#didn’t want it to be outright teal so the armor i made it a warm gray with cool teallish shadows : )

[p1x1x]

knight x blacksmith!!! look at my doritos!!!! and more scribble

[wolf-zer0]

Ya want some WORLD-BUILDING????

Have some world-building!

*REMINDER* This is based on characters, not real people.  I’m not going to be writing any shipping/smut content, especially involving minors.  Please be respectful of content creators’ boundaries!

The Crystallos Empire (AKA the Antarctic Empire)

Largest the countries (takes up most of the southern half of the map) but agreed to stop expansion after a bloody battle with Valeriana 

Centered on a large snowy mountain in the middle of the tundra 

Mostly stays out of other countries’ business, but will step in as a last resort 

Has some of the most well-known citizens in the world because… they’re pure chaos 

Attack at your own peril 

Has vast deposits of ores and gemstones, and the metalwork from Crystallos (mainly weaponry, armor, and jewelry) is highly sought after 

The only known food export is potatoes.  Wonder why… 

Associated Colors: Royal blue, light blue, crimson, gold 

Aesthetic/Vibes: gothic vibes, white stone and large stain glass windows, not particularly opulent or extravagant but still impressively royal looking, think catholic cathedral but brighter and with less Jesus (can you tell I’m a recovering catholic yet?), spires shooting into the sky that’s visible even during a blizzard, cavernous halls full of sunlight and echoes, snow that can comfort and kill in equal measure

Notable Members:

Philza Minecraft:

Angel

Visible wings look like a harpy eagle

Probably the most powerful person in the world

Didn’t mean to start an empire it kinda just happened

Also didn’t mean to adopt kids but his Dadza alarm went off

Usually kind but will not hesitate to use violence when necessary

Technoblade: 

Is pig.  

With braid.  

At least 8 feet all

Extremely adept fighter, skilled in almost every form of combat.  

Not a people pig, prefers his potato farm to being a prince

Hella protective of his family but will not hesitate to bully when given the opportunity

Wilbur Soot: 

Muse who can influence people through song

Can’t totally control people (yet) but can subtly push them in a certain direction

The public face of the imperial family

Would rather insult than fight but can and will cut a bitch if he needs to

Because inspiration is fickle he’ll have some … strange episodes (see: the Sand Incident)

Tommy Innit: 

Child.  

Chaos incarnate.

Is he human?  Is he not?  No one’s sure yet.  

But he’s a gremlin and a hellion and willing to throw down at any moment.  

Has a surprisingly caring side, but no one outside his immediate circle has ever really seen it.  

The Kingdom of Valeriana (aka Dream SMP)

Oldest of the countries 

Located in the middle of a massive forest at the center of the main continent 

Home of the Fae Courts

Ruled by a single king who is chosen by a tournament held every 100 years 

Known for causing chaos in other countries, but after an Incident with Crystallos they have kept their meddling to annoyances rather than outright declarations of war 

Considered the most magical of all the countries, and traditional enchantments almost all come from Valeriana 

Associated Colors: neon green (duh), bright yellow, forest green, light brown, blood red (more saturated than Crystallos), rose gold 

Aesthetic/Vibes: spooky art nouveau (idk what else to call it), lots of plants and nature but with an edge of danger, poison gardens and carnivorous plants, hedge mazes that lead everywhere and nowhere, laughter deep in the forest, deer with eyes just a hair too human, Alice in Wonderland on steroids 

Notable Members: 

Dream: 

Current king of the Fae

As long as he’s touching the ground, he knows where everything and everyone is

Can terraform

Unlimited in the boundaries of his kingdom

Much more limited outside of his realm

No one has ever seen what he really looks like, even before he took the throne

Since people outside the kingdom don’t know who he is, he’ll wander the outside world and challenge random people to fights

Never says what happens to the losers

Only one person has ever beaten him: Technoblade

He might have a lil obsession around Techno, but it’s fine.  

A little competition is healthy.

Sapnap:  

High Lord of the Summer Court

Dream’s right hand man

Likes fire a little too much probably

George: 

Human that Dream took a liking too and yoinked from the mortal world

Dream and Sapnap made him immortal but he hasn’t realized it yet.  

Skeppy: 

Changeling who started growing diamond-like scales across his body

Is vaguely allied with Dream simply because he’s Fae, but is more loyal to BBH

Like a lot of other Fae, likes to make challenges but he makes them less deadly.  Not totally safe, just less deadly.

Badboyhalo: 

Demon who was kicked out of hell because he was too nice

Found Skeppy in the Overworld and the rest is history

Cursed by the Demon King that the moment he says a swear word, the entire world would end, but can never tell anyone that he is cursed

The Merchant’s Guild

Not quite a country, more of a international power 

Oversees the largest and most important businesses in the world 

Makes sure that no laws are broken between different countries and everyone gets a fair shake 

Has a very large reach, so some members have dabbled in espionage for various groups 

From the outside it looks like the whole thing is kept together with duct tape and hope, but its actually pretty functional

The main members are just… a lot. 

More concerned with keeping things working than influencing other nations (although there are still jokes about it) 

The most valuable thing they trade in is information

They have a lot of fingers in a lot of pots, but are trusted with their information 

Associated Colors: dark blue, teal, deep yellow, burnt orange, copper

Aesthetic/Vibes: art deco babie, angles and lines, very modern and streamlined, sleek suits instead of armor or robes, whiskey in a crystal glass, wars won by words not weapons, knowing when someone’s lying without them saying a word

Notable Members:

Schlatt: 

Ram-man with a plan

Not that bad of a dude, but is in a position where he is constantly in possession of highly sensitive information and that does things to someone’s mental state

Drinks pretty regularly but not a full blown alcoholic

Trying his best

Can be a snarky asshole sometimes

Quackity: 

Lucky duck.  literally.  

Duck man with an uncanny ability to absorb good luck from people (typically Fundy) and apply it to himself

No one knows when or why he joined the guild, but now he’s there

Pretty damn smart, but hides it behind humor

Fundy: 

FOX!  

With BEANS!

Trying his goddamn best but life (and Quackity) make it very difficult

Usually is stuck with the shit end of the stick when getting jobs/contracts/etc. 

Wilbur being his dad is an inside joke that’s gotten a life of its own.  

(No Fishfuckers Allowed!!!)

Puffy: 

Badass sheep lady who captains a ship and commands her own armada

Schlatt’s sister

Also part of Storm’s Landing’s council and acts as the main liaison between them 

Do not fuck with her she will kick your ass.

Storm’s Landing

Port city that became a country after becoming a safe-haven for seafarers

Led by a council of important people, with the head of the council known as the Admiral 

Closest ties to Crystallos and the Merchant’s guild because: 

1) Clingy supremacy!!!!

2) it’s a good idea for a guild to have good ties with a large sea power

3) all the dads for Tubbo

Associated Colors: navy blue, scarlet, white, brass 

Aesthetic/Vibes: Nautical (obviously) with heavy “Age of Exploration” vibes, barnacles crusted on treasure chests, think tall ships and pirates and shit, respecting the ocean because holy shit she’s gonna smash your boat to pieces on a whim because she can, has an edge of darkness because when you go deep enough who knows what you’ll find down there (maybe mermaids???) 

Notable Members:

CaptainSparklez: 

elected to Admiral after the previous Admiral went missing on a routine voyage 

(idk who it used to be, I just wanted to make him new at leading)

not 100% sure about the whole thing, but handling it pretty okay

still answers to “Captain” instead of “Admiral”.  

Niki:

If Storm’s Landing had a queen, would be it unquestionably

Never gets robbed even though there’s a well known “underbelly” in town

Could probably end wars with her croissants

Has a significant history of empathic abilities in her family, so she can tell how people are feeling at all times

Eret: 

Owns a magic store in town that really only shows itself to people who need it.  

Having a bad mental health day?  

He’s got a warm blanket and a cup of your favorite warm beverage waiting.  

Dysphoric?  

She’s got the perfect outfit and affirming words already prepared.  

Trying to find that specific book but can’t remember the title or plot, only vaguely know the color of the cover?  

They’ve got it.  

Ranboo:  

Not sure why he decided to move to a seaside city when he’s not chill with water, but now he’s here and he’s too anxious to leave

Known for teleporting around town randomly when nervous, and the people who find him are always willing to let a hand if he gets lost

Tubbo: 

This boi!  Has so many dads!  

Epitome of “Kindness does not equal weakness.”  

While a lot of people underestimate him, he’s not some fragile little flower

He hasn’t fully grown into his ability to speak to animals (he can only understand bees right now)

He’s just as much of a shit stirrer as Tommy.  

When they meet up, look out.  Something’s getting destroyed.

The Astral Academy

An independent university focused on advancing knowledge in the arcane arts and engineering 

Not a country, but has the political power of one due to their vast resources and building prowess 

People can’t enter unless they are invited or have been given entry as a student 

There are a bunch of potential doors scattered around the continent that could lead to the Academy, but no one is sure where the real entrance is 

Associated Colors: royal purple, lilac, sepia, sky blue, silver, bronze Aesthetic/Vibes: bright academia, massive libraries with bookshelves stuffed to bursting, workshop benches covered in scrap and prototypes, open air observatories, runes waiting to be translated, the crackling energy that comes from successful collaboration, falling down a research rabbit hole, bursting with pride after a project is a success

Notable Members: 

Sam

Purpled

Ponk

Punz

Antfrost

Jack Manifold

I don’t know much about these characters, so if you have any ideas please let me know!

Zero’s OC Land - The North Haven

Smallest and newest country 

Recently gained independence from under a cruel dictator (not schlatt lol)

Located in a pine forest at the base of a huge mountain range 

Has pretty good relations with the other countries, but outsiders don’t know much about them 

Main exports are wood carvings and leather goods 

Associated Colors: Maroon, dark brown, black, pewter 

Aesthetic/Vibes: medieval but with a modern twist, dark wood lit by a roaring fireplace, snow-covered woods without a living soul in sight, half timber houses and detailed wood carving, no outrageous ornamentation or extravagance 

Notable Members:

Tyr: 

Lord of the North Haven

trying to keep his people safe and protected

one of the few remaining Spirits (higher in power than the Fae, but lower than angels)

Spirit of Justice

lost a hand in the war for North Haven’s independence

didn’t want to become the leader but does a pretty good job at it

Adopted 5 kids and is trying his best

Bragi: 

Heir Apparent

24 year old human

can influence the world by speaking (not singing) but has to be careful about which words he uses

has a book full of phrases that have proven effects (a spellbook of sorts)

has a friendly rivalry with Wilbur

Freya: 

Spymaster

actually the oldest but abdicated because she feels she’s not the right person to lead a country

age unknown because she’s the last known [REDACTED] (it’ll be revealed, but I wanna build suspense)

has gyrfalcon wings and heightened senses

chronic insomniac

Forseti: 

Official Librarian

20 years old

hybrid with an unknown entity

has black fingers with sharp claws

always wears gloves to hide them

can create portals to places he’s been or to people he knows (the second is much riskier, but not impossible)

knowledge sponge

wants to join the Astral Academy but is too nervous to apply

Odin: 

Older Twin

The “Sensible One”

17 years old

Has an uncanny sense of direction

Can’t get lost no matter what

Can manipulate magnetic fields

Loki:

Younger Twin

The “Hot Headed One”

17 years old

can manipulate fire

idolizes his older siblings, particularly Freya

The Institute

Creeping around in the background

Up to bad things

Something’s going on in the world, but no one’s noticed yet

They will though… soon

Aesthetic/Vibes: minimalism (the worst kind of vibes imo), think laboratories or empty hospitals, harsh artificial lights and cold floors, labyrinths of monotonous hallways with no doors

[eyesofsteelandsky]

Too Good To Pass Up

First in a series of story posts related to an on-going effort to restore Brem’s eye. Includes violence and blood. Future stories will have a LOT more of both.

The crunch of sand under the heavy, pacing bootfalls had almost withered its way into being as much white noise as the occasional lapping of the mild tide in the long stretch of waiting. Several well-worn lines and circular trails around the heavy crate she had been watching over marked Brem’s impatient path. Even with the more frequent visits and having been in the area for the better part of a week now, the East’s winds and seas didn’t bring that same feeling of home as the sandy beaches of La Noscea. As she was settling into the internal debate if they were the comforts of a stranger, or simply she was the stranger in someone else’s comforts, a familiar pudgy figure called out from the tunnel into the small cove.

“Miss Abylnpfefwyb! I’m so glad to see you learned punctuality since our first meeting! And I do see you came alone as well. Were it that everyone in our business that could take instruction so well.” The bespeckled Hingashi hyur made his way forward from that cave passage, waving at those behind him to start filtering in. An entourage including a handful of muscle, some set with swords on their hips and others with long rifles. The last threw were a pair escorting a thinly, if particularly tall woman in cuffs. Though the woman’s long hair hung over most of her face, there were still clearly a few bruises over the visible portions of her cheeks. “I do believe you’ll find that the merchandise is exactly what you asked for. I do hope my.. adjustment in payment wasn’t too demanding.”

“I wouldn’t want you walking away from this thinking I didn’t respect you, Kubo. Like the obvious respect your rather extensive negotiation assistants clearly represents for me.” One of the sea wolf’s gloved hands grips the front of the crate she had been pacing around for so long, letting it crash forward firmly enough to erase much of her trail from the sand. A faint blue glow illuminates the machinery with, as well as the pair of tanks at the back end. “One Garlean magitek engine and enough ceruleum to get any prospective magitek business’s R&D going. Though as far as I can tell what you’ve brought is a tall woman with a black eye..” The Hingan man’s smile stretched so broad it threatened to chase his hairline even further into retreat as he snapped his fingers to have the captive brought forward. Once the muscled pair had her close enough to present they forced her to hunch forward so Kubo could raise his hand to push her hair up and out of the way, revealing the Garlean third eye in her forehead. “I believe you’ll find she has two entirely untouched eyes, even if the one looks more like a clam spit it into her head. “May I present Fulcinia lux Protus. Or is the ‘lux’ reserved for those who aren’t traitors to the empire? Ijin naming habits are so hard to keep track of..” The woman in question turns the eye that isn’t swollen shut or in the middle of her forehead out Brem’s way, but it’s clear any desire to resist had already been beaten out of her.

“Looks like short of tossing an Allagan puzzle for her to solve at your feet, I’ll have to take your word on it. I -am- rather disappointed that you’re asking full price for damaged goods.” Several heavy strides draw her pointedly away from the crated engine, with one hand waved back towards the man’s payment. “Though seeing as I can’t imagine paying with most of an engine is going to work, perhaps you’ll consider a friendly discount the next time we do business?”

“Oh, of course, of course. We’ll take a bit right off the top next time, as a show of good faith. The man’s smile lingers on as he snaps his fingers again and the Garlean woman was drug over Brem’s way, with one of the burly xaela men escorting her offering the chains of the woman’s cuffs forward. “Though there is one thing I should mention, I suppose..”

“While I do so greatly appreciate the business you’ve brought me today, Miss Abylnpfefwyb, you do have to know the value of what we have here in this bay. A woman who’s made a fortune blowing Garleans out of the sky, here with a traitor and and a salvaged ship engine. Do you have any idea how much that trio of treasure would be worth, even to a fractured empire?” Kubo raised his hands and gave a loud clap, leading to several fully armored Garlean soldiers to pour through the cave tunnel into the cove, as well as the magitek whirr of several armors, predators, and vanguards activating and stepping up from the rocky ridge, and several of the true constructs walking up out of the hiding places within the waters behind the sea wolf. “And I’m afraid if I have to choose between long term business partners with an army, or a bitchy sky pirate with a superiority complex, it’s not so hard a choice. Now then, you can come peacefully or we these fine imperials can take home the obsidian we can blast you into. Your choice.”

Her fingers curl around the chain she was holding, drawing that single teal eye up from the woman she was here for to the shit-eating grin being beamed down at her by the triumphant hyur. “It’s a good trap, well sprung Kubo. Even I know better to take on everything you’ve brought with you by myself. So there’s not really any choice is there? Though I must say..” The warm leather her hand was bound in subtly tightens it’s grips over Fulcinia’s bindings once more. “There’s an important talent in our kind of negotiations. The ability to recognize the look in someone’s eye when they’ve decided to piss on a good thing. And you, Kubo, don’t hide that look well.”

Though his expression soured briefly as she spoke, eventually a laugh burst from the Hingan’s chest, waving both arms out at the overwhelming force he’d brought along with him. “And what good has that ‘talent’ brought you, pirate cunt? You’ll leave here chained like her and I’ll be spending my imperial coin before the day is done!”

“The thing is, those who don’t hide it well usually don’t know to look for it themselves.” A swift yank sent the bound Garlean flying past her to land face-first into the sand as aether went ripping around the pale pirate’s other hand, eventually forming a spear that went flying towards the engine and it’s crate, landing in a pipe that fed the ceruleum tanks into the engine. Immediately after she flung herself on top of Fulcinia and immediately forcing the aether around her into plate after plate to drop onto the pair. 

A few stray rounds from Kubo’s riflemen made it past the initial defense, one even tore into the roegadyn’s shoulder, but as she’s finishing the cocoon of protection the magical spear she’d flung erupts into flame, rushing into the pair of tanks. There’s a brief hiss of build up before the engine and its fuel supply violently burst, catching the swordsmen rushing forward in the explosion while the concussive wave slams into the rest of the crowd within the enclosed cove, knocking a few unconscious outright while others are simply sent flying backwards onto the ground. 

With the signal sent and received, the roar of an airship’s engine announces the presence of the pirate’s vessel only moments before it rose into view from its hiding place among several several sea vessels. The First Mate was already shouting the command to fire as the heavy Garlean machinery on the ridge tries to whip around and chase the mobile arial target, catching each in a steady stream of cannon fire. Shouts of retreat from both Kobu’s men and their Garlean cohorts sounded almost immediately, though it wasn’t slowing the fire from the ship above.

Though the heavy aether around them distorted the sound, the shift in the battle, it was enough to get Brem to drop the spell and yank the chained Garlean up with her. “You want out of this alive? You come with me.” The intensity of her rushed words, half of a metal face, and the battle raging yalms away was enough to get a bobbly-headed nod from the shell-shocked woman as the pair rushed past the burning wreckage of the engine crate. With one arm wrapped around Fulcinia’s core as best she could manage, the roegadyn flung the other upward with another ripple of aether, launching the familiar shape of a frog tongue up to an anchor built onto the side of her ship. As soon as the magical shape tried to pull back, the anchor itself whirred to life and instead yanked back with equal force so that the sea wolf and her ‘cargo’ were hauled rapidly skyward, tumbling out onto the main deck of her airship.

“Welcome aboard, Cap’n! Orders?” The bright faced First Mate flashed that energetic and occasionally frustrating grin down to the bleeding pile of roegadyn.

There’s a snarl as she hauled herself up to her feet, motioning down to Fulcinia. “Get her below deck, keep someone with her and get that eye looked at.” Stalking over to the weapon rack on a nearby wall she yanked a long rifle free, stepping to the edge of the deck to raise it. Aiming one-eyed always had it’s challenges, but hours of practice and a burning pit of fury in her stomach steadied her hand. One loud crack of gunpowder and the paunchiest of the figure’s fleeing the beach collapsed just short of the tunnel out, blood flowing readily from the freshly formed hole in his throat. “Get us the fuck out of her. Once she’s cleaned up, me and my ‘guest’ are takin’ the ‘cutter. You need to get the ship back to home port before the Garleans start swarmin’.”

[ltjlily17]

The truth about vampires

Let’s start off with some basics. What’s your name? Rachel How old are you? 35 What’s your hair and eye color? Green eyes, brown to teal hair. How tall are you? 5′6″

What’s your relationship status? Married Alright, enough of that. Let’s move on to the random shit. What’s your favorite song? Mayonaise by the Smashing Pumpkins, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton and In Your Atmosphere by John Mayer. What does that song mean? What is the message behind it? They are all pretty different theme wise, but all three really evoke a feeling. Is it your favorite because you relate to it, or do you just like the beat? They’re all more guitar heavy than having a beat, the lyrics and overall feeling the songs provide are what really get m, though. Have any pets? If so, what are they and what’s their names? I have a dog named Finn, and a cat named Mateo. Have you ever met your idol? If so, were they nice or were they kind of an ass? I don’t have an idol. What’s your favorite method of gaming? (PC, Xbox, Playstation, etc) Either the Switch or my laptop. Xbox is fine, but I guess I prefer a handheld type device.  If you’re in college, what’s your major and why did you pick it? I am not in college. My major when I attended varied between visual communications, education and IT. I didn’t choose nor graduate. How’re you doing today? Meh, theres a lot going on around me with people I care about. I was talking to a friend earlier about how most people are stressed or unhapy this time of year, which is really not my experience. I love buying gifts for others, decorating and baking, so this is generally a good time for me. What color are your bedroom walls? Ugh, like a pastel yellow. I really dislike the color. I have painted some grey paint splotches on one wall to see which one I liked most, but I’ve never gotten around to actually painting. Describe your favorite shirt. I don’t know that I have a favorite. I typically wear a shirt I got from John Mayer’s last tour the most- its got a cool fish and cat graphic on it. Use this space to tell someone off. I’ve no one to tell off. What’s your view on smart watches? Cool or a waste of money? I have one. I like it. I really like watches in general, though and I feel a little sad I don’t wear the analog ones anymore, but I’d miss the functionality of the smartwatch. What is one poster that you have hanging on your bedroom wall of? I don’t have anything hanging on the walls in my room. We have slanted ceilings, so there isn’t even enough space for a poster. My room was covered in band posters as a teenager, though. How many times have you moved in your life? I lived at home til 20, lived with my first roommate til 25, a townhouse with a friend and my now husband for a year, an apt with my now husband for 4 years and now our house for 5 years. If you moved, do you like where you are now better than where you were? I’ve stayed in pretty much the same area, but living in our house is definitely better than the one bedroom apartment we were in. What’s your favorite color and why? Grey. Darker earthy tones. Do you have a calendar? If so, what’s the theme? Nope. Just use my watch/phone. Have any famous person’s autographs? I do on some concert tickets from when I was younger. Do you draw well? Depends on your perspective, to my non-artistic friends, they think I’m amazing. The artistic friends, probably just roll their eyes lol. What type of cell phone do you have? iPhone X. Should you be doing anything else right now or are you just bored? I finally finished the wedding I had been editing and the only other project I have right now is the paint by number of our dog I got for my husband as a gift, but he’s here, so it has to wait. Finishing that wedding was a huge weight off my shoulders.

If you’re in school/college, what’s your favorite subject and why? Not in school. Maybe now that I’m done with the wedding I’ll start exploring some learning opportunities. Are you a cat or a dog person? Why? I would’ve always said cat until I got a dog. There are a lot of things about dogs I was really not into, but I love my dog so much. Personality wise, I’m more of a cat person, but in practice I like dogs. Tell me about the plot of your favorite book. I have several. One has a ghost that rings a bell around a mounted moose’s head. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Glasses. What do you think about horror movies? I like them. I’ve seen a lot of old ones. Back in the day, my mom and I would go to Blockbuster and I’d get a different horror movie every week. If you love them (I do), what’s your favorite? Nightmare on Elm Stree is a classic for me. It Follows is probably the one that fucked me up the most. Got any cool Christmas presents picked out for family or friends yet? I’ve got all my gifts purchsed except for the hub. He sent me a ridiculous wish list that included a suit of armor and a castle and then decided he didn’t want any gifts this year. I’m running out of time to figure something out. Do you do Black Friday shopping or wait for Cyber Monday? Neither. I’m definitely not going to go out on Black Friday and deal with all those people for junk I don’t need. As for Cyber Monday, I don’t really pay much attention to any of the deals and don’t really buy more on that day than I would on any other. Have any mental illnesses? Not encompassing enough to get any kinda of diagnosis. What’s your favorite word and why? No idea.  What is the most expensive thing you own, and what is it? My car? I mean, I don’t outright own it yet. Singular item, my MacBook or iMac, I guess.  Did you buy that item yourself? Yes, I bought the macbook and iMac after I left my job at Cassano’s and needed a new laptop since my previous one was owned by the company. Where do you work and what is your position? *I am currently unemployed. How often do you cuss? A fair amount. Maybe just a little bit more than whomever I’m talking to. What type of car do you drive, if any? I have a 2012 Volvo s60. Are you happy with it? If no, what’s your dream car? I prefer to drive my car than my husbands, but I’m like 50/50 on liking it. Right now, my dream vehicles are the new Land Rover Defender or an Audi Q8. Do you have a lot of social media accounts? Which ones? I have Instagram, Facebook LinkedIn and Tumblr. I very rarely post on any of them. I use snapchat a lot, though, if that counts. What is your favorite genre of music? My Spotify year end review said I listen to Pop, Rock, Indie, Folk and Emo the most. In that order. Does your family have holiday traditions? If so, what are they? Nope. My fmaily just barely cobbles themselves together for major holidays. If you’re in a relationship, are you happy with it? Sure. People are breaking up around us, and it really makes me appreciate the relationship my husband and I have, even if it doesn’t always feel like its going as well as it is. How long have you been with your significant other? Just hit the 10 year mark. Do you like psychology? (It’s my college major). Nah. Never really been something I’m too interested in. What is something your state is popularly known for? College football I guess.  Do you like to do craft projects? If so, what’s the coolest thing you made? I do. I recently drew a bunch of Dungeons and Dragons monsters to use as ornaments on a tree in my dining room where my husband and his friends play Dungeons and Dragons on Sundays. I’ve made some painting as house warming gifts or nursery art for friends children that they’ve hung up and thats nice to see. Do you watch sports or do you think they’re overrated? Nah. Not really a fan. What’s one occupation you think gets paid too much and doesn’t deserve to? Meh, I don’t know that I want to hate on any specific occupation. The extremely rich do bother me, however, with how much money they make, often at their employees detriment. Do you straigthen your hair? Not usually. I have more lately, since its getting long again. I’m more likely to do the loose waves thing, though. Ever dyed your hair a color that isn’t natural? (blue, pink, etc) Yes, it is currently teal. How’s your relationship with your parents? Relationship with my mom is okay, none with my dad. Do you still live with them or do you have your own house? I live in my own home. What’s something you are currently saving money for to buy? Hmm, nothing. The couple of items I want at the moment, I asked for on my Christmas list. Do you smoke/vape? If so, what brand do you smoke/what device do you use? Nope, I’ve never smoked. Ever done drugs? Nope. Tell me one of your worst habits. Picking at my cuticles? What’s a weird quirk you have that no one else you know does? No idea, I kind of doubt that theres something I do that no one else ever does. If you game, what type of headset do you use? I don’t ever need a headset. What type of computer do you own, and do you like it? I have a MacBook Pro. I used to have an Air and I loved it, but my husband talked me into getting the Pro instead and I regret it.  What’s the thing that annoys you the most? When my husband asks google to make his cellphone ring at max volume without even trying to look for it. Today, it was in his pocket. What brand of TV do you have? Samsung. Are you excited for Christmas? (It’s December 1st today when I made this) Kind of? I love how cozy my house feels with all the decorations.  Tell me about your favorite vacation you’ve taken. We went to New York for my birthday/anniversary/Halloween 2 years ago. Tell me something cool about yourself. I am not cool? Did/do you get good grades in school/college? Not in my middle school/high school years. What’s your ringtone on your phone? Vibrate. What’s your favorite store to shop in? The internet. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy and why? I have no idea. I’d probably sit on the money for a long time and then once I finally broke the seal, buy a bunch of stuff. How long have you had a Bzoink account? Don’t have one. Ever been to Field of Screams? If so, what’s your favorite attraction? Nope. Do you own a Polaroid camera? I have an Instax camera. Do you have hardwood floor in your room or carpet? The two bedrooms upstairs have carpet, but the rest of the house is hardwood. It’s a Saturday night, what are you typically doing? Relaxing at home, most likely. Doing a crossword puzzle, probably. Do you have a lot of friends or do you not have any at all? I have a couple. What’s your all time favorite movie and why? I don’t know, really. I watch the Iron Man movies and Thor Ragnarok the most these days. How many blankets do you sleep with at night? A sheet and comforter. What’s the last TV show you watched? Did you enjoy it? The Mandalorian. I do enjoy it.  Do you prefer cable TV or do you use Netflix? We have cable, but never really watch it. Everything we want to watch is only Netflix or Disney+. What is your dream job and why? I have no idea. Need to get to thinking on that. Do you think you would be a good therapist? I do. I think I can listen to people and help them come to their own answers pretty well. What’s your favorite brand of clothing? I don’t know that I have a favorite. Anything that fits well and has a lot of sales lol.

[birger-wuvs-elsa]

The Frozen Lion

Elsa Week, Day Seven: Free Choice @elsadailly

Had a hard time coming up with something, so I used a Prompt Generator and found an interesting combo...

Genre: Fairy Tale

Character: A lion trainer

Material: An old car

Sentence: "I don't need any sleep."

Bonus: The Sun is failing.

Fair Warning, this got fucking long and I don’t know how... OwO

Elsa tightened her hold on the coiled whip in her hands, knuckles white with the pressure of her grip. Where once she had treated the strip of leather like a snake, afraid it would one day snap at her, now she had to hold onto it for dear life. Though shame still broiled in Elsa’s stomach, as she had once promised never to use it...life didn’t really care what the blonde wanted. That would’ve been far too easy, far too simple.

No, rather, it had decided to bring her to the brink of desperation.

Before Elsa was the open entryway of a tent, the bright red canvas was so obnoxious it caused her eyes to sting a bit. Even in her peripheral, the color hurt to see, and the yellows, greens, and blues that striped it didn’t help. But this was the circus—distasteful flashiness and abominable showmanship was required. But then, the Sun was failing; light in the world was getting dimmer and dimmer, so of course mankind would compensate with unnecessarily bright colors.

The roar of the excited crowd as the Showmaster spoke through his megaphone was muted to Elsa, as she agonized over what she was being made to do. To her people, the act she was about to commit was beyond heinous. Such a crime was so abhorred by Elsa’s people, even the mere thought committing it was punishable by death. Actually doing the crime itself?

Well...there are worse things than dying...

Such as the pure terror that lanced through Elsa’s body like electricity as she heard the Showmaster call out his ‘mighty and cold Lion Master’ to face the ‘fearsome and powerful Frozen Lion’. The blonde outright loathed the title, loathed her position, loathed herself, she loathed everything! Were it not for the monumental payment she would be receiving for this show, and how badly the blonde’s family needed it...she wouldn’t be within a thousand leagues of this den of greedy scum.

But Anna—her sister— needed the money; Kristoff, Anna’s mate, their vulpendeer Sven, Olaf the Snowfayr, their entire village. If Elsa didn’t get this money, they were all doomed to die in the darkness and the cold. How tragic that the gradual decline of the sun only made the rich richer, and the poor poorer. For all the world knew, this was the end of days...for all they knew, they were all going to die. What if when the sun finally died, they all just...ended?

Without Heylosk to protect them and keep them warm...and to fend them off...what was the point?

But Elsa once heard a man say something, a man who saw the sun failing and decided he wasn’t dead yet: “Until the world actually ends, I’m going to act as if it’ll keep going. Better than to waste my time sitting around, waiting to die.”

But as the blonde walked out onto the show floor, as she blinked against the blazing false-lights that beamed onto her and all but scorched her pale skin, Elsa almost wished she’d done that instead...waited to die. After all, she felt like she was dying now, eyes locked on the dirt floor as the Showmaster announced the beast that would be arriving to ‘face the Lion Master in glorious combat!’. The crowd cheered, the blonde scowled and gripped her whip tighter. It took all of Elsa’s willpower not to kill them all right then; she heard them, heard them cry out for blood...her blood, or the lion’s, they didn’t seem to care.

The crowd wanted someone to die today...

But then, as the Showmaster scurried out of the arena, and Elsa faced the doorway the lion was to come out of, it made sense to the blonde. Neither of their kinds were really loved at all by man; Vylashkin like her, known as ‘Snow Demons’ by the humans, and Vundubadokk, ‘Ice Lions’ men called them. Anyone or anything from the frozen northlands was hated or feared by man, unless of course they were forced to fight one another for man’s amusement.

They hate us for our love of the cold...they think we’re flourishing while the Sun is failing...

The metal door rumbled and creaked as it rose, and the crowd’s cheer grew louder in anticipation. Elsa squared her feet, and shifted her hold of the whip to hold the handle, the length of the weapon falling free...

They have no idea...we’re suffering, everyone’s suffering, the sun wasn’t just for them. We never hated the sun, we didn’t wish it away...

Thrumming growls echoed out from the partially open door, the alien noise silencing some humans in fear, but inspiring brave insults from others. Elsa rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck, and made sure to even out her breathing.

Our ‘savage rituals’ to make the sun die...we were mourning it, you monsters. We were mourning Heylosk...because you murdered him...

Finally the door was fully open, and the Vundubadokk emerged slowly, carefully, its eyes locked on the blonde. The lion-like beast growled, its hackles raised, making the ice spikes on its back quiver and heighten. Its saber teeth glinted in the false-light, the antlers coated in ice sparkled and shone. Even its mane of teal rime looked downright stunning, despite the abomination they called light that streamed onto it. However, the white fur on most of the lion—crusted perpetually by the frost on the lion’s body—was not so beautiful, the moment the false-light struck its hide, steam arose as a soft hiss gradually made itself known.

Just as the harsh light ever so slightly began to burn away at Elsa...it burned away at the lion as well...

The two beings born of ice, forced to fight one another beneath searing rays of false light. All of it, for the entertainment of the humans who hated them, who killed the Sun only to blame them for it. As Elsa looked into the lion’s eyes, eyes that shone azure with Wylund’s blessing, the blessing of Winter...she saw the hesitance. While the beast made no outward show of compassion, the blonde knew that the Vundubadokk didn’t want to hurt her. Elsa could only hope, as she took a fighter’s stance and cracked her whip (to the excitement of the crowd), that the lion could see the same in her eyes.

A whistle rang through the air, the shrill noise hardly lasted a moment before the Vundubadokk and the Vylashkin lunged at one another. The crowd loved every second of the fight that ensued, loved the blood that began to coat the dirt, the cries of pain from either woman or lion. The Showmaster smiled cruelly from his place, and chuckled everytime the lion scored a hit on the blonde. He didn’t like her, not at all; in fact, he didn’t even intend on paying her. The man only promised her the hefty sum he did to convince the Vylashkin to go against every law her people had.

Desperation born of the Sun’s death turned out to be much more profitable than the Showmaster could’ve imagined. Sure, when he first heard word some weirdo named Hans planned on murdering Heylosk, people like the Showmaster couldn’t have cared less. Sure, it’d be absolutely horrendous for people who relied on the Sun’s power, but not him. Oh no, he had enough riches he could manufacture whatever he needed.

But entertainment like watching two ice demons from the North have at each other?

Fucking priceless...die, you frozen bitch, die! But do please take the lion with you...he’s far too much trouble, kind of like you.

The man chuckled to himself, but frowned as he heard a scream. The Showmaster cast his gaze from the arena to the stands. His eyes widened in horror as he saw ice break out everywhere, giant chunks had encased his guards, and frost was spreading everywhere. The man glared down at his ‘entertainers’ only to gape in confusion. Both lion and woman were slumped on the ground, the woman on her knees, and the lion on its side.

They weren’t doing anything...

Before the Showmaster could do anything, a loud explosion behind him sent the man to the floor. Just as it quieted and the rubble stilled, the man looked to find the door of his cabin blown apart. Unnatural fire clung to the doorway, fire in a thousand colors he didn’t know existed, and watched, terrified, as two beings entered. The one who approached him first and knelt before his charred face was clearly a woman, and she seemed human...save for the one green eye she had, opposed to one blue

“Y-you’re...you’re a f-f-fucking huh-hybrid...” The Showmaster stuttered out.

The woman smiled, an awfully cheerful expression that made the man shudder. Her short brown hair ruffled in the agitated air caused by the fire. “Maybe, but that’s not really important right now, is it? We’ll be taking your lion and master away now, thank you.”

The Showmaster scowled, and tried to stand up only to fall back to the ground. “You bitch! You can’t do that, they’re mine! They belong to me!”

A hand larger than any man’s, larger than the Showman’s own head, shot down faster than he could see and grabbed his shirt’s collar. The man screamed as he was ruthlessly pulled off the floor, the being that grabbed him so tall, the Showman’s feet dangled a good two feet off the ground. The man gripped the being’s terribly muscled arm in a vain attempt to get free, only to gape as his hands hardly encircled the ripped, steal-scaled forearm.

As the Showman followed the arm—armored by scales that looked like metal, but were clearly a part of its body—all the way to the head, he immediately regretted doing so. For he met the eyes of a dragon’s face, the blue all but burning with rage. This was a Khadra...a dragon-man...the former Knights of Heylosk and Thulinth, the Sun and the Moon.

A voice so deep it sounded like the Earth’s thundered from the dragon. “They belong to nobody...and you will never harm another innocent again...”

The last thing the Showmaster saw was the woman break the glass of his viewing wall, leap down to the arena, and approach his prizes...before his vision was engulfed by golden flame.

Elsa didn’t move when the screams and explosions started, they didn’t matter to her. She’d already done the worst thing imaginable...harmed her people’s sacred animal. She clenched her fists tight on the dirt floor, the whip no longer in her hands, but rather off in some corner of the arena where the blonde pretended it was straight up gone. Elsa grimaced, and let herself sob as she watched the tears fall onto the ice coated, blood soaked ground. In front of her, she heard the lion’s painful keens, and cried harder for the beast.

No...no, I won’t fail you again, o good lion...

As she couldn’t literally spit, the fluids of her body spent on tears and sweat, Elsa instead figuratively spit in everyone’s face as she crawled, hands and knees, to the Vundubadokk. The great lion was still alive, wounded by her strikes but thankfully not fatally so. Every exhaled breath came out a slight whine, and a pool a drool grew by its open mouth. Its eyes were glazed and unfocused, and the beast clearly no longer took notice of everything.

Elsa reached out, slowly, before she placed a pale hand on the lion’s paler chest. The beast startled, eyes widened sharply as it looked at her. It didn’t move its head, but now its azure gaze was locked onto Elsa’s own. The blonde kept the shared gaze, and pursed her lips as she left frost spark into being beneath her hand. The growing cold on the lion’s side caused it to sigh, its body relaxing beneath Elsa’s frosted touch as she began to pet it.

“I’m so sorry, Vundubadokk...” Elsa whispered softly to it as she crawled closer, and used both hands to frost the lion’s side. The ice seemed to revitalize the beast as its breathing calmed, and it became more and more relaxed.  “I didn’t want to hurt you, I’m sorry...”

The beast continued to watch her, its bright eyes seeming to pierce Elsa’s own soul.

...I’m sorry, too...

Elsa’s eyes widened as she gasped, startled to have heard the strong bass voice in not just her mind, but her heart, her very soul. She’d heard legends of this before, of frozen lions bonding with those of her people. This bond allowed them to communicate with one another, to share hearts and strength. But she didn’t know how the bond was made...until now, Elsa stared down at her hands on the lion’s side, and she understood.

A link made of ice...

Suddenly, the lion growled and a warm hand rested on Elsa’s shoulder, startling the blonde out of her realization. She looked up to meet the dual-colored eyes of the woman who now stood over her, a soft, gentle smile beneath.

“It’s all right, I’m not here to hurt you. My associate and I are here to get you two out of here.”

A loud rumble shook the ground, and Elsa looked over the lion to see...by the gods, was that a Khadra?! All breath left Elsa as she started in awe of the dragon man that approached the frozen pair. His naturally armored body almost resembled plated steel, and he shone like a living god himself beneath the rays of the false-light. While nowhere near as deep as the lion’s, the dragon’s own voice rumbled like an avalanche.

“Do not fear, young Vylashkin. We’re here to take you two home, you have my word.”

Elsa looked between the two, and gulped down the fear (and bile, maybe?) she felt. They were giving her an out, they were rescuing her...and not just her, but the lion as well! She almost laughed in relief, but stopped herself as soon as she remembered the entire reason Elsa had allowed any of this to happen. The blonde shook her head, and struggled to not cry again.

“I-I can’t, I need...I need the money for this, I can’t go home without it! My people, my sister, they’ll die without the money!”

The dragon smiled, he actually smiled, but it looked far too gentle to be mocking. Elsa stared him, daring to glare at the legendary beast, only to watch in slack-jawed awe as he raised up a huge back. Ordinarily, the bag would’ve required multiple men to carry it, but the khadra’s grand size and strength made the one-handed act laughably easy.

“Oh, do you mean this?” The dragon chuckled, “I busted open his safe and oh my, no one ever taught that man to not keep all of his eggs in one basket, did they?”

A chuffing noise below Elsa brought her attention to the lion’s laughter, and incited the blonde’s own. They were free...absolutely free...no death or crime-tainted money involved, only a few scars and a brand new bond. Elsa immediately agreed to the rescue, the khadra proving his strength yet again as he gently lifted the frozen lion onto his shoulder. The woman helped Elsa to her feet, and together, the group left the showroom.

Outside was similar to within, blasts of various elements marred the corrupt complex around them. Elsa stared as the woman ushered her past it all, amazed at the thought of any kind of rebellion being a thing. But clearly it was, as other captured individuals—human or otherwise—were freed. The blonde’s attention was taking from the chaotic sight to an old car the woman was urging her into. The large vehicle wasn’t ancient by any means, but certainly had seemed use.

It almost seemed like a former troop carrier, from...from the days of Heylosk’s Knights.

As the four settled themselves in the back, the woman strode to the cabin, where two more women sat. “Paine, get us out of here now, these two need to get North a.s.a.p.!”

The silver-haired woman behind the wheel nodded, and swiftly put the vehicle in gear and rushed them out. Elsa returned her attention to the Vundubadokk, to her lion, as the Khadra carefully laid the beast down. As soon as the dragon stood and back away, Elsa hurried to the lion’s sided and all but collapsed against it. Though the beast huffed at the sudden weight, the blonde didn’t fail to notice its smile.

Elsa heard the khadra chuckle, before she felt his large hand gently rest of her back. “I’ll leave you two be. It’s a long drive North, and you two were baked in hell a tad too long. Rest...we’ll cool this cabin for you, so no need to worry.”

Elsa looked up to meet the dragon’s eyes, amazed at the kindness in the blue, and the sheer gentleness in the smile. The beastly man should’ve been a fright to behold, but so far, had only been the epitome of compassion before the blonde. Elsa sighed and smiled, giving the dragon a grateful nod.

“Thank you so much, I’ll never be able to repay any of you...”

The dragon’s smile grew, if that were possible, and...wait... For a brief second, the khadra’s image flickered, and Elsa could’ve sworn she saw an image of a young woman. But before she could even register what she saw, the blonde blinked and only beheld a dragon once more.

“You’re very welcome, Elsa. Now rest, and make sure Birger gets plenty of frost so he can heal.”

Elsa frowned, her stubbornness rising within her chest. “I don’t need any sleep.”

The dragon chuckled, “Yes, you do. That heat and the trauma of your little escapade will wear on you more than you know. Besides, your magic won’t last long if you dead tired. Now rest, you’ve both earned it.”

The khadra then strode into the cabin, where a button was pressed and a door closed, cutting off the rest of the vehicle from their cabin. Cold air immediately filled the room, invigoration both woman and lion immensely after their searing duel before. The cool was heavenly on their roasted hides, but...Elsa couldn’t focus on the relief, for her mind was focused on one question.

How did he know my name...and the lion’s...I never said it, and the lion can only speak to me...

Before Elsa could consider further, she slumped against Birger’s side and drifted off to sleep, a gentle coat of frost beneath her hand where it lay on the lion’s side.