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americankimchi · 2 months

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Do you have any tips for writing Obi Wan or any meta in mind with his characterizarion?

hmmm sure why not! i'll give a few tips on how i'd write obi-wan. mind you this is how i interpret the character, so ymmv.

i truly do not like it when fics have obi-wan voluntarily leaving the order. like it's so out-of-character for me in my head that the premise of the story + the writing would have to work triple-time to get me to stick around. now if he's been removed from it by an EXTERNAL SOURCE (not the order. i cannot stress this enough: the jedi kicking obi-wan out is so jarring to me i'll leave the fic in an instant) or somehow unable to return to the order for whatever reason, all is well.

not a prodigy, but a genius. obi-wan is an incredibly intelligent person with an absolutely staggering knowledge base in a wide variety of topics, but all that knowledge was earned through blood, sweat, tears, and time. he sat down with his game face on and put in the work. that's also why he makes an excellent teacher: he knows what most students will struggle with because he struggled too, and knows through experience how best to overcome them. i headcanon that it contributes to why he's such a good negotiator: he's really good at stripping down information to the essentials and communicating that information effectively and efficiently to others because of his intense study habits.

humble, but not ignorant of his skills. it's pretty impossible to fully divorce yourself from pride in your achievements, and i don't think it's healthy to not feel any pride at all, so i think obi-wan has a very clear understanding of his skillset and how best to use it. i don't think he'd be ignorant of how good he is at something, especially since the direct consequence of his aptitude led him to being a member of the jedi council. pretty hard to be blind to your strengths when you're being asked for your input on topics that directly draw from that knowledge.

averse to healthcare. listen i enjoy obi-wan whump just as much as the next obi-wan stan (the desire to put him in the cosmic salad spinner comes with the territory, i fear) but as a character who grew up in an environment that deeply cares for the well-being of all, and knowing that you cannot help others unless you yourself first have the ability to do so, i can't really see him ignoring injuries outside of combat scenarios. like on the battlefield he's got more pressing concerns than a pesky little shrapnel wound or five, but once the battle's over?? he might not be first in line to the medics but i can't see him avoiding them entirely. an army without a general is working at a sharp disadvantage and i don't think he'd risk his men by neglecting his physical health in that manner. note that i said 'physical'. make of that what you will :)

duty. obi-wan is the definition of a paladin. he takes an oath and by the force he's going to keep it. train the boy? absolutely, qui-gon. whether or not anakin chooses to respect that training is another matter, but he did definitively get knighted! refuse to kill anakin? listen he's handed vader his own ass to him twice post order 66 and each time he did it he did it nonlethally. that takes skill. that takes dedication. exile yourself to tatooine for 19 years and then decide fuck it, we ball, and die after Once Again Deciding Not To Kill Anakin Skywalker? step aside casper, there's a new friendly ghost in town. every time obi-wan commits to something the man COMMITS. you GOTTA respect that grind.

flirty but in the sense that he's going to match the energy someone brings to the table. like he's a negotiator. he knows how to read people and figure out the Vibes. if he thinks the other person will be 1) 100% receptive and 2) will respond with a delightful wit, why the hell not? obi-wan's highest stat is charisma and he's got expertise in persuasion. whether they're allies or not does not factor into this equation. he can have a little flirtation with morally dubious and potentially hostile characters. as a treat.

this has nothing to do with his character but i firmly believe that he and quinlan vos had at LEAST a fling when they were padawans. there is zero evidence to back this up aside from a few comics where they were being goofy teenagers together but i stand by this. it is an unshakeable aspect of obi-wan to me that has only gotten worse with the kenobi show.

no matter what, no matter how terrible or devastating or downright apocalyptic it gets, obi-wan kenobi will never fall to the dark side. never. it won't be easy, but that is a line he has never, and will never cross. i will not hear any "obi-wan touched the dark side during the theed generator fight" slander. if that was true tell me why the force theme was playing during his moment of triumph!!! Would John Williams Lie To Us Like That?? to our face?????

anyways i could go on forever about obi-wan because he is My Ultimate Blorbo but this post is getting super long so i'll leave it there. hope this helped even a little or at the very least was entertaining for you to read <3

#anon #ask #star wars #obi wan kenobi #long post #THIS TOOK. SO LONG TO ANSWER IM SO SORRY LMAO;;;;;;;

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kitkat-the-muffin · 2 months

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Tis a niche of its own

Sorry there is only two female characters, I kinda pulled these off the top of my head and probably missed a ton of other candidates. Reblog with an addition if you have one!

Edit: I forgot to make this poll a week long! Once this poll ends I'll remake it with new additions depending on the results (the characters with the fewest results will be replaced with suggested characters from the notes so be sure to suggest some!) in the meantime tho plz reblog to increase sample size

This follows my own definition of what "Comic Relief" means: A character that is used as a conduit for comedy in a piece of media

Through character studies I have determined that there are 5 types of comic relief: the Character Relief, the Audience Relief, the Tone Shifter, the Butt of the Joke, and the Slapstick. Characters that identify as "Comic Relief" usually fall into one or more of these categories

Further explanation under the cut

The Character Relief refers to a character who actively makes jokes to be funny in-universe through conscious humor. Examples from this poll would be Sans and Rayla, who go out of their way to make their friends laugh

The Audience Relief refers to a character who makes the audience laugh regardless of their impact on the story. Examples from this poll would be Lapis and Gus, who are often involved in comedic bits meant for audience entertainment that aren't acknowledged by the narrative as anything unprecedented

The Tone Shifter refers to a character who makes jokes to relieve tension and shift the tone of a scene, either consciously or unconsciously. Examples from this poll would be Jay and Leo, as they both consciously make jokes about grim situations to help their friends or family feel better. Additionally, Jay would do this unconsciously before his trauma made him start doing it on purpose

The Butt of the Joke refers to a character who is made fun of by other characters in-universe, whether endearingly or not. Examples from this poll would be Dewey and Lance, who are often met with insults whenever they do something wrong or silly. The insults are usually meant to be endearing and comedic, but they can still feed into the character's possible inferiority complex. This also applies whenever a villain hits them with a sick burn*

The Slapstick refers to a character who is made fun of by the narrative and the audience like a punching bag. Examples from this poll would be Sokka and Yusuke, who are sometimes put in troubling and awkward situations as a gag for the audience's entertainment alone. These gags are not fun for the characters yet delightful to watch

Most comic relief characters can be characterized as multiples of these. For example, Jar-Jar from Star Wars is both Slapstick and Audience Relief, and even if you don't find his jokes funny that doesn't change the fact that they were written with your entertainment in mind

If you're curious how a "The Narrative's Favorite (derogatory)" character would fit into this chart, they're likely both a Butt of the Joke and a Slapstick character, making their life absolute hell. To be honest, MK from Monkie Kid is an example of a character who fits all 5 categories, but he isn't blue so he isn't in this poll

*Ok if you've ever seen Phineas and Ferb Mission Marvel let me just say MODOK is a total Butt of the Joke and my favorite line in that special is when a TV announcer calls him a "Giant Chicken Egg with a Face" and I just had to mention that omg

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rorichuu · 3 months

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(never done this before so i apologize if its shite)

would it be possible for like tf2 medic or tf2 engie having a really scout-level stupid gender neutral s/o

one who wouldnt be paying attention to how asleep their foot it and ending up spraining it and then acting like ot was the floors fault

or whod do a backflip off stairs for gum off the ceiling and half a penny

and them like crawling back to their intelligent boyfriend like they just ran head first into an electric fence

(sorry if this was done before lmao)

relationships for dummies — engineer/medic x gn!reader

pairing: engineer/medic x gn!reader (separate)

authors note: THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN TO WRITE LMAOOO this was a remarkable ask thank you so much for sending this in anon - hope you like it :D

disclaimer: none!

MEDIC:

no one knows how you two got together

like nobody knows

some theorize but no one has gotten a definitive answer

but the real reason was that he just loved how absolutely unhinged you were

like you had NO fear to do the things you did

he. fucking. LOVED THAT.

studies you like you're a creature in a jar

medic isn't so much of a worrier, not like engie is

if you're hurt, he can patch you back up like it's no biggie 🙄🙄

and highkey just as chaotic as you are

so you guys are partners in MANY crimes

but he also finds it very humorous whenever you do pretty stupid stuff

if you sprained your ankle because your foot fell asleep, he'd sigh tbh

it's happened so many times

and he told you how to prevent that

so many times

but he's obviously more than willing to help you; he's your crutch when you need him

if y'all are on the battlefield, he's more than likely to be by your side throughout the entire fight

even more than heavy

most of the time, he's just trying to refrain from your usage of the respawn machine with the amount of times you've tripped or tried to perform some kinda stunt

used uber on you once

it was

interesting

obviously he was more than willing to use uber on you

he was so damn curious on how'd you boost and what you'd do

and the thrill of it all?? drunk off of it

he loves you very much

supporter in all of your idiocy!!!

ENGINEER:

i'll be honest

finds it more entertaining than anything

although, he sometimes... worries?

he remembers the time where you tried to slap a sticker on the ceiling and ended up tripping on the ladder scout was (so poorly supporting) and ended up face first with the floor...

medic helped retrieve your lost tooth

engineer kept asking if you were okay that day LMAOOO

but yeah, the dude worries for you sometimes - you can't just go around doing stunts without some fear of hurting yourself!

kind of a helicopter mom of some sorts

but when he isn't worrying about you, and you're doing harmless shit, he finds it HUMOROUS ASF

like when you decided to sit on your foot for too long and tried to walk and just fell

he was laughing and slapping his knee

the old man he is

he DID try and help you up but you fell over again and I swear to god you put the man into cardiac arrest

tries his very best to warn you or help you prevent idiotic acts like these

but he definitely isn't overbearing

he's more of a watch from afar with a beer in hand while he gives you a thumbs up while you nearly drown in a pool with your floaties

he's that kinda guy

and I stand by it

. . .

one time you successfully tried to jump an electric fence (with demo, heavy, and scout as witnesses)

and hey!!! you did it!!! ........on the 7th time!

you and scout are besties I don't make the rules

you guys literally feast off each other's energies

but anyway

you went running towards your boyfriend, calling his name as you stumbled into his workroom.

"Hey, honey bee! What's going- ... on?"

he tried.

he tried so hard not to laugh.

but your frizzy hair and disheveled clothes was too much not to marvel

"What'd you do this time?" He laughed as he was quick to smooth over your crazed hair.

loves you so much

his little firecracker

#tf2 #team fortress 2 #tf2 medic #tf2 engineer #tf2 medic x reader #tf2 engineer x reader #medic x reader #engineer x reader #tf2 x reader #team fortress 2 x reader #engineer #medic #rorichuu!

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florenceafternoon · 10 days

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━。゜✿ jily fic recommendations ✿ ゜。━

Some more AUs I've been loving. I'm trying to alternate between AU and canon verse rec lists so bear with me. Remember that if you like a fic you should definitely let the author know as such.

For reference, anything in italics is taken from the summaries on ao3.

theogony by @clare-with-no-i

The trip that Lily Evans expects to go on is the annual pre-dissertation jaunt to Athens with the rest of her Classical Civilizations PhD program. The trip she does not expect to go on is to 479 BCE, right on the cusp of one of the most important battles in the Greco-Persian war. Now, she has to navigate antiquity as she tries to find her way back to the 21st Century, God—or gods—help her.

James wants to win this war. No, James needs to win this war. He is a man of honor and duty, and even if it means dying a gruesome, bloody death, he will go down in history as one of Athens's great warriors. He will suffer no distractions; not even beautiful ones who speak strangely and refuse to listen to his orders.

-- OR: The Outlander-Meets-Ancient-Greece Jily AU that no one asked for Maya dreams of.

I can't believe it took me this long to read this fic but OH MY GOD!! Clare's writing is phenomenal, I've known this for a while now, but THE DEDICATION TO HISTORICAL ACCURACY, I'm so impressed. If only I could put even half that amount of effort into my major essays for school. EVERYONE GO READ THIS NOW

Sweathearts' Special by @tinyluminaryzombie

What happens when your coffee shop nemesis, asks you to pretend to be a couple?

Or "I’ve been staring at the stupid cupcakes for the past hour, and they look way too good. Anyways, would you be willing to join forces and pretend to be together for the free cupcake and coffee?”

Welcome to Pettyville by @women-inthe-sequel

When Lily Evans accidentally sends a text to the wrong number, she isn’t expecting to find the right person behind it. She can’t stop talking to Prongs. The only thing is, Prongs can’t stop talking about the girl in his class. What could go wrong, other than the number?

A love square but it's just the same two idiots

Tall Dark and Glasses by @jamesunderwater

Tall Dark and Glasses (or TDG as he is more affectionately known) is the mysterious, painfully good-looking stranger who has been frequenting Lily's favourite coffee shop for months now. But despite having an embarrassing acronym for him, Lily, a burned-out STEM major, is too comfortable being a wallflower to go up to him herself. Thank god for playing cards, I guess.

coffee shops and copious amounts of sugar by @mystinkysocks

James decides to finally start revising, the coffee shop he attends introduces him to someone new!

As someone who spends an ungodly amount of time studying in public (at cafés and libraries), all I dream of is to one day live out my very own coffee shop AU

Unlicenced by @ohmygodshesinsane

Lily Evans begrudgingly agrees to get in the car with classmate and sometime-foe James Potter and his not-quite-earned P-plates after a particularly rubbish day.

Drop-Off also by @/ ohmygodshesinsane

James Potter takes Lily Evans home, and wants to make something clear.

Disclaimer that they’re Australian in this AU. You guys don't understand how much Lily Evans means to me. I want to give her a hug.

pretty, pretty boy by rosiemary0 (on ao3)

Pretty face, with golden brown eyes and strong cheekbones (one of which is adorned with a smudge of charcoal). Pretty hands—very, very pretty hands, Lily’s thoughts interject—which hold a jar each, one with water and the other paintbrushes.

Or the one where James is an artist and Lily hates socialising.

I'll Manage by @kaymardsa

James and Lily fall in love during the war.

In which Lily runs a refugee camp and James is an ex-sniper

I can't remember if I've recommended this fic already but again I recently re-read it and wanted to share

'Tis the Fucking Season by @thequibblah

Six-year absences. Yearly photograph burnings (figuratively). Low-cut tops. Two nosebleeds. Little red notebooks. The Past, with a capital P. The desire to pour your heart out to strangers (maybe pathologically). The desire to do unspeakably bad things to one James Potter. These are the ingredients that make up Lily Evans's holiday season.

Shelby the cabbie is in for a fucking ride.

I have been searching for this fic for two months and nearly gave up. An absolute classic that everyone should read!!

Two's a Crowd also by @/ thequibblah

Regency AU in which "the only thing Lily Evans can share with the Earl of Devon is a healthy dose of mutual dislike."

In Search of Something More by @kay-elle-cee

In the sunlit garden of her sister’s home, Lord Potter had promised Lily a life of her own design, with minimal expectations—her presence at community events, companionship, and an heir. As the two stumble into the routine of marriage and work to make a life together at Stinchcombe Hall, unsolicited feelings provoke each to start wondering if this is merely a marriage…or if it could be something more.

No, I will not shut up about this fic. Anything that Kelsey writes is bound to be amazing but this one holds a special place in my heart. Note that this is an ongoing fic though. I tend to recommend completed works but this one is too good not to include.

Pinkest Bluestocking of the Ton by @wearingaberetinparis

Dearest Reader, the ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you the news that the Duke of Peverell has returned to London at last! A year after setting off on his tour of Europe, Lady Peverell's son has returned and rumour has it that his mother is preparing for the most joyous of occasions: a late summer wedding that sees her son wed the next Duchess of Peverell. It is my sincere hope that you have stored a bottle of wine for this most delightful of upcoming events for if ever there were a more determined mama, this writer is Icarus and this society paper has been scorched for flying too close to the sun.

A Jily Regency Romance inspired by Shondaland's "Bridgerton".

Again this is an ongoing fic, but it's too good not to include in this rec list! I haven’t caught up with all the chapters yet but I love the story so far!

A Heart of Coal also by @/ wearingaberetinparis

They say fortune favours the bold, yet Lily Evans was given her death sentence at seventeen. As soon as midnight strikes on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, her heart will turn to coal. Gryffindor knight James Potter, however, is the last to accept such a fate. For while Lily Evans’ curse foretells her death, his foreshadows a life without his unrequited true love at his side.

Fairytale AU in which the love is requited they're just idiots

Three Lemons and a Dragon by @thelighthousestale

Once upon a time, there lived a Prince named James who had to save his father's Kingdom by getting married. One day an older woman gifts him three lemons that will lead him to his true love.

Dillweed in a Fancy Metal Can by @eastwindmlk

When Lily gets dragged to a Renaissance Faire, she reluctantly agreed to go to the jousting event where she is pulled into the show against her will, or is it?

Lily represents me

Queen Foxtail also by @/ eastwindmlk

Once Upon A Time...

There was an arrogant prince who turned down every suitable match and drove his parents to do something drastic. Marry him off to the next merchant that steps through their gates.

across the universe by rcdwings (on ao3)

“So, you’re saying that in these other worlds, James Potter and Lily Evans exist, too?”

She hadn’t expected to hear that, hadn’t even thought about it that way. She was too busy thinking about if in those other worlds, she and her friends could be seventeen and free instead of the war torn teenagers they were. Now that he’d put it that way, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander.

“I would assume so,” she swallowed. “Not sure what we would be like, though.”

A beat, then a soft hum. “Anything,” he smiled at her, “There are countless worlds, right? We could be anything.”

only love can hurt like this by @fireblts

Lily doesn’t quite know everything, but it feels pretty close.

The main thing she still doesn’t get is soulmates. Love doesn’t seem like something that should be painful. Or rather, love seems like it’s painful enough on its own without any help.

Soulmate AU - whenever your soulmate is hurt or in pain, you can feel it too.

Soulmate AUs are my comfort genre of fics. I haven't been feeling to well lately and rediscovering this fic was a delight

The Librarian of Hogsmeade Village by @ohmygodshesinsane

Lily's work as a librarian in the small village of Hogsmeade has kept her occupied for the past six years, forever keeping the wheels of the town on the track. As the holidays approach, she prepares to settle in with a nice mug of tea and a well-thumbed old book. When a new resident and his son arrive at her weekly story-reading, with cheeky smiles and big hearts, those plans are tossed out the window in favour of chasing love, for once - not escaping it.

Lily living the cozy life of my dreams. I think it's well known by now that I love reading about single parents and well James with his baby boy always puts a smile on my face.

Spitting Image by @charmsandtealeaves

James Potter always knew he wanted to build a family, he just hadn’t found the right person to build it with - yet. Freezing his sperm at Gringotts Sperm Bank was a no-brainer really. He’d have children when he found the right person, and now he had an insurance policy. Then Lily Evans walked into his place of work with her son - the spitting image of him.

linking this art that the talented @constancezin drew inspired by this fic

Every time I see that Ray has updated, reading the new chapter becomes the highlight of my day

The Stag Prince Across The Sea also by @/ charmsandtealeaves

The realm of Hogwarts had lived for decades in a carefully negotiated harmony between the leaders of the four clans. However, when the time came for son to marry daughter, the Slytherin King refused to offer his daughter's hand to any of the other grand houses’ suitors. As the Slytherin King departed the shore, bound for the ship that would allow him to escape across the Green Sea, he cast a curse on the great families.

“Let ye be marked. Marred by tooth, hoof, and claw. May your sons never be fit for any bride!”

Slytherin invoked an ancient magic, which transformed each family's eldest son into creatures under the light of the full moon. The Kings searched far and wide for a cure to no avail while trying to keep secret the wrong that had been done to them. Years passed and with them grew a sense of unrest, a kingdom on the precipice of collapse...

what love is, I think by @potterandevans-blog-blog

It's James Potter's birthday, his nineteenth to be exact. Some people, if they're lucky, find a tattoo on their back on their nineteenth birthday, a tattoo that can help them discover their soulmate. And if the antlers on his back are anything to go by, James might just have a soulmate of his own out there, somewhere.

oil be there for you by @abby10fanfic

Texting/Social Media AU: Lily and James haven't spoken for 2 years. But that's all about to change thanks to Peter and his involvement in an essential oil pyramid scheme. Featuring boss babes, toxin-free lifestyles, binding contracts, and a very oily journey.

#if you're like me and check the jily fic tag nearly every morning you've probably read most of these already #but I just wanted to share my recent favourites #lily evans #james potter #jily #jple #james x lily #lily x james #jily fic rec

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rootsofdread · 1 year

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PLSSSS All the things you write are so unbelievably cute, tysm for existingggg

If you don't mind me sending in another request, could write something about Deathslinger, Wesker, Pig, Trapper and Oni with a s/o (or just a survivor!), with whom all power-related encounters fell weirdly intimate??? Not in any way sexual or seductive, plain intimacy. Prolonged eye contact, breath holding and everything.

The trial is going just as usual RIGHT untill it's time to pull the survivor out of the trap/ Spear them/ Put the trap on their head/ etc etc.

hiii thank you!! i hope these are good, i'll be honest i got a liiiiittle stumped but i like how they turned out! <3

Caleb Quinn / The Deathslinger:

Caleb’s a little playful with you when he spears you. He’ll wrap you up in the chains and spin you out of them, dancing with you. He’ll hold you close once he’s reeled you in, clutched against his chest…He’s warm, you can barely breathe. He holds your eyes and strokes your hair until he decides to stab and let you hit the dirt.

It’s always an excuse to pull you close to him, really. He sees it as a subtle way to show you some affection during trials if you’d rather the other survivors don’t know the two of you are together.

He’ll always go for you over any other survivors. If he sees you standing with other survivors, he’ll pick you out of all of them and spear you. The horror on everyone else’s faces delights him — but most of all he loves seeing the shock on your face as he pulls you in.

He’s sometimes just as stunned as you are by the action, so you usually have a pretty big window to escape. He prefers when you do — it gives him another opportunity to catch you. But he's just as happy throwing you onto a hook, too.

Albert Wesker / The Mastermind:

Wesker always has…A way about him, we'll say. He’s been known to enjoy playing with the survivors, getting a little intimate occasionally to mess with them. with them. You’re no different — when he manages to catch you in one of his dashes and gets you against the wall, he gets a little too close to you. Studying your eyes, holding his breath. Waiting for you to make the next move. You’re holding your breath, too.

It is a different kind of moment with you, though. It’s not just a game, it’s a subtle allowance of his affection in a way that doesn’t show his favoritism. But you know — you’re his favorite. And getting cornered and thrown into a wall is just his way of showing you that when you’re in a trial.

He isn’t cruel, he gives you a chance to run away before he goes after you again. He’s a gentleman, it’d just be rude to catch you off-guard and throw you onto a hook. He’s better than that. Besides, when he lets you run he gets another chance to snag you and see your reaction.

But you know he really has no ulterior motives doing this. He just likes seeing the way you react to what he does; he is still a scientist after all, and he finds it quite amusing. He really is quite playful when you get down to it, and him pulling stunts like this isn’t out of the ordinary.

Amanda Young / The Pig:

Amanda’s trappings have always been weirdly intimate, to be honest. It is something intimate to her, in a way. There’s just something intense about punishing the ungrateful, even though it’s not that with you — she doesn’t know what it is, it’s the same, but different.

She gets very in the zone during trials, hunting down the ungrateful survivors. But it’s like a switch flips in her brain when she finds you, seeming to relax a little…It can be jarring sometimes to see her go from bloodthirsty to kind so quickly, but you know it means she loves you.

She’s always gentle when she fastens the Reverse Bear Trap on your head, tucking your hair out of the way and petting you when she’s finished. There’s always something loving about the way she puts the trap on you, something gentle. Something about her lingering touches…It’s a loving gesture. She wants you to be better.

She never feels like she can breathe properly until she gets you on the hook. She’ll quickly leave you, not wanting it to be obvious that she gets so flustered around you. Helping the helpless is a beautiful thing, but she’s a Jigsaw, for crying out loud, nobody needs to know how she feels. Except you, of course…

Evan MacMillan / The Trapper:

Evan is aggressive, overtly so many would say, so it's a shock seeing him essentially stop in his tracks when he sees you caught in one of his traps. He's usually quick to pull mangled survivors out of his traps…But with you, he's more…Slow.

He circles you to make sure nobody's around. He pets your hair as he crouches down to open the jaws. He's quiet and keeps eye contact. It's so unlike him. That is, until he huffs and hauls you out of the dirt, over to a hook. He stays for a moment, still looking up at you, his hands lingering.

You're like a wounded animal to him in these moments. He knows he has to be kind to you…Gentle to you, even. He does his job, he does it well, but he loves you, and he hopes he shows you that.

If someone else tries to save you from a trap, though, he's quicker to get rid of them. You're his, this is his moment with you and he won't have anyone ruining it. He likes to be alone with you.

Kazan Yamaoka / The Oni:

Like Evan, Kazan is known for his aggression during trials; it's almost eerie how calm he gets when he follows you around to absorb your blood orbs. You're essentially free game to him and he won't pass it up.

When he has enough to fuel his rage, he's always right behind you. Waiting. He gives you a moment to start running, but he always catches up with you and knocks you down with his trusty Kanabo. He pauses above you, catching your gaze as he breathes heavily. He presses his forehead to yours — a strange moment this is, but yours nonetheless.

He wants to stay with you, but his duty calls. He leaves to chase down the other survivors. But he comes back for you as soon as he can, a hand pressing against your head before he picks you up and hauls you to a hook.

He's an honorable man, you know that. He never tries to do serious damage to you. And he always shows you how much he loves you — he'd be utterly distraught if you didn't know he loved you. He's sensitive.

#inbox #caleb quinn #albert wesker #amanda young #evan macmillan #kazan yamaoka #dbd imagines #dbd x reader #dbd x you #caleb quinn x reader #the deathslinger x reader #albert wesker x reader #amanda young x reader #the pig x reader #evan macmillan x reader #the trapper x reader #kazan yamaoka x reader #the oni x reader

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belovedvenom · 4 months

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pairing: rafe cameron x fem!goth!reader cw: taxidermy, animal death

rafe finally had some free time instead of running around being proactive so you suggested going on a walk around figure eight.

arm looped through his, strolling in comfortable silence when you spot a black snake, unmoving in the grass. gasping, you rush out of rafe's grip so quickly he doesn't even have time to react.

"wha—where are you—”

kneeled down, inspecting the creature, you notice theres a tiny bone sticking out of its head a bit. "oh rafe, a cat must've gotten to it. poor little thing" you pout, knuckle stroking its small body.

"yeah real sad. hey, hey, hey. stop touching it. come on." gripping your arm to pull you up.

"i want to preserve it." he freezes, blinking at you. "you— you want to.. preserve it" looking from you to the snake, squinting. "and why.... would you want to do that?"

"look at it mon cher!" you cry out pointing to the tiny critter. "i can't just leave it here like that. it's so small and so beautiful, i want to save it's little beautiful body forever" gripping his hand, pressing it close to your chest. "besides you know i collect things like this" staring up at him with wide eyes, lips close to a pout. he continues to stare, lips going flat. "alright.. alright but-" you're already picking it up, gently, holding it close against you as rafe shakes his head. murmuring about letting him finish his sentences, but you're not really paying attention

thats how you end up back home, holding the snake protectively in your palms. making it your room, you get all the supplies making everything's settled and just as you go to sit down, rafes grabbing the back of your neck “wash your hands" he demands.

drying your hands, you attempt to sit down again when- "gloves" he gruffs.

finally you sit at your vanity while rafe stands behind you and watches, quiet yet curious as you begin turning the snake in to a wet specimen. injecting every bit of it's body with ethanol. "what's that for?" you barely heard with how quiet he said it and how focused you are. he leans in close, pulling up your ottoman to sit on. "stops its body from decaying" squinting, tongue poked out a little as you make sure to put the needdle in the right spots. rafe takes this time to look at you, he liked studying you and your hobbies as weird as they are, they're intriguing. "can you pass me the glass jar, love?" he hums and does as you ask, grabbing the spherical glass jar, taking out the stopper making you smile before kissing him on the cheek "thank you" as softly as you could, you loaded the snakes body in to the jar. seeing it fit snug inside, you poured in the ethanol making sure the creature is fully submerged. "beautiful" you whisper, putting the stopper back in. "think i'll name you belinda" placing it on your bookshelf with all the other oddities, you look to rafe. "now we wait a bit before changing the glass" you make sure to take off the gloves before wrapping your arms around his waist, chin on chest looking up at him. "you're weird, you know that." his hands cup your cheeks, gently shaking your head bit "yeah, but you like it." "hm. that i do."

#obx x reader #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron prompt #outer banks

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haunted-moon · 5 months

Text

Long Way Home [Part III]

[Azriel x Reader fanfic]

Synopsis: Y/n is the daughter of a healer in the city of Velaris. After a small incident, she moves to the House of the Wind to work for the High Lord, Rhysand. Everyone in the house seems to welcome her except Azriel, the second in command. Even though he is just blankly polite and does not acknowledge her much, she can't help but fall for him. Does Azriel return her feelings or remain unfeelingly aloof?

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Read Part 1 here.

Read Part 2 here.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Part III

A few months later, Star fall was to commence soon.

Excitement was in the air, and I was looking forward to it too. Rhysand and Feyre were going to host a party, and preparations were already underway. Everyone pitched in to help between their usual duties, chattering about the outfits, the food, song and dance.

Mor and Feyre repeatedly asked me about my outfit for the event. I remained evasive, since I had no plans of actually attending the party. I'd be watching the sky from elsewhere. Even though I helped with the preparations as if I was going to attend, I was gradually emptying my quarters and shifting my things to an isolated property outside the city. This property was situated in a river valley backed by the large mountains surrounding Velaris. It was an inheritance passed down in our family, and I had remodelled the villa and the gardens with the help of my dad. It was a perfect place to avoid others, and I loved it very much. Father, on the other hand, didn't like to be alone for long periods of time and didn't visit it much.

While I was still in the process of shifting my things, I started sleeping less in the nights. I stayed awake at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea, working my anatomy drawings or study notes. The one thing I'd miss when I left was the library, so I tried to make extensive notes and copied important paragraphs from the books I read.

One night, I decided on a change of scenery and took my materials to one of the many balconies, making myself comfortable on the thick carpet. As usual, I had some tea in my favourite cup and lots of lamps to illuminate my work.

I had placed the tea-cup along with a glass jar of coloured pencils on a side table so that I wouldn't accidentally knock them off with my elbow. Leaning against the balcony railing, I was copying a detailed anatomical diagram of an Illyrian wing in my journal.

A sudden gust of wind knocked over the table and shattered the tea-cup and glass jar. I jumped, dropping my journal as I watched the carpet soak up my drink and pencils scattered everywhere. My favourite cup was broken to fragments.

Azriel appeared before I had the time to think what to do next.

"Oh, sorry," he pointed at the shattered pieces.

I sighed. The glass jar could be replaced, but the tea-cup was from one of a collection set of my mother's. It hadn't broken into very tiny pieces, though. Maybe I could put it back together, even if it couldn't be used. I could use another cup for drinking and keep this one back in its shelf.

I unfolded a drawstring pouch from my pocket and gathered all the pieces. Azriel helped by collecting the remains of the glass jar and the scattered pencils. The tea stain on the carpet couldn't be helped.

He didn't leave immediately after we finished, so I offered him a cup of tea while I brewed some for myself. He accepted, and soon enough, we had our own mugs of the hot liquid and sitting next to each other on the balcony floor, looking out into the night.

He cleared his throat. "That cup was important to you."

I nodded. A tendril of his shadow flickered near his neck, and slipped out of sight. "It's from a set that belonged to my mother."

His expression dropped from his usual polite blankness. "I'm truly sorry. If there's any way I can help fix—"

I held up a hand. "It's alright. I'll fix it by myself later on."

I was curious as to why he had appeared here. He had never actually come to a place I was in out of his own volition. I asked him about it.

He did not give a direct answer. "You weren't there in the kitchen. I was looking for you everywhere."

I fell silent, turning over his reply in my mind, unsure of how to proceed. Meanwhile, he laid down his mug and picked up the journal I used for sketching. This journal in particular was just pages and pages of anatomical Illyrian wings with the parts labelled and side information. I had drawn them in every possible angle and technique I could think of.

He slowly thumbed through the pages, his own wings slightly trembling in the breeze.

"These are really accurate," he commented as he stopped at one of the pages. His eyebrows went up, and I leaned over a bit to see what he was looking at.

It was a shaded sketch of a pair of hands, with the palms turned up. And they had scars on them. Azriel's hands, which I had drawn one feverish night from memory. Fuck.

I straightened, cupping my own mug with both hands and intensely staring at it, determined not to face him or acknowledge the drawing. My ears and neck turned hot with embarrassment. He stayed on that page for a long time before closing the journal and carefully keeping it on the carpet between us.

"Why the wings?" He asked after a while.

I shrugged. "I miss having them."

"What happened?"

I narrowed a side glance at him. "I'm sure you know what happened."

One corner of his mouth tipped up. "I do. But I'd like to hear the account from you."

I shrugged. "Nothing much to tell. Father was sent on a mission. Mother was already dead by that time and he had to take me with him since there was nobody else at the time to look after me. The task went wrong, and the enemy soldiers ripped off both our wings and left us to die. Only, we were somehow revived and brought back to life. It was quite a while before I learned how to properly balance myself without my wings."

"This was during the war, yes?"

"Yes."

He turned to me and gave me a once-over. "Your mother was not Illyrian."

I nodded. "She was a high fae from the Summer Court. It's a thing in our family's ancestry. We come from a long line of powerful healers, and not all our mates are Illyrian. She survived my birth, even with my wings, but she died during the second along with the child."

Noticing the sadness that crept into my voice, he changed the subject by pointing at my journal. "Why my hands?"

I blushed, turning away from his inquisitive gaze. "I find them beautiful, that's all."

He opened his mouth to reply, but stood up abruptly, his head cocked to the side as if listening to something.

"I have to go."

Going like this only meant one thing. "Is Elaine in need of help?" My voice sounded strange to my own ears.

He was on his way to one of the archways, and halted mid-stride. "Yes. Why?"

I shook my head, motioning for him to leave. "It's nothing. Go on. Don't let me keep you."

He took a step towards me. "But—"

"Just go."

He left.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

I took a nap right there on the carpet until the early morning rays warmed my skin. When I was awake, I started gathering all my things to go back to my room. Cassian appeared and waved at me as I stood up, my arms weighed down with the books and the empty mugs.

"Good morning, my chicken soup."

I laughed. "Morning, Cassian."

During my stay, Cassian had once fallen ill with a stomach problem and wouldn't eat anything and spat out the medicine. I mixed all the herbal concoction in some chicken soup, its flavours masking the bitterness of the herbs and fed it to him until he was better. From then on, he started calling me his chicken soup and always came to me in case of injuries and other illnesses.

He took some of my books and started walking me to my quarters. "I've fetched you breakfast, its in your room."

"Thanks."

When we reached my room, we unloaded our things on a table and I sat on a chair, keeping the breakfast tray on my lap. He took a seat on my bed and thoughtfully chewed on a piece of fruit.

His wings were gently fluttering and I couldn't stop staring.

"How does it feel to fly?" I asked in a low voice. My wings were ripped before I could do so.

His eyes softened. What happened to me and father was not a secret, everyone knew about it. He suddenly grinned as if he had a great idea.

"What if I show you, instead of describing it?"

I didn't know what to say. "Um, I don't know, I'm a pretty chubby woman, I might be too heavy for you to—"

He groaned dramatically. "Oh, come on. I will be put to shame if I can't carry you!" He stood up. "Finish your breakfast. I'll take you right now."

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Tags:

@kalulakunundrum

@thelov3lybookworm

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Read Part 4 here.

Thank you for all the responses to my previous two parts of the story!

This fanfic can also be found in Wattpad, along with other exclusive parts like playlists and pictures. Here's the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/358573037-long-way-home

Happy reading! <3

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

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giorno-plays-piano · 9 months

Text

Metamorph

Part II

Pairing: art teacher!Aemond Targaryen x reader (Horror AU)

Warnings: dark!Aemond, obsessive behavior, murder, horror, yandere, kidnapping, misanthropy, general creepy stuff.

Words: 1.2k

Summary: Drawn to the artworks of one of the most esteemed artists in the city, you wish to learn from him and find out what inspires him to create his masterpieces. You have no idea how much his secrets will cost you.

Part I

____________

It seemed no one was surprised with your revered art teacher being moody even on the very first day of the course. Aemond quite literally looked at your small group, winced, sighed, and proceeded with the rules, starting with punctuality and no phones in class. The more he talked, the more you felt like you just signed up to join the army.

While most artists you had known were all chaos personified, Aemond Targaryen turned out to be incredibly collected, meticulous, and obsessively neat. When you had finally entered his little studio - one of many in the building - you saw carefully assembled jars with paint, packs of pencils, canvases, and stacks of paper placed on the tables in such manner as if your teacher was Marie Kondo in the flesh. Moreover, the place was pristinely clean, like in a real estate commercial. Was it because it was your first lesson and he wanted to give you a good impression?

Certainly not. Aemond couldn't care less about anyone's opinion, that much was clear.

He started by giving you a simple composition to see the way each of you worked, and watching him going from a student to student to check on their progress, you froze in your seat. It just struck you Aemond Targaryen was going to see you draw. Which was the whole point, yes, but it scared the hell out of you as you imagined he saw your lack of talent and kicked you out of class immediately. Now, that would be a complete catastrophe, a blow your ego absolutely couldn't take.

When he had finally come up to you, you were shaking lightly in your seat with not a single thing drawn on the paper.

"Procrastinating, are we?" He bent down to look at a completely white sheet and then at you, arching a brow.

You nearly jolted up, gripping the pencil hard so that he wouldn't see your hands trembling from anxiety. You were so scared of him being harsh on you. If one of the very few people you looked up to said you were untalented, how could you live with it?

"I'm sorry, Sir! I'm just afraid I'll build the composition wrong."

What the hell? Sir? Where did it come from? What nonsense were you spouting just now?

But your teacher didn't look even remotely bothered by it or by your white sheet of paper, instead eyeing your hands shaking despite your best efforts to conceal your nervousness. He didn't exactly comfort you or anything, but he put his hand on your shoulder for a split second, squeezed it, and said, "It's fine if you get it wrong. Just draw."

Aemond nodded to you as if confirming his words, and you nodded in return, forcing yourself to take a deep breath once he retreated to the next student. He said it's alright. Mistakes are fine. Surely, you could do it, and he wouldn't berate you for it. You came here to study, and your teacher already knew your weak and strong sides based on the artworks you had submitted. Anyway, you could hardly embarrass yourself more after the "sir" episode, a couple of students giving you a side-eye.

So, you did draw, and it was fine. Not perfect, with many further corrections, but fine. Aemond didn't say anything humiliating about your composition: in fact, despite the poisonous impression he gave you the first time you see him at the gallery, he wasn't tough on anyone in the class.

The next lesson was fine, too. And the one after that. Aemond being a strict teacher was putting it lightly, but he didn't seem to want to bully anyone regardless of his numerous snarky remarks whenever his students made him angry. He didn't get upset at your mistakes, no. You were here to learn, he said when you were holding your breath, anxious to hear his judgment, but your teacher was never too harsh on you. Instead, he commended you on your diligent work. Teaching you to work hard and constantly improve yourselves was one of the main goals of his course, he announced after he kicked out one of the students, a young man named Alfred who didn't seem to be putting enough efforts in his drawings and had too much of a cheerful personality for Aemond to handle.

To be honest, your teacher had still been horrifying the first couple of lessons, and you ended up constantly calling him Sir whenever he spoke to you, despite your embarrassment. Apparently, your weird brain just refused to recognize him as anyone else. Extremely ashamed, you then tried not to make a sound to let your teacher forget about you so you would continue in complete silence. It seemed like it worked because he had never called out your weird wording. Clearly, he didn't enjoy working with people, but he was still putting up with your and everybody else's nonsense for the sake of teaching, which was commendable on its own.

But maybe he also wasn't as bad as he wanted to look. He gave everyone very detailed recommendations on what materials were better to buy and why, explained his own routine and what helped him to concentrate, and even shared some of his personal drawing techniques. Most of the students nearly fainted, you included. The way Aemond used a pencil was enough to drive you to orgasm. God knows what could happen when you'd start painting in color with him breathing down your neck.

Oh, the way he silently moved between the students' seats from one person to the other, staring intently at their canvases like he was reading their crime histories. How he spoke in a clear, firm voice, always sarcastic and alarmingly perceptive but not cruel. When he was taking a brush in his long, slender fingers, you felt the urge to squeak like a schoolgirl secretly watching her crush.

Aemond Targaryen was scary but unbelievably artistic, and you were ready to stay in his class even if he told you the red paint he was using was the blood of his enemies.

Actually, speaking about the mysterious paint, he finally shared some of it with the students by the beginning of the second month, giving you a new task.

"You'll be drawing my figure," he simply stated as ten pairs of hungry eyes stared at him, unblinking. "You are not allowed to change anything in my silhouette except for the color, but you can draw whatever background you deem necessary. Your task is to think of a transformation of a human being and convey your idea mainly with the use of your paint. If I see something stupid like you drawing me with a red heart or red lips, I will kick you out of class."

You stilled on the spot, nervously biting your lips to bits. Drawing Aemond Targaryen. You could stare at him however long you wanted, and it'd be perfectly alright because it's literally the purpose of the lesson.

___________

If you wouldn't be having a heart attack from all the feels, that is.

Part III

Tags: @heavenly1927 @yazzzmints @devils-blackrose @lost-and-founds @kennafild @toodlesxcuddles @shygardengalaxy

#aemond targaryen x reader #aemond #aemond targaryen #aemond x reader #ewan nation #hotd #house of the dragon #the house of the dragon #yandere

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hellcat8908 · 11 months

Text

Family Time Azriel x Female Reader

More fluffiness because why not

The morning sun filters into you're room as you sit at the vanity finishing up getting ready. As you put a pair of earrings in you're bedroom door flies open as you're son comes running in followed shortly by Azriel. Calix runs over to you handing you a bundle of flowers, "Mommy! Mommy! Me and daddy picked these for you!" You take the flowers and smell them, "They're beautiful, thank you so much." You say before picking him up. "Are you ready mommy?" He asks excitedly. "Let's put these flowers in some water then I'll be ready." You tell him before putting him down. As soon as his feet hit the ground he's off towards the kitchen. You kiss Azriel thanking him for the lovely flowers. He takes your hand and leads you to the kitchen. Once inside the kitchen you grab a jar and fill it with water before placing the flowers in it and sitting it on the table. Calix comes up and grabs your hand, "Come on mommy." You and Az both laugh at his impatience letting him lead you outside.

Azriel takes your other hand as they escort you towards town. Calix keeps hold of your hand most of the way only letting go so Az can carry him. Az holds your hand with his free one while Calix excitedly points out various things along the way that catch his attention. Once you make it into town you start making your way through various stores, taking your time. Azriel keeps a close eye on Calix and you like he always has since the day Calix was born. The three of you make your way into a toy store. After a few minutes you're not sure which one is the kid anymore. Azriel and Calix play with fake swords, Azriel dramatically dying once Calix has stuck him down. He tells Calix he's the man of the house now and to make sure he takes care of you. You can't help but smile as Calix comes over promising to always take care of you. He always finds a way to make your heart melt.

Soon Az has purchased the two swords and is carrying one out of the store while Calix carries his. "Uncle Cass! Uncle Rhys!" Calix yells excitedly running over to Cassian and Rhys jumping into Cass's arms as he picks him up and spins him around. Calix excitedly shows them his new sword while you and Az make your way over. Rhys greets you both while Cassian continues listening to Calix. Calix holds out his arms to Rhys before being passed to the high lord. Cassian greets you and tells you you've got your hands full with Calix. You laugh and tell him he has no idea. Calix tells them how they are treating you out to a day of shopping and lunch. "How come you ended up with a sword if it's a mommy day?" Rhys ask teasingly. "Because I need a sword to protect her." Calix replies without thinking twice. "Hard to argue with that logic." Rhys laughs, "spoken like a true future warrior." Azriel smiles and says "yeah, that's my son." He looks at you and winks. After a few more minutes of catching up you head your separate ways.

You walk into a shop and start looking at some beautiful dresses. You study a blue dress with silver and black embroidery running your fingers along the embroidery. "You would look stunning in that." Azriel says behind you while carrying a yawning Calix. You smile and tell him it is beautiful. "Not as beautiful as you," he compliments you. "You're the most pretty girl in the world mommy." Calix compliments you making your heart melt. "Luckily I have two handsome men to protect me and remind me how lucky I am." You tell them. You pick the dress off the rack and Azriel insists on paying for it. "I think we need to get somebody home for a nap." You tell Azriel as you make your way out of the shop. He nods in agreement as Calix's eye get heavy as he tries to fight sleep.

Once you're back home Azriel carries Calix upstairs and you put him to bed for a nap. You put the swords with the rest of his toys and turn off his light. You and Azriel head back downstairs and curl up on the couch together. "Did you have a good morning love?" Azriel asks you while pulling you closer. "I did babe, I got to spend it with my two favorite Fae." You respond intertwining your fingers with his. You two start to drift asleep. You wake up with a start hearing Calix cry out for you. In a flash you're upstairs and looking him over asking whats wrong. Azriel is behind you looking for any sort of threat or harm. Calix clings to you as you hold him, "Mommy I had a bad dream." He tells you through his tears. You hold him close and gently rub his back, "Oh baby you're okay it was only a dream." He keeps crying as you start to rock him in your arms. "What happened in your dream?" Azriel quietly asks him letting his shadows try to help comfort Calix. "Someone hurt mommy." You hold him closer, "I'm fine buddy, nobody hurt me." You comfort him. He wraps his arms tighter around your neck "mommy don't let go." Your heart breaks at how upset he is. "I won't let go hun, we can stay like this as long as you want to." You carry him downstairs and sit on the couch, Azriel trailing behind you.

Once you're comfortable, Az covers Calix and you up with one of the blankets. He goes to the kitchen and gets Calix some juice before trying to get him to settle down enough to drink. After sitting the cup on the end table, he sits next to you and pulls you both into his arms. Calix's breathing starts to even out, and his tears soon stop. You don't let go of him, only loosening your grip so he can sit back. "Hey buddy, you want to give mom her present?" Az asks him. He nods excitedly before going to grab it from its hiding place. "What present?" You ask. "You'll just have to wait and see what Calix got you." You eye him suspiciously, but turn your attention to your son when he comes back in. He walks over and places a box in your hands, "Here you go, mommy, just for you." He says before climbing back in your lap, leaning back against you. You open the box, revealing a blue and silver jeweled bracelet. "Oh Calix, it's beautiful." You tell him, wrapping him up in a tight hug and kissing the top of his head. Azriel takes the bracelet out of the box and puts it on your wrist before kissing your hand. "Do you like it, Mommy?" Calix asks, looking up at you. "I love it, buddy, but I love you more." You hug him again.

#azriel #acotar fic #azriel x reader #sarah j maas #acotar fanfic #acotar #fanfic #acotar fluff

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goldengleams · 11 months

Text

coffee crazy | nico hischier x reader

In which you're the coffee girl that he can't get enough of.

————————————————————————

"Coffee for Joan!"

You swirled around yet another drink, handing another customer their coffee. She gave you a large smile, thanking you for her drink and telling you you had made her morning. She was one of the regulars that you saw almost every day you worked at the shop. A smile was plastered on your face to greet the customers at the front. The large vintage clock on the wall of the coffee shop mocked you, reading 7:00AM. Only four more hours left of your early Friday morning shift at the coffee shop near your apartment.

Another day in northern New Jersey was underway, cars driving to and from the bustling highways leading into New York City. The winter snow was falling softly towards the ground.

You knew the morning rush was the busiest time of day for the local shop since everyone needed their early morning booster for the day. Your coworkers had all taken their positions at their respective station in the coffee assembly line, with you at the cash register to fill in for the girl who had called out sick late last night.

"And here are two cake pops for Sydney and Sadie! Have a good day at school, you two."

You handed two little girls cake pops from inside the glass case and turned to give their mom her drink. You knew most of the customers by name which always made them smile during the morning.

Suddenly, you noticed there was an unfamiliar face in the line. A tall man with dark hair was staring up at the list of various coffee drinks that the shop offered. He wore a black sweatshirt with black joggers and had a gray beanie on his head, so that just the ends of his hair could be seen. The unknown man had to be at least six feet tall, if not taller, and he definitely looked strong.

As he walked up to the counter, you were at a loss for what to say. You usually fell into quick conversation with the guest, but you didn't know his face. There was no reason to worry, you tried to remind yourself. You had taken at least 100 orders already so there was no reason to stress over one little interaction.

"Hi," he greeted you.

Your tongue struggled to move from where it felt like it was glued to the roof of your mouth. The stranger had an accent that you could pick up on, quickly melting your mind into mush.

"Hi, what can I get for you this morning?" You studied his face while he made a slight step backwards to verify his order from the board.

"I'll have a large red eye please," he said. His tired brown eyes met yours as you tried to remember how to use the computer in front of you. You desperately wanted to start some kind of interesting conversation with him but the whirring of the coffee machines kept you focused on the task at hand.

"That will be $5.50," you said, avoiding his eyes.

He quickly handed you a $10 bill and you started to count out his change, before he stopped you.

"Keep the change," he said.

"Are you sure? I can give you the change," you tried to argue with him, but he waved his hand. You raised your eyebrows in surprise but thanked him and took the change to put in in your tip jar.

"Hope the day goes well, you've got half the town wanting your coffee," he chuckled.

"Yeah, it's always busiest when it snows, everyone needs a hot drink," you replied. You looked away from his figure to grab a cup.

"Oh, it's Nico. Never gave you my name," he said sheepishly. He leaned in a little to see your name tag on your apron. "Thanks, Y/N."

Your breath hitched in your chest as you realized you had never asked what his name was. You wrote his name on the cup and started filling his order before you passed it along to a coworker. He flashed you a bright smile and moved to the pickup counter.

Nico, you thought. You'd remember that name.

--------------------------------------------------------

The next time you saw him was the following Wednesday. This time, Nico walked into the coffee shop in the afternoon when it was much quieter. You were over by the espresso machine and had just completed someone's order and setting it on the counter when you saw him.

This time, Nico was wearing a red and gray sweatshirt that had a New Jersey logo on it. He caught your gaze before it was broken by someone walking up to him. A teenager broke his attention and you could hear them asking him for a picture. You turn around to your coworker, Dan.

"What's that all about?" You whispered, trying to hide your voice in the mix of the soft music and the whirring machines.

"You're not serious are you? He's, like, the most important player on the team," Dan scoffed. He went around you to snatch a muffin from the glass case.

"Team? What team?" You questioned while bending over to get more cups from under the counter. You could see that their interaction was wrapping up, so you were getting nervous.

"He's the captain of the New Jersey hockey team, Y/N! I thought you said you liked sports," Dan rolled his eyes.

"You can't expect me to know everything about every sport! I only went to, like, two hockey games in college," you hissed, moving to bring the sleeve of cups up.

"Okay well just stand up before the hottie comes over, would you? Oh, and give him your number, this could be your coffee shop meet cute," Dan said.

You tried to stand up as quickly as possible, but underestimated where the counter was, bumping your head on the corner and letting out a curse.

"You alright down there?"

You froze. You were awkwardly bent over, arms under the counter and head just peeking over the top. Nico was now standing in front of you, looking at you with an amused smirk on his face.

"Yeah, uh, just grabbing some cups," you gestured to the sleeve that was about to fall out of your arms.

"God, I feel like I run this place by myself sometimes," you said, looking towards Dan, who shrugged his shoulders.

Nico let out a soft laugh as you struggled to place the cups in their spot and wiped your hands on your apron.

"What can I get for you today, Nico?"

His eyes lit up at the use of his first name. You couldn't help but swoon at how adorable he was.

"Good memory," he replied. "And I'll do a medium vanilla latte, Y/N."

He made small talk with you as he paid and you turned to start his order. Since there was no one else in line behind him, he followed you down the line as you made his drink.

"One medium vanilla latte for Nico," you smiled as you handed him his drink.

You swore that the heat from his drink traveled through your veins and tickled your heart. You always thought it was cliche to feel butterflies in your stomach, but you swore that whatever spell Nico had you under had to have been just that.

"Y/N, weren't you gonna take your long break right now?" Dan called to you. He was huddled up in the corner with two of your other coworkers.

"Um, it's not," you stammered out but were quickly cut off.

"Yeah, go relax, we've got it!" Dan flashed you a smile before coming over to untie your apron and lightly shove you towards the opening.

There was only a few feet of space between you and Nico now, and he was looking at you. You couldn't help but feel a little lost in the situation, not sure of where to go next.

"We could sit?" Nico offered, gesturing to the booth in the corner.

You nodded and followed him over, feeling excited yet nervous about what might happen next. You slid in the seat across from Nico. He took a sip of his drink while you tried to avoid making eye contact with your coworkers who were watching you from behind the counter.

"I'm really sorry about them, they're all teenagers that are nosy as hell," you said, letting out a chuckle.

You tucked your hands under your legs to try to keep them from bouncing up and down under the table. For all you knew, Nico could be dating someone and not have interest in the girl at the coffee shop.

While you were trying to think of something to say, you missed the warm look that Nico was giving you. He could tell that you were tense. He cleared his throat to catch your attention.

"I heard you say you've never been to an NHL game? You're pretty close to the arena, y'know," he teased you.

"Oh god, please don't tell me you heard that whole conversation?" You let out a light groan.

"Only the end," Nico assured. "You probably know I'm on the hockey team, but if you ever want to come it's always a fun time. It could be your third hockey game ever."

He twirled one of the strings of his hoodie in his right hand while looking at you. You couldn't deny the pull that his dark eyes held, especially when his hair hung right at the corners of his eyes, framing his face perfectly.

"I guess I might have to," you replied coyly. "But just to clarify, I do like sports, so I'm hopefully not totally helpless in understanding it."

He hummed in understanding.

"So what sports do you like, then?"

"Mainly football and basketball," you answered. "I'm trying to save up for law school and hopefully work in sports law someday."

You sat up a little straighter in your seat, feeling prideful at your confident admission to him. Your day to day life consisted of mainly working and studying, just going through the motions with many of your interactions. Saying your dream out loud made it feel attainable, which made you smile.

You and Nico chatted for a while at the booth. You learned about his hockey team while he asked you what college had been like and how your favorite teams had been playing during the season. He could tell how driven and inspired you were to achieve your goals, which he found insanely attractive. You got more and more comfortable, joking with him and making him smile. Eventually, he had to go and you had to get back to work, so you said your goodbyes and he promised to be back for more coffee soon.

You rounded the corner of the counter with a new confidence as you approached your coworkers.

“You look like you had a fun little break date,” your other coworker, Ellie, said with a smile.

“And I set it all up!” Dan chimed in.

“Yeah, he’s very nice,” you said smiling. “He said he’ll be back soon.”

Ellie and Dan shared a look, indicating that they knew something that you didn’t.

“Ok spill you idiots, I’m getting impatient!”

“Okay, okay! He may or may not have come in on Monday and may or may not have asked for you,” Ellie giggled. Mondays were your days off, meant for studying and catching up on chores around your shared apartment. The idea that Nico had come in looking for you made you giddy with excitement.

“He has a cruh-ush!” Dan teased, poking your arm.

Maybe you did, too.

--------------------------------------------------------

While at your shift two days later, there were no sightings of Nico, but you did get an interesting call right as the morning rush was dying down. You sighed, hoping you weren't going to have to answer a complaint.

"You're speaking with Y/N at The Daily Grind, how may I help you?" You answered, letting Ellie take over the register as you found a piece of paper.

"Hi there Y/N, this is Kayla and I, uh, have a big ask for you," she mused on the other end of the line.

"Oh, that's no problem. What were you looking to order?"

"Well, I'm an intern calling on behalf of the New Jersey Devils. After the win last night, our Captain wanted to congratulate everyone and he said he knew a great coffee shop," she started. "He said to make sure that I asked if you were there since you make the best lattes."

"Oh, that's really sweet. Tell him I said congrats on the win!"

You felt your cheeks flush at the idea of Nico offering to order everyone a treat for their win. Even if he didn't feel any certain way towards you, at least he was willing to support a small business.

"He also said that if you were too busy he would plan a big order for another day, he seems to know a lot about your shop," she chuckled.

"We can complete the order, no problem," you smiled as you went to write down the large order. "And, uh, tell Nico that I hope to see him around the shop soon."

After your coworkers heard you on the phone, they were only mildly surprised to find a bouquet of roses show up at the door with a notecard addressed to you the next day.

--------------------------------------------------------

Over the weekend, you worked, registered for the upcoming LSAT, and watched some hockey. The Devils had been on a roadie, terminology you had learned from Nico, and were now on a winning streak.

You had been hoping that Nico would come into The Daily Grind soon. Your roommate was so excited when you told her about the whole ordeal and was convinced he had feelings for you. Your heart swelled in your chest at the hope that she may be right.

While you were sweeping in the evening, you heard the bell on the door ring. Your coworker was on break so you walked up to the counter to greet the customer.

The man at the counter couldn't have been much older than you. He had deep blue eyes and damp hair that curled around the bottom of his ears, eyes focused on his phone in his hand. "Hi, what can I get for you tonight?"

He typed a message out on his phone, pocketing it in his hoodie and looking at the board above your head.

"What do you like here?" He asked.

"Um, I like our iced coffees and smoothies a lot, the caramel iced coffee is my go-to," you replied and he nodded.

"And what does Nico like to get?" He looked right into your eyes as he said it, trying to see what your reaction would be.

You froze in his stare before clearing your throat to repeat the drinks that Nico had ordered before.

"He seems to like our espresso a lot," you trailed off.

"Yeah, he seems to like this place a lot, talks about it all the time," he chuckled. "I'll just get a medium cold brew for now. I'm Jack, by the way. I play with Nico."

You chatted while you made his drink, heart beating a little quicker at the idea of being scoped out by his wingman and teammate. He told you about their most recent game and made sure to note how well Nico had played.

"When Nico feels strongly about something, he tends to go the whole nine yards, just so you know," Jack said while walking out. "He wanted me to tell you he'll be in soon!"

--------------------------------------------------------

Even though Jack seemed pretty sure when he said Nico would be back, you began to lose hope when a week went by and there was no sighting of Nico. No other Devils members came by to the shop to order anything nor did you get any calls from interns.

“Have a good night, Y/N,” Dan called. You were closing tonight so you said goodbye and started to clean up. "Don't stay too long, it's starting to snow again!" You promised him you were almost finished as he left you alone to your thoughts.

You hummed along to the song playing over the speakers. It was Love Story by Taylor Swift. You wished that you could have a love story but maybe now wasn’t the time. Nico was a professional hockey player who was undoubtedly busy with his schedule, so you couldn't blame him for his absence.

You must have lost track of time because next thing you knew, the big clock read 8:00PM. You turned the main light off and went to lock the door when you heard a knock against the window. Standing outside the coffee shop, illuminated by the outdoor lights was Nico. He had a smile on his face as he pointed towards the door for you to let him in.

"We're closed for the night, sir," you teased playfully as you let him through the door.

He stepped inside as you held the door open for him, brushing some light snow off of his puffy black coat.

"Hey, Y/N," he said. You moved to turn on the overhead light since the place was now pretty dark.

"Hi Nico," you said. Although you tried to hide how giddy you were, you were sure it slipped out just a little. "I figured I might see some other Devils players before I saw you again."

You could see his cheeks flush as you moved around him to keep straightening things up. Around Nico, the butterflies in your stomach were endless and you could barely sit still.

"I hope Jack didn't scare you, he kinda got the information out of me before I realized I had told him," he replied. You had your back turned to him but he knew you were listening, as you two were the only ones there.

"Well I hope you aren't sending your wingman off to all of the other coffee shops you frequent," you twisted around to see him and gave him a smirk.

He pushed his hands into his pockets and shook his head. He breathed out a soft laugh before mumbling something you couldn't understand.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, just thinking how I must be off my game pretty badly if you still think I'm trusting other people with my coffee order."

You rested your back against the counter, staring at him through a guarded gaze. You didn't pride yourself on being the most naive of people, but you knew you weren't always the most receptive either.

"I mean, I got the roses and everything, which were beautiful, but I just figured you were being nice," you said sheepishly. "I think I'm usually so focused on getting through the day that I forget to think about stuff like that."

"Well, I hope I wasn't too forward, Jack says I can be sometimes," he chuckled.

"No, no, uh, you're good," you said. "I guess I could just use the guiding sometimes. It's not everyday that you receive roses from a handsome guy."

You focused your gaze on your shoes as you heard footsteps come closer to you. Nico had approached you and stood right in front of you now. You cocked your head to the side, waiting for his next move.

"Can I guide you out of this shop and out to dinner with me tonight?"

You tried not to let your eyes go too wide as you processed what Nico just said. Was this how it felt in the movies?

"If you didn't realize already, I think you're very beautiful and kind, Y/N. I'd love to take you on a date, if you wanted," he trailed off.

"Nico," you muttered, a smile coming to your lips. "I would love to."

He reached for your hand and brought it to his lips to give it a small kiss. Even though you hadn't known Nico for very long, you could tell that he was a true gentleman. You quickly packed up your bag and closed the shop to join him on the first of many dates to come.

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Note: Hi guys! This is my first time ever writing for NHL so I hope you enjoyed it!! Feel free to leave requests or share feedback and more will be coming soon!

#nico hischier #nhl hockey #nhl #nico hischier fluff #nico hischier x reader #nico hischier imagine #fluff

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 6 months

Note

Hey Raven, are you going to watch the upcoming new Disney movie "Wish"?

I've seen mixed reviews, but i'm lowkey excited since we get to see a new Disney villain, especially since Disney got really lame villains after all the old classic movies!

Have you seen the trailer for the movie? What are your thoughts so far?

I saw Wish with a friend recently! I'll give my thoughts on the trailers here (in case you don't want spoilers for the film itself) and put my full thoughts beneath the cut (if you're okay with spoilers).

Looks-wise, I think Disney was definitely trying to go for something more stylistic and painting-esque for this?? And while I commend the effort, it definitely doesn't look as interesting as Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish. The humor also definitely isn't for me, it feels very "quirky" and "so relatable" (Asha reminds me of Mirabel in that sense), and other times too juvenile (like the goat butt joke). I do like the idea of the villain passing as a good guy in-universe and actually being vain and selfish, especially since the marketing is making it clear who the bad guy is rather than making it a "twist" villain scenario. Not sure if I like Magnifico himself though??? All the ads with him in it feel like Disney is trying too hard to make people thirst for him. From just the trailers, Magnifico does seem interesting and like more of a return to the traditional "villain" rather than the protagonist having to deal with an existential dread or concept.

***Spoilers for Wish beneath the cut!***

Right off the bat, my first impression is the narrative is SO ham-fisted. Within the first 5 minutes alone we're establishing so much information and in such a clunky, unnatural way. Like... Asha says hi to her friends but then they robotically have a dialogue where they overtly call each other "friends" just so it's clear to the audience (when in reality no one talks like that). It's telling instead of showing, and this happens sooo many times early in the film.

Could not for the life of me remember the friends or their names. There were just too many of them when 1 or 2 would have been just fine to move the plot along and to help Asha. (Yes, I know they're a reference to the 7 Dwarves but it's STILL not necessary to have so many just for a reference.)

Bruh, the makeup in this movie is on point. Every time there was a close up of a character, I was staring at their eye makeup (especially Asha and the queen's).

Asha as a protagonist was... fine? She feels very close to Mirabel and at times Rapunzel in her character. I didn't dislike her by any means, but she didn't reinvent what it means to be a Disney protag. Her motivations also come off as… really “out of nowhere”. We’re told she “cares too much”, but she initially only wants to save the wishes of her mom and grandpa; she randomly decides she has to free ALL wishes midmovie and that was jarring. There could have been a smoother transition. Instead, it was abrupt and Asha didn’t change in any meaningful way. Even her “I want” song was vague (what exactly is “to have something more for us than this”?) and didn’t connect well with her character.

I do really like her design though! Her freckles, earrings, and how her hair moves are my favorite details.

Valentino was not as annoying as I thought he would be. Still didn't care for his sass and brand of humor, but at least he helped out a few times.

I called it, the film is trying so hard to make Magnifico "hot" 🤡 I don't get it but okay, Mouse. I see your effort.

Loved his fit!! Very cool cloak and diamond/star motifs everywhere! His lab and study was also fun to look at.

I quite liked the moments when the queen talked to her husband and tried to smooth things over with him. “I can fix him energy”— Their relationship seemed very genuine at the start of the movie.

NOT THE WISH NEPOTISM...

If they were going for “sympathetic” with Magnifico, it didn’t work. He gave this backstory about how he was traumatized before + left as the only survivor of a great tragedy and so now he wants to use his magic to prevent that from happening to anyone else. Thing is, we only ever know about this via his word and staring at a half-burnt tapestry. We never see the event on screen, nor what was left of the tapestry. I was expecting a twist where it’s revealed that he lied all this time about his backstory and rewrote history so he could more easily manipulate the people of the kingdom he founded and live out the fantasy of being worshipped as a “good guy”. That was such a missed opportunity!!

Something else I was thinking of (this was during “This is the Thanks I get” was??? Maybe Magnifico started off genuinely good but became worn down over time as people’s wishes grew more selfish and they became ungrateful for what they had?? Then he could have become bitter and disillusioned by the behavior of his people.

Another idea is maybe Magnifico was “villainous” only in Asha’s eyes, since they don’t agree on how to best handle granting wishes. This would be more of a clash of ideologies rather than the traditional Obvious Evil vs Obvious Good that Disney is so known for, but hey, it could be a neat evolution of their storytelling from classic fairy tale roots.

This is to say that there were so many more interesting directions they could have gone with Magnifico’s motives, character, and portrayal 😭 but the second half of the movie never commits to any of these, they just blame his complete insanity and turn to the dark side on Forbidden Magic which is such a cop-out.

The trailers gave away the twist that Magnifico was the villain. It wasn’t revealed until like the second song into the movie. Would’ve worked better as an on-the-spot reveal rather than part of the marketing, in my opinion.

When they showed the wishes, the TWST fan in my was shouting, "OMG IT'S WISH UPON A STAR, THE LIMITED TIME STORY EVENT FROM THE HIT DISNEY MOBILE GACHA GAME TWISTED WONDERLAND!!!"

As Wish is Disney's anniversary film for 100 years, there were tooons of easter eggs scattered throughout. (I had fun looking for them!) Some were visual (I saw Aurora's dress, Snow White’s well, Peter's Pan's costume, Ursula's green smokey hands, Asha's robes resembling those of the Fairy Godmother, etc.) or extended imagery/scenes (Asha recreates Mulan's dinner and “Reflection" scenes), others were more overt lines of dialogue (Magnifico says the "Mirror, Mirror" lines along with others, a deer named “Bambi”, Valentino mentions an animal metropolis in reference to Zootopia, etc.).

In theory, the wish magic sounds cool but has so much that isn't explained??? And yeah, it's magic so it technically doesn't have to be. However, there are things not explained even when it is important to the plot. For example, Magnifico crushes some wishes and seems to absorb their power for himself (including the wish of Asha's MOM, so you'd think this would be important)? The consequence of this is that the wish's owners... become sad??? Okay, what are the long-term effects??? Why isn’t this fully explored?? But then later in the film we see the same people whose wishes were crushed... regenerate their wish??? So what, he has to keep reaping them??? And why are the wishes only taken at 18 years old? What if a wish changes? Ironically, the townspeople of Rosas have a scene where they question the technicalities of this wish magic. Magnifico essentially tells them to shut up, and it kinda felt like Disney was telling us to not question their lore www

It was weird that they never fully explored the ramifications of going without your wish. You’d think they’d show us people without ambition or hope (which would incentivize Asha to return their wishes), but everyone seems blissfully happy without their wishes?? The only exception is Asha’s friend that betrays her (cannot for the life of me remember his name), and that’s namely because his asshole friends keep ragging on him for it.

I thought the movie was going to go in a “you can make your own wish come true!!” direction but NOPE, turns out it’s just magic. Felt like Disney unintentionally wrote a whole movie about "wishes not coming true unless some big powerful entity allows it to come true” (Asha literally becomes the fairy godmother of Rosas at the end, making her ultimately no different than Magnifico)… ie a metaphor for how Disney owns so many properties it practically owns our childhoods www

"The power of friendship saves the day" ending 🤣 It was very Paper Mario ending-esque...

A song saving the day though?? It’s giving the Illumination Lorax film…

I was right about the humor. Too "quirky" and/or juvenile for me.

Animation was alright? Nothing awful about it, it just didn't feel as detailed or as experimental as other films with a similar style.

Songs were mid, which checks out with the recent Disney music excluding We Don't Talk About Bruno--

Some of the lyrics however were awful. “I let you live here for free and I don’t even charge you rent” is redundant. “So I throw caution to every warning sign” means you’ll show more caution than usual, not that you’ll forego caution. The correct expression is “throw caution to the wind”. Etc, etc, etc.

There was a cute after credits scene where they reveal that Asha's 100 year old grandpa (same age as Disney omg) wrote the "When You Wish Upon a Star" theme, which was sweet since his wish was "wanting to make a mark".

THE BEST PART OF THE MOVIE WAS STAR!! It was very cute (partly because it couldn't talk and just jingled and giggled, I was dreading another annoying mascot animal voice) and reminds me of my own pet… The way Star infused everything with glitter and formed unique shapes with the red twine was so fun 😭 I'M A STAR STAN, IT WAS ADORABLE AND KINDA BRATTY AND I'M LIVING FOR IT

Decent ideas, "meh" execution. Enchanted and Shrek did it better in terms of self-aware, fairy tale defying stories. It felt as though the movie was trying to deliver a profound message but got lost in the sauce of making as making Disney references possible and didn't fully commit to actually saying something meaningful. As a result, the film feels somewhat… hollow.

That one friend betraying Asha was the biggest surprise in the film but I still saw it coming 😂 I do get where he’s coming from though (being worried that his wish won’t ever come true) but it also felt like his conflict wasn’t resolved??? It might have gone better if the movie actually fully tried to push the “you can make your own wish come true” message (to reinvigorate the traitor to make his dreams a reality on his own) but they don’t 💦

Wish didn’t end up being “the wishing star’s origin story” because not once did anyone question where Star came from or why it was different from other stars (or what the significance of Magnifico blotting out the other stars was).

I think the people that would enjoy this movie are the people that are already highly invested in Disney and the nostalgia of it.

... Anyway, stan Star 🤩 (and the talking mushrooms 🍄)

#wish #disney wish #spoilers #question #notes from the writing raven #puss in boots 2 #the last wish #puss in boots 2: the last wish #Mirabel Madrigal #Encanto #Asha #twst #twst wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #Rapunzel #Enchanted #Shrek #Queen Amaya #King Magnifico

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another-heroine · 3 months

Text

Witch Toll

Maybe I got carried away about the mission of seducing the local priest and it ended like this!

Thanks @jean-dieu for lending me your awkward Sarenite, I studied him like he was a bug and I'm pretty satisfied. And Ekaterina had some fun bullying another Inquisitor >:)

CW: slighlty dubious intentions, teasing, power dynamics, flustered tiefling, better than a simple kiss (though 'better' is not the right word for this *evil laugh*)

Another day, another opportunity for Hulrun to get on everybody’s nerves. And it was worse when Liotr was away from Kenabres like that time.

Raphaël took a deep breath. It was a matter of time. May Saranrae give him wisdom and resilience to endure that nonsensical chase by nighttime into the woods.

“By the instructions we have, they must be not far,” the Inquisitor warned his squad. “Keep your eyes open.”

Perched owls watched over them with their piercing yellow eyes. Some of the witch hunters babbled prayers while following their leader.

“Damn wenches,” one of them cussed. “Like it isn’t enough to put their worthless lives in demons’ grasp, they put innocent folk in danger as well. Who in their right mind would stroll around here to ask for help?”

“Charmed folk,” another one replied. “The poor fellows fall for their words like flies on an open honey jar.”

“And then get slapped to death.”

Raphaël stopped suddenly and gave a stern look at them. “Are you done with chit-chatting?”

The witch hunters looked at each other and nodded, slightly embarrassed.

“Let me refresh your mind one more time,” the Inquisitor recalled. “When we find the suspect’s house, you stay right behind me and let me lead the investigation. No vandalism, no unrequired words, nothing without my approval. By Everlight, you are men, not rabid dogs!”

One witch hunter called quietly, “Inquisitor”.

Raphaël looked at him and noticed the lad was pointing to somewhere ahead. And indeed there was something: warm lights following in a line. The squad got in position without second thoughts and followed the Sarenite.

A few commoners were at the door of a humble cabin. The Inquisitor waved for his men to not approach too much yet. They had to observe them first.

The door opened and a subtly glowing figure appeared. It was kind of hard to see her face since she was surrounded by the small group. She talked in a hushed voice, giving satchels and apparently elixir vials to the visitors.

“... It should help. Come back if you need anything else,” she guaranteed to an old woman.

“Erastil blesses you, girl.”

One by one, the people dismissed through the woods, and Raphaël held the line, ignoring the antsy feeling among his squad. They were not under Hulrun’s orders, but his. They should know how to behave for good or else.

Finally it was possible to give a good look at her, though from afar. The suspect was a copper-haired aasimar. Raphaël had heard about her before, but for a long time he thought the stories were exaggerated — a child of celestial living alone in the woods, asking for nothing but for people to leave her alone and let her help them the best she could. Why was she not in the Iomedae’s ranks as many of her kind have been?

A thought sparkled in the Inquisitor’s mind — Maybe because she is not like the others of her kind.

“Inquisitor, what now?” one of his men asked.

Raphaël swallowed hard. He was not nervous, but somehow his throat got constricted and he felt thirsty.

The woman got back inside the cabin and closed the door.

“Inquisitor?”

“I'll go ahead.” Raphaël left the shadows. “If I need you, I’ll send a signal.”

“Yes, sir,” the group agreed.

Walking to the cabin was strange. It was like his legs weighed much more than they used to. But before the tiefling could raise his hand and knock on the door, a soft voice asked, “Come in”.

And so he did. The inside of the house was scarcely lit by oiled lamps. Raphaël stiffed for a second; he felt the same piercing yellow eyes from earlier over his head, right from the ceiling, but as he looked up, there was nothing there.

“May I help you?”

The aasimar was sitting on a straw stool, sorting some herbs. She didn’t seem bothered by the strange visitor.

Raphaël got to his composure again and asked, “How… How did you know I…”

“I saw you and your men outside. Not mean to be rude, but being discreet isn’t one of their greatest skills.”

The Inquisitor kept his mouth shut, with a bitter feeling lingering in the back of his head.

She looked at him for the first time, and a soft smile appeared on her face, though not touching her eyes. “And it’s very rare to see someone like you on their side.”

“What do you mean? Because I’m a tiefling?” Raphaël scoffed, defensive.

The woman shrugged. “Let’s be honest, you should have made a great impression over Hulrun and your comrade-in-arms for they don’t cut off your tail or horns. At least.”

Raphaël frowned. “Who are you?”

The aasimar kept organizing the herbs before her. “Just someone minding her own business. But if it’s a name you want, it’s Ekaterina.”

“By your accent you are not from here.”

The woman sighed and got up. Raphaël’s tail twitched; she was shorter than him for a few centimeters. “You are right. I’m from Irrisen. But don’t mistake me for a Winter Witch, yes? I’m a druid.”

“Why are you so far from your homeland?”

“Personal matters. And now, my turn; what’s your name?”

Her body language was quite relaxed, but yet her words made the tiefling hesitate a little. She smelled of thyme and smoke.

“Raphaël,” he exhaled noisily. “I’m a servant of Sarenrae.”

Ekaterina looked at him up and down. “I see.”

He flushed. Of course he was, otherwise he would not be wearing Sarenite motifs.

“So…” Ekaterina put her hands behind her back. “You came to my home, asking questions and giving judgemental eyes. But as you can see, there is no trap, no luring or even a hungry beast lurking to eat you alive around here. Have I satiated your curiosity already?”

Raphaël cleaned his voice. “There are rumors saying that you were involved in… hedonist rituals.”

Ekaterina’s brows raised. “Really? When?”

She did not look offended. In fact, the words of the Inquisitor made her giggle.

“Not like a host or a guest, but… Someone came here and ordered a love potion. Is that true?”

Ekaterina smiled warmly. “That’s not my kind of business. But it would be… interesting, I daresay. People say a lot of things about everyone and everything, don’t you think so?”

Raphaël nodded, feeling weird, and getting nervous for being weird. Maybe he should send the signal for the other witch hunter right the way. Or just walk through the door and put a stone over that investigation.

Ekaterina noticed his hooves bringing him back to the entrance. She shook her head and added, “You witch hunters are so childish sometimes, putting it mildly.”

Her words itched Raphaël. “What do you mean?”

“Same old stories, every day. Hedonism, eating children, demonic pacts. It doesn’t matter if someone like me is just trying to survive and help good people, for many of you, my kinship and I should be at the stake whatever it takes.”

Raphaël protested, “Not every Inquisitor is like it!”

“You mean ‘like Hulrun’, am I right? Gladly I never ever met him,” she snorted. “Everybody is afraid of you because you're always scared of anything. If you were more flesh than divine weapon, maybe things would be easier and fairest for everyone.”

He was angry, but she was right. Every word was like a scorching ray against his skin, ignoring his Hellish heritage. Like the purifying Everlight herself.

Raphaël gave up. He walked back to the druid with his fists clenched, but his voice sounded quiet, almost like a begging, “Let me prove I’m not like them”.

Why was he doing that? He had no idea. Maybe because he was unfairly suspicious towards a child of Heaven, a lonely heather. Maybe because her presence had a powerful influence over him…

Or maybe because his mortified flesh was asking for that.

Ekaterina gave him a strange glance. She did not expect her words would bring that kind of outcome. She just wanted to shoo him away, but the effects were opposite.

“Let me prove myself,” he repeated, his heart beating fast against his ribcage.

Ekaterina pondered. “Do you have any idea how strong this request is?”

“Yes,” he replied without a blink.

That was a serious matter. Then it would be. The woman suggested, “Back in my homeland, when the house owner is disrespected somehow, the offender should bring an apology token. It could be a sacrifice, a terrible secret, or even sex.”

The last word made the Inquisitor’s guts freeze.

“Whatever that makes the offender vulnerable. So, lay down on the floor.”

“What?”

“Now.”

He asked for it. Dear Sarenrae, where was his head when he agreed with that? His tail rattled on the cold stone like an eager serpent, and involuntarily it wrapped softly on one of the druid’s ankles.

“Calm down, Inquisitor,” she stated, removing her limb from the desperate grasp like it was but a withered vine.

Dozens of ghostly-yellow eyes were watching them. Raphaël’s throat got dry again, as the woman put one foot on his chest, right over the Everlight insignia. She kept the other on the floor, next to his head, letting the worned hem of her tunic flutter on his chin and neck.

“I’m sorry,” he begged, either to her or his goddess.

“You are fine,” the druid hummed, looking deep into his eyes.

He wanted to move, to brush at least one thumb against her warm skin, from the ankle to the calf and up the way. To… kiss her. But he couldn’t do that; he made an unbreakable oath on his own.

“Don’t come back here again, unless you have a good, good reason,” she said. “Am I being clear?”Raphaël just nodded, and when she took off her feet over him, he felt… empty. And naked.

#ekaterina grushankaya #pwotr pals #pathfinder wotr #mooties' ocs #mooties' crossover #ockiss24

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