#vista wardens

[sweaterregrets]

V IS FOR VICTORY

[demifiendrsa]

Thedas Calls - Dragon Age Day (2023)

A full reveal for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is scheduled for summer 2024.

Latest details

Thedas Calls

You’ve visited the lands of Thedas thrice before in our games and many more times in comics, books, art, and short stories. This time, you’ll be venturing to places unseen and returning to places from long ago.

To celebrate Dragon Age Day, we wanted to show you some of those sights.

We stand on the precipice of change. This is a world brimming with stories and characters waiting to meet you. The fate of this world teeters on the edge of a knife. In past games, you only got to see a slice of the world. In Origins, it was Ferelden—a land ravaged by war and Dark Spawn. In II, it was Kirkwall and its locales—festering with corruption and a dark underworld. And in Inquisition, you ventured across much of Orlais—facing down political intrigue as often as combat.

This time, however, much more of Thedas is yours to see. The desolate, beautiful badlands of the Anderfels with curtains of distant mountainous spires. The twisting canals and gleaming towers of Antiva, where Crows may lurk in any shadow. The turquoise seas of Rivain with its rushes of greenery and hardy sea-faring people. And of course, there’s more.

We felt this was best for the tale we wanted to tell this time and we hope you enjoy it as much as we have! It’s allowed us to create many more locations than past games, including both some you’ve longed to go to…and some you’ve never heard of before!

The Places You’ll Go

To help capture the wonders of Thedas, we partnered with three wonderful artists from our exceptionally talented community and gave them an early look at what you’ve now seen. We’ve always been so fortunate to have such an incredibly skilled community of artists, and getting to work with these three was a true joy!

We asked each of them to create a vista of one of the three regions in the video based on their interpretation of it in their own unique styles. Please enjoy their wonderful work, and be sure to send them some love when you check out their personal channels for more of their art!

—“Rivain” by Gabriela Isache

Upon eastern shores and sunkissed sands, the Lords of Fortune no longer hold dominion over the coasts of Rivain—not when dragons are growing bolder and laying waste to their ships.

—“Antiva” by Nipuni

Ever the pinnacle of mystery and intrigue, the Crows watch from the deep shadows of beautiful Antiva. Something, however, is amiss, and they are set on uncovering the source.

—“Anderfels” by Solelle

To the far west, three Grey Wardens patrol the Anderfels. Tremors have been creating disturbances of late. Their cause is unknown. Upon the distant horizon, a storm of ominous intent brews and darkens the skies.

[victoriadallonfan]

- Pitch 5.3

This sequence does a lot to really put things in perspective for Victoria in the early phase of Ward

1. It shows how eager she is to grasp to anything reminding her of the “good old days” where she had some measure of innocence and the belief that she had a bright future, trying to preserve them with care and affection as much as possible, even though they aren’t 1:1 the same. Because if she can preserve SOME good in her life, she can remain “whole”.

2. It shows how directly opposite this makes her in comparison to Carol, who removes any reminder of the better days in favor of… nothing. It had just become an empty room that was just THERE now, her hopes and dreams for the future of her children gone. However, rather tellingly, she doesn’t send any of these items to Victoria within the Asylum, despite her daughter clearly wanting them.

3. It expands on New Wave’s station in Brockton Bay, financially. Manpower is mentioned as spoiling Victoria with gifts, juxtaposed with Victoria being excited about earning 2k dollars around the time she was 17 (for reference, had I not paid for EMT/College courses, I would have made nearly 4k when I was 18, in a year or so working at a movie theatre).

What makes this so interesting that the last we hear about Manpower, he has no job, in fact it’s implied that the reason New Wave struggled so much financially (see: Arc 2) was because Carol was the one whom supported both families with her job + donations made by the city to their team.

3.5. When this is juxtaposed to Taylor earning that same amount of money in one meeting with the Undersiders, it really puts into perspective that there does seem to be a huge wealth disparity between indie heroes and supervillains, or at the very least, between the donations New Wave accrued compared to the protection racket the Undersiders enforced + all the other payments made to them by Coil, and how that might further explain the growth of villainy in Earth Bet pre-GM.

4. Victoria planning on leaving the city to live with Dean (or as she put it, follow him), is interesting because there’s never really another character in the entire series that makes Victoria decide to alter her entire life around in order stay by their side. And yes, she’s 17, she’s in love, a lot of people can chalk it up to her simply not knowing better. Maybe.

But I think this is actually more of the peak of Victoria’s flaw in Ward, where she puts people onto pedestals and - in a sense - worships them. Vista, Yamada, Sveta, and Miss Militia are all characters that she highlights as the ideal heroes whom she aspires to be like, and each one fails in her eyes over the story to different degrees (and different degrees of fairness): Sveta is willing to kill people while under the Goddess influence (something that not even Vic was willing to do), Yamada broke her trust and detached from her nearly entirely, Miss Militia didn’t really give a shit when Victoria saved her Wardens from being murdered and stopped WW3, and Vista has murdered and allowed awful people to go free ala Defiant (it’s very telling that Sveta and Vista were ones that Victoria was willing to overlook, because they are tied into #1 point above, whereas Yamada’s breach of trust could not be salvaged).

Dean was all of them, but ramped up to 10. He was her soulmate. He was everything she wanted in a hero.

He died. And all she has are remnants and pieces that can never really live up to the hype in her mind. Not even Dean himself.

[daybreakrising]

@dhahabibi: “Do you ever miss the sun?” said Kaveh, to a particular warden as they look out into the dark sea from the other side of the glass in the meropide.

This is one of his favourite places in the Fortress. There's a peacefulness to the vista beyond; the fronds of seaweed idly drifting in the tides, the lazy rippling of schools of fish swimming by. But it's also a warning - there's no denying the power of the ocean down here, the frightening vastness of its depths. This glass may hold it at bay, but with a single crack, a chip in the armour, the full wrath of the sea would be upon them and they would be powerless against it.

Do you ever miss the sun?

He turns his attention to the man at his side, taking in the head of golden hair, the vibrant clothes. Such a contrast to himself, with his monochromatic tones. Kaveh stands out amongst staff and inmates alike down here. He brings light and colour to a naturally dreary place, like a beacon calling home lost sailors.

"You've experienced Fontaine's weather often enough, surely?" The response is uttered with a playful quirk of the lips, not quite a full smile, but certainly half of one. "We don't get much sun to miss."

He shifts his weight, just enough so that the gap between them closes a little; his shoulder lightly bumps Kaveh's for a split second. Were they alone, he wouldn't hesitate to lay a hand at the base of his neck, his spine; anywhere, really. There's a magnetic force to the architect that almost compels him to touch. But he is ever mindful of the eyes that are always upon him; upon them.

"I think I've come to prefer it down here." He continues, an almost content look crossing his face. "Besides, it's hard to miss something you've hardly experienced for over a decade. I've almost forgotten what the sun feels like." And why would I miss the sun when an echo of it stands beside me?

[shakertwelve]

“I want to make a transaction,” I said.

Whatever.

“What’s the transaction?” the one with the beard and brown hair asked.  He stood from his cot, adjusting his glasses.

I didn’t answer right away.

The two of them were Orchard.  Ex-Boston.  Apparently people Ashley had crossed paths with, in a former life.  Slave peddlers who used their individual powers to alter slaves in mind and body, to fit custom orders.  Vista had said the Wardens and Foresight had been successful in picking them up.

don't fucking tell me victoria is gonna turn out to be justified in this. after everything?

[crackinglamb]

WIP Wednesday Whenever

Tagged by @noire-pandora, thank you! 💕

Tagging @mogwaei, @bdafic, @shretl, @lilbittymonster, @ir0n-angel and @fiadhaisteach. No pressure!

I've reached the penultimate arc of WG, y'all. I'm both excited and overwhelmed to finally get to this point in the writing. From the very earliest parts of the draft (now going on two years old, holy crap), I knew I wanted the main storyline to end this way. Now all I have to do is not fall apart in the middle of it.

Imogen has reached the Western Approach...

(Under a cut for mention of dead bodies and Blight related existential dread. I've been told this scene is very evocative.)

---

In the distance the heat made the black patches shimmer and waver, but she could still find the places where the dead lay, desiccated into grotesque postures where they'd fallen. Their armor and weapons were as shiny and sharp as the day they died, nearly a thousand years ago. She remembered reading somewhere that the Second Blight had so thoroughly ravaged the Approach that the dead didn't even decompose, because nothing survived, not even bacteria. It was why this region was now a desert, in fact, although she had other theories on that, considering the rest of Thedas seemed to bounce back well enough from the Blights.

Mythal killed a Titan, she thought. Was this where it was when it lived? Is this why they call it the Abyss? The Void? For sure no one knows what lies at the bottom of this trench other than darkspawn.

She couldn't look away from the scene in front of her. No carrion birds flew overhead, nothing moved, it was silent enough to hear the sibilant whisper of sand on sand. There wasn't even a smell. Or at least, there wasn't the smell she would expect from such a battlefield. The back of her throat closed up, reminding her of how the air tasted and felt in the future Redcliffe. She'd thought then that it was because of the red lyrium. But no, it was the Blight that made each breath itch in her lungs.

The others caught up and Stroud dismounted next to her, looking at the other side of the canyon, his expression both bleak and knowing. He glanced at her in the saddle for a moment before his eyes returned inexorably to the vista. “You have the look of one who has never seen such a thing, Inquisitor.”

“I...haven't. There's really no way to prepare for it. Knowing isn't the same as seeing.”

“I suppose that is true.” His lilting voice seemed out of place, too gentle and soft for such a grisly location. “It is little comfort to know that this is victory.”

“Yeah...”

“Come, Inquisitor, let us make sure this ritual site is as empty as it should be, and then we can leave this place.”

Imogen watched him turn away from the view as if he was struggling to do it. She wondered how the physical presence of so much Blight affected him, a Warden who'd served long enough that his Calling could have been real. She turned Squirrel away and her gaze landed on Hawke, watching them from the meager shade of the tall stone columns that marked the site. Elly's eyes were sympathetic when they met hers as she dismounted.

“You all right, Genny?”

“Yeah, just...a little overwhelmed.”

“C'mon, the sooner we check this out, the sooner we can leave.”

“That's what Stroud said too.”

Hawke scoffed. “At last we agree on something.”

The trio walked along the bridge that suspended the ritual tower over the edge of the Reach. The site stood on a spur of rock that seemed to simply hang in the air. Imogen was sure that was an illusion, though. The ground itself was simply so saturated with the Blight that it absorbed all the light that shone on it. There was a lingering feeling of wrongness about the place, but it was empty and sand-swept. There was no blood, no demons, no Venatori. As she'd hoped.

Hawke shuddered. “This place is fucking awful.”

[forbiddenwestern]

Miriam Vista Points: Scalding Spear

“Congratulations. You've reached the Southwestern Solar stop of our Vista Point Tour, brought to you by Miriam Technologies and the Coalition for Environmental Reclamation.

With innovation comes challenge, and for all our good intentions, we can sometimes cause harm without meaning to. Solar facilities like this one have helped combat climate change by generating clean energy, but their boilers have proved dangerous to birds, insects and bats. That's why Miriam Technologies' Warden drones are designed to monitor local wildlife, from the largest avians to the tiniest grubs, tracking any change in population. That way, we can help ensure that good intentions always produce good results.”

[tengomilpalabrasparati]

"Oso vicioso"

Las películas con conceptos elevados suelen ser las que más tienen que perder porque, si tu argumento puede describirse en una sencilla frase, entonces más te vale dar lo que anuncias o no tendrás nada que ofrecer.

De ahí parte 'Oso Vicioso' que, por si no has visto ningún tráiler hasta ahora, trata (de verdad) de un oso que consume cocaína. De pronto, un oso se come un alijo completo de cocaína en un bosque de Georgia.

La película está inspirada en una historia real. Aunque la auténtica tuvo un final trágico, ya que el oso murió de una sobredosis después de consumir 18 kilos de cocaína, de un fardo que había sido abandonado en el bosque. Esto no es un spoiler ya que esto no es lo que ocurre en la cinta. El guionista, Jimmy Warden, ha remodelado la historia para originar un relato de terror cómico.

La peli en cualquier página especializada de cine tiene una magnífica crítica, desde mi punto de vista es absurda, ridícula, vergonzosa, horrible ,me da hasta vergüenza ajena etc

Algo tan increíble que haya sucedido de verdad y que podían haber explotado a lo grande y que haya quedado en algo tan burdo .. pero para gustos los colores 👎👎👎

[desbravandookp]

Lista de Avatares no KaizokuProject

Total de avatares: 175

A

Ain

Alvida

Aokiji (Kuzan)

Aramaki

Arlong

Avalo Pizarro

B

Baby 5

Baccarat

Bartolomeo

Basil Hawkins

Bastille

Bellamy

Benn Beckman

Bepo

Blueno

Borsalino Kizaru

Boa Hancock

Bon Clay

Brook

Buggy

Buffalo

C

Caesar Clown

Calgara

Capone Bege

Carrot

Caribou

Cavendish

Charlotte Chiffon

Charlotte Cracker

Charlotte Daifuku

Charlotte Katakuri

Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom)

Charlotte Oven

Charlotte Perospero

Charlotte Praline

Charlotte Pudding

Charlotte Smoothie

Charlotte Snack

Coby

Crocodile

D

Dellinger

Denjiro (Kyoshiro)

Diamante

Doc Q

Don Krieg

Don Chinjao

Donquixote Rosinante (Corazon)

Donquixote Doflamingo

Douglas Bullet

Dracule Mihawk

E

Edward Newgate (Barba Branca)

Enel

Eustass D. Kid

F

Fisher Tiger

Franky

Fujitora

Fukuro

Fullbody

G

Gecko Moria

Gild Tesoro

Gladius

Gol D. Roger

H

Hachi

Hina

Hody Jones

I

Inazuma

Inuarashi

Ivankov

Izo

J

Jack

Jabra

Jesus Burgess

Jewelry Bonney

Jinbe

Jozu

K

Kaidou

Kalifa

Kaku

Killer

Kanjuro

Karu

Keimi

Koala

Kuma

Kumadori

Kin'emon

Kozuki Toki

Kozuki Oden

Kozuki Hiyori

Kyros

L

Laboon

Laffitte

Lao G

Leo

Lindbergh

Lucky Roo

Lucy (adm meteu essa)

M

Magellan

Marco

Marshall D. Teach (Barba Negra)

Miss Valentine

Momonga

Momonosuke

Monet

Monkey D. Dragon

Monkey D. Garp

Monkey D. Luffy

Montblanc Norland

N

Nami

Nekomamushi

Nico Robin

Nojiko

P

Pandaman

Pica

Pedro

Pekoms

Perona

Portgas D. Ace

O

Oars Jr.

O-Tama

Q

Queen

R

Raizou

Rebecca

Rorona Zoro

Rob Lucci

Ryuma

S

Sabo

Sadie

Sakazuki Akainu

San Juan Wolf

Scratchmen Apoo

Sengoku

Señior Pink

Sentomaru

Shakuyaku

Shanks

Shiki

Shiliew

Shirahoshi

Silvers Rayleigh

Smoker

Sobamask (adm meteu essa)

Sogeking (sim, adm também meteu essa)

Spandam

Squard

Stussy

Sugar

Surume

T

Tashigi

Thatch

Tony Tony Chopper

Trafalgar D. Law

U

Ulti

Urouge

Usopp

Uta

V

Van Augur

Vasco Shot

Vergo

Vista

Vivi

Vinsmoke Ichiji

Vinsmoke Judge

Vinsmoke Niji

Vinsmoke Reiju

Vinsmoke Sanji

Vinsmoke Sora

Vinsmoke Yonji

W

Warden Hannyabal

Whitey Bay

X

X Drake

Y

Yamato

Z

Zeff

Zephyr (Almirante Z)

[generalb]

Current Selesnya Tokens set up

Commander: Katilda, Dawnhart Prime

8 forest

10 plains

Blossoming sands

Sejiri steppe

Minas tirith

Boulderloft pathway

Botanical plaza

Graypelt refuge

Canopy vista

Mosswort bridge

Selesnya sanctuary

Razorverge thicket

Path of ancestry

Mirrorpool

Champion of lambholt

Coppercoat vanguard

Thalia’s lieutenant

Jasmine boreal of the seven

Mentor of the meek

Prava of the steel legion

Kyler, sigardian emissary

Keeper of the accord

Wilt-leaf liege

Bess, soul nourisher

Rosie cotton of south lane

Hamza, guardian of arashin

Leinore, autumn sovereign

Mangara, the diplomat

Mikaeus, the lunarch

Torens, fist of the angels

Abzan falconer

Hamlet vanguard

Thraben doomsayer

Serra’s emissary

Lossarnach captain

King Darien XLVIII

Queen allenal of ruadach

Ojer taq, deepest foundation

Soul warden

Shalai voice of plenty

Burnished hart

Sakura-tribe elder

Hanweir militia captain

Avacyn’s pilgrim

Devout chaplain

Arcane signet

Defense of the heart

Horn of gondor

Marble diamond

Loran’s escape

Soul snare

March of the multitudes

Laid to rest

Paladin class

Season of growth

Leyline of abundance

Doubling season

Sol ring

Wilt

Environmental sciences

Traveler’s amulet

Sundering growth

Cosmic rebirth

Farseek

Selesnya cluestone

Season of renewal

Tamiyo’s safekeeping

Animist’s might

Master chef

Swiftfoot boots

Make a stand

Wrath of god

Worldly tutor

Garruk’s uprising

Hardened scales

Enlightened tutor

Harrow

Planar disruption

Cathar’s call

Halo fountain

Glorious anthem

Marshal’s anthem

Together forever

[sweaterregrets]

march on little sister 🫡

[facultytick]

Teaching Faculty Jobs 08 December 2022 Announcement & Interview Notification By Faculty Tick

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi Applications are invited from the eligible candidates suitable for empanelment for Guest Faculty in School of School of Cultural...

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Guest Faculty post

National Institute of Technology Warangal Applications are invited for Ad-hoc Faculty positions purely on temporary basis in the Department of Electrical Engineering

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Ad-Hoc Faculty Positions

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology invites eligible candidates for appearing in Walk in interview for the following Adhoc Assistant Professor posts in ECE

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Adhoc Assistant Professor post

Shyam Lal College (University of Delhi) invited Online applications from eligible candidate for teaching posts of Assistant Professor Recruitment

Online applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Assistant Professor post

Central University of Tamil Nadu invites eligible candidates for appearing in Walk in interview for the following Guest Faculty posts in English

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Guest Faculty post

Vista International School invites eligible candidates for appearing in Walk in interview for the following Principal/ Vice Principal/ Teacher and Various Non-Teaching posts

Principal/ Vice Principal/ Academic Head / Academic Co-ordinator/Teacher/ Admin Manager/ IT - System Admin/ Graphic Designer/ Content Writer / Activity Teachers/ Librarian Primary

Tata Institute of Social Sciences School of Development Studies invites application for one post of Associate Professor to be filled on contract basis

Online applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Associate Professor post

L. N. Mishra College of Business Management Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Director and Assistant Professor Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Director and Assistant Professor post.

Poornima University invited applications from eligible candidate for teaching posts of Assistant Professors on full time / part time / visiting basis

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Assistant Professor post

Jagran Education Foundation Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Principal (CBSE) and Teaching Faculty Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Principal /Adjunct Professor / Associate Professor / Assistant Professor post.

Sankara College of Science and Commerce Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Dean, Director, HOD, Teaching Faculty and Non...

Director / Dean / HOD / Controller of Examinations/ Assistant Controller of Examinations/ Associate Professors/ Assistant Professors/ Hostel Warden / Office Assistant

Eternal University Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Teaching Faculty Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Assistant Professors / Associate Professor post

Sparsh Global Business School Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Teaching Faculty, Leadership and Various Non Teaching Positions Recruitment

Professor of Practice/ Professor/ Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor/ Manager - Facilities/ Executive Assistant / Executive / Coordinator / Accounts Assistant/ Librarian / Admission Regional Manager / Admission Counselor / Registrar/CAO / CEO - Incubation Centre / Research Associate / Teaching Assistant

Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Teaching Faculty Recruitment

Vacancy for the Post of Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Senior Resident | Junior Resident

Sreepathy Institute of Management and Technology invited applications from eligible candidate for teaching posts of Assistant Professor

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Assistant Professor post

Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) invited Online applications from eligible candidate for teaching posts of Assistant Professor

Online applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Assistant Professor post

GSSS Institute of Engineering & Technology for Women Applications are invited from eligible candidates with necessary academic experience for the following Teaching Faculty Post

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor post

G H Raisoni College of Arts, Commerce & Science Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Principal, Teaching Faculty and...

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Principal / Assistant Professor / Librarian / Physical Director post

Gurukrupa Institute of Pharmacy Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Principal and Teaching Faculty Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Principal / Professor/ Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor/ Lecturer post

Aakash College of Education Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Assistant Professor and Non Teaching Recruitment

Vacancy for the Post of Assistant Professor /Office Assistant cum Computer Operator/ Store Keeper/ Lab Assistant/ Lab Attendant/Helpers

G H Raisoni Junior College Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the following post of Assistant Teacher Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Assistant Teacher post

Mandsaur University invites eligible candidates for appearing in Walk in interview for the following Teaching Faculty posts

Applications are invited for faculty positions from eligible candidates at the level of Professor/ Associate Professor /Assistant Professor

Nyruthi Arts and Science College invited Applications from eligible candidates for the following post of Vice Principal, Assistant Professor and Non Teaching Positions Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Vice Principal / Assistant Professor / Physical Education Teacher/ Warden / Civil Supervisor post

Sri Vijay Vidyalaya Matric Higher Secondary School invited Applications from eligible candidates for the following post of Teachers Recruitment

Applications are invited from excellent academic record and relevant work experience for recruitment to the Teacher post

[1ibiskhitta]

Oyeine Agao x Fiada Esum

Oyeine turned away from the dewy morning vista, “Fiada. What are you hiding from me?”

Fiada curled her lips. And put her tea down on the cold bannister the steam coming off it came alive where it rested. “This entire valley will soon be ours.”

“I already have the Dadafa and you...luckily, are the sole warden of the Void. What more you need?”

“The void was never mine to begin with.” Oyeine looked at her sister and saw the crack in her expression though it usually kept together quite well. 

“So is true.” She slipped into Idoba from Orula so quickly. “Tsk! Auto, o asaaju o! That fool Unaoki let them slip right into the secrets of our Temple, yes.”

“I don’t want to hear this, please.”

Oyeine swallowed the bubbling up spew and settled for, “You always don’t want to hear nothing about your foolish brother. And that is why he squanders our birthright for the Aanje.”

Fiada whipped around and squared the old macajuel off, then walked away with a chagrined -tch-. 

Leaving her teacup that Oyeine picked up after.

[dappervolk]

NOVEMBER’S MONTHLY SHOP: THE SOLAR WARDEN

A long and arduous journey through vast empty, plains of sand reveals a startling vista. A mirage-like oasis, nestled within the heart of a region blessed by the sun.

Hello everyone! The Solar Warden has arrived at our November 2021 Limited Monthly Shops! 

♦ Read our November Update ♦ 

[moonlit-grove]

The Sylvari Story, Oasis’s Version

I don’t like how involved Caithe is with the sylvari personal story compared to the other races’ “mentors” and how uninvolved the luminaries are. Here’s my fix. Note that a whole lot of it plays out pretty similarly, I’m just altering Caithe’s and the luminaries’ involvement a bit. Also something I talked about with my friends that could make Caithe's "the egg is my wyld hunt" less aggravating.

The Tutorial

You become aware in the Dream, you hear someone shouting “Sapling!” before your eyes focus. When they do, you see your luminary. They’re calling for you- Malomedies is leaning on a staff. They call for you, waving you close to speak with them. Something is wrong, they say. The Mother told them to wake a specific sapling- you- to help from inside. They explain that something is attacking the Dream, you fight odd creatures until you get to the Shadow of the Dragon.

Caithe is there, but she is not fighting it. She greets your luminary, the dialogue between them in the background as you fight more of the creatures. She explains that Mother senses something nearby is the source of the problems. Next to you, the Shadow moves. Your luminary and Caithe shout for you to move. Caithe becomes ‘solid’ and pushes you out of the way.

You fight the Shadow. Once defeated, Caithe and your Luminary tell you that they’ll be waiting when you wake to the outside. Serimon greets you when you wake. You ask where your luminary and Caithe are. He explains that your luminary is in a lesson and Caithe is recovering. They’ll meet with you when they’re done and she’s stronger.

The Green Knight

You’re urged back to the Grove, where you walk to Dreamer’s Terrace. Your luminary is there, they ask to speak with you. Dagdar runs up, begs you to help. the initial instance plays out practically the same, Caithe just is not there until after you fight Bercilak. She asks what was going on, who that Knight who just left was. You explain, your luminary notices the connection between the Knight and your Dream. You’re told about Gairwen, you go off to help her.

Help her, she tells you to try to find Occam. The next instance starts a little bit away from his house, Caithe is there. She’s genuinely surprised to see you, asks what you’re doing. She smiles, she knew her hunch was right. She was going to speak with Occam to ask if he’d crafted any armor recently. She says that he’s missing, and asks you to search. She’ll guard.

Courtiers attack, you get a choice. If you help one, she goes to help the other. If you go get Occam, she hands you a trap seed and tells you how to use it. “Set the trap so you can’t be followed,” she says. If you choose Gairwen, she hands you a turret seed, she has a feeling you’ll need it. She’ll meet you at Mabon Market when all is said and done.

After you fight Bercilak, she watches, wary. She’s not sure, but she trusts your ability. She suggests speaking with the Mother.

The White Stag

You receive a letter from your luminary. They explain that they’d like to meet with you, but there is something you must do first. They explain about the stag, they don’t realize you dreamed of it just yet. They tell you to track it and bring it back to the Grove. You track it, meet Gavin, he steals the stag. You resolve to yourself to speak with your luminary to ask what to do now.

They’re concerned why you enter without the stag. They ask where it is, you explain. They look genuinely upset, but tell you to wait here. They call a warden to bring Caithe. They know you’re capable, but you’re young. They want you to retrieve the stag, and bring Caithe with you to help. You and Caithe discuss, she suggests the meeting some courtiers are having, rather than blindly attacking every nightmare camp.

She tells you where one will be, she will go to another. Your luminary offers both of you luck, promising to do what they can from the Grove. You infiltrate one meeting, you find out where the Stag is- either by outwitting the information out of the Courtier or fighting them. You can choose to kill them or leave them alive- which chooses distraction or disguise.

Caithe meets you outside Hemlock Coil. She asks what your plan is to get the stag. If you killed the courtier, you disguise and get Sariel to leave. If you left them alive, they notice you, and begrudgingly cause a scene for you, only because they refuse to owe you. Once you get the stag out, she urges you to hurry to the Grove, as it is still not safe.

The instance starts the moment you enter the Grove. The stag is in the Pale Tree’s Circle, Caithe beside it. She will protect it, with a smile she tells you that your luminary will be fighting. Niamh leads wardens. Aife stands atop the “hut” that has the first vista of the Grove. Malomedies leans on his staff, but assures you that he can fight. Kahedins is at your side with a hammer.

When you fend off the Court, Mother calls you to speak with her in the Omphalos Chamber. The stag chooses on its own to stay with you, and your luminary praises you for fighting so well.

The Shield of the Moon

The first instance is just outside Caer Verdant. You witness the attack, both you and wardens run to help. Tiachren is poisoned, you don’t even notice his shield but you’re compelled to help. He’s shouting for someone to help Ysvelta, his life means nothing without her. The warden captain- Llewyr says that he will go with the valiant to help Ysvelta. He orders the other wardens to bring Tiachren to the Grove for menders.

You and Llewyr remain to fend off the last of the attack. He explains between the waves that the Court probably attacked to get at Renvari, up at the top of the tower. You posit that Renvari probably knows where they might be taking Ysvelta, and that you two need to protect and get him to the Grove as fast as you can.

On arrival to the Grove, Caithe meets with you. She’s confused, asking why you’re with a warden captain. Llewyr explains your part in helping with Renvari, and she agrees with your suggestion that he knows. She helps you trick him, then helps you, the warden, and a barely recovered Tiachren to infiltrate the Vale to try to get Ysvelta.

She has already fallen to Nightmare, when you arrive, the four of you split up to search, but Renvari’s speech keeps you from running off to find her. Tiachren is broken down in tears when you catch up with him, he’d witnessed what they’d done to her. He begs you to let him try to speak with her, she just fell, surely he can still bring her back!

Llewyr calls for you from behind. He and Caithe have been caught and are fighting. Once Renvari is defeated, you explain why Tiachren is so frantic. Llewyr pities, but insists that you join them to defend Astorea.

If you choose to help Tiachren, you two find Ysvelta as the attack is going. She accuses you of stealing him from her, she doesn’t seem to be listening to him saying he still loves her. You two fight her. As a last ditch effort, she begs Tiachren to hold her one last time. You witness just how horrible Nightmare is when she stabs him. You fight her a second time, Caithe and Llewyr run up as you kill her. Tiachren is alive, he shouts to help you during the fight. He’s just injured and heartbroken.

If you choose to defend Astorea, you see their confrontation past the courtiers. You and Caithe press through to try to help. Tiachren attacks you alongside Ysvelta. You have to kill both of them.

Caithe runs up to you. If Tiachren is alive, she helps you get him to his feet. Llewyr takes him, promising to get him to a mender. Caithe helps you calm down and takes you to the Omphalos Chamber, where your luminary is speaking with the Mother.

Level 20 and 30 quests

For the most part, these quests are the same, but the 20 quests spend more time introducing you to Trahearne. During the level 30 quest, both of them offer insight on Riannoc and Caladbolg during each step. Both urge you to choose the Priory in the second choice, for example. You can sense mourning from both of them, as if this has dug up all their pain for losing the Knight. You are also saddened, feeling it from both of them and Mother.

Level 40-80 quests are the same

Defeat of Zhaitan and Post Personal Story

Aboard the Glory of Tyria, a piece of Zhaitan shatters part of the ship. You and Caithe are still aboard, but there is a massive gap between you and the other members of Destiny’s Edge. She urges you to use the cannons to fight Zhaitan, she will protect you. As the dragon falls, Rytlock, urges you to leap across, the Dragon makes one last attempt to take you down with it. You and Caithe jump across, Rytlock and Eir catch you two.

Adrenaline is running high, the cheers are so loud you can’t hear yourself think. Caithe looks... distressed, though.

During the party in Fort Trinity, Caithe asks you and Trahearne aside. You two step into Caer Aval with her, she turns to you two. “We’ve mistaken my Wyld Hunt,” she says, “I still feel the call, bringing down Zhaitan was... Not it.”

Trahearne is confused, asking what her hunt could possibly be. You ask what it felt like for Trahearne to complete his hunt. He describes a weight being lifted, a relief flooding his being, despite his exhaustion. You explain that you felt that too, a bit. That you still feel the call, but it’s quieter.

You ask Caithe if it’s the same for her. “No,” she says, “If anything, it’s louder.”

All this time, the three of you realize, you had her Wyld Hunt wrong... It wasn’t to slay Zhaitan. But then... What is her wyld hunt? The three of you return to the rest of the Pact and the celebration continues, though Caithe is visibly still wondering about her hunt. 

[obsidianfr3sk]

Malos días

OLI OLI CABEZA DE FRIJOLI

Salutations, fandom de renegados en español (? La Obsi decidió subir un fic en su idioma porque tiene mucha hueva de traducir pero quiere subir algo cute:) Fue super raro escribir en español sin tener constantemente en mente que iba a tener que traducirlo xd ALSO PINCHES GUIONES ME OLVIDABA QUE ERA UN PEDOTE PONERLOS. Pero lo logré y creo que quedó mamalón:’) Ahí dispersen

Summary? Idk... pues son los Everhart-Westwood siendo una familia disfuncional con final feliz (? Okno.

YA PUES PONGANSE A LEER. 

Tag list: @nodrianbcyes @dawniebb @healing-winston-pratt @alecjamesartino @everyone-has-a-nightmare (si también hablas español, únete. Somos buena onda a veces)

Detrás de la máscara, Simon podía mentirle a toda la ciudad. Podía aceptar con una enorme sonrisa sus “gracias”, sus cientos de miradas de admiración y todo la responsabilidad que le ponían en los hombros a él y al resto de sus amigos. Podía decir con seguridad que ninguno de ellos tenía que preocuparse de nuevo por los villanos. Los héroes habían triunfado. El mal se había terminado en la ciudad.

Los Renegados lo tenía todo bajo control.

Sin embargo, apenas se apagaban las luces del escenario, él dejaba de ser Dread Warden y se convertía en Simon Westwood de nuevo. Y Simon Westwood era un desastre.

Todos eran un desastre.

Aunque intentaran disimularlo, Simon los conocía lo suficientemente bien (se conocía a sí mismo lo suficientemente bien) como para saber que las cosas no estaban bien. Que quizás jamás volverían a estarlo.

Las cosas nunca iban a volver a estar bien sin Georgia a su lado. No importaba cuánto intentaran converse a sí mismos que así era.

Kasumi había intentado empezar una conversación al respecto. Unas semanas después del Día del Triunfo, después de visitar  a Max en su recién inaugurada área de cuarentena, ella y Simon los llevaron a su antigua casa. Era de noche. Adrian se quedó dormido en su cuarto de la infancia y los adultos hicieron un círculo en la sala.

Para explicar la dinámica, Kasumi tomó una pequeña almohada.

—¿Ven esto?—preguntó ella. Los otros tres asintieron—.Yo tengo una almohada. La almohada de la palabra. La vamos a ir pasando en el círculo y quien la tenga, va a tener la palabra y va hablar de cómo se siente.

—¿Cómo nos sentimos sobre qué?—preguntó Evander.

—Evander—lo regañó Simon—.Kasumi tiene la almohada de la palabra. Ahora no es tu turno de hablar.

Le arrebató la almohada a Kasumi.

—¿Cómo nos sentimos sobre qué?—repitió.

—¿Pues sobre qué más, Evander?—exclamó Tamaya rodando los ojos. Al diablo con la almohada de la palabra—.Sobre esto. La Anarquía, el Consejo…

—Sobre Georgia—interrumpió Hugh.

Le lanzó una mirada a Simon. Kasumi le pasó la almohada de la palabra, pero Hugh se la regresó.

Bueno, quizás eso no iba a funcionar con Hugh. Pero al menos iba a funcionar con los demás, ¿no?

Pues no. No funcionó con nadie.

Tamaya rompió la almohada cuando se la pasaron. Evander tomó una mitad y comenzó a hacer chistes sobre esa “maldita actividad toda ridícula” que solamente les estaba haciendo perder el tiempo, e hizo que Kasumi, una mujer de veintitrés años, se pusiera a llorar como niña chiquita, porque “ella solamente quería ayudar”. Eso solo hizo que Tamaya se enfureciera más y comenzara a gritarle a Evander por ser un “puto niño desconsiderado”.

Evander le respondió con más gritos. Kasumi lloró más fuerte.

Dos estaban gritando, una estaba llorando, y Simon…

Simon sintió que se quedaba sin aire.

Era un ataque de pánico aproximándose.

Volteó a ver a Hugh. Estaba sentado en el suelo, mirando sus manos con expresión vacía.

—Hugh—lo llamó con voz temblorosa—Hugh, haz algo. Por favor…

Hugh alzó la vista. Evander y Tamaya se llevaron la pelea a la cocina, y Kasumi los siguió, probablemente para asegurarse que no se mataran.

Creyó que los iba a seguir también. Que les iba a decir que no iba a seguir tolerando ese comportamiento. Que Adrian estaba dormido en el cuarto del fondo y que podían despertarlo. Que así no era como se comportaban unos adultos y mucho menos, unos gobernantes.

Que Georgia no hubiera querido que eso ocurriera.

Tú la conociste mejor que nadie. Tú sabes qué haría ella. Hazlo entonces. Haz lo que ella haría.

Pero no lo hizo. Porque Hugh era Hugh y jamás iba a poder ser Georgia.

Así que solo se acercó a él, lo tomó de la mano y lo acompañó durante todo el ataque de pánico, sin quejarse y sin dejarle de recordar, sin palabras, que estaba ahí para él.

Apenas su respiración volvió a la normalidad y su cabeza dejó de sentirse como si fuera a explotar, Hugh le preguntó si podían irse. Simon aceptó.

Mientras Hugh iba por Adrian al cuarto, él asomó la cabeza a la cocina. Kasumi había dejado de llorar, y estaba sentada en una silla con los ojos y la nariz rojos como un conejito. Evander tenía la cabeza pegada a la esquina de la cocina y golpeaba su frente ligeramente contra ella. Tamaya se dio cuenta de eso y no dudó en pararse para decirle, con voz muy calmada, que dejara de hacerse daño.

Estaba llorando. Tamaya estaba llorando.

Los dos se fueron sin despedirse. Adrian iba en los brazos de Hugh, envuelto en una cobija roja y completamente dormido. Durante todo el trayecto, le estuvo dando palmaditas en la espalda, mirándolo de reojo de forma tan…

Arrepentida.

No fue tu culpa. No fue culpa de ninguno de nosotros.

Ver a Kasumi derrotada, a Evander lastimándose, a Tamaya llorar y Hugh tan callado en una sola noche había sido demasiado para Simon.

Durmieron dándose la espalda.

No sabía qué hacer.

Solo ella hubiera sabido qué hacer.

Lo peor es que al día siguiente, todos se vieron en el trabajo y se hablaron como si la noche anterior no hubiera ocurrido. Pareciera que el Consejo entero hubiera tenido una reunión a sus espaldas y que hubieran llegado a un acuerdo: pasarían el resto de sus vidas haciéndose los locos cada vez que alguien les preguntara sobre las cosas horribles que habían pasado.

Pero Simon se negaba a hacerse el loco.

Es por eso que tampoco podía ignorar a Adrian. No como ellos.

A ver, los demás no ignoraban a Adrian del todo. Estaban constantemente pendientes de él. Kasumi más de una vez le había contado cuentos durante las horas de trabajo, Tamaya hacía de crítica de arte cada vez que le mostraba algún dibujo y Evander siempre le estaba tomando el pelo a las personas con tal de hacerlo reír.

El problema era que en todas las ocasiones que hablaban de Adrian, alguno de los tres terminaba diciendo: “Adrian es un niño muy maduro. Ha llevado muy bien la situación.”

Y eso lo enfurecía. No sabían de lo que estaban hablando.

Ellos solo veían a Adrian en sus buenos días. Cuando estaba rodeado de gente, cuando correteaba los pasillos del Cuartel General, o cuando le hacía gestos chistosos a Max desde el otro lado del cristal. No veían a Adrian cuando tenía terrores nocturnos. Cuando le daban ataques de pánico cada vez que alguno de ellos dos se tardaba más de lo normal en ir por pan a la tienda. Cuando pasaba horas dibujando encerrado su cuarto, porque dibujar era lo único que lo distraía del dolor.

No lo veían en sus malos días.

No tenían el vivo retrato de Georgia jugando con muñecos de acción al otro lado de la pared de su cuarto, haciendo que se preguntaran constantemente si estaban haciendo lo correcto.

No, no sabían de lo que estaban hablando.

Y lo peor de todo, es que ese día, era un mal día.

Estaban cenando en el comedor. Simon había preparada arroz con espárragos y coliflor. Ninguno de los tres estaba hablando.

A Simon le recordó demasiado a su infancia.

Adrian le dio unos toquecitos en el brazo.

—¿Ya me puedo ir?—le preguntó.

Simon miró su plato. Únicamente se había comido el arroz.

—Todavía tienes comida en el plato.

Adrian hizo una mueca.

—Pero no los quiero—respondió—.No tengo hambre.

Volteó a ver a Hugh. Estaba jugando con los granos de arroz de su plato. Simon suspiró.

—Bien. Puedes irte.

A él tampoco le gustaban mucho los espárragos o la colifror. Mucho menos en malos días.

—No, Adrian. Termínate las verduras.

La sonrisa se borró de inmediato de la cara de Adrian.

¿Por qué no pudiste decirle eso cinco segundos antes?

—Pero no los quiero—insistió.

Hugh levantó la mirada y lo señaló con el tenedor.

—No me importa. En esta casa…

—Creo que yo puedo con esto—intervino Simon.

—No es cuestión de si puedes con esto o no, Simon—le respondió sin voltearlo a ver—.Es cuestión de que tú, Adrian, aprendas a valorar las cosas que te da la vida. Cuando nosotros éramos niños, no teníamos el lujo de una cena caliente cada noche y te apuesto que hay muchos otros niños que quisieran comerse esos espárragos—clavó su tenedor en un pedazo de colifror—.Termínatelo.

No iba a salir bien, no iba a salir bien…

La cara de Adrian se contrajo de coraje. Empujó el plato fuera de su alcance, volteó a ver a ambos, y con la voz más molesta que alguna vez le hubieran escuchado, les dijo:

—Pues cómanselos ustedes.

Simon escondió la cabeza entre sus brazos.

No salió bien.

Nada estaba saliendo bien.

¿Algún día nos van a salir las cosas bien, Georgia?

Pero Georgia no respondió.

Sin embargo, Hugh sí lo hizo.

—No me hagas repetirlo.

Y le acercó el plato otra vez. Y Adrian empujó. Otra vez.

—¡NO QUIERO! ¡NO QUIERO COMER ESPÁRRAGOS! ¡Y TAMPOCO TE QUIERO A TI!

A Simon le habían dado muchísimos golpes a lo largo de su vida. Pero ni los niños de la escuela, ni los peores villanos le habían dado golpes tan bajos como ese.

Es solo un niño. Es solo un niño muy triste. No te está tratando de lastimar, es solo que…

Es solo que él está muy herido.

Como todos.

—Esa no es forma de hablarle a tus mayores.

—¡NO TE QUIERO A TI! ¡QUIERO A MI MAMÁ! ¡QUIERO A MI MAMÁ!

Simon se miró en el reflejo de la cuchara. Concéntrate en tu respiración, Simon. Mira tus ojos. Mira tus manos. Estás aquí. No te has ido. Nada te va a arrebatar de nuestro lado. Estás vivo. Estás a salvo.

Ojalá le pudiera decir a Adrian la verdad.

Decirle que ambos pensaban lo mismo.

—¡Bueno, pues tu mamá ya no está!—gritó Hugh—¡Georgia ya no está!

Intentó disimular su voz rota. Ay, Hugh...

Adrian no se dio cuenta de ese detalle. Él siguió llorando. Siguió gritando. Y siguió terco con que no iba a comerse sus espárragos.

Ninguno de los dos notó cuando Simon se puso de pie y se fue a su habitación.

Desde el piso de arriba podían escucharse los gritos. Qué horror. ¿Qué estarían diciendo los vecinos?

Felicidades, señores, arruinarán a ese niño.

Todavía no tenían muchas cosas en su armario. Se puso de puntillas para llegar a lo más alto y tomar aquel objeto que tan celosamente habían escondido en lo más oscuro de su hogar.

Una caja en forma de durazno.

Simon la abrió. Olía a vainilla y crema para las manos. En la parte interior de la tapa, una Georgia de veinte años había escrito con letra cursiva: Propiedad de Georgia Rawles. ¡Mañana será un mejor día!

Ay, Georgia siempre estaba con sus cosas. ¡Mañana todo será mejor! ¡El mundo no se ha acabado, así que las cosas no están tan mal! ¡Al menos llegamos a la noche!

Cuando era adolescente, Simon recuerda haber odiado el optimismo inquebrantable de Georgia.

—¿Por qué no puedo sentirme mal?—le dijo una vez—¿Por qué no puedo quedarme aquí, a llorar un rato? ¿Por qué tengo que estar feliz todo el tiempo? ¿¡Por qué no puedes tenerme tantita empatía, Georgia, y dejar que me rinda!?

Incluso detrás de su mirada nublada por las lágrimas, pudo ver que la había herido.  

Simon creía que iba a darse la vuelta y dejarlo solo.

Pero en vez de eso, se sentó a su lado y lo abrazó.

—Va—le susurró al oído—.Entonces llora. Llora y siéntete terrible todo lo que tú quieras, ¿de acuerdo? Pero no voy a dejar que te rindas. Nunca me vuelvas a pedir que te deje rendirte. Nunca me voy a rendir contigo. ¿Entendido, corazón? Ven, cuéntame si quieres. Soy toda oídos.

Simon entendió. Esa noche, lloró muchísimo. Sin embargo, tener a Georgia con él lo había hecho mucho más llevadero.

A partir de ese momento, pudo comprenderla mejor. No era que pensara que nunca había que sentirse triste. Era que pensaba que siempre había que tener en mente que mañana podía ser mejor.

Se preguntó si alguna vez Georgia tuvo que recordarse eso a sí misma.

Cuántas preguntas no le había hecho en vida.

Dentro de la caja había un diccionario de bolsillo, un paquete de notas adhesivas rosadas, un barniz de uñas turquesa a punto de terminarse, una foto de bodas antigua...

Y sobre ellos, las únicas dos cosas que se habían atrevido a tomar del cuerpo de Georgia cuando la encontraron. Una gruesa liga amarilla con la que siempre se peinaba y la máscara dorada que ocultaba su verdadera identidad.

Dejó la caja sobre la cama y sostuvo en cada mano un objeto.

Georgia y Lady Indómita jamás habían sido tan diferentes.

Adrian rompió un vaso.

La verdad es que yo también quisiera que estuvieras aquí.

Se paró enfrente del espejo de su habitación.

No tengo ni idea de qué tengo que hacer.

Su reflejo tenía la misma mirada confundida. Él tampoco sabía.

Bajó la vista. La máscara y la liga no lucían confundidas.

¿Qué es lo que tengo que hacer?

Y Simon supo la respuesta.

Sujetó su cabello con la liga. Colocó la máscara sobre su rostro. Miró al espejo una vez más y ya no era su reflejo el que estaba ahí. Era el de Georgia.

O… bueno. Algo parecido a ella.

Haz lo que yo haría, Simon.

Simon abrió la puerta del cuarto con una patada. La pelea dejó de escucharse de inmediato.

Bajó las escaleras estoicamente, mirando al frente y con la barbilla en alto. Hugh se había detenido en su camino a las escaleras, probablemente a punto de ir a ver si Simon estaba bien. Adrian permanecía en su silla, con los ojos hinchados de tanto llorar, pero abiertos a más no poder.

Georgia no se dejaría intimidar por sus reacciones.

—No vuelvas a gritarle al niño—dijo con la voz más aguda y estrictamente maternal que pudo—.No vuelvas a gritarle al niño o a ti será a quien te voy a gritar, ¿entendiste? Ahora,—lo tomó de la muñeca y lo dirigió de regreso a la mesa—termina tu comida. De aquí nadie se levanta hasta que lo hagas.

—Sim…

—¡Nadie se levanta hasta que lo hagas!—chilló—.Usted mismo lo dijo, Capitán. Hay que valorar las cosas que nos da la vida. Así que… valore las verduras que le da la vida.

Sígueme el juego, Hugh. Por favor, sígueme el juego solo en esta ocasión.

Y como si le hubiera leído el pensamiento, Hugh comenzó a comerse un espárrago. Pero seguía teniendo esa mirada extraña en él.

Parecía estar preguntándole qué carajos estaba haciendo.

Lo que ella haría.

—Ahora, tú—señaló a Adrian—.Tú tampoco me tienes muy contenta, corazón—acercó su silla a él y junto las manos sobre la mesa—¿Qué es lo que está pasando?

A Simon le parecieron cinco horas y no cinco segundos el tiempo que Adrian se quedó boquiabierto, mirándolo como si fuera un fantasma.

Quizás lo era.

Quizás eso es lo único que terminaría siendo Georgia. Un fantasma.

Por suerte no pudo seguir pensando en ello, porque Adrian recuperó la voz justo a tiempo.

—Es que… no me quiero comer las verduras—respondió.

—Mmmm, qué interesante caso—contestó asintiendo ligeramente—¿Pero… por qué no te las quieres comer?

—Porque saben mal—exclamó él—.Y huelen feo. Luego se desintegran cuando intentó ponerlas en mi tenedor y es de… ¡Agh!

Simon tuvo que aguantarse la risa para no salir de personaje.

—Okey, se vale—aceptó él—.Pero a veces tenemos que hacer cosas que no nos gustan porque son buenas para otros. O para nosotros mismos.

Adrian frunció el ceño y giró la cabeza ligeramente. No entendía.

Tomó un espárrago entre sus dedos.

—Por ejemplo… ¿tú sabes por qué yo y Simon estamos tan fuertes?—le preguntó haciendo como si le estuviera mostrando sus músculos—.No es porque hayamos nacido con superfuerza, como el cuate de allá, es porque nosotros nos comimos todas nuestras verduras cuando teníamos ocho años.

Y Adrian… Adrian soltó una carcajada.

Casi llora del alivio.

—¡No es cierto!—exclamó—.Eso es algo que los viejos le dicen a los niños para que coman sano.

—¿Le dices a tu madre mentirosa?—preguntó haciéndose el ofendido—.No, no, no, peor, ¿le estás diciendo a tu madre vieja? ¡Hazme el bendito favor! ¡Qué niño tan descarado!

—Okey, pero es que sonaste como una vieja—aclaró Adrian sin dejar de reír—.No es que lo seas.

—Ah, bueno, gracias por la aclaración—contestó, ya más calmado—.Porque sí, yo nunca miento. Los espárragos y las coliflores juntos hacen que te pongas más guapo y fuerte. Es decir, yo siempre fui súper guapa, pero Simon era un niño bastante feo. Antes solo comía…

—Galletas de polvo de estrellas—intervino Hugh. Simon lo volteó a ver. Casi se había terminado todos sus vegetales—.Antes solamente comía eso. Nada de verduras.

—¡Exacto! Antes Simon solo comía eso—siguió diciendo—.Pero apenas yo lo introduje al maravilloso mundo de la comida sana, te lo juro, Adrian, que se empezó a caer de lo buenísimo que se puso. ¿Confirma, Capitán?

Hugh casi se atraganta con el pedazo de coliflor que estaba comiendo.

—Este… confirmo. Eso pasó—balbuceó.

Adrian hizo como que vomitaba. Simon le guiñó el ojo antes de volver a dirigir toda su atención a su hijo.

—Así que ya sabes. Si comes tus verduras, serás muy guapo y fuerte. Tú decides—y masticó su espárrago.

Adrian se rascó la barbilla y miró al cielo, como considerando la propuesta.

—Es más—dijo Hugh—.Si te comes tus verduras, tu mamá te va a enseñar a volar. Así como ella lo hace.

—¿De verdad?—preguntó entusiasmado.

Simon luchó por no rodar los ojos. Muchas putas gracias, Capitán, me diste más trabajo.

—¡Claro!—respondió él—.Ven, para que no me digas de nuevo que soy una mentirosa, te doy una prueba gratis. Párate en la silla—Se puso de pie y extendió los brazos—.Ahora, te comes una colifror, saltas y volarás.

Adrian se paró en la silla torpemente.

—¿Segura que funcionará?

—¡Segurísima! Solo… brinca con cuidado.

No te mates, por favor.

Adrian tomó una colifror, la comió sin hacer ni una sola mueca y brincó hacia él.

Simon lo atrapó y lo alzó sobre su cabeza lo más alto que pudo.

—¡Wow, Adrian, estás volando!—exclamó—¡Estás volando!

—¡Estoy volando!—se rio Adrian—¡Mira, estoy volando!—le dijo a Hugh.

—¡Y lo haces muy bien!

Simon y él cruzaron miradas por un segundo. Y decidió vengarse.

—¡Atrápalo, Capitán!

—¡ESPERA, NO!

Pero Hugh lo atrapó a tiempo. Adrian no dejó de reírse en todo el rato.

Entonces, Hugh se rio también. Lo puso sobre sus hombros cuidadosamente y Adrian comenzó a jugar con los mechones de su cabello.

Lo estás haciendo genial, Simon.

—Adrian—lo llamó Hugh—creo que… te debo una disculpa. Tu mamá tiene razón. No debí haberte gritado.

—Yo tampoco debí haber gritado—balbuceó Adrian.

—Pero yo soy el adulto. Debí haber reaccionado de mejor manera.

—Otra vez tiene toda la razón, Capitán—comentó Simon encogiéndose de hombros.

Hugh asintió, aceptando la derrota.

—Nueva regla en la casa: nadie le grita a nadie—sentenció—Bajo ninguna circunstancia. ¿Qué te parece, Adrian?

—Me parece una regla excelente—contestó alegremente.

—Y a mí me parece excelente que te parezca excelente.

Tú también lo estás haciendo bien, Hugh.

—¿En qué quedamos, entonces?—preguntó Simon poniéndole el plato de comida debajo de la nariz—¿Comerás tus verduras?

—Bueno, mamá, es que yo no veo qué nuevos beneficios eso me traería a mí—respondió Adrian encogiéndose de hombros—.Yo ya soy muy fuerte y muy guapo.

—¡Vaya! Parece que alguien piensa muy bien de sí mismo—exclamó carcajeándose—.Bueno, se entiende. Lo fuerte y guapo lo sacaste de tu ma… de mí. Eso lo sacaste de mí.

Hugh lo miró como si Simon acabara de matar a alguien.

Simon sí se sentía como si acabara de matar a alguien.

Lo arruinaste. Lo echaste todo a perder.

Pero Adrian le sonrió con más intensidad que antes.

—Me convenciste—respondió quedito—.Pero solo los comeré si Simon está aquí. Le quiero decir que al final sí voy a terminarme la comida. Y que él me dé su permiso, claro.

Se sujetó el pecho y suspiró. El terror se había dio tan rápido como había llegado.

—De acuerdo, iré por él—masculló. Dejó el plato en la mesa—.Pero antes, corazón, me tienes que hacer un favor.

—Comer vegetales ya es un favor que te estoy haciendo.

—Otro favor, entonces.

Adrian recargó la barbilla sobre la cabeza de Hugh.

—Soy todo oídos.

Por supuesto que lo eres.

—Corazón, necesito que cuides mucho a Simon y a Hugh—respondió. Adrian alzó las cejas—.Sé que tú me extrañas mucho. Créeme que ellos lo hacen también. Saben que jamás serán como yo y la verdad es que van a equivocarse mucho. Muchísimo. Mil veces—con una mano sujetó la de Adrian—Pero quiero que te quede muy claro, Adrian—y con la otra, lo tomó de la barbilla—.Yo nunca me rendí con ellos. Ellos nunca se van a rendir contigo.

Adrian le apretó la mano con más fuerza.

—Claro que voy a cuidar de ellos. Son mis papás.  

Se le hizo un nudo en la garganta.

Esa era la primera vez que los llamaba así.

Papás.

—Confío en ti, entonces.

—Confía en mí.

No volteó a ver si Adrian y Hugh lo seguían con la mirada cuando subió las escaleras. Se quitó la máscara, soltó su cabello y las metió dentro de la caja de durazno. No fue hasta que había regresado todo a su lugar que se atrevió a mirarse al espejo una vez más.

Volvía a ser Simon.

Quizás las cosas no volverían a ser las de antes. Quizás nunca dejarían de ser un desastre.

Pero se seguían teniendo mutuamente, y si algo habían aprendido, era que tener a alguien para afrontar los malos días, hacía todo mucho más fácil.