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calligraphist-artemisia · 4 years

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Harry Potter and the Best Summer (5 | An Unwelcome Visitor)

Summary: AU - canon divergence. Harry had barely been back at the Dursley’s for two weeks, when an unexpected visitor arrived at the door. He quickly finds himself spirited away back to the wizarding world and learns some secrets that have long been kept from him.

A sequel to Of Family and Unexpected Friendship. Also posted on AO3 under the username Kishirokitsune.

And for anyone who’s interested, I made a Harry Potter discord server! Introducing, Virtu Alley! (like “virtually”, get it?) Feel free to pop by and chat if you’d like. (https://discord.gg/AUq3eXY)

[Sorry for the lack of hyperlinks, but my posts have once again stopped showing up when I search for them when I include them. I will reblog later to include links at the bottom of the post.]

- - - - - - -

5 | An Unwelcome Visitor

If Harry thought his first day at Oakstone Manor was hectic, it was nothing compared to the next morning, when he awoke to a loud crash coming from the hall, quickly followed by a stream of apologies from Nymphadora Tonks (who threatened to hex him if he dared called them by their full first name) and Andromeda's much quieter admonishment.

Harry found himself grinning despite the rude awakening. It was so much better than getting woken up by Aunt Petunia.

He'd met Tonks the night before when they arrived just as dinner was being arranged on the table. The very first thought he had was that they were the embodiment of everything the Dursleys hated. Short, bright pink hair was shaved on either side of their head and the length on top was gently spiked upwards. Several piercings dotted their ears and whenever they gestured with a wild flourish Harry could see that their fingernails were painted pink to match their hair.

“Wotcher, Harry,” they said with a wink and their hair shifted from pink to purple to blue and then back again.

Harry thought they were brilliant.

Andromeda's husband – Ted Tonks – was a cheery and friendly man who engaged Harry in effortless conversation about growing up in the muggle world and how shocking it was to be thrown into the magical one. He spoke only a little of his work in the pediatric ward of St. Mungo's, instead choosing to focus on learning more about Harry, as well as catching up with everyone else.

Altogether they were the picture of a healthy, functioning family.

Morning flew by and all Harry could do was sit back out of the way and watch everyone rush around in preparation for the rest of the day. Ted was the first to leave, kissing Andromeda on the cheek before flooing away to St. Mungo's. A short while later, Tonks headed out the front door, giving an explanation that they were meeting their mentor in a secret location. Harry watched as they spun on their heel and vanished with a popping sound.

Andromeda sat them all down for lessons after that. She gave Leona and Aquarius worksheets to do and then cast a silencing charm around Harry's chair so she could verbally quiz him and help fill in any blanks in his basic knowledge. He was pleased when he remembered most of what Leona had taught him, but faltered when it came to naming other Heirs he attended school with.

From there he listened with rapt attention as Andromeda covered the current active Lords and Heirs of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, of which House Black was one.

Their studies took up the rest of the morning and it was only after lunch that Harry was saved from going back to it.

Remy went with him to St. Mungo's for his appointment, only stepping out of the room for the examination and vaccinations and returned once Harry said it was okay. He wasn't terribly surprised when his healer – Adam Rue – told him that he was undernourished and that his eyeglass prescription was out-of-date.

“I am prescribing a nutrient potion for you to take with dinner each evening. I understand you'll be going back to Hogwarts in September and I will make arrangements to inform Madam Pomfrey that you are to take one each day,” said Healer Rue.

Harry fidgeted, a little worried about his schoolmates finding out he needed potions. “Do I have to take it in the Great Hall?”

“If you truly wanted to, you could always travel down to the hospital wing each evening however, the way we typically handle potions like this is to simply charm it into your goblet so that no one else is aware. The house-elves of Hogwarts are quite talented when it comes to matters of secrecy,” Healer Rue said with a reassuring smile.

He then told Harry and Remy that they could visit the offices just down the hall to either update Harry's eyeglasses or have his vision corrected completely.

“Mr. Potter, I don't mean to make assumptions about your care growing up, however I'd also like to recommend visits with one of our mind healers for the rest of the summer,” Healer Rue told them. “If for no other reason than to ease your transition into a wizarding household. All of our mind healers are sworn to keep the secrets of their patients, but if you are still uncomfortable with speaking to someone in Britain considering your status, you could hire a private healer from overseas. I would be happy to recommend a few who I have personally worked with in the past.”

“Healer Rue, can I ask about the damage left by the Magic Block?” Remy asked.

“We have removed it, of course, and taken the time to examine the damage from the curse scar. It seems that the block prevented your magic from fully cleansing it, Mr. Potter, and now that it is gone you'll see a significant ease in using your magic. That being said, our recommendation is a minimum of two weeks before you cast any spells in order to give your core time to adjust to the influx of power. A month, if you can manage it,” said Healer Rue.

Harry nodded. It wasn't like he was allowed to use his magic during summer anyway. He was sure it would be easy to go another month without casting.

Remy asked a few more questions about Harry's health and then Healer Rue handed her the prescription for the nutrient potions, which was signed and marked with his magical seal to prove its validity, as well as a list of recommended mind healers. He then guided the two of them down the hall to the office which specialized in eye-care, stepping inside to inform the receptionist that they were there for a thorough exam.

While they waited for one of the healers to become available, Harry got the chance to browse through the different frames that were available and, at Remy's urging, tried on a few to see if he liked any.

Each one was an improvement on the cheap, circular frames the Dursley's had “graciously” given him.

Remy chuckled as she glanced over a selection of frames catering to the older crowd. “Your father was always fond of horn rims. He thought they made him look rather smart. Your mother always said it made him look like more of a ponce than he already was.”

“She really said that?” Harry asked, looking away from a pair of frames that was continually shifting colors.

“Well, at first,” Remy corrected herself. “Your father was a good man and a good friend, Harry, but as a teenager he was... well, a bit entitled. Sirius was as well. I imagine it comes from being part of an old pureblood family. It all made it so your mother was less than impressed by him which only made him try harder. He came around by our sixth year, but I'll have to tell you more about it later.”

She nodded towards something over Harry's shoulder and he turned to find a woman in soft green robes walking towards them. Her badge bore the name Healer Agatha Newmark.

“You must be Harry,” she said in a chipper tone. “I'm Aggie. You can both come with me and I'll get you sorted out.”

Harry and Remy followed her back to a smaller room, where Harry sat down in a chair that faced a poster with differently sized numbers and letters. She first had him remove his glasses and attempt to read the lowest line, which he found impossible. He couldn't fully make out any letter until the third line down, but even that was blurry enough that he struggled.

A few waves of her wand had an enchanted quill scratching out the details of his eyesight and once it finished, Healer Newmark went into detail on the options available to him. Harry could get a new pair of frames with his updated prescription, charmed unbreakable and scratch resistant for up to two years, or he could get his vision corrected completely and no longer need glasses.

“Everyone is a little different and I know just as many people who like the way they look while wearing glasses as I do people who jumped at the first opportunity to have the correction done,” said Healer Newmark. “The correction is, of course, more expensive than a pair of frames, but we do have a finance program for anyone who prefer a staggered payment.”

“Harry, it's up to you,” Remy said quietly.

He didn't think about it for long. From the moment he first heard there was a chance he wouldn't have to deal with his glasses any longer, he hoped it was true. No more crooked frames. No more feeling around for his glasses every morning. No more worry about a bludger knocking them from his face and leaving him completely blind.

“I'd like to get it corrected.”

- - - - - - -

Harry expected that they would be heading home after he was finished at St. Mungo's but instead, Remy whisked him away into wizarding London to a street near Diagon Alley named Asymetric Alley, which looked like a village out of a history book, with rough, winding cobblestone streets and old timber-framed shops all pressed close together.

It gave a cozy, warm vibe that Diagon Alley didn't have, giving the impression that loitering was welcome on the streets and stopping to chat with those you walked past was a way of life.

Harry didn't spare that more than a passing thought, too busy marveling over the clarity with which he was able to see the world. There were so many details that he hadn't been able to see before! Things that he'd come to accept as being blurry around the edges suddenly had sharp outlines and signs that he once had to squint just to read he only had to glance at and know what they said!

Remy treated him to ice cream and then they were off to visit a number of shops where Harry was asked to pick out clothing, new shoes, and then helped pick out ingredients for dinner that night so Cici could make his favorite meal. Their last stop was a used bookstore, where Remy picked up an order that was waiting for her and she encouraged him to take a look around.

Harry wasn't terribly interested until he spotted a small book titled Fallacies of the Rankings of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and after reading the back cover thought that if it turned out to be something he didn't like, Hermione was likely to find it fascinating.

He was about to turn to go when a heavy thump stopped him. When he looked, he saw a dark green book laying face-up on the floor. Swooping gold lettering informed him that it was called The Magical Court of Camelot – The Truth Behind the Legends and that it was written by someone named ML Black. He picked it up and took it to the counter.

“Aunt Remy, look at this,” he said, holding up the book for her to see.

Remy examined it with interest, her eyes lingering longest on the name of the author. “ML Black... It's not a name I'm familiar with, but it Andy might know it. Would you like to get it?”

Harry nodded. “And this one too,” he said, as he passed to her Fallacies of the Rankings of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

She seemed a bit amused by the second book but didn't say a word against it, quickly passing it off to be rung up. Remy paid for it all and even got Harry a tote bag to carry them in and then they were off once again.

“I think it would be best to side-apparate on our way back. Floo travel is more difficult when you're carrying packages,” said Remy.,

She explained what it was and how it worked as she lead him towards a sectioned off area marked: Apparation Point. One side was designated as Arrival and the other Departure, which Harry supposed helped keep things more orderly. He felt a little nervous as he looped his arm around Remy's and squeezed his eyes tightly shut as she directed him to spin on his heel with her. Harry felt the weight of pressure all around him and his stomach roiled uncomfortably, and then it was over and they were on the road just outside of the gate to Oakstone Manor.

“Unpleasant, isn't it?” Remy asked, sounding apologetic. “I know it's not a comfort right now, but you will get used to it as you get older. By the time you learn to apparate, the most you'll feel is that pressure around you.”

Harry didn't know how to respond to that and simply shrugged his shoulders before following her through the gate (which opened at their approach) and back into the manor.

“Evie?” Remy called out.

There was a popping sound and then a new house-elf in gray and blue appeared. She immediately bowed, which caused the bright yellow kerchief to start slipping off her head until it got caught on her massive ears. When she straightened up, she beamed at the sight of the bags in Remy's arms. “Do you need Evie to take them to your room, miss? And put them away?”

“That would be wonderful. Only the books go to my room. Everything else will go to Harry's,” Remy told her.

Evie nodded quickly and turned her attention to Harry. “Evie will organize them very nicely, young sir! If it's not to your liking you can call for Evie or Cici and we'll come help!”

“Oh, um, thank you, Evie. I'm sure you'll do great.” Harry wasn't sure if that was the right thing to say, but Evie didn't look upset as she bounced over to take the bags. Once she had them in her arms, she popped away without another word.

“Tonight I think we'll burn your hand-me-downs,” Remy said conversationally. “But for now, you deserve a chance to rest and do whatever you'd like until dinner. Leona still has another hour of tutoring to get through, but Aqua should be free by now. She'll be in the library, if you'd like to find her.”

Harry needed a refresher on how to get there and once Remy gave him directions on the easiest path to take – up the main staircase to the second floor, take a left and go to the end of the hall, where you take another left, and enter the second door on the right – he set off to find Aquarius.

Just like Remy said, she was sitting in the library in a squishy armchair beneath one of the windows, a heavy looking book open in her lap. Aquarius looked up when she heard the door open and beamed when she spotted Harry peeking inside.

“You're back! And you're not wearing any glasses?”

Harry grinned at her as he stepped fully into the library. “I don't need them anymore.”

“Brilliant!” Aquarius responded. “You have a letter, by the way. Butternut brought a response from your friend while you were away.”

Harry looked to the side table where she gestured and saw a envelop sitting there. When he walked over and picked it up, he found himself recognizing Hermione's tidy handwriting and eagerly ripped it open to see what she wrote.

Dear Harry,

I'm so glad to hear you're alright! Ron and I were terribly worried that something awful happened to you once you got home. Please thank Aquarius for sending me the letter saying that you're safe with her and Leona. She says that you're not going back to your muggle relatives. Is it true? Did they do something to keep you from receiving letters? I know you are all looking into what happened, but I think I'll do some research of my own and see what I can find. I'll keep you updated!

I've talked to my parents about visiting you this summer and they have agreed to it, though they'd like to talk to Leona's mum about it first. I think they want to make sure it's alright with her. Will Ron be joining us as well? He hasn't mentioned any visiting, but it does sound like the Weasley's have a full house anyway and I would hate to add to that. I think meeting up at Diagon Alley would be a far better idea, especially since it would let my parents meet the Weasley's. They didn't get much time to talk at King's Cross.

It probably won't surprise you but I've done quite a lot of reading so far this summer. Most of my homework is already complete, except for that essay on goblin wars that Binns assigned. I must admit, even I find it a bit droll and difficult to complete. All I can hear is his voice droning on. If you'd like, we can review our summer studies together when I visit! And please tell Leona that I've finished the books she recommended. I suppose I should just write a letter to her instead of using you as a personal owl.

What's Oakstone Manor like? It must be exciting to see a wizarding home!

Hermione's letter carried on like that as she wrote about whatever came to mind. She spoke a little of her parents and how excited they were to hear about her first year at Hogwarts and then went into more detail of how she spent her summer when she wasn't studying or reading. Every now and then she'd circle around to ask him a question about what it was like living with Leona. Was there a library? Had he had time to do any of the summer homework?

There was only one reference to Professor Quirrel, who had disappeared sometime before the End-of-Term feast, and that was to say there was a small article in the prophet about there being a warrant for his arrest and how any sightings should be immediately reported to the DMLE.

Harry wondered if Tonks knew anything about that. Would they be able to tell him anything if they did?

He folded up the letter and stuck it into his pocket, resolving to answer Hermione when he had time later. “Reading anything interesting, Aquarius?”

She silently tilted her book so he could read the cover and Harry was delighted to find he could see the words without having to squint. The Complete Beginners Guide to Potion Brewing was the name of her book and Harry wondered just how in-depth it went to make it so it was at least five centimeters thick.

“Leo says that Professor Snape will probably look for any reason to take points from me or give me detention, so I thought if I start studying now then he won't be able to find as many,” she explained with an easy shrug.

There was something about the idea of Snape harassing Aquarius that rankled Harry. She was a ten-year-old girl who hadn't done a thing wrong and she was already prepared to be utterly humiliated by one of her professors, who took issue with who her parents were. It was bad enough that Snape targeted him and Neville – though he still didn't know why he demonstrated such loathing towards Neville.

Instead of saying anything, Harry left Aquarius to her reading and took a seat in a nearby chair to check out his two new books. The first one he grabbed was the one on Camelot, which reminded him of a question he had.

“Hey, Aquarius? Do you know of anyone called 'ML Black' who might be related to you?”

“Not in recent history,” Aquarius said slowly. “It does sound familiar, so there must be someone with those initials on the family tree. Why do you ask?”

“They wrote this book I found. The Magical Court of Camelot – the Truth Behind the Legends,” Harry told her.

Aquarius marked her page and set it aside, her eyes alight with interest. “And it's written by a Black?”

Harry nodded.

“Follow me!” Aquarius said, hopping up out of her chair.

Feeling a little bewildered, Harry left his things in his seat and got up to follow her through the tall shelves of the library and to a spot tucked away in a back corner. There was a heavy, navy blue curtain hanging across an elaborate archway and stepping through revealed a rounded alcove. Candles on either side of the arch lit themselves when they stepped through, illuminating the nearly black walls to reveal a massive tree painted in silver ink, its branches rigid and following a clear structure.

Most notably, it was upside down, with the base of its trunk resting where the wall met the ceiling.

“This is the Black Family Tree, which dates back to our earliest magical ancestor, Ambroise Fabron,” she said, pointing up to the top. “They were blacksmiths. He brought his knowledge of the craft to the magical world and then applied enchantments to make it even better. His greatest achievement was a charm embedded within cookware that made it easier to clean without repeatedly using scourgify.”

Harry's brows knitted together. “But that means... he was muggleborn?”

“If you go far back enough in a pureblood line, you'll find many muggleborns. It just didn't matter as much back then,” Aquarius said. She reached out and placed her hand on the wall, waiting for the space to light up silver before dragging her hand down. As she did so, the tree scrolled down until the trunk was nearly eye-level with them and the rest of the branches danced across the floor.

“Ambroise had three children. Two were girls who married into other lines and the other was a son, Michel, who continued the name Fabron and took up his father's work...” Aquarius continued to move down the three, explaining a little more about what little they still knew about their ancestors, until she came to Michel's third son, Célestin, who moved to the UK and changed his surname to Black before going on to revolutionize the production of cauldrons. “Oh! Harry, here she is! Mnemosyne Lucinda Black! She married Célestin! No wonder the name sounded familiar!”

“There could be another ML Black somewhere,” Harry pointed out.

“There could be,” Aquarius agreed. “But considering she was born in the seven-hundreds, I think it's probably her. It's too bad the tree doesn't list maiden names. I would have loved to know which family line she came from but I don't think any of our records have it listed. We can always ask Leo or Andy.”

Harry almost wanted to continue looking at the family tree to see if there was anyone else, but there were so many names. Not to mention Aquarius had a good point about the timeline. Mnemosyne would have been born close enough to the era of King Arthur's reign that she could gather correct details about that period. Maybe the book itself would have something in it to confirm his thoughts.

Aquarius released the magic that lowered the tree, allowing it to move back to its correct location across the wall. “I bet the Potter manor has a tree showing all of your ancestors too. You must be excited to go see it.”

“I hadn't thought much about it, to be honest,” Harry admitted. “Haven't had the time.”

There was a lot he suddenly had to think about and he wished he had the first clue where to start. Maybe if he had a moment to himself, he could slow down to think things through.

“If you want some time to yourself, you don't need to stay here with me in the library,” Aquarius said, sounding sympathetic.

“You don't want to look at the book?” Harry asked.

Aquarius shook her head. “It's yours to read first. I may take a look around and see if we have a copy on one of the shelves. Its likely, since it was written by a Black.” She pushed the curtain aside and then walked through, continuing to hold it for Harry as he followed.

After a bit of thought, Harry remained with Aquarius in the library and the two sat silently read their books until Leona came to fetch them for dinner.

“Hey, bookworms, it's time to eat!”

She grinned at the pair of them when they looked up, both surprised at how much time had passed. While Aquarius marked her page and set her book aside to read later, Harry put his back in his bag so he could take it to his room after dinner.

“How were your lessons, Leo?” Aquarius asked.

“Dull,” Leona responded with a groan. “Andy has me practicing with old speeches so I know how to properly present myself during Wizengamot meetings. It's important, sure, but I can't think of anything more boring.”

“History of Magic,” Harry responded immediately.

“The Annual Yule Ball at Malfoy manner,” Aquarius supplied cheekily.

“Brats,” Leona said affectionately. “Yeah, you might be right. Those are both pretty boring as well.”

Harry almost asked about the Yule Ball, wondering what it was and whether or not he'd be expected to attend it as well, but Leona changed the subject before he could say anything.

“Mum and Andy say that you'll officially start lessons tomorrow, Harry. She wants to go over a few things before you go back to Gringotts and talk to the holder for the Potter accounts. Mostly etiquette and stuff so you don't accidentally insult someone. Easy stuff,” Leona said with a shrug.

Harry hoped she was right about that. There was so much he felt like he didn't know. Stuff that Leona and Aquarius spent their entire lives learning and experiencing. He felt hopelessly behind compared to them.

Was it the same at school? How many of his peers had he unintentionally affronted with his behavior and language? It never seemed to matter that much in Gryffindor, but was that because he spent most of his time with Ron and Hermione?

Harry resolved to do better.

- - - - - - -

Andromeda smiled as she watched her family merrily converse over dinner.

Ted and Remy were in the middle of a rousing discussion on experimental medicines; a topic she hadn't expected Remy to show much interest in knowledge in, but the younger woman seemed to be holding her own even as Ted delved into more advanced potions.

The kids were all at the other end of the table with Leona and Nymphadora leading most of the conversation while Aquarius made comments and Harry primarily listened. Every now and then laughter would break out and Harry would grin, bright and carefree, and Andromeda was reminded of the way he was treated by his relatives and how glad she was to have gotten him out of there.

Dinner went well until just before dessert, when Milla popped into the room and got Andy's attention with a single tap on the arm.

“A guest has arrived, Miss. Milla be telling them it is rude to intrude over dinner but they insisting.”

“Thank you, Milla,” Andromeda said as she gently set aside her utensils. She patted her mouth with a cloth napkin and then excused herself from the table with a soft apology. She briskly walked to the foyer and made sure to compose herself before entering the room.

Standing near the door was an old man with a long beard and twinkling periwinkle robes.

“Albus,” Andromeda cordially greeted. “It is considered rude to visit during dinnertime.”

He met her aloofness with a polite smile. “I do apologize, Lady Tonks, however there was no other time I could get away and there is something of grave importance that I must discuss with you.”

Andromeda arched one eyebrow. “Oh? And what is so important that you would arrive completely unannounced and interrupt a family meal?”

“It has come to my attention that you removed Harry Potter from the care of his Aunt and Uncle. You have to understand how important it is that he remain with them,” Albus told her. “There are blood wards in place around their residence. So long as he calls Privet Drive home, he will be protected from those in our world who would do him harm.”

Andromeda had a myriad of choices before her. She could play along with his little game, letting him try and garner sympathy for his actions. She didn't doubt that he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing, but she wouldn't stand there and allow him to speak up in defense of those horrid muggles.

“Harry will not be returning to that place and especially not by your hand.”

“My dear-”

“No,” she interrupted firmly. “You have no right to determine where he lives. You had no right to send him to those people; the only people who Lily herself specified he was never to go to. We have heard their Will, Albus. The boy will stay with his Magical Guardian and there is nothing that you nor anyone else can do to change that.”

Andromeda stepped back, never once taking her eyes off of Dumbledore. “Bastion!”

With a pop, a house-elf appeared. He was clad in the same gray and blue as the others, but he bore the Black Family shield across the back of his shirt and carried a tiny dagger on the belt around his waist. He bowed to Andromeda.

“How may Bastion help?”

“Please escort the Headmaster from the property and place a ban on the wards to prevent him from returning without permission,” Andromeda instructed.

Albus looked pained by her words, but politely inclined his head and went without a fuss, leaving Andromeda to stand in the foyer by herself. A few minutes later she felt a slight shift in the wards. Only then did she feel comfortable returning to the table.

“Everything alright?” Ted quietly asked as she sat down.

Andromeda nodded. “Nothing to worry about, dear. Just an issue that needed to be handled sooner rather than later.”

She would tell him and Remy more about their guest later. For the moment, she wanted to sit and enjoy dessert with her family.

#harry potter #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter au #HP and the traditions of the magical world

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jordanmu · 5 years

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TAGGING: Harper Elliott, Wesley Harrison.

LOCATION: Wesley’s apartment.

TIMEFRAME: 2/16, evening.

WARNINGS: None.

NOTES: Incomplete Discord bc we’re lazy. Harper visits Wesley randomly and gets a little afraid he’s with someone else. Turns out he’s just a nerd.

HARPER ELLIOTT

Even though Harper should've probably remembered Wesley's streaming schedule, she just... didn't. Her life was incredibly hectic - from practice, working out, interviews and photoshoots, it felt as if it never stopped. She was constantly doing something, and all she wanted to do was hang out with Wesley. The two of them had slowly started getting close with one another, and Harper couldn't help but really start to feel something for him. After working out for two hours and a long hot shower, Harper made her way over to Wesley's apartment. She hadn't spent too much time at his apartment, but she figured that the two of them were slowly getting closer, and maybe it was a little much to show up out of nowhere, but Harper was nothing if not confident. She finally arrived at his door, knocking on it and hoping that he wasn't busy. Or even worse, that he wasn't with another girl. Harper hadn't thought about that, and then she thought that maybe she should've texted beforehand. Even so, she waited for Wesley to answer the door -- hopefully.

WESLEY HARRISON

Even though he was exhausted from being on his feet at the Nike store for what seemed like forever, Wesley knew that he was expected to stream tonight... even if he may not have wanted to. He'd sent out a tweet during his lunch break, asking what they wanted to see him play and the majority voted for a play-through of a game he had been putting off for months. And so, Wesley found himself on Saturday night slowly drinking a beer and playing Detroit: Become Human. Because he'd gotten into the game - why hadn't he played it before? - he didn't hear knocking on the door for a moment, eyes widening when he realized someone was actually at his door. Had he ordered something online and forgotten about it? After pausing the game and telling his viewers that he'd be right back, he quickly scrambled to the door, knocking over an empty beer bottle in the process and wincing as it almost shattered all over his floor. That was close. "Harper!" He exclaimed with a smile, looking back and making sure that the beer bottle hadn't, in fact, broken. "Hey! What're you doing here?"

HARPER ELLIOTT

As soon as Wesley opened the door to his apartment, it seemed like his was paying attention to something going on in his apartment. Harper realized suddenly that this definitely was a bad idea, and he most likely had another girl inside. It was Saturday night, and it had been silly of her to think that she was the only girl that he was talking to. He was a famous video game streamer, after all, and Harper knew that some girls went absolutely crazy over that. Harper frowned when he asked what she was doing there, feeling as if she was interrupting something. "Oh, I'm sorry.." She apologized, motioning back towards the parking lot, already turning around. "I thought I'd just stop by and say hi, you know? But if you're busy, that's fine. I can just be on my way." The two of them had only just started talking recently, so of course it wasn't something that she was going to hold against him -- though, it was upsetting, because she did really enjoy his company.

WESLEY HARRISON

"No! Harper, wait." Wesley took a step forward, grabbing her hand in his and leading her back to his apartment then closed the door behind them. He picked up the beer bottle from the floor and hastily placed it on the kitchen counter then motioned for her to follow him into his second bedroom, which he'd turned into his gaming room. "I'm in the middle of streaming" he explained, waving at the camera and chuckling to himself as he read the chat, his viewers growing impatient with him because he wasn't online. "Hey guys" he said after grabbing his headset and picking up his controller, "I've a beautiful girl here. While I would love to continue making terrible decisions and almost getting Connor killed, I think it's best if we pause for the rest of the night, yeah? I'll make it up to you by streaming tomorrow some time in the afternoon. How's that?" He read the chat, looking over at Harper with a sheepish smile; if he'd known she was coming over, he wouldn't have started streaming in the first place.

HARPER ELLIOTT

As soon as Wesley grabbed Harper’s hand, she felt at ease and all thoughts of another girl in his apartment faded away. He pulled her inside his apartment and she chuckled happily, just genuinely wanting to spend some time with him. Harper wanted to get to know him better, and if that meant talking on the couch for hours — she would most definitely do that. She stood by and watched with an amused grin as he apologized to his stream. She didn’t judge his job at all, impressed that he was doing something that he loved and was passionate about. Harper gave a wave towards his camera, and then stepped off frame as he finished up saying goodnight to his stream. “You know,” Harper frowned, taking a step towards him, slowly taking his gaming headphones off of him and setting them down gently on his desk. “You didn’t have to do that, you know. I could’ve come back another time. I just wanted to see you.” Harper paused, hoping that it wasn’t too much. They just recently only started talking to one another, so she didn’t know if that was okay just yet. “Is that weird? To show up randomly?”

WESLEY HARRISON

"Ah, they'll manage" Wesley replied, waving off her comment about coming over another time - if she was there, he was going to focus on her and not streaming. Besides, he'd already promised them tomorrow; they couldn't get greedy. He feigned being deep in thought at her question, though almost immediately shook his head as he wrapped his arms low around her waist. "I'd rather have you here right now, you know" he replied simply, trying to ease her worries, "and it's not weird. Frankly, I probably would've done the same had I not been streaming tonight." He paused, remembering how she'd acted when he first opened the door, and looking at her curiously as his lips pulled downward into a small frown. "You were a little... upset when I opened the door, weren't you? I hope I didn't give you the impression that I was doing something - or someone - else in here."

HARPER ELLIOTT

“Really?” Harper asked, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips when he said that he’d rather spend time with her. It made her feel good, and she couldn’t help but want to reach up and kiss him. Instead, she was caught off guard by his question, hoping that he would’ve just written off her leaving like it was nothing.”I thought there might’ve been someone in here,” Harper told him honestly, wrapping her arms around his neck and tugging him a little bit closer. It was nice to stand like this with him, and Harper thought that she could get used to being in his arms. “And I wouldn’t be upset if there was. You know.. I just didn’t didn’t know if you were talking to anyone else.” It was a little bit embarrassing, but she actually would’ve been quite upset. She found herself really enjoying spending time with him, and kissing him? Even more so. He was a breath of fresh air and exactly what Harper needed, which is possibly why the thought of him talking to someone else sucked.

WESLEY HARRISON

Even though Wesley knew he had been acting a little shifty when he opened the door for her, he didn’t think her first thought would be that he had a girl there with him. In a way, it kinda made sense, though. They hadn’t really defined what was happening between them - it was casual, teetering on the verge of serious but with no true definition. Of course she’d figure that as a single guy, he was keeping his options open. The thing was, though, that he wasn’t that kind of guy. His father had been like that, apparently, and he didn’t want to be messing around for the hell of it. “I’m not talking to anybody else...” he said softly and slowly, so she would understand him better, “just you. I promise.” Wesley then kissed the tip of her nose, hoping she would believe that. “I’m sorry for making you think that.”

HARPER ELLIOTT

Harper couldn’t help the smile on her face as Wesley promised her that she was the only one he was talking to. She nodded, keeping her eyes trained on him. They hadn’t ever been able to have the conversation of how serious things were. At least they were on the same page of not talking to anyone else. Harper shrugged, pressing their foreheads together, their lips barely brushing together. “It’s okay. But, if you were curious..” Harper trailed off, kissing him and letting it linger for a moment, sighing happily. It was nice to kiss him after the week she’d had, honestly. “I’m only talking to you too.”

WESLEY HARRISON

The thing was that Wesley was sure Harper could be seeing a number of other guys or girls instead of him. She was attractive, an athlete, and about to head to France to compete in the Women's World Cup. Though he knew that women's football wasn't as popular as men's, he also knew that the Americans cared a whole hell of a lot more for their women's team than their men's. All in all, she was a catch. And what was he? A guy who worked at the Nike Store? A video game streamer? He wasn't exactly blowing the socks off of people with his career choices. "You could be, though" he whispered, feeling slightly insecure, "and... look at you. I wouldn't blame you if you were." But, he smiled, thankful that she wasn't talking to others and was instead just talking to him. "I'm a bit selfish, though. I'm glad you aren't since I kind of want you all to myself."

HARPER ELLIOTT

"I could be, yeah," Harper chuckled, thinking of all the different men and women who tried to talk to her. It happened quite often, but most times it was only because they liked the fact that she was a semi-popular athlete. Wesley liked her exactly for who she was, and that's what she liked about him. She couldn't hide her blush when he complimented her, rolling her eyes as if it didn't really get to her that much -- even though it is. Harper kissed him again happily, glad to know that the two of them were on the exact same kind of page. "You can have me all to yourself," she muttered against his lips, feeling silly for believing that he was the kind of guy to talk to several girls at once. Then again, Harper was used to athletes and most of the time they were anything but sweet. Wesley Harrison, however, was on a whole different level. "So now that I've officially crashed your job..." Harper scrunched her nose, taking his hand in her own. "Is there anything we can do?"

WESLEY HARRISON

"All to myself?" Wesley asked, smiling as he pulled away slightly so he could look at her, knowing she was being honest and that she wasn't hanging out with anybody else - just him. His smile grew before he leaned in to kiss her again, his lips lingering for a moment before pulling again once more. At her words, Wesley chuckled and squeezed her hand, biting his tongue as to not say a dirty comment. It wasn't the time. "Well, I'm thinking we could order some takeout and watch a movie, yeah? The Chinese around here is bloody brilliant, but so is the deep dish pizza. I'm honestly okay with either, so you can choose whichever sounds best." He hummed, lips pursed as he feigned being in deep thought. "And then once the movie's over, I'd like to kiss you quite a bit. Or during the movie, I'm not picky." Wesley paused, looking around because she had said once upon a time she didn't know much about video games. "I can teach you how to play as yourself on FIFA too, how's that?"

HARPER ELLIOTT

It seemed as if Wesley was more than happy to spend the evening with her, and Harper found herself grinning at the thought of spending a lazy night in with him. “Yes, yes. To all of that, really.” She chuckled, taking his hand in her own and interlocking their fingers. It was nice to be able to start a relationship from the very beginning. It felt new and refreshing. “I’m feeling Chinese tonight. Though, to be honest.. I’d probably always choose Chinese, no matter what.” Harper shrugged, quirking her eyebrow when he mentioned that he’d like to teach her how to play video games. She wanted to know more about his world, and playing as herself would be more than amusing. Harper kissed the corner of his mouth, smiling softly. “And you know, I’m okay with kissing you whenever. Before the movie, during, after..” She trailed off, finally catching his lips in yet another kiss. “And then some more after that. Especially if you’re going to be beating my butt in video games all night.”

#alexsmu #harper.#harper x wesley.#ft: harper x wesley.#harley x 001.

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solarwindandcosmicash · 7 years

Text

Operation: It Takes a Helping Hand.

Canon operation. Guest DM: Mod Helium

Absent; Kate’s player

prev I start I next

Phos asks the group to help her save a couple acquaintances that have been captured by a slavering. Without the help of their diplomatic Krogan, they attempt to figure out where the pair has been taken.

summary

The group, missing Phos is pulled aside by Annos. Telling them that he’s been asked a favor from Phos to help her out as she is on her own mission, the team is briefed that on the previously successful mining-colony Nepts there is a mission for the others + Tris.

Phos talks to the others via a vidcall and tells them that the mission is a search-and-rescue, where the people they’re searching for are a pair of Phos’ old comrades; Phara and Abel. They’ll have to figure out where they were taken and stage a rescue. Annos also hands the group a datapad with additional information.

It’s a small industrialized planet, a rather small civil population exempt for the resistance force that has been settled there for about five years at this point. The two people you must locate is [Phara] and [Abel] Vas Kavo’al, they are both members of the resistance. They were last heard from 36 hours ago. Locate their residence and figure out what happened.

As the crew is dropped off at a landing-pad on Nepts, they are received by a nervous-looking Asari named Filanaris and a disgruntled Elcor named Kauf. They tell the others that they have yet to figure out what exactly happened, as everything has been hectic since the kidnapping.

Entering the town, Beetle manages to spot a salarian child standing by themself and holding a piece of paper. Confronting the child, they find out that the kid is Kilo and they are Phos’ pseudo adoptee that is usually taken care of by Phara and various members in town. The paper they held also told the group the password to a computer - supposedly in Phara and Abel’s home. As they find out this information, Tris takes a shine to Kilo and decides to bring them along as to make sure they are taken care of.

The group also talks to various other people in town. Helping out a pair of Asari, they learn that the town is built on top of Phara and Abel’s destroyed ship, thus making it their permanent residence. Furthermore she explains that various people are brought there to be kept safe until they can be transferred to another planet. Afterwards, they also catch the traitor - a salarian named Din that seemingly sold information about the whereabouts of the couple. Dragging Din to Kauf in a very embarrassing manner, he takes Din with him to be interrogated.

When entering the house where the couple was last seen, Kilo explains that they were hidden as the slavers attacked. Vekar also manages to fall into the hole of the shaft where Kilo had hid. The others investigate the room and Tris finds a datapad with a personal message from Phara.

I don’t think I managed to lose them this time, I’m sorry Phos.

If they are as stupid as 12 years ago they’ll be at [set of coordinates]

Also, if you are the odd group, I’d like you to try and tell her that we’ll be fine. She worries but Abel and I know that she wouldn’t abandon the information she finally managed to find on [The Habitat].

- Phara

Furthermore Vasir and Beetle investigate the computer and the papers on the desk. The documents reveal information about various slaveroutes and possible hits on them. On the computer they find information that Abel is an active fighter and mercenary and Phara is a partially known informant that occasionally works with the shadowbroker.

After this the group goes to talk to Kauf, whereas they learn that Din is in one of the Jail cells and that Kauf has yet to learn anything useful from the traitor.

Finally moving out to the base, they see that there is someone else charging towards their goal. Kilo confirms that it is Helios and that she is a matriarch that is friends with Phos. They also hit up on Phos and they learn that Kilo is perhaps the only other person she will possibly listen to, whereas Tris interjects that she hadn’t planned to leave them behind in the first place.

When reaching the base, they see that Helios has blasted her way into the base and is facing off three grunts. As they arrive, they attract the attention from Helios off the grunts as she sees that Kilo is with them. While yelling at the others, one of the grunts takes their chance and shoots her in the back, heavily damaging her. Hereafter the others take down one of the grunts while Vekar heals up Helios and she joins the battle once more with a powerful shockwave that helps taking down the remaining enemies.

When confronting the group, Helios accepts their explanation about Phos telling them to bring Kilo to keep her pacified. Moving up a floor, they see that there are only two corridors, one left and one right. They start inspecting the left one, hearing noise from one of the rooms. After kicking down the door to the domitories of the base, Tris and Vekar manages to get some heavy damage on the two grunts residing in there. The battle is short and they find little of value in the room. Expect for Beetle, that steals a large amount of pants, with one pair she ties around her neck like a cape.

Inspecting the next room, they find one of the two missing Quarians - Abel. He hits it off instantly, contributing bad pickup lines, as he’s taken a beating and jokes with everyone that he lays eyes on.

Finally moving onto the last corridor, the team attempts to avoid a heavy incinerate that is sent their way. Whereas the culprit of the attack is revealed to be Phara and the couple is finally reunited.

Going back to the town, Tris makes sure to announce that Kilo is now a part of the crew. Before takeoff Vasir goes off to talk to Filanaris and Beetle to talk to Kauf. Vasir learns of the workings of the town and Beetle learns of the background for Din’s betrayal. After this, the crew + Kilo leaves Nepts.

notable lines + interactions

Tris: So, this resistance is on this planet, or is it a more intricate system?

Phos: It’s everywhere.

Tris: I see-

Beetle, cutting in: oh, shit Phos, are you part of the illuminati?

Vasir: Beetle.

Beetle: Uh, I’m gonna be honest here. I’m really disappointed, because first I thought you were a fan. I have my pen out to autograph something – but now, you’re just people, so.

Vekar, OOC: Can we roll perception to check which one look like a “freedom fighter”?

Tris, OOC and laughing: Who looks most useful?

Beetle: Hey kiiiid?

Kilo: Ye-yeah? I’m sorry?

DM: Wait, that is not the voice of a child!

Beetle, OOC: [Laughs]

Beetle, OOC: Okay, actually, Beetle tells the group about this, like.

Beetle: This kid has something in their pocket, and I want it.

Vasir: Beetle, you don’t need to rob a child.

Tris: Do we have time for this?

Beetle: Yes! We always have time to rob a child.

Tris: That was a rhetorical question. The answer is no!

Beetle: Fuck you, I’m doing it.

In discord:

Vekar, OOC: second of all, the salarian child is not dabbing as you would

Vasir, OOC: vasir is so tired already

DM: Oh – okay, what is Beetle going to do and is anybody going to stop her?

Tris, OOC: No.

Vekar, OOC: No.

Vasir, OOC: No.

Tris, OOC: Wow, you’re not even sneaking it out of their hand. You’re straight up snatching it from them.

Vasir, OOC and sounding very exhausted: Why?

Vekar, OOC: Why not?

DM: So, you reach down and snag this paper out of this poor kid’s hands.

Tris, OOC: Tris starts laughing.

DM: and as you do this, the kid throws up their arms over their head and starts saying.

Kilo, sounding scared: I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t know you wanted that. [continued apologies.]

Vekar: Doing great already, aren’t we boys?

Tris: What’s your name?

Kilo: It’s Kilo.

Beetle: Do you weigh a kilo?

Party: [Starts laughing]

Kilo, sounding sincere: I was told I wasn’t very big for a long time, so they gave me that name.

Tris, OOC and still laughing: Oh my god.

Beetle: Don’t worry about it Kilo, my name is uhh. Mary.

Kilo: Hello Mary!

Tris: Beetle, what does the paper say?

Kilo: Who’s Beetle?

Tris, OOC: [Dies]

Vasir: Ancestors preserve me.

DM: So, you try to read this note. it just looks like latin mixed with kanji, and it does not make any sense to you at all.

Beetle, OOC: Where the fuck are the picture books up in here?

Tris: So, wait Kilo. When did Abel give this to you?

Kilo: It wasn’t Abel, he was there. Phara gave it to me.

Tris: When did, she - or they, give it to you?

Kilo: He gave it to me before telling me to hide -

Tris: When did she give it to you. Or they give it to you?

Kilo: He gave it to me, right before someone came and took them away.

DM: [Posts the note in chat]

Tris, OOC: That’s not a language for a child to read!

Kilo, when asked about their parents: I - I’m sorry, I don’t know. I don’t remember them.

Tris, OOC: Can I roll to hug this child?

DM: Yes, roll to hug the child.

Vasir, OOC: What if she fails and ends up punching the child!?

in discord

Tris: hug: 15 + modifer???

Vekar: Strenght modifer

Vekar: assert dominance

DM: Ok, so. [In response to everyone rolling a perception roll] I’ll give this to Tris as well since it’s very noticeable.

Tris, OOC: Hell yeah!

DM: What you notice, is that Kilo has eye and arm augmentations. As if somebody had poured petroleum on this child and lit them on fire.

Tris, OOC: Holy shit, can I hug this child yet!?

in discord

Vekar: what the fuck

Vekar: Do not assert dominance

Vekar: unpower play

DM: And, Tris, you successfully hug the child.

Tris, OOC: Sweet! I am going to carry Kilo around with me, for the rest of this campaign.

Tris: You have to do all the fighting guys.

Vasir: Does this mean we can borrow your grenade launcher, and are you going to bring a child into combat?

Tris, thinking for a moment: No, and yes.

Kilo: Phos helped me meet this guy who made me able to see again! Well, see better at least.

Tris, OOC: Holy shit, Phos is a philanthropist.

DM, confused and non-amercian: A what!?

Vasir, OOC: So now that this shit is over. Vasir is going to go over and talk to the quarian.

DM: What does everyone else do?

Vekar, OOC: Well, maybe the rest of us should look for that computer.

DM, expectantly: Sooo, do you guys wanna split up?

Tris, OOC: You know, nobody in this last campaign has suggested this. So I’m glad we’re upholding the tradition.

Sienan: [In response to asking about if she knows anything] I don’t care about any of it.

Tris, OOC: I like her already.

Beetle, OOC: Big mood.

DM: Ok, so. You can’t see her face for the face-plate, but you get the feeling that she’s shooting a condescending glare at Kilo.

Sienan: Oh. You again.

Tris, OOC: Wow! I suddenly don’t like her anymore.

Beetle, OOC: So, Beetle pats her on the arm like -

DM: She slaps your hand away.

Sienan: Don’t touch me!

Beetle: Ok, rude!

in discord

Tris: tris: i am adopting this child

Tris: tris: i am a terrible parent i am still adopting this child

Vasir: beetle: lets take this grumpy pyromaniac onboard

Vasir: tris: lets take this salarian kid along

Vasir: beetle and phos: lets get stabby mcwarhammer

Vasir: vasir: theres not enough alcohol onboard

Tris: [wine emote]

Lavendar: Oh help would be nice, but I thought you guys were in a hurry?

Beetle, OOC: For side-quests? Anything.

Beetle, OOC: Can I roll a perception check?

DM: Yeah, what about?

Beetle, OOC: Just the people in general.

DM: Sure, check away.

Beetle, OOC: Don’t worry guys, Beetle will see every single item in the area.

DM, tiredly: You want to check them for loot, is that what you’re doing?

Vasir, OOC: Oh god.

Beetle, OOC: Yeet.

Vasir, OOC(?): Beetle.

DM: So, Tris, you pick up this asari like a sack of potatoes. And the only thing he can say as his face is pressed against the back of your suit is.

Yusuke: This sure is a nice pillow.

Tris: If you touch anything, I will shoot you in the ass.

Lavendar: I will add to that and shoot him in the dick.

DM: So, as you walk up to him -

Beetle, OOC: Beetle dabs.

DM: He just laughs and goes.

Din: W-What are you doing?

Beetle: Living my truest self.

Tris, OOC: Okay, screw this. Tris pulls her gun out and points it at him.

Din: Oh my god. O-oh my god.

Vasir, OOC: Is this while holding Kilo?

Tris, OOC: Yes, this is the stage. She is holding Kilo with one arm and pointing the gun with the other.

Beetle, OOC(?): There can only be one salarian on this planet and it’s me!

Vasir: Beetle, stop!

DM: So, this is what happens when you point the Cold Shoulder, a sniper rifle at point blank at this guy. He starts panicking.

Tris: Do you know what happened to Abel and Phara?

Din: Oh god, I’m sorry. The slavers, I couldn’t -

DM: And he just breaks down crying.

Din: I was the one who betrayed them! [starts sobbing]

Tris, OOC: Holy shit. Uhm, we don’t have Phos, so we don’t have space tape. How are we going to tie this guy up?

DM: And he’s just sobbing on the ground, as Kilo looks at him and quietly says.

Kilo: We could call Kauf.

Tris: Oh, that’s legit. Anybody got them on their comms? I don’t.

Vasir: Nope.

Beetle: Nooo, but I have this comm, sponsored by Space Tape™. So when I say Space Tape, I get a roll of Space tape.

Tris, OOC: Holy shit.

Vasir, OOC: [laughs]

DM: So, you could either call Phos or drag this poor dude to Kauf.

Tris, OOC: Let’s drag him.

Tris: Vasir, do you mind holding Kilo for a bit?

Vasir: Sure, but please don’t drag him.

in discord.

Vekar: what is this child basketball

Tris, OOC: Uh, I got a ten, so that might be necessary.

Vasir: Just, don’t give him a heart attack.

Tris: Anybody who betrays others deserves death, that’s just the way it goes.

Beetle, OOC: So, let’s just make sure to note that he is completely subdued.

DM: So, you’re dragging this poor dude along by the scruff of his neck. And he’s still crying. There’s like a trail following behind him and tears are just streaming down his cheeks as you reach Kauf.

Beetle, OOC: [Adds their support roll]

Everyone: [Laughs]

DM, still laughing: Actually, Beetle. You lift his feet off the ground, but his body is still dragging. And as you only manage to lift his feet you kinda wonder why this isn’t helping, because everything else is still only getting dragged.

Beetle, OOC: Din I’m sorry!

Beetle: So Kauf, are you going to do an mortar and pestle thing with this guy?

Kauf: [disgusted] I would never resolve to such basic tactics.

Tris, OOC: I like this guy.

Tris: Here, you can have him.

DM: So Kauf can’t pick up this salarian, because he fucking doesn’t have arms -

Tris, OOC: Can I swing him on his back - can I roll to swing him onto his back?

Beetle, OOC: Pwease! No steppy!

Vasir, OOC: You’ve made this grave [Tris’ player]!

Tris, OOC: Shut up.

Vasir, OOC: It’s [Beetle’s player]! Of course he would say that eventually!

DM: You launch Din into the stratosphere, never to be seen again.

in discord

Vasir: DIN IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN

Vasir: LIKE TEAM ROCKET

Beetle: tris FLINGS DIN INTO THE SUN

DM: No, actually. You just awkwardly lift Din up onto Kauf’s back, and Kauf is just fucking ignoring you until he’s there and then walks off.

DM: So, you talked to all the people in town, and I am very happy about this. Because I love Kilo. And now there’s only the house left. Unless you want to talk to Sienan or Kilo again of course.

Tris, OOC: Oh, I’m just dragging Kilo with us.

Vekar, OOC: We’re dragging Kilo with us anyway, so might as well go to the house.

DM: So you see a rather haggard-looking house, where the door is blasted off and there are like - scorch-marks going into the house.

Beetle: Fire.

Vasir: Kilo, do you wanna stay outside?

Kilo: No, no I’m good. I saw it before, It’s not that bad inside. It’s just the door that’s a little scary.

Tris: I got you.

Beetle, OOC(?): I’m into this spooky door. Does it creak?

Vasir, OOC: God damn it Beetle!

DM: The door is blown open. It cannot be opened. It is half laying on the floor - half leaning against the wall. There is no door to be opened.

Beetle, OOC(?): Aw.

DM: Ok, so. As Vekar walks forward as the first one into the house, he falls into a hole.

Party: [starts to ask questions about it, mostly just about how deep it is.]

Beetle: It’s alive!

DM: It’s only like a meter deep, like a vent that’s been uncovered. He’s only stuck in it till about hip-height. And actually, as this happens, Kilo like quietly mutters.

Kilo: Oh, yeah. Should’ve mentioned that.

Beetle: It ate him.

Vasir: You ok Vekar?

Tris, OOC: Tris steps around him.

DM: Ok, so Tris. What you see is that there is a desk and under this desk lies a datapad. Whereas, on top of the desk, there’s a computer and some stacks of paper. And as you notice this, you step around him as he’s stuck in this hole like -

DM: - Square peg in round hole.

Vekar: Don’t worry about this guys, I’ll get myself out.

Vasir, OOC: I’ll try and hack the computer.

Beetle, OOC: I go over and to hack -

Tris: You know we have the password?

Vasir: Oh yeah, that’s right, I forgot. Between dragging a hapless salarian around after threatening to murder him, by pointing a sniper-rifle at point blank at him.

Tris: It was effective!

Tris: Who’s the odd group?

Kilo: Oh, that’s the name Abel gave you guys. He hears about some of the stuff you guys go through and it sounds too unrealistic. So that’s what he calls you.

Vekar, from the hole in the ground: It’s all lies!

DM: So Vekar does like a sweet flip out of this hole. Even though it’s physically impossible.

Tris: Hm, let’s call Annos.

Beetle: Let’s hit up Annos!

Tris: You actually said his name, holy shit.

Beetle: Forget about that!

Vasir: It’s a historical day Tris, we’ll have to write it down in the history books.

in discord

Beetle: roll to intimidate party about saying annos' name: 18 +1 = 19

Kilo: Who’s this A-un, Anos, Annos guy?

Tris: He’s my boss.

Kilo: Oh... Is he odd too?

Tris: Yes.

Party: [Laughs]

Beetle: So Anno - Assman. What size are these deals? Are they baby-sized or big-sized?

Annos: They go from information of where to place poison to kill a whole base, to toppling governments.

Beetle: Oh, that’s baby-sized stuff.

Phos: Sienan is not supposed to go anywhere near Kilo! I’ll have to fix this - fuck!

DM: And you like, hear her breathing as she runs for a few seconds before she speaks up again.

Phos: So, yeah. Maybe make this quick, I’m in kind of a tight spot here.

Beetle: Uhm, Phos can you maybe put yourself on push to talk? Please?

Phos: Beetle, have you considered turning on - push to death?

Tris, OOC: Oh shit.

Vekar, OOC: Damn.

Vasir, OOC: [Laughs exasperatedly]

Vasir: Should we bring these papers with us?

Beetle: I’m bringing them in case I need more petitions.

Vasir: Beetle, will you hold off on the petitions until we’re off this mission - That’s all I ask.

Beetle, ignoring that: Petition to end slavery.

Vasir: Oh yeah, that’s a nice thought. Too bad it doesn’t end that way.

Kauf: [suprise], what have you now found?

Tris: There’s proof of slavers being on the planet.

Tris, OOC: And she like, gives him the datapad and papers - or holds them up so he can see them?

in discord

Beetle: [posts this in discord]

Beetle: Uhm, can we do unspeakable evils onto this dude?

DM and Vasir in unison: What?

Kauf: [confused] what?

Beetle: The old, I dunno, interrogation?

Kauf: [Heavily disapproving] You’ve got a child with you.

Beetle: Yeeeeess?

Vekar: Beetle doesn’t care about any of that.

Beetle: Kauf, Kauf, bro. I’m gonna put a raincheck on this.

Tris, OOC: [Laughs]

Beetle: I feel like we need, a real platonic connection.

Kauf: [sarcasm heavily implied] Sure, I would love that.

Tris: This is weird, let’s go.

Vasir: Are we bringing Kilo with us to this base?

Tris: Yes.

Vekar, OOC: We’ve already introduced them to the matrix.

DM: So, as you move towards this base, you notice that there is something else - a shining blue projectile moving in the same direction.

Tris: Kilo, is this Helios?

DM: Kilo like, squints and goes “Yeah, that’s Helios. She looks very angry.”

Beetle: Oh shit! she’s sonic!

Helios: Why the fuck did you bring a child here?!

Tris: You’re the reason actually. You’re the reason.

DM: And, you’re rolling for initiative.

Vasir, OOC: Alrighty.

Tris, OOC: I am holding a child, this’ll be interesting.

DM: You will have disadvantage on attack rolls, but will have advantage on dexterity rolls.

Tris, OOC: Oh, swag.

DM: Sorry guys, I’m kinda new to all this initiative stuff.

Vasir, OOC: It’s ok, you’ve got a lot of people to roll for. Including that poor matriarch.

Tris, OOC: I’m not sorry.

Vasir, OOC: You’re never sorry [Tris’ player] when you do this. Because you’re like a bitter dungeon master.

Beetle, OOC: Yah.

Tris, OOC: I think you’re projecting.

Vasir, OOC: I’m not even an dungeon master, so how can I even be projecting, huh?

Tris, OOC: Projecting your bitterness!

DM: Oh god.

Tris, OOC: I’m just kidding.

DM: Well, you don’t have your powerhouse, so I gotta know who I’m gonna shoot at first.

in discord

Vekar: we dont have our mobile cover

Vekar: vekar was ahead of the group

Vekar: get me shot

DM: Aaand one of the grunts is going to attack - Beetle!

Beetle: Oh yeah!

in discord

Vasir: now that we're in initative: REMEMBER! YOUR! SHIELDS!

Tris: WHAT ARE SHIELDS?????

Beetle: WHOM?

Vekar: SHIELDS? HOW DO THEY WORK?

Beetle, taking damage: I eat that for breakfast!

in discord

Vekar: 8 points of damage is cereal?

Beetle: delicious

Tris, OOC: Yeah, so, could I roll a perception check to possibly check for somewhere to - put Kilo?

DM: Yep, sure, go ahead.

Vasir: You’re the one who wanted to adopt this child and bring this child into a combat zone. And now you wanna get rid of him? Good job.

Tris: Hey Vasir, remember when Phos told us to bring Kilo to talk with Helios? Yeah. You can fuck right off dude.

in discord

Vekar: throw them down the cliff we just came up they'll make it

Vekar: wait tris is going to hide kilo in a hole in the wall

Vekar: neat

Beetle: put the child in the cubbyhole

DM: So, as you set Kilo down, they give you like a hug - like they’re a bit scared to let you go. But they do let you go.

Tris: It’s ok, I’ll be right here.

Kilo: I know, but Phara said the same thing earlier right before he disappeared.

Tris: I’ll be fine, I’ve got friends.

Beetle: Yeah, look at me, I got shot and I’m doing great!

Vasir, OOC: Wait, if he used tech armor and then moved to her, I don’t know if he can use medigel. over he’s using both tech armor, running and medigel? Can he do that?

Tris, OOC: It’s up to you DM. Up to you!

DM, thinking for a minute: I think - you know what, to make this in a realistic setting. He’s running over as he turns on his armor, and when he like reaches her, he has the medigel ready.

Tris, OOC: What a kind DM.

DM: Ok, so you fix her all up. And as she straightens she clasps your shoulder and asks “Who the fuck made the decision to bring Kilo here?”

Vekar, sounding slightly scared: It was not me.

Beetle: She got shot, and now she’s fine too.

Helios: Yeah, ok, thanks for that.

DM: And she throws out an arm and casts a shockwave.

DM: And it’s now the turn of the two grunts. Since they are both prone in the air, they will both take shots at you Vekar.

Vekar, OOC: Neat.

In discord

Vasir: quietly, soul detatching: "neat"

Beetle: mood

Vekar: YOu think this tech armor is for show vasir?

Beetle, OOC on the subject of taking care of Kilo and the consequences of what the team is doing atm: You think our Phos is capable of parenting? Hm?

Vasir, OOC: Hey I think Phos would just sigh, so much -

Tris, OOC: She would kick our asses. Probably.

DM: Yeap. So you take aim, and hit this batarian right between the eyes.

Beetle, OOC: Yeet! Beetle dabs.

Beetle: How does that make you feel Weakest Link Still Standing!

DM: So, Kilo can’t see the shot, but hears it. And they’re like trying to calm themselves down -

Tris, OOC: Can I take their hand?

DM: Yeah, and Kilo like squeezes back as you do so.

Tris, OOC: Aw.

DM: So now it is Vasir -

Beetle, OOC: Wait, I have something to say.

DM: What?

Beetle, OOC: I have a funny line.

Beetle: Hang in there buddy.

DM: Jesus christ. Vasir, save me from this nightmare.

DM: So now it is Tris’ turn. Do you want to move from where you are?

Tris, OOC: Nope!

DM: Okay, would you like to move your turn and jump in later?

Tris, OOC, and a bit hard to hear: Yep!

DM: ... was that a ‘nope’ or a ‘yep’?

Tris, OOC: Yep!

DM: And that is it. Now you only have to deal with a terrified Kilo and a pissed off Helios!

Vekar, OOC: I think Tris can take care of both of those things.

DM: [Laughs]

Tris: To answer your question - It was Phos’ idea.

DM: At that, Helios holds up a finger - like, give me a minute, and puts her head in her palm.

Helios: Of course it fucking was.

DM: And she raises her head and looks at you Tris.

Helios: Okay, I accept this reasoning, because this is Phos we’re talking about. I’ve dealt with her for about fifty years now.

Tris: Oh, good.

Helios, exhaustedly: Urgh... Okay, we’re good, we’re good.

DM: And she like, walks over to Tris to say hi to Kilo. And they like, wave and tries to give her a hug, but it’s a little awkward since -

Tris, OOC: [Laughs]

DM: - she has to move close and like have to stand in close quarters and Kilo gives her a hug and it’s a little -

Tris, OOC: This is very conflicting for Tris, because she doesn’t wanna be this close to anybody. But she’s also holding onto Kilo, and she doesn’t want to pass him over to her. So she just takes it.

DM: So, you guys walk down the hallway to the third door. And as you do that, you notice that it’s hackable - but it’s also a very shitty door. Now, you can either kick down the door or hack it.

Beetle, OOC(?): Hell yeah! Kick down this door!

DM: Roll me some strength there Beetle.

Beetle, OOC(?): I’m going!

Tris, OOC(?): ‘cuz this has worked so well for you historically.

Beetle, OOC(?): Fuck you.

Vasir: With extreme dispassion. Fuck you.

Beetle, OOC: A one would be Beetle making a crucifix of herself. Just Killing herself on it.

DM, laughing: Yeah, your body slams on the door and you die.

Tris: I would love to kick down this door, but I am holding a child.

Beetle: I will take the child. Kick. Down. The. Door.

Kilo: Are you okay Mary? Did it hurt?

Beetle: It hurt me. Now I want it to hurt.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle does like a sick guitar move to like, to play Vekar in. Like - Ny, ny, nyeaaa, nyeaaa!

Everyone: [Laughs]

Beetle, OOC: Beetle dabs.

Vasir, OOC: You dab, while holding Kilo?

Beetle, OOC: Beetle actually just sets them down and goes like “Check this out!” and dabs.

Tris, OOC: I’m gonna use marksman.

DM: Okay. How does it work?

Tris, OOC: Honestly I don’t know. I know how it works in-game.

Beetle, whilst the DM is distracted with initiative rolls: Kilo you rocking?

Beetle, after a small pause: Kilo, you rocking?

Beetle, after yet another small pause: Kilo, you rocking?

Vasir, OOC: You’re asking this to a child?

Beetle: Kilo, you rocking and rolling?

Kilo: I-I-I’m sorry? Popsicle's? I-I don’t really understand.

Tris, OOC: What are you asking a child?!

Beetle: I’m just asking you, how you’re doing, yanno?

Kilo: O-oh. I’m not as bad as before, the fire’s gone. It helps when the fire is gone.

Beetle: Sweet! You’re Vasir’s now!

Tris, OOC: [Laughs]

Vasir: Only if you’re okay with it you know.

Kilo: Yeah, that’s fine.

DM: And it’s your turn first Tris!

Tris, OOC: Hm. I guess I can’t use my grenades, so I guess I’ll just shoot at him again.

in discord

Vekar: nuke this bitch

Tris: nuke everyone else too

Vekar, OOC: Is anybody alive?

DM: Yeah, there’s one guy alive still. Ready to pew pew you guys.

DM, after [Vasir’s player] took a pause: So, you guys took down the grunts. Anything you wanna do now?

DM: ...

DM: Guys?

DM: H-hewwo?

Beetle, OOC: WHat?

Tris, OOC: Fuck you. Whose turn is it?

DM, tiredly: You already took both of them down!

DM: [finished lengthy explanation about the surroundings] - And there’s like clothes lying around that you can’t really use for anything -

Beetle, OOC: I take the clothes.

Vasir and DM: [Laughs]

DM: ... You take their pants.

Beetle, OOC: Yeah I take their pants.

Vasir, OOC: It’s like Sera - from Dragon Age, with the guards.

Tris, OOC, giggling: Yeah.

in discord

DM: Beetle gained: [an questionable amount of pants]

Beetle, OOC(?): Now they don’t have pants.

Vasir: Why Beetle. Why do you need pants made for Batarians?

Tris, OOC: Well even better, she has the locations and pants. Like, we got everything. Best of both worlds.

DM: [Unintelligible blabber] Great.

DM: Are you ready?

Beetle, OOC: Wait, I’d like to add that Beetle ties a pair of pants around her neck like a cape.

Everyone: [fucking dies]

DM, sounding like they’re dying: Great. Yeah. Pantcape. Cape made of pants. Whatever you wanna call it.

DM: Actually Tris, it was a good thing that you stayed outside. Because in the next room you see a quarian tied down and looking pretty roughed up. You can actually hear a slight wheezing noise as he breathes.

In discord

Vekar: vekar checks to see if they're alive

Tris: QUARIAN ASTHMA- fisk

Beetle: GET HIM A QUARIAN INHALER

Tris: QUARIAN ALLERGIES??

Tris: GET HIM A QUARIAN EPIPEN

Beetle: I’m not touching this quarian. If I touch him and he dies, like. That would really suck.

Vasir, OOC, after Vekar wants to heal the quarian: I can imagine that you’d attempt to set the broken arm?

Vekar, OOC: Oh yeah. But I don’t think I have the supplies for that.

Tris, OOC: Is there a firstaid kit somewhere?

DM, thinking: Well I guess you could go into the dorms - no wait. You go into the first room and see that it’s a kitchen and you find like - a spork.

in discord

Beetle: everyone after being healed by vekar:

Beetle: Posts [This]

Vasir, OOC: [dying sounds]

Everyone: [Laughs]

DM: Actually - you enter the kitchen and you find one of those bigass spoons to use as support.

Vasir, OOC: Thank you. That is much better than a spork.

DM: So, as you set his arm. He fucking screams because holy fuck that’s painful.

Tris, OOC: “It’s fine!” Tris says to Kilo.

DM: Kilo is like shaking and says.

Kilo, anxiously: That’s Abel. That’s Abel. Is he okay? is he okay? is he okay?

Tris: They’re just setting his arm.

Kilo: Is that a bad thing?

Tris: No it’s a good thing.

Kilo: Oh.

DM: Vekar, as you manage to set his arm - he looks up at you and says.

Abel: Holy fuck.

Abel: Hey did it hurt?

Vekar, OOC: Oh my god.

Vekar, strained: What?

Vekar and Vasir, OOC: [Fucking dies]

Abel: When you fell from heaven?

Tris, OOC, wheezing: Fucking hell. [Starts laughing]

Vasir: Are you Abel?

Tris, OOC: Way to cockblock Vasir.

DM: And as you say that Vasir, Abel looks over at you.

Abel: Well. Getting kidnapped these days doesn’t seem to be so bad, especially when it comes to the rescue crew.

Tris: Shut the fuck up.

Vekar: Keep this up - and we’re gonna break your arm again.

Vasir: Vekar -

Kilo: Oh yeah, that’s Abel. He’s like this but don’t worry, he’s not serious about it.

Tris: Wait so. This guy is so pathetic that he hits on every single person he sees. Is that what you mean?

Kilo: Yeah. Phara says that it’s his way of pathetically communicating with others.

Vasir, OOC: [Sounds like they’re dying]

Tris, OOC(?): God that’s amazing! Uh, wow.

Beetle: I like this! I love this!

Vasir: We were sent to rescue you and Phara. Do you have any idea where he might be?

Abel: Oh - Uhm.

DM: And he turns serious for a second.

Tris, interjecting, OOC: Just for one second.

Beetle, OOC: I want to roll a deception on him.

DM: You want what?

Beetle, OOC: I wanna say like.

Beetle: We have a 100% success rate!

Beetle, OOC: And I feel like I should roll deception on that.

in discord

Vekar: shouldn't we also question him about how these slavers got here

Vekar: which was a thing i think?

Vekar: we do have 100% success rate

Beetle: we killed the SCIENTISTS

Vekar: it just costs us one beetle every mission

Vasir: O HSITH

Vasir, sounding like they’re giving up on everything, OOC: [Various dying noises] This is the worst, first with Abel and now all this.

Tris, OOC: Did you search up pickup lines for this?

DM, also sounding like they’re dying: I may have a tab open - 100 best pickup lines.

Vasir, OOC: Is Abel gonna flirt with everyone now?

Beetle: [Rolls higher than Abel on the deception]

Everyone: [Dies once again of laughter]

Beetle: Yes, we got a 100% success rate. No casualties, don’t worry though we gotchu’.

Abel: Oh that sounds hella cool! You guys are the odd group right? Then I suppose I must’ve been wrong then.

DM: And then, he looks at Beetle and says - oh fuck where is it?

Abel: Girl. Are those space pants? ‘Cuz your butt is outta this world!

Beetle: Wooo! I love you!

Abel: I love me too.

Beetle: Finally, somebody of my own heart.

Tris: shouldn’t we get this show on the road? We still need to find Phara, right?

Abel: Yeah! sounds good, though -

DM: And he like tugs on his restraints.

Abel: Maybe the first step would be to get me out of these. Unless you’re into that.

Tris: Hey, shut the fuck up.

Vasir: I thought you were married?

DM: As this goes on, Kilo like mutters under their breath. So Tris and maybe you Vasir hears this.

Kilo: Yeaah. This sure is Abel. Sure is.

Vasir, OOC: Oh no. This poor child has had to suffer through such bullshit.

Tris: I’ve adopted you.

DM: Are - Are you seriously gonna adopt the child?

Tris, OOC: Yes! I am seriously going to adopt this child!

DM: ... Am I going to have to role-play Kilo on the apricity? Is this what is happening?

Tris, OOC: Yes!

Beetle, interjecting the discussion: Kilo, we have a pet on the apricity!

Tris, OOC: No - It’s, god. [starts laughing]

Vasir: Beetle, when did you even get the roomba? You haven’t gotten it yet.

Beetle: Uh, I have my ways.

DM, stopping the roomba vs. cat discussion: Okay. Chop, chop, chop, chop! Time restraints!

Tris, OOC: I’m gonna call Phos, is that okay?

DM: Yep.

Tris: Hey Phos, we got Abel and will now go get Phara. Okay bye.

Vekar, exhausted: Yeah, we got Abel as he flirts with anyone.

Tris, OOC: Oh god. Vekar does not approve of this at all.

Beetle: I fucking love Abel!

Phos: You either hate him or you love him. And I love him like a brother so -

Tris: Can I punch him?

Phos: No. Please don’t punch him. As he is probably in bad shape at the moment.

Tris: Fuck.

DM: And you hear gunfire from her side of the channel and she yells something over her shoulder that you don’t really pick up on. But when she turns back to you she says.

Phos: Don’t really worry about his pickup lines. Be more worried if he actually sounds sincere. Okay?

Beetle: Sounds pretty gay, Phos.

Phos: Phos out.

Beetle: A 100% success rate team! Let’s goooo!

DM: So Tris, what happens is that both you and Kilo notice that something is flying your way. And because you are a kickass motherfucker, you roll outta the way with ease. When it comes near, you see that it was an incinerate sent on your direction.

Tris, OOC: With a kid!

DM: With a kid indeed.

Beetle, OOC: Oh shit, it’s Vasir’s dark twin.

Beetle, OOC: Wait, did we regen our shields?

DM, thinking about it: Well, I guess Abel flirted the fuck outta you and gave you time to regen some shields.

DM: So, the shadow that both Tris, Kilo and Abel saw steps closer. And when you can like see who it is, you - or atleast Abel recognizes them as Phara. As he does, he yells.

Abel: Phara, holy fuck!

DM: And Abel like sprints forward and despite his arm, tackles Phara to the ground in a hug.

Tris, OOC: Oh dear.

Vasir, OOC: Well then.

Abel: The fucking Odd Group came! Phos fucking found us! She’s like the least competent with technology and she managed to track us down!

Beetle: 100% success rate.

DM: When Phara and Abel manage to rise off the ground. Like the two nerds in love they are -

Tris, OOC: [Snickers]

DM: Phara turns to you guys.

Phara: Thanks. Phos never mentioned your names, but I can guess by who you are that you’re her team. But Abel usually calls you the Odd Group.

Tris: I’m not.

Beetle: She’s not usually a part of our clique.

Vasir: Tris is on the same ship as we are.

in discord

Vekar: Yes that is us

Vekar: we are the odd man group

Vekar: we perform all over the galaxy

Phara: Oh, I guess that what Phos tells me of her superior not approving of her is false then.

Tris: No, not really.

Vasir: She keeps mispronouncing his name. But I don’t think he’s mad at her.

Beetle: Annos is - Fuck

Everyone: [Laughs]

Beetle: Fuck you! Fuck everybody in this room!

Beetle, OOC: And she just throws up her hands.

Beetle: Let’s get some groupcall action in here!

Beetle, OOC: And Beetle calls Phos.

DM: Hm?

Tris, OOC, sounding unsure of this: Group call?

Beetle: Yeah, conference call, let’s get Phos in on this action.

DM: Oh jesus christ I’m gonna be four different people in one conversation.

Beetle, OOC: I live to make you suffer.

Vasir: Hey Phos, we got Phara and Abel and they’re both alive.

Tris, OOC(?): And well?

DM: And as you say that, you notice that there is less gunfire in the background and instead you can her Phos say “Hell yeah! Oh hey guys.” just as an explosion goes off in the background.

Tris: Did you just blow up something?

Beetle: Is that explosions I hear?

Phos: mmmmmmmmaybe.

DM: What the fuck, where is the pickup line?!

Helios: Phos, Phos. What the fuck is this team? I’ve seen the most insane and remarkable work done today and I have no fucking clue what is even going on with these people!

Phos: Welcome to the family Helios.

Tris: Yeah, we can’t tell you anything because then we would have to kill you.

Helios: I’ve done undercover work, I understand the need for secrecy. But holy shit Phos, what the hell did you send to help us?

Beetle: Yeah, we’re super professional.

Beetle: The only thing that isn’t classified is.

Beetle: My number.

Beetle: Ayyyyyyyyyyyyy.

Tris, OOC(?): God dammit.

Beetle: I’m kidding, I’m not giving you my fucking number.

DM: What was that? I was looking up pickup lines.

Vasir, OOC: Never mind.

Tris, mockingly, OOC: What was that, I was looking up pickup lines.

Vasir, OOC: Just get on with this torment so I can leave this planet.

Phos: Beetle, you can’t see me. But I am dabbing right now.

Vasir: Oh god.

Beetle: Yeet.

Tris, OOC: Tris starts walking towards the exit.

Kilo: Wait, I wanna talk to Phos too!

Tris: I’ve got her frequency on my comm.

Kilo: Aww.

Phara: Look I want you to keep yourself in line. You might think you know these people, but I don’t want you to make them more uncomfortable than you already have.

Tris, in the distance: I’ll fucking shoot you.

Vasir: Not while holding Kilo!

Beetle: No, continue, this is fucking fun.

Kilo, to Tris’ statement: That might be fair.

Vasir, under their breath: Oh my god.

Tris: I... this kid is amazing. Holy shit.

DM: So you pick up this pistol and see that it is super shitty. Maybe even so shitty that you cannot even con this away.

Beetle: Thanks Vasir, you gave me the shittiest pistol in existence.

Vasir: I asked if you wanted it and even gave you one of the credit chits. So don’t act like I forced it on you.

Beetle: You know what, that’s fine.

in discord

Tris: beetle's plan: sell this pistol to elaye

Tris: the ultimate swindle

Vasir: If it comes to worse, you can always throw it at someone.

Beetle: No that’s alright. I think I have a plan for this already.

Beetle, OOC: And she looks at it with one of her sticky grenades and pockets them both.

DM: O-oh dear.

Vasir, OOC: Vasir just kinda sighs and I guess they leave the room.

in discord

Vasir: GOD

Tris: OR THAT

Vekar: beetle's true plan

Vekar: put the pistol on stabby

Beetle: Canon route

Beetle, in response to seeing an open space of nothingness dropping down: Is this where dashcon was?

Everyone: [Dies]

Tris, OOC: Tris calls Telissa for pickup because she won’t walk all the way back to town.

Beetle, OOC(?): Did you see my strength modifier, it’s negative two, so I sure as hell am not walking back again.

DM: You’re just gonna take this child without asking permission?!

Tris, OOC: Yep!

Vasir: Does Kilo even want to come with us Tris?

Tris, suprised: Oh, that’s true!

DM: God.

in discord

Vasir: vasir: have you thought about this at all

Vasir: tris: oh! no i havent! at all

Tris: tris: B)

Beetle: Yo Kilo, you wanna hang out with the cool kids?

Kilo: That- That sounds fun. But I’m gonna need a few things, is that okay Tris?

Tris: Yeah let’s go!

DM: And as you speak with Phara, Abel moves up behind him and puts his hand on his butt and while he’s looking at you and goes like.

Abel: My mom thinks I’m gay, care to help me prove her wrong?

Vasir, completely deadpan: What.

Tris, OOC: [Laughs]

Vekar: That’s it. I’m breaking your arm.

Tris, OOC: [Fucking dies]

Vasir, OOC: Vasir doesn’t even aknowledge this and just turns and walks away.

Tris, OOC: Are they oddly flattered though?

Vasir, OOC: No. They can’t even begin to render what gender Abel was assuming they were. And the way Abel said it. And they’re tired of Abel just spouting pickup lines.

Beetle: You threw an incinerate at me, but really the thing you threw an incinerate at was my heart.

Beetle: Now it’s on fire.

Vasir: I hate you Beetle!

Tris, OOC: When Tris asks to adopt Kilo, all she says is:

Tris: I’m taking this kid now. Bye.

Phara: Maybe you should asks Phos about this, because she was the one who found and brought them here in the first place.

Tris: Hmm. No.

Vasir: Let’s not, anger the Krogan on the ship.

Tris: I can take on a fucking Krogan.

Vasir: Tris, it’s not a matter of this is a matter of taking a Krogan. It’s a matter of Phos taking care of Kilo and the situations we get into.

Beetle, interjecting while Vasir is talking: We could all have the discussion at a teaparty. I still have the mug.

DM: As Vasir is trying to rationalize with Tris. Kilo goes.

Kilo: I’d like to see a spaceship.

Tris: See! Done.

DM: Do you want to see Kauf and Filanaris?

Beetle: Yeah, I have to talk to Kauf about torture.

DM: Beetle, as you enter the jail again, you notice that Helios has followed you. And the moment you see Kauf and just manage to greet him, she is flying between you and gives Kauf a hug.

Kauf: [Joyful] I am glad to see you well.

Beetle: Yeah! I’m doing great!

Kauf: [Displeased] I was not referring to you.

Kauf: [With growing annoyance] What do you want?

Beetle: Remember I did a raincheck earlier.

Kauf: [Resigned] Yes, the traitor.

DM: And as he moves to walk over to the cell, Helios floats up to lay across his back. Letting her aura flicker and stuff to clam herself down.

DM: When you reach the cell, you also see a rather bad-off looking Din in there. You can barely recognize the figure in there.

Beetle, looking at Helios: That’s a sick position you got there.

DM: And Helios gives you the middle finger. That’s what happens.

Helios: My elcor. My space.

Beetle: I wasn’t trying to mean anything. I was just saying it looked cool. Looks legit. Giving a compliment.

Helios: Thanks.

Beetle: Anyways, how’s our prisoner, Din doing?

Kauf: [With satisfaction] I managed to get the information about the situation out of him. He was not threatened, but only bribed to give away the place of Phara and Abel.

DM: You’ve adopted the character I love most. I am very happy about that.

technical notes

Tris rolls to see if there’s anything suspicious about Filanaris.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Tris → 13

Tris notices that Filanaris looks trustful, if slightly on the verge of a anxiety-attack.

Everyone checks to see who’s most suspicious in the square.

Peception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Tris → 9 + 0 → 9

Vekar → 10 - 4 → 6

Vasir → 6 + 0 → 6

Beetle → 15 + 1 → 16

Beetle notices that the salarian child is holding a piece of paper and the salarian male looks shifty-eyed. Nobody else notices much of anything.

Beetle goes to steal the paper from the salarian kid.

Dexterity contest. 1d20 + dexterity modifier.

Beetle → 19 + 1 + 1 → 22

Salarian kid → 18 + 2 → 20

Beetle snatches the paper out of the kid’s hands.

Beetle and Vekar try to read the paper.

Literacy roll. 1d20.

Beetle → 4

Vekar → 20

Beetle wonders about the possibility of going to school, meanwhile Vekar easily reads the note left for Kilo.

The Party looks a bit more closely at this kid.

Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Vasir → 10 + 0 → 10

Vekar → 6 - 4 → 2

Tris → 8 + 0 → 8

Beetle → 12 + 1 → 13

Vasir, Beetle and Tris notice the harsh scarring on one side of Kilo’s body. Vekar, despite being a medically trained field doctor, does not notice.

Tris hugs the child.

Comfort roll. 1d20.

Tris → 15

Tris gives Kilo a hug, and they return it happily.

Beetle checks out the two asari.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Beetle → 6 + 1 → 7

They don’t appear to be holding much of value.

Beetle and Tris try to pick up Yusuke.

Strength check. 1d20 + strength modifier.

Beetle → 2 - 2 → 0

Tris → 15 + 3 → 18

Beetle doesn’t even try and Tris picks up this asari like a sac of potatoes over her shoulder.

The party takes a closer look at the shifty-eyed salarian.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Beetle → 9 + 1 → 10

Vasir → 3 + 0 → 3

Vekar → 4 - 4 → 0

Tris → 10 + 0 → 10

They don’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Vekar wonders where this genetically altered krogan came from.

Tris and Beetle tries to intimidate Din.

Intimidation roll. 1d20.

Tris → 3

Beetle → Nat20

Tris doesn’t look very intimidating while carrying Kilo but as Beetle draws the Cold Shoulder and points it at him, Din gives in.

Tris and Beetle helps each other dragging Din back to Kauf.

Strength roll. 1d20 + strength modifier.

Tris → 6 + 3 → 9

Beetle → 8 - 2 → 6

Tris and Beetle manage to drag Din, by Tris holding onto his collar and only half-managing to lift him and Beetle only managing to lift his feet.

Tris tries to sling Din up onto Kauf’s back.

Strength roll. 1d20 + strength modifier.

Tris → 11 + 3 → 14

Tris manages to awkwardly place the sobbing salarian onto Kauf’s back.

Everyone checks out the house.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Beetle → 3 + 1 → 4

Tris → 22

Vekar → 7 - 4 → 3

Vasir → 5

Vekar falls into a hole in the floor. Vasir and Beetle doesn’t notice much of anything. Tris notices a datapad that’s fallen under the table as well as the rest of their surroundings.

Vekar rolls to escape the vent that he fell into.

Dexterity roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier.

Vekar → 19 + 2 → 21

Vekar does a sick flip out of the hole.

See Notes on first encounter.

Everybody checks out the left corridor.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Beetle → 11 + 1 → 12

Tris → 17

Irv → 10 - 4 → 6

Vasir → 16

Helios → 4

Kilo → 9 + 4 → 13

Vasir and Tris both notice that there’s noise coming from the third door of the hallway. None of the others notice much of anything.

Beetle tries to kick down the third door down the left corridor. And then also coerces some of the others to make the same attempt

Strength check. 1d20 + strength modifier.

Beetle → 12 - 2 → 10

Vekar → 12 + 1 → 13

Tris → 16

Beetle stubs her toe doing this. Both Vekar and Tris manage to do a kickass kickflip that knocks the door in and gives the pair a surprise round on the goons.

See notes on the second encounter.

Vekar, Vasir and Beetle checks out the dormitory.

Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Vekar → 12 - 4 → 8

Beetle → 14 + 1 → 15

Vasir → 17

Beetle and Vasir notice that there couldn’t have been that many people living on the base at a one time if this is their dormitories, maybe a max of 8.

There’s also some clothes lying around that Beetle decides to take for herself.

Beetle and Vekar checks out the quarian tied down.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Beetle → 16 + 1 → 17

Vekar → 18 - 4 → 14

Vekar notices that the quarian has a broken arm and a few fractured ribs. Beetle notices that the quarian has been roughened up within the last 12 hours.

Vekar is going to heal the quarian.

Medical roll. 1d20 + medicine modifier → 10 x 2 → 20

Vekar heals the quarian for 20 points of damage.

Beetle attempts to deceive Abel into believing the group is more competent than they really are.

Deception roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier → 10 + 1 → 11

Abel resists.

1d20 + knowledge modifier → 3 + 1 → 4

Beetle manages to make Abel believe that the crew has a high successrate when it comes to rescue missions.

Everybody checks down the right corridor.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Tris → 19

Beetle → nat1 + 1 → 1

Vasir → 8

Vekar → 15 - 4 → 11

Helios → 11 + 2 → 13

Kilo → 19 + 2 → 21

“I don’t see shit in this hallway.” Beetle’s player says.

“Are you okay Beetle?” Vasir’s player asks.

“I’m fucking blind, that’s what ya’ll.” Beetle’s player asks.

“Let’s talk to Suella about this when we get back.” Vasir’s player comforts.

Tris and Kilo manage to see the incinerate sent their way and dodges it with ease.

Beetle, Vasir, Vekar and Helios all have to roll dexterity saving rolls.

Dexterity roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier.

Beetle → 8 + 1 → 9

Vekar → 16 + 2 → 18

Vasir → 12 + 1 → 13

Helios → 16 + 2 → 18

Vasir and Beetle takes fire damage from the incinerate.

Damage roll. 1d8 + fire damage → 6 + 3 → 9.

Vasir rolls to hack the first door down the corridor.

Technical roll. 1d20 + technical modifier → 13 + 4 → 17

They manage to hack the door. Revealing a small office with a burnt corpse in it.

First encounter

Initiative roll. 1d20. Noted in order.

Grunt 3 → 17

Beetle → 17

Vasir → 15

Tris → 13

Vekar → 11

Helios → 7

Grunt 2 → 4

Grunt 1 → 3

Grunt 3 takes a shot at Beetle.

Attack roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 13 + 2 → 15

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll. 1d8 + 4 → 4 + 4 → 8

The grunt manages to get a decent shot at Beetle, making her barriers flicker.

Beetle takes a shot at Grunt 3.

Attack roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 3 + 2 → 5

This is not sufficient to hit.

Vasir uses incinerate on Grunt 3.

Attack roll. 1d10 → 8.

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll. 4d4 + modifiers → 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 → 10 + 3 → 13

The grunts shields are gone and she looks a little uneasy.

Tris checks to find a spot to safely shelter Kilo.

Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier → 19

Tris manages to spot a safe hole in the wall, caused by Helios assault on the building.

Vekar activates his tech armor.

Tech armor roll. 1d20 → 14

Vekar gets an additional 14 hitpoints to his shields.

Vekar heals the heavily injured Helios.

Medi gel roll. 1d20 → 13 x 2 → 26

Helios recovers a decent amount of her health and is able to fight again.

Helios throws a shock wave at the two grunts nearby.

Skill roll. 1d10 → 8

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll. 4d4 + 8 → 4 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 8 → 19

Grunt 2 takes a shot at Vekar.

Attack roll. 1d20 → 18

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll. 1d8 + 4 → 6 + 4 → 10

Vekars shields flicker, but his tech armor still holds.

Grunt 1 takes a shot at Vekar.

Attack roll. 1d20 → 10

This is not sufficient to hit.

Grunt 3 shoots at Vasir.

Attack roll. 1d20 → 6

This is not sufficient to hit.

Grunt 3 takes fire damage from the incinerate.

Save roll to put out fire. 1d10 → 7

The grunt didn’t manage to put out the fire.

Damage taken. 1d10 + 3 → 7 + 3 → 10

Grunt 3 is now dead.

Beetle shoots at the Grunt hanging in the air to the left in the shockwave, both are prone.

Attack roll. 2d20, take highest number. → 2 & 18 → 18 + 4 → 22

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll → 3d6 + 4 → 12.

Beetle kills the grunt, hitting between each set of eyes as she says: “Hey, hang in there.”

Vasir moves into the room and takes aim at the Grunt still remaining.

Attack roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 14

(DM note: I should have made them roll with advantage, I forgot.)

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll → 2d4 → 2 + 1 → 3

Vasir hits the remaining grunt, he looks pretty bad off, but is still standing.

Vekar attacks the remaining Grunt.

Attack roll. 2d20, take highest number. → 8 & 16 → 16

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll → 4d4 → 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 → 10

Vekar shoots the last grunt in the guts and he collapses.

And that is the end of the encounter!

Second encounter

Tris uses her surprise round to attack the one grunt.

Attack roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 17 + 2 → 19.

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll. With marksman activated, the damage is doubled → 8 x 2 → 16.

The Grunt on the left is bloodied.

Vekar tries to freeze the other grunt with his surprise round.

Skill check. 1d10 → 7.

This is sufficient to hit, the grunt on the right is frozen.

Initiative roll. 1d20. Noted in order.

Tris → 12

Vekar → 11

Grunt 2 → 9

Helios → 7

Bettle → 4

Vasir → 1

Tris attacks the grunt again.

Attack roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 14.

This is not sufficient to hit. The shot bounces off the grunts shields and does no damage.

Tris uses shield boost.

Shield boost roll. 1d20 → 10.

Tris gains an additional 10 armor to her shields.

Vekar attacks the grunt remaining.

Attack roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 13 + 2 → 15.

This is sufficient to hit.

Damage roll. 4d4 → 1 + 4 + 3 + 4 → 12

The Grunt is dead.

And that is the end of the encounter!

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#session 8 #summary #operation #Mod Helium #Operation: it takes a helping hand #Guest session

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lexiauteur · 7 years

Text

Noble Reign

Ch.1 Mytic Messenger Middle Ages AU

|Ch. 2| |Ch. 3|

Author’s Note: It finally happened. I’m so sorry it took me such a long time to finish it, but I’m so proud to present you the Mystic Messenger Middle Ages AU! ^^ I have absolutely no idea if anyone will read this but I had so much fun writing it and I will definitely continue updating it. Keep in mind that English is not my first language, so I apologize in advance for any grammar mistakes. Nevertheless, I hope y’all enjoy it. Please feel free to leave any sort of comments or message me; I would love to write some headcanons for this AU and I like to integrate your ideas as well.

I also want to give special thanks to @promiscuous-jalapeno for giving me advice and encouraging me in my writing. If you should ever read this, I hope you’ll enjoy it as well. <3

Wordcount: 3,247

“A long time ago, there existed a great kingdom that was ruled by two brothers. Their names were Jaehyun and Jaekwang.

The brothers were loved by their people and everyone lived together in harmony. But one day, Jaekwang desired the sole control over the kingdom and rebelled against his brother.

With soldiers at his command, he imprisoned his brother and spread misery across the kingdom. For a long time the kingdom was ruled by bitterness and people were living in fear.

But then, when all hope had died and the hour of doom seemed at hand, a girl appeared as if from nowhere. With fire burning in her soul and magic running through her veins, she defeated Jaekwang and freed his brother.

In anger, she divided the kingdom in half by forcing water and earth between the villages. A grand river and high mountains were now separating Jaekwang and Jaehyun.

Pleased with her work, the girl vanished and was never seen again. Over time, the two brothers created different kingdoms, one ruled by fear and one ruled by strength.

Generations passed and so did the girl’s tale. The kingdoms became enemies and the tale became legend. They say that someday, the girl will come back to reunite the kingdoms in peace and harmony again but until then the kingdoms remain in discord.”

The familiar scent of freshly baked bread was in the air, mixed with the smell of smoke and soot. Wood crackled in the old fireplace, the fire glazing the room in a rather dim light, and the wind was whistling around the windows, but other than that, the kitchen was quiet today. Quieter than usual at least. Working as a maid was always loud and hectic, apart from a few days that included holidays and Sundays, where the castle was less crowded. But today, only a few maids besides her were working in the kitchen, despite the fact that today was neither a holiday nor a Sunday. Still, preparing dinner for the guards and members of the castle was always exhausting and nerve-wracking, whether it’s a special day or not.

The distinct smell of yeast reached her nose as she was kneading sourdough on a flat wooden board, flour sprinkled all over the surface. Some even got in her hair and on her apron but she didn’t care. Her apron was dirty anyway. Working as a maid in the castle was by all means not an easy job. Sometimes she missed the old bakery of her parents she used to help in. It had always been comfortable, a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. But preparing meals in a different kitchen and delivering them to the members of the castle still felt strange, even after two years. Admittedly, she became used to doing it every single day over time, but that feeling wouldn’t go away. Baking bread and cooking soup was becoming her daily routine now, just as it had always been actually, but that should only be a transition. A transition for the actual goal she was targeting.

Fay was made of sterner stuff. The long hours of working haven’t made her weak, if anything, they made her stronger and even more resilient. She wasn’t quick to give up on something she had taken into her head which helped her surviving the stressful everyday life of the castle. And all those qualities were more than important. She needed the strength and the endurance and the ambition. Because her goal was to become a knight, a fighter, a heroine, and her mind was determined to fight for her dream. Some told her she was crazy, that they have never seen a single woman fighting with a sword; others admired her for her perseverance. But in the end, she couldn’t care less about other people’s opinions. She only cared about herself.

As she was putting the last bread into the oven, one of the maids approached her. “Fay, it’s your turn to bring dinner to the guards. You did enough for today anyway, so let me finish that. When you’re done, you are free to go to bed. I know how hard you’ve worked today.”

The maid gently smiled at her and took over. Fay sighed with relieve and stretched her aching muscles. Her feet felt like rocks tied to her legs, dull pain shooting up her bones with every step she was taking. She simply nodded in gratitude to the maid; Fay was just way too tired to say a proper ‘thank you’. She quickly took off her dirty apron and prepared for leaving the kitchen.

The basket was packed with dried meat, apples, butter and the freshly baked bread she had made earlier. It felt heavy in her arms and Fay had to alternate hands while carrying it. The guards were leisurely hanging around the hallways and already eyed her from afar. It made her feel uncomfortable so she quickly averted her gaze. Fay swallowed hard, she knew exactly what was about to come. She took a deep breath and gathered all her confidence, approaching the group of armored men.

“Damn sweetheart, I wanna take you to my chambers tonight!”

“Come on girl, show me what’s under that skirt”, the guards were shouting to her.

Fay was used to being hit on by some of them but it still left her disgusted and boiling with rage every single time. Sadly, she couldn’t do anything about it except ignoring their cocky pick-up lines because making a scene would only cause her trouble. But as long as they didn’t start touching her, she was able to control her anger.

Annoyed, she put down the basket in front of the guards, wishing she could wipe their smug smiles off their faces. “Gentlemen, I brought you dinner. I hope you enjoy it”, Fay said with the sweetest, most sarcastic voice possible and deeply curtsied, the guard’s eyes following her every move. Then she turned around and quickly strode away, tightly clasping the piece of bread she secretly stole from the basket and hid with her skirt.

The whistling and laughter reverberated through the hallways but eventually subsided as Fay was going down the cold and stony stairs to the main floor. Old paintings framed in gold were decorating the wall to her left, trying to hide the cracks and crevices of the wall without success. A thin purple carpet was draped over the stairs all the way down to the bottom that feathered her steps. Overall, the castle was lavishly furnished in the colors of the C&R Empire: gold and purple.

Although it was a warm summer evening, the halls of the castle were still chilly and the air smelled slightly musty. Fay shuddered, rubbing her bare arms, and quickly left the castle through the rear exit that led to the stables. A blow of fresh air greeted her. It was already dark outside, a brisk wind blowing through her hair. The branches of the oak trees were slowly moving to the wind, rustling with every breeze. She closed her eyes and deeply inhaled, taking a moment to appreciate the change of scenery, before walking towards the stables.

The cobbled path which led to the stables eventually faded into dried out grass. The tall buildings in front of her were framed with dark wood and sandstone, slightly illuminated by a few oil lamps. Fay passed the old well to her left before entering the stables through a set of large wooden doors.

Yoosung was already waiting for her, combing down one of the horses inside it’s box. It was a beautiful rust-colored mare, her hair shining in the light of the oil lamps that were hanging down the old wooden roof beams. Piles of lose straw were spread across the dusty floor and pitchforks leaned against the stone walls.

Bits of the straw were still clinging to Yoosung’s blond hair and his plaid shirt was stained with dirt. He immediately looked up as soon as he heard the doors opening, his face lighting up with excitement.

“Fay, there you are! I was waiting for you. I’m pretty damn hungry, ya’ know?” He stepped out of the horse box, closing the gate behind him.

Fay smiled. “Sorry, the usual happened. And I also lost track of time while baking bread”, she answered and slumped into a pile of straw next to the doorway, tossing half of the bread to Yoosung. He smoothly caught it with one hand and greedily bit into it.

“It’s fine, you don’t have to explain yourself. I know how disgusting the guards can be”, he munched and slumped down next to her.

Yoosung wasn’t only Fay’s best friend but more like a little brother to her. She felt this strange sense of responsibility for him ever since her parents had passed away. Over time he had become her family because he was somehow filling the gap her parents had left, at least that’s what she told herself. He comforted her and listened to her dreams, and she was more than thankful for that. This boy was the only one Fay could blindly trust, he didn’t laugh at her and was always being honest.

After finishing her piece of bread, Fay stood up and briefly dusted off her clothes. She walked over to one of the boxes and curiously peered into it, Yoosung watching her amused. A white mare stuck out her head, her back covered with a purple blanket. “It’s King Jumin’s horse. Her name is Elizabeth the 3rd”, Yoosung told her. He stood up and slowly walked towards Fay.

“She is really beautiful. I’ve never seen a horse this white”, she admired, carefully extending her arm to caress Elizabeth’s head. The mare snorted in contentment, bucking her head up.

“She likes you”, Yoosung said, gently petting Elizabeth’s neck. A few moments passed before Fay broke the silence, “It’s getting late. I think I should go to bed.” She sighed, glancing at Yoosung.

“Yeah, me too. Was a long day, wasn’t it… Have a good night Fay”, he replied, still lost in his thoughts. It was almost a whisper. Fay wondered what caused him to be so silent this evening, his cheerfulness from before almost completely gone. With a last glance at the white mare, Fay made her way back to the front yard.

As soon as the wooden doors had closed behind her, a wave of tiredness overcame her, clouding her vision. She hadn’t noticed until then how completely worn out she felt. Her legs started moving on their own, carrying her aching body towards the small village behind the castle. It was pitch black. Only a few lights lined up the path in front of her. She followed a thin trail, until it branched off, each path leading to a small dwelling. The houses were roofed with straw and another well was located in the middle of the village.

The windows of the houses were dark, probably because it was so late that everyone was already sleeping. Only the moonlight illuminated parts of the houses, glazing the village in a silvery light. Trees that surrounded the dwellings rustled in the wind, accentuating the silence even more. She walked along the middle path, the dirt trail finally fading into solid cobblestone, as she came closer to the center of the village.

She had reached the well, her house that was framed with a small porch only a few steps away. But something felt odd. It was too quiet. Then a few branches snapped in the nearby bushes. Her shoulders suddenly became tense; it felt like someone was watching her. She stopped and glanced around. It was too dark to see anything clearly, the trees around the village casting long shadows. A sudden alertness overcame her, the tiredness from before gone. She listened again but not a single noise was to be heard. She suddenly felt really uneasy, her breathing became ragged, but her feet were unable to move.

Then another snap. Eyes wide with shock, Fay was still paralyzed with fear. She couldn’t control her legs, her body was unable to respond. Valuable seconds passed until the rush of adrenaline finally kicked in. With energy flooding her veins, Fay started running as fast as she could towards her house, only seeing a blur of trees and images passing by. Too afraid to look around, she almost tripped over the stairs, barely catching her balance before she collided with her front door. She frantically rattled at the doorknob, desperately trying to escape whatever might be following her. Then finally, she tore it open, shutting it with a bang behind her. Scared to be discovered, she held her breath, almost fainting due to the lack of oxygen. When nothing was happening, she collapsed to the floor, panting and gasping for air. Blood was roaring in her ears and her heart was beating so fast, it was almost painful.

A few minutes passed but nothing happened. Slowly, the rush of adrenalin subsided and Fay was able to stand up, her legs feeling like jello. Her breathing had steadied again and her heart was beating at it’s normal pace. She took a deep breath, then she summoned all her courage and peeked out the window next to her door. But nothing was there. Just trees and bushes and the other dwellings that still remained in darkness. Could it be possible that her ears had tricked her?

The clashing sound of metal awoke her from her light slumber. It was still dark outside, the sun had not yet risen. Her eyelids felt heavy, and all she wanted to do was go back to sleep. After all, she had to get up early at sunrise because of work. But just as she was drifting back to sleep, the clashing sound of metal against stone became even louder. Her eyes shot open. ‘Who the hell is out there in the middle of the night?’ She got up and walked to the window, ready to confront whoever was out there. But as she drew up the curtains, it was too dark to see anything.

She hastily put on a jacket and walked to the front door. But just before she opened it, her hand already on the knob, she paused. ‘What if the thing that followed me is still out there?’ she thought to herself. Then she shook her head as if it were to get rid of her hesitation. ‘Get it together Fay; you’re not a child anymore!’ After a few moments of uncertainty her curiosity overcame her caution. She quietly opened the door, and what she saw left her baffled.

A young man, perhaps just a few years older than her, was training outside at the well, a shiny iron sword in his hands. He effortlessly swung it through the air and it clashed against the rim of the well. His bright red hair was reflecting the moonlight and bits of perspiration left his face glowing. Fay was amazed at his skills; he seemed to move with the wind. His defined muscles tensed with every blow, cutting the air smoothly.

Fay couldn’t keep her eyes off of him; she was enthralled by his gracefulness. But then he stopped. He had noticed her staring and turned towards her, slightly out of breath. Then he took an exaggerated bow where his nose was almost touching the ground, as if to thank his audience.

“Good evening young lady. I hope I didn’t interrupt your sleep?” he spoke to her in pomposity. He took a few steps towards her house and smiled at her.

“Well, you did actually,” she responded, crossing her arms in front of her chest, “it’s in the middle of the night, if you haven’t noticed yet. What are you doing here anyway?”

“My my, a feisty one we have here, don’t we?” he snickered. “Well, I, the defender of justice, was only practicing the art of sword fight to become your knight in shining armor. I will protect you with my life against the dark forces, milady!” He bowed again and gave her a cheeky grin.

“You’re quite full of yourself, aren’t you?” Fay retorted and walked down the stairs. This boy was pretty self-confident to speak to her in such a bold way. But she decided to play along. “What’s your name? Or does everyone just call you the defender of justice?”

“Well, to defend myself; I’ve seen you staring with infinite admiration for the great talent of Saeyoung Choi. So don’t pretend you’re not mesmerized by my masculinity”, he winked at her.

He was now standing right in front of her and she had to look up at him. The scent of his sweat filled her nose and his amber-colored eyes stared down at her. She had to admit it; he was a good-looking guy. But nonetheless, his cockiness did bother her.

“And with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?” he asked her in a low voice, eyes still locked with hers.

“Not that you need to know that, but it’s Fay.” And given the chance, she didn’t hesitate and took the opportunity served to her on a silver platter.

“I want to learn how to handle a sword. And if you’re really as skilled with it as you pretend to be, you can teach me, right?” A light flicked through her eyes.

“Oh dear, a woman who wants to fight? This is quite unusual,” he chuckled, “but I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’m a mere squire, you see, and I neither have time to teach you, nor do I want to put effort into something that could cost a man his head.” His expression became serious.

What he said was true; women weren’t allowed to fight in every respect. Women were supposed to cook and raise their children, but that hadn’t stopped Fay.

“And furthermore, a beautiful girl like you shouldn’t get her hands dirty”, his cocky smile returned.

Fay opened her mouth to counter something, “Please teach me, I’ll do any-” but he cut her off by pressing a finger to her lips.

“Shh, be quiet, I think someone’s coming,” he listened for a moment, and then looked at her again, “you need to go inside the house again, quick!” He almost pushed her away. She was confused but obeyed his orders and quickly ran inside. As soon as she closed her door, she went to her window and looked outside, her breath already fogging up the glass.

Three guards in heavy armor appeared from the shadows, holding torches in their hands. One of them pointed at Saeyoung after he had recognized him, his expression angry, and he was shouting something towards the others. Then they started running towards Saeyoung.

Fay couldn’t see his face, but he must have been terrified. He dropped his sword and lifted his hands as if to surrender, but the guards didn’t seem to care. Before Saeyoung could run away or explain anything, a guard lunged at him and cleanly knocked him out without hesitation. He fell to the floor, blood running down the side of his head.

Fay jumped in shock, her hands pressed to her mouth to stifle her cries. She was petrified with horror, her legs almost giving in under her weight.

The last thing she saw was how the guards lifted up his limp body and carried him away into the darkness, before she passed out.

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