#katappa

[skyland2703]

Just gonna toss some random PR at you and see what sticks now that you're out of hibernation:

MMPR #121 is out and I....hate it:

I really, really, really want to be happy that we get to see Adam and Rocky and some character development in the wake of their possession, and get an entire issue based around Billy, but it all really just goes downhill from here. The only nice thing I can say is that Hendry Prasetya's art has gotten very smooth and I quite like it compared to previous chapters.

However, revisiting old Dual MM and PR chapters has made me happy finding little gold nuggets around that actually speak to true personality:

Next to Dan Mora, Marco Renna mighty be my favorite artist for this series. At least I can stand to look at Zedd with this style.

And also: THIS ☝🏿☝🏿 I miss this kind of thing.

I know we've all had fun throwing rocks at the Eltarian War Arc, but I cannot be the only one that sees the VERY EASILY streamlined version of events where this would have been perfect for Identity Reveal, Action Survivor, Big Damn Heroes, Big Ego/Hidden Depths, The Chosen Zero, Karmic Jackpot, Kleptomaniac Hero, Chekhov's Gun, Everything is Trying to Kill You, Strolling Through the Chaos, and an Establishing Character Moment tropes for...our babies Q_Q Honestly, so much fanfic possibility. Wish I could figure out how to make it work...

Also, just random pics of the minions being CUTE.

AYIYIYIYIYIHFRBHJTFBRVDCENDFR

This is the best thing i could've gotten coming out of hibernation, tbh. THANK YOU.

what the FUCK have they done with Billy's HAIR. Why do they look like THAT. (They've drawn Adam and Rocky beautifully but wtf billy.)

Feeling SO bad for adam and rocky they look BROKEN 🥺

Who's the lady in red?? Is she a ghost?? Can nobody else see her??

Zedd looks very overconfident, and is talking about how overconfidence will be the end of them... hmmmmmmmmm

i really like Zedd's art style! Marco Renna does a GOOD JOB O.O

But seriously wtf was that with Billy's hair.

i think i screamed at this. THIS IS CHARACTER <3

7. THEY HAVE AN EXECUTION ORDER TO MELT ALPHA???? i know it's supposed to be a serious scene but THAT many eltarian soldiers for one alpha, it's making me laugh awdhydfsvfadwfrgt 8. BULK AND SKULL BULK AND SKULLLLLLL!!!!!!!! HELLO BABIES!!! I love this style for them, they look so CUTE and smushable and cheek-pullable. Skull being depressed about Candace and bulk distracting him and cheering him up AND THE WAY THEY RUUUUNNNNN *wipes stray tear from eye* BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN <3

9. who is this man. why does he look like that girl from hinger games. 10. did they melt the alpha yet??

11. THIS ART STYLE. FOR THEM. YOUR HONOR I LOVE THIS PANEL (and they're shooting Matt. Lol i love that) 12. The empyreals?? IS THAT A BLUE KATAPPA 13. Jailbreak blue lady is Candace, I assume?? (She'd have looked prettier with blue hair, tbh. Why couldn't they just make zordon the bald eltarian. Why'd they have to make ALL ELTARIANS bald????) 14. Bulk and Skull are literally interviewing aliens. I don’t know how amazing THAT is, but also i cant stop laughing at the image of Mr. Blue katappa in my head.

For reference, this is Katappa.

Angry old general man who is one of the biggest memes here.

15. ERNIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 16. "Honestly, so much fanfic possibility. Wish I could figure out how to make it work..." <- you say, let me read this arc. Then I'll yell at you about it.

17. WAS THIS YOUR TRAP TO MAKE ME FALL INTO THE ENDLESS PUDDLE OF THE ELTARIAN WAR????? because i think it worked 18. GOLDAR!!!!!! Kim going "saved by gOlDaR?? I’m gonna need a minute" *cackles*

19. Taking a minute to appreciate THIS. How CUTE. AUGH. 20. and Goldar in that veryyyy last panel. BRO. GOLDIEBRO. I FEEL YOU. it's the downfall era for ALL of us. WHY MUST WE SUUUFFFERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

i have so many thoughts here awdsfghbdfjsvns I NEED TO READ THIS ARC!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU AUGMENTT ASDNRGHJFDSCSEJDFG

[starsstardust]

The question of the decade tho, "WHO IS THE SUN KING?"

[zurich-snows]

[bandya-mama]

Sathyaraj Birthday: Wishes from Bandya Mama

‘कटप्पा’ का रोल सत्यराज के लिए नहीं था! यूं बदले रातों-रात किस्मत के सितारे.

[swxrxgini]

hi! i saw ur bahubali storied and i absolutely loved them! i was planning on making a small story or imagine about bhallaladeva and bahubali having a little sister who is 9-10 years younger than her and i was hoping you'd give me some pointers! also pls don't mind my grammer, im in a lazy mood today

|: छोटी सी मलिका?

Receiver....Author: "Hello!! Sorry for the late reply. I absolutely adored the idea!! I've just been so busy!!"

Receiver....Synopsis: "Everyone in Maheshmati knew how strong the two royals brothers, Bahubali and Bhallaldeva, were. But everyone also knows, the moment the little commander speaks, everyone listens to the little malika that was the little princess of the throne"

Receiver....Warnings: "bitchy but brotherly Bhallaldeva. nice men (actually). but nothing too serious. Fem!Indian! reader"

回 You, the little princess of Maheshmati were born after Bahubali turned nearly 10. It was a bit of a gap, but Shivgami was happy to finally have a daughter. It was mostly Bijjaladeva's attempt to get the throne back, did not work..and he was forced into diaper duty..well, cleaning you, since diapers weren't there. You did not like your father, easy say.

回 In all fairness, he did try to bite you once when you were a baby..Kattapa was not happy, but he was your protector, your little mama(uncle) and Bahubali was so glad to have a sister. No child was ever spoiled more than you, for sure.

回 Bhalladeva thought you were a spotty potato for a bit, but he warmed up after a while..still thinks you're a spotty potato, but you're his little sister spotty potato, he'll rip out any guy's throat if they even dared to look at you, but still says you look like a stupid slug.

回 Bahubali would care for you, play with you when he could, teaching you random things, so you had some random facts up your sleeves for no apparent reason as a child, and you kept yapping about them to Katappa, Bahubali or even Bhalladeva and your mum..Bhalladeva seriously though of cutting his ears off, your mum is just happy for you.

回 But growing up, it was obvious you were spoiled. Bhallaldeva still read you stories you liked, took you around the market, Bahubali still carried you whenever you got tired. Even if Bhalladeva denies it, it's obvious he has a soft spot. But in attempts to hit Bahubali, you get hurt did he stop to think of life..

回 Assuming, he didn't go the horrid path of becoming tyrannical, and became a senapati, he still took you around on his horse during patrols, it annoyed him to no end when Shivgami was demanding you to be married off, since you weree getting of age. But like hell was that going to occur, his mum already hated him enough, it felt like..doesn't matter if he disregards her words for your betterment.

回 Bhalladeva and Bahubali had a simultaneous agreement to not let you date until you were married. They even got Katappa in on it, claiming you were just a "baby" who could get so much hurt by some stupid prince of some stupid empire!! (You are, in fact, not a baby and have tried to stab a guy for trying to steal your food because you're a spoiled bum-bum)

回 Some days Bhallaldeva takes it upon himself to make you less "useless", by trying to bring you to hunt wild boars troubling the subjects or really trouble-making wolves at the edges of the forest trying to hunt humans down next. It either ends with him being proud of you like a mama bird or him breaking down crying and vowing to never take you back again (he does, in fact, take you back on these stupid educational trips five days later)

回 And sometimes for fun, you get the chance to manipulate your brothers and dress them up in...fairly horrible fashion. Mismatched chunni, mismatched lehenga and blouse, etc. It's not working, don't get me started on the makeup..lipstick ruining them...their beards act as good holders for glitter for multiple months though!

回 Kattapa does adore you more than anything though. He braids your hair at times, settles all fighting between you and your brothers, teaches you basic fighting skills too, and spends time with you by telling you stories he told Bahubali.

© swxrxgini. This writing work belongs to me; Aurelia, Rosilabeth, Cerine, kiara. Reblogging is appreciated, but plagiarizing or copying my works is forbidden, thank you for reading this and if you like this check out my blog!

[houseofbreadpakoda]

Someone get me a wingman like katappa pleaseeee

[hum-suffer]

We'll Say Hello Again (Nevermind the chasm between us) 13

Gauri would never wish for someone's death, really. Not unless she had reasons.

She's eighteen when she begins to reconsider the parameters of the said reasons.

In order to win the Rajmata's favour and to become a Prince consort of the realm, many lords have started vying for her attention in frankly unflattering manners. One tried to buy her with gold, another tried to buy her with promises of allowance of other future lovers, and a particularly peculiar one tried to buy her with promise of privacy.

What is she going to do with gold? She's a fucking Princess. Why would she need any lover when she has her husband? She's loyal, thank you. And why would she be enticed with a basically loveless life? She can have her privacy in her own rooms.

Bhalla doesn't often engage with her when she tells him about how irritating it really is to be the center or unwanted attention— he loves all the attention he gets. Amar, while he understands her ire, he surrenders with a shrug and tells her that she can live by his side for all their lives, for all he cares. He says that she'll be happier with him than any of these lords who want her title and perhaps her inheritance. Gauri rolls her eyes at him, he's not completely wrong.

The life of a spinster would be much preferred over the constant pressure to perform wifely duties for someone who did not love her.

As she's adding the final details to the tunic in her hands, Gauri looks over the arena at her brothers, Katappa and Bhairav, all training. She's earned her day off from the training, giving her medical knowledge exam not an hour ago. She doesn't know how well she's done, and doesn't ever want to know.

Gauri already has decided that she's going to be in the cabinet of ministers, preferably for the child development department. The medical knowledge is a background that she needs in order to make her credentials shin even further.

The sting of the needle on her finger brings her back and Gauri breathes in relief when she sees that her blood hasn't smudged on the dark periwinkle of the shirt. It's muslin, rare and gorgeous. And repurposed from a gift that one of the lords who tried to buy her with gold gave her.

Beside her, Yamuna shakes her head. "Your highness, give this work to someone else. You'll only end up with aching fingers, you've been behind this for two days!"

Gauri shushes her suspiciously. "I cannot do that, my friend," she says, holding the urge to lift up the tunic to see her completed work. "I am doing this for a birthday present. I will not pawn off a gift to another to work upon."

Yamuna shakes her head. "At least give it a rest for the morning, now. You've already got to go for your astronomy lessons in three hours. Rest for a couple of hours, you've been over working."

Gauri playfully raises her eyebrows,"Haven't you become much more overbearing since getting married?"

"I wonder what will happen to you, then," she deadpans,"you've been overbearing since you knew how to walk."

Gauri laughs, loud and careless of any officer vying for her hand. "You've become cheeky. I must meet Harihar and thank him for gifting you some humour as your marriage gift."

Yamuna hesitates for a second and lowers her voice,"That's not the thing he's gifted me."

Gauri grins and looks at her friend's mildly scandalous words. "How positively risque, my friend. Absolutely admirable. Why aren't you around me in my waking hours more often?"

Yamuna purses her lips and shrugs dryly. "Your dog doesn't leave you alone in daylight."

"Be respectful," Gauri narrows her eyes but keeps her tone breezy. "As per his position, he is still your senior."

As if sensing that they were talking about him, one of Bhairav's arrows flies towards them and embeds itself in the bark of the tree behind them. Gauri doesn't bother removing it before she turns back to Bhairav with a raised eyebrow.

He shrugs cheekily before he bows, bending low. Gauri waves her hand in dismissal and Bhairav straightens while Katappa shakes his head bemusedly from behind him. "Have better manners than that, boy," he says, lightly swatting Bhairav on his head.

Bhairav turns back to Katappa and Gauri turns her eyes back to Yamuna, who gives her a knowing look.

"I've often heard that dogs get territorial very easily."

This time, a look from Gauri tells her that she's at a dangerous threshold. Yamuna smartly turns the conversation back to her rest.

"Bhairavrath!" She calls him and his attention is instantly on her, so is Bhalla and Amar's. When Bhairav is sufficiently near them, she gestures at Gauri. "Tell her that she can rest for two hours before her next class and escort her to her rooms, please."

"I don't obey you, Yamuna," he says, charming and cocksure. This change isn't too new, he's had a lot of increase in his confidence after Katappa has basically made him an apprentice to become the next Royal Guard Chief. The ability to lead and strategise and to be proven the very best among quite literally hundreds has rubbed off on him.

(Gauri remembers the day that he quietly seethed at her and asked her if she had anything to do with Katappa choosing him to be the next successor.

She remembers coolly regarding him before telling him that if he had been favoured by her especially, it would be obvious enough that he'd have never had to ask. He'd been quiet the whole day before asking her hesitantly if she would wish him luck.

Gauri had gotten him several books on war strategy and commissioned him a bracelet that doubled as a weapon.

It glints on his hand in the sunlight even now.)

Bhairav looks at Gauri, eyes downcast in reverence. "My princess."

"My Archer."

"May I escort you to your chambers to rest for a while?" Gauri knows what he's doing, deciding for her that she will rest, only asking permission to be the one to escort her. She huffs a laugh, he's getting audacious, but that audacity is what makes her days interesting.

"You may," she says at last,"after you put that sword of yours away become more presentable."

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

When they're sitting for dinner, Maa asks about their days and Gauri relaxes, tuning out the answers because she knows them already. It's only when she hears her name that she looks up at Maa.

"And Gauri? Mahashivratri is coming up, will you like to take care of all the preparations?"

For a moment, she's speechless."With great honour, Maa. But you will have to guide me, I have not planned something at a large scale yet."

It's true. Gauri has planned their birthdays and monthly Shivratri at the palace, but she's never had anything to do at such a large scale. She knows everything must be flawless— Mahadev may be her friend but she's not willing to risk his ire.

Maa smiles at her,"Of course, daughter. Alongside, can you please help Bhalla and Bahu with the preparations to receive the governor of the West province?"

Dread fills her. She doesn't want to do this. The time for annual reports is two months past and the man had been there already. There were no peculiarities in the West province, as far as the court reports went. She'll have to ask Advait, the court singer she'd come to know, to do some investigations. However, she is fairly sure that there's absolutely no issue with the West province.

And the only conclusion for the governor to come here means that he wants some special boon— which could include a marriage alliance with either of the royal children.

The prospect alone makes her want to bare the dagger that is now always strapped to her calf.

(She's not returned it, hasn't returned it since the day they almost killed a man.

He hasn't asked for it.)

Gauri is more apprehensive about this but she nods with a smile nonetheless, glad to be trusted with the administration of the household.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

Her brothers have no sense of propriety.

It's as they are walking back to the wing that they have been allotted since their very birth, that Bhalla almost snaps at her. "What's gotten your face so down, Gauri?"

"I'm afraid that the Western governor is coming here for my hand," she whispers, aware of Katappa, Bhairav and Veeraraj behind them. Bhalla had him sworn as his guard when Veeraraj somehow built Bhalla a special kind of mace that is now his preferred weapon. He isn't untrusted, but while Gauri would trust Bhairav with her life— she fears Veeraraj to be greedy enough to squash all loyalty for money.

Amar shakes his head,"You are worrying needlessly, Gauri. He doesn't have any children."

"He has himself." Although older than her, the man had married and his wife had died in some disease. He has been a bachelor for half of Gauri's life.

Amar scoffs. "Don't be ridiculous, Gauri. He's thirty! A dozen years your elder, Maa will not agree even if he propositions you."

Bhalla shrugs,"It isn't that big of a gap, honestly. And if Gauri marries him, we can secure the Western banks for better trade." At her betrayed look, he gives her an irritated look back. "Don't look at me like that, Gauri. You thought of the political consequences, too, or you would have been more vehement in your disagreement."

Guilty, she looks down. "I know. And I'm afraid Maa has considered the same."

"It matters not." Amar says, grasping her hand in his. The feel of their hands together has always been the same, rough and grounding. They both have rough hands because of their training, and that only results in holding her anchored when she feels so lost in her own thoughts. "You will not be marrying without your agreement. You are a Princess."

"Exactly," Bhalla says nonchalantly,"You are a Princess. You are not getting married to some lowly governor. I'll find you a King, someone brave and mighty."

But I want someone caring too, she thought, her hand tightening on Amar's. I want to be loved.

She wants a family, yes, but she does not want her children to be born out of duties and not of love. She doesn't know what wants, but it's certainly not a loveless life.

She deserves to be loved too, damn it.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

Amar raises his eyebrows at her when he finds her studiously completing the embroidery at the collar of a tunic in her rooms.

"That's not mine," he says, presumptuously. Gauri laughs at his forwardness and doesn't reply. He comes to sit beside her, but knows better than to touch anything that is in her hands without her explicit permission. "That's not for me either, is it?"

Gauri shakes her head. Amar has broader shoulders, he's built and built heavily. Bhalla, too, has a more muscle nuanced build.

"It's for Bhalla?"

Gauri doesn't reply, focusing on the embroidery. She's doing the last outline and it needs to be perfect, because if it isn't, Gauri doesn't have the time to make another one. She will, of course, if need be. But it won't be as perfect in one day as it's been in one week.

"You're making this for Bhairav." It's not a question this time but she hears the incredulity. Gauri hums as she stops for a moment.

She looks at her brother and explains,"His birthday is coming up, overmorrow. I have been remiss in the past years in finding his birthday and he has been unnaturally elusive as well. But I found it last year, and I intend to make his birthday happy."

(He has no family. His empty home haunts him. He is haunted. He is my sword. He is my friend.)

Gauri will try her damnedest to make him happy, if it's the last thing she does.

"And you're telling me this now?" Amar asks outrageously,"I want to give him a gift too, now what will I do? It won't be done in time!"

Gauri purses her lips in mild irritation, wondering if she should poke him with her needle. She decides to have mercy and simply says,"Suffer."

"My sister hates me!" He groans dramatically and flops down in the bed. Gauri doesn't pay him any heed until he manages to wiggle himself onto her lap. "Did you see the girl that Bhalla has recently been focused on?"

Gauri hums disinterestedly,"Yes, she was the one I tasked with preparing the Governor's rooms. She's pretty."

"But why is he getting to suddenly befriend the workers of the castle?"

"Perhaps our brother has fallen in love." Gauri says with a shrug, even though she doesn't believe it. Bhalla would never love a simple citizen.

Amar snorts and fiddles with the sleeve of the tunic. "I think not. Do you think he's changing?"

Not for the better, Gauri knows.

"Time changes everyone, Amar," she says patiently and uses her teeth to cut the extra thread once she's finished.

Amar swats her shoulder,"Don't be a savage, you have a pair of scissors!"

"Did I ask your opinion?"

"It's better than yours, for sure!"

"Oh, get back to your rooms, you lazy bear."

Gauri folds the tunic and puts it in the drawer beside her bed. She lays down as well, after putting her sewing kit on the floor. "Bahu?" Amar hums as he sits up, shifting to lay down beside her. "Is it wrong that I don't want to marry for an alliance?"

"Absolutely not, Gauri," he says resolutely. "There's nothing wrong in wanting love. Besides, you're too young for marriage."

Gauri bites her lip thoughtfully and doesn't reply. Amar somehow sounds naive to her ears. Has he remained in the past or has she grown up too quickly?

____________________________________________________

Tags: @alhad-si-simran @vijayasena @voidsteffy

(a shorter chapter because ab aage bohot action hone wala hai and i wanted to publish this before my exams lol)

[myauditionfordrphil]

NDA losing in UP has got to be one of the biggest and most satisfying political betrayals, it's like the one chapter you didn't study but it held the most weightage in exams, it's like Katappa killing Bahubali without any reason 😭

[playermagic23]

Web Series Review: Panchayat Season 3

Star Cast: Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Chandan Roy, Faisal Malik, Sanvikaa, Pankaj Jha

Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra

Synopsis: PANCHAYAT SEASON 3 is the story of the feud between a villager and an egoistic MLA. After the events of the second season, a new 'Sachiv' (Vinod Suryavanshi) arrives in Phulera. Brij Bhushan Dubey (Raghubir Yadav), the Pradhan Pati, devises a plan. He keeps the Panchayat office locked on the day of the new Sachin's joining. Brij even doesn't pick up his call and so does Vikas (Chandan Roy). The new Sachiv complains to the MLA Chandrakishore Singh (Pankaj Jha), who in turn, complains to the DM (Kusum Shastri). The DM urgently calls Manju Devi (Neena Gupta), the Pradhan, to her office. Manju and Prahlad (Faisal Malik), the Up-Pradhan, make it clear that they want Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) back as the Sachiv. As luck would have it, the same day, the MLA is jailed for killing a dog. The DM cancels Abhishek's transfer and asks him to join Phulera Gram Panchayat. Brij, Manju, Vikas and Prahlad are overjoyed to have Abhishek back with them. But there are certain problems in front of the village. Prahlad is depressed over the death of his son, Rahul (Shiv Swaroop) and has turned an alcoholic as well. Meanwhile, the Gram Panchayat elections are around the corner and Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) is determined to win at any cost. As part of his strategy, he decides to send an olive branch to the MLA. Soon, this leads to utter chaos and madness in Phulera. What happens next forms the rest of the show.

Panchayat Season 3 Story Review: Chandan Kumar's story is terrific and the writer manages to neatly take the story forward. Chandan Kumar's screenplay is very effective and is peppered with lots of entertaining and dramatic moments. But the surprise this season is that the show scores big time with the emotional scenes as well. Chandan Kumar's dialogues are sharp and hilarious as required. Some dialogues are bound to become memes, just like it happened in the previous season. A few one-liners, however, do give a feeling that they were written keeping in mind that it'll become meme-worthy.

Deepak Kumar Mishra's direction is praiseworthy. Like the previous seasons, the execution is neat and uncomplicated. Often, several cult shows tend to disappoint in the subsequent seasons. But PANCHAYAT has proved to be an exception. The writer and director have taken care that nothing is added for the heck of it and at the same time, the new developments carry the essence of the show. This time, the stakes are higher and hence, even the tension levels go high in some scenes.

On the flipside, some developments are silly. For instance, the idea of the Pradhan to not pick up the call of the new Sachiv is childish. But since it leads to LOL-worthy moments, one won't mind. The same happens with the scene where a family is given a house under the PM Awas Yojana scheme though they don't qualify for it. The reason behind it is far-fetched. However, it makes for a nice watch. Secondly, the romance between Abhishek and Rinki (Sanvikaa) doesn't progress much and it's a bit of a downer.

PANCHAYAT SEASON 3 begins on a very entertaining note and the first episode sets the mood. The sequence between Prahlad and Damyanti Devi (Abha Sharma) is lovely and the most emotional sequence of the show. The real fun begins once the MLA arrives in the village for a truce meeting. The scene starts ordinarily but ends on a high and is sure to bring the house down. From here, the show is highly entertaining. This time, there's also action and the final episode is very nail-biting. The last 10 minutes give a 'Katappa ne Baahubali ko kyun maara' or 'Lonavala mein kya hua' (THE FAMILY MAN) vibe and enhance the excitement for Season 4.

Panchayat Season 3 Performances: Jitendra Kumar doesn’t have much to do initially but later on, dominates the show. He’s totally gotten into the skin of the character by now and is very impressive. Raghubir Yadav, too, puts his best foot forward. Neena Gupta is first-rate and this time, her character gets a deeper understanding of politics. This adds a lot to her role and also her performance. Chandan Roy lends able support, as always. Faisal Malik has a difficult role this time but comes out with flying colours. Sanvikaa is a fine talent and her mere presence instantly lifts the impact of a scene. Pankaj Jha is outstanding as the antagonist. The same goes for Durgesh Kumar. Sunita Rajwar (Kranti Devi; Bhushan's wife) leaves a huge mark. Ashok Pathak (Binod) this time has a longer role, considering the popularity of his memes perhaps, and does very well. Asif Khan (Ganesh) is highly entertaining while Aanchal Tiwari (Raveena) is sweet. Abha Sharma is adorable and Vishal Yadav (Jagmohan) makes his presence felt. Prateek Pachauri (Babloo) and Ebaabdullah Khan (Dabloo) are funny. The others who do well are Tript Sahu (Khushu; Vikas's wife), Bulloo Kumar (Madhav; who sides with Bhushan), Gaurav Singh (Chottan Singh; MLA's PA), Amit Kumar Maurya (Bam Bahadur), Kusum Shastri, Vinod Suryavanshi, Shrikant Verma (Parmeshwar), Vishwanath Chatterjee (Sanjay Yadav; cop) and Diwakar Dhayani (BDO). Kirandeep Kaur (Chitra; MLA's daughter) doesn’t have much to do and hopefully, will have a stronger part in Season 4. Lastly, Swananad Kirkire (MP) has a promising cameo.

Panchayat Season 3 music and other technical aspects: Anurag Saikia's music enhances the impact. As for the songs, the Manoj Tiwari track is damn good. But watch out for��'Thame Dil Ko', sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya. Amitabha Singh's cinematography is satisfactory. The bird's eye view shots of the village, especially, are memorable. Karishma Vyas' costumes and Naveen Lohara and Sayali Naikwadi Singh's production design are straight out of life. The action is realistic. Amit Kulkarni's editing is smooth.

Panchayat Season 3 Conclusion: On the whole, PANCHAYAT SEASON 3 fulfils all the humongous expectations and rests on bravura performances, some funny and dramatic sequences, nail-biting climax and meme-worthy dialogues. This time, the show also scores on the emotional front and also boasts of action scenes. Thanks to the insane popularity and word of mouth, the third season is bound to emerge as one of the most most-watched or maybe the most most-watched show for Amazon Prime Video this year. Recommended!

[nimblermortal]

A Conspiracy in Which Neither Prince is Bijjaladeva's Son

Imagine Sivagami arriving at the palace initially to find that even her insane competence is not enough to improve her husband. Previous queen selects the most badass princess she can find for her loser son, gets one better than she had dreamed, and it’s still not enough.

Possibly, with a less driven princess, it might have, but Sivagami took one look at her husband and went, "All right, I can get a son off you, and then I am sidelining you completely, you are useless to me."

Easier to make a king from scratch than try to turn that loser into one. There are real problems to solve, and her prince not only can't work with her, but is also a constant low-level antagonist.

So... Sivagami hedges her bets and the timing lines up, but it's possible that Bhalla was not Bijjaladeva's son. She wasn't going to rest on the assumption that this loser can even conceive a child properly.

(Tea: Bhalla is awfully hot for Bijjaladeva to be the dad)

So what if the babies are swapped AND Baahu is Katappa's son?

(insert mystic recognition-of-blood-father theory here, but we're really not interested in Baahu's role in this case - but bear in mind that it means Katappa killed his own son)

It was awfully hard to work past the whole inherited family oath thing, and took a lot of arguments like, "You're sworn to defend the royal family; my entire job is to secure its genetic future. If you guard the present, and I the future, it would be idiocy not to work together."

Ultimately all her arguments fell short of two more basic ones: she told Katappa she was already pregnant so it didn't matter, and she was smoking hot.

It's still difficult to believe given Katappa's devotion to his family oath... unless that devotion stems in part from GUILT. He slept with and continues to sleep with Sivagami! So much guilt! How can he ever explain this to darling Baahu?

("The thing is, Baahu… your stepmother… was smokin' hot in the day, not that she isn't now... and NOTHING EVER CAME OF IT but I did sleep with her once or a few dozen times. And also I find a woman as competent as I am deeply erotic, as you will soon understand.”)

Sivagami, meanwhile, is going, "Well, I had to fudge a few details, but hey, power couple achieved! And," gesturing at her sons, "you can't argue with the results."

[meowow32]

It was raining. The wide opened window welcoming some of the drops inside.

“You didnt close it….ofcourse” he muttered. A man with bulky build, hair kissing his shoulders, the curls- a complete day and night- complete loop. His brown eyes wander to the gloomy weather across the window border before he closes it. He loved walking shirtless around his apartment. So did his boyfriend. Who was currently in the bath, humming their favorite song while scrubbing himself. Amrendra would be lying if he said he couldnt hear katappa.

[pooja2024]

Bahubali movie's Katappa's daughter is very beautiful, has a huge fan following on social media,

[jj9718015]

"Sikandar vs. Katappa: Sathyaraj Joins Salman Khan’s Next Film

Currently on the internet people are searching for ‘Katappa Ne Sikandar Ko Kyun Maara’ as there are rumors that Sathyaraj may join Salman Khan's Eid 2025 film.

Astrology Updates Today

[swxrxgini]

Can you please write jealousy headcanons for Bhallaladeva? One day he sees that the person he loves but hasn't confessed to due to his ego (they are also arranged to get married) is talking to her male friend for too long, so he gets jealous. Both SFW and NSFW, please!

Thank you!!!

|: Apsara, Mahesmati's new darling...

Receiver....Author: "Thank you so much for the love on the previous two. There were so many requests for all of these. Thank you so much!!"

Receiver....Synopsis: "The apsara, the wife of Bhallaldeva, quickly rose in Maheshmati as a sweetheart. Of-course, every sweetheart has it's admirers and it's dears, yours was Bhallaldeva, but also others..except the senapati doesn't like people fawning or even talking to his wife.."

||Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 ||

Receiver....Warnings: "I changed it a bit, sorry for that. But a lot of requests were similar. Fem! Reader. NSFW under the cut.|| Minors DNI.|| I cannot write historical smut..sorry :((|| Fingering, hints of breeding kink? mentions of thigh spanking, semi public place sex (forest groves)"

"It's probably because of the auspicious fire!"

"Auspicious....You mean to tell me..Bhalladeva glaring at that man is auspicious fire's fault??"

Kattapa asked Bahuali who huffed, trying to make sure his elder brother didn't kill anyone. Bhalladeva stood beside Bahubali with an awkward, force smile plastered on his lips while watching you coo to a pandit at the temple for getting his marriage fixed with a girl he'd been wanting.

"You really got her parents to agree?" you asked, fixing your lehenga and anklets while you stood around the auspicious fire, burning bright in the middle of the havan kund of the temple.

The boy nodded brightly, "I did!!" he almost felt his cheeks hurt with how hard he had been smiling. but he felt his back straighten up for no apparent reason, as he leaned his head gently to the side to meet the glare of the mountain of senapati of Mahesmati.

The boy's smile faltered as he bowed his head in greeting, your hands busy decorating the havan kund with rangoli gently, so you didn't notice. But you felt the air shift, as you looked up, fixing your nath gently.

"Are you okay, has anything happened to you?" you asked your friend who shook his head, "i think..I'm forgetting something. I'll talk to you later..yes?" he said, walking away as you turned around and found the reason your conversation was cut short—

"Bhalla!"

You huffed but amused nonetheless, walking to your husband and staring up at him as he looked up, sheepish as to not meet your eye but Katappa forced his head to match your eyes with a look that said 'your problem and go through it' as Bhalladeva grumbled—

"I was ju-", "No.." Bahubali shook his head, but shut up when he saw Bhalladeva glare at him, "Oh, would you look at that!! Devsena is calling me.." he said, taking his chance to slip away, pulling Katappa with him as Katappa motioned for you and Bhalladeva to take a walk near the grove mountain or something.

Which you both did, walking near the trees and forests, people weren't here because they were all busy with temple preparations as you held onto Bhalladeva's bicep while walking with him, your jewellery jingling as it always did..That provided him comfort.

"Now..mind telling me what happened?"

You almost grinned as Bhalaeva sighed, "You just look too nice.." he whispered, fixing your hair a bit, as you smirked, "I know!~" you grinned as he gently tugged on a strand of hair, before fixing your clothes.

You looked a bit too nice, in his opinion. His hand gently moved from playing with your hair down to your waist, as you almost froze.. A bit too intimate, especially for an auspicious place, but you had no problem reveling in the attention of the senpati of the empire.

"Getting touchy-touchy, are we?" you grinned as he rolled his eyes, pulling you close,

"mhm..." you gently pulled him down by his gold necklace and gently kissed his forehead..

Too fucking cute.

"It's sweet how much you're getting possessive these days" you grinned, pushing back your hair as you fixed your earring. As you walked ahead, he suddenly grabs you and pulls you back so roughly, making you almost yelp as your shoulder blades collide against his chest,

"...is it? Then..you wouldn't mind if I did something out of jealousy, would you?" he asked, his hand trailing up your waist, to your chest and then back down, hooking onto the side of the lehenga's fabric..

Oh god..

"This is-Ah-.. ho-horrible! our-..oh god-clo-clothes are gett mhm-getting dirty, senapati!" you hiss in annoyance, rolling your eyes..but you still arch your back as Bhallaldeva pushes his finger deeper, tilting his head, "oh yeah..?"

You whine, jewellery jingling with every movement as you slid down even more, if that was possible to the base of the tree he forced you against gently as he fingers pushed in deeper making you cry out

"Bhal-..Dea-Bhalla!” Your nails claw angry red pathways down his flexing deltoids, in a way that Bhalla would let only you do. “Don’t know if a-anymore will fit-”

"It will fit. I promise, dear" Bhalladeva nearly smirks, seeing the way he brutally forced up your special sari— the one you get for this special occasion, and your cunt gently drooling down..

He almost felt bad, if not for how your cunt clamped down on his big fingers with every soft "Ah-ah-ah" you let out.

You gently shifted, pulling your butt back as you were suddenly again forced down, but your tummy against the tree, so your clothes wouldn't be as dirty..

"here you go, cleaner?" and you don't even know how long it got because barely a second later, his cock was being forced into you. God you hoped no one was watching a high lady like you being fucked outside the temples in the nearby groves and forest lines..

Bhallaldeva lets his head fall backwards,, removing his expensive rings a leering dribble of drool placing down the corner of his lips already, toned hips snapping forwards at the clingy push and pull of your slobbering cunt. 

And it feel so unfairly good when he sinks in completely to the hilt with a few ragged breaths, so unfairly heavenly-

"f-hah-! De-dear..ar-are you feeling good?" he asked, almost mockingly with you barely able to answer, as you whine, holding the tree as you fixed your matapati gently, whining softy,

"H-ha-mo-more..-ple-please-more.."

You push your hips back to get more, as he holds them still, softly kneading his fingers, feeling the cold metal sting on the hot and reddened skin of your waist..pushing his muscular hips, his hard cock right into slobbery and gooey cunt.

"Y-..ya know..we co-could-mhm..-give ma a new child..no?" Bhalla smirks as he pushes his hip at just the right angle, making you throw her head back as he gently rubs your tummy before sneaking his hand roughly under your sari to rub your clit

He leaves teary, overstimulated kisses down the side of your face as you wiggle your hips back. “-make you my hngh- wife- my madam. Make you the m-mother of my heir...Sho-show tha frien' of yours..who you-sh-..belong to!” he hissed, starting to feel his brain get fuzzy

You’re giggling, barely-lucid yourself. “M’already your ah- wife, Bhalla–”

Fuck-

That single sentence shouldn't bee making Bhalladeva hit his hips rougher into you, making you lose the last shreds of sanity over his cock, as you dug your nails into his forearm, whining as your thighs quiver.

Bhalladeva holds one hand on your hips the other on your shoulder, pulling you back your gold kamarbhand to pull you back on his cock, cooing to you as if you were dumb with a smirk on his prideful face.

And those brown eyes of hs also staring down at you and your cunt, gently thumbing the clit with his rough hands which makes you push your thighs together till he gently spanks your thigh to make you keep them apart-

And when you cum, it’s with those same eyes on you admiring you as he places one kiss on your nape, pushing your hair ahead- and when he cum, shit, they’re rolling to the back of his head-

The soft jingling of jewelry as he ushered to gently fix your clothes and make you presentable and wipe the drool and tears as he gently kissed your forehead, making sure you're okay..

God you might have to make sure you make him jealous more often!~

© swxrxgini. This writing work belongs to me; Aurelia, Rosilabeth, Cerine, kiara. Reblogging is appreciated, but plagiarizing or copying my works is forbidden, thank you for reading this and if you like this check out my blog!

Special mentions. Thank you all!!!

[jeahreading]

I'm terribly indecisive but if ever someone asked me my fav movies this comes to surface

Housefull 4 (I have watched this 10 times and I'm gonna watch it more)

RRR (no comments man)

Bahubali (those who disagree, katappa mama is on his way)

Red Notice(pretty good ngl)

and Brahamastra

Sooo, this might change in the next like 1 hour but this is a list of movies I love and stand by.

@zeherili-ankhein @ineffable-bastard @hellincarnation and whoever wants to join!!

here's five of my favourite movies EVER (not ranked):

1. Inglorious Basterds

2. Shrek

3. Deadpool and Wolverine

(watched this the day before my psych exam, and still managed to get a great score)

4. 3 Idiots

5. Incantation

(only because it made my brothers scream and cling to me while i smirked, unfazed)

feel free to reblog with your favourite movies :)

tagging @1indigoisles, @jeahreading, @hj-lives-on, @xumit, and @akumakitsunesog

[hum-suffer]

We'll say hello again (Nevermind the chasm between us) 12

The Diwali celebration is a beautiful sight to see at any day and especially at night. It's gorgeous and the whole state looks alive for the fortnight.

Gauri is allowed to attend the puja, the gleam in her brother's eyes tells her he had something to do with it but he's never opened up about it and Gauri doesn't think he will answer truthfully if she asks.

Something in her makes her want to drown. Does she need a man, even if it's her brother, to protect her? To defend her? To advocate her validity?

A finger brushes against her wrist and Gauri glances at Maa. She gives Gauri a smile, gentle yet reprimanding. "Focus, daughter." Gauri, properly chastised even though she hadn't even been scolded, looks away smiling.

They're given the first prasad after the Puja and as is traditional, Gauri takes the plate of fruits and smiles at the Rajpurohit. "Let me have the honor, Pandit ji." The Rajpurohit's face twists in a bitter grimace and Gauri takes all the more enjoyment in it. However, he seems to be trying to shove the plate off to someone else.

Gauri glances at Maa out of the corner of her eye and her impassive face tells Gauri that she needs to learn how to handle this on her own.

Her smile turns sharper, bigger. She beckons Bhairav forward and gestures him towards the plate. "Let my friend have this insurmountable honour, Pandit ji."

She shouldn't take so much pleasure in being a general menace. But making the Rajpurohit choose between either a woman recently over her periods and a man who is a mere sworn sword, little more than a slave in the eyes of men.

Pandit ji looks to be gritting his teeth before he smiles at her and wordlessly shoves the plate of fruits into her hands. She turns around pleasantly. "Come, Bhairav, one of us has to distribute the fruits, don't we?"

She's sure the Rajpurohit heard her when she hears Bahu snort and Maa sigh.

Bhairav looks awestruck and he makes a token protest about being unworthy but Gauri gives him a smile, giddy and smug, and Bhairav closes his mouth instantly.

Katappa is the only one who has tears in his eyes as Bhairav hands him a slice of banana. Gauri beams at him,"What are you staring at, Mama? It's Diwali, look alive!" The other people in the temple seem ecstatic to see her, some of them touch her hands and, as much as she tries to not let them, her feet.

The plate empties not soon after, when they're outside of the temple. The crowd has already thinned, and Gauri already has a ridiculously smug smile on her face. Bhairav looks done with her. "My princess, do try to look less smug. The public does not know that you gain pleasure in baiting your possible assassins."

"You worry too much, Bhairav." She grins at him, but her hand spasms in the way that reminds her once again of the way that Ratan had jerked her off. To distract herself, she pointedly drops the last slice of an apple into his hand. Bhairav gives her a look that tells her that he knows that she's distracting him from the conversation.

Before she can cajole him into being less sour, she hears a whisper of a movement. She stills and so does Bhairav, even though he looks confused. Her sense of hearing is sharper than most, he mustn't have heard it. There's another movement and this time, she can hear steel. She looks at Bhairav out of the corner of her eye and sees him looking around in confusion. He hasn't heard that.

Her heart beats in her ear and she takes a deep breath. She knows, she knows that she needs Bhairav here. But she also needs witnesses. Prominent, objective witnesses.

"Get my brothers and Maa." She tells him, her voice sounding harsh and furious to her own ears. She sees him open his mouth in protest but before he can speak, she gives him a look. "Now, Bhairav."

He hesitates for a moment before grabbing his dagger and pushing it in her hands. "I shall be right back, my princess."

Gauri nods at him and tightens her grip on the dagger, one finger at a time. His dagger is beautifully sharp and she's grateful for that. He gives her a heavy look and Gauri doesn't know what it means but before she can have a chance to decipher it, he turns on his heels and makes a run for the temple.

Gauri tilts her head, focusing on the full thump on the ground. It's probably footsteps. Uneven footsteps.

She looks back at the temple for a moment and breathes. Let me live today, she thinks. Let me have my vengeance.

The footsteps get louder.

There's a pause, a heavy silence, before she hears the noise quicken and steel cutting through air behind her. Gauri ducks on sheer instinct and it's the Rajpurohit who has a sword in his hands, holding it over his head, ready to strike again. Gauri swipes the dagger at his ankle, uncaring of war rules and ethics. He curses, jumping back, and swings the sword again. She parries with the dagger but she's at a disadvantage because of the size of the blade.

He kicks her stomach, and Gauri stumbles enough to trip and fall down. Before she can stand up, he kicks her face, hitting his foot on her nose.

Gauri grabs his ankle and twists it, pushing him away to stand up. She breathes heavily through her nose and tries to stabilize her heaving chest. Gauri feels her nose hurt and eyes burn in response but she only readjusts her hold on the dagger she's and snarls.

"You dare?" He says,"Coming here after I told you not to, sullying my place of worship with your presence! You dare break the sanctity of my sanctuary?"

Gauri grits her teeth. She doesn't reply and ducks underneath the sword. The blow would have sliced her torso and pulled out her intestines. The blaze of fury burns in her veins and she uses his momentum as an advantage to twirl around him and hit his back with the thali. She grasps the thali in her other hand vertically and stabs it in his back again, twice, thrice, until he's leaning forward and falling down and coughing.

Gauri doesn't realise that's blood on her hands.

But when she does, a surge of bloodlust roars through her. Now, she will aim for the neck.

He turns around at the last moment and kicks her stomach, sending her tumbling back, on the ground. She heaves and feels the ache spread over her torso like venom. Gauri clenches her teeth. She stands up again.

But before she can drive the dagger through his heart, there's already an arm snaking around his neck and choking him. She recognises the armband. It's Bhairav.

The Rajpurohit gurgles and elbows Bhairav, who grunts but doesn't let up. Gauri takes the moment to punch his nose, once, twice and thrice. Her eyes meet Bhairav's over the Rajpurohit's shoulder and the fury she sees in his eyes blinds her for a moment.

She wants nothing more than to kill him.

She knows that it is what he is feeling.

Dizzy with pain and want of blood, Gauri grits her teeth. "Don't kill him," she rasps,"Don't kill him, Bhairav."

He is hers to kill, Gauri thinks. But she won't kill him. It is not her discretion.

Bhairav nods at her resolutely, even as the Rajpurohit's eyes droop and his gurgles die down. He holds her eyes, even as her family comes closer. He holds her eyes, as her brothers fuzz over her and Katappa fuzzes over him. He holds her eyes and Gauri holds his dagger.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

The trial is but a farce.

Somehow, her uncle manages not to get his name in the middle of the hell that the Rajpurohit's statement is. The official statement tells his distaste of Gauri due to her impertinence and her major flaw of being a royal woman.

Gauri doesn't stay to see the end of the trial.

Her stomach is covered with bruises, black and blue. Her hand heals a little everyday.

Bhairav is thoroughly scolded by Katappa and Bhalla for leaving her and Bahu is an overbearing shadow. Maa doesn't allow her to be alone anywhere until the trial ends. Bhairav keeps his duties impersonal. Her uncle gives her snide looks.

Gauri wants to scream.

It is her life that was threatened and yet her decisions seem to be everyone's favourite idea to despise.

Bhairav trails behind her, quiet as a mouse. His silence burdens her in ways she cannot begin to explain.

Gauri walks towards the armoury where Katappa is training the new recruits. He smiles when he notices her, the only person who isn't disappointed by her these days.

He walks towards her and stands beside her, Bhairav stops at a respectable distance to give them the illusion of privacy but they all know that he can hear them.

"How are you faring, Gauri?" Katappa asks her, gesturing a guard to bring her a chair. She overrides his order with a shake of her head.

"Way worse than is expected of a person who survived an assassination attempt. It seems that the only one happy to see me in this palace is my damned horse."

Katappa chuckles at her. "It is not like that, Gauri," his tone is reassuring but does it really matter? He continues,"We were all just very worried for you when Bhairavrath burst through and told us to come to you without any explanation and we found you two fighting the Rajpurohit. You must admit, it is a sight one cannot understand. An assassination attempt on you, Gauri. It is no small deal."

"And yet, I am made to feel like the culprit. Because I cared for diplomacy more than bloodlust?" She looks away with a sneer, staring into the far ends of the city that too must have heard about what happened at the Diwali Puja. "Whatever they say, Mama, I am still my mother's daughter. Polity is my best suit. I did what was right, and yet no one seems to want to understand me."

She's aware that she sounds petulant but is too far gone to care. She just wanted what was best for the state and her family, damn them. The least they could do is understand her reasoning.

Katappa's eyes soften. "Tell me, then."

Gauri sighs. "Had I not sent Bhairav away, we would have dealt with the Rajpurohit too. He is much more efficient than I am at the moment, I am very well aware that the matter would have ended without either of us hurt, had I let him stay."

Katappa doesn't say a word, lets her continue.

"But then, the tale could have been spun. We're but children in the eyes of you all, do not dare to deny it. Had you found that particular scene without warning, the tale could have been spun to say that we were misguided and we were the real perpetrators." Gauri sighs and wishes she hadn't denied the chair. She hadn't taken into account just how tired she is.

"And Maa may have trusted us, but she would have been labelled an emotional and unfit ruler, had she trusted the word of her daughter over the circumstantial evidence." Gauri turns again, catches Bhairav's eyes. He doesn't pretend that he is not overhearing them. He raises an eyebrow and the action endears him to her undeniably, a hint of his personality she's seen in two days.

She turns back to Katappa. "I don't want the crime of Brahmhatyaa on either of our heads. And trust me when I say this, Mama; the man would have been dead if I was as honest or as frank as my brothers are. He's alive, because he is useful. I let my culprit live and for what? Scorn? Distrust? Disappointment?"

Bitterness clogs her throat and she clenches her hands, her healing one sending tingling sensations up her arm. Her mouth tastes like ashes.

Katappa smiles at her, in that soft fatherly way that he so seldom does. Often, he preoccupies himself with believing that he is unworthy of the love that Gauri and Bahu give him. It is true that Gauri doesn't share that deep of a bond with him— she follows her brother, blindly, and if he gives his affection to Katappa, so shall she— but she's always had a kind of kinship and easy affection that flows between them. He provides her with clarity and safety.

Katappa is her safety away from comfort.

"Gauri, my child," he whispered, voice deliberately lowered and kindred,"I do not think that you want me for this conversation."

Gauri shakes her head. It is true that she wants her brothers and Maa to understand her. It is truer that she wants Bhairav to stop being so impersonal. But she needs Katappa to know this too. "No. I am at the correct place, having a true conversation with the correct person. The others that need to know, will ask me. If they can condemn me without knowing, they can apologise without knowing, too."

Her anger shimmers close to the surface even as Katappa changes the topic and asks her about her plans for the future and he tells her of ridiculous rumours that fly in the city. Some are amusing while some are plain unbelievable.

"They say you too Mata Mahalakshmi's blessings and tore down the Rajpurohit like She did with Kohlasur." Katappa says as they slowly come to an end, pride clear in his tone. Gauri shakes her head with a smile. She really loves the small folk and their inclination towards the dramatics of life.

"I shan't keep you any longer, Mama. Thank you for listening to me." She moves forward and tenderly hugs him, mindful of her own bruises. Katappa, infinitely more mindful, keeps his hands on her shoulder and her head, patting her head. She can tell that he's shocked but he doesn't freeze.

"Thank you for sharing with me," he says as they part, his eyes suspiciously glistening. "And do come whenever you will it. You are always welcome."

She nods and smiles at him. It doesn't feel forced.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

The stony silence between them continues all the way to the gardens. Gauri, still righteously angry, feels no need to break it. Let him suffer, she thinks. Let him suffer in my silence.

Gauri sits down on the ground, curling in on herself to save her from the cold. She looks at Bhairav, standing rigidly, and feels the sting of mercy in her heart. "Sit down if you want to, Bhairav."

She doesn't look up to see if he sits down. After a moment of hesitation, she hears shuffling and he's sitting beside her.

Gauri closes her eyes and hopes that her mind quietens now, after her talk with Katappa. At least he listened to her. She needs to talk with her family too, needs them to know, too. But not today. Not even before they approach her. She has some self respect, damn them.

"I was nine," Bhairav begins in a whisper,"when my sister was murdered."

Gauri looks at him in shock, frozen. She expected a lot of things but not this. She turns completely towards him.

He doesn't glance at her when he continues,"My family wasn't the happiest but we made do. My mother...she left us. My father raised my sister and I to the best of his abilities, of course. We had a large age difference— ten years. My father died when I was seven and my sister later married her childhood friend. We made do."

Bhairav clears his throat and Gauri shifts, closer. Not touching him, for she knows what is proper, but she hopes her attention and silence provide him courage to continue, if he so wishes.

"I was out, gone with Katappa to learn sword fighting. My didi and jijaji did not like to fight but they supported me. They were sweet, non violent. When I came back, the door was broken down and they were lying dead, in their own house." He clenches his jaw and looks down at his feet. His hand plays with the black threat on his ankle. Gauri averts her eyes respectfully.

"They were killed, for money. My jijaji had earned good money for his pottery. They looted the house and killed them." Bhairav looks at her now. His eyes are smouldering and rimmed red. But his voice still breaks when he promises,"I will not see you dead as well, my princess."

Gauri nods. She understands what he means. He's always been one for a few words, but she's always felt what he feels.

He feels he failed his sister. He was devoted to her. His father was not the best but he tried and Bhairav respects that. His sister raised him. He loved her. He loved his brother-in-law too, felt indebted to him for letting Bhairav stay in his house. He never felt that he belonged in their house. It was theirs, not his. Now that it may be his, he hates it.

He thinks he failed his purpose, his devotion— he fears to fail another purpose, another dare she say it? devotion.

His anger is at her for risking herself but also at himself for obeying her.

She deliberately softens her voice,"And I will not have you hung because you levelled allegations against the Dowager King and the Rajpurohit, Bhairav. We needed witnesses, ones that could be unquestionable. Your life is my responsibility, your honour is my responsibility. I will not have you become a target. In return, I promise to do my level best to save myself from any dangers, but you must also always obey me in this capacity. Trust me."

Bhairav shakes his head and gives her a smile, fond and tired at the same time.

"Your honour is my honour, and your life is my life, my princess. And whether I like it or not, I am going to obey you for the rest of my life, my princess. Just never at the cost of your life. Never again."

Gauri smiles at him, tentatively, and teases,"We are at an impasse, then."

"How about I obey you and you only order me to save your life?" He asks with a charming grin.

They both know that either will stop at any cost to save the other.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

Tagging: @allizzprobablynotwell @alhad-si-simran @vijayasena @voidsteffy