#drace replies

[tarnishedxknight]

{out of dalmasca} Alright, it's time for me to head to bed. I don't think I'll be around for anything tomorrow night (12/15) since I've got some last-minute Xmas/Solstice decorating to do around my house and then I'm hoping to finally get around to playing the Silent Hill 2 remake. On Mon (12/16) I'll be over on my multimuse and I'll be back again on this blog on Thurs (12/19) as usual. For now, goodnight! =)

[disillusionedjudge]

Gylfie could easily be considered heartless with how she can compartmentalize her grief. It's a feeling she struggles with showing other people, since it means being vulnerable and being vulnerable is something she hates, so she'll do everything she can to hide it, regardless of how it may make her look.

[moosekateer13]

Snow on the Beach

For @spnfanficpond Valentine's challenge.

Prompt:

Long walks on the beach: character A loves taking early morning walks on the beach. He is curious about character B, a hot nerd he always sees with a metal detector.

Inspired by Taylor Swift's Snow on the Beach

Now it's like snow at the beach. Weird but fuckin' beautiful.

Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful. You wanting me tonight feels impossible.

AN: Third in the Tolerate it Saga.  Nadine is the daughter of one of her friends. 

Previous fics: Tolerate it , No I Can Fix Him No Really I Can't

Warnings: Mention of Controlling Significant Other, Mention of Isolation, Fluff, Pregnancy

Summary: Jensen and Nadine are enjoying their daily stroll on Secret Beach, with Nadine holding her metal detector. This beach is filled with cherished memories for them, and as they walk, Nadine reminisces about significant moments in their lives.

A gentle breeze rustles against my green spring dress as I stroll alongside Jensen, our two-year-old daughter, Lily Valerie, in tow. It’s incredible to think how far we’ve come.

Jensen and I first crossed paths on the set of Fireworks and Other Nightmares, a film adapted from my mother’s book of the same name.

Flashback: 5.5 Years Ago, on the set of Fireworks and Other Nightmares

I notice a man approaching me, his striking emerald eyes locking onto mine. 

“Well, if it isn’t Nadine Eccles, daughter of Holy and Rush Eccles, our talented screenwriter. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Jensen,” Jensen said, extending his hand.

“It’s great to meet you too, Jensen. I’m looking forward to working together,” I replied, shaking his hand.

We exchange smiles before returning to our respective tasks.

End of Flashback

That moment marked the beginning of a friendship that blossomed into a relationship, with a little help from my mom, who unknowingly played matchmaker. The story was based on one of her darker works, where the main character becomes obsessively controlling over his love interest, isolating her from her family and convincing her he is her only source of love. Ultimately, with the help of his former best friend, she escapes his grasp and finds happiness.

Unfortunately, the book resonates with my past. Before Jensen, I was in a similar relationship with a man named Drace Hunt. Thankfully, it never escalated to the extremes depicted in the story. One day, while I was cleaning, he attempted to grab me, and in a moment of desperation, I threw bleach in his face. I only meant to stun him long enough to call for help, but it resulted in permanent blindness. He is now serving a 20-year sentence and was fined $10,000.

Working on the film became a form of therapy for me, allowing me to express that there is light after darkness. They said love finds you when you least expect it, and after my ordeal, I never thought I’d be able to open my heart again. Yet, fate had other plans, bringing Jensen into my life—a gift for which I will always be grateful.

Today, I have a special reason for bringing our daughter to the beach. I need to share some news with Jensen. 

“Jensen, I have something to tell you,” I said.

“What is it, snow angel?” he asked, looking at me with curiosity.

“Lily is going to be a big sister,” I reply.

A huge smile spreads across his face. 

“Oh my God, I’m going to be a dad again! This is the best news ever!” Jensen exclaims, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on my lips.

Suddenly, something cold hits my face. It’s snowing! What are the odds of another rare spring snowfall coinciding with such a significant moment? It snowed at our spring wedding and during his proposal.

5 Years Ago…

May 22nd

Jensen has blindfolded me. I know we’re headed to the beach, but I can’t fathom why he did.

He guides me out of the car and leads me to the sand. 

When he finally removes the blindfold, I’m stunned by the sight before me: a beautifully decorated, candlelit table.

“Jensen, this is gorgeous! You really went all out. Thank you,” I said, overwhelmed.

“I’m glad you like it. No need to thank me, sweetheart,” he replied with a warm smile, pulling out my chair before taking his seat.

As I uncover the plate in front of me, nostalgia washes over me. It’s Spaetzle with Jägerschnitzel, one of my favourite childhood dishes. I take a bite and realize it’s my mom’s recipe—a closely guarded secret.

“This is incredible! How did you get my mom to share the recipe? She’s not one to give it away easily,” I ask, astonished.

“I have my ways of charming people. You should know that by now,” Jensen said with a confident grin.

I can’t help but shake my head at his cockiness.

After dinner, Jensen pulls out dessert from the cooler. He places a dish of Spaghettieis in front of me, and that’s when I notice something sparkling beside the bowl.

He drops to one knee.

“I know we’ve only been together for five months, but when you know, you know. I’ve felt something for you since we met on set. Nadine, I love you. Will you marry me?” Jensen asked.

Speechless, I can only nod in response. He slides a diamond and emerald micro-paved band onto my finger.

“I love you, Jensen, and I can’t wait to be your wife,” I said

“I love you too, Nadine, and I can’t wait to be your husband,” he replied. We share a passionate kiss, and then, as if on cue, snow falls around us—a rare spring snowfall as unique as our love.

End of Flashback

“Look, Mom! Pretty snow!” Lily exclaims.

“It sure is, Kleiner Schatz,” I responded with a smile. She adores the snow and loves to go tobogganing. When she’s older, we’ll take her skiing with us.

She lets go of my hand, and Jensen playfully chases her around the beach. She’s the perfect blend of both of us—my dark hair and his striking emerald eyes. 

As I watch them, I feel truly blessed. Even more so now that we have another blessing on the way.

[illbringthechaosmagic]

Historic Feud reply

@tarnishedxknight

Wanda had been made aware of the commotion by Steve. She had been out in the garden, taking a moment's break away from the chaos of training when he had ran out to her, informing her that Basch and Drace were in a battle of words and that it seemed as though it was about to get physical. She had rushed in at that moment, not wanting for either of them to do something they might regret.

She had known a little of their feud, how Drace seemed to despise Basch for a few reasons. She had tried not to interfere too much between them, had tried to keep the two of them apart so that things didn't come to blows but it seemed as though it was inevitable. She just hoped that she got there in time.

"Hey!" She called out as she entered the room, ignoring Natasha and Clint's attempts to halt her from getting closer. Hands raised, red wisps already forming into orbs in her palms, she moved one hand in Drace's direction to push her back, stepping between them both when there was enough space.

"Enough."

[lightinxthedark]

@tarnishedxknight - continued from here

Indala's throat tightened as Gabranth called her my lady, and a part of her wondered if they would forever be doomed to such distance. He was only returning her respective formalities, she knew, but it still left a hollow pit in her chest. A sorrow she desperately wanted to heal. A yearning she prayed would not burn her. Was it wrong for her to want a familial relationship with him now, after all those years? Was it wrong for her to dig up a past that belonged more to him?

"Thank you." She went to follow, but paused as the way he clasped his hands behind his back caught her eye. She walked like that. It was a habit she had picked up from someone, she knew, but she'd forgotten that it had been...

Her heart pounded, and Indala forced herself to keep her hands at her sides as she pulled herself together and moved to walk alongside him. She began to walk that way because she was mimicking him, not in a way to make fun of him, but because she... she had once wanted to be like him. To hold such command with a collected presence. She became something of the sort, she figured, though now she felt like a young girl again, trailing after him in admiration and awe, more comfortable with him than she had been with Gramis. It all made sense now as to why, but she found her courage fleeting, and she clung to it as tightly as she could before it could disappear completely.

"Nothing is wrong," she replied, though a part of her wondered how true that was. "I merely wish to discuss--" She paused. She could feel herself slipping into a more distant persona, one she took as a Senator to keep herself calm while rallying for or against some decision or ruling, and she didn't want that. This was personal, and she wanted to be candid with him. She swallowed hard, but couldn't bring herself to look at him. "I... want to talk about something personal. Specifically the... The letter, you left Larsa and I." Did he know what she was referring to? What if he was from a point in time before he had written it? She took a slow breath. "If that's alright." There was very little she was willing to give up control over, but this was something she was not going to push for if he wasn't ready.

Indala smiled politely as Drace opened the door to her quarters, her face, too, a sight for sore eyes as her throat tightened once more. Oh, how she had missed her, and how she... had been haunted by her. Drace had been another she had always admired, someone who had been kind to her like Gabranth had been. And how her death had devastated her.

"Only with your permission," Indala agreed, and felt a quiet pang of relief when Drace agreed. She followed her inside, allowing Gabranth to come in after, and did her best to ignore the way her heart continued to race uncomfortably in her chest. "Thank you, Judge Drace. And if there is enough to share, I wouldn't mind a cup." Was coffee good for her nerves? No, not necessarily, but... it would be nice.

With a slow breath, she moved toward the small table in Drace's kitchenette, clasping her hands behind her back without realising, and stood beside it. A part of her wanted to sit down, yet another part of her was reluctant to make herself too comfortable, in case it became clear it would be best for her to leave. By the gods, how was she supposed to go about this? This was far more complicated than any of her hearings, and she felt out of place without a sense of control. She didn't want to be cruel about this, or treat it as another session, but she... didn't want to beat around the bush, either.

"I apologize for my bluntness, but I know not how to broach this." Indala closed her eyes for a moment. "What you said in the letter you left us," she said at last, her voice soft, "is... is it true? That you... that you are my father?"

[mxrvelouscreations]

Delicate Announcement reply @tarnishedxknight

Leah took a deep breath and reached over to take Drace’s hand, squeezing it gently and trying to get her to stop pacing. “Drace it’s going to be ok, I promise you that,” she replied, “it’s better to tell him now than wait until you get any bigger. I know that you’re scared but trust me, having been there… Noah won’t be mad. He might be a little shocked but… I know he’ll be happy too. To know he’s got another bundle of joy coming.” There was a pause before she asked, “do you need me to be there? Or would you rather do it alone?”

[dracereads]

🌎🚲 Mid-year Reflection on my 2022 Reading Journey

🌃 tagged by @thecasualbookreviewer; It might be titled a little differently than what you tagged me in. A freak-out reminds me too much of cram and grind culture. I read for fun and enjoyment, not to tick the little boxes. As cliche as it is, it's all about the journey and not the destination. It's about the acquisition of brain worms of which I have farmed many this year.

📚Amount of books you’ve read so far

Please hold I need to actually go count because I haven't in awhile. I'm back it's 43.

📚Best book you’ve read so far in 2022

This is such a difficult question. There were so many good books that I read this year. I feel like I have favorites in different categories like this is an awards ceremony. fffs. Overall, I'm going to go with Scum Villain because it's been just a general good source of brain worms this year. The bees have ate well over that book. If you want to send me fake categories and ask based on that, always game. 📚Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022

I mean. I've read concurrent sequels (books published in multiple volumes) but I don't count those. Because they're all one story told in multiple parts. As for Sequel sequels... I know absolutely nothing is going to top Husband Materials. Even though I haven't read it yet. LOL.

📚New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

I'd like to read I kissed Sarah Wheeler by Casey Mcquistion because it's her junior novel. I'd like to see how it differentiates between the two others before. I haven't gotten to the Fae Keeper duology yet and that's on my list really high. As well as like. Heaven Official's Blessing III which I haven't gotten around to because I'm not ready to hurt quite yet this week. 📚Most anticipated release for the second half of the year 2ha on my birthday. Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn. Aiden Thomas (Cemetary boys) has a new duology starting in September. Golden Terrace in November. Husband Materials on Tuesday. uhhh. Mushroom II in late august even though my physical got delayed until September. So I'll have to get an ebook if I want to read it. So MANY. Glitterland's re-release in Jan. kdfdffkf 📚Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

well, this year it has really been Alexis Hall. My goal is to be done with all of his books by the end of 2022 so I can eagerly await the: *goes to his website to count* 6 books he's got scheduled for 2023?? man is prolific and I am jealous.

also I fell in love with S.A. Cosby in the same way as I did David Heska Wanbli Weidan this year. I believe DHWW has more books coming out soonish. Also excited for those. 📚Biggest surprise Little Mushroom still holds the biggest shocker for me this year. Because I AM SALTY ABOUT IT AND I WILL NOT BE SILENCED. 📚Book that made you happy

SVSSS, Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat, One Last Stop, A lady for a Duke, Pansies. These are all frequent brain worm topics on nights where my brain bees won't be quiet and let me sleep.

📚Newest fictional crush/newest favorite character:

aro ace here. I don't really do crushes. I just have a lot of fictional children. Newest fictional child is Luo Binghe and Xie Lian. As well as maybe Violet from Dark Rise. Luo Binghe: The protagonist who deserved none of his bullshit ever despite some of the horrible things he did. Did not deserve the absolute trashing the plot gave him in Volume 3.

Xie Lian: Local Tired Grandpa with a traumatic past just wants to collect his trash in peace, and both divine realms have decided he will not do that. More news at 11. Violet: Local mixed girl gets harassed by the plot. Absolutely doesn't deserve it. You will be hearing from my unethical treatment of fictional characters lawyer. this is a joke I swear to god.

📚Book that made you cry:

Honey Girl got me GOOD during Grace Porter's mental breakdown. Been there grace. Been there so hard girlie.

Most recently I was in HYSTERICS over This Way Out. Full on ugly inconsolable crying for like 10 minutes over. well. His family is conservative and Muslim, they reject his gay marriage. But what's worse is his fiancee's family is very white and doesn't understand the stigma and the culture. and they just. so neatly wrap up Amar's family into a judgemental little package. and he's just like. "nope they may be assholes but they are my family and they deserve respect because despite THEIR actions I still LOVE them because they are worthy of LOVE." and it just made me grapple with a lot of complicated feelings I have revolving around my own queerness and family issues. Just a very strong gut punch of complications.

📚Most beautiful book you’ve bought or received this year so far:

have you seen Heaven Official's Blessing's Cover art?? especially for volume three??? fdskfsdf or like. Pale Moon Reflected in the Water?? sdlkjff

📚Book you need to read by the end of the year: KD Edward's Tarot Sequence Books The rest of the Alexis Hall booksets. These are the only books that I am going to REQUIRE myself to finish. Otherwise I'm getting FUNKY with it. No rules.

tagging: free tag from me here. If you want a specific @ I will certainly edit you in.

[tarnishedxknight]

{out of dalmasca} Since I've gotten a couple anons for Amoretta Solidor recently, I've decided to do a thing. For a limited time, I'm adding her as a guest muse here. Not like... officially on the muse list sort of adding, but more in the same vein as Vossler. Basically, here so that muses can give her shit, heh. So if any of your muses want to confront Amoretta, or just meet her if she died before their time, now's their chance. This goes for everyone's MCU verse too. I can do the same thing I did with Drace and have Amoretta be transferred from before she died to the present day with the others. Weird, I know, but it could make for some interesting confrontations/interactions. So yeah, she's available to meet/antagonize for any muses who are interested.

If you're not familiar with who Amoretta Solidor is, she's an OC I created to fill in a character who was never defined or mentioned at all in the canon FFXII game. Her FC is Re.na So.fer. You can read more abut her here. She's the mother of Larsa and Vayne Solidor (and their two older brothers as well), wife of Emperor Gramis, and she's just an all-around despicable human being who has killed, harmed, and taken advantage of numerous people. She also has no conscience whatsoever and does not understand the meaning of the word shame.

With that said, I'm going to be working on random things here throughout the night, including some headcanon posts, asks, and thread replies. =)

[disillusionedjudge]

Iron Chains, Soft Heart | closed reply

@tarnishedxknight - continued from here

If Gylfie was still even half loyal to the Empire she once loved and fought for, she would have reported how frighteningly easy it was to disappear into the Nalbina dungeons. Unless, of course, it was just because it was her. If she were lucky, Vayne had failed to poison his Empire against her like he tried to do when he ordered her imprisonment - claiming it was because of her Eswynn was gone. Claiming she was a traitor, a spy for Rozarria, his words backed by Takrin who revealed with a broken heart Gylfie's true heritage.

Oh, how her blood still boiled to think of that day. She knew it was coming, and she had warned Gabranth and Drace not to step in to defend her if it came to it, because it was a fall she needed to take alone, but she hadn't expected Takrin to come forward with the fact she was half-Rozarrian. Mayhap, she should've seen it coming, for he painted it in such a way that vilified only the man who sired her, and left him and Alsga the victims of Rozarria's endless cruelty. He spoke of how much he struggled to keep her line, how much he loved her (oh, how hard it had been not to laugh at that), and how it seemed her very being was tainted forever and always because of her Rozarrian blood. But, she hadn't defended herself, because she knew she had lost, and she knew it was safer for her to take whatever punishment Vayne flung at her than it was to fight back, because she needed to make sure Caelen and Eswynn had enough time to get as far away from Old Archades as they possibly could.

How long had it been since she had been thrown into Nalbina? Gylfie didn't know anymore, and a part of her no longer cared. She may have been treated better than the other prisoners, because the guards knew not what to do when a prisoner had once been one of them, but it was still clear they no longer saw her as such. She was starved and belittled, but she was free compared to the rest. She was not chained in a cell or bound by her wrists and legs to prevent her from running off. A mistake on their end, really, but who was she to complain about that now? It gave her a chance to try and escape now that they clearly lost interest in keeping her in their sights, and with her sword found, she was eager to find a way out. To breathe in the fresh air again, to see the sun. To try and find her lovers, as she hoped they hadn't given up on her. As she hoped they... didn't believe she abandoned them.

Gylfie moved through the dark as silently as she could - her adrenaline and fear of being caught giving her energy she wouldn't have otherwise. She clutched the strap of her sword's sheath tight, as if afraid to let go, unable to relax even for a moment, her body drawn taut and poised to flee at even the slightest of disturbances. She needed to escape. She needed to. But she was also deeper into the dungeon, wasn't she? There was no sight of any guards, although the echoing cries made it known there were still prisoners around. There was no light from torches, either, and little light filtering from the broken stone from high above. The air felt... still and heavy, but something inside of her kept driving her further in, away from everything else. Away from where she once had been with the other prisoners. Away from--

She stopped when she saw the cages, and her throat tightened as her heart seemed to shudder. There was someone in one, and her skin crawled with panic. It was a sight she wouldn't have thought twice about in the past, but, now... Now she was a hound freed from the chains that had once wrapped tight around her throat, and the truth she saw frightened her.

Cautiously, she crept forward, her feet shuffling along the ground, as her vision struggled to adjust. Who was in there? What had they done? She hadn't heard any rumors about a prisoner who earned such punishment, so who was-- The man called out, his voice weak and apathetic. Was that... Basch?

She froze in the darkness - hesitating just near the mouth of the long hall now behind her. He was alive. Of course he was. Bitterness rose in the back of her throat. He was no doubt a pawn still, though to whom and for what reason, she knew not. Not anymore. But what did it matter to her? Kingslayer or not, he deserved to be down here, for everything he had done to Gabranth. With a quiet tsk, she turned around and began to walk away, before she... stopped once more as her heart sank.

Caelen always spoke so fondly of Basch. He spoke of him as someone kind and warm, who cared for him and looked out for him. Who never judged him for his soft heart and did his best to protect him. He spoke of Basch as if... as if he were good, and a completely different Basch than the one Gabranth spoke so bitterly of. No, Gabranth spoke of him as a liar. As someone who manipulated and hurt others to get what he wanted. Who could wriggle his way into good graces just so he could betray them in the end for his own selfish desires. How disconnected both versions of him were, and... how torn she felt, struggling to make sense of the truth from two people she trusted more than anything.

Gylfie slowly turned back around as Basch called out, and swallowed hard. She could leave him. She should, really, for her loyalty to Gabranth and Drace had not died with her loyalty to Archadia, but... As much as she believed the pain Basch inflicted on Gabranth, she also believed the kindness he showed Caelen. She also knew it would be easier to just worry about herself as she continued to search for a way to escape, but could she live with herself if she left behind someone her love cared for? Could she live with herself if she left behind someone her once-mentor despised?

She took a deep breath, turned around, and made her way back toward Basch despite the war now raging in her heart. Gabranth would be furious, but Caelen would be relieved, and the three of them knew Basch was not Raminas's killer. Was that not enough reason to assist him? Maybe they could help each other escape. Maybe... maybe he could help her find Caelen and Eswynn, wherever they had run off to when she could not follow. If they were able to run off.

"Quiet," Gylfie instructed - her voice hushed but loud enough to be heard. Fire lit at her palm as she lifted her hand, and used her magicks as a makeshift torch as she approached him, and did her best not to focus on how much he looked like Gabranth, even despite how gaunt he was. Gods above, they both must looked like ghouls being trapped and starved beneath the surface. "I not know if there are guards nearby, but I wish not to find out."

She tore her gaze away from his body and to his face, though that did little to ease the horror that tightened her chest. Did his battered body give Gabranth some sort of satisfaction? Caelen would be horrified by his state. She didn't know what to feel anymore, but she... she was going to get him out. Somehow. "It matters not who I am," she said quietly, as she took a few paces back to study his predicament, as her mind began to race with how to get him out. "But I know who you are, and I know you mean much to someone I care about." I know you torment someone else I love. "Let me find a way to get you out first, and when we escape, you can ask your questions."

[freewillacquired]

Wow. So she... really didn't like guns. Something occurred to Nemesis then. He could not go around thinking of and treating this person as Rain. She might look exactly like her, have her same name, and maybe even some of her same mannerisms, but there were some very big differences too. It wasn't fair to this person, clone or not, to be regarded as someone she wasn't. After all, Nemesis of all people knew what it was like to be judged by appearances. She was genetically related to Rain, but not her, and Nemesis needed to respect that. "Okay. I'n sor-ry," he said. "I won't... assune any-thing."

He was glad, though, that she was at least open to the option of learning to use a gun to protect herself. They were in the lion's den, down here with not only the current problem of the undead that'd been released in this particular simulation, but those of other simulations that stood between them and freedom as well. Not to mention other biohazards Umbrella had in the pipeline, and their various paramilitary soldiers. The simulations weren't the only places clones were found, after all.

Their escape's success, the route they would take, and what they'd encounter along the way were all uncertain. If something should happen to him, Rain was going to have to be willing to do anything and everything to get herself out of there. "They say in selth-dethense classes... that you can't say... you don't deliethe in thiolence... un-less you also say... you don't deliethe in surthithing." A bit garbled, but the sentiment was there. If you weren't willing to inflict harm on your attackers, you wouldn't get very far

Nemesis stomped over to the dead officer with Rain, just in case he wasn't fully dead and decided to get back up again. There was a lot of that that went on. She was able to take the gun, however, Nemesis could see that she really had no idea of how to properly handle it. "Thirst oth all... you want to keet your thinger... outside the trigger guard." He pointed to it. "This thing. Don't lay your thinger... a-gainst the trigger... or toint the gun... at any-one... un-less you intend to kill."

That was the first lesson. Now, onto shooting. "Drace the hand that's hold-ing the gun... with your other hand." He made a motion with his own, cradling the heel of the hand that was holding an imaginary gun with his other. "When you shoot, gently squeeze the trig-ger... don't tull it hard... or jerk it dack. Other-wise, you'll tilt the whole gun dack... and your shot... will go way high." He made motions for each example so she could see the difference between simply pulling the trigger while his hands and the gun remained steady, and moving his hands as well, causing the gun to aim upward.

"It is what it is," Nemesis said in response to Rain's apology. It wasn't her fault in any way, but her empathy was certainly welcome. "No-thing I can do... a-dout it now," he added with a shrug. He wasn't in denial, nor was he avoiding the truth about what had been done to him, or what he was now. It just didn't do him any good to dwell on it. Doing so put him in a really bad place mentally, so he tried not to.

When she asked about his tentacles, they started undulating, almost how dogs wagged their tails when they were happily getting the attention they want. "Not ex-act-ly," Nemesis replied. "The thirus... wants certain things... to con-tin-ue to ex-ist. Two things it really needs... are DNA and water. So it'll grow things to act on its dio-lo-gical needs. Any atten-da-ges that don't de-long to ne as a hunan, like the ten-ta-cles... are guided dy the thirus. It's not real-ly its own sen-ti-ence though. I think... the wants oth the thirus... dlend with ny own enotions. So they re-eact... to what I think... and theel. It's a relationshid I never wan-ted."

Because it... was honestly creepy, to have viral appendages that mirrored him, or reacted to his thoughts and emotions, or might try to point in a direction they wanted him to move. But... it did have its advantages. "Sone-tines it can de kinda neat, though," Nemesis admitted. "Here... I'll start thinking that I'n real-ly thirsty," he said. Within seconds, all of his tentacles were pointing in the same direction, to where some poor either cloned or non-existent simulation resident had an above-ground pool in their yard. "See? Water. There you go," Nemesis said, gesturing to the pool. He patted one of the tentacles. "Thanks."

Her question about the differences he'd noticed between her and the Rain she'd been cloned from... really made Nemesis sad. He had really positive memories of the original Rain, so to want to be different from her... But, he got it. He really did. Clone or not, no one likes to hear that they're just a carbon copy or a cheap imitation of someone else.

"Well... to be thair... I on-ly knew the o-ri-gi-nal Rain thor one night. Howether... You're a little sweeter. Ter-so-na-li-ty wise. And she didn't wear her hair... like that. Not when working, at least. Yours is all nice and layered... and curled and what-not. The original Rain... just tony-tailed it... to get it outta her thace. Dut strands still hung down. I won-der ith... that tissed her oth at all," he said with a chuckle. "Al-so... she wouldn't de caught dead... in shoes with... stiletto heels." He pointed at her boots. "It was condat doots... all the way... thor her." Another chuckle, for a bit of levity, because they both needed it right now. "You're your own terson, trust ne," he promised her.

Nemesis did actually feel like a total jerk bursting Rain's bubble about being a clone and being in a simulation... almost literally, but it was better than she know and that she try to digest her new normal as fast as she could, because holding back at all was going to make escape that much more difficult. "I'n sorry. Dut... thor what it's worth... I don't think... any less oth you... decause you're a clone. In thact... you're the nicest one I'th net so thar." That was an understatement. He was used to interacting with clones of that poor team he'd met on the night the end of the world began. They weren't anything like the brave, dedicated, caring men and women they were modeled after. This Rain, though... she seemed to have the original Rain's heart, which made him happy. At least it was living on in some capacity.

She seemed to be accepting reality for the moment and willing to continue on, and so, with the sounds of chaos occurring elsewhere in the simulation, Nemesis looked down a road he knew led to the border of it all. "Let's go this way," he said, starting to stomp down the road, his oversized boots cracking the asphalt of the road here and there. It wasn't long before they reached the edge of the simulation, and Nemesis paused. "Care-thul. It's a dit... dis-or-i-ent-ing," he warned as he walked through the edge of the holographic imaging. Immediately, they found themselves surrounded by dark walls, utility piped, power panels, and all other manner of behind-the-scenes equipment and infrastructure. The madness behind the illusion. "It's like... go-ing through... the look-ing glass," he remarked.

"We hath to go through... the New York sin-u-la-tion... to get where we need to go. Hath you ether deen to New York?" he asked her, knowing damn well she hadn't, but... maybe she had memories of it? He wasn't about to remind her every second that she was a clone. It felt much better to talk to her like the real person she was, even if her memories were all imprinted on her mind artificially.

[From Good Rain] The chaos that had overtaken the simulated streets finally seemed to have settled down. Rain thought that she might finally have a moment to catch her breath, but then found herself blanketed by the shadow of a massive figure.

Nemesis lived his life in a sedative-induced haze, whether he was asleep or awake. Most of the time he was kept sedated to the point of being knocked out, but even while awake, it was as if his mind was lethargic or something. His personality, the parts of him that were Matt instead of Nemesis, were buried deep, half-asleep, too tired and distant to take control. All he could do is watch through his own eyes as he did things he didn't want to do, killed people he didn't want to kill, because he was ordered to. The controlled parts of his mind went on autopilot once an order was given, and his body moved without him wanting it to. It was like being an unwilling passenger in a car driven by a homicidal robot.

Being recaptured after Raccoon City was his absolute worst nightmare. Why couldn't he have just been killed by the nuclear weapon like other normal human beings? No, he had to strangely regenerate, his virus-permeated form only spurred on by the radioactivity and too focused on survival to allow him to die. It hadn't been bad at first... Oh, sure, he'd grown tentacles, and he was a few inches taller than he'd been before. Maybe more muscular too. Had his bones gotten thicker? But regardless, he was alive and free and could do whatever he wanted. Until Umbrella caught him with a trap they'd laid out for him...

And that was that. He was taken to some cold-ass place in Russia, under the ocean and the glaciers he used to advocate to save as an environmental activist, and re-enslaved. He had a vague sense of who he was, of what had come before this. It came more to him in dreams than anything else. But for now, he just couldn't seem to take back his autonomy. Without Alice to help quite literally in beating some sense into him, Nemesis felt forever doomed to repeat simulation after simulation, killing innocent people again and again.

He hated the New York testing environment. Before he'd been plunged into hell, he'd been a nature lover, a camper, a hiker... and frankly, the smell of gasoline, metal, rubber, and city funk was something that had become downright triggering to him. Not to mention the hulking creatures with massive nails and spikes through their heads he was sometimes made to battle. Axemen, they were called. Gross, he thought, and yet he felt sorry for whoever they used to be.

So at first, when he'd been released into an entirely different simulation with blue skies, green grass, and the occasional pet dog running around, Nemesis thought something had changed for the better. But... no. He recognized these streets. They were the suburbs of Raccoon. He could almost walk to his house from here... Not only that, but they had him hunting down innocent people again. Why? Like, what purpose does this serve? Of course I'm gonna be able to kill these poor people, what does this prove?! All he could do was watch in horror, unable to stop seeing the world through his left good eye and Umbrella's orders and ticker data through his experimentally altered right one.

During times like this, Matt tried to distract himself so he didn't have to face the reality of what he was being made to do. It helped that he always felt foggy, like he was asleep and couldn't quite wake up. It was easy to just let go and be a passenger when he couldn't even hold a coherent thought long enough to-

Wait, I know her!

Nemesis stopped for a moment when he saw the woman. The sight of her was like glass shattering inside his mind, breaking windows and letting in air and light where there had only been a dark void before. It hurt, the sudden flood of memories, and it was anything but coherent. Flashes of people he knew but couldn't remember the names of, glimpses of the Hive, creatures and sounds and screams... It gave him a headache, breaking Umbrella's control on him for a second time, but it was the best pain ever. He felt like he'd woke up after years of slumber, dazed but in control.

Lowering his chain gun to his side, Nemesis clomped over to the woman as his visual overlay courtesy of his retinal implant identified her as Rain Ocampo. Rain... The name came with another traumatic flash of memories, and Nemesis didn't get his hopes up. Rain was dead. He remember now... he had killed her himself. It was something he'd seen in his nightmares a multitude of times before Umbrella had leashed him again. It was one of the worst things he'd ever had to do, shooting Rain. So this... couldn't be her. Unless...

Clones...

Nemesis knew the testing environments were populated with clones because Umbrella considered them expendable stand-ins for "real" humans. It was incredibly sick, even if the technological advancements that had created them and the environments themselves were nothing short of amazing. Oh man, now he was pissed. They cloned Rain? Really? What the fuck, Umbrella, seriously?!

As he got closer to her, he knew this probably wouldn't go well. He looked like road pizza. Actually... most roadkill looked better than he did at this point. But he had to try, nevertheless. Even if she was just a clone, she was some part of Rain that was still alive, and that meant something to him. "Rain...?" he asked, hoping he wouldn't scare the shit out of her...

[illbringthechaosmagic]

Ghosts of Ivalice Past reply for @tarnishedxknight

Wanda had been in the room with Drace and Ashe when the brothers walked in. She had had a brief chat with Drace, welcoming her to the team and filling her in on the small piece she had to play in both the twins lives. It was a little complicated to say the least but they were working through it, with Wanda honoured to call them both her partners. She had been in the middle of asking Drace about her own life when she spotted the two brothers walking in, noticing how Noah seemed to be panicked when he saw the other.

"Noah..." she quickly got up from her seat and rushed to his side, her hands reaching for his arm, even as he wrenched it away from Basch. Her gaze moved to Basch for a moment, silently telling him that it was ok. "Noah, you're ok... take a deep breath in for me..."

Her words trailed off as Drace spoke to him, her gaze moving between the two of them. It was best for Noah to tell her why he was reacting the way he was rather than her butting in, especially when she was sure that she didn't know all of the details. After all, Noah hadn't completely opened up to her about everything, only giving her small pieces of information at a time.

That didn't mean that she was going to stay quiet when the two of them snapped at Basch. "Hey!" There was a bluntness to her voice, the red mist of her powers glowing around her eyes as she looked at them both. "I get that you're overwhelmed Noah but Basch is trying to help you out. As for you," she turned to Drace, "careful how you address him. You might have held a position of authority back in your own land but you're part of this team now. Meaning you all work together."

Dropping Noah's arm, she turned to look at Basch, her hand taking his gently. "Are you alright?"

[lightinxthedark]

Downward Spiral | closed reply

@tarnishedxknight - continued from here

Never had Indala felt afraid of her own brother before. She knew Vayne had been up to something, for that was what she and Larsa had been trying to figure out for some time, and why she was still in the palace while her twin was off assisting Princess Ashelia. But she had never... seen him so cold. Never did she think he would so quickly claim the throne, despite his ambition, and never did she think he would be so quick to punish one of the Judge Magisters for challenging him in such a way.

Then again... never did she think he would be so dismissive of their father's murder, even if justice had quickly been served.

...If it truly had been done by Senator Gregoroth's hand.

Despite his order, Vayne had pulled her against him to shield her away from Drace's death, his arms wrapped protectively around her as he rested a hand on the back of her head to prevent her from turning around. A terrible necessity, he had told her, his voice low and tinged with... regret? Pride? She couldn't tell. But a necessity nonetheless. But even he could not prevent her from hearing Drace's dying gasp, though he still held her as she burst into tears and cried against him, her terror mixing with her shock and grief that tore through her far too rapidly for her to make sense of it. Rattled by the sight of her dead father and the dead Senator, and now the dying breath of a Judge Magister she adored - a sound she was certain would never leave her for as long as she lived.

It was a blur, after that, her mind shutting down into shock as she kept crying, and as her brother comforted her and gave order after order to the remaining Magisters. Bergan and Zargabaath were gone, at least she thought they were, because they needed to get Larsa. Did Gabranth take Drace's body away? Or was it the Judges? She couldn't remember. She couldn't remember who took care of her father or when she was separated from Vayne, but she suddenly found herself standing in the hall outside of the throne room with no one around, and she didn't know what to do.

Her tears kept falling, although she had since fallen quiet as she sniffled and gasped for breath, as her heart felt like it had been torn apart and as her mind still reeled from the chaos that had just unfolded. Where had Vayne gone? Where had any of them gone? She was alone and she didn't want to be, but everything in her sundered spirit screamed at her to avoid her brother at all costs. He was dangerous, that much she could make sense of, though whether or not it was all because of him...

As if they had taken a life of their own, Indala's feet began to move as she suddenly hurried away. She hurried past the Judges and soldiers that now roamed the halls, not hearing those who called to her, and kept going without understanding where. All she knew was that she needed to get away. She needed to keep going, to get as far away from Vayne as she possibly could.

And she found herself outside of Gabranth's quarters.

Although Drace had been killed by his hand, it had not been by his choice. Even Indala, in her torn mind and heart, couldn't find it in her to even remotely blame him for Drace's death. She didn't know what would have happened if he refused Vayne's order, but Drace was dead because of her brother. Not because of Gabranth. Vayne had ordered her execution, and... and...

Fresh tears blurred Indala's vision as she choked back another sob, and with a shaking fist, she knocked at his door. Gabranth and Drace were the only ones she had ever felt fully comfortable turning to, other than her own twin, when she was upset, and that hadn't changed with everything that had just happened. They had been more willing to listen to her and talk to her than Vayne or her father had been, and all she wanted was to be with someone who cared.

But her voice failed her as she knocked again, unable to call out that it was only her or ask if she could enter, and, instead, Indala bit back another sob. It was a choked sound, louder than intended, and it took everything in her not to sink to the floor and begin to cry all over again. What if he wasn't there? Had Vayne ordered him to do something else? What if he was back in the throne room?

Indala knew better than to simply let herself in, but she was hardly thinking right, and she tried the handle when she didn't hear anything from inside. Even if Gabranth wasn't there... maybe she could hide until Larsa came home. But Gabranth was there, though she barely seemed to register that he was on the floor or the destruction of his quarters. She shut the door behind her, but then stood there with her face pale, with only her cheeks, nose, and eyes red. Tears still ran down her face, her nose a mess, and her bottom lip trembled as her breathing hitched again.

"I--" she tried, though her voice caught in her throat with a whimper, and she rubbed at her face. "I- I di-didn't know where else to- to go. I'm- I'm scared Vayne is- is gonna..." A part of her wanted to run over to Gabranth's side, but she forced herself to remain rooted in place, shaking and barely holding herself together, and suddenly feeling the crushing realization of everything that had happened bearing down upon her.

Her father was dead. Drace was dead. And Vayne was responsible for them both.

Did Gabranth even want to see her after all her brother had done?

"I'm- I'm sorry," she blurted, and couldn't stop herself from crying anew as she buried her face into her hands. "I'm sorry! I don-don't know wha' to- to do!"

[booasaur]

Natalia Reyes post something about the ship. Grace and Dani! It looks like she support it.

I SAW that! It made me laugh. For those who don’t know, she posts something TDF-related every Terminator Thursday, and this week’s thing was an instastory from someone asking if they…well:

And yes, that’s a little rainbow slider and the average response was to the max. Everyone knows this ship should’ve been canon!

[draceempressa]

Sca isn’t broke tho. Her NP gain is meh and she’s mostly good for divine enemies. Takumi seems really off balance being an archer but can fight short range too

Yeah , it's actually keeping faith to his Conquest incarnation that he have similar skill in that path, called Point Blank there. Other hints that Heroes Takumi is Conquest Takumi and not the original playable Takumi is that his red eyes and Vengeance skill. Hpwever, despite all of that skils and originally in Conquest path he is a raging madman sniping down everything that try to stop him from destroying Nohr for killing his mom Mikoto, he is very sane and sweet instead in Heroes, because fanservice. Same with Raijinto and Siegfried's built-in Distant Counter effect. back in Fates Raijinto shoots lightning and Siegfried shoots off black flames, so that's explains how they could counter from distance. but Hector? where did that Distant Counter come from? Also, Takumi have been stated to be a swordsman at some point but give up swordplay because Ryoma keep handing his ass off. He's not a slouch at close-range combat in story. Takumi is THE most broken archer in FE franchise, period. Back in Fates he's nuking everything too with his ridiculously high crit rate. Also, Fujin Yumi have been neutered here. The original effect is that he can move while ignoring terrains like a flier, that's why no one bother to reclass him into kinshi knight. But they do drew him in that class, because aesthetic, heh. Not that all of these incarnations are accurate, tho. For example, originally in Shadow Dragon Gradivus' effect is full health restore. Here? Distant counter. Hauteclere? 10+ HP per turn. Here? Special cooldown. Not all PRF weapon maintained their original effect, yeah. Also I was stalking some artist's twitter that ships Leo x Takumi and most of them also plays FGO and they also have Arjuna and Gilgamesh. What a surprise.

[stingslikeabee]

her intentions to seek out ghis in the palace had met her not with him, bur drace, who was more than keen on seeing the bhujerban to her source of interest. the magister's words consist of explanation towards the other judge's absence; he is toiling away on the sparring grounds with bergan, of all people.

and what a sight it is to behold. all of them had something to learn from one another, always bettering themselves against the best of the best. the two are more or less entirely involved in the fight, unarmed, unarmored and it is perhaps the first and last time melissa will ever see bergan so venerable.

at first glance they seem almost evenly matched, but as the display goes on it should not be overlooked that bergan has yet to make any meaningful impact against ghis, who of which has not only struck bergan several times over but has earned a colorful bought of curses out of the meaner judge.

it seems to be irritating him to a point he's given up trying to win and is only intending to do anything to at least hit ghis. it winds up being his downfall, as ghis sees the anger and allows not only for bergan to misstep, but to trip him up in the same motion, and a swift knee into the larger's ribcage. the crack that becomes of it is audible and ghis stops only then, stepping back, and observing as nearby magickal healers rush inward.

breathing heavy and stepping away from the reeling bergan, who continues to curse ghis, he has only just noticed that melissa was even there. surprise colors his features as he walks over to where both her and drace have been watching, stopping just before them and breathing still quickened.

'to what do i owe the immense pleasure of your presence?' he asks, eyeing drace as if accusing his fellow magister of something unknown. drace knew well enough that having civilans around the training grounds was a dangerous venture, but a small price to pay in watching bergan be put in his place.

unscripted asks . always accepting

Among the judge magisters of the Empire, Melissa clearly had a favorite - her attachment to Ghis was a rather public affair, at least among his peers. It had enabled her to be present at a number of social and public gatherings, and the Bhujerban had clearly bonded swimmingly with judges Drace and Zargabaath, while her relationship with Gabranth was civil, albeit a little distant and neutral.

With Bergan, however - anyone in the same room with the two of them would feel the temperature dropping several degrees given the icy, pointed stares she offered that magister. He made no secret of his disdain or biased opinion of foreigners (even if she was technically only half-Bhujerban); and if Melissa couldn’t very well respond or act in any way that could put her at risk (or indirectly reflect on Ghis), it didn’t mean she wasn’t allowed to silently desire for a painful death of that particular officer.

And while she had never said anything to anyone about her profound dislike for the other noble-born magister that was not the one she was currently in a relationship with - Drace seemed to have picked up on that really fast. Melissa was certain that had been the reason that prompted the other woman to lead her inside, getting a civilian to the training grounds where she wouldn’t be typically allowed - and yet, with Drace’s characteristic armor by her side (albeit with the helmet being removed while she too watched the match), no one dared question the dancer for being there.

It was rather mesmerizing - there were a number of surprising details, the first one of them being the lack of armor; the second thing was Ghis’ agility - it really showed how good and attentive he was in close combat in opposition to Bergan. Without even realizing she had reacted in that way, Melissa had stepped ahead, hands finding the railings that separated the more public area from the grounds proper and gripping at them with more strength than it was perhaps necessary.

If Drace noticed it, she kept it to herself - but she did have a smile on her face after realizing how the younger woman watched the match with undivided attention. Melissa’s eyes followed the figure of her lover - and it was clear she had a side, although she remained mindful of her surroundings and never once shouted or created some commotion. But as soon as Ghis found his opening and Bergan fell to the floor, the dancer reacted with a bit more emotion than she should - her body moved forward with a sudden swing and a smug smile appeared on her face, hands tapping on the railings in a way to translate the excitement coursing through her veins.

Oh yes - she had enjoyed that. A fallen, annoyed Bergan with the added injury of having failed before an audience (as small as it was) brought no meager satisfaction to Melissa (and to Drace as well, although the other magistrate seemed more amused at the dancer’s reactions than the incessant cursing of her peer).

But there was more to it - and with the proximity of Ghis and the fact he was currently unarmed and affected by the training (as well as the display of skill that had ended just a moment ago)... It all very much fueled Melissa’s desire to outright pull him by the light fabrics that covered him and kiss him senselessly on the lips. She had never imagined to one day be genuinely attracted to the man she now shared a home with - but by the gods, she was.

Impossibly so, and doing everything within her power to control the urge to just show him how much.

“I had something to say to Your Honor, but it has presently slipped my mind...” she confessed with a slightly breathless voice of her own, eyes roaming over his figure rather boldly for the place they were in. But Drace - ever the attentive one - moved away without a word, the sound of her armor denouncing her distance and leaving the pair alone at that corner of the training grounds despite the fact that they were very much in plain sight for the other palace employees and army members.

"Jarvis,” she practically whispered his name - there was no one around to hear and take offense, but it showed just how personal that experience felt to the dancer, “I cannot wait to see you tonight. Without Judge Drace by my side I am not sure I can remain here any longer, and frankly...” She reached out to him - a hand raised, slowly, just enough to brush a strand of hair away from where it had been stuck to his skin given the effort made while training; and just that small, harmless touch felt very much like fire, igniting her in all the right ways - and yet very much improper for palace grounds.

“...I should go before I cannot contain myself anymore.”

[dracereads]

For Real was the last of the Spires series that I finished for this reason Huge Age Gap + BDSM. Normally Age Gap doesn't bother me that much, but the fact that it was a BDSM book was my little caveat. Since I don't particularly have much faith in authors to handle that correctly and it made me the most apprehensive. However, I was very glad that Alexis was very deft and knowledgeable and respectful towards the BDSM community.

Oh. I can see definitely where you're coming from in the fact that BM and FR are similar. Sometimes Alexis gets into very tropey hot water. Or well. The characters are so very plainly messy that all his books have a similar feel and he's very. reliable in the fact that he wants to depict good and healthy relationship tactics as opposed to unhealthy ones? If you liked FR for being close to BM, I would also say that Glitterland also has that feeling as well. Ash is basically a beta version of Luc; and well Darian is a creature of his own unique beauty and I love him so much. And they GET INTO A NOT SO SERIOUS fight about Scrabble.

The St. Ives are on my list of reading. I swear to god I am going to get through this man's entire selection of books this year. It's literally my only goal besides TBR busting and whimsy reading. How did you feel about the St. Ives series as a whole? Did you enjoy them or were they meh?? Give me ALL OF THE GUSHING I ADORE IT. Yes, please. ABSOLUTELY geek out about all the Shakespeare references. To Be honest, you can't read an AH book without tripping and falling all over the Shakespeare references just littering the floor. At least that's how I felt with most of what I've read so far. That and wait until you get to his regency works-- they're littered with Jane Austen and Mary Shelley and whatever else he can cram in there.

[This is dracereads] you went from boyfriend material to for real. You are a brave soul that is a heck of a leap content wise!

Lol yeah that was a wild jump. I was put off by the summary (particularly the age gap part because that does not typically work for me) but Boyfriend Material was so carefully thought out that I trusted Alexis Hall to pull through for me and made the leap despite my apprehension.

I am so glad I did too because after I finished For Real I felt like I had read Boyfriend Material again. That might sound crazy but I actually think those books are quite similar. They are both about a prickly MCs that hurt the love interest a lot but the love interest continues to come back despite that prickliness. They also both have the trajectory of "wow MC has issues and needs to deal with them" to "oh boy MC is a bit more functional interpersonally but now love interest has some issues they need to deal with" which made both books super effective reads because the plot kept moving. Surprisingly when I made what most would consider the logical leap from For Real to the Arden-verse I was let down because we didn't get to see Caspian's emotions as much (as opposed to Boyfriend Material and For Real where we got to see how emotionally affected/invested both characters were and as a result I had a plethora of emotions as well). So yeah I'm so happy I did because now I have a new favorite author 😊

Also - can we talk about the Austen and Shakespeare references in For Real? Cause the almost English major in me was filled with joy whenever a reference appeared.