#wooden teeth refs

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

The whole family!

@ambitiousauthor

--

Refs by Turukhan

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

The gal

@ambitiousauthor

—

base by Spadecraftt on DeviantArt

[kieranscaren]

i do desire we may be better strangers

i wanted to write bsf abby but just where she's so codependent. like reader is her first everything and vice versa - she can't sleep with out kissing them, without grinding into them like a dog. n reader is just so obsessed w her, just blabbering on. ⤥ tags abby x reader dt; @faiththrupain homoerotic bff! abby, sub! abby, top reader, language of flowers, shakespeare refs, abs cant sleep without kissing her bff, needy abby but whos surprised, slight?? masc reader - just not fem idk, scissoring/tribbing, light dry humping sorta, spit kink (fork found in a kitchen), religious symbolism/references. got lowkey distracted writing this... was supposed to be a drabble. mostly fluff with smut at the end.

౨ৎ ౨ৎ ౨ৎ

the stars were still kissing the clouds goodnight as you crept up to her room. autumn had been sweet kicking up leaves under your dusted combat boots once you’d left your apartment late; roommate raising a knowing brow before mumbling ‘don’t do anything stupid’. you’d tripped on your way down the stairs.

she hadn't seemed to tire of this routine. you’d been children when it had started - abby’s blonde short and twining through your little fingers, forming mermaid braids up her crown. “princess,” you’d coo into her ear before she’d succumbed to sleep. 

twenty and still sneaking out like a schoolgirl to ensure she’s rested. 

your knuckles clang a familiar beat against the wooden door to the nook abby had called her apartment. manny had tired of this faster than the blonde had - away, was he in the nights. quiet as a shadow he’d sneak into women around bases’ nighttime stories. 

she answers with her eyes just barely fluttering open. the door opens a crack with dark strands framing over her puffy face, lips pink as her cheeks now with incoming morning and water cold on her breath as she leaned to peck your lips. 

the kisses had started the same as her braid had. playground ceremonies and prepubescent poppies placed in her hair. the false reverend had declared you wife and wife - you’d pressed your lips to hers like you’d seen them do in fairytales.

"come here," beckoning you over as you slipped into the dark of her room. her lips hovering over yours once you'd fallen into the cold of her sheets, crisp air nipping at exposed skin. you'd still been in your sleep attire. stupid boxers with little green monsters on them - fading black on the waistband peeking through your fuzzy pajama pants, sweater half zipped without a shirt underneath.

abby isn't in much better attire. worn out boxers you'd gifted her like holiday candy in the dozens you'd found on patrol, her shirt is stripped off knowing she lives in your security come night, fading purple bra clinging to her small breasts, pink nipples pebbled up to the cold of her room.

you attempt to bury her into the sheets to consolidate for rousing her out of short-lived sleep to bear the cold. abby snickers and kisses you again, laying you back into her flat pillows on her side.

"hi." no reason for starting a conversation now but you do it anyway. fingers you'd forced warm by walking up here with hands stuffed into your pockets coming up to frame her face. sweet kisses returned against her lips.

"hello," she murmurs back, whispering your name against your lips before pulling away to curl around you properly. arms encircle your waist and incoming is her legs sliding into the space between yours. 

"what've you been doing all day?" ditzy in the scent of her as you leaned into her chest. she cuddles up behind you like you're more of a teddy bear, the ones once surrounding her bed gone as adulthood crashed over her.

"free day." voice muffled into your neck as her teeth come to nip at it, sorrying kisses while she attempts to pull apart before she leaves a mark. her thighs squeeze around you before she continues.

"been so fuckin' lazy. napped my ass off and now," stopping just to sigh against your throat. her pouty lips not indifferent against your smiling ones as she'd leaned up to catch them. "i got you."

canterberry grin replacing the last. she's so simple like this, curled up to her favorite person - malignant shame not swallowing her whole for once while she's pouring out vulnerability. 'wolves', the scars had called her - you'd named her a back lying cat.

"you'll always have me." platitude slipped from your lips but your friend seemed not to care for anything apart from your lips. her own take the color from the flame of her insistence in pressing her lips to yours, "fuchia," you'd cooed into the expected kiss.

'the first kiss is where all goes wrong,' abby's father had started to quote from somewhere once. you'd still been nothing more of a girl then, adolescents still kissing your cheeks. 'greed will get you once you've gotten a taste." he'd finished.

insatiate, was abby swiping her tongue into your closed lips. midnight approaches soon and maybe you still wish to save something for dawn as you pull away.

god, she'd never stopped being pouty. saturnine when you wouldn't comply. you'll blame it on the tiredness seeping into her pretty blonde head.

"abigail," full name she'd only been comfortable with you using now. it'd been owen for a bit - he'd been a blot in the distance between you then. kissless by you and utterly greedy had been sleepovers. manny had teased her as a 'cheater'. what you had was different, you swore then. 'til death do us part,' the childhood vow would stay true.

"yes?" she mumbles it out against you. annoyance clear in her tone like you'd forbade her from touching you; she'd die if you did. her breath hovers over your top lip, pulling you to face her properly.

you choose to lay her down instead. she's sitting up to get at you - hovering over your frame with only her waist twisted into the little bunk she'd called a bed. you press your hands against her chest and down she goes into the flurry of stolen pillows. she takes it as an invitation to have you on top of her.

you land half in her lap, half slipping off into the bed. her fingers creep under your sweater and live under it. hobitting herself into your skin with her palms squeezing your waist.

"go to sleep, abby." she'd sooner tire herself to sleep than with the taste of you. blood stained carnations must've been swimming up in that head of hers. you bring a finger up to her crown like you're expecting it to start leaking flowers.

"what if i don't want to?" bratty only to the whim of her fading annoyance. she sits you up right in her lap, ruining it just as quickly. her legs part under yours, sliding a thigh beneath hers - setting you up like barbies scissoring.

"then you're stupid." you snicker back into her. blonde sliding between your appendages, tugging her face closer to yours. you'd memorized her face years ago. could count the freckles on her pretty face with your eyes closed and yet you still take the time to look now. pulling in for a kiss against her lips before landing on the bump in her nose. "you don't have infinite off days."

"i just-" interrupting herself only to whine against your lips. pulling in for another kiss like the millions before this had meant nothing more. you'd defended the affection between you both to her father in the same vain you had to manny. he'd been more questioning about it then, small liberties were taken to separate you both. you'd planted maidenhair fern under her pillow every night you couldn't be together.

"want to be with my best friend, is that so bad?" muttered into your mouth now. dampening boxers pressing into your soft pants. down her fingers go to your pajama waistband - you let her strip them off.

"aw," kicking the fuzzy fabric off your feet, joining the puddle of clothes beneath the bed frame. abby only pouts at your coo - hips turning up to expose the damp spot indented in her briefs.

you catch her lips to shush her. thick walls and yet she'd never been particularly silent. you'd wondered how many more excuses you could use now - once, you'd both been teenagers curiously exploring each other. now it's just greed fueling her clit searching out your own through the fabric separating you both.

she'd stick her tongue out for your consumption - spit dribbling down her chin and catching against her chest. your fingers come easily in unclasping her bra, tracing your thumb across the pink of her nipple. she's too sensitive there, already drinking in the honey of your saliva, wet noises panted into your mouth.

"take it off." overzealous she'd been a minute ago and now a step from begging. her fingers claw at your briefs like she's nothing more than a cat at rope. how pretty she'd look strung up in the sept of your mind; weeds restraining her thick wrists and stretched out across the cross of your daydreams choosing.

the seraphites might've been religious fanatics but you figure they were on to something with the insistence of purity. white lilies, you'd planted in abby's hair on your last patrol. you'd choose chastity a million times over to feel her cunt against yours for the first time again.

abby is stripped down with less of a whisper. hair falling into her pretty face as she insisted on leaning her wetness up to your line of sight. 'for you,' her actions had spoken for her.

your sweater comes down. her fumbling fingers unclasping your bra, getting distracted as soon as she wandered too far down you torso. pleading look in her glistening eyes as you'd gotten off your briefs.

there's no point in dragging it out now. "cute." you'd murmured over her frame once she started grinding into you. reduced to her stupidest form as she'd fallen back into her pillows, hands squeezing your ass to press you further into her.

you fall into her frame. open mouth kisses across parts of her neck you could still reach - abby's free hand against your back. you'd started panting into her ear on purpose, she started rambling out praises towards you after.

"close?" you muse against her ear. cold sweat keeping her hair stuck to her neck, your fingers swiping down her throat as your lips had found her pulse point.

the gods had tested her enough, you'd thought. sweet disposition gone after your wedding night, a decade later and divinity takes it's consummation now.

ivory sticks you two together. abby had sworn to every god from saturn to jupiter while still grinding into you. cupid had struck you both with avarice-painted arrows.

she kissed you again nonetheless. your finger swiping up her cum, digit slick against your lips as you'd let your tongue clean it off. sentience seemed to be returning to her now, blinking up to meet your eyes.

"kiss?" giggled out like a schoolgirl in that pretty voice of hers.

"kiss." you’d accepted into her lips.

[kelcemenow]

As The Snow Falls - Chapter 1.

Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader

Words 1007

Warnings Nothing much in this first chapter, just setting the scene!

CHAPTER 1

You took a deep lungful of cool, fresh air as you looked up at the beautiful wooden lodge in front of you. You dropped your bag next to your feet and shielded the bright sunlight from your eyes as you took in more of the sight.

A gentle squeeze of your shoulder interrupted you, "It's gorgeous isn't it?"

You smiled to Kylie, "Oh man, yeah. You're so lucky!"

"We don't get here as much as we'd like to but hopefully that will start to change." She raised her voice and leaned her head back towards her husband.

"Yeah, sure." Jason was struggling to carry the vast amount of luggage from the trunk, "Hey, honey? You wanna help me out here?"

Kylie laughed and jogged back to the truck before stopping and waving down another vehicle of vacationers, quickly disappearing in the opposite direction to guide them into the driveway. Jason hung his head and groaned.

"Hey, I got you." You smiled as you made your way closer to him, grabbing the handle of a bag that was slowly slipping from his grasp, "She's just excited!"

You had met Jason in your classes at college and you two quickly became close, forming a solid friendship group with friends Jasmine, Marc and Amie. You were all incredibly proud of Jason's successful football career and together, you would try to catch as many of his games as you could. Conflicting dates and locations would sometimes be a problem so you had all agreed to meet at least once a year for a big weekend reunion. It was Jason's turn this year to organise the trip this year and along with Kylie, arranged an incredible stay in their ski lodge in Vail.

"Yeah well, there'll be no skiing for me when I break my back carrying all of her junk!"

You laughed and grabbed a few more bags, placing them down in the snow at the door to the house.

"Hey girl!" Jasmine sang as she ran towards you with her arms outstretched.

You pulled her in for a tight hug, "Hi! How are you? It's been forever!"

As you pulled back, she brushed some hair from her face, "Oh, I know. I'm so busy with shoots and runways and brand deals, it's insane!"

"Well, you can tell me all about it over a drink later, why don't you bring your bags in and grab a room." You called out to her as she made her way back to the car. Your eyes landed on Amie and Marc who were chatting with Jason, so you walked back towards the truck.

"Honestly guys, it'll be fine." Jason mumbled.

You furrowed your brow, "What's up?"

Amie threw her arm around you, "Oh, just Princess Jasmine driving me crazy the whole way here."

"And speaking of driving, she didn't even touch the wheel. Me and Amie had to do it all. 13 hours, Y/N...13 hours." Marc rolled his eyes.

You giggled, "Oh, come on guys, was she that bad?"

"Fashion week this, photoshoot that...I saved people's lives at work last week but do I brag about that?" Amie shook her head.

Marc laughed as Jason handed you another bag.

"Drink, anyone?"

______________________________________________________________

You relaxed back into the large red leather Chesterfield armchair by the crackling fire, cradling a steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with a generous shot of rum.

"Well, I think you guys should've won, it wasn't a holding. The ref didn't make the right call at all." Marc shrugged his shoulders.

Kylie hissed through her teeth, "Oooh, don't let Trav hear you say that!"

"Yeah, it's a good job he can't make it this weekend." Jason took a sip of his drink as he pulled Kylie closer into him.

You smoothed your blanket down over your knees, "Oh, did you invite him?"

"Yeah, I thought it would be cool, but he's got some event or something tonight. It's a shame, it would have been cool." Jason said.

Amie wiggled her eyebrows, "It would have been cool for Y/N."

You sighed and took a large sip from your mug.

"Wait, what?" Kylie squealed.

You rolled your eyes, "It was one drunken kiss back in college, which can I remind everybody was, like, a century ago!"

Kylie giggled as Jason smiled at you, "Trav had a little crush back in the day."

The group laughed loudly and you could feel your cheeks burning, "Oh, stop it Jason! It wasn't a big deal, it was in a game of truth or dare and we were just kids!"

"Aww, leave Y/N alone!" Amie shouted above the clamour.

"Amie, you brought it up!" You laughed.

The sound of footsteps diverted your attention to the top of the staircase when Jasmine was adjusting her silk dressing gown.

"Is it just me or is it cold in here?"

Amie raised her eyebrows, "Maybe because you're wearing that! Go and put something on that will stop you from catching pneumonia."

Jasmine opened her gown as she descended the stairs to reveal a short silk chemise, her bottom lip protruding into a pout, "But it's cute!

You smiled and lifted your blanket, "Come on Jas, you can share my blanket."

"Thanks babe! So, what are we talking about?" She skipped over towards your chair and snuggled up next to you.

You opened your mouth before anyone else could, "Oh, just Jason's brother Travis who can't make it this weekend."

Jasmine lifted an eyebrow and looked over to Jason, "I didn't know you had a brother?"

Marc lifted his head from the back of the couch, "You really do live in your own little world, don't you?"

A gust of cold air flew into the room as the front door opened and a tall, broad man stepped in. He was wearing dark sunglasses and a black beanie hat, a smartly trimmed beard adorning his chin. Jason immediately leapt up from the couch and ran towards him as your heart skipped a beat.

"Alright now! Y'all can't have a party without me!"

______________________________________________________________

Yet again, this was going to be a one-shot but my brain couldn't behave so this will most likely be a big old series! The photo just fuelled something in me! Don't forget to let me know if you would like to be on my Taglist!

Taglist @rd14 @dandelionwrites8 @keiva1000 @fantasywritersstuff @caelipartem @anacarangel @she-lives-in-her-dreams @kkrenae @kristencochefski1125 @countrygirl120983 @charmed2000 @nouis-bum @cixrosie @delicateearthquakellama @wordsaresimple-imnot @amylouwho9 @queenisa17 @talicat713 @luvvtrent @purecinnamonextract @savaneafricaine @caelipartem @beyxgrande @caitdaniels @ezgirl1108 @vir-tual @lightsoutstyles @macey234 @s294749w @kelcemesoftly @calirindo @livinginmyfantasies @bernelflo @secretmywritingfictionlawyer @killatravtramp @there-goes-thefighter @unicornblueberry @calirindo @tjkelce87 @kristinamae093 @kmc1989 @ajbird18

[turontot]

Hey! Just wanna say that I’ve recently seen your You Shou Yan fanart and I wanna say that it’s so good!!

Also, on the cuddle pile drawing you mentioned your fankid for Tuye and Sibuxiang, could you explain a bit more of them pls (if you want to of course), they look so cuteee

Sorry for the long text haha, hope you have a good day!

OH MY GKD OH MY GOD OKAY OKAY WAIT LET ME GET MY PRESENTATION READY AHEM AHEM

OKAY SO!! xiaoju/小菊 (full name is chuju/雏菊 meaning daisy) is the name of my sibutuye fankid, hes a jackalope and he was gift sent from heaven, literally. heaven delivered his egg to sibuxiang and tuye via express mail😭 ive made a little 2 part comic on how he came to be here! (just check qrts for the second part) (i also have more doodles of him with sibutuye under the #dstxiaoju tag there)

xiaoju doesnt have an exact time frame of when he appeared in canon but i usually draw him somewhere before the events of chapter 800!

hes not really an expressive guy (even as an adult) and seeing him smile is a rarity (i promise hes a very cheerful and happy kid hes just not expressive). he also really hates broccoli and its one of the few food items that hes always avoided from childhood to adulthood lol.

OH OH also even though hes a jackalope (a species that is mostly rabbit) i designed him to be like a pretty equal mix of rabbit and deer, so he doesnt have that buck tooth rabbits have and his ears are shorter than a normal rabbit too! (made a little post about the ears here)

and back to him not having a buck tooth, bc he doesn't have one he cant make statues or figures with his teeth like tuye does so when he was big enough to hold a knife his parents taught him how to carve wood and he took into wood carving! i like to think that in the future hes made a few wooden figures of him and his family and has them displayed on a shelf

HES ALSO LIKE. a chronic deathgripper. like yk how babies have this really weird strength when they grip on things? yeah he has that and it never went away even when he was an adult. the amount of plates and cups he had accidentally cracked/broken throughout the years is more than the amount of weapons and artifacts pipi has ever eaten in decades o(-(

OKAY I THINK I MADE THIS POST WAY TOO LONG ILL STOP YAPPING BAHAHAHH i just really love my fankids😭 heres some art of him + his ref sheet that im pretty sure i havent posted anywhere else yet. i love this little dude to death

[duckling-king]

Okay so haha @lillithhearts convinced me to write my oc x canon with Vox. I literally started writing this at 11pm last night while we were talking, I'm cringe but I'm FREE. Also shout out to Lillith, I've only had him for one day but if anything happened to him I'd kill everyone on tumblr and then myself /ref

Relationship: OC x Vox, toxic enemies to less toxic lovers except their firmly in their toxic era

Tw: talk of/manipulation of power imbalance, themes of ownership and control, horror elements (idk how well I got that across but that was the intention sjdhhs), pushing/breaking of boundaries, overall just a toxic relationship

Update like three hours after posting: Now officially beta read by me :) JEFHSHHD

Lemme know if I should tag any other tw :]!! I'm always open to constructive criticism (or compliments haha what who said that)

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Hell was as lively as ever, especially in the dingy alley Vox found himself An old theatre stood tall in front of him, dilapidated and crumbling, and barely stable enough to be inhabitable

It was dark. As usual. He couldn't remember ever walking in and finding the building lit up from the inside.

To any other sinner the place would've been unsettling, frightening even. But not to him. He was used to the creaking floorboards, the crumbling walls, the threat of a total collapse of the building. Certainly used to it. Not intimidated whatsoever by the shadowy darkness that stretched in front of him.

A cold, firm hand on his shoulder suddenly shocked him from his thoughts, and he suddenly found himself face to screen with a life size wooden puppet. The face was carved to look like a citizen of cannibal town; a vintage three piece suit made up its torso, with a similarly carved tophat permanently stuck to it's head. The eyes had been hollowed out and filled with what had to be marbles, as if to mimic the eyelessness of the cannibals from Rosie's district.

He stepped back, suppressing a flinch as the puppet tilted its hyperrealistic head, and gestured out with a flourish down the dark hall. It moved like it was held up on strings, and it's makeshift eyes met his own with a strange intensity. Almost as if the marbles were truly staring at- no into him.

That fucker was watching him.

Something about that kicked him into overdrive. He pushed past the puppet with a static charge, heeding it no mind as he used his screen as a flashlight in the dark, navigating his way through the hall, past the rows of display cases, until he found himself stood in front of a very familiar door.

Every time he turned this doorknob he was filled with a sense of sick nostalgia, and every time he saw that fucker's face it was replaced by pure rage.

"Voxxy.. what brings you here?" Virden grinned, resting his chin in the palm of his hand as he tapped his talons on the rotting wood of the desk.

Vox felt sparks run up his arms as he squeezed his hands into fists. This asshole knew just how to get under his skin, and the smug look on Virden's face said he was very aware.

"Don't call me that." Vox snapped, glaring right at him and only getting a condescending pout in return.

"Of course, I'm so sorry.." Virden mocked, as Vox felt aggravated sparks claw their way into his circuits, "Would you prefer.. puppet?" He asked, tilting his head with a grin that made Vox's blood boil.

Electricity crackled through Vox's veins, popping and snapping and biting at his muscles from the inside out, "You know I wouldn't." He growled through his teeth, unable to hide his clear aggravation. He knew better than to rush into an argument with Virden. The display case to his left made that very clear. But fuck was it hard to keep the anger, the static, at bay.

"Fine. You clearly aren't here to have any fun." Virden huffed, going back to tapping his talons along the wood out of boredom. "Why did you request a meeting Vox? Did you miss me~?" He purred, batting his eyelashes at Vox and relishing the way his eye twitched.

"No." He immediately struck down Virden's attempt to tease, feeling as though he was already at the end of his rope, "I need.. a favor from you-"

"Oh? Did you piss off Alastor again, baby?" He purred, raising an eyebrow at him.

Vox twitched. The casual way he asked... the assumption of Vox's lack of power.. the sheer disrespect-

"THIS ISN'T ABOUT ALASTOR!" Vox yelled, voice stuttering and echoing as the electricity in his veins finally escaped, flying out in all directions. "God fucking forbid I show up and ask for one simple favor! I can't be in your goddamn office without hearing bullshit out of your fucking mouth-!"

Vox continued to yell, getting louder and louder and more and more upset the more things he found to say. His entire body felt like a live wire, sparkling and cracking and popping and unable to stop the current running through him. He was on a roll, telling Virden what for, that wouldn't stop any time soon.

As this continued, Virden's smile dropped, replaced by a neutral observation. And after a couple moments of allowing Vox to yell at him, he finally stood up and walked right over to the display case, taking his time to look over each puppet before gingerly picking up one of them and returning to his seat with it. He eyed his own craftsmanship silently, letting Vox tire himself out.

"I mean honestly! I'm Vox! CEO of VoxTech and member of the fucking VEES! People would pay a shit ton of money just to be seen in public with me! I'm not gonna stand here and let you-!" Then, he stopped.

The puppet, laid in the talons of Virden's hand. His puppet. The carved TV head hanging limply off the side of his hand, strings tied tight to every appendage. It looked so limp, as though it had given in willingly to the embrace from Virden's hand, holding it up to be seen.

Then, with his other hand, Virden picked up the puppet by the strings, puppeting it properly. Vox watched silently as Virden absently played with his puppet, making it walk and move however Virden wanted. It looked trapped, distraught, subdued.

"Sorry Voxxy, were you saying something?" Virden smiled innocently, glancing down at the puppet in his hands and making it wave up at it's living counterpart. "I got a little distracted."

"I.." Damnit. Damnit. Virden and his deal and his puppets and- fuck he hated the way that he stiffened up, hated the way his heart sank into his stomach with dread, hated how he could look at that little puppet on the table and see himself so clearly, caught in the clutches of this sadistic asshole all because of a mistake he made decades ago...

"Vox? Are you okay baby?" Virden asked, tilting his head and letting a sinister grin form on his face. He knew exactly what he was doing, and Vox hated every excruciating second of it.

"I'm f-fine." Vox forced out, feeling electricity crackle in the back of his neck and into his screen. He watched as Virden took in the reaction, only getting more delighted by how clearly on edge Vox was.

"Good. Now sit." He gestured to the chair opposite him at the desk, a predatory grin on his face as he watched Vox slowly move towards it.

"Good boy." Virden only grinned wider, as Vox scowled right back. "Now, mister CEO," He taunted, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet up on the desk, wings spreading out behind him. "What favor did you want?"

He could almost feel the strings on his limbs as he took slow measured steps towards the chair. He hated this. God- why did Virden have to be so- then down he went, sitting down in the chair like he had been told. Like a-

And thus their back and forth continued. With Vox yet again being held under Virden's thumb like a bug, being used as a plaything to entertain him. It was a game, cat and mouse, and Vox was loathe to admit that he found himself playing the mouse.

"Alright, so I come to the Vees' little party next week and play bodyguard. Simple as that." Virden hummed, lounging easily in his seat and examining his talons as Vox glared at him.

"Yes. Simple and easy. You show up and take out any competition while keeping our reputation in mind." He spoke through gritted teeth, eye twitching and glitching on his screen as he watched Virden pay him almost no mind.

It was infuriating, watching him lounge about while Vox was kept on the edge of his seat, waiting for the bird to strike for the worm.

"I can handle that.. I've been meaning to collect a few more trinkets..." he smirked, the sight of it sending an electric chill down Vox's spine.

"Good. We're agreed then?"

"We are."

And with that Virden stood, holding out a hand for Vox to shake. "Wonderful, I look forward to working with you again." He spoke, making sure to sound pompous and professional, simply to annoy him even further.

Vox sighed and stood slowly, reaching out a hand that was certainly not shaking as he grasped Virden's hand. A bright light emanated from their handshake as Vox felt the puppet strings materialize on his wrist, wrapping themselves up his forearm as the shackle around his neck weighed him down.

Virden only hummed as the bright blue electricity crawled quickly up his forearm in return, acting as if he didn't feel the sharp pricks of sparks and heat. He acted like he was untouchable, comepletely indestructible. It was infuriating.

"Well, it's been fun, puppet." Vox's eye twitched yet again, the moment proving futile. "But unfortunately, I have a show to write!" Virden smiled, and if he didn't know better, Vox would almost call it sincere.

When they let go, the strings and the shackle faded, granting Vox a moment to take a deep, steadying breath.

"So be a good puppet, and get out." Immediately, the smile was gone, replaced by a glare that made Vox's nerves spark. As much as he wanted to jump over the table and strangle this fucking bird, grab his neck and force him to look into his eyes so he could control him for once. But all he could do was glare as he did what he was told.

Like a good puppet.

[pixelated-whump]

@ailesswhumptober Day Thirteen - Crushed

TWs: Child death, Minor Whumpee, Kinda graphic violence and stuff, please be careful and don't read if you can't handle this kind of stuff

Contents: Aside from everything up there, broken bones, suffocation, all that jazz, and again, Mabel is a minor and dies in this

Characters are Mabel (Aka M, She/Her, Around 12), Riley (Aka R, She/Her, Around 12), C (It/He/Whisker, Around 15), and F (He/Him, Around 14), all refs can be found here.

Also posted on Ao3!

Final warning, I rated this as Mature on Ao3 for a reason, please proceed with caution.

There’s a creak above Mabel’s head. She looks up nervously, gently tapping her sister’s shoulder. “Riley, we really shouldn’t be here-”

“It’s fine!” Riley huffs, tossing something to the side. “I’m almost done, anyways. Like I said, we’ll be in and out in no time at all.”

It takes a few more minutes for the fox hybrid to get done gathering supplies, flinging the front door of the abandoned house open and walking out. Mabel pauses for a moment, and hears the sound of wood cracking. Oh no.

Before she can even get her limbs to move, the wooden supports of the building collapse in on themselves, and wood and brick comes crashing down onto her. Mabel vaguely hears the panicked voice of her sister, but it’s overshadowed by the painful pressure on her entire body, minus one arm. She screams as there’s a sickening crunch of various bones.

The cat hybrid screeches as the debris shifts slightly, ending up with more burying her. She can barely breathe, hyperventilating uncontrollably and sobbing.

A hand grabs her own exposed one, trying to pull her out. Mabel screams again, panic washing over her in waves as her breathing gets shallower.

“Mabel!” Riley sobs somewhere in front of her, pressing Mabel’s hand to her face. “Oh my god, Mabel!”

In one brief moment of clarity, Mabel realizes that this is it. She’s dying, and there’s nothing she can do about it. Tears slip down her cheeks, only able to hear the sounds of her sister’s sobs and her own shallow breaths.

She closes her eyes and waits to die.

---

“-ello? ...Hello?”

A voice makes its way to Mabel’s ears. It doesn’t sound like Riley, not at all. She lets out a groan, opening her eyes and lifting her head.

There’s a black- no, very dark blue cat looking down at her. She’s in a plain white area, though the ground underneath her is solid. The cat smiles in relief. “It’s been so long since we’ve gotten a new... visitor to the Void.”

He reaches out his paw and she takes it, stumbling as she stands up. “Who... Who are you? Where are we?”

“I’m C. You’re in the Void, although...” He pauses, pursing his lips. “Do you remember anything?”

“I thought I died,” She says, gasping and looking around. “Riley? Riley?!”

C rests his paw on her shoulder. “Easy, your body is still recovering.”

Mabel stares at him with wide eyes. “I need to find my sister!”

“She’s not here, as far as I know,” C explains, voice gentle. “Can you tell me your name?”

She falls silent for a moment. She doesn’t even know where she is. “It’s- It’s M-Mable.”

“We usually take one-letter names around here,” C says, gesturing for her to follow him. “How’s M sound to you?”

“It’s... fine, I guess.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it,” C reassures her, though it doesn’t really work. “It took me a hell of a long time to get used to it, too.”

“How did you find me?” M asks, tail swishing behind her.

“Well, normally I’d find you while doing my daily rounds, but...”

“Why hello there, my good friend Copycat!” A creature interrupts him, someone with sharp teeth and seemingly no eyes, but with a closer look, it seems they’re just hidden.

C sighs. “Hello, F. I’m showing our new friend around, if you’ll kindly buzz off for a bit.”

F hums, floating around M and almost examining her. “Oh, now I remember!” He exclaims. “You’re that cute butterfly-cat-human-thing I found.”

“...Butterfly?” She asks, head tilted. As if on command, wings on her back flutter.

“Yeah, the Void tends to corrupt its residents,” C explains, giving her a pitying smile. “It’ll take some time to get used to. C’mon, let’s go finish the rest of our tour.”

And M follows, because... she has nowhere else to go now.

M, Mabel, Mercy, was now a resident of the void.

And as selfish as it sounds, she hopes her sister will join her.

[damn-seven]

Sketch portrait of my Tabaxi Beast Barbarian Bun! (He/It/They). Did it for funsies, I’m working on his full ref atm! It was great practice to figure out its colors, and also anthro practice jaja

Click below for some design rambles-

Bun is mechanically a Tabaxi, but they are actually a bit of unique creature! Predominately Tabaxi, yes, again, but due to its (singular) parent being an ancient forest spirit, its inherited traits from other critters as well

Such as the rabbit’s dewlap, dog like teeth and mannerisms, bird like calls, hamster/rodent like eyes, etc etc. He can meow! But he’s pretty versatile at replicating animals I like to imagine. They also climb a bit like a squirrel lol.

In its beast form, they have a LOT of wooden bits to them! So that shows much more obviously its heritage.

I played him once and he was more of a weird cat with bear in them, but I’ve gone a bit more funky jejeje.

I’ve posted his ref WIP before! But here it is for your viewing please! I haven’t started the Beast one tho </3

[scngbard]

Raine’s Scar Ref Sheet

Note: The coloration of the scars on the ref are not the actual colors of the scars themself. They’re all simple color coded to better show what is a result of certain events. Post-Finale this will be the default to the extent of Raine’s scars. Another ref sheet is provided at the end of this post that’s to include the scars they would have in a shared au w/ @double-knots​.

Light Blue (Chest) - Top surgery. In all honesty there isn’t too much to say on this scar. The simplest one they had for the longest time. Raine went and got the procedure done the moment they were of age and able to qualify for it.

Red (Right, inner wrist) - While the spell placed upon them and their sigil at the point of their capture by Kikimora had been removed once they were secured within Belos’ castle, the damage had already been done there. As the central source of the spell and its strongest point, there remains a number of branching, somewhat overlapping scars. Even when their coven sigil has been removed, the scar itself is the only evidence it was there to begin with. The main cluster is focused on the inside of their wrist, although some branching scars do reach partion to the backside of their wrist/hand. These outer portions are much thinner and lighter in coloration than the rest of it and often hard to see if not looking closely at the spot.

Green (Cheeks; Right ear lobe’ Upper right arm, shoulder, and part of their upper back; small patch at their left waist) - While Raine had been saved the worst of it due to the Collector having turned them into a puppet prior to Belos’ possession, once the spell had failed and they had been returned to their natural form, they also lost the protection their previously wooden form provided. However, due to the time the spent possessed by him, much of their right arm and shoulder had been affected. It had been the last remaining grip Belos had on them before Raine was able to fully expel him from their body. Additionally, the slow but constant flow of sludge from their eyes left tear streak like scar on their cheeks down to their jaw. Although often hidden from sight, there is small streaks beneath their chin as well where it gathered before dripping off their face.

Purple (Left upper arm, just below elbow) - The last remnant’s of Belos’ attempts to stop Raine in their tracks. Although relatively thin by comparison, it is where Belos had bitten the bard to stop their attempted use of their bardic magic. Although most of the bite had been dampened by the sleeve of their shirt, the remaining scar is where their luck had ran out and their skin had been exposed to his teeth.

TW Self Inflicted Wound/Injury described below. Skip to next image/paragraph.

Orange (Right hand/Knuckles) - A series of relatively small, thin scars scattered across their knuckles and fingers. Some may be a bit longer or thicker, but overall are consider to be small cuts and nicks. The last of their scars received after the defeat of Belos that came from the glass shards of a broken mirror. Once left to examine the extent of the scars left behind by Belos, Raine spirals into a state of shock and distress than quickly snaps into one of anger, disgust, and panic. Overwhelmed by it all and outright distressed by their appearance, Raine lashes out at the mirror, thinking little of the consequence that came with shattering it with their bare hand; resulting in multiple cuts from the glass shards.

Ref Sheet For AU w/ @double-knots​​

While most all of the above details are included within this, the severity of the scars from Belos’ possession is much greater. As, within this AU, Xia manages to convince the Collector to remove the spell from Raine and allow them to stay with Xia instead. The cosmic being’s way of rescuing them as much as she could. However, insistent on saving the rest of the Boiling Isles, Raine is unable to simply stay away for long, sneaking into the Collector’s home to search for a way to help the others. Their timing couldn’t have been worse, though. Arriving not long before Belos, they are possessed as they are by him, resulting in them remaining as his own puppet much longer and resulting in his corruption of them progressing further.

[relmint]

Since you asked so kindly, could you tell us more about your Welcome Home OC? Please and thank you @:)

EEEEEEE OKAY I might change a few things but here is the gist of her!! Unlike the other puppets, Carla is a wooden marionette!! She’s supposed to be a mixture of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Tooth Fairy, hence, the candy and teeth imagery! (Fun fact: In her ref sheet the background is piles of human teeth). She loves to dance—especially ballet! Carla is a perfectionist, and she is always carrying around candy to hand out to the neighbors. It’s how she shows appreciation. She has the energy of a Disney princess, always telling kids to wish upon a star 😊

Speaking of stars, she always loved to perform onstage hence it is no surprise that she is buddies with Sally Starlet!  Carla does not visit Home that often, instead, it is Sally who comes to visit her in the Magical Forest west of Home. Carla would jump at the chance to help Sally design the choreography for her plays. I like to think Carla Pirlipat appeared in only 1 special episode before Welcome Home got cancelled :D

Because of her perfectionism, Carla is very competitive. She envies Wally Darling for being the main star of Welcome Home. She is aware that she is a puppet. That she’s a character in a show. And she does not mind it at all! The memories of her past are hazy though, but sometimes she learns things in her dreams.

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

@ambitiousauthor​

Finally done!

He’s missing a toe. I like to think that it was either one of the boys or Bella-May (the story amuses him now).

I imagined Bella-May looking at him when they met, thinking him hot, and thinking something like “I’d bet he would taste great.”

Which leads me to wonder--which one was the cannibal first?

--

ref by turukhan

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

All Together Now

Computer died and I forgot my charger at work, so posting this from my back-up blog on mobile. First post here, I think?

—Grebe once called Broken her little brother. They’re littermates, and he is the youngest. I imagine Broken was always very sensitive, and his sister was his protector.

—Though he cared nothing for Marblegaze, Redjay did love his kits deeply and was very involved in their lives (Black and Grey not included, he died before they were born).

—Lightstream put up a strong, confident front in front of his Clanmates, but alone with Redjay, he would confide and talk about things that worried him, his anxieties and insecurities. After Redjay was revealed and died, he kept to himself completely.

He is also gay, but never had the Realization until after he died and reunited with a tom friend.

—Swanmist was the first to suggest ending their bloodline, distraught at the pain it was still causing the family. Marblegaze had often failed to fight back in battles, not wanting to shed blood anymore, and got deeply hurt because of it.

—

ref by Turukhan

@ambitiousauthor @wills-woodland-warriors @starfalcon555 @umbranoxs @elementaldeityoffood

main blog btw is @residents-of-the-darkforest

[turtleverse-tmnt]

[Placeholder intro to the turtles until I make refs for these guys. Also some of these things I’ve already mentioned in posts before]

-Mikey-

Has the sharpest teeth and claws out of all of them

Their mask tails mirror their emotions, and when they do they act like wings (this doesn’t actually reflect anything in canon except maybe luci foreshadowing. It’s honestly more of a way to make them stand out stylistically)

The shortest

Sort of has a "vibe sense" like 2012 mikey

Mainly uses a Kusarigama but will occasionally use a pair of nunchucks

-Donnie-

Is interested in all forms of science/engineering

Plays into the mad scientist role more around newer people

Due to his incredible sense of direction he’s usually the one leading the others places

Has a wooden bo with a metal core to make it more sturdy. like 2012 donnie, his bo has a hidden blade, however instead of a naginata his turns into a scythe

He also has a back up pocket staff (just. Yknow. One that’s much better than the ones you can buy)

-Raph-

Doesn’t have claws! I don’t even know if he has fingernails

He has a special interest on metalwork, he actually learned how to weld because of this

To elaborate on that: he actually made his own armor, and he also helps Donnie with his mechanical projects

The tallest, also the bulkiest

Can swim the best out of all of them

I actually have no idea what weapon he uses yet. He might use both tonfas and sai

-Leo-

Has psychic abilities, however he only properly unlocked them after the turtles met April

Doesnt really talk much since it’s hard for him to speak often. He was actually mute for most of his childhood

Hes actually not completely a ambonia box turtle, a small part of him is actually a different kind of Asian box turtle (one of the more green ones, which is why hes a bit more green than ambonia box turtles usually are)

Is usually the one who makes the plans

Was originally going to be the leader however splinter decided that he probably couldn’t due to his inability to speak

Has a pair of twin katana, he keeps them attached to his hip instead of his back

[luci3skydi]

Short writing thing set at the All Valley, 1984 because we should really have a Sentinel & Guides are known au. (Guide Johnny (basically a telepath) and Sentinel Daniel (has super senses) although it could and probably should go either way.)

They’re trading blows back and forth and it’d almost feel like flying, like casual sparring with one of the Cobras in his backyard, fluent and fluid and fun, if it didn’t also feel a little bit like dying. Johnny shoves back the crowd and the lights like they’re nothing, they are nothing, but this isn’t anything like any other show he’s put on—LaRusso and him, it’s personal, and every time he catches those wide eyes with his own (which is more often than they’re disconnected, you always, always look your opponent in the eye) he catches something. LaRusso is bleeding fear and determinination and fury and deep, deep exhaustion like a fire hose, and for some reason Johnny’s Empathy just keeps snagging on all of it. He can’t shut him out. And with each volley it’s just getting louder, more insistent. LaRusso’s ankle streaks across Johnny’s bare chest where the gi opens and he gets a blinding flash of pain, hope, curiosity, before Johnny lunges forward, more machine than man, and slashes his elbow into LaRusso’s injured knee. But that—that was a mistake, because the pain feedback explodes out from him, and even as LaRusso screams, Johnny’s teeth rattle from the impact. The dam bursts and Johnny and LaRusso mash into JohnnyandDaniel: with four legs, four arms, 48 ribs, two hearts, two spines, and one injured knee with pain enough to shred through a hundred wooden boards. Johnny rips himself out of LaRusso’s grasping mind (it flails: the kind of drowning victim that pulls you under with it) as LaRusso falls to the mat. The ref gets him back up, asks: “Sure you okay? Can you go on?” And LaRusso nods, but he doesn’t know what’s coming. No way, no way could he guess. ‘Cause Sensei doesn’t want him beaten. ‘Cause Sensei said ‘Sweep the leg’ and then, after Johnny said he’d do it (he’d do anything), Sensei had slid his hand from Johnny’s face to cup his neck: thumb moving with the bob of his adam’s apple and fingertips spanning the base of his skull to the top his spine, the barest pressure over his brain stem. ‘If that doesn’t work,’ and how could it not work, Johnny’s the guy that makes it all work, ‘Zone him.’

[apirateslifeforbudgie]

Episode 1: THE COLORS OF THE FALSE KING

Synopsis: Starting ten years before current day, the independent New World kingdom of Auberon is happy and flourishing...until something is discovered one winter morning.

Word count: ~12k

CW: su!cide and violence

I love to go all-out so episode includes visual references, soundtrack (track and timestamps indicated by brackets), and links. But feel free to ignore the soundtrack and read as usual! It serves as notes for me and anyone who wants more immersion~

Also, I watch the dub so One Piece characters sound and speak like their English versions in my mind and are written to match!

Read full episode on Wattpad or below the cut!

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

Main (OC) players (sorry I didn't have time to get full-colors busts of everyone!):

Espen, Capital of Auberon and the town Eventide refs (Disclaimer: these town images are not my art):

Thane Home visual ref (Disclaimer: Images not mine):

Canon Character Fits (Chopper is wearing a cute lil axolotl costume and Kid Pirates are default):

(Disclaimer: The only outfit art that is mine is Luffy and the two sketches)

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

{bg: Her & the Sea - CLANN (0:00-0:15/3:43-end)}

Deep teal waves gently jumped at the base of a black cliff, and a soft snow fell only for each flake to be forever lost to the dark sea. But atop the cliff, the snow thrived and thickly gathered in the large backyard and coated its rose bushes, dead trees, and ornate Victorian-style home. {end}

A young girl smirked and cleared her throat with a small, focused growl into the cold as she readied her two wooden swords to attack her enemies: 3 almost comically built snowmen lined up in front of one of the many whitened rose bushes. The frozen foes never stood a chance when she charged, her aim to take their heads. Though playing as any child would in a backyard, it couldn't be denied there was actual skill somewhere underneath.

She was quick as she popped off the heads to the left and to the right, grunting out with each strike. And just as quick, she spun back to center, using both of her swords to scissor and sever the head of her carrot-nosed final victim.

The head landed back to the snow from whence it came with a heavy thud - a silly sight, really. But it meant victory for the girl. With a big grin, she cheered at her triumph and pranced and spun around with her little wooden swords waving in the air and cape wisping around her.

"Come on, Astraea!" called out her bundled-up older brother. The poor boy was hugging himself and shivering. "It's cold - can we please go inside already? I'm tired of watching this snowman slaughter you call a game."

"My training isn't a game, Terrence!" the girl retorted and thrust a sword in his direction. "You go inside. I told mom I don't need you to watch me anyway," she lowered her weapon and gave a sigh. "I don't know why she's always so scared I'm gonna go over the cliff."

"I just might throw you over myself!" Terrence pouted with eyes cut to the rose bushes. His crossed arms were more from annoyance than trying to keep warm at this point, but something in roses caught his attention - something that replaced his scowl with a smirk. "Hope all your stupid training has paid off. You ready for a real fight? There's a monster in the roses." Terrence's confident and mischievous eyes glanced back at his sister.

"No there isn't!"

"There is, too! I can see it. And your little wooden sticks are no match for its vicious teeth!"

In her confusion, Astraea tried to not let any fear show as she looked back to her beheaded practice buddies. There was no mistake about it - from behind the center snowman, rustling was coming from the rose bush.

"He'll get you," came Terrence's amused warning.

But the stubborn girl gave an irate exhale into the cold and tightened the grip on her little wooden dual swords. She squinted at the bush with the middle snowman in the foreground, bravely focusing on what she was sure to be a lie.

Until...

Again, came a rustle.

In a split instant, the snowman suddenly burst as the monster lurched towards her with a mighty growl, scooping her up and disarming her while her scream turned into laughter.

In the arms of her father, she was spun around and tossed into the air. The man was still playfully growling and roaring when she fell back into his hands. Gently, he placed his giggling daughter back on her feet and brushed the snow from his shoulder with a smile from the fun. "Were you scared?"

"Nah-ah! Not once!" the grinning girl annoyed her brother.

"She's lying!"

"No, I'm not, Terrence! I was standing my ground and ready to fight!"

"You little baby, you were ready to cry and run!"

Astraea's overwrought retort was to quickly scoop up a handful of snow and force it at her off-guard brother with a Haki-hardened arm and a grunt to power the shot. The sudden strike to his shoulder caused him to stumble backwards and slip in the snow while his sister laughed in delight.

"Dad!" Terrence whined, "Do something about her! She needs to be kenneled!"

"Astraea don't do...that. Not to your brother, at least if you don't want your mother and I to suspend your training," Rae warned his contemptuous daughter and made his way over to his son to kindly help him up. "On your feet, Terry. You're not hurt, are you, bud?"

"Maybe just my pride, dad..."

Astraea hurried up to the two, eager to cause more trouble and get back to her training. "Dad's out here, so you don't have to watch me anymore! Why don't you go read a book by the fire?!" She delivered the lovely idea in a mocking manner.

"Great! I've only been trying to do that for the past hour!" Terrence grabbed a fistful of snow that remained on his shoulder and chunked it at his sister in retaliation.

The girl squealed out in playful surprise.

From inside the warm home in her cozy, pastel, peacock-themed tearoom, Marika sat at a window and looked down at her family as they started up a snowball fight with a face full of peace and compassion. But that turned to curiosity when she heard knocking coming from the front door.

Back in the yard, Terrence was determined as his sister had been during her training, and he had a snowball ready, aimed, and almost fired when something on the sea in the distance caught his attention. "Pirates...?"

Together, the girl and her father lowered their guard and turned to see.

"Looks like," Rae smiled as he rid his hands and arms of snow. "I don't think they'll be bothering us, though - they're just passing by."

"They better be..." Terrence quietly said, but the topic sparked up something exciting in Rae.

"Would you two like to hear the story of Gol D. Roger again? I haven't told it in so long!"

"Nah," the two casually chorused, and Rea's eager expression fell.

"But...you two used to love it...Every night before bed you wanted to hear it! And I did the Pirate King voice so well..."

Terrence shrugged, "Mom's giant boar story has always been more fun."

"Are you kidding? That one?!" Of course, little Astraea was going to be antagonistic. "Mom has way cooler stories than that one! No one even actually got eaten - it's so dumb."

The boy was something beyond incredulous.

"Are you aware of how demented you are??"

The girl threw down her snowballs in protest, "I'm too little to know what that word means!"

"Maybe if you put your stupid little swords down and picked up a book-"

It was then a teasing and heavily real-world Scottish accented and playful voice boomed from behind the three, "What's with all this patter?! Too cauld for this shite!"

They turned to see a mountain of a man wearing a broad smile and a well-decorated uniform strolling alongside sweet Marika.

"Elliott!!" Astraea beamed and ran towards him with outstretched arms, giggling all along the way.

"There's my lass!" He was jovial as he scooped her up, and the moment she was in his arms, the girl was excitedly jabbing a finger out to the sea.

"Mom, Elliott! Look! Pirates!"

"Oh..." Marika tried to find the enthusiasm and the words. "How very...um..."

Elliott grinned. "Don't you worry pretty mind, Marika! They don't seem have course set for this way, and even if they did, I bet this little mad lass could take 'em! I've been well. Just look at what became of those snowmen; those are quick, clean cuts right there!"

"Yeah, quick and clean! I'll protect you, mom!" The little menace declared in delight and determination while her father and brother approached. "Not like Terrence is gonna do it." She just had to quickly quip.

"Astraea," Rae made a point to warn his daughter again before he greeted his comrade as he put a comforting arm around Terrence. "Afternoon, Elliott! Always good to see you. What brings you over on this fine wintry day?"

"Gatherin' up the lot. King's called a meetin' - and it's an important one, Rae. Details will be shared and sorted out when we get there, but something amazin' has been discovered."

"Like what?!" Astraea just had to know. "Did someone find the One Piece?! Catch a castle ghost? Or a dragon??" Rae and Elliott grinned at the girl's wild imagination. All those exciting thoughts urged her free from Elliott's arms, and she was tugging on the sleeve of her father as she begged, "If it's a dragon, will you please bring it home, daddy?? Please?! I promise I won't feed Terrence to it! Cross my heart!"

"It's not a dragon, but it is super-secret!" Elliott knelt beside the girl and put a hand on her shoulder settle her. "Yer da can tell you all about it when he gets home tonight. Why don't we go play with Seamus so he can get changed right quick, aye?"

"Seamus!!" The girl wasted no time in forgetting about her dragon and made a mad dash for the house.

"I'll go tack up Cosmos for you, father," Terrence contrasted his sister with the dutiful declaration and made his exit to the stables.

Elliott rose with a friendly and fond smile, "Those two...Terrence is becoming a fine young lad. And your little Essie..." Gentle frozen flakes fell over the three headless snowmen. "She's as feisty as ever."

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

In front of the fine home, other knights watched from horseback with humor as little Astraea tried as she might to get in the saddle of the massive draft horse. The gentle giant was patient with her throughout all her failed attempts. Grunting out in effort as she was latched to the side of the saddle, the girl struggled to pull herself up; but her little strength gave out and she found herself on the cold, hard ground while some of the knights gave warm, hearty laughs. Though some were content with keeping quiet.

They were all nicely dressed in the same casual winter uniforms. The only difference was the individual family crests that delicately adorned the shoulders of each man. Some select men even carried bright crimson banners that bore a bear sigil - that of the royal family, no doubt.

"Give it another go!" one of the men kindly encouraged her, "Wouldn't be Rae's daughter if you didn't!"

"You got it, kiddo!" came the words of another. But with or without uplifting cheers, backing down was never an option for the girl, much to Seamus' dismay. His saddle jerked as she jumped back onto the side of it with one mighty leap - more entertainment for the idle order.

"How goes your training, darling Astraea?" asked one of the quiet knights. He had dark hair and matching dark eyes, a very nice face with a rather charming smile.

"It's good!" The girl put on a mask of enthusiasm through the fight against gravity, though it was cracking in her tone. "Elliott says I'm almost strong enough to be a knight."

"My, my. What will our enemies do with you in our ranks?"

"They better run!" she was able to push through and crawl up a little further, still grunting out all the way. "I'm gonna be Captain of the Guard! I'll be giving you orders someday, Sir Alerick!"

While the other knights chortled or exchanged comical glances, there was something unreadable about Alerick's expression.

He gave a small chuckle. "Won't that be the day? I certainly believe it."

"You mad little lass!" came Elliott's jest as his giant hands took hold and placed her in the saddle, "You trynna to replace me?!"

"I almost had it!"

"Almost," Elliott winked and gave poor Seamus a much-deserved pat on the neck.

"You should be careful, dear," Marika's comment to her daughter was as gentle as it was useless, so she turned her attention and gave a warm greeting to those who waited in the cold, "Afternoon, good sir knights. Isn't the snow just lovely? I adore how it sparkles."

"Know how to turn any grey day bright and sunny, don't you, Marika?" One said with a pleasant smile.

"Always good to see you!" Concurred another. "We should get the kids together again soon! I know how much Terrence adores my Lily."

Marika gave that sweet smile of hers, "Of course! Sooner rather than later. I'll talk to Rae tonight about arrangements!" she said and kindly turned to the Captain of the Guard. "Oh, Elliott, will you tell Stormy I said 'hello' when you arrive home, tonight?"

"Sure, I will! My will be happy to hear from ya! Was just tellin' Caleb and Alerick how she's goin' mad in the last few weeks!"

"Any day now, right?"

"Any day now! All three of 'em will be here."

"Goodness! And I thought my two were a handful! Well....one of them is."

Though she had just been seated in the saddle, little Astraea was already on her feet struggling to balance on it, her balancing arms wavering at her sides and her little cape swaying behind her. "Father!" she called out to him as she tried to keep herself steady. He was just coming out of the front door in his causal uniform, a crest of two briars forming a loose 'x' in front of a rose on his shoulders. "Make me fly again!"

"Alright, Essie," Rae couldn't help but grin. "One last time before I go."

The girl leapt from the saddle with faith and again she found herself laughing in her father's hands as he held her high and spun, "Whoooo!" He made the playful noise before tossing her into the sky just as he had done in the backyard, and she was laughing when she came back down from his strong hands and placed back on solid ground. "Might just have to get you a pair of wings for your birthday," Rae teased.

"Oh my, it is coming up..." Marika brushed her fingers through her daughter's hair, "Almost ten years old already...My sweet girl."

"Sweet??" Terrence trotted up on Cosmos. "Mother, she's a menace," he added as he dismounted and gave the reins to his father.

"Thank you, Terrence," Rae was pleased and patted his boy's shoulder with a smile, and with a horse now in hand of his last knight, Elliott hopped into Seamus' saddle.

"Best be gettin' ta Primus Keep, Rae! King's waitin'!" the man was enthusiastic as he pulled at the reins and commanded the shifting horse forward into a swift trot.

The order followed suit.

Turning his gaze from Elliott to loving wife, Rae placed his free hand on the small of her back and pulled her in close, "I must go now," his words of farewell were bittersweet, but he added some sugar with a kiss. "I'll return to your arms tonight. I love you."

"And I you, darling."

"Aw, sick!!" Astraea shouted out at the sight of affection, disgust on her face and disdain in her voice.

Marika couldn't help but give a little giggle, "You'll fall in love someday, too, you know."

"No, I-shut up, mom!!"

"Watch it, Astraea," Rae once again warned his daughter, though this time there was some playfulness to his tone as he moved to hug his son. "Try and keep the peace while I'm gone. I'll see you, tonight, Terry."

"Of course, father."

{bg: Overtaken (Epic Choir Mix) - Carameii (0:00-1:25)}

Rae placed a gentle kiss onto his daughter's forehead, "Stay out of trouble," he gave the gentle reminder before mounting Cosmos. The knight kicked at his horse's flanks, catching up with Elliott in a swift gallop and falling at his place in the front of the line by the captains' side.

With a wondrous grin and bright eyes, the girl took off after the trotting group. Marika put an arm around Terrence's shoulder; the two were happy to stay put on the front steps as they watched the departure.

"I love you, daddy!"

"I love you, too, Astraea!" Rae looked over his shoulder as he slowed the canter to a trot, "Watch the moon - I'll be home when it's at its highest in the sky!"

With that same look on her face, the girl stopped in her tracks and watched the knights ride away.

_

{0:19} Beneath a cloudy pastel sky, the order ambled their steeds across a stretching a spanning bridge over the dark sea. At the other end was a grand gate to the city of the keep - it was open and decorated with torches and draped in crimson banners embroidered with magnificent bear crests, the same the knights paraded around on horseback. Gate guards happily waved to greet the order as they passed into the city.

{0:28} Snow still covered the ground, but the fall had ceased and at last made way for the sun as the heart of the capital flourished. Many stopped the hustle and bustle of their work or busy lives to look in awe at the group of knights as they rode through the streets. Children were awestruck with fantasies spinning around in their heads. Some of the civilians smiled and waved, and many of the knights happily returned the favor as they neared the entrance to a regal white castle.

{0:38} Two grand doors were pulled open to reveal their meeting room that sported the same crimson bear banners. The knights entered in a single-file line, and each began to their seats in an orderly yet friendly fashion - talking, smiling, and even displaying a bit of playfulness before business was to begin. {1:19} Last through the doors was the King himself - a strong and majestic man, regally dressed in a mix of light armor and fine draped fabrics with a golden wreath crown atop his head. He sat at the head of the table beside Rae with his advisor standing behind him on his left and Elliott on his right. {end}

The king zealously looked around the table to one of his gallant knights. It was as if his majesty was sorting through all the words, trying to string the perfect ones together that would fit such a fantastic occasion.

And then finally, he began.

"My loyal knights," he was regal as he rose. "I do apologize for such a sudden calling of a meeting, especially on a frigid day while you were warm with your families, no doubt; but what has been uncovered today in our very own capital city simply cannot wait."

On cue, two servants entered and placed a small, velvet-draped cube on the table in front of the King and bowed to immediately take their leave. Once the doors were sealed behind them, the King continued.

"There is a boy and his brother who dwell in this kingdom. Both quite brilliant - prodigies, even. One has a gift for science and invention while the other has a gift for the arts. Connor and Rowan Burns - some of you know them well with all the good work they do around the Keep. Rowan happens to most enjoy nature as the subject for his work. As such, he spends much time surrounded by the nature he so loves drawing and foraging. On his most recent outing, the boy discovered this."

The King removed the drapery to reveal a glass box with golden trim. Inside was a fruit black as a brewing storm cloud with a yellow, jagged stem that twisted all around. It was adorned with the distinct trademark swirls everyone knew.

A devil fruit.

Upon the reveal, the knights whispered amongst themselves while Alerick was unfazed and poker-faced as he keenly observed the fruit before him.

"A discovery indeed!" The King beamed, and the room fell silent once more. "Once the fruit was delivered to me, I thought of perhaps having a tournament for it. Fighting? Jousting? The whole kingdom could participate!" He lifted his arms up at the vision. "Anyone who wished could have a chance! But power such as this...it's come to our kingdom for a reason, and I would see it harnessed by someone trustworthy - someone deserving. Therefore, on the suggestion of my brilliant advisor," the man behind the King took a subtle bow. "I have called you all here to grant this fruit to one of you, my most brave and loyal knights. And together, we shall decide who will take the bite of the--"

"Storm-Storm fruit," the name came from Alerick's lips, and all the order turned to him in unison and shock. After all, he had just cut off the sentence of the King himself. Though that meant nothing to him, and on this day, he would say as he pleased. "Type: paramecia. It's a very powerful and peculiar fruit that grants the user control of the sky itself. The very weather and humidity in the air at your fingertips to do your bidding," the knights exchanged glances at the mention of the power capable from the very thing in front of them - the very fruit one of them would sink their teeth into. "Water droplets forged to weapons, tornados as spinning soldiers, cyclones to reign supreme...As you put it, your majesty, a discovery indeed," his dark eyes narrowed. "And, oh, how I've waited for it. But you intend for Raemond Ryker Thane to have it, don't you?"

Rae was immediately on guard, and the King's demeanor shifted as well, his tone now stern instead of jubilant. "As I said, I intend for us to decide together."

"But you will all choose Raemond...won't you?" The man's eyes glanced at all his fellow knights. "He is the pinnacle of what it means to be a knight, after all. The very essence of valor, loyalty, and bravery. He's got everything going for him, don't you think? Even a family to still love from that exotic little wife of his."

All the order was appalled as they hummed with chatter. Elliott uncomfortably shifted as he tightened his fist around his spear, and a troubled Rae turned to the King, who once again rose and silenced the room with the raise of a hand.

His Grace was a patient and just man.

"Sir Alerick, I understand any frustration and pain you may still harbor. The loss of Genevieve in the raid was by far the most grievous in the kingdom. I am open to having a private meeting if yo-"

"It wasn't just Genevieve," His solemn gaze rested on the King as he rose to match his highness. "It was Caroline. Little Frances. My unborn James. All gone. All because you, Orson Aurelus Ferus, are not fit to be King." The King was beyond thunderstruck at the boldness - the very words that Alerick would continue to spew. "Perhaps it's time for a new king," Alerick was alarmingly casual as he addressed the order. "Shall we choose another while were all gathered? Truth be told, I don't even think that son of his has what it takes. Is this the best the name Ferus has to offer? Even with that fantastic, fabled lineage, I say the family has run its course when it comes to the throne...

Perhaps...the one who gets the fruit shall be crowned king."

Rae slammed a fist on the table amidst the clamoring from others, angrily leaning forward in his seat. "Alerick!" He spat the name like it was venom. "You've always been outspoken, but this is crossing the line. What is this madness? This treason?!"

Intense eyes locked between the King and the man who would be one.

"It donnae matter, Rae.... Alerick Casimir," Elliott took a step forward and pointed the tip of his spear to the disgraced knight. The rest of the knights were all sullen faces and reaching for their swords. All except for one who eagerly sat in his seat with subtle a smirk to the show that was unfolding, "I am placin' you under arrest for treason. I'm sure ye know the sentence for such a crime."

"Death?" The question was arrogant, sinister even.

There was a surreal moment of silence and tension amongst the men caught in the calm before the storm.

And then...

Like lightning, Alerick drew his sword and cut the throats two knights that sat on either side of him. Just as quick, he was on the table barreling towards the King as all men moved to attack. His majesty took a step back and raised an arm in protective reflex as Alerick's wrathful sword swung down upon him with a mighty cry. Metal rang out as Raemond and the would-be king slayer found themselves clashing blades.

"Elliott!!" Rae shouted to give the order that was already being carried out. The mountain of a man was guarding and escorting the King to safety with haste as the other knights were still charging Alerick, swords drawn and voices booming. "You're no king!" Rae spat through their locked blades. "You will never know the power of the throne or the love of the people! None shall bend the knee!"

From behind, the bloodied blade of a sword mercilessly tore through Rae's chest and slowly withdrew. He gasped and clutched at his chest, struggling and heaving to breathe as a single line of blood leaked from the corner of his lips and he collapsed down onto one knee.

"Oopsie-daisy," Alerick grinned as he looked down on Rae from his place high on mighty on the table, and Rae collapsed down as if a worshiper to a god. "Spoke too soon, Rae. Good work, Felix."

It was the King's advisor.

Felix felt no wrong nor remorse. Even as Rae rasped and choked with eyes full of disbelief, the former advisor simply wiped the blood from his blade.

"Dietrich," Alerick turned to look past the charging men who were dangerously close to only address the one standing silently and risen from his original seat. "It's your turn."

Obediently, Dietrich pressed out a palm to face the storming knights and the others to those fleeing with the king. A strange burst of energy radiated out, and the men soon found themselves locked in place, frozen in time itself. In triumph and ignoring the blades that had nearly made it to his throat, Alerick looked back down to Rae.

"Like Dietrich's power? We've been keeping it a secret. He's going to be my new Captain of the Guard...Once I'm on the throne, of course."

Felix slid the pristine sword back into its sheath and casually opened the little glass display containing the fruit and tossed it up to Alerick. The catch was a clean one, and Alerick relished the sight of the fruit finally in his grasp.

Still clutching at his overflowing wound, Rae struggled and fought to stand, using his sword as a crutch and the will to stop what was about to happen as a desperate drive.

But it wasn't enough.

Again and again, he could only collapse back to his knees. All that willpower, and he still couldn't pull himself to his feet. All that rage, and yet he couldn't waste his time or breath on any words that would make no difference anyway.

And at long last...

Alerick sank his teeth into the Devil Fruit.

With that single bite, he had all the power he could ever want coursing through him. Thunder rolled through his bones, his blood became a ceaseless and unforgiving rain, and it was as if there were bolts of lightning that flashed in his eyes. He was now a living cyclone, but still not yet a king.

Not yet.

He gave a pleasured sigh from the feeling of such power. "This was going to be yours I believe," Alerick threw the rest of the fruit at Rea. "I apologize. You can have my leftovers...And I'll take yours. Don't worry Rae, your family will be taken care of. Especially lovely Marika."

"You--!!"

"I think I'll even take your sword," Alerick ignored Rae in favor of adding more insult to injury. "It is quite nice, and you won't be needing it. In fact, I can just order someone to retrieve it for me, since I will be King and such. Watch this, you're going to love it! Dietrich," He called out to his loyal follower. "Unfreeze them, will you? I should like to play around with my new abilities - I think it'll be quite fun to see what I can do, don't you?"

Dietrich smirked. "Certainly, Your Grace."

Everyone that was released from the time spell suddenly stumbled back into action, and though Rae couldn't stand, he could still fight to his last breath and hope the best for the king he chose to serve. His bleeding hand shot from his chest so both grips could be on the hilt of his sword whose blade went black with Haki. As a final order, Rae looked to Orson and those who guarded him as they were just reaching the doors. "Protect the king!!"

Blood and water shot across the floor in a trail.

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

"I told you; I'm done with piano for the day!" Astraea protested from atop the foyer staircase to her mother at the bottom, who had ended the futile attempt in getting her daughter back in front of the keys. "And I'm already done with my stupid singing lessons tomorrow!"

"You know the deal, my love. If you want to train with Elliott, you have to study at least two arts. It is very important that you have a well-rounded and refined education."

"The only thing that ever needs to be well-rounded and refined is my fist!"

In the room over, Terrence was cozied up in a chair with a book in his hands. His eyes rolled from the captivating pages, as he was so cruelly pulled out of the story and into the unintelligible bickering - well, bickering on one end and calm, collected reasoning on the other that Marika would keep up.

"If you would like to cut your lesson short today, at least go ahead and take your bath."

Astraea's response was simply to start storm off without another word.

"And wash your hair!"

"I did wash it!" The aggravated girl stopped to grip the banisters and look down at her mother.

"When?"

"Couple months ago!"

A defeated sigh escaped Marika's lips as her daughter's fuming footsteps receded, "What is with that child...?" she quietly asked herself as she moved to the open archway of the room where Terrence had happily returned to his pages. He dared not let his eyes leave them this time, even as he quipped.

"Oh, mother, just set the little beast free. She can wander around the forest or the beaches - feed on fish and rock."

"Terrence!" Even her scolding was soft and sweet, further betrayed by a tickled grin.

_

Upstairs, the little troublemaker padded down the hallway and bypassed the door for her bath to one that was of more interest - her father's office.

It was a grand room sporting dark wood, a fireplace, fine desk, so many model ships - all happily held in bottles while one larger model rest atop the mantle. The study was lit by two large windows with a gorgeous display of a knife collection mounted between them.

Of course, that's what the mischievous girl was here for. She rolled out the luxurious chair from the desk for the sole purpose of standing on it to admire the collection of blades.

_

"So...Lily's father suggested a meet-up again soon," Marika's signature sweet smile was something a little more playful this time. "I'll have to talk to your father about it, but how does end of the week sound?"

Terrence's eyes ceased scanning the words as he thought for a moment. "...How about tomorrow?"

There was a moment of pause as Marika pondered.

"Why don't you help me get dinner started?" her expression was tender. After all, her children were growing up so fast. "And we can talk about it."

The boy was suddenly eager to put his book down, "Certainly, mother!"

He was quick to join her side, and just as they moved to head for the kitchen to carry out their cozy plans, a deafening thunder roll shook the whole house, leaving the two looking up in fear.

_

The shaking threw Astraea off balance as she scrambled to stay balanced in the trembling and rolling chair. She fell forward and caught herself on the narrow windowpane that was over the backyard. When she looked up, she could see the dark sea madly roaring and a furious wind that churned sickening storm clouds.

_

"A storm...?" Terrence and his mother exchanged puzzled glances. Before either could give any further thought, an explanation, or an answer, another deafening blast rang out and Marika's scream along with it as the front door was reduced to flying splinters.

_

Astraea's head whipped into the direction of the commotion with a gasp and cautious eyes.

_

"Knock, knock," came a familiar voice accompanied by slow footsteps.

Marika's motherly instincts took over, and she pushed Terrence behind her, shielding him from the approaching intruder. Her breathing was only becoming more labored - chest rapidly rising and falling in fear.

"Sir Alerick..." It was like she had to choke his name out. Then a shaky swallow. "What brings you back to our home?"

"What's with the fright, my darling Lady Marika?" The King's crown was cooked on his head. After all, it was fit for a king, not for him. "The meeting ended early, and I thought I'd stop by. Well...invade, really."

As if on cue, Dietrich entered the home holding the same velvet-draped box that had been presented at the meeting. Though now a liquid dropped from it.

Frozen in fear, the pair could only move wide eyes. On the other side of the doorless frame, they could see a carriage that awaited them.

"You're speechless - it's completely understandable, my love," Alerick brought their eyes back to him. "Proposals are always such an emotional occasion. Especially when they come so prettily packaged with the title of Queen."

With the reality of the words sinking in, the two only found themselves more paralyzed.

Even as he moved in closer.

"All you have to do is say yes," Alerick told her and Dietrich looked down to the box in twisted excitement as he got a handful of velvet - raring for the reveal. Alerick's cue was getting close, "And I think you'll find you won't be able to res-"

A feral war cry came from such a small girl as she ran at him with hardened arms and a blade from her father's study. He didn't know where she came from, but even with her element of surprise, he was still faster. It was nothing for him to snatch wrist and hold her in place so mean.

Dietrich looked at the girl in distaste for a moment ruined, and Marika choked out a sob as Alerick began to tighten his grip on her daughter's wrist. Tighter and tighter and tighter still...Her whimpers of pain or what could happen to her little bones didn't matter to him, he wanted that blade to fall from her fingers to the floor and that's exactly what he got.

"Elliott lied to you - you're nowhere near ready to be a knight," Alerick so cruelly said to the child. "You can't coat weapons. You can barely demonstrate the basics. Such a pity. I was so looking forward to our new Captain of the Guard." He looked down at her, taking pleasure in her wide fearful eyes. "Well go on, girl. Give me some hope. Fight back."

And she did fight back, just with a demand. "Why do you have my father's sword?!"

Marika and Terrence hadn't even noticed, but Astraea was right. What was in the Usurper's scabbard belonged to Rae. But now in his possession, Alerick took hold of the hilt.

"I have so much more than just his sword."

Taking that as his cue, Dietrich yanked the velvet.

Hearts dropped and wet eyes widened in that split second.

Until it was finally fully uncovered.

{bg: Hito no Dokuro ni Tee Dasuna - One Piece OST (0:00-0:28)}

Astraea's violet eyes grew fearful and swam with tears. But the tears wouldn't fall, and fear gave way to rage, and from the rage awakened a brutal, bright burst of supreme power...

3 YEARS LATER

A bleak snowy slush fell over a colorless kingdom, cold and quiet beneath those sickening storm clouds that eclipsed the sun. Crimson bear banners had fallen to see dark grey vortexes rise and tyrannize. Truth be told, the new banners did compliment the current dreariness of the kingdom.

Content as a cyclone over vast warm waters, Alerick thrived upon the throne as he looked at his approaching audience led by a man that looked strikingly similar to the fallen king. Behind the true heir was Terrence and two other teenage boys on either side of him. One had short auburn hair paired with easy hazel eyes and the other had wild, curly black hair and bright green eyes. All three stopped and patiently waited in silence with hands respectfully behind their backs as the Ferus boy fell gallantly into place by the Usurper's side. {fade out end at 0:28}

"See that?" Alerick asked the man beside him with a casual gesture to his audience. "Still just so very well behaved, aren't they? What gentlemen! This is exactly why you're all still around. Well?" He switched up his tone from spirited to annoyed and urged. "Speak."

"Your Grace," Terrence gave a subtle bow of his head. "Gratitude for taking time out of such a day to grant us audience."

"But, of course, Terrence, my boy." There was a certain smoothness to the Usurper's tone. A happiness, or perhaps a charm. "How could I turn my favorite stepchild down on this joyous occasion?"

"I'm hoping you'll say that when I speak with you on an important matter...It's of mother."

"Ah! My good queen. I haven't seen her today...As is typical given the...Well, you know. You were there," he practically jested. "Permanently seared into your mind, I'm sure! So, tell me. What can I do for sweet Marika?"

"The sun, Your Grace."

Alerick raised an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid mother isn't handling today very well. It's worse than usual, Your Grace. She barely slept at all last night, she refuses to eat or even speak. The last few months have been long, cold, and so drearily grey. If you would part your clouds and gift her some sun, just a little bit of kind warmth, I'm sure the sentiment would bring your good queen some sense of peace."

"Part my precious clouds?" Alerick seemed equally playful and offended, and the man that stood next to him lightly leaned in.

"If I may, Your Grace..."

"Let's hear it, Lecius."

"The Kingdom of Auberon hasn't seen sun in several months...If you would allow rays to breach today of all days, the people here consider it a good omen. Heaven smiling down on your day, so to speak."

"Ahh," Alerick smiled. "You're brighter than your poor bastard king of a father ever was. May his soul rest in or out of peace. I just might have to promote you from my sworn sword to my advisor. If only Felix wasn't so good at his job..." Alas, he turned back to his audience. "I'll consider it. I assume that's why you're here, too, Rowan? Sunless times spoiling your plants?"

The boy with the black curly hair opened his mouth to speak, but the moment he took that breath, Alerick cut him off.

"Oh, do shut up, I've already said I'll consider it. And you, Connor?" The King's enthusiasm further plummeted when he addressed the other boy. "Something with your gadgets or mad science or what have you? Don't tell me they're solar-powered."

"Oh, not at all, sire! I'm just here for support!" Connor harshly hit Terrence's back in what was supposed to be a supportive pat.

"Well, boys. You have your answer. Off with you." He made a shooing motion with both ring-heavy hands, and the three followed the order, taking leave with a quick and respectful bow. When the three were gone, Alerick turned to his sworn sword. "Good heavens, Lecius, I almost forgot to ask how your mother is faring today! I've just been thinking so much of my dragon pit. Such a shame the renovations couldn't be complete for my anniversary."

"My deepest condolences, Your Grace."

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

"It's unforgivable," Terrence was heated but hushed as the three boys strolled down the castle breezeway adjacent to the dying royal gardens. "That arrogant bastard. Seated on the throne while the rightful heir stands next to it as a loyal lapdog."

"Careful, Terry," Rowan urgently muttered. "These walls have ears."

"I wouldn't say such things if I didn't think it was safe to do so."

With not a single soul nearby, the three took pause beneath the grey in the breezeway arch that was the garden entrance.

"Maybe Lecius will finally snap and slice his throat," Connor seemed to agree they were in the clear for brazenly honest words, but Terrence shook his head.

"You know Lecius is smarter than that...More disciplined. You remember what happened the last time anyone tried anything...And now even once-abundant seaprism stone is hard to get our hands on...Besides, Lecius wants to set nothing into motion until his poor mother passes. Because...If it fails..."

"That damn chokehold he has on us all..."

"Loved one against loved one..." Rowan sadly added. "What about Elliott? Has anyone heard from him? Perhaps he's planning something given that Alerick wouldn't dare hurt Stormy? Right...? She was such good friends with him and Genevieve...they all grew up together."

"No..." Terrence was thoughtful. "Elliott got the easy out. I know it pains him, but I'm sure he's put this all behind him and is just focusing on his family now. And I would ask or expect nothing more of him. Let the man have his peace, and let's see this conversation put to rest."

Connor titled his head. "So, that's it, then? That's what three years has amounted to? Let's just keep waiting around until Lecius' mother is out of harms way in her grave or Astraea gets stronger? The corpses I get on my table are more proactive."

"You leave your twisted hobbies and my sister out of this!" Terrence warned under his breath. "I know she can get grand and brazen with her words, but she's just a girl."

"She has the Colors, Terry. She's a Conqueror."

"She blames me for all of this..." Rowan was dejected, but above all else, the boy bore guilt. "If I hadn't found that damned fruit none of this-"

"Not another word," Terrence cut him off with softly-spoken but stern words. "I promise Astraea does not blame you. She is angry. She is hurt. But all of that is directed at our King."

But before another word could be said, beautiful beams broke through the clouds and cast warmth onto their skin. All three turned to look at the clearing sky, and Terrence was still nothing short of spiteful.

"And what a merciful king he is..."

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

The golden sun atop the gray shone through an ornate window of Astraea's chambers, softly filling the room alongside a gentle crackling fire and a small singing voice.

"It's always summer...under the sea...I know, I know...oh, oh, oh..." Seated at the vanity, Astraea looked down and fidget with ribbons as her mother lovingly brushed through her long locks. They had grown with her through the unforgiving years. "The birds have scales...and the fish take wing. I know, I know...oh, oh, oh...The rain is dry, and the snow falls up...I know, I know..." The girl raised her sad eyes to the mirror and looked past herself at her mother, and that was when she realized, "Oh, look, mother, the sun came out!"

No response.

"Mother...?"

Still nothing, and Astraea thought for a moment.

"Will you tell me again about the Flower Capital...? About the samurai? The stories of the kappa and strange creatures were always so much fun!"

Marika only brushed though the locks in silence, weakly but with so much love.

"Mother, please say something...You haven't spoken all day, and I-"

"Your hair..." Marika finally spoke. Her voice sounded small, so defeated. "I'm glad you let it grow...I hope you know how so very special it is - It's just like his but gifted my waves." Marika gently played with the locks between her fingers as she brushed them and cherished fond memories of her lost love. "You got the best of both of us...Two perfect little pieces from us each that will live on through you...It's beautiful."

Those sad eyes filled with concern as she kept them on her mother in the mirror. "Are you alright, mother...? I can have Rowan bring tea...Whatever you need."

"Worry not, darling...I've just grown quite tired..." Slowly, Marika placed the brush back onto the vanity and rose, "I think I'll rest for a while...Save my strength," She turned to her daughter, took her face in her hands, and the two locked eyes, "Maybe then I can be as strong as you."

"But you don't need to be strong, mother. You've got me to protect you."

At last, the slightest bit of a smile tugged at the corners of Marika's lips, "Of course, darling. My strong, beautiful girl," her fingers lightly brushed Astraea's bangs to the side. "Remember, I'll always love you." Marika placed a kiss on the girl's forehead and then took her leave without another word. The girl watched as her mother departed. Once the door close, she kept her eyes on it for just a moment before turning to face herself in the mirror.

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

The dark silhouette of the castle and quiet capital coldly rested under a black, moonless night sky.

Astraea lay in bed with a grave face fixed on the massive clouds that drifted outside her grand bedroom window. But on this night, the capital would be blessed with another welcomed glimpse of the sky and even the shimmering moon itself was shyly unveiled.

At the beautiful surprise of a sight, the girl gave an elated gasp. "The moon!" she happily exclaimed to herself as she scrambled to her knees in bed, positioned for prayers to the silver light. "Hi daddy..." She so softly started. "I miss you so much...Do you remember? On that day...? Before you left, you told me to watch the moon, and you would be home when it was high in the sky...Mother and Terrence say you're happy in heaven now, but I think that's where you went - to moon and never back...I wish..." her little whispering voice began to quiver, but she quickly steadied herself - she had to.

{bg: Maya's Tears - One Piece OST (0:00-0:23)}

"I wish I could have gotten that pair of wings, so maybe I could fly to you. But...Even if I can't see you, I hope you're still watching down on me...I hope you get to see me make everything right. This isn't the part where life keeps me down. I'll get back up. I'll be the very, very, very strongest - I promise I will, daddy. I'll always fight for what you believed in...

And I'll win."

{end at 0:23 and fade into next ost}

{bg: Remember - Brunuhville (this is the non-vocal version - very important}

_

Terrence sat in front of a fire in the castle's library. A book was open in his lap, but his eyes were fixed on the flames. Even when the slight of the moon shone into the room.

_

Despite the snow and freezing cold, Marika wore nothing but an open white nightgown cinched just under her chest by three ties and exposed the rest of her bare body in nothing but a pair of white panties. The gown whipped where the wind willed as she slowly walked atop one of the castle walls. Cold tears streamed down her blank face and her lips shivered.

At last, she stopped at a spot on the wall-walk and slowly stepped up onto parapet. She looked down below to the impossible drop into the dark she knew ended in snow-covered cobble. But her face showed no sign of fear - in fact it remained blank.

The good queen looked to the sky for some final beauty as the clouds moved for the moon, and she closed her eyes as she gave her last breath to the cold. Her arms raised out to her sides and she leaned forward into a fall.

Marika saw nothing but him.

Her love.

His arms opened for her welcomed embrace at long last. As she fell, she only got closer to him - closer to peace.

{1:17} Until finally there were reunited.

Three guards at their post not far away snapped their heads around when they heard a sickening thud (inaudible) behind them. Their eyes went wide at the source of the noise.

_

A pair of other guards strolling down the halls of the castle saw the others below running from their post. The moment one of them caught a glimpse of the reason, they two were full speed.

_

Cozied up in the lab, Connor seemed to be stringing a guitar and waiting on test results while Rowan played with his plants, full sketchbook open and a curious sample under a microscope. Their attention was soon torn from hobby to hurried guards that tore into the room.

One was catching his breath while the other was frantically explaining through huffs.

The half-brothers weren't even fully up to speed when Connor was pulling out a pocket-sized transponder snail and Rowan was rushing to grab any rope, which he quickly handed off to one of the guards as Connor began a call.

_

Alerick was quite enjoying himself at a late-night feast celebrating three years on the throne. He was seated and all smiles at a full dining table, and two massive, monstrous bears adorned in gold and jewels were chained to the wall behind him - gods of war reduced to party décor.

The Usurper had just raised a glass of whiskey to his lips when those loyal to him quickly and discreetly informed him of the misfortune.

The warm fire that blazed in the banquet hall and all the welcome company could do nothing for the cold expression that washed over his face. He muttered an order (inaudible), and gestured with the fingers that held the glass for it to be carried out. The guards hurried to take their leave, and he calmly took another sip.

_

Terrence was still fixed on the fire when the door behind him burst open. Startled, he turned to see a guard rushing up, urging him (inaudible) from his chair and forced the rope from Rowan and his own sword into the boy's hands.

_

Astraea hadn't moved when her door burst open and, she whipped around to see Terrence hurrying to her. He yanked her to her feet and was quickly but sternly explaining something to her (inaudible) as he tied the rope around the bed post and threw the window open. Harshly, he shoved her towards it and urged her out.

She went from confused to scared when guards swarmed the room, and Terrence gave one final shove before he moved to be her shield from the storming guards.

The last thing she saw on her way out was her brother hold his ground with a readied sword as they came for him.

In nothing but her nightgown, her bare feet dropped into the snow.

And she ran.

But it didn't take long for yet another pair guards patrolling this side of the castle on horseback to spot her. Through the stinging tears and labored breaths, she fled from two pursuers through the freezing night, winding through narrow alleys and stumbling over railing to lose them.

She made it to the backend beach, but they had caught up with her when she struggled through the sand. As they closed in, one communicated on a portable transponder snail while the other guard reached for the fleeing girl, his hand mere inches away from her. But just before he could get a fistful of her hair, he abruptly stopped, and blood went flying into the crisp night. {2:18}

The second man was still speaking into the transponder snail when his face turned to horror, and his report became nothing but a scream (inaudible) as Elliott rode at him on an untacked Seamus with a black warhammer raised and readied for the enemy's head.

Elliott leapt from his horse and quickly got the girl into one of the few boats that were beached. He rowed as fast as he could while the girl could only stare at Seamus left behind with the two other aimlessly trotting horses and at the distant castle that got lost in the black moonless sky.

Storm clouds were rolling in.

{2:33} When dawn broke, she was curled up on the bottom of the boat. Her eyes looked to Elliott, and he could only offer the same. He was winded, pouring sweat, and rowing slower.

Without a word, she closed her eyes.

Night fell once more and they were blessed with calm waters but cursed with a dense fog. The girl hadn't moved since dawn, and Elliott looked down at her in pity as he gently rowed. But his attention was torn from her by a small approaching ship from behind.

One man aboard pointed and shouted commands (inaudible), and soon cannon fire tore through the night and towards them. {2:57} Astraea awoke to Elliott throwing himself over her as one cannon ball hit him directly in his Haki-coated back. The two went down with the splintered rowboat.

The men on the ship looked out into the dark waters for any sign of life, though none would come. Once satisfied, the one who ordered the canon fire nodded and the small ship began its departure.

The fog turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the pair. After swimming a distance Elliott sure was safe, they surfaced. But that wasn't the end of it, they would have to swim until they reached land. She broke free from Elliott's protective hold to swim on her own, and they struggled and paddled into the deep dark waters, fighting to keep their heads above the roughening waves before going under again. {end}

Exhausted and shivering, the two resurfaced with a final, deep and desperate gasp. At last, land was within reach, the pier was the answer to their prayers. Elliott hoisted the girl up onto the frozen wharf. She messily tumbled, but quickly gathered herself to grab the massive man's forearm in a futile attempt to pull him up to join her. Desperately, she tugged, pulled, and grunted until he was able to crawl up with the help she had to offer. Instantly, he was flat on his back, huffing and panting, a well-deserved rest for what he had just gone through to protect the girl.

She was in not much better of state, as she was on her knees and folded over herself facing towards the land while trying to catch her breath. Whimpers and the cold escaped her trembling lips as she peered into the darkness before them where a rundown harbor town waited to be their new home.

{bg: Le Retour Triomphal - Shiro SAGISU}

PRESENT DAY

That same image of the town erupted in bright sunlight, colors, confetti, and cheers. It was clearly cleaner and expanded, hosting merry masses and a sea of happy faces. Underneath lines of strung pirate flags and lovely string lights, people hurried from one booth to another - each one offering games, prizes, or delectable dishes. Some carried around cotton candy or sparklers as they excitedly explored all the festival had to offer.

{0:18} A petite cloaked figure approached a fruit stand from the seaside harbor path. Well, cloak was a generous word for the beige cloth fashioned into something like a cloak. The wearer pushed the hood far back enough to free thick strands of raven hair and full lips as she leisurely took her time to browse the sweet selections. She seemed enough at peace until she was pulled out of her choosing by overhearing two very ecstatic nearby boys with their little wooden swords and homemade pirate costumes, wide eyes to the harbor.

"Whoa, cool! Look at that one!" one child pointed at a massive ship as it pulled into port.

"That's Liberal Hind! X Drake's ship!" the other excitedly responded. "Awesome!! He's actually here!"

"The Fire Tank Pirates are already here, too! I saw them walking around! Is that the Straw Hats in the distance?! So cool!!"

A bit perplexed, the girl pushed her hood back even further to reveal a full familiar face - though now all grown up. She glanced from the children to the harbor to find it beyond bustling with onlooking civilian crowds and unloading pirate crews alike. So many peculiar ships she had never seen while others were incoming on the horizon.

Just then, an eclipsing ship drifted directly in front, blocking her view of harbor and ocean and casting a massive shadow over the crowds and street. This one she knew - the Stay Tuned. And while the boys swooned with starry eyes over the Sea Roar, she sneered.

"Oh shit...that's today?" the girl asked herself and looked into the town with dismay to find festive decorations aplenty, booths, more crowds, and the most damming all the evidence: pirate flags. "Oh shit...that's today."

{0:51} Without hesitation, she grabbed a peach from the fruit stand and took off into town.

"Hey!! Carmen!" the shopkeeper called after her.

"Sorry, Cal! You know I'm good for it!" she threw her hood back on before sinking her teeth into the peach and disappearing into the crowd as some heads turned after her.

_

{1:00} From aboard the Thousand Sunny, Chopper was on Franky's shoulders as the helmsman sailed the Sunny to the harbor town on the horizon.

"Hello, New World!!!" the little reindeer couldn't help but happily exclaim. Relaxed and eyes closed, Robin took a sip of her drink, and interrupted from his nap, Zoro lightly opened his one eye.

"Our first stop here! Or rather, our first vacation~" Eternal pose in hand, Nami jumped up from sunning in her lawn chair and hurried to the side of the ship, "I can't wait to see what it's like!"

"I'll be by your side come what may, Nami-sweet~" Sanji playfully sang and hurried after her.

The captain stood on the lion head with a broad smile and sight set to the fest - to the future. Wind played in his hair and seagulls soared as his dreams. This was it.

This was the New World.

_

{1:15} Standing proudly on the bow of their ships at sea, Eustass "Captain" Kid and the Mad Monk Urouge held grins to the horizon.

_

{1:19} "Straw Hats, huh?" Law could see the ship and others ahead in the not-so-far distance. "Eustass and Urouge, too. And looks like there are plenty more already at port," he side-eyed his limited crew. "I can't believe I let you guys talk me into taking a break and coming here."

"But Captain! We missed you!" Bepo was first to speak, gathered with the rest of the crew behind Law on deck. "And you really do deserve this! You've been working hard for almost two months now!"

Penguin nodded. "A well-earned time of rest. Plus, the timing was perfect with your birthday!"

"Well, almost perfect..." After those words, Sachi would be the first to break - he could hardly contain his excitement. "And we wanna see the cabaret girls!!

"Yeah!" Penguin shamelessly admitted, hands on his friend's shoulders. The two earned a death-glare from the Surgeon of Death, "We wanted to see you too though, captain!"

"Would you two knock it off?!"

_

{1:30} Carmen still hurried through the packed-out streets of her usually peaceful hometown, her teeth still anchoring the peach to her lips as she made her way further into the sea of spectators.

"Where's the pizza stand?!" a pink-haired woman that Carmen had, at a distance, passed by demanded.

"We're looking for it, Captain!" a large man tried to placate her.

The voice from another crew mate came far from the left. "Over here, Captain!"

Swiftly turning a corner, the girl passed by tall, stout, and well-built man that was occupied at one of the booths with an array of reptiles on display. From his wanted poster, she knew to be Red Flag himself, X Drake. Though his wanted poster did him no justice, and his stature made her tear the peach from her teeth and up-and-down as she kept her pace. "Good lord..." said to herself with her mouth full before setting herself straight and running down past the part of the street lined with horse-drawn carriages.

_

"Careful, Chiffon," Bege held the hand of his 6-month pregnant wife as she stepped into one.

"I got it, honey," she sweetly assured her dear husband who turned back to his two men, Vito and Gotti. "You two wait for us here."

_

Peach back between her teeth and running full speed, Carmen arrived the town square. It was festively decorated with a stunning sun and moon themed stage, even more decadent and exotic booths, a traditional renaissance band tuning their instruments, and brightly colored tents set up.

She sped past a man with long blonde hair, a single black cat mink crewmate at his side. Repulsion on his face from the sight, the blonde man immediately shuffled and suspended cards in the air before him. "A little thief, I imagine."

"You're doing a reading to see if she stole the peach?"

"No...I'm trying to figure out why the cards advised I come here in the first place."

"Perhaps fate just wants you to have fun for once, Captain," the Magician couldn't help but wryly suggest.

_

At last, Carmen reached her destination - one of the big, bright tents with one of her beautifully dressed but impatient man waiting for her outside.

The man gave a dramatic gasp, "There you are!!" his relieved exclamation came with him tearing the peach from her teeth.

"Sorry, Tracey," she threw her hood back as she chewed. "I forgot."

"You forgot?" it almost sounded like disbelief was caught in his throat, and she flatly gave her defense.

"I was drunk every time they talked about it!"

"They've been talking about it for months!!"

"I've been drunk for years."

"I would rip my hair out if it wasn't already done!" Tracey yanked one half of the tent entrance open.

"You do look stunning, really, Tracey. So festive!"

He wouldn't be sweetened by her compliments or pretty smile.

"Get in, Songbird! Victor said your hair and makeup need to be perfect by the time the fireworks go off."

{1:59} With the best timing in all of the New World, shrill whistles of fireworks soaring into the air sounded out. In unison, Tracey shot Carmen a death glare and threw the peach at her bicep, and she curled her lips in, violet eyes on him in a mix of remorseful and amused as she tried to make herself smaller.

{2:05} Sparkling and mixing into the sky with the confetti and clouds as they whistled upwards, the fireworks burst in air. {end}

Title shot~!

{Next Episode Preview: ALL THE STARS}

Read the next episode here!

───── ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ ─────

(Disclaimer: The song Astraea is singing when her mother is brushing her hair is "It's Always Summer Under the Sea (Shireen's Song)" - Game of Thrones Soundtrack, Season 3)

[thecreaturecodex]

Títere

Image © @pigdemonart​, accessed at their tumblr here

[Commissioned by @coldbloodassassin. Fridays are for commissions, at least for now. I have five commissions left to get through, so that will get me into November. I had more when I announced my switch to a MWF schedule, but I have had a falling out with a person who made many commissions. So they’ve been canceled and refunded, and I won’t be working with them again.

The títere here is unique to this comic, and relies on a bit of linguistics from Puerto Rico. The word “ títere” can mean either “violent man” or “marionette”. So this títere is both. I was inspired by its wooden design to make it a scarecrow +, and am continuing to use my tsukumogami rules to apply to creatures other than yokai.]

Títere CR 9 CN Construct (tsukumogami) This immense being looks something like a distorted wooden marionette. Its head is oversized and filled with blocky teeth, it has four arms and a dozen skittering, spider-like legs. As it moves, its joints creak and pop unsettlingly.

A títere, sometimes called a “thug puppet”, is a form of tsukumogami washed in blood and steeped in fear. They are created from humanoid inanimate objects, such as dolls, marionettes and scarecrows, that are ancient before being present at the scene of a murder. The force of the killing empowers the nascent soul developing inside of the object to dramatically change its body, transforming into a centipede like horror of wood and cloth. These creatures often haunt the sites of tragedy and crime, attacking trespassers, investigators or those coming to pay respects alike.

Although they are not inherently evil, títeres are violent and untrusting. They consider a brutal beating to be the first and best solution to most problems. The sound of their limbs moving unnaturally fills those that hear it with fear, and their very touch causes a temporary, panic-induced catatonia. A títere typically wears layers of mismatched and ill-fitting clothing, some the original scraps of doll clothes or old scarecrow pieces, others the trophies taken from their victims. These layers give them some physical protection, but in combination with their wooden composition make them very flammable.

Most thug puppets remain at the sites of their creation, rendering them legend-haunted, mysterious places. They tend to get along with the undead better than living creatures, and a títere may act as a guardian for a colony of ghouls or wights on the outskirts of civilization. Others range forth, and as they learn about society and witness other crimes become obsessed with violent vengeance. These títeres may act as vigilantes, although they often lack a sense of scale and punish minor transgressions with deadly force. 

Títere                        CR 9 XP 6,400 CN Huge construct (tsukumogami) Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +9 Aura ominous creaking (60 ft., Will DC 19) Defense AC 23, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (-2 size, +3 Dex, +10 natural, +2 armor) hp 142 (12d10+40 plus 36) Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +3 DR 10/magic and slashing; Immune construct traits Defensive Abilities motley garb, soul-powered; Weakness haunted, vulnerable to fire Offense Speed 40 ft. Melee bite +15 (2d6+5), 4 slams +15 (1d6+5 plus terrorize) Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft. Statistics Str 20, Dex 16, Con -, Int 13, Wis 9, Cha 17 Base Atk +12; CMB +19; CMD 32 (51 vs. trip) Feats Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Stealth), Step Up Skills Intimidate +11, Perception +9, Sense Motive +9, Stealth +21; Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth Languages Common SQ compression Ecology Environment any land Organization solitary or march (2-6) Treasure standard Special Abilities Haunted (Ex) A tsukumogami is harmed by positive energy effects and healed by negative energy effects. It is treated as being undead for the purposes of spells and abilities that affect the undead. Motley Garb (Ex) A títere wears layers of mismatched clothing that grant it a +2 armor bonus to its AC and impose no armor check penalty or spell failure chance. Ominous Creaking (Su) All creatures within 60 feet of a títere must succeed a DC 19 Will save or be shaken for as long as they remain in the area and for 1d4 rounds thereafter. If a creature cannot see the títere, but can hear it, it suffers a -2 penalty to this roll. This is a sonic, audible fear effect, and the save DC is Charisma based. Soul-Powered (Ex) A tsukumogami gains its Charisma modifier as a bonus to its Hit Points as if it were undead. Terrorize (Su) A creature struck by a títere’s slam attack must succeed a DC 19 Will save or cower in fear for 1 round. Multiple failed saves cause the duration to stack. This is a fear effect and the save DC is Charisma based.