#throne holds the braincell

[viridiave]

don’t have the full game yet but that doesn’t mean I can’t get into shenanigans

namely going into dungeons underleveled -

[gabessquishytum]

Dream attempting to punish World Pussy-Eating Champion Hob with oral sex is so funny to me. Hob intends to tell Dream eventually. Just, not yet. He's still having more fun with this than guilt over the deception.

Except, he doesn't get the chance to come clean.

Dream is with his (friend? sibling? someone he likes well enough to tolerate this sort of thing), and they start to tell the story of this guy they hooked up with a few times who ate them out better than anyone else before or since. And this guy LOVED doing it. So much, in fact, that they couldn't keep up with him. They felt a little bad about it, honestly, especially when he confessed that he'd NEVER had a lover who wanted as much as he wanted to give.

Dream is only half paying attention, until they drop this former hookup's name. And then? Dream has to leave. Immediately. There's somewhere he needs to be.

He shows up unannounced at Hob's flat and explains that he knows what Hob has been keeping from him, and Hob absolutely WILL be punished for this transgression (Dream isn't mad--he expects nothing less than this sort of behavior from his beloved brat--but he's not going to let something like this slide, either), but first? First, Hob is going to eat him out until HOB has had enough. It is a tragedy and a crime that no one has ever made PROPER use of that mouth.

Hob is hesitant at first. He's had lovers ask for this before, and none of them really understood what they were asking for. They'd all tapped out, and a few of them just ghosted him after. But he also wants to give Dream everything he asks for, and he can't deny he WANTS to eat Dream out until they're both sobbing. So he sets about eating Dream's pussy with all the enthusiasm and skill he's been holding back.

And that's how Dream discovers his hitherto unknown overstimulation kink. Which opens up a whole world of possibilities for Hob's punishment. Just as soon as Dream remembers how to speak in coherent sentences.

(Hob has to cancel his lectures the next day because there's no way he can give them with his tongue this sore from overuse, but he's honestly never been happier)

I'm so <33333 about this whole concept. And low-key emotional about Dream postponing Hob’s punishment so he can finally, finally sate his appetite for Dream’s pussy. That's love right there, baby. Make Hob feel proud of his incredible greed and skill for eating cunt. He should never ever have to hide his desire ever again.

I can fully imagine them going at it for hours. Dream is comfortably propped up in a throne of pillows, with Hob between his legs. And the first few orgasms are lovely, really. Dream can take it easily. He pets his hand through Hob’s hair, praises him, encourages him. It's only the beginning.

Hob wants to stay there until his fingers are wrinkled from being wet for so long. He wants to stay until his own mouth is dry and aching, until his lips are swollen and his nose is bruised. He wants to stay there until he passes out from exhaustion, with his tongue still buried in Dream’s pussy. He wants to give all that he has, to completely dedicate every bit of energy to Dream’s pleasure.

And Dream lets him. To be entirely fair, they both need to spend the next day in bed. Dream may not be attached to his physical form, but he's not sure he can actually stand up. Hob isn't doing much better, but he can't stop grinning.

Dream will have to come up with a punishment when he can find 2 braincells to rub together, but right now, all he wants to do is sip tea and give Hob lots and lots of cuddles. Safe to say, they will be doing it again.

[lace4forest]

The Legend of Zelda Forgotten Songs

We've recently been drawing on Stream, so we ended up making a Legend of Zelda AU. (I'll post the stream vods on my channel later)

Basically Din and Farore decide to mess with Nayru, and shuffled the Triforce pieces.

Anyway! Zelda, the Hero of Songs, needs to search for the Forgotten Songs lost to Hyrule, to bring light back to the Kingdom. She teams up with Link the bard and the two travel together. The Scholar King Ganondorf of the Gorudo is trying to take over the Kingdom of Hyrule and bring silence and darkness to keep the Kingdom under his control.

The Nicknames Zelda - Song (Songs) Link - Lute Ganondorf - Cacophony

Rabbit hole time!

Zelda is the Hero of Songs. She has the Hero's Spirit, and was given the Triforce of Courage!

Zelda is a menace to society. Yes. She fights in this dress, and she is GOOD AT IT. Her "Roll" is a little jump and spin. She also is a very physical character, she doesn't use a lot of magic Items, and don't let her looking frail fool you, she is very strong. (Yes Zelda has the Master Sword)

Link has been nicknamed Lute. He isn't fully Hylian, he is only half! The other half is Siren! He is a Bard. He also has the Triforce of Power! (Think of Zelda 2 btw) So the Northern Palace? Everyone remember that place? Yeah, Link's house is on the beach north of there, he has a cute little beach house, and also has an under water one (Because Siren/mer fun stuff)

Now Link here is a little Uncanny, right? Well, literally EVERYONE in town think's that. That's why he lives out by himself on the beach. He does go into town and play music for money, and he's really good! (Because Siren) and people ALWAYS PAY HIM- (Because SIREN) He doesn't do anything bad tbh. Lastly, Link uses the magic Items here, he is also holding onto the Interments and sheet music they get from the Dungeons! (Looking for the Forgotten Songs of old to save Hyrule)

Now, Link and Zelda are besties, Zelda was traveling past his house, and she just wanted to see who lived there, met Link, liked his weird vibes (Literally all her guards were like NOOOOO SIREN BOY- But Zelda doesn't know) Also, Zelda gave Link Anxiety. (Zelda "No Fear" Hero of Songs traveling with the Siren Bard Link the Lute player)

OH! One last thing, Zelda doesn't know Link is half Siren. She just knows he has funky vibes and she likes the funky vibes. Someone (Villager) will be like "That is a Monster" and Zelda will be like "THAT IS MY BEST FRIEND" (Holds Link's face) "NOW SAY SORRY TO HIM" Villager - "....sorry" Zelda doesn't care.

(another link thing, sorry, that hair? that short hair? Yeah, No. That's an under cut, he has long hair, its just brained and stuffed into the hat)

LASTLY we have Ganondorf! He is cousins with Zelda, and he holds the Triforce of Wisdom! Ganondorf want's to take Hyrule, and he knows he is right behind Zelda for the throne, so all he needs to do is Kill Zelda! (He tried to just hire a guy to shoot her with a cross bow, the guy shot, Zelda cause the arrow, AND THREW IT BACK- NO BOW- and Killed that man.) Ganondorf had to think a little outside the box. His list of Priorities goes 1) Kill Zelda, 2) Kill Link and 3) Take over Hyrule.

Now, Ganondorf here is SMART. (Nicknamed Cacophony) Ganondorf and Zelda are Cousins, and they are pretty close. Their relationship is VERY complicated. Like - Someone talking crap about Zelda in front of Ganondorf "HOW DARE YOU SAY THOSE THINGS!" Person - "That is your Mortal Enemy!" Ganon - "THAT IS MY COUSIN!" (Zelda does the same thing)

Link and Ganondorf also have a complex relationship, they have an emotional support group for talking about the crazy things Zelda did and the two just need a moment to reassure they are normal and it's just Zelda being weird.

Also Ganondorf is a magic user in this AU. He tries to outsmart his opponents when need be. And in this game he is fighting Zelda and Link, who share a single braincell. (I love those two so much oh my gosh XD)

The Dungeon's in the game would be actually kinda hard, relying on your ability to remember things and a LOT of Puzzles. The beginning you can just switch between Link and Zelda to figure stuff out, one being in another room and yelling the answers to the other type of thing. But as the game goes on (After Dungeon 3) Link will become unable to get into the Dungeon without Zelda finding the Interment inside and summoning him inside. (There will also be a Dungeon where you do mainly play as Link in, it's the water temple.)

Now, Dungeon's 1 through 6 you can get Link inside to help, but less and less. By Dungeon 7 Link is unable to be summoned inside. Again, you would need the Dungeon Item to summon Link, BUT Ganondorf is SMART. He figured this out, and went and TOOK THE ITEMS OUT- They are now in other Dungeons (You may find 2 Items inside one dungeon) You might need to return to a Dungeon for a Door you were unable to unlock with a new Item/song/sheet music.

But During Dungeon 7, when Zelda leaves she can tell a fight happened, the area is destroyed, and Link is nowhere to be seen. Ganondorf and his men ambushed Link, and Kidnapped him. (Along with all your stuff.) Zelda heads to Dungeon 8, learning that Link is somewhere inside.

(Our reasoning on why Link get's Kidnapped- "WELL ZELDA GETS KIDNAPPED ALL THE TIME! IT'S LINK'S TURN!")

Now Dungeon 8. Ganondorf is Smart. Zelda and Link Share a SINGLE Braincell. Each room is one of three things. 1) A previous Mini Boss (Link Dungeon 8(?) in Link's Awakening) 2) A Puzzle to get a key or something (Normal Dungeon stuff) OR 3) A Puzzle from a previous Dungeon, but the hint isn't in the Dungeon and Link isn't here to yell the answers for you.

So you will have to do one of three things for those rooms, Look up a guide online, Have a good memory and know what to do, Or go back to the Dungeon it was in, and write it down.

But if you leave you'll have to restart/run through the Dungeon again! AND THIS ONE DOESN'T HAVE A MAP- HAHAHA-

WELCOME TO DUNGEON 8 HELL.

We wanted to create the hardest/funnest Dungeon. (Ganondorf is SMART, HE WANT'S ZELDA DEAD.)

Also, Ganondorf convinces the King to send Gaurds after Zelda and Link. (Kinda like Lttp, but instead of "YOU KIDNAPPED THE PRINCESS" It's more like "Zelda Please, You Need To Come Home!" and Zelda is like "GANONDORF IS EVIL" "No HE ISN'T!" "HIS VIBES ARE RANK!")

I might draw some short comics of them later tbh! (I think it's fun to make stories with everyone on stream, it was good, 10/10 will draw on stream again XD)

If you have any questions, just ask.

[wild-joker-out-pleasures]

🐺 Joker Out x Game of Thrones: Stark Family 🐺

(Needed to calm down from watching the HOTD season premiere so…have a half-serious post with little explanation provided.)

Nace is Robb Stark

Everyone’s big brother

Honourable and a protector

Sometimes too horny

Kris is Sansa Stark

A slay queen

Proud yet kind

Lesbian

Holds the braincells

Bojan is Arya Stark

Though he be but little, he is fierce

Seen too much shit

Would you trust him to bake you a pie?

Martin is Bran Stark

Tallest when standing up

Knows everyone’s secrets

A king

Jure is Rickon Stark

Chaotic as hell

Can crack anyone’s nuts

Wild child

Jan is Jon Snow

Reserved, something of a lone wolf

Black leather and fur

Gets lost at least once

Guarded but also horny

[verdemoun]

I don’t know why, but I’ve always seen Arthur owning a roof-less car and John in the passenger seat, standing up and just screaming his lungs out as Arthur drives faster and faster because he’s never felt so free.

I stole this from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.

Honestly super Isaac and Jack coded those boys are almost as much a petri dish of anxiety and mood disorders as Dutch. Like Jack went through being alone, burying Uncle, burying his dad, looking after Abigail as she mourned only to lose her too and his own self-loathing becoming an outlaw knowing so much his parents did not want that for him. They are both fiends for motorcycles and speeding feeling the air on their faces stolen cars windows down screaming hollering living out every John Green novel. Climbing up rocks in the desert standing dangerously close to the edge screaming into the vast nothing.

John and Arthur however bring out the absolute childish worst in each other and share one braincell. Arthur will offer to help someone move a piece of furniture, forget his straps so John merrily jumps into the tray holding said furniture. Arthur going down the highway shouting the occasional 'you good?' while John's hugging a fridge to stop it flying off. Or just sitting on a couch like it's his throne having a beer.

[sorcerous-caress]

I’m a lesbian (tho gender is a bit Complicated so idk if I should call myself that) but I do love the idea of Minthara x male drow reader because the Forgotten Realms wiki describes a “functional” romantic relationship between a female and male drow as “a spoiled brat and her well trained, obedient dog” and this is fiction so 😌

Also the idea of him leaving the Underdark with practically an army at his back to find her, he’s scary and ruthless and commanding, but the second he finds her he’s just like “yes ma’am, whatever you need ma’am”

Anon we should trade braincells because this idea is fucking gold.

Drow Male Reader, who was just for her during her days in the underdark. Like any other servant Male in the Baerne house, battle runs through his blood, he was shaped by war.

Who Minthara claimed you as her prize from her first ever successful surface raid. Her red eyes landed on your figure between all of the other males and announcing to the matron of the house that she wanted ownership over you.

She was ruthless, never allowing you to show even a hint of weakness. Breaking and reforging you into the strong capable warrior that you are today. You were hers fully in body and mind, even after a full day of brutal training, she'd still expects you to be laying ready for her on her bed each night.

You've known her body more than she has, given her pleasure more than she thought was possible. You've made it your sole purpose to memorise and trace every curve and mole on her painting of a body.

Part of the reason she kept around for so long was because she could see clearly how determined and willing you were to serve her. While other princess switched males every other month like toys, Minthara has always made it clear that you were off limit. That you belonged to her.

You've never betrayed her, even with the pathetic attempt of the uprising happened you still stood by her side. Watching the other males be cursed into driders without even a hint of sympathy for them, to you they deserved a worse fate for even thinking they could lay a finger on your mistress.

So imagine when in one of her raids, a one she refused to take you on, saying how it would be a matter of a couple days at most before her return, she never comes back.

You're restless, barely even acknowledging your own statues as you march into the matron hall and voice your concerns for Minthara. Ready for whatever punishment your disrespect will ensure if it meant you get your lover back.

Somehow, through various methods of blackmail, backstabbing and even begging or seducing, you accumulate a big enough army to march it into moonrise towers. Having sniffed information from some half-orcs your intel kidnapped and tortured.

Not even the shadowcurse deters you from moving forward, even when half of your army dies or flees in cowardness.

Fate has it that you manage to infiltrate the tower and be at the perfect spot to be able to view her argument with Ketheric. That fucking male faerie who dared to sit down on a throne whole your Mistress stood. That sorry excuse of a walking corpse that dared to threaten her life and make her argue for it.

Immediately after it ends, you signal for your remaining army to march into the tower. Hundreds of drow warriors emerging from the Shadows as they clash with the absolute followers.

You don't care for them or their lives, your main objective is to get to your Mistress and get her to safety.

In the aftermath, when it ends, when it's just the two of you in a far away camp safe from the shadowcurse. You kneel against her legs as you offer your apologies for taking so long, she pats your head, spreading her legs to make space for you.

And like any loyal dog you immediately obey and sit on the floor between them, your head on her thigh as she holds your face with her hand.

An unspoken trust between the two of you.

[uncaught-coolfish]

in honor of yang living her best romcom life while ruby spirals in vol 9, heres my ranking of rwby siblings worst to best.

1. cinder/step sisters - i think cinder is cool for murdering her family, good for her

2. rainart twins - sir, how are you serving the lady who controlled the monsters that killed your sister. justice for gretchen, she died with the braincell, leaving her brother a dumbass

3. schneeblings - not winter mirroring jacque and slapping weiss while weiss holds a loaded gun to her brother's face, the kids are not ok someone check on the schneeblings

4. light/darkness - kinda awkward when your bickering traumatized a girl and her boyfriend so she tried to usurp your throne and then you ended up wiping out humanity haha

5. branwen twins - raven, i love you, but she really left her brother and family to play walmart wild west. what.

6. ruby/yang - for this month, we celebrate a girly who prioritizes true love while her sister is having a breakdown <3

7. albain bros - rip to fennec, they're a theater duo and it just aint the same when your brother isnt there to burn down society with you :(

8. arc siblings - jaune really out here pretending having sisters is a tragic backstory, this is why younger siblings dont deserve rights

9. malachite sisters - they share clothes and talk mad shit about people behind their back with each other, good for them

10. alyx/lewis - when he's back, he turned around and waited for alyx but she never passed through. time moves on, he's gone but his hope for his sister to reunite with him lives on in a story where she comes home. in a world about fairytale, lewis wrote a story where his sister, flaws and all, is a hero. hands down, the only siblings that matter.

😭 alyx and lewis deserved better they rlly are the best sibs now that I think about it

[strangelock221b]

HOTD S2E3 (spoilers abound)

I like that they buried the twins together. In together, out together. Rhaenys counseling Rhaenyra was also good.

Ah, Criston. The Peter principle made flesh. Dude, your impatience is gonna get you killed (keep at it).

Once in a while, one of the Greens gets the group braincell and actually makes a good point. Of course, it never lasts.

Rhaenyra and Mysaria. Emma is killing it this season, they need an Emmy and a Golden Globe (and whatever other awards they're eligible for), they make you believe the pain Rhaenyra is feeling with their voice alone.

Rhaenyra asking her stepdaughter/first cousin to take her two youngest to Pentos. I can understand why but I gotta side with Rhaena on this -- if she had a dragon (i.e. been of use in this war), Rhaenyra never would've considered sending her away. When is she gonna get Morning? (Or is the rumor true and Rhaena is going to be combined with Nettles and thus get Sheepstealer? God, I hope not. We need more WOC on this show, not fewer.)

I swear, Caraxes is the only dragon I can recognize from any distance, because of his neck. Harrenhal. I hope we see its destruction someday, I wanna see dragonfire melt stone. I think this scene of Daemon looking for whoever's in the castle is supposed to be tense (there's no music, it's like the show is holding its breath), but all I feel is bored.

I love Ser Simon! (I've loved his actor for years now) He's pragmatic, a trait that is far too uncommon in Westeros. Also, he's funny -- he pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra then immediately tells Daemon the dinner menu.

Daemon, quit being so goddamn picky about your form of address. "King consort" isn't a real title anyway. :P

Ser Simon isn't going to survive this season, I'm sure. Hell, he might not even survive this episode if he doesn't stop calling Daemon "your highness."

"The throne?"

"It's a big chair made of swords."

Daemon, you're a little shit (mixed) but I love your sense of humor.

Oh yeah, Alicent has a brother. He was in the pilot, right? He's pretty, which is a blessing and a curse in Westeros. Dude, if you had any brains at all, you'd leave Westeros and never return. Your sister and father are full of shit, you'd be better off without them. Ugh, I listened to him say three words and I already hate him. He sounds like every rich man's son talking to someone socially beneath him. Criston, the concept of friendly fire doesn't exist in Westeros but I'm counting on you to introduce it.

Can I just say I love how Criston's Hand of the King chain is worn? It looks to be attached to his armor. It stands out more than just a pin would have.

Dornishman? Oh, right, this is before Daeron II, so everybody still hates Dorne, got it. Add "racist" to Gwayne's other shitty traits.

Criston, you're really fucking pushing it.

As much as I hate Alicent, I think Olivia deserves all the awards too. Alicent is barely keeping things together and Olivia is doing a great job showing that.

Was the raven/crow eating Cheese's eye truly a necessary shot?

The music as the army leaves KL is really good. Ramin is at the top of his game this season (as always).

"It would be treason." My girl Rhaenyra, standing up to these men who want to set her aside.

I love Corlys and Rhaenys together but I know Rhaenys has a ticking clock over her head. Rook's Rest is coming soon. If not tonight, then next week.

Rhaenyra sending her three youngest away. It's sad that Aegon III and Viserys II probably know their nannies better than they know their parents. Rhaena and Baela had a good moment but damn, we need more from both of them, the writers aren't giving us nearly enough.

Aww, Helaena smiled at Jaehaera and it was so sweet.

"I forgive you," Helaena tells her mother.

For what, Helaena? For fucking Criston when he should've been protecting your son? You're forgiving Alicent for that? I know you're her daughter and I know you've got a big heart but seriously?

Aegon II is wearing his namesake's armor? That armor is 130 years old, surely it's out-of-date by this point. And how far are the writers going to take this "I have no identity of my own" shtick?

I hate Larys but his actor is compelling. Looks like it's promotions for everybody this season.

These new Kingsguard knights are pathetic.

Ulf the White, huh? I'm THOROUGHLY unimpressed. Also, would it have killed the hair department to, you know, give him the white hair he was known for?

Oh good lord, Aegon II goes whoring and runs into Aemond.

Full frontal, really? I think the show is trying too hard to go viral this season. Shocking moments need to be earned and (except for B&C) this show just hasn't done that yet. (No shame to Ewan. Like Nicola Coughlan, I'm sure he wanted to be able to look back on this year in the future and remember how hot he was.) Did the color of Aemond's sapphire change? It's not as blue as it was last season (or maybe that's just the shitty lighting).

Baela should've barbecued those assholes.

Oh, Rook's Rest has been mentioned! The countdown has begun in earnest.

Young Rhaenyra and Jaehaerys? Daemon, your subconscious is fucked up. But hey, a guilty conscience is better than no conscience at all.

So that's the famous Alys Rivers? What the hell was that voice? She doesn't sound like an adult at all.

"Killing her would be easier." Mysaria, honey, you are so right but if she did that, we wouldn't need the promised third season.

Rhaenyra, your crush on Alicent is gonna get you both killed.

She's dressed as a septa? I can just hear the Rhaenicent fans now.

I'm 99% sure this didn't happen in the book. *side-eyes the writers* Don't start going off-book now, you know what happened to GoT.

"though not before I killed you." Rhaenyra, you could've threatened her in a letter, you didn't need to do it in person.

I can't stop staring at the beadwork on Alicent's gown. HOTD's costume department could teach a thing or two to Bridgerton's.

This is getting us nowhere. Rhaenyra, this was a very dumb idea. Get out now before Alicent (who couldn't keep her voice down if you paid her) calls the guards.

You know, Rhaenyra, if your family didn't insist on naming EVERY THIRD BOY Aegon, you wouldn't have this fucking problem.

"... you know what Aemond is." A loose cannon with mommy issues? Just saying.

Ugh, they're ending it there? No tense moment of Rhaenyra getting the fuck back to Dragonstone?

Yep, we're definitely getting Rook's Rest next week.

[makima-s-most-smile]

Trigun Maximum 5 Part 1

Slowly I stalk my prey (catching up to the current week of the trigunbookclub) and slowly I am gaining ground.

So many good Wolfwood panels!

Trigun Ultimate: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 Trigun Maximum: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5

01: The city and then the feast of hounds

Kids really know how to spot prey. Vash is the kiddos’ prey.

Apples? Yeah, apples of enlightenment to be… Vash being part of a little kid’s gang is cute. And they are loitering, but helping their elders. Aw. :3 This will end in tears, I know it.

There was a time when Vash felt safe enough to have something kinda steady! Even as a helper, this is a steady job. This isn’t Vash on the run. And while he is trying to sneak out of the people’s life after he has done his business, he has settled down somewhat, he made connections to people. 

Also Count Vasquez! The guy Vash seemingly killed. Additionally to the whole city, but the wanted poster stressed his murder.

And through all of his emerging memories, the peril that Meryl is in keeps him on track. He cares for her, as much as he keeps her on a distance.

I know this is meant as body horror, but this panel made me laugh so hard. Zazie has eaten too much garlic and is annoying their peers with their bad breath. Or Zazie burping after drinking 2 litres of coke. That initial reaction aside, brrr, their whole body is filled with insects. It looks like releasing them takes a toll onto their host body. How… does Zazie get a host body, btw? Do they just take someone over? Is it corpses or living people? Do they have to take care of it?

And even though they have such power, they protect their host body with a gun. Maybe you need a gun to be part of the gun-ho-guns, even Rai-Dei had a gun-sword. And damn, Hoppered just tore their arm and shoulder off. Dayumm! The panels at the end look like Midvalley and Hoppered killed them together, but I cannot tell how Midvalley attacked? Did he tear the insects apart with his tooting?

I make jokes about Vash and Wolfwood’s: ”I know, he knows, that I know, that he knows, that… to the infinity”, but I feel like that is the whole makeup of the gun-ho-guns. Like Midvalley and Hoppered play fifth dimension chess, with how they suspect Zazie, how they decide to kill Vash, even though it kinda diminishes Midvalley’s chances of leaving alive and so on.

Oh, Midvalley helped Hoppered to sneak upon Zazie by undoing any soundwave Hoppered made with his saxophone. I wonder if I show that to my colleague with perfect pitch, if he hits me for suggesting he does the same.

Fuck yeah! No braincell Meryl to the rescue! Take that gun! I love how we see her come to a decision! Let that spite aid you! Shoot Midvalley in the dick!

02: Breakout Back to the past. This time, Hoppered. And, yeah, this world does not take kindly to the disabled. Vash has the privilege of his high-tech prosthesis, but others have not. Society does not take well to them, if they don’t have a loving community. It says much about Hoppered’s strength that he is able to take care of another person, too. And so respectfully! What happened to her? How are they related, if at all? 

She means the world to Hoppered, that much is certain. But isn’t she to Hoppered like Rem is to Vash? She seems to be the reason for Hoppered’s hate and actions. Her loss makes him, like her presence made his world before. But even more so, she has no real agency. Like the assaulting dude said: She is like a doll. We don’t see her personality, her wishes, or anything. Hoppered idolises her! But he doesn’t reminisce about her personality, her feelings, their connection or anything. His memories are all about her being on a kind of throne, the centre of his world. Something so pure, he cannot even touch her. (While, yes, good for taking her triggers into account, but there are things like: Hey, my friend, may I hold your hand?) While we saw more of Rem, she is gone for so long by now, that even her wishes do not reach the presence anymore. Surely, we can surmise that she wanted the twins to have a good life and such, but in the present her existence has been perverted to Judas or Maria herself, respectively. Like the memory of the nameless woman idol, Rem is scarcely more herself to the twins.

As much as I love Wolfwood, he is an inhuman monster in regards to fights. Blinded, most likely partially deaf and having just barely scraped by death just now, he still finds his target. He is the bloodhound that was put on Vash’ trail, his perseverance and resilience is not normal. And now he is on the trail of Midvalley. Midvalley is rightfully scared of him! People more often think about how Vash is a weapon and how much about him is about the age old question of: Who is the guilty one? The weapon or who pulled the trigger? But Wolfwood is the same. This man is a weapon. The big difference is that Wolfwood somewhat chooses his target to protect others. But the question of his agency in his actions is still up in the air. Because for Wolfwood the question is not whether to shoot or not, it is where to shoot. In his world, there is no no shooting as an option.

Fuck yeah! Meryl! Tell him it is a trap! 

Thanks for making the comparison of Wolfwood to a bloodhound even more obvious by having him lick his fucking lips, Nightow!

Fuck yeah, Milly! Fuck Midvalley up! Take this, Wolfwood! She is not a helpless damsel!

Wait… Did Midvalley cancel out every sound til now? So Vash could not even have heard Meryl warning him? Does this mean that Wolfwood was blind and practically completely deaf while marching on? Ö_____________Ö

Okay, and now they doing a ballerina ass stance. Why? Dunno. But looks awesome. I love the tilting of the panel.

This page just… *chef’s kiss* Nightow loves his standoffs.

03: Loss

It’s about the loss of July, isn’t it? Maybe even the loss of Meryl’s naivete towards Vash.

So, Midvalley knew? Maybe he met the real Chapel before? I love how it is Milly who puts who Wolfwood truly is into focus, by screaming his name. Having the last word “Chapel” and then Milly accidentally countering it with Wolfwood’s true name is just nice symbolism.

Traitor can mean so many things here. Who is Wolfwood betraying exactly? Doesn’t look like it is about Ninelives or Leonof. But Midvalley does not care about Knives, he is betraying him right now himself. Would be pretty hypocritical for him to call Wolfwood out on it. Or did he put two and two together and knows that Wolfwood is there to betray Vash in the end? Why would Midvalley care? He doesn’t care for humanity or Knives or Vash. He just wants to survive. I would say Midvalley gets that Wolfwood is a loyal and softhearted person, who is able to do gruesome things for his close ones. Since they are fighting each other, it is only one person who comes out alive. So Midvalley tries every trick in his repertoire to get an upper hand, like aggravating Wolfwood to make him slip up.

I would be more scared right now, Midvalley. But could Midvalley hear that Wolfwood is not Chapel by his breaths? Maybe even his heartbeat when he lied to Legato?

Holy mother of dog. Yeah, Wolfwood is inhuman. Also, isn’t this the first time the Punisher is used that obviously as a shield? FINALLY! That is my favourite use of her! (later chapter, Zard, then you can gush). Wolfwood is not truly an attacker. While he attacks people, he doesn’t do it without provocation. His first and foremost function is being a protector, to the orphanage, to Vash and to the people he cares ever so slightly about. And he cares about Milly and Meryl!

Hehe, get it? Because of WOLFwood.

And… They are going to blow up the whole of dragon’s nest district. How are they better than the monster that blew up July? Especially Hoppered. Is he so far gone to his revenge that he is unable to understand that there may be someone like him and more so like his friend in the district? Does he care at all?

Vash floofs up! Feathers to the rescue! Is he still conscious? It is a subconscious defence mechanism, but when and how does it go off?

Why… does Hoppered have a cross on his nasal bridge?

Okay, so touching the feathers makes people share Vash’ thoughts? Memories? Can he control it? Or is it about stuff that is on his mind?

Hi, Knives! You beverage boy! Do we ever see him eat? Nightow mentioned that he liked to draw his characters eating for the homely feeling. But Knives does not seem to eat. Only drink. Is he like Stampede Knives and does not need to eat? Only drink? Or is it just pleasure? Doing the sippy. Maybe gifting Knives some really good hot chocolate with whipped cream would have stopped him from going genocidal.

“You are being rude.” Proceeds to cut up his brother. Is Vash rude? Maybe for a delusional, emotional, geriatric cactus like Knives.

Ewewewewew! Medical malpractice. That makes me feel icky as hell. Knives is… Another reader called it pushy to stay polite, but how can Knives not see what he does is monstrous? He is abusing his brother to such a degree and all in the search for power. He seems to have gone through the same, since Vasquez is able to compare him to Vash. Moreso, he is unlocking this power for Vash. How would Vash even be able to gain any control over it? He hasn’t got any! We’ve seen it in January Rock. And honestly that is Knives fault.

Interesting that Knives first idea of anyone having so much power is assuming that everyone would want the person with power dead. That’s him projecting his own fears onto humanity. If it wasn’t Vash bearing that power but, for example, Midvalley, Knives would have killed him off without a second thought. But Vash and Knives are the same, they are brothers, so Vash has to be on his side in the end. That’s why Knives does not harm him, as in doesn’t kill him.

And now poor Meryl gets a first seat for memory lane, too. She does not even get to see what made Vash unlock this power. She is only confronted with the results, with Vash fearing his own body and Knives being Knives. She doesn’t deserve any of this. She should know the truth, but not like this.

Why does it sound so dirty?!? XDD Holy! Contained in their seeds! An amazing feel of release! Blows away all reason! I laughed out loud. It fits how far beyond reasoning Knives is in his hunger for power. This is not something logical, this is just a feral need.

Knives is so hypocritical. We all already said that. But hot damn he is unable to reflect on any of his actions. How many times has Knives hurt Vash? How many times did he betray Vash? He is shocked at the scars? But how many of them are a direct result of Knives meddling? What can and should be said about humanity as a whole, can be said about Knives! But what is even more damning, for every shitty human Vash also meets good humans. Linas, Docs, Luidas and so on. Where is the good Knives? Knives is right that Vash is a walking contradiction. But Knives is one, too. And back to Rem again. Rem, Vash’ Maria and Knives’ devil. Knives completely disconnects from his own actions. All of Vash’ “bad” parts are due to Rem or humans and it is upon Knives to cut them off until only the “good” parts remain. Knives is imagining a perfect brother that never was and Vash has to suffer by that image.

Well, fuck you, Knives. You deserve it. But Vash does not. I… am not sure if Vash chose to shoot. He surely chose where to point the gun and his power, but did he choose to “release” the power? Had he so much control over it? Like a mirror to Fifth Moon Knives took control over him and his power (only in Fifth Moon he has learned that maybe he should stay away from where the gun can be pointed), he is assaulting Vash, taking control over his body and power. Knives wants Vash to release it. He is the one who makes it go out of control. I just do not see a conscious decision in Vash to let it go. It is truly a loss. A loss of July and a loss of Vash’ control, power and agency.

Weird that we do not get more Meryl insights. The panels regularly flicker back to Hoppered, but Meryl is also part of the feather blob. She is sharing those memories, too. She is experiencing the assault and the loss, too. Why don't we get more from her? She is a much more important character than Hoppered, even though Hoppered is the foil to Vash in this fight.

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

A Recipe for Disaster

The Princess Diaries 2 steddie AU no one asked for but that i couldn’t get out of my head!!

On AO3 here

It had taken a lot for Steve to get to where he is.

As a person, not like, “in life”-wise

He was most definitely better off than most, he was about to be King of a whole ass country for fucks sake, but the internal shitstorm he had gone through to become the person he is today...was a lot.

He was 16 going on 17 when his long lost aunt showed back up in his life. News of his birthright hitting him like a ton of bricks.

Queen Joyce Renaldi was his father (Stephan Artur Renaldi II)’s older sister, and became Genovia’s ruler when her father passed away shortly after Steve’s.

She had sat down with him and patiently explained everything to him, that since he was the sole male heir to the throne, the crown’d be his when he turned 18. If he wanted it. That she’d train him in everything he needed to know to get him ready and if she had anything to do with it, he wouldn’t be alone in this. He’d have her to guide him as long as he needed her.

At that point in his life, he had already: lost his dad, learned how much of an ass his father really was (and how much people were glad he was gone), and completely shut down. He used to be the King of his school (ironically) but after his dad died, he dropped the façade and became friends with Robin Buckley, local freak.

It didn’t take long before they were the literal best of friends, joined at the hip and at the braincell, platonic soulmates. She became everything to Steve and even after one bad drug trip, finding out he was a royal (for real), their first fight, and his stupid brain thinking that his old best friend Tommy Hagen wasn’t just flirting with him to capitalize on Steve’s newfound status, but because he actually did like him back only to be caught by paparazzi making out in a boathouse at his school’s beach party…Robin was still there. She was always there for him.

She even decided to pursue her degree in languages at the same college; and not just her own degree, but also took another major in international and public affairs, same as him. Fully intending to stay by his side in Genovia.

Steve loves her so damn much (a fact she says he reminds her of all too often).

Which brings him to today. Graduation day.

Finally, finally, he’d be returning to Genovia. With Robin and their co-parented orange cat named Concrete by his side, he’d finally be returning to the country he loved. That he had loved since first landing there the summer after junior year.

He was looking forward to his 21st birthday coming up in a few weeks, nervous about being completely ‘of age’, and the upcoming coronation, but Aunt Joyce had assured him that he would rule at her side before officially taking over.

“Your highness, Lady Robin, look out the window,” Jim Hopper: head of security, local badass, and great friend and father (to his own kids, and a welcome father-figure to Steve these last 4/5 years), interrupted Steve’s tired thoughts and worries, “Welcome back to Genovia.”

Steve looked up at Hopper, grinning, and turned to the window closest to their seats where Robin was already holding Concrete up by his armpits to look out the window too. Steve loved seeing the palace as they flew over, but now all he saw was two-day old, travel-mussed, blonde hair and the bottom half of a very fat orange cat.

—--

The few weeks leading up to his 21st birthday went by in a flash.

The first couple days were appointments with the Palace’s medical team, introductions to the newer members of the staff that Steve would be seeing around daily, official introductions of Robin (and her official titling as Steve’s Royal Advisor) to the staff, fittings for his attire for the ball (a maroon tuxedo, subtly patterned with branches of the Genovian Pear tree in a slightly darker shade, a golden sunflower yellow bow tie and matching waistcoat, Genovia’s royal sash and medals, and a smaller crown of his grandfathers who, like Steve, was partial to warm tones than to cool ones. This crown looked like if the circular backsplash pattern of a drop of  water was cast in gold. The peaks of the crown were each adorned with a ruby, which just barely poked out above Steve’s hair like a halo), and multiple small family dinners, just Steve and his two favorite ladies (Aunt Joyce and Robin) plus Lord Concrete and Joyce’s beloved mutt Maurice. The latter of the two being sworn enemies.

Soon (too soon), it was the night of his ball. Joyce was to enter first with Hopper, and after her speech, would lead the attendees in a toast to Steve as he entered the ballroom. Steve could hear Joyce making her speech though the heavy oak doors, her voice carrying easily though the hall as if the palace itself wanted to send her voice as far as it could.

To top off the pile of anxiety growing in the pit of his stomach, Robin wasn’t with him at the moment. She wasn’t allowed to make the entrance with him, but knowing she’d be just on the other side of the door and down the stairs, gave him little reprieve.

He was pacing between the two doormen on his side of the door, twisting his grandfather’s signet ring worriedly on his left middle finger. The ring was a gift from Joyce for his birthday, said she wanted Steve to have it because “He would have absolutely adored you, Steve. He’d be so proud to see such a handsome, well-rounded young man wear it.” She had his face cupped in her small hands and wiped away his tears with her thumbs when they made their appearance. The ring was too big, big enough for Steve to be constantly worried about losing it right off his finger at the slightest movement. He is already planning on sending it off to be resized, but wanted to have it with him tonight.

Again, too soon, there was no more time to panic as he could hear the announcement of his name coming from the ballroom.

“Presenting, His Royal Highness, Stephan Artur Harrington-Renaldi, Prince of Genovia.”

At the bangs of the announcer’s staff, Steve stepped forward on shaky legs, the double doors opening before him by the ballroom’s doormen just as rehearsed. He dusts off his old “King Steve” mask and smile from his time in high school, puts them on, and walks through the threshold and out to the short balcony created by the twin staircases, beaming at the gathered dignitaries.

“To Prince Steve.” Joyce calls and lifts her glass of champagne.

“To Prince Steve!” The crowd parrots.

Steve lifts his right hand and gives them all a wave, then switches it out for his left, waving a little bit too vigorously toward where he’s spotted Robin who’s grinning at him, looking stunning in the sparkly golden yellow gown she had to almost be wrestled into. He must’ve waved too hard because he feels his grandfather’s ring fly directly off his sweaty hand.

He turns, eyeline chasing the flight path of the ring only to see it land safely in one of the doorman’s grasp.

The elderly man approaches Steve “It happens all the time.” he drops the ring into Steve’s palm and smiles. “And Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you very much.” Steve returns the smile

The titter and giggles from the crowd subdue back into easy chatter as Steve comes down the stairs to his left, and grasps Robin’s hand on his arm as soon as she weaves her arm with his.

“You must be the clumsiest royal to ever grace these halls, Your Royal Dingus.”

“You’re absolutely right, now every important person in the literal world knows it.”

"You are incorrect, Lady Robin,” Joyce calls from behind the two, who turn to face her. “My father was just as clumsy as our Steve, perhaps even more so.” Her smile is polite and loving, but the teasing smile on Hopper’s face betrays exactly what she is thinking.

‘Those two are just as symbiotic as Robin and I, I swear.’ Steve thinks to himself.

“Gee thanks,” Steve rolls his eyes but detaches himself from Robin “Care to be my first dance, Aunt Joyce?”

“I thought you’d never ask, my dear.” She similarly unweaves her arm from Hopper’s and places her palm atop the back of Steve’s downturned one.

Steve leads her to the middle of the ballroom, their guests parting like the red sea in front of them to give an open area to dance. As if they could read their minds, the band starts a classic waltz and Steve leads his Aunt around the outer edge of the circle.

Hopper soon joins them with Robin, and slowly, more and more folks spin themselves into the dance. Steve smiles at Prime Minister Wayne Henderson and his wife Claudia as he and Joyce spin past them, and when the song ends, it’s like the ice has been broken and the party can actually start.

People approach him from all angles to wish him a happy birthday, and make their introductions, including quite a few members of parliament, recognizable by the Genovian Crests pinned to their suits. Robin latches back to his side, they fend off the “Oh, how cute of a couple!” comments as usual, and Robin gets to flex her dignitary muscles. He catches a few excerpts sometimes when she is speaking to foreign dignitaries in their native languages. Steve feels very lucky to have her.

--

He’s whisked away soon after to start the part(s) of the evening he’s dreading the most. Prince Stephan is expected to dance with all the eligible persons of Royal descent. He starts with Robin first, just to get his nerves out of the way.. Then it’s off to the races.

It’s really like they all just expect him to be only a Prince Charming, He asks many of them questions about their own countries/principalities or their interests and they look at him like they'd rather he just tell them how nice they look.

The only one that doesn’t fit this mold so far, is a woman about his age named Nancy. Her small and petite frame is definitely in that mold of most of the attendees he’s expected to dance with, but she tells Steve immediately about how she’d love to be a journalist if it weren’t for her royal expectations.

“I just love to get down to the bottom of things, you know? I like digging in and finding out anything and everything about a story.”

“That sounds fantastic, I’d love to read some of your work sometime.” Steve smiles at her and is rewarded with a small smile and blush. “Actually,” he continues “Our head of security’s oldest son is a photographer, I’d love to introduce you. His work is really good; I feel like your writing and his photo skills could be a great combination.”

He wasn’t lying either, from the few minutes he’s spent with Nancy, he can tell without a doubt that anything she wrote would be fantastic, and though Jonathan and he have always been kinda weird, his photography is plastered all over the Palace’s media releases and he definitely has talent.

“Really? I would love to meet him.”

“Come on, I need a break from dancing anyhow.” They step apart and he offers his arm to her, which she takes. Steve can easily spot Hopper from across the room, easily a head taller than most.

Hopper greets them as they approach, “Good evening your highness, your highness.” directing their titles to each of them.

“Hi Hop, is Jonathan around today? Nancy here is an aspiring reporter and I’d love to introduce them.”

Hopper smiles warmly down at Nancy, “Ah, is that so! Well it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Madam Nancy, let me radio Jon.”

“Thank you Mr. Hopper.” Nancy beams at him

“Please, your highness, Hopper or Jim is just fine with me.

“Just don’t call him Jimmy.” Steve stage whispers to Nancy, loud enough for Hopper to hear and shake his head at him. “Are Will and Ellie around tonight?”

“Ah yes, they are around here somewhere. I think they and Mr. Henderson have met the young Lord Sinclair, so I’m sure I will have to respond to one of their messes here sooner than later.”

“Your other children?” Nancy asks, genuinely curious.

“Yes ma’am, the wonder twins themselves.” His close-lipped smile makes his mustache scrunch on his face along with causing his well-worn crows feet to make their appearance.

“Whadja need…dad?” Steve hears Jonathan call out then trail off when he catches sight of Steve. “Good evening your highness, happy birthday.” He quickly catches himself and greets Steve with a short bow, “Is there something wrong?”

“Not at all Jonathan, I just wanted to introduce you to Princess Nancy here.” He gestures at Nancy, who’d mostly been hidden from sight behind Steve from where Jonathan had approached. She releases her hold on Steve’s arm and extends her hand for Jonathan to take.

“Many apologies your highness, I didn’t see you there. How do you do?” He takes Nancy’s extended hand and bows with a light kiss to her knuckles. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Steve watches this exchange and immediately the arrow on his brand new internal ‘Nancy’ dial flops from where it was in the “Interested in Nancy” section, to the complete opposite “Get Nancy and Jonathan together at all costs” section.

Nancy’s whole face and neck are blushing a wonderful shade of pink (Steve can even see some dripping down onto her collarbones since the navy blue dress she wears is sleeveless). Steve smirks and is about to cut in to tell Jon all about her, but she gets to it before he can, still eloquent and in command of her words despite her obvious flustered mood.

“I was telling Steve about my wishes to become a journalist and he said your photography work was very good. I am assuming you are on the palace’s public relations team?”

Jonathan still hasn’t let go of Nancy’s hand, and it doesn’t look like he’d like to anytime soon. “Y_yes, I am the lead photographer.. Steve said that?” Jonathan glaces at Steve disbelievingly.

Nancy nods, “He did. I would love to see what you’ve been able to capture so far.” She gestures to the heavy-looking camera around his neck.

“Uhh..” Jonathan looks to Steve worriedly, who quickly mimes standing up straight and offering his arm. “O_of course, I’d love to show you, your highness.” He offers his arm to her and she takes it excitedly.

“Please, just call me Nancy.” she smiles at Jon and his face flushes red.

About an hour later, Steve is starving and starting to get hangry from lack of food. He really doesn’t want to accidentally snap at someone important, so he sneaks over to the corner where his towering birthday cake has been mocking him, picks up one of the tiny serving spoons, and spoons out a mouthful of the cake from behind one of the fondant flowers.

Someone taps him on the shoulder “I saw that.”

Steve looks over, ready to apologize, and has to look down a bit more than he thought. “Uh, it’s my cake.” He tells the younger man. He must be at least 18, he’s definitely not a young kid. Curly light brown hair, slicked backward on the sides, like a fake mullet. “I like your hair dude, very 80s.”

The kid looked embarrassed, “Yeah my mom did it, it’s not what I would have done but I’m not the best at maintaining my curls myself. Our deal is if my mom does my hair, she does all of it. Style and all.”

“It looks really good, I promise, you should tell her thanks.” Steve says, taking another bite of cake.

“Dude.” the kid says incredulously, “Save some for the rest of us.”

“Dude.” Steve parrots back in the same tone “It’s my cake, I can eat as much as I want.” He pauses for a second, and thinks ‘Reel it back in Steve, you don’t even know who this kid is or who this kid’s parents are. Don’t be rude and start a war accidentally.’

“Sorry, I haven’t eaten anything all night and I can feel myself getting hangry. I’m Steve.” Steve switches the small spoon into his left hand and extends his right to the kid

“Yeah, I know who you are, you did make a pretty grand entrance earlier; don’t know if you noticed.” He takes Steve’s hand and gives it a strong (but somewhat clammy) shake. “I’m Dustin Henderson.”

“Ah, so you’re Wayne’s kid.” Steve drops Dustin’s hand.

“No, Claudia’s kid. Wayne is my Step-dad.”

“Oh, sorry...Wait, is that a bad thing?”

“God no, Wayne is the best. Quiet, contemplative, you know he loves you no matter what. And he’s been around as long as I can remember.”

Steve nods along to what Dustin is saying, picking up a second spoon and pulling out another spoonful of cake for Dustin, handing it to him while he’s still talking.

“He even took my Mom’s last name when they got married. He said that he’s the one joining our family, not the other way ‘round.”

Steve has that much more respect for the already well-respected Prime Minister.

“Plus I heard him tell my mom once that his family are a bunch of sleezebags so he’s happy to be rid of his own name anyhow.”

“Wow really? Who’s his family I wonder?”

“Dunno, never asked him and I don’t really want to bring it up if he hates them all, you know?”

“True, true.” Steve agrees. “I like you kid, (“Kid?? I’m only 3 years younger than you!”) I hope to see you around again if I don’t die of boredom talking to all these parliament geezers.”

Dustin grins a big squinty grin at him and extends his hand to Steve again. Steve smiles and shakes his hand, then Dustin puts on a fake, very haughty voice and says “I’ll have my people contact your people.”

Steve throws his head back and bellows out a laugh, “Sounds good man. C’mon, I wanna introduce you to my best friend, Robin. She’s the coolest, I think you guys will like each other.” He pats Dustin on the shoulder, stepping out around the table to lead him across the room where Robin is chatting with Murray and Hopper.

“Oooh, best friend only?” Dustin asks suggestively

“Nuh-uh don’t even go there little man, Steve looks back at the teen, “I am SO not her type and___oh shoot, your..foot” Steve looks up at the person whose foot he just crushed, and his hazel eyes meet chocolate brown. “Are you alright?”

“I’ll survive, your highness.” the man says, standing to his full height, Steve also rises to keep his gaze. “The fault was entirely my own. I apologize.”

The man is just slightly taller than Steve, and has dark brown, almost black, curls. They cascade onto his shoulders, and Steve has the overwhelming urge to reach out and see if they are as soft as they look. Only half of this hair is down, the top half pulled back away from his face.

He is drop-dead gorgeous.

“Are you sure you don’t want to exchange licenses and proof of insurance?”

“No, no, these shoes were a little big anyway, the swelling should help them fit a bit better.” he grins and Steve feels his heart palpitate at the sight.

“Please, excuse me..” He says, stepping back and to the side to squeeze through the crowd.

“Sure.” Steve says, whisper quiet, but dreamboat is already walking away.

As usual, Steve just knows exactly where Robin is, and he turns to meet her gaze (she had already been watching the interaction from her spot across the room).

The two of them mouth “What the fuck?” to each other before Steve’s attention is pulled back to Dustin quietly saying "Holy shit.."

"You saw nothing, that was nothing." Steve points at Dustin accusingly.

Dustin puts his hands up in mock surrender "Okay, okay, that was nothing..."

--

A couple dances later, Steve finds himself dancing with one little girl that honestly, he’d dance with all night if he could. She’s a sassy little thing, a princess from a neighboring country, who calls herself “Lady Applejack” with all the conviction in the world (Steve thinks her name is really Erica though). She stands on his toes while he spins them in dance like she is trying with all her might to crush the digits below her own into the floor for offending her personally.

When he asks about her interests, she tells him almost reluctantly about her love for Dungeons and Dragons, but insists that she’s NOT a nerd. He’s not sure what Dungeons and Dragons even is, but he has an overwhelming feeling that Dustin actually might. Steve tells her as much, and she looks excited that there may be someone else here to talk to about her game.

Steve feels a tap on his shoulder and when he turns, dreamboat is smiling down at Erica.

“Pardon me, Lady Applejack, may I cut in?”

“I’d be mad if you didn’t.” And with that, Erica nearly wrenched herself from Steve’s grasp, and strutted off, looking for Dustin.

“I would say thank you for saving me, but she’s the best dance partner I’ve had so far.” Steve tells the dreamboat, sliding into his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“I believe you wholeheartedly, Your Highness.” He chuckles

“Steve. I prefer to be called Steve. And you are…?”

“Eddie. Just.. Eddie.”

Steve laughs “Well, Just Eddie, I’m glad to see that my clumsiness hasn't affected your dancing.” Eddie spins them in a lazy circle, “I’m sorry I stepped on your foot.” he whispers

“You can step on my foot anytime.” Eddie says, a promise.

They had stopped twirling, more or less just swaying back and forth in one spot. Steve was suddenly hyper-aware of how close they had gotten to each other, and how much closer Eddie’s forehead was to his own.

Suddenly, Eddie’s head spun to look at something. It was Dustin.

“It’s Sir Dustin’s turn.” He says to Eddie in that same fake-haughty tone he’d used before.

“You’re quite right, Sir Dustin.” Eddie says, stepping away from Steve and giving Dustin a quick bow.

Steve finds himself missing his closeness when his whole front goes cold in his absence.

“Your highness,” Eddie smolders at him through his lashes with his own bow to Steve, which he returns. And then. He’s gone.

Steve automatically takes Dustin’s hands and starts up the waltz once again, mood soured completely and vaguely aware that Dustin is trying to get his attention.

"Dude. Steve!”

Steve looks down at Dustin, hoping his calm face portrays how pissed he is.

Dustin rolls his eyes, “Look, I know we just met but please just play along here, pretend like you and I both know this is a joke. Laugh or something.”

Now Steve’s just confused.

“With all respect your highness, really and truthfully, love who you love, but the old guys that will end up making decisions for you are not all as cool as Wayne, and would probably have an aneurysm if they think you’re actually making googly eyes at the eligible bachelors here.”

Steve laughs uncomfortably, “Uh, I’m not_”

“You and I both know you were. C’mon man, you know I’m right.”

Steve actually starts laughing at the absurdity of it all. He’s grateful for Dustin, Steve knows he’s right, but he also wants to cry and bury himself in the garden out of embarrassment.

“You’re right, you’re right! Damn it… He was a total dreamboat though, wasn’t he?” Steve waggles his eyebrows at Dustin and laughs again at his disgusted expression.

“Want me to save you, little man?” This time, it’s Robin who cuts in, moving to take her turn as Steve’s dance partner.

“Ugh. Please.” Steve lets Dustin go. “Don’t say I don’t do anything for you.” he says as he walks away, waving at Steve and Robin over his shoulder.

“Tell me everything right now or I swear to god I will throw your shoes into the fountain.” Robin demands as soon as they start spinning.

“You saw how hot he was! And literally so smooth..”

“What was with the kid?”

“I was mooning over Eddie.”

“Oh, his name is Eddie huh?” She grins at him slyly “And what about it?”

“Dustin, rightfully, pointed out that the peanut gallery wouldn’t be too keen on me dancing with all the hotties in the room, not just the lady-type ones. He cut in to cover for me.”

Robin winced in understanding “Oof.. yeah I should’ve caught that too, honestly.”

"Yeah, me too.”

--

After this leg of the Prince Stephan World Waltzing Tour, Prime Minister Henderson tells Steve once again that “There’s a member of Parliament you should meet.” and heads off to go grab said member’s attention before Steve follows. Murray, Joyce’s #1 and palace scheduling wizard, passes by and Steve stops him with an uncomfortable “Murray, how many more members of parliament are there?”

“Only six left, sir. You’ve got it this.” He claps his hand on Steve’s shoulder.

‘Oh. That’s not too bad,’ Steve shrugs to himself as he and Murray part ways. Someone calls his name from behind him and when he turns toward the voice, he feels a tug at his hair and a weight sliding from his head at the same time.

Whirling around, Steve’s hand flies to his head to try and catch the crown before it falls completely off, but is met with the faces of a very apologetic waiter and a very cold-looking member of parliament who had already saved the priceless item from hitting the floor. The waiter whose tray had knocked the crown off his head is apologizing profusely, and the other man is making what Steve thinks is a very rude shoo-ing motion towards them.

He focuses his attention on the gangly looking waiter. “I am so sorry, It was only an accident!”

“No, No, it’s perfectly fine I promise. I am all good, no harm no foul.” Steve smiles genuinely at them.

The waiter clasps his hands together and smiles gratefully before turning and rushing from the room. ‘I’ll have to make sure he’s not fired for this, that’d be shitty.’ Steve thinks to himself.

“Thank you for catching that.” Steve tells the cold-mannered man, crouching down a bit so he can place the crown back on his head.

“You should be more careful, your Royal Highness.” He tells Steve, fixing the headpiece into position, “someone may try to take that from you.”

“I sure hope not,” Steve says with an awkward laugh, lightly touching his head “thank you for all your help!” and turns back to Prime Minister Henderson, intending on asking who the cold-mannered man was.

Pt. 2 here!

Tagging the couple folks that showed interest on my original post, hope you don’t mind! @totallybitchin, @potentialheartofdarkness, @steddieasitgoes, @princessstevemunson

[vermanaward]

dawntrail msq, 90-91

on its own i quite dig the jazz theme in tuliyolal but like. jazz? rly?

also. the only other place in this game with jazz is. amnesis anyder. just saying.

'so the north continent was dad's, and the south one was mom's, and the gap between is when mom slammed dad through the floor during a spat' 'hey that sounds like OUR mom and dad' man. you know what in this sort of fantasy work i would like Just Once for the protagonist to Not hail from not just the one culture/geographical region where the not-actually-gods came from but the subset of people who are Annoying At Every Possible Juncture about how They Know The Real Version Of This Story granted that wouldn't improve it any (imagine going to a remote country and they were like. 'oh yeah your mom and dad sound a lot like ours. so here's what Really happened'.) but it'd at least be a change of pace

anyway im calling it now. first promise was grown in a tube or something. where is this kid's mother anyway, huh.

(actually i'm getting. z-nos parallels from him. heir to a foreign throne, possibly grown in a tube, hankering for violence, conspicuously absent mother. pls let this be some standard issue appo overthinking)

hanu

if there's not an obscure sidequest at some point where i can do the moonlift dance for the hanu i'm going to be. unsurprised but also sad

oh. their fertility deity is an amaurotine Creation. (is it supposed to be calling back to quetzacoatl?? iirc neither the irl one nor the ff version have ever been associated much with fertility, but.) cool cool

oh cool we're teaching them about their own traditions cool cool

wuk lamat is getting hard carried by alphinaud's braincell and that's just sad

we're going to solve all our problems by having a party. and somehow it worked. okay.png

"nightworld silver piece" wasn't tha.t aren't those from norvrandt? huh???

pelupelu

oh, okay. so even disregarding what i know from plls: the golden city is up the tallest mountain, and valigarmanda is what's waiting for us behind the seal that lamat's dad put in place. that's where this is going right?

everyone pointedly looking at alphinaud when the warnings about canny traders comes up. never gets old

even erenville gets in on it and surely nobody told him that story. after all, people never talk off camera. he just Knows alphy is that Oblivious Rich Kid

why is it though that every time we run into 'traders' that aren't actively hostile the game contorts itself to be all like yeah they're Honest And Shit they're just Really Enthusiastic About Profit

i mean i know why but

erenville for dawn servant. tbh

..hm. you know it's. very {hmm} that like. of the four candidates, the two of them who are mamool ja are both 1. dicks 2. who choose the path of violence. meanwhile the catboy chooses the path of being a weird nerd, and the catgirl chooses the power of friendship.

back to tuliyolal

why are we suddenly problem solving for- oh its the deliery questlines okay. time to ignore those until i unlock the 100 scrip vendor

oh okay we're speedrunning this idiot's character arc. thank god

'do you ever feel bad compared to your peers' [looks at parses] [says nothing]

ah fuck this means we infected tural with the house of splendors. pack it up kids

koana really did come down to the docks just for some drama. i bet urianger put him up to this

dungeon 1: ihuykatumu

wait hold up can i force alphinaud to tank please say yes

oh never mind he only has dps or green dps options. boooo

3/4 casual static (2x flex,pct) lf @/tank @/healer @/dps for river journey that will definitely just be a chill float down the water

oh god they're using This Gimmick again it sucked in akademi anyder it still sucks now pls Stop

drowsie is cute. even if its a reskinned goobue

...okay the gear is reskinned pag. i guess? let me dye it already >:(

the colour scheme is nice at least

also the dungeon itself is gorgeous. i have to hand it to the art team

this is just thancred getting back at me for all that time i spend bullying him while levelling trusts huh

[josnhoes]

Hello I just want to say I've been reading your stuff and really enjoy it

If it isn't a bother could you elaborate on your Hades idea of

Achilles x Patroclus x Healer reader?

I want to say Pat and Reader are the little trio's braincells but sadly it's just Pat. While reader isn't like Achilles with a continent sized ego and a taste for glory, reader is a long suffering healer who struggles caring for themselves.

Where Pat and Achilles were you could usual find their third near by, typically doing their job or lecturing someone for getting injured in a stupid way. Sometimes if you were blessed you'd get to see the three in a private moment saring soft smiles and indulging in holding eachother.

Life wasn't perfect since they spent much of it in the battlefield, and Pat and Reader always worried for Achilles but they were happy. Were being the key here. We all know what happens Achilles defies the gods, and in result Pat gets killed. Achilles goes on a rampage so focused on revenge it kills him. Only this time he left Reader behind. As if they had been nothing to both of them.

Reader grew bitter, and angry. They knew Achilles always had loved Pat more and at timed they loved Pat more too, but to be tossed aside not even a discussion first well it took their love and twisted it into a sickness. They never blamed Pat and often they'd say a prayer for the warrior, but Achilles was more then dead to them.

As a mortal death is an inevitably that all must come to accept. As talented a healer and blessed by Apollo as Reader had been they were not immortal. They were given a quick death which is as merciful as one could hope for as a Frontline healer.

They saw Achilles in the throne room, playing gaurd and sneared. Even when he tried to reach out to them they ignored him. It took a lot of willpower and respect for the lord of the house not to explode on the blonde man. What ever he had to say he could keep it to himself. If reader had mattered at all he'd have talked to them first before rushing off like a fool to die.

Sent to the Elysium reader finds a place to call their own. They wished to find Pat truly they did but what place was there for them now? Pat and Achilles had been together before you and they would be after. You have no place with them or anyone for that matter. Reader has no lust for battle either, so they spend their days hidden away wallowing in self pity and sorrow.

Until a certain Prince comes along and we all know how Zagreus is about meddling in the affairs of others. Especially since unlike Pat Achilles spoke of you from time to time. Parting some old healing knowledge to the prince and an occasional story. Achilles never mentioned what you were to him aside a friend. But the prince was oh so curious about you from the small stories he was told. And maybe this prince is just what the three of you need to help bridge the gap.

[vttrvm]

some random shit about my rexwalker royal au (quick summary: anakin is the prince of tatooine and rex is a knight from kingdom kamino and a bastard of king jango fett) that make sense literally only to me and two or three of my friends who've read me venting about this for a few weeks because i miss rexwalker terribly and I Am Losing My Mind. also it's placed not in chronological order but in my i am being not normal order so i'm sorry if it's confusing i can't do better

• so in this au tatooine is a small kingdom with an extremely hot climate and it's basically a desert with some cities in it. it's a worldwide trading center tho and it is famous for the sand warriors - extremely skilled royal guards who use an unique combat technique (and, according to legends, some of them even mastered sandbendig). until crown prince anakin skywalker turns 21 the kingdom is ruled by queen regent shmi skywalker.

• kamino on the other hand is a not so small kingdom, like 80% of it's territory is covered in lakes and it has a lot of maritime borders and it's always raining there - so it's basically the complete opposite of tatooine. kamino is famous for its huge army and kamioan warriors are mostly known for their discipline and brilliant strategies. kamino is ruled by king jango fett who has a young son prince boba fett, heir of the kaminoan throne (jango also has two bastard sons who weren't given any last names but only first names cody and rex). king jango and the whole fett bloodline have strong ties (both family and diplomatic) with its neighbor kingdom mandalore, and being so tightly bonded with mandalorians kinda explains kaminoans' bellicose temper.

• obi-wan kenobi obviously is anakin's chief adviser and he basically holds the only braincell of the entire royal court of tatooine

• same for cody (rex's older brother) on kamino, he's the head of the royal guard and if king jango is fully capable of defending himself and doesn't need 24/7 supervision prince boba (age 12) Definitely Does. he has a tendency of messing with wrong people and getting in trouble and not being able to get out of it by himself so cody is kind of a babysitter more then he is a knight

• ahsoka tano, in her turn, is a sand warrior and the head of tatooine's royal guard but also kinda of just prince anakin's personal bodyguard. she and anakin have know each other since he was a baby prince and she was a baby menace so, in lack of any other royal siblings, anakin just treats ahsoka like his little sister and like she's royalty as well.

• when rex comes to tatooine (on diplomatic mission as royal family of kamino's representer of course not to visit his secret prince fiance) he and ahsoka bond IMMEDIATELY. they spar almost all the time and they both are madly curious to learn each other's kingdom's fighting style and anakin just sits on tribune whining how bored he is with all of their knight stuff (tho it was him who taught ahsoka how to fight before she became a sand warrior but he can't participate in silly goofy knights' sparrings anymore since he is going to be a fucking king in a few months and he must maintain his royal attitude)

• after the sparring ahsoka is sitting in anakins royal chambers like damn that kamino guy of yours is an amazing warrior you should like marry him and anakin makes the saddest puppiest puppy eyes one has ever seen bitch i'm TRYING

• codywan are penpals and they constantly complain to each other about how hard it is to babysit princes and to pretend that they don't know why his royal highness prince anakin of skywalkers and cody's younger brother rex travel to each other's countries every couple of months

• they barely saw each other but if you ask obi-wan's opinion he'd tell you that cody is the hot sibling

• due to extreme climate and HIGH risk of death on tatooine there is literally no such thing as a bastard and a royal kid is a royal kid so when anakin learns that king jango has several kids he just assumes that there are at least three princes of kamino: prince cody, prince rex and prince boba and when he first sees rex of course he calls him prince rex fett. rex freezes and thinks that anakin is just making fun of him because that's what kids in knights' academy used to call him as a joke so his answer is 'i am no fett and i am definitely no prince'. that was an awkward ass first interaction so anakin will have to make up for it by making rex a king instead of prince

• prince anakin and prince boba can't stand each other for the most ridiculous reasons (mostly it's just anakin acting so bitchy about boba being and prince and rex not being a prince) and it's really funny to see a whole ass 20yo almost-king holding back to not to kill a 12yo boy for saying that his sword is 'mid'

• anakin was ready to marry rex after a week of knowing him because this is just how it works in his kingdom you see someone pretty and nice and they most definitely like you back and you grab them and marry them before they die in a sandstorm

• ...while rex was SO unsure about all this he couldn't believe that the fucking future king fancies him that his intentions are serious that he's so hot & respectful that his eyes are so deep and his skin is so smooth despite the climate in his desert kingdom and blah blah blah so anakin was just being his charming self and he waited and waited and waited with no pressure on rex and rex was falling for him and falling for him and falling for him so eventually he reciprocated and they started dating and got engaged and lived happily ever afte-

• anakin wasn't getting rex any expensive presents while he was courting him and they weren't in a relationship yet because he didn't want rex to feel pressured or like he owns something to him BUT what anakin was getting him are desert roses. they literally don't cost anything they just lie all around tatooine's desert but for rex who spent all his life on the lakes of kamino it's the most beautiful and exotic thing in the world and it's priceless for him

• anakin is crazy about flowers because there is literally aren't any flowers in his home kingdom. once he saw rex with flower wreath some village kid put on his head he became literally OBSESSED with the idea of rex wearing a flower wreath or a flower crown to their wedding

• anakin doesn't know how to swim. at all. he and rex go on a little hike to the famously beautiful lakes of kamino so they can just have their tet-a-tet time kiss in a clover field sleep in a tent fence jokingly and since anakin can't swim they just sit in the lake among water lilies and the water level barely covers their feet i am sorry this is my #1 romantic fantasy i can't be normal about the water lilies thing (my wife even illustrated this, check her drawing out)

• anakin always takes some water lilies or other flowers to tatooine when it's time for him to leave rex and kamino and he tries to keep the flowers alive but they all dry out on like a second day there so he just keeps a lot of dry flowers so they would remind him of rex

• when rex first comes to tatooine they are already in some sort of relationship and they obviously share a bed so they kuddle after a long day of exploring the capital and anakin's palace and rex just looks so annoyed and tired and anakin is like it's okay if you don't like it here this climate isn't friendly for foreigners at all and i totally understand if you want to go h- and rex's like beloved your kingdom is beautiful and i love it but there is so much sand in my ass rn

• # and they both hated sand... and they both were soon-to-be-kings of tatooine

p.s. it's funny that as much as i know in tbobf boba eventually became some kind of ruler of tatooine... he's just like his bro rex fr

[coeluvr]

“Of course, it will only be in name. My ministers are constantly complaining about the need to fill the position, and if someone holds it, maybe they’ll finally shut up. I already have a son, so I don’t know why they’re so desperate for me to marry again. I can’t betray my wife like that.”

So it's obvious that Luceris isn't going to be interested in the MC, but what about the ministers and the rest of the court? Will they be expecting the MC when they're older to give Luceris more heirs to secure his family line or did they just want someone to fulfil the consort's duties? I know this isn't something that will actually happen in the game, I'm just curious how the rest of the court views this "marriage" and what they expect of the MC.

Hi, anon!

If MC has the organs to carry a child then a part of the court does expect it of MC but it isn't the majority because MC is the royalty of a kingdom that is in their hands, if MC had children then they could retake the throne via the child. Ultimately no one can force Luceris to do anything.

In the case of a MC that can't bear children, it's not expected at all because in those cases the throne would go to another child in the royal family that the King picks. Due to many messed up acts (murders) Luceris and Helios are the only ones left in the Rosean royal family.

If Luceris did not have an heir, the court would quite literally try to force him to take another spouse. His father had two wives so it wouldn't be unexpected for Luceris to take more spouses. And if Luceris has a single braincell he would understand its necessary for the kingdom.

Before MC became the consort, they did want Luceris to have more heirs so if one died then there would be others to take over but if they even attempted to say such a thing to Luceris it wouldn't end well. 😭😭

So right now all that they expect of MC is to take on the duties of a consort and take control of the social aspect of the society which isn't going to be easy considering everyone's opinions on MC.

[safely-in-vhagars-belly]

fire and blood the fanfic, chapter 16: Last fluttering of wings, prisoner exchange dark and i mean dark aemond and aegon as well as a lenghty chapter full of torture. Part 16 of a story.

Concept: You were aemonds and aegons fuckbuddy before the greens decided to take the throne, once they took the throne, they killed your father, you were upset about that but convinced they loved you anyway and since it was criston who killed them you didnt blame them as much for it, after you threw a tantrum at your fathers funeral after learning that aemond is engaged and aegon has a fourth child on the way, (and both ignored you for weeks and also didnt bother to be at you know, your fathers funeral) you all got into a huge agressive fight that ended with a lot of dark stuff and you getting shoved into a cage. HOWEVER- *Takes a sip of waterbottle* Aemond ''killed'' luc and you were allowed out to be his gift for his heroic deeds (their words not mine) and two assasins mistook you for Helaena, bringing you to Dragonstone where Jacerys proposed to you, planning to make your family the new high family of the reach, as well as dealing a hard blow to aemond and aegon in the process. But can you say yes?

warnings: dark aemond, dark aegon, non-con, dub-con, violence, war crimes smut breeding kinks, rough sex and other things. They call Rhaenys unkind things as well.

Otto, seeing that his grandsons did not inherit a single braincell from him.

Jace still holds your hand, ready and eager to push his rings on your fingers. To make you his Queen. You gently slide your hands out of his. You know the iron throne. You know the realm. It's a cost you can't bear and nor will you pass it down to any of your possible children.

Your heart is broken. Your sister is gone, and they did it. They killed her. You killed her indirectly.

You help Jace up, as your friend, and as his future subject. 'You flatter me, my Prince. But even you must understand that I can't possibly accept.' You hope that is enough, but judging his face, it is not.

Your head bops up and down in Baela's direction. 'There are two ladies who should sit that iron chair, and none of them are me.' You hand him back his ring, gently.

He takes it very well. He stands up and straightens his back and keeps respectful. You expected him to throw a tantrum or perhaps to even cry. But he is no Aegon. He is not Aemond. He is Jace. He is calm and gentle. He will never hurt you. 'I am so sorry, Brienne. I had hoped you would accept this proposal.' Jace sighs dramatically, and the way he touches your face reminds you of Aegon.

You nod. 'I understand, my friend. I hope we can remain friends. We can forget this ever happened.'

Daemon reads the letter and his brows raise in mockery as he hands the paper to his Queen. She takes it from him and reads it, her heart clearly sinking. You watch in horror. 'More bad news?' You guess nervously playing with your bracelet.

The Queen sighs before giving her husband a nod. 'It is war, Brienne. You understand that I lost my son already.' She says. 'And a daughter too.'

A guard suddenly appears behind you, taking you into custody. 'Please escort Lady Beesburry back to her rooms. It is time I have a chat with my son and my heir.' She gives Jace a glare. You are grabbed by your arms and escorted out of the rooms.

-- The next morning, the reality is hitting you hard. Your sister is gone. She was good and kind. Sometimes, you fought like all siblings. You are glad she went after your father. He could not survive the thought of living in a world without her. But then again, neither can you.

You have been given a basket of books and do a bit of reading, but you end up reading the same sentence over and over and over. There are many good stories in your basket that you can't focus on. You have the feeling that a dark storm is approaching and it's coming in fast.

The door of your cell is unlocked, and two guards escort you out of it, to the throne room. Rhaenyra sits the throne and is waiting for you. She seems tired and restless. Daemon is near her side, and so is jace.

Still a lady, you curtsy. 'Good morrow, my queen. Is there any way I may be of service?'

Rhaenyra's smile breaks briefly, and you see that she avoids your eyes. 'I am sorry. You have no dragon. Rhaenys does.' What does that even mean? Of course, you do not have a dragon. You are Beesburry.

Rhaenys does. 'What does that mean?' You blurt out confused.

Daemon smiles, and you feel yourself become uneasy by his smug little smile. 'It means you are going back to sucking cocks and getting fucked soon. Aemond and Aegon agreed on a prisoner exchange. Your useless ass for Rhaenys and her dragon.' You are shocked.

Shocked because they agreed to that. You are so useless compared to a dragon or a princess. 'But I do no longer wish to be there. They will hurt me.' Your voice becomes small and breakable.

The Queen sighs and she seems to pity you. 'My hands are tied. We already agreed to meet them.' You wish there was another way. You will not go back to them. You would rather die.

Daemon seems to notice you are about to run and grabs you by your waiste as he chains you as if you are an animal.

--------- They choose a spot on neutral ground, near a forest. There is an open field near the King's Woods where they will do the exchange. The time has been set during noon. You were transported on Dragon back. You cried and screamed the entire ride. You never rode a dragon before.

You have chains around your neck and hands, and Daemon drags you along to the agreed spot. He and Rhaenyra and their children and all of their dragons are waiting for the two Greens.

During the sun's brightest hour, you notice two familiar dragons circling the skies before landing as well. Vhagar and Sunfyre. Aemond lands Vhagar and gets off. Sunfyre and Aegon land near you, and you keep your distance still not used to the gigantic animals they all seem so familiar with. You are more terrified of the dragons than of your fate.

Rhaenyra keeps her distance from both her brothers when Daemon sharply tugs your collar, dragging you with him to his nephews. You are forced to walk with him, but his legs are longer, so you need to hurry up.

Aegon bristles in anger when Aemond takes in your body. They did not allow you another gown, so you are still wearing the one you were captured in. His reward gown. Daemon halts in the middle of the field and waits for them to come.

Aemond decides to come over so his king can stay safely with the dragons and the guard. 'That is not yours, Uncle. That belongs to me and my brother.' He says arrogantly. You bite your lip. He looks to you. 'And you? You can prepare yourself for a proper and suitable punishment, Lady Beesbury.'

Daemon ignores your soft whimpers. 'Where is Rhaenys?'

You back away, slightly stepping on Daemon's foot. You are quick to apologise, but Daemon doesn't even seem to notice. He watches Rhaenys being dragged out by a leash as well. Her gown is ripped, and the once white fabric turned an awful crimson colour. She has burns on her body and also a huge scar by her cheeks. Aemond proudly takes her from Cole, who delivers her. Aemond seems to look around for her husband.

The Sea snake spots him. Aemond makes a show of grabbing Rhaenys by her throat and throwing her on the ground before handing Daemon the chains. 'We didn't fuck your pretty wife, Corlys. We like them young, and we like them tight.'

Rhaenys takes you in and judges your chains and fine dress. You mutter an apology to her. She turns around, surprised. She walks back to you. 'Do not pity me, child. I am free now. You are captured once more.'

There is a soft smack on your behind, and you growl out loud. Aemond tightens the chains by pulling them slowly, closing off your throat. With a sickened smirk, he carries you to his brother. You are dizzy when they place you on your feet.

You stumble in their direction. You had quiet hope that they would let you go free. You nearly fall, but Aegon captures you into his strong arms. Your eyes meet, and you slowly feel yourself become more at ease.

The Blacks take off with Rhaenys. Maelys follows soon after. You watch as they take off and realise you are at the mercy of your tormentors once more.

Aegon still has you in his arms. He leans in closely and presses his nose against your own before gently kissing your lips. He seems to breathe in your scent, and he mutters in high valyrian that he missed you. You break yourself free. 'I am not coming. I want to hear what happened to my sister.' You demand.

Aemond grins at his brother. 'Well it's simple. We wanted to lure you out to HoneyHolt and to trap you there. But since you are already ours now, that's unnecessary.' That is cruel. Your sister died for nothing.

Your head hangs and you tear up. 'You two really killed her. Why? She was everything to me.'

Aegons eyes roll. 'Enough, we will talk about it when we get home.' He warns you with his glare. Home. Does that mean they will change their rules? That you will have access to your rooms? To your ladies? You hope so.

You scoff at that. You are many things, but you are not a coward. 'I am not coming. And King's Landing is not my home.' You say bravely.

The king nods to his brother. 'Do it.' He says. Aemond eagerly grabs a small bottle of dark black essence from the pocket of his jacket.

'W-what is that?' You whisper, terrified.

He grins. 'A bit of nightshade. It does wonders for little brats who do not obey.' Nightshade is a dangerous poison that can knock people out or worse.

You back away. 'That's deadly.' To your horror, Aegon is already holding you tight, so you can't run.

'Only in high doses. You will get just a tiny little drop.' He places the bottle against your lips and gently pours a bit in your mouth. It is bitter. Aegon forces you to swallow it.

You are let go of the moment you have swallowed it. Aemond puts the bottle back in his pocket.

You are pushed inside the same cage they moved the princess in and the door is locked. You try to keep awake but slowly drift off to sleep.

--- You awake hours later. Back in the cell. You thought they would allow you back to your rooms. You get up from the soft bed and rush to the door. You try to open it first carefully but later desperately slamming against it, trying to rip the bars apart. 'No! No no!' You whimper before bursting into tears.

A voice chuckles behind you. 'It's not so bad. We could give you a regular cell. You are comfortable here, little bee. Much more comfortable than you deserve for your actions.' He thinks you left voluntarily. He says it's not bad, but you know he won't survive a day within this cage or any without going insane.

You tell him what really happened. 'They kidnapped me. I did not want to come with them. They thought I was Helaena. They called me the Queen.' You say.

Aemond grabs the belt of your dress that is decorated with jewels and takes it off. He grabs your necklace and rips it from your neck. You are aware that he is eying your breasts and slams you against the bars of the cells. The bars poke and hurt you.

There is a soft gasp from your mouth as he starts to leave small tiny kisses on your collar bone, to your shoulders, to your neck, and to your breasts. Your legs are parted. 'Aemond, we should wait for Aegon.' You remind him kindly. You hope it will save you again. In the halls it did not matter, but you were punished. Perhaps this will be different. Perhaps he will care.

Aemond has little respect for you but backs away because he loves his brother. 'On your bed, little bee. Do not make me wait.' You obediently go to the bed and sit down. You hope he wants something else than what you suspect.

He grabs his belt and takes it off, he puts his coat on the chair by your desk and slowly unbottoms his shirt. You shake your head lightly. 'No, Aegon is not here-'

There is an awful loud laugh coming from him before he comes over and forces your chin in his hands. He grins at you before smashing his lips on yours. You weakly push him away. It works briefly. The next time he comes for you, he pins you down and listens to your little whimpers 'Aegon does not care for your little useless body anymore. I am all you have.' You were unsure of your feelings for Aegon for a while.

But now you know for sure that you love him more than anything. You love him more than being alive. You break into tears. 'No...' You croak out, your voice breaking.

He sighs annoyed by your dramatics. He hugs you softly and plays with your hair. 'Shh.' He mutters in your ear.

You can't help but turn to Aemond for support. 'I loved him so much. Despite it all. I love him.' You confess crying. You seek comfort in his arms; you want to be held.

A harsh pain on your head forces you away from him. He glares at you and you realise you made a mistake. 'Ow...' You tear up again. You feel the spot that burns. He hit you.

You lower your head so he can't see the tears that fall. 'Enough of that. I do not like hearing that. Do you understand?'He barks raising his voice.

You are quick to nod and cower. 'Y-yes.'

He crosses his arms. You used to like it if they got a little rough, but this hurts you. 'Yes who?' He demands.

You angrily wipe away a few tears. You understand he wants to break you. You can't break what is already broken. And you are broken in every way. 'Yes, Aemond.' You spit out angrily. He grins at your fire and you know he is turned on by tour defiance as well.

He thinks clicking his tongue before touching your legs. 'No, that won't do anymore.' He says calmly. 'Yes, my love.' You are taken back by his request.

You thought he was too masculine for requests like that. You also thought his ...his desire came from lust. Not like Aegon's, what was clearly love. You understand at that moment that he wants you like his brother once did. He loves you.

You feel guilty. He probably thinks that with Aegon gone, you will answer his feelings. That you will finally pick him. But you can't. Your heart is too good to deceive him like that. To play him. 'I am not in love with you.' You confess. 'I do not think I ever will be.'

There is another smirk playing on his lips. You are grabbed by your hair and dragged to him. You end up on top of him and in tears. You feel his warm breath on your lips. 'For a girl so clever, you really act stupid. Aegon won't be feeding you. I will. I will cloth you, feed you, and if you ever like to see daylight again, you best do what I want.' You are terrified of that description. You'll never feel the warm sun again. You'll never see your home again. You'll never read a book again or see another person if he has a say in it. And if he wishes to, he will force you to have and birth his children in this very brick.

You break down. 'Now, like a proper pet this time.' You feel him gently touch the spot where he hit you earlier. You try to be strong. You lose your battle against the tears.

You push yourself to anwser. 'W-what do you want, my love?'

There is a brief silence before he chuckles delighted and leaves a soft kiss on your lips. 'Your pretty mouth must be tired. I bet I can help you shut up for a while. Perhaps keep you occupied as well.'

He wants to be pleased. You eye his crotch. 'Yes, clever girl. You figured that out quick. On your knees and open wide.' You are pushed on the stone ground and forces between his knees. You watch as he strips himself and forces your mouth open and closes it when his cock hangs in your mouth. You gently ease it in deeper. He chuckles. 'I remember the first time we did this. You never had done it before, yet you were a natural. Aegon joked that you were meant for this.'

That hurts you. You slow it down, not nearly as eager to get this over with. You lose your passion and your motivation. 'It's as if you are dead already, little bee. Do you need a few moments on my knee first? You do like it when I get a little rough.'

You roll your tongue over his length eagerly licking him and tasting him properly. You ignore the taste of it and welcome him much deeper and softly slow it down to soft teasing movements. He groans when rolling his hips against your mouth fucking it. Your hands are grabbed and forced on your back.

You realise that this is all you have left. You will do this until you die. You miss Aegon. Your heart bleeds. But you must keep aemond happy.

You realise that. He is all you will have. And if you are not careful, he will go away too. You quickly grab hold of his hands and force them around your neck so he can hold you. He relaxes with a twisted grin as a tear rolls down your cheeks. 'So sad, little bee. I know you are hurting right now, but you make me feel so good. I think you might even have a little reward if you keep this up.' You like the sound of that. You like his gentle touch on your head. You like the soft pettings. It makes you feel safe and loved.

You are becoming wet. Aemond rips your skirts and pulls down your undergarments, pushing you on the bed. You are pushed on your knees and your legs are spread before he roughly forces himself inside you.

'Nh!' That was a good one. You like that the pleasure slowly numbs your mind.

Aemond groans. 'That's it, girl. Cry and beg for me. Beg and fuck me. I know you want to.'

His grunts and his harsh grip and his smacks. You and your whimpers and soft groans. You are so close. You feel as if you are on the edge. One little push and you'll fall. 'I am nearly there.' 'If you wish to punish; get out now. I do not think I can take it much longer.' Sometimes your pleasure is denied by him. He likes to punish you that way.

He slams inside and takes you deeper when you cry out in pleasure. 'Come, little bee. Come for your new master. Wet my cock with your spoils and let me have your wet juicy cunt.' He growls out loud in your ear. Your eyes close and for a moment he pops up in your head. You see that damn smile.

You come. 'Aegon!' You cry out. The cock does not fuck you anymore. You turn around. You see Aemonds enraged face and you just know you broke his heart into a million little pieces.

You watch as he puts his clothes back on. You grab his arm quickly. 'W-wait! Do not leave me...' You beg.

He chuckles before a single tears rolls down his cheek. He grabs you by the throat. 'I hate you.' He says. That kills you as well.

You beg him to stay. 'Aemond please...' You think of your mother, your father of everyone that you lost. You do not want to be alone.

You beg him, clutching his ankle when he coldly gets up from the bed. Sobs escape your throat. 'Do not leave me too.' You beg him. 'Please...I'll be good. I will do what you ask. Please.' You even attempt to get him out of his clothes again but he smacks your hands away. You feel as if your fingers are burned.

He makes his way to the door and slams the door behind him. He takes out a familiar key and locks the door. 'I do not want to be alone!' You scream before whimpering.

He looks at you with a scoff. 'Your father is dead, your mother is dead, your sister is dead. And your brothers are soon to be dead too. You are exactly that what you fear. You are alone.' He leans in. 'I think that some solitude will help make you realise how important I am to you. I want your love. I told you that before. I do not care, how I will get it. I will get it eventually.'

You hug your knees. The next time you look up from them, he is gone.

[cheemken]

Have some more toh au stuff while I'm taking a break before my expe homework kills off the last few braincells I have left

Anyways hahaha

Yknow imagine that the first time Diantha and Iris actually encountered each other was when Dia had Drayden be taken in to the castle to be executed in front of the masses, as he was hiding and helping a human with him. And ofc, Iris rushed there to save him, looking for him within the castle, then she got to the throne room, sees a heart beating right behind the throne, it,, really messed her up. She was looking around for a clue maybe, or smth that can help her find Drayden, only to hear a silky voice from behind her.

"well, well, if it isn't the human. I've heard a lot about you."

Iris quickly turns and a few feet away from her, she sees glowing blue eyes amidst the darkness, the empress of the Boiling Isles stepping into the light, a smirk on her face.

"I've heard.. you've befriended Drayden, and it seems those rumours were correct."

"of course, he's my friend! He's my mentor, so where is he?!"

Diantha laughed, "my, my, ever temperamental. You humans are all the same. A shame, truly, Drayden is such a prominent figure in the Beast Keeping coven, yet you ruined him."

"what are you talking about?"

"oh, my dear, can't you see? Drayden is going to die because of you."

And ofc that scared Iris, Drayden was going to die?? And in a flash, Diantha became a blur of purple, and suddenly she's right in front of Iris, looking down on her, "do you wanna see?" Before she could respond, Diantha grabbed Iris, teleporting them to somewhere secluded, but she could see Drayden on the podium, caged along w Axew. "Now look what you've made me do. You humans... never satisfied until blood is shed. You never change. I don't think you ever will. Now Drayden will die," then she leaned down to whisper in Iris' ear, "and it's all thanks to you."

Iris snapped, screaming and shoving Diantha off her, summoning Drayden's dragonic palisman and taking out her glyphs, fighting her off. Diantha chuckled darkly, dodging all of Iris' attack, "is this the best you got, human? I expected more from Drayden, but perhaps he softened up because of you as well. How disappointing." But she spoke to soon, as Iris summoned out vines from one of her glyphs, catching Diantha off guard, or rather, she wants to believe so. As the vines scarred Diantha's face, the empress merely chuckled, holding her face as blood trickled down her hands as well. "Bien." She smeared the blood on her face, grinning at Iris, "très bien." She then summoned her own Palisman, "come then, human, let's see how well Drayden taught you!"

And yeah insert a really cool fight scene bc I have no energy left for that, but yeah, it ends w Iris managing to distract her w the fire glyph, especially seeing how Diantha recoiled from the flames unlike w the other glyphs where she took it head on. Iris made a mental note w that, along w the fact that apparently Diantha knows a human language. As she escaped, she found her friends looking for her too, and together they went to the podium to stop the petrification and saved Drayden and Axew from the Coven Heads.

Ofc, it never crossed her mind why the Coven Heads just let them go or rather they didn't put up much of a fight. Diantha had ordered them to hold back, as she said she's going to give the Boiling Isles a performance they'd love. As soon as Drayden and Iris left along w the others, Diantha showed herself to the people of the demon realm, she didn't heal herself just yet, just to show to every witch in the Isles to "see how dangerous humans are! My people, I'd rather you not go through the same pain I felt. With your help, we can stop that human! Each and every one of them! And no more will they hurt our kind." Everyone voiced their support ofc, some even voiced their concerns for the empress, as she's been hurt. Even the Coven Heads were surprised, no one could surpass Diantha in strength, and to see that human actually hurt her, well, Iris must be that much of a threat. Ofc, that's all for show for Diantha, she could've easily killed Iris then and there, but where would be the fun in that? She'd love to see her fail over and over again, would love to see her reach her goals only for Dia to take it all away from her. Diantha plans to break Iris, the same way humans broke her.