens an eye, looking up at Molly with such a joyous spark in his eye, one makes something deep in Molly’s stomach flip pleasantly. For a moment, he thinks about exchanging his hands with his lips and kissing Caleb until he’s just as breathless as he is after a thorough tickling. 

To keep from getting too distracted, Molly crawls his hands lower, tracing over Caleb’s collar bone, which has his shoulders and head squirming madly. Just then, Jester pinches his top rib and he squeals. 

Then, there’s fingers under his arm and he’s full on laughing. Ah, Molly notices, it seems Jester has given up on her gentle walking and pinching in favor of spidering her nails quickly under his arm. Five fingers splay out toward the edges and move inward. She pokes a few times in the middle. Then, she starts repeating the changing techniques.

“Ehehehehe! Jesteheheher!” Caleb’s eye shuts again as he shakes in the unmoving seat. Something crosses his mind about the contrast between the seat that will not move an inch and wiggling tiefling fingers that won’t stop moving. But he doesn’t really get the chance to dwell on it before Molly spiders his hands down to Caleb’s other armpit. 

Caleb squawks, trying to pull his elbows in to protect himself. 

“Nothing you can do!” Jester teases from the side. “It’s so funny how you try though!” 

Caleb’s laughter dissolves into little shrieks when Molly’s hands start pinching down to the upper parts of his ribs. “Nein!” He cries desperately, vaguely remembering his holsters sitting back in the study. “N-Not there!”

“I bet we can get him to scream if we both pick a bad spot and focus.” Molly thinks aloud. He shifts underneath the chair and reaches one hand around to squeeze either side of his rib cage. 

Caleb’s eyes are already welling with tears when Jester exclaims. “Okay!” She grins, clapping her hands together. “I’ll get his feet!”

“Nein!” Caleb squeals as she does just that.

…

All of the energy building up in Caleb’s system, all of the overwhelming sensory input, can once again find no real escape but his laughter. It punches out of Caleb desperately, a few attempts at begging interspersed between. His head shakes as he forgets about everything except for fingers and tongues and teeth on his feet and ribs.

What feels like 3 hours goes by, though he’s still floating in the chair so of course it has been less than an hour. Caleb’s laughter has gone silent by the time they finally ease up.

“This— this, what—“ Caleb can’t quite string his words together. “You— mmm.“ He stops trying, laying his head back with his eyes closed. A pathetic sound wheezes out of him.

“We need to make a spell that does this.” Jester beams, gesturing to the puddle of Caleb between them, regarding his disheveled state. “Maybe we could show Essek a little demonstration so you guys can tweak the spell.” 

“N-No..” Caleb whimpers, giggling. 

“Ah, I don’t know — it’s so much fun getting him like this the old fashioned way.” Molly says as he begins loosening the ties on Caleb’s wrists. “Alright, help me Jes.” He turns to Caleb. “You were very cooperative, thank you. I would apologize for being so mean at the end there but...” He presses a kiss to his temple, catching Caleb’s eye with a knowing look. “Anyway, I don’t know how much studying you’re going to get done in this state, but I definitely learned something about magic.” He rubs Caleb’s shoulders, squeezes soothingly down his arms. “Think we can study more magic this way? You might just get me into the arcane.” 

Jester undoes the last lower silk. Caleb mumbles something unclear in response as the two of them haul Caleb out of the chair and onto the bed.

“You were both very mean.” Caleb says with warm affection and a smile on his face. He wraps his arms around both tieflings as they snuggle up to either side of him on the bed, practically floating in their warmth. There’s a few light nails tracing along his arm, giving him pleasant shivers, while another hand cards through his hair. Caleb’s thoughts — what’s left of them — drift back to his study, the books and quill and notes abandoned for the evening; they will be there in the morning. Yes, he thinks as he yawns, it would have been a good idea to bring the quill.

…

About a quarter of an hour passes when the chair drops from its hold, startling the trio. Mmm, Caleb thinks, they could’ve gone a little longer. 

[dent-de-leon]

And Essek was crying over Molly even *before* the body was resurrected. "It's just not fair" etc

yeSS that moment is just!! so good! And says so much about his character arc--

I've said this before, but what really gets me is that you can pinpoint the exact moment when Essek's heart starts to ache for Molly. The moment Essek "gets up in a huff"? When he storms off because he just can't fight back the tears any longer? It's right after he sees Caleb say his heartbroken goodbye to Mollymauk--finally returns that forehead kiss.

It's seeing that all too familiar sign of Caleb's love that makes Essek really feel for Mollymauk, makes him break down and shed tears for this person he's never even met. But he knew that Caleb loved him--that all of the Mighty Nein did--and just that was enough.

Before the resurrection ritual began, Essek isn't just skeptical. He's scared. "Are you sure this is even wise to attempt?" The rest of them are alive, and he just can't comprehend why Caleb would dare risk that for someone bound to Lucien's fate. And yet, after seeing the Nein express their love for this stranger again and again, seeing Caleb look actually defeated for the very first time? It shakes something in him.

There's something to Essek asking, "Caleb Widogast, have you ever accepted defeat?" The way Caleb admits so hopelessly, "Maybe today. For the first time." That makes me wonder if...Essek didn't briefly consider alternative ways to bring Mollymauk back. For a moment, I wonder if his thoughts even flitted back to that time travel circle in Aeor. I think losing Mollymauk for good would have made that possibility all the more tempting for Caleb.

Essek insisting it's just not fair? Looking at Caleb and asking him if he was truly giving up--if that's something he's even capable of? It just...makes me wonder. If the Divine Intervention never saved Tealeaf, if Essek had to just watch Caleb mourn and grieve and admit defeat? I think he was really considering for a moment if there were other means of reaching Molly's soul. If there was still some way to reunite Caleb and the rest of the Nein with this person they so dearly loved.

Also, if I recall correctly--when the Nein were working out the logistics of some teleportation spells in the reunion, Kingsley kept suggesting they give Essek a call. It would be just so fun to see them interact is what I'm saying--

[randoimago]

This is agoraphobia Anon from a decent chunk of time ago, idk if you remember. Life has its ups and downs but I think I’m doing a lot better! In celebration of the can I have some headcannons for Molly, Caleb, Yasha and Jester reacting to the reader taking them somewhere on a date that involves navigating crowds? Reader is still nervous obviously but makes it through without panicking.

Agoraphobic S/O Taking Them on Date

Fandom: Critical Role

Character(s): Caleb Widogast, Jester Lavorre, Mollymauk Tealeaf, Yasha Nydoorin

Type of Request: Headcanons

Note(s): I do remember! I'm glad you're doing better!! Life is wild and it's nice to have a bit of respite from it. So I hope you enjoy these headcanons!!

Caleb

You told him you wanted to take him on a date and he agreed. He noticed you looked excited, yet nervous, but he didn't say anything as he trusted you and didn't want you to be more nervous.

When you began leading him into busier streets while holding his hand, he stayed silent. He wanted to speak up and make sure you're alright, but you looked determined. He didn't want you to lose your nerve when you're doing so well.

Caleb's face lit up when you took him to a bookstore that just opened. It wasn't the most crowded, but there were still a good bit of people wanting to see the newly-opened establishment. He noticed you seeming more nervous with all the people around and he gave your conjoined hands a light squeeze.

"Thank you for this," he'd say as he moves you to a section of the bookstore that is just the two of you. Despite the nerves, you manage a smile and he gave a bright one back. The idea that you did all of this for him. That you faced your fear for him. When you both are back in privacy, he'll happily tell you how much he loves you.

Jester

Jester had grabbed a newspaper for fun and to draw dicks and circle people's names that she thought are silly. She let out a pleased gasp as she read a part of it. "There's a new art museum opening today!"

She was definitely going to visit and promised she'd tell you all about it so you could experience it too in a different way. Instead you looked at her with a nervous smile stating, "Let's go."

Jester constantly peeked over at your expression as she swung your joined hands while you two walked to where the museum is. She filled the air with excited chattering in hopes the noise could help you focus on her and not the fact that you're outside and heading to a place that's likely to be really crowded.

"You know, we can just stay home and I can paint you some pretty pictures," she pipes up as she doesn't want you forcing yourself. But you just look at her without fear in your eyes. Nerves yes, but not an ounce of fear. "I want to do this with you." The brightest smile just grows on her lips as she goes to hug you.

Molly

He continues to stare at you as you hold his hand and walk with him somewhere. You wanted to take him out and didn't tell him where. Molly is definitely curious, but he also is staring to see how you're fairing considering your phobia.

"Nice day out," he'd say as if he actually cared about the weather. He doesn't, but it does cause your focus to shift slightly and he can see the nerves but you give a smile as you state that the weather is perfect for whatever you have planned.

Molly hears the excited chattering and all the different noises before he sees what your plans are. You bring him to a stop and give him a small, "Ta da." and he looks behind you with some surprise as it looks like a carnival came to town.

"Carnivals are kind of overrated," he jokes but it is his way of giving you an out if you need to walk away. This looks like a lot, but you just continue giving him a determined look. Nerves are still on your face, but it's evident you want to do this. He gives a lazy smile at that, "Lead the way, love."

Yasha

You're on a walk with her, taking her to some date you had prepared. She is happy that you're taking her out, but also sending glares to anyone that gets too close. Yasha sees you're having a good day and doesn't want some rando ruining that.

Yasha lets out a small gasp as you take her to a flower shop that has newly opened. There's so many different colors and plants and she immediately wants to take a piece of each for her book.

"There's going to be a lot of people," she states when she focuses back to you. You just give a nervous smile and shake your head. "I can't back out of a date." Yasha gives a smile as she moves to kiss your forehead.

"I love you," she tells you as she holds your hand and leads you inside the crowded flower shop. You can bet she's looking for a lovely bouquet to give you.

[widodiangelo]

i like to think that caleb really, really loves to just rant and info dump whenever he learns a new spell/magic thing, but he feels embarrassed + self conscious about that need and so he bottles it up but one day molly notices. and once he gets him to spit it out he asks him to tell him all about all the cool stuff he learned and caleb can’t BELIEVE he’s really asking but slowly he does. because every time he comes back from a library or book expedition molly comes running to his room or his seat at the tavern and asks him to tell him everything. and molly can see it makes caleb SO HAPPY and so he keeps doing it.

and molly doesn’t really understand a lot of it, he’s not the biggest magic user, but he loves hearing caleb get excited about it so he asks every time. and he listens. and the mighty nein start to notice.

and so after molly dies, beau starts asking. and then nott. and then jester. until he feels comfortable enough to go to any of them to tell them about this “really cool thing i learned about the physics of how gravitational force effects magic in certain ways and it’s so wild guys you have no idea !!” and he just lights up. every time. and he still misses when it was just him and molly. but molly always did leave every place better than he found it. including the m9.

[villainihavedonethymotheronao3]

the zwiefacher lowdown on the mighty nein

molly– has taken some levels in druid. lost an arm, intentionally didn’t grow it back. got a vine arm. having freaky flesh city dreams? keeps seeing things he’s not sure are there. almost certain he’s being followed. started henna dying his hair. 

yasha– died. came back. confronted evil ex-boss. died and came back again. a little undead and having a major crisis of conscience. still really easily mindcontrolled, keeps trying to convince her friends to kill her about it. still loves the stormlord but might have accidentally rediscovered pre-calamity artifacts to old god of death in bazzoxan and taken a level in paladin of that. 

fjord– definitely did let the evil snake out. immediately regretted it. made a deal with zehir to get him back in and is now looking for a way out of that one. has never met avantika and doesn’t know that she’s his worst enemy (hates him for beating her to the punch on snake god freeing). currently experimenting with some materials a member of the children of malice gave him, might be trying to shoot the moon with betrayer gods? despite all of this, taking lessons in judginess from cad.

beau– skipped out on dairon early on and went without training for a long time, until yudala fon finally pinned her down and went “hey what the fuck?” lose a gnc mentor gain a gnc mentor. she and molly keep doing drugs together  and having a bad time; it’s becoming a little concerning, not nott level concerning but cad and fjord are Keeping An Eye On It. also, as the only member to be a technical empire citizen, is facing some trouble for xhorhas reasons (it’s fine, she has it under control).

nott– in the absence of caleb, has pack-bonded aggressively with jester. Also has very few leads on how to get back into her body. although she’s still aggressively pursuing it (including opening herself up to the traveler), the very real possibility of failure means she’s starting to resign herself to aspects of goblin life. resignation in this case does involve some increased alcoholism. thief subclass, might multiclass into artificer. 

jester– is jester! however, recent events, specifically the traveler admitting that he can’t help nott, have caused her to have a tiny crisis of faith. also, she learned that she got her dad sent to jail, which isn’t helping. 

cad– they made it to the cinderrest sanctum so he’s one step closer to finding his family, but he’s very worried about these people. 

[simplysparrow14]

I’d love to hear about all your writing, but you know me: the one titled “We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream” immediately piqued interest 👀

ahhh Thank You!!

This fic is mainly inspired by Snow White, more importantly, just the themes of Snow White in general. The notion of friendship and friend-groups, dreaming of love, finding a home that accepts you as you are, regardless of circumstance just really spoke to me.

The entire premise is that Caleb, after years of abuse from Trent in the Soltryce academy, finally gets the courage to escape. He leaves behind Astrid and Eadwulf in his desperate flight and traverses Wildmount, never stopping because of the fear that Trent and the rest of Academy are hot on his trail. He tries his best to steer clear of towns and large cities, and in the process becomes a street-rat, scrounging for food in trash bins and waste disposal carts, even going so far as to threaten normal, unwilling people on the roads, demanding their food (he still regrets the one couple he robbed on the highways; it had been snowing and so very cold, and Caleb had been so hungry. They looked rich. They sounded of money. Calling forth his magic, he threatened the wife with fire. The husband had been fast, and in his fear, Caleb burned him. He ran into the night with their wallet, the cries of anguish still in his ears, and he's sorry, so very sorry...)

In the daylight, Caleb is nothing more than a wandering miscreant, But at night, he is a dutiful student, practicing his charms and cantrips. It puts him at ease knowing that, at the end of the day, after his escape, he still has something to call his own.

Eventualy, Caleb comes across The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival. In this version, the entire M9 are circus performs (Yasha as a strongman, Jester as a general clown/magicians assistant, Veth and Beau as part of a 2-person acrobat show, Fjord as a swordsmaster.) In this version, Caleb is brought into the group by Molly (insert Muppet charismas carol "Who did NOT die") to be the circus' newest magician. It does take a few weeks for Caleb to be comfortable with everyone but the days that follow are some of the warmest and happiest that he's had in a long, long time.

Caleb is instantly loved by the small children (and by jester) who adores his intricate magic. He makes glowing animals and trinkets out of thin air and during one particularly rowdy show, he turns his magic toward Jester, creating for her the pink horses and lollipops she loves dearly. Jester is instantly smitten with him, charmed by his quiet stance, his intense eyes. He's nothing like the magicians who called the circus home. He's nothing like her, who delights in tricks but scoffs at gifting (she's still learning). Each piece of magic that he crafts for the children is special and unique, thoughtful in a way that none of the other's had been before.

Admittedly, Caleb also becomes smitten with Jester. In the after hours of the shows, she's the first to greet him in his rooms. She sits with him, marveling at the amount of books and tomes he's managed to fit within the small space. At every opportunity, she's smiling at him, and the way his heart flutters at the sight is nothing short of electric. He likes everything about her, including her super scuffy slightly-dead looking ferret who somehow survives She's nothing like Astrid and certainly nothing like the other people he's had clandesdine crushes on. She's a dream made real to him and he's more than willing to waste his magic on simple circus tricks if it means

Eventually, things between Jester and Caleb start happening. She and Caleb start preforming acts together (think a very Zendeya/Zack Efron "Rewrite the Stars" moment) delighting the crowd with their grand shows. Caleb, for the first time in his life, feels appreciated and loved, and most of all safe.

However, all of it comes crashing down when Astrid and Eadwulf arrive one day, along with Trent, who's disguised himself as a simple old man. Releaved that his is alive, Astrid and Eadwulf beg him to return, that Trent, in the event of Caleb's escape, has changed his ways. However, when the two are far from ear-shot, Trent returns to his absuive and manipulative ways. He's been at the circus before, watching Caleb from a distace, and has noticed how he looks at the pretty little tieflight clown.

With whisperd words, Trent preforms the same spell that he used on Caleb to destroyed his parents, twisting his memories. Trent then gives Caleb a peice of food (I cant decide on either a powerderd donut or a cupcake) to give to Jester. As Jester is about eat the food, Caleb snaps out of it just in time to wresle Jester for it, and in his haste to get it away from her, Caleb takes the plunge and eats it. The poison within the food actives and Caleb falls into a death like sleep.

That's about as far as I got with the outline. Obviously it'll end with a Trent vs M9 fight, Jester kissing Caleb awake and a happy, perfect ending.