#~V: Secundus

[thevalicemultiverse]

To Victor (Secenda):

Have you actually Willy Wonka yet? If so, what are your opinions on him? Is he nice?

Secundus

Victor: I'm afraid I have not yet met him directly, no -- he really doesn't come out of his factory at all, apparently. But anyone who makes candy as delicious as his must be nice! Or, at least, not a total jerk...

[icybreaths]

|| @apocalypta-secundus || Rogue Jewel Starters || for Leyre ||

Another cast to dust by her bloodied claws…

Jewel observed from the shadows, carving tool in hand. She had been whittling away at a bone, but at this point the project lay on her lap, unfinished, as another had caught her attention.

The arrancar was quick on her feet. She thinned the herd one after another with seemingly little effort. It was difficult to see from the shadows she lurked in, but it seemed like the woman enjoyed herself.

It wasn’t directly her problem so she felt no need to get involved. Why ruin ones hunt?

That is… until Jewel found herself a target of a stray. It crept nearer on its numerous legs, not a sound out of it until knew she noticed it.

A roaring strike from the beast forced the Shinigami out of her hiding place. Taking to the night sky, she descended in massive plume of the white fur that cloaked her, armed with a long spear of luminous blue ice in her hand.

In the distance she heard a choir of roars dying down, but her focus was elsewhere to give it her full attention.

Jewel landed on the top of the hollow’s skull and drove the spear into its left eye socket, causing it to screech and violently jerk in an attempt to throw her off. It didn’t work.

The right eye of the beast suffered the same fate.

She went on to impale it several more times before it began to fade away.

Her gaze darted in the direction of the herd and of the arrancar she had been watching.

Her spear was still poised.

[burdenedreverence]

"It is not my choice to make. I have ordered to attack, and hell itself would not convince me others. Now you can either retreat, observe, or help me. But you will not stand in my way."

@apocalypta-secundus

[burdenedreverence]

"One of his best?" Hayden would immediately reply, his head shifting to Shunsui with an amused look. "I am his best." The soldier-scholar added on with a slow cadence, perhaps some level of arrogance to his words. It wasn't said lightly nor with a false boast in the eyes of Hayden.

Hayden regarded himself as the best, of the best, within the ranks of 1st Division. When it came to fighting or otherwise. It was that mentality which cultivated the strength he had amassed for his goals, and he would not allow himself to fall into compliancy.

Not again.

"I'm always down to spar, I've my finished my work for the evening. I can take us over to my Division's training area." He'd smile.

Later... also meant, he might not sign them and just finish this bottle... Down the hatch, he was going to let the two of them talk it over.

"Eh, probably not...? He's one of the guys who raised me, is all." She waved a hand, "Raised and trained." A hand on her hip as she grinned, proud of her origin... And how far she had come. "I come here to hang out with my old man after a mission sometimes."

"Born and sorta raised in the Eleventh, actually!" And that's where her history got a bit muddy, but she punched her fist into her hand. "Oyaji said you're one of his best, mind if we spar a little?" She wasn't one of the best in the Eleventh herself buuuut wouldn't might a little scuffle.

[radawaycunt]

Arcanum Amorem

ACTUS SECUNDUS: PART II

Also on AO3

Pairing: Lucius Verus Aurelius x Fem!Reader

WC: 3.5k words

Summary: Part 2 of a request for my beloved mutual @chibipeachu <33 // AU inspired by Romeo and Juliet, where you meet a gladiator on the first night of the Saturnalia, and both of you seem to be immediately struck by Cupid's arrow.

Warnings: MINORS DNI (this fic is 18+), Alternate Universe (no emperor Lucius), deviation from canon, Lucius and Reader are in their 20s, forbidden love, slight power imbalance, fluff, some angst, smut, unprotected p in v, loss of virginity, a little bit of dirty talk, no death at the end, jealousy, alcohol consumption (wine), potentially some historical inaccuracies (SORRY), and I think that's it but lmk if anything else!

You nursed a cup of wine as you stared off into the middle distance, not paying attention to the conversation your father and your suitor, Cassius, were engaged in. The initial introduction had been mercifully brief before the two men began talking politics, but you and Alba had no choice but to politely listen in, not yet dismissed. She seemed much more keen on actually listening to what they were saying, though, subtly nodding along even if she didn’t make any remarks herself.

Cassius was adequately handsome, with dark, kind eyes, sunkissed olive skin, and a mop of dark curls. He was a couple of years older than you, and taller by half a head. He seemed nice enough upon first impression, at the very least, but he hadn’t really tried to ask you anything about yourself. Not that you had expected him to, but it irked you all the same. If he wanted to marry you, shouldn’t he at least attempt to woo you a little bit?

Your mind drifted back to Lucius and his fervent blue eyes, which reminded you of the pale morning sky, the lovely promise of a new day. Those eyes had shown a real interest in you, and not the opportunities you offered, whether you wanted to or not. You didn’t think it had been just lust, either, but it was still too early to tell. Regardless, it was a very rare thing to encounter and you found it to be quite titillating. Then again, most forbidden things were.

You wouldn’t necessarily consider yourself idealistic, but it was hard not to fantasize, especially when the anticipation of your late night rendezvous was eating at you. Never before had you felt time stretching on so infinitely, and you could only hope that it remained that way while you were actually with him.

Lucius, for his part, had stuck to the shadows at the corners of the garden, keeping watch while remaining mostly unseen. Ravi had quickly caught on to his plans and half-heartedly tried to persuade him against it, but Lucius’s resolve was implacable. Especially after spotting you with Cassius, a bitter taste forming at the back of his throat he could not swallow down. His fists clenched and unclenched slowly at his sides.

“Glowering so openly will only invite unwanted attention, my friend,” Ravi said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “The last thing I want to do is bring dishonor to the house of a friend by starting a row, especially during such a holy day.”

Lucius’s jaw clenched, but he nodded once, firmly. “And we will do no such thing, I assure you. Though… I can hardly explain it, Ravi.”

Ravi huffed with amusement, understanding all the same. “I know. We have all been arrested by such beauty at least once in our lives.”

“She goes beyond beauty.”

Ravi looked over at you, trying to see things through Lucius’s eyes. In the time he’d known the fierce gladiator, he had never seen him struck by someone to such a degree. That wasn’t to say he hadn’t succumbed to his baser instincts every now and again with pretty, giggling courtesans, but this was definitely different. He wasn’t sure if he should be more worried because of it, but he was at least sure he would be totally unsuccessful in deterring Lucius. He already knew how stubborn he could be. 

Ravi heaved a resigned sigh. “I know that, too.”

Lucius downed his cup of wine in one go and he silently offered to refill it for him, hoping he would stay put until he came back.

All that time, you’d felt a heavy gaze on you, but you hadn’t allowed yourself to look around for him. There was too much at risk to be that foolish, even if you were burning to meet his gaze once more. Without you realizing it, the smallest of smiles tugged at your lips at the thought of your brief conversation by the portraits.

But then Alba subtly elbowed your side, bringing you back to the present. You blinked, startled, and realized Cassius, your father, and Alba were looking at you expectantly. 

“I’m sorry?” You said, figuring Cassius must have asked you something.

He chuckled, perhaps confusing your absentmindedness for meek pining. You suppressed the urge to roll your eyes. 

“I asked if you knew how to play any instruments?” He said, his smile patient. “I’ve always been fond of music.”

“Um, the harp, a little bit. I don’t consider myself to be a very proficient player, really…” 

“Oh, don’t be so modest, daughter. You play beautifully,” your father cut in, pride in his voice. “And you have a lovely singing voice, too.”

Your face heated up from embarrassment, but you didn’t exactly want to contradict your father. Cassius raised his eyebrows, both faintly impressed and intrigued.

“Perhaps you will honor me with a demonstration some time,” he said.

“But of course,” you said automatically, bowing your head.

Cassius and your father smiled, well pleased. Alba clocked your discomfort in the tense set of your shoulders and subtly took your hand, squeezing your fingers reassuringly.

“Uncle, it is getting rather late. Perhaps my cousin and I may retire to our chambers for the evening?” She said, making a show of yawning behind her hand. “I would hate for us to collapse from exhaustion right in front of you.”

“Why, yes, of course. There’ll be plenty more time for us to chat in the coming days,” he said, kissing your forehead and then hers. “Get some rest so you’ll look just as lovely in the morning. Nobody likes a haggard looking woman, isn’t that right, Cassius?”

He laughed, setting your teeth on edge. “Rightly so.”

Mentally, you punched him right on the nose, but in reality you stood rigid, your plastered smile more a baring of teeth. Cassius took your hand and kissed your knuckles, but the gesture felt nothing like when Lucius did it. You wanted to recoil as if burnt. 

“I’ll be seeing you very soon,” he said, and you suppressed a shiver not of anticipation, but of dread. 

—------------------

You tossed and turned for what seemed like a restless eternity, waiting for all the noise outside to dwindle and eventually die down completely. You kept one candle burning on your bedside table, but otherwise, you were plunged in darkness. Every so often, you anxiously glanced towards the balcony, where you’d left the door ajar. Only the breeze slipped in for the longest time, until…

A darker shadow hovered in the threshold for a moment, as if making sure he was in the right place. You sat up in bed, heart rate immediately kicking up. You thought you recognized his broad shoulders and easy gait, but you scarcely dared to believe he was real, that this was actually happening.

“Is it really you?” You whispered, clutching the covers against your chest. 

His shoulders slumped with equal relief and you could swear you heard him breathe out a soft laugh.

“Yes, my lady, it’s me…” he whispered. “May I?”

“Yes, please.”

Slowly, he approached, and finally his face was faintly illuminated by the candlelight. He stood there, unmoving, though his eyes roamed, snatching on your trembling lips and the hollow of your throat. You let the covers fall from your grip, clothed in only a thin sleep tunic where he could see the pert outline of your breasts. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then briefly looked away, mentally chastising himself for being improper.

“What is it?” you asked.

His eyes flicked back to your face. “I just… wanted to look at you.”

He sat down on the edge of the bed, facing you. He offered his hand and you took it, looking down at your laced fingers. With his free hand, he caressed your cheek before grasping your chin, making you meet his gaze.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. 

You smiled lopsidedly, still feeling a flush of warmth at his compliments. “So you’ve said…”

He chuckled softly, realizing he was making a fool of himself. “It bears repeating.”

You scooted closer to him, suddenly feeling like any distance between you was too great. Perhaps it was the urgency of limited time, or the culmination of all your anticipation. Whatever it was, your body seemed to bow towards him out of its own volition, filled with longing.

Your eyes darted to his lips, slowly reaching up to brush them gently with the tips of your fingers. “Will you kiss me?”

He nodded, kissing your fingers before your hand moved to cup his face. He leaned in, hot breath fanning over your cupid’s bow. His lips brushed against yours softly, your eyes slipping closed in bliss. The tip of your tongue touched his upper lip enticingly and he shuddered, clutching you against him.

His lips melded against yours, tongue slipping into your mouth. You whimpered wantonly, tightly holding onto his tunic with your free hand. What you really wanted was to feel his warm skin against yours, every hard plane of his muscles deliciously contrasting your softness.

Venus herself must’ve heard your silent pleas, for you felt your shift sliding off one of your shoulders. You pulled back for air, both of you panting, pupils blown wide. Holding his gaze, you slowly pulled the top half of your shift down to your waist. 

His breath caught in his throat as he took you in, unsure what to do with his hands. Your chest heaved under his appraisal, fire slowly blooming outward from within you. You reached out for his hand, bringing it to your sternum so he could feel how quickly your heart was beating.

“Touch me,” you said. “However you’d like to do it, just keep touching me.”

Every instinct screamed at him to give in to your wishes, but he hesitated, looking back up at your face.

“Are you sure?” he asked, swallowing hard and bracing himself for whatever your answer might be. “I’m aware of your… courtship.”

You clutched his arm and shook your head desperately, as if you could cast the thought away so simply.

“I’m not his. I could never be his,” you breathed. “I want to be yours.”

There was a sound low in his throat at that, and he dove forward to claim your mouth once more. His fingers danced over your ribcage before slowly trailing up towards your breasts. His mouth moved to your jaw and the slope of your throat, pulling more soft sounds from you. As your collective desperation increased, you slid back and pulled him over you, his body slotting between your legs.

He left open mouth kisses over your clavicles and the ladder of your sternum, but when his tongue dragged over to one of your sensitive nipples, you arched against him. Every part of your body felt hyper aware of him, nerve endings tingling even at the fan of his breath on your skin. 

He took his time lavishing your chest, one of his hands roaming lower and lower until it was slipping under your shift. Your legs jerked as he made contact with your inner thigh, your breath hitching. He grinned at you, well pleased that you were responding so keenly to him. 

“Have you ever touched yourself here, my lady?” he asked, his lips hovering over yours once more. “Did you imagine a ravagement such as this?”

You shook your head deliriously, trying to kiss him, but he kept himself teasingly out of reach. His fingers moved closer to your center, teasing the junction where it met your thigh. You could feel your heartbeat beating right at your core, intensely warm.

“No? Well… I suppose the real thing is always better, isn’t it?”

With that, his middle finger parted your folds, his brows furrowing wantonly as he realized just how slick you were already. He dragged his finger up, making contact with that bundle of nerves that nearly made you cry out. Was it supposed to feel that intense? It was like a whole new world was opening up for you.

“My, my… There’s my answer,” he said, finally kissing you once more. 

You moaned into his mouth as he continued his slow, exploratory ministrations. You bucked against his palm, instinctively searching for more friction. But he was determined to keep an easy pace, wanting to prolong your pleasure as long as he could. He circled your clit maddeningly, drawing out more honey from you, and earning a scratch on his shoulder.

His middle finger teased the entrance of your cunt, pushing inside a little bit, probing. You trembled against him, nodding for him to go on. 

“Please, Lucius,” you panted. “Please.”

Painstakingly slow, his finger plunged into you, making you momentarily tense. As he began to move it a little, you felt it curl inside of you, touching another spot you’d also been unaware of. Soon a second finger joined the first, and he fucked you with them at that same maddening pace, opening you up for him. His thumb slotted against your clit for an added layer, and after just a few swipes, you found yourself tumbling headfirst into oblivion. 

You felt like one of those mountains of fire during eruption, ripples of heat spreading through you. Your eyes closed and your mouth fell open as your muscles seized, your walls contracting against his finger with every pulse of ecstasy. Lucius moaned throatily as he helped you ride it all the way through, a possessive feeling surging within him.

He was painfully hard, his cock pulsing with need, but he wouldn’t go further if you didn’t wish to. He was content to make it all about you and would take the memory with him to please himself later.

But when you looked at him, starry-eyed and smiling beatifically as you parted your legs even more, he knew it would not be the case. You sat up to help him take his tunic off, mesmerized by the length and girth of him as it was revealed to you. In the dim candlelight, you could see the tip of it glistening with his own arousal.

“Last chance to go back,” he murmured, his hand wrapping around himself.

“Never,” you said without hesitation. “Make me yours, and only yours. I beg you.”

How could he ever deny such sweet words? If that was what you wanted, then he’d happily comply.

You wiggled out of your shift and laid back down, arms extended toward him to pull him in. He happily gave in, your knees drawing up to press against his hips. With one hand, he swiped the head of his cock through your folds, coating it in your slick. Still sensitive from your orgasm, you jerked against him, thighs pressing tighter against his sides. 

“This might hurt a little, but I’ll be careful,” he promised, taking your hand to kiss it. “Tell me if you want to stop.”

Though you nodded, you already knew you would be doing no such thing. You felt him line up with your entrance, the head pushing in slightly. It was more of a stretch than his fingers, so you inhaled sharply through your teeth at the slight sting. He paused only to assess your reactions, but then he kept pushing in little by little.

Once he was in to the hilt, he lowered himself so his chest was against yours, his face burying in your neck. He didn’t move at first, letting you get used to the full length of him throbbing inside you. Then he felt you squirming against him, his beard tickling your neck as he kissed it. His hips began to move, barely drawing back before plunging in once again, making you keenly aware of every single inch.

You sighed his name, fingers digging into his soft curls to tug his head so he’d meet your lips. Your tongues tangled sloppily as his thrusts gradually grew in intensity, hips snapping against yours. It was a struggle to keep quiet, especially as he hit spots deep inside you that had your head spinning. He followed every soft plea to go harder, deeper, your desperate mewls spurring him on.

Lucius felt his own pleasure mounting, the muscles of his abdomen bunching. Your warmth and the tight clutch of your cunt had his sack tightening, becoming increasingly harder to keep his orgasm at bay. But he wanted you to come together, this time, meld your bodies for good.

He snaked a hand between your bodies and found your clit once more, rubbing it in frantic circles. You muffled your hitching moans against his shoulder, pressing your face against it. Your cunt clamped down on him as you felt yourself slipping under once more, pulling him along with you. He buried himself to the hilt just as his release began to spill, an animalistic groan escaping his throat with each spurt coating your insides. Now you were well and truly his, and he wouldn’t let anyone take you from him. 

The two of you clutched each other tightly as if to anchor yourselves in reality. Gradually, you drifted back to the present and he pulled back to look at you, brushing hair away from your face. You smiled as if drunk, your cheeks flushed brightly. He peppered your face with kisses, not wanting to ever pull away from you.

But outside, birds were just beginning their dawn chorus, reminding you of all the dangers daylight would bring. At most, you had a few more minutes of peace.

“Take me with you,” you said, giving him pause. “Not today but… Someday.”

“Where?”

“Somewhere far away, where no one will know who we are, or what is expected of us.”

He searched your features for any hint of doubt. “Is that what you really want?” 

You nodded. “I cannot stay here. I can’t. They’ll hand me over to him as soon as it’s convenient.”

“We won’t let that happen.” He grasped your hand tightly, a look of determination on his face. “I don’t know how, but I promise you I will do what I can to get you out of here.”

“Let it be soon, please,” you said. “Nights aren’t nearly long enough to be at your side.”

“We still have a few days of the Saturnalia, my love,” he said, trying to soothe your anxiety. “Perhaps I may be able to visit you like this so we may… do some planning.”

You chuckled at the insinuation in his tone, rolling your eyes playfully. “How much planning can actually be done with no clothes on?”

“Oh, believe me, I’m at my most effective then.” He grinned mischievously. “I’ll just have to prove it to you.”

————————-

The day of your wedding came, but you were not present for it. In fact, you were leagues away from the Ostia Antica, surrounded by the glittering Tyrrhenian sea. Seagulls circled overhead, squawking among themselves. The salty breeze pushed your hood off your head and tousled your hair. Your eyes were fixed on the horizon, wondering when you would see land next.

Lucius reached over to pull your hood back on and you turned to smile at him. You were aboard a merchant ship, granted safe passage after paying off the captain with what was meant to be your dowry. The ship was headed to Greece, but you weren’t sure if that would be your final destination. 

It was both exhilarating and frightening not knowing what would come next in your life. But for the first time, it would all be up to you, with only the Gods to intervene. That couldn’t be helped. So far, though, Fortuna had tipped her scale in your favor, and you had to have trust it would carry you safely to wherever you’d end up.

And with Lucius at your side, nothing really seemed impossible, anyway. You had managed to run away, after all. Though it was sad to leave certain aspects of your life behind, like your family, you kept your gaze ahead. Everything ahead of you, nothing behind you. That was the way of things.

“What are you thinking about?” Lucius prompted, secretly hoping you weren’t having any second thoughts.

You sidled up against him, sighing contentedly. “How grateful I am that fortune sometimes favors fools in love.”

He chuckled, relieved. “So you are saying we are fools?”

“Oh, we are. We really are.” You laughed, kissing his cheek. “But I like that about us.”

He hummed as if considering your words. “Foolish enough to sneak into the captain’s quarters for a moment alone? After all, we’re yet to celebrate the beginning of our new lives…”

Your smile had a mischievous curl to it. “Why, yes, we are. Though not foolish enough to get ourselves caught, I hope.”

His arm wrapped around your waist to pull you even closer. “Hmm, we’ll see about that once I get my hands on you.”

--------

FINIS.

[sharenadraculea]

Planetswap-AU Outline!

Finally manged to finish the backstory-outlines for my planetswap-au!

I Lion El‘Johnson (Olympia): The tyrant of Lochos received a vision that a child from the sky would take his throne and so he ordered his servants to kill the infant. But instead they gave the baby to a huntress, who went on to raise him as a girl. Many years later she meets Calliphone, the princess of Lochos who ran away, and while they slowly fell in love, they started planning the revolution. 

III Fulgrim (Barbarus): Beeing captured by the tyrannical overlord Necare, Fulgrim spent his whole life in a tower on the highest mountain of Barbarus. While beeing forced to work for Necare, the toxic atmosphere slowly but surely did irreversible damage to his lungs. When the Emporer finally came to Barbarus, Fulgrim was closer to death than live, and even after leaving the planet, he is in dire need of medical treatment.

IV Perturabo (Baal Secundus): Perturabos pod was found by the mutants living in the desert and they raised him as one of their own. And seeing their suffering, he wanted to help. And he managed to, building houses and trying to improve medicine. 

V Jagathai Dorn (Inwit): The young Jaghatai was found by the patriarch of the house Dorn. Growing up amongst the feuding houses he soon learned the in and outs of both politics and polite society and became a master of artic warfare. It didn‘t take long for him to conquer the whole world and so he set to the stars, soon having taken over the whole of the Inwit-cluster. 

VI Leman (Prospero): After landing in the desert of Prospero, the planets psykic jackels led the infant to the city of Tizca. Roaming it‘s streets, Leman finally found a home in the cities great library. He learned the place of every book and despite beeing of great help to the people of Prospero, he always felt like a outsider due to his inability to use magic. 

VII Rogal (Cthonia): Rogal was found by one of Cthonias many gang-leaders, who quickly came to treat him as her own son. As the young primarch grew up, he realized what his mother was actually doing and in a fit of rage accidentally killed her. Terrified of what he did, Rogal ran away and hid out until the emporer arrived. 

VIII Konrad (Caliban): There are many strage creatures in the depth of Calibans forest and one of them is the Lady of the Lake. As beautifull as she is deadly and often accompanied by the Watchers in the Dark, she may help those mortals brave or foolish enough to seek her out. But if they are deemed unworthy, they may loose their heart to her. 

IX Sanguinius Khan (Chogoris/Mundus Plannus): Raised by a tribal leader, Sanguinius had a happy childhood until his father was killed by a enemy tribe. Gathering his own army, he set out for revenge and once he tasted blood, there was no going back. With both fear and diplomacy he united the warring tribes of the steppe, attracting the attention of the planets empires who soon managed to capture him. The day of his supposed execution, he killed the local emporer and fought his way back out, soon taking over the whole planet. 

X Ferrus Manus (Terra): Ferrus was raised by the Emporer himself or more accuratly, it was Malcador who did most of it. He traveled the stars ever since he was young and no, the Emporer definetly did not loose a teenage Ferrus, leading to him slaying a necron construct which coated his arms in living metal. 

XII Angron Guilliman (Macragge): Angron was raised by loving parents and had a very happy childhood. Thanks to his empathy-powers he came to greatly care about regular humans and so started to improve live for everyone. He also introduced proper democracy to Ultramar and started adopting every stray cat he meets. 

XIII Roboute (Deliverance/Lycaeus): Roboute grew up in the shadows, always hiding from the prison guards and helping prepare the slaves for the revolution. But it didn‘t work forever and he was caught. The sadistic guards were fascinated by the strange boy who was too big and healed too fast. But even after he escaped and the revolution suceeded, Roboute would never be the same again and still struggles to speak. 

XIV Mortarion (Colchis): When a especially bad drought hit Colchis, multiple children were sacrificed to their god of nature. Little Mortarion was the only one to return, no longer human and never to grow up.

XV Magnus the Red (Nocturne): Nocturne has always been a unstable planet, the myriad of vulvanos and lavafields forcing it‘s inhabitants to constantly move. The young Magnus soon realized that he had the power to controll both fire and the earth itself. He learned how to fight the planets vulcanos and turned the deathworld into a much more hospitable place. 

XVI Horus (Nuceria): Horus was lucky: the high-rider who found him decided to keep him instead of throwing the child into the figthing pits. He grew up in luxury and later used his influence not to improve live for everyone but to have good time, doing drugs and playing gladiator. To him it was just a game, afterall he is a primarch, he wouldn‘t loose. 

XVII Lorgar (Medusa): Lorgar grew up in a secluded monestary high in Medusas mountains. As she got older, she realized that she is not a man, which led to her beeing kicked out of the monestary. Wandering the lands she had to learn who she actually is and find a more healthy relationship to her religion,

XVIII Vulkan of the Russ (Fenris): Vulkan was found by a young dragon, who miraculously didn‘t kill the infant, instead taking care of the young boy. As he got older, his interest in humans grew until he decided to join the nearby human village. Quickly discovering his talent as a smith and warrior -as well as a love for everything shiny- he became the leader of his people.

XIX Corvus Corax (Chemos, kind of): Corvus landed on the planet of Chemos, but they didn‘t stay there for long: harlequins found the infant wandering about and after a bit of godly intervention accepted the infant as one of their own. They learned the harlequins dances and stories, how to use eldar weaponery and about Cegorachs mysterious plans as they travelled the webway. And for the story to advance, they need to leave their adoptive family… at least for now. 

XX Alpharius and Omegon (Nostramo): While they landed on a absolutly horrible planet, they were together. Speaking a language only the two of them can understand, they did their best to survive as so many street urchins did, and maybe improve that hellhole of a planet. 

[connie-owo]

~Talons Expeditionary Force, The Ardent Watchers

The Ardent Watchers' duty was to aid the Expeditionary Fleets on the fringes of the Great Crusade. Bringing worlds with large populations of Psykers into Imperial compliance or purging those worlds likely to have suffered Daemonic incursions. This was done as part of the measures to keep the Expeditionary Fleets and wider Imperium ignorant to the reality of the warp and the malign entities that dwell within. Over the course of the Great Crusade, The Ardent Watchers would take part in many planetary compliances though their contributions by nature of their duty were often either downplayed or omitted entirely.

When news of Horus' betrayal and the massacre at Isstvan V reached them, The Ardent Watchers were fighting in the Ultima Segmentum far to the Galactic East, aiding the 208th Expeditionary Fleet bring the Psyker rich world of Torsous XII into Imperial compliance. Shield Captain Constance Heratt ordered the small Expeditionary Fleet to follow her host back to Terra, but was forced to execute the fleet commanders when they declared Loyalty to the Warmaster. What followed was a slow advance back to Terra where the Ardent Watchers would be waylaid by warp storms and Traitor forces.

Forces:

~ Legio Custodes Shield Host, The Athenan Spears

~ Anathema Psykana Coven, His Silent Seekers

Notable members:

~ Shield Captain, Constance Heratt

~ Silent Judge, Emiline Trisk

~ Vox/Spy Master, Xi-Rho-2472

~ Navigator, Tarkus Besh

~ Magos, Giagos Moll

Ships:

~ Lunar Class Cruiser of the Black Fleet, Noktua's Shroud

~ Sword Class Escort Frigate, Lance of Caelum

~ Tempest Class Escort Frigate, Pride's Squall

Notable Campaigns & Battles:

~ Astora Minoris Compliance

~ Purge of Jumbus Secundus

~ Third War for Expodus

~ Siege of Terra

Other Writings:

~ What is fear

~ An extended meeting

(I've fleshed out the majority of my 30k army with lore and stories. This is a general overview. that links to more posts on specific aspects, characters or other written stuff.)

[bloodilymerry]

Bird of Prey: Titans and Colonization

While the Quintessons had built some fairly big Cybertronians (the asteroid miner Dai Atlas comes to mind), they had never constructed a Cybertronian as large or larger than a Guardian robot. 

The first true Titans were built when Prime Nova started setting her plans for exploration and colonization in motion. Once Nova’s explorator ship found an uninhabited world suitable for Cybertronians, a Titan would be constructed: an enormous Cybertronian capable of carrying enough colonists and materials to settle a planet. However, there was one problem: Titans were not capable of communicating with much smaller robots and required a specialist for that purpose. The reason why those specialists would eventually become known as City Speakers is not entirely clear.

There were thirteen such Titans built in total to carry the Thirteen Autobot Legions, before Nova’s disappearance. 

Traditionally, the colony would be named by the Titan, which has led to some… choices.

The Titans and corresponding colonies:

Citadel (colony: Neutronia)

Chela (colony: Eukaris)

Cargohold (colony: Croteus 12)

Citadel Secundus (colony: Daffodil 2)

Devisiun (colony: Devisiun)

Emissary (colony: X)

Waypoint (colony: Gigantion)

Navitas (colony: Vehicon)

Iron Hope (colony: Junk)

Hyperion (colony: Omnitron)

Eclipse (Salvvatan V)

Xantium (colony: Vespa II)

Croaton (colony: Antilla)

The first war brought the construction of the first War Titans: where Nova’s Titans were colony ships, War Titans were dreadnaughts meant for conquest. Those Titants were constructed by rival warbands, so the first three first War Titans - Doomsday, Darksyde and Harbinger - clashed with each other almost immediately after activation, destroying themselves in the process. 

The second war saw Autobots begin to experiment with building their own War Titans. One such experiment was Omega Supreme - a reconstructed Guardian Robot now given a spark and an altmode. 

Later, during the period of peace between the second war and the Great War, a few more Titans were built for the purpose of exploration and colonization:

Lodestar (colony: Caminus)

Tempo (colony: Velocitorn)

Three more War Titans - Darkstar, Steelhaven and Battlestar- had also been constructed during this period, their task being the defense of Cybertron. Steelhaven is missing, having been lured away from Cybertron shortly before the beginning of the Great War.

The Decepticons had also constructed the War Titans Vigilem, Worldburner and Semper Tyrannis shortly before the beginning of the Great War. The three fought Darkstar and Battlestar, with Worldburner and Semper Tyrannis not surviving. However, the Autobot Titans were also destroyed. Vigilem would later be destroyed in the war by Beta. 

Finally, the Autobots have recently constructed Metroplex - Autobot city. 

The Titans mentioned here are ones of whose existence records exist. There’s a number of rumours about other Titans, such as the city of Iacon being the War Titan Iaconus in stasis, which are unproven. Megatron supposedly had also commanded a secret task group with rebuilding the Nemesis into a Titan, but the status of the project is unknown. 

Only the largest Titans require a City Speaker for communication. Metroplex and Omega Supreme are all small enough not to have this problem.

[xxj0kerxx]

𝐓𝐀𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔'𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑!

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑(𝐒): It used to be blue but I think it's purple now

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑(𝐒): :eyes: something salty sounds good rn

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂: "Cometh the hour" Pt. B_Opus1 (this lives in my mind rent free when the senkaimon opened with the captains and ikkaku during the fullbringer arc. im still wildly obsessed)

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄(𝐒): Joker (2019)

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: Breaking Bad

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: Godzilla-1.0 Godzilla Suite II

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: Bleach: TYBW

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄: Godzilla: Minus One

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆: replies

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrN55HYAwUA

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍: making gifs for replies 😢😢

tagged by: @fallesto

tagging: @bngbby @apocalypta-secundus @etxrnaleclipse @wintcrstcrfall @geaesaekki

[40klog]

The Sleeping Scorpion

Chirurgeon’s Log, MD-1011101.  Indecipherable Complexity’s Chirurgeon Saphillex Koth reporting.  Input from Sacred Mars indicates that the lost Symphony of Data might lie somewhere in the Probai subsector, and Indecipherable Complexity is investigating, system by system.  The Eukestren system lies in the fringes of a warp storm, and Indecipherable Complexity has sent Shuttle-001, rather than risking the entire explorator ship.  Explorator Secundus Aukane Theta commands the shuttle, and I have accompanied him, along with a squad of Skitarii.  We are now scanning Eukestren’s major satellites.

Chirurgeon’s Log, supplemental.  As we approached and scanned Eukestren V, we spotted an unknown vessel (UV-1011101-01) in orbit of it.  The vessel was emitting a greeting signal, while also emitting some violent directed energy at the planet below.  As we watched, Eukestren V exploded, and the vessel ceased all energy emissions and transmissions.  I convinced Explorator Secundus Theta to approach, and scan. ¶ The ship matched the configuration of certain pre-Imperial vessels previously known to Mechanicus records.  At my insistence, we boarded. ¶ We saw visions of the ship’s former crew flickering in and out of the gaze of our personal sensors, and no apparent sign of their physical forms.  The situation had an air of the Immaterium.

Chirurgeon's Log, supplemental.  We have met the horror at the heart of UV-1011101-01.  The interior of the vessel shifts and changes behind our backs, and the path back to Shuttle-001 is blocked off.  We ventured deeper into the vessel, and found the crucified remains of the crew, long since decayed.  Eventually, we stumbled into a blasphemous cathedral, dominated by the towering cradle of an Abominable Intelligence.  It sent rotting servitors against us in force, managing to strike down Theta.  I managed to stabilize him, while the Skitarii facilitated a fighting retreat to a smaller, defensible chamber.

Chirurgeon's Log, supplemental.  We thought ourselves momentarily safe from the AI's influence in our side-chamber, but both Explorator Secundus Theta and the Skitarii began to succumb to some blasphemous illness; I managed to preserve them by siphoning off my own homeostatic tincture for them. ¶ Theta deployed the Skitarii for a well-coordinated assault on the AI, but collapsed with nightmare hallucinations before he could carry it out.  I commanded them in his place and, Omnissiah be praised, we were victorious over the beast, and I was able to download its core database.  But the ship itself grew violently unstable.  With the AI destroyed, the ship's corridors ceased their shifting, and I was able to lead us back to the shuttle. ¶ I find myself back on Shuttle-001, plotting a course to rendezvous with Indecipherable Complexity, and preparing to perform extensive purification rites.

[thevalicemultiverse]

Happy Halloween From the Valice Multiverse!

VITD Alice: Well, our world has Devil's Night, but that seems to work roughly the same to all your Halloweens, so, still.

Secundus Victor: [clearly worried] Roughly the same?

VITD Alice: I doubt your world has demons going around offering worryingly-good deals with suspiciously-small prices to people for this night only.

Secundus Victor: ...no, we just have a very elaborate parade.

VITD Smiler: [instantly intrigued] Parade?

Secundus Victor: [grinning] Yes -- come on, I get the feeling you at least will love it.

[icybreaths]

|| @apocalypta-secundus || from here ||

"Don't point that thing at me. It was meant to be a compliment." And now it had fallen flaccid from his own heat. It looked nicer more spiked.

"You ruin my every attempt at being nice. Crusty one, aren't you?"

[burdenedreverence]

Subject: Commendation for Valorous Action Citation: At Approximately 1935 Hours, Lyn Okinaha, intercepted a Menos Class that had been approved for purification. Acting in disregard for her own safety, she battled the Hollow for over five minutes while injured 11th Division members where evacuated to safety. Due to her actions, the lives of no less than five Shinigami where preserved.

For the action therefor cited above, I recommend her for a Commendation for Valorous Action IAW with Gotei Bylaws Section II Chapter 6.

@apocalypta-secundus

[icybreaths]

A thin needle of ice materialized in her hand and she speared it upright to use as a walking stick.

"I've my own bases to attend to, so until next time," Jewel gave a short bow. "Good luck with yer pack, Leyre."

With that, she turned to head on her way.

"That would be nice, maybe they'll be the strongest one of the bunch by the time they're finished evolving." She had her hopes, and maybe this time they wouldn't be quashed by an outside force. Maybe they won't try eating each other this time.

It wasn't hard to talk to her hollows, they understood what danger was and what not to attack. Though that was her doing all of the teaching, the smartest and strongest didn't get killed so easily.

When she was down there in the forest, she made none, not a single hollow, bow to her despite her position. They were all treated the same, and she expected that in return from them.

[historias-multorum]

N E G A T I V E

The negative traits of YOUR muse!

BOLD always or almost always applies. italic occasional or situational.

aggressive | annoying | arrogant | authoritarian | bitter | brutal | callous | cannibal | careless | cold/cold-hearted | compulsive | controlling | corrects others constantly | cowardly | critical | cruel | delusional | demanding | disillusioned | domineering | envious | emotionally stunted | greedy | grim | guarded | hard | harsh | hypocritical | impatient | impolite | intimidating | irritable | kidnapper | lazy | liar | lustful | materialistic | mean | merciless | messianic | mistrusting | murderer | narrow-minded | obsessive | opinionated | over-bearing | over-critical | over-emotional | over-thinking | patronising | proud | remote | repressed | rigid | rules with an iron fist | ruthless | sarcastic | self-critical | self-righteous | self-indulgent | self-patronising | serial killer | stubborn | taciturn | torturer | touchy | traitorous | unsympathetic | unpredictable | uptight | vain | vengeful

Tagged by: @rubbarband​ (Thank you!)

Tagging: @apocalypta-secundus​ (Narvi) @morifactory​ @strigidaeparliament​ (Momoka) @the-silver-peahen-residence​ @dadzxwa​ @reddawnmultimuse​ and anyone who wants to give it a go!

[turangalila]

Luigi Dallapiccola (1904 - 1975) Quaderno musicale di Annalibera (1952)

I. Simbolo – [Quasi lento] II. Accenti – [Allegro; con fuoco] III. Contrapunctus primus – [Mosso; scorrevole] IV. Linee – [Tranquillamente; mosso] V. Contrapunctus secundus (canon contrario motu) – [Poco allegretto; “alla Serenata”] VI. Fregi – [Molto lento; con espressione parlante]

_ Luigi Dallapiccola – Tartiniana Seconda / Ciaccona, Intermezzo E Adagio / Due Studi / Quaderno Musicale Di Annalibera Bruno Canino / Rodolfo Bonucci / Arturo Bonucci   (1997, Stradivarius – STR 33332)