#i know he ate a [large spherical object]

[a-book-of-creatures]

Philippe Coudray’s artwork for the lipata…

Roumd

[kai34902]

Addiction to Tranquility

Blurb: When all eyes are on you, you are forced to preform. till your legs bleed, your heart torn apart, and your mind goes numb you must not stop. Until a boy who has no interest in anything but science and space becomes a safe haven for you.

Or alternatively

When two people realize their feelings too late, and now must rebuild civilization while also try to get rid of their feelings for the other. Just one problem: they're addicted to each other

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔《✽✽✽⋆⁎⋆☽♡☾⋆⁎⋆✽✽✽》°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔《✽✽✽⋆⁎⋆☽♡☾⋆⁎⋆✽✽✽》°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔

Paring: Senku x reader

Can be found on:

Ao3

Quotev

Prologue 1: Lettuce boy

Summery: reader meets senku and Taiju who are doing an experiment.

Next chapter>

Word count: 2373

Warning: not proof read, mostly reader's backstory, and 1st person

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔《✽✽✽⋆⁎⋆☽♡☾⋆⁎⋆✽✽✽》°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔

Ever since I could learn. I had to be perfect. Coming from a family with generational wealth and prestige, all eyes were set on me and my brother. Few were filled with love and respect, others filled with disdain and jealousy, but most were filled with hatred and disgust. These looks came from the company retainers. They did not once like me. Which is why they pushed me to the brink of exhaustion. 

I never received a normal education, courtesy of the retainers. Instead I was given tutors, but they never lasted long. I had an innate learning ability that was faster than my peers and even the adults. Everytime they praised me to the retainers they were fired soon after. The more tutors they fired the more wary they became. They hired more people to teach me about things that are completely useless in the modern world, funny enough that I still excelled at those activities. Which is probably why the next course of action they took was to assassinate me, though it was more like a kidnapping attempt.

After that incident I couldn't function normally. I was scared out of my mind of people I didn’t know, to the point that I would talk to people behind my baba or brother. The retainers tried to use that as leverage against my baba. He didn’t bid them. He knew the truth, just couldn’t find the evidence to prove that. In the end he hired a bodyguard for both my brother and I. Despite my brother being an up and coming and world renowned martial artist as well as boxer.

My bodyguard is 6’3” or 191cm tall man that I was afraid of. He looked frightening with a glare that could kill someone. Yet it always softens when facing my baba. I can’t blame him nor judge him. My father has an immense beauty that rivals or maybe even surpasses the top model. It took me a while to get used to his presence as he is usually stoic, but in the end he became one of my most favorite people as he would read books he would read to me. I nicknamed him ‘Al’ as I could never pronounce his name correctly.

In conclusion I have an abnormal life. Due to the incident my baba stopped the stream of tutors coming, and gave me professors to teach me the basics so I wouldn’t fall behind. It left me further enclosed into the cage I call my reality. With no friends or people I could safely talk to with no sort of biases or having the responsibility of reporting to the retainers or my baba.  I resorted to befriending the only thing that was available. The moon.

Pathetic right?

My only friend is a large spherical rock in space that's 384,400 km (238 855 miles) away. It's not like I wanted my friend to be an inanimate object that's far away. Yet here I am talking to the moon like a weirdo. I would tell the moon numerous things from what I learned to the minute things like what I ate or saw. The cold light provided a warm solace for my affectionate starved self.

But it wasn’t enough. After one nasty encounter with one of the younger retainers I ran away. Well Technically I didn't run. I had Al drive me out to someplace without a lot of people. A place to myself where I could wind down and won't be judged. He led me to a path where elderly people or regular people would take a walk and relax. It looked kinda boring but I didn’t want to go back so I gave walking down the path a shot.

I was walking down the road with Al in tow who was keeping an eye on me. No one recognizes me, they probably thought that Al was my dad and that we’re bonding. It didn’t matter what they thought as I had enough of that. I was taking in the peace and quiet that I usually hated until I saw something peculiar. 

It was a boy with lettuce-like hair down on the grass and behind a screen. He was watching a pan heat up on top of two cinder blocks and a furious fire in the middle. A strange sight to see on a presumably normal day, even the elderly folk were staring in bewilderment at him. 

It was such a strange sight that I watched him do his experiments the next day and the day after that and the day after that. It was really entertaining. I wanted to go up to him and talk about what he was doing, but I chickened out in the end. Though I guess he caught on to someone staring. Once in a while he would look around as if he was looking for something despite having his friend right beside him.

One day three older looking guys came and beat down the machine the boy brought out earlier. Fortunately the boy and his friend came just in time to witness it, but unfortunately the older boys beat them up despite the brown haired boy blocking their fists. The very scene infuriated me. I had a strong sense of justice, courtesy of my baba and the classical books Al would read to me.

When the brown haired boy finally collapsed, I finally appeared out of my hiding place.

“Oh you with them” one of the older boys asked

“No” I answered truthfully

“Then mind your own business”

“Not till you apologize to them”

“Thought you said that you werent with them” I punched him where the sun didn't shine. He deserved it from the way he was confidently smirking at me. He needed to be taught a lesson. In all honey though I didn't aim there on purpose, I was aiming for his belly. But they’re taller than me, and I'm still not used to hand to hand combat despite fighting training with my brother.

I manage to bring him down before one of the other boys grabbed me by my written and started yelling: “WHAT THE HELL I'LL BEAT YOU FOR THIS KID”

But he was quickly shut up by Al who grabbed him and punched him square in the face which knocked the boy out. The third quickly surrendered with his two friends in tow. I left a first aid kit by the lettuce haired boy for him and his friend.

The next day I came by but the lettuce boy wasn't there nor was his friend. I came by the next day, he wasn't there either. Then I came again, same thing. By the fourth day I was starting to give up on seeing him. I Thought they moved since they were not welcomed there. But thankfully I was wrong, one of the few things I was happy to not be right. 

The boy came back with a strange thing that looked oddly like a sniper gun. He aimed it at the three older guys from the other day and shot at them. Electricity came out and shocked the three boys. Thankfully they didn't look injured but it was so funny that I couldn't help but laugh. In the end he got his revenge. But unfortunately for me he heard me laugh and looked straight at me. I speed walked for the rest of the time I was there. Gave myself a mental note to not come there for a few days. Went back to the company to find my baba asking why I came earlier than usual. I lied through my teeth which I felt terrible about. Surprisingly Al didn’t report what happened which I was grateful for.

That night I told the moon about what happened earlier just like I had been.  Told it about how the lettuce boy was so dedicated to his craft and that I was sorta jealous of him. The moon is the only thing that is able to bring out the truth in me. 

The next day when I went out on my now daily walk I decided to go to a park that was somewhat near the place I would normally see the duo. I only went to this park that's further away from the company because I didn't want to get interrogated by my baba again for coming earlier than usual. Honestly he should be grateful that I'm actually outside instead of inside like I usually am!

I found the swings and sat on them. When I got tired of just swinging around I asked Al to read me a book. The next book that he was going to read to me was 'Pride and Predigest.’ He told me to find a spot while he gets the book and a blanket to sit on. I found a nice shaded spot under a tree that had a nice view of the park. It was then I saw two familiar boys coming towards me. I mentally cursed myself as I didn’t have anyone to hide behind.

“Hey aren't you the girl who has been spying on us for the past week?” A voice spoke as if he was annoyed

“Pardon?” my voice squeezed from nervousness

“Wait, that's her! She's the one that punched that guy square in the nuts Senku! And the one to give us the first aid kit” He pointed at me which was kinda rude on his part

“Wait, you were watching?”

“So it is you” The lettuce hair boy who I now know as Senku interrupted

“Did I make you feel awkward?” I sheepishly asked, “I'm sorry If I did, I was just curious and well…” my voice trailed off

“No I would just prefer if you’d actually come up and introduced yourself instead of staring from a distance like a creepy doll”

“Well then I guess I should introduce myself im (l/n) (y/n) ” I reached my hand forward

“Ishigami Senku” he shook my hand

“And I'm Oki Taiju!”

That day I spent playing with Senku and Taiju with science experiments that Senku brought out. I had completely forgotten about Al and that he was supposed to read to me. The day ended with me spotting my baba’s car and him talking to Al. It was more like fighting but it was one sided with my baba. Al was toying with him. I had to bid my new friends goodbye but promised them I would come back again tomorrow. That night my baba was crying about how I finally made my first friends. My brother was teasing me about how my first friends were boys and asked if one of them was actually my boyfriend. I rightfully shut him up by asking him about the girls he befriended. Baba cried at that too with incoherent sobs about: “his babies are growing up too fast”

I met senku's father about a month after befriending him and taiju. Senku Taiju, and I were in the library educating ourselves with books or the internet in order to help Senku build a swimsuit for his dad. When Bakuya came to check up on Senku I immediately  recognised him to be one of the many tutors that was hired and fired. I almost didn’t believe that I was looking at the same man. He was an eccentric person that I quickly realized when I was learning under him, it was just the fact that he was so overly affectionate with Senku that I thought knew he rivaled my own father.

He recognized me quickly. He was surprised that I could be such a different kid outside of the classroom. He muttered something about it being a small world. He invited me over to his and Senku’s house. I had to beg Al to let me go but he vehemently told me no. In the end I was able to convince him with the help of Bakuya and Taiju, Senku only added his input here and there.

The first visit turned into two, then into three, and soon the ishigami household became my second home. I would visit there more than when I visit the company. In a strange way I became closer with Senku than Taiju. I would aid him in his experiments and offer help when he was stuck on something. 

One day we were testing out the electric waves on Taiju’s body. Senku made Taiju’s arm and fingers move around weirdly which made Taiju shocked. The very scene made me laugh my lungs out. 

After we were done, much to Senku’s dismay, Taiju then started talking about what we wanted to do in the future. He asked me what I wanted to do since I wasn’t set to inherit the company as I wasn’t the oldest. I replied with only one thing in mind: “I want to go to and meet the moon maybe even talk to it”

“So you basically are a creepy doll” Senku joked

“No I'm not!” I yelled at Senku

“Wait hold on! can't you just meet the moon from here?” Taiju asked

“No you big oaf she means she wants to go to the moon”

“Woah! You both basically want to go to space! It's like you guys are meant to be!” He beamed

“Hmmm like soulmates?” My thoughts protruded

“Ew” senku replied fast

“Oh you don't believe soulmates? Not even platonic ones?” I poked at him

“No soulmates are an ideology that humans like to believe. It's not scientific nor provable. Its irrational and a source of trouble”

“Yet living creatures need to procreate in order to have its species continue on, are you saying that humans should procreate with everyone they meet instead of finding that someone to spend your time with and create a family?”

“...yes” he hesitated

“Ewwwww” My face scrunched up, but inside I was laughing my lungs out. It has been a while since I last had so much fun like this. Science is fun just like Senku told me before.

Dear Moon,

Are you happy that this friend of yours finally found her place? Are you proud of me? I’m not. It feels like I'm replacing you with him.

next>

[saturn7162]

Quotev Story "The Onyx Recruit" part 7, Laser Light Cannon

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Onyx, Amethyst, and Steven ran across the beach to the boardwalk, quickly racing up to Beach City Walk Fries. 

“Hey, Fryman!!” Steven shouted, slamming his palms against the counter. 

“Give me the bits!!” 

“Steven, we're closed.” Mr. Fryman said as he flipped his open sign to read, “We're closed” 

“Aw, what? I wanted to show Onyx the beauty of the bits..” He looked down sadly. 

“You did Steven, when you took me to meet everybody. Remember?” Onyx placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. 

“Yeah, but a seagull stole them!” Steven shouted, earning a soft chuckle from Onyx. 

“Give him the bits!” Amethyst suddenly shouted, slamming her fists on the counter repeatedly. 

“The bits! The bits!” She chanted, getting the two males to copy her. 

“Okay, okay! Take it easy on the counter will ya?” Mr. Fryman gave in, raising his hands up in surrender. 

“Yes!” The trio shouted, throwing their arms in the air. 

“I can give you actual fries, if you want.” Mr. Fryman suggested politely. 

“Just bits for us, thanks.” Onyx smiled and took the bag filled with bits, shoving a hand in and stuffing his maw with a fistful of the snack. The three grinned happily as they ate, licking their lips after every swallow. 

“Ah sunset. My favorite time of day. When the sun goes down and the second sun gets bigger and bigger in the sky.” Steven smiles, his eyes glistening in delight. Amethyst just laughed. 

“We call that Stardown where I'm from- wait, did you say two suns?” Onyx questioned, a puzzled look present on his face. 

“Yeah that big, hot, second sun-” Amethyst cut herself off with a large gasp as she looked up at the sky. 

“Oh crap! Why's that thing here?!” Onyx shouted, gazing up at a large spherical object in the sky. Steven swallowed his mouthful of bits 

“What is it?” He asked before giving a yelp as he and Amethyst were lifted into Onyx's arms. Onyx tipped the bag over his mouth and ate the rest of the fries. 

“Ah! My bits!”

“This is bad.” Garnet said simply. 

“Look at the size of it! I had no idea these things were so big!” Pearl states as she stood up straight, lifting her face away from a telescope. 

“Garnet! Pearl!” Amethyst yelled as Onyx put Steven and her down. 

“We saw.” Pearl glared at her, a hand taking place on her hip. 

“Some of us are trying to protect humanity. Where were you?!” She asked coldly. 

“Consuming tiny potato pieces.” Onyx replied, licking his fingers. Pearl scowled, bringing a palm to her forehead. 

“Ooh, can I see?” Steven asked before running up to the telescope and holding it to his face gently. 

“Woah..” He mumbled in amazement as the orb opened like an eye, spinning in place before it stilled 

“It's an eyeball. Sick.” Onyx grinned. 

“Not ‘sick’! It's a red eye!” Pearl chastised. 

“A red eye?! it's going to infect us all!” Onyx snickered at Steven’s sudden outburst. 

“That would be pink eye, Steven.” He said through small chuckles. 

“It's going to crash into Beach City and crush us, along with a bunch of oblivious, innocent people. We have to stop it!” Pearl explained. 

“Party Pooper.” Onyx scoffed before snickering at the glare Pearl shot his way. 

“What are we going to do?” Steven asked. 

“The only thing powerful enough to destroy it, is a light cannon that belonged to Rose Quartz.” Garnet answered, adjusting her visor. 

“My mom?”

“If Rose were here, this would be so easy.” Amethyst complained. Onyx’s nose twitched at the name and he rubbed at it to get the tickly feeling to go away.

“I know, but she’s not and the cannon is missing.” Pearl looked down glumly.

“We’ll have to find another solution.”

“If it belonged to Steven’s mother, maybe Greg has it.” Onyx suggested, getting a large grin from Steven.

“He could help us save the day!” Steven yelled, eager to get his father involved.

“Greg is… nice… Steven, but I doubt Rose would entrust someone like him with such a powerful weapon.”

“Your dad is kind of a mess, Steven.” Amethyst clasped a hand on Steven’s shoulder. Onyx growled at the statement, glaring down at her.

“Be polite.” He snarled.

“I’m just saying! If she did leave it with him, he probably broke it, lost it, or dropped it in the ocean by now.” Amethyst shrugged.

“True…” Garnet responded.

“No way! I’m sure he’s just keeping it somewhere safe.

“Let’s go ask!” Onyx suggested and Steven quickly leaped onto his back with a giggle.

“We can handle this, boys.” Garnet said, stepping forward.

“Ready?’ She asked Amethyst, who nodded. Garnet lifted her up and threw her screaming at the eye. She hit it with a clang and fell to the ocean with a splash.

“Uhm… We’re… We’re gonna goooo…” Onyx said with his eyes narrowed. He then turned on his heel and sped off, Steven holding onto his neck for support.

“Okay, good luck…” Pearl responded, not taking her eyes off the spot Amethyst hit. The two boys reached Greg’s parked van rather fast and Steven jumped off of Onyx’s back to go bang on the van doors.

“Dad! It’s me and Onyx! Dad? Are you in there?” Steven kept pounding at the doors.

“Wake up Greg! The world needs saving!!” Onyx shouted as he climbed up to the roof of the van, helping Steven up after.

“Greg!” Onyx groaned, starting to slam his tail into the van. He yelped as him and Steven slipped, setting off the alarm. They looked at each other smiling. The doors swung open and Greg stepped out, wielding a waffle iron.

“Who’s there?! I have a waffle iron!” He threatens, looking around.

“Dad!” Steven grinned, picking himself up. The waffle iron falls with a clang. Greg looked up and blinked slowly. He fished the van keys out from his pocket and turned off the car alarm.

“Steven? Onyx?” He calls out groggily. The boys jump off the van and Steven rushes to give his dad a hug.

“I almost waffled your faces!” Greg said grinning.

“What are you two doing up so late?” He asked, looking at them kindly. Onyx quirked a brow, clearly confused.

“What do you mean, Greg? The sun just went down about an hour ago.”

“Oh!” Greg chuckles embarrassed.

“It was a slow day at the car wash… Anyway, what’s up!” He asked, placing his hads around on his hips.

“Just needed to see me again, pal around, learn some lessons about life?” Greg smiled, placing a large hand on Steven’s shoulder.

“No! We need the light cannon that belonged to mom to blow up that eyeball!” Steven shouted, Onyx nodded.

“Eyeball?” Greg muttered.

“That thing!” Onyx pointed up at the sky, showing Greg the red eye that Amethyst was just thrown at.

“Wait, is that a magical thing? The gems told me not to get involved with magical stuff..” Greg asked nervously.

“I-It could be dangerous or interfere with what’s left of my hair…”

“Your fur looks fine, Greg. But we really need Rose’s cannon.”

“You’ve got to know where it is!” Stevenn yelped.

“Maybe it’s in a cave dungeon.” Onyx suggested.

“Or in a cloud fortress!” Steven added.

“Or inn a clam at the bottom of the ocean!” The two yell at the same time, grins present on their faces.

“Well, I don’t know about all that, but I have an idea where it might be.” The three slipped into the van, Greg in the driver’s seat, Steven in the passenger’s seat, and Onyx in the back, having to sit with his knees to his chest. They drove to a self-storage facility names “U-store” and exited the van, walking up to a shed door.

“There’s so many…” Onyx mumbled, looking from unit to unit.

“A magical storage unit!” Steven yelled, running up to their shed.

“Heh, not exactly, but you could say there’s magic inside.” Greg winked; Steven stared.

“It’s just a shed I use to keep things that don’t fit in the van. If it’s anywhere, it’ll be in here.” Greg grunted as he lifted the door to the shed, backing up so the two boys could see. Onyx’s eyes widened at the sight of all the boxes and loose junk filling the shed.

“Wow… Your cave is impressive!” Onyx complimented, his tail wagging.

“Oh. Uh, thanks?” Greg responded. Steven and Onyx walked over and studied the piles carefully. Steven tried moving a few boxes, only causing them to topple over.

“Hey, Steven.” Onyx called.

“If you’re planning on going in there, you need to be careful.” Onyx told him, still looking at the junk in amazement.

“Yeah! If I’m going in there, I’m gonna need some gear!” Onyx laughed but helped him tie a flashlight to his head with a loose sock.

“Okay, Onyx! You’re going to be my guide! Whenever mom comes up in a conversation or when we’re looking for something of hers, your nose lights up!” Steven grinned.

“Oh, sure. I can totally guide you, man.” Onyx’s nose lit up pink, slightly startling him.

“Here I go!” Steven said as Greg finished tying an extension cord around Steven’s waist.

“Stay safe, Steven!” Onyx smiled as the boy crawled through the boxes. As Steven moves, Onyx’s nose glowed either brighter or dimmer every turn he takes.

“Woah…” Steven exclaims as he gets to his feet.

“Cool! It’s like a dad museum! Onyx, you should see all this!” Steve yelled over his shoulder.

“Can’t little man! Too big!” The gem yelled back.

“You are getting close though!” Steven grunts and squeezes himself through two mattresses.

“There it is!”

“Those are golf clubs, Steven!” Onyx yells as Steven falls from trying to lift the clubs.

“Do you golf, dad?” Steven asks.

“Well, I like to think of myself as someone who would golf. E-Eventually.” Greg says timidly. Steven looked around and darted over to the right of the mattress.

“Yes!”

“That’s a drum, man.” Onyx chuckled.

“A drum…” Steven walks away from it but ran back over to give it a quick slap. Steven jumped over more stuff and began to sift through another pile.

“No… No…” He tossed stuff over his shoulder. He gasped as his eyes fell on something in the pile.

“Oh, my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh, my gosh! Is this…?”

“T-Shirt cannon!” Came Onyx’s voice. Steven caught a falling T-shirt that was shot from the cannon.

“Buy T-Shirt cannons?” Steven read. He moved the shirt over and looked down at an open box.

“Hey, there’s a bunch of copies of your old CD!” “Huh. Oh man, I couldn’t give those things away.” Greg said sheepishly.

“Grab me a few!”

“You know, before I ran the car wash, I was a one-man band. I travelled the whole country!”

“I know, dad.” Steven smiled, shoving a few CDs in his pockets.

“When I came to play a concert here in Beach City, no one showed up except…”

“Alligators!!”

“No, it was your mother! And a tall, black furred fella.” Greg chimed. Onyx shivered, twiddling his thumbs as he looked away.

“I know!” Steven giggled.

“And we were always together after that, until she gave up her physical form to bring you into the world. The gem that was usually with her disappeared a few years later.” Onyx’s nose glowed brighter ad he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut.

“I don’t know what a magical lady like here ever saw in a plain old dope like me…” Steven gasped as he felt something shatter beneath his knee. He raised his leg and looked down to see a smashed picture frame that held a picture of Rose and Greg.

“I don’t know what you just did, but I think it was Rose related!”

“Uhm… Dad, I broke a photo..”

“It’s okay, buddy. If every pork chop were perfect, we wouldn’t have hot-dogs.” Greg shrugged. Onyx yelped as a large, fiery pink blast shot out from his horns. From inside the shed, something began to glow. Steven gasped as his eyes focused on a large, glowing, pink cannon.

“You found it, Steven!” Came Onyx’s voice. His nose dimmed down to it’s usual black and he rubbed at his horns, which were slightly sore.

“The light cannon!” Steven smiled.

“Oh, boy. That thing’s giving me the willies.” Greg muttered, scratching his chest which had gotten bigger.

“Guys, I found it!”

“Really?” Greg smiled. Steven tied up the cannon and attached it to the cords that were once wrapped around his waist.

“Get the van!” Greg started the van and pushed a pedal down, trying to pull the cannon out of the shed. The tires squealed and the entire contents of the shed was yanked out.

“That could definitely save the city.” Onyx stated.

“We’ve got to get it to the beach!”

“How? It’s too big for the van!” Greg fretted.

“We could use that.” Onyx pointed to a red, wooden wagon that rolled over to them. Greg tied the wagon to the van and Onyx set the cannon in it.

“Is it gonna be okay?” Steven asked worried, Greg just shrugged.

“If every pork chop were perfect.”

“We wouldn’t have hot dogs!” Steven finished, causing another blast to shoot from Onyx’s horns.

“That thing is getting huge. It’s freaking me out!”

“Can’t the van go any faster?”

“This is faster!” Greg yelled as he pushed the gas, only getting the speed to go up to 50.

“Put on a CD!” Onyx handed a CD over to Steven.

“What, really? Oh come one, you two have heard it...” Greg looked away bashfully.

“You come on!” Steven smiled as he removed the disc from it’s packaging and slid it into the CD player. Steven and Onyx smiled goofily as the song began to play, both of them bouncing in their spots.

“I know I’m not that tall.”

“I know I’m not that smart.”

“But let me drive my van into your hea-a-art!” Onyx and Steven belted.

“Let me drive my van into your heart!” Greg smiled shyly and lookd away as the boys sang.

“I know I’m not that rich! I’m tryna get my start. So let me drive my van into your heart.” The residents of Beach City stand looking up at the sky.

“Let me drive my van into your heart.”

“And if we look out of place.” The van pulled up to the beach where Garnet and Pearl looked on.

“Well baby, that’s okay.” The two looked at them in astonishment, then down at Amethyst who had just washed up.

“I’ll drive us into outer space.” Amethyst grunted as she picked herself up.

“Throw me again! I think I’m cracking it!”

“I know I don’t have a plan.” The boys leaped out of the van and rushed to the cannon.

“Hey, guys!” Steven yelled to the gems. Pearl looked on in shock.

“He really had it!”

“We’re SAVED!!” Amethyst shrieked. The gems flinched as the eye began to pull things toward it.

“We have to use it now!” Garnet instructed.

“I don’t know how it works! It was Rose’s!” Onyx smacked his nose to keep it from glowing.

“Dad, how do we use it?!” Steven asked Greg who just shrugged.

“Steven, this is serious!!” Pearl turned him back over.

“The gem! You have Rose’s gem!”

“That's it!” Amethyst grabbed Steven and smackd his body against the cannon.

“Come on!” She groaned.

“Stop that!” Garnet yelled at her.

“It’s no use!”

“Fine! Forget it! Throw me again!” Amethyst jumped into Garnet’s arms.

“That’s not going to work!” Pearl chastised. Steven yelped as the cannon, attached to the van, began to move once the van began to get pulled into the eye.

“I’ve got this!” Greg yelled as he unhooked the cannon and tried to pull the van back.

“No! Wait! Maybe I don’t!” He shouts as he gets pulled as well.

“Please work!” Steven yells at the cannon.

“Unlock! Activate! Go!” Steven pleased, slamming his fist into it.

“Please! Everything ever is depending on you!” Onyx chimed.

“You can’t just be useless! We know you can help!”

“It’s okay you two! We’ll figure out something else! Something even better!” Yelled Greg.

“Right! If every pork chop were perfect, we wouldn’t have hot dogs!” Onyx’s horns began to glow brightly, bolts of pink energy crackling around them. The cannon whirred to life as well, patterns of petals engraved in both Onyx’s horns and the cannon began to unfold. Steven was thrown off the cannon and Onyx dug his claws into the sand to keep himself from toppling over. He yelped as Garnet lifted him onto the cannon, pushing him onto all fours and slipping his paws into the grooves that fit him perfectly.

“It’s working!” Pearl comments, holding onto Amethyst tightly. The gems gasped as the cannon fell forward. Steven lifted it up the best he could, his teeth clenched as he grunted. He grinned as the gems rushed over to help him hold it.

“Steven!”

“This is it!”

“Brace yourselves!”

Onyx grunted as he held his head down, angling his horns for the best shot possible. Three large blasts in total erupted from the cannon and Onyx’s horns. The attack slammed into the eye with an incredible force, amazing everybody who saw. Chunks of the machine slammed into the city, sending people running.

“Dudes! You just saved most of Beach City!” Amethyst smiled.

“Sorry about that!” Yelled Steven.

“What?!” Came Mr. Fryman.

“How’d you get it to work?!” Asked Pearl cheerfully.

“I just said that thing that dad always says...” Steven explained.

“That thing about pork rinds?”

“Hot dogs….” Onyx groaned and tipped over, landing onto the sand with a tired grunt. Everyone looked down at him, slightly shocked as he began snoring.

“Rose…” Greg said tearfully. Everyone smiled as the ocean water returned.

“My van!”

“It’s okay dad, if every pork chop were perfect-“

“I LIVE IN THERE!!” Greg cuts him off, racing as fast as he can through the water to get to his van.

[hanniiesuckle17]

Getting to First Base

A/n: just a little something. i need more seungmin on my masterlist anyway and i would do anything for my babies so! (not thoroughly edited)

Requested by: @pixielix 

Tag List: @distrikt9 @mini-meanhoe @poeticallyspaghetti @hanstagrams​ @desertofdessert @hoes4hoseok @yangomangos @jeonqqin​ @geminirules​ @crscendoforsung​ @mrsunshine999​  @multi-net​

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: cheeky seungmin that's about it i think

Summary: Kim Seungmin is the star of Cheongdam High. His grades are top-notch and he is the star pitcher of the school’s baseball team. Every girl wants date him and every guy wants to be friends with him. But, little does Y/n know he only has eyes for her. All it takes is one night and one extra private practice for things to change for both of them.

Genre: romance, fluff, non-idol!au, baseball player!seungmin, softball player!reader, highschool!au, popular kid!seungmin

◈

An ominous buzz filled the lunchroom. Not the kind attached to any flying pest. This was the sound of gossip seeping from every table in the cafeteria. Despite the conformity inspired by our school uniforms, clear, distinct borders were made in the large room. 

 Near the window, were the candidates for valedictorian and their study groups. Their trays always lay untouched and books took their focus. In the right corner were the Netizens and resident fan-girls and boys alike. They were mostly harmless unless it was comeback season. Across the way in the left corner was the ‘cool’ kids. Cool meaning the guys smoked behind the schools and the girls cut their skirts to short and glared at anyone who looked their way. Towards the back were your general outcasts and weirdos. They usually kept to themselves, but if you were caught sitting with them it was the social equivalent of suicide. 

The center. The center was where everyone wanted to be. The focal point of the cafeteria was the two circular tables that housed the school’s pride and joy. The baseball and softball teams. And at the heart of it all, seemingly lit by a ray of sunshine, was Kim Seungmin. Star pitcher of Cheongdam’s baseball team. 

Seungmin sat atop the lunch table, his shaggy brown hair falling across his forehead. His tie was loose and hanging lower than it should be and the silver bracelet he always wore dangled over his tan wrist as he waved over another member of his team. 

It was no secret I liked Seungmin. Almost every girl in our school had a crush on Seungmin. Girls flocked to give him gifts before games and they waited for him before and after practice. I watched from the girls’ field as they lined up at the fence and cheered for him as he pitched inning after inning. 

My less than white sneakers squeaked over the white tiles as I carried my lunch tray to the softball table. “Y/n!” My friend Jia waved me over, a bright smile illuminating her face. At the sound of my name, Seungmin’s head popped up like a meerkat and searched the cafeteria. His eyes met mine and I gave him a smile before sliding into my seat. 

The cold metal of the cheap tables chilled the bare skin on my legs. “Did you hear about Miyoung?” Jia said twirling the aluminum chopsticks in her hand before stabbing them into a sausage. I nervously laughed at her exhibition of violence towards the innocent piece of meat. 

“No. What about her?”

“Apparently she’s failing a class. Her mom is pulling her from the team.” 

My jaw dropped, halfway full of food. Without looking she pushed it up, prompting me to finish chewing. “But we have Sectionals-” Jia nodded stabbed yet another sausage. “She’s our star pitcher-” I could hear the meat squealing in pain at her unhindered violence. I noticed some of the boys at the next table staring at her with terrified eyes. When she turned they looked away, hands hiding her next possible sausage target.

“I’m going to take these away from you.” My hands reached for her saucer but an animal like growl escaped her throat so I left her be. 

Jia sighed looking at our team around the table. “I just really wanted to win Sectionals this year.” We ate the rest of our meal in silence, waiting for the bell to ring. The hall was flooded with students. The sea of blue jackets made it hard to weave my way into Room B23. 

Class droned on for the next hour. Just as my eyes started to droop, I was hit in the back of the head by a paper projectile. The ball of notebook paper landed on the floor at my feet. My eyes fell on a familiar shaggy head of brown hair. With happy puppy eyes, he pointed towards the paper, eyeing the teacher warily. 

Why Seungmin felt the need to throw the paper at me I had no clue. He sat right beside me. The teacher seemed preoccupied with scolding a student about using their phone so I reached down and picked up the note. I smiled seeing Seungmin’s handwriting. 

Do you have practice today? 

He was asking if I had practice? Did he suddenly drop every brain cell in that big head of his? It was a known fact that the baseball and softball schedule was practically identical. Every day he had practice and every day I had mine. That’s why the school invested in a second field for the softball team.

Of course. Same as you. Why?

My hand moved across the paper, making every letter neat and in beautiful handwriting. Quitely folding the note, I slipped it between two fingers and held it down by my side, staring at the board. I desperately tried not to withdraw feeling Seungmin’s fingers brushed mine as he took the parchment.

Quietly he unfolded the paper and I listened to his pen scrawl across it more than I did read the lessons from my textbook. My hand stayed ready to receive his message but it was once again tossed onto my desk. Rolling my eyes I opened his message.

I like knowing things. 

Not bothering to write anything back I crumpled the sheet and tossed it at his head. Seungmin laughed, our teacher’s head shooting up and sending us a stern glare. 

That was such a Seungmin answer. He always loved being the smartest person in the room. Putting the weird interaction in the back of my mind, I focused back on my work and waited for the school day to be over.

◈

I stood in line with the rest of the now twelve girls of Cheongdam’s softball team. The sound of the boys’ practice was carrying over the chainlink fence onto our field. Our coach walked the line, clipboard in hand.

“I’m sure you all are aware Miyoung has dropped from the team.” Most of the girls nodded, several gasped and turned to the others looking for confirmation. “With Sectionals coming up we need an immediate replacement for our pitcher.” His eyes scanned down the line, holding a stare with every single girl. “L/n. Congratulations, you are our new pitcher.”

“But- I’m just a shortstop?”

“Not anymore.” He tossed me a mitt and called for everyone to take their positions. A heavy weight landed on my shoulders as I stood atop the pitcher’s mound. I felt all eyes on me as the first girl stepped up to the plate. 

The ball was familiar in my hands. I stared at the girl waiting to bat. With as much aim and accuracy as I could muster I threw the ball. It sailed over the plate before connecting with the wooden bat with a loud crack. 

The rest of our practice seemed to last an eternity. The coach yelled at me more than anyone else on the team. By now everyone had left. The floodlights had been shut off and I stood in the dark on the pitcher's mound. The ball felt heavy in my hand.

Staring down the makeshift target I created at home plate, I wiped the sweat off my brow. The ball flew from my hand missing the target by just an inch. Sighing, I collapsed onto the ground head in my hands. Cold sweat lay on the back of my neck, becoming freezing as the night breeze blew over it.

“Shouldn’t you have left already?”

Looking up I saw Seungmin walking towards me with a long stride. A duffle bag hung loosely over his right shoulder and he smiled at me from the gate entrance. His hair was messy and I could see the sleeve of his uniform hanging out of the bag.

“I heard you’re the new pitcher. How is that going?”

“As you can tell, not so great.” Setting down his bag Seungmin grabbed onto a basket full of softballs and dragged it over to the mound. He placed on in my hand before standing back and watching expectantly. “What are you doing?”

He shrugged, scuffing his shoe in the tan dirt. “Helping you. Obviously.” Nudging my shoulder he pointed to the target. “Let me see what you’ve got.” Pitching in front of Cheongdam High’s star player. This was certainly not how I imagined this night to go.

Taking a deep breath, I aimed my stare towards the target. Seungmin watched me with an analytic gaze as the ball left my hand. The round projectile grazed the second most outer ring of the target. He shrugged as I turned back to him.

“It’s not bad. I’ve seen worse.”

“Thanks for your vote of confidence.” Seungmin shrugged once more and watched me pick up another softball. “Here. Why don’t you show me how it’s done then. A smirk played at his lips as I tossed him the ball.

He listed his head, playing with the spherical object. “You do realize, pitching a baseball and pitching a softball are technically different.”

Seungmin rolled his eyes as I stepped back from the top of the mound and motioned for him to step up.  With perfect form, he let loose the ball, long fingers seeming to extend as it flew towards the target. A large thunk could be heard and all that was left was a dent smack dab in the center of the target.

“Want me to teach you?” Slowly I nodded and walked over to him. His fingers brushed mine as he handed me another ball from the basket. “Try inhaling when you prep and exhaling as you let loose the ball.” 

Following his instructions, I took a deep breath and let go as the ball flew past my fingertips. Seungmin burst out laughing when the softball bounced off of the target’s corner. “You’re supposed to be teaching, not laughing dumbass!” 

“I can’t help it,” Seungmin gasped, doubling over in laughter. “That was too cute!” My body froze involuntarily and I prayed that he assumed the blush on my cheeks was from the cold. His eyes raked over my face clearly noticing the heat flooding over my skin. “Try again?” Seungmin proposed picking up another ball. 

Knowing my only chance of a scream-free practice tomorrow was standing next to me I turned back towards the plate, the ball passing between my hand and the mitt. Hearing Seungmin’s sharp intake of breath had me turning to wait for criticism. To my surprise, I felt his hands on my waist and his chest brushed against my back. Again I froze, choosing to look anywhere but the boy behind me. 

“Is something wrong?”

He shook his head, breath fanning over the back of my neck. With a gentle touch, his hands turned my hips parallel to his. “Try angling your hips this way. IT might help-” Seungmin stopped and stared seeing my eyes dragging over his lips. Ghosting over the corner of his mouth was a smirk that would make the Chesire cat proud. “Your staring.”

“Well...you were talking.”

“Please, you were practically undressing me with your eyes.”

“When did I-”

He laughed, keeping his hands on my waist. “I’m just kidding, Y/n.” Embarrassed, I stared down at my shoes. “Though...if you did want to kiss me, you should just do it. I’m very tired of waiting.”

“You’re tired of waiting? What about me?” I asked turning around, crossing my arms. The rough leather of the mitt was tucked under my arm in an awkward way, but I ignored it. “Why do you think I always buy an extra banana milk on Fridays? I know you’re going to ask for one at study group.” 

Seungmin laughed as I lightly swatted his shoulder, dropping the softball on the field and letting it roll away from the pitcher's mound. “Why do you think I go to study group? My grades are fine.” 

“Well...I-”

Before I could come up with an answer, Seungmin leaned down and pressed his lips against mine before pulling away hands behind his back. “You what?”

“I-.....uh...well-”

Again, Seungmin leaned down and pecked my lips. “Yes?”

“Kim Seungmin would you stop for one second!”

“So, you don’t want me to kiss you?”

“Yes. Wait- no. Wait.....what?”

His eyes crinkled and he pulled me towards his chest, kissing me deeply this time. It was a kiss that made me weak in the knees. Still not entirely processing that Seungmin was in fact kissing me, my hands hung by my side. “I’m doing all the work here. Are you going to kiss back or what?” Seungmin said with a laugh. Shaking myself out of the confused trance I grabbed his cheeks and pulled him back down to my lips. 

Wrapping my arms around his neck I kissed Seungmin with every part of my being. He smiled, holding me as close as possible. Suddenly a blinding light flashed over us. “Hey! What are you kids still doing here?” The voice of one of the security guards yelled. 

Seungmin and I shared a look before dropping the mitts and running towards the gate hand in hand. Grabbing our bags, Seungmin pushed me through the gate as we ran from the school guards. “Run!” I screamed dragging him through the looming iron gates that bordered the school grounds. 

The two of us laughed as we ran down the dimly lit street. “So, can I tell people you are actually my girlfriend now? We can officially be the best team in the sports department.” Leaning up I kissed his cheek before pulling him around a corner towards my house. 

“Yes. Why would I turn down a boyfriend when he comes with free pitching lessons?” I joked making him roll his eyes and ruffle my hair.

◈

Requests are Temporarily Closed!

Masterlist

[shining-red-diamond]

Shallow Waters (Part 1)

Words: 2.5k

Pairing: Hendery x Brittany (OC)

Rating: PG-15

Genre: fluff, some angst

Warnings: mentions of abandonment, illness, and 

A/N: Banner credits to @dearyongs

Summary: When Brittany met a merman named Hendery, little did she know her life was going to change. Not only do they fall in love, learn about each other’s worlds, and create a life for themselves; but there’s also a mystery surrounding Hendery that could potentially put both of their lives in danger.

-

Sipping on her strawberry lemonade, Brittany was zoned into her book. The summer sun brightened up the beach in her backyard, a gentle breeze kept the weather cool, and she was relaxed on her lounge chair on her porch. Brittany hummed a tune as she read, a habit she had ever since she was young. In her mind, it was offered as background music whenever she read one of her books.

Little did she know that her voice had caught the attention of a certain inhabitant of the ocean. Hendery had seen her and wanted to talk to Brittany since she moved to an isolated area in the Florida Keys about six months earlier. Multiple humans had come and gone to where he roamed, but something about Brittany reeled him as if she were a magnet for him. He was a little on the shy side, but he had finally worked up the courage to talk to her. Explaining that he was a merman would be difficult, but he hoped she would understand.

As soon as she had walked inside of her house with the empty glass in her hand, Hendery took advantage of her distraction to sneak onto her porch. He was intending on standing there to wait for her until he noticed the book she was reading. The cover had gold lettering centered at the top, and an elaborate picture of a human boy in round glasses trying to catch a small, spherical object while riding some sort of flying object was printed under the lettering. Hendery couldn’t read human writing, but from the cover he could tell it was an adventurous story. He quickly flipped through pages, but there were mostly words. Only a few pictures showed up on certain pages.

As soon as Brittany returned outside, she immediately jumped at the sight of a strange, young man with jet black hair standing on her porch and flipping through her book. The shock caused her to nearly drop her drink.

“Who are you?” she asked him, keeping a distance in her startled state. “What do you want?”

Hendery tried to speak, but he didn’t know how to speak human either. He’d picked up a few words here and there, but all he could do was make little squeals and dolphin sounds and use his body to explain what he was thinking. The only thing he could get out was his name.

“H-Hendery,” he introduced himself as he pointed at himself.

“Is that your name?” Brittany asked, and he nodded. “I’m Brittany.”

“Brittany,” Hendery repeated with a smile.

She noticed the book in his hands. “Oh, do you like Harry Potter? I’m rereading the series.”

“Can’t read.”

“Oh…” she paused before changing the subject. “May I ask where you came from?”

Hendery pointed to the ocean, but Brittany just chuckled. “Very funny.”

He used his body language to insist that he was from the ocean, and by the look of sincerity on his face Brittany could tell that he wasn’t joking.

“Oh, are you a sailor?” she raised an eyebrow. Hendery shook his head.

He then took the book out of her hands, set it on one of the lounge chairs and had her follow him to the beach.

“Dude, where are we going?”

Once her toes were touching the edge of the shoreline, Hendery stripped his shirt and shorts off before instructing her, “Wait.” Before she could say anything, he was dashing to the water before Olympic-style diving into the ocean. An iridescent glow where Hendery dove nearly blinded Brittany for a second before he dolphin-jumped out of the water again. A flash of purple where his legs should be had sparkled in the sunlight.

Brittany couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

A merman? A real merman?

She shut her eyes and pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. When she opened them, Hendery was sitting there on the beach, staring at her with confusion on his face.

Brittany could see his tail much clearer now. It was scaly, and each one was a beautiful purple and gold monochrome that also turned black in some angles. They faded into skin where the bases of his hips were.

“There’s no way this is real right now,” Brittany chuckled. “I must have hit my head. I’m dreaming.”

Hendery shook his head, and whispered, “Real.”

If she had already pinched herself once, she did it again but without this man knowing.

When she accepted that she wasn’t dreaming, she knelt down and asked, ��May I touch them?”

Hendery had never been touched by a human much less any female creature. He hesitated a little, but he obliged. Taking her hand, he set to where he figured his shins would be.

“Gentle,” he begged.

“I will,” she promised.

Her fingertips carefully stroked his tail up and down, and the scales were smooth as a marble slab table with the exception of the gaps lining each one.

“Mermaids are real,” she whispered to herself.

“Yes,” Hendery replied.

Brittany faced him and promised, “I’ll keep it a secret if you want me to.”

“Please.”

“Okay. Can you turn human again? I can get you a towel to dry off with and something to eat if you’re hungry.”

Hendery nodded.

“I’ll be right back,” she said before rushing back into her house.

Lying there on his side, he watched as her slender legs carried her when she ran. Every inch of her was sketched into his brain: her flaming red hair, her eyes the color of the sea, and an hourglass figure like a mermaid’s. Hender was an observer, and as much as he watched her from afar some days, Brittany seemed like a kind person just from her actions. If she really was the most beautiful woman in the world to him, then it was definitely coming from her heart.

Brittany soon returned with a towel and his clothes that were abandoned on the beach, and he sat up a bit straighter. She helped him scoot away from the water to dry off properly. Hendery pat himself down, as he had done many times before with any absorbent cloth, and within a few seconds his tail split in a vertical line so delicately as clay being sliced in half with an invisible knife. His tail and scales melted into legs and feet, but Brittany quickly handed him his clothes before she saw too much.

“Thanks,” he smiled as she turned away to give him privacy as he dressed himself.

After Hendery was fully clothed, Brittany turned back around and asked him, “Would you like to come inside?”

“Inside?” he repeated.

“The house. I’m getting hungry, so I want to eat something for lunch.”

“Food?” Hendery’s eyes lit up as he smiled, showing off his sharp teeth.

Brittany nodded. She had heard of some merfolk having such sharp teeth, but her new friend’s teeth were like sharks. They nearly startled her as it was such a shock for her to see.

She breathed deeply to calm down. “What do you like?” she asked him as she guided him to her back porch.

“Fish.”

“Well, you’re in luck,” she smiled as she opened the door. “I’ve got plenty.”

Brittany’s house was the most beautiful thing Hendery had never seen in his life. It was all so clean and tidy with most of the furniture having a soft navy fabric on some of the human furniture. It was his first time inside of a human house, so he took in everything his eyes could see.

In the kitchen, there was a wooden table with six chairs, and a large kitchen island stood right in the center (he had seen human billboard ads kitchen ware of some place called “Home Depot”). Two metallic doors were built into one wall, and a sink was placed beneath a window. The cabinets were also a beautiful wooden, and Hendery was impressed at how clean Brittany kept it.

“Pretty,” he mumbled as he sat at the table.

“All I have is salmon,” Brittany interrupted his thoughts. “How do you like them? I just learned how to debone and prepare them.” She set out a wooden board on the island and placed three raw salmon fish on it.

Hendery looked at the fish for a few seconds before picking one up with his bare hands and chomping down on its head with his sharp teeth. He ripped the head off in the process, a few fish scales sprinkling onto the counter.

“That answers that question,” giggled Brittany. “Raw it is.”

As he ate, Brittany fixed herself a BLT sandwich and a glass of the remaining pink lemonade. She tore off a couple paper towels for her new friend and herself. Hendery raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“To clean off your hands and mouth,” she explained as she gave a small demonstration, and he nodded before continuing his lunch.

Brittany observed the way he was chowing down on the raw fish. It was as if he hadn’t eaten in a long time, and seeing how loosely the unbuttoned shirt hung on his body she could almost make out a couple of ribs poking out from his sides.

“Thanks,” Hendery said as he wiped his hands and mouth with the paper towel.

“You’re welcome,” she smiled. “Don’t worry about the scales. I’ll clean it up.”

Hendery nods. His eyes then casually wander around her house.

“It’s not much, but I like it.”

“Pretty,” the merman repeated himself from earlier, now poking at the faucet. He jumped when water automatically showered out.

Brittany chuckled as she tossed her empty plate into the sink. “You haven’t seen much of what humans do, have you?”

Hendery shook his head. “Little.”

“A little.” Brittany thought for a moment. She knew he couldn’t form full sentences, but she knew he was smart. Hendery was curious, and from the way he observed everything Brittany could tell he wanted to learn. A light bulb went off in her head.

“How about this?” she said. “I work in the mornings, but every afternoon you can come by and I’ll teach you how to read and talk.”

“Talk? Read?” Hendery’s eyes were lighting up. No human had ever offered to teach him to speak a language before. Sure, he understood hundreds of languages, but for whatever reason he lacked the ability to try to form a proper sentence. All he spoke to his friends were by different voice patterns and ocean soundwaves.

“Everything,” Brittany promised. “Just come knock on my back door and we’ll begin.”

Hendery nodded. Taking her hand in his, he pressed a gentle kiss to it. “Tomorrow?” he begged.

“Tomorrow.”

-

It was a Friday afternoon when Hendery began his reading and writing lessons with Brittany. She was an excellent teacher as her college degree was in elementary education, but she stuck with tutoring young children who needed phonics and spelling help in school. Hendery was no different from them in terms of learning the different phonics, vowels, and consonants. The first lesson was just the basics of the alphabet and what sound each one made. Flashcards with pictures and the letter, such as “M” for milk, were easy for Hendery to follow. The lessons did get harder with each lesson every day for about a month and a half, but Brittany taught him that practice and application are key in having the lessons stick in his brain. Of course, he got frustrated whenever he couldn’t get a syllable or pronounciation correct, but Brittany pushed him to do his best. Before long, Hendery was forming proper sentences to get his thoughts across to her.

“Okay, so as a final test,” Brittany concluded after their final lesson one Tuesday afternoon, “tell me about an adventure you’ve had in the ocean.”

“What story does Brittany want to hear?” Hendery asked. He had grown a habit of speaking in third person. Brittany had taught him first and third person point-of-view, but he liked speaking in third. She didn’t mind it a bit.

“Did you meet any other mermaids or mermen?”

Hendery shook his head as his smile dropped. “Hendery was abandoned when he was small.”

“What happened?” Brittany wasn’t expecting his answer to be so grim.

“He was too small and weak. His stomach couldn’t hold down anything his father gave him. Only fish.”

“Oh…” Her fingernails tapped on the table in a rhythm. “So, they just left you behind?”

He nodded again, but a grin came back to his face. “Hendery became friends with the sirens. They took him in, fed him, taught him to swim, hunt, and to communicate through sound.”

“Sirens?” Brittany repeated. “How many mythical creatures are out there that are real?”

“The Kraken is not real. The only octopus and squids that exist are only slightly taller than a human man.”

Brittany was now curious. She had only grown up hearing fairy tales about the mythological beings of the deep blue, but she always brushed them off as nothing more than stories. Now, that Hendery had entered into her life, she wanted to know which ones existed and which were hoaxes.

“Tell me more,” she begged as she pushed the notes for the lesson aside. “I want to know everything.”

“Is Brittany sure?” he teased. “There’s a lot of dangerous ones that could be harmful.”

“That’s what makes it exciting, and I know the perfect spot for us to talk.”

“Where?”

“Come with me,” she motioned with her finger, and Hendery followed her out the back door.

“But Hendery and Brittany have relaxed here already,” he whined.

Brittany giggled and took his hand. “Not here, silly. We have to walk and swim a little ways.”

Hendery got excited and held on to her hand tighter as she pulled him along. It was about a three minute walk before they came close to a pier stretching out in the ocean. The pier was nothing fancy, just a place where fishermen could come relax and catch a meal. Most of the time, it was empty mainly because it was a more isolated area. However, the two jumped into the water (Brittany had stripped her clothes off in the house, revealing a royal blue halter top bikini) and quietly swam underneath the bridge to avoid being noticed by two fishermen throwing their lines at the end of the pier.

Once they were far enough, the two of them crawled out of the water and onto the beach area. They decided to just naturally dry off in the sunshine, but it was a little chilly as the breeze kissed their skin.

“Hendery and the sun will keep you warm,” the merman offered, seemingly unbothered by the cool winds. Brittany just nodded in compliance and allowed him to wrap his arms around her waist as they sat down.

Leaning back against his chest, she immediately felt the warmth he gave off. Not only was the warmth nice and comfortable, but being held by her new friend likes this made her feel good inside. She could feel her cheeks turn as red as a firetruck, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted him to hold her forever, if he could. Hendery was discovering some new feelings for himself in that moment, and he knew deep down that he wanted to stay with his friend for as long as he lived.

“What does Brittany want to know?” Hendery asked, his voice cracking in shyness.

-

Tagging: @fantasywayv​ @ezralia-writes​ @queen-of-himbos​ @daybreakx​ @the32ndbeat​ @mafia-nct​ @philosopher-of-fandoms​ @neocitybyday​​  @dreamystuffers​ @jaekissd​ Let me know it you wanna be tagged or removed

[msfangirlgonewild]

Prescence (post-TROS fanfiction/Post Canon)

Before I’m posting on Archives, this is my first DamereyDaily2020 during pandemic week, and this is the second after Healing or ‘possibly the third’ series of ‘It's Like Poetry, Sort Of. They Rhymes.’

Pairing: Poe Dameron/Rey Skywalker

Word count: 4,650

Prompt: ’Two hearts and one home.’ Plus a bonus from late March ‘If You Lived to Be A Hundred’

Summary: Three months later...Poe had faith that his dauntless ally, his best friend, his ray of sunshine, his beloved Jedi...had returned for him.

Once the Death Star’s latest target and the site of the Rebel base during the final battle. Yavin 4 was a vast and most affluent planet of the Outer Rim Territories, and its large and sprawling tropical jungles teemed with an abundance of exotic beauty.

Following a long hyperspeed, T-70 X-wing Black One had reached Yavin 4. Similar to Ajan Kloss, this tropical moon planet was where Poe Dameron was born. He was glad, relieved to have finally returned from Coruscant and the third meeting of the Galactic Senate’s restoration.

Poe thought about the peace that had ensued after the war, and the friends that he had made along the way. He missed them so much out there, but it was time to come home, take a breath, and rejoin his father. Nonetheless, he was reflected on Finn and the journey with his fellow former stormtrooper Jannah, along with Rose Tico, Chewbacca and Lando Carlissian in search of their families. Larma D’Acy was now in the Senate’s seat while Beaumont Kim as her aide. Caluan Ematt had retired and returned to his home planet with his family. Kaydel Ko Connix had been promoted to Major and continued to serve in the military. And Jessika Pava, the fearless sole member of the Black Squadron was taking over Poe’s command.

He had visited some time with Maz Kanata at her restored castle at Takodana where she had her new cantina, and with Zorii Bliss and Babu Frik who were still running spices like in the days when Poe had worked them long ago. Zorii would keep in touch with him until if she needed hand otherwise.

The giant red planet was covered in clouds as Black One dropped from the atmosphere and flew over the grassy fields to landed perfectly just as near from his father’s homestead.

He pulled off his flight helmet and climbed down from the cockpit. As General Dameron’s temporary side droid while Beebee-Ate was away with Rey, Artoo-Detoo popped up from the astromech socket behind the cockpit, and maneuvered himself with his two small rockets to land slowly onto the ground. Finally, the droid and his maker-pilot were strolling toward the stable next to the farmhouse.

They walked past his mother’s A-wing interceptor, parked next to an old X-wing model, and Poe was suddenly curious. He looked towards the craft as Artoo was suddenly became excited with blipping and whistles.

Poe turned to the diminutive droid, as he arched his brow. “What?” he asked unexpectedly. “What do you mean—“

“Is that you, son?” His father shouted from the nearby stable while fixing his tractor. “And I could hear Artoo’s droidspeak.”

He nodded to himself. “Yeah, Dad,” he said, still focusing on the ship as Artoo rolled closer. “I’m home!”

“How’s my old mates at Coruscant?”

“Er...they all missed you,” he looked closer at the craft: one had the red stripe on two of its wings and on the body. It was sleek, like the T-70 X-wing or his original Black One that had been destroyed inside the Raddus’ hangar.

Poe abruptly realized that this was the T-65B starfighter, the one that Uncle Luke had piloted to destroy the first Death Star at Yavin 4, and then thirty three years later the same craft that had flown to Exegol with the guide of a Sith Wayfinder, with Poe along with Finn and the rest of the Resistance following its track.

Red Five––here? Poe thought. No kriffing way!

“They’re coming to visit you the next seasons,” added Poe, sighed in relief. “And they’ll bring some of that Corellian cognac that you wanted!”

“Sounds good, Poe!” Kes Dameron answered enthusiastically.

That’s Master Jedi-Luke’s X-wing and I recognize this ship, Maker-Poe, the droid beeped to Poe. And I think there is someone here?

“Who?” asked Poe.

“Oh, there’s a visitor for you, kid,” Kes added. “And she’s with our Beebee.”

“Really?” His heart leaped to find out Rey was already there.

“Of course, you Space Porg! Did you see that old X-wing she’s flying?” Kes chucked as Poe got annoyed at his ridiculous teasing. “She’s at our old place. Do invite with your Jedi friend for a dinner tonight.”

“Ah…no problem, Dad. And I’ll tell her!” Poe wore a satisfied grin as he turned to giddy Artoo. ”Will you take it easy, bud?”

Sorry, sir. Artoo beeped. Never can help it.

He shook himself as he walked and the droid followed. “You know what, you’re a lot more cheekier like Beebee-Ate.” he observed. “And a bit naive.”

Why thank you very much, Master-Poe. You have to add that I’m a stubborn little droid as well. Jedi Master-Luke calls me that, by the way.

“Ah, I almost forgot that.” he chuckled lightly as they move along the path through the woods where his new home was, where his family was, and where the Uneti tree was located. “Does Uncle Luke cross your mind?”

Yes, Master-Poe. We had a lot of adventures when I was with him from time to time. But I can’t say much about what happened after he had gone.

“I know, Artoo,” he sighed sadly.

Until a sound of jubilant beeps and chirps approached as a spherical looking droid followed by a tiny cone shaped, rolled towards Poe.

“Beebee-Ate! Welcome back!” Poe exclaimed, dropping to his knees. He rubbed the droid’s body back as Beebee’s dome head jiggled excitedly like a child has returned from a long trip. “I really missed you, Buddy?”

Same to you, Master-Poe! Beebee beeps and chirps happily. It’s good to be home! What’s up, Artoo and you’ve been spending time with him!

Incredibly much, Beebee-Ate. Artoo replied. Master-Poe is happy you’ve come back.

“And how d’you enjoy crossing the galaxy with your Jedi Mistress-Rey?” he asked with a smile at Beebee. “Have you stuck with her?”

Yes, sir. She’s been keeping my antenna straight in case I get into trouble. We’ve traveled around to all the places, especially Tatooine.

“You mean Luke’s old homestead?”

Yes, sir.

Dio rolled closer to Poe. “Welcome back, Master-Poe.” he said calmly. He had been living there permanently as Poe’s second familiar. “How was the Senate meeting at Coruscant?”

Poe groaned as he nuzzled the droid’s cone head like a house pet. “Lot’s of reconstruction and other headaches, Little Buddy.” he smiled lightly. “Thanks for asking.”

He brought himself back to his feet as he was looked in the direction where he was going. “Is she there?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.” Dio replied.

Jedi Mistress-Rey has been at the tree in about an hour, Master-Poe. Beebee beeped in reply.

“What’s she doing?” asked Poe, looking at Beebee.

Meditating. Beebee double-beeped.

Poe looked over in the direction of the tree. He took a deep breath, glad of see Rey again. They had shared intimately at the forest of Ajan Kloss during an evening celebration. And it felt rewarding to him, as it was so very uncommon.

“Why don’t you guys go with Artoo and charge yourselves alright?” he said at the two. “I just need to speak alone with her.”

Beebee and Dio responded in the affirmative as they joining with Artoo and proceeded to the charging area. Poe resumes up the path, which finally opened into a clearing where he could almost feel her presence.

The ancient Force-sensitive Uneti tree stood there near the lake and his family’s old home, remodeled now as his own. Like The Great Tree at Coruscant, colorful fan-shaped leaves of gold and brown were attached to the coiled branches and stems of the large, twisted trunk.

Then Poe saw  the enchanted tree, and near it a beautiful floating figure sat crossed-legged in the air with small boulders and rocks hovering slowly around her as the Force flowed through her. Her eyes were closed peacefully as she concentrated in a meditative trance that flowed between her and the tree.

Poe was silently impressed; he sat down on the grass, placing his flight helmet beside him. Then he stripped off his flight vest and placed it on top of the helmet as he watched the floating and reposed Rey. She had more beautiful since their first encounter on Crait where she had used her power to lift rocks. Looking at her now, Poe thought her once again of how she resembled an ancient Yavinesque goddess with her celestial objects surrounding her.  

He’d never fallen in love with any woman in the galaxy before he found her. He had wanted her from the beginning when they first met at the Falcon, and now he loved having her in his life. Time was specifically a good thing when it came to General Dameron, who was gladly reunited with the lone scavenger from Jakku, now a fiercely independent Jedi after the tides of galactic war.

And it was something that he had faith in the ideal of his dauntless ally, his space goddess, his ray of sunshine, his beguiling sweetheart, and his beloved Jedi. She had returned for him.

Then a minute later, Rey had finally completed her meditation. She lowered herself neatly on the ground as the rocks fell around her.

Poe stood up and walked to her. “Hey, Sunshine,” he said to her.

Rey was aware of the familiar voice as she slowly opened her eyes and blinked. “Hey, Flyboy,” she replied breathlessly with a bright smile.

Poe took a quick step forward as Rey approached him and then wrapped her arms around him. At once all his aching memories of three unbearable months had finally lifted, and his eyes closed in bliss that as was back in his beloved Jedi’s arms. He tightened his hold around her waist and leaned against her chest as he inhaled the scent of her.

"I missed you,” she sighed softly.

“Same to you,” he murmured, his face buried in the crook between her neck and shoulder. “I’m surprised that you’re here.”

“Oh, I know. That’s why I came to see you, Poe,” she sniffed. “It’s been a long time since I was away.”

“I was worried while you were still out there.”

“More than your Force-sensitivity of tracking me?”

“Indubitably.” Poe lifted his head, raising his brows in a cocky manner and looked at her teary eyes. “I don’t want to spoil it too much, and it takes time,” he said meticulously, wiping her tears with his thumb.

“To be sure,” assured Rey.

He chuckled as his eyes mirroring hers while he stood in silence. It had been months since he and Rey had parted after leaving Ajan Kloss. There had been a lot of opportunities in their separate ways during the restoration of the New Republic, and some perks.

And he could see the truth in her eyes. Rey had missed him all these months since their fight against the Final Order, Emperor Palpatine, and his Sith Eternal, and she had come back to see him once again.

After disowning herself her Palpatine bloodline and adopting the Skywalker’s surname, Rey had made plans for the restoration and reorganization of the New Jedi Order––or maybe a search for the kybel crystal to build her own lightsaber from the parts of her staff.

She had returned to see Poe after her final trip to Tatooine. And either way, Poe was happy that Rey had come.

He began to move closer again until Rey spoke. “I hope you’re surprised I’m here with Beebee-Ate,” she noted. “He missed you.”

“Did he?”

She nodded slowly. “Uh-huh.”

“That’s my buddy,” he shrugged his shoulders with a sardonic grin as they gently pulled away. “And you’ve been flying Uncle Luke’s Red Five. What happened to your Falcon?”

“Lando asked me to borrow it for a while with Chewie,” she answered. “He told me the whole story about how his ship before he was beaten by Han in a card game.”

“That’s him, alright. He’ll never change a bit,” he sighed with a scoff, scratching the back of his head. “Are you going to stay for a while?”

“If you want me to,” she assured playfully, “then, I’m staying.”

“Good, I’m glad you’re welcome here, and you can stay as long as you like,” he said with a smirk. “Also, my Dad made some dinner for us tonight.”

“That’s sound’s wonderful,” she said in an optimistically.

Poe led her on a simple tour of the Force-sensitive tree. Despite growing up in the desert, Rey had already visited so many greens planets in the galaxy like Takodana and Ajan Kloss. But she was amazed at the exotic fields of Yavin 4 with its fresh breezes blowing through the Massassi trees, the scented fresh fruits of Koyo trees that Kes had planted, the bioluminescence of fresh flowers and lush green grasses, and the gleams of the late afternoon sun on the crystal-clear lake that shone with a lustrous and rare beauty.

As they strolled around under the tree in conversation, Rey noticed the renovated house nearby. “I can see the new home that you’ve to built over there. Is that the house where your parents lived?”

“Yup, I’m still restoring it,” he answered, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his fight uniform.

“Perhaps you need a hand. I’ve fixed a lot of stuff besides ships,” Rey glanced at him. “How about it, General Dameron?”

“Why not, Jedi Mistress Skywalker.” he was amused at the tone of her new surname. “A carpenter would be nicer to have around than a scavenger, a mechanic, or even a Jedi. But you only have a new lightsaber rather than a laser saw. Or maybe the Force would do–”

Instinctively, Rey quickly slapped his arm while Poe laughed with a cocky humor as they strolled. She ignored him as she is looked up to watch the gentle breeze moves through the branches of the Force-sensitive Uneti tree.

“Your father showed me this tree, and I can’t believe it’s so beautiful and mythical,” she said. “But it much seems so huge and different, unlike the one at Ahch-To.”

“It’s pretty awesome, huh? And it’s matured and more than I expected.” He walked to the trunk, but did not get close. “My mom helped Uncle Luke to cut two clippings a long time ago. So he gave her one as a thank you present.”

“So Luke has the other one at Ahch-To,” Poe continued. “and you’ve said there was a library underneath the trunk of the tree where the sacred Jedi texts kept.”

“That’s right, Poe.” she answered. “I returned the day on exile as when I saw the tree, it was burned down.”

Later, she stopped as Poe kept strolling. “Have you ever touched the tree?”

“Huh?” he blinked as he halted and turned back toward her.

“Did you?” she asked curiously.

“When I was thirteen, I was supposed to be close to the tree, but I’m afraid that was because I was being sensitive about staying away.” Then he swiftly glanced at her. “Later, I did at this point that I sat under the tree, and when I did, I felt the inside of me for the first time while I was napping.”

“Was it scary?” she asked.

Poe moved shyly away from her. “Nope, it’s childish. But sentimental.”

“Can you tell me, Poe?” Rey giggled, teasing him. “Come on.”

He turned back toward her again and looked down at the necklace that held his mother’s wedding ring around Rey’s neck. His expression was earnest as he moved towards her, and his fingers fiddling with the ring.

He took a patient breath and began. “I can only I remember what I felt about my mother and me. She was very close to me when I was a little boy. She would take me outside at night when my father was fast asleep. We went to the lake near the growing Force tree, we’d lie down on the grass and stared at the night sky.” Poe released the ring from his hand as he looked up at the afternoon sky. “Once, she pointed to the brightest star –– Caeli, the Bird Star of the galaxy. And it was a good sign; my mother promised me that I’d become the best pilot when I grew up, just like her.”

Poe missed his mom so much when he was with her. She had taught him advising and caring across the galaxy and over until he found himself in a place where the eyes of Shara Bey could not reach him.

“That was very touching, Poe,” she observed. “You missed your mom a lot?”

He sighed as he looked down at the surface roots between his feet, and he felt something like life, a presence, like the air through him. He cocked his head at her. “What about you, Sunshine?”

“What?” she puzzled.

“Have you touched or meditated through the tree?” he asked simply.

She took her breath with ease. “I felt it,” she replied with a simple nod.

“Was it scary or something?”

She shuddered slightly as Poe moved at her.  “Hey, it’s alright I’m here with you.” he reassured her.

“It’s like a magnet pulling me, Poe,” she answered, and her eyes rose and met his. “It’s not scary. It replenishes me inside––the Force––through the way of the world, through my parents, Han, Luke and Leia, and Ben. I had cherished them as my faithfully as long as I wished for them. They’re in peace now, and I shall never regret it. The bond between Ben and me has been reconciled and purpose. I was very fond of him and remember him as a friend rather than an adversary. I embraced him with gratitude when he brought me back to life after I was defeated Palpatine and the Sith.”

Poe moved closer to her, brought her hand to his lips and softly kissed her knuckle. “Finn and I thought that you were gone there at Exegol.” he murmured with his breath hitched. “I…I’m––“

“I know, Poe,” she answered softly in a brittle tone. “But I live.”

He watched her in silence for a while, and before he could kiss Rey began to talk about something else.

“I was there in Coruscant,” she said. “At the service.”

He understood. He hadn’t seen her at the Monument Plaza during the service. “Finn told me that you’d left early,” he said.

“I wish I could’ve stayed for a while, but I had something to settle.” she nodded slowly. “That was a good speech, Poe. It was very...”

“Solacing,” he admits, cutting off Rey’s sentence.

Rey clasped both hands. “I’m sorry.”

He heaved a sigh and swallowed, looking more comforted than grieving. “I know, sweetheart. I don’t want to affect myself of having an ordeal like this. I miss everyone, especially Snap and Aunt Leia.”

She bowed her head sadly. “I understand.”

“Leia was your master after Uncle Luke, Rey,” he said.

“Yes,” she said calmly. “Master Leia taught me everything while I was at Ajan Kloss. She watched me what I’m doing, and it was with a patience between peace and calm. She told me about all the moments she treasure with Luke as he taught her every day. I miss her, and especially Master Luke, Poe.”

Rey recollected the motherly relationship with the master who trained her apprentice to refocus and free her mind from fear through the Force. She understood entirely that patience was the key of the Force.

Poe walked and stood beside her as he gazed at the fields. “Before we left on a mission in search of the Wayfinder, Leia said she was passing her torch to me to bring the Final Order down. And while I was at Exegol that I nearly failed or retreated, until the spark which had become a fire finally arrived with Lando and the entire fleet from the whole galaxy. They had done it, and Leia was right about what she’d said about new hope. I believe in her, Rey.”

Then a single tear fell from his eye, and he wiped it away. “Anyway, that was then before the war was over and it was time to move on. But i’m here now with my dad to start a new life, right from the start.”

He took a breath like he’s relaxed from bereavement as he runs his hand through his hair. “So, um…how’s Tatooine?” he asked. “Beebee-Ate told me.”

“Hot during the day, and cold at night,” she said, walking over and staring out at the lake as she felt the gentle wind behind her. “It looks fairly different than Jakku. And it’s not to be lightly traveled, that desert planet.”

“Did you find what you’ve looking for at Uncle Luke’s place?” he asked, watching the most beautiful Jedi he had ever seen standing on the very edge of the lake.

After exploring across the galaxy, and revisiting Ahch-To, her final stop had been the Lars homestead in the Great Chott flat on Tatooine. The moisture farm had remained abandoned, it was there where she buried Anakin and Leia's lightsabers. She stayed there for a while in peace and tranquility, staring at the striking blue and gold sunrise of the twin suns.

“Nothing special,” answered Rey after took a long breath. She picked up a small stone and threw and skipped it across the water. “But, there’s one who came and visited me before I left.”

“Luke?”

“No, it was Leia,” she said, turning her back to him. “She told me everything about Ben, about the pain he’d suffered, that there was still good inside of him, and she could feel it before she died.”

After a moment, Poe sighed as Rey went on. “Leia told me about you, Poe. Not so feisty as you’d think since when you were with her.”

“Oh, please,” he said like he’s was fooling around. “What was our second mom saying?”

“She wanted to know how you felt to be without guidance. Your instinct as a leader was genuinely unsurpassable, and it was such a difficult situation with what you did out there. She was pleased with you, Poe.”

Poe missed having Aunt Leia by his side during the war after Shara’s passing. He was just amazed by the miracles in the galaxy.

“When if she comes as a ghost to see you,” said Poe with a light smile. “tell her to say thank you, will you?”

“There’s more,” she said, this time sincerely. “Leia told me that I was her last wish for you—it’s because I’m your gift, Poe. I hadn’t noticed this before we met––”

Poe moved closer to her and felt the way her body relaxed against his. He placed his finger gently on her lips to silence her. “Enough, sweetheart. You’ve talked too much, and I know the exact words that she said to me.”

“Oh, there is something else,” she added with a sigh, leaning her forehead to his, and held her hands on his chest, clutching her fingers against the fabric of Poe’s flight uniform. “While I was still meditating with the tree, and I felt a presence that was unforgettable.”

They stood looking at each other in serenity and longing as the sunlight gleamed on the surface of the Yavinesque lake around them.

“It’s about us, Poe.” she whispered as her breath hitches. She closed her eyes like she was praying.

His heartbeat skipped a beat, and his eyes blinked as though he couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Tell me,” he murmured, as his eyes closed with hers.

“I remember at Crait when you were bewildering me while I used the Force to lift rocks and help you, Finn, and the rest of the Resistance to escape. Then we met at the Falcon, and as we shared about our pain by Ben and then Snoke, we were truly connected. Then we bickered with each other like feral Loth-cats about the Falcon being on fire because of your habit on lightspeed skipping,” Poe snorted at that as Rey lightly chuckled before continuing. “We fought alongside with Finn against the First Order from time to time. And while on a mission, you protected me that I fought my Palpatine bloodline against turning to the Dark Lord’s throne and falling to the Dark Side. And when I was ready for heading to Exegol to face my grandfather, were still arguing that I didn’t need you to safeguard or watch over me anymore. But you  still protected me because you were deeply in love from the beginning without telling me.”

And Poe moved to hold her gently, then ran his hands smoothly along her arms and between her neck and her face. His head moved up as his lips brushed softly against her forehead. Rey flutters her eyes blissfully as she let her saying the words to flow. He whispered with kisses, from one of her eyelids to her cheek, and then that close to her mouth. Rey sighed with bliss and felt the feathery touch of his breath against her skin.

She went on: “Then the other day during the victory celebration, the night we shared each other in the deep of the forest when we made love...as the Force enlivened inside of our deepest emotions we shared, and preserved this moment forever. And when we left Ajan Kloss at dawn in our separate ways, I felt that my presence was inside still  in your heart and soul, and that you would be waiting for me when I returned from across the galaxy. And now…” she paused for a second with her eyes opened, and Poe instantly stopped kissing her while his eyes stared lovingly at hers. “Poe?”

“What?” he asked, his expression beguiling.

“Why did you stop?” she asked, begging him to continue in his dawdling manner.

“Why did you stop,” he asked. “I wouldn’t know until you allow me to say so.”

Her breath hitched, then she choked up like she was almost crying, and they were both quiet for a moment until her face rested on his shoulder and Poe moved his hand to gently fondle her head.

“I came for you, Poe,” she declared softly at last with her eyes closed. “And I’m here…right here.”

He smiled peacefully, pressing his lips against the crown of her head. “Well, you’re here right now, my Lady Jedi,” he replies. “And I love you.”

With hindsight, she took his hand from her head and placed it gently on her abdomen.

Poe‘s eyes were stunned and surprised, and his mouth parted in wonder. Rey cocked her head to face him and smiled at him.

“No way,” he stammered, furrowing his brows. “Rey, you’re––”

“Does it surprise you, General?”

As their heartbeats touched each other’s chest, Poe’s permission was written into the desperation of with which his mouth met hers, something like a sense of contentment that he shared with her. He wanted more than anything is to be with her eternally.

Two hearts and one home. Poe discerned in thought.

“So you’re staying with me, Rey,” Poe said as his eyes gleamed and smirked. “And if you live to be a hundred?”

Rey laughed joyfully. Tears flowed down on her cheeks, and he gently wiped them away with his thumb. “I hope to live to be a hundred minus a day.” she sniffed in jest.

He chuckled thoughtfully with one brow widened. He nodded and caressed Rey’s face as she looked at him. “So that I never have to live a day without you.”

She leaned her forehead against his. The Force inspirited their emotions because of love, and the heart of the galaxy was forever changed.

“I love you, Space Porg.” she murmured.

Instead of calling her ‘Desert Rat,’ he decided to call her from now on.

“I know, Buttercup,” he answers softly, pulling her gently and returning his lips to hers. “I know.”

[ritamordio19]

A Court of Steel and Fire (3/?)

Summary: Post-ACOFAS. My take on Nesta’s banishment to the Illyrian camps with Cassian and her corresponding recovery process.

Alternatively, a reminder that hardened steel doesn’t melt easily. ~~ All the characters/locations are owned by Sarah J. Maas :).

Chapter 1 Here

Chapter 2 Here

AO3 Link Here

~~

Cassian hesitated at the entrance of her room, still questioning last night’s decision to have her accompany him on his rounds throughout the campsite.  Her reactions were still unstable, and the fact she hadn’t been ready to go right at 5, despite his note, should have made him decide to abandon his plan altogether and make his rounds himself, if only to avoid the inevitable conflict between her and the Illyrian warriors.  The operative phrase was, of course, “should have,” as he knew what that decision would mean on a deeper level, that abandonment of hope that she might find herself again, that willingness to give up on her that he couldn’t allow himself to accept.  So he raised his fist to the door all the same, ready to knock.

He needn’t have bothered; the door swung open hard enough that he had to dodge to his left to avoid being crashed into.  His resulting, exhausted glare was met with those familiar steel eyes staring him down, before Nesta Archeron dismissed him outright on her warpath through the living room, calling behind her and waving her arm.  “If you have all this time to waste in front of my door, I don’t see why I had to be ready promptly at 5.”

“My days are long here, and it’s the only way to guarantee sunlight for most of them.  Not that you’ll last more than a few hours in that state.”  For she was still in her clothes from the previous day, eyes dark and hair unkempt.  He doubted she’d slept a minute the night before.

“And what state would that be exactly?”  She turned on her heels at the entrance, staring him down.  “I wasn’t aware I had to meet your grooming standards.”

He growled in annoyance, closing the distance between the two of them, her gaze locked firmly on his the entire time.  “That state would mean being able to stand up for more than an hour without passing out from exhaustion; I feel that’s a fair bare minimum to ask for.  Go out naked for all I care about your grooming standards.”

“Maybe I will.”  Her retort came as he passed her on the way out of their cottage, and her eyes met his again in challenge, stopping him in his tracks with her endeavor to bring this to an accustomed fight, one where she could argue from their past, where she could use his jealousy to misrepresent his motives, to get out of the day’s tasks.  So he didn’t bite, despite the roar of familiar feeling that flared in his core, instead exhaling his retort into air as he tossed her a spare coat from the foyer closet and reached for the front door handle.

“Then I fear for the Illyrian who would be the first to leer; his torture would be an example to many.”

The biting cold that struck him as he passed through the wards blanketing the cottage spared him the process of wondering which of the two of them would be responsible for that consequence.

“I’m surprised you deigned an appearance today, with the hatred you seem to harbor for this place.”

Nesta flashed a poisonous simper in Cassian’s direction at his opening barb.  Three hours. It had taken Nesta only three hours to get under the skin of Prythian’s most cunning and powerful warrior, she noted internally to no small amount of debased satisfaction.  Sure, she had interjected the cold comment here or there, but it was her silence, the power in following him but ignoring him, that was ultimately her greatest weapon.  She had watched as it ate and ate away at his resolve, until her desired scene had reared its head at the edge of camp, far away from prying ears after his morning inspections of the training rings, where she could make her finishing blow and end this day early.

“I wasn’t aware there was much of a choice.”  She kept her body angled away from his, but glanced ever so slightly toward him, barely locking eyes before continuing.  “Besides, why shouldn’t everyone hate this place?  Your men are despicable, your women near-desolate.” She swept her arm across the campsite.  “If you ask me, I don’t see much difference between Hybern and here.”  

The words hung in the air, a blow to his gut as powerful as any her powers could summon.  It would be a lie to say the predictable blanching of his face didn’t revolt her to her core, that the pursing of his lips didn’t cause an instinctual, subtle aversion of her gaze, but he couldn’t be a part of her life anymore.  Telling him that to his face hadn’t worked; avoiding him hadn’t worked. So if the only way for him to learn that was for her to strike low, to assault the very core of his identity, then she would do so; she would make the point clear that it was not his job to push her forward.  After letting a few moments of stunned silence pass between them, she waved him off and turned on her heels, striking again before he could recover.  “I’m heading back to the cottage.”

“Where do you want me to take you?”

She hadn’t expected the reply, having known the emotional effects her words would exact, but she masked her surprise with her continued stride.  “I,” she spoke curtly, “don’t need you to take me anywhere.  My legs work perfectly fine.”

His pace sounded quickly behind hers, and she spun on him before he could cut in front of her.  She opened her mouth to speak again, but he was faster.  “No.  Not here.  Not this camp.”  He matched her respondent daggered glare and pressed further.  “Where do you want me to take you?”

She let the words settle in, her chin risen in defiance at his persistence, before dismissing him abruptly and turning to walk away again.  This time, he succeeded at blocking her path, and she turned wildly to him in incredulous anger.  “And where,” she seethed, “could I possibly choose?  This is your world, and mine doesn’t want me anymore.”  She pushed him aside, grateful for his final lack of resistance as he drifted to the side. “Just leave me alone.”  His hand grasped at hers desperately, but softly; she pulled sharply away and continued to storm off.

“I know how you really feel.”

That was her final straw.  Her insults aside, their dysfunction aside, that was not to be discussed, and he knew it.  For him to break their code, after all this time...even with their fights, it was inexcusable.  Cheeks reddening, Nesta halted in her tracks. “I. don’t. care.”  She laughed grimly as she wheeled on him, hands and eyes darkening in black and crimson flares she carefully wove around her body.  “Do you think I’m scared of this?”  She took a step toward him, amplifying the effect further and darkening her laugh.  “Do you think I can’t handle this?  Do you think I need you to help with any of this?”

He studied her slowly, his stance unchanged.  “No.”  He took a step toward her, but paused as she increased her flames even more.  He crossed his arms nonchalantly in response.  “But you can’t make me hate you.”

She met his unimpressed stare for a few seconds, black fire licking at the air around her, before cooling off her flames in quiet irritation at the lack of impact.  “Find someone else to torment, Cassian.” She turned away from him again, and shot back a line of black fire at the briefest sound of his movement.  “NO.”  This time, as she disappeared within the canopy of the surrounding forest, his presence did not follow her.

Nesta knew she’d made a massive mistake the moment she'd summoned that abhorrent power.  That eye had appeared – that eye that opened from deep within her, that called to her from far away.  She’d immediately changed her cabin plans, bolting for the woods in case it decided to pay another visit to her location, but she began to wonder if that had been an error as well, with the sensation of its eye opening wider the deeper within the forest she dove and the sense of foreboding filling her further and further, regardless of what change of direction she cut.

She’d lost her cool with him; she’d worked so hard for months to stay disconnected enough, drugged and sexed enough, unfeeling enough to prevent this very reoccurrence, only to have it dashed with a single, vexing sentence from him.  And now this feeling, her magic boiling over, filling her past the brims of her body...she collapsed to her knees as she broke into an open pasture and screamed, slamming layer after layer of her power into any and every inanimate object she found and turning several large boulders into elemental mist that swirled around her.  Tears swirled down her face as she collected her power as strongly as she could, dissipating it around her in a spherical structure to drain the overflowing energy from her body. Her hands bristled as the leaves and grass beneath her turned to ash, a perfect circle of blackened death surrounding her.  A metaphor for her life, she noted solemnly to herself.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?”

She shot to her feet, uneasy, at the clipped voice to her left.  The elemental mist floating around her from the boulders began to spiral in a tight oval a few meters away, before settling slowly into an undeniably male shape.  The figure, a mass of sparkling dots, jokingly marveled at his limbs before settling into a mock bow. Nesta threw black fire at him the moment his head dipped, only for the flames to pass right through him, hitting a tree on the other side of their clearing and slowly spreading those black veins through its healthy bark.  The figure chuckled at the sound of the tree collapsing under the disintegration of its trunk, before he straightened once more.

“Did you hope to use my own power against me?  Surely you understand you cannot kill me like that–” He raised his arm, and ashes from the ground shaped into black daggers and flew directly at her body. Nesta rolled to the side in anticipation, only for the ashes to divert course immediately.  She covered her head, then raised it when the expected pain did not arrive.  “–just as I cannot kill you with mine.”  And indeed, the ashes swirled through and around Nesta’s body as if she were air, piercing no skin and causing no pain.

“Leave me alone.”  She crawled back slowly onto her feet, giving the man a death stare.  “You can have the power back for all I care.”

“Oh?” The elements swirling around the man quickly flew into the air, before reappearing right before her, the figure’s head leaning toward hers; it was an effort for her to maintain her ground, stance, and glare.  “But you see, I’ve had time to think since your last...adventure with my powers.  It would be quite troublesome to find a way to kill you, what with us sharing the same carbon-based source of power.”  He shifted rapidly to her left, her eyes moving to match.  “And believe me that I would have to kill you, for certainly Beron would’ve taken his power back from your sister already as well otherwise, would he have not?”

Her lips pursed in anger.  “Don’t talk about her.”

“Why not?”  The man dissipated again, and the elements swirled around, kicking the ashen leaves up in an orchestra that sounded chillingly like laughter.  “She’s not the sister you truly care about, after all.  Besides--”  His body reassembled a few feet further away.  “--neither of us can do much about the other’s existence, so perhaps you should hear me out, after all.  I need a favor from--”

“No.” Her deadpan reply caused the elemental man to swirl three times as large, towering over her as he shone brightly.

“You don’t have much of a choice, Nesta.  You think today was bad?  I may not be able to physically harm you, but I can make every ounce of your power feel like blades cutting into your skin from inside; I can make your blood burn as if molten lava itself courses through your veins.  Hm? How long do you think you’ll be able to escape from me through drugs this time, Nesta, before I can latch on again, before you’re forced to endure me again?”  The form shrunk down to its previous size and moved as if brushing off its collar, sending bright sparks in the air.  “Oh dear, you’ve made me lose my temper.  Again.”  Its eyes narrowed.  “So perhaps we can come to an arrangement, being that you possess my stolen power and yet, ironically, pose to be quite valuable to me alive after all.  I’ve had quite a lot of time to think about this, after all, in the year that you’ve laid waste to the body I so graciously gifted you.  So, what do you say?  Do one simple task for me, and I can ensure you will never be bothered by my power again, forever living dormant in your body.”  He tilted his head expectantly.

“I don’t even know...what you’re asking for.”  She grunted out the words, as the previous, rapid usage of her powers finally began catching up to her.

“But you will, when it matters.”  The figure appeared inches in front of her again.  “Trust me.”  The flickering lights in the man’s face tilted upwards in what Nesta chillingly realized was supposed to be a smile, then the figure shrugged.  “And I assure you that I will be dropping by again to check in on you.”

“I’d rather die than hel--”  Nesta screamed as electric current flowed through her body, collapsing to the ground and clutching at her skin. Just as suddenly as it came on, it ended, and sure enough, she found her body completely unharmed, although she lay panting in her field of blackened leaves.  She gave a vulgar gesture to the figure, earning another scream from a second blast of current.

“We are connected, Nesta.  Neither you nor I can break that, whether we want to or not.  I am as much a part of you as you are of me. Though...perhaps it is beneficial that I can’t harm you.” The figure cupped her chin with his glowing hand, before passing it harmlessly through her skull.  “After all, my deal wouldn’t be nearly as incentivizing for either of us if I could.”  He paused in a mocking posture of contemplation, then stood up and began walking away.  “Either way, I’ll wait here with you for awhile while you think about what I’ve said; what you stand to gain...or lose...from your choice.  There’s not much--”

The figure paused and glanced up as a swift gust of wind flurried through the clearing and kicked up the ashen floor, and Nesta seized on its distraction, pulling out the Illyrian blade she’d hidden from her ankle and thrusting it upward.  It barely grazed skin before a force barreled into her from the side, and she quickly found her head pinned to the forest floor as she heard the quiet clanks of the knife bouncing away from her.  Her instincts, against good wisdom, tried summoning her power in protest, but it was as if she were mortal again, her core empty of force.

“Binding amulet.”  The gruff, unmistakable, condescending voice of Devlon sent adrenaline coursing through her veins, and she struggled and bit at him until he lifted off her.  “As much as I’d love to kill you for what you did to me--” She gasped as he turned toward her, his face intermittent with large spots of rotten flesh, twin amulets at each of their necks growing brightly.  “--I don’t feel like dealing with Cassian.  And speaking of which, the next time you try that--” He gestured at the knife laying a few feet away. “--try not to scream, would you?  Prevents me from looking away.”  

She glared at him, but her retort died in another powerful gust of wind as Cassian abruptly landed a few feet away, scattering a wide arc of ash.  Devlon held up his hand at Cassian, the latter Illyrian’s face red from more than just exertion.

“Relax, General.  Her scream wasn’t from me.”  He pointed at the knife on the ground.  “Your little witch here tried to take her own life.  I was merely intervening on your behalf.”  He shrugged as he flexed his wings in preparation for departure.  “I assume you can manage her from here.”  A quick smirk followed from Devlon before he continued.  “We can discuss my payment later.”

Nesta glared at Devlon, though she wouldn’t deny her true motive in avoiding Cassian’s eyes.  Not that she needed to look to know what she’d see.  She heard his voice distantly.  “And her shoulder?” She blinked as she checked both shoulders, finding her right one sticking out at a sickly angle.  She gently touched it, feeling no pain.

“Couldn’t help it; had to make a hard tackle.”  He gestured vaguely toward her. “She’ll be a mess to deal with when her amulet’s power wears off shortly. Unfortunately, hers barely has any magic left; I had to save our stronger ones for our soldiers, after the war you put them through.”  He stared down Cassian for a long span before taking off, blasting the ashen floor in her face in a move she knew was intentional.

She didn’t have much time to dwell on his patronizing departure, however.  True to Devlon’s words, the amulet’s glow almost immediately died, and she stifled a yell as she collapsed, her shoulder beginning to burn with hot fire.  She felt Cassian’s hands around her arms, and she tried to shove him off with her left palm, earning a muted, but exasperated, grunt.

“For Gods’ sake, Nesta, let me do one thing. Please.” His eyes tore into hers, and only the agony she saw piercing back at her caused her to relent, reluctantly allowing him access to her arms as she scanned the pasture, noticing the elemental man had disappeared as she had assumed.  And as she bit her tongue down to keep the yelps and curses down when Cassian shoved her shoulder back into place, tasting the coppery tang of blood as her eyes watered from the blistering pain, she realized how restricted her life might become in the coming weeks.

And how unbelievably screwed they both were as a result.

~~

Author's Note

I apologize for the [very long] delay!! I know 18 months is a long time to restart updating a fanfiction, so I hope it reads continuous for everyone. As always, comments and critiques are appreciated. I hope everyone enjoys, and thank you for reading!

[fableweaver]

Arc of the Little Saint

Demi sat in the most luxurious room she had ever seen, finely woven rugs, silk curtains, intricate wicker work over the windows, and furniture of rose and cherry wood filled the room. The scents of sandalwood incense and jasmine perfume filled the room, the sound of a fountain outside in the gardens adding the music of water. Demi sat at a table spread with a fine meal of goat roasted and stuffed with almonds and plums, pilaf, rice cakes, and fresh peaches and oranges.

Across from her, peeling an orange was the king. Akeem had come to see her every day since claiming her ten days ago, each day with a present. He had started with jewels and gold, then moved on to perfumes and oils, all the finest goods Xin had to offer. Then he had tried imported goods, Lirian jade and silk, Daunish porcelain, and even a wood box from Alda. Demi had turned her nose up at each one.

She hardly touched the food, only eating bread or plain rice. Akeem ate as he pleased, picking at the food as he occasionally glanced at her. If their eyes met he would look away at once, a blush spreading over his cheeks. Demi did not need to be told the boy liked her. He finished his food and rang a little brass bell he carried, and servants hurried in to clear the table. All the servants were either women or eunuchs here in the heart of Akeem’s harem.  

“You must eat more, you are getting thin,” Akeem said once the meal was cleared away. Demi did not answer; she had not even said a word to him after they had met. She had not told him her story or her quest, though he had asked her to tell him the story. Akeem sighed and rang his bell again.

A servant came in with her day’s gift, setting it on the table and quickly leaving. The object was covered with a silk draping, but Akeem pulled it aside. A brass birdcage sat on the table, the bars intricately woven in a spherical shape in a work of art on its own. Inside was a beautiful hummingbird with purple feathers that gleamed like jewels.

“It’s very rare,” Akeem said proudly. Demi didn’t have the heart to tell him a bird like this was common in certain places, the Oasis of Hamil had plenty of them. “She is from a rare island off the coast.” It was a male hummingbird if its plumage was colored and Demi doubted it was from an island. “I bet she has a wonderful voice.” Hummingbirds could not sing.

Akeem opened the cage carefully as if afraid the little bird would fly out suddenly. He reached in; trying to grab it, but the bird flitted about on swift wings that could barely be seen they moved so fast. Demi sighed and put her hand on Akeem’s arm. He withdrew, watching her as she reached into the cage. The hummingbird hovered around before at last alighting on her finger.

Demi withdrew her hand, Akeem watching with a smile on his face. Demi stood and went to the window, pushing aside the wicker shutter and held out her hand. The hummingbird took flight out into the garden, a tiny purple comet that disappeared into the green foliage. Demi turned and sat down again Akeem gaped at her.

“Do you have any idea how much that bird cost?” Akeem said outraged. Demi looked back at him calmly as if she did not care. Akeem scowled at her and stood. “Fine have it your way, see if I come with gifts again.”

He stormed out both of them knowing he would be back tomorrow with another feast of a meal and a new gift for her. Demi waited until she was sure he was gone and stood to leave, going out through the gardens. The palace was much more extensive than Demi could have imagined, a whole inner complex dedicated to the women of the King’s harem.

These women were his sisters and mothers, aunts and cousins. Any woman close to the king in blood was kept here safe if she had no other family to protect her. His cousins were even sent here to be kept safe. As soon as Akeem married his first wife, he could take in more wives to please him, these lesser to the first wife but still granted safety and luxury. As it was Akeem only had one prospective wife and that was Demi.

She walked through gardens as lush as any jungle, but trimmed and clean of any leaves or dead foliage. The eunuchs of the harem kept the gardens clean and tended to the animals here. As Demi walked, she passed tame gazelles, impala, and peacocks, all watching her go uninterested as she had no food for them. She passed ponds and pools with gurgling fountains or giant water lilies floating on their surfaces. Frogs sang from the water and giant koi fish swam under the surface of the water. Lizards and iguanas scurried around in the trees or sunned themselves out on rocks. Parrots and birds of paradise sang from the branches of the great trees, and a few tame monkeys leapt about among the branches.

Demi even passed a walled area of the garden where a tiger was kept as a pet to the king, the beast lounging in a pool lazily as she walked by. Another walled area held a pool with a crocodile in the water, lazing out on the white sand in the sun. She didn’t feel sorry for these animals, they were petted and pampered here; feed until they were fat and content. To an animal there was no concept of freedom, they lived lives of instinct and desire and as long as those were fulfilled, they were content.

The gardens were large and expansive; Demi had yet to fully explore them. There were hidden gazeboes and other buildings in the foliage. White beaches could be found in some places where the lake was permitted into the walls. There were grand towers that let one up to look over the gardens.

It seemed like the only thing the palace was missing was a view. Even from those spires Demi found she couldn’t see over the palace walls or the distance of the lake to see the city below. She knew it was there, but Demi felt like she was suddenly isolated in a world of luxury.

She walked in a large circle through the gardens, dragging her feet to return to the harem after her meeting with the king. Eventually Sol drove her indoors; even the shade of the trees could not protect her entirely from Sol’s wrath. There were many buildings to the palace; it was much more expansive than Demi had dreamed. The palace she walked into was the main building for all the women of the harem. Wide halls decorated with mosaics of tiles and giant vases filled with water, built to let air blow through and cool the inside.

Demi walked through the wide halls, curtains blowing around over open doors and giving glimpses of women lounging about divans or pools. The women were all beautiful; those who were not became servants. Their only duty was to look beautiful; Demi learned that none of the women here ever had to do anything other than sit around like cats lounging in the sun. She walked past many rooms full of women chattering and sitting around doing nothing but talk. Demi found it utterly boring, but at this time of day she had to go indoors.

There were women here other than Xinians as well. Some Regarian women with golden hair and pale skin, or Lirian women with silk black hair and olive skin, had been sent to the harem as gifts to the king from foreign lords. Demi heard rumors there was a mage here sent as one of the late king’s wives. She had failed to produce any heirs, but she still cast magic spells for the king. Demi had not seen this mage; she had remained hidden in her own private bungalow in the harem.

She went to the heart of the harem, a grand hall decorated with great silk drapes and thick carpets. Women lounged on giant cushions or divans, female servants fanning them with palm fronds or fans made of feathers. The ceiling was a great dome of colored glass, letting in dappled light over the room like jewels of Iris. Fresh fruit and sweets sat on little tables over the room, servants feeding the women delicate bites as they gossiped. The younger women wore more jewelry than clothes, their fine golden skin mostly bare and glistening with perfumed oil.

As soon as Demi entered, she heard a ripple of gossip from the women. She hadn’t talked to them much since her arrival, not after the insipid questions they asked her. They seemed to think her silence arrogant so the talk of her was mostly venomous; especially when some of the women here had been sent as gifts to the king to be wives. It would be rude of the king to return gifts, but if he chose not to marry her he just put the offered woman in his harem. Most of the women were older than him as well, ranging in age from sixteen to twenty. No one took offense to the king being unmarried so far, after all he was still young.

Demi walked through the gossip unconcerned, approaching the giant round divan in the center of the room. On this divan sat the Queen mother Shahera and her five daughters the princesses of Xin. Shahera was beautiful still, though her face was lined and gray streaked her hair. She was nearly fifty it seemed, her daughters all at least five years apart each, the oldest nearly forty and the youngest four and ten. Demi knew this to mean Shahera had gone to the king’s bed barely a woman and bore him children all that time, only six living to adulthood and only one a boy.

Demi sat on the divan looking to these women and hiding her disappointment in them. Their heads were as empty as vases, though they were most beautiful women Demi had ever seen including the Priestesses of Euria.

“Has my son won you over yet Prophet?” Shahera asked with a winning smile. “What did he give you today?”

“A hummingbird,” Demi answered.

“Oh, that must have been wonderful,” Lamya, the eldest, said with a pretty sigh. “I miss father, he used to give me the best gifts.”

“Akeem only gives us jewels and gold,” Hala, the third daughter said with a toss of her black hair.

“Better than some smelly bird,” Duha, the second daughter said, wrinkling her nose.

“Aren’t you from the bird riders?” Alya, the youngest asked Demi. “Did you not love his present?”

“Oh, stop Alya you know she’s mute,” Ghada the fourth daughter said.

“She is not, she just spoke,” Alya answered.

“All that little tart can say is a few squawked words,” Duha said. “Like a parrot!”

The women all laughed even Shahera, and Demi let their petty insults go. She wondered though at the women, it was a woman’s job to guide not only her children but her whole family. It was no wonder Akeem was so selfish with a family like this. But Demi could hardly fault them; these women were all raised spoiled.

Demi sat as the talk flowed over her, glancing out towards the garden longingly waiting for Sol to set enough and the day to cool. Burning Hour prayers came but Demi was the only one to offer her prayers up to the gods. When she finished her prayers she turned to see Alya watching her intent. When their eyes met Alya looked away and blushed, Demi leaving it be. She stood and left, the day had cooled enough now that she could explore.

She had spent her time exploring what she could through the gardens and palace. At first she had thought she could explore it all in a few days and be done with it, but she had been wrong. The palace was practically a city on its own, acers of gardens and many buildings. Demi worried that the eunuchs would stop her from her exploration, but she found that as long as she didn’t try to leave, they didn’t care where she went.

Demi found that there were old buildings of the palace left abandoned, parts of the gardens left to grow wild. These were inhabited by the animals of the garden, Demi feeling as if the garden was working to claim these places for the wild again. Demi had not found anything though to point to some hidden power or secret of the palace. The place was so large she wondered if it would take her years to find anything.

Life went on as always, Demi meeting with the king daily and he showered her with gifts each day. She pitied him, he led such a cloistered life, yet she would not let pity move her to show kindness to him. If she did it would be a cruelty to Akeem to show him favor when all she felt was pity for him.

She had no news of the outside and the city and Demi wondered what was happening with the people of the city. She worried most for her mother who still sought answers to their quest. She wondered too if her mother knew what had happened to Demi. She wondered if the Dontamen were still in the city or if they had left already. She found she missed not only her freedom, but the people she knew.

One day she had a visitor other than the king in the little bungalow that she met the king in every day. Grand Sect Samson had come to visit her instead of the king.

“You have no idea how hard it was to convince that little brat for me to visit you,” Samson said as Demi sat across from him. The meal spread before her was a simple meal of rice, bread, and bananas. “I had to tell him that I was needed to see to your spiritual health as a prophet. Even then he was reluctant.”

“I can guess given how long it has been,” Demi answered. “How are things in the city?”

“No better though I am glad they are not worse,” Samson answered, ignoring the food and smoking instead. “I have told those who attend services that the king has chosen the prophet to be his queen. I repeat your story, but of course it would be better coming from you. Many still wish to see you and hear you speak, and they hope you will come to visit them. Of course, they don’t know that only the king can let you leave the palace. And no king has let his wife leave the harem in centuries.”

“I don’t see Akeem letting me leave,” Demi said dryly. “What of Zar Ne Zar?”

“He’s taken another two settlements along the Ark,” Samson answered. “The king commands the army, but one of his brothers is the general of the army. Like all the king’s eunuch brothers he tells the king what to do. The army has not left Evalon since the King’s Wars, and they have never been good at fighting in the desert. If they tried to free the settlements the Pridesmen would just melt back into the sands to attack again. There are not enough resources in the world to support an army defending the Ark through the desert.”

“So, the king will just let Zar Ne Zar do as he pleases?” Demi asked.

“No, he has hired mercenaries, the Dunesmen,” Samson answered. “But again another of his brothers is the treasurer. He spends only a little coin for mercenaries to guard the caravans of the riches of the desert. He does nothing for the people. More and more of the nomads have been arriving in the city; I think to seek shelter from the Pridesmen.”

Demi knew that probably wasn’t true. Many of the nomads would be afraid of the increased Pridesmen activity, but they would stay in their oasis or known hidden paths for safety. Traveling to the Holy City would have been dangerous; it would have brought them out of hiding. She wondered what their reason for their journey to the Holy City then.

“I had one visitor though that you would be interested in,” Samson said breaking into her thoughts. “Hemi, your mother.” Demi dropped her bowl of rice and stared at him astonished. “She had apparently followed the guards from the slave district when they took you away. She spent the time I held you waiting outside the temple, looking for a chance to break in a steal you away. Only the security at the Temple of Euria is strong and no opening appeared. She saw you taken to the palace.

“The only reason I met her is because I saw her in one of our services and saw the resemblance. She wouldn’t speak to me until I convinced her I was interested in your freedom. I told her your story as you told it to me. She told me all about you, and how proud of you she is.”

Demi felt tears prickle her eyes and looked away feeling overcome. She wanted to see her mother so badly then but knew she could not. If Akeem learned her mother was in the city, he would put her in the harem to keep her with Demi. While Demi wanted to see her mother, she did not want her to be kept prisoner as well.

“Where is she?” Demi asked.

“I offered her shelter in the Sect, but she said the nomads make their own way,” Samson said with a grin. “She comes to speak to me occasionally though, asking strange questions of the gods.”

“We were sent on a quest,” Demi said.

“Yes, she told me, but I’m afraid I have no answers,” Samson said. “I hardly believe in the gods, only in the words men say that drive others. Talk of the gods can move armies or settle souls. That is what I wanted of you, your words hold power.”

Demi was reminded of who this man was and felt a chill through her veins.

“You are uncle to the High King,” Demi said. “How when you are so young?”

“My father managed to sire me on his fourth wife,” Samson answered. “A surprise to all when they had thought he was well past his childbearing years. I suspect I was a bastard of his fourth wife and that to hide the fact that his wife had an affair claimed me as his own. So, I was born a year after my nephew was and kept as a family pet mostly. You know your history, war and all that, well after the war marriage was needed for my nephew.

“The woman I told you about was to be my nephew’s wife. Ironic. The rest is how I told you, sent away to Menfer and then to Xin. The unwanted son of the Drasirs. So that is my story, do you trust me now?”

“No,” Demi answered. “But I respect you more for the telling.”

“Fair enough,” Samson said with a wry grin.

“You said you would speak to your nephew about the king keeping me here,” Demi said.

“I sent a letter yet he has yet to respond to it,” Samson answered exhaling a large cloud of smoke. “I doubt it will be promising. He will tell me to deal with it; he won’t rouse armies over one king wanting to marry a girl. I had hoped he would want his daughter to marry Akeem to spread the Drasir blood through all the royal lines. But he has good control of Xin; it is places like Dridia or Hyria that he would rather gain more control in.”

“I though the Hyrians fought with Regis in the Kings’ wars like Xin,” Demi said.

“Xin and Regis have always had close ties and given the power of the Sect here the king has little to fear from Xin ever gaining too much power. But Hyria has always been a wild card. They do as they please and while Hyria did side with Regis this time in history they had fought against Regis on occasion. In fact, no alliance has lasted long for the Hyrians, the only alliance they hold dear is with themselves. And they are as hard to read as the sea and just as fickle.

“Arian will have a hard time getting a Regarian into their court. I think that is what he is saving his daughter for; when she is a bit older she will maybe catch the eye of one of the lords there or even one of the princes. His other daughter died in that attack during the prince’s wedding, so he no longer has the other daughter to spare. He will put Pricilla in the Court of Tears even if it kills him.

“Sorry, even if I hate politics it seems my Drasir heritage gets the better of me sometimes. This does little to help you.”

“So, if the king will not interfere then what of the Sect?” Demi said. “Surely they are concerned about the cult growing in Evalon.”

“They are but again they will only pressure me more to come up with results,” Samson answered. “I am their authority here. They may send more of the knights if they can be spared, but I doubt it. I would not call on knights anyways, they will do little to alleviate the situation and probably only make it worse. The Sect often only thinks in that tact anyways, knights to beat down those who speak against the gods. It has worked in the past and they hope it will work now. I do not see it working now without near genocide of the Elmerians who drink the poison faster than anyone.”

“So, there is no hope of aid in convincing the king of letting me go?” Demi asked.

“Have you tried asking him?” Samson said.

“No, I have not even spoken to him,” Demi said, and Samson sighed a smoke cloud again.

“See that is where the problem lies,” Samson said. “He is a boy that all his life he was told he could have anything he wants. Defying him and refusing to give in only makes him want you all the more.”

“But giving him what he wants will only indulge him more,” Demi said.

“I’m not saying you should marry him,” Samson said. “I’m saying your coy attitude is only endearing yourself to him. You need to speak to him more, make him fall for you even more, twist him around your finger, and I’m sure with a teary-eyed plea you could convince him to let you out into the city. Once you’re out of these walls I can get you into the Sect where he can’t touch you, not without angering the gods and even Akeem knows he can’t cross the gods.”

“I’m not sure I can do that,” Demi said. The idea of manipulating someone like that seemed like black magic to her, and wrong in some way.

“Think on it in the meantime,” Samson said kindly. “I must go, I will see if I can visit again, but I am very busy.”

“Thank you,” Demi said. “For the news and advice. I will do what I can to aid the people.”

Samson simply nodded and left, a cloud of smoke following him out. Demi considered his words as she continued to explore the palace. While she was where she wanted to be to seek answers or the mysterious power she had hoped to find, Demi wasn’t finding anything. Maybe Slad had been right there was nothing she could do to make sure the Phay marched. If so then she was needed more out in the city than here in the palace.

Akeem continued to bring her presents, but Demi still couldn’t bring herself to try to manipulate him in any way. One day her gift was something Demi had not expected.

Sitting on the table before her was a silver mask. The mask was a half mask to cover the eyes, and the crown shaped into Lun’s disk. The silver was engraved with a ripple design and polished until it reflected like a mirror. A veil of fine white silk hung from the bottom of the mask to hide the lower face.

“Tonight is Isra’s Night,” Akeem said happily. “You are to attend the feast with me. You will wear Lun’s face tonight, I will be Sol her husband.”

Akeem produced a gold half mask, crowned with Sol’s rays with a veil of gold silk. Demi saw him grin boyishly and felt herself blush in response, so quickly picked up the mask and put it on. The look of joy on his face lit his eyes telling Demi that whatever he felt about her it was genuine.

“Be sure to wear the costume,” Akeem said happily. “I can’t wait for tonight a servant will come to your rooms so be ready.”

Demi nodded and Akeem nearly jumped to his feet as he raced from the room. Demi removed the mask and sighed. She went about her daily exploration and when it came time for the feast, she returned to her rooms to dress. She found the costume was made of the finest white silk and embroidered with silver thread. She pulled on pantaloons, a tunic, kaftan, and a chador. As well as the silver mask she had jewelry of silver and moonstones as white as milk winking from rings and bracelets. Soft white slippers completed the outfit, Demi looking at her reflection. She looked lovely, though more like a child dressed as the moon goddess.

A tap on her door told her the servant arrived and she left her room to follow the eunuch out of the harem. The eunuch led her through gardens and halls and to one of the great halls of the palace. This one was an oval in shape, great arches covering the walls and opening the hall to the cool night air. People filled the hall lit by mage lights, everyone in gold or silver masks and colorful costumes. The eunuch led her to the dais at the end of the hall where the throne sat.

Akeem sat watching the people, his eyes bright behind his golden mask. He wore a turban of orange cloth, orange and yellow kaftan and burnoose, and a yellow silken sash around his waist. He saw Demi and nearly leapt to his feet, his body language screaming his devotion. He controlled himself and stood gracefully, bowing to her as she stood before him. She bowed in turn and saw him smile more.

She joined him on his throne and they both watched as the nobles presented themselves to the king. The room was full of the smells of perfumes and food. Demi saw servants walking around with trays of fruits, pastries of almonds and pecans, fine kababs, cheese melted over flat bread, and much more. Music floated through the room between the babble of people.

“Wine?” Akeem asked holding out a gold goblet to her. “It’s all the way from Alda. They make the finest wine.”

“No thank you majesty,” Demi answered softly. Her polite response only emboldened him and soon he waved over every servant, trying to get Demi to eat some of the fine food. Since it was a feast of the goddess of night it would be an insult not to eat. Demi took a flaky almond pastry and ate. She then took a cup of kaffa, sighing over the bitter drink. It was well brewed and full of thick flavor.

“So, is this better than any feast that your people have?” Akeem asked lounging on the divan. “Are you not impressed?”

“I am,” Demi said she did not want to lie. Akeem sat closer to her; she could feel his breath on the silk of her chador. “Though I miss the nomad’s celebration.”

“The nomads?” He said as he stopped and she knew she had his attention, he was both jealous and curious she knew.

“Our masks are much different than yours,” Demi said. “The Pinmen make ours out of feathers so we are almost like birds. The Wickerfolk make theirs of wicker of course. The Horse Lords and Llemen make masks out of wood and huge, covering their heads and even chests. And the Pridesmen are said to paint theirs with blood.”

She had never seen masks of the other tribes but had heard tales. She wished she could see them though, she was sure the festival was very exciting down in the nomad’s camp.

“What else do you do on Isra’s night?” Akeem asked and she looked at him. His eyes were shining with fascination, not for her but for her words. Before Demi could say more Rashad came up to them, wearing a gold mask and jeweled turban.

“Majesty,” Rashad said nervously.

“What vizier?” Akeem said annoyed.

“I’m sorry majesty but you should speak with Duke Amir,” Rashad said wringing his hands. “You’ve put him off long enough. You need to see to your guests.”

“You go Rashad that’s what you’re here for,” Akeem said waving him away.

“Majesty I cannot…” Rashad said his voice breaking. Demi saw under his gold mask he was sweating and out of pity decided to intervene.

“Majesty, may I meet the duke?” Demi asked and Akeem’s eyes flashed.

“Of course!” Akeem said as Rashad choked and fluttered his tiny fat hands. He bounced after them as Akeem took her hand and led her down through the crowds of people.  

After that they went around the various groups of people, talking to the lords and their ladies. All were masked, half masks of gold or silver, some wearing veils as well, giving an air of mystery to all those she met. At first she found it interesting to meet these people, but after a time she felt there was little to the conversation other than platitudes. The lords in turn did not know what to make of her, a prophet and nomad of the desert. They tried to be polite until one woman broke the polite talk.

“What do the nomads do to honor Isra?” the woman asked. She was a wealthy lady telling by her many jewels and fine silk kaftan. “I have heard they rut around fire pits and grunt like animals.”

Silence greeted this statement and Demi noted the king glaring at the woman. She was probably a mother of a girl who had been a likely match to the king until Demi came along. The king looked ready to say something scathing when Demi spoke first.

“No milady,” Demi said with a slight bow. “We of the tribes dance.”

“Dance?” the woman scoffed. “Please then, show us a dance of the savages.”

“Lady Azra I do not…”

“Very well,” Demi said cutting Akeem off. Startled he turned to her, but Demi turned away. Nearby the musicians played, men wearing simple wood masks, they did not notice her until she walked up and took a tambourine from one of them. She felt eyes on her as she walked to a clear space in the crowds and began tapping the tambourine. The musicians fell silent and a hush fell over the crowd as people moved back from Demi to make a clear space.

Demi concentrated on the beat she tapped out. She had always been a fine dancer, not talented but proficient. Now with all the eyes of the nobles on her she concentrated on the beat and prayed silently to Isra that she not make a fool of herself. She added to the beat with thumb rolls, beating on the head of the drum with her thumb. Then she raised the tambourine over her head and tapped it. She began a dance that was common to her tribe, the Beat of Wings it was called. Stomping her feet and jumping about, adding to the beat of the drum she danced to imitate the sound of great wings through the sky.

The musicians, silently watching, soon picked up the beat and Demi heard more drums join her in her dance. They only used drums as was tradition, in dances only drums were used to make the music. Demi wondered as she danced if any of the musicians were nomads or had once been, she could not tell under their masks. She wondered if they were slaves.

She danced the full dance, though it felt empty as she danced alone. She finished with a quick beat and stomp of her feet, taking a bow. She was breathing heavily and for a moment her heart beat in her ears like the drums. For a moment she felt her blood warm through her body, her body feeling suddenly light like she could leap free of all constraints. Silence lasted a moment and then a heavy applause sounded the moment passing. Demi looked up to see the king applauding, his eyes bright behind his mask as he grinned at her. He hurried over to her, taking her hand in his.

“That was marvelous!” Akeem said warmly. “Truly, I had no idea the nomads danced like that.”

He wouldn’t either, confined as he was. Demi looked at him and realized she was helping no one by keeping silent and sulking. This boy and the nobles deserved to hear her story just as much as the people of the city.

“I would like some kaffa,” Demi said. “And then majesty I believe it is time I told you my tale.”

“Really?” Akeem said looking startled.

“Isra’s night is a night of telling of tales,” Demi said. “It is time I told mine.”

Akeem nodded and led her over to an alcove. A servant came and poured kaffa in fine china cups, Demi taking a deep sip before looking around. Lords crowded around but stood at a respectful distance or sat on other seats around them. Akeem sat next to her on the divan, looking at her expectantly.

“My story begins at the Oasis of Hamil,” Demi said calmly. She told her tale as she always had, with little embellishment and only the truth. She still kept the secret of the origins of the Arc but told them of Slad and the Phay. She wondered how the nobles would react to this near sacrilege of the gods, but she had little to fear. The nobles seemed just as awed and interested as the nomads in her story.

When she finished she was once more pressed with questions, mostly from Akeem. He seemed most interested in her encounter with Zar Ne Zar.

“And you say he commands the hunters?” He asked and Demi nodded.

“They follow him with near worship,” Demi answered. “The males are the warriors and they follow him as well, he had full command when he attacked Kurone.”

“Damn him,” Akeem said angrily. “King of Kings indeed, he is far too bold for some mongrel from the desert.”

“He is a great warrior majesty,” Demi said. “He is a man to be feared.”

“How do you know this if you have not seen him in battle?” Akeem asked. “From all you say he only has the hunters after him because he is handsome.”

“Majesty you know nothing of the Pridesmen,” Demi said. “The hunters do not mate with a man unless he is a great warrior, those who are lesser are lucky to gain a mate. Often the greatest warriors have a harem of hunters in attendance to them. The fact that Zar Ne Zar had a pack of women willing to hunt to gain his favor is a mark of a great warrior.

“And how he has over powered other prides and their warriors is another sign as well. If this is not enough proof for you your majesty then I offer this. I saw Zar Ne Zar move, that alone was enough for even me to see he moves with deadly intent and contained power.”

“You think highly of him then,” Akeem said displeased, his jaw clenched.

“Majesty I fear him greater than any of the dangers I faced,” Demi said feeling her hands shake at the idea of Zar Ne Zar. Seeing her tremors Akeem softened and took her hands in his.

“I am sorry my flower,” he said softly. “I grew jealous.”

Demi withdrew her hand, glad that her mask covered her blush.

“Majesty I have told you and the lords my tale to warn you,” Demi said. “There is more to our troubles than Zar Ne Zar. The people must have faith in these hard times, and I can inspire that hope. I must go to them to tell my tale and give them faith.”

Akeem looked displeased again and he turned to the gathered lords.

“Leave us,” Akeem said with a wave of his hand. The lords left and servants drew the curtains around the alcove. “Rashad, stay.” Rashad, who had been about to leave, stopped and returned to his chair.  

“Demi, there are many dangers of the city,” Akeem said as if he spoke to a child. “Thieves, murderers, molesters, disease, and much else. I could not stand it if you were to come to harm. Rashad, tell her of the murders that happen in the streets, of the sins committed out under Sol’s eye.”

“Many sins,” Rashad said sternly. “Why just the other day I saw a man and woman fornicating in the street like animals. The audacity. And the day before last a boy was killed for a loaf of bread and no one even stopped to glance at the body.”

Demi looked from Rashad to Akeem in understanding. Rashad must have been telling these tales to his half-brother for ages to keep him in the palace. Maybe it was to keep Akeem safe, maybe it was to gain more power as vizier, but Rashad had lied to his brother to keep him a prisoner. Demi looked at Akeem and shook her head in pity.

“I have walked the streets of the city Akeem,” she said, dropping all formality and saw the affect it had on the king. “I have walked among your people; those you claim to rule yet have never looked upon their faces. I have seen children running and playing in the street. I’ve seen the great bazaars full of all the goods of Xin, spices and perfumes, fruits and rice, silks and cottons. I have seen the ochre women, painted red who sell their bodies in worship to the demi goddess Dione.

“I have seen the Arc run through the city and every man from beggar to lord swim through its water seeking to cool their feet from the dust of the road. I have seen the great gardens that are the heart of the city shade travelers on their way to market. I have seen the people of the slave market in their chains, hope gone from their hearts. I have seen Evalon in all her glory, from the underbelly to the great palace around us, and I say this Akeem: it is the greatest city of all the kingdoms.”

Akeem stared at her in awe, a tear welling up in his eye and he looked away.  

“There is still much danger in going out of these walls do you deny that?” Rashad said seeing the danger she posed to his control.

“I cannot deny that,” Demi said sadly. “But there is danger in the desert as well. Scorpions, bees, the shifting sands, heat, and much else. We of the tribes risk out lives every day in the desert, do you know why?”

“Because you know other way of life,” Rashad answered. “You are savages.”

“We chose our freedom,” Demi answered. “We go where we please, only answerable to the gods themselves. Out in the wilds we are closest to the gods, for the gods influence the makings of the world there more than men who try to control it.”

“But you could die out there,” Akeem said taking her hand again.

“And that would be the will of the gods,” Demi answered. “That is life majesty to face death every day. It is hard but it is free, and we work to live lives in the very arms of the gods. To honor them and to honor ourselves.”

Akeem’s eyes filled with tears and she realized he didn’t understand. She was moved by his concern for her safety, but at the same time she felt the need to break free of such smothering treatment.

“I cannot agree Demi,” Akeem said looking away. “You will stay here with me where it is safe. Come, Isra’s Night is still young. There are moon pools I want to show you as well as music from the water glasses. You must see it.”

He took her hand and pulled her up; he had made his decision, so the matter was settled and over. Demi wanted to pull her hand away from him but followed knowing it would be a childish gesture. She had hoped her story would have moved Akeem to mercy. Maybe Samson was right, she needed to be more manipulative.

As Akeem pulled her through the crowds of people Demi noticed a servant following them. She watched him out of the corner of her eye afraid to turn and watch him though she didn’t know why. Something told her to beware of the man; he was moving fast through the crowds of people but didn’t seem to disturb them. He wore a servant’s wooden mask, his kaftan plain and unembellished.

He was nearly to their sides when Demi realized what about the man had so disturbed her. He was wearing bandages under his kaftan. Demi pulled on Akeem’s hand to get him to stop, but Akeem didn’t notice. The man moved suddenly fast, something dark in his hand. Demi moved before anyone even noticed the man. She pushed Akeem down out of the man’s reach just as he had made a grab for the king. His eyes widened behind his mask as his fist slammed into Demi’s side instead of the king’s.

She felt all the air driven from her lungs and then a sharp pain in her side. Demi stumbled back from the man, grasping her side. Only it wasn’t a dagger in her side, but a horn the length of her hand half way into her flesh. She felt her body turning cold, her muscles began to stiffen painfully and she fell to the tiled floor.

“Guards!” Akeem shouted from the floor as he scrambled over to her.

“No don’t touch her!” One of the lords shouted pulling Akeem back from Demi. “She’s been stabbed with a horn of snake sand.”

Demi heard the lord’s announcement but could do nothing. Her entire body was stiffening quickly; already it was getting hard to breath. Snake sand worked many ways, just contact with skin was enough to stiffen and deaden what it touched. Ingesting it was deadly, and if it entered the bloodstream it moved twice as fast.

“Get the mage!” Akeem shouted ignoring the restraining hands and trying to reach Demi. She heard shouts and cries, not sure if the man that had stabbed her had been caught or not. She put all her will into keeping her breathing normal. The pain in her side was great and she felt blood pooling under her. Already she could no longer feel her hands or feet, and her vision was darkening.

She felt a cool hand on her cheek pull away her mask and then she was looking up at a face that seemed as smooth and white as a porcelain mask. Red eyes blazed with power as the mage woman looked down at Demi, but she couldn’t even move to turn her head.

“Do something Sibylla,” Akeem ordered; Demi heard his voice as if through a tunnel. Her breathing was shallow now; it was hard to move her chest enough to get air in and out. Her heart beat painfully slow, her blood slowing though her veins.

“I can only keep her at death’s door,” the mage answered, her voice a deep timber with an exotic drawl to her words. “I cannot give her life.”

“Do anything just do not let her die!” Akeem shouted. The mages eyes never left Demi’s, trying to read Demi’s wish. Demi realized what Sibylla meant to do might not be a blessing; whatever life Demi was to lead now it would not be pleasant. Sibylla was trying to see if Demi consented to life or sought death. Demi knew she would rather die than choose a life of pain, but there was more to consider here.

She had to think about the people that needed her, about the mystery that still needed to be solved. If she died now all hope would be lost. She looked back at the mage and hoped she understood what Demi wanted.

“I understand,” the mage said to her not to Akeem. Demi saw her hand move over her but could feel nothing through her body any more. Her breathing eased but nothing else, her limbs were still numb and muscles stiff, she couldn’t move. Demi tried moving anything, her head, her mouth, even her eyes wouldn’t even move.

“What did you do?” Akeem asked.

“It is a life preservation sigil,” Sibylla answered. “She will draw breath and her heart will pump but that is all the sigil can do. I will now heal the wound in her side.”

Demi felt nothing as the horn was drawn out of her side and the mage cast a sigil to heal the wound. Demi’s vision was now gray and dull and she couldn’t move her eyes to look around.

“Can you not heal her of the snake sand?” Akeem asked, his voice still sounding far away.

“There is no cure for snake sand poisoning even with all the magic in the world,” Sibylla answered levelly. “She will not be able to move, speak, eat, or anything else. Her mind is alive, her heart still beats, and she still draws breath. I saved her life as you requested.”

“Not like this!” Akeem cried out. Demi’s line of sight suddenly filled with Akeem’s face, he was weeping as he leaned over her. She couldn’t even close her eyes as he leaned down and kissed her. At least she guessed she kissed her because she could feel nothing through her skin not even his breath on her cheeks. He withdrew and when there was no change pulled her up to him, her body stiff like a corpse.

“Akeem please,” Rashad said. “You will get blood on your clothes.”

“Enough!” Akeem shouted. “I want all of you out of here!”

Demi heard the shuffle of feet and the murmur of the crowd as they were ushered out of the hall, the celebration over. Akeem continued to hold her, but Demi could feel nothing of his touch. When the room was cleared Akeem finally put Demi down. He gently brushed her hair out of her face, seeming overcome.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered to her. “This is all my fault.”

Demi heard other people arrive and Akeem moved away so some servants could lift her up onto a cushioned stretcher. They carried her out of the hall and through the palace back to the harem. They brought her to the main building of the harem where the women had been having their own celebration. Akeem had the eunuchs clear the room and Demi was placed in the center of the room on a great bed.

Akeem sat next to her as the women brought flowers to lie around her as if she were dead. Orchids and jasmine blossoms joined roses and peonies around her until Demi was completely surrounded by the delicate blossoms. She could hardly smell them though; it was like all her senses had been dulled. She could still hear Akeem weeping at her side, Demi guessing he was holding her hand.

“Akeem,” it was his mother Shahera. “Come away from her Akeem, you’re making a scene.”

“I love her mother,” Akeem said crossly. “This is appropriate.”

“She is all but dead Akeem,” Shahera said scolding. “You are the King of Xin and must act like it. This girl cannot be your wife anymore, leave her here and we will care for her. You can visit her and look on her face, but you must move on Akeem.”

“Leave mother!” Akeem shouted. Shahera made a huffing sound and Demi heard her footsteps retreat. “I’m sorry Demi,” Akeem kept repeating. She wanted to tell him it was alright, that she would be alright, but she wasn’t so sure of it herself. Demi tried to make a sound but couldn’t, not even a gasp or a squeak came out of her.

She spent the rest of Isra’s Night lying like the dead, and Demi realized she had become nearly one of the dead herself. She was trapped now not only in the palace, but in her own body as well.

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The Most Ridiculous Cosplay and Comedian-Con Fails

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The Most Ridiculous Cosplay and Comedian-Con Fails

From Superman to Batman and the X-Males, everybody loves Comedian-Con occasions. The cool costumes, the fastidiously thought our cosplay themes, the…What? That woman appears nothing like Marvel Lady, and that MAN definitely higher not be Princess Leia. Let’s take a very good take a look at these cosplay and Comedian-Con fails.

I gotta admit, whereas that is cute in a extremely unhappy kind of manner, I don’t suppose the Implausible 4’s “Factor” character would respect this pitiful try at cloning. Although I’m curious how he obtained the styrofoam to stay, I don’t suppose I actually need to know. Comedian-Con Fail!

That is really an authentic thought, I suppose. I’ve by no means seen anybody attempt to cosplay a VHS tape cassette earlier than. And I’m sure I by no means need to see it tried once more. Is the child attempting to channel his interior “Ariel”? Is he attempting to channel all of the characters without delay? Does he want for an easier time? I’m shocked that somebody his age even is aware of what a VHS tape is.

“Sailor Moon” wants a shave. Badly. A minimum of she’s courageous sufficient to let the world know she’s most undoubtedly NOT an actual blonde. I at all times thought these anime characters have been a bit too clean-cut for their very own good. This simply proves the purpose. To all mother and father: be taught to worry this character.

“Jigglypuff,” the deranged pink Pokémon appears nothing like this pink..factor you see beneath. And why would he be so low-cost about it anyway? Why would he go to all the difficulty of dressing up like a spherical, pink Pokémon a extreme consideration deficit dysfunction, however run out of pink make-up earlier than he might do his face?.

“Jessie” from Pokémon’s “Group Rocket” is such a show-off. She’ll do something to remain within the limelight. This one appears like she simply got here off the set of VH1’s “Behind the Music.” On that episode, she’ll in all probability clarify that she makes use of a physique double for all scenes and she or he simply voices the character, for apparent causes.

I’ve been telling folks for years that Pokemon’s “Misty” was this man I do know named Travis. Nicely, at present the reality lastly got here out. I heard Travis was came upon due to his dependancy to body-hugging yellow tank tops. He stored going into the lads’s altering room at Goal to attempt them on and the remaining is historical past.

Are you able to think about this “Cat Lady(?)” beneath slinking round your property in search of a bowl of milk? Its always-dirty intestine dragging on the ground or grass all day lengthy? I’d lure it with some catnip to it’s scratching publish whereas I hid in a closet with my aluminum bat. 20 minutes later Cat Lady would have a brand new dwelling within the nation. I’d stuff the bizarre turtle with cheese to present the cat some firm.

I noticed this one on the Discovery Channel the opposite day. It’s a prehistoric Comedian-Con model of Spider-Man. Its extinction was discovered to be induced not by the large meteorite which worn out so many dinosaurs on the identical time, however as a result of it was too massive to climb, and was too heavy for its internet to help it after falling right into a prehistoric field of Cheetos.

Crimson ziplock over the top however, this cosplay isn’t all that unhealthy. And by that I imply on a scale of Chernobyl, I’d quite be caught in a tsunami. This isn’t a lot Indignant Hen as Insane Hen. Hell, If I noticed this one climbing a tree, I’d throw this boy at a wall whether or not he requested me to or not.

See what is going to gene splicing get you at Comedian-Con? One offended Wolverine combined with a extremely, actually outdated and fairly probably dementia-laden banana. This isn’t gonna go down nicely at this man’s retirement dwelling. I’m curious as to why a banana would paint on underwear, nevertheless it’s actually none of my enterprise.

So the opposite day, I used to be strolling down the road simply window purchasing when lo and behold, I see a few Wolverines on the counter of my native Krispy Kreme. Now I believed to myself, I suppose superheroes get hungry too. Till I spotted there was just one Wolverine on the counter. And it was hungry….

I believed this was a clip of RuPaul’s Drag Race once I first noticed it, lol. I’m so foolish. I suppose Aquaman determined to return out of the ocean at Comedian-Con. I do suppose the gold starfish necklace units off his eyes, although. And people chiffon fins are to DIE for!! I have to get the identify of this man’s designer.

I admit I don’t know what this factor is meant to be. So I’ve determined it’s that Pikachu character from Pokémon. Really, I’m calling it the Pokémon that ATE Pikachu. And Pikachu’s different Pokémon associates. And Group Rocket. OK, it ate Ash, Misty, and Brock too. Glad??

Not gonna say one phrase about this strapping, younger Comedian-Con man’s portrayal of his favourite character “Colossus.” Nope, I’m not even gonna mess together with his huge toes or how badly he wants a tan. However I WILL say this; That excellent, strategically positioned object that’s between his legs is greater than sufficient to make me snicker all day lengthy!

I do know Darth Vader has a tough job. You recognize, operating his mighty empire, managing sufficient GoFundMe accounts to consistently exchange these costly Dying Stars, and so on. However Darth, actually, you could eat one thing. Something. I swear, the very last thing I noticed you eat was that hand you chopped off, lol.

I do love Marvel Lady. Too unhealthy this isn’t her. Don’t you acknowledge the hairdo?? That is actually Marvel Lady’s stunt double. She’s shy, that’s why she’s nonetheless sporting a pair of these “Relies upon” underneath her Marvel Bottoms. Wouldn’t desire a “Paris Hilton” to occur at Comedian-Con when she steps out of that limo now, would we?

Don’t I do know you? Wait, I do know you. You have been at my good friend’s wedding ceremony. Yep, you have been the ring bearer!! I knew it. I always remember a stomach button. Or Tub Salt glazed-over eyes. So, you at the moment are a girl huh? Cool. I really suppose you look higher now as Storm, mutant climate mistress. Superman is just for weddings anyway.

I like to consider this Comedian-Con man because the Flash that slowed down. Method down. Within the comics, after all, Flash has to eat plenty of energy with a view to be all tremendous speedy. This Flash merely fell right into a stoop. Or possibly a vat stuffed with doughnut glaze. I’m unsure.

I nonetheless do not forget that first Star Wars film from the Seventies. Nicely, I keep in mind Leia. What a magnificence, I believed. So swish, and what a physique! As you see above, Leia appears simply as nice as she did all these years in the past. Certain, all of us get just a little bushy once in a while as we age. However Leia nonetheless has that rocking physique, and what a rack!!

Metal physique, nigh indestructible, tremendous energy. Sadly, this cosplay man doesn’t have any of these qualities. However he may very well be taking part in Colossus’ uncle, “Reynold’s Wrap” I suppose. One who apparently wants some low-cost Spec Savers glasses to battle super-villians and such. No use preventing when you may’t see with out squinting, lol.

Everybody is aware of Deadpool has a Marvel Lady fetish. I for one am so blissful he’s let it out. OK, he didn’t let it out precisely. These are pics from his hacked Google Drive account, posted to Comedian-Con. It’s true, and I’m not ashamed to publish them both. It’s time to point out heroes how they are surely.

It is a Comedian-Con tragedy, nothing extra, nothing much less. That is Iceman after a few doobies in the midst of a heatwave. For medical causes, after all. Very like Michael Phelps used to do. I simply thought it is best to know what the true Iceman is like when he’s a, nicely, 7-11 slurpy.

Nicely, what do we’ve got right here? I see the Iron Man animated collection’ character has by some means come to life. Nonetheless made largely of paper I see. And that blue repulsor ray coming from his has is mighty intimidating too. And what’s this? I didn’t know Pillsbury had a brand new mascot at Comedian-Con. The extra you recognize…

Worst. CosPlay. Ever. This appears just like the porno model of “Human Centipede.” Why would anybody do that to themselves? I wouldn’t even do this in non-public, lol. All this for fifteen minutes of fame? And I guess at the very least two of them will run for Congress sometime. Their mother and father have to be elated.

Sonic the Hedgehog by no means appeared extra emaciated. Clearly, he’s fallen on exhausting occasions and never consuming repeatedly. Nonetheless, I see he’s protecting his spirits up together with his well-known finger stance. Bless him. The identical factor can’t be mentioned for poor R2-D2 although. It appears as if he’s nonetheless doing the lingerie gig for stag events simply to make ends meet. Fortunately he has no genitalia.

A lot as I just like the present, doing CosPlay out of “The Simpsons” is a bit suicidal. Mr. Burns’ taped-on nostril is unhappy sufficient, however a stuffed and soiled tube sock strapped to his head? And this offensive Homer? Give any fats man only one Duff beer and so they all seem like this, lol.

These CosPlay fails solely come down to 1 query: Which Lara Croft would you quite? Personally, I’d take “Castrated Lara” on the proper. I merely love the voice that comes out of a eunuch. Heavenly. Plus it appears like he might do loads of housekeeping and maintain the garden manageable too. And he in all probability has no real interest in the rest.

Bruce Banner have to be kidding himself if he thinks he’s actually the Hulk. Perhaps he typically simply turns inexperienced with out turning into the Hulk? Nicely, he definitely doesn’t appear to be scary anybody. Not even that child within the stroller is intimidated. This 90 pound Hulk is fortunate the birds aren’t taking a poop on him.

Everybody need to be Leia at Comedian-Con. I don’t get it, however I settle for it. The costumes are OK, however why so a lot of them? This jogs my memory of the newer model of “Battlestar Galactica.” The model the place the Cylons don’t die, they’re merely resurrected. And I didn’t need to say something, however isn’t that Hillary on the left??

Mountain folks, I imply the deep-woods form, have to have heroes too. Sure, even the inbred. That is what would occur if Superman had landed within the mountains of Virginia. I can think about him being raised by “Banjo Boy” and the remainder of his household from Deliverance. Yep, raised on hog jowls, squirrels, and the occasional Tasmanian Satan and given a sixth-grade training. This one is admittedly tremendous.

Maybe his energy lies in his unimaginable top. He’s in a position to run underneath any car standing straight up. He’s so highly effective he’s in a position to flip again time (at the very least when he listens to that Cher track) and area. And don’t overlook that fantastic cape. Rumor is he solely makes use of the factor as a safety blanket, however I’m not shopping for it.

Ariel, you’re trying so…match. Yeah, actually. Did you modify your coiffure or one thing? I see you’re nonetheless rising that beard so you may donate hair to sick youngsters. Nicely, I believe that’s nice. Me? Nothing a lot. I used to be heading in to take a look at 12 Monkeys. I hear it’s fairly good. You too? Cool. Hm? Oh. Umm, no pricey. You possibly can’t eat them. It’s not a restaurant. Is that why you’ve obtained a ginormous fork in your hand?

OK, this man is killing it with the Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard CosPlay outfit. He’ll have the ability to put the worry of the Almighty into…What? He’s not a caucasian? However what in regards to the hood? It’s only a ceramic painter’s pot he obtained from HomeDepot? Oh. Nicely, by no means thoughts.

It takes a quite courageous individual to combine meals into their very own hair. I can think about a swarm of honey bees coming for “Leia” proper now; her, attempting to battle them off along with her Nerf water pistol, trying to run (nicely, possibly waddle) into the closest spaceship or cave (or Circle Ok) for cover.

I’m questioning why EVERYONE seated is ignoring this man? Are they frightened that in the event that they make eye contact he’ll ask them for some spare change? “Magneto” right here has by no means appeared extra appalling than this. And what’s with the Boy Scout knot that he’s utilizing on his Salvation Military Retailer sheet? And please, a jock strap for a helmet?

I’m simply gonna say it and stand my floor: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the primary 4 phrases on the signal. I’ll go no additional. So, what’s up with the new chick? What’s her expression imagined to imply? At first, I believed she is perhaps drugged and wanted help. Now I suppose she’s kind of hinting that for the correct of “compensation” she’ll pose with ANYONE at Comedian-Con.

Think about, if you’ll, your baby’s sixth celebration. You’ve invited all your child’s associates, obtained all of the presents and employed the leisure so that you and the opposite mother and father can seize a couple of cocktails whereas the brats are distracted. You rocked this get together and you recognize it. Then the leisure exhibits up: Spiderman’s Nice Grandfather. Wrinkly as all hell, can’t even put on a masks as a result of he’s too outdated to breathe filtered air, and needs money upfront. The youngsters scream, some even begin to vomit once they see his scalp transfer by itself. You and the remainder of the mother and father simply get one other cocktail.

Am I the one one who get dizzy this over-stuffed Spiderman costume? I imply, I’m certain the man desires to play superhero with all of his associates however couldn’t mommy get him one thing that will match? This factor appears just like the digital camera is on LSD or one thing.

Simply take a look at the pitiful expression on the younger man beneath. Would YOU be impressed with this Cosplay try? Hell, I’d be suicidal too if all I needed to put on to the large Cosplay get together was a cardboard field that I in all probability needed to battle a rabid homeless individual for.

[weavile-crossing]

Complete Hen Coop Plan For The Consolation Of Your Chickens

Publisher: George Chaucer Having constructed a couple of hen homes already I thought I share with you a number of the underlying principles one wants to bear in mind relating to chicken coop plans. These principles will are available in handy if you don't yet know how to build a hen coop, however even for seasoned veterans would possibly use this properly and they will help retaining your chickens wholesome. Writer: Elaine Jeans It is fairly fashionable for folks of all walks of life to be elevating their very own chickens as of late. If you are interested on this pastime, it is vital to learn the way to pick plans for rooster coops prior to bringing your birds home. Publisher: Melissa J Peters Building a hen-coop requires some parts to maintain your inventory productive and healthy. Your hen coop will need perches, a run, ventilation, lighting, weather safety, predator safety and plenty of more components than you is not going to find for a similar worth in a kit or plans off the shelf. Writer: Percy Flower Building a chicken coop could be a enjoyable experience for your complete household. The act of household bonding is wonderful, especially if you find yourself doing something to assist profit your animals. But so as to begin constructing a hen coop, it is essential to ensure you've gotten a plan. That's the reason blueprints are a great way to assist be certain that everyone is on the identical track in terms of the construction of a hen coop. Publisher: Curt Bee Now that you've constructed your very own rooster coop, you must also perceive tips on how to take one of the best care of it. Since you have worked so onerous to construct your hen, it could be a shame to see it disintegrate due to lack of upkeep.

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Nevertheless, in order to get the favored SIRIUS channel to take heed to your most cherished artistes, you will have to subscribe to the Americas Prime one hundred twenty programming bundle of DISH satellite television provider. Some other packages embody Americas Prime 200 bundle, Americas Everything Pak, Americas Prime 250 pack, to name a couple of. In case you are highly desirous about listening to contemporary nation music, the CMT is the music channel for you. It's the No. 1 channel that gives combination music with latest and outdated together with plenty of comedy collection that is certain to succeed in out to millions of music lovers of America. In addition to, if you wish to get pleasure from countrys premier music videos and different entertaining stuff, then there may be MTV for you. The channel is well known for showcasing top music videos of the year 2010 spherical the clock together with animation, live shows, and comedies. DISH Community brings a spread of leisure channels that cater to the viewers of various tastes. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him certain to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver day-after-day only to have it grow again to be eaten once more the next day. He was ultimately saved from any further punishment when Hercules slayed the eagle and set him free. The myth surrounding him led to numerous historical sources crediting him with, or blaming him for, enjoying a pivotal function in the history of mankind. His name was Prometheus and last weekend, in trendy instances, in a field close to Exeter, he made history. For final weekend at the Devon County Show Prometheus was declared Supreme Champion Huacaya. Why does he make history? As a result of Prometheus is a brown alpaca. Why do I do know a lot about him? Nicely that is simple. For last 12 months Prometheus and our own brown warrior, Qjori, slugged it out at several reveals and Prometheus got here out on prime. I have not acquired an image of Prometheus trying magnificent so right here is an image of Qjori, looking magnificent! Effectively come on guys that is my weblog!

So far this year it has spent only a 3rd of its capital budget and Finance Minister Luis Miguel Castilla has cut crimson tape to hurry approvals for infrastructure projects. Peru sidestepped economic shrinkage that hurt a lot of its peers during the worldwide troubles of 2009 and grew practically 1 %, though conventional wisdom says it might have expanded more if the state had spent its fiscal cushion quicker. That cushion is now bigger than ever. GDP, and its public sector surplus in the first half of the year was a 7 percent of GDP. Take into consideration different sources it has and that swells to 14 percent. Bizarre Peruvians sound increasingly confident. Ana Avila, forty two, a grinning potato farmer who lives near Huancayo, mentioned in rhyming Spanish at the Chupaca outdoor animal market and slaughterhouse. Chatting in Quechua with her elderly mom, she had come to the Chupaca market to buy a bucket of sheep's blood, which she stated has curative powers. She swathed it on her sick child earlier than wrapping him in a blanket.

Chickens gobble up the grubs earlier than they may even develop into beetles, saving the plants from being devoured later in the season. Chickens additionally like to eat fruit. They are nice at cleansing up previous, fallen fruits from beneath your backyard plants. They will also eat the seeds, holding these dreaded volunteers from popping up subsequent yr. In fact, many of us know that chickens make some of the very best fertilizer for the garden. Their droppings are wealthy in the three foremost nutrients of fertilizers: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, with the best being nitrogen. This means their droppings are nice for leafing vegetables like lettuces and greens, in addition to grasses in the lawn. Scratching is one of the crucial favourite issues a chicken does. That is how they may also help maintain compost piles and construct soil. If chickens are directed to dangle out within the compost pile all day, they will scratch and forage, successfully turning and aerating it. Victoria Vaughn-Perling made the declaration after a storm of protest erupted over the chance that the male lion named P-forty five can be killed. Vaughn-Perling last weekend discovered her alpacas lifeless and part of one eaten at her ranch in the rugged Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu’s coast, and said on Monday she had obtained a 10-day permit to shoot the mountain lion. A small variety of the large cats stay in the mountain range despite many threats to their survival — and tons of of people inundated wildlife officials with complaints after learning P-45 may be killed. What was imagined to be a workshop Wednesday evening for residents to learn how to protect their livestock was all however hijacked by animal activists who shouted out in anger. It’s sickening that this animal goes to be executed,” one individual wrote on the Facebook page of the Santa Monica Mountains Nationwide Recreation Space.

[monster-massage-blog]

Dreams of a Happier Time (14)

“Great. Give me a moment and I’ll get it sorted in my head.” Eurus said began his plotting, leaving Saga little to do but twiddle his thumbs and gaze at the marble. A bad idea crept into his head as he examined the tiny sphere, a childish impulse that should have been ignored, but without much better to do or anyone stopping him, he brought the marble to his mouth and popped it inside. It was very smooth and light but remarkably flavorless. Not that he really expected a flavor but it would have been nice if this had turned out to be a candy of some sort. However the moment he pressed it between his teeth and applied pressure, it broke and vanished, a brief energy surging into him with no other place to go, and he felt...different. He felt...lighter. Remarkably light actually. He started bouncing around, drawing Eurus’s attention. “Evoker? What are you doing?”

“You know, I’m not quite sure, but I think I ate that marble and I am feeling really good right now!” The Prince said with an odd glee feeling him. He was faster that he usually was also!

“You...ATE the marble?!” Eurus asked, sounding rather alarmed as he rushed over, but actually keeping up with him was a challenge.

“I think, maybe, probably?” Saga asked, now running laps around the room. “I bit it and it went poof and wow I am super light right now! This is great!”

“Eurus, when I get summoned, let’s endeavor to never let this happen again.” Aura said sternly.

“Yes, most certainly, EVOKER, STAY STILL!” Eurus demanded. This got the prince to calm down and snap out of his ‘elevated’ state of mind. “There. Please...just...settle down. I need to prepare the tune.”

“Ahh...right. I’m sorry.” Saga muttered and sat down.

“You are quite a young one, aren’t you?” Aura asked.

“...In theory?” Saga answered. “We’re not quite sure how old I am but I think I’m a kid.”

“Well. As a child you are allowed to make mistakes and errors. It’s simply part of youth...however what you did is potentially dangerous, so please, do not eat marbles. ESPECIALLY these marbles that come out of your palm.” Aura explained.

“I understand. Sorry. I won’t do it again.” Saga said and bowed his head forward even though Aura wasn’t there.

“Well as long as we’re clear on that. You are entitled to your mistakes as you need to make them to learn.” Aura insisted. “Feel free to try what you like...just as long as one of us is nearby and watching you.” This got a chuckle from the prince. “Something amusing?”

“You’re so...different from when we first met.” Saha said with a small smile. “You’re...nicer and some of the things you say sound like something a parent would say.”

“Well, I am assuming we’re going to be your guardians of some sort.” Aura said, and Saga could practically feel him puffing out his chest. “I shall lead by example and inspire proper growth from you!”

“Alright you two, finish your conversation, for I have finished.” Eurus stated.

“That was...brief.” Aura said.

“I just needed no distractions.” Eurus explained. “Alright Evoker, you know what to do.”

Saga nodded and took a deep breath. “...Right. Okay okay okay. I’m ready for it.”

Eurus began the music...it was a slow start, but instantly Saga was gripped, even if he could only identify one of the instruments being played. One of them was a drum. At first, he stayed still...but then lifted one foot and quickly set it back down when there was a sound like maracas. It stayed like this, a generally still posture, apart from raising and lowering his feet when there was that ‘shk’ sound. Soon it grew faster and he was using both feet now to keep up. Soon it was too fast, and he had to simply raise his heel and set it back down, and the dance had finally started to really pick up. Soon as the music sped up and slowed down, he raised his arms into the air, lowering them in front of his chest in an almost peaceful motion and spun once. Between his palms, a light began to form. He smiled, pleased with himself, but his hands drifted apart from one another, taking on a pose as the song slowed to a crawl, one hand on his side and one onto his forehead as the light drifted away, nestling itself onto the floor as it grew brighter and brighter. The music picked up again and Saga danced fervently. It was similar to ballet except he seemed to stay rooted in one spot, and this was certainly using more lively motions, especially when it came to his arms. He’d gotten so caught up in it that he was actually started when something smooth and cool grasped his arm. “Alright, that’s quite enough.” Aura said. “...The Kathak Dance. Most interesting.”

“Kathak?” Saga asked, turning to face his newly summoned friend. “Do you know it?”

“I have seen it done.” Aura said. “It is a lovely dance...and we’ll leave it at that. Now, gaze upon my splendor!”

Saga then took in the visage of the light elemental. He was honestly expecting some form of...condensed light that would be difficult to stare at directly but in reality he seemed mostly comprised of spherical crystals. Actually, he was ALL crystal, and what light did touch him seemed to be reflected inside these crystals in an almost prismatic hue. “How...shiny.” He muttered, gazing into the sphere that made Aura’s head.

“Erm...well...I suppose that will have to suffice.” Aura said after a pause. He was expecting something more but this was a child after all. He’d take what he could get. “Right. Good job Eurus, and good job to my Evoker. Now...where am I?”

“Actually, I’m not quite sure.” Saga said. “It was some place I was exploring until you guys started talking in my head.”

“Ah, a proper adventure then?” Aura asked, looking at Eurus for clarification.

“Such seems to be the case.” Eurus bobbed up and down. “You have no objections right?”

“No. But first thing’s first. Your palm?” Aura asked and outstretched one of his own hands. Saga grasped it in his left hand and there was that...odd feeling as something seemed to slip into his palm, but it only lasted a second before it ended. “Goodness, what an unusual feeling.” Aura said, withdrawing his hand to see if anything was missing.

Saga likewise looked at his palm, but there was nothing new to be found. “Huh...I guess I have a Light marble now?”

“Perhaps. Let’s not experiment with them yet however.” Eurus offered. “They might have more functions that we can imagine...or perhaps not. We don’t know.”

“However we CAN perhaps just find a large open area then try them out?” Aura offered. “Have you come across anything of that sort?”

“Well actually I have.” Saga stated. “Past a room with a number of dull spikes in the floor is a very long and empty hallway. Can we use that?”

“That sounds sufficient but we’d like to see it, just to be sure.” Eurus said.

“Alright then, let’s get moving.” Saga offered, but after the trio left the room, he noticed...something. Eurus was airborn but Aura looked like he was rather stuck to the ground. However this wasn’t the case in the lease as he seemed to almost freely and soundlessly glide across the ground. “Uhhh...wait...how are you doing that?”

“How am I doing what?” Aura asked.

“Moving. You’re NOT floating...even a little. You’re directly on the floor but you’re moving.” Saga pointed out.

“Evoker, I am a being made entirely of magic.” Aura answered. “So naturally...magic.”

“...Oh.” The prince muttered. “I suppose so. Right.”

“You were hoping for something more?” Aura asked.

“Well...maybe a little. Maybe you had some secret you might teach me someday so I could glide across the ground like that also.”

“Ahaha, certainly not! I’m afraid you are stuck with those perfectly functional legs for all the foreseeable future.”