#so 'there was no tension' the tension is we're in space. we were attacked my space pirates. dude got arrested.

[willalove75]

Alcina's New Maid Pt. 24 Lady Dimitrescu x Reader

Summary: The interrogation of the prisoner begins and tensions rise as the truth unfolds.

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI.

Tags: Some canon violence, angst that melts into sweet fluff.

Notes: Part 24! I'm so sorry this look literally forever! I don't know why, but I had such a hard time getting through this chapter. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! The next few chapters will be more light-hearted and fun and I'm excited to finally be able to get to them!

Click here for the rest of the series

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Alcina runs her gloved fingers through your hair before she steps out of the shadows towards the prisoner, leaving you out of sight but within earshot. The girls had dragged him out of his cell and seated him in an old wooden chair.

Bela, Cassandra and Daniela are taunting the prisoner, unaware of their mother's presence. The moment sound of Alcina's heels hit the stone floor with a "CRACK" the girls immediately fall in line.

The prisoner looks up with a terror in his eyes that grows as he takes in the sight before him. The small space of the dungeon makes Alcina look even taller, more imposing, more terrifying. She confidently and unapologetically takes up the space she occupies which makes her all the more intimidating. Never in his short life has the prisoner felt smaller, weaker and as helpless as he does in this moment.

"Well, well. If it isn't our little hunter." Alcina says, her grin widening as she leans into the prisoners space. "Daughters, has he given you any useful information?"

"Not yet mother." Bela says.

"We were just about to start playing with him." Cassandra says with a sadistic smile.

"There will be plenty of time to play with him later girls. Until then, let the interrogation commence." She says as she stands to her full height and raises her arms, signaling for the girls to take over before stepping off to the side. Alcina takes a seat in a larger chair and crosses her legs. She pulls out a lighter and lights the cigarette sitting at the end of her quellazaire before taking a deep inhale. The smoke dances around her as she exhales, curling almost beautifully as it glides through the air.

"We're going to start off with an easy question." Bela says with a sickly sweet tone of voice. "What's your name, little one?"

The prisoner stares at Bela with a blank look on his face, too terrified to respond.

"It will do you well to participate." Alcina says. "I make no promises that my daughters won't do all that they can to extract an answer from you."

The casual tone of her voice is unsettling. Cassandra steps in front of him, gently dragging her sickle down the side of his face but doesn't break skin.

"Or you can keep that mouth of yours shut. I do love being able to dig the answers out of our prisoners."

She presses the sickle harder into his face and a trickle of blood begins to run down his dirty skin.

"Cassandra." Alcina warns.

Cassandra pulls away with a dissatisfied grunt and returns to her spot next to Daniela.

"Shall we try again?" Bela asks, spinning her sickle in her hand. "What's your name?"

"D-dorin."

"See how easy that was?" Bela says with a wide, bloody smile. "Now, how far away was the base from where mother found you?"

"Less than a quarter mile."

Bela walks over to one of the tables with a book sitting on it and writes something down.

"Wonderful. Did they attack mother as soon as they found her?"

"N-no." He says, his eyes shifting from Bela to Alcina. "They noticed her following two of the members and led her away from the base before attacking."

Bela writes in the book and turns to Cassandra, nodding for her to take over.

Cassandra circles Dorin for a few moments before stopping behind him and leaning into his ear.

"BOO!"

Dorin yelped, jumping in his seat as Cassandra laughed at him; Bela and Daniela joining in on the laughter. Alcina even chuckled as she took another drag from her cigarette.

She rounded the chair and leaned in, her face becoming uncomfortably close with his, enough so that he winced and pulled back a little.

"Tell me, what were you all planning?"

"Th-they want to attack the four lords."

"When?" Cassandra growled.

"I don't know, they didn't say-"

Cassandra presses her sickle against his neck.

"Do not lie to me."

"I'm not! I promise! I really don't know when, they never told me a date! I wasn't a high enough rank to know things like that. All I knew was that they wanted to attack all four of the lords at once, I swear!" He says as tears run down his cheeks.

Cassandra withdraws her sickle and circles the chair again.

"And just how many of there are you?"

"Well, there were maybe fifty of us, but at least half of them were killed."

"Fifty? That's all?"

"They were recruiting more."

"How many more?"

"Hundreds."

"How?"

"From nearby villages and other countries. Sixty of them were coming in next week."

Cassandra grills him for the next few minutes on exactly where the hunters were coming from, what weapons they were supposed to be bringing and an overall layout of the base. When she was finished she stood next to Bela and Daniela.

"Daniela, darling, do you have any questions for the prisoner?" Alcina asks.

Daniela walks up to him and circles him a few times. She brushes his messy hair out of his face and squishes his cheeks between her hands.

"No, he's cute though, mother!" She says with an excited smile.

Alcina raises an eyebrow towards her daughter and with a huff, Daniela walks away and stands next to her sisters. The sound of heels on the stone floor fill the dungeon once more as Alcina walks up towards the prisoner.

"Was that all of the information you know?" She asks.

Dorin swallows hard and nods his head.

"Yes."

Alcina growls and leans in towards him.

"It would be in your very best interest not to lie to me."

"I-I'm not. I swear! That's it!"

"I will give you one more chance. I know you are not telling me everything." Alcina hears his heartrate grow faster and faster, not only is he lying through his teeth, he's more terrified than he was before. "What more information are you keeping from me?"

In the shadows you can feel your heart beating out of your chest. "Just tell them you idiot!" You scream in your head.

"Nothing. I've told you everything I know."

In that moment you knew he sealed his fate, but a tiny bit of you held out hope that he's either just too stupid or too scared to say the rest. He's just a kid after all, isn't he?

"LIAR!" Alcina screams in his face, causing him to flinch. "If there is one thing in this world that I detest most, it is a liar. And I will make sure you spill every ounce of truth." She says as she elongates her claws.

"I swear! That's everything! Please!"

Alcina retracts her claws and stands back up. She puts out the cigarette at the end of her quellazaire and lays it down on the table.

"Would you like to know how I know you are not being truthful?" Dorin doesn't respond, he just stares at her. "Because a little fly told me you had a visitor yesterday, one you poured your pathetic little heart out to."

Alcina walks over towards you and places a hand on your shoulder, guiding you out from the shadows. If Dorin had any color left in his face, it would have drained right then and there.

"You- you told them?" He asks in disbelief.

"I told you to tell them everything!" You say, as you walk towards him.

"You promised-"

"Enough!" Alcina says. "I know you are leaving out a very important piece of information. She told me everything."

You see something inside Dorin snap.

"You fucking bitch!!" He screams.

He lunges forward at you and you notice the glint of something sharp in his hand. Alcina quickly grabs your arm and pulls you backwards with such force you nearly fall over. You can feel the rush of air pass by as the object in Dorin's hand just misses you as you're pulled away. Cassandra jumps forward and sinks her sickle into his shoulder and pulls him back down into his seat. Dorin cries out in pain and you hear the sound of something hitting the ground. Alcina catches you before you fall and in an instant she's on her knees in front of you patting you down, checking for injuries.

"Draga, draga mea are you alright? Are you hurt?" She asks as her eyes scan every inch of you.

"No, no I'm okay, I promise. He didn't get me." Looking over her shoulder, you see a jagged piece of scrap metal laying on the floor. He must have found it in his cell and kept it up his sleeve as a makeshift weapon.

Alcina exhales a breath of relief before fury takes over her eyes. Her head snaps in Dorin's direction, all of her rage pointed directly at him.

"How DARE you try and lay a hand on what is MINE."

A look of confusion crosses Dorin's face until he registers that Alcina now has a protective arm around you and the interaction the two of you just had.

"I knew I never should have trusted you!" He screams at you. "You lying fucking bitch! You tricked me!"

"No! I didn't! I promise I was trying to help you!" You say as Alcina's grip around you tightens ever so slightly when she hears your voice shake.

"You told them everything! About the base, the hunters, about their cold weakness!" The three girls freeze in place when they hear him say that, their eyes go wide as they look over at Alcina and you. Each girl had a different look in their eyes. Cassandra was absolutely furious, Bela was shocked and Daniela was fearful. All three of them shared a look of disappointment and maybe even a hint of betrayal when they realized you both kept this information from them. "I bet you even told them about my mother and sisters in the village you traitor!" Dorin screams.

Alcina's head slowly turns to look at you, her eyes wide. With her still kneeling next to you she's much closer. So much so that you can see the flecks of grey and a small ring of red around the iris of her eyes.

"His what?" She hisses.

As you look up into her eyes tears begin to roll down your cheek. Alcina's eyes are filled with rage and disbelief. Looking back towards Dorin his eyes are wide as saucers.

"I didn't tell them that." You say softly, defeated.

"Well girls, it seems a little trip down to the village is in order." Alcina says with such ice in her voice it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

"No!" Both you and Dorin cry out.

Alcina's gaze snaps down to you.

"Al-" Her gaze at you hardens. "M-my lady, please, please don't, they're innocent in all of this."

"They had nothing to do with this! It was all my dad and brothers and you already killed them!" He yells.

Alcina looks over to Dorin and stands back up. She runs her fingers through your hair as she steps away from you, a subtle hint of comfort as she walks closer to him.

"You see, all of this could have been avoided if only you were honest from the beginning. Your carelessness, your selfishness is going to be the cause of the rest of your family's demise."

"Please! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt them!" He cries as he tries to stand up but Cassandra sinks her sickle deeper into his clavicle, causing him to yelp in pain as she pulls him back down.

"I'm sure the women in your family will make a nice vintage for next season." She says all too casually before letting out a deep, dark chuckle.

"You're all fucking monsters! All of you! You're all going to burn in hell!"

The laugh Alcina lets out is chilling. She leans in towards Dorin and says with a sickly-sweet smile, "you're already here." Before standing up to her full height and laughing out loud once more.

"Daughters, I believe we've heard enough from our prisoner. You're free to do what you want with the man-thing." The smile on the girls' faces grow wide, sending shivers down your spine. Alcina turns and stares down at you. "And you, you are coming with me. You and I must have a conversation."

She begins to guide you away from Dorin and you hear him yell out "I hope she fucking kills you!"

You stop and turn back towards him, his eyes are filled with hate and they're directed right at you. Alcina places her hand on your shoulder and continues to guide you out of the dungeon.

The moment the door shuts you hear the girl's laughter and the sound of Dorin screaming in pain. The sound of a sickle slicing through him makes it to your ears and you freeze as your stomach twists violently. He starts to gurgle on his screams and you feel the blood drain from your face.

Alcina looks down at you and sees you frozen in horror. The tears flow down your cheeks faster and you begin to tremble as the girls' laughter gets louder and louder.

"Come, draga." She says, putting a hand on the back of your shoulder and begins to guide you away from the dungeon.

It felt like you and Alcina were walking for an eternity. The screams from behind the door seemed to follow you as far as possible. As the awful sounds ring in your ears the memory of Alcina's claws punching through Stefana's body resurface. At the time you were too dazed to register any noises but your mind put the sound you heard just after the door closed to that visual and you begin to tremble more. Alcina kept a firm hand against your back - it was the only thing keeping you grounded. Every so often her thumb would rub against your shirt, providing a silent comfort while the two of you made your way out of the basement.

It wasn't until you began to walk up the stairs did the horrible sounds finally begin to fade out completely. When the two of you emerged from the basement a few maids stopped and stared at your disheveled state. Mixed looks of fear, pity, and disgust crossed their faces for a brief moment before the low growl Alcina let out sent them scurrying from the room.

With a large hand still resting on your shoulder, Alcina led you up the stairs towards her chambers. As you walked through the halls you looked up to steal a glance of Alcina's face. Her chin was held high as usual but you noticed the slight furrow in her brows and that her jaw was clenched tight. She seemed focused on where the two of you were going but you could tell at the same time she was deep in thought. Quickly you averted your eyes before she caught you looking at her.

Upon reaching her chambers, Alcina led you into the room before shutting the door behind her and guided you towards the chaise lounge in the corner. Once you were settled she walked over to her vanity and opened one of the drawers, taking out a case of cigarettes and a lighter. Neither one of you have uttered a word since the dungeon and you weren't about to be the one to break the silence.

Luckily, you stopped trembling. Only your hands had a slight shake to them as you tried your hardest to forget about the noises and thoughts plaguing your mind.

Alcina took a deep drag of her cigarette, her shoulders dropping some of the stress sitting on them as she exhaled. After a few more silent drags she stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray and made her way across the room, taking the spot next to you on the lounge.

There were a few tense moments where you weren't sure if you were going receive the brunt of Alcina's anger and frustrations or if she was going to be the soft, caring woman you've grown to love. It seemed that Alcina contemplated that thought herself before sighing and tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

Hesitantly, you turned towards her and met her gaze. In her eyes you could see the frustration, but more than that, you saw the concern she had for you.

Alcina cupped your face and wiped away the tear streaks with her thumb.

"Are you alright?" She asks.

"Mhm." You say, nodding into her hand. "The noises brought me back to when I fell down the stairs and, I don't know I just-" you trail off as your anxiety begins to build again.

Alcina immediately picks up on it and wraps her arm around you, pulling you close. Her lips meet your temple and she places a light kiss against your hairline. Instead of pulling away, you feel Alcina lean her head against yours.

"Shh, it's alright draga. We don't need to revisit that day. It's over." You nod against her and she moves to rest her chin on top of your head. "I did instruct the girls to wait until we were much further away before they began... playing with our prisoner. However, I think hearing him discuss their cold weakness set them off. I was half expecting Cassandra to go after him right then and there."

"I'm surprised she didn't, she was so mad." Fresh tears begin to prick at your eyes. "They all looked so hurt that we didn't tell them. I hate that that's how they found out. I told him to tell you everything, I told him!"

Alcina pulls you into her lap as you start to cry again, gently shushing you.

"You did everything you could draga. There was nothing more you were able to do. You risked your life to help a stranger and he repaid you by lying and then trying to kill you. Everything that happened to him after that was deserved."

"Is it naïve of me to think he only reacted like that because he's a kid and that he was just terrified?"

Alcina exhales from above you before lifting her head and bringing a gloved finger underneath your chin. She lifts your gaze to meet hers and tilts her head, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Do you truly need me to answer that question?"

"No."

"Draga, he tried to kill you. If I didn't pull you back, if I took just a second longer to react he would have-" Alcina's grip on you tightens and she shakes her head. "I don't even want to think of what could have happened." She says softly.

"Thank you for saving me." You say, burying your face into the soft fabric of her dress.

"I will always protect you, iubirea mea. Always."

The two of you sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before feeling a shift in the air. Stealing another look up at Alcina you notice her staring off into the distance, a pensive look on her face. Her eyes drift down and lock onto yours for a moment before she looks ahead once more.

"Are you mad at me?" You ask.

Alcina lets out an almost exaggerated exhale and looks down at you. She steels her expression in a way that makes her completely unreadable and you feel your heart sink in your chest. Alcina leans down and places a kiss to the top of your head before shifting you off of her lap and onto the chaise lounge.

"No." She says as she stands up and makes her way over to her vanity. "But that does not mean that I am happy with you."

You drop your gaze down to your lap, nodding in understanding as you fiddle with your hands. Off to the side you hear the metal cigarette case snap shut and the sound of the lighter flicking a few times before it lights. The faint crackle of the end of her cigarette is the only sound that fills the room until she exhales a cloud of smoke into the air.

"You do understand why I am not happy with you at the moment, yes?" She asks as she turns towards you.

"Yes, I think so." Alcina tilts her head at you, silently telling you to continue. "Because I didn't tell you about his family in the village?"

"Yes. Precisely." She says before taking another drag. "What I cannot seem to wrap my mind around is the fact that we spoke just last night about being completely honest with one another. Again. And again, you were not honest with me. Can you tell me why that is? Because I am having quite a difficult time understanding why you lied to me, again."

Peeling your eyes away from hers, you look down at your hands in your lap while you squirm under her gaze.

"I - I didn't think it was important." You say quietly before looking up at her again.

You can see the anger that flashes in her eyes, it almost makes you wince but stop yourself from reacting.

"That is not for you to decide." The iciness of her voice sends a shiver down your spine that you try to suppress. "You do not get to deem whether or not the information my prisoner gives you is important. Unless you've forgotten your place? In case you have, let me remind you. Just because we are in a relationship in no way means that your word outweighs mine. This is still my castle, my domain. It is my word that is law here, not yours. If he told you as little as when he last sneezed, I expect you to relay that information to me because it is not your place to decide what is and what is not important. As deeply as I care for you, you are still my maiden. I am your countess, your mistress and you will obey the rules I have in place. Do I make myself clear?"

Part of you wished she would have just yelled at you because the steady, controlled tone of her voice was far more intimidating than when she yells. You know she's angry and you can see under her hardened exterior that deep down she's scared, but her words cut into you and make you feel incredibly small. All you can do in response is nod, not trusting your voice to crack or for the tears that were building to not fall.

"Speak." She commands.

"Yes ma'am. I understand." You say with a shaking voice.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"I - I'm sorry."

Looking down into your lap you see the tears fall onto your dress. Never before have you felt so small, so insignificant. Her words felt like a sharp slap across the face. Was that how she looks at you? As something that belongs to her? Will she ever consider you an equal? Were you just looking at your relationship through rose colored glasses this whole time?

"Is that all?" You ask. Alcina pauses mid-drag and looks over at you with an unsure look on her face but you don't look up at her. "I apologize for overstepping my lady. I will make sure it never happens again. If that's all, I would like to retire to my chambers now."

It took Alcina by surprise hearing you call her "my lady" and speaking to her like every other maid in the castle. Before she could register the words coming out of her mouth she heard herself say "y-yes, that's all."

She watched you in near disbelief as you walked out of her chambers with tears streaming down your cheeks and your eyes trained on the ground. Her eyes closed as you shut the door behind you and she felt tears roll down her cheeks, the gravity of her words finally settling in.

The harsh words she spoke were out of fear. Fear for her daughters, for you, for her staff. Who knows what the prisoners family knows or how involved they really were in the hunters group. For all she knew they were regrouping in the days the prisoner has been sitting in the dungeon, getting a head start on their plans. It hurt her finding out that even after the conversation you had last night that you didn't tell her everything he said. Of course it meant a great deal to her that you told her all of the most crucial details, but such a small detail such as his family in the village going under the radar could end up being a much bigger issue in the future.

But how could you possibly know that? Alcina crushed the cigarette in her hands as she put herself in your shoes. You have no experience with groups such as these, you have no idea the true danger that they could impose if not dealt with properly. In your mind, the women in the village were just innocent lives you were trying to spare - just as you were trying so hard to spare the life of the prisoner. Alcina curses herself for being so cold towards you, for making you feel like you were her property. Like you were so far below her. Meanwhile in reality, your thoughts and opinions meant so very much to her.

She snaps out of her thoughts when she hears you crying in your bedroom. Her heart breaks once more knowing how deeply she's hurt you. She debated for a moment whether or not she should go and comfort you or give you space; but last time she did that you barely left your room. For the first time in decades Alcina feels nervous, unsure of what to do. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she questions whether or not she'll be able to look herself in the eye if she left you in such a state again. Would she be able to forgive herself if she didn't go and try to right her wrong right this minute? Before she could even finish the thought she knows what her answer is.

Alcina removes her gloves, setting them down next to her hat and stands up, making her way out of her chambers and to your door. She debates on knocking but forgoes it and slowly opens your bedroom door. Seeing you curled up in your bed in tears breaks her heart and she makes her way to the edge of it before removing her heels and lays down behind you, wrapping herself around your tiny figure.

The sound of your door opening pulls you from your thoughts but the tears continue to fall. Soft clicks of Alcina's heels on the wood floor reach your ears before she stops at the edge of your bed. A few moments later the bed dips behind you and you feel her lay down, wrapping her arm around you and curling her knees up, cuddling you in her embrace.

Laying here in her arms feels like the complete opposite of the harsh words she spoke to you just a few minutes ago. The push and pull of emotion is almost too much to bear and you cry harder as she comforts you.

"What am I to you?" You ask through tears. "Am I just your property? Just something for you to control?"

"No." Alcina says with a heavy exhale. "You are everything to me my love."

"Then why? Why did you say those things? Will I ever be enough for you?" Alcina's grip around you tightens at your words.

"Oh, draga. You are, you are more than enough. I fear I will never be enough for you. I am so sorry for being so cold, so unloving towards you." She sniffles behind you and nuzzles into the back of your neck, inhaling your scent. "I was scared when I said those things."

There was a vulnerability to her voice that you're not sure you've ever heard before. It was like you could feel her walls crumbling as she laid behind you.

"What scared you?"

"All I could think of was that that man-things family has been continuing to plan their attack the days he was in the dungeon. That they are more involved than he said. That my girls could be in real danger. That you could be in real danger."

"But he said -"

"Darling," Alcina breathes. "One of my favorite things about you, one of the things I love most about you is that you always, always try to see the best in people. Even if it's just the smallest piece. For so many years I only ever looked at how awful, how horrible the world is. I forgot to look for the beauty, for the positive things even if they weren't the most obvious. My world has blossomed in front of me because you showed me that there is beauty everywhere, that there is always a bright side, even when it's dim."

Alcina nuzzles into the back of your neck, placing a kiss behind your ear before continuing.

"But my love, you cannot believe everything that you hear, even though you may desperately want to. I know he said they weren't involved but what if he lied? What if they were involved and play a vital hand in this attack they're planning? Maybe they weren't involved but now that half of their family has been slaughtered they decide to join in? I know you wanted to protect them, because in your world they are just innocent bystanders. That if they aren't involved then they're not a liability. When I said those things I did not take your perspective into consideration, and I am so sorry for that. But you have to know that in my world, in this world that you're in now, there are rarely such things as innocent bystanders. There are so many variables and even the smallest, most innocuous detail may seem irrelevant but could end up being a large threat to all of us.

I realize that there are so many things you don't know about what really goes on in our world and it was not fair of me to be angry with you for not knowing things you could never have possibly known. I promise that I will do better and that I will teach you more about this world we are in. But my love, I need you, from here on out, to be completely honest with me, especially about things like this. Our lives could very well depend on it."

She exhales and pulls you tighter against her chest, almost as if she's afraid that if she doesn't hold you close, you'll slip through her arms and never return.

"I may be your countess and mistress, but I am also your partner, your lover. Yes I have the final word but your thoughts and opinions hold more weight than you know. I love you so much draga mea, so, so much. And I am so sorry for hurting you again." She says as a few tears roll down her cheeks.

"I never thought of those things." You say quietly.

"I know, my love. I never should have expected you to know. After decades of dealing with these issues I forgot that not everyone that comes into this castle sees things the same way that we do."

"I'm sorry, Alcina."

Hearing her name fall from your lips brought a smile to Alcina's face. Part of her worried that her words set back so much of the progress the two of you had made. Hearing you call her "my lady" before terrified her, thinking that her harsh words broke the trust the two of you recently regain in one another.

"There is nothing for you to be sorry for, draga mea. It is I who should be apologizing to you. I am so sorry." Alcina kisses behind your ear and nuzzles into your hair again. "Will you ever be able to forgive me?" She asks quietly.

There's a hint of fear in her voice, fear that she's pushed you too far and that you won't be able to forgive her again.

Turning in her embrace, you look into her golden eyes. It surprised you to see that they were tinted red from her crying and to see the dried tears and mascara tracks down her cheeks. You wipe away the smeared makeup and place your hand on her cheek. Alcina covers your small hand with her much larger one and closes her eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of your skin. When her eyes open again there's a hint of apprehension.

"I can't stay mad at you, even if I wanted to." You say, echoing her words from last night.

A beautiful smile crosses her face as her eyes fill with tears once more. She wraps her arms around you and pulls you into her before pressing her lips into yours and you happily kiss her back.

The two of you laid together for the rest of the day, cuddling and talking. Alcina kept her promise and talked about how even the smallest things could lead to potential disaster. She used Dorin's family as an example frequently, explaining how much of a threat they could truly possess to the castle. It surprised you just how important even the smallest details could be, especially after Alcina told you about the hunters that successfully breached the castle walls not long after she was infected with the cadou and what she had learned from each experience. The whole conversation was truly eye-opening and you understood why she was so scared when she found out about his family. By the time the conversation wrapped up you realized how truly dangerous they could be, although you still held so much guilt knowing nothing was going to stop Alcina and the girls from "taking care" of the problem.

The best thing to come out of that conversation, however, was the fact that you felt more like her equal, like the two of you were in it together rather than her ruling over you as if you were any other maid. When you expressed that thought to her, Alcina smiled and kissed you deeply, holding you close to her.

"I promise draga, one day you will be my equal. I look forward to the day you and I can rule over the castle together. It's going to take time, but I have no doubts in my mind that you are going to be more than capable of it and I know you are going to do a wonderful job."

She kissed you deeply once more, grazing her tongue across your bottom lip. You couldn't help but smile as her large tongue slipped between your lips as she poured all of the words she didn't know how to say into the kiss.

When you parted she rested her chin on your head and ran her long fingers through your hair.

"When are you going into the village?" You ask.

"Tomorrow night, most likely."

"What if there are children in the house? You won't, would you?" You ask, afraid of the answer she's going to give.

"If there are young children in the house, no. I won't bring harm to children if it can be avoided. Children are rarely a liability because they are so small and useless."

You let out a breath of relief. It would take a lot now to look at Alcina as a monster, but you would find it almost impossible to deal with knowing she would hurt an innocent child like that.

"What's going to happen to the rest of them?"

"Well it depends, if they put up a fight, which I expect them to, we will do what we have to to handle it. However, I try to keep the bloodshed to a minimum if possible so we can get a better harvest once we bring them back to the castle."

"Will you bring them back alive?"

"Perhaps, it depends on how it all happens."

"I know I'm in no position to ask for favors, but can you just try not to make them suffer?"

Alcina gives a lighthearted chuckle, shaking her head at how big and tender your heart still is.

"I promise I will do what I can to not make them suffer, draga mea. Alright?"

"Thank you." You say, cuddling into her.

"Of course, iubirea mea."

The two of you lay together, Alcina tracing the features of your face with a gentle touch, combing her fingers through your hair as the two of you sit in a comfortable silence. Just enjoying being together.

The dinner bell rings and Alcina lifts her head and looks towards the door and back to you. You look up at her golden eyes as they crinkle at the corners when she smiles down at you. Leaning down, Alcina places a kiss to your lips before you both start to get up. Alcina puts her heels back on and the two of you make your way downstairs.

The girls swarm into their seats as you walk into the dining room and you're more than a little relieved that they changed clothes and washed their faces before dinner.

"Good evening daughters. Did you enjoy the rest of your day?" Alcina asks as she takes her seat.

All three girls reply with a "yes" and start talking over each other, saying how much they enjoyed themselves. Your stomach churns when they start to talk about what they did to Dorin but Alcina cleared her throat and eyed the girls.

"Girls, I appreciate your excitement, and I am very glad that you all enjoyed yourselves, but can we please forego details?"

"Yes mother." They say in unison accompanied by apologies aimed at you.

"You know, the man-thing did say something interesting while we were tor- playing with him." Daniela says.

"And what was that draga?" Alcina says.

"He said something about how he's not going to see his youngest sister grow up and how her birthday was soon. But it got me thinking," she says, looking at you now. "when is your birthday?"

"Mine?" You ask.

"Yeah!" Daniela says.

"Uh, it's next month."

"REALLY?!" Daniela yells.

"Yeah, why? When are your birthdays?"

"We don't celebrate our birthdays." Bela says.

"Really?"

"Yeah, well none of us except for mother remember our lives before the cadou so we don't know when our birthdays are." Cassandra says.

"We have 'rebirthdays', the day that we were reborn, but we don't celebrate them." Bela says.

"Why not?"

"When you're immortal and don't age, birthdays kinda lose their excitement." Cassandra replies.

"That's fair I guess."

"But you're not immortal!" Daniela says.

"That is correct, I am not."

"So it would be so much fun to celebrate your birthday!!" Daniela says, looking over at her mother, buzzing with excitement. "Mother can we throw y/n a birthday party?! Pleaseeeee?!"

"Oh! Yes! We haven't had a proper party here in decades!" Bela says.

"That would be so much fun! Please mother?" Cassandra asks.

"I don't know girls, it's been a very long time since we've had a celebration." The girls respond with a disappointed whine and Alcina looks over at you. "It also depends on whether or not she wants us to throw her a birthday party."

"Can we?! Pleaseeeee?!" Daniela asks, giving you puppy dog eyes.

"I don't know guys," the girls groan. "I don't think I've had a birthday party since my parents were alive."

"Why not?" Bela asks.

"Because my aunt and uncle never threw me one, after a while my birthday became just another day I guess."

"That's bullshit." Cassandra grumbles and Alcina is quick to reprimand her. "Sorry, but it's true!"

"Pleaseeeee let us throw you a birthday party?! We promise it'll be the best most fun birthday party you'll ever have!" Daniela exclaims.

"I mean," you look over at Alcina who smiles back at you.

"If you are alright with the girls and I throwing you a party draga mea, I will allow it."

Looking back at the girls they look at you with excitement in their eyes. It melts your heart seeing them like this, you don't think you've ever seen them this excited before. They said they haven't thrown a party in decades and they seem so excited to have a reason to have one. Who are you to disappoint them?

"Sure, if you want to throw me a party you can. But you don't have to!"

"YEAH!!!" The girls cheer.

"Oh! Should we pick a theme?!" Daniela says.

"Themes are for children's parties!" Cassandra says.

"They are not!" Daniela argues.

"We can finally use the ballroom again!" Bela says.

"Fine if we can't do a theme can we at least do a color theme?!" Daniela asks.

"As long as it's not a stupid color like pink." Cassandra says.

"Why not?! Pink is SO pretty!"

"Pink is a terrible color theme for a party!"

"It is not!"

"Is too!"

"Oh! We also need a guest list!" Bela says. "Y/n, can you give us a list of your friends you want invited?"

"Oh, you're inviting people from the village?"

"Of course we are! It's a party!"

"Alright, alright. I didn't have a lot of friends so it'll be a small list anyway."

"The color should be black!" Cassandra says.

"Black is so dark and boring!" Daniela argues.

"Not if it's a black tie party, idiot!"

"I'm not an idiot!"

"Then stop acting like one!"

Before the argument between the girls can escalate any further, Alcina puts an end to it, telling the girls that they can all come up with ideas together, but since it is her castle, she will get the final say on everything.

"Oh here we go." Cassandra says.

"What?" You ask.

"Mother is going to take the whole thing over."

"I will not, I just want to make sure this party will reflect well on House Dimitrescu. It will be the first time in over fifty years that we will be having such an event and I will not allow it to reflect poorly on us." Alcina says.

"So she's going to take the whole thing over." Cassandra grumbles.

Alcina shoots her a look while she drinks her wine and the conversation surrounding the party continues as the girls throw out theme ideas, who will attend, what foods will be served and so-on.

Even though you haven't been a big fan of your birthday since your parents death, you have a feeling that this party is going to change that, at least for this year. Part of you hopes the girls will get it out of their system so you're not the center of attention every year for the rest of your life, especially in front of such a big crowd since the girls seem hellbent on inviting nearly everyone from the village.

As the whirlwind of the day winds down, you look forward to curling up with Alcina in bed and falling fast asleep. Much to your pleasant surprise when you walk into her chambers, Alcina is already in bed with a book in her hand. Quickly you get yourself ready for bed and climb in next to her. She puts her book down, turns off the light and pulls you into her.

"Goodnight draga mea. Te iubesc atat de mult." (I love you so much).

The purr from her chest quickly lulls you to sleep and you can barely mumble out "I love you too." before you're fast asleep in her arms.

[yiminsuu]

No Control

Pairing: Leon S. Kennedy x F!Reader

Warnings: Sexual themes (+18), dubious consent, unprotected sex, (semi) public sex, breeding, some fluff and angst, La Plaga acts like an aphrodisiac, mutual pining, reader and Leon are bad at communication.

Author’s Note: People don't know how invested I am in the Resident Evil games right now, if I loved the original games you can imagine how much I adore the remakes. Also, I've been having the most horrid of writing blocks in existence, I had this draft for 2 months! 2 MONTHS!!

Roaming around the castle with, apparently, no exit, is frustrating and even more so when you think your friend can't be as dumb as people think she is, but here we are, Ashley has gone missing once more and I'm stuck with Leon, who is sick with La Plaga and refuses to take a minute to regain strength by resting. My worries grow the more we proceed, and it seems he is obsessed with taking all the hits to himself, even though I can use a gun. I'm not the one the government is looking for, I know very well no one is looking for me, and if Leon hadn't found me I wouldn't be alive to see Ashley or, for lack of better words, to see her running around the castle to supposedly keep us safe.

"Are you sure you are alright?" I spoke, receiving a glance from Leon as we make our way through a corridor. "I should be the one asking you that, that knife stab was not pretty." I refuse to let myself be the damsel in distress, and I admit I can do many things if you give me a weapon, but in the last attack we were surrounded by the monks. The excruciating pain came as a shock, I couldn't move and my scream must have made Leon panic because his attention went immediately to me and the wound on my shoulder. "Do you need me to change the bandage?" I shook my head and lowered my gaze, letting the silence invade the space. I don't know if he can feel the tension, but dammit, ever since this Ada appeared out of nowhere there was this tightness in the air I couldn't quite grasp. I'm afraid Leon isn't as talkative as he was a few hours ago and I wonder why, he makes sure I'm protected even if I don't need it... Most of the time... And he refuses to make eye contact. Perhaps I did or said something he didn't like but I don't really see him as the type to hold a grudge against something like that, Leon doesn't believe it, but he literally is an angel.

Suddenly, Leon halts all of his movements and holds his head tightly in his hands, grunting in pain as he fell to his knees. We need to get to a safer area, La Plaga surely is a son of bitch to deal with. I placed his arm around my neck and helped him to move before someone sees us, clenching my gun in rising stress. "(Y/N)..." He muttered my name in a very low tone, he's completely out of it. I took Leon for as long as I could before he let himself fall to his knees again, his back hitting the wall abruptly. "Leon? Hey, stay with me. I'll give you some medicine and I'll go look for Ashley." As soon as I said that, his pained expression was gone, replaced by an alarmed one. "You can't go on your own...!"

"We have to save Ashley, and you are too weak because of the virus. I'll be fast." Leon's hand grabbed my arm harshly, and I'm sure it was going to leave a mark soon. In reality, he looked a lot sicker than I thought he would, his eyes were changing to red little by little, and even like this, he refused to look at me. "I don't..." He whispered, I furrowed my brows in concern. "Want you to die..." I once wondered why he seemed closed off, so serious and quiet, his kind demeanor quickly rushed away those thoughts but this surely answered many questions I couldn't ask him for obvious reasons. 

I sighed deeply, sitting next to him and doing my best to calm down as he laid his head on my shoulder. We're not safe anywhere, so once someone finds us it will be game over, strangely, we haven't seen any enemy for the past 40 minutes.

Time goes by and we rest as much as we can in the lone room, I would occasionally touch Leon's head hoping he hasn't caught a fever, unfortunately, he was starting to burn up and I know it wasn't from walking under the cold rain. I kneel away and gain an unhearable mumble from the man, and checking on him closely, I see his rapidly rising chest, reddened cheeks, and hair disheveled from the short nap. "What is it doing to you?" I questioned confused, and slightly panicked when Leon opened his eyes to stare at me, pupils dilated and red with something I couldn't identify. "Leon...?" Slowly, he moved his legs apart and set down the shotgun, my eyes widened.

The bulge in his pants was massive. 

A whimper escaped from my lips before I recomposed myself, is this one of the side effects of La Plaga?

Leon looked embarrassed beyond belief, trying to hide his face as much as possible. "I want to touch you." He started. "I need to... You have to get away." Leon... Wants to touch me? 

No. This is not Leon, it's La Plaga speaking and messing with his body and mind, I have to find Luis as soon as possible and destroy the virus. "Hang in there." With that, I immediately ran away, but my heartbeat increased when the sound of footsteps caught up to me, crying loudly when two arms elevated me from behind. "Leon! Let me go--!" Before I know it, Leon lowered us, pressing my body onto the ground as his weight settles over my back. A groan escaped my lips, ready to grab my gun just to be swiftly incapacitated by the agent. "Leon...!"

"Quiet." Eyes widening at the deep sound of his voice, I noticed his breathing worsening the more he let the parasite take control. His hands shook and he slowly held up my leg to allow me to turn around, out of sympathy for someone I consider a friend, I stared into Leon's eyes. The sight broke my heart, he looked aroused, confused, a flushing mess of a guy that has an idea of what is about to happen. His brows furrowed the more tightly he grabbed on my clothing, just to have it ripped within a second, my only undergarments being my panties. I couldn't help but shiver from the cold surroundings. Leon bit his lip and glared at his own impotence to control the parasite, his firm, calloused fingers caress a smooth path along my skin before gently spreading my legs.

"It's okay..." Leon looked at me, bewildered at my words. If there was no way of escaping this, then at least we can make each other feel better somehow. "Just... Do what you have to do. I-I'll be fine..." 

Leon closed his eyes slowly and with a shaky breath, his knife sliced my last remaining decency and he cupped my cunt, both of us became acutely aware of just how wet I am. It would be a lie to claim Leon is not good-looking, a good guy, and perhaps I'm the bad one because I found myself daydreaming of him like this. The touch felt heated, the pressure is delicious, and I can’t help but push my hips up, seeking more contact, more friction, just more of Leon... But his hand is already moving away. The tip of one finger slides a line to my clit, and my whole body jolts at the electric contact, his nervous pants are hot as he made slow, precise circles over and over on my clit. Then his hand dips lower, sinking two thick fingers into me. It punches the air out of me, leaving only an ache, my mind feels raw around the edges, fuzzy with the sharp spike of heat spearing through me. 

I know what he's doing, Leon doesn't want to hurt me, but he's letting it harm him the more he tries to restrain it. He pulled his hand away, it’s like a bucket of cold water dumped over my head, I watch him through half-lidded eyes, breath panting as my lungs squeeze painfully tight in my chest. I heard the sound of a belt amongst our hard breathing, he sounded relieved for a second. I shivered when I felt his tip pressing against my hole, Leon holds himself there, and I spasm in place while the wait becomes excruciating. I don’t know what he’s doing until I hear the inhale of a breath.

"I'm sorry..."

Then I feel everything, pain, pleasure, warmth, the sensation of being filled without mercy. I moaned, his hand firm on my waist as he pins me down. His jaw tenses, watching himself slide out me slowly, waiting for some type of signal that would mean he can and should stop, but nothing comes, in fact, it makes it worse. Leon is looming above me, wrapping one hand around his slick cock, wet with pre-come dripping from the flushed tip. "Fuck..." He muttered, yanking me even closer toward him and notching the tip of his cock at my entrance. I braced myself for penetration, anticipating the stretch of him with a pathetic whimper.

The first slide as he filled me up again with his cock is fucking heaven, a sweet aching stretch that sends pleasure singing out along my every nerve. My thighs tremble, my body arching against him without any input from me, clenching down around his girth while my vision flickered. Leon groaned shamefully, he sounded desperate the faster he moved, I swear I can see fucking stars. He doesn’t stop, he can't, he thrusts himself into me with harsh, deep thrusts and pleasure spreads up my stomach, twining along my legs, and I can feel my orgasm building already.

My breath comes out as a sob, tears stinging my eyes as my cunt clenched and squeezed around the hardness of his cock, twitching and jerking in response. A hand rested against my cheek, it didn't slow Leon's motions, but it was the softest response I had from him since this whole ordeal started. I placed my hand on his in response to his concern, and those beautiful eyes of his slammed shut, biting out a curse. 

If this wasn't caused by a lethal virus I would be happy to think he feels the same way, but shit... Even if this is only to aid him a little I don’t mind being a cum bucket for a few hours. Muscles contract and clutch down in a way that's beyond my control when I'm rewarded with more deep thrusts. My eyes widened when he touched my cervix, making me whimper loudly. "L-Leon!!" It’s maddening, pleasure shoots through my entire being before rolling my eyes back and cumming around his cock...

He doesn't stop, Leon doesn't stop-- Fuck! He's not stopping!

I try to push him away from me, but it's all for naught as he relentlessly thrusts himself into me. "Almost, I'm almost there..." He spoke, his skin slapping against mine with no signs of stopping soon. Fucking liar, trying to make me feel better when we know it feels like we're both going to die. "Look at me, (Y/N)... Don't close your eyes." Slowly but surely, I indulged, and all I can see is his eyes burning into me, pupils blown so wide that they were almost pitch black. Leon's intense gaze fixed on me is like I'm the only thing that exists to him, I want him to stop, but I'm too far gone to say any word.

We're stripped of thinking at this point, Leon is going feral little by little and he's not letting me go, I doubt he will try to control La Plaga again. I screamed whenever he would hit my cervix, unable to close my mouth if only for shame, but I'm blissed out of my mind and overstimulated. I met his dark gaze, finding his eyes on my body once more, maybe he hasn't stopped staring at all. "Stop-- F-Fuck! Staring--!" I choked on a moan, it was barely coherent, but somehow I managed to get the words out. With a startled yell, I was pulled to his lap and sighed in relief at the change of position. "Better?" Leon whispered into my ear, once I nodded, he began thrusting as if he has the stamina to last a lifetime.

My hands clenched on his shirt, mentally cursing again and again at how perfectly he fills me, he's hitting every right spot. Leon puts a hand across my hair, his eyes softening and planting small kisses on my shoulder and neck to calm me down, repeating that he'll be over soon, that he's sorry. The sweet burning ache builds immediately, deep and consuming, the blissful pleasure swirls tight and insistent somewhere deep in my belly. I can't recognize any more words outside of my own, but Leon's voice is gentle, the softness is in direct contrast to the way I'm crying and begging. I reached up and tangled my hand in his hair, drawing him closer so I can kiss him.

Leon's arms come around me as his hips thrust up, a small cry coming out of my mouth as he licked my lips. He groaned, hips adjusting his angle, arms pulling me down greedily so I can meet his non-stopping strikes, again and again with a hard and rough pace. With this new position, it doesn’t take me long to feel that familiar warmth, all I can do is cling to him as everything inside me intensifies in every sense of the word. "(Y/N)..." Pleasure spills over my body, it's chaotic and too much, bright spots blinding my vision as I come, harder than I ever have in my life, and squirting all over Leon's shirt and lap. 

Leon still isn’t stopping, pushing deep into me as his thrusts don’t slow even when his cum coats my walls, a broken gasp escaping him. "F-Fuck, Leon!" The blinding bliss spikes through my blood, hot and piercing. It’s pitiful the way I'm sobbing and whining as he continues relentlessly with his strokes until both of us are completely spent. Finally, he stills, collapsing on the ground with me above him, and we lay there like that for a long moment, panting in absolute euphoria.

I feel sleepy and sated, with all the stress of being hunted down this was like a breath of fresh air, and reality went blurry and faded at the edges. "Didn't think this would happen, but thanks..." Leon said, panting. I hummed, trying to calm my heartbeat. "Sorry about your clothes."

I snickered at his awkwardness after such intense sex. "I doubt you are." The silence came back, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be, his arms were hugging my form and I felt safe and protected. Then he sat with me resting against him. "I'm alright, seriously. Still, I doubt I will be able to walk for a while." 

Leon looked away embarrassed but turned back to me, kissing my forehead. "Wanna get coffee after this?"

I smiled tiredly, but deep down the feeling of joy flourished. "Yeah, now go on and look for some clothes, I don't want Ashley to ask."

[barelytolerabled]

Part 01

spencer reid x fem!reader

summary: your first interactions with the team, and the initial tension and skepticism you face.

next

You sat alone in your car, staring blankly out of the windshield. The sun was setting in the distance, casting a warm glow over the trees lining the street. It was your first day on the job at the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit , and you couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as you prepared to meet your new team. You had lost so much in your life already, and the thought of starting fresh in a new environment was both exciting and terrifying.

You had just stepped into the BAU headquarters, excitement and nervousness tingling through your veins. You had always dreamed of being a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, and today was the day your dream came true. You had even arrived early to make sure you had time to settle in and get a feel for your new environment before the rest of the team arrived.

As you were looking around the new office space, your phone rang. It was an unknown number, which was strange since you didn’t have a lot of people around you, except your grandmother. You answered the phone and a lady's voice was trembling.

You felt your heart sink. Your grandmother had always been her rock, your source of support and comfort. You knew you had to be there for her, but you didn't want to lose your first day at the BAU.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," you said, trying to keep your voice steady. You hung up the phone and took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself.

Just then, Agent Hotchner walked into the office, his usual stern expression softening as he saw your troubled face.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his tone gentle.

You took a deep breath before speaking. "My grandmother has been taken to the hospital. It's serious, and I need to go see her."

Agent Hotchner nodded understandingly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. Family comes first."

You felt a wave of relief wash over you. You had been worried about how your new team would react to her sudden departure on her first day. But Agent Hotchner's words made you feel welcomed and supported.

"Thank you, sir, really thank you so much" you said, your voice breaking slightly.

Agent Hotchner put a hand on your shoulder. "We're a family here, Agent Yln. We look out for each other."

You nodded, feeling grateful for the kindness of your new boss. You quickly gathered your things and headed out to catch a taxi to be with your family, hoping that your grandmother would pull through.

You enter the hospital room to see your grandmother lying on the bed, looking weak and frail.

“Grandma! How are you feeling? Are you okay?”, you said getting close to her.

“Yn, my darling. I'm so glad you're here. Isn’t today your first day at your new job?”, she responded weakly.

“Yes, Grandma, it is. But none of that matters right now. What happened? Why are you in the hospital?”, you asked tearfully.

“I had a heart attack, dear. The doctors are doing all they can to help me recover.”

“Oh my God. I can't believe this is happening. You're the only person I’ve left, and I don't know what I would do without you.”, you said upset.

“Don't worry, my love.”, she took your hand in hers. “I'm a tough old bird, and I'm not ready to go yet. How was your first day at work?”

“I don't want to talk about that right now, Grandma. I just want to be here with you.”

“Yn, listen to me.”, she seemed concerned. “You have a great future ahead of you, and I don't want my illness to distract you from your dreams. Promise me you'll keep going, no matter what happens to me.”

“I promise, Grandma. I won't let you down.”

“That's my girl. I'm so proud of you, Yn.”, she smiled. “You've grown up to be such a strong and intelligent young woman, and I know you'll do great things at your new job.”

You smiled back an said “Thanks, Grandma. You've always believed in me, and I won't let you down.”

“Now, let me rest for a bit.”, she said closing her eyes. “And go back to work, I'll be okay.”

You stayed by your grandmother's side, holding her hand and talking softly to her a few minutes. Your grandmother is the one who raised you and has always been there for you, and you're determined to do the same for her grandmother now.

You rushed into the BAU conference room, your breaths coming in short, quick gasps. Your hair was disheveled, your eyes rimmed with exhaustion. You had just come back from the hospital after visiting your ailing grandmother. You were already worried about your grandma, and being late for your first day at the BAU did not make things easier.

As you entered the room, you felt all eyes on you. You could feel your cheeks flushing red under their scrutiny. You took a deep breath, straightened your jacket, and tried to compose yourself. You walked towards the conference table, where the BAU team was sitting.

"Sorry I'm late," you said, your voice quavering slightly. "I had an emergency."

Hotch nodded understandingly, but you could feel the rest of the team's eyes still fixed on you. You tried to ignore them and quickly took a seat.

Morgan, the team's resident jock, broke the awkward silence. "Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up."

You tried to keep your composure, but you could feel a flush of anger rising to your cheeks. You hated being the center of attention, and you could feel your anxiety starting to build. But then, you caught Reid's eye. He gave you a small smile of encouragement, and you felt a little more at ease.

Garcia, the team's tech wizard, chimed in with a teasing grin. "Hey, it's not a party until the new girl arrives, right?"

You couldn't help but crack a small smile, feeling a little more comfortable with the team's light-hearted teasing.

As the meeting continued, you listened intently, determined to show the team that you were just as capable and dedicated as they were. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you were determined to prove yourself to them. And as the meeting drew to a close, you couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that your first day was over.

After settling in at your desk, you took a deep breath and stood up to introduce yourself to the rest of the team properly. You walked to the center of the room where the team was gathered, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement.

"Hi everyone," you began, trying to sound confident. "I'm Yn Yln. I just joined the BAU as a special agent."

The team members looked up at you, some nodding in acknowledgement while others continued to work on their cases. You cleared your throat and continued, "I'm originally from Texas, but I've been working for the FBI for a few years now. I'm really excited to be here and work with all of you."

You looked around the room, making eye contact with each of the team members in turn. You noticed that some of them were still skeptical of you, but you hoped that you could win them over with your dedication and hard work.

"I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm eager to get started and contribute to the team in any way I can," you finished, smiling hopefully.

The team members gave you a few polite nods and murmurs of welcome before turning back to their work. You felt a pang of disappointment, but you reminded yourself that you needed to earn their trust and respect through your actions, not just your words. With renewed determination, you returned to your desk and dove into your work.

[absent-o-minded]

YR S2 Trailer Talk (Pt.1)

My, my has it been a fair whack of time since I last did one of these. The release of the S3 Trailer was like being opened from my rustic tomb, so I thought that I would do an analysis/thought/prediction post ! (Also - Please excuse the quality of the screenshots x the red play bar):

The Lake (Continuous):

As we know from previous seasons, the lake's function has been situated as place of solace for its location outside of the royal, institutional and domestic spaces. It is both meditative and reflective.

In S1, the lake was one of the only occasions where the boys were not just happy (a rare instance) but also where they were afforded a sense of privacy (even if it was the illusion of privacy). It's on school-grounds, so it is somewhat controlled, but Malin was also there. Here, I get the impression that they might actually be on their own. The shot is so serene, with the golden-green landscape refracting off of the water, and the boys' silhouettes slightly obscured.

We also got a snapshot of this scene from the teaser pictures, where Wille and Simon were floating atop the water, and they were sort-of peacefully basking in the Sun. The lake has been consistent throughout the seasons: Season 1 was Winter, Season 2 was Spring (I think?), and so Season 3 may be the Spring-Summer transition (although I am aware that people are wearing coats and jackets during the trailer). If so, a change in season similarly ushers in social/cultural change, or anticipates a transition. In Summer coming around, tensions rise with the heat, and the pressure amps up.

Importantly, the lake shows up multiple times throughout the trailer:

The hammock clip looks incredibly domestic and peaceful, which is nice to see, considering the arc that Wille and Simon have been on in order to get to this point. It's something simple and perhaps (on appearance) not particularly narratively potent, but it is important if we consider the lake to be a place of nostalgia. The Wille and Simon who lounge here in Season 3 are different versions of the lads that they were in Season 1. And honestly? I think that they're going to grab at any moments of peace they can get without the looming presence of the press.

Ohohoheheheheuegeuhuege- The big questions !

As well as being a place of tranquility, the lake provides an open space for Wille and Simon to talk without constraints. We have seen Simon be critical of the monarchy since S1, but (I think) that this is the first time where Simon openly directs his criticism to Wille and asks him outright. However, what I'm more interested in is what he follows it up with: "I've seen how it makes you feel."

Now, this could very well just be Simon remarking on how Wille has been in the past. He's seen him scared, stressed, worried, angry etc. But, it makes me wonder if this might be an inclination of Simon seeing it at it's worst with Wille's anxiety (and by extension - His panic attacks). Maybe Wille has fully let Simon in? Maybe he's shown him what he's been afraid to let anyone help him with?

Also - Simon is wearing what looks to be his purple shirt in this shot, which makes me think that this could possibly come after the palace visit?

(Pretty sure that this is the lake so we're gonna go with it-)

The thing that is honestly ripping my brain apart is that this could be a response to a NUMBER of different things. In the trailer, it comes after Kristina says: "You supposed to be able to take over from me." But there could be a chance that this ^ is in response to something else:

You have to maintain a traditional image. What if I don't want to?

You have to choose. What if I don't want to?

You have to stop fighting. What if I don't want to?

The options are endless.

(Also, Wille is wearing the same coat here as he is in the hammock frame above ^^.)

First of all, the trailer really is indulging us in some beautiful shots. Look at this lovely composition of land x water in a wide.

Secondly, my word. It seems remarkable that something as simple as this shot could summarise the goal of 3 entire seasons, because surely, this is it? This is all they wanted? The both of them, with a picnic, by a lake, with the sunset. That is all. None of the grandeur. None of the drama. None of the unwanted extras. Just this.

Which is why the next two shots appear more unnerving:

It looks so picturesque...and then we get these two close-ups. It's one of the few instances we receive where Wille and Simon are sharing a fraught moment and openly reacting to it in front of each other. They are unified in their experiences. But really, how else do you try to articulate what you and someone else have gone through in the past year? How do you explain that to someone who isn't either of you two?

No one else would have been under the same scrutiny or the same institutional rigidity or even the same stress as they have been forced to get through in just a number of months. They have both suffered, from the hands of others, as well as the hands of each other. There have been moments where hope was high, as well as moments where the end was not in sight.

And again, we're back at the lake. It persists. The sun is setting and so it’s late in the day. But it’s still this continuous, emblematic thread that connects interrelated sequences and bares witness to everything that goes on. It’s almost like an omniscient location.

I don't think that they would have shown anything from Ep 6 in the trailer, purely on the basis that it's separate from the other episodes. I could be wrong, but this seems like it would happen at the end of an episode, maybe episode 5? I'm unsure of how you could transition away from this because summarises the whole relationship. I can't say if Wille's "Is everything okay between us?” comes from this scene, because I just get the impression that they understand each other. The tears, the looks, the furrowed brows, the positions, it all seems like they have a mutual understanding that evades the need for speech. Perhaps it’s less of a checking in and more of a rhetorical question. Will it be okay?

_________

This part solely focussed on the lake so I'm hoping to write another post discussing other elements of the trailer. Nonetheless, I am very excited ! Anxious and sad to see it go, but I’m so happy that I was here for the whole ride and will see it to the end !

[infiniteko]

I think she probably just wants to put all this behind her. I can't really speak much more for her. I'm just speaking from my perspective.

She's not here anymore, neither is Ada, and that's where we're all at. Ada and Sophie's devout followers need to get a grip and move on with their lives. Otherwise they'll be stuck in this same cycle for...a while...this is warning for you anons. Attacking others will keep you bound to the current contexts of your lives...it's very depressing and basic...you guys are acting ugly ffs.

I'm not trying to have a long winded conversation about this. I only want to implore people to stop bullying and creating an ugly space. It's insane, actually. Like when I saw what they were saying to Bry, I had to say something.

As for the shade Sophie supposedly threw at you and Bry. I'm not entirely sure, and it's none of my business. It's a sad. These communities get so dogmatic...and tensions can run high. It's "reality breaking" stuff we're discussing here, so I get it...but the abhorrent behavior needs to be addressed, by more than a few people.

Words complicate, but also create cool perspectives within this current apparent context. There are infinite perspectives on the matter, and I hope that we can all share our stories without so much attacking and bullying.

Btw, I really do enjoy this "no concepts" label. I always preferred word-expressions which held minimal connotations. Less confusion. I want to thank you Koda and friends for putting these very simple expressions out there. Many people will and are benefiting from such. Seriously. (What people? Lol)

I will repeat myself: Ada and Sophie are gone, irrelevant at this point. They shouldn't matter to you anons other than anything they may have left behind that could help/guide you. They don't care for or want your fanfare. Like seriously, stop.

"Btw, I really do enjoy this "no concepts" label. I always preferred word-expressions which held minimal connotations."

Definitely! It's kind of a natural thing to happen. After using AV as a pointer, you have no need for it anymore and just roam about as " ". Speaking about AV will sound limiting because the philosophy is just a hint and paradoxically, the concept of "no concept" is still a concept😆

Also, thanks for you message, esp. saying the last part "they don't care for or want your fanfare" since you're her friend you'll know best 👐🏻 On the other hand it's very easy to see how such fanfare happens! Imagine you're at your seemingly lowest -> you find someone who helps -> you grow attached to them -> fanfare. This is a general thing you see everywhere, not just tumblr but it results in weak insults and anonymous defences in their name like they contribute to anyone's personal wellbeing or hurt (among all accounts) but they don't

[yourjughead]

Attack Dog pt. 4

Sweet Pea X Reader enemies to lovers

A/N: I really like this part, finally some contact going on hehehe

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

Sweet Pea POV

“Sweeeeeeet peaaaaaaa, moove overrrr I'm coming in-'' he slurred and stumbled past. What the hell is going on? He crashed onto my makeshift bed and stretched.

“-I amm having a sleeeeeep over here, the Seniors haveeen comman-commaannnder-commandereeed fuck it, they took my housee” I looked out the front door and watched some very drunk, very big men crowd into his trailer and close it. I went to object to him but he was already passed out on my sofa.

“Sweet Pea what's going on?” YN said smaly from my room. I quietly rushed to her and into my room.

“Jones kinda stole my digs after the seniors took his….do you mind if I stay in here?”

“I mean it's your room sooo I can just make my way home”

“No no stay, I don't know who's still around outside and besides it's freezing” there was little to no space between the two of us. It was difficult to fight my urge to lean into her. I forced myself to take a step back from her, taking a pillow from the bed and throwing it on the floor.

“Just sleep in the bed with me Snake Brain, your old man back will break sleeping on the floor” she shuffled back to the bed and slipped under the covers on my side of the bed. My side. I slid in next to her trying not to completely freak out that I was legitimately sleeping with the enemy. Both our eyes were locked onto the ceiling. I should really paint up there.

“What happened with you and Jughead earlier?” I couldn't help myself, I had to say something to take the weird tension away from between us.

“He told me I abandoned him and it was my fault he had to join you guys” she exhaled the words out. Fault? As if we're the worst thing in the world to happen to anyone. I have all the right to kick his ass from my sofa.

“Just leave him sleep Sweet Pea, you won't get anything out of him now” was she inside my head? I moved gently in the bed at this thought.

“You're not exactly hard for me to read Sweet Pea, relax” she laughed a little but I didn't relax. How was I so easy to read? No one has ever said that before. She rolled onto her side to face me, hands tucked up under the side of her face.

“What else did he say?”

“That I should have fought harder to come home sooner….that I might have been able to save him from you guys…basically it's my fault I'm upset” save him from us? Save him from us?! I went to move from the bed, I was gonna kick him out I don't care. I was stopped by the feeling of YNs hand wrap into mine beneath the sheets.

“Just leave it Sweet Pea, defend your honour tomorrow after you sleep-” she yawned out.

“-besides it'll be a lot more fun to shout at him when he's fighting his hangover” she gave a mischievous smile as her eyes gently closed. She's still holding my hand….I'm still holding hers….why are we still holding hands and why don't I want to let go?

I laid awake for half an hour staring at the peeling paint of the roof. The pain in my shoulder growing from my unmoving hand was getting hard to ignore as YN slept peacefully next to me. Caught between my dying nerves and the dying want to not let go I quickly rolled towards her, releasing her hand and catching it with my other. I misjudged the distance between us and clocked her straight into the head with my own as I did. She dropped my hand to place it on her forehead. Damn it.

“You're such a freak” she laughed, rubbing her forehead and then rolled in closer to me, draping an arm across my waist and gently pulling herself into me, resting her head between the pillow and my chest. Great. This is great. This is also very confusing. Again, it was like she read my thoughts, even half asleep and she sat up, leaning on an elbow to look at me.

“Sorry I… I don't know why I did that”

“It's okay YN…it was actually comfortable…I'm okay with it if you're okay with it” she gave me a smile I never wanted to see leave her. She has to know that that was difficult for me to admit. She rolled to face out towards the wall and for a moment I thought Id left myself be vulnerable to the wrong person, that she'd laugh and reject me, call me the silly snake brain I was and leave. But no. She didn't. She instead shuffled down into the bed and laid her back flat against my chest. I cautiously moved my arm to cross her waist and she caught hold of it to move it faster and then held it there with her own. Am I asleep? Is this a dream? Am I being punked?

I nestled my chin against the top of her head, pulling her closer into me, tangling our legs. So close to me…..oh shit too close she's too close. I shuffled a little to try to hide the part of me that was betraying any sense of secrecy I had about my changing feelings to YN. She just moved back to where she was, no hiding from her. I could almost feel her whole body smirking as she gently rubbed little circles with her thumb on the back of my hand. Damn it she's winning.

“You're not…hard to read Sweet Pea” yup, she's definitely smirking at me. I tried to push the embarrassment out of my voice before speaking. She's not gonna win this one.

“Well I hardly think that's surprising, I already told you what I think needs to happen for you to relax” I barely whispered, it was her body's turn to…stiffen in the bed alongside me. Point Sweet Pea. I slowly moved my mouth to hover above her neck. We were both so still, I could almost see the hairs on her neck stand on their end. My lips met her neck almost painfully gently. I began to kiss her there until she rolled her head back slightly to allow me more access. I then started to nip her neck, sucking gently as I went. Her own body betrayed her then as she gave a small moan of approval. Point Sweet Pea.

She didn't let my point advantage last very long as she began to push herself into my growing length, a low growl escaping me before I reburied myself in her neck, more feverishly this time. Her hand wrapped tighter around mine on her chest as she grinded into me, encouraging me on. Electric, I was being electrified by her. She rolled more on to her back and I was hovering above her. I didn't really think then, I just leaned down and met her lips with mine. Truly electric. I'm kissing YN. This went further than I thought it would. This is going to go further than I thought it was. She must have had the same thought separating from me. Sex is one thing, kissing someone like that and feeling how we did while kissing during sex is another thing.

“I…didn't mean to….I shouldn't have…” I didn't know what I was saying, almost begging her with my eyes to say anything.

“I-” she was cut off by the sound of Jones sneezing from the sitting room, causing us both to jump. I had completely forgotten he was out there. We were about to…I don't know what we were about to do but we were gonna do it with him out there.

“Night Sweet Pea” was all YN said, rolling away from me again to face the wall, this time not taking my arm with her. Fuck.

I didn't sleep for the rest of the night, the thought of what could have been controlling me. I don't think she was asleep either but I didn't challenge her on it. Fuck.

I got up and got dressed, heading into the kitchen for coffee as the sun hit the inside of the trailer. Jones sat up extremely groggily and groaning. Karma.

“Morning” I smiled at him, only getting a huff in return.

“Sweet Pea I'm gonna go before Jughead wa-” YN whispered as she entered the living area. Not quiet enough. Jones' head shot to hers then to mine and back again. If he wasn't green before he certainly was now. I didn't know what to think or where to look. Karma? YN just looked down briefly at her feet, surely just trying to take any break from his giant eyes. Then she looked back, directly at him.

“Morning Jughead, I gotta say, I kinda get the Serpent thing” she beamed. Oh she's evil, she's really really evil, she would make a great Serpent. She then practically bounced out of the trailer, leaving me back to face the brunt of his darkened eyes. Point YN.

Part 5

[cloveroctobers]

terms & conditions — ANGEL REYES x OC/READER x CANE TEJADA

A/N; I'm actually glad that this sat in my drafts waiting to be written (thanks to the poll I put out!) just in time for the season premiere-which isn't being talked too much about as of yet-but I get it! So I gained some more inspo for this piece along with the sudden crush I’ve developed on Woody’s character from power book II—ghost (which I’m also currently watching!) + this song has also been on repeat since I first heard it. It’s fitting and inspired this so let’s get into it!

*GIF BELONGS TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNER!*

WARNINGS/DISCLAIMER: language + I am in no way shape or form a therapist! + Angel being a bit of a d!ck :)

┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌ ﹋﹋┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌ ﹋﹋┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌ ┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌ ﹋﹋┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌ ﹋

"Solay it's great to meet you, thank you for coming." The therapist greeted the mahogany haired woman at the door, lightly shaking her hand.

Solay smiled at the bob-wearing lady, shifting her tote bag, which looked expensive, down to her wrist as she fully entered the sunlit room. Her doe eyes briefly glanced at Angel who now sat with his arms crossed in a chair, a scowl written on his face as his eyes almost drank her in.

"Angel." Solay muttered, placing her bag to the side of her as she took the space in the middle of the empty red couch.

Angel ran his tongue over his front teeth, huffing but felt the therapist sending him a warning glance. Almost as if to say, 'We talked about this.'

He breathed, rolling his head back to face Solay who was now putting her phone on vibrate before tossing it back into her bag, "What's going on, Solay?"

"It's Wednesday so I’m pretty busy," she was vague with her words but attempting to be cordial as she added, "How's Mavy?"

"Growing everyday," Angel answered and couldn't help but to throw in, "How's your rebound doin'? Don't think I didn't see him drop you off in that flashy ass range rover, was my son with ‘em in the backseat?"

Solay's doe eyes immediately went into slits as she let out a breath of laughter. She was barely five minutes in the room with her ex-husband and here he was worrying about who she was involved with by attempting to fuck up her energy. He should be lucky that she even showed her face! She vowed at this first session that she would not allow Angel to continue disrespecting her like he loved to do. The only reason she was here was for their five year old son Xavier, to learn better co-parenting methods...and perhaps for a professional to see that she wasn't crazy for putting up boundaries after everything they've been through.

"Okay, let's reel it in." Dr. Michelle Othman rolled her hands, gaining the attention of the two adults in front of her.

The glare did not leave Angel's face as he dragged his eyes back to the short haired woman who sat at her desk.

"Let's discuss that tension," Dr. Michelle started, "As soon as you entered the room, Solay, you were very curt with your words on greeting Angel, why is that?”

Solay inhaled, "It's never hugs and kisses when we're in each other's space. Sure I would like for it be that way—it's like that with my parents who are divorced, they're friendly but I started off just fine until Angel had to go into attack mode."

Angel felt his pressure beginning to rise since Solay liked to commonly relate her parents to their situation…when clearly this was a very different relationship.

"I didn't attack you, I simply asked if you're leaving my son alone with some strange man." Angel stated, "And I have concerns about that, as a father, it's my right."

"Of course you do but you didn't seem to be too worried when you had our son around during your secret meet-ups with Adelita, hm?" Solay pointed out, strangely calm.

Yet it still felt tit for tat.

"We were seperated when Luisa and I started messing around."

As if that makes it alright!

"Not legally and still very much married. Just for you to sleep with her and a couple of days later we're back together like nothing even happened...like I wouldn't find out." Solay told.

Angel scratched at his brow at that, he knew how it sounded but couldn't say much to defend that. He wasn't sure if he could so he just looked away at Dr. Michelle, who was patient and watchful.

"Angel tells me you two were married for some time."

Solay uttered, “Seven years."

"What made you want to get married?"

"I thought I found my person. We were good together, fun together, friends even.” Solay seemed to be in a daze as she talked, “ I always belived that you have to have a friendship as a foundation before anything and although we were completely messy from the start, meaning intimate before we ever became friends—we were always backwards in everything we did—but I enjoyed being around him. I enjoyed being happy with him, laughing with him. Angel made my heart happy at that time and I always knew he wanted a family and I started picturing what that would be like and feel like with him. then i got the chance to realize…I was happier without him." Solay informed the therapist who hummed at this information.

Angel spoke up, "I wasn't sure i even wanted to be married and not because of Solay. She's a great woman no doubt but I always had doubts of not being good enough to be anybody's husband or father. I was scared shitless but Solay always had a way of uplifting me and making me believe we could do anything we wanted together. That also quickly turned into being blamed for the littlest things and I'm not talking about the cheating. I’ll take responsibility for that part.”

Solay nodded, "Yeah he's right. After the first time Angel cheated on me with some blonde bartender, I became iritated by everything he did and constanly being in his space knowing what he had done, wasn't good for me, i knew i had to leave so I could breathe again. I left to my own condo that I was still living in and considered not renewing the lease. Then I found out I was pregnant and that completely changed everything."

Dr. Michelle nodded at all of this, occasionally writing something down on her notepad. "There's so much to unpack here. Could it be that the both of you had these false ideas of what marriage was supposed to look like because of your upbringing? I'm already aware of the infidelity that was in Angel's parents’ marriage but what was your parents' marriage like Solay, if you don't mind me asking?"

Solay sighed, "They tried to never argue in front of my older sister and I but that didn't mean we couldn't hear it at night when they thought we went to bed. My dad was a borderline alcoholic and always stressed about finances but he did a good job at hiding his worries, yet that didn't mean he didn't take it out on my mom. He can get very loud and apparently verbally abusive when he drank towards my mom. What they showed from the beginning seemed like perserverance …when it was really settling. I knew they were happier when they were younger but they ended up getting a divorce when I was in my early twenties."

"Was it a difficult divorce?"

"Surprisingly no? They seemed thrilled to be doing it because they came to a clear understanding of what they needed from each other.”

"Is that what you want from Angel?"

"One hundred percent but I'm not sure when or if we're gonna get there. There's mountains of pain and anger between us both but I want to get somewhere for the sake of our son." Solay tells Angel's therapist.

The woman quirks up a smile, "that's what I'm here for, for guidance but I want you to also acknowledge that you have to want this for yourself as well and not just your son."

"I don't want to do what my parents did, although it almost seems inevitable when life is a cycle right? I don't want to hide the reality of why his parents aren't getting along and can't co-exist because I don't know what that's doing to him mentally. Sure he's only five but I want us to have a healthy and honest mindset so we can raise him as such."

"Angel do you hear what Solay is saying?"

"Yeah, she's not the only one who doesn't want to fuck up their kid." Angel rubbed at his beard in thought.

Dr. Michelle said, "Then we all need to work on the both of you first so you can both do your best in raising Xavier better. Are you two commited in doing so?"

Commitment was almost taboo for Angel Reyes so Solay wasn’t so sure, it was shocking for her to even be aware that Angel decided to seek out therapy in the first place! Yet they were both here, which is the first step, allegedly.

"You're Angel's therapist, so how long do you predict I need to be in his sessions?"

DR. Michelle analyzed Solay for a brief moment before saying, "Believe it or not, you left a big impact on Angel's life as a husband and father so I can not simply provide you with a timeline. This takes work."

"I receive that, I'm not afraid of doing the work." Solay affirms, "I just wanted an estimate on how long this will last until it doesn't matter anymore."

"What do you mean by that?" Angel asked, brows furrowing.

Solay clasped her hands into her lap, slightly raising them as she talked, "I don't know. It's like you're trying to show a new and improved side of you but I still know the bad parts."

"Because you like pointing the finger and always putting the blame on me! Like you can’t accept that I’m happy!”

"Angel," Dr. Michelle warned at the raised volume in his voice, "Solay, Angel tells me the both of you recently got into a disagreement a week ago. Could this be what you're referring to?"

"I guess so yeah," Solay raised her shoulders and stared down at her hands for a moment, "It's just funny or probably pick me of me to think I gave Angel what he dreamed of, having a family and a home but the moment another woman caught his eye...the minute he found out that Mavy was still alive and Adelita was back in town, his perspective completely changed. What made that family different from I gave?"

"What?" Angel exasperated leaning his elbows into his knees now, "there's no comparison between what I have with you and Xavier and Luisa and Maverick."

"You may not think so but that's how it feels."

"Why do you feel that way?" Dr. Michelle pushed.

Solay swallowed the thickness in her throat, "that argument that happened a week ago. I asked Angel if he can take Xavier for me while I underwent a procedure. My mom was in town and would be tending to me so I thought it would be best. Angel came to pick him up Thursday evening, I went to my procedure that Friday morning and Angel brought Xavier back that same night because he, Luisa, and Mavy were going to some carnival for the weekend.”

Solay was in and out of sleep the whole day in her bedroom and her mother tried her hardest to keep her out of it but she soon learned what Angel had done. To say she was livid would be a understatement but thankfully she had her mom there to calm her down and help out, who did the honors of giving Angel a piece of her mind before she slammed the door in his face.

“What was this procedure?”

“I honestly thought it was a boob-job,” Angel interrupts before Solay could say a thing, which made both women cut their eyes at him, “I mean I wouldn’t be mad at you for it.”

Solay shook her head in aggravation while the therapist kept her face stoic.

“Why are you so comfortable speaking on a body that isn’t yours?” Solay questioned.

‘It used to be,’ Angel thought but knew not to let that slip through his lips.

Angel raised his hands from his spot on the chair, “I’m not! I never said you needed that shit anyways, I loved your itty bitties—

“Angel, enough.” Dr. Michelle scolded, “Let Solay finish. I told you at the start of inviting Solay here is for us to see her perspective and get to know her a bit so that we can come to a common ground in your relationship. Now Solay, please continue.”

Angel tried not to roll his eyes. This was his therapist after all and sure he knew what this session was about since it took courage to ask Solay to be here and felt like forever for her to agree. It was all about listening and shit but he didn’t like the picture that was being painted.

Solay sighed with her eyes closed, “I went for a biopsy on my ovaries. So no it wasn’t a boob job or some spa day or walk in the park like you thought, Angel. It was serious and again, Xavy and I got pushed to the side: Second fiddle.”

Sometimes she wondered if it had to do with Xavier being hearing impaired. Did Angel not want to be bothered enough to include their child on his new family outings? She thought about bringing it up but she also knew it wasn’t right to think that when Angel did take up the time learning sign language (in his own way) to communicate with their child. Everyone on his side of the family did and although it was a little shaky for him more so than Solay, he did try… however it didn’t erase the fact that Xavier seemed to be excluded majority of the time.

So she kept it to herself.

Dr. Michelle allowed the weight of silence to be felt. She motioned for the tissues on the coffee table for Solay—if needed but the woman just hugged herself, making the therapist lightly scribble down some more notes at this.

Angel was full on frowning now, “Biopsy…ain’t that for diagnosing something?”

“Cancer, Angel. They were worried after finding a lump in my abdomen and some other symptoms I was experiencing. I just needed you to come through for me, just this once.” Solay exhaled, eyes on him.

Angel felt the color drain from his face. The rings on his fingers were pressed to his lips as he felt his knee start to bounce, “why didn’t you say something?”

“You mean to tell me you forgot in the next twenty-four hours that I was having something done?”

“I’m a dumbass sometimes! I seriously thought it was something minor and really didn’t think or even remember, honestly querida—Solay it fucken slipped my mind.”

“Do you believe his words, Solay?”

She shrugged her shoulders, “it’s possible. He forgot his own brother’s birthday.”

“Hey, we’re not talking about Ezekiel here.” Angel growled while Solay rolled her eyes, “…are you alright, soso?”

Hearing Angel use another nickname on her, made her skin crawl. Once upon a time, she thought it was cute and it actually gave her butterflies when Angel would say it, his rough callous hands cupping her face. Now? She just wanted him to shut up.

“Now you care?” Solay hissed, “all you had to do was include Xavy in on your quality time with his baby brother, that’s it. Do that one thing for me, for him. But nothing else matters and that’s why I’m so pissed.”

“Aye, don’t take this shit out on Mav.”

“I would never. I always engage with that sweet baby when he’s in my presence. That’s Xavy’s baby brother and I’m not that kind of woman. I would never take my frustrations with you out on your kid. Ever.” Solay’s heated doe eyes met Angel’s and he had to sit back in the chair, dejected.

Angel said, “I’m sorry. Forreal. I do wish you would of told me exactly what was going on with you though.”

“Would it have made a difference?”

“I’m sure it would, yeah.” Angel stared, which Solay held.

That felt definite.

Dr. Michelle looked up from her notes, “this is good you two. You’re both laying it out on the table, engaging and truly seeing what it is that you brought you two here. it’s leading us to the root of the problem.”

“Talk to us, doc. What do you think it is?” Angel dragged his eyes away from Solay, keeping his leg bouncing.

“From our conversations Angel, you hold a lot of insecurities and it stems from your own childhood trauma that you haven’t healed from. It’s bled into your marriage and you, Solay. Your defense mechanism is to shut down when situations are tough, putting your guard up instead of saying exactly what it is that’s troubling you.”

“Yes because I’m tired—so tired of reading the same pages of this story over and over with Angel.” Solay sniffed, “I’m not here to say he’s a bad person. I know he’s not. He’s just not a good partner for me. He’s got a strong heart and I know he loved me at some point in our relationship and he cares for our son sure, but I can’t help but to look at him sometimes and feel like I’m dealing with the damn devil.”

Angel furrowed his brows as he points at his own chest, “I’m the devil? I know you don’t believe that when you don’t even know what you’re getting yourself involved in with that dude who just dropped you off.”

“Oh, not this again.” Solay exhaled rubbing underneath her eyes, “I did not come here for you to worry about who I’m spending time with.”

“She acts like she’s so much better than me, when she’s dealing with someone just as shitty and she’s acting like fucking Stevie wonder with it.” Angel gritted.

“Are you also in a new relationship, Solay?”

“Yes. It just became serious.”

“Have Angel and this person met?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“We’d probably kill each other.” Angel declared, feeling his fists lock together at the mere thought of Solay with somebody else.

Somebody better but he was positive Cane wasn’t.

Solay shrugged her shoulders, realizing this was true. Cane knew about Angel and the failure of their marriage and honestly he had words for Angel the day they ever came face to face. He got close but Solay always made sure to detour the man away from causing any chaos. It was amusing to Cane however because one day he was sure he was gonna say whatever came to mind when he set his eyes on Angel.

Solay just wanted a simple soft life, was that too much to ask for?

“Okay,” Dr. Michelle said, “So we have the both of you in relationships, Angel you with the same woman you had relations and child with. Solay’s also in a relationship that you don’t particularly like or trust, Angel. You both share a child together but your regressions towards each other make it hard to be within the same space. Is that correct?”

Solay blinked, “that about narrows it down.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Angel rolled his head around, trying to straighten up the tension in his body.

Dr. Michelle cleared her throat, “seems like we have quite the work cut out for us on resolving these issues between you two. We’re down to ten minutes left on the clock, so I want to give you some homework to take with you so that you’re prepared when I see you both next week.”

“Homework?” Angel exhaled, “I didn’t go off to college for this exact reason, Doc.”

“Well think of this as a introductory course,” Dr. Michelle declared, “you’re welcome.”

Solay snickered at the expression on Angel’s face who was reaching for a post it note on the edge of Dr. Michelle’s desk. The therapist was scribbling some last minute notes as Angel managed to grab the paper, ball it up and toss it in Solay’s direction.

Which resulted in double middle fingers from the woman who managed to dodge it just in time. Angel scoffed and stuck out his tongue until Dr. Michelle cleared her throat.

“Are you two quite finished?”

Solay flicked one of her ponytails behind her shoulder and sent a sweet smile at the woman who stared hard at the pair.

“It’s a simple exercise. Both of you are going to write seven things that impacted your relationship from beginning, middle, to end. You can also form it into a Venn diagram or a pros and cons list, then we’ll discuss it next week. Sound good?” Dr. Michelle asks.

Solay has her phone now, her fingers tapping away at her screen as she sets a reminder for herself to do this before next Wednesday. She suddenly looks up at Angel who has his arms resting on the arm rests, twiddling his thumbs.

“Do I have to text you a reminder?”

“Would you be so kind?” Angel was sarcastic, “I’ll remember. If I can show up to see Dr. Michelle’s beautiful atmosphere, I can remember to do some homework.”

Solay replied in a sing song tone, straight but lightly shaded eyebrows raising, “okay…”

“You don’t believe me?”

“If you do the work, I’ll do the work. Otherwise this’ll be for nothing.” Solay answers, meeting Angel’s much darker eyes before turning back to the therapist, “thank you for your time, Dr. Michelle.”

“Thank you for showing up Solay, that’s time.” Dr. Michelle stood from her desk, walking around to lead the two out.

Solay stood in the lobby, messing around with her phone while Angel shared a hushed conversation with Dr. Michelle—hoping to get some sort of reflection or opinion on his ex-wife. It was a little selfish for Angel to want Dr. Michelle to strictly be on his side but he’d be lying if said he didn’t wish for his therapist to provide him with that comfort.

However Dr. Michelle liked to be theoretical and shit so Angel knew he shouldn’t be surprised.

“We’ll get somewhere, Angel. Now that she’s here, we can get this chapter closed and then focus on the next stage, yes?” Dr. Michelle explained while Angel slowly nodded, taking her word for it.

Soon he bid his goodbyes to the British woman before he fished his pockets for a cigarette. Just to mess around with as he approached Solay, he promised that he would actually quit smoking this time around and so far he’s been on track.

“You waiting for your boyfriend, who probably can’t see over the curb to pick you up?” Angel spoke from behind Solay.

She huffed, glancing over her shoulder, “actually no, I’m waiting on my assistant to get me and bring me back to work—if it’s any of your business.”

“Course it is, you’re still the mother of my child.” Angel snorted, “tell her don’t bother, I’ll take you back.”

“On your death trap? I think not.”

“Traffic gets bad around this time out here…the bike it much faster than whatever your assistant is coming to get you in, so it’s up to you.” Angel tapped the cigarette on the glass window of the door.

Solay thought about it, staring hard at Angel who offered her a goofy smile before pushing the door open, walked through and held it open waiting for the woman to follow after. Sighing, she pressed her phone to her ear to let her employee know that she found her way and that she’ll see her soon.

“No funny shit, Angel. Take me straight to work.”

“What? You don’t wanna stop and have lunch first?”

“Not after that session and especially not with you.” Solay answered as Angel yanked up the helmet that rested on his bike.

Angel did the honors of slipping the helmet down on her head, surely messing up her ponytails as he secured it and knocked his knuckles against the top, “damn, that hurts.”

“Terms and conditions.” Solay pointed, making Angel shake his head as he climbed on the bike first.

Solay followed shortly after, resting her hands on Angel’s shoulders to steady herself. As he kicked the engine on, solay almost flinched, knowing that she had to wrap her hands around Angel’s waist instead.

“Does what’s his face have these terms and conditions that you speak of, too?”

“Yup, he has you to thank for that.”

Angel let out a exaggerated sigh, choosing not to say anything else on that as he peddled the bike backwards before steering into a turn, then he set off into the desert streets with Solay still having a hold on him.

What would have been a hour ride was turned into a thirty-five minute one as the tatted man was parked in front of Solay’s business while she let her hair run free now by using Angel’s side mirror, then handed the helmet back to said man.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime, soso.” Angel glanced at the building seeing a few clients inside of the orange sickle colored building, “spot looks cool as fuck, I’m proud of you, you know?”

Solay had a bachelor’s degree in science, finding her field in dermatology and held her license as a esthetician. She also sold a successful skincare line that she launched on her own website just last year. And this year she purchased her first house all on her own. She was doing well for herself but remained humble about it all.

“Okay, Angel.” Solay sighed, holding her bag down in front of her as she stared out at the orange skies, “we don’t have to kiss each other asses.”

Anfel shrugged, “It’s better than chewing each other out though right? Especially after today and I mean it so what’s the harm in that?”

“…well I appreciate it.”

“See, I can play nice sometimes too huh?” Angel winked as he put his helmet on, “I’ll let you get too it then…remind me, am I picking Xavier up from school on Friday or?”

‘Are you having him for the weekend since it is technically your weekend thanks to me screwing it up last time.’ Angel thought to himself.

“Papa Felipe is so it’s easier for you to bring him to yours.”

Angel was thankful that Solay wants Xavier to actually spend Friday and Saturday night with him after what he pulled last weekend. However he probably knew his pops would give him a hard time and would probably want to keep the boy to himself for the weekend. Solay’s mom and Felipe often chatted; with Felipe telling Angel that his mother, Marisol, probably would have loved Solay’s mom.

“Cool,” Angel said, “I’ll see you on Sunday then.”

“Sunday it is.”

He dipped his head, starting the engine and she watched the man drive off into the sunset before making her way inside.

[Sometime Saturday night…]

Cane Tejada entered the one level stucco home, hands rubbing in excitement as he entered the front of the home. To his surprise, he didn’t find Solay in the kitchen whipping it up and went through the house in search of her.

He found her in the main bedroom with the attached bathroom, touching up her makeup as her hips swayed to a Ayra Starr song. Leaning against the door, he let out a low whistle as his eyes scanned over her curves in the lace corset midi-dress.

“Tonight is my lucky night after all,” Cane bit down on his bottom lip.

Solay stopped leaning over the counter, molding her lipstick covered lips together and blinked her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder at the brown-skinned man, “you’re not coming out with me.”

“Huh?”

Solay brushed by Cane, her light floral and hint of a hazelnut scent hitting his nostrils as she walked by. He followed the woman into her bedroom, eyeing her as she sat on the edge of the bed, one leg crossed over the other.

“Where you going, So?”

She smiled up at him as she slipped on a heel, her anklet bracelet glistening in the room, “Out. Without you.”

“Nah, I’m not feeling that. Not with the way that dress is fitting and the way that ass is—

Solay inserted, “not my problem.” She got to her feet in search of her clutch, “matter of fact, why don’t you reach out to what was her name? Effie. And see if she wants to entertain you for the night.”

She tapped his jaw before turning off the light, making Cane slightly curse to himself. He jogged after the long haired woman, reaching out to grip her waist to turn her to him.

Solay held mock sympathy on her face and Cane didn’t like it one bit, “you going through my shit?”

“You left your laptop here and it was going haywire…something about tuition. I didn’t care to read it all,” she lifted her shoulders careless, “so…you should consider looking for the next flight home to New York soon.”

“It ain’t even like that.” Cane started, “it was just business, nothing more.”

Solay shushed him, “I don’t wanna hear about it. I’m not even stressing it babe, it’s fine.”

Cane scrunched up his nose, “but it’s not because you’re dismissing my ass like I ain’t shit—like we ain’t build this together.”

“What even is this?”

Cane was confused, “a relationship? We been locked in for awhile now so why you trying to switch up on me?”

“You’re the one out here dropping stacks on some girl’s tuition.”

“I ain’t fuck her if that’s what you’re getting at.” Cane was blunt with it, “I’m here for and with you. I’m not some disloyal cheating ass bitch, like your ghost rider baby father. Let’s get that straight.”

Solay sighed, staring down at the new set on her hand.

Cane gripped Solay’s chin, making her eyes meet his, “I’m not him, So. I’m not gonna do you dirty, I’m only about you.”

And solay held his stare not entirely believing it. She’s been down this road before and it was wrong for her to enter relationships—serious relationships and always compare them to Angel. He hurt her bad time after time and she’ll be a cold hearted bitch if that meant she gets to protect her heart better.

She’ll get rid of anybody that plays with her, just like that.

Cane included.

“Words are just words, Cane. You have to show me.”

Cane gripped onto her waist, holding tighter but still kept some distance just in case she felt like she wanted to throw hands, “I gotchu. I’m yours.”

“You already violated one of the terms and conditions and you have maybe two more left, so think wisely next time.” Solay warned, resting one hand on Cane’s shoulder.

Cane was swift with pulling out his phone, “what? You want me to take that cash back?”

He’ll sign a NDA if she hit him with one, he didn’t want to lose what he had with Solay. She was the only woman that ever made him feel loved but it’s not like he wanted to get too deep about it. Emotions were a lot to feel you know?

Solay shook her head, “no. I know there’s more where that came from, just don’t treat me like I don’t ever know what’s going on.”

“Heard you.” Cane put his phone back as he stepped closer, glancing down at her lips before sliding his hands down to rest on her backside, “can I get to show you just how important you are to me?”

One hand came up to brush her bouncy curl over her shoulder, exposing the length of her neck which he licked his lips at before placing a peck there.

She shoved him back, “not uh, I have some place else to be.”

“Oh it’s like that, so?”

“Yup it’s like that,” she smirked over her shoulder swaying her way to the front door, “don’t wait up for me. Bye!”

Cane shook his head in disbelief and looked around the empty but quiet one-level home, “fuck am I supposed to do, meditate?”

That’s when he phone rang, right on time and he picked it up on the second ring, “Dru, what’s good?”

“Got that info you wanted on Reyes. Want me to send it your way?”

“Nah just tell it to me and meet me over there.”

Cane listened carefully to what Dru told him before hanging up. A smirk was on his lips as he also took his exit from the home.

he was ready for his own fun for the night.

Sorry so.

┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌ ﹋﹋┊˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊·

Continue along with my spring anthology writings here.

*Read part two here!

[cassynite]

Look guys! I can still write!

Done for Owlcatober's prompts 4: Luck and 22: Nobility. Have some very early Sparrow and Daeran interactions :)

--

Sparrow had been very lucky, all things considered. Lucky to have found an artificer who might help with the problem prickling at the base of her neck. Lucky that he was willing to meet with her, to undo a Cheliaxian tracking brand for the right price. Lucky to have survived whatever attack had given her the ever-bleeding wound on her chest, as well as the demonic attack that tore the city in two afterwards.

She's no believer in fate, but luck is chance, a die cast to fall on the six. Though it's random, the patterns in the chaos can be a comfort, even if the comfort is a lie. Sparrow is used to hoarding the moments of good luck she receives, counting them out like coins and budgeting them the same way, stretching out the hope they offer as far as it can go. The string of good events can give her the strength to push on past the bad ones--that she is trapped in a burning city under demonic siege to begin with, that the man who had offered her salvation is very likely dead.

All streaks of luck must come to an end, however, the pattern returning to random chance once more. And Sparrow finds the end of hers in a broken banquet hall, staring at the one man who might destroy the last remnants of her plans to escape with just a few simple words.

In retrospect, Sparrow should have anticipated the complication. When the liveried footman who had begged for the help of her and her companions mentioned the surname "Arendae," Sparrow had recognized it from the snatches of conversation she regularly overheard during her mandatory appearance at Mendevian court functions. Old family, old blood, royally inclined, marked in tragedy.

But the Count Arendae, known for his raucous parties and and his disregard for social norms, lived in Kenabres, and his time in Nerosyan was filled with events Sparrow rarely attended. They'd crossed paths, but briefly, and the incidents were of so little note Sparrow barely remembered them.

However, after the demons are left bleeding on the floor of a party that had been going well into the destruction of the city, the glittering aasimar who had fought instead of cowered steps forward with a cold green gaze that focuses on her immediately out of the group, and Sparrow realizes that she had miscalculated. She might have only barely remembered him, but he somehow remembered her as well, and recognizes who she is.

The count gives an elaborate bow. "Greetings, valiant stranger who has just burst into my life. I am master of this house, Count Daeran Kael 'Myriad-Mellifluous-Monikers' Arendae. No need to introduce yourself--"

I already recall the last time we met in Nerosyan, Lady Evaethi, Sparrow hears, and steps forward before the count can finish his sentence. "I am called Sparrow." The words come out a little too forceful.

The count raises a single golden brow, amused and condescending all at once. "--As I was saying, I find insignificant details such as the names of passing acquaintances a bore." He gives her a mocking smile and says nothing else about the matter, not even as the rest of her companions begin to make comments. It doesn't ease the tension ready to break Sparrow's spine; she's on the knife's edge of this conversation, and the count can turn the blade whenever he likes. He knows it, too, judging by the looks he gives her as he trades insults with Lann about his curtains.

"Now that we're finished with the niceties," the count finally says, "tell me--how did all these thrice-damned demons end up at my soiree?"

There is a pause where someone needs to answer, and doesn't. Sparrow can feel the others' gazes on her, crawling on her skin--she'll never get used to this, the way that the people she fights with cede the space to her to answer the questions, take charge. She never asked for it, did less than nothing to imply she wanted it or was qualified for the role, and yet the righteous paladin, the savvy hunter, the sharp-tongued noble, they all look to her to be their leader.

When she answers, her words are stilted and blunt. "Demons attacked the city. Kenabres is in ruins." There's a murmur of shock, not from the count but from the other party attendants. Sparrow had almost forgotten they were there.

"I wanted to ask if you were joking, but what little expression you have tells me you are not." He turns his attention to the curtains he had just been inviting Lann to blow his nose on, seeing the telltale flicking light of raging fire through the gaps in the velvet.

The conversation turns away from Sparrow, letting her step back as her companions trade verbal blows with the count--Seelah in half-amused disapproval at the count's callous lack of regard for the situation at hand, Camellia making unsubtle hints to the count's terrible childhood losses as if it were ever an appropriate thing to bring up, and Ember successfully disarming the count's barbed tongue if only for a second by her genuine distress at the thought that the count could not have a lamb as a pet.

The entire time, though, she feels the count's attention never truly leave her. Paranoia, perhaps, but he knows, he has to be asking questions about how and why, and even if he isn't questioning her identity now in front of her companions, that doesn't mean he won't. He could just be waiting for the right moment, the perfect time to strike--Sparrow's impression of him in Nerosyan had been vague, but his defining feature had been his propensity for cruelty as entertainment.

She wanted away from the count and his malice as quickly as possible, so she finally gathers the courage to step forward, addressing the room at large. "The Defender's Heart has been fortified under the Eagle Watch. It should be safe."

The other drunken nobles and poor servants at this revel take Sparrow's flat statement as the call to action it's meant to be, gathering in groups and approaching Seelah, who is more than happy to provide help and instructions on safe passages to the tavern. But the count doesn't turn his attention from Sparrow.

"I thank you dearly for the invitation," he gives another mocking bow, "but I am not quite as desperate as I may seem. In fact, I do feel like stretching my legs. I know rudimentary divine spells, I am no friend to demons, and I elevate any society that I deign to grace with my presence. I shall accompany you--only for a short time, of course. I have no desire to remain at the vanguard for a protracted period. What say you, my ephemeral but highly diverting acquaintance? After all, Lord Deskari spoiled my party. I now burn with the desire to spoil his."

Highly diverting acquaintance. He's laughing under the thick coat of false sincerity. She wants to tell him no, but she can't afford to. The city is burning to ash around them, and no matter the count's true intentions, she saw what he did to the demons in that fight. They need all the help they can get.

She gives a small, shallow nod, half-hoping the count doesn't see her acquiesce.

Of course, he does. "Capital. Good acquaintances that begin and end at just the right moment often leave the most pleasant memories, wouldn't you say?"

Sparrow ruminates on his words for a long time after, as they continue to claw their way through the demons in the Market Square and try to collect information and allies for the assault on the Gray Garrison. Did he mean to imply that their 'acquaintanceship' beginning at that moment meant he would not bring up her past? Or was it a veiled threat of some kind, the mention of memories an indication that he remembers her and will bring it up if she crosses him? She wouldn't even need to cross him, really; the count is notorious for destroying livelihoods and reputations out of boredom.

By the time the crew returns to the Defender's Heart for a much-needed rest and restocking, Sparrow decided to confront him about it. She hates the thought of it, but it needs dragged out in the open. Regardless of how it resolves, she will at least know where she stands, what to anticipate from him. She cannot continue with him as an unknown factor.

She finds the count near the sleeping quarters Irabeth insisted Sparrow still use, somehow having managed to snag one of the nicest chairs in the place. He's quiet, watching the survivors trying to create order out of the chaos of their situation: groups of injured and war-shocked civilians resting in clumps across the floor or consulting with a haggard Vissaliy and his assistant; the Eagle Watch and other soldiers discussing plans with shadowed gazes, or bartering with Gemyl for ale to drown the world out with; Irabeth grimly going over the assault plan with Anevia on the other side of the room; the Storyteller, still recovering from his burns, resting nearby; the rest of their companions, talking or preparing or simply sleeping. The count's expression is blank, and Sparrow wonders what he's thinking of, what story he is making out of the disorder.

Then his attention catches on her approach, and his eyes hood in disdain, a familiar mocking smirk spreading across his face. It's strange, the abruptness of it; Sparrow is reminded of a performer stepping out from the shadows into the spotlight of a stage.

"I must commend the crusade's choice on an outpost," he comments as Sparrow nears. "The very sight of these walls brings back such fond memories of drinks and revels."

Sparrow stops, the rehearsed opener she'd planned to drag out his intentions disappearing in an instant. "...I don't believe they had a choice," she says, wrong-footed. "It was the best available option at the time."

"So you plan on migrating all and sundry if a better symbol of shelter comes along then? A nice Iomadean cathedral would do nicely, I imagine. Though if I were a demon I would burn those down first."

Sparrow opens her mouth, then closes it. Finally, she says, "It wouldn't be up to me either way."

"Would it not? I'd taken from this endeavor that you're the banner these stalwart defenders are rallying behind, what with that angelic sword you can pull out. Where does it go, anyway, when you aren't talking down fanatical zealots from murdering supposed traitors?"

Sparrow looks away. She doesn't know--she doesn't know why she's able to wield a sword meant to burn mortals, or where it goes when it's not there other than in reach when she needs it. She doesn't know why the scar on her chest still bleeds, throbbing in pain, or what anyone in this tavern sees in her that makes them think she can appropriately lead anything. It's a yawning chasm of uncertainty she's been doing her best to ignore up until this point. She has no answers and no solutions, so there's no point in tackling it. At least, not until the immediate threat has been taken care of.

If the count expected an actual answer from her, he mercifully doesn't act like it. Resting his cheek in one long-fingered hand, he regards her with a catlike slyness, like he's silently laughing at a joke. "I shall admit, I did not quite expect to see you favor a celestially gifted weapon. Forgive me if I am incorrect in my understanding of your culture, but you prefer more...infernal sources of power, do you not?"

Sparrow lets the barb fly by painlessly; his misplaced insult is as good an opening as any. "About that. I would be grateful if you did not mention my...past...in front of others."

"But my lady, how could I deny a woman of such fine breeding as yourself the respect you deserve?" His smirk grows wider at whatever he sees on Sparrow's face. "To find the mouse of Nerosyan among these ruins was quite the surprise, and with such a different title than before--I would gently suggest changing your name, if you are open to constructive criticism. It's embarrassing to me to think that you picked such a moniker of your own free will."

Sparrow's hands find each other, fingers interlocking tightly together. "I have left that life behind me. What would you want to do the same?"

"Are you trying to bribe me?" The count barks out a delighted laugh. "This is straight out of some paltry penny novel--what are you even planning to offer? Money?" He laughs again, like that's the funniest thing in the world. "Or, what, your virtue or some other such nonsense?"

Sparrow stares until the laughter dies down, the mirth draining from the count's features. Finally, he scoffs and turns away from her silence.

"You really are the most tedious woman alive, aren't you," he mutters. "Let me be blunt: I could not care less what shade of youthful rebellion has led you to renouncing your identity and playacting a pauper. If you wish to be named after a bird, I will not stop you--go forth and chirp as you wish."

"You would swear to that?" Sparrow presses, and immediately regrets it. The emotion that flickers across the count's face is cold and snakelike, and it takes all of Sparrow's willpower not to rear back.

"I would not force some kind of oath from me, if I were you." The count's smile is poisonous. "I would feel the urge to break it out of spite. You will simply have to take my word, as-is, that whatever little mess you are wading through is not consequential enough for me to bother with during the brief acquaintanceship we must endure. Now, do you have anything of actual interest to say, or is this topic finished? I'm sure there are far more entertaining subjects to actually speak of."

At Sparrow's silence, the count continues on, though his gaze remains glass-sharp and watchful. "Perhaps you would like to hear of some of my own youthful exploits then? Those always do well among the highborn sort--not that you'd know anything about that, as I understand it."

When Sparrow finally escapes the conversation some time later, she is certain that Count Daeran Arendae is a cruel, childish, and capricious man, but that he was almost certainly honest when he told her he didn't care about her secrets--he is far too self-absorbed to give a whit about anything that doesn't directly concern him.

It seems that Sparrow's luck has held out after all.

[je-brille-dans-la-nuit]

Watching Star Trek TOS and loving it! Sex pollen!!

The Return of the Archons

Jim Spock shenanigans shenanigans it was ok enough.

Gotta say I'm all for criticism of organized religion

.

Space Seed

So I met Khan (not the Benedict Cumberbatch whitewashed version)! The episode was good, lots of good dialogue, a solid plot and an uncertain ending (kofkof uncertain for them).

The toxic masculinity vibes were off the charts though:

First, I'm not commenting on McGivers instantly falling for the hyper masculine guy, accepting his abusive behaviour and choosing to stay with him; because if I do, I'll get mad. But you know, it's terrible and I hate it.

Then the admiration for Khan, "the best and most dangerous of the tyrants" expressed by Scotty, Bones and Jim. Sigh. Of course it's all three of them, the only one out being Spock ("Illogical"). We're supposed to take away that it's because he doesn't feel the human/manly appeal of courage, ambition, greatness or whatever. Honestly not even IC? (sorry but I don't want to picture Jim and Bones as real life fans of Napoleon lmao they are the worst)

SPOCK: Gentlemen, this romanticism about a ruthless dictator is KIRK: Mister Spock, we humans have a streak of barbarism in us. Appalling, but there, nevertheless. SCOTT: There were no massacres under his rule. SPOCK: And as little freedom. MCCOY: No wars until he was attacked. SPOCK: Gentlemen.

You tell them Spock!

MCCOY: Well, either choke me or cut my throat. Make up your mind.

Instant classic

MCCOY: Well, there aren't any regulations against romance, Jim.

Duly noted!

Jim thinking he and the bridge crew were dying and recommending commendations in his log? Him being in the decompression chamber being murdered? I was on the verge of tears then

jsbfjhe i'm sorry i can't take it seriously this shot is so funny

SPOCK: Surprised to see you Captain, though pleased. JIM: I'm a little pleased myself

they're so dumb (lovingly)

SPOCK: It would be interesting, Captain, to return to that world in a hundred years and to learn what crop has sprung from the seed you planted today. KIRK: Yes, Mister Spock, it would indeed.

.

A Taste of Armageddon

Wow the plot's heavy but powerful. The whole episode is dark but hopeful ending! (plus pissed off Jim is v sexy)

Death, destruction, disease, horror. That's what war is all about, Anan. That's what makes it a thing to be avoided. You've made it neat and painless. So neat and painless, you've had no reason to stop it. And you've had it for five hundred years. 

I've given you back the horrors of war. 

Ending a 500-year war is just one of many things Captain Kirk does!

And of course:

SPOCK: Captain, you almost make me believe in luck. KIRK: Why, Mister Spock, you almost make me believe in miracles.

I love them ._.

.

This Side of Paradise

OMG OMG IT'S HAPPENING THIS IS NOT A DRILL!! SEX POLLEN!!!

The perfect mix of fun and tension in this episode! Loved it!

Jim's confusion at Spock is everything. When he says "Spock" - clears his throat - "Mr Spock"

Jim being his dramaqueen self "In effect, I am marooned here."

Jim's immunity is his sense of duty what a goody two-shoes (affectionate)

The idea that anger/strong emotion is necessary ties up nicely to The Enemy within

Then the scene... You know which one... Did I have to pause because Jim was being so mean to Spock it was a bit much to watch? maybe!!

SPOCK: You did that to me deliberately. KIRK: Believe me, Mister Spock, it was painful in more ways than one.

My heart!

SPOCK: Captain. Striking a fellow officer is a court martial offence. KIRK: Well, if we're both in the Brig, who's going to build the subsonic transmitter? SPOCK: That is quite logical, Captain.

Sooo dumb <3

The scene between Layla and Spock was lovely too!

MCCOY: Well, that's the second time man's been thrown out of paradise. KIRK: No, no, Bones. This time we walked out on our own. Maybe we weren't meant for paradise. Maybe we were meant to fight our way through. Struggle, claw our way up, scratch for every inch of the way. 

This after the reference to Milton two eps ago! Yes! Yes to all of this!!!

[key-to-the-shadow]

Just An Act

Just An Act ~ Eddie Vedder X Fem!Reader

♫ trope: colleagues, tension tension tension, angst

♫ warnings: strong language, alcohol, drugs, angst, use of y/n, predetermined last name (poncier pronounced like pawn-see-a)

♫ words:

♫ a/n: loosely based on the movie 'singles'

Masterlist

----

I wore my loose light-washed jean shorts over thin black stockings that had holes ripped all around them from the last gig we played. We were playing a small set today because there were about ten of the most popular Seattle Grunge bands playing tonight. Each band got four songs.

I pulled my hair up in a messy bun letting small strands of my hair out to frame my face. Having your hair in your face during a gig wasn't fun so I always needed it out of my way.

We were the first band up and I watched as the crowd began to grow.

"Hey, Y/N," Eddie walked up to me. I acknowledged him with a tilt of my head. "You good with this set?" He asked handing me a crumpled sheet of printer paper with messy black ink scrawled onto it.

I looked over the song choices.

We would open with Garden, personally my favorite, then Given to Fly, Why Go, and then finally close with Go.

It was a pretty solid set. "Yeah, this is good."

I've known Eddie for a very long time. We were neighbors as kids and he and my older brother Cliff were best friends. When Cliff and I moved out and into an apartment, Eddie moved into the apartment right next to us.

Eddie used to be the drummer of my brother's band, Citizen Dick, but the band eventually decided to part ways because my brother wanted to work on solo stuff for the moment. We were all still close and still lived next door.

When the band split up, Eddie asked if I wanted to be the second singer for his new band, Pearl Jam. I agreed. I was good at harmonizing and writing lyrics and he was good at creating melodies.

"Well we're up," he says after a few more minutes of warming up. I nodded in agreement as the crowd was practically deadly at this point. People occupied every open space. "Good luck," He says, pressing a hand to the small of my back. A chill crept up my spine at the contact.

I was wearing a short-cropped black wife beater that I has cut myself. His hand was touching my bare back. Skin on skin.

"Thanks, you too," I shot him a smile before we walked on stage. Matt, Stone, and Jeff were already on stage which caused the crowd to already be pumped up.

When they saw Eddie and me, screams erupted from everyone. I didn't like to admit it but when every music magazine says that the two of you are the definition of sex appeal it was hard to ignore that some of the fans in the crowd looked at you and Eddie with lust in their eyes.

There had been many times that rumors had been spread that Eddie and I had been dating or at least hooking up. Pictures had been taken, completely out of context in every way, where Eddie was hugging me around the waist. Granted his hands were a little low and my hands were curled into his hair but it was always in a platonic way. It was right after a concert where I'd completely screwed up multiple songs and I had a panic attack right after the show.

Maybe it didn't help that while we were performing we wrapped arms around each other but I think that's pretty understandable. Again, we have known each other for like twenty years.

The stage smelled like old weed and alcohol but it was something that I'd become accustomed to.

After Eddie introduced us, we kicked off the first song. Garden. I loved the mystery this song brings about. I let Eddie sing the first verse along and I joined in when the chorus hit, letting our voices crescendo which made the crowd scream and pump their hands in the air.

His voice went as deep as it could and I went as high as I comfortably could which made the contrast of our voices reverberate off the walls melodically.

The second and third songs did just as well and then we got to the last song.

We gave the cue to the band that was coming up after us to begin to set up as we started our song.

I would never admit to Eddie how his voice in "Go" makes me feel.

This was another song that I didn't sing until the chorus but it gave me time to appreciate his voice.

While he started singing, I walked to the edge. of the stage, letting eager hands claw at me. I didn't let them touch my legs but I crouched down and let them touch my hand.

A girl who looked as though she was crying with happiness passed me a white tee shirt with our logo printed on it. I took a sharpie out of my back pocket, biting the top of it off before scrawling my name on the cotton, leaving a small heart next to my name.

She screamed in hysterics when I passed it back to her.

"Suppose I abuse you, just passing it on," Eddie sang as he watched me interact with the crowd. I knew that as I crouched, my shorts rode up, showing even more of my legs than they already were. "Go," Eddie screamed with the band. "Fuck." This was just one part of the song that made me cave in on myself. His voice quivered when he sang that one-syllable word. It shouldn't make me think about what it would be like if the rumors were true If Eddie and I were in fact more than just partners.

I stood up, neglecting to adjust my shorts again. I pretended not to notice Eddie's eyes scan me.

I put a slight swing into my hip as I raised the mic. "Please," I sang, dragging out the syllable in a deprived way. "Don't go on me." Careful not to go too far for fear that my brother might be in the crowd somewhere, ready to jump Eddie, I stared up at the curly-haired boy. He took a hand and moved some of his long hair out his face, never missing a beat in the music.

After the guitar solo, Eddie sang a few more words until my next favorite part. I guess he caught on to the desperation that I'd put into my voice, no matter how fake it was.

"Please, please please," He sounded like he was practically begging at this point as he stepped closer to me. There was a thin line that we had always drawn in the sand and we both knew not to cross it. Eddie was getting dangerously close to that line.

It was just an act.

The rest of the song should have just been Eddie singing "Don't go on me" for the next couple of measures with me singing "Please" in the empty spaces.

That was until he decided to change up the lyrics.

"Don't go on me," He sang with a rasp in his voice. He took another step closer. Just an act.

"Please," I followed his lead but my heart fell when he placed a callosed hand in the space between my neck and shoulder. His fingers played with the small strands of hair that had fallen out of my bun.

"Don't you want me?" I opened my mouth, ready to sing my line again but I faltered. His blue eyes were boring into mine. Seriousness was written on his face.

He crossed the line.

It was no longer just an act.

He's changed the lyrics, insinuating that there is something unspoken between us. And the crowd believed it now. If the news articles didn't convince them, then something like this at a live show would.

Anger bubbled in my throat. I counted the seconds until the song was over for when I could grab Eddie and drag him off that stage.

When the guitars finally faded, the crowd erupted in cheers. I gave Eddie the moment to thank the crowd for coming and told them to make some noise for Alice in Chains.

I grabbed his wrist and yanked him as hard as I could. He stumbled as he followed me.

"Y/N what are you doing?" He asked but I didn't respond.

We walked until we heard the guitar and drums of Alice in Chains pick up with their song It Aint Like That.

I pulled him into a corner where there was no one around. The only sound was the distant beat of the music.

"What the hell was that?" I spat, pushing him back with the palms of my hands. His reaction made me angrier.

He let out a soft laugh. "You're making that face."

I scoffed before pulling in a sharp breath. "What face?" I seethed.

"That one you make when you're caught liking something you shouldn't."

"I don't make a face."

"You're doing it right now," He says, drawing a circle around my face with his finger. "The one where your mouth is slightly open and before you say anything you have to scoff or roll your eyes or something."

My face heats up as I shut my mouth, realizing that it was open at that moment.

"Well you're wrong," I counter. "I didn't like it. Would you have done it if Cliff were here?"

At the mention of my brother his face shifts. "Probably not but he's not-"

"No, he's not here. But you know who is? Our fans. News reporters. Photographers. They all post things that Cliff will see!"

"And what if he does?"

"Are you fucking serious? We both know Cliff would fucking kill us."

He shrugs, making a dramatic roll with his head. "And who cares?"

"You don't care what my brother thinks?" I cross my arms, leaning into my hip.

"No," He responds blankly. "I care what you think. What did you think, Y/N?" He steps forward.

I let out a snippy laugh. "I think you're a massive dick."

A smile curves the corner of his lips. His hand comes towards my face and his thumb pushes the bottom of my chin until my mouth closes again. I thank the dim lighting and black walls that conceal how bright my face is.

His hand doesn't leave my face. His fingers just move behind my neck like they did on stage. The very notion that pissed me off beyond belief.

"Cliff doesn't have to know."

The closer he gets to me, the more his fingers burn at my neck. He towers over me, his brown hair falling into his face as he scans my eyes for any hint of emotion.

I don't know what I feel.

Don't you want me?

The question he indirectly asked repeated in my head as he stared at me. I hadn't even realized that my back was now up against a wall and that his free hand was resting lazily on my waist.

"If Cliff finds out..." My voice trailed off as his grip on me tightened.

"Hmm?" He questioned softly.

I met his eyes and a confident surge forced me to flicker my glance to his lips. He took it as permission to close the seemingly neverending space between us. His rough lips found mine and I was sure I would've collapsed if he wasn't holding me up. I breathed heavily against him as his lips trailed to my neck.

"Fuck," I closed my eyes as he left a bruise on my neck. The vibration of the noises he made against my skin made me want to cry.

"Y/N? Ed?" A familiar voice of our drummer, Matt, was heard around the corner. I pushed Eddie off of me but it was too late. Matt saw. "Holy shit," He laughed. "I fucking knew it."

"You don't tell Cliff, understood?" I said with the strongest voice I could muster. He threw his arms up in defense.

"Got it, boss." He turned on his heels and he left the way he came.

I rubbed my eyes with my palms in embarrassment.

"Here," Eddie shrugged off his flannel and passed it to me. "Might want to cover that up," He nodded towards the bruise on my neck.

"Fucking hilarious, Vedder." I snatched it and flung it around my shoulders.

"I'll drive you home, come on." I followed the boy out the back doors of the bar to the apartment building.

[rion-writes]

Real Wizard Shit (Part 1)

He kept going, but I couldn’t help feeling like something about the fans didn’t match up with the story. [ Dead Man in a Ditch, Chapter 62]

Happy Server-Versary Sunder City! Have a (mostly) articulate lay out of my breakdown of Wizards and their place in The Code

It would be real easy and entirely too convenient for Fetch to be right about everything. It would also be slightly naive to think that any party presenting information has a full understanding of the situations and that they were not lying.

On the surface level we're shown and told that there has also been some tension between Magum and Humans and yadda yadda yadda the Code happens…

…and blame rests entirely on the Human Army.

The Human Army sent their machines into the mountain but when they tried to harness the power of the river, something far more terrible happened. The shimmering river of magic turned from mist to solid crystal. It froze. The heart of the world stopped beating and every magical creature felt the change. [ Last Smile, Chapter 1]

The mechanical fans had been replaced long ago by magical technology. By the time the Coda happened, the lamps, factories, and the whole damn city was plugged into portals, not pipes. When the river froze and the Wizards lost their power, the channels closed up and the flames were trapped below.[ Dead Man, Chapter 63]

Seven years ago, when the Human Army pierced the surface of the sacred river with their machines, the soul of the planet responded by turning into crystal. [ One Foot, Chapter 52]

It's presented as such a concrete fact that these and other iterations of it appear in all the books and in multiple contexts. I'd we're validating the fact that the Human Army cause the River to freeze why do we ignore that, canonically, we have the confirmation that Wizards were mucking around too?

Fact is we(and Fetch) don't know exactly what happened at the river but there's more than a passing chance that are some shenanigans going around and every step of the way the reader is sort of validated to think about how exactly Wizard Magic works.

In Fetch's Flashback in Last Smile in Sunder City I've pulled some of the relevant quotes (Chapter 24). Bold emphasis mine.

Wizards do not create magic from their fingertips. They transport it. There is a commonly held belief among the Magum that pockets of pure magic – a “river” of magic, to some, exist deep inside the planet. The Wizards, somehow, are able to teleport pieces of that magic up to the surface. Different spells pull their power from different pockets, or so the story goes.

Instead of summoning energy from the source of power to a Wizard’s hands, this is a Wizard sending magic from the source out to a specific location.

But rather than bring the power from the source to their fingertips, they stand at the source and use the portal to push the magic somewhere else. This, I think you will all agree, is a far more likely explanation.

The only conclusion I can come to is that the Magum are working from this place, this gash in the earth, and they are using its power to destroy our cities without consequence.

His guilty hindsight is giving the context that Fetch was tricked and manipulated into reveling where he knows The Great River can be accessed. Our problem as reader is that the Human Army was partially right.

Were Wizards going wild and attacking human cites left and right? Probably not. The issue is that they might have been doing more with the Great River than s implying pulling magic from it via portals. We're told from other magical citizens int he know, "Using the four fingers to create specific, intricate patterns, we could open tiny portals from which pure magic would emerge." [Last Smile, Chapter 2] ; "Well, Wizards were able to summon energy from some far-off place to the space between their hands. But only for a moment."[Dead Man, Chapter 29].

Then we have the matter that if we're being told in each book that the Human Army froze the river, in every book we have more or less have admissions that Wizards were doing something as well- and that The Opus might have known. It could be very easy to play off the con run on Fetch by the Human Army was a one off.

Except in Dead Man in a Ditch there is a letter completely unprompted from anyone on the Human side of things to Lance Niles from Hendricks:

Mr Niles,

I have been informed of your plans for Sunder City and humbly offer my services. In the days since the Coda, I have spent every waking moment researching ways to not only return this world to its former glory, but to go beyond what was possible in the magical age. I am delighted to hear of another like-minded entrepreneur and believe that you and I should meet in person at your earliest convenience.

To whet your appetite, I will tell you that I have spent the last year traveling to the Keats University on Mizunrum and I have information regarding the Wizards there that I am sure you would find most interesting.

Congratulations on all your recent successes and I look forward to our meeting.

Your Friend,

Mr Deamar

Would the High Chancellor Hendricks not know that Wizards were experimenting on the Great River? Fetch and the us are brought to one of the entry points to the Great River in One Foot in the Fade and we're treated to the fact that yes, The Great River is frozen and that yes, Wizards are actively mining it. He even observes the following in Chapter 52,

But now a quarry had been dug into the river’s surface. Now there were chunks of the divine being dragged away in mine carts. If all it took was a single intrusion into the river to stop it flowing, then how could it restart after an assault like this? […]This pit must have been made back before the Coda – just the kind of thing a kingdom of power-hungry Wizards might create if they wanted to increase their connection to the source of all magic – and that meant that it was all ready to be exploited once the river froze up.

Which jives with both the Human Army's assessment and how Wizard magic was known to operate by people that were not laymen to Magic. Prior to the Human Army invading the mountain, Wizards were experimenting on The River and its not just conjecture. Keats, the University that Wizards learned at, had also been mentioned in each of the three books was visited by Linda. She filled in some of the gaps that Fetch wasn't aware of,

When I told them about the Unicorn horn – and the fact that pieces of pure magic could be weaponized – the Wizards I was working with soon turned their minds to Incava. They knew of the chasm that had been created here. How the Wizards here had spent years digging down into the rock, hoping to draw their magic directly from below to make their spells more powerful than ever before. It was a secret endeavor, rarely spoken of outside those in the castle.” [ One Foot, Chapter 52]

There is no one in canon that has actually described how the Human Army froze the Great River. We've had multiple characters forthrightly admit that Wizards were experimenting on it. We have taken it entirely for granted that Humans are the ones that actually cause the Coda and until we find out that "how" we should probably keep an open mind on it.

[enchanted1waters]

{Dancing on blades }

Ellie williams enemies to lovers x f!reader

Warnings: smut in the next chapter 👀, gotta build up that tension fr. VIOLENCE. minorsdn! GORE.

Idfk how many words <3 enjoy

Fog and storm clouds slowly crept in as the sun began to set, leaving only a sliver of light to cascade over and through the leaves of the tall trees and vines. I slowly crept through the brush, spacing out the entire time we walked. I was an offensive general mainly, I owned two katanas. Certified in aim and precision in my blade work. Not a single soldier has had a chance up against my rage. My sister was recently killed, 1 month, 2 weeks, and 1 day. She was my other half, the only symbol of life worth living since our parents passed. Until I heard a twig snap in the tall grass.

Up until this catastrophe of a meet cute, I was a part of a group called the shadow stalkers, now before you go saying oh my god, why the hell would you guys name yourself out of the most creepy creature- well to start off my rant, ehm I DONT FUCKING KNOW ASK THE GODDAMN LEADER, HELAGIN. MAYBE BECAUSE WE'RE HUGE ON STEALTH? WE LITERALLY AREN'T HEARD OF UNTIL WERE SLITTING YOUR THROATS IN YOUR SLEEP? Sorry, I quite hate that question. It's a very frequent question for newcomers. Even the idiotic newbies they continue to put on my assigned missions.

Carrying on my ignorant group I was assigned to consists of 3 poorly trained men, all which I hate expect one. The rest contains 2 women who are pretty educated just not physically. The qualified being posted at base considering the current outbreak of violence following my sisters death. All of these people quite literally never stop talking, hence me not hearing their signaling in my ear piece. Ya see I sent myself off to take my total happy ass up to find a place for my quadrant to sleep tonight, secure it and radio it in to the team. One that was being led by sergeant l Adams, a white, blonde, blue eyed, 5'10 on a good day man. "Better get a move on, General Vilaria." His egotistical voice boomed in my ear piece as I walked up the street scouting. "Watch it Malibu Ken, wouldn't want you to hurt your plastic voice box running your mouth." I retorted back in a mocking matter, causing a lot of them to respond with giggles and chuckles over the line. Which led me to switch it off.

So I then took my sweet time. Walking up to the Seattle hotel, and walking right in, my eyes caught a glimpse of the chandelier. Gears turning in my head, took only two minutes for me to block the entrance, set the traps by the hallways and aim for the chain holding up the gigantic crystal light fixture. My finger squeezing the trigger followed by the bone rattling sound as the masterpiece shattered, alarming everything in the building to come flooding towards me. About 4 or 5 runners instantly blown up on the traps, one clicker left crawling it's way towards me only to then be fed my blade down it's throat.

Hotel cleared, secured, now to scavange, but first I needed to turn my ear piece on to radio in. Then a very strange noise filled my ear as I flipped it on, static. Nothing, this wasn't new. This happened sometimes if our directed quad was out of range, nothing a few flights of stairs and finding a lookout point wouldnt solve. I quickly found a ledge to search from. I saw officers 16, 23, 72, 54, and.....9 was no where to be seen. My eyes showered intensely over the valley attempting to find the number 9 desperately. That's when I saw leaves moving. Yet I couldn't make out what was causing this, so I pulled out my sniper rifle off of my strap back. Focusing in, my eyes sadly didn't find 9 getting up but instead sliced by the neck in one swift motion by a figure. A gasp fell from my mouth, not from horror and the desensitized gore but the sudden attack and not being able to radio it in.

Not wanting to let the intruder know of my awareness, I threw a rock towards a van next to officer 56, Adams. He quickly jumped back, following my line of sight, to which I subtly coaxed my forced companion towards the figures whereabouts. The blonde boy instead just swatted his hand and turned back around. I swore at least 50 times. Looking through my scope in frustration, I hit my knee once more. Fuck, he isn't gonna listen and get the rest of them killed. As I moved my scope slightly over the horizon, I was met with reality hit straight to my face, seeing as all 4 remaining quadrant officers were already face down or slit open. When I attempted to relocate Sergeant Adams, the figure had him in a chokehold. Then only was my vision met with brown, cold, hard eyes.

Fuck.

I had been alone plenty of times, but knowing I had now made eye contact with the successor of the fallen teammates. That sent chills on my fight or flight instincts.

That's when my senses rang a sound from the bottom of the building. Heavy footsteps. My adrenaline suddenly coursing through my veins. As I counted the footsteps and voices. I felt the strategy in the air, quickly throwing my past objective out of the window. I found myself listening for the door to click, and it did.

"You sure it was a girl? We had a male kill 12 of our soldiers." The man's voice grumbled through the air. "Yes. Nora reported a brunette with short hair. Girl that was with the bastard Abby bashed in." My heart pounded, hands starting to slip from my hiding place. That's when I heard the floor creak as the man entered the bathroom. "I can still hear her begging Abby to stop, boo FUCKING hoo." His laugh rang like poison in my lungs. The taste sour on my tongue. The millisecond he stepped beneath me, I let go of the ceiling's inner walls. In the brief falling action, I felt free, yet so spiteful. Every tear spilling into this moment fed a booming monster of grief. Leading to taking to it out on every goddamn being that stands in my waym

As I made contact with the muscular man Imediately began to claw at his eyeballs, causing him to send me flying back sandwiched between his back and a tile wall. My ears ringing at the crunch of tile and a rib of mine. The squash of his eye as my left hand finally dug it's burrow, I seized his moment of agony to grab my dagger attached to my belt. Swinging my right arm across his entire neck, yet just before pulling back I was cut off by a loud. "WAIT!" a woman, finding herself walking in on an intense battle, pointing a gun at me. "Don't you dare you little bitch", she says. My eyes met hers; in moments like these I experience dissociation. Yet for viewer experience, here I was eyes blown wide with blood lust, blood gushing down my hand, as I held a blade to a man's jugular, spitting the words, "or what." This version never met my sister except once. Once when we were still on the ranch. I still remember the fear in her eyes and she pulled my relentless 13 year old self off of the coward of a man. Snapped out of a trance as my eyes met hers. My soft skin now tarnished with blood stains. Yet Kai held me so gently. As if I would break if she held me a smidge firmer. "It's okay, little butterfly. He's not gonna hurt us anymore. We're safe. I promise."

Snapped back to reality, I flung my left hand from his eye and straight to his hand limply holding a smg to which I stocked the woman fill with many bullets. The man screamed In despair, but the butterfly that once would hold this man through his heart break now kicked him over, tied him to a chair, and leaned on the counter. "Tell me where the fuck Abby is." His lip quivered. He shook his head slightly, "don't play dumb, I see your wlf intials." I said firmly crossing my arms. "Why I do such a thing when you spend an entire clip on my WIFE." He called out with tears running out of his wounds. "It was half, ass hat. And you're lucky I made it quick. What did you say?" I lightly tapped my chin, "ah, yes boo. Fucking. Hoo." This sentence brought the grown man to a Hollar as he scream cried. I walked over to him putting a knife into his mouth in between sobs, lightly wedging between teeth. "You tell me now, and I'll kill ya fast. Resist and I'll take each accessory out one by one like a mother FUCKING Polly pocket." My eyes burned into his, a silent promise of my words. Tears streaming down out of his eyes, my gaze adverted, "that's actually disgusting. It's a shame your eyes aren't as sealed as your lips. Maybe if we take them too, hmm? Replace them to take duty as your eyelids?" I say with a growing smile. He quickly shakes his head avoiding puncturing his mouth with the blade.

Ten seconds later, his words are on a sheet of paper and someone's bursting through the door. My instincts spring into action, my boot positioning the still screaming man in front of me as a shield as I throw the dagger towards the figure, landing in the doorframe, cutting a piece of auburn ish hair. Taking my spare knife out to play, I stab the man in the head as the figure ducks behind a couch.

"I'm so sick of people crashing my shit, fuck off would you? Especially if you're with the wlf, then I'm gonna slaughter EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU" I say throwing a bottle of liquor onto the couch and throwing my lighter towards it. "I HATE THEM- SHIT , ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?" a raspy feminine voice booms from behind the flames. My mind blinks for a second at the fact she isn't one of them.

I'm halfway across the living room running for my blade in the frame, before im tackled to the floor. The impact causes my head to go a little fuzzy, the weight on top of mine, the heat all kick starting a part of me which is completely irrelevant in my current situation. "Halfway there sweetheart." I reply causing the auburnish brunette's kinda beautiful eyes to go wide eyed as we make eye contact, and a little flushed at my use of words. Allowing me to pin her legs against each other, flipping her over. She attempts to sit up, to which I use brute force to slam her back into the hardwood. "Sit. Good girl." I say with a slick smile as I reach for the blade she grabs my hand and pulls it the complete opposite direction. Hurdling me against another wall, slamming me against it.

Her vieny, calloused, tattooed hand wrapping around my throat as I look seriously finally into her eyes. Both now firm and cold. "If you aren't Wlf, who the fuck are you." She says. My eyes try to stay focused on her eyes, yet my gaze slips to her freckles. All spread out waiting to be counted and kis- "fuck you, and FUCK this." I said kneeing her in the stomach and elbowing her back as I grabbed the dagger out of the door frame. Quickly grabbing my strapped bag with all of the weapons and supplies. My cold walls starts to close again, as I'm outback into survival mode once again.

As I take one last look at the figure on the ground gasping for air, pointing my knife I promise her if she follows me. She won't be able to see which limb will be cut off next.

^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^

Many days fly by, every night that passes. I lay strapped to a tree limb up high, forced to look at the stars. Every constellation reminding me of the threatening girl I had met and her freckles. I curse myself out of the intrusiveness. Drifting off to sleep once again after looking over my route to the target of my grief. That is until I'm awoken.

The sounds barreling through the corridors, tripping over each other , limbs flying, spores airborne. I look down the street a couple hundred yards to see a total of three people, running, struggling to get a break from the hoard. I try to shift and ignore the sound. But the thought and sounds continue to eat away at my chest.

Cursing myself to hell I hurdle my way towards the warfare. Climbing up a fire escape and through the old ladder bridge I had set a couple days ago, I made it to the church bell, where I had tied a rock to the pendulum in the middle. Grabbing it I swung it causing a distraction long enough for me to get down to the three blind mice. Following closely behind as two of them started to notice why their luck had changed. As one of the girls, a new one with a darker skin tone and pretty dark eyes smiled gently at me as if I was a saint. I felt guilty twang in my chest for I was not worthy of such kindness with the amount of blood I've spilt.

Directing them to a daycare I had found on a supply run, me and a taller handsome man slammed the door shut behind us. "Hurry- shit. Get that desk!" I said in a struggle towards the woman who wouldn't stay off of my mind. She easily pushed it towards me with a few grunts. After a few objects stacked on top of each other, I noticed the windows just a clicker busted through. Throwing its limbs around sporadically at the nice woman I had just met. Before it could lay a hand on her as she backed away, I stabbed right through its skull with my katana.

"Jesus, you KABOBBED that thing. Thank you." The pony tailed woman smiled and laughed, laying a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I nodded in acknowledgement as I looked over at the other twin "help me, hammer up some boards. Now." I cocked my head towards the play pins we would later use as security on this task.

As I hung the wood, secured the strength, and calmed my breathing. Not a single thought didn't include the stupid attractive woman. I'm so fucked.

[messiambrandybuck]

Wait whatttttt did you have shitty roommates for a while before you got your own apartment? I never heard this!

Okay so!

In late August of 2022 (around the 28th) I moved into a house with my partner, where we were going to rent a room and live with 3 other people, including the land lady. (my housemates had a pitbull/catahoula mix, a chocolate lab, a cat named Aggie, a foster named Max, and then a wolfdog hybrid. Our landlady has three cats). Bonus points for the landlady being a hoarder but the sweetest woman on the planet. But definitely a hoarder.

Towards october-ish, one of my housemates and I talked about how Aggie had bonded with me, and decided to officially pass over the ownership so he was my cat. (He's going to be a year old in june <3). In November, I experienced a traumatic experience with a now ex-partner that has forever since changed my perception of that living space, and the people within it (to no fault of their own).

I can't remember when exactly, but near the end of the year/start of 2023, there was a "domestic" dispute. While my partner was at work, my housemates fought verbally, and then their alters fought physically. And then I was dragged into the middle of it physically/emotionally/you name it. I suffered. Many a ptsd attack, and I was genuinely afraid for the safety of everyone involved.

I had started bringing up apartments I thought were nice and affordable for about a month prior, but that entire shitshow, and the tension that followed after, motivated my partner to find us our own living space. There was also just a lot of toxicity flowing off of one of the housemates, and despite being friends with him it really killed my mental health to hear him shit-talking my partner, even after I would ask him not to. One of those types that confuse being an asshole to being blunt, and since he's autistic he feels validated in being blunt (which he is! but. yknow. he's usually not just being blunt.)

Mid-February of this year, my partner went to Italy with their family while I stayed at their mothers house (neither of us wanted to risk me being alone for another fight), and it was the best week I'd had in a long time, motivation wise. It was the moment I realized that the living space I was in was my problem. All the negativity and uncleanliness put me in the worst depression of my life.

On March 17th, we started the move into the apartment we're currently in! Our landlady tried to claim we had to pay 1,000USD for window damage, because the house was old and if you opened one of the windows it wouldn't shut. My partner tried to explain that it was wear and tear (since we didn't cause the window to stop working), and that made the Toxic Housemate super pissed, and he took it out on me. (using my anxiety against me, because he loves using past trauma as a fighting tactic. swell guy. /s) The landlady refused to let us grab the rest of our stuff until we paid, but my partner's father just fixed the window and we were able to get the rest of our stuff out.

Anyways uh. Yeah! That's a semi-detailed, pretty thorough timeline of the Big Events that happened in that household. Loved the dogs, loved one of the housemates like a brother, but it was an entire shitshow lmfao.

[survivors-of-barovia]

12 and 14!

Ok, we've been discussing how we're gonna go about answering since there's a whole group of us and decided everyone who's online and willing just goes ahead and answears and we'll mark who said what.

So this is from Nui (Edena):

12. Lady Arisa died twice so far, but got revived both times, so she's still alive and kicking. And among NPCs, we kinda mourn several of our baddies we had to kill ourselves... rip Abbot and Sasha, you had very tragic deaths

14. TOO MANY favourite memories to pick! I loved our Ravenloft heists (aka the Tome of Strahd Heist & the Dragon Skull Heist), especially the first one. So much fun planning and doing it. Among the older ones, the vampire attack on the church: first time our game got REAL dramatic! Oh, and our first fight against Strahd, the one where he got trampled by horses and we had to play tug of war with Lady Arisa's corpse (ouch)

From Madonna from Space (Paelias):

12. For me personally, the saddest deaths were in Krezk. First, we have the Abbot - the group made 100 000 plans to save him, but the dude was too corrupted and too far gone, sadly, so we didn't see any other way. Long live the Abbot! (He was reborn as a celestial baby thanks to some meddling of the Seeker goddess so all is well). I also really mourn the deaths of Anna and Dimitry Krezkov because we intervened too late and they were already killed by an oblex. Especially Dimitry! Edena pressed to attack sooner but we were too hesistant :/  RIP Dimitry. OH also I remember the most memorable death - Oleg, the local herbalist from Krezk, threw a homemade molotov coctail in Rahadin's face and was promptly killed. But what a way to go! 14. SO MANY AWESOME MEMORIES! Honestly, one of my favorite ones was our cozy Christmas where our characters made a festival and invited everyone to pariticipate. It was incredibly heart warming and gave all of us some real Christmas miracle feels ❤️ Also, the fight against the Abbot with three characters attacking him mid flight and a real chance for one of them to fall down brutally... I also really loved our first fight with Strahd and our Yester Hill battle that was a huge success. And there are SO many personal PC moments that are my favorite ones, hah! But those mentioned above are my favorite with the group together ❤️

From Sonntam (Lady Arisa):

14. I really loved our time in Vallaki. It was a really tense experience with a lot of highlights: church massacre, Ireena being kidnapped, Rictavio leaving us behind right before we decided to speak to him frankly, Vincent's brother Izek getting his arm cut off and joining our group... It was a non-stop thrill ride where we seriously feared for our lives and every session was full of tension. Good times!

[zoeykallus]

Crosshair – My Beloved Enemy 14 – The Justifier

Crosshair x Female!Reader (FF)

Warning: Angst/Tension

_____

Author's Comment: Justifier, heard that name before? Yes? Well I guess in this case you'll know, shit's about to get real. _____

What Happened Before:

Part 1 - Crash Landing

Part 2 - Hot And Cold

Part 3 - Hello Kitten

Part 4 - Look Who’s Back

Part 5 - Rebel Darling

Part 6 - Burning Anger

Part 7 - Love And Pain

Part 8 - A Difficult Reunion

Part 9 - The Bitter Taste Of Blood And Failure

Part 10 - Where The Dead Ships Dwell

Part 11 - A Lonely Firefly In Space

Part 12 - Broken Wings

Part 13 - A Helping Hand

Part 14 - The Justifier

Crosshair jumped up from his chair.

"What are you talking about?"

"We were sabotaged, our accident was not actually an accident. A precisely placed explosive charge separated the ships in hyperspace. That we survived was pure luck and presumably not planned that way by the saboteur," Tech explained seriously.

Crosshair's gaze shot to you in the bacta tank, as if he suddenly was scared you could get hurt if he didn't keep an eyes on you, while you were sleeping in the Bacta tank.

"Do you have any idea who might have done this?" he finally asked.

Tech replied in the negative, "No, I'm afraid not, we need to be on the lookout either way".

Crosshair began pacing up and down the room, arms crossed in front of his chest. He didn't like the look of that. He wondered if the attack was on his brothers and him in general, or maybe just him. He hadn't exactly made friends during his time with the Empire.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Tech observantly.

Crosshair sighed, "Whether it might be my fault, whether I was the target."

Tech shrugged and said, "If it really was just you who was the target, the explosive charge was a pretty elaborate way to do it. That someone has accepted the death of all of us, including Y/N"

"So you think it's unlikely?" the Sniper probed, stopping to look at his brother.

Tech shook his head, "That's not what I meant, I just meant to point out that in this case someone particularly ruthless is after you if collateral damage of this magnitude was taken into account."

With a curse, Crosshair began pacing again.

"Where is Echo? He shouldn't be left alone right now"

"He'll be here as soon as he sends a message to Hunter" Tech clarified to his brother.

Tech watched Crosshair's movements the expression on his face and recognized the worry in it, the guilt.

"It's far from certain that whoever did this was after you. That being said, we're all still alive. There's no point in feeling bad about it," he noted, "We should focus on not being surprised like this again."

Crosshair looked at him in wonder, but then nodded.

"You're right, of course, as is often the case" the Sniper admitted "Do you think we can trust Calrissian? Maybe we can ask him for help again?"

Tech shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. So far he's been very helpful, but I'm not sure he'd get involved in something like this"

" Are people talking about me here?"

Crosshair and Tech turned to see Lando enter the infirmary. He was smiling as he almost always did, something that made Crosshair kind of nervous in this guy. He always seemed like he was hiding something.

"More or less," Crosshair admitted.

Lando stepped further into the room and asked, "May I ask what this is about exactly?"

Tech and Crosshair exchanged a look. Basically, they both knew they'd better wait for Hunter and the others, but Crosshair, Tech and Echo were alone with you and probably too easy a target.

Echo appeared behind Lando and stepped past him into the room, stepping up to the bacta tank and casting a worried glance inside where you slumbered unsuspectingly to recover from your injuries.

"I sent the message to Hunter, but as expected I haven't gotten a response yet, they're probably still out of range," Echo explained, finally standing with his brothers.

"So?" asked Lando.

"Our hyperspace accident wasn't one, we found explosives on the Marauder. The blast separated our two ships in hyperspace," Tech explained.

"Sabotage, then? You sure pissed somebody off," Calrissian speculated.

"Probably," Crosshair replied.

Echo looked from one to the other, frowning, but said nothing for the moment.

"But I thought you guys were talking about me. What exactly does that have to do with me?", Lando inquired.

Crosshair glanced over his shoulder at the bacta tank. He was concerned, right now you were especially vulnerable and helpless.

"Right now, we're separated, not at full strength, so we may be an easier target," Tech began.

Crosshair continued, "I know you' ve already done a lot more for us than we would have hoped, but we were still hoping to ask for one more favor."

Lando looked from one to the other and smiled again.

"You are practically at my home, you are safe here. If you want, I'll have guards posted at your ships and here at the infirmary, for security," he suggested.

Crosshair nodded.

"That would be very welcome. Especially here at sickbay, since our friend is pretty helpless right now."

Lando nodded.

"Alright, I'll get right on it and make the necessary arrangements."

When Calrissian left the room, Tech finally asked what had been on his mind all along, "How's Y/N doing?"

Crosshair shrugged his shoulders uncertainly and replied, "Not sure, her vitals are stable throughout and I think the bacta is doing the rest, but she still has to stay in for almost 48 hours. So we can't leave here for now. I don't plan on getting her back out there in pain and dragging her somewhere. We don't know where we're safest anyway."

Tech nodded in agreement.

" I agree with you on that. Right now our options are still best here, assuming Calrissian keeps his word and doesn't stab us in the back"

Echo who had been silent all this time said, "I can understand why you did that, but I'm pretty sure we should have waited for Hunter before bringing in any strangers, no matter how helpful they may seem."

Crosshair spread his arms and approached Echo with a tight-lipped expression, "Then give me a better idea of how we can keep ourselves and Y/N safe for now? Any ideas?"

Echo sighed and said quietly, "Brother I am not your enemy. I probably would have made the same decision if I were you. I'm just saying Hunter will see it differently."

Crosshair lowered his arms again and sighed. He felt on the edge. That he didn't know who had perpetrated the attack was on his mind. But he certainly wasn't the only one.

Lando had just dispatched some of his guards to protect the Firefly and the Marauder, as well as the sickbay, when one of his subordinates approached him.

"Sir, there's a ship landed on deck 4, the identifier doesn't belong to any of our ships or any scheduled arrival today. Should I send some men to intercept the new arrival?"

Lando frowned critically, this felt strange and he had a feeling this couldn't be a coincidence.

"What's the name of the ship?" he wanted to know.

"Justifier, Sir"

"Justifier," Lando repeated the name, somewhere he had heard this name before, at least it sounded strangely familiar.

For the life of him he couldn't remember where he had heard that name before.

"What kind of ship is it?

"Seems to be a transporter with armament".

Lando gritted his teeth, "Transporters with armament are usually rebels or bounty hunters. Let's hope it's the first one".

Finally he nodded.

"Send a squad to intercept the new guests".

The man did as he was told then said, "When I asked for an identification, there was no response. It just landed, as if it knew we wouldn't shoot it down."

That didn't sound good, not good at all. Lando suspected that this newcomer had something to do with the attack on his current guests. He had only wanted to help and was now caught in the middle. The guys and the girl seemed like they' d be fine, he didn' t regret helping, but he didn' t really feel like getting into trouble either.

"Are the men at the landing platform yet?"

"They should be, yes. Should I contact them?"

Lando nodded.

"Yes, contact the men, I want to know who landed there".

When his subordinate could not make contact even with repeated attempts, Lando knew the matter was serious.

"Sound the alarm. Tell people to stay in their hotel rooms and apartments. Put all available guards on patrol, and send a few extra men to the infirmary," he murmured, making his own way there.

Crosshair jumped up from his chair when the alarm sounded, along with an announcement that all residents and guests should remain in their rooms and apartments. The announcement repeated three or four times, then only the alarm blared.

Echo, Tech and Crosshair looked at each other.

"Sounds like trouble," Echo muttered.

Tech nodded silently.

Crosshair cursed, his weapons were in the Marauder, they were all unarmed because Lando had insisted they not carry weapons on Bespin. He looked around the room in search of something he could use as a weapon in an emergency. But in this sterile room, no paraphernalia lay open.

"Please stay calm, I'm sure the problem will be fixed soon," the medical droid suddenly said in the background.

"Do you know what's going on here?", Echo asked the machine.

The droid nodded, "Indeed, all the droids located on Bespin are interconnected, that includes security cameras, service droids, protocol dorids-"

"Yes, yes I see what you're getting at," Crosshair interrupted impatiently "What's going on?"

"I'm not authorized-"

Crosshair was about to grab the droid when the door behind them opened and Lando followed by a couple of his guards entered the room.

"We've got trouble," he said seriously this time not his usual smile on his lips.

@twinkofthedink

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[dawn-petrichor-world]

Uncanny Klingon

Summary: Dr. McCoy and you have to work side by side, even if for Starfleet you are qualified as the enemy.

A/N: Inspiration from: "Star Trek: Discovery" relation between Michael Burnham and Ash Tyler.

+1.6k words not proofread.

Warning: blood and violence.

We used to be unlaw and outcast because the leaders banished us, but a few months ago they put contracts on our heads, and today we've been attacked.

The controller was very damaged, the thrusters have been touched, and many rooms have no more oxygen leading the crew to two rooms. It's been hours since the attack, the vessel was hidden and anchored on a boulder floating in a meteorite belt, secure for now we're hoping even none of us know what to do or how to deal with all these messes.

There was tension between us to get the help that could risk our lives because enemies could find us and no doubt they'd love to finish the job but we have to do something. Staying here wasn't safe for us.

Then we vote unanimously to send the distress call, it took some minutes for a voice male somewhere in space to hail us and after pressing a button he appears on the screen.

He has short perfect hair, blue eyes and marvellous luscious lips, with a pin that reminds me of something on his yellow shirt but I was too slow to remember that he presents himself as Captain Kirk of the Enterprise.

At these words, it was like someone kicked in an anthill, everyone run all over the place and start to panic. A part of the crew was suggesting to flee, practically the same who didn't want to send an SOS call and other was suggesting to attack before them but I've been gripped by the shoulders, pushed in front of the screen by one of my coworkers who yelled to reclaim silence and required me to answer and lie if I wanted us to survive. Once ready, I pressed the button.

"Hi! Um...We have some minor issues here. We just need someone to explain how to fix our thrusters and the life support system. And we'll be grateful if you can send us some food, water, and medical supplies." I spoke.

"Hello! I'm glad we can communicate. Seeing how bad your vessel is, I was a little afraid we came too late. I will send you a team with engineers and medical staff to assist you"

"No!" I shout abruptly, looking around me, then clearing my throat. "This is nice thank you, but we only need how to fix our vessel, like a manual. One of my co-workers can talk with your engineers for more explanation and we already have medical staff. I think the teleporter room can't work, but you can still beam up supplies and foodstuffs here. My partners are...shy and not really welcoming with strangers"

Not sure if I was understandable due to the controller issues, maybe the translator was broken, but I still can talk Terran languages even though I didn't really have the possibility to have a conversation with one of them. Despite that, he was clearly insisting to beam up a team before the communication has been cut.

We're dead.

My chief tried to calm down the others who literally were freaking out and they put them into the second and only room that can hide the rest of my coworkers. Meanwhile, the Enterprise beamed something up to be sure a living being can arrive safely and after approval, some men in a red shirts followed plus the captain.

I stopped to breathe and I was stiff as a post. I had to be clever when I spoke during that time they were still here.

Captain Kirk was charming and curious, very curious. So many questions have been asked and I was allowed to answer some of them because I didn't know everything even my crew said otherwise. The only things I could say were we traveled for years, we landed only for supplies, water, food, and fuel. If we wanted or needed to take a break, we stayed on the planet for a few weeks, too afraid of being captured by our kind.

The day we were banished there was an engineer who died when we've been attacked. Next to this room full of Enterprise members, there were only scientists, medical staff, and a pilot.

It was obvious, even though everything I could share with Kirk, he couldn't stop being curious and asked more questions like for whom a science vessel could be a threat? Who attacked us? Did we have friends who could assist us? Like I said I didn't have all the answers.

My attention was drawn to a tall man in a blue shirt I didn't see the first time, he was different, and he didn't look like the others. He has pointy ears and spoke weirdly maybe a Vulcan.

He was focused on looking around the controller, pressing buttons here and there.

I didn't notice I was holding my breath until an eyebrow was lifted on the Vulcan's face making me gasp. He found something.

We had brief eye contact but I was so mortified I avoid it, that I tried to join my crew I was stopped in front of the door of the second room by Kirk's voice

"I was trying to understand what happened and put the pieces of the puzzle together but something missing, now thanks to Spock I've got this last piece. Why an entire crew is hidden and left behind only a beautiful person with the members of Starfleet knowing they are the good ones, no need to be afraid of, whereas we are the enemy without any weapons to protect ourselves. It's easier to use a human hostage to do the job because we are so coward..."

The next seconds after he said the wrong word everything went so fast and was unclear, that I have some difficulty remembering. When the door opened I was hit directly on my face and have been thrown into the wall. I vaguely saw the pilot yelling and trying to choke the captain. Many people were screaming at each other, those on my right side holding a phaser and those on my left begging them to not be shot. And then I fainted because it was the blackout.

~ They could at least stun him but several shots induced him into muscles paralysis, and incapacity to breathe. Laying on the ground, he tried with all his force to not suffocate and then lost his last battle.

I couldn't move because of the smack, I felt the blood dripping on my face and blurring my sight which has already black spots. The only thing I could see was Humans and Klingons fighting each other but behind someone's legs. I try to raise my head, to know who is standing in front of me but this person was so blurred and even the color of the shirt I couldn't define.

I gripped the hands around my neck because I couldn't breathe, from this person who lift me up while they were choking me. I pushed and scratched but nothing happened and the more I struggled to set myself free more the hands were tightened.~

"Stop!" I screamed when I back to consciousness.

"God dammit! You scared me." said a man in a blue shirt beside me. "I was just examining you to know if anything was damaged, I was told you've been hitting and your head strikes the wall severely"

"I'm fine. Where are the others?" I sought to look around me.

"Do you ask for your jailers? There are in another room, watched by the security. Where do you think are you going?"

I was starting to get off the bed where I was, in a room that looks like a medbay but he pushed me back to lie down with a serious expression on his face while his eyebrows were frowning.

"You should listen to Bones." said a familiar voice. Kirk came into the room and walked toward us. "He is a good and the best Doctor on this vessel"

At this moment I don't have the choice but to surrender. At least I could kick the Doc and put him in a closet, then run after my crew and flee this spaceship because I didn't want to find out what Starfleet to their enemies, especially Klingons. But with Kirk and what looks like a security man with a gun near his chest, escape will not be easy.

My eyes were running the room and stopped at his side, not phaser on him.

Meanwhile, they were talking with each other, I could exactly see where I was. Multiple medical beds, and behind them a screen and next to it, a table with some things on it. Not sure what they can be used for. Then I realized I was leering at the Doctor a little bit too long, so I raised my eyes instinctively to his face to pretend to hear what they were saying and he was looking at me with an arched eyebrow. We had brief eye contact, I looked straight in front of me so embarrassed I was, and I waddled on the bed. The screen behind me has suddenly a different heartbeat sound and it beat quicker when he put his hand on my forehead to check my temperature which made me jump.

"What did you plan to do with my crew?" I asked, interrupting the captain and spreading The Doc's hand on me. "They were just defending themselves nothing else. You can't put us in a cage like savage animals, what we are not. At least we deserve a right justice"

"Why do you include yourself with those Klingons? You are as human as the three of us in this room right now?"

"This is why I called you Jim! When I examined her, the data reveals she’s not only human. A part of her DNA is Klingon too," said Bones

"You're telling me she's hybrid? How's possible?"

Hope you like it . My Masterlists.

@marchtothefuckingsea need your thoughts about it.