#surviveds: fletch.

[itchose]

@surviveds said, "everyone’s afraid of something."

travis used to claim he wasn’t afraid of anything;   it was the only way he could comfort himself,   build some kind of shield around himself that no one could break through.   it never really worked, though, because as much as he tried to deflect on the things that did bring him fear,   the more obvious it became that he was crumbling,  and that’s when it was only ever used against him.   it was him,  who he had to be,  who he was expected to be that scared him the most for a long time—   until the only thing that mattered was his brother.  he failed to keep him safe,  then he failed again,   and now he has to live with that failure,  knowing he will never deserve the chance to truly recover.  

his head hangs,  his hand moving to brush through his hair in an attempt to focus on anything else,  because it’s still instinct for him to want to say he’s not afraid of anything,   to let the bitterness take over his fear and snap back.   but he can’t,   not when it’s inescapable,  and surely,  written all over his face.   ❝  everything i’m afraid of has already happened,  ❞   he mumbles,   rolling his head back as his jaw clenches against his side.   he’s living with his failures, his fears— so much so that he can barely claim this as a life at all,   but he made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t lose what javi saved:  his life.    ❝  so maybe it doesn’t fucking matter,  ❞    he mutters.

[xanwritesx]

for: @taliwrites who: the crew what: operation save aleks & augie

"Did you change the oil?"

A question targeted toward the sudden lack of mobility that their SUV seems to be experiencing, but it's in the way that it's launched out from the window in such a monotone that Caleb knows it isn't serious. Of course oil isn't an issue, nor is it the coolant or the transmission fluid. Everything had been checked in regards to the alternator and fuel pumps.

Caleb ducks his head under the car in time to hear Finn call out next, "What about the window washer fluid?" as though it would be the all important liquid needed to get this one up and running.

Upon finding no fluids dripping from the engine, Caleb returns to the driver's side. "There aren't any leaks, and I know the vacuum hose is in tact. I looked at it all prior to leaving."

"Apparently not well enough-" Finn starts, but Caleb gives him a look that has him shutting up. Why is Tali even fond of this one? He's incessantly annoying, like a mosquito in your bedroom waiting to be swat at. Normally Finn can waste entire days debating the most obscure, unimportant things. To pass the time. Caleb is thankful that instead of arguing he opts to hop out of the passenger seat, and he looks to the three in the back.

"Tali, move up front." Finn's navigation can be traded for some peace. Tali can sit next to him, she will direct him just fine. “Think I might just leave him behind...”

Finn has decided to walk back to Leon's vehicle to his side. A better more amicable company than that of Caleb, that’s for sure. "The audience is pretty stone-faced over there, someone needs to help him blow off some steam at some point." It is said in passing, without the heaviness of the obvious innuendo. "You think he blows his load with the permanent scowl on his face?"

"What's... uh, what'd he say is wrong? Did you guys just stall out?" Finn's entertained smirk fades in the slightest and he looks to Fletcher for the shortest moment before back to Leon with a shrug. This causes for Fletch to sink in his seat, careful not to disturb Aiden's who's been asleep for the last hour of the drive.

Fletcher looks up to the front seat where Max is with a shrug and a frown, and that's just when Finn steps back to let Caleb peak in through Leon's window. "Fuel gauge is broken, it's reading half full. So... I have an empty tank. You think you can head on up ahead with them-" He nods to Max and Fletcher and Ren and Aiden, then points out down the street. "- I have these two here with me to watch the car. Siphon some gas from another vehicle and come back?"

[intoxicated-chan]

𝐈 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 ❛𝐓𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞

Summary ➳ Daryl has many regrets and he carries them everyday and everywhere but this is one that’s going to stick with him for many lifetimes.

(A/n) ➳ Inspired by “Blue Jeans” by Lana Del Rey. So… What do you guys think? P.S, I did change the title, I didn’t think it fit.

Word Count ➳ 1k

Content Warnings ➳ Female Reader/No use of (Y/n), typical TWD violence, blood, death, swearing, injuries, HEAVY ANGST, mentions of hunting animals, murder, no happy ending oops…

The last time Daryl remembered crying like he did when carrying your corpse was when he saw Merle as a Walker.

During the start of the outbreak, Daryl wanted to find you, he was willing to use all resources available for you. Merle had to stop him, reminding him that looking for you was a lost cause, but Merle praised you for your skills. You weren’t a good tracker but damn did you know how to put up a fight.

And so, every time Daryl got the chance to explore the abandoned city of Atlanta or any place, he would look for you even if it was just a sign. He refused to believe what anyone said about you and or mostly likely demise.

With an extra map that he stole, he would map out the possible courses that would direct them to you. Even if he was wrong in all of them, he was able to find one thing.

It was blue.

It was a crossbow arrow with blue fletching, ones he got for you. Each one of them was carved with both of your initials. It was a couple of weeks before the outbreak when Daryl decided to teach you how to hunt and he was surprised at how terrible you were. He took every opportunity to laugh at your horrible aim and how you scared every animal away.

“Yer gonna die if some shit happens!” Daryl snickered at you, grabbing your hands to lower your aim.

“I’m tryin’ dammit!”

“One more- Don’t start givin’ up on me.”

It was only when you started learning when the outbreak happened, that you were lost in the panic, unable to use any phones. And when you went back to the cabin Daryl shared with Merle, it was empty, cleaned out.

But you were determined to make it out and get back to him, even if you had to lose a couple of limbs. You didn’t have time to grow trust, it was do or die, and you didn’t want to die. You stuck around for the first group and stayed with the second—a big mistake.

Daryl kept the arrows close, nearly refusing to use them unless he was sure he was going to get them back. His pattern continued, map and search, search and map.

He reached another deserted city, he didn’t bother to look at names anymore. First, he scavenged for supplies, maybe food until he caught the color blue in the corner of his eye.

He saw another arrow. He confirmed it was yours by the carving, but then he saw another and then another and another…

Some were etched into the walls of the building, laid on the ground, and deep into the dead Walkers. He followed the trail, his crossbow high, he didn’t want to take any chances.

He could hear panting, he could see their shadows scurrying around the room. Hell, they were even laughing. He was caught off guard until one of them came at him from around the corner, he shot with ease, and the arrow lodged into the attacker’s thigh. He hurled it over in pain, clutching it.

“The hell’s the matter with you?!” The attacker shouted.

Daryl only rolled his eyes and shook his head, ready to turn a blind eye until he saw the assailant carrying a crossbow as well and-

Your arrows. Each caving on display.

Daryl dropped his, grabbing the man by his shirt. “Where the hell did ya get these?” He demanded to know. “How?!”

A woman suddenly gripped his arms, beginning to cry. “Please! Let us go!” She begged. “We’re jus’ tryin’ to survive! Look for our families!”

“Ya wanna live another day?” Daryl grabbed his pocket knife, bringing it to his throat. “Y’all gon tell me how ya got these.”

It was like some horrific joke.

“W-We jus’ wanted ‘er help! But she refused us!”

“And where is she?!”

“The cunt’s dead! Like the rest of ‘em!”

You were right where he said you’d be.

You were propped up against the wall. You took an arrow to your calf, arm, and your neck. The blood leaking out of your mouth was starting to dry. You must’ve bled out while they were taking your things, leaving you for dead.

And you were.

Daryl sobbed, his whole body shaking as he fell to the ground. He reached to touch your face, just barely warm. Your eyes no longer held any life in them. He sounded as if he was in pain, his chest turned as he whispered your name, practically begging for you to come back to him.

He cradled your corpse in his arms, something he wanted to do for some time but he was too chicken to even ask. He was too late.

He could no longer ask you to hunt with him, go on a midnight bike ride, take a smoke with him, or let him pour his heart out for you.

The bastards’ bodies were enough for him, even when he did finish the job on both. It wasn’t enough.

He collected your arrows first, took your body into his arms, and brought you to the rooftop of the highest building to lay your body. He remembered vividly how you loved the night sky, he didn’t understand it but that night, he did.

He took in every detail, how every start shined and glimmered. He only wished he could get your input.

But when the sun started to come up, he took your body back down and made a pyre to burn your body. But before he did, he placed a kiss on your lips, whispering words into your ear before he lit the match.

“I love you.”

And as long as he was alive, his love for you wasn’t going anywhere. He would walk this world with regret and guilt until his time was up.

Maybe in the next lifetime, he will have the courage to say those words. But it ain’t gonna be in this one.

© Intoxicated-Chan 2024, I do not allow my work to be copied, translated, modified, adapted, or put on any other platform without my permission.

Taglist ➳ @celtic-crossbow , @duffmckagansbandana , @gamingfeline , @thegeorgiahuntsman , @snailss , @xmaeyonaiise , @suniloli , @ladylincoln , @of-storms-and-sadness , @annhells , @sexyxdylanxobrien , @yoowhatthefuck , @oikawarz , @mylifeinthetardisforever , @let-love-bleeds-red , @virginsexgod69 , @scudslut , @theesexystallion , @yondus-girl , @sleep-queen ,

[icbrothers]

So over on instagram I ran some polls so that my followers could create a d&d character together, and here's the outcome! I really enjoyed this and will definitely do more of these in the future.

Fletch -- Level 6 Ranger -- Tabaxi HP 43 -- Neutral Good -- Hermit background STR 12 (+1) DEX 14 (+4) CON 12 (+1) INT 10 (+0) CHA 8 (0)

Fletch (known as Scarlet-Fletching Vines within his clan) was once the caretaker of an ancient ruin, hidden deep in the forest. The site was fabled to bring peace and good health to those who visit; however in his exploration of the ruin, Fletch discovered a cult camped out in the deep catacombs beneath the temple, drawing from the site's powerful energy and magic to create and summon aberrations, and releasing them upon the land. Chased from his sacred duties, Fletch spent years surviving in the wilderness, hunting the aberrations with the help of his Ranger's Companion, Nib. The cult, however, has grown too powerful, and Fletch has been pushed out of his forest, forced to retreat to a small nearby village to rally help in his fight…

Proficiencies: Animal handling, Survival, Nature, Perception, Stealth, Medicine, Relgion Languages: Common, Deep speech, Celestial , Elvish Favored enemy: Aberrations, Beasts Favored environment: Forests Fighting style: Archery Ranger archetype: Beast Master Spells: Hunter's Mark, Cure Wounds, Beast Bond, Alarm

[stolaz-the-artist]

Switched Career AU

I’m aware the name sounds like a sims expansion pack I’ll fix it later

AU info below!

So i got this idea when i was thinking about how younger me misunderstood Alice in the first episode.

I thought that when she said “country boy” she meant he was a cowboy. And i thought this for like a whole year.

And then i thought “What if he was a cowboy?” But thats too easy and boring + They already kinda did that in s4. Not really but close enough (i have enough memes of Cowboy Clay locked an loaded anyway so i think I’ll survive) So i continued thinking and remembered from the Knights code how Clay said a certain sword was easy enough a child could make it. And i just started assuming he must have some knowledge in weapon making. Cuz why not? and also! I didnt neglect the other knights for this project! THATS A FIRST!

I gave them minor redesigns, nothing too mayor but still something. (also all of this is pre-knights academy. So they’re like 15 or sum)

Yet again, just playing with the idea that he works as a blacksmith, providing for him an his brother.

I somehow thought out more for Aaron than Clay??? Big things are happening in Detroit ngl

I have a skit planned with Ruina involved, but more on that later

And for Merlok: guess he just never found him. Or he died. Idk I’ll figure something out later.

Oh and since Merlok couldn’t find him he just kinda grew into his powers, and so did Fletch. They dont know much tho about it and just use it as some sort of minor day to day tool. But they haven’t trained it so its just still kinda uncontrollable at times, remaining heavily linked to emotions. (All of this still in very early development dont come for me)

I have no clue what Aaron’s dad works as but i just made him a fisherman.

Aaron still craves danger, but the danger of fishing (cuz that shit can be real fucking dangerous let me tell ya that-)

He’s still too younge tho, but he can’t stop talking about it, and how much he wish he could join his dad on his boat (He has snuck on on several occasions but turns out hiding under deck during a storm isn’t a good idea. The only reason he stopped was cuz he’d miss out on the fun part regardless) Him and Clay are friends, meeting every now and again when Clay and Fletch come and buy fish from his family.

He’s been very excited about taking over the restaurant, already having a plethora of dishes he wants to make (and eat ofc).

He’s friends with Aaron, given they also buy fish from his family. He’s not very familiar with Clay tho. They’ve been at the fish market at the same time once or twice but barely talked. But they still see each other as friends, just not very close

Macy is still, Macy ig? I’m not sure what to do with her. So i just made King Halbert more chill. She takes several combat classes and planning on becoming a fighting queen if anything.

Her and her family are going on a trip through out the kingdom with the Richmonds. On her end its more of a meet and greet thing, but it’s different for Lance.

OG Lance must be quite jealous. He was sent into the acting industry at a very young age. He thrives in it, taking role after role back to back.

However this next one requieres some sort of reference with the commoners. He joins Macy’s family (Bringing his agent and Dennis with him obv.) as they travel through the country sides of the kingdom. He honestly can’t wait to go home and take a dip in the gold pool.

Idk why this thing kinda makes me sad but oh well, it’s the truth after all.

I am planning on writing this. Like fanfic wise.

But whenever that’ll be out is a mystery.

I haven’t written a fanfic since my wattpad days and AO3 still lowkey scares me.

Also other than Fletch so am i not sure what to do with Ava, Robin or Izzy. So if ya have any ideas, please share, i have no clue.

[alexanderlightweight]

Wednesday prompt: Alec and Magnus having a series of near-misses before actually meeting, ie: being at the same rift but on separate sides, arriving after the other departs, etc.

i hope you enjoy where i ended up going with this! thank you for the prompt!

-

Alec curses as he falls, the tentacle of a demon curling around his ankle and yanking him from the roof. He didn’t sense it, so focused on protecting his siblings’ back but here, there is no one to have his back.

Alec focuses on what weapons he’ll need, because he’ll survive the fall, but he might not survive the demon dragging him down.

The fight that follows when he half-crashes into a demon’s maw is brutal and bloody and Alec rips out several of its teeth before he can finally find an opening in softness of its gums and shove an adamas tipped arrow in its brain.

It’s the first time he’s killed in close combat with arrows instead of a sword and he stares at his hands, the stinging pain of them and in front of him, he can see an explosion of magic.

It’s beautiful and brilliant and something in him yearns to step forward, to move closer… but Alec’s legs give out and he grits his teeth, resetting the broken femur he’s been ignoring. It snaps into place with an echo of magic and Alec activates his iratze and wonders if maybe he hit his head harder than he thought.

—

Magnus sidesteps a wad of venom and sighs as it disintegrates the asphalt. It’s always so tedious to fight in an urban setting, but Magnus enjoys Brooklyn and Brooklyn enjoys him.

It’s with a sigh that he whips fiery magic around the demon and brings it to heel, caging its massive head in with more and more bands until it can only screech and rattle.

Magnus is done milking its venom in minutes and as soon as he’s finished, he snaps his fingers, the magical bonds searing through it until there is nothing left but ash.

There’s another demon, sluggish and slow and it thinks it’s tracking Magnus. He turns, ready to trap it and instead watches as a ray of moonlight cuts through the air, fletched with red as it sinks into the demon’s skull. The shot of the archer was beautiful, especially when Magnus follows the trajectory and sees a tall, dark silhouette on a roof. The archer is already turning away, arrows flying as he culls the demons from above.

There’s a sense of poetry, to seeing a nephilim so high, as if he’s one of Raziel’s truly beloved. For a moment, Magnus imagines that the nephilim will sprout wings and soar… but instead the shadowhunter takes three steps backwards and then takes off, running across the roof until they jump, gliding through the air until they land on another roof.

It’s crude yet elegant and Magnus idly collects divinely scattered demon ash into a jar and wonders.

—

Alec groans as he stares across the observation deck. Jace is looking worse and worse and while Alec wants to be there when the High Warlock arrives, it’s not a necessity.  Which, Alec is thankful for seeing as it seems he’ll be hauling about half of his shadowhunters to the infirmary.

Alec never notices the tall, well-dressed man who walks into the Institute with a smirk on his face and magic in his step. He doesn’t see a curious gaze lingering on him.

Instead, he focuses on carrying the five shadowhunters who all seem to have come down with the same illness to the infirmary.

Alec is sure that his shadowhunters will find a more than suitable cure for their hangovers, and then he’ll cure them of their stupidity in drinking before an important event as well.

—

Magnus stares, transfixed at the vision in his club.

There’s something about him that’s familiar and while Magnus can tell he’s a nephilim, he’s not one that Magnus has had the pleasure of meeting. It only makes Magnus more curious, more enticed and he’s distracted as he watches his shadowhunter linger on the edges of the crowd.

Magnus watches him constantly, keeping a careful eye on his boy as he brusquely sends his client away.

He’s gone.

Vanished as if he were never here and it’s only the thrumming of his wards, intoxicated by a nephilim presence that prevent Magnus from thinking he dreamt it.

—

Alec struggles to keep his eyes open as he trudges through the shadows of new York. It’s dawn and while he’d like nothing more than to already be back at the Institute and asleep, he can’t risk using another rune.

Instead, his pace is slow and lumbering and it’s hard to remember the path, even though Alec’s memorized every single route possible. There’s a moment where he feels the same heady thrill of magic and he sighs, something wistful as it passes him by.

For a moment, he’d almost thought it was real and then he’s tripping, reaching out to catch himself and instead, being caught.

—

“Hello,” Magnus croons softly from where he managed to turn and catch his boy. “Were you just dropping by?”

It’s terrible and awful and his shadowhunter snorts, a startled sound that surprises him by the way he freezes.

“No energy for runes—” his boy tells him, carefully honest and with tired, swollen eyes that flutter shut, entranced by a taste of rest.

“Oh no, not yet pretty boy.” Magnus tells him, hooking an arm around his waist. “You’re in no condition to be going anywhere.”

Anywhere that isn’t with Magnus, that is.

There’s a confused blink, like a particularly tired cat being made to move and then his boy is buckling, going limp into Magnus’ hold. It’s as if his body is letting out a giant sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that Magnus will catch him.

“Sleep well, darling.” Magnus murmurs as he lifts his shadowhunter up with magic and carefully picks him up.

[mermaidgirl30]

Look for the Light Chapter 10

- Summary: Aly finds herself trying to escape the Boston QZ. What Aly doesn’t know is Tess is pairing her up with Joel to go on a dangerous mission to find Tommy. Will Aly survive the brooding, moody Joel or will she find herself falling hard for him?

The weather was cold as November rolled around. You had been traveling through Kansas for three days now, getting closer to Colorado with every mile that passed. You were miles away from Boston at this point. You’d spent days on the road with Joel. They were long and tiring. Some days you wanted to wring Joel’s neck for being insufferable with his arrogant ass. Other days weren’t so bad. Today was one of those days. You didn’t much mind his company. You actually invited it on this particular day. The past few days you grew closer to him, especially after the day in the barn together. The way he held you in his arms. His warmth so inviting…

You were standing in the middle of a gigantic open area. There were small hills sprawled around the area. Lush trees surrounded you. It didn’t matter which way you turned, they were everywhere. This would’ve been a good hiding spot for other survivors or even for infected. You made sure to watch your back. Shimmer was grazing in the grass a few feet away from you, taking a rest break from the long road ahead.

“Aly, come over here. I think I found something useful,” Joel called from the near distance. You followed his voice into a shaded area. You cringed the moment you walked over to where he was.

Right under the tree sat two rotting corpses. Two men as far as you could tell. Their flesh smelled of bacteria and spoiled eggs. You gagged and covered your nose, trying your best to cover the horrendous scent. “Gross! I wonder how long they’ve been here?” you asked while backing away from the horrible smell.

Joel knelt down and grabbed something behind one of the dead corpses. The corpse tipped over and landed with a crash on the ground. Flies surrounded their bodies. The sight of old, dried blood made you sick.

Joel stood up and held out the object he discovered. He held a small bag with a leather strap that could fit around you. In it sat a sturdy wooden bow with arrows to go with it. He took it out of the bag and grabbed an arrow to accompany it. The arrow was black with a fletched feather on the end of it.

Joel held it up and got in position to test it out. He put the arrow in the middle of the bow and made sure he was in the correct stance. He closed one eye, pulled on the string, and the arrow shot across the field hitting the center of a tree. You watched him in awe. His movements were so smooth. He had perfect aim.

He looked over at you and raised an eyebrow. He had a questionable look on his face. “Have you ever used a bow before?”

You shook your head. “No. I’ve only ever watched others use one.”

“Do you want me to show you how to use it?” he asked as he ran his hand against a smooth arrow.

You considered his offer for a minute, but you wanted to show him you could teach yourself. “I can figure it out myself.” You stomped up to him and grabbed the bow and a single arrow out of his hands. You could do this. It couldn’t be that hard, right?

He threw his hands up and said, “Suit yourself. Let’s see what you got.” He stood back and crossed his arms, leaning against a tree.

You walked out to the edge of a small hill. Over the hill you could see the tall grass sway in the wind. You watched some hawks fly overhead as they quickly disappeared into the trees. You closed your eyes and focused.

The wind softly blew some long locks of brunette waves into your eyes, and you secured them back behind your ear. You took a couple of deep breaths and tried to concentrate. “Come on, you can do this,” you said to yourself wordlessly. You could do this.

Joel cleared his throat behind you, and you looked back at him. He raised an eyebrow and nodded to the bow and arrow. He was now relaxing against a tree trunk and seemed to look amused. “Any day now,” he said, waiting patiently. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

“Just a minute,” you said, annoyed while rolling your eyes. He seemed to chuckle under his breath. You looked back towards the open field. You quickly scanned for a target to shoot at. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw a runner. It was moving slower than how you usually saw them move. It peeked its head out from behind a giant willow tree as it made its way across the grass. This was your chance. It was the perfect target to have.

You slowly raised the bow up with your left hand and tried to place the arrow against the string. You were struggling to get the arrow to click into place. Where exactly does this sit again? You felt like an idiot not knowing exactly where to place it. Were you supposed to pull the string back first or place the arrow at the front of the bow? Were you even standing right? You tried again to place the arrow, but it slipped out of place. You were getting more frustrated with every second that passed. You huffed and almost threw the arrow down on the ground.

Joel laughed gently and walked up to you. “Let me help you.” He reached for your bow, but you wouldn’t budge.

“I said I got it,” you said irritated. You weren’t giving up so easily. You wouldn’t surrender the bow. You couldn’t. You held on tightly and looked away from him. You brought the bow and arrow up to your chin. You were stubborn and wouldn’t show weakness. You gasped as Joel walked up behind you.

“Here. I’ll guide you.” He placed his hands gently on you. A chill went down your entire spine. His left hand went to your left shoulder as he pushed down slightly so you would relax your muscles. His right hand carefully settled to your right hip. You shuttered at his touch and lost your footing. “Relax,” he breathed into your ear. His voice was so steady, so warm. It instantly eased you. You relaxed into his touch.

“Good, now ease the arrow in. Place the shaft of the arrow on the arrow rest, right in the middle.” He watched you place it carefully in. Your hands were shaking. He was making you nervous standing so close.

“Now, attach the back of the arrow to the bow string. It’s called the nock, this little plastic piece that holds it in.” He placed his hand on yours as he helped you with the arrow. A jolt of electricity shot through your body, and your heart started speeding up. You swear it sounded like a thousand horses galloping with every breath you took. The arrow was hooked securely into the bow now.

“Okay. Now you want your body to be perpendicular to your target. Stand up straight and place your feet shoulder width apart.” He positioned your body to where you were aligned with your target perfectly. The infected walked slowly towards you. It was still more than 20 feet from you, but got closer with every step it took. Joel placed his foot in between your legs, spreading them an inch wider. You gulped. Your mouth suddenly becoming dry.

He drew closer to you, his chest right up against your back. His right hand was still on yours. His left hand slid up and found yours right beneath the arrow rest. You could feel his hot breath against your ear. It was warm and almost seemed inviting. He was being calm and collective in the moment, unlike the nervous wreck that you were being.

“Steady,” he said as he raised the bow so that it was met at eye level. “Focus on your target. When you’re ready, gently pull back on the string.” He didn’t move away at that moment, he only moved closer to you.

Your heart thundered in your chest. You found it hard to concentrate, so you closed your eyes for a minute and focused on deep breaths. In and out, you tried to calm yourself down. Joel’s scent filled the air. He smelled like fresh pine trees and firewood. It was intoxicating.

You pulled back the string as you kept a tight grip on the bow. You focused your sight onto your moving target. “Remember to relax and breathe. Focus your eyes on your target. Imagine the arrow hitting exactly where you want it to go. Clear your mind,” he said as his fingers slowly stroked your hand.

Your breath hitched again at the shift of his fingers on yours. Your hand felt as if it was on fire. Sparks shot through your body, and suddenly you were burning. The flames were so hot, you were about to burn alive. You were holding your breath.

“Breathe,” he whispered into your ear, warmth trailing down your neck. Your eyes went wide and you could’ve just melted into him right then and there. You tried your hardest to focus on the target that was in front of you, not on the smoldering man that was pressed up against you.

The air was thick and hot around you. It felt like you were suffocating under a raging hurricane that just crashed into you. Your legs felt like they could cave on you at any second. Joel stole your attention again as he shifted your body slightly to the left.

“On three you’re going to release,” he coaxed against your ear. You swallowed hard. He was affecting you in ways you couldn’t explain. Was he feeling the same way as you did right now? You could stay like this for hours. You were afraid to release the arrow, scared this moment would fade away and never return.

“One…” Joel counted slowly. You closed your eyes for a moment and focused on his voice. “Two…” his lips brushed against your cheek. God, his lips against your skin felt magnetic. You were treading into dangerous waters, but you didn’t care.

“Three…” You let the arrow fly through the air. It sliced into your target like a speeding bullet. The arrow hit the runner straight in the head. Bullseye.

“Good girl,” he whispered seductively into your ear. Your breathing spiked as soon as those words came out of his mouth. You wanted to turn around and run your fingers through his smooth hair at that moment, but you couldn’t move. You were frozen.

Joel’s hands lingered on yours just a few seconds too long after you brought the bow down from eye level. It wasn’t long enough though, not even close. You wanted to freeze time and stay in that moment forever. You were in pure bliss right now.

Joel slowly dropped his hands from you and took a few steps back, probably realizing what he had just done. You turned to him as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. He slowly looked back at you. His eyes were the color of syrup with a hint of hazel. You could get lost in eyes like that. They pulled you in and kept you wanting more. Your eyes didn’t leave his.

He stared back at you intensely, his eyes hungry. He pulled his gaze away and looked down at the ground, taking a deep breath and trying to focus on anything other than you. “That was good, Aly. If you keep practicing, I think you’ll be a pro. You keep the bow. It’s yours now.”

You shyly smiled up at him and bit your lip. “It was only good because you were right next to me, guiding me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He smirked up at you. You tasted hunger like you never felt before. It would eat you alive, but it was too late. His eyes were burning into yours again. You felt the flames, and you wanted to dance in the fire.

Chapter 11

Series Masterlist

[gwaedhannen]

au ideas? 👀

AU ideas! (Also thanks to the anon who asked)

Oh Eru this got long.

One of my first goals when I got into silm fic was a series of works depicting different ways in which canon events could have happened, ranging from different variations of canon compliance to off-the-wall AUs. And of course I decided two of the most controversial parts of canon would be the best places to start: Aredhel and Eöl, and Elwing's leap. I doubt I'll get to these fics any time soon, but I've got some ideas for the variations sketched out:

Ways in which a body strikes the ocean at terminal velocity

Elwing sends Elrond and Elros to hide, and runs the other way to pull the Feanoreans away. Cornered at the cliff, yells at them, jumps.

As before, but Elrond and Elros are captured and dragged before her.

She hands it over, and it burns. The holder walks off the cliff himself (and the other brother follows?)

She throws it away, and either gets stabbed and tossed off the cliff for that, or a brother walks off in despair.

Eärendil is also there. His cousins have made him a kinslayer. He's not happy about that.

Elurín and Eluréd are the leaders of Sirion instead. They leap together. Ulmo can only save one.

Ambarussa are the surviving Fëanorians instead of Maedhros and Maglor.

Ways in which the White Lady of the Noldor was lost in the darkness of Nan Elmoth

Generally canon compliant but give Aredhel a bit more agency (she was content at first, and Eöl's assholery doesn't become as much of an issue until after Maeglin is born, at which point she's unwilling to leave him behind if she flees).

As above, except Eöl has a crisis of conscious and admits his enchantment and manipulation while Aredhel is pregnant. She ditches him for Himlad.

Going off the NoME version where Eöl is an Amanyar Noldor and part of Fëanor's host, and he and Aredhel were followers of Melkor. In which Aredhel takes part in the kinslaying but Eöl doesn't, but Eöl somehow is on the boats when Fëanor and co. slip away. He's not happy about that, fucks off from Mithrim ASAP, and wanders into Nan Elmoth to chill out. Aradhel incidentally walks in 300 years later and shit's awkward.

Galadriel wanders into Nan Elmoth instead. Dunno exactly how this one goes but there's probably explosions involved and at least one of them dead (likely Eöl) within a year.

Nan Elmoth is hungry, and Eöl is trapped there as much as Aredhel is.

Other ideas:

Unwritten AKA "Dior DGAF"

In which Dior noclips out of the Halls of Mandos immediately upon arrival and goes right back into his body. He picks up his sons and walks out of the narrative layer.

The Dusk, the Dawn, the Earth/Dear Shadow Alive and Well/And I am Left

AKA the Beren/Lúthien/Thuringwethil OT3 series. In which Thuringwethil, irrevocably altered by Lúthien taking her bat-fell and partially re-singing her, knocks on their door demanding Lúthien undo whatever change made her start feeling things like "guilt" and "love". Lúthien, horrified by what she did (effectively partially rewriting her personality) agrees to help make a new fell. Beren's along for the ride.

For the fur, she joins Camlost on the hunt. Under his quiet direction she crafts traps for rabbits, whispering her thanks to Yavanna’s bounty as her teeth pierce their necks. She stalks foxes until she is near enough to dive upon them with her claws, Nessa’s most ancient name on her lips for sure steps and bursting speed. She fashions a bow from a young yew sapling, crafts arrows from reeds fletched with Tinúviel’s gifted feathers, strings it with her own hair, and praises Aulë’s ingenuity in searching chirps as the replies guide her aim to a grazing deer. And finally, she calls Tulkas to witness as she hefts Camlost’s spear towards the growls of a desperate wandering wolf bereft of its master. As each prize is skinned, she asks Oromë if she has taken too much from the wild, and trusts in the silence of his answer. The rabbits she consumes entire. The foxes she drains, and leaves the remains for the vultures. The deer she carries back for Tinúviel to prepare venison and jerky. The wolf they burn.

Also featuring the inherent trauma of watching your spouses die and giving your son the cursed jewelry you can tell will one day destroy him.

Children of Dior roleswap

In which Elurín and Eluréd escape with the Silmaril, and Elwing is captured (and not thrown into the woods for whatever reason) and raised by the Fëanorians and not told the details of the Kinslaying. She's thoroughly unhappy when she finds out.

She wants to scream until the entire hill crumbles into dust and ghosts. Murderers, murderers! Maedhros with his dead eyes and nightmares only she can sing away, Maglor and his endless laments for his own failures, Amrod with his maddened silence and vivisecting gaze, Amras desperate for salvation and haunted by guilt—not haunted enough! How long did they mean to continue the lie? Now she knows why Maedhros refuses to train her beyond basic self-defense. Why Maglor only teaches her Songs of healing and succor. Why Amras never brings her more than a mile from the citadel to practice woodcraft. Why Amrod gives her nothing at all. She is a hostage without need for chains and locks, with no way to survive the wilds and roaming orcs should she run. If she looks east and a little south, can she pretend she sees the shoreline kingdom where her brothers reign? She doesn’t even know their names.

Yet another Gil-Galad origin theory

In which Gil-Galad gets adopted by no fewer than three Finweans and yet is blood related to none of them.

Still-untitled "Fëanor takes the Helcaraxë" AU

Second problem: how exactly is he going to get his people to Endórë? Tol Eressëa is anchored, and regardless Ulmo would not move it again for them. The Noldor have little skill in boatcraft, and even if they did, the sheer number required would take decades to build. But there are already fine ships in Aman, are there not? Well maybe he should've thought of that two hundred leagues ago.

Túrin and Nienor live

Unfortunately they're still cursed.

[hccn-overseer]

Issue 3, 4/29/2023 - The Overseer

Issue Masterpost About the Overseer

This week's news is once again accompanied by a PDF version of your latest news brought to us once again by the lovely Cheer! Pick it up right here for your viewing pleasure!

The Hermitcitizen Hub seems to have tapered off growth right around 640 citizens, but we may have jinxed it, please keep us up to date. This week, a new set of roles has been added so you can let your fellow citizens know if you can be pinged! New rules have been added for your comfort, safety, and pleasure, so ensure you go check those out! Mod applications are still open, and ModMail has been added so you can contact existing Mods easier. On to the news!

We are gathered here today due to the passing of Sirius_Buisness. It led a long and wonderful life. The cause of death was Geminislay. While it was surprising, it was not shocking. While it worked for The Overseer it was fought over, with many of the Newspaper Club declaring their love and fighting for who was Sirius’ favourite. Sirius  mentioned that its list of favourite people were in order: People who bribed it, Newspaper Club, and then everyone else. It started after the fall of the court, a Gardening Club in which it grew Anemone and Sampaguita. The deceased is survived by The Overseer and the Gardening Club. The Overseer asks the readers to please give Sirius’s family and friends some peace at the moment. 

The deceased asks for you to bring 12 shulker boxes of Sampaguita to The Crastle. Donations of customised socks with its face printed on them and one pair with a photo of King Ren when he was asleep and looked silly would be greatly appreciated. The more socks, the merrier. Donations of clicky pens and diamonds would be greatly appreciated at The Overseer. Sirius’ debt collector has been told to go to the Gardening Club and ask for Tulips. 

The readers are reminded that at Sirius’ funeral, there will be jousting to determine who will get to marry Sirius once it decides to make its return. Please remember to bring your anvil protection gear and/or your anvils. To remember it, we ask that you wear neon colours. 

Written by Winter

Now onto other news below the cut!

Affiliate Happenings

By Roo

The affiliate guilds of the Hermitcitizen Hub have been busy, discussing important things, pranking anyone who crosses their path, and just plain chilling and drinking tea! So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what they’re up to!

Bdoubleo: He's just a little guy!! They’ve been discussing their favorite silly moments (as they should).

Cubfan135: Apparently it’s 1,508 days since fletching table functionality was promised. Mojang, for your safety and ours, please listen to the Cub affiliates. They are right.

Docm77: I think we should be concerned. They’ve decided that instead of making a union or merch, they’re just going to replace all redstone diamonds with magenta glazed terracotta. Please steer clear of the perimeter if you’re the sort to blindly follow directions.

EthosLab: The only reason anyone goes to his area is to check on the dolphins.

FalseSymmetry: They're excited for False, Ren, Scar X, and Joe Hills to be playin some No Man's Sky together! Sounds like a blast. (Please tell us we're funny. We're unpaid interns, we take anything we can get.)

GoodTimesWithScar: Someone hired a charged creeper. Please. Again, for your safety and ours, a charged creeper is not a good employee.

Grian: The Rift tastes like grape juice, battery acid, wasabi peas, and has the texture of stale Cheerios. No, don’t ask how they found that out. Yes, The Rift is right down there if you want to pop down a medical services tent. The Fixer team is also experimenting with ways to play Just Dance and DDR on Grumbot’s monitor! Bribes are in order, including the promise of letting Grumbot control the difficulty of dance. Join in at your own risk.

ImpulseSv: They had a lovely stream watch party!! And discussed falling off of walkways?? Hi, Minecraft, OSHA called, they’d like to schedule a  tour for no reason whatsoever.

Iskall85: Hallo.

Joehills: Affirmative nodding. Yes. Joe Hills indeed.

Keralis: Keralis has a hype squad now! That’s awesome, ngl. :) 

Mumbo Jumbo: Mango Jumbo. The sus has returned. They’re still talking about redstone. I got scared even looking in the channel.

Pearlescentmoon: She <3!!!! (got squished in a hydraulic press)

Rendog: I can see the founding of the King’s court. This will surely lead to good and not suing the former king. Surely.

Vintagebeef: They’re just chilling! Chillin’ ‘n chatting, how lovely.

Welsknight: They’re going to make a Wels scrapbook! Drawings, anything he’s dropped in the past week, screenshots of the man himself, the hydraulic press that squished him (yes he got squished too).

Xisumavoid: Frenchsumavoid. Need we say more.

Zedaph: According to a scientist, there is a 31% chance that the reason you randomly think of Zedaph out of nowhere is because of a phenomenon known as mind control. 

Zombiecleo: They’re discussing Cleo’s TCG tournaments. All is well.

Recap affiliates: How’d they get into reporting?? Oh, that sounds right up our alley. Maybe the newspaper should hire more recap reporters. We already have a couple, but hey, what’s a couple more?

Other affiliates: Most are homeless or live in the shopping district. Living in the shopping district, I must say, is a horrible idea. Warden attacks are many and days without accidents are zero.

If you do not see an affiliate channel on here, it is simply because nobody was active in the past two weeks, or that activity was simply claiming the first message.

Weekly Weather Report

By Virtual Note: Rainy has been kidnapped for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, we don’t have the funding to pay their ransom. We wish them the best of luck on escaping.

Thursday - SUNNY, 25% chance of being challenged to a TCG match in the shopping district. Citizens are advised to bring their best decks.

Friday - WINDY, Citizens working in high areas should be wary of strong gusts. Elytra flight may be difficult to control.

Saturday - CLOUDY, GeminiTay sightings expected around Spawn Town between 1PM - 3PM (GMT). Duels are sure to follow.

Sunday - RAIN, Light showers anticipated across the server, followed by periods of clear skies. Carrying an umbrella is recommended.

Monday - STORMS, 95% chance of Bdubs sleeping before the storm gets serious. Expect clear skies by 10AM (GMT).

Tuesday - SUNNY, Fireworks expected around the Crastle between 6PM - 9PM (GMT). Avoid flying directly above the area during this time.

Wednesday - CLOUDY, 45% chance of HotGuy strikes. Note that clouds may make it more difficult to spot the vigilante from a distance.

Astrology Corner

By Winter

Have you been feeling without guidance? Do you look at your birthday and look up your star sign and wonder, “Will I get challenged by Geminitay?????” “Will I get to choose whether my horoscope will be weird?” Don’t worry, here at The Overseer, we can help you.*

Aries: You will attend a very sirius funeral :) Flip a TCG token to decide whether you will attend in a clown costume. 

Taurus: You will attend to a Red Carnation which was sent to you.

Gemini: You will start a successful business. That business teaches first aid.

Cancer: Understand that once upon reading this you will be challenged by GeminiSlay to a battle. Send regrets to loved ones and respond in two-three business days. 

Leo: You will become mortal enemies with the Decked Out Crew.

Virgo: You will follow a Joe Hills Tutorial on how to win a beauty contest. 

Libra: You will learn how to become a babysitter. 

Scorpio: On Thursday at 3:21 PM you will run into a new friend or foe, only time will tell

Sagittarius: You will provide a meditation class to combat Etho’s washed up allegations. 

Capricorn: Congrats. You get to do Bungee Jumping in the Spaghetti IF you are born on the odd days of the month. 

Aquarius: You will adopt something. Ask a friend for advice and whether they consent to being adopted. 

Pisces: Someone you used to know will meet you in the most unexpected place. Whether it is a good or bad thing will be up to you.

All star signs: Don’t worry, you are not being watched… yet. 

*Ignore how blatantly specific these are. Nothing bad will happen to you.

META REPORT: BOOMING BOOMERS!

By Arsène

After covering the top of the top, we move into a deck that (in my opinion) is just as strong, but hasn’t gone around too much. The Booming Boomers, as I’ve decided to call them, is a high-paced aggro deck focused around getting your hermits on the board and setting up a strong sweeping Impulse ® to Boomer his way through the competition! The deck certainly has other options, with the amount of extra cards it runs to mill* quickly. 

*For people who do not play card games a lot, I will sometimes use terms common in other games. Milling refers to the act of quickly drawing through your deck through cards that discard cards and let you draw more. In the case of this deck, our mill cards are Fishing Rod and Flint & Steel.

DECK LIST ( ® denotes a rare version of the card in the case of hermits) 

Tango ® x2

Tango x3

Impulse ® x3

Milk Bucket x1

Water Bucket x1

Diamond Armor x3

Looting x1

Bow x1

Flint & Steel x3

Fishing Rod x3

Instant Health II x3

Double Farm x1

Farm x7

Double Redstone x2

Redstone x8

PLAYING THE DECK

Like stated above, this deck is aggro and looks to set up Impulse ® with a double redstone and two Tangos on board to start using Boomer, dealing 70 damage baseline and +40 for each of the Tangos with him, up to a bonus of 80 damage. 150 damage a turn is enough to two-shot every single Hermit in the game currently. Enabling this strategy is the copies of Flnit & Steel and Fishing Rod letting you look through your deck quickly. Fishing Rod is fairly straight forward to use, with the two cards being put in without any downsides, but Flint & Steel is a bit harder, so let’s talk about using this optimally.

Flint & Steel discards your hand and allows you to draw three cards to replace this. Using this is a last case scenario, so be smart with how you use it. Do NOT use Flint & Steel if you’re going to discard Hermits while you do not have your setup on board. Once you have an Impulse ® plus any two Tangos on board, make sure you have enough items to stock up Impulse to get to Boomer. If you do not have any of the Hermits you need to set up on board, Flint & Steel becomes a priority card, as milling your hand to find them allows you to set up and sweep. 

As usual, this deck has a few floater cards that can easily be swapped out for others. Both Buckets, Bow, and Looting can all be swapped out for any other active effects. Try not to grab anymore equipment cards, since your goal is to keep Impulse ® on board doing damage as much as he can, and the Diamond Armors do a great job of this. Alongside well-timed Instant Health Potions, Impulse can stay on the board for a long time with a Diamond Armor. I like holding onto one copy of the Bow because very often, an enemy can switch if a Hermit is in kill-range of a Boomer, and Bow is very often enough to kill most Hermits after one or two attacks. It also synergizes very well with the back-up plan of this deck, Tango ® and Extra Flee. 

The big thing to keep in mind with this deck are your win conditions. Find Impulse ®, find any Tangos possible, equip Impulse ® to Boomer and start swinging. Start slamming items on Tango ® as a backup just in case. With the right draw and a strong start, you can quickly end a game by knocking out all Hermits on your opponent’s board before they can draw any more. 

Play fast, play quick, play deadly.

That’s all for the Booming Boomers! As always, good luck players, and may you forever draw your Impulses on turn one!

Lost and Found

By Virtual

To the representative interested in claiming “Peekaboo” from last week’s Lost and Found, please meet Paint by Wings & Things in the shopping district. They will be carrying a purple shulker box and three diamonds. We will happily provide any necessary assistance to get “Peekaboo” off our hands. 

The following items were collected from across the server over the past week. If you would like to report an item missing, or if you recognize any of the below items as your own, please contact us at lostandfound@thehermitnews.org*

*not a real email address

Item 1:  A pufferfish in a bucket named “Charles,” found in the bushes behind Twinkly Trash. Though several people have expressed interest in adopting Charles, we are making an effort to find his original owner. The fish has been temporarily relocated to an impromptu fish tank inside the Overseer offices. The tank is already being used as a desk. If Charles belongs to you, please come pick him up. He misses you.

Item 2: A piece of bedrock, found in the screeching crevice. The item was delivered to the Overseer offices late last week after a resident of Grumbot’s cave found it in the screeching crevice. The item appears to be bedrock, aside from the fact that it can be held in the palm of a player without incident. Though the bedrock is most likely fake, the implications of its existence have sparked more than one crisis in the citizens who beheld it. If it belongs to you, please collect it, and consider destroying it. 

Item 3: A dusty book written in galactic, found within the bowels of Joe Hills’ pinball machine. Joe Hills, when confronted with the book, denied any ownership of the item. When translated, the book appeared to contain a list of horoscopes stretching for the next several years. Each horoscope was highly specific, to the point of being disturbing for our translator, who refused to interpret past a prediction for Libra set three weeks from the writing of this article. If the book is yours, please reach out to collect it. If you do not own the book, but can translate galactic, we encourage you to try reading a few passages for scientific purposes.

Item 4: A collection of fourteen chests in minecarts, found abandoned in the woods surrounding Scarland. The minecart chests were found when a Scarland employee tripped over them on their way to work. Despite this area of the woods being clear the previous day, the minecarts were sunk half into the ground and covered in vegetation, as though they had been slowly buried over the course of several years. Within the chests were three clocks, a diamond hoe, thirteen stacks of cobblestone, and four blocks of red concrete powder.  All efforts to remove the minecarts from their half-sunken state have failed. If this chest monster belongs to you, please collect it in the woods behind Scarland Castle.

Item 5: A red shulker box stained with a rusty brown substance, found washed up on the shore near Grian’s base. The box appeared two Fridays ago and was dropped at our office door by someone claiming to be one of Grian’s employees. The player vehemently insisted it not be thrown out before vanishing as quickly as they appeared. When opened, the box smelled faintly of seawater and contained several red corals, all stained with the same brown substance as the shulker’s exterior. The stain spreads to anything the box is placed on and smells faintly of rust. When collecting this item, we suggest bringing a pair of thick gloves and perhaps a face mask.  

Ask the Seers

By Seers Jester, S, Vi, and Nes

Has your favourite little guy been put into a situation they can’t get out of? Do you have questions about how a mountain appeared on top of your house last night? Question no more, for The Seers are here to help! Questions can be submitted through the ask box and are collected throughout the week.

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Dear Seers, Hello! I keep finding myself waking up from a daze in random places and almost exploding! Is there any possible way to stop this from happening? - :D 

Hello, dear smiley face.  It seems I have the honour of answering your question today. Tying yourself in your bed is a highly recommended idea, as is simply finding someone who will accompany you at all times of the day. Looking for wither roses in a tavern will let you meet many who are interested in such jobs, as long as there is payment on the table. You may, also, simply try not being in a daze. I have heard that a well-timed swim in a cold river could wake up even the sleepiest of beasts. - The Seers

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Dear Seers, How do you fill up someone's walls with TNT and make the said TNT not explode their house just give them a little scare? - Avoiding Property Damage

Hi, Avoiding Property Damage! You have three options here! First and foremost, have the TNT explode in a block of water so it doesn’t cause any damage to the blocks around it. This can be down in many different ways, but I suggest the ol’ single block stream of water method. Downside is unless if you’re present you can only realistically do 1 piece of TNT this way, due to all TNT having to be lit at once. Option two, ignore the walls go down under! By digging 5-7 blocks below the persons base and placing TNT you can get the full effect of how ever many TNT you want with minimal damage. However, it is possible for the TNT to push one another up into the floor causing a lot of damage. Option 3, ditch the TNT! Shriekers are your safest bet, as they cause just as loud of a noise with zero risk of property damage. However, they do cause a risk to your safety due to the method of collecting them.  For legal reasons The Seers would like to clarify that it is not responsible for any property damage caused due to someone following our advice. Have fun! - The Seers

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Dear Seers, I had the most AWFUL day at spawn :(((( somebody set glitter traps EVERYWHERE and I got caught in what feels like at least twelve of them!!!! Do any of the Seer have advice to get rid of glitter? The glue is making it really hard to get rid of! And any idea whose fault this is? - The Very Sparkley, Not Vampire

Hello Not Vampire, hopefully I can be if some assistance, Hmm, I wonder if there’s a glitter related Zedvancement somewhere in the archives that could be of use… I’ll have to get back to you on that. In the meantime, step one is to figure out what type of glitter and glue is in use. I’m talking metallic, plastic, or biodegradable glitter, glue of the washable, super, or hot variety? Step two is to then design a contraption to remove both the glitter and the glue. I personally would suggest a shower or either water or acetone (depending on the type of adhesive) alongside an apparatus for removing the particles. Perhaps some sort of full body lint roller? Now that I think about it, this would be quite the useful device, I’ll look through some records and workshop some blueprints and get back to you ok?  - The Seers

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Dear Seers, I’m stuck in someones walls. How do I get out? - Does This Count As Breaking And Entering

Hello Does This Count As Breaking And Entering! I hope you like the walls you’ve become trapped in, because like Grian in S7 and S8, you now live in them! Can you get out? Yes, you can. Is if funnier if you just live there until you’re discovered? Also yes. I hope you’ve enjoyed this non-help! - The Seers

ADVERTISEMENTS

By Jamie

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Are you struggling with something and don't know what to do? Don't worry! Nika is here to help! From Potions to Decoration to Farms, any and all types of services are available. The price is up to negotiation! Nika Helps services are not responsible for any injuries that occur during or after the help process.

—————————————————

UNLIKE the Scar Unsafe Services, we will help out around your base! The Scar Safety Service is here for all of our fellow citizens, and will ensure your home is safe from various mobs! All damages or scares committed by pranks and unknown vigilantes cannot currently be remedied by the Scar Safety Service, but experiments are ongoing.

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Do you have a name that can be shortened to Cal? What about Kal? Are you willing to grab one or perhaps pretend a little? The Cal-ition - a Coalition of Cals - is reaching out to any and all potential members among our cal-low citizens! If you'd like more information, simply contact your lo-Cal representatives. Regard-cal-ess of your interest, though, have a wonder-cal day!

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Bring your daisies and coriander to the Crastle this Friday to join in a brief mourning session for RenTheKing. He may have messed up our currency system, but he shall be missed.

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Fun and Games

This weeks fun and games are brought to you once again by Sirius, Morph, Virtual, and Azure! Unclear if Sirius created these before or after succumbing to the grave, but please remember to attend its funeral to honor its passing.

Word Search - By Sirius

Crossword - By Sirius

Coloring page - By Morph

Comic - By Virtual

Brain Teasers - By Azure In this game, there are four images of some sort and you need to figure out what each Brain Teaser is trying to say! For example, a brain teaser could be the word READ with lines above and below, and it would mean 'read between the lines'. Have fun!

And that’s all for this issue folks! Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful week!

[gahantism]

Happy Birthday, Andy Fletcher.

A birthday note to our dearly departed and vastly loved Fletch.

Hi, Fletch. My name's Arsenic; I've only been a fan for about 4 months at the time of writing this. But that doesn't mean I don't miss you like everyone else who has been a fan for longer.

It's been almost a year and a half since you left your family, friends, and fans. I remember hearing about when you passed away a year ago. At the time, I was deep in a different hyperfixation, so I didn't realize what exactly happened or how you died, but I just remember telling my mom "Oh, one of the members of Depeche Mode just died."

It's only now that I learned what happened, who you were as a person, and how deeply your untimely death affected the world.

And how it was inevitable of your passing, which hurts the most. The survival rate of aortic dissection is sad, and I'm glad that you passed peacefully, at least. You are so greatly missed and greatly loved.

But even with you gone, you will still move generations for years to come. Your kindness and goofy energy will not be forgotten. You were the driving force of the band; the bands biggest fan. You've brought happiness and laughter to fans and your friends.

The jokes of your love of bananas make me smile. (I heard they were your favourite.) You had such a friendly smile. You seemed to kind to everyone you met, yet still were the grounding force in the band; the dad friend, so to speak.

I hope that where ever you are; you're looking down on us with love. Especially on Dave and Martin. I hope you're there with them in spirit on stage when they perform. That you're watching over every fan at every performance, showering everyone with love.

We love you, Andy, and we all miss you more than you could ever know.

Happy birthday, and thank you, Fletch, for showing us the world in your eyes.

[simplysparrow14]

I’d love to hear about all your writing, but you know me: the one titled “We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream” immediately piqued interest 👀

ahhh Thank You!!

This fic is mainly inspired by Snow White, more importantly, just the themes of Snow White in general. The notion of friendship and friend-groups, dreaming of love, finding a home that accepts you as you are, regardless of circumstance just really spoke to me.

The entire premise is that Caleb, after years of abuse from Trent in the Soltryce academy, finally gets the courage to escape. He leaves behind Astrid and Eadwulf in his desperate flight and traverses Wildmount, never stopping because of the fear that Trent and the rest of Academy are hot on his trail. He tries his best to steer clear of towns and large cities, and in the process becomes a street-rat, scrounging for food in trash bins and waste disposal carts, even going so far as to threaten normal, unwilling people on the roads, demanding their food (he still regrets the one couple he robbed on the highways; it had been snowing and so very cold, and Caleb had been so hungry. They looked rich. They sounded of money. Calling forth his magic, he threatened the wife with fire. The husband had been fast, and in his fear, Caleb burned him. He ran into the night with their wallet, the cries of anguish still in his ears, and he's sorry, so very sorry...)

In the daylight, Caleb is nothing more than a wandering miscreant, But at night, he is a dutiful student, practicing his charms and cantrips. It puts him at ease knowing that, at the end of the day, after his escape, he still has something to call his own.

Eventualy, Caleb comes across The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival. In this version, the entire M9 are circus performs (Yasha as a strongman, Jester as a general clown/magicians assistant, Veth and Beau as part of a 2-person acrobat show, Fjord as a swordsmaster.) In this version, Caleb is brought into the group by Molly (insert Muppet charismas carol "Who did NOT die") to be the circus' newest magician. It does take a few weeks for Caleb to be comfortable with everyone but the days that follow are some of the warmest and happiest that he's had in a long, long time.

Caleb is instantly loved by the small children (and by jester) who adores his intricate magic. He makes glowing animals and trinkets out of thin air and during one particularly rowdy show, he turns his magic toward Jester, creating for her the pink horses and lollipops she loves dearly. Jester is instantly smitten with him, charmed by his quiet stance, his intense eyes. He's nothing like the magicians who called the circus home. He's nothing like her, who delights in tricks but scoffs at gifting (she's still learning). Each piece of magic that he crafts for the children is special and unique, thoughtful in a way that none of the other's had been before.

Admittedly, Caleb also becomes smitten with Jester. In the after hours of the shows, she's the first to greet him in his rooms. She sits with him, marveling at the amount of books and tomes he's managed to fit within the small space. At every opportunity, she's smiling at him, and the way his heart flutters at the sight is nothing short of electric. He likes everything about her, including her super scuffy slightly-dead looking ferret who somehow survives She's nothing like Astrid and certainly nothing like the other people he's had clandesdine crushes on. She's a dream made real to him and he's more than willing to waste his magic on simple circus tricks if it means

Eventually, things between Jester and Caleb start happening. She and Caleb start preforming acts together (think a very Zendeya/Zack Efron "Rewrite the Stars" moment) delighting the crowd with their grand shows. Caleb, for the first time in his life, feels appreciated and loved, and most of all safe.

However, all of it comes crashing down when Astrid and Eadwulf arrive one day, along with Trent, who's disguised himself as a simple old man. Releaved that his is alive, Astrid and Eadwulf beg him to return, that Trent, in the event of Caleb's escape, has changed his ways. However, when the two are far from ear-shot, Trent returns to his absuive and manipulative ways. He's been at the circus before, watching Caleb from a distace, and has noticed how he looks at the pretty little tieflight clown.

With whisperd words, Trent preforms the same spell that he used on Caleb to destroyed his parents, twisting his memories. Trent then gives Caleb a peice of food (I cant decide on either a powerderd donut or a cupcake) to give to Jester. As Jester is about eat the food, Caleb snaps out of it just in time to wresle Jester for it, and in his haste to get it away from her, Caleb takes the plunge and eats it. The poison within the food actives and Caleb falls into a death like sleep.

That's about as far as I got with the outline. Obviously it'll end with a Trent vs M9 fight, Jester kissing Caleb awake and a happy, perfect ending.

[opportunity-strikes]

Adventure Poll!

Previous Poll

Your first instinct is indignation. Leave? Just like that? Without even putting up a fight?! But you remember that pair of riders and their fury, and think better of trying to defend yourself in a lone farmhouse away from town.

"Yeah..." you say, "I was sort of thinking the same." The words are heavy in your mouth and you look around your small, but loved abode woefully. In the back of your mind you're already planning what to pack and where to go. "On the condition that you explain everything on the way," you add firmly.

The stone emits a wave of relief and excitement.

"Good deal," it answers eagerly. You start to quickly move around your house. You grab your travel backpack and start to pack it with potions, herbs, and food. You grab the bedroll from your closet and a coat that's old and ugly, but warm and waterproof. You'll have to shutter the windows and lock the doors, close the flue, and put anything that will rot into the compost pile in the garden. The plants will have to fend for themselves until you get back--though you're now a little more confident in their survivability now that you've heard them gossiping outside.

This feels like an emergency situation, so you retrieve your saved coin and hide it in various pockets of your ugly coat and clothes.

[ecoamerica]

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[kiastirling-fanfic]

Happy Friday, I would love to see something cute! Dascha Cadash/Blackwall - "we’ll survive, you and i. "

Cuteness occurs! I'm incapable of pure fluff, but it's more cute than not so we're going with it.

@dadrunkwriting

Word count: 986 Pairing: Blackwall/Dascha Cadash Content warnings: mentions of theoretical child death?? Timeline: Post Wicked Eyes Wicked Hearts but before Here Lies the Abyss (and thus pre-Blackwall Plot Twists)

-

“We’ll survive, you and I,” Blackwall assured her one night in camp. His sword was laid out on his knees as he ran an oil cloth over it while Dascha checked the fletching on her arrows as they kept watch.

Technically it was just Blackwall’s watch, but everyone had long since come to accept that Dascha would sit it on as many watches as she could to avoid sleeping. And hopefully they’d be joining the host of the Inquisition’s forces soon to take down the attempt at a demon army the wardens were brewing, which meant none of Dascha's companions would need to take a watch again for a while.

"What brought that on?" Dascha didn't stop her fussing with feathers, and Blackwall didn't stop the long slow sweeps of his oilcloth. "Are you getting maudlin in your old age?"

"Cute," Blackwall snorted, and she could see the twitch of his mustache in the firelight that showed he meant it. "No, I only wanted to say it. You've been tense lately, more than usual."

"Right because there's nothing to be tense about," Dascha barked a laugh, probably sounding half manic. "I put a warmonger on the throne, we killed a dragon yesterday, and when the army gets here we get to march on wardens, your brethren. Nothing to be tense about."

"I didn't say there was no reason." Apparently doubting his sincerity was what it took to get Blackwall to set down his sword. He wrapped it lightly in the cloth kit he'd had splayed in his lap and laid it gently in the sand before he approached her.

Soon she was tucked up against his side on the same side of the fire facing out past the cliffs and dunes. Less than the blazing heat of the fire before her, but Blackwall's warmth was better certainly, especially without his gambeson or any armor plating getting in the way. Dascha set her arrows down on the other side and leaned into him.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, only the crackling fire, Bull's snores, and some squabbling phoenixes in the distance to break the night's quiet. If Dascha weren't nightblind already she imagined the stars might be pretty.

"You aren't going to lull me to sleep," she grumbled after a while, ignoring how her eyes wanted to droop, instead nuzzling her head into his side.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he assured her. "I only thought you deserved a moment of peace. You've more than earned it, and more than most."

"Sweet talker." And he was. You wouldn't think it, big hulking hairy man with a sword and a thick marcher accent, but Dascha had never heard half the sweet nothings he whispered to her in their brief moments before a kiss was stolen and they each went back to their own duties. "So. We both survive. What then?" 

"Kill Corypheus, I should hope. Then whatever else the Inquisition needs done."

"And you with the wardens? Once this calling thing stops." Alistair hadn't said much to her about it, said it was Blackwall's place since they were together, but it didn't sound good, not if it could scare all the wardens in the south to succumb to demons.

"Perhaps. But I would hardly be the first warden to take a step back. Move on from being a wandering recruiter and start training the young upstarts instead, or desk work. Every organization has desk work, even the wardens."

"We could have rooms in a warden keep then?" That didn't sound too bad, truth be told. She was kind of used to living in a keep now anyway, and the Inquisition wouldn't go on forever. Even if it did, she could pass the reins to someone else once the current crisis was past; what use was she in dealing with all this Andrastian nonsense? Once the rifts were all dealt with and Corypheus was dead, Dascha could quit. They only needed her for her arm anyway.

“Or a cottage near one. It’d be warmer, and there’d be more room.”

“Room? What would we need room for?” Dascha had slept in Carta boltholes ever since leaving Orzammar; her cabin in Haven had already seemed huge by comparison, and her quarters in Skyhold were ridiculously opulent. What would she ever need more room for?

“Whatever we want, I suppose. Things. A dog. Children.”

Children. Ancestors that was a possibility wasn’t it? If they were serious. Dascha tried to laugh it off anyway. Dascha could only see Blackwall’s face a little by peeking up through her lashes, but he looked just as queasy to say it as she did to hear it. How did people even raise children? Not like she’d been raised, certainly.

“That would involve actually having sex, Warden.” Which they hadn’t done, not for lack of trying. It was just impossible to have more than a few seconds to themselves with the Inquisition it seemed, everything always on the edge of collapsing. “And dwarves aren’t known for our, ah, fertility as is. I should tell you about Orzammar sometime, and the noble chasers.”

“But if it happened, would you be opposed?”

“Would you?”

Blackwall had a rather visceral reaction to children screaming she’d learned, even though the children in Skyhold only did so for fun while playing. But his hackles rose and if it happened suddenly he was liable to spin around with his sword drawn; there was something there. Had he been a father before the Wardens? Or had he simply seen one too many kids killed by darkspawn in the Blight?

“I’m not. Opposed, I mean. If you wanted children, I’d want them too.” Not that he did for certain want them now, but not that he didn't, either.

“We’ll see. After we finally have the chance to knock boots, then you can think about all the fat hairy babies we’re gonna have, okay?”

[comfort-questing]

"friendly fire"

(Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Academy phase)

Edelgard hadn't even needed help with the bandit leader in the first place. She'd been about to defeat him, in fact - just leaning back on her back foot to gather strength for a swing whenever she saw an opening in his clumsy swordwork. The gold-fletched arrow that slid past her face and found its mark abruptly in the bandit's upraised sword arm was totally unnecessary, really.

Just Claude, being a show-off as usual. Four months at Garreg Mach and this was nothing more than she expected of him, the snarky upstart that he was -

and then the sharp blow just inward of her left shoulderblade drove the breath out of her, sending her stumbling forward unprepared as the world fogged and spun around her for a ghastly moment.

The third arrow took the bandit in the throat, but she didn't know that until later. Only that when she staggered upright her opponent was coughing blood on the ground, and she found her knees suddenly shaky and her axe heavy in her hands, waves of stiff hot pain radiating from her back.

"Lady Edelgard!" That was Hubert, of course - a voice she'd always recognize no matter what extremity it found her in; his, too, the gloved hands steady under her armpits as she stood dazed and trembling.

"Edelgard!" That was not Hubert - the flash of gold and tawny in the sideline of her dizzy sight, and she felt Hubert's gasp shift as he turned with a snarl to the newcomer:

"Get away from her."

"I was just - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to - " Claude, his silver tongue suddenly failing him, hands empty and reaching towards her. "It's all right, Edelgard, Marianne's on her way over, she'll help."

"We don't need any more help from you and yours," Edelgard managed to spit between her clenched teeth. She could breathe against the pain now, as long as she didn't stir the arrow shaft from its place. Linhardt would... oh, blast, Linhardt was back at the monastery, three textbooks deep in the magic seminar with Professor Byleth and Professor Manuela. Of all days for their healer to have pled off.

Dimly she could still hear the clamor of battle across the clearing, although lessening now; Hubert murmured an apology and let go with one hand, to reach up calmly above her head and release another spell in that direction. The cold tingle of mana itched across her hair and skin for a moment.

"Oh, no! I'm sorry, I got here quick as I could." Marianne flung herself down to kneel on the trampled grass, reaching out. "Miss - Edelgard, may I - "

"Do you want me to clear these folk for you, my lady?" Hubert muttered out of the corner of his mouth, his arm still supporting her.

Her first instinct was to nod yes, and watch his magic defend her, the way he had always offered to do against greater pains than these, and with less chance of victory; but Claude and Marianne's faces were all worry and guileless care, Claude's eyebrows pinched together in what looked like the most genuine distress he had ever shown in her presence. And Marianne - that girl obviously couldn't bring herself to cause harm to an ant hill in the stable yard, let alone any classmate of hers.

"No," she managed, "let them - help."

-

It still hurt, of course, as Claude got the arrow out from the crevice behind one shoulderblade, a white-hot wrenching pain that sickened her for a terrible moment before Marianne's gentle warm healing wrapped around her like a blanket. She still needed Hubert's help to walk back towards the remainder of the battle, to meet the others and Professor Hanneman gathering up the surviving bandits for management back at the village. But for the first time in a very long time the cluster of other faces and voices around her was more comforting than frightening, and when her eyes drooped shut from exhaustion she let them fall, and her classmates' arms open to guide her back with them to Garreg Mach.

Claude had apologized to her no less than five times and probably a dozen, by then. Edelgard was also a little drowsily curious how long it would take for his remorse to wear off.

She could get used to this, she thought, a little ashamed; this being taken care of.

[automatonknight]

OH I WILL ! CHECK OUT THE VIDS WHEN I HAVE THE CHANCE.. [the horrors of having no free time nowadays] and. looks at you with my big autistic eyes. tell me more about benny? :0

YAHOO!! I HOPE YOU'LL HAVE FREE TIME SOON ALSO YOU DESERVE A GOOD LONG BREAK!!! STAY STRONG OUT THERE BOSS YOU GOT THIS!!! ok ok so benny AAUGH benny. AGAIN SPOILERS ahead. i guess it's convinient, he has like. probably the most fletched-out story out of all the characters since he's the one you control, even when rodriguez, who is normally the leader, joins your party. although in the rodriguez route benny doesn't reflect all that much on his life from what i remember. speaking of reflecting on his old life! if rod dies and the story kind of, goes how it usually goes, at certain points you get flashbacks to benny's life before the flash. he worked at a burger place with his friends (clyde and liam) where rod was their manager. besides the two guys he was also friends with a girl named amy (at least i'm pretty sure that's her name, based on the fact that a joy mutant called the same thing uses the move "familiar cry" which implies that you knew that person, but also in the hopeless (an in-the-works sequel to the hopeful) it seems like that childhood friend is alive?? idk i'll keep calling her amy it's shorter). she's stated to have friendzoned him and (as i interpret it and i might be a little biased as someone aroace) if im being honest he doesn't really look like he cares that much? if anything clyde and liam (the latter actually called her out for "leading benny on" once) seem to care way, way more.

^i like this dialogue (it goes clyde, benny, clyde btw) i think it's funny but it also serves as an example. he doesn't even get what they're talking about, i think he just doesn't give a shit about "getting their relationship to another level", thruthfully. ok benny aroace icon headcanons to the side, coming back on the tracks um. so benny's like, well he's trying his best as a leader if rod dies, he's pretty much the sole party member to try and support his friends and cheer them on. he tries to help lanks after what happened to him when they got captured by the lovelies at the beginning of the game, even though he doesn't exactly know how to do that. in, geez i think clyde's route? he gets shot through the eye, which either turns him into a joy mutant or eventually kills him later on. i can't for the love of me remember what happens in liam's route but he for sure dies, since it's not his route. in rod's route they just all die at the end. NOW. in benny's route at the sportsdome, he gets shot in the knee, lanks gets taken and clyde gets set on fire but survives (if he isn't joyed). they fight on a little more but both of his friends eventually end up dead, so he tracks the lovelies down and kills them. the final boss is in every route, a guy named hart, the leader of the lovelies. beltboy's run actually has one of the more difficult versions of this fight BUT what is interesting is that for the first part (before hart turns into a joy mutant, beginning a phase 2 of sort) liam and clyde actually ARE THERE TO HELP!!! like. in benny's spirit. this doesn't happen for liam or clyde, they're stronger because of their anger and grief, especially liam, but i think what allows benny to win is his kind attitude and frienship, which is really cheesy but idk what other way i could interpret that. THIS also. allows him to survive in the end! as five is relieved that he's approached her like a normal person and gets him patched up. idk idk he makes me feel so many things. kind of unrelated and again, i'm probably biased cuz i love projecting, but i think reading him as an aroace man like. makes sense. i see a lot of how i think in him. he does make comments about "getting the girl", yes, but i think that's more to like, please his friends and keep their spirits up or whatever. other than that he seems disinterested in a romantic relationship with amy, it doesn't bother him at all it's not sexual or anything, he tells five that "he needs a friend" when he stumbles into her hideout half-dead after the fight with hart. aroace guy TO ME!!

^me right now as we speak btw. more dialogue propaganda also

and he loves his friends!! ok i think that's all i can recall

[heliads]

Who Could Stay

Based on this request: "Robin Hood AU, Newt x female reader. Ava Paige is King John. Janson is the sheriff of Nottingham. Reader is Robin Hood. Thomas, Minho, Gally, and Chuck are the Merry Men. Newt is Marian. He’s a nobleman who the reader falls in love with."

vibes off the charts

masterlist

The morning of the contest looms. Across the fair city, scores of archers are readying their bows, fletching their arrows, parading towards the grounds in waves of checkered cloaks and satin garments. The prize, a bag of coins, doesn’t mean much to them by way of money. They’re more interested in the fame it would bring to their title than anything else. 

You, on the other hand, are distracted by something far more interesting than even the brightest compliment to your rank. Esteem is one thing, but gold? That’s of far more use to you. You are an outlaw, after all, and that means steady hours aren’t exactly your sort of thing.

Then again, you’re not just any outlaw. You’re the one that lingers in the rumors dotting town streets, the name whispered again and again over darkened thresholds and gossip mongers’ dens. You’re Robin Hood, and around here, that means something quite important.

No, you have no need for a title. You shucked that from your shoulders yourself when you chose to live in Sherwood Forest and spend the rest of your days on the run from the law. It’s not like you would ever want to retreat back to society, anyway; to take part in any action that might help the ruling class is strictly against your best wishes.

It hadn’t been like that all the time. There had once been a kind and fair leader over your people, King Alby, although the man hasn’t been seen in a very long time. You think some folk still harbor a belief that he might come back and save all of you, but you’ve long since accepted that such hope is worthless.

What matters now is trying to survive under the current regime. You’re sure that Queen Ava Paige ascended to the throne with at least the barest aspirations of doing good to her people, but those beliefs have long since been bled dry. Now, she terrorizes the towsfolk in search of more resources, more results, and never do the benefits ever reach the people they were supposed to help in the first place.

Additionally, her right hand man is something of a menace all by himself. Sheriff Janson of Nottingham is a foul, rattish man, given to seeking out people in need and leaving them even worse off than before. He’d kidnap or kill anyone he needed to if he thought it would get him a step ahead.

That’s why you left all of that behind. You live on the fringes of society, delving deep within Sherwood Forest every night to find a home far better than anything civilization could offer. When Ava and Janson’s men dare to venture within the bounds of your forest, you take their riches and redistribute them to those who could actually use the gilded trappings.

It’s more far this way by a long shot. Over time, you started to gain more supporters, and your band of outlaws grew. Now, you call yourselves the Merry Men, and your numbers only rise by the month.

Your friends survive not just by your own resources, however, but by constantly dancing in and out of skirmishes with Janson’s soldiers. That’s why entering today's archery contest would be a terrible idea, yet you’re still doing it anyway. There’s no doubt in your mind that Sheriff Janson will be there looking for the one they call Robin Hood, but that’s precisely why you have to go in the first place.

There’s something to be said for the fun of outsmarting the Sheriff. It’s quite easy to do, actually, and the rewards feel all the more pleasant for it. Although Robin Hood is technically an outlaw, there are no rules on the entries to this particular contest, so of course you could enter. The only problem comes with escaping after the contest ends and you’re right in the Sheriff’s clutches.

Then again, if you were the kind of person to back down from a good challenge, you’d never have made it as far as you have. You enjoy a good bit of fun, and this contest seems like just the right avenue for it.

Besides, if you’re willing to admit it to yourself, you’d share that there’s one more reason that you’re inclined to attend this archery contest in particular, other than the thrill of a cash prize and humiliating Janson:  namely, the young man you can just make out arriving at the scene of the contest, the sole nobleman you can’t find it in yourself to hate.

Lord Newt is well known throughout the town and surrounding lands for being a genuinely good person. He helps out those in need, he offers advice to those who come searching for it, he does everything in his power to make sure he uses his station to aid instead of harm.

He’s also way out of your league, even if you weren’t an outlaw. You’ve never had cause to meet him, obviously, but that doesn’t stop you from wishing you could. You lean against the trunk of a nearby tree, staring out at him as Newt crosses the field to greet some other nobles.

Behind you, a few of your Merry Men have noticed your distraction and feel it necessary to comment on the matter. Your newest arrival, Thomas, starts talking in a low voice.

“You know, I was so keen on figuring out how we were going to use that gold, but I’m starting to think that we might have to think more about getting our Robin Hood in line than anything else.”

The brusque voice of one of your best fighters, Minho, answers him soon enough. “You might have cause to worry after all, Thomas. Y/N’s not focused on her bow in the slightest, she’s too busy pining over some rich boy who’ll never pay her any attention. It’s a hopeless case.”

You respond to your friend’s retort without bothering to turn around. “Shut it, Minho, I’ve got enough skill with a bow to never have to practice. And besides, I wouldn’t exactly call my case hopeless.”

Minho lets out an obviously staged gasp of surprise. “Why’s that? Have you actually talked to him?”

You grin, and finally look over at him. “No, something better. He’s talked about me.”

Minho throws a hand in the air, whereas Thomas starts to laugh. “That’s not any indication of anything,” Minho says, “only that he’s aware of the local criminals. Everyone else is, too, does that mean the blacksmith is fond of you?”

“The blacksmith is incredibly fond of me,” you answer, eyes wide, “we give him ten gold pieces every time we see him.”

Another one of your Merry Men, Gally, snorts. “Well, if all it took to appease your nobleman were a few bribes, I’d say you’d better get to winning this contest. You’ll need every bit of that gold to attract someone so rich.”

“Ah, Gally,” you counter, “I don’t need money. I’ve got my dashing personality, and I don’t think there’s a soul alive who could resist that.”

“Even the Sheriff?” Gally asks, eyebrow raised.

“Even the Sheriff,” you grin, and reach up to pull the hood of your cloak over your face. It’s time to win this contest.

Despite your favoritism for causing a scene, you do know enough to keep your identity hidden. Entertaining a little bit of secrecy allows you to visit the town when you need to, especially when you’re not interested in leading the soldiers of Nottingham on a merry chase through the streets. You doubt any of the Sheriff’s men even know that you’re a girl. All they see is a deep green hooded cloak and nothing else.

You’re perfectly fine with staying hidden. Thus, when you arrive at the archery contest, hood casting your face in shadow, you don’t even have to say your name before the officiant announces in a surprised voice that Robin Hood has arrived to compete.

It does earn you your fair share of scathing remarks from your competitors as you take a position in front of an available target, but you could give less of a damn about what some nobleman’s useless sons think about you.

Instead, you allow yourself to glance casually over at the audience, where a certain someone resides in the box reserved for the wealthy. Lord Newt is already looking at you, and flushes a quiet scarlet when you flash him a quick smile. Looks like Minho doesn’t know what he’s talking about in the slightest.

The contest starts soon enough, forcing you to divert your attention away from Newt once more. As the officiant drones on about the rules, you notice something strange about your target. You swear it looks further away than the others, and the surface of the painted circles looks strange. The other competitors have hay bales with canvas stretched over them, but you could swear that yours is of a different material, likely not as easy to hit.

It wouldn’t surprise you that the Sheriff would resort to such tactics. He’s looking to humiliate you by taking away your skill with the bow. It’s a shame, then, that you’re used to practicing in far worse conditions. It’s almost fun to see the look on his face when you hit the dead center of the target anyway, despite all his meddling.

What’s less fun is when the Sheriff doesn’t even wait for the end of the contest before calling his soldiers to attack you. You were waiting for a trap, of course, but that doesn’t mean your escape isn’t fairly difficult to achieve. Within an hour, though, you’re meeting your Merry Men in the outskirts of the forest as planned, only a little worse for wear than before.

You’re ready to head back into the depths of the forest and lose any soldiers that might still be following you, but just as you’re turning to leave, Thomas gestures behind you with a jerk of his chin.

When you turn around, you’re surprised to see Newt standing there before you. If anything, he looks just as confused about the whole thing, but pulls out a bag from beneath his cloak before you have the chance to ask him what he’s doing. Judging by the way it clinks with every movement, you have a guess as to what it contains.

Newt explains anyway, clearly glad for some script to follow. “I know the contest was interrupted, but you still won fair and square. Figured you would be more deserving of the prize than if it just disappeared back into the Sheriff’s coffers.”

He holds out the bag to you, but you just grin. “I didn’t think you were in the habit of talking to criminals.”

Newt’s face flushes again, and when he speaks, his words are clipped, precisely controlled. It’s a very sharp contrast to the easy words of you and your men. “I’m not.”

You chuckle. “I can tell. Hideous accent. Atrocious. You sound like a nobleman.”

Newt blinks at you in surprise. “That’s because I am.”

You shrug. “Figures. Anyway, are you coming or not?”

“Am I coming?” Newt repeats, “What are you talking about?”

You allow yourself a small smile. “Back to our camp, of course. If you’re bringing us money, you’re clearly our friend. Maybe you could use a chance to get to know some of us petty thieves. Besides, if you’re having doubts please know that I will be leaving you with the money, and if you don’t follow us to hand it over that might be considered stealing.”

Newt stares at you a second longer, then starts to laugh. It’s a good look on him, you can admit it freely. “I think I can see why the Sheriff wants you dead.”

You grin back at him. “What, because of my winning temperament?”

“Something like that,” Newt says, and falls in line with the rest of you.

Thomas and Minho exchange surprised looks over your shoulder, but you’re not taken aback by Newt’s sudden decision in the slightest. Every time you’ve seen Newt out with the other noblemen, he looks distinctly uncomfortable, as if he’s more than aware that he isn’t quite like the others. It seems that your men might not be the only ones who want more from society than they’re going to get.

As it turns out, your hunch is spot on. It only takes a few minutes before Newt’s conversing with your friends as if he’d known them his entire life. He even manages to befriend Gally, a task that took you several weeks and the others ranging up to a few months. Newt’s just a nice guy, that’s all, and you certainly don’t mind his company in the slightest.

Newt’s position as an inhabitant of Sherwood Forest only seems to grow more permanent as the weeks pass by. He ends up visiting at least every couple of days to bring food, supplies, and news of the Sheriff. Newt’s basically a spy on the inside, and his information proves to be quite valuable on more than a few occasions. 

Thanks to his warnings, you and your Merry Men are able to avoid traps and ambushes, even despite Sheriff Janson’s best attempts to catch you. You can tell that it’s driving the man insane, even without Newt’s laughing stories about how Janson looks one minute from a heart attack.

Yes, Newt fits in quite well with your band of thieves. He even ends up bringing his younger sister, Lady Sonya, and her good friend, Lady Harriet one day, to the enjoyment of the whole party. Your newest addition, Aris, is particularly delighted to see them. As it turns out, he’s been friends with Sonya and Harriet for quite some time.

Aris had been a nobleman’s son before he joined your ranks. Just like you, the hypocrisy and inequality of it all got to him and he decided to run away. Aris hadn’t had much of a chance to warn Sonya and Harriet about his whereabouts, but they’re all certainly happy to catch each other up on all that’s happened in his absence.

You find Newt standing by the edge of your camp one night, watching the three kids talk. He’s just on the outskirts of the campfire, more in shadow than in light. All the same, you’re still able to see the quiet emotion flickering across his face as he listens to Aris regale the girls with stories of his newfound freedom. If you didn’t know better, you’d say that it was almost envy.

“You could do it too, you know,” you whisper, “Join us. Leave the rich and their self serving gambles to someone else.”

Newt sighs. “I wish I could. More than anything.”

You get the sense that he truly means it. “Then do it, Newt. You’ve heard Aris talk, he was able to make the trip. I know our way of life isn’t all velvet cloaks and grand palaces, but it’s worth something, too.”

Newt looks at you dead on, and you’re startled by the bleak hopelessness in his gaze. “It was feasible for Aris, but not for me. Aris is different, he doesn’t have as many people surrounding him all the time. I’m more chained up than Aris ever was, I couldn’t possibly be able to leave forever.”

Newt speaks quickly, the words hastened out of his mouth by something that could even be guilt. You’ve never wanted your friend to suffer, so you ease his burden as best you can.

“It’s not your fault,” you reply, “Besides, you are rather useful in your information. We wouldn’t know about half the attacks if you weren’t here.”

Newt smiles softly. “It is pretty fun, I can admit that. All the spying makes one feel rather daring.”

You laugh at that. “See, what did I tell you? We’ll make an outlaw of you yet.”

Before Newt can respond to that, you hear something, a sound carried over the whisper of the wind. You hold up a hand to ask for silence and listen hard. A moment later, your eyes widen as you realize just what’s coming for you.

“Soldiers!” You shout to your friends, “Everybody, run!”

There’s just enough time for your friends to register your words before the horses are upon you. They break into the clearing, hoofs rearing as armored men leap down at you. Newt grabs at your arm, dragging you away. This is no time for a fight, you’ve been heavily outnumbered and taken by surprise. You can see the others making the same choice as you, melting away into the forest before the soldiers can spot them.

Newt’s breath is harsh in your ear. “What do we do? Where do we go?”

You pull at your arms, still intertwined, and start to run in a northerly direction. “We established a safe location some time ago, everyone knows to meet there. Follow me.”

“As if I was going to leave you,” Newt mumbles under his breath, and runs after you.

The flight through the trees is dark and full of danger. Although you’ve always known Sherwood Forest well, it seems even more perilous now that you’re being pursued. The sounds of baying hounds and shouting men echo behind you, driving you forward as fast as you can. Branches whip at your face, roots seem to lunge towards your feet, but you and Newt fight on anyway.

Eventually, you gesture for him to come to a stop. This is the safe haven, a spring hidden deep in the crevices of a rock face. Only your Merry Men would be aware of its existence.

The two of you pause to catch your breath and wait for the others to arrive. Now that the danger is past, Newt glances at you, and his hand raises unconsciously to your face.

“You’re bleeding,” he says, gently wiping away a scarlet smear with his thumb.

You freeze there for a second, his hand still on your cheek. Neither Newt nor you appear willing to move. Why should you, anyway, when you’re so deeply cloaked in darkness that neither of you could be seen? The moonlight is soft, dappling his hair such that it seems more silver than gold. Perhaps the two of you will stay here forever, locked into place, twin statues that could never be separated. It is certainly a better fate than any that might befall you.

A crashing sound from the forest is the only thing capable of breaking the two of you apart. Within moments, Thomas is skidding to a stop in front of you, Gally and Chuck right behind him. Sonya and Harriet emerge from the woods a few paces back, looking just as worse for wear as the rest of you.

“Everyone here?” Thomas asks. Evidently, he had taken as many people as he could and just ran.

You start to do a head count, then panic. “Where’s Minho?”

Chuck’s eyes are wide. “He told me to run, and that he was going to distract a captain who was charging at us. Has he not come back yet?”

Your blood runs cold. “Not yet, but that doesn’t have to mean anything. Maybe he had to take a looping way here and he’ll show up later.”

A few hours later, though, even you have to admit that Minho won’t be coming. He’s likely been captured, something Newt confirms when he risks a trip into town to check it out for himself. Apparently the Sheriff is holding him hostage in one of the prisons. Minho himself is a little battered, but not too bad.

It’s a pretty obvious trap. The Sheriff is clearly waiting for you, but even in the face of such terrible odds, you know just as well as the rest of your friends that you’ll be coming for Minho anyway. Minho is one of your eldest friends, your bravest fighter. You’ll save him even if it damns you.

Newt still tries to talk you out of it, just in case. “Don’t go, Y/N. The rest of us can sneak around a lot easier than you can. Sheriff Janson’s got scores of men combing the streets in search of you, it’s not worth it.”

“It is,” you say simply, “Minho’s family. Besides, no one knows that I’m a girl. I’ll just act like a normal townsperson and we’ll be out of there in no time.”

Newt doesn’t seem convinced, but he can tell that you’ve already made your mind up. “I’m helping too,” he replies, “and don’t even think about trying to talk me out of it.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” you grin, and Newt smiles at last.

Thus the plan unfolds:  you and your Merry Men will wear disguises into town, as if you were nothing more than ordinary citizens of Nottingham. You’ll divert the guards and rescue Minho before Janson realizes that his infamous Robin Hood is a teenage girl. After that, you’ll have to keep your heads down for a while, but at least you’ll all be out.

The first part of the plan goes well enough. You and your friends enter Nottingham from different points, slowly but surely converging on the prison. You’re able to enter the jail under the guise of serving food to the prisoners, but that’s where it all goes wrong.

For one thing, the jail is empty. You check and double check the cells, but it’s true. Minho isn’t there. When you try to leave, soldiers arrive to block the doors. Obviously, they’ve been expecting someone would try to spring Minho, and the only ones who wouldn’t know about the switch would be you and your allies.

You’re able to fight off the soldiers reasonably well with the help of Gally and Thomas, but the element of surprise is gone. Newt races up to you, sharing through deep breaths that he heard Minho is being held at Queen Ava’s palace instead. The reward of capturing Robin Hood would be enough to even involve royalty. It would be a wonderful compliment were it not for the fact that you’re terrified you won’t be able to save Minho.

Newt knows secret passageways into and out of the castle thanks to all the hours he had to spend there in his youth, and is able to lead you and your friends to one of them. He does caution you about jumping out of windows any taller than the ground floor, and points to his leg with a wry grin.

“Got bored of a stuffy banquet and tried to escape,” he whispers, “Didn’t end too well. Now I’ve got a limp for life and not a whole lot to say for it.”

With that warning in mind, your group sets off. You don’t entirely know where Minho is being held within the bounds of the castle, so you split up into groups of two. All parties involved have the directions to head to the safe haven in the forest should anything happen, and then the searching begins.

You’re working with Newt, and the two of you check every room on your designated sector, the third floor, before coming up blank. As you’re turning around to head back out, your path is blocked by one of Ava Paige’s knights. You’ve heard a lot about this man in particular; a more dastardly blackguard has never been seen.

He’s even a worse foe than the Sheriff. This knight has spread his cruelty over the lands like a virus, infecting the minds of otherwise rational men with the urge to pay him off, to commit crimes in his name and give this treacherous man as much leverage as he could possibly have in the palace. He’s even been given a nickname by those unfortunate to come in contact with him:  the Flare, for how he burns his way through civilized society.

Newt stretches an arm in front of you, as if to keep himself in between you and the Flare. The knight cocks his head to the side, evidently curious as to what’s happening.

“Lord Newt, I haven’t seen you in quite some time. You know, I was hoping we’d meet. I hear we might have much in common.”

Newt shakes his head slowly. “I fear our meeting will have to be delayed a little longer. I must be off.”

The Flare’s eyes narrow. “You’d deny me my right? To induct good men such as yourself into my ranks, as my status allows?”

Newt’s gaze flickers briefly to you, and you can see the warning written there, clear as day. The Flare’s attention drifts to you now. “And who’s this lovely lady with you? You know, I’ve heard rumors that Robin Hood might not have the face we expected. You wouldn’t happen to know about that, would you?”

You and Newt start to make for a nearby exit, but the Flare draws his sword, stepping calmly in front of it. “I think the two of you know more than you’re letting on. I’m going to have to stop you there.”

Newt’s hand drifts to his sword, but you can see how this battle would turn out even before they cross blades for the first time. The enemy knight is armored, ready for a fight, not held back by something as foolish as a conscience. Were they to come in contact with each other, the Flare would kill Newt without a second’s hesitation, and you will not allow that to happen.

Instead, you grab Newt by the hand and sprint in the other direction, pulling him towards a nearby stairwell. The fact that neither of you are in armor does give you the advantage of speed, and you and Newt hurdle headlong down the stairs as fast as you can. Newt leads you through a whirlwind of quick turns, doubling back a few times just to make sure nobody could follow you.

When you’re certain that the Flare is nowhere to be seen, you and Newt slow down at last. You’re met by Thomas and Minho by the entrance, both of them bent double and gasping for breath.

“What happened?” You ask, fighting the wave of relief that crashes over you at the sight of your friend.

Thomas leans back against the wall. “Found Minho, but nearly got myself locked up instead. Janson had me, I swear it, and he was ready to kill me. He left the room for a minute, but Ava Paige let me go. It sounds strange, but it’s true.”

Newt frowns in bewilderment. “Queen Ava? What would she do that for?”

Thomas shrugs. “Beats me. Maybe she had a brief glimpse of a conscience or something. Anyway, we’re all out, I sent Gally and Aris out ahead of us to track down Sonya and Harriet. They all seemed fine. How about you guys?”

You smile grimly. “Nearly got murdered by a sickeningly bad knight, but other than that, we’re all good. Shall we leave this place before our luck runs out?”

“Sounds great to me,” Minho says fervently, and the four of you head for the forest.

Luckily, you encounter no further resistance on your troop back through the city. As you reach the edge of Sherwood Forest, however, Newt’s footsteps start to slow. You look back at him, and realize that he’s stopped walking altogether. He stares up at the horizon, where the outline of the palace is just visible amongst the tops of the nearby cottages.

You walk back to him, signaling for Minho and Thomas to continue without you. “What’s wrong, Newt?”

Newt shakes his head slowly. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just thinking about how glad I am to leave that place.”

You stare at him, a slow realization dawning upon you. “What does that mean?”

Newt glances back at you at last, smiling as brightly as the morning sun. “I think you know perfectly well what it means.”

“Spell it out just in case, why don’t you?” You say faintly, “I don’t want to get my hopes up for nothing.”

“Very well,” Newt replies, “I’m leaving Nottingham for good. I hereby pledge myself to be one of the Merry Men, to fight by your side as long as we both shall live. How’s that for an explanation?”

You beam at him. “It sounds perfectly alright to me. You really mean it? You’re leaving your old life for good?”

Newt nods solemnly. “I want this life, Y/N. I have for a while. It feels more real than anything I ever had before. The only question is if you’ll have me.”

You get the feeling he’s asking a different thing than just if you’ll let him be one of the Merry Men. So, you nod, and answer his unspoken question by kissing him. It seems an excellent answer to both of you.

maze runner tag list: @rogueanschel, @ellobruv, @retvenkos, @neewtmas, @thatfangirl42, @hiya-its-amber, @gods-fools-heroes, @hope92100, @23victoria



requested by @thornyrose463, who also made this moodboard!

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