#make Veth proud of her boy!

[ariadne-mouse]

Have you ever...

...wanted to stick your hands in some warm bread?🍞

Have you ever...

...neglected showering for a little too long?🚿

Have you ever...

...had a cat who is definitely a fey creature?🐈

...coveted some high quality paper?📃

...been harmed by and wanted to challenge The Establishment?🔪

So has Caleb Widogast.

Vote Caleb Widogast: the people's wizard.

[spottedenchants]

'I Didn't Ask For This' by Beth Crowley

Ooooo interesting interesting 👀

Going with my first reflex with these, bear with me xD

Strike first Make it hurt When everyone assumes the worst I never have to say I'm sorry

Beau

Exactly what she tried to do at times- if people assume the worst, you can literally only ever meet or exceed their expectations AND there's no need to apologize over things people already know you're going to do. Also ties into the whole 'you can't be the one rejected if you reject others first' thing that we saw exemplified when Beau considered her potential deal with Isharnai.

Spiteful Ruinous I'm all things you feared I was Another villain in your story

Molly -> Lucien

Really thinking about how losing Molly was a story-altering event and how Lucien's entire revival from the Nein's POV is desecration in every literal and metaphorical way. Also thinking about this meta in the frame of Molly the person vs Molly the icon and how Lucien was a twist on both as well as an 'obstacle' in the way of getting their friend Mollymauk Tealeaf back.

You think that I'm a spitfire? You should Afraid you're on my bad side? That's good If I wanted to end you I could I could

Jester

Her sweetness isn't a veneer in the same way her capability for severity isn't an act, but there's an earnest self-awareness she develops over the course of the campaign that this bit reminds me of. Yeah she's chaos made mortal, a damage-dealing cleric, and could wreak havoc upon you at the drop of a hat, but just don't be evil to her and it's fine!

I'm sinking down If you only knew how hard it is For me to climb out I'm kicking and screaming But no one can hear me So what happens now The shadows are creeping in I didn't ask for I didn't ask for this

Fjord

I think this can sum up everything from his upbringing to his pact with Uk'otoa to his struggle to be 'himself' with the party. Fjord was an isolated soul through most of his life, both by force of others and by choice as a result of that force, and really only found genuine peers in the Nein and only after a fair bit of vulnerability on everyone's parts. But hey, they reached their hands out and lent their ears when he was at his lowest and he took them up on their offer to be there for him :D

Cold rage Hides the shame Of images I can't escape Scars that live under the surface

Yasha

She can't remember the worst of her actions, and that makes it worse, doesn't it? Horror is made sharper when imagination is given free reign, so to of disgust and revulsion. So she gets mad, she rages and roars in her distinctly and somehow-quiet way, she taunts the world to take her out for the sins she's committed and it mocks her; but power only makes her undying. How cruel.

It's strange What I became When part of me was ripped away And replaced with something worthless

Veth

Even before becoming Nott, Veth's sense of self was torn to shreds before she had the chance to darn it, line it, wrap it around her shoulders like a shield. Left with threadbare tatters, she still stitched together contentment, a life- only for that to be taken too. So she resisted, fought back, reached out, tried to make something of herself that she could be proud of, and for what? A double-masked face despised by both herself and those she cared most for?

I'm sinking down If you only knew how hard it is For me to climb out I'm kicking and screaming But no one can hear me So what happens now The shadows are creeping in I didn't ask for I didn't ask for this

Caduceus

Yes I used this bit for Fjord and yes I will point at it again for the Wildmother's first boy. There's something to be said about being so avoidant towards the things that eat you that you can't even recognize when you are in desperate need of help. Caduceus had faith that good things would come, but faith is nothing without action. No, rather- faith without action is starvation for both mind and soul. His family left, as was their duty, as eventually would be his. The Savalierwood won't wait.

Take what's left Of my fractured heart Bloodstained 'cause The pieces are so sharp

Caleb

Driven to ruin by loyalty and love, what good is a heart if it murders its reason for being? Maybe he is the disgusting being he thinks himself, but guess what? That heart of his still beats and needs and a blade can be used to tend a beard just as well as it can be a shank. Maybe he can't wash the blood from his hands, but he can water a garden with the run off. In time, perhaps, with time.

Never forget I didn't ask for this

Essek

Knocked from his high horse and forcibly befriended. I'd like to think that deep down, even after all the dust has settled and Essek's come to terms with his new life, there's still a teeny tiny itty bitty kernel of resentment in him. The Nein are bold souls and he is grateful to know them and be known by them, but they did, quite literally, ruin his life faster than he ruined it himself.

[saltytothecore]

Here's a dozen roses. I love your fics!

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Aw, thank you nonny 💙

In return, a passage from a wip tentatively titled late july from the Shakey Graves song (well, mama should be proud of me // I lived like a man, I'll die like a king // I’m eager young and qualified // Got a date with that chair in late july)

It's kind of a speculation on Umavi Thelyss, wondering about how being ancient and reborn must make you a little unhinged, and probably a lot unable to cope with being told no. Especially where the discipline of your heretic little boy might be concerned. I bet she gets what she wants, even if she does it the hard way.

anyway

The Umavi takes a cup too, and sips once. Her posture remains rigid, and she’s looking just over the top of Caduceus’ head. 

“It is a pleasure for my Den to host the Heroes of the Dynasty, even on such a somber occasion as the death of a den-child unconsecuted to the Light.”

She sounds as if she is repeating something by rote. 

“We are honored, of course, to finally make your acquaintance,” Caduceus replies. “And your tea is really quite nice.”

She looks at each of them, landing on Caleb last. He holds her gaze. 

“How did he die?” Caleb asks, his voice barely cresting a whisper. 

She takes another sip of her tea, then lowers the cup into her lap, where she cradles it between fingers nearly entombed in jewelry. Her eyes do not leave Caleb’s.

“I killed him.”

Caleb sits back slightly, as if she’d struck him. Her words wash over the rest of the Nein, and the energy of the room shifts palpably. Rage, in him, in the others, begins to boil. As if she senses their collective wrath, she holds up her hand. 

“Leylas and I were born in another age,” she continues. Her voice is even, under rigid control. “In that time, if a member of my den were guilty of some grave crime, it would have been my right to choose to mete justice out myself. We left many things, many of our ways, behind in the Underdark. But—” Caleb watches the fine muscles in her face twitch, her mask slipping under some great feeling. “I asked Leylas to deliver him to me for judgment, as was my right. As was her duty.” 

“So you could kill him yourself? Your own boy?” Veth hisses. Her eyes flick to Veth now. 

“I killed Essek the day I birthed him. He, like every one of my children, started slipping through my fingers the instant he drew his first breath.” She—unfocuses is the only thing Caleb thinks to call it. Some memory must have drawn her in. “But unlike the rest of my children, Essek refused consecution. I hoped, in time, he would abandon his foolish objections, that he would stay, but now it’s never to be. He was determined to be lost to me, and he succeeded.” For the first time, her voice truly shakes. “What would it have mattered to her if it was now or later?” Her fingers tighten on the porcelain, bleaching pale. “No, Essek had been dying from his first breath. I would have kept him here, in the home I built out of the cursed, dead land the gods left behind, until his last.”

[gelidon]

Assortment of Mighty Nein scenarios I thought of that just make me happy

Beau and Caleb having favourite spots in Rexxentrum to meet up for lunch, probably more than once a week if they aren't busy. They get to bitch about work and trade secrets, depending on who's around to listen.

Kingsley's first birthday party on the anniversary of his revival. Maybe on board the Nein Heroez, with Fjord and Jester using paint and illusions to set a magnificent scene for their newfound familiar-but-unfamiliar friend who's never celebrated a birthday before. It's pirate themed. That almost gets them into trouble with some other seafaring vessels they weren't expecting to encounter.

The chaotic fairytale feel of the Brenatto alchemy shop, filled with bubbling potions and a sprinkle of Veth's magic, and the dog that keeps appearing out of the blue trying to get pets from customers. The shop is beloved by adults who come to buy goods, and by children who are awed at the alchemical displays. Yussa, via Wensforth, is a regular patron.

Speaking of shops, teacher Caleb teleporting all the way to Zadash to pick up class materials from The Invulnerable Vagrant, perhaps bringing along whichever other members of the Nein are around at the time. Veth and Yeza maintain a connection to the Pumats as well.

Somehow, everyone ends up with a garden. Caduceus may be the top gardener but Yasha and Essek are particularly proud of theirs and not afraid to get in touch with Cad (or ask the nearest wizard to relay a message) when they need some urgent advice. Even Kingsley has a strange fondness for a few potted plants, which slide up and down his quarters in the Mollymauk every time the boat hits rough seas.

Luc and TJ visiting the Blooming Grove with Veth and Beau, exploring it while they're still young and small enough for the cemetery's wild and wonderful plants to feel as big as an entire jungle. Luc tells TJ all the stories his mom told him about battling through mysterious tropical islands, and they play out the adventures in the safety of the Clay family's temple grounds.

Cool scene time! Empire kids getting into trouble and their partners bamfing out the wings in tandem to help- Yasha with her awesome Aasimar feathers and Essek with his sparkly dunamancy-flavoured fly spell. Bonus points for subsequent wizard haste-casting on the lesbians.

Caleb bringing home his research so he and Essek can work on it together. It takes a while because the runes are frequently smudged by rowdy six-week-old kittens.

Every so often on board the Nein Heroez, Jester polymorphs into a seal or killer whale and explores the fantastical weirdness of what lies below the waves. She comes back and sketches all of it- maybe many things that have never even been recorded before. Fjord goes with her- with a healthy dose of water breathing- and if they find something really fascinating they might spend a few hours exploring under the sea.

I really, really want to believe that Jester is the first person in Exandria to discover the 'fat innkeeper worm', also known as the... just google it. Not in public.

The Nein planning meet-ups in the Xhorhaus, but quickly realizing the issue with bringing their favourite hot boi war criminal to the capital city of the Dynasty. Instead, Caleb adjusts the magnificent mansion spell to create a perfect replica for the situation, complete with all the bedrooms rooms, the tree and the hot tub, and illusory Xhorhasian surroundings, and with 100% less complaining neighbours.

By the cruel whims of fate, or perhaps as a form of universal karma, it just so happens that coincidentally, her sense of time in Wildemount disoriented by her constant travelling across the oceans through different time zones, Jester always manages to send her promised messages to Essek while he's having... private time with Caleb. He is conflicted by his own desire to not be entirely frustrated about this.

Fjord and Beau shopping together for wedding rings. Them being the gender-irrelevant Wildemount equivalents of each others' best man, prepping together to make something Jester and Yasha will adore and colluding with their three favourite wizards for Travelercon-style special effects if needed to complete the scene. Concluding with a double wedding where the captain and his first mate, rather than going with parents they effectively or literally don't have, walk each other down the aisle towards their respective partners.

[utilitycaster]

Wizard Breakdown Tracker, #135

Each week I think “man it would have been cool if I had thought of this idea, in which I make jokes about how stressed out the wizard NPCs are, during, you know, the Vergesson heist or something when we were interacting with more than one wizard NPC instead of during a dungeon crawl with only one wizard NPC, emphasis on crawl” but you know what, I persevere, because where else am I going to put song parodies about the death of Vess Derogna that are literally only funny to me? Twitter?

Anyway while I am personally team Jester, in that the faster Lucien is simultaneously disintegrated, run through in the chest with both a vestige and a holy avenger, shot through the heart (and Veth’s to blame), beheaded with a hand axe, banished, punched in the face, and sent into a black hole the better, the party has other plans. Thanks to the long rest though it has been about 12 hours, plus the 4-ish from last week, so I guess we’ll check in with a few of our other wizard friends as well.

As a reminder Caleb Widogast is a PC and thus excluded from this list.

Currently sidelined

Presumably having a good day: Pumat Sol (blissfully unaware of all of this); Allura Vyesoren (saint-like patience and a wealth of experience with disaster adventuring parties; at least this one has a cleric at more than 0.33 FTE, a wizard, and some lesbians), Ludinus Da’leth (this miserable pile of power plays wakes up every morning and is like Isn’t it Grand to be head of the evil wizard council and no one realizes I probably destroyed the first non-drow elven civilization on the continent to arise after the calamity! Fetch me more pastries!).

No idea but here’s hoping he found the cat portion of ScryTube: Oremid Hass

Lady DeRogna, taken off the scene, sorry that your murder happened while off-screen.

Trent Ikithon: I’ve established that I think the only real things that can damage Trent emotionally are Caleb paying too much attention to him so as to destroy his standing within the empire, or else Caleb ignoring him. Honestly if Trent would not continue to torture students and spread propaganda if left unchecked I think he could be slowly murdered solely through Caleb expressing apathy. So despite the amulets of nondetection I like to imagine that somehow, somewhere, Trent felt Caleb reaffirm to Essek that his top priority is still stopping the city from returning, not Trent, and it necrotized just a little bit more of his liver.

Conclusion: 7/10. I went to the OG evil mageocracy and no one knew who you were.

Essek Thelyss: Well on the one hand he’s still flirting but on the other imagine spending a literal century being like “what if we’re wrong about how we approach the fundamental basis for our society” and he just got proved right. I have to imagine he’s got that kind of stress where suddenly everything becomes dead calm and also this explains why he unnecessarily cast a 3rd level spell, which he knows could in theory cause him to lose all his hair, to impress a boy. I didn’t even get into the conversations he had with Caleb, the bad dreams and eyeballs, Fjord teasing him, Yasha being like “ALRIGHT ALREADY”, the horrible Aeorian creatures, the fact that robots might be back(?) or his ongoing terror that the Assembly is after him!

Conclusion: 8/10 but he’s like, kind of having a good time. Essek is in all ways but physical in a Hawaiian shirt right now drinking a Mai Tai and going Nothing Matters; I presume he will have a full breakdown following the boss battle and honestly he deserves it.

Astrid Beck: Others have already established the parallels between Essek and Astrid but honestly I want to highlight it because really, on the one hand we have Essek, whose world is crashing around him because he was right all along and is in terrible immediate danger but surrounded by friends, and on the other we have Astrid, whose world is crashing around her because she was wrong all along and she’s probably not in immediate danger but Eadwulf is the only person she can trust and we don’t know all the details about that either.

Conclusion: 8/10 but in the bad way, not Essek’s kind of fun way.

Wulfpupy:

Conclusion: 3/10. You know that tiktok with the blonde woman with glasses who has a lot of highlighter on her nose who talks about how sometimes if you have guy friends they will say something deeply fucked up and you’ll be like “oh my god do we unpack this right now” and then you look over at them and the only thing in their mind are the lyrics to Kokomo? That’s Wulf. He will activate the second Caleb comes back in town or Astrid actually falls apart but until then he is on Island Time.

Yussa Errenis: I wonder if there’s a small part of Yussa that is part of the city’s awareness and, moreover, can see what Beau and Caleb at least are doing, and he’s like “I’m so simultaneously proud and impatient, also we live in a world that does not have IV fluids so like, hopefully my body still exists in some kind of functioning state when I am rescued” (note: did I google “how were coma patients kept alive in olden times” for this? Perhaps.) Anyway if he is aware he’s also just like, watching all this like “I WILL GET YOU SO MUCH PAPER OH MY GOD CAN YOU JUST KISS THE OTHER WIZARD SAVE ME FROM THE EVIL HIVEMIND CITY.”

Conclusion: I mean still infinity/10, he is still trapped in the city of madness and also if he does have a small part of his mind that is sane and able to observe the material plane he also is aware that Trent and the Volstruckers broke into his tower.

Known Gem Wizard Hotsauce Lutefisk: I know, I know, weird that I brought him up. However consider: Yussa’s wizard tower now contains two wizards in suspended animation, their consciousnesses trapped in eldritch astral sea-related spaces. This is incredibly funny to me. We’re in a real Old Lady who swallowed a fly scenario except it’s centuries-old wizards getting sucked into traps because of their own hubris. The reason why mageocracies no longer exist isn’t the lack of magical knowledge or even because power corrupts absolutely, it’s because literally just put some lightly fried forbidden knowledge under a box with a stick propping it up, add your parody of Long-Term Nuclear Waste Warnings above it, and a wizard will be like “that sign won’t stop me because I CAN read and what’s more I’m better at reading than you are!” And then they get trapped in a box.

Conclusion: what is a breakdown tracker to a man whose mind has been stuck in a gem for, from his perspective, at minimum about 35 years?

[saphirered]

Hi welcome back! Hope you’re doing well. Random question b4 my request, bc I want to give back as thanks for the great writing: are you a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate/cocoa drinker? I prefer hot chocolate and sweet tea.

How would the m9 respond to an SO/friend with a kid? Where the reader is a single parent with a child of at most 10 years old. Thanks :)

- 🐋

This took a while to write so sorry for that 😅. I'm so glad you like my writing! I love writing for you lot. I'm definitely a hot cocoa person. I hope this one turned out to your liking 😘.

----------

Caleb:

You never hid the fact you had a child from Caleb, if anything you’re proud of them. Though, you do know in certain company it’s better to keep that fact a secret for safety reasons. Caleb understands that fully he respects and admires you always put your child’s best interests first.

This is why when you began getting more involved with Caleb you kept your child out of it and took a good amount of time before introducing them to the wizard. You didn’t want to set expectations for both sides and wanted to protect and preserve them both should what you and Caleb had going not work out after all.

It’s no surprise Caleb is good with children. He takes a gentle approach when it comes to all things good in this world to the point of almost being afraid to ‘ruin it’. You assured him many times he was in the clear and how could his heart not warm at the curiosity and search for knowledge your child was already displaying.

With your permission Caleb began teaching your child some things here and there. The theoretics of magic and eventually simple spells. The smile it brought to their faces while they worked couldn’t make you happier. Caleb definitely earned your child’s approval to stick around.

Beau:

At first Beau is surprised. She knows children come from somewhere of course. She’s not stupid but actually tying a child to their parent let alone being very close to that parent is a whole new story. Especially learning you raised your child on your own and seeing you want to provide what’s best for them definitely earns you her respect, not having a parent with the same motivation herself and all.

The day of introductions came along and as expected Beau is the most awkward, trying not to be a terrible influence and be on her best behaviour, makes her very much on edge. An perceptive child picking up on this awkward behaviour calling her out leaving her cursing like a sailor, then apologising for said curses, even less of a surprise. You had to assure her many times it was fine.

Beau makes a promise that no matter what, she’ll make sure you’ll be returning to your child and make sure they get the love and support they deserve. Growing up without loving parents is one thing. Growing up an orphan another. She’d do everything in her power to keep you safe.

It may have began with joking comments such as ‘finish your homework’ to ‘do the dishes’ and ‘be nice to your parent while I’m gone’ but it didn’t take long before Beau was helping them with their homework or cleaning dishes after you cooked.

Absolutely treats your child as someone capable of making decisions of their own and speaking for themselves. No baby voices or cooing like too many adults tend to do even to a child regardless of their age. Your child has thoughts and opinions of their own and for the love of all that is sacred, can speak for themselves. You’re glad Beau treats them with a sense of maturity.

Fjord:

Fjord may have done what can only be referred to as a spit take the moment you said you had a child. Clearly didn’t expect it but giving him time to recover and process he’d ask all sorts of questions. What are they like? What do they like? And of course the dreaded question about your partner.

Supportive Fjord for the win. After finding out you’re on your own he’d always have your back, checking in with you and making sure you’re doing alright amidst the stress of the world and raising a child in the mix of it all. He’d open up to you about his past and being raised without any kind of proper parental figure. What he wouldn’t have done to have someone like you around when it counted for him.

Introducing them went rather smoothly. Fjord is surprisingly good with children. While some might find him intimidating, he nearly melted when your child embraced him as a thank you for looking out for you. Fjord was happy to answer any and all questions your child asked.

Whenever you’d be swept away for a while having to leave your child in the care of your trusted ones, Fjord would tell your child to ‘have the wheel, sailor’ which they would return with a salute before biding you both goodbye. Fjord slowly transcended into a bit of a father role and none of you minded in the least. You were happy.

Veth:

When she spoke of her boy she left behind you pitied her. A child shouldn’t be without their family. They deserved to be loved and sheltered from the darkness of the world until they are ready. When you told her you had one of your own Veth really felt safe to confide in you with her worries and troubles. You bonded over it really, drowning out all the sad stories and struggles with fond memories of both your families. Sadly for you, that would only extend to you and your child, the memories of their other parent perhaps somewhat painful to share.

You wondered what it would be like if your children ever got to meet in person. Then the day came. Nicodranas really had a way of bringing families together didn’t it? First time may have been a bit strange, your child being fully aware of Veth’s need for a disguise with her son, played their part well. Both you and Veth may have wiped away some tears when Luc claimed your child their big sibling from now on, and you his third parent.

Work and life are a difficult combination for Veth. She wants nothing more than to be with Yeza and take care of her boy but as long as the world’s in peril and her other family needs her just as much if not more, she’ll have to leave them behind. Knowing that you and your child are with her husband and son when she can’t be eases her mind a lot and she’s forever grateful.

It goes unsaid that Veth’s time away from children and in the presence of adults, specifically the Mighty Nein may have left her a bit out of the routines of raising a child as shown by giving Luc and your child fireworks, promising them to teach them how to shoot a crossbow and more. You did have to hold her back a little with the help of Yeza and keep things a bit more contained for their safety, but mostly yours.

Jester:

Of course upon learning you’re raising your child all by yourself Jester goes onto a rant about how her and her mom were always alone and how Marion used to read stories to her and do you read stories to your child and do you sing to them and draw with them and give them hugs and cuddles after nightmares and… You have no idea how that girl doesn’t run out of breath.

Jester couldn’t be anyone but herself when meeting your child asking about their interests, do they like to draw and sing and dance and… You ran out of breath just listening to her talk and your child replying in similar fashion. Everything went quite well and the two of them got along. Jester would be singing them songs and teaching them how to draw resulting in many dick drawings randomly appearing in your books, notes and other places, followed by mischievous giggles.

Having bought your child a lovely green cloak and letting them pretend they’re the Traveler here to spread mischief and fun and leave behind many phallic shaped objects drawn and carved wherever possible sent you all in laughing fits but you swore you heard a more masculine chuckle and saw a green cloak fade into the shadows. Odd.

What only can be summed up as the combination between big sibling, fun wine cupcake aunt and mom, remained a constant in your life and you couldn’t be more thankful to have that ray of sunshine be there for all of you.

Caduceus:

Caduceus is very calm and collected about learning you have a child. Less of a response than perhaps anyone else perviously unknowing. “That’s nice.” He’d nod. You’d almost start thinking he may have been able to read it off you for some reason. He confirmed he was, the tired eyes, and the recovery of exasperation at times but sense of accomplishment and reward was a look he had seen from his own mother many times.

“You’re weird.” A stare down ensued. “You’re weird too.” Eyes sharpened. “I like you.” The ice broke and smiles followed. For a moment you were afraid that maybe your child wouldn’t like the odd firbolg and thinking about how you would keep friends and family separate but a wave of relief went over you knowing that all was well between the two most valuable people in your life.

You’d be handed a fresh cup of tea by your child, a plate of snacks by Caduceus, all too innocent smiles on their faces but all it took was a raised eyebrow from you to have them come clean about the kitchen being covered in soil from the two of them potting new plants, turning your home and garden in what can only be described as a greenhouse and rather ask for forgiveness than permission. You weren’t mad of course, but did make them clean the mess they made.

You’re still unsure whether or not it was a good or bad idea introducing your child to the extended Clay family as you got some insight in the chaotic prank wars between the siblings and all together sibling rivalry among some of them. It’s all fun and games of course but some moments you were glad you weren’t the one pelted with mud pies by Calliope or pushed into the spring by Calliope herself. Instead you could just enjoy Clarabelle’s bug collection with your child while laughing at the other’s being covered in mud and soaked to the bone.

Yasha:

Poor Yasha doesn’t recall much of a family. In reality she never really felt like she had one until the circus, and after them the Nein. When she saw you and your child together, the unconditional love you had for each other, she felt like she finally realised what she had been missing, and something she perhaps would never have. She learned the value of such a relationship.

Yasha has no idea how to interact with children at any level and by default tends to treat them as either adults, or cute animals. No in between. It took her some time to get the hang of it but you couldn’t deny both you and your child rather enjoyed the unconventional relationship.

The wastes and hardships of Xhorhas may force a child to grow up quickly in the tribes but that doesn’t mean children outside of those regions have to learn how to wield a sword and what bugs you can and cannot eat or how to best skin an animal before eating it… It took some convincing why that was not a necessary skill to learn at the tender age of ten.

You compromised with Yasha on the fighting in the end, persuaded by the woman and your child to allow her to teach them some fighting basics because someone’ has to have your back when Yasha’s not there. You did manage to hold them off on purchasing a sword perhaps too large for your child despite the ‘they’ll grow into it’ reasoning and instead settled on training equipment instead.

Mollymauk:

Oh Mollymauk, nothing surprises this one. He felt rather sorry for you going through the struggles of raising a child alone. He may not remember his own family but he’s traveled far and wide enough to know the hardships. He knows poor Toya and he admires you for being able to do what so many can’t or won’t.

It goes unsaid that Molly is perhaps the worst of influences when it comes to people but you’ve seen him interact with Toya before and know well enough he’s a kind and caring soul who wants only the best for those who can’t just yet fend for themselves. It’s a good foundation that leads to a better person. He jokingly claims himself proof of that through the carnival and him ‘being an absolute asshole’.

Molly’s soft side really does come out whenever he’s around your child. He doesn’t deliberately censor himself but tries to contain certain words and avoid certain subjects that should never be discussed around your child knowing you’d appreciate it and if he does let something slip and your child ask questions he’d gently explain it as certain things should definitely not be described in gory detail to someone of their age.

This circus man is not afraid to put on a show in any circumstance and will happily do so to cheer you or your child up whenever you’re feeling a bit down or overworked. Whether he’s making a fool of himself, giving you bogus card readings, juggle his swords or tell the most ridiculous stories ever he’d do it without a second thought because it brings you and your child joy. You’re part of his family and he’d go to hell and back again for you.

[nott-gay]

Top 5 widobrave moments

Oh GOD this is going to be hard because I love literally anything between them, but let’s try, (I’m removing some of the bigger moments like revethification and the kiss as I feel those are a given) -

1. Memory Dome - I’ve watched this countless times, I love them. The imagery of this scene is so beautiful with all the scenes of their lives playing around them as they reminisce on the early days of their friendship. Also comes with a side of angst as Caleb talks about Veth learning and developing her own magic, saying “You barely need me at all.” which she pushes back on.

2. Foolish - In episode 68 Caleb talks to Beau about how he feels about Nott reuniting with Yeza and what that means for their relationship. Him talking about how foolish he feels but not elaborating much on why beyond feeling like things are awkward now. Beau asks him if he’s jealous of Yeza, to which he agrees. It’s a very real moment, to me at least. Seeing a person you shared so much with having someone else who seems to matter more to them than you, and the subsequent feelings; foolishness, awkwardness, rejection, jealousy, etc. It’s a wonderful little scene, I enjoy it a lot. Also, the fact that it comes after Beau asked him if he had a crush on Nott to which he replied “this is not a quick conversation”... sir I see you.

3. Doors; 8 Minutes, Luck Stone, Books - I’m combining these three moments together because I feel like they are all different versions of the same feeling of Caleb's angst and pining over Veth as she slowly leaves him. 

8 Minutes is in 54 with Caleb looking indecisively between the girls' and boys’ rooms unsure where to sleep, since this is going to be the first night he and Nott had not roomed together in...who knows how long. This also came after this big reveal that Nott has been married this whole time, and I imagine this is when it starts to hit Caleb how “awkward” it all feels.

Luck Stone is in 61 where Caleb just stares at Nott and Yeza’s door for a minute, just twisting the Luck Stone in his hand. I don’t know if this was intentional, but that scene feels very much like a parallel between the scene in 54 I spoke about above, but also the scene in episode 23 when Caleb and Nott are out looking for that very stone, as it was the first time Nott ever told Caleb Yeza’s name. It’s all coming together.

Lastly is Books, from the recent episode 128. Like the previous two, Caleb is standing outside of a door that Veth is in, and if you take Liam’s expressions during Veth’s scene with Yeza as Caleb’s while he listens outside, then you have some more angst. Also, just the subsequent scene of Caleb giving the story and magic books to Luc was so heartwarming.

4. Messes Together - I love this scene in 76 so much. It already starts off perfect with silly banter between the two, but it turns serious as Caleb tries to actually address Nott’s alcoholism, something he’d been avoiding for months because he didn’t want to be hypocritical. Nott’s reluctance to talk about it at first before she gives up felt realistic and good; it’s hard and embarrassing to be vulnerable, especially about your coping mechanisms. Caleb wanting to see her and Nott saying she doesn’t want him to, I just... I don’t even know how to explain the feelings this scene evokes - Caleb talking to an invisible Nott who is too scared and ashamed to be seen by him in fear of disappointment, and then Nott saying she’ll try to make him proud, and him saying she already does...... I!!!!! This scene is perfect oh my god. Can you believe I tried to cut down this segment and it still turned out this long? I could talk about this moment for almost an hour.

5. A Little Bit Homework And A Little Bit Magic Trick - I honestly love episode 9 for a few reasons, the bathhouse scene being one of them, but this moment is also just so nice. Caleb teaching Nott how he does his magic by transcribing it in his spellbook, holding and guiding her hand through it. It’s a small moment that is easily overshadowed by bigger more impactful moments between the two, but this small moment of these two working together holds a special place in my heart, especially when I think about them working on her revethification spell and her going on to develop spells of her own. :,)

Thank you for the ask!

Ask me my “TOP 5″ anything!

[cora-vizsla]

Hypnotic (Taking Over Me)- Chapter 2

Pairing: Eventual Jedi!OC x Sith!Obi Wan

Word Count: 4.3K

Story Rating: E (18+)

Chapter Rating: T

Warning: Swearing. Threats of violence. Calm kidnapping. Mentions of sex in the past. 

A/N: I know I said I was going to post this like two days ago but life got in the way. I hope you enjoy either way. As always, if I missed any tags please let me know!

When they got closer to presumably their destination, Veth held out a blindfold. Zara raised one eyebrow at him and shook her head.

“I’m not wearing that. Your threat of killing my men is over so you have no leverage over me.”

“I have two lightsabers and you’re stuck in this ship with me.”

“If you swing them, we both die. Are you wanting to die?”

“Are you?”

Zara scowled and crossed her arms. Veth laughed at her which only soured her mood even more.

“Me not having leverage over you is exactly why I need you to wear this. You presumably have it planned that you figure out where you are and either get a message out or escape on your own. I do not want to harm you, but I will if I have to.”

“So, wear this for my own protection?”

“Precisely, darling.”

Zara did nothing short of barking out a cackle.

“I am a Jedi Knight. I do not fear you. You may have manipulated me into going with you to keep my clones safe but that does not mean I am easily fooled.”

“You don’t trust me.”

“Would you trust me if the roles were reversed?”

“Yes.”

Zara was taken back by his swift and solid answer.

“You’ve had many chances to fight me, yet you’d prefer to talk and negotiate. You don’t want to fight if you don’t have to. That is a trait we share.”

“Sith only want destruction.”

“That is what the Jedi teach.”

“That is the truth.”

“Give me one day, Zara Fross. Comply with me for that long then you can make your decision on if you’re going to fight back or not.”

“Why a day?”

“That’s how long it will take me to ensure that you are safe before you do something reckless like jumping off a cliff.”

She found herself biting back a laugh as she reached to snatch the blindfold. Veth made a disapproving noise in the back of his throat and motioned for her to turn. Zara grimaced but turned slightly, allowing her captor to place it over her eyes and tie it. She felt her face flush when he gently turned her and ensured her eyes were completely covered.

“I bet this is the easiest kidnapping you’ve ever conducted.”

“You are right, though you aren’t the first beautiful woman I’ve put a blindfold on. Now sit there like a good girl and we will be home soon enough.”

Shocked by his tone and words, Zara sat in silence instead of arguing. She told herself that it would never be home to her, just a temporary stop before she found her way back to the Jedi. She hoped that Anakin wasn’t causing too much trouble.

---

“THAT is why you sent her without me!? You knew that creep would follow her!”

“Calm down, Anakin.” Mace said for what felt like the hundredth time.

“How can I calm down? He TOOK her!”

“She is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. There was no indication that she was harmed. He let her leave a message for Commander Cody.”

“Where is Commander Cody? He should be punished for leaving her alone in the first place.”

“Anakin Skywalker. You better watch your tone when you’re speaking to the council. I understand you care for your friend, but you need to recognize that we need to put our trust in her and her capabilities. You’re bordering on insulting with how little you believe in her.”

“Master Windu, I can’t agree with not sending someone to find her. To save her. We have no idea what that creep is doing to her.”

“We also don’t know where she is. Once we get intel on her location, we will send someone to retrieve her. Until then, you have missions that you must accomplish. The war has not stopped, and you have not been relieved of any of your responsibilities.”

Anakin sighed and deflated. He nodded at Mace and ran his hands down his face.

“You’re right, Master. Just.. please keep me updated on her while I’m gone.”

Mace nodded at him and watched him leave. Yoda turned to him once the door shut and shook his head.

“Troubled, that boy is.”

“Yes. I know him and Zara are close, but he is so reckless.”

“No different, Zara would be.”

“No but she would have at least said those things to me in private instead of the entire counsel.”

Yoda chuckled and nodded, reaching over to pat Maces hand a few times. It was unspoken, but Master Windu was just as worried about his former Padawan as Anakin was, especially if the reports about Darth Veth were true.

---

Zara hated not having some semblance of control. It was why she preferred not to fight. No one could ever predict every move someone else would make. Words were easier for her to predict. So, stumbling through the snow without being able to see was not her idea of a good time.

“We’re almost there, darling.”

“I really wish you’d stop calling me that.”

“Would you prefer princess? Love? I’m sure I could find sweet pet names to find out in different languages if that is what you would enjoy.”

Zara stopped moving, turning to where she thought the man was and tried to glare.

“Fine. Stick with darling.”

He chuckled and gripped her arm a little tighter. He wasn’t hurting her, not that he even remotely wanted to. When she had stumbled a few times, he felt bad at how petrified she was at not being able to see. He had offered to carry her but that didn’t help the fear that was basically seeping from her pores.

When her teeth started chattering, he finally gave in and scooped her up. She gasped out of surprise and started to protest. She silenced when he shushed her and tentatively held onto him, afraid of being dropped.

“It’s quicker this way. Need to get you inside before you freeze to death.”

“Well, I wouldn’t run away would I.”

He chuckled and tightened his grip on her, picking up his pace. Within a few minutes he spotted their destination and got her inside. He deposited her gently on his couch and pulled the blindfold off.

“Get your boots off. You aren’t dressed for the cold and you don’t want to lose toes because of it.”

She hesitated, taking in her surroundings but eventually pulled them off, setting them neatly by her. Veth looked at her as he was taking off his heavy jacket and boots.

“You don’t need to sit there. You can explore.”

She stood warily, wincing at the feeling returning to her feet. She walked throughout the main living space and noticed how simple it was. She half expected a home more industrial and extravagant. It didn’t scream Sith Lord to her.

Making her way down the hallway, she looked into each room. She was surprised to see that there were two bedrooms and a fairly large refresher. The last room she came to actually intrigued her enough to walk in. Every wall was covered from floor to ceiling in books and holocrons.

“I figured this would be the room I’d find you in.”

Zara glanced over her shoulder and wrapped her arms around herself. Veth walked in and stood next to her.

“You are welcome to read anything in here. I would have brought some of the texts from our meeting spot but figured they’d just be another weapon for you to use against me.”

“I wouldn’t risk destroying history like that.”

“Then I trust you all the more in my personal library. I have placed warm clothes in the refresher. Take your time as this planet has no water restrictions or issues. I will be making some food to eat. Come find me when you are done.”

He went to walk out but Zara reached out and touched his arm lightly, recoiling as soon as she did.

“Why.. why am I here?”

“Are you asking that or asking why you aren’t shackled and bleeding?”

“I guess I’m asking both.”

“Go shower. I will answer all questions within reason when you are done.”

---

Zara stepped out of the shower and wiped at the mirror in front of her. She considered braiding her hair but with the cold she needed it to dry as soon as possible. She looked down at the counter and saw that there was a brush. With a shrug she picked it up and worked it through her hair.

It had gotten much longer than she usually let it grow. When she was younger, she kept it short to keep it out of her face but now it was down to her mid back. She ran her fingers across the short side she had cut and thought of Anakin. He had dared her to do it thinking she would care too much about her hair. She had laughed so hard when she saw the expression on his face when she cut the portion.

She wondered how Anakin was. It wasn’t abnormal not to talk to him for days at a time, but now she didn’t even have the capability to. He was her best friend and the idea of not seeing him again brought a pain to her chest she had never felt before.

Zara shook her head, trying to will away the negative thoughts. Instead, she focused on the bright color of her hair. It had been another dare of Anakin. He thought Mace would be furious with her but instead he had given her a soft smile and a nod, letting her know it fit her. Master Windu always wanted her to be herself in a way that fit the code. Her appearance didn’t matter as long as she lived the code and was proud of being a Jedi.

She looked down at the clothes and frown. They were most definitely the Sith’s robes. She considered putting her own back on, but he was right; it was cold. Once she was dressed in the black robes that were just slightly too big for her, she hung her towel up and went back out to the main living area.

“Ah, hello there. I hope your shower was enjoyable.”

She nodded, not having the energy to argue with him anymore. He motioned for the table that already had food waiting for her. She sat down gently and looked at the food.

“Stars, I know I’m not a great cook, but it isn’t enough to be sad over.”

When she didn’t look up at him, he sighed and sat next to her, digging into his own food. She eventually picked up her utensils and started eating. It was warm and well-seasoned, but it did little to improve her mood.

“Lord Veth, why am I here?”

He used his napkin to pat at his mouth before sitting back in his chair. It struck her as odd at how sophisticated he was, again. It went against everything that she had been taught about the Sith and how they lived their life.

“I promised you answers. I will give you as many as I can. Then you can be informed if you want to fight against your captivity or not.”

He took a drink of the wine in front of him before crossing on leg over the other.

“I first heard of you when you started your missions with the Skywalker boy.”

“You’ve called him Ani. Why?”

“I’ll get there, my dear. I was tasked with observing you and finding a way to get you away from him. You see, my Master desperately wants the boy. He has plans for him. He doesn’t think that he will stray from the Jedi as long as you are around him. You’re a rather calming presence for him just as much as he challenges you to come out of your shell.”

“He’s my best friend.”

Zara felt her chest tighten again at the thought of Anakin and the vulnerability she was showing.

“Without you around he can fulfill the role my Master expects of him. I was given the option to just kill you but the more I learned of you the more I saw how much of a waste that would be. You’re a strong Jedi and an even smarter woman. You care deeply for those around you regardless of it being a stretch in the code you swore yourself to.”

“That doesn’t explain how you know Anakin.”

“I was with Qui Gon when he found him.”

“You?”

He chuckled and nodded, brushing his hair back out of his face.

“Yes. I went by an entirely different name back then, but I was there.”

Zara furrowed her brow and tried to figure out who he possibly could be. She chewed on her bottom lip as she tried desperately to pull up the memory.

“Master Windu told me of a padawan Master Jinn had. He died though so he took on Anakin.”

“I did not die. I’m sure he thought I did with the fiery explosion. My Masters other apprentice found me barely clinging to life. The Jedi never even looked for me.”

“That’s.. terrible. I am so very sorry that they didn’t.. there had to have been a reason they didn’t-”

Zara sat up straighter when anger flashed across the man’s face. His eyes seemed even more dangerous and for the first time she didn’t feel safe around him. She stood up and he followed, backing her against the wall. He caged her in by placing his hands on each side of her head.

“Do not mistake my civility as us being friends, Jedi. I will treat you as my guest, but I will not have the betrayal they put me through excused or brushed off by anyone. Is that understood?”

“Y-yes.”

“Good girl.”

He stood up, taking his hands from the wall and tracing his finger across her jaw gently with a feral smile. She looked up at him trying to steel herself against him. She had almost let herself forget that he was a dangerous Sith keeping her captive.

“Why don’t you finish eating then we can talk more. Like I said earlier, there is much I wish to learn about you.”

---

Zara sat curled up on the end of the couch, trying to keep warm. Regardless of what she was wearing, she couldn’t seem to shake the cold. Her previous thoughts of hating the heat were coming back to haunt her. She jumped when she felt something rest against her shoulders until she saw the Sith was laying a thick blanket across her.

“Uh, thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, my dear.”

He sat down next to her, far enough away that they weren’t touching.

“It unfortunately gets very cold at night here.”

“Where are we, Hoth?”

“No, but a planet very similar.”

“Stars how do you deal with it?”

“I manage.”

She pulled the blanket tighter around herself and shivered.

“May I ask you what your name was before?”

“You may. However, for every question I answer you need to answer two of mine.”

“Two? How is that fair?”

“Who said anything about fair?”

She looked over at him and scowled at his sly grin. She turned so she was facing him more with her knees pulled up to her chest. He was already turned slightly to the side with his legs spread apart and his arm thrown over the back of the couch.

“Fine. What was your name.”

“Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

“Obi.. wow.”

“You know the name?”

“I do. Master Jinn spoke of you often while Anakin and I were training.”

He rolled his jaw before forcing the emotion to fall from his face. He was smiling again before she even could comprehend that he had been upset.

“What planet are you from?”

“Alderaan.”

“Good family?”

“The best. Wonderful parents. Well off. Supportive in my quest to become a Jedi.”

“Interesting. That explains your education and manners.”

She shrugged and smiled softly.

“Can I assume you’re from Coruscant?”

“No. I don’t really remember though I was very young when I went there. Thus, the accent.”

“Makes sense. The Jedi usually take in children at a young age.”

“You mean steal them.”

Not wanting to anger him more, she fell silent.

“Were you at the temple before Anakin?”

“Yes. Not very long though. Maybe a week or two if I remember correctly.”

“Then I just missed you it seems.”

She nodded and shivered again.

“What is the extent of your relationship with Skywalker?”

Her head shot up at that question. She looked him directly in his eyes and saw a cautious curiosity.

“I’ve told you. He’s my best friend.”

“It seems deeper than that. He was positively furious when I called you darling.”

“He’s.. protective. He had to leave his mother and I was the first person he truly connected to after that. Master Windu worried he was corrupting me but there were many times he kept me sane.”

“Explain more, please.”

She smirked and shook her head.

“You’re being awfully careful not to ask another question.”

“Trying to play by the rules, my dear.”

She chuckled and played with the edge of the blanket.

“I think maybe if there hadn’t been a code, we would have grown closer.”

“So, you turned him down.”

“Not necessarily. It’s not like we talked about it. We just knew it wasn’t what the Jedi would need from us. Have you ever been in love?”

“Yes.”

She decided not to press him more when his answer was clipped. She lowered her eyes and chewed on her bottom lip again.

“Do you love Anakin?”

“I.. I’ve never let myself love anyone. My destiny is to be a Jedi Master. I won’t let anything deter that.”

“Interesting. So, you don’t indulge in physical pleasure?”

She snorted and he raised his eyebrows in response.

“I’m not a prude. I just don’t let myself feel possessive or attached to them.”

“So, why not with Anakin then? You two are already close.”

She shrugged and laughed, her face feeling warm.

“Doesn’t really need to be thought about. It didn’t happen and won’t.”

“You’re rather open with me. Not what I expected considering who your Master was.”

“I would rather give you this information willingly in a way that I can benefit from it. Considering what the alternative is I think it’s safer that way.”

He chuckled and carded his hand through his hair again.

“You are wise beyond your years, darling. I do wonder why you were so willing to tell me about Anakin though. You know he is in danger.”

“Nothing that I told you is anything you couldn’t have found out just by watching us. You actually probably would have assumed there was more to it. I know the counsel did many times.”

Zara let out a yawn, trying to cover her face as she did. Veth chuckled and stood, motioning for her to lay down on the couch.

“There is a spare room, but it is much warmer out here. I’ll check on the fire throughout the night.”

She curled up and made sure the blanket was wrapped tightly around her. He added more wood to the fire and dusted his hands off as he stood up. He paused at the doorway and looked at the sleepy Jedi on his couch.

“Goodnight, Zara.”

“Goodnight, Lord Veth.”

“You can call me Obi Wan, if you’d prefer.”

“I thought we weren’t friends, Obi Wan?”

“You’re starting to grow on me a bit, darling.”

With a smirk he left, leaving her even more confused than the first time she met him. Zara was terrified of the situation she was in but knew she had to play his game. As she drifted to sleep, she worried about her best friend and what they could possibly want from him. She had to find a way to warn him and protect him.

“Zara. Zara dear, you need to wake up. Come on, sweetheart.”

She woke with a gasp and looked around, unaware of where she was. She jumped when she realized Obi Wan was kneeling by the couch with his hand on her shoulder. He looked worried; his hair still disheveled from sleeping.

“W-what? What is it?”

“You were crying out in your sleep. Gave me a terrible fright when I heard you. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m f-fine. Sorry. Sorry for startling you.”

“What was wrong?”

“I just.. I have nightmares. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Don’t let me keep you up.”

She sat up, pulling away from his touch. He stood and moved to the fire, tending to it like he had been doing it his entire life. She watched him as she worked on controlling her breathing. Although nightmares weren’t new to her, being woken by someone she didn’t know was. She felt ashamed and embarrassed that he had heard her crying.

“Tell me, darling, do the Jedi know of your nightmares?”

“It’s hard to find one of us who doesn’t have them. War never really leaves us.”

“You’re fighting against a droid army.”

“We don’t use droids to fight.”

Her voice was harsh and clipped, surprising Obi Wan. He walked to her, stopping only to kneel in front of her on the floor. She wrapped the blanket tighter around her and watched him with unease.

“You really do care about your clones, don’t you?”

“They’re people. Living breathing people. Their history or how they came to life doesn’t concern me. What concerns me is-“

“Stars, Zara, they’re just clones. More can be made.”

“You sound like Senator Palpatine. So high and mighty that you have no regard for life. Even now you play games with me, dangling the idea of my death over my head. You’re no better than a bored loth cat playing with a mouse.”

“Are you comparing yourself to a rodent?”

He smirked and it infuriated Zara. She snarled and tried to get up, wanting space between the two of them. Before she could even fully try, Obi Wans hands shot out and grabbed her thighs tightly, keeping her in place.

“No, Lord Veth, I am comparing you to a predator with absolutely no humanity. Your tricks will not work on me. You may have been a Jedi once, but it is clear as day that you are no longer harboring any shred of light in you. Go ahead and pretend that you’re civil and sophisticated while you keep me prisoner on this despot of a planet. It doesn’t matter how kind or human you pretend to be. You’re nothing short of a monster. You’ll never be able to hide the evil coursing through you when it burns so brightly through your eyes.”

Zara held back a wince as his grip tightened on her legs. The normal playfulness that he usually held on his face was long gone. The more she spoke, the angrier he became.

“There she is. There is the conceited Jedi I knew had to have been in there. I saved your life, little knight. I spared your men knowing that it would harm you to wipe them out. I let you stay awake and conscious of what was happening. I gave you my clothes to wear so you would be warm and let you know parts of me that I didn’t need to divulge. Without me, you would be dead along with your entire regiment.”

“How do I even know a single thing you’ve said to me is true? Sith lie.”

“Now you question my integrity? When have you discovered anything I have said to you is a lie?”

“It all has to be a lie! Why would anyone that follows the dark want Anakin? He is a good man. He is devoted to those he loves and the family he has created within the order. He would never fall to the dark side. He wouldn’t do that to them. He wouldn’t do that to-“

“To what? Or were you going to say to who? He wouldn’t do that to you. Is that what you were going to say? Hmm?”

When Zara fell silent Obi Wan laughed out darkly.

“My dear, pull the right strings and anyone could fall to the dark. He has a weakness, and it is you.”

“It’s not like that with me!”

“Does he know that? You see, I have been in love before and it didn’t matter how far away I ended up from her. It never went away. Even once I heard of her death, I still mourned her and the love we could have shared if I had just let myself fall.”

She shook her head quickly.

“He will do what our master’s ask of us. He will help win this war and-“

“Now who is the liar, Zara? I’ve heard some doozies coming from the lips of Jedi, but I have never heard someone so willing to lie when the truth is right in their face. The fall of Anakin Skywalker has already begun. Your absence, regardless of what is causing it, is going to make him desperate. He will do anything to either get you back or avenge you. Look me in the eyes and tell me that I’m wrong.”

Zara opened her mouth to argue but quickly shut it.

“That’s what I thought.”

He released her legs and stood, looking down at her with anger.

“Get some rest. Lack of sleep makes you ungrateful and it’s not a good look.”

Once he was in his room, punctuated by a slam of his door, Zara finally let her tears fall. She wanted to talk to Master Windu to get clarity. She needed to hear that Veth, Obi Wan, whoever he was, was wrong. Feeling hopeless and helpless wasn’t something she was accustomed to and it was tearing her to shreds.

[omniscientwreck]

Would you do 62 and/or 102 with Luc and TJ meeting for the first time? I really love the idea of those kids getting into shenanigans when they’re a little older (well, TJ anyways)

I certainly would! I have quite literally never written children before so I hope this is good! I just think they would be the chaos twins and Beau and Veth would be so proud of all the hijinks they get up to.

It’s the first night of Veth Brenatto’s Adventure Camp and Beau is already exhausted. She’s not sure if it’s technically speaking a good idea to have this many hyperactive kids in one place with weapons but she and Yasha are currently in charge of making nobody burns the shit out of themselves making s’mores and it’s actually relatively peaceful.

Until it isn’t.

Looking back, she should have seen the signs. When Caleb had teleported her and Yasha in from Kammordah with TJ she’d been immediately shot at with a crossbow bolt. She catches it and throws it back at her assailant but the tiny halfling child is to quick and as he barrel rolls out of the way he strikes her again and this time it hits.

She leaps to tackle her tiny assailant and she hears TJ behind her go, “Woah he shot Beau! Who’s that?” Luc Brenatto slips away just before she can grab him and goes running to hide behind Yasha, a tactic he’s learned works pretty well.

She sighs, “Luc one of these days you’re gonna shoot someone with the power to arrest you.” TJ seems only a little overwhelmed by the sudden explosion of sound and bolts, staring awestruck at the little halfling, partially afraid but more in awe.

“Hi.”

Watching kids introduce themselves is weird. Luc looks over and waves, “Hi! I’m Luc, my mom runs the camp. Who are you?”

“I’m TJ, Beau is my big sister!”

“Cool.” They kind of stand for a moment and it looks like Luc is sizing up TJ, trying to decide if he’s a good co-conspirator. “Wanna go try to get Mr. Widogast to drop his levitation?”

TJ seems confused but before he can ask a question Luc has grabbed his hand and they’re scampering off to go piss of Essek.

Now, they’re seated around a fire, Yasha is playing the harp while Veth tells a scary story and most of the kids are sitting in rapt attention. It all happens at once, first she hears a match strike, then she hears one voice, “Oh no she’s coming this way, she’s gonna see us!” and then another, “Please shut up, just shut up! It’s gonna be fine.” Before she can pinpoint exactly where they are she hears a match strike and then a sizzling.

The fucking firecrackers. They start going off where they’re thrown, above the fire mostly and the rest of the children begin to scatter. Beau darts off after TJ and Luc as they try to escape but she’s using her full speed now. She gives them as stern a talking to as possible but they look so proud of themselves and TJ tries to defend Luc, saying it was his idea but she knows better. She’s just happy he’s found a friend.

The week flies by, she teaches many short hyperactive brats to punch good and TJ picks up the light cantrip from Caleb which he’s very proud of. They’re about to depart for Rexxentrum and are just saying their goodbyes to Veth and Yeza when Luc tackles TJ and gives him a little package before he goes. Probably more minor explosives. “Promise me you’ll come back? Next year?”

TJ looks up at Beau, eyes shining with tears threatening to pull over and she just nods, “Yeah kid, we’ll see if we can squeeze in a few visits before then too.”

“Yes!” the boys hug and wave to each other the whole time Caleb is casting, even as they’re transported home.

---

I hope you enjoyed <3 Friendly reminder you can request any of these drabble prompts for any critical role scenario. I'm equally open to fluff and angst, just let me know!

[beauregardlionett]

my lungs won’t last

AO3 Link

In all truth, Yasha had probably spent far too much time combing the street markets for such a meager gift. But given all the options she had come across in her searching, this seemed like the best option. The Aasimar still couldn’t help but feel like it was a somewhat inadequate gift for the sentiment she wanted to express.

She was sitting downstairs in a corner of the tavern they were holed up in, contemplating. Caleb had mentioned wanting to create his tower for the night, but they reassured him that after the exhausting hours spent on the road in days prior, they were more than content with the inn for one night. So she pressed her back against the wall as a practice in grounding and turned the little parcel over and over in her hands. It was a simple gift, wrapped in unassuming brown paper and tied off with a pale blue ribbon. Yasha debated with herself over whether she should have asked for fancier paper.

Shaking her head, Yasha exhaled long and harsh, working up her courage. She shoved to her feet, startling a nearby patron, and strode with a confidence she did not possess toward the stairs that lead up to the rooms.

Beau and Jester usually shared a room together when they travelled from town to town. But earlier, the little blue Tiefling had exchanged a look with Veth and they ended up bunking together. This left the boys in a room together and Yasha with Beau. Even though they both had a key, Yasha knocked before entering.

Pushing the door open revealed Beau sat up against the headboard of her bed, notebooks sprawled in disarray around her. When the monk saw that it was Yasha at the door, her brow furrowed with confusion. The journal Beau had clearly been pouring over lowered as she sat up.

“What’s up, Yasha?” Warmth coiled a knot in Yasha’s belly at how easily Beau read her. The Aasimar’s expression was not exactly forthcoming, even at the best of times. But when it was Beau, she could get Yasha to spread her emotions open like the pages of a well-worn book. There was a near implicit trust Yasha had that Beau would handle her with care, would turn her fragile pages with delicate fingers and never judge her for stains and smudged ink. She willingly laid all of her emotions bare for Beau to absorb - but perhaps it was not enough. Because sometimes Yasha caught flashes of hesitation from Beau, like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Or for Yasha to make the first move.

“I got you this,” Yasha finally remembered to answer instead of just staring at the enthralling lines of Beau’s visage. She awkwardly extended the package toward Beau and tried to fight down her blush.

Beau set aside her journal, marking the page with her charcoal and gingerly taking the parcel. Yasha could see that Beau wanted to look excited, but there was also a veneer of hesitation - perhaps tinged in suspicion - that held Beau back. The Mighty Nein had given each other gifts without cost many times before, but they were all so used to the tangle of strings attached that it was a hard habit to shake. Expecting nothing for free meant that everything free always came with a cost.

“What’s this for?” Beau asked, predictably, but not unkindly. She said it with the cadence of a child trying not to get their hopes up.

“Just...” Yasha started, stopped, and began picking at her fingernail nervously. “I uhm, saw these. In the market. And it made me think of you. They’re nothing fancy, but...I thought you might like them.��

Beau, not seeming to need much more convincing, tugged the ribbon loose and unwrapped the paper. Yasha - to her credit - didn’t bolt before Beau finished unwrapping the gift. Her nerves were chewing up her insides over such a simple present, her finger pick, pick, picking at her nail. She felt a little foolish.

The monk stared down at the tiny box of pale-colored slips of square parchment, quiet. She looked at Yasha and raised one eyebrow, a silent question for elaboration.

“They are uhm...magic.” Yasha wished she could disappear, she felt so flustered. “You can write messages that are, uh...fifty words or less on them. And then you, uh, you whisper the name of the recipient, and it turns into a little bird and takes the message. And, also...if anyone tries to intercept it, the bird crumbles to ash. You know, for...for privacy.”

Yasha knew she had lost the battle with her blush, her face hot and her eyes darting down to watch her mangled nail. When she had purchased the little package, it had seemed like a very useful and thoughtful gift for Beau. But now, Yasha was holding back the urge to snatch the gift away, apologize, and go bury herself under a massive pile of dirt.

“I just thought - you know - with your expositor stuff...it might be useful? That way you don’t have to ask Jester to send messages to Dairon that might be...y’know, secret?”

Beau blinked, looking down at the parcel, then back up at Yasha, seemingly at a loss for words. Yasha took that as her cue to leave and made a hesitant, aborted gesture of farewell. Turning her back, with a soft, “yep,” Yasha started for the door. She was already making plans to find a quiet place to smash her head into a wall.

A little paper bird flapped frantic wings in front of her face, and Yasha blinked. Holding out her hand, the bird settled and unfolded, revealing the two words scrawled in very large, frantic font.

Don’t go.

Yasha turned to look at Beau and found the monk already halfway off the bed and across the room toward Yasha. There was a sheen to her eyes that the Aasimar hadn’t noticed before, and she waited for Beau to reach her, to say something. Because Yasha felt a little lost, floundering for solid footing.

“Thank you,” Beau breathed, eyes locked on Yasha’s. “That was...a really thoughtful gift. No one has ever just gotten me something so specific like this before. I mean...the others have gotten things with me in mind, but never like this. So...thank you.”

Yasha was harshly reminded of Beau’s less than stellar childhood and felt all at once sad that such a simple gift like paper would mean so much. But also proud that she had got something meaningful for the monk.

“Can I kiss you?” Beau asked, voice soft in the otherwise quiet room. “You can say no.”

Yasha nodded without hesitation, and Beau swooped in, hands coming to rest on either side of Yasha’s face to press several breathless pecks against her lips. The taller woman wrapped her arms around Beau’s waist and held her steady, trying to meet the monk’s fervent rush. It was only after the racing of her own heart registered in her ears that Yasha could hear Beau’s voice pressed out between kisses. A breathless litany of thanks murmured over and over again, each one more of a gasp than the last. The Aasimar was beyond surprised that her simple gift could elicit such a response, but she didn’t call it to question.

Instead, she steadied Beau and cupped one hand at the base of Beau’s neck, encouraging this kiss to linger. Pulling back after a few wonderful seconds, Yasha brushed her thumb over Beau’s cheekbone and stared down at the breathless woman before her.

She almost said it was no problem, or to not worry about such a simple gift. But Yasha caught her tongue before it could move. Something like that might seem like she was trying to invalidate the meaning Beau felt behind it. Or that Yasha was trying to make it something lesser. The truth was, Yasha wanted Beau to know how much she thought about her every day. And while the paper birds were nowhere near enough to express everything she wanted to say to Beau, it was a start.

Yasha pressed a careful kiss to Beau’s forehead and instead whispered an overflowing, “you’re welcome.”

[readbythestarlight]

c2e125

Sam, there are some things no one needs to see

Yussah! My other favorite wizard!

He doesn’t want to help because he doesn’t want to possibly lose control of his form and reveal he’s actually a dragon

Oooo scepter?

A gold scepter with a talon? Interesting.

I love him

[[MORE]]

“All the more reason for me to stay behind” I love this cowardly wizard man

Ugh why are we talking to this asshole again

I don’t like him

Y’all aren’t going to get any answers from him

NoPE noPE Nope DONT like there where this is going

GET OUT

I M M E D I A T E L Y

CALEB

double Nat 20s awwww yeah

He’s so gross ugh

Caleb

Babe

Like I’m sure he’s just trying to squeeze what he can put before he bolts but still

Don’t like him taking the risk

And also I think this guy is a lying liar so

Please make that save

Okay thank god

Anyway we can still all agree Yussah is a dragon right?

This scrying sounds very uncomfortable

Nosebleed

In the middle of a snowy forest oops

Should be relatively safe maybe then

Wait omg what!

They get to go to Tal’Dorei!! Nice!

Gasp, Kima!!

A: “...Beholders and such”

Oh really?

Vestige of Divergence??? Meant to??? Combat!! Betrayer gods!!

U’kotoa better watch his back

Y’all, mages and magic folk probably aren’t who you need to take

Veth: “halfling to halfling, I gotchu!”

Veth plz don’t steal Kima’s sword I have a feeling you’re eyeing it up

Awww Kima offering to go and Allura’s like honey I love you and therefore no

Guys don’t drag Kima into this and get her killed

Okay damn, they’re getting all kinds of badass gifts

Does Allura know you’re friends with Artagan

Lmaooooo

Her eyes going squinty I KNEW she caught the name

V: “Are you a follower of the Traveler?”

A: “By. No. Means.”

Oh dang, what does her staff do for them?

Cad’s like “you can have mine if you want” and as soon as Jester mentions beetles goes “nope thanks”

Gonna?? Give?? Yasha the sword??

From one lesbian to another

“Skin gorger? Really?!”

“I didn’t name it”

“Kimaaaa I don’t want that in the tower”

Okay wait so what is happening

Is it a device to get them to the Astra plane

And if they see someone in a ship and they’re yellow it’s bad and they should run

Someone needs to check on Jester because she seems really upset and I think with each person refusing to actively go with and help them she gets even more discouraged

Is she gonna ask about the dagger?

Oh she’s not asking about the curse she’s asking about Caleb awww

The fact that Matt is giving them so much incredible gear though makes me AFRAID

Jester like “isn’t there a chance we’re wanted criminals?” like fuck

Gasp Dairon?!

They’re one non-wizard ally??

Oh DAMN some heavy Beau stuff out of nowhere

Oh Beau...

Group hug time, I think

Seriously, hug her

Yasha, hug herrrrr

New see invisibility? But only creatures lol

Oh Veth

D: “You’re making us all proud, I hope you know that” I’m soft

And then immediately after Beau’s “like hey btw we lost a very powerful magical item.... in the woods.....”

Dairon: “I take it all back”

Caleb I think you need to be less squishy more than you need anything else

especially up against Lucien

The dagger is finally coming out

Sam choosing to re-roll the one NOW and everyone losing it is amazing

Does GR break curses?

Okay good

And just like that the curse is broken, thank goodness

What the FUCK kind of curse is that

“You’re giving my ring back?!”

They’re so fucking cute

Honestly it’s amazing how much more lighthearted they all are now that they’re away from Eiselcross

Oh?? Beau planning the daaaaaate

The BeauYasha date is comiiiiiiiing

Ninjas??

She wants to

Fight

Ninjas

On their date

Beau, honey

I for one cannot WAIT for this disaster date

Oh no why Caduceus

FUCK OFF CITY LEAVE MY BOY

Oh okay? Not city? This seems suspiciously nice so far...

I knew it

What’s wrong are family okay

Fuck

It’s time to go home

The bark becomes flesh, branch becomes arm, stone and skin

Oh nooooooo

The FUCKING CITY

NO

a city street made of teeth, I hate it

FUCK OFF, CITY

I will personally fight Aeor myself for hurting Caduceus this way

Yasha now, okay...

STORMLORD! It’s been a while!

He’s coming to say he’s proud of her for what’s going on with Beau? I hope

“Save us”?!

Matt could you not just let them have one nice night

“You found your strength, Yasha. Now you must learn to use it. You are not an implement of others. You’ve broken those chains. You are... an avatar of the Stormlord. I work through you, but your strength is your owns you’ve begun the first steps, but you must earn this one.”

Matt

MATT NO

NO MORE EYES MATTHEW

I MEAN IT SIR

motherFUCKER

so it’s not reading the book???

fucking hell

Fuck Matt’s sound effects are so good though

All the eyes FUCK

Matthew FUCKING Mercer

I’m flying to LA right now to personally fight him

Love you too Matt

Is it Thursday yet?

[mapleandgingeroatmeal]

CR2E114- An Open Window

Ok I know I say this like, every four or five episodes, but this one's a new favorite, folks. The Intrigue! The Romance! The adorable bonding! The awkward nervous coming out! The real Irish Accent! The disability rep! 114's got it all.

Matt's really out here thinking "how can I stick it to ableists as hard as humanly possible", and his solution was to put a wheel-chaired npc in the fucking antarctic and make him the most gruff competent badass possible because this is a magic world and a chair can be perfectly all-terain and disabled people aren't always delicate fuck you. A legend.

I also just like Dagen in general? His disability is touched on just the perfect amount without at all defining his character, and I know from little mentions that he's gonna be a frequently occuring npc for a while into the future, and I am very excited to get to know him better, because I think he's gonna have some great stories and cast interactions.

We got CaducACE Clay up in here hell yeah boi!!!! I was pumped for this moment. What was interesting to me was how actually obviously nervous he was? It was brushed off as if he was confident in an instant, because that's just how Deuces "i have no negative emotions" Clay operates, but I for sure think that this is something he's actually had to struggle and come to terms and think about. Not bc it's bad obvs, just because thats what Being Queer is like. You can see in the way he sort of waffles around the issue with Veth. It's hard for him to actually get the words out and tell her something so deeply personal, but he does! I am so proud of my boy!

Jester makes friends everywhere she goes in such a delightful way. I think so much of her appeal comes from the fact that she just enters every interaction on complete good faith. She really likes most people, and assumes people will like her back!

God Beau and Caleb. I think I had that exact sequence of interactions with my sister a few months ago. I've noticed that very recently Caleb has been such a happier, more playful person, and I have to wonder what exactly triggered the change. I feel like it's actually the Rumblecusp conversations everyone had about their commitment to this group as a family who wasn't going to leave each other? Hearing that in words from everyone seems to have broken down that last paranoia barrier in his mind, the voice that was still telling him how this joy and these people would leave him soon. He trusts and loves the Nien unreservedly now, and it's so beautiful to watch.

Oh my god that scry on Lucien gave me such chills. THAT VOICE THO! It was instantly so magnetic and charming, I love an Irish accent. And the way he just had a friendly chat with the scry and the ominus shit he said?? Immediately drew me in. This guy is totally gonna be a favorite villian of mine, I can already tell.

So I actually didn't realize that the gang already knew Molly was back when he killed Vess? My original thoughts for how this arc went down was that they went to Eisselcross like everything was normal, waited for Vess, went to check on her, and then the first time they ever see Lucien is him laughing at them from a window-sill after killing Vess. I do like the way it happened, but I'm kinda sad also bc can you imagine the sheer drama of the surprise it would've been to see Molly alive for the first time like that?

I can't believe they've gotten away with stashing the body. I wonder how long they can keep this Charade up with Dagen? Will he even care who died if he's getting paid? Are they gonna drag him along into the tomb takers? So many questions.

[nochiquinn]

campaign two episode FINAL: now that we’re here at the end

gdi I used all my hamilton and mcm references during the last campaign finale

(update from the future: found one!) (at least I don’t THINK I used this one)

at least I'm at a computer last time; I watched the last one on my tv, headphones plugged into the roku remote (the best thing about the roku tbh), crying silently on my sofa while my roommate very kindly did not make fun of me in the background

know what I miss? liam going "CRITROLE!" every time they had a coupon code for something

don't chat on twitch. I feel like that goes without saying at this point but don't do it.

laura's entire speech center shut down on that acronym

who's ready to watch taliesin fight himself

"alrighty - " "NO"

oh THIS is why it's 7 hours

a level in what now?

I'm so proud of him

mala: he did it. he won D&D

can you imagine

"skin cradle" banned word

darling!!

mala, attacking me directly: The M9 expressing what they've learned from Cad: sometimes things are unfair and you lose people and you have to accept it and move on Caduceus expressing what he learned from the M9: sometimes things are unfair and you get mad and fight back, let Molly live

cornelius: we will feed you caduceus: I ain't feedin SHIT

it would be hilarious if that just snapped molly right back how he used to be

oh SHIT that's right other purple boi

essek is in It's Complicated with the dynasty

"fetch me a goose!"

no it's too early for me cry

it's been like ten minutes

see I thought he was trying to get caleb to follow him

mighty nein cat cottage GO

he's a war criminal but he's cute so it's okay

he's a BABY

"I cast modify memory"

relateable

growth.gif

aka what I'm going to be doing at 5 am when this fucking episode finally ends

"it sucks when they photoshop you bald" pfff I forgot about bjald

that's matt as braun strowman

taliesin: molly will be asleep for the forseeable future, he cannot be woken or spoken to laura: o rly

caleb: what were you dreaming about? taliesin: fuck now I gotta come up with a dream

that's not an answer

fun fact, this is how my bf thought they were gonna break molly out of lucien during the fight

kingsley tealeaf

"you're cute, magic man"

"we have a habit of taking in strays" "very true" weH

CHAIRS

jester the fuck is that voice

"conversations"

"we have eliminated one of the 57 threats against us and therefore you"

jester

"he cares for you more than he's willing to admit" the jester lavorre experience

cry count: 2

"son of a WHAT"

cry count: 3

I fucking love Luc

I like the mental image of veth just hauling luc around like a football

oh goddammit

fuck OFF

caleb why haven't you blocked him yet

CALEB

santa beau

shoulda opened with fireball

just burn taliesin's house down in front of him

oh god I'm extremely slow I just realized the poetic whatever of trapping them in a house and setting it on fire

"trent saves" me, out loud, to no one: bitch

punch the fire, punch the fire

casts WHAT

NO

WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU

he does WHAT

no, no "actually", fuck you

WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU TOO

liam confirmed blumendrei bc he knew this would hurt worse right

she casts WHAT

counterspell fiiiight

jester vs big scary monster

"there's no change in her demeanor" SUSPICIOUS FRY SQUINT

"you're having hex with each other"

shove the bomb up his robes

caleb, on the ground and bleeding: I'm so proud

[travis voice] YEAH YEAH YEAH

eadwulf doesn't get to run, he's either going to - dangit, liam, stop saying what I'm typing while I'm typing it

kamehameha

my boy :(

matt stop DOING THAT

samuel

matt: he's gonna roll acrobatics me: but he's a wizard matt: no, athletics me: but he's a wizard

AND THEY CALL THE THING A RODEO

YEAH YEAH YEAH

YEAHHHHH

laura WHAT

I'm shaking so bad

WHAT'S SEXIER THAN CLERICS

my GIRL

lay hands on eadwulf

(( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))

oh SHIT

caleb takes psychic damage

ESSEK

this gives me vibes of the group hdywtdt on glintshore in campaign 1

"I'll SMASH them off"

nooooooo

YESSSSSSSSS

MY GIRL

FUCK IT [UNMAGICS YOUR WIZARD]

they did the twitch ad with liam doing shakespeare on purpose this week didn't they

"no sleep" yeah no shit there's another three and a half hours here

yeah, we already knew that, DICK

oh fuck off

that item? what item??? LIAM

that's the loudest taliesin has spoken all campaign

"I loved you both so much" lays on the ground

awwwWWWWWW

3.5 hours of rebuilding the clays' house

we found cad's angry button

I mean we knew what it was but we FOUND it

trent: I refuse to feel even one emotion

Good Is Not Nice

I love essek so fucking much

!!

secret service au

"intimidation.....in spades" marisha

and in a world where Zone of Truth exists, even their outstandingly batshit story will hold SOME weight

"COME ON, GROG"

"do you want a sledgehammer?" ".....LOOK at me"

beaurebar!!

veth ;-;

a pocket fairy

caduceus ;-;

cry count: 4

he has a seed vault!!

essek no

cry count: 5

every campaign matt makes himself a purple spellcaster that makes him cry

"how are you traveling?" segway

ducks from the shards of the tumblr tag exploding

(it is me, I am also exploding) (just a little)

there is so much I want to expound on in these but I also want to keep up with the episode

suffice to say this is the perfect place to pause their relationship until they're both in better places

two hour epilogues!!

"I CAST MODIFY MEMORY"

these awkward dorks, I love them

veth ;-;

"veth the brave" lays in the floor

god, they should be at the same table for this. fuck the pandemic.

JOY BUZZER

SYPHILIS BANDITS

SCRIBBLES

beau

"surprise, it's a child abuser!!"

tried by a library, throw ALL the books at him

GOD every time one of them closes their binders for the last time it fucks me up

"do you prefer bren or caleb?" THAT fucked me up

my GIRL. break ALL their shit FROM THE INSIDE

yeah, eat shit, beauregard's dad

EAT SHIT ZEENOTH

cry count: 6

I just love Jester and Artagan so fucking much

cry count: 7

I would be okay with artagan being a recurring character in every campaign

oh well shit

"she's wonderful" "she's a handful" both can be true

"what do you think france is like?"

lesbian farm LESBIAN FARM

beau "deflects serious conversations with horniness" regard

ugh sam has just completely dismantled his station, I hate it

put that shit back where it came from or so help me

stormdad says never talk to me or my daughter ever again

cry count: 8

wizard dates in the ancient magic city

caleb: I will take them to Tal'Dorei me: where they will take seats on the council

"of course it will work"

"I will help you"

"I will be an old man, and essek will be essek"

the other book!

the other book ;-;

cry count: one million

MAGIC SUMMER SCHOOL

kingsley has existed for what, four hours? and I love him SO MUCH taliesin you are too powerful

[all-pacas]

further benefits to caleb moving in with the brenattos:

tall human around to reach high shelves at all times

(nott intentionally pretends she doesn’t have mage hand to make caleb feel more important)

convenient shoulder perch for small napping children

caleb has a perfect memory and so can back nott up whenever she accuses yeza of forgetting to buy eggs

caleb has a perfect memory and so can back yeza up whenever he reminds nott that she forgot to buy eggs since she was the one going to the store

caleb gets to continue to teach and learn magic alongside his best friend and teach a bright little boy so much like his mother and with so much potential like he once had, thereby coming full circle but with a positive mentor instead of trent

caleb is also a Rural Farm Kid and fits in well with all the small town shit and the gossip and the vegetables

will absolutely help nott prank and destroy her former bullies

never have any problems lighting the stove!!

caleb loves picking nott up and carrying her. now he has a whole family of halflings

nott will chase him down and force him to eat if he gets too caught up in reading and forgets

have you seen veth? ultimate power veth? getting to snuggle with that????

in addition to reading and magic caleb can learn some alchemy!! he and yeza and nott can all work together to make a “let’s fireproof the house because maybe giving luc cantrips was a bad idea” potion!

even if and when luc does burn the house down by accident thanks to uncle caleb, nott will be so proud of them both and yeza will have been saving money for months and it will be just fine

caleb has a perfect memory and didn’t forget he was supposed to buy the eggs... he was just reading and frumpkin was on his lap and you know he’ll just be in the garden while they bicker

[sockablock]

Either "Promises to keep" or "Deeper into the forest" for the made-up fic title thing? ^-^

Promises to Keep

- 

“I, Yeza Brenatto, take thee to be my wedded wife.”

-

It’s a soft afternoon on the outskirts of Felderwin, beside the slow-running Eistus River. A group of boys chase each other around its shores as the breeze drifts lazily above waving grass.

A young girl wades past its banks, searching for rocks. Her skirt is pulled up to her knees and her boots squelch in the mud and sand. She looks up as one of her brothers calls.

“Hey, Veth! Hey, Veth, c’mere! One of my friends has something to give you!”

She immediately rolls her eyes. 

“Yeah, right,” she shouts back. “I’m not falling for this again!”

“Aw, c’mon! I promise, you’ll like it!” There’s a chorus of sniggers. “Plus, I bet it’s something you’ve never seen before!”

Veth glances lovingly down at the stream, where hundreds upon hundreds of glittering rocks lie. She pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs.

“I’d better not regret this!” she shouts back. “If it’s something gross, I’m telling mom!”

There’s another round of adolescent laughter. They know as well as she that their mother will not do anything.

Veth trudges out of the stream. She can see the “friend” in question now, a scruffy young boy no older than her, sporting curly brown hair and just riddled with freckles. He looks nervous, even more nervous than Veth feels, and despite her protective glare of suspicion, she can feel a tiny smile tug against her lips.

-

“To have and to hold, from this day forward—”

-

The loft of the Brenatto’s barn is dark, but halflings have pretty sharp vision. Which is good, because in this moment, Yeza thinks that he could never look away. Veth is blushing, already rosy from the half-bottle of cherry wine they’d stolen, and when he leans in, clumsily slips on loose hay, he hears her laugh and she picks him back up and thinks, in that moment, that she’s the one he’ll love forever.

-

“—for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer—”

-

“No, no, to the left.”

“Oh. Like this?”

“No, Yeza!” Veth chuckles. “No, my left, a bit more—yes, there you go!”

At the top of the ladder, Yeza leans back to admire the sign. He wipes his hands against his apron, then turns and beams at his wife.

“Ta-da!” He gestures to the new sign. “The Brenatto Apothecary is now officially open for business!”

Veth bursts into applause. “Hell yes! I’m very proud of you.”

But Yeza shakes his head. “This is for both of us,” he says. “Together. We’re a team, right?”

She laughs.

“Of course. A team.”

-

“—in sickness and in health—”

-

Yeza sinks onto the bed. He isn’t heavy, as a slight halfling man, but he is only now shedding the weight of uncertainty and allowing himself to breathe with relief.

“Oh, Veth,” he murmurs. “He’s beautiful.”

Veth smiles. Drained, exhausted, brimming with joy.

“I’ve always liked ‘Luc’,” she says.

-

“—to love and to cherish—”

-

He desperately clutches his son to his chest as the roar of the river tries to drag him down. He can feel Luc coughing, feel his wounds burning, knows he must make it to the shore, but still he turns, frantic, desperate, screaming—where is Veth? Where is his wife? She’d told him to run, she’d just told him to run, but he can’t leave his wife, gods, where is his wife—

-

“—till death do us part.”

-

It’s a soft afternoon on the outskirts of Felderwin, rain falling light and cold upon the ground.

Everyone else has already gone. Their neighbor Edith was kind enough to bring Luc home and allow Yeza a final moment, alone.

He stares at the headstone. He can hardly move.

They’d never even found her body.

But it’s goblins, he remembers. Of course there wouldn’t be one left behind.

-

Many years pass.

-

“…I hereto pledge thee my faith…”

-

“Dad!” There’s the sound of pattering footsteps. “Dad, Dad, we’ve got a letter!”

Yeza pokes his head out of the workshop just in time to see Luc barrel into view. The boy almost tumbles when he comes to a halt, but Yeza reaches out with practiced hands and catches his son before he can slip.

The boy is…much heavier than he usually is.

“Luc?” he raises an eyebrow. “What’s that you’ve got, there?”

Luc holds the package up with pride. It is massive, wrapped in thick brown paper, its cord untied and trailing along the floor.

“Here, here, let’s put it down,” Yeza says, and takes a seat beside his son. Luc watches with buzzing excitement as his father pulls the wrapping back and takes a closer look.

An assortment of random buttons. A door knob. A brass baby bottle. Bracelets. Too many ball bearings for any sane person, and a small leather pouch containing…containing…

They spill onto the floor, and Yeza’s eyes go wide.

“That’s…holy shit,” he breathes. “Oh my gods, that’s a lot of gold.”

“There’s a note, too, Dad,” adds Luc, who has already claimed a handful of ball bearings. “What’s it say? Who’s it from?”

Yeza picks it up with a shaky hand, confused and surprised and he can’t stop wondering, who would want to send money and buttons?

He smooths the letter out.

He reads—

-

“…and pledge myself to you.”

-

The strange voice in his head says that Veth is coming to save him. Some days, he wouldn’t dare believe it’s true. Some days, it’s all that gets him through. The moss on the walls is beginning to taste stale, and now he can barely move his legs. Parts of his vest have begun to tear away, and his throat crackles with every word he tries to say.

Time moves, and he stops feeling it pass.

And then, one day, the cell door creaks open.

-

Yeza gazes at the woman standing beside him, looking just as warm, just as radiant, as she had on the day they’d met. 

“I love you,” he adds softly. “Veth, I love you.”

-

He gazes at the woman standing before him, looking nothing like the person he’d lost, long ago.

But she smiles, and somehow, it’s still that old smile. She has a necklace of buttons buried under her cloak. And her eyes, though yellow, though large and slit-pupiled, shine with uncertainty, and nervous hope, and the same glowing soul that he’d met, long ago.

He takes a step forward.

-

“It’s still you though, right?”

“…yeah. Yeah, it is.”

He nods.

“Then that’s all that matters.”

- - - 

got an idea you want me to write? feel free to send me a prompt! | Ko-fi💜

[shadowsflame-ffxiv]

Umbra Mortis (Pt.1)

“Zane RUN!”

He didn’t mind the tone Rukh used, it didn’t bother him that the Hrothgar sounded like he wanted to throttle him. It had been accompanied by the staggering behemoth of the Magitek armor, and the accompanied high pitched whine that he had grown used to in his years. 

Seven Seconds. 

He had seven seconds until the armor powered up it’s main laser cannon. Time enough to bolt, to sprint ahead and get to the side to...he saw Kast, Kast who had been pinned to the jungle floor, Kast who had been shot multiple times. His heart clenched, the decision made somewhere between second five and six. 

The blond Keeper hit the ground and rolled, black and blue two-toned eyes stared into his own green and grey, and Zane felt a pang of guilt, of sorrow. He wanted to apologize, he wanted to tell him he loved him. He had a million things he wanted to say...

“Mama! MAMA!” Zane snapped awake, shrieking and pulling at his blankets, the last thing in his mind the heat of the laser cannon as it collided with him, the stench of burning leather mingled with flesh, the pain in his body and then nothing. 

“Shanna? Oh, Shan, what happened?!” The soft lilting voice full of concern soothed his sobs, and he looked helplessly at the blonde Seeker in his doorway, despair radiating off his form. 

“Mama..mama there was a boy and he...I got hurted. I got hurt real bad and he was so sad mama, the Crystal cried. Mama..” he whimpered and curled up in her lap, small tail twitching as he cuddled into her chest, trying to get his emotions under control. 

“Shan, it’s okay...it was a nightmare, you’re safe, you’re home and you’re here at my heart.” She said softly, rocking his toddler body as she rubbed his back. 

Zane wanted to correct her, that wasn’t his name, he didn’t understand...but as he looked at his small hands, he just wrapped his pudgy arms around her neck and soaked in her warmth. This woman was familiar, somewhere in his mind he knew. Mama, she was his mother...he was home.  “Shan guess what? Your Papa is coming today!” 

Zane looked up into her soft blue eyes, her honey blonde hair framing her face in frizzy curls. Images of a man, with bright red hair and an easy smile, with eyes like his own, green like a verdant field of grass, with scars across his lip and nose, and rough hands. “Papa?” he asked softly. 

“Mmhmm, you better get ready.” she smiled mischievously at him, and another memory came unbidden. 

Zane smiled back, sniffling one last time before he nodded. “Okay Mama.” 

She put him down, and he went to wash himself from the basin, scrubbing tears from his face and fussing with his dark hair to get it just so. Then he put on his shirt and shorts, frowning when he couldn’t quite figure out one armhole. He went to her in the kitchen, pouting at his uncooperative clothing, and she laughed softly. It was a beautiful sound, like the bells in Ishgard on a clear day, and he found he wanted her to do it forever.  They had a breakfast of dried meats and scrambled eggs, Zane fidgeting on his chair, small legs kicking idly with a weird excitement as he watched the front door.

“Go Shan, go on! He’s coming!” His mother said suddenly, and he quickly leapt off the chair, feet carrying him even though he felt half in a daze, quickly hiding in the closet by the door, crouching down to keep hidden. 

There was a knock and then the door opened, and the Miqo’te from Zane’s memory came through, his leather duster hitting just at their dirt floor. The male was burly but in an agile fighting kind of way, his short red hair had beads hanging in leather decorations down the right side of his face. The Miqo’te turned and held out his arms for the blonde, pulling her in to kiss her, and to keep his back to the closet.  “Shayna, I’ve missed you. And where’s my little cub?” he looked around curiously in the kitchen. “Has he run away to finally become a feral kit in the forest?” he teased.  “That surely is where he’s gone, Veth.” Shayna laughed. “He’s around somewhere I’m sure. Have you already been to see Lara? How are Ohna and Rehna?”  The crimson haired Miqo’te nodded. “I have, they’ve gotten so big! I think they’re ready for their first Hunt. I want to call a tribe meeting, and have them go out on the next full moon at the end of the month.” Veth seemed focused on the conversation, but his tail gave him away, twitching in anticipation, and he couldn’t hold back the grin to Shayna when he heard a soft swish of feet on the dirt floor.  Veth gasped, letting out a good cry of pain when teeth sank into his thigh and twenty-five pounds of four-year-old collided with him, falling to the ground and letting his son scramble over him, proud as Zane hit multiple weak points with little blunt nails while they scrapped. It took him a bit to actually catch the boy, but finally he wrapped the wriggling child in his arms and laughed. “Do you yield, Little Sun?”  “Never! The Oh Tribe never suddenders!” Zane said strongly. 

“Surrenders.” Shayna corrected airily as she watched them wrestle. 

“Mm, then you give me no choice!” Veth snickered as he began to tickle the boy mercilessly, holding him tightly to not let him squirm away. “Yield!”

Zane pouted but finally stopped squirming. “Fine, I sud-..surrender.” he whined, and then squealed as Veth peppered his face in little kisses. 

“Ew! Papa stop!” he huffed, escaping as his father let him go, wiping off his face and glowering at the older miqo’te. 

Veth chuckled, getting up and scooping the boy into his lap as he sat at the table, giving him a little toy he’d brought along to keep him entertained. He smiled as Shayna brought him coffee, sipping it thankfully. 

“Shan had another bad dream last night.” She said finally, sighing as she watched their son play. “Thev I’m getting worried, even our Seers weren’t having dreams like this so young.” 

Thev brushed Zane’s hair from his face, frowning as he studied him, looking deep into green eyes that matched his own. 

“I think we should bring him to see my father. He might have more knowledge than even our Seers, as they’re still young by other Tribe standards.” he said finally. 

“What if they want to take him? I don’t want to lose him.” Shayna fretted. 

Thev grinned, this time feral. “They won’t. I’ll protect my progeny with blood and fang until not a one would stand against me. You have my word as Nunh. Still, it would help to know more.” 

Their conversation was interrupted by the squirming boy who had finally gotten bored of his toy. “Mama? May I go outside please?” 

Shayna nodded “Go on, stay in the yard and as far as the tree line.” She recited, and waited until her son recited it back to let him run off out the door.  Zane ran outside, standing still and stretching his little arms over his head, turning his face up and smiling as the sun beat down on him, warming his skin. Bare calloused feet lead a path across cracked desert ground as he scurried this way and that, chasing small lizards and bugs into the trees, but always keeping his yard and house in sight. 

He had followed a horned beetle up a tree to a place where the trunk went mostly horizontal, when the bug suddenly froze, and he blinked in confusion at it. He poked it, trying to get it to move, but it was hunkered down. He had the sudden urge to do exactly as the beetle was doing, a weird palpitation of danger hitting him, something was here and it was wrong. The dark haired youth looked up, green eyes widening when he saw a pair of slate grey eyes staring down at him, barely twenty feet from him in the same tree. There was a weird crackle around him, as if he had magic hiding him, but somehow Zane could see him. 

The fact the man was a hoor, he thought that’s what his mama said, registered before he suddenly launched himself back as the man tried to grab him, and Zane’s reflexes managed to catch himself so when he hit the ground, he was bolting. He heard the figure hit the ground and Zane forced himself faster...how had he got so far into the trees? Why was he so far away? 

Suddenly with a muffled cry he was tackled, everything that was light becoming darkness as the figure forced him under, no light entered around the monster that had caught him, all he could smell was gun oil and all he could feel was treated leather. Until he became aware of another sensation, a dagger against his throat, tracing gently along his cheek at the tip. 

“I wondered who might volunteer first.” 

A deep voice filled his trembling ears, and Zane growled as he did exactly what his father had taught him. 

A surprised hiss and the removal of the blade against his neck came when Zane sank his sharp fangs deep into the arm by his face. He didn’t stop to think about anything, bolting again as the man rolled off of him. He thought he could make it, he could do it he could get help. 

That thought was ended as a dagger slammed into his leg at his thigh, making him cry out and fall. The monster grabbed him, picking him up and grey met green again, anger on the man’s face palpable. 

“That was stupid, boy. I was going to kill you quickly, but now..” 

Zane didn’t realize it was strange he could understand him, he didn’t know he shouldn’t be able to understand the high Garlean the man was speaking. 

“My Papa will kill you, nothing is stupid if it meant I got away!” He replied with as much of a snarl as he could, tears running down his cheeks from fear and pain. 

Everything seemed to stop, the man’s eyes widening. “You...understand me.” he said, head cocking to the side in curiosity. 

“W..What?” Zane blinked through his tears, staring at him in confusion. 

“How, in a tribe of savage beasts, how do you understand me? Is Her reach truly this far?” The man was rambling, grip tightening on Zane’s arms and it made the boy whimper. 

“S-Stop...Stop please.” He begged. 

“A Sign...this is a sign.” He continued to ramble, a sudden terrifying grin sliding across his face. “You will be Mine.” 

“Let me go. LET ME GO!” Zane kicked and squirmed, but he couldn’t stop the man from pulling his arms behind him, binding him with rope and shoving a cloth gag into his mouth. 

“Be silent boy. I am going to let you decide. Your family, your friends, and your life..for me. Be Mine. Whatever I want you to be, and they live.” The dark voice whispered, his mind fuzzing, the world suddenly shifting and seeming to shatter. 

Suddenly, he wasn’t a little boy, he was himself, not a child but as he was supposed to be, still bound, still gagged, staring at Melachi who gazed down at him with terrible grey eyes, sightless but full of rage. His forehead had a jagged hole, which slowly dripped blood. 

“Choose..they will die, Zane. Come with me...or they die..”

He could smell the burning, the rancid odor of flesh in fire, and when he looked behind Melachi he could see the Vanguard. The building crackled in a blaze, and he could see figures. His mind supplied who was where, they were all there, dead, burning...he screamed against his gag, screamed as pain flared in his body and his back felt like it was on fire.  “Choose Zane...you have to Choose...”

“MAMA! Mama!” Shan screamed, twisting in his sheets as he sobbed violently. 

“Shan?! Shan oh my little sun and soul, shh.” His mother’s touch and voice soothed away the night terrors, and he buried his little face into her shoulder as she pulled him into her lap. 

“They died Mama...they died and the Crystal...she was crying. I had to choose...Mama I don’t want to go away..” He sniffled as she soothed him. 

I don’t want to leave...