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multiimuse · 7 years ago

Note

All of those questions! >:) For any/all of your KH muses, but specifically Dilan.

// …I’m a masochist apparently, so I’m going to do all three. RIP me. Readmore because wow long.

Dilan

1: Describe their routine of a normal day/how do they feel when this routine is disrupted?

Dilan’s routine has gone through a number of changes over the years, and is a very different thing lately from what it was either as Xaldin or even before losing his heart. His current routine, however, simply involves waking up (be it from proper sleep or from dozing off over his own tea), getting his day started, and then spending most hours doing one of a few things: working at cleaning and repairing the castle, training, or cooking.

It’s a calm enough routine, he supposes, if terribly dull. Disruptions are more than welcome, at this point, because they might mean a chance to do something that has a little more importance to it.

2: Greatest strength?

His determination, mostly. The man does not give up in the face of hardship, and has spent long hours perfecting the things that are important to him. Of course, the downside of this is that he’s incredibly stubborn about everything, not just when it’s a good thing, but still - determination and an unwillingness to surrender will get you pretty far. (An honorable mention goes to his honor code, which has effectively made him rein in his temper on more than one occasion, and that is difficult to do.)

3: Greatest weakness?

His temper, by far. As Xaldin this trait was scraped away, leaving only a sort of bitterness and a hollow echo of it, but now that he has his heart again, it’s back in full force, and regaining the control he had over it before losing his heart has been… an adventure. (And his control wasn’t that great then, though he’d made progress from how bad it was in his youth.)

4: What one thing would your muse change about themselves?

…Can he remove his heart again? Life was easier without it. This is only partially serious, but he’s frustrated with himself for how complicated having a heart makes everything, even things that should be simple, like Braig having turned on them. He can’t simply write him off as a traitor and be done with him - he cares too much about the man he’s known for years. The same with Lea, even though he knows in a general sort of way what he got up to at Castle Oblivion: he still remembers the teenager who’d sneak in and (get thrown out) all the time, and his damn heart won’t just let him focus on one set of feelings over the other.

5: Introverted or extroverted & why?

Dilan is actually neither! He’s an ambivert, which means he’s not quite so extreme in either direction. Instead, he’s pretty balanced between needing alone time versus needing company. He’ll lean more toward introversion some days, and more toward extroversion others. However, given the instability he struggled with upon first awakening, he probably comes across as closer to an introvert of late, due to how difficult his returned emotions can be to deal with.

6: Organised or messy & why ?

Organized and clean. He thinks everything should be kept as efficient as possible, and keeping things clean and sanitary is a part of that. He’s less strict about things like paperwork, but clutter is something he’s never been fond of.

7: What three things do they consider themselves to be very good/bad at?

He considers himself to be very good at lancework (and combat in general), very good at cooking … but very, very bad with looking after plants. (He had a bonsai tree once, because he’d heard that keeping one could be good for your mental health … Aeleus had to rescue the poor thing before he pruned it to death.)

8: Do they like themselves?

… Honestly? No. Not at all. He doesn’t see himself as good company or a good friend. A good ally, perhaps, but he knows he’s irritable, impatient and all-too-often in a poor temper, especially since getting his heart back. And when you know yourself well enough to be aware of how difficult you are, it’s really hard to like you. (Really, he has a hard time seeing any of his good traits, and tends to brush them off as a fluke whenever he can’t outright ignore that they exist.)

9: What are the reasons for their profession? Are the REAL reasons different than what they TELL others?

Dilan’s reasons for being a guard are, in fact, a bit complicated. Early in life he simply wanted to do something that would make his father proud of him, when it seemed like there was only one very specific path he could follow to earn that, and that still holds true - but he also came to genuinely love the structure and the discipline, and he can’t imagine himself in a civilian life now. (As for what he tells others? ‘It was a job that needed doing, and I could do it.’)

10: Where do they see themselves in five years?

He hasn’t actually thought about this, much. Probably doing much the same as he is now: trying to rebuild the Garden and the life he’d lost, while knowing that most of it can never be the same as it was.

11: How do they want to die?

In combat, preferably with honor and dignity.

12: What would they want to be remembered for?

… Not for spending so much time hanging around Beast’s Castle and bullying him, that’s for sure. Honestly, this is another thing he hasn’t thought about too much, considering his initial answer of ‘having served King and Castle with honor’ has already been dashed to pieces.

13: What three words do they use to describe their personality?

‘Done with this.’

14: What three words would YOU (the mun) use to describe their personality?

Cranky, honorable, caring

15: What advice, as the mun, would you give to your muse

Stop being so grumpy about having a heart and accept it already, you silly man. And that breakup was over twenty years ago by this point, let yourself heal properly, because clinging to that bitterness has really left its mark.

Isa

1: Describe their routine of a normal day/how do they feel when this routine is disrupted?

Isa doesn’t really have much of a specific routine at the moment, though he does have a daily ritual he’s taken up: he reminds himself of who and what he is the very moment he wakes up, and spend a few moments deliberately focusing on his stronger, positive memories to help reinforce that. Only then does he start his day properly - not that his daily routine is of any great import at the moment, as he’s mostly just trying to adjust to his state of being and stay off the radar until his other half can be freed from Xehanort’s possession. As he doesn’t have a particularly strict routine, there’s really nothing to disrupt.

2: Greatest strength?

Isa used to think that his greatest strength was his mind, being relatively smart and capable of taking care of the details Lea would often overlook in his bigger plans, but given his inability to work out what had happened to him as Saix and being marked as a vessel, he doesn’t really consider himself that smart any more. Instead, he’s trying to rethink his view of himself, and is in the process of trying to find a new ‘greatest strength’. (Really, that in and of itself may be his true greatest strength: his willingness to change what he needs to without losing the core of who he is.)

3: Greatest weakness?

Isa tries to bottle his more negative emotions, such as jealousy, anger, or even simple hurt feelings, and that’s his greatest weakness because when you bottle something up, it will come out eventually. (Ironically, the state he’s in at the moment makes it much harder to do this than it would be were he whole. However, it does come with a trade-off of a temporary weakness of a different sort: his fragile hold on himself, and the efforts he has to go to in order to cope with it.)

4: What one thing would your muse change about themselves?

Besides getting both his heard and body back together with no hitchhikers? Phyically, he wants a haircut. No ifs ands or buts about it, he wants some kind of a haircut once he’s complete again, so he can celebrate being properly whole. Other than that… he’d like to get rid of the jealous streak he knows he has. He doesn’t want to be selfish and monopolize Lea’s time, not when there are other people who love him and who Lea loves right back - but he can’t quite make it not sting, sometimes.

5: Introverted or extroverted & why ?

Isa’s another one that’s kind of in-between, actually, if leaning more toward introversion - he needs time to recharge and pull himself together, but he’s not actively exhausted by socializing. He is, however, more comfortable letting Lea put himself out there and biding his time until it’s the perfect moment for him to step in. After all, if a person doesn’t like Lea, then they’re simply not worth bothering with in the first place.

6: Organised or messy & why ?

Organized. Very organized, albeit not with military precision - just the sort of organization of someone who has a lot to juggle and refuses to lose track of it. Originally it as pretty mild, just a tendency toward cleanliness and orderliness, but all those years of being Xemnas’ adjutant made what was already a habit nigh-unbreakable, and even now he has an ‘everything in its place’ way about keeping things in order. (And a habit of alphabetizing things that he really can’t shake.)

7: What three things do they consider themselves to be very good/bad at?

He likes to think he as pretty good at astrophotography once upon a time, but he hasn’t had the opportunity to do that in years. He knows he’s good at managing people, and likes to think he’s decent with technology. (However, he will never, ever draw anything for anyone, because he cannot so much as doodle anything beyond kind of wobbly moons and star-shapes.)

8: Do they like themselves?

He… liked himself well enough as a kid, but he doesn’t like who he became as Saix, especially with Xehanort’s influence. Right now, the answer is no. He doesn’t. He doesn’t like who he became and what he did, but he wants to be someone better, now. Someone that he can like, someday.

9: What are the reasons for their profession? Are the REAL reasons different than what they TELL others?

Well, at the moment, he doesn’t really have a profession? Apart from half of him acting as Xehanort’s vessel, if you really want to count that. He’s thinking about trying to see what he can do to find work, though, so nobody has to keep him funded. (Having lost his heart and home as a teenager, however, makes that a little more challenging, even without counting the state he’s in at the moment.)

10: Where do they see themselves in five years?

He hopes that in five years he’ll be whole at last, still alive, with Lea, and home. As an actual prediction… Well, he’s trying to hang on to Lea’s refusal to give up on him, and he hopes they’ll all survive whatever is coming.

11: How do they want to die?

He would like to die whole, forgiven, and loved. None of the other details matter.

12: What would they want to be remembered for?

He’d mostly just like to be remembered for being Isa, and not a vessel. But he really is afraid that the latter is how the world’s most likely going to remember him.

13: What three words do they use to describe their personality?

‘Rebuilding that, thanks.’

14: What three words would YOU (the mun) use to describe their personality?

Witty, loving, playful

15: What advice, as the mun, would you give to your muse?

Hang in there, and have faith in your friends. They’re pretty good at beating the odds. (And don’t be afraid to lean on them, it’s okay to I swear.)

Riku

1: Describe their routine of a normal day/how do they feel when this routine is disrupted?

Riku’s days start early, with stretching to work out any stiffness from the injuries that never quite healed correctly, then he trains for a while before eating, and after that he finally turns his attention to whatever he needs to be doing that day. Mostly, that’s working with Mickey on how to get to Master Aqua, but occasionally it’s checking in with other groups or places, just to make sure Xehanort hasn’t made his next move yet. He handles disruptions to his routine pretty well, unless it’s his morning stretching - if he can’t do that, then he will pay for it the next day and be cranky as a result, so it’s best not to interrupt him or anything until at least his stretching’s done.

2: Greatest strength?

His devotion to his friends and his willingness to walk through fire for them. It’s been one of his driving forces for a while now, and the amount of things it’s allowed him to accomplish is pretty staggering. A close second, however, is his self-mastery. Seriously, he’s still a teenager and he’s reached a level of understanding himself that some people never manage.

3: Greatest weakness?

He’s not… really that great with people. Once upon a time this was a little less noticeable because his cockiness and pride overshadowed it, and then his guilt and shame did similar, but the truth is Riku’s just a little too shy and awkward and reluctant about opening himself up to others, even when he needs to. He’s working on it, and he’s come a long way, but he’s never going to be quite the natural at connecting with people at large the way Sora is, and he knows it. (He’s also fine with it - not everyone can be like Sora.)

4: What one thing would your muse change about themselves?

Actually, at the moment, there’s not a lot that he would change! He’s finally gotten to a point where he’s mostly comfortable with who he is and what he can do, so there’s no point in stressing too much about changing anything. Sure, he’s still got some rough edges to work out, but he’s proud of who he’s becoming, and has no intention of diverting from the path he’s on now.

5: Introverted or extroverted & why?

Introverted. He can manage dealing with people if he has to, but Riku isn’t really that comfortable around large groups of people. He draws strength and energy from quiet time alone, and tends to do his own thing more often than not when given the chance.

6: Organised or messy & why ?

Somewhere in between. He likes his spaces to feel like someone lives there, so he doesn’t go overboard with cleaning or organizing, but he also doesn’t like his spaces looking like a storm went through them. Overall, he generally knows where he’s left something, and if he’s misplaced it it’s not usually too far off from the place he thought he’d put it.

7: What three things do they consider themselves to be very good/bad at?

Riku considers himself bad at connecting to people, but good at athletics and following difficult, complicated topics.

8: Do they like themselves?

More or less - he has good days and bad days, but more good than bad as time passes. He knows he’s made mistakes, and hurt the people he cares about - hurt a lot of people, really - but he also knows that he’s done a lot of good things too, that he regrets those bad things and will never do them again. So… yeah, he likes himself well enough. Riku’s put a lot of effort into making himself someone he can like, and it’s starting to pay off.

9: What are the reasons for their profession? Are the REAL reasons different than what they TELL others?

Riku’s only profession is that of a Keyblade Master, and his reason for it isn’t a secret at all: to protect the people he cares about.

10: Where do they see themselves in five years?

Hopefully alive and in a world that’s survived Xehanort’s plans, whatever they may be.

11: How do they want to die?

With his loved ones nearby. Specifics don’t really matter - he just doesn’t want to die alone.

12: What would they want to be remembered for?

He’d like to be remembered for being a loyal friend, and for being a person who overcame his mistakes and inner demons to do something good.

13: What three words do they use to describe their personality?

‘The cool one.’

14: What three words would YOU (the mun) use to describe their personality?

Devoted, sappy, brave.

15: What advice, as the mun, would you give to your muse?

You’re just as sappy and over-dramatic as everyone else is, Riku. Embrace it.

#;hc: dilan #;hc: isa #;hc: riku #AAAA THAT TOOK FOREVER #strangefellows

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thewheezingwyvern · 8 years ago

Text

Storm Blooded

Rating: M for language, violence, darker themes, sexual situations and abuse. (More may be added) This story may be triggering. I will do my best to give warnings about certain triggers as they occur but this is a heads up in case I miss something. Also there is no ship yet. I’m just going to let the story unfold and go with it. ((I reposted this because with my url change, you can’t open the read more line))

Diabolik Lovers Oc fanfiction

Summary: Her kind and theirs have fought for centuries. It was no secret that vampires and witches did not get along. But when her Coven starts working to initiate peace treaties, Cora must stay with the Sakamaki brothers for the remainder of the negotiations. Six vampire brothers were bad enough but things get complicated when there are people behind the scenes who are trying to start another war…

(Chapter One) (Chapter Two) (Chapter Three)

Subaru was right when he had told her that Reiji would not be pleased about her cleansing the mansion. But Cora did not expect for Reiji to be waiting for her as soon as she came inside, dripping and soaked to the bone with rain water. Just as he had when she first came to the mansion, he surveyed her with a cool indifference. But if she had to base by the way he looked her up and down, she would venture to guess that he did not approve of her appearance either. The witch swallowed the lump in her throat as she stared back at Reiji. She tried to comfort herself in the new lighter feeling of the mansion, tried to bask in the work she had done, tried to revel in the drastic difference but it was no use.

Reiji radiated a powerful aura of his own and it seemed to be trying to smother her. Goosebumps crawled across her skin and she was unsure if they were because of the vampire’s intimidating presence or if it was cold inside of the mansion in her bedraggled state. She had to admit that it was impressive that Reiji could intimidate her without even speaking. Cora clenched her teeth to try and summon up her nerve to face him.

“Come with me. Now.”

“Why?” She shot back, hoisting her bag higher on her shoulder, “I don’t-“

“This is not open for discussion.”

The displeased edge to his tone made Cora bite back her words of protest. She got the feeling that Reiji would be one of the worst ones to receive punishment from and she wasn’t sure just how far her political position would carry her. Deciding that it was best not to push her luck, she did as he instructed.

His study was even more organized than she had initially anticipated. There wasn’t even a stray paper anywhere. The book shelves were tidy and completely free of dust and they had been clearly organized by topic. And from what she could tell at a glance, those topics were then put into alphabetical order. Cora turned her dark eyes to examine his laboratory equipment. Beakers, Bunsen burners, hot plates and a manner of tinctures and potions were arranged in a very orderly fashion although she could not tell the particular order. But they had been clearly arranged to a particular placement, of that she had no doubt.

“Have a seat.” He instructed her coolly.

Reiji barking orders at her really rubbed her the wrong way, chapped her pride but the witch knew that she would not win here. She moved to do so silently but then she halted, realizing just how quickly and easily he was able to gain her obedience. He couldn’t hurt her so what was he going to do? Tell the Elder “she didn’t sit down when I told her to”? Cora folded her arms and gave Reiji’s back a terse glare.

“I’d rather stand, thank you.”

“Despicable manners until the end, I see. Don’t you know it is common courtesy to take a seat when your host offers it?”

“I would also say that it is common courtesy for said host to be respectful the guest’s customs and beliefs but that didn’t stop you from sitting back and watching while your brothers jumped me upon arrival and threatened to bite me.”

“And you will recall that I did stop them and you have not been pierced by any fang.” Reiji told her coldly, his hands deftly pulling together his tea pot set.

Cora didn’t understand why he was brewing tea at that moment of all times but she didn’t care overly much, “Only after you stood back and let them grab me and do what they wanted. You could have stopped it well before it got that far but you didn’t. Not very courteous of my host.”

The witch could tell she was treading on thin ice. Reiji himself seemed to putting out his own thunderous aura but it did not feel like a storm. Storms were wild, chaotic and ripped apart everything that came in their path but Reiji was much more precise than that. Cora bit her lower lip to keep anymore words from spilling out of her mouth because the vampire before her was radiating a murderous intent. Political protection or not, she knew she was about to get herself into some serious trouble if she did not stop while she was ahead.

“Ms. Fuller, I am not responsible for your own knowledge of our ways. Had you done the proper research and reading, you would realize that I actually broke customs to stop them. It is common practice and expectation for any guest in a vampire estate to be under their charge. So propriety in our ways states that you fall under one of us. A claim upon you, if you will, while you remain with us.” Reiji informed her with disdain, having a seat in one of his plush red velvet armchairs as he left the kettle to heat, “It is utterly disgraceful that you, an emissary for your coven, is not educated on our practices. Now, sit down. I will not ask you again.”

Cora clenched her jaw to fight off the shudder that rolled down her spine with his icy order, “No.”

A horrible smile crossed his face then, “Very well, then. You still deny my hospitality? As an emissary of this treaty, you no doubt are aware that you represent your entire coven. Given your present behavior, I will have to consider approaching our father, Karl Heinz, and urge him to reconsider this treaty. You speak for all of your coven, after all. And you have demonstrated that even the smallest gesture of decorum and compromise is not attainable. I would rather that we not waste our time.”

All of the color drained out of her face then. He wouldn’t, would he? Casting her dark eyes to him, there was not a hint of bluff within his expression. If anything a sinister glint reflected in his eyes and the slightest curve of his mouth hinted at his satisfaction at backing her into this corner. Cora could not risk him doing this, so with her heart feeling frozen with fear, she took a seat without another word.

“Good. Now we can discuss what you did to the mansion.”Cora opened her mouth to speak but Reiji cut her off, “I have not given you leave to speak yet. Hold your tongue.”

Hot fury coursed through her and she found herself having to bite the inside of her cheek to keep her words to herself. The treatment she was receiving was horrendous and it infuriated her. When she volunteered for the position, she never expected it to be like this. Cora told herself that maybe she was dumb to think that it wouldn’t be this way but even as an emissary they treated her like she was beneath them! Her! A witch!

‘If this negotiation falls apart…’ she thought at Reiji with venomous promise, ‘you will be the first one I curse.’

“I am aware of some of the crude customs you have within your own coven but it is grossly rude to alter the house of your host. Without any sanction but your own whims, you changed the energy of this estate when I banned you from doing so.”

Cora wanted to argue, point out that he only banned her from burning sage but Reiji gave her a severe look that kept her voice silent.

“Surely even you can see how rude it is for you to change someone else’s home to suit your needs. You may speak now.” Continued the vampire, folding his hands ontop of his lap, one leg crossed over the other.

Well, when he put it that way, Cora found it hard to argue, so she cleared her throat, “To be fair, you banned burning sage, not cleansing itself. I assumed that the smell of the herb offended you so I opted for something other than smoke cleansing.” She lied, knowing that he really didn’t want her to cleanse the place, “But…you’re right. The place reeked of death and a heavy, oppressive energy so I assumed… well, I am sorry that I changed the energy of your home without permission.”

Already she felt her nerves being rubbed raw from putting on an air of diplomacy. There had been better options for this sort of work within her coven but not a one of them volunteered for the position. Speaking through such lies and in such a way that felt simpering and like she was kissing his ass made her feel gross. She wanted to speak plainly but this interaction alone told her that speaking her mind would get her and her people in more trouble. Cora took a deep breath and reminded herself that she wasn’t doing this for herself but for her coven.

“Please accept my sincere apology.”

The teapot over in the corner began to whistle, interrupting the silence that had fallen between them. Cora found it interesting that Reiji had set up his own station to make his tea within his study but given that it looked like he did his own experiments and concoctions it did make sense. When she was studying her own magic and working on new rituals she didn’t want to leave her room either. He rose from his seat silently and approached the kettle, carefully pulling out two cups before they disappeared from view in front of him.

Cora didn’t get to get a close look at them before his frame blocked her sight but from what she could see, they were clearly exquisite pieces and finely made. The aromatic fragrance of Earl Grey wafted up to her nose and it made her feel homesick. She remembered spending time in the sun room with the tea leaf readers, hot tea steaming from their mugs as they focused on her. They always gave her a cup of tea of her own to enjoy while they focused on their divination. Cora couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing now. In the courtyard, the witchlings would be practicing, trying to find their particular blood born talent. In the temple there would be meditation with burning sticks of incense. By the river, the fledgling water practitioners would work with the current and at night some of her people would lay out beneath the stars and practice astral travel.

Reiji startled her out of her thoughts by placing a cup of tea in front of her and taking a seat of his own across from her, sipping of his own cup. This was something that she did not need to be pushed into doing. The smell of Earl Grey reminded her of home and the idea of enjoying the hot tea settled her sour mood. Carefully she picked up the cup from its plate, noting the fine detail work in delicate cold along the rim.

“Thank you.” She told him quietly before taking a drink.

He nodded coolly, “And your apology is accepted.”

She was as surprised by his acceptance of her apology as she was at the perfection of his brew. The tea witches from her home were some of the best at brewing and it came as no surprise given their practice of divining from the leaves. But Reiji easily bested most of them in this one cup of perfectly steeped Earl Grey. Cora stared at the beverage as if in disbelief that it was really in her hand before looking back up to Reiji.

“This tea is perfectly brewed…!”

“Of course it is. Would you expect me to produce anything less? It is a simple enough matter to make the perfect cup.”

Cora felt a faint ringing in her right there and she rubbed at it to ease the discomfort, “Simple? I doubt that. Doesn’t the temperature of the water and length of brew time vary depending on the type of leaf used?”

“Indeed, but it is simple to remember that. I must say I am surprised that you even knew that much. I suppose no one can be completely hopeless. Not even you.”

Cora had thought for just a moment they were going to have a civilized conversation but after his insult, she realized that it was foolish for her to hope for that. The witch glared at him silently over her tea, using the full bodied Earl Grey to curb her brewing words forming on her tongue. It was either that or she bite her tongue but she was quite certain she would make herself bleed if she did that with how much she wanted to cuss at him. Much to her annoyance, the ringing in her ears started up again but with more persistence. Cora lightly shook her head but it only made it worse. The ringing seemed to be drilling into her skull, cutting straight into her. The sensation was so intense and painful, she dropped the cup of hot Earl Grey into her lap and clutched at her ears.

The hot tea soaked through her clothes burned at her skin, much like overheated bath water. What was happening? This wasn’t normal! The vampire across from her took one more easy sip of his own hot tea before rising and walking over to his desk. Her dark eyes tracked him through her intense discomfort and watch as he opened a book, a journal of some sorts, and write down a few notes on its pages.

“That was faster than I expected.” He observed.

“What did you do to me?!” Cora demanded, pressing her hands even harder against her ears as the ringing grew louder.

The sensation could almost be called painful and yet it was nothing more than a persistent ringing in her ears. But it was strong enough to make her want to pull her brain out of her head. Her dark eyes pricked with tears and she ground her teeth against the sensation. It felt like her brain was being pierced and so deeply that it made her feel weak.

“Consider it your punishment. Hopefully, you’ll think twice before altering this house.”

“You bastard! This is a violation of our trust and treaties!”

“Oh not at all. See I have not physically harmed you and that potion will not cause you any damage. In fact it will fade within a few days.”

“A few DAYS?!”

Reiji narrowed his eyes to dangerous slits down at Cora, “Mind your tone. It is grossly unlady like to raise your voice.”

The ringing seemed to fall into a rhythmic drone and every pulse felt like it was rocking her brain. The sensation made her squirm within the cushioned chair, the tea cup rolling around in her lap precariously. Cora squinted her eyes shut against the sensation, grinding her teeth. She couldn’t imagine withstanding this for five more minutes let alone a few days! A whimper escaped her when there was a sharp stab like sensation to her ears and the world around her began to rock unsteadily.

“My behavior is a problem?! You fucking drugged me! That is- agh!”

She had tried to rise to her feet in her rage and intense discomfort but the ringing in her ears swiftly rebuked that effort with sharp stabs. The tea cup that had been in her lap fell to the floor and shattered upon impact, scattering the jagged shards across the wooden floor. Under normal circumstances, Cora would feel bad for breaking someone’s things, even Reiji’s. But she was in far too much pain and discomfort to feel badly about it. An intense wave of nausea washed over her and she felt dizzy. Unable to maintain her balance, she slumped to the floor on her knees, still clutching her hands over her ears.

“My, my and you have soaked my chair in your bedraggled state. Not only did you have the nerve to do as you pleased but you also ruined the furniture.” Reiji clucked his tongue in disapproval.

“You told me to sit down!” Cora exclaimed in disbelief.

“And you speak out of turn as well. Truly you are a vulgar young woman. I suppose I should have known better than to have expectations for a witch.” Reiji took his seat again, crossing his legs as he looked down at the rosette before him, “But I am not an unreasonable man…if you beg me for forgiveness for your transgressions, I might give you the antidote to what I put in your tea.”

“I will never-!“ Cora’s sentence was cut off with a powerful gag that took hold of her throat, her nausea only growing and the ringing in her ears growing worse.

“In truth, the effects may last longer than a few days.” He told her with a light chuckle, “This is the first chance I’ve had to test it so I am only speculating. It is already proving to be stronger than I had intended so the effects could last longer as well.”

The dizziness was getting worse and Cora was forced to release her ears to plant her palms down against the wooden floor to keep herself stabilized. She gagged again as her stomach heaved under the duress of the intense dizziness. He wouldn’t truly make her wait that long, would he? She had enough strength in her to lift her head and look up at the bespectacled vampire through her hair. He absolutely would. The smirk that he held was a cruel one and he clearly was enjoying her suffering. Her nausea forced her to have to tear her gaze away and look pointedly at the floor again. If Cora could make it back to her room, she would have just laid in bed until it went away, probably listen to music as well to drown out the ringing. But she couldn’t even look up without feeling ill, there was no way she’d make it to her room.

And she sure as hell couldn’t risk one of the other vampires finding her trying to crawl back to the safety of her room. Cora swallowed hard to both prevent herself from being ill but also to work up her courage. She knew that she had no other choice. A shudder raced through her as she fought off another wall of nausea, clenching her hands tightly into fists. A few tears fell from her when her ears encountered another distinct stabbing sensation.

“Please…Please, Reiji…Forgive me.” She ground out through her teeth.

“Reiji-sama.” He corrected sharply.

‘Oh hell no! He can’t seriously expect me to call him that!’ she thought with rage.

Cora was going to curse at him, tell him to shove his “sama” where the sun doesn’t shine but it caught in her throat with another pulse in her ears. Her fingers clenched even tighter as if she were trying to physically hold onto her pride. But she realized that pride would get her nowhere at the moment. Hot tears swam in her eyes and she forcefully made herself let go of her pride.

“Reiji-sama,” she begged, “Please forgive me.”

Reiji made a noise of disapproval, “Really? Is that all you can muster? I will not be moved by such a weak attempt.

A broken sob caught in the back of her throat, “Please. Please, please! Reiji-sama, forgive me! I’m sorry!”

“Sorry for what?”

To her shame, she was crying now from her pain, her discomfort and her shattered pride, “I’m sorry for cleansing the house without asking.”

“And?”

“…And for ruining your chair.”

Reiji deliberated for a few moments before chuckling and rising from his seat. Cora did not look up, her shame kept her head down and she feared lifting her head would make her vomit. She could hear his even footsteps across his study, heard the delicate clink of a vial against another set of glass. The familiar sound of a cork being pulled out reached her ears before more footsteps. A gloved hand then took her chin and tilted her head upwards.

“I suppose that will do. Now open your mouth.”

Cora obeyed without hesitation, ready for her torment to end. The liquid he poured between her parted lips was bitter and ice cold but she swallowed it all the same. Reiji did not release her chin, however and regarded her with his ruby eyes with a critical gaze.

“A pitiful state you are in. You look like a drowned rat. This is not fitting for a lady and it would seem that your kind did not give you proper instruction on how to behave like one.”

The witch managed to pull her chin free from his grasp when the effects of his drug began to fade.

“Tch. Rebellious even now? Since your kind neglected to instruct you on how to be a lady, I suppose that responsibility will fall on me.”

Cora was able to climb to her feet since the ringing in her ears was almost gone and the dizziness had faded, “You have no responsibility and there is no need. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

Reiji smirked down at her, “Oh but I do. What of the upcoming dances? The treaty envoys? In vampire society, the diplomat will be the one who receives the terms and negotiates with us. You will be the main one navigating these politics.”

Her face paled for the second time that night as the storm continued to rage outside. When she volunteered for this position, she had thought that she would be like insurance to keep her coven from acting out. That was the impression they gave her. She had no idea that she would be the one do handle this level of negotiation and politics. Cora felt terrified that now she knew her words were going to be what could make or break her people. Dances? Treaty envoys? How could she possibly handle all of this?

“As I suspected. They did not inform you properly of your position.”

“No…No they did not…” Rage snapped behind her dark eyes before she looked back up to Reiji, “If you’ll excuse me, I have a few choice words for some of the Masters of my coven.”

“Not just yet.” Reiji interrupted, “Whether you like it or not, you now will be a reflection upon my family as well. First thing in the evenings you will be instructed on proper dance.”

“And who says that I can’t properly dance?” He stared at her flatly, “Ok, fine, whatever! We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

Cora stormed out of his study, not once looking back. If what he said was true then she would grudgingly submit to training in proper behavior. But she first had to have a talk with the Elder… She hoped that Reiji was lying but she knew within her bones that he wasn’t.

#DL #Reiji Sakamaki

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charity-angel · 8 years ago

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Brothers (3/?)

[Part 1] [Part 2]

[Read on AO3]

There is a cut in this post.

To absolutely no-one’s surprise, Anakin enjoyed lightsabre training. For the first session, Obi-Wan allowed Anakin a free rein: a chance to get used to the feel and weight of the training sabres. After that, Obi-Wan slowed things down by introducing the traditional forms. It was a strange thing, to be teaching Shii-Cho: Obi-Wan had mastered that as a youngling, as had every other child of the Temple. A youngling wasn’t deemed capable of attending the Gathering and becoming an Initiate until they had conquered at least the first form of combat.

The change of pace, as well as the more structured teaching, made Anakin chafe a little but his enthusiasm returned as he grew more confident.

Every evening, they had their meals in the Halls of Healing, with Qui-Gon, and shared their day with him. Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon appreciated not only their company, but how much they were including him in how Anakin’s training was progressing.

And Qui-Gon was very much involved: when Ani fell asleep, Obi-Wan would return to the Halls and seek his master’s advice. Was he going too fast? Was he going too slowly? Should he be concerned by the fact that Anakin’s reading ability was so far behind that of the initiates who would become his peers (and hopefully friends)?

Qui-Gon always smiled and told him not to worry so much: he was doing just fine. Anakin seemed to be thriving; he was clean and well-fed, and every apprenticeship progressed at a different rate. And the academic side of things would resolve itself in time, once he began his proper teaching classes. But that wouldn’t happen until Ani had made some headway with meditating.

“We’re getting there,” Obi-Wan said quietly to that statement. “I think, at least. Anakin finds the katas soothing now that he’s mastered the movements. It’s just getting him to let his mind go quiet enough. I keep trying to think how I do it, but I’m not exactly sure.

Qui-Gon pondered that, seemingly as thrown as Obi-Wan was. An inability to meditate wasn’t something any master was used to dealing with – even one as experienced as Qui-Gon. Crèchelings learned to meditate almost before they could communicate or locomote properly. Temporary issues, certainly, but Obi-Wan and his two predecessors would all have come to him fully able.

“Have you tried manual mediation?” he suggested eventually. “It’s a rare form of moving meditation whereby you use a manual task to occupy your mind. Give him something simple, like a mouse droid to repair. That way, he has something to occupy his hands that he already knows how to do, and his mind is free to hear the will of the Force.”

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. He couldn’t understand it personally, but he knew there were some people in the Corps who found peace in tasks involving manual labour or dextrous tasks. He had never heard of anyone like that being apprenticed, though.

“I’ll ask Maintenance if they have a droid we can borrow. Thank you, Master; it’s been frustrating me.”

Qui-Gon brushed his fringe from his eyes. “You worry too much – first-time masters always do. Even I did, and I had been knighted for eight years before I took Feemor on. At least you’re asking for help.”

Obi-Wan shrugged. “Anakin’s your padawan, Master, not mine. I’m just taking care of him for the time being.”

Qui-Gon gave him a small smile. “Well then, you’ll have some practice when you do eventually have one of your own. You look tired, Obi-Wan; where are you sleeping at the moment?”

“On the… on the couch, Master.”

“Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said with a hint of reproach. “There are two perfectly good beds in our apartment. I imagine Anakin is using the padawan one, but I’m not precisely in a position to use the other at the moment.”

“But, Master…”

“Obi-Wan, you have a young padawan to keep up with, and it is the height of foolishness to be worried about a bed. Now, go and get some proper sleep, my ridiculous padawan.”

Obi-Wan wanted to protest further, but Qui-Gon had a point – four days of sleeplessness while Qui-Gon had been unconscious, followed by over a week on the couch, coupled with running around after a rambunctious pre-teen, had not done him any favours. He trudged back to his rooms and only hesitated momentarily before heading into Qui-Gon’s room. He shed his robes and curled up in the inviting bed. Obi-Wan’s body all but cried out in relief and thanks before he fell into a much-needed sleep.

.oOo.

Qui-Gon’s suggestion about Anakin’s meditation bore fruit. One droid had become ten, and had led to Obi-Wan roping in Garen to see just how well the boy understood machinery. Within an hour he had found and solved an issue that Garen hadn’t even known had existed on his ship.

“Yeah, just find a place to put that blue band,” Garen said, blinking at readouts that announced that his engines were now operating at two hundred and eleven percent efficiency. “Kid’s not going to have any hair showing in that braid at this rate.”

“Tell me about it. So, you think I should petition for him to be put into the advanced engineering class?

Garen turned to him with a look of disbelief. “Obi-Wan, if Anakin isn’t in the class with the seniors, he’s going to be bored senseless. He could teach the other classes.”

Something then occurred to him.

“You’re still taking engineering, aren’t you?”

Obi-Wan nodded reluctantly. “I haven’t been to classes for a while. They gave me a pass while Anakin’s getting settled, but I’ll have to go back soon.”

Garen was clearly trying hard not to laugh. His lips were twitching. “Well, at least he’ll have a friendly face in there with him.”

Obi-Wan grinned suddenly. “I’ll have a lab partner who actually knows what he’s doing.”

Garen glanced back at his diagnostic readouts. “I think I need to go back into the class. Let me know when Anakin starts teaching it and I’ll find a way to get myself an assistant role.”

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, then thought on it a little further. “I was going to say not to tell Ani that – we don’t want him developing habits like pride, but it might make him feel better about the fact that he’s going to have to take some remedial classes.”

“Really? Still struggling with the Aurebesh, huh?”

Obi-Wan nodded. “You know he answered all the comprehension tests in Basic, but using the Huttese alphabet? That caused the examiners a bit of a headache.”

“He did get the right answers though, didn’t he?”

Obi-Wan glared. “That’s not the point. Not the way they see it, anyway. Anakin argued that he just wanted to be sure that he was answering correctly, and he did go back at the end and begin to transcribe into Aurebesh in the time he had remaining…”

Garen held up a hand. “Obi-Wan Kenobi, you cannot make him go into Aurebesh lessons with the younglings: that’s not fair. It’s bad enough that he’s the only Padawan in the Temple without a lightsabre.”

Obi-Wan froze. He hadn’t even considered that. “I’ll speak to the quartermasters, see if he can borrow a training one until I can get him cleared on Form I. It shouldn’t take too long – he’s a fast learner.”

“Then the Aurebesh issue should sort itself soon enough too,” Garen said as if that was the final word on the matter. When Obi-Wan opened his mouth to argue, he held up a hand.

“Excuse me, but which of us is the actual knight here?”

“Oh, fuck you, Garen.”

“That’s ‘Oh, fuck you, Master Muln’ to you, Padawan Kenobi.”

.oOo.

Obi-Wan left Anakin with Garen, ostensibly to test out the new specs of the ship, while he went to the crèche masters and schooling masters in order to try and sort out a class schedule. That was not easy – there was a lot of disparity in Anakin’s education. He excelled in engineering, and had a firm grasp of mathematics and physics because of it, but he had virtually no knowledge of the galaxy outside of Hutt space.

Yoda turned up after they had been debating for over half an hour, and promptly put the brakes on the argument.

“The classes where equal or ahead of his peers, Padawan Skywalker should take,” he decreed. “Those were behind he is, teach him Obi-Wan and I shall until caught up he has.”

Then began the debate as to who they should consider to be Anakin’s ‘peers’: should he be considered a padawan, or should he be considered to be nine years’ of age? Because he was going to stand out in either group.

Eventually, everyone agreed that on the whole he should be treated as per his age. Those initiates were the ones most likely to accept him, and the commonality of age meant they were more likely to become friends. The padawans were likely to be at least three years older than Anakin, and would probably resent the fact that he had been apprenticed without having to go through the trials they had.

They did acknowledge that eventually, there might be issues with the initiates resenting the fact that Anakin wouldn’t have to face the trials – that he would never have the thorny issue of ageing out looming over him. Obi-Wan conceded the point, although he said that he had never held it against his friends – in fact, he had been glad for each of them as they had been chosen.

Eventually, the conversation turned to something that was standard for a padawan – their going on a mission with their master and missing classes. At the moment, Anakin couldn’t afford to miss any schooling.

“Matters, it currently does not. Recuperating for some time, Anakin’s master will be.”

“And Anakin is currently too young and lacks the standard initiate combat training,” Obi-Wan added. “Both he and I will be off the active duty rota until Master Qui-Gon is fully fit – we will have plenty of time to think about this. Hopefully, he will have caught up by then and it won’t be an issue.”

.oOo.

The next week saw the two of them in class. Obi-Wan was only taking Engineering, just to shore up some gaps in his knowledge, whereas Anakin was enrolled in Engineering with Obi-Wan, Maths and Physics with the mixed padawan/initiate class – the students who were generally between eleven and thirteen (they had decided that despite the initial declaration, this was the best choice. The level was a little beneath Anakin, intellectually speaking, but they were trying to account for his deficiencies in Aurebesh), and chemistry and biology with his age-mates. He had free periods built into his mornings in order for Obi-Wan to cover the rest of Anakin’s lessons.

Fortunately for Obi-Wan, he had plenty of time on his hands to plan a curriculum for Anakin. Mostly this involved him spending copious hours perched on the edge of Qui-Gon’s bed as his master helped him come up with something sensible – something that would actually help Anakin bring his studies in line with the rest of his age-mates while not wearing both him and Obi-Wan down in the process.

And then, of course, on top of the schooling, there was the training. Anakin’s meditation was coming on in leaps and bounds now that they had found an appropriate method, but there was still a lot to do. Anything they could do in the Halls of Healing they did so, with Qui-Gon smiling indulgently and Master Che threatening to throw them out every quarter hour on the dot. (Or sooner, if they broke something.)

And the things they couldn’t – well, Anakin was picking up Shii-Cho quickly enough that they were starting to work through a few simple spars. They had been enjoying it, but Anakin seemed to have grown serious over the last couple of evenings.

“Ani? What’s wrong?”

He had stumbled over something that should have been easy, something Obi-Wan knew Anakin could already do. It was like he wasn’t allowing himself to just use the Force, and there was a look of intense concentration on his face.

“Keep going,” Anakin growled.

Obi-Wan extinguished his lightsabre (Qui-Gon’s, really, since his had been annihilated in the pit on Naboo) and put it back onto his belt.

“Why?”

Anakin took the opening stance again, but now it was very obvious that it was all wrong. He was stiff, lacking the fluidity he had been gaining recently.

“Anakin, why?”

Anakin bit his lip as he looked up, unwilling to defy Obi-Wan for more than just a moment.

“Because I need to learn this.”

Obi-Wan sat down in the corner of their training room. “Eventually, yes. But there’s no rush.”

“Yes there is.”

There was a petulant frown, a stubborn set to that jaw.

“Why?” Obi-Wan asked again.

“The Gathering.”

That was something they hadn’t even discussed yet. Obi-Wan had given it some thought after Garen’s observation, but he was going to bring it up with Qui-Gon once they had started studying Makashi. He was hoping that by then Qui-Gon might at least be up to making the trip to Ilum, maybe just the three of them (and Obi-Wan could look at getting a new crystal of his own so that he could replace his lost lightsabre at the same time). But it would make sense that Anakin might like the idea of doing something normal, something that everyone in his classes had done.

“You can go on a Gathering if you want,” he allowed. “I’m sure Master Yoda would find a space with one of the clans for you when you’re ready.”

“Shriek Clan goes in two weeks,” Anakin said petulantly. “And Aayla says they’re a small clan, so it would definitely be okay for me to go.”

“Aayla? Quin’s padawan? She’s accompanying them?”

Anakin nodded. Padawan Secura was in Anakin’s mathematics class – whereas he was young, she was a little older than their classmates. Like Anakin, her schooling before she had come to the Temple had been somewhat lacking but, like him, she was working hard to catch up.

Still…

“Anakin, there will be other Gatherings, if you’re not ready to go this time. Trying to force yourself isn’t going to help any. Rushing now will only lead to failure later on. Every form of lightsabre combat is based on what you are learning at the moment. And all of it hinges on allowing yourself to feel what the Force is telling you.”

Ani stubbornly held out for almost a minute more before tucking his training blade away and curling into Obi-Wan’s side.

“I just… I don’t like being different.”

Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Ani and hugged him. “Very few people do,” he said, surprising himself with his wisdom. “And while you are definitely unique in how you have come to the Order, there are others who have faced great trials to be where they are now.”

“Were they padawans without a proper lightsabre?”

Obi-Wan dropped his chin onto the top of Anakin’s head for a moment as he tried to stop himself from laughing.

“No, but, as I recall, your friend Aayla was Chosen immediately after her Gathering. She too came to the Temple late and was Chosen young.”

“But…”

“And the other padawans have likely had to exhibit themselves and their skills before masters in order to be Chosen,” he went on. “Not many people fall on their feet when it comes to finding a master.”

“Did you have to do that?” Ani asked, sounding genuinely curious now. “I’ve heard some of the initiates talking about it.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I did. I did it many times, and was never chosen.”

“What?! But…?”

“Master Qui-Gon had his own trials, before he became my master. He had been very sad and angry for a long time, and had refused to take another padawan. Master Yoda tried to change his mind, but, well… Master Qui-Gon can be very stubborn when he wants to be. He refused, and I aged out. I wasn’t quite thirteen, but there was no other opportunity for me to be Chosen before I turned thirteen.

“I was sent to Bandomeer to work with the AgriCorps. But, on the same ship was Master Qui-Gon, on a mission for the Council. Of course, Master Yoda had arranged it like that, so that we would be together and I would more than likely have the opportunity to prove myself.”

“And you did?”

Obi-Wan chuckled. “I did. But it took a long time for Master Qui-Gon to relent and accept me as his padawan, and even longer for him to trust me. He’s a very kind and patient man, but he has been hurt and his heart does not forget. He is the best master I could have wished for, even when he is being stubborn.” He sighed. “I’m going to miss him.”

Ani turned his head sharply so that he could look up at Obi-Wan. “You’re not going anywhere, are you?”

“Not at the moment,” Obi-Wan assured him quickly, “but eventually, once I am knighted and Master Qui-Gon can take over your training, I will be assigned missions of my own.”

“Oh. I… uh… I didn’t think… do you have to?”

Obi-Wan squeezed him carefully. “I will some day, yes. But it won’t be for a long time yet. By the time that happens, you will have Master Qui-Gon to look after, and to take you to exciting places. You’ll be far too busy to think about me not being around.”

But Obi-Wan didn’t even believe that himself - Anakin wasn’t like most Jedi in that he formed attachments. He had come to the Temple with an attachment to his mother, with one to Queen Amidala, with an attachment to Qui-Gon, even one to Obi-Wan himself. The Masters disapproved, Obi-Wan knew, but none of them were saying anything about it now that he was here. And, as far as he was concerned, they could continue not saying anything, because he wasn’t going to upset Anakin’s delicate mental balance by ripping his attachments away.

[Part 4]

#star wars #brothers #anakin skywalker #obi wan kenobi #qui-gon jinn #garen muln #qui-gon lives au

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thewheezingwyvern · 8 years ago

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Storm Blooded

Diabolik Lovers Oc fanfiction

(Chapter 1) (Chapter 2) (Chapter 3)

“Come with me. Now.”

“Why?” She shot back, hoisting her bag higher on her shoulder, “I don’t-“

“This is not open for discussion.”

“Have a seat.” He instructed her coolly.

“I’d rather stand, thank you.”

“Despicable manners until the end, I see. Don’t you know it is common courtesy to take a seat when your host offers it?”

“And you will recall that I did stop them and you have not been pierced by any fang.” Reiji told her coldly, his hands deftly pulling together his tea pot set.

Cora clenched her jaw to fight off the shudder that rolled down her spine with his icy order, “No.”

“Good. Now we can discuss what you did to the mansion.”Cora opened her mouth to speak but Reiji cut her off, “I have not given you leave to speak yet. Hold your tongue.”

‘If this negotiation falls apart…’ she thought at Reiji with venomous promise, ‘you will be the first one I curse.’

Cora wanted to argue, point out that he only banned her from burning sage but Reiji gave her a severe look that kept her voice silent.

“Please accept my sincere apology.”

“Thank you.” She told him quietly before taking a drink.

He nodded coolly, “And your apology is accepted.”

“This tea is perfectly brewed…!”

“Of course it is. Would you expect me to produce anything less? It is a simple enough matter to make the perfect cup.”

“Indeed, but it is simple to remember that. I must say I am surprised that you even knew that much. I suppose no one can be completely hopeless. Not even you.”

“That was faster than I expected.” He observed.

“What did you do to me?!” Cora demanded, pressing her hands even harder against her ears as the ringing grew louder.

“Consider it your punishment. Hopefully, you’ll think twice before altering this house.”

“You bastard! This is a violation of our trust and treaties!”

“Oh not at all. See I have not physically harmed you and that potion will not cause you any damage. In fact it will fade within a few days.”

“A few DAYS?!”

Reiji narrowed his eyes to dangerous slits down at Cora, “Mind your tone. It is grossly unlady like to raise your voice.”

“My behavior is a problem?! You fucking drugged me! That is- agh!”

“My, my and you have soaked my chair in your bedraggled state. Not only did you have the nerve to do as you pleased but you also ruined the furniture.” Reiji clucked his tongue in disapproval.

“You told me to sit down!” Cora exclaimed in disbelief.

“I will never-!“ Cora’s sentence was cut off with a powerful gag that took hold of her throat, her nausea only growing and the ringing in her ears growing worse.

“Please…Please, Reiji…Forgive me.” She ground out through her teeth.

“Reiji-sama.” He corrected sharply.

‘Oh hell no! He can’t seriously expect me to call him that!’ she thought with rage.

“Reiji-sama,” she begged, “Please forgive me.”

Reiji made a noise of disapproval, “Really? Is that all you can muster? I will not be moved by such a weak attempt.

A broken sob caught in the back of her throat, “Please. Please, please! Reiji-sama, forgive me! I’m sorry!”

“Sorry for what?”

To her shame, she was crying now from her pain, her discomfort and her shattered pride, “I’m sorry for cleansing the house without asking.”

“And?”

“…And for ruining your chair.”

“I suppose that will do. Now open your mouth.”

“A pitiful state you are in. You look like a drowned rat. This is not fitting for a lady and it would seem that your kind did not give you proper instruction on how to behave like one.”

The witch managed to pull her chin free from his grasp when the effects of his drug began to fade.

“Tch. Rebellious even now? Since your kind neglected to instruct you on how to be a lady, I suppose that responsibility will fall on me.”

“As I suspected. They did not inform you properly of your position.”

“No…No they did not…” Rage snapped behind her dark eyes before she looked back up to Reiji, “If you’ll excuse me, I have a few choice words for some of the Masters of my coven.”

“Not just yet.” Reiji interrupted, “Whether you like it or not, you now will be a reflection upon my family as well. First thing in the evenings you will be instructed on proper dance.”

“And who says that I can’t properly dance?” He stared at her flatly, “Ok, fine, whatever! We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

#Diabolik Lovers #Reiji Sakamaki #Diabolik Lovers Fanfiction #Diabolik Lovers oc

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