#ooc;; to the oubliette

[teamrockethr]

wait, who sent this out? wendy? god, she sucks.

what? no. i'm not doing any of this shit.

indie, private, selective rp blog for team rocket oc, LARK

18+ only

abhorred by brit (30+, she/they), follows from svndrenched

[norovvareta]

like this for a door dash, but it's just sanzu delivering your muse a knuckle sandwich

[axtinguishcr]

mutuals, you wanna like this so bad 🔥

[ogum0]

oh my god, what a dweeb i am. asks are open now.

[wangxianficfinder]

Arranged Marriage

~*~

Marriage Principles series by Fahye (E, 38k, wangxian, LXC/JGY, canon divergence, arranged betrothal)

❤️ I Started From the Bottom/And Now I’m Rich by x_los (E, 57k, WangXian, WWX/Others, Mutual Pining, Marriage of Convenience, Arranged Marriage, No Sunshot Campaign, Fix-It, WQ Lives, Transmigration, Time Travel, Weddings, Sugar Daddy, Sugar Daddy, Black Widow, Protective Siblings, Dysfunctional Family, Family Bonding, Sugar Baby, consort, Politics, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Crack Treated Seriously)

An Elegant Solution by giraffeter (E, 205k, niewangxian, canon divergence, arranged marriage, friends to lovers, fix-it, everyone lives au, courtship, polyamory, smut, Mojo’s bookmark)

cloudy autumn heaps the sky by anatheme (T, 23k, WangXian, Fantasy, Secret Identity, Dragon LWJ, Fox WWX, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Timeline What Timeline, wwx is a little older here, wwx piling gifts on lwj and encouraging hoarding tendencies, Sharing a Bed, Literal Sleeping Together, Arranged Marriage, of sorts)

The Oriole Behind You by mercyandmagic (M, 97k, wangxian, LXC/JGY, JYL/JZX, JC/LQY, many other pairings, arranged marriage, greatest matchmaker WRH, family feels, angst w/ happy ending, everyone lives au)

of all the hands by typefortydeductions (E, 51k, wangxian, canon divergence, arranged marriage, emperor LXC, PTSD, nightmares, dual cultivation, mental health issues, fluff & angst, consensual non-con, pining, politics) 

💖 sweet chaos by eachandeverydimension (G, 86k, wangxian, arranged marriage, different first meeting, falling in love, getting together, lwj in lotus pier, Chinese culture)

💖 hot necromancer singles seeking dom daddies in your area by Mikkeneko (M, 19k, wangxian, yiling wei sect au, BDSM scene, dom/sub, brat wwx, rope bondage, caning, aftercare)

Neatly Arranged by thunderwear (T, 45k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Angst with a Happy Ending, lwj’s mother is here but only briefly, RIP, Shenanigans, Fix-It, of sorts, Canonical Character Death, but not all, did i forget to tag pining, because this fic is like 90 percent pining, Hurt/Comfort)

❤️ a stone to break your soul, a song to save it by rikke (M, 180k, wangxian, Canon Divergence, arranged marriage)

Into the Oubliette by Ruixx (M, 121k, WIP, WangXian, Growing Up, Fix-It of Sorts, Arranged Marriage, Time Travel, Sibling Bonding, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Canon Divergence, Light BDSM, Breathplay, Wwx protection squad, Sunshot Campaign, War Politics, Hostage JYL, Visions, LXC Redemption, general lwj, Internal Sect, Politics, Good Uncle LQR, Lan OC’s, No Golden Core Transfer, Empire Building)

Baby Whisperer Wei Wuxian by Preludian_Staves (T, 15k, WangXian, Accidental Baby Acquisition, Canon Divergence, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Not Jiang Clan Friendly, Arranged Marriage, (eventually for reasons), endgame wangxian, Parent-Child Relationship, Soft WWX, Pining LWJ, Good Parent WWX, WWX Is Good With Children, Single Parent WWX, Fluff and Angst, Rituals, Protective WWX, Protective LWJ, Developing Relationship)

Instead of rabbits, I'll give you this by Bloodcoral (T, 94k, WangXian, XiCheng, Canon Divergence, Angst, WWX is a mess, Fix-It, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, LXC is the best, JYL deserves much better, no really...she does, Arranged Marriage, Did I mention angst, Canon Rewrite, Some people do die...just the bad ones, well adjusted Xue Yang)

Polishing Jade by Starra (M, 252k, WangXian, Modern AU, Arranged Marriage, Awkward Dates, Slice of Life, Most likely OOCness, Falling In Love, Everyone Needs A Hug Loneliness, Feelings Realization, Drinking to Cope, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Suicide, slow-ish build, Eventual Cohabitation)

The Distance Between Fondness and Something Akin to Love by countingcr0ws (M, 20k, wangxian, arranged marriage au, not canon compliant, war, romance, mistaken identity, impersonation, awkward flirting, wedding planning, Chinese tradition)

a light hidden and singing by occultings (microcomets) (E, 48k, wangxian, arranged marriage, pining, getting together, slow burn, misunderstandings, miscommunication, blood & injury, happy ending, smut)

A Little Stabbing by tuesday (T, 4k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Canon Divergence, Minor Violence, Light Angst)

use the wood brought in by the tide by Lirazel (M, 27k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Hurt/Comfort, Warning for Physical Abuse, Falling In Love With Your Husband, pining for your husband, Sibling solidarity, dealing with your in-laws, lwj's typical inner maelstrom of emotions, WWX Whump, Protective!LWJ, lwj&jyl friendship, intimate hair brushing, Skinny Dipping, Growing Up, Establishing boundaries)

The Measure of Happiness by Anonymous (T, 5k, WangXian, misunderstandings galore, Pining your name is WWX, Arranged Marriage, No Sunshot Campaign, Alternate Meetings)

like the sun coming out by Anonymous (T, 2k, WangXian, No Sunshot Campaign, Good Uncle LQR, Supportive LQR, Protective LQR, Arranged Marriage, Domestic Hurt/Comfort, Miscommunication, Light Angst, Crack Treated Seriously)

True Gold Fears No Fire by defractum (nyargles) (M, 64k, WIP, WangXian,  Royalty AU, Ancient China, Wuxia, Historical Inaccuracy, Arranged Marriage, Identity Porn, Mutual Pining, Emperor!LWJ, empress!wwx, Eventual Happy Ending, Misunderstandings) Imperial cultivator au with very fun identity shenanigans.

rebuttable presumption masterpost by sarah-yyy

permissive presumption by sarahyyy (G, 7k, WangXian, Royalty, Arranged Marriage, Pining, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings)

🧡 hypothetically, of course by johnnyfucksup (G, 22k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Character Study, Kinda, Inter-sect politics, a little bit, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Strangers to Lovers, Getting to Know Each Other, Falling In Love, The Mortifying Ordeal of Falling In Love With Your Betrothed, Getting Together, Happy Ending, Love Confessions, very awkward ones at that, Slow Burn Speedrun)

Lead Me On Through by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 54k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Practice Kissing, practice other things, horny boys in love, questionable logic, Questionable Choices, slight knives, Happy Ending)

Give Me a Chance to Fall by brooklinegirl (E, 37k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Arranged Marriage)

The Scarlet Lotus by rainbowninja167 (M, 137k, WangXian, Marriage of Convenience, Secret Identity, Fix-It, Angst with a Happy Ending, It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better, Canon-Typical Violence, canon-typical war crimes, Yunmeng Bros, the mortifying ordeal of getting seduced by your own husband, nonlinear chronology we die like cql, just kidding nobody dies in this fic, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Miscommunication)

Marriage Woe-nos! Series by oleanderedits (G, 10k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Spite Courting, Comedy, fake dating to real dating, or maybe it was never fake?, Everyone else's p.o.v., Crass language)

With No Particular Affection by Chrononautical (E, 92k, WangXian, Modern AU, Arranged Marriage, Kid Fic, Miscommunication, Family Drama, JFM and YZY’s A+ Parenting, Good Uncle JC, Wedding Fluff, Genius WWX, Street Kid WWX, Homelessness, Rich LWJ, Oblivious WWX, Cinnamon Roll WN, Implied/Referenced Suicide, WWX Has a Pregnancy Kink, Domestic Fluff, Fluff and Angst)

I Have Arranged to Tie You to Me by xxxMiaHikarixxx (G, 47k, WIP, WangXian, Lan protective team, Time Travel, Past, LWJ oriented, Arranged Marriage, Boys In Love, Soulmates, Fix-It, Jiang siblings, not jiang parents friendly, JC is slowly becoming a good sibling, Soft LWJ, Protective LWJ, Genius WWX)

🔒 Only with Time by adrian_kres (E, 7k, WangXian, WIP, Arranged Marriage, Modern with Magic, fast then slow burn, Mutual Pining, they each sort of think it's unrequited love, it's complicated, possible dubcon depending on your interpretation of events, please see the author's note for chapter 3, Hurt No Comfort, It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better, but it does eventually get better! promise!, WangXian Endgame)

~*~

Accidental/Drunk Marriage

~*~

Being Known series by dragongirlG (M, 42k, wangxian, canon divergence, cloud recesses study arc, drunken confessions, oblivious WWX, humor, fluff & crack, accidental betrothal, family drama, political alliances, arranged marriage)

Kingfisher Feathers by anonymous (E, 122k, WIP, WangXian, Royalty AU, Emperor LWJ, Concubine WWX, A/B/O, Mpreg, Mutual Pining, Angst with a happy ending)

live from new york: an snl au Series by varnes (E/M, 105k, wangxian, JYL/JZX, Modern AU, SNL AU, slow burn, friends to lovers, pining, getting together, happy ending, Idiots in Love, and they were ROOMMATES, Frottage, Light Bondage, could not be lighter or gentler bondage, Secret Marriage, Accidental Marriage)

Magical Marriage Ribbons by starandrea (G, 2k, WangXian, Gūsū Lán Forehead Ribbon, Accidental Marriage)

Falling for You Series by Harleydoll (M, 12k, WangXian, Modern AU, Mild Sexual Content, Light Bondage, POV WWX, Oblivious WWX, Pining LWJ, LWJ Has Feelings, Accidental Relationship, JC is So Done, Wedding Planning, Fluff and Humor, WangXian get a Happy Ending, Protective LWJ, Possessive LWJ, POV LWJ, Supportive LXC)

Hangover by TriviasFolly (T, 83k, WangXian, Modern AU- College, Drinking, fluff? I guess, Las Vegas, Implied/Referenced Underage Drinking, drunk marriage, protective Jiang siblings, qiren being a bit of an asshole, Mental Health Issues, positive recovery, WangXian positivity, Healing)

Only Fools Rush In by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 27k, WangXian, Modern AU, Woke Up Married, alcohol use but no sex happens while drunk, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, what happens in Vegas etc etc)

Otherwise Engaged by DecemberCamie (G, 5k, WangXian, Modern AU, Professors, POV Outsider, Mutual Pining, Accidental Marriage, Getting Together)

Standing Engagement by x_los (E, 18k, WangXian, ChengQing, Misunderstandings, Accidental Engagement, Engagement, Sunshot Campaign, Golden Core Reveal, Canon-Typical Violence, Accidental Relationship, WQ Lives, Everybody Lives, Episode 19, Episode 21)

~*~

[harmonicabisexuals]

gonna start doing my season eval posts separately cause my url change fucked up the read more links lol. Season 3 overall was good, and feels like the show is becoming more consistent in finding its footing. Rob Bowman and Kim Manners are both incredible and complementary directors. I mentioned this before but weirdly there is a lot less sexual tension in this season than 1 and 2, and it makes me wonder if CC was pushing back on the fan reaction to it lol. There’s also a lot of episodes where M/S (as main characters) take a backseat to the plot, which is okay when the plot is good, but makes boring episodes even worse to sit through when it’s not. BUT this season has some of my all time favorite episodes in it- Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose, Pusher, Quagmire, and Wetwired, so I gotta give it high marks for that alone. Also scores higher than season 1 and season 2, with 75% of episode worth rewatching imo

The Blessing Way- a little corny, a little racist, but necessary continuation of Anasazi

Paper Clip- REALLY good, satisfying conclusion to three part arc while still leaving lots of questions to solve later

D.P.O- okay, has young Jack Black and Phoebe’s brother from Friends in it!

Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose- AMAZING, so funny but also dark and sad, a fan fav for a good reason

The List- interesting mystery, but probably would get boring on rewatch

2Shy- kinda sexist? and no good conclusion. Pass.

The Walk- boring! pass.

Oubliette- dark and sad, but pretty good. true crime vibes

Nisei- good, find about more about Scully’s abduction

731- also good, kind of a thriller, but ending feels a bit rushed

Revelations- interesting M/S role reversal, very Catholic 

War of the Coprophages- so silly but really fun

Syzygy- baby Ryan Reynolds! M/S very OOC, a bit funny but Darin Morgan is funnier

Grotesque- a lil weird but stick with it! creepy, good cinematography 

Piper Maru-decent, but not as good as other mythology episodes 

Apocrypha- same as prev, good scully stuff tho

Pusher- AMAZINGGGG ONE OF THE BEST EPISODES OF THE SERIES, VINCE GILLIGAN IS THAT BITCH

Teso Dos Bichos- murderous house cats?? the fact that this episode is right after pusher…JAIL. Pass.

Hell Money- baby Lucy Liu!! okay, but no supernatural element lol

Jose Chung’s from Outer Space- really good! very meta and kind of a parody episode

Avatar- pretty good! Skinner backstory

Quagmire- ahhh love this one so much, one of my favorites!! character focused, funny, and amazing vibes

Wetwired- really really good! suspenseful with good acting from M/S

Talitha Cumi- really good mythology episode!

[alteredsilicone]

Got to Act 3 on my alternate Durge save and this time cleared both Ketheric fights on my first try (also went a little OOC and used persuasion to skip the first phase in the mindflayer colony, I'm on my minmax strat rn). I chalk it up to respeccing my durge to a Warlock/Bard, because the extra spells really help, especially cutting words which works as a sort of lesser counterspell.

Maybe need to respec Minthara into a Paladin-Sorcerer to get spell slots and also to get counterspell.

Could mess with Astarion too, I think there's an interesting Rogue/Ranger multiclass option. Otherwise, as an assassin, his kit seems very dry. >:/ I want more stuff!

Also, while messing around in Moonrise Towers, I found the oubliette and with it, more durge lore. I still can't get over how the durge is the most specialest mary sue in the world, but I kinda like it.

USUALLY I really hate "chosen one" plotlines (which is why I kinda like that regular Tav is just Some Guy/Guy), but because durge is evil, comically so, it almost feels refreshing.

Yeah, you're the most specialest chosen one. :) Everyone reveres and respects you, oh, and also you're the embodiment of murder and a sicko.

[thedarksideofmymoonhasmatches]

I can't believe how Scully is being so stupid in Oubliette, illogical ooc.

[sofhtie]

it’s my turn on today’s general healer spiral 😤 thinking about that first esme assassination and camille choosing to put all of the damage onto caelus, thinking about cerise being at three hp but cami choosing to gamble on throwing up spirit guardians instead. thinking about hayden who attacks and attacks and mostly Only heals with a healing word once someone is down

[teamrockethr]

shut up. i'm gonna bitch the whole time. i'm too old for this.

[norovvareta]

you want to plot with me, you want to plot with me, you want to plot with me, you want to

[axtinguishcr]

i can't stop violently flip-flopping between whether it'd be funnier for pyro to just be some dude from like, montana, or a sentient asbestos-lined suit.

[jeeperso]

D&D Quotes Without Context

Treasure Island edition, Chapter 17

"This ends....today...maybe....unless we drag it out until the morning..." OOC: Don’t forget your genie damage. "Smith, for all the pain you have help cause, for everything you did while pretending to be a simple wooden leg in our midst, it is time to die. Slash and burn!" impressed iguana noises. “You’re right Dingo, I haven’t seen a tree get fucked up like that since the Once-ler went away.” "Oh crap, it's that spring break I spent in Innsmouth all over again." “Counter the Fuck Spell. Sicko!” "I don't think.. it's a... oh, there are tentacles... nevermind." Janus: "When we kill you, I'm gonna whittle a chamber pot out of your stump you morally bankrupt piece of driftwood." Archie: "And I'm gonna make a radical boogie board." MJ: “Can I get a bong?” Janus: "There should be plenty of wood so why not?" OOC: Oh, shit, he’s got truck parts? He’s one of those freaky wood transformers! MJ: “Lightning bolt no Justu!” Amber: "MJ, you aren't a shinobi." MJ: “Wait… I’m not?!? Then how did I shoot lightning?” Cookie: "What is a ... shinobi?" MJ: “Thinly sliced raw fish.” Amber: "Trained warriors from the far east who can cast what they call jutsus with various hand signs." Cookie: "Spellcasting spy fish from the east... got it..." OOC: Put the boots to him, Bizarre-style. “Does it feel like we’re beating up a one legged guy in an ass kicking contest?” We just hold a conversation as their screams echo behind us. “So… did that seem too easy to anyone else?” Oh gods, why have you forsaken us? Was it when we peed in the holy water fountain? Amber: "Now, no one say anything to jinx us and bring down more trouble on us. Especially not that Flint is still alive and waiting for us at the main treasure horde. Darn it! I've spent too much time with you guys." “Oh, hi, Melfina with karate chop action.” "You be a dick you get large phallic burning objects put in you.”

"She knows what she was saying..." "Ded also pirate. Ded just not asshole." "Close only counts in Ogres and Oubliettes." “This seems like it would be more tragic if you’d been a likable father figure instead of some mutinous asshole with a tree-man for a leg.” Pete can be on corpse-dragging duty. As an object lesson. “Anyone want one last puff?” "Thank you, but i'm sure the sight beyond will shock us sober." "Ever get that feeling like you're walking into a monsters mouth?" "Ded actually do that once." "How'd that turn out..?" "Monster surprisingly tasty." * Impressed Tortle Noises * "Ded get feeling economy not ready for this much cash injection." "We'll buy a new economy... Don't worry about it..." "This is Melfina's money after all, do keep that in mind." “Melfina, I need to tell you about student loan debt, and why it is bullshit.” “Nope! Black ships, wrecked or not are a sign of Eldritch NOPE!” "Unless the sword is also wood, I doubt it's a vampire." "Hail and well met, Princess Leshavna. I am a servant of your brother, Kevosh, Prince of Worldly libations. He's the one that likes looking like a nine foot tall owlin." “Oh, hey, is this a Dragonborn? Is your junk on the inside or out?” "I cannot answer that, Lady Jonni, there is a child present." “What kind of sick fuck calls Vesh when there are kids around? Do you know what we’re doing 70% of the time?” “No.”

"Gold zombie..." "I knew it, no place could contain a soul that evil. Even if he died they would boot him out for trying to take over." "Please don't be a dracolich, please." GM: Next time, The Final Boss: Captain Finatrax Flint! OOC: Riftrax Flint? Sounds like a great time. OOC: I'll give them another few minutes and if they aren't on we'll get started without them. OOC2: They’re usually late due to dinner. And could be taco night. Taco night goes longer. OOC: My parents made rack of lamb. Our oven sucks. OOC: Alright, it's past my bedtime. Got to brush my teeth and put plastic wrap over my eyes. Night!

[the-house-of-the-nine]

In Depths Below: Epilogue, Part 6

[ OOC Disclaimer ]  | Over the last year HoTN has put together this story ‘In Depths Below’ it began with Lazarius being taken from Kun-Lai Summit, and the chase to get him back from the Hunters hired by Magister Dawnseeker was unveiled.  Every member eliminated a certain threat, the Order banded together to orchestrate the take down,  and accomplished their mission they’d set out to do.  The events here are what happened during.  This is Lazarius’ side, where he was; and what he’d done.  And just how he and a certain new savior became bonded.  Id like to give a tremendous thanks to @zandalaridruidofgonk for the help in putting this together and making it happen.   And thank you to everyone who has offered support and kind words over the last year.  Without further delay, the conclusion of our 2nd fictional collaboration.  In Depths Below. |

[ L.K ]     The rolling thunder of the swirling clouds that stormed across the island of Zandalar would continue through the night.  The rain would beat against the thatch room in a heavy patter movement that would sound almost like a rhythmic tune.

Lazarius did not sleep, nor did he need to.  It was rare that the parasite would require his body to sustain some sort of rejuvenation process from an injury or some sort of strenuous use of his magic.  

If Jursol needed to rest; which odds were the troll was more than capable of cat naps only, when she had gotten in enough she would make it aware that she was ready to go.

Nothing could have prepared them for what was to come.  Lazarius and Jursol had lace together a fairly solid plan.  The course of action would be to start on their way from southern Zuldazar and all the way up to the capital city where they could nab a ship.

Lazarius would enact his part of the plan in perfect fashion.  The first patrolling guard to spot a “Ren’dorei “ on troll lands would give chase.  Through the hidden jungle and directly into the trap where Jursol could administer a poisoned substance through the dart.  The body would be of course stripped down to give the female something to wear.   A pair of unlocked shackles tossed around the wrist of the Inquisitor as she led him straight into the city gates and down onto the port. There would be stared and mild curious looks, but never the less the two confidant schemers waltzed directly up to the port authority with their heads held high.  

Well one had his head hung low for appearances. There would hardly be an argument.  Jursol only needed to explain that they too who was spying in the jungles.  They were offered back to the Alliance in exchange for one of their own.  It would up to the troll at this point now.  She knew how to sail, she knew where they had to go and she had the contact with these smugglers.  The hardest part was over.

Over the course of several weeks. . .

Jursol and Lazarius had managed to secure themselves safe passage to an area just between the waters of Zandalar and Kul Tiras where it would be possible to arrange the deal she had been making.

It was quite easy getting everything moving from here on.  They met with their boats out on open water where the two captains could speak.  And Lazarius would barter with the smuggler and their leader.  The terms were simple; safe passage to the Eastern Kingdoms, and in exchange, they could keep the smaller vessel the pairing had stolen from the Troll capital.  

Thankfully Jursol knew these men and women, at least well enough to trust they would not go back on their word.  Especially since they were in a strange place; out numbered and desperate.

The sailing would take time.  It would not just be a quick little voyage back over to the mainland.  Seas were rough and navigational routes needed to be planned in order to ensure they could not only make it from the little island without sinking, but also without getting caught.  They were still smugglers after all, and running with a shipment that had to get sent back to the Human Capital anyway.  So it worked in their advantage to plan it safe and get these two passengers to their destination.

As Lazarius lived his life of high sea adventure, quietly counting down the days, hours and minutes; his own team of successful brother and sisters were accomplishing unbelievable feats.

Across the globe and on ever continent the Nine were striking at the heart of Dawnseekers collective.  From Pyravari storming the white north outside Dragonsblight, to Siida, Zoei and Marseille knocking out two more in the southern jungles of Stranglethorn.  Koltun striking hard at his fel mistress off to the west, and Doctor Whistletorque and Brox of course storming the midlands of Searing Gorge.  Verzatea with her talent managed to not only eliminate a larger threat to the rumors that the order may have existed, but also cleaned up a huge mess with her Magister

All together they were successful, and preparing to launch an amazing attack on the main culprit himself.  Taking down Dawnseeker would involve a tremendous amount of tact and care.  Between what they had learned through Sunwood, and the plan orchestrated by Sennaris and Marseille; it seemed the only thing left to do was strike at his heart.

Lazarius on the other hand; would have no idea what was going on.  Simply forced to sit and sail across the Great Sea with his hands bound to the chair he sat on.  It was all he could do to keep from getting sea sick from all the rocking back and forth.  Jursol would comment from time to time, smirking and smiling about how he was this terrible monster of the deep, yet feared the water.  He could only agree with her that the irony was comical; and through it all she had certainly been the rock he needed to keep him going.

Her ability to always be ready; always be prepared for more and always driving him to keep forward was what truly made her a valuable ally.  She knew what to say, and how to say it; and there was no doubt in his mind that without the powerful Zandalari, he would have died.  That much was sure.  Even if the parasite in his body could have purged the water and allowed him to start breathing again; something or someone would have ended up devouring him on that beach.  Or worse yet; the men they had obliterated may have actually found him; before he found them, and thus this ship ride would have been much, much different.

In time, they would have drifted around the southern coast of Kul Tiras. Navigating beyond the harsh crags and choppy waters that the Tide Sages were using to keep enemies at bay.  They would sail along its western coast and up toward the northern tip where they could make the turn.  Lazarius wanted to get as far away from Alliance territory as he possibly could; and with the wage waging in the Mainlands now; Arathi and Darkshore primarily, he would opt to land right south of the wall dividing Hillsbrad from the Highlands.

And that was what they chose to do.  Since Southshore was completely a bust at this point with the Forsaken taking over and nearly destroying everything in the area; it was the prime spot to allow the pair to make landfall and proceed on foot through the hills and woods.  And that was what they did.

Saying goodbye to their smuggler companions; it was a short farewell, Jursol had gotten her chance to rekindle a friendship with an old friend, but she was off to make new.  She swore to Lazarius on those beaches of Zandalar that she would be standing by him; and a Zandalari does not break promises.

So on they went; though the lands be foul.  Trekking through the dark woods that they kept to, in order to keep from the eyes of the Dark Lady.  Lazarius in lead with Jursol and her menagerie of raptors safely in tow, Jimba of course lagging behind being the smallest, and Mawa keeping its eyes on the little bugger.  

They pushed through the thick brush, and beyond the two decrepit towns of Southshore and Tarren Mill.  They were careful not to draw too much attention to the Forsaken there; though it would have been safer to stay near them, then to risk being seeing by any Alliance.  A Troll and Sin’dorei like these two could have just been lost? Perhaps just off on an adventure? But more than likely the Forsaken would have seen them as deserters to the battlefield in the next land over.   And that was not something they wanted to deal with.

So on they went; though the weather turned harsh, and faced it head on with they’re determined will supporting one another.  Wind and Mist turned to thick rain and heavy storms.  And as they reached the colder climates; the skies would turn from grey to black, and the heavy downpour of water froze; and cascaded down upon them in an endless blanket of white.

It was cold; freezing even to the point that the raptors would huddle close to their huntress for warmth.  The wind cut and shredded through the thin layers the two wore; and the snow was biting and harsh.  But they had come this far.  They had to press on.  Lazarius only knew that the Dawnhaven Manor was somewhere in Alterac.  He had only visited it once in the past and that was not a pleasant experience.  Maliscia spent three nights in the Oubliette for pulling that stunt.  And Asphodel nearly murdered her when they returned for being so reckless.

So on they went; though their hopes may have gone dim, with determined steps and galvanized will.  They trudged endlessly for what seemed like miles through the carved out pathways of condensed powder on beaten trails and fresh fallen snow that surrounded them in every direction.   They marched and they marched, until finally they’d come across an old sign swinging in the distance.  Lazarius had hopes that it was in fact what they’d been searching for; and in the common tongue, he would be disappointed.

“Dawnhaven Manor and Resort .  .  . For Sale . . . Reduced Pricing. . . “

He was shocked.  He was beside himself.  His eyes burned in a furious rage the likes of which only those gazing into the hellish depths below could ever fear.  Jursol remained silent, Common was not her best tongue anyway; she could speak it, but writing it was not exactly her best suit.  Though she did deduce what it said; she thought it better to say nothing.

Lazarius calmly lifted his hand as he canted his gaze looking down at the wooden sign swinging in the breeze of the blizzard.  He curled the still yet wrapped edges of his wounded hand around the broken sign and read it softly aloud to himself.  It stung worse the second time.

He had sunk a fortunes worth into this business deal.  His hope and the hope of the rest who supported the idea; was to link the three structures. The Bastille to the far reaches of  Northrend, The Kash’ebahl Estate in Tirisfal, and Dawnhaven in Alterac. A triplicate of positioning to allow safe passage to anyone who was moving across the land; or needed an easy access point to and from.  

He had rebuilt the manor in the most loving of gestures; in secret for Maliscia when she had accompanied them to Uldum.  He, Zoei, Siida and the still missing Vanderlaine, all of them; and while they were there, workers of the Nine had rebuilt the magnificent home.  They had even attached the gateway in the sub floor basement for Maliscia to receive the blood donations in full.  Lazarius was utterly appalled by the sign and gripped it tightly with his stubbed wrappings.  A yank and it was ripped from the chain and tossed into the fresh fallen snow.

“...that wretched whore...” he spoke softly, and peered upward through the whirlwinds of snow at the decrepit manor sitting on the hill.

Lazarius pressed on through his anger.  Jursol in toe, neither wishing to extend a hand of comfort or draw out his wrath toward her.  She had bore witness to what it was he was capable of, and she wished to never be on the receiving end of that.  It was something left better for his enemies; not she and her companions.

The front door of the manor was torn from its hinges, ogres no doubt; they still roamed these parts in greater numbers than before.  Save for the jungles of Feralas and the lower parts of the Tanari desert, the mountain reaches was one of their haunts.  Lazarius could see their tracks; they’d been here recently, but it didn’t matter.  One ogre being flayed was as good as one hundred; they’d come, and they’d die, and the way he was feeling at the moment, he’d hoped it were one thousand of them.

He could smell fresh fire, Jursol could as well.  But they were silent and the storm was so immense there was no way anyone could have heard them coming; or even saw them.  It had probably been a few days since the hearth was burned anyway.

The entire foyer was gone.  Parts of the main hall had been smashed and torn apart, the front desk removed and the boxes of keyed safes all busted and smashed.  This area probably had gotten hit hardest when the war took hold of Arathi.  Nobody would want to be staying in a bed and breakfast style manor with a war raging on.

There weren’t any memories here; none that Lazarius really cared to hang on to at least.  And he pushed on, stubbornly through his loathing of their once cherished friendship.  He knew where the gateway was, and what had happened prior here was enough of reason to cut that link completely.  So he ignored any reminder that this had been a place he shared an experience with the former magus.  

In the lower levels of the basement there were tables and lab equipment.  There were canisters broken open and plenty of valuable pieces of specialized tools.  That and the priceless notes.  Despite the fact that she was a traitor and defected from their ranks, Maliscia was quite good at keeping records and notes.  He’d have to send the cleaners in to collect this.  Koltun and his Illidari were perfect for sweep and clean missions like this.  But he pressed on through his disgust of the state of this place.

The area of the sub basement was located in the far corner of the room.  A lever was placed in the far back of the only remaining bookshelf which was on a switch that activated with pressure.  One of those book working levers that would only activate when weight was placed on it and taken off again.  Lazarius grabbed a small piece of metal that was laying on the ground and he would place it on top of the pommel.  

The sound of stone and gears being moved woke the entire structure; shaking the walls and grinding into the floor.  And suddenly a staircase which led down deep into the bowels below was exposed.  He was almost home.   He spied a small enchanted torch that was just resting on the wall nearby; it would be a clear indicator to anyone who knew the layout that it was used to light the depths below.

“Alright. . .now this is very important and I need to to remember this. . .”  Lazarius peered toward Jursol, they were walking down the spiral stairs down into the lower parts but he could still see her over his shoulder.

Jursol was paying attention of course, anything he said like this was important.   But then again, she found him to be rather interesting whether spouting warnings or simply speaking about his past.

“I need a sample of your blood before you can enter otherwise the Bastille will sense you as a threat and obliterate you. . .”

“Juu be needin’ wut now?” she mumbled in a bit of confusion. “Dat was not sometin’ ah be expectin’. . .”

Lazarius was in no mood to talk light or play games, but it did cause him to flash a smile.  He had never actually went into much detail on this subject, and since their time on the boat had been fairly long; he wanted to refresh anything he might have missed.

“The Bastille is like. . .a living organism just like you or I.  It is linked primarily to a source of life called the Pit of Lothia.  Now this pit houses the collective blood of every member of our order.  From the Council of Nine to the network of helpers that keep the libraries clean and stocked neatly.  Every person who walks those halls has donated a sample.” the dark eyed Inquisitor stated firmly as he passed through an arch which was entering into a dimly lit room.  

His hand passed through a large spiders web and suddenly it was bright.   The room came to life when he lobbed the torch into the center, and there blazing in the back end was a brilliant gateway.

It was carved from solid Saronite, woven with bits of bone and dried flesh.  It was cast out of a mold which gave it the shape of a skull and several serpents were writhing around it also made from the dark stone and brilliant amethyst.  Anyone who could have gotten in here to claim it would have never been able to move the damned thing; it must have weighted at least seven ton.

“The blood allows the Bastille to process who is currently there, where they are and what they are doing as long as they continue to hold the essence of the blood on their person.”  Lazarius continued as they peered at the stone structure.

“...dey need tah be ‘olding dah blood?” she asked curiously.

“Yes, after the blood is added to the collective pit, a vial of it is taken and placed within a Talisman. . .”

“An’ dat was why yah be wantin’ yers back.” she muttered softly, understanding completely now the desire to have it back.

“And that is why I wanted it. . .exactly.  Having that talisman actives like a beacon.  It lets those looking know where the person is, but also allows them to activate any door they need to. . .like this.”

Suddenly Lazarius walked up toward the monolith and placed the bandaged hand against the stone. It would take but a moment to take notice, but suddenly an ethereal vapor would begin to stir around the edges of the arch.  Swirling and swirling until there was enough to grow from a gaseous cloud to a maelstrom of dark magics.  She could see how this was a magnificent way to travel and her large troll eyes lit up with excitement.

“Dis be. . .amazin’. . .”  she softly chattered as she and her raptors came closer.

“You need only think of home; and the talisman will activate.  Your closet, a hotel room, an old carriage, whatever door you open, the opposite side will be the Bastille. And once you shut it. . .it vanishes.  None can pass through and even if they wished to walk through with you; it would be their end when the defensive measures become active and detect an invasive species within itself.”

She couldn’t quite believe how incredibly intelligent the man actually was.  Whether he designed it or not, this Bastille, this person. . .these people.  She was finally home.  She had found a place that she could remain safe, and follow her own path.  And without another question or thought, she reached for her forearm and sunk her fangs in.

She reached for one of the empty bottles she always kept for collecting blood or samples, and spit a mouthful of her fresh crimson essence in.  It was handed to the Inquisitor; who was already smiling widely.  Such enthusiasm always pleased him.

“Juu need not be askin’ Jursol twice. . .ah be ready. . . take us home Inquisitah.”  Jursol smiled back peering toward him and wiping her other arm across her bloody mouth. “Ah wait, wut ‘bout Mawa an’ Jimba?”

Lazarius took the vials and shook his head back and forth.

“No. . .animals are not considered to be threats.  Shapeshifters yes, but your raptors are fine.”

Lazarius held the vial in his hand and peered into the vapors that were pouring out over the floor.  His black venomous pools locked on the task at hand; he was nervous but also a bit excited.  And before long he peered back at the troll to reassure her.

“I will not be gone long. . .”

And just like that, he’d vanished.  

Jursol stood there for a moment or two; even her raptors would begin to chatter and chirp at the confusing man who’d just left them.  They weren’t exactly bonded to him, but a bit fond of his presence considering how their keeper had taken to him.  But between watching the portal and watching what was happening in the cold abandoned basement; she was not exactly a fan of being left in the dark.

“Jimba no!”

She suddenly screamed out when the little raptor darted for the gateway.  

“This is important. . .I need a sample of your blood or the Bastille will obliterate you.”  

The bright eyes of the troll would suddenly come to life as she realized what she was about to do.  Her callused feet skid across the stone floor as she tried to stop herself, and indeed was saved by the larger of her two companions, Mawa.  The hulking raptor bit down hard on the back of her robe she’d been wearing to protect her body from the intense weather of the mountains and sea.  She had nearly tumbled in.

“T’ank ya. . .Jursol almos’ became ah blood stain. . .”  she mused softly, peering back at the raptor who meerly grunted and snorted in response.

“Juu be takin dat back!” she called immediately.  Clearly she could understand those noises, and they were not exactly encouraging.

“Did you lose something dear?”  

Jursol slowly turned at the voice.  She peered up as she scuttled back along the floor a bit and forced herself back up onto her feet.  Lazarius had returned.  And in his arm, tucked under his forearm and caught in the crease against his chest and armpit was the little raptor Jimba.  It was chattering happily and struggled to dart for its keeper.  Which Lazarius promptly allowed.

“He was eager to be the first it seems.  Brave creature.  I admire that in the new blood.  I’ll see to it you get your own little battalion of creatures to command. . .the Mighty Jimba and his critter army.”  

Lazarius was grinning, apparently he was in much better spirits than when he’d just shortly left.  The scent of the cold and dark lingered on him.  She could feel it even.  She smiled in return.

“Ah taught ‘im well den!” the mighty troll barked back and patted her littlest with her strong hand.  She peered up at the Inquisitor and with bated breath, she eyed him, desperately waiting to be told more.  She was actually nudging forward with every passing moment of tension.

“Yes yes very well. . . come on.  I can see you’re ready.” He chuckled and tossed her a small vial with the blood in it.  

She could see from the blackness it was his own; but a mixture of everyone who served.  She quickly made haste and tied it around her neck after catching it in her palm.  

“Ha-ha! Yah! Time tah go home!”  she yelled racing after the Inquisitor as he went on ahead.

To be Concluded in. . . “In Depths Below: Epilogue, Part 7″

[nominalbutler]

Sebaciel Week, Day 1 (late) – Food

(Several days late now, this is an excerpt from my ongoing modern AU ft. lots of domestic sebaciel and many OOC moments for fluff’s sake) 

…

“I haven’t eaten all day.”

It was an innocent comment, just something Ciel realized and mentioned off-handedly as he climbed out of the front seat of Sebastian’s Gran Coupe, though he regretted opening his mouth once he caught a glimpse of the other man’s expression.

“Are you hungry?” Sebastian asked, almost eagerly. “I can fix you something.”

Of course he could, Ciel thought. Sebastian loved to cook, especially for Ciel – the kid ate with such gusto, scarfing down plate after plate, sometimes forgoing the fork and knife set out for him in favor of fingers and tearing teeth. As he cleaned up the drops of sauce and stray bits of carbs that Ciel would leave in his wake, Sebastian had to admire the body’s metabolism; Ciel never seemed to gain any weight, matter how much rich food and dessert he consumed.

Shrugging, Ciel pushed the car door shut and headed for the house, unlocking the back door with Sebastian’s set of keys. Sebastian followed, and Ciel could already see the culinary cogs turning, illuminating Sebastian’s normally somber mahogany eyes. Half heartedly, he kicked the door open wide enough for Sebastian to sidle into the kitchen behind him with his groceries. The reusable canvas bags were already piled up in the backseat when Sebastian picked Ciel up from work, and the young man had no idea what to expect for that night.

Barely through the doorway, and Sebastian was already brainstorming ideas for their dinner as he followed Ciel into the kitchen. The younger of the two settled in to listen to them all, a mildly disinterested expression in his face. Sebastian suggested a pesto risotto, of course made with with fresh basil from his garden, with roasted chicken and vegetables; crab-stuffed mushrooms with whole roasted cauliflower and whipped goat cheese; chorizo-stuffed chicken maybe, with spiced braised lentils and tomatoes; brown butter shrimp with parmesan basil corn orzo; that one-pot ranch chicken and rice dish that he knew Ciel liked.

This is how it always was. Whenever Ciel was over, Sebastian insisted on cooking – breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, and some snacks in between. Actually, Sebastian insisted on cooking all the time, even when it was just him, alone in his tiny house in the middle of nowhere. Ciel had never seen a carry-out container in the fridge or in the trash; no pre-prepared or processed foods in the pantry; definitely nothing that could be made in a microwave. Ciel once called him a low-rent Hannibal Lecter, minus the cannibalism and rabid manipulation. Before he met Sebastian, the majority of Ciel’s meals came from a box or a drive-thru. It was easy and cheap, and he had to wonder, didn’t Sebastian ever get tired of this whole rigmarole?

“I don’t care,” Ciel said abruptly, cutting Sebastian off before he descended too far down the oubliette. “Why can’t we just like order a pizza or something?”

"I don’t think any place would deliver all the way out here,” Sebastian answered. Ciel shook his head and wandered into the living room, kicking off his unflattering black sneakers with the regulation non-slip soles and slumping down heavily on the couch. “I can make a dough in like, ten minutes though, if you want to help me fix one,” the older man offered, sticking his head into the room to gauge Ciel’s reaction.

"No, that’s not what I meant,” came the exasperated response, followed by a frustrated sigh, two beautiful blue eyes rolling in annoyance as Ciel muttered, “Whatever.” Sebastian raised one fine eyebrow as an inquisition, and Ciel sank further into the couch. “It’s fine,” he insisted, reaching for the television remote with a resigned look on his face. “Make whatever you want. You know I’ll eat it.”

Sebastian frowned, but simply nodded and turned back to the kitchen, ruminating on Ciel’s mood as he finished putting away his groceries. He knew that Ciel was not used to being waited on hand and foot, though the kid had adapted to the lifestyle quite well in the past few months. He never hesitated to tell Sebastian what he wanted to eat, what he was in the mood for. And when he wasn’t sure, Sebastian was all too happy to sit back and rattle off dish after dish until something piqued the insatiable young man’s interest. Ciel always seemed to enjoy sitting at the counter, drinking a beer or a cocktail Sebastian had prepared, and watching his partner cook for him while they shared stories from the day. The junk food that Sebastian had bought at Ciel’s request went untouched in the cupboards for weeks – who needs Doritos and microwaveable mac and cheese when you have your own personal chef?

Suddenly struck with an ingenious thought, Sebastian slunk away silently to the garage, where a second refrigerator stood, fully stocked with drinks and frozen goods. Digging to the bottom of the freezer, he was relieved to find a frosty DiGiorno pizza that had been in there for God knows how long, but hey – it’s frozen, right? And with so many preservatives, it would never expire. With a satisfied smile on his face, Sebastian returned to the house with the cold pizza package in one hand, a six-pack of Ciel’s favorite beer in the other. While the oven warmed up, he quickly set to whipping up something sweet to follow. Dessert had always been his specialty. He used the unopened package of Oreos in the cupboard to make a crust, and fixed a divinely sweet no-bake cheesecake while the pizza cooked, grease sizzling and pepperonis sweating in the oven.

"Wanna watch a movie or something?” Sebastian asked as he re-entered the living room, handing a bottle of beer and a frosted glass out to Ciel.

"What about dinner?”

"I figured we could eat out here tonight, if that’s okay with you.” Sebastian brought out a bottle of wine for himself, taking a whiff of the fine ruby liquid before pouring a generous amount into a long-stemmed glass.

"Fine with me,” Ciel replied. “What are we having?” His magnetic blue eyes widened, and then softened when Sebastian retired to the kitchen for a third time and returned with the still-steaming pizza on a large ceramic serving platter. “Did you make this?” He asked as Sebastian hands him a napkin and a paper plate.

"Nope.”

Ciel smiled and shook his head in a reluctant sort of way. Sebastian was good, he had to admit. He didn’t need a three-course meal every night, or fresh-squeezed orange juice with his French toast in the morning – that wasn’t why he was seeing Sebastian. The man’s talent in the kitchen was merely an added bonus, much like his talent in the bedroom.

The room was peacefully silent for a moment, save for the subtle sounds of mastication and the clink of the round pizza cutter on the plate. “It doesn’t matter to me what we eat,” Ciel explained as he reached for another serving, picking a piece of sliced pepperoni off and popping it in his mouth. “Just that we’re eating it together, you know? You don’t have to go all out for me all the time; I’m fine with whatever.”

"Okay, I understand,” Sebastian replied. “I’ll try not to go overboard in the kitchen anymore.”

"Well, I never said that,” Ciel warbled through a mouthful of cheese and pepperoni and sausage. “Go crazy if you want, you just don’t have to do it every night, okay? Listen, I like when you cook for me, but it’s not a big deal if you don’t. Like this,” he nodded to the pizza in front of them, his now empty glass and the bottle of wine Sebastian had brought out, the spy action-thriller playing on the TV, “this was perfect.”

Sebastian smiled. “I’m glad you liked it. I guess I just get… I don’t know, excited whenever you’re over, and I want to treat you to something nice…”

"Yeah, you always act like its some big special occasion!” Ciel protested.

"To me, it is,” Sebastian shrugged. “But I get what you’re saying. Next time, we’ll eat out. We can bring the leftovers home and have them for lunch the next day. How does that sound?” He leaned over and planted a cute little kiss on Ciel’s cheek, which inevitably made the boy scoff and roll his eyes.

"Yeah, that sounds good,” he replied, returning Sebastian’s gesture with a kiss on the lips. He didn’t need to be spoiled, he didn’t need to be doted on; he just needed Sebastian, and the sooner this guy figured that out, the better. “You made dessert for tonight though, right?”

Sebastian laughed and kissed Ciel again. “Oh baby boy, of course I did.”

[glorifiedxchaos-moved]

OOC: Ah yes, any time I can get more of my favorite chaos-inducing draconequus, I will pounce upon said opportunity! Discord is my #1 fav baddie-turned-goodie and I absolutely love his redemption arc and how he's still allowed to roam free and do his thing bc of FRIENDSHIP!!! Also please let me play Oubliettes & Ogres with Discord. 🥺

//Honestly, it’s the same here. He’s so much fun to watch, and obviously a ton of fun to play. I love how he only semi-redeems himself up until after Tirek, where he had to fall back to see what it is that he’d be missing. 

//Heh he! A session of O&O would be fun, probably! x3