#flares writing

[spacetimegirls]

a little “writing out a scene descriptively” drabble (characterisation practice)

“I really did love you,” Zari whispers, a quiet admittance - a prayer - breathed into the breeze. Then, “I wish that could have been enough.”

“What's the hurry, love?”

The voice that cuts through her private silence comes with such an air of nonchalance to it that she almost thinks she’s dreaming, that she’s been dropped in the middle of an imagined scene, in the middle of a conversation with an old friend.

An old lover.

John.

“You— You bastard—!” Zari spits, laced more with confusion than her desired anger. “What, have you been sneaking around here this whole time?”

“No! No.” A sigh. ”I just got here. Honestly. Really.” He can feel Zari’s gaze piercing through him, right down to his soul, and it makes his heart pang. “You know, after the Fountain healed and could survive without me, it saw the purity of my sacrifice and it saw fit to give me another chance.”

“Your purity?” She scoffs. “Don't lie to me.”

“Okay, all right. I was joking.” He looks around, at the natural world, living and breathing around him. In spite of him. “Yeah, the Fountain didn't think too highly of me,” he chuckles, “Even less after I contacted an old associate in Hell. Long story short, the chit to my soul now belongs to a demon once again. And the Fountain is very happy that I'm no longer bound to it.”

“Wow. You haven't changed at all, have you?”

“You know, people can change and not change at the same time. I'm still a bastard, I know that. But, I guess, now I know what I'm missing by being a bastard.”

“…We mucked it up. We mucked it up just like… you said we would.”

“I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat, love.”

A beat of silence. Two beats. Three—

“Me too.”

#dcs legends of tomorrow #zari tarazi #john constantine #hellstar #legends of tomorrow #season 6 episode 15 #flares writing

[theramblingvoid]

Low level/continuous pain tips for writing

Want to avoid the action movie effect and make your character's injuries have realistic lasting impacts? Have a sick character you're using as hurt/comfort fodder? Everyone has tips for how to write Dramatic Intense Agony, but the smaller human details of lasting or low-level discomfort are rarely written in. Here are a few pain mannerisms I like to use as reference:

General

Continuously gritted teeth (may cause headaches or additional jaw pain over time)

Irritability, increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, etc

Repetitive movements (fidgeting, unable to sit still, slight rocking or other habitual movement to self-soothe)

Soft groaning or whimpering, when pain increases or when others aren't around

Heavier breathing, panting, may be deeper or shallower than normal

Moving less quickly, resistant to unnecessary movement

Itching in the case of healing wounds

Subconsciously hunching around the pain (eg. slumped shoulders or bad posture for gut pain)

Using a hand to steady themself when walking past walls, counters, etc (also applies to illness)

Narration-wise: may not notice the pain was there until it's gone because they got so used to it, or may not realize how bad it was until it gets better

May stop mentioning it outright to other people unless they specifically ask or the pain increases

Limb pain

Subtly leaning on surfaces whenever possible to take weight off foot/leg pain

Rubbing sore spots while thinking or resting

Wincing and switching to using other limb frequently (new/forgettable pain) or developed habit of using non dominant limb for tasks (constant/long term pain)

Propping leg up when sitting to reduce inflammation

Holding arm closer to body/moving it less

Moving differently to avoid bending joints (eg. bending at the waist instead of the knees to pick something up)

Nausea/fever/non-pain discomfort

Many of the same things as above (groaning, leaning, differences in movement)

May avoid sudden movements or turning head for nausea

Urge to press up against cold surfaces for fever

Glazed eyes, fixed stare, may take longer to process words or get their attention

Shivering, shaking, loss of fine motor control

If you have any more details that you personally use to bring characters to life in these situations, I'd love to hear them! I'm always looking for ways to make my guys suffer more write people with more realism :)

#voidrambles #writing #whump #does this count as that? whatever those folks will probably enjoy it at any rate #this is honestly mostly for my own reference but i hope it can maybe help some other people too :) #I'm so pulled in by books that write pain in a human and detailed way and not just when it's dramatic or intense #would love to see more of that and incorporate it into my own writing #oh i should have added. distraction seeking to that list #like writing a really long post about. #...yes i may be chronically ill and having a flare today and yes i may be farming myself for writing tips for Future Me hdgfhfhsjs #but hey gotta do your research somewhere babeyyy it all goes in the creativity soup #tw injury #tw illness

[catoslvt]

Newt (TMR) x Reader

you confess to Newt as he's a crank.

this is probably gonna be very quick.

As Newt jumps on me, sending me spiralling backwards into the floor, I look over at Thomas, who is standing clueless

"Go get the cure! I can handle him!" I scream, Thomas gives me a concerned look before running off anyway.

My attention is suddenly grabbed again by Newt, who now has a knife. Where did he get it from? I've got no clue, but all that matters is getting it out of his hands.

"I don't want to hurt you." Newt snaps, his tone certainly sounding like someone who wants to hurt me.

"You don't need to, please." I beg, but his eyes have faded over again, and he lowers the knife to hover above where my heart is, but I quickly knock the knife from his grip, and it moves far away on the concrete meaning I'm now gonna need to fight Newt with my hands.

"Keep talking!" Newt screams, his eyes flashing only a slight bit of normality before the flare comes back over him, and he's trying to hit me, so I do what he told me to do, talk.

"I've been in love with you since the scorch trials." I say as my hand connects with his jaw, and he stumbles off me, allowing me to stand up, and as I look at Newt, I realise he landed beside the knife.

"What?" He chokes, and I nod tears at the brims of my eyes.

"When Aris led me to your rooms from the vents, I was terrified to meet you, but somehow, I managed to persuade you to leave WICKED and I fell inlove with you almost straight away, I've never looked back. I've never wanted any other boy the way I want you." I continue to talk as a few tears fall from my eyes, and Newt now stands up with the knife, his step staggering as he approaches me, but I suddenly see Thomas, Frypan, Minho and Gallys shadows about to turn round our corner, so I take a few footsteps towards Newt as he stands and stares, either fighting the flare really well or it's about to take over for good.

as I step closer, Newt opens his arms for a hug, and I can't help but do it, crank or not. I just confessed my love for him.

as he wraps my arms around my waist, I momentarily forget he has the knife until it gets plunged into my lower stomach before pulling out, and I step away with my mouth hanging open, clutching the knives enterance wound as blood pours from it.

"y/n!" I hear frypan scream, but it's too late, I've passed out.

I wake up in a small hut with a curtain as a door confused, where the fuck am I?

I quickly go to sit up, but I let out a huge groan as a pain shoots from my lower stomach, so I decide to take it slower and once I'm sitting up, I kick my legs off the bed and stand up, grabbing onto the wall for support before I slowly make my way out the room.

Okay, where the actual fuck am I.

there's tons of people here, mainly people my age or younger who are all walking around, there's huts, there's hammocks and there's even Gardens.

Gardens. Newt.

Newt.

the thought of his name brings a huge pain towards my stomach, and I groan and almost double over, but Aris sees me and rushes over.

"You're up!?" He exclaims and I nod confused.

"Where are we?" I ask, my throat suddenly feeling incredibly dry as though those three words took away all my willpower.

"The safe haven, a real one this time." He answers, gently grabbing my wrist as he begins to steer me to what seems like a kitchen, and when we walk in, frypan is cooking up dishes.

"Morning shuckface." He says with a small smile as he raises his eyes momentarily to fall onto me.

"How long have I been out for?" I ask and both Aris and Frypan shrug.

"A week or so? Newt got banned from your hut because he was constantly in there speaking to you, Vince thought he was gonna wake you up." Frypan answers, and my eyes almost bulge out my head

"Newt?" I gasp, and they both nod, confused.

"After you passed out, Thomas managed to give him the cure. It worked quite quickly, except there's still dark veins in places." Aris tells me before pointing over at Frypan.

"Can y/n get some water and a sandwich or something?" Aris asks, and Frypan nods, turning around and rummaging around in his make shift kitchen.

I sit alone at the edge of the beach, eating my sandwich and ever so often taking a few sips of water.

"How was the sleep?" The all too familiar voice of Newt asks with a slight laugh as he sits down beside me, but I don't turn to look at him, because the last time I saw him I confessed to him only to get a knife plunged into my stomach.

"Fine." I respond and listen, I'm not too pissed about the knife thing, I'm just scared in case he can remember what I told him.

"Nobody ever told me that turning into a Crank means getting memories back." He sighs, and I turn to look at him, Frypan was right, there is still some dark veins, but it's better than what he looked like as a crank.

"All of them?" I ask, and he nods.

"I remembered Sonya from your maze is my little sister, only her name was Elizabeth back then." He first of all starts, and I gasp slightly.

"I remember every shank from my Glade before we got sent up." He begins listing little things that must mean a lot to remember.

"I remember you." He then states, and I gasp a bit.

"we would've been held separately. How can you remember me?" I ask.

"Minho, Alby, Thomas, Teresa, and I used to all sneak into a maintenance closet somewhere in the WICKED building. One day, we walked in, and there you were, as innocent as ever eating a chocolate bar." Newt tells me and we both laugh slightly.

"From that day forward, you joined us every night in the closet, and I knew from the very first moment I saw you that I'd do whatever I could to protect you." He goes onto say before frowning.

"But I couldn't. You told me you loved me, and i stabbed you." He mutters, and my eyes widen.

for fuck sake did he need to keep those memories?

"we don't need to talk about that Newt, you got the cure, and you're fine, and my stomach is healing. It wasn't your fault." I say as I reach one of my hands over and grab his hand with mine giving it a small squeeze which he returns.

"I tried so hard to fight the flare, even momentarily to tell you that I love you too, tell you that from that closet I knew it was always gonna be you." He tells me, and I look into his eyes, really confused, what did he just say.

he loves me too?

he's joking.

he has to be.

maybe he still has the flare.

"What?" I finally ask, and he nods.

"I love you y/n, I always have." He states, and I smile widely.

"I love you too!" I exclaim, and he kisses me, being gentle with the movements to not hurt my stomach.

#fanfic #fiction #romance #writing #wattpad #tmr #tmr newt #newt tmr #thomas brodie sangster #tbs #newt x reader #the maze runner #scorch trials #death cure #the flare #crank palace #the fever code

[babyanderson]

farm!cg!dina x little!reader x farm!cg!ellie

putting down your fork on the dinner table, you turn to dina who’s walking in from the back garden. she’s holding a few bottles of milk and a crate of eggs.

“what you holdin’, mama?” you ask her, looking up at her, and then to ellie who’s sat across from you.

“got some milk and eggs, baby. gonna help me and mama make cookies after dinner?” she says, setting everything down on the counter and then taking your hand to stand you up, sitting down on your chair and placing you in her lap. you nod feverishly at her, and then to ellie.

“yes, please!! make cookies, now!! please, mama?” they both laugh, dina’s arms wrapping around your waist, settling you down.

“after dinner, baby. need to finish your food first, okay?” ellie says, gesturing down at your basically full plate. you sigh and pick your fork back up, defeated.

a mere thirty minutes later, you’re sat on the counter top, flour on your nose, smiling up at your mamas.

“please can i crack the eggs, mama?” you ask ellie, holding your palm out, already knowing she’ll say yes.

she hands you the egg and you crack it into the bowl, ignoring the inevitable shell that fell into it. you hear ellie giggle as you hand her the empty shell (what was left of it) and dina takes the shell out of the bowl.

“i mix, please?” you ask softly, looking at the whisk in dina’s hand. she nods and says you can mix it together, both holding onto the whisk as ellie keeps a hold of you sitting on the counter, tickling your sides.

“mama! no ticklin’, i busy!” you almost shout at ellie, looking up at her angrily. she puts her hands up, her eyes wide.

“i’m sorry, baby. no tickling,” she kisses the top of your head, and dina’s too.

after pouring the milk in, ellie pours the rest into your bottle, handing it to you.

“want the rest, angel?” she asks softly, picking you up and holding you on her hip. you nod and take it from her, sipping it gently.

you and ellie both watch dina put the cookie batter onto the tray, ellie stepping back when she opens the oven.

“‘s hot, baby. gotta stay in the livingroom while they cook, okay?” ellie says softly, walking into the living room and placing you on the sofa, putting a blanket over you.

“mama and i will be back in a minute, angel. stay put..” ellie leaves the room, not taking her eyes off of you, making you giggle.

“mama, you so silly,” you whisper to yourself, reaching for your book to read.

a couple pages in, dina walks into the room holding a plate of cookies! ellie takes your book from your hands, making you frown up at her.

“mama! my book! i readin’ that!” ellie pouts down at you, picking you back up into her lap, handing your book back to you.

as you start to read again, a cookie touches your lips.

“open up, baby,” dina whispers, and you take a bite. dina and ellie kiss both your cheeks at the same time, making you giggle to yourself. you love your little family. <3

#based on flare’s request #cg!ellie williams #agere #agere writing #cg!dina tlou #ellie williams #dina tlou #tlou dina #sfw agere #age regression #tlou agere #agere fic #the last of us #little!reader #ellie x reader #dina x reader #ellie x dina x reader

[uhbasicallyjustmilex]

✨ ARCTIC MONKEYS ASK GAME ✨

favourite record opener track?

have you been to a live show? if so, feel free to share a photo/something particular that struck you about your experience!

humbug or tbh+c?

which member of the band would you most like to spend the afternoon with and why? how would you spend your time?

which album means the most to you?

if you had to pick one song from their discography to never hear again, which one would it be?

how long have you been a fan? tell us about your journey!

do you have any cool arctic monkeys memorabilia or keepsakes that are meaningful to you? (eg wristbands from a show, merch you’ve bought, signed stuff, tour posters)

what’s the first song you heard that made you fall in love with the band? where were you when you heard it?

what’s your favourite alex era hair? feel free to share photo examples!

have you ever created any fanart or fanfiction inspired by the band/involving anyone in the band? feel free to share a link!

do you have any arctic monkeys tattoos? if not, do you want any?

what are some of your favourite lyrics alex has written? (doesn't have to be arctic monkeys, can also include tlsp/ other artist collaborations/the submarine soundtrack)

do you own any physical copies of any of the albums?

favourite arctic monkeys b-side?

if each of the albums was a person, which one do you think you'd most be like and why?

favourite album cover?

if you could ask each member of the band something and have them answer honestly, what questions would you ask them?

what's your favourite quote said by someone in the band? feel free to share a link/clip!

favourite record ender track?

#this is what happens when i'm in bed all day with a chronic pain flare and don't have the brain power for writing 😅 #anyway it was a fun little distraction coming up with these! #feel free to reblog and share with each other 🥰 #and even though i came up with the questions i'd love to answer some too #so feel free to drop some in my ask box! #have fun! 😘💖 #arctic monkeys #alex turner #matt helders #jamie cook #nick o'malley #ask game #ask games #bands #lulu posts

[tizniz]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday 💫

Tagged by @disasterbuckdiaz and @dangerpronebuddie 🩵 Also shout out to @hippolotamus for posting her new story that everyone should go read -- honey, when you call my name (12.6K)

I've been experiencing some chronic pain flare ups and new pain flare ups that had me in the hospital last night (I'm fine...mostly...) so it got me finally writing the Buck's chronic pain fic.

Flare Up (2.3K)

When Buck opens his eyes that morning, he knows it is going to be a rough go.

OR: Buck's chronic pain flares up. He pushes through.

READ ON A03

NP tagging: @actualalligator, @actuallyitsellie, @spotsandsocks, @fortheloveofbuddie, @bucksbackwardcap, @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove, @theotherbuckley, @daffi-990, @jesuisici33, @cal-daisies-and-briars, @exhuastedpigeon, @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming, @monsterrae1, @epicbuddieficrecs, @elvensorceress, @eddiebabygirldiaz, @spagheddiediaz, @wildlife4life, @evanbegins, @devirnis, @loveyouanyway, @perfectlysunny02, @nmcggg, @smilingbuckley, @watchyourbuck, @loserdiaz, @excuseme-greentea, @wikiangela, @sunshinediaz, @scknight05, @kitteneddiediaz

Let me know if you want to be added or removed.

#evan buckley #eddie diaz #buddie #911 fic #911 fanfic #buddie fic #buddie fanfic #my works #tanis writes #fic: flare up

[teal-fiend]

Preds that go a bit insane when they’re hungry

#the madness is flaring up #vore fic #vore prompt #vore prompts #vore writing #tw vore #v.ore #fatal vore #soft vore #v/ore #implied digestion

[mikesbasementbeets]

byler in every episode -> 1.01. the vanishing of will byers

#i'm about to write a whole ass essay about the symbolism of that lens flare. but i will not #also starting this knowing that s1 'byler' will be very mike centric. yes. bear with me #(who knows how far i'll even get with this one tbh. who can say. just having fun anyway) #byler #mike wheeler #will byers #mikesbasementgifs #byler in every episode

[maladaptivewriting]

regulus and james in solar flare are so horny for each other. like jesus christ, just fuck already.

#yes i know im writing them #but also they need to have sex #solar flare #jegulus #regulus black #james potter #twilight au

[wisteriagoesvroom]

one like and i'll work on my florist!au @f1playlistficexchange fic

#i mean i'll work on it anyway cus the deadline is literally tomorrow #but something about the serotonin helps my wretched brain #the fic is literally becoming so much moodier than i anticipated like why am i like this #i will go back and filter lando's pov through a sunshine flare lens or something #anyway #wisteria's endless writing problems

[leverage-ot3]

sorry to keep personal posting but my day fucking SUCKED and ended with me dropping one of my brand new earrings from a set that I just finished cleaning down the drain, took the sink apart and still couldn’t find it 🙃

if y’all feel like asking a leverage/misc question for thoughts or headcanons I’d love to answer them in the morning! or even if you just want to say something about your day- I just like hearing from you guys 💖

#or ask me abt my lockwood & co hyperfixation/chat w me about the show #and how I have been egged on my a moot to pursue my cot3 hunger games au (I have never finished a longfic) #(was bored at lunch break and wrote a portion of the berry scene 👀) #boss still owes me more than 2.5k and has been gaslighting me and continues to emotionally manipulate me and my coworkers #and cause serious shit that triggers clients in a THERAPY CLINIC #and has started second guessing my work by asking other employees if my input is ‘accurate’ #which caused a flare up in my skin picking AND latent SI #ugh sorry for rambling yall I just need to write this out yk #I need a fucking sugar mommy or something 😭😭😭 I need to get out of this mentally/financially abusive job #not leverage #ask me things #jackie talks #about me #mine #this is the worst place I’ve worked which doesn’t necessarily say too much because I haven’t had many jobs #but one of my former bosses was a [redacted school shooting] denier when we were literally 20 min away from where it happened #which still boils my blood to this day LIKE WDYM YOU THIBK THE GOVERNMENT PAID OFF PARENTS AS A PART OF A CONSPIRACY TO INFLUENCE GUNCONTROL #she would tell a new hire ‘J doesn’t like conspiracy theories’ #NO [redacted] I CAN DISCUSS THEM FOR FUN IN CONVERSATIONS BUT URS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS #EAT A DICK #hmmm I wonder if I still have anger about that lol #ANYWAYS I finally got my intake after waiting 8mo for the clinic I needed to get in and will be starting therapy in a few weeks #🫡🫡🫡

[ashmp3]

you know i said i am doing no buy february well these just arrived i did NOT fail but i wanted to share my little haul 😌🖤

#i did NOT know the flares will be low waisted she did not write correct measurements but thank god they fit #and the skirtttt 🖤🖤🖤 it has two types of pleats and a waistband that is 100% wool #it’s very alaïa the skirt i posted yesterday in a mb and also pleats please you knowww #but the flares omg they make my ass look FANTASTIC are you seeing it!!!? #anyway <3 downloaded tumblr to post these #fits #btw the huge scar i have on my leg it’s when i fall down the stairs while watching jeonghans fancam #like rhjwkalskfjsj it is nawt going away after almost a year damnnn

[maxescheibechlinichacheli]

Uea taking care of King and King falling even more in love with him.

#bed friend #bed friend the series #bed friend series #kinguea #thai bl #bl drama #bl series #maxine gifs #maxine writes #I despise that lens flare in the last gif #what were they doing while filming?!

[greeenchrysanthemums]

There are many small moments from the past that I want to write for this au but I'm afraid I barely have the time to make the planning posts and work on the fic itself, so I don't know when I will ever find the time.

#GG rivals au #the only fic i've worked on that is not the main work is the one where gem and etho meet again for the first time #but i would love to write pearl and scott's meeting #and a scene where mumbo takes care of etho when his pain flares up #scott taking his friends to meet his family #etho and joel's meeting #many moments from lizzie and joel's past #and so many more things #that I am simply too busy to write and it makes me so sad

[crimeronan]

i ADORE all of this artist's picrews, every time there's a new one i end up playing with it for Literal Hours.

anyway here's princess AU luz going to visit the owl house & being the most exhausted form of human sunshine in the World.

couldn't give her the full philip ponytail or the vest, and also you have to pretend the sweatshirt is a witch's cloak, but. I Am Thinking About Her Always . Girl Who Needs A Nap So Bad

#when i'm flaring i turn to picrew bc i can't write #eda like wow you are so cheerful and peppy. you also look like you're gonna drop dead from exhaustion #FINE. i will habitually steal you. raine and i get to share #toh #princess luz au #luz noceda #picrew

[evillittlebirdie]

Salvation (Kar'niss/Tav)

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine

Once Kar'niss was forced inside the cage, the cleric locked him inside and left him alone. He didn't know how long he stood there, unable to get comfortable no matter how he positioned his legs. The cleric returned with two orcs and a Drow male guard. And within minutes, Kar'niss' cage was loaded on a wheeled pallet. The male guard led the way while the orcs pulled the pallet. 

"This is not necessary," Kar'niss protested as he grabbed the metal bars of his cage. He attempted to get the Drow's attention, "I accept my fate. I will go with you wherever you will take me."

The Drow turned to look at him, and Kar'niss felt his hope rise. Instead, the Drow only looked at him with disgust. He shuddered before looking forward. It was the lost contact Kar'niss would have with a fellow Drow for a very long time. 

Kar'niss did not know how far away he was from Menzoberranzan when the Drow and ogres stopped their travel. His cage was unlocked, and Kar'niss stepped out hesitantly. Kar'niss had lived in the city all of his life. He looked around. The cold, dark subterrane spotted unfamiliar bioluminescent lighting. He could see a body of water in the distance that stretched far beyond his eyesight. They had dropped him off at the border of Northdark. But beyond that, he had no orientation. 

Kar'niss was silent as the entourage left him alone with no weapons or provisions. There was no use in wasting breath.

Gone was his family and his purpose. The only hope he had was twisted with his faith. He could only hope by accepting his punishment that Lolth would take mercy on him one day. Either she would let him die quickly or change him back. 

For days, Kar'niss explored the territory. It didn't take long for him to learn to walk fluidly with his body. That didn't mean he was used to it. He didn't realize how much he missed lying down out of everything. He tried to sustain himself only on lichen and mushrooms, but the bloodlust quickly overcame his senses. He pounced on the first living creature in sight. A frog. And fortunately, there was more where that came from. Kar'niss followed the army of frogs until he arrived at the body of water he saw on his first day. 

After Kar'niss had his fill of frogs' blood, he walked over to the water's edge. It was unhealthy morbidity that prompted the movement. It had been days since he had the luxury of reflection. He leaned down to take a proper look.

Kar'niss knew, abstractly, that the extra eyes were there. It had been an odd, additional sensory input that he had to deal with. But to see the black blinking eyes on his face was to solidify his fate. Kar'niss whimpered before moving his hands along his face. His eye color had changed from carmine to black and sienna. Beyond the physical changes, he looked filthy. He hadn't bathed since the day of the test. He used to take such pride in his hair. He loved to braid it and decorate it with jewels. He would run his fingers through it to soothe himself when unhappy. It was his tiny source of joy, the one bit of self-indulgence his mother did not object to. Now, it was ratty, thin, slick. The exoskeleton on his arms and torso reflected against the water. 

Kar'niss leaned closer to inspect the new ridges of his skin when he suddenly felt his balance waver. His legs lost their footing on the embankment. Kar'niss fell face-first into the water. The shock made him inhale liquid. His body flailed in shallow water before he finally got his footing in the sand. He forced himself up and quickly fled from the water. Drenched and discouraged, Kar'niss retreated into one of the nearby caves. It would be years before he saw his face again.

***

Tav was rather woozy after feeding her vampire spawn and filling up an empty bottle for Kar'niss. She hoped the bottle was enough. She read that driders needed blood every four days. But the literature she read did not specify how much blood a drider needed. If the bottle were not satisfactory, Tav would need to outsource. She was not a blood farm, after all. 

"Kar'niss!" Tav called out once she reached the cave. The basket she left earlier in the day was gone. The sight thrilled her. Tav was not sure what Kar'niss needed. But she figured he needed a lantern to leave the cave. Water would quench any thirst. The books would help with boredom while he recovered. And Tav figured that a blanket would keep him warm. 

Tav had another basket with her. This one was smaller. Inside the basket was the bottle of blood and a locket. Arabella's parents gave her a locket in exchange for saving her from Kagha. Tav couldn't bear to sell it, and fortunately, Elminster stabilized Gale's orb before he needed to consume its magical properties. The locket could summon a circle of dancing lights. Kar'niss could find it helpful for when he was hunting. 

When Tav heard the skittering, she smiled. His movements sounded more fluid. Kar'niss was recovering. The drider emerged from the cave and presented himself with a low bow. "Her Majesty's Chosen..." Kar'niss began with a reverent smile. But then, his face paled with anxiety, "No, no, no. Not Her Majesty's Chosen, they said. 'Too much of a mouthful'. But we cannot say the name. They are Absolute." His teeth worried his lower lip, drawing blood quickly.

"Wait, wait," Tav quickly interjected, alarmed at the stereotypy. "You do not want to call me Tav?" She was confused about why Kar'niss had such a difficult time with her title.

"No!" Kar'niss quavered, taking a step back. "To obey we dishonor, but to honor we disobey." 

Finally, the answer dawned on Tav. "You will not call me by my given name."

"Improper!" Kar'niss concurred with a nod, now moving his gaze back to her. 

"Then...what is something you are comfortable with calling me? Something short but respectable," Tav prompted. She wanted to avoid where this was going. She could use a drider as a fighter by her side, but she did not want a slave. 

Kar'niss hesitated before he offered, "Mistress. It's familiar." 

Tav took care not to wince at the title visibly. She certainly had never been addressed a 'mistress' before. It would take getting used to. "We'll work towards Tav. But if you're willing, I'll take 'Mistress.'" 

Kar'niss smiled hesitantly. He raised himself to his full height. His shoulders slumped down as though a weight was lifted off his shoulders. 

Tav glanced down at the bottle of blood. Hoping to lighten the situation and change the subject, she gave an uneasy chuckle. "So I read that driders need blood. We don't have many options for fresh blood..." Tav stopped herself from speaking. Maybe telling Kar'niss that the blood was hers wasn't the best option. "But I was able to get this for you." She offered him the bottle of blood. 

Kar'niss stared at the bottle, his lips opening slightly. Tav could see his fangs peeking out. "They offer blood..." He perplexed. Just like with the haggis, Kar'niss slowly reached forward only to recoil. 

Patiently, Tav kept the bottle in her outreached hand. "I take care of those under my command. You saw my companions. Did they look neglected?"

Kar'niss quickly pointed out, sinking back into a bow, "They are well equipped and serve you satisfactorily. A fair mistress feeds her slaves. They obey or will be shamed. Useless slaves do not  eat ." 

After analyzing Kar'niss' statement, Tav realized how conditional he thought each action was. She wanted to clarify that her companions were not slaves. She would rather have that conversation with Kar'niss than him accidentally spouting out rhetoric in front of Astarion. 

If Kar'niss was any other person, Tav could tell them she would care for any injuries or nourishment. She would then offer two options. They could either leave with no obligation to reimburse. Or, they could stay and pull their weight in one fashion or another. Tav figured Kar'niss would collapse if she offered him that level of freedom. So, as it stood, Kar'niss was her responsibility. 

"If I believe you are without use, I will tell you. Do you think you know more than me?" Tav accused. She hated to be firm with him. Especially when he recoiled even more, almost curling into himself. But she needed to get her point across. 

Kar'niss fretted, "No, no, no. Of course not, Mistress."

"So, to keep you in service, I am providing blood," Tav persuaded him. "Please, take it."

Kar'niss looked at the bottle and then at Tav, much like the haggis. He took the bottle. One of his claws grazed against Tav's hand. It was not sharp like Tav thought. Instead, the claw was dense and smooth, like stone. Kar'niss moved the bottle down to his pedipalps. The bottle caught snugly on the hook of his left pedipalp. 

"I bet that's handy," Tav pointed out, chuckling at her pun. Oh, Astarion would kill her if he was there. 

Confused, Kar'niss looked at her and then back to his pedipalps. He didn't respond. Tav could see his eyes flickering back and forth. How long had it been since Kar'niss shared a pleasant conversation with someone? And even then, was it a frequent reoccurrence? 

Fortunately for both of them, it was Kar'niss who changed the subject.

"Mistress...they have humbled us with their gifts. I ask them to please take pity on this ignorant creature. Tell this beast what they request as tribute." 

"Ummmm...." Tav was nonplused, unsure how to respond, "No need for tribute. I told you that I didn't need anything. Just get better. Please...rise..." 

Hesitantly, Kar'niss raised his body to his full height. "Yes...of course...I understand. I will serve to the best of my ability. I am contemptible. Once I regain my full strength, I will protect you with my life. No hair on your head shall be mussed, no sweat shall be broken, and no blood shall be shed. Not while I breathe." 

Tav felt her cheeks redden at the proclamation. No one had ever done that for her. She knew that her companions would fight for her, as would she for them. But no one ever vowed in such a way for her. Something uncomfortable shifted in her belly before an odd sense of satisfaction waved through her. 

"Thank you," Tav let out, unknowingly letting out an exhale. She didn't know what to say other than that. It felt lacking, given the depth of Kar'niss' vow. But the locket may show her appreciation. Tav reached into the basket to pull out the locket and showed it to Kar'niss. The drider bent over, inspecting the jewelry.

"I know I gave you a lantern. But I wanted to share this with you as well. It can summon dancing lights. Just an added bit of protection. I also like watching them. It lifts the spirit in this bleak place," Tav told him. 

Kar'niss' breath was taken away at the sight of the locket. "For...for me...But...it's pretty. And pretty things are not for...us...monster..." He shrunk back, repeating the pattern of initially rejecting Tav's offering. "Long ago, long ago...under the spider...Not now. Deplorable, base creature." 

Tav once more played off her comrades, "You saw my companions. The circlets my men wear. Aren't they pretty? They're also powerful."

"You would put me with them?" Kar'niss' eyes widened at that implication. Something in him paused with wonder and then the slightest flash of hope. "I...I can have something that shows I am in your force. So all could know I serve Her Majesty."  

"Yes," Tav affirmed cautiously. She unclasped the necklace. She held the two ends of the chain and gestured Kar'niss to move in closer. Kar'niss acquiesced. Now that Tav and Kar'niss were almost face to face, Tav could take in the lines on his face. At one point, Kar'niss had to be stunningly handsome. She could see it in his cheekbones and facial structure. She took in the scar on his lip and the ridges on his cheek down to his neck. His eyes were piercing, striking. Tav clasped the locket around Kar'niss' neck, brushing her hand against his hair as she did so. Under the grime and oil, his hair could be as white and luxurious as Astarion's. Tav could borrow some pomade and rosemary oil from Astarion to wash Kar'niss' hair. 

Once the locket was secure, Tav stepped away from him. Kar'niss straightened to his full height. He seemed taller than what Tav initially noticed. Maybe it was that drop of happiness Tav was able to give him. He looked at the locket as though it was a holy relic. His hand hesitantly touched the locket in awe. "Thank you, Mistress," Kar'niss breathed out. She could hear the tears in his voice before he finally sobbed.

"Kar'niss!" Tav cried, "What's wrong?"

"You have given us, given  me , everything. Shelter, food, blood, provisions, this beautiful pendant. You have not scorned or punished. I've talked out of turn and been obstinate. I should prostrate myself at your feet. Yet you give and  smile . I am not worthy of this light. Please, Mistress," Kar'niss cried out. His hands went to his face to cover his eyes. He continued to bawl, "I shame you, I shame myself. I shame Her Majesty with unclean, vile, unholy thoughts. If you knew, Mistress, how prideful and selfish this beast is. Rutting, savage, ugly monster. Unfit, unfit!"

It was then that Kar'niss pulled from Tav's company and retreated into the cave.

Bewildered, Tav stood there, unsure whether to follow or give him space. The caring part of her wanted to follow him over the practical part of leaving him. Typically, the caregiver won out. And this instance was similar.

Tav stepped to the mouth of the cavern, looking into the darkness. She could see webs in the light. The cave must have been longer than she thought because she couldn't see Kar'niss. She took a few hesitant steps before walking further into the cave. 

#whumptober 2023 #no.14 #Feed me poison fill me till I drown #flare #water inhalation #“Just hold on” #tw angst #baldurs gate 3 #kar'niss/tav #kar'niss #writing #bg3 fanfiction #baldur's gate 3