#oh boy sage lore will be upon us

[theacedragon0w0]

Old dues Final!

Warning, blood mention, Sage is getting in an intense fight.

"Sir, you told me that I only needed to train the kid and I can go,"

"Oh humor me this one bit Sagebrush, when was the last time we sparred together, mentor and student?"

"Before I had my hand chopped off, and I remember you trying to stab me with that Angel's blade that is hidden inside your cane during that session."

"Oh and you were astounding, it eased my worried that you could survive from holy arms, but you are correct," Vlad propping his cane to the side, along side his top garments, down to his wife-beater shirt, but he kept his dress pants on. Vlad pointed at Sage's arm that was still intact from the rough housing it went under.

Obeying the silent orders, Sage handed their arm to Vlad, which he inspected it, like he was holding an antique rifle. He looked at Sage as he unceremoniously dropped it, adding more insult to injury by crushing it by his shoes.

"You shouldn't have done that sir," Sage knowing the full weight of that action.

"Oh please, your new sugar mama can commission you a new one if you are so worried about it. Now," Vlad stated, walking toward the center of the training room, his once cheery demeanor replaced by his cold, sharp tone.

"Show me that you can still fight."

Hazel was the first to hear the urgent knocking, with Rosalina and Velvette trying to distract themselves from the situation that Sage got themselves in.

At the door was a strange tiger, he looked aged with noticeable wrinkles that were present near his eyes. His stripes were also something that stood out, as they were colored in different shades of pink and magenta, with glitter still hanging off from it.

"Can I help you sir? I think you have the wrong tower,"

"Are you guys Sage's spouses?"

Rosalina and Velvette turned their head at the tiger's direction, Velvette quickly jumping over the couch to get close to the tiger.

"Who wants to fucking know?"

"Ok how can I say this, but your Sagebrush is going to need you guys to pick her ass up when Vlad leaves her as a bloody mess."

"WHAT?!"

"Look Vlad isn't going to kill Sage, he does have a soft spot for her, but Vlad sure as shit isn't going to let Sagebrush leave without making a statement for his recruitment, he beat the last one to death when Sage started working and he isn't going to give her a free pass."

"Why are you telling us this?"

"Because Sage loves you guys, but she is like my Vlad and doesn't believe that she deserves it, so she'll do anything to feel like she earned it."

Velvette's phone made a small sound, she check and both Hazel and Rosalina noticed the look of dread the overlord wore,

"Sage's prosthetic broke, they are now unable to send a signal," as Sage's phone was not responsive to texts or calls, the prosthetic was the last item that could ultimately tell if Sage was in deep shit.

The tiger, being awestruck by Sage's wives ferocity, snapped his fingers to get everyone's attention,

"How about we got get your girl back?"

Sage nearly dodged another swing from the hyena, trying to make space between them, "Vlad this is ridiculous, I'm not going to fight you."

Sage caught Vlads kick, pushing him further from them. Vlad then attempted to sweep Sage's legs but they were able to jump over him, "That's the point isn't it? You have to, especially since you've gotten soft by those three."

Sage managed to land punch on Vlads shoulder, causing him to step back, "Then you never knew me, you made me a great fighter, but those three gave me something worth fighting for."

Vlad landed a knee kick to Sage's torso, but Sage held their ground, knowing better than to give Vlad an opening to land another punch.

"Then explain why you agreed to help me, if you love you new life so much, you abandoned us, you abandoned me!"

Sage then landed a hard hook to Vlads face, knocking the demon to the floor,

"I left because you made it clear I was replaceable! And I only came back just so the dancers that somewhat cared actually have someone to keep them safe!"

Both fighters were getting tired, but both refused to let the other win, Vlad then waved his hand and his cane flew into his hand.

"Hey! What the fuck are you pulling?" Sage jumping back, barely dodging Vlads blade.

"Alright Sagebrush, I had just enough of these games, show me how you managed to survive the last extermination."

The polycule was flying toward the club, Velvette, Hazel and Vlads companion were carried by Rosalina, who was in her dragon form.

"Listen, just grab Sage and don't destroy the Lion's Den, the dancers have nothing to deal with Vlads deals!" The tiger pleaded to them, seeing the fury in their eyes. None of them responded, focusing on getting there as quickly as possible

Back at the club, Sage was barely holding on, they were nearly dodging the old man's advances, one getting more closer than the last, but Sage knew that Vlad couldn't do it forever.

"Come on! Prove to me that you should walk out!" Vlads blade slashed, but Sage caught it with their hand, blood beginning to stain it as well as the floor.

"I don't have to prove anything to you, not anymore."

Surprisingly Vlad dropped his sword, and doing so, the door to the training room busted in, Velvette's hair was whipping wildly, behind her Hazel's ears flatten as she held the new bouncer in a headlock, and Sage could guess Rosalina was outside, barely able to see bits of her dragon limbs from the window.

Sage looked back at Vlad, who waved his hand, giving the clear that their business was done, Hazel let go of the confused bouncer, who saw Sage approach their partner's, "Let's go home, I found this chicken Alfredo recipe that looked good."

The group exited the club, Vlad saw his companion talking to the enormous dragon, and the dancers being clearly petrified of the possibility of the beast caving the roof in. As the polycule was about to leave, the new trainee shouted,

"Hey! You can't just take the boss like th-" as he was cut short by a throat punch from Velvette, Hazel scooping Sage over her shoulder, Velvette shouted,

"THIS ASS BELONGS TO US!"

Slapping Sage's cheeks to cement that statement. And the four took to the sky.

Ight i fulfilled my sage angst quota so we gonna go back in the fluff.

Hazel and Rosalina belongs to @puffymucher and @mirconreadzztuff22 the pookies ever

[lilatreus]

All of my thoughts on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla!

Of course there are major spoilers for the game and ending. I know it’s been out for like three months now but you never know so I’m putting it all under the cut. And yes this is pretty long. A summary is at the end of the entire text.

also pls don’t send me hate like y’all did for what I said about odyssey literally these are just my opinions on the game if u dont care for them pls just skip I have a lot to say about it and there is actually quite a few things that I really enjoyed when playing the game and if u do read it pls don’t hesitate to shoot me messages and talk to me about the game bc I really enjoy the franchise and I need some more people to talk to in this fandom.

What I enjoyed about the game!!

The blending in with the monks/prayers in the streets to get pass the guards!!!!! Dude!!!!! I know it’s like a really small detail but it just made me so happy because it reminded me of when you had to do that in the first assassin’s creed game. It’s a nice touch of nostalgia and really liked it.

The “glitches” (while some were annoying) I’m super super happy that they were kind of bringing back the glyphs from assassins creed two. I loved doing them because I loved trying to get the little movie. It was really nice of them to bring that back so we can get another little movie like the one from AC2 again.

I think we can all agree: Hytham was a great character. I wish he was more involved in the story than already but that’s just me. I really liked his character so much he’s my favorite from the game.

Desmond having some Easter eggs and basically coming back into the series again was great. It was also a nice touch to see the vault from assassins creed three (the place where des dies). It really makes me miss connor and his band of assassins. I miss assassins creed three :( I want more about Connor please put out some more comics with him in it or some easter eggs please I’m begging you. Also fuck u haytham kenway I hate u.

Shaun and Rebecca being back and now it’s canon that they’re together is fucking awesome. I’m actually really happy about that and I missed them so much. I’m glad they’re in the story again. (Rebecca dude I was so worried that she died like no fucking joke I was so upset I thought syndicate really killed her off).

The game itself actually did very well keeping with the lore we were given from assassins creed origins and was actually doing pretty well trying to connect it to the first assassin game.

Speaking of lore I do think they did the best they could to expand upon the not so well liked lore from odyssey and try and fix it but also it did feel a little confusing but I guess that’s just because i didn’t finish the Asgard missions yet so who knows.

The scenery was very very beautiful and I throughly enjoyed walking around and just admiring the view no matter where I was on the map.

Reda just becoming immortal is so funny and the fact that he was just sitting there telling stories about Aya and Bayek.. please my heart. I love them so so much. The letter Bayek wrote??? Soulmates I’m telling you.

Also I did like that they fixed their plot hole for why Bayek and Aya aren’t known for anything history wise in the story (or mainly why Bayek isn’t in the assassin’s history books and Aya, as Amunet, is really the only one written down). I’m very glad that they explained it and I really think I’m just super happy that Bayek was brought back for some easter eggs within the game.

Basim is very handsome and I liked him but I don’t know how to feel about the ending with him. Yes I do love his character and it was super cool to hang around him and do a couple of missions with him but also it felt weird that now you’re technically playing as the bad guy.

Eivor was really cool to play as. I enjoyed running around as them and doing missions. I like the fact that Eivor was basically like “yo you guys [ pointing to the brotherhood ] are fucking crazy but you guys [ pointing to the templars/order of ancients ] are really fucking crazy and weird.” I really loved basically being an assassin and using the hidden blade again. (Yeah I know they technically aren’t an assassin but yknow just an honorary one).

The Canterbury Tales!! The fucking pardoner’s tale!! That was super cool to do I loved those stories and being able to do them in the game made me super happy. I know it doesn’t actually fit the timeline given it wasnt written until like centuries after the game took place but I just thought that side mission was neat!

Fulke was a very cool templar and I thought her character was really really interesting. I wish they did more with her honestly.

What I didn’t like about the game:

So! Speaking of templars! Boy oh boy I have a lot to say for that subject. So for “the order of ancients”:

— I think my biggest problem with this game (as well as odyssey) is that the templars (“OOA”) aren’t actually important to the game anymore. They’re barely in the story now like out of all 20 or so people you have to kill within their order only like 5 or 6 are actually important to the storyline and that’s my biggest problem with it, because now killing the templars is just like a “well since you’re in the area you can kill this dude” and I really hate it. I truly believe that’s why I didn’t like odyssey that much solely bc they made doing the most core part of the video game series a damn side mission and that also goes for Valhalla.

— Also so many of the templar stories, like scenes we get after you kill them, were just so bland. They don’t make them like they used to and that’s another big core part of the series lost.

— They’re straying very far from the main plot of the series and that’s why these last two games didn’t feel anything like an assassin’s creed game. (And you can’t say that “it’s just different because they’re taking place in a time way before the templars were called templars” bc assassins creed origins did very well to changing their game and how they play but also keeping the main goal from previous games: To be an assassin and kill the templars.)

— Also they need to not show us the outline of who the templars are because I could tell who “the father” was as soon as I was able to see the order tab. Please Ubisoft do better.

I know I said this before however the fucking Beowulf mission. My God Did I Hate That. I was really looking forward to the dlc and to see what they did with the story sucked. In Odyssey we got actual Greek monsters and gods and I expected to be given that in Valhalla for the norse deities. And it didn’t happen. (As of right now I can’t comment on the Asgard missions because I haven’t finished them but I’ll probably edit the post and put them in later)

As of right now with the ending and lore shit I’m really kind of indifferent with it. On one hand they are trying to fix the lore that they kind of fucked up in Odyssey by adding more things to explain it better but also that means they added on unnecessary stuff that makes no sense. On the other hand I really hate that Layla is now technically canonically dead because shes now in the grey and basim now has the one thing that would’ve kept her alive. I really wanted them to do more with her like they did with Desmond. I genuinely enjoyed her as a main protagonist and it sucks that she is now dead. Layla deserves so much better honestly!!!!

Also on des: While I don’t want to smack away a fan service gift that includes desmond; it did kind of feel weird that he’s back in the series. Honestly I don’t know how to go about this. I’m super excited that technically desmond is back in a way but on the other hand I wanted them to focus on Layla more and :( Idk man it’s complicated. They have to stop changing the story’s main protagonists Layla deserved to be in more games and hopefully she will be because her “death” felt so cheap. I also wish they explained what happened with her during the year apart from odyssey and Valhalla.

The side missions I have no problem with except for the fact that the little side mission icon just stayed in the place you first show up to to get the mission. I miss the old side mission mechanic bc this new one felt really really confusing and it made me get lost quite a few times.

This one might just be me but I guess they’re expanding more on the gods reincarnating but they’re not focusing on the sages anymore? Like when will Elijah Miles (the newest sage) be shown?? Odyssey fucked up that lore bit but now they’re not even talking about it because any isu god can reincarnate or can take ahold of anyone if they interact with a piece of eden or something. Idk this one little bit is super confusing for me right now and I don’t like that it’s confusing so I will be doing more research on the isu (again) to understand what the fuck is going on with this damn part of the lore.

I know that this is a game where you kill people but this whole game felt so gore-y that I like had to drop it for a bit. Like dude I didn’t really expect that. This one I really feel like is just me. I did not expect to like hear bones breaking when I played it.

The storyline felt kind of all over the place like yes I could understand the big part of the story but also it was all over the fucking place. I just miss the old plot I really do that had a system that was so good it caused several games to follow it’s lead. (I miss AC1 please remaster that damn game)

Also maybe it’s just me but the story felt so slow at the beginning when ur going to England. Literally I hate to say this bc I love this whole series but I was more happy about finally finishing the main storyline than I was while playing the game.

All in all: I did like the game. I did have fun even though some parts were rough. I’m super glad that they got rid/fixed the ship mechanic because I hated every fucking naval battle in assassins creed and that’s something I was worried about doing when I saw that we had longships in the story. The game was enjoyable and it had a lot of great side characters like Hytham, Gunnar, and Yanli. Basim was a treat, though I hope they explain more about him bc I’m going to be honest he’s a bit confusing with this whole loki thing. But yeah this is all I have so far on the game. If you actually read all the way down here comment or like shoot me message to talk about it bc I really really want to talk about the game. Pls pls pls.

[i-loves-my-lemurs]

Fanfic writer's director's commentary! Thanks to @candycoloredwolf for the ask! I chose to talk about my first panchulien oneshot 'Wanna Dance?'. I wrote it in a single night on impulse so there's a few grammar mistakes and other stuff I noticed upon revisiting it.

I probably went way overboard on my commentary (oops) but it was so much fun going through it all. I hope this is entertaining.

.............

*the crocodile ambassador gave him an unusually soft smile.*

After everything that's happened in the show, I feel like the croc ambassador would have warmed up to Julien quite a bit and come to respect him as a leader. Also he's trying to butter Julien up before complaining about one of his subjects.

*provided they were on their best behaviour. It had said on the invitation that it was a 'sophisticated' event, so Maurice had managed to wrangle all of the lemurs into formal wear, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, dancing in pairs to the soft music*

Man, I just love it when characters dress up in fancy outfits and go dancing together (like in the prom episode). One of my favourite tropes in fact, so I just had to throw it in there!

*but still all this fancy partnered dancing wasn't entirely to the ringtail's taste.*

As much as I like the formal dancing stuff, it wouldn't be something Julien would enjoy, so he's already looking for an excuse to bounce and throw his own afterparty. He's only stayed so far to try and be polite and improve relations between their kingdoms or something else that Maurice told him to do.

*Clover, Sage and the rest of the mountain lemur kingdom was there, and the king and queen were happily sharing a waltz. Maurice was dancing with his sister while Prince Brodney was teaching their children the steps*

This takes place after the show's finale, but without the inclusion of the zoosters, so sort of like a parallel universe? Where Julien and Clover are monarchs together, which I think is neat. Also People tend to forget that Maurice has a sister, myself included really, and I kinda wish they'd had more cute bonding moments, so I gave then a brother/sister dance.

*even Pancho was leaning against a tree*

Aside from the main squad (excluding Mort of course) Pancho is the only minor lemur that Julien really mentions here. Almost like he was looking for him specifically. Hmmm....

*He caught Julien's eye and winked. Julien chuckled fondly.*

Casual flirt.

*"I do have a minor issue with the behaviour of one of your, ahem, subjects*

That little cough just feels like something the croc ambassador would do when he's embarrassed, or to sound authoritative, so he did.

*Julien tore his eyes away from Pancho*

"Tore his eyes away" almost like he didnt want to look away. Hmmm...

*The anxious lemur was currently giggling as he twirled his new boyfriend around*

Ah, I just want Willie to be happy and have a good time with his bf. He deserves to laugh more. New boyfriend infers that they're in the early stages of their relationship, so they're just messing around being silly and cute and having fun together.

*but Horst and Mary Ann weren't doing much better.*

Horst and Mary Ann deserve a nice romantic dance. It would be pretty awkward because she's twice his size and can only really walk on all fours, but they don't even care. They just cut their own path through the dance floor and ignore everyone else, no matter how annoyed the other dancers are because they keep getting in the way.

*"Well, they're both males!" He said. "It's completely unnatural, wouldn't you agree?"*

Oof, the croc ambassador wants that snooty monarch solidarity with Julien since he's the most popular king in Madagascar, but that ain't happening any time soon. Not with that attitude!

*Julien was lost for words. He had known ever since he was young that he liked boys. Every male in the kingdom liked boys! In fact, it was considered a little unusual if you WEREN'T interested in the same gender.*

I like the idea that homosexuality is just the norm in the party kingdom, kinda like She-Ra. People are just gay and nobody thinks anything of it and coming out is celebrated. Julien doesn't care if you're gay or straight though, he just cares for his peeps and wants them to love who they love.

*whatever their genders were*

A subtle difference between Julien and the croc ambassador, Julien says 'genders' while croc ambassador says 'sexes' because Julien is more open to the idea of gender not being confined to biology.

*Julien took a few deep breaths and tried desperately to not get angry.

"What's the problem man, they're just dancing." He remarked in what he hoped was a neutral tone.*

Julien tries to keep his cool here, a bit of his character development showing. He now knows that everything doesnt have to be a scene, so keeps his temper. It's also kind of to protect Willie and his partner though. He knows they're having a good time and he doesn't want to bring to their attention that their host doesn't like what they're doing, because he knows they'll be upset.

 *"rather not have it ruined by such atrocities being committed!"*

And this was the point where I started to hate the croc ambassador too while writing.

*"Oh, hey Julio." Pancho smiled at him. "I was just gonna-"*

Pancho was just gonna say that he was bored with the party and wanted to leave. He would have asked if Julien wanted to come with (he could tell Julio was getting bored and he couldn't have THAT), which would have been a different fanfiction entirely.

*"Wanna dance?" Julien said.*

I honestly can't remember if I thought of the title or this line first.

*He considered sticking his tongue out at the reptile's back, but ultimately decided that such a juvenile display wasn't the best way to get his point across.*

Again, character development. Julien has matured (a little) and realised that there are better, more fulfilling ways of getting revenge.

*"OK." Pancho said with a shrug, and slid his paw over to Julien's waist,*

Once Pancho can mentally catch up with what's going on, he rolls with it. In fact, he sorta likes the idea of dancing with Julien, and had been trying to gather the courage to ask him for most of the night. I wonder why...

*As they danced though, he began to feel his attention drawn to a different place: how smooth Pancho was on the dance floor,*

We all know Julien's attention span is not great, so there's no way he's going to be able to stay angry when he's too busy being distracted by Pancho's smoothness.

*He raised an eyebrow. "You just couldn't resist?"*

Not entirely subtle flirt.

*"But you know, you're not a bad pick." He patted Pancho on the arm.*

Not entirely subtle either flirt.

*"Abner over there's been missing steps and stumbling all night!" He glanced over at Abner and his wife with a small frown.*

Poor Abner, he's the one getting picked on tonight. Bit of a running gag here.

*Pancho's eyes widened and he instinctively pulled Julien closer, whether it was to shield him or to further prove the point, Julien couldn't tell, but the ringtail wasn't complaining.*

Pancho does pull Julien closer on instinct to protect him, he knows how badly homophobia would hurt Julien's feelings. Julien is just loving it though. He was more angry for Willie's sake than hurt anyways.

*"But us lemurs dance with guys all the time!" Pancho exclaimed. "I've seen you kiss four different guys at a party once! What's his problem?"

"That's what I'm saying, wait I did what?"*

Even if they weren't a couple, dancing together is just something the males would do. They're that casual. And of course Julien would go around kissing everybody at his parties when he gets drunk enough. Poor Julien doesnt remember half of what he does at parties though.

*"Oh no, I don't mind." Pancho remarked, then cleared his throat awkwardly, looking away.*

Awkward silence much? Internally Pancho is just screaming *why did you say that?!" because he doesn't know how to handle his feelings right now, especially not with Julien so close.

(For any other ballroom dance enthusiasts, what they're dancing would be a mix between a waltz and a slow dance. Like a casual, less fancy waltz that's quite easy for them to get the hang of, but still quite romantic and personal).

*"You know Julio, I don't think he's gonna notice." Pancho remarked.*

But eventually Pancho plucks up the courage. They're already dancing, he tells himself. And Julien just wants to make the crocodile ambassador mad. Julien kisses people platonically all the time so he won't question it. If he doesnt like it, say you were doing it to piss off the crocodiles. And if he does like it... well...

*"Well, I had an idea." Pancho was avoiding his gaze again."*

He's still nervous of course, but he's made up his mind. It's all or nothing, baby!

*"Lay it on me." Julien said.*

And he does! Literally!

*And holy Sky Gods.*

I was tempted to have this line be 'holy crap' or 'holy sh*t' because that's what I would say idk but holy sky gods just works better for the show's lore, and allows the story to keep a G rating.

*All thoughts of spiting the crocodile ambassador had been fully driven from his mind*

Julien just gets so caught up in the moment, he's all "what crocodile ambassador?" he just wants to keep kissing.

*Julien stroked his paw through Pancho's soft fur and deepened their kiss.*

I imagine Pancho's fur would be very soft, he's always playing around with explosives so he's bound to get his fur burnt off every now and then, and it grows back softer.

This was the first time I wrote the lemurs kissing, so it's not the most explicit thing in the world. I probably couldn't write an explicit kiss scene to save my life though.

*"Hoo-ah." Pancho sighed softly.*

Hoo-ah" is exactly what Pancho would say after having his mind blown by a kiss like that. Just no thoughts, head Julien.

*"Yeah, crocodile ambassador certainly thinks so." Pancho said, a wild grin overcoming his face*

Heh heh, Pancho's happy because he just got to kiss his crush (and he liked it!) But also because he can see the croc ambassador is pissed and he loves the opportunity to mess.

*some looking angry, some looking intrigued*

Some of the crocs are intrigued because they've never been able to be open about who they are or experiment because of compulsory heterosexuality in their kingdom. Seeing two guys just being so open about their attraction to each other would definitely help them rethink things. They've never seen gay love expressed like this and it's new and exciting.

*Julien's face broke out into an ecstatic grin.

"Yeah that's right!" He called wildly. "I kissed a guy! At your party! Boom, I like kissing guys! Ha, suck on that loser! Woohoo!"*

Oh the sweet triumph of proving a point. This rant was a joy to write, it just feels very Julien.

*He grabbed Pancho's hand and held it up.*

Grab your boyfriend's hand, hold it aloft like a prize.

*"I'm like ninety percent sure Ted likes kissing guys!"*

Haha, poor Teddy needs to be extracted from the closet, pronto. Julien just has an excellent gaydar.

* and tucked a protective arm around his daughter's shoulders, turning her away from Julien.*

I imagine princess Amy would have some questions after this, questions which her father would definitley struggle to answer. If she really wants to find out what Pancho and Julien were doing, I imagine she'd visit the party kingdom alone, and the lemurs would be happy to answer her questions. Pancho and Julien may have ushered in a new era for the crocodile kingdom and their relationship with LGBT+.

*There came a cheer from the crowd of lemurs and they all began to head off the dance floor*

Of course the other lemurs go with Julien immediately, he's their king after all and the moment he suggests that someone might not be cool with their sexualities, they're ready to bounce.

*Clover and Sage at the front hand in hand,*

Clover and Sage would definitley be behind Julien 100%. The moment he declares that they're out of there, they just drop everything to leave with him.

*some mountain lemur ladies holding hands too.*

Mountain lemur lesbians? Anyone? I just think it's neat.

*"You read my mind, Julio."

Julien pulled Pancho towards him and tried to ignore how it felt like there was a little party going on in his stomach when Pancho called him that.*

Julien really likes that name! I see it as an affectionate nickname Pancho gave him that eventually just evolves into a pet name that makes Julien a little warm and fuzzy inside every time he hears it.

*Julien's heart leapt with joy to see Willie clutching his boyfriend's hands as they danced.*

Daaaww, Julien might pick on Willie but at the end of the day he likes to see him happy. He's glad they don't have to stay at a party where their dancing is scrutinised.

*Pancho rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as they stood face to face. "I'm sorry about kissing you, I just-"*

Now that there's some distance between them, Pancho has had time to think and wonder "oh sheesh, what if I messed it up, what if he only felt like it was platonic" and he's now all embarrassed, poor leem. He's just a guy in love.

*He nodded, then cleared his throat in an attempt to get a grip on his emotions. "You know, um, while we were dancing*

And now we see Julien trying to hold it together, these two are just so precious and I can totally see them stumbling over their feelings like that.

*kissed Pancho on the forehead, giggling slightly at the other lemur's squeak of surprise.*

Pancho is the perfect height for affectionate forehead kisses, let's not forget it!

*Pancho and Julien headed onto the dancefloor together and moved their bodies to the beat.*

They would have spent the night together just dancing and vibing (and making out probably).

*Nobody there who gave them the stink-eye or who told them that they were wrong. They danced and had fun and kissed without a care in the world. Julien felt so happy that his kingdom was a place where he could kiss Pancho all he liked.*

Ah I really went to town on the "love is love" concept here, didn't I? Well, a theme is a theme.

Julien's just really happy at the place he's created. He's glad they can dance and kiss and all that jazz, and he did that, he created a kingdom free of prejudice. It's exactly how I can see the kingdom's relationship with LGBT+ going down, a place where they're all just happy to vibe and be themselves.

.........

And that's the end. I hope you enjoyed this premium insight into my writings, and if you want commentary on another of my stories, or just have random questions, then my inbox is always open :)

[space--cadet-glow]

Translation: “The Minish Cap” in German, Part 28: GRAND FINALE: Vaatis Epilog in Hölle

We complete our journey and it is time to part ways with Ezlo. It is finished. Here is the final part to my translation of the German version of "The Minish Cap" to English!

My translation key: DT: „direct translation" (translated word for word) EQ: “English equivalent” (as in, as close to an English-sounding sentence as it’s gonna get) DT/EQ: „"direct translation/English equivalent" (for when the DT is so similar to an EQ that it’s practically English already) OE: “official English (translation as given in the European English version of “The Minish Cap”)“ (NOTE:) "anything I need to point out” (exactly what it says on the tin) BG: „backwards German” for the Minish language in reverse form

My translation work under the cut.

Ezelo: „Gut, Link!" DT/EQ: „Good, Link!" OE: "So, Link! Now that you have the power of the Four Sword..."

Ezelo: „Jetzt verwandle Zelda mit der Kraft des Schwertes der Vier zurück!" DT: „Now transform Zelda with the power (of) the Sword (of) the Four back!" EQ: "Now, transform Zelda back with the power of the Four Sword!" OE: "you must return Princess Zelda to normal!"

Prinzessin Zelda: „Link. Danke für deine Hilfe!" DT/EQ: „"Link. Thanks for your help!" OE: "Link, thank you so much for saving me."

Prinzessin Zelda: „Auch, als ich zu Stein geworden war, konnte ich dich sehen, Link!" DT: „Also, by I to stone become was, could I you see, Link!" EQ: "Also, when I became stone, I could see you, Link!" OE: "When I was turned to stone, I saw visions of you,"

Prinzessin Zelda: „In meinen Träumen!" DT/EQ: „"In my dreams!" OE: "as if in a dream."

Ezelo: „Der Fluch ist offenbar gebrochen. Ein Glück! Wir kamen noch rechtzeitig!" DT: „The curse is obviously broken. A luck! We arrived still on-time!" EQ: "The curse is obviously broken. What luck! We arrived right on-time!" OE: "It looks like the curse has been broken. I'm glad we made it in time."

Ezelo: „Oh nein! Das Schloss stürzt ein!" DT: „Oh no! The Castle collapses (x)!" EQ: "Oh, no! The Castle's collapsing!" OE: "No! The castle's collapsing!" (NOTE: „einstürzen".)

Ezelo: „Wir müssen schnell hier raus! Los! Lauf!" DT: „We must quickly here out! Loose! Run!" EQ: "We must get out of here, quickly! Go! Run!" OE: "It's too dangerous here. Quickly! We must escape from the castle!" (NOTE: Idioms at a time like this?!)

Ezelo: „Nanu? Der Ausgang ist blockiert! Dann schnell zur Heilige Stätte!" DT: „Well? The exit is blocked! Then quickly to (the) Holy Site!" EQ: "Well? The exit is blocked! Quick, to the Holy Site, then!" OE: "Hrmm... The door is blocked! We have no choice... Head back to the sanctuary!"

Vaati: „Hehehe... Mir entkommt ihr nicht!" DT: „Hehehe... (From) me escapes you all not!" EQ: "Hehehe... You all have not escaped from me!" OE: "Heh heh heh heh... You will not escape, boy."

Vaati: „Ihr sollt die Kraft des Dämons Vaati, der das Force erlangt hat, erfahren!" DT: „You all should the power of (the) Demon Vaati, the the Force acquired (x), experience!" EQ: "You all should experience the power of the Demon Vaati, who acquired the Force!" OE: "Now, you will see the true power of the light force... For I have become Vaati, the master of this world!" (NOTE: Idiomatic.)

ENDGEGNER: ERZDÄMON VAATI (BOSS: ARCHDEMON VAATI) BOSS: VAATI'S WRATH

Vaati: „So etwas Dummes! Was ist mit der Kraft des Force... der dämonischen Kraft..." DT: „So something stupid! What is with the power (of) the Force... the demonic power..." EQ: "So stupid! What about the power of the Force... that demonic power..." OE: "Fool! I... But the light force... My power... I had such power..." (NOTE: Slightly idiomatic.)

Prinzessin Zelda: „Oh, Link! Schön, dass dir nichts passiert ist." DT: „Oh, Link! Beautiful, that (to) you nothing happened (x)." EQ: "Oh, Link! Beautiful that nothing happened to you." OE: "Link, thank goodness you're safe..."

Prinzessin Zelda: „Du hast Vaati besiegt! Das ist gut..." DT: „You (x) Vaati defeated! This is good..." EQ: "You defeated Vaati! This is good..." OE: "You defeated Vaati... You did well..." (NOTE: ...Thanks for being so concerned, German Zelda. Also, conversational past.)

Prinzessin Zelda: „Aber wir haben so viel verloren... Das Schloss... All die Menschen..." DT: „But we (x) so much lost... The Castle... All (of) the people..." EQ: "But, we've lost so much... The Castle... All of the people..." OE: "But we've lost so much... The castle... All those people..." (NOTE: Conversational past. AGAIN.)

Ezelo: „Hah! Wer hätte das gedacht?!" DT: „Hah! Who (x) the thought?!" EQ: "Hah! Who would've thought?!" OE: "What's happened?!?" (NOTE: More idioms! More conversational past! More pointless protesting!)

Ezelo: „Nun, da Vaati besiegt ist, ist auch sein Fluch von mir gewichen!" DT: „Now, that/because Vaati defeated is, is also his curse on (for) me give-away!" EQ: "Now that Vaati is defeated, his curse on my has also given away!" OE: "The curse... Defeating Vaati broke the curse he cast upon me!"

Ezelo: „Mein Name ist Ezelo. Ich bin der Weise von Tyloria." DT/EQ: „"My name is Ezelo. I am the Sage of Tyloria." OE: "My name is Ezlo, master of Minish lore and sorcery."

Ezelo: „Ich war es, der die Mütze des Hexenmeisters erschaffen hat." DT: „I (x) it, the the Cap (of) the Sorcerer created (x)." EQ: "I created it, the Cap of the Sorcerer." OE: "The mage's cap was my creation."

Ezelo: „Meine Schwäche hat den Menschen viel Leid gebracht." DT: „My weakness (x) the people much suffering brought." EQ: "My weakness has brought the people much suffering." OE: "But its limitless power has caused nothing but trouble for the humans."

Ezelo: „Bitte verzeiht mir! Viele Menschen mussten sterben." DT: „Please forgive (to) me! Many people (must)/have perished." EQ: "Please forgive me! Many people have perished." OE: "Is there any way you can forgive me?"

Ezelo: „Das Schloss ist zerstört. Doch gebt die Hoffnung nicht auf!" DT: „The Castle is destroyed. Still give the hope not up!" EQ: "The Castle is destroyed. Still, do not give up hope!" OE: "I know many have fallen, and much of the castle has been destroyed..."

Ezelo: „Da auch ich meine ursprüngliche Gestalt zurückerlangt habe," DT: „Because also I my original form won-back/regained (x)," EQ: "Because I have also won back/regained my original form," OE: "But it is too soon to give in to despair. My curse has been broken," (NOTE: Conversational past.)

Ezelo: „lässt sich mit Zeldas Force und der Mütze vielleicht noch etwas ausrichten." DT: „let itself with Zelda's Force and the Cap perhaps still something arranged." EQ: "perhaps something can still be arranged with Zelda's Force and the Cap." OE: "and Zelda still possesses some of the light force. Perhaps, together, we can do something."

Ezelo: „Wenn ein aufrichtiger Mensch sie trägt, entfaltet die Mütze ihre wahre Kraft..." DT: „When a sincere person it wears, displays the Cap its true power..." EQ: "When a sincere person wears it, the Cap displays its true power..." OE: "If one with a just heart wears this cap, things can be made right again."

Ezelo: „Nun denn, Zelda! Bete inbrünstig für deinen Wunsch!!!" DT/EQ: „"Now then, Zelda! Pray fervently for your wish!!!" OE: "Princess Zelda! Let your wishes be known!"

Prinzessin Zelda: „Ah! Das Schloss steht wieder in seiner alten Pracht!" DT: „Ah! The Castle stands again in its old glory!" EQ: "Ah! The Castle is standing in its former glory again!" OE: "Look! The castle! All the people who had been turned to stone!" (NOTE: Idiomatic-ish.)

Prinzessin Zelda: „Die Menschen sind vom Fluch befreit! Alles ist wieder wie vorher!" DT: „The people are of (the) curse freed! All is again how before!" EQ: "The people are freed from the curse! Everything is like before again!" OE: "They're all back to normal!"

Ezelo: „Ja! Ich spüre die Lebenskraft überquellen!" DT/EQ: „"Indeed! I sense/feel the life-force overflowing!" OE: "Hmm-hmm! The hat is breaking apart!"

Ezelo: „Selbst die magische Mütze erzittert vor solcher Energie!" DT/EQ: „"Even the magic Cap trembles before such energy!" OE: " It's overflowing with the power of life!"

Ezelo: „Die Mütze heißt Mütze der Wünsche. Sie erfüllt die Wünsche des Trägers." DT: „The Cap calls the Cap (of) the Wishes. It fulfills the wishes (of) the wearer." EQ: "The cap is called the Cap of Wishes. It fulfills the wishes of its wearer." OE: "The hat has the power to turn the thoughts of its wearer into reality."

Ezelo: „Weil Vaati so ein böses Herz hatte, wurde er zu einem Dämon." DT: „Because Vaati so an evil had had, become he to a Demon." EQ: "Because Vaati had such an evil heart, he became a Demon." OE: "Vaati's heart was filled with evil, and that was reflected in what he became." (NOTE: Slightly idiomatic.)

Ezelo: „Doch Zeldas Wunsch und die Kraft des Force könnten ein Wunder vollbringen!" DT: „Nevertheless Zelda's wish and the power (of) the Force could a miracle achieve!" EQ: "Nevertheless, Zelda's wish and the power of the Force achieved a miracle!" OE: "But it seems that Zelda's pure heart, coupled with the hat's power... has created a miracle!"

Ezelo: „Ja... Die Zeit des Abschieds scheint gekommen." DT: „Yes... The time (of) the farewell seems arrived." EQ: "Yes... The time for farewell seems to have arrived." OE: "Hmm... It looks like the time for us to part has come."

Ezelo: „Das Tor von Tyloria, das sich nur alle 100 Jahre öffnet, schließt sich wieder." DT: „The Gate of Tyloria, the it only every 100 years opens, closes itself again." EQ: "The Gate of Tyloria, which only opens every 100 years, is closing (itself) again." OE: "The Minish Door opens but once in a hundred years, and it will soon close."

Ezelo: „Ich kehre zurück nach Tyloria. Ich weiß..." DT: „I return back to Tyloria. I know..." EQ: "I'm returning back to Tyloria. I know..." OE: "I must return to my homeland soon. I know I've caused you much suffering,"

Ezelo: „...durch meine Schuld geschah viel Leid, doch das Böse ist besiegt." DT: „...through my fault happened much suffering, but the evil is defeated." EQ: "...much suffering happened by my fault, but the evil is defeated." OE: "but the evil one's power has withered."

Ezelo: „Dank Zelda erstrahlt Hyrule wieder im alten Glanz!" DT: „Thanks Zelda shines Hyrule again in (the) old splendor!" EQ: "Thanks to Zelda, Hyrule shines again in its former splendor!" OE: "The power of Princess Zelda herself has restored the light to Hyrule." (NOTE: Idiomatic.)

Ezelo: „Link! Unsere gemeinsame Reise hatte durchaus vergnügliche Seiten." DT: „Link! Our together journey had thoroughly pleasurable/enjoyable sides." EQ: "Link! Our journey together thoroughly had its pleasurable/enjoyable side." OE: "Well, Link, my journey with you was exciting, to say the least."

Ezelo: „Der Abschied stimmt mich ein bisschen traurig..." DT: „The farewell (makes) me a bit sad..." EQ: "The farewell is making me a bit sad..." OE: "In fact, I'm...more than just a little sad that we must part ways now." (NOTE: „stimmt" means "makes" when paired with an emotion, in this case, „traurig".)

Ezelo: „Nimm bitte dieses Geschenk!" DT: „Take please this gift/present!" EQ: "Please take this gift/present!" OE: "Please, accept this..."

Ezelo: „So sehe ich dich zum ersten Mal..." DT: „So see I you to (the) first time..." EQ: "So, I see you for the first time..." OE: "Heh... You know, I've never actually seen you wearing a cap until now!"

Ezelo: „Aber sie steht dir, kleiner Held!" DT: „But it stands/suits (for) you, little Hero!" EQ: "But, it suits you, little Hero!" OE: "It suits you, little hero." (NOTE: I'M NOT CRYING. YOU'RE CRYING.)

Ezelo: „Alles Gute..." DT/EQ: „"All good..." OE: "Take care..."

Ezelo: „Lebe wohl..." DT: „Live well..." EQ: "Fare thee well..." OE: "Farewell, my friend..."

EPILOGUE: „Hiermit endet das erste Abenteuer von Link." DT: „Herewith ends the first adventure of Link." EQ: "Hereby ends the first adventure of Link." OE: "Thus did Link's quest come to an end."

EPILOGUE: „Doch was wird die Zukunft Link, Zelda und den Hylianern noch bringen?" DT: „But what will the future Link, Zelda and the Hylians still bring?" EQ: "But, what will the future still bring Link, Zelda, and the Hylians?" OE: "But surely, this is not the end of Zelda and Link's adventures in Hyrule."

EPILOGUE: „So geht die Geschichte weiter." DT: „So goes the story further/on." EQ: "So, the story goes further/on." OE: "The legend will continue..."

EPILOGUE: „Solange die Kraft des Force es will..." DT: „So-long the power (of) the Force it wants..." EQ: "As long as the power of the Force wants it to..." OE: "...as long as the power of the light force echoes throughout the ages."

END.

[scribeofmorpheus]

Mark of the Wolf Part 7 (Derek Hale x Reader)

Catch up here!

A/N: So I take major liberties with the lore of transferring memories between werewolves in this chapter, but it’s still bordering the line of the established lore in the series so... But now I can happily say that the mystery of who the Order are and what they want is slowly unravelling. Now about that slow burn... (Also when you read the dream state part where the reader's eyes change colour, that’s just the eye colour of her inner wolf).

Note: I had previously described Derek’s eye’s as being Hazel but I was corrected and was informed that they are in fact Green, so I edited the eye colour descriptions.

Words: 3660 (this chapter was long!)

Warnings: Violence, Past Trauma??? That’s it I guess.

(gif isn’t mine)

"I'm like you. I'm a werewolf."

The words rang through the room as all four sets of eyes were on you.

Scott's face was scrunched up in thought, he had found your reveal to be quite the shocker. You guessed he was probably unsettled by the fact he had never sensed the werewolf in you. Not that many could. Even your own family had a hard time sensing your other half. They had said it was because the wolf had remained buried, never once surfacing to take to its own unique scent and feel.

Stiles and Liam seemed the least shocked. If anything Stiles seemed to find some credibility in your being a werewolf. After all, just as Liam put it, the Order hunts other supernatural creatures, not humans.

Derek, however, had an unreadable expression on his face. It bothered you somewhat. You didn't want him to look at you with that same level of distrust and caution as he used to. You had hoped things would be different after the attack on the clinic.

You waited in deafening silence as the boys mulled over your words. Until finally Derek spoke.

"How did you know the sage would work?" Derek asked, to your delight he regarded you no difference on account of your secret being made known. You felt more at ease for some reason.

"I'm not sure. I just knew," You told him, surprised by his choice in question.

"How come we couldn't sense you?" Liam asked, bringing the focus back to your newly revealed secret.

"You and I both know the wolf form and the human form can have two very distinct scents. Also, I'm what you call an 'afflicted,'" You said in a hushed voice, the word afflicted rolled off your tongue with a slight sting to it. You always hated that word.

"What is that?" Scott asked, finally breaking from his stupor.

Derek's brow was drawn together as he wore his signature scowl whenever he was deep in thought.

"I thought they were a myth. My mother told me stories as a kid… the Afflicted are pure born shape-shifters who can't shift," Derek looked at you with what you assumed was pity in his eyes.

"Yahtzee," you said sardonically, "give this man a prize."

"That's a thing?" Stiles asked.

"Yeah, my mother would tell me these stories about werewolves being cursed to stay in their human form forever. To be honest, I always thought it was just a scary story to keep me from turning outside a full moon," Derek had a fond look on his face, the memory brought about a bitter-sweet touch to his chiselled features.

"It's actually a recessive gene. My family are one of the last few remaining carriers. It only runs in pure-blooded werewolf families. My brothers and sisters can shift, my mother is the carrier and I'm the one with the genetic predisposition, that is, assuming lycanthropy works the same way as gene expression," You said brazenly, a solemn smile gracing your lips.

Stiles' eyes went wide as he flailed about trying to open one of the leather bound books he had in his possession. His actions caused quite the ruckus and you had to stop yourself from laughing at his goofy behaviour.

"Okay so on my way here, I started thinking about the name they gave the hunted:  Ex Alia, right. And it's an odd phrase because combined Ex Alia actually means 'from the other' and that can also mean 'apart from', right."

"Stiles, we've been over this," Derek said running his fingers over his thick eyebrows.

Stiles mimed Derek's words back at him in a comical way, "If you would just let me finish!"

Derek held up his hands and folded them over his chest, eyeing Stiles intensely for the loud tone he had shouted at him with.

"Thank you," Stiles said condescendingly, "Now, what if it's in reference to werewolves who are apart from their kin. Like for example..."

"Werewolves or other shapeshifters who can't shift," Scott finished Stiles' thought.

Even though Stiles argument made sense to you, you couldn't help but fight against his logic, "Even if that were true, they still went after Alex, and he could shift," you rebutted.

"Yes, but you said it's genetic. So what if Alex was a carrier?" Stiles rebuffed.

You went silent. Stiles had a point.

You knew Alex since childhood, he was a third generation werewolf. Your family had a close relationship with other legacy families, that's how you met. It was completely plausible for Alex to be a carrier for the same recessive gene you expressed.

You were startled from your lamentation when you heard a booming knock come from the bunker door. Everyone in the room exchanged questioning glances as they silently asked each other if they knew who it could be.

Stiles drew the short straw and offered himself up to go and see who it was. You were still standing there, numb from everything that had transpired.

You heard Stiles pull open the heavy metal door of the bunker, mutter a quick "Nope," like he was rejecting Girl Scout cookies and shut it behind him before he came to re-join the half circle again.

"Who was it?" Liam asked.

"No one important," Stiles said coolly as he waved the question away and wore an upturned frown. It was certainly a dubious look. Derek wasn’t convinced as he raised a brow at him.

A second later, Derek and Scott's heads snapped to the doors direction just as the door flew off its hinges. Their claws and fangs protruding outwards, their wolfish features taking shape.

Liam was already fully shifted, his nostrils flaring as he let out snarls for breaths. The energy coming off him was powerful and angry, making you instinctively take a few steps back.

All three of them lined up in front of you and Stiles, their eyes creating a gradient from red to yellow to blue. Their animalistic growls echoing through the room.

A set of footsteps descended the steps in a relaxed, languid manner. They belonged to a handsome faced man, slightly older than everyone else in the room, with the same dramatic streak as Derek. He smiled wickedly as he opened his arms in a warm mocking embrace, his head held up high like some entitled prince. His own blue eyes glowing with the same intensity as Derek.

Derek, Liam and Scott retracted their fangs and claws and dropped their defensive stances as soon as they registered who it was that had just punched the door in.

Apparently, the man making the needlessly dramatic entrance wasn't a threat.

"Anyone ever tell you it's rude to shut the door in people’s faces?" The man asked Stiles in a low threatening voice. His clawed fingers dusting off none existent dust from his leather jacket.

"Yeah, well I was also told not to invite homicidal maniacs into any enclosed spaces with me, so..." Stiles shot back.

"Peter, what are you doing here?" Derek asked with a hint of familiarity.

"Why dear nephew, I heard your call."

"Okay who called the homicidal maniac?" Stiles said as he looked over at Derek, Scott and Liam with exasperation.

"He meant the howl," Liam told Stiles.

"Oh, this is just great," you sighed, plopping yourself down on the stool where Liam had previously sat. "More werewolves."

Stiles just patted you back and gave a weak, "There, there," in place of consolation.

"So what have I missed?" Peter said with a large smirk on his clean-shaven face.

The next hour was spent catching Peter upon what was currently plaguing Beacon Hills and your life.

Peter stopped Scott from talking with a single look when he heard you had repressed the memories from the night Alex died. He had an idea, you could read it on his face.

He came and stood a few inches away from you, looking down at you like you were some mathematical theorem to be solved. He held up one finger after much silence and ushered Derek closer to you.

"Derek, come here a second," he said. Derek obliged but made sure to drag his feet a little so Peter didn't think Derek was open to being summoned.

"I hear you have amnesia," Peter directed the statement to you, you just stared up at him and didn't reply. "You're a werewolf, right? So that means even though you can't shift, the same rules apply to you?"

"In a way. I can heal faster than humans, my sense of smell is better and in some cases, I can hear better, but without the ability to shift those powers are significantly weaker to that of actual shapeshifters. But… yes, the same rules apply. Wolf's-bane is still toxic to me, I still feel the pull of the moon, and my abilities are magnified when I'm in a pack. Why do you ask?" You were curious as to where Peter was going with this.

"Just making sure this won't kill you," Peter just gave an innocent smile before he extended his claws and dug them into yours and Derek's neck, linking you to one another, using himself as a conduit. Before you were lost in the spiral of memory and shared consciousness, you heard Stiles say "Oh my God!" in shock and Scott shout Peter's name in an alpha male voice.

It was too late though, you and Derek were already linked and pulling you out now would just cause more harm than good.

***

It felt like you were free falling through an endless white space. Incoherent chattering and sounds playing all at once like someone had overlapped several songs onto a single track.

You were lost in the cacophony of your mind in disarray, until you felt Derek's hands link with yours, pulling you from your confusion.

"Where are we?" You asked him.

Derek looked around at the white empty space, it was like staring at a blank canvas that had no end. His brows knit together for a moment before he realised what was going on.

"We're in your mind, Peter linked us in a shared dream state. Werewolves can sometimes share memories by a bite or a scratch. I think in this case he figured you couldn't grow out your claws or fangs, so he used himself as a proverbial telephone cord."

You were familiar with how the sharing of memories worked. Your father had done something similar with your older brother Markus when he had passed on the mantle of Alpha to him.

Just as you were reliving the memory, the blank canvas of your mind bled through with colour and voices and suddenly a clear image of that day began to replay as though you had just stepped back in time.

Your brother was lying in the centre of a field by the meadow you had spent much of your childhood watching your sibling’s roughhousing.

Markus was writhing in pain as his eyes shimmered between his former vibrant gold to the frightful red they were now. Your mother, sister and younger brother were standing alongside you as you all watched your father transfer his powers onto Markus.

"What is this?" Derek asked

"The Markolf tradition," you said with a hint of pride at your legacy and sorrow for the pain your brother was enduring.

Your brother let out a howling scream, you winced. so did Derek.

You continued, "We differ from most werewolf families because we have the ability to pass on the mantle of alpha when we are no longer fit enough to carry it. That’s partially where we got our name from. Markolf is old High German, it combines the words ‘border’ and ‘wolf’ because we aren’t like most werewolf families. The transferral is painful and can only be done during a full moon. If none of the pack contests, and if the progeny is strong enough, then passing on of the mantle is usually successful."

"I've never heard of this..." Derek was perplexed and in awe of what he saw unfolding.

"My great-grandfather was what you call a True Alpha, he discovered it was possible to pass on the gift by focusing his power through a bite. However, in doing so, you also relinquish most of your strength, making you considerably weaker."

Derek shook himself of his astonishment and tugged at your hand to make you face him, "I think I know why Peter did what he did. If you can't remember what happened to you, then maybe I can. Earlier, you were having a nightmare, I think it was about the night Alex dies."

You squinted your eyes at him, not having any memory of having had a nightmare earlier, "I don't remember having a nightmare."

"It must be your subconscious protecting you from the trauma. All I need you to do is just think about that night. Close your eyes and picture it, what's the first thing that comes to mind?"

You closed your eyes and let your mind wander.

***

Derek kept his eyes on you while yours stayed shut. He held onto your hand to be your anchor, your guide. He watched silently as the canvas began to bleed through with new colours and images and sounds again.

It started with a laugh.

A sweet, sing-song laugh that tugged at Derek's heartstrings. He turned in the direction of the laugh and saw a younger version of you. A version from the past. He couldn't help but think how beautiful you looked with a bright eye-creasing smile and a glow to your skin from the beams of light falling against your body from the moon.

Derek's breath hitched in his throat as he saw the younger version of you wrapped in another man’s arms. A strong man’s arms. Alex, no doubt.

Alex tucked a strand of your longer hair behind an ear. There were accents of playful red streaks hidden amongst the darker parts of your hair. He enjoyed your vibrancy and so did Derek.

You had seemed a different person in the memory. More carefree and easier with a smile, it had managed to coax an unexpected smile from Derek too.

Alex whispered sweet nothings in your ear as the camp sight materialised behind you, and soon so did the trees and the speckled night sky.

Derek couldn't help it when his jaw tightened and his eyes filled with what held the familiar tang of jealousy. He didn't understand where this feeling was coming from, but he was sure it had to do with the fact the younger, longer-haired version of you was looking longingly into the eyes of another man.

Was Derek jealous of a dead man?

Derek grew annoyed at his boyish behaviour, he was here to help you uncover your memories, not be yearning after a version of the woman whose hand he held.

Once the memory had been constructed it was time for Derek to relive it for you while you kept your eyes shut.

The memory shifted from its pleasant sweetness into a slightly more darkened tone. Derek saw the younger version of you having an argument with Alex. Your face frowned and your eyes held a stubborn conviction, Alex appeared more worn out, as though he was slowly realising he was losing the fight:

"I just don't understand why you would take the job in Vancouver without talking with me about it…" Alex said with gloom.

"Alex, I don't want to fight about this again. It's not every day that someone gets offered such a desirable job straight out of university!" The younger version of you shouted, tired of arguing about the same thing for the past month with Alex. "You know I couldn't pass it up."

"But you did so without talking it over with me first. It's like you're using the job as an excuse to end things with me. I know we haven't been ourselves in a while now, I know we fight a lot but--"

"Alex, please stop. We can talk about this when we get back home."

Derek noticed that your smile began to falter as you heard the words the younger version of you shouted at Alex. He squeezed your hand slightly to let you know he was still with you. That you weren't alone.

The memory grew darker still.

The night was less illuminated and the moon was obscured by rain clouds. In the memory, you were holding a hand over your mouth to keep your ragged pants as inaudible as possible, hunkered behind a sage bush as Alex slowly bled out a stone’s throw away from you.

Alyster -the man in the green robe from before- was scanning the forest, he was searching for you. His eagle eyes still every bit as disconcerting as before. The compass around his neck slowly losing its green glow.

The blonde archer from before came to his side, "Alyster," she called out, "the girl, can you sense her?"

Alyster shook his head, his red hair weightless against the howling wind, "Her aura has been shielded from the Oculus," his bony fingers clasped the compass around his neck, "its ability is being obscured." Alyster pointed at a burning cluster of sage close by.

The archer grabbed a hand full of sage growing on one of the many bushes closest to her and crumpled it in her hands with distaste, "And the boy?" the archer asked, glancing down at a slowly dying Alex.

"He carries the magic in him as well, but the girl’s was stronger. She is the one we need if we hope to keep the Mother Tree fuelled. I fear, she may be the last." Alyster glanced down at his arm. A tattoo made up of a strange marking etched onto his forearm, previously hidden under his green robe.

When Alex finally drew his last breath, a green mist came into view around his body, the mist was drawn towards the tattoo, embedding itself into it. The tattoo glowed the same shade as the Oculus for a brief minute before it returned back to normal. Alyster let out a pained growl.

"The rest of the pack have scurried off, do we make with the chase?"

"No. They do not possess the magic. Leave them be, tell the others to return. Daybreak is upon us."

Derek noticed tears streaming down your face.

Your hand had clutched his in a death grip as the memory began to unravel and spiral into chaos. It played over and over again: the lone arrow whistling through the tree line, embedding itself into Alex's chest after your argument; Alex shouting for you to hide as another arrow flew out; you scurrying behind the bushes and holding your breath as you listened to Alyster and the female archer converse; Alex losing the light in his eyes; the eagle eyes that scanned the forest belonging to Alyster and the green tendrils that felt out for you emerging from the Oculus.

It just kept repeating.

"Y/N, snap out of it," Derek shook your shoulders. You didn't budge, your eyes shut tight, refusing to open.

"Y/N, wake up, listen to my voice," Derek tried to reassure you, "I'm here, I'm right here, don't lose yourself in the memory. Stay with me!"

He was shaking you violently but you were lost in the chaos. Derek watched as the memory replayed itself, getting corrupted and altered the longer it stayed in its loop.

Derek couldn't think of anything else to do, he needed to draw your senses to him, to pull you out of your hell.

In desperation, he gripped your face between his hands and drew you in for a kiss. Your lips were stiff and unmoving at first, but soon enough he felt you loosen in his arms as you began to instinctively kiss him back.

In the background, the horrific memory dissipated into blackness and the dark canvas mutated into a beautiful rendition of a romanticised full moon and starry sky.

Derek felt himself let go of all senses and logic as he deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around your waist. He felt your fingers grace his jawline as his tongue practically serenaded you into a peaceful quiet.

You were drowning in each other.

When Derek pulled back, he was utterly thrown by what he saw. Your eyes, they weren't their normal colour, they glowed a magnificent silver, like the moon itself. And your body was surrounded by a shimmering green aura.

If the moon were personified as a woman, Derek imagined she would not be able to hold a candle up to your spellbinding beauty.

You had taken the very air from his lungs.

His eyes turned their werewolf blue, but it wasn't from being on the defensive or from anger. They were blue for another reason.

"Why did you--" you couldn't finish your question, a deep flush colouring your neck and cheeks.

"It was the only thing I could think of to snap you out of your… daze," Derek explained, his chest heaving up and down.

Without any warning, just as you were mere moments from placing your hand back on his face, to feel if he was real even in the dream state, the dream melted away.  Derek and you were pulled apart in opposite directions as reality bombarded your senses again.

***

"Welcome back," Peter said in between ragged pants as his head was coated in sweat and he was hunched over, holding onto his knees to keep him upright.

Your neck bled from the claw marks, staining your clothes red. Your eyes struggling to open.

You gasped out loud as you almost toppled over from the stool. Derek caught you before you touched the ground, his arms struggling to hold you up, Liam rushed to help him.

As you lost consciousness, the last thing you saw was his soothing green eyes looking down at you with worry and Liam’s own panic riddled expression contrasting deeply with the calm that was settling over you.

Part 8 is Here!

MASTERPOST | Mobile

As Always: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think so far! Don’t be afraid to ask to be added to the tag list and just a heads-up, this will be my last update for this series for a little while. I have some moving to do!

Tags: @melissavercos   @theflash-trash @mynamesalreadytaken @island-end @chipster-21 @helloscorpious  @marvelismyfantasy @anonymousfanfics @homra-the-red-clan @derangedangel @phonegalhelp’

Permanent tags: @gruffle1 @thechickvic @notawarriorjustyet

[theacedragon0w0]

Dance with me

Velvette x Sage

It was a shock for the social media overlord to pull Sage from the event that was dedicated to her fashion, but Sage didn't care as it was nice to have Velvette wanting to get away from the crowd.

Hazel was following them both so to keep others from bothering the girls. Before Sage was dragged into the empty penthouse Hazel whispered into Sage's ear "Have fun in there," before returning to the event, most likely to keep the party going while the other two could enjoy some privacy.

"Alright darling, you owe me a dance now that you don't have to worry about an audience," offering her hands to her shy guard.

"Well I don't see why you chose me over Hazel" For starters they weren't exactly subtle by how they looked at each other on top of seeing Velvette clinging to Hazel almost all the time

"Well I want to dance with you so shut up and enjoy this" as Velvette grabbed Sage's hands, quickly guiding them to her shoulder and hips.

Sage couldn't hide the redness that developed on her cheeks but before Sage had a chance to think Velvette cupped her hands on the guards face.

"You know you and my Hazel get along pretty well," being an understatement as Sage remembered every interaction they had, all the conversations that were exchanged; their face gotten even redder by the second.

"How about this darling, after you humor me for this I can have you clock out early for the night."

"Uhmmmm, actually," Sage's throat started to stiffen, but they knew better than to beat around the bush with Velvette "I was wondering if I could work a little bit overtime tonight? It looks like you and Hazel could use an extra hand." Sage felt themselves cringe at that half-assed excuse but they needed any reason to stay, even for a little bit longer.

"Hmmmm, you make a good point doll, now let's move those stiff feet!"

Just wanted some fluff for my baby girl Sage and her to spend some time with Velvette

Shoutout to @bigfatbimbo for inspiration of their Velvette dance fic it mmmmm was so fun to read

Also shoutout to @puffymucher who owns Hazel and made that tasty dance art piece

[theacedragon0w0]

Part time Gig

COMIC DONE YALL

Also sage your blush is showing lol

Man do I love irony

Lowkey thinking of an epilogue for Sage and Hazel working together

[theacedragon0w0]

Mending bridges

This is when Sage returns to the hotel to grab their things and Charlie wanting to give them a parting gift

"You're sure you don't want to come back?" Charlie asked Sage, to be honest she thought of them being one if the few souls here in hell that could be redeemed.

Sage was grabbing the last of their items, since now the extermination was over they had the opportunity to comb through their items in their old room. They convinced their partner's that it would be a quick trip, but they compromised that Hazel would accompany Sage for the retrieval.

"Trust me I am sure, and look you will find another Cook to help you with meal prep, since now you have a functional kitchen."

Vaggie, who's hand was resting on Charlie's shoulder added, "And you are content with selling your soul to the Vees?"

Sage grunted, "It's Velvette that I gave my soul to, and yeah I can say I'm content with spending my days with her, Hazel, Rosalina, and the others that don't just see me and the sweaty food servant."

Charlie couldn't rebuttal as she knew how often Sage would butt heads with the other patrons, with her, Vaggie and Lucifer being the exceptions.

"And do they make you happy?"

Sage, gripping their denim jacket that they were wearing, smiled, "yeah, they really do, I can't imagine how I managed to got through day to day before they came."

Sage turned to face the couple, "Vaggie you get it don't you? If given the chance you'd clip your wings for Charlie's happiness? And Charlie, you would take on 100 angels if it means to keep Vaggie safe?"

The couple looked at each other, grasping the weight of Sage's analogy, they understood the devotion that Sage went to working for them and for Velvette, but with Angel free from his contract, Charlie couldn't help feel like Sage was ensnared the same fate. "Listen, I won't ever force you to break your binds, but understand that the doors are always open if you ever want to come back."

Sage chuckled, "Yeah, I appreciate the gesture" getting ready to leave with two duffle bags worth of stuff before being stopped, Charlie handling them a flat box.

"Consider this as a Thank-you-for-working-here-parting-but-not-a-forever-goodbye gift."

Sage, reading Charlie's ansty body language, figure to open the present to see what they were given by the princess of hell herself

It was Sage's red vest, the fabric iron pressed as if it was preserved against time itself.

Sage didn't know how to react, they actually enjoyed wearing the uniform but it was one of the few things that made working at the hotel somewhat bearable to work in.

Charlie's face sunk seeing Sage's melancholy face, "you hate it don't you?"

Sage, trying to save face "No-no I love it honest! It's just, it has a lot of weight on this you know."

"Told you it was a bad idea honey," Vaggie consoled Charlie, attempting to reach the vest but Sage yanked away from Vaggies reach.

"I didn't say I didn't want it, besides, you two were the only two that made this dump worth staying, if only temporarily."

Charlie, still upset but didn't want to make Sage stay anymore than they wanted, offered their hand for a shake, to which Sage dropped their stuff and pulled Charlie in for a hug, grabbing Vaggie in to join to.

"Thank you for what you guys did for me, honest."

--

Sage exited the hotel, with Hazel waiting by the luxury car that Velvette had sent them over with, her body stiff and her ears pinned backwards.

"Took ya long enough, I was bout to bust in there thinkin you were held hostage in there."

Sage, looking at Hazel with love reassured her "I don't doubt that, it was just Charlie and them giving me their best wishes and such."

Hazel huffed, helping Sage with their bags and inspecting Sage's gift.

"Boss ain't going to like it that you are bring this back, she'll most likely burn it."

"Maybe, I'll try to convince her to change it at least, she said that purple is more my color anyway."

Hazel pecked Sage's nose bridge "That I agree with."

Sage looked at Hazel and thought of her, Velvette, Rosalina, the other guards Sydney and Iris, hell even Xana crossed their minds

Why would anyone wanna go to heaven when they have a slice of it here?

[theacedragon0w0]

Shedding Season

Sage has to deal with shedding their skin and they try to hide it from the polycule

Minor angst as Sage gets a mild panic attack and self deprecates themselves

Fluff because they get loved

Sage was radio silent for the whole afternoon, Velvette freaked out as she knew Sage was quick to respond her texts like lightning. "Where is she?"

It was not like Sage to disappear during their escort but Hazel reassured her about the situation, "It's ok boss, Sage said they were heading back home to make a special treat for us."

That helped eased Velvette's worry, knowing them they like the extra time to prepare whatever dish they wanted to make for their partner's. Velvette texted Rosalina about Sage's whereabouts, apologizing about blowing up the dragon's phone of texts asking if Sage was teleported to her.

_____

"Fucking Dammit!" Sage shouted, another piece of their skin that they carefully tried to peel broke off, adding to the pile of small skin pieces that began to collect. Sage was sitting in the tub, trying to getting their molting done as quick as possible, but the scars that broke between their scales made the task near impossible. Sage knew that Velvette wouldn't let Sage leave early without a good reason,

Fuck, dinner, Sage realize why they got out early in the first place. But they didn't care, they refused to let anyone, not even the others know about this. I'll make it up to them later, Sage concluded, still fighting a particular piece of skin that felt glued to her stomach.

Sage then heard the front door unlock, Shit, they weren't supposed to be here this soon! With haste, Sage locked the bathroom door, they felt the room spin, their breath becoming more restrictive and their ears ringing. It didn't take long for Hazel and Velvette to reach the bathroom, Rosalina tailing behind. Sage expected to hear yelling, as to why the kitchen was vacant or what reason they could have to get away from everyone. But instead they heard soft voices,

"Sage, doll? You in there?"

"You ok in there Bluebell?"

Sage, their voice dry and raspy, responded, "yeah, all good here."

Rosalinas voice went through as well, "would it be ok for us to come in sweetie?"

Sage thought about it for a minute, finally accepted that they couldn't hide this from them, if they could help it. "Yeah, sure, give me a second." Sage answered, slowly unlocking the door, knowing that Hazel could have torn the door off if it came to be.

The three looked at Sage, seeing how their tail was wrapping around their body and their hands covering their chest and private areas. Hazel broke the silence, "Shoot is this what ya meant on preparing dinner?" Whistling at Sage's direction, causing them to bust out laughing, as they weren't expecting that response to come from Hazel, granted, they weren't surprised at half the things that Hazel said.

The group filled inside the bathroom, Rosalina inspecting Sage's loose skin that still stuck to their body "I guess it's shedding season for you baby?"

Sage confessed, "yeah, i figured that I could deal with it on my own but these scars are making it a pain in the a-"

Rosalina heard what she needed to hear, scooping up the confused reptile and gently placing them in the tub, turning on the facet, awhile scooping the skin pile that sat in the tub. "You know you are supposed to be in a humid environment for the process to be easier right?"

Sage avoided looking at the dragon's gaze, "N-no," using their flushed ears to hide their face. Rosalina rubbed their head, "Hey, we can order take out tonight, this might take a while."

Hazel scratch behind her ears, "I don't know why you didn't want us to help ya with this, you help me when my fur gets tangled."

Sage, who was usually quiet, snapped at hellhound, "It's not the same! Your fur is soft and fun to play with, and Velvette here will make a makeshift beard out of the loose hair and post it on her page. This," Sage shook a larger piece of their skin that managed to be cooperative, "This is not cute! It's gross and tedious and ugly, and-"

Velvette snatched the skin from Sage's grasp, "Now I know damn well you didn't use the words gross and ugly to refer to one of my babes."

Velvette then inspected the piece, noticing the shape of the scales that interlocked together,

"You know this pattern would be interesting to work with," Sage seeing Velvette eyes scan the skin, already imagining the new clothing line that was manifesting in her head.

Hazel joined Rosalina in rubbing Sage's body to help the old skin come loose, being transfixed on the reptile's new skin being revealed, "you should also know your skin looks mighty pretty, and your scars are pretty sexy too" Hazel added, tracing her paws along Sage's back, making them shudder. "Hey, you guys always see me without clothes on."

Hazel huffed, "Yeah well I've seen the sunset a thousand times, it don't make it any less beautiful." Planting a kiss at the back of Sage's neck, causing them to wiggle at the touch.

After a couple of hours Sage's skin was finally done shedding. Velvette, eyeing her partner's new look, wanted them to showcase their new shade of blue, "spin for us love," to which Sage obeyed, receiving whistles and applause from the other two ladies.

Velvette, feeling satisfied, grabbed Sage's arm as everyone left the bathroom "Rosalina I agree, tonight we are going out to show off our sexy Sage here and paint the town red!" Already scanning the different outfits for Sage to wear, Hazel and Rosalina joining in on finding matching asthetics.

Sage stood there, watching the three clamoring around the large closet. Already forgetting what they were worried about.

Hazel and Rosalina belong to the pookies ever @puffymucher and @mirconreadzztuff22 respectively

[theacedragon0w0]

Part time Gig

END OF CHAPTER 1 SAGE GOES FERAL

Ok I have finally explained how Velvette got interested in recruiting Sage I'll explain more on how Sage's work arrangement came to be and let's just say that Charlie will be involved this time

Hazel belongs to the fabulous pookie @puffymucher

[theacedragon0w0]

Sage's Ex

Aka the story about how Sage lost their hand as well as how she got some of her scars before dating Hazel and Velvette and before being recruited to work in the hotel

WARNINGS: Mentioned abuse, fat phobia, panic attack, harassment. Straight up explains why Sage is like that

It was supposed to be a normal day for Sage. She was expecting a normal shift with Hazel in escorting their boss Velvette to these fashion meet ups, keeping watch for those that were acting too chummy toward Vel. Sage still didn't know how much her past was coming to haunt her.

Hazel was talking to Velvette about rotating some of the models as some were clearly tired from working the floor, Sage was guarding the booth's entrance as they were in charge of keeping people from harassing the social media overlord with all kinds of advances. Sage was well aware how much attention those two got as Hell's power couple so it came as no surprise for any lowly demon to try to swindle into their love life,

"I'm the exception" Sage reasoned, being the luckiest demon to find love in both of them.

"Excuse me"

Sage jumped by the unexpected bird demon, where did he come from?

"Uh, can I help you sir?" Seeing as this guy was fidgeting with eyes bugging from her to towards the booth

"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you, I was hoping I can go inside to talk to Velvette about this app deal-

"Sir I'm afraid I have to cut you off there, Miss Velvette is not taking any offers as of the moment but there are other sponsors here that you are free to bother"

That's when Sage noticed this demons body alter, his face twisted into a snarl, "Look I just want to talk to her about this once in a lifetime opportunity!"

Sage made a hand signal, letting Hazel know that they have this taken care of as they saw Hazel's gaze piercing from inside the booth

Grabbing one of the bird demon's arm, Sage tried to escort him from the area "Sir you are going to have to leave,"

The bastard was quick to snap his arm from Sages reach, "Oh I get it, I didn't think that Velvette would have a type but I guess she prefers to associate herself with "chubby bunnies" making the mistake of slapping Sages stomach with the back of his hand.

Sage blacked out, they swore they didn't know what happened, they saw the bird demon that was underneath them, black and bloodied with missing teeth to add, Sage's stained hands were giving her the answers to her question. Hazel was pulling Sage off the dude while more security came to get rid of the guy.

"Bluebell you alright? You were screaming and I saw you going to town on this punk."

Fuck they don't know, they can't know, Sage's mind was still racing between being here at the event and back there.

It wasn't till Sage saw Velvette running towards her that she realized where she was.

Going on autopilot, she picked herself up, dusted off any body parts that the bird demon was left on her, "I'm fine Hazelnut, just an slimy prick wanting to bother the boss with some bullshit deal," she answered dryly, mainly from the panic still stuck in her throat.

The gaze that Sage received told her that Hazel wasn't convinced on the half-story,

fuck she and Velvette will know eventually,

that was one of the best things about their relationship as there never is a reason to lie to either of them

"Look, I'll tell you when we get back to the tower but we are still on the clock," she stated while offering her hand to help Hazel up

Hazel patted Sage's shoulder, still concerned but still content with the deal, "You better, it's just that he really seemed to get under ya skin pretty badly love."

"I've been through worse and you know it" Sage said while shaking their Voxtec prosthetic arm at Hazel, seeing the eye-roll was reassuring that Hazel will drop the subject if only for the current moment.

God this is going to be a long shift.

Hazel belongs to @puffymucher

[theacedragon0w0]

Part time Gig

Part 3 of Chapter 1

Bad vibes have been CONFIRMED!

Also Hazel appearance!!!!!

Hazel belongs to the boo @puffymucher

I am going to learn asl to keep Sage's lore accurate

[theacedragon0w0]

Cash or Credit? Part 2

⚠️ WARNING

CHILD DEATH, CHARACTER DEATH, IMPLIED ABUSE, MANIPULATION, GUN VIOLENCE, ALSO DEADNAMING, DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE MENTIONED

Sam was head over heels for Becca, almost everyday the woman would stop by at Sam's work for a quick snack and she told them about how her day went. She apparently worked freelance as a escort which Sam asked what that meant, "oh i get paid by rich folk to be their friend for the day sweetie!" Becca answered.

Becca also helped Sam with stuff they wouldn't dare ask their mom for, like learning how to drive, and how to pick locks, "you never know when you accidentally lock yourself out dear!"

And more over Sam spent more time with her, Sam's mom didn't have to know and even if she did, she would be too out if it by whatever drug or booze she was using and for the first time Sam felt heard. Besides, it's not like Sam had to worry about her mom going out and not coming back days or weeks later. Becca also shared everything with Sam, her food, her car, hell she even spilt her booze and smokes!

Things felt like Heaven, but soon Becca asked them to do something that Sam didn't want to do, "I, I can't do that Becca,"

"Listen it's just a couple of bucks!"

"A couple hundred bucks! I can't steal from my work, it's all I have."

"So I'm just nothing to you?"

"No! Never! But I'll steal from anyone else than him, please," Sam was practically on their knees for their lover, which got a smile from her.

"Hmmmm, anyone else you say?"

"Yes, I'm begging you."

-----------

They parked in a nice residential area, the houses here looked almost identical as Becca hopped out of the car, "No backing down love~" to which Sam swallowed hard. Becca also handed Sam one of her pistols, "Don't worry I doubt you need this but one can never be too safe." Which sort of helped calm Sam's nerves.

They snook towards the house that was across the street from the car, the sidewalk lights were hard to avoid but they managed to reach the front door. Becca turned to Sam, "show me your art," to which Sam responded with pulling out their picks. Like butter, the lock gave in and the intruders were able to sneak in.

Sam went over to the alarm system, surprised that the security wasn't even turned on, Becca whispered into Sam's ear, "Listen, these pricks never expect people like you and me to have the guys to take back what is ours."

After they scavenged the first floor of shiny valuables like silverware and knick knacks, Becca nudged Sam towards the upper floor, "Listen this shit will barely cover the car's insurance, we will be set once we find momma's jewelry case"

Sam was wanting to leave but they knew arguing about this wouldn't help, so with a sharp inhale, they crawled up the stairs.

This sinking feeling was torture for Sam as they figured out which door led to the master bedroom, they quickly crawled around the bed to the side drawer, which had the large display case of shiny jewelry all thanks to Sam's flashlight reflecting off from the stones. Sam stuffed the case into their bag, feeling relieved by the quickness of the task, began making their way back towards the hallway.

But they froze, as a small child stood in their way, the child wiped her sleepy eyes, "Mommy? Is that you? I couldn't sleep."

Sam's mind ran through a million thoughts, but one thing that they will be certain about is that this kid's blood will not be spilled tonight, but their thoughts halted by the sensation of a cold object pressing against their back, "Go back to bed honey," they heard Becca chimed, and whispered in Sam's ear, "you are not going to have a fucking moral crisis here, it's us or her,"

Sam's eyes began to tear up, "please, you promised me that it was for emergencies," to which they felt Becca shoved the loaned gun into Sam's hand, "yeah and this is an emergency dumbass, you are out of your fucking mind if you think I'm going back to jail just cuz little Susan here was spared from eating lead, you're doing her a solid, honestly, don't you think that she deserves to live the rest of her days traumatized by this encounter?"

Sam's hand was shaking, the pistol aiming directly at the sleepy child who was hugging her stuffed toy. But they knew that they wouldn't go through with it.

And that's when they heard a loud bang, and in a panic they too squeezed the trigger, unaware of the chest wound that bled through their clothes,

all that mattered to Sam was that the child in front of them now laid there, lifeless as Sam dropped to their knees.

They watched as Becca grabbed the duffle bag that had the jewelry case, walking over the corpse whose blood now stained the floor, "That's your problem Samantha, you never try to take what's rightfully yours," Becca turned around just so she can lift Sam's head, who was now lying on the ground, succumbing to their wound, "this is why you never left that trailer trash dump, you never think for yourself, now you have a child's blood in your hands. But hey thanks for giving me a get away, now that all the blame will be put on you~"

Sam's vision darken as they saw Becca sauntered away, humming a tune that rang in their ears.

[theacedragon0w0]

Old dues part 2

Warning, mentions of abuse, victim blaming, VSHR angst

"Get. Up."

The new hire was knocked to the floor again, he groaned at the sharp pain that Sage's tail delivered at his side "Fuuck man, can you go a bit easier on me?"

Sage grabbed the trainee by his shoulders, forcing them back at his feet, "Tell that to the demon that's trying to grope one of your coworkers that you're paid to protect! Now again!" Throwing another punch which he failed to block.

"Can you maybe not hit me with your cyborg arm? I'm pretty sure customers don't have metal in their skin."

"Oh is that so?" Sage taunted, tossing their arm to the side carelessly, Vox can repair it with whatever upgrades he felt important. "Alright, see if you can actually return a punch at me." To which the trainee attempted to do, throwing hooks in a wild manner. Which Sage dodged every swing.

"Slow, Desperate, and even worse," as Sage coldly knocked their opponent to the ground again, "you are sloppy."

The trainee was frustrated, Sage could see it in his eyes, "Oh you getting angry huh?"

"Yeah your pissing me off!"

"Then use it." Sage stated, grabbing his hands at another failed attempt to land a punch. "Of all emotions, Anger. Gets. Shit. Done, now try again."

Sage remembered the conversation they had with their partner's. Rosalina and Velvette were understandably pissed at Sage for agreeing to do this job.

"I can't believe you are going back to that place, for all we know he will try to make you into his personal weapon!"

"It's was never like that," Sage defended, "Vlad taught me how to fight, it's what got you to hire me in the first place."

Rosalina stepped forward, "So? How can you be sure that he won't pull some bullshit to keep you there?"

"Because Velvette owns their soul," Hazel spoke, she was silent for most of the evening but had to speak "And if Sage said that they can handle it, I trust that they could."

Velvette, now tears in her eyes, snapped "Then explain why Sage came here practically on their death bed?!"

"AND I FUCKING LIVED DIDN'T I?!" Sage shouted, "and if I do ever overestimate myself, you guys are always there to watch my back, but I guess that doesn't matter."

"Sage wait," Rosalina pleaded as Sage was storming out of the tower, "you don't have to do this alone, Hazel cou-"

"No, I can do this, and if I can't, you all will be the first to know." Slamming the door on the way out.

Sage knew they could have phrased it better, they could have been calmer about it, they could have asked Vlad to look for someone else. But at this moment, Sage knew that it could be dealt with later.

"You keep letting yourself get overwhelmed, you cannot lose focus." Sage instructed the trainee, who they had in a headlock. "Try to escape." Surprisingly, he was successful in doing, but was knocked down again, cutting his celebration short. "What did I said?"

"I cannot lose focus"

"And?"

"Anger gets shit done."

"Good, now again."

After 3 long hours of the intense training, with important notes of what to look for when a fight is about to break out, the trainee was able to handle the bouncer job.

Vlad watched the two as they were working the floor, Sage showing them how to handle a rude customer. Vlad also made note of his boys doting on Sage, ecstatic to see their favorite bouncer being an example for the lackie.

Vlad's companion, a retired performer was serving him a drink, "Vlad darling you look like you have a lot on your mind, want to share?" The tiger purred.

"I was lamenting" Vlad began drinking the poured bourbon, "about how I can't keep Sagebrush here with us, the boys obviously missed her and the lackie could use someone like her who is more, patient with her lessons."

"If you wanted her to stay, then maybe you could have helped her when Crystal was beating her."

Vlad scowled, "It wasn't my fault that Sage was head over heels for someone that saw her as a plaything."

His companion moved Vlad so their eyes could meet, "then answer me why she was willing to stay with Crystal if she was being used like that? Sinners here deserve some love, and they get what they think they deserve."

Vlad turned away, "Bah, don't lecture me on love like you aren't someone who used to shake his ass for a quick buck."

"Then why I'm your favorite out all the other workers hmmm? For all we know you can have anyone of us and we would be at your mercy."

It was Vlads turn to make the tiger look at him, "Because you are more than what you give dammit."

"Well did you taught Sage that?"

"Of course I did! Sagebrush doesn't need anyone to protect herself or take care of her."

"But have you ever thought that maybe Sage wants someone to do that for her? She only knows how to give no thanks to you, and honestly I will be more than happy if she never sets foot in this club again."

Vlad scratched his chin, considering his companion's words. He learned that here in hell you can only look out for yourself and to never let your guard down, and he felt that Sage had so much potential if it weren't for her frustratingly outlook of seeing the best out of even the most heinous people that were sent here.

"Hm, I did promised her that I wouldn't need her services when she finished training that kid. And I keep my promises."

"That I don't question, but can you at least keep her face pretty before sending her back to her spouses? I don't think our new recruit can take on a gang of hellhounds, an overlord, and a literal dragon."

"Fine, Sagebrush's proper send off will be subtle Stripes."

IGHT SO YEAH SAGE ANGY AND YELLS AT HER PARTNERS LIKE A DINGUS

but fr this will be like the only time I will have Sage argue with the polycule because I want them to kiss and be gay

Hazel and Rosalina belongs to the pookies @puffymucher and @mirconreadzztuff22 im so sorry

[theacedragon0w0]

When making the Make me yours comic I wanted to incorporate the argument that Sage and Angel have regarding Sage's choice to not defend the hotel during the extermination but it went on the tangent so here it is in written form.

Argument between Angel and Sage

A: so you're pussing out?

S: Listen Annie, unlike you guys who have nothing else to lose, I actually want to make it to the next day

A: What for? You seriously think you find that shit hole actually worth staying in?

S: And you really think that the angels are going to be soooo nice that they'll stop attacking when you take a couple heads?

A: Of course no-

S: and what if we against all unbelievable odds that we survive? Heaven isn't going to take lightly on sinners showing resistance to the genocide, plus what if for some reason we are actually are able to go to heaven. Can you look me in the eye and say that they won't hunt your ass down and clip your wings or pull some kind of bs card to screw you over at the pearly gates?!

A: God you are such a overthinker, Vaggie herself that you don't have to fuckin stay, you only cook us passable meals part-time. I just hope you are only wanting to save your own ass than you playing rock paper Scissors (hand gesture that depicts lesbian sex) with that uptight, psychotic, sadistic clout chasing bit-

*at this point Sage throws a meat cleaver at Angel's direction, which dodges his head*

S: SHUT UP!

YOU DON'T TALK TO ABOUT HER LIKE THAT ASSHAT

A: oh ho! It's about time you showed a reaction. So you do love her

S: at least she doesn't expect me to pull 5-star meals outta my ass with this rusty cesspool, I'm literally working with fucking nothing!

A: That's rich coming from someone who calls themselves resourceful, and what if your fairy-tale fantasy doesn't turn out the way you want it?

S:Guess that's MY problem then isn't it?

Angel walked out of the kitchen, flipping Sage off while doing so, "Whatever shortcake,"

[theacedragon0w0]

A Small Chat

Shoutout to @puffymucher for their pillow talk Comic it lives in my head rent free and owns Hazel

Rosalina belongs to @mirconreadzztuff22

And Vlk belongs to @imapuppy5000 <3