#dr nefarious ships

[awildtrashcan]

They're rude, they're selfish, they're assholes, they probably drive Ratchet to drink, they make Lawrence wish he could drink, they're galactic menaces, they have backstory that exists soley in my head, they'd sell me for one corn chip between the three of them and I'd let them

[nyxpheros]

Pierre x Nefarious! My part of the Art trade I've done with @/YangEmoji (Cradelz)

[kannem76]

GOFFY AH NEFFY AND QWARK

[czcreation]

Cringetober day 9

I fully believe these 2 characters would be best friends

[irrelevantlostie]

So I was (jokingly) kicking this idea around in my head of Stolitz having an in-universe fan following, just because I think it would be a very funny and meta thing to have happen, but the more I thought about it the more I realized maybe it’s not such a ridiculous idea. In fact, the show has now set us up perfectly to go down this route, and here’s why:

After the trial, Stolas and Blitz are now both pretty famous and people are paying attention to them. Blitz in particular now has a lot of fans among imp-kind. So if Stolas keeps hanging around him and Blitz keeps defending him, people are going to notice.

They’re going to start wondering why Blitz is defending him when in their eyes, Stolas is the bad guy who used him for his own nefarious purposes. They basically hate Stolas on Blitz’s behalf (and on the behalf of all other imps who have been used by royals).

So, naturally, people will start to theorize.

“OMG, what if Stolas actually did that to sacrifice himself for Blitz??”

“Dude, no way! You and your conspiracy theories…”

“But they’re seen together like all the time! I heard the bird lives with him now!”

“That’s crazy. If that’s true he must have some kind of Stockholm Syndrome, poor guy.”

And you know people are suckers for a good enemies to lovers story, so, you know, that.

So they will run away with this idea that maybe there’s more to this story, people believe that they’re actually a couple and it was all for true love, people will WANT this to be true, and there you go. Stolitz.

They already did this with Fizzmodeus and I thought the scene in Mammon’s where everyone was going crazy over them on social media was hilarious.

Also, something I don’t see many people talking about is did they livestream the part where Stolas was chained up and Blitz was literally screaming for him not to do this and trying to save him? Because I feel like if they did, it would only add more fuel to the fire of the idea that they’re not getting the whole story.

Anyway, just some food for thought.

TL;DR: possibility of in-universe shipping shenanigans

[fox-guardian]

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NOW I STARTING TO LIKE THE HORSE MORE *exploding with joy*

Waiter! More characters who acting on public and in reality more chill please!! YESS (too much caps im sorry it will happen again)

Hmmmm. To say that The Horse is "acting" on hauls and is "more chill" at home isn't entirely accurate. Or at least is a bit too simplified.

Truly the best way I can describe the divide between Curly The Captain and Curly The Friend And Roommate is Jekyll and Hyde. Not in the vague pop culture sense, but in the actual book sense. Dr. Jekyll creates this formula to do the whole splitting his soul in two thing, separating the "good" from the "evil" when in reality, all he did was create a persona with a new face to hide (hyde) behind while doing nefarious and horrible things. Release your inhibition, feel the rain on your skin etc.

While Anti-Curly didn't make some mad scientist potion, he is trying his damnedest to separate these two aspects of his life, but one isn't strictly an act while the other is his "true" or "better" self.

He plays up the act of The Esteemed Captain in an over-the-top way that he enjoys, wearing it like a mask, but the rest of him is on full display, so to speak. He is under no illusion that he himself is choosing to do the awful things he does, but that's all strictly a problem for Captain Curly, you see. He commits the horrible acts, and he deals with them. And if he experiences no repercussions, then he doesn't Need to deal with them and doesn't bother feeling guilty about them, because if Pony Express doesn't care, then why should he? And then on earth he rests easy knowing that he doesn't even have to THINK about all that stuff because it's all a problem for Captain Curly.

At home, on earth, sure he's emoting more freely, his face no longer forced into a cheery grin at all times, but he's still holding himself back otherwise. He needs to be careful, you see. On earth, he can't get away with the kind of things he can up in space, in his little ship. He has to contain his anger, find better ways to release tension than wringing his roommate's neck every time he pisses him off. There would be too many issues, too many questions. So he keeps that under wraps. And of course never talks about his work at home.

Both are different kinds of restrained in their own ways, neither any more true than the other.

And it's very jarring to see the shift from an outside perspective. Just ask Anti-Jimmy. He would know.

[startrek-eridani]

Dr. David James Marcus, science officer and head of the science department

Son of the renowned scientist Carol Marcus and then Commander James T. Kirk, he was born in 2263 in Montréal, but later lived on various starbases and scientific outposts with his mother. Carol Marcus took the decision to raise her son on her own after her separation with Jim, before she even gave birth to David, as she found Kirk’s career to be incompatible with parenthood and feared that her son would follow in his footsteps and leave to explore the dangers of space.

David was homeschooled for his primary and secondary education, with tutoring in all the necessary fields by many of his mother’s colleagues. Considering this and the fact that they moved a lot for Carol’s research, David did not have many friends growing up. He went to college and completed a double major in xenobiology and astrophysics, before getting his doctorate in particle physics. He then joined his mother’s research team on Project Genesis. At this time of his life, he was very cautious of the military, believing Starfleet, while affiliated with the research of the Genesis Project, would attempt to steal and use the technology in nefarious ways.

His first meeting with his father James Kirk was a shock, but he quickly realised how alike they were, both determined, intelligent, caring yet stubborn men. Following the event on the Genesis planet, namely his death and revival, David suffered from many medical consequences due to the Genesis effect healing his body, yet causing nerve and muscle damage, which left him disabled. His symptoms are similar to epilepsy, migraines as well as mobility issues, which arise when standing up for extended periods, for example. He resorted, after his year long recovery on Vulcan, to use orthotics braces to facilitate his movements and prevent pain and mobility issues.

While still preoccupied by the possibility of corruption in any organisation, he decided after his recovery to pursue a career in Starfleet, to his mother’s dismay. Part of his reason for joining the fleet is a desire to do better with his wide scientific knowledge, mostly after how his impatience caused many deaths with project genesis. He still doesn’t always trust Starfleet, and also wants to use his presence in the fleet to prevent use of new technology in ill manners. As such, he is strict about protocols, as well as safety precautions in the science department he runs. Along with that, David’s upbringing among scientists and on various space stations did not allow him to make many friends, and his friendship and sibling bond with Saavik also motivated his career choice. His very sheltered life as a teen and young adult, on research labs and space stations, also awakened a desire to discover what’s out there, and to be on the front line of scientific discovery.

When he began the procedures to enter Starfleet Academy for for command, field science and space training, Saavik had to plead her case with the Admiralty, both because of his scientific fraud regarding the addition of proto-matter in the Genesis matrix, but mostly because most of the Admiralty believed his disability to be too great of a liability on a spaceship. That never deterred him, as he believed that he could achieve a space posting and was ready to put in the effort to achieve it.

In 2287, he became a part of the science team on the Enterprise-A, serving on his own father’s ship. This assignment allowed father and son to get closer, but David never got to build as strong a bond with Jim as the one he had with his mother. When Saavik was transferred from her post as helmsman of the Enterprise-A to the Eridani, he put in a request to join her. He was refused until 2291, when he joined Eridani’s science team as lieutenant.

He was outspoken, unafraid of telling what he believed, as well as quite stubborn. David was also very passionate about his many projects, and very enthusiastic about the new discoveries Eridani can make out in space.

By the time that Eridani departed for her five year mission in 2296, David was 33 years old, a lieutenant-commander and Saavik had named him her science officer and head of the science department. Despite Carol’s mistrust of Starfleet, she is very proud of her son’s achievements.

[tyrantisterror]

At Sea Without a Map pt. 55

"That awful woman said Sycorax is psychic," you say to Calibani, deciding to just memory hole the fact that Bob has lived out a "Keep Your Guns Locked Away From Your Kids" PSA. "Shouldn't that mean you're psychic too?"

"I've never heard that word before today," Calibani says.

"It's - like - you can put your thoughts in other people's heads, basically," I say. "And maybe read them too?"

"Like your creepy compass?"

"Like my helpful compass, yes."

Calibani frowns. "I don't think I'm like your compass."

"Maybe just try it?" you suggest. "See if you can call on one of our friends for help?"

"How?"

"I dunno, I'm not psychic," you sigh. "Maybe just... think at them really hard?"

Calibani looks around the lab for a moment, takes a deep breath, and says, "Ok, I'll try." Then she closes her eyes and concentrates as hard as she can, thinking at the one person she knows who might be helpful in this situation.

Elsewhere in the sea, Dr. Neptune suddenly feels a thought inside his brain that's not his own, spoken in a voice that is very much not his.

"Hey, uh, Dr. Neptune? Did this go through? It's me, Calibani!"

"Calibani! How fortuitous - I didn't know you were psychic!"

"Neither did I until today. Um... so, we're in a situation-"

"It's really quite lucky that you called me, so to speak! I've been trying to catch up to you and Sailor for a while now - they're still with you, correct?"

"Yeah, Sailor's here. Listen, we're-"

"A few hours after you left I detected a signal from some awful ne'er do wells I've run into before. They're called Spindle inc., and they have this enormous underwater sea station that moves around the Sea of Monsters doing all sorts of nefarious things, and-"

"Yes! That's what I'm trying to tell you! We're trapped in their sea station!"

"Oh, that simplifies things then."

"It does?"

"Yes, my dear. You see, we're going to help you."

"Who's we?"

Outside of Calibani's brain, you and Bob watch the monitors as sirens begin to blare throughout the sea station. Two of the monitors display the words "IMMINENT THREAT APPROACHING - TAKE BATTLE STATIONS!" before showing a very familiar, but now heavily modified, pirate ship plunging into the ocean's depths, as well as two sea monsters that you saw up close not too long ago.

The cavalry is arriving, and it's time to pick how you fight. Consult your compass.

[lesmisshippingshowdown]

not trying to sound like a salty Valvert fan, but look at the amount of votes on the poll compared to your other polls. there might be some rigging and sock puppet votes involved on the eposette side.

hiya, thanks for raising your concern.

i do want to point out that eposette vs. valvert also has considerably more notes than any other quarter final which directly correlates with more votes - the more people reblog a post, the more people see it, the more people vote on it. it's also been a trend throughout the tournament that the closer the match up, the more notes & votes it tends to get (largely because people keep reblogging it to ask for votes, which you don't really feel the need to do if you're winning 80-20): both turnchetta polls had 1000+ votes in rounds where most other match ups were averaging between 500-700, and the courferre vs. courfius sudden death round got over 1000 votes in just 24 hours. eposette and valvert are both extremely popular ships in quite different sections of fandom so in my view it's not especially surprising that it's the poll that has generated the most traction.

additionally, as per our rules, both of us as mods have been around in terms of fandom poll drama. we know that completely trying to stamp out sock puppetry/vote rigging/bot votes etc is essentially pointless, which is why we are basically saying live and let live unless it's "excessive, malicious, or against the spirit of the tournament." essentially, if somebody spots eposette suddenly gaining 20% on valvert in the space of an hour then yeah, absolutely bring that to our attention and we will consider what we want to do about it. however, a large number of votes on a poll that's currently sitting at 50-50 (and which has been hovering around that ratio since it was published less than 24 hours ago) is not something that strikes me as immediate cause for suspicion and concern. if anything, if we're using the large number of votes as proof of sock puppetry, that would suggest that valvert fans are also getting in on the act, in which case i say if both sides want to play that way then let the best puppeteer win ;)

tl;dr thanks for raising this, at this moment in time we are not concerned, but we will of course keep an eye on every match up in case circumstances do arise that make us genuinely suspicious.

(p.s. it's also worth pointing out, if anyone is thinking of using nefarious vote rigging tactics to win any match up in this tournament, that we have quite literally gifted you a nefarious vote rigging tactic that has been proven to work in the previous round and is also much more fun and collaborative than getting your ms scribe on. so, yknow, if you want to play dirty at least give the rest of us some good fanfiction to read about it)

[gretchensinister]

Babylon 5 rewatch, S1 E8: And the Sky Full of Stars

IDK if it's how I'm watching it or what, but the lighting on B5 seems dimmer than I would expect in public spaces

Okay okay plot: guy needs money for shady reasons, other guys have Sinclair as a target for who knows what

Oh, it's not notable shady reasons, it's just a gambling problem

The guy with the longish gray hair that's going to do Something to Sinclair has a very 90s energy, I can't define it but it's so notable

I like Dr. Franklin and Delenn's scene here with the practicality of getting information about other species brought up.

Yeah Delenn what DID you do during the war?

The design of that weird chair is good, I definitely believe that they built it out of smuggled in pieces and that it's going to be used for nefarious purposes

Ignoring the plot to wonder about Sinclair's kitchen area not appearing to have a sink or any appliances (I know it's just a set but I think about trying to redesign my tiny apartment kitchen a lot)

Sinclair is in the Torment Nexus

At least it's hard for the commander of an entire space station to disappear without notice

Of course it's a simulation that's what happens to guys in charge of space stations/starships, other weird guys show up to fuck with your head. Notable employment hazard.

Sinclair's Mysterious Day! Yesss let's find out about it (shame the exposition has to come through the Torment Nexus)

Sinclair is 39...I guess that makes sense. (Maybe I just know so many people in that age group with so much less responsibility.)

The angelfish-looking Minbari ships <3

If you believe in yourself you can punch your way out of the mind prison (I mean...it didn't work yet, but it might)

I think B5 as a show does well with naming things. I mean, maybe it's just familiarity at his point, but the Battle of the Line is simple, evocative, and IMO gives you an idea of what it was about

Goodbye Benson we hardly knew ye

Yeah where exactly are these "Knights" from?

I think the guy playing the interrogator would be great to see on stage.

Another human supremacist conspiracy theorist, boooo

"Maybe the universe blinked" I do like that line

"There is a hole in your mind" that was from the pilot movie we missed on the rewatch schedule, wasn't it?

:D :D :D (my reaction to the triluminary [did I remember that correctly?] appearing)

I know who that waaaaaaaas

YES you CAN punch your way out of the mind prison if you love your station enough

Delenn we (the audience) still want MANY more answers about what you were doing during the war

I have a feeling this guy is going to be interrogated by psycops as soon as he gets back to Earth

Secrettsssssss I love this dynamic though

It's an interesting 90s thing that Sinclair is comfortable making a electronic/digital recording of this EXTREMELY sensitive information, these days my perspective is if you want it to be secret it's on paper hidden in your mattress or something

[salubriwrites-blog]

Our Golden Demons, Ch 18 WIP

tl;dr Teaser for Chapter 18, Hwei took Sett's instructions to "do whatever you can to stay out of trouble with Jhin" too literally????

Oooh boy. I fucking Love this story.

I think that the JhinHwei ship is cool and all, but I love the healing nuances of SettHwei. In Our Golden Demons, we meet a version of Hwei who hasn't gone one way or the other toward darkness or light. He's just left in search of answers, meeting all sorts of people in Ionia and using his Ink Magic to soothe their own trauma. He hasn't found a cure or the strength to confront his own yet, and when he meets Sett he thinks he's found someone who might make those problems worth solving.

Spoiler: Yes he has! Also Spoiler: In this story, Hwei chooses light, and gains a mastery over his darkness with guidance from people like his loving hunk of a boyfriend/mate, and Ma. If you want a version of Hwei where the darkness envelops him, go read "My Mind, Your Mask" >:)

In Chapter 18 of Our Golden Demons, Sett and Ma have set off for Tuula, a small village on the absolute ass end of Ionia, which is - for all the lore junkies out there - is the Monastery where Jhin was incarcerated after Master Kusho apprehended him. Jhin has returned there with Hwei after a pretty sick kidnapping, and is using Hwei's power for some nefarious end that will be revealed.

I chose this specific piece to tease the chapter because it shows Hwei veering off the track that Sett had put him on. He starts to regress to a version of himself that Jhin recognizes, a version of Hwei which can be manipulated. So Jhin believes. When Sett wakes up from the nightmare, he realizes he might be running out of time to save Hwei.

Also because when I was writing this I had an intrusive thought to make a reference back to THIS little bit:

In the very first chapter of OGG, Hwei makes a bet. He'll go against one of Sett's fighters in his fighting pit, and if Hwei wins Sett has to cough up information about this person Hwei is searching for. If Sett's fighter wins, Hwei has to devote a year of servitude to Sett, including but not limited to that kind of servitude. Luckily Hwei wins, so that never gets realized, but my intrusive thoughts came in.

I played with the idea of making this dream sequence where Hwei is getting dressed up all slutty/provocative is actually his first night preparing to go to work for Sett. He comes down a sweeping staircase into the fight hall, and a bunch of Sett's investors/business partners immediately grab him, all while the real Sett watches a nightmare version of himself grab Hwei by the hair and remind him of bet he lost.

I decided against doing that cause I couldn't really justify it, but I might put it (along with some other intrusive JhinHwei smut I cooked) in its own story, because non-con is not part of this story.

Aaaaand that's it. Enjoy this snippet, and I'll be posting a link to chapter 18 once its done ^^.

I'm working on this story and towards its conclusion slowly, because my brainrot is demanding I do other stuff at the same time. But it's cooking, and it's gonna be delicious.

Once again if you read this far, thank you <3

[prpfz]

hello! i’m late to the party, but i’m looking for a partner for a house of the dragon roleplay. particularly, i’m looking for someone to play a sub aemond targaryen to my dom alys rivers with a mix of show and book canon. i am perfectly fine with you having not read the book, but my plot idea itself contains spoilers, so stop reading here if this bothers you! (for tagging purposes, the ship is 'alysmond')

we can loosely follow book canon with aemond & the greens retaking harrenhal, and aemond taking alys prisoner. i’d also like to include the show thread of aemond having a specific hatred for the bastards of house strong, and alys being one; perhaps he takes her prisoner with the intention of killing her / taking an eye for his weird little revenge quest / whatever.

then, of course, we can get weird with it. while alys would technically be a prisoner, i’d like to write her as the more dominant side of the relationship after a power struggle and build-up. i’d also like to write about her magic and its nefarious possibilities! maybe she enchants aemond into falling for her, being unable to hurt her, etc. this is something we can work out together.

tl,dr: edgelord captures milf and acts out.

i’d like to include smut but it’s not a necessity. kinks can be discussed if that’s something you’d also like to include.

themes in general will include older woman x younger man (with mommy issues, lbr), absolute weirdos matching each other’s freak, witchcraft, perhaps blood magic and a degree of magical brainwashing.

all i ask of my partners if that you’re over 21 and willing to contribute your own ideas and drive the story along with me. i write on discord but am open to using tumblr; like this post for me to come to you. ♥

give a like and anon will get back to you

[sammy0299]

Okay, another headconon, but this time for Dr nefarious. I'm guessing everyone has the general idea of Nefarious acting like his the best is just a mask to hide the fact he hates himself, so I believe he during the early days of when he transformed into a robot unwillingly, he couldn't bear to look himself in the mirror because he feels the reflection isn't him but a monster. he was a wreck when he first saw himself, extremely upset and vulnerable. I also like to believe it took him years just to muster up the courage to look at himself in the mirror. I don't think he likes to be touched either (unless he really likes you). We can also see that he craves acknowledgment, acceptance, and actually a spot in the light. I understand his hatred of qwark. What I don't understand is why are folks shipping Qwark with Nefarious!!! It doesn't make sense! like, "oh this guy is a villain because of the wannabe hero con artist, oh let's ship them!" What does that do?! what's worse is that the game All Four One sorta hinted at that!! if this does happen, It'd be a toxic relationship! ya think Qwark will date a villain? what will that do to his self-image?! this ship will only lead to heart break.

[saints-who-never-existed]

Rereading The Terror

Chapter Fifty-Two: Goodsir

The first thing I think it worth noting about this chapter is that I believe it's the first of Goodsir's to be written in the third person and not as a diary entry from the man's own perspective - "...the surgeon had no stomach for keeping his diary. He tossed the stained leather book into his travelling medical kit and left it there." I find that shift fascinating and think it very much speaks of hopelessness and resignation on Goodsir's part - with death so imminent, after all, what story is there really left for him to tell in his own words?

He reflects a little on the short time that's passed since the great reckoning with Hickey's mutineers. They've divided up what little food remains, equally and scrupulously, no man really trusting another anymore. A representative "of each class of man on the ship - officers, warrant officers, petty officers, able seamen" share the task of searching out food from every remaining nook and cranny in camp while the rest of the men watch them do so. I find that a very interesting detail - in real life, in the book, and in the show, so much comes down to class divides and decorum and that's always worth talking about more.

Goodsir also reflects on his own grisly monologue vis a vis proper human butchery: "...while he was giving Hickey... the anatomical details of carving up the human body to serve as sustenance, Harry D. S. Goodsir had been horrified to find himself salivating." (Horrible From Supper, baby! Horrible From Supper!)

The three men who intend to set off across the island back to the ship have already departed carrying almost nothing - not even a tent. In contrast, Hickey and co. have loaded their boat down with all manner of random and useless bits and bobs: "Men all over camp...had been abandoning useless items - hairbrushes, books, towels, writing desks, combs - bits of civilisation they'd hauled for a hundred days and now refused to haul any farther, and, for some inexplicable reason, Hickey and his men had loaded as many of these rejected pieces of junk into their pinnace..." This is another thing I find utterly fascinating and can't quite parse all my feelings on just yet. What does it mean to reach that breaking point and to finally abandon, to reject those 'symbols of civilisation'? And what does it mean to take up those same symbolic items that others have abandoned?

Goodsir watches Hickey's group depart the camp and all he can think about is the trail of now-frozen corpses they've left behind them, sure that Hickey is counting on finding those preserved bodies for his groups' survival. "I just hope they do not find the subordinate officers' steward's body. I liked John Bridgens. He was a dignified man and deserves better than to be devoured by the likes of Cornelius Hickey." We have a few other specific characters mentioned that also break my heart. We hear that Jopson will be dead from scurvy within a couple of days, and that Tom Hartnell, acting as Goodsir's new assistant, has volunteered to stay behind with the ill men and face certain death himself. :(((

Returning to the subject of cannibalism, we learn that Goodsir has decided already that he will never partake in it. Interestingly though, it's clear that he doesn't condemn the act outright: "Yet he would also never cast judgement on the men here at Rescue Camp or on the expedition south who did end up eating human flesh to last a short while longer. If any man on the Franklin Expedition understood that the human body was a mere animal vessel for the soul - and only so much meat once that soul had departed - it was their surviving surgeon and anatomist, Dr Harry Goodsir." It's a fascinating viewpoint, especially when considering Goodsir in the show - like, his actions there being indicative not necessarily of a disgust with cannibalism itself but more at the nefarious and underhanded way Hickey has gone about committing the act is not an unfair interpretation to consider, I think. ("You’ve murdered this man whom you now wish to eat and are unwilling to butcher his flesh yourself.")

Soon enough, he's summoned to a meeting with Crozier and the remaining senior crew. Contrary to their previous plan, it seems they cannot quite bring themselves to abandon the ill just yet and have resolved at least to wait at Rescue Camp a while longer. They hope that they still might be able to hunt game in that time, and that the ice may finally break up enough that they can all leave - the sick and the still-'strong' alike - in the boats. Again, Goodsir's reaction to this is very interesting: "Goodsir nodded slowly. He had been so reconciled to the certainty of his own death in the coming days or weeks that even the thought of potential salvation was almost painful."

Nevertheless, that plan is settled on. They'll all remain at Rescue camp for now, they'll keep an eye out for any more nefariousness from Hickey's mutineers, they'll hope for a thaw of the ice, and for game and fish to appear once they move on: "...but [we] may have to pin our hopes on catching fish... a real probability according to such as explorers as George Back and our own Sir John Franklin." "Sir John also ate his shoes." said Corporal Pearson. And if that rejoinder wasn't hilarious enough, the chapter actually ends on a positive note with a bit of gallows humour as Crozier himself jokes that the reason he brought so many spare boots along wasn't just to protect the men's feet on the long march but as a secret source of food. The absurdity of this has them all suddenly crying with laughter, poor sods. "Shhh!" Crozier said at last, sounding like a schoolmaster with boys but still chuckling himself." :')

[hyperfixationstation128]

Through Blaze of Fire, I'll Find my Way

Chapter 4: Run Aground in Waterdeep

Rating: T (For violence and non-canon character death)

Summary: Arcane discovered some nefarious secrets about Captain Cutler, and a long-since-forgotten enemy worms their way back into her life. Now she must fight to save herself, and others, from his evil clutches.

Word Count: 3532

The ship’s wooden planks creaked and squeaked as it moved through the water, a symphony of sounds that seemed to come from all directions. The wind rattled the rigging, a soft, low howl seeping in through the cracks in the ship that became Arcane’s ambient lullaby as she sat at the Captain’s grand table, ravenously devouring the food in front of her. In her eyes, this was a meal fit for a king consisting of grilled fish, fresh, brightly-colored fruits, and even a whole suckling pig. Cutler had left her in the cabin alone to eat while he “Tended to the cargo”. His words.

Pangur sat on the table next to her, teeth gnashing voraciously on his own meal. He paused, tongue curling over his muzzle as he licked his chops. “Y’know, I’ve gotta hand it to these pirates, they sure know their way around the kitchen!”

Arcane scoffed, tearing a hunk of meat from the pork chops in her hand. “They’re not pirates, Pangur. They’re merchants. You saw the large crates at the port.” She spoke around the food in her mouth, quickly washing it down with the large goblet of wine. She moaned as she swallowed. She barely paid Pangur any mind, her mind drunk on how amazing it felt to finally eat something other than bread and cheese.

Pangur squinted as Arcane drank. “I don’t know… when we were boarding, it certainly didn’t- Will ye stop drinking?!” He swatted at the goblet, wine spilling down her chin and leaving a large, plum-dark stain on Arcane’s shirt. “Ye gods, girl! Will ye quit stuffing your greedy gullet for one moment! I’m trying to tell ye somethin’ ain’t right!” His ears laid flat against his head.

Arcane rolled her eyes, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. “Well pardon me if I’m starved to the bone and enjoying my first real meal in months!” She stood, peeling the shirt away from her skin, and stepped over to the pile of abandoned clothes on the floor. “Now you’ve gone and ruined my favorite shirt!”

“That’s yer only shirt, Arcane.”

She shot him a perturbed glare, stepping into her trousers and hopping over to the Captain’s heavy mahogany desk as she tried to walk and pull her boots on simultaneously. She plopped down in the large upholstered chair, eyes scanning the many leaves of parchment and maps to places unknown that littered it for anything that stood out to her. Pangur hopped on the desk beside her, whiskers twitching as he sniffed and pawed at a nearby stack of books, some of them falling with heavy thuds as he did so.

“Aha! Found somethin’!”

Arcane turned her head to view her companion nudging a thick, leather-bound, the word “Ledger” inscribed on the cover. She hummed in piqued interest, her brows raising as a fascinated smile crossed her lips. How intriguing! Arcane sat back in the chair, a leg thrown over the cushioned arm, and conjured another glass of wine for her to sip as she read. Pangur peered over the top, trying to discern the writing.

Page one, “Ledger for Chattels Bartered” written in blank ink, long since faded with age. Arcane started, nearly choking on her mouthful of wine. “Chattel”? As in slaves? Her fingers swept to the next page.

‘1469 DR, shipment of ‘cargo’ sold to Athkatla.’ a list of numbers and letters followed in a long list that spanned several pages. She continued on reading, flipping through each page with rising fear, rising disgust. This man wasn’t any mere merchant, trading miscellaneous goods along the Sword Coast. He was a pirate! Arcane continued to flip through the pages, eyes rapidly flicking over a seemingly endless list of lives bartered, when a folded letter slipped onto the desk in front of her.

Setting the book aside, she gingerly held the letter; it didn’t seem too interesting… until she turned it over. There, malevolent and ever so blood-red, was the Suxton family crest. A jawless skull, endlessly screaming as two venomous snakes slithered from its eye sockets stared back at Arcane’s wide eyes. With trembling hands, she opened the letter, and there, written in the familiar, cruel hand, it read:

‘Dear Captain Cutler, I hope this letter finds you well. You do not know me, but I know you. It doesn’t go without mentioning that your reputation precedes you; you’re quite the devious man, aren’t you? I have for you, a task, which must take preeminence over all your operations. And if my words do not sway you, I only imagine the lofty sum of 10,000 gold I’m promising you upon delivery will. I have lost an item that belongs to me, and I fear you are the only one competent enough to retrieve it for me.’

Arcane’s breath hitched in her throat, a familiar fear gripping her heart and cold sweat beading trailing her spine. It was then that she noticed another piece of parchment hiding behind the letter. With one hand pulling it into view, she noticed it was a drawing… of herself! A recent one, too! She began to pant heavily, panic setting in as she continued to read on.

‘Alongside this letter, I’ve included a detailed drawing of my long lost possession. Find her, convince her in any way you can to join you on your ship, and bring her to me on the coasts just outside Waterdeep. Then, and only then, you will get your just reward.

-Tavius Suxton’

Arcane’s muscles tightened, the blood draining from her face. No, it couldn’t be! She had been careful! She sent no letters, reached out to no one! Her only form of communication with her remaining family was through Pangur, and even he was always careful! There was no possible way Tavius could have found her!

Arcane stumbled out of the chair, her hand clasped over her forehead. Her shoulders rose and fell quickly as her breath quickened, her blood roared, the walls seeming to close down around her like a suffocating darkness. A clash of fear and anger washed over over, threatening to pull her down into the dark void.

“Found something of interest, enchantress?” Cutler’s voice rumbled behind her. Arcane whipped around to see him standing at the door, his lofty figure nearly blocking out the light from the hallway behind him.

Arcane swallowed her building rage. “You evil bastard.” She seethed. “You tricked me!”

Cutler shrugged, stepping into the room, blue eyes twinkling with devious intent. “I fail to see it as treachery when you threw yourself at me back in Mintarn. You made it all too easy, sweetheart. Opening your body to me, having me fuck you like the whore you are.” He tutted as he stepped closer. “Now what will your dear betrothed think of you? Now that you’re spoiled goods.”

Thunder rolled outside, electricity dancing at Arcane’s fingertips. “Take one more step, wretch, and I’ll drown you in your own blood.” The words left her lips like a vicious snarl, her lips curling and jaw clenching.

The Captain took another step, his foot stomping on the ground defiantly as he did so. There was a pause - a moment of consideration, almost - as the pair stared each other down. Arcane took this moment to survey her surroundings, the blurred edges of her peripherals taking note of the open door behind the man. She readied herself, slowing her breath and flexing her muscles to move. He lunged at her, arms outstretched to grab her in his crushing arm. With a wave of her hand and a flash, she was gone, now standing underneath the door.

Cutler growled in frustration, turning on his heel and chasing after Arcane, who hurried to the upper deck. As she burst through the door, the soft patter of rain suddenly turned to a loud clatter, the heavy droplets stinging her skin as she ran outside. She spun around, mentally taking note of the number of seamen that surrounded her, all eyes glaring. Her thoughts called out to Pangur, commanding him to retreat to the cargo hold and free any slaves trapped below.

The loud thud of the Captain’s boots on the creaky floor nearly sounded over the rain, their eyes locking as his head peaked over the top of the stairs. Cutler drew the scimitar that hung loosely at his hips from its scabbard, holding it aloft in the air before pointing the sharpened tip accusingly at Arcane. A silent signal to his men to apprehend her before she escaped.

A choir of shouts assaulted her ears as the men closed in around her, swords drawn. Power surged through Arcane’s veins, the gathering storm swelling deep inside her chest like the knots of a tightly woven net. As the men rushed closer, Arcane’s arms flew out by her side, sending a shattering thunder clap reverberating around her. They fell to their knees screaming, some clutching their heads as if their skulls had burst. This was her time to act.

One by one, tightly furled balls of electricity flew from her fingertips, exploding on impact as her victims were simultaneously left blinded and convulsing on the slick deck. A few managed to get back on their feet before she could strike, swords wildly slashing at her, swinging with the hope that blade would meet flesh and she would be laid low.

“No, you fools! She’s worth nothing to us if she’s de-” Cutlers words were silenced as he was knocked back by a firebolt, embers catching on his fine blue coat. The Captain yelped and swatted at the flames before abandoning the cloth on the floor. He seethed at Arcane, teeth gritted so tightly Arcane wondered if they’d crack. “Fuck it! I’ll kill you myself!” He lunged for her, scimitar almost glowing as it reflected the lightning that cracked in the air.

Arcane ducked and rolled away from the flurry of blades, nearly slipping on the slick floor as she stood. The ship rocked violently, the substantial waves crashing against the sides, drenching those inside. Therein laid an opportunity. Arcane called upon the raging storm, calling the waves to beat harder and harder against the keel. She commanded the torrential waves to wash away all who stood in her way. With her eyes glowing, the water smashed on deck, the crew being washed from side to side; some fell overboard, their screams swiftly silenced as Umberlee’s cold embrace claimed their breath as her own.

Cutler, unfortunately, still stood, his strong legs resisting the pull of the water. Despite being surrounded by pirates once more, Arcane’s eyes stayed locked on the Captain, the two circling each other, muscles tensed and ready to jump at one another. He took a step toward her, only to have it be cut short by an echoing outcry from the deck below. From the darkness, a horde of elves, gnomes, and dwarves swarmed the deck, armed with whatever makeshift weapons they could grab. Good, the poor souls would have a chance to kill their captors, or at the very least, give Arcane enough time to steer the ship away from Waterdeep. Arcane made off towards the quarterdeck, attempting to reach the wheel.

A man tailed after her, his sword catching on the fabric of Arcane’s shirt. She almost made it up the stairs of the quarterdeck when a blunt force sent her flying up the rest of the way, tumbling and rolling across the deck before sliding to a wet stop. She groaned, holding her back as she wavered to her feet. She was definitely going to feel that one the next day.

The wind whipped against her face, sodden tendrils of brown hair sticking to her face. Arcane turned to face the man, her hands clapping in front of her, her visage becoming blurred to all who saw her. He charged at her, bringing down his weapon to cut at what he thought was her arm. She quick-stepped to the side, bringing a closed fit down on the back of his head, knocking him forward, while the other swung up, connecting with his chin. Arcane hissed and pulled away, pain shooting through her knuckles. Gods, how did people ever win fistfights?

The man held his jaw, stunned for a moment, before lunging for her again, blade catching the fabric near her belly. Arcane stumbled back, hands clasping over the new hole. That easily could’ve been the end of her! She couldn’t focus on reaching the steering wheel while dealing with this arsehole. Arcane called forth a mage hand, commanding it to take hold of the wheel, to keep the ship steady, before readying herself for another attack.

She hurled firebolt after firebolt at the man, but he moved like a cat, dodging each one as he moved closer and closer, his blade cutting through the pouring rain. She was cornered, now, forced between the pirate and the crashing waves below. His blade thrust out, attempting to skewer her; it missed, but not enough, slashing across her arm and getting stuck in the wooden edge. Pain seared Arcane’s arm as warm blood flowed down her cold, drenched skin and she cried out, her hand moving to cover the free-flowing red.

The man pulled back to strike again, but his sword was caught in the side of the ship. Arcane seized this opportunity of the man’s blunder, clapping her hands hard on either side of his face and sending a sharp electric shock into his skin. The man screamed aloud, Arcane screamed back at him, using what little physical strength she had to turn his body weight against him. Hooking her hand under the man, she threw him over the railing, feeding him to the ocean. The thunder rumbled its gratitude.

Arcane panted and huffed, her hand gripping her arm, before turning to face the steering wheel just in time to see Cutler cleave the mage hand in two, the conjured being’s broken pieces sputtering in and out of existence before disappearing altogether in a flash.

“You’re starting to become more trouble than you’re worth, witch!” He shouted, aiming his blade at her, dark blood glinting in the storm light. “You aren’t even worth keeping for a quick fuck! The one thing a woman is good for, and you’re so bad at it!”

Arcane felt the bite of his words, but they lacked their intended weight. She scoffed, pulling her hair into a messy mound atop her head, shaking his words and her stinging wound from her head and readying her hands. The two charged at each other, Cutler’s sword ready to swing for her neck. Arcane launched forward, thunder rumbling as she stepped onto the air, a loud crash taking her place as she teleported behind the Captain. He yelled and grabbed his head, whipping around to strike again, eyes blinded by both her blurring spell and his rage.

He lunged forward, his blade slicing against Arcane’s side. She stumbled away with a scream, her hands clutching at the gaping wound, blood seeping between her fingers. Once more, Cutler swung at her, his maddened blue eyes wide and angry. The scimitar whizzed past Arcane, her hands glowing as her magic deflected the onslaught. With a sharp thrust, Cutler’s sword jutted out to pierce her, but she stepped to the side, grabbing his wrist and knocking into his teeth with her elbow.

Cutler stumbled back, his sword clattering to the floor. Arcane stooped to grab it, but the rocking of the waves sent it sliding back and forth. She fell to her knees, scrambling after it, Cutler trailing behind her. It was mere inches from her hands and she reached for it, fingers outstretched, desperate to have some weapon other than her magic to protect her.

She had almost grabbed it when she felt the sharp snag of rough fingers in her hair, yanking her upward. Arcane screamed, her hands flying to her hair, as she was dragged up and backward. With a forceful throw, Arcane slammed against the mast, the wind knocked from her lungs and her knees buckling beneath her. Her vision blurred, barely able to make out Cutler’s hulking frame stalking closer to his weapon. He inched closer and closer to grab it, Arcane’s hand once more reached out. She shook her head, tried to clear her mind of all pain, all desperation that left her unfocused.

She closed her eyes, a wave of calm washing over her as she called the weapon to her. It whipped through the air, Cutler chasing after it with a barbarous bellow. All time seemed to slow as her fingers tightly grasped the hilt and she pushed off the deck and lunged, the scimitar plowed itself deep into Cutler’s stomach. He gasped, blood spurting from his mouth and splattering against Arcane’s face. At last, a crippling blow!

She turned and threw his dead body against the mast where she laid, ghostly tendrils of Weave strapping him down tightly. She finally made her way to the steering wheel, which spun wildly, the waves and heavy winds now working against her rather than in her favor. Her eyes analyzed the movement for a moment before finally catching the wheel in her hands, her muscles straining against the force of the wind. She struggled against the force of the wheel, crying out as she pulled desperately against it, failing to get control of the ship before finally letting go. There was no stopping it, not in her weakened state… they were going to crash.

Arcane rushed to the top of the steps, watching as the freed horde finished off the last of the pirates. She called out to them, ushering them onto the quarter deck with her.

“There’s no fighting this storm! The ship’s going to crash!” She cried, voice nearly lost in the roar of thunder and drumming of the rain, running over to peer over the side of the ship, eyes straining through the heavy clouds enough to see the barely comprehensible, but unmistakable sight of Waterdeep’s docks. “The shore is close by! I can summon a portal for us to escape!”

She walked to the center of the deck, her hands illuminating in a white-blue glow, the sight of the surprisingly dry docks springing to life before the crowd. The group hurried over, one by one, hurtling through the portal. As they escaped, Arcane turned back, her eyes scouring the stormy deck, looking for any sight of her dear friend. A worried lump began to form in her throat when finally, the gleam of his white fur flashed across the black floor. She knelt down, grabbing and pulling him in a tight embrace, pressing kisses to his soggy fur.

“What about him?” Pangur meowed, blue eyes squinted down at Cutler, who lay limp on the floor. He was bleeding out slowly, but still alive it seemed.

Arcane glowered and made her way over to him, pushing Pangur to her shoulder. He glared and hissed, his words drowning in blood before they could escape his lips. Arcane planted her heeled boot against his shoulder and grasped the hilt of his sword, leaning close to his face.

“I may not be worth the gold paid for me, but as you lay here dying, I want you to know you’re not worth the blood you’re bleeding. Have fun the hells, Captain.” She spat his title as if it were bile, violently see-sawing the blade until it was wrenched free from his gut. Cutler let out a strangled gasp, his mouth agape in a silent scream.

With his sword in her hand, she walked toward the portal, the last of the people retreating to the other side. She stood at the threshold and turned to face Cutler once more.

“Oh, and Captain?” She called after him, her fingers dancing in the air, Cutler’s tricorne hat lifting from his head and into Arcane’s hands. She fixed the hat atop her head, a smirk ghosting her lips. “You fuck for shite!” And with that, she stepped backward onto the safety of the docks, the portal snapping shut.

Together, they all watched as the ship, now visible through the dissipating storm, wrecked into the mighty walls that encased Waterdeep’s docks with a reverberating crash! The ship cracked and splintered, groaning one last battle cry as it sank to the sea below. Arcane turned to look at her work, hands on her hips and a proud grin spreading across her lips. They all made it! The crowd cheered and swarmed around her, taking their turns grasping her hands, kissing her knuckles, and laying their hands on her, a chorus of “thank yous” hailed her through grateful sobs.

Arcane’s heart swelled as they celebrated their rescue. She’d never before seen such happiness, such reprieve. And to know they cheered for her, for her actions. It bolstered her pride even further. She wasn’t even sure she’d ever felt pride until that very moment, reveling in the celebration.

Alas, as things always seemed to be for her, revelry was cut short by shouting as a herd of armored men and women cut through the crowd, clapping irons over Arcane’s wrists.

Shite…

[clutzicone-dts]

Ninjago season 2, episode 9- The Last Voyage

Well it’s not the last voyage that the ninja go on, there’s at least two more after this season.

Hm. The lack of stone army is worrying, as is the lack of empty ocean. Also how far can that Falcon fly? I get that it’s a robot but also it’s called the “endless ocean”

Misako how come you didn’t mention this until now????? It would have been nice to know this sooner, even if it wouldn’t have helped until we got to the temple of light

Also why are we saying they no longer have their elemental powers when we literally saw Kai use them at the beginning of the season (if they were weak)

Crazy that the temple of light is on the dark island, I wonder if there’s a darker counterpart on ninjago?

Awww ed and Edna! Awwww Cole’s dad I forgot the name of! And cole’s three other parents because I’m making his dad poly, the royal blacksmiths are all poly now. Awwwww dareth!

“So I command the wind, cool.” HE KNOWS.

Also Zane’s father foreshadowing

Also i love that Zane got an adoring crowd of fangirls long before Kai did, also comic book man!!!!

Do we ever see comic book man after season 2????

Dareth you could do me no wrong, literally, I could very easily take him in a fight

Hmmm. Zane’s falcon not returning is worrying

Oh my god they’re family I love them!!!!!

Oh okay the falcon’s okay that’s good

Oh hey it’s the falcon them

OH SHIT THE FALCON’S DEAD

HOW DID THEY NOT NOTICE GISNT STORM APPROACHING?????

IS THAT DARK MATTER FROM KIRBY????? OH MY GOD ITS DARK MAYYER FROM KIRBY!!! DOES THAT MAKE THE OVERLORD ZERO???? IS THE DIGITAL OVERLORD 02????

WHY DO THE STARTTEETH LAUGH I HATE THIS

THIS WOUKD BE SO MUCH EASIER IF WE COULD FLY

OH IT BIT COLE IT BIT COLE

Oh okay so they’re resistent to spinjitzuIM SORRY THEY EAT THROUGH METAL?????

Oh okay fade to black and we’re fine alright I guess.

Zane. When you say you sense something. What are you talking about, OKAY ZANE HOW DO YOU KNOW THESE THINGS.

Jayyyy

DR. JULIENNE MY BELOVEDDD

“I think we’re safe.” Hm. Safe from what julienne? Safe from what…. I wonder I wonder

Wow julienne was really bored huh

Jay honey

Ah, it was samukai’s fault then, I guess that makes sense.

A…. Leviathan? Are there several leviathan class creature in the area? Am I sure whatever I’m doing is worth it??

A right the leviathan! THIS IS FINE.

Hmmm I vaguely remember having a headcanon that Lloyd was colorblind, im gonna keep that. He is now green-red colorblind :) Morro will later bully him about this, that is how he finds out he is colorblind

I love when characters will hum or have their ringtone as a background song or the intro

This episode is so wholesome I’m cryinggg

Oh. Oh I really hope no one uses the memory switch for nefarious activities. I REALLY REALLY HOEP THAT DOESNT HAPPEN BECAUSE I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME REMEMBER

ALSO THERE ARE SEVERAL LEVIATHAN CLASS CREATURES IN THE AREA ARE YOU SURE WHATEVER YOURE DOING IS WORTH IT

AH FUCK IT OPENED ITS EYES-ZANE DONT DIVE OFF THE SHIP PLEASEE

I’m surprised those chains didn’t get eaten by the starteeth before this

“Because no one deserves to be held captive, not even a monster.” *worries in ice emperor*

I. Do we ever see the leviathan again??