#scoundrels show no mercy

[krsonmar]

Just a rumor right now

https://twoseven.xyz/6VTQFtFGql?referral=spfxeVUvY9

But by god if I have to, I will tie myself to a streetlamp outside Warner Bros headquarters singing "Henry the Eighth" nonstop for as long as it takes to save my queer pirate rom-com

[moodyhaaze]

❛ when you run into your ex… ❜ pt3 — dateables

synopsis. it’s been years since you’ve seen your ex, but on an excursion to your hometown in the human world with your boy, you run into them…

tags. headcanon | slightly NSFW | gn!mc

a/n. this took me way longer than necessary to write. had this in the works since JULY. TENTH. michael have mercy

< part 1 - older bros | part 2 - younger bros >

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚

— 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐎

is aware that his position of Demon Prince is one that’s rather advantageous. He keeps this especially in mind when it comes to his lover. Diavolo is also very aware of his overwhelming demeanor that his loyal subjects know all too well, but the human world has yet to see that side of him. He’s his usual bubbly and extroverted self when he first meets your ex, but when mention is made that this is, in fact, your ex, his whole disposition changes. He’s standing taller, his broad shoulders squared, his glare narrowed on the target before him. He had all but flared his wings and flashed his horns fully in his demon form. It doesn’t take long for your ex to take notice of this and politely and very quickly excuse themself and head the opposite direction of you and Diavolo. “Oh, it’s a shame that our conversation ended so quickly!” It’s not that you hadn’t noticed his swift change in tune, but you certainly weren’t going to question it or mind it, really. Diavolo loops your arm in his and start you all in the opposite direction your ex had walked, “I saw a flyer for a carnival in town, let’s head that way!”

— 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐒

is pretty low key and honestly doesn’t even react to your ex showing up. Well, not on the outside at least. The utmost decorum and poise is expected of Barbatos, but his thoughts can be rather ruthless. If your ex approaches, Barbatos will exchange niceties but swiftly move you away from the conversation with whatever lie he can muster. “Come now, my dear, we mustn’t be late for an appointment with the Young Master.” You were a little confused what he meant because you weren’t aware of any appointments with Diavolo, but you roll with it, say your goodbye, and begin walking with Barbatos towards the shops. He keeps an arm around you, grip tight on your shoulder. “Forgive me, my love, but I couldn’t spend not one more second around that scoundrel,” he confesses. You’re a little taken aback, not really pegging Barbatos as jealous type. So, you question him, asking him if he really was jealous. And to your surprise, he says yes, “Well, of course I was. They got to know you long before I did. Got to touch you long before I did. Perhaps even experienced sides of you I’ve yet to experience. But, in due time, I will know every inch of you. Every thought. Everything. You are mine, my dear, I won’t let anyone else have you now.”

— 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐎𝐍

is absolutely the jealous type. But the silent anger type of jealousy, much like Barbatos. Simeon will exchange a hello and maybe even a handshake and do it all with a smile, but on the inside this man is seething. As the conversation with your ex wraps up and the three of you share your goodbyes you notice Simeon is quiet. You ask if he’s all right and he responds, “Yes, I’m okay, my little lamb. I just…” He trails off, looking dejected and blatantly avoiding eye contact with you, “Did you enjoy talking to them?” Simeon speaks low and, it was hard to hear, it almost sounded like he asked through gritted teeth. You tell him you neither hated it or loved it. Simeon looks relieved and wraps his arm around your shoulder, pulling you close as his eyes settle on a nearby flower shop. As he redirects your paths to the shop he continues, “I can’t believe how angry I just got.” Simeon lets out a small laugh, “I can’t think of another time I got that angry that quickly. When I saw you smiling at them the same way you smile at me…” You reassure him that you would never smile for anyone like that but him and he seems relieved yet again. He purchases you a big bouquet of your favorite flowers and you both head back to the Devildom where Simeon walks you home. He makes sure to give you a slow, deep kiss in front of the door right in view of Mammon who was about to let you in.

— 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐍

will get very clingy after a run in with your ex. After you mention to him that you see your ex across the way he’s quick to yank you the opposite direction, much to the dismay of his enemy in question. Solomon grabs your hand with a tight grip and with his other he’s using magic to teleport the two of you back to Purgatory hall. You try to question him as to why he’s acting this way but he’s quick to silence you before you can even ask, “Surely you don’t think I’d like meddling with your ex?” You cross your arms, giving him the same silent glare a mother would use with her child. “Oh, come on, love. I’m sorry, okay?” Solomon insists as he steps towards you, placing his hands on your shoulders. As he looks at you with pleading eyes, he slowly begins trailing his hands down your shoulders, resting them on your upper arms. Before you can even register it, his fingers are tickling your underarms. You let out a huge laugh as you try to wrestle away from him but he quickly subdues you by pressing your back into his chest. His arms lock around you, his hands roaming farther and farther down your torso, stopping just above the waistband of your bottoms. “Let me show you just how sorry I am.” You feel him smirk against your neck right before he smothers the skin in bruises.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚

a/n pt2. i’m not sure why i blanked so hard on diavolo’s, simeon’s, and solomon’s but i just could not figure out what i wanted to write for them. quite frankly, i think these hc’s for them suck. i just wanted this out of my drafts desperately. at least barb’s turned out pretty good, imo.

© moodyhaaze | 07•30•23 — do not repost, modify, plagiarize, or translate my writings. likes + reblogs appreciated.

cross posted to ao3.

[celluloidbroomcloset]

Ed’s so quick to show his gentleness when Stede first wakes up—he doesn’t try to physically stop Stede from sitting up, but lets his hand hover over his chest. He speaks quietly and gently and reassures Stede that the crew is OK. He’s being certain not to come off as intimidating or frightening.

Which means that Stede doesn’t clock him as Blackbeard. We laugh that he doesn’t, but Blackbeard’s entire persona is this terrifying, larger-than-life pirate (a scoundrel who shows no mercy) and Ed is just a nice guy speaking gently, reassuring Stede that everything is ok and he needs to get better. It doesn’t even occur to Stede that Ed is Blackbeard because Ed isn’t acting like Blackbeard.

And that precipitates the entire identity…not crisis, but revelation. Ed begins thinking of Blackbeard as a separate entity, going from “I shouldn’t be bored, I’m Blackbeard!” to “I guess I do work for Blackbeard.” It’s not a sharp split, but it’s the start.

Stede is likely the first person in a long time who looks at Ed and sees Ed.

[ice-cream-writes-stuff]

♤RAMPAGE♤

Episode 1: ♤AGGRESSIVE♤

{WHERE a young teen screams out her aggression with heavy death metal for a boy she barely knows.}

[Warnings: Yandere Aqua, will add more Warnings later.]

《AGGRESSIVE: Pursuing one's aims and interests forcefully, sometimes unduly so.》

♤

Aquamarine Hoshino was a strange type of person...

He was a liar, a scoundrel at best.

Yet he was a young man. With simple and unhinged desires.

Meeting you didn't change that.

What attracted him to you like a bear to honey? Was it your sweet smile and compliance? Or your features that made him feel like he was gonna melt into a puddle?

"Uh-umm, you okay?" Your voice captures his attention as you gave him an awkward smile.

"Yes." The blonde replied smoothly as he watched you nod unsurely.

"You were talking about how you felt bad for not getting in the assignment for one of your classes, right?"

You look at him blankly... Then, eruptly bang your head against your desk. Comically, whining as your female friend, laughs at you robotically.

"It's not funny!!" You cry fruitlessly.

Aqua studied you like a new breed of animal.

You weren't much of an attention bringer, yet so ordinary to the eye, while also being so secretive and polite.

People wanted to be close to you, good or bad.

He was one of those people.

Aqua believed it was possible that you held that 'star-power' that he, Ruby, and his mother had.

And you did.

But instead of showcasing it to the world with pride. You kept to yourself, going as far as tl screaming your lungs out a simple karaoke room across town.

Aqua.. Wanted to see you shine like Ai. But the selfish part of him relished the simplicity of your relationship with him.

Of course, it was held together by thinly veiled lies. But not so detrimental to his plans.

Deceiving had become easy, was this how Ai felt when she showed her "love"?

Aqua would never know. Yet he yearned to, one day.

"Hey, (Y/N)? Wanna join us for drinks at a new cafe we found?"

Aqua narrows his eyes slightly at your male friend. His blushing and humble appearance ticks the blonde off.

"Maybe it'll help you keep your mind off it?"

You groan miserably at your friend.

Aqua, used to this, expected you to decline. Yet raised your head and sighed.

Don't tell him you were considering-!

"Maybe another time.. You guys should go.. Lunch is almost over.." You mumble distracted and off into your own world.

"See you guys.."

You don't bother to get up as you shove your face back on the desk.

Your male friend eyes you worriedly as he says goodbye while your female friend taps something on her phone. Before glancing at you and Aqua.

"You'll get over it," she said simply, "you always do.." She sighed agitatedly before leaving the classroom too.

"She could of been a little nicer.." You grumble before leaning your back against the chair, a calm sigh leaving your lips as you pull out your school book.

"Hey.."

You look away from your task, giving your sorta, new, school friend, attention.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"If you need help studying, maybe you should-"

"Please don't give me advice," you said sweetly.

Ah.. He could tell your rage was rising.

Good.

"Sorry," he mutters, looking away.

Noticing his aloofness, you quickly scramble up an apology for him.

"Wait! I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean it!"

You try to back-track your words.

"It's just.. I'm suprised, you didn't really give advice.. So.."

"You think I'm not wise?" Aqua acted offended as you squeak and raise your hands, hoping for mercy.

"No-!"

"You know.. You can just ask the teacher for easier work." Aqua said in a monotone voice, hiding his smile as he sees your composure slightly crack.

"HAH... FUNNY JOKE." You grit out, your lips pulled together into a gummy smile.

Alright, Aqua knew when to quit, and he rather be kept in your good graces... For the mean time.

"I wanted to ask you something.." Aqua said seriously, his bright blue eyes giving off a small gleam.

You look at him expectedly and curious, capturing your full attention once more.

"Yeah..?"

-

You huff, exasperated at the end of the day. Your normal shoes padding down the pavement calmly as you stride with a purpose.

Finding yourself in front of a familiar Kareoke Club, the clerk nods to you.

"Party of one?"

...

Typing in the numbers to the kareoke machine, you take a single breath.

"WHAT. THE. HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLL~!!!!!"

♤

{Hi! So.. This will be a slight mini project for me, and I would love for some feedback and such! Comments and art are always appreciated! Thank you!]

(Ps: The Ai Hoshino series is on my Qoutev.}

[flowersandbigteeth]

Red Fang takes you home

General Plot: You're getting to knew Red Fang when some ne'er do wells approach.

Word Count: 1K

💕 SFW MASTERPOST 💕

Dragons (Ward, Riaz, and Ajani) x female reader

W: some description of fighting, sfw monster fluff

The moment was broken by the scent of sour ale flooding the garden. Riaz and his pack looked up at once to find White Wood Pack trundling across the lawn, still bloody from their earlier fight. He found himself openly growling at their intrusion. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw you look up at him in surprise. 

“What are you lot doing creeping around in the bushes?” Ajani shouted, meeting them at the small gate that separated the terrace from the garden. 

“Came to celebrate the festival same as anyone,” a White Wood belched, trying to brush past him, “best to show up to these things late when the wenches have got a few drinks in ‘em.”

Red Fang angled their bodies to hide you, but the grubby warlock had shrewd eyes. 

“What have you got there?” he asked, peeking around Ward to look at you. 

“Nothing you need to concern yourselves with,” Ward asserted, taking a step forward into his space, “I’m surprised you four are still standing. Hard headed bunch, aren’tcha?” 

Another White Wood, this one with a few rotten teeth missing, scoffed, shoving his shoulder into Ajani. 

“Out of the way,” he grunted.  Ajani pushed him back, refusing to move. 

One of them maneuvered around the back side of the garden to lean his arms over the railing at your back. 

“Hello there little lady, why not ditch these guys and come spend some time with my crew? I can tell you we are a lot more fun than these scoundrels.” 

You shrank away from him, obviously uncomfortable and with surprising agility for a big man he hopped the fence, landing neatly in front of you and grabbing your wrist. You shouted in surprise and it set off every instinctive switch in Riaz that told him to protect. Without thinking he jerked the warlock away from you. 

“How dare you put your hands on me?” the warlock snapped as if they hadn’t already kicked their asses once that day. He swung out a sharp uppercut, catching Riaz in the chin. His vision went red and he clocked him right back. He heard you squeal and then all hell broke loose as the two packs went at each other. 

Someone inside must have heard your cries because before you knew it the matron of the Lotus Complex, Velma, (the town guard that had found you) and and her partner came out. They jumped into the rabble without a thought. She immediately broke up the fight, while the male orc helped you off of the bench you’d taken shelter on. 

“I thought we already talked to you lot about fighting?” he snapped, checking you for injuries. 

“We were protecting (Y/N), when this one attacked us!” Ward snapped back, pointing at the leader of the White Wood pack. 

He growled. 

“He put his hands on me first!” he hissed, pointing at Riaz. 

“He touched (Y/N),” Riaz retorted, jerking his thumb at the warlock. 

“If she’s not your mate, him touching her is no excuse to start a fight and ruin the festivities,” the matron of the Lotus Complex huffed, crossing her arms. 

“But-” Riaz started, but he was cut off by Velma pulling out her handcuffs. 

“I already warned you once tonight. You all are coming in,” she said, her eyes focused hungrily on him. 

You had no idea, but Velma had never gotten over that he left her to join his pack and move to the mountains with Ward and Ajani. He didn’t look forward to a night at her mercy.  

“Wait!” you blurted out. 

Everyone looked at you. 

“If they were my mates they wouldn’t get arrested?” you asked.

Velma looked at you, raising an eyebrow. 

“It’s legal for them to protect you from a perceived threat, yes, if you were mates. But they're not so-” 

“Red Fang pack are my mates,” you announced and then quickly, "I was just accepting their proposal when these...other...guys showed up."  

Everyone stared at you. 

The matron quickly shuffled over to you. 

“Darling…are you sure about that? They aren’t…oh dear, how do I put this…they probably aren’t right for you.” 

At that you looked offended. 

“What do you mean? Are they liars?” you asked. 

She thought about it. 

“Well no.” she answered.

“Are they cruel to people or animals?” 

She shook her head. 

“Do they care about each other?”

Riaz answered that for her. 

“Yes, we care about each other very much.” 

You smiled. 

“Then I don’t see the problem.”  

The matron looked at a very angry looking Velma and her confused looking partner. 

“If the female declares them to be mates, then they are, those are the rules. You do understand this is a permanent arrangement, (Y/N)?” 

At that you bit your lip. Riaz could see the conflict in your eyes, you wanted to go back to your family somehow. 

“Permanent until you go back,” he amended. 

She looked at him confused and he continued. 

“I know you probably want to find a way back to Earth. We don’t mind helping you with that and while you're here we can be mates. I mean we will always be mates, but we won't stop you from going home.”

“Riaz…” Ward warned, but he shot him a look that said it was the right thing to do. They weren’t ever going to find someone in Imbryah to mate with them and he would rather have you for a short time than not at all. Whatever misgivings they all had disappeared when you smiled at them. 

“Okay,” you said, “then, yes, we are mates if you’ll have me.”  

Your humbleness touched him. 

“Of course we will have you,” Ajani said. 

Ward looked worried, but nodded his consent.

“Then that’s that,” the matron said, clapping her hands and Velma was forced to arrest White Wood pack and lead them angrily away while she shot you daggers. 

“So what now?” you asked, Red Fang, pretty much oblivious to the orcess' threatening looks. 

Ward gave you a small smile. 

“Now we take you home, I guess,” he said, “it’s a long trip. We live in the mountains.” 

Your eyes lit up. 

“I love mountains! Are there bats?” 

They all looked at you like you were looney toons. 

“Um…yes there are bats,” he said. 

“Then let’s go,” you said, beaming and taking Riaz’s hand, “the sooner the better!” 

Riaz blinked down at you, shocked, but pleased and nodded his head. 

Ajani grinned and took your other hand. Ward gave you a half smile full of tenderness and conflict and they led you away from the complex. 

[themousefromfantasyland]

The Guardians: A Fairy Tale Space Opera

Well, as people who follow me know, during this holiday season I will be exploring William Joyce's Guardians of Childhood book series, the books that inspired DreamWorks' Rise of the Guardians.

Today I will be exploring the backstory of this universe, the story that happened before the main story began, a tragic tale about how a family loss brought a space-faring civilization to its end.

Spoilers: More than 50% of the main cast are actually immortal aliens and they are technically war refugees.

Everything began with the Golden Age, when dreams could come true.

The Golden Age is said to be a time of peace, prosperity and imagination, where humans and other magical beings travelled through the cosmos building kingdoms and empires.

Royal families rulled over constellations, groups of stars and planets, and which seem to be the main administrative unit of this space civilization. In typical fairy tale fashion, these royal families were said to have ruled over these planets with justice, fairness, and imagination.

One of these royal families was the House of Lunanoff, represented by Tsar Lunar XI and his wife. The Tsar's first in command was Kozmotis Pitchiner, Lord High General of the Galaxies.

Lord Pitchiner led the Golden Age armies against the most dangerous foes of this period, the Dream Pirates, the Fearlings and the Nightmare men.

The Dream Pirates were a race of evil beings that used to destroy planets and extinguish stars. At first, they used to steal people's dreams for ransom, but then they eventually learned that they could gain power by absorbing these dreams. Dreams were to these creatures what blood is to vampires. By completely draining a person from their dreams, they could transform them into their mindless slaves.

It is never clarified, but I heavily suspect that the Fearlings, the more generic shadow creatures, are the people who got their dreams stolen and became these mindless shadows. And I think the Nightmare Men are just the Fearlings with more physical form.

Lord Pitchiner lived with his wife and his daughter, Emily Jane, on a moon on the Constellation of Orion.

Lady Pitchiner was always a very vigilante mother, super protective of Emily Jane, always trying to keep her close to home. But Emily Jane was a free spirit, and inherited her father's love for sailing. She loved to slip out of her bedroom at night to sail among the stars.

One day, reports of Dream Pirates forced Lord Pitchiner to leave his wife and daughter behind.

Dream Pirates had been reported off the tip of Orion’s sword. Lord Pitch hurriedly said his farewells to his wife and daughter to hunt down the scoundrels. The family never liked saying good-bye; they tried not to think of the dangers that would be faced. But this time Emily Jane had made for her father a silver locket containing her picture. He was very pleased by it and put it around his neck as he kissed her.

“I’ll be back soon,” he told her.

“Promise?” she said.

“On my soul,” he replied.

But it was all a trick, a trap. Lord Pitchiner was known as a noble and respectable hero, showing mercy to all criminals captured under his watch. The pirates already tried assassinating him several times, but they failed every single time. If they couldn't kill him, they would destroy his spirit.

The Dream Pirates wanted to destroy his spirit by attacking his family right under his nose.

Late at night, the Dream Pirates attacked both the villa and palace where Lady Pitchiner and Emily Jane lived on that moon.

During the attack, amid all explosions from the cannons, Lady Pitchiner immediately went to check on her daughter only to realize she had slipped away during the night.

Good! Lady Pitchiner thought. She’s out on her ship! For once, she was thankful rather than angry that her daughter was so rebellious.

Hearing the pirates crashing through the door, Lady Pitchiner grabbed a doll and jumped through the window in an attempt to protect Emily Jane. Soon, the pirates would think that both her and her daughter were dead.

When Lord Pitchiner returned, he found his palace and the rest of the moon as nothing more than ruins.

Once all Dream Pirates of that attack surrended themselves and were aboard Lord Pitchiner's flagship, they did not face the same noble warrior, but a man on the brink of madness. When they confessed that both his wife and daughter were dead, Lord Pitchiner cut the heads of every one of them.

For eons the pirates had been seen as dangerous criminals. Now the people of the Golden Age viewed them as an evil that had to be eradicated. Soon hate became the center of how this war was waged, and hate is a powerful force. It can make bad men worse and good men nearly mad.

The war against the Dream Pirates intensified. In the end, all Dream Pirates and other dark beings were captured by the Golden Age armies and locked up in a distant planet on the outskirts of the galaxy. The planet prison only had a single entrance, and without any more reasons to continue living, Lord Pitchiner decided to keep watch on them, so no other nightmare creature could ever escape.

Meanwhile, Emily Jane watched her home be destroyed, and among a school of star fish, she sailed away without destination.

And so Emily Jane traveled far from her home and far from her sorrow, until she came to an unexpectedly safe place—the Constellation called Typhan. Before the War of the Dream Pirates, Typhan had been a maker of storms and was a powerful ally of the Golden Age. He could conjure up solar winds so vast and terrible, they would scatter whole fleets of Dream Pirate galleons when required.

But the wily Dream Pirates had managed to ravage him and render him harmless: They had extinguished the stars that had been his eyes. Once blinded, he could no longer see the pirates as they attacked. And they had been merciless, killing so many of his stars that his once-vivid outline was nearly gone. He was now a forgotten ghost of his former self, and he had lost the will to make storms or to fight. He was a mournful, pitiful Titan. Only the harmless Star Fish ever swam among Typhan’s few remaining stars and moons.

Yes, we have a literal living constellation. This god-like being kept watch over Emily Jane over many years, and on a small moon near him she found a home. She used the passing wrecks of abandoned ships drifted by to build a home for herself. She positioned dozens of telescopes all over her small moon so she could be the eyes of Typhan. Everything she might need, food, supplies, clothes, furniture, books, she found in the abandoned wrecks that strayed close enough to her moon.

Typhan taught her everything he knew, including the powers of controlling and making storms. Although he considered her his daughter, she kept waiting for her real father to one day come back to her.

Emily Jane grew bitter and vengeful, and she started discounting her frustration on every ship that passed nearby.

Typhan saw when she used her storm powers to send a small ship to their doom. He confronted her, but she defied him.

Using his storm powers, he sent Emily Jane's moon across space, transforming it into a literal shooting star. Trying to avoid being fried by the resulting energy, she went deeper into the core of the moon and there she became imprisoned.

This is when we meet the League of Star Captains. For generations they had steered stars to every corner of the universe, their primary duty being to bestow the wishes made to them. If the wishes were good, strong, and from the heart, they would send a dream to help the people to achieve them.

Sanderson Mansnoozie, our dear Sandman, was one of them. Long story short, he found Emily Jane's star and became friends with her. Soon, they were traveling the cosmos hearing and granting wishes. During all this time Emily Jane only wished one thing, that her fathicoukd find her.

But even inside their prison on the edges of the galaxy, the Dream Pirates heard Emily Jane's wish. They found out she was still alive. And they knew how they could escape.

Lord Pitchiner kept Emily Jane's silver locket with him during all times, and he did nothing but stare at it in absolute sorrow all day. Then the dream pirates started imitating Emily Jane's voice.

At the beginning Lord Pitchiner knew this could not be possible. His daughter was dead, and not locked inside that prison. But the pirates kept insisting so much, that in a moment of absolute desperation he opened the door.

Every single dark creature locked inside, now reduced to shadow creatures thanks to all those years locked away, attacked Lord Pitchiner. Hundred of dark beings possessed him, transforming him into a giant being of pure hatred. They transformed him into Pitch, the Nightmare King.

Leading an army of Dream Pirates, Fearlings, and Nightmare Men on his Nightmare Galleon, Pitch assaulted all constellations, plunding planets and extinguishing stars.

He went in search of good dreams, especially those of children. He had the power of transforming children into nightmare creatures like his own, and he enjoyed how much they suffered through their transformation...how painful it was.

Bunnymund, our dear Easter Rabbit, came from an ancient race of intelligent rabbits called Pookas and they were the oldest creatures of the universe. Pitch went after them, until only one of them was left, this one taking refugee on Earth.

Pitch also went after Sandman and Emily Jane's star. She was horrified once she saw his father in his nightmare form for the first time.

Sandman flew away on Emily Jane's star as fast as he could. All to escape Pitch's Nightmare Galleon. This lead to a collision course to Earth.

Sandman could hear all the wishes of Earth's children imploring for the shooting star to not crush them. Hearing a wish from deep space, Sandman managed stop the star from destroying Earth. The star exploded on a island of magical dream sand that kept Sandman asleep for hundreds of years.

Emily Jane, finally freed from the star, found that all wind and rain from Earth addressed her as mother. She brought Earth's first storms and became known as Mother Nature.

Pitch became desperate in finding a new child. He heard of a prince who never had a nightmare. This was the young prince of the House of Lunanoff. He promised to transform him into his Darkling Prince.

The Tsar and Tsarina, fearing for their son's safety, travelled on their ship, the Moon Clipper, to a distant planet, our Earth, where they hoped Pitch couldn't never found them.

The wish that Sandman had heard from space was the young prince's wish.

The young prince was protected by a young, immortal boy made of stars. This was Nightlight, and he was the first guardian of childhood.

When Pitch's Nightmare Galleon found and fought the Moon Clipper, Nightlight knew he had to act. The young prince must not become a darkling prince.

Using tears from the Lunar Prince, Nightlight created a dagger to fight Pitch. Nightlight had the power to transform his loved one's sadness into strength to protect them.

Flying right into Pitch's heart, Nightlight caused an enormous explosion that crashed the Nightmare Galleon straight into Earth. The explosion destroyed the Moon Clipper's ability to sail away and it become our good and old moon.

With both of his parents dead, the young Lunanoff Prince was raised by the Moonbots, moonmice, and moon moths that lived in his parents' enormous moon-spaceship. He lived a carefree, but solitary existence, until through his father's telescope, he found out about Earth's children.

He then used an army of livingoon beams, living creatures made of Moon light, to protect the hopes and dreams of the children of Earth.

And things remained the same, until a moon beam accidentally found and freed both Nightlight and Pitch that were trapped inside a large cave for hundreds of years. This would set the events of our series to take place.

@ariel-seagull-wings @thealmightyemprex @tamisdava2 @mask131 @princesssarisa @angelixgutz @amalthea9 @the-blue-fairie @natache @theancientvaleofsoulmaking

Any thoughts?

[dark-night-insomniac]

| Dreamcatcher jiu x gender neutral reader

Genre: medevial au, fluff and angst

| Word count: 6.1k~ Part 1

Warning: fighting, blood, injury, angst, cursing, threats, physical&mental abuse, historical inaccuracy~ switch from first person to third at some point

| Cast: Minji, Sua, Yoohyeon, Gahyeon and You

A/n: some of the other characters in this might get their own story ;)

Sua’s spinoff - Gahyeon’s spinoff coming soon

—————/———————/————

I’ve seen her a few times around the village

Even from a distance, the mysterious aura seeping through her gaze always seemed to catch my attention

I knew better than to mess with witches

But to say my not-so royal life was getting boring was an understatement

My family sent me to live in the rural edges of our kingdom, with the purpose of teaching me life the hard way, before becoming the head of the palace

So here I was, a prince, trying to stay undercover, living as a farmer under someone’s uncle’s roof

~~

That women I keep seeing, i've never quite seen a beauty so surreal, ‘’maybe it was a spell’’ i chuckled to myself, or maybe it was something far more than what i expected it to be

——-

I struggle to remember the color of the walls inside the palace. Maybe they changed it now.

My father and mother had agreed on it, before being suited to lead the kingdom, I had to live the hard way. Living with a friend of a friend, a farmer that is, and for approximately 12 months.

Every descendant of the Crimson family that was in line for the throne had to prove themselves by doing so. But the way my father had thrown me out without a notice still left me hurt.

I felt the bitterness come back to the surface as I bit down on my already bleeding lip.The feeling was exactly what I needed for this instance.I picked myself back up, pushing away the stray hairs from my vision. My left side stung again as I received another blow to my ribs.

The small crowd cheered.

I wasn’t going to let that scoundrel make a fool out of me again. I targeted his leg, first grabbing his shoulders, then kicking his leg to be able to swipe my feet underneath his, making him fall successfully

The crowd cheered again

Seeing my enemy on the ground, I stomped my feet down to his throat.

I had enough…

I kept pressing down even after he tapped on my leg for mercy. It's only when one of my friends pulled me back that I came back to my senses. The crowd quickly gathered around me, celebrating another worthless win. ‘’Yea yea, i won, the show’s now over every one’’ i made a gesture for them to disperse.

The moment I could feel the breeze again, I looked around at the disappearing crowd.

We had this event between friends every week or so. The crowd was always changing, new faces every time. But one face seemed familiar through it all.

A slender figure, dark hair, and always that dark cape looming over her. My friends told me she was only around when I was the one fighting.

Villagers, farmers, foreigners, anyone could enter our fighting matches as long as they placed a bet. The crowd could place bets as well, delivering the money before being permitted to watch the show. It wasn’t anything professional, far from it, but it was a way for us to distract ourselves and get some money out of it.

I walked back to my older friend, looking down at the amount we had gathered

‘’How much did we get?’’ I asked

‘’Weird question for a royal like you y/n, shouldn't you already have all the riches in the land?’’ he quirked his eyebrow. I kicked some dirt his way.

‘’Hey! Do that again and you’re never getting your share’’

I huffed before sitting down by his side to help him count

——

After all, life outside the castle wasn’t too hard. Harsh but freeing in many ways that the 4 walls of that palace could never provide me.

I walked back home at dawn, walking a bit further away from the village. I stepped inside, noticing my adoptive family, each sitting around the table.

‘’Good evening’’ I announced myself before taking off my worn out jacket

‘’Did you feed the lambs and the chickens?’’ A stern voice asked me

I cursed under my breath

‘’Go outside to feed them and do not come back in until it's done. You'll sleep outside if you are too lazy for such minimal tasks. You might be royal blood, but from what i have seen of you, you'll never be as good as your father’’ he spitted at me

I felt both my fists clenching, breathe y/n, only a few more months…

‘’It's not because your a descendant of the Crimson’s family that you're any better than us, now go before I teach you a lesson’’

I exited the house, slamming the door behind me.

This is ridiculous, no one restocked the food for the chickens. I grabbed my satchel and made my way out further, nearing the woods.

I still wasn’t quite sure what these animals were supposed to eat to grow. I would usually steal from our neighbors gardens, gathering what I could so uncle could get off my back.

Like the usual routine, I sneaked past the small cabin, kneeling down before the small garden. I started filling my bag with anything I could grab.

I believed myself to be safe. That is until I heard wood cracking under someone's weight. I immediately ducked, laying on the ground as flat as possible. Footsteps grew louder and closer, that’s when I heard a shout and decided it was my time to run. I stood up and saw the old man pointing his gun at me, I ducked and started running towards the woods. Hearing cursing and gunshots following. I ran through bushes and trees, not looking back

I stopped a minute later, trying to catch my breath.

That's when I heard a voice humming. I hid behind a tree. I heard of these fables, the ones who were stupid enough to wander around the woods alone would often encounter what people called witches. Seemingly human, but with monstrous powers.

I tried listening to the humming. I felt warm, almost comforted by the sound. I racked my brain, trying to remember witches powers and their effects on the common mortal. That song she was humming, it must be some sort of spell or enchantment

I plugged my ears with my fingers. How was I going to get out of this?

‘’Running, like you always do y/n’’

Right, I looked around before stepping out from my hiding spot, ready to run once again

Unfortunately for me, grace wasn’t one of my fortee, nor was my vision so it seems, has i had failed to notice a small root sticking out from the ground, making me trip and fall down

The humming stopped.

I cursed under my breath. I looked up to be met with an oddly familiar face. She simply giggled, looking down at me.

I stood up before taking a step back, cautious to who or what i had encountered.

‘’You’re hurt’’ she almost whispered while looking at me

Her voice sounded like pure silk, something bringing me almost as much comfort as it had for fear a few seconds prior.

I knew better than to fall under a witches charm. Yet, I stood frozen as she approached me, unable to look away from her delicate features and her chocolate eyes. Her hand made contact with my face, making me slightly jump. Her gaze met mine again, this time seemingly worried.

‘’S-sorry’’ I mumbled. She smiled before letting go of my face.

‘’Make sure to clean that cut and put pomade on it, if you want it to heal’’ she looked down with a shy smile

‘’Oh..I will’’ I replied before shaking myself out of this trance like state

‘’I'll be on my way’’ she excused herself before walking away

I ran back to the cottage, feeding the chickens with what I had gathered before finally settling down inside. I looked at my reflection, a cut was present where the women had touched my face. I gathered water from the kitchen, taking a small bowl to bring some over to my room.

I sat down before plunging face first into the bowl. At least I could clean up the wound.

Satisfied, I undressed and laid down. I stared at the rotting ceiling, wood really couldn't last long against the rain I thought. I turned to lay on my side, staring out the window.

Images of earlier came to mind. I wasn't sure if I liked the woman I encountered or if it was only the spell of a witch, either way, I was probably only touch deprived.

She was just one of many faces I would come across and never see again.

——

Yet another crack of dawn fell upon the village.

I unwillingly opened my eyes to be blinded by the waking sun.

If I were to wake up early enough, maybe uncle wouldn't catch me leaving for the day. I wasn’t willing to fulfill my duties per usual, so I opted on escaping to the village for another of our fighting tournaments. I quickly dressed up in my red cardigan father had given me, before exiting by the room’s window. I walked through the field before joining the main path. After a few minutes, I knocked on my friend’s front door.

Only a few seconds passed before she opened the door.

‘’Y/n!’’ she exclaimed

‘’Ready for another successful day Yooh?’’

She nodded with a grin before following me outside. She left to gather any possible fighters while I set up the scene, simply marking a line in the dirt behind one of the houses in the village.

I then settled down Yooh’s bet’s hat, anyone agreeing to fight or to watch had to place a bet against us, thus making us quite the coin after each fight.

When Yooh came back with a crowd, we decided on an order. A few foreigners in town would be fighting a few locals, then, the winner would go against me for the final.

We collected the bets and let the fights start after explaining a few base rules.

——

The crowd started getting bigger after a few rounds. More and more familiar faces stacked up around the circle. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to be faced with none other than Lee Gahyeon.

‘’Well if it isn’t the princess herself’’ I teased, slightly bowing.

She grinned from ear to ear, making me do the same.

‘’Y/n, you know not to address me as such around here” she lightly scolded.

‘’How is the farm life treating you dear friend’’ I asked, a bit concerned.

‘’Better than you it seems” she teased, pointing out my rough figure.

‘’The difference between you and me Gahyeon, is that i'm letting myself have fun while away from the castle’’

‘’And I only have a month left before returning to my family, so who is really the winner here y/n?’’ she grinned

Gahyeon was a princess sent here for the same purpose as I was. Only difference being her coming from a different kingdom, one adjacent to mine. Our families were allies. Once they heard about our family’s famous tradition, they decided on sending Gahyeon out into the world as well.

‘’Well i suppose i'll be lonely then’’ I playfully winked at her, making her giggle

Our attention was brought back to the fight when Yooh announced a winner, it was then that I turned around and saw the hooded girl again.There was this insatiable feeling inside of me, I needed to know her name. But as I started walking towards her, Gahyeon pulled me back.

‘’Don’t think you're escaping from me so easily prince charming’’ she grinned

Although I would have joined Gahyeon's stories, I was still distracted by the stranger. I turned the other way again, meeting the mysterious eyes through the crowd.

Those eyes, I could recognize them anywhere, an object of fascination against my own will. I was taken aback once I realized it was the same woman I had encountered in the woods. But before I could do anything, she ducked with a seemingly disappointed expression on her face.

I tried following after her, but Gahyeon was there to stop me again as well as Yoohyeon this time. She called me in for the final fight. I stepped into the circle, looking up to see my opponent. I frowned, I had never seen this type of attire, probably a foreigner.

Yoohyeon announced the rules again, the winner would win it all. Enticing amount of money for anyone that wasn’t royal. The fight started and I was able to immediately put my opponent to the ground. He managed to pull me off a few times but I was not going to let him take the win.

I pushed him once again to the ground, he groaned before shouting some words I could not understand. I heard some commotion in the crowd and immediately turned around to yoohyeon, seeing the girl fighting the friend of my rival. They were trying to steal the prize from her.

I was about to run to Yoohyeon but my opponent pulled me back.

I felt a stinging pain in my left leg. I looked down to see the man pulling out his dagger out my leg. I let myself fall onto the ground, now clutching at the wound.

I screamed to Yoohyeon to warn her, to let them go so she wouldn't get hurt. The crowd had already corwarded away, leaving the 2 men against me and Yoohyeon.

She let them go after being thrown to the ground.

I got back on my two feet and approached her

‘’I'm so sorry about this situation, are you okay dear?’’ I asked worried

I helped her pull herself off the ground, it's then that I saw a tear running down her face.

‘’yooh’’ I wiped away the tears, turning her face towards me.

‘’Its my fault, i couldn't fight him off, and now he's gone with the money’’ she muttered out

‘’Yooh, no one could of predicted this, it’s my fault if anything, i told you to stop fighting them, i didn't want you to get hurt’’ I reassured

‘’why-’’ she stopped her sentenced when she looked down at my bloodied leg

‘’Y/n! what happened’’ she crouched, touching around the wound.

‘’That bastard had a dagger on him, but i'll be fine’’

She seemed to disagree with me and retrieved her hand from the wound, looking at the substance now on her fingers.

‘’I think he had poison on that dagger, look’’ she showed me the green substance that she retrieved from the wound.

She then stood up before pulling on my arm ‘’Follow me, we need to get some medicine for you’’

I stopped her ‘’Yoohyeon you also have injuries, please go rest back home, i'll fix myself later’’ She was about to fight my decision but I glared at her.

‘’Fine’’ she pouted

‘’I’ll bring you back home now’’ i left her no choice

‘’right, prince charming’’ she joked

‘’I do this because I care about you, not because I was raised this way’’

—--

You led yoohyeon back to the safety of her home before going your own way.

You looked down at your leg. ‘’I have to fix this now’’

You weren’t knowledgeable in medicine and even less poisonous substances. But you did know a friend that could help you on that matter. You didn't like him much, but it was better than letting that substance simmer inside your flesh.

You made your way to his house and knocked.

Quickly your eyes were met with a cocky grin from the tall boy.

‘’Well, well, how could I help my dear Y/n today?’’

You scoffed at him ‘’Well, one of the fighter decided it was a good idea to wound me with poison today’’

He frowned, now serious ‘’I see, let me take a look at it’’ he made sign for you to enter.

You sat down on one of the chairs in his cabin. He kneeled before looking at the wound, He seemed fascinated by it, letting out some noises of excitement

‘’Anything?’’ you asked

‘’Y/n, a master needs time to complete his work’’ he smiled

He stood up before going towards his bed, picking up a book from it. ‘’From the color, texture, that wound…I don't think that's going to kill you, not yet anyway. Only thing, I dont have the plant you need here for your remedy’’ he seemed pensive

‘’Can you help me or i am wasting my time here?’’

‘’I sure can, although the plant I need is a bit far from here. I do have a brief sketch of it that should help you find it’’ he explained, ripping a page from his book.

You took the page out of his hands before walking towards the exit. ‘’Your welcome!’’ he screamed towards you before you disappeared from his view.

——

‘’This shouldn't be too hard’’ you repeated to yourself while walking further into the forest.

You approached a small water stream, stopping there to refresh yourself after the long and painful walk. As you stopped there, you heard shouting in the distance

You stood up and walked towards the source, curiosity getting the best of you.

You quickly hid when you noticed a man pointing his gun at a hooded figure. Intelligible words were exchanged between the two before the man threw the person to the ground. In a matter of seconds he then aggressively stepped on their ankle before stealing their belongings.

You came out of hiding to confront the man but he was already running away. You ran to the women that was on the ground

‘’Miss, may I help you? Why did that men attack you?’’ You asked

You waited for her response but only heard her sniffle. It was when she turned her face to meet your gaze that you recognized her face. ‘’A witch’’ you accidentally blurted out ‘’Is that why he attacked you?’’ she nodded at the question

‘’I won't hurt you’’ you quickly jutted out

‘’I believe you, I have seen you quite a few times around y/n’’ she inquired.

You were shocked at the mention of your name. She seemed to notice your confusion and tittle her head with a smile

‘’May I know your name?’’

‘’Of course, I'm Minji, or Jiu for short’’ she smiled through the pain.

She tried standing up but failed due to her injury. You offered her your hand and helped her stand. She tried putting weight on her feet but groaned at the feeling, gripping onto your hand for support.

‘’Oh your ankle, I can help you back home’’ you reassured but her smile dropped.

‘’I dont think its a good idea to bring me back home seeing as though you have a lover waiting for you back there’’

You frowned, confused.

‘’The princess?’’ she quirked her eyebrow

‘’Oh, that is not my lover. We are friends’’ you replied. She simply nodded

‘’Wait, how do you know she's a princess?’’ you asked curiously

‘’She isn't exactly trying to hide it with her gold brooch’’ she replied, making you laugh

‘’I also have noticed your embroidery dear prince’’ she seemingly teased, making you blush

She let go of your hand and tried walking on her own but to no avail. You grabbed onto her again. ‘’Let me help?’’

‘’You know what i am don't you?’’

You slowly nodded, trying to understand what she was trying to say.

‘’Then you shouldn't be here, even less at my house, which is near the coven’’ she explained.

‘’Minji, you can't walk on your own, I promise i'll be quick and of no disturbance’’ you slightly bowed, long forgetting your own injury to help the women in front of you. She sighted, knowing she had no other choices but to accept.

‘’Fine, but you should wear this, so as to not be recognized as an intruder’’ She gently took off her hooded cape and gave it to you. She helped you put it on properly, tying the front and placing the hood above your head.

You noticed a small frown on her features before she gently touched your cheek

‘’You didn’t put pomade on it, did you?’’ she asked with a teasing smile

‘’Oh, I must of forgotten, i’m sorry’’

she simply replied with a nod and a grin

You gave your hand to Jiu, holding onto it firmly to help her walk back home.

——

After what felt like an eternity, you could see the edge of wooden roofs starting to peek through the foliage.

As you walked closer to the village with Jiu, you observed the magnificent sight. A witch’s village was nothing short of breathtaking, unlike the horrible descriptions in those fables. Although the sight was to cherish, with all its greenery and uncommon forms, the sight that was to your right couldn't be beaten. It would be a lie to say you hadn’t peeked at Jiu’s profile throughout the long walk. You grew fonder of her soft chocolate eyes and her inviting smile. Although you had been too shy or preoccupied by her state to talk, the silence seemed to be comfortable. The both of you enjoying each other's company while admiring the surrounding nature.

The exterior of the small cabins were painted of eccentric colors and flowers were surrounding each and every building.

You both walked closer to what seemed to be her house. She opened the door before you helped her in. She then sat down onto her bed before looking back at you.

‘’Thank you y/n’’

You simply nodded, watching her uncomfortable figure trying to chase away the pain.

‘’Could you please bring my pain medicine? It's in my underground storage behind my house, you should be able to find it by the wooden trap there’’

You weren’t sure about wandering in such a place, but if it was to help Jiu feel better, then you would do so.

‘’What does the medicine resemble? you asked, unsure

‘’It a red glass bottle with a leather cap’’ she smiled

Having all the information you needed, you hesitantly stepped out of her cabin. You walked towards the back side of the building. A few meters away from its back wall, you noticed the wooden trap. To your surprise it was left open, making it easier for you to climb down in.

The place was quite dark, with only a faint flame lighting the room. You approached the light to start searching for Jiu’s medicine.

You heard a faint noise behind you, but before you could turn to the source, you were pinned against the harsh textured wall.

‘’Who are you and why are you here?’’ a smaller women asked, her knife to your throat

You gulped, ‘’I'm here for Jiu’’

‘’How do you know any of ours name’’

‘’I'm a friend of Jiu’’ you tried explaining but to no avail.

‘’I don’t believe strangers’’ she mentioned before pushing you to the ground. She let her weight pin you down to be able to tie your hands with some rope.

She commanded you to get up before asking more questions

‘’Jiu has been gone for hours now, why should I believe you when you could be the reason of her disappearance?’’

‘’Listen, your friend was attacked and I simply helped her get back home’’

The smaller women didn't reply, but simply approached you, now curiously looking at the embroidery on your chest.

‘’The Crimson palace…what is royalty even doing here?’’ she asked herself. She then walked a few steps around the dark room, seemingly in thought.

She looked at you after pondering, ‘’Who are you?’’

‘’It's not important, we need to go help Jiu’’ you replied, impatient to get back to the injured woman.

she harshly grabbed your face ‘’It is important if you want your pretty face to get out of here unmarked’’ she snarled.

You hesitated, blowing your cover wasn’t exactly meant to happen during this ‘learning session’ away from the palace. Especially not to witches.

Her hand started clenching harder around your face.

‘’I'm the prince’’ you finally jutted out, making her let go of your face

‘’There you go, was that so hard?’’ she giggled mischievously before pushing you out the room and up the stairs

‘’Where are we going?’’ you asked, unsure of what she planned on doing with vulnerable royalty.

‘’You’ll see soon, won't you?’’ she teased. She seemed unbothered by your sligh panic, enjoying the effect she had on you. To your relief, she walked you back to Jiu’s front door. She opened the door before pushing you in, making you fall to the floor.

‘’Is this someone you know?’’ she asked after putting her feet down on your back.

‘’Sua, be careful would you?’’ Jiu snarled at her

‘’Yes I do know them, they helped me get back here’’ she confirmed before letting herself to the ground to untie your hands from the harsh rope.

She looked over you like looking over porcelain, looking for any marks that would predict future shattering.

‘’i'm fine’’ you whispered to her with a reassuring smile

She looked back to Sua ‘’Do you at least have any medicine for me?’’

‘’Here’’ Sua took out a bottle from her satchel and threw it towards the bed

‘’If they do anything, just alert us with a scream’’ she explained before leaving the both of you alone.

Jiu painfully pulled herself back up to bed, ‘’I'm sorry about that y/n, Sua is…very protective’’

‘’I can tell’’ you smiled ‘’It only means you’ll be safe here, makes my heart a bit lighter’’ you admitted. You weren’t sure if it was the product of your imagination, but you swore in that moment you saw blush spread across her face.

She opened the bottle Sua had given to her and took out some of the medication to chew on.

‘’Is that all?’’ you asked, unsure if the medication alone would help her ankle. She giggled at your question before taking out something from under her bed.

She revealed a small wooden box. She pulled some bandages out from it before starting to twist the material around her ankle. You quickly kneeled before her, offering to help her. She smiled before letting you take the material to finish surrounding her ankle. You gently secured her ankle with the material before letting her foot down.

A few seconds passed. Waiting for any response, you looked up to catch her staring at you with a fond smile. You immediately looked back down, a bit embarrassed.

‘���Thank you y/n’’ she grinned

‘’It's nothing’’ you smiled back before getting up

But Minji frowned, looking down at your leg. ‘’Did Sua really cut your pants?’’

You looked down as well, now remembering your own injury ‘’It is not Sua’s doing, it is from a fight’’

‘’Can I have a look at it, I may be able to help you in return for your services’’ she pleaded

Without a word you simply sat down next to her. Her hands wandered around the wound on your thigh. She gently raised the material off your skin. Her expression seemed pained as she traced the cut. ‘’Do you know why the blood seems greenish?’’ she looked back at you

‘’I believe my opponent had poison on his dagger, which he was not suppose to use regardless’’ you huffed

‘’I see’’ Jiu helped herself up and made her way to a cabinet, grabbing a small jar from it. She came back and gave it to you. You noticed the symbol on it, it was the plant you were looking for earlier. ‘’How did you know this was the right antidote?’’ you looked a Jiu, surprised

‘’Well witches do have a few tricks up their sleeves’’ she winked, making you smile

You looked back down at the wound, ‘’Do I just apply it directly?’’ you questioned

Jiu giggled ‘’No we have to clean it first’’ She grabbed a small bottle from one of her shelf

‘’Here is some alcohol’’ she smiled. You watched dreadfully as she opened the bottle

‘’Maybe we do not have t-’’ she cut off your sentence by pouring some of the liquid on the cut. All that could be heard was your muffled groans as you harshly pressed your lips together.

Jiu watched the liquid fizzle, like some kind of potion she would be working on. She was about to pour more but you stopped her, pleading her to not do so.

‘’Oh, I'm sorry, I didn’t realize it hurt bad’’ she apologetically smiled before replacing the alcohol bottle with the small jar. She opened it before placing a generous amount of ointment on your wound. She gently spread it so as to not hurt you.

It's only now that you realized how close she was to you. Her body almost colliding with yours, you could feel the warmth radiating from her skin. A feeling you hoped would become familiar.

She gave you some bandages to finish treating the wound. ‘’Here, you should be able to recover now’’.

You stood up to properly wrap the material around your leg. Once secured, you noticed how the lighting seemed to have faded from earlier. You looked outside only to confirm that night was indeed approaching.

‘’Well, I will be on my way now, thank you for everything Minji’’ you bowed

‘’No need y/n, thank you for rescuing me today’’ she smiled

You felt that leaving her was causing your heart to ache. After finally meeting the mysterious woman, would you simply return home and never see her again? At last, you knew these questions wouldn't be answered by staying in her home, so you opted on wishing her a good night before exiting her house.

You made sure the wooden door was safely closed and locked before turning around. You stopped in your steps, met with none other than Sua and one taller girl. Her eyes went wide before turning into a teasing look

‘’Ah Sua, I will be heading home now’’ you explained

‘’Curious, with how long the two of you were in there, I believed you were staying the night’’ Her words surprised you, making you blush.

The other girl eyed you curiously before speaking. ‘’If you aren’t interested in Minji, we could spend some time together as well’’ she smirked. Sua elbowed the taller girl ‘’Dong, this is not the time to court’’ ‘’Fine, my excuses’’ she replied before sending you a wink as she made her way back towards what you assumed to be her house.

Sua turned back towards you ‘’Leave’’ she sternly directed to you

‘’Yes miss’’ you replied before making your way out of the village.

—---

A week has passed since you last saw Minji. Although she would usually present herself during the fighting tournaments, you assumed she couldn't make her usual errands in town with her ankle.

It didn't stop you from wondering if she was well, if someone was taking care of her or if she was recovered

You had been busy with tasks at home, but you planned to visit her. So when the next morning came, you quickly exited the house to make your way to her, hoping you wouldn't be ambushed by her friends again.

—--

Making your way through the woods. you seemed to recognize the surroundings. The small stream, the flowers. Wasn’t this the place you first encountered Minji?

A sudden idea came to your mind. You approached the flowers, gently picking some of them. You place them in your bag, making sure to not fumble any of the petals before resuming your travels

—---

You saw the wooden roofs appear once again in the distance. You remembered the way, to your relief.

You carefully stepped foot into the village, looking around for signs of any of Jiu’s friends. When you judged the cost to be clear, you let yourself walk further into the small town. That's when you saw her, tending to some flowers near a cabin. She looked just as beautiful as the last time you had seen her. She was sitting on a small bench, her ankle still surrounded for protection.

You let yourself admire her for a bit, enjoying the scenery of it all. Although you felt peaceful at that moment, your heart started singing a song of its own. Its pace quickening at the mere sight of her.

Suddenly, Sua appeared behind her, bringing what looked like to be more flowers to tend too. And although Jiu hadn’t noticed you, Sua immediately did and took her dagger out before calling to you. She seemed to not remember you.She hastily made her way to you but Jiu finally turned around and made eye contact with you. She immediately smiled and called back the smaller woman, explaining to her you were the stranger who helped her a few days before.

Sua retreated before teasingly smiling at you once again. This time she let no word out, simply making a gesture for you to join Jiu.

You walked to where Jiu was sitting

‘’Y/n. How are you’’ she smiled brightly

‘’I am well, I hope you have recovered since our last meeting’’

‘’I do feel better, especially now that you are here’’ she teased before giggling at your shy expression

You reached into your bag, carefully pulling out the flowers you picked earlier. You looked down at them, breathing in before having enough courage to look back up at her. You placed the flowers in front of her, still holding onto them ‘’I wanted to give these to you’’ you shyly expressed.

You didn’t quite understand what was happening to you. You never felt much. You always passed as the cold hearted person who had no time to spare for any strangers. But here you were, feeling your chest fill with butterflies as you looked into this woman's eyes.

She gently took them into her own hands. Looking gleefully over them, smelling the different flowers you had brought to her.

She looked back at you with a grateful smile ‘’Thank you y/n’’

‘’They reminded me of you’’ you blurted out

She giggled, looking back at them ‘’Is that so?’’

For once in your life, you decided to act on your feelings instead of the logic your brain was trying so hard to push onto you.

‘’I like you..Minji’’ you looked at her, only to see her shocked.

Scared, you looked back down to your feet. That was until you felt her warmth close to you once again. You could recognize that feeling anywhere, her presence was one you could never forget, intoxicating yet a blessing.

You felt her fingers hook themselves under your chin, encouraging your gaze to meet hers. Her gaze looked sincere and loving. ‘’I admire you a lot y/n’’ she said in almost a whispers

‘’I'm sorry about what I said’’ You tried explaining yourself.

What you failed to notice all this time was that Jiu felt attracted to you as well, wondering at night where you were, if you also thought about her and missed her.

At the simple mention of her being a witch, people would either attack her or run, no one had been considerate enough to talk to her, let alone help her. You made her feel loved in a way no one before had been able too. Even when she had romantic interests, she would have to hide who she was. But with you, she let herself hope that things could be different.

Noticing the silence, you tried speaking up again ‘’I should of not sai-’’

Jiu wasn’t gonna let you finish that sentence, she wanted to let you know just how much she appreciated your existence. She pulled you in for the softest yet most passionate kiss. Her lips weren't rough nor distant, a perfect amount of pressure accompanied by a slow and loving rhythm.

You felt hypnotized, her lips casting a spell on you, her body pressing against you like she was the puzzle piece you were missing. Her hand gently grazed against the back of your neck while you held onto her waist.

for the first in a while, you felt happy. Like life had a meaning, like the world was given back its colors.

You once believed love was a curse, but if she was the one casting it, then it was well worth it.

[daitranscripts]

What Pride had Wrought Pt. 7

Cutting Through the Enemy

What Pride had Wrought Masterpost Previous: Base Camp

The PC begins to head to the battle.

Party comments:

Iron Bull: Now that’s a view. Gets your blood going.

Vivienne: Corypheus’s soldiers appear to be on the defensive.

Cassandra: Listen to how close the fighting’s gotten! It will be worse ahead.

Sera: Come on, let’s go plug some arseholes!

Sera: This place is rubbish. What are we doing?

Varric: One last push, and we can lick our wounds. I wonder if Corypheus will show.

Dorian: I hope your right about this temple, Morrigan. I could use a building or two. Morrigan: Do the woods discomfort you, Pavus? Dorian: It’s mostly the people trying to cut our heads off that manage that.

Morrigan: Do you see the magic crackling? Something more powerful than the red templars stirs.

A soldier points them ahead.

Soldier: Emperor Gaspard and his bodyguard are just down the hill, Inquisitor. They wish to join you for the last push. Soldier: Marquise Briala and her bodyguard are just down the hill, Inquisitor. They wish to join you for the last push. Soldier: Empress Celene’s general is just down the hill, Inquisitor. He wishes to join you for the final push.

They continue down the path to help Orlesian soldiers fight.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Gaspard rules [1]

Briala and Gaspard rule [2]

Celene/Public truce [3]

1 - Gaspard rules:

The PC joins Gaspard against the red templars.

Gaspard: For Val Royeaux! Hyah! Gaspard: Hah! Well met! Gaspard: Come, you scoundrels! Put your backs into it! Gaspard: To the Maker with them!

After the battle: Gaspard: Well fought, your worship! Let’s hope there’s more where they came from! Go find this temple your aides were on about. We’ll hold position. [4]

2 - Briala and Gaspard rule:

The PC joins Briala against the red templars.

Briala: Fight on Inquisitor! Orlais will turn the tide! Briala: For the Dales! Briala: Steady aim! Watch for the rear guards! Briala: Your time has come!

After the battle: Briala: We’ll hold position while you find your way to this temple. Briala (Dalish PC): Good luck, my friend. May you truly be the Maker’s chosen. Briala (non-Dalish PC): Best of luck, Herald of Andraste. [4]

3 - Celene rules/Public truce:

Orlesian General: Hail the Inquisitor! Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Celene, stands with you! Orlesian General: Glory to Andraste and the Inquisition! Glory to Orlais! Orlesian General: The beasts are flanking to the east. We’ll hold! We will hold! [4]

4 - Scene continues.

*They continue forward, fighting through more red templars and some Wardens as they proceed through the river past the great waterfall.

PC: Those were Grey Wardens. They must be the last of those enslaved at Adamant.

Party comments:

Blackwall (???): Poor bastards. Corypheus has them dying by the dozen.

Blackwall: We’ll remember the men they were. And we’ll avenge them.

Cassandra: If they were forced to obey him, death will be a blessing.

Iron Bull: That, or you got another set of Wardens pissed at you somehow.

Morrigan: A most inglorious end. Still, if these puppet-Wardens show no mercy, neither can we.

The party continues, helping Inquisition soldiers along the way.

Soldier 1: For Haven, and the Divine! Soldier 1: The monsters are running, Your Worship.

Soldier 2: They fall. The red templars fall! Soldier 2: For the Inquisition!

Soldier 3: It’s the Inquisitor! Soldier 3: For the Herald!

Soldier 4: We’ve readied the way. Soldier 4: At your command Herald.

The party continues to the red templar forward camp.

Morrigan: There, ahead. An entire camp of red templars.

Party comments:

Cassandra: Watch out. They’ve posted archers on the wall.

Iron Bull: Watch yourself. Arches on the wall.

Blackwall: Look sharp. They’ve got archers on the wall.

As they fight, strange elves join the fray.

Party comments:

Iron Bull: Katara bas! They fight like a hurricane!

Blackwall: These elves are damned fast!

Vivienne: Who are these elves!

Cassandra: Elves! But where did they come from?

Dorian: Are those elves? Where did they come from?

Varric: Who are these guys?

Cole: These elves want us dead! Iron Bull: We noticed!

The fight ends.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Dalish PC [5]

non-Dalish PC [6]

5 - Dalish PC PC: Who were those elves? They didn’t look Dalish.

Party comments:

Solas: It seems this Temple of Mythal is not deserted after all.

Varric: Yeah. Dalish are a lot more chatty.

Blackwall: they’re no friends to the templars, that’s for sure.

Vivienne: No, not at all.

Sera: Least the bastards killed those red templars.

Iron Bull: Whoever they are, they don’t like the res templars any better than we do.

Cassandra: They fought unlike any Dalish I have ever seen. [7]

6 - non-Dalish PC PC: Were we just attacked by elves?

Party comments:

Solas: It seems this Temple of Mythal is not deserted after all.

Varric: Uh-huh. But they don’t look like any elves I’ve ever seen.

Cassandra: They do not look like Dalish or city elves.

Sera: Not for long, we weren’t!

Blackwall: Strange looking ones, too. At least they hate red templars.

Vivienne: Did you feel that aura? Everything they wore dripped with magic.

Dorian: Elves wielding strange magic, at that. Could you feel it? [7]

7 - Scene continues.

Morrigan: Perhaps these creatures are the reason few return from the Arbor Wilds.

They continue on, helping more soldiers.

Soldier 5: We’re pushing them back, Your Worship. Soldier 5: Always ready, Inquisitor. Soldier 5: Ready at your command.

Soldier 6: We’re ready to serve, my [lord/lady] Soldier 6: We’re honored, Inquisitor. Soldier 6: We stand with you, Your Worship.

As they continue, they come across more allies as they fight red templar behemoths at the ruined archways.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Sided templars, Barris died [8]

Sided templars, Barris lived [9]

Sided mages [10]

8 - Sided templars, Barris died: Fletcher: (templars conscripted): Templars of the Inquisition! The Herald of Andraste fights with us! Fletcher: (templars allied): We fight to reclaim our honor! For the Order! Fletcher: Keep at them!

After the battle: Fletcher: We’ll break the red templars, Your Worship. I can feel the battle turning. With you here, the Maker favors us. [11]

9 - Sided templars, Barris lived Barris: (templars conscripted): At your command, Herald! The Inquisition’s templars are ready! Barris: (templars allied): Inquisitor! The Templar Order won’t rest until these bastard fall! Barris: For the Herald of Andraste!

After the battle: Barris: We’ll mop up any remaining red templars, Inquisitor. Andraste mark me: we’ll avenge every good knight who died in Therinfal. [11]

10 - Sided mages Fiona: We’ll hold these monster, Inquisitor! The free mages stand with the light! Fiona: inquisitor! The Circle of Magi stands with you! Fiona: Holds fast! Fiona: Quickly! One of them weakens!

After the battle: Fiona: Your scouts say more red templars are on their way. We’ll guard against them. Andraste guide you, for I’ve heard Corypheus is ahead. [11]

11 - Scene continues.

Leliana fights in some ruins along the way.

Leliana: Good hunting, Inquisitor! We’re keeping them at bay! Follow the river to the temple!

They find Cullen fighting at the temple gates.

Cullen: Press on, Inquisitor! Cullen: the Inquisition will not yield!

After the battle, the party presses on.

PC: That must be the Temple of Mythal.

Party comments:

Vivienne: Prepare yourself, my dear. It’s likely Corypheus will make an appearance. PC: I’d count on it. Be ready.

Varric: We haven’t seen Corypheus yet. bet that’s about to change. PC: I’d count on it. Be ready.

Blackwall: If we find Corypheus anywhere, it’ll be there. PC: I’d count on it. Be ready.

Cole: In front of us. Rage burning red. So close to what he wants, what he was, what he will be. PC: Corypheus.

Dorian: Any chance Corypheus will finally grace us with his presence? PC: I’d count on it. Be ready.

Solas: Be ready. Corypheus will be there.

Morrigan: I hear fighting ahead.

The PC walks through the archway to the temple entrance.

Next: Temple of Mythal

[aimimi00]

Analysis:

The weak widow Dou E, framed by the scoundrel Zhang Donkey and beaten by the dim official Tao Legend, was beaten into submission, became a murderer, and was sentenced to be beheaded. Before her execution, Dou E, full of grief and anger, makes three vows: blood-spattered with white practice, snow in June, and a three-year drought. Dou E's grievances move heaven and earth, and the three vows are realized individually! This story shows the miserable situation of lower-class people who are at the mercy of others and have no place to complain about their sufferings. It accuses corrupt officials of killing human beings and vividly portrays Dou E as a female figure.

Read the Full story here

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

8th January >> Mass Readings (USA)

Feast of The Baptism of the Lord  

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(When a Feast of the Lord is celebrated on a weekday there is only one reading before the Gospel, which may be chosen from either the first or second reading)

Either:

First Reading Isaiah 55:1–11 Come to the waters: listen, that you may have life.

Thus says the LORD:

All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First reading Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 Behold my servant with whom I am well pleased.

Thus says the LORD:

Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First Reading 1 John 5:1–9 The Spirit and the water and the blood.

Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one who testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water and the blood, and the three are of one accord. If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 10:34–38 God anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Either:

Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2–3, 4bcd, 5–6

R/ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.

R/ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.

R/ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!

R/ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Or:

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 29:1–2, 3–4, 3, 9–10

R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.

R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!” The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

(When a Feast of the Lord falls on a weekday, there is no reading after the Psalm and before the Gospel)

Gospel Acclamation cf. John 1:29

Alleluia, alleluia. John saw Jesus approaching him, and said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 1:7–11 You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[sinisterexaggerator]

tbh, part of me always felt like he was just showing off in front of his crew-i think him going that far would've ruined the frenemy relationship with the jedi he seems to enjoy. and then there's the "sold into slavery as a child by his own parents" thing mentioned in one of the tie-in books....

Really? @queenevac is that true about Hondo being sold into slavery? I was under the impression he loved his mother. This is news to me, but very interesting indeed.

I mean, it perhaps was just him showing off, though he is rather a scoundrel. He has his own motivations, money/profit being one of them. He wasn't always friends with the Jedi. He wound up respecting Kenobi after they released him. At that point he thought him honorable.

He was much darker in the beginning of the Clone Wars series, I felt, and later on seemed to lighten up a bit, and helped the Jedi younglings, etc. I can't remember exactly where this part happens in the series, but for God's sake he was joking about fucking Aurra right in front of little Boba Fett, so idk.

I do consider him a sort of anti-hero in a way. Sure, as he got older and worked with Ezra he seemed to calm down a bit, but I do not really care for Rebels version of Hondo. I am not entirely convinced it was a ruse, but I also think later he perhaps had a change of heart.

If anything, maybe he did have a hard life, and seeing someone like the Jedi showing him mercy and respect made him feel differently from then on. That the galaxy wasn't such a cruel and heartless place.

[sunshine-vine]

(If your still looking for Hisoka x Chrollo prompts? if not, feel free to ignore)

Teifling Hisoka x Bandit Chrollo

Kitsune Hisoka x hunter Chrollo

Prisoner Hisoka x King Chrollo

love your work!

The Emperor and the Fool - Part 1

The heavy iron bars encasing the dungeon cell squeak open. The fanfare of the rolling crank amuses him. The loud, echoing clank of metal on metal signifies to this entire ward that he belongs here; he couldn't be contained with mere earth and shackles like all the others.

"Up."

The skinny guard with the bloodstained eyes is not to be trifled with. He is the only guard allowed watch over Hisoka. It's those damnable, magick-eating rings laid on his fingers - they become chains, locking Hisoka and his powers here beneath the ground.

No matter. Hisoka smiles as he drags himself to his feet.

It's Judgement Day in Yorkshinshire Proper, and King Chrollo Lucilfer sits idly on his throne, awaiting the picks of the day. He's been named Chrollo the Cruel for this exercise, along with the merciless efficiency with which he usurped this kingdom, but he knows, in his heart, it is just. For what is a swift execution but a merciful reprieve from bland existence? Besides, he has need to clean out his dungeons to restock his waning staff and troops.

Several unfit scoundrels are cast before him: beggars, grifters, thieves. Some, he releases as a mercy, to show goodwill towards the thanklessly starved. Others, he sends to the hangman's gallows for the lack of their spine and tact.

Halfway through the day, he's growing bored, and frankly disheartened by how little fruit the dungeon's earth has borne. He will take one more prisoner, exactly one. Let him be of good merit, or someone who unequivocally deserves to be hanged.

Sir Kurapika of Clan Kurta saunters forth, tossing the vagrant down to his knees in chains. Chrollo sits up in his seat, mildly interested. The prisoner is hooded, shackled from mouth to ankle, and yet maintains his poise.

Sir Kurta kneels before His Highness, burning scarlet eyes cast low. This mongrel he has tossed at his King's feet is a personal vindication. He would gladly see his body at the end of the rope, lifeless. He is a scourge upon society, a monstrosity that ought to be put down.

Kurapika waits to be summoned. King Chrollo Lucilfer the Cruel taps his finger to his lip in contemplation before he speaks.

"Sir Kurta. Who is this prisoner brought before me?"

Kurapika summons all the volume his chest will allow.

"Your Grace, I submit before you Hisoka the Magician!"

The assembled crowd erupts in a flurry of jeers and applause in near equal measure. This is the most unruly they've grown all day. How interesting...

"And what are the alleged crimes, Good Sir?"

Kurapika's seething hatred carries his voice easily over the crowd and up to the throne.

"Ten counts of treason, four counts of malicious intent, innumerable accounts of dealing in forbidden use of magic..."

Oh, Chrollo is definitely interested, now.

"... And twenty two counts of murder!"

The crowd breaks into an uproarious cacophony. Pots and pans are banged and shattered, children scream and violent men roar for justice.

Sir Feitan of House Portor draws his blade, beseeching the crowd to tame themselves.

They fall not quite to silence, but a dull enough murmur that Chrollo can finally hear his own breath.

"Unmask the prisoner, Sir Kurta."

Kurapika's jaw tenses as he stands before his king.

"Yes, Your Grace."

His body resists every step as he approaches his captive. This ingrate is the cunning, evasive sort. Every moment in close proximity is another dance with the devil himself. Sir Kurta clenches his fist, tightening the chains that bind this monster as a needed precaution.

As the thick leather hide crumples in his palm and is torn away to reveal a despicable face, Kurapika keeps one eye on the prisoner and one on his King. To his horror, King Chrollo stands, addressing him again.

"Ungag the Magician, Sir Kurta. Allow him to answer freely for his crimes."

Kurapika has no intention of getting any closer to those razor sharp teeth than absolutely necessary. He stands above Hisoka, yanking the leather from his lips with one of the smaller chains and immediately binding his head back in the same breath, forcing his gaze up at Chrollo.

The prisoner almost appears... Serene? Even amused at the rough handling. With a smirk on his face and a barely contained chuckle he arches even further back, glancing up at poor Sir Kurta.

"Twenty three, darling."

Kurapika grits his teeth until they crack, pulling the chains ever tighter.

"What did you say to me, peasant?"

Hisoka lets out a sound close to a moan, only proving his demonic nature.

"Twenty three counts of murder. I killed your cook this morning, before you were awake."

Kurapika sneers, the chains growing hot with his wrath.

"Liar..."

Now, Hisoka does chuckle, straightening his back to look King Chrollo in the eyes.

His warm gaze catches the King's breath for one heartbeat, then two. So peaceful under such gruelling conditions; almost flirtatious, as if silently inviting the king to reach his hand out to be scorched. Chrollo's voice comes out low and resolute, speaking directly to Hisoka.

"What have you to say in defense of yourself, mage?"

Hisoka licks his parched lips, all but drinking the frigid soul from those deep gray eyes.

"That my reputation proceeds me, Your Grace. Guilty, on every charge."

Stunned, and more than impressed by the brazen will of the man below him, Chrollo inquires further.

"You say you are truly a magician, then, and not a simpleton accused?"

Though Chrollo knows it is unlikely to find another true magick user in this part of the world, his curiosity and his guard's obvious cautiousness won't allow him to relent. He listens intently as the prisoner speaks.

"Oh, my dearest King, I would assure you, there is nothing simple about me."

[myplussizebookshelf]

My readed books:

2020

Dumplin by Julie Murphy

If the dress fits by Carla de Guzman

Queen of geeks by Jen Wilde

Just for Show by JAE

The wing man by Natasha Anders

Free fall by Emma Barry & Genevieve Turner

Pet rescue Panther by Zoe Chant

2021

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Fool me by Leila Rose

2022

Nothing but a dare by Molly O'Hare

Spoiler alert by Olivia Dade

All the feels by Olivia Dade

If the shoe fits by Julie Murphy

How to start a scandal by Madeleine Martin

9 rules to break when romancing a rake by Sarah MacLean

Here the whole time by Vitor Martins

Nothing but a rake by Abigail Bridges

It's a widow thing by Karen Booth

The comic con by Dee Lagasse

A merry little meet cute by Julie Murphy

The wrong woman by Kimberly Truesdale

Promise of redemption by Ellie St. Clair

Notorious by Minerva Spencer

The perfect dress by Carolyn Brown

I like you like that by Kayla Grosse

Flame and ember by M.A. Nichols

Game of hearts by Cathy Yardley

Glitter on the web by Ginger Voight

FFF (only partly read) by Ginger Voight

Devil in the winter by Lisa Kleypas

Anything for you by Layla Hagen

To have to hold by M.A. Nichols

Shipwrecked by Olivia Dade

Sins of a scoundrel by Jennifer Seasons

Every Rake has his day by Jennifer Seasons

Marshmallo by Megan Wade

Riding with a Rake by Cara Maxwell

The Seafaring Lady's Guide to Love by Fenna Edgewood

2023

Swipe for a Cosmo: a Whisper Valley Soulwink Romance by Megan Wade

To Dance with a Devil by Emma V Leech

Accidental resident by Ruby Dare

A stolen kiss by M.A. Nichols

Given to fly by K.L. Montgomery

All the feels by Olivia Dade (for the 3rd time)

Wallflower by Catherine Gayle

Spinster sister by Elise Marion

The Art of stealing a duke's heart by Ellie St. Clair

A private wager by Chasity Bowlin

Who's that earl by Susanna Craig

Four nights be Eloisa James

One winter with a Baron by Christi Caldwell

Adored by the mountain man by Hallie Bennett

Protected by the mountain man by Hallie Bennett

A wallflower to tame the duke by Violet Hamers

Not so wicked by Adele Clee

The Bastard by S.M. Laviolette

Lord Holt takes a bride by Vivienne Lorret

How the duke was won by Leonora Bell

Desire and the deep blue sea by Olivia Dade

The sweetheart plant by Roxie Clarke

Teach me by Olivia Dade

Beneath the misteltoe by MA Nichols

2024

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

How to marry a duke by Vicky Dreiling

Sweetest in the gale by Olivia Dade

[c1uster]

i'm working on a proper about / bio that details canon divergences but i know that fantomex / cluster aren't like...the most known? characters? and i want to get my general sketch out so here we go! a tldr of my eventual bio (yes i realize a three paragraph tldr is wild but it's also like the background on the character that is most important to know)

TLDR ; a weapon created by weapon plus to kill mutants, fantomex is three brains within one body, each with their own sentience and personality - a contingency plan in case a head injury puts one brain out of commission or even kills it, the next can take over. after a brush with the x-men wherein this is discovered - but the fact fantomex doesn't want anything to do with hunting mutants - they continually bump into each other over the course of a few years, resulting in fantomex joining the x-force and helping kill apocalypse and then having to deal with the fallout from that. eventually fantomex is killed saving psylocke and is cloned into three separate bodies for each brain.

cluster gets the compassion, the mercy, and the capacity to love. fantomex gets the scoundrel, thief-bits. weapon xiii is what he sounds like. cluster and fantomex stick together for a while, pulling heists and both being in love with elizabeth braddock - it's a whole thing, and the three of them pull heists in paris for several months. both of their relationships with her come to a screeching halt when fantomex double crosses psylocke, letting her take the fall for a heist the three of them had planned. fantomex and cluster split ways after this, fantomex continuing his heists and cluster trying to figure out her place in the world, somewhat unsuccessfully.

later, cluster seeks out psylocke again in the midst of an x-force mission because fantomex had been kidnapped by weapon xiii in an attempt to lure psylocke to him. they team up again to find fantomex and defeat weapon xiii. cluster & psylocke are successful in saving fantomex and defeating weapon xiii, for a time. fantomex wants to reform into one body, but cluster refuses, instead deciding to continue traveling, sometimes stealing, and occasionally showing up at the jean grey school for mutants to teach a class or two.

[maguro13-2]

Chisato : Drawcia! We need your help! Our show got a set and it's not our style, someone's mimicking our show's style.

Drawcia : What? Did you say someone's mimicking the style of your show?

Chisato : Yes, this group of hentai artists have mocked our style and it humiliated every anime, manga, and video game girl with lewd things!

Takino : Yeah! Lewd things! It's such an abomination to society. A group of hentai artists did this to everyone, including us!

Drawcia : Really? What are these group of hentai artists that is mimicking the styles of everyone's shows in Japan?

(cuts out to the exterior of Drawcia Family Corporation)

Drawcia : (yelling) NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

"meanwhile..."

Arigase Shinji : Hahahaha! We did it! We finally fooled those girls into mimicking their shows of girls being lewded! Oh, we're a sucker for a lot of money when it comes to Japanese animated showed mimicking by us! This is why Lolita Channel cannot die! And there isn't a single soul to stop us!

Drawcia : [furiously yelling] LOLITA CHANNEL! YOU NO GOOD MANIPULATIVE BASTARD! YOU ARE DEAD, YOU HEAR ME!?! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!! YOU WON'T FORGET OF NEVER GOING TO ESCAPE MY WRATH! YOU'RE ALL MINE!!!

Arigase Shinji : Oh sh*t! It's that witch who were stole our research! We gotta scram and--(turns and sees Drawcia who is furious) It's her! Listen please! I-I-I'm sorry for mimicking everyone's show! Please have mercy!

Drawcia : Mercy? You think that I have mercy? God has mercy, I don't.

Arigase Shinji : What's the point of coming down here on stopping lolita channel? What did we do?

Drawcia : I'll tell you what you did. YOU MANIPULATED EVERY GIRL FROM ALL OF JAPAN'S FAMOUS ANIMATED SHOWS! INCLUDING MANGAS AND VIDEO GAMES! YOU DIRTY BASTARDS ARE GOING TO PAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!

Arigase Shinji : We only wanted to draw things, it's digital art! It's not personal! Why don't you just scram and hit the--(tries to escape, but Paintra, Claycia, and Vividria appears to blocking his way) Oh no! You got sisters!? What's going on here!?

Paintra : We're here to teach you a lesson about mimic japanese animes with your style. That's cheating and stealing!

Claycia : I didn't know that this guy has been selling mimicked styles of everyone's shows just to gell all the stakes! But I did know that I found out that every style of Japanese animation has been manipulated by this man to think that famous stars of every Japanese anime were being lewded and raped by lewd things that fans recognize. What a pain in my ass.

Vividria : That's even way worse than regular lewd things like fetishes and role playing. You gotta have some kind of material to have that style.

Arigase Shinji : I have no idea! I have no idea what you're talking about, ma'am! I'm sorry, It's just a artist's job! it's our job to mimic everyone's style!

Paintra : I might be reincarnated as a human after that pink blob defeated me, but that doesn't me I am lewd material for some art! (smacks the artist with her ass) You wanna check these for lewds?! Huh? You see any f**king lewds in their!

Claycia : Come on, girls! Let's kick their asses!

Vividria : We're bringing justice to hentai artists, girls!

Paintra : Kill their asses!

Arigase Shinji : Oh yeah, that reminds us one thing. We just gotta get our heads into the game and...SCRAP!

*ZOOM!*

[Broken Radio Police - Yoshitsuru]

Paintra : They're getting away, Drawcia!

Drawcia : Not on my watch! Hey, you hentai scoundrels! Come back here and face some judgement!

Arigase Shinji : Those artistic witches are going to kill us! We gotta ditch these witches of art and science somehow! (a hentai artist gets killed by car drawn by Paintra] Nooo!

Hentai Artist 1 : Help! Somebody help!

Claycia : Where do you think you're going, punk? You won't get away that easily! (does her magical clay to create a dragon)

Hentai Artist 1 : No! Please! I was made into this! (gets eaten alive)

Arigase Shinji : Oh god!

Paintra : Holy moly! These motherf**kers aren't going anyhere!

Vividria : Better watch out! Cause here comes an Avalanche! (an avalanche of Puyo blobs crushes over more hentai artists)

Arigase Shinji : MY group Lolita Channel is destroyed! You have ruined for--(a drawn hellhound appears growling at the artist) Look! Look! I give up! I give up! I'm sorry for mimicking the styles of everyone's shows! Please have mercy on me! I'm sorry!

Paintra : Thanks, but you should tell our lawyers that we're sorry!

Drawcia : Lights out, punk! (holds out the magic paintbrush) This one's on the HOUSE! (SPLAT!)

"later..."

Chisato : So did you figured what was that group have mimicked the styles of everyone's shows that they lewd?

Drawcia : I sure did. I showed the Lolita Channel group to put them in place. Never to make dirty things to you ever again.

Paintra : Yeah, they were only a group of manipulative hentai artists that specializes in impersonating the styles of every anime using digital art. Who knew that people in japan used digital art to manipulate all the styles of Japanese animation.

Claycia : So I was right. Japan was pretty stupid enough to impersonate the styles of you guys. Eventually, I know what it mean to mimic one's style, and mimic of a show's style is manipulation and plagiarizing.

Drawcia : Hey, guys. Get a load of this. Look at the screen.

Shinobu : [inaudible, furiously]

Drawcia : They're yelling at Arigase Shinji for mimicking Demon Slayer. I wonder what was that about?

Paintra : So what did they yell at that hentai artist for?

Claycia : Manipulation and plagiarism, and they heard that the group Lolita Channel is a scammer trying to make fun of their shows for lewding character as seductive. So I guess were right all along. So what is "Lolita Channel"

Drawcia : Whoops. I forgot about the name Lolita Channel, the group of hentai artist was named after fashion culture and of coursse "Seductive young girls"

*MGS SFX : Exclamation Mark!"

Paintra : Oh sh*t!

(cuts to reality where Drawcia is in art class telling eberyone the whole thing)

Drawcia : And that is why mimicking style of anime, video games, and mangas would considered to be plagiarism and manipulation at an all time like hentai artists do dirty things for characters in such ridiculous way.

Paint Roller : Uhh, does this count as a "Yes" or a "No"? (Scoffs) look guys! I don't wanna be sound too cynical, but I have a crazy theory about manipulating or impersonating one's style, do you know how people tried to impersonate Mangaka style or comic book style, it's a getting a little deja vu, that we don't do such things as Hentai in the country. But on the contrary, we hardly prefer that imitating an anime, manga, or a video game's style would not be the smartest idea for pornographic creativity in the terms of hentai. That is literally the most stupidest thing I ever heard.

Drawcia : Yes, it's true. Mimicking Anime, Manga, and video games' style is always bad example for using it for the pornographic creativity. That's what happens when I taught that Arigase Shinji a lesson for impersonating an anime's style. These styles of Japanese animation were made by famous studios, Mangakas, and video game designers! It's formality on how we respect our works and all we need it some style to go with it. Any style of a mangaka can be like this one. I'm mean, My human incarnation as the artistic witch is basically the stylish form of that Fullmetal Alchemist mangaka. That's why it's the perfect solution!

Sana Sunomiya : (raises hand and tries to ask Drawcia, but she denies)

Drawcia : No! You put your hand down! You put it down now! I am so sick of you raising your hand to ask me a goddamn question during class! (knocks something over) I will mercifully kill you I ever see you raising your hand! So put it down now or I will kill you! (Sana puts her down) Okay, then. Now let's begin our creativity with the many mangaka styles of Japan.

[olivereactsaboutgarbage]

Nana Episode 33 - Hachi's Choice

Isn’t that the movie about the woman who lost a child?

Ah... Yasu and the blonde from Trapnest are still hanging out... neat neat neat.

Now it’s Yasu’s job to comfort Cool Nana after she learned of Beloved Pooch Nana’s pregnancy. The blonde from Trapnest gracefully exits. Good for him, he’s an irrelevant character so it’s nice for him to know when to not have screentime.

Yeah, this is basically what he’s like. 100%.

Anyway, Takumi walks into Beloved Pooch Nana’s apartment to find that she has vanished. That’s fun.

Where has she gone, you ask? Junko and Kyosuke’s house. Eh? They’re not irrelevant yet? Originators of the Blackface that they are? But they’re not even in the opening...!

That’s an interesting euphemism.

Junko and Kyosuke are being good supportive friends for Beloved Pooch Nana. Man, what have they been up to lately? There should be a spinoff show about Junko and Kyosuke. It could be called... “Originators of the Blackface”. I would watch that.

I wonder how Beloved Pooch Nana’s explanation of why she didn’t want an abortion reads to people left-of-me on the issue. Does she seem poorly written/written as stupid? I am not of the mind that abortion is always wrong, mind you, but I am of the mind that it is often the act of killing a human being (exceptions: stillbirth-type scenarios), and should be treated with the appropriate weight. From what I can tell there are those who hold not only the opinion that abortion is never incorrect, which I already think is a little blase, but even perhaps, the opinion that abortion can be a moral imperative even in cases where the wellbeing of the mother is not especially threatened? Simply because the child may have an uneasy future? Forgive me if I seem like I’m demonizing people I disagree with. That’s not my intention. In my experience, humanity as a whole is capable of a wide range of viewpoints... and personally, I am very stupid, so I don’t have the necessary intellect to gauge the “normality” of viewpoints. I’m just focusing on deciding which viewpoints I think are true. All that is to say... while I think it’s valid to kill a human being for things such as, say, being so bad at plans that he only does murders instead every single time (see my One Piece readthrough for more details), or causing a child to be pregnant (hopefully won’t come up in One Piece), making everyone’s life a lot more complicated does not automatically a scoundrel make. As for “taking the child’s potential suffering into account before deciding so quickly to avoid abortion”... your outlook on the world would have to be awful bleak to so easily resort to a mercy-killing. Despite the miseries of society, it is a common human trait to seek to alleviate suffering. It’s because of traits like this that survival could be said to often turn out to be worth it.

tl;dr i don’t think this scene is that notable so far

Wait, Junko is now insisting that BPN cast aside Nobu and become “faithful” to Takumi due to the way circumstances have worked out such that Takumi has pledged to help raise BPN’s child? For the sake of... what, exactly? Monogamy? That doesn’t seem that important. BPN’s life is one thing, and BPN’s child’s life is another. Neither one should chain the other into a particular mode of operations. The mere existence of a child should not tie that child’s mother to that child’s father. Especially in scenarios where the father is going to be heavily distanced from both! Where it DEFINITELY shouldn’t matter much! As long as BPN isn’t behaving duplicitously or maliciously, she should be able to pursue whatever social relationships she wants, with the subjects and statuses of her choosing. And you know who has even less say on this matter than an unborn child (if such a thing is even possible, given fetuses’ common proclivity for not speaking)? Junko, that’s who...!

tl;dr uhhhhhhhhhhh

tl;dr

Begone, Originators of the Blackface! Back into the depths with thee...! I shalt not watch your spinoff show after all.

Hm, I may have spoken too soon when assessing BPN’s thoughts on the option of getting an abortion as something someone lefter-than-me would see as bad writing. It seems like Junko’s final conclusion was that BPN had a choice between getting an abortion or breaking up with Nobu, and chose incorrectly when she chose the former. Personally, I would be inclined to reject the dichotomy outright. As I’ve already said in different words, I think personal freedom, at least within the confines of that which one is able to achieve, trumps most other things. The simplest solution is not always the best one. The most societally-acceptable solution is the best one even less often, thanks in part to the miseries of society which I mentioned earlier. If BPN were inclined to seek out a complex solution to a complex problem, even if doing so were to breach the boundaries of social norms, I really don’t think Junko had the right to discourage her on principle.

I’m sick of talking about this.

I think tomorrow I’ll just make two One Piece posts instead of having to deal with this again. Nana will return after that.

what the fuck is this even supposed to mean

Oh, Takumi wants to marry BPN now? That’s interesting. Y’know, Takumi kinda reminds me of my dad:

He’s Japanese

He does music

I don’t like him

That’s it

My dad has a certain distaste for long-haired men as a general concept, and he certainly isn’t married to my mom, so there are a few key differences as well. Although the fact that my dad isn’t married to my mom may have more to do with my mom’s (not unreasonable) reaction to his unfaithfulness than to his particular dissimilarity from Takumi, so in that sense, maybe it’s less that there are key differences between my dad and Takumi, and more that there are key similarities between my mom and Junko? Although I find it highly unlikely that my mom would ever be the origin point from which blackface would be spawned into the world. Hmm, much to think about... I miss the days when my stupidity allowed me to empty-headedly fall facefirst through Nana episodes with nothing of note to say about them.

Guitar.