#she knows he'll kill her & it's not that she welcomes it but there's that sense of fatality: she's more tied to the dead than the living

[silverwhittlingknife]

antigone. jean anouilh.

quotations from antigone: a tragedy by jean anouilh. translated by lewis galantière.

comic panels in order are from: battle for the cowl 3 (x3), batman annual 25, batman and robin 5, batman and robin 6, battle for the cowl 3, batman 416, battle for the cowl 3, battle for the cowl 2, batman annual 25, batman and robin 6, under the red hood, battle for the cowl 3 (x2), batman 427, lost days 5.

[jackoshadows]

IMO, If there is one person Jon Snow is going to be most affected by after learning about R+L=J, it's going to be his mother Lyanna and not the men - Ned or Rhaegar. He's going to be shaken to his core knowing the truth of his mother.

The mother he keeps hoping to remember. The mother he thinks of when he sees his siblings get a mother's love. The mother he wants Ned to tell him about. The mother he dreams about - who she was, where she was, did she love him?

"Am I?" the dwarf replied, sardonic. "Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he's never been sure." "I don't even know who my mother was," Jon said. - - Jon, AGoT

"The Watch has need of every man it can get," Donal Noye said when they were alone. "Even men like Toad. You won't win any honors killing him." Jon's anger flared. "He said my mother was—" "—a whore. I heard him. What of it? Words won't make your mother a whore. She was what she was, and nothing Toad says can change that. You know, we have men on the Wall whose mothers were whores." Not my mother, Jon thought stubbornly. He knew nothing of his mother; Eddard Stark would not talk of her. Yet he dreamed of her at times, so often that he could almost see her face. In his dreams, she was beautiful, and highborn, and her eyes were kind. - Jon, AGoT

Your half brothers, a voice inside reminded him. And Lady Stark, who will not welcome you. There was no place for him in Winterfell, no place in King's Landing either. Even his own mother had not had a place for him. The thought of her made him sad. He wondered who she had been, what she had looked like, why his father had left her. Because she was a whore or an adulteress, fool. Something dark and dishonorable, or else why was Lord Eddard too ashamed to speak of her? - Jon , AGoT

"They were as close as brothers, once." Jon wondered if Joffrey would keep his father as the King's Hand. It did not seem likely. That might mean Lord Eddard would return to Winterfell, and his sisters as well. He might even be allowed to visit them, with Lord Mormont's permission. It would be good to see Arya's grin again and to talk with his father. I will ask him about my mother, he resolved. I am a man now, it is past time he told me. Even if she was a whore, I don't care, I want to know. - Jon, AGoT

"But it's a lie," Jon insisted. How could they think his father was a traitor, had they all gone mad? Lord Eddard Stark would never dishonor himself … would he? He fathered a bastard, a small voice whispered inside him. Where was the honor in that? And your mother, what of her? He will not even speak her name. - Jon, AGoT

The Old Bear shrugged. "A boy king … I imagine he'll listen to his mother. A pity the dwarf isn't with them. He's the lad's uncle, and he saw our need when he visited us. It was a bad thing, your lady mother taking him captive—" "Lady Stark is not my mother," Jon reminded him sharply. Tyrion Lannister had been a friend to him. If Lord Eddard was killed, she would be as much to blame as the queen. - Jon, AGoT

The old man seemed to sense his doubts. "Tell me, Jon, if the day should ever come when your lord father must needs choose between honor on the one hand and those he loves on the other, what would he do?" Jon hesitated. He wanted to say that Lord Eddard would never dishonor himself, not even for love, yet inside a small sly voice whispered, He fathered a bastard, where was the honor in that? And your mother, what of his duty to her, he will not even say her name. "He would do whatever was right," he said … ringingly, to make up for his hesitation. "No matter what." - Jon, AGoT

Tyrion Lannister had claimed that most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it, but Jon was done with denials. He was who he was; Jon Snow, bastard and oathbreaker, motherless, friendless, and damned. - Jon, AGoT

I have no place, Jon wanted to say, I'm a bastard, I have no rights, no name, no mother, and now not even a father. The words would not come. "I don't know." - Jon, AGoT

Soon they were high enough so that looking down was best not considered. There was nothing below but yawning blackness, nothing above but moon and stars. "The mountain is your mother," Stonesnake had told him during an easier climb a few days past. "Cling to her, press your face up against her teats, and she won't drop you." Jon had made a joke of it, saying how he'd always wondered who his mother was, but never thought to find her in the Frostfangs. It did not seem nearly so amusing now. One step and then another, he thought, clinging tight. - Jon, ACoK

"I am." "Who was your mother?" "Some woman. Most of them are." Someone had said that to him once. He did not remember who. - Jon, ACoK

She smiled again, a flash of white teeth. "And she never sung you the song o' the winter rose?" "I never knew my mother. Or any such song." - Jon, ACoK

"If you kill a man, and never mean t', he's just as dead," Ygritte said stubbornly. Jon had never met anyone so stubborn, except maybe for his little sister Arya. Is she still my sister? he wondered. Was she ever? He had never truly been a Stark, only Lord Eddard's motherless bastard, with no more place at Winterfell than Theon Greyjoy. - Jon, ASoS

Was this how it was for my father? he wondered. Was he as weak as I am, when he dishonored himself in my mother's bed? - Jon, ASoS

They shared the same sleeping skins every night, and he went to sleep with her head against his chest and her red hair tickling his chin. The smell of her had become a part of him. Her crooked teeth, the feel of her breast when he cupped it in his hand, the taste of her mouth . . . they were his joy and his despair. Many a night he lay with Ygritte warm beside him, wondering if his lord father had felt this confused about his mother, whoever she had been. - Jon, ASoS

Ygritte was much in his thoughts as well. He remembered the smell of her hair, the warmth of her body . . . and the look on her face as she slit the old man's throat. You were wrong to love her, a voice whispered. You were wrong to leave her, a different voice insisted. He wondered if his father had been torn the same way, when he'd left Jon's mother to return to Lady Catelyn. - Jon, ASoS

Jon has a mother. Wylla, her name is Wylla. She would need to remember so she could tell him, the next time she saw him.- Arya, ASoS

And knowing that, yes, he had a mother who loved him dearly and made Ned promise to take care of him on her deathbed is going to profoundly affect him and he is going to be bag of emotions!!

That he could visit her in the crypts of Winterfell, that she is buried there - his mother!! Hope we are still getting a Jon Snow POV after death/resurrection/becoming a king because GRRM writing this stuff?

[marchtooctober]

Long time no fic!

This one's long overdue. Sorry 🙏 💦

But as for the fic itself, I'm not sorry and you're welcome.

▪︎•▪︎•▪︎•▪︎•▪︎•▪︎

For Two

"I did it for my mission. For my country and the peace of people. What you did wasn't so different from what I did." He firmly said and swallowed hard.

"I know. Maybe I did worse." Thorn Princess said in a shaky voice, stifling her sobs.

Instead of bickering, they should be escaping to a safer ground. If only there's a place to run off to. There was nowhere to run and this moment between them is the only chance for demanding answers to the questions that they've been keeping for so long. She continued.

"Did you love me at all?"

Twilight held his aching side that took a gunshot from the enemy. It reached deep and he is losing blood. Though his strength is fading, he held up his hand and reached out for her face. He wanted to do so much more. To hold her tight and say he'll set things right. But he knows that there's no turning back. So Twilight took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak.

"Do you hate me?"

Thorn Princess was taken aback. Her tears trickled down from her face to Twilight's hand.

Silence ensued between them, both unwilling to answer. Twilight wanted to tell her everything but all he could do was stare right out the window of the dangerous place they're in. An amusement park can be seen. The faint colorful lights are the only thing giving life to his eyes. It was one of the rare moments, him wishing that he was just an ordinary person with the right to live a life. As his mind continued to wander, he thought out loud.

"Perhaps, in another world, we're up high riding the ferris wheel over there." He said.

"What are you saying? You're not making sense." Thorn Princess replied, still sobbing.

Thorn Princess attempted to raise him up. But she was fairly beaten too and only left with enough strength to save herself. Twilight shook his head, stopping her.

"If I was just a plain clumsy guy, would you love me?" He asked.

"I... Why are you asking me that? You should stop talking. You're bleeding too much. We need to get out of here."

"Imagine, we're just normal people. You're still working at the city hall and... and I'm a real doctor. Who knows? We might be lovers or maybe just friends... It's fine either way."

"Please... Loid..."

"You're still calling me that despite everything?"

Twilight could not keep himself from chuckling. He could feel his time running out.

"If we ever meet again, I hope I can finally be someone worthy for you." He said as his own tears flow.

Thorn Princess held his hand close to her.

The both of them are desperately wishing for the time to stop and let them be just a little bit longer. Just when they thought they were granted that very wish, a presence draws closer until it finally comes into vision as an armed enemy. Reflexes took over Thorn Princess and threw the last dagger. Severely exhausted, she wasn't able to hit deep to kill off the enemy with a single move. In frustration, she pulled out one of her earrings. The wounded figure was quick enough to draw out a gun and aim for them.

"Yor!"

With every last of his strength, Twilight shielded Thorn Princess who finally killed the enemy with a hit to the head. Not far off, more footsteps echoed.

"Loid? Loid? No..."

She held Twilight in her arms. Tears streamed down once more. Twilight smiled softly.

"Let's ride the ferris wheel next time, okay? Now go..." He said and weakly took out a grenade from his pocket.

One dies, the other must live on.

With his other hand, he gave his WISE pin to Thorn Princess.

"I love you."

Thorn Princess knew that it's over for the both of them. There was nothing left to do but give a kiss of farewell. She took the pin and jumped over the window. Not long after came the explosion, killing Twilight and his unfulfilled dream.

Just as the sun sets on his life, it rises for another person.

*blaring alarm

Beneath the blankets emerged a man with weary eyes and aching back. He groaned at what reminded him of another tiring day ahead. His hand reached out to turn off the alarm clock by swinging his arm to throw it out. But he realized shortly the silly thing he was about to do and laughed at himself.

"Now, why would I throw this? It's not a grenade..."

But aside from the hazy state of mind, there is a weirdly exceuciating feeling in his chest. He felt like he just woke up from a nightmare he could not remember. But he shook off the absurd thoughts.

A normal guy who lives in a suburban apartment, doing the same routine before heading to his work at the hospital as a doctor. Loid Forger.

If there's anything that lets him get through his mundane life, it's the interactions with his neighbor.

It's been about three years since he moved to the complex which is conveniently near to his work. Three years since he met her.

"Good morning, Loid." Came from outside as soon as the elevator opened.

Right in front of him is Yor Briar, standing against the light, making her glow like a morning angel. The neighbor who always seem to come around whenever Loid is in some kind of pinch. At first he didn't think much of it but by and by, he started to enjoy her company. She'd chance upon him when he's late for work or when something trivial stresses him out. Loid would always ease more whenever Yor helps him.

"Looks like you're running late today."

"Well... yeah. It's the second time this month." Loid replied as he got off the elevator and approached her.

"I guess you overslept this time. Why don't you get a new alarm?" Yor suggested.

"No. Actually, I..."

Loid couldn't tell that the real reason was that he was still trying to remember the dream he just had. He spent too much time thinking that he spent almost thirty minutes eating breakfast. He changed the topic to keep it off his mind.

"Maybe... How about you? You haven't left yet. Having a day off?" He asked.

"No. Today's a half day so I'll be at the city hall in the afternoon. I just came back from the courier and dropped something for Yuri."

"Your brother must miss you very much."

"There's still a month before he takes a leave. He'll stay over for a week so I hope you'd come over and chat with him again." Yor said.

Loid isn't sure if he should accept the offer at all. Is it okay for Yor to invite an outsider like him? Besides, Loid knows that Yuri hates his guts.

"I don't think he'd be fine with that. He wants to spend time with you not me." Loid jokingly said.

"I'm sorry about my brother. He's just shy, not a bad kid at all. I'm sure he'll warm up to you." Yor replied.

"I hope he does."

Loid wondered if they are close enough for such a connection to be established.

"Well then, I'll be going up. Take care! Have a nice day!"

"You too. Bye."

Yor waved at him before lining up for the elevator. Loid smiled contentedly. Yor's words work like spell. In an instant, he felt better despite the fact that he's on the rush and late for a meeting. He thought only of her as he took the cab ride.

It's been three years but still, Loid does not know what is their relationship. Neighbors? That's given. Are they friends? More or less. He doesn't want to ask Yor about it because he thought it's rude. Weirdly enough, they get to know more of each other through odd circumstances. Like when Loid would chance upon Yor's drunk state or when they happen to be going home together. Neighbors or friends, he knows that she is much more than that.

In short, Loid Forger likes Yor Briar a great deal.

"Doctor Forger! Thanks for helping me at the meeting. I knew you're such a competent one. I'll be counting on you again next time." Said the director to him.

"Of course, Sir." Replied Loid, though he wished not to be tapped again for troublesome favors.

For the rest of the day, it was just as usual. Running consultations and diagnosis, occasional chatting with colleagues, and running menial tasks for his superiors. And as hours fly by, he's getting more and more elated and hoped to run into Yor after he's done for the day.

As soon as he stepped out the hospital, he walked hastily by the main road for a better chance on meeting Yor in front of the station. But she was not around when Loid finally passed by. Unsurprised but disappointed, he continued on his way. He was doing so mindlessly that he ended up taking a detour towards direction of town square where sparkling lights are peeking.

"Wha- How did I end up here?"

Noise of excitement and fun invaded his ears. It was unusually more crowded than usual. Taking a proper look around him, there's an ongoing bazaar, the one talked about by the nurses a while ago. Since he was already there, he decided to roam.

He saw unique items and imported products left and right. It took him a few minutes till he had his fill and headed for the exit. But suddenly, right around the corner, a familiar whiff of rosy scent alerted Loid. He hurriedly took the turn and saw Yor walking along the row of pop-up stalls.

"Yor?" He called out.

"Loid? You're shopping too?"

"No, I just stopped by. I heard from my workmates. Today's the last day, right? Then the bazaar will move again somewhere else."

"We ended early so I took my time to shop."

"What did you buy?" Loid asked.

"Oh, I bought... food and some housewares. I also bought a succulent plant. I think it will look good by the window." Yor said contentedly.

"That's nice. Are you still shopping around?" Loid asked.

"No. This is the last one. Just a bunch of kitchen knives."

The stall owner handed out the purchase. Loid carried Yor's shopped items.

"Just a second madame." Said the owner, dug his hands in a drawer and pulled out a ticket.

"Ticket for the ferris wheel."

"What is this for, Sir?" Asked Yor, a bit surprised.

"For buying my craft. Each item's got a freebie. Crocheted towels for cheap items, tickets for pricey ones. I ran out of cafe coupons so I'm giving you that."

"Oh... Thank you, sir."

"But you gotta use it right now because the ticket expires today. Actually, take this too. It's the last ticket. Ride it with your boyfriend if you're both fine with heights."

"No! He's not my..."

Yor and Loid exchanged glances, a bit warm in the cheeks despite the chilly air. They were rather speechless when they walked away. It took a while before silence was finally broken by Yor.

"So... How about we use these? It will be a waste if we don't ride the ferris wheel."

Loid laughed awkwardly and nodded.

"Good point. And besides, it's free." He added.

They walked a little bit further until the line for the ride is within sight.

"Actually, it's fine. You might want to ride with one of your friends instead." Loid suddenly said.

"What? Wait!"

"I won't go with you."

"Come now, Loid. You can't share a ride with me? Don't say you're actually afraid of heights?" Yor asked.

"N-No! It's not that. Fine. I'll ride with you."

They are getting nearer and nearer the front. Loid knows that now is not the time to chicken out. Being alone with Yor while high up above is already beyond his expectations. This is not the same as the usual elevator ride. What more could he ask for?

"Please watch your steps, thank you." Said the employee, letting them in.

The door closed and the two of them sat in silence. Although Loid told himself to calm down, his heart wouldn't. It's beating crazier than ever.

"Look! We're rising! I can almost see the main road."

"Right, just a little longer we might get to see the rest of the town."

Opposite him, Yor leaned and looked outside. But Loid could not care less about the scenic view. He tried to strain his eyes away but all he could see is the one in front of him. And as the gentle rays filled the space, it kindled warm fuzzy feelings in Loid. And in his eyes, Yor glows while everything else blurs. Time halts, that moment becomes theirs alone, as if the cabin itself confines them away from the rest of the world.

Higher they rose, taking Loid's breath away until he could no longer bear the tugging in his chest. Along with the breath of relief comes along a string of words he never knew he'd say.

"I like you."

Time flowed again. Yor slowly turned her head, giving him a confused look. Loid can never take back this sudden confession and so he continued charging head on.

"I like you since long before I can remember. When I first moved in, I thought you were just the usual... nosy neighbor and... I used to be upset when I leave a bad impression on you. But believe me, I enjoy your company. And even though you hit me when you're drunk, it's fun listening to your ramblings. I don't mind if you hit me a hundred times."

"Hey! Why would I?"

Loid took deep breaths. He was fidgety and adjusted his scarf over and over. His eyes were everywhere except on Yor.

"But how do I put it? There's nothing really great about me... That's why I'm holding back. I can't just chase after you and scare you."

Loid then casted his eyes down. He was breathing heavily.

"This is so unlikely of me, don't you think? Telling you my feelings without warning. I- I'm very sorry... This is so embarrassing."

Loid doesn't know how he was able to say those words at all. Was it courage? Confidence? No. A plain and clumsy guy like him never had those. He felt like he's suddenly possessed by something, forcing him to shoulder someone else's hope and live that person's dream.

As if words were not enough, Loid kneeled on one knee and took Yor's hand in his. He swallowed hard and stared right into Yor's eyes that reflects the past and their possible future together.

"But even so, everything I said is true."

"Loid..."

"I've never been this sure. And I know it's a selfish wish but I want to prove myself to you. I'll wait until you accept me, reject me. I want to hear it from you."

Loid looked down once again, overwhelmed by his own emotions. But judgement is yet to pass.

Acceptance or Rejection? His heart is at Yor's mercy.

He dared to look up and saw Yor smiling gently at him.

"You caught me off-guard." She said.

"I'm very sorry! I promise I'll wait! I'm not forcing you." Replied Loid in a panic.

"I like you too."

Loid was stunned.

"What?" Was all he could say.

Yor gave her an answer too strong to be doubted. Yor's hands reached out for Loid's face. She dived down and let her lips land softly on his.

"I like you for many reasons, if you only knew. We're already this far. I don't want to keep you hanging like a dying man."

"I'm not complaining."

Loid is far from dying. He is alive and drunk with blissfulness. So happy that Loid can't help but kiss Yor's hands and lips. Wanting to make sure that it's not a dream.

He felt like it's too good to be true and realized how the free tickets were actually worth so much more. As if someone paid a hefty price for them. But either way, Loid will treasure this life-changing ride for always.

▪︎•▪︎•▪︎•▪︎•▪︎•▪︎

Lol obviously this is inspired by that ferris wheel scene from the movie. Ughhh i wish it comes to my country real quick huhu

[ladylamrian]

- Chapter 3: The Unknown

[ Please read past chapters before this ]

-> Masterlist of this Mini Series <-

Female MainCharacter: Alexis Clarissa Fontaine

Pairing: F!MC×NikRyder

Other characters in this chapter: Katherine, Vera Reimonenq, Ivy, Garrus, Krom, Elijah,...

Summary: Nik doesn't remember Alex, instead... Elijah Ryder and the bloodwraith are back.

Word Count: 1.1K words

Rating: Teen (Mystery, Angst)

Warnings: Language, Talk about death

-> My complete Nightbound Masterlist <-

Taglist: @infactnoimmasitinthemiddle ; @peonierose ; @secretaryunpaid ; @jdstar88 ; @blackcatkita ; @lilyoffandoms ; @liviusofpella ; @mxdanni ; @mariemarieohcontrary ; @tessa-liam ; @choicesficwriterscreations ; @hopelessromantic1352 ; @rosepetals1 ; @stars-are-within-me ; @dutifullynuttywitch ; @artbyalz

Comments via Reblog wholeheartly welcome

GIF interpretation: Alex loses her lover, Nik Ryder. Again.

With an old enemy left and getting rescued by an old, familiar stranger from a past vision, Alex froze, slowly trying to progress. She's shocked, and so is the blond next to her. Nik Ryder, being an absolute stranger tried to calm down his pet. Never in his life has he seen that kind of creature, and now being saved by an old man who shoots glowing arrows in the modern 21st century?? Both face Elijah with open mouths. The legendary nighthunter, Elijah Ryder standing now in front of them.

"What are ya' both lookin' at me??", the old man muttered.

"I... Uh, Elijah? Is that you? No, it can't be. You're supposed to be dead.", Alex unsurely spoke.

"Oh, here I go to war and ya' already expect me to be dead?!! I may be old, but tougher than you think, child. Look at you, getting saved... and... Who's that pretty boy of your's anyway?", his strict gaze turned to Nik who was standing next to her. Nik who felt addressed, cleaned away the dust from his clothes and adjusted his glasses while his dog curiously started sniffing the surrounding area.

"Thank you for the rescue, sir. I don't know how you did this or what that was, but thanks. My name's Nik.", he reached his hand forward to shake Elijah's hand, but the old man avoided the friendly gesture and turned his strict gaze back towards Alex.

"How many times did I tell you to stay away from danger and not take things into your own hands when I'm not around?! You would have been dead now, child. Glad that I appeared on time, huh? And what are you even wearing? Where's ya' huntin' gear?"

"Uhhh, I'm wearing my regular clothes. My white shoulder-free top and blue jeans. Excuse me, what's going on? Who are you? You can't be alive, because you died years ago?!!"

"What non-sense are ya' muttering? Enough! Let's pay Garrus a visit, he'll have to explain. I told him to look out for ya' and...", he answered, grabbed her arm and pulled her to follow him until Nik intervened.

"Hey, back off!! Is this the way you treat a woman?"

"She's my student and my responsibility. Mind your own business, pretty boy.", he shooted a glare at him.

Exchanging another glance with Alex, Nik decided to turn his back and leave. His loyal dog follows him. Alex's heart sank seeing Nik go. Not after finally seeing him again. What's happening? What's going on? That man can't be her Nik. He doesn't even recognize her. Maybe a look-alike?

"Nik...", she sadly wispered while shedding another tear for him. She wanted him back, found him, and then she lost him.

"Child, I expected better from you. Remember what I once said, the closer you get to a person, the weaker you get. The more it will hurt you one day, so don't get too close. Don't trust anyone.", he explained in a harsh tone as she turned her attention towards him.

"Nik is the love of my life and I trust him from the bottom of my heart."

"A few months I was just gone and ya' already changed. Look how close the bloodwraith was about to kill ya'. Guess, I'll have to have a few strict words with Garrus for not looking after ya' while I was gone."

"Oh yes, lead me to Garrus. He'll explain what exactly is going on here.", she glared at Elijah.

The entrance doors of the Graveyard Shift shot open, as Elijah Ryder and Alex Clarissa Fontaine marched together inside. Both seeking answers. A friendly face with shimmering blue eyes greeted them.

"Elijah sir. Alex darling. Glad to..."

"I told ya' to look after her while I was gone. Just returning from NY and then I discover her beeing chased after the bloodwraith while holding hands with a guy."

"What??! My apologies, I didn't know. Alex, I thought you were at home?"

"Uhhhhh, Garrus. Explain first... Why is Elijah Ryder still alive and standing next to me? Nik said that he died when he was 17."

"What rubbish are y'a sayin', girl? Nothing ever happened to me and who's that Nik guy you're talking 'bout? Second thing, why were ya' runnin' away from the wraith, like a damn coward? I taught you to fight.", Elijah intervened when Alex was asking Garrus the question.

Before Alex could answer back, suddenly someone hugged her from behind which startled her at first. But then she calmed herself down after discovering who it was.

"Hey Alex, missed me?"

"Katherine?!! You're... You're back!!!"

Delighted to see her friend after so many months, she turned around to face her, returning her a warm welcoming hug. Again, tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Katherine, is that really you?! And the scars on your cheek... You're hurt. Did the war...?", she sniffed.

"I'm as hell as fine. Long time not seen, huh? Just returned with Elijah from the Vampire War. New York is safe now."

"I'm glad that you're alright, Katherine. I missed you. But... What is happening here and what happened to Nik? And Elijah??!!"

"Who's Nik, sweety?"

"Ooooh, is our Alex in love?! I want to know too. Who's Nik? Is he good-looking?", Ivy came from behind to tease her and giggled.

"Oh, not you all too!!", she begged and angrily dashed outside, leaving everyone behind in Graveyard Shift. Escaping those questions and everything. What should she do? What just happened? Of course, she's happy to finally have Katherine back, but Nik? Instead, she got Elijah??? No. No!! As Alex's mind tried to process everything, her eyes discovered a heartwarming, familiar face. It's... It's Vera who's lonely walking down the streets.

"Veraaaa!!!", she shouted, hoping that she knew at least what was happening. As she called her the second time, their eyes met each other's. Mysterious dark eyes. But before she could finally catch up to her, Vera frightened and ran away.

"What??!! Veraaaa, nooooo! Stop!!!"

Hearing Alex her screams, Katherine, Elijah, Garrus, Krom and Ivy dashed out from the Graveyard Shift to check on her.

"What's the matter, darling?"

"Everything okay? Why are you screaming Vera's name? Did she try to harm you?", Krom asked with concern as they all faced Alex and her tears.

"Wha... Wha... What? Why would Ve... Vera try to harm me? She's my friend."

"Because she's a Reimonenq. And a Reimonenq only wants power.", Elijah hissed.

"But Vera is different and not like her mother, Elijah."

"Why do ya' care for her? I thought I already convinced ya'? She's an enemy who can't be trusted. You two are no friends."

Nik beeing a total stranger? Elijah is alive? Not beeing friends with Vera? One night all friends were sitting together to comfort each other. But now everything and everyone has become unknown.

"I... I... I'll go for a walk. I want to be alone for a while, please.", Alex requested, turned away and left without turning back.

"What's wrong with this girl?!!", Elijah hissed.

*tap and zoom closer on pictures to see details

[mayasaura]

I don't have the book at hand to quote, but what struck me when I was reading it was John going desperately from how he had to make them his hands and fingers!! to keep them!! he IMMEDIATELY segues into how he's so sad he had to feed the revenant beasts his fingers to keep them away :( it was so awful that they made him do that :( like he makes them possessions then having objectified them he justifies having to destroy his Things to keep himself safe. which I think is where he and Harrow are going to diverge. (noting that they've already taken very different tactics as far as the order of what gets kept safe)

It's the very next line! This quote picks up exactly where the last one left off:

That's definitely a legit way to read this passage, though it's not the way I prefer to. I mean. Hypocrisy found in God, fork found in kitchen. Come on. But yeah, that's an undeniably fucked up trajectory.

More seriously, I see John's chapters of Nona the Ninth as a confession, rather than as a justification. It's not meant to be coherent or consistant, just emotionally honest. He's expressing how he felt in the moments he made his decisions and asking to be understood, but he's not asking to be affirmed, or forgiven. "Just as there can be no forgiveness for me," and all.

The way in which his story does make sense—the way he's choosing to frame it—is fascinating for what it shows about John and what he's so deeply afraid of, in his heart of hearts. He loved them, and he sacrificed them, and then he sacrificed them again, but at least they didn't leave him.

And yet even in his confession there are still levels on which he seems to sincerely not understand what he's done wrong—mostly surrounding the autonomy and personhood of other people. Like you said, he objectifies people. He loves them as extensions of himself, because that is the only thing he understands as being real. He has no peers, as he is God. His closest friends are his fists and gestures, the fingers on his hand. As necessary to him as a limb, and losing them cripples him, but he doesn't understand them as people in their own right at all. And that lack of respect and understanding leads to him treating them horrifically.

It's kind of sad, in a way. Not to jump tracks completely, but the way John loves reminds me of this quote from episode 55 of Welcome to Night Vale:

It's presented in the context of a romantic couple, but it works more broadly. lt seems like the only way John knows how to love is by subsuming what he loves into himself, becoming one. Leaving him once again alone.

What's interesting is that he appears to know this about himself. Right in this quote, he directly compares himself to the Resurrection Beasts. Revenants that crack open worlds to eat their souls for sustenance, then pack the dead shells onto their exteriors to become part of themselves. As he sees it, the difference is that the Resurrection Beasts will eventually be satisfied. He won't be.

As for the parallels between John and Harrow, I don't think we need to look for where they're going to diverge. I think we can point to where they already have. And it's a fair comparison, to a time before John was God.

Look at John's reaction to his cult schisming, here:

He loves his friends, but he doesn't trust them. Deep down, he believes their love is conditional. If he fucks up, if he's caught slipping, if he admits he's wrong, he'll lose them. He's terrified of anyone finding out he's flawed, of the ugly parts of him being known, because he's certain anyone who sees that part of him will leave. He's gone ten thousand years like that, compounding lies to make them stay.

Harrow has a similarly harsh expectation of herself, but she's already taken her leap of faith, and let the mask drop. She's told the people she loves exactly who and what she is, with the full expectation they would punish or abandon her for it. With the full expectation Gideon would kill her for it, in the pool scene. And Gideon embraced her. She confronted Ortus with her failings in the River, and Ortus comforted her, and still chose to stay and risk his life to save her.

The people who loved John would have done the same for him. Did do the same for him. They stayed through his breakdown, they stayed by his side until it killed them, but John could never let his guard down enough to trust that they would have done it just for him. He couldn't submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known.

This is all, of course, working with the basic premise that the way John treats people is horrific, and he did have all the opportunites in the world to stop. He could have taken that plunge any time in the ten thousand and thirty-something years he's been alive, if he'd been strong enough to accept the consequences or believed in the rewards. It was all so fucking avoidable, but here we are. My favorite kind of tragedy.

[team-frightfur]

Yuya: Jeez, Serena, why does Team Frightfur let you have TWO outfits!?

Serena: To match Arc V.

-

Name: Serena.

Vision/Delusion: Inazuman Cryo/Mass-Produced Anemo.

Weapon: Sword.

Boss Drop: Maguu Kenki.

Talents: Tartaglia.

Ascension Stat: Crit Damage.

Affiliation: Fatui -> Sakaki Travelling Theatre Troupe.

Constellation: Lunae Panthera (Lunar Panthera)

Model: Medium Female.

Personality

Like Arc V's Serena, Genshin Serena is serious, aggressive, and humourless. However, she's also extremely honour driven and easily misled/surprised/pranked due to her upbringing. 

Backstory

Like Yuri, Serena was picked up by Arleccino following the fire. Unlike Yuri, Serena possessed and maintained a strong sense of honour from a young age (though whether Yuri had one to begin with is questionable). As a result, she's largely uncomfortable with the Fatui's actions but attempts to satisfy herself by thinking "If I fight enough, they'll transfer me to one of Tartaglia's units. Surely he would understand."

Eager to transfer, she threw herself into her training, eventually gaining a name as a model trainee and soldier. Despite her efforts, though, Yuri, Sora and Dennis have always overshadowed her due to their visions, which annoys Serena. Instead, while Serena wasn't powerful, trusted, or mature enough to receive a proper delusion, she was given a mass-produced delusion to augment her abilities. Thankfully, Serena was informed of the delusion's side effects, allowing her to avoid Teppei's fate. Still, her occasional use of the delusion has cost a few years of her life, turning part of her hair white.

Eventually, Serena achieved her long-fought dream and, before deployment, was transferred to Tartaglia's unit. Unfortunately, her orders were still the same. Go to Inazuma and support Scaramouche La Signora in any way she can. Naturally, the Fatui don't consider 'squeamishness' an excuse, forcing Serena to violate her morals again and again. Realising that, even under Tartaglia, she would still be miserable was deeply depressing for Serena but, with no home other than Snezhnaya, she had no choice but to miserably live on.

"If we have to destroy Inazuma, can't we let them fight back? Watching Inazuma destroy itself is just...wrong."

As the year wore on, such thoughts tormented her. Of course, she knew the repercussions of speaking out so, until the Traveler foiled their plans, she held back. Instead, it was as the boats were retreating from the beaches and ports that she finally made her choice.

"After everything I've done, I refuse to run away. I'm going to face my fate with honour."

The moment she said it, she gained her Cryo Vision in a flash of light.

Yuri stared, laughed, and said "No one was expecting you back, you know!" in his usual mocking tone. Still, he didn't prevent her desertion. The first, only, and last kindness he'll ever show her.

There on the shores of Nazuchi beach, Serena made her last stand. Using her new Cryo powers, she fought as hard as she could but, in the end, she was slapped in the face by a brutal Yuzu, Shun, Ruri and Yuto combo.

Losing, she expected. What she didn’t expect was waking up. As it turned out, instead of killing her, the Resistance had taken her prisoner. Assuming they wished to interrogate her, Serena bluntly told them she’d die before talking, instructing them to kill her, instead. 

Regardless, they tried their damndest and, while they didn’t extract any useful information, they did learn of her desertion. Then, since Serena was officially no longer their enemy, Kokomi gave Serena to the Sakaki Travelling Theatre Troupe to deal with.

Shun wanted to throw her off a cliff, Ruri wanted to put her on trial, Yuto wanted her to send her to Snezhnaya, Yuzu wanted her to serve her sentence, and Yuya put her in a maid outfit, saying “Welcome to the fold, sister!”

He’d kind of Just gotten his vision back. No one wanted to depress him. So it was that Serena became the Sakaki Theatre Troupe’s new…Maid. 

Assorted headcanons: 

Serena is easily impressed with street food and enjoys sweets. 

She’s extremely dedicated to her housework, treating it like a military order.

While many are concerned about her gallivanting around in a maid’s outfit, Serena has no clue that maid outfits are ‘funny’ or ‘humiliating’ and is deeply attached to her clothes. “They’re proof of Yuya’s forgiveness!” No one has the heart to tell her.  

Relationships

Arlecchino: Her first adoptive parent. Even after deserting, Serena is drop-dead terrified of Arlecchino and will refuse to divulge any sensitive information. Unbeknownst to Serena, though, she’s actually considered a potential sleeper agent by Arlecchino so, as long as she doesn’t give up Fatui secrets, Arlecchino is willing to let her live. For now. 

Tartaglia: her favourite Harbinger, they share a fixation on honour and love of battle, but hate espionage. They’ve also never met. It’s kinda Parasocial on Serena’s part.

Yuri: He was picked up alongside Serena and therefore calls her ‘Sister’. Although he’s not quite kind, if it’s between hanging with SSD (Serena, Sora and Dennis) and anyone else, he’d choose them every time. Additionally, while Yuri was aware of Serena’s flaws (fixation on honour and dislike of espionage) he never raised them to her superiors, liking her just the way she was.

“It’s not ‘like’! I just find her desperate attempts at heroism amusing!”  

Sora and Dennis: Serena and Yuri’s friends. Much like Yuri, they protected Serena from her superiors and silently wish her happiness in Inazuma. If Serena ever betrays the Fatui, Yuri, Sora and Dennis will be ordered to assassinate her. It’s a punishment for both sides, Serena for deserting and Yuri, Sora and Dennis for letting her walk away.

Yusho and Yoko- her second set of adoptive parents. Despite her past, they forgive and accept her. They can see from her maid work how genuine she is in her defection. Plus, they know how important Yuya and Yuzu’s siblings are to them.

Yuzu: Serena’s long-lost biological sister. Although, at first, Yuzu was disappointed to find her sister was a fatuus, she’s taken to rehabilitating her with zeal. Yuzu gave Serena her obi and ribbons. The arrowhead pattern represents her wish for Serena to “never go home” (since arrows, once fired, cannot return). 

Yuya: Although he lost his vision due to the meddling of the Fatui, Yuya doesn’t hold Serena’s past against her. Instead, he values her as a fellow member of the troupe, important sibling of Yuzu’s, and respects her for her honour and courage. Besides, to him, the more Fatui realise they can build a home outside Snezhnaya, the better! Yuya was the one to give Serena her kimono. He picked Peonies for bravery, Anemone for sincerity, and Violets for honesty.

Shun and Yuto: Although they resent Serena for her actions as a Fatui, they hold back for Yuya and Yuzu’s sakes. Serena knows this and is determined to show them how serious she is about turning her life around. They become closer over time and, eventually, the only fights that spark between them are over card games.

Ruri: Unlike Shun and Yuto, Ruri doesn’t resent Serena, but she still bears a healthy suspicion. Like Yuzu, though, Ruri is happy to have her sister back, so she’s a lot more active in pushing Serena’s rehabilitation/redemption than her fellow Watasumi Islanders. 

Thoma: Serena’s housekeeping senpai. She follows him like a lost puppy in her free time, eager to take her housework into a new level of efficiency. Thoma obliges.

Kit (Cryo Only I’m Lazy Lmao)

Elemental Skill: Moon-Reflecting Frostblade.

Serena enters the ‘Moondance’ state. Moondance has no duration, instead, it will automatically conclude after 6 normal attacks. Switching out will also cancel Moondance. Moondance’s cooldown will only begin after Serena exits Moondance. 

Moondance has three effects. First, it infuses all Serena’s normal attacks with Cryo. Second, a ‘Moon Mirror’ will be generated after every successful normal attack. Third, every successful hit will be accompanied by a cryo follow up attack. (She attacks twice. Get it?) 

Elemental Burst: Storm of Dancing Ice.

Upon activating Storm of Dancing Blades, all Serena’s moon mirrors will transform into ‘Moondance Turrets’. When any character other than Serena normal attacks (no need for a hit), the Moondance Turrets will fire a cryo blast (Hail-Shot). 

When there are three moondance turrets, Serena’s Hail Shots have no ICD. It’s time to forward melt. 

Passive Talent: Resource Efficiency.

When a party member uses attacks to obtain wood from a tree, they have a 25% chance to get an additional log of wood.

[inconcordia]

On Sunday's Villainy

I've seen various interpretations of Sunday by now and sometimes he's made out to be much sweeter than I see him and other times he's made out to be much more openly villainous than I see him. So I wanted to write down my thoughts on this - the ones I can presently think of, anyway.

First of all, I refer to him as villain because the Family is shady as all hell and he's somewhat presented as an opposing force to the protagonists we're supposed to identify with. That said, no one is the villain in their own story.

I don't see him as the muahaha kind of villain that will go out of his way to be evil. To me, he is the righteous kind of "villain" (if one even wants to call him a villain in the first place), which is arguably harder to deal with than the black and white fairytale type of villain. He doesn't see himself (/(his side) as the bad guy(s) nor is he interested in "doing bad things" or exploiting people for the sake of exploiting them (NOT TO SAY that the whole Dreamscape and whatever the family is doing isn't doing exactly that, but that's a whole other topic I need to expand on). Sunday acts with the certainty of someone who sees his own actions as justified and righteous - if you are threatening the family, the Harmony, THEIR dream, any harm that comes to you is verily justified. In that sense, he might consider an act heinous up until the very point you commit a crime so bad that this very same act becomes an acceptable punishment for you. Righteousness, when misguided, is a scary thing to go up against.

That said, I don't get violent or brutal vibes from him. He has wrath inside him (I'll make a separate post about this at some point) but he doesn't seem the type who would lash out physically. He won't strike you, he won't hurt you, he won't even carry a weapon. Something about him almost gives the impression that he still won't do so if someone were to physically assault him. Not to say he won't defend himself in some way if necessary, but I just feel like physical violence is not really in his nature (may be proven wrong on this, we'll see). Think of his scene with Sparkle, or even the last one with Gallagher. He's the most emotional we see him throughout in those scenes and yet physically he barely changes, in Sparkle's case he doesn't even make outright threats to get her to stop. He asks her to stop and leave, telling her she is not welcome.

Now that doesn't mean he is an innocent flower who will cry if you upset him and not retaliate. Not at all. He will harm you and he will end you, if necessary, but he will do so in a more indirect way. He will trick you, lead you into a corner you can't get out of anymore, make you put yourself in grave danger or even make you kill yourself (directly, through your actions, etc). He will sacrifice you in a way where you will realize it but can't do anything about it (exhibit A: Aventurine). Rather than poison your drink in secret, he will create a situation in which you have no other choice but drink it willingly and knowingly.

If you threaten the Family, him or their cause, he will remove you if he can but he would do so by means that don't leave a dirty trail or appear like treachery. He wants to remain in control of the situation and any retaliation or act of prevention should be seen as what it is: punishment for the wicked. It should be as clean as possible. No clean-up is ever perfect so rather than make a mess and fix it, he'll spin a web you get so caught up in you cut off your own air supply before you know it and if someone then asks questions he will point out the fact that he wasn't even standing near you.

To be continued.. possibly.

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie Pt. 157- Lucky Clover

Summary: Raven, Jace and Matthew chapter of backstories and new revelations.

*Warnings* language, angst, mentions of child loss, mentions of suicide, religion discussion

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

"No...no, get away....get away from my baby! leave me alone...no! Tauriel don't do it!! No...nooooooo!!!!"

"Raven! Wake up! Wake up, you're dreaming..." Jace firmly said as he tried to shake the distressed dhampir awake. The worried warlock had been faithfully sitting by her side as she slept, his contrasting eyes curiously studying her since they arrived at his remote refuge, trying to figure out why he was so drawn to the fiery haired and tempered dhampir.

Her eyes sprung open in panic and darted frantically all around the outlandish room that smelled of burning sage. A room that looked nothing like that of middle earth, but something of modern day living with hi-tech computerized gadgets all around, things she had only read about in futuristic novels. It also had a gothic witchy vibe, which that part she could at least relate too.

Then there was Jace, the gorgeous blue and brown eyed blonde, holding her hand as he sat beside her, which he hadn't even realized he was doing.

Raven jerked her hand away and jumped off of the simple single sized cot, adorning completely different attire than what she last remembered wearing.

"What the hell?? Where am I Jace??"

"If I tell you, I'll have to kill you." he grinned, but then instantly realized how stupid his jest was as Raven scoffed at him.

"Tell me where the fuck I am Jace...now!! Or I'll..."

"What? Set me on fire?? Burn down the only sanctuary you have? We saved you remember?? A simple thank you would be nice."

His tone was calm but cocky enough to get a retorting rise out of her.

"A thank you?? If not for me, you'd still be rotting in Jareth's dungeon. Where's my thanks for saving you?? Instead, you left me at the mercy of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. fucking Hyde!" she reeled, referring to Thranduil and his evil alter Elvenking persona, then marched over to the cathedral style window that held iron bars on the outside. "Oh, and that's just great. I lived my whole life behind these. So now I'm a prisoner again??"

"They're not to keep you in Raven. They're to help keep others out."

She glanced back at him with a softening look, then her electric blue eyes returned to the unfamiliar outside view from the top floor that displayed a dark outlying city street. The only light came from the waning gibbous moon which would soon be full for winter solstice and in the wide reaching distance was a lavish lit up world of humankind.

"Yeah well, they didn't work against Jareth when I was at LeBrat's."

"That's because you conjured him, basically leading him right to your doorstep with a welcome mat. Play with black magic, get black magic play back. Try to correctly say that fifty times in a row."

Jace's humor was sincerely playful but it was not helping, for Raven found none of it funny.

"I didn't know it would be him alright?? I didn't even know he existed. I wanted someone more like y...never mind. Can you not speak about Jar... him? As if I am not cursed enough."

Jace grinned in confidence, knowing she was going to say she wanted someone more like him.

"I never would have pegged you for the superstitious type."

"I'm not...well at least I never used to be. You know he'll find me Jace and if he don't, the dealers will.....even Thranduil."

"Hence why you are here. The elves will never come here and Jareth and Ravenna have never found me here yet. They can't find what they can't see. As far as vampires, this area is not their scene. Even they have preferences."

"Key word, yet. It won't stop the goblin king from searching all corners of the globe...and it goes to show just how much you know about vampires. We are too close. I can see the people which means if there's any dealers there, they'll sense me. People are kinda their thing, you know...food? They're always roaming the big cities, looking like any other human. Some even reside in them. Garrett told me all about it. Now, where are we??" Raven asked as her keen eyes continued to zoom in on the buffet of humans walking about in the nightlife, making her quite hungry herself.

"I know plenty about them actually. As you said, they tend to target the highly populated areas, which is why we are not in one. It's also how I have managed to stay off the radar. If you remain hidden, out of sight, like we are, they are less likely to sense you. To answer your question, we're in Manhattan, well, the suburbs of it."

"Out of sight, but not out of mind and we're in New York??? The United freaking States?? You FLEW me here, all this way?? That's like thousands of miles."

"Nine thousand to be exact and no...only part of the way. I didn't want your scent in the air for anyone to pick up our path, not to mention your dead weight of being passed out didn't exactly make for a light load, so I used a portal."

"A...portal?? Like Jareth can do?"

"Could do...but not without his ring that I saw you pick up inside the mountain when Gollum dropped it."

"Yeah, that...well, I don't even have it anymore. That bitch Tauriel took it from me and stupidly gave it to her looney tunes elf lord which has only amplified his assholiness. That's not all she took from me either." Raven reeled, still in shock over her loss that she didn't know quite how to speak about.

"Wait." she continued. "So, if you can teleport, then why didn't you just take me away before????"

"Because I didn't have my stele. As Jareth needs his ring to possess certain unique abilities, I need something as well. He had taken it upon my capture so I had to go back and retrieve it and my seraph blade too, after you had left."

"A...stele??"

"I'll show you some other time, what it is and how it works. It does so much more than just teleporting. This place? To the outside world, looks like an old abandoned church, even on the inside. When I said they can't find what they can't see, well...I meant it in the literal sense."

"Uhh, how?? It looks far from abandoned to me."

"Magic." Jace said as he now stood beside her and winked. "This is only one room. There's much more here...and there's others here like me too. We are well protected."

"So...anyone that walks in here...won't see what I see? Will they see us??"

"Well...Mudanes, or ordinary humans per se, won't and they can't just walk in. Iron bars and locks remember? Vampires etcetera, are a bit more tricky, which is obviously why you have to remain inside...Oh...and did I mention that my good friend is a vampire? Shocking eh?" Jace quipped as he folded his brawny arms over his broad chest.

Raven's head whipped to him. "No...you didn't. But...I..I remember now. There was one with you when you came for me...I...I saw him, smelled him. He reeked of some girly perfume and was wearing a pink necklace."

Jace chuckled. "Yeah, that's Matthew, but don't let the scent fool you. He's far from girly and quite dangerous when provoked, for he carries the blood rage gene. To put it simply, don't piss him off. Otherwise, he's one of the good ones. He actually resides in the civilian world of France but has personal business in the elven realm, which that's a whole 'nother story that isn't mine to tell. What I can say though, is that pink gem is no ordinary necklace. It's a runestone and is needed for what's to come. That part IS my business. It's all of ours. Anyways, you'll officially meet Matthew soon enough. He's out fetching some food for us...real food like burgers and fries, since I know you can survive on that."

Raven's throat burned with thirst for blood as he said that and her stomach also growled in hunger for a big fat medium rare double cheeseburger. Garrett used to bring her treats like that from the cities, back when he used to like her and protect her.

As she placed her hand on her grumbling stomach, she turned away from him and began to softly sob, for she couldn't hold it in any longer.

"He...they...took my baby away Jace....all to punish me for what I did to Thranduil. I am the reason he lost his family and has turned into what he is and now I have paid dearly for it...but..my baby...he or she didn't deserve that. I...I wanted to be a mom...I...I wanted to raise it to be good, unlike I was. My child...could have been the one thing to straighten me out...and someone that could have actually loved me."

Raven then broke down bawling as she lowered her head and leaned on the window sill.

"Hey...come here." Jace softly whispered and took her into his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder.

"I...I am so sorry Raven. I learned of the child after it was too late. Matthew sensed it in your blood loss. I wanted to come sooner but I knew it was too risky to attempt it alone. God, I'm so sorry for all the excuses. I...I never wanted to leave you back in the goblin realm, but I was outnumbered with Thranduil's army. He was never going to allow me to come with you and certainly not take you from him, which believe me, I wanted to so much. And...I do...I thank you so much for saving me. If only I could have saved you. Can you ever forgive me?"

Raven lifted her head and tear filled eyes to his as she sniffled and whimpered. "Why would you ever want to save someone like me?"

Jace's hand came to her cheek, his thumb gently wiping her tears. "Because I know there's good in you. I can see it. The fact that you wanted this child and to do right by him or her, proves that to me, but..I have even seen it in you long before that and I even told you so. You just want to be loved, which I know you have been deprived of and mistreated as well. I also know you have done some pretty terrible things, but you never deserved what my father had done to you or what Thranduil did to your child. Others feel differently, but there is nothing that can be done about that now, except that you can try to move forward and be a better person, which I know you can be...in fact, I think you want to be. Am I right?"

"Even if I do...I will still be hunted. Where am I going to move forward to? I have nowhere to go. I'm...alone..."

Raven lowered her head, only to have Jace's fingertips raise it by her chin and peer straight down into her sullen eyes.

"You are not alone. You have me. I'm here now and I will not leave you again unless you tell me to. I understand if you cannot forgive me or if you want to leave."

Raven was dumbfounded that he genuinely seemed to care for and respect her and she didn't exactly know how to react, for it's nothing she had ever experienced. The cynical side of her wanted to come out and tell him that he was full of shit, for she was scared to trust him again but...she couldn't do it, as his eyes and touch spoke the truth that he was real.

"Yes...I...I forgive you...and...I also thank you for what you have done for me. You...you're nothing like your father. If it weren't for your eyes, it would be quite hard to believe you're his son."

Now Jace's head lowered. "It...it must be hard for you to look at me. I am sure he is all you see in my similar eyes."

Raven's fingers now went to his chin, lifting his head up to see his ashamed eyes trying to avoid hers.

"Look at me Jace...please. I didn't mean it that way. I do not see him when I look in your eyes, for your eyes, they are beautiful and hold kindness and love within them. His are dark and full of hatred and evil. The eyes, they say, are the windows to the soul. Well, he does not have one...but you do. I see it. I see...you. I...I smell you too." she said as her brows furrowed, trying to figure out the scent. "You smell of...clover??"

He softly chuckled. "Yes. Ironic huh? That is your real name. Clover."

"Yeah...it definitely is strange. But..as you know, I do not go by that name anymore...although, I...I do like the way you say it."

Jace smiled, somewhat bashfully. "Well...Clover...I...I see you too."

A moment of mutual gazing was shared as Jace stroked her cheek and then in his bewitched state...he leaned forward. Raven softly gasped as his lips almost took hers...and then Matthew walked in, causing the two to quickly move away from each other.

He walked over and put the food on the table, then the tall, dark and handsome vamp, appearing to be in his late 30's upon rebirth and all dressed in black, approached Raven with observing sapphires and both a tantalizing and intimidating smile.

"Hello Raven. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Raven stood fidgeting with her fingers, feeling a bit anxious after Jace told her that Matthew possessed the blood rage gene. She knew what that was, for her father, Craven, possessed it. It was either a genetic illness that was carried over from their human life or it could also be passed on to them when they are reborn from a vampire carrier's bite. It also surprisingly allowed an infected vampire to create children with female humans, witches or even other vampires. The most susceptible to it were witches known as weavers, a rare breed of witch with the strongest abilities and capable of creating spells that don't exist, something you unknowingly inherited from Caroline and would pass down to Leean. But, the main reason Raven was concerned was because it carried the term blood rage for a very good reason. When ignited, due to strong emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety and extreme hunger, it became uncontrollable, although when provided with a support, hope and love, it could be manageable. Had she inherited the gene from Craven? Was that why she was a blood thirsty child and always so angry, having multiple fiery meltdowns throughout her existence? Either way, on egg shells she would now walk around the vampire that Jace told her not to piss off.

"I am very sorry for your loss. I hope someday, you will find forgiveness in your heart as you also seek it yourself. As you know, the she-elf that was ordered to carry out the devilish act, was placed in a very compromising position. It was not her wish to cause you or your child harm and she, herself, has been scarred by the loss. King Thranduil, far worse than she, for his mind has been altered by, as you know, none other than a demon warlock that needs to be stopped. Not even the Elvenking himself, in his right mind and especially without that citrine, would have carried out such evil. An evil, you...brought him to. That evil, he will now face as it has become full circle."

Raven's eyes intensely grew and began to sting with her own rage.

"Whoa...you're...defending them?????"

Jace nudged her with his elbow, his own wide eyes reminding her to watch her step.

"Defend? No...stating facts, yes. I do not find them blameless. Tauriel still had a choice. Even Thranduil did, for he still knows of right and wrong. Of course, he chose wrong... again, hence what has happened to him."

"He hates me! He hated me even before Jareth's mind fucking. He still would have done it."

"And why is it that he hates you Raven? Other than the fact you took him away from his family and set this all into motion? A... choice...you also had and chose wrong. Did you not deceive his Queen, your own sister, all out of jealousy regarding the vampire King Garrett Lee and because of your secret desires for the elf lord you also harbored?"

"What the hell? How...do you know all of this and....what is your infatuation with the elves anyways??"

"Come...sit and eat. I will tell you. I hope you like cheeseburgers, medium rare?"

Raven's mouth now gaped to match her eyes. She sat down, opposite the daunting vampire who then placed two burgers and fries in front of her and a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken at Jace's seat, which was right beside her. Of course, for Matthew, all he relished in was a bottle of red wine that he then poured for the warlock and herself.

All she could do was lightly gulp in confusion as her stunned blue eyes stared up at overly courteous vampire.

"Matty, my favorite, KFC. You rock brother...you...you got the biscuits too...right? With butter and honey?"

Matthew grinned and reached into the bag, then slid another box over to him at lightning speed, in which Jace gracefully caught, sporting a curled smirk of satisfaction.

Jace tore into his chicken in the typical hungry man way as Raven sat watching him in astonishment while Matthew sat silently, sipping his vintage while eyeing her.

Jace could feel her eyes upon him and suddenly ceased his meat ravaging to lock his eyes upon her.

"You want a piece?" the greasy chinned warlock asked with a mouth full of food, making her lightly giggle.

"I...I've never had that." she softly answered.

"What??? Sacrilege girl. Here."

Jace reached in the bucket and pulled out a chicken leg, then plopped it down on her plate. Her stomach turned as she then watched Jace suck his piece down to the bone, for it reminded her of Gollum's legs.

Raven offered a queasy smile, then unwrapped her burger instead. Moments later, she found herself indulging it just as Jace had, not realizing just how famished she really was. Hearing both the warlock and vampire chuckle at her, had her setting the sandwich down to shyly wipe her lips with a napkin, then awkwardly began nibbling on her fries.

"To answer your questions Raven, I have many gifts, sight being one of them, past, present and future, either while dreaming or during my waking hours. I know more about you than you do. The elves...well, they have been part of my future visions." Matthew explained and then continued after pouring himself another glass of wine.

"Do you believe in destiny?"

"You mean...like...love..and all?"

"Yes, that can be part of it. But just your overall future. I've seen many things. My own destination as well. It involves your sister and your niece...it even involves you."

"M...me? How am I involved in their lives? Josie hates me and will soon want to kill me even."

"That may be so, her feelings anyways."

Matthew took a hefty gulp and then sat straight up, leaning into the table.

"But...it will all change. You will be a part of her life again. I have seen it. She will need you."

He then sat back and relaxed again, returning to his wine. "With that said, the future can always change due to our actions. It all depends on you now, if you want redemption and to be a part of a family."

"Wait...you're telling me that I...will be accepted by her after what I have done to her husband? What exactly did you see??"

"I cannot tell you that, for then, you could change it's course by throwing a monkey wrench into it. It would be in your best interest if that did not happen. You see, there are some things that should not be told for various reasons. For example, I knew Thranduil was alive after a vision I received from a shooting star one night that revealed my own destiny."

"So you knew he was alive and...did not tell Josie??"

"Would you have? Knowing what her King had become, forced to despise her. What a terrible pain that would inflict upon her after all she has suffered, only to lose him all over again while he walks and breathes. Now, of course, she will soon learn the truth and with that said, another of those various reasons I mentioned would be that there are other things that need to take place until she is made aware."

"That...makes no sense. If she had known earlier, many things could have been changed??"

"It is not meant to make sense. You must trust the process., for it is all occurring for a reason. A war is coming, a storm like no other and the Thranduil before us all now is well suited for it, more than ever. The one thing we all have in common is Jareth's destruction and all the evil he will bring forth this winter's solstice that is merely two weeks away. The fact that Thranduil has the citrine in his possession, did you think that was an accident? If he had been rescued before he was, Jareth would still have it. It is one of the key items in ending him, along with the gem I wear. There are other runes that will be needed as well. Your sister...she will collect them. She also will find the biggest necessity, Ashmole, for even I cannot see it's placement, for I have spent 150 year searching for it. Only a witch can. If she had left Dowrinion to find her King, it would have thrown everything off course. With all this said...Jace, you will need to go to her, alone, for you will be needed to aid her in locating one of the last two runes."

"Yeah well, if only Thranduil had killed Jareth when he had the chance, none of this would be happening....and if you know the whereabouts of these runes, why have you not just gone and got them yourself?" Raven asked, as politely as she could in her frustration of brain overload.

Matthew sat back up to the table with a serious expression. "If Jareth could be killed, we wouldn't need the book, now would we? And I do not know the location of the gems, I have only seen them in Josephine's possession. I may have the gift of sight, but I do not know all. I am not God."

"Ok...so you're telling me that if Thranduil would have beheaded Jareth's ass, he wouldn't have died?? and....you...believe in God???"

Matthew plopped back in his chair and guzzled his glass of wine to the last drop, then heavily sighed.

"That is exactly what I am telling you. The goblin king's revival brought about by his brother Julian using the spell in that book, protects him and his body. How do you think he rose from the fiery pits of hell just recently? No sword will pierce him, no fire will burn him, no magic will destroy him unless it is from that book and those stones!!! It can temporarily weaken him, but that is it. He will just keep coming back like a stray cat if you feed it and he'll get stronger each time just as the cat will grow fatter. Thranduil knew this which is why he did not even try."

The vexed vampire poured another glass, trying to calm his emotions before he went on, while Raven sat frozen in fear as she witnessed his hand trembling while he drank.

"Now...God, you ask...I do believe in him. I was a devout catholic before I met my fate fifteen hundred years ago. I was 37 and aided the local church in a small France village, helping to restore it, for I was a carpenter. I had a wife and a son back then, both taken by a plague that wiped out most of the village, yet I never contracted it. I wanted to end my life when that happened and I tried, even believing I would go to hell for it. I jumped from the scaffolding and laid alone on the ground, broken, bloodied and still breathing. That is when I met my maker, and it wasn't God. It was my mother vampire who offered me the alternative to facing damnation and God himself by atoning for my sin through service, ridding the world of evil, much like Garrett does. She and her husband became my new family as Matthew Roydon died and Matthew De Clermont was born. Tell me, Clover...do you believe in God?"

"Somehow I think you already know my answer since you know everything about me and I've never even met you."

"Eh well, we'll be seeing plenty more of each other for you to know me better. It's time for me to go get my own dinner. Don't wait up kids...or do anything I wouldn't do. Raven...I hope you are feeling better."

Matthew winked at Jace, knocked back his remaining liquid and then headed out.

"Are you...feeling better?" Jace then asked her.

"Strangely...yes? Shouldn't I be cramping and still bleeding? At least, that's what I've read about miscarriages, although that's not exactly what happened to me."

"Matthew took care of that for you once we arrived here." he explained and continued eating his last piece of chicken.

"So...he's a healer too??"

"Yep...hey ummm, you gonna eat...that?" Jace asked as he puppy eyed her second cheeseburger.

"Uhhh...no...help yourself."

"Annnd...what about the chicken leg?"

Raven chuckled. "Take it. You don't wanna know what I think about that. Trust me or you won't be able to unsee it."

"Noted. Don't tell me." he laughed and swiped it up.

"Sooo...when are you going to go to Dorwinion? He told you to go alone...so does that mean I am going to be left here with a blood rage vampire?"

"He's not going to hurt you. He has more control than you think and you'll definitely be in good hands with him, just try and watch that spicy mouth of yours. It's really not that hard. I'll probably go in a few days after I know all is well here and..."

Jace finished the chicken and just stared at the burger as if something was bothering him.

"And??"

"And well...I have to face my sister knowing her husband is alive. Like, do I tell her? I mean...how, do I even tell her, considering what Thranduil is now? I've only met her once and...like, I love her already. I have no family but her. I guess there's still Jules, but he still isn't himself either thanks to Jareth and Harker. Speaking of Harker, he has one of the stones, the crystal. I wonder how Josie is going to get it like Matthew said?"

"I...I don't know...I..."

Raven sighed and picked at her remaining cold fries.

"Hey...what's wrong?"

"I...well...you know how Matthew said somethings shouldn't be told? I guess I am debating on one of those things....because it will hurt someone....and like you, I...I don't know how to tell them."

"Ok...well, tell me about it. Maybe I can help?"

Jace couldn't help, for he would be the one needing help. Raven knew the truth about her sister's true father and it wasn't Jareth like all were led to believe by Caroline and she knew that information would crush Jace.

"Jace....I...."

Raven grunted and threw her hands over her face, then ripped them down, releasing a hard sigh.

"Ok...Raven?? Now you're starting to worry me. What is going on? You have to tell me."

"Arrrgh!" she snapped and got up to pace. "Ok...ok...the person is you Jace."

Now he stood up and walked over to her, gently taking her arm to turn her around.

"What do you mean? There's something you know about me that will hurt me?"

"I...I should have never opened my spicy mouth!"

"Raven....tell me now. Spit it out." he flatly said.

Jace towered over her with pursed lips, peering down firmly with his brown eye darkening and his blue eye brightening, only causing her to clam up even more.

"Raven! You do NOT want my eyes to turn yellow." he shouted.

"Ok! Ok! Josie...she's not your sister....Julian is really her father after all."

"W...what??"

"My mother...she lied to Jareth all to hurt Julian for sleeping with her twin and not knowing the difference."

"How the hell do you know this???"

"Look...it came up in some conversation on our journey back to Rivendell. I sat and listened. There's this buy...Boromir...who claims his brother...some Faramir guy is Josie's twin. I guess my mother hid it from Julian and gave the boy away to these people. It's some long fucked up story."

"Hearsay...you want me to believe something you overheard with no facts??"

"Jace...It's...it's true. I...I'm sorry. That Faramir guy, he has powers now that he never had and the Boromir dude, he...he saw the truth in Galadriel's fountain, the one that shows the future...he saw Faramir, Josie and Julian together, and the guy called Julian father...if my mother had twins and Julian is his father....then he is...my sister's too...which only makes her....your cousin. But, that's still family Jace....she's still your...family. It changes nothing."

"It changes everything Raven." he flatly spoke once again and went to stare out the window. "Who's to say this guy isn't lying??? I mean, who the fuck is he anyways??"

"I don't know who he is really, just that he's a good friend of Aragorn's and...why would he lie? He traveled clear from Gondor to find my sister and tell her. He was there at Jareth's, helping to free Thranduil, only you never saw him."

"Gee, I don't know Raven. Maybe your sick and twisted mother put him up to it before she died for whatever fucked up reason. It...it can't be true...it just can't be...I...I learned about Josie when I was a teen. Jareth...he let it slip in a bout of anger one night when he and I were arguing, but I knew nothing more about her or how to find her...I..I didn't even know her name then. I was so angry that I was never told and I was so fed up with him and my mother as it was for all the evil shit they did, that I left, and never looked back. I didn't want to be like them. I wanted to be a part of a normal family, with love...and love was forbidden in my world. I had witnessed what they did to my aunt Freya, forcing her to turn dark and it all was just the last straw... So I went searching for Josie and have been ever since...all these years Raven, and I finally found her and she was everything I knew and felt she would be...good and sweet and...she loved me back. I...I can't lose that Raven....I...I just can't...."

Raven gently took his arm and made him turn to look at her. His face was full of pure anger and pain, his eyes glistening of tears, eyes that he refused to hold up to her sympathetic gaze....and her heart desperately broke for him. For once in her life, she felt love. Real love.

"Now it is my turn to comfort you. Come here."

As soon as Raven's arms pulled him in, Jace broke down crying into her neck as he held her so tight.

'I...I don't want to be alone anymore Clover..." he muttered into her cinnamon scented hair.

"You don't have to be anymore. I...I'm here. Your lucky Clover." she softly assured him as she made him look at her and then...she did something that even surprised her. The dhampir kissed the warlock.

@redeemer46

[udekai]

MattFoggy 27?

27.) Things you said through a closed door

Matt hesitates before knocking. He's standing in the hallway with a grocery bag on his wrist and more under his eyes. He has a spare key in his pocket, but Foggy had left the office with a melodrama he didn't usually manage, and he doesn't want to assume that he's welcome at the moment.

For once, it's not his fault.

This case has been killing all of them, one by one. Karen excuses herself three times a day to get angry at everyone involved. It's a disgusting use of copyright law; Mrs. Clark lost her son in May, who was an illustrator. Before he passed, he made some beautiful drawings for his mother, but the contract he had signed meant they belonged to the company. They wanted to keep the prints in their vault for their own use.

Mrs. Clark was willing to pay. She shouldn't. She would, though, to keep some memories of her son. They wouldn't even let her have that.

Foggy had the floor today, and he stammered; he let the cold, dead eyes of the bailiff intimidate him, and he dropped the ball. It was a rough tumble from there, and they'd be lucky to settle.

He wasn't happy.

Matt isn't much good at this; He's never found the right things to say to make failure feel better, because nobody else has, either. He knocks anyway.

"Leave it in front of the door," Foggy groans.

Matt sighs.

"It's me."

There's a beat of silence.

"I'm fine, Matt."

When Matt lies about being fine, he tries to make it convincing. Foggy does no such thing. He says it in a way that implies he'll prove how fine he is by biting him. Matt is not well-known for his sense of self-preservation.

"I know," he replies. "Can I come in, anyway?"

A shuffle. A couple of footsteps. And then a little thud on the door as Foggy bonks his head against it.

"I don't want to be an asshole, Matt, but I really just want to... sit down. For a while. Y'know?"

"Alone?" he asks.

There is another beat of silence.

"You're not the only one gets brooding time, Murdock. I can brood. I can brood hard."

Matt's already smiling, but he feels it widen from something sad into amusement.

"I can tell. You're knocking me out of the park here."

"I... Can you do court without me? Tomorrow?"

This coming from the guy who wiped the floor with Matt in college debates.

"Maybe. I don't want to, though."

"I just don't know if I can look her in the eyes, man," Foggy says. He doesn't bother raising his voice to speak through the door. He knows Matt can hear him.

Matt drops his head into the wood right where he knows Foggy's is on the other side, and knows he can feel it. The jokes aren't working, and Foggy blames himself. Even these little hiccups of self-doubt make Matt feel like he needs to extol his every virtue in front of a crowd, assuming he could even list all of them before he ran out of breath and died.

"C'mon Fogs," he begs, frustrated. "It's one slip-up. How many times have you ever actually made a mistake in court?"

"This one's kind of a doozy, Matt," he bites back.

It was. Matt couldn't deny that. He switches strategies.

"We're partners, right?"

"Obviously. It says so on the sign," Foggy replies, more tired than annoyed.

"And partners let partners into their apartment to eat ice cream and figure out how to fix the case?"

There's a scoff of laughter. The door shakes a little with it.

"You seriously brought me ice cream?"

Matt grins. Every time he wins him over, he feels like the biggest hotshot on the planet.

"Yeah," he says. "With the little chemically-brownie bits in it. I'm standing in a puddle of thawed condensation, by the way."

The door wrenches open, and Matt has to jerk away from it before his body weight goes with it.

"Lead with that! Jesus, my landlord's gonna have my ass on the wall."

Foggy drags Matt in by the front of his shirt, and he lets himself be herded out of the hallway.

They spend the evening watching awful movies that still get aired on cable, eating ice cream, and pouring over case files in rotating shifts. Foggy's warmer with him than Matt can ever remember, and it feels easy.

They win the case by a landslide.

_

Thank you for the prompt :D

[fatuismooches]

Smooches!! Hello sweetie pie! ૮꒰ ˶´ ꒳ `˶꒱ა ♡

I just thought this out of nowhere and honestly it may not work but basically, reader (maybe even fragile!reader I’m just a complete sucker for fragile!reader) and Dottore going out of the laboratory and into the icy land that is Snezhnaya to get some materials Dottore needs. But while you two are out, suddenly (somehow) you two get ambushed by maybe some treasure hoarders or perhaps some more elite enemies. And you end up getting hurt in the process. Maybe even to the point you end up bleeding. (Would this actually happen? Probably not bc let’s face it, Dottore is so intelligent and strong like you’ve said before even if this did happen the only other situation I can think of is the Traveler 😭) I also just want to see Dottore be like angered and pissed off at whoever dared to hurt his darling. (Like yes come be my protector Dottore boo boo 😭 💕)

But yeah this may not make any sense or even work but it’s okay!! As I’m writing this we finally got rain here!! And it was a thunderstorm to top it off so hopefully this heat goes down soon. Also to answer your question about my baby <333 (dog) we actually don’t know since we’ve never gotten her tested and we had originally gotten her from the middle of the street. She’s a small dog and a creamy colored with a few darker patches. Although she does look to be like a shih tzu! Okay I should stop talking about my baby 😭 if I could send pictures I would!!! (Also if it’s okay with you: I have a bunch of ideas that I hope to send before I have to inevitably start school, so if you see me spam your inbox I’m so so sorry :c )But I hope you enjoy your week and also enjoy this last week of July!! May all your days be filled with love and happiness, as I give you lots and lots of kisses on your cute cheeks and forehead. And a bunch of cuddles too! Please make sure you’re staying well and not tiring yourself with writing. I love you loads and so does everybody else!!! Mwa mwa!!

-from your dear boo boo bear 🎐 anon! ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Dottore's lover getting hurt by someone else always fills my brain with too much brainrot 🚶‍♀️ I too love the idea of a cold "i don't care what happens to anyone + I'm too strong to be hurt" character becoming uncharacteristically angry when someone they care for gets hurt. And yes as you said the chances of you getting hurt are practically in the negatives since he plans for every possibility and circumstance... if there's even the slightest chance you can get hurt he won't do it (ESPECIALLY if it's fragile reader, that's a no-no) but for the sake of fanfiction 🥰 if you do get hurt, oh boy. He doesn't show much emotion on his face other than that cocky smirk usually. But when you get hurt he just has no expression at all, and speaks with absolutely no emotion, no mocking, nothing. And that's how you know he's upset. Now we know that Dottore really doesn't care if his experiments suffer or not, but when he gets the people who hurt you, he'll make sure to conduct the most brutal experiments possible. Not caring when they cry and beg for forgiveness. Debating whether he should kill them or forever drag out their suffering.

...Moving on from that- at least you get the most advanced possible treatment in Teyvat, which means you won't be hurting for too long. And ahh I'm glad you got some rain 🌧 ! Hopefully things cooled down over there, I cant imagine how hotttt it is for you 😭 And omg your baby sounds so cute!! 💖💖 And of course I will always welcome your brainrots! I don't mind the spam at all! Good luck in school too, I know its hard but you got this 💞🥰 Make sure not to push yourself too! Hehe I'm giving you more kisses and smooches! I will enjoy this last week of July, we're one step closer to the fall haha. Ily too!! Make sure to take care of yourself as well 🫶🫶

[jennyandvastraflint]

Xena Reactions S2Ep19. Welcome to an episode of me absolutely HATING Odysseus 😂

Homer? As in... The guy who wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey?

"You have to learn to smell the flowers"

"I want you to close your eyes" awwww

"I'M HAPPY TO BE ON DRY LAND"

"I want you to have a sense of peace" djdhdhf

Pls Xena just chilling, smelling the flowers

Ooookay, now we help him

The girls kick assss

Ulysses!?? ODYSSEUS!?

KING OF ITHACA SJDHDSHD (Reigning king of ITHACA, neither man nor mythical, I am the infamous.... ODYSSEUS)

POSEIDON SHGJDHDB

Yes well Odysseus, maybe don't FUCKING BLIND HIS SON.

Oof... Xena he fucked up, please. I'm kinda with Poseidon on that one ✌️

Odysseus. I have read your Odyssey... 😂 You FUCKED UP.

Yippie, they mention the Troy episode

Gabrielle, no. It's bad enough that Circe and Calypso inexplicably have a thing for this guy.

Nah, Ulysses don't you dare hurt Gabrielle...

UH. "The last time I saw her she was a child" that sounds like pedophilia... I'm guessing they were both 17...... Else it's still fucking weird

SJFHDHD GABRIELLE

Poor her tho...

Shddh okay she's knocking then over

"Hey boys. I want in on the fun too." YEAAA

Lots o' fighting, ye

I just fucking hate Odysseus. For personal reasons, and also because that guy LAME UGLY (no offence ig)

Oh he was shot because he's an idiot.

ULYSSES. NO. YOU HAVE A WIFE... ffs Penelope deserves better 🙄 We should get Penelope a nice wife

Poor Gabrielle is seasick

Oh, several days you say? YOUR STUPID ASS NEEDED TEN YEARS.

Past the sirens. Just lock Odysseus up

"You mean this isn't rough???" yeah mood

TYING HIM UP SHDHSHS

Odysseus your mind is in the GUTTER.

Gabrielle "Please kill me" Babygirl

Oh why hello Sirens 👀

Poseidon works with them

Gabrielle is like "Nah. Not this. Pls. I'm already sick"

TOSS HIM IN I WANT HIM TO DIEEE

Oh he's such an idiot...

Do the sirens not have a song for lesbians 😂

OH. XENA SINGS. NEAT. Yes well that's a siren song I'd follow

BWAHAHA GABRIELLE WAS SUMMONED BY XENA'S SINGING (or at least that's how I see it)

Ulysses stop fucking FLIRTING..... 🙄

Xena is like :|

Ulysses you are a moron. Fuck off. She's a lesbian.

"Or my ideal of her" hmmmm well...

"Do you think I'm crazy?" YES.

Ulysses Gabrielle is Xena's soulmate...

EW. WHAT IS THIS DISGUSTING STRAIGHTNESS. YUCK. I need to bleach my eyes

Poor Gabrielle :( Had to hear Ulysses making out with Xena

"Gotten used to feeling miserable" :(

"I need to know" THE CLOSEUPS

YOU'LL FOLLOW YOUR HEART YOU'RE PART OF MY HEART

Gabrielle taught Xena how to love 🥺

Urgh I Don't FUCKING LIKE Ulysses

Gabrielle smooching the land sjfhsbd mood tho

"I carved that when I was five" Xena is like :|

No, SHE'S NOT DEAD. I KNEW ITTTT

Ulysses fuck off

Oh the suitors

NO THIS IS NOT POSEIDON'S WORK. YOU'RE JUST A FUCKING MORON. Sorry I just hate Ulysses

PENELOPE AND THE CHALLENGE!!!

Blah blah yea, piss off. "I don't love Penelope" blah.

"I'm not in love with you" "I don't believe you >:("

HA. HER CALLING HIM OUT. AS SHE SHOULD

Gabrielle heard. I think they should kiss about it

Oh the doggo recognised him

XENA HELPED HIM SHDHDHSS

"Because I am Ulysses" aha. He'll kill all the suitors...

Gabrielle my dear girl knocked a guy out with the throneee

🙄 Ffs I don't FUCKING LIKE YOU.

"Does she love you" DON'T FUCKING PUSH PENELOPE ASIDE LIKE THAT. YOU SUCH SM. PENELOPE DESERVES A BETTER SPOUSE

Boo, I hate Odysseus.

"She's quite a woman standing up to all those pirates" dbfhfhd The way they're gay about Penelope XD

ODYSSEUS SUCKS ✌️ I think Poseidon deserves to have killed him. As a treat.

Yeah not a huuuge fan of that episode either, I just have personal beef with Odysseus...

[acourtofserpents]

Don't know if it's spoiler: How would MC's betrayal change the fae ROs?

Like, they feel madly in love with MC and MC made a amazing job of making it look like they felt the same, just to end up leaving with Silos, in the end.

How would this affect them?

I mean, assume they would make it their mission to find MC one day (whatever is to kill them, punish them or make MC love them again is up for debate since not even the RO are sure)

(i'm pretty sure it's big spoilers so i'm putting all that under the cut! you'll get a little something in their POV when the time comes anyway, so!)

TW//death, self harm, suicide. assuming none of the fae ROs die for MC to leave with Silos:

Ryzan - he knows MC is gone the second they leave the Kingdom, as if their heartstrings pull at each other, urging him to go with them, to leave all of this behind. all his coin and his revels and his past that binds him to this place. but he can't, he knows he can't leave, and yet he wishes to do it so desperately that his chest is bursting with pain, and he feels nauseous and confused, and he just wants it all to stop. MC left him, and he knows it's pathetic to lose himself over someone who, apparently, never felt for him what he felt for them, but that thought alone makes everything hurt even harder. he's devastated in every sense of the word, and he feels himself breaking piece by piece. he cries and cries until he feels physically sick. when he becomes King, he becomes the worst tyrant the Kingdom has ever seen. killing people without even thinking much of it. you looked at him funny? you breathed too near to him? oh, you're dead, just like that. doesn't love anyone again, can't even bear to think about such feelings, but sometimes finds himself thinking of MC, and can't decide if he hopes they're dead, rotting away, or if he hopes they're alive and will eventually come back to him. they'll come back, he's sure they will, and he'll welcome them back with open arms and a broken heart, ready to be broken once again.

Nailea - goes back to the world of the Undersea and swims and swims and swims, looking frantically for MC. she's determined to find them. i mean, MC wouldn't actually leave her, right? . . . right? they wouldn't, because they love each other. she knows she's never said it before, she never said to them just how much she loves them, but she's sure it must've been obvious. but what if MC didn't know that? what if MC left because of her own inability to express her feelings, the almost burning love she felt for them? She has to find MC, she'll never forgive herself if she has destroyed this. nothing else matters to her, but this? she can't bear to lose this. after long days and even longer nights of aimlessly swimming, she returns to her home, her palace, her riches. what good is having all of this if she can't share it with the one she cares for the most? the one who made her feel like she's truly deserving of love? the one she needs? she won't swim ever again if she doesn't have anyone to swim to, to swim for. she takes the sharpest dagger she can find and cuts her tail. she doesn't even cry, or scream in pain. she can't feel the pain. she can't feel anything at all.

Zale - so what if MC left him? who does MC think they are to be acting like this, as if he actually cares about them? he doesn't, he never did. it was all a lie anyway, it started as a lie and it ended as one. fitting, huh? so he drinks away the knot in his stomach, he fills the emptiness of his heart with touches and whispers and kisses from other souls who can't even make him feel a fraction of what he felt for MC. he locks himself in his house, now silent where there was laughter and music and dancing and love, but not anymore, because he's a liar, a filthy liar and a fraud, who wanted everything and now has nothing. he sits in his leather chair and waits for MC. they're coming back, he's sure of it. but the time passes—a month, two months, a whole year, and MC doesn't come back. he's tired, too tired of pretending like he can keep going anymore, too tired to even get out of his chair and think of a proper way to end this. instead, he takes the glass full of pomegranate wine and smashes it on the wall. he takes the sharpest piece of broken glass and glides it fast, almost fearful, across his neck, and hopes MC is dead as well, so he can get rid of this agonising silence and hear their voice once more in whatever hell he'll find himself in.

[bluegekk0]

Ok im back and sorry for the oc question but I’ve been thinking about this for awhile…Another of my vessel group is Albus, His whole Character Arc is trying to find the pale king and the white lady (he misses his family and didn’t understand the whole ditching in the Abyss thing) I wrote my Ocs in the context of the Embrace the void ending, So in the end the other siblings in the group help Albus find the white lady, And then he kinda just….sits there…Because Albus doesn’t understand parental love, He thinks parental love is siting in their general vicinity, So he just kinda sits next to white lady,Unless his siblings come back to check on him, Then he gets up for a minute to spend time with them, Os how would fpk react to this random vessel just…Showing up and start siting in his general vicinity? Like honestly I want to know

I think it would be very awkward to him. He's still haunted by the guilt of what he did, so in his mind all the vessels have every right in the world to hate him. Holly was, in his mind, just an exception, one he was able to rationalize - he hurt them by sacrificing them for nothing, but unlike the other vessels, they did experience some of his affection and care. Of course it wasn't enough for a child, but it was enough for them to get attached to him and crave more, so even though he felt like he didn't deserve their kind welcome after all those years, it at least made some sense to him.

But with a vessel that hasn't experienced anything but the cruel difficulty of climbing out of the Abyss? He would have no idea how to go about it. They had every reason to hate him, so why don't they?

That's not to say he would act distant towards them, he would without a doubt show them kindness, they are his child after all and they deserve affection. He wasn't able to show it to them back then so he has an obligation to do it now. Though he wouldn't do it just because it's right and what he's supposed to do, he does see them as his child, and he is very affectionate towards his offspring. I fully believe that if the vessels were never meant to be mindless void beings, and instead were born in normal circumstances, that he would love them as dearly as he loved hornet. His error was incorrectly assuming that they didn't think or feel, which unfortunately ended in the death of many sentient beings. He may have not killed them directly and intentionally, but their suffering was his fault, and he'll never forgive himself for that.

But to get back on point. It would be awkward for him, sure, but he would reach his hand towards them to show them affection. He wouldn't just ignore them and treat them like a background prop, the way this AU's White Lady would - she never felt the same inherent affection for the children as he did, unfortunately. And while she does feel guilt about her part in the act, she doesn't see them the same way FPK does. Though I doubt she would be very affectionate towards a legitimate child either. She's very cold and distant, affection isn't something she prioritizes, and that often makes her seem quite self-absorbed. She always says she loved FPK, and in her own way she did, but she rarely showed him actual affection, even in intimate situations she was more occupied by her own needs than his feelings. I jokingly say that he was her trophy husband but that's not even far from the truth. To their subjects, he was the king and she was his queen, but in reality their dynamic was far closer to the opposite, where she called the shots and he danced to her requests. Perhaps to a being similar to her that relationship would be perfectly healthy, but FPK is a very emotional being so he ended up hurting throughout the entire marriage. But to bring this closer to the point, I don't see her being a loving mother, that kind of close emotional bond a child would need isn't in her nature. Which is why she never planned to have any actual children in the first place, and why she wouldn't treat this vessel any different. She would try to be nice to them and invite them to her garden mansion, but that's about as far as it would go. They would be treated as a guest, not like her offspring.

But enough of the WL tangent, what would FPK do exactly the moment the vessel showed up? Well, he would invite them inside first, give them something to eat, and then perhaps show them what he's working on in the workshop. He wouldn't immediately grab them and give them a hug, since he still feels like he doesn't deserve that after hurting them. The difference between this situation and his reunion with Holly was that Holly made the first step, they were actively seeking his love so it was easier for him to give it to them. But here? If they're just sitting there, he wouldn't know what extent of affection would be appropriate. What if he tries to hug them and they think he wants to hurt them? If they never experienced any love, that would be understandable, and the last thing he'd want to do is to scare them. But if he saw that they were comfortable with it, then he would show them affection more directly.

So in short. He would try to show them love, but it would be a slower process than normal since he'd have to stop and examine their reaction to every step he takes, to make sure they're comfortable. But he would try his best to make them feel loved and cared for, that's for sure.

[spaghettificationandpretzels]

The Reaper and the Death Angel Part 56

Series Masterlist

Part 55

Contains:Angst, so much angst, forensic procedures, alcoholic parent and alcohol misuse, hurt/comfort, fluff.

7.1K Words

Comment if you want to be tagged/removed or follow #the reaper and the death angel.

Train wreck takes on a whole new meaning.

Jax felt you stiffen as the person got out and Sam positioned himself in front of Ima without thought, "what, was wrong darlin?" You didn't say anything, Jax could see you looking at the person in shock, trying to make sense of their presence, "who is that."

You looked at Jax, the expression on your face filled him with worry, "that's our father."

"What?" Jax tried to take a good look at the man currently walking over, you barely blinked as he stopped in front of everyone.

"What the fuck are you doing here, haven't we made it clear to you already that we don't want anything to do with you."

He held his hands up, "I won't be here long. I saw something from your work, you got engaged?"

You crossed your arms over your chest as Sam sent Ima away, "yep and Sam got married, you've missed plenty before and haven't care, why the interest, do you need a liver from someone?"

"I've been sober for three years, I just wanted to come and say hello."

Sam stepped closer, towering over him, "you've done that, now fuck off before I drag you out of here by your fucking teeth." The look on Jax's face could have killed him a million times over.

"You should listen to him, this is my property and you are no longer welcome here."

Your father turned on his heel with a sad expression on his face, "I'll be at the inn if you want to come and see me. I just want a few minutes of your time."

****

"What the fuck are we going to do? You know what he's like, he'll either be up to his eyes in gin within the day or he'll move here so he can make amends."

Sam hadn't stopped pacing, "I don't give two shits, he can rot in that no end motel for all I care."

"You want him chased out of town?" Jax was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, he hadn't stopped scowling.

"No, that will just make it worse. Just leave him be, he's never been one to stick at anything. When he realises we aren't going to cave and see him he'll leave."

Riiiiiiiiiing

"Fuck that's work." You walked away to Sam still at a ten. 

"Dude, you gotta calm down. From what you and y/n have said about the guy he won't be sticking around."

Sam huffed, "it's not just that, he pops up at times like this are tries to worm his way back into our lives. Last time this happened I had just made Lieutenant and y/n had just made the New York Times bestsellers list for the second time. He wants to be able to say he walked his only daughter down the aisle and that's it."

You rushing out of the other room in had them turning their attention to you, "what's wrong darlin?" 

"Train crash, it's very bad. I won't be home tonight, you'll probably see me on the news in the next few hours." Jax sighed and slid to the floor, his head in his hands. 

"Haven't they cut the funding to the firehouse?" 

Sam nodded, "yep, my guess is she'll be doing triage the second she gets there, so will the others. It just doesn't fucking end. Our father will be at her work next, saying he was her on TV and he's so proud of her, I'm willing to bet money on it." 

"Yeah, I'm willing to bet you're right." 

****

"What are we walking into." The fire chief, Wallace Boden raced by to you, "it's bad, the first car caught before we got there, the passenger manifest says there's a state senator in there."

You rubbed your face, "no survivors?"

Boden shook his head, "it doesn't look like it. We have at least fifty people needing help, can you spare some people?"

You nodded, "we'll all help, I've got more work to do if more people die. I'll send Jess and Jack to deal with the bodies at the front, Cam and I will help the living, you just tell us where to go."

Another firefighter, Casey, the truck Lieutenant, ran over with a fireproof jacket with Forensics written on it in big yellow letters, "how long's it been since you had to wear one of these?"

"Not long enough. Jess and Jack will be at the front helping remove the remains, is there is a state senator there, you need to keep the scene as intact as you can and I want Kelly on this, I know he's not arson but he's the only guy I trust not to fuck up my evidence."

Casey nodded, "all good, I guess we get to put all that training you gave us to use."

You smiled, "talk about cutting your teeth on glass, can we go back to when you were just putting out frat house fires?"

He huffed, "come on y/n, you love working with us. At least we're not cops."

You sighed, "they'll be here soon enough."

****

"Yeah, come in. Hap and Bobby are already here, Jax is putting some shit in the oven." Sam invited Juice inside, it had become a tradition after you were called to a serious incident with news coverage for everyone to show up at your house to watch.

It started as a way to keep Jax and Sam company since Jax tended to worry and Sam began to itch for the action he was missing out on but after a while, it morphed into a way to be there for you in the same way you were there for them.

"Look there's the lass." Chibs pointed to the screen as you helped carry someone to the triage area with a paramedic.

"It's bad, reports say she's there because a politician was in the front car." Juice had been on his phone looking for more information most of the night.

"The front car where no one lived, the one that hit the car that was rigged to blow up?" Kozik sounded worried.

"Yeah, it's going to be a long night."

****

"Fucking vultures, the press is already here." Gabby one of the paramedics, shook her head and helped you with another injured passenger.

"You're more than welcome to have at them, you can say what we're all thinking without getting into trouble. This guy isn't going to make it."

You nodded, "yeah, sucking chest wound and no one to get him to the hospital, he's a black tag for sure. Good old San Joaquin, they keep cutting funding and people keep dying."

She sighed, "you haven't been hit yet?"

You shrugged as you dropped the man off to be looked after, "of course we have, our whole Vikings in the US exhibit was dumped and so was our settlement program, we lost six amazing members of staff and I've had to find a new toxicologist."

"Shit, I liked Tim."

You sighed, "we all did. Anyway, we better get back in there before the cameras end up in our faces."

****

"Fox is going on about this being a terrorist attack."

Sam huffed, "get off the phone Juice, real reports say another person in the front carriage was a big shot banker, it looks like this is about the stock market."

"Shit, is it some international crime shit?" Happy tended to be outlandish sometimes.

"No, judging by the dude's portfolio, it was probably some wealthy CEO. I'm sure y/n will update us when she can, for now we should all start dinner."

****

It was finally time to load the bodies in the wagon when the press came to shove microphones and cameras in everyone's faces.

"Miss, your jacket says Forensics, why were you and your team helping the paramedics?"

"For one, it's doctor and two, in an emergency response situation, anyone trained in triage must prioritise the living." The short response sent that one person away but another just took their place.

"Can you give us a statement on the situation?"

You smiled, "is this live?"

Nods all around, "great, a situation is a burst pipe and a few busted cars, this is a tragedy and this tragedy happened because the district of San Joaquin has cut public funding while their officials take a pay rise. In the last six months, millions have been cut from both fire and ambulance and yet the people making those decisions have had salary increases. Nine people died today who would have lived had there been ambulances to take them to the hospital. You want a statement, here's my statement. Families members of the dead can have their lawyers contact me, I'll testify in their wrongful death suits."

"What about the firefighter and paramedics who were here today, are they at fault?" The glare you gave the reporter could have frozen hell.

"No, in fact, they are the only reason so many people lived today and they are the only reason I even have a crime scene to investigate. If it wasn't for them, many more people would be dead or permanently disabled. We all know what's going to happen after my statement, they will face serious backlash and so will my lab. By standing up for what is right and stating the facts, I have put a target on my back and the officials of San Joaquin are going to make my life and the lives of the people around me even harder."

****

"Your sister needs to go into politics. You realise she's just made sure that San Joaquin can't do anything now, she's just called them out in front of the media."

Jax chuckled, "well Bobby, you're more than welcome to be the one the suggest it to her."

Bobby made a face, "on second thoughts, I'd like to keep my head." The phone ringing with Jax's ringtone for you had them all relaxing.

"Hey darlin, you're on speaker."

Jax smiled at your chuckle, "let me guess, everyone is there?"

"You know no one can stay away when you're on the TV, also we ate all the chocolate."

You sighed, "that's alright. Things are pretty rough, all but fifteen of the bodies are easy to ID so that won't take much time. I'm going to get some of those done, then come home and get some sleep then back to work and start on the first class car. I have to go to the fire scene too so I can help with the arson guy. I'm not sure when I'll be home."

"You need anything for us darlin?" You could hear the relief in Jax's voice.

"Send anyone who's been drinking to the guest rooms tonight. You want the dirt deets about why it happened?"

There was a shout of yeses, "good Lord, I'll tell you, calm down. The first class car was filled with finance people going to a conference, the senator was a guest speaker. I spoke to the feds, they already have a few suspects. I'm going to be up to my eyeballs in FTC goons soon so I've got to go. I love you all."

After the goodbyes, you hung up to head back to work.

****

"Hey y/n, you're going to hate me." It was rare that Travis came into the lab to tell you there was someone waiting to come in but you were on the platform dealing with the bodies so he could buzz you from your office

"Travis, you know I could never hate you, who's at the front desk?" He pointed at the front through the glass doors.

"The district's RP representative, his name is Kyle and he would love to talk to you." You smiled and Travis knew that look well.

"I hope he has a strong stomach, you can send him in." Travis nodded, his smirk growing.

"I'll buzz him onto the platform you stay here and work, I give him a sick bag too." You went to say something and he huffed, "yeah yeah I know, thank you T, you're a lifesaver. I gotta get away from this stink."

Travis returned three minutes later with the man in tow, "I love to talk to you, can we go to your office."

You didn't even turn around to answer him, "we can do it here, doing your job will not get in the way of me doing mine. Travis will swipe you onto the platform, if you feel sick please use the bag you were provided." He looked at Travis who waved his hand.

"You heard the boss lady, up on the platform or you can wait here for hours for her to be done." The man stepped onto the platform after Travis swiped his car then he was walking over to the table you were working at.

"Ummm, I just wanted to talk to you about your statement and how we can help to fix all the issues you brought up." He sounded like he was going to be sick.

"I thought I made the fix pretty clear, take a cut to your pay and give it to public servants. I'm guessing you make two or three hundred thousand a year, how much are you willing to lose for to never happen again?"

"Miss." You cut him off.

"It's doctor and if you want to give me some hollow bullshit, you need to get lost. This body belonged to a fifteen year old boy, he could have lived but there weren't enough ambulances to get him to the hospital. Sure he'd have to spend a year in the burn unit but he would have lived, unless you want to give him back his stolen years I don't want to hear anything about money."

"We just wanted to let you know that we did some digging and found that some of our staff were being paid more than the standard, they have done the right thing and taken a pay cut so we can reinstate the ambulances and we're working on getting your museum back to the way it was before. Everything will be back to normal in no time and it would be great if you could make a statement supporting these changes."

"Let me get this straight, these staff were being paid so much, that paying them the normal rate will recovers ten of millions and you want me to make statement in support of you doing the right thing?" The man was getting greener by the second.

"Can we go into your office? I don't need to see this."

You removed your hands from inside the body, "how about this, I'll give you three options. Option one, I will retract my original statement and make one in support, if those officials come and spend the day with me. Option two, we just let this go, no more statements, no more anything. Option three, I make a statement saying that you came here and tried to shut me up and that you're so much of a coward that you can't stand to be in the same room as something you caused. Which one would you like to take?"

"I'm sorry Dr l/n, I see that you have a lot to deal with and I'm not going to take up any more of your time. As long as you raise issues with us before the press we'll be fine."

You pointed towards the door, "great, now leave or I'll change my mind."

****

"Please go in, she had a PR guy from district here the morning and she almost shoved his head into a dead body."

Jax raised a cup of coffee, "I figured you could use it considering you've been dealing with family members all day."

"Thanks man, has Ope said anything about your bachelor/bachelorette party?"

Jax shook his head, "nah, why?"

"I'm not saying anymore, we're all going to have a blast." Jax handed Travis the cup and walked into your office with a smile.

"Hello darlin, I bought coffee and flan."

"Oh I love you." Jax wrapped you in his arms with a chuckle.

"Are you saying that to me of the flan?"

"Both," you sat down and got stuck in, the sweet pudding easing the stress of the day.

"T told me about your visitor, you feeling stabby?"

You sighed, "what do you think." Another beep from the intercom had you dropping your head into your hands.

"The sperm donor is here, you want me to get rid of him." Jax looked like he wanted to kill someone.

"Send him in, he'll just wait outside if you don't." You reached across the desk and grabbed Jax's hand, "please just don't be all noble, I can handle him." Jax sat back with a huff and then the door opened.

"What are you doing here?"

He was sheepish, "I saw you on TV, I'm so proud of you, I just wanted to come and see where you worked."

"Fifteen years too late dad, it would have been nice to hear that when I got my first PhD or the fifth one."

He hung his head, "I know I missed out on everything, I just want you to hear me out."

"What there's to say that you haven't said every other time you got sober?" Jax was getting angrier and angrier by the second.

"I just want to take you and Sammy out to dinner, you can bring?" He raised his eyebrows in question.

"Jackson, my fiancé's name in Jackson. Sam wife's name is Ima."

He nodded, "ok, you can bring Jackson and Sammy can bring Ima. All I want is dinner, if you decide you don't want to see my after that I'll never talk to you again but unless you do I'm going to hang around until you change your mind."

"You never change do you, sober or not you're still a bully. I'll have dinner with you, if everyone else wants to come it's up to them. I'll come, I can't say the same for Sam and Ima." Your father relaxed and sat down in one of the chairs.

"This office is really nice, are you the boss here?" Jax lips were close to curling in a snarl.

"Yes and no, I'm the head of forensics and give all the orders but our boss is down the hall, he deals all the politics."

The sound of tiny feet bounding towards your office had your heart in your throat, the door opening just as Jax stood up to stop Abel in his tracks but it was too late.

"MUMMY, MUMMY. LOOK WHAT I MADE." You stood up and rushed to the door, taking his arms then closing it behind you.

Wendy was there looking worried, "what's going on?"

"My father is here, I don't want him anywhere near Abel. I need to ask a favour."

She took Abel's hand and got down to his level, "Mummy's very busy right now, can you go hand out with uncle T?" Abel smiled and raced off.

"Whatever you need."

"Thank you, he's going to ask what's going on. I just need you to wait out here, I'm going to tell him the truth and say it's your decision too but I don't want him around our child."

She nodded, "neither do I, I'd say no even if you and Jax were on board. From what you've told me he hasn't done enough to prove he should have access to you and Sam let alone Abel, I'll wait Abel you just call Travis and tell me when to come in."

"Thank you, you're amazing" You headed back inside, catching Jax telling your father that he wasn't going to say anything about it until you were back.

"You have a son?"

"I do, I adopted him when he was a few months old. Jax is his birth father and his birth mother is outside, she doesn't want you to meet out child and neither do I. In fact, you'll be meeting him over my dead body. If you want to hear it from her, she's ready to come in and tell you herself."

He waved his hand, "no, it's ok, I realise you might need time before you get there."

You clicked the intercom, "Travis, can you please give Abel and Wendy some cafe vouchers and send them for some afternoon tea?"

"Sure, Wendy's fine with that."

"I'll talk to Sam and Ima about dinner, do you have a number I can call?" He wrote it done on a slip of paper, "I'll be in touch, don't bother us unless I call. You need to go now, I have stuff to do and you're cutting into my time with my partner."

He left with a short goodbye, Jax reaching across the desk to hold your shaking hands, "you're fine. I'll talk to Sam and try to get him to come to dinner, if he does and that piece of shit doesn't go away, we can make him."

"Thank you, we're going to have to tell Abel the truth just in case. With any luck Wendy's already done it."

****

"No, fuck no. I'll go but there's no way I'm going to let him meet Ima."

Ima didn't like that, "that's not your choice, it's mine, I'll go. If it means he'll never come near us again, I'll go."

Sam threw his arms up in the air, "if he says one word about you I'm going to kill him."

"I'll make the call, Wendy let Abel know that he wasn't a safe person and that if Abel sees him that he should tell an adult, that's all I want him to know right now."

Jax sighed, "three parents are better than two. Abel's dead to the world right now, I'm going to get us all some ice cream."

****

"Seven on Saturday at The Blue Tavern. I need to go to the crime scene, please just call me if something goes wrong."

"The Blue Tavern, you packing your wallet in case he forgets his."

You huffed, "of course I am Sam. I really need to go."

"It's it getting a bit long the tooth?"

You rubbed your face, "the fire was forty hours ago, the firefighters cleared the area ten hours ago and the police are letting us in as of two hours ago, sure it should have been yesterday but I can't make people hurry."

"You wanna lift darlin?" You shook your head and hugged into Jax's side while Sam went to let Ima know about dinner.

"As much as I'd love you there for moral support, I need to take the lab van. This tops out at one of the worst weeks I have stateside, I want it to be over.

"It almost is, we'll be watching the news at the garage in case you want to ruffle more feathers."

"I love you so much Jax."

He pressed his lips to your forehead and ran his hand up and down your arm, "love you too, now go kick some ass."

****

"Hey Kelly, is everyone here doing overhaul?" He nodded, "wonderful, more hands if I need help. Can you take this side and I'll take that one, move from front to back, if you find any fleshy bits let me know and don't forget to call if you find something strange."

He chuckled, "I was in your class remember, I know what I'm doing."

"Yeah, I know. Just making sure in case all the heat you deal with fried your brain." There was no quip back which was strange.

"Hey ahhh y/n, is this what I think it is?" Kelly pointed a hunk of metal on the floor

You walked over and stood by him, following his finger until your eyes landed on what e was pointing to, "yep, that's a bullet. Mark where it is and we'll start from here."

"Did you find any bodies with gunshot wounds?"

You wiped the soot from for pants, "I haven't been through them all yet, we need to do trajectory so I can narrow it down. Can you head outside and get Jack to hand you the laser set up, I'll start pinning."

You bagged the bullet after taking photos, then stuck the pins around the area while Kelly brought the laser inside "bring it here and place it right where you found the bullet please." He did as you asked, and you clicked it on. When the laser found its mark, you pointed at the seat it landed on, "you know who was sitting there?"

Kelly shook his head, "nah but I can get you the manifest right now."

"Please do, I think we have a problem." You photographed the scene and waited for him to return, when he did, it was clear that something was very wrong, "what?"

"That was where the senator was sitting. There's more, judging by the way the back of this chair looks, she was bleeding when she got hit."

"What?" He walked you over to the chair and pointed at the back.

"See here, the fire was burning but she was alive enough to be bleeding."

You rubbed your face, "we know this was arson, the mess of the car the train rammed into proves that but the only person who could have fired that shot is another passenger or…."

He cut you off, "I knew all the guys there, it wasn't one of ours."

"Aright, hand me that pin." He took the long yellow pin and handed it to you before you stuck it in the hole in the seat. "Ok, judging by the angle it came from that direction." You pointed out the window and towards the treeline. "See how the hole is bigger in the back?"

He nodded, "that means it came through the font her body judging by the size of the hole it's come from beyond those trees."

"Which means this was a planned hit."

You nodded, "yep, we need to let someone know to get more cops here. Can you grab those little round wipes and get some of your guys here, we need to look for the spot where the person fired the gun."

You gathered some of the firefighters and handed then the gunshot residue pads, spray bottles and some little red flags, "look for damaged leaves and burns on the bark. If you find anything, wipe the pad over the area, then spray if. If it turns blue, yell real loud and stick the flag in the ground. Any questions?"

No one raised their hand, "alright, off we go."

It took about ten minutes before something came up, Boden had shot up and his deep voice came through the trees, "here." You ran over and looked where he pointed.

"That's it." You looked at the ground and shifted some of the leaves, "no shells. My guess is this was meant to happen later and they took advantage of the chaos to take the shot early. I need to go back and look at the body, there's nothing more any of us can do here right now."

Kelly nodded and you bagged the swab, "yeah, I'll you get all of this into the truck. Just call if you want to come back here."

"Thanks Kelly, I'll let everyone know when I know more." With a wave from everyone, you left for the lab.

****

"Well Kelly was right, she was alive when she got shot. It was the gunshot wound that killed her, it nicked her heart."

"You want me to run it?"

You handed the bag containing the round to Jack, "please and do it internationally, with the people in that cart, I have a very bad feeling."

You went back to the exam only to be stopped by Hale walking onto the platform, "hey, I got your report, the fire wasn't connected to the senator's murder, we got a confession right before I came to see you."

You sighed, "Jack will be back with ballistics soon, you might as well stay for a coffee."

"How's the wedding going?"

You smiled, "great, invites aren't ready to go out just yet but you should get yours soon."

He smiled, "that's great, I'm really happy for both of you. It just sucks that shit like this seems to been coming up."

You shrugged, "that's the job, why did they set the fire?"

"Everyone's theories were right, they were trying to sink the stocks."

"Well that solves nothing, we now have the unrelated murder of a politician to deal with." Right on time, Jack knocked on the door looking worried, "oh no, what now?"

"The bullet popped but not in the US, it's linked to twenty other murders, all Sicilian mob hits."

"Ah fuck, there's nothing we can do now. The killer would be halfway home by now. We pass this onto the FBI and be done with it, we have other shit to do."

****

"It was a mob hit, holy shit. What are you going to do?"

You shrugged, "wait and see. This isn't the movies Juice, stuff like this doesn't get solved in a few days, and given the circumstances, I don't think it's going to get anywhere."

"Well that sucks, so what, you're just going to move onto new cases?"

"Yep, there's nothing else we can do."

****

"You ready?"

You turned to the sound of Jax's voice, "you're not wearing your kutte?"

He shook his head, "no, I want to make this as easy as I can and I don't want him to start asking questions."

You smiled, "wear it and tell Sam to wear his, my father will cope or he can fuck off."

Jax smiled and pulled you into his arms, "you have no idea how much I love you."

"Oh I think I do." He pressed his lips to yours and put his hand on your lower back, pressing you into his chest.

"I like your dress." You sighed.

"This is one step up from my court attire, I have no idea what you're going on about."

"It's my favourite colour on you, that dark blue makes you look so sexy." You kissed him again, biting his lip as he deepened the kiss.

"You're only saying that because it's the same colour as the lingerie you love so much."

"Maybe." Jax's hand brushed the hair out of your face, "the night's going to go fine don't worry, and if it doesn't, I'll break his legs for you and Sam."

Before you could say more, Ima called you away. You headed to her bedroom and she was standing there with two dressed, "which one covers up the bump?"

"You don't really have one but the white one."

"Thank you, the last thing any of us need if hom finding out about the baby."

"Yeah, that would be messy." She threw on the dress and walked out with you, Sam and Jax were already waiting by the door.

"Alright people, let's get this done."

****

You arrived at the restaurant right on time, your father already there waiting at the table.

"Please sit." Jax's hand never left your lower back as you all sat at the table.

"Do you want to order drinks?" You exchanged looks with your brother.

"We'll all have water, thank you."

"Are you sure? I'm alright with people drinking around me."

"Yeah, we don't want to risk it."

He smiled sheepishly, "so what have my children been doing? Other than helping those people who died on the train."

"Well dad, Sam keeps everyone in Charming on the road, so does Jax. Other than that we've been busy with personal stuff."

"And what do you do Ima?"

She swallowed, "I work in the adult film industry, I was an actor when I met Sam and I went into production a few months ago."

"Oh, that's interesting. I had no idea Sam lived such a colourful life."

"Well now you do and if you say anything about my wife, I'll kick your teeth in."

"It's fine, I'm sure my daughter would say that as long as you pay your taxes there's nothing wrong with what you do."

"As much as I like to think you're telling the truth, we all know what you used to say about y/n when she was in college."

"I know, and I'm sorry for that. I'm trying to do better now."

"We can see that but it's going to take a lot more than words to get back into our lives."

"I understand. I asked around, I hear you and Jackson are part of a motorcycle club."

'Yeah, but don't listen to what people say, we just like our Harleys."

Your father raised his hands, "I didn't say anything. I mean I have heard a lot and I'd be very disappointed in my children for making such terrible choices but I don't belive everything I hear. Just like I hope Jackson and Ima don't believe everything they hear."

"Oh boy here we go. Can we just order and get this night over with."

"Be nice y/n, I'm trying to get to know the man you're going to marry."

You huffed but Jax put his hand on yours, "I've never been here, I'd love to order dinner." His tone was tight.

"Yeah, me too, I could eat a horse."

Sam smiled and relaxed, "you heard my wife, we should eat."

You took some time to figure out what was good then sent your order away, the food coming out twenty minutes later.

"This very nice."

You nodded, taking a bite of your bread, "good bread too, that's how you tell if a restaurant is really good."

"It's not better than Juice's." There were nods of agreement.

"What's a Juice?"

You sighed, "you'll meet him if you stay sober and make the right choices, he's out friend, he works at T-M with Jax and Sam."

"Is he in the gang too?"

You went to throw something at him but Jax's hand on your leg stopped you, "it's not a gang and yes, he's in the Club. If you keep this up we're going to walk out."

'You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you y/n, I want you to find the right person."

"The right person, as in someone like you who gets drunk and hits me?"

"That's all in the past now, I've changed."

You and Sam looked at each other and you sighed but Ima cut in, "what do you do for a living sir?"

"I work in accounting, I'm making real good money too."

"Yeah, well if that's the case, you can give us all the money you stole from us when we were little."

He gave you a false smile, "I can do that, you just tell me where to send the check. Now are we going to get dessert, I hear the orange ice cream delicious."

"We don't eat that kind of thing, I got a bad orange one day and now they make me feel sick. Your children and Jax have been kind enough to avoid them without me asking them too. I'd say you raised wonderful kids but we all know that y/n did all the raising while you were drunk off your face." In truth, the smell of oranges made her sick since she got pregnant but no one was going to say that.

"I acknowledge that y/n was the parent and she did a good job but I'm better now and I'm ready to be a grandparent."

That was the last straw for you, "we're done here. This isn't going anywhere and you've been taking digs at us all night. Maybe we should try for something less formal, coffee or cakes at the cafe sound good."

The others didn't protest, "sure y/n, I'll get the check."

You shook your head, "I'll get it, I'm the best selling author, not that you would know."

He went to grab your wrist to stop you and Jax hand shot out and grabbed his hand, hard enough that the fingers changed colour, "you won't touch either of them ever again do you understand me. This is my town and if I want you gone, you will be. Your children are willing to see you for coffee be happy with that or I'll make sure you never see them again."

"Are you going to let him talk to me like this? How can you marry a man that's so disrespectful?"

You clenched your jaw and looked him dead in the eyes, "go now, before that offer for coffee is gone forever." He stormed out in a huff and everyone slid back into their seats.

"Thank god that's over, I say we get the really fancy flaming ice cream thing that everyone talks about."

Jax smiled, "great idea darlin, anyone think differently." They shook their heads.

"At least we can end the night on a good note."

****

There hadn't been more than a few texts after dinner that night and everyone was hoping that was the end of it. Jax was sitting with you, rubbing the ache out of your legs after a long day at work when the topic of the Italians came up, "that assassination, did you ever find out who did it?

"Yeah, the dude's back in Italy but it planned hit, it's Interpol's problem now. It was meant to happen at the conference but he took his chance when the train was hit. She was targeted because she was trying to pass a bill to establish better scrutiny at the ports where the US mob operated, the old guard back in Italy wanted to deal with it themselves. Why do you ask?"

"Cucuzza wants to meet up with the Mayans and us. He said something's going on in the families and he and some other factions need guns, a lot more. Galen's happy to help, I just finished talking to him before you arrive."

"The shit never ends, does it. Do you think the hit is connected?"

Jax shifted on the couch and pulled you into his arms, pressing his lips to your crow while he ran his hand over your thigh, "he asked if you knew who did it and said that the story the cops have isn't the correct one, she wasn't cracking down, she was making sure this problem family got a leg up."

"Do you know any more?"

"No, that's what we're going to talk about tomorrow. I was just making sure he wasn't lying to me."

"I don't think he is, Angela found some strange stuff in her financial but we just thought it was the part of why she was called to speak, we thought she did some under the table tax shit."

"Nope, she was being paid off."

You sighed, "tell me how tomorrow goes and we'll go from here, you're all still assets for the CIA and if it involves old world mob shit they need to know."

"No worries darlin, I figured you'd say that."

****

"What are we dealing with here Jimmy?" Jimmy sighed and broke Jax's gaze.

"It's not good Jackson, a new family is up and coming and they are armed and organised, they recruit from the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale and they aren't fuckng around."

Sam leaned into Jax to let him know what Cucuzza meant, "Gruppo di Intervento Speciale are the special ops of special ops my guess it is only a few guys training foot soldiers, there wouldn't be enough of them to form a group all on their own."

Jax shook his head, "are you're just telling us this now, you're one of my best buyers Jimmy, we need trust."

"I'm sorry Jackson, we needed to know what was going on and we got confirmation after that woman was killed."

Alvarez had been quite the whole time but it seemed he was ready to talk, "we'll get you the guns but you need to keep us in the loop and you better tell us if this shit's going to land on your doorsteps.

Jimmy smiled, "of course. Now gentlemen, I believe you have guns to sell me."

****

Just as they were ready to head home after the meeting Jax got a call.

"What?"

Jax sighed, "that was the Riverhead distributor they need me at the bar, something about the last batch being bad."

Sam rubbed his face, "I'll go with."

Jax shook his head, "nah, you go download Ima and your sister."

"I'll go with you boss." Happy was always ready for an adventure.

"See, go home Sam, we'll deal with this."

****

Jax and Happy walked into the bar unimpressed, this was the last thing they needed. They went in the back to avoid letting everyone know what was going on but it didn't matter, voices were being raised.

"You wanna tell us what's going on, we have deal with you and you've been selling to us for the last four years and you only let us know that we need to clear out bar now?"

The man crossed his arms over his chest, "yes, and we're fixing it. Your next three orders will be free and we promise this won't happen again."

"Good because if it does we'll find someone else to buy our booze from."

The man waved his hand, "I understand completely, please go to the bar and have a drink on me you already have a friend here."

Happy shrugged and Jax followed him outside only to be greeted by your father sitting at the bar drunk.

"What a fucking surprise, why are you here?"

The man stood up, his words a mess, "I saw the label when I came to visit my kids I thought if I let them know I was a friend I get some good drink."

Jax was shaking with anger, he was finding it hard to talk, "you need to get out of town. I'm going to have my friend here call you a cab, if I see you in town again I'll make you regret it."

"Nah, I think I'm going to stay. Don't tell my kids about this yeah, I'll get right back on the wagon I just needed one drink."

To Jax's surprise, Happy spoke, "it's never just just drink with people like you, walk out of the bar and let me call you a cab or I'll going to drag you out and make sure you never come back."

"Fine, I don't want to be here anyway. Your girlfriend's a real bitch Jackson."

Jax didn't just see red, he saw black but Happy was there, ready to stop him from making a mistake.

"Go home and break the news, Sam and y/n will need you there. I'll make sure he gets out of town safe."

Jax rubbed his face, "thanks Hap."

****

You knew something was wrong when Jax walked into the house, "what?"

His eyes got wet, "I'm so sorry."

You were worried now, "Jackson, what's going on?"

He pulled you into his arms and rested his chin in your head, "we went to the Riverhead bar to speak to the owner, your father was there drunk. He saw the name when he was there after we got the delivery and thought mentioning us would get him free drinks. I am so sorry darlin."

You sighed, "it's alright, do I need to go sober him up?"

Jax shook his head, "nope, Hap's getting him out of town."

"I need to go tell Sam, not that he's not expecting it too."

"We'll go together, you doing alright?"

You nodded, "yeah, it's just been a long ass week."

Part 57

[green-ray-blog1]

The Brecilian Forest

The Dalish are more welcoming than Darrian would have expected towards his companions, but it's weird for him to feel like he's neither one of them, nor a human. They're polite to him, but they don't seem to register him that much. Still, there's a lot to be learned, and Sarel gives some interesting context. He talks about an elf that fought with Andraste, makes sense, there would have been elves, despite what the chantry says. A boy also concludes the Dalish story saying that one day, the Dalish will free the other elves and teach them the history they have forgotten. Hmmm, maybe it's just Darrian feeling defensive, but he kind of says it like it's the city elves' fault. We also meet Zathrian and his first, and they say they can't help, despite the treaty. They're being attacked by werewolves. Zathrian says we can help by bringing him the heart of Witherfang, but some Dalish seem to think he's hiding something. Not allowing help to be sent to rescue the lost hunters isn't helping.

Ok, Bioware, I see you, I can guess what kind of quest this is. We go in the forest and meet Swiftrunner, who snubs us when we try to talk. Yeah, these werewolves can talk, and there's some kind of curse, apparently. Darrian wants to go back to Zathrian to question him, but he has a feeling he'll be as evasive as Darrian's father when Darrian tried to talk his way out of the wedding. Of course, events just confirm tose suspicions. It's okay Zathrian, Darrian's not mad, just very disappointed. Seriously, this is cruel, AND he's endangering his own people by going back here again and again. With a little push, he's willing to undo the curse, and the humans are free to... wander off into a world they know nothing about ?

The forest itself was pretty crazy, with its angry trees, werewolves and the fake camp, where Morrigan had to solo a shade. The rest of the team owes her for this one. That weird mage was also quite something. Morrigan says he's powerful, but thankfully, aside from making things difficult, he didn't try to kill us. And those ruins were huge ! Creepy, that vial with someone trapped in there for centuries. And Danyla... Yikes ! Darrian figured he had to do as she asked and kill her, but eeeeh... Maybe Zathrian undoing the curse could have saved her ? Look, it was a stressful moment, okay? Hm, well, at least this nightmare is over and we have our treaty.

Next, the circle tower seems like a plan. From what Darrian has been reading, being a mage in Ferelden is all kinds of weird, but hopefully, they have their shit more together. Yes Alistair, we remember earl Eamon too, don't worry.

[zaenight]

MAMA DIDN'T RAISE NO BITCHES // Ez reyes : Nestor octeva CHAPTER 1

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

Patiently waiting for ep 1 and 2 of mayans s5 😗

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

"Uncle Tig we'll be fine , you said Marcus set us up with a house , stop whining." Jess said , Jessie Trager , the youngest niece of Tig , told the man who was spouting out profanities.

"He's right to worry , what if the sons and mayans go to war and they try to kill us for being related to him." Sage , her older sister stated.

"Thats not helping! , and your the one who wanted to move!" Jess exclaimed jumping up and down.

"Just stating the facts." Sage said .

"The lass is right , yer sure ya can't move somewhere close by." Chibs said , he became the president after Jax teller passed , he also happened to be Jessie's godfather.

"Alvarez said they needed a Docter that they could trust , Moving to santo Padre could make the bond stronger." Happy lowman stated , The tacoma killer was the godfather of Sage , who like him , was an expert of torture.

"I like torturing more than I like healing , but we get a house already set up and everything , It would be a shame to waste this oppurtunity , Plus Chucky's there , we'll know someone." Sage stated as Jess made a noise of disgust.

"Still can't belive you lost the card game and had to give up

Chucky." Jess said to Chibs.

"We'll be a call away Little girl , just calll if we need to kill some Mayans." Happy stated as Sage got into their packed car , Jess hugged the three men , hopping in.

"Where's the fun in that when you could do it yourself." Sage said winking  as Jess started rambling about getting this show on the road.

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

The two arrived at a house , it Reminded the girls of Piney's cabin , which they stayed at frequently , No other houses around , but not too far from town , it was perfect.

"Marcus , Thank you for this." Sage told the man she and her sister have known since they were children , The mayans and sons had their ups and downs , not only that but Sage had dated his son Esai , who would've proposed to her , until his death , she still has the ring on a chain around her neck , It was found by Diana , his mother ,and the first wife of marcus alvarez , who gave it to the then seventeen year old, no one has seen her sense the death of esai.

"No need for that niñita , welcome to Santo padre , if you two need anything , call." He said as they thanked him.

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

"Angel where's your Prospect?" Obispo Losa , also known as Bishop , president of the mayans charter , asked

the man.

"He went too see our old man." Angel Reyes said , his little brother had some years shaved off his sentence , and is now prospecting for the club.

"Need him on this run , and Marcus wants him to show the trager girls around." Bishop said to him.

"Protection? , and the Bone lady and that little manipulator are here?" Angel said , you may be asking why he called Jess a manipulater , simply because she'll act dumb then end up beating you at your own game.

"Yes those two , Sage will be our go too doctor , Think he's ready?" Bishop questioned.

"Yeah." Angel said.

"Good." The shorter man said as he and Hank walked away.

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

It went wrong fast , they got shot up , Sage and Jess drove to the rescue , Miguel was Pissed as he greeted the two.

Sage rushed over to Creeper , Greeting the men , Jess knew a bit of medical stuff thanks to her , so she helped with Riz,Ez and Sage locked eyes before she focused on creeper.

"So who was it ?" Miguel questioned the men , Creeper winced as Sage took a bullet out , cleaning the wound.

"Don't know , they were pros." Bishop said as Galindo looked through a book of fabrics.

"Well At least we didn't lose 2.4 million in product to a bunch of amateurs." Miguel stated.

"They ambushed us sir , came out of nowhere." Creeper said as Sage made a makeshift sling out of fabric , Riz had somewhat recover , Its the best she could do without proper equipment , he'll have to go to another doctor untill she can get her hands on Stuff.

"You'll need time to heal , no going out and about for awhile." Sage stated to creeper , as Jess started twirling around in circles until she sat down.

"We change route... , vehicle...,time and day, every run is different , So... they came out of somewhere , and someone gave them the details." Miguel stated getting up.

"No one in my club." Bishop stated as Creeper winced.

"Implying im the one foolish enough , to employ a traitor ? , hmmm." Miguel said , no one noticed the two girls , angel , and coco , glance at eachother.

"The guy holding Gilly was dark skinned , Ink on his arm , it looked like uh... tribal letters , B-T-T." Ez said , as a prospect , a new one , speaking out of turn without being asked was a big no no.

Sage loved it , she was gonna enjoy every second of it.

"He remembers shit , had guns at our heads , who knows what the hell he saw." Angel sajd turning back around.

"The Prospect." Miguel said as Jess got up looking through fabrics.

"B-T-T , base town tribe , samoan gang out of san Bernardino." Bishop said thinking.

"Didn't some of them do time for killing Haji ?" He asked.

"Fallujah , Rival company crazy as fuck." Coco said.

---------

After discussing who it was that shot them up , Miguel wanted the shot caller , and they were gonna get him what he wants , threataning to kill a mayan if the shot called isn't at his church pew by tommorow , but the girls did realize he glanced towards them for a bit.

Yeah so much for not being on his radar.

But anyways Bishop had punched Ez for speaking out of turn.

"You don't speak unless we tell you too , I don't give a shit what you remember , Educate your prospect." Bishop told him before turning to angel.

Sage clapped slightly gaining their attention , Before helping Ez up , checking his face.

They walked away with taza telling them to Bring creeper to the doctor that usually takes care of them , honestly why is she here , he also stated that El Padrino's on his way.

They're lucky she's being paid , Jess was skipping around creeper , who laughed at the girl , who seemed to brighten things up.

"Padrino , Godfather." Ez translated as Angel got him up from the chair Sage sat him down on.

"Alvarez , The reason me and Jess came here." Sage stated , As Jess ran ahead of them spouting nonsense,into the tunnels they went.

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

"Right there , Careful!" Sage exclaimed , as She helped the older male docter prepare stuff.

"Hiciste un buen trabajo, quizás tenga que contratarte." The doctor said to Sage as Jess sat down.

(you did a good job , I might have to hire you)

"gracias señor, hice lo mejor que pude con lo que tenía a mano, y podría aceptar esa oferta." Sage replied perfectly.

(thank you sir , I did my best with what was on hand , and I might take you up on that offer.)

And then they got to work , with Jess asking when the fuck she learned spanish.

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

Part 1 of ep 1 perro/oc

-----------