#is she smart and sharp and capable of being serious

[bugoutreviewgirlie]

I don't like fics that make Marinette (not Ladybug) too level headed and jaded. That girl is silly goofy to the max and she shouldn't be watered down. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

[animezinglife]

It's not the most exciting thing to compliment, but I genuinely love the name choices in the Dragon Age series. They're both grounded yet fitting enough to suit a fantasy series. They fit the characters beautifully.

Take Varric for example: two-syllables, to-the-point, ends in a consonant. This sounds like someone who's going to get things done, but there's also kind of a laid-back feel to it.

Garrett/Marian Hawke (default): both names are cool as heck. There's a groundedness in the name, but either way, this isn't someone you're ever going to hold down. Hawks have wings, and they're hunters. They have incredible sight and claws. This is someone who will rise with a good, classic, strong, and fairly recognizable first name.

Leliana: four syllables, deceptively sweet, blatantly melodic in its sound. It's not at all a loud or garish name: perfect for someone who works quietly and in shadow (in Inquisition).

Cassandra: grand, loud, brash, and strong. Could you imagine her being named something like Phoebe?

Josephine: classic, feminine, and smart, defined by soft sounds (and dare I say a sharp but still "softer" advising approach than her fellow advisors)? Note I didn't say the result is softer. She'll wreck your marriage with the proper glove left on the proper table and drive your entire family to ruin, but she won't cut out your tongue physically or use a trebuchet at your doorstep.

Cullen: classic, strong, to-the-point. I honestly adore all the names in his family we're given (in Inquisition at least). Branson, Rosalie, Mia, and Cullen. Traditional, straightforward, and timeless.

Vivienne: elegant, graceful, and proud. I've always loved this name in general. The name lends itself well to a character who's haughty yet caring; proud but capable.

Fenris: a bit literal, but need I even explain this one? We're all lore and mythology nerds here.

Morrigan: I'm guessing I don't need to explain this one either.

Solas: seems obviously derivative of "light" or "bright." Brilliance. Yet it also makes me think of solitude; solemnity. Solas is a thinker and his name suits that.

Dorian: sounds bright, a bit elevated, and not entirely serious. Perfect for a bright, sarcastic character from a wealthy background.

Lace: girl-next-door, cute, a little tomboyish, and much tougher than the probably too-many boys she's been around most of her life. A girl named Lace? You should have zero doubts that she knows how to do absolutely everything.

Names make a difference when it comes to character, and I appreciate their decisions.

[catwomanarchive]

how long do you think writers are going to carry forward tom king's take on batcat

erm...i think they'll probably stop after the reboot. honestly my issue with it wasn't even interpretation necessarily. like i know people's issues with king are that he self inserts into them and projects his own issues but my issue with it was sitting through the dialogue. selina might make a corny cat pun once in a while but she's someone with whom i expect sharp, smart, witty dialogue. batcat are also a couple where they are very playful and relax with one another. yes, they have a rocky relationship at times but selina's really the person that bruce opens up to and cracks jokes and laughs with and omg the way that is being taken from me.........real pain. i have this issue with batcat sometimes where they make them seem more toxic than they actually are and they need to stop that. i have come to suspect (esp because king DID write the double date issue, and i won't deny that he has his moments where he does grasp them) that it was mostly editorial orders to make bruce overly tortured so i don't know who to place the blame on lol. it's not that batcat aren't capable of serious, mature takes or that i don't want that for them but it needs to be handled within a particular context.

[gutshift]

the thing about merrill is that, yes, she's genuinely naive and sheltered in a lot of ways. she's weird and silly! that's all true, and i don't like when fandom ignores it to try to...i don't know, fix her writing or whatever. but she is also incredibly intelligent and sharp and capable — she's not a stupid little girl, despite what marethari thinks. she's a grown adult making decisions and taking risks that she feels are justified by the potential reward. merrill knows she's smart; only a rivalmanced hawke can even come close to convincing her otherwise for longer than a few days.

and, at the same time, she is so used to being infantilized by everyone around her. she was used to it in the clan. with hawke, most of the companions talk to her like a child. there's fenris and anders's absolutely bonkers banters with her — WHY are you beefing with a DANDELION — where they treat her like a naive baby, but even the kinder banter from folks like varric often veers into this territory. she doesn't resent it when it comes from a kind place, and she suspects that varric's doting has a lot more to do with him than with her — surely he doesn't actually think she's in meaningful danger from the random thugs that hang out around lowtown? — but still. she notices.

and like — there's so much banter where she's very clearly trolling the rest of the gang, particularly with anders. where she leans into the way they all think she's some sheltered little girl to tease them, the equivalent of insisting on a lie just to piss someone off. she thinks it's frankly hilarious that the others never know if she's being serious or if they's mocking them. so much of the gang is so fucking awful to her, and she gets to troll them a little.

[maggie32432]

Prisoners - Finnick Odair Imagine (Part 3)

Finnick Odair and Sirena Nighthart both won their respective Hunger Games at age 14. Both from District 4. Finnick and Sirena both grow up in the Capitol, though keeping their distance from each other. What happens when both get reaped at the Quarter Quell for the 75th Hunger Games?

Third POV

A few floors above Finnick and Sirena are Peeta and Katniss.

This morning Haymitch Abernathy is taking the time to show Peeta and Katniss all the tributes that they will be facing. Tributes that he is all too familiar with. 

"Cashmere and Gloss. Brother and sister from District 1," he says while showing the pair of siblings on the screen. Both tall and extremely well-built for the Games.  "They won back-to-back Games. Capitol favorites, lots of sponsors, and will indeed be lethal," 

The screen switches to Brutus and Enobaria from District 2.  "What's with her teeth?" Katniss asks, referring to the sharpened teeth on the woman, 

"She had them filed into fangs so she could rip people's throats out," Haymitch says, increasing the nerves of both Peeta and Katniss. 

"District 3. Wiress and Beetee. Not fighters, but indeed brilliantly intelligent," Haymitch says, showing the two older tributes on the screen,  "He won his games by electrocuting six tributes at once," 

They both raise their eyebrows, impressed that anyone without fighting skills was capable of winning the games, 

"District 6. The morphlings. Basically, won their Games by hiding until everyone else was dead," Haymitch explains, "Self-medicating ever since. Which I applaud, but indeed not a threat," He says. 

The screen switches to reveal a blonde man with a white sweater on the screen, a smirk plastered on his face. Beside him is an intense-looking girl with bright blue hair and shocking blue eyes, she doesn't share the same smirk, but instead a serious look and sharp jawline.  "Finnick Odair and Sirena Nighthart, right?" Katniss asks, 

"Yes, both from District 4. Both won their respective back-to-back Games at age 14, being the youngest ever. They both are the Capitol darlings and are deeply loved here. Finnick is known to be extremely charming and smart. He and Sirena are both extremely skilled in combat, particularly in water," 

"What are their weaknesses?"  "None. That I currently know of," he says, making Katniss and Peeta both more nervous. 

Sirena's POV

I stand intensely still as about a dozen designers and make-up artists work on my face, hair, and costume for the tribute parade.  My dress is blue and quite ocean-y, which is always the goal for District 4. 

Lots and lots of sparkles on my nails, lips, and face. I also have this huge and heavy seashell crown on top of my head. 

I groan as my hair is yanked to be put up in a big dramatic braid. Blue and gold makeup is done on my face while I watch in the mirror, they do fish-scale-looking makeup on the sides of my face. My lipstick is also a vibrant blue and purple color. 

As it all comes together I do admit that I kinda look badass, and much cooler than I did the first time around.  I get guided by all sorts of people down to where the chariots are awaiting us.

Just before I enter the area Finnick walks over to me. 

His costume is insanely more simple than mine is. He has no shirt on and has a fishing net type of bottoms on.  I can't help myself but stare just a little bit at his bare chest.

Just a little.

"Hey, Blue," he says with a grin and I raise an eyebrow,  "C'mon if we're gonna be fighting for our lives together I may as well give you a nickname, right?" he asks and I smile just a little bit, 

together

"You look gorgeous, by the way," he grins and I roll my eyes,  "Flattery gets you nowhere, Odair,"  He smirks while taking my hand to walk into the main area. The hand holding is only a strategy at this point to get people to be on our side and adore us.

That's been the goal since we were 14 years old. 

On the way to our chariot, we say hello to dozens of people that we both know including some victors we will have to fight very very soon.

I continue to remind myself to put on a smile, at least for now. I've always been known to be much more soft-spoken than Finnick, so in some ways, I'm relying on him to strengthen allies for both of us. 

I look to my left to see Katniss Everdeen, and I gotta admit, she is pretty damn intimidating. "Should we go introduce ourselves?" Finnick asks me with a grin and I simply nod. 

He keeps holding my hand, which I appreciate.  "Katniss," I say and she turns to both of us walking over to her, 

"Sirena. Finnick." She says and Finnick asks,  "You want a sugar cube?" 

Where the hell did he find that?

"I mean they're supposed to be for the horses, but they got years to eat sugar, whereas you and I...well if we see something sweet, we better grab it," he says in his charismatic voice. 

Is that flirting? 

"No thanks. But I would love to borrow that outfit someday," Katniss says to him, and I smirk as does he.  "Well, you look pretty terrifying in that getup. What happened to the pretty little girl dresses?" he asks cockily, 

"I outgrew them,"  "You certainly did," he says with a grin, 

"Shame about the Quell thing. You could've made out like a bandit in The Capitol. Jewels, money, anything you wanted," He says,  "Well I don't like jewels and I have more money than I need, so... What do you both do with all your wealth, anyway?" she asks, 

"We don't deal in money," I say, speaking for the both of us,  "Then what riches do you have?"  "Secrets," I reply with a smile,  "What about you, Girl on Fire? Got any secrets worth my time?" He asks, stepping close to her, 

"I'm an open book. Everyone seems to know my secrets before I know them myself," She replies 

I like her 

"Unfortunately, I think that's true," he says, and he turns to see Peeta and Cinna walking over to us, 

"I'm sorry you had to cancel your wedding, I know how devastating that must be for you, " Finnick taunts, leading me to smile again.

We all are well aware of the fact that their love story is a complete sham, anyone trying to survive the Games would've done the same thing.

[reprisalet]

Character Deepdive

NAME: reyson

BODY

height: 181 cm

strength ☆☆☆☆☆ (lack of physical strength is sincerely laughable, mr "once punched someone and broke his hand bones" over here is NOT going to be winning any fights)

dexterity ☆★☆☆☆ (he will sometimes dodge!)

health ☆☆☆★☆ (despite physical frailties, takes excellent care of himself)

energy ☆☆☆★☆ (he spends most of his time incredibly fired up. calm down dude it isn't that serious)

beauty ☆☆☆☆★ (notably so, herons in general and reyson specifically are referred to as beautiful numerous times throughout the games they feature in; he's ambivalent toward his own appearance and doesn't like to be reduced to it, but nonetheless he is what he is)

style ☆☆☆☆★ (he dresses to make a statement! and make a statement he does)

hygiene ☆☆☆★☆ (pretty clean, takes good care of himself, he keeps himself and his space tidy but isn't obsessive over it)

SKILLS

perception ☆☆☆☆★ (heron empathy can grant him glimpses into the hearts of others, reading emotions, intentions, even thoughts... this is potent and because of that he's very aware of what those around him are doing, he's also pretty sharp-eyed so long as it isn't dark)

communication ☆☆☆★☆ (aforementioned heron abilities aside, he's a good communicator, faltering only when he gets heated. his people skills are impressive, befitting a birdie politician)

persuasion ☆☆☆★☆ (you will do as he asks. of the main persuasion methods, only intimidation is weak)

mediation ☆☆☆★☆ (peacemaker for the bird tribes...)

literacy ☆☆☆★☆ (well-educated befitting royalty, however he falters occasionally when not reading/writing in the ancient language even after all these years)

creativity ☆☆★☆☆ (pretty average!)

cooking ☆☆★☆☆ (decent cook given his limited palette and long list of dietary restrictions, nobody will be signing praises for his food, but he has a number of specialty dishes he can create that are generally enjoyable)

combat ☆☆☆☆☆ (herons are unable to engage in combat, and i play true to this even in rp)

survival ☆☆☆☆★ (after everything...)

stealth ☆★☆☆☆ (he's really noticeable, isn't he...?)

street smarts ☆★☆☆☆ (he's getting better! he's getting better, probably,)

seduction ☆☆☆★☆ (not his strongest suit, but more than capable when he puts his mind to it)

luck ☆☆☆★☆ (one of his highest stats! considers himself particularly lucky for how he was able to survive against all odds)

handling animals ☆☆☆☆★ (they like him, he likes them)

pacifying children ☆☆☆★☆ (i think he's good with kids! his family was large once, i bet there were little ones flying around...)

MIND

intelligence ☆☆☆★☆ (pretty smart, good mind for certain things though he isn't at 'genius' levels)

happiness ☆☆★☆☆ (things are not perfect. but oh, they are better)

spirituality ☆☆★☆☆ (complex relationship with the goddess of order and what it means to be a heron and what she intended for herons and if he, any of them, can live up to that)

confidence ☆☆☆★☆ (he has insecurities like anyone, but is generally confident in the things he knows he's good at!)

humor ☆★☆☆☆ (a little below average...? he takes himself too seriously sometimes but has the wit to be funny at times)

anxiety ☆☆★☆☆ (so much could still go wrong)

patience ☆☆★☆☆ (hot-tempered still, but he's calmed down somewhat)

passion ☆☆☆★☆ (see the above note on his hot temper, he still feels wild-hot grief and rage regarding the destruction of his people, he's just better at picking his targets)

nice         ☆☆★☆☆     mean

brave       ☆★☆☆☆     cowardly

pacifist     ☆☆☆★☆     violent 

thoughtful ☆☆☆★☆    impulsive 

agreeable ☆☆★☆☆     contrary

idealistic   ☆☆★☆☆     pragmatic

frugal        ☆☆★☆☆     big spender

extrovert   ☆★☆☆☆     introvert

collected   ☆☆☆☆★     wild

ambitious / possessive / stubborn / jealous / decisive / perfectionist

SOCIAL

charisma ☆☆☆☆★ (natural charisma + being raised a prince + pretty face)

empathy ☆☆☆☆★ (the heron of it all)

generosity ☆☆★☆☆ (he shares what he can)

wealth ☆☆☆★☆ (serenes is recovering!)

honest   ☆★☆☆☆ deceptive (sometimes to a fault, dislikes lying and dislikes more when others try to, looking at you naesala)

leader   ☆★☆☆☆   follower (has a natural knack for it but prefers not to be at the very head of things)

polite     ☆☆★☆☆  rude (certainly can be as polite and diplomatic as a situation might call for... but is prone to vulgar turns of phrase picked up from twenty years among informal hawks)

political ★☆☆☆☆  indifferent (he literally cannot afford to be indifferent...)

BELIEFS

higher power ☆☆☆★☆ (he believes in ashera, and yune for that matter, but again see the note on his uncertainty with regard to what he is & what he's meant to be)

fate/destiny ☆★☆☆☆ (it can be hard to believe all the tragedy he suffered was preordained...)

magic ☆☆☆★☆ (both the beorc and laguz varieties have been witnessed, he of course has a firmer belief in the seid magic of the herons though!)

soulmates ☆☆★☆☆ (hmm)

good and evil ☆☆☆★☆ (and the general distinction therein)

luck ☆☆☆★☆ (fortune over fate)

PRIORITIES

family ☆☆☆☆★ (always always always, and not just blood relations either)

friends ☆☆☆★☆ (there's room in his heart for many)

love ☆☆☆★☆ (not just the romantic sort, he loves his friends and family deeply and he wants to do all he can to support them)

home ☆☆☆★☆ (pleading emoji)

health ☆☆★☆☆ (he takes care of himself/his health when he can, but is prone to reckless behavior that endangers it)

praise ☆☆★☆☆ (everyone likes to hear they did well sometimes, right?)

justice ☆☆☆☆★ (ahaha... of course the question of 'what is just' can grow murky, but he genuinely tries his best)

truth ☆☆☆★☆ (he hates lying he hates being lied to...)

power ☆☆★☆☆ (many kinds of power out there, not just physical strength)

fame ☆☆★☆☆ (it isn't a motivator, per se, but he is well-known and both good and bad things come of that)

wealth ☆★☆☆☆ (not a main priority)

others' opinions ☆☆☆★☆ (depends which others! but he wants to have a good reputation to better aid the bird tribes)

[doom-dreaming]

I stayed up too late last night thinking thoughts about this AU and turning the dialogue I'd written into an actual scene, so here you go.

********** "So…the illustrious Blue Team," Roland chuckles. "The brass must've liked what they saw on my CSV."

"Must've," the Chief echoes back.

Her eyes are still scouring him and he rocks back on his heels in the beat of silence that follows, searching for something else to say. "Class II, huh? Been in this outfit for a while."

She nods. "And you're a fresh one. Hot off the assembly line."

There's a hint of…something in her voice, but Roland can't pinpoint it. He takes his chances. "...feel like clarifying that, ma'am?"

Her eyes finally break from his and she turns back to the storage locker. "There are a lot more Spartans these days than there used to be. That's all."

The lull in conversation stretches just long enough to get awkward before she speaks again. "Have you ever been paired with an AI, Roland?"

"No, ma'am. Should I have been?"

"Not necessarily." She removes her helmet from the locker and turns to face him, once more staring him down with those eyes that were just a little too blue. "But you will be. A personal AI is one of Blue Team's many perks."

Roland swears he can see a ghost of a smile pulling at her lips. He whistles. "Prestigious."

"And expensive, so take it seriously. I'm not sure who you'll be paired with, but I've been working with mine," she slips an armored housing chip out of the back of her helmet, "for a while now."

Roland tries to keep his expression neutral, but the thought of having someone else, something else riding shotgun all the time… "And it's…" What was the word he was looking for? "...you like it?"

She answers with another brisk nod that leaves no room for misinterpretation. "He knows me better than anyone else. We're seamless together." She must've caught the look that crossed Roland's face against his best efforts, because hers softens. Barely. "I can introduce you, if you're curious."

Roland shrugs.

Taking that as enough of an answer, Cortana holds the chip out in her palm.

Less than a second passes before the two of them are bathed in a warm green glow. A small hologram of a human man hovers just a hair above the chip. He's wearing simple fatigues and boots, but his jacket is open to a tank top underneath. He's objectively handsome, Roland supposes, taking in the short-cropped hair, the strong features, the sharp, serious eyes. He even catches some freckles on the hologram's cheekbones.

Roland had seen a few Smart AIs in his time, not many, but the practical mundanity of this one catches him slightly off-guard. They could choose to look like anything and this one had chosen that? Nothing with a little more flair, a little more whimsy?

"Roland, meet John. John, Roland."

"...the new recruit?" The AI's voice is low and husky and he's not addressing Roland but he also hasn't stopped looking at Roland since he appeared. And Roland, caught under the scrutiny of two pairs of very intense eyes, is beginning to understand why this AI paired so well with the Chief. "He's young."

Cortana makes a noise in the back of her throat. "I didn't pick him. Apparently his service record speaks for itself, and I get the feeling he's more than capable of speaking enough for himself and everyone else."

The AI—John—snorts.

"...I'm right here," Roland mutters. But even through the prickling annoyance of being talked around rather than to, he can't help but realize that was the most he'd heard the Chief say since he'd met her.

[tiredfoxtf]

Please tell me more about your ocs, I'd love to know more about them :3

Thanku for being interested!!! Most things about them are currently work-in-progress, I started putting together the entire world of Your Spirit (WIP name, it's kinda lame, I'm working on it) like 2 days ago. dsfsdfsgd So they don't have names Yet! But I laid out their personalities I can share that!!! Under the cut. :3

So the first guy with heterochromia is that upbeat guy, who will take everything you put on him, just because he can't say no, even if he wants to. He is too kind for his own good and paired up with his inability to decline requests of others he gets into Situations. He lacks the sense of fear, quite literally, he isn't able to be afraid (and high threshold for pain) so he doesn't quite get it when he needs to back down and turn back and run. He desperately wants positive attention and affirmation from others. There's a few reasons why he doesn't get it as much as he would like it and how no matter his unconscious people pleasing he has very few friends. But it's a bit complicated! He is walking smile and loud positivity in the room and overall trying his best to be a nice guy, but he kinda lacks some social skills so usually he ends up saying stuff he isn't supposed to say.

The girl with cool earrings is the overachiever type, the "I have more things to prove than anyone else" vibes. She has the will of steel and the temper of volcano, she often snaps at people, especially the ones she considers ungrateful and rude. Quite unable to relax, always tense with some pressure in her stance. Overconfident and a bit self-absorbed, but for good reason. She believes in "lead by example" and she is The one to set this example. Who if not her? She is very reliable and strong, with sharp mind, but gets carried away easily with anger (and later feels shameful about it). Deeply she cares for people, just her way of expressing it is in form of screaming on them and talking down on them, to motivate them to improve themselves.

The boy with eye-bags is just tired and done. He doesn't really wants to do what he is doing with his life, but he doesn't exactly has a choice. He just follows the flow of his life, wishing the waterfall comes sooner than he tears his hair out. He just wants to nap and listen to how wind plays with leaves and puts waves on the water. Very laid back, but incredibly smart, people would call him a genius and how he wastes his natural talent. But under his not caring lazy attitude he really afraid of letting people down, especially his parents, especially his mom. He cares about things more than everyone thinks, he just too tired to express it enough. And talking is hard. And everyone are so goddamn loud.

The woman with tanned skin is kind of a woman-child, she is just a bit silly. In a goofy mood. She's capable of being serious, of course, especially in a fight, she's incredibly capable fighter. Still cracks jokes in the middle of it though. That's how she just is under stress. She dislikes a lot of rules and responsibilities that were put on her. But not her team of teens she trains and fights with. That's her fucking kids, her pupils. The fact that she can't be transparent with them because Rules pisses her off. She often fights with higher-ups because of it. Really dislikes keeping important things that could be useful to others secret. But she dislikes being hunted for treason herself more or let alone if something were to happen with her pupil. So she sucks it up. But her own family doesn't like her at all for such free way of thinking.

[russicnroses]

BLOOD+ VOLUME 1: FIRST KISS

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

001. SAYA OTONASHI

A high school girl living in Okinawa. She is warmly cared for as the adopted daughter of the Miyagusuku family. Despite her seemingly ordinary life, she has no memories of anything that happened more than a year ago. This mystery surrounding her past becomes a key to unraveling the truth about her identity and fate.

002. RIKU MIYAGUSUKU

The second son of the Miyagusuku family. Unlike his hot-blooded older brother Kai, Riku is gentle, soft-spoken, and kind-hearted. A dependable and mature young boy, he takes pride in handling chores like cooking and laundry. Though still young, he shows a great deal of emotional intelligence and sensitivity.

003. GEORGE MIYAGUSUKU

The foster father of Saya, Kai, and Riku. A retired U.S. military veteran who now runs a local tavern in Okinawa. Tough and disciplined on the outside, George has a warm and compassionate heart, particularly when it comes to protecting his family. He has a long-standing connection with David, hinting at a more complex past.

004. HAGI

A mysterious and handsome young cellist. He appears to know the truth about Saya’s life before she lost her memory and is believed to hold a crucial key to her fate. Quiet and loyal, Hagi often shows up at critical moments, always watching over Saya with an unreadable gaze.

005. DAVID

A serious and pragmatic member of "Red Shield," an organization formed to exterminate the monstrous beings known as Chiropterans. From behind the scenes, he has been keeping a close watch on Saya for some time. Calm, focused, and burdened by duty, David operates with the precision of a soldier and the mind of a tactician.

006. KAI MIYAGUSUKU

The eldest son of the Miyagusuku family. Though quick-tempered and always ready for a fight, Kai is fiercely loyal and protective of his family, especially Saya and Riku. Beneath his rough exterior lies a kind and caring soul who struggles with the complexities of the danger surrounding those he loves.

007. LEWIS

A small-statured, upbeat member of Red Shield’s special forces unit. Despite his friendly and humorous nature, Lewis is a seasoned and highly capable soldier. He often provides levity in tense situations but is always ready to act when the moment demands.

008. SPENCER

A colleague of David and fellow Red Shield operative. Spencer is a cheerful and ever-hungry intelligence officer who specializes in gathering information. Though often seen joking around, he is sharp and efficient in his duties.

009. MCCOY

A quiet, physically imposing member of Red Shield’s special forces. He rarely speaks but is known for his unwavering dedication to missions and his intimidating presence in the field.

010. JULIA SILVERSTEIN

Saya’s attending physician and a trusted acquaintance of George. In truth, she is a medical specialist working for Red Shield and collaborates closely with David. Smart and elegant, Julia plays a vital role in monitoring Saya’s physical condition and uncovering the scientific truth behind the Chiropterans.

011. ROGERS

A distinctive member of Red Shield’s special forces, known for his beard and ever-present sunglasses. Though little is said, his appearance alone marks him as a seasoned fighter who’s seen more than a few battles.

012. CLARA

A bold and courageous female soldier in Red Shield’s special forces. Clara is often seen wielding a large machine gun and rushing headfirst into combat. Fearless and resolute, she’s a warrior through and through.

013. KAORI KINJO

Saya’s cheerful classmate and fellow member of the school’s track team. Since Saya's arrival at school, Kaori has been a strong source of emotional support and is one of the few people Saya can call a true friend. She’s understanding, kind, and often looks out for Saya as she navigates her mysterious condition.

014. MIN

A student at the boarding school Lycée des Cinq Flèches in Vietnam. Bright, sociable, and fond of gossip, Min brings a lively energy to the school and quickly befriends new students. Her curiosity sometimes gets the better of her, but she means well.

015. ANNA-MARIE

A student at Lycée des Cinq Flèches with a regal beauty and commanding presence. She is seen as the “queen” of the school, admired and envied by many. Her elegant demeanor often hides a sharper, more calculating nature.

016. MAO JAHANA

A second-year student at the same high school as Saya. A headstrong and assertive girl with a fiery personality. Mao is head-over-heels for Kai and pursues him with single-minded determination, even if it gets her into trouble.

017. MS. LEE

A stern teacher at Lycée des Cinq Flèches and the head of the student dormitory. Known for her strict discipline and no-nonsense attitude, Ms. Lee commands respect and ensures the school's rules are upheld to the letter.

018. AKIHIRO OKAMURA

A reporter from the Ryukyu Daily News. Intrigued by the mysterious Chiropteran incident at Koza Commercial High School, Okamura begins a solo investigation. Sharp and persistent, he is driven by both professional curiosity and a sense of justice.

019. MUI

A young girl living at a children's welfare facility in Vietnam. Through playing baseball, she becomes friends with Riku and Kai. Despite her quiet circumstances, she has a bright spirit and forms a meaningful bond with them.

020. SOLOMON GOLDSMITH

The young CEO of the pharmaceutical company Cinq Flèches Pharmacie. A graceful and refined handsome man, he speaks gently and carries himself with calm composure. Behind his serene exterior may lie deeper intentions.

021. VAN ARGENO

An employee of the French pharmaceutical company Cinq Flèches Pharmacie. He supplies special pharmaceuticals to the U.S. military. Argeno is shrewd and calculating, often acting with hidden motives.

022. KARL GOLDSMITH

The director of Lycée des Cinq Flèches and also in charge of the Vietnam branch of Cinq Flèches Pharmacie. His dual role in both education and the corporation suggests he plays a significant part in the overarching schemes involving the company.

[fartface025]

duke thomas headcanons. let me have these.

TT. sorry if this is mischaracterization you can beat me up with a little baseball bat if u wanna.

reuploaded w edits!!!! :3c

GENERAL HEADCANONS:

bisexual and autistic

finds out he’s bi early on and goes “huh. well okay”

will shit talk anyone, feels free to. worst, he is really really really good at it. really really good at it

”your robin uniform was pretty hideous jaybird” (jason, doesn’t care about the fact that he died in it, but loves to play this card for fun) “thanks i fucking died in it” (duke, who does not care, is joking but also very good at being blunt) “so it’s deathly ugly. i see”

this doesn’t ruin their relationship because jason immediately thinks this guy is the coolest little brother he has now and now Alienated Half-Brother Figure Who Only Ever Shows Up At Reunions guy is trying to bond with Newest Adopted Sibling

he’s super fucking funny like terrifyingly funny. gets everyone to laugh and is also capable of a perfect deadpan. again, adored by jason, and duke is mostly ambivalent/likes jason but also is confused by it

him and steph also get along given how they really grew up in the hearts of gotham.

yea they joke a lot but i feel they’d also really like each other and get to be serious and talk a lot

i dont know steph as well but i do know a lot of fucked up shit happened in her life, and it feels reductive to only discuss her as peppy

she would help him deal with grieving his parents (both in situation wherein they die or not, see my other duke thomas posts)

in general, he’s pretty good at appearing cool but he really is truly so ready to be reckless, mostly cuz he doesn’t recognize it or just has it as a part of who he is. idk how to describe it, but he’s casual with it. like, he jumped off a bridge to avoid the cops. i mean its the cops but also. A BRIDGE!!!! (this is a canon event idk why u guys call him boring)

crashes the batmobile so, so, so much. doesn’t tell bruce most times. he’s been here for only a bit and he’s immediately rocketed to third most crashes on the list they keep. very blasé about the whole thing, because he has good reason

bruce finds out one day and he’s just like “yeah well. had to destroy that (evil villain scheme here) somehow. :)” Gets away with it . of course he does

so sarcastic (canon). and also really good at talking his way out of trouble. him and cass (creds to nerd skillz for this one) bungee off wayne tower, and he somehow persuades bruce Not to punish them super hard. admired by the rest of the batfam for it. i guess u cld say smooth talker but i wouldnt use that i would use moreso

is nice and cordial and cool and likable, but has the capacity to be super mean. when a goon has him tied up and he doesn’t wanna waste time he just gets to insulting that guy. he flipflops between being the beloved and adulated hero he is and also very good at pinpointing when exactly random henchman’s father left him and why

very effective. very sad for all of the petty villains but very good for him

good chef. can somehow make a bunch of different types of noodles perfectly??? don’t ask how he just knows how to make biang biang mein from scratch. (if this is contradictory to canon i dont care… let my guy idly make biang biang mein as if it’s easy mac)

he’s so silly. i mean that place is on fire but you can’t exactly pin it on him, and he’s really just so silly. he really is my fave character.

he’s supernaturally good at things the way everyone else in the batfam supernaturally good at things. it’s not even in a “let him be treated this way the same way in fanon other characters are treated” so much as it is “i communed with him last night spiritually and i know for a fact he is like this.” ill get into later my precognition that he’s super good at tekken but also. he can blow the biggest bubble of bubblegum. he can tell exactly what you ate last night and if you liked it. he’s sharp and he’s witty and he’s just as smart as everyone else. sorry duke fans who know this i have to catch the others up. also send me more thoughts

also, sorry for flooding this list w a bunch of canon facts, but like: like everyone else, his shit is like completely plated. that’s heavy as hell!!! he should be a pretty good gymnast and well. almost everything given how he lugs around a giant yellow bulletproof suit in the daytime fighting crime. he should be super cool. he should do parkour one day without disguise or alias and immediately get side eyed because how did he do that…?

doesn’t find a way out by smoothtalking so much as he just tangles you in a bunch of words and you end up conceding

when i see him as trans i see him as transmasc/transfem/bigender or just nonbinary. either one out of any of these is fine im a multihcer. someone asks him his gender and he goes “im fine either way”. its whatever to him and he doesnt mind

yellow beads in his locs :) please please please please please please someomne draw this please every time i see fanart w him w little beads i go YAY!

considered a super pretty boy :) look at my son

HAIR HEADCANONS:

would switch it up a lot

duke is pretty good alone on wash days but damian helps. duke’s not certain where he learned to get these products or how to use them but damian somehow stocks the right stuff all the time. so does alfred??? somehow???

damian should put in the beads. he should stare at duke. “….do you want to choose the pattern?” (damian puts them into a little bumblebee.) “thanks :)” “…. :|!” (very happy he likes it)

one day alfred comes and silently opens a silver platter. “your apple cider vinegar, sir” duke is absent-mindedly picking it up cuz he’s sleepy. “oh, cool. thanks so much. :). wait. how’d you know where to get this from???”

it’s the same store from the narrows he went to as a kid. exact same bottle he used to buy too. actually, he thought they discontinued these things???

the truth is bruce knows/learns, based off of duke’s reactions to passing it once, and tells alfred, so that’s why alfred knows

bruce knows how to treat hair too and every time duke switches up his hairstyle he researches for it + knows what products they have to buy (by swinging by the store) and he just doesn’t talk about it

in brutalia future, she also tends to it very carefully.

also: visits the store on his own, is beloved by the shopkeeper as he is almost everywhere

DUKE + DAMIAN + CASS HEADCANONS:

lets damian win at video games sometimes, does not comment on how it swells the guy’s ego.

“of course i have won, i am damian al ghul wayne.” “yeah sure buddy” “you accept my gloating as you know it’s fact” (duke just stopped pressing inputs because if he did he would have DESTROYED damian at street fighter)

steph and cass know better, because once steph taunted him into playing a ‘casual’ round of tekken.

he looked at her without saying anything, sat down onto the couch, and absolutely decimated her without even blinking.

she doesn’t like to talk about it. (now SECOND best at tekken. when will it end…)

damian and duke brotherhood. and cass too. three youngest children, all dearly loved by batman. this means theyre going to go out for snacks or something and blow something up and get back home and none of them are gonna get any flack for it.

loves romcoms, is aware damian is watching from the shadows. “… you know i know you’re there right.” “……………” “you’re gonna miss the part where they kiss if you keep standing over there.” “…………” (little boy starts inching forward) cass is also there, and she hums and lets damian lie in her lap like a little cat. she personally thinks the acting doesn’t take away from the fact that the actor’s quite uncharming and the lead actress’ performance is lousy and overblown, but she enjoys being with them as it happens

i mean, what hasn’t been said about him and cass’ dynamic?

all i really have to say is they spar, she wins because she’s cass, and then they play fighting games and dick around.

they’re so silly. they’re really the best

duke’s fave candy is those rainbow sour stripes. and the little fun sticks you dip into powder.

he shares with damian who pretends he thinks it’s slop and disgusting and poison and evil, and then snatches away one blue raspberry flavor packet of fun dip as they walk home. duke lazily puts out one hand and the little guy glares at him and then immediately starts narfing away at it.

unrelated but he would love shrimp (this is me projecting i fucking love shrimp …. mmmm saucy shrimp …… mmmgmmghhhfffh)

does duke still own the robin jacket? i think he should loan it out to damian (who is two sizes too small for it) on ocassion and damian pretends he doesn’t think it’s the coolest thing he’s ever seen

i really love duke and damian’s dynamic. and add cass please :3c

little sulky brother, fun older brother, cool sister. they’re going to explode something

duke driving crazy in the batmobile as they’re getting away from something. damian is in the front seat. this is the coolest moment in his life

damian looks up to duke and cass like Crazy but he’s never going to admit it out loud. he just shows it. very cute about the whole thing. pouty too but mostly cute

hears duke jumped off a bridge once and briefly considers doing that too because he thinks it sounds awesome + would make him equally cool robin as duke is

god forbid he hears about the time he trumped the riddler

damian does hear about this stuff and immediately goes. “hm.” and secretly he’s like “Woaghghhh….. wooagguhhhh :)”

tangential: cass and damian friendship

she signs “hello little guy” and he humphs but he thinks she’s the fucking awesomest person he’s ever seen

cass should be third best at tekken. i know i know cass fans she’s literally the greatest at hand-to-hand and fighting and stuff but in my fantasyland + multiheadcanon lifestyle i choose to believe shes somehow just a little bit worse at it. could pummel an average joe outside the batfam, but like. let duke be supernaturally good at tekken

damian draws duke and cass a lot and doesn’t show them because he’s embarassed he’s not getting it right, even when he feels fine sharing his drawings with others because he’s good + doesn’t care that much about the opinions (trusts they will be good) but with them he’s just a little iffy about it.

there are a bunch of crumpled pages of cass and duke at different angles and he has scrapped all of them because he doesn’t think they look like who they are

duke should put on little lightshows too. and this captivates damian and cass

cannot stress enough how fanatic i am about the idea of cassduke cool older sibs and damian staring and being so so so so envious, but mostly duke damian “this guy is so awesome. im going to stare at him until i transmute some of his qualities” has rotted me

BRUCE BONUSES:

since cass, damian and duke are the bunso of the family (i guess tim and steph count but like. i am counting these three as a unit mostly cuz they’re my faves) and because duke is just That good at finessing their way out of trouble, they don’t really get in half as much hot water as they should. duke is very smug about it to the chagrin of the other batkids

batfam siblings are torn. heartbreaking: guy who keeps evading trouble is also world’s funniest, silliest, awesomest, slyest guy, and the most likable guy ever.

bruce knows to some extent he probably shouldn’t be enabling his three youngest to dick around/property damage but also duke goes :( with big brown eyes . and so do damian and cass and really it’s so over for him

bruce relentlessly studying how to care for black hair is an image that keeps me up at night. give me tired sad duke getting his hair washed please . (begging you all)

idk i dont have the context for this but im haunted by this image of bruce looking in the backseat of the batmobile and duke, cass and damian all sleeping in the back.

this isnt like a real piece of media im just like Ugh….. yeah its real to me

talia’s in the front seat (heart emoji)

if i was bruce id enable those three too!!! your beautiful son/sun has exploded some place and is casually walking around so he doesn’t look suspicious. and nobody will suspect him. smiles and he is glowing. and like yeah i would enable him too!!!!!! tf!!!!

bruce who is aware about duke’s complicated thoughts about his parents. understanding that + angst. see below ugghgghahahghga

early on bruce trying to give him space while supporting him and being very fond of him oh okay (ill). distance. self imposed distance hmmmmmm (dies)

elaine and doug and bruce and something something upon elaine and doug’s recovery bruce should bond with them. and also… more thoughts

i have a lot of thoughts abt them…

THOUGHTS ABOUT ELAINE AND DOUG AND THE BATFAM:

loves his parents but also loves bruce as a father (takes a while but they get there! his guilt is assuaged bit by bit n by the time they recover he’s not dealing with it that much anymore). lucky bastard got TWO sets. or well 2 + 1 for free i guess.

god i really love them so much

i have a lot of thoughts ab him and his parents v the batfam and that conflict but also i do like him in the batfam so much as long as the conflict is addressed and talked abt + duke’s processing of grief and all that.

it really can go either way in terms of them not recovering (in which case the narrative should present it as such rather than leaving it up to limbo, because i just want Closure!!! tie up that thang!!!)

i respect all duke fans’ thoughts about the matter, and i know a lot of us are pretty divided about the whole thing, but i realllllly love content where he’s fully integrated + PROPERLY AND CORRECTLY characterized/explored + IS the focal point of everything. my baby

i think i would say i prefer doug + elaine recovery and he has Two families, but i do err on the side of duke as being part of the batfam

personally, i only regard erasure as when the character loses all narrative weight + is shafted and minimized. even if they die, so long as their character is aggrandized and looms over the story and influences everything

example of them dying while maintaining major roles: duke gets a solo run, duke returns to the narrows in grief, sees all the influences of elaine and doug, creates alienaton between him and all of his other relationships, it remains major, doug and elaine are complex, and always mentioned and explored…. ugghgahgoughgh.

like i just want them to have Something. i don’t want duke to disappear from the narrative in any case, nor them. if they live and then they slowly fade away from importance i would prefer they die and maintain huge haunting roles over duke n hell the rest of the batfam too. let me see steph and cass helping duke mourn. steph as another gothamite helping duke grieve. everyone from the narrows and WAR being properly done also grieving!!! bruce thinking about doug and elaine’s morality and all that AUGGHHGHHH

also yeah im a good dad bruce lover. sorry im awesome and all that :/

THE REST + BRUTALIA/TALIA CONTENT AND QUESTIONS:

(brutalia lover voice) …. we should add talia here

brutalia lover versus duke damian friendship lover voice. wish damian’s character didn’t come at the cost of talia’s character in canon. hmph

doing what i do best: enjoying a bunch of contradictory stuff…

talia should and would like duke thomas. nice to her son. silly. she likes him a lot. if he ever was in danger of like assassination or something like that she would hug him so tightly. i mean shed do that for all of them (dick would hiss like a feral cat) but like. :)

perhaps he doesn’t know exactly about talia off the bat but then they’re threatened by like a mob of villains and their lackeys and she goes “please excuse me, duke thomas,” before fucking going ham. i mean duke also takes care of a good half/three quarters but he’s like Woah!!!!!

duke thomas teaches her wii sports resort and she Clobbers everyone at fencing. of course.

“your mom’s pretty cool damian :)” “… of course she is” (thrilled to hear it)

elaine and talia friendship would be awesome

also i read on the wiki that elaine thomas ran away from gnomon + (quote is verbatim taken from the wiki) ‘as well as the various secret wars between immortals; involving individuals like the Immortal Man, The Infinite Woman, Ra's al Ghul and others.’

can someone smarter than me tell me of the implications of this on duke talia friendship

[typingdyslexiaisathing]

The Mad Dash (Trigun fic) part 1

summary: A new challenger enters the ring to save Vash and Wolfwood from a dire situation. Someone that proves to be a formidable and capable fighter.

characters: Vash the Stampede, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, OC

content: blood, violence, injury, medical treatments, broken bones, serious injury, mention of death, serious fighting, explosions, tending wounds, tending broken bones, established relationship

// I wrote a pretty long fanfic back in 2019. And so I am posting the first part of it here for people to read. Hope you enjoy the throw down. //

She moved to block the shot with effortless ease. The shield taking all of the blow with a resounding clang. Vash wondered how it didn't break her arm from the fact it wasn't just a bullet. It had been a missile from a rocket launcher. And from the fact she flinched to then grab the shield with her free hand meant that there had been damage. Yet her glare was as sharp as a razor as she huffed in air. But then Wolfwood stepped in with a few shots of his own. The enemy falling back as Wolfwood shouted, "Move your asses! GO!" The woman nodded to drop what looked like a bomb of all things. Kicking it into the crowd of bounty hunters to shout, "Have a party favor!" Then she rushed at Vash to swoop him up under one arm and sprint forwards with him doing his best to keep up. Or not just fall flat on his face as she about flew over the ground. Wolfwood brought up the rear as they made a bee line for an abandoned building a few blocks down. The bomb going off for even more explosions to rend the air. The woman vaulted through the open window with Vash still hanging on. Vash giving a shout when he went through the window with her. To then be cushioned into a roll with her and having her take most of their weight as they rolled. He was sure by now she had broken something. With Wolfwood jumping through the same window to then duck down behind the wall for cover. Vash was then tugged up off the floor and through a doorway. Being sat behind the wall in that hallway as the woman panted and heaved for air next to him. With the shield falling off her now very twisted arm to thud to the floor. She gave a hard growl of a noise to get her feet under her and stand. Obviously going to push herself even further. So Vash grabbed her by the shoulder right away. His words worried as he told her, "Stop. You shouldn't move with your arm like that." She huffed to look at him with a glare. Making him almost back away at the intensity. But then she grit her teeth to dump her bag next to him, grabbing a kind of shawl to fling it over her shoulder. Within seconds she had her broken arm secured to her front and tied with the shawl. Ensuring it wouldn't be moving when she did. Her voice was full of pain as well as resolve. "I stop when we're clear. So get ready to hightail it in three…" Before he could grab her to stop her, she charged forwards back into the main room. With Wolfwood giving a shout to exclaim, "Wait a- STOP YOU CRAZY-" But then she was vaulting out the window, her sword poised and her cloak swaying behind her. "Don't make me have wasted my time with you two! NOW MOVE IT!"

Vash tried to scramble after her with her bag over his shoulder. But Wolfwood had other ideas to grab him and slam him into the floor. "You idiot! Stay down! She's right! It's YOU they want Spikey!" But Vash gave a hard snarl to try and get Wolfwood off of him. "I don't care! They'll kill her if I don't do something! MOVE NICK!" But Wolfwood gave a growl to hoist Vash up and back out into the hallway, the opposite direction of the window. "I never said we should leave her to die! I'm saying we need to be smart about it! Now move your ass so we can circle around for the bike!" Vash hated that idea and the direction they were going. But he got the lead out regardless. The two of them moving around to the back entrance to head down the street and for where they left the motorcycle. By then there was shouting and explosions sounding off in quick succession down the other street. Making Vash extremely worried to borderline on panic. But Wolfwood got the bike started to then throw their bags into the side cart. Vash could hear more shouting as the chaos moved up that side street. And so he got on the bike as soon as Wolfwood gunned the engine. The two of them speeding off towards the noise as Vash held on tight. By the time they got to where most of the noise was, the both of them felt highly on edge. And it proved justified when they saw what was going down. The woman that had jumped into their mess was all bloody and caked with dirt. While she was backpedaling away from a really big guy with a chainsaw. Several of the bounty hunters had already gone down. But there were three left and they were highly augmented with cybernetics and armor. She was also looking like she was about to fall over. Her entire body trembling as she moved. Her dodges just barely keeping the whining teeth of the chainsaw from touching her. A few times she didn't even dodge completely. Nicks and red appearing on her legs and a good chunk of the cloak getting shredded. She ended up tossing the cloak off to then have it get caught in the chainsaw. Which only stopped it for five or six seconds as Wolfwood sped the bike up. Vash cursed to then state, "Hurry up Nick!" Wolfwood growled to exclaim, "Shut it! OI! INCOMING!" The woman turned just as the chainsaw ripped through the cloak to start back up again. Her sword instantly sheathed into it's scabbard at her back. Leaving her hand free as she held her arm out for one of them to grab her. Vash took aim to shoot the guy with the chainsaw just as Wolfwood grabbed her arm. The chainsaw sparking to then explode as they sped off.

Wolfwood kept his arm in hers as she moved her feet into the side cart. Then she let go to grab the shield and set it up to give their backs cover. Bullets pinged out in succession as she huffed and kept the shield up. All while Vash hung on tight to get a few shots off as they sped away from the mayhem. It didn't take long for them to get across town. And by then Vash was certain that the woman who had just saved their lives was about dead. She'd already collapsed in the side cart once the gunshots had stopped. Her body going limp into his side as Vash had grabbed her collar to keep her in the cart. So once they got to the back street of their hotel, Vash was about to freak out. But Wolfwood stopped the bike for Vash to scramble off the seat. Wolfwood killing the engine as Vash lifted up the woman to get a better look at her condition. And she looked like several aisles of bad road by now. Her eyes closed as she took ragged pants of air. Her clothes were a mess. Several cuts leaking ever so slowly as a few forming bruises could be seen under the rips in her pants. But the worst was her left arm. It looked like it had been rolled up the wrong way while still in the shawl. Which made Vash flinch at the idea it might just fall off once they untied it. "Nick. This is really bad." Wolfwood took off his sunglasses to look. And he too ended up grimacing to run a hand through his hair. "Ah Hell. Let's get her inside." Vash nodded to carefully lift her into his arms. And she gave a hard flinch to shiver all over. Wolfwood grabbed all of their gear to then get them through the back door and up to their room on the second floor. Wolfwood tossing the bags into the corner to then start getting the hot water going in the sink. Vash moved with care as he got into the room with his cargo. Setting the woman into a chair to start getting the shawl completely removed. He hissed in air as the shawl came away sticky. The red soaked into the material for him to curse. "God. This is bad. Nick. You got any needle and thread? We need to do something about this bleeding right away." Wolfwood routed through one of the bags to then set out a bowl of water as well as rags. His movements precise as he then found needle and thread in the bag the woman was carrying. "I found better. This looks like actual surgical needle and thread along with disinfectant." Vash gave a nod to then give a squack of surprise, since it was then a hand clamped down on his wrist. Both he and Wolfwood looked down to their guest. Who was blinking furiously at Vash as if to clear her vision. Her air was strained as she tried to get on her feet. And she asked, "We clear?" Vash gave a nod to keep her seated. "We lost them all. And are at a hotel across town. Now don't move and we'll see to getting you stitched up." She gave a hard huff of air to then shiver. "There's medical glue in a jar with a blue star on the cork. Use that to make sure I don't bleed out onto the floor."

[ahrencmeptn]

Viola had been confident that Cheshire's paw would have worked in sending the both of them bowling over, but not only did it fail; it was soundly countered with a blade that seemed to be made of nothing. A nothing that brought a rumbling yowl of pain from the portal before the leg it's connected to dissipated when the portal's magic was cut off.

Lips tightened to a thin line at the realization she just got Cheshire hurt, something that ticked her off more than she cared to admit, and something she'd have to apologize for later.

These guys weren't pushovers like everything else here, evidently, and they were even capable of hurting demons. Even ones like Cheshire who had at least some pedigree behind his name. This situation had suddenly become serious enough that she'd have to put some effort into this, too. A little sigh, slinging the case from over her shoulder to drop it firmly at her feet.

"I'd gotten this made by Rodin and everything... Was gonna show it off to teach when I got back, so you're gonna pay big time for makin' me have to unwrap a present early."

It's said as she, of all things, began to dance. Something that would be picked up on, too, as the Macarena. Complete with active motion and footwork, as the hip gyration at the end sent her low to the floor and the final leap caused the seal on the case to shine. Crumbling as the box case swung open to reveal the content inside.

Foot kicked the weapon skyward, before the weapon's massive handle was grabbed firmly in hand. A large one-sided axe, with sharp pick at the other side where wicked blade was not. Dark wood, jutting in sharp angles with intricate designs of silver laid through the grain, before reaching the black blade ending in crystalline purple edge that oozed a static-like 'blood' from it; that effect trailing behind the weapon's movements as it was twirled around her.

Despite the prevalence of firearms in Umbra Witches past, Viola did have to confess she had a preference for combat of a bladed kind. Even as the shotguns clicked on the floor while she kicked open casing aside and rested weapon over shoulder; Cheshire's blade having seemingly vanished when she swapped weaponry in her grasp.

Was it smart to test out a new weapon on the field first? Absolutely not, but Bayonetta herself had said that it was best to be good with a wide variety of weapons. Here she was, just being an eager student taking her teacher's words to heart.

A hand was raised, giving a 'come hither' mocking curl of fingers to the one that still had it's attention firmly put on her.

"C'mon, tall, dark and ghastly. Ya want a witch so bad? Let's dance."

The duo of Black Knights were certainly shaped like armor meant for humans, even if you'd have a great struggle finding anyone that could properly fill them; helmeted heads turning in ominous unison towards the Umbra Witch as soon as Tennyson was momentarily out of the way, taking heavy steps towards her, undaunted.

Not even wincing in their approach as Cheshire's massive claw came thrusting out of the portal at them to strike.

A blow that would've put Morton clear through the wall, almost certainly, but here with the Black Knight nearest, they simply raise a hand up in it's approach- metal boots barely skidding backwards before the demon's limb is brought to a complete stop, the force of the strike clearly not enough to even stress these knights.

Gauntlet digging into a grip on the fabric of the claw, as it's other quickly reaches to it's back and withdraws... well, the hefty hilt of a greatsword that was currently missing it's blade.

Until some switch was activated, and a wicked blade of energy extends from it- not red, like the rest of the Forever Knight's weapons they'd seen so far, but some intense blackness enveloped in withdrawn light, like a black hole condensed into a blade.

A blade which would be just as quickly thrust into the stitched fabric of Cheshire's claw, something that would undoubtedly hurt as the sword would seem to drink at the demon's very essence.

Before another, distant green FLASH would illuminate the knight's metal visage before it's head would be struck by a bright beam of burning energy that sends it stumbling to the side, it's partner having to move in to block the stream with it's own blade.

"Lets see how you handle NRG, metalheads!" The new, accented alien yells as he tries his best to distract one of them.

[arvandus]

So hopefully I got in on time! Btw, I’ve been absolutely loving your HC’s, the stutter one was friggin adorable! I love soft Dabi, there’s not much of him out there in stories 😢

Anyway! I was wondering if you could do HC’s with Dabi for someone who may be deaf or just hard of hearing? Ifff your comfortable, I would love to see what he would do for a male s/o (or platonic friend/league member, etc, whichever you choose!) If you don’t want to do this it’s completely fine and you can switch it to ambiguous/female (I don’t know if you have ever done men before haha!)

Hello! I’m so flattered for this ask because you’re trusting me to portray something that’s personal to you and outside of my own experience. I can absolutely do this with a Male Reader (my first one!).

I’m not sure what type or level of hearing loss you had in mind, so I did my best with this and went with an acquired hearing loss that’s moderate-to-severe. Also, I wrote Reader as someone who wears hearing aids. I hope that’s all right, since that’s typically the case for those with more severe hearing loss (otherwise communication is really difficult to do, since I don’t suspect Dabi would know sign language). Also, I got a couple of cute ideas that I really wanted to fit into this that follow more of a friends-to-lovers sort of vibe rather than established relationship. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!


Headcanons for Dabi x M!Reader who’s Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HOH)

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 1240

💙 When you first join the LOV, Dabi will be skeptical at first, as he is with all things. How could someone with a hearing loss really be of any value to the league? He can’t help but wonder what skills you’re bringing to the table to that convinced Shigaraki to allow you to join.

💙 Dabi doesn’t interact with you right away... he prefers to observe. Part of it is that he doesn’t care for attachments, even amongst his comrades. Another is that he doesn’t expect you to last very long in the League. If he does interact, it’ll be through snarky quips and insults. After all, he loves getting under other people’s skin... it makes him feel like has an advantage.

💙 So, it goes without saying that Dabi will be a hard nut to crack at first. He’ll definitely have some crappy preconceived notions about people with hearing loss that he’ll get to face as he’s forced to get to know you.

💙 For example, he learns super fast that your hearing has little to do with your intelligence. You’re fucking smart and more than capable of handling yourself, much to his surprise. You quickly become an important member of the team, and even Dabi can’t really argue your value. It only makes his interest in you grow, his skepticism giving way to curiosity.

💙 Another thing he learns about you... you value your independence and hate when others coddle or dote on you due to your hearing loss. The first time Toga had tried to treat you as something fragile (granted she was trying to be nice), you’d quickly put her in her place. Dabi couldn’t help but grin at that exchange...

💙 The great thing about Dabi sitting back and observing everyone else most of the time is that he gets to learn by proxy how to interact with you.

💙 Don’t mumble or talk too fast. Don’t look away when talking to you. Talk more clearly, and slower, but for God’s sake, don’t treat you like you’re dumb. You’re hard of hearing, not stupid.

💙 Even with all of that taken into consideration though, he’ll notice that while you seem to do fine in one-on-one exchanges in quiet environment, you’ll withdraw more in group gatherings. Is the chattering of multiple voices too much? Is the noise overwhelming? Even he can’t always tolerate the prattling of the social butterflies of the group, so he wouldn’t blame you if it got under your skin too.

💙 His interest will finally be piqued when he watches you retreat during a rather boisterously loud game night amongst the League. He’ll follow quietly behind you, watching as you pass your own room in favor of the stairwell leading up to the rooftop.

💙 You don’t notice he’s followed you until he sits next to you. Your eyes betray your surprised at his presence.

💙 “What are you doing here?” you demand.

💙 He’ll give you a grin and a cock of his head. “You didn’t seem like you were havin’ much fun back there. Got anything to do with these?” he’ll tap your hearing aid playfully.

💙 You huff at him. “If you want me to hear you better, you’ll need to sit on my other side. My hearing aid battery died.”

💙 “You don’t have a backup?” he asks as he adjusts his position.

💙 You shake your head.

💙 “Doesn’t sound too bad.” He’ll tease. “I wish I could turn off my ears, especially when Toga laughs.”

💙 You give him a glare at his insensitive comment. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

💙 He raises an eyebrow at you and think for a moment, before looking back out over the cityscape. “Why don’tcha tell me about it then.”

💙 You give him a skeptical look but he waits silently for you to continue. His smirk is gone as his sharp eyes glance back at you. He's serious.

💙 You’ll finally open up to him, explaining how hard it can be sometimes. How noisy environments can make your hearing aids nearly useless when the noise is too much, when everyone is talking at once. How frustrating it is to not be able to follow a conversation let alone participate, and how it can sometimes make people assume things about you. At best, they’ll assume you can hear fine with your hearing aids and therefore assume you’re being aloof or don’t want to interact. At worst, they’ll think your slow or stupid, and look at you with pity.

💙 Dabi will listen, but he won’t offer much up except sarcastic remarks about the others in an attempt to make you feel better. After all, sympathy isn’t his strong suit. But you’ll find yourself feeling better by the end, just grateful to be able to vent to someone.

💙 When you smile at him and tell him thanks for listening, it’ll take him by surprise. Not because of your reaction – he expected that, at least. What’ll surprise him is his reaction to it – a strange sense of satisfaction will wash over him, filling him with an unfamiliar warmth. He realizes - a moment too late, before he can bring down his barriers - that he likes seeing you smile, especially when it’s at him.

💙 You’ll feel slightly closer after that, finding more opportunities to hang out on the quiet rooftop and chat.

💙 He’ll surprise you on your next visit with a brand-new pack of hearing aid batteries. You’ll give him a suspicious look, asking where he got them and how he knew what kind to get you, but he’ll give you a wicked grin and brush off your question with an evasive comment.

💙 It won’t take long for you to start developing a crush on him, and against your better judgment, you find yourself staring at him a lot more and finding ways to be around him more. Hanging out at the bar, going on missions together, sitting next to him during the LOV discussions… you try to brush it off as ‘becoming friends,’ but deep down you know better.

💙 It doesn’t take long for Dabi to take notice and begin to suspect that maybe… just maybe… all of your secret glances and increased attention aren’t strictly platonic.

💙 What a wonderful turn of events. He wasn’t sure if you were interested in men, but now he’s 99% sure you are... or at the very least, interested in him.

💙 It leaves his skin feeling hotter than usual, his heart pounding in his chest with excitement. He wonders if you know... or even suspect... that he watches you too in mutual attraction.

💙 He’ll start testing the waters, just to make sure, of course. Hit you with a few flirty nicknames to see how you react. As soon as he sees you fluster and flounder in obvious embarrassment, he’ll know he’s got you, and it makes your exchanges only that much more entertaining.

💙 The more he learns about you, the more interested he becomes. He’ll start to do research on ways to support you with your hearing loss. It’ll be purely out of curiosity, of course... it’s not like he’s gonna go out of his way or anything. But he ends up finding himself down the rabbit hole of hearing aid supports, and learns about Bluetooth capabilities, FM systems, infrared systems... ways to send targeted noise – like speech for instance – straight to your hearing aids, bypassing any pesky background noise.

💙 It won’t take long for him to get an idea – two birds with one stone, so to speak...

💙 You’ll be on the rooftop together, when he says, “I gotta surprise for ya.”

💙 He pulls out a box that’s labelled ‘Dynamic FM System.’

💙 If you try to reach for it though, he’ll hold it out of your reach. “ah ah ah... we gotta find the right place to try it out.”

💙 He’ll lead you downstairs and you’ll think he’s heading to the common space where the others are, but instead he takes you outside of the hideout, leading you down the street.

💙 “Where are we going?”

💙 “You’ll see.”

💙 The two of you will end up outside of a bar. Not just any bar, though… the line of patrons is already a huge hint of what you’ll find inside.

💙 “Wait isn’t this….?” You’ll start.

💙 Dabi will only smirk at you though, before he grabs your hand and leads you in.

💙 Inside will be loud. So loud you have to turn down the volume on your hearing aids, and too loud for you to hear anything of value. But as you look around, your suspicions are confirmed - instead of the usual opposite sexes pairing up like you find at most bars, this one is different. Men are pairing up with men, women are pairing up with women. Your heart is beating like a drum in your chest, your pulse racing with excitement. Of all the places for Dabi to bring you…

💙 You keep close to Dabi, holding onto his arm. He loves that, loves that you’re looking to him for protection. And protect you he does, his eyes threatening violence to anyone who stares too long at you.

💙 He’ll sit you down at the bar with him in the center of the noise while drunken gay couples flirt over their drinks and a group of girls laugh in the corner. He’ll say something to the bartender, and a minute later, two fresh drinks are place before the two of you.

💙 He won’t try to talk to you yet as he opens the box and begins taking out all of the pieces. He’ll plug in the small, cylinder-like component into your hearing aid - the receiver. He’ll be completely up in your space when he does it too, grinning at you with his ocean blue eyes. In his hand he holds the transmitter that contains a button with a microphone on it.

💙 Once everything is hooked up properly, he’ll speak into the mic, his finger on the button.

💙 “Hey there.” He says. His voice comes through crystal clear.

💙 “Hey.” You smile.

💙 Once Dabi knows you can hear him, his devilish grin will widen and he’ll lean casually against the bar counter as he stares at you, his eyes drinking you in. “Have I ever told you how hot you are?”

💙 That’s when it finally clicks… Dabi is actually interested in you. And he’s taken you out on a date.

💙 BONUS: If the bar scene ends up being too much for you, he’ll be more than happy to spend the rest of your date on your favorite rooftop spot with some take-out. 10/10 will kiss you by the end of the date.

[greenygreenland]

Dream A Little Dream of Me: Norman x Reader (Part Three)

-part three is here! I had to slice it in two because apparently there's a certain word block limit (at least on mobile). So get ready for part four!

Summary: You can’t remember anything.

Month four, 08:00

The last thing you recalled was the face of a boy with light hair. His eyes were bright, swirling with love and affection you looked for everyday. Whenever you woke up, you couldn’t remember his name, or his sweet voice that called out to you in your dreams.

All you had was the light of day and the rising sun. It made you sad to look upon it alone in your room. Someone else were supposed to be by your side, right next to you. But who?

And then there was the absence of a motherly figure--a woman you only recalled through song. How was it you remembered that melancholy tune but not a name or face? You wished you knew, and you prayed everyday to whoever was up there to give you another chance. Another go at life--with the people you never knew the names of.

“Good morning, Letha.”

You met the old man’s gaze with a simple nod. His crinkly voice was one of the things you actually didn’t mind, even if it was hard to hear at times. 

The old man, Alex, was kind, but the most you conversed about were your lost memories, your insane knacks for weapons, chess, and lastly, intelligence.

Time wasn’t friendly, and a month passed uneventfully. It turned into two, which turned into three and so on. Every now and then, you wondered if you’d stay like that: a blank slate. Alex said there was this one philosopher who called it a ‘tabula rasa’. For some reason, that fact reminded you of someone long ago.

Dark hair, the smell of old books, dust hidden between bookshelves...

You began to make out the image of a boy. He was no older than you, with cool eyes, a warm, yet small smile. Who was he? His name was at the tip of your tongue, yet it wouldn’t come out.

Ren? Reylo? Tired Cyclops? No, that wasn’t it. Obviously.

It hurt to think too much about it, and before you could grasp onto it, the memory faded, along with the name.

“Don’t think too hard,” Alex warmly said. “I’m sure it’ll come with time.”

He hoped to help you recover your lost memories, but in the meantime, he’d do his best to support you, just as he’d done with his long, dead daughter. For that reason, he felt it was time to bring you to the world outside. In this town you both resided in, everyone died in a war.

Alex was the only survivor.

For that reason, he was the only person you ever got to know these past seven months. There was no one your age around here, and it wasn’t like you went far anyway. Every now and then, Alex brought you a few towns over to experience a nice train ride to his favourite shops. Then he’d buy you something and take pictures.

But now? He felt it was time to take it a step further. He wasn’t sure if you’d like the idea, but it was worth a try.

SEVEN MONTHS LATER, 06:28

“Come again?” you inquired. Alex took a sip of his coffee and stood from the chair. The wooden floorboards of the cabin creaked under his weight. He waddled over to the window, drawing open the plaid curtains. Warm rays of sunlight fluttered upon your face and Alex smiled warmly like he always did.

“It’s time you get out more,” he said, “and experience the world outside this old town. I want you to look across the horizon because there’s more than the cabin.” You knitted your brows together. You didn’t like how cryptic he was being. It reminded you of someone you once knew, someone who you held close to your heart.

“Gramps, what are you trying to say?”

Alex heaved in a long breath, as if he were afraid of saying it himself. “I want you to go to school. College, if you want the specifics.” Your eyes doubled in size and you hoped, prayed, that he would take it back and say it was a joke. College? You didn’t need a degree! And besides, it was expensive. You couldn’t afford something like that. But alas, Alex wasn’t one to joke about serious things like that. He was an old man, so he always meant what he said.

This time was no different.

“You mean it,” you practically whispered. “That you want me to go to college.” Alex nodded, absentmindedly running a hand through his thick, white beard. There was a long pause and you took the time to sip your tea. Would school benefit you in some way? Was it worth the time? The work?

It didn’t make sense. You were smart. Alex said it himself: “I haven’t met anyone as smart as you”. So why did he want to send you to school? It had to be more than just to “meet people” because you did that all the time on the train every few days.

“What’s so good about college, Gramps? We can’t afford to pay for something so expensive. I don’t want to see you in debt just because of me.”

Through your calm façade, Alex noticed the spark of uncertainty in your eyes. Throughout the long days he got to know you, he realised one thing: you were never keen on showing your emotions.

“I want to give you an opportunity to find yourself,” he finally replied. “If the people you knew are around your age, then going to school might bring something back. You know, jog your memories. Besides that, I want you to have a life more than that I can offer. There’s nothing in this small town.”

“I don’t know about that. I have you here. You’re all I know, Gramps.”

Alex knitted his bushy brows together. “I know, but I can’t always be the only one you know. Don’t you want to see the world?”

It wasn’t that going to college was excruciatingly disappointing, only that it was a means of giving out false hope. How could you cling onto something so child-like and unreliable? 

Hope could only get people so far. You were no different.

That night, you lay in bed, wide awake. A nagging thought kept pulling at the back of your mind, repeating itself over, and over, and over again until you couldn’t stand the phrase. But as soon as you repeated it with your own lips, it vanished as if it never existed.

You lay in bed for a little longer, fighting the lull of sleep. It pulled on your eyes, and your head nodded as you forced down a yawn. Sleep was for the weak. If you stayed awake a little longer, maybe you might remember something, right?

-----

The grass tickled your bare feet. If it were any normal day, you would have liked to lay down in its warm embrace with Emma, Ray and Norman. You could watch the clouds together, and wonder about life outside these concrete walls.

But that was stupid to think about, wasn’t it? The liberty to relax and do absolutely nothing had been striped from your very being, like the air that you gasped and chocked on. You held your shoes tightly to your chest and frantically glanced past your shoulder. Good. All clear, just how you liked it.

Norman and Emma lay a couple hundred meters behind. They were your eyes, the two little owls that perched high above with all-seeing eyes. With a grunt, you hopped over a thick tree root and tossed aside your shoes. They landed somewhere in the brush, right where the trees parted.

You came to a stop and glared at the concrete wall towering over you. If you completed your mission and everything remained as straight-forward as you wanted it to be, then you’d escape with everyone. Just like Emma wanted. Just like you tried so hard to believe.

But what if something happened? What if Don and Gilda were caught? Or worse, what if Mama suspected that Ray betrayed her? Surely she wouldn’t go as far as to eliminate him on the spot...

...right?

You clenched a fist so tightly that your knuckles turned white. Stop. Stop it, you told yourself. You had to have faith in your family. They were just as capable as you, maybe even more, so they’d have no issues. You had to focus on your job so they could do theirs.

“My, so this is where you’ve run to?”

You sucked in a sharp breath.

No, that couldn’t be. You made sure she wouldn’t know where you were. You told all the precautions, too. Were Emma and Norman okay? What about Ray? And Don and Gilda?

“I’m surprised you managed to make this far.” Mama stiffly said. “You never were as strong as Emma, or fast either.”

It was like the sun stopped shining. Your blood ran cold. The warm rays turned to ice.

“It’s not too late to turn back (Y/n).” Her voice was silky smooth, tempting almost, as if she were coaxing a frightened sheep to the slaughter. “You’ve improved, my dear, but is it enough? Once your plan crumbles, what will you do then? It wouldn’t be a bad idea to become a mama. It’s the reliable path. You will survive and you will be happy.”

For a moment, you wondered if she actually cared about you. Maybe her love was all fake from the beginning and she didn’t care about you. Or your family. Or anything but survival in this cruel world.

You never loved us.

That was what you wanted to say, yet the words stuck in your throat like glue. If she didn’t love you, then why did she hold you so tightly when you had a nightmare? If she didn’t love you, then why did her eyes shine with pride when you got perfect scores?

“Come, my dear,” Mama coaxed. “Let’s go home.”

The sudden urge to laugh bubbled in your throat like lava.

Home? This was a prison in disguise.

It’s not too late to turn back? A lie.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to become a mama? As if.

You couldn’t afford to betray your family. Not after all you’ve done, and not after all the effort. They relied on you. You weren’t going to let them down.

You turned on your heel to face Mama. She smiled at you, but it wasn’t a nice smile. It made your stomach twist and turn, reminded you just how much of a danger she could be. Your gaze focused past her shoulder, where a familiar head of orange stood.

Emma peeked out from behind the trees and held up the bag of rope. Norman stood from a cluster of bushes and motioned the the wall. They were going to climb it while you distracted Mama. Perfect.

A bright grin broke out onto your lips. “I’m sorry Mama.” you began.

She stood like a statue with wide eyes. “Are you now?” she inquired. You were finally conceding in this fiery war of wits. After all that fuss and now would she have you back by her side? She opened her arms to welcome you. It was all she could do with her prized little girl. Finally you were being smart. Finally you were choosing the reliable path. You were going to follow in her footsteps. Survive. And outlive everyone in this house like she had.

But then something happened. Emma burst from the bushes, followed by Norman who helped throw the rope up a nearby branch. That triggered you into action, and you lunged at Mama with all the strength you could muster.

“I will never--!”

You wrestled for her watch.

“--ever--!”

Mama tugged on your little arms.

“--leave my family behind!”

You yanked the stupid watch out of her hands, but just as you stood, Mama grasped onto your leg and tugged. Hard. She gave it a squeeze, and a sickening crack echoed in your ears. You screamed. Your ears rung and you heaved in a strangled breath.

“You should have taken the reliable path.” Mama’s calm voice made you want to vomit. “None of us would be here if you had listened to your mama.”

-----

Your eyes shot open and you jolted awake. The faces, the voices, the senses--they flashed before you in a whirl of colours and sounds. Why couldn’t you recall who they were? Or what their names were? You knew every single one of them by heart, yet your mind lay completely blank. Again.

The urge to punch your mattress overwhelmed your senses.

“Good morning,” came Alex’s crinkly voice. That snapped you out of your frustrated stupor. He stood in the doorway, a warm smile on his lips and a spatula in hand. “Pancakes are almost done. Today we’ll get you settled in your dorm.”

Oh. Right. Gramps was sending you to a boarding school. The thought of leaving your beloved bed left you queasy and sluggish. Why should you go somewhere so far away from this cozy, little cottage? It was only recently that you settled here too. Maybe Gramps was taking it too fast.

With a heavy heart, you lugged yourself out of bed and threw on a pair of warm clothes. The unforgiving climate of this land was not one you would challenge. Ever.

The moment you emerged from your room was the moment you understood Gramps’s insistence. He meant well, you knew, but in a way you didn’t appreciate. Going out gave you a higher chance of meeting whomever you knew. It was completely logical.

“Are you worried?” Gramps began, placing a stack of pancakes on your plate. “I’ve already informed your school teachers of your amnesia, so they’ll understand. As for your dormitory, everything has been set. And don’t forget your breakfast, lunch, and dinner plans, as well as your--”

“You seem more anxious than me, Gramps.” you said with a subtle smile. He stared at you, wide-eyed until he mirrored you with a chuckle. “I suppose you’re right. I just want to make sure the transition goes smoothly.”

“Of course.”

“And that you’re safe and okay.”

“Gramps--”

“And that you won’t have to worry about a thing.”

“--the pancake’s burning.”

That set him off. He jolted out of his chair faster than his age and capabilities should have allowed. It was a miracle too, because the poor pancake was seconds away from catching fire on the pan. A long sigh left Gramps’s lips as he turned off the stove. “I think I’ll give this to the birds.”

“You best do that, because I won’t eat that piece of charcoal.”

You shared a quick chuckle between each other, savouring the warmth and comfort that came. If someone else had found you that day in the field of endless grass, you weren’t sure if you’d be so lucky. It was by chance Gramps was the one to discover you, so you couldn’t imagine life otherwise.

Once your pancakes were gone and your bag all packed, you traveled to the train station in the early rays of sun. Gramps was the type of enjoy the silence of nature, but to you, it was excruciating.

It didn’t matter where you went. Each time, you looked past your shoulder, to the fading mountains, to the little rabbits that scurried by. It was like you were on survival mode. But why should you be when there was nothing out here? It was so peaceful, so wonderful that you couldn’t imagine anything coming out to get you.

Smile. It’s okay, I promise. I’m here.

You froze and glanced past your shoulder towards the rolling hills and the fading grass. That voice--you knew it. But had you dreamed it up? There was no one here but you and Gramps. A short sigh left your lips and all Gramps could do was ruffle your hair comfortingly.

The train ride was nice. With the calm chugging and the way it swayed, you didn’t mind it at all. Every now and then, your eyes fluttered open and closed. Maybe you were tired. Maybe you weren’t a morning person. Whatever the reason, you submitted to the lull and closed your eyes.

-----

Not a single soul moved for what felt like centuries. The moment Ray, Gilda and Don arrived at the scene, it was clear that nothing else could be done. Mama smiled at her children viciously. She wasn’t here to play nice any longer. Today, she was the hunter and her children the prey.

“It was a clean break. She will recover smoothly,” Mama curtly announced. “And Norman?”

You didn’t like the way she looked at him, or the way her grip seemed to tighten on your limp arms. Her gaze dangerously narrowed and she said, “Your shipment date has been set.”

Your heart stopped and your blood ran cold. Norman’s shipment date had been set? No, that couldn’t be. Your plan required at least another week until everything fell into place. Norman was the core of it all. Without him, what would you do?

And speaking of which, he was going to die.

Die.

Die.

Die.

He was going to die.

You squirmed in Mama’s grasp, hoping--praying that you could maneuver around this. Norman wasn’t going to die. You wouldn’t let him.

“Let me--let me go!”

It was reckless and it was stupid to think he’d be able to evade Mama’s sight just like that, but you had to try.  Didn’t Emma say you’d all leave here together? “Norman--!”

He blinked as if he’d woken up from a long dream. The forced smile the sprouted on his lips looked painful. Don’t struggle, it said.

Don’t struggle? How did he expect you to sit around and do nothing? If anyone should be shipped out first, it should be you. Why? Because you wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you let any of your family go.

Mama glared down at you with a cold smile. “You can’t fight me more than you can stop the sun from setting,” she said, heaving you higher off ground. Your leg hit her arm and a cry escaped your lips. Norman flinched and Emma remained frozen in place.

You were always the strong one, not Emma, not Ray, and not Norman. Because you were one of the eldest, it was your responsibility to be the shoulder to cry on and to stand when no one else could. To see you holding back tears and gritting your teeth tight enough to make your gums bleed made Norman’s little heart break.

He didn’t care about his shipment date. All he wanted was to see you safe.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of faces, voices and regrets. The sharp pain in your leg long faded, leaving only a dull throb that stayed as a reminder of your failure. Yes, that was what you were, right? You couldn’t complete the plan even with Don, Gilda and Ray distracting Mama. You were pathetic. A waste of space.

The door creaked open and you sat up a little straighter. You smiled at the trio as they entered the room. “Hey guys.”

“How are you feeling?” inquired Norman. He took a seat by your bedside and gave your hand a gentle squeeze. Ray pulled up another chair. He hid his face behind his fringe to conceal his grim frown. It didn’t work though, and you merely smiled at him. He huffed irritably, as if he didn’t want you to know he worried so much.

“I didn’t think she’d go that far.” Ray quietly muttered. You knitted your brows together with a absentminded shrug. “And to think I was that close to getting her watch.” Emma’s shoulders sagged. “I wish I had--”

“It’s fine Emma.” you said with a warm smile. “Broken bones heal, it’s not permanent.” She looked like she wanted to say something, but with the warm smile on your face, she couldn’t gather the courage to. Instead, she settled for a tight hug.

It was hard to look her in the eye anyway. The sadness she tried so hard to force down only added to your guilt, and you weren’t sure if you could think straight with all the regret.

“I’m sorry this happened.” you began. “Now that I’m hurt, you’re worrying for me.”

Emma pulled away as Norman gave a firm shake of his head. “None of this is anyone’s fault.” he stated. "None of us saw that coming, and even if we did, I’m not sure we’d be any good outwitting Mama on the spot like that.” He offered a gentle smile that made you feel just a little bit better.

-----

Gentle smiles. A warm summer breeze. Soft kisses. Tender touches. That was what reminded you of the boy in your dreams. Although you couldn’t recall his face every time you awoke, you remembered the fact that he was handsome and kind.

Gramps offered a warm smile. “Good morning.” You covered your yawn with a hand. “I’m assuming we’re here?”

He nodded. “Are you excited?” It was obvious Gramps knew the question. He only wanted to hear the answer from your mouth rather than from an assumption. As much as you wished to be excited for such a grand opportunity, you weren’t sure you’d like school. Well, how could you guess when you’ve never been to school in the first place?

At least from what you could recall.

“I still don’t know how to feel about this,” you quietly say. Gramps guides you along the walkway and out of the train, where you step out of the station and to the bustling streets of the city. You frown. Gramps said you were going to a boarding school, was it supposed to be somewhere as crowded as here?

From what you read, boarding schools needed large spaces to accommodate dormitories, classrooms, and sports fields. Was there such a thing as space in this congested collection of skyscrapers?

You shook your head to yourself and followed Gramps down whatever path his old-fashioned map led him to. He walked slow. Too slow for your liking. Not only that, but with all the people around, you couldn’t bear not to stick close to his side. What if he got lost? What if you got lost? Or kidnapped and sold on the black market for organs?

Maybe you were just paranoid.

The looming skyscrapers offered no comfort, and the cool breezes that sent shivers down your spine weren’t helping either. You hopped over a patch of ice and pulled your jacket closer just as Gramps came to a stop.

A lot of land stood in the middle of all the skyscrapers, where a pale field of grass stretched out over the acres of land. Buildings that looked like castles peppered themselves out in the form of classrooms, mess halls, and corridors.

You stood in the shadow of the tall brick walls. It separated the school from the rest of the city. An overwhelming feeling of bittersweet hope filled your system, as if you’ve stood in front of a wall like this before. Had you been here? No. You were sure this was your first time seeing the school.

“Take care Letha.” Gramps said. “Don’t forget to eat and exercise, as well as make some new friends. I expect you to call at least once a week, just so I know you’re doing fine.” You smiled a little, cheeks warm in embarrassment. “Gramps, I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

“I know, I know. Just...this is a big step for you.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Be careful, and have fun. Even if you don’t remember anything, as long as you have fun, it’s fine.” He wrapped you in a tight hug. “And most importantly, I love you Letha.”

You basked in the warmth of his arms. You didn’t need to worry about your memories in that moment because you had Gramps. He was your world. Your family. What more could you ask for? But then he pulled away, and the warmth didn’t linger.

You were still incomplete.

The next day, you found yourself wandering the halls aimlessly, picking apart each detail and escape route in sight. The hall to your left had an exit to the school courtyard, a peaceful place with metal chairs and picnic tables. To your right sat another hall, which also had an exit to another courtyard. Then in front of you stood the front entrance, where the side exits fanned out in the halls next to it.

“Hey, you’re the new girl, right? Letha Meek-aye...Mikhaylov?”

You spun around faster than the speed of light. In front of you stood a girl, perhaps a year older with an unfriendly frown. She wore the generic school uniform: black skirt, long socks, white blouse, gray sweater vest, and a tie. Her bright, red locks stood out like a sore thumb. They curled past her shoulders in beach waves, framing her narrow, freckled face in rouge.

For a moment, you blanked out. When was the last time you spoke to someone, much less a teenager your age? Even though this girl wasn’t intimidating, it wasn’t like you wanted to talk to her. The point of coming here was to figure out if anything jogged your memory and then leave. It wasn’t playtime. “I’m new.” Your voice came out calmer than you felt. “Is that an issue?”

Despite the pointed look on her face, you had a feeling she was one of the nicer people in the area. She had a soft look in her green eyes, as if she understood what it felt like to be a new kid. “I’m Flanna Morris,” she said with a small smile. “Nice to meet you Letha.”

Flanna had an accent. By the hard ‘r’s and the elongated ‘oo’ sounds, you guessed she had to be from Ireland. Gramps told you it wasn’t too far from here, but still a while away.

You sent Flanna a cautious side eye. She was being too friendly. “Yeah, nice to meet you too...Flanna.” A hearty laugh that bellowed in her stomach echoed in the quiet corridors. “Look,” she said, “I’m not here to bully you. I just wanted to offer some help.”

Help? Yeah right. No one in this world offered help without asking for something in return. Besides Gramps maybe--but he was a special case, it didn’t count.

“Come on, I’ll show you around Letha.” The look on Flanna’s sweet face made it hard to decline. If you weren’t interested in seeing if there were any places you missed, then you would have declined. But perhaps Flanna could show you more than the shallow surface of this boarding school.

You passed to through the quiet corridors, where the sun shone through the windows overlooking the street. The sun rose over the horizon and up the edge of the skyscrapers’ base. Cars bustled about, and even through the thick brick walls, you heard all the honking and yelling of the early morning traffic.

“So, where’re you from?” Flanna inquired. You tugged on the strap of your bag’s shoulder strap. “Far away.”

“What do you mean by ‘far away’?”

“I mean the countryside.” you clarified. Flanna ‘ohhh’ed. “The city must be a huge change for you then, I know it was for me.” You knitted your brows together. So she was from the countryside in Ireland? That’s more than a simple change of scenery. No wonder Flanna wanted to help you.

“Okay, so here’s the science hall. Ms. Darsey is one of the best teachers you can have around. You’re a juniour, right? I’m a senior--if you couldn’t already tell...”

Flanna talked a lot. No, she didn’t just love talking, she loved explaining all her experiences with x, y, and z teacher, as well as what classroom and what day of the month it was. She had a wonderful memory, you had to admit, but that made her stories long. Her energy was like a breath of fresh air, and that red hair of hers sparkled like jewels in the morning light.

Flanna’s hair was fiery just like a girl’s you used to know. Her face wasn’t clear in your mind whenever you thought of her, but the joy she always brought you stayed. It made your heart warm. Flanna seemed to have a similar effect, but not as strongly as the girl you once knew.

“You have Mr. Dursley for English,” she noted. “Make sure you don’t stick out. He’s a big pain and if you’re late, he’ll give you a detention.” You raised a brow. Mr. Dursley detained teenagers for being late? What kind of nonsense was that? You decided to phone Gramps later and ask him if that were true. He’d know. Hopefully.

The look on your face made Flanna chuckle, but you had a feeling she didn’t understand your thought process. “Don’t worry,” she casually said. “You’ll be fine. I bet’cha Connor and James will be the first to get a detention. They’re both trouble makers--little devils. Especially James.” You stared up at Flanna’s bright, green eyes. They sparkled like the sun against her hair. You’ve seen that look before, the one of unsaid love and adoration. Long ago, someone looked at you like that.

But who?

You wracked your brain for answers. It was on the tip of the tongue. Right there--just in front of you. Yet it was as if something were preventing you from seeing the truth. The one postulate you knew stuck throughout the days you’ve forgotten who you once were.

Backtrack. Backtrack.

A boy. Light hair. Soft eyes. Kind smile. A laugh that was like music. And the calling of your name.

“(Y--n)!”

Yes, that was the sound of his voice, right? Or maybe it was a stranger’s instead, someone’s you’ve heard on the street. Then whose name was that? Was it even a name to begin with? Maybe it was a word instead and you misheard it as a name. That thought made your heart throb in the worst way possible. Ice filled your veins, and you found yourself pausing to stare out the crystal, clear windows.

“Something wrong?” Flanna inquired. You blinked away the haze and turned to her with a shake of your head. “Just nervous.” A bright smile burst onto Flanna’s lips. “Ah, I see. No worries, you’ll do great. And if you don’t it’s your first day, right? Nothin’ wrong with messin’ up a little.”

You wished you could believe Flanna, but something deep in your heart said otherwise. A slip-up could cost someone more than their reputation. Possibly their life. You couldn’t speak from experience, but you were sure you’d seen a sacrifice. Long ago. Far away in the distance.

Flanna stopped in front of your first period class. “We still have about fifteen minutes before school starts. Everyone’s probably in the cafeteria eating breakfast or fooling around in the field. I recommend you come early to class so you don’t get caught up in the crowd.” And with that, she waved, turning on her heel to hurry away. “I’ll see you during lunch! We have it together, so I’ll come find you in the cafe!”

She rounded a sharp corner and disappeared, leaving you alone in the quiet hall. You peeked in through the open door. At a long desk sat a teacher, who stood at the notice of your presence. She wore thin glasses on her old squarish face, a white blouse with a tie, a woolen navy blazer, and black trousers with heels to match.

The teacher had a kind face, with eyes that were soft with years of wear and tear. The smile on her lips said it all--she had seen things. Many things. “Welcome, I assume you’re Letha Mikhaylov?” She had a crinkle in her voice like the edges of her eyes when she smiled. It complimented her kindly face.

“Yes.” you replied. “That’s me.”

“Well I’m Mrs. Walker.” She motioned for you to come in, that sweet smile still on her lips. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve been informed that you have amnesia. May I ask how much you remember?” You folded your hands together. It was the least you could do to look less nervous.

“I remember skills, knowledge, and the arts. I do not recall my original name or what my life was like before, but I am still highly-functional. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Walker. ”

The way you worded your sentences was off-putting to the teacher. It wasn’t normal for high school students to be so in-line, much less well-off with their manners.

From the report she read, you were taken in by Alex Mikhaylov, a writer who lived in an old, deserted town. He claimed he’d been trying to help you re-gain your memories for nearly a year, but from the looks of it, there wasn’t much to go off of.

Mrs. Walker took a seat at her neat desk. A pencil sharpener sat at the corner along with a tissue box, stapler, tape dispenser, and a plastic name plaque. In bolded letters it said, Mrs. Walker. Of course, in cursive. A few photos were cramped by her computer, where she stood there, smiling with a young girl and a man. Mrs. Walker looked to be around twenty-eight to thirty in that photo.

You stood by her desk awkwardly. Were you supposed to sit in the back? Near the window? Or in the front? The sinking feeling of unfamiliarity plagued your mind as you ran a hand through your locks.

There weren’t any other students here besides you.

“You may take a seat wherever you’d like Letha,” Mrs. Walker said. “I do not assign seats in this class, but if there is an issue, I can if you’d like. Is there anything I should know about you?” You shook your head and took a seat by the window. The football fields, frost-bitten and white, stretched out as far as the eye could see. A little to the left of that were the dormitories. Red brick walls and sparkling clean window panes, just like every other building at the school.

Winter was a wonderful season, but you wished it weren’t so cold all the time. Maybe if there were a bit of snow, it would cheer you up, jog your memory even. “I’m not sure if I have anything of importance.” Your voice echoed in the deserted classroom like a bell. “But I hope I can do my best.”

A smile broke out onto Mrs. Walker’s lips. “Don’t hope, do.”

And so you did. You vowed to do what you could with whatever you could. You weren’t going to hope to do your best, or hope to find your memories because you would. They’d come back to you, and you were going to do everything in your power to get them back.

PART FOUR COMING SOON [GIVE ME LIKE THREE DAYS TO ADD A BONUS PORTION BECAUSE I LOVE YOU GUYS] -->UPDATE: PART FOUR HERE <--

[ibijau]

Jin Rusong Lives pt 13 / On AO3

Nie Huaisang investigates

“What do you mean he was taken?” Nie Huaisang snarled, tightening his grip on his disciple’s collar.

“I don't know, I was just on duty at the gate!" the man said. "They arrived and said to warn you right away while they get checked by Nie Zhilan, I don’t know what happened! They just told me he’s gone, and Jin Yixin too.”

Nie Huaisang pushed the man out of the way and ran toward the infirmary. He thought he heard Lan Xichen call his name, but ignored it, filled with terror over Jin Rusong’s fate.

He should never have allowed the child to leave the Unclean Realm, not even under surveillance, not even to a place so close. Jin Guangyao had left too many enemies behind them, and most of those didn’t have Nie Huaisang’s fondness for his son. Why should they? Jin Guangyao had ordered entire sects killed, people had lost sons, daughters, grandchildren, it was only natural they'd want the same to happen to their enemy's child. Nie Huaisang was the last person with a right to blame others for their dreams of revenge, and yet in this case, he could not allow it. 

Jin Rusong was family, just as surely as his brother, or his sect, or even Lan Xichen. They were all his and he would set the world on fire if anything happened to that child.

On the way to the infirmary, Nie Huaisang spotted Nie Funyu on the training ground. His first disciple looked surprised at first, then concerned when Nie Huaisang barked that lessons for the day were cancelled. He was a smart man though, and when his sect leader ordered that the distress signal Wen Ning had left them be used immediately, Nie Funyu asked no question and ran to obey.

There were four men in the infirmary when Nie Huaisang got there, as well as Nie Zhilan who had a severe look on her face. The first thing that came to Nie Huaisang’s mind when he saw those men was that they were not, and by far, the strongest cultivators to be found in the Unclean Realm. They were good, friendly people, and as large as most Nie disciples were, but their skill was nothing spectacular. Of course, it was Nie Huaisang’s own fault if Jin Yixin hadn’t picked anyone more capable to come with her and her student. If he hadn’t been so distracted, he’d have told her exactly who to take with her instead of leaving that to her own judgement. How could she have known who to trust, when she'd mixed so little with others?

Out of those four men, Qian Zhixian was the one in best shape, though he still had a number of bruises, and appeared to have trouble with one elbow. The others were more seriously injured, with one at least having a bleeding gash on his forehead, and another whose leg might have been broken. Qian Zhixian gave an awkward, one handed bow to his sect leader, and dared not meet Nie Huaisang’s eyes.

“Zongzhu, we have failed you.”

“You have. What happened?”

All four men winced at his tone, but Qian Zhixian started explaining. Everything had gone well at first, they’d reached that little field without trouble, and Jin Yixin had started her lesson. At one point, she had asked the four Nie disciples to walk a little further away, so she could explain certain things that pertained to the Jin sect’s particular way of cultivating. They’d done so without question, respecting the need for secrecy in these things, and had spread out in the field so they could continue keeping an eye on every direction.

As far as they could tell, all four of them had been attacked at the same time, though they were not quite sure who, or what, had attacked them, their opponents shrouded in dark mist to hide their identity. The fight had been too hard for them, and they all went down with shameful speed, losing consciousness for a while. Qian Zhixian had been the first to wake up again, since he hadn’t been hit quite as hard, and he’d quickly woken up his companions as well.

“We’d have sent a signal,” Qian Zhixian said when Nie Huaisang’s glare intensified, “but whoever ambushed us took them from us. So we came back as fast as we could, and gave the alert.”

“What about Jin Yixin? Where was she while you were fighting?”

“We don’t know. Since she was gone too, we think maybe she tried to protect the little boy, and whoever took him had to take her too.”

“Hm. When Nie Zhilan is done healing you, report to Nie Funyu for punishment,” Nie Huaisang ordered. “I will not be disappointed again. Did you look around at all for any clues before returning here?”

“We thought it was more important to give the alarm, zongzhu.”

Nie Huaisang cursed. If he’d been there, he would have sent one man to raise the alarm, and asked the others to search their surroundings, in case whoever took Jin Rusong had left some traces of their identity. Not that he thought those four were the sort who would have noticed anything. Good, kind men, but hardly sharp. If he’d been there, if he hadn’t stupidly trusted others…

“I’ll deal with you four later,” Nie Huaisang decided. “If you remember anything of importance, send someone to warn me. I’m going to inspect that field myself.”

Without another look at his disciples, he stormed out of the infirmary.

That was why he’d worked alone all these years. There were good people in his sect, loyal and strong and most of them kind, but they just weren’t cut out for the sort of world that Jin Guangyao had created, the world they were still dealing with. Everyone around him was just too honest, and stupidly assumed that others were as well. Honesty was all nice and well, but Nie Huaisang couldn’t count on people who didn’t even think to…

“Huaisang!” Lan Xichen called, running up to him just as he was about to reach the main gate. He was breathless and pale, as if the news had undone what several weeks of rest had restored of his health.

“He’s disappeared,” Nie Huaisang coldly said when Lan Xichen had reached him. “Jin Yixin too. I’m going to see if I find any clues.”

Lan Xichen startled, but nodded.

“I’m coming too.”

“In your state?” Nie Huaisang sneered. “What good will you be? It’s my fault if this happened, I’ll deal with it. Go rest, I can do this on my own.”

Lan Xichen grew paler yet, but when Nie Huaisang tried to move, Lan Xichen caught him by the wrist with surprising strength for a man looking so exhausted.

“I’m coming too. If you’re responsible, then so am I. If you’re going to look for him, so am I.”

“That’s not…”

“Don’t push me away again,” Lan Xichen pleaded, tightening his grip. “You don’t have to do it alone this time.”

Years of habit screamed in Nie Huaisang’s mind, telling him not to rely on others, not to get anyone involved in his business, least of all Lan Xichen whose honesty and determination to do things properly could only lead to disaster.

But Lan Xichen was right there, just as worried about what had happened to Jin Rusong, eager to help get their little boy back. And he was theirs now, at least for the time being. Their child, in danger.

Of course Nie Huaisang couldn’t do that alone.

“Then let’s go,” Nie Huaisang said, freeing his wrist so he could hold Lan Xichen’s hand and give him support as they left the Unclean Realm. 

-

Just as Nie Huaisang remembered, the field mentioned by Jin Yixin was quite close to the Unclean Realm, and visible from its walls. The attack might have been noticed if patrols had been more frequent, which told him he’d need to do something about that.

In Nie Mingjue’s days, the walls would have been guarded constantly, in all directions. In Nie Mingjue’s days, something like this could never have happened. 

“There are signs of struggle here,” Wen Ning noted quietly. “Not very strong ones, but it's there anyway, look..”

He had joined them as they were walking toward the field, explaining that he’d sent Lan Sizhui to warn Jin Rulan there was a problem as soon as they’d seen the signal. Hopefully, both boys would be there by morning.

It would not be pleasant to explain to Jin Rulan what had happened, nor what Nie Huaisang was starting to suspect about the situation. But he wouldn't throw accusations until he was sure of himself. The last thing they needed after such a mess was a diplomatic incident.

“There are only those weak signs,” Nie Huaisang remarked, coming closer to Wen Ning to look again. “Jin Rusong, no doubt. Whatever happened, he did not wish to go. But as for Jin Yixin…”

There was no sign of serious fighting in the spot where Jin Yixin and Jin Rusong would have stood when the attack occurred. Aside from the grass being slightly flattened in two places, leaving indents too small to have come from anyone but Jin Rusong, nothing was amiss. Odd, when she'd more than proven she was a very strong fighter.

“They might have knocked her unconscious right away,” Lan Xichen suggested, sitting on a rock, the walk to the field having been a little too much for him.

Nie Huaisang threw him a look. Lan Xichen grimaced, and shook his head.

“I also find it unlikely,” he admitted. “Unless they neutralised her in such a manner that she couldn't fight them off at all, and yet didn't fall either… But if she wasn't attacked, then it means she allowed all this to happen, and either ran away on her own or left with the kidnappers. Why would she do that? Didn’t you say that Jin Rulan vouched for her?”

“People’s trust can be misplaced,” Nie Huaisang retorted bitterly. “And I didn’t get to know her well enough to make an opinion regarding her personality. She made no effort to mix with us, and I was too preoccupied by other matters to go against her wishes. I should have seen something was strange! I should have guessed, there must have been signs…”

With some effort, Lan Xichen rose from his improvised seat and went to join the other two.

“I shouldn’t have let them come here today,” Nie Huaisang said while Lan Xichen took his hand. “I should have been more careful. To make a mistake like that…”

“It’s probably not that bad,” Wen Ning said. “They could have killed him, but they just kidnapped him. Whoever took him might just want to use him as a bargaining chip against you or Jin Rulan.”

“That’s not as reassuring as you think,” Nie Huaisang snapped.

“It should be. A hostage can be freed, a corpse can’t be saved,” Wen Ning pointed out. Then, remembering his own situation, he sheepishly added: “Not usually, anyway.”

Nie Huaisang felt Lan Xichen shiver, while he thought he might faint, clutching too hard at each other's hand, both thinking of the last time Jin Rusong had gone missing. 

It had only been a very short while back then, and he'd been in Jinlin Tai with his family, all of his father's sect, as well as some prestigious guests. Nie Huaisang remembered that nobody had been particularly worried when they realised they hadn't seen the little boy in a while and started looking for him. He couldn't have gone very far, they'd all thought, and with so many people present, he'd be spotted soon. 

They'd been right. They'd found his body very quickly, and very near. Nie Huaisang and Lan Xichen had been close by when Qin Su had screamed, and they'd seen that little boy they loved so much, lifeless on the floor of a small room near the hall where they'd been having a banquet. 

They'd all been drinking and laughing, while he died alone. 

Nie Huaisang could not go through that again. It would kill him if it happened again, and under his watch this time. 

"It's getting dark, you two won't be able to do much," Wen Ning remarked. "Go back inside, get some rest. I'll continue looking around in case they left some traces while escaping." 

It was the sensible thing to do, but Nie Huaisang had half a mind to keep looking as well. It just didn't feel right to merely go sleep, not when poor Jin Rusong was among strangers and likely terrified. 

If he had been alone, Nie Huaisang would have continued looking too. But Lan Xichen was there as well, shaken by the shock of that incident, still not fully recovered from his too harsh seclusion. If Nie Huaisang did not care about himself, he worried about Lan Xichen's well-being, and he knew the other man would refuse to return to the Unclean Realm alone. 

That either of them could sleep seemed unlikely, but if they managed to rest they would be of more use, should morning bring any news. 

-

After threats from Nie Zhilan, Lan Xichen reluctantly took some medicine to help him catch some sleep. Nie Zhilan was furious at him for exerting himself beyond what she'd allowed, and equally angry at Nie Huaisang for not preventing it. As Lan Xichen drifted to sleep, in Nie Huaisang’s bed rather than his own so he could be reached quicker if something happened, Nie Zhilan threatened to force feed her sect leader that same medicine as punishment, only dropping the matter when he made it clear he was in no mood for a playful argument. Nie Huaisang even managed to obtain a different medicine to wake Lan Xichen up, in case the first one had not naturally worn off by the time Jin Rulan and Lan Sizhui arrived. 

In the end, it was not necessary. Shortly after Lan Xichen woke up on his own, the two young men were directed to Nie Huaisang's private quarters. 

"You were supposed to look after him!" Jin Rulan exploded as he rushed inside the room. "And now your disciples tell me Rusong's been kidnapped?" 

Coming in after him, Lan Sizhui looked calmer, but equally unhappy. He frowned at the sight of Lan Xichen still laying in Nie Huaisang’s bed, and that hint of judgment, combined with the exhaustion of a sleepless night, and the guilt of failure, got the better of Nie Huaisang. 

"I was supposed to look after him, and Jin zongzhu was supposed to send a trustworthy teacher!" he snapped. "Every sign indicates that Jin Yixin helped his kidnappers, and is probably hiding with them right now." 

"She'd never do that!" Jin Rusong retorted. "Jin Yixin is a well respected elder! Uncle Jiang and me checked her background carefully before selecting her! She's always dedicated herself to teaching, never meddled with politics if she could avoid it. And she had a very good relationship with Qin Su, so she wouldn't hurt her son."

"You'd be surprised what people would do to their friends." 

"They weren't just friends! Jin Yixin and Qin Su are cousins, so she's family, she could never hurt Rusong." 

"I think Jin Guangyao proved well enough that family… wait, cousins ?"

Arms crossed on his chest, Jin Rulan nodded firmly while Nie Huaisang stared, too tired to make sense of that new revelation.

"Something close to that anyway,” Jin Rulan explain. “I think she might actually be Qin Cangye's cousin? But they're related anyway. I'd forgotten about it when we thought of asking her, but she told us she'd be happy to help her family, so obviously she can't have…" 

"Jin Rulan, you're an idiot," Nie Huaisang cut him. "And I'm an imbecile. Qin Cangye! Of course!" 

Lan Xichen slowly sat up on the bed, still groggy from the medicine he’d taken but looking agitated by the news.

"Did anyone warn him about Rusong?" he slurred. 

"I didn't think it concerned him," Jin Rulan said. "Rusong isn't his real grandson, is he? Uncle Jiang agreed, too." 

"You were raised in Lanling, so I'll excuse you for being stupid about family," Nie Huaisang said, starting to pace the room. "But your uncle should have known better, and me as well. Qin Cangye is a proud man, and he’s refused to believe what was revealed about his wife. Of course he’d do something if he learned Rusong is alive!”

Nie Huaisang stopped his pacing, and cursed. That was another reason he’d worked alone all these years. He was too sentimental. Having people he loved close-by made him distracted and stupid. If Jin Rusong hadn’t been living with him, Nie Huaisang would have been less emotional in the instance of a disappearance, and might have guessed right away that the Qin sect could be involved. If Lan Xichen hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have been so careless. Emotions made him weaker, and impulsive to the point of stupidity.

“Qin Cangye is an honest man,” Lan Xichen softly pointed out. “He rarely visited Jinlin Tai because he had a dislike of Jin Guangyao, but I think he was very fond of his grandson. If he has Rusong, at least we know he’s safe.”

“Qin Cangye is a decent enough man, but we can’t be sure he’s the one who orchestrated this,” Nie Huaisang retorted. “His sons might be less than enthusiastic at the news that Jin Rusong is alive. They'd have preferred to see him dead rather than have a living proof of their mother's shame. And if his grandfather insists on treating him as family, then he’ll get a share of inheritance someday. After such a miracle, he might even get preferential treatment over Qin Cangye’s other grandchildren, just because he had the good luck to survive. The Qin sect can be just as cut-throat as Lanling Jin when there’s money involved.”

“I’m right here!” Jin Ling complained.

Nie Huaisang turned to glare at him.

“You are, and I’m furious at you! You should have told me Jin Yixin was related to the Qin!”

“I didn’t think it mattered.”

“You didn’t think at all!” Nie Huaisang exploded. “You didn’t think when you decided to heal Jin Rusong and revive him! You didn’t think when you let him wake up among strangers, without a single familiar face to comfort him! You didn’t think when you sent him here, and you certainly didn’t think when you trusted that woman! And now Rusong could be in danger, he could come to great harm, he could die again, and I… I can’t… If I have to bury him again…”

A loud sob wracked through his body, leaving him breathless. He could still see Jin Rusong, lifeless and forced to die alone, still see his tomb so small and plain for having died too young. He’d burned incense for that child, and paper toys as well so he wouldn't get bored in the afterlife. He’d pitied Jin Guangyao when he’d thought it impossible to ever do that again, before hating him with renewed passion when he’d thought the man had killed his son. He’d missed Jin Rusong, and if he had to start missing him again…

Nie Huaisang hadn’t even realised that he’d fallen to his knees, not until Lan Xichen came to sit next to him and pulled him in his arms, holding him too tight.

“Nothing will happen to him this time,” Lan Xichen said while Nie Huaisang sobbed against his shoulder. “We’re going to make sure he’s safe, all of us. Do you hear me?” 

Nie Huaisang managed to nod, his tears already calming thanks to Lan Xichen’s soothing presence.

“You and Jin zongzhu are going to Laoling,” Lan Xichen continued. “If I were better, I’d go too, but there’s too much risk that I’ll be unwell and create more problems. So I’ll stay here, and help Nie Funyu if some news reach us, or if Wen Qiongling finds something.”

He paused, and looked at the two young men standing near them.

“Sizhui, how tired are you?”

“I can fly with them to Laoling, zongzhu,” Lan Sizhui immediately replied.

“And if I ask you to go to Yunmeng?” Lan Xichen asked. “I understand that Jiang Wanyin considers himself involved in the wellbeing of Jin Rusong, so he should be told what has happened. If nothing else, his reputation might scare the kidnappers into returning him to us. Everyone knows it is unwise to cross Sandu Shengshou, and he's sure to make a racket once he's aware of this.”

Lan Sizhui sighed at that request, clearly tired by his overnight trip to Lanling, but still nodded and bowed to his sect leader. Calming down at last, Nie Huaisang felt some pity for the young man, and some amount of doubt as well.

"I can send one of my disciples," he offered. “I'm sure I can find a fast flyer.”

"Is there anyone you trust enough for such a mission?" Lan Xichen countered. "Aside from Nie Funyu, who will need to hold the fort while you're gone?" 

"No, I suppose not." 

"I trust Lan Sizhui, and Jiang zongzhu knows him and will listen to him. Can that be enough for you?" 

It wasn't, not quite. Lan Xichen's trust had been misplaced before. But that Lan Sizhui boy was also dear to Lan Wangji, who wouldn't have wasted his affection on someone who wasn't righteous. 

Besides, Nie Huaisang didn't think that Jiang Cheng could be all that helpful, so ultimately it didn't really matter. 

"Fine, send him to Yunmeng," Nie Huaisang agreed, feeling guilty that he wasn't more trusting. But if Lan Xichen noticed his lack of enthusiasm, he said nothing, apparently satisfied that Nie Huaisang would allow this at all. 

With this course of action decided, things moved fast. Nie Funyu was informed of everything, while a light collation was served to everyone. As soon as they were done eating, Jin Rulan and Nie Huaisang left together in direction of Laoling, only taking a pair of Nie disciples with them in case it came to a fight. 

It felt like a longer flight than it was. Nobody would speak, Jin Rulan because he was tired, Nie Huaisang because even something this simple required great focus on his part. 

For once, his low cultivation was on his side. If he'd been able to fly his sabre more easily, Nie Huaisang's thoughts would have drifted to dark memories and pointless worries. Even like that, unwanted images of Jin Rusong's corpse, of the child alone and terrified, still plagued him and threatened to break his concentration more than once. 

When at last they approached the home of Laoling Qin, Nie Huaisang suggested that they try to fly over the sect's dwellings to see if they spotted anything unusual. It was a breach of decorum to spy that way, but Nie Huaisang had learned to be polite only when it suited him, and Jin Rulan was easily convinced. In spite of the errors the young man had made in this whole affair, Nie Huaisang found himself thinking that he liked Jin Rulan, if only because they both loved Jin Rusong. 

When they flew over Laoling Qin, Nie Huaisang did not expect to see much. It would have been foolish to kidnap Jin Rusong and let him wander around for all to see. If it had been him doing this, he'd have taken the little boy somewhere secluded, at least for a few days. If it had been him... And yet when Jin Rulan cried out and pointed down at a tiny shape far below them, Nie Huaisang nearly fainted when he too noticed a small dark green shape among all those wearing Qin colours. 

Without thinking, Nie Huaisang angled his sabre down, descending toward the inner courtyard of that house at greater speed than was wise for such a weak flyer. He only barely managed to avoid crashing and stumbled off his sabre without grace, while Jin Rulan landed just behind him with far more control. 

Around them, a number of Qin disciples, after recovering from the surprise of that intrusion, drew their swords, ready for a fight. Nie Huaisang paid them no mind, all his attention on three figures ahead of him. One was a man well into his seventies, though excellent cultivation made him look barely any older than Nie Huaisang, who looked more annoyed than surprised or angry at this invasion. Next to Qin Cangye stood Jin Yixin, who had changed out of the Jin robes she'd worn during her stay in the Unclean Realm, now favouring Qin colours. And half hidden behind her legs was Jin Rusong, an expression of terror on his face. 

Seeing the little boy so scared, Nie Huaisang acted without thinking. He took one step toward the child, determined to scoop him up in his arms and take him home. But seeing him approach, Jin Rusong clung harder to Jin Yixin's legs, and screamed. 

“Don’t!” Jin Rusong cried out. “I don’t want to see you! You’re bad, uncle Nie! You’re bad and you killed mommy and daddy!”

[ofwulf]

"Same. But you hear things. And then there's the movies... Toga... Toga... Toga..."

He's trying to be a little light hearted at least. It's not easy though when the hairs on the back of his neck have been prickling all night. Strange smells and new people. It all just intermingled to spell 'trouble'. And while Douglas might not be a psychic or a mystic, he doesn't need to be able to gaze into the future to see that nothing particularly - good - might come of the evening. The best he can hope for is that it's all a dud and the worst that might happen are a few drunk teens puking in a nearby bush and nursing a hangover come sunrise.

At her next words, Doug glanced down at his cup. It's just - coffee. He's never been any kind of particular connoisseur. Yes - his senses are sharp enough to discern a decent cup from a mug of puddle water - and the coffee from the Haze was a decided improvement over stuff he tended to keep at the repair shop.

"Yeah?"

Looking back up, one brow arches in question - and this time there is a small smile on his face - genuine amusement at her comment.

"You don't often hear someone talking down their own product. But maybe talking it down with a view to improve is just a good marketing strategy."

The smile does falter slightly at the flush and the apology. Another stark reminder of why Doug is actually - here. Because yes - weird wasn't quite the word for it. Weird would be nice. Something a little strange. A little puzzling. A little mysterious. But this weird had teeth and claws and had caused some serious harm.

"Trust me, it's no picnic for the people who've been here all their lives either."

Chweing on the side of his mouth for a moment in thought Dougl does offer one more comment on the... situation...

"This is unsolicited advice - and it probably goes without saying, so feel free to take it or leave it, but... You should be careful. Even here, with plenty of people around. I don't know if the 'weird' is over... So, please... just... yeah... uh... Now I'm the one who should probably shut up."

There's something of a quick headshake and a huff from the elder Sharpe as she questions his reason for being here...

"Yeah - Dec... Declan. The most amazingly smart and genuine kid you could want to meet who's also somehow still capable of absolute stupidity - sometimes at the same time."

Kid. It's not as though Dec was still running around in diapers. He's a man within his own right. But to Doug he'll always be 'little brother'. No matter how old or how accomplished.

"I just hope that the 'smart' wins out over the 'stupid' tonight."

He's about to laugh again, but the light shifts and he can see that her expression has changed. It's stark and sharp and... if he was any kind of poet, Douglas might have described the look on her face as 'haunted'.

---I had a brother, too

HAD. Oh... It's like a gut punch. Because that one word screams out at him, over and above everything else she says. It's like a gong went off in his brain. A sudden swarm of bees stinging every nerve in his body... It's Dougs worst fear being lived through someone else. He can't imagine... Just... Can't...

He really should have listened to himself when he said he should shut up.

"Oh, shit... I... I'm sorry."

Maybe the capacity to be astoundingly stupid runs in the damn family - because it sure as hell felt that way right now. What does he even say. Does he ask how? Or when? Or... No... Not his business. If she wanted to volunteer more - that was her story to tell. Not his to ask for.

"I really am - sorry. Look... I never even got your name... Maybe we should start over... Hi - I'm Douglas."

"I skipped frat parties so...", she watched the teenagers pass them by and furrowed her brows. Maryam understood celebration and ravalry as much as any other fae, frolicking in the forest and all. But where she had thought to find similiarities with the mortals she was once again at a loss. They were so similar, and yet so very different. The fae gave the man beside her a look over and smiled again. "You don't enjoy yourself very often, hu?"

"Honestly, when it comes to coffee and Lavender Haze... We could do better, if we wanted to", she shrugged at his coffee but found herself nodding at his next words. Maryam liked this beverage that most mortals were almost addicted to, a lot. She saw why so many of them could not start the day without. It made her alert, made her awake, but it was still only a shadow of what magic had been able to do for her at the court. And it was such a stark contrast to how mortals tried so hard to dull their senses again with every next step they took on a regular day. They needed constant sound and colours, yet enslaved themselves in the grey of their daily life, forgetting to look up towards the stars.

She shook her head slightly, chasing away those thoughts and returning to the conversation at hand. "Sorry, I got lost up here for a moment", Maryam pointed to her head and gave him a warm - very apologetic - smile, "It has been a confusing few weeks here. But yes, I work at the Haze. But I am still fairly new to Holloway. I arrived just in time to see all that monster in the woods stuff." She took a sip from her coffee, "Sorry, I do not mean to joke, I know that was quite serious and people were lost. It was just... also very weird, for someone coming in from the outside. You don't have that every day. And - I better stop talking now."

Her cheeks turned a shade darker and she hoped he would take it as her being flustered. In truth her tongue had ran off as she played for time. Her eyes had found Silas at the other end of the garden and she could not help but follow his steps - already looking forward to the conversation they would have that night.

"Your brother?", Maryam's head snapped back to the man and his words hit her so unexpected she could not stop the shadow from passing over her features, the grief from sneaking into her eyes. She bit her lip as she listened to him, fighting for control again. The one thing that made her weak, the one thing that destroyed the mask she had built over centuries. "I had a brother, too, you know. I hope yours is aware of how lucky he is to have you, looking out for him like this. Not everyone would do that. And it is a good thing to have, a big brother."