#might be off-hand sword. i gotta check again

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

"Again."

The blue sapling lunged at the violet mesmer, who deflected the sword attack with their scepter, clones appearing out of thin air. In response, the trainee formed a phantasm of his own, then disappears into a cloud of smoke. As the mentor's clones looked wildly for their target, the trainee leapt out of the shadows and struck the other sylvari, only to once again be deflected.

Being spotted, the blue sylvari teleported backwards and swapped weapons, from a sword and torch to a staff. The skill difference was noticeable the moment he swapped sets.

More and more of the trainee's clones appeared, shattering just as fast. The sapling got close, appearing as one of the clones before casting a chaotic storm and leaping backwards, a similar purple aura swirling around him. Before long, more clones appeared once the phantasms expired. It didn't help that there was an occasional sharp pain from a mantra sent their way. A quick pinch to throw them off-rhythm.

Too bad it doesn't quite work on them.

The trainee was distracted by a clone coming for him, practically demanding his attention. A quick close-range shatter or two, and the trainee was gasping for breath on the ground.

"Again."

The blue sapling cast a healing signet, blinking away to the edge of the ring and casting more clones before swapping back to his sword and torch, leaping forward for a flurry sword strike. Once again disappearing into the air, the violet mentor cast one of their phantasms to again distract the sapling. The sword mesmer leapt out from the side and shattered his clones, a crystalline shield preventing him from harm for just a second or two. A second is a lot of time in battle.

Two more clones appeared from the blue sylvari, and all three sprinted towards the mesmer mentor.

Having had enough of this, the mentor used a shatter skill, dazing the trainee so much that he dropped to the ground.

It's now that the mentor notices the flowers in the blue sylvari's white leaves.

"That's-"

"Again."

The mentor caught him by the wrist when he swings, twisting it behind his back and pinning him to the floor.

"That's enough, Chrysallus. You need a break," the mentor firmly stated.

The sapling, Chrysallus, struggled to get free. "I can- I can get this, Auri!" he grunted, fighting to stand. "One. More. Time."

Auri, the mentor, sighs. "You're obsessing again, Chrys. This perfectionism of yours is getting out of hand. No one learns everything in a few days."

"I can learn this!"

"You will wear yourself out first, then where would you be? This would get you killed in a fight."

Chrys finally stops struggling. He loathes giving in, but he didn't have any more energy to keep fighting.

Auri lets him go. "We'll call it a draw-"

"Don't pity me, I lost."

"I'm not pitying you, I'm acknowledging your progress," the violet sylvari huffs. "Stop shooting down praise that's rightly earned, you will not get anywhere being difficult like that."

Chrys sheathes his weapons, still looking irritable. Auri approaches and embraces him from behind. "Why don't we go into the Garden of Dawn? Unwind for a little while? Treat the bruises?"

After a moment of silence, Chrys pulls away and tugs them by the sleeve of their shirt. He never was particularly verbal when frustrated.

They link arms with him and lead the difficult sylvari away from the training ground, over by a small pool. Both of them dive in and swim to the other side, being met with a brightly lit space paved with smooth rocks and a small waterfall at the end. They sat down in front of it, and Auri wasted no time meticulously untangling some flowers from Chrys's hair.

"Aurienal." Hearing their name, they made a hum in response. "Do you know of any other sylvari like me?"

"Like you?"

"These damn flowers. Pesky little things always being an inconvenience."

"Well, you refuse to take breaks when you need to, these 'pesky flowers' make it easier to give you that time," they reply. "A strange little quirk, but it's benign, for the moment."

"Hmph."

Once the flowers are picked out, his mentor pulls him back to relax against them. "So, your body has a visual cue. If you had continued as you had, you likely would have forced yourself to collapse."

"I would have been fine!"

"I'd have to drag you to a mender on principle." That response earned a growl. "Don't growl at me, kitty cat. You're the one being difficult."

"I am not a damn cat."

"No, but you share a lot of similarities with them!" Hearing Auri laugh, Chrys just huffs in annoyance.

"You're lucky I tolerate your pet names. But I don't want you using them in front of others."

They rest their forehead on Chrys's head, feeling him relax a little. "Not one word. But I reserve the right to call you 'kitty cat' when you're being difficult."

"Oh shut it, I'm not doing it on purpose."

Auri helps him settle, noting his yawn from exhaustion. "I know. Now get some rest. We'll get some food once you've recovered more of your strength, my treat."

[breadbrobin]

“doc”

luke castellan x reader — percy jackson and the olympians

[child of apollo reader, should be gender neutral]

i tried to write a summary but it sucked so: reader is a child of apollo and luke is always hanging around the infirmary with a new injury. you hate it (do you really?)

(this got so out of hand but im so obsessed with luke castellan rn it’s not even funny. like. help.)

warning: like one or two swear words, mentions of injuries and illness, fluff i think

word count: 1.2k

____________________

you’d never been a fan of luke castellan. you knew it, he knew it—hell, everyone at camp knew it.

but a little unfriendliness never stopped him.

children of apollo were meant to be warm and kind all the time, but you’d rather die before being happy-go-lucky all the time like your siblings. you’d rather do your job: healing the campers who injured themselves throughout the days at camp. you’d also rather those campers not include luke castellan for once, but not all wishes can come true.

scarcely a day could pass by without luke coming into the infirmary, or coming up to you elsewhere in camp if you weren’t there, with a minor injury that he insisted needed healing immediately.

“i just don’t think i can continue kayaking with a sprained ankle, y/n.”

“what if it was your knees you skinned? wouldn’t you want to get them healed so you could get back to arts and crafts?”

“if my cut finger isn’t healed as soon as possible i’ll have to sit capture the flag out tomorrow! yes, i know it’s a paper cut. that’s not the point!”

he really was ridiculous.

either way, you had to heal him, technically. at your heart, you were a good person. on the surface, you wanted to punch him. give him something to really cry about.

“y/n, your boyfriend’s here again.” one of your sisters, cassidy, called out to you as you checked the stock of bandaids.

you rolled your eyes, not even bothering to correct her. “what this time?”

“i just have the worst headache, doc. it’s killing me.” luke said dramatically, holding his forehead. the small grin on his face didn’t support his statement at all.

you turned around, eyes wide and face serious, but trying not to smirk. “oh no, you might have meningitis! if it’s the worst headache of your life, we should get to you a hospital so they can do a spinal tap and run some tests.”

the grin on his face faltered as you pulled him to a seat. “uh—“

“lie down. don’t move. i’m going to get chiron.”

he gripped your arm. “no, wait, i think—“

“you’ll be fine?” you turned around with raised brows. “yeah, thought so. drink some water, castellan.”

“but—“

“what? you won’t be able to do sword fighting practise with a headache? big deal.”

“y/n—“

“you need to stop coming in here every time you get bored. we’re not an entertainment space.”

“but, i really do have a headache. like. a migraine.”

you stopped and turned back around, dropping the bandages you had been organising. “oh. shit, i’m sorry. hold on.”

cursing yourself internally, you rushed off to get nectar to hopefully help, along with some painkillers and a bottle of chilled water. when you came back, luke was lying on the bed, eyes closed.

“you okay, soldier?” you patted his shoulder gently.

he cracked one eye open and nodded. “kind of.”

you gently pulled him to sit up. “come on. gotta get some meds in you. eat any food today? drink enough water?”

he shook his head as he sipped the nectar, his eyes squinted. “got busy.”

you shot him a disapproving look and he smiled guiltily. “you need to eat or you’ll die. do you want to die?”

he looked up at you with furrowed brows. “you don’t have a very good bedside manner, you know?”

“then why do you keep coming back here?” you went back to organising bandages, busying your hands.

“i like my doctors prettier than they are kind, honestly.”

you froze your movements and looked over at him. luke was smiling slightly. your cheeks weren’t turning red, you told yourself. they weren’t allowed to. “whatever,” you finally said. “take your meds, drink all of that water—sip it, don’t chug—then get some sleep, alright?”

he nodded, taking a sip of the water. “yes, doc. got it.”

you nodded at him firmly and walked off once he’d taken the painkillers, hoping he couldn’t see right through you.

luke hadn’t been to the infirmary in a week, and you were genuinely starting to get concerned.

every free moment you got, you were staring at the door, or out the window, waiting for him to come in with some stupid injury and even more stupid excuse. but he didn’t.

after watching you pace for the seventh time in one morning, cassidy groaned. “just go find him.”

“i’m sure he’s fine.” you said, wringing your hands. “i mean, he’s probably just busy.”

“just go. you’re stressing me out. i can’t get anything done with you filling the room with your nervous energy. go find your boyfriend.”

“luke’s not my boyfriend.”

“i never said who it was.”

“well, it was pretty obvious—“

“just go!” she threw a bandage at your head, effectively forcing you out the door.

you didn’t even know where he was.

camp was huge, so it took you around twenty minutes to find him, he sun glaring into your eyes and likely burning your cheeks. regardless, you were on a mission. finally, you spotted him in the arena. of course.

you watched for a while until he noticed you, standing in the shade with your eyes squinted in the sun and your arms crossed over your chest. he grinned and jogged over.

“hey, doc. what brings you here?” he asked, sheathing his sword.

your eyes followed the precise movement. “why haven’t you been to the infirmary?”

he shrugged. “i haven’t been injured.”

“didn’t stop you before.”

there was a silence.

then he smiled again. “did you miss me?”

your cheeks burned. “no!” you cleared your through awkwardly. “i just… i get… bored. and you… keep the monotony away.”

“you missed me.”

“i did not miss you.”

he leaned closer, rocking back and forth on his feet. “you missed me.”

you glared up at him, but couldn’t fight the tiny smile that forced itself on your lips. you shook your head, pressing your lips together tightly. “nope. didn’t miss you.”

“well,” he shrugged. “guess i don’t need to tell you that i did actually just hurt my hand while training, huh?”

you frowned. “are you aware that consuming as much nectar and ambrosia as you seem to want to will cause you to burn to a crisp?”

“i don’t need godly food if i have you as my doctor.” he smiled cheekily, clenching his fist then wincing. “seriously, though. it hurts.”

“aw, poor baby.” you pouted, leaning forward and placing your hand on his and trying to feel if there was any injury present.

before you could do anything, his fingers had interlocked with yours and he was stepping closer to you.

you looked up at him, heart pounding and cheeks burning. “what are you—“

“i don’t know what we can do for a date around here, but i’d love to take you on one, doc.” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

you froze, heart fluttering. butterflies danced in your stomach. you found yourself nodding before you could stop yourself, smiling. “okay. yeah. take me on a date, soldier.”

“yeah?” he smiled, squeezing your hand. “great! i’ve been trying to work up the guts to ask you for weeks now. also, can i kiss you?”

“i’ve been trying to pretend i didn’t want you to ask me for weeks.” you said, stepping slightly closer to him. “also… yes.”

his free hand cupped your cheek and his lips pressed to yours, soft and sweet.

you wondered why you ever said you didn’t like him.

[ethanlvndry]

~♧☆FOCUS ON ME☆♧~

Haganezuka x Black!demon!reader

⚠️:Dub-con, reader is a brat, curvy chubby reader, exhibitionism, size k, blood k, P in V, rough sex. Masturbation

Summary: Y/N was requested to go along with Gyokko and Hantengu on their mission to swordsmith village after leaving Muichiro to Gyokko. She finds herself taking a liking to a concentrated swordsmith. Now she's trying to break his focus, but finds herself struggling at comes up with an idea that just might or might not work 🤔.

_____________

"STAY AWAY!"

You've been trying to get a frightened, puny swordsmith out of your way for 5 solid minutes. Gyokko told me he looked like he was hiding something, so I went to check it out while he handled that frail pillar.

"Who are you to tell ME what to do?"

I raise my leg and kick him on his chest, sending him flying into the wall. I look around, and my eyes land on a moving body.

"Don't tell me you were just trying to hide your friend. I really thought I was about to see some action!"

Wait...what's that scraping sound?

I look closer and see the body is moving a sword.

"Wow, you're putting in so much work for a sword that I'm going to ruin in less than 5 seconds."

I pause to let him answer, but instead, he continues to forge his weak strip of metal.

"Hello? You can hear me, can't you?"

UGH. This guy's really getting on my fucking nerves! How dare he ignore such a specimen?!

Plenty of guys would KILL to have me look their way!

"HEY, FOCUS ON ME"

I whip out my blood demon art.

Sharp Illusion

It allows me to make people feel pain without actually harming their body.

I lash out on his back, but he still continues, a chunk of his mask crumbling down. But he keeps on working. On that stupid. SWORD!

I grumble before lashing out on his back again. This time his whole mask crumbles down. And oh.my.gosh.

He's gorgeous.

I feel a throb right where I need him, and it makes me want to act on my instincts.

"Don't you want to take a break from your task and ravage me before I kill you?"

...still no answer

I decide to physically get his attention. I March over to him and push his hair off his sweaty for head and behind his ear.

I'm shoved away by the puny swordsmith from before and my face almost instantly sours.

"Stay away from Haganezuka-san, you filthy demon!"

His rebellion is cut off by another kick to the chest, this time strategically placed, so that he would be down for a while.

Atleast long enough for me to get what I want.

I focus myself back on 'Haganezuka'

and rub his shoulders, watching them relax out of their tense position earlier. Still, he works on the sword.

"Haganezuka~ I know you want me~"

I find myself getting irritated with his ongoing concentration, and I decide that if I want to break it, I've gotta go all out.

I fall to my knees and massage his shoulders again. This time, my hands slowly start to trail farther down. Eventually reaching the draw string of his pants.

I untie the knot and pull out his cock. A smirk starts to form as I hear a shift in his breathing.

"Do I have your attention now, Haganezuka?"

Still no answer, but this time, my grin doesn't falter. I instead circle two of my fingers around his fat mushroom tip, and trail two fingers on my other hand to my hot pussy.

I moan out his name in an attempt to get his full focus on me, but I fail miserably.

I try other things even kissing him, but he just stays in place and continues working on his stupid sword.

I'm in, hopefully, my final attempt to get his attention. I pull his pants father down and pull my skirt all the way up.

I crawl on his lap and grumble as he continues to work on his sword, only moving his arms around me so he can continue working.

I line his tip up with my hole and let out a sigh before plunging down, taking him all the way inside of me.

"Fuck Mr Haganezuka, your cock feels so good!"

If he answered me, it was through grunts and grits of his teeth. I bounce up and down on his cock, and wrap my arms around his neck for stability.

Once my climax is in reach, I bounce faster than before, and finally, I let go all over the both of us, ruining both of our clothes.

"I never knew a uppermoon thought more of sex than consuming flesh of a human. What a slut."

I gasped at the first words spoken directly towards me from the man who I've been intercoursing with. But it's cut short when he suddenly grabs my hips and plunges into me with little to no stops in between. I Can barely get out a word from my overstimulated state.

I sob and cry in an effort for him to stop, but he won't.

And I love it.

I feel my vision getting fuzzy, and slowly, my head goes limp off to the side.

_____________

[impala-dreamer]

Captives of The Court - Chapter Two

A Supernatural Series

~Strange things are brewing in Connecticut, so Dean and Y/N go check it out. After stumbling through town, they fall into something that’s been going on a very, very long time. Can they put an end to the bloodshed and make it out unscathed or will they need a little help this time?~

Starring Dean Winchester x Y/N Y/L/N

Chapter Two Word Count: 1213

Series Warnings and Info may be found on the Masterlist Here 

Impala-Dreamer’s Masterlist  ~  Patreon  ~ Published Works

Metal slashed through the cool night air and Y/N yelled in disappointment. Her target had been too swift, dodging the broadsword as it cut through the darkness. 

She shifted the heft in her hands and tightened her grip on the hilt. “Fucking fanger!”

Across the overgrown yard, Dean laughed. Even struggling with two vampires by himself, he kept one eye on Y/N at all times. He was worried for her safety, sure, but moreover- it was entertaining as hell. 

“Told you that thing was a dumb idea!” he hollered, swinging his machete and narrowly missing an undead throat. 

Y/N growled in jest at him. “It’s a classic!” She centered herself, exhaling deeply as the vampire came back at her, fangs bared, eyes wide with murderous intent. 

With all her might, she swung the blade again, and again, was simply too slow, the sword a bit too lanky to work with. 

“Damnit!” 

Dean finally hit a target, slicing easily through the neck of one of the female vamps. He cheered at himself and immediately ducked as a pair of claws cut through the air beside his head. “Whoa!” He came up swinging, knocking the vamp back with a hard left hook. The monster stumbled and then fled, running back into the abandoned farmhouse. 

Y/N sighed as her opponent also took off, disappearing through the back door and into the darkness. 

“Well, damnit.” 

Dean sighed loudly and shrugged. “Up for a chase?” 

His grin was stunning and Y/N rolled her eyes despite smiling back. 

“Always.” 

They raced to the door in unspoken competition, but Y/N paused on the top step, a motion away from winning. 

“Hold on.” 

Dean jerked to a halt behind her. “What’s wrong?” 

She shoved her hand into the back pocket of her jeans and pulled her cell out. “We need music.” 

“Music?” Dean threw his hands up at her silliness and then gestured to the door she was blocking. “There’s bloodsuckers in there getting away!” 

“They’re not getting away,” she snit, swiping over the screen and hitting play. “Yeah…” 

A swift beat flowed from the tiny speaker and Dean rolled his eyes closed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. 

“Ed Sheeran? Really?” 

She smirked playfully. “You love it.” Stowing the phone once more in her pocket, she lifted the broadsword and took a step, ready to kick some ass. “Let’s do this.” 

‘The club isn’t the best place to find a lover, so the bar is where I go…’

He laughed at her insanity and followed, heart and soul, into the fray. 

The fight was fast. Limbs blurred as they moved through the dark. Metal flashed in the creeping moonlight that filtered through the broken windows. Blood was shed. Bodies fell. 

Three minutes and thirteen seconds later, Y/N was flying into Dean’s arms and licking at his lips. 

Bloodied blades fell at their feet and they swayed in the muck, stepping over decapitated heads and wrapping themselves together. 

“That was fun…” 

Dean dipped his tongue between her lips and hummed affirmatively. “What do you say we set this place ablaze and find a bed?”

She pulled back but only enough to gaze up at him innocently and bite her lip. “Whatever you say, Mr. Winchester.” 

‘I’m in love with the shape of you-’

Bed seemed like forever away. Not only were they in the middle of nowhere in upstate New York, they were also hours away from being finished. 

It takes a while to build a pyre. You gotta find wood, build the damned thing, and then get it to light. Takes a little effort. 

Y/N did it all with a smile on her face and Dean by her side. They were exhausted and sweaty, covered in dirt and guts, but there was never a more contented pair. 

Dean poured the last of the gasoline on the wood and Y/N flicked her lighter, tossing the small pink camouflage Zippo onto the wood. The blaze was instant and larger than expected, forcing the duo to step back a few feet. 

“Damn.” Dean nodded at the flames, impressed. He rubbed his palms together and then held them out to get warm. 

Y/N held her arms up to the sky and stared into the pyre. “Look what I have created!” she yelled, mimicking Tom Hanks. “I have made fire!” 

Dean laughed. “What the hell is wrong with you lately?” 

His question stung a bit, but it was encased in love, so she grinned and shrugged back. 

“I don’t know. Just having a little fun.” 

“You’re comin’ off a little crazy, if I’m honest.” 

She took it to heart, crossing her arms over her chest and hugging tight. She stared deep into the orange tongues as they licked at the vampire’s melting flesh and sighed. 

Ed Sheeran was still singing from his place in her pocket, the playlist choosing songs at random and adding to the mood. A smooth piano and guitar melody flowed free and Dean watched her watching the fire, wondering what she was thinking. 

She swallowed back a wave of frustrated tears and cleared her throat. “I guess… I mean… We’re surrounded by death. Day in, day out. Constantly chasing something or being chased. Nine times outta ten, I’m covered in monster goo and it is hella hard to wash out. We wake up every day not knowing if we’re gonna die or fuck or get captured. It’s a lot.” She looked back over her shoulder at Dean and gave a weak smile. “I guess I’m just feeling a bit… Like, if I’m not laughing, I’m gonna start crying. Ya know?” 

He nodded silently and stepped forward, closing the space between them as Ed’s voice overtook the scene. 

‘How would you feel… if I told you I loved you?’

“No, I get it,” he said softly. “You’re just a little more theatrical than I am, I guess.” 

Y/N turned and found herself in his arms, staring up into his freckled face as the glow from the fire lit his features perfectly. “One of us has to be the comic relief around here,” she explained, a twinkle back in her eye. “You’re certainly not cutting it.” 

Dean gasped mockingly. “I am freakin’ hilarious.” 

She laughed and snuck a hand up and around to cradle the back of his head and pull him down to her. “You sure are, baby.” 

‘I’ll be taking my time, spending my life, falling deeper in love with you…’ 

He kissed her sweetly at first and then deeper as the heat from the fire washed over them. Her arms slid around his shoulders, and her tongue dipped between his plump lips. He hummed and held her, swaying to the music.

‘So tell me that you love me too…’

“God, I hate Ed Sheeran,” he moaned as her lips found the sweet spot right below his ear. 

“Yeah, I know,” she whispered in confession, “that’s why I keep playing it.” 

His smile was brilliant and his heart soared. He closed his arms tight around her and buried his face in her neck, breathing in the day, her heat, his desire. 

“You suck.” 

She nipped at his ear. “You love me.” 

It was true. He really did.

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[arkhamsrevenge]

What is a Cythia?  

Trigger Warning: Mentions of blood, needles, abuse, weapons etc. 

You’re best friends with Roy Harper. One night he asks for your help when Batman goes crazy and beats the hell out of Jason. (If you’ve seen the Legion of Superheroes show then you might get a lot of references here. I got really carried away. Sorry ;) )

Y/N POV 

I had settled down in my bed, determined to get 8 hours of sleep tonight. The sound of the rain tapping at my window started to lulu me to sleep.  I was happy with my success until I heard my phone ring. I rolled over to see who was calling. Roy? Confusion washed over me as I answered.  

“Cy! Thank God. I need your help.” Roy shouted. He sounded panicked...like more than usual. I quickly ran to my closet and suited up. I slipped on my bullet proof arm, chest and leg black matte armor and pulled my mask up over my nose and mouth. I then grabbed my weapons, two swords and tools. “A friend of mine is in trouble. I don’t think I'll make it in time to help him.” 

“Where are you?” I asked, getting ready to leave.  

“No, no please get to him first, he’s in trouble, south tower, over crime alley. Please hurry.” Roy said between breathes.   

“I’m on it.” I said climbing out my window immediately feeling the pouring rain start to drench me. “Who am I up against?” I asked as I made my way from roof top to roof top, grappling and leaping. 

“Batman.” Roy said, almost hesitantly.  

“Got it!” I said, knowing I’d have to burn down my safe-house once I get this over with. Good-bye Gotham after tonight..at least for a while.   “Thanks, I know Batman-” Roy started.  

“I said got it Roy. No need to explain more just focus on getting there.” I interrupted.  

“Yeah, yeah thanks Cy. I owe you.” He said hanging up. I didn’t need to know what was going on, all I needed to know was whose ass I was kicking. Finally, I approached the south tower, a flash of lightning reveled the figure of Batman himself. He was dragging someone by the helmet behind him. Fucking hero my ass. I jumped onto the rooftop and slammed my knee into Batman’s face. The caped crusader stumbled backwards, then turned to me. I landed crouching in front of whomever he had been beating on.  

“Who the hell-” I didn’t give him a chance to finish as I charged him again. This time he blocked my punches and kicks I threw at him. Clearly, he was already in a pissy mood because he had no problem throwing hard punches to my face. Some of the hits, I know by the taste of blood in my mouth. I spit the blood in his face and ducked as he swung back.  I then took out his knees and struck him with a high voltage taser. Finally knocking him out. Quickly I made my way over to the person, who I assumed is Roy’s friend as he was the only one getting his shit kicked in. I knelt next to the man, seeing his helmet was shattered all around his face. Red Hood? Batman beat the shit out of the Red Hood?  Geez and they call me brutal. Bruises and cuts were littered throughout his body. The rain was washing the blood off at least. I checked for a pulse only to get my hand grabbed. The jumped slightly as my eyes met the man’s lying on his back.  

“I’m a friend of Roy’s.” I yelled over the rain. “I’m here to help.” I said, grabbing his arm and pulling it around my shoulder. My other arm helped Hood in an upright position, his eyes dull, he looked completely out of it. I don’t blame him.  

“Shit!” A deep voice screamed. I soon heard footsteps running towards me and Red Hood. I knew by footsteps it was Roy. He was right, he would have been too late. Roy got on the other side of Hood and helped me get him to his feet.  

“Easy does it. We gotcha now bud.” Roy said. “We gotta get him out of Gotham. Do you still have a safe-house in uh...” I nodded knowing he didn’t want to say where we were going just in case we were being listened to.  But I knew where he meant. “Ok, I’ve got a car for us ready. We gotta patch him up a little bit first.”  

“Let’s get back to my place. We can clean up there.”  

Roy and I helped Hood through the window of my safe-house.  

“Let’s get him to the couch.” I suggested. Once settled, Roy and I got to work. “You still remember how to do this?” I asked. Roy nodded as he started to take the remains of hood’s helmet off as well as his armor. I started to clean all the cuts while Roy covered them in ointment and bandages.  

“Fuck Jaybird...what happened?” Roy whispered as he took the armor off. Jaybird? Oh. I knew who this was. 

“This is Jason Todd, right? You forgot to mention he’s the Red Hood.” I muttered as I started to patch Jason up. Roy shook his head.  

“Never came up in conversation, I guess.”  

“And it’s none of your business.” A rough voice rumbled. Jason was awake.  

“Oh good, his charm is still in tacked.” I expressed, slightly annoyed.  

“Hey, how ya feelin?” Roy asked, helping Jason sit up.   “Spectacular.” Jason quipped back, grunting.  

“We gotta go. Do you have shit at the safe house for us?” I nodded as I started to pack some other supplies for the journey. Roy then helped Jason into a black t-shirt and sweatpants.  

“Take him, get in the car, I'll catch up with you on my bike. I need to burn this place down.” I said tossing the bags to Roy. Roy caught the bag nodding, then hoisted Jason up and made his way out. I started to cover the safe house in gasoline. Then disabled the fire alarm as well as the sprinklers. My phone screen lights up with Roy’s caller ID on it. Now what? 

“Yeah?”  

“You gotta come with us. I’m afraid to leave Jason in the back of the car alone.” Roy whispered.   “I told you I’m fine Roy!” I heard Jason croak. I sighed.   “Ok, I’m gonna light this up then I’ll meet you three blocks down.” Then the line went dead. I grabbed a box of matches hidden in the bookcase and swiped the match. I climbed back out the window Roy and I had just pulled Jason through not too long ago and dropped the match. Immediately, the house went up in flames, taking everything with it. I then met Roy four blocks away (he went an extra block just to be safe) and hopped into the back seat with Jason. He looked horrible. His face was paling, and a black eye was forming. Jason pushed himself up with his good arm, though it was still shaking, and made the effort to get up.  

“Hold on.” I said as I scooted in and patted my lap. “Here.” Jason hesitated. “It’s going to be a long ride. You’ll be more comfortable.”  Jason clearly didn’t have the strength to argue and laid his head down on my lap. Jason’s back lay on the other two seats, while his head rested on me, he sighed almost relieved. I shut the door to the car and looked at Roy in the mirror. He nodded and drove away, as we were leaving, we saw firetrucks zoom past us.  

“Wonder where they’re going.” Roy mumbled smiling slightly at me. I mirrored him and shook my head.  

“Eyes on the road Speedy.” 

About an hour later, I was dosing off when my phone rang. Annoyed, I looked at the screen. Brainiac 5. Why was he calling? 

“Hello?” I answered.  

“I got an alert that one of your safe houses burnt down. I assume you’re alright?”  

“Yeah Brani. I’m good. I gotta stay on the DL for a bit. Can you-”  

“Already cloaking your signal. I’ll make sure no one knows where you are. Are there other people with you?” I flickered my eyes to Roy who nodded.  

“Arsenal and Red Hood.” I spoke hesitantly. Silence followed on the other end. 

“Understood, I will be covering them as well.” From his tone, I could infer that Brani was a little uncomfortable at the mention of Roy’s and Jason’s. 

“Thanks. Use the old pager, ok? I’ll keep you updated.” 

“Affirmative. Over and out.” Then the line went dead. I inhaled deeply.  

“That was him. Right?” I could tell by Roy’s tone he was upset.  

“Roy don’t start. You’re not always around. He’s my emergency contact when you're not here. Brani was only making sure I was ok. He’ll be making sure no one knows where we are.” I explained. Roy opened his mouth to say more but decided against it. “It was three years ago Roy.” I whispered.  

“Doesn't matter. He crossed a line.” Roy said through closed teeth. Damn, he’s still very upset. 

“He hurt you, Cy.” Roy muttered. “He should be behind bars.” My eyes shifted from Roy to out the window, watching the trees run by. I looked back a Jason, he was still out but breathing normally now. “He heals faster than you and I.” Roy said breaking the silence. I hummed.  

“The pit, right?” Roy nodded.  

“Yeah. He’s been through hell, like you and me. I don’t know why Batman would...” Roy trailed off. I hummed, still looking at Jason. He started to twitch, as if something was hurting him. My brow furrowed. “Is he ok?” Roy asked panicked. I lifted my hand and started to brush Jason’s hair off his face. Out of instinct, I then ran my finger through it, combing it back. Jason seemed to nuzzle into my hand and stopped twitching.  

“Bad dream.” Roy sighed in relief.  

“You would know, huh?” A sad smile appeared on my face.  

“Yeah. I would.”  

I don’t know when I fell asleep, but it felt like hours later, we arrived at the second safe house in Ohio. It was one Roy and I stayed in for a bit when he first got out of rehab. Roy turned the car off and stepped out then opened the passenger side door where I was.  

“He’s still asleep?”  

“I’m awake.” Jason’s hoarse voice made Roy and I jump a bit.  

“Sorry Jaybird didn’t think you would wake up so quickly. Can you stand?” Roy chuckled.  

“I’d worry about her not being able to stand. I’ve been laying on her for hours.” Jason croaked.   

“I’m fine.” I spoke. “Let’s get you inside before Roy has a nervous breakdown.” Roy shot me a look. Roy and I helped Jason out of the car and into the safe house. It was bigger than most, two bedrooms, one bath and half bath as well as a small kitchen/living room area.  

“Nice place.” Jason says as we all walk in.  

“Thanks, which bedroom would you like?” I asked. Jason huffed out a small laugh.   “I’m that special?” Heat started to rise in my cheeks. Why am I flustered? “I’ll take the one closest to the bathroom.” I led Roy and Jason to the bedroom that was one door away from the bathroom. We placed Jason down on the bed sitting up, Roy went to get the medical shit while I assessed the damage some more. A black eye was already formed. His lip was split, cuts and bruises littered his entire body. I looked at his arm that he was unconsciously holding.  

“Your left arm is sprained, does your shoulder hurt?” Jason nodded.  

“ROY?” I yelled. “GET A SLING.” Roy appeared two minutes later with a sling and more bandages.  

“You yelled?” I rolled my eyes and got to work. I stitched Jason’s deeper cuts and wrapped them. Two very deep ones were around his torso. Once he was set, Roy and I left the room so he could rest. I washed my hands as did Roy, we both wanted to say something, but words weren’t a choice. I didn’t even know where to start. Jason’s condition was horrible, Batman really beat the hell outta him. But why? Why so brutally?  

“Thanks, by the way.” Roy said after a long time.  

“Course. Do you want something to eat?” I asked, walking towards the fridge. Stupid question. Roy always wanted something to eat. I started cooking a batch of pasta and meatballs that would last the week. Easy to heat up. I made Roy a huge bowl with three meatballs on top. He inhaled it almost at once. “Dude come up for air.” Roy squinted his eyes as his cheeks were full of pasta.   “on’t ell e wha o o” Roy said with a mouth full of pasta. I started to laugh.  

“I think you said, “Don’t tell me what to do”. Yes?” Roy nodded then started to chew and swallow.  

“Eat.” He said pointing to the pot of pasta. I hesitated. “Eat, please.” I licked my lips and got myself a bowl of pasta. “Protein. At least two meatballs.” I turned to Roy with my mouth open about to snark back but didn’t. Roy gets more protective when he’s stressed. I put my bowl down next to Roy.  

“He’s gonna be ok Roy.” I said wrapping my arms around Roy's shoulders, hugging him from behind.  

“Yeah.” That was all that came out. I knew Roy was trying to hold it together but I saw through it.  

“Got to bed. I’ll clean up here.” Roy shook his head.  

“Not gonna happen. You get the last bedroom. I’m taking the couch. I clean-up” I didn’t want to argue even though I wanted to. Roy sleeps better on my couch anyway. “I’m sure you’ll check on Jason at least once an hour. So, take the other bedroom. It’s right next to Jason’s.” I hesitated for a moment. “I know you.” I smiled at Roy then finished my dinner and headed off to bed.  

I was staring at the ceiling lost in thought before I looked at the clock. 1 am. I got up and opened the door to Jason's room. Jason was awake and he was surprise to see me as much as I was surprised to see him.  

“Hey.” He finally said.  

“Hi. I uh...I came to check on you.” Jason nodded.  

“Yeah, I know, Roy came in here about 20 minutes ago. He also said I should expect you every hour?” I closed my eyes in annoyance.  

“Of course, he did. I hate it when he’s right.” Jason chuckled.  

“That’s rare.” I bit the inside of my cheek to try not to laugh.  

“How are you feeling.” I asked. Jason’s eyes went down. Shit. 

“Physically I’m doing better than I was 7 hours ago.” Jason swallowed roughly.  

“Are you feeling ok to eat something or would water be a better option?” Jason seemed to be studying me.  

“Who are you?” That’s fair. I never gave him my name. 

“Y/N. Y/N L/N.” Jason’s eyes lit up slightly.  

“You’re the girl Roy crashed with. I thought you were fake.” I smiled.  

“No, I am very much real. Nice to meet you, Jason.” I said as Jason stuck out his good hand. I held it in mine and shook.  

“Why does Roy call you Cy?” I blinked and let go of his hand.  

“Uh..well it’s short for Cythia.” 

“What is a Cythia?" Jason asked quizzically. “Don't get me wrong it sounds bad ass but...”  

I chuckled.  

“Tell you what, if you drink a full glass of water; I’ll tell you during breakfast.” Jason paused for a moment. Then nodded.  

“Deal.”  

“Help her!” Roy stood in the doorway stunned for a moment. There was a knock on his door, and he thought Y/N had returned from her mission. She left three days ago when Brainiac 5 called her saying he needed her help with Luthor. Jason, who had been hiding out with her and Roy for about 2 months now insisted he was fine. Roy wasn’t too keen on letter Y/N go on a mission with Brainiac 5 but ultimately told her to go.  

“You friend needs you. I understand the panic.” He finally said. Y/N hugged Roy goodbye and waved to Jason. 

“I’ll be back in a week. You're sure you’ll be, ok?” She asked Jason, who smirked.  

“Yeah Doll, I’ll be ok. Roy's here.”  

“I’m aware, that’s why I asked.” Jason laughed as Roy reeled back like he was hurt. 

“Hey! I’m responsible!” Y/N chuckled then grabbed her duffle bag and walked out the door. Once she was gone, Jason spoke up.  

“Miss her already?” Roy shook his head.  

“I don’t trust Brainiac 5. I don’t understand why she keeps in contact with him. Why she helps him.” Jason had seen Roy angry before but damn. It still surprised him how the laid back Roy Harper could be so cold when he wants to.  

“Maybe that’s how she healed?” Jason suggested. Roy started to pace, something he did when he was pissed. About three years ago, Brainiac 5 unlocked the original Brainiac code knowing there was a big chance of corruption. But Brainiac 5 wanted to prove that he was better and brighter than the OG Brainiac. It corrupted Brainiac 5 and destroyed a lot in its wake. When the other legionaries stepped in to try and stop him, so many got hurt. Y/N was one of them. Roy remembered the call he got from Saturn Girl, telling him to get Y/N far away from Brainiac 5 as she could. Brainiac 5 had sliced her back opened almost killing Y/N. If his blade had been a centimeter longer then he would have severed her spine. He did leave a huge scar that ran right down the center of Y/N’s back. Once Y/N was better she didn’t go back to the Legion. 

 “I mean the guy almost killed her AND CAUSES HER CHRONIC PAIN AND...” Roy stopped realizing he was about to spill Y/N business to Jason. It wasn’t his story to tell.  

“Yeah. I know. I heard you guys when we were all in the car 2 months ago.” Jason confessed.  

“I thought you had passed out.” Jason shook his head.  

“Nope. Just too weak to open my eyes.” Roy clenched his jaw. “I still don’t know the whole story but...I’ve see the scar.” Jason muttered almost ashamed. Roy’s eyebrows scrunched together.  

“How?” Jason shifted on his feet.  

“I walked in on her changing about a month ago. She didn’t even notice me I don’t think but her back was towards me. I just had to do a search in a couple databases, and I got the full story.” Jason explained.  

“I just hope she’s ok...” Roy trailed off.  

Today, she hadn't checked in with him or Jason. That was unusual, she always paged Roy and Jason but today, she didn’t contact either one of them. It’s the whole reason he kept the pager on him while she was gone, that was the only way she’d communicate that, and Jason still used one for some reason.  Jason felt something was wrong but hoped he was just being paranoid and now he’s looking at Brainiac 5, the last person he thought he’d see, carrying an unconscious and bleeding Y/N. And on top of all that Roy was frozen with either anger, fear or both.  

“Help her, please!” Brainiac screamed. Jason pushed Roy aside, seeing Y/N in Brainiac 5’s arms.  

“Come on.” He said leading Brainiac 5 inside. Roy finally woke up and ran to get the emergency kit. It’s different than a first aid kit, as it has heavy duty shit. “What happened? Where is she hurt?” Jason asked as Brainiac 5 set Y/N down on the floor. Her face was pale, breathing shallow and her clothes were soaked with blood. He swallowed roughly, she looked dead. 

“She was only down for a second. I didn’t even...” Brainiac 5 trailed off. “Her shoulder and chest. That’s where she’s hit.” Roy pushed Brainiac 5 aside and started to get Y/N out of her clothes. He took off her jacket seeing only a tank top which was soaked in blood underneath.  

“Why isn’t she in her bullet proof suit?” Roy asked frantically, seeing one of the bullet holes was just above her heart.  

“I... told her she didn’t need it when she arrived, she wasn’t going in the line of fire unless necessary, but we were betrayed.” Brainiac 5 explained as he started to remove the bullets still lodged inside Y/N. Jason’s temper flared as did Roy’s but they controlled it for now. The important thing is to keep Y/N alive. After Brainiac 5 removed the bullets, Roy started to stitched his friend closed while Jason bandaged and wrapped the wounds.   “Shit, shit her heart beat is faltering.” Jason said, starting to push on her chest. Starting CPR. 

“She’s lost too much blood, she’s gonna need a transfusion-” Roy started. 

“You.” Brainiac 5 addressed Jason. “You have her blood type.” Jason felt a small wave of hope cover him. He could help her. 

“Then take it.” Roy’s head snapped to Jason who was starting to tie off his arm.   “Dude your still recovering.” Roy said, taking over pumping Y/N heart for her.  

“Roy, we don’t have time to argue, get the needles.” Roy snapped his saw shut and nodded. Brainiac 5 just stared over Y/N’s body, guilt was flooding his system. He should have planned better. Jason grabbed two needles and a tube in order to do the transfusion. Roy inserted one side into Y/N’s arm while Jason did the same to himself. Everyone was silent for a minute. 

“That’s good.” Brainiac finally said, trying to help. Roy nodded to Jason, who pulled the needle out of his arm as Roy mirrored the action for Y/N. “Vitals are returning to normal.” Jason saw her chest start to rise and fall steadily, though the breath was shallow. “She’s gonna be ok...but she needs to rest.” Roy nodded, preparing to pick up his friend until Jason stopped him.     “I got her, you're on clean up.” Jason didn’t hear any protest from Roy, not that he would have listened, and carefully picked up Y/N limp body and carried her into her room. It almost scared him seeing her like this. Cold, pale, almost lifeless.  

“So Roy thought you said Cythia and not Cynthia?” Jason laughed, trying not to choke on pancakes.  

“Shut up. I was really high.” Roy answered grumpily. Y/N shook her head.   “Yeah, you were, but it’s still funny that you still call me Cy.” Y/N said smiling, bumping Roy with her elbow. Jason smiled slightly at the memory. Y/N had kept her promise and told Jason how she and Roy met. It was during Y/N’s time in the Legion, and he was in Young Justice. Roy fell off the deep end once or twice. Y/N was the only one who stayed by his side; Jason was dead then and couldn’t be there for him. Y/N helped Roy get and stay sober, he spent most days on her couch working on riding his addiction. Y/N set him up with a therapist as well. She did so much for him during that time that he was more than happy to help her recover when she was injured.  

Jason lay Y/N down on her bed and covered her with a blanket, keeping her warm. She’ll need some antibiotics. Jason brushed her hair out of her face, just as she had done for him. He didn’t tell Roy, but he woke up to her comforting him, and for a second Jason felt warm. But he was also confused, she treated him so kindly and even jumped between himself and Batman, though she didn’t know his name. Yet, Roy spoke of her as one of the most stone cold fighters he’s ever known.  

“I’m tellin ya, Jaybird. She’s a badass. You’d really like her, she’s moody and sarcastic like you.” Jason sat down next to the sleeping Y/N and took her hand, it was cold, very cold. He bit his lip wondering what to do next, specifically what to do with Roy and Brainiac 5. Roy was going to try to kill him for sure once shock settled. Jason got up and made his way back to Roy.  

“I’m sorry. I am, no one is sorrier than I am. I messed up I got that but-” 

“You better pray she makes it out of this alive. Or I will activate you if it’s the last thing I do.” Jason heard Roy sneer. Roy was staring down the coluan. Roy was bigger and taller than Brainiac 5. Jason put his hand on Roy’s shoulder. “Get out. NOW!” Roy roared. Brainiac 5 clenched his fists.  

“I’m staying until she wakes up, then I’ll go. Ok?”  

“Fine.” Roy said through gritted teeth. With that Brainiac 5 went back thought the door.  

“I’ll be back with some more antibiotics.” Jason shut and locked the door to their safe house, he turned to Roy who was trying to scrub blood off the floor.  

“I want him gone Jaybird. Gone from this place, gone from her life. I want him gone.” Roy whispered. Jason crouched down to Roy’s level.  

“I know. He will be after he knows she’s ok.” Roy shook his head.   “He won’t leave her alone. He’ll try to make-up for his mistake. I want him gone.” Jason didn’t know what to say, he just continued to help Roy clean the safe house. About a half hour later, Brainiac 5 came back.  

“Here, lets hook this up to her.” Brainiac 5 said heading into Y/N’s room. Jason and Roy followed after him. When they turned the corner, Brainiac 5 was standing in front of the doorway.   “Hey move twerp!” Roy snarled pushed Brainiac 5 out of the way. Jason then heard Roy gasp and moved further in letting Jason make his way. Jason then caught the eyes of Y/N opened and alret. She was standing up, looking out the window of her bedroom. As if surveying the aera.  

“Y/N?” Brainiac 5 whispered. She didn’t take her eyes away from Jason. He held her gaze wondering what she was thinking. “Y/N? Are you ok?” Brainiac 5 said carefully making his way over to her. “You shouldn’t be standing.” Y/N huffed a laugh and smiled though no humor was behind it. Tearing her eyes away from Jason, Y/N’s eyes fell on Brainiac 5 

“Are you kidding?” Y/N’s voice was chilling. Roy took a step back and stayed beside Jason. “Am I ok?” Brainiac 5 continued to get closer.  

“You were shot, we were betrayed-” Brainiac 5 started.  

“We? WE? No, we were not betrayed. I was!” Y/N’s voice was rising with every word. “I heard you! You’re not as fucking smart as you think you are.” She said coming towards Brainiac 5. “You-AH!” Y/N screamed as she dropped to her knees holding her shoulder. Jason and Roy rushed to her side. Her eyes were squeezed shut.  

“Breathe through it, we’re right here.” Jason whispered. Y/N inhaled slowly and released it. She then looked up at Brainiac.  

“Get. Out.” She sneered. Roy and Jason helped her stand up. This was too familiar to Jason. Roy and Y/N had helped him like this 3 months ago. Brainiac blinked.  

“I can explain-” 

“I DON’T WANT YOUR EXPLANATION! GET OUT!” Y/N roared, lunging forward. Jason caught her as her knees buckled. Roy, however, grabbed Brainiac by the back of the neck and dragged him out of the room. Jason held Y/N a little longer. He didn’t know what she was thinking until he felt tears on his arms. Y/N wasn’t angry, she was heartbroken. 

“Roy was right.” Y/N whispered to Jason. “I shouldn’t have gone. All he did was fuck me over.” 

Jason pulled her back to her bed and sat her down. He then crouched down in front of her.  

“I didn’t know coluans had dicks.” Y/N choked out a laugh. “Sorry I’m terrible in serious situation.”   Jason whispered with a small smile. Y/N looked up and wiped her tears away. 

“Neither am I. I hate this.” Jason didn’t want to press further. “I assume Brani brought me back here.” Jason nodded. “What happened next? You and Roy patch me up?” Jason nodded again.  

“The green elf took the bullets out and he got you antibiotics too. Wouldn’t leave until he knew you were ok.” Y/N looked away from Jason. He didn’t mention how it was his blood that helped save her.  

“Well now he knows.” Y/N said coldly, she then looked at something behind Jason.  

“He’s gone Cy.” Roy said making his way towards the two, he then took a seat beside Y/N. “We got some pain meds for you...not that you’ll take them but the antibiotics you will be taking.” Y/N hummed.   “Got it.”  

“You should rest.”  

“Not tired.” Roy sighed.   “Just at least try, ok? We’re leaving in the morning.” Y/N cocked her head. “Brain-he is going to be kept far away from you as I can get him. I already called Kori, we are gonna use an old base in an island.” Y/N swallowed and inhaled.   “Ok.” She breathed out. “I’ll rest.” Roy carefully gave Y/N a small hug. Jason stood up and grabbed her hand. Smiling softly, he released it.  

“Night Doll.” With that both him and Roy left the room. Once they were in the kitchen again, Roy spoke up.  

“So, when were you going to tell me you like Y/N?” 

(Pt. 2?)

[ffxiv-swarm]

prompt 9: lend an ear

Despite what Avery thinks, Rita is not dying. She hasn’t taken on that much Light, really. She’s fine. If he calls her my lady one more time in that achingly concerned tone of voice she might hit him with something.

Not that it wouldn’t make her melt in any other circumstance, but that’s besides the point. The point is that, though his efforts at sharing her burden are appreciated (gods, nobody’s ever even offered before, never mind been able to), she’s far better equipped to handle this than he is. She’s just...tired. Yes. Tired. That’s it. She shouldn’t complain.

On the other hand...

Well. On the other hand, he keeps asking how she’s doing, if she’s sure she’s well, and right now—they’re in Amh Araeng, it’s hot and dry and sandy and she’s stuck watching Thancred be an absolutely prize arsehole to Mini-filia while Urianger, for some infuriating reason of his own, is not tearing him a new one for it, and all she has to survive this with is shade and a lukewarm beer—anyway, after all that, she can’t stop herself from answering.

It starts like this: the shade of an awning. Avery perched on a crate with his sword across his lap, grimly oiling the blade. He’s pulled his hair tightly back, and she watches the glint of her bronze earclasps in his ears and thinks about touching them. (She’s thought about touching them a lot.) The wind kicking up, blowing sand into her face and making her cough until she can barely catch her breath. Avery’s head snapping up, his concerned, “My lady—Rita? Are you alright?!”

She finally manages a deep breath, aided by another swig of what is truly terrible beer, and snaps, “No.”

He tries to say something else, but she’s still talking. She can’t stop now. “No, I’m not bloody alright! It’s hot and the light hurts my eyes and I’m feckin’ exhausted all the time, I have cramps in muscles I didn’t know could get cramps, my feckin’ throat hurts, I have to look up and—and see Minfilia’s tomb, the place where she died, th’ land she died for, and Mini-filia’s gonna go the same way if nobody—if nobody stops her—Thancred’s not gonna fuckin’ do it because he’s a fuckin’ useless sack o’ shite—we’ve gotta put up with that and the feckin’--th’ feckin’ light zombie voidsent—an’ I’m so—so bloody tired, Avery, I’m so tired—”

And now she’s crying. Wonderful. She scrubs at her eyes, immediately regretting it when it makes the salt burn of her tears worse, but at least this way she can’t see the expression on Avery’s face.

Avery, who’s making a noise like he’s been struck. His sword falls to the ground with a clatter as he rises to his feet, his hand outstretched as though he’s going to—what? Place it on her shoulder? Pull her into his arms? Gods. If he does that, she’ll—she will—

(Break.)

(Push him away.)

(Never let go.)

But he doesn’t get a chance, because one of the locals has noticed them and is asking whether she needs help; she answers automatically in the negative, watching Avery slowly sink back onto his seat and pick his sword up. It will need to be cleaned again.

She blinks away the remainder of her tears and risks glancing at him. Her voice comes out thick and snotty, but she still feels better for getting all that out. “...Sorry. I didn’t mean to go off like that.”

He catches her gaze and holds it. His eyes burn. “You never need to apologize, my lady. I recall a very wise woman urging me to express my feelings; ‘twould be churlish of me not to welcome your own sentiments.”

She’d said that to him once, long ago, when they were near-perfect strangers and she’d been urging him to write with no clear expectations that he would. Her heart twists in her chest, and she knows she’s blushing. “Avery,” she mutters.

“Ritanelle.” His voice has gone soft and warm as candlewax. And the way he’s looking at her...

She decides it’s suddenly a very good time to check her grimoire for any cracks in the binding.

[i-enjoythings]

My favorite quotes

Spoilers for jrwi riptide

Yumi: Sense when did you learn Spanish?

Jschlatt: I'm bilingual

Yumi: I thought you were bisexual

Jschlatt: *puts foot on bike Yumi is pushing* well that too

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Tommy: there's only one way to unclog this *intense slurping noises" aaAAhh muddy! All uncloged

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Jschlatt: Charlie go circumcise this man! Go circumcise him!

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Charlie: can we get dream on? Is he a lobster?

Jschlatt: he's not a lobster

Charlie: why

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Charlie: I'm all blood below the dick

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Grizzly: I ended it with them finding a blue fish man

Charlie: I'm literally teal

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Charlie: your blood is worms

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Gillion: listen chip I don't know what part of this was lost on your human culture but what you just did was vulgar and foul and in no world or culture acceptable. *turn to the priest and flashes his tits*

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Gillion: the thing about improv is no one knows what will happen next *starts eating sand*

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Chip: she has hair, and eyes. teeth too

Gooblek: no. She has no teeth. She has no teeth

Chip: oh ya she has no teeth and and it's ok it feels better

Charlie: *screaming*

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Charlie: I got a seven on that survival check by the way

Grizzly: you try to help but you are inside the soup

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Jay: hey chip is it getting hotter in here?

Chip: ya a little bit

Jay: I don't think it's the sex talk

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Charlie: gooblek doesn't know how physics work. Gooblek comes on the ground.

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Jay: gooblek do you bleed?

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*a really touching moment between chip and jay*

Felipe: wait gooblek

Gooblek: felipee

Felipe: don't go

Gooblek: why

Felipe: because we're friends

Gooblek: what does that mean

Felipe: that means I mean like you're baby bro I'm baby bro this is big bro

Gooblek: we baby we baby

Felipe: babies gotta stick together

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Jay: *pulls out vial of white liquid*

Gillion: what the fuck

DM grizzly: it's clear liquid you fucking weirdo. Ya she pulls out some cum!

Gillion: oh cool jay

Felipe: wait why do you have that

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Sword dad: he has softer hands

Gillion: *puts sword back in boat*

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Gooblek: *hidden somewhere on the ship and whispers* and I want to stay on ship forever

Chip: what the fuck

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Gillion: can we wait till hes awake before you guys take my grandpa's clothes off?

Chip: you've read his books gil, I don't think he'd mind

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Gillion: oh gods he's probably going to wake up to me being stabbed to death by a frog

Chip: that he is

Jay: you wanted that tho gillion

Gillion: yaa

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Dre: ya he wrote some pretty kinky stories *pause* Lucky for you he might be able to tell you some of them himself

Gillion: I'm good

Dre: I mean uh. I ment the adventures

Gillion: that I'd like

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Gillion: now let's see how many balls you have. Is that the saying?

Chip: it's two

Gillion: what..?

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Charlie: *saluting* I wanna be slapped with butter! Call me a butter boy again sir!

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Chip: I'd like to teach you a new word come.

Gillion: I already know cum

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Finn Tidestrider: pepa got around

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[fountainpenguin]

"You pretty pups all over the city, I have your hearts and you have my pity..."

---

New Dog's Life chapter today!

Chapter 3 - “Flicker (BigB)”

Read on AO3

Start from Chapter 1

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Having a reputation as a cheater and backs̵͙̞͙͊̋̄̇͆̑̚t̶̟̝͔̝͕̦̫͂͒͆͋̄͜ȃ̴̞̺̱̝̬́͂͗̐́̿̂̄̇̈̇̕͜͝͝bber doesn't do you many favors, ḙ̴̢̼͎̝̫̣̥̓͝͝ͅspecially whĕ̵̓̀̍̕̕͠͠ͅn this season assigns you a player to target right from the start. What's a coo̸̥͎͍̞͛͜ͅḵ̸̠̠̗͓̗̂̃͘í̴̛̖͇̿̊̅̅̅͗͜ĕ̵̓̀̍̕̕͠͠ͅ man to

What's a cookiĕ̵̓̀̍̕̕͠͠ͅ man

Whȃ̴̞̺̱̝̬́͂͗̐́̿̂̄̇̈̇̕͜͝͝t's

[You've be̴̢̗̰͠e̷̢͉̩̠̞̮̓̃́́͛͝n̴̠̥̎̒͠͝ disconn̴̡͑͋̉͌͑̈́̔̎̍́͘̚͘͝ẹ̷̭̠̲̹̘̈̑̾̓͊̕ͅcted from t̵̡̠͚̬̘͖͚̽̅͂͜h̶̲̼͔͂́͗̓͒͊͌̽̿͜͠e̷̢͉̩̠̞̮̓̃́́͛͝ server]

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

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Bigbst4tz2 - Player

Quarry: impulseSV

Hunter: Unknown

💚  💛  ❤️

BigB would not, by any stretch of the imagination, describe himself as “loving to kill zombies.” Who does? There’s something about their faces, man… Zombies generate with familiar faces and ragged clothes they pick from your memories, which makes them so, so much creepier than villagers are. Cleo’s okay. BigB doesn’t mind them so much… Just the random ones that generate looking like his undead friends. So he stands above the hole, hands locked behind his back, as Etho, Tango, and Ren yelp and tumble over themselves. They’re fighting a zombie spawner in the dark. The snarls are horrendous. No wonder spawn’s so loud; the thing was right under their feet.

“I’m open, I’m- I’m open,” he calls down, lifting his voice above Tango’s shrieking giggles (Etho’s practically in tears, almost doubled over laughing). BigB’s not sure why they’re laughing, but… Even if he doesn’t love wiping trace bits of rotten flesh off his sword, he can still help. Not sure how, but there’s gotta be something he can do. When there’s room to jump down. The ragtag trio (all of whom are zombies themselves now) are pulling each other down like crabs as they try to get up the stairs.

“Pleeeeeaaaase,” Etho whisper-wails from the darkness. “Someone throw a torch at me… No-o-o-o…” 

He’s laughing. They’re all laughing in that giggly way you do when you’re stressed out of your mind and just plain nervous about it. BigB takes one step down the stairs. The top of Etho’s spiky white hair is luminescent, reflecting Tango’s flaming curls like the moon reflects the sun. His gloved hands (fingers green; super creepy; Etho’s got zombie traits now) curl against the blocks above him. He tries to widen the gap so they can all squeeze through, but he’s too distracted by the zombie gnawing on his ankle to channel the right kind of energy. Yeah. So instead of digging up the block, Etho triggers a shower of loose dirt to tumble in his hair. Ren coughs, ducking out of the way. Zombie grunting noises bubble in the night. BigB grimaces. He’d like to help, but no one has coal and Cleo took their only torch.

He checks over his shoulder. In the distance, on the edge of the cliff overlooking the river, Scar and Bdubs are talking, heads bowed. Are they joining forces or something? Scar’s got his cloak hood up, hands gripping tight. The hood is white, but other than that, he’s dressed head to toe in different shades of green. In the dark, he almost blends in with the grass. Bdubs has his arms crossed, shaking his head over and over. He looks like he’s saying “No, no” a bunch of times, while Scar persists. Should he call them over? It might not do much good. From the sound of it, the problem down below is “not enough room to maneuver.” The last thing you want to do is throw more people in that hole. 

Inhale. BigB leans forward, gripping his knees. “I can’t- I can’t come down there, man. What can I do to help?”

“Dig the block!” Tango shouts, pressing at them from the back of the group. BigB can hear the repeated grunts of zombies falling backwards as Tango slashes at them. “Widen the gap!”

He didn’t craft a shovel. Should he? Maybe just a wooden one. BigB slaps his crafting table down again, throwing the sticks across its surface like he’s dealing cards. In a flash of white light, he’s got the shovel in hand. BigB shoves it in the dirt and braces his foot on the back. With one stomp, he slices through the dirt block. It plops down in a tiny cube, straight on Etho’s head.

“New sword!” Etho yells up, cupping his hands around his masked mouth. His eyes are darting; BigB can read him like a recipe book, mask or not. Etho won’t ditch his friends if he can help it. “Tango, Tango… Oh, I don’t know about this, man, oh-hoh… No-o-o… Why do we put ourselves in situations, Ren?”

“Because we’re professional Minecrafters, dude!”

“Hey, professional,” Tango snickers at him, “you’re about to get first death of the season by a zombie.”

That gets a chuckle out of Etho. BigB throws down a wooden sword, which Etho catches in a spin of his hand. “Oh, you will never live that down, Ren.”

“Says the ancient guy who’s all washed-up, right, right… He’d know.”

Etho catches BigB’s eyes and then rolls his. Turning back to the zombies, he draws his sword again. “Tango, my patience runs thick, but not thick enough, man… Leave that stuff in Limited Life where it belongs.”

BigB pushes his shovel through the dirt again, scooping up another block. Most of it tumbles off, reforming in a pick-up-able block that plops into Etho’s inventory, but a few brown dots and grass strands cling to the edge. A pink worm wiggles in the soil. He tilts it off in the grass. Down below, Tango, Ren, and Etho fling words at each other, ribbing playfully about how stupid it was to rush down to the spawner without a light source. It sounds like there are still five or six zombies bearing down on them. BigB chews his bottom lip, switching out the shovel for his sword. The spawner’s just a few blocks off the edge of bedrock spawn. A huge clutch of zombies probably built up while Grian was explaining the rules.

“I’m out, man, I’m out!” Etho calls, backing up the stairs. One boot slips; he catches himself on the wall with one hand. “Drop it like it’s lava, Ren! We gotta get outta here.”

“I’m with you!” That’s Tango. “I got buckets for days! Days!”

Etho turns, leaping up the stairs in a way that bashes his head on every block. Tango scrambles after him on all fours. Last is Ren, shouting “Farewell, my peeps! You’ve been a beautiful audience tonight!” before ducking out with a flourish. He slams a dirt block down at the bottom of the stairs, then leans back to wipe his forehead. BigB can see a little bit of “bone” poking through his rotting flesh. He takes a step sideways. This sends a trickle of dirt into the hole. Ren glances up at him. His smile breaks into a grin; his dog ears prick up. His little tail starts wagging.

“BigB, my man!”

Okay. Here we go.

BigB lifts his hand to wave, rolling a “Heeeeyyy!” off his tongue that can be interpreted as anything, really… “Ren! How are you? It’s been a while since we talked.”

“I am super, my friend; I’m really, really super.”

“Well, you look good, you know?”

“Thank you, dude; that’s so nice of you to say. I really appreciate that, actually.” His tail stills; Ren links his fingers and stretches them out in front of him, then tilts them up and over his head. “Did you see how many zombies we just took down in there? They were going for my feetsies, man! My poor, innocent feetsies!”

[Full chapter on AO3 - Link at top]

[campmurderparty]

blair & noah.

Another part of the ritual that he loved: watching their faces as they were thinking, entirely visible in their expression. It was almost as if he could literally see the cogs turning. How am I going to get out of this?, they were thinking. How could I hurt him before he hurts me?, they wondered. Well, Blair wanted to tell them, you won’t and you can’t. No matter how many times he had done this, no matter if the victim was a man or a woman, all their escape attempts failed, and they could rarely overpower him before he got them back. Sometimes they’d be able to get a punch or kick in; one even stabbed him in the calf with his own knife, but he’d win in the end.

It was a game. He was a god. God always won.

It seemed noah came to the right conclusion. “Good girl!” blair praised her teasingly, rubbing the tip of his nose against her hair. “Now that we’ve got that squared away, I might trust you enough to take my hand off your knee… but not just yet.” to demonstrate that, he put more pressure down, increasing their speed just a little. He had to watch the speedometer, make sure she didn’t try to capture the attention of some roadside cop even if she said she wouldn’t. Victims lied. Blair lied, too. He lied when he said he’d let them go and lied when he said he wasn’t going to hurt them. He lied about whatever he wanted and laughed when they realized the truth of it.

“Peter cetera?” blair repeated in disbelief, tone utterly mocking. “My god.” He cribbed most of his musical taste from his twin brother, Darby, his hometown’s resident metalhead. Typically, Blair was the more dominant of the two, but he let his brother take the lead when it came to whatever they listened to. The local record store was run by the only two other people in town with similar tastes in music and fashion—of course, the good people of Robichaux labeled them as satanists because they didn’t know any better—and they imported records from out of the state and sometimes out of the country. Until his brother suddenly changed in the seventh grade from the normal trailer trash kid that the twins had always been and delved into the metal scene, blair hadn’t given much of a thought about music. Whatever steve miller band record his parents played or soft rock like air supply played on the radio was just background noise to him.

“You like chicago? That shit’s for old people, man.” his grip on his knife loosened just a little, head tilting as he started ranting. “You don’t know what’s up and coming then, I'm telling ya. Surely you know of metallica, right? They’re not my favorite but Ride the Lightning is one of the best albums that’s come out in decades, you gotta check it out. My brother liked Iron Maiden and shit but if I wanted to listen to a bunch of nerds talk about dragons and swords, I'd just go to some dungeons and dragons meetup, y’know?” blair laughed, delighted he had a captive audience. “Personally, I like this band called ministry. Their first album is some synth-pop bullshit, but then they came out with twitch and it was so much better. Darby said they were posers but…” he sighed, trailing off. It was hard to talk about his twin brother and hard not to talk about his brother.

He was getting distracted.

Suddenly, blair shifted his body and pressed the knife against her skin again. “Anyway! Who cares about that shit right now? Clever tactic, though, getting my mind on something else. You’re smarter than i gave you credit for.” he had to blame his distraction on anything but himself, so he decided that she was trying to manipulate him. “Too bad I hate smart girls.”

[arachnesnest]

Dreamed Cafe - Bellona

I’m going to have to spend some time writing out what exactly the Fall was and what’s resulted since then, aren’t I? I hate having to be specific, it forces me to check and see if I’m actually fitting the details. Well, I guess I could write it out and then later change the big story to match the small details that I want. 

The campfire crackles merrily. “Shove over,” a voice says from the darkness to my left, and I scoot sideways on the log. Bellona plops herself down next to me, steaming mug of stew in her hand. She cracks her neck, takes a big gulp and chews through a tough piece of something for a while. 

“Been a while, hasn’t it?” I ask. No gentle prodding this time, just open with the same friendship the campfire demands.

“Oh yah.” She talks around the mouthful of stew. “Years, now. Haven’t been on caravan since I passed through Cedarfall.”

“Cedarfall, huh?” I add just the right amount of innuendo there. “That’s why, huh?” I elbow her, poking at the chainmail. She laughs and elbows me right back. 

“Yeah, that’s why.” She takes another gulp of stew, picking at something in her teeth after she swallows. “Agh, this hasn’t gotten any better for time. Cedarfall…You know I never really thought about it before I did it?” 

I give a suggestive snicker and nudge for “did it” and then cock my head in confusion. “Did what? I mean - which one?”

“Any of it, really, I guess.” She pats the club next to her, a thick length of wood with a nail or two jammed in the end. “When the shit came down, after the battle, I didn’t really think about anything other than away. Dug myself out of the rubble, patched up what I could, and took this out of the ruins of the market that had buried me. It’s not a sword, but a couple swings and people get the message just the same. People told me but I already knew we’d lost, really lost, and I just wanted away.”

“First it was away from the ruins. I’d never been the planner of the squad, just the muscle, so there wasn’t a ‘where’ to go with it. There hadn’t been a lot of safe places for the ironborn even before the Fall, and whenever I did manage to think about it I guessed I’d just go into hiding. Somewhere.”

“I gotta tell you, it kinda felt good. Nobody bothers you with one of these on your shoulder, even if they did recognize this.” Bellona pats the club again, then prods at the threadbare, faded insignia on her vest. “I must have pulled this off my clothes before Cedarfall, I guess. Not sure where. But like I said, it felt good after a while. Even when I made the wrong decision and got stuck in a ravine or a swamp. Even when I was too cautious and avoided somewhere that turned out to be safe enough. I was setting the pace this time, not obeying orders. ‘S how I got there, obeying orders in the first place, right?”

“So yeah, I didn’t even really think about it. Away had turned to west and west had turned to down this road, then that one, then this other one. Travel wasn’t easy, but there was always room for someone who’d chop wood, carry water, butcher something, look threatening at groups that might be bandits. Caravans, wagon trains, refugees. I didn’t think about which one, just found the next and the next.  I was just about admitting to myself that I liked it on the road, when there was suddenly reason to stop.”

She grabs the bottle by my foot, takes a long, long swig, wipes her mouth with the back of her leather gauntlet. “You know it’s hard to remember that there was a part of my life without him? I mean, sure, the whole war and the Fall, the whole everything after was lived without Aeddan, but now…It feels like he was somehow there too, even though I only saw him first at Cedarfall. By the Stones, he caught my eye. You know, I’ll just watch him sometimes when he’s sleeping? All that gold hair spread over the pillow, with his arm around a bolster. I never dreamed…”

There’s a long, fond pause. “Anyway, l didn’t think about any of it. I’d stopped at the Third Whistle for a drink when we came into town and seen him at the bar, listened in a bit to the back and forth of how many barrels, which mead, why not last time’s, then I just found myself signing off the caravan when it was time to leave the next day. Thinking of gold hair and gray eyes and the lilt of that laugh. Stones, that laugh.”

“I found myself getting the last day’s wages from the caravan, then taking pack and club to one of the half-shacks on the edge of town. And then showed up at the Third Whistle the next day, asked if there was work as a teamster. Unloading barrels. Taking wages home. Started building my shack wall back with pieces of the other ruined shacks. I wouldn’t have been able to say why I stayed if you asked me, but at night I was lying back and thinking of Aeddan’s voice.” We share a couple snorts and dirty laughs of appreciation, then she gets reflective again.

“No, the times I thought about it were the good decisions. Saying yes when he first asked if he could sit here. Offering to come along with the next barrel-run. Deciding to lean in for a kiss that cold night on the road between town and the stills.”

“And the tough ones, as well. When I first really knew I was pregnant, I hadn’t been thinking stay or go, keep it or not, I’d been thinking ‘what do I tell Aeddan.’ Not do I tell him but what do I tell him.” 

I take back the bottle from her and swig it. “Not scared, then?” 

Bellona makes a face and a vague grunt. “That’s…not quite right, nah. You asking me if I’m scared of losing the twins, losing Aeddan? Yah, it’s like ice in my guts. If I think about it everything twists up inside me till I’m about ready to lose it. I can’t look that fear in the eye and face it, it’s too big.”

“But that’s the thing. I could lose any of them to thin ice on the river, too. Or to snakebite. Or to the coughing sickness. Or to a bad stretch on the road. The Hunt’s just one more force of nature that could take what I love away.”

“If the Hunt comes our way, we’ll deal with it then. I don’t ever not think of it - It’s like wearing armor that fits a little wrong. Constantly prodding at me, constant irritation, wearing a blister in my side, but almost ignorable from the way it’s always there. I feel it, sure.” She shrugs, then smiles broadly. “And there’s other things to feel. Stuff I never dreamed of.” 

“What it felt like when the twins brought me their first letter-marks. Aeddan’s face when he’s concentrating hard on the taste of the honey. Old songs softly sung. Annoyance when he’s snoring again. The warmth of the quilts in winter. Butter on fresh bread.”

She turns to me and gives me a gentle side-punch of camaraderie. “I never dreamed of being happy after the end of it all.”

[lucifer-is-a-bag-of-dicks]

Grabbing Smoke

As much time as Sam spent with her best friends, sometimes she enjoyed a little bit of time alone.

Tucker was helping his mother bake cookies for some kind of fundraiser for the hospital, and Danny was busy visiting Pandora for fighting lessons. Apparently they were using swords today.

As fun as it sounded, Sam opted to stay behind, it had been a while since she'd been down to the park to feed the ducks. She didn't get quiet moments like that very often any more.

There was an uncharacteristic skip to her gait as she walked to the park, a canvas tote bag swinging from her arm.

Living in Amity Park, and especially hanging around with Danny, gave her an eerie sense to when something was amiss. Nothing quite like Danny's ghost sense, but she'd learned to detect a particular chill to the air, a prickling at the back of her neck. It could easily be mistaken for a chilly breeze, but Sam knew better. The crunch of gravel under Sam's boots was the only sound permeating the still air, not even the trees were rustling.

She continued her walk through the park, past the wishing fountain and through a trail where the trees grew slightly more dense.

The trail opened up to a large pond, it wasn't anything especially picturesque, the reeds were a little overgrown, the ground was muddy, but there were a few simple weather worn benches by the path that looped around the water.

Sam took a seat, pulling out a bag of frozen peas. She opened it, tipped a few into her hand and tossed them into the water.

The ducks immediately sped across the pond toward her, fighting for the peas that the turtles hadn't already gotten to.

Instead of grabbing another handful, she held the bag out to the empty seat to her left, waiting for a moment before shaking the bag impatiently.

A green hand slipped into the bag, pulling out a handful of peas before tossing them into the water.

"How'd you know I was here?" Kitty asked, now sitting visibly on the other end of the bench as Sam poured out more peas for both of them.

"I have my ways." Sam smirked. "What I want to know is why you've been following me all week."

"You knew for that long and you didn't say nothin'?" Kitty huffed. "Damn, I gotta up my game."

A duck waddled up and nibbled on her boot.

"Alright alright, ya hungry little doofus." Kitty lowered a hand full of peas and cooed as the duck happily ate from her palm. "Aww these guys aren't shy at all, do you come here a lot?"

"When I can." Sam tossed a few more peas into the water for the turtles. "So why are you following me?"

Kitty sat back and pressed her lips together, thinking.

"Look it's just... I don't remember much from when I was livin', you know? It's all sorta grey and fuzzy, I can't remember what anyone looked like, except Johnny." she tossed some peas to a smaller duck at the back of the group. "But as soon as I showed up here in town and I saw your face, I thought I felt... I dunno, somethin'. Like I'd seen you before, or maybe you just reminded me of someone, but I can't remember who, it's like grabbing smoke."

She lobbed a few peas a little harder than was necessary at the water. The turtles sucked them up greedily.

"So you've just been following me hoping you might remember something else?" Sam asked.

"Yeah," Kitty sighed. "But it's not working."

Sam swung her foot idly between a pair of scuffling ducks, splitting them up before tossing out some more peas.

"Maybe I'm related to someone you knew. Where did you grow up?"

Kitty frowned down at the water.

"I... I don't know." she said, deflating somewhat. "I didn't even realise I forgot that."

Sam couldn't help but feel for her, Danny had told her that ghosts would often forget things from their past, especially once they'd been dead for longer than they'd been alive. Somehow she had never really considered how terrifying that must be.

"You know..." Sam started carefully. "I could show you some old family photos. Maybe you'll recognise someone?"

Kitty looked up, eyes shining brightly.

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Why not?" Sam shrugged. "If you were here to cause trouble you would have done it by now."

"Aw, I never thought you'd wanna do something like that for me." said Kitty, smiling brightly. "You always seemed like such a bitch."

Sam laughed.

"If you'd spent a week being someone that wasn't Paulina, I would probably have seemed like less of a bitch."

"So you guys are big rivals or somethin'?" Kitty asked, grabbing some more peas and giggling as three ducks tried to eat from her hand at once.

"It's more that we have... conflicting ideologies. She thinks that appearances and reputation are the most important things in life, just like my parents." Sam lobbed some more peas into the water, they both watched them disappear as the turtles quickly snapped them up. "It's shallow and stupid, and I don't get why they have to push that shit on everyone. I don't care what people think, I just want to be whoever the hell I wanna be without having to fight for it all the time."

Kitty's face turned contemplative as she tapped her nails on the back of the bench.

"I think... I was like that." she said, slowly. "I wanted to feel fun and exciting, but my parents..."

She trailed off, frowning.

"My parents... I didn't like them. They didn't like me bein' the way I was, I can't really remember why."

Sam emptied out the last of the peas and scattered them over the ground, she scrunched up the empty packet and shoved it back into her tote bag.

"You know, if we went to school together we would probably have gotten along." said Sam as she stood up, gesturing toward the path. "Let's go check out those photos."

Instead of floating invisibly behind, Kitty walked by Sam's side as they headed back to her house. She idly waved at people as they drove past, grinning when someone stared a little too long and almost ran a red light.

"You know, it's nice bein' able to walk around in the day." Kitty said, skipping a little. "Wish I could do it more often."

"What's stopping you?"

"What do you think?" Kitty's lip pulled up in disgust. "Any time I show up your dumb friend sucks me up in his stupid thermos. Only reason I can walk around right now is because I got you as my get out of jail free card."

"Danny doesn't care if you just want to walk around." Sam scoffed. "He lets ghosts wander around town all the time, he only gets involved when you start breaking things."

"Uggghhh but just walking around is so boring." Kitty pouted. "I mean yeah it's nice and I like it but it gets old real quick."

"Then you'll have to get used to getting tossed back in the ghost zone. Do not pass go, do not collect $200."

"Don't you ever get sick of his goody goody attitude?" Kitty asked. "I mean you and I aren't so different right? You're all about the rebel gig, don't you ever feel like keyin' some asshole's car, or takin' a baseball bat to some mail boxes?"

"Only if they deserve it." said Sam with a smirk. "But I feel like you aren't especially picky about whose stuff you're breaking."

They approached the door to the Manson mansion, Sam hopped up the steps and stuck the key in the lock. She touched the mezuzah on the doorpost without a second thought before opening the door and standing aside to invite Kitty in.

The ghost stared up at her warily.

"I can't get past it."

"Past what?" Sam asked.

"The mezuzah, it keeps me out."

"What?" Sam frowned. "It hasn't stopped other ghosts from getting in."

"Well it stops me." Kitty insisted. "I think it's got somethin' to do with what we believed in when we were alive. I haven't got a problem with churches but when Johnny tried to ride his bike through one he couldn't get in. His mom raised him Catholic, he says he doesn't believe in any of that stuff, but I think he still does, deep down."

"So does that mean you were Jewish?" Sam asked, smiling curiously.

"I AM Jewish." Kitty crossed her arms. "Bein' a ghost hasn't changed that, it just... means that we got a few things a little wrong."

Sam thought about that for a moment, before stepping aside and gesturing toward the door again.

"Well, if you've been invited and you're not going to cause any trouble, then I don't see why you shouldn't be able to come in."

Kitty climbed the steps slowly, fingers reaching out and cautiously brushing over the mezuzah, she didn't feel anything unusual, no zap or burn or pain. She took a step through the doorway and passed the threshold without issue, no invisible force or barrier like the last time she tried to follow Sam inside.

"Well, what do you know." she said, grinning.

Sam lead her into a large, open planned kitchen and dining area, the tiles were bright white save for the specks of mud Sam's boots tracked through the room. The decor was minimalist, the atmosphere bland and sterile, she could smell some kind of citrus surface cleaner.

The back wall was all windows, leading to a patio surrounded by perfectly trimmed grass. As they approached, Sam turned, heading towards a door to their right.

The next room felt a lot more friendly, it was full of bookshelves and red tones. The lounges looked soft and inviting, a fireplace sat cold and empty against the back wall, but Kitty didn't have to try hard to imagine it roaring to life, filling the room with its warm glow.

"This is basically my Grandma's part of the house." Sam informed her, voice low. "Her bedroom is just through there, she's usually napping around this time of day so try not to make too much noise."

Kitty slipped off her jacket and laid it over the back of the lounge, already feeling at home in the cosy little room. She looked over the books as Sam fussed around some kind of large ornate chest.

"Here it is." She hefted a large photo album from the chest, carefully closing and latching it again. "Let's see if you recognise anyone in here."

Kitty sat down beside Sam as she opened up the pristine book, the outer cover was beige with the name Manson inscribed in golden cursive on the front. The first page was full of old faded photos, in greyscale or sepia tones.

"Ugh, I'm not that old." said Kitty, flicking ahead a few pages.

The pictures were colourful now, but still grainy, there was a young blonde boy in seventies style jeans leaning casually against a Chevrolet.

"Wait hold up," Kitty pointed at the boy. "Him, I feel like I've seen him before."

"That's my dad." said Sam, surprised. "His name is Jeremy, did you know him?"

Kitty hummed a little, gently tracing a finger over the picture.

"Jeremy... Jeremy, I'm not sure," she frowned. "But he definitely looks familiar."

They continued through the book, when suddenly Kitty slapped her hand down roughly on a photo of a pair of young women.

"Her! I know her! She was a mega bitch!"

"Shhh keep it down." Sam hissed.

"Sorry," Kitty pointed to the blonde girl in the photo. "That one! I don't know how I knew her, but I definitely knew her. She was a total brat."

Sam slipped the photo out of its sleeve and read the neat cursive on the back.

"This is... my Aunt Caroline, in 1985. She's my dad's sister." Sam looked up at Kitty, amused. "I can't believe you had beef with my family."

"Your family are snobs." Kitty sniffed. "Carrie was such a ditz, she thought she was sooo bitchin' because her daddy bought her a Mercedes."

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Sam grimaced. "Did you guys go to school together or something?"

"Maybe..." Kitty took the photo from Sam's hand, staring intently. "I'm pretty sure I skipped school a lot, I hated it there. It was a private school, we had to wear uniforms, barf."

"I would never have guessed you were a private school kid." Sam shook her head. "But most people would say that about me so it's not like I can judge."

"You went to private school?" Kitty asked, "How'd you end up in that Casper High dump?"

"Got myself expelled." said Sam, voice thick with pride. "Elementary, middle and high school, got kicked out of all three."

"Damn, you're good."

Sam grinned, slipping the photo back in its sleeve and continuing to the next page.

Kitty pointed to a few other photos, remarking on their familiarity, but not quite able to grasp how she knew them, the memories only flickered in her periphery.

"Wait," Kitty whispered, fingers brushing over a polaroid containing three people. "This is..."

The picture looked as though it were taken at some kind of party, a man and a woman faced the camera, each with a glass of champagne raised in their hands. The woman's other hand rested on the shoulder of a teenage girl with auburn hair, pulled into a tidy braid. She stared glumly at the camera.

"That's Katherine." Sam said, pointing to the girl. "She was my dad's cousin, but she got hit by a car when she was-"

Sam paused, looking over at Kitty's wide eyes and then back to the photo.

"Noooo way." Sam pulled the photo out of the sleeve. "Is this you?"

Kitty took the photo in trembling hands.

"I... I forgot I used to look like that." she fiddled with a lock of her green, teased hair. "I remember this party, I didn't want to go but mom and dad threatened to take away all my records and cassettes if I didn't."

Sam stared at Kitty, mouth agape.

"You're Car Crash Katherine?! My dad talks about you all the time! He always told me about the shit you used to get up to, he'd tell me that any kind of 'rebellious behaviour' was a slippery slope to 'dying on the back of some delinquent's motorcycle'." Sam put a hand on Kitty's shoulder. "You were my bad influence role model."

Kitty's red eyes shone with tears, photo still in hand, she wrapped her arms around Sam.

"This is majorly wicked! My legacy lives on! Corrupting the youth from beyond the grave!" Kitty laughed. "My parents would go totally mental."

She stopped laughing, her face turning forlorn as she drew back from Sam and stared down at the picture.

"Are they still alive?" she asked, a tremble in her voice.

"Yeah..." said Sam. "They live in a retirement home in Florida. They don't come around very often."

Kitty traced a finger over their faces.

"I wonder if they miss me." she said quietly. "Or if they were glad to be rid of the family embarrassment."

Sam didn't answer, she had wondered the same thing herself, if her parents would even care if she died. They hadn't given her a lot of reason to think they would.

She rested a sympathetic hand on Kitty's arm.

"Oh, you have a friend over bubbeleh?" a croaky voice spoke from the bedroom doorway.

Sam and Kitty both turned to see Ida Manson shuffling into the room, cleaning her glasses with her sleeve.

"Sorry Grandma, we didn't mean to be too loud." Sam apologised. "This is my... um, friend, Kitty. Kitty this is my Grandma Ida-"

"Ida?!" Kitty shot to her feet, staring in shock at the old woman. "Aunt Ida?!"

Ida squinted at Kitty, before quickly setting her glasses back on her face.

"Well as I live and breath, is that you Kathy?"

"Oh my god this is getting super weird." Sam whispered.

Kitty leapt over the ottoman to wrap Ida up in a tight hug, the old woman was surprised for a moment, but held her warmly in return.

"It's me Aunt Ida! Not really living or breathing but it's me!" Kitty laughed breathlessly.

"Oh my goodness, when all the ghosts started showing up all over town I wondered if I would ever see someone I knew." She rubbed comforting circles on Kitty's back as the ghost choked on a few sobs. "It's good to see you again Kathy."

Ida pulled away and wiped a tear from Kitty's face.

"And I'm so glad you aren't stuck wearing what your parents buried you in."

Kitty couldn't help but laugh through her tears.

"Let me guess, it was that putrid blue dress, wasn't it?"

"The dress wasn't nearly as bad as what they did to your hair." Ida snickered, patting Kitty's hand. "It had little ribbons in it and everything."

"I almost forgot you." Kitty placed her palm gently against Ida's face. "You were the only one in the family who ever loved me for being me, and I almost forgot you. I'm so sorry, I should have come to find you sooner but I just-"

"Shhhh, it's okay bubbeleh." Ida grasped her hand tight. "I think being dead is a pretty good excuse for forgetting a few things."

Sam stood beside the lounge, watching the two in shock, she wasn't entirely certain whether or not to intrude. Whatever she had been expecting to discover with Kitty today, it certainly hadn't been this.

Though in hindsight, it did explain Kitty's familiarity with Sam, people always said she had taken after her Grandma.

Ida let go of Kitty and hobbled over to the photo album still sitting on the lounge.

"Oh you don't want to look at that album." she said, as she shoved it onto the coffee table. She wandered to the other side of the room and began rummaging around in a small cupboard. "You want this one."

She pulled out a book with well worn, peeling edges. Pieces of the plastic sleeves had cracked off and crumbled away. It was old, and weatherbeaten, it was obvious that Ida had looked through it many many times.

"Here we go." she sat down in the middle of the lounge, gesturing for the two girls to come sit beside her. "These are the forbidden photos."

She opened the pages, the photos inside were entirely different from the 'official' album, there were no perfectly poised, prim and proper photos of people in nice, presentable clothes. They were all candid shots, people in the middle of eating or laughing, some were stumbling around blind drunk, a few were smoking joints. There were pictures from parties and protest rallies, in backyards and drive ins.

There was a picture of Jeremy as a young boy, grinning with one of his front teeth missing and grass in his hair.

"Only in this family would losing your baby teeth make a photo 'unsavoury'." Ida grizzled as she continued through the album. "I saved so many pictures that my husband would have thrown out otherwise."

"Ugh, Uncle Peter was such a prude, he wouldn't even let me in the house if I didn't have my shoulders covered up." Kitty rolled her eyes.

"He used to be so much more relaxed when we were young." Ida sighed. "He changed when he inherited his father's business, he forgot how to have fun."

A few pages later Kitty squealed in excitement.

"Oh my god! That's Frankie! She was my best friend, we used to do everything together!"

The Kitty in the photo looked far more like the Kitty Sam knew. Her hair was teased up, and she was wearing a crop top and a miniskirt. The other girl, Frankie, had short curled hair and a leather jacket. They each had an arm around the others' shoulder and grinned wildly.

"I love this one." Ida smiled as she pulled the picture out of the sleeve. "That was the night I gave you a lift to that concert."

"Oh that show was sooo good! I got my nose pierced there! It got so infected, Mom grounded me for a month." Kitty laughed.

"Man, and I thought I was cool for skipping school to go see Circus Gothica." Sam grinned. "I'm gonna have to come home with a tattoo next time."

"I can't believe I forgot about Frankie, I can't believe I forgot about all of this." Kitty held the photo close to her chest, a few tears running down her face. "I'm so glad it's not gone for good."

She kept the photo in hand as they looked through the rest of the album. There were many pictures of Ida, all of them with other people of all walks of life.

"Oh this was when you took us to that pride parade!" Kitty smiled. "You made Frankie so happy, and you knew a lot of the drag queens there, like a LOT."

"Grandma took me to a drag show when I was 10," said Sam. "Even took me backstage to meet them all, my parents thought we went to the theatre to see Romeo and Juliet."

"Oh I have photos from that." Ida flipped through the pages, getting closer to the end of the album. "Here we are, oh Evelyn just LOVED you."

Sam looked at the picture of Evelyn, frowning slightly.

"Oh weird, she kinda looks like Mr Lancer's sister, he keeps her photo on his desk..." Sam paused as she processed what she just said. "That's not his sister is it?"

"You probably shouldn't bring it up." said Ida gently. "Teachers can get in trouble for associating with this sort of thing."

"That's so bogus!" Kitty cried. "I really thought this kinda stuff would be better in the future!"

"It is," Ida assured her. "But we're a long way from perfect."

Ida flipped back through the album, searching for more pictures of Kitty and Frankie. There were a good few of them, each one Ida pulled out and passed over for Kitty to look at and hold onto.

"Oh woah, is that Johnny?" Sam pointed to a picture of Kitty sitting on the back of a motorcycle with a blonde boy. "He looks exactly the same, just a little less pale."

"Oh, did Johnny come back as a ghost too?" Ida asked.

"Yeah! We've been together all this time, in sickness and in death." Kitty beamed. "Mom and dad blamed him for everything I did, even if he wasn't around when I did it. They said him and Frankie were 'corrupting' me."

She rolled her eyes.

"I bet they blamed him for my death too. They'd be so mad if they knew we were still together."

"Just goes to show they had no chance of keeping you two apart." Ida said. "Not even death could do that."

Kitty held the photo tight in both hands, her shoulders began to shake slightly.

"It was my fault you know." she said with a trembling little giggle. "Funny huh? My parents always blamed him for everything, but in the end it was my fault we got hit. We were havin' a fight over somethin' stupid and I distracted him-"

Ida wrapped an arm around Kitty, patting her head comfortingly as she laid it against the old woman's shoulder.

"I think you're being too hard on yourself bubbeleh." Ida whispered gently into her hair. "It was raining, the truck that hit you was running a red light, the driver was charged for both your deaths. Even if you did distract him, you weren't the only card at play that night."

She gave Kitty a light shake.

"And don't think I didn't see the way Johnny used to drive that thing, he was reckless. I have no doubt that he wasn't paying as much attention as he should have been." She placed a kiss on the girl's forehead and squeezed her tight. "It's not fair to hold all of that responsibility on yourself, even if you both did everything right, that truck still would have run that red light, it still would have been raining. It was just pure rotten luck."

Sam had never heard a ghost talk about their death before, even Danny didn't like talking about his accident, and asking about it was incredibly taboo. Sam had been pushing her luck earlier just by mentioning the car crash.

It said a lot about Kitty's love for Ida that she chose to open up about it. Sam couldn't say she was surprised, her Grandma had always been like that. Never anything but an endless well of love and support, and the occasional kick in the pants if you needed it.

"Johnny's always had rotten luck." Kitty sniffed. "Follows him like a shadow."

"Literally." Sam snorted.

After a few more moments, Ida pulled herself away from Kitty, she got up and began rooting through the cupboards, muttering to herself.

"Aha, here it is."

She brought over an empty photo album, it was roughly the size of a small pocketbook, containing only one photo sleeve per page.

"I meant to fill this with photos for Sam to keep." Ida admitted as she shuffled back over to the girls. "But I don't think she'll mind donating it to a good cause."

She winked at Sam, who nodded back.

"Here," Ida pressed the little album into Kitty's hands. "Memories are a fickle thing, but photos are forever."

"I can't take these!" Kitty insisted, pushing the album back. "They're your memories too!"

"Oh my god you're both so old." Sam laughed, "Dad has a printer/scanner. I can make copies."

As Sam took the polaroids to her dad's office, Ida and Kitty pored over the rest of the album, Kitty picking out more photos to copy. She chose a few of Ida and Sam, and even one of Carrie.

"She was a total loser and I hated her but I don't hate remembering her, you know? I want to remember everything, even the bad stuff."

She took a photo of her parents, just one.

When Sam came back with the last batch of photos, Ida finished slipping them into the little album.

"There's still a few sleeves left." Sam pointed out, holding up her phone with a smile. "We've got room for a couple of family reunion pics."

The two girls squished up against Ida as Sam snapped as many shots as she could. Ones where they smiled, ones where they laughed, ones where they laid haphazardly across the lounge together.

Then Sam took a few candids of just Kitty and Ida, as they looked through the new album they'd just made together. Capturing Kitty laughing at something as Ida looked at her with a soft, loving smile.

Kitty clutched the album to her chest as she gave Ida a long, drawn out hug.

"Thank you so much." she said, her voice thick with gratitude. "It's like I can see my life in colour again."

She left the house with the assurance that she would always be welcome back, at any time, and a promise that she would always be looking out for her 'new favourite cousin'.

Sam flicked through the photos she took on her phone, she would have to make sure to have copies printed by the time Kitty returned to visit.

She knew Kitty coming over regularly was going to make things complicated, her apparent newfound protectiveness over Sam could potentially backfire in many spectacular ways, she was petty and troublesome when in the right mood.

But then again, so was Ida, and so was Sam.

At least she had better things to do now than beat up strangers' mail boxes, Danny was certainly going to be glad to hear that.

[grailfinders]

Fate and Phantasms #268: Space Ishtar

Today on Fate and Phantasms, we've got a complicated build! Specifically, we're building Ashtart, Space Ishtar, and Ashtart Origin... all in a single build. You'd think building a sith lord, a bounty hunter, and a literal universe all in a single build would be hard, but it turns out the answer is Horizon Walker Ranger. Plus a bit of Twilight Cleric for extra space effects. Again, we apologize for any formatting issues, they should be fixed by the Calamity build this Sunday.

Check out their build breakdown below the cut, or their character sheet here!

Next up: Two aces, two eights.

Also it's time to announce the winners of the raffle for this year's viewer choice builds! We'll have the builds for Ophelia Pharmacy and Morgan Le Fay ready for the anniversary next month, so stay tuned!

Race and Background

The Space Ishtars... are not humans! For once! They're the shattered fragments of a dead god. So much less complicated, right? But we need force powers and I doubt we'll ever have an excuse to use them again, so we're making them the Astral Plane-dwelling Githyanki. This gives them +2 Wisdom and +1 Dexterity, as well as proficiency in Survival and a couple weapons (which you'd get anyway). They also get Githyanki Psionics, letting them cast an invisible Mage Hand at will. Plus, you cast Jump at third level and Misty Step at 5th level, both once a day.

We're trying to start with Ashtart here since she's ascension 1, so that means we're making her a Space Shinsengumi Operative, from the Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica. Don't ask what the Space Shinsengumi were doing there, it's just going to cause a bigger headache. Anyway, this gives her proficiency in Deception and Stealth, as well as an expanded spell list we'll barely make use of.

Ability Scores

Dexterity is number 1. One of you uses short swords, the other a gun, and none of you have medium armor on. After that is Wisdom- #3 tends to favor magical bullshit, and that's what we're casting with. Plus, if you're going to hunt bounties, you gotta find 'em first. Charisma is also pretty high, you've got the devil's sugar after all. Honestly that just sounds like a suburban way to say cocaine. Either way it makes your charisma good. Your Constitution is honestly a little lower than I'd want it. If only universe-sized attacks can affect you, that's... a lot of HP. Your Strength is pretty low though, we're just not using it. By process of elimination, we're dumping Intelligence. You might be from the future, but you're just as bad with technology as any other rinface.

Class Levels

Ranger 1: Starting off as a ranger has its perks. You get proficiency in Strength and Dexterity saves, plus three skills. Athletics will make up for the low strength, Investigation to use futuristic gadgets to scan a crime scene, and Perception to shoot good. When you're the size of a universe, you have to be good at picking out details. You also gain a Favored Enemy, and since Ashtart Origin's all about destroying the servantverse, we'll be picking up 2 humanoids for every option here. I'd love to dig through my entire library just to see what the most common servant races are, but really you should just pick the best options for your campaign anyway. This feature gives you advantage on survival and intelligence checks involving your favored enemy, as well as an additional language. Since space isn't a Natural Explorer option, we're doing with Deft Explorer instead for doubled proficiency in Survival. Tracking people down on a single planet is hard enough, let alone when you get space involved.

Ranger 2: Second level fighters get a fighting style, and since Ashtart's up first we're getting Two-Weapon Fighting so you can dual-wield. We also learn some Spells for the first time that you cast with Wisdom. Pick up Detect Magic for another futuristic scanner and Jump for more force leaps. I know you get one for free next level, but now you can use it more often. Preparedness is key in space, at least according to Pryce and Carter's Deep Space Survival Procedure and Protocol Manual.

Ranger 3: At third level you can finally turn your sabers into lightsabers thanks to the Horizon Walker's Planar Warrior feature, spending your bonus action to activate your sword against a specific creature. The next time you hit them this turn you deal extra damage and it all turns into force damage too. You can also Detect Portals within a mile of you once a short rest so you'll know when humanity's last master enters the servantverse. Or when your Amazones package arrives, either-or. you also get a whole lotta spells thanks to your horizon walking and primal awareness. PA spells can also be cast once day for free, so you won't have to use a spell slot for speak with animals when you crash land on that junk planet with all the kitties on it. you also get protection from evil and good so your goddess core protects you from possession and all that, and you can light up your lightsabers even more for a searing smite, which'll keep burning your enemy if they fail a constitution save!

ranger 4: use your first ability score improvement to bump up your dexterity so your sabers find their mark more often!

Ranger 5: Fifth level rangers get an Extra Attack each action (not your bonus action), as well as second level spells. Your Primal Awareness spell is Beast Sense, letting you see and hear through a willing beast for up to an hour. I don't remember anything like this in Saber Wars II, but you could probably flavor it as a surveillance drone. You also get Misty Step which you'd get anyway and Locate Object. We're arguably still working on the first ascension right now, but we might as well get a present for the second ascension as we go. Stick a tracking device on your foes and you'll know their location if they're within 1000 feet of you!

Ranger 6: Sixth level rangers get another round of Favored Enemies as well as Deft Explorer, giving you Roving speed. A roving ranger has 5' of extra movement, and you gain a climbing and swimming speed. Your experience in zero gravity helps you walk on walls and swim through the air.

Ranger 7: Seventh level horizon walkers have an Ethereal Step, letting you incorporeate for a turn as a bonus action once per short rest. This lets you move in any direction and pass through most objects, though you can't interact with the material plane again until the spell ends. You can also Enhance Ability, giving yourself advantage on one kind of skill check. Choose Charisma to lay on the devil's sugar, Dexterity for extra flips in your swordfighting, or Wisdom to track your mark even easier. It's quite versatile.

ranger 8: ok, enought of the first ascension, let's get that second ascension! use this asi to get the fighting initiate feat for some archery skills- that's a +2 on all your ranged weapon attack rolls! you also get the land's stride, so you can move through difficult terrain super easy.

cleric 1: wow, we're speedin right along to third ascension already! bumpin over to twilight cleric gives you a whole new list of spells (check the phb to see how multiclassing works), plus you have supercharged darkvision with Eyes of the Night for 300' of darkvision and the ability to share it with other creatures once a day, or with a spell slot. you'll also always shoot first thanks to your vigilant blessing, giving one creature advantage on their next initiative. good bounty hunters always shoot first, at least until the remakes! pick up guidance to be good at everything with a +1d4 on your next skill check, light for a proper light saber, and thaumaturgy to act like the god you are. you also get first level spells like faerie fire and sleep, but what we really want is command to lead the shinsengumi, detect evil and good to find your other fragments, and spiritual weapon for ashtart origin's weird ball thing that you can attack with as a bonus action.

ranger 9: ninth level rangers get third level spells, and you get a lot of them. your universal translator now lets you speak to plants. you also get more speed with the haste spell, doubling your speed, giving you an extra action (with caveats), and a +2 bonus to your ac! plus, you can turn your sword into an elemental weapon for an even hotter lightsaber.

ranger 10: tenth level rangers are tireless, giving you a bonus action that'll cover you in star stuff for some temporary hp, and you lose exhaustion on short rests! You can also go ghost with nature's veil to turn invisible for a round as a bonus action proficiency times a day. the universe is mostly nothing anyway, so just spread out a bit.

Cleric 2: Speaking of spreading out, second level twilight clerics can use their Channel Divinity option Twilight Sanctuary to cover yourself in twilight for a minute. Whenever a creature ends its turn in your universe, you can give it temporary HP or end an effect charming or frightening it. Your goddess core will protect you from the more common status effects. You can also use it to Turn Undead, and you get one channel divinity use a short rest.

Cleric 3: Third level clerics get second level spells like the freebies Moonbeam and See Invisibility. Also, pick up Hold Person for a force choke, and Lesser Restoration to cover up any status effects your Twilight Sanctuary won't take care of.

Ranger 11: Eleventh level horizon walkers can make Distant Strikes, letting you teleport up to 10 feet each attack. In addition, if you attack two different creatures you can attack a third as well! You can also protect yourself from anything less than a universe-ending threat with Gaseous Form. It prevents you from attacking or casting spells, but you can fly and move through small gaps, plus you have resistance to all nonmagical damage.

Ranger 12: to help with that literally universal protection, use this ASI to pick up the Tough feat for 30 extra HP now, and an extra 2 every time you level up.

Ranger 13: Thirteenth level rangers get fourth level spells like your Primal Awareness spell Locate Creature. It also has a limit of 1,000 feet, but you don't have to know what they've got on them to do it. Plus, this one lasts an hour, not ten minutes. you also pick up Guardian of Nature. pick the primal beast option for Ashtart, increasing your walking speed, giving you advantage on strength-based attacks (don't use this part), and making your melee weapons deal force damage. for Spishtar and Ashtart Origin, check out the great tree. you get temporary HP, make constitution saves with advantage as well as dex and wisdom based attacks, and the area around you is difficult terrain for enemies. also you can use Banishment to yeet people back to their home plane if they're not already there. the astral plane is only for you. and the other yous, I guess.

Ranger 14: a fourteenth level ranger can Vanish as a bonus action. it's literally just letting you hide easier. you also can't be found nonmagically, but this is the point where most spellcasters have ninth level spells, people are probably finding you magically. on the plus side, you get another favored enemy! so... yeah, that's this level.

Ranger 15: okay, back on the "I will never die" train. your last goody from your subclass is Spectral Defense, letting you give yourself resistance to an attack's damage as a reaction. no limit on this one either. You can also use Freedom of Movement, if you want to spend a fourth level spell slot on something you can already do as a bonus action. I guess use this if you get arrested in the astral plane? ah well, doubling down usually isn't a terrible idea.

Ranger 16: use your last ASI to finally give Spishtar a break with the Crossbow Expert feat. Now you can attack with a crossbow multiple times an action, you can use ranged attacks in melee, and you can get a shot in with a hand crossbow even while dual-wielding.

Ranger 17: our final level is actually a pretty spicy one this time, since seventeenth level rangers get fifth level spells. you can Commune with Nature to learn the general layout of the planet you're on, and you also get the closest thing D&D has to a spaceship, the Teleportation Circle. It takes a minute to set up, but it creates a portal to any other teleportation circle on this plane of existence for a round, and you can create a permanent one wherever you like by casting it once a day for a year. we end this build with one last spell, but we're letting you make a choice. pick up Conjure Volley for extra firepower for Spishtar, or Steel Wind Strike for some impressive lightsaber action on Ashtart's end. either way, it'll be a bloodbath.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

with almost 200 hp, options for healing, and a ton of ways to cut down incoming damage, this build can be incredibly tanky when it wants to be. and if you're ever in a sticky situation, you have plenty of options to get out of there and escape to fight another day, prolonging the season finale yet again.

being three people also gives you quite a bit of variety in a fight, with options for melee, ranged, and magical combat!

outside of combat you are fantastic at tracking down enemies, especially if they happen to be humanoid.

Cons:

having so much variety makes it hard to focus on just one kind of combat, so you're not as powerful as someone who just does melee, or ranged, or magic.

your concentration saves are also pretty bad, so expect Ashtart's hastes and elemental weapons to end earlier than you'd like.

having so many redundancies packed in means you probably won't run out of an important part of your kit, but it also makes a couple of level-ups less impactful. like how level 17 gives you practically nothing to work with.

[gliphyartfan]

@yandere-linked-universe @stars-for-thought @linked-heroes @ice-cream-writes-stuff

@imprisioned-in-the-hole I loved your prompt and couldn't resist! Hope I did it justice!

Wind has a strong presence in this one, that wasn't planned by the way.

Enjoy!

'I'll be fiine guys.'

She totally should have saw this coming.

'This is Wars' era, wandering the market won't that bad.'

Yep— these past few days had been too damn calm for the all of them,

'I'll be gone for an hour! Two hours tops! Promise!'

Of course something like this was going to go and happen.

'This. fucking. sucks!' She grunted, slowly slide down the rope she made out of the sheets in the room she was trapped in.

This is what happens when you jinx yourself.

'Everything will be fine!' Oh suuure, the first hour was delightful.

Saw some items,

Chatted with some folks,

Even got to pet a few dogs!

But the second hour-

'His Grace wishes to discuss some things with you.'

'Sorry, you got the wrong person. Plus I don't feel comfortable with-'

'That wasn't a request.'

'...-!!'

She should have know there would have been someone behind her.

It's always when it's out of your mind that it happens.

And now she was trying to escape her own wedding. And the crazy Duke that wanted to marry her.

She wasn't a hero damnit!

'I'm gonna get lectured so badly after this!' She grunted as she reached the end of the rope, her feet dangling in the air for a moment as she tried to figure out what to do next.

'Damn you laws of physics and gravity!' She whispered to herself.

Physics and gravity decided to take her insult personally as the rope loosened its hold on the railing, causing her to fall into the bushes two feet below her.

'Urk-branch! Branch!' She hissed in pain, reaching underneath and removing the branch poking at her back.

As she rubbed the area, brushing the crumpled sheet from her head, she checked her hand to make sure she wasn't bleeding.

Before she could plan her next move, she stilled as she heard the heavy thuds and clanks of armour approach nearby.

The movement came closer, she used her place in the bushes to keep hidden. Slowly parting the leaves next to her with one hand, she used what visibility she had to discover that yes, it was a pair of guards and the conversation that flowed through the air confirmed they weren't Hyrule guards.

Drat.

'Is the Duke really gonna marry that girl?'

'Seems to be the case. He's been very pleased with himself too. Looks like he's trying to get the wedding done by tonight.'

Double drat.

'I don't blame him, you've seen that girl? Bet he's eager for the wedding night.'

Okay. NO.

'Haha! A beauty like that for a wife would be quite the status boost.'

The guards walked past the bush and it's hidden occupant.

Had they looked back, they would have seen a displeased glare directed their way.

(y/n) huffed and looked around, trying to remember where the exit was.

With another glance around, she picked up her dress and slowly made her way out of the bushes, pausing momentarily before taking off the heels she was forced to wear

'I can't run and climb in this dress.' Trying to think about what to do next, she looked down at her clothes.

'Hmm...'

--

'WHERE IS SHE.'

'Link please-'

'Don't tell me to calm down Zelda!'

Wind bit his lip as Warriors marched up to the princess' face and growled.

'Impa is having her men search the castle and surrounding areas, we will find her.' Zelda tried to reassure him, taking a step back when he glared.

'It's been a WEEK and you have nothing to show for it!' He ran a head through his hair, taking a deep breath to calm down.

'You know I've been busy with-'

'With the Grand Duke of the farther kingdom who is here as a token of peace and unity between kingdoms.' Warriors recited irritably. 'Yes, very understandably important when someone went missing under the watch of YOUR men.'

'She was last seen in the market, we have blocked the gates and are inspecting every individual leaving the city.' Zelda gave Warriors a look.

'And might I remind you that they are also your men?'

'Apparently not anymore with how you let them slacked off!'

'Excuse me-'

Wind sighed as they started arguing again.

They were getting nowhere.

'This is going nowhere.' Wind turned and saw Hyrule coming up next to him, watching the arguing duo.

'Any luck with the others?' He asked quietly, not surprised when Hyrule shook his head.

'Twilight is using Wolfie to catch any scents but the storm has made that difficult. Time is with Legend and Wild speaking to the merchants and Four is with Sky speaking with the guards.' Hyrule replied, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Wind felt the same way.

None of them were able to sleep well since she went missing. The only reason they slept at all was because they needed to be rested enough in the event a fight comes their way.

But the lack of her presence was deeply felt.

'Any luck here?' Hyrule asked hollowly, already knowing the answer but still asking.

Wind simply gestured to the still arguing duo.

'Is she even still in town?' He couldn't help but ask, not wanting to think of the possibility that she was far away, but it was necessary.

'She has to be,' Hyrule reassured,smiling weakly. 'The town went on lockdown almost immediately.'

Wind returned Hyrule's smile with a weak one of his own.

They turned back to the duo, feeling more tired as they listened to the princess justify her duties.

'I am already dealing with the Grand Duke and I can't give anymore of my attention to this than I already have.' Warriors just gave her a look.

'I wouldn't be bothering so much if you allowed me access to his guest quarters.' It was Zelda's turn to glare at him.

'You know I cannot do that, he is a guest and has nothing to do with her disappearance.' Only Wind and Hyrule noticed the way Warriors hand twitched, as if desiring to reach for his sword.

Not that they could blame him.

'I am not accusing him Princess,' he said through gritted teeth. 'I am merely requesting-'

'That I allow you access to his quarters.' The displeased expression on the princess' face only matched the captain's.

'Annnd they're arguing again.' Wind muttered, watching them fall back into another verbal brawl.

'The only place we haven't looked is the guest wing.' Hyrule whispered, wringing his hands.

'You think we should sneak in?' Hyrule looked at the arguing pair and nodded.

'Yeah...it's better than assuming nothing is there.'

'Alright...Wars!' The angered captain looked at them, a scowl on his face.

'Rulie thinks he has a lead at the market so I'm heading out with him.' Wind kept a casual look on his face, staring Warriors in the eyes.

Warriors was quiet for a brief moment before he grunted and turned back to arguing his case with the princess.

But he was less tense than he was a moment before.

He understood what they were going to do.

'He'll keep her distracted.' Wind murmured, tugging Hyrule out of the room.

'And Impa?' Wind sighed and rubbed his shoulder.

'Still searching the market place I bet, we gotta be quick.'

And with that, they both headed to the guest wing of the castle.

---

The guest wing wasn't too far away, probably for the convenience of whatever foreign guests came to visit.

But it was walled off and the Grand Duke's personal guard was patrolling the area, forcing the duo to sneak their way in.

'I really hope we find something.' Hyrule whispers, the two stilling as a guard passed by their hiding place.

'Best place to look is the most obvious place.' Wind reassured. 'And the most obvious place is a area that's being guarded by enemy guards.'

Hyrule didn't correct him about the guards.

If she was here, they were enemies.

'Let's look through the rooms! Top or bottom floor?' Hyrule hummed.

'We're good at escaping from higher levels, and there's only two floors, let's start low and move up.'

They worked together, both alerting the other when a guard was close.

Soon they snuck passed the majority and reached the first set of rooms.

Then the second set.

Then the third.

They moved up to the second floor and quietly searched through each room.

It was in the Grand Duke's room that they found incriminating evidence on his desk.

'I can't read this language,' Wind whispered harshly as he glared at the papers in front of him. ' but I know (y/n)'s name anywhere!'

'Take it, we can sure it to the princess.' Hyrule whispered back, keeping watch at the door. He tensed when he saw a couple of guards round the corner. 'We need to go!'

'This is the last room and we haven't found her!'

'We found evidence and that's a better than what we had before, now move!'

It took some time to shuffle out the window and climb down, but they were successfully able to make their escape from the guest wing without notice.

'A lead, that's good.' Wind gasped, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

'But still no (y/n)' Hyrule bite his thumb nervously. 'I hope she's okay...'

'We can't lose hope!' Wind grunted, stretching his back and sighing.

'Let's go, we need to show these papers to the others before we give it to the princess-'

The sailor went rigid, eyes snapping forward, widening.

'What's wrong Wind?' Hyrule asked worriedly, hand on the younger teen's shoulder.

The teen bit his lip to keep his expression from crumbling and his breath was shaky,

'(y/n)...?' Hyrule's own eyes widened and his head snapped to look when Wind was staring.

There, in a torn dirty white dress, no shoes, and messy hair, was their beloved goddess looking around, visibly distressed.

'(y/n)..?' Wind raised his voice, hope as visible in his tone as it was in his eyes.

Hyrule's heart felt such relief as their beautiful goddess' head snapped in their direction.

The smile she gave them was simply magnificent as she immediately ran toward them.

The moment she was close, she wrapped her arms around the both of them and began to cry, relief filling her.

'You have no idea how happy I am to see you two!' She hugged them closer.

'WE'RE happy to see you!' Wind sighed happily, resting his head in her shoulder, both him and Hyrule hugging her as tightly as she was hugging them.

Just having her in their arms was a blessing they treasured so much.

'Where have you been? How did you escape?' She sighed and shook her head.

'I'd rather tell it one time.' She looked around.

'Please tell me the others are near by?' She whispered, absolutely exhausted and didn't want to deal with any more drama.

'Well...no. They are looking for you in town. We snuck into the guest wing to look for you.' Hyrule answered apologetically, heart clenching when she sniffled.

Wind frowned for a moment before he gasped in excitement.

'I'll rally them up!' Hyrule and (y/n) looked at him in confusion as he reached into his pouch.

'Wild has the slate! And if he has the slate-' he pulls out what he was searching for.

'Then we can reach him with this!' (y/n) tilted her head.

'A...stone?' Wind grinned at them, the pirate's charm dangling from his fingers.

'A COMMUNICATION stone!' (y/n) gasped in delight and gave Wind another hug.

'Call him! Call him!' Wind laughed and activated the stone.

'Um, I've been meaning to ask...' Hyrule quietly said to (y/n) who looked at him innocently. '...About your..outfit...'

Wind ignored them for a brief moment as Wild's tired voice came from the pirate's charm.

'What is it sailor?'

'Guess who me and Hyrule found!' Wind grinned as he heard gasps.

'You found her?! Is she safe?!'

'They found her?!'

'She's okay! We're by the-'

'HE WANTS TO MARRY YOU?!'

Wind turned his head so fast, he winced at the pop he felt, the loud yells coming from his charm filling the air.

'WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS?!!' (y/n) winced as she realized the panic she just caused

'Uh-'

He couldn't help it, Wind laughed, soft and just a little hysterical.

Of course an insect had to pop up when they let their guard down.

---

'Where is she.'

'Sir, we have our men searching for her this very moment.'

'I want her found by TONIGHT, the wedding will go as planned.'

'Of course sir!' The Grand Duke scowled as his guard walked off.

He is so close to raising his status.just another day and he would have been on top of the social world. He sneered, like a child, storming down the halls of the guest wing.

'Should have simply left with her when I had the chance.' He ran a gloved hand down his face.

To think he had one of the heroes of legend in his grasp only for her to have slipped through his fingers.

He'll have to make sure to teach her a lesson.

'Sir!' He sighed irritably, turning to see another one of his guard approaching him.

'What is it? Did you find her?' The guard looked nervous.

'Sir, Princess Zelda is requesting your presence in the throne room at once.' The Grand Duke tensed and stared at the guard.

'Are you sure?' The guardsman nodded, stepping back when the Duke growled.

'Of all the times...' He looked back at the guardsman. 'Continue looking for the girl.'

After the guardsman nodded, he decided to get it over with and headed to the throne rooms.

--

--

'Grand Duke, thank you for coming at such a short notice.'

'Your Highness.' The Grand Duke bowed to her, as he rose he noticed the nine gentlemen standing to either side of her.

The heroes of legend.

The Grand Dukes greed brought to mind the rise in his status at what might be a possible meeting with the legendary nine.

He was to arrogant to realize the cold looks he was receiving from them.

She smiled, nodding in greeting. 'I apologize for disturbing your day Grand Duke, I understand how frustrating it can be, but I heard of a strange rumor recently and I had hoped you would clarify it for me?'

'Please rest assured Princess, I will do all that I can to assist you.' He said, smiling openly, the perfect gentleman.

'Splendid. Now,' She dropped the smile. 'Did you conspire to abduct the heroes' companion and force her to wed you?'

The Grand Duke froze, paling as the question registered in his head.

'Wha-'

'Ah. Before I continue, allow me to properly introduce the gentleman before me-'

'There is no need your Highness,' calmly interrupted Time, coldly gazing down at the nervous Nobleman. 'He is as aware of our identities as we are aware of his.'

'I-'

'And you seem to be very aware of the identity of our most dearest companion.' Legend hissed from his place next to Time, glaring daggers at the unsettled man.

The Grand Duke's expression twisted into fear, anger, and panic.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he cleared his throat. 'I'm sure I don't know what you're speaking of.' He calmly answered.

'Perhaps a misunde-'

' A misunderstanding? I'm sure.' Warriors scoffed, looking at Zelda with a raised eyebrow.

She sighed "Lets not fool ourselves here, we all know what this is about.' She stared sternly at him. 'You abducted the young woman known as (y/n) and were conspiring to wed her for...status?'

'She isn't very happy about being kidnapped.' Wild said casually, as if he was not wishing he could jam a bomb down the Grand Duke's throat and detonate it.

It seemed the arrogant man could barely handle being talked down in such a way. His clenched fists trembled in anger.

'I will not allow such accusations to be made against my person!' He looked at Zelda, face flushed in anger.

'If you believe that our kingdoms will be allied after this, I assure you that-'

'If your kingdom is full of noblemen like you, than Hyrule would benefit by NOT allying with you.' Warriors interjected, ignoring Zelda's stern look towards him, looking down his nose at him.

'You have no proof!' Warriors sighed and nodded.

'I suppose I don't.' He was silent until the Duke looked smug before he matched his expression with one of his own, pointing behind the Duke.

'But she's proof enough.'

'Oh, so I'm demoted to proof now, am I?'

The Duke went rigid, his mouth snapping shut on the words just spoken as he slowly turned his head-.

An dispassionate look directed right at him.

'Apologies my Angel.' Warriors smiled softly at her. 'No insult meant.'

'Hmm.' She raised an eyebrow, a brief glance at Warriors before looking at the Grand Duke.

'(y/n) I ask for complete honesty.' Zelda commands. 'Was the Grand Duke the man behind your abduction with intention to force you to wed him?' (y/n) nodded.

'Yes your Highness.' Zelda closed her eyes and sighed.

'Very well, I will arrange for his departure tonight.' The Grand Duke's face a unique combination of red and enraged yet also paling.

'T-This will not stand! When my king hears of this-.'

'We have already sent your king the information of your crimes.' The princess proclaimed to the unsteady nobleman.

'Y-you-'

'You are no longer welcomed within the borders of Hyrule Kingdom and are henceforth outlawed from ever returning. Impa shall escort you to the guest wing to retrieve your belongings.'

Zelda then turned and strode away, but not before sending an apologetic glance at Warriors.

He simply returned her look with a blank one.

(y/n) walked passed the royal knights that now surrounded Grand Duke and made her way to the group.

'I'm so glad you guys found me.' She said with relief in her voice.

'You ended up saving yourself dear.' Time chuckled, reaching up and cupping her cheek. 'And we were panicking like we lost our minds.'

'I was panicking when Wind and Hyrule popped up.' She admitted. 'Trust me, I was so happy and relieved to be found by you guys.'

'We'll always find you (y/n)!' Wind chirped, wrapping his arms around her waist, causing her to giggle.

'Well I guess it has it's uses.' She clapped her hands.

'I'm hungry and demand all the cuddles! I hated this week!' Wild was already pulling out his slate and looking through his inventory.

'I'll make a meal that'll taste so good, you'll forget this week ever happened!' (y/n) grinned in delight.

'That's what I want to hear!'

The Chain surround her as they guided her out of the throne room, the angry cries of the Grand Duke not worth notice.

Yet two members of the group lingered behind.

And they were eyeing the fuming nobleman with calculating eyes.

'We could have been a bit more...hands on with his punishment... ya know that don't you old man...?' Wind commented, his treasured wind waker in one hand.

'As enjoyable as it would be, I don't want to spend a moment longer away from Her.' Wind sighed but nodded in agreement , crossing his arms, tapping his wind waker against his chin.

'So the storm will kill him?' Time nodded, inspecting his Ocarina casually.

'I have more than enough magic to conjure one strong enough.'

'You've already had Wild damage parts of the ship correct?' Wind nodded. 'Than once I summon the storm, make sure the winds finish the job.'

Wind hummed. 'Kay.'

They both looked at the shrinking form of the dead man walking.

'Ugh, I hate bugs.' Wind huffed, a disgusted look on his face.

Time stared at the Duke until he could not see him no more.

'Hm..So do I...'

That night, the group of nine celebrated the return of their most beloved member, lavishing her with their affection and as she requested, all the cuddles she asked for.

(That night, reports were received by two kingdoms that notes a vicious storm appeared as the Grand Duke's ship sailed beyond the Hyrulian sea borders. Destroying the ship beyond recognition. There were no survivors.)

[dreamerstreamer]

Sleepy Streams

Pairing: Sapnap x gn!reader

Summary: Sapnap isn’t the only one getting sleepy watching Dream speedrun for hours at a time.

Word Count: 1.2k

A/N: requested by a very, very kind anon! thanks for all the creative liberty you let me take with this one. i hope you like it! (i wrote this while making pasta lol) this story was inspired by this video and this video.

“Oh, what? No way!” Sapnap gasped, his eyes widening at the sight on his screen. “You spawned in the middle of the fortress? That’s wild!”

Dream’s giddy voice echoed through his headphones. “I know, I know!!”

He leaned back in his chair, his lips curling upward eagerly. “First a Looting III sword, and now this? All in less than eight minutes? Dude, you’re so lucky today.”

Another voice came softly from his left. “Maybe this run will set a record.”

Sapnap turned, his gaze flickering to the chair beside him. His chest grew warm at the sight of you sitting with your legs crossed, your knee poking into his thigh as you scrolled through your phone absentmindedly. Your hair was a mess atop your head and you were wearing one of his shirts—the white one with the flame. He remembered how wide you had smiled when he gave it to you.

“It’s your shirt and it’s also your merch,” you had said. “It’s like... Sapnap squared!”

He chuckled at the memory of your shining eyes as you held the shirt close to your chest. Cute. You were so, so cute, even without trying, and you didn’t even know it.

He turned again, looking back at his screen just in time for Dream to locate the blaze spawner. “I’m telling you,” Dream said, the clicking of his keyboard accompanying his voice, “this seed actually just might be it.”

“I—“ Sapnap cut himself when he out an abrupt yawn, quickly regaining his composure just a second later. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it is, honestly.” He pressed a hand to his eye, gently rubbing the sleepiness from his eyes.

“Tired?” Dream prompted, blocking yet another fireball from a blaze.

Sapnap laughed. “Yeah, it’s like—“ His eyes darted to the corner of his screen. “—it’s like four in the morning. You’ve been speedrunning for nearly four hours, now.”

There came a laugh. “Well, you know. You gotta do what you gotta do.”

A comfortable silence fell between them as Dream continued to fight blaze. A muffled yawn came from beside him. Sapnap twisted his chair slightly, glancing over at you once again. You were still scrolling mindlessly through your phone, your lips twitching every once in a while. You were probably looking at some memes, or maybe just browsing through Twitter. He had tried to convince you go to sleep a few hours prior, but you had just shook your head at him.

“I like spending time with you.” He remembered you leaning up to press a kiss to his check. “Being quiet together in the same room makes me happy.”

A fond smile crossed his face. You always managed to make him smile. Just then, you felt his eyes on you and looked up, your eyes meeting his. You smiled at him, sending him a sleepy thumbs up. He smiled back, butterflies filling his stomach. The two of you had been dating for months now, and you still have him butterflies. It was crazy how much of an effect you had on him. Just how lucky was he to have you in his life?

“Alright, I have seven rods. Out of the Nether we go.” Dream’s voice pulled Sapnap out of his thoughts, and he turned to stare at his monitor screen once more.

“Let’s gooo!” he hooted, instinctively throwing a hand in the air in excitement. “You’re killing it, Dream.”

“I mean, I still have to kill a bunch of Endermen before we can say that for sure. Plus, I still have to find the stronghold, which is going to take forever, and—“ He sighed, uncertainty lacing his voice. “Maybe I’ll just quit.”

Sapnap frowned. “Dude, don’t say that. You’ve still got plenty of time. You just need to kill some Enderman on the way over to the stronghold, okay? Don’t sweat it. You’ve got this in the bag.”

Dream let out a soft chuckle. “Fingers crossed that’s how it goes.”

The next few minutes passed in silence, with Dream chasing after some Endermen and Sapnap letting out the occasional words of encouragement here and there. As much attention as he was paying to Dream’s current speedrun, his mind couldn’t help but drift back to the thought of you—you, who were so kind and warm. You, who made him laugh with hardly any effort on your behalf. You, who made loving and being loved feel so easy.

You, who had fallen asleep.

Slumped against his side, your head rolled onto his shoulder, your phone lying abandoned on your lap. Sapnap froze, inhaling sharply but immediately melting at the sight of your sleeping face. Your rosy lips were parted and your chest rose and fell with each breath you took. Your eyelashes cast a spiderweb of shadows across your cheek from the glow of his screen, and your cheek was smushed cutely where it met his shoulder.

He took back what he thought earlier. You weren’t just cute—you were adorable. 

“Hey, uh, Dream,” he said, careful to be quiet so as not to wake you up, “I think I’m gonna go to sleep. It’s getting really late.”

Dream made a frustrated noise. “Still no pearls—oh, heading to bed?” He could hear the smile in his voice. “Let me guess, you have school tomorrow.”

Sapnap’s gaze darted to your sleeping figure. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Well,” Dream laughed, “you have fun in class tomorrow, then. This run is probably my last one for the night. It’s probably scuffed or whatever, but I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Sapnap smiled. “Alright, thanks.” He moved his cursor to hover over the ‘end call’ button. “Goodnight, Dream.”

“Night, Sapnap. Sleep well.”

He clicked his mouse, finally exiting the call after a good three hours and fifty-two minutes. He then shifted his attention to you, your hair tickling his cheek. Oh so carefully, he wrapped one arm around your back and slid the other under your legs, hoisting you into his arms so that your head laid on his chest. Nudging his chair back, he made his way to the other side of his room. For once, Sapnap was grateful that he didn’t make his bed, if only so he could gently lay you under the covers without having to fumble for the sheets.

He was slow to slide himself into the space next to you, his eyes tracing ever edge of your delicate face as he tucked the both of you in. Raising a hand, he brushed back a stray piece of hair from your fluttering eyelids using the back of his finger, smiling when you unconsciously leaned into his touch. Suddenly, your lips moved.

“...Sapnap,” you mumbled, so quietly he almost didn’t hear it. “...love you.”

His heart leapt into his throat. Goddamnit. He swore it must be illegal to be this cute. It just had to be.

“I love you too, angel,” he murmured in your ear. He slipped his arm around you, holding you close to his chest and pressing a soft kiss to your forehead as he dozed off into a warm, hazy dream.

He wouldn’t mind spending every night like this with you—maybe for the rest of his life.

(A few minutes later, Sapnap’s phone lit up from a very, very excited notification from Dream.)

[redorich]

Eventually the Hermits get their hands on the one shulker box. They give it back a day later, filled with goodies as an apology for stealing, because they just needed it briefly so Doc could set up a shulker box duplicator.

(2/2) To expand on the shulker box ask I sent: It's cheating. They know it's cheating. They debate for a while over wether or not they should build it. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and dammit they need shulkers. Mules and Llamas can only get them so far.

---

(this takes place before the fic where puffy finds zedaph.)

---

The Hermits put up with mule highways and caravans of spitting llamas because they think they have no choice. At least one person complains about the lack of sophisticated storage transportation daily. Mumbo tries to create a system which will ferry items between bases, but it turns out to be more of a Rube Goldberg machine than anything, considering the items only travel at the speed of the water which carries them. Zedaph creates an actual Rube Goldberg machine for item transportation, but the only people who use it are himself and his neighbors, Impulse, False, and Tango. It’s more for prank transportation and snail mail anyway.

Things change when Stress, on a covert surface run, comes a bit too close to other humans on accident and catches sight of a blond man in a hoodie furtively checking his surroundings. Stress immediately does as she’s been trained, hiding herself behind tree cover and checking how long her invisibility potion will be in effect for. It says four minutes. As long as he leaves soon, she won’t have an issue.

The man surveys the muddy clearing with a keen eye, keeping watch for any evildoing interlopers. He places down an Ender chest, reaches his hands into it, then looks around once again to make sure no one’s there. Stress’s heart beats like a drum-- not the style of drums she usually plays, but rather the percussion of one of Xisuma’s favorite black metal bands. As the man’s gaze passes right over her, she feels the machine gun fire of her heart against her chest peak, breath catching in her throat.

He doesn’t see her. Quickly, he pulls something out of the Ender chest. A shulker box!

Stress’s breath stops for an entirely different reason. The things the Hermits could do with even one shulker box..! Item dupers are a thing, right? If anyone knows how to make an item duplication machine, it would be Doc. And a shulker box might be useful for an item duping machine! 

She’s getting ahead of herself. Should she steal from this person? Can she steal from this person? Even disregarding the moral dilemma, the members of the Dream SMP are fighters through and through. She’s got the advantage of surprise because she’s invisible and this man doesn’t know she’s here, but how long will that last? Even if she manages to take it, what if the blond man (Punz, she thinks is his name) kills her and takes the shulker box back from her?

As Stress weighs the risks and the rewards, she knows she’s running out of time. Punz breaks the shulker box. Right as he’s about to put it back in his Ender chest, Stress, who can see the window of opportunity closing, springs into panicked action.

She sprints right past Punz, hoping with every fiber of her being that her invisibility potion will be enough to save her. Snatching the box right out of Punz’s hands, Stress takes off running. Punz shouts, swinging his sword wildly at the air. He’s so close that a few strands of hair, just barely the tips, get sheared off of Stress’s fluffy mane and become visible as they flutter to the ground.

Punz’s eyes narrow, tracking the potion particles that he can just barely see. Unfortunately for him, the invisible thief takes off into the mob-infested forest. He gives chase, but the thief gains on him every time he has to stop to fight a mob.

Stress knows she can’t outrun Punz. She’s not bad, but he’s really good. Stress absolutely cannot lead this man back to the canyon. Allowing the hostile mobs of the forest to buy her time by slowing Punz down, Stress looks around rapidly, searching for something, anything she can do to lose the hunter on her trail.

A lone cow catches her eye. Thinking fast, she bites her lip as she dumps her only water bucket out into a nearby pond where it won’t be noticed, then milks the cow. In the distance, a zombie groans as Punz takes it out. Stress hyperventilates, frantically digging at the ground beneath her feet with a silk touch shovel. Once she’s created a hole just barely big enough for her to hide in, she hops in and puts the grassy dirt she dug up just seconds ago above her head and immediately downs the milk, so that there won’t be any potion particles to track her by.

Slowly, carefully, and as quiet as she possibly can, she digs up the dirt beneath her feet in absolute darkness. Logically, Stress knows that Punz won’t be able to see the light from her torch, but she’s too terrified to think logically. What has she done?!

Her shovel stills as angry feet stomp above her. Dirt crumbles into her hair when Punz walks directly above her. Caustic mutters faintly reach her ears through the loamy earth, fading farther and farther away as Punz searches in vain for the invisible thief. Stress waits with bated breath for minutes on end, hands shaking like leaves in a hurricane. 

Tentatively, she digs up the diorite block below her with a pickaxe. A mob shifts aboveground and Stress, paralyzed with the paranoia that it might be Punz, spends another five minutes in immobile silence. Burying her face in her hands, she sucks in a breath and continues digging. Once she hits a decently low y-level, she digs forward, taking care to place all her blocks behind her exactly as they were before she mined them.

After a solid three hundred blocks, she begins to staircase back up. On one unfortunate swing of her pick, water floods into her staircase. She must be under a lake or a sea. She can make out some kelp, though, so hopefully that’ll be enough cover for her to go up and check her surroundings.

Stress takes a deep breath and plunges into the cold water. Swimming up, she catches sight of wood-- no way. There is no way she’s made it to the docks just outside of the canyon. Eagerly, she swims back down into her staircase for a breath of air and the chance to down an invisibility potion, then back up to the surface.

On the entire journey from the bottom of the sea to the elevator on the other side of the canyon, she expects someone to catch her, to notice the water she’s dripping on the ground, to somehow sense the guilt emanating off her in waves. It doesn’t happen. Stress makes it to the elevator and pushes the down button eagerly. Every foot the elevator descends down is another thousand pounds of weight off her shoulders. She’s exhausted, and so close to home base. If she can just make it into the Atrium, she’ll have succeeded.

The elevator dings, rousing Stress from her daydreaming. “I really am dead on my feet, ain’t I?” she murmurs to herself.

She makes her way into one of the village houses, avoiding the pressure plates and tripwires which she knows like the back of her hand by now. In the house, she presses a button, which opens a door which leads to a tunnel. Sagging in relief, Stress practically melts across the floor as she traverses the short tunnel and finally makes it into Atrium 1-- a large circular room with a rounded ceiling and plenty of light.

“Woah, Stress!” Ren exclaims, running to support her. The dark circles under his eyes make him look as exhausted as she feels. He’s been working round the clock at the tree farm to churn out enough wood to meet the demands of twenty-four Hermits.

“Stress?” Ren asks with concern in his eyes, gently shaking Stress’s shoulders.

She laughs, high-pitched and wild. She’s done it. She’s really gone and done it!

“I got a shulker box,” she breathes.

Ren gasps. “What?! No way, they’re not even a thing on this server!”

“Yes they are,” Stress sing-songs, “because I have one.”

She tosses him the cyan shulker box with a look of pride on her face. Ren looks at the box in his hands, then back up at Stress with wide eyes.

“We gotta go show Xisuma, my dude.”

---

The Hermits convene in the small meeting room in the residential district, then realize that the room is in fact small and twenty-four Hermits aren’t going to fit in it. Xisuma’s having a good day, so he decides to hold the meeting in Atrium 1.

There are many different opinions on the acquisition of the shulker box, which sits innocently in the center of the room. Some people like Wels believe that even if it’s a great boon, it was stolen and therefore the Hermits don’t have the right to use it. Things were different when they first arrived in the canyon; they stole small things in order to survive. A shulker is nice to have, but the Hermits won’t die without it. On the other hand, there are people who side with Grian, who believes that since the Hermits already have the shulker box, they might as well use it.

Doc rumbles a deep hm, indicating that he’s debating with himself whether he should say something or not. Finally, it seems that the side of him which wants to tell his fellow Hermits wins out.

“Have you guys considered shulker box duping?” he says. Immediately, there is a clamor of outcries, both for and against, as well as just plain disbelieving.

Tango speaks up: absolutely not. It’s cheating. False tentatively rebuts, though, that sometimes cheating is acceptable when it's for a good cause. After all, part of her season 7 base was dug out using TNT dupers. Mumbo awkwardly raises his hand and waits for someone to acknowledge him, which Grian does.

“Er… what if we give it back after we’re done with it?” Mumbo says. Tango still looks unhappy, but the idea seems to appease Wels.

“Friends,” Xisuma says softly. Everyone quiets down immediately. “Should we have a civil vote, or shall I decide?”

Immediately, everyone gets shamed into behaving. “We can vote,” Bdubs says. “Everyone in favor of not cheating?”

“Wait, what are our options?” Grian asks.

“Er,” Scar speaks up. “Keeping the box but not duping it, giving the box back, duping it then giving it back, or duping it and not giving the original back. Is that right?”

Bdubs nods. “Yeah! So, all in favor of keeping the one original box?” A few hands go up, maybe five or six.

“Giving the box back?” More hands go up.

“Duplicating the box, then giving it back?” Nearly a dozen hands go up.

“Well then,” Bdubs says, “I guess I don’t have to finish the options; dupe-and-return wins.”

Doc strides into the center of the room and mines up the shulker box before anyone can change their mind; Tango grumbles good-naturedly at having lost the vote. Meanwhile, while everyone discusses the vote, Joe ferries Xisuma off to his quarters.

“So who’s going to give the shulker box back when we’re done with it, my dudes?” Ren asks the room at large.

“I will,” Stress says immediately. “I stole it; it’s only right that I give it back.”

---

Two days later, Punz wakes up to a noise in his house. He reaches for a knife under his pillow; just because there is no one to be seen doesn’t mean that no one’s there, as Punz is well aware given the theft of his shulker box, which he is still smarting over.

He gets out of bed, treading softly. Right there, in the doorway, is the same shulker box he lost! He looks around. This has to be a trap. No one is around… Punz might as well spring this trap.

He opens the box. Nothing is missing. In fact, there are more items inside than there were when it was stolen from him! A totem of undying, four diamond blocks, two ingots of netherite, and a note which reads, Sorry I stole your box! I only needed to borrow it, but I felt bad so I left some extra goodies in. xoxo

“...Huh?” Punz says to himself. This is the weirdest prank ever.

He puts the box back into his Ender chest and resolves to think about it in the morning.

[professorspork]

superhell prompt: Weiss runs into Neo aka the person who tried to kill her partner

[part 1] [part 2] [Let Weiss Say Fuck 2k21]

When Weiss jerks awake in an unfamiliar landscape, her body floods with adrenaline before she’s even opened her eyes. She reels as she sits up, overwhelmed with sensation-- a familiar searing ache in her ribs, and blinding fear, and the euphoric, indescribable shock of it, of realizing: alive alive alive I’m alive.

Because she shouldn’t be. Because the last thing she saw was her sister, desperate, crying, diving after her with eyes wide and hands reaching and all Weiss wants to do is throw up because--

-- because you don’t do that. You don’t turn your back on Cinder Fall, not unless you want a spear through it. It’s not safe.

And Winter knew that, once. Didn’t she?

I am not always going to be around to save you, Weiss.

But she’d tried, and she knew better, and the failure of it’s going to eat her alive, if Cinder doesn’t get to her first. Weiss knows that. What she doesn’t know-- what she needs to know, more than anything, is--

-- is who’s going to save Winter?

“We don’t have time for that right now,” she orders herself sharply, saying it aloud in the hopes that it might sound more convincing that way. “Get up. Get moving.” She takes a deep breath and shakes off her panic, climbing to her feet. 

Don’t fall, Ambrosius had warned, and now here she is. Why hadn’t she pressed for details? Why hadn’t any of them asked? 

What’s that supposed to mean?

She’s surrounded by a copse of strange ferns and plants; above her, dominating the landscape, rises a single, massive tree. Height. That’s what she needs. Get the lay of the land; find the others. If she’s alive, so are they-- she can’t let herself think anything else. She takes another calming breath-- in, out-- brandishes Myrtenaster, and thinks of that day in the forest outside Beacon. Of the first time she was a member of a team; the first time she felt a part of something bigger than herself.

...nothing happens.

Fine, she thinks, rolling her eyes with annoyance. Fine. She’s still not ready for the Nevermore, yet; she shouldn’t have tried. Who’s there to show off to, anyway? Instead she reaches for a more familiar ally, Summoning her Queen Lancer to her side.

...nothing.

Not even the hint of a something, the familiar hum of her Aura under her skin.

...which means...

Slowly at first, and then with increasing distress, Weiss slashes her rapier through the air and tries to produce Glyphs. Something, anything-- even just a simple platform. Nothing comes. She must look ridiculous, she realizes; like a child playing pirates with a stick on the playground.

Where are they, if they’ve landed somewhere Semblances don’t work? Are they-- is she even alive, after all?

She forces herself to take another breath. In, out. That works the same, at least. Dead people don’t need to breathe, last she checked.

If she can’t fly, she’s going to have to walk.

She heads towards the Tree-- the big tree, the one that merits mental capitalization-- on instinct, figuring everyone will have to make their way there eventually. It’s the only mutual landmark they’ll have. It’s difficult to say how long she walks; the light never changes, and moments seem to stretch like molasses. 

But after what she can only guess is an hour, she realizes that she’s being followed.

She knows she’s not imagining it. Her voyeur is being careful, but Weiss can clock the signs: her footfalls have a partner echo; the branches creak in nonexistent wind. 

“You might as well come out,” she says, raising her weapon to the ready. “I know you’re there.”

Well that was a stupid thing to say, she reprimands herself immediately after, when she’s beset by a pink-and-brown blur and the next thing she feels is a crushing pain in her fingers as Neo pounces from the trees feet-first and tries to kick Myrtenaster from her grip.

She thinks: oh, that’s not happening.

She thinks: Neo’s unarmed; keep her that way. 

She says: “I’m going to dismember you, you fucking bitch!”

The fight should be easy-- Weiss is the one with the upper hand, Neo mostly on defense and resorting to dirty tricks to try and get the sword away-- but it’s not. Partly because it’s harder than Weiss thought it would be, to ignore her own training; she keeps instinctively throwing up Glyphs that never appear, leaving herself vulnerable as she waits for effects that never happen. But mostly because Weiss can barely concentrate, can barely see her opponent through her tears as a non-stop invective pours from her lips. 

(“You vile-- heinous-- wretched--”) 

All the things she’d wanted to say to Cinder but couldn’t, all the things that are true, that she deserves. This woman’s tracked them for years, it seems, to get a shot at Ruby, and for what? For Roman Torchwick? For just the memory of him?

“You’re pathetic,” Weiss snarls. But just as Neo prepares to dive at her for another grapple, two shotgun blasts ring out-- knocking her backwards, into a tree.

“Leave,” a familiar voice says, and Weiss’ knees go weak, because--

-- well, it’s probably only been a few hours in the grand scheme of things, but she thought she’d never hear that voice again. 

Yang steps forward from the forest and into Weiss’ peripheral vision, cocking Ember Celica with a flick of her wrists: “It’s two on one, now, and you’re unarmed. I don’t know what happens if you die in hell, but if I were you, I wouldn’t want to test my luck and find out. Make your own way, and don’t follow us. Leave.”

Neo’s eyes narrow as she assesses her odds, glance darting between the two of them. Then she sticks out her tongue, winks, and runs off into the woods.

“Are you oka--oof!” Yang yelps as Weiss throws herself into Yang’s embrace. Yang chuckles, arms coming up to hold her tight. “We’ve gotta stop meeting like this,” she jokes lightly, giving Weiss a teasing squeeze. All it gets her is a sob, Weiss burying her face deeper in Yang’s neck-- as though she could get Yang’s reassuring words further into her ears by nuzzling closer.

“We thought you were dead,” she whispers, breathing too shaky to attempt actual warbling speech.

“Hey, let’s not get too excited. We might both be dead,” Yang notes, maddeningly casual. “I haven’t exactly seen anything to rule it out.” 

And Weiss--

--not wanting to release the hug--

-- stomps on her foot.