#clever Brea

[chainsxwsmile-personal]

Brea really took One Look at the Skeksis and decided Something Is Not Right and I find that hilarious

‘Clever Brea’ is right

(Original comic by middlefish)

[annithra]

♡ Princess Brea and an Unamoth.

[tdc-incorrect-quotes]

Gurjin: So is this thing between Rian and Deet supposed to be a secret?

Brea: Hardly. The only people who don’t know Rian loves Deet are Rian and Deet.

[the-experimental-writer]

Holding a Princess hostage

(We see the Castle of the Crystal for a moment, we then cut to the back of skekOk) skekOk: So, Princess Brea...I have you in my clutches, to have my way with you...the way I want to! (The camera pans to show a helpless Brea before him) Brea: No, no please, leave me alone! skekOk: No, you are mine! (Out of the blue, Kylan, accompanied by Naia and Amri, enters the scene, holding a sword) Kylan: Not so fast, Scroll-Keeper! skekOk: The son of Mera! Kylan: That’s right, I’m here to save my girlfriend! (Turns to the captured Brea) Hi, honey! skekOk: Now, you are going to die. (skekOk claws Kylan, causing him to faint) Naia: Hey, what’d you do to my friend? skekOk: The same thing I’m about to do to you, Drenchen! (He knocks her out before turning to Amri) And you too! (As the Skeksis managed to defeat the invading Gelfling, he turns back to Brea) skekOk: So, Princess Brea...at last we are alone. Brea: (Pants desperately) I hate you, I hate you, leave me alone! Yet...I find you strangely attractive. skekOk: Of course you do! Vapran Princesses are often attracted to knowledge and power, and I have both and you know it!  Brea: Oh leave me alone. skekOk: No, kiss me! Brea: No, no! skekOk: Yes! Brea: No! (He rushes to Brea and the two struggle for a brief moment before the Princess calms down) Brea: Your glasses are so big... (The two embrace and kiss....the scene then fades to the Castle library where we see skekOk playing with a figure of himself and Brea) skekEkt: (Suddenly bursting through the door) Scroll-Keeper! skekOk: (Quickly grabbing all his toys and hiding them in his claws) WHAT?! skekEkt: We gotta attend to the Crystal Chamber! skekOk: Knock on my door, knock next time! skekEkt: Alright, Scroll-Keeper! skekOk:...Did you see anything? skekEkt: No, Scroll-Keeper, I didn’t see you playing with your dolls again! skekOk: Good!

[sifanjewel]

I imagine Brea was the type of baby that would try to pick up a book while standing on it and cry because it was ‘stuck’ 

[fenth-eiria]

@vivigthefizzgig

Here’s an idea for you. Frozen 2 Au.

Deet and Brea are sisters in this Au. Deet is Anna, Brea is Elsa, Hup is Olaf, Baffi is Sven and Rian is Kristoff.

[theflashesoflove]

obstacle II

Larissa Weems x f!reader (nsfw) – series

part I :: part II :: part lll :: ao3

a/n: thank you to everyone who showed me some love for the first chapter!! i am very very smitten (and quite nervous). let's see how all of this goes from larissa's point of view. there are some inconsistencies with canon events (not to mention that larissa is alive, which she very much is in canon as well, we all know that)

warnings/tags: unhealthy online relationship, dom!larissa x sub!reader dynamics, sexting, implied masturbation, angst, insecurity, guilt – you get the vibes

chapter word count: 3.7k

Part II: she puts the weights in my heart

It was a blissful evening, but Larissa’s inner state was nowhere near bliss. Nevermore was finally back on track after the horrible Hyde situation, yet Larissa lagged behind in adjusting to the new reality. It wouldn’t be this hard if she didn’t spend two weeks in hospital after being poisoned by Laurel Gates – she never went on vacation, she never took additional days off, and being away from her principal duties certainly slowed her down. Especially when she absolutely hated being patronised by doctors and nurses who didn’t want to discharge her from hospital no matter how many times she snarled and threw tantrums about how extremely important it was for her to get back to work. Even after finally nagging her way out earlier than a proper healing process required, Larissa still couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. It felt as though all of her efforts had reset to zero and she had to start everything all over again – negotiate with the new Mayor, establish a reverent relationship with the normie population and mitigate the consequences of Hyde attack among students. Her mind was still weak after she was nearly lying on her deathbed, her heart was still heavy knowing what her students had been through. The only thing that stayed the same even after the incident was her relationship with you, and she would hate to admit that it only added to her problems. She was constantly followed by guilt, all-consuming and unmerciful. 

Larissa didn’t like to feel like a bad person. Life had taught her that if she wanted to achieve something, being her charming and ambitious self wasn’t enough – she had to be clever and sly, sometimes even manipulative and ruthless. She had good intentions, but the only language the world around her could understand was a language of fierceness. Larissa could always come up with an excuse for her problematic actions when it came to protecting the school, but she could never come up with an excuse for being dishonest towards you. 

Some of the students gathered in the yard after the classes were over, sitting in small groups and enjoying one of the last warm days of September. Larissa wished to return to her school days and be as carefree as they were in that moment, laughing and gossiping and perhaps worrying about their first love. A small smile crawled on her face as she looked out of the window – students seemed to adjust after what had happened more successfully than their Principal did, but this fact made Larissa hopeful that she would catch on soon. One detail, however, was still out of place. A tormenting reminder of Hyde attack, the destroyed tower that was off limits for students and hurt the Principal’s eyes like a grain of sand. Perhaps the upcoming renovation could finally calm her heart. She stepped away from the window to return to her chair and looked at the clock – her last meeting of the day was supposed to start five minutes ago. As soon as she decided to check if there were any new messages from you and reached out for her phone, she heard a confident knock on her door. Larissa moved her chair closer to the table and opened her laptop while inviting whoever was waiting for her response with a light “Come in!”. Deep down Larissa was glad that the architect got there a little late, she really needed those extra five minutes of solitude to catch a breath after a rather tense meeting with the new Mayor. 

To catch a breath, that was immediately stolen away from her when you walked in. 

At first, Larissa thought she was hallucinating. Her mind was undoubtedly playing games with her, she just had to blink the mirage away. But you were still there even after the woman closed and opened her eyes a few times, and your lovely voice was like a slap on her face – it’s real, it’s real, you are real and you are here.

“Terribly sorry I’m late. I had to stop for petrol,” you murmured, closing the door behind you. 

Larissa couldn’t move. You never told her that you were an architect, you never told her what your new project was about, you never told her that you knew anything about reconstruction. You just entered her office like a deadly storm, and Larissa had to act professional somehow. It felt as though she was doused with ice cold water, as though she was blinded and deafened, as though she fell down in her sleep and woke up in cold sweat. She couldn’t feel her own breathing, she wasn’t aware of her surroundings anymore. However what felt like an eternity of catatonia lasted only for a split second, and Larissa’s stupor was followed by a sheer panic. You swiftly approached her desk and extended your hand, introducing yourself, and suddenly Larissa was very aware of it all – of how rapidly her heart was beating, of how hot her cheeks grew, of how painfully her stomach flipped when she saw your oblivious smile and felt the softness of your hand as she met it with her own, moving on autopilot. All the formal interactions she practised every day became entirely foreign concepts to her, and she kept rudely staring at you, at a loss for words.

The circle of lies and secrets she had created backfired on her with its full force, leaving her trapped with you in the same room. When you entered Larissa’s office, she already knew what your name was. When you shook her hand, she already knew what that hand did just a couple of nights before, teasing your body on camera for her. When you spoke, she already knew how that voice sounded when you were on edge. She already knew your every curve, your dirty fantasies and what you were capable of for her – no, for Lydia. Every little detail of you was shared with non-existent Lydia, but it was Larissa who always was on the receiving end. Larissa knew, Larissa knew everything, she wasn’t supposed to be the one who knew it, but she couldn’t run away from it.

You pursed your lips and shyly touched the backrest of a chair that stood in front of Larissa’s desk, and it alerted the woman that she still didn’t invite you to sit down. “Ah, yes, yes, please, take a seat. I am sorry, it’s been a rough day,” she uttered, looking around her desk in search of something to hold on to. She found a pen and clutched it in her hand as she listened to the rustle of you pulling out the chair and sitting across from her. 

“It’s alright, I won’t keep you long. For the first meeting at least,” you gave her a small smile, and Larissa’s whole being buzzed from anxiety, her nerves completely destroying her professional composure. “Our manager has already drawn up a contract, I just need you to read through it, check if everything’s right, and sign it. In two copies,” you reached in your bag and pulled out a thin folder with documents, “one stays with you, one stays with me.” You handed Larissa the papers and she immediately busied herself reading through them to avoid making eye contact with you. 

Words seemed to melt together, and Larissa couldn’t focus on the content of the contract for the life of her. She knew that you were patiently watching her, presumably seeing her struggle to read a few pages. Her mind drifted away once again, agitated that at any moment you could recognise in her someone who sent you dirty messages and kept you in the dark about her real personality. Larissa scanned through the contract, not paying attention to the formalities, because her brain was occupied with calming her heart down. You couldn’t possibly know that Larissa was Lydia, or the other way around, you couldn’t possibly recognise her, because she never sent you pictures of her face. The only bits she’d shared were her legs and her- her hands… Could you recognise her hands? Her manicure? Larissa’s mind raced as she hesitated for a second before taking a look at you to see you scrolling through your phone. She carefully dropped the pen and brought her hands on her lap to shift her nail colour to something, anything else. A second later she grabbed the pen again and saw that her nails got a different shape and were painted silver. It wasn’t a bad choice, Larissa thought, but it was a very unusual one. And you wouldn’t even notice the insignificant change, would you? She felt ridiculous for caring about such a small detail, but it calmed her nerves a tiniest bit nonetheless. 

Larissa looked through the contract again, and she was glad that she found it in her to do so, because she noticed a mistake, “It doesn’t say anything about the installation of a new heating system,” she noted, looking up at you. 

You put your phone away and frowned, “Did you mention it while talking to our manager?”

“I… I suppose I forgot. Can we add it to the list though? The tower was the only part of Nevermore that never got decent heating, and we always had to cancel lessons in the observatory during cold seasons.” Larissa internally winced at how unusually weak her voice sounded.

“Of course. I will notify our manager and bring you a new contract. It’s a good thing you noticed, usually clients don’t pay much attention,” you said lightly. 

“I hope it won’t be a bother, it’s easy to forget things while looking after hundreds of teenagers at once,” Larissa handed you the papers back.

“No, no, it’s alright. I must admit, I never realised that being a principal might be this stressful. Not saying that it’s easy, but… just never really thought about it.” You gave Larissa an awkward smile. It was precious to her. “I was planning on seeing the tower and taking a few pictures. And maybe there will be something else you remember about?”

“Oh, right, right. I’ll lead the way.” Larissa stood up, nervously smoothing the fabric of her skirt. 

The meeting proceeded in the school yard, Larissa watched as you carefully observed the tower ruins and took pictures from every possible angle. Ironically, Larissa was glad that she finally wasn’t the centre of your attention.

“The top part is completely destroyed,” you mumbled to yourself softly, craning your neck to look up at the damage that was done to the part of the building, “I cannot even imagine what could have caused it, especially in a school. It couldn’t have been students, could it?” You turned to look at Larissa who stood at a discreet distance. 

“Well, I suppose it could. But it wasn’t their fault. It’s… hard to explain.” Larissa was surprised to see that you probably didn’t know what exactly was happening at Nevermore just a few months ago. After a small pause, she asked, “Is it necessary to completely take down what’s left?”

“If you’d prefer to leave the remaining parts, I can work around it. We’ll just have to reconstruct the top…” you were focused on the ruins and Larissa couldn’t help but think how enticing you looked while doing your job. Now that the two of you were outside it was much easier to breathe, and Larissa could freely admire your form – not that she didn’t have enough opportunities to admire it before. Oh, and the way your beauty was even more outstanding in real life. You were dressed for work, and for Larissa, a woman who deeply valued her appearance in the office, it was the most delightful, the most attractive sight to see. Your little smiles were much brighter in person, your hair looked soft and your shape was unsurprisingly smaller compared to Larissa’s. It made her want to cover you with her body and hide you in her arms. Tearing away from inappropriate thoughts, she internally cursed herself and tried to pay attention to your words. “It seems like a pretty solid construction, It could have stood for centuries,” you mused, touching one of the old mossy bricks. “But we’ll find the materials to blend in beautifully,” stepping away from the tower wall, you approached Larissa. “I’ll have the first renders ready for our next meeting and we can discuss anything you would like to add or get rid of.”

“Very well,” Larissa breathed out, not expecting you to come this close to her. In fact, she was only being dramatic – you maintained a professional distance. “I… I look forward to it,” she forced a smile that barely touched her lips.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

Once you left, Larissa felt anxious all over again. She realised it was only a matter of time before you wrote to Lydia, and how could she continue all of this, knowing full well that she would have to see you every week and work with you on the renovation? How could she pretend to be just a mere stranger, a put-together principal and continue to secretly order you around, to send you filthy messages and not feel like shit about it? Guilt gnawed at her, it made her nervously pace her office, completely unable to finish her work for the day. Perhaps her lies had to come to a halt, and that meeting just marked the beginning of the end. 

Larissa never thought that the first conversation she’d shared with you would lead her into this kind of relationship. She never tried shopping for antiques online, she didn't even bother to properly fill out her profile information on the reselling site – she just wanted a peculiar-looking record player, but you forgot to take the advertisement down after selling it. It was a pity, she really liked that old little thing, but in the end she was blessed – or rather cursed – with something much more interesting. Next thing Larissa knew, both of you engaged in discussing music and, gradually, you started sharing some innocent facts about your life. Larissa thought it was fun – she hadn't had a conversation about something not related to her job in ages. Then, you started texting her more frequently and Larissa couldn’t help but tease you for it. You seemed to like her teasing tone and started playing along. It made her more confident and bolder with her words – she would never admit it, but sometimes she blushed at her own messages; it wasn’t because she was shy, it was because of the image in her head, the fantasy of having you just the way Larissa wanted. What was worse, she smiled like she was young and carefree again whenever she got your response. With you she felt more at ease exploring this passionate and provoking side of her, feeling a tad smug when you reacted to her ambiguous messages in the most adorable way. It aroused a thrill within her, a deep interest and longing for more. 

However she was awfully scared of bringing this into real life, knowing that she had accidentally set the bar too high, and that you would surely be disappointed to learn that behind those messages was a woman who was overconsumed with her work and actually quite dull as a person – that was what Larissa thought of herself. After a week of your rapidly developing relationship, you texted her, i just realised i never got your name! – and Larissa didn’t know why she lied. It was a good idea at the time, she assumed that sooner or later you would become bored even of this bolder version of her, and giving you her actual name wouldn’t change anything. To her surprise and secret delight, it wasn’t the case. You accepted everything she offered you and didn’t ask uncomfortable questions. Just once, though, you suggested meeting somewhere for dinner, and Larissa politely refused, saying that she wouldn’t have the time for it in the foreseeable future. It wasn’t entirely a lie, but Larissa knew that if she wasn’t such a coward, she would have found all the time in the world to see you. 

Being in love was unhealthy for Larissa. It was painful and distracting from her work. It made her dizzy and nauseous, certain that the object of her infatuation would never reciprocate her feelings. It happened once, twice, it happened enough times to make her hopeless and stern – her heart couldn’t take it anymore. Deep down she always craved intimacy and touch, but even occasional one-night stands made her stumble and sense an unpleasant cramp in her stomach once they were over. Lydia was a clever barrier that, Larissa hoped, would catch her when she would fall again. She wasn’t getting too close, she didn’t allow herself to get attached, because Larissa’s heart was shielded by a mysterious and more confident image of a different woman. She was foolish thinking that this could ever work.

The messages you sent her had become a part of Larissa’s daily routine, and initially innocent and friendly conversations inevitably escalated into sexting. On some days, both of you exchanged only text messages, but more often you sent her nudes which made Larissa immensely aroused. Sometimes she would sit in her office, curtains drawn and door locked, basking in the warmth of the fireplace, drinking wine and waiting for you to finish recording your video. She’d watch you shaking and squirming and accidentally moaning Lydia’s name instead of the mistress title. It didn’t happen often, but when it did… Oh, how she wished to be Lydia. To be the woman you were so close to, whom you trusted with everything, whom you cared for. How she wished that she could give you what your kind soul deserved – honesty. A minor lie about her name evolved into an entire net of secrets. Larissa embellished her image, drifting away from reality. She gave all the credit to Lydia, who was fun and enticing, who deserved to be loved and wasn’t afraid of her fantasies – in Larissa's head Lydia was everything that she wasn’t. In Larissa's head her real self was the one who was only rejected and forgotten, whose beauty wilted years ago and whose charm was only suitable for overpowering her business associates. She didn’t even give herself a chance to be proven otherwise. 

The darkness finally settled around Nevermore, cold air whistling through the windows all over the dim empty halls of the school. Students were back to their dorms and Larissa observed the empty yard, tense and restless. She tried to breathe deeply – it didn’t help. Just as she’d expected, you sent her a picture a couple of hours after the meeting. You were laying on your side in pretty light pink lingerie, inviting and painfully lovely, what can i do for you tonight, mistress? 

Normally, Larissa would open the messenger and tell you all the things she wanted to do with you. She would order you to be a good girl for her and send her a video of you touching yourself – making it all nice and pretty, exposing your flushed skin and releasing heavenly sounds. She would bring herself to the edge, groaning under her breath and revelling in the power she had over you. Then, she would praise you and tease you further, just to bring you the lightest mood for the night. Maybe she would even send you a picture in return, but it was a rare occasion, when Larissa was too tipsy to overthink it. This time she couldn’t do anything. She didn’t open the messenger – she looked through the notification from her lock screen – she didn’t tell you how much she wanted to see you pleasuring yourself for her. She chose to ignore you. And it made her feel absolutely horrible for the rest of the night. There were dozens of unanswered emails on her work laptop, and after it became unbearable to be alone with her feelings, she busied herself with answering them in a rather harsh tone, venting her spleen at whoever needed something from her. Her head ached. Her heart squeezed inside her chest. She was angry at herself, fearful and bursting with guilt from knowing that her little game had to come to an end and there was no place for Lydia anymore. From knowing that it was going to hurt you. 

A few hours later she received a new message from you, are you still at work?

She could sense your worried tone through her screen. It wasn’t usual for Larissa to leave your messages unanswered until morning. Only once, when she was in hospital, was it taking her too long to reply. She was physically unable to respond to your messages, though she explained it to you in advance, saying that she got terribly ill, but her recovery went smoothly. It left no room for unneeded concern on your part, you just hoped that Lydia would be fine.

This time, however, there was no adequate explanation. Larissa still didn’t answer. She tried to go to sleep at her usual time but ended up staring in the darkness, guilty, awfully guilty. If her exhaustion hadn’t finally forced her to fall asleep, she would have seen your message in the dead of night, lydia, is everything alright? – you couldn’t sleep again, but this time Larissa was the one to blame. 

She saw your message in the morning but didn’t reply. Her heart was heavy the whole day, and she drowned out the pain with more work; insufferable meetings, Wednesday’s outbursts and ignorant parents. Larissa would never say that she hated her job no matter how difficult it was – she didn’t tire easily, but her soul was worn out. That was why she never let herself be swallowed by feelings that were even remotely close to those of romantic love and affection before. That was why making an exception for you was a terrible mistake. She received a few more messages from you during the day and hid her phone in the desk drawer to avoid seeing them. Larissa had always known that sooner or later Lydia would have to part ways with you – she couldn’t keep you in the dark forever. It was a necessary sacrifice for her own peace of mind, and the two of you got business to do, after all. 

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

💌: @scream-queenlover @kimiinou @gwendolinechristieiscute @weemssapphic @imprincipalweemspet @gwenslucifer @im-a-carnivorous-plant @evanivox @ctrlamira

(tell me if you want to be added to the taglist <3)

[mythicalgeek]

The Dark Crystal Age Of Resistance is a tragically underrated work of art.

If your a fan of fantasy like Lord of the rings, Harry Potter and Star Wars please give The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance a watch.

Its a prequel series to the 80s movie and it's one of the best fantasy shows in recent years and goes back to classic fairytales and mythical storytelling.

Everything is mostly done with practical effects and only uses CGI where it's really necessary. The show also brings back puppetry and even though none of the character's are humans there's more humanity in this show than most media we get today.

The world of thra is a magical and strange place that you find yourself immersed in, with all the creatures and beuaty of the natural world at full display you find yourself encanted by it.

The gelfings are really adorable and you can't help but care about them, the main three protagonists have well flushed out personalities and each one has a interesting journey they go on that lead them to start the resistance and the quest to save there world.

The Skekies are really creepy and make for some pretty great villains. There motivation and interactions are giving just as much time as the heros, they rule thra with cruelty and manipulation, stealing the live force of the planet and the then the gelfing. There some of the most terrifying villains we've gottan in the last few years and I gotta say, I was absolutely horrifying by them.

This show does a lot of things right and one of them is how it writes the female characters. Deet and Brea (the two female leads) are very feminine heroines who are kind, empathetic, intuitive, clever and strong without it being showed in our faeces. Even when the female characters are warriors or soldiers there femininity is not devalued or see as a weakness. We also have more complex characters like Seledon and the gelfing leaders (who are all female) and it's just so nice to have a fantasy show that handels the female reputation so beautifully.

At the same time the male character's are also written with the same amount of care and respect, for example Rian (the main male lead) is a soldier who after finding out the truth about the skekies, is faced with the hard challenge of spreading the truth while dealing with loss and trauma, we see plenty of moments where his aloud to be vulnerable and we see him grow into a strong leader for the resistance.

We also have Hup who even though he is a side character, is a lovable podling who steals every sence he's in. He dreams of becoming a hero and has such a heartwarming friendship with Deet it's hard not to love him and want more of him.

All the relationships between the gelfing feel so intimate and pure, wheater there familial, platonic or romantic the show gives us so many beautifully written relationship and dynamics, that add to the emotional core of the story.

There's also some political drama with the gelfling clans and the skekies as they try to hold on to there power, it's done in a way that both kid's and adults can follow.

The action is surprisingly good for show with only puppets, we have sowrd fights, flying gelfings dropping booms, wild carriage rides and it's really exciting and done well.

There is only 1 season unfortunately but it's still worth the watch, I do have to warn everyone that there is a lot of scary and truely horrifying moments so if your sensitive maybe give this a pass, but there's a balance between the dark and whimsical and there's so many funny and sweet moment's that allow you two catch your breath.

This series is a hidden gem in the world of fantasy and that's a dame shame because it is everything you could whant from a epic fantasy story that we just dont see a lot of anymore.

I like shows like The Witcher and Rings of power but none of those shows have captured my imagination or sense of wonder like the dark crystal aor did. I have so much love for this beautiful, weird, creepy, wonderful, magical puppet show and I wish it got more recognition for the work of art it truly is.

The Dark Crystal Age Of Resistance is pure magic and deserve so much more attention. It's on Netflix so check it out if your looking for some good fantasy.

[phantomrose96]

Chrissy, I'm rereading AboT while I wait for s3 to be fully released and I just realized how fucking clever you are wrt both Mob's barrier and also Reigen being able to get past it. Namely with a very specific chunk in ch7 where Mogami susses out Reigen not being psychic by lying to him about his aura exploding other auras. I DMed my friend and yelled at them about this so I wanted to congratulate you in person: fucking aces, real smart, I'm mad I missed it the first time around

(ABoT)

Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding

We're in a world with unfathomably powerful psychic children. But with belief as the core driving factor of these powers, it sure gives liars an edge. Reigen and Mogami both.

Or better said, it sure gives a lot of power to whoever Mob trusts, since their words shape the reality of what's at play. So if Reigen and Mogami are both liars to Mob, then I'd say that's a Breach. I'd say that's a Breach Of. I'd say it 's a Brea ch of Tru

[felassan]

Dragon Age: Absolution

some random bits and pieces on Episode 1. under a cut due to length

first thoughts post on this Episode

From the designs of buildings and so on in the Nevarran city, it feels like the artists referenced the existing images of buildings etc from Nevarra, such as the sketches in World of Thedas. ^^ I wondered if the city was Nevarra City, and the water the Minanter. Or is it Cumberland, on the Waking Sea?

^ Neb's animated corpse first appears during Tassia's segment in the opening theme, highlighted in gold, and smaller and slighter of stature than the other soldiers

In the opening theme, Miriam throws knives to put out candles, which reminds me of using water arrows to extinguish torches in the old school Thief games :)

^ This is clever stylistically, both sides of Miriam's face are red - one side with the mark of House Ammosine (in red rather than its usual black due to the opening theme's palette), one side red with blood. It's the same thing, really :(

I know it's because Dolph stinky, but it was clever to draw attention to Miriam's scarf by having her touch it, before having Hira come in and mention it and communicate that it has meaning to Miriam

Hira has the pouch she later puts the Circulum in when she steals it at the start of the show. a lil nice touch, sometimes in shows like these characters seem to manifest bags/pouches out of thin air when the plot needs them to have one. like, nice consistency

Miriam jumps right in front of Hira in the warehouse fight ;;

When Fairbanks and Hira brace for combat, weapons drawn, Roland simply leans casually against a wall. he Knows Miriam's got this and there's no point in him drawing his sword

I wondered if Dolph and Hasem were brothers, with several of their grown children being in the gang

When Qwydion is introduced she's called a "rebel mage". did that mean apostate, mage who was in a Circle and rebelled and fought in the mage-tempalr war, or Vashoth mage?

When Hira says "I think you might need this mission as much as I do" she touches her necklace, foreshadowing its (or rather, what it represents) importance in why she needs this mission. ofc as we later learn its a symbol of her family, who were killed by Venatori, and that's why she wants to steal the artifact, in order to destroy Tevinter

^ in the transition to their journey, I thought the corvid flying was a nice touch, like, representing how, like Spymaster Leliana sending forth her ravens from Skyhold, the Inquisition have dispatched the party and so off they fly. or more literally conveying contact between the party and the Inquisition back at Skyhold. which makes sense, this show is like a look at a war table mission

hhh Lacklon seems a bit grumpy when he looks up at the branch Qwydion moves aside in order to pass, like he's thinking about how he's v smoll in comparison

the environments they travelled through were pretty! it made me think about exploring environments in DA:D. blending the layer with the Thedas map so we could see place names of areas they probably travelled through like Trevis, the Silent Plains and Caimen Brea was cool

^ what is the structure here on the left? assuming they're in the Silent Plains here, a ruined part of the Imperial Highway, one of those signs of a city or settlement that once was on the Silent Plains and was destroyed before the First Blight, or perhaps the remains of somewhere dwarven on the surface that was like Kal Repartha?

by the size of this creature's (dragon's?) spine and rib cage, it was freakin enormous!

I want to believe that hairy nugs are real, and the nug equivalent of the mutations irl that gave rise to hairless cats :)

we already knew that elves see better in the dark than humans, but had superior hearing been mentioned before this?

I appreciated the line where during the exposition and 'welcome to the world new people' loredrop for folks who aren't familiar with the games, Fairbanks mentioned blood magic, raised corpses and demons. handy, as the party meets all of these things during the show

bellows cough is new, add it to the list of canonical ailments one can get in Thedas hh

Divine Adnias is also new lore, add them to the list of known Tevinter Divines. apparently faithful Tevinter Andrastians sometimes go on a pilgrimage route relating to this Divine in hopes of being healed. the route leads to or through Nessum.

Five gold was one month's wages??

with the attention given to Fairbanks' fancy ring in the opening theme and this episode, maybe in this worldstate Fairbanks' noble heritage was revealed?

^ no thoughts head empty, but a v badass painting and the fact that the summer palace in Nessum was built on a sealed temple to the Old Gods was cool

"High Imperium" is a furniture/interior decor style apparently

Miriam trying to break into the palace, and the bit about how one of the Black Divines (shock!) was involved in something illicit, reminded me of Vadis and Irian infiltrating the palace to steal Dumat's Folly in Half Up Front

Qwydion can do some plant magic! 🌸 She's also a talented healer, which reminded me of Francesca from the comics, whose healing magic is supplemented by her plant magic

the magical/weapons store gave me nostalgia for Wonders of Thedas :)

^ knives sticking out of the pinboard is a nice subtle characterization moment for Miriam and/or Fairbanks

^ blue lyrium lamp? it's blue, glows, and the [mysterious music playing] happens when it's on screen. lyrium emits a song and we know trace amounts of lyrium can be infused in stones to make glowstones. these are commonly used in Orlais to light dark passages. Tevinter is known for greater use of everyday magic, so why not

in DA:I, the description for the rogue ability Knockout Powder is "You throw a handful of dosed dust into an enemy's face, putting them to sleep for a short time." :)

I wonder what arcane grenades they picked up :D

"bat-faced".. :| reminds me of "rabbit"

I originally thought Fairbanks' references to his wife were jokes referencing their 'Hira is my wife' scam. does he really have a wife? Clara seemed to have a thing for him in DA:I, maybe they married after DA:I? oh no 😭😭

^ is this written Tevene?

and shoutout to the wee stick dudes.

[ceilingfan5]

laughing, for @taznovembercelebration

Istus has noticed a lot about Kravitz’s new little friend, Taako. She’s noticed that they’ve bonded very quickly, and that Kravitz is coming home from first grade a lot happier than he did kindergarten. She’s noticed that they spend all their time together and can’t seem to get tired of one another. She’s noticed he’ll wear the same clothes several days in a row, and that he’ll never, ever refuse a snack, or a second snack, or a third. She’s noticed the big-eyed stare he gets on his face when she and Raven are sweet on him, how stunned and pleased he is when Kravitz grabs his little hand to run around and pretend that the carrots in the chicken and stars soup gave them magic wizard powers. 

They’re good for each other, she decides, and she and Raven have an understanding that Taako, as well as his twin, are always, always welcome, although they appreciate a heads-up when it’s going to happen. 

The funny thing about kids is they make you incredibly aware of the passage of time, and Raven and Istus had Kravitz late in their lives anyway, so every time Istus turns around, they seem to be getting bigger. Her darling baby gets taller and broader, though he always stays soft around the middle, precious thing, and she finds herself slipping a hand-me-down into Taako’s backpack here and there. It’s okay if he has to cuff the jeans–at least they aren’t falling apart at the seams. 

Those sweet boys grow together like fungi and algae, and they’re lichen each other a lot. Fewer kids come to Kravitz’s birthday party every year, until it’s just Taako, and that makes her chest ache, but she and Raven use it as a full excuse to spoil the boys, and Taako’s family never seem to care what they do, especially if Lup gets to join them, if she doesn’t have a birthday party to go to. One year they go to the big zoo in the next state over, and they spend over an hour in the aquarium section of the park. She watches Taako do cartwheels, watches the dolphins mirror him, watches Kravitz watching Taako with absolute delight. Raven tells her they don’t need to buy out the gift shop, but hell, what is money for if you can’t plaster the world’s biggest smile on a couple of bright-eyed kids very seriously drafting a custody arrangement for a life-sized stuffed dolphin? 

They even fall asleep on it on the long drive home. 

Halloween and Christmases and pizza nights and study sessions and sleepovers pass like blurry cows out the window of a moving vehicle, and they grow up, grow closer, grow to understand the world a little deeper. Taako figures it out first, of course, clever little beastie. Poor Kravitz has a long series of accidental girlfriends he didn’t know how to say no to. Poor Kravitz googles “how to break up with a girl” and asks about the Girlfriend Rules, serious as the grave. Poor Kravitz has to heal things with his best friend over and over, clueless as to why Taako’s so upset, and refuses to explain. 

“I just wish I was gay, so I could marry Taako and never have to deal with this again,” he grumbles, too big for a bedtime story but too soft and sweet to let go of the comforting routine. Raven has it written all over her face, but Istus manages to hold her off. Raven chews through parenting article after parenting article that night, and Istus looks over her reading glasses and laughs softly. 

“We should tell him,” she says. 

“He’ll figure it out,” Istus promises. 

And he does, although it gets harder and harder not to say anything without him bringing it up first. And by the time he does, Taako’s gotten himself a football boy from the other high school, and Kravitz bemoans the fact that he wouldn’t want to go to the stupid dance if Taako wasn’t going, and they always used to have a sleepover and laugh about the weirdos who liked that kind of thing, and what a horrible betrayal it was that Taako wouldn’t talk to him about this first, and why would he do such a thing?

And Istus just looks at him, and dawn breaks slow and steady and cold on his face, and he flops back on his bed and lets all the air out of his body in one long raspberry. 

“Permission to swear?” he says, which he hasn’t bothered to do since he was twelve. 

“Granted,” Istus says, of course. 

“Fuck,” he says, barely a breath, hardly audible, more than fair. 

“I think we can help you come up with a plan,” Istus says, and she and Raven and Kravitz pick him out a tasteful suit, gangly now, who knows how he’s suddenly taller than Raven, and they order flowers, and Kravitz drafts a letter he doesn’t show them. And the night of the dance, they drive him to the school, and soothe his nerves, and promise him it’ll be alright. And they do the hardest part, the most important part, the part of parenting that comes again and again and hurts every time: they let go. 

Istus waits for the text for a ride home, and it doesn’t come, and at eleven thirty pm, she hears the door open, and soon they’re laughing in his bedroom again, and she knows it’ll be okay. 

They’re good for each other. 

[tdc-incorrect-quotes]

Brea: You're no fun anymore.

Seladon: Was I ever?

[the-experimental-writer]

Song of Land and Sea Ch. IV: The Storm at the Sea.

As the Princess broke through the surface she looked in awe at what stood a few yards before her, a ship, much like the one she had scavenged earlier that day with Deet, albeit smaller, with sails as black as the mantle of night that carried the golden sigil of the Sifa clan, a lithe, elegant, wooden form cutting through the calm and dark crisp waters under the pale, silver light of the first sister and yet would have been but a speck within the night had it not been for the bright lights that shone ablaze over the top deck. A Skiff , Brea determined, remembering what she had learned from the tomes she had collected, remembering what the sailor clan called the smaller frigates, designed for rather quick journeys in contrast to the more important, if slower galleons, even if they could still carry a rather large crew if needed to man all the functions it needed.  As she observed the vessel, a sudden, squealing sound resonated through the night. The young princess squinted as she sank lower into the water, finding it grating, almost painful to her sensitive ears.  Then it vanished, as if it hadn’t even been, Brea raising her eyes to see towards the ship once more, wondering what it was.  She didn’t manage to even speculate before the sky erupted with a thundering sound, a massive explosion of glistening red flame, her amber eyes opening with amazement, watching the small star-like speckles descend and disappear into the night.  By her side Seladon, Tavra, and Deet surfaced, but she was far too enthralled to notice them, a displeased look upon the older Mer-Gelfling’s face.

“Brea, don’t you dare swim off on me like that or…” the crown Princess reprimanded, yet her words were cut as the sudden explosion of color bloomed behind her,  turning to see the vessel in the distance. “Thra, a Sifan ship!” Seladon exclaimed, practically jumping out of the water and holding her face in fear before looking to see her sisters and their Grottan friend.  “We gotta go back before we’re seen! We…” she said before she saw Brea diving down by her side, her tail disappearing beneath the waves before emerging a few meters away from her in a graceful arc, the back fins springing before sliding into the water, approaching the ship. Deet followed behind quietly, only using her back fins to paddle.

Seladon felt her heart sink, watching her youngest sister and her friend approaching the boat, growing further away from them with each second.  “Brea!” she shouted, mustering all the authority she could despite the sudden dread of what could happen to them, trying to stiffen her trembling form, her fins swishing nervously and barely keeping her afloat properly. “Brea, come back here!” she ordered again, “Mother told us…” but her words fell on deaf ears, the younger Mer-Gelfling had swam away, pursuing the vessel.  The older Vapra clenched her fist, trying to force herself to dive down and follow, but found herself unable to, fear stopping her before she could command her tail to swim behind, much as she tried to use the dark thoughts to try to force herself to protect her sister. “Seladon…” Tavra said behind her, placing a hand gently upon her sister’s shoulder, feeling it stiff and hard.  It was almost a wonder she hadn’t stopped swimming and sunk down to the seafloor like this. “Seladon, it’s going to be alright…” “Alright?!” Seladon yelled with an incredulous, terrified voice, sucking her lips in a sudden moment of clarity before turning back to the ship, no longer seeing her sister or the Grottan, “She is swimming to a ship, to the nets and harpoons of the land clan…might as well be swimming into the jaws of a Leviathan!” Tavra looked over at the frightened look on her sister’s face, she couldn’t be blamed for feeling the way she did about the land clans, she supposed. They both remembered the day their father had been brutally murdered by Sifan fishermen when he had tried to shield them, the two had been childlings but old enough to understand what had occurred, while Brea had been but a few months old.  It had fueled Mayrin with an intense hatred and fear for the Gelfling of the surface, particularly those of the sailor clan, a feeling she had always tried to instill within her daughters and all the Vapra.

The Paladin knew how much they all missed their father, he was close in a way that Mayrin had ceased to be the day he died.  Seladon had been in charge to raise them for the most part from that day, and she often feared for Brea’s security every time she seemed to go searching for knowledge or evading her responsibilities.  “You know this isn’t the first time she’s done this…” the armor-clad Mer-Gelfling reminded with a comforting voice, trying to ease her sister’s worries, “You know full well she has gotten away from much worse things before…Leviathans included.” Despite Tavra’s assertions, the woeful look didn’t vanish from Seladon’s face, as she turned to gaze once more towards the ship, as if looking once more for any traces of her youngest sister.  While she knew what the Paladin spoke was true; her sister had faced many dire situations during her adventures, things that truly, and much as she would be hesitant and disdained to admit, were far worse than the horrid surface clans.  Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling of dread, of what could happen to her youngest sister. She might have been deemed a control freak and a disciplinarian, but she was always looking out for her, and she couldn’t help but think of what would happen if Brea was discovered…what would be in store for a Mer-Gelfling on that ship?

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As she closed in on the hull of the ship, Brea could now hear the merry sounds of laughter and friendly chatter above, accompanied by a festive, bustling music that had previously been but a gentle echo on the horizon.  A wide, toothy grin formed on the Mer-Gelfling’s lips, her curiosity growing with each second, enticing her to come closer. Noting there were a few protruding planks upon the wooden structure to hold it together, the Princess grabbed on tightly, pulling herself out of the water and slowly hauling herself up to the side of the ship, reaching out to sit on a gangplank close to the prow of the ship to peer through the scupper: the Gelfling above were conversing and laughing, drinking from metallic or wooden tankards, or dancing and singing.  Their movements were constant, bouncing and quick, so very different from the elegant, ceremonial balls and dances from back home.  The Princess was entranced by what many of her clan had described as chaotic and contorting horrors, certainly it didn’t seem as such.A few childilings chuckled as they ran to the port of the ship, giggling and hurrying around a figure standing on the border.  She was dressed in a long, turquoise robe and wore a turban around her crimson locks of hair.  The woman gave them an amused and knowing look. “Elder Onica!” a girl with long, orange hair and a freckled face and white shirt shouted as she joined the rest of her companions, her voice rising even after the uninterrupted song, “More fireworks!” “More fireworks, please, elder!” begged another child, this one with relatively short, ebony hair and just a small braid running down his left shoulder, “‘Especially the red ones!” “Alright, alright, fireworks, coming up!” The Sifan woman said, not being able to help but chuckle at the childlings’ enthusiasm, clearly used to them, the reunited forms slowly parting and revealing the carefully placed forms near the edge of the ship or leaning on the sides of a box. The Mer-Gelfling looked on with a mixture of curiosity and confusion and raised an eyebrow. Fireworks? she repeated in her mind.  She had read many times of torches or sticks being rubbed together to make fire, helping them see deep into the darkness or cook in absence of lava pools or crevices or the strange blue flames of the Drenchen of the Sog, but this woman wasn’t holding anything that would make her create fire. All the children looked on, watching as the woman raised her hand in an elegant gesture, as if presenting something invisible before their wonder-filled eyes, then, a small ember slowly began rising from her palm, a gasp escaping from her spectators’ lips, no sign of pain in the Sifan’s face. It was slow, almost unnoticeable at first, rising almost like bubbling water, yet these were not like the blue flames she had read about, but like common and simple fire. The Princess had read of the Vliyaya, the ancient, Thra-given magic of every clan, much like the ones her clan and the Grottans possessed, but the Librarian and other Scroll-Keepers had told her the upper clans dealt in cruel and twisted curses used for evil, to craft unnatural trinkets from the butchered remains of captured Mer-Gelflings…. Now, looking upon it…it certainly didn’t look all that different from their own magic that allowed them to command light, helping them blend into the ocean floors or change the color and appearance of certain sources. The Soothsayer reached down, allowing the flames to sprawl upon a few of the long, thick, rope strings, the flames dancing as they slowly consumed the mesh wicks, the white form consumed and blackened.  The childlings all waited with bated breath, looking excitedly upon the process.  “Come on…come on…” one of the girls said, barely able to contain her excitement, her small, green-tinted hands trembling excitedly.  The base of the metallic, strangely pointed form burst in a sudden rain of sparks before being propelled out of the ship and towards the skies, creating a long plume of smoke as it reached the night.  The same wheedling noise resonated through the air, then it almost immediately fell silent, the column behind vanishing into the dark.  The Mer-Gelfling raised her eyes, trying not to recoil at the sound, looking with curiosity at what had become of the strange object. A few seconds later there was a thunderous explosion of color that lit the sky, as if a million stars of crimson, blue, and green had glistened and ceased to be in a single instant, the childlings all cheering and clapping under the elder Sifan’s prideful and gentle gaze. So that’s what fireworks are… Brea mused, marveling at the last remaining and slowly vanishing rain of color descending into the peaceful waters of the Silver Sea.  A part of her cursed herself for leaving her journal back at the cave, wishing she had it to document her new discovery in painting and writing. A sudden, hissing screech called her attention, as she turned to see a figure close to the Gelfling orchestra. She raised an eyebrow in confusion and curiosity as a lithe, flowing shape appeared.  It was almost akin to the Abia eels or the Water Asps close to home, yet it hovered in the air with the same grace as those did in the water.  By the sounds of it, it certainly seemed it wasn’t all that comfortable with the bouncing music.  Brea tried to remember what names she had read in the bestiaries that could possibly evoke such a creature.  The small creature suddenly stopped, its long, forked tongue sliding out of its lips, taking in the scents around, clearly sensing something, between the salted night-air, the scent of every Gelfling on board, Sifa or any other clan…something was amiss.The creature slowly turned, tasting the air with its tongue,  making its way to the scupper where the Mer-Gelfling Princess was hiding, moving in graceful arcs towards her.Brea turned to the side, holding her breath and hoping the creature hadn’t seen or smelled her or worse yet…alerted any of the men on board of her presence. She kept quiet for a few seconds that felt like an eternity to her, feeling her scales crawl and her fins twitch, and then, as she was about to turn and check, she heard a hiss by her side.  The creature was now by her side, its  profound yellow eyes studying the face of the Vapra.Brea sucked her lips, doubtful whether to remain still or jump back into the water, fearing the lithe creature would strike at he   Yet it remained in place, watching with curiosity and letting out gurgling sounds while opening its mouth, revealing thin, needle-like, curved teeth, but it showed no signs of attacking.  The young Mer-Gelfling carefully raised a hand and slowly reached out towards the creature, a part of her perhaps thinking she was crazy for doing so and still in fear, yet but before she could even reach, the serpent-like critter leaned into her palm, closing its eyes and letting out purring noises as it nuzzled gently.  The fearful expression on the Vapran’s face vanished slowly as she continued caressing the creature, feeling the slimy skin under her fingers as a part of it reflected the light of the moon and the lamp of the ship almost like her own scales, still wondering what it was. “Neech!” a calm, gentle voice called from the ship, causing the creature to raise its head, eyes opening again before quickly retreating through the scupper.Stunned for only a moment at the creature’s reaction, the young Mer-Gelfling quickly turned to peer through the hole, watching it slide in graceful arcs towards the figure that had called it, and Brea’s mouth hung agape as her eyes fell upon him: A young, Gelfling man, dressed in a red robe over his white-linens, with a lean physique. From his physical characteristics, the Princess could tell he was a Spriton and yet there was something in him from another clan. His face, angular and delicate, was a tanned, slightly brownish complexion yet paler than most of his clan, with a few freckles that dotted his nose and cheeks. His hair, dark like the sky above, was tied into braids that fell upon his shoulders. His eyes, a pleasant auburn color were warm and gentle and there was not a speck of evil or cruelty that her mother had warned her about. “What’s wrong boy?” the Spriton asked with a gentle voice and smiling before running his hand down the frilled back of the creature, “Is the music too loud for you?”As she observed him, Brea felt as if the world around her all fell silent, the bustling music of the celebration, the sound of bouncing over the wood of the deck, the laughs of sailor and childling and slurping of the intoxicating drinks, even the explosion of the fireworks all vanished from her mind, from her world, nothing else seemed to matter, her lips curled into a smile and in that moment all there was, was him… “Brea!” a voice wrenched the Princess from her thoughts, Brea shaking away her daze, startled for a moment before looking to both sides before looking down and seeing Deet slowly climb up, “What’s going on up there?!” she questioned, “I…” “Shhh,” Brea hissed between her teeth at the Grottan, causing her friend to recoil slightly, “Deet, be quiet, they’ll hear us!” she urged before turning her head back towards the celebration, thankful that nobody had noticed. “Right, sorry…” The deep-sea Mer-Gelfling said as she reached the top, sitting down by the Vapra’s side and looking into the ship, upon the men all dancing on top, “I don’t know how the Gelfling can dance with those feet…” the Grottan girl pointed out, finding it strange that they could move or attempt to in the way Mer-Gelfling did at Ha’rar or Grot, “They’re just trampling over the floor, it could break and they would fall into the sea.” Brea chuckled slightly at her friend’s question, much as she had supported and accompanied her in all her scavangings she still didn’t understand much of the ways of the land clans despite the books they had collected and the knowledge taken from Hup. Then again, she also found it strange that Vapra Mer-Gelfling had scales in the first place, or that they didn’t dwelled in the abyssal sea, thinking that the sun might boil their zone of the sea and kill them.“I have never been this close to a land Gelfling before, Deet!” the Princess replied excitedly in hushed whispers before turning her attention back to the Spriton with the strange, Abia-like beast, he was now playing a ballad on his Firca, one unlike the sound of the loud festive music, more calm and gentle, soothing the creature.  While it was much lower, she could hear it much better now that she focused on him, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he?” Deet, who had been looking at the dancing Gelfling with confusion at how they were able not to shatter the deck, turned her attention to where Brea was pointing, her eyebrows raising into confusion, “Uh…” she began, uncertain what to say, tapping her fingers on the wood, “He…he looks like an Eel…” “Not that one…” Brea chuckled at her friend’s confusion, “The Spriton with the Firca!” she explained, pointing at the tan-skinned Gelfling. “Oh…” the Grottan uttered at the sudden realization, suddenly noting the way Brea was looking at him, placing her hand over her cupped hand and letting out a longing sigh. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On deck and unaware he was being watched, Kylan continued playing the peaceful tune, slowly moving and tapping his fingers over his native wind instrument, watching his companion slowly calming down, the annoyed, stressful look on his face vanishing, replaced with a gentle and tranquil expression before he coiled around the Gelfling’s neck. The Spriton chuckled and patted the creature on the head before lowering the Firca, letting out a sigh and leaning against the bench, breathing in the night, and the salted air of the ocean.  He turned his eyes towards the moons and drifted into thought, so much so that he didn’t hear the sounds of steps approaching him. “Enjoying the festivities?” a voice said to his side, the Spriton gently raised his head, trying not to stir Neech too much even in his stupor as he turned to the side to meet Onica’s gaze.  The red-haired Soothsayer looked at him with a concerned expression while holding Cadia close to her by the wrist.  The old Sifan and former Elder looked around like a lost childling. “You seem troubled, Kylan…have not played with the band or eaten much…”

The young Song-Teller rose from the crate, stretching slightly, “I am sorry, Elder…” he apologized, lowering his head with slight shame, his tone morose and saddened.  A part of him had expected to evade the dire mood in the celebration of the Third Sister, or at least blend in with the mostly cheerful sailors.  Now he was feeling very foolish for thinking he could fool Onica, “I did not mean to ruin the celebration…” “Not at all, young man…” the wise woman said with a chuckle and a dismissive gesture, “Just seems rather strange that…”

“Hello!” the man beside her said abruptly, noticing the Spriton before him, “What’s your name?!  Hello!” Kylan’s expression livened slightly at the man’s salute, “I’m Kylan, Elder Cadia…we met a couple of weeks back,” he reminded him. “Did we now?” the bearded Gelfling questioned with a ponderous voice, crossing his arms, “I…I can’t recall…”

“You did meet him…when he first arrived at Cera-Na,” Onica reminded him, “You made your special clam and hooyim chowder for him…” the Soothsayer said, a bit of her stomach turning at the impression of the overcooked food.

The former Elder tried to gather his thoughts for a moment, trying to remember the face of the young man before turning around at a sudden clicking sound.  A group of Gelfling were playing with a series of dice rolling from underneath two glasses, “Liar’s dice!” he exclaimed excitedly, “Elder Onica, may I…” he asked, pointing at the three men playing over the low table.

Onica let out a sigh before smiling at the old man, “Yes, Cadia, you may go…” she said, unhanding him and watching him go.  “Just don’t lose your shirt, or all of my gems!”  She sighed, turning back to Kylan.  “Sorry about that…” Onica said with a shrug, hoping the old man wasn’t bothering the Song-Teller too much, “I know you have enough on your mind right now but he just wanders about and does this.” “It is no trouble, Elder”, Kylan reassured her, it was only fair to be so understanding and accommodating after how much Onica and the rest of the Sifa clan themselves had been.  She had told him of the terrible incident at sea that had claimed his memory and her wings, two Gelfling stripped from a part of themselves so suddenly, “But…” he continued, pointing at the elderly and clearly addled man watching at the game of chance, “Is it safe to let him go and…try to participate in that?” he asked. “Don’t mind him…he has little more than pebbles or fake runes, and the others only bet junk with him, or let him win out of pity,” Onica chuckled, “But do tell me, young man…”, she continued, shifting back the tone of the conversation, “What troubles you?” The Spriton let out a sigh, relenting to the demands, partially reprimanding himself for thinking the Sifan wouldn’t notice his sudden distress, “Another letter arrived today…”, the young Spriton relented, his tone somber and severe, Onica’s own eyes opening slightly at the news.

“They have demanded that I marry and return to Sami Thicket with haste…”, he explained, shrugging his shoulders and lowering his head in shame, “It seems not even the renewed treaty has kept them satisfied enough as I had hoped,” the young man added.  Onica could notice the very vague semblance of anger in his voice.

“This again?” a voice said from the top deck, both the Soothsayer and the musician raised their gazes to see Sifan woman sitting on the rail. “It’s the third time since your arrival…” the Gelfling added, her sky-blue eyes looking down on them and her short, dirty-blonde hair falling down in curls around her head and underneath her bandana, she wore a green shirt with golden patterns and a long, azure sash around her pants from which two, curved and fine jewel-encrusted cutlasses hanged down her belt. “Can’t they just wait, surely it’s not that easy!”, The woman said,  allowing herself to slide off and spreading her translucent wings, slowly descending to the lower deck to face the young Spriton,

Kylan held himself, trying to hold back the frustration threatening to overcome him.   “I…I just don’t know what to do anymore, Tae,” he confessed, “I…I know my responsibility as the sole heir to give the clan a new Maudra and strengthen relations but…but I…” he held back for a moment, a part of himself finding the notions clouding his mind, “I just wanna find the right one,” the Spriton finally confessed, leaning on the railing, his eyes drifting upon the dark horizon, unaware of the Mer-Gelfling listening just below him.  A sigh escaped his lips. “A girl who is kind and clever, vivacious, daring…” he uttered longingly. Underneath and gazing up at the young man, Brea listened, clenching her hands against her chest, not able to help but feel moved by his words and desire, by the equal feeling of being trapped.

“Pardon me if I press, young Kylan,” the Sifan woman said, approaching him, “But were you and Blue Flame Naia of Sog not close?” she questioned, “Did nothing ever happen between you?” “Naia is like a sister to me,” the Song-Teller answered thusly, “Her family always treated me well when I came to visit but we never went further…” he narrated, “Before we parted ways she sent Neech with me,” the young Spriton added, gently reaching out to pat the head of the half-asleep creature around his neck, the Muski grinding against his palm and letting out a purring sound, “Said he would watch over me and be there when I needed him most,” he added with a chuckle. Onica and Tae couldn’t help but reciprocate, offering warm grins. “Well, new Captains, Noble Merchants, and other Song Tellers will arrive at Cera-Na soon, Kylan,” the blonde-haired Sifan added, placing her hands behind her back, “I am sure many of them will be most eager to meet you,” she added proudly, “But do tell me…how will you know she is the one?”

“Oh, trust me, Tae, I’ll know!” the young Gelfling said, turning back and looking up, a dreamy look upon his eyes as his thoughts drifted, “When I find her all shall become clear, when I find her I’ll just know, it’ll strike me like swift, sudden lightning!” he exclaimed.

And then, as if called upon by a curse, thunder cracked upon them, the three Gelfling turning their gazes up, even the formerly tranquil Muski raising its gaze with fear, as thick, gray clouds began gather, shrouding the formerly clear night sky, the moon and stars being engulfed by the dark mass. Around them more lighting struck and the winds picked up, beginning to rock the Skiff in the turbulent currents, “Hurricane approaching!” a man cried from the top of the crow’s nest.

The Soothsayer tore her gaze away from the sky, looking towards her friends and giving them a troubled look.  “There were no signs of a storm…” she uttered in disbelief, wondering how her own premonition could have gone wrong in an instant, surely it could not be from the will of Thra.

“No time, we gotta handle this!” Tae said, turning away and running to the helm, “Hurry up, men, hoist the sails!” she barked, looking as the men all ran to take their position, climbing up the rope ladders, some of the females flying up, struggling against the wind.  Watching them all run to their places, the blonde-haired woman ran to the wheel, clasping it and trying to keep the ship steady. The sudden screams of the men wrenched Kylan out of his stupor, turning away his gaze and looking around the rocking ship, all the men working to keep it afloat, struggling against the currents, Neech chirped in worry at his side as he was sprinkled, salt water wasn’t something he was used to like many creatures of the Sog. “Come on, men, lower her down!” ordered a voice to the side. Some of the men were trying to lower the row boats, some from the smaller vessel while others from above, a sudden wave crashed down on the side, sending some of them down to the other side while others plummeted into the sea. Seeing a childling struggling while she was dragged down to the port side, Kylan ran as fast as he could, tripping down the boat and sliding to the side, towards the same side as her, his hand extending. “Got you!” he said, grabbing the fire-haired girl before she could fall  and hurrying to the boat, where the other men were struggling to get it down. “Here!” the Song-Teller said, placing the girl on top before grasping the ropes and slowly helping them to lower it, his teeth clenching as he attempted to hold it firm. Much as he had spent some time with the rough sailor clan, he still wasn’t all that used to the heavier work, though he still had learned to hold his own.  One of the men gave him a thankful and quick look.

Brea and Deet clung tightly to the side of the ship, struggling against the blowing winds and the currents striking against them, threatening to claim them back to their home, the Vapra finding purchase on a single rope by her side, clasping it tightly and clenching her teeth.

“It’s...it’s too strong!” the Grottan cursed by her side, trying to hold onto another rope, but her own fingers slowly slipped loose. “Hold on, Deet!” the Princess urged. Her friend was not often used to the sudden shifts of the upper levels and had taken time to even adjust to the more mild and tame climates of the upper sea levels and the surface. The abyssal Mer-Gelfling clenched her teeth for a moment before letting go, a sudden yelp escaping her lips. “Deet!” Brea yelled, letting go of the rope and trying to reach for her friend, watching her fall down and disappear into the waters below.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seladon kicked her tail as she and Tavra fought against the currents, trying to get to the ship. They had seen the storm brewing above them, knowing the danger it posed and trying to get to Brea and Deet. The crown Princess’ face was filled with frustration and fear, she knew nothing of these surface trips would come right, no matter if it was the monstrous land clans or the horrid natural events, there was always something, she had wanted to snap at Tavra for her lax attitude over what clearly could have meant the death of their sister. There was no time; they needed to get to Brea, but the waves kept pushing them and even the waters they had called home for all their lives were shrouded in darkness. “Brea!” she yelled, expecting that perhaps she had jumped into the waves, no longer caring if they were seen by the Sifa, all she cared now was to find Brea and return to the Castle, to safety. “Seladon, look!” Tavra called by her side and pointed in front of her to a small, nearly translucent light glowing over the waves, moving erratically towards their direction and seemingly struggling more than them against the currents.The two Mer-Gelfling submerged, hurrying to the flickering source, the form of the Grottan girl slowly materializing. “Deet!” Tavra called, coming upon her with a flick of her fins, “Deet, where is Brea?!” “I…I…” the deep sea Mer-Gelfling stuttered slightly, looking down and illuminating her hands, revealing the rough markings from her attempts to hold onto the ropes. “Oh no, did you hurt yourself?” questioned the Paladin, grabbing her hands, but before she could question her again, Seladon interceded. “Where is my sister?!” The older Vapran practically snapped, her shout even rising over the howling winds, yet despite her fury she couldn’t help but equally note the wounds on her hands, Please, don’t let her be hurt… , she prayed inside. “She was still on the ship when I fell!” Deet said, the light from her esca flickering with her nervousness, “I…I don’t know if she fell back in or if she’s still there!” “We must hurry!” Seladon ordered, turning to her sister, who merely nodded in response, the three of them turning their attention to the ship as it drifted ever farther away from them. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tae clenched her teeth, struggling to keep the ship steady, clasping the wooden sides as the currents and winds flung the lithe but proud Skiff as if it was a mere childling’s toy. Her muscles ached, threatening to give in at any moment, and her palms were almost bleeding from the effort of holding on. The sounds of the men screaming, falling to their dooms or trying to salvage the ship saturated her ears, not even the thunder being able to completely drown their panicked sounds. I…I can’t fail , the Captain cursed, clenching her teeth, so focused she was that she didn’t heard the sudden wave crashing down from her side, knocking her away from the helm and dragging her down to the deck, sending her against the wall and the ship stirring port in a sudden, quick motion, seemingly commanded by the wrath of the storm itself.As the waves crashed against the ship, Brea finally lost her grip and was hurled back into the sea, the Mer-Gelfling stirring for a few moments at the wave of pain from crashing into the water before she finally resurfaced.  Above the ship, lighting cracked over the skies. “Brea!” a voice called from behind, the Vapra turning to see Seladon, Tavra, and Deet swimming towards her, “We need to get to safety…we…” She didn’t hear the rest of the words, turning away and following after the Skiff, her fins swishing with all her strength against the currents as they seemed to try to wrench her away.

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“Move, move, into the boats, now!” Onica ordered, escorting a group to the board side. The four small vessels had all been lowered into the turbulent waters, whether by the force of the storm or the men themselves, forcing them to throw down a special rope ladder for some of the Gelfling on board to climb down, but others in their panic had jumped down. “Go, no time…we need to evacuate!” the Soothsayer said, trying to force a modicum of order, knowing that the ship would not hang on for long, and they would not make it to port. How could she not have seen a storm of this magnitude come? There had been no speck nor sign within her meditations and communions with the land, no whispers of thunder or hurricane winds. Had perhaps her powers weakened, no, something was stirring within the deepest corners of Thra and it had reached them. On the other side, Kylan was still helping some of the others lower boats down, even though the others had told him to get into the boats, “Come on, climb down!” the young Song-Teller yelled, trying to force some authority into his voice, something he was highly unused to despite the time he had been around the sailor clan. The Spriton heard a yelp in front of him, and turned to see a man had tripped and plummeted face-first into the wooden floor. The Spriton ran, grabbing him by the hand and attempting to help him stand, drops of pink blood sprinkling down, mixing with the waters sliding down into the sea.

Suddenly a bolt descended down on them, Kylan raising up his eyes and looking in horror at the burst of lighting directed to him and the wounded man, the rest of the crew too frightened to move, just then, Onica jumped in front of them, extending her hands and emitting a wail of pain as she caught the lighting, absorbing it through her fingers and using her magic to slowly try to neutralize it, feeling it reverberate through her arms. Neutralizing or dominating an element was no easy feat, not even with the practiced magic and harmony with the land and not like self-created lighting. The Soothsayer clasped her teeth at the sudden current of energy slowly giving in before she dropped to one knee. “Onica!” Kylan said, handing the man to the rest of the Sifa helping them down, “Are you alright?” “I…I am”, she answered with a pained tone, trying to reassure the young man, yet inside she was feeling the overall energies of the lighting, trying to nullify them inside, it’s not natural , she thought to herself, it was another lighting of magical origin but it had not been cast, it came down from the skies…. What power could be so powerful as to manifest its own will upon Thra herself? Meanwhile at the helm, Tae once again tried to regain control of the ship, but the tides kept dragging the ship to the opposite side, seemingly steering it from port on purpose, the wheel practically no longer turning upon her struggles. Every bone in her body hurt, as if stuck, and above her she could hear the thunder crackling, prepared to pounce upon the helpless vessel like some beast hidden deep within the shadowed clouds. Just then another bolt struck the mast, the wood immediately being set ablaze and slowly splintering, flames climbing up to the sails. “Fire!” screamed one of the women on top, hoisting the sails, quickly pulling out her knife and cutting down the rope around her waist, she jumped down then, extending her wings but finding herself pushed by the hurricane, away from the starting fire and into the darkness. “Yesmit!” the blonde-haired sailor cursed, jumping out of the helm and onto the main deck, running towards the ship, “Onica, Kylan!” she yelled, running around just as the world around them was set alight, “How are we doing? Is everyone out yet? This place is gonna blow!” “Almost,” the red-haired woman answered, “Some of them have been tossed into the sea but the boats are almost at capacity,” she reported, a look of anguish on her face, “We need to…” but before she could answer there was a scream from the other side, their eyes turning to see two Gelfling slowly being surrounded by flames. “Help, Elder!” they screamed, one of them trying to see if he could jump, only to stand back at the rising ember, the heat was becoming intolerable to the point it almost seared the flesh on their arms.

Onica stood quiet for a moment, running to their side and raising her arms, feeling every wave of heat around her, summoning the power of Thra around her to channel into a spell, an incantation to beg for the flames to part, just for a moment, to allow them a chance at life. These were not her fires, not her own power, she could only beg for it to part...they were just results of the casting of the storm, deflecting them was not possible, they were strangely of Thra. At her slow commands, the flames seemed to disperse slightly, allowing the two men to quickly rush out to them. “Thank you, Elder!” one of them said with a gasp. “No worries!” Onica said, grabbing one of them by the hand and dragging them to the side, “Come now, we have to get out of here!” she ordered before jumping down into the water, Tae and the two men jumping behind her and swimming to a boat. A woman with arms covered in tattoos extended a hand, helping her and Tae up. “How many?” the Captain questioned. “Not sure yet, we haven’t had any contact with the port boats and we are full!” the woman responded with a frustrated sigh, “Some of them still float, we loaded as many as we could.” Onica let out a sigh, clenching her fist and resisting the urge to hit the side of the boat, to show any semblance of frustration and stir the crew more than they were…she knew each of them knew the risk, they had all grown up sailing and the learning to man the ship, but to see their Soothsayer in such a state would bring more distress. “Where is Cadia?” she questioned, turning to face the group. Their faces, terrified as they were, still showed uncertainty at the question, the Soothsayer rising from the seat to look around, “Where is Cadia?” she questioned once more. “He was still on the ship when we saw him…thought he would still be with you,” answered another of the men, almost apologetically.

“No… Onica muttered as her face turned into a grimace of pure horror, her eyes turning to see the already doomed ship slowly being consumed in flames, her former mentor was still there, likely unaware of the horrible fate that swirled around him. “I gotta get back in there!” she said with a panicked voice, ready to throw herself into the darkened waters, “I…” she tried to say, yet before she could attempt she heard a sudden splash by her side, Neech letting out gurgling sounds as he gazed into the turbulent currents, the figure of Kylan surfacing close to the ship and climbing up the rope ladder. “Kylan!” the Soothsayer said with horror, “No, get back here!” she ordered, but the Spriton didn’t seem to hear her as he made his way up, his thin and delicate frame struggling against the harsh conditions. The Muski let out a chirping sound, quickly flying in circles over the ocean and to the young man, much as the saltwater and the fire threatened to dry off the layer of freshwater that allowed him to float properly. “No, Neech, get back into the boat, helping Onica and the others!” Kylan ordered, the authority in his voice seeming to startle even the loyal creature, not used to hearing such forceful words from the usually calm, young man. The Sog beast floated back, his golden, yellow eyes riddled with confusion and fear before reluctantly turning back. The Spriton climbed up into the boat, grabbing onto the starboard rail and pulling himself into the deck with all his strength, his muscles pulled tight and aching with every grain of effort, accidentally kicking down the stairs and proceeding inside, feeling the flames closing in on him, “Cadia!” he yelled before closing his eyes at the burning, stinging sensation and placing a hand on his lips, coughing as the smoke began to engulf him, “Cadia!” the Spriton forced out again, feeling his throat muscles retracting in pain, almost choking him. “Huh…hello?”, a voice answered in a nonchalant manner, nearly drowned by the sounds of the growing embers and the ringing in the Spriton’s ears, but he managed to make it out clear enough, to his left, on the way to the Forecastle. The Song-Teller covered his mouth and advanced, a sudden cracking noise called his attention, eyes turning to the mast, the thick, wooden pole almost completely consumed, bits of brittle sticks flying off and vanishing in a river of fire that consumed them. “Hello, someone called me?” said the voice again, confused and strangely not worried or fearful. At the top, close to the edge, Kylan could see the Elderly Sifan, a nonchalant and rather strange look on his face despite the wall of flames surrounding him, the man was clearly not right, he knew as much when Onica had told him of the unfortunate storm that had taken his memories and most capabilities but that he could not see danger about to take his very life, that was troublesome. “Cadia, we gotta get out!” the Spriton shouted in exasperation, his eyes turning to the massive pole for a moment, knowing it would not stand for long, “Come on, we gotta get out!” “Get out?” the former Elder questioned, raising a curled eyebrow and musing away at a knot of his jeweled and braided beard, “Why? the crew is about to serve smoked Hooyim for dinner,” he added with a chuckle, sniffing the air before coughing, “Can’t…can’t you smell it?” “The ship is burning, don’t you see the fire before you?” the Spriton said in exasperation, perhaps much harsher than he intended to, feeling a few, nearly invisible sparks of flame burn against his freckled and tanned skin. “Ah yes…I…I see,” Cadia finally said, though he seemed to ponder for a second, doing a gesture with his fingers and moving the flames in front of him, commanding them to slightly part, “But where are the Hooyims? Shouldn’t they be cooking in front of me?” he questioned Seeing this Kylan’s eyes widened as he got an idea. It seemed that even in his old age and disability, his powers hadn’t left him. “No time, we can have Hooyim later!” the Song-Teller replied, “I’d like to come through…I know where there are roasted Hooyims and…and can take you to them!” he said, slightly insecure. “Move the fire?” Cadia asked, “How?” “What you were doing…beckon it to part!” Kylan pleaded, hoping that the old man would listen to him. For a moment Cadia pondered, muttering under his breath before extending his hands, reaching out for the flame, whatever the young man was referring to by that, his mind wandered as his thought centered on the fire…the product of Vliyaya or magic, what she called it but he could do it? How? As his thoughts wandered he looked deep into the flame, extending his hands, reaching for it, trying to somehow touch it, or tamp it down. The young man looked with distress all around him, as if afraid of something, and impatiently waiting for him to banish or lower the fires, but why did he believe he could do that? He did not know. The moment the spiraling flames seemed to part out of his way, Kylan quickly darted, “Good work, sir!”he said with a nod, forcing Cadia up to his feat and placing his arm around his shoulder, “Now we just need you to keep the flames off from us…” he uttered, dragging the elderly Sifan along the way, finding him heavier than he thought, his old bones creaking with each step. Kylan clenched his teeth as they crossed the path of flames and it rose again around them, one of the embers gracing the Spriton, searing his skin slightly, “Come on, Cadia…please, please help me out!” he begged. A sudden, cracking noise caused him to turn his gaze upwards, the Song-Teller’s eyes glowing with fear as he saw the great mast had finally shattered and was plummeting down on them, the Spriton’s grasp around the old man tensing, almost paralyzed with fear before mustering all his courage and darting out of the way, the wooden floor of the upper deck shattering upon impact, the two Gelfling now standing mere inches from falling down into the cargo hold. The Spriton huffed under his breath, clenching his hands tightly, arms trembling and struggling to lift him up, turning to the side he saw Cadia wheezing in pain, hugging himself tightly and grumbling.  He then turned to the side—they were but a few meters away from the railings once more!  He grabbed Cadia and placed the old Sifan’s arm around his shoulder, dragging him. “There he is!” shouted a Gelfling from the rafts, “He’s got Cadia!” “Throw him!” Tae ordered from below, “We’ll catch him!” Kylan nodded at her command, mustering all the strength he could, the Song Teller clenched the elegant textiles of the former Soothsayer and tossed him over the railing. The old man plummeted down into the water below with a yelp before he crashed into the surface, as he did, however, the wood planks shattered beneath the Spriton’s feet, almost dragging him down below. “Kylan!”, Onica yelled in utter horror as she helped her old master into the boat, watching the trapped Spriton on board struggle. The Song-Telled clenched his teeth in pain as the sharp, broken wood cut through his linen clothes and against his skin, his gaze turning down and through the hole, he watched as the flames continued extending through the shattered mast on the lower section and into the cargo, exports of rice, exotic fruit and other goods being consumed in flames, snaking their way to the barrels filled with Thunder Eggs, explosives and gunpowder. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brea gasped in horror as the ship exploded before her eyes. The Mer-Gelfling dove down, kicking her tail frantically, all other thoughts thrown to the side as she emerged close to the sinking ship. The flames were slowly being extinguished while it was engulfed by the dark currents, the vessel crumbling upon itself, chunks of wood and metal sliding into the seabed and the flames climbing upon the tip, as if trying to flee the waters threatening to extinguish them. The Princess looked around through the debris, searching through the scorched remnants. still flaming remains of shattered wood and drifting cargo. Where are you? she questioned in desperation, swimming against the currents threatening to push her away and the blowing winds, the look on her face desperate. She curled her lips, resisting the need to call out his name, yet it was so etched in her mind she almost wanted to throw all caution aside, no longer caring if she was spotted by the surface clan. All she wanted was to find him, call his name, yet the fear of losing him kept her silent as she searched the wreck. Then she heard it, a brief gasp of air, almost silent yet to her ears it resonated with a force equal to the fireworks she had witnessed earlier.  The Mer-Gelfling turned back to see the Kylan hanging onto a shattered piece of wood, the young man’s fingers tightly clasping it in an attempt to remain afloat for a fleeting moment before letting go, his prone and languid from sliding off into the water.  Brea quickly dove down behind him, as the Song-Teller slowly drifted down, falling away into the abyss, as if devoured by a great, dark beast.

With a determined look, the Princess spread her back fins and darted after Kylan, managing to reach him mere inches before his form vanished from the slowly dying light of the fire above, her hands wrapping around his torso, hugging him against her form before dragging him to the surface, bubbles rising away from his open lips. Brea let out a pant, swishing her tail as fast as she could, but the Spriton was heavier than she had thought him to be, and exhaustion threatened to claim her from swimming against the storm. She needed to get Kylan out before he drowned. “Hold on, Kylan…” she pleaded, hugging his form against her and batting her back fins to cut against the currents, “I’m not gonna let you go,” the Princess promised, clenching her teeth and raising her eyes. The light from the wreckage was still dimly burning, what had been a horror to the crew was now a comforting sight to her, growing ever closer and illuminating her face. Come on…come on… It seemed to have taken forever, but Brea finally burst to the surface, holding the Spriton close to her, she quickly looked around, the tip of the boat finally swallowed by the sea in that moment, with only a few smaller fires burning around them. Keeping his face over the surface of the  water, Brea began to drag the Prince away from the sinking ship.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first brother had begun to rise upon the horizon when Brea reached the coast. The storm had ceased, and a gentle, pink light bathed the tranquil shoreline. The Vapra’s eyes tilted slightly and she let out a sigh as the fresh, morning breeze blew gently on her face, the world around her blurred and darkening, the sheer feeling of exhaustion threatening to claim her, her entire body was sore from swimming through the night against the currents, the now calm, coastal waters rocking her gently like a mother were so inviting to simply lay in and sleep. No…I can’t stop now , she reminded herself, forcing her eyes to open, looking down at the still unconscious Spriton floating on her grasp, reminding herself of what was at stake, her mind and her heart filling themselves with determination. “Just a little more, we’re almost there, Kylan,” the Princess promised with a tired yet hopeful voice. Knowing she would not be able to properly move if she tried to crawl on the shore, the Mer-Gelfling allowed the waves to gently carry them, the rest of the way, allowing her tail to relax and gently sway under the waves, her tail under the water starting to reflect the early morning’s light, the currents pushing them gently to the beach, the waters retreating back. The Princess let out a sigh, trembling slightly from the cool whafts brushing upon her. Knowing Kylan would not be able to warm up, she clasped the Spriton and and lightly pushed them both forwards to the beach, letting out a pained, tired sigh, feeling the soft, humid sand rubbing against her scales and skin with each crawl and push, a weak smile forming on her lips, as if the reprimands from her tutors over her stiff hair weren’t enough, if they could see the state of her scales they would certainly be furious with her.

Once the sands became warm and the dying waves only reached to touch the tip of her fins before receding back into the sea, Brea deposited the Song-Teller on the sands before allowing herself to collapse by his side, finally letting out a sigh of relief, her eyes looking up to the skies above, the sisters and the far stars now nothing but nearly-ethereal glows upon the lavender-sky, relaxing for a moment into the tranquility of the moment.

Her eyes suddenly shot open, grasping unto a semblance of consciousness, the Princess stood up, her arms trembling as they struggled to lift her up, but she held herself firm, using the thoughts of the young man by her side to inch herself to him, peering upon his form, his formerly pleasant tan skinned color was now a sickly pale, his clothes had been torn by the storm, his red shirt ripped open, revealing his chest and the fresh, cutting wounds he had sustained from the explosion, his pants had been shredded and both of his booths had slipped down during their swim, his left leg was slightly pinkened from a puncturing wound, one that the salt water had seemed to heal while, thank Thra, he was unconscious. The Princess reached down to place a hand on him, noting how cold and stiff he was to the touch, his skin almost a block of rough, cold marble from down home and he hadn’t moved anymore than in all the hours it had taken them to reach the shore. The Vapra’s teeth clenched as she feared the worst.

No, no, Thra, please! she begged inside, clasping his hands and placing it on her face, “No please, you can’t leave like this…please!”, she said in desperation, placing her hand on his wrist, reaching to feel any semblance of pulse…nothing. “I…I’m sorry I failed”, the Mer-Gelfling uttered, letting go off his hand and lying her head upon the Spriton’s chest, wishing that the currents would simply climb over her until she turned into seafoam, if such a thing was even possible, to simply cease as Thra seemed to wrench everything from her, “I’m so sorry…” And then, as she stood in utmost silence, simply awaiting for something, for some fate to deliver her away from this cruel world, she heard something, making her raise her head. “Wha…?”, she uttered, it had been soft, gentle yet booming sound, and it didn’t came from anywhere around, all that she could hear was the sound of the sea washing behind her and the Silvergulls screeching above, she must have imagined it but then it was there again…it was coming from the Spriton’s chest. His…his heart! , Brea suddenly realized, the sad and defeated expression on her lips shifting to a suddenly hopeful one, the sound was like a sweet gentle melody to her ears but then, the Spriton’s chest slowly rose, the Vapran lifted her head, watching as his chest slowly deflated, allowing a long, tranquil breath to escape his open lips. “He’s breathing!”Brea exclaimed incredulously, her hand reaching out to wipe away the strands of hair over his forehead, the light of the first brother beginning to wash over them. The Princess reached to place a hand on his cheek, feeling it slightly warmed, the color slowly returning to his skin, “He is so beautiful…”. For a moment, all things seemed to banish around her, every sound, gentle as it was, losing meaning, the feeling of sand between scales and on her hair, what she had learned that night, he was all within her mind, within her heart, “Kylan…”, she finally uttered, savoring the sound of his name rolling down her tongue, the sheer sound sweeter than any dish she had tried or any poem she had read, but there was little else she could say, no words possibly mannifest what she was feeling. But them almost on instinct her lips parted and she began to sing a sweet, gentle song:

What would I give to live where you are?

What would I pay to stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you smiling at me?

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seladon let out a hardened gasp as she clasped for one of the rocks on the coast, emerging from the waters and panting heavily, the crown Princess of Ha’rar brushed out a few bangs of hair from her eyes and panted, Tavra and Deet emerging behind her. the two giving her tired looks. The older Mer-Gelfling leaned back against the rocks, her fins swishing as the waves washed over them, they had swam all through the night, struggling against the turbulent currents and the hurricane winds, trying to find Brea, getting lost more times than she could count in the darkness, only managing to find their way thanks to the Deep-Sea Mer-Gelfling’s escape but now it flickered, as if she was trying to keep it alight, even on the morning soon, too tired or confused by the dawn to turn it off. “We…we need to find Brea…”, Seladon uttered with a trembling voice, fearing that her sister had been harmed in the sudden explosion of the ship, while the death of a bunch of Land Clans was something she would usually celebrate the idea of Brea getting harmed was too much, “She…wasn’t on the wreck of the ship…”. Tavra crawled over the sands, dragging her tail behind, ever her, despite her constant night shifts seemed absolutely exhausted, “I’m…I’m sure she’ll be alright, Seladon”, she said, trying to reassure her sister, but her words seemed to do little else, not exactly without reason, she did not expected the storm that struck the ship nor that the ship would explode like it did while Brea pursued it but thinking of the worst fate for her sister weighted heavily upon them both and didn’t guaranteed success in finding her. Seladon sighed, turning away her face and looking into the horizon, What will mother think when we return without her? , the Mer-Gelfling pondered, though she didn’t have to think much, she had failed on her orders, more, she had failed to protect her younger sister, lost to the fault of the blasted land clans like their own father. “Why couldn’t you listen, Brea?”, the Vapran noble cursed, clenching her fist and crushing it against the wet sand, sprinkling a bit of water, “Why did you had to disobey and put yourself in danger?”, much as she seemed disdainful, she truly worried about her fate, the thought of losing her far stronger than even the fear of facing their mother with such failure. “Why…”, Seladon began to lament once more before being interrupted. “Shh…”, Tavra hissed, placing a finger to her lips, urging Seladon to be quiet and turning her eyes, something in the air resonated softly, a melody. “What?”, Deet asked with slight desperation and raising her voice, “What is it, Tavra?” The Paladin didn’t answer for a moment, listening once more to make sure she just wasn’t hearing things in her exhaustion, her ears slowly catching the sound of singing once more, soft, almost silent, barely a little more than the sounds of the waves striking against the beach. “Brea!”, she whispered softly in sudden realization, “She is here and she is fine!”, she announced, the sudden look of desperation in Seladon’s face banishing. “Brea…”, the elder Mer-Gelfling uttered in relief, turning around and climbing over the blunt rocks lining the coast, dragging herself up with renewed strength, the voice becoming clearer in her mind, it was truly Brea, she was alright after all, she had thought she could have lost her that day to her own arrogance and search for answers but she was safe. As she caught sight of her younger sister however, her relief turned into sudden horror once more, her eyes widening…there stood Brea, lying over the sands, and by her side, unconscious, a Land Gelfling as Brea caressed his face and sang lovingly to him. “Seladon?”Tavra asked, suddenly noting the tense pose of her sister, climbing over to her side, grabbing tightly to the rocks with Deet by her side, “What happened? Isn’t Brea…”, she stopped in place as she suddenly knew what Seladon was gawking at. Oh, Thra , the armor-clad Mer-Gelfling thought to herself, now at a complete loss for words, watching their younger sister caress the land Gelfling’s cheek, Brea…you too? , she questioned inside. “It’s the boy from the ship!”, Deet exclaimed by their side, the two Vapra suddenly turning their faces to the Grottan with inquiring looks. “The boy…”, Seladon began, the sheer disdain and venom on her voice evident, much as she tried to sound calm and collected, the knowledge that her sister was so close to one of the uncivilized beasts made her blood boil, “From the ship?”. The Grottan swallowed nervously and nodded, not really knowing what to say and afraid to squeal on Brea yet again. Seladon tore away her gaze, the sudden reality of the situation dawning on her, No , she thought to herself, No…that is forbidden!, Seladon thought to herself, clasping her fingers over the rocks, a part of her wishing to simply crawl to Brea and drag her back to Ha’rar to have her reprimanded and punished for putting herself in such danger but she remained silent, simply observing the scene with disgust and fear. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

None of this was noticed by Brea, the young Mer-Gelfling to entranced by the sight of the young Spriton before her eyes to pay any mind to anything else, it was just them in that moment, wishing they could just remain that way forever, so away from everything else in the world, no clans, no division, no fear. As the first brother continued raising and the gold light began bathing the beach, Brea continued singing softly:

Where would we walk?

Where would we run?

If we could stay all day under the suns?

Just you and me

And I could be

Part of your world

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Darkness engulfing Kylan slowly banished and a soft, gold light glimmered like a star before his eyes in the horizon, at first blurry and weak, sprinkled with tints of gentle pink, the salted, fresh scent of the coast penetrated through his nostrils and brushing against his slowly opening eyelids, the sound of the waves and the coastal birds screeching, prepared to fall upon their morning feast welcomed him back…

And then…there was a song, unlike any which he had heard, many times he had been hailed for his own music, most of the time for his ability with the Firca and the Lute yet some of his own singing had been praised at taverns but this voice made him sound like a diseased Shrokill bird, the single most beautiful thing he had ever heard, singing to him, seemingly easing the intense pain that had claimed him and all the problems that had build up around him since he was thrown all the responsibilities of the throne and the future inheritor. I must be dead , he thought to himself, for a moment thinking he would stand before the very heart of Thra within the Dreamsleeve, connecting with the beating song of the land he had been born in before becoming one with it, he slowly opened his eyes, the world around him and he understood he was not gone…no, he was alive, away from the storm and from all the danger. As his vision came clear he saw the the silhouette of a Gelfling woman, the first brother framing around her head in a wide circumference like a corona, her hair, despite being shadowed by the sun was tied into two, long and well organized braids, and her eyes, looking deep into his own were two bottomless pool of a warm, honey, color in which he wished he could remain forever. He moved his lips, letting out a sigh just as her hand softly reached to caress his cheek, as she finished her song, she was the most gorgeous woman she had seen in all his travels, in any clan and her voice, one to topple even the song of Thra itself, she was cold and yet somehow…he found her touch fresh, refreshing in his state. he wished so hard to remain, lost in her eyes and her voice.

The sudden moment of peace that followed the brief silence upon the end of her song was shattered when a voice called out, “Kylan?”. Brea gasped, her head whipping in sudden fear, seeing the figures approaching in the distance, the recognized the two Sifan women, Onica and Tae, who had been talking with Kylan on bord and the Eel-like creature that had greeted her on board, flying in spiral forms towards them, a smile seemingly sculpted in its face at seeing it’s master safe and sound but the last figure she didn’t recognized. Giving her beloved Spriton one last look she turned away and crawled as fast as she could back to the water, her sisters and Grottan friend following closely behind. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Song Teller slowly rose up from the hands, struggling to stretch their hand towards the figure of the woman as they banished from his sight. “N…no, w-wait…”, he said weakly, stopping at the feeling of his throbbing throat and the pulling sensation of his muscles, “Come…back…”, he uttered, trying to make out her figure under the blinding light of the first brother, she was nowhere to be seen, “Please…come back!” Neech quickly advanced upon his Spriton master, clearly relieved of seeing his friend safe and sound and licking him on the cheek before coiling himself around his neck. “Kylan!”, Onica said as she and others all converged on the Spriton, placing an arm upon his shoulder, “Here he is, Maudra Ethri…”, she announced to the Gelfling behind her, a reassuring smile forming on her lips, “He is alive…” “Thank Thra…”, the woman uttered with a sigh of relief, another Sifan, flanked on each side by guards carrying muskets she was clad in a fine robe of pure azure that reached down to her knees and was decorated with gems, she wore an elegant turban-like hat of the same color with an encrusted Brindlisk cocoon sigil on the center that allowed her crimson hair to fall into two long-beads, despite being youth, her rugged skin made her look much older than she was. “It’s good to see you in one piece, young man!”, the Maudra said as the Soothsayer helped Kylan to his feet and analyzed him for wounds, “When Onica and Tae told me what you had attempted, we assumed the worst”, she added with a glimmer of fear, dreading to think of what could have been, the Spriton had been a welcome visitor and a friend but losing the sole connection to the throne of Sami Thicket could have bought a series of diplomacy issues with the Spriton clan. Trying to liven up the mood Tae let out a slight chuckle, “Well, at least something good will come out of it…”, she said, crossing her arms and giving the group a mischievous look, “When the story of how you went into the flaming ship and rescued old Cadia spreads, you’ll have every single lady of every port around your finger and those fuddie-buddies back home can stop bothering you!” Onica and Ethri couldn’t help but snicker at the comment and finding certainty in it, the Sifa admired shows of bravery and sacrifice and would feel compelled to meet the young man. Despite this, Kylan seemed not to listen to them, his sight upon the coast, searching every corner, every rock lining the sands and beyond the waves. “A girl…”, the Spriton said, barely above a whisper, closing his eyes and envisioning her once more, her face, hidden in the shadow from the suns yet so very attractive, the amber of her eyes, beckoning him and the sound of her voice. “A girl?”, the Elder asked, arching an eyebrow, seemingly confused by the Spriton’s words and looking at the coast, as if searching for something. “She…she rescued me…”, Kylan continued, his words seemingly directed to no one in particular, the Song Teller limped his way to the shoreline, his left leg itches and hurt but he barely allowed the pain to hold him back, “She was singing to me…she had…the most beautiful voice”. “It’s worse than I thought…”, Onica said with a worried tone and hurrying to the young man’s side, the rest of the Sifa all looking with slightly confused expression at the young man while the Soothsayer studied him, looking down unto his left leg, “You must have been hallucinating from the loss of blood”, she diagnosed, placing a hand on her cheek. “Perhaps a concussion or you swallowed too much salt water”, Tae complimented, crossing her arms. The two men gave each other disconcerting looks, “Perhaps the lad saw a spirit…a Banshee of the sea hovering above him before we got here!” At this Kylan turned his gaze to meet the two guards, a befuddled expression on his face, he had read the tales of malicious spirits and monsters hunting down sailors and merchants for dark purpose, not unlike the folktale from back home but such things were normally that…tales, yet it seemed like such a constant and this girl just banishing. Before he could inquire, Onica interrupted. “If there was such a thing as a flying wraith I would have felt it and banished it with my spells”, she said dismissively with a gesture of her hand, as if wishing to not talk more about the matter, “What happened to Kylan here was the result of an accident…there are not wraiths, if there were I would alert you…” The two men seemed like they wanted to debate their point but contradicting a Soothsayer was often deemed a fool’s errand and blasphemy and they felt silent, bowing their heads. “But…but I saw her”, the Song Teller reiterated, still looking at each side of the coast, as if hoping she would show up, Neech looking at him with a look that could be interpreted as concern, “She was here, in front of me as I awoke, Onica…I felt her touch and her song was a song so sweet that the very Thra would be envious of her”. “It could have been many things, you man, that’s why I’m here”, Onica said with an understanding voice, placing a hand upon his shoulder, “Come with me, please and we will find out…I might not be as good as Blue Flame Naia but I have a few spells and elixirs to ease the pain and clear the mind”, she beckoned, seeing, that Kylan wanted to reply, she placed his arm over her, “Besides, it’s not good to go around with a wound like that on the coast.” Kylan let out a sigh, the wise woman’s words had always cleared his mind of doubt, she had been a guide and mentor since his arrival to Cera-Na, never once had she lied to him, so was it possible that he had simply hallucinated in his near death experience, materialized all his wish and longing as he slept into the beach…that girl, was she the product of nothing more than his wounds and broken mind? No , he thought to himself, the young Song Teller knew what he had seen, this woman wasn’t a simple product of his desperate and broken mind nor a horrid wandering banshee, he had been rescued and he knew it well. I will find you, the Spriton promised, lowering his face. As they slowly made their way back to Cera-Na, Onica turned back to the coast, scouring the shoreline carefully…nothing save the waves striking against the shallows and the Silvergulls clicking upon the rocks, hoping to be wrong on her premonitions, and then her eyes turned to the side, something had glowed underneath the waters. The Soothsayer clenched her teeth and let out a harsh breath, reaching with her free hand to clasp the single trinket dangling from her neck, the iridescent, lavender scale, glistening like the day she had first seen it.Something was brewing, she could feel it when the storm had begun at sea, the sudden shift in the winds and the tides and it was coming for them too. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seladon let out a sigh of sudden relief, placing a hand over her chest and gasping, That was close , she thought fearfully, allowing herself to lean behind a massive, dark rock that jutted over the waves, the Vapra felt her heart pounding against her chest so much that it hurt, fins twitching as they swished in the currents, her mind conjuring horrid thoughts of what it might have occured, They…they were nearly upon us, those savages. Her hand trembled, clasping for the sharp rock before she turned, “What on Thra were you thinking, Brea?”She snarled angrily, but her younger sister seemed to be paying no mind to her, instead looking at the beach, a wide smile forming on her lips and a sigh escaping her lips. “Brea, answer me!”, the elder Princess demanded, her patience at a breaking point, sick of being disobeyed in situations of most dire danger. “Hmmm?”, the younger Mer-Gelfling hummed with a distracted look on her face while turning to Seladon, all thoughts focused upon the Spriton man. “Oh, nevermind!”, the crown Princess of Ha’rar said, rubbing her temples and lowering her head, trying to think clearly, “This has been an utter disaster”, understanding what had occured, the way Brea watched and sang to the young Spriton man, “Of all the things that could have happened to you, Brea…you had to fall in love with one of the savages” “Seladon…”, Tavra said, reaching out to place a hand over her sister’s shoulder but she pulled away. “If anybody ever finds out about this then we are all in trouble!”, The older Vapran said, lowering her hand pointing and giving the three Mer-Gelfling a serious gaze, “So we are going to go home and act like this never happened…not a single word, you hear me?”she questioned, raising her finger warningly to her younger sister. “Hey, we made that arrangement of the cave already, so, fine by me…”, Tavra shrugged, while she appeared calm she was partially relieved that Seladon had decided to live up to the former agreement despite the situation she would consider dire. Her eyes turned back to the shallows, thinking about what she had seen and the brief glimpse she had seen of the approaching figure, one of them in particular etched in her mind.Never thought I would see you again, she thought, Fate sure has a cruel sense of irony. After this Seladon turned to the Grottan, “Not a word to ANYONE, Deet, not even in Grot!”, she warned, “Not to your little brother, not to your fathers and not to Maudra Argot!”. To this the Grottan nodded quickly, “I won’t tell anyone, I promise!”, she said nervously, still feeling guilty over accidentally squealing on Brea the previous night. As the three of them continued to talk, Brea had climbed on top of the rock, looking longingly at the coastline, the figure of Kylan was now but a spec in the horizon, slowly growing away from her, separated once more, torn apart by ocean and land, the feeling inside her grew: I don't know when, I don't know how

But I know something's starting right now

Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be

Part of your world! As she finished her song, Brea leaned over the rocks, a wave crashed behind her upon the very last note, the waters carrying it all the way to the coast. Her mind was set, she would need to return to him, to stand by Kylan’s side under the three suns.

[sifanjewel]

Can anyone at all understand what Gurjin says to Brea at the end of episode 10 right after she hugs Rian??

What I can make out so far is “I feel it’s time we --- proper --- on our/a river date”

Is he asking her out on a date?? I NEED TO KNOW

I’ve listened to it a few times on full volume with headphones on and I can’t make out all of it

[oneinchfrog]

crush culture by oneinchfrog

words: 1.6k

raine whispers & lilith clawthorne

summary: raine helps lilith sort out her feelings. (human high school au)

author's notes: this was originally going to be parter of a larger au, but I only really had the motivation to write this part. i started it in april, left it alone for a bit, and just today finally opened it up and found an ending that i liked. this is my first full fic i've ever put on tumblr!!

Lilith lets out a sigh of relief as the bell rings.  “Ok, that’s all, everyone- Darius, remember to keep me updated on how those decorations go- bye everyone!”

School council members rush to pack up their papers and throw out their lunch garbage, eager to move on to a doubtlessly more interesting period.  Lilith sweeps some crumbs into the trash can and zips up her lunchbox.  She needs to get to her locker fast- it’s on the other side of the school and she can’t be late for AP Lit again.

“Hey, um… Lily?”

She looks up.  It’s Adrianna, nervously looking at her shoes.

“Yeah?” She doesn’t have time for small talk, she needs to hurry up-

“I was wondering… um…” She shifts her water bottle between her hands.  “Wouldyoumaybewanttogotothewinterformalwithme?”

“What?” Lilith’s cheeks flush and her mind starts to race.

“Only if you want to- I mean- I was just thinking- you’re so smart and like… I don’t know, pretty and-” Adrianna’s eyes are wide. “And I know we don’t know each other very well but-”

“I… I have to go,” Lilith mutters, pushing past Adrianna towards the door.  Amidst the jumble of thoughts racing through her head, she realizes she can’t just leave Adrianna like that.  “I mean, it’s… it’s not a no, I just need to think-”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s fine, I- I wouldn’t want to make you late-”

Lilith rushes down the hallway.  What was that?  I’ve never been asked out to anything before, usually Eda gets all the attention- I mean- I don’t like her like that, I don’t think I’ve ever liked someone like that-

She stops in her tracks.

“Adrianna is a girl,” she mutters.  I mean, yeah, of course, she thinks to herself.  But I’ve never even thought about liking girls before.  How am I supposed to know?  I’ve never had a crush on anyone- I feel like I should’ve by now, is something wrong with me?

She ducks into the restroom and shuts herself into a stall.  She’s going to be super late, but it’s not like she’d be able to focus in class anyway- she needs to calm down and sort things out.  She slides her phone out of her pocket and taps out a text.  Edalyn will know what to do.

can you come to the D hallway bathroom?  i need advice.

First I get asked out, then I skip class, she thinks to herself.  I’m gaining all sorts of new experiences today. 

Three dots soon appear and dance at the bottom of her screen for a minute before Eda presses the send button.

srry sis

if i skip another spanish class i get kicked off the rugby team :/

Lilith leans against the stall door and breathes deeply.  She can still make it to AP Lit, she can just blame her lateness on locker trouble or something.  It’s not like the teachers are paid enough to care.  Lilith gathers up her stuff, unlocking the door of the stall.  She stops in the mirror to briefly fix her hair and takes a deep breath.  She’ll be fine.  She can make it through two more classes without losing it.  People get asked out all the time, right?  It’s nothing.  She just needs to breathe.  In, out, in, out.  Brea-

“Lily?” Lilith whirls around to see Raine uncertainly clutching a hall pass at the door of the bathroom.  “Sorry, Eda asked me to check on you- she said you had a problem?”

Lilith exhales.  “Of course she did.  I’m fine, Whispers.”

Raine looks pointedly at her shaky hands.  “You can tell me.”

Lilith heaves a resigned sigh.  It’s not like she’s especially close with Raine Whispers, but Eda is always going on about how caring and brave and clever they are.  She figures that they might be able to help her out, and even if they can’t, it would still be good to talk to someone about it.  “Okay, but not in a filthy public restroom.  The teachers will catch us and Mother will have my ass.”

“What about the long closet?”

“Alright.”

The long closet is kind of Eda’s secret hideout- a narrow, dirty room housing the school’s electricity panel, some extra mops, and whatever contraband Eda has stashed there at the moment.  She would sneak there to set up her next pranks, skip class, and would sometimes take Raine with her.

Raine pulls open the door and ushers her in, locking it behind them with a soft click.  Lilith perches on an upside-down bucket and lets her eyes wander the closet- there isn’t much to examine, but it’s been a couple months since she was last in here.  She notes a line of apple juice boxes arranged on the top shelf- Eda really has made this place her own.

Raine reaches into a bin and pulls out a bag of Swedish Fish.  They tear it open and lean back.  “So, whatcha got for me, Clawthorne?”

She takes a deep breath.  “So, I was at a student council meeting- you know how I basically got saddled with planning the entire winter formal?  We were meeting to, ah, finalize some details and on the way out, and- um- do you know Adrianna?”

Raine nods.  “Huxley, right?”  They pop a red fish into their mouth.

“Yeah.” Lilith leans forward and holds out a hand.  “Gimme one of those.”  Raine drops a Swedish Fish into her palm.

She brings it to her mouth and chews on the candy thoughtfully.  “She came up to me and sort of… asked me to the dance.”

Raine’s eyes widen slightly.  “Well… do you like her?”

“No- that’s the thing.  How do I reject her?  She’s like… really nice and I was kind of hoping we could be friends, but…”

Raine swallows.  “Mm, yeah, I can see why you went to Eda with this.  She’s had to reject a lot more people than I have.”  They tear open the bag a bit more, to reach the fish at the bottom.  “My advice?  Just be honest.  Tell her what you told me- that she’s really nice but you’d prefer that you were friends instead,”  They cross one leg over the other.  “She’s just not your type, and that’s not her fault.”

Lilith sighs.  “That’s the thing, Whispers.  I don’t think I have a type.  I’ve never had a crush on anyone.  Like, ever.”

“That’s okay,” Raine says around another fish.

“No, it’s not!” Lilith whines and leans back against the wall.  “Everyone gets crushes.  I’m supposed to get crushes.”  She takes off her glasses and starts to clean them on her shirt.  “I should just say yes.  Maybe I’ll start to feel something towards her then.”

“Look, Lily, I usually say this to Eda and not you but, are you crazy?” Raine sets the bag down.  “You can’t just lead Adrianna on- that’s not fair to either of you.”

Lilith groans, placing her head in her hands.  “Why can’t I just be normal?”

“Don’t say that,” Raine scoots next to her, drawing their legs close to their chest.  “Forget whatever’s socially acceptable.  You’re just as good as anyone who gets crushes, and I’m sure Eda will beat the shit out of anyone who says otherwise.”

Lilith snorts, because it’s true.  “Okay.”  She feels her eyes misting over.

“I’m serious.  Romantic attraction or no, Lilith Clawthorne, you’re a pretty cool girl.”

She nods, a tear tracing her cheek.  “I hope so.”  Her voice cracks.

“You okay?” Raine leans forward.

“I will be.” She sniffles.

“Good.”  They check their watch and stand up to stretch.  “Well, we’ve still got a little bit before next period- do you want a snack?”

Lilith gets up, too, and reaches for a box of apple juice.  She carefully pokes the straw into it.

“Okay, I get if you’re all crush-talked out for today, so feel free to say no,” Raine leans against the door.  “But could you maybe help me ask Eda out to the winter formal?”

Lilith sips her juice.  “Could we just sit for a little bit?  Between student council and this fun new epiphany about my sexuality, it has been a long day.”  She sits back down, pressing her back up against the cool gray concrete.  Raine joins her silently.

They sit quietly for a while, Lilith working away at her apple juice and Raine just staring at the wall opposite them, lost in thought.  This is nice, Lilith thinks.  She’s never had a friend of her own before- not really.  Eda didn’t count, since they had to be friends.  They were sisters.  Most of her “friends” were just people in the student council or people Eda hung out with.  Eda’s friends were always high-energy and itching to get into some sort of trouble, but not Raine.  At least, not right now.  Lilith didn’t really understand romantic attraction, she was learning that, but it sort of made sense that Eda liked them so much.

“It’s called aromantic.” Raine’s voice draws her from her reverie.  “Not getting crushes.  One of my friends from my old school was like that.”

“Oh,” was all Lilith said.

“The flag’s pretty badass, too,” Raine continues.  “Green and black.  And white.”

The bell rings and both of them flinch at the sudden loud noise.

Lilith rises to her feet and crumples up her empty juice box.  “I have to go.  Um… thanks.  Raine.”

They smile.  “Any time.  Hey, me and Eda are going to get milkshakes after school today.  Do you wanna come?”

“You want me to drive you.”

“Yes.”

Lilith snorts. “Ok. sure.”  She unlocks the heavy wooden door and yanks it open.  “I have a study hall next, so… I think I’m gonna talk to Adrianna.”

Raine nods, exiting into the hall and readjusting the straps of their backpack.  “Good luck!”  They turn and disappear down the hall to their next class.

Lilith takes a deep, shaky breath: in, out.  She pulls out her phone and clicks on Adrianna’s profile picture.

You have study hall now, right?  I want to talk.

[eldritcheden]

re your post about the potential of Parker being pregnant- it got me thinking and, oh my god, it could give so much more depth to Eliot’s excitement/joy at thinking about “cute little baby clothes” in redemption season two episode nine if he and/or Parker and/or Hardison have started looking into things like that (and it works regardless of it’s the ot3 or P/H and uncle Eliot)

Omg YES!!!!!!!! You're right!!!!! Hahaha also imagine them all going baby clothes shopping and bickering over the style of clothes to buy!!

Anddddd also now I'm imagining Eliot with a baby carrier pappoose thing, and he has little matching outfits with the baby!! And it's all cuddled up in the carrier on his back while he cooks the most gourmet baby food on the planet!!

Idk but the Eliot + baby combo brings me the absolute most joy. I mean it all brings me joy lbr.. Alec teaches the baby basic sign long before it can communicate verbally, meanwhile he's hacking the cia in the background, there are colourful flashcards and empty orange soda bottles scattered everywhere! Parker talks to the baby like it's a fully grown adult and the baby is also definately autistic too, cause it does run in family's and I'm gonna combust!! It's a little girl, she's perfect and clever and the best bits of all of them!!!!!! And Brea does her hair but refuses to change nappys, and Harry's been there done that and is actually very helpful and Sophie is the most doting grandmother figure you've ever seen and loves sneaking the baby into every con she possibly can!

Maybe, just maybe, one day, when the little one is all grown up and kicking ass and taking names and doing good in the world, Eliot can look at this person that he helped to raise and loves as his own and finally, finally recognise in them the immense good of his legacy and not just the old wrongs and he can can actually feal like he's earned redemption!!

It's a baby, it's new begginings, it's legacy, making the future better for and with them!!! What a great layer to add to add to a show exploring redemption!!!

Wow. Where am I? Who am I? I just got lost in a leverage fugue state. This started with think about cute baby clothes.....