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[sparrowofthedawnsworld]

We all know how Jake obviously just loves to watch…

You’re sitting in Jake’s lap, legs on either side of his, to keep you spread apart for him.

His fingers tease at your inner thighs, drawing shapers and patterns, smirking in amusement as the muscles twitch and quiver under his light touches.

“Jake, please…” you whimper, aching and throbbing just to have his fingers inside you, or stroking over your clit.

He complies finally with a low chuckle, bringing his fingers to your dripping heat.

“Aww, is that better now, sweet girl?” Jake coos, lust blown and dark eye, tracking your every move. “You have my fingers on your pretty pussy and suddenly everything is all okay? Needy girl.”

“Yes god, fuck, i love your fingers.” You clench around nothing, eyes fluttering closed as pleasure gradually starts to spread through your whole body.

“I know you do, baby,” Jake says, replacing his fingers with his thumb as he slips two fingers down to your entrance.

He sinks them into you with no hesitation, smiling proudly at the unholy noise it pulls from your lungs.

Your head falls back, arms coming up to grip at his shoulders.

“Open you eyes and look at me, pretty girl,” Jake commands, bringing his free hand up to stroke his knuckles along your cheek.

You bring your head back down and attempt to do what he’s just asked, eyes fluttering slightly as you force them open against your body’s will to keep them closed.

“Good girl,” he praises. “There’s my beautiful angel. So pretty.”

“Jake, I- I need more,” you tell him, rocking your hips into his hand. “Please, Jakey.”

“Shhh, I’m gonna give it to you.” It’s a promise, falling off his lips like honey. His fingers sink deeper into you.

They curl up into that sweet spot, making your mouth drop open in a moan that bounces around Jake’s living room.

“You like it right there?” Jake questions smugly, adding a little more pressure up into that spot.

“Fuck, oh fuck-“ You curse, fighting to stay upright and look at him as the heat in your lower stomach starts to build.

“Eyes on me, pretty girl, or I’ll stop.” Jake threatens, knowing good and well you won’t be able to hold yourself up for very much longer.

“Don’t stop, Jake,” you plead with him desperately, mouth dropped open in open-mouth whimpers and moans, of which are rapidly growing louder. “Don’t stop, pleaseee…”

You force yourself to look him in the eyes once again. His head is tilted back just slightly, watching you fall apart in his lap with a pleased and cocky expression.

It only drives you closer, the cocky smirk and narrowed eyes; watching you ever so intently.

Curling his fingers back up into your sweet spot, he flashes you a wicked grin before shaking them rapidly into it, just like he does to draw vibrato out of his guitar.

Your mouth falls open, and had your eyes not rolled back into your head, you may have seen Jake’s mouth fall open, mocking the faces you’re making.

You collapse into him, head falling against his shoulder. Your face buries into the crook of his neck immediately, but Jake isn’t having it.

“Oh, poor thing,” Jake taunts with faux pity, sliding his hand in between his shoulder and your face, grabbing your jaw and forcing you back up. “Didn’t I tell you I would stop if you don’t look at me?”

He holds you up by your face, just far back enough to keep eye contact with you.

“Are you close?” He asks, voice low and smooth, eyebrows raised as he watches you frantically nod your response.

Trying to form words is far beyond you at this point. Too far gone in the ecstasy of Jake’s fingers to process anything, let alone create a coherent sentence.

“Yeah?” Jake’s fingers are playing you just like his guitar, with speed and precision that’s leaving your head spinning, numbing the limbs of your body and pouring gas into the fire burning in the depths of your body.

“Look right at me, pretty. Right at me and I’ll let you cum.”

“Jake!” You sob through heavy breaths, choking on a moan as his hand slides down to your throat.

Your eyes lock with Jake’s, your need for orgasm helping you to do as Jake says.

His fingers practically vibrate inside you again as his thumb works over your clit, sending you plummeting into an earth shattering orgasm.

Jake watches you with hooded eyes, mouth slightly parted as he drinks in the sight of you coming undone in his lap. He emits a low hum, as your release drips down his fingers and begins to puddle in the palm of his hand.

Once you’ve come down, he releases his grip around your throat and withdraws his fingers from you.

“So good, baby.” Jake presses a kiss to your temple as you fall against his chest.

“Here…” He holds his soaked hand up and you automatically know what he wants.

You take his wrist in your hand, licking yourself from his fingertips. He stops you as your tongue starts to travel to his palm.

“Ah-“ He pulls his hand away quickly, bringing it to his own mouth and you giggle softly at his sudden actions.

“What? You thought I wouldn’t want a taste?”

[whispereons]

Oracle!Reader Part 12

Masterlist - Part 1, Part 11, Part 13

Putting this early so y'all got something to read while waiting for Fontaine. Gl on wishing/saving!

Warning! This is SAGAU which is yandere, plus my story is imposter au which makes things even worse. You can expect detailed descriptions of sensitive topics like blood in this chapter.

The water is still as Mountain Shaper relays your claim to the other adepti. The cutting gaze they have is deflected by that calm expression you wear.

"Then before we deal with them, let's wrap up the situation with the children." Ganyu speaks softly as her eyes move past your form with wariness. 

Xingqiu and Chongyun relax at the sight of Ganyu.With her around, the punishment from the adepti should be prevented.

"Thank you both for coming to save the children, and I'm sorry we weren't in time to help that poor boy. I'm afraid I'll have to burden you both with the task of bringing them back to the city. This would be quite a big deal, especially for you, Xingqiu, as the son of such a prestigious family."

Xingqiu freezes up at the mention of his family while Ganyu takes out a notepad. She writes something on it and hands it over to him.

"This is a brief report on what happened, your cover up is that I asked you to bring them back home. You and your friend will have to give a report to the Millelith and when I get back, I can finish the report. I can get the needed information from your... teammate."

The skepticism and slight disgust in her voice makes it perfectly clear what she thinks about you. She didn't even want to thank you for participating in saving the children.

Ganyu is an adepti, even if she is half human, and that is why she has some of that signature arrogance. She always did jump to conclusions; like how she attacked that Fatui skirmisher that was berry picking. Her arrogance only makes it harder for her to change her mind until it's nearly too late.

Xingqiu smiles politely but the twitch in his eyebrow as he accepts the note says it all. Chongyun's face visibly sours but he keeps quiet. They both turn to you, silently asking if it's okay for them to leave you here.

Your lips stretch into a cheery smile and you give them a thumbs up. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Just make sure Yiran gets to her father and that the mother of that poor boy gets his body."

They leave with the children clinging to them, the children still have remnants of tears in their eyes. You can only silently command Teyvat to make their journey back to the city as safe as possible.

"One knows not why this interloper is not already decaying at our feet. Surely any being that claims such a frivolous thing deserves to be sacrificed to the glorious Creator."

Rude as always, Cloud Retainer is the first to ignite the hatred for you. In Genshin she was always comedic relief after the Archon quest but it's different with your current position.

"Don't be so quick to see to my death, Cloud Retainer. Surely Mountain Shaper has already told you what secret information I know about you all." You smoothly comment. 

"The young herbalist is not impossible to hold information on, it's the scent of Teyvat on you that led me to not kick you off my mountain." Moon Carver interferes calmly. You get the sense that he's the most curious on who you are in contrast to the rest that just want you to die.

"Like I said, I'm an Oracle for the Creator themself. Surely you aren't going to doubt Teyvat in who it chooses to embrace."

"Mimicry is a common tactic among evildoers like yourself. Perhaps you're a demonic spirit from the old war hiding in human flesh. It would suffice as an explanation for the way you used that little girl to buy time for yourself." 

Mountain Shaper pushes the agenda of some evil lurking within you. Honestly, it's starting to annoy you but becoming emotional would only fuel them further.

"I only spoke to Yiran so rashly due to your stupid rules. Who focuses on intruders that you clearly saw came for the children instead of the terrified young girl? She was scared from the massacre and felt responsible for that boy's death. That same dead boy’s mother that you proceeded to insult."

"And why should we concern ourselves with the folly of humans?"

"I'm not asking you to. I'm saying that you should at least allow the other humans to help those children, yet you treat adults and children like they have the same mental capacity. Not surprising as adepti couldn't possibly understand the complexity of humanity but it’s still quite disappointing that you cannot even see the logic."

Your words earn you a sharp amber tearing into the skin of your left arm.  A low curse escapes you as you yank the injured arm away from the crimson painted amber. Examining the wound with a grimace, you apply pressure to slow the bleeding. The puncture wound lets your blood stain the clothing and drip off. 

It didn't go all the way through but in certain areas your vein and arteries can be seen. Not broken, just exposed and so very painful. Resisting the tears, you dig into your bag with your good hand for the medical kit.

As you clean and wrap up your wound, you can hear the adepti arguing.

"What are you doing you old coot? One was looking to expose their lies, not attack in such a haste. Now that filthy blood is staining my abode."

"Cloud Retainer is correct on this topic. As devoted worshippers of our caliber, having the ability to unravel the demonic lies is true proof of our strength."

It's so funny, you almost want to laugh in their faces. 'Filthy blood'? Your blood is the one that they worship like salvation. 'Demonic lies?' Isn't the Creator's word's law and truth no matter the message?

That haughtiness that leads them to try beating you at your own game will be their downfall. You'll enjoy this new act. After all...

They're only the stepping stones for the showdown between you and the Geo Archon.

With a bandaged arm that sends dull aches and electrifying pain at intervals, you smile and speak in a sweet tone.

"Finished conversing yet? If you're ready to try exposing my nonexistent lie then get rid of this amber cage and let me show you firsthand why I'm the Creator's Oracle."

Your serene smile is met with sharp glares, distrustful eyes and a timid gaze that speaks first.

"And what proof or action will you show us?"

"Well, I have multiple ways, but illuminated beings like yourself will not be satisfied with that. You'll see it as a trick, a prepared prop to convince you all. So instead, why don't you ask me to do something or relay something to the creator? Something that you're positive I can't complete."

Beisht's scale seems to make your bag heavier with the reminder of its existence. But it's not time for it yet. The adepti only see Beisht as an enemy, that gamble isn't one you're willing to risk just yet.

"One would never ask you to pray to the creator and sully their ears with your sinful voice. One has a better idea on what you can do as 'proof'. As much as One hates to let you get closer, it is necessary to enter my abode."

Mountain Shaper seems to grumble as the other adepti force him to release you. Chains made of Geo and Dendro wrap around your wrists and tug you forward. 

Were you truly that untrustworthy in their eyes? Four adepti against one human, the outcome is obvious, but you keep a leisurely pace behind them.

Cloud Retainer's domain-like door opens and once you all step inside, the door shuts with a loud bang. It's just like how you remembered it in the game.

An absolute confusing mess.

Ganyu and Cloud Retainer cross the barely hanging rock bridge with ease, Meanwhile Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper throw remarks at her.

"What is the meaning of such a mess? It's in even worse condition than when we visited 300 years ago."

"One's abode is not of your concern. It is normal for one to keep it in the environment that suits one's needs."

Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper continue to bicker back and forth as you are led through the turning platforms and transparent golden bridges. 

"Maybe if a certain mortal had just accepted death as their punishment, we wouldn't have to be going through this disorganization."

As adepti, they probably could have just flown to the top where Cloud Retainers' main ruins are but as you are clearly human, they had to take the long way. They don't bother to keep that fact quiet but Moon Carver constantly saying that only makes you walk slower in pettiness.

The main ruin finally comes into view and you remember the initial conversation with Cloud Retainer when you had to discuss Morax's fake death. The door behind that never let players in, is now open. 

Entering you are greeted with long hallways with inventions in different stages of creation littering it. Texts, and murals of different time periods cover the walls. Morax, Guizong, the Yaksha and even other adepti you don't recognize are there.

A left turn at a three way intersection goes to a large room decorated beautifully with feathers and gemstones alike. The image of you forming an egg that has brown scales and gold accents is the main centerpiece. 

This must be how they believe you created Morax. Then does that solve the question on whether the egg or the chicken comes first? 

Cloud Retainer stops in the middle of the room and spreads her wings to point at the sides of the room that are inscribed with text.

"Ever since One took residence in this abode, One has never been able to decipher the text, nor has any other being that got One's permission to enter this sacred room been able to decipher it. If you are truly the Oracle then surely you must be able to decode such scriptures."

"Then let's see just what message this scripture contains." Your proud words are all the bravado you need to walk past their eyes and approach the closest words on the left wall.

As you move to walk past Cloud Retainer's form, she brings her wing down to cover your path.

"Death is the only ending for you in One's eyes. If you fail to translate, then you'll die. If you tarnish or destroy it, then you'll die. And if you refuse, then death will claim you before you can even finish your words." 

"I understand full and well, Cloud Retainer. My life belongs to the Creator, no matter how difficult or painful."

Her wing cuts through your shackles with ease. Now free, you walk past with that confident posture you've held throughout this meeting. Your hands itch to run over the wall and pray that Teyvat will automatically translate it as it had done for everything else. Yet when you get close enough to make out the words, you smile widely. A sight so beautiful for your poor eyes.

'Elemental creatures of all kinds must continue to worship the maker of all things to maintain their loving and personal connection. Refusing or forgetting to do so is the same as rejecting or not caring for them. Consequences are dire and just like trust, it'll be much harder to restore.'

Your language is written on the wall in clear letters. Your luck seems to have turned around for now. You could do so much with this information.

"I can understand this perfectly. It's the language the Creator uses to communicate on the world they're resting in. The scripture describes elemental worship that is specific to only elemental beings."

You recite the first text with ease as the room goes quiet. Not a laugh, scoff nor grumble is heard in the room. Should you take this as a bad or good thing? 

Pushing onward you begin to translate the rest of the text on both sides of the room. It gives a detailed explanation on how to sacrifice body parts, energy, blood, and lifeforce. 

"Stop, we have heard enough." Moon Carver cuts in emotionlessly. You look back at them feigning a confused expression. Trouble is clear on their faces, the truth of your words is spreading guilt within them.

Inwardly your lips curve into a smile that seems to soothe the pain in your arm.

They aren't guilty from the approaching truth of your 'oracle' status being real. They're feeling guilt over the worship methods that they had forgotten.

But pompous beings like them will never accept their wrong-doings so easily.

"You speak of words that poison our minds and weigh our hearts with guilt. This may be but a sham that you wish to deceive us with. Us, illuminated beasts will not accept this method until it's been proven in our sights."

With a careless shrug and scoff, you speak to Mountain Shaper with an uncaring attitude. "I would happily do it to myself just to prove my words true, but I'm not an elemental being like you all were so happy to point out. It seems one of you will have to test it out or we'll never get anywhere."

"Or perhaps we can end this farce now and eliminate you from the beloved maker's gaze." His angry reaction has you covering your mouth in surprise.

"You would skip past the proper protocols in the case concerning the Creator? Where is your devotion? Your faith? Or are you just afraid to do so and see the honesty in my words? Maybe it's a mix of both..."

Mountain Shaper takes a clawed step forward that makes the ruins shake. Cloud Retainer blocks his path with her wing.

"One has had enough of this Shaper! Treat the eulogies and artwork of the creator with more respect."

"It is shameful that an illuminated being like yourself is being led by a mortal like that. Are we not the ones who survived this long despite the varying enemies and plots? Calm yourself before you sully the Creator's pride with your uncontrollable wrath."

Mountain Shaper looks pissed as his eyes glare at you with malice. The temptation to flip him off with a shit-eating grin is too strong and he turns away like a toddler at your crude actions.

"I can do the ritual for us to learn the truth on this matter." A timid voice steps in during the brief silence. All eyes turn to Ganyu as she keeps her hands close to her chest.

"All the work I do is for Liyue, Rex Lapis, and most importantly: the Creator. If this method is true then I can learn a more intimate way to worship them. And if not, then I can keep the creator's reputation pure by utterly destroying Y/N."

Her words are soft and gentle but turn dark near the end as she stares at you seriously. The adepti stay quiet seeming to respect her bold actions even if Cloud Retainer seems just a bit ruffled.

"You said that there are many different offerings to give, all with their own reward. Which one would give the best result?"

"The energy sacrifice would be the most convenient and easiest but it doesn't fit you well due to your lethargic nature. Your body is physically strong so a blood offering would be the best choice."

Ganyu's eyes seem to follow your form as you step closer to the section that contains the instructions for the blood offering. She's no doubt trying to figure out how you could know about that without considering the possibility of you being the Oracle true.

You read it out loud so that everyone is on the same page before looking back at them.

"So let's start with the main things. We'll need a clear area outside along with a ceremonial dagger and cup. I'll wait here and write down all the ritual instructions for future use."

In Genshin you always know a NPC is suspicious when they want to 'wait and write' something while you do the actual work. The distrustful looks they all send you feel the same way.

They leave Ganyu to watch over you while they all leave to prepare the ritual. Deciding to leave Ganyu alone, you go back to jotting down the text into your handbook.

It's quiet to the point of it being uncomfortable yet you diligently finish the notes and simply doodle on the free space. Ganyu's eyes never stop running down your body, you ask yourself if she's even blinking.

"Before I came here to visit, I heard of an incident at Liyue Harbor. About two geovishap hatchlings that went feral and caused a mess. The most interesting part was how the 'winner' displayed its trophy to a masked stranger."

Ah, Ganyu... 3,000 years old and counting half-qilin adeptus with a whole war as experience. Did you ever forget her knowledge? No, you just simply underestimated her resilience to erosion. 

"Is there something you want to ask me about that incident? If so, just spit it out. Communication is important, a secretary like yourself should know that much."

"I have no doubt that you are the person in the incident. I'm conflicted over how you came to your... position. Someone tricking the people is normal and still saddening. But someone trying to trick the adepti? Foolish and stupid. I will stop you either way but just know that I will not stand for your evil actions."

A laugh slips past your lips as your gaze falls onto her firm stance. Gentle and quiet are the words to describe qilin yet the conflict avoiding nature seemed to have skipped Ganyu's genes. 

"Then I hope you repent properly to the creator for refusing to believe their loyal servant for speaking the truth." You move to stand in front of her and stare deeply into her eyes with mirth. "It seems the adepti have already returned. Why don't we get going?"

Not a moment later, Cloud Retainer's voice rings out, calling for you both to come outside. Smiling cheerfully, you follow Ganyu out of Cloud Retainer's home.

The moon's glow tenderly caresses your skin and bandaged arm as the water laps at your legs. The adepti stand on the small patch of land as you and Ganyu trudge across the water. On the table is a clean dagger with intricate gold patterns and a gold chalice decorated with Noctilucous Jade.

Dagger and chalice in hand, you survey the area with a critical eye. Smiling, you point at an area of water.

"The water here is clean and clear so it fits the bill in what the ritual needs. Follow me Ganyu." Not bothering to look back you walk deeper into the water, even still the water only reaches above your knees.

"Words are not needed, only actions. Kneel and choose a place for me to cut you. Your blood has to fill the chalice to the brim."

She goes along with your words and kneels, letting the liquid soak her clothes without complaint. Grabbing ahold of her beautiful white sleeve, she pulls it off, exposing her arm.

"Cut my arm in a long shallow slit so it can be filled quickly without too much damage."

"Alright, let me go over the steps once more as your time is limited once it's filled." With practiced ease, you cut her arm and watch her blood flow into the chalice. Not even a peep escapes her from the pain.

"You'll hold the chalice with both hands raising it into the air to signify that you are offering. Keep your eyes closed and pray for what you wish to communicate to the creator. In this case, you want to pray for the creator to accept your blood offering as the first step to forgiveness. After that you'll just need to follow my lead."

Ganyu nods solemnly and you move the now filled chalice to her hands carefully to avoid spilling it. Her eyelids flutter shut as her hands hold the chalice high in the air. The air seems to still as her lips move to mouth a silent prayer.

The blood that drips down her arm and into the water seems hypnotizing. To think you’d really hurt someone to hide your lie. It's different then the case with Beisht; you hurt Beisht to prove your identity. What you have done to Ganyu is a line you may have to cross again in the future. What if you eventually kill someone to hide your lie? The thought seems ludicrous to you now but so did hurting someone before this moment...

Your thoughts seem to still when the blood dripping from her wound changes in color. No, not just color but in texture too. Those wine red drops shift to a mix of pink and blue. It solidifies into a small glittering object that clinks softly as it hits the water.  

It flashes for a moment before dissolving into water like it never existed. Was that truly what a primogem looked like in real life?

An indescribable feeling swells up in your chest, soft whispers lead your body closer to Ganyu without a fight. Shakily your hands cover hers as that intangible feeling urges you to speak.

'I accept your offering' is nearly spoken but even in this haze of dopamine and serotonin, your self control is firm.

"The Creator accepts your offering." Your words are shaky with unknown emotions. Is this Ganyu's feelings towards you as the creator? It's gentle and rests on your soul like a weighted blanket feebly trying to pull you into a deep sleep.

Reminding yourself of the ritual at hand, you begin to tilt the chalice toward the ground. The scripture never specified what would happen but the sight you receive is beyond what you could expect.

What pours out of the chalice is not scarlet liquid, but thousands of primogems that clink and clank as it hits the water. Just like earlier, it dissolves leaving bubbles that cloud the starry sky that was reflected on the surface.

When the last primogem hits the water, you release Ganyu's hands and step back. You look up at the night sky that begins to glow with color as your voice cuts through the tense silence.

"Open your eyes Ganyu, it's time to see your wish revitalized. The Creator accepted your offering after all."

Coral and lavender eyes open slowly and go wide at the sight of the sky. The chalice is gripped in tightly on her lap as the night blooms with blue and purple wishes.

A single gold star begins to travel through the air at high speeds. Noticing its course you step farther away from Ganyu as she stays kneeling in amazement at the sight.

Before anyone can speak, the gold shooting star hits Ganyu and engulfs her spot with a beam of light. It's harsh on your eyes but the game screen that automatically opens in front of you soothes it.

Ganyu's splash art is the only thing you see before you click it off with a triumphant smile. Skipping through all the other wishes and four star constellations, the game screen and gold light disappear at the same time.

A shocked and confused Ganyu could be expected. A quietly happy and thankful Ganyu was expected. But the half qilin adeptus silently bawling her eyes out as she stays kneeling in the water was what greeted you instead.

The other adepti don't hesitate to move to your area with inhuman speed from where they were watching. You expected Mountain Shaper to be the first one to attack you as Moon Carver stands protectively in front of Ganyu but it seems the adepti didn't like to respond logically.

Sharp talons wrapped around your neck as the weight of the crane pushes you back onto the water. The unexpected submersion has you coughing uncontrollably underwater as your body seems to be weighed down by something invisible.

Fingers dig into your throat as blurry yells make your heart pound with panic.

"It's all your fault!" 

"None of this would have happened if you didn't exist!"

"Should have just let me do what I want with you, you pathetic fuck!"

Sickle in hand your attacks are choppy as the electro sputters in and out of existence. The fingers turn into a bruising, clawed grip once more as your free hand grabs a fistful of feathers.

The crane is pulled away and by extension you're pulled out of the water too. The water droplets make your vision blur as you try to calm your hyperventilation into something less vulnerable.

Cloud Retainer is held back by all three adepti as she squawks with indignation. The ringing in your ears prevents you from hearing anything more than, "One has not seen Ganyu cry in such a way since she was a child!"

Ganyu seems more than embarrassed as she repeatedly tells Cloud Retainer something you can't be bothered to make out. Your nails dig into the blood and feathers in your hand as you stare at the missing patch of feathers on Cloud Retainers body.

You're cold, wet, hungry, and so very tired but that bald patch you left on the noisy crane makes you feel happy in a vengeful way. If you weren't still reeling from the near death experience you would have loved to comment on her new preen.

The situation seems to calm down as Ganyu and the rest explain something thoroughly to Cloud Retainer. It's obvious that she had gone on a rampage due to Ganyu's reaction without bothering to view the situation in full. A rare mistake for someone as meticulous as her.

With care and concern only for the present, you move to the edge of the mountain and stare out across the sky. The view of Liyue is muddled yet enhanced by the starry sky. The grass under your shoes is welcome in comparison to the pond that nearly swallowed you whole.

Your fingers mindlessly pick at the healing scabs and bruises from the treasure hoarder fiasco. The grimace on your face is not from the pain of the jostled arm but the uncomfortable feeling of wet bandages. Carefully, your fingers trace the new talon marks on your neck that you gained from Cloud Retainer. Should you get hurt by Moon Carver too, to collect wounds from all three?

The grass crunches behind you and you already know what is about to happen. Your eyebrows pinch in worry and your gaze rarely leaves the floor as the adepti stand face to face with them.

"I'm so sorry for my reaction earlier. I was so surprised and overjoyed that the sacrifice convinced the Creator to awaken me that I reacted in such a shameful way. It's due to my failure to keep my emotions in check that you got hurt. Please forgive me."

Your mind is blank but your body is well versed in what to do, what lies to say. Softening eyes are steady with Ganyu's as your fingers gingerly touch the claw marks.

"I understand Ganyu, the creator's grace is an amazing thing. Be sure to serve them properly from now on." With a near patronizing tone you speak to the adepti as a whole.

"Don't you see what damage you had done to me? The creator is love, peace, justice and truth. I hope you don't think they'll let Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper off easy for harming me who has taken on such a heavy and dangerous burden."

Facades are only good if you know how to upkeep and keep track of them. If you act like some soft pushover now, they'll be suspicious. You slide into the control seat of the spider web of lies you've created as easily as breathing. 

Rest? Mental breakdowns? Dissociative states? Hallucinations from past traumatic experiences? All of those things must be pushed into the crevice in your mind. The same crevice that seems to grow deeper and darker with each passing year since your birth. Those thoughts can consume you when you're safe, if that day ever comes.

They react exactly as you expected; haughty but thoroughly humbled with seeds of self doubt planted in their hearts. Breaking even a fraction of their pride in their fake-ass devotion brings a longing for them to crumble even more.

You go along with conversation while conserving as much energy as possible. Ganyu was the only one with enough sensibility to apologize to you so why should you care about the rest of them? If they had Ganyu carry and apologize in their stead then they should be just as fine with you only giving her actual attention.

Pointing out this fact seemed to stun them into a tense silence. Your body naturally goes on edge expecting some sort of attack but nothing comes. Instead they present you with a few apologies without using words.

"As a faithful servant of the Creator, you are welcomed anytime in Jueyun Karst, as well as any other areas that would be deemed off-limits within our authority."

"Why not stay in One's home for the night after the enlightening events that have occurred today? One is not a careless host and will be sure to provide all that you need during your stay."

It honestly wasn't a bad idea, your mind and body were not fit for teleporting to Liyue and setting up camp. You accepted the offer despite knowing that the sleep you will get will not be fulfilling.

The conversations they hold as you are fed and tended to flow in one ear and out the other. The most notable information you picked up was how they wanted to try the method themself and even spread it to Xiao in hopes of the creator lessening his karmic debt.

It's Ganyu that accompanies you to a guest room that Cloud Retainer somehow managed to not make messy. The other adepti seem to think that you like her in some way when little to their knowledge, you're simply fond of her.

Not in the way that you want to be near or interact with her. She apologized for being part of the reason you were attacked. She still hasn't apologized for all her previous rude actions. You liked her the same way as you did on Earth. Only as a character.

A voice whispers that it's better than how you refuse to associate with Ei in any way.

You lay down on a clean mattress in the comforting silence of the night. You're dry, warm, full, and comfortable yet still as on edge as before. The eyebags you wear are not from random all-nighters but from the never-ending cycle of lying for a living. Both on Earth and on Teyvat.

Sleep doesn't come easy, not with the constant fear of talons holding you down. Nor with the unease of amber cutting through your skin. Rest comes in spurts of deep sleep before hands are choking you again back into the waking world. 

Sometimes you wish you could forget who your family was too.

Your internal clock is all sorts of confused as you wake up for the 50th time. Judging by the lack of discomfort in your body, you couldn't have slept more than an hour. 

Pale green glows in the corner of your eyes making you speed into sitting position. You catch the faintest glimpse of a horned masked bearing large fangs and glowing teal eyes. 

You blink at the spot as your breath is harsh even to your own ears. Was it real? Was he here? Why would he be?

For what reason would he watch you sleep if not to investigate?

The cool mask calms your clammy skin. If he had looked under it, you wouldn't be here anyway. It's that morbid thought that brings you peace. 

How ironic.

Knowing that sleep will not come to you for a while, you get dressed and follow the vague memory of the path Ganyu took when bringing you to the guest room. 

It leads to the domain doors to the outside and the brush of your fingertips on the stone doors has it moving smoothly. The early morning sun warms the stone walkway as you exit into the free space.

The sight of the pond trudges up memories of yesterday. With a bright smile and light footsteps, you hurry down the staircase and jump over the water with ease.

"-yet how could we possibly forget such a vital ritual?" "One suspects larger factors are at play." "The records in our abodes should show-"

Catching the near ending of such a serious conversation, you slow down as they all turn to look at you.

"Awake already Y/N? Would you like a light breakfast?" Ganyu is the first to speak, the other adepti are surely still examining you. Now far more lucid than last night you are positive that having another meal with them would be a true nightmare.

"I'm not hungry when it's so early so I'll pass for now. There are many private duties that the creator asks of me and it would be best that I get straight to it. Yet there's a slight problem."

The adepti seem to tense up in unison, not that they are wrong for doing so. You've been a consistent thorn in their side since you met Mountain Shaper.

"You see, my body has not fully recovered from the injuries that I received from fighting the treasure hoarders. And with the how rough I was handled by you all, my injuries were reopened."

The wind ruffles your hair as if highlighting the bruise and talon marks. Your left hand is pressed against your chest making the sun shine on the bandaged arm. The parts of damaged exposed skin are the icing on the cake.

"Then what is it that you desire oracle of the beloved? Do you wish to check on the children that were saved?" Mountain Shaper's voice is like ice. Sharp when cold like yesterday but smooth when controlled correctly.

It was a good thing you slept, even if it was sucky. You almost missed out on such a great bargaining chip!

"That is one thing I plan to do when I head to the city but there's a few things before that. Since you're already offering to take me then it would be a great help if you can take me to this location."

Shamelessly you hold out the map in your handbook with the only commission location left.

Increasing Danger - Hilichurls are building towers in the circled area. Destroy these towers for the safety of the people.

Mountain Shaper sighs tiredly and is about to respond when you cut him off on purpose. 

"Oh and those ceremonial tools we used in the ritual yesterday? I need them. The creator is an all-loving deity that would never desire to push away the innocent and loyal beings in Teyvat unless they deserved it. The creator wishes to conduct more rituals if necessary."

Cloud Retainer seems to stare at you in shock at the forceful way you pushed for the items you desire. The dagger and chalice glint in the sunlight as she resists the urge to hide them from your greedy eyes.

"But before you drop me off for good at my commission site, I'll need you all to help me activate the teleport waypoints. There's no way I'm climbing those mountains again. Besides, the creator blessed you all with such power, how could you not use it to support a fellow devotee?"

Your smile widens to bare all your teeth as Moon Carver avoids looking directly at you. They may be reluctant but you always make sure to have your debts be paid with interest. The price for hurting, exhausting, and stressing you out is not one to sneeze at either.

Quite a few teleport waypoints were activated with the dagger and chalice safely in your bag. Adeptus powers really were useful in situations like these. Within half an hour you had activated enough to safely teleport around Jueyun Karst without fear of running into the adepti again.

As Mountain Shaper sets you down nearby the hilichurl camp and towers for your commission, his curiosity finally gets the best of him.

"For what reason did you discolor so many teleport waypoints?"

"I can teleport using them due to the creator's blessing. Now that I activated them, I can teleport to all of your mountains whenever I want to visit!"

Each word you say with a cheerful grin seems to send him deeper into agony. He nods tightlipped and flies away. The wind brings his muttered words to your words. 

"A vacation is in order. A vacation for as long as possible."

Messing with the adepti was really fun. You just hoped that they would go on vacation permanently, your job would be much easier that way.

All you have left is to finish this commission, teleport to the waypoint near the harbor's entrance and get your money. Simple as that. Opening the game window from your safe viewing spot of the hilichurl camp, you begin to review all the books on hilichurls.

First and foremost, thank you to the editor of this chapter @serpent-benediction! He was a huge help even if he terrorized me the whole time </3

It gives me more time to add some fun stuff like italics and bold. Stories pack more of a punch with flair, in my eyes at least. All the improvements to the chapter are his work like capitalizing Oracle and Creator. We did debate on whether adepti was species or title. So yall are free to give your opinion on which it is and whether it should be capitalized. I'm glad to see that (almost) all the build-up to the adepti part is finished. Well for the adepti at least. I was like dead tired after the choking part so that's why it may be a bit wonky. Now that I'm not pressed for time (yet. Sep is coming soon) I wanted to thank everyone for staying this long in the series! I love reading and responding to comments. I love reading the notes and/or tags from reblogs. I don't know if I should respond to reblogs like I do to comments. Cause I see some really in-depth reblogs that I wanna respond to but I end up not doing that thanks to my thoughts of-'Is that weird, strange or uncomfortable?' I just don't wanna scare anyone off. And for those that might wonder why Y/N was choking here but not with Beisht, it's due to Retainer. Retainer was using her adeptus power to pressure the water against Y/N which caused the drowning and bruises. I hope that clears it up a lil!

I'm a dumbass, I forgot the taglist. That's why it looked so short in my eyes. Everyone is allowed to yell at me for this (except for my editor) Taglist: @vvyeislazzy, @nikqi, @the-dumber-scaramouche, @etherisy, @yourlocalstranger123, @ra404, @iruiji, @goldenglow149, @haru-tofuu, @lsleepysimpl, @bebobeboben, @yuyuzi-ling, @amidst-the-tempest, @resident-cryptid, @mxd1zzy, @mochicurls21, @nervouseaglelover, @thedevioussmirk, @yumuramma, @kwqsla, @undecidingfate, @ehjane, @game-savvy, @akiramirae, @sielt, @fluffy-koalala, @formacoon, @sxftiebee, @khxii-i, @ursinaw, @chuuya-brainrot, @sweetbills, @kazuchaos, @snowfoxnix, @bluebelony, @conspicuous-mayonnaise, @pencil-of-ashes, @ghostlyintervention, @taiformaifoe, @sielt, @goaudduck, @carminerin, @maddysflowers, @zenith-of-all-zeniths, @crazydreamcat, @leafanonsforest, @grimreapersscythe, @leylanx, @undecidingfate, @sapphireknown, @help-whatdoimakemyusername, @zhonglisfruityass, @fluffy-koalala, @mer0n37, @victoria1676, @mochinessss, @sinnful-darling, @emilymikado

[gabessquishytum]

You know how everyone’s erogenous zones can be slightly different? As in some people are sensitive in one spot that others aren’t? I bet the Shaper of Form can change that up on himself if he so chose 👀

It’s a bit of a game, a way for him to tease Hob, to change up the hot spots on his body without saying anything and force Hob to hunt them down all over again if he wants to make Dream moan or whine.

Hob does occasionally get a chance a revenge though; the first time Dream shifted nearly all of his sensitivity just to his chest, he somehow didn’t anticipate that Hob could make him cum simply by sucking and playing with his tits 😁

-🪽anon

OH wow yes this is totally fascinating. Like, he could put all of those sensitive nerves into only his fingers, and just present them for Hob to suck on, and Hob could make him cum just like that! Sucking and swirling his tongue around, biting the soft pads of his fingers... continuing even after Dream is squirming away.

I like the idea of making Hob find his sweet spots every time they fuck. Sometimes his ears are sensitive, sometimes they do absolutely nothing for him. Sometimes Hob barely has to rub his stubbly cheek over Dream’s lower belly to get him squirming to full arousal, and sometimes it will only tickle him. Dream is so supercilious and pleased with himself, forcing his lover to work so hard. He'll even tease Hob for being slow to please him. But Hob always gets there, in the end.

And for all Dream enjoys his game, its often Hob who has the last laugh. Because once he finds the secret place - whether its the arch of Dream’s foot, or his inner thighs, or his pretty pink nipples - Hob will worship that place relentlessly. He will exhaust himself to bring Dream to the heights of exquisite pleasure. With his hands or mouth or any other part of his body, he won't stop until Dream is sated and begging for reprieve. Even if the new erogenous zone is his left eyebrow. Hob will do all it takes to please his lord shaper.

And if the place is somewhere inside Dream, Hob will work even harder. He's won this "game" every time, and he's not going to abandon his streak any time soon...

[demetris-cocksleeve]

(A/n: We all know about Dragon! Kirishima.... But what about Dragon Slayer! Kirishima? With that thought in mind, I present you with this:)

(Inspired by this from cookiecosplayers on tiktok)

(I have a confession... this was supposed to have smut, but it's just been sitting in my drafts for 4 months... since I can't find the flow to the nsfw, you guys get this unfinished and un-beta'd fic. Maybe I'll finish it some day🤷‍♀️😭)

Word Count: Good question

Summary- While sitting in a shady pub, you encounter a very intriguing stranger

Warnings: None

Age Rating: None

Dragon Slayer! Kirishima x Fem! Reader

------------------------------

You're sipping on a pint of stale mead when he slips into the booth across from you, interrupting your self-imposed pity party. The stranger glances around the pub, taking in the drunks and thugs with an unreadable expression before looking back to you.

"This isn't a place for pretty little things like yourself." His voice is gruffer than you'd assume from looking at him, though not unpleasant. In fact, the entirety of your sudden companion is more pleasant than you were getting used to seeing from your table.

His rogue leather armor -just a chest plate and cuffs, really-, and weaponry the only things pointing to his belonging. Armed with a claymore and various daggers, he certainly makes an imposing figure. From first glance, you'd say he's probably some type of mercenary. 'Murder for hire,' your mind unhelpfully supplies.

He's tall with bright red hair that's pulled off his face with a thick leather cord, broad shoulders and thick, veiny forearms. His face is deceptively soft, his right eye sporting a singular scar spanning from his eyebrow to the top of his cheekbone. His bright red eyes bore into you with an intensity that has the hair on the back of your neck stand on edge.

Any attraction you may have felt for him goes out the window at his choice of words, though. His condescending tone making you bristle in your seat.

Your eyebrows furrow as you glare at him. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, honey. You belong in a pretty little dress with pretty little flowers, not here with a bunch of lowlifes." He crosses his arms, and leans against the back of the booth, and regards you with a neutral expression. "Before you bite my head off: I'm just tryna look out for ya. You don't belong in a place like this, darlin'."

"And how do you know where I belong?" You snark, arms crossing as you continue to glare at the man in front of you.

"I just do..." He jabs a thumb at the rowdy patrons, "A little girl like you shouldn't be spending her time with these... creeps. This place is a cesspool of drunks, thugs, and low lives."

"If it's so bad, why are you here? Associating yourself with such bad people?"

A wolfish smile spreads across his face as he leans forward, resting his arms on the table. The faint lighting casting his eyes in an almost scary light. "Considering I'm one of the King's big, bad dragon slayers, I'd say I fit in here quite well..."

He grabs your pint and drinks from it. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Hey- You know what? Never mind, keep it," You're quickly realizing that arguing with this strange man is a losing battle. The distraction of his drink-stealing makes it take you a second to process his words, "Wait- Dragon slayer?"

You eye him for a second, not quite believing him. He may look strong and have the weapons, but he doesn't quite fit how the stories describe the King's most hardened warriors. You have to say, he doesn't look like he could take on such beasts.

Not the massive, armored creatures you've been warned about since you were a kid, anyway. With skin tougher than diamond, teeth shaper than the best blacksmiths' steel and claws longer than your forearm. You've been told even the smallest ones stand above even the tallest of men.

"No offense but you don't look like a dragon slayer."

He quirks an eyebrow at you. "And how am I s'posed to look, sweetie?"

Your face heats at the veiled accusation. "I dunno... Bigger, nastier. I've heard the dragon slayers are all filthy brutes that even the king cannot convince to be more civilized."

He smirks, briefly looking you up and down before leaning against the booth again, arm thrown over it as he manspreads.

"So, you don't think I'm a big, nasty brute?" He teases.

Your back straightens as you prepare to squawk out a defense only to be cut off as he laughs. "Calm down, sweetheart. I'm just playin with ya." He takes another swing from the stolen mead.

The man sets his -your- pint down to unhook his chest plate and pull his jacket aside, revealing a multitude of burn marks and various other scars. "How this for a brute?"

Your eyes widen at the suddenly exposed skin, any disbelief at his claim squashed with a single look at his marred skin. A small gasp leaves your parted lips at the way the pink flesh and silvery scratches and bites make his torso look almost like stained glass. Definitely the scars you've been told stories about.

Before you can stop yourself, you're asking, "What happened there?" As you point to a fairly large burn scar on the left side of his chest.

"That... was from a Firefury. The fucker's fire blasted me square in the chest. Burned straight through my armor like it was kindling." A smug smirk appears as he finishes, "Still managed to take him down, though..."

Any annoyance you held from his snide nicknames and earlier behavior is thrown out the window at the prospect of hearing about the dragons that plague your kingdom from someone who has actually been up close and personal with them. You can deal with his insufferable pet names in favor of firsthand stories.

He fixes his jacket in favor of rolling his left sleeve up to reveal a patch of slightly raised flesh molted with reds and purples. "This one, as you can probably guess, was from a Blue Terror."

You shift to the edge of your seat to get a better look. The noise of the other pub goers fades as you listen to the stranger's story.

"What did it do?" You look at his face only to find him already looking at you, a small smile gracing his lips unlike his previous smug expressions. You look back to the scarred skin to avoid eye contact.

Wondering what the skin feels like after such an injury, you start to reach for his arm before stopping yourself. You may be interested in the stranger now, but you'll be damned if you make a fool of yourself like that.

Seeing your intrigue, he gestures at you that it's okay to touch his arm as he speaks. "She got a lucky hit in; turned my forearm into what felt like a block of ice."

Apart from a few dry, scaley patches along the edge of the mark, the skin feels surprisingly smooth if not a bit tight.

"It lost some feeling after that and if it gets hit too much, it feels like my arm is being flamed all over again."

Confusion floods you at his words, "I thought they didn't breath fire?"

The man's eyebrows knit together before he seems to realize something. "I forget villagers don't normally come into contact with the beasts... Blue Terror's spit flame just like most dragons, contrary to what the folklore says about them breathing ice. Their name comes from where they live and the frigid feel of their flames. They're still very much flames, though. Don't be mistaken."

"Really?" If that piece of folklore was wrong, you wonder how else the dragons are different from what you've been told.

"Ye-" A loud bang from across the tavern interrupts him. A quick look reveals one of the drunks at the bar had merely slipped out of his seat and hit the floor. Shaking your head in distain, you turn back to your new-found acquaintance.

He lightheartedly snorts as the patron climbs back into his barstool.

You hate to do it, but you have to admit, at least to yourself, that looking past his introduction, the man was actually interesting company; not the zealot you would expect from a place like this.

Looking back to you he asks, "I have one more big one if you're interested?"

"You're quite fond of your scars, aren't you?" You lightly chuckle, resigning to take your mead back. You chug a bit before placing it back on the table.

He chuckes as well, "Yeah, I guess you get that way when they're all you've got to remember everything you've fought for."

At your curious look, he continues. "They're a reminder of the dangers of my job and of just how close I came to death. How many times I've pulled through a tough spot."

"The nightmares are a whole other issue though," he jokes.

You tilt your head at the man, "That's... kind of a beautiful way of looking at them..."

"Hey, don't get all sweet on me, honey. I'm a big, mean, uncivilized dragon slayer; I'm not supposed to feel emotions, remember?" He laughs, waving down the bar maid to order another pint.

You can't help the laugh that makes it way up your throat.

"What~?" He sips his drink once she brings it, chuckling. "It's true!"

"I'm sure it is," you're not sure how this went from you being chastised to an actually pleasant conversation, but you can't say you're complaining. "You said you had another one to show me?"

"Right," he turns to the side, moving his hair to reveal a massive star-shaped scar reaching across his neck, just touching his jaw and creeping under the shoulder of his jacket. "This one was the nastiest: A massive Ivorywing managed to get behind my while I was fighting and bit a clean chunk of flesh from me. No reason I shoulda survived, but here I am~"

He spreads his arm wide as he flashes another sharp smile your way.

You return it with a small shake of your head. "The rewards must be worth it, no? Along with the fame, that is?"

"I guess," he muses.

"The reward is nice - the recognition, though? That's the worst part," he continues. "The way I'm treated like some sort of hero or something. I'm no hero, doll. I'm just a guy doing my job; I don't need no damn fame..."

You furrow your brows at him. "What do you mean? Dragon slayers have saved hundreds of civilians - noble and peasant alike - I think that makes you well deserving of the 'hero' title."

The man in front of you has fallen some of the biggest beasts on this earth - has the scars to prove it - and doesn't think he is any sort of heroic? Insanity.

"I know it probably sounds dumb, but I stand by it..." He finishes his mead, chugging the rest of it in one go. "You know who doesn't get called heroes? The blacksmiths that make my weapons, the armorers who design my armor, the doctors who patch me up... They're the ones who should be called the heroes."

"That's very..." You struggle to find the words, "humble of you to say..."

He shrugs, "It's just my opinion. I don't deserve that title just because I have the shiny scars and cool stories."

There's a brief pause as you process what he says and he takes a breath to steady himself from the rant.

"You never answered my question, doll."

"What?"

"What you're doing in a place like this? I've talked enough about me, I wanna hear about you."

[jifanjiang0710]

Why we celebrate - Yan Zhongli x f! Reader

Written by: Leo

A/N: Wishing everyone a prosperous and healthy new year!

"Happy Lantern Rite, my dear."

…

"[Name]?"

"Good morning, Zhongli."

He exhales, setting down the tea cup on the stone table with unfailing gentleness. The balcony overlooking the harbour is illuminated by the morning glow, though the sight is far overshadowed by the sunrise in Minlin.

The buzz of morning begins when the first of the citizens swing open their doors in festive mood. Mortal traditions are so extravagant, borne from passed on customs preserved through many generations, ever changing, adapting. Nothing like the rituals performed by the adepti, with stringent guidelines and unswerving adherence to the scrolls. 

The Lantern Rite isn't what it used to be.

Zhongli is sure that is what you are thinking. With that subtle frown and furrowed eyebrows (he hasn't seen you smile in many weeks) as you gaze at the people going about this very special day. He's been on the receiving end of your glares much more often.

"Darling, it would not be auspicious to scowl today."

*

The night is clear, as are the waters of the spring. Liyue harbour is alight with what was once well wishes carried by mothers and sisters of warring men.

You frolic over the waters, to the stone table. "Happy Lantern Rite, Morax!" You clasp your hands in greeting. "Prosperity and longevity to all!"

Someone groans. "One hopes not. One has lived long enough."

"Moon Shaper! You shouldn't say stuff like that! It brings bad luck for the rest of the year." Guizhong says, astounded. "[Name]! Happy Lantern Rite! Is Morax being stubborn again?"

"I have no regard for mortal festivities, nor mortal affairs tied to it."

"Hm…" You place two fingers on his unflinching face and turn the corners of his mouth upwards.

"[Name]."

"Smile more, Rex Lapis."

*

Zhongli smiles. How endearing you were back then.

"What amuses you? Finally gotten senile?"

No stranger to disagreeable remarks from you, with utmost decorum, he reminds you of the annual gathering with the Minlin adepti.

"Must I go?"

"You sound like a child," he chides. "As per the contract-"

"I understand," you say, eyes fixed at the spring couplets on the door of Third Round Knockout. The words are carefully penned, and speak well-wishes of business and wealth. "Please do not bring up the contract again."

Almost sheepishly, he resumes his activities. For once, the distinguished, all-knowing gentleman has nothing to say. Zhongli could understand your distaste for the season. He would be lying if he said the Lantern Rite only brought back painful memories. He just wished that you'd-

Zhongli places a gloved hand on yours for reassurance. You would pull away, repulsed, but 'as per the contract'...

A little green girl and the sound of bells alerts you.

"Aunty [Name]!" She seems ecstatic, toes barely touching the floor as she struggles to see over the table, before giving up and settling for placing the basket of fruits on your lap. "Mr Zhongli, too. Happy Lantern Rite!" Cloud Retainer said that you would- you felt like- she said-"

"Calm down, little one. Happy Lantern Rite. What did she say?"

"She said that you promised to join our reunion dinner tonight, with eeeveryone! Are you really? I've never spent a Lantern Rite with you before. Will you really?" Her eyes light up with fervour, and dull almost instantly. "Oh…but if you don't want to, then don't push yourself. Master also says that I shouldn't pressure you."

You pat her on the head. "Of course I'll go. Anything for my favourite disciple." She giggles and runs, backtracking to whisper in your ear.

"Don't tell anyone, but you're my favorite adeptus too. One last thing…Cloud Retainer and Master and the others all care for you very much! I'm sure Mr Zhongli does too, so take care of yourself, alright?"

You watch her until the jingle of bells fade away into the distance.

Within minutes of that interaction, Zhongli decides to cease feigning disinterest and speak up.

"Do you still express reservations? If it pleases you, we may cancel."

"Ah, why don't you shut up."

"As you wish, dear."

*

She places a glaze lily onto your lap. Its petals droop and its stem wilts. Without a doubt it is on the verge of death, but Guizhong insists that you fix it onto her hair.

'Why?' You wanted to ask. Your fingers were clumsy and rough, far from her own, so deft and dexterous, perfect for tinkering with the mechanisms she loved as much as this dying glaze lily.

You fumble, but successfully weave it into strands of her hair.

She is ethereal in the moonlight, illuminated by stars and lanterns alike.

"Will you do one thing for me?" Guizhong whispers, taking your hands, giving the lightest of kisses on your wrists. You pick up on faraway sounds of slashing blades, shrieks into the night. Somewhere, there is fresh blood being spilt. Somewhere, your fellow adepti are fighting to the very ends of their lives.

"[Name]. I want you to live. Can you do that?"

"I will, if you do the same."

"Please promise me. Live, along with everyone else. You are important to me."

"I promise." As long as you are here with me to see it through. You decide not to voice it.

Her eyes crinkle. There is a dimple on her left cheek. "Happy Lantern Rite, [Name]."

Very soon after, you had come to wish that she had never asked that of you.

*

"Greetings, Traveler. What brings you?"

"We're here to deliver Zhongli some bamboo shoots. It's good to see you, [Name]!"

"The pleasure is mine, Paimon."

Clouds roll past mountain peaks, a sight you had become infinitely familiar with over the course of several millennia. The Traveler's presence is not unwelcome.

"Why're you here all alone? Everyone's gathered over there."

Their companions incessant questions, however…

"I enjoy solitude sometimes."

"But the Lantern Rite is all about spending time with family and friends. Isn't that right, Traveler?"

Paimon's words seem to resonate with them. "...that's right."

…

"Say, Traveler. You are looking for your lost sibling. Losing your own flesh and blood must be unimaginably difficult to handle, yet you carry yourself with such radiance and passion. How do you do it? How do you manage to shine even amongst the darkest times?" They take a while to answer.

"I think…it's because of Paimon."

"Uuahhhh! Do you really mean it, Traveler?"

They nod. "Without you by my side, this journey wouldn't be half as meaningful."

"Awww…that was unexpectedly sweet of you. Paimon would say that her goal is to follow the Traveler all the way! And eat lots of delicious food, hehe. What about you, [Name]?"

"Heh. Me? What do you think, Paimon?c

"Paimon thinks…your motivation is the people around you. The adepti, Yaoyao, the people of Liyue…and Zhongli, of course."

"Zhongli?"

"Uh huh! It's obvious that he really really likes you-" she falters at the Traveler's glare.

"Does he?" Something in your tone makes them hesitate. "Do you agree, Traveler?"

*

"What has gotten into you, Morax?"

He is fixated on his thoughts, only the back of his hood faces you. 

"I meant what I said. Henceforth you are exempt from battle. No, it is better to say that you are forbidden from it."

"I cannot accept these terms! This new contract is absurd! You are chaining me to you for what is essentially forever."

"I am protecting you. The enemy is cruel. You are much better off away from war," the next words are spoken under his breath," and closer to me."

"Guizhong's passing has changed you. You- you failed to protect her. Do not project your insecurities and failures onto me!"

The very ground trembles beneath your feet, shaking even its rocky foundations. "Do not," he growls, "speak of her again." The singular glaze lily in his hand crumbles to dust.

"From now on, you are not to cross Liyue's borders, not to leave Guili plains without my presence, and not to interact with other adepti without my explicit permission. I trust you will do your utmost to adhere."

"And if I should fail?"

"Then we send forces to quell the rebellion arising in the north. What was your domain? Qingce? We cannot guarantee they will not get caught in the crossfire."

No. This was not Morax. This was a monster. "You would sacrifice a hundred innocents, let them perish…for this?" Hardened with war and loss, he tells a sickening story.

"Do you accept the terms of the contract?" Finally he turns, and for a fraction of a second, you see his eyes glisten.

*

"[Name]." The voice of the last person you wished to see snaps you out of the reverie.

"What?"

"..." Zhongli had not planned this far. He did not expect you to acknowledge him immediately. He settles for small talk. "Cloud Retainer's culinary mechanism. Have you seen its inner workings? Undoubtedly fascinating."

"I know."

The sun casts a golden edge to the clouds in an ephemeral sunset over the peaks. Very far away, you can hear the celebrations in the harbour. The only thing that remains the same throughout the years is the mortals' love for festive proceedings.

"It serves in the interests of no one to dwell in the past. We can only live on and honour the memories of those who cannot be here today, for their sake if not ours."

You scoff. "You hypocrite. You have seen a millennia worth of history more than I, experienced suffering far more potent than mine, and you still strive. Pray tell, what is your motivation?"

"That would be the people whose company I regard with fondness. Whether it be gods, adepti, or mortals. And you."

This man is shameless. "Is that an excuse to justify the atrocities committed in my name?"

"No. It is simply the truth." Silence. "Would you like to hear about the Lantern Rite's origins?"

You huff but don't object.

"In ancient times, the people of Liyue faced many centuries of war. They sent lanterns into the sky to remind their soldiers of the way home. Over time it became tradition, and after the era of war, citizens commemorated this symbolic custom by celebrating with friends and family. Many years later, the history behind it has long been forgotten, but the meaning is not lost on us. The essence of the Lantern Rite is still to appreciate our loved ones and those who are here now, for they are invaluable in our lives. With that said, may I have the pleasure of spending this occasion in your presence?"

"Either way, I still have the rest of my life with you, so there is no difference."

"Aunty [Nameeee]! Mr Zhongliii! The fireworks are about to start!" Yaoyao drags you away by the sleeve before you can protest.

"Greetings, [Name]. Rarely do you join us. One hopes you will endeavour to do so more often."

"Retainer, what is this frightful mechanism of yours?"

"One implores that you do not touch it! It is most fragile."

Yaoyao inspects it closer. "Isn't this the fireworks launcher the Millelith use?"

"One takes offense at that statement. Though it is inspired by mortal creations, one has made significant refinements and improvements to ensure it far surpasses the original. One thinks you will find it an unparalleled gadget."

The first of the fireworks are launched, setting the canvas of black ablaze with irradiant colours.

"What do you think? Would you find it in yourself to partake in festivities together next year?"

"Happy Lantern Rite, and shut up, Zhongli."

"Happy Lantern Rite, dear."

A glaze lily blossoms by your feet, swaying to the wind.

[pandorafallz]

For anyone who reads my vampire AU, there's gonna be a spoilery thing here;

the Na'vi wanna disguise the avatars on their lands by having them dress and pose as a Na'vi clan that are visiting.

this lie created it to cover why the 'other clan' have different attire (to explain why they're covered in body paint to hide their eyebrows, and gloves to cover their extra finger and two) which would set them aside from the well known Omatikaya who has a distinct style.

the avatars would agree that their new 'clan' be artists and bone shapers so, their outfits reflect that and their supposed culture.

I can't, however think of a name so any help would be appreciated. this is a guide, so i am still able to change it if i feel like i need to for the benefit of the story.

[themirokai]

I genuinely don't know if you can send URLs in asks, so if this doesn't work, blame the blue hellsite... but how about a raven being adorable? And naughty. But mostly adorable. https://youtu.be/hh52CfnGCK4

Thank you so much for this! Over on my last Matthew The Emotional Support Raven fic, I asked for prompts of real ravens and this one is perfect.

The URL does work but just in case it needs to be included in the answer as well, I strongly recommend that everyone watch this beautiful lady hanging out and entertaining herself:

The thing that got me the most about this charming video was the mimicry! I kind of knew ravens did this, but I loved Fable saying "Hi" in what is clearly the same tone her handler uses. So that's where I started with this silly little fic. Enjoy!

Matthew landed on the branch of a gnarled tree. “Heya, Merv.” 

Mervyn Pumpkinhead glanced up from where he was digging a ditch. “Hey, new kid. Whaddaya want?” 

“I’ve been practicing,” Matthew told him. 

“Aw yeah?” Mervyn stuck his shovel into the dirt and leaned on it with his elbow, puffing on his cigar. 

“Yeah, ya wanna hear?” 

“Go on, then,” Mervyn gestured with his cigar. 

Matthew took a deep breath and attempted to draw himself up regally. “I Am The Shaper of Form, Prince of Stories.” 

Mervyn’s orange face scrunched up. “Nah, needs work, kid.” 

“Wait wait, I can do better!” Matthew cawwed, fluttering his wings. He took another breath, closed his eyes this time. “Guardian of Sleepers, Lord of the Dream Domain.” 

Mervyn waggled his head from side to side. “Eh, better, but still not there.” 

“Anthropomorphic Personification of the Collective Unconscious.”

“Whoa there!” Mervyn put up his hands. “Too far, kid! Pull it back!”   

“Sorry, sorry,” Matthew said in his own voice. “How’s this?” he cleared his throat. “King of Dreams, Ruler of the Nightmare Realms.” 

Mervyn’s eyes went wide. “Oh yeah! You got it, kid!” 

“I am the Sandman,” Matthew continued. 

“Very amusing.”

Every feather on Matthew’s body stood on end as he watched Merv’s cigar fall from his gaping mouth into the dirt. Slowly, inch by inch, Matthew forced himself to turn his head and look behind him. 

Lord Morpheus was there, clad in a gray t-shirt and black jeans, arms crossed over his chest and frown on his face. Just behind him stood Lucienne, face contorted with the effort of containing her laughter. 

Matthew’s heart hammered in his chest. “Uh, hi. Boss.”

“You might have considered practicing with something other than my names.”

“I’m sorry, Boss, I j-“

Lord Morpheus held out his hand, his face stern. “Come, Matthew.”

Matthew flexed his feet against the branch and tried to look small and inoffensive. “Uh… where are we going?” 

“To my gallery. I am going to block the visual connection.”

If Matthew had eyebrows they would be scrunched up as he flew to Lord Morpheus’s outstretched hand. 

“Wait…” Matthew landed as gently as he could and was immediately transferred to Lord Morpheus’s shoulder, “you want me to talk to your siblings? As you?” 

Now he could see the little smirk on Lord Morpheus’s face. 

“I do.”

“Oh this is gonna be fun!” 

~~

I hope you enjoyed! I don't usually write Morpheus's dialogue in bold, but it worked here.

Update: the master post of my Matthew the Emotional Support Raven ficlets is here.

[mysterious-cuchulainn-x]

Trick or treat!

I'm not sure which this counts as, but I hope you'll enjoy it either way — a short Festival of the Lost piece with two of my three Destiny OCs:

A Step Outside the Halls Between

(Read on AO3)

—Acolyte, three-twenty-four by minus-twelve.

Felix hummed a wordless affirmation as he dropped the Servant Leader’s barrel. In another heartbeat, a single trigger pull expelled a projectile that turned the chitinous skull in his sights into a burst of soulfire and confectionaries. 

—Any more?

North whirred from within him for a moment, then materialized in his palm with a negative.

“I have to ask, though—”

Felix sighed, already knowing where this conversation was going. Still, he had the same question, and the fact that it was one strange phenomenon that still worked to their advantage wasn’t going to stop him from wondering, too, so he allowed his Ghost to finish the question unhindered:

“—Why the candy?”

——————

Of course, no one knew why the Hive had begun dropping candy—actual, edible things with real sugar—around the Festival of the Lost, and as much as Felix was a Warlock, he was also twelve years old and mostly involved in field operations, and whatever the Cryptarchs or the Hidden might have uncovered they were keeping close to their chests.

If they had uncovered anything: certainly Eido was no closer than she had been the year before.

“You’re not actually going to eat that, are you?”

North’s concerned question startled Felix out of his reverie, the sudden change in his posture knocking the holo-table out of existence just before it could properly catch fire, and he held up the mundane chocolate for his Ghost’s inspection.

“It’s from the Cryptarchs’ get-together,” he corrected, “not our patrols. C’mon, little light, you know me better than that, don’t you?”

North counter-rotated with unmistakable irritation, and Felix winced apologetically. But an unearthly howl interrupted his reply, and Guardian and Ghost turned together to see Artemis Brac materializing from a seasonal particle shimmer. The Awoken Hunter had changed just as much as Felix over the twelve years since they had first been raised and joined forces, but that same long-lasting partnership made the sight of her feel as familiar as North’s ancient “junkyard” shell.

“No Maedhros?” Brac lifted a comet-tail eyebrow, and shrugged at Felix’s silent response. “Figures—said he was going by Mars on the way back, poke around in the Weapon Shaper. Not sure if that thing or the Hive dropping candy again gives me worse shivers. You haven’t eaten any, have you?”

Felix laughed, tossing her the chocolate he’d been holding. Psyche materialized next to Brac’s hand as she caught the candy and floated next to North, the two old Ghosts engaging in subaudio conversation as their Guardians convened against the nearest railing, looking out over the twilit City.

“I was on the comms with Immaru earlier,” Felix began, twirling another chocolate between his fingers. “Can’t remember what he was saying—I try not to listen, mostly—but I just thought, if only Cayde were here, he’d have us all in stitches over this dumb little guy.”

Brac laughed, a short, involuntary sound, and sighed. 

“We could use Cayde these days, for certain,” she agreed, “and not just because the Hunters have been at loose ends for the last… fuck, five years? But no one else could…”

She trailed off, shook her head, and looked in Felix’s direction with an unfinished grin.

“Neptune,” she added, pausing with a frown, “or Nexus—Nimbus, that’s it. Ugh, what a showoff. Overconfident, the absolute worst sense of humor… but I don’t know what they’re going to do out there without him. Rohan’s only got a couple years left, and that kid… sometimes you miss the strangest people.”

Felix nodded, and silence fell between them as the sun climbed slowly lower across the space where the Traveler had once hung like an immutable truth in the sky. Maedhros would join them before dark, Felix knew, and share his own memory, and they would raid the Cryptarchs’ lounge for hot cocoa. 

And then, of course, they would head up to the Moon to kill pumpkins.

[long-sleeved-sandwich]

how do yall girls afford to live??? like i’m a cis guy but i like to put on eyeliner and pretend i’m elvira mistress of the dark, and so i was looking at makeup, and omg it’s so expensive. and also so much of it unnecessary?? like what makes yall think yall need a eyebrow shaper?? and nails?? nail paints and press ons are expensive as they are, not to mention getting them done. plus more expensive hair cuts/treatments. plus all whatever yall have to spend on period related products cause yalll really got all that going on once a month for a whole week. being a woman is expensive. and how much do yall make to every dollar a man makes?

[secondjulia]

Just in case you forget me -Dream/Hob

~~~So I dashed off this one-shot while working on the Tonight & the Rest of my Life video because I kept thinking about how when Dream came back, Hob has to adjust to the fact that when Dream walks out... Hob can follow?! Like it's not just, well, that's it for 100 years! And Dream is so excited to show Hob the universe that, like... he just keeps striding off, which is confusing to everybody. (Also on Ao3)~~~

Dream could still feel Hob’s lips on his, his warm hand reaching across the table at the New Inn to curl — both tentatively and bravely — around the back of Dream’s neck. That one kiss had brushed away years of heartache. In that moment, there was only Hob. 

And then there was so much. 

The mind of the Prince of Stories exploded with all the things he wanted to show Hob. The palaces of stars! The wines of the most sensitive sommeliers and the best they could offer in the waking world! The dreams of kittens! Everything, basically. For hundreds of years, Hob had so generously shared his experiences with Dream, and Dream now yearned to return the favor. As he now strode through the manicured, but still pleasantly verdant park, Dream thought of the dramatic, rolling hills and falls of Fiddler’s Green and the vast stretches of the Dreaming, his mind reeling with all the things that he could show—

“Hob?” 

Dream’s strides had paused as a flock of pidgins resolutely refused to yield the path. He’d turned his head, ready to take the moment to tell Hob about the dreams of the park’s designer, which were truly far more spectacular than the vision he’d been allowed to execute.

But Hob wasn’t there. 

Dream looked to his other side.

No Hob.

He whirled around.

But Dream was all alone in the park with an obstinate flock of pidgins.

Panic rising, Dream retraced his steps. His head whipped right and left, searching every face, every shadow. His sand was already in hand, the power he had re-gathered since his imprisonment brewed hot inside him, and all the beautiful visions of a moment before had vanished — Dream was ready to cast into the darkest abyss of the Dreaming whoever had stolen Hob— 

Hob, who was sitting in the grass under a tree across from the New Inn.

Dream stopped short. For a long moment, he just looked down at Hob searching for any evidence  of who had detained him; if they had harmed a single cell in his body, Dream would…

Hob looked up from the book on his knee. His eyebrows rose. His lips parted in a small, surprised o. He did not appear unwell. A wave of relief hit Dream so hard that, for a long moment, he just stared at the man who had brushed away a century of hurt from Dream with a single kiss.

“Hello, there,” Hob said.

“Hello, Hob.”

“You left.”

“Oh,” Dream said. Still reeling from the aftershocks of panic and relief, he struggled to regain control of his thoughts. Something had gone wrong, and the Prince of Stories, Shaper of Form, Lord of the Dreaming and the Nightmare realms, third eldest of the Endless, brother to Destiny, Death, Destruction, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Dream who had seen the world made and the dreams of the sun when it was young, was confused.

So was Hob, apparently. His eyebrows had contracted towards each other. He raked a hand through his hair. His forehead wrinkled. “Dream?”

Dream looked at his feet.

Hob stood. He tucked his book under one arm then brushed a wild chunk of hair out of Dream’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought you would come with me,” Dream mumbled, feeling foolish. His fantasies of showing off the universe to Hob seemed to taunt him now.

“Really?”

“If you do not wish—“

“Oh I wish. I mean, I really wish.” Hob’s hand slid down Dream’s jaw to cup his chin. He pressed gently, until Dream looked up. Hob was beaming. “Of course I want to come with you!”

Dream forced his thoughts to slow down and not wander too far. He kept his eyes on Hob. “You would let me show you things beyond your imaginings?”

“I have a big imagination.” 

“I could expand it.”

Hob gave Dream’s chin the tiniest squeeze and then dropped his hand. “Lead on,” he said, the challenge clear in his voice. 

Dream turned just the slightest bit, then paused. He did not want to take his eyes off of Hob. “Are you sure you wish to come with me? Before when I left, you did not follow.”

“Dream!” Hob gives a sudden, short laugh, like he’d just realized something. “I didn’t not want to go with you! It’s just you always leave and then that’s it for a hundred years. Or so.”

“Oh,” said Dream. This was true. 

“I’m used to watching you walk away.”

“I am sorry.”

“Its alright,” Hob said. “That was our bargain.”

“You… need not wait a hundred years,” Dream said tentatively, still feeling like Hob might disappear at any moment. “If you do not wish.”

Hob stepped in and planted a light kiss on Dream’s lips. “Of course, I don’t wish to wait a hundred years to see you, you silly, incomprehensible wonder. Next time you want me with you, just ask!”

Dream allowed himself a little smile. “I believe I could manage that.”

Hob’s smiled rivaled the sun above. He made a go ahead gesture. “So where are we going?”

Dream took a breath. “Nearby, there is a brewer of ales which surpass even the rather decent varieties of this era. His dreams are quite vivid. I can show you his establishment in the waking, which, while not up to all the exacting standards he can dream up, remains impressive. And tonight you can sample the menu he wishes he could offer.”

“Lovely,” Hob said. “I like a good brew, even if it’ll ruin me for all others.”

Dream smile broadened, but he did not move. 

“What?” Hob said, stepping closer and brushing another disobedient strand of hair from Dream’s eyes.

“I would like you to go first,” Dream said quietly. “I can tell you where to go.”

Hob nodded. As he stepped in the direction Dream had turned, he reached back, opening his hand. “Take it. Just in case you forget me again.”

“I could never forget you, Hob.”

“Well, then,” said Hob, wiggling his fingers invitingly, “so you won’t ever lose me, not even by accident.”

Dream took Hob’s hand, and for the entire time they toured the universe, he did not let go.

[nightmarecountry]

Dream doesn't hesitate as he reaches out to touch the Corinthian, sharpening the angle of its jaw with a whisper of sand in the air and the faintest touch of cold fingertips against the idea of bone under flesh.

It looks... better -- still not quite right, far from it, but masterpieces take time. Dream will get there, as he does with all of his creations. Anything less than perfect is an abomination, fit only to be consigned once more to the sand that makes up the Shores. The Corinthian will be perfect, or Dream will erase it and start again.

He withdraws his hand and arches an eyebrow, gesturing impatiently at the nightmare. "You were saying?"

(don't perceive me. i'm not Officially writing dream but. gesturing vaguely.)

The Corinthian doesn't shy from his hand, but he doesn't lean into it either, doesn't chase the touch like he had in the beginning. Whether he shies or leans in makes no difference: Dream will adjust him to his liking either way. The word for what he's feeling is annoyance, he thinks, with a guilty kind of thrill. Or exasperation. Or why am I not to your liking yet? Or why do you speak to me like you always have somewhere better to be? But he knows the penalty for disobeying Dream, and the Corinthian--above all things, even his hunger and his pride--does not wish to be a disappointment.

So he stays still. He lets Dream change him again (as if he could do anything about it) and hopes it's purely aesthetic, that it's not something he'll miss. He turns over in his head the idea of saying something bitter and petulant, knowing he can't, and stares into Dream's fathomless eyes as his jaw shifts.

Dream always seems to look through him, he thinks.

Then he worries that Dream can see his thoughts, and his teeth snap shut to look away from him.

"You were saying?"

Does it matter? the Corinthian thinks, then feels guilty all over again for thinking it, and then mostly just annoyed at feeling guilty. Maybe he does need to be adjusted, if he's thinking like this--

--but, no. He performs his function just fine, better than fine. He's perfect. Almost.

"I... was going to ask you if I was complete yet," He remembers being made with a smile, a trio of them, and mimics the expression he thinks he's supposed to have. Looking sullen doesn't suit him. "But I suppose I have my answer... lord shaper."

Without really thinking about it, he touches where Dream's fingers had been, then experimentally licks his own fingertips with an ocular tongue.

Nothing. Disappointingly, he only tastes himself.

[milesmentis]

[ INSIST ]  for the shorter muse to guide the taller one to sit so they don’t have to keep looking up.

For Daren/Heulwen

Thank you for your patience as I slowly chip away at these! As a treat, I wrote this prompt for the "What if Daren and Heulwen fell in love?" verse because I almost never get opportunities to write that dynamic and they're cute as hell.

“-provided the maps from the Shaperate are accurate, we should be able to be there and back in less than a month. Or two at the worst. After all, we'll have to account for potential collapses or darkspawn nests: there’s only a handful of us as is, so prudence rules that it’s better to go around if possible. Though that might not always be an option. Damn tunnels … even a compass won’t be much help. What I wouldn’t give for -”

Heulwen sat with her cheek resting in the palm of her hand, watching fondly as he paced back and forth across the carved stone antechamber muttering to himself. It was lucky, she thought, that the dwarves built on such an extravagant scale. Aside from needing to duck through the occasional door and preferring to sit on a table rather than the low benches, their quarters at the palace were quite comfortably sized. A good thing, considering they’d been living there for three weeks.

“Daren.”

He hummed an acknowledgement but didn’t stop, his eyes flicking from side to side as if he was studying a blueprint only visible in his mind.

“Beloved -”

That gave him pause and he finally faced her, expression quizzical as he gathered his scattered attention.

“You really don’t have to worry so much. All it's going to do is wear a groove in the floor.” She smiled up mischievously at him. “And your forehead.”

He let out a long sigh, running his hands through his hair. “Well,” Daren hedged. “Best to be prepared. We’ll only have one shot at this after all and everything is riding on-” His words faltered as she took his hand, winding her fingers comfortingly around his. 

“It'll be alright,” she assured him. “We’ll be ready. Have faith.”

Finally, the nervous tension began to drain from him. His shoulders slumped as he asked softly, “How? I feel like if I stop moving for even a moment then … then everything -” he swallowed. “It’s just too much, Heulwen. I can’t bear it.”

Her heart swelled at the rare admission of vulnerability. He was so quick to comfort, to take the lead when she felt unsure, that he often let his own feelings fall by the wayside. A single insistent tug was all it took to draw Daren down beside her so she might press her lips to his. That simple touch, chaste as it was, sent a shiver through him and the last of his tension melted away like wax before a flame. He wrapped an arm around her waist, returning her kiss with gentle fervor. At last she leaned away, raising a hand to caress his cheek. 

“You don’t have to … not alone.”

He dipped his head with a self effacing chuckle. “I know … I know.” He shifted as if he was going to stand, but Heulwen gripped his arm firmly.

“Please don’t start again … I’ll get a sore neck watching you.”

She nuzzled against his cheek and said with a contented little smile, “Much.”

“Oh,” he raised an eyebrow as a knowing smirk spread across his face. “Well, we can’t have that, now can we?" Effortlessly, he pulled her into his lap, giving her another quick kiss just below her ear. “Is that better?”

[aquadestinyswriting]

A Circle None Can Break- Part Seven

Summary: Firetome reveals exactly why Selene has come to Fangthane to King Storri ahead of the council meeting. Meanwhile, Selene and Edwin discuss matters between Fangthane and Toreguarde while Edwin stresses out.

Words: 1,639

Warnings: None.

Notes: A short chapter before we launch into the council meeting. The last bit was too perfect to ruin by adding any more.

tags: @druidx, @strosmkai-rum, @homesteadchronicles, @warriorbookworm, @odysseywritings, @asher-orion-writes

King Storri leaned back in his seat, steepling his fingers in front of his lips as High Inquisitor Firetome spoke,

“I don’t know where she managed to find such information, Your Majesty. While her motivations for visiting us are as she stated, it does seem a little- how should I put it?- convenient that the Grand Magus has managed to procure knowledge of such a rare artefact.” he said. Head Librarian Heimlig, one of the oldest dwarves in the mountain, scoffed,

“Every child on this world knows how it was created, Firetome.” the elderly dwarf stated, “It's no secret the stuff exists.” Firetome glanced at the librarian, pursing his lips,

“Aye, but as far as I ken, nobody but the dwarves even knows that there was any left over after our own creation by Kherillim.”

“Maybe so, but it has ae been rumoured that there were a few pockets of the stuff left in most of the cultures we share this world with.” Heimlig countered smoothly, “We’ve plenty of copies of the manuscripts written by many who have tried to locate them.” King Storri sighed, letting his hands fall into his lap,

“Gentlemen, please, while I would normally be quite fascinated and happy to discuss this at length, we are currently quite pressed for time.”  He reminded his guests. He looked over to Firetome, “Given what Derek’s just told us, I fail to see why it would displease the church for the Grand Magus to ask about God Clay. From what you’ve told me thus far, it does not seem like she knows that there is any of it left for definite.” Firetome grumbled and crossed his arms across his chest,

“I got the feeling she definitely knew some existed and has come here to fish for more information about it.” he replied, “It’s likely she thinks it’s stashed somewhere in our God Vault and wants to ask the Council for access to it.” King Storri leaned forward in his seat, raising an eyebrow,

“Well, is it?” he asked. Firetome shook his head,

“While I would be the first to argue against granting the Grand Magus access to the God Vault if we did, I can tell you now, Sire, that we don’t have any here in Fangthane.” Storri frowned in confusion, looking over to Heimlig. The elderly dwarf nodded,

“The High Inquisitor has the right of it.” he said, “From what I can tell from the records held in the library, Fangthane has never held any of the remaining God Clay. Besides, even if we did, the Grand Magus wouldn’t be able to use the stuff. She needs a Shaper to do that.” King Storri grumbled as he sagged back into his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose,

“So we don’t have any God Clay here. We have any idea where any might still be located?” he asked. Firetome and Heimlig shared a look between them before the elder of the two nervously cleared his throat,

“Given that the ability to Shape came from a family that lived in the ancient Hold of Kar’ak Ugor, it’s likely that any God Clay to be found on Titan might still be in that God Vault.” Storri looked up at the librarian wearily,

“And the problem?” he asked, an imperious edge to his voice. Heimlig twirled the end of his impressive moustache,

“The hold is now known as Wyrmholme, Your Majesty.” he replied quietly, “It’s very likely that what the Grand Magus is seeking is now in the claws of an ancient red dragon and guarded by a mountain full of Duregar.”

~*~

Edwin paced around his study. He had just got word that the Fangthane Council had agreed to hear Selene out, which should have been very welcome news. So why did he feel like it was some kind of trap.

“Edwin, stop. You’re making me dizzy and I’m not even the one moving.” Selene said, stirring her tea, “Why are you getting so worked up about this?” Edwin stopped and ran a hand through his hair before looking at her,

“Aside from the fact that half the Council still wants to kick you out of the mountain and lock the door behind them, you mean?” he asked. Selene clucked her tongue,

“That’s hardly the worst thing in the world.” She stated calmly, “Besides, I get threatened with getting kicked out of Toreguarde at least once every couple of months by Chancellor Schreiber, that kind of threat isn’t anything new.” Edwin, who had resumed pacing, whipped his head around and stared at the wizard,

“I-wait. What?” he spluttered, “You haven’t actually-?” Selene held up a hand, cutting off the cleric’s tirade before it could get started,

“Of course not, Edwin.” she sighed, “It’s an empty threat on Schreiber’s part, he knows he can’t actually do it. It would upset Drakemar too much.” Edwin sent Selene a dubious look, but eventually, he nodded and relaxed his posture,

“My apologies. You’re right, your getting kicked out of Fangthane is not the worst thing in the world.” he conceded, “I just wonder what you expect to get out of this now. A lot of people have made it very clear you’re not as welcome as I’d hoped you’d be.” he pointed out. Selene gave the Abouna a thin-lipped smile,

“Because it’s the only option I have left.” she reminded him, “I very much doubt the Council will overlook the safety of all Allansia, themselves included, all for the sake of whatever grudge they’re holding about us accepting Drakemar’s help.” Edwin’s heart squeezed painfully. It wasn’t just that. He wanted so badly to explain to Selene exactly why the king and more than half the mountain distrusted her, but he couldn’t. Not without endangering them both. While the king had only outwardly threatened the Abouna’s position, Edwin knew very well that there were others in the mount who would take the opportunity to solve the problem via other methods should he give them an excuse. Instead, he settled for shaking his head and sitting heavily in his chair,

“You’re severely underestimating how angry the Council are with Toreguarde about that. And how angry the general citizenry are about the losses incurred during the Demon War. Fangthane lost about two thirds of its men because they all took up the role of Slayer and followed King Nargond to their deaths.” he explained. Selene waved her free hand in exasperation,

“We never asked them to!” she cried indignantly, “The only reason the Slayer thing even happened was because Ivan decided to show up to help with the demon thing that came out of Granny Apple despite his Banishment.” Edwin grimaced,

“While that’s true, the Demon War basically started when Old Toreguarde fell into the hellmouth, right? Once word reached Fangthane about the hows and whys…” he trailed off, trying to find the right words to explain why the people of Fangthane felt the way they currently did. He sighed, looking down at his hands, “Let’s just say that the decision to bow out of the rebuilding effort wasn’t just because Drakemar’s Emissary showed up. It just happened to be the last straw.”

Selene slowly lowered her cup back onto its saucer. While she was doing a magnificent job of repressing her immediate emotional reaction, Edwin could still see flashes of pain, regret, dismay and frustration. The woman took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, then sent Edwin a sad smile,

“Thanks for the heads up about that.” she said, “No doubt someone’s going to try throwing that in my face at some point tomorrow.” Edwin scratched the back of his neck guiltily,

“Sorry.” he mumbled, “As much as I know you’ll probably manage just fine, I didn’t want you to go in completely unprepared.” Selene’s smile brightened,

“Thank you, Edwin, you always were the most thoughtful of us. It’s not like it’s a new argument anyway. Remember how often Ivan brought up renaming the town ‘Target’?” Edwin couldn’t quite hold back his snort of laughter,

“Wasn’t it at least every other week?” he asked, “You can’t blame him, everything just kept on happening there. I’m honestly surprised we had to travel so far to deal with Karylax.” Selene chuckled,

“I don’t know what I expected when Yastromo first brought me to Toreguarde. He did tell me some stories about the goings on there, but I brushed them off as exaggerations.” she looked down at her teacup, which was now clasped in both hands, a wistful look on her face, “I should have known better. Yastromo was not a man who exaggerated.” Edwin settled into his chair, and cocked his head,

“I never got to know him very well. I’d heard of the stories of his exploits when he was a young man, but I never got a chance to speak to him very often on the rare occasions we ended up back in Toreguarde.” he said thoughtfully, “I really wouldn’t mind hearing a bit more about what he was really like.” Selene lifted her head, her face lighting up with a wide, genuine smile, looking far more like the excitable young woman Edwin remembered travelling with. His heart fluttered slightly as Selene launched into a long, rambling story about when she’d first met her mentor. She was so much prettier when she smiled like that. He’d almost forgotten the way her eyes creased just so and how much she gesticulated when she started talking about something that excited her. Edwin sighed wistfully; this is what the visit should have been, he thought. Food, drink and long stories about their lives, shared and otherwise. Well, he was going to enjoy this comfortable contentment as long as it lasted. Who knew when the next time he’d get to enjoy an old friend’s company would be?