#pocket full of yellow

[fauscailt]

.tag dump

[translations-by-aiimee]

Dig a Grave to Dig Out a Ghost - Chapter 26

Original Title: 挖坟挖出鬼

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Yaoi

This translation is based on multiple MTLs and my own limited knowledge of Chinese characters. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

Chapter 26 - Photograph

From the South Third Ring Road overpass, turn right and cross a small road covered by empress trees to reach Shenjiayuan.

The fragments of low-rise buildings and the chaotic street stalls on both sides of the street were standoffish in such a modern city. However, this was one of the country's famous antique marketplaces, and tens of thousands of people came here every day with lots of money to spend, risking being baked by the sun and getting heatstroke by lingering around each of the stalls, hoping to find one or two hidden treasures stashed away in a corner somewhere. It was an industry gaining some traction. There were many speculators, collectors, tourists, calligraphers, painters, and even gamblers among them. They firmly believe that a city thousands of years old hid unknown wealth somewhere. It was this mentality that gave them a similar look; intoxicated and wild-eyed with a long outstretched tongue, drooling over the crude high antique imitations on the stalls.

This was the place where Lin Yan made countless memories when he was a teenager. The middle school he went to was nearby. After school, he often came here alone with his schoolbag on his back. Back then, there weren't as many people. There was a very polluted river nearby that hadn't been turned into a landfill yet. The air was always filled with the smell of stinky salted fish. The vendors who set up stalls hadn't yet learned to casually laze about while sneaking glances at the faces of customers to judge how much money they could cheat out of them.

The old days were like rolls of yellowed newspapers. A young man in a light blue school uniform walked through it, exchanging his pocket money for a piece of colored glaze from the late Qing Dynasty. He squatted in front of a stall to sift through the options. The old man at the stall was smoking a cigarette while telling the story of Liulichang in the late Qing Dynasty. Lin Yan didn't know why he was only interested in street stalls when kids his age were saving up to buy posters of celebrities. Just like when they were gushing over the Belgian chocolates their relatives brought home, he was still obsessed for years with the pot full of honey hard candy the old lady in front of the school had.

The wood, rice paper, and the dusty rusticity of the old objects held a taste of time, and teenage Lin Yan couldn't help but be immersed in it. Like a lone fish in the stream.

The sun was shining on the ground at 3 o'clock that afternoon. Lin Yan carried a bulging bag in his left hand and a cup of roasted sencha milk tea in his right. He paced slowly in the crowd, the grass green V-neck T-shirt and cotton calf-length pants standing out. He didn't know why antique hunters liked to wear black, the dust on their clothes making them look like they had just crawled out of the ground.

"Here, it's weirdly hot. Do you want a sip?" Lin Yan shook the milk tea, the ice cube hitting the wall of the cup with a soft thud. Onlookers thought he was talking to the air when actually there was an invisible person next to him helping take off some of the weight of the bag. That mean, even though Lin Yan was carrying a lot of things, it didn't take much effort.

Xiao Yu lowered his head and took a sip where Lin Yan had touched. He bit on the straw a few times and turned his head.

Lin Yan wanted to laugh a little, and brought the cup back to the corner of his mouth.

A-Yan said that Xiao Yu might remember more following him around, so Lin Yan took him to the antique market after breakfast, hoping that something from his own time period might bring something back. Who would've guessed that, after going through all these stalls, lots of purchases were made but there was no progress with the ghost's memory. Lin Yan glanced at the bag in his hand. It was stuffed with clothes bought from a well-known Hanfu store in Shenjiayuan. They were well-made and expensive. Most people only bought them to complete a Hanfu set for their collection. For Lin Yan to buy these kinds of clothes on a daily errand, that was really a rare sight. Even the clerk couldn't help but do a double take.

Xiao Yu didn't understand the time they were currently living in, so he stood his ground and refused to adapt his style to the times. Lin Yan rolled his eyes and glared at him bitterly. He thought, you're the boss here making me throw away my money while I'm just your servant who follows behind you and pays.

Right after they left one store, before he could recover from the purchase, Xiao Yu suddenly stopped when he passed a woodworking shop. Lin Yan looked at the store’s gorgeous decorations and pieces of pearwood and red sandalwood furniture, whining that he really couldn't afford this stuff. Xiao Yu ignored him and dragged him inside. Thirty minutes later, Lin Yan swiped his card to check out under the watchful eye of the clerk and bought a beautiful Tongzhi wood guqin.

"Oh great ancestor, what more do you want?" Lin Yan tucked the order slip from the woodworking shop into his pocket and glared daggers at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu shook his head nonchalantly.

There were more people on the street. Some of them didn't know the treasures that they had found, and they couldn't hide their excitement, sneaking a peek at what they have just bought. Some of them had grim faces, looking like they had been ripped off. There were also groups of foreign tourists wearing Lei Feng hats gathered at the roadside to buy shadow puppets. Occasionally, they turned around and curiously look at the antique city, which was built in the traditional Chinese-style.

In the market area to the south, there were large ancient buildings imitating Ming and Qing style architecture. The bustling narrow street seemed like scene straight out of the Water Margin. The wooden window on the second floor were pushed up, supported by a short stick. Looking up, he could see customers sipping tea. The shopkeeper was a short man, busily carrying a large teapot back and forth.

The narrow street lead to a large emerald-green stall covered with plastic tarps to offer shade from the sun. Lin Yan and Xiao Yu walked under the shadow of the tarps when they heard a familiar voice yelling loudly.

"Look at how green the colour is and how good the water head* is! You won't be able to find another one at this price anywhere in Shenjiayuan!" The peddler selling jade pieces had a round belly, one foot on the stool, holding up a transparent fortune bracelet, spittle flying everywhere. The plainly dressed middle-aged woman in front of the stall looked hesitant. She took the bracelet and took another look at it.

*(T/N: Water head [水头] refers to how light shines through jade. Kind of like how the light would look if it were shining through water. There's a list of transparencies if you want to look at how jade is graded, but basically the best jade has a vivid colour with even transparency across the whole piece.)

"It's too expensive, lower the price a bit." The woman said sincerely.

"It's so green, so transparent, I can't go any lower. Miss, if you want a lower price, it'll affect my livelihood. Don't waste my time." The peddler grabbed the bracelet, his eyes bulging.

"I wanted to buy it for my daughter as a birthday gift. It's too expensive. It'd be a pity if she dropped it. Give me the lowest you can go."

"Here." The peddler rolled his eyes. He took out his calculator, punched in a few numbers, and showed it to the woman in front of him, "Is this all right? I can't go any lower!"

Lin Yan couldn't help but lean over and glance at the numbers on the screen. He let out a laugh.

The peddler squinted at him.

Lin Yan shook his head. He took the bracelet and said to the woman: "Don't buy this, he's fooling you."

"Hey, hey, what are you trying to say? I'm running an honest business here. If you don't believe me, go around and ask. . ."

Lin Yan smirked. He put the roasted sencha tea cup on the stall and held the bracelet at a different angle. The curved surface reflected the light from the plastic roof. He said to the woman buying the bracelet: "Look at the blurred edges of the reflection. If you look closely, you can see that there are very fine meshes on the surface." Lin Yan raised the bracelet to let the light through. "There is purple fluorescence inside, indicating that the reason this bracelet is so transparent because of acid washing and a glue filling."

"Also, notice how the green is only sitting on the surface and doesn't reach the middle. That means it was dyed after the fact. This thing is worth one or two hundred yuan. Don't buy it."

The peddler's nose and eyes scrunched up. At first glance, they looked like a dried walnut.

"Oh." The middle-aged woman hurriedly stuffed an envelope containing the money back into her bag, repeatedly thanking Lin Yan.

When she left, the peddler huffed. Pissed, he turned his head away, not looking at Lin Yan. Even his swollen belly seemed to be flatter than before.

"What else should I do when I notice that someone with money on the street?"

Lin Yan roughly flicked the peddler's forehead: "Everyone here has money. It's embarrassing to lie like this, there's no skill in it."

Several surrounding stalls burst out laughing. The peddler rolled his eyes back to normal. He grabbed Lin Yan’s milk tea and poured a few mouthfuls out of the plastic lid. He muttered while he crunched on the ice cubes: “I don't fool people in this business. It's not my fault their eyesight is poor. No refunds is the standard."

This much was true. Antique jade sales rely on good eyesight. Figuring out which store has more genuine products than fake depends on the customer. They can't return them either so the shop doesn't have to admit they were fakes. Lin Yan clicked his tongue: "These people don't know what to look for. You're just trying to make your father think you're good at this job."

The peddler rolled his eyes, knowing that he was in a bad position and couldn't say anything.

Lin Yan had been a frequent visitor to this antique market since he was a child. Since choosing his major in university, he preferred to come to the small stalls to practice his appraisal skills when he had nothing else to do. See what was selling for a high price but was bought for a low price. He was also kind and helped others pick out the best items, so many peddlers knew him. For example, Lin Yan first met this guy's father, a very honest old man. He even took out the receipt with the price he paid for it when he bargained with customers. Unfortunately, when Lin Yan graduated from high school, the old man fell ill and his son took over the business. and this was the leeching peddler in from of him.

Lin Yan wasn't polite with him. When he walked around the stall, he took out a copper box from under the table. Inside were piles of Ming and Qing paperweights. These objects were all family heirlooms that the original stall owner received from nearby residents’ homes when he was young. Lin Yan had just remembered this box of objects then dragged Xiao Yu over to look at them. Brass mirrors, jade bracelets, thumb rings, snuff boxes, tobacco pipes; Xiao Yu looked over them all and just shook his head. Lin Yan threw the last piece back into the box and patted the dust on his clothes, a little frustrated.

"That box has been there for ages and no one's ever touched it. What are you looking at it for?" The peddler kept squinting at him and was too curious not to ask about it.

"Looking for Ming Dynasty artifacts for my classes." Lin Yan actually didn't know what he was looking for. He moved on and put the box back.

"Ming Dynasty?" The peddler didn't care about the bracelet anymore. "Old man Liu has lots stashed away."

"No, no, no. . ." Lin Yan hurriedly refused, but he thought about it and sighed, "Forget it. I've been shopping all day and haven't gone there. I'll give it a try."

"Don't say the wrong thing. Good luck." The peddler made a face.

The shop run by old man Liu was quite famous in Shenjiayuan. Not just because he was the only antique peddler to sell only sell antique pictures, but also because he was notoriously grumpy. Every day, he'd leave the shop and hang up his old camera in the park to make money. Whenever he went to the shop to buy something, the owner was never there. Walking down the street, he ran into him wearing an old Mao suit, cursing and waving around. His thin mantis-like face was slanted and a pair of glasses rested on his nose at an angle. Sometimes the lens' were shattered like cobwebs, and sometimes the lens' weren't there at all.

His shop sells old photographs of the old city, hung densely from the floor to the ceiling. Because old photographs were difficult to reprint, they were also very expensive. The sub districts of Qianmen, Dashilan, old gardens in the setting sun in 1872, passers-by in long gowns with thin faces and numb eyes. The TV station came to interview him, but only half the program was filmed. From photographers to reporters, old man Liu chewed them all out without exception. The interview never went anywhere, and the shop still didn't have any business. The old man still walked around outside with his camera everyday.

The shop was in the northwest corner of Shenjiayuan and its location was considered unlucky. There was a symbol meant to ward off evil spirits designed by a famous Feng Shui master hung on the door. Xiao Yu couldn't enter and stood at the door waiting for Lin Yan.

Lin Yan looked at the ominous storefront. For the first time, he felt reluctant to part with Xiao Yu.

Unsurprisingly, Old Man Liu wasn't in the shop. A seven or eight-year-old girl in a red jacket was facing away from him. She was pointing at a photo on the wall and muttering something. When she heard someone enter the door, she turned back and grinned at Lin Yan.

Lin Yan was a little surprised. This little girl was his neighbor. Although he didn’t know where she lived, he often saw her running around in the yard downstairs in a dirty red dress. Sometimes when Lin Yan went out to buy dinner at night, he saw her playing with cats in the yard, no one coming to bring her home. He hadn't seen her often in the past month and he didn't expect to see her here.

Was it possible she was related to that strange old man? No wonder no one cared about her playing outside everyday, Lin Yan thought.

"Why are you here by yourself?" Lin Yan knelt down and asked her in a soft voice.

The little girl was lean, her eyes staring straight at Lin Yan, grinning silently. Lin Yan suddenly felt that the little girl’s smile probably made people feel uncomfortable. It didn’t seem right to call it a smile, but just a casual grin. The corners of her mouth were upturned but her eyes were dull. Wearing such an old jacket in summer, she seemed to be left behind by the times, like the rest of the photos in the room.

Lin Yan hesitated on whether he leave and wait outside for the strange old man.

"What the hell you XX, I XXXX. . ." Lin Yan was distracted, and suddenly there was a thud. Old man Liu hugging his broken camera fell through the front door. He fell on all fours in an extremely embarrassed posture, landing on the only part of the floor that had sunlight hitting it.

"A-Are you okay?" Lin Yan rushed over to help. Unexpectedly, the old man gave him a sour look. He rolled over and sat on the ground, patting the dirt on his knees, and continued his tirade of curses towards the door relentlessly. Lin Yan stood awkwardly off to the side, neither leaving nor staying.

The old man felt he had cursed enough. He grunted and got to his feet. When he turned his head and saw Lin Yan, his eyes widened like he had discovered a whole new world, and said with a quacking voice: "What are you doing here?"

"I came to buy something." Lin Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Shouldn't that be the first thing the shop owner thinks of when he sees a customer in the store?

"Leave. What is there to buy? Young people are clueless." The old man held his stern gaze and walked around behind the counter, irritated: "Why are you still standing there? You have no business being here!"

Lin Yan didn't want to talk nonsense with the old man, so he pat his back and turned to leave.

"Hey! Wait!" The old man yelled. Lin Yan had just reached the door and was so frightened by the voice that he came to a halt.

"You look good, I'll take a picture of you." The old man suddenly walked out from behind the counter with his camera in hand. He grabbed Lin Yan by the collar and pulled him into the room. After couple of pushes, he stood beside the little girl. He squatted down involuntarily, and the shutter sounded with a few clicks. The old man's furrowed face appeared from behind the camera and he smacked his lips with satisfaction.

After the shutter, several photos appeared from the top of the camera. The old man took one in his hand and glanced at it. He pulled one out and shoved it at Lin Yan: "You take it."

Lin Yan was shown the strength of this old man. He turned his face angrily, trying to walk out, rubbing his shoulder: "I don't want to."

"Take it!" The old man yelled in Lin Yan's ear, making his ears ring.

Lin Yan took it and glanced speechlessly. He saw that in the black-and-white picture he stood like a wooden pole, staring expressionlessly at the wall. The background was dimmed, and the entire thing looked like a horror picture people would share online.

What's wrong with. . .

Lin Yan eyes widened and a nerve in his head popped. He couldn't help taking a step back, looking at himself in the photo. When he looked at the spot where he was standing when the picture was taken, it felt like a bucket of ice water was poured over his head.

The little girl who took the picture with him just now wasn't in the photo. He was the only person in the black and white background straight out of a horror movie.

Lin Yan hesitantly looked up. The girl in red was standing where he stood, wearing an out-of-date ragged jacket, grinning at him biting her fingernail.

"Hehe, hehe." The old man held up the camera to his crooked eyes and a piece of the lens fell to the ground. "Perfect, great picture."

Lin Yan crawled out of the house.

The sun was bitterly hot and the bustling street was swarming with people. Xiao Yu was standing casually by the doorway. Lin Yan couldn't say a word, swallowing hard. He rushed over and wrapped him up in a fierce hug.

[theshatteredrose]

Code Yellow Conspiracy - Etrian Odyssey Nexus Oneshot

Title: Code Yellow Conspiracy

Summary: What exactly is Code Yellow? Oracle was going to find out.

Pairings: None

Warnings: The mentioning of spiked and drugged drinks, but it is most certainly not a positive thing

AN: I thought to myself “I really should start a book of oneshots for Nexus because I have a lot to write about” and then I thought to myself “Yes, I’ll do that now because what’s one more open project to panic over?”. So, here we are. Boys being cute with other boys is very therapeutic for me. So, enjoy :’D

Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FF.Net

~*~*~*~*~

“Would someone mind taking this…fine gentleman to the hospital, please? It’s a Code Yellow.”

Oracle paid little attention to the request. Drunkard and stupid, that person, whoever they were, were of little consequence to him. Though, he had to admit that he was curious as to what a Code Yellow was. Hospital jargon, of course, but there had been a few such cases in recent days.

“You sure he’s ok? He was just talking before he just keeled over on me.”

Hearing Drayce’s voice was what pulled Oracle’s attention from the book he had been deciphering. He glanced over to where the redheaded dragoon stood with Lynus. The violet-eyed medic appeared to be reassuring Drayce, placing his hand comfortingly on his arm and speaking with him quietly. His expression remained placid, even as two guardsmen began to haphazardly pick up an unknown bar patron that was slumped face first upon the table next to the two.

“Don’t worry, the hospital visit is just a precaution. I’m sure it’s nothing more than excessive alcohol consumption.” Professional and courteous. And yet, there was something else hidden in the tone of Lynus’ voice.

“That’s the third time someone collapsed on me, though,” Drayce continued with his concern with a frown. “What-?”

“Don’t go blaming yourself,” Lynus immediately interrupted, softly yet firmly. “It may be that they can’t handle their alcohol. I’ll speak with Cass about perhaps lowering the alcohol content.”

Drayce didn’t look wholly convinced, but he nodded his head in acceptance regardless. “Ok. You’re probably right.”

Lynus gave his arm another reassuring squeeze before he turned away and moved toward the hapless stranger. Likely wishing to inspect him one last time before he was taken to hospital. Drayce watched the scene for a moment before he sighed, shook his head in annoyance and moved away.

Oracle idly closed the book he was reading as Drayce sat down at the table with him, his expression contorted into a look of confusion and frustration. “Another Code Yellow with me nearby. I’m starting to think I’m curse or something,” he complained.

Oracle allowed his gaze to flicker back toward the seemingly unconscious stranger as they were literally carried out of the bar by two guards in full armour. One holding him by the armpits, the other by the ankles. Not a comfortable position and if the stranger was truly in an emergency state, he was certain that one of the many medics would have intervened.

Lynus especially, with his innate skills to detect a person’s status clear across the room. Yet, he didn’t. Most curiously, he was the one that had made the request.

“I don’t even know what Code Yellow means,” Drayce lamented, prompting Oracle to turn his gaze toward him once more. “No one would tell me. It’s just hospital jargon, they tell me. I just can’t help but think it’s something more to it.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know either,” Oracle confessed.

Drayce folded his arms atop of the table and rested his chin upon his forearms, an annoyed little pout on his lips. “I’ve asked Lynus, Fiorello, Simon, Darrell, and even Owyn, but they all tell me it’s just jargon for someone who has drank too much or has an adverse reaction to alcohol. But I’ve seen others who are clearly intoxicated and blind-out drunk, and they’re never referred to as Code Yellow. It’s got to be something else.”

A small smile of amusement spread across Oracle’s lips. Trust a treasure hunter to pick up the small details. “Must be a conspiracy.”

Drayce huffed out a breath that pushed aside a strand of his red hair. “Nah. I’m sure it’s not done in malice. But it is bugging the hell out of me.”

“I imagine it would.” Treasure hunters were a notorious for their nosiness, after all. “Well, perhaps I should ask around.”

Drayce looked up at him in surprise as Oracle placed his hands atop of the table and pushed himself to his feet. He soon smiled, however, a rather cheeky and knowing grin. “Ah, you’re insatiably curious, too?”

Oracle picked up his book and slipped it into pocket of his jacket. “Indeed. With all the secrecy, it must be quite an interesting tale somewhere involved.”

“Be sure to tell me what you learnt, ok?”

“Of course.”

With that, Oracle turned away from the table and cast his gaze around the Stickleback Mk2. Lynus was nowhere in sight, perhaps having decided to follow the stranger to the hospital to ensure their treatment. But perhaps he wasn’t the best person to ask about the secret meaning behind the mysterious Code Yellow. He was far too nice, too careful with his words. Anything and everything that could potentially frighten or concern someone would be said with perfectly chosen sentences and words.

Oracle didn’t have time for that. He wanted the blatant truth. Something that Isiah was quite comfortable with himself. Alas, he wasn’t within sight either. But another medic was. Darrell. He was rather blunt himself at times. He’d do.

“Ah, Darrell, a moment of your time?” Oracle requested as he walked over to where the redhead medic stood at the bar, scribbling something down on a small notebook.

Darrell raised his head only slightly, peering over his thin-framed glasses at him. “Need something?”

“Code Yellow. What is it?” Blunt answers require blunt questions.

Darrell rested against the bar casually as he inspected him with his eyes for a moment. “I’d tell you the truth, but there’s a few innocents I don’t want to worry,” he unexpectedly replied.

Oh? Quite curious.

“Shall we go for a walk then?”

Darrell quickly shoved his notebook into the breast pocket of his medical jacket and nodded. “Sure, why not? Doesn’t hurt to have more eagle eyes, as it were.”

Hm? He was hoping to recruit Oracle for something? Even more curious.

Without another word the two unlikely companions headed out of the bar and toward a quiet and rather secluded park area located several blocks away from the bar. It was a small place, a rather futile attempt at placing some greenery amongst the sturdy buildings and steel reinforcements.

“Is this efficient?” Oracle asked as they reached a quiet picnic area that was devoid of any souls.

Darrell glanced around almost suspiciously before he plopped himself down upon the wooden park bench and lounged casually. “Code Yellow, huh? Why do you want to know?”

“Curiosity,” Oracle answered honestly as he sat down next to him.

“It’s short for yellow-bellied,” he explained unexpectedly and bluntly, just as Oracle had hoped. “It’s for those who use easily accessible status potions and tonics meant for monster battles and use them against their fellow explorers.”

It took Oracle a moment to fully register what he had said, what he insinuated before he bristled. “They’re spiking and poisoning drinks?”

Darrell nodded. “Yep. For experimentation and for…well, I’m sure you know what the other, main reason is.”

Indeed. Oracle felt the immense desire to burn something. Or rather, someone. Someone who had been issued with a Code Yellow only recently.

“Code Green are for victims of those who would qualify as Code Yellows,” Darrell explained further.

“Are code words necessary?”

Darrell nodded as he stretched his legs out in front of him. “We’ve often wonder that, but we know that revealing the truth would only cause others to panic, worry, and become jumpy. The last thing this place needs is a bunch of jumpy explorers eying each other with suspicion. And it may cause those with ill intentions to change their methods. This way, we have them unguarded and at our disposal. Degenerates will always find a way to be degenerate.”

Unfortunately, that was true.

“What happens to them at the hospital?”

An almost sadistic grin slipped across Darrell’s lips as his eyes gazed vacantly into space. “Stuff.”

Oracle frowned. “I want details.”

“Best for you to witness yourself. Only if you promise not to tell anyone else what I told you.”

Ah. Poor Drayce. Looked like he wasn’t going to learn the truth today, either.

“Very well. I imagine this stuff is rightly painful,” Oracle commented. “Though, I’m surprised that Lynus willingly travelled to the hospital along with the Code Yellow victim.”

Darrell shook himself from his thousand-yard stare. “Lynus is usually the one who makes the call. And he has a hundred percent accuracy rate.”

Lynus’ empathetic abilities were likely very useful in that regard. Anyone who dared to poison or drug another person’s drink did so with pure malice in mind. He’d likely sensed their attentions long before anything was initiated. “Oh? Do tell.”

Darrell grinned as if recalling a memory. “Given the opportunity, he would purposely swap the contaminated drinks with the perp and then idly stand by until they experience full effects of their own drugs.”

Oracle honestly hadn’t expected that. “I must admit, I find that surprising.”

“Nah, not really,” Darrell said nonchalantly. “Lynus is equally protective, just not as up-front about it, like Axel. Or violent like Tobyn. Everyone of the Guardians is protective. He’s just more passive about it. Giving them a taste of their own medicine, as it were.”

“Well well, seems Precious Medic is more intriguing than it first appears.” Sarcasm was heavy in Oracle’s voice, but in truth he was quite fascinating by the reveal.

“That’s why he’s always prowling the place whenever he visits,” Darrell explained before he hefted himself to his feet and turned to stare down at Oracle. “Now, keep this to yourself, remember? And I’ll allow you access to certain Code Yellow cases.”

Certain cases? Did that mean…?

“Jaxen is a usual target, isn’t he?”

“And Kardos, believe it or not.”

Oracle bristled violently. “You have yourself a deal.”

Darrell made a sound that was a half snort, half laugh. “Well, I better get back. With Lynus away, I need to keep an eye on the place.”

“Indeed. I best get back, too,” Oracle said as he pushed himself to his feet. His protective hackles were still raised, but he consoled himself with the fact that he had never heard the words Code Green used to describe the treatment for anyone of his extended guild, let alone his own.

But god help anyone who dared to put his guildmates in such a state.

The trek back to the bar was a quiet one and as soon as they reached the interior of the bar, Darrell went on the prowl, focusing in on areas of explorers he did not know or recognise. And Oracle himself scanned the area with an air of suspicion. His gaze soon focused in on Drayce, however, as he spoke with Cass behind the bar. Likely questioning him about what Code Yellow was as the brawny man himself had issued the statement often.

Oracle walked over to him and took him by the elbow, abruptly pulling him away from the bar so that they could speak in somewhat privacy. “I’ve spoken to Darrell,” he said simply as the dragoon have gifted him a look of pure confusion.

Drayce perked up. “Did he tell you?”

“Indeed he did, but I’m not telling you.”

“What? Why?” Drayce practically whined, frustration evident.

Oracle planted a hand on the dragoon’s shoulder and looked sternly into his eyes, startling him greatly. “It’s for your benefit. The secrecy behind the code isn’t malicious, but those who obtain such a code is.”

A crinkle appeared in Drayce’s brow. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s not something you need to worry about. Just don’t go accepting drinks from strangers, ok?”

Drayce had absolutely no idea what was going on, or even how to respond. “Ah, ok?”

Oracle nodded his head and folded his arms into the sleeves of his purple robes. “Now, you must excuse me; there’s something I wish to witness at the hospital. This should be both educational and amusing.”

And quite entertaining.

[septic-dr-schneep]

This might be a lot to ask, but could you explain everybody's backstories. Like, the most that I know is that Dark is a combination of somebody that died + two other people. I don't really know how any of them came to be. I JUST WANNA BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND. MY MUTUALS WHO'RE IN BOTH FANDOMS ARE FREAKING OUT EVERY TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH MARK'S EGOS AND I UNDERSTAND NOTHING PLS HELP.

OH BOY. Okay, here I go. *cracks knuckles* Prepare for a huge data dump.

Darkiplier: Combination of Mayor Damien and his older sister, Celine the Seer, who dabbled in dark magic. They were killed by Celine’s ex-husband, Mark from another universe, who was possessed by a Demon living in his house. The Demon, Damien, and Celine decided to possess the body of the District Attorney (the viewer) and become Darkiplier to get revenge on the Mark we know.

Wilford Warfstache: Formerly known as the Colonel. He was in love with Celine and stole her from Mark, driving Mark to kill himself, but the Demon in the house possessed Mark and brought him back to life over and over, no matter how many times he tried to die. The Colonel killed Mark one more time, but Mark/The Demon came back again and killed Celine and Damien, the Colonel’s only friends. 

In the chaos, the Colonel accidentally shot the District Attorney. He was grieving over their body for hours and then when the DA’s body was possessed and got back up – having now become Dark – the Colonel went completely insane. He began believing that nobody could actually die. It’s just a joke, which is why Wilford kills people so flippantly. He thinks it’s all a game. 

King of the Squirrels: He is the King of the Squirrels. That’s it. He rubs peanut butter on his face for the squirrels to eat and runs wildly through the woods with his subjects. 

The Author/The Host: The Author was a sadistic man who could write anything into reality. He liked to torture his characters for the sake of a good story but two of his characters rebelled and shot him, leaving him for dead. Later on, we see the Host, a radio showman who lost his eyes, never stops bleeding and always narrates what’s happening around him in the third person. He’s also a reality warper. We imagine he used to be the Author and has expanded his powers and reinvented himself.

Dr. Iplier: A doctor with no good news to give you and a serious lack of a bedside manner! To let you know just how bad it is, he tells his patient that his girlfriend cheated on him, his dog got run over, his parents are kicking him out of the house and then, during their conversation, his parents died. His catchphrase is, fittingly, “I’m sorry…you’re dying.”

Silver Shepherd: A clumsy superhero who’s doing his best to protect the city. He has a loving relationship with his girlfriend, Roxanne, but hears a rumor that she’s cheating on him. He’s devastated, so he and his sidekick Ibis go to find out if it’s really true. In fact, the man Roxy is supposedly “cheating with” is Silver Shepherd’s secret identity self, so there’s nothing to worry about!

Googleplier: An android whose primary objective is to answer questions as quickly as possible. Secondary objective is to destroy mankind. He’s a prototype who’s meant to serve but is in fact starting to rebel against his programming. He was shipped to Mark’s friend, Matthias, and does his best to resist following Matthias’ orders. If Matthias gives him Admin permissions, he’ll be able to kill him. Later on, we see Google getting an upgrade, which allows him to clone himself with Google Green, Google Red, and Google Yellow as backup.

Bim Trimmer: A gameshow host who’s all about being classy! His gameshow helps people win their dream jobs – if they can survive the show. He’s infatuated with Matthias, though, and since Matthias is competing on the show, he rigs the game so Matthias will win. Along the way, he kills one of the other contestants and serves him to the others as meat patties. Bim may or may not be a cannibal.

Ed Edgar: Ed Ednarb Eddeth Edgar is a cowboy who owns a baby adoption agency, Ed Edgar Adoptallot’s Baby Bulk Buy. We see him in a commercial for his adoption agency, where he promotes babies of all different kinds – pocket-sized babies, android babies, babies with laser-eyes, etc. He even offers to sell his own son for the cause, but his son doesn’t sell well, so he keeps him. 

Yandereplier: A schoolboy in a skirt who’s in love with his Senpai. He’ll do anything to gain his Senpai’s love, even if it means murdering their classmates or summoning demons to get the competition out of the way. He’s very cutesy and girly – until you make him mad. Then you’re likely to be impaled on a katana. 

The Jim Twins: Reporter Jim and Cameraman Jim are reporters who covered the news story of Who Killed Markiplier. Reporter Jim is the only one who speaks, since Cameraman Jim is never seen. They are…nonsensical. They have a huge family, all of whom are named Jim, even the girls. We are Jim. They are Jim. Everyone is Jim. The twins are also demon hunters. Reporter Jim got possessed at one point during the hunt. They also have cousins, Newscaster Jim and Weatherman Jim, who can be seen on Markiplier TV.

Bingiplier: A second android who is meant to be hip with the kids and mocks Google for being the older model. He skateboards, wears sunglasses and a tank top, and tries to be cool. Google despises him. The more Bing mocks him, the more Google hates him, until Google gangs up on him with his clones (see above). Bing panics and tries to create his own to help him, but can only manage one small clone (Tiny Bing). We don’t know if they survived or not.

Derek Derekson: A self-centered guy who promotes Markiplier merch. He doesn’t treat his son very well.

Eric Derekson: Derek’s last surviving son; he and his brothers got into a bus accident and he was the only survivor. He’s a double amputee below the knees, he has severe anxiety, and all he wants is to make his father proud. It isn’t easy.

Yancy: The leader of a prison gang who has a passion for singing and boxing. He murdered his parents but since regrets his actions and intends to live out his full sentence, even if he already knows all the routes to escape and could get out on good behavior. After helping the viewer escape the prison, in the good ending, he encourages them to come back and visit him every third Sunday.

Illinois: An adventurer, not to be confused with Indiana, who brings the viewer along on his quest to return an enchanted monkey idol to its rightful place in its cave. He’s flirtatious and suave and breezes his way through traps, though unfortunately his past assistants couldn’t keep up and were lost in various accidents. In the good ending, he makes the viewer rich, and there’s a possibility that they can join him on his next adventure.

Captain Magnum: A sea captain who comes to adopt the viewer as a part of his crew and perhaps even considers them his child. He is also a double amputee and has logs as prosthetic legs; he’s very tall. In the good ending, they help him discover that true treasure isn’t about the gold but the friendships and family bonds they find along the way. They stay with him and the crew and live happily ever after, sailing and swashbuckling.

[video-games-girls-play-to]

MY FULL VIDEO GAMES COLLECTION (31st JANUARY 2018)

MY FULL VIDEO GAMES COLLECTION (31st JANUARY 2018) (gamer since age 8 now age 34)

Nintendo Snes:

1 killer instinct 2 lemmings 3 super Mario all stars 4 super Mario world 2 yoshi’s island 5 super Mario kart 6 ultimate mortal kombat 3 7 super Mario world 8 kirby’s ghost trap 9 kid klown in crazy chase 10 cool spot 11 daffy duck marvin mission’s

Gameboy:

1 donkey kong 2 Pokemon yellow 3 Pokemon blue 4 Mickey’s dangerous chase 5 Kirby’s pinball land 6 super Mario land 7 Bart and the beanstalk 8 donkey kong land 9 super Mario land 2 6 golden coins 10 tiny toon adventures 2 Montana movie madness (USA version) 11 Lemmings 2 tribes 12 Wario land 13 the bugs bunny crazy castle 14 tetris 15 daffy duck 16 game & watch gallery 17 darkwing duck 18 donkey kong land 2 19 Bart Simpson’s escape from camp deadly 20 ducktails 21 the flinstones (USA version) 22 Kirby’s dreamland

Gameboy Color:

1 Conker’s pocket tales 2 The Simpsons night of the living treehouse of horror 3 Pokemon gold 4 Pokemon silver 5 Pokemon pinball 6 Tomb Raider 7 Tomb Raider curse of the sword 8 Resident evil gaiden 9 oddworld adventures 2

Gameboy Advance:

1 Crash Bandicoot XS 2 Pokemon ruby 3 Tomb raider the prophecy 4 Tomb raider legend 5 Crash Bandicoot fusion 6 Donkey Kong country 2 7 super Mario advance 2

Gamecube:

1 super smash bros melee 2 animal crossing 3 pokemon channel 4 resident evil 4 5 resident evil 6 resident evil zero

Wii:

1 wii sports 2 sonic colours 3 sonic and the black knight 4 sonic and the secret rings 5 monster high ghoul spirit 6 monster high skulltimate rollermaze 7 donkey kong jet race 8 donkey kong country returns 9 my sims 10 my sims kingdom 11 my sims racing 12 my sims party 13 my sims agents 14 pokepark pickachu’s adventure 15 silent hill shattered memories 16 soul calibur legends 17 animal crossing let’s go to the city 18 Wario land the shake dimension 19 klonoa 20 just dance 3 21 wii fit plus 22 dead rising chop til you drop 23 the legend of zelda skywardsword (limited edition) 24 the house of the dead 2 & 3 return 25 alone in the dark 26 secret files: Tunguska 27 tomb raider anniversary 28 tomb raider underworld 29 super Mario all stars (25th anniversary edition) 30 super Mario bros brawl 31 super paper Mario 32 new super Mario bros wii 33 super Mario galaxy 34 super Mario galaxy 2 35 Mario kart wii 36 Mario party 8 37 resident evil 4 wii edition 38 resident evil 39 resident evil the umbrella chronicles 40 resident evil the dark side chronicles

WiiU:

1 project zero maiden of blackwater (limited edition steelbook) 2 bayonetta 2 3 captain toad treasure tracker 4 yoshi’s woolly world 5 animal crossing amiibo festival 6 new super Mario bros U 7 new super Mario bros U/super Luigi u 8 Mario kart 8 9 donkey kong country tropical freeze 10 kirby and the rainbow paintbrush 11 super Mario 3d world 12 super Mario maker 13 resident evil revelations

Nintendo DS:

1 Rayman ds 2 doctor who top trumps 3 donkey kong jungle climber 4 final fantasy revenant wings 5 final fantasy 3 (usa version) 6 the Simpson game 7 actionloop 8 rhythm paradise 9 dementium the ward (usa version) 10 impossible mission 11 nervous brickdown 12 tomb raider underworld 13 style boutique 14 super Mario ds 15 new super Mario bros 16 Mario party (usa version) 17 animal crossing wild world 18 animal crossing wild world (usa version) 19 sonic rush 20 sonic rush adventure 21 sonic classic collection 22 my sims 23 my sims kingdom 24 my sims party 25 my sims racing 26 my sims agents 27 the sims 3 28 Pokemon white 2 29 Pokemon diamond 30 Pokemon white 31 Pokemon soulsilver 32 Pokemon pearl 33 Pokemon heartgold 34 Pokemon black 2 35 Pokemon black 36 Pokemon explorers of darkness 37 Pokemon explorers of time 38 Pokemon blue rescue team 39 arkanoid ds 40 mario vs donkey kong 2 march of the minis 41 Mario kart ds

Nintendo 3ds:

1 new yoshi’s island 2 tekken 3d prime edition 3 super monkeyball 3d 4 Luigi’s mansion 2 5 sonic generations 6 theatrythem curtain call 7 dead or alive dimensions 8 super street fighter 4 3d edition 9 project x zone 2 10 tomodachi life 11 spirit camera 12 super Mario 3d land 13 Mario kart 7 14 new super Mario bros 2 15 resident evil the mercenaries 3d 16 resident evil revelations 17 new style boutique 18 new style boutique 2 fashion forward 19 new style boutique 3 styling star 20 animal crossing 21 animal crossing happy home designer 22 Pokemon moon 23 Pokemon sun 24 Pokemon y 25 Pokemon x 26 Pokemon alpha sapphire 27 Pokemon omega ruby 28 Pokemon rumble 29 Pokemon ultra sun (fan edition steelbook) 30 Pokemon ultra moon (fan edition steelbook

Playstation 1:

1 Crash Bandicoot 2 dead or alive 3 croc the legend of the gobbos 4 Crash Bandicoot 2 5 Parasite eve 2 6 Tekken 7 Tekken 2 8 Tekken 3 9 Alone in the dark the new nightmare 10 soul blade 11 lemmings and oh no more lemmings 12 silent hill 13 deathtrap dungeon 14 Croc 2 15 Parasite eve (USA version) 16 Final Fantasy 8 17 Fighting force 18 Rayman 19 Spice Girls 20 pandemonium 21 Resident evil 22 Resident evil 2 23 Resident evil 3 Nemesis 24 Resident evil gun survivor 25 Kodelka 26 Dino crisis 27 Dino crisis 2 28 oddworld Abe’s odyssey 29 oddworld Abe’s exodus 30 Tomb Raider 31 Tomb Raider 2 32 Tomb Raider 3 adventures of Lara Croft 33 Tomb Raider the last revelation 34 Tomb Raider chronicles

Playstation 2:

1 Kingdom hearts 2 Kingdom hearts 2 3 Tekken tag tournament 4 Tekken 4 5 Tekken 5 6 Death by degrees 7 Silent hill origins 8 Silent hill 2 directors cut 9 Silent hill 3 10 Silent hill 4 the room 11 the Simpsons road rage 12 the Simpsons game 13 the Simpsons hit and run 14 Tomb raider legend 15 Tomb raider angel of darkness 16 tomb raider anniversary (collectors edition) 17 ghost hunter 18 dead or alive 2 19 klonoa 2 Lunatea’s veil 20 virtua fighter 4 evolution 21 alone in rhe dark the new nightmare 22 haunting ground 23 rumble roses 24 cold fear 25 clock tower 3 26 spyro enter the dragon 27 obscure 28 obscure 2 29 forbidden siren 30 forbidden siren 2 31 soul calibur 2 32 soul calibur 3 33 bloodrayne 34 bloodrayne 2 35 ratchet & clank 36 ratchet & clank 2 37 ratchet & clank 3 38 final fantasy 7 dirge of ceberus 39 final fantasy x 40 final fantasy x-2 41 final fantasy 12 42 mortal kombat shaolin monks 43 mortal kombat deadly alliance 44 mortal kombat deception 45 mortal kombat armageddon 46 devil may cry 47 devil may cry 2 48 devil may cry 3 49 Crash bandicoot the wrath of cortex 50 Crash bandicoot twinsanity 51 Crash of the titans (collectors edition) 52 project zero 53 project zero 2 54 project zero 3 55 Resident evil code veronica 56 Resident evil 4 (limited edition steelbook) 57 Resident evil outbreak 58 Resident evil outbreak file 2 59 Resident evil dead aim 60 Resident evil code veronica gun survivor 2

Playstation 3:

1 final fantasy x hd remastered (limited edition) 2 bioshock 2 3 bioshock infinite 4 tekken hybrid 5 tekken tag tournament 2 6 little big planet 7 little big planet 2 8 little big planet karting 9 ratchet & clank trilogy 10 ratchet & clank nexus 11 ratchet & clank a crack in time 12 ratchet & clank tools of destruction 13 ratchet & clank quest for booty 14 street fighter x tekken (special edition) 15 dead or alive 5 ultimate 16 resident evil operation raccoon city 17 the house of dead overkill extended cut 18 modnation racers 19 folklore (usa version) 20 final fantasy 12 21 dragon’s age origins 22 the last of us 23 uncharted drake’s fortune 24 uncharted 2 among thieves 25 uncharted 2 among thieves (limited edition steelbook) 26 uncharted 3 drake’s deception game of the year edition 27 uncharted 3 drake’s deception (collectors edition steelbook) 28 dead or alive 5 (collectors edition) 29 street fighter 4 arcade edition 30 uncharted 3 drake’s deception (special edition)

Playstation 4:

1 uncharted the Nathan drake collection 2 uncharted 4 a thief’s end (collectors edition steelbook) 3 uncharted the lost legacy 4 final fantasy 12 zodiac age (limited edition steelbook) 5 final fantasy 15 (day one edition) 6 final fantasy type 0 hd (day one edition) 7 assassin’s creed 4 black flag 8 assassin’s creed unity 9 tomb raider definitive edition 10 rise of the tomb raider (20 years celebration special edition) 11 Lara croft and the temple of osiris (gold edition) 12 the evil within (limited edition) 13 the evil within 2 (steelbook) 14 dead or alive last round 15 little big planet 3 16 tekken 7 17 street fighter 5 18 minecraft 19 Rayman legends 20 ratchet & clank 21 warriors orochi 3 ultimate 22 the last of us remastered 23 mortal kombat x 24 rigs 25 skyrim vr 26 until dawn 27 crash bandicoot n sane trilogy 28 horizon zero dawn 29 resident evil origins collection 30 resident evil 4 31 resident evil 5 32 resident evil 6 33 resident evil 7 34 resident evil revelations 35 resident evil revelations 2 boxset

PSP:

1 the 3rd birthday (twisted edition) 2 final fantasy 20th anniversary 3 final fantasy 2 20th anniversary 4 final fantasy 4 complete edition 5 final fantasy 7 crisis core (german version) 6 tomb raider legend/anniversary (boxset) 7 tekken dark resurection 8 tekken 6 9 mortal kombat unchained 10 dead or alive paradise 11 dissidia 12 dissidia 012 13 sega megadrive collection 14 little big planet 15 midway arcade treasures extended play 16 soul calibur broken destiny 17 ratchet & clank size matters 18 secret agent clank

Playstation Vita:

1 mortal kombat 2 the jak & daxter trilogy 3 Rayman origins 4 Rayman legends 5 street fighter x tekken 6 dynasty warriors 8 xtreme legends complete edition 7 dynasty warriors next 8 uncharted golden abyss 9 silent hill book of memories 10 dead or alive 5+ 11 final fantasy x & x-2 hd remastered 12 little big planet vita

Xbox:

1 Project zero 2 directors cut 2 dead or alive xtreme beach volleyball 3 dead or alive 3 4 dead or alive ultimate 5 oddworld munch’s oddysee

Xbox 360:

1 Assassin’s creed anthology (steelbook) 2 silent hill hd collection 3 silent hill homecoming 4 silent hill downpour 5 tekken 6 6 tekken tag tournament (we are tekken edition/steelbook) 7 tomb raider underworld (limited edition) 8 tomb raider underworld 9 tomb raider collection 10 tomb raider (collectors/survival edition) 11 rise of the tomb raider 12 soul calibur 4 13 soul calibur 5 14 street fighter 4 15 street fighter x tekken (collectors edition) 16 mortal kombat 17 alan wake 18 alone in the dark 19 the evil within 20 Venetica 21 bullet witch 22 bayonetta 23 rumble roses xx 24 dragon’s dogma 25 alice madness returns 26 virtua fighter 5 27 dead island (special edition) 28 my sims heroes 29 sims 3 30 sonic free riders 31 sonic unleashed 32 sega superstars tennis 33 devil may cry 4 34 devil may cry 4 (steelbook) 35 dead or alive 5 36 dead or alive 4 37 dead or alive xtreme 2 38 resident evil 5 (steelbook) 39 resident evil 5 gold edition 40 resident evil 6 (steelbook) 41 resident evil revelations 42 final fantasy 13 43 final fantasy 13-2 44 final fantasy lightning returns 45 fable anniversary 46 fable 2 47 fable 3

P.s sorry for such a long post 😂

[misterewrites]

Marco Ubaldo Van Diaz (Monster Hunter AU/starcoween) part 1

Hey everyone, Mr.E here and I finally did it! I finally made my own writing blog  on tumblr! woo *throws confetti* I finally decided to just put my stories in one place so it’s easier for people to read. I felt weird about the idea to be honest but i decided it was for the best.

Story prompt of the day: Marco Diaz is a fledgling monster hunter. While on his latest contract, he stumbles into trouble and needs help to fend off another monster. However, is he willing to accept it from what lurks deep in the woods?

I love me my gothic horror. I love me my Castlevania, the witcher and van helsing, Dracula, old movie monsters and of course the curse of strahd dnd campaign  I’m doing. So what better for starcoween, my totally made up holiday i missed anyway? write my own version.  This is based on a few things. Dnd, van helsing, castlevania etc etc (the big bad is actually a reference to the curse of strahd) so there’s not really one source in here. Also it is darker than my usual stuff but i did still add comedic because that’s what I like.

So that’s it for me. I hope you all enjoy. I plan to get my stories on this blog asap  so they’re easy to find if you ever want to reread them. Also this second part will be a little late because I have birthday gifts to give out. So the next story I’ll do is spatz pirates au part 3. Also, let me know whatcha think of a certain character I have written for for the first time. have a great week! 

“I am here to witness your passing” the young man said, kneeing before the loose circle of candles that flickered back and forth with a hypnotic sway.

He was strangely dressed for these neck of the woods: A elegant black coat with a well kept red vest and white collared shirt. A black ascot tie wrapped snugly around his neck and a simple brown riding cloak draped over his shoulders. His boots were caked with mud from his travels though he carried a strange assortment of baggage: Two sheathed blades hung on his back, a bag slung around his shoulder with random pouches sewed onto his belt.  

“I beseech you: Move on from this world and lay your grudges to rest”

The crackling of the flames were the only response he received.

“Your spirit is weary, your anger is great.” Marco murmured gently under his breath, clutching the small doll in his hands carefully “I will put you to rest.”

He stood to full height, the icy breeze playfully tugging at his ponytail as he held his lantern close. With one swift movement, the doll caught ablaze and was flung directly into circle.

Marco’s face remained stony and indifferent as an inhuman shriek broke the quiet of the night. A blackish, oily smoke rose from the burning toy yet instead of rising to the sky, it remained, growing in size while humanoid shapes formed within. Hands clasping at empty air, long dark hair billowing through the haze, faces shifting between unparalleled joy and furious anger.

“Do not resist” Marco calmly spoke to the entity “I know it’s scary but you must let go or you will harm many.”

The shriek grew and grew, echoing through the darkened forest. The smoke began to form into a ghostly shade: a young woman with dark hair and tatter clothing. Her eyes gleamed with an ailing yellow glow, her skin was cracked and sickly, her teeth were sharp and curved like fangs. Her fingers shifted between human and beastly talons.

She focused on the lone man, hissing angrily under her breath but Marco remained unmoved by her threat. He patiently kept his gaze, refusing to break contact with the specter.

Without warning, she lashed out. Raising her arms, she lunged forward, hands tensed to wrap themselves against an unsuspecting throat.

The flames from the candles burned orange for a moment before blazing a righteous blue and as the ghostly shade approached Marco, a fiery torrent rose. Her hands scraped at the fire but it stung far worse than any flame she had ever known in life. White smoke curled off her body as the flames shrank but still glowed a pale blue.

“Sorry” Marco gave an unapologetic shrug “Holy candles and a magic circle tends to do that. Because you’re corrupted and all.”

The shade glanced downwards realizing she had been tricked. Beneath the burning doll was a circular chalk outline of complex runes and symbols that glimmered with the faint trace of magic now that they held a wayward spirit.

The ghostly woman thrashed but each time she drew closer to the candles, the fires rose, towering above her in warning. She tried smothering the flames that burnt her childhood treasure but nothing could halt the fire as it consumed the toy slowly.

Marco remained still until the doll was burnt to ash and a gentle wind scattered the remains.

The ghost began to gleam with a pure white light. Her skin cleared, her eyes now a pleasant green, fangs retracted until they became human once more. The clothing mended itself until it was pristine and elegant.

A woman no older than Marco replaced the vicious shade and looked gratefully upon him. He gave a polite, understanding nod as the woman vanished into dozens of tiny lights that quickly ascend into the night sky. The flames went out at once, the candles now waxy puddles as the magic circle’s glow faded.

Marco fished out a scroll from one of the pouches. What once contained unreadable magical runes he could never hope to decipher or read was now blank, its surface empty and bare.

“Another successful contract” Marco sighed appreciatively.

Marco had been training to be a hunter all his life and while his natural talent had gotten him far, he still was new to this line of work. Up to now, all he had really done was help rest some wayward spirits and stopped the occasional zombie horde. The wraith was the first real threat the Guild entrusted to him and while he was happy another soul was now at peace, he did not feel accomplished at his task.

“Hunters do not seek fame and glory” Marco recited the Guild’s manta “but it really does help getting jobs.”

Marco sighed while he began cleaning up the site, brushing the chalk away with his gloved hands and covering the dried wax with dirt when a scream rang out from the darkness. Not a ghastly haunted one but a very real, very helpless living cry for help.

Marco raced through the thickets and foliage of the forest, adrenaline surging into his tired body.

He broke through the bushes and nearly fell off a previously unseen hill in his haste. He flailed wildly, shifting his weight back and forth while trying to regain his balance.

“Okay!” Marco scolded himself “Don’t go running blindly through the forest, it might be a bad idea….”

His voice trailed off when he finally noticed the burning village below, battle cries, crackling flames and terrified screams filled the night in a macabre symphony.

“well shit that’s not good!” Marco cried as he raced forward, one hand reaching for his blade, the other grasping the air in an attempt to steady his footing making his way down to the hill.

He was roughly halfway through his heroic charge when his foot caught a grass clump and took a less than refined spill downhill. He tumbled for a moment or two before being flung through the air straight into a thick fuzzy body and knocking them both onto the scratchy dirt floor.

Marco groaned unhappily, covering his mouth as his stomach churned nauseously.

“Ugh, I hate motion sickness.” Marco gave an ungentlemanly burp before turning to the poor soul he crashed into “You okay?”

A chill ran down his spine as a deep, hungry growl responded to his question. What he mistook for hay was actually dark bluish gray fur that smelt of blood. He gulped nervously as the figure dug their sharp nails into effortlessly the earth. The face was not one of a friend or even human but a wolf’s with murder singing in its red eyes.

“Werewolf” Marco said matter of fact before snapping into action. With one fluent motion, he unsheathed his blade and swung for the beast’s neck.

Marco flinched as the blade bounced harmlessly off the creature. He glanced at his weapon and let out a frustrated moan upon realizing his mistake

“I grabbed the wrong one!” He scolded himself but there was no time to smack himself. The werewolf took advantage of the novice mistake and swiped angrily at the hunter. Marco caught the attack with the flat of his blade but the beast’s strength knocked him back onto the balls of his feet. The creature’s eyes narrowed in excitement as it prepared for one final lunge.

That was its mistake. Marco reached into his coat pocket, pulling out his hand crossbow  and sent its payload into the charging werewolf. It howled in pain, the slivered arrow head piercing its thick hide and burying itself deep into its body. It feebly tried to pull the bolt free but the sliver burned, intensifying the pain that coursed through its body.

Marco sheathed the steel blade he accidentally pulled and drew out the sliver one he meant to. The werewolf’s gaze fell upon the weapon, its polished blade gleaming in the moonlight.

For a moment, the world ceased to exist as the two combatants stared the other down, waiting for the moment to strike.

The werewolf broke the stalemate, dropping onto all fours and attempting to blindside Marco with its speed.

Marco scoffed as he brought down his sword into the creature, whispering a prayer as it fell dead at his feet.

Marco wiped the sweat off his brow when the world came crashing back in. What he thought was the werewolf’s primal animistic snarls thundering in his ears were actually echoing all around him.

“It’s a pack” Marco realized “A pack of werewolves.”

Marco pulled the bolt from the dead werewolf and broke into a run, a fearful thought nestling into his mind. He had never fight a werewolf before and this village was at the mercy of a bloodthirsty pack of them. He hadn’t the slightest idea how many were running around or if the town’s guard were ready to deal with such a threat.

Marco felt his desperation rising as he ran through city streets blindly. Fallen bodies, buildings ransacked or destroyed, the living scattered while the hungry howls of wolves came from all directions.

“A hunter out in public? Strange to see one not lurking in the shadows. Perhaps you’ve all grown a backbone.”

Marco skidded to a stop. His skin crawled as a thick, seductive magic blanketed the icy night and weighed heavily on his body.

The young hunter gripped his sliver blade tightly, searching for the owner of the voice but none could be found.

“Here hunter. Above your squishy mortal coil.”

Marco’s eyes hardened at the sight of the man perched lazily on a nearby rooftop: He was hardly much older than Marco with a handsomeness that was too perfect to be human. His raven hair short yet well kept. His pale red eyes glimmered with a dangerous charisma. He wore fine clothing, the kind Marco had only seen nobles or kings flaunt carelessly. His lean frame was draped in black cape with blood red lining that looked like it was dripping free of the fabric.

“Tell me hunter.” the man said with a conversational tone as he slid across the roof tiling “Are you a brave man? Or simply foolish?”

Marco resisted the urge to take a step back: whatever this man was, he was a threat and one that could not be taken lightly.

“Based on your reaction to my presence” The man sneered playfully “You were not sent to hunt me, were you?”

Marco remained silent.

“Hmm” The man stroked his chin thoughtfully “Interesting. I am Count Rictavio von Zarovich, local lord of the area. You can see my castle in the distance.”

Marco glanced where the man gestured and sure enough he could see a small piece of a tower peeking above the treeline.

“I was under the impression the castle had long since been abandoned” Marco replied. He thought frantically of ways to shift the situation in his favor but if he was facing what he thought he was facing, he would be lucky to escape unharmed.

“Ah mortals” Rictavio’s voice took on a longing tone “Your memory is so small.”  

“Well” Marco shrugged, eyes locked with von Zarovich “We all can’t be vampires, can we?”

“No” the Count smirked as two long pointed fangs slid down “We can’t.”

Marco’s body tensed as he tried urgently to recall all he could remember about the vampiric undead but before he could gather his thoughts, a howl scattered his thoughts.

He reached madly dove into his pouches, his hands agitated in a mad search for the one item that could protect him.

Another howl screeched even closer than before and out of the corner of his eye, Marco could see large shadows quickly darting out of the forest menacingly.

“Come on” Marco muttered to himself “Come on!”

Rictavio smiled joyfully which Marco wasn’t sure was a good or bad thing.

Marco didn’t stop even as impossibly large black wolves slowly drew closer, their red eyes alive with an unceasing hunger towards the hunter.

Marco nearly sobbed with relief as he pulled free the old, nearly destroyed scroll. He held it triumphantly and with a calm voice, Marco spoke the ancient language written on the paper. it crumbled in his hands while the magic it held took effect.

A shining translucent bubble formed all around him at once, shielding him from the pack and their vampire lord.

One wolf tried biting at the encased hunter but pulled away as a holy energy burnt at its jaw. The other wolves snarled and began circling him once more.

Rictavio looked amused “I have never seen such a shoddy protection spell before. You hunters are so uneducated.”

Marco twitched anxiously. Rictavio was spouting out knowledge about hunters like it was the weather. Most hunters didn’t have a drop of magic in them and magical scrolls and items tended to be rare personal possessions.

What made Marco nervous, however, was how the vampire knew how helpless he truly was: Head to head fights were often ill advised. Monsters and creatures were physically superior to even the fittest hunter. That’s why most usually study their prey, setting up ambushes and waiting for when the situation favored them. Even a hunter’s toolkit was prepared for battling a specific creature which is how Rictavio knew Marco was no threat to him. He was here for a wraith, not a vampire and his pet werewolves.

“The night is young” The Count spoke with an air of confidence “and that spell won’t last forever. This, my dear hunter, is where you die.”

“Well” Marco tried to muster a tone of assurance “You should probably keep count of how many wolves I’m going to kill. I got one earlier so the current count is one. Obviously”

“Humor is all your have now.”

“No” Marco disagreed “I got denial too. Really helps keep the edge off.”

“Your jokes are as terrible as your hunting.”

“Why don’t you come closer and find out?”

Rictavio made a motion to sneer again when, without warning, a warm gentle light basked the area in its illumination.

Marco was fine aside from his eyes readjusting for a moment from the sudden shift in lighting.

His foes were not so lucky.

Steam rolled off the wolves as they writhed in pain, their forms switching between their four legged and their heinous werebeast shapes. Whatever what was going was not what they signed up for and in droves they bolted and escaped into the darkness of the forest.

Rictavio lasted a few moments longer: His skin bruised and flaked under what felt like sunlight but he seemed unconcerned by the new development.

“Run hunter” he mocked with a toothy grin “and let’s see what remains when you return.”

And flourish of his cape, the vampire had vanished and in his place was a gigantic, monstrous bat escaping into the night.

The sphere of protection cracked and broke a few seconds later. The crackling of flames, sobs of sorrow and shouts for help were all that remained of the monsters.

Marco glanced where the strange light came from and found a cloaked figure standing near some trees, her hand outstretched still.

“Who are you?” Marco called, turning to face his savior.

The figure straightened up at once, her hand slipping under her riding cloak as she looked around.

“Who, me?” the figure gestured to herself.

“Umm…yeah” Marco nodded in confirmation “you’re the only one there. Who else would I be talking to?”

“That’s not true” the figure countered childishly “This tree is here. You should really apologize to mister tree.”

“I’m sorry mister tree.”

“Thank you!”

“Now, how did you do that?”

“Oh, you hear that?” the figure nudged the fallen corpse that lay near her feet “He’s talking to you. You should answer. Welp, it looks like you’re having a rather serious conversation so I’ll just get going. Okaythanksbye!”

and just like that, the figure ran, swallowed whole by the looming forest.

Marco frowned: part of him wanted to chase after her not only to properly thank her but also perhaps work out a deal about creating a new protection scroll. She was clearly a powerful spellcaster and her timing was perfect.

But he couldn’t just leave yet, not with the village so devastated. He needed to help the best he could and in any way possible. Guilt bit at him as his failure to repel the attack weighed heavily on his mind.  

The damage wasn’t as bad as he initially feared but that didn’t lessen the horrors remained. 12 villagers had died during the attack, a few were bitten but it was unclear if the lycanthropy curse had been passed on to them and some were missing, currently thought to have been carried off by the pack. Many buildings were severely damaged to the point of near collapse and those that weren’t still needed desperate repairs.

“Things look grim” the captain bluntly told Marco “the guard consists of twenty people and we can’t be everywhere at once. We don’t even have enough slivered weapons to properly fight off the pack and we still have the vamprye to content with.”

Marco scratched his chin thoughtfully “It is rather strange a vampire would be able to gain the loyalty of a pack of werewolves.”

“Is it? Such an alliance would be beneficial to both parties” The captain replied “The vamprye gets blood and the wolves meat…..”

“How long ago did he appear? Current rumors stated the castle was abandoned centuries ago.”

“About a month now.” the captain rubbed his eyes tiredly “He appeared without warning but at first it was simply that undead fiend. In his weakened state, he was far easier to fend off. But the next week he came with the wolves. It was a smaller pack then but we were unprepared. Since then, he has come once every week, terrorizing our simple village though I suspect he will return sooner than later.”

“My guild is three days away” Marco said thoughtfully “even if I leave now, I would still have to convince them to pool the resources together to fight this threat and travel back. At a very minimum I return in a week but why do you believe he will attack soon?”

“You, my dear hunter, are a toy to him” The captain spoke simply “He is a cruel and manipulative creature. He would slaughter us to draw you to his castle and quicken your return.”

“I should’ve never came” Marco murmured guiltily

The captain placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder “You did not know. You cannot fault yourself for such a thing. We can only do what we must.”

“Is there anyone who can assist me? I wasn’t exactly prepared to fight a vampire lord.”

“My guard are strong, brave warriors but we cannot leave the town undefended and I doubt the villagers would be so eager to wield weapons against the dead.”

The silence was thick, thoughts swirled in Marco’s head. A vampire count would be an undertaking of its own but a pack of werewolves…..

“Are you prepared to sell your soul hunter?”

Marco stared quizzically at the captain

The captain shifted uneasily “…There are two….women…in the forest that may be able to assist you…for a price.”

Marco caught the subtle contempt laced in the man’s voice “Not a fan I take it?”

“Witches” the captain said straight to the point “They live deep in the forest. Unholy beings with unnatural magic. We avoid them at all costs but if you wish to rid this place of the vampyre, they may be your only hope.”

“I’ve worked with stranger” Marco admitted “and I take it since everyone avoids these witches, everyone knows where to find them?”

The captain clenched his fist tightly.

“That is more homey than I’d expected” Marco told himself as he stood in front of the witches hut.

It was a simple hut made of wood and straw. A cozy light slipped out of the door frame as strange charms hung from the roof, swaying gently in the breeze.

As the young hunter made his way closer, the door swung open invitingly almost like it knew he was coming.

“Well…that’s not foreboding at all” Macro shook his head while he made his way inside “not in the slightest.”

“It wasn’t meant to be dearie but you’ve had a long night.” A friendly older voice called out to him.

“One you seem to be well aware of.” Marco answered as he finally entered the abode.

The interior of the hut was small but loving. A fire place in the corner, kitchen opposite side. A desk with several blank scrolls and books, strange, foreign plants and materials kept away in small drawers near a large cauldron and through the cracked door leading to another room, Marco spotted two humble beds.

The woman sat by the roaring fire place, a leather bound book sitting in her lap as she peered at Marco through her reading glasses.

She was a tiny woman, shorter than he to be sure. Her eyes were grayish purple color that gleamed kindly. Her skin was pale and her long poofy teal hair ran down her back. Two red spades graced her cheeks (witch marks Marco remembered). She wore a long purple dress with gray gloves and simple black footwear with purple socks. She looked more like someone’s mother than a powerful spell caster but Marco was not fooled.

“Take a seat.” The woman gestured to the chair across from her.

“Thank you” Marco nodded amicably as he dropped into the chair ungracefully

“Would you fancy a bit of tea? Or perhaps some coffee?”

Marco shook his head “I rather not.”

“Wary I see.”

“offended?”

The woman chuckled “not at all! It is expected when one wanders the forest. Dark, dangerous things live out here.”

“Since you know all about me, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

“of course. My name is Eclipsa.” the woman revealed “I am humble witch and nothing more Mr. Diaz.”

“How long have you been watching me?” Marco asked politely.

“Since you entered the forest of course.” Eclipsa gave a friendly smile “Can’t have strange man wandering about especially a hunter. Thank for you easing Nora. She was a good woman.”

“I was doing my job. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“So your words say yet your heart speaks otherwise. Helping a village is rather sweet of you.”

“It was foolhardy” Marco replied bitterly.

“Nevertheless sweet.” Eclipsa pressed “One does not cancel the other. Actions can be a multitude of things.”

Marco glanced about the home “The villagers don’t like or trust you.”

Eclipsa gasped mockingly “I would’ve never guessed such a thing! I kid of course. I am well aware of the villagers hatred of me but I wouldn’t harm them. Not like that vampiric friend of yours.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t paid you a visit.”

“He tried.” the witch sipped her tea “But he quickly found out that was a very unwise choice. He’s avoided me since though I suspect he’s planning his revenge.”

Marco opened his mouth to continued when the door opened once again and a cheerful voice called out “Granny, I’m back!”

In walked the cloaked figure from before, a basket of colorful flowers hanging from her arm as she pulled back her hood. A long, flowing blonde braided mane tumbled free and Marco was momentarily awestruck by the young woman.

Her eyes were a sky blue with childish and rather endearing skulls as her witchmarks. She wore a black short sleeve blouse with pink trim and long flowing black skirt that stopped at her ankles. She wore practical mud covered work boots and the typical witches hat with a conical crown and wide brim. Hanging off the tip of her headgear was a home made stitched heart that gave her a rather adorable quality.

She took one step in, took notice of their guest (he knew she recognized him based on how wide her eyes had gotten) but never skipped a step as she nervously greeted Marco.

“Hello stranger I’ve never seen before!” Star gave a tense bow “W-what brings you to our humble…”

“Star” Eclipsa cut in “I know you went to the village.”

“Whaaaaaat?” the woman replied in a deadpanned, not so convincing tone “Me? The village? Nooookay I’m sorry but there was a fire. Screams! And they weren’t directed at us for once”

“Star, we’ve talked about this.”

“I know but….”

Eclipsa sighed “I know you want to go but it’s safer for you here. Now, we have a guest.”

“Right….oh. Oh!” Star pivoted on her heels and faced the hunter “May I offer you some food? Perhaps a drink?”

“No thanks” Marco softly waved his hand “Your grandmother offered me but thank you all the same.”

“You are welcome.”

“And thank you for saving my life.”

Star’s cheeks took on a pink hue as she gave a casual smirk “It was my pleasure. I mean I couldn’t just let them eat you! Well I guess I could’ve but it didn’t seem right.”

“Admittedly it wouldn’t have been a good day for me. Not fond of being a chew toy.” Marco chuckled.

Star giggled cutely “I don’t think anyone is.”

The two shared a small smile before a cough knocked them out of their stupor.

“Mr. Diaz.” Eclipsa gave a knowing grin at Marco’s reddened cheeks “I am aware why you have come and I am afraid I cannot assist you.”

Marco’s shoulders sagged in defeat “Without your help, I won’t be able to kill the vampire.”

“Perhaps but I am not a fan of needless conflict. I am just an old woman who wishes to live in peace.”

Marco sighed tiredly.

“Star, on the other hand, will be more than eager to join your quest.”

“Yeah!” Star nodded in agreement “I totally would.” She paused, finally processing what was said “Wait, I would? I mean yeah but you never…”

“I never let you go unsupervised my dear” Eclipsa explained “You are quite reckless.”

“For the last time that sprite startled me! The fire was not my fault.” Star quickly chimed in.

“Regardless how a fire did or did not spontaneously burst into existence matters not.” The older witch ignored Star’s comments “You will guide Marco and assist in his quest. You were planning on doing so anyway.”

The younger witch said nothing

“I know you dislike Rictavio far more than I but you cannot simply just attack a vampire. They are not like other creatures and to recklessly assault one will not end well. So better to send you with a trained hunter than have you unwisely sneak off on your own and get yourself killed or worse, turned.”

“Me? Killed? Turned?” Star scoffed at the idea “C'mon granny, I can handle myself.”

“Your grandmother is right.” Marco spoke up as he rose to his feet “Vampires are not to be trifled with so casually.”

“Actually she is my ninth great granddaughter” Eclipsa corrected Marco “It’s simply easier to call me Granny Eclipsa.”

Marco stared in disbelief “Just rolls off the tongue huh?”

Eclipsa let out a small laugh “You say great nine times and see how eager you are to do so again. So Mr. Hunter, I shall allow my Star to guide you. In exchange, you must ensure her safe return to me.”

“You have my promise.”

“Don’t you want to hear an or else? For dramatic effect?” Eclipsa rose an eyebrow.

“You are a powerful and educated witch. I am well aware what will happen if I do not fulfill my promise.”

Eclipsa gave a joyful smile “It is so refreshing to talk in such a straight forward manner. I do hope you survive. Such a nice lad. Well off with you two.”

Marco and Star looked at one another “What?”

Marco and Star stood outside with the same shell shock expression on their faces as the hut door closed behind them.

“So…is this what getting kicked out of a house is like?” Star joked.

“It feels familiar” Marco admitted “though most of the time I’m being tossed out a window. It’s nice to go through the door for once.”

“I don’t think that’s what windows are for….”

Marco shrugged “I would like to point out I never said I went willingly.”

“Why would you?” Star nudged him playfully “That’s way too much work.”

Marco tried to suppress a smile but it ended up spilling onto his face anyway.

“So, ready to take down a vampire?” Star asked curiously

“Not really but lead on witchy woman.”

“Okay but only because you would get so loooooost.”

Marco and Star stumbled out of the bushes. Marco wildly slashed and thrust his blade into whatever was chasing them as Star let out a frantic battle cry, flames pouring out of her palms.

The creature snarled in annoyance, taking one last swipe at the witch.

“Watch out!” Marco cried, pushing Star out of the way just in time for a large scaly  claw to narrowly miss her head.

“Back! BACK I SAY!” Star yelled, arcane energy crackling between her fingers.

The creature knew better than to pursue. It snorted before retreating into the thicket.

Marco and Star laid on the ground, her head on his chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her frame.

“I told you it was a dragon.” Marco scolded gently.

“Nah” Star shook her head “its got to be a salamander. Those things get huuuuge out here.”

“It breathed fire!”

“And your point is?”

“It wasn’t on fire. Fire salamanders always set themselves on fire!”

“What? No, that’s not how they work”

“I studied them! I fought one! I know how they work.”

“Psst, clearly your books are wrong.”

“Clearly you can’t tell a salamander from a dragon!”

“Aren’t they in the same family?”

Marco opened his mouth before stopping dead in his tracks “I…don’t know actually.”

“We should find out.” Star jumped to her feet and offered a hand to Marco.

He shook his head as he gripped it tightly and allowed his partner to lift him to his feet.

“So this is the castle….” Marco whispered “Well fuck.”

The castle stood high above their heads surrounded by cliffs. While it towered in the distance when Marco first saw it, now it loomed over them, impossibly large. Time ravaged banners fluttered helplessly in the winds, the ancient stone still sturdy and well built and a lonely road spiraled around the mountain was the only visible path. Any hopes of catching the count unaware were an impossibility.

“…Looks like we’re going to have to walk up” Marco murmured to himself, still lost in his thoughts. There must’ve been a way to some how reach the castle unnoticed.

“Well duh” Star rolled her eyes “It leads to the front door! How else are we supposed to get in? A window? Psst, those are waaaay too high up.”

“I was kinda hoping to get in unseen” Marco said “I don’t like the idea of Rictavio having time to set up for us. Can’t you fly us up or something?”

“I am a witch, not a bird. Besides the spell would only last ten minutes if I use it on the both of us and there’s no way we’re going all the way up there in that time. Come on, just take the path before you. The sooner we kick this vampire’s ass, the sooner everyone is safe.”

“Star” Marco shook his head “I don’t think you’re understanding the problem here. Vampires are powerful creatures. Even magic would have a hard time piercing their unearthly nature. We can’t just walk up to him and go ‘hey we’re here to kill you! Stand still please.'”

“Sure we can” Star waved off Marco’s comment “I’ll just sunbeam him and that’ll be that.”

“We need to be more discreet” Marco argued

“We need to launch an all out attack!” Star countered

“Recklessly charging is going to get us killed!”

“Recklessly charging has always worked for me!”

“How?!”

“I’m a witch!”

“That doesn’t make any sense!”

“You don’t make any sense!”

“Star, that literally makes no sense.”

“Well” Star turned on her heel and faced Marco directly “Make sense then!”

“Fine!” Marco shouted “Duck now!”

Star blinked in confusion “Wait, what?”

Marco dropped low to the ground, pulling Star downwards with him as a massive wolf leapt at them from the shadows, his jaw biting into thin air.

Marco drew his sliver sword but Star was faster on the uptake. She gestured to the wolf, her skulls glowing with magical energy.

The wolf struggled against some unseen force, muscles stiffening as they were frozen in place by Star’s spell.

Marco quietly stabbed the still, silent creature, holding his blade until it fell limp before him.

“Whew. Good acting Star.” Marco gave a grateful smile.

“Umm….” Star looked back and forth uneasily “yeah…was totally aware he was there.”

“Hey, you didn’t tell me you could restrain monsters.”

“Well you didn’t tell me…umm…..yeah!”

Marco shook his head as his eyes fell upon the wolf’s corpse, began forming in his mind.

“Hey Star…..can you make disguises?”  

[undermourningstar]

Morning || Night

Day 1 entry for McHanzo Week 2017.

Thanks to Elektron124 for betaing.

AO3

Jesse bolted upright at 5:30 a.m. It was habit, after rising to run for Deadlock and Blackwatch and from bounty hunters for the past 23 years.

He showered alone. Today would be a meeting, a mission, a debriefing, and no time for himself, he thought as he slipped into his serape. Just before he left the room, he rummaged his pockets for a pen and paper and scribbled in green crayon on a sticky note that must have come from Angela some time ago. He kissed Hanzo’s cheek, who sleep-muttered in response, and left to practice range before his breakfast with Ana.

The sky through the range ceiling was still a deep blue, punctuated by the constellations he had once been able to name. Athena’s voice snapped his attention back to the targets, and he realized that Peacekeeper was empty before he had put much thought into it. Again and again, he skirted and rolled around the range as Athena varied the cadence of the bots, the roughness of the terrain, and the buildings until he could barely count how many kills he had gotten.

He exited the range feeling almost awake enough to tolerate bright lights of the kitchen, where Reinhardt was already flipping pancakes for the team.

“MCCREE! It is always a pleasure to see you up! Take as many as you want!” the German insisted and thrust a warm stack into his hands. He was halfway through his fourth chocolate chip pancake when Ana sat down next to him with three on her plate.

“We need to pick up Jack today,” she told him, and he reached for another pancake before Lena could zip in and eat them all.

~~~~

Hanzo awakened to sunlight upon his eyes. He knew to expect the bed to be empty next to him by this hour, but he still felt the same pang of disappointment until he found a little yellow paper adorned with Jesse’s smudged scrawl. To the untrained eye, it would have been hard to notice, but if Jesse had been there, he would have been able to make out the slightest bit more spring in the archer’s step.

He ate a late breakfast while Lucio chattered to him about his latest work and his new audio-healing techniques he hoped to incorporate, then accepted Angela’s invitation to run errands.

“Do you think it’s too early to propose?” she asked as they passed a jeweler’s shop. The window held various treasures, rings and necklaces and bracelets of filigree Hanzo could have brought to his father (but would they have matched Jamison’s mysterious treasure in value, he wondered).

“What do you think of her?” Hanzo posed as he scanned the nearby buildings for a grocery stores. There had to be somewhere that sold pineapples.

“Fareeha’s amazing,” Angela paused and considered the display. “She’s not my world, but she’s certainly made me aware there is more to it. That I had the capacity to love, even after witnessing all I’ve seen and doing so many terrible things. I can only hope I am as good for her as she is for me.”

Hanzo too looked at the rings, wondering if Jesse would enjoy the silver one with snakes entwined around it. He considered the thousands of branching paths, for every action he could take, had taken, and would never take; the hundreds of futures focused and he wondered, if he had not attempted to fratricide, if he would still have found himself a cowboy.

“Do what your heart says,” he finally answered. “Ana would love to see you tie the knot as soon as possible. She’s been impatiently waiting for grandchildren.”

Angela laughed.

“Of course she has. It’s very hard to miss her placing mistletoe over my door and forcing Fareeha to come to me for healing.”

Having found the Mardi’s, Hanzo motioned her in and cast one last glance at the jewelry shop.

~~~~

Jesse hated this part of his mornings - post-breakfast airsickness that accompanied Tracer’s piloting of the ORCA. Of course, it wasn’t her fault that there had been unexpected strong winds over the Atlantic, but it didn’t help as he regretted the fifth pancake.

Their arrival in New York was rough, but the strike team managed to hit the ground running. He had already eliminated four omnics aimed at the ship before Ana could leap out to join him, and together with Reinhardt, they cleared their way into the abandoned Talon warehouse.

Morrison was inside, fending off another dozen units with the Bastion unit from Eichenwalde and the gamer-girl-turned-soldier, D.Va. It took them too long to move the payload to the ship, in Jesse’s opinion, but he kept his grumblings to himself. He blamed it on the aging of his reflexes, of the extra half second it had taken him to drawn Peacekeeper and reload it, but he knew the faults were not as clear cut as he wanted it to be and they wouldn’t be disappearing any faster than he could blink his aging away.

They landed back at Gibraltar and let Angela fuss over their injuries as Ana shrugged and went back to her room, Jack sheepishly looking on nearby. Jesse finally caught Hanzo in time to enjoy a brief repast on the watchpoint tower before Winston called the cowboy away for debriefing.

~~~~

Hanzo had intended to run a full workout today, but he found himself competing with Wilhelm in weights (for whatever odd reason the man saw fit) and attempting to outshoot Ana Amari (which he failed to do, yet again, but by a smaller margin this time). He showered off the sweat of his defeat before dinner and decided it couldn’t hurt to try the common room. Hana, Lucio, and Jamison lay on their stomachs, shouting at each other over item stocks. They noticed Hanzo’s approach and waved him over to a fourth controller.

He barely noticed it was 7 p.m. until Hana announced her hunger and demanded a race with the junker to see who get chips first. He excused himself and found Jesse waiting in their room with take-out on the desk.

“I saw you with the kids, so I thought I’d grab something and wait for you.” he shrugged at Hanzo. “I know you don’t get a lot of time with-”

He was interrupted by Hanzo’s hug, and they fell back onto the bed.

“I missed you too, Han,” the cowboy spoke into his shoulder. “Let’s eat first, though, or we’re going to be hungry in the morning.”

“Only if you are dessert,” Hanzo muttered, and he laughed for the first time that day. There might not have been time for himself today, but there was certainly time for them, and Jesse couldn’t argue with that.