#not to mention how she barely resembles the human she used to be

[majorpepperidge]

Fenix: Phantom has been oddly possessive of me in the years I've known him and refers to me positively versus nearly everyone else is referred to negatively and I'm pretty sure like he's made 3 songs about me. BUT he dates girls that are very beautiful and famous so obviously there's nothing romantic in his actions about me since I'm not really either of those things. Therefore, I'm just not going to do anything about my own feelings.

Beep-0: Have you considered therapy. Or getting better taste in men.

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

Can I make a request for an S/O who has a pet that is extremely gruesome and scary, but is very cuddly and protective when interacting with its owner? Like, like the animal was something similar to the Demongorgon or something.

If you can, do it for Sarah, Shenhen, Dehya, Candance and Navia.

(Genshin Impact) Sara, Shenhe, Dehya, Candace, and Navia's S/O with a terrifying pet

I was bouncing between a Tyranid from 40k or a terrifying bug from a user created horror story called Mystery Flesh Pit National Park, but I'll just settle on some non particular bug abomination.

Sara was barely able to hold back from immediately drawing her bow when she walked into S/O's house the first time and saw a massive insect inside.

It nearly stood up to the ceiling as it straightened its back, before relaxing from seeing its owner.

(Sara) "What is that?!"

(S/O) "OH! S-Sorry, I forgot to mention it to you beforehand! This is my pet!"

Sara stared at S/O before her eyes slowly glanced over to the "pet" they kept.

It resembled some kind of centipede with massive antennas, but had arms resembling a...human?!

Sara still kept her battle stance, wearily looking at it before turning to S/O, noticing their relatively happy expression.

(Sara) "...And, this will pose no threat to the people of Inazuma?"

(S/O) "Of course not, he doesn't eat people!"

(Sara) sigh "Thank the Almighty Sho-"

(S/O) "He eats corpses! It's a scavenger bug, not a predator!"

(Sara) "..."

Sara is uneasy around S/O's pet, putting it mildly.

The only place she doesn't allow S/O to cuddle her is at their house.

The one time she allowed them to rest their head on her shoulder, the romantic mood was immediately halted by S/O's pet resting its head on their lap.

Despite how much it unsettled her, she could at least complement its intelligence and loyalty.

When S/O was threatened, it would immediately attack whenever they commanded it to.

It even enjoyed getting pet, though Sara politely declined from doing so herself.

As long as it didn't cause a public disturbance, it was fine to remain.

But Archons help S/O if she gets a report of that...thing threatening a citizen, not even its terrifying and gross legs would skitter away from her wrath.

Shenhe reached for her polearm before realizing the bug was relaxing near S/O.

She had seen all kinds of fantastical sights thanks to her Master, so it didn't really take long for her to adjust.

(Shenhe) "...Is that a pet, S/O?"

(S/O) "Sure is! This little guy has been with me for a long time!"

(Shenhe) "I see. It is good you have a companion."

The bug's head, or at least what she assumed was the head, seemed to lean into S/O's hand as they scratched under the chin.

...Neat.

Shenhe is used to nature, but she had never seen a creature like this before.

But then again, being with S/O taught her all kinds of new things, maybe this was another she should take heed of.

Seeing other people react to the bug, she moves to protect it like she would S/O.

Something that even it recognized, and protected Shenhe like its owner.

The only thing Shenhe dislikes about the bug is how clingy it got whenever she was wanting to spend time with S/O.

Other than that, the bug and Shenhe have a strange silent respect for each other.

(Dehya) "S/O, GET BACK!-"

Dehya suddenly leaps into action when a giant bug-like creature emerged from the sand behind S/O.

Before S/O got in the way, trying (and failing) to keep her arm down.

(S/O) "WAIT, DEHYA! I-It's with me!"

Dehya's expression was something between confusion and anger, quickly looking back at S/O and the bug.

Just as they said, it was just staring at her before turning its attention to its owner.

(Dehya) "Jeez, ya never thought to bring this up to me before?! It looks like it could eat us!"

(S/O) "I-If it makes you feel any better, it's like a vulture! A scavenger eater, only corpses!"

(Dehya) "It really doesn't..."

Dehya is honestly creeped the hell out by S/O's pet.

She's seen a lot of desert fauna, but nothing like what S/O had.

It especially didn't help matters that it liked to hide under the sand until S/O spent time with it.

She especially didn't like that it butted its head in whenever she wanted to hold S/O.

More than one occasion she was ready to tell it off before S/O did so gently, letting it gently comply.

The other mercs are completely freaked out by it, which she doesn't blame them for in the slightest.

But, it did help during their contracts by scaring the hell out of rival clients, other eremites, and animals in general.

Begrudgingly, she let S/O keep it, but then again maybe it's best it remains with them and doesn't wander off in the desert to potentially reproduce.

Candace notices something shifting in the sands near S/O, which she immediately raises her spear to throw at-

Before S/O frantically waved their hands, signaling to her not to attack.

Candace sees the bug emerge from the sand as it gives S/O a lift, riding towards her.

She takes a step back from unease, sizing the bug up and down before turning to S/O.

(Candace) "Have you...tamed this creature?"

(S/O) "K-Kinda? I didn't really tame it per se, more like we became friends!"

Candace did acknowledge it had some kind of intelligence in its eyes, as it responded perfectly to S/O's commands.

Being reassured by S/O that it would not attack the people of Aaru village, or eat the children, she allowed it to stay.

It took a bit for her to get used to it, but she no longer flinches seeing the bug.

It helped that it didn't seem to be naturally part of the desert, since she had never seen anything like it before.

Eventually, it became as much of a guardian of the town as Candace, much to her shock.

When S/O was threatened, the bug leapt from the sands and dragged them under, and the same went for any of the townsfolk.

The only thing she asks is that it sleeps outside, mostly just cause it'd drag sand all over the floor.

(S/O) "HOLY CRAP, GIANT BUG!-"

S/O immediately aims her umbrella-shotgun before S/O stopped her from pulling the trigger.

(S/O) "W-WAIT! NAVIA, IT'S MY PET!"

(Navia) "Your pet?! That thing could eat one of the Clockwork Meka whole!"

She shuddered in terror as it skittered towards S/O, seemingly lax by their mere presence.

This sure as hell wasn't a man's best friend situation, and every cell in her body wanted to shoot it.

But seeing as it was with S/O, she very reluctantly let S/O keep it.

The only thing is that it HAD to stay outside the city and only in S/O's home.

Every single Meka and Guard would be trying to kill it, not that she wouldn't blame them either.

Navia screams in terror everytime she opens the door to find it turn its head towards her.

Why couldn't S/O just have a cat or something...?

Her urge to stomp the bug grows bigger when she moves to hug or kiss S/O, only to watch it approach from seeming jealousy.

[tallulah477]

Pretty, But Not Stupid

Extra of Hunting the Tawtute

Kinkmas Day 10: Breath Play

Pairing: Lo’ak x Fem!Human!Reader

Word Count: 3.8K

Warnings: AgedUp!Lo’ak, Dark!Lo’ak, ***NON-CON***, Dub-Con, Breath Play, Choking, Size Difference, Alien Genitalia, Oral (male receiving), P in V, Belly Bulge, Creampie, Scenting, Mention of knots (but no knotting yet), Slight threesome (and Dark!Neteyam), Mentions of death/dead bodies, Reader is not having a good time (although idk...i think she’s having a great time), Mentions of war

A/N: Guess who’s back, besties!! Been MIA, slacking on prompts, and about to lose my fucking mind with all my family around, but I somehow got this done and I’m about to read as many fics as I can before someone else demands my attention.

A/N 2: This was not intended to be a full Part 2 yet, but it's way too long to be called a drabble. So I’m calling it an extra for now until I decide what to call it lmao. Hope y’all like it 🧡

A/N 3: DEDICATED TO @oakbuggy AND THEIR AMAZING ARTWORK (Everyone stop reading and go look at their art rn, all of them are god-tier but the one for Hunting the Tawtute definitely holds a special place in my heart. Thank you again, Buggy! You're amazing!)

Summary: With their father’s impending retirement as Olo’eyktan, Neteyam has more responsibilities to the clan and less time to see his favorite human. Thankfully, Lo’ak is there to pick up the slack.

**PLEASE READ THE WARNINGS - DON'T LIKE, DON'T READ**

Translations:

Vrrtep - Demon

Tawtute - Human

Sevin - Pretty

Palulukan - Apex predator resembling a lion or panther

(Mountain) Banshee/Ikran - Large, dragon-like aerial predators

Mawey - Calm

Narlor - Beautiful

Tam tam - Calm, be content, there there

Srane - Yes

Yawne - Beloved

Paskalin - Sweet berry (term of endearment)

Their father is stepping down as clan leader - at least that’s what Lo’ak tells you when he comes to visit you in the isolated hut the brothers have set up for you on the side of a cliff face. It was for your own protection, they told you. You couldn’t stay in the village yet, their father would never allow it, and you clearly couldn’t be trusted not to run away if they built you something on the forest floor. 

“Tawtutes with their tiny brains are stupid,” Neteyam had sneered as he hauled your combined weight up the cliff side. Your arms locked around his neck tightly, legs wrapped around his lithe torso as your eyes squeezed shut, determined not to look at the insane height you were being pulled to. “You might think to run away and then become the next meal of a hungry Palulukan.”

“Nah, bro,” Lo’ak said, the grin on his face audible in his teasing words as he climbed up the cliff behind you, ready to catch you if you decided to end it all right there and try your hand at plummeting to your death, no doubt. “Our little vrrtep would never run from us. Right, sevin?”

The hut they built for you was as cozy as it could be. Assembled further into the cave and away from the treacherous cliff side, thick material wrapped around sturdy posts to keep out any harsh weather that the cave itself couldn’t keep out. They’d given you plenty of blankets, assuring you that even though your human nose can’t smell it, their scent is all over them.

“To keep you smelling like us, when we can’t be here to do it ourselves.”

But they’re always around, day after day they come for you. Lo’ak grinning a deceivingly sweet smile and Neteyam’s amber eyes burning holes into your face as they grab at you, pulling you towards them as they all but rip off the loincloth and chest covering they gave you, baring your marked up body to their hungry gazes. They spread you open, fucking you and fucking you until you’re a crying overstimulated mess, drooling and teary under your mask as they fill you up. 

They know exactly how to touch you, where to press, where to rub, where you’re most sensitive. They learned how to play with your body better than you could ever know how, dragging orgasm after orgasm out of your trembling, exhausted body until your left limp and they’ve decided they’ve had enough for the day. 

Your body still struggles to take their cocks (although they love to tell you that you were made for it - “made to be our little cocksleeve”). Your only saving grace is that they’re still not sure if they can knot you. They’ve gotten close to trying, instincts desperate to push that large ball of tissue at the base of their cocks inside your already stuffed to the brim pussy. You feel how they test the resistance, pushing juuuusttt a little deeper, the swollen knot stretching you even farther than you ever thought you could stretch before they back off. 

When they fill you full of their cum, it’s with their own hand squeezing tightly around the knot. 

Usually, it’s both of them. This time, you’re shocked to see only Lo’ak climbing over the edge of the cliff. 

“Neteyam sends his regrets,” Lo’ak says, kneeling down to wrap his arms around your body and press his face into your neck. His flat nose presses against your rapidly increasing pulse point and breathes in your scent. “He said to tell you that he’s sorry he won’t be able to visit you today, but that he’ll make sure to come see your pretty face and fill your tight pussy tomorrow.”

Your face flushes hot at his words, shivering when his nose slides up to nudge just behind your ear, but you stay silent. 

“But that’s good news for me,” He continues. “Because that means I get you all to myself for tonight.”

Neteyam isn’t coming to visit you today because their father is stepping down as clan leader, which means increased training, more hours at council meetings, and less time to sneak off with his captive human. 

“What does that mean?” You can’t help but ask. Lo’ak’s hands smooth down your sides, large palms dragging over your bare skin until they’re squeezing your ass. Your voice cracks at the feel, but you push on, your eyes doing their best to keep contact with his bright amber ones. “Your father stepping down? What does that . . .” 

What does that mean for me?

“Nothing you have to worry about right now,” He says.

Without warning, he stands, pulling you with him so your legs wrap around his torso as he supports you with a hand on your ass. A loud yip rips from his throat, echoing through the cave as he walks you both towards the cliff’s edge. The responding roaring shriek makes you cower against him as the large dragon-like animal lands on the platform behind you, wings flapping hard against the wind. 

“We’re going on an adventure,” Lo’ak says as he walks you closer to the banshee. You whimper, arms locking around his neck so tight you’d think you would be choking him if you could think straight. But you’re not, head whipped around staring wide eyed at the monstrous creature as it turns its head sideways to stare back at you. 

“Lo’ak, no,” You beg through gritted teeth, but he ignores you as he approaches the banshee, his hand settling lovingly on its snout. 

“Mawey,” he coos, carefully rubbing along the blue leathery skin on the banshee’s snout, but you’re not sure if he’s trying to calm the large animal or you. “Mawey, narlor,”

“Lo’ak, no,” You plead, still clinging to his upper body. Tears pool in your eyes and a panicked whimper escapes your lips when you feel the puffing breath of the mountain banshee on your back. “Please, please, no!”

But you’re ignored again, even when your body goes rigid at the feel of that rounded snout pressing against the curve of your spine, hot exhales practically burning your skin as the banshee sniffs at you. Fuck, fuck–you could die. Right now, you could die in a second, that snout pressing into your skin could disappear, replaced with dual rows of long curved teeth that would take only a second to open and bite down and rip you clean in half. 

You can hear the smile in Lo’ak’s voice from where your mask is digging into his collarbone, his soft murmurs of encouragement loud even through your terrified thoughts. “Srane, tam tam. Look at my two beautiful girls, getting along so well.”

He moves swiftly, not leaving room for any more pleading as he bonds with his banshee and climbs on, bringing your clinging body with him. The rush of air as the large animal takes flight makes you squeeze Lo’ak tighter, desperate for safety as you feel the wind bat at your back as the banshee cuts through the sky like a bullet from a gun. 

“Is this all it takes for you to cling to me, sevin?” Lo’ak teases as he rests a secure hand on your trembling figure, all five fingers spread so wide that they nearly span the entirety of your back. “A little ikran ride and I get you all cuddled up, nice and close?”

You ignore his dig, teeth clenching together as you fight to find your voice around the wind rushing around your ears. “W-where are we going?”

Lo’ak nudges his chin against the top of your head. “You’ll see,”

The flight feels like hours. Hours of watching miles and miles of trees and forest thousands of meters below from over Lo’ak’s shoulder. Logically, you know you’re exaggerating. It hasn’t been hours, and even though you’re still high enough to die as a splat on the ground if you were to fall, it's probably not as high as it feels. But heights have never been your friend, and frankly, neither has time management. 

It’s only when the banshee lowers to the ground and Lo’ak dismounts, depositing you on your own two unsteady feet, that you realize where he’s brought you on your ‘adventure’. 

Your mouth opens in horror at the remains of your old home. The RDA outpost, a once tall and strong fortress that housed the lives of hundreds of humans, now practically nothing more than a heap of rubble. The walls once meant to provide safety to those within them have crumbled down, victims of their own explosives used against them by the enemy. Debris lines the paved ground, thick boulders and metal platings that were once walls, bullet shells glinting in the sunlight. There’s a few AMP suits scattered around the battlefield - you can’t see inside them from your vantage point, and you’re terrified of what you might see if you get too close. 

“This way, tawtute,” Lo’ak says, reaching for your hand, but you yank it away before he can grab it. 

“No,” You say, but the firmness in your voice is overshadowed by the shakiness. “No, I’m not going in there.”

“Yes, you are,”

Another headshake. “No,”

Quick as lightning, his hand shoots out and grabs the bottom of your mask, gripping on the valve at the bottom as he bends down so his face is level with yours.

“Demon,” He growls, fangs on display for just a moment. A warning. “You are pretty, but not stupid. You do as I say.”

Fear claws at your throat and your hands immediately latch onto his wrist, silently begging for him to not pull your mask off. He never does, and neither does Neteyam. Not as a punishment at least. When they use your mouth, there’s always a warning - a “hold your breath, yawne,” before the air is cut off from your lungs and your mouth is full of alien cock. But the fear never leaves, the possibility is always there at the forefront of your mind, and you cling to his wrist like the lifeline it is. 

Lo’ak’s face softens at your expression, grip loosening from your mask as his hand slides to cup the back of your neck. “You know I would never hurt you. You need to trust me,”

Hesitantly, you shake your head again. You’re pushing your luck, you know it. But you’ve learned Lo’ak is the more lenient of the brothers and will tolerate more ‘disobedience’ than Neteyam will. “I can’t,”

“Yes, you can. Nothing in there will hurt you. If anyone is left in there, they’re dead,”

And that’s the problem. The terror of facing the place where life as you knew it was ended in a heartbeat. If there’s still people in there, people you once knew, people you talked to, some people who were good, lying on the ground . . . lifeless . . .

In the end, it’s not a choice. Lo’ak sighs, pulling you back in his arms and cradling you to his chest like a toddler. You sniffle, eyes sliding shut, determined to not watch as he walks you towards the remains of the outpost. 

It’s hard to admit, but being carried by the brothers can be really soothing if you let it. They move swiftly, with grace and confidence in every step, careful not to jostle you despite the usually uneven terrain of the forest. It’s even smoother now as Lo’ak walks across the flat pavement of the base. If you close your eyes, it can almost feel like you’re floating.

There’s a loud chu-chunk sound followed by the rapid hiss of air and the loss of sunlight behind your closed lids. You open your eyes to see that Lo’ak has found a still intact entrance, the airlock working to adjust the oxygen levels to whatever lies beyond the interior door. He smiles when the pressure stabilizes, opening the door and stepping into the inside of the base. This time, he doesn’t warn you when he pulls off your mask, the sound of escaping air hitting your ears, but you don’t choke. Instead you can breathe, deep complete breaths without the need for a mask covering your face. 

Lo’ak wastes no time nuzzling his face against yours, sliding his cheek across every new inch of face and neck that he can comfortably reach, a deep content rumble vibrating through his chest. 

Scenting you. 

“I can smell you,” He whispers, lips pressing against your cheek. “Not just you right now, but where you were, where you’ve been, here, within these walls.”

“W-what?”

His feet carry him, guided by an old scent that you can hardly believe is here after so long. But it is, it has to be - you know the journey, have walked it hundreds of times during your time on Pandora, but you can’t imagine that Lo’ak would. You don’t think he ever went inside the outpost during the attack. He shouldn’t know that it's the second hallway instead of the first, shouldn’t know it’s two left turns and one right, and that your door is the 3rd on the left. But he does. 

He even knows which bed was yours and which was your roommate’s, only confirmed when he drops you down onto the thin RDA issued mattress against the far side wall. You land with a yelp, bouncing slightly from the force of the drop, but your noise of surprise is cut off by Lo’ak’s lips against yours.

“Stupid humans,” He growls against your lips. “Can't even breathe air without help. Wish I could teach you, so I wouldn’t have to go without your pretty lips on mine every day.”

You whine into the kiss, his big lips nearly twice the size of yours as they capture your mouth completely. It’s not the first time he’s kissed you, but it’s the first time you can breathe while it happens. 

He pulls away after a few more kisses, his breathing shallow as he reaches for something tied to his loincloth. It’s only then that you see the CO2 mask that’s been attached to his hip this whole time. He pulls the cross strap around his body, the mask hanging low on his chest and the CO2 canister hanging around his hip. He brings the mask to his face with one hand, taking in a few deep breaths, while the other hand works at the ties on his loincloth. 

The material of his covering falls to the ground and he drops the mask in favor of gripping your chin, thumb rubbing soothingly across your cheek. 

“Someone wants to play with you,” He purrs. “Be a good girl and invite him out, okay?”

Your breathing is shaky as you rise up on the bed, knees pressing into the mattress as you come face to face with the flat plane hiding Lo’ak’s cock. His hand moves to the back of your head, guiding you forward until your lips press against the smooth space between his thighs. 

Experience has you knowing what to do now, how to hold onto his thighs with both hands to keep yourself steady as you pepper gentle kisses along the hidden slit. Lo’ak tips his head back at the feel of your tongue sliding along the seam, little teasing kitten licks against the engorging slit that are always from him demanding them, demanding the slower teasing buildup, rather than you being coy. 

He pushes your face harder against him, hissing a ‘yeah, good girl. Like you fucking mean it,’ as he urges you to lick him deeper. When his slit opens, puffy and dripping, you can’t help the moan that falls from your lips as the sweet taste of his slick coats your tastebuds. It controls your body, whatever is in the slick. You feel it, making your body heat up, making you want things you definitely don’t - and you’re in the thick of it now, no mask or breathing breaks to cut whatever effects it usually has on you. It sets your body on fire now, making your thighs clench together as wetness pools in your core, and your brain fuzzes as the first touch of Lo’ak’s cock teases your lips as it starts to slip past the slit. 

You don’t know how long he keeps you there, sucking his cock. He’s dragging it out, taking advantage of the rare opportunity he has now of you without your mask. He drags your mouth along his cock, staring down at you with hooded eyes and letting you suckle gently on the lavender tip. Sometimes he’ll growl, pushing you down harder on his length just to hear you gag when the tip of his cock hits the back of your throat. Other times he’ll pull you off completely, twisting your head so that your lips wrap around his girth from the side, before sliding you slowly back and forth along his length, tongue running over each and every bump and barb along the hot cerulean skin, the bright bioluminescent freckles decorating his cock practically shining under the layer of slick and saliva. 

When he’s finally used you to tease himself enough, he pushes you back flat on the bed, large hands wrapping around your calves and pulling you closer so your ass is just barely hanging off the side. You whimper when he pulls your legs apart, ripping the soaked loincloth from your body, hungry amber eyes staring at your swollen, wet cunt.

“Such a pretty girl,” He moans. The tip of his cock slides along your folds, nudging against your clit before sliding back down and positioning at your entrance. “You ready?”

Your brain is fuzzy and your clit is throbbing, hole clenching with the need to be filled. You close your eyes, looking away from his intense gaze - you don’t want it, you try to remind yourself, you don’t, he’s making you. But a swift smack on your thigh makes your eyes fly open again, Lo’ak’s hard gaze seeming to cut into your very soul.

“Say it, demon. Wanna hear you say it,”

A small cry escapes your lips, body unconsciously trying to bear down on his cock even as you shake your head. He shifts forward just the tiniest bit, lavender tip just barely pressing against your drooling hole enough for it to start to stretch before stopping again. 

“‘Need you, Lo'ak,” he recites, brow cocked, expecting you to repeat it. “Say it.”

“Fuck!” Is what comes out instead - a whiny, frustrated curse, that has your eyes tearing up again and Lo’ak’s ears pinning back against his skull.

His hand is quick to wrap around your throat, fingers digging into the blood vessels at the side of your neck as he hisses down at you. Your hands wrap around his wrist again, fingernails digging in and no doubt leaving red crescent shaped marks in the blue skin. He’s not squeezing your neck, not crushing your windpipe out of anger. You can breathe, the gulping breaths your gasping for are making it into your lungs, but the fingers pressing into the blood vessels make it feel like you can’t. Your head is clouding again, fuzzing like TV static, vision going blurry as his hand doesn’t relent. 

“Fine,” He grunts. “You don’t wanna talk? Don’t.”

You want to scream when he pushes forward, cock bullying its way past your entrance and inside you, stretching you and filling you up. It’s slow and torturous as he fills you impossibly full, the barbs along his length scraping ruthlessly against your slick walls. He sighs, ears flicking in pleasure as your heat envelopes him, stretching around his girth so perfectly he swears you were made for him. 

You can feel the bulge in your belly, the pressure disappearing and reappearing again as he begins to move inside of you. Long, purposeful strokes meant as a punishment, meant to make you feel every agonizingly blissful inch of him as he fucks into your soaked cunt, harder and harder with each thrust. Your mouth moves trying to form words, sound fleeting save for the barely there whispers of ‘fuck’, ‘oh my god’, and ‘please’. Lo’ak hears them anyway, leaning down to silence you with a filthy kiss. His hips pound against yours, unrelenting in their mission to completely fuck the soul of your body, and the sound of slapping skin against skin mix with Lo’ak’s groans and your barely audible breathy whines. 

Lo’ak’s fingers find their way to your swollen clit, rubbing persistently at the sensitive nub until you're crying into his mouth, thighs trying desperately to close together but can’t because of his body between them. The thick press of his knot against your entrance is what pushes your oversensitive body over the edge.

At the first suffocating clench of your pussy around his cock, Lo’ak releases your throat letting all the air it felt like you weren’t getting back into your lungs in a rush of oxygen. You gasp, crying against his lips as you arch up against him, creaming pussy fluttering around him as you cum on his cock. He growls when your teeth latch onto his bottom lip, blunt teeth digging in enough to draw blood, but the way he immediately grabs your hips, shoving his knot against you as hard as he would dare without actually penetrating you, tells you that it was a lust filled growl this time, not an angry one. 

He moans when he spills himself inside you, face pressed against your neck as he fills you up. You swear it feels almost scorching hot, heating you up from the inside and then out as it spills from around Lo’ak’s still buried cock and runs down the curve of your ass and onto the bed sheets. 

Someone clears their throat from behind Lo’ak, and you gasp at the sudden sound, frantically trying to look around Lo’ak’s hulking body to see who it is. 

Lo’ak sighs, undisturbed by sudden intrusion, even going as far as rolling his eyes before slowly pulling out of your used cunt - more of his cum spilling out onto the bed now that he’s not still inside you to keep it in. “Wasn’t expecting you today, bro,”

Your eyes widen when he moves out of the way, revealing a smug looking Neteyam in the doorway, still very much dressed up in his warrior’s gear. 

“I had to make time to see our pretty little demon,” Neteyam says, bright amber eyes sweeping over your exhausted form. He crosses the room with three long strides, one knee pressing into the bed as he leans down to press a soft kiss to your cheek. “That was a nice show. I know you’re tired, paskalin,”

His eyes meet yours, amber irises practically swallowed up by the blacks of his pupils. A hand presses against your belly, sneaking down towards your oversensitive pussy, his pointer finger reaching out to tap against your clit as you whine. 

“But it’s really not fair that you smell more like Lo’ak than me now, is it?”

**Special thanks to @neteyamsyawntu for the prompt!

Taglist: @eywaite @loaksulluyswife @erenjaegerwifee @f-cklife @beautiful-brown-skin-05 @anastasia1777-blog @localjasmine @tsewtx @skywonder @neteyamswillow @luvv4j4ybe11 @pandoraslxna @avatarwifey

[lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom]

Hi! I've read a couple of your fics and guidelines for requesting and I'd like to give it a go. Can I get a Tech x reader who's a friend of Phee (canon divergence where He lives) where he falls in love with reader and spends time relaxing on Pabu. Hope you have a wonderful day/night/whatever time it is for you! 😁

Falling Swiftly

Tech x Reader

Summary- Being a friend of Phee's, you meet The Bad Batch. Tech catches your eye, and you eventually get to live out your dream with him on Pabu.

A/N- *slowly slides in*.....So its been almost three months since I've posted.... SORRY! Better late then never? Either way, it's here now!! I hope you enjoy, TYSM for requesting!!! I went a little crazy at the beginning, sad to happy is MY FAV! The timeline is slightly exaggerated.

Word Count- 1,622

Tech. CT-9902. Brown Eyes.

You had first heard of the name when your friend Phee had sent you a Holo message. One that explained she ran into a group called 'The Bad Batch,' that they would be returning to the island with her.

You were ecstatic that your long-distance friend would be returning to Pabu. It had been weeks since you had seen her, you needed to catch up.

She always told you about the trifling adventures she went on, she was the thrill seeker of the friendship. You were content living vicariously through her.

Though, her bringing in a new 'batch' of people? Mild concern flowed through you, but you trusted Phee's judgement. Even if she had barely escaped death many times.... Okay, maybe you didn't trust her completely.

When word spread through the island that a ship was inbound, you knew it was her. Pabu didn't get many visitors.

You eagerly awaited her at the top of the island, a safe distance from the landing pad. You were practically bouncing on your heels with excitement.

"Phee!" You exclaimed as soon as you saw her exit the ship. She laughed and walked over with open arms.

A warm hug was exchanged, but cut short as the rest of 'The Bad Batch' walked down the ramp.

A small girl and three men, who vaguely resembled clones, appeared.

Your eyes immediately landed on the quirky looking man. He wore glasses, shaded yellow, and had his head down to look at his Holo pad. He somehow managed to not trip or run into anyone. This slightly impressed you.

"This is Pabu. My home away from home!" She announced to the group.

"And this, is my dear friend." She shared your name to the group while you awkwardly waved.

The tension was eased as soon as the young girl, ran up to you.

"That's such a pretty name, I'm Omega!" She radiated energy, her kindness was contagious. "Thank you. It's really nice to meet you, Omega."

Pleasantries were cut short as Phee continued her tour. You trailed along with them, mostly keeping quiet.

You always noticed how people tuned you out, almost forgetting you were there. It was something you were used to, so why change? You were talkative to the people you were comfortable with, wasn't that enough?

Somehow you didn't feel that way with, who you learnt was, Tech. Sure, his eyes were glued to his pad most of the time- but the few days you spent with him felt different.

When traveling around the island with everyone, Tech didn't let you trail behind. He always kept up with your pace. Only a few words were exchanged alone, but he always made you feel... human. He didn't let you be forgotten.

It shocked you when he knocked on your door, asking to go on a walk. You could faintly hear Omega and Wrecker snickering behind a bush.

Fighting your surprise, you accepted.

From there, the two of you spent hours upon hours together.

The smile on your face would only grown when he started ranting about his current interest. His vast knowledge amused you.

When he recounted tales of him and "The Bad Batch's" adventures, you felt like you were really there. Not to mention some of the recordings he had showed you.

One night, the two of you had found yourselves by the sand. The sound of the water splashing up made you sleepy.

With your arms crossed under your head, you laid flat. Tech, who was next to you, sat bent over. Of course- his Holo pad was between his hands.

"Did you know some beaches glow?" He started, eyes still down.

"Hmm? Really?" You asked, shifting your attention to him.

"Well-" He pushed his goggles up. "They are not technically glowing. The bright light is caused by ostracod crustaceans, which are bioluminescent organisms."

You closed your eyes, listening to him rant on about different sea life that illuminated light.

Your smile soon dropped, sadness overtaking you. A wave of emotions hit, you remembered all too well that he was leaving in the morning... You understood he had to save his old friend, Crosshair. Though, it didn't hurt any less.

Desperately, you tried to conceal your pain. Only a sniffle escaped.

Tech, oh so observant, Tech. "What is wrong?" He set his Holo pad down, eyes locked on you.

He cared about you so much... You squeezed your eyes shut and shuffled to a sit. You could barely respond, your tears overtaking you. "You're leaving..." At that, you shoved your face in your hands.

You didn't notice that Tech had moved closer until his hands gently pulled at your wrist. "I'll be back." He insisted, trying to see your face.

"Tech, I'm worried for you. What if something happens?" You stared at him, an argumentative tone present.

With an unintentional scoff, he spoke. "I have been on many improbable missions. If I thought this one was impossible, I wouldn't be going."

You sat there, wrist still in his grasp. "You don't understand.." Your eyes filled again.

It's true Tech was not one for emotions, or picking up on tension. It was difficulty for him to process others feelings.

"I know. Please... Help me understand."

You just sobbed, he pulled you tight against his chest. You could feel his heart beating, it was fast like yours.

He kissed the top of your head, at a loss for words. Eventually, a hand fell down to rest on your back. He slightly rubbed it every so often.

That was all you remembered of that night. It had been days after, no one knew when they would be coming back. If they were coming back. It was a no contact mission, the risk was too high.

Your mind was filled with thought of him. Sure, he was gone, but he seemed so vivid in your memory.

He was genuine. You knew he wasn't lying when he pushed your hair back and complimented your eyes.

You knew he wasn't lying when he held your hand softly and told you how he yearned to stay with you.

You knew he wasn't lying when the two of you picked flowers and promised a future together.

Who knew that future would be at such a high stake? Was your Tech going to come back alive?

It had been a painful two weeks. Each day without him was a stab to your heart.

What had stressed your out most, was seeing their ship fly in... It was about to be reality. Was he alive? Dead?

You anxiously shifted on your heels at the top of the island, not unlike the first day you met Tech.

Hunter was the first off the ship, next was the man you assumed to be Crosshair.

"Hunter! Is he-" You would later feel bad for not welcoming Hunter back as well, but he'd understand.

Your question was answered as soon as you saw him pace out the ship. For once in his life, he wasn't holding his Holo Pad.

As you would later learn from Hunter, Tech had never been this eager to land the ship...

"Tech!" You ran up, meeting him. A slight jump had you wrapping your arms around his neck. His own hands joining on your lower back.

All you could do was bury your face in his neck and whisper thanks to the Maker.

Your arms only relaxed when you felt kisses on the top of your head. "Oh, Tech. I missed you more than words can describe." You said, pulling slightly away to look into his eyes.

"I think I understand." He said looking down at you. Your eyebrows furrowed slightly, confused. Then it hit you- the beach.

With a sob, your grip tightened again as you held him.

A slight pang hit your chest when remembering that moment, it quickly went away. You were completely content with Tech, living out your days on Pabu.

The memory did, however, make you want to see your husband. Getting up from your chair in the kitchen, you headed out to your somewhat of a shed. Tech mostly worked in there, tools and projects that helped Pabu.

You gave a quick knock on the wooden door to let him know you were there, but you assumed he already knew by him calling you name.

A mischievous grin came across your face when you realized he had taken his sleeved shirt off and tied it around his waist. The Pabu heat was no joke in the summer.

"What ya working on?" You queried, leaning over him. Your chin rested on his sweaty shoulder.

"Experimenting on an echolocation device to persuade fish towards the fishermen's ships." He explained briefly for you, head still down working at a handheld device.

When you didn't move nor respond, he shuffled to look at you. "Did something happen?"

His eyes absentmindedly scanned you for any physical injury. Deep down, Tech was still a soldier.

"No, just thinking about you." You smiled at him, just wanting to spend time with him.

He understood well enough and moved to pull a chair up by the table. "Here, you can watch." His words seemed off putting, but you knew that's just how he was. That it was his way of showing he cared and also wanted your presence.

So, you sat and listened to him rant about the technological side of his piece, and that the last step was to make it bolt to the base of the fishing boats.

You couldn't offer many ideas or solutions, but Tech being able to talk out the project helped him tweak his wires. He always worked better with you next to him...

A/N- Thank you so much for reading! This is BARELY proof read, sorry! I just wanted to get something out for you guys!!! Please let me know of any constructive criticism!

Tags- (LMK if you want to be tagged as well!) @thethreeeyed-raven @knight-of-flowerss @dangraccoon

[catsukiiee]

# IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, THEN SHUT UP!

౨ৎ prohero!katsuki bakugou x bookstore!owner fem reader. | Chapter 3

wordcount ; 1.7k words

paragraphs ; 53

content warning ; mention of explosions, death, blood, violence.

readers appearance prompt ; short spiky ruffled black hair with faded pink tips from a dye attempt, stands at 5'4, slightly muscular, dark olive toned skin.

readers quirk ; weightless [ allows you to manipulate gravity, making both objects and humans lighter or so heavy they physically can't move themselves or an object. if used at 100% and used on a focus point can cause something or someone to emplode. ]

Two Months.

That’s how much time has passed since you last saw Pro Hero Dynamight that night.

You convinced yourself that you didn't care about his absence, but a part of you secretly wished to catch a glimpse of his face again, even if only for a moment. Despite finding him annoying, you still enjoyed his presence.

These feelings were strictly platonic, of course..

Letting out a heavy sigh, you redirected your focus to the dough you were kneading between your hands covered in flour, feeling the strain in your arm muscles. "Time to let you rest," you muttered. Gently placing the dough in a bowl and covering it with plastic, you slid it onto a tray with other doughs you had prepared.

Am I overworking myself as a distraction? Absolutely not. I simply had a passion for baking. Yup, that's what it is.

Pressing your lips together, you stood with your hands on your hips, gazing at the racks of dough before turning away and clapping your hands to remove excess flour.

"Why were you glaring at the dough like that?"

Startled, you spun around to face one of your new employees, her wide eyes filled with amusement and curiosity as she rested her chin in her hands. "Why are you just standing there watching me?" you retorted, giving her a stern look.

She shrugged, a small grin forming on her lips. "I don't know; you look so focused when making the dough. It's kind of entertaining to watch."

You turned away from her with a sigh, choosing to look elsewhere than at her face. “Annoying.” You muttered under your breath.

You heard her let out a dramatic sigh: "Hey, we've been closed for two hours now; when can I go home?" Your eye twitched at her words; you would've fired her on the spot if it weren't for the promise you made to your friend, who happened to be her older sister.

Turning back around, you fixed her with a stern glare, picking up a damp towel to toss in her direction. “Eh? You ungrateful brat, you were supposed to be helping me! Don’t complain like I’m overworking you!”

"Oneesannnn, that's not niceeee," she whined, plucking the towel off her shoulder delicately. "Don't throw things at your hardworking employee."

* Onee is also a Japanese word that has two kanji letters (お姉), which mean “elder sister” or “big sister.”

Hardworking?

"You little shit, come here." You lunged towards the counter with another damp towel, causing the young girl to squeal and dodge out of the way just in time.

The evening felt chillier compared to the last time, wisps of vapor escaping with every breath, your fingers starting to lose feeling as you closed down your store. “Will you give me a ride home, Oneesan?” The little girl peeked out from behind your arm, her lips forming a slight frown. She resembled Hoshino so much in that moment, like older sister, like younger sister.

“Definitely, it's too dark for you to walk home alone.” Your response caused her face to light up, her dark brown eyes widening like an eager puppy.

Did she think I was gonna make her walk home late at night in this weahter? Sheesh.

“Let's go; I'm freezing.” You extended your arm for her to take, and she eagerly grabbed it without hesitation. “Okay!”

Both of you had barely taken a few steps away from the shop before a loud explosion sounded just down the street, sounds of screaming and car alarms sounding. “Get in the car.” You quickly pushed the young girl towards your car, your heart beating so loudly that you could barely hear the girl panicking and talking.

As soon as she was secured in the back seat, you turned back to where the explosion and screaming happened, watching as people ran from the damage, some limping and others trampling over each other in a rush. You stood there for a second; your hands trembled, but your heart stilled.

“Stay in the car.”

“What?!”

“Stay in the fucking car!”

Without looking back, you rushed to help the injured and trampled civilians, ushering them to a much safer distance from the chaos of trampling feet. The sound of your car door slamming shut made you turn your head just in time to see your friend's younger sister rushing towards you, the shop keys in her trembling hands.

You didn’t question her; both of you helped the people you had grabbed and helped them to your shop door. “Let me do it.” You rushed out, grabbing the keys from the girls, shaking hands, and quickly opening the door. “Get them all inside and put them in the back.”

She nodded, a look of seriousness on her face; she was never the serious type, it made your stomach hurt for some reason. Double checking that everyone was in the shop, you began running down the street ignoring the young girls protests for you to come back.

You had received your license to use your quirk for minor purposes and self-defense only, yet here you were, using it to reduce the weight of injured strangers so you could carry them to the safety of your shop more quickly.

“My daughter! She was closer to the explosion!” A woman with blood trickling down her face cried out as you assisted her, her nails digging into your arms. “Please! You have to save her, Hero!”

Hero? I'm far from that.

“Okay, I will! Please get inside the shop, ma’am!”

Without hesitation, you ran towards the heart of the destruction, fear coursing through every inch of your body. Ignoring the numerous lifeless bodies as you approached.

Dear God, how am I going to break the news to this woman that her daughter most likely didn't survive?..

Just as that thought crossed your mind, screams echoed from the midst of the fire and collapsing building, along with a man causing more explosions, his eyes wide, and his maniacal laughter sending shivers down your spine.

Swallowing your fear, you sprinted towards a little girl and a woman holding onto her tightly, the girl bearing a striking resemblance to the woman you had rescued.

This must be her daughter; the other woman doesn't seem related at all, probably trying to shield the poor girl.

“Please help her!” The woman wept, pushing the injured girl into your arms. Holding onto the crying girl with one arm, you extended your hand to the other woman. A large piece of the building had fallen on her legs. You had never made anything this massive weightless before, but the adrenaline pumping through your veins suggested otherwise.

The large debris slowly began to rise as you pressed your hand against it, the woman beneath it gasping in relief. “Move, now.” You commanded through clenched teeth, and the woman quickly complied.

As the woman got up, another explosion hit all three of you, knocking the wind out of your lungs as your entire body collided into a wall. The young girl in your embrace remained relatively unscathed, thanks to your quick decision-making. You lay there, arms securely wrapped around her, a loud ringing in your ears, and your vision slightly blurry from the impact.

"Trying to be a hero, are you?" The man's crazed laughter echoed as his blurry form drew closer. The girl whimpered in your arms, prompting you to tighten your grip around her.

"Go to hell," you growled, pushing your hands down on a nearby piece of debris to lighten it. Rising to your knees, you lifted the object just as it floated in front of your face. With a swift motion, you hurled it at the man, increasing its weight tenfold at the last moment before it left your fingertips.

The man was thrown to the ground; the heavy debris you created pinned him down, giving you enough time to struggle to your feet. You glanced at the woman, feeling your heartbreak as the last bit of life faded from her frightened eyes.

Clutching the girl tightly to your chest, you buried her face in your shoulder and sprinted away from the villain, who was starting to rise to his feet, the debris you threw at him blown into dust.

Despite the ringing in your ears and the blurred vision, you were determined to get the young girl to safety, even if it meant the end of your own life. "I've got you," you murmured to her between gasps for air. "And I've got you." The man's sinister laughter echoed as the girl let out a terrified 'no!'

A mix of fear and anger surged within you as you turned, driving your free hand into the man's throat and activating your quirk in an instant. He recoiled, eyes wide, clawing at his throat and struggling to breathe. In the chaos, neither of you noticed a familiar Pro Hero soaring towards you, accompanied by a green-haired man.

"You bastard! Don’t touch her!" Dynamight roared, slamming the man to the ground, while the other man effortlessly scooped you and the girl up, carrying you both to safety in a matter of seconds.

You were in a daze the whole time, silently watching as police and paramedics arrived to assist any survivors. Moments later, your young employee rushed out of the shop, tears in her eyes, informing the cops that there were injured people seeking shelter in your shop.

Everything felt like a blur. The paramedics examining you, the police interrogating you, the villain who needed to be rushed into an ambulance because his windpipe was slowly being crushed from the inside. All you could focus on was the light fading from that woman’s eyes, the hatred and disgust in that villain's eyes, the little girl's screams, and... him.

Amidst the chaos, your eyes met, his gaze was intense. You didn’t blink, didn’t dare look away, or even take a step back when he began approaching you. You hadn’t even noticed the silent tears that ran down your grim and blood-covered cheeks as he grabbed your head and pulled you into a tight hug, the smell of sweat and spice swirling around you.

“You idiot,” he murmured into your hair.

leave it to bakugou to ignore a injured child and focus on his crush being in danger 💀

౨ৎ TAG LIST.

@binnieonabike

chapter 1 - 2 can be found here. !!!

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Hello! Me again, back to pester you about lore.

So what's going on with The Drifter? For once I know a little about the character, I read 'A Man With No Name', but I still have questions. From how the book read, Drifter convinced Felwinter to get revenge for the destruction of the village. Did that go anywhere? And what did Drifter get up to for the (unspecified very long) timeskip between the book and the game?

And with the modern day, does the Vanguard know he's running a fighting ring out of the basement? Or does every single guardian look away when Zavala tries figuring out where people keep getting these weapons? I guess first rule of fight club and all that. What's he even trying to do? He seems to be pretty against most of the Vanguard's leadership.

Anyway, another invitation to infodump about your other blorbo. I hope you don't mind XD

If you thought I was long-winded about Eris... She's maybe 400 years old whereas the Drifter may be 900... get comfy... this will not be quick.

"Dark Age was wild times."

I adore the Drifter and a good chunk of how and why I adore him is his voice - both the voice acting and the syntax/diction/phrasing used in the writing, but voice alone does not cover why I find his character so utterly enthralling and fantastic.

I wrote a short piece consisting of Eris telling Ikora what she sees in him in my story Finders Keepers. It's basically a personality analysis and some people have (I think probably accurately) accused it of being a love letter to that character. (Reminder: that link is fanfiction - I wrote it - it is not lore, but it is based on lore. However, everything else I list after this is actual lore.)

But, personality aside, ultimately the Drifter's story is what I find most compelling about him and makes him so empathetic. You mentioned you've read A Man with No Name, but there's more. A lot more.

To start, the Drifter is D2's most violent pacifist.

He doesn't want to fight and when he does, it's vicious. The Emissary of the Nine, formerly Orin (his ex-best friend and/or ex-lover, depending upon how you read it) aptly says "He hates violence. He hates it so much he'll murder anyone who tries to inflict it on him."

In A Man with No Name, we see him go from hiding in a town and having it obliterated by warlords, to running a bar at the bottom of Felwinter peak, to getting Lord Felwinter himself to avenge the town. Drifter doesn't fight anywhere in there and gets other people to do his fighting for him, which is a pretty standard tactic for him. And yes, it is strongly implied that Felwinter does indeed murder the fuck out of Lord Dryden when he says "Call Lord Dryden. Prepare my Iron Banner arsenal."

But then we get Dark Age Drifter entries where he's gunning down Fallen attackers with quotes like "He had never brought himself to shoot a human. Or anything even resembling a human. Risen included." (Bonus mention: notice "Alright" repeated here and compare to his standard Gambit opening of Alright, alright, alright...") Where he's slipping away from non-violence, specifying, in particular, that he won't shoot a human but will defend himself from aliens.

And then he becomes something else entirely in these amazing entries with what I've been calling his Breakneck crew:

Now Otto's a Sword man. He's all about "craft." Technique. Precision. It's disgusting, but I don't care how he does it, as long as it gets done, so I just let him do it. And Otto does it so beautifully that, when he's done, you're standing there holding your guts in your hands and thanking him for the show.

Never touches a gun, that girl. She likes to get close. Likes to look right in their eyes and be the last thing they see.

The chumps that run out to stop us are babies. That's the kicker with Warlords—other than ours, there's not a Ghost in sight here. Just civilians who can barely hold their guns without wetting their pants, who can't aim worth a damn, who stick their necks out for the bad guys with eternal life. Real geniuses.

Cenric stood up. That vein of his looked about ready to pop. Drifter let his feet down as he reached for his rifle, asp-quick. "And you know what we do with rats, don't you, brother."

And the thing I love about this is the character development this speaks to where he goes from pacifist who won't fight at all... to someone who will use a machine gun competently, repeating "Alright" and getting himself used to killing, but not humans, never humans... to stone cold vicious murder-Drifter talking about the lightless who die to his crew in ways that make them (and himself) seem no longer human, to gunning down his own crew, people he felt were a perfect team, when they make deals with warlords behind his back and lie to him about it.

The Drifter started out adhering to an ideal of nonviolence and it destroyed him and everyone he cared for. His sense of self, his principles, everything he believed in is eroded until he completely loses all hope and in order to survive the cruelty of the world he lives in he becomes a ruthless monster.

Either before or after his Breakneck-era crew (it's not clear), the Drifter (under the name Eli) joins the Pilgrim Guard, a group of Titans protecting lightless people as they travel to the Last City. He does this out of a desire/need to be near Orin, a Titan with a complicated past and strong ties to both Queen Mara and the Nine. But then after spending time with Eli/Drifter and the Pilgrim Guard, Orin, the one person Drifter's ever had a deep human connection with, the person he considers his best friend, leaves without a word.

It's very telling that the green snakes, the jade coin, and the red string on those same coins that form such profound parts of the Drifter's symbolism and identity all come from Orin. When the Drifter truly cares for someone, he incorporates part of them into himself, into his identity, making them part of who he becomes, so they live on inside of him.

After his time with Orin, we get into the extremely confusing, contradictory mess that is the Drifter's intersection with Shin Malfur-related Rose/Thorn/Lumina lore. And by this I mean that the Drifter, after fighting alongside people doing genuinely noble good work, in the wake of losing Orin, leaves the Pilgrim Guard and eventually ends up joining the evil cult of evil: following in the footsteps of one of the most reviled risen to ever exist - the guardian-killer: Dredgen Yor.

If you're gonna hang with me, you need to know about the Shadows of Yor. They follow the edicts of a very bad man named Dredgen Yor. And what're his Shadows after? Everything the Light can't provide. I thought they could help me find an answer to the battles of Light versus Light that raged during the Dark Age. But the longer I flew with them, the more I saw they're blind as all those who follow the Traveler. One albatross for another. I was done with 'em.

And while in the cult, in some sort of ritual, he communes with the Darkness directly and gets some sort of Darkness powers (possibly Stasis, possibly something else - it's super unclear) and the Darkness whispers to him his Dredgen name: Dredgen Hope, which is particularly brutal in context with this quote from Dredgen Yor himself:

I care only to give hope to the frightened, huddled masses so that when I come upon them they will have more to lose. Their pain will be greater. Their screams more pure… Nothing dies like hope. I cherish it.

But it is also particularly pointed because hope is the thing the Drifter doesn't have. Trust is the thing he doesn't have the ability to do any more because of his experiences (and is also the name of the hand cannon he wears shoved into his pants). He is the most jaded (literally - constantly fidgeting with a jade coin) character in the D2 universe. He loses everything and leans in on it and follows that path to full evil.

And then he walks away. Because evil doesn't work for him either.

But also (either before or after he's completely left the cult - it's ambiguous, but possibly when he's still entangled but it's already fracturing and falling apart) he finds Orin again (he's using the name Wu Ming at this point - either having returned to it, or because he hasn't changed it yet from Felwinter Peak, or perhaps this happens before Felwinter Peak - the order and timeline is somewhat fuzzy).

Orin does not remember who he is when he finds her the second time (she's pretty nuts at this point - her story is filled with madness and tragedy), and is going insane with grief over losing Namqi (the person she left with when she disappeared the first time) as well as her obsession with the Nine. And the Drifter is once more drawn to her and once more connects deeply with her:

Wu Ming leaves his questions by the wayside as he is drawn inexorably into the gravity well of her desperate honesty. Her confessions lower his defenses. He talks of himself. Of his fear. Of his loneliness. How he feels he is one fingernail away from plummeting into an abyss. How he feels vicious resentment every time he is brought back from the dead: He never asked for the gift of the Light... They make excuse after excuse to meet again. Every conversation is colored by excavated truths; every day they feel they will reach some bedrock that will break them to pieces. It is as frightening as it is intoxicating.

But then Orin finds out about him being a Dredgen, terminates their relationship, goes off to become the Emissary of the Nine and, as someone I was talking with once referred to it: 'it was a breakup so bad he had to leave the solar system.'

Things go very poorly the first time the Drifter loses Orin but the second time is far worse. He has a full-on Lovecraftian 'At the Mountains of Madness' style horror-movie-plot experience with a crew he calls his 'best friends' (which may or may not be all ex-Dredgens but there's at least evidence they might be) out on a frozen planet being stalked and driven to insane levels of paranoia by Darkness creatures able to snuff out their light:

I think I mentioned we're all raving psychos at this point. Well, we did what all measured raving psychos would do. We thought we each had been betrayed by the others. We drew on each other.

The Drifter kills them all to keep them from killing him (at least, that's what he says - no one else is alive to argue). Then his ghost, who up until now has been kind of a moralistic asshole, suggests he hunt down the ghosts of his former crew and Frankenstein them together in order to survive:

And the craziest thing happened. My Ghost snapped... But we would need parts. Ghost parts. And we knew where we could get some... The Ghosts of my former crew all fled as soon as their charges hit the dirt. So me'n mine, we hunted them... "Hey. There's always hope. For what it's worth, I'm proud of you." It was the last thing my Ghost ever said, and the last lie it ever told.

The Drifter's ghost is rendered mute from the experience (either mechanically or due to the trauma of hunting down and murdering other ghosts - it's not clear) but the plan works, they survive, and the Drifter builds the Derelict out of scrap, returning to the Tower where he sets up Gambit.

It's super unclear (again, the Shin-related lore is just a mess and deliberately confusing) but it turns out that Drifter going on about how the Man with the Golden Gun is out to get him is actually a deal he made with Shin to set up Gambit (because, spoiler: the leader of the entire Dredgen cult, Dredgen Vale, turns out to be none other than Shin Malphur, the Man with the Golden Gun, who hunts Dredgens and who the Drifter has been saying is out to get him this entire time) to draw out the truly Darkness-corrupted guardians so Shin can kill them. (And this is ultimately why the Vanguard lets him run a fighting ring in the basement - because Shin convinces them it will help find the truly bad guardians so they can be eliminated).

If you find that confusing, that's because it is. Anything to do with Shin Malphur/Dredgen Yor/Rose/Thorn/Lumnia is pretty much an acid-trip, continuity-wise. It hurts my brain.

As for where the Drifter gets the weapons he gives us for Gambit? To the surprise of no one, he's stealing them. Because of course he is. It's him.

While running Gambit, he ends up visited by the Emissary of the Nine (formerly Orin - same body, different person) and has the Haul attached to the Derelict as a 'gift' in this amazing cutscene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFtmr___dSw

And he pretty much stays in "shifty morally ambiguous guy in the basement" mode until Arrivals when the pyramids show up on Io and we get one of my favourite lore tabs in all of D2: Whispering slab.

The two sit. They speak. They listen. Linkages forged in Light and Dark of traded secrets as the Derelict hangs in orbit around the Earth. Pacts are made. Soon, there is only the silence of knowing left between them.

"Next time you fly over the Moon, dust your boots. Tracking that crap all over my floors."

Both of the Drifter's deep emotional entanglements with Orin happen when he really genuinely talks to her, and now in Whispering Slab, he's genuinely talking to someone else, plus we get the origin of why he calls that someone else Moondust.

Then, during Arrivals, we get the amazing banter between him and Eris, and in Beyond Light they learn to control Stasis together with the result being (in my highly subjective opinion) the best cutscene in all of D2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQAB-sSi6P0

At the end of Haunted we get Eris' message to him about healing and finding joy , he has this line in Plunder "What we do now matters more than who we were", we end up with the Kept Confidence lore tab during Season of the Witch where the person who previously insisted he trusted no one now is saying: "He didn't trust them. He trusted her" and then in the Gloaming Journeyer tab, he pulls her into a hug and reminds her of what she told him once (in the Prophesy dungeon dialogue): "That we'll live in the night if we have to. We do it for what comes after." (What comes after is dawn, hope, the continuance of existence after the darkest point.)

Someone in a chat I was in once summed up the core dynamic of the Drifter and Eris' relationship perfectly as "He gives her trust. She gives him hope."

There are people online who are very frustrated with the Drifter's character development, feeling that the Drifter has 'had his teeth filed off' and that he 'got his depression cured by getting a goth girlfriend' but I feel that's just people who don't like change. The Drifter has, throughout his entire storyline been constantly changing who he is. Change is part of his many self-constructed identities which he re-creates over and over as his old sense of self is destroyed and remade. Gritty vicious Drifter is still in there and he will be just as brutal as ever if he needs to be.

He doesn't want to be, though. He never has. And as someone who deals with medical-grade depression and who found themselves in a situation where they needed to reconstruct a sense of self to replace the one that was lost, the Drifter finding a way to hope and trust again after all he's been through is an extremely powerful and poignant narrative which speaks to me on many levels.

It's not trite, thoughtless happy fluffy rainbows, friendship-fixes-everything-whee! It's painful and slow and beautiful as the Drifter learns to have healthy relationships with other people. We need stories like this to speak to us at an unconscious level and tell us that even if you're not Eris Morn and you failed, and you gave up, and you didn't make it out of the Hellmouth, and you in fact gave in to despair and completely lost all hope, your experience erasing who it was you were and having that old you replaced with someone else, you can still find hope again. Even if you've been burned so severely by so many, many, negative human interactions that you cannot trust anyone, if you find the right people, you can slowly learn how to trust again.

The Drifter's story has been called a redemption arc, and I guess in a way it is that too but, for me, the essential quality of the Drifter's narrative isn't redemption: it's healing.

Stories have power. We incorporate them into who we are. Dredgen Hope ultimately does live up to his name. Within D2 he is finally starting to heal. I find that idea, of healing in spite of being so altered by one's experiences as to have had to become an entirely different person in order to survive, of being unable to trust and still finding a way to learn how to trust again, to be important and beautiful to have in my subconscious as something to draw from. It is a story that is very much needed by a lot of people. We need to be reminded that we can be irrevocably changed and have everything taken from us and still find a way to trust and hope and love again. That might seem a bit much for a shooty game, but I maintain this is why D2 has some of the best storytelling of any game I've ever played and that the character of the Drifter is a huge part of what makes that storytelling so compelling.

Sorry this took so long to answer. This seriously was as short as I could make it and still say everything that I felt needed to be said. There's more, and more detail, of course, but this is my treatise on why the Drifter is as awesome as I think he is.

That is all.

[echo-goes-mmm]

Silas and Wren #9

Masterpost

Previous

Next

Warnings: none

Note: Felix (Silas’s brother) uses they/them pronouns and masculine family terms

The doorbell rang, and Wren’s blood ran cold. Master was out, and he hadn’t been told what to do when someone came to call.

There was very little time to decide, so he summoned up all his courage and opened the door. Two people were on the step, a man and a woman.

‘Master is out, but I can pass on a message for you’, is what he would have said, but the man at the door pulled him into a hug. 

“Thank you for protecting my brother,” said the man, stepping away. 

“Uh-”

“May we come in?”

“Um-” 

“Great, thank you.” They pushed past him, and Wren awkwardly shut the door behind them. 

As they put their coats in the hall closet, Wren had the opportunity to actually look at them. The person who hugged him must be Felix, and the lady their fiancée (wife?).

Felix did actually look like a younger version of their dad, and it was eerie how similar they were. The woman was blonde and pretty. She had a diamond ring that must be incredibly expensive.

He wasn’t quite sure what to do. Master was gone, and had been for hours. Maybe he’d come back soon, but Wren wasn’t even a house slave. He had no hosting experience.

“Could- could I get you some tea, or- um-” he wrung his hands as they turned to look at him. Heat rose to his face; vampires didn’t drink tea. 

“How about you show us to the sitting room?” said the woman, gently.

“Right- sorry.” He led them in, trying his best to seem put together despite the fluttering anxiety in his chest. 

“You know,” said Felix with a little laugh as they sat on the couch, “I’ve never actually been to my brother’s house. It’s quite nice. Where is he, by the way?”

“He’s uh, out running errands.” Wren wasn’t sure if he was also supposed to sit down or not.

“Oh.” It was Felix’s turn to be embarrassed, and Wren could see the charming family resemblance. They made the same face as Silas when he was awkward.

“Darling, you didn’t ask ahead?” The lady shook her head. Sheepishly, Felix rubbed the back of their neck.

The lady turned to him and offered a smile. “I’m sorry my silly fiancé forgot to warn you, and I’m very sorry we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Elisa, and of course this is Felix.”

“I’m called Wren, but um, I guess you knew?” Wren sat down in Master’s armchair, curling into it. He tucked his branded hand under his leg. Maybe they wouldn’t notice, or at least hadn’t yet.

“Ehh, not really,” said Felix, “I knew you were living with Silas, and I know you made my father very angry, but he neglected to mention your name.”

“I’m afraid he doesn’t care much about the details of most people. He didn’t bother to learn my name for the first three months I was courting Felix.” Elisa placed her hand on Felix’s. Wren tried not to feel jealous that they had the luxury of being in love and he didn’t.

“How did you meet?” he asked, as politely as possible. People did small talk, right? 

“Oh, well,” Felix glanced at Elisa, and it was probably the wrong question to distract himself from his own longing. “I was at a housewarming party for a business acquaintance, and Elisa was wearing this eye-catching gorgeous dress-”

“Oh stop it, you,” blushed Elisa, smacking their shoulder while smiling.

“-and it was love at first sight. I thoroughly seduced her that night.”

Elisa leaned in, a mischievous glint in her golden eyes, “They spilled a glass of wine on me,” she whispered conspiratorially. “And could barely stutter out an apology. My mother was quite offended on my behalf. It was adorable.”

“Don’t tell him that bit,” protested Felix, “Let me have my fairytale.”

Wren felt himself smile a bit, despite the sick pool of envy in his stomach. He couldn’t help but be happy for them.

“How did you and Silas meet?” asked Elisa, and Wren tried not to panic at the question. 

“Oh… um…”

“It’s alright,” reassured Felix, “I am a bit curious about how my brother managed to meet a partner- especially a human- but you don’t have to say.”

“Thank you,” he said, immediately feeling guilty. He was lying to Silas’s beloved brother, and sooner or later it would come out. But the lure of pretending- he couldn’t pass it up.

“How’s he doing? We… haven’t spoken in a while.”

“He’s fine. A little shaken after his father visited, but he’s mostly okay. He worries, though.” 

Felix nodded. “That sounds like him, alright. Father is an intense man. I’m fairly certain he’s to blame for my brother’s nervousness.”

“He was adamant we didn’t invite Silas,” added Elisa. “We didn’t want to make a fuss, but it is unfortunate.”

“But tell us about you,” smiled Felix. “I’d like to know about my future brother-in-law, instead of lamenting my subpar family. Do you have any siblings?”

“Not that I know of. I, uh, don’t really know my dad,” he said truthfully. “I’m an only child as far as I know.”

“Oh… my condolences. I couldn’t imagine. I have three siblings, all older than me,” said Elisa. “It must be lonely. How’s your mom?”

“We don’t really talk. She worked all the time, and I left home pretty young,” lied Wren. It was true up to a point, but he was really talking out of his ass.

Silas was going to be furious. And his hand was falling asleep.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Have you two been together long?”

“A few months. A little fast, I know, but he’s so sweet and we just sort of happened.” Wren desperately tried to get back on familiar territory. Talking about Silas was easy.

“We can hardly judge,” waved off Felix. “Elisa and I have only been together two years and look at us! Married in a scant few days.” 

“Silas has gone nearly crazy with deciding on a wedding gift. He even asked my opinion on vampiric wines, as if I knew anything about that,” he joked.

Felix snorted. “Typical. He gets caught up in his head sometimes.”

“I’ve noticed,” he grinned. “He sent you a letter, by the way. I’m not sure what all he said, but he was, well, nervous.”

“I haven’t gotten it yet, but I’m sure I can guess. Aside from the wedding fiasco, is he… happy?”

“I think so. Or at least, happier than when we first met.” 

“Thank you,” said Felix, genuine and sincere. Guilt swirled in his gut. “Really, thank you. It was tough for him when Father tossed him out.”

“I-”

The front door opened and closed. Felix and their fiancée turned toward the doorway.

“Wren?” called out Silas, wandering into the room, “I need your opinion on-” Master froze at the scene. He dropped the package he was carrying.

“Felix?”

Felix stood up from the couch and wrapped their arms around Silas. Silas melted into their embrace. 

“I didn’t know you were coming,” he sniffed. He stepped away, wiping his eyes.

“I know, it's my fault. Sorry about that.”

“No, no it’s fine.” Silas glanced at Wren. He looked away, and Silas furrowed his brow.

“Silas, this is my fiancée, Elisa.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” said Elisa, standing to shake Silas’s hand. “Felix has told me lots of stories.”

“Oh, um, all good things, I hope?” Elisa smiled at him.

“Of course.”

“I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you about the wedding,” said Felix. “It happened rather quickly, and Father, well. You know how he is.”

“Right,” muttered Silas, leaning over to pick up the package he dropped. He set it on the table beside Wren.

“To be fair,” pointed out Felix, and oh no- “you didn’t tell me about your beau either.”

“Beau?”

“You know,” winked Felix, “Partner, lover, whatever you want to call him. I never thought you’d meet such a lovely man. No offense.”

“None taken, but what the hell are you talking about?”

Wren sank further into the chair. Felix turned to him, confused, and Silas followed their gaze. Even Elisa was looking at him.

“Wren,” said Silas, and he couldn’t read his tone, “what did you say to them?”

He bit his lip, trying to keep from bursting into tears. There was no way Silas would love him after this.

“I- I just-” best to get it over with- “I just wanted to pretend for a little while.”

“I’m a little lost here,” said Elisa. “Pretend what?”

“I think I’ve made a critical error of assumption,” said Felix. “And my brother is actually single.”

Wren nodded, and he pulled out his hand, showing off his damn mark. “I’m really, really sorry.”

Felix’s eyes went wide, and they turned on Silas, snarling. “What the fuck did you do?”

“Nothing!”

“You own a person!”

“If it makes you feel better, I’m not a person,” he offered, but they didn’t seem to hear him.

“Well maybe I was just tired of being alone! Sorry you can’t understand that with your perfect life!” hissed Silas.

“Oh that’s a laugh! You think I want to be the golden child? It’s fucking exhausting! You can do whatever you want now! And I have to put up with Father’s orders all the time!”

“You can just say no! It’s easy! No! See?”

They were a scant foot away from each other, shouting and hissing, like two cats with hackles raised.

Elisa grabbed his hand. “Let’s leave them to it,” she whispered. Wren followed her out into the main hall.

“How about you show me the rest of the house?”

“Oh, uh, sure, ma’am.”

“Just Elisa will do.”

“Right, sorry.” They wandered around the house. It wasn’t much of a tour; he was too tense from the distant argument.

“They’ll get over it,” she assured him after a moment. “Felix loves their brother.”

“I’m not worried about that. I lied to you two, and made him look bad. He’ll be angry with me.”

Elisa paused, looking at one of the paintings. She traced the golden frame with a slender finger. “Does he mistreat you?”

“There’s not really a way to mistreat a slave. By definition. We’re meant to accept anything.”

“That’s not what I meant.” 

Wren stared up at the painting. It was one of his favorites.

“He hasn’t hit me, or anything like that.”

She turned to him. “You think he will?”

“No,” he said immediately. Silas wouldn’t. But there were a variety of ways to punish slaves. It didn’t have to involve a fist.

They moved from the library to the wing where he lived. 

“Tell me, what do you do for Silas?” she asked, leaning against the kitchen counter. 

“Not much,” he admitted, grabbing some orange juice from the fridge. “I just keep him company really.”

“Sexually?”

“I was sold to him for that, but he’s not interested. We just talk. Play board games and cards.” He poured a glass of juice and put the jug back. “He’s been teaching me to read.”

“Oh?”

___________________

“You of all people should know it’s not that simple!”

“Then why do you think it’s easy for me? I lost everything when Father threw me out! No one wanted to talk to me, not even my own brother!”

“I-” Felix deflated. “I’m sorry. I should have gone with you.”

“I never wanted that. I just don’t understand why you didn’t talk to me,” he said, quiet. It still ached, like a bruise on his heart.

Felix sat on the couch. “I don’t have a good explanation. Guilt, I guess? I’m just sorry, Silas.” He looked down at his hands.

Silas sat down next to him. “I forgive you. As long as I’m still your brother, right?”

“Of course. But Silas, why did you buy a slave? It’s not like you.”

Silas looked up at the ceiling. “It’s just like I said before. I really needed someone in my corner. Don’t laugh.” he nudged Felix.

“I wasn’t laughing! I might not… really get it, but if it makes you happy then that’s fine with me. Just as long as you aren’t too mean to him.”

“I would never!”

Felix snorted. “I know, I’m messing with you.”

Elisa and Wren walked into the room, and Silas immediately noticed that there was something wrong with him. Wren was lingering half a step behind Elisa, eyes trained on the floor. 

Elisa kissed Felix on the top of their head. They tilted their head to the side, a smile gracing their face.

Silas caught Wren looking, something strange in his expression before he turned back to the floor. 

They exchanged goodbyes and I-love-yous and well wishes. 

“Hey,” he called to Wren, low and calm. “Come here.”

Wren miserably made his way over. He did not sit down, instead opting to linger with his head hanging low. Silas took his hand in his own. 

“What happened? Did Elisa say something?”

“No, Master,” he whispered. “She was nice.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

Wren sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “I lied to your brother, and I’m so so sorry.” Wren looked up at him, and he looked terrified.

“I’m not mad.”

“Y- you’re not?”

“No.” Silas stroked his thumb over the back of Wren’s hand. “You just didn’t want to be judged. I get that.”

Wren looked away.

“Really. I’m not upset.”

“Okay.” Wren wiped his tears. “Can I go? Please?”

“Yeah, uh, sure.” Silas felt wrong footed, like he just messed up somehow. “I’ll see you later, I guess.”

taglist: @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @secretwhumplair @freefallingup13 @mylovelyme @whumpzone @paintedpigeon1 @haro-whumps @whumpthisway @fanastyfinder @extemporary-whump @susiequaz12 @keepingwhumpwiththekardashians @the-cyrulik @morning-star-whump

[josefavomjaaga]

Ida meets Ney in Russia

I dimly remember that somebody (Cadmus?) mentioned they wanted to read more from Ida. So here’s a brief snippet of Ida – for once – getting in trouble with her hero, of Ney scolding her and … being jealous of Eugène?

The meeting takes place somewhen in late 1812 or early 1813, as much as it’s possible to tell from Ida’s chronological rollercoaster ride. In any case, after or at the end of the Russian retreat. Because of course Ida had joined the Russian campaign as well.

And not only she. If any tumblerinas here plan on learning how to time travel and want to go back to see the Grande Armée march towards Moscow, they don’t need to worry about incognitos. Most likely they would barely be noticed, as apparently there were wagonloads of groupies following their heroes around.

Okay: four. But that’s only those ladies Ida travelled with. Plus, two of them died on the way back.

Ida was particularly fond of a Polish-Lithuanian girl named Nidia, as madly in love with general Montbrun as Ida was in love with Ney. Not that either of the two got to see their idol much during the march. As a matter of fact, the first thing Nidia learned before entering Moscow was that Montbrun had been killed at the battle of Borodino. Other than that, Ida claims to have had a bad feeling about this city from the start:

As we entered Moscow, occupied at last by our troops, this immense city seemed to us like a vast tomb; its empty streets, deserted buildings and solemnity of destruction were heartbreaking. Despite the pomp of victory, I felt struck by I don't know what new kind of melancholy when I saw it; the flags seemed to me gloomy and almost surrounded by funeral crêpes and black forebodings. We were staying in Rue Saint-Pétersbourg, near the Miomonoff palace, which was soon occupied by Prince Eugène. The sight of this young hero and the cheers of the soldiers, who adored him, gave us back all the illusions of victory.

Okay, so I just added this because it’s so rare to see Eugène receive some praise. (I should also mention that the adored young hero was growing bald at an alarming rate and that his bad teeth were killing him.)

As a matter of fact, Ida claims that Nidia was especially interested in Eugène because he was rumoured to maybe become king of Poland (yes, another candidate). These rumours did really exist, Eugène mentions them in a letter to his wife before the campaign started. (And he also makes it pretty clear that these are just rumours and that he has not the slightest ambition to stay in this country. He may have used different vocabulary than Lannes but he didn’t like the region any better.)

The following night, Ida and Nidia wake up to a burning Moscow and are saved by soldiers of 4th corps. On the retreat, they seem to have followed headquarters as closely as possible, which was their safest bet to stay alive (because where the emperor is, there’s food and firewood and a resemblance of order) but still witness horrible tragedies. After the crossing of the Berezina, they apparently followed the remnants of Eugène’s 4th corps to Marienwerder, before Nidia says goodbye and goes back to defending Poland.

But before, on the way, at Valutina (?), Ida finally sees Ney again

At this point, after the retreat, Ida at least starts to question her decision to follow the Grande Armée around. Or something like that.

I have just recounted my fatigue, my difficulties and my perils in a war beyond human endurance, because of the new aspects it seemed to give to destruction and death. A powerful feeling made me undertake everything and endure everything. Why was I going to face the hazards of a campaign? Why was I going to expose the weakness of a woman to the rigours of a climate of iron? In order to obtain yet another glance from the one whose smile had always paid me for my military errands. This look was always like a world offered to my hopes; the dream alone of this reward had made possible all the impossibilities of time, distance, sex and fortune. My life was thus burnt for a few hours, still uncertain. I was giving up everything for a moment in space. Alas! this time, how I was going to regret this moment that had cost me so much to conquer! I had just gambled my existence for a flash of happiness, and this flash, the quickest of my life, became the cruelest.

I had to spend three fatal hours in a miserable shack on the outskirts of Volutina. My dress was so horrible that it was a real disguise. In a person dressed like that, one could hardly suspect a woman. Ney, however, only had to look my way to recognise me. To have been seen was enough to have been discovered. I was about to rush to the front of this first happiness; I was about to testify to the soul of my life how proud I was of this divination of friendship, of this perspicacity of memory, when words of an energy which was far from that of the feeling of which I was possessed, intimated to me the order of the most positive dismissal: "What are you doing here? What do you want? Go away quickly." With this address and a few short, curt rebukes about my reckless rage and my fury at following him everywhere, I only had the strength to reply: "It is a rage, indeed, but it is not at least the rage of pleasure or vanity," pointing to my coarse clothes and my face burnt by the sun and faded by fatigue. He took no notice of either the harangue or the costume. He was off and running. His displeasure at seeing me there was so great; he let it out so vividly that I thought he was going to push me back to the opposite bank of the Dniéper in his anger. Stunned by the reception, struck by lightning, I remained motionless for more than an hour, staring at him, thinking I saw him; he had disappeared without paying any more attention to me or worrying about me.

From which we can deduct that Ney was not a reader of Jane Austen novels. Otherwise he would have known that whenever you have behaved in a way that made a woman fall in love with you that’s f-ing your fault, monsieur!

In 1813, when I recalled to Marshal Ney this scene of such violent fury, followed by such cruel silence and abandonment, he told me that he had been so mortally frightened by the extravagance which had pushed me into the midst of so many perils and the licentiousness of an army, that he had even been tempted to beat me. Truth requires me to admit that the temptation had been so strong that he had, I believe, yielded to it a little; it was without his knowing it, for the great passions know neither all they want nor all they do. Anger is therefore still love, since it is as blind as fury.

Girl, get help. Seriously.

When we crossed the Dniéper at Serokodia, I could have had another word with him. A new laurel had just hidden his wrongs and healed my wound. I could have, I wanted to say to him: You have just added to your immortal glory here; you alone have just saved Frenchmen lost in deserts of ice; I would have liked to express to him what all parties repeat today, what posterity will proclaim on the ashes of the brave... But I stuck to the joy of hearing the distant cheers. There was then a little fear in my delirium for him, and I almost have the idea that I idolised him even more by fearing him in that way…

Did I mention the thing about getting help?

Yes, even the reproach was appreciated by my heart, and still seemed to me a tender interest. I found I don't know what pleasure in hearing myself scolded later for my association with Nidia, my marches and counter-marches with the Viceroy's troops. No matter how many times I told the Marshal that Eugène's protection had been focused exclusively on the young Lithuanian girl, and that I had slipped unnoticed into this benevolence, he took it into his head to believe nothing of these sincere protestations. To make him reconsider such a strongly conceived idea would have meant exposing myself to a repeat of the Dniéper order and military correction. I had no intention of trying the same pleasure twice. Finally, he saw the evidence of my attachment, and he found the generosity to prove this belated but strong conviction to me [...]

By calling her his brother-in-arms, by the way. And this, I believe, really meant a lot to Ida.

[barelyahumanbeing]

Hi, welcome to my sideblog for original stories of fantasy, love and creatures! 🥀

I'm Debs and I've been on Tumblr for a while. During this time my content has been 100% dedicated to fanfiction, but this is my new space for non fanfic writing. I wanted to go back to this type of content for a long time and finally I did! I'm very excited about this project and I hope you have a great experience here as well 🖤

Important info about me, the content I'll be posting here and guides below the cut 🥀

About me

Name Deborah, but I'd rather be called Debs, as my irl friends call me like this

Pronouns she/her

Age 30

Country Brazil

What I do for a living I'm a History student and work at a part time job. Though I have accounts in other social media, Tumblr is the only one I "consistently" produce content to

Other info

I'm an INFP / my instinct stacking is SP/SX

Portuguese is my first language, but I've been writing and communicating in English for years and can read a bit of Spanish

I've always loved horror, fantasy, scifi and classic literature, and all these references has leaked into the content I've produced in different phases of my life. Recently, I've started writing content for anime fandoms, so this is probably the latest type of media to enter my list of inspirations. It'll certainly appear in this blog as well, yet I'll try not to write for specific fandoms, focusing on "fantasy" and "monster love" and original stuff instead of fanfiction

Links to my content

My main blog @cafeinthemoon93

My fanfiction sideblog @cafeinthemoon

My fanfiction lists @cafeinthemoon-lists

Find my personal posts and messages at #barely a human thought (soon)

Find my asks at #barely a human ask (soon)

Find my polls here at #barely a human poll

My ao3 account

My Quotev account

My Carrd

Rules, interacting with this blog, content and other important stuff

What I write I'll be writing "monster/creature x reader" stories. In some cases I might name the characters, but there'll be explainable reasons for this, otherwise I'll keep everyone "nameless" just like in most fairy tales. I plan to bring stories with elves, merfolk, mutants, aliens, forest creatures, mythological beings and others. I also want to write for non specified creatures. Though I don't write extreme/explicit content, the characters are always adult in my stories unless I specify them differently, so my content are primarily directed to adults

What I don't write Just like in my fanfiction content, I won't write noncon, underage, extremely dark content and explicit stuff. I also won't write for werewolves, vampires and zombies, specifically. I know they're very popular in fantasy and that writing for them might help to attract a greater number of people, but I just don't want to create content with them, and I'm not worried about gaining "fame". I just want to have fun. Also, that doesn't mean I won't write about creatures that resemble them 😉

Gender and pronouns I'll be writing all female reader x male or genderless creature. This is the only dynamics I'm able to write, for I work from my particular perspective. In the case of creatures with no specified gender, I'll be using "they/them", otherwise it'll always be "he/him". If you're not okay with this, don't send hate. Just seek for writers who create content that align with your preferences. There's space for everyone 😉

Warnings and triggers Just like in my fanfics, my stories are generally SFW, but I use to include steamy content and non explicit sex, as well as mentions of violence. I use warnings in all my stories, but in case you spot something that should appear in the warning content section, don't hesitate in telling me so. I'm not perfect and I might miss some things 🥴

About the word monsterf- and how I'll tag my stories I won't use this word to tag my content, but I'm totally okay if you want to classify my work as such. I'm new to this world and Idk if this is a sensitive topic among the community, but my personal opinion is that it sounds pejorative, and I see people laughing at its use. I don't approve laughing at this type of content, of course, but I'd rather use other terms like "monster love" and "monster romance", even though they don't have the same reach and impact

Asks and requests I'm accepting asks, including anon ones, and I'm open to new ideas for stories, but I won't be taking requests for headcanons for now due to my little time (besides irl responsibilities I have my fanfic content, so...). Maybe I'll take requests in the future, but for now I think it's too soon. Anyways if you have any doubts and want to discuss important points under the theme of this blog, I'll be happy 😊

What's not accepted I won't tolerate any forms of hate and prejudice, whether towards my content or other people. Spam and harassment won't be tolerated as well. The only possible responses for this type of thing are block and delete 🚫

If you've read until this point, tysm! I'm really happy to have you here and I hope you have great fun 🖤🥀

[haileyywrites]

-> The queen of Khaenri'ah - though to fall with it's civilization, makes herself known to the traveler with a proposition

-> Spoilers for "We Will Be Reunited"! This story is not meant to be exactly lore accurate! Reader is fem aligned with the title Queen! Reader is the leader of the Abyss! Aether is traveler and Lumine is with the Abyss!

You sat upon a dark throne within the dark heart of the Abyss that seemed to stretch into eternity, stars glimmered all around you providing some light to your surroundings. It was cold and dark inside the Abyss, but you could barely feel it anymore.

Abyss Lector's and Herald's stood in row on each side of you, much resembling your counsil back in Khaenri'ah... Such memories almost seemed like dreams after the hundreds of years.

Yet, one of the Herald's was missing, you noticed - of course you did. Each and every one of them was important to you. They were what little remained of your people... This particular Herald had been tracking the Traveler and Dainsleaf after their surprising union.

Lumine stood by your side looking rather restless, an unusual sight to see as she had always remained stoic. Though it was for good reason - Dainsleaf was with her brother after all... It was unclear who she was more worried about, but it didn't matter.

This meeting needed to come to an end before someone got actually hurt. You stood from your throne to the opened portal before you, all of your subjects turned to watch your next move without voicing their worries or protests. Lumine was quick to tail you, but you dismissed her with a simple wave of your hand. You would handle this on your own.

The Herald was unable to escape due to your old knight - your Twilight Sword. He who used to be so loyal to you and your people. Yet now he worked against you in defense of the humanity of which he was not even a part of. All while denouncing the gods. How conflicted he must feel all the time, seemingly unable to choose a side.

You walked through the portal just in time to save your subject from certain death at the hands of the fallen knight. The look on Dainsleaf's face as you stopped his attack was simply priceless... As if he had seen a ghost. He had not aged a single day within the past decades, just like you. Yet you could barely recognize him as the man you once knew so well.

“Y- your Highness!” The Herald exclaimed. He would likely have fallen onto his knees before you, had he not already been groveling on the floor.

“Dainsleaf. I see you still cannot let us be in peace, even after we have let you live after your betrayal.” Your gaze was sharp, but you remained void of any emotion.

You raised your arm to harness the power of the Abyss to bind Dain in place. You were not here for him and you did not need him to intervene with the coming exchange. Your actions and his struggle caused the poor traveler to become nervous, conflicted on what to do next.

“Traveler - I've come to know you by a different name. Your sister calls you Aether, I would rather call you that if you do not mind.” Just the mere mention of his sister caused his eyes to widen and sparkle with hope.

“I can take you to your sister, if you only take my hand. The Abyss are not the monsters you think us to be - not the monsters Dainsleaf makes us out to be.” You sent Dain a glare from the corner of your eye.

“We are a people betrayed by the gods and Celestia, cursed by their vile deeds. Countless of my people lost their lives during the destruction of Khaenri'ah or later - their minds to the curse.” You still have nightmares of it everytime you close your eyes. All the lives lost, the horid curse that plagues them...

Your words caused the traveler to become conflicted and it was evident over his features. Could he truly trust you? Especially when he just meet you and the first thing you did was bind his friend... His eyes moved over to Dainsleaf who was still struggling against his bindings. His eyes were clear in saying "don't" - but how could he refuse this chance?

“Come. You will be free to leave at any moment and so is your sister. I will have answers to all the questions you might have - to questions some are not willing to answer.” You extended your hand towards the blonde, a soft and friendly smile resting on your lips.

A hesitant step was taken towards you, yet his hand still squeezed the hilt of his sword tightly...

Can't believe there are over 90 of you following me! Thank you all so much <3

[mysecretattic0]

nova-caine ♒︎

Pairing: Bloodsport X afab!Reader

WARNING: SMUT/EXPLICIT CONTENT AHEAD! Mentions of murder, death, abuse, alcohol, weapons, violence, etc.

Prompt: That noise… keep making it. @delusionisaplace

Suicide Sqaud: Bloodsport & Nova

Heavy breathing. Filled with fear. Tears cascading rapidly down my cheeks. Wounds and bruises scattered across my skin like horrible confetti. Whispers can be heard from every direction. THEY WON’T SHUT UP! I can’t go back. I CAN’T! Don't look back. Don’t stop running. I can’t stop now. I’m not far enough. I must hide. Where? WHERE?! No time to think about that. I CAN’T STOP! SHE’S COMING! But she’s dead. SHE’S COMING FOR ME! Go. FASTER! WHERE DO I GO?! Suddenly all the whispers were silent. All that could be heard was the snapping of the twigs below my bare feet. Upon realizing the whispers had gone silent, I came to a halt. The silence was deafening. It hurt; it made me more fearful. Frantically looking in every direction. No. No! NO! I fell to my knees. Skin crawling. NO! SHE’S STILL HERE! I can feel her. I quickly looked up and —

I gasped awake. Frantically searching. Searching for her. The woods that surrounded me. Instead I was kneeling on the cold floor of my cell. I hectically scoot back against the cold painted brick wall. Feeling an anxiety attack coming along. I suddenly began to break down. Crying uncontrollably.

It took me a while to calm down. However, when I did, the sun had just begun to rise and a loud buzz sounded, indicating our cell doors had been opened; and it was now morning. But I don’t move from my spot. I didn’t realize how long I’d been sitting there, staring into space, until my name had been called.

“Nova. Can you come with me?” Ms. Waller asked in a semi soft tone, though it surely wasn’t a question, with a knock on my open cell door. With a nod of my head, knowing I didn’t have a choice, I stood and joined the group she had in tow. Seems to me as I was the last to join them. There was a gigantic shark human hybrid? A groggy Cleo and three other unknown men. One of which I caught staring at me. Though when eye contact was established he looked away. He seemed to have a permanent scowl or mean mug, if you will, upon his face. I tried not to pay any of them any mind. I just wanted to get this mission over with. We all went to get prepared for Ms. Waller’s explanation of our “objective” for this “mission”.

~~~

After getting mini bomb explosives injected into our necks, we were brought to a dimly lit room that resembled a classroom. May as well be called one, reason being, Ms. Waller stands at the front giving her ‘lecture’ presentation. Giving us the run around on why we’re doing this mission, what it’s about and who’s involved. We sat listening, scattered in different rows of seats. 

“Your mission is to infiltrate Jotunheim and destroy every trace of project starfish.” Ms. Waller ended her lecture. “How are we supposed to get in?” Said the British guy with the staring problem, whose name I’ve come to realize is, Bloodsport? Ms. Waller then spoke, “Gaius Grieves, the Thinker, is a geneticist in charge of Project Starfish.” she briefly paused, “After hours, he hangs out at a gentlemen’s club known as, La Gatita Amable. Get Grieves to help you by whatever means necessary, and he can get you into Jotunheim.” She finished. The lights came back on. “Any questions?” She asked us all. Cleo asked about a projector no longer in use. Irrelevant. Peacemaker? Asked about a connection between starfish and buttholes? Stupid. Nanaue asked about his hand. Adorable. “We’re all gonna die.” Bloodsport stated as a matter of fact, annoyance ridden in his tone. “I hope so.” Polka-Dot Man weirdly stated. I turned to look questionably at their interaction.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Bloodsport with a roll of his eyes. When he caught my eye, I turned back around in my seat, with a sigh.

~~~

We swam to the shore of this island. The feeling of the cool water against me was very relaxing. Though the sensation was short lived; as we approached the shore. As we were walking there was a rumbling explosion on the other side of the island. The unexpected loud noise made me jump with a gasp. The group turned their attention to the explosion and briefly sent glances my way at my fear. Bloodsport quickly pulled out his weapon, “Control, we have a disturbance south of here.” He said into the comm as he pointed his weapon. “It’s just a diversion, Bloodsport.” Waller replied.

Bloodsport led us through the jungle, I tuned out their conversation as I unknowingly fell slightly behind. I began to hear those whispers I despised. Feel the chills that brought me nothing but horrible thoughts and fear. That brought me back there. When I looked up, the group was no longer in front of me. I looked in every direction. But suddenly, I was; back in the woods. Running from her. My own mother. A powerful, wicked, witch that never ceases to haunt me. Chasing me.

I was suddenly tackled to the ground. I only saw her. I fight with all my might to get her off. Refraining from using my powers. The last time I did that I—

“Calm down! It’s me!” I heard a British accent. I blinked a couple of times to find that it was Bloodsport on top of me, restraining me from causing him anymore harm. Him holding me down was triggering my anxiety and claustrophobia. My breathing picked up as I began to panic; it made me think of her. “Let me go!” I yelled breathlessly. I broke down as he immediately let go of me. I scooted out from under him, bringing my knees to my chest and slowly looked up to find his eyes staring back at me with a confused and concerned expression. I stared at him with tear filled eyes. “Breathe. I’m not gonna hurt you, love.” He started, calmly, with his hands up in surrender. “I just wanna help you.” He stated. “We set up camp. I noticed you got left behind. I just came to find you, and I saw you running.” He explained. I put my head down to hide from him.

“Why?” My head shot back up upon hearing his voice. He took notice of my confusion and continued, “Why were you running, love?” He asked. “Just another vision.” I replied plainly. “A vision?” He questioned. “Something like that. A flashback. An episode whatever you’d like to call it.” I nodded as I wiped the tears from my face. “What, like a psychic?” He asked, genuinely confused, but with a hint of sarcasm. I scowled at him, “No.” I rolled my eyes and stood up, as did he. I could feel him eyeing me intently for what seemed like forever. “Can we go, please?” I crossed my arms over my chest, avoiding eye contact with him. “Sure.” He said nonchalantly with a shrug. He began to lead us back to where we’ll be camping for the night. “What do you do?” he asked. “What?” I responded in a tone of confusion. “What’s your superpower? Like your ability.” He continued.

I hesitated but I decided to tell him. “I’m a witch.” I stated, annoyed. “Hm.” He hummed. “What?” I asked, taken aback and slightly offended. “Nothing.” He shook his head. “No. What’s that supposed to mean?” I stopped with my arms folded atop my chest. He turned, “Never seen a real witch before. Thought those only existed in the stories.” He said mockingly. “I’ll prove it.” I said confidently. I unfolded my arms and took a deep breath. I let the words of magic fall from my lips in a mumble. As I stared into his eyes, he started to get fidgety. 

“You feel that?” I asked in a condescending tone. I slowly took small steps toward him. “That heat.” I continued. When I got closer he shivered. “And what about that? That tingle?” I taunted. Inches away from him; as I got closer he backed away. His breath hitched when his back hit a tree. “And that?” I chuckled. “That arousal.” I whispered in a low sultry tone; our faces mere inches away from each other. I brought my hand up between us and slowly balled it into a fist. He let out a low shaky groan; almost whimper, briefly making my knees weak. “That noise… keep making it.” He watched as I untightened my fist and placed my palm in the center of his chest; and with the other, I hovered over his arousal. “May I?” I asked for his consent; staring into his soul through his eyes, making sure he couldn’t look away.

He hesitated; but he eventually nodded in agreement. I raised a brow at him, “Yes.” He gritted. I softly laid my other hand on his erection. I closed my eyes briefly, letting go of my hold on our eye contact. When I opened them his head was resting against the tree, eyes closed, breathing shakily. “Can you feel that Robert?” He released a strained groan in response. I pulled back with a low chuckle. His eyes shot open to glare down at me. “What the hell was that for? Why’d you stop?” He lowly shouted in that heavy British accent, so as not to alert anyone. “Because, we’re not here for that. Plus, we don’t want them to come looking for us do we?” I asked as I continued on our previous path.

~~~

After trying to kill Nanaue for almost eating Cleo, traveling to find Flag; who we found out was also on the island along with others, killing a lot of the Freedom Fighters, hearing Krill’s story on his interdimensional virus; that was caused by his evil scientist mother, and killing guards to get Milton to drive us through town to La Gatita Amable; We all sit in the van in normal clothing to “blend in”.

Cleo asked Robert why he was so afraid of rat’s leading to the story of her father. I sat in the seat behind Cleo while she told the story of her father’s death due to his “burden’s”. Which led to Robert telling us about his father locking him in a crate full of starving rats for 24 hours as a punishment when he was just a young boy. Followed by a heartfelt, adorable moment between Cleo and Robert.

We’re now seated in the club that Waller mentioned. La Gatita Amable. “So when’s this “Thinker” guy supposed to be here?” Rick questioned. “Supposed to be in the next few hours.” Cleo answered. “Looks like we gotta find something to do to pass the time. Uh, miss?” said Peacemaker. He called over a waitress and ordered drinks for the table. “I’m okay. I don’t drink.” I stated. “Why?” he asked. I didn’t get a chance to respond; not that I wanted to. “Hey, Pissmaker. We’re on a mission.” Robert insulted. “Easy, Inspector Gadget. Little drink never hurt nobody.” He joked. “Except for the thousands of people killed in drunk driving accidents every year.” Krill abruptly stated. “Come on, DuBois. This could be our last drink.” Ignoring Krill, Rick placed his arm on Robert's shoulder. The waitress came with drinks. “Just one.” Robert said to Peacemaker, giving in. 

I left the table to go sit at the bar and I got a glass of water. Robert and I kept exchanging glances at one another. He eventually got up from the table to walk over to me.

“You never told your story.” That British accent said from beside me. Robert sat down next to me and ordered another drink. I scoffed, “You don’t wanna hear my story.” I told him. “Oh but I do.” He smiled slightly as his drink was placed in front of him. I hesitated but I saw a persistent look in his eyes, he isn't the type to give up easily. I took a deep breath, “Well, my mother was a powerful, wicked and evil witch.” I said enunciating on ‘wicked’. I hesitated, “She performed powerful and most times very painful rituals on me.” I paused. “She was very narcissistic and manipulative.” “She abused me when the rituals didn’t go her way. Always told me hurtful things.” “...Killed people.” “I can’t count how many near death experiences I had at the hands of my mother.” “My mother?” I scoffed. “And she never cared, she just kept on like I was a doll for her to play with… and not her daughter. A human being.” I looked at Robert and saw him fiddling in thought.

“She got rid of anyone who ever loved me; in any kind of way. Just to control me; and keep doing rituals on me…” “Abusing me.” “...hurting…me.” I finished lowly; trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I propped my elbow on the bar and rested my hand over my mouth. Out of nowhere I got the urge to be spontaneous; so I grabbed Robert’s glass and chugged what was left in it. When I looked at Rob he was already staring at me, with an expression I couldn’t depict the meaning behind.

“What?” I questioned. “Nothing. Just– I understand where you’re coming from.” He said sympathetically. “We’re a lot alike, y’know?” “I know. The story you told about your father.” I responded. He nodded, looking down at his hands. “But I killed my mother.” I stated, staring off into space. “That’s the big difference between what happened to us both.” I said, looking toward him with so much pain behind my dark brown eyes. “I got fed up. I’m no better than she is because everything she did to me I did right back to her.” I scoffed, shaking my head as tears threatened to fall. “After, I ran into the woods.” I paused. “Thing is…a witch’s spirit never dies.” “They still hold the power of magic from the other side. She still haunts me to this day.” “At certain moments, I’m back there. Back in those woods with her evil spirit chasing me.” “I see her and kill her over and over but I can never escape her.” “What I thought was her—” I cut myself off.

“Wasn’t her, was it?” He asked for confirmation. I shook my head. “That’s what happened in the jungle that night, when I found you, you saw her?” I nodded, wiping my face of tears. “I got caught. That’s how I ended up at good ole’ Belle Reve.” I let out a breathy laugh, avoiding eye contact. However, I still felt his eyes burning a hole into the side of my head. He stared at me for what felt like forever “Excuse me.” I got off the barstool and headed toward the bathroom. I stared in the mirror at myself. I don't know who I am nor what I see. Who am I outside of her?

I bent down to put water on my face. When I stood up I dried my face with a paper towel then I began trying to fix my hair. Then, I heard the door to the bathroom open. “Occu– pied” I stopped everything I was doing when I saw Robert walking into the restroom, through the mirror. He closed the door behind him and locked said door. I threw away the paper towel in my hand and placed my hands on the sink leaning my weight into it. “What do you want, Robert.” I said lowering my head avoiding eye contact with the man. When he didn’t respond I looked up to him through the mirror. He was slowly walking toward me. “May I touch you?” He asked. I hesitated but eventually I nodded, granting him the consent he requested. When his front met my back, my breath hitched. He slowly ran his hands up my arms making me stand straight up against him. Unfamiliar with the feeling but still making no effort to escape from it. When I tried lowering my head he stopped me by placing a hand under my chin lifting it.

“I just wanna’ help you, love.” He finally responded, staring at me intently through the mirror. My face softened at the nickname “You can’t help me, Rob.” I told him. “See, I think you’re wrong. We have a lot in common, love, and I think we can help each other out.” He spoke in his low, husky tone. I swiftly turned to face him, having to look up at him, the heels I wore not doing me justice. “How?” I asked. He leaned closer, our faces mere inches apart “I wanna take some of that tension off your shoulders.” He spoke lightly, running the back of his fingers over my shoulders. My eyes flickered down to watch his mouth as his words fell from his lips. “Make you feel good.” He leaned down to softly kiss along my increasing pulse making me pleasantly sigh. “Take your mind off what brings you pain.” He moved to his previous position, staring down into my eyes, tucking my braids behind my ear, letting his fingertips run over my temple. “I think we both could use that right now love, don’t ya’ think?” 

I was so caught up in gazing at his eyes and his lips. “Would you like that, love? Do you want that?” He asked. He lifted my chin to refocus my attention “I need an answer.” His dominance made me weak. Biting my lip to keep from letting a whimper escape from my mouth and letting him know how much control he has gained over my temple. Though, knowing deep inside that he knew the advantage that just fell into his hands. “Yes.” I let a whisper fall from my lips like magic. I look up at him seriously, “I’m trusting you, Robert.” I made clear. “I won’t break that trust, Nova.” He promised me softly. He slowly leaned down closer to me, stopping inches away from my aching lips, waiting for me to close the distance. Wrapping my arms around his neck, closing the distance; feeling everything around me disappear. He softly placed his hands on my waist, closing any distance between our bodies. His touch made my breath hitch and he took that opportunity to slide his tongue past my lips. The unknown feeling further weakened me. My body betrayed me; letting a moan slip past my lips and travel into his, unintentionally sending a chill down his spine. The way the kiss gradually became more and more heated made my lust flow down forming a river in the cloth that covered my passion. Running his hands up and down my body sensually caused my legs to betray me; he wrapped an arm tightly around my waist, catching me when I began to fall. Regaining my balance, with his help, he turned me back to face the mirror, pressing my back to his front once again. His mouth explored my neck, licking, sucking and biting, drawing moans from within as my breathing uncontrollably increased. Running his hands over every curve, holding me, caressing me, peeling off the dress that hugged me and letting it fall. My panties being the only clothing left clinging to my hips. Relaxing against him; feeling his hand leading a path down to my throbbing passion. 

When his fingers slipped past the hem of my panties and made contact with my clit, I gasped sharply, throwing my head back against him. I reached to pull him closer, feeling him smile against me. “Have you ever been touched here, sweetheart?” He questioned, tracing his fingertips through my slit, my lust coating them. “Have you, darlin’?” He said into my ear, pinching my clit. “No.” I moaned breathlessly loud.

“How does that feel, baby?” He soothingly circled my clit. I whimpered in response, biting my lip. He placed his other hand around my throat and squeezed lightly. I slightly tensed as my moans became louder. “Relax babe. Tell me how that feels, love.” He coaxed, making shoulders return to their resting position. “So good, baby.” I whimpered, gripping at him. I realized he was still clothed; that wasn’t going to fly with me. I grabbed his wrists, removing his hands. I turned to him, removing his button up and wife beater, discarding them. I pushed him back against a wall and worked on his belt buckle. Unzipping his pants and letting them fall. Mumbling a spell, placing one hand on his chest and the other on his rock hard cock. Letting my magic radiate more intensely than the last time “Oh fuck me. Jesus Christ!” He groaned. I slipped my hand into his boxers and stroked his shaft slowly. “Fuckkk!” He dragged out through his teeth as I caressed his tip. “How does that feel, baby?” I asked, repeating him. “Ha. Very funny.” He hissed and looked up at the ceiling. “Tell me how it feels, love.” I whispered seductively in his ear. “Fuck you.” He groaned, closing his dark brown orbs. I chuckled lightly. I gasped when he abruptly picked me up, turning, and placing me onto the sink. “Not laughing now are you, love?” He wore a cocky smile upon his face.

I grabbed him and crashed our lips together. When I felt Rob’s tongue enter my mouth, butterflies erupted in my belly. I moaned as our tongues fought for dominance. He touched and caressed every part of my body. I grip him for dear life as I bask in the bliss of his affection. He reached down pulling my panties aside and guided his cock to my entrance. Our mouths parted as we gazed into each other's eyes. I nodded giving him a look of confirmation. He slowly pushed into me as we gasped simultaneously at the sensation. He buried his head in my neck and wrapped his arms around my waist as he bottomed out. He slowly pulled almost all the way out and gave long, slow strokes in and out of my dripping cunt. I moaned uncontrollably loud. He pulled back, placing his forehead on mine and flashed a smirk. “You like that don't ya’, love?” he chuckled. “Fuck you.” I slightly chuckled with a breathless whine. “As you wish, baby.” he pulled me closer to the edge of the sink. I wrapped my arms around his neck as my legs entrapped his waist.

He tightened his grip on me, making me moan from the affection. His stroke sped up. “Oh fuck!” I moaned breathlessly. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. “O- Occupied!” I shouted as clearly as I could. He chuckled. I placed my palm flat on his muscle ridden back and looked him right in his mud colored eyes. His body jerked, and his stroke slowed, savoring the feeling of ecstasy. He threw his head back. When his eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed I knew exactly what he was feeling. My half lidded eyes watched as I received such a reaction out of him. “Look at me, baby.” I cupped his jaw.

I watched him slowly lower his head only to find him giving me a pleading look. Half lidded eyes, eyebrows furrowed, lip caught between his teeth. I whimpered, that look paired with his length dragging along my velvety walls was blissfully pleasant. I bit my lip, “Don't stop, love, please.” he begged, shaking his head. 

I placed both of my hands along the back of his shoulders, holding on to him. “Faster.” I whispered to him like a spell. He shivered and placed one of his hands on the mirror behind me and the other on the nape of my neck. His slow stroke turned fast paced. My eyes rolled back and I pulled my lip in between my teeth. 

He groaned as my nails left marks on his back. Power intensifying due to what I feel. Sending waves of energy throughout his body. My walls pulsed around him. “Bloody hell!” he gritted. His tip caressed that spot deep inside of me with every thrust. It drove me mad. The way he knew my body better than I did. “I’m close baby!” I moaned loudly. “You gonna’ come for me, love?” he whispered in my ear. "Yesss!" I whined. "Hold it for me baby." he grunted. "I can't!" I whimpered. He creeped his hand from the nape of my neck into my scalp. He grabbed a handful of my braids and pulled. "Oh my God! Don't stop!" I yelped. "You like that?" He grunted. I moaned loudly as a tear threatened to fall. I was in ecstasy. "I know baby. I know." He grunted quickening his pace. He licked a path up my pulse.

He made me look him in his eyes, “You feel so good, baby. Fuck!” He gritted breathlessly. “I’m close baby.” His strokes faltered as I felt him twitching inside me. “Cum for me baby. Let it out.” He coaxed. He reached to rub circles over my cunt. I felt the knot unravel, I held him as close to me as possible. My legs shook as I came, screaming and scratching at his shoulders. A tear falling from my eyes.

As intense as the feeling was, the strength of my magic increased as well. “Fuckkkk Nova!” He released an elongated groan, squeezing me. He latches his teeth onto my shoulder making me whimper as I felt ropes of his hot cum shoot into me.

As we came down from our high, we caught our breath. I rested my head on his shoulder, exhausted. I whimpered, my legs shaking uncontrollably. He chuckled. I was ready to go to sleep. He slowly slipped away causing me to whine from the loss of fullness and warmth. He cleaned us up and picked up our clothes. He helped me redress and did the same for himself. He stood between my legs again. He rubbed my sides.

“You alright there, love?” He asked with a grin. “Yeah.” I sighed deeply. “That was amazing.” He chuckled softly, placing his forehead on mine. I laughed breathily, “Yes it was.” I embraced him and placed my lips on his. When our lips made contact, butterflies filled my stomach.

“Can you help me down, please? We still got a mission to finish.” I chuckled. He held my waist and lifted me off the sink. “Got it?” He asked. I nodded and began walking toward the door, only to stumble. Rob was right there to catch me. “You sure you got it?” He laughed. I hit his chest, “Don’t laugh at me. I just… need a little assistance.” I said giggling. “Uh huh. A little assistance. I think that’s a bit of an understatement, love.” He shook his head. “Whatever. Let’s get back to work.” I rolled my eyes as he helped me to the door. He unlocked it and we walked out.

We walked past people who were glaring at us because they were waiting to use the restroom. The team was eyeing us from around the room. Their smirks and knowing expressions made feel uncomfortable. I hated being the center of attention. We spotted Thinker, and it was back to the matter at hand.

[intogenshin]

The Symbol of the City

I’ve noticed some interesting things in Fontaine that I want to share, but I haven’t had time to play any quests besides the main storyline so I’m doing it with the understanding that some of it might fall through. All corrections are welcome though.

This post will cover:

Fontaine history

The relationship between music and technology

The meaning of technology according to German philosopher Martin Heidegger

The influence of the 1927 silent film Metropolis in Fontaine’s narrative

How the Bible plays into all of it

Music & Technology

Firstly, the Fontaine symbol looks like 2 things:

A fountain and a retro futuristic city design.

At the same time, the design of the fountains in the city resemble a musical organ. The melusine named Blathine outside Opera Eclipse mentions that the pillars of water formed in the fountains are “like the music that plays in the background during an opera”, most likely referring to an organ.

On the other hand, a city works as a high expression of technological advance.

These two elements are closely tied to the history of the region. Remuria’s empire centered its development around the arts and intellectual fields (especially music), while Fontaine does it around machinery and engineering.

Music and technology are thus introduced as companion concepts.

It’s not the first time Genshin relates the two though: back in last year’s Lantern Rite event, it was revealed that madam Ping (alias Streetward Rambler) used to have a rivalry with Guizhong over the authenticity of music that is composed and played on an instrument and that which is produced by a mechanical invention.

In Guizhong’s opinion, while mechanisms were no substitute for human composers, they were yet capable of producing simple but fine melodies. But Streetward Rambler believed music to be an expression of the soul, an emotional enterprise that could never hope to be replicated by machinery. —Story Teaser: Echoes of the Heart

Eventually, Madam Ping changes her mind: Guizhong’s memory lived on through her invention, and madam Ping was able to express her feelings of grief accompanied by the tune in the bell she left behind.

But Streetward Rambler did not acquire [Guizhong’s bell] from Rex Lapis for the purpose of producing further funerary tunes. No, each time she rang it, it was to play the tune that Guizhong composed on it. The two once clashed over their beliefs about the meaning of music, who would have thought that with Guizhong’s passing and Streetward Rambler’s mourning, two tunes composed in discord would eventually become one harmonious composition?

That which is expressed through an instrument is not that different from that which is produced by a machine. While the musician uses their instrument to project their emotions as an extension of the soul, an engineer uses machinery to project their intellect as an extension of the mind.

Estelle: Truth be told, letting someone as feeble in body as I serve as a blacksmith is the main point of this machine. Estelle: Humans can use tools, and exquisitely-designed tools can make the impossible, possible. Estelle: Some say that all automated forgings are hollow and soulless. But if you ask me, the machine is just as much of a tool as a regular smith's hammer. Really, I would love to see those smiths knock metal into shape with their bare hands... —Semi-Automatic Forging quest

Music was the defining trait of Remuria’s identity as a nation, and technology is one of Fontaine’s.

Technology & Domination

King Remus built multiple fairways (perhaps like the pipes of an organ?) that he used to rule his nation, either literally or metaphorically with music, and conquered neighboring tribes in order to have full control of Remuria and avoid its prophesied demise:

The King, resting peacefully at the heart of the palace, listened closely to every melody and every note coming from every corner of the empire. Upon hearing any discord, the God King would correct it immediately with a pluck of his strings, bringing perfection to the symphony of his empire. To spread the harmonious symphony throughout the world, he built far-reaching fairways, which conveyed the melodies as never ending ripples from Capitolium to every corner that sat above the high waters.With his immortal fleet, Remus conquered all the islands on the high waters. Even the great dragon beneath the abyssal depths submitted to his power. Those were the best days since the end of earliest peoples, and eternal prosperity seemed so near at hand. He believed that as long as all the cities echoed with this greatest of songs, they would escape the judgment of fate and at last reach the land of eternal bliss. —The history of the decline and fall of Remuria

Fontaine is currently doing something similar, just that instead of conquering other people through the symbolic force of music, they’re asserting control over the land through first - the allegorical climate change they’re not preventing, and second - the developing of technology at the expense of the integrity, health and life of their own people:

Sir Arthur: Disaster! Disaster! At a recent public exhibition, the Babich Automated Analysis Engine suddenly exploded in a shower of gears, causing great injury and death to onlookers! Sir Arthur: Mr. Babich himself was severely injured and remains unconscious! Sir Arthur: Analysts' Guild President Marco Borja has opined that this tragedy was nonetheless an inevitable step on the path to progress, and that the Guild expresses its deep sympathies and condolences.

Musical instruments in Remuria function the same way machinery does in Fontaine, they are technology developed with the purpose to control by forcing the enemy tribes into submission or as a justification to exploit their workers.

Allegorical (or not so much) imperialism and capitalism, if you will.

These are precisely the dangers that German philosopher Martin Heidegger warned about technology in 1954 with his essay The Question Concerning Technology.

The Question Concerning Technology

Heidegger centered his work around the concept of “being” not as isolated sentience, but as a result of the relationship between a subject and its surrounding environment. He thought, for instance, that the term “ousia” (known as “essence” in philosophy) had been misinterpreted by previous philosophers and lost its real meaning, which he attributed to the conflicts of the modern era due to forgetting what it meant “to be”.

To put it simply, the phrase “I think, therefore I am” proposes the act of thinking is the essence of what it means to be, but Heidegger believed there had to be a state prior to the generation of that thought for the thought to be generated in the first place. A being exists with its environment, and that relationship between the subject and object is the essence of what it means “to be”.

However, it is hard to realize this reality of “being”. For example, when you’re doing an activity for long periods of time like writing or hammering a nail on the wall, you will eventually forget the existence of the pen or the hammer in your hand. At that point, it is not part of your reality even though it very much exists. Life in the modern era is the same, we become blind to certain parts of our existence in doing routinary tasks to survive until we interact with those parts.

So everything we perceive or interact with becomes “unconcealed”, but it’s a reality that’s defined by our own individuality, not an objective truth.

In this sense, the “essence” of technology is not anything technological, it’s not the machines or what’s produced with them, but something that goes deeper into its relationship with humanity.

Heidegger thought the essence of technology was neither a means to an end nor a human activity, but a way to reveal (or “unconceal”) reality.

Technology embodies a specific way of revealing the world, a revealing in which humans take power over reality. While the ancient Greeks experienced the ‘making’ of something as ‘helping something to come into being’ – as Heidegger explains by analysing classical texts and words – modern technology is rather a ‘forcing into being’. Technology reveals the world as raw material, available for production and manipulation. —Future Learn, The Technological View of the World of Martin Heidegger

Heidegger draws attention to technology’s place in bringing about our decline by constricting our experience of things as they are. He argues that we now view nature, and increasingly human beings too, only technologically — that is, we see nature and people only as raw material for technical operations. Heidegger seeks to illuminate this phenomenon and to find a way of thinking by which we might be saved from its controlling power —The New Atlantis, Understanding Heidegger on Technology

Machine-like People

The danger Heidegger warned about had to do with becoming a society that understands all aspects of reality through the technological lens: that both nature and people would be treated as nothing but resources to be used, like pieces of a machine.

All things increasingly present themselves to us as technological: we see them and treat them as what Heidegger calls a “standing reserve,” supplies in a storeroom, as it were, pieces of inventory to be ordered and conscripted, assembled and disassembled, set up and set aside. Everything approaches us merely as a source of energy or as something we must organize. We treat even human capabilities as though they were only means for technological procedures, as when a worker becomes nothing but an instrument for production. Leaders and planners, along with the rest of us, are mere human resources to be arranged, rearranged, and disposed of. Each and every thing that presents itself technologically thereby loses its distinctive independence and form. We push aside, obscure, or simply cannot see, other possibilities. —The New Atlantis, Understanding Heidegger on Technology

Fontaine has adopted this general worldview not only in relation to the workers, but also in the way they treat court cases as spectacles.

If Sumeru explored the question of what it means to be or what can be accepted as a living being (through stories like that of Karkata, Benben and Wanderer), Fontaine on the other hand seems to be asking what separates a living being from a machine when interpreted through the lens of technology, where workers are exploited as disposable objects and people’s tragedy is commodified for entertainment.

For King Remus also, those within his borders had to be controlled, and those outside had to be conquered.

Both Fontaine and Remuria are cities whose culture has become technologically driven.

When society adopts the technological lens —whether technology itself is involved or not— to understand themselves, their humanity is stripped from them. And do they not become just like a machine?

Gontharet: Those who always work and work will find themselves little different from clockwork machines. It is only through constant questioning and asking that we can forge a new path! Gontharet: Our history and present are all proof of this.

"All I have to do is put on my helmet, shut out the background noise, and carry out my orders." Freminet began to see himself as an unfeeling clockwork toy. —Freminet’s Official Introduction

Freminet, alongside Lyney and Lynette, is a member of the House of the Hearth, a secret Fatui organization composed of orphans who work for the Harbinger Arlecchino, who they call “father”, doing missions of espionage and other not so legal activities that more often than not risk their safety. It is unclear what exactly is Freminet’s role, but by the looks of it, he seems to feel less like a human and more like an automaton when carrying out his missions.

The City As A Symbol

(or: let’s get biblicaI)

There is no doubt that Remuria is based on the Roman Empire, but there’s another aspect to Fontaine that’s very intrinsically influenced by the Bible: the city as the epitome of human virtue and decadence.

God’s kingdom is represented as a garden. Adam and Eve are said to have wandered in the wilderness after they were kicked out. When their son Cain became jealous of his brother Abel, who was receiving God’s favor, he murdered him and was marked as a sinner.

Cain further isolated himself from God by running away and establishing the first city. A city in ancient times was just a group of homes, but what characterized it was the tall walls Cain erected as a means to protect himself from retaliation for his crime.

Cain’s city, much like Jerusalem and Babylon later, breeds a culture of violence and abuse, but also of man-made inventions like animal domestication, arts, and metalwork —aka, technology.

Those in power (starting with King David) always end up succumbing to their lowly desires, impulses and vices in Jerusalem. Babylon (which enslaved the Israelites) goes on to become not just a single city in its historical period, but the metaphorical and almost cyclical condition in which humanity condemns itself over and over again through the symbol of the city.

There are two main ways to deal with humanity becoming corrupt in the Bible: a flood or a messiah (mr Jesus The Christ for the Christians). The flood reboots everything and the messiah solution is more about accepting the city for its virtues and defeating sin through death and reincarnation, then God brings his garden into the world, so it’s like a Hannah Montana situation with the best of both worlds.

Anyway, let’s go back to Genshin:

After the first civilization was nuked with a flood, the survivors lived in the wilderness:

When the tide receded and the earth was revealed again, no cities nor civilizations now stood above the high waters. Survivors and the newborn alike lived amidst the forests and rivers, shorn of all knowledge and wisdom. Human lives were no different from those of wild animals on the earth or in the sea, driven on by the laws of nature — muddling through time with neither beginning nor end. Civilization and order were finally restored to the land named Fontaine the day the great king Remus descended upon Meropis in his golden Fortuna. He taught people how to farm and raise crops in the land, and built temples and cities with giant rocks to house the people. Most importantly, it was he who spread the beauty of music and art, which differentiated humans from other living things, causing them to see themselves as masters of all things. —The History of the Decline and Fall Remuria

Remus taught the people of what would become Remuria good things, but also reintroduced arrogance. And the cycle of Cain’s city was fulfilled again, with the nation causing their own destruction.

Remuria also is described with some kind of tower at its center, just like Babylon. And from the story of the Tower of Babel, this tower can be understood as the symbol of the city itself, the expression of human ingenuity.

I want this to be understood not as a direct reference to the biblical stories, but as a narrative parallel to an ancient story about the dangers of technology.

A city is an isolated concentration of humanity’s sins and virtues, surrounded by tall, imposing walls. A city gives rise to arts and technology, and it also breeds hedonistic desires and dangerous machinery.

I’d say the tall walls of Fontaine aren’t just to make the city look like a dam and annoy players who want to climb. And its technology seems on the right track for devastation.

Technology is not the enemy though

I said in the beginning that Fontaine’s symbol resembles a retro futuristic city. More specifically, both the symbol and the design of the city itself remind me of the futuristic envisioned city in Metropolis, a 1927 silent film by director Fritz Lang that has influenced the sci-fi genre to this day.

Metropolis is divided into two classes: the elite that lives on the surface, and the workers who live underground and produce the energy that powers the city.

(Sound familiar?)

The movie makes a point of depicting the workers moving mechanically, in a zombie like state, when they walk towards the machine they operate and while they work on them, as if they were parts of the machine themselves.

The son of the city’s master, Freder, ventures into the underground tunnels and discovers this reality for the first time. When a worker fails to operate the machine correctly, it suffers a malfunction that causes an explosion, leaving many victims behind. Freder is hit by the explosion and has a hallucination where the machine turns into Moloch, a pagan god in the Old Testament that had to be fed human sacrifices, while a group of slaves is being forced into its mouth, and then the workers behind them walk into it voluntarily.

A woman called Maria promises the underground workers that a mediator will eventually help them, as Maria believes the “head” (upper class) and “hands” (workers) just need a “heart” to communicate with each other. This mediator turns out to be Freder, who voluntarily takes the place of one of the workers and suffers the horrors of working in the machines in the flesh.

When Freder’s father finds out, he asks his local mad scientist —who has been working on a robot with human faculties— to give his creation the appearance of Maria, and orders this robot-Maria to twist the beliefs of the workers so they’ll antagonize the real Maria. Robot-Maria also shows up in the city as the figure of the Whore of Babylon, and inspires the upper class men to give in to their desires and vices.

Meanwhile, the workers are encouraged to revolt and destroy the very machines they’re enslaved by, against Maria’s ideology of unity. This destruction causes a flood that almost kills the workers’ children, but they’re saved by Maria and Freder.

The workers burn robot-Maria in the stake and later realize it was just a machine. Freder also fights the mad scientist at the top of a building from where the latter falls and dies.

At the end, Freder acts as a mediator between his father and a representative of the workers.

Ok but why was that whole summary necessary?

In essence, Metropolis is both a dystopian cautionary tale about the dangers of technology that we’ve discussed in this post, and also an allegory for the Bible (yes fr).

Maria is a Virgin Mary expy and Freder is the figure of the messiah (the “mediator”), Jesus Christ. He descends from the paradise above and suffers the pains of the people in the flesh. The mad scientist is a stand in for the devil, and Freder’s father represents the kings that continuously become corrupted in the history of Jerusalem.

Maria is who preaches true belief, while robot-Maria represents an idol of false belief that the workers are fooled by and also the sins and desires the upper class are enslaved by.

The flood that’s caused by the workers’ revolt is pretty much self explanatory in the biblical sense, you know what that is.

In the context of the industrial revolution, the narrative of the false belief aligns with what Heidegger would later address as the danger of technology, the inhuman lens through which the reality of the modern man is interpreted. The desire and sins the upper class is seduced by are of course capitalist interests.

Maria doesn’t condemn technology itself, she even tells the workers an altered version of the story of the Tower of Babel in which the tower couldn’t be finished because the intellectuals who designed it and the slaves who were building it just didn’t understand each other. The tower itself was an accomplishment of human ingenuity in her version.

Likewise, the movie closes with the hopes that this new understanding between head and hands will lead into a better, more fair society.

The figure of the messiah is not what’s important, but the ability to conciliate the power of governance and the working power in order to redirect the course of the city into an enterprise that serves humanity instead of using them like a machine.

Now, in the context of Fontaine, the energy that fuels the city and belief are more closely intertwined than in Metropolis.

The city is powered by Indemnitium, a form of energy which is produced by the belief in justice extracted from trials. We’d have to wonder, then, whether the integrity of this belief remains truthful, or if it has been replaced by the false idol of spectacle.

We know that at least one person in the city harbors discontent for the work, the spectacle and the Indemnitium energy:

Message in Cafe Lucerne’s board:

”For future generations, for our descendants, we must refuse work, refuse the trials, and oppose Indemnitium!”

King Remus in Remuria attempted to avoid the fate of their destruction, Fortuna, by conquering other tribes and establishing control over his people through a shared government, yet he ended up fulfilling the prophecy and condemning himself with those very decisions.

So I wonder if Fontaine might be in danger of self fulfilling their own prophecy should the workers of the city revolt against Indemnitium, since the members of the Narzissenkreuz Institute came up with it as a means to avoid their impending fate. And whether the people of Fontaine will survive their prophesied flood just like the children of the workers in Metropolis survived the flood the workers themselves caused.

[sailor-toni]

The Grandfather You Never Wanted

You can also read on AO3, FF.net, and Wattpad

“Danny? Danny! Danny I can’t understand you. You're gonna have to use actual words,” Tucker said, his phone pressed up against his ear.

“Walker, and my Mom, and him! And ME!” Danny sputtered.

“Is Walker also after your Mom? How many ghosts want to bang your Mom dude?”

“What! NO! Ugh!” Danny took a breath, before restarting his tirade. “I was in my attic with my Mom, and we found some old photos of my Mom’s side of the family, and and and I saw my grandpa, I mean I’ve seen him before but like I’m pictures and such but I know him Tuck, he’s in the ghost zone -”

“Your Grandpa is in the ghost zone? That’s awesome, maybe you can get in more time with him or-”

“No Tuck, my grandpa is Walker.”

The Casper High library was quiet, it’s maroon walls and wooden bookshelves look like they jumped out of the 70’s. Wherever there could be, that shade of deep forest green penetrated the room.

In the far corner, jammed between Emily Dickinson, and the complete 1967 collection of Time magazine sat the trio. Holding a thick scrapbook.

“Your Mom never told you Walker was your grandpa?” Sam said.

“She mentioned him a few times. Like his name isn’t walker but Daniel, and that he died in a prison riot. Also one Christmas he almost burnt the house down with Christmas lights but not much else,” Danny said.

Sam held the picture of Walker up to the scrapbook image of Daniel Walker Smith. In the image he held his wife’s hand as balloons and streamers rained upon them. The next image showed him with his daughters, one looked uninterested to be there, the other had a diamond in her eyes. A shiny new first place trophy in her hands. Walker held them both, a big smile on his face.

“It’s so weird to see him like that,” said Tucker.

“Alive?” replied Danny.

“No, the smile.”

“Walker has never smiled before.”

“Not like that.”

“True.”

“What if you showed Walker this?” Sam spoke up, “Maybe it would jog his memory? Get him to be nicer to you? Or give you a free pass?”

“Oh! Hey Sam's on to something here. Maybe you can pull a few strings and we could finally get somewhere without a ghost map,” Tucker said.

“Yeah, but what if he doesn't care and wipes the floor with me again?” Danny said.

“You never know until you try?” Sam

-----

            The cold stone, polished to resemble a large granite wall. Its walls were void of any crack or crevice for one to shove a foot or hand into.  And bare of any markings or signs of age. It was the ghost zone eternal prison, where rule breakers could stay for the rest of their afterlife. A dismal existence for sure, and one Danny did not want for the remainder of his mortal life.

What was he even doing here? Even if Walker had forgotten most of his human memories, like some ghosts did, he wouldn't suddenly turn good. Maybe?

Danny envisioned Walker in a pink Hawaiian vacation shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and flip flops with socks on, walking to see Danny's science fairs, or treating him and his sister to a movie, or just hanging out and sneaking him money. Like what Sam's grandma did. But instead of him being dressed in all black, he would be glowing, and floating a few inches off the floor.There was a fat chance of that ever happening but if there was a chance, Danny would like to know if this man was actually his grandfather. Does Walker know already? Does he know and just not care? That would match up with how his Mom described him. 

A scream from the prison echoed across the stone walls, the sound bounces off its surface. Danny cringed. Maybe he wouldn't be like that, but if he knew, maybe he would do crazy stuff like frame him for kidnapping the mayor. Actually no, this was a horrible idea. Danny's thought, as he retreated from his grandfather's castle of nightmares. Why would the guy who did that? ! Suddenly try to become grandpa of the year? This was a dumb idea and he knew it.

“Hey who’s there?” Danny froze, behind him was a guard, green oily skin, red eyes, and a face that only a mother could love. Floating there, a baton charged with energy in his left hand. A flashlight in the next.

“Freeze! Ghost boy!” Danny flew, his feet were swept off the ground by his own flight response, their ghostly trail trying desperately to catch up with his torso.

His hands grazed against the wall, he flew in fluent zig zags, his reflection smearing against the stone walls. losing its composer as with each turn he took. The ectoblast from the guard’s batons disturbing both the stone and the reflection, sending deep cracks throughout each.  Two more guards, uglier than the last, flew up from the bedrock, to greet him. Then three more came in from the side. If he only acted, he would be surrounded.

He charged the gates but the bars were up. He charged the eternal green sky, only for the guard’s blast to collide with his route, striking his legs and searing his sides. Falling back into the prison’s center field, the horde surrounded him, creating a hurricane of guards with him at the center. All flying into perfect range. Gripping his chest Danny focused on his core, the ensuing ice crawling around his skin like an infection, the frost becoming unbearable as it covered his black suit. His body aching from the frozen mess building up inside him, his fingers were throbbing from the frostbite overcoming them.

When the ground was nearly upon him, Danny let it all out. A shockwave of ice erupted from his body, devouring everything within range. The guards close to him were frozen solid, their green skin now a pale white within the ice. The further back they were the less they were affected. The furthest only having their hands turned into throbbing ice cubes.

Landing hard on the ground, the shockwave, only stalling his fall for a moment. Danny rolled away from the falling ice guards. The sounds of frozen ectoplasm shattering against the rock reverberated around the prison, allowing him to run. His ghostly tail coiled before shooting him up into the green sky. The prison shrinking below him as he reached into the never-ending sky. The wispy mist that made up the Ghost Zone’s swirls acted like shining stars in this thrilling escape.

But there is only so close you can get to any star before you start to burn. With a loud crack he was cast down from the heavens and crashed into his own mess of frozen guards. The ice cut deep into his back and the blow to his head made his vision sparkle. Far above him stood a lone pale rider, with a tall black hat. The image of him faded into darkness as Danny felt a light go out in his head. 

----------------------------------------------------

White blasted his vision before the feeling returned to his body. Danny had been handcuffed to both the steel table and the metal chair. The harsh white light from above sterilized the room, and highlighted the black mirror facing him. This was not part of his agenda today. 

Danny didn't even try to phase through the handcuffs, they were probably ghost resistant, like everything else in this prison. So, he sat there. Staring at the ceiling, making funny faces in the mirror, singing a song. 

“Ember you will remember, Ember, so smart and brave. Ember you won't surrender! You will remember my name!” Each note was purposely sung in the worst annoying tone he could manage. Adjusting volume as needed to maximize irritation. 

“Would you shut up?” The door swung open, and Walker walked in. His white skin blended into his suit.The thick black tie around his neck marked where one began and the other ended. “You break into my prison, a feat that has never been attempted before, and scream as soon as you wake up,” He slammed a thick folder labeled ‘ghost boy’ on the table. “Why.” It wasn’t a question, it was a command. 

“I had some questions and I was hoping you would answer them,” Danny said. 

“Questions? Don’t make me laugh, Phantom. Why on earth do you think I would answer any of your questions?” 

“Madeline Fenton, or I guess you would know her as Madeline Walker.” 

“You think I keep track of every human in your world? Unless they come here I don’t care.”

“I never said she was human?” 

“Unless a ghost has broken the law I don’t have a record of them.” 

“What? No, you know I didn’t come here for a record! I saw your eyes. You know who Maddie Fenton is!” 

“What I know is that you were spotted on the westside by two guards and then you caused an incident in my prison. Again. And this time I am not letting you leave. You have broken almost every law-”

“Bullshit.” Danny rolled his eyes. His emotions gathered up in his palms, the light frost building up into a sheet of ice over the handcuffs.  

“You wanna repeat that again?” Walker leaned in close, if he were alive Danny would’ve felt his breath on his skin. 

“Bullshit! Your laws are just rules you made up. You have no authority, you're not the Ghost King and even if you were I would toss you in that coffin with Pariah!”

“I am the only thing protecting this world from anarchy! My rules-”

“Are bullshit! Just like you! You’re nothing but a dictator who gets off on torturing everyone here!” 

“Boy, I would -”

“Would what?! Hit me? I can level this entire prison and you know it!”

“I would like to see you try!” 

    Danny smashed the cuffs on the table, shattering them before he lunged at Walker. The two tumbled through the glass. A blast of ice echoed through his body and crawled up the walls. The guards' mouths made a feeble eek noise, before the ice froze them to the wall. Walker’s arm’s set themselves ablaze with a dark purple. His limbs cracked free from the icy floor. 

 “I don’t know what crawled up your arse today boy -” Walker’s body flew from the room, the steel walls breaking upon his back. Danny threw the man into the prison courtyard. The purple dirt and sand smudging all over his white suit. 

    It didn’t make sense, Danny thought. He pulled out the picture from his pocket and looked again. The man had a pink human skin tone with blue eyes, but everything else was the same. Even down to the stupid white suit. Walker’s reaction was like his mother’s. 

    He asked her while they were cleaning up after dinner. The question came out of his mouth through a stutter, but once it was understood. The yellows and green of their retro style kitchen felt like vomit on his skin. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she couldn’t meet his eyes. 

“Why do you want to know about your grandfather?” She asked. 

“It’s a school project. We are supposed to look into our family trees and talk about someone who did something important. Did you know that Tucker’s second cousin was the first in his family to get a masters? And Sam’s grandfather invented the toothpick thing, the one that spins?” He rambled. 

“Your Grandfather was a warden of one of the prisons up north. He worked there from 1954 till the day he died,” His mother set a plate down hard on the drying rack. 

“Oh, did he do anything cool? Like, stop a prison riot or something?” 

“No, there was only one riot and that was the day he died.” 

“Oh! I’m sorry I-”

“The riot didn’t kill him. It was very small and easily contained. But it gave him such a scare that he had a heart attack and died.”

“Oh… um was he well liked?” 

“No. Your Grandfather was a prison warden every moment of his life. At his job, at home, and even at his children's baseball games.” 

“I didn’t know you played baseball.”

“It wasn’t for very long but, the coach said I was the best batter he had ever seen.”

“Oh really? Well of course he did. You’re amazing Mom.” 

“Aww. Thank you sweetie.” 

“But um it doesn't sound like you liked Grandpa very much.”

“No one liked him very much. He was a very bitter man who was very cruel to everyone he knew. When he died your Father and Aunt Alicia took bets on when he was going to rise from the grave.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes, I think Alicia walked away with over seven hundred dollars.” 

“Dad paid her that much?” 

“No! He gave her two hundred. The rest of the family gave her the rest. She was the only one who said he was going to stay there. I’m sure if he tried to come back Alicia and your Father would be first in line to put him back in his grave.” 

“What about you?”

“Me?” 

“Yeah? You're a ghost hunter right?”

“A ghost hunter, not a zombie hunter.”

“What if he came back as a ghost?”

“Then Alicia owes me seven hundred dollars.”

“Mom I’m serious, if Grandpa came back would you want to see him?” 

“Yes, and no. That is a very tough question,” her lips here pressed in a line again. “I would thank him. It must have been hard to raise two girls as a single father. And he tried his best to raise us, even if his best was strict and controlling. I wouldn’t have what I have now if I didn’t rebel against him. I went to a college I know he hated and there I met your father.”

“That sounds very sweet.”

“I would then blast him into several pieces and destroy his cells. That man ruined my prom dress, insulted your father, and then didn’t even show up to my wedding!” She slammed the plate into the drying rack, snapping it in half. “Not to mention that he got me kicked out of the girl’s baseball team for punching the coach! Who even does that? And he scared away any boyfriend I had by having the local cops drive around their houses. The only reason your father stayed is because- and Danny when I say this, know that I love your father more than any man in the world- your father is too stupid to know when his life is being threatened.” 

    Danny snickered as he handed his mom the Fenton mess cleaner. It was a broom that had been painted silver with a green F vinyl cut out on it. His Mom continued to go on and on about her Father as she cleaned up her mess. 

“So… I shouldn’t write my paper about Grandpa?” Danny put the last dish away. 

“No. I don’t think your teachers would find him very interesting,” She said. 

    Would his teachers find this situation interesting? Danny thought. He stared down at Walker, the man pushed himself off the dirt and flung himself at Danny. The picture flew out of his hand, fluttering into the green sky. Blue ice bolted from his palms in short bursts. A few hit Walker but it didn’t slow him down. Black hands tackled him, dragging him to the ground. He grabbed one of the hands and bit down, drawing ectoplasm through the thick leather.

Danny’s vision sparkled when his body hit the dirt, but this time he was ready. The two rolled in the dirt, and attacked one another until a blast of ice blew them both away. The ice had crawled up Danny’s arm like armor, protecting him from injury.  

“Your rules can’t be any good if you can’t enforce them!” Danny huffed.  Walker took a step forward and froze. He reached down and collected a piece of paper, no. Danny felt around his pockets and realized Walker had the photo. “Hey, give that back!”

“Where did you find this?” Walker said. 

“None of your business.” 

“Bullshit. Isn’t that one of your favorite words, Boy? Bullshit, you come storming into my prison, with this photo and questions? You’re just as naive as your mother.” 

“I- wait! How long did you know?”

“Not the first time, and definitely not the second, But when I went into the human world, my emotions got the better of me and I checked in on my precious daughters. Only to find that she hadn’t divorce that dunce of a man.” 

“My Dad might be an idiot, but at least he’s kind.”

“And what did that get him? From the moment I met you, I knew you were no good. Jack Fenton raised his son to be as stupid as he is. One not even smart enough to stay away from prison.”

“You knew this whole time and you still attacked me?”

“OF COURSE! If your father wasn’t going to teach you right from wrong, someone had to.” 

“Oh my god. Mom was right. You are an asswhole!” 

“Watch your mouth Daniel James Fenton!”

“How do you know my name?” 

“I know a lot of things, because unlike your father and your mother, I know that this world is full of dangerous, stupid people who hide in the shadows and take advantage of those who have respect for the law. These laws that you call bullshit? These are the only things keeping the world together. They separate the honest from the thieves. And I am the only one who can find these thieves and protect us all from them. That’s why I built this prison! A place to hold those unfit for the normal, honest people of this world.”

“Am I one of these thieves?”

Walker tucked the picture into his coat pocket. “I think we all know what side you land on.” 

“Yeah… the sane one!” Danny let his full powers blast forth from his hands, matching the sudden burst of flames from Walker. The battle raged on until fire took over everything. Walker stomped through the flame and smoke, and saw Danny flying far into the sky. 

---------

“To wrap up everything you just told us. Walker is your Grandfather, and he is bat shit insane,” Tucker said. 

Danny took a long slurp of a Nasty Burger frosty, “Yep.” 

“Great, another crazy villain who thinks he can control everything. Where do these people even come from? Is there a factory that makes creepy old men who want too much power?” Sam said.

“I don’t know, but someone should boycott them. The business practice doesn't seem ethical,” Tucker said. 

“Must be making them a lot of money though. Have you seen how many mansions Vlad has?” Danny said. 

“Oh, cut it out you two,” Sam rolled her eyes. 

“You started this,” Tucker replied. 

Danny moved from the booth and grabbed his things. “Well, you two can continue this without me.” 

“Where are you going off to?” Sam asked. 

“We have that family history project due Monday and if I don’t finish it, Lancer will fail me.” Danny said.

“You're not done yet? It’s like the easiest homework he’s given us,” Sam said.

“Easy for you, your Grandpa invented the spinning toothpick thing,” Tucker said. 

“How bold of you to assume I wrote about my grandpa and not my grandma,” 

“Anyways, I’ll see you guys at school,” Danny said, 

The trio said their goodbyes, and Danny ran home. 

---

“Hey Mom,” Danny said, walking down the basement stairs.

“Hey Sweetie, what’s up?” His Mom said. She had a blowtorch in her left hand, and a wrench in her right. 

“It’s about that assignment I told you about? The family tree one?”

“Oh Danny, I don’t think I could talk about your Grandfather anymore.”

“No. I was going to ask if I could do it about you?” 

She put her tools down, “Me?”

“Well yeah. You’re a star baseball player who has a doctorate in bio engineering. Why wouldn’t I want to talk about that?” 

“Well get me a moment to get everything ready.” 

[dadddybangtan]

Suck Torture | 17 PART I 🩸

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cw: lots of d*ath, non-con demonism, mind control

word count: 2.3k

And when I got home, I was met with my family dressed in very sophisticated attire. Father wore an all black suit and Niki matched him. Mother and Yeji were formal as well.

"Get changed quickly, dear." Mother told me.

She kept her gaze on her hands, I could tell she was trying to hide something. My mind only replayed what Father had told me earlier, to trust him. But I didn't trust him and I knew Mother didn't either.

I raced to my room to find something to wear that matched my family. When I entered my room, I smelled Beomgyu and Taehyun on my bedsheets. And the uneasiness briefly subsided while I changed.

Coming back down, I caught Yeji's glare. You reek of human.

I quickly darted my eyes elsewhere, and I saw Fathers hand pinching the back of Niki's upper arm. I knew how painful that was and how Niki just stood there. There was something dark happening that I didn't wrap my brain around yet.

"Shall we go?" Father asked.

The main councils office resided in a small town in Europe. It was a long flight with our wings, but somewhere in the clouds was a secret portal that transported us. Father knew more about it than I did, and, frankly, I was too out of it to take note of the science. Father has been on this earth far longer than me. It seemed he knew the secrets of the universe and was set on keeping them to himself.

The office was conveniently disguised as an old, abandoned church. It was smart and discreet, yet the big stone cross at the head of the old building creeped me out. The door had a stone arch over it that looked like it would collapse if I so much as tapped it. Father confidently took his hand to the door and knocked hard and assertively. To my surprise, the arch didn't fall.

Behind the door was a beautiful woman with faded deep brown skin and long curly black hair. She scanned us all with her bright red eyes before she entertained a fang-toothed smile.

"The Hwangs. We've been awaiting your arrival with utmost anticipation," She said, widening the door and gesturing us inside, "Leo, Taeyeon, it's been a while hasn't it?"

"Indeed it has," Father chuckled, leading the family behind Fatou, "Hyunjin, Yeji, Niki, this is Fatou, a family friend and secretary to the council."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Yeji said.

"And I you," Fatou said kindly, "So what exactly brings you all here today? Leo, you mentioned a big proposal, right?"

She led us through a long, candle lit corridor with black and bloody drapes until we reached a narrow steel door. She turned her back to face us.

"That's right, Miss Fatou. I have a plan that'll make vampires the most powerful and respected race of them all."

"I'm sure the council will greatly appreciate that, Leo," She cocked an eyebrow and opened the door behind her, "Best of luck to you all."

Father led the way and we filed in one by one, Niki and Yeji in front of me and Mother behind. I felt her hand grab my arm.

"Keep your guard up, Hyunjin. I don't feel good about this," She whispered so quickly I could barely make out what she said, "I didn't like his thoughts this morning."

I met eyes with Fatou one last time, but she looked into the room we were walking into. Her avoidance made me feel similar to my mom.

The office was rather boring in appearance, but the air alone was suffocating. It was a board of eight vampires that have stalked this earth since the birth of our kind. A row of seven men and one woman with old, dark regal clothing and ghostly white skin, sat on chairs that resembled thrones.

"Hwang Leo," You and your family are looking well." The one in the middle said, baritone voice filling the stale air. He looked as vampiric as anyone could. His charcoal hair was long with a few braids framing his face. His fingers were decorated in rings much older than me. Paired with his unmatched appearance, he had a confident aura that commanded attention and fear.

No wonder he was the head of the council.

Father nodded in reply.

"We did some research on your family," The woman said with a steady tone, "Your adopted son recently received his powers. Niki, right? How are you doing with those?"

"Fine, ma'am, thank you." Niki said shakily.

"Actually, Count Vlad, I came here to talk to you all about Niki," Father said, putting his arm around Niki's back and presenting him to the judging eyes before us, "And how I believe he is the key to our eternal power in the monster realm."

"Go on." Vlad tapped his fingers on his armrest in interest.

"My family and I adopted Niki out of pure kindness and generosity. We knew he was special, he's a good kid. During his power transfer, however, I noticed that he was more special than we thought."

Yeji scoffed to herself.

"Why don't you show them, Niki?"

I leaned over to watch his reaction. When his lip quivered and his hand twitched, I understood even more why Mother said what she did.

"Get to it, boy, we don't have forever." Another one said, causing the rest to chuckle.

"l'tael yaz." Father whispered as the hand Father had on the back of Niki's arm returned. He jerked his body in response and instantly transformed into his demonic appearance. He floated about fifteen feet in the air with his wings spreading out to the length of the board.

Their faces varied between horror and interest. Until the few that were scared became interested as well.

"Wings like that aren't natural for his age," Vlad noted, "And even if they were, the shape doesn't resemble the wings of us pure blooded vampires. What is he?”

"He's a vaepollyon. Vampire-demon hybrid."

The members of the council mumbled amongst themselves, leaving Vlad to stare at Niki. His interest faded into disgust.

"What exactly is your plan, Leo?" He scowled.

"I want Niki to be the next leader of the council."

Yeji and I gasped at the exact same time. She looked at me with a fear in her eyes. I heard Mother gulp down a lump of regret.

"Excuse me?" His eyebrows creased.

"He's young, powerful and generally unstoppable."

"I see," The leader crossed his hands over his face, "I must confess, this proposal is quite far fetched and I'm appalled at your audacity to come all this way to present it. Niki, while being special, is not pure. Hence why his biology broke the treaty. We'd been wondering who would dare put all of us in danger and uproot a foundation that has worked beautifully for us. But of course it was a vaepollyon who couldn't help but to break the spell that protected us for centuries. I'm truly sorry, Mister Hwang, but we have to decline."

"You're passing up a glorious opportunity here, sir."

"I beg to differ," He snapped, "But I'm glad you wasted your time on this silly proposal. Because now that you're here, we can take your son into custody and try you for treason."

"God." Mother muttered, cupping her hand over her mouth.

She had every right to have negative feelings about Fathers decision. And I had every right not to trust him.

"Sorry?"

"Your son will kill us all if he continues to live out there. He has to be put down."

"No." Yeji shivered.

His only solution was to kill Niki. It made me shake how wrong it felt to hear that. Killing a hybrid because there's a half of him he doesn't know how to control it yet. It was unfair.

I looked up at him as he floated above us all. His eyes shot bright red daggers into the leader's. He knew he was being threatened, wings itching to attack. How could I blame him? Half of his biology was infinitely stronger than everyone in the room. Of course he had an urge to destroy. Of course he had the power to.

"Sir, are you sure killing him is the right thing to do," I tried to ask as calmly as I could, "Technically only half of him is tied to the obligations of the treaty. Only half of him is guilty."

"We can't punish half of him if the whole of his actions are affecting us all. I understand your concern, but this is the only solution."

"Bullshit." Father mumbled.

"And you, Leo, suggesting we replace a pure blooded vampire, a vampire that has watched our human DNA mutate into these wonderfully monstrous creatures for decades, with a demonic hybrid? You have a lot of nerve trying to make me believe this isn't for your own personal gain, using your son to give you higher status. Now look at you, you're lower than you've ever been in your long, endless life. You're a criminal who is to be jailed and leave his family to suffer."

At that point, I was losing my brother, my father and any stability I had in my life. With Father putting us at risk of losing everything, it seemed like my engagement to Felix would have to follow through. To ensure the wellbeing of my sister, mother and I, I had to marry him.

"Very well then," Father said, "Niki... kiwa yaz esaeun laened."

In the blink of an eye, Niki latched his deadly fangs on the council member farthest to the left. Not even my super speed could get me to him before he killed him and was on to the next one. A total of six seconds went by before I could register what was going on. The members on the opposite side began to notice as well, transforming into their bat form and flying away.

"Niki." I screamed, launching myself on his back.

I wrapped my arm around his neck and tried to pull his teeth away from the neck of the fourth council member. He bit my arm so hard, blood began spurting out. I fell to my knees and covered the gushing wound with my other hand.

"Fatou," The leader shouted. He wasn't phased by the murders taking place beside him. He simply stood up and walked passed me, "Get all the staff members you can and tame this wretched demon at once."

That's when Niki snapped his head completely behind his neck, glowing eyes staring daggers into the back of the leaders head. His bloody mouth hissed before he flew over the leader.

The leader calmly turned around and faced his palm and two fingers to Niki.

"That's enough," He said quietly, "Simmer down young one."

Niki slowly descended from the air, eyes flickering on and off but not breaking contact with the leader. He fell to his knees and his wings disappeared into his back. He wiped his mouth with his shaky fingers and looked down at the fresh blood he drew. He looked up at me with teary eyes. Help me.

Fatou and two staff members bursted in and tackled Niki. They held him by his arms and aggressively dragged him toward the exit.

"Wait, don't do this," He screamed, kicking his feet in protest, "I- I didn't mean to. Please don't do this."

It hurt to hear his screams pierce through the room. Even after hundreds of years, that was the most agonizing sound I'd ever heard.

I held my bleeding arm as I stood up and ran towards him. The leader held his hand up to me and said, "Let him go."

But I couldn't let them take my brother so harshly. He couldn't control his demonic powers. The only reason he snapped was because Father pulled it out of him. The Niki that's not possessed by his demonic genes doesn't remember being a ruthless murderer. It wasn't fair to punish that Niki.

Alas, I couldn't move a muscle towards Niki. The leader had me completely controlled by his word. I could only watch as Niki was dragged out of the room and into the abyss of that narrow hallway. His screams still echoed through the walls.

"Leo, what have you done?" My mother yelled.

"Taeyeon, take the remainder of your kids back home. You'll be called when his court date is decided," Vlad said, "If you so choose to go."

"You can't take my family away." The sound of greed coated Father's voice.

"I can take more than your family, would you rather me take your life?"

My mother only shook her head in shock, tears filling her eyes. Yeji placed a tentative hand on her shoulder.

"Taeyeon, you're gonna let him do this?"

"What about Niki?" She asked, darting her gaze to the leader.

"Earth is no place for a demon, Taeyeon. Earth is barely a place for vampires quite frankly... Like I said before, he's to be put down. Hell is the only place for a creature like him."

"But, sir-."

"Would you like to go to court too?" He asked sternly.

Mother only shook her head. She took a few steps toward me and hooked her arm under mine. Yeji linked her arm onto hers as well.

Crying, she walked us out without another word.

[undyingembers]

I'll confess I don't know the base of the AU but I badly want to know about that Saya no Uta AU. I have never seen anyone say they had a Saya no Uta AU for anything.

Oh, this one will be fun!

CW: heavy blood/gore. I'm not joking. Do not read if this kind of stuff disturbs you. Also cannibalism mention and body horror.

To catch you up on the base universe (Pillars of Eternity), it is a fantasy RPG with a unique world and races. The biggest component of this game world is that souls exist, and that when a person dies, their soul travels through a Wheel to be distributed to the next person. Soul essence is also very powerful and can be used to power various wonders and technologies. The player character is a Watcher, someone who can see and manipulate souls.

The second game takes place on an archipelago where various factions compete for resources and dominance while a god tracks his way through the islands to get to a lost city. It falls very heavily into dark fantasy (especially the first game), but in a cool way and not a GoT-wannabe kind of way. It has many settings that are (awesome) super dark and gruesome. I love it so much.

My OC Amali is a death godlike. Her base race is human (though any race can be a godlike), but when she was in-utero, the god of death imparted some of their essence into her, giving her horrifying features and a few abilities related to death and dying. Amali is a poor artist from Old Vailia (a culture resembling Renaissance Italy but in decline). She's also a cipher, which gives mind reading and mind manipulation powers. Her love interest is Tekēhu, an NPC who is a native of the Deadfire Archipelago. Tekēhu is also a godlike, but unlike Amali, Tekēhu's culture hold the godlike in high regard. Tekēhu especially received special treatment and privileges because he is a marine godlike, a super rare type of godlike not available to player characters that holds special importance to his culture, unlike Amali, whose culture view the godlike with suspicion and disdain, especially death godlike.

Amali is what TvTropes would call a Nightmare Fetishist. As both a person and an artist, she is absolutely drawn to the dark and macabre. Her drawings are all drawn in painstakingly, almost disgustingly meticulous detail, meant to "pull back the curtain" and showing the ugly and often overlooked side of the world. Despite this, she is a very pleasant and passionate individual, having more of an anti-nihilistic view than a depressing one.

Okay, now on with the AU!

Because of Amali's fascination with the dark and frightening, I always thought it would be fun to see how she would react if she were struck with the same affliction Fuminori had, to see the world as some sort of gore and fleshy hellscape, to see everyone around her, including her loved ones, as awful oozing monsters that were barely recognizable as the people she knew before.

I'm not exactly sure how Amali comes to be "infected", but I imagined a huge dramatic change right in the docks of Neketaka. Idk, Amali and her party are there, and Amali detects horrific disgust for absolutely everything coming from a young man from Rauatai (the setting's version of Imperial Japan). The sheer hatred this young man is broadcasting is completely overwhelming and Amali goes to find him. She makes the mistake of trying to telepathically reach out to him, and is overwhelmed by the horrific images in his mind. She passes out right there on the docks.

Amali wakes up to a nightmare. The wood and stones of the docks and streets and boats and houses are awful edifices of bone and sinew bobbing up and down an ocean of sludge while fleshy bits stick out of everything. The sky is a mesh of rotting rust with an oozing and pulsating sun overhead. The once salty air reeks of bile and rot, but is also...faintly sweet? (The fish guts now smell of floral perfume). And Amali is surrounded by monsters, creatures of exposed flesh and pulsating ooze with horrible alien appendages, gurgling monstrosities of every size and form, each unique in how disgusting they all are. When Amali comes to on the dock, she does not recognize where she is, nor does she recognize her party members (including her lover Tekēhu and her best friend Aloth), who have gathered around her. At first Amali freaks out, even pointing her gun at Tekēhu when he tries to come close. She runs from her party members, and they give chase, pursuing her right through the docks of Neketaka. Amali manages to lose them, having to navigate this fleshy and alien nightmare, until she reaches a high point over the docks, where she realizes...the very shape of those pulsing towers of flesh, the shoreline where bone and sinew meet sludgy water, the structure of the streets...holy shit, one of those bone ships docked in her spot looks suspiciously like the vessel she herself captains...Amali realizes with dawning horror that this aberrant hellscape...is Neketaka.

I didn't spend too much time on a "plot". It was basically an excuse to have Amali react to this new situation and imagine little scenarios of her and her friends dealing with it. Amali eventually returns to her ship and meets back with all her friends. She is truthful to her party members about what is going on with her and explains that she seems to be suffering from some sort of agnosia that is making the world around her seem like a living hell. However, she asks them not to disclose her condition without her permission. They all agree and are generally very supportive of her.

Amali has a lot of fun coming up with ways to deal with her new condition. It's still frightening and disturbing to her, and she would still rather go back to normal, but she enjoys the certain aspects of it that she can. Using her talents as an artist, she is able to find decorations and color schemes that are more pleasing to her. She also uses her sketchbook to draw everything she sees in this new perspective, including her friends. The people around her are super disturbed, but her friends are still supportive as they try to help her through this. She also learns that, once she finishes a painting or a drawing of something she sees, when she turns away from it and comes back, it looks just like its normal subject matter, which helps tremendously.

Food is also a lot of fun. Amali never resorts to cannibalism like Fuminori does, but at some point she figures out that the fish guts and other refuse from meat stores look and smell like lovely herbs and berries. Like with colors, she goes around collecting disgusting foods that are safe to eat. Most of her crew and party members are appalled, but some of the ones more inclined to macabre and dark humor (like Maia and Xoti) make a game of going out and finding what awful disgusting glop they can feed Amali. When she recovers, they make a point of never mentioning some of the things she ate while in her condition.

The hardest and most sad part of all this is Tekēhu. Whereas he was a very handsome man and the most beautiful person Amali has ever met, now he is the most grotesque of monsters. While Amali has no problem conversing with people in her state and connecting with them as people, she cannot bear to let Tekēhu touch her anymore. Amali feels horrible about this, whereas Tekēhu is just worried about her. (Also, Amali is demisexual and gray-ace with very intermittent interest/disinterest in sex to begin with; this is not helping). There is a sweet, if mildly disturbing moment, where Tekēhu covers himself in fish guts and puts on a cloak in the same colors Amali decorated her room in so that they could share a cuddle in the bed. (I should also mention that Tekēhu is very squeamish about horror and gore; this is a kind of a huge deal for him).

At some point Amali tracks Fuminori down, as he was the Rauataian young man from the docks, in her search for a cure. Fuminori still sees her as a disgusting monster, however, as a death godlike, Amali's deformities look like lovely crystals sticking out of her head and skin, so Fuminori can tolerate having conversations with her if he focuses on those. However, he is still super weird towards her and very unhelpful.

Fuminori's opinions on Amali are very weird. She is slightly less disgusting than the other "monsters". Fuminori hates not being the only person with this affliction--he wants Saya all to himself--yet at the same time he cannot help but form some sort of kinship with Amali?

Fuminori completely loses his shit when he catches sight of Amali looking fondly at Tekēhu. As you might know from the original Saya no Uta, when Fuminori develops his agnosia, he is absolutely horrible to his friends and to everyone around him, dehumanizing them and thinking nothing of killing them, and he blames it all on the fact that he sees them as horrific monsters and assumes that anyone with his condition would react the same way. Seeing Amali not being a complete monster to those "creatures" and even showing affection...? This forces Fuminori to grapple with his own morals and the fact that he had no excuse for treating the people around him like crap, and he. Just. Cannot. Deal.

At some point, Fuminori and Saya kidnap Tekēhu. When Amali gets to them, Fuminori offers her a sadistic choice: Saya can either change Tekēhu's body so that he becomes a creature like Saya (and thus look like his normal beautiful self to Amali again, but it will subject him to the most painful and torturous body horror imaginable), or Saya can change Tekēhu's brain so that he will have the same condition that Amali and Fuminori have. I haven't figured out how this AU ends, so I'll leave it on this cliffhanger.

Here's a drawing of Amali and Tekēhu commissioned from me and Tumblr user astrocassette because I love these two so much.

[kayssweetdreams]

Maestro Hiccups 2 Nightmares Unleashed Part 36

The Children leaned back at the strange Jesters on the other side of the cage. Both of which didn't look friendly, but the red jester bared a certain... resemblance to NiGHTS. Leo glared at the two of them. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked, trying to be brave.

The red jester have a malicious chuckle "You heard me little visitor. Soon, You're world will be nothing more than an extention of Nightmare, along with the rest of the Night Dimension." He said. Mei narrowed her eyes "And how do you expect to do that? This is a dream." She said, although afraid, she stood tall against the Nightmaren.

The orange jester gave an insane cackle "Your dear maestro Lance here has been a great help! His hiccups are bringing people's worst Nightmares to life makes it easy for us to snag an Ideya or two! And with your pink haired friend locked away in her gilded cage, She's gonna give Wizeman all the power he needs to take over this world, and enter yours!" He screeched out.

The Children leaned back at his voice, but still stood their ground "That won't happen! NiGHTS can stop you like they've done in the past!" Leo yelled. However, the name seemed to trigger the red jester, before he reached into the cage, and pulled Leo towards the bars "Don't EVER mention that TRAITOR!" He yelled.

Emma rushed to help her friend "What are you talking about?!" She asked, pulling at Leo's vest to pull him away from the nightmaren. "I'm surprised that you haven't figured it out yet. Oh well, it's no use now. Soon all of their resistance will be for nothing." The red Nightmaren said, his tone scarily calm.

He threw Leo down to the floor, Emma falling with him. "And you'll enjoy the rest of your miserable little lives, serving Master Wizeman...that is, if we don't lock you in the dream Balls too." The jester threatened. The children shivered at the idea of being under Wizeman's reign, but they didn't know what a dream Ball was.

"I'd enjoy your last moments together of I were you, Because it's gonna be the last time you think 'This is only a bad dream'..." He threatened before he and the orange jester flew off. Mei blew a raspberry at them before she pulled out another pin and tried to pick the lock again "Not if we have anything to say about it." She said, hoping to be successful.

Suddenly, the sound of Footsteps caught their attention "Huh? Do Nightmaren walk?" Rebecca asked. Lance shook his head "I would think not, all Nightmaren fly, it appears that we have a non-maren spy" He said, perking up a bit. The children and maestro peered out to see 2 humans, a KosoKoso, and Owl sneaking over to them.

"Aria! Marina! Thank Goodness!" Trisha Jane sighed in relief. The KosoKoso ran over to Lance's cage while Aria and Marina went to the children's. "What happened to you guys?" Marina asked, gazing at the lock "We ended up getting snagged by a Nightmaren while trying to help Kaylo, and we're stuck down here." Rebecca explained.

Kuro ran over to Lance's cage, letting out a sad, but relieved squeak "Kuro! You're here! But the cage is still locked I fear." He said, his hand patting Kuro's head. Owl flew over with a small 'Hoo' and pulled a key from his waistcoat. "I figured I would grab this from that Shleep that was asleep." He said before placing the key until the bars around the cage faded into nothing.

Kuro ran to Lance, and jumped into his arms, with Lance luckily returning the favor "Oh Kuro, You brave Negati, I applaud the courage you had to help me." He said. Owl flapped over to Aria and Marina and gave them the key as well, unlocking the children's prison.

"Thank you Aria, And Marina, now we have to get back to Kaylo's Nightopia, and we have get her out of there!" Trisha Jane said. Aria raised a hand "Yeah that might be a bit of a problem, That Nightopia isn't exactly...real." she said.

The Children looked confused "What do you mean?" Leo asked. Owl flapped over "Let me explain, Hoo. What you were inside of was a false Nightopia, a trap disguised as a perfect dream world. Reala had used it on your friend, and now it's taking the power of her ideya away from her." He said.

Trisha Jane's eyes widened in realization "That's what he meant about the dream balls! We would have been in fake Nightopias too!" She exclaimed. The children shivered at the prospect of being locked in a perpetual fake dream land, under the control of a tyrannical nightmare god.

"Well.. How do we get her out of the dream ball?" Rebecca asked "Kaylo needs to be the one that breaks the illusion she needs to WANT to get out of the Nightopia, so we were going to go into her Nightopia, and turn her sweetest dream into her worst Nightmare." Marina explained.

"That could work...but we need to actually get back to the door first. There are these big chains on the door, and the only reason that we even got in, was because of NiGHTS saying something, and the chains popped off. I'm not even sure that they're off anymore." Emma said.

Owl hooted "Well then, We'll just have to see." He said "Hold on everyone! Back to the Dream gate!" The old bird hooted. The group all held on to Owl as he teleported them all back to the Dream gate...

But didn't notice the glowing eye, that belonged to an enraged Wizeman who witnessed their escape...

Mei and Marina belongs to @sundove88

Rebecca belongs to @thehypercutstudios/@thehyperrequiem

Trisha Jane Belongs to @lovelyteng

Aria belongs to @shadowqueen402