#this will be a pain to draw but it will be worth it

[imaybe5tupid]

Why bother? (Why bother?) It's gonna hurt me. (It's gonna hurt me.) It's gonna kill when- (Why bother!) -You desert me! (Gonna hurt me!)

Set after Nightmare. Laios is reminiscing and contemplating.

[strawberrimilkie]

Hold on to what's left of you, hold on to your light, hold on to your spark, hold on to what's right.

[arctrooper69]

As Iron Sharpens Iron

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Chapter 14:

Previous // Next

Warnings: Canon violence

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The trip back to your small shuttle seemed to take twice as long.

“... yeah the shuttle’s still there…”

The subtle echo of voices and gear drifted across the rocky terrain and you froze. For a moment it disappeared and you’d almost convinced yourself that once again this moon was playing tricks on you.

A haggard, hacking cough sounded from around the corner where piles of slag leaned and stacked over each other creating some sort of natural shelter beside the mouth of yet another cavernous mineshaft.

You dove behind a large boulder. Kriff. Cid had said the planet was uninhabited.

Is someone else after the jewels too?

Cid hadn't mentioned that either. You were going to have a serious talk with her when you got back.

If I even make it back in one piece. You rubbed your aching shoulder. From the way this mission was going, you weren't sure just how intact you'd be.

This place is a death trap. At least I have the jewels. Hard part’s over.

The roving light of a headlamp flickered against the rocks before blinking out.

“Karabast!” came a growling curse, “Those kriffing rocks better be worth as much as you say they are, woman!”

“Relax, Nakan.” a female voice snapped, sounding exasperated. “You’ll get your money.”

Two other voices squabled further away.

“Enj! Rico! Get your asses over here!” the female shouted. She sounded human, or at least humanoid.

Crawling slowly, you peered through the cracks of the boulder, to get a better look.

A human woman paced the ground and a large Nikto crouched a few feet from the edge of a mineshaft beneath the craggy overhang of shale. Nakan, the woman had called him.

The ones she’d called Enj and Rico were Weequay - male and female. The female spat on the ground. “We’re wasting our time out here, Boss. There’s nothing here.”

“There will be!” The human crossed her arms, “You just have to trust me!”

The male Weequay said something that you couldn’t quite hear and she nodded. The Nikto got to his feet and followed the others as they continued to search for a different mine.

The voices faded off into the distance, but you waited a little longer before coming out of hiding.

Dust floated through the air, forcing itself deep into your lungs and you choked. Eyes watering, you instinctively reached, pulling the fabric of your shirt to cover your mouth and nose.

Even the air is getting worse. It burnt your lungs. Almost there.

A brief flash of alarmed confusion was the only warning before you found yourself violently acquainted with the ground once again, head forced into the dirt and arms wrenched painfully behind your back, drawing a pained squeal as air was forced from your lungs.

“Hey, boss! Look what I found!” Scaled hands dragged you to your feet, maintaining the iron grip that trapped your arms painfully behind you.

“Get off, asshole!” You spit dirt from your mouth, throwing your shoulders forward to try and yank yourself free.

A sudden click and your jaw snapped shut. The hot dedlanite barrel of a blaster burned into the skin of your forehead. Muscles stiffened as the woman from before brought the blaster down your face, resting it just below your chin, forcing it up so that she could see your face.

“Just when I thought my luck had run out!” she chuckled, “You look like shit and you know what that tells me?”

You glared.

She continued anyway, “That tells me that you’ve been spelunking around here. You find any shiny rocks?”

Any fear left in your worn out mind hardened to a spiteful anger.

Get your own shiny rocks, bitch. These are mine.

Despite the dryness of the air or how your lips cracked and screamed for relief, you spat. “Kriff off!”

Pain exploded from your cheekbone, radiating down your neck as she whipped the blaster without warning.

She slowly wiped the spit from her cheek. “Fine. We’ll do this your way then.”

She turned to one of the Weequays. “Search her. Take what you want then get rid of her.”

The Nikto merely grunted as you kicked your foot back, struggling to gain some semblance of control as he pulled already screaming shoulders ever tighter, binding your hands behind your back.

Nausea flooded passages already inhabited with the adrenaline fueled struggle. It made you dizzy.

A hand jerked the pouch from your belt, renewing the fight to aching muscles. You threw back your head, connecting with the face of the Weequay who’d stolen the stones from your belt. He cursed, dropping the stones, hands flying instinctively to his broken nose.

You reached desperately for the bag of jewels, fingers just barely brushing the fabric.

If I can’t have them, then you definitely can’t.

Another tremor rattled the ground and you watched with numb satisfaction as the small bag tumbled from the ledge into the abyss below.

The woman slammed your head into the ground once more and your vision went white.

“Go in there and get those damn stones!” she snapped over her shoulder, “I’ll take care of her myself!”

The ground began to rumble. A larger quake this time. Stones and dust were violently tossed into the air.

“Shit, just go! Get out!”

Everything was silent then, so slow that it felt as if you were floating - propelled from the edge not by a boot, but by a gentle wind.

***

The Marauder lay so peaceful after that mission.

The memory came to you suddenly as if you’d slipped into a dream, mind desperately grasping to cushion a cruel reality as you tumbled down into the dark.

Omega and Wrecker were laughing because a stray piece of Mantell Mix had landed directly in Tech’s unruly curls and stayed there unmoving. Tech had moved on into the cockpit, yet still that sticky sweet stayed put. It was only when Hunter could no longer keep the grin from his lips nor the laughter from his eyes, that he’d noticed.

That’s the part that played like a holofilm over and over again. The subtly raised eyebrow at Omega’s joyfully hidden giggles. That spark of laughter in eyes that had been serious for too long. The muscles that rippled along his neck and jaw as he held back laughter that soon broke loose and the way he breathed so easily again - momentarily free from the weight of an ever changing galaxy. He was happy.

Oh, what you would do to give him that once more.

I’m sorry, Hunter.

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[thetraumaking]

The Accursed Crown

Other chapters

Chapter 10: In Name

Due to excitement, she had trouble sleeping.

After her unfortunate “accident” the whole day you were by her side, treating her as if she were glass. The treatment may have been targeted toward the weak but Azula’s excuse was simply research.

She was curious to see how you would react and she was also curious to know how it feels to receive such attention. While she herself is training and focusing on improvement, her brother Zuko is being pampered as if his life depended on it. She simply wanted to know what it was like being in his position. To know if that lifestyle was worth sabotaging his future and development.

She lay in her bed, awake.

Only getting up alongside the sun. Knowing you would be already awake by this time, she made her way to you.

Despite the lack of sleep, she was in a good mood. Her demeanor was calm and relaxed, as she walked through the patio. Her steps halted when she heard grunts from the training ground.

Deciding to investigate, she redirected to the field. When she found the source of the gasping, her eyes widened.

Azula could not describe what she was feeling. Nothing good that's for sure. There was a pain in her chest that she could not fully describe.

The sight before her made her jaw clench.

Zuko was there on her training ground, doing her training drills, and taking lessons from her mentor. Who does he think he is?

He is nothing but a fish swimming in a sea of mediocracy. How dare he waste your time on some useless fodder?

She’s a firebender but even then she never imagined she could feel her blood boil. She watches as her brother heaves, leaning on his knees, trying to catch his breath. You gaze at him, evaluating his performance.

Deciding to put a stop to this, she tugged at her bandages before marching in with her head held high. She had hoped to spend the remainder of the week with you.

Calling out to you, she showed you her bandaged hand, which was coming out undone. You handed the wooden sword to Zuko and walked to her. “How did this happen?” You ask while retying the gauze.

“It could be that I moved too much in my sleep, or you just didn’t do a good enough job bandaging it.” She huffed. “Also, didn’t you promise to make me breakfast? And why are you here with him?” she looked pointedly at Zuko.

“The Fire Lord ordered me to train Prince Zuko. He may not have started to fire bend but he should at least know some basic forms. As for breakfast, I thought you would have liked to sleep in a bit more so I conducted his highness’s training a bit early so I could have time to prepare.” Even when you’re finished retying the bandages, you still held her hand.

Seeing her attempt to draw your attention away from her brother was working, she continued on with the conversation.

“I am already used to waking up at this time so from now on, I want to train with you. I will be present in every training session you hold for him, so tell me a day prior before your meeting.”

She didn’t wait for you to respond and began pulling you back to the palace, away from Zuko. “I’m hungry, make me food.” She ordered, sparing a glance at the boy left behind.

Why must her quality time with you suffer because he’s weak? If he was the slightest bit more competent, this would not have happened. And why must her father and grandfather constantly interfere with her plans? Why do people always get in her way and try to steal you away from her?

She felt a comforting hand on her head, stopping her in her tracks. The tension seemed to melt away the moment you stepped closer, letting her lean her head on your middle.

“What caused this reaction?” You began combing her hair with your fingers, working through the knots. “Did your brother wrong you in some way?”

“He did.” She replied without missing a beat.

Of course he did. He tried to stand between you and her. She heard the stories from the servants about how it was you who used to attend to him before she was born. She also heard how he complained to his mother about how she was the one who took you away from him. She has even heard her father tell his council member how he believes that you are his daughter.

Her age does not fully reflect her maturity. She is young but she is not dumb. She has ears, she can hear the whispers that go around you. Her eyes can see the respectful, jealous, angry gaze of the servant that targets around you, the longing gaze of her mother, the admiration from her brother, and possession from both her father and grandfather.

Someone always tries to either harm or steal you away from her. She may not have authority now but in the future, she will.

She stood up and straightened her back. She will not show weakness. You will see and recognize her capabilities.

Pulling you by the hand, she walked forward towards the cooking area. Where you, as promised, made her breakfast.

It may not have tasted the best but… it was warm.

Till the day her hand made a full recovery, she has been spectating your and Zuko’s training sessions. Unlike her, he was making mistakes in every form. Elbow too low, fingers too spread out, chin too low, and stance unstable.

Anyone could tell which of the siblings were the most pampered.

She knows you would not have wasted your time on him if it was not a direct order from the Fire Lord. It seems as though everyone you have interacted with wants to take you away from her.

Ever since Zuko has started to train with her, his mother began to make an appearance. And she also seemed to have the intention of stealing your time. After every training session, Ursa would pull you aside to talk to you while Azula and Zuko would leave to get themselves cleaned.

Letting out a breath, Azula hugs her pillow. Not only do you return later than the previously agreed-upon time, but you come back to her half-dead as if your will has been sucked out. She’s curious as to what that woman had said to you.

Judging by how much Ursa involves herself with her son, you most likely have to do weekly reports of his development, similar to the ones you give to Azula’s father.

She couldn’t help but yawn. Her eyelids felt heavy.

Unlike the boy, she trains twice a day. One with him, where they focus on forms and physical strength. Second, where she works on her bending, guided by you and through your instructions.

Her fire output has greatly improved compared to her first time bending. You have told her to now focus on control and speed. And what better way than a good old spar?

You once said, that to be a leader, one must know and understand their people. Once she can identify what motivates a person and what their drive is, she’ll have an easier time leading them. While fear may be easier and faster, by doing things your way, they’ll be more loyal.

She does not need to like her brother, she simply needs to know how to read him.

Tomorrow would be her recovery day.

As she gets taken by sleep, she hopes there will be no interaction between you and Ursa, at least on her free day. Unlike her brother, Ursa has no power or authority, at least he’s a prince in name.

[arctic-hands]

I've been sick enough my entire life that I can play the E.R game pretty smoothly now. Be amiable, be bubbly and chatty, but don't be too energetic since you're in pain, don't state you know what it is but do let the doctors and nurses know that you've felt this pain before and it feels like X disease does/did, if they offer painkillers demurely ask if there are other options first, subtly and perkily explain your used up vein that they can't get an I.V into its because you've been sick your entire life and you're veins are just tapped out from a lifetime of I.Vs, blood draws, and infusions NOT because you're a drug user...and when they start to tut in pity and say you poor thing to have lived all your life like this, for the love of God emphasize the fact that despite all the pain you've experienced that life is still good and still worth living and there's still so much to see and do.

I don't want to sow panic and I want y'all to still go to the hospital if you need to because this is rare, but one of my fears as of late as I get older and sicker is being Angel Of Mercy'd and then my killer getting off scott free because the world thought my quality of life was too pathetic to live

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[overchromatic]

The Kitakami kids got a new look!

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

My dude that butterfly howdy is the most handsome man I've ever seen. You gave him all the things...long hair AND FLUFF...and BIG OL WINGS...I'm looking at him respectfully but DAMN 👀👀👀👀👀

its my Duty as an artist to make him as pretty as my skills allow

(bonus barnaby having a mild crisis)

[tbcanary]

Lian Harper + her various caretakers in Green Arrow Vol. 7 (2023)

Bonus:

[thefloatingstone]

Draw Garrus consistently between panels Difficulty: Impossible

Good Lord I am putting WAY too much effort into these by now. I need to cut that out and go back to half-assing them because this is ridiculous.

I am going to be fucking insufferable when I get to the 2nd game 👀💦

[k3ttu]

The dancestor ever

[gravitcat]

[qwakque]

LEARNING A NEW DANCE?!1?2?2?

CALLED THE STOCK PHOTO SHUFFLE

[jacarandaaaas]

Happy encanto anniversary everyone!🫶🦋✨🕯️

i can’t believe it’s been 2 whole years of this movie!? It’s very special to me and will forever be a comfort movie tbh! I love these characters, this story, this message 🫶

[pencilofawesomeness]

“Never take me lightly, silly fool.”

-

Lilia's scene from chapter 25 of And You Think, “No Escape” by @therosefrontier has lived rent free in my mind and also irrevocably changed my perception of Lilia's in-game little victory line for the battles/exams. (The whole fic lives rent free, but I particularly wanted to come back and draw Lilia for this one, because Lilia is a terrifying badass and he deserves it.)

I won't say too much here (though I may ramble in the tags) so as to not spoil one of the finale scenes that much but it's a really good fic, high recommend.

[kingandjester]