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#trading souls for favors
thefanficcup · 1 year
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DC/DP Constantine Bingo
When Danny gets crowned High King he gets loaded with mountains of paperwork all because of one John Constantine. So instead of dealing with it he turns Constantine's sold soul pieces into a currency for favors from the King. (Claming John's soul for himself to end all debates)
Then because Constantine will likely continue to sell his soul carelessly Danny makes an official decree that anyone who wants can create a 5 by 5 grid of beings/situations/etc. John will se his soul to and send it to Clockwork to officially enter the bingo, creating a realms wide bingo with prices. Along with this comes a ruling that of John comes to you and wish to sell his soul in return for a favor that you can do, you must accept, preventing people from cheating.
~~~
This of course makes John very paranoid. It suddenly got very easy to trade his soul and many beings even seemed eager to do it. Despite them knowing it would not give them the ownership of his soul.
~~~
What happens when Danny receives an update on the bingo, in the form of a green postit-note, in the middle of a dinner at Wayne manor.
It could either be a meet your partners family dinner or a adopted danny dinner.
Anyway now he either has to come clean about being a ghost, the ghost king, or make up a story about befriending ghosts and getting invited to the bingo that way.
Bonus points if Danny name dropps Constantine without knowing that the Wayne's are the bats and that John had shared his paranoia with his coworkers.
~~~
I am not a writer but if you like this and want to write it your self, be my guest, just tag me so I can read it👻👻
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baffledapple · 2 months
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i've been pretty convinced already that alastor is INCAPABLE of not smiling but the finale has really cinched that in holy shit
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my man can't even frown his shadow has to do it for him
even when he's losing his shit cause he almost fucking died he STILL couldnt frown
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mekha-draws · 2 months
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Oh, I think I accidentally made a mess for this whole ass tab.... but its kinda funny now
Is it really your fault if you get fucked by the small print of your deal if the one who made you accept it had no idea how the whole thing would play out either*?
(*it was the first time they did anything like this, sowwy)
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wahta-auqa · 2 months
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DC x DP
Constantine has bartered his soul so many times, he truly doesn't know what will happen to him when he dies. He knows that he has slivers of his soul left and that he can't feasibly trade it up anymore. So lately he has been trading favors to demons, to settle a last score on earth for them as long as no one dies. It had been working but as of late? Notta. Not a single demon, elf, fae, or pixie would answer his call.
So he went to Zantana for info, turns out? One singular being owns his soul now and had enough authority to ban anyone to trade with him. Who though? No idea but that they are a newer species and had recently ascended to "God-Level" status.
~•~•~•~•~
Danny just won the jackpot. He and some ghosts had been doing some light gambling with other creatures from different dimensions. He came across some of these tiny star-like gems that lit up if you touched them. He gambled some things he shouldn't have but won in the end. Turns out that there were exactly 665 of them. The last was with the original owner, but he wanted them.
So, after months and weeks, he finally got them all. Turns out that they were durable and almost impossible to break according to Skulker. Skulker said that he's never had the urge to collect them due to the fact that these ones were kinda mass produced but owned quite rare ones, had some famous former owners.
Once he had them, he contemplated on what to do with them. Putting them into a crystal ball? But they won't glow that way. Some of the gems were bigger than other, so maybe a star system on the ceiling of his room? No, still would be able to get them all to glow. Set in resin and made into a sensory type toy? Can't really appreciate that way.
Asked his friends, family, and other ghosts, but nothing seemed to be the right answer. Until Frostbite suggested having them made into jewelry, specifically his kingly attire. Sure, there was the crown of fire and the ring of rage, but he needed a new crown and ring to represent the new age for ghosts. His coronation was coming up, so he gave his gems to the royal jewelry to get them set, exempt for one. He had one set aside for a personal necklace so that he could where it as a human.
It was the size of a mentos, shaped like one, too. It was set in silver and had a long enough chain to tuck it into his shirt. As it hung around his neck, he knew he wasn't going to let anyone take it from him. His obsession damanded it so. He even went as far as telling others that he would do anything to get the last piece but wasn't going to trade or gamble to get it.
Not knowing that last sentence was misunderstood by those who knew he wanted it.
Part 2
.
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seraphdreams · 1 year
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DREAMIN' — underground racing miniseries.
“being a pretty flag girl is more than waving around banners and wearing cute skirts.”
WARNINGS. this series contains an ungodly amount of smut. reader discretion is advised. topics explored are: gangbanging, drugs, gang activities, semi-dark content, weapons, dub/noncon. each fic will be tagged with its own warnings. 18+ only.
NOTE. finally putting out this series that i’ve been thinking about for a while now. i hope you all enjoy it. each fic is inspired by a song so listen to them!
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— STARTING LINE UP.
PART I — NO PHOTOS.
SHIBUYA CITY CHAMPION, BAJI KEISUKE GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH KAZUTORA HANEMIYA.
PART II — BLINDING LIGHTS.
BRAHMAN’S PRINCESS RACES AGAINST BONTEN’S MASTERMIND, MANJIROU SANO.
PART III — P POWER.
DRAKEN V. HANMA SHUJI.
PART IV — TASTE.
IZANA KUROKAWA FLIES ALL THE WAY FROM MANILA TO RACE AGAINST BEST FRIEND, KAKUCHO HITTO!
PART V — TO BE ANNOUNCED.
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Bonten had somewhat of a ritual. It wasn’t anything too crazy like pentagrams or summoning the dead relatives of their victims, but something that made them, them. It was the driving force of all their operations, the sole source that kept the organization afloat. When things went awry they knew they could always count on this one thing, something minor yet major.
Money.
Money granted them connections to criminal organizations around the world. Allies established, and enemies gained. The issue here was that Bonten was bored. All the money in the world couldn’t snatch them from their odd day to day realities of being glorified hitmen, they needed excitement. Something new.
“Any ideas?” All 8 of the men sat around the large lacquered oak table with a particular noble at the forefront. He wore a black suit with a white tie that complimented the strands atop his head. His gaze was empty, as if the light had died out ages ago. There’s two standing beside him, one with a blond skunk strip and slick back hair, the other with the same style except it was platinum all around and a short beard adorned the lower half of his face.
If you didn’t know them, you’d steer clear—They looked intimidating, terrifying almost. You knew Bonten too well though; under all that hardened criminalism were just regular salarymen.
You stood next to where Koko sat. A snarky young man with low patience. It’s hard for you to get under his skin like the others do, and though he’d never admit it, he did have a thing for his little assistant. “We already do so much, I doubt taking on other projects would benefit us financially.” Koko retorts to Mikey’s query. His hands are folded under his chin, propping his head up as if he was bored of the conversation that only lasted two minutes so far.
“Look at you only thinkin’ ‘bout a quick buck. Ya never change, do ya?” It was Sanzu who spoke. Eccentric as he is, when Mikey was in the room he was loyal like a dog. He was one of the many variables that contributed to Kokonoi’s premature graying. Never have they ever gotten along.
“It’s not always about profit. We could expand territory and utilize it for something bigger like weapon trade, or women.” The eldest Haitani spoke. You favored something about him, possibly the eyes or his charismatic nature. He was a caring soul as well, he put his brother above his own life whether Rindou liked it or not. “Bouncing off Ran’s idea, what about Okinawa?” Kakucho uttered.
Usually you tuned out business talk, it wasn’t important to your job. All you were paid to do was look pretty and occasionally pass out paperwork, but the topic at hand piqued your interest. Hitto continues, “We own land in Okinawa, we could build another headquarters there, a casino maybe?”
It seemed as though Manjiro finally took his children into consideration, nodding along with the conversation. “A casino is for idiots, let’s do underground racing.” Sanzu adds. There’s silence and judgmental stares before Mikey finally allows himself to speak once more. “I like it.”
“You can’t be serious, Boss?” Takeomi asks from his spot behind. “How can we even—”
It’s Hajime who interjects this time, the wheels seemingly turning in his head. “If we combine both Hitto and his idea, we could host bets and call in racers. I’m thinking motorcycles over cars. We can’t risk importing illegal vehicles overseas.”
That was just it. The very proposal that’ll put words to action. With a seance of agreeances, Mikey turns to Rindou for finalization. “Make it happen, Haitani.” Rin nods before taking a quick glance at you and back to his leader. “A flag girl’ll be nice too, preferably a hot bimbo.”
You were too fixated on checking your fresh manicure to feel the stares of all the men burning into your frame. The clearing of Kakucho’s throat pulls you from your focus and you finally make the realization. “Hm?”
Mikey tunes his attention back to Rindou, the one notorious for his connections with about any and everyone. “Call up your best racers and fly them to Okinawa. Set up a hotel and headquarters while you’re at it. Let’s take a little business trip.”
With the meeting adjourned, the plan sets in motion.
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lavender-devotion · 2 days
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Gambling With Souls (Alastor x GN!Reader)
Summary: You made a deal with Husk a long time ago, and ended up paying a lot more than you bargained for. Now you worked in one of his casinos, waiting on him and the people he gambled with hand and foot. One day Husk is challenged to a game by another Overlord, one with red eyes and a sharp ever-present smile…and, despite everything, you can’t help but feel drawn to him. What happens when the two of them start gambling with souls…and yours is thrown into the betting pool? Disclaimer: Husk is going to act pretty different than he does in the show and, yes, he's not going to be very nice to you---this is not me demonizing him. He's an Overlord, he's gonna act like one.
Tags: Alastor x GN!Reader, No Use of (Y/N), I only know Texas Hold ‘Em so that’s what we’re going with, One-sided Husk x GN!Reader (maybe, idk, it's up to your interpretation) TW: Abuse, Alcohol, Groping Word Count: 3.3k Read it on Ao3 <3
The moment you'd agreed to gamble with Husk, your life had ended.
You were a strong demon, not an Overlord---considering you hadn't owned any souls---but still not someone to mess with. Still, it was an incredibly stupid idea to gamble with an Overlord like him, especially since he was known for his proficiency in such things. You didn't remember what exactly had possessed you to think you could possibly win, but it didn't really matter now, did it?
He'd challenged you, and you had accepted.
You lost.
And now your soul was his to do with as he pleased.
Of all the demons who owned souls, Husk was considered by far the worst. He was a gambler and a drunk. He won hands, yes, but he also lost them---and it wasn't exactly uncommon for him to bet the souls he owned in lieu of money. Especially against other Overlords.
You could be working for him in one of his casinos as a dealer and in the span of one hand you were suddenly being dragged to the Vee district and forced to work as a porn star for Valentino, subject to his abuse and the abuse of your "co-stars," only to see your pain broadcasted across Hell to get people off.
Or to the Carmine district to work in a factory, building weapons that would probably kill you one day and dealing with the effects of the toxic gas and physical labor, slowly decaying over time.
Or to the district owned by Zestial...no one knew what happened to the souls he owned, and you sure as hell didn't want to find out.
Oddly enough, though, Husk seemed to take a liking to you. He always had you work at his personal gambling table---serving drinks, food, or rigging the game in his favor when he was in particularly deep shit and didn't want to lose.
And he never bet your soul.
Ever.
Sometimes he would bet you doing certain...activities, sometimes he would bet your time, sometimes he would bet a kiss, but never your soul.
Sometimes you were grateful for it, for the security it brought and the routine---you were rarely ever caught off guard when it came to Husk. Grateful for the knowledge that, hey, at least you would never be traded off to someone worse.
Other times, however, you hated it. Hated that he treated you like his prized show pony, hated that he was willing to pass you around but never loosen the chain on your neck, hated the fact that there was no escape...
...at least, there was no escape, until Husk gambled with him.
----------
It was never a good thing when Husk called you over to his table, so when one of the girls you worked with waved you down and directed you over to him---right before the end of your shift, I might add---you were...less than thrilled, let's say.
It had already been a hard enough day. It was like every jackass in Hell had decided to all get assigned to your tables at once---being loud and unruly, smacking your ass, spilling drinks, causing trouble---and, of course, none of your coworkers were any help. Your feet were killing you from all of the moving around, a customer had spilled a drink on you so now your uniform was more uncomfortable than usual, and you could definitely feel a migraine coming on.
The last thing you wanted to do was stay however many hours past your scheduled time just to plaster on a fake smile and be Husk's plaything. All you wanted was to go home and go to sleep, but the universe apparently hated you.
Fuck your life.
As you approached Husk's table, your attention was immediately drawn to the man sitting across from him. He was noticeably taller than Husk, even without the antlers atop his head---joined by a pair of red and black ears that matched the rest of his hair. He was dressed in a red suit and tailcoat that seemed to be 1930's in style, and a staff in the shape of a vintage microphone rested right next to him.
What was most eye-catching about him, though, was his smile.
Husk was an irritating man, that's just what he was like. He was arrogant without the sense to hide it, too certain of his own success every time he played a game, a hefty shit talker, usually drunk, and irritable and rude when he wasn't. Half of your job was often playing nice to soothe his opponents, trying to keep him out of trouble. Like I said, he was an irritating man.
And yet, even though it was obvious that Husk was getting on this man's last nerve, his smile never faltered. It was...unsettling, to say the least. Oddly enough, though, you found your interest in the man piquing---he didn't look like the type to gamble, after all, so what was he doing here?
As soon as you made it to the table, you plastered on a smile of your own and greeted them, mentally preparing yourself so that you didn't try to throttle one or both of them.
"Hello gentleman," you said, voice falsely bright and cheerful, "will I be dealing for you today or grabbing some drinks?"
Husk turned to you, grinning cockily and...oddly not drunk. Not sober, of course, but clearly more sober than you'd ever seen him before.
"Dealin' for us today, sweetheart," he said, smooth and low---almost flirty. You mentally shuddered.
Despite your distaste, you nodded and made your way to the middle of the table, going ahead and opening a fresh deck of cards before shuffling them---waiting for Husk to tell you which game they were going to play, and therefore what you'd be dealing out.
He turned to his opponent, "now, what game 're we playin'?"
"Your choice," the man replied, his voice overlaid by sharp radio static.
Husk laughed, and part of you wondered if this stranger had a death wish. Didn't he know who Husk was? Didn't he know what a terrible idea it was to give him, not only the advantage of playing in one of his casinos and choosing the dealer, but also the advantage of choosing the game?
What was he playing at?
Never one to pass up an opportunity to gain the upper hand, Husk---grinning---told you the game he wanted to play, and you began dealing out the cards. Quickly, the stranger recognized it.
"Ah, Texas Hold Em', hm?" He hummed, static crackling slightly in an almost-laugh, "a classic! What made you choose such a game?"
"I just figured a basic game like this would be easy enough for you to keep up with," Husk replied, the little insult sliding smoothly off his tongue. The stranger's eyes narrowed and you cringed, mentally praying to whatever god would listen that he wouldn't take his anger at Husk out on you, as was all too common among the characters he gambled with. Thankfully, his eyes never left Husk and he made no move to harm you as you set up the game, now divvying up the chips between them.
Just before you were about to start the game, however, Husk held up a hand to stop you---a dangerous glint in his eyes that made you shudder.
"Why don't we make this game a little more interesting," he said, and you could already guess what he was about to suggest.
The stranger's head tilted ever-so slightly, "what did you have in mind?"
"Why don't we gamble with something a little more valuable than money...something like the souls we own."
The stranger's smile widened imperceptibly, and you got the uncanny feeling that this is what he'd wanted in the first place. Not Husk's money, but the souls in his possession.
'Perhaps Husk's soul as well,' something in your mind whispered, but you brushed it off. Husk never gambled his soul either, so there's no way that would happen---even if that was what the stranger was there for.
Once the stranger voiced his agreement, Husk snapped his fingers and his chips radiated with a silver glow, each chip being branded with a mark that symbolized exactly whose soul was being bet. His soul was branded on a Black chip, the most expensive piece---ever present, even if he'd never bet it. Yours was a Red, the second most expensive.
He gestured to the stranger, signaling that it was his turn. The stranger followed suit and snapped his fingers, this time a bright green enveloping the chips in front of him---starkly contrasting to the rest of his appearance. His chips were now branded with their own marks as well. A Black chip with green details was branded with a bright red 'A,' and you could only assume that was his own soul.
After it was clear that the two were ready, you flipped the first three cards, and the game began.
----------
At first, things almost seemed normal, once the game had started.
You dealt the hands, split the chips in the betting pool, and watched as the two Overlords went back and forth with the flow of the game. Occasionally another one of Husk’s employees would come over and serve them drinks, but other than that none of it caught your attention.
Well, one thing caught your attention.
The stranger’s shadow.
It seemed to dance around with a mind of its own, never losing its smile, just like the stranger himself. The shadow sometimes messed with the chips on the stranger’s side of the board, sometimes it played with the ice in the empty glasses on the table, but most of the time it seemed almost…fascinated by you.
It messed with your hair, helped you shuffle and collect the cards, tugged playfully at the edges of your uniform, and simply stuck by your side most of the time. It was a nice change from the attention you were used to dealing with from customers, or from Husk himself.
The way people would scream at you when they were angry, the wandering hands that would grope or hit or grab, the catcalls and lustful threats, the glasses of alcohol that people would throw at you…this was nothing like any of that. You liked it, it made you feel…precious, in a way. Valued. Cared for, oddly enough.
The stranger seemed amused by the antics, occasionally raising an eyebrow at his shadow only to receive an innocent shrug in response.
Husk, on the other hand, was not so amused.
“Get control of your fuckin’ shadow,” Husk snapped at the stranger as it tugged gently on a piece of your hair, drawing a small smile from you. One that immediately disappeared as you heard Husk’s voice.
“Now now,” the stranger chastised, seeming even more amused at Husk’s irritation, “it’s only having a little fun, no need to lose your temper.”
Husk muttered something under his breath, no doubt some string of insults, but still, he dropped the subject. You tried not to pay any more attention to the shadow after that, not wanting Husk to get angry at you as well.
Husk didn’t seem to notice…but the stranger did.
“Husker, you have quite the specimen working for you here," he said, radio static curling around his voice in an almost...flirtatious(?) purr as he turned to look at you, "what's your name, my dear?"
You flushed slightly before giving him your name, asking his in return. After all, you'd prefer to stop thinking of him as "the stranger."
He repeated your name slowly, sounding out each syllable, before responding, "Alastor, it's a pleasure to meet-"
"Your turn," Husk interrupted, voice grating, and the stranger- Alastor's gaze snapped to him, lip curling even as his smile stretched.
"Of course," he replied, irritation clear in his tone, "pets have such short attention spans, wouldn't want you getting distracted from our game, now would we?"
"The only one getting distracted here is you."
Alastor only hummed in response, raising the bet as he did so.
You glanced between the two, the tension between them palpable, and you were more than a little worried that a fight might break out---but, thankfully, neither made a move towards the other. They just sat there, glaring.
You cleared your throat, trying to dispel some of the animosity, "raise or call?"
Husk pushed a stack of chips forward, "raise."
----------
This is how the game went, back and forth.
Husk winning some hands, and Alastor winning some in return---almost like a dance, a game.
You watched, enthralled, as the two continued on...and as Husk slowly, surely, lost more and more souls. Usually, when it was clear that one of the players were going to lose, they would call the game off---cut their losses and stop before things got any worse.
But, for whatever reason, Husk refused to do just that. In fact, the more hands Husk lost, the more determined he seemed to keep playing---to the point where, if you didn't know him well, you'd think he was gambling under the influence. It was...surprising, to say the least, and by the time Husk seemed to realize how deep of a hole he'd dug himself into, it was too late. His only choice was to keep playing and hope his luck turned around.
He had no reason to be worried, though, and he knew that.
All because he had you.
You see, there was a reason why Husk always had you serving his table. It was because of your power, what you could do for him during these games.
It was hard to pinpoint exactly what your power was, since it manifested differently depending on what you used it to do, but---in simple terms---it was almost like you had control over reality. A small part of it, at least. You could control things...well, under your control. Your appearance, the clothes you wore, anything you made, or---in this case---any game you dealt for.
There weren't any rules against the dealer controlling the game. Husk made certain of it. There was even a clause in the fine print of every contract people signed to play with him, one that gave you full permission to do as you pleased during the game, as long as you were the dealer.
So, sooner or later, Husk would give you the signal to turn things in his favor and you would do as you were told.
...
Well, apparently, it was sooner.
Husk gave you the signal, and you sunk into the familiar warmth of your power---subtly seizing control of the game. You knew the cards in Husk's hands and in Alastor's, as well as all the cards on the board.
Alastor would have two pair, Husk would have one.
Your fingers twitched slightly and the unflipped cards changed, giving Husk three of a kind and Alastor one pair.
Husk won that round.
Safe to say, Husk started to get "spontaneously" lucky, and get some of his souls---his power---back. Alastor, surprisingly, didn't seem at all bothered or shocked by this. If anything, he seemed completely relaxed, as if he wasn't losing hundreds of souls with every hand. It unsettled you, and it definitely seemed to unsettle Husk---even though he tried his best to hide it.
Eventually, though, just as you thought that---surely---Alastor had had enough and was about to call the game off, he said something that stopped you in your tracks.
"All in."
Your power faltered for a moment as you stared at him, eyes wide, and you lost all knowledge of what was on the board. Husk was staring too, mouth hanging open, before a surprised laugh slipped from his mouth.
"You're kiddin', there's no way you-"
Once again, Alastor simply said, "all in."
Sliding his soul chip forward. Smile ever-present.
You glanced at Husk, silently wondering what he was going to do. Even with you controlling the game, he'd still never gambled his soul. Whether that was because he didn't trust that you'd let him win or because he didn't want to take the risk of your power failing, you didn't know, but still...he never bet it.
You raised an eyebrow, waiting for his answer, and, after a moment, Husk shook his head in disbelief...before calling Alastor's bet. A first for him, and for you. You took a deep breath and took control of the game again, ready to change the cards, before Alastor---once again---stopped you in your tracks.
"Is this what you want?" He asked, and you froze.
"...what?"
"Is this what you want?" He repeated, sounding genuinely curious, "to spend the rest of your afterlife working here, for this man? Letting him bet your body, your choices, letting him control your free will?"
You blinked. Surprised.
No one had ever asked you what you wanted before.
"I don't..." you trailed off, unsure of exactly what to say to that. Unsure of how to answer the question.
Husk glared at him, the topic of conversation clearly hitting a nerve, "why don't you shut the fuck up and mind your own business you-"
"You don't have to, my dear," Alastor continued, cutting Husk off, "you do have a choice, you know. You could choose to help me, instead of him, or to let fate take its hold."
It hit you then that Alastor knew that Husk was cheating, that he knew you were helping him. And still, he played the game...still, he treated you with kindness and respect.
He was right, though, you did have a choice. The contract of the game specified that you could do whatever you wanted with your control of the game, so long as you were the dealer and not one of the players.
If you wanted, you could make Husk lose.
You could force him into the same position that he'd forced you into.
You could break free from his grip.
Husk growled your name and your gaze snapped toward him. It was a warning, a threat. He owned your soul, he could do whatever he pleased with it, so you better listen to him.
Alastor said your name softly, drawing your attention back to him. A careful reminder. You still had a choice in this, Husk couldn't make you do anything right now. You could always choose not to help him, to help Alastor instead. All for the chance at a better life.
You took a deep breath and closed your eyes...
...
...before letting go of all control of the game.
Whatever happened now, it was up to the cards. Not you.
Husk slammed his hands down on the table, making you jump back as piles of chips tumbled to the floor, but before you could get farther away, he lunged at you and grabbed your throat---seething with rage.
"YOU FUCKIN' BITCH, HOW DARE YOU-"
Before he could finish his sentence, or cause you any harm, a green chain suddenly formed around his neck and pulled him back---making him fall to the ground. Your gaze snapped up, only to find Alastor at the other end of the chain---his shadow laughing behind him, grin wide. From there you glanced at the table, only to find-
Alastor had a Royal Flush...
...and Husk had nothing.
You glanced back at Husk and then, again, at Alastor---the reality of everything slowly setting in. Your soul no longer belonged to Husk, even if you were still tied to another Overlord. Now, though, Husk had fallen from his ivory tower.
Now he was just like you.
You couldn't help the hysterical laughter that bubbled up from your chest, a weight you hadn't even known was there suddenly disappearing. It was over. It was all over.
"I guess the house always wins," you managed to get out through your laughter, unable to contain the bright smile that took over your face. You were free of him. You were free of him.
"Indeed, my dear," Alastor replied, chuckling at your little joke, "I can already tell, you and I are going to get along just fine."
You would never admit it, but you thought so too.
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summerssixecho · 7 months
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DPxDC Fic Recs - Starter Pack
So, you're interested in DPxDC stories but you don't know where to start? Don't worry! I didn't know either lol But I'm here to recommend a few stories made for DPxDC (Danny Phantom & DC Comics). These recs are mostly for people who come from the phandom and don't know much about DC or those who just want a place to start.
If you want additional background before diving into more stories, I'll leave some notes about DPxDC fanon lore you might find and other reference links at the end too.
I'll focus on what I've already read here but there are tons more to read 💚 I probably forgot to include some, too... So feel free to add your own recommendations or links to your recs lists in replies or reblogs!
❇️ Before we start... ❇️
Remember to check out the tags and author's notes. Some stories feature widely accepted fanon, but others don't.
This list features only AO3 links. There are around 2.5K crossovers with a DC property. For reference, there's around 1K on FFN.
Things I'll mention in this list if they appear: how Fenton parents are depicted (good, bad), identity reveals, parings, character focus.
If a link doesn't work or if you want me to remove the tag to your blog, let me know please.
❇️ Fic Recs ❇️
"I'm looking for fics with either fewer characters, or featuring well-known characters, or shorter stories."
Stories in this classification are recommended for those who know about main DC characters or popular names in passing but not much of anyone else.
📗"The Soul Trade(ing Card Game" by @five-rivers || Two-shot. Mostly focused on Constantine (aka Hellblazer, a British warlock & occult detective) as Danny tries to collect all the pieces of the man's soul as they had been sold to various demons and entities for favors. Rivers has other amazing one-shots for this crossover as well.
📗"Two For One Special" by @halfagone || One-shot. Danny & Clark Kent (Superman) are kidnapped after being mistaken by Tim Drake (Robin #3) and Bruce Wayne (Batman) respectively. Halfagone has tons of other wonderful stories with varied topics and genres.
📗"Beach Day Demons" by @eyesofcrows || One-shot. Focus on Constantine as he takes a break and finds a teen (Danny) apparently possessed by a ghost. The teen is Danny. Additional tags: Identity Reveal.
📗"Only Human" by @library-of-cronos || One-shot. Features Justice League and Young Justice characters as they're terrified of what Danny can do (and one time they see he was just a kid).
📗"I'm King Boo" by @tourettesdog || One-shot. Features the Batman Family, all in Dick Grayson's (Robin #1/Nightwing) POV as he and his siblings learn how competitive (and terrible) in Mario Kart the new kid (Danny) can be. Additional tags: Identity Reveal.
📗"Contingencies" by @nerdofspades || One-shot. After seeing his future and world in ruin, Danny decides to do what it takes to make sure it won't ever happen in this timeline. Mostly focused on Batman and Superman as they try to help the mysterious teen hero they just learned about.
📗"Cold Snap" by @torscrawls || One-shot. Phantom and Batman face Poison Ivy. Batman realizes he didn't know that much about Phantom's powers.
📗"Inquisitive" by @oliveofvanders || One-shot. Danny is a reporter for the Gotham Gazette, goes to interview the Waynes. Damian tries to scare him off with his animals but Danny has seen weirder things. A fun crack one-shot. Oli also has tons of other amazing DPxDC one-shots and an impressive amount of knowledge of DC lore that leaves me awestruck.
📗"Undead Lockpicking Inc" by @little-dreams-of-life || Series of 3 oneshots. Danny has a Youtube channel where he shows himself picking on locks. Until he picks the Watchtower's airlock (the Justice League base... in space), and chastises the team of heroes for using a Master Lock. A fun crack short series that also has a Danny/Jason Todd (Red Hood) pairing by the end.
📗"Bones Exposed" by @disillusioneddanny || Complete multi-chap. Danny, now in his late 20s, is suffering from chronic illness after his human half starts dying. Living practically as a hermit until he meets Tim Drake (Red Robin) who tries to get him to enjoy life. A Danny/Tim pairing featuring few DC characters to follow, centered mostly on how Tim tries to get to know more about Danny. Mentions also bad Fenton parents. Dis is the Hamilton of DPxDC, with so many varied and amazing stories (a lot of them multi-chaptered) and around 800k words published this year alone (if I recall correctly).
📗"Like Betta Fish Do" by @clockwayswrites || Complete multi-chap. A Danny/Jason Todd (Robin #2/Red Hood) pairing story, exploring the headcanon of ghosts being territorial and how Danny tries to teach Jason more about being a half-ghost. Each chapter has beautiful art and focuses mostly on how their relationship evolves.
📗"Build-A-Boyfriend" by @nightshiftshenanigans || Two-shot. A Danny/Jason pairing story where he goes with two of his brothers (Dick and Damian) to a Build-a-Bear. Super fluffy and cute. You can also check out Ciara's heartbreaking take on this pair on Burning the Candle at Both Ends.
"I can handle more characters/lesser-known characters as long as the story is easy to follow as they learn about each other"
I found these stories easy to follow even if I didn't know all the DC characters in them. They also might explore more DP lore and some even include explanations within the author notes that help understand additional tidbits in them.
📗"Recognized" by @agentianlegend || Complete multi-chap. Crossover with Young Justice (animated series), where Danny accidentally enters the team's base using Robin's (a teen Dick Grayson) credentials. Mysteries unfold, theories arise, chaos and identity porn at its finest ensues. I read this without even watching the show and had a blast. Make sure to check out Ian's sequels in this universe as well!
📗"If You Give a Bat a Burger" by @noir-renard || Ongoing multi-chap. Mostly focused around the Batman family with inclusions of other characters such as Constantine. This story follows Danny, living on his own in Gotham after the Reality Trip events, as he manages to find himself at the center of different cases between the city's vigilantes that might be interconnected by ghosts (which Danny happens to know too much about). A really fun case fic that allows readers to meet each character in the Batman group as it progresses.
📗"We're Longing for Daylight" by @akela-nakamura || Complete multi-chap, part of an ongoing series. Crossover with Batman family mostly and featuring Nocturn as the main villain. Jason (Red Hood) summons Ghost King Danny as a last resort after Tim (Red Robin) is affected like the rest of Gotham by something that mysteriously sends them to sleep. A chilling and intriguing story that showcases Danny explaining the world of ghosts as they try to save Tim and Gotham.
📗"Vacation Crashers" by @impyssadobsessions || Complete multi-chap. Mostly focusing on Batman and later on his kids. During a family camping vacation in the wilderness, Danny and Jazz encounter an injured Batman and try to help him as they face ghost threats and their parents going missing. Features Danny trying to keep his identity/powers hidden and B- parenting by the Fentons.
📗"Knight of the Boyking" by @little-dreams-of-life || Ongoing multi-chap. Ghost King Danny asks Batman for protection from the GIW. This story is amazing in how it explores interdimensional politics. Important to note that it includes mentions of bad Fenton parents after a reveal gone wrong. This story also features the Justice League trying to understand and help Danny.
📗"Danny The Intern" by @nikki-pondtheauthor || Ongoing multi-chap. Danny is a delightful new intern at Wayne Enterprise (Batman's civilian company), but all the other employees have a mission in mind: keep the kid away from the Waynes so he doesn't end up being adopted, making them lose a valuable intern. Most employees are OCs in this story, so no prior knowledge on them is necessary, and most of the focus is on Danny and the Wayne family (Batman and co.). While it started as crack, there are so many wonderful layers to this story.
📗"And So it Ghost" by @evandarya || Complete multi-chap. Danny goes to a technology fair at Gotham in the hopes to get into Gotham University but then Technus attacks, chaos ensues, and he gets to meet the Bats. This is one of the first stories I read and it helps dive into both Amity Park and Gotham from the other's perspective. Includes identity reveal, Vlad being in charge of Danny (his parents gone), and an ongoing sequel.
📗"Wayne's Haunted Mansion" by @tathartiel || Ongoing Multi-chap. A ghost is haunting the Bruce (Batman) and slowly begins to leave more evident signs of his presence until he and the family realize it's a kid (a deaged Danny). A hurt/comfort story that has many fluffy and sweet moments. Danny's parents haven't appeared but Danny was hurt in the past (mind the M rating). Tathy also has a one-shot collection with many varied stories in Phantom's Fables.
"I want stories that mostly take place in Amity Park or lean more heavily in the Phandom elements"
In this list you'll find stories where DC characters are trying to make sense of the Amity Park experience.
📗"To Join the Whispers" by @ayamari-no-goshi || Complete multi-chap. The quintessential Jason Todd crossover fic for several DPxDC fans. The Bat family follows rumors of the League of Assassins being in Amity Park, where they learn ghosts are real and Jason experiences strange things while he's there.
📗"Halves" by @tourettesdog || Ongoing multi-chap. Jason, Dick, and Tim go to look into Amity Park and notice the town's weirdness. Especially when Jason begins being affected by their visit. I'm very biased because I'm beta-reading this story and absolutely love the direction Susi is taking it.
📗"Lock The Last Open Door" by @akela-nakamura || Ongoing multi-chap. Tucker asks Batman for help to save his friends from the GIW back in Amity Park, where the organization has basically taken over. Mind the tags in this one. Wonderful worldbuilding, angst, mystery... The works.
📗"What's a Spleen Between Friends" by @noir-renard || Ongoing multi-chap. Tim Drake (as Red Robin) gets sent through a portal after a run-in with cultists, making him fall several times into Amity Park, a city that exists in a different dimension and has its own hero: Phantom. Lots of fabulous shenanigans and a lovely Tim/Danny setup as well.
📗"The Rebirth of Tim Drake" by @bewitched-forest || Ongoing multi-chap. Tim has an unfortunate encounter with a Lazarus pit that sends him to the Ghost Zone as a half-ghost. As he tries to make sense of his new abilities, he trains with Danny and his friends back in Amity Park, all while his family thinks he's gone.
📗"I Am A Retired Hero And My Love Interest Is a Former Crime Lord!?" by @shycorvid || Ongoing multi-chap. While trying to adjust to college life as a retired hero in Gotham, Danny accidentally kills the Joker and captures the heart and attention of Red Hood. Since it's in Danny's POV, it features lots of ghostly shenanigans that follow him from Amity Park. Featuring a Danny/Jason pairing, identity porn, and good Fenton parents.
"I want stories where DP characters learn more about the DC universe and its lore"
These may depict DP characters moving to a different city or universe from DC, but it helps to explore and learn more about that universe.
📗"Lex Luthor's ascent from supervillany to fatherhood" by @halfagone || Ongoing multi-chap. Danny ends up in a different dimension where Lex Luthor becomes his first contact and adoptive father. This story is tons of fun and has lots of worldbuilding as Danny gets to meet this new world and his role in it. It includes (repenting) bad Fenton parents, identity shenanigans, and a Danny/Cass (Cassandra Cain aka Black Bat, adopted by Batman) pairing.
📗"Bus to Nowhere" by foldingfacets || Ongoing multi-chap. Danny goes to live in the streets of Gotham to lay low. As he builds a new life with homeless kids, sex workers, and underground rogues, he sees Gotham from an entirely different angle. Includes bad Fenton parents but it's not an adoption fic. It also has lots of exploration into different DC characters from an outsider perspective.
📗"GLXY:PSSNGR" by socraticat || Complete multi-chap. A Danny/Tim Drake (Robin #3/Red Robin) pairing story where Danny is sent to a dimension where everything is different, including the life he led and how he's now adopted by Vlad, and how he tries to get back to his world. Full of mystery, great ghostly worldbuilding, and mostly focused on Danny and Tim's POV.
📗"A Second Life" by @die-erlkonigin6083 || Ongoing multi-chap. Danny wakes up with no memories and deaged, learning more about the lives of the superheroes who saved him and the new family that took him in as he recovers glimpses of his past life. This beautiful story explores Dick Grayson as a father for Danny and their relationship to each of his family members. Ash also has other amazing stories such as "Press Heart to Subscribe" (a Danny/Damian story where Danny is a Twitch streamer).
📗"A Little Overshadowing Never Hurt Anyone" by @playedcrowd5610 || Ongoing multi-chap. After being captured by Batman in Gotham, Phantom tries to escape the Batcave and the only option at the moment was overshadowing Red Robin (Tim). And then he's stuck. Danny explores part of Gotham's vigilante's lives through Tim's eyes. Mentions of the Fentons' questionable parenting.
"Any other stories/authors you love?"
Boy, do I have more stories to recommend! Among these I'm also including some from my favorite tropes. One of them being Demon Twin AU, in which Danny and Damian Wayne (Robin #5, Bruce's bio kid with an assassin named Talia Al Ghul) are twins, often raised together in the League of Assassins/League of Shadows, until Danny manages to escape somehow and gets adopted by the Fentons.
📗"Robin's Egg" by @arzuera || Ongoing multi-chap. Damian (Robin #5) takes care of an injured Phantom who was forced back into his core (which looks like an egg). Arzu's writing is a delight. Also, don't miss out on all the egg puns in each title.
📗"Holding Me Now In Hand" by @disillusioneddanny || Complete multi-chap. Danny moves into a new dimension where he becomes Tim's crazy science teacher at Gotham Academy. When Dick goes to a parent-teacher meeting in Bruce's place, he didn't expect to fall in love. This is a slow burn identity reveal story because Danny and Dick are too clueless. Includes bad Fenton parents as well.
📗"Family Introductions" by @half-dead-ham || Two-shot. When Tim's too sick to go out as Red Robin, Danny takes his place, trying to pass as him while patrolling with the rest of the Bats. Identity shenanigans and reveal, plus a breakfast full of explanations (or not) with the family. A Danny/Tim pairing.
📗Pretty much any of @nikki-pondtheauthor's stories, found here: NikkiPond's DPxDC crossovers on AO3
📗"The Bat Trap" by Threee || Complete multi-chap. A take on the Parent Trap premise with Danny and Damian as twins, switching places after they meet at summer camp. Features bad Fenton parents, identity porn, and a tired Bruce Wayne.
📗"Leap Before You Think" by @tourettesdog || Ongoing multi-chap. Danny struggles with loneliness while he's away from his friends and sister. Sam, in the meantime, sees someone who looks like Danny at a gala. This is an amazing Demon Twin story, meaning Danny and Damian are twins. This story features Bad Parents Jack & Maddie as well.
📗"But I Want to Be Let In, Not Out" by @thewritingowl || Complete series, 22 one-shots featuring Danny & the Batman family mostly, with inclusions of other DC characters later on. Danny is summoned a few times to Gotham and sees Damian, who is his twin. The series includes a reveal gone horribly wrong, dissec, really bad Fenton Parents, and a loving road to recovery for Danny as he adapts to his new family and prepares to face his demons from Amity Park.
"Anything you wrote?"
Why, yes, thanks for asking.
📗"Beneath a Different Light" (co-written with @akela-nakamura and @tourettesdog || Ongoing Multi-chap. Demon Twin AU collaborative story, in which Danny and Damian get body-swapped with the twin they thought was dead. Features Bad Fenton Parents.
📗"A Ghost in the Family" || Complete Series (1 short story and 4 one-shots). TUE Alternate ending, in which Danny doesn't want to continue being a hero nor repeat the future he saw by staying as far away from Vlad as possible, which is why he accepts going to "temporarily" live with the Wayne family. Includes identity reveal, a troll Danny, and 52+ bird puns.
📗"Shovel Talk" || Complete multi-chap. A Danny & Tim Drake pairing, where the couple goes to Amity Park so Tim can meet Danny's friends and family. Except Tim doesn't know Danny's many secrets. Includes good Fenton parents and identity reveal. While mostly focused on the couple, it includes Justice League and Young Justice members by the end.
📗"Pitch-Dark Shades" || Ongoing multi-chap. A mystery story featuring a Detective Tim Drake (going under the alias of Alvin Draper) and Medium Danny, as they try to solve cases by coming in contact with ghosts. One that Danny might even be familiar with. It includes identity shenanigans and mostly focuses on the two partners.
❇️ Additional Notes About Headcanons & Lore ❇️
Canon in DC is so tricky: there are so many depictions of DC characters in media that some characterizations, traits, or even events can be inconsistent between different source materials. You can see this even in the different versions of Batman between different live action movies. That's why, for example, you'll see most Batman crossovers listed under "Batman - All Media Types": because it doesn't follow a specific depiction or continuity of its characters and gives authors room to build a more cohesive universe.
Some details you might find in DPxDC stories don't mean there's a specific "fanon" to follow, but you might find in some stories shared headcanons such as:
Lazarus Pits or Lazarus waters (a green substance that can heal or revive someone) being related or similar to ectoplasm, often corrupted or rank. Since Jason (Robin #2/Red Hood) was revived/healed (depending on comic vs animated movie depiction) by Lazarus water, there's sometimes a reaction depicted in fanfics when he meets Danny (up to each author's interpretation). In some cases this also leads to treating Jason as liminal or even a somewhat dormant half-ghost.
Kryptonite (Superman's weakness in the shape of a green rock) being associated to ectoplasm/ghosts (some use it as "candy" for ghosts, others as "ectoranium")
Summoning circles/Cults (in a Tim Drake: Robin comic, for example, cults are mentioned to be common in Gotham; Constantine and Zatanna are magic users who call upon demons/ghosts and a part of Justice League Dark - an extension of the Justice League focused on supernatural/magic aspects; they can also see ghosts such as Deadman in canon)
Bruce Wayne having an adoption problem (this is true in comics as well; he even adopted an alien starfish, Jarro). It's also important to note that the first 3 Robins (Dick, Jason, Tim) are all blue-eyed and black-haired... like Danny.
Red duck-shaped candles: these are cameos based on a similar candle (affectionately named Yorick by Jason Todd) created in the fanfic "If You Give a Bat a Burger" (listed above) by Cielle_Noire. There's even a slideshow about it (somewhere...). Some authors have decided to include it to show their love for this story.
Danny being called a meta (meta-human, someone with a meta-gene that grants him powers) but not really being one (since his molecules got all rearranged, he half-died, etc... and is not related to a gene he was born with or inherited).
Lady Gotham represented as a ghost of the city of Gotham (where Batman and co. live/work): this is a fanon creation inspired by the fanon idea that some ghosts are formed around ideas or concepts and not just dead people, such as time (Clockwork) or the weather (Vortex). Edit: I've been corrected - city spirits are canon in DC :D but representations of Lady Gotham vary from canon to fanon and with DP crossovers as well.
Specific ship names: these were mostly created in similar fashion to old DP Phandom ship names (i.e. Danny/Sam were Amethyst Ocean; Danny/Val were Gray Ghost). In DC crossovers, Danny/Damian is Dead Serious, Danny/Tim is Dead Tired, etc. This also extends to other platonic or family relationships, like Danny & Damian Wayne being twins is often called Demon Twins.
Danny being called Danyal: when Danny is called this in a DPxDC crossover, it's most likely for being related to Ra's Al Ghul (leader of the League of Assassins), Talia Al Ghul (his daughter and Batman's love interest at one point), and/or Damian Wayne Al Ghul. The family has Arab ancestry, making the name Danyal closer to those roots than Daniel.
Other aspects more related to Danny Phantom (i.e. ghost king Danny, ghost cores, ghost speak, DP characters/Amity Park being weird, bad parents Jack & Maddie, etc.) are based in other DP fanon tropes we've seen before the DPxDC crossover boom.
❇️ Source materials ❇️
The canon some authors use to base their stories will vary. Some things can come from accepted headcanons too. Some source materials used are:
Animated movies (i.e. Son of Batman, Justice League Dark)
Live action properties (DC Movie Universe, CW TV shows, Netflix/HBO series, etc., i.e. Titans, Constantine, Smallville, Flash)
Web comics (i.e. Wayne Family Adventures, Red Hood: Outlaws)
Cartoons (i.e. Young Justice, Teen Titans, Batman: The Animated Series).
Comics - it's always recommended to pick a character you like and look for specific runs (i.e. Under the Red Hood, The Killing Joke, etc.). There are also some available summaries from other fans, like The Incomplete Bat Lore.
❇️ Other Recommended Lists ❇️
This is not a complete list, but a place to start for additional writing/headcanons/masterlists.
📗Other Users' Curated lists - where you can find something specific: (I can add yours here if you have any)
Lists by @die-erlkonigin6083: Deaged Danny | Dead Serious Part 1 (Danny/Damian) and Part 2 | Fantasy AU
📗Events - where you can also see themed masterposts or reblogs: @dpxdc-familyweek @dpxdcshipweek @dpxdcdisneyau @patrol-partners-batphandom-2023
📗Other Masterlisters - where you can find a collection of some prompt fills listed in a single masterpost: @haunting-heroes-creative-games (currently has several under the WWT tag)
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hermitcraftheadcanons · 2 months
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demons need to sign soul contracts to stay in our world, which used to be a problem for our local demon impulse, until tango just offered his soul up as a friendly favor. but then zedaph felt left out, so now tango owns zedaphs soul, and zed owns impulses.. or maybe its the other way around? or do they own a 30% stock in eachothers souls at this point? or does zedaph just own all of team ZITs souls? honestly they can't remember, it got traded around so much over the seasons.
If Impulse even so much as glances at the paperwork for that, it gives him a headache. Best just to not. It's letting him stay in the world, so clearly it's working properly, no matter how much of a mess it is!
-Mod Mleem
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tiktaalic · 2 months
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Girls will be like yeah so basically Taylor swift has eradicated all attempts at creativity in favor of seamlessly merging her IDENTITY to PRODUCT and I will give accolades where accolades are due. She has been very successful at this probably the most successful person on earth at this and all it cost her is her soul. And it DID cost a soul. You could make a graph between amount of streams and quality of work and see so clearly the inverse relationship materialize before your eyes. She was not born a hack but embraced the life of a hack when she realized she would be more popular with platitudes and dialing back on oversharing and being less messy. If you replace personhood with producthood you lose your humanity but your album sales go fuuuucking crazy. I can make overtures at understanding this by reminding myself she was crucified for being a person for years and years and she has been very vocal about it doing a heavy number on her psyche. Maybe when that happens to you as a teenager the trade off seems less revolting. Getting rid of something you’re mocked for having anyway and in return you are richer and more famous than anyone has any right to be. But then I scratch my head. And go but surely you see that this is a deal with the devil. Surely with the contract laid out in front of you. You gnaw your lip. You hesitate. You follow the letter of the law but skirt the spirit of it for brief shining moments. And when she’s so publicly had misogynistic vitriol levied at her. So often for so long. IS it misogynistic for your criticisms to boil down to “she’s not likable enough for me”? At what dollar amount does a millionaire going on billionaire become a public object rather than a person? Does the fact that she’s slowly revoked access to herself change this? Is it more or less human to orchestrate your life so that paparazzi only sees you on planned outings where you look impeccable and have a message to send and you are Taylor Swift The Brand after you’ve been scarred by years of being Taylor swift the young woman in the tail end of the aughts and the 2010s ripped to shreds scrutinized for every choice and smile and dress and man? Is there a passable essay in the title Taylor Swift Doesn’t Owe You Authenticity. Maybe! but doesn’t she as an artist work at a job where she’s supposed to produce. Art? It sounds like I’m asking for ballads but I’m really not I’m asking for a song that is good. Im asking for a cruel summer which is irreplicable but surely the minds behind it can produce something more than snow on the fucking beach? Or am I overestimating the continued talent of a woman who is the platonic ideal of a target shopper? Is it misogynistic to believe the platonic ideal of a target shopper can’t create with a soul? How to talk about the fall off of Taylor swift in a woman honoring way?
five minutes later. You can’t spell awesome without ME!
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ddarker-dreams · 1 year
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Ehe, for Scara (brainrot is reaching new heights): “So much snark today. Would a hug shut that mouth of yours up? Or better yet… a kiss?”
"... Reprobate."
Scaramouche glaring at you isn’t a new development. You’d say it’s his default manner of expression; if resting bitch face was on performance-enhancing drugs. You take the archaic insult with ease. It’s not the worst thing he’s called you. Lately, you’ve theorized he must’ve taken to studying offensive language for the sole purpose of flinging verbal venom your way. 
Well, if anything, he should be grateful that you’ve motivated him to expand his vocabulary. You’d say you’re welcome if you didn’t value your well-being. However, today just so happens to be a day where your well-being feels marginally worth defending. 
“I’m not hearing a no.” 
He scoffs, his gaze momentarily leaving your form to appraise the surrounding area. Any unfortunate Fatui goon squad souls that happened to overhear this conversation could expect to be court-martialed... or worse. Seeing how his eye will not stop twitching (how uncomfortable is that?), you’re placing your bets on worse. 
“Have you no sense of shame? Forget it, why am I even bothering to ask when I already know the answer,” he runs his hand through his bangs and sighs. Uh oh. You sense a monologue looming on the horizon. “You can’t expect me to acquiesce to your every annoying whim so easily. If I did, there’d be no end in sight. That boundless imagination of yours is such a pain to deal with. Really, the fact I put up with you at all is—” 
The softness of your lips pressing against his cheek serves to put a premature end to his soliloquy.
Stunned by your boldness, twitching fingers come to rest over where your lips made contact with his now flushed skin, disbelief written all over his face. Considering how powerless you normally are, this shift in authority is a welcome one. Enough so that you don’t mind pushing your bruised pride down if it means watching him unravel like this. 
“You—” he points at you for further emphasis, as if you need help identifying who he might possibly be talking to, “You... ahem... missed.” 
“Huh?” 
Scaramouche is grinning now, ear to ear, his face still red yet his ego too formidable for him to concede so easily. 
“My lips. I demand a proper kiss if you’re going to stick to your conniving ways. Come now, try again. Prove to me that there’s something in this world you can do right.” 
(He looks very proud of himself).
“I mean, I would, but, someone recently told me trading affection for favors is shameless behavior. And, y’know, he might just have a point. I’ll have to seriously reconsider my ways.” 
(He no longer looks very proud of himself). 
"... You couldn’t bother me more if you tried.” 
At this, you smile. “Is that a challenge I hear?” 
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sinligh · 1 year
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When i die, I hope the blueprint of my soul stay behind that it doesn’t fall into abeyance nor stay as a work in progress in someone else’s hands…
In this life time, I traded it for a collection of long lost chances, and dreams that are brushed in passing
On a good day, I’m a hybrid of my family’s coping mechanisms..
On my worst.. i’m an abandoned painting a mixture of their insecurities Covered with the skin of a temptress
One that never feared speaking her mind yet, always ended up romanticized.
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I carry the potential of growth with me wherever i go. A ladder I never bothered taking a single step on, favoring whatever stability i cultivated in my own bones
A hundred thousand words, six to seven hours wasted time; wasted love...
Ignorant, i saw all my chances hanging from the branches that grew from me.
thought they’re mine to harvest…
now I’m living in borrowed time, barely stable with one foot in this year While the other has gone ahead to the upcoming one…
so unlike me, to try and set roots…
I don’t really want to reflect, but if i have to guess then that’s just a reaction, a skill that I picked up to deal with all that i denied myself viciously until i broke and indulged taking no account of how alone i’ll feel carrying all that mess around to the next year
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Disappointment ? I learned that it can look like every other feeling you know; if you were taught that you have the ability to be just another one of its definitions.
Growing up, my mother always told me: that the only thing she loves about being alive Is me…
I used to fear looking in the mirror, how ugly can love be ?
As ugly as wasted potential a voice answered me
The same voices that tried engraving in my mind that a woman must never be a disappointment
Yet I somehow am.
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•••
•Quotes: Anaïs Nin/ Clementine von Radics/ Mahmoud Darwish/Clarice Lispector/ Anaïs Nin/Rainer Maria Rilke/Louisa May Alcott/Clarice Lispector/Susan Sontag
•Original context: Sinligh
•Art reference:
1. Detail from a painting by Alex Venezia. 2.Kleopatra Elin Danielson-Gambogi. 3. Detail from a painting by Nick Alm. 4. A Creation by Lisa Lach-Nielsen. 5. Overwhelmed by Valeria Duca. 6. Caído por Federico Ferro. 7. Fallen Angel by Chris Young.
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stories-and-chaos · 29 days
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Shrike: 2582 Days of Purgatory
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[Hazbin Hotel reader insert as Alastor’s “darling life and death partner” Ace x ace relationship, both parties are moderately sex favorable.]
[Word count: 2588 Cw: mild cursing, soul deals]
——————
Alastor traded blows and insults with Vox. The screen faced demon launched both electricity and fists at his opponent. Alastor responded with his shadows and dodging the physical blows. His jovial taunts goaded Vox into wilder attacks, fueled by decades of simmering anger.
But some of Vox’s jolts were getting through. Not only did they hurt, they left a numbing sensation whenever they hit. Alastor noticed that the bolts hitting him had another energy added to them. Something subtle, a greenish swirl that blended into the blue of Vox’s lightning. It didn’t belong to anyone he knew, but it added power and aimed the attacks straight at the Radio Demon.
In addition, some of his shadows were enhanced and directed by a reddish power. He saw curving lines and hints of music notes. Something about it tickled his memory but he had too much going on to pursue the thought. He needed to beat Vox down hard enough that the wannabe wouldn’t dare challenge him again (if he didn’t kill him) in addition to defending against this third party.
He launched a mass of tentacles at the other Overlord. They crackled with the extra energy he poured in, sending them faster than before. Just before they hit, Vox retaliated with a column of lightning. Both shows of power were enhanced by whoever was interfering.
It was almost a given that both strikes would hit, with enough force to knock both Alastor and Vox out of their full demonic forms. The television demon changed into a spark to retreat through a drone camera nearby. Alastor called up his shadows, letting them envelope him to make his own way out.
He intended to reform in either his broadcast station or the home he shared with Y/N. Except for the first time in his afterlife, someone was following his shadow. And they were close. He could only put on so much speed after that fight and every twist and turn he made was matched by his pursuer.
Angry and exhausted, he exited the shadows in an area outside of the Pentagram. He used his microphone cane to support himself, determined to appear unflappable.
The other emerged from their own shadows. A tall, statuesque woman, light gold hair flowing in an eternal breeze, dark horns arching in graceful curves over her head. Slightly behind her, revealed as her hair waved, was another woman. She was practically the double of the first, albeit without the horns and a softer, sweeter aura.
Of course, that’s why the magic interfering with his looked so familiar. “Queen Lilith.” Alastor’s voice crackled as he made the effort to remain steady. “To what do I owe the pleasure, your majesty?”
“Alastor.” Her lyrical voice dripped with amusement. “Have you met my dear sister yet? Eve, this is one of our Overlords, Alastor the Radio Demon. Alastor, this is my counterpart, Eve.”
“Ah yes, the Mother of All. A pleasure to meet you my dear, quite the pleasure.” He gave a sharp toothed smile, ignoring the lingering numbness and increasing pain. “Although I doubt you chased me down simply to introduce us, your majesty.”
She gave a refined laugh, Eve joining in. “You did say he was perceptive Lily,” she remarked, coming to stand next to the queen of Hell. Her voice had an identical cadence to Lilith’s, but an octave higher. “We have a proposal for you, Alastor.”
Then she explained what the pair wanted. The ever growing evil that hooked itself into all of humanity, the worsening exterminations and what the first two women intended to do about it. How Alastor was going to play a part. The proposal was really if he was going to be kept in the know about his role.
Cornered between the two of them and the pressure of what was coming, he agreed. Ears laid back, with a snarl in his voice he said, “It’s a deal.” Surprisingly, it wasn’t Lilith that held out her hand to close the deal for his soul.
No, it was Eve, not a demon, not quite an angel, that extended her hand. “Are you certain Eve?” Lilith asked with clear concern.
“Absolutely. You and Luci have taught me a lot; I can handle him. Not to mention you’re going to be occupied for the foreseeable future.” With a sweet smile, she held her other hand out to the demonic queen. “Some of your help would be appreciated however.” Lilith took it and they both focused on the injured Overlord.
The fight and his attempt to race away took more out of him than he realized. Vision blurring, Alastor took Eve’s hand. Instantly, vibrant green vines scrolled around them. Eve’s power? It must have been her messing with Vox’s attacks. Her smile gained an edge as she saw him put the pieces together. It was too late though, the deal was in process. Lilith’s magick, red musical bars, flowed through Eve. The notes fused into the swirling vines, giving them a ruddy hue.
Then, as he had done to so many others, the power formed into chains. Collar and shackles locked around his neck and wrists. The chains latched on, with Eve holding his new leash. She clapped her hands and the bindings became intangible. At the same time, all Alastor’s injuries were healed and his exhaustion wiped away.
“Fuck,” he muttered. Y/N is never going to forgive me for today. First he let Vox provoke a fight, battled until he was forced to retreat, then sold his soul to another. Incoming destruction of existence or not, his wife was not going to be happy with him.
“Best we get started,” Eve said as she turned, spreading her hands to open a portal. “Come along, no time to waste.” Best to put on a good act. Alastor twirled his cane and walked confidently through it.
It didn’t lead to Pentagram City. Or anywhere in the Pride Ring, much less the rest of Hell. This wasn’t Heaven or the living world either.
“Welcome to Purgatory!” the pair said in harmony. “It’s terribly boring here!” Eve added. She was correct; there was a vast spread of nothingness. No buildings or beings as far as he could see. In the distance he could see faint hazes of colors, but that could have just been his imagination.
“The benefit of course being it’s an excellent place to hide,” Lilith added. She took the lead, strolling in a seemingly random direction.
“Really?” Alastor drawled. He expected his voice to echo back, but there was nothing here to bounce sound off of. “I would have thought a realm of nothing at all would make it easier to find someone.”
Eve walked alongside him, easily keeping up. “Ah, but there is an entire realm to look through. A realm that not even the angels know about. Or if they do, they haven’t cared about it for longer than we’ve existed.”
Alastor didn’t know how long they walked for. He did start humming, if only to calm his nerves. But at some point there was a change in the landscape; a modest building about the size of his home on Earth. The faded siding and roof shingles blended into its surroundings. Even if you knew where it was, you’d have trouble noticing it.
“Oh good, I’m getting better at portalling,” Eve said as she skipped ahead to open the door.
“That was much closer than usual dear. Well done.” Alastor followed them inside. He was greeted with an abundance of greenery. Thriving plants were everywhere, their leaves and flowers almost eyeburning after the dullness outside. Was Eve recreating the Garden here?
“You should get going, Lily. You know how he gets,” Eve said wryly as she headed toward the kitchen.
With a sigh Lilith agreed. “May I borrow something a bit less regal? I doubt this will be appropriate.”
“Of course! I’ve raided your closet enough times after all. Would you like some tea, Alastor? Or coffee?”
“Tea would be appreciated, cher.” He followed her as Lilith headed upstairs to change. When Lilith returned, he and Eve were just adding sugar and cream to their first cups. Hell’s queen had exchanged the long dark gown for a lightweight sundress. It was still a deep purple color but much less sumptuous than what she’d had on. Her horns were hidden and she had on a wide brimmed sun hat and dark sunglasses. “Well?”
“You look lovely, your majesty,” Alastor said truthfully as Eve nodded. “You have to keep that one, it just suits you so well,” the other woman added.
Lilith smiled slightly before her expression turned pensive. “I suppose it’s time.” She pulled a phone out of her tote bag and handed it to Eve. “Don’t respond to any messages but forward Charlie and Lucifer’s to the new number please.” With a shaky hand, she removed her wedding ring and placed it in a cushioned box. Eve took that as well, promising to keep it safe.
Holding both the phone and ring box, Eve created another portal in her kitchen. This one had the golden light of Heaven pouring out. Lilith gave Eve a peck on the cheek and said, “Best of luck dears!” with a forced cheerfulness.
Eve settled into her chair and sipped her tea once the portal closed. “She’ll be in touch regularly but we won’t see each other for some time. And we’ve got work to do in the meantime.”
Alastor’s smile turned sardonic. “I’m at your command my dear.”
“Indeed you are.” With that she retrieved a packet of papers. Opening it, she started detailing what needed to be done in a professional manner at odds with her sweet demeanor. After hours of discussion, multiple pots of tea and dinner, she let him retire to a guest room.
‘Guest room’ was probably inaccurate now. There was no telling how long he’d be here. Alastor went through his usual nighttime routine as best he could. The repetitive actions only soothed him so much. He already missed the light banter with you. Niffty’s skittering as she finished little tasks and the soft drone from the bayou. He was a creature of habit in the end and this was so at odds to his norm.
Agitated, he sat awake on the bed. In one hand were the cufflinks you’d given him decades ago. Even clenched in his palm, they were cool to the touch. A soothing breeze that brought to mind the gusts from your wings and your voice lifted in song.
“I’m sorry my dear,” he said quietly. “I’ll be back when I can.” He pressed the hand holding the eighth note shaped cufflinks to his lips and said, “Bonne nuit, cher.”
After a couple weeks, he couldn’t take it anymore. First, this jungle needed at least a bit of taming. Second, Eve just needed some help with domestic tasks. Third, he needed some sense of normalcy. So he summoned Niffty to Purgatory.
It was difficult to call a soul across realms. He felt as tired as he had after that fight with Vox. Niffty, for her part, squealed in joy. She hugged his leg before climbing up to his shoulder. “Alastor! You look messy sir! What happened to you? And where are we? Y/N’s been so worried you know.”
“Ah Niffty, you even make Purgatory brighter.” He gave Niffty a brief overview as he brought her to Eve.
The woman did like the idea of some help around the place, but at his suggestion to send Niffty back to you was met with instant fury.
“Absolutely NOT!” Vines exploded into existence all around her, forming into his chains. A quick tug had the Radio Demon on his knees. His eyes shifted to glowing dials as his antlers grew. But he couldn’t summon his shadow to fight back. He glared up at his captor with equal fury.
Eve gave his chain another tug to haul him up, face to face. All the sweetness in her demeanor was gone. Now she had the aura of an enraged parent, dealing with a stupidly dangerous mistake from her child. “You are forbidden from sending your little maid back or trying to contact your wife in any way. If any hint gets out of where we are, everything we’re working for goes to shit. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?” She bit off each word of the last question with another pull on his leash.
Alastor snarled, “Crystal clear.” They stared each other down for a moment before she released him. He dropped back to the ground, gasping for breath.
“Excellent. Now get to work.” She returned to her coffee and the paperwork for their plan.
With effort, Alastor got to his feet and headed to the room that had been changed to his study. Niffty kept pace with him for once. “Sir?” she asked, the concern on her voice evident as he collapsed in the desk chair.
Alastor took a few deep breaths before replying. “Once this is all over, those bitches are going to pay.”
The following 2,500+ days were filled with the tasks Eve (and by extension Lilith) ordered. Alastor knew why they had him working, but it didn’t make him any less furious at the situation. Niffty took to snuggling up with him on occasion, the little maid being one of the few he was comfortable touching him unprompted.
He wore the music note cufflinks everyday. Not that he had any other sets at the moment, but he needed the tiny fragment of you with him. He spoke to them almost nightly as if you could hear. Eve dutifully forwarded messages to Lilith, who occasionally called for updates and to exchange news.
Then, Lilith’s daughter Charlie left a series of messages that made them shift focus. She wanted to stop the exterminations…by rehabilitating Sinners. She was converting one of the old Morningstar hotels into her facility. She had recruited an infamous porn star to be the first attempt.
She was also adrift, scared, and desperate for her parents approval. Lilith couldn’t respond nor could Eve. They couldn’t contact Lucifer about it. Alastor refused to even touch any modern technology that could put him in contact with someone in Hell. Regardless, he didn’t know Charlie or Lucifer personally.
Yet.
“We’re going to have to send him,” Lilith said on speakerphone. “I know my girl, she’s going to try this with or without help.”
“And what about everything he’s doing here Lily? Are we just supposed to give up on the past seven years?” Eve asked back, clearly frustrated at this unexpected turn.
“Eve, with Charlie meddling in souls and the exterminations, it’s going to throw all our plans into disarray. Whether she succeeds or not, I think this is going to get the fight started.”
Eve sighed. “You’re probably right. Alastor, I’m sending you to Hell. You need to assist Charlie with her hotel and protect her as best you can.”
He couldn’t help lighting up at the prospect. “Gladly my dear. When do I leave?”
“Now.” She opened a portal and the red gloom of Pentagram City bathed her houseplants in its hellish glow. “And Alastor?” He paused at the portal’s entrance. She looked uncomfortable as she continued, “You’re allowed to be with your wife in Hell. But only tell her what we’ve agreed on.”
“As you wish.” With a mocking bow and a twirl of his cane, he stepped through. “Niffty, keep up dear! We’re going home.”
——————
Taglist: @whitewolfsoldat @edgyboi10000 @ch3sire-blu3 @clearly-awkward @badatpunz @bengewatch @chewbrry
A/N: I know there’s a lot of vagueness about what Alastor has been doing but we’re entering the realm of pure speculation on my part.
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Manami Aiba/ La Brava AU Concept
Manami Aiba was alone… She had been for a long time, born small and stunted little had been expected of her. Though despite that, her intellect was not to be shrugged off, her skills less so. She had what it took to be someone great, Atlas had made her multiple offers when she was still in middle school and up until she dropped out of high school all those years ago…
So why had she… Love, love was a powerful, but cruel force for Aiba, it drove the young and older, experienced and naïve alike to do foolish things. She was no different, she fell in love, he wasn’t anyone special, not really, but to her that boy had been the world. She could hardly remember what it was that drew her to him anymore.
She had wanted to know him to be closer to the person that made her heart beat so fast, that lit her soul with joy and desire. She’d followed him, learned about him… Stalked him, she was young, naïve… Dumb. Of course he would notice, and unfortunately for her, he would not view it positively.
Creepy, freak, midget psycho, those were a few word he tossed out, and then those became her titles to the entire student body… People avoided her, and in turn she begun to avoid them in kind.
She denied her scholarships, she pushed away teachers, her parents and anyone, everyone else. Eventually she left it all behind, leaving Mistral to go to Vale, but nothing truly changed, every time she was outside, she felt people stare, heard them call her names…
She didn’t want anything to do with people anymore, after all, the rejection had crushed her, not simply because it broke her heart, not because it ostracized her… But because it denied her very soul, her semblance, she had aura, her parents opting to awaken it when her dwarfism had been identified, hoping aura would help her growth which given her more capable state it had.
But with it came the manifestation of her soul, Love, the power to amplify every facet of a individual’s capabilities, the sole limits being that she can only activate it once and that the only person she can use it on is the one she loves….
Could it be blamed for her powerful emotions, for her need to know the person she felt love for, did she stalk and obsess over that boy because of her semblance, or did she use her semblance as a excuse to do so. Was she sane, or desperate, pathetic or pitiful. She didn’t know, she didn’t want to know, because she refused to fall in love again.
So she avoided it, avoided the world, the outside whenever and however she could.
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She used her talents to secure a stable living. She was a hacker like no others, able to break through any firewall, or program to secure what she needed.
She sold info, to the highest bidder, made false documents, traded information for favors. The Xiong proved a valuable client. That was how she secured her life, as a cyber sleuth, a hacker with the alias, LA BRAVA.
And that was how she lived her life, alone, there was no Gentle Criminal in Remnant who became her light in the dark. Nobody would come and pull her from her loneliness, she would live this way forever, committing cyber crimes to survive and sustain her isolation…
Junior then contacted her with a request, to falsify some Transcripts into Beacon, she may have been criminal, but Manami was not without morals. She wouldn’t just pave the way for anyone to access Huntsman level training. It was such a person who had done so for the Branwen twin several decades ago and even Mistral still suffered under the hands of the bandit queen.
So she requested info on the individual, she would commit her own background check on them, and then decide.
His name, was Jaune Arc and he was… Handsome. He was from a village outside the kingdom, there were few records past his birth certificate. Not nearly enough, her heart beat with every picture of him she saw. She requested more information, Junior didn’t have much, so she dug deeper, found out where he was living at the time. It was just for her to decide…
She… She left her home, her small apartment, the Arcs weren’t to renowned but to those in the know they were taught the familiar were as honorable as they came, knights outta fairytales. So why was her here, asking to fake his way into Beacon, she had to know.
She almost was able to ignore the stares on her, the pit in her stomach being in public caused, she felt dizzy, she wanted, no needed to go bac-
“Are you okay?”
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And then by sheer coincidence she met him, Jaune Arc kneeled before her, a worried look on his face. Things happened rather fast, she found herself walking beside her target, the boy so friendly, so open to talk to her. Not making a huge issue of her form, of her condition, but also not ignoring it.
He slowed to walk with her, but never once drew attention to her size, and when someone not noticing her bumped into her he defended her. Made them apologize… When asked why he approached her, it wasn’t a painful excuse or cruel misunderstanding like that he thought she was a lost child or that he wanted to ask directions.
“You looked sad, so I figured I’d try to see if I could fix that.” He smiled, it was bright, kind and inviting.
“After all, if I wanna be a Huntsman I should be able to at least cheer up a pretty girl right?” Her cheeks flushed, her chest tightened as he went on with his silly simple but honest words.
That time couldn’t have lasted though, people approached her, junior’s men, they didn’t recognize her, couldn’t have, they’d never met in person after all. Everyone back away as they did, it made sense, junior liked to be in the know, and she was a new face he’d never seen.
Despite how it looked everything should’ve been okay, would’ve been okay, but Jaune didn’t know that, and stepped between.
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He wasn’t skilled, not huntsman level at least, but he was strong, she was sure he could kill grimm, even without aura. It shocked her seeing that, seeing him bleed, but he stood tall and strong, defending her until police showed up. But she could see it, the despair in his face, he must’ve realized they were Hei’s men. That he’d thrown away his chance to go to Beacon…
Or so he thought, but she thought different, because despite all that he prioritized her, his friend, one he said didn’t matter that he just met because.
“Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.” She’d said it on reflex.
“Love you…” If he hadn’t burst into a dazzlingly, blinding white light he might’ve heard her instead of freaking out. She had to explain what Aura was to him, what it meant, and then convince him to not give up… She, she might’ve told him he shouldn’t sleep at his hotel, that Junior’s men might try to hurt him. They wouldn’t, not so soon, but he didn’t need to know that.
He hadn’t cared until he thought they might go after her… She, used that to have him stay with her, to keep him in Vale. Hacking Beacon was easy, falsifying transcripts easier, they looked more legitimate then the actual ones. Jaune, her friend would be a Huntsman, she’d make sure of it.
Several weeks he stayed with her, cooked for her, and spent time with her, they talked, they grew close, he, he was so amazing, so nice and kind… And hot, he was beefy under his hoodie, like a actual farmboy.
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But it all had to come to a end, he thanked her, and promised to visit, to call and made her promise to do the same.
And then he left, but she wasn’t done, hacking Beacon’s security cameras she watched their Initiation saw him partner with a celebrity, a tall, leggy celebrity, but even then he talked about her. About his best friend in Vale, which made his best friend in Beacon, Ruby Rose Jealous.
Then the Grimm attacked, he charged a giant Death Stalker, and her heart froze in fear, she didn’t hesitate, knowing it’d activate.
“I Love You!” She said it with desperation, and even so far away it activated, and the world exploded with bright pink light as Jaune was amplified by her semblance. Moving faster then the Rose Girl, hitting stronger then the blonde, red-eyed bimbo or the ginger hammer wielder. He was confused but not still, determined to act.
Every swing of his blade tearing trough he thick armor and flesh of the Death Stalker alike it’s claws, tail and then legs before he cleaved it in twain. And then… He jumped into the air, not thinking for his safety, or about what he’d do if the power disappeared.
Only about killing the second Grimm, tackling into the giant Nevermore and shooting straight through it. He fell hard but survived given his already immense aura being multiplied several dozen fold.
And it was over, and he called a hour later, people celebrating behind him as he told her the good news, unaware she’d seen it all. The only misunderstanding being that he thought her power was his semblance. He thanked her for unlocking his soul and promised he’d visit her that weekend.
Only for someone to visit her only a hour later, someone she knew, but solely by reputation, the man in charge of Jaune’s fate. The headmaster of Beacon academy, something about having a good grasp of detecting Aura and it’s sources… Then pointing out how while Jaune’s transcripts were flawless, his history was not.
She expected her life to be over but instead.
“Manami Aiba, I believe Beacon could use someone of your particular set of skills, how would you feel about assisting our Stealth and Security Professor Ann Greene? You are around the age of a fourth year. I’m sure we can… Work something out.”
I think their ship name should be 'Amour' (French for Love)
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Blessed Heir of the Abyss (Abyssal Prince Childe x Reader)
Synopsis: After centuries of conflict, Teyvat and the Abyss are attempting to make peace with one another. To solidify new alliances and let go of past grudges, the Abyssal Prince Tartaglia will choose a spouse from the people above to rule over the Abyss with him.
That spouse happens to be you, an ordinary, Visionless citizen of Liyue.
Prologue: His Royal Highness
Next
Warnings: Mentions of panicking, Zhongli being protective, Childe doesn’t care about you in the beginning, Hu Tao cries, an Abyss Herald calls you “it” at one point, SLOW BURN
~ * ~ Once upon a time, a shining kingdom was constructed under the earth. Lit by starlight and shrouded in darkness, it became known as the Abyss, and was ruled by whoever the monsters favored. In an effort to end the eternal conflict, the Heir shall travel to the land above to witness the sea, and join hands with the sun. Liyue is beautiful today. You’ve never seen such a blue sky, nor such a brilliant sun- it beckons you outside for errands and chores, things you normally loathe to do but now you step outside with a smile, squinting happily up at the light. It’s the weekend- shopping day- and you’re looking for sunsettias and spices at the market. In the distance you can see Zhongli, a friend and family, and he lifts a hand in greeting before falling in step beside you. An ageless soul, the funeral parlor consultant always has a new story to amaze you with, and today is no exception as he weaves the tale of Azhdaha the Geovishap Lord as you walk the streets. Hu Tao’s waiting at the market, her perpetual grin only widening as she darts over and snags your hand, swinging it back and forth with a bubbling laugh. It draws a chuckle from you as well, and Zhongli smiles fondly at your antics with the young director. She practically drags you down the street, leaving Zhongli in the dust as she talks a mile a minute- rumors and gossip, gossip and rumors, there’s seemingly nothing that she doesn’t know or hasn’t heard of. “Sooo? Are you coming tonight?” She looks at you with an impish twinkle in her eye and you simply shrug. “Aw, come on! It’s not everyday I get to have a poetry battle with Xingqiu! Yanfei is the judge!” Hu Tao giggles in mischievous delight and eventually you can’t keep your own smile from blooming across your face, the parlor director’s joy contagious. Zhongli’s caught up to you by now, tapping lightly on Hu Tao’s hand clasped around your wrist with a stern look. “Director Hu, you’re going to injure them, pulling like that.” With a pout she releases you from her bruising grip and skips on ahead, you and Zhongli following close at her heels, a tender look shining in his golden eyes- ah, he adores the parlor director like a daughter, despite how he chastises her, and with one glance you know the sentiment is extended to you as well. You incline your head with a small smile, but it quickly fades when the oppressing sound of silence hits your ears, the streets backed up by people yet making no noise, no small talk about the weather or trade commerce or anything else that might catch their interest. The only sounds are frightened whispers, and you crane your neck in an attempt to see what’s going on, glancing at Hu Tao in confusion. Heavy footsteps, metallic and foreboding, march down the street, and immediately you feel goosebumps rise on the back of your neck as inhumanly tall figures come into view. An Abyssal entourage parts the crowd like a sea, the people of Liyue edging away in fear. The Lady Ningguang stands to the side, looking small and dainty compared to the height of Abyss Heralds and Lectors, and stares resolutely ahead, not daring to spare a single glance towards anyone but the distant horizon as a tense hush settles over the city. Hu Tao encircles your arm in a vice grip, scarlet eyes blown wide and Vision aglow, ready for battle despite her lack of a weapon while Zhongli holds a comforting hand to your back, normally calm demeanor betrayed by his stiff shoulders, as even he cannot feel safe when creatures from the Abyss are near. No one in Teyvat feels safe in the presence of the Abyss, despite the best efforts of the nations to set aside their differences after centuries of war. Even the late Geo Archon had returned, you’ve heard, having faked his death at the last Rite of Descension, and yet still relations remained tense or worse. You’ve heard that people used to go missing wherever the Abyss would begin creeping into Teyvat, and would crawl back out tainted and warped. You shiver, and Zhongli’s palm pushes against your spine in reassurance. From the midst of the monstrous ambassadors a young man emerges, strikingly human in comparison to the Lectors and Heralds who step aside and bow to him, surveying the gathered citizens with boredom. He’s certainly handsome, with copper-colored hair and fine clothing, but his brilliant blue eyes are so lightless and dim that it feels like you’re outside in the dead of night, not a moon or star in the sky. For a split second, his eyes lock onto yours, and you dig your nails into your palm. It’s like you’re staring at a corpse. An elegant hand extends from his richly-made cloak and points, at random, into the crowd. “That one.” Your blood turns to ice and your body goes rigid as Hu Tao lets out a horrified shriek, because he’s pointing at you. “No!” Zhongli steps forward, rage alight in his eyes and glaring furiously at the strange man, shoving you and Hu Tao behind him. His gaze snaps to Ningguang, “Lady Tianquan, what is the meaning of this?” But she doesn’t speak, merely averting her gaze towards the ground, shame finally showing through the cracks in her facade. A Herald approaches, surveying your shell-shocked figure with distaste but nodding anyway. “It’ll do,” With a single, swift motion the Abyss Herald snatches your wrist and pulls you away from Hu Tao, nearly dislocating your shoulder in the process when you struggle desperately against his grip. He brings you to stand beside the ginger-haired man, sharp claws leaving tears in the sleeves of your shirt. With a dry throat you gulp down your fear, trying to steady your shaking voice, “What do you want?” The mysterious man looks at you, eyes flat and lifeless, “You’re my spouse.” The world goes silent around you. “...What?” “My spouse. It’s part of the agreement,” he says, turning away. “Agreement…?” You twist your head to Ningguang, and she closes her eyes, as if to confirm what he said. You blink, mouth open in shock, and stumble backwards a few steps. Your vision begins to blur and swim, tension tightening in your chest and turning everything into vague smears of color as the concept of safety begins to slip through your fingers like sand. “No. I won’t allow it,” Zhongli’s deep voice cuts through your daze like a knife and brings you back to reality. He’s nearly snarling at the strangers, looking more enraged than you’ve ever seen him with his polearm already in hand. Hu Tao’s slightly behind him, torn between seeming annoyed or confused and settling on a middle ground of both, hands on her hips. A low, snakelike hiss rises in one of the Lector’s throats, “Show more respect to Prince Tartaglia, lest you desire to break the contract between Liyue and the Abyss.” Zhongli grits his teeth hard enough to crack, and you swear the tips of his hair glow bright gold, then he exhales slowly and crosses his arms, fury simmering just beneath the surface, “And why was this not discussed with the Harbor beforehand?” The Lector simply levels Zhongli with a chilly stare. “It’s His Royal Highness’s right.” And with that you’re pushed into a walk, the Abyss surrounding you as you trip over your own feet, ripping you away from your peaceful life, away from your little house with its sunlit rooms and vases on the windowsill, away from the city you were born and raised in. Away from friends and family; the people you love. You cast a silent, pleading glance towards the man- the Prince Tartaglia, begging for him to let you go. But he simply stares back at you, azure blue eyes blank and unfeeling, and involuntarily you shiver. He feels nothing towards you- not happiness, curiosity, disgust, hatred- nothing, and somehow that’s more frightening than if he did despise you. The Prince feels nothing towards you, because you’re just a pawn in a celestial game. Zhongli and Hu Tao can only watch in despair, paying no mind to the people in the streets beginning to resume their daily activities, simply grateful that it wasn’t them who was chosen. Ningguang steps closer, regret laced in her voice. “My Lord, I’m sorry-” “Don’t,” Zhongli says sharply, eyes flaring with hardened grief. “An apology means nothing.” And he’s right, for only he has seen what the Abyss does to people, corroding their sense of being and mind until they give in and become one with the starlit waves. “Zhongli…” Hu Tao looks up, scarlet eyes swimming with tears. “They’ll… they’ll be okay, right? I mean,” she lets out a humorless laugh, “I might be a funeral parlor director, but…” she shakes her head to clear it and scrubs her cheeks. “Director, I do not lie. For your own sake, perhaps that question should remain unanswered,” Zhongli lets out a sigh, giving the young director’s hat a few pats as she mourns the loss of her best friend. His own unease settles, hanging in the air like a sickly haze, the answer to Hu Tao’s question ringing clear despite his refusal. I don’t know.
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wahta-auqa · 2 months
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Part 2 of Pieces of the Soul
Part 1
Danny's Coronation had passed, and now they're just in post-celebrations. A lot of his new friends that he made while gambling congratulated him on finding every piece of the gems that he wanted. Everyone complimented his crown and rings, saying that it was a unique tradition that he may have just started. Told him the owner of the last piece somewhere in a different dimension. He could probably barter with him to get it off his hands if he wanted to.
Danny contemplated on whether and not he wanted to go. He probably would have to ask clockwork first if he had the time to visit. In his home dimensions with the human, there was no issue but in the infinite realms? Not much so, he would need to know if he could just pop into the other realm and ask around.
~•~•~•~•~
John constantine is losing his mind. He was able to get in contact with Deadman. Who apparently just came back from a bleeding coronation and told him all about King Phantom this and King Phantom that. He was the new king infinite realms and was a benevolent king who defeated the Tyrant King Pariah Dark.
Oh, John knew of Pariah Dark. He sold him a sliver of his soul before he was put into the forever sleep. He never knew what happened to that piece of a soul, always assumed that maybe they just got lost in time or that it would merge back to him. But no, apparently, this new king found them and believed them to be pieces of jewelry. Deadman had told him that the New King Phantom collected every last piece of his soul and had them set into his new coronation crown and rings. Deadman also told him it was basically impossible to get them back now. Every demon to necromancer knows that King Phantom wants all pieces of his soul, and no one wants to take on the spector who took Pariah Dark single-handed with only a year of existence. And has since grown in power and skill.
John was in a bind and didn't know what to do. He asked Deadman to go and ask for his soul back or even to take him to this Phantom himself. But Deadman absolutely refused to, saying that it was not only rude, but he was also the one that traded it away. Souls are precious in the Infinite Realms and doubts that he would ever get it back. That Phantom had done him a favor in collecting them.
John went to Zatanna, and she, too, was perplexed by Deadmans refusal. She said she would ask around. Which really meant gossiping to everyone that his soul belonged to one being instead of many. Now, Batman wants an official meeting with both JL and JLD to discuss going forward.
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Note
This may be an out-there one but stick with me for a sec! I remember Leona going off to Jamil about how Kalim’s best asset is that he’s friendly and he knows how to use that to sway people whether he knows it or not. With that in mind, may we see Kalim’s magical charms work on Maleficia?
Consider this interaction as a part 2 to this one! They just happen to flow together really well.
P.S. For no reason at all, you should totally go read Jade's School Uniform vignette :))
Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.
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A single spot of sunshine lit up all of Diasomnia's dank, gloomy lounge.
Kalim, a gargantuan smile plastered on his face, was seated at a table, playfully swinging his legs back and forth. He had with him a portable stove and a tea set, both ridiculously fine and expensive. His friend Silver would soon be there, and the two would delight in sharing an afternoon snack and catching up on one another's lives.
I wonder when he’ll get here! Kalim thought, angling his head toward the doors that spilled into the room. He said he was meeting up with his dad first, so maybe they’ll come together?
From a corridor came faint voices, low and calm, like lost souls afraid to startle their own shadows. The shapes of two people extended along a stony wall, green candlelight haloing them as they approached. Their forms steadily grew larger and larger until they had, at last, consumed all light.
"Silver?" Kalim called as he hopped out of his chair.
A pair entered the lounge, chasing away the sun in favor of the stars. Cloaked in black and pale-faced, inhuman horns protruding from their heads, they heralded in the night and bad dreams like the monsters from under one’s bed.
Kalim greeted them with cheer anyway.
“It’s you, Malleus!! You’re with your family today, huh?” he cried out, excitedly waving at the duo. “Didn’t think I’d run into you today. Usually you’re so hard to find for meetings!"
“Asim. I had not expected to encounter you myself.” The corner of the prince's mouth lifted into a slight smirk. "Perhaps you've not looked hard enough."
"Gahahah! I'll try harder next time then!"
“Who might this be, Malleus?”
“Excuse me.” His eyes slid to the woman beside him as gestured toward Kalim. “Grandmother, I give you Kalim Al-Asim, a fellow dorm leader. Asim, my grandmother, and current queen of Briar Valley.”
“Your grandma?!” Kalim’s exclamation echoed off the cavernous walls. There was no effort to conceal his shock, not in tone nor in face. “Whoa, I never would have known…! I thought she was your sister or something! You look a lot alike.”
Maleficia chuckled darkly. “We fae mature quite differently than humans. Our true age rarely shows.”
“So you look a lot younger than you actually are? That’s so cool!” Kalim laughed, oblivious to his own brashness as he ran his mouth. “There’s someone in my year level that’s kind of like that too. Have you met Riddle? He looks small but he’s actually super smart and responsible! I really look up to him!”
Maleficia nodded as she patiently listened in.
Next to her, Malleus slowly surveyed the room, then allowed his gaze to drift back to Kalim. “If I may ask, where have your own relatives, Asim? Were they not to accompany you today?"
“Oh, that!! Only dad could make it this year.He had to take an important business call, so he said go hang out with some friends and he’ll catch up with me later!”
Kalim indicated the canister beside his tea making supplies. “He brought back a new blend from one of his trading partners. It’s a rare tea made with petals and buds from the Queendom of Roses and Briar Valley. That’s where Silver’s from, so I wanted to share it with him!”
“A tea made in part with plants from the Briar Valley, you say…” Malleus cradled his chin in one hand. “Most intriguing. Our kingdom is a small, isolated one. It is not often that our culture is able to merge with that of another."
“The Queendom of Roses is the country east of our continent,” Maleficia said sagely. "It is not only known for its roses, but all kinds of flowers that blossom in the springtime. Being that our Briar Valley is more northward, our flora tends to be much hardier than that of the Queendom."
"That means your flowers and theirs are different somehow, right? It's neat how someone thought to bring roses from two completely different places together!" Kalim grinned widely. "It's like going to a feast where each guest brings a dish from their culture so everyone can have a taste of where they come from.”
Maleficia stared at the young man, her expression indiscernable.
“Oh yeah, if you guys are interested in it, you can try some!” Kalim offered.
Malleus cocked his head. "I believe you stated that your intention was to share the tea with Silver?"
"Don't be shy! It's my treat, and there's plenty to go around! I'll go and brew it. Take a seat while you wait!"
“Hmm, if you are offering… I suppose it would be rude of us to refuse your thoughtful invitation. Grandmother?”
“No objections.”
The Draconias slunk to the table and sat, their lithe forms melded with the quilted leather chairs. They looked right at home with their refined posture, commanding the lounge from their thrones without so much as lifting a finger.
Kalim appeared like nothing more than an attendant in the powerful presence of royalty, buzzing about and fiddling with various tools as he set to making the tea.
Removing the lid off of his kettle, he poured in enough water to fill most of the vessel up. Kalim set it upon the portable stove and cranked the heat up. A soft electric hum started, and the flat disc upon which the kettle sat slowly warmed.
“What a strange device," Malleus mused, his brows creasing at the various dials and settings on the stove. "Would it not be more efficient to prepare the tea with magic? A single puff of fire breath would also suffice to hasten the tea."
"Probably! But you two are my guests. It's my job to feed you and make sure you're enjoying yourselves! This is my way of doing that."
As he talked, Kalim kept his hands in motion. He popped the cap off of his cannister, scooping out unassuming mounds of dried leaves and flowers and letting them fall into each teacup. First, the queen's, then Malleus's, and himself last.
"In my home country, guests are always served before the host. It's to welcome people into our homes. 'You're my friend, and I respect you. I want to honor you with food and drink, to treat you like you're a member of my family.' That's the feeling behind it!"
“I see. So this is the hospitality that comes specifically from the Scalding Sands.” A small smile formed on Malleus’s lips. “I do recall similar kindness from my trip to Silk City. The people of the Scalding Sands are very friendly and warm, much like the sun.”
“The times have certainly changed,” Maleficia remarked. “Back in my day, the children of man were not quite so open-minded. To invite fae to any gathering was to invite danger—such was the common sentiment.”
“Ahhh, that’s too bad. Being left out of a party never feels good!” Kalim let a rare frown appear. “I guess I never realized how lucky I am to live in a time where all kinds of people can be friends.”
The kettle rattled on the stove, a high-pitched whistle erupting from its spout. He swiftly removed it by the handle, and set to pouring hot clear liquid into Maleficia’s cup, then Malleus’s, and his own. Curtains of steam rose up, hiding his features as he chewed on his thoughts.
“Silk City wasn’t always as big as it is now,” Kalim finally said. “My ancestors found a way to use the waterways for trade. It connected us to new information, goods, and people. Then over time, the population grew into the big community we know today.
“Things changed a lot! I’m thankful that they did, because that means all of us can experience so much more together, like this tea. The world really opened up to us.”
The leaves and rosebuds started to unfurl, their colors and flavors seeping into the hot water. A subtly sweet, mellow scent wafted up, filling the lounge with a flowery perfume.
“Indeed, it has.” Maleficia agreed. “Our Briar Valley is set in its ways, yet the world around it seems to constantly shift. I did not think I would live to see the day a child of man so fearlessly entertains me for tea myself—but here we are, fae and human, on equal terms.”
She reached over and squeezed Malleus’s hand. He laid another over hers and smiled back. There was something sad and haunting in their eyes, a mutual understanding of something far darker than their words would allow.
“Yeah, it’s great that we can do stuff like this without worrying anymore! Speaking of, I think the tea’s about done brewing. One last final touch…”
Kalim picked up his entire sugar pot and inverted it over Maleficia’s cup. Several cubes tumbled out and splashed into the beverage. The typically composed queen startled at the sugar and tea concoction (especially when Kalim produced another sugar pot and proceeded to do the same to Malleus’s cup).
“Is this… customary?” Maleficia carefully inquired.
“No, we’d usually add more! Luxurious tea is sweet tea!!” Kalim responded, totally oblivious to her shock. “I thought I’d just be serving Silver today though, so I bought way less sugar than I usually do. I hope it’s still to your liking though!”
“Ah, this style of tea would be the same kind I was served in Silk City. The… exceedingly sweet kind,” Malleus said warily. He spoke no more, but the warning had already made itself evident.
“… I understand. This dish is an integral part of your culture.” Maleficia lifted her cup with the grace and elegance befitting of a queen. “I shall partake in your saccharine fare… Asim, was it?”
“Yup, that’s me! Kalim Al-Asim.”
“Fufu. I will remember your name and face, Kalim Al-Asim. Of that, you can be certain. After all, I had the opportunity to hear many interesting things from you. It would not do to forget such an important individual—and a beloved companion to my Malleus.”
She swallowed her overly sugared tea without flinching. It was strong, peppered with floral notes—two adjacent springtimes at the same threshold. To one side, the Queendom with a sweet medley of rainbow flowers clustered around its roses. To the other, the once great Briar Country, its rosen blooms shrouded by bitter bramble.
So different, yet still meeting in the middle. Humans and fae, reconciling under the same sun.
“How is it?”
Maleficia slowly lowered the cup from her lips. They ached from the sugar in a single sip, yet she was satisfied all the same.
“It was delicious.”
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