#mc who keeps asking asra who's the guy on all the coins and on the huge statues scattered around the town

[bluehairperson]

I thought only now about the possibility of Lucio having commissioned some coins with his face on them. Imagine being traumatized by this tyrant and all the things he did, never wanting to see him again after his death but constantly being haunted by his memory not only because of the various monuments around the city, but also because his face is literally engraved on the local currency.

Asra grimacing every time he gets paid by a client at the shop or has to use the same coin to buy bread. The man who took everything from him and made him grow up in absolute poverty is now part of what allows him to afford food and shelter every day.

Julian spending everything he has at the tavern every night because the mere thought of having those coins in his pockets makes him feel heavy with dread. He doesn't even look when he tosses them on the table.

It doesn't matter how far away they both try to escape during their travels, some of those coins always manage to catch up to them no matter where they go. It's like he never left.

[eveningcatcher]

Main six when a customer flirts with MC

Asra

It was Valentine's day and MC and Asra decided to use this to their advantage by keeping the shop open, selling to the couples some scented candles, rose quartz and other cute gifts. Asra was just helping one of the customers choose a gift when another buyer came in.

"Don't worry," MC told Asra, "I'll help them."

They walked to the customer and, upon noticing that he shops here often, greeted them with their usual smile.

"Good evening! How can I help you?"

"Oh, hi," he smiled, "Um, do you, by any chance, sell love potions?"

"Yup, we have two left," they walked to the back of the shop, "You need only one, right?"

"Yes, yes," he said as he looked around the shop, taking a glance at everything.

"Here you go!" they smiled as they put the potion on the counter, "It's a bit pricy-"

"I don't mind," he blurted.

"Oh, good then," they smiled, as they held his hand, "There's no need to be nervous over buying a love potion, trust me, people have bought far worse things," they smiled as they took the potion, reading the price to him.

"So," they asked as they counted the money, "Who's the lucky one?"

"You," he blushed as he shoved the potion into MC's hands, nearly dropping it.

They just stared at him, confused, "For me? But... you've bought it," they tilted their head, confused. They took the potion, inspecting it. After some time, they raised their head, saying: "Oh, you don't like the bottle?" they tapped the small imperfection on the glass, "I can give you the other one if you want."

"I- that's not what I," he tried to explain, but couldn't find the right words. His mind was blank. This is not how he imagined it would go. "I'll show you," he gently held their face, leaning forward, however, he stopped as soon as he felt something slither up his leg.

With cold sweat he looked down, seeing a snake go up to his waist.

His face lost more and more colour, making it look like he was just about to faint, however, Asra quickly took Faust, shoving the potion into the man's hands.

"Sorry, we're closing," Asra said, putting on the nicest smile they could, "So, if you're done-"

"I'm leaving, I'm leaving!" he said, walking right out of the shop, not wanting to come back ever again.

"But weren't we supposed to work until 9?" Mc asked, gesturing at the clock ticking right at 7:30.

Asra only smiled as they locked the shop, "But shouldn't we also celebrate Valentine's?" they went back, kissing MC. "If he ever comes to the shop, let me take care of him."

"Um, sure," Mc said, putting the coins to the side, accidentally dropping three of them. "Could you start the bath while I clean the shop?"

"Of course," they helped MC pick up the coins and went upstairs, giving Faust a little treat for making that guy go away.

Julian

MC has just gotten some new goods for the shop and Julian wanted to help them unpackage all of the things. He helped you with larger boxes, however, due to his clumsiness, MC insisted to carry breakable objects themselves. They were just unpacking the empty bottles when they heard a customer coming in.

"I'm coming," MC shouted as they left Julian to organize herbs, carrying some bottles.

"Oh, it's you," they smiled as they saw the shy girl standing across them. They put the bottles on the counter, trying their best not to break them, "You wouldn't mind if I organized these real quick?"

"N-no," she responded, giving MC one of the bottles with some blue potion.

"Thank you, you're so kind," they smiled as they took the bottle, putting it on one of the higher shelves, "So, what brings you here today? Do you need more rose water? You always seem to run out of it," they giggled as they picked 2 small containers of rose water.

"No, I don't need more of it," she blushed, thinking about four bottles of that water collecting dust in her home.

"I need a love potion," she looked at MC, who gave them a questionable look, "That is, if you have any, of course!"

"I think we have just gotten some," they walked to the back of the shop, "I'll go get them."

They walked back to find Julian "organizing" minerals.

"Julian, dear, I appreciate the help, but you shouldn't mix rose quartz and kunzite," they told him as they picked some of the purple minerals, putting it in one of the empty boxes.

"Oh, those are two different things..." he muttered to himself, then changing the topic quickly, "So, what did the customer want?"

"A love potion," they smiled as they picked up one of the small bottles, "You should have seen her face, she was so embarrassed," they smiled as they picked up one of the potions as well as the box full of rose quartz, "Thank you for putting it back into its order," they blew him a kiss, going back to the customer.

"Lucky for you we have just gotten 20 of these," they smiled as they put the box filled with quartz next to the counter, "If you buy four of these, you can get the potion for a cheaper price."

"I, uh, sure," she blurted it out, giving them the whole pouch.

"Don't get me wrong," they giggled as they put the coins back into the pouch, "Potions like these are expensive, but giving that much money is just outrageous," they gave her the pouch back.

"Um," she blushed, "There should be enough to cover the sum I owed you last time..."

"Oh," they exclaimed, "I see," they gave them the potion and two rose quartzes, "Here, this should be about right."

She took the items, looking at them, then back at MC.

"Is something wrong?" they asked her with a frown on their face.

"Here," she handed them the potion, blushing like a madman.

They looked at them, then back at the potion, taking it from her hand and raising it right to their eye level.

"What? No, there is nothing-"

"Oh, you're right," they looked at the pink liquid in disbelief, "I can't believe that merchant scammed me!" they put the bottle down on the counter, "I'll have to have a serious talk with them later," they frowned, something like this has never happened before.

"I'll return the money," they took the pouch, counting the coins, "I'm so sorry for this," they started apologizing as they gave her the coins back, "I have never had a problem like this. Let's keep in contact, I'll tell you when we get the real potions. I'll have to check if this is the only scam," they said as the image of other potions came to mind.

"It, it's not about the potions," she wanted to tell them how she felt about them but decided that actions speak louder than words. She grabbed them by the collar, pulling them to her.

"What do you think you're doing?" Julian asked, shocked, as he watched the whole thing unravel.

The girl shivered at the sight of the tall doctor, "I, um, you two are," she asked, looking at MC, then back at Julian. It didn't take long for her to realise the relationship between them. "I'm so sorry," she said, backing away from the magician, "I had no idea," she blushed, taking her money and leaving the shop without saying goodbye.

Julian muttered goodbye, closing the shop. "I think we had enough for today!" he huffed, "If she ever comes back to the shop, let me know, alright?" he yawned, hugging MC.

"Um, sure," MC hugged him back, "But don't you think you were a bit rude to her?" they asked him.

"MC, think," he started, picking the potion up, "I give you a love potion," he gave them the potion, putting it in their hands, "Then," he grabbed them by the collar, in the same way, she did, "I lean to you," he let go of their collar, gently putting his hand below their chin, giving them a light peck on their lips.

After he pulled away, MC turned the brighter red than Julian's hair, muttering: "So that's what she meant," under their breath.

Nadia

"And then," Nadia mused, trailing the edge of the saucer with her index finger, "When I drank the coffee Natiqa gave me, I realised she put in salt instead of sugar."

"No way," MC laughed, "What did you do?"

"I tried my best not to spit it right across her face," she frowned, remembering the foul taste, "And so I held it in my mouth, with Nazali sitting right next to me, not knowing what was going on," she laughed at the memory, "And so I signed in the air, S-A-L-T. That's when Natiqa burst to laughter, as for Nazali, they-" Nadia wanted to continue talking, however, she heard the bell ring downstairs.

"Someone came in?" MC asked, confused, "I must have forgotten to close the shop," they stood up from their bed, walking out of the room, "I'll be right back," they smiled at Nadia as they rushed downstairs.

"Good evening sir," they looked at a man who greeted them with a smile, "What can I do for you?"

"Hi," he smiled at them, then continued, "I was wondering, do you have any love potions, by any chance?"

"Love potions," they repeated, trying to remember if they got any in the back room, "I think I have only one left, is that enough?"

"Yeah, yeah," he smiled, "One should be enough."

"Give me a moment," they said as they went to the backroom, going over the potions, trying to read through the labels in the dark. The shapes of the bottles didn't help, either, all of them were made from the same, cheap glass, the only thing that distinguished them was the scratches they had.

MC took one bottle, shook it a bit, then examined its contents. Surely enough, the liquid started to glow faint pink. They proudly walked back to the customer, "Today is your lucky day," they said happily as they put the potion in front of them, "This was the last one!"

"How great," he said, taking out his pouch, "And how much does it cost?"

"It costs 500 silver."

"That much?" he asked, surprised, "So, love potions are more expensive than sleeping potions," he smiled awkwardly.

"Well, it is supposed to make a person fall in love with you for a whole day, so it's pretty reasonable," they said with a smile, "Of course, the potion doesn't work if the person is already in love with someone. The same thing goes with the sleeping potion you took," they continued with their long explanation, "If you didn't have any problems with your sleeping routine,"

"The potion wouldn't work, right?" he finished the sentence for them.

"Yes, you're right," MC smiled, then gave him a warning, "Just be careful when using it, also, I need to explain how you use it."

"That would be great," he smiled, "I never really understood how any of this," he gestured at all of the items in the shop, "is supposed to work."

"Alright, so first, you take a bit of it, no more than 2 drops," they pretended to pour some potion, "On your hands. Next, and this is a bit tricky," they admitted, "You need to pour the remaining content on the person, or let them consume it somehow."

"In any case, it needs to get in contact with the other person?" he asked, leaning forward.

"Exactly," they nodded in agreement, "Also, the potion won't work if you try to get more than one person to love you."

"Well, I only have eyes on one person," he said, looking at the potion, then at MC, "Say, do you think I could just give it to the person I love?"

They were taken back by the question, not knowing how to respond, "Well, if you believe they would take it on their own, then sure?"

He nodded, trying to think over their answer, then, with a shy smile, gave MC the potion back. "For you," he said.

"For me?" they asked, confused, "What, why would I need it?" they hid their awkward laughter with their hand, "I'll get more in a couple of days if that's what you're suggesting."

He stared at them, dumbfounded, deciding to take more drastic measures. The lid of the potion went off easily, letting him pour a couple of drops on his hand, just how MC instructed, then, he took the battle, emptying all of its content on the magician. Both of them stood there for a moment, staring at each other awkwardly.

"If you wanted to see whether or not it worked," MC started, "You shouldn't have tried to put it on me. I already love someone," they smiled awkwardly, "I'm sorry but I'm not giving any refunds."

"You, you do," he asked, disappointed, "Who are they?"

"That would be me, good sir," Nadia said as she gracefully walked down the stairs, "What do you think you're doing?" she asked, annoyed, "Look at their clothes," she gestured at MC, "They're ruined."

"Countess, I, I," he stared at her, not believing his eyes, "I'm so sorry."

"I truly hope you are," she stared at him, frowning, "However, an apology won't clean their clothes now, would it?"

He felt a strange, uncomfortable sensation as Countess stared at him. The pouch was quickly emptied, and he left, blurting out some apologies.

"How disrespectful," Nadia just sighed, closing the shop for them.

"Oh wait," MC blushed after a moment, "He didn't want to test it," they looked at Nadia, "He wanted to," they turned even redder, unable to finish their sentence.

Nadia just laughed at the scene, kissing MC on their flushed cheeks, "Took you long enough."

Muriel

It was a rainy summer evening and Muriel and MC concluded that they should use this time to organize the shop. He was sorting some of the herbs, humming some song that only he knew until Inanna started barking loudly. After listening to Inanna, he said: "You have customers," walking to the back of the shop.

Just as he left, a familiar customer entered the shop.

"Sheesh, it's pouring out here," he said as they closed their umbrella. He put it aside, right next to the entrance door, "Is it okay if I put it here?"

"Of course," MC said, putting the coins away, writing the amount on some paper, "How can I help you?"

"So, I was wondering if you had, you know," he looked to the side, "I heard about it from my friends, it's a potion, in a small bottle," he put his hands close to one another, "And it has pink liquid-"

"So, you need a love potion?" they walked to one of the shelves, taking the tiny bottle out, "This one?"

"Yes, that's the one!" he smiled happily, "So, how much will it cost?"

"Cheap price," MC said sarcastically, "Just a cheap 500 silver."

"Only 500?" he asked in the same tone as MC, "I believe you should raise it to 1500 at least!"

"Sure," MC said with a smirk, "Just because you're a common customer, you'll get the special price of 1500 silver!"

"You're joking," he asked, worried, "Right?"

MC burst into laughter, nearly dropping the potion, "Don't worry, the price stays the same."

He smiled, giving MC the coins, "Thank you so, so much! Don't worry, I know how to use it," he took the potion, giving it a little shake, "My friends explained it to me."

Just before he left, MC asked them, being unable to hold their curiosity in, "So who's the lucky one?"

He blushed at the question, debating on whether or not he should tell them now or later. After taking in a deep breath, he decided that now is the perfect opportunity. He walked back to the counter, giving them the potion back with a blush. "You are."

"Me?" they laughed awkwardly, not getting what he was implying.

He realised this and decided to kiss them to make them understand better. He grabbed them by the collar, slowly pulling them to him. Just before he was going to kiss them, he saw in the corner of his eye a huge dog. No, that's not right, dogs are smaller. He looked at the dog better, only to be greeted by Inanna who was wagging her tail, happy that she finally got some attention.

"A, A wolf?!?" he asked, pulling himself away, shaking.

"Don't worry," MC reassured them, confused by what they were trying to do just now, "She won't bring you any harm."

"Yeah..." he stared at the wolf, not feeling any better from MC's statement, "Since when do you have a wolf?"

"I never did," they laughed, "She is my boyfriend's familiar."

"Your-" he turned back to them, only to be greeted by a giant man standing right behind MC.

He didn't say anything, however, just taking a glance at his eyes made the customer realise what Muriel wanted to say. "I'll see myself out," he blurted as he walked out of the shop back into the pouring rain.

"Wait," MC shouted, "You forgot the potion!" they waited for a moment, however, the customer never came back. Just when they wanted to put potion to the side where all of the things the customers forgot are, they noticed that Muriel was right behind them. "There you are," they smiled, grabbing him by the collar, slowly pulling him down. Wait a minute. MC stopped in their tracks, remembering the gestures the customer did to them. The realization hit them, making them a blushing mess.

Muriel stared at them for a moment, then bursting into laughter. "So you've finally figured it out?"

MC blushed even more from embarrassment, "Yeah," they said as they buried their head into Muriel's chest. "Let's not speak about this ever again."

He smiled as they pat MC's head, "Sure."

Portia

Portia and MC were bored in the shop, not getting any customers, so they decided to pass the time with baking. The two of them were making a mess out of MC's kitchen, deciding to throw flour at each other, for some strange reason. Overall, they were having a good time, with a few laughs and concerning coughs from Portia who accidentally inhaled cinnamon.

"Are you alright?" they asked Portia, concerned, "Do you need water?"

It took her a bit of time to respond, but after she coughed out the cinnamon, she reassured MC with a dry voice, that she is fine. "Is the dough too dense?" she finally asked after some time.

"I think I didn't add enough of the flour," they responded, trying to get the dough off their fingers, "Maybe because most of it is in my hair," they laughed awkwardly.

She walked next to them, taking a bit of the dough between her fingers, then finally responded, "Yeah, it needs more flour. We have more downstairs, right?" she rushed out of the room, skipping few staircases at the time, "I'll get it~"

And sure enough, after a couple of moments, she's back, "There is someone downstairs," she told them as she poured a bit too much flour into the mixture.

"Oh, no one usually comes at this time," they said as they cleaned their hands, "I'll join you later," they said as they went downstairs.

"See you," Portia giggled as she watched MC go downstairs with flour in their hair.

"Oh, hey there, what can I do for you?" MC asked them, trying to look as professional as possible.

The customer tried their best to hold in their laughter from the sight of the flour-covered MC. They quickly calmed down, saying: "Do you have any love potions, by any chance?"

"Yeah, it's right over," they walked to one of the shelves, taking one of the potions back to the counter, "Here," they smiled, "I assume you know how to use it?"

They were taken back by the question, but they still gave MC a quick nod, "Yeah, yeah, of course, my... friend used it once," they gave MC a quick lie, knowing that they'll use the potion soon anyway.

"Oh, alright then. Now, I know this might turn you away from buying it," they said as they scratched the back of their head, "But just know that love potion isn't a good way to get someone to love you," they said.

"I know, I know, but I still want to give it a shot," after they read the price and gave MC the money, they collected all of their courage, offering MC the potion, "For you," they whispered, clearly not having enough courage to say it loudly.

"Are you..." MC stared at them, trying to think why they would give them the potion back. After some time, they concluded, "So you've changed your mind," they gave the customer their money back, "I know this is bad for my business, but I'm glad you didn't buy it," they smiled, "Love potion will only bring you more trouble than good."

"No," they said, "That's not what I meant," they looked at them, realising that they didn't explain themselves well. "Let me show you exactly what I meant," they took them by the hand, leaning forward and just before they could kiss MC, they felt something hit them. They turned back, only to find their shirt was stained by flour.

"What do you think you're doing, creep?" Portia asked, pissed, "Get away from them, now."

They stared at Portia in shock. How could such a small girl sound so scary? How could she even throw the empty bag of flour that fiercely? They quickly abided to her words, letting go of MC, walking a couple of steps away.

"Get out of my this shop, and I hope I never see you again."

They felt shivers run down their spine with each of Portia's words. Without even saying goodbye, they saw themselves out of the shop, not planning to return ever again.

"Seriously MC," Portia started to criticized MC as they picked up the empty bag of flour from the floor, "You need to be a lot more rigid to people like them, trust me, I've had to deal with a handful of them over the time," she straightened her back, stretching in satisfaction, "Also, I may have accidentally made three times the right amount of the dough," she laughed, "I assume that won't be a problem for us."

Lucio

"Lucio you can't just mix random potions," MC insisted, "You could seriously injure yourself," they explained as they took potions from Count's hands, putting it back to their places.

"But think about it," he persisted, "What if you could make an amazing potion out of these," he gestured at all of the potions in the shop, "But you would never know since you've never tried it!"

"Your idea might be true," they said after giving it a bit more thought, "But I know for a fact that if you were to mix some of these, nothing good would come out," they would have continued they thought if they didn't hear the door of the shop open, "Guess I have a customer," they muttered to themselves, "We can't make a new potion out of the ones that already exist, but we can make some potions from herbs after the customer leaves."

He kissed MC on the cheek, satisfied by their answer, "Can't wait."

They hugged him quickly, giving pets to Mercedes and Melchoir as they went to greet the customer.

"Hey there," they greeted her, "What can I do for you?"

"Hi," she smiled, "Do you sell those, what are they called..." she stopped for a moment, trying to remember the name, "Love stones?"

"Love stones?" they asked her, confused, "I'm sorry, but I've never heard of love stones before," they smiled, "Do you mean love potion?"

"Yes," she nodded, "That should be it."

MC went under the counter, noticing Melchoir laying there, its tail wiggling. They gave it a quick pat, picking up the potion.

"This should be it," they put it on the counter, "Five hundred silver."

"Only that much?" she asked, surprised.

"Well, it's actually a bit pricier," they admitted, "Usually potions cost around 100 silver, but this is supposed to make a person fall in love with you, and it lasts for a whole day, so the price is understandable."

"Oh, I see," she trailed off, "So it can make a person fall in love with you for an entire day," she repeated, deep in thought.

"Yeah, but after the effects are gone, the person will know what you did, so it might not be the best thing out there," MC giggled awkwardly, hoping that she would still want to buy the product.

"Here you go," she smiled, giving MC money.

They gave her the change and the potion, "Is that all you need?"

"Actually," she took a deep breath, knowing that now is her chance. She collected every ounce of courage she had, offering her the potion, "I wanted to tell you that I really, really like you," she said, however, her words couldn't be heard from Melchoir's barking.

"Sorry," they apologised, trying to calm Melchoir down, "My boyfriend's dog is a bit spoiled and they want all of the attention, don't you, cutie?" they let Melchoir jump on its two feet, licking MC's hand.

"Your boyfriend's," she repeated, devastated.

"Yes, my dog," Lucio walked next to MC, putting his golden hand over MC's shoulder, giving the girl a penetrating stare. He heard what she said.

"C-Count," she stared blankly at them. The magician she has admired for months is with the count. She screwed up, big time.

"So, what did you want to say?" MC asked them, trying to be as polite as they could.

"We're dying to know," Lucio added.

"I just, I just wanted to thank you," she came up with a lie, "I have been looking for it everywhere and couldn't find it. I'll be on my way now," she walked out, feeling the Count's gaze on her back.

"Why were you so harsh to her?" MC turned to him once the customer left.

He kissed them, giving them a tight hug, "I just heard what she wanted to say."

"I heard so too," they said with a smile, "Yet I didn't scare her off," they gave Mercedes a pet, "You could have just let me turn them down, you know?"

He stared at them, not knowing how to respond. After some time he decided to change the topic, "So, are we going to make a potion now?"

They smiled, closing the shop, "Sure."

[sunflowersseemhappy]

“I will find you - Part Two” Asra X Gender Neutral MC (Angst)

God I had a lot of feelings for this particular prompt, it just makes my heart bleed. It’s got some adult themes, so 15+ only, unless you think you’re ready for it (suggestions of rape, drugging below the cut (saying that just makes it sound worse than it is.)

Please send me asks, I want to know what you want to read!

“I will find you…” The promise echoes in your head waking you from your restless sleep, taking a slow breath, eyes tightly shut you let Asra’s voice wash over you. Asra has never said those word before, at least not to your recollection. So why did it feel like he was standing right beside you when those words ran through your bones and tingled over your skin? As you think of Asra behind the closed lids of your eyes you feel your stomach clench. The last time you had seen him and Faust, the two had been bleeding on the floor at your knees beaten mercilessly by the bandits who had stolen you away for whatever intentions they now had. You only hoped that healing spell had been enough to keep Asra and Faust from death’s door…

Swallowing thickly at the dryness of your throat, you pry your eyes open, not quite ready to see the harsh reality of the situation before you. Perhaps restless sleep had been better. Sat just a few metres back from the campfire you have become keenly aware of the rope binding your hands together, a post to your back keeping you in place. Pins and needles have crawled into your legs, and the rope is digging into your wrists as you test them against your strength. Nothing gives.

“Well this was a bust,” five bandits sit closer to the campfire, most of their backs turned to you. Yet you can see the empty bottles at their feet and the familiar sight of yours and Asra’s knapsacks in their hands as they shuffle through the bags. “They don’t own anything worth a gold piece!”

“At least the guy had some nice trinkets,” you recognise the face of the man shuffling through Asra’s bag as the bandit who had held the knife to your throat. His brown eyes glinting greedily in the firelight as he pulls and odd coin and a few gemstones from the bag. He looks toward one of his compatriots and speaks with an accusing tone. “Shame about that lavender snake. Reckon that would have been worth a penny or two, people love exotic pets like ‘em. Right, Abbas?”

“Ah back off Imani, stupid thing was feral the way it bit me. Would have cost us keeping it around, probably wouldn’t even sell at Saventia.” From your stance you glare at the man, Abbas, sitting broodingly on a log as he twists the end of a reddened bandage covering his right hand. His dark eyes catch you watching him. “Speaking of pets, our new one is awake.”

 Five pairs of eyes lock onto you as all the men divert their attention toward you, averting your own eyes you try to make yourself as small as possible. Waves of nausea making your stomach flip anxiously as you play those hungry looks in their eyes, unlike any you’ve seen before.

“I say we get our fun in before we go to Saventia tomorrow,” Abbas looks you up and down hungrily eying your body. Ice cold dread runs through your veins at the words, your hands pushing at the rope binding them behind your back. As you glance up you see the men glare between each other, a silent battle of wills playing between them all.

“I’m the one who grabbed ‘em, I should get my turn first.” Imani grunts gesturing at the group with bravado. Another bandit, scrawnier than the rest stands up with a pout.

“I’m the one that spotted them in the first place!”

“I’m the one who almost got his hand bit off!” Abbas yells, as the men bicker between themselves carefully work your wrists against the rope. Breathing shakily your eyes dart toward the men, all of them engrossed with their arguing as two of them begin to brawl with one another. The rope is burning and scraping against your skin as you work faster to loosen them, ignoring the pain you feel triumph surge through you as some of the rope gives.

“Come on…” Whispering quietly to yourself you straighten your back and press your fingers to the rope, fumbling with the idea of a spell to use. Heat surges through your fingertips, making you bite back a cry as heat sears the rope and the skin beneath. Sooner than you expect the heat burns through the rope freeing your wrists, free your body is on automatic. Legs standing unsteadily like a newborn animal, you ignore the numb feeling and stumble back away from the camp turning to run.

 “Not so fast!” Yelping as you are tackled from behind your triumph quickly turns to unbridled fear as arms pin you to the ground with great force. Abbas, the bitten man crouches above you. Fighting against him, you try to bat the man with your arms the searing pain in your wrists ignored. He holds you firm with a grim look, his strength indisputable and your own fear clouding your mind.

“Hold still! Or I’ll bash your head in like I did your boyfriend.” Yelling angrily Abbras sneers as you fall still at the threat, tears forming in your eyes. All hope for freedom gone.

“Please don’t-”

“Shut. Up.” His hand tangles itself in your hair as the bandit pushes your face into the dirt, his strength and body dominating your own as he leans over you. “You’re gonna behave! Got that?” Shaking beneath him, Abbras presses his palm against your head, waiting for a reply. His hand slowly pressing your face against the ground; stones painfully digging into your skin as skull is pressed upon. Finally, you cry out before nodding your head slowly.

“Yes…”

 Head bowed you stare into your lap, this time your legs are bound at the ankles, your arms stretched out above your head to keep them visible. Dread sitting in the pit of your stomach as the men talk amongst themselves, petty squabbles seemingly resolves as they nod between each other and gesture toward you.

“Let’s get on with it then,” grunts one of the men, as they turn to you the intention behind each one’s eyes makes you wriggle against your bindings as they approach. The man who held you at knife point holds a bottle of sickly brown liquid in one hand, his face seemingly disappointed at whatever agreement they have between them. Abbras is first at your side, catching your chin even as you shy away from his grip.

“Step out of line and I’ll hurt you,” squeezing your jaw threateningly he pinches your jaw, so your mouth opens, even as you wriggle the lip of the brown bottle is placed against your own. With little choice you swallow the bitter tasting liquid coughing as it coats your throat, at this the men laugh between them watching as your head slowly goes limp in Abbras’ hand. Your entire body out of touch with your mind.

“That was nice and quick,” the voices of the men are muddied together, groaning you try desperately to keep your mind afloat, eyes fluttering open and shut. Whatever they have done to you has made everything go foggy, but through it you can feel your head lifted up. Abbras, or perhaps a monster grinning darkly at the sight of the weariness in your eyes.

“You and me are going to have a little fun,” everything is distorted and horrifying, as you feel cold lips devour your own. Foul stench of alcohol washing into your mouth as the monster forces himself on you chuckling at your drugged state, helpless underneath him. Whimpering against his mouth, tears slip from your eyes and trail down your cheeks as he paws at your body through your clothes. Stuttering as his hands skim and pinch your hips, feeling you as his mouth breaks away and bites harshly along your neck.

“No…” Weakly you shift your body as he feels along you, hands grabbing at your hips then your waist, up to your chest. “Please-” He bites hard on your neck, blood seeping from broken skin. As he does so his hands find the buttons at your shirt, fumbling to undo them. Openly crying you try to block the world out, unable to stop him. Asra’s face flashes across your vision, a light in the dark and tremulous world around you. Steeling yourself, you prepare for the worst, but nothing else comes.

 Blind fury envelops Asra at the sight of the men touching you, emotions rolling through his body he barely feels the magic blast out of his fingers, striking the men away from you. Pain and rage batting the men away from you, Y/N, tremoring in fear on the floor waiting for whatever is next. As the magic fades, Asra stumbles to your side, Faust peeping out from his scarf with concern radiating from her small eyes.

“Y/N scared?” Breathing unsteadily Asra’s fury subsides, blinking back the red tint that shrouded his gaze. Hands shaking as he reaches for you, taking in the image of you shivering uncontrollably, half the buttons of your shirt undone, baring the red marks sitting along your neck and shoulders. Blood dripping from a few and staining the edges of your clothes.

 “Please don’t hurt me…” Murmuring softly you do your best to curl up against the pole, your vision clouded, and senses dulled. A figure comes to kneel beside you, and you feebly kick out against them as the bindings at your feet come loose. “No. Stop-” Jerking away from them you feel hands cradle your face despite the trembling of your lip and the tears trailing your face the touch is uncharacteristically gentler than you expect.

“Y/N it’s me,” the voice sounds familiar, but the haze feeds your fear, making you lose yourself as you continue to fight out. “It’s Asra! I’m here Y/N, please stop fighting me.” You bite back your hope and shake your head mumbling incomprehensively, as Asra pleads with you. Struggling heartily as his hands untie the rope around your wrists, you try to back away, but strong hands grip your shoulders. Keeping you in place but not forcing you to do anything else.

“Don’t lie, you’re not him!” You accuse, planting a hand against him and pushing against his chest. “He’s gone, I failed.” At this Asra pauses, hurt in his eyes, but you don’t see it. Faust winds around his neck comfortingly as the realisation dawns. Whatever happened, all you feel and see is fear and blind panic.

“Look at me Y/N,” Asra’s insistent tone almost gets you to look but you shake your head. Swallowing thickly Asra slowly cups his hands to your face, tilting your closed eyes toward his face and gazing at you with heartbreak. “Y/N… I am here, I’m alive. You saved me and Faust, remember? That spell saved us, you saved us. Please love. Look at me, feel me. I’m here.” Taking his time Asra moves his hand to your one splayed against his chest. Tempted to resist you give pause and let his hand guide yours to his chest, gasping as the feeling of his heart beating in tandem with your own.

“You’re here?” You sigh questioningly.

“Yes Y/N, I’m here.” You bite your lip and force yourself to open your eyes, Asra’s amethyst gaze calming the turmoil in your heart. You can’t help but sob as you look at his face, bruised and dirty there are many small cuts running across his face, but its him. Your walls break down as your body melts against his own, Asra’s arms holding you to him.

“Asra-” Words fail you as you dissolve into relieved sobs, burying your face into his chest. “You came, just like you promised…” Slumping in relief, Asra feels himself begin to breakdown against you. Wrenching sobs coming from both your bodies as fear and relief wash over you, all together again. You, Asra and Faust, curling eagerly between you with her own way of hugging. Asra holds you tighter than he ever has before, clenching you against his chest as if he would lose you again.

“I will always find you.”

[gh0sti3x-x]

my view on Lucio's route

@ all the Lucio stans, are yall okay???? (Long rant ahead because yeah and some cursing if you're uncomfortable with cursing)

Anyways, I just decidedly (and impulsively) play Lucio's few updated chapters yesterday. And oh man, am I in fucking "love", and here's why: as someone who gets really intense with relationships, I tend to take things too quickly and I'm always a slut for affection. If someone shows me affection, I will fall very deeply in love. It doesnt really help that he just showers the apprentice with as much love and tender touches as possible (I spent all my God damn coins I had saved up for Muriel's next update just to be "loved" bro). As a Asra/Muriel/Julian stan, I really do feel guilty that I'm playing Lucio's route and decide to be a fucking slut. From the routes before, Lucio is always depicted as an asshole (esp. in Asra's and Muriel's, so much as to show he "killed" Asra's parents and forced Muriel to be a gladiator and forced him to kill just for Lucio's entertainment.) I always had a deep hatred for the goatman for making my babies lives a living hell.

Aside from this, they make him seem like such a good guy in his own route. And I got to thinking, did the devs to this on purpose to show how much of an egotistical asshole Lucio is by showing us how he views himself? He always praises and showers the apprentice with love when they first meet and basically fuck not a few chapters later. Is this to show that he's so much of a narcissist that he doesnt want the MC to view him as a bad man for all the shit he's done? Of course he's lonely! But he's lonely for a damned good reason!!

Comparing Lucio to a certain person I know is like them looking at eachother in a mirror (might I add that this person really hurt a friend of mine so fucking bad. Then there's the group's dumbass to go and defend him)! They both caused harm to the people we care about, they both have pity parties because boohoo I fucked up and now I'm all alone!, and they both always try to blame others for their own problems or for the fucking choices they made/make!! And there's some choices in there that always defend Lucio/have his back and tell him he didnt do anything wrong when everyone else around know differently. This is what fucked me up the most the more I thought about it. Because he shows a different side to MC, MC is more vulnerable to be taken advantage of and turn MC against everyone. (Now that I'm adding this last part, I could theorize this is how the reversed ending could go: Lucio manipulating MC to turn against their friends.)

And as someone who tends to give love away way too easily, Lucio can take advantage of an MC like this. An MC who is very much so generous and selfless with their love. Because as one like this, we dont usually get the same amount of love we gave away. So when someone comes into our lives and call us sweet names and shower us with gifts and hugs and shit, we technically devote our selves to them! With someone vulnerable from having so much heartbreak, Lucio can take advantage of that. Do you think he really loves the MC? I feel like he's just taking advantage of MC's help and would leave them laying on the Lazaret if it meant getting into more power again and getting his own body back.

As much as I really like all the affection in his route, I cant shake aside how much of an asshole Lucio is. He always gets so jumpy and nervous when you ask him to admit his wrongs. He tries to change the subject and try to make you believe he's a good person who's just so misunderstood! (*cough* just like our dumbass friend who just went up and straight up went out with this dude, not being fucking considerate of our friends feelings!)

In a way, I'm kind of shitting on Lucio's route (and maybe some hardcore stans) because he's just so comparable to a narcissist and a fucking perpetrator! And that's what he technically is, admitting it or not.

What broke my heart the most when playing Lucio's route is the way Asra had responded:

As much as he didnt/doesnt want MC binding themselves with blood magic to Lucio, he still cares about the MC's feelings. Asra basically fucking admits he feels guilty for not watching out for the MC!! He blames himself because he cares about MC going out with Lucio McFuckface. (I'm getting angrier by the minute as I talk about how much of an asshole Lucio is.)

Lucio always blames Asra for not being there when he needed him, always disappearing when he needed him. Lucio is a grown fucking man, he doesnt need to be a bitch baby to Asra. Lucio always takes the opportunity and chance when given just to blame Asra. Got lost in the spiritual world? Oh, it's Asra's fault for dragging us here!! There's a wyrm chasing us through the forest because I didnt keep up my end of the deal (mind you, he sacrificed his OWN dad's heart and almost had his mom's)? It's probably Asra who sent him to kill us!! The devil's chasing after us because, again, I'm a dumb bitch baby who couldnt keep my end of the deal AGAIN?? Damn you, Asra for tricking me into thinking it'd be easy to get a body for me!!

I should probably end my ranting here before it gets even more lengthy and I break my God damn phone.

[arcana-apprentice-lizbeth]

Puppy Love

Hey guys, I'm back to writing fanfiction. Here's some content of my MC Lizbeth interacting with Asra. Hope you enjoy some backstory.

Lizbeth x Asra Fluffy

Lizbeth met Asra properly for the first time at the Masquerade. She had seen him hanging around behind Aunt Gail's shop, peddling fortunes to the customers who came to Gail looking to magical or spiritual aid. Today he was selling trinkets and baubles, bundles of leaves and sticks that he was saying were charms. She had thought at first that he was just another con, a swindler, someone selling magic when what they really had was junk. But he was young and cute and to be polite she paused at his little stand and picked up one of the little bundles.

Power zinged up her arm and left her palm tingling. This charm was Alive and filled to bursting with duty and the love it's creator had poured into it. Lizbeth blinked down at the charm as her heart raced. "These are beautiful." She said when she looked back up to Asra. What she had wanted to say was "these are far better than I would have expected from someone who obviously lives on the streets."

She bought the charm and stayed to chat. He was of age with her, it turned out, but his willowy frame and fluttering white eyelashes made him look so much younger. Perhaps his fortunes were as good as his charms- if so she may be able to convince Gail to let him rent a table in the shop to do his business. A safe place to work and a few warm meals a day might do him some good.

They were interrupted when the Countess, new and shimmering and glorious, approached Asra's table. Lizbeth had expected their new Countess to be escorted by guards or perhaps and entourage; instead she was alone. But no less regal for it.

As Nadia began to examine Asra's fare Lizbeth slipped away, the charm she had purchased clasped tight in her palm.

Lizbeth visited Vesuvia the following year for the Masquerade. Again she kept to herself, examining what trinkets or costumes or services were for sale, what over-the-top experiences had been set up. She floated along, the tide of emotions from all of the revelers filling her up.

Asra was hard to miss, with his halo of white hair and that periwinkle ball python curled atop his head, her head raised like a periscope. He was... Anxious. Searching for something. When Lizbeth focused upon him the chorus of emotions from everyone around them faded and his came into focus. Yes, he was searching, a fluttering anxiety twisting inside him. He looked her way, eyes first passing over her and then rebounding back, his gaze locking with hers. Lizbeth felt his anxiety crest, a fever pitch-

She stepped towards him, herself enthralled by his gaze and feeling his uncertainty as if it were her own, and when she did his disquiet fled and a serene calm filled them both.

He looked better now, she noted as she came to his stand. Gail had said she had offered him a space in the shop for his readings, but she must have been feeding him as well. As a result Asra looked healthier, his frame still lean but now with muscle instead of just bone, his skin warm instead of sallow. When he smiled at her his teeth were white and perfect, and Lizbeth's heart raced with a thrill that was all her own. He was beautiful and smiling at her, how else should she respond but with the warmth of a blush coloring her cheeks?

"You came back." His voice was heated as summer sun, his smile calm despite their racing hearts. She felt hope bloom in him as she reached down to trace her fingers over the charms he had to offer. His table was overflowing with them this year, and the magic in them sang to her.

"I did." Lizbeth found herself shy around him, unable to meet his gaze. Her heart fluttered with an infatuation all her own. She took a breath and closed her empathy, forcing those channels closed so she could be alone with her own mind and feelings. She was not a schoolgirl who got flustered when a pretty person flashed her a smile. She was an Ahmari, a descendant of mages brave enough to fly and bed with dragons. She straightened herself, took a deep breath and felt the fire of her magic filling her chest, moving through her body with each beat of her heart. She was an Ahmari.

The adoration in his eyes nearly melted her again, but this time she kept her composure. "You brought more charms this year. They are very good, very lively. Who helps you make them?"

His grin quirked up on one side, as if he knew she was near to falling apart. "A friend of mine helps me gather the supplies, but the magic is all mine." He paused as his snake slid down his shoulder and reached towards Lizbeth. "Well, mine and Faust's, that is. She helps."

"Friend!"

The snakes voice was small and child-like, and entirely unexpected. Lizbeth blinked even as her magic purred in response. She could picture great wings spreading and then folding again, scales rippling with satisfaction. Like called to like, it would seem- one reptile to another.

Lizbeth reached her hand out, palm up, to accept the curious Faust. "I would like to be a friend, I believe." She murmured as the snake coiled around her arm. "That is, if your handsome friend is alright with it."

This time it was Asra who blushed and glanced away to gather courage. Lizbeth nearly laughed at how cute he looked, but she kept her amusement to herself. It was a nice change in this interaction to have him be the one flustered. Faust reached back to her master and Lizbeth handed her over, her skin tingling faintly from the brush of scales.

"You can hear her?" He asked as Faust draped herself over his shoulders.

How interesting. "Does she not speak to everyone?"

"No, just me and a few others."

"Ah."

The silence stretched as the Masquerade continued to swirl around them. Lizbeth let it. Seeing Asra off balance made her footing seem firmer, like she was more herself. A smile spread over her face, a little predatory, a tad prideful, and every bit the dragon smile of an Ahmari. Her breed may be dying but they were still powerful, still held sway in many places. She would not be set adrift by the smile and charming words of one Fortune Teller.

But what if she wanted to be adrift? her heart asked her. What if she did not want to be cruel and detached?

"Would you care to dance?" She asked. Had her control of her empathy slipped for a moment, or was she just as surprised by her question as Asra looked?

"Who will watch my booth?" He has recovered from his amazement and that fox-sly grin was back on his face.

Time to show this boy what she could do. Lizbeth cast her left hand over the table, her right curling towards herself as if she was reaching for a Familiar that was not there. This reaching, a cupping of a hand over her heart, was a habit left over from when she had learned to harness the dragon magic that touched some Ahmari's. As she made the motion now her magic flared up, surging towards her hand before stilling under her control. Lizbeth murmured a word and a circular sigil flashed into existence over the table, blue light flaring and pulsing with power before vanishing from sight.

Asra stepped around the table to stand beside her, both hands held towards his wares as if towards a fire. "A ward?" He asked. "I've never seen one this-"

"Strong?" Lizbeth interrupted, unable to keep the vainglorious note from her voice. "Complex?"

"Close up." Asra purred, glancing to her. "I was going to say I've never been this close when one was cast. But go ahead and keep talking, I would love to hear you brag about it."

Lizbeth's magic growled as shame bit at her, but she shook it off. If he wanted to hear her boast then she would not let herself feel ashamed. "It will dispel anyone with sticky fingers- they simply will not see the treasures here. And anyone who would like to make a purchase will leave their coin where you can find it."

There was awe in his eyes when she looked to him, a disarming sort of openness that made her pulse flutter. "You're right, that is the most complex ward I've ever seen." He offered her his arm and she took it. Her pulse raced as he lead her to the dance floor and then spun her into the first few moves of a slow waltz. "Thank you, Miss Ahmari, for protecting my charms and for allowing me this dance. Now..." He leaned in close, close enough that she could feel his heart drumming in his chest, "will you offer me your name or will you expose me as a cheater, since I already know it?"

His teasing made the hair on her arms razor up, made want ripple across the scales of her magic. She could see herself pressing her lips to the hollow of his throat, see herself biting onto his shoulder as if to claim him. So she laughed to distract herself from the warmth tingling in all of her most sensitive areas and gave him the answer. "Call me Lizbeth." She smiled up at him. "I would hate to know what nicknames for me my Aunt has taught you."

Her relationship with Asra was like spring, soft and full of promise and surprises. When she wasn't in Vesuvia they wrote letters back and forth, but she visited more often now. He was puppy soft sometimes, loving a cuddly, while at other times he was as mischievous as a fox. Being with him softened the cruel edges of her, chipped away at her armor until her laughter was less condescending and more full of joy.

Gail, who was considered weak for an Ahmari and who had married an outsider, showered them both with her approval. Her husband Alexi, the closest thing Lizbeth had to a father, teased her gently and always threatened to read Asra's letters before sending them off.

So when Gail began to lose pieces of her memory and Lizbeth moved to live with her Aunt and Uncle full time she was glad for Asra's support. When she came to him after long days he let her cry without trying to shush her. When scales began to appear upon Gail's hands and face and she stopped making sense it was Asra and Alexi who ran the shop while Lizbeth cared for Gail.

He was so soft and gentle with her, like a bed of new grass in the spring, like the creeks that babbled through the woods, like rose petals. When Lizbeth asked him to go away for a few days he did not argue- he merely kissed her lips, and then her forehead, and then each eyelid before departing. When he returned three days later he waited at the door to the shop instead of letting himself in. And when he realized that Gail was gone he simply held Lizbeth as she sobbed.

Asra was the first outsider Lizbeth found she could rely on. When Alexi did not have the emotional stamina to run the shop without his wife at his side it was Asra who took on the responsibility. She could not have done it without him. She may not have survived it without him.

When Alexi moved out of the upstairs loft and to a different district of the city Lizbeth was presented with how she could repay Asra for his seemingly unending patience, kindness, and love. She relocated her bed from the little back room that had been her bedroom since childhood, taking it and her sparse belongings upstairs to the now empty loft. And then into that backroom went the table Asra had been using for his readings. She hung tapestries from the walls, piled jewel toned pillows in every corner, removed the door and hung curtains instead.

"You made me a present?" He had asked, laughter bubbling in every word. She walked behind him, her hands over his eyes to blind him. She was guiding him forward slowly, careful not to bump him into any of the furniture. When they reached the threshold of the back room he instinctively reached out for the door, but his fingertips found warm fabric instead. Lizbeth felt his surprise begin to flavor his curiosity and could not help but to press her lips to his shoulder. A spike of desire made her magic surge against the edges of herself (or maybe it was the magic that fueled the desire) and for three heartbeats she wished his clothes were not between his flesh and her lips, her teeth. Not now, she told herself, perhaps later.

She showed him the space she had created for him, and through her empathy was able to taste Asra's amazement and gratitude and wonder. She felt that if she could bottle those emotions they would sustain her for the rest of her life.

She allowed him to explore, then took him by the hands and said "one more" and led him upstairs. She watched him carefully as he took in the loft, two places set at the little table, the second dresser and wardrobe, both empty. Then he kissed her as if he already knew the question, before she could even ask "will you move in with me?"