#moss chitchat

[mossfeathers]

ok one more (this marks 100 memes btw) [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ]

[apileofwizardbooks]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!

thank you :}

[raconteur-multiverse]

🌌 Twisted Wonderland server JPN event "Glorious Masquerade" Story 04 (4/4)

Azul, Malleus, and Idia did take a peek at the window. They're shock, all area half City of Flower already cover by Crimson Flower Lotus like a fire of sea. More like in land of dead. Azul remember what Rollo says about this Bell Tower, This flower town is the only place where magical plants grow well under the influence of the bell. Idia and Malleus thinking that if those fire plants spread outside City of Flower, the Bell of Salvation won't work outside in this city.

Three of them want to gave Rollo a lesson, do not dare challenge the dorm leaders of Night Raven College. Their speech was cut when Crimson Flower Lotus is block their way again. Malleus was about to use his magic but Azul says don't or else it will destroy the Bell Tower. So, Azul teach Malleus how to deal it in King's way by gather all magic then zap it all of it without any left. Three of them quickly go upstairs right away.

Rollo was still on top of Bell Salvation tower. He thinking will those NRC students can manage to this bell tower? Rollo still can't believe it how strong they're and not giving up even those fire plants still half cover entire NBC and City of Flower.

After done chitchat on preparing their mental to face Rollo, three of them was shock see the Gargoyle is can talk. Gargoyle call himself as the keeper of this Bell Tower and always keep an eye all students NBC from many years. Azul did told them that he knew it something fishy on Gargoyle. But Azul and Idia confuse why Malleus is speechless?

Gargoyle move closer to Malleus as he poke him if he's alright. Gargoyle told Malleus that he wanted to be his friends from start they visit here. Malleus was delightful like happy child meet a new friend. Gargoyle told them he and his friends caught by crimson lotus flower, luckily he manage escape.

Gargoyle knows about Rollo, he was the one serious students in Noble Bell College. Whether it's raining, windy, or snowing, Rollo always climb this tall bell tower and carefully polish the Bell of Salvation. Not only that, Rollo did also removed the moss that grew after Gargoyles got wet. The Rollo has taken great care of this bell tower.

Gargoyle also sad, never thought Rollo doing this even he was a nice person to everyone in NBC. But why? Gargoyle gave them a right way to top Bell of Salvation. It is said that long ago, a righteous judge and a bell-tower studied together in this bell tower. Ever since that time, Rollo and they, the gargoyles, have a secret door.

Gargoyle got attack by roots Crimson Flower Lotus causing the Gargoyle slowly back to statue stone. His last word to Malleus, Azul, Idia, he want them to stop Rollo right away. Malleus was shout that he can't rescue gargoyle. Idia told Malleus they'll rescue gargoyle and most importantly is stop Rollo's evil scheme before it's too late.

[ccornersstone]

“Take my hand.”

No warnings for this!

@blugnettabutterflies gave me the idea :D

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Zoe sorts through her purse to make sure she’s collected everything she needs for an evening out. Her phone, gum, keys, wallet, glasses, sunglasses, hand sanitizer? That seemed about correct she closes her purse as she pulls her jacket around her tighter and the green flashes as she adjusts the collar of her jacket.

She pulls her curls out from underneath the fabric of the jacket and they dangle right above her shoulders as she goes and grabs her shoes. A pair of beige flats and slips them on. “David, you ready, Darling?” She says as she walks out into the living room.

David nods. “Just one moment…” he pauses, as he speaks his eyes scanning over the room.

“What’s the matter?” Zoe questions coming into view to the man’s left. “Are you looking for something? What did you lose?”

“I can’t find my keys.” David states.

“Aren’t they in your drawer? The nightstand?” That seemed to ring a bell once Zoe brought it up and David goes to look and when he steps back into the room, keys are in hand.

the pair exited their home and Zoe turns to lock the door and mess with the knob to assure it was secured before she starts down the sidewalk and continues on it alongside David. “What was it that we’re going to again? I know you said they were holding something at *cooper park*.” She tilts her head and strands of hair as it was bound to happen fall over the woman’s face casting a bit of a shadow over her face before she adjusts it.

“It’s a day at the park thing, they have a venue going on or something.. just a little event. It’s supposed to be promotional or something if I remember correctly.” David says as he feels a hand landing on top of his and he opens it, his fingers entwining with Zoe’s as they walked.

“I just thought it would be nice to go to, so we can spend some time together?” David continues on and as he peers at Zoe he gave a small smile.

“That sounds nice.” Zoe answered and she takes in the cool weather and the light breeze blowing through her hair and setting on the skin left uncovered.

they make a turn to the right and Zoe spots the sign indicating they were there. She scans the area and the noise remained at an average level thankfully nothing too loud besides chitchatting in the area.

David tightens his grip on Zoe’s hand as to not lose sight of her and guide her into the place. She gazes at the fresh green grass and the statue growing moss on it. Zoe loved seeing the colors out in nature. Especially green, it was her favorite color after all. She’s mesmerized by it.

David guides Zoe and they take a seat next to each other. She gently nudges her boyfriend’s shoulder. “Do you wanna grab something to eat while we’re here?” She motions to one of the nearby buildings and they agree to do so. The pair walk off and order a few things and they walk back to their seats and Zoe sits the drinks down.

Zoe sips on the drink as she peers a bit over her shoulder towards the venue. She gets up and tosses her trash away and empty drink bottle as she gets a closer look at the situation at hand.

The woman takes her seat again and scoots closer towards David and two of her arms wrap around his neck from behind and Zoe’s chin rests on David’s shoulder he smiles at this squeezing her hands in response. “They’re dancing,” she whispers, in an attempt to conceal her excitement. Though when she asks the next question she exclaims it rather excitedly. “Do you wanna dance?”

David seemed a bit hesitant though Zoe’s widening smile urges him to agree. “You know I don’t dance, Darling-“ he cuts himself off as Zoe buried her cheek into his shoulder. “Come onnnn.” She flashes the biggest puppy eyes she can muster and she blinks rapidly.

David caves at the request and once Zoe sees that she giggles and grabs his hand pulls him alongside her excitedly.

Zoe guided David to the front and she presses herself against him encouraging him to draw her closer and he does so, her arms wrap around his neck tightening and closing any gaps between the pair as her palm lay flat against the back of her left hand. She smiles and goes to make the first move and now they’re swaying dark curls like a curtain over her dark eyes, they glimmered the right way whenever the sun shone down on them.

“This is nice.” Zoe whispers leaning in closer, her arms tightening around David’s neck and she draws herself closer as one of his hands adjust to the small of her back and one on her waist. She leans in closing the gap between her and David and his hand raises gently grasping the side of her neck and finally she pulls away with a lopsided smile plastered on her face as she rests her forehead against his

[pyrodrive]

Kashmir great lakes, August 2022.

This had been in the bucket list for quite sometime now, as they say the real beauty of Kashmir lies in the hidden valleys and meadows and not in the tourist towns. We went with trekmunk for the trek as they had smaller group size and the reviews were good. We did not ask any of our friends to join us, prefering to meet new people and make new friends. So it was just us as a couple.

Day 1- Campsite at shitkadi near Sonamarg. Distance covered- Few meters from the road. Altitude-11500 ft

We had arrived in Delhi the day before and met an old friend at his home, and we did party till almost 2 am, got back to our hotel and got some sleep. Today morning we took a flight and reached Shrinagar at 12.30 ,from the airport we took a cab to Sonamarg. Here we met our fellow trekkers and found them all to be decent folks, from different background and professions but with real enthusiasm for travel and trekking.

After an early dinner and some chitchat, we turned in for the night

Campsite at Shitkadi

Day2:

Shitkadi to Nichnai tabletop hill.

Time taken-7.5 hours

We woke up at 5.30, breakfast was ready by 6.20am, and after a bit of warm up and stretches, we were off on the trek!

The initial climb of the day was a few hundred feet but it took our breath away..literally! It was the altitude more than anything else that was tiring us easily. However the secret is to push on using small steps. So push on we did and as we climbed higher, the more breathtaking the views became, we were climbing on rolling meadows now and could see the sleepy town of Sonamarg below us bathed in the morning sunrays

Sonamarg in the distance

The gradual climb over the meadows, and some wildflowers dotting the grass

There was an army checkpost here and after verifying our documents we were on our way to the first stop of the day..maggi point.

It was located on top of a hill and it took us 4 hrs to reach here. After a refreshing cup of kehwa and of course, maggi, we were on the way again, we left the valley with the sonamarg view behind and entered another new valley. We filled our water bottles with water from the numerous meltwater streams that were cascading down the rocks.

The next valley

Lunch stop near the stream and waterfall, and a much needed rest.

Goat traffic

Finally we reached the day's campsite, on the Nichnai table top hill. Nice location on flat ground with the stream nearby, but quite windy. Over tea and bread omlettes, we regained our energy and explored the place and was surprised that daylight stayed on till almost 7.30 when it was dinner time. At night the night sky was a sight to see, with a million stars.

Million star hotel 😇, campsite on day2

Day3- Nichnai campsite to Vishnusar lake via Nichnai pass.

Distance approx 14 kms. Time 7-8 hrs.

Altitude 13000 ft.

We woke up at 5 am to the sound of our guide Murad bhai clanging the kettle (with black tea)

Similar routine with breakfast of roti sabji, warm up and stretches and hit the trail by 7. The climb up to Nichnai can be arduous but the scenery on route makes up for it. With frequent breaks..to admire the view.., we made it up the pass and into the next valley

The climb to Nichnai pass.

After the descent from the pass, the terrain eased to the easy rolling meadows again with the gushing stream in between..

We walked across all of this and finally reached the day's campsite near a stream which originates from the vishnusar lake which was just half a km away. After tea, most of us trudged on to see the lake.

Refreshing view of the blue waters and the emerald mosses and crystal clear streams pouring into the lake.

The campsite by the stream.

There was an army camp nearby and just as we tucked into our sleeping bags at night, we heard two shots fired. But we had been told this was normal and so did not bother much. Only worry was that it had rained a bit during the day and dark clouds were gathering on the horizon. The next day was supposed to be the most difficult with Gadsar pass to cross and we had been told it might not be possible to cross the pass in case of further rains, because the trail becomes slippery and dangerous both for humans and the mules who carry the tents and equipment.

Day 4- We woke up to a light drizzle and there was tension in the air as the pony and mule guys said it was too risky to cross Gadsar, and the trek guides from different groups were at a loss as to what can be done. If it wasn't possible to go ahead, it would mean we use the buffer day there itself and/or even turn back without competing the trek. But kudos to our guide, Murad bhai, experienced guy that he was, suddenly called out that the clouds are shifting and we start in 5 minutes! So off we went, and emboldened by our move, the other groups nearby also hurried to pack their tents n move out.

The first climb of the day was from the campsite across a rain sodden field and up the sides of Vishnusar lake and on towards Krishnasar lake.

After Krishnasar lake the trail became very steep and narrow. Now the actual climb to Gadsar pass had started. The trail was slippery and very steep, and without the trekking poles I am sure I would have fallen at least once.

Finally after a few hours of very strenuous climbing we reached a point where both the lakes were visible. There was a slight drizzle and strong winds.

The descent frm Gadsar was even more difficult..it was all muddy and slushy, and quite slippery again. Many of us had falls but thankfully no injuries.

Finally the terrain eased up as we approached Gadsar lake. This is one of the prettiest lakes here. There were an abundance of wildflowers, bumblebees, small lizards etc around it giving a magical feel. We had our lunch stop by the lake and enjoyed the serenity.

Then there was a walk among the valleys filled with wildflowers for another 3 hours and finally we could spot the days camp at the distance..

The campsite in the valley ahead meant we could rest and take in the fleeting sunshine. How fast the weather changes up here!

As we got to the campsite, the storm clouds had gathered again. High winds, open valley and storm clouds sure gives a surreal feel.

Then there was a shower and then suddenly it cleared up and a rainbow appeared 🌈

Day 5 -

This was supposed to be one of the easier days but alas, constant rain all day made it the most difficult and miserable day for us.

After 5-6 hours of walking through the rain,water finally started to enter our boots by way of soaked pants and socks, and fingers were numb with cold. After hours and hours we pulled into camp wet, cold and miserable. Everything was wet, tents wer pitched over wet ground, the foam " mattress" was wet as well. The rain stopped at around 5 and all of us frantically tried to dry our gear in the wind..without much success, I should add. In the end we had to place our rain ponchos over the foam and place our sleeping bags on top of that to prevent those getting wet. That night we slept wearing our jackets. Not many pics of satsar lakes too since fingers were too numb wth the wet and cold

Day6- The weather lifted and so did our spirits, enjoyed breakfast with a trekker's appetite and after the routine warm ups and stretches, we started the day's walk. Wet boots was the problem but nothing a little jugaad can't solve- we wore polythene packets over our socks to keep our feet relatively dry!

The day started with a difficult ascent over fields of boulders, some of the trekkers had a tough time navigating through these

But the views at the top were rewarding..

Then there was a long ascent up to Zaj pass, which took us 3-4 hours but the views from the top were out of this world.. The twin lakes of Gangbal and Nandkol were ahead shimmering in the sunlight with the rolling fields between them, mount Harmukh with its glacier in the background.

Over the next few hours we descended into the valley and over the meadows which were vibrant with a multitude of yellow flowers, we were finally at the Gangbal lake.

The refreshingly cool water of the lake reinvigorated our polythene clad tired feet!

After spending an hour here, we crossed the hill over to the other lake, Nandkol. Our campsite was located on the banks of the stream flowing out of Nandkol.

Day 7- This was going to be a long day, as most of it was continous descent , some over rocky terrain which can be hard on the knees. Two of our guys were really struggling with knee pain already. The last day is where you lose most of the altitude, from above the tree line we descended into the majestic firs, then the pines started few hundred feet lower. There was an Assam rifles army checkpost where the Id's and bags were checked , and we were greeted in Assamese by the jawans, they even offered tea and snacks to us and one of the guys turned out to be from our hometown. Pleasant experience for us. Army guys really work hard for our safety. Kudos to them. Finally we reached Naranang and set foot on paved roads after a full week. Mixed feelings, since we were at the end of such an amazing trek, happy that we could complete it without too much difficulty and also the thought of a hot bath and proper non veg food were equally appealing.

We reached Shrinagar at 5.30 and 6 of us checked into the same hotel, one more guy joined us in the evening and we had a grand party at the hotel lawns and some much needed indulgence on the food and drinks aspect of life!

To sum up the trek-

It is one of the most beautiful treks in our country. Each day there is a new alpine lake to look forward to. The meadows, valleys and wildflowers are extraordinarily beautiful.

It is not an easy trek. Long distances are to be covered daily without a break for one full week. Can leave one breathless after hours of continous uphill climbs at 13000+ feet. To prepare for the trek it is best to do long walks and also run/ jog at least 5-6 kms most days of the week, few weeks in advance.

Warm ups and stretches both at start and end of each days trekking is recommended,to avoid cramps and muscle soreness.

[eldenstars]

I do NOT like blighttown. 11k souls gone...

[gaywall-e]

every caduceus moment has made me want to draw him more and more

[virgil-writes]

ash & soot

Long before the Winters come into play, a monster stalks the Forbidden Forest that surrounds the Village. Karl Heisenberg is sent to investigate, and heads deeper into darkness to find his prey, a thorn on his side and someone just like him. (eventual Heisenberg x OC)

on AO3: chapter one | chapter two | chapter three | chapter four | chapter five

chapter 5 - professional secrets

SFW, we finally meet our new friend. there's some slightly spicy language and blood but nothing much. around 3.2K words.

The sudden realization that he was not alone made his skin crawl.

Heisenberg instinctively reached for his hammer, scouted his surroundings for any piece of metal he could find. The pots rattled and he heard the cauldron swing violently, the stranger protesting with a sigh of frustration as she tried to steady the cooking pot. He made a sharp turn to watch her, eyes trained on her every move as he prepared to defend himself. “I am sorry to disappoint - even the nails of this house are made of wood.” She snickered, not seeming to mind him at all, having gone back to stirring the stew, humming what he recognized as a lullaby. “Take a seat, make yourself at home.”

There was something familiar about her, perhaps the way she held herself, or the tone of her voice. She looked nothing like the hag, was taller and much younger, too, but something told him they were one and the same.

She turned around and stared openly at him with a small smile, far too friendly towards a rugged stranger who had just invaded her home and knocked together all of her cast iron pans with a slight flick of his hand. Her clothes were simple, a long linen skirt the color of moss, white buttoned shirt with gathered sleeves and embroidered flowers. A colorful apron was tied around her waist, its pockets stuffed with dried herbs and wooden utensils. Her raven hair was pulled back to keep it away from her face, though a few unruly curls insisted on framing it ever so gently. She was the very picture of a peasant villager, while looking nothing of the sort. She had the garments and sheepish expression, but none of the devotion and fear. There were calluses on her hands from working the land, freckles on her face from being under the sun day after day, and despite it all her skin looked warm, soft to the touch, promised delights he had never experienced.

Eerily beautiful, mysterious, sinister. Voice of velvet with a hint of malice. If he were ever to be lured into the embrace of a mythical creature only to be eaten alive not long after, she would be the one to do it. The prospect of such a gruesome death, for some reason, only served to pique his interest.

“To what do I owe the honor of your visit? How can I be of service, Lord Heisenberg?” There was absolute certainty in her voice, like they had spoken many a time before. It was no surprise that she knew him, of course. After all, one had but to step inside the village church to see a picture of his handsome face alongside his adorable little family. He had never seen her, however, not in the fields nor the church, not in the masses nor the harvest festivals. Surely he would remember, such striking beauty and poised demeanor that would rival any noblewoman. She far surpassed the fabled Dimitrescu daughters, and that she was still alive was evidence enough to tell him she was not seen very often. Alcina did not suffer competition.

“In need of a curative or ointment?” There was homeliness in her grace, somehow, a simplicity one would not find among finery and expensive wine. She poured herself a cup of tea as she spoke, motioned in his direction as if to offer him some. The cup was neatly stacked upon others in the cabinet when he did not take it, and she shrugged her shoulders as if disappointed. The table set for two, the second teacup put away when he refused the offer. Had she been expecting him?

Like she had heard his very thoughts, the woman pulled a chair and gestured for him to sit, moving about with little discomfort for his presence. It felt as if he was no esteemed visitor, no frightening intruder, but a frequent houseguest, someone who had visited a thousand times over and needed no coaxing or guidance to make themselves comfortable. It was strangely heartwarming, the way he felt like he could kick off his boots and sit beside her on the couch to chitchat, open the cabinets to find himself a snack. He could sit cross-legged on the woven rug and pet the dog in front of the fireplace, sit by the table to study his plans with only the crackling of the fire as background noise.

She pat his shoulder reassuringly as she crossed the room to check on the stew, her touch lingering just a second too long, hips swaying to a tune only playing inside her head. The domesticity of it all was soothing, but also infuriating. He had not come for pleasantries, to sip on tea while they laughed over the latest village gossip. He had come to bind and gag her, to drag her all the way back to a castle that would become her final resting place. Somehow, he was sure the idea of being tied and manhandled would actually please her.

“Seeking a nice massage to alleviate the pressure on those shoulders?” She continued when his silence persisted, the teacup left behind on the kitchen counter as she reached up to a shelf littered with glass bottles. Crimson painted fingernails ran along the labels to pull a flask that looked harmless enough, though his knowledge of toxins was too limited to be sure. He recognized the liquid inside it as a fragrant oil, a drop hitting the skin on the back of her hand before she gave it a good rub as if to test it.

A massage would be nice, he had to admit, decades of sibling rivalry and impending doom for being part of a cult that worshiped a gross looking blob of mold taking a toll on his soul. He could picture it, his trench coat finally sliding off his shoulders after such a stressful day, her nails scratching against his skin as she pulled his shirt over his head. She would tell him to make himself comfortable on the bed or the couch, but he’d refuse it; he hadn’t laid in a bed in years, and at this point he was afraid of trying. Instead he would hold his head in his hands as he sat forward on the dining chair, for once trying to push away the thoughts that always raced through his mind. He knew he would lose his composure as soon as her hands touched the tender spots on his shoulders, a groan and his worries escaping his lips. He figured she would listen and hum appropriate responses as he wove the tales of his woes. It was hard to picture how it would all go, what relaxation truly felt like after so many decades of stress. Maybe he could stay a little longer, take her offer, and-

What the fuck was he thinking? His own inner contradictions were driving him up the wall; her friendliness was wearing on him more than Alcina’s rudeness ever did.

Once again she shrugged when he rejected her offer, made her way to the chair he hadn’t taken and sat down with her steaming cup of tea in her hand once more. They are dangerously close now, he is still frozen in place between the dining table and the fireplace - like an idiot. He could touch her from here. He could kill her from here. She scrunches her nose when again he says nothing, smells the air before saying: “Are you sure you do not wish me to draw you that bath?”

That is just about enough to set him off. The stunt with the horse, the illusions with the creature and the hag, the tricks with the lycan heads, and now this. Heisenberg saluted her fearlessness in the face of near certain death, could appreciate the confidence that exuded from her despite being in the presence of the most powerful lord of the village. Enough, however, is enough. He closes the distance between them in a flash, footsteps too loud in the silence of the cabin, and finds that his hand fits perfectly around her pretty little neck. He can hear the teacup in her hand fall and shatter somewhere beneath them, the chair comes along for a few steps as he drags her before it falls to the ground, but she wouldn’t live long enough to clean up the mess. He has her off the floor and slams her hard against the nearest wall, satisfied with the sound her body makes as the surprise knocks the wind right out of her. Teach her to shut her fucking mouth.

He watches closely for the terror in her eyes, waits for her strained voice to beg, please, Lord Heisenberg. It always made him feel dirty when they begged, made him feel like he was no better than any of his siblings, but just this once, he will allow himself to enjoy it. He seeks terror, yet all he finds is wickedness. Even so close to her demise, with his fingers tightening against her wind pipe, she does not fear him. He opens his mouth to speak, to yell, to tell her to shut it and announce that she is dying tonight, not because he wanted to, but because she had done away with his patience. Her hand snakes its way up his chest and arm to reach his own, holding it almost lovingly, nails scratching the skin ever so softly just like he had imagined, but somehow better, so much better.

“I was expecting something more romantic over dinner,” she finds the strength to speak, her voice almost a purr. “But I do like the eagerness.” His fingers clutch her neck a little tighter. In any other situation, this would have been enough to convince him to fuck her senseless. He liked himself a feisty partner, someone who didn’t bow their head to him, a challenge at last. But not now, not when he was pissed off and tired and sweating as if it was summer outside.

“Oh, you’re not going to like it when I’m done with you,” he pauses to pull her and force her back against the wall, the boards shaking with the impact. “Sweetheart.”

“Is that a promise, my lord?” Her eyes burn with something not quite like desire, contradict the deep turquoise and calmness of her irises. The hand around her neck is bloody, glove and flesh torn where the lycan had bit him, and her tongue darts out of her mouth to get a taste. The smile she gives him makes a delicious heat pool at the bottom of his stomach, sliding down dangerously close to his navel. He is deciding between choking her to death, biting a piece of her face off or bashing her skull in, lips contorted in a wicked smile, when he feels his fingers grasp at nothing, balance lost as he topples over and hits the wall with full force. There is a hollow thud when his nose hits the wooden boards, blood dripping down onto his chin. It takes him a moment to register that she has, somehow, slipped away from him, ducked under his arm to make her way back to the bubbling pot on the fireplace. She continues to hum the stupid lullaby and treat him like a harmless peasant.

“Are you staying for dinner, my lord?” She speaks as if nothing has transpired in the past few minutes. Like he hadn’t gone through the painfully embarrassing experience of threatening her with a very noticeable and contradicting bulge in his pants, right before he lost his balance - and dignity - and broke his nose against her living room wall.

He hadn’t felt this humiliated in decades. There are no words to describe the rage that courses through his body, although the snarl he pushes through gritted teeth might be good enough indication. Heisenberg braces himself against the wall, wipes the blood off his face on the sleeve of his coat. Plan B: shove her head into the fire and then choke her.

“Oh, let me take a look at that,” is all she says when he turns around, a piece of cloth in hand as she guides him to a dining chair. There is no time for his explosiveness, for his plans to be put into motion; for reasons not at all clear to him, he can do nothing but play along. She lifts his chin with such grace that he is unsure how to feel. The beast in the forest held him with the same care. He could deal with quite a range of emotions: anger, hatred, disgust, some more anger. This nobody had ever done to him - shown him kindness, cared for him. Miranda had tried, in her own awkward way, but never again after she had deemed him a failure.

It feels good to be at a loss for words, he notices, to have choice and violence taken away from him for just a few minutes. To let himself waddle in the silence of his empty mind, a tender touch to ground him and nothing else. It feels good, but awkward, and he shuffles to find something, anything, to talk about.

“You’re the monster in the woods then?” He asks as he looks away, too busy trying to justify to himself the absurdity of the situation. Here he is, sitting in a chair that is about to give under his weight, in the middle of the woods after petting a dead horse and almost being swallowed whole by a goat-human hybrid. The woman he was sent to kill is now gently caressing his jaw with the hand that holds his chin up as if to comfort him, the other busy soaking up the blood coming out of his broken nose. The embarrassment far outweighs the pain, but there is no sign of judgment in her features. It helps.

“Yes, sir.” She answers with a proud smile. “I am a healer by trade, you see. A little knowledge of plants can go a long way, especially in such a quaint, isolated little village like yours.” she smushed his nose in as if to prove a point. “Is that the reason you have come to me, my lord?”

“Funny thing,” he begins with a chuckle and ends with a whimper as she wiggles the cartilage on his nose. “I was sent to take you back to the village as a prize to the one and only Lady Dimitrescu. That, or kill you. Although she would prefer you alive.” Heisenberg observed her closely, hoping to catch a glimpse of something other than friendliness. If she had heard of him, surely she had heard of Alcina, and the horrible things she put women like her through. “Monsters don’t usually get a reputation for mixing poultices.”

She nods calmly, too busy with her ministrations to care. “Must preserve some professional secrets, now, mustn’t we? What is that you would prefer? Alive, dead? What can I help you with?” Her question is a simple one, although it feels as if it weighs far more than it was supposed to.

“Unless you can kill a century-old monster, my darling, there is little you can do for me.” His answer is pure sarcasm, and she does not seem to care. Her head tilts slightly to the side as if she is considering her options, as if, you know, maybe she can do that. “The fog in the forest - that you?” There is no hesitation when she nods. “Overgrown stallion?” Another nod. “Eldritch abomination? Sickly hag?” A throaty hum of approval. “Not bad.”

“Would you be so kind as to let me live, my lord?” She has her back turned as she speaks, perusing a tall shelf over the couch. The bleeding in his nose has stopped, and he realizes she has slipped the torn glove off his hand without him noticing. “I would be most interested in such a prospect.” There was a touch of drama in her words that he appreciated. When she turns back around, she looks and sounds more like a person than a character out of an old romance. “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” The woman returns with clean linens in her hand, a bottle of antiseptic and a pincushion in the shape of a pumpkin. He is unsure whether the needle and thread is meant to sew his glove or him back together.

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” he makes to rise from the chair but never does, a firm hand placed on his shoulder.

“Allow me to fix that at least.” He sighed in defeat as he sat back down. It crossed his mind that he had no reason to comply, but did regardless. “And I insist you take a bowl of stew.” Her hands were back on his face before the could muster a response, more determination behind her movements this time. “This will only take a moment,” she explains, two fingers pinching the sides of his nose. A wiggle and suspicious crack later, and it was like the pain had never been there. Her hands were clean, as was his face, not a trace of blood anywhere. Quite the miracle worker, wasn’t she?

They remained quiet as she worked, his injured hand splayed against the wooden table. The burn of the antiseptic was good to keep him alert, to pull him away from his embarrassment. She expertly dabs onto the wound to cleanse it, her touches featherlight. The dog awakens from its nap with a stretch and a yawn, bounds up to him with a happy tail wag. Heisenberg pets its head with his free hand, the dog’s tongue peeking out in glee as it settled down at his feet. The shaggy yet adorable fleabag manages to distract him long enough for her to finish dressing his wound. “All good.” She announces, and he turns over to stare at his hand, expecting to see vestiges of blood and a nasty bite mark. He peeks under the bandage to find that it is merely aesthetic at this point, for there is nothing but perfectly healed, clear skin under it, a very faint half-moon scar where the infection should be. He looks at her in confusion and all she offers is a charming wink. Professional secrets.

Heisenberg spotted his hat placed neatly on the couch, and his hammer right beside it, though he did not recall how they had come to be there. He once again began to feel like himself with the weight of the hammer in his hands and the raggedy hat in its rightful place atop his head. Charismatic, glib Heisenberg, confident as all hell and twice as clever. Cold, calculating Heisenberg, who had been given an opportunity and bargaining chip and wouldn’t let his anger get the best of him. His fingers had reached for the doorknob when she poked him, a small lidded pot fastened with fabric in her hands.

“Take a left at the crossroads and I trust you will have no issues finding your way back.” She handed him the bowl with a smile, as did he in return. “I hope to see you again soon. Godspeed, Lord Heisenberg!” Were her last words as she pushed the door closed, and just like that, he found himself once again in the foggy forest, nothing behind him but trees and the sound of critters roaming the night.

[4thveela]

@theblckheir​  :    ‘  you  can  lie ,  but  i  know  that  you’re  not  fine .  ’

          She   has   heard   him   say,   jesting   and   sour,   that   this   house   takes   out   the   worst   fears   coiled   around   a   wizard’s   heart   pours   them   out   into   the   air,   (   misery.   There   is   misery   oozing   from   the   walls   and   the   floors   and   the   ceiling   ).   Fleur,   as   much   as   she   loathes   humid,   dark   places   reeking   of   moss   and   rotten   wood,   knows   he   must   not   be   exaggerating   –   the   moment   she   set   foot   on   Grimmauld   Place,   the   house   swallowed   her   whole,   with   its   putrid   stench;   spat   out   terror   and   worry   and   fear.

              Fleur   Delacour   fears   for   her   life.   For   Gabrielle’s   life.   For   Bill’s   life.   For   everybody’s   lives.

             Sirius   Black   seems   to   perceive   it   better   than   most   (   or   he   simply   does   not   care   to   pretend   otherwise   ).   and   Fleur   cannot   tell   if   she   is   irritated   or   relieved   by   it   –   can   any   of   them   afford   to   show   fear?      in   his   very   last   breath,   did   Cedric   Diggory   show   fear?   Was   the   stone   cold   terror   in   his   eyes   the   very   last   thing   he   felt?

         “   I   …   It   is   presumptuous   of   you   to   assume   things   about   me,   monsieur   black,   –   ”   her   accent   has   thickened,   more   nasal   this   time   than   sing-song.   She   is   reluctant   to   share   her   worries   with   a   man   who,   merely   two   years   ago,   was   a   wanted   murderer.,   “   furthermore,   I   am   holding   a   pair   of   scissors   quite   close   to   your   ears,   it   would   be   wise   for   you   to   remain   quiet   so   I   can   concentrate,   ” a   shift   of   the   blades,   another   lock   of   scraggy   and   stringy   hair   pools   at   his   feet   where   he   sits.   She   used   to   trim   Gabrielle’s   hair   growing   up   –   Veela   hair   is   peculiarly   delicate,   it   requires   a   gentle   nipping   with   a   pair   of   silver   scissors,   “   we   are   almost   done.   no   need   for   idle   chitchat.   I   can   tell   you   do   not   favor   it,   either.”

[mossfeathers]

we're so back (part 2 electric boogaloo) [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13]

[princessanneftw]

Why Princess Anne is the most underrated royal

While the rest of the royals are having a bumpy ride, there’s one stylish Windsor who continues to shine, thanks to The Crown, the chignon and the ‘shrug’ that went viral. All hail Anne, our favourite princess

By Victoria Moss for The Sunday Times.

Who is the least likely royal to become a latter-day fashion pin-up? OK, I’ll go. While most royal style stalkers have been preoccupied with homage-to-Diana Instagram accounts and fawning over her Chelsea Harbour Club exits, a dark horse has emerged as the newest Firm favourite. Enter Anne, Princess Royal. I’m serious.

It was the shrug that did it, I think. It spoke to all of us. Picture the scene: your mother, the Queen, is engaging in polite chitchat with Donald Trump, the leader of the free world, and then looks over at you expectantly. Do you: a) laugh, b) run away, c) shrug. Obviously it’s b), followed by a). But then we’re not diplomatic, non-partisan figureheads.

Technically/boringly, when the Queen glanced at “Annie” (as the princess jokingly referred to herself on Parkinson in Australia in 1983), she was looking for more dignitaries to receive after the Trumps. There were none. “Just me. And this lot,” Annie laughed, pointing at the motley crew of well-suited, erm, courtiers (?) behind her. On the internet, of course, everyone decided she was rebuffing the chance to get up close with the Great Orange Leader. Fake news! But let’s wait until series 17 of The Crown to debate the true fiction here.

Later on at the Nato reception at Buck House, her bobbing bouffant was spotted seemingly chuckling away with Justin Trudeau, Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron’s apparent high-level international mockery of Trump. Which is surely the tack any of us would take at a dreary standing-around drinks affair — slim pickings with this crowd, but a classy move to position herself with the power players having a laugh.

Anne, princess of the chignon, who celebrates her 70th birthday in August, is fast becoming the royal you can really get behind. She is, against the slew of over-made-up show ponies, a veritable workhorse, clocking up 165 days of engagements last year — the most of any official “working royal” — while the Prince of Wales came second with a doleful 125. This new-found appreciation for the back balcony has come as real life and Netflix collide. (Is any of it true? Do they watch it? I like to imagine the Duchess of Sussex has a dedicated WhatsApp group.) This gentle blurring of reality and fiction has proven to be rather useful for the old Firm, who are now wheeling her out faster than Prince Andrew — banished to indefinite leave — can call in his order to the Woking Pizza Express (La Reine, Your Royal Highness?). There will, pundits tell us, be much more of a to-do for Anne’s 70th than Andrew’s upcoming 60th in February. Awkward.

It is Erin Doherty’s portrayal of Anne in The Crown that has won the princess points in the popularity stakes and a reappraisal of her style. In keeping with our softly ageist appetite for stylish totty, see a round of “Shock, horror — woman looked great in youth!” roundups of her 1970s looks, which, to be fair, have a strong dose of Mrs Prada about them. Her jaunty skirt suits, dinky scarves, flirty shirting, Pucci shiftdresses and geometric prints all feel very on point. Equally woke is her commitment to sustainability. This is, after all, a woman who has “recycled” Ascot ensembles from 40 years back. Yes, Greta.

Then there’s the hair, of course. That magnificent sweeping bouff, as dependable as a khaki wax jacket on a wet Windsor day. I think we can all find something to admire in a woman who at some point in the 1960s perfected backcombing and hasn’t been inclined to bother with another look since. Stoic.

Interestingly, Doherty reports that her homage took a solid hour and a half of backcombing to realise the mighty spherical thatch, although one imagines that Anne has it down to a five-minute quick flick back and pin. I mean, after all this time, you’d hope …

In recent fashion moves, may I direct you to her meme-making Hugh Hefner homage at Meghan and Harry’s wedding (a slightly Dracula-esque wrap dress in mottled red and black, which bore a thrilling similarity to the late Playboy proprietor’s favoured casual attire of a red silk dressing gown). Then there’s her pretty au courant take on beige at Sandringham — her swingy camel coat and knee boots are pleasingly Italian (Max Mara) in spirit.

When playing Anne, Doherty perfected that cool air of being politely unimpressed at all points; while shagging Andrew Parker Bowles, balancing paper hats on a snoozing Queen Mother or even smashing her little brother Edward with a cushion. Alongside a Charles reframed as a sympathetic intellectual, series three of The Crown cements that most cutting lesson for any royal: your very existence is intentionally replaceable — a newer, younger model is never that far behind. Before Meghan and Kate, Diana and Fergie, Anne was the royal fashion pin-up with a common touch that one can’t help but respect. She did the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in heels after the birth of her children, but she also refused titles for them. She has never been fooled by a fake sheikh, taken handouts from shady businessmen or run up bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds on Parisian couture. She told a would-be kidnapper, “Not bloody likely”, when he ordered her to get out of the car. If anyone can make the royals great again, the ludicrously coiffed Anne might just be the under-the-radar star the Windsors can rely on.

I’ll be holding out for a replay of the sparky blue shirt and silk neck scarf ensemble (Kiev, 1974), which is straight out of Bottega. You know she still has it in her wardrobe.

[bloomingtalent]

jade moss and pear 💛💛💚💚💜💝💗💚❤💙 I care about you and I am always here for chitchats or anything you need.

jade - you are loved

moss - you are worthy

pear - you’re good enough

sand - I care about you

I love you and all those positive vibes you give off and be sure that you can do the same. I always love talking or rping with you and just be your friend. So much! 💜

[mrsarnasdelicious]

A Grottan Meal

Grottan have fewer resources than other clans

So their meals are not as intense as those of other clans

Sure they are passionate about food like every gelfling, but they just have less to work with

Their utensils are simplistic

Usually they have been in the family for a fudging long time

Their meals consist of whatever they can get from their caves

Moss, crawlies, blind cave fish

There are no herbs or spices

All they have is salt!

But Grottan are very good at smoking their food

Especially smoked cave fish is a very good Grottan dish

A Grottan is never wasteful!

Almost every part of the prey/plant is used

They combine their ingredients in specific ways to make up for their lack of spicing

Grottan food is mostly solid, because Domrack doesn’t get much water

Meals are usually a family afair

Over meals, the family discusses things going on in their daily life

Ya know chitchat and small news

Cooking is usually done by one parent and one child

This way children learn cooking as they grow up

[julia-highstorms]

If Jane Was Here (Noah's POV) - Ch. 13

Summary: ILITW by Noah’s point of view. Previous chapter here

Disclaimer: all characters belong to Pixelberry Studios and some dialogues are from the game. Gender neutral MC.

Author’s Note: So… I guess I made a mistake in last chapter. Please, forget what I wrote about Noah taking Andy’s phone in the limo. Pretend that it never happened. And I'll be posting the final chapters + AU ending throughout the ILITW Appreciation Week! 

Rating: M (you know... violence, death, etc)

Pairing: Noah x MC

Word count: 4447

Tagging @kurbqa-deactivated20180730 @miragemeister@yertletheturtle04 @mysteriouslady4 @klaudiana-beaumontkkreal  @katiehawkeyebishop @melchann @hippiekiyay@lovethemarshalltwins @jadedpixiescribbles @gameofstrangerwars@american-duchess @blackheartdreams @indiacater @nuttatulipa@lcnelywclf @sazanes @mmmmmmyyyah @ietss 

Chapter 13 - Fight or Flight

As homecoming descended to chaos, Noah shoved the wrong way through a panicking crowd, towards the stage. One of Jane’s beasts had just taken Andy away, leaving the boy’s phone behind.

Jane was working exactly accordingly to the plan. Okay, with more horror and violence and blood than he had anticipated.

Noah had just shoved the object inside his pocket, when he suddenly heard MC’s voice nearby:

“Noah… DUCK!”

Without thinking, the beanie boy did what he was told to and watched in shock as his friend stabbed the microphone stand into a vine creature’s hide like a spear, tangling it in electrical cords.

“Nice save!” - he murmured as they watched the creature falling over the stage, snarling.

“Come on!” - MC yelled, intertwining their hand with his, both of them running in the gym, locating the others amidst the chaos.

“Why is this happening?! These things shouldn’t be alive anymore!”

“Yeah, well tell that to them!” - Ava shout back to Lucas, pointing to the monsters biting and swiping and shoving through screaming bystanders, making their way toward the group of teenagers.

“They’re after us! The longer we stay here, the more people we put in danger!” - Lily glanced nervously around them.

“We have to get out of here!” - Lucas stated as Principal Flores’s voice cut through the noise:

“ Everyone, the hallway is clear! Get to the classrooms and lock the doors!”

“Come on!” -  the gang joined the stampede for the exit… but the crowd bottlenecked in the doors, screaming and shoving as the monsters stalked forward. Jocelyn flopped a serving table, making a barricade. - “Jocelyn, what are you doing?”

“Shut up and run!”

The crowd squeezed out as the monsters pressed down on the girl, tearing the table to shreds, overwhelming her, claws and fangs sinking in her flesh.

“No! Someone help her!” - Britney screamed, tears rubbing down her face.

“AAAAH! AAH-AAAAH! I said RUN, you idiots!” - and then, Jocelyn vanished beneath a sea of snapping jaws. They all sprinted for the hall, pursued by blood-curdling screams.

The gang fled down the hall as screaming students and chaperones barricaded themselves inside classrooms.

“They’re right behind us!” - MC yelled, casting a glance over their shoulder.

“Book it!” - Ava shout back.

“...crap crap CRAP!” - was everything Noah could murmur. What Jane was thinking? He told her to just scare people away! Not hurt them!

“In here!” - Lucas pointed to the open auditorium doors. They swerved in, as some monsters went charging past.

Everyone doubled over, panting hard.

“Are they gone?” - Stacy asked. Lily’s face went pale.

“No… Look!”

Crouching, they peered around the doorframe. In the hall, one of the creatures slowed, its flaming eyes swivelled in their direction… Noah held his breath as the monster’s snout thrusted in over the threshold, an inch from Lucas’s hand.

“Yeah, I’m so done.” - before he could realise what was happening, MC jumped up slamming their elbow through the emergency box safety glass, and grabbed the axe in there. - “Hey, party crasher!” - the monster looked their way, startled as MC charged toward it. - “CRASH THIS!” - they yelled, swinging the weapon up and then down its neck, slashing through it, the blow so hard that the blade bit through the floor. The creature’s body crumpled, twitching beneath the axe blade. MC picked up its snapping head. - “That’s enough out of you.” - they said, before blowing its eyes out like candles, and its body fell still.

They all looked in both shock and amusement at them.

“Wow…” - Lily’s mouth was falling agape.

“Okay, not gonna lie… That was kinda hot.”

“Ava, focus.”

“Thanks for the save, MC!” - Lucas grinned at them.

“No problem.”

Once the coast was clear, the gang ran outside the building, school alarm bells screaming out over the parking lot.

“Now what?”

“What do you mean ‘now what’?” - MC looked over Stacy. - “Now we leave!”

“We came here in the limo, remember?” - the Class President reminded them.

“Damn it!”

“Oh boy, more running.” - the witch girl concluded with a somber face.

“I can’t take this…”

“Me neither.” - Noah agreed with Lily. His feet felt sore from all that running.

“It’s better than the alternative. Now come on, before—”

“Stacy!”

“Mom?!” - Mayor Green, disheveled and covered in scrapes, grabbed her daughter by the arm. - “What are you doing?”

“Getting you out of here! Now come on, all of you! There’s a storm shelter on the other side of the building. We can make it if we run!”

“No, Mayor Green, we can’t stay here!”

“Excuse me?” - the woman looked at MC as if they had two heads.

“Mom, I don’t have time to explain, but I need you to trust me!”

“Yes, because that worked out so well for me the last time.”

“M-Mom!” - the cheerleader’s eyes filled with tears. The mayor’s grip tightened on her wrist.

“Stacy, your friends can do what they want, but I am your mother, and you’re coming with me! End of discussion!” - Noah nervously looked at his watch. The longer they stayed there the worse things would get.

“Alright, Off-Brand Hillary Clinton, now you listen to me!”

“Ex-excuse me?” - Mayor Green released Stacy's arm, drawing back as MC stepped between them.

“Your daughter has been through hell for weeks trying to protect you. And she’s still doing it right now!” - the rest of the group watched in stunned silence the scene in front of them. - “But you know what? For the life of me, I can’t figure out why! ‘Cause it seems to me like all you care about is your damn image!”

“That… that’s not true! You can’t talk to me like that!”

“I just did! News flash, lady, you’re the mayor of a town whose population can fit in a football stadium! You’re not that important! So get over yourself and stop treating your daughter like she’s just a speed bump on your road to being someone who matters!”

“MC, what's gotten into you?”

“I’ve run out of patience for bullies.”

“Stacy, I… I didn’t know that’s how you felt about me.” - the woman’s face was red in embarrassment. - “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” - huh? Noah thought he saw something on the corner of his eye…

“I’ve tried, Mom. I’ve tried, and tried, and tried. You don’t listen, but—”

“Uh, hey everybody, not to interrupt Drama Club, but LOOK OUT!” - he yelled. Glass shattered as a dozen monsters exploded out the front doors, dreading their way.

“Mom, run!” - Stacy shoved her mom out of the way, and the creatures streamed after the teenage kids as they took off across the parking lot.

“They’re gaining on us!” - Lily screamed by Noah’s side.

“They’re ahead of us, too!” - Ava pointed.

“This is hopeless! There’s too many of them!” - Lucas starred panicking as they ran.

“Wait… What is that sound?” - the nerdy girl asked and a black muscled car exploded into view. Monsters crashed sideways over the hood as the car shrieked to a stop… and the driver door kicked open:

“Get in!”

“That was awesome!” - the cheerleader squealed in excitement as she saw her brother.

“Praise me later! I said get in!”

They all ran for the car. Connor hefted a tire iron and jumped out to cover them as the monster rose to their feet, eyes blazing with fury.

“Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?” - the older guy asked defiantly to a growling creature.

Metal clanged against bone as Connor smashed a monster with a backhand swing. MC jumped in the passenger seat as the rest piled up in the backseat of the car.

“Connor, let's go!” - they shout through the open driver door.

The blonde guy jumped in the driver seat and slammed the door. But before he could start the car, a moss creature lunged through the window, chomping into his side.

“AAAAAH!” - Connor stomped the gas and the monster wrenched out of sight as the car leapt up to speed and tore off out of the parking lot.

The car skidded around a corner, racing through streets downtown, Connor glancing into the rearview:

“How’s everybody doing back there?”

“Freaking out.” - Ava answered him. Lily nodded.

“Same.”

“Cool, glad we’re all on the same— nngh… page…” - he winced, holding his side as he drove.

“Connor, are you okay?” - MC asked from the passenger seat. The older guy flashed a charming smirk at them.

“I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.”

“Are you sure? That thing bit you…”

“Don’t worry about it. If I start turning into a zombie, one of you guys can just kill me.” - Noah rolled his eyes. They didn’t have time for that chitchat. They had to go to the woods.

“On it.” - the witch girl said, waving the tire iron.

“There, see? All under control.”

Cop cars went rocketing past, sirens screaming, headed toward the school.

“Hello, guys, can we focus on the fact that monsters kidnapped Andy?!” - the beanie boy reminded his friends. They definitely shouldn’t be there, piled up in a car. They should be going to the woods, and not to wherever the hell Stacy’s older brother was taking them.

“And if the monsters are back, that means that Mr. Red is back too! And that means the ritual didn’t work!” - Lucas still was freaking out by Lily’s side.

“But why? We did everything we were supposed to!” - Stacy asked from his other side.

“I don’t know. But until we figure it out, we can’t just charge in. If we go up against Mr. Red without a plan, we’re as good as dead.”

“So is Andy if we don’t go after him!” - Noah reminded the Class President. Typical. That was so typical of Lucas. Trying to to free his cowardly ass from everything.

Lily gasped sharply st a sudden realisation, everyone turning to her.

“I just realized… If these things came after us, they might have gone after Dan, too!”

“Crap, you’re right! We have to go to the hospital and get him before they do!” - the beanie boy rolled his eyes as Stacy professed those words.

“We don’t have one for that!” - it was useless. Dan would probably be with Jane at this rate. - “We all need to—”

“CONNOR, LOOK OUT!” - the cheerleader screamed and her brother winced as the car swerved toward the edge of the road, the passenger mirror exploding against a street light.

“Damn!” - the driver cursed, jerking the wheel, steering back onto the road, and slamming on the brakes. He grunted, gripping his side.

“What are you…”

“Guess that bastard at the school got me better than I thought…” - Connor said before MC could finish their question.

“That settles it. Connor, get in the back. Lucas, you drive. We’re going to the hospital.”

Noah grunted in frustration but said nothing. That dude was hurt and bleeding his guts out. But the longer they took to go to the woods, he knew the worse things would be…

Jane was here.

They sped to the hospital and parked outside. Noah and Lucas helped Connor through the doors… but as they entered the lobby, they found it eerily empty.

The boy with the denim jacket felt a cold shiver running down his spine. Jane had already been there.

“What the hell?!” - the older guy screamed, his hand on his side. Lucas looked around in confusion.

“Where’s everyone?”

“I frickin’ knew it! No one ever listens to Noah!”

Jane was here.

“Someone check Dan’s room!” - Lily shout as MC already ran down the hall, the girls following them close behind.

The two boys helped Connor down a chair near the desk, and went to sit in the waiting area. None of them said anything, each one lost in their own thoughts. Noah glanced nervously to his watch again.

They looked up as Ava, Lily, Stacy and MC entered the lobby.

“Was Dan there? Is he okay?” - the boy with glasses asked right away, both of them standing up.

“What does it look like?” - Ava scowled at him.

Noah swore, pacing. He knew it. Jane had already been there and took Dan. They were just wasting time there.

“I don’t understand. Why didn’t the ritual work? We did the goblets, the incantation, all of it! Desfiles was sealed!” - Lily cried in desperation.

“Maybe We did something wrong?” - the witch girl asked her.

“That can’t be… Can it?”

“No. We did it all right.”

“Yeah, exactly!” - Lily beamed to MC’s firmly reply. Ava agreed:

“Okay, yeah. I thought so too. But if it wasn’t a mistake, then what? You think the old lady got it wrong? Misremembered the spell or something?”

“No. I think Cora gave us the ritual just how she and her friends did it back then.”

“But?”

“Maybe it’s different for us. Maybe we were supposed to do something else.” - Noah stopped pacing and looked at MC. They’d always been the clever one of them all.

“Like what?” - Lily asked them, who frowned:

“I don’t know…”

Noah rolled his eyes once again. They didn’t have time for speculations.

“None of this changes anything. Now we just have two people to rescue.”

“Yeah, but still no plan for how to stop this.”

He glared at Lucas:

“Look, I don’t know why Redfiled’s loose any more than you do, but that doesn’t matter right now. ‘One crisis at a time’, remember? And right now, the crisis is, Andy and Dan have been kidnapped. We need to go after them. All of us. We can sort the rest out later.”

“We could be dead later if we don’t figure out why this is happening!” - Lucas snapped back at him.

“You both need to calm down.” - they heard MC’s calm voice. Noah turned to them, seeing red:

“What are you, a marriage counselor?”

“No, MC’s right. This isn’t helping.”

The beanie boy stared at the other boy with a few seconds, before letting out a sigh, collecting himself.

“Yeah… Alright.” - picking up fights would only be worse and harder to get all of them to the woods.

Connor cleared his throat:

“Hey, guys, I hate to interrupt, but can I get a word with MC real quick?”

They all nodded, everyone scattered around the room as MC headed towards the desk. Noah paced grouchy toward the doors,  feeling Andy’s phone weighting inside his pocket.

That was useless. They were just wasting their time there.

Jane was here.

Suddenly he sensed someone approaching him and stopped waking pivoting  in the steps direction. It was MC.

“Are we leaving yet?” - he asked, not hiding his impatience.

“Just a few more minutes. Are… you okay?”

“Peachy.” - he said sarcastically, before shaking his head with a huff and going back to pacing… from the door… to the window… to the door…

“Hey, Noah, talk to me.” - he rolled his eyes. Again.

“Yeah, let’s all stand around talking about our feelings for an hour,  that’ll help.”

“Okay, point taken.”

And then, MC turned around to go… but he didn’t want them to go. They didn’t deserve to suffer all his anger. They were the only one who always tried to help everyone and do something. The one who gave a damn to what happened to Jane. The one who truly cared about him.

“...No. Hang on.” - he took a step toward them, putting a gentle hand on their shoulder. Their eyes (those eyes that always made him feel a little anxious when they looked through him) met his. - “I’m sorry.”

MC nodded at him, wordless. He sighed and headed to the window, leaning against the frame and staring out at the street. Wondering about what Jane probably was doing by now.

“What’s going on, Noah?” - his friend asked, standing beside him.

He wanted to tell them everything. About Jane being Mr. Red. That they, all of them, had to go to those ruins in the woods. But MC would never believe him. And the gang would never agree to go there. They had already left him and Jane alone before. They would likely do the same again.

“Nothing.” - he said instead. “I just… I want to get out of here and get this over with. The sooner we finish it, the sooner everything goes back to normal.”

“‘Back to normal’? Back to normal how? Do you mean all of us not talking?”

Noah frowned at them.

“No, come on. You know what I mean. Earlier than that. Like when we were kids. Before…”

“Before Jane died.” - MC finished the sentence for him. He looked away, his heart aching. - “Noah, whatever happens with us and Redfield… it won’t bring her back. Some wounds don’t heal. They just become scars.”

The boy slumped against the window, his breath fogging the glass, obscuring his reflection.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it before. Jane’s gone and there’s nothing we can do about it.” - oh, MC was so wrong. So dead wrong.

Jane would be back. If they all went there… and played together one last time. She would be here.

Jane was here.

He kept talking:

“It’s just… I don’t know. I can’t get it out of my head. How it’s not right. It’s not fair. Jane didn’t deserve that.”

Maybe… maybe he was the one who should have gone year ago. Not her.

“None of us deserved it.”

MC was wrong again.

“Maybe we did. Maybe we should have done more to stop it.” - he rubbed at his eyes, feeling tears welling up there. - “Maybe it should have been me…”

If Jane was here...

Things would be better. Their mother always liked her more than him. His friends liked her more they liked him. MC liked her more than they liked him.

Noah? Noah was just so damn unlikeable. So useless. He was a dead weight in everyone’s life.

“Noah… hug time.” - MC pulled him into a sudden hug, cutting him off mid-sentence. The boy choked onto a sob as he felt their arms around him, holding him tightly. - “Noah, listen to me. We’re going to get past what happened, and we’re going to survive this.” - MC’s whispered calmly and somewhat reassuringly into his ear and he let his tears run freely. Tears of pain. Of sadness. Of shame. Of guilty. - “All of us. Together. Do you hear me?”

Together.

That was a nice dream. A beautiful and impossible dream.

“Yeah… Yeah, I hear you…” - he pulled away, sniffling back snot and rubbing his eyes with his sleeve. - “I think I’d like to be alone for a bit.” - a small smile tugged in the corner of his lips. - “But… thanks for coming over here. And for putting up with me.”

“I don’t ‘put up’ with you, Noah. You’re my friend.” - MC smiled brightly back at him.

Friend...

“Yeah, I know.” - his grin left as soon as it came. - “Same here…”

MC squeezed the boy’s shoulder affectionately before walking away. Boa resumed pacing.

What a great friend he was. Just about to lure them into the woods. And face Jane in that game.

But this time things would work. They would all be free from that frickin’ curse. Jane would be free. And his friends too. They would all go onto their lives. Happy and safe.

And he… he would face the consequences. He would be in Jane’s place.

It had to be him. It was the only fair thing to do.

Things would work this time. They had to.

Noah glanced to where his friends were. Lily was the one most nearby, sitting in a chair near the front doors, her hands folded in her lap. She seemed a little less terrified. Probably MC had talked to her before going to talk to him. Stacy was behind the reception desk, frantically rooting around, while Ava sat with her back in the wall, a pile of magazines from the waiting area in front of her. Lucas and MC talked in front of the soda machine.

Seeing that everyone seemed distracted, he stopped by the window, his back turned to the room. He took Andy’s phone from his pocket, staring at it for a few moments here typing something down.

Andy: “help me”

“...Andy!” - MC shout and everyone snapped to attention at the sound of his name.

MC: “omg Andy! where r u?!”

He kept texting on the Asian boy’s phone:

Andy: “I’m hiding near the ruins”

Andy: “I got away from those things but they’re everywhere”

MC: “r u okay?”

Andy: “please you have to help me”

Andy: “hurry”

Andy: “and bring everyone”

Noah shoved the phone back his pocket and joined his friends standing behind MC, reading over their shoulder. No one noticed that he wasn’t around before.

“Well, that’s definitely a trap.”

“Seriously. How dumb does Redfield think we are?” - Stacy agreed with Ava.

“It doesn’t matter.” - Noah put up a somber face. - “We don’t have a choice. At least we know what we’re walking into.”

“As much as I hate to say it, Noah is right.” - to his (and everyone’s) surprise, Lucas was the one who said it.

“Okay. Let’s roll.” - a few feet away, Connor sit up and pulled on his jacket.

“Roll where? You’re not going anywhere.”

“Says who?”

“Me.” - Stacy scowled back at her brother. - “You’re too hurt, Connor. You’re staying here.”

“The hell I am!” - the blonde guy started to get out of his seat, then groaned and staggered forward.

“Whoa, hey!” - Noah caught him mid-stumble and eased him back into his chair. That guy was in no condition to go with them. - “C’mon dude, don’t be stupid. You’re too messed up to help. And honestly you’d probably just slow us down.” - he knew those words were harsh, but were true. Besides, they didn’t need more people involved in what was going to happen. That wasn’t Connor problem to solve. It was Noah’s and his friends’.

“Oh, fine…” - the guy fished in his pocket for his keys and held them out to them. - “Just… Just take my car and go. I’ll hang here. Wait for the doctors. And the cops.”

“Connor… thank you.”

“Hey, no problem. I got to look like scream badass for a minute here huh?” - he smirked to MC.

“Yeah. You sure did.” - the older guy tossed them his car keys.

“Hey… Be careful.”

“I will. See you soon.”

“You better.”

MC motioned to them and they all started toward the door.

Lucas drove them to MC’s house. Outside there, the teenagers piled out of the car and started across the backyard.

“Remind me what the plan is?”

“Go back to the ruins”. - Lily replied Lucas. Stacy kept telling the plan:

“Rescue Dan and Andy.”

“Kill anything that gets in our way.” - followed by Ava.

“Is everybody ready?”

“Not even remotely.” - Lucas answered MC’s question.

“Well, that makes literally all of us.” - the witch girl frowned.

“Let’s do this.” - Noah said, putting on a determined face.

Shoulder to shoulder, the gang marched across the yard…

“But first…”

“MC, where are you going?” - Lily asked nervously as they all watched their friend swerving into another direction.

“Just making a quick detour!”

MC entered their family’s shed, exiting it a few moments later.

“Wow…” - Noah murmured, seeing all that arsenal they took with them.

“MC…”

“Holy crap…” - Lily and Lucas were stunned too.

“That’s a good look for you.” - Ava grinned and Stacy asked:

“Who are you, The Terminator?”

“What can I say? I prefer to face my demons armed to the teeth.” - suddenly they saw a black and white blur running out of the shed after them. It was a smiley dog. - “Hilda, whatever are you doing?”

“Looks like she wants to come along.” - the Class President stroked Hilda behind her ears. Lily casted a nervous glance to the dog:

“Is that safe?”

“None of this is safe.” - Ava stated. - “But I definitely feel better with a dog.” - she bent to pet Hilda. - “Especially one this cute!”

They heard another noise and saw MC’s kitten toddling eagerly out of the shed.

Holy crap, did MC have a zoo in their shed?

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, not you too!”

“How many animals do you have in there?” - Lucas took the words out of his mouth. Stacy stopped to scratch the small cat, who meowed happily.

“Aww, she wants to come too!”

“That’s cute.” - Lily smiled. - “But we definitely can’t bring a kitten along. No matter how brave she is.”

They all jumped as they saw a moss creature bounding out of the woods.

“Twiggy! There you are!” - MC greeted the beast in recognition.

“You have… kind of a lot of pets.” - Noah said, watching the monster and the dog circling one another, sniffing.

“Tell me about it. This is getting ridiculous.” - Luna his behind MC’s leg, eyes wide and ears back, staring at Cora’s creature. - “Aaw, is my big brave killer jaguar afraid of Twiggy?”

Noah couldn’t really blame the kitten:

“Yeah, gonna be honest, that thing kinda freaks me out.”

MC chuckled by his side.

“ Well, I’m glad he’s around. We need all the help we can get.”

Suddenly, Hilda tensed, baring her teeth, Luna arched her back and Twiggy’s eyes blazed angrily.

“What’s going on?” - Noah looked confused at MC’s pets.

“Something’s coming. Everyone, get ready!” - they all turned towards the trees...

...And stopped dead at the sight of a shadowy figure, standing at the edge of the woods.

“Um… Everyone else is seeing this, right?” - Lily asked her friends. Noah’s mouth fell agape:

“Is that who I think it is?”

“It can’t be…” - MC covered their mouth with their hand.

“Mr. Cooper?!”

“StUdeNTs.” - the figure grinned at them. Lucas shook his head in denial:

“It’s not him. It can’t be him!”

“Mr. Cooper?! It’s a trick!”

“Yeah! He’s just another one of those dirt monsters!” - Noah agreed with MC.

Their professor’s eyes widened with glee.

“WrONg.”

“What do we do? If it is Mr. Cooper, we can’t hurt him!” - Stacy asked, her eyes never leaving the man in front of them.

“Everyone, relax. All we have to do is wrestle him to the ground and knock him out.”

“Y-yeah! There’s six of us and one of him!” - Lucas tried to follow MC’s brave face.

Mr. Cooper shook his head, clicking his tongue. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

“WrONg aGaIN.”

And then, another figure stepped out of the trees.

“MorE of Us in HeRE.” - Ben, the school’s basketball captain, said, his eyes blazing and his sling gray, just like Mr. Cooper’s.

And another figure.

“ALL of Us in HeRE.” - they recognised Andy’s best friend, Tom.

“Oh god… it’s tecoatients from the hospital!” - Lily murmured.

“But that means…”

Crooked fingers gripped the bark of a tree. From the shadows, something clawed its way into the light… and one more figure stepped forward.

“HeLLo frIEndS. CoME to PLaY?”

[royal-writer]

She walks in starlight

Do you think she could have loved me?

The woodlands were dark, and so dense that the sun could not penetrate the branches and foliage. It left a gloom over the undergrowth, with only the faint dappling of rays daring to try reaching the land beneath. It was not a dirt rich with vegetation. Mostly moss grew on the forest floor, and what plants were not dead were hardy and lacked greenery, flowers, and fruits to make up for in gnarled branches and thorny tips.

“Easy to imagine why people would find this land poisoned with darkness,” Ravamora pointed out, climbing over the remains of a fallen tree.

“It is not sick,” Amon pointed out, running his fingers along the bark of a tree. “These trees are all very healthy. Elms, oaks, sycamores, ash, maples; it’s a diverse ecosystem. I would assume these trees have over the years grown so much, they choked out the shade-tolerant plants that once lived here. Given a few centuries, these old trees will die and fall; spreading light to the understory once more for new life to grow. Perhaps then if the right seedlings are left in the droppings of passing animals, a new and more diverse habitat can flourish.”

“Ugh, do you ever listen to yourself?” Adela sighed, taking an offered hand to scale over the decaying tree. “You’re like a walking plant encyclopedia.”

A gentle tisk escaped Abernathy as he guided the tiefling safely up the tree. Once she reached the top, she hopped down unaided, with the taller gentleman dropping beside her.

“Use your manners, Adela. Not everyone is a hinge expert.”

The pink woman’s face suddenly turned maroon. She inhaled sharply as Abernathy passed her, a look of disgust on her face.

“You take that back!”

“Lord Anon offers us knowledge, niss Adela,” Pri’cha chirped, tilting her head. “Is it not wise to accept which we do not know?”

“It is if it’s useless,” Penimra sighed. “No one cares about a stuffy, dirty old forest anyway. Besides, most of you will be long past dead by the time it changes anyway, so what’s it matter?”

Drawing in a heavy sigh, Amon rolled his eyes at the cynical tone and quiet bickering. Some days they were all perfectly calm, collected, and working like a well-oiled machine and other days… Well, tolerance grew thin. You longed for civilization, a cozy bed, and a hot meal made with more than just basic ingredients and subpar cooks.

He tried to focus in on the surrounding sounds in the woodland. Scuttling in the dead foliage; small shrews and mice trying to find a meal. A deep breath in his lungs, and it almost smelled of home. Musty dirt and lichen growing on large rocks. The wild smells of nature all around him.

He looked over his shoulder, spotting Sulhadur looking alertly around the thick bands of trees. He remained quiet; a lookout for danger that might come running among their clamoring noise. Perhaps the only other would who would appreciate the silence as much as he did right now.

“Sometimes I forget how many of you have elvish blood,” Aylin pointed out, scanning the group. “Obviously it’s hard to miss Ravamora and you, Penimra, but Abernathy is part-elf and Amon’s family, distantly, had elf as well.”

“That just leaves us with a dragon, a bug, a half-demon, and a half-snake as our only no-elf heritage in the group.”

“Very reassuring,” Adela grumbled. “That does not mean my life will be any less or shorter than yours. In fact I could put a wager on it being shorter, right now-”

Ignoring the squabbling that began to pick up again, the Illiad heir scanned over their numbers with narrowed eyes. He kept doubling back, but with each headcount he kept coming up one short. Where was-

Arms suddenly flung around his waist and squeezed. He let out a startled grunt, trying to pull free of the snaring grasp.

“Got you~” a sing-song voice teased, followed by a giggle as he was released with his squirming from the sudden hold.

He turned sharply; cloak whirling to find no one there.

A sharp, barking laughter followed, and he rolled his eyes. Turning around, Amon gripped upon the leather strap of his satchel to adjust it. Witnessing as everyone else grew startled or amused expressions, watching a distinctive black murky shadow appear and disappear all around them.

“Niss Essätha!” Pri’cha squeaked, surprised as the woman appeared in a flash at her side, grasping the tiny bug up to snuggle her as she dropped to her knees.

“It’s no time for games, woman,” Penimra scolded.

Essie wickedly grinned in the elf’s direction. He tensed; watching as she seemed to evaporate in mist and darkness all around him. She reappeared moments later at his side, latching on to him as he struggled to pry her free like a leech.

“Someone gave her sugar this morning,” Abernathy chuckled, reaching out grab the woman in a tight embrace as she melted in and out of the shadows beside him.

A slight curve pulled at the edge of Amon’s lips. Much better than the bickering, he had to say.

As he turned back, his boots shuffling against dry leaves, the air seemed to prickle around him with energy. The petite, golden-brown eyed woman was suddenly at this side again; throwing her arms around his side as she laughed freely. An easy sound; damn near childlike and innocent.

He could only chuckle in response. What a totally unnecessary, absurd way to use such a powerful magical gift.

And yet, it fit her mischief kindness and play so perfectly, he could not even hope not to be enchanted by it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The sound of the campfire crackling and idle chitchat lay to Amon’s backside as he picked up more dead and dry branches for the fire. The darkening twilight sky was beginning to glitter overhead, bearing the shining stars of distant light as the last of the sun fell behind the horizon in a haze of diluted warm colors.

He reached down for another treelimb, but paused. A curious vapor of blurred darkness seemed to be moving over it.

The ink smudge turned to fingers, and the shadow began to dissolve as a figure emerged.

Picking up the stick, Essätha waved it in front of him, her tongue sticking out.

“Need some help?”

He scoffed, balancing the collection of twigs and boughs dangling in his arms. A grin on his face, as he turned his face away, reaching down for another twisted piece of wood laying on the ground.

“Thank you, Ess’, but I can do it.”

As he stood once more, a hand rested against his shoulder. Warm eyes lingering upon him, and a gentle smile.

“You’re going to need someone who can actually navigate and see in the dark,” she teased. Cradling the single limb she had against her chest, the ethereal woman leaned in, pressing a light kiss against his cheek.

His heart skipped a beat. Muttering to himself as heat rose in his face, Amon ignored her hushed giggles as she trailed close to his side, following him along the outskirt edges of the campsite.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Flipping through the pages of the book, Amon skimmed over the lines with a sharp eye. He’d seen enough tax collector’s handbooks to know what what he was looking at, and what should be amiss. A finger ghosted against the papers to help follow a clear line before he’d flip the page. The chatter seemed distant as they others moved about the room or spoke to the wealthy woman just outside.

He sensed it. The change in the air. The sudden way the hairs on the back of his neck rose; feeling something amiss.

A warm breath bathed against the back of his head, and a head rested against his shoulder. Arms materialized around him; cradling him back into a thin chest.

“Find anything useful yet?”

Careful to hold the spine of the book with one hand, Amon reached down to take hold of one of the palms resting against his torso. He brought it to his lips, resting a kiss to the back of the delicate hand.

“Not yet.”

An understanding note carried in the back of her throat, and Essätha’s arms slid back from around him.

He’d rather they’d stayed. They were only distracting for the moment. A sudden warmth; the sun outlining his back and holding him close. Melting away cold and uncertainty.

Licking his digit, he flipped through another page of text, feeling the same strange shifting in the air that had his nerves tingle with awareness as she departed into a fine mist of black, and disappeared.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His shadow stretched out long against the ground as he dropped off of Maestro. Boots thumping to the ground; hearing the clattering clip clop of hooves and creak of the wagon as the other two steeds followed not far behind.

Amon reached for the mares reigns, cooing to her as she tossed her head and snorted. He rested a hand to her nose as she settled, counting a hoof to the ground as he went to tie her off.

He could feel the change in the atmosphere around him. The smell of magnolia, vanilla, and coconut in his nose. A full garden and sweet notes.

Warmth flung itself around him. Laughter in his ear; loud and excited as Maestro flicked her tail and shifted aside with an unsettled whiny.

Deep, hearty laughter flowed from Lord Amon. A sound he nearly felt forgotten as he reached up to the arms around his neck, folding his fingers over hers. His head turned, nose pressing to hers as he placed a quick smooch to the corner of her mouth.

Essätha squealed with her rolling fits of giggles; nuzzling her face into his shoulder.

All the world and its joy, lay in her joyous song.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was ready for her this time. He could feel her in his shadow; predator waiting to strike prey.

As Essie lunged for his back, Amon whipped around, and caught her in his arms.

“Noooooo!”

“Ha!” he cried out triumphantly. “Now look who’s got who!”

She squirmed in his grasp, trying to break herself free of his arms. Her strength, however, small compared to his as he held her against his chest, and placed rapid kisses against her face as she flushed pink and squeaked her surprise.

“Ugh, gross, can’t you two lovebirds get a room or something?” Rava sulked, smacking a hand against her face to block out the sight.

“You are free to look away,” Amon informed her, grinning wildly as he placed his lips to her cheek. He blew warm air against her skin until she had trouble catching her breath; snorting so hard in her laughter that her lungs compressed without air.

“Staahh-hahaha-oopp!”

Smiling broadly from ear to ear, Amon relented her request. Settling for holding Essätha tight and close to his chest. His chin rested atop her head. Arms around her, arms around him, and the soft lingering snickers pressed tiredly against his heart as her heartrate settled and breath finally allowed to lazily find refuge in her lungs once more.

Funny that, even at rest, his heart still could not settle in her presence, and he was always left breathless by her allure.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Was it childish? Absolutely. Did he regret it? Not in the least.

Amon laid his hand upon the tree, and felt the buzz of nature beneath his gloves. It surged in his fingers; tingled in his veins. The whispers of other worlds seemed to call to him.

He focused his eyes on his surroundings, and vanished.

He was everywhere. In the dirt, in the roots. Traversing mother nature in the blink of an eye; he reappeared unscathed a few hundred yards away beneath the low branches of a sister tree.

In the shadows, he could make out Essätha’s silhouette umbral form. The fog of darkness revealed her person, and fell to the ground to disappear.

With a broad smile, he channeled into the magic of the world and disappeared once more. In the vibrations all around him, he was more at one with Mother Earth then ever before. Amon could feel the breath of life all around him. It was comforting as it was daunting.

He reappeared from nothing beside another sister-tree to the same specimen a staggering four-hundred yards away. A quick glimpse around, and he could see the taunting light of Essie’s eyes as she evaporated once more; still hiding in the darkness some yards away.

They continued the dance. Moving throughout the woodland faster than even the most trustworthy stallions or nimble wood-elves. They might know the land, but they did not know this: the hum of the trees, offering their sanctuary. The ability to acknowledge, and respect the life of these wild things and take a form that was not even a true form, and transcend into a realm that was more than distance: it was a connected force. Related by the same seed; the same race of life in the bark and way they took nutrients from the earth and sky and rainwater. He was one with it all.

And she walked in shadows, but brimmed with light. A distinct ying-and-yang all her own. Pooling into nothing; fading into black. He chased where the taste of her magic was left; where the air and dirt felt of her presence. The vibe of her energy left a mark where she went. Not of darkness, but of soft dappled lighting, welcoming smiles, and gentle sloping curves to nestle into in the shape of home.

He tracked her mage’s Shadow Walk with the Tree Stride across the forest; through the pines and elms and various maples. Quiet peels of laughter singing in the air, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

Lord Amon waited; feeling the rush of her pass him by. As Essätha paused; forming within the safety and shade of a large and towering elder cottonwood, he stepped out from the tree in a hum of magic. Careful on his toes; just a few steps, large strides as she perked up. Trying to hone in on where he was, until it was too late.

Arms around her, she sank back into him with a wonderful sigh of content.

“Got you,” he whispered, pressing a tender kiss to her temple.

“Mmm, you think so?” she murmured, reaching around to comb her fingertips through his hair. “And how long do you think you can keep me?”

He exhaled, tightening his arms around her. She was lax in his arms; trusting her weight and safety in his grasp.

Forever, he wanted to say, barely holding his tongue. I want to hold you like this, forever.

[kitanoko]

Todomomo Fairy AU Part 3 ~

READ PART 1 HERE

READ PART 2 HERE

just to clarify, in this AU, people know that fairies exist and so do witches, warlocks and what have you. It’s just extremely rare to meet a fairy and their realms don’t intertwine in any way (or more like the fairies and the humans don’t want trouble so they try to stay away from each other as much as possible; however, there are curious ones who want to know more about each other’s lives). I also mentioned fuyumi and tensei which is from blamedorange, and thanks to gingersducksandbubbles for the horse names HAHA

warning: its another longgggg one! Again, this is somewhat between a fanfic and a hc. This one is more lighthearted…..I think? 

-on the way back to the castle, Todo’s allies had already secured the main fronts of the battle. Endeavor’s strongest fighters were defeated by Mido and Iida (those two also followed Todo’s orders and restraint Endeavor in his weak state), though Kaminari was the real MVP, clearing off most of the area on his own with his electricity magic (Kaminari was a noble from the royal branch family of the Kingdom of Clouds, and he himself brought in his best strategist and right hand, Jirou Kyouka, amongst his most reliable warriors). 

-Todo enters the dungeons as fast as he could and notices that the guards had fled; when Todo’s mother, Miyuki (her name means beautiful snow), sees him, her eyes opened wide , then immediately crinkle as she gives him a soft smile. Todo sees her mother curling at the far corner of the prison, like a lost animal too afraid to show themselves, and for the thousandth time, he wonders if he will ever know exactly how much pain his mother had to go through because of his father. “When I heard the guards talking….I knew it was your doing, Shouto” she says, with a hand to her heart. She knew since long ago that her son would grow up to be a brave, noble young man and she wasn’t wrong. Todoroki takes a deep breath, the sunlight through the tiny slit on the moss-covered bricks reflect on his cyan eye and he quickly slashes the chain-and-lock with his sword. 

-”How about Fuyumi? Where is she?” his mother asks urgently when he guides her out and Todo tells her that he had sent his sister to the Cloud Kingdom to take refuge a day ago before the coup had set. His father did not suspect a thing as Fuyumi would occasionally do charity work or volunteer in other parts of the world as a representative of their Kingdom (Fuyumi actually helped the reputation of the Kingdom of Fire by doing so and so Endeavor encouraged it). His mother is relieved but the tug on her dry, chalky lips and rickety gait shows Todoroki just how feeble she is. She looks malnourished and if there is one thing he must do, it is to lead his mother back to the castle and give her the care that his father owes her.

-Days passed. Todo’s friends went back to their respective Kingdom and those who were from the same Kingdom was ready to serve Todo as the new King. In reality, Todo isn’t ready to be King and his mother had to step down as Queen because of her health (the citizens had honestly only seen her twice anyway so she isn’t prepared to be the face of the Kingdom).  Todo had always believed that the heir to the throne should be Fuyumi so after consulting his mother, he confronts his sister.

-”But father had always wanted you to –” “Sis, this is what both mom and I want. And our father is a prisoner now, I could care less about what he thinks. You will be the best ruler the Kingdom has ever had and you’ll have mom and I with you every step of the way.” Fuyumi accepts it with teary eyes and open arms in the end.

-Endeavor is locked up far away from the Kingdom in an old abandoned tower and Todoroki begrudgingly accompanies his mother to see him the day before Fuyumi’s coronation. His mother wanted a private talk with Endeavor and so Todoroki waits outside. Right before he steps out though, Todo makes sure to spit out a warning, “If you dare lay a finger on my mother, I’d –” “That’s enough Shouto,” his mother looks at him pointedly, “don’t worry, I’m going to be fine.” 

-Todo stands by his sister’s side the day of her coronation. There are those who protest having a woman as the sole ruler of the Kingdom of Fire (Fuyumi’s the first female head of the Kingdom), but overall everything is under control by the knights and the guards. His mother is the happiest of all but she can tell that something’s on Todoroki’s mind. 

-The after-party is a blur; he makes small talk with friends and thanks them yet again for their services. Todo also dances with a few noblewoman and ladies-in-waiting as per his mother’s request but hesitantly so. Fuyumi is teased by their mother on the issue of ‘finding a lifelong partner’ and blushes when Iida’s brother, Tensei, stands guard at the side of the ballroom, exchanging glimpses of each other as if no one knew their secret.

-The party ends at midnight. People’s chitchat dwindles away like the aroma of the pine-scented incense in the middle of the room. Todo’s mother finally asks him what’s wrong and that’s when he tells her he knew about how she isn’t human but a fairy, related to the Fairy Queen nonetheless. His mother sighs, knew that this day would come, and recalls the time when she had to hide her wings and identity when Endeavor first held power. She tells Todo how she had only shown her face in public twice, three times including tonight, and even though their marriage was perfectly schemed so that the truth would be concealed, still some knew her secret. Her wings slowly disappeared as she no longer possessed the same amount of fairy magic from living in the human world for decades. Endeavor had sent those who knew her secret to their deaths through immediate execution. He knew that the citizens would go crazy if they found out that the Queen wasn’t human. Endeavor had given excuses that Todo’s mother had a persistent illness, almost as if she was terminally ill, to fend off those who meddle too much into political affairs. 

-”when did my son become so interested in fairies?” “the truth is…I befriended one and she helped me a lot with the battle against father, she believed I could do it and I did. I really wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.” “And where is she, Shouto? I’d like to meet her myself.” 

-Todo doesn’t answer, eyes distant as if searching for an answer among the stars. The way he stayed silent made his mother queasy. 

-By now its been months. Momo’s sitting at her favourite spot in the fairy gardens wondering why he still hasn’t come. She visits the palace to see the Queen and asks if she should open the portal for her to enter the human world since she hasn’t fully recovered yet and thus has limited power to open the gates herself. The Queen orders her to stay and recover first and Momo obeys, frowning.

- With the string of events, one after the other, things had gotten so hectic for Todoroki that he found no time to get back to the fairy realm. He feels a little apprehensive; what if Yaoyorozu still hasn’t recovered? Guilt eats him from the inside but his mom tells him to do what he must and everything will be fine. 

-Todo’s mom figures that there should be enough fairy magic left in him to open the portal one more time and so after Fuyumi had finally settled in her throne and was used to her duties, Todo decides that the chance to see Momo again is now. Todo suggests to bring his mother to the fairy world but she refuses incessantly, claiming that she had no right to enter anymore. Todo attempts to convince his mother, telling her that her sister, the Fairy Queen, misses her more than anything but to no avail.

-Todo wanted to open the portal in his own room before his mother chuckled lightedheartedly at the idea. “The gates to the fairy realm isn’t like a door. Your room will look like a hurricane had hit it if you really opened it there.” Todo thinks; his mother’s right, the portal is like a void, sucking in gusts of air whenever it shows itself. He promptly changes his mind.

-Todo takes off on his onyx horse, Frostbite, and stops at the once-flourishing field where they used to take afternoon naps and chants the magic words that he couldn’t seem to forget. In the back of his mind, he thinks of Momo’s beaming expression and her voice which still jolts him. His scar ignites again. The portal appears like ripples on an autumn lake, opens, and he advances, consumed by the light on the other side with his royal blue robe thrashing on his back and heart thumping hard against his rib cage. 

-The circumstances from last time masked the true beauty of the fairy realm and as if it was his first time, Todo runs a finger softly along the sides of a well covered in wispy vines of a morning glory and eyes the nature before him. Everything was pristine. Plants were ubiquitously sprouting, and he strides further.  Todoroki is definitely not at the palace like before; he isn’t sure where he really is. He feels the waxy peach-coloured petals of a hydrangea plant and flinches. “Who’s there?” an urgent voice calls somewhere from his right and Todoroki swallows. 

-With a dainty hand, Momo holds the hem of her aquamarine dress and with the other, she drags the stiff branches away from a hedge, and steps out. 

-They meet, gazes situated on each other as if they were admiring a statue from the ancient times.

-Her jaws slack slightly , the shadows cast on her face hides her expression and Todoroki extends a hand towards her, upturned, as if to ask her to hold onto him.

-Momo flies over, lips quivering but doesn’t close the distance; she stops a feet away from him and reaches for his hand and pauses right before her fingertips touched his. It may be the time that had settled between us, she questions herself and drops her arm. With inquisitive eyes, she studies him once more and Todoroki purses his lips, glad that she hasn’t changed one bit; her bold, ebony hair flying over her graceful wings, a familiar blithe emanating around her. 

-But it bothers him that she won’t hold his hand. 

-”Are you mad at me, Yaoyorozu?” He asks and her nose tinge slightly red and her cheeks colour a bit as well. “No, of course not-” 

-He moves closer, too intimately in her opinion, and clutches her hand that was clenching tight onto the shimmering chiffon skirt of the dress, stopping her short of her sentence. The fabric spills down when she was forced to let go, and her emotions falls with it, like tearing apart the invisible cage that prisoned her heart. Without a moment’s hesitation, she buries herself onto the nape of his neck, tightening her fingers on his shoulders. 

-”Sorry for the wait,” he says and puts a hand on her back to ease her hiccups, feeling her tears damp on his neck. She shakes her head and the pleasant lavender-like scent of her hair disperse and covers his senses. 

- Still mind-boggled with his sudden arrival, Momo picks up his hand and leads him deeper through the thicket under the glimmer of the sun. They arrive at a secluded lake covered by whispering willow trees. Momo tells him that a human must not be found here by the other fairies except for her friends and so they must only stay within the forest which apparently, Todoroki finds out, was also one of the lands owned by her clan. They sit down and he marvels at the  scenery; the water is greenish blue and he can see the bottom of the lake so clearly it was as though a piece of glass had laid on top of the rocks and sand. 

- Momo plays with her fingers a little and gestures for Todoroki to sit beside her. Todoroki watches as she pulls up her dress a little to keep it out of the water’s reach and he leans his back to the tree trunk behind him, and rolls the hem of his pants and pulls off his boots.The water feels cold, but not freezing. 

-”Yaoyorozu-” “Call me Momo, its how they call me here.” “Well then…Momo,” he focuses on the twinkle in her eyes as he calls her given name, “promise me you’ll never take a hit for me again.” “And you promise me to never sacrifice your life for me, ever.” She retorts. “I can’t promise you that Momo.” “If you had died, then who would save your mother?” Momo asks, swinging her legs in the water, and her question hits a nerve. Todoroki doesn’t say anything until the girl beside him lets out a cheerful whimper. 

-“I forgot to say congratulations, Prince….or shall I say King?” “My sister is going to be the ruler, as per both my mother and my wish, so I’m still just a Prince” “But there may be a day when you need to prop yourself onto the throne” “Maybe.”

-Momo enjoys the silence after and she sees Todoroki dripping his arm into the water to play with the fish. A frog swims over. It looks awfully big and is uncharacteristically neon. It croaks and hops onto a rock beside Momo and suddenly begins talking. Todo jumps a little at the talking animal and Momo almost flips over from laughter. “This is Tsuyu-chan, don’t worry, she’s a close friend of mine, she won’t tell anyone that you’re here.” The frog croaks again and miraculously, sparkles scatter out of thin air, surrounding it. In a split second, the amphibian turns into a girl with giant oval eyes, wearing a white pokka-dotted sundress and sleek hair tied into a bow, sitting prettily on the back of her head.

-Tsuyu asks, jabbing a thin webbed finger at Todoroki, whether he’s the one Momo keeps talking to her about and Momo immediately jumps to cover her mouth. “Tsuyu-chan!! Gees!!” 

-Todoroki seems indifferent at Momo’s flustered state and simply says “that’s ok, I talk about you a lot to my mom too.” 

-Momo dies a little inside hearing that but tries so hard to keep her cool. Todoroki thinks it’s adorable.

-Next thing he knew, Momo pulls him up (not entirely, it really was more like Momo desperately yanking him with one arm). She waves bye to Tsuyu (him scrambling to place his feet back into his boots and since Momo is bare feet all the time so she doesn’t care) and mutters something about ‘Frostbite’ but Todoroki doesn’t quite catch it. She’s in front of him, dragging him along, and halts.

- Before them stood a pure white pegasus. 

-”Shhh….” Momo puts a finger pressed against her lips as if one false move would scare the creature away. Todoroki’s amused. “What a beautiful winged creature,” Momo starts, “It just appeared one day last week and it seems to enjoy it here. Doesn’t it look just like Frostbite?” Todoroki crosses his arms, “And to think, you were scared of my horse, now you want one for yourself?” Momo looks sheepishly to the side, “No! To be exact, I’m not scared of befriending them, I was just scared of riding Frostbite….your horse seems…extremely energetic.”

-Momo takes a careful step forward and the pegasus swivels his neck to face her. She relaxes and the elegant creature treads over to sniff her fingers which she happily offered. The pegasus neighs once, and then twice, and slumps down its wings.

-”I think it likes you, Momo.” Todoroki says with a crooked smile, and the girl begins to comb and ruffle the pegasus’ immaculate snowy mane with one hand while patting his nose with another. 

-”What are you going to name it?” Todoroki asks, fixing a loose collar. He spews out a few names out of the blue and Momo chuckles with a glint in her eyes. “I think maybe something that could rival Frostbite. Perhaps Abyss? No…NO ACTUALLY, IT’S GOING TO BE CLIPCLOP.”

-Todoroki doesn’t know whether to nod in approval or tilt his head in question. The girl literally went from ‘Abyss’ to ‘Clipclop’ within a split second. “Uh…sounds good?” He ends up saying and she’s so delighted that all she could do was hug Clipclop in front of her. 

-The sun sets in what feels like minutes after, and Momo proposes for Todoroki to stay at her house for the next few nights. She guides him to the trail they had just taken after waving goodbye to Clipclop who flies away with strong beats of his wings. Momo urges Todoroki to start running as she levitates when the horizon begins to change colour. The sky goes from blood red to a violet purple and he ponders how nice it’d be if he could physically capture the moment before him, totally oblivious to Momo’s nervous panting. His thoughts are severed when he feels a tickle on his calves and when he shifts his gaze downwards, he sees moving branches.

-”I shouldn’t have lead you in so far off within this forest,” Momo grunts, regret written all over her face, “Its not safe, even for someone who has dealt with this countless times. When the sun sets, the plants begin to have a life of its own, and sometimes lose control. I should’ve…not been so distracted by Clipclop.”

-Todoroki gulps as they advance, his feet trips on a tight and unrelenting vine and it crawls up his leg. With a cry of frustration, Todoroki releases his dagger from the inside of his robe and swings at it, chopping it in half by the second attempt. Momo analyzes the situation in a heartbeat and decides that the best way for them to both make it out was for her to take flight while having him hold onto her. The boy is reluctant but wraps his arm around her neck and she grabs tight under his arms. Her wings flutter rapidly but they couldn’t even get an inch off the ground. Todoroki releases his grip.

-”You may be too heavy.” Momo scrunches her brows. “this isn’t going to work. We should–”

-An unsuspecting vine heads straight for Momo’s arm and she pushes herself higher into the air to dodge but the vine extends even faster. What they didn’t foresee, however, was Momo’s good friend to jump into the fray.

-”Momo, are you alright?” Tokoyami seeth, donning a black cape that could easily mask him into the shadows. He is t,currently the guardian of the night. He whips his bird-esque shadow at the moving vines, bisecting them with ease. He doesn’t seem to care for Todoroki but gives him a polite nod anyway. 

-Tokoyami helps lead them out and when Momo sees the outskirts of the forest again, she thanks him profusely. Todoroki gives the guardian of the night a firm handshake and introduces himself. 

-”I already know who you are.” Tokoyami closes his eyes and rubs his beak gently. “Momo talks about you a lot.” 

-The girl is for once grateful for the darkness that is hiding her embarrassed, nervous grin. 0-2 for Momo. She sighs.

-Right before Tokoyami leaves, he turns to offer the girl a face of concern. “Momo, about–” The girl doesn’t let him finish. “Tokoyami, I know that having a human here is strictly outlawed, just–” The bird-man shakes his feathery head, and Todoroki catches a glimpse of Tokoyami’s obvious look of disapproval. “Tsuyu told me that you headed over to find the pegasus earlier. You know how the rule is.” Todoroki has never seen Momo so uncomfortable until now; she pivoted her heels a few times playfully and interlocks her hands behind her as if she had something to hide. 

-”I know, I have to ask Bakugou first before I make friends with Clipclop.” Momo says. Tokoyami seems like he just cocked an eyebrow, but Todoroki wasn’t sure. “Clipclop?” The bird-man asks but quickly decides to change his mind about it. “You’ve already named it I see. Well, you know Bakugou is the paladin of the beasts for a reason.” Momo does a disheartened sigh and watches Tokoyami leave, arms still clasped behind her. 

-”Momo, shall we find this…this Bakugou then?” Todoroki asks, sensing the mood drop as Momo swivels around. He knows how much Momo loves that pegasus. The girl groans. “No, its fine. I’ll…find him tomorrow.” 

-Todoroki strides beside her floating form and could practically see her thoughts whirling in her head. “Do you not like this paladin?” He asks out of curiosity and she shakes her head. “How is he like? Does he have a head like an animal, like Tokoyami? I assume so since he’s the ‘paladin of the beasts’” Todoroki emphasizes his last words, “Does this Bakugou person have a head like a lion? Maybe?”

-Momo scoffs in laughter and grins ear-to-ear, “For a prince, you’re quite silly!” Todoroki’s just happy that she finds his joke so amusing, but muses at the possibility of it coming true. Momo continues, “Tomorrow, you’ll meet him. And you might just not like him.”