escape-from-reality-reads

[escape-from-reality-reads]

Savanna Squad Presentation Night Headcanons/mini fic [1/3]

splitting this into three headcanon parts because my god its long

eat up :]

Ashlyn's POV

So the question is: How did we get here? Simple answer really. Taylor. She was always the one to suggest these kinds of things, team building hang outs, though last time it was just us.

The rest of the boys had plans. Tyler had practice to attend, one of the late kinds, Ben and Logan had a project together due for bio in a day or two, and Aiden, for some reason, had a late dentist appointment (much to his dismay). Only Taylor could make it to the graveyard early. Initially, we were just meant to manage our resources, which was manageable with one person, but it was always easier with other people to bounce ideas off of. That's all it was meant to be, but Taylor had other ideas.

"Girls night!!" She had cheered, and we just hung out.

And I had fun.

But as Logan fights with his laptop to mirror on the T.V for the presenters, that being us, I can't help but feel like I'm going to regret this one. Especially with Tweedledee and Tweedledum in the background yelling about something that I don't want to know about, but will probably learn against my will.

Just as Taylor and Ben come downstairs with blankets and pillows, Logan's T.V finally projects the wallpaper of his laptop.

"It's set up, thank god," he sighs, with that last part being under his breathe. And as we set up in his living room, Ben dragging Aiden and Tyler from the kitchen, both with bags of snacks in their arms, and Taylor handing out blankets, we finally sit in our places.

The next question, however, is Who goes first?

Taylor Hernandez

Taylor goes first because she's the one who planned it and was the most excited about it. Aiden tried to go first, but it was collectively agreed that he would be going last for no reason other than to piss him off lmao

Anyways, we love a STEM girl (be still my own heart) so her presentation would be all about her tools and work for the mechanics club. She takes this club seriously, not only because it's good for networking, but because she genuinely finds it fun. I like to think that there are two levels to the club where one is just a standard club and the second level is a competition team, and she was shooting to be a part of the competition league (totally not projecting because I'm a robotics kid)

Her presentation is so well done. It's not only really well organized, but it is just so pretty. It's the type of presentation that teachers would drool over. Avid Canva user b/c it has a lot of customization options that she loves.

What's a toolbox tour without the actual toolbox that's just as decorated as her slideshow. And she takes care of it, too.

Her presentation is so fun and sets a fun tune for the night, and she manages to make this topic really engaging. She would have a little quiz at the end, too, where if one of the group gets a question correct, they get a piece of candy

shows off tools like she's filming a makeup tutorial, I saw this on tumblr, and it's just canon at this point. No criticisms are accepted because it just isn't possible.

Group's reaction

Ashlyn and Ben are the ones who pay the most attention to the presentation. Ashlyn also gets the most questions right at the end of the quiz.

Logan asks the most questions in between slides, but not in an annoying way. He does get a bit lost, though, considering just how many tools there are.

Tyler and Aiden are still bickering a bit. Aiden can't sit still for the life of himself, but he swears that he is listening. Tyler would say otherwise.

Aiden is, though, and he ends up getting Taylor a really nice tool set that she mentioned she wanted when presenting just because he can. He is her favorite for a few days. He absolutely would have a shit eating grin looking at Tyler to just say, "See, I was listening :D". Tyler would then say that he could go fuck himself /hj

Logan Fields

Logan is next. The laptop hates him, and it's old and shuts down multiple times in his presentation. The group then had to watch this man fight with a busted 4-year-old laptop and lose several times. Have you ever seen your parents fight with a printer the night before you have a school project due? It's like that, and the rest are concerned.

He is an astrology bitch, and I will take no criticisms. But like, not in the way that it controls his life, he would not be caught dead saying that the stars told him to do something, like not let him eat alfredo on Sunday or something like that. He's more interested in the concept itself since the idea of zodiacs have existed for so long. Its his comfort research topic.

Absolutely went HAM on researching each and every one of their birth charts. Ask him to show you his notes, and he would not show you. Why??? because he took up an entire notepad (it's one of the smaller ones but still).

"Logan's so innocent" "Logan's so sweet" "My boy can do no wro-" NO!!!! THAT MOTHERFUCKER WILL READ YOU TO FILTH AND I STAND BY THIS. ITS LIKE HE LOOKED YOUR SOUL, UP AND DOWN, AND EXPOSED IT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE (something tells me Tyler gets it the worse. idk why it just feels right)!!! If he feels like something doesn't fit one of the people in the group he is clear about it

"Here is Gemini, a social butterfly. Here is Ashlyn. A Gemini. I love Ashlyn, but like a year ago I have actually seen you jump a fence to avoid a group of people who go to our high school without thinking, and I would say that needs an intervention but you'd also avoid it by jumping a fence." "..."

The presentation itself is long as hell. Like he goes in depth about everything that he talks about, and if you interrupt him, he will shoot you with a spray bottle. Did I mention there's a group spray bottle? Guess why they have one.

Somehow, he is still only the second longest presentation.

Group's Reaction

Taylor is his biggest hypeman. I feel like she'd also enjoy astrology a bit, too, though she's more of a casual fan. She is also one of the few people who is free from Logan's jabs.

Ben is also free from his jabs because he helped him with the laptop, which, thank god, because Logan was about to lose it. I don't think he really believes in astrology. The most he knows is his sun sign on the surface level. He is invested, though.

Don't think Ash is very interested in astrology either, and at some points in his presentation, he just loses her attention.

Tyler gets sprayed at least twice with the spray bottle because he gets defensive. Surprisingly, I do think he would be somewhat interested and knowledgeable about his star signs at least, mainly because he had to deal with Taylor when she went through an astrology phase (let me tell you it was brutal).

Aiden is also interested and engaged in the presentation, but maybe a little too much. What I mean is that he interrupts at points and is the reason why the spray bottle exists. Logan is flattered, but istg Aiden if you interrupt this man one more time...

By the end of the two presentations, the group is in pretty high spirits and having a good time, despite the fact that two of them are a bit wet.

"..."

Logan's laptop, however, is not, and just as they were setting up Ben's powerpoint, it decides that it was a good time to perform a mandatory update and restarts.

Absolute silence.

You could hear a pin drop.

And all eyes go to Logan.

"..."

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!"

Long story short, the presentations have to be postponed for around an hour and forty-eight minutes (maybe you never know with computers), and Logan is taking a walk.

#school bus graveyard #sbg (webtoon) #sbg #ashlyn banner #aiden clarke #tyler hernandez #taylor hernandez #logan fields

[escape-from-reality-reads]

Going Over Your Head

AO3 Link

Husk be scheming and doing things on his own. That means dusting off old clothes and going to the top.

Spoilers for Episode 4

---

Live and learn was one of Lucifer’s favorite life mottos. He had learned how to do so early on when he met his lovely wife, and he had made sure that his sweet Charlotte was taught that lesson as well. 

Not in any way that would endanger his sweet daughter by any means, more like ‘if you put water in your electronic toy the toy won’t work anymore’. 

One of those lessons came when his sweet girl came with him to the office one day and the annoying moth of a demon arrived trying to garner higher standing. Charlotte had been behind his desk out of sight while he tried to have a civil discussion with the demon. 

It wasn’t going well. In any light. The stupid moth didn’t get that no was a full sentence. 

The thought briefly crossed his mind on if he was the same way with everyone in every aspect of his afterlife. Most likely. 

Once the vulgarity reached a point that dear Charlotte would understand the phrases said he decided that it was time for another lesson.

Sometimes, civility will get you nowhere. 

Sometimes, the only option is aggression. 

Once the moth left the office Lucifer picked up his sweet girl to explain what had just happened. She didn’t like it, didn’t want to have to do it one day. He felt his heart twist thinking about how the idea would be inevitable here in Hell. 

-----

Years later while in his office Lucifer’s assistant told him that he had some visitors from his daughter’s hotel. He wasn’t pleased when she brought up the idea of her hotel, but she twisted the conversation back to that lesson of ‘live and learn’. He had hated it at the time, but later on he couldn't help but be proud that she was able to manipulate the lens of that conversation to her favor. Straightening his posture he gave the approval for this guest. 

Needless to say he was a tad shocked to see the former gambling overlord enter his office. 

“What an unexpected surprise, to what do I owe this sudden appearance?”

The Winged overlord straightens up slightly. “My apologies for dropping in so unannounced Your Highness, but I felt like this is a conversation that would be better had in person.” 

Lucifer’s head cocked to the side. “Oh? And what conversation is that?” 

“It’s about some events that recently occurred with your daughter and one of her hotel residents. Though rest assured, no harm has come to her.” 

The fallen angel leans back in his seat, waving a hand to apparate a chair into the room. “Take a seat Husker, I believe this may take some time.” 

The cat took their place, the former gambling overlords' tail curling around his feet as he glanced cautiously around the room. 

“There's no need to be so tense, Husker, you are in no danger here.” 

The cat nodded before leaning forwards with fingers interlaced. ”Of course, Your Highness. Apologies, it's a force of habit.” 

“No issues here. Knowing exit routes is a good piece of information to have. Now back to the discussion at hand, what is this about?” 

“Of course!” The Gambling Demon starts. “ One of your daughter’s hotel residents is a porn star by the name of Angel Dust. He is in contract with Valentino.”

“Yes I’ve heard the name.” Turning on his computer he pulls up Angel Dust’s file to skim it. “And what about him?” 

“There is belief within the hotel that Valentino has created a system with his work that goes against the laws that the Lust ring has put into place regarding the sin.” The cat demon continued, explaining the situation with the porn star and his employer. 

Once the cat is done Lucifer sighs and steeples his fingers. “That is indeed against Asmodeus’s laws, but that doesn’t explain why you suddenly care about the situation.” 

“Due to my recent status under Alastor I now work within the hotel. I hear a lot there, and where the infringement of the Lust rings laws is an issue, it is not the main reason why I am here.” 

“Oh?” 

“I am not one to get into other people’s business, but the same cannot be said for your daughter. Earlier she went down to Valentino’s studio to talk to him and it went less than ideally.” 

The Ruler of Hell tenses, gritting his teeth. “What did the moth do to my daughter?” 

“When your daughter went down to the studio, according to both your daughter and Angel Dust, she was disrespected multiple times as royalty, along with apparently licking up her arm from wrist to bicep.”

Husk’s ears flicked slightly as Lucifer smiled, almost blue screening. “He did what?” 

The gambler pulled out a small notebook from his shirt pocket. “According to Angel specifically, Valentino started the conversation by licking up her arm, offering her a role in one of his films, then behind closed doors called her a bitch and a cunt.” Husk closed the book. “Though, I feel like what happened directly to the Princess is more bothersome than words behind closed doors. 

"Normally I would leave this alone as it’s not my place, but I have been around the Princess for enough time that, she will not follow the issue further.” 

“You would be correct in that line of thought, Husker. My daughter is many things, but one to fight for respect that is rightfully hers is not one of them. I thank you for bringing this to my attention.” 

The cat demon nods as he stands with a bow. “Of course Your Highness.” He turns and starts towards the door. 

“Before I leave.” Husk stops and looks back to Lucifer. “I feel like I should also say that, even though she didn’t defend herself, she did start to attack after seeing what Valentino had done to Angel.” 

The King nods. “Yeah that sounds like what she would do. I take it Angel Dust stopped her before she could kill the moth.” 

“He was worried as to what would happen to her.” 

Lucifer barks a laugh. “Well, for his and your information, my dear Charlotte can hold her own quite well, being a nephilim and all, as she was conceived before her mother fell with me. Take care and rest easy, as the situation will be dealt with.” 

Husk's eyes grow wide and he silently leaves the Fallens office, wrapping his head around the fact of Charlie’s lineage. Coming to terms that, if she wanted to, she could level every overlord in this shithole. 

As Husk walks through the doors of the hotel and makes his way to the bar to take off the fucking shirt and make himself a drink he catches glimpse of the Princess in the lounge talking to the idiot snake. 

It throws him for a loop knowing how powerful the girl is as she sits there fiddling with pieces of paper making stars. 

He really needs that drink.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel husk #lucifer magne

[escape-from-reality-reads]

Guiding

Hey lookie here another Molly fic!

Slight warning for swearing and a drunk guy who can't take a hint.

Mollymauk x reader

Find on AO3

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

Tavern bugs were all the same; creepy, slimy, and talented at making people uncomfortable with no effort at all. The idiot who decided to move to the seat next to you when he had been sitting at the other end of the bar the second you got your order in was no different. 

You clocked him as he attempted to stand from his original seat, almost falling in the process and stumbling the entire way to his destination. He reeked of cheap beer and looked as if he decided that bathing in said cheap beer was the latest beauty trend. You could tell this was going to be less than pleasant.

“Why hello gorgeous, what are you doing in a place like this?” The slurring was almost as bad as his smell. You took a step to the side, watching him from the corner of your eye while silently willing the barkeep to move faster with the drinks you requested. “None of your business, I’m just getting a drink.” 

The man leans towards you. “C’mon now don’t be like that, I’m sure I can make your night more enjoyable than this shithole.” You glance at his hand that’s now moving to touch your leg before taking your own hand and shoving it into a pouch on your other hip, rubbing the piece of copper wire placed there, swatting at the drunkard’s hand once the spell is cast. 

“I would very much prefer you not touch me at all sir. I’m not interested and my group is patiently waiting for their drinks.” Your eyes glance over the drunk’s head to the table beyond where the recipient of the spell has tensed and snapped his head to look your direction. Your eyes are pulled back to the bar as the keep lays down the four drinks that were ordered. You thank her and start gathering your drinks as the man goes to reach for them. “Come now lemme help you with those.” 

“Oh, rest assured that’s not necessary.” You relax as the lightly accented words leave Molly as he reaches and grabs two of the cups, wrapping his tail around your ankle unconsciously. “They have all the help they need. Why don’t you go back to what I know is your spot back on the other end of the bar.” You hear the tone go slightly darker but the man doesn’t have the brain cells anymore to hear the same. Instead he puffs up his chest in a way that would have been intimidating if he wasn’t swaying like a leaf in the wind, nonetheless the motion makes Molly tighten his grip on your ankle slightly. 

The man starts to talk only to fall to the ground, leaving Jester standing behind where he sat. “You know if you're that drunk you should really go to sleep.” She glares at the man, discreetly removing her own tail from the foot of his previously occupied stool to avoid suspicion. “Who knows what could happen to you when you’re drunk to the point of falling off a stool with no effort.” 

The man, having his brain finally notice that you weren't alone and well watched, stumbled his way to his feet grumbling before making his way back to his original seat and leaving you three standing with your drinks. 

“Thank you.” 

“No need! Honestly someone should have come up with you, these cups are really big.” Jester says, grabbing the cups that Molly had and making her way back to the table. Molly’s tail unwraps from you as the two of you start that direction as well. 

“Lucky you had wire on you. I thought you gave the rest of it to Caleb.” 

You shrug. “I try to keep some on me just in case something like that happens. It comes in handy when you don’t want to be too obvious your calling backup.” 

“That’s smart. Could‘ve used that trick once or twice myself.” Once you sit down the conversation picks back up as the crew asks for details of what happened, Molly’s tail finding its way back around your lower leg.

----

A few hours later you make your way to the room you’re staying in with Molly, his arm lightly wrapped around your waist. You laugh quietly as you enter the room piquing his interest. 

“And what do you find so funny?” 

“Did you notice earlier that you were wrapping your tail around my ankle?” 

Molly tilts his head. “I did no such thing darling.”

Your head snaps around to look at him. “Oh don’t play that game! When you came to the bar you did it, when we sat down you did it, and you’ve done it in the past as well. Every time we’re in a situation where you can wrap an arm around me your tail finds its way around my ankle.” 

Molly frowns, only to have it negated by a look of mischief in his pupiless eyes. “Huh, I’ve never noticed. My apologies darling, I'll keep my tail to myself if it's such a distraction.” 

You laugh. “I never said that you had to stop. To be honest I don’t know if you could seeing as you didn’t realize you were doing it. To be honest I think it’s cute.” 

The frown turns to a smirk as he moves his tail to rub against your calf. “Oh, then maybe I should do it more often then.”

“Long as you don’t trip me I have no issues with it.” 

The smirk turns into a full out smile. “Oh you mean like this. He quickly wraps the tail around your waist, pulling you close to him before his arms take hold  where the tail had been. 

“You and I have very different ideas of what ‘tripping' means sir.” You lean into Molly as he looks down at you. “But that’s an acceptable move as well.” 

Molly’s gaze softens as he leans down for a kiss that you happily give, his tail curling around your lower leg. This time completely on purpose.

#critical role #mighty nein #mollymauk x reader #mollymauk tealeaf #jester lavorre

[escape-from-reality-reads]

Armored

The start of a fic set in regards to a conversation that happened between my partner and me in regards to Tieflings using their tails for various things.

M9 x Reader

slight mollymauk x reader

slightly suggestive but that's up to interpretation

Find it on AO3

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

You were staring. You knew it. Molly knew it. Everyone knew it and it was starting to get weird. 

It wasn’t the first time Molly had been stared at, being part of a carnival for a while, but the Nein were a bit more cautious about where they looked so as to not garner unwanted attention. Yet here you were; deep in thought, unmoving, and staring at his tail. At first he thought you were just staring into space so he started moving the appendage back and forth to be sure, only to have your eyes follow its every move. 

Glancing towards the rest of the crew with a smirk he lifts his tail to eye height, your eyes faithfully following.

“Glad you were able to find my eyes darling.”

“Why don’t you use your tail as a whip?”

He freezes at the random sentence. “I — What?”

You finally focus on his face. “Your tail. Why don’t you use it as a whip? I’ve seen both you and Jester lash your tails fairly quickly and it's about the width of my whip.” You place your bullwhip on the table, unwrapping part of it. 

Jester was the first to recover “That would hurt tho.” 

You look over. “Not if you wrap or braid it with leather or something. You’d essentially be making a new piece of armor that protects your tail. Plus you could probably find a blacksmith and get a piece of metal that you could place over the end that would be sharper to help deal damage.” 

“Almost like a stinger on a wasp.” Yasha responds, entering the conversation. “You could grapple with your arms and wrap around with your tail.” 

“Even without wrapping I feel like it wouldn’t be too different from clotheslining someone with an arm.” Beau leans forward, now entrenched in the idea. 

You nod. “It would probably hurt more than that, considering that the amount of contact would be smaller.”

“We could even get different things to attach to the end!” Jester states, pulling out her sketchbook and scribbling down some ideas while muttering to herself.  

Molly, finally snapping out of it, leans forward onto the table. “Your brain never ceases to amaze darling. Where did this come from?” 

You stare at him in confusion, slowly raising the bullwhip from the table. “You have something attached to your ass that looks like a shorter version of my main weapon of choice. I have seen you actively move it however you want. Why are you so surprised I asked this question?” 

Beau laughs. “Molly they say the most out of pocket shit that I have ever heard. You can’t be surprised by this. Between the threats of shaving people bald, wanting to make mimics their pet, and responding to things with random noises that make no sense, I'm just happy there’s some logic in this one.” 

Fjord, Caleb, and Nott sit down with new drinks, Nott speaking up first. “We making fun of Y/N and their mannerisms?” Jester jumps in, quickly explaining the small conversation that had happened while they were away, leaving you able to lean over to Molly. 

“You know, I could just braid a fabric around your tail for fun.” 

Molly looks back to you. “Oh?” 

“Wrap it up, put some charms on the fabric. Could even do so as to match the rest of your attire. Doesn’t have to be a defensive thing.” 

Molly smirks. “Was this just a long con to be able to play with my tail darling? You know all you need to do is ask.” 

You shrug with a smile, a glint in your eye that Molly quite enjoys. “But now Jester has an option to use to get alone time with a certain green someone.” 

Molly barks a laugh “Oh you clever little thing you.” All you respond with is an eyebrow wiggle as you drink your ale. 

#story #mighty nein #mollymauk tealeaf #beauregard lionett #yasha nydoorin #jester lavorre #fjord stone #caleb widogast #nott the brave #mighty nein x reader #mollymauk x reader

[escape-from-reality-reads]

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 Blooming Flowers, blooming feelings 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Summary: You used to be apart of the same circus that Mollymauk was apart of. You were always rather quiet and you kept to yourself. Mollymauk was the only person to really see you bloom in a figurative way and a literal one. You start getting closer and feelings start to blossom. After things went to shit you lose sight of one another and it wouldn't be years into the future that you would meet again.

Warnings: Mentions of the Husk attack on the Circus, Mentions of torture, mentions of SA, Caps.

Notes: She/her reader mentioned once or twice, OOC Mollymauk and the rest of the Mighty Nein maybe.

Word count: 14k

When you first met Mollymauk Tealeaf you certainly didn't know what to think of the eccentric Tiefling. You had always been what most would describe as a loner, you preferred to call yourself guarded but being as quiet as you were made Molly want to get to know you even more.

After a while you certainly started warming up to the Tiefling and he started to see your true colours shining through the icy walls you had built around yourself. He certainly saw now why most of the other performers called you by your stage name "ice Princess" rather then your actual name.

You and Molly spent the next two years building a relationship which first started as friendship and at some point evolved into something more, Mollymauk would never be seen without you by his side and he preferred it this way. Everyone around you could see how much Molly had managed to change you and most of them especially Mona and Yuli were happy about it.

The day when they stopped in Trostenwald both you and Molly spent most of the time of somewhere together, not even Yasha who you also undoubtedly became close with knew where the two of you had snuck of to. You were both hidden in a small part of forest not to far from where everything had been set up, you were both wrapped up in one another quietly talking and laughing.

You had to say you enjoyed times like these, times when you could just be yourself instead of having to put up an act for Hundreds of people to see. Molly definitely seemed to enjoy himself too considering the weird purr like noise he emitted.

But alas even the nicest of times had to end and you had to basically drag Molly back to the circus so you could actually get some practice in for tonights show. Molly blew you a kiss and you caught it with your hand silently laughing before Yasha tapped your shoulder and almost scared you to death.

"Yasha! You can't just scare me like that!" The woman in question let out a snort before shaking her head. "Where did you and Mollymauk run off to? We've been Searching for you." You simply shook your head "that's not important we're here now are we not? Now come i have to actually get some training in for tonight unless i want to embarrass myself Infront of the crowd." Yasha again let out a snort before nodding.

You had no idea what had happened but suddenly there was screaming and people running around panicked, you tried your hardest to see any of the other performers but to no avail, when you turned around you saw what you could only assume to be some type of monster headed your way, you didn't know what to do, yes you had the means to defend yourself with magic but the Magic you used was mostly show you never learned more then tricks to make the crowd gasp, so you did the only thing you could do, you ran.

Pushing through the panicking crowds and away from whatever that monster was, you had hoped that you would maybe find Yasha or better yet Mollymauk but in the chaos around you that seemed impossible.

You continued running until your legs couldn't carry you anymore, you had no idea where you were but you hoped that it would be far enough from the Circus and most importantly that monster or whatever it was. You leaned against a tree trying to catch your breath, you had no idea what to do, you didn't know where you were and you doubted you would find Molly, Yasha or any other performers or even Gustav again.

So you just let yourself sit and calm down, you hadn't noticed you were crying until you saw the tears drip onto your arms, you wiped your eyes trying to stop yourself from crying but nothing seemed to help. After a while you passed out due to the exhaustion.

When you came too you were moving, you didn't know where you were or how you got there but you seemed to be on a waggon. You looked around panicked before a Knife was held to your throat, you immediately stiffened. A slimy voice began to speak "I'd advise you not to talk unless you want things to get worse." You nodded quietly and the man began to talk again, you immediately realised that the next few days wouldn't be pretty. Time seemed to pass in a blur while you were trapped you had no idea what year it was or hell even if it was night or day.

You had been right the last years weren't pretty, you tried to repress the memories as much as possible but with the scars reminding you each and every day it was hard to forget. You basically lived as a shadow of your former self, instead of being quiet and withdrawn you became scared at the slightest noise and whenever someone would touch you you would retreat back,

Your eyes which held a sort of glimmer before were empty and lifeless, but you still held hope that one day you would escape the hell that was your current life, you still held hope that you would one day reunite with Molly however far in the future that may be.

You were woken up by yelling coming from down the hall were you "room" was. You would more refer to it as a cell but it at least had a bed, that was better then nothing. The window was barred, and barely any light came through the door which was made of heavy steal. You had the mind to just stay in bed and fall asleep, it wasn't the first time you had woken up to screaming the other girls held captive were treated as badly as you were.

Though you hoped that they didn't have to indure the touches of the guards that no one seemed to stop. But something about the screaming wouldn't let you go so you stood up, your weak muscles screaming at you to sit down but you went to the door anyway, you bent down wincing when your body seemed to burn with pain to look through the tiny hole in the door.

You couldn't see much but you saw a flash of purple, you heard more screaming though this was different it was the scream of someone dying, you had heard enough people die during your captivity. But the flash of purple made your heart stop, could it be that Molly had been Searching for you and finally found you?

You forced yourself out of your hopeful dream, for all you knew Mollymauk could be dead by now, this was probably just another Tiefling, but the prospect of getting out of this awful life was worth it for you, so even with your body screaming for you to stop you banged on the door, you yelled and hoped that someone, anyone would hear you.

Your prayers seemed to have been answered when something banged against the door, you just had the time to step back when suddenly the door flung open hitting the stone wall with such force that the stone began to crack. In front of you stood an ork about 3 times your size, you backed down in fear, yes you wanted to escape but what if this was just another man trying to defile you.

Next to the Ork was a woman much smaller with blue skin, she held out her hands to calm you "shh it's alright, were not here to hurt you." You stepped back your mind still wirring with the possibilities of them hurting you, you didn't even hear what they were saying and back away further until your back was against a wall.

Both Jester and Fjord were trying to calm you down when Yasha stepped into the Cell intent on figuring out what was happening. When she saw the person cowering against a wall her eyes widened, you reminded her of someone she used to know and when she actually looked closer she realized that it was actually you. Yasha hadn't seen you since the Husk attack back in Trostenwald and she wanted to approach but seeing the look in your eyes she knew that her coming closer would only scare you more.

She also knew that there was only one way to snap you out of the state you were in, and she wasn't even sure that would work. She turned around before Yelling "MOLLYMAUK GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!"

You were still cowered against the wall and didn't even notice Yasha stepping in, you curled into yourself more when she yelled so much so that you didn't even hear the name she was saying. You could faintly hear the two people who were standing before you yelling at Yasha to shut up when suddenly everything went silent.

You looked up and saw the face of the person you thought you would never see again, your breathing stopped and you blinked, you were desperately hoping that this was real and not just a trick of your mind, when Molly turned into the direction Yasha was pointing he stilled, even with the years of being apart, and you certainly looking worse for ware he still recognised you.

You slowly uncurled, your mouth opening before you could get anything out you crumpled on the floor letting out a heart shattering sob. The minute you crumpled you felt two hands on you and that smell that was Mollymauk enveloped you, your hands immediately clutched his arms and you basically threw yourself against him, you were shaking and crying but you couldn't seem to care. The years of torture were finally over, you were finally reunited with Molly.

The Tiefling in question pulled you against him his head resting on your hair, the never thought he would see you again, after what happened in Trostenwald he was sure you were dead, but seeing you now in a cell, frail and barely holding together he couldn't be Happier. He didn't even care that Jester Fjord and Yasha were in the room he was just glad you were alive.

You looked up your shaking hands touching his face, you still didn't quite want to believe this was real, Molly's hand enveloped yours and you let out a sob, tears continuosly falling down your cheeks. The rest of the Mighty Nein came to the room as well, Nott, Beau and Caleb looking just as confused as Jester and Fjord. Yasha simply shook her head and led them out promising to explain a bit later.

When you had finally calmed yourself enough to speak you looked up at Molly "y-your real? Th-this....this isn't a dream?" Your entire body was shaking and you tried your best not to cry again. "It's real darling im here... Your safe now." You let out another sob trying your hardest to stay composed, you hid your head in his neck and he shushed you. "Let's get you out of here love i promise your safe now." He kissed the top of your head and picked you up, you were clinging onto him not willing to let go if this was in fact just a trick of your mind.

When he stepped outside of the Cell everyone else was looking at him questioningly, he just shook his head. Yasha nodded and started leaving the rest of the group following, Mollymauk stayed at the back of the group still holding you, rubbing circles along your back.

When the group arrived back at their current camp you had already fallen asleep, Molly and Yasha guessed it was due to exhaustion, so Molly layed you down on his bed rolle to hopefully let you rest while he and Yasha explained what was going on. You awoke soon after and looked around in a state of Panic, your mind not yet registering that you were safe now, when you heard quiet talking and the crackling of fire you curled into yourself before you realized what happened before you passed out.

You weren't in that cell anymore, you weren't subjected to torture and Assault of different kinds, Molly was alive and he came to save you. You were shaking trying to get your mind to calm down when a sudden flash of purple skin caught your attention, you looked up to see Mollymauk looking at you with worry in his eyes, he held out his hand "hey love...you ok?"

You blinked before nodding and immediately hugging him. He was startled for a second before wrapping his arms around you. "Shh everything's alright." He smiled running his hand over your head. "The rest of the group wants to meet you, is that alright? We have some questions." You nodded slightly "as as long as i get to stay with you." He nodded pulling you closer "im not letting you go, never again."

The two of you made your way to a fireplace, Molly sat down pulling you into his lap almost immediately. You looked to the group and your eyes immediately landed on Yasha, you smiled at her your eyes tearing up again, Yasha smiled back before urging you to talk. You swallowed before sighing. "T-thank you..." The group seemed startled at you talking all their eyes landing on you. Everything was quiet for a few minutes before Caleb was the first to speak up.

"So... From what we've gathered from both Yasha and Mollymauk..." He stopped thinking about what to say next. "You knew each other right?" You nodded before speaking "y-yes we did... We all belonged to The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities. I met Mollymauk and Yasha there" Molly was the next to speak "I spent 2 years getting to know her. During the Husk attack in Trostenwald both me and Yasha lost sight of her.

We don't know what happened with her after that." You began to speak again "well... After i saw a Husk i think you called it? I ran, i ran as far as my legs would carry me before stopping somewhere in the middle of a Forrest without knowledge of where i was or where the rest of you were. I passed out at some point and the next thing i remember is waking up in a moving cart and a knife being held to my throat." Molly stiffened at that.

"I was captured by bad people...they... They tortured me day in day out lashing me with whips, cutting me open and other terrible things. I... was used for my abilities and they used my body in the worst ways imaginable." Your body shook as you forced yourself to remember what those men did to you, tears started streaming down your face again and Mollymauk just pulled you closer trying to calm you down.

The rest of the group all seemed to share the look of shock that Jester was wearing, even Yasha and Beau were wide eyed with shock. Molly could barely contain his anger at what those people had done to you, he was trying so hard not to get angry that he hid his head again. "But but it's over now, you saved me from that fate and... I-i cannot thank you enough for that." Mollymauk wanted to answer but due to the sheer anger he was feeling he was unable to. He didn't want to scare you more then you already were.

After a brief silence Fjord was the first to answer "No need to thank us. We're happy we could help and from the looks of it you aren't the only one who is thankful." He took a glance at Molly who was still holding you before moving onto Yasha who just smiled. You nodded slightly before looking to Molly, you were always abel to tell when something was up with him and one look in his face confirmed your thoughts.

You leaned to his ear your fingers drawing circles on the back of his arm. "It's ok Molly you saved me from that. I don't have to go through that anymore." He nodded slightly but still seemed angry "yes but you should have never had to go through that in the first place, I'm sorry that i wasn't able to save you from that darling..." It was obvious that he regretted not finding you sooner.

You just shook your head again "Molly you didn't know, you couldn't have done anything we lost eachother in the scared crowd." He shook his head "yes but i could have tried to find you after..." You just put your hand on his cheek "No it's alright i heard what happened you had no way of getting out and knowing where i was, hell I didn't even know where exactly i was. The thing that's important is that you saved me, im not there anymore."

He sighed before nodding and pulling you close, you got up from his lap holding out a hand to him. He looked up at you before grabbing your hand and standing up. You looked at the rest of the group "is it ok if we go a bit further away?" They all looked a bit confused the only one who didn't was Yasha, they all nodded and you smiled pulling Molly with you, he followed you smiling slightly "where are you taking me darling?" You giggled shrugging "I don't know just somewhere were we can be alone." He chuckled before letting go and coming up next to you before putting his arm around your shoulder.

You two somehow found yourself in a small clearing that isn't too far away from the camp, you knew this because you could faintly make out the flickering of the Fire in the distance as well as the smoke rising into the sky before dissipating. Molly sat down and pulled you next to him only to lay down, you in turn landing on his chest "you know this reminds me of the morning in Trostenwald before everything went to hell." You couldn't help but think about Trostenwald and what had happened there but now you were just enjoying the fact that you were here with Molly.

Your head fell backward Landing on his chest with a soft thud "it may remind us of it but it won't happen the same. I promise you. I won't let you be taken from me again not after i just got you back." You smiled slightly at that nodding along to his words. "I hope this can last forever. You want to know something i just realized?" Molly let out a quiet humm looking down at you.

"Maybe Yasha was right back then....feelings do grow just like flowers." You smiled at Molly before turning your head back to look at the sky

I hope you liked this! Any and all interaction is appreciated!

#critical role #critical role x reader #mollymauk x reader #critical role mollymauk #cr mollymauk #mollymauk tealeaf #cr c2

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Dragon Comic - Table of Contents

I've noticed that a lot of people started following me for the dragon comic, so here's a sort of landing page (pinned post) where I'll keep all the parts if and when I update the story!

pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4

#comic #dragon comic #web comic

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Someone please leave for fanfics with this idea below please I need this.

swashbucklin’, corn-shucklin’, wife-cuckelin’, cock-suckelin’ pirate

#one piece #fic recommendation

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how to know you are a norse mythology geek:

upon seeing THIS in the thor: ragnarok trailer

you scream, “FENRIR! HI PUPPER!!!!”

#norse mythology

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Look at the happy kitty! Oh my god I love them!

Enjoy little babi Kevin!

This took forever to find

The cat in his arms is personal design for the cat named Lumi in @escape-from-reality-reads fic called Refugee

The entire idea of young Kevin slapped me in the face (Was inspired by) Like_The_Tides fic A sunset in Equilibrium

hc!

Kitten Khoshekh loves riding in his hood

Kevin prefers to wear long sleeves, just in genreal

He does have dimples to pair with the cute freckles

His third eye is very expressive

he sewed that bag himself! It started as a much smaller bag that he bought, but the cats love coming with him on adventures (for his internship at the station) So he altered it so that they could sit comfortably inside and fit with his notepad, recording requirement and various tools and knickknacks.

Yes, that grey mark on the golden button there is no mistake. He likes to joke and say its like a little moon is in his sunny button

The medallion/ necklace he wears is a little sun! When asked why its so long, the only reply was a wide grin and "Momma said i'll grow into it!"

Don't ask what happened to his knee

He usually has at least one colorful bandage on at all times! His internship can be dangerous at times, sure, but he loves it all the same and would love to ramble on about it for hours if you have the time :)

#art

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Trafalgar Law x Wyvern!Fem!Reader

Heya! Can I please get a scenario of Law and a fem S/O who has a devil fruit ability to turn into a smooth, grey wyvern? The only issue is that she turns into the size of a thumb. She’s venomous, but other than that she’s embarrassed by it and never uses when her allies are looking. Bonus: She met X Drake once and was jealous of his devil fruit compared to hers.

thank you @one-piece-dumpster-fire​ for assuring me that what i wrote somehow makes sense

Warning: i had this in my drafts for over a year. now thats an achievement + the gif is law’s alternate reaction. bonus headcanons at the end!

Word Count: 1,1k

“It’s so obvious that you’re staring,” she sighs. “I’m not gonna do it if you look.”

“I just need my pen back.”

“You could easily get it back with your creepy Room thing.”

“I don’t have the energy. I’ve been studying for so long, how can you be so cruel?”

“I’ll bite you.”

He just smirks and locks his eyes on the textbook, seemingly engrossed in it; but she knows he’s just playing coy with her. The second she turns, he’ll be staring and - what a terrifying thought - calling his crewmates over to see her for themselves.

His famous girlfriend, a slick lizard.

Keep reading

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YA literature? You mean books about Super Special White Girl and Her Mysterious Brooding Boyfriend?

#book reccs

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Fair warning

I'm turning this into what's essentially a recommendations blog. I'm going to start placing all of my personal writings over at This Blog

#not a story

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Someone will have to write one fake news report abt Cecil’s time in the sexyman polls

#welcome to night vale #not my work #slenderman #sexyman poll 2023

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Scratched the Surface

Wow look at me! Writing a thing again!

Quirks had to evolve from something right? They couldn't have just... popped into existence right?

Warnings: Some swearing

People suck.

There’s no other way to say it they. Just. Fucking. Suck. 

Especially when it comes to trends, for example; when a person has liked something since the beginning and is trying to get people to like it too. They never do. They just kind of brush it off and continue on with their day. That is until the said thing is known by the masses, then they come to the original person and try to talk about it like they  discovered it first. 

It’s an infuriating situation really, but one that happens too often. Doesn’t matter the media or the topic, it’ll always happen. 

Quirks are no different really. 

People nowadays look at the “Mother of Quirks” and her child like they're a new world Mary and Jesus. That they started this whole fucking shindig off and quirks start with them. They don’t. They’re origins go back much much further. It’s a past that the people would never look to, but the ones who live the truth know it well. Everyday of their lives are lived with the same irritation and anger as the people who had their favorite book ridiculed till it became a movie. 

Quirks have been around as long as there have been people to talk about them, but the people who know would never call them quirks. Not in a world where those said people are considered quirkless like its some disease. No, the people who truly know their history call them powers, even if that’s a very broad term for them.

Quirks are mutations nothing more nothing less. They are something that evolved from something else just like everything else in the world. And just like everything else, there is occasionally a mutation that shows up just to throw a wrench in the works. 

That was quirks to powers a long time ago. One would think that it would make it easier for people with powers to enter society. It didn’t. All it did was widen the void in a different way than the canyon that already was there for centuries. 

Todoroki Enji, Ryukyu Tatsuma, Keigo Takami, even Ryo Inui are all heroes that show this lineage quite well. 

Elemental, Dragon, Harpy, Werewolf; the supernatural creatures of old reborn to survive in a new era. An era where one must show they are different to survive instead of needing to hide. 

Supernatural creatures still exist in the shadows, albeit in smaller numbers than ever before. If they survive until adulthood they decide their lives much like any ‘quirked’ person. They’re the heroes people see with older debuts. It takes time to control any form of power after all, the supernatural rarely have their powers before puberty. 

There is one exception though, a boy people know well. It’s time for him to know his history. 

Let’s see if Izuku Midoriya can navigate the people of the shadows as well as he can the ones of the light.

--

The next chapter and every other from here on out will be on my other blog through this link and on AO3

#my hero acedamia #mha

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Friendly reminder that this blog is pro-choice and if you don’t think everyone should have full control of their own body, then kindly unfollow me right now and go to hell

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Hey Bollur! I hope you're doing well!

I was reading some Percy fanfiction and got this idea.

So Vox Machina find this child, (perhaps theyre defeating an evil family is some fancy house, and after the battle when everyone is being healed someone finds this child) shes very quiet, and traumatised in some way, she don't trust any of Vox Machina but theyre quite protective of her.

They're very surprised when she starts to attach herself to Percy of all people, (trauma buddies I guess 😂), following him around and copying the lightly posh way he acts.

When Vox Machina rest for the evening in front of the fire, percy's sat reading a book and the child settles in next to Percy and eventually asks him to read to her.

Percy is surprised and reluctant at first but she keeps nagging him, (perhaps over a few days) and Vox Machina all doubt she's ever gonna whittle him down enough. But then one evening they find Percy and the child sitting in front of the fire, under a blanket, and Percy's finally reading to her. They're really surprised but Vex all drags them back to their rooms so they're left be.

Sorry this is so long! I felt inspired and I couldn't find any fics like this! :)

I love your writing and hope you'll enjoy writing this :D

Thank you so much!

a/n: SO, THIS REAAAAAAAAALY GOT AWAY FROM, OKAY? like holy fuck did i enjoy this, it's so long, and i feel like it turned out to be like shit but it's cute shit. also, i wasn't sure if you wanted it as an insert, so i didn't do it? idk, maybe you did. if you did, i am incredibly sorry. it might have flowed better if i had, but oh well.

also, it's a little angsty in the beginning, but it gets cute i promise.

BUT YEAH. HERES THIS CUTE SHIT

“We failed,” a small voice spoke to the wind, looking over the ruins of a now desolate town once vibrant and filled with life. No longer were peddlers at their stalls to offer their goods to the chatting passerby, children laughing along in the streets, nor were even animals present - the atmosphere was dead, just like the settlement.

A gloved hand landed on the small gnome's shoulder, gripping as firmly as it could through her shoulder blades. “We didn’t fail, Pickle,” the half-elf spoke kindly, trying to keep her spirits up. “We killed that bastard, and now he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Pike didn’t spare Vax a glance, staring out into the ruins that had once been a battlefield, that had once been alive. “It just doesn’t feel like we won.”

A large hand fell on top of her head, ruffling her white hair. “Just because we destroyed the whole town and everyone died in the process doesn’t mean we lost Pikey!”

There was a soul-leaving sigh from Percy as he pinched his nose. “Thank you, for that, Grog,” he expressed sarcastic gratitude, ignoring the very pleased ‘You’re welcome!’ he received in return.

“At least we’re still alive!” Scanlan offered, opening his arms in a wide gesture to their small group.

Vex quirked a brow, looking down at the finely dressed gnome. “And that’s supposed to make us feel better?” She shared the same brain cell with Keyleth for a second, both of them asking at the same time.

“Pike,” Percival spoke, standing up beside the woman who was clutching her Everlight amulet in despair. “We did what we came here to do.” Whether he was trying to console her or get her off her good people bullshit, no one knew. “Yes, people died, but - “

“Uh, Percy, the whole town died.” The Goliath reminded him.

“ - what I’m saying is,” He stressed, the palm of his hand resting over his eyes. “Sometimes it just cannot be helped.”

Vex felt her ear twitch, and a faint noise reached her over the sound of bickering. Turning her head in that direction, her eyes narrowed instinctively taking a few steps closer as if that would help. “What is it, sister?” Vax asked softly, now at her side, analyzing their surroundings.

Her brows furrowed, hands placed loosely on her hips. “I just thought I heard - “ And there it was again, what she could now discern as the sound of crying.

“Vex?” He glanced at her, a look of recognition befalling her features before she suddenly took off in a run towards the direction she had been staring and he called after her, concerned, “Vex’ahlia!”

Vax ignored Scanlan’s complaint of, “Oh, what now?” as he took off to trail behind his sister, leaving the rest of the group behind.

She only stopped once, at a crossroad, turning head every which way and that’s when he heard it as well. “This way,” Grabbing her hand, he began to pull her in the right direction when she looked lost. Vax couldn’t deny the guilt that ripped through him as he was making his way through the town once again, ash and ruins that were once beautiful homes, but a hope bloomed in his chest that perhaps at least someone was still alive. Judging by the look on Vex’s face, she must have felt the same.

They arrived at a house, half-destroyed and the other looking like it was hanging by a threat. If they were to imagine it before this incident, it seems like it would have been rather nice. Standing in front of it now, the twins spared a glance before Vex began walking towards the front door. “You don’t know what you’ll find in there,” his words halted her for a second.

“You’re right, I don’t,” she agreed before crossing the threshold and into the foyer, ducking under a fallen beam, making her way closer to the sound as quiet as she could. A part from her wanted to turn away, heart aching as so many scenarios ran through her head as she stood right around the corner from the pained wailing.

Even as a possibility that ran through her head, nothing could have prepared her for actually seeing it; a small figure clutched to a disfigured one on the floor, cracked sobs escaping from them, sounding like they had been at it for a while now. Vex’s hand covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as her own memories came flooding back to her now and she couldn’t even find the strength within her to look away.

Seeing his sister shell-shocked, he wasted no time coming right up next to her, grabbing her shoulder and pushing her behind him, getting between her and whatever she was looking at. Vex felt all the air in his lungs leave as there was a small scream of surprise from the room, the commotion he caused caught the attention and he watched the child try to hide on the floor as though the dead body would shield her. “Do you still feel like we didn’t fail, brother?”

“You know,” the sound of a worn-out Scanlan met their ears before Vax could reply to his sister. “In any other situation I wouldn’t mind following a woman into an abandoned building, but this is - “ he cut off at the sight in the room. “Oh, fuck.”

Pike wasted no time carefully making her way into the room, hands out in front of her to show she was no threat like she was approaching a frightened animal. The child whimpered and she flinched. “It’s okay,” the cleric said softly, getting a couple yards from her before squatting down, trying to appear smaller to seem less intimidating. But with all that armor, she doubted it would do much. “Are you hurt? I can help you.”

There was a moment of silence as the little girl looked at them all, still cowering by the body. She was always told not to talk to strangers, not to trust adults she didn’t know, but that was when she had her family to watch over her and protect her, and now ….

Tears welled up in her eyes again, looking back down at her mother and she began crying once again, her head throbbing from the strain it was putting on her body. “Help her,” she begged, leaning over to hug her mother once more, even if there wasn’t going to be one in return.

The lack of response made the little girl tremble, the guilt was written on the faces of the people around her told her all she needed to know. She may have been young, but she was very smart being raised up in a wealthy family, and it seemed she was going to have to be independent now. Sitting up, her small hands began to loosen their grip until they fell into her lap, but she couldn’t stop the tears no matter how much she tried to wipe them away.

… she was alone.

Anger for the being that did this, regret for the fact they weren’t able to do a better job at it, and grief for the young girl in front of them. Unrelenting feelings that couldn’t be let out stewed, as the monsters who caused all of this were dead and gone. “She’s coming with us,” Vex spoke first, words firm to leave no room for argument, despite her voice wavering.

“Well, no shit,” Vax commented, looking at his sister who looked at him a little offended at his rudeness, but he couldn’t but be a little put-off by the fact she felt she needed to say it. Well, maybe she did.

“We can’t take care of a child,” Scanlan argued, looking at the two of them like they were a little insane. “We can barely take care of Grog, and he’s a grown-ass man!”

Said man looked over from playing with the rotting hand that he kept in his bag at all times with a, “What?” only proving the bards' point.

“You can’t be thinking we’re going to leave her here!” Keyleth argued to offer, finally able to find the courage to speak for the first time in this situation. She didn’t trust herself before, but this was ridiculous.

“Of course not!” The gnome looked at all the disappointed faces around him and he groaned in frustration. “I’m just saying - I don’t know, maybe she has other family or something.”

Percy frowned, looking from the child who sat quietly and politely, eyes watching intently as each person spoke as though they were trying to decide how to deal with a stray dog. “Please, tell me,” he began, frustration in his voice, “You’re not really standing here trying to decide what to do with her when she is right here.” and as he flashed the little girl an apologetic look, he saw her eyes brighten with wonder at him just a fraction.

Then it was settled - they would leave this town, never look back, and take the child with them back to Greyskull Keep until they could find any living relatives for her to go to. If that didn’t happen, well, they would cross that bridge when they got to it.

Leaving the town took a bit longer than they wanted, having a child following in tow. She seemed to want nothing to do with them, despite them saving her.

When they reached the outskirts of the settlement, they all stood back as she stopped, and turned to look back at her home. Reaching up to her neck, she unclasped her chain, glancing at her pendant for a second before tossing it on the ground and trudging her way through the group as they stared at the spot. She was angry, it was obvious, passing through the stages of grief. But it appeared someone wasn’t to let her regret the decisions she made, as a gloved hand picked up her necklace, clasping it back together and tucking it in his pocket.

It had been a few hours walking, and it was painful watching this kid go on her little legs. So, the gentle giant spoke up. “You want a ride?” he offered, jabbing a thumb at his shoulder to show where she’d be.

As sweet as the offer, our poor fellow didn’t think about the fact he was over eight-foot tall, blocking out the sun as he literally towered over her, and her eyes widened, fear striking over her face as she took several steps back before turning around and running away. There was no place to hide in this open field of a path, so she did the only sensible thing available to her. She ran to Percy, behind him and under his coat, cowering with her arms wrapped around one of his legs. “Congratulations,” the white-haired male began, adjusting his glasses and sighing. “You’ve further traumatized her.”

Vex gave her the best smile she could offer as she peeked out. “You don’t have to be afraid of him, darling, he’s very nice, just very big.”

“And dumb,” Vax added, arms crossed, looking at the Goliath.

“Very dumb,” Keyleth emphasized with a nervous chuckle.

Percy nodded in agreement. “And ugly.”

Scanlan groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. “Oh, Gods, so ugly.”

Grog laughed, “Yeah he is,” causing everyone to laugh with him. “Wait,” he looked around at all of them confused. “Who are we talking about?” They simply laughed harder at the poor guy's expense.

This enticed the little girl to let out the tiniest of murmurs; “Extremely dumb and ugly.” looking from them up to Percy who gave her half a smile.

That night had to, unfortunately, be spent on the road, which brought out a small argument between a few members of the group who were 100% not down to sleep out in the wilderness with a child in tow, but they had to admit they were all too tired to walk any further to find an inn if there even was one - they needed some rest. So, they fell into the usual routine of setting up camp, starting a fire, and preparing a quick meal.

“Are you hungry, dear?” Vex asked softly, squatting down next to the child who was wrapped in a blanket, leaning against a log, and staring into the fire. She simply shook her head at the ranger and the woman sighed. “Please, try and eat something, darling, you need - “ the blanket wrapped around the little girl suddenly came up over her head, covering her face in an attempt to block everything out.

Frowning, the half-elf stood up, loosely crossing her arms and tossing a pitiful glance at the little girl before turning away. Walking over to her brother, Vax placed his hands on her shoulders, giving them a firm squeeze. “She’ll come around,” he tried to assure her.

Looking down at the ground, she frowned. “What if she doesn’t?” She would admit, she was scared for her. The twins knew what it was like - what they went through, at least. Vex couldn’t stand to see this child suffer and not take care of herself.

“Yeah, Vax,” Scanlan decided to throw in his two senses, itching at his ear. “What if she just hates us?”

Keyleth huffed, looking up from rolling out her bedroll. “Totally not helping, Scanlan.”

Soft footsteps drew Percival’s attention to look up, seeing the little girl awkwardly making her to him, sitting down with a large gap between them, but small enough to make it obvious she was trying to sit with him. “Are they always loud?” she asked flatly, looking over at the gunslinger as they continued to bicker over her.

“Unfortunately,” he replied in the same exact tone, causing Pike to snigger into her supper as he turned back to his book.

The little girl looked at Percy from under her blanket, scooting a little bit closer, trying to peer at the book he was reading. She made a slight hum, inviting herself in a little closer, and he found he wasn’t focusing on the book anymore. Instead, he spared her a glance from his peripheral. He may or may not have adjusted a bit so she was able to see it without straining too much, but he would never admit it. “Uhm,” she started small, pulling the blanket closer to her nervously. “Can - you should read it to me.”

He looked at her a little perplexed - shocked because one, a child was asking him to read to them, and two, it wasn’t even a question it was more like a strained and awkward demand. “No, ah - “ how did he even respond to that? “I don’t think so,” he mumbled, watching as her face almost looked a tiny bit determined.

Later began the great debate of who she would sleep with and where, but that ended quickly as she timidly made her way to where Percy’s bedroom rested, simply wrapping the blanket around her tighter and curling up next to it. Everyone grinned, looking at the man who just grimaced at this new situation, it now obvious who the child was beginning to get attached to.

Over the source of the next few days of traveling, things pretty much happened the same, other than the fact Vex finally got the little girl to eat (which the half-elf gave herself a large pat on the back for accomplishing); she didn’t fail to ask Percival that he read to her whatever his book was and he would continue to shoot the idea down, but the rest of the part could see his resolve was getting thinner, and his denies becoming softer. Though, on the fourth day, Scanlan suggested that maybe they should give the kid a name.

She looked at him, pursing her lips and surprising everyone by saying; “I happen to have a name - you just never cared to ask.” in a bit of a posh way that reminded them of a certain someone, who couldn’t help but smirk, especially when she told everyone, except the bard, what it was.

Finally, they arrived at Greyskull Keep and the girls wasted no time in getting her set up in a spare bedroom - Keyleth decorating it with flowers and vines, Vex boasting about how she was going to find the best things to decorate it, and Pike putting some of her clothes into drawers for the kid to wear. It was a busy day, one that she didn’t seem to enjoy at all, taking each meal in her room.

Night fell and the company did the only thing they know what to do after returning home - get wasted. Hours passed by far too quickly for their liking, and when they returned to the keep it was quiet and dark, except for the glow coming from the sitting room. Not quite was wasted as they hoped to be, Vex and Vax couldn’t help but creep over to check out what was going on, but as they got closer they heard the sound of hushed words - some of them were said with mock voices and different accents, followed by the sound of small giggles and the twins shared a look.

Coming up on the threshold, they peeked inside and were met with the sight of Percy and the little girl clad in her pajamas and pendant, blankets draped around both of them and a book spread on his lap. His hands moved as he spoke, face changing with each character's dialogue, vividly reading to her. The siblings gave each other small fist bumps and slowly, quietly backed away, not wanting to disturb this beautiful moment … but they knew money was going to be flying between the party the next day when this was brought up at breakfast.

[escape-from-reality-reads]

Oh oh! maybe a vax or percy x Briarwood! reader? maybe y/n has always been kind and helped percy and cassandra escape last time and y/n is a mole for the rebellion? and you decide the rest ☺️

Okay, I got a bit carried away in the angst. It was just going to be a preface but turned into half of the story. The other part should come tomorrow but for now; enjoy! 😘

Through his time imprisoned by the Briarwoods Percy never thought of you as an angel, nor salvation, because how could a child-adopted, blood or otherwise related, to these monsters be anything but a benevolent devil at best? How could a favour granted, kindness offered or lie told be something freely given, something without any strings attached? If you belonged with them, you’d have to be without mercy, compassion and even a sliver of guilt, don’t you? No one closely affiliated with these-these remorseless creatures could be anything even remotely positive. Percy, for the longest times refused your kindness. It wasn’t until his sister was brought in, he accepted, for her sake. Or maybe his subconscious came to the realisation that this was a losing battle he wouldn’t come out of alive and he’d rather soften whatever torture he endured, be reminded that maybe there are good things left, even if they are an illusion…

Sneaking into the prison his warden’s kept him in was easy. You’d clean their wounds, heal what you could with limited resources of your own and those you smuggled with you through the shadows of the castle. Perhaps that is one benefit of living in a place surrounded by darkness and death. Stealthy were your ways. Inaudible, so much so Percy didn’t even realise you were there until you forced his attention by that damned door shutting behind you, that brief bit of light bleeding through and then silence again. Those were the few moments he knew peace. He wasn’t alone. Cassandra wasn’t alone. You watched over them. Numbed their pain when you couldn’t take it away. You hardly ever spoke to them at first, fearful you might wake sleeping dogs but you’d whisper and eventually your talking became a grace of its own Percy found himself looking forward to every time. You’d tell him simple things, casual small talk and stories from outside. Sometimes Percy even dared ask a pointed question and you’d answer having no reason to keep secrets but when he asked of the outside world, his people… Most of those times your answers would be a lie, if only to preserve him and spare him more pain, he knew. You knew he caught on but neither said anything.

Many nights, or days; it’s difficult to keep track, Percy would wonder why you didn’t help them escape. Why go through the efforts of patching them up just enough so they wouldn’t be in pain, but not so the Briarwoods or Ripley would notice your work? If you wanted to help them, why not set them free? That’s exactly why Percy assumed this must be part of their game, wether you actually were in on it or not he was unsure. You offer them kindness, the others only pain. With time they might be more inclined to reveal things to you, do as you say, convert you to their side. It’s all tricks and treachery with these people. They’re loyal to none but their own and use pawns at their disposal.

Another day of torture. Another day of pain and suffering, of screaming until his throat can’t anymore and his voice is gone. Another day of bleeding until unconsciousness, waiting for that sweet darkness that lays ahead; a salvation of its own, however temporary. But then it stops. Then the door opens and Ripley’s attention is turned away, her back straightening as those cursed nails grazing Percy’s cheek with a promise of more pain. He expects the lord or lady to step into the room but it’s not. It’s you. Shoulders slumped, eyes tired, fingers curled and jaw tight as you look his torturer in the eye with complete and utter indifference, cold as ice.

“Father wants a report of your progress with the de Rolo prisoners.” You sneer though Percy has a difficult time discerning if that distaste is directed towards Ripley, ‘father’ or the de Rolo name.

“Ought to think your father would have taught you some manners, child.” Ripley sneers back. You roll your eyes as you step into the room, take up residence at one side of the worktable Ripley places one of her damned tools down. Faster than the breath Percy draws your fingers wrap around a scalpel, stabbing down into the wood just barely missing her fingers. Ripley pulls her hand away out of instinct as you pull the scalpel out and place it down neatly with the other tools.

“If you’d pay closer attention you’d know my mother taught me manners. She also taught me not to waste them on riffraff and those that do not hold any value or use to me. I’m afraid you didn’t make the list.” You speak ever eloquently, the blood of nobility instilled within you showing.

“Now, now, Anna. Best hurry. Wouldn’t want to keep the lord and lady waiting. You know what happens when they get impatient.” You add, patting her cheek, though your hand only makes contact once before she slaps it away, grasping your wrist and squeezing tightly. From what he can see circulation must have been as good as cut off but you don’t flinch, not even a little as you keep the wretched woman’s gaze, until she breaks away, eyes threatening payback for your attitude and belittling, but most of all, interrupting her ‘fun’. Without a second word she leaves, the door closing behind her and you’re left alone with Percy. You search the room, for something. He knows not what until he hears the rattling of metal against metal. Keys. They’re keys. Then weight lifts from his ankles and wrists. instinctively he rubs the tender skin of his bruised wrists once his arms are free. You’re on your knees in front of him, pushing something into his hands.

“Drink this.” He looks down at the vial in his hands hesitantly. “Please. We don’t have much time. Drink.” You practically beg and everything in his mind tells him not to but something compiles him to and so he does, uncorking the vial, and swallowing the contents. A warmth spreads throughout him, the worser aches fade, wounds begin to close and bruises lessen. It doesn’t undo all he’s endured but Percy feels like he can move his limbs without collapsing. Before the realisation hits you’ve closed the buttons of his shirt and vest, tied the closures of his shoes and pull him from the chair, with a force he did not initially expect, and begin dragging him towards the door.

“Where are you taking me?” He asks, voice still hoarse and barely audible. He clears his throat but you ignore him and pull him along, hiding around corners, in alcoves and any shadows you may find to avoid the guards and spying eyes you might encounter, running deeper within the castle. The dungeons. You’re taking him deeper into the dungeons and then you stop. Quickly you fumble with the keys, trying to find the right one. Percy has a hard time processing but he realises you’re standing in front of Cassandra’s cell. It takes you longer than you would have liked but you find the key and open the door. Cassandra within jumps to her feet, first frightened, scurrying into a corner but then she sees you, and Percy over your shoulder. Cass runs to you, wrapping her arms around you, whispering thanks. You haven’t the heart to pull away and allow her this brief moment of respite. The moment she pulls away you grab her hand beginning to make your way back to the stairs but Cassandra pulls you back instead.

“No. There’s another way.” The girl says and you look between the stairs and the de Rolo’s before you let her take the lead. She holds on to your hand dear for life as the walls of stone and iron rush by. Then you hear something approaching and pull to a halt. Percy runs into you but you manage to hold yourself, Cassandra yelps at the sudden stop and you’re quick to cover her mouth and push her around the corner away from whoever might be approaching. You listen closely. The footsteps stop. You bite your tongue as the de Rolo’s breathe in sharply, fearing what might come. You look between them and the shadow threatening, flickering in the torchlight. Percy can see the inner turmoil when you reach for the knife on your belt, grasp it tightly, close your eyes and take a deep breath before you-

The drop of something and a gurgling sound fills the hallway and is followed by only silence. You look around the corner. Bleeding out on the ground you see one of the sentinels. Quietly you walk over, watch into the eyes of the dying traitor as you pull out the blade and turn back to the others with a nod. Percy notices the look on your face. While you’re not exactly unfamiliar with death, by your own hands feels different regardless of who it is. Killing is a new sensation you’d rather not have to experience. Not like this, Percy can see it in your eyes as you falter. He grasps your shoulder, pulling you with as Cassandra takes the lead.

“We do what needs to be done.” Percy says. Maybe this isn’t an act. Maybe you’ve truly been kind, a light in the never ending darkness he and his sister have been put through by the Briarwoods, by Ripley. Maybe you’re as much of a prisoner here as they have been. Damp walls and iron chains or gilded cage, a prison remains a prison, no matter how one dresses it. And that’s exactly why Percy feels sorry for you. How long have you been stuck with them? How long have you been beaten into submission to be the prim and proper child with the cutthroat traits to be displayed upon their whims? What are they planning for you? What do you mean to them because no one in their right mind would subject a child to this life would they? You deserve a choice. You deserve to be free and know kindness and compassion as much as his sister does, as much as he might think he once upon a time did… You deserve better. Percy doesn’t know where he would be if he were in your shoes. Here you are, risking it all for Cass, for him and for what? Nothing at all. He admires you, your kindness, resourcefulness, will, and utter guts for the way you play your cards. They trained a shrewd mind, little do they know you’re turning that one against them.

Almost there. Almost at the secret passage. Almost free. Almost. But not quite yet. The barking of orders sounds through the dungeons. The marching of footsteps follow and you all pick up speed. You exchange a worried look between yourself and Percy. He knows what this means as much as you do. This is a road to safety and freedom, but chances are not everyone will make it. A guard, on patrol crosses paths and you toss Percy your knife right as the guard is about to swing down upon him. Percy ducks and stabs between the armor plates. The guard cries out falling immobile to the floor. They know where you are now. Now it’s your turn to push Percy to move on. He hands you back your knife. You can see the torchlight reflect off the walls. They’re coming.

“No matter what happens, you keep going.” You speak fingers gripping the handle of the blade, knuckles turning white. It’s all or nothing now. If they get caught they’ll be as good as dead, or worse. You’re already worse. What more can your ‘family’ really do?

“What? No. We get out of here together!” Cassandra replies as you push her forward to keep moving. Percy helps. You don’t have time for this. Every second id precious. A single second can make the difference between life and death.

“Promise me. You keep going.” You insists leaving no room for argument.

“I promise.” Cassandra nods despite her disagreement with your statement. The guards are in full pursuit now. An arrow flies and you just barely manage to stop it from hitting Percy, changing its trajectory with a carefully places strike and it bounces off the wall. You can’t stop arrows. You’re only lucky so often. But that knife is the only weapon you have. The only means of defending Percy and Cass. The only means of defending yourself.

“Do it.” Percy breathes and with that you throw the blade. It strikes true. With one arm out of commission the archer is useless and you have another hallway to cross, and turn a corner. Sadly that one guard was not the only one after because with the door in sight, a sharp pain shoots through your back and before you know it you’re stumbling.

“No!” The de Rolo’s cry, their steps faltering but you hold out your hand. as you look back. You see the archer. Smile on her face as she draws another arrow, nocks, draws and fires. You breathe in deeply speak the estranged words and thrust forth your palm. The arrow hits an invisible barrier. You’re done for. You won’t make it far. You can feel it. Percy stops, grabs your other arm and begins dragging you along, behind cover, anything to help.

“You better make this worth it.”

“You can still make it.” He tries to argue. So much for ‘whatever happens’, yet Percy did not actually make that promise.

“Not unless you have some healing in you.”

“We can try.” Cassandra hurdles down as the archer draws closer. She doesn’t want to leave anyone behind. You’ve been a friend. You’ve been a saviour. She refuses to let you turn into a martyr, just another victim.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” Ripley taunts with a laugh. You’ve had it up to here with the woman. They all have. If you get to make the woman’s life miserable in this, you’ll take every bit of pleasure in it. If you’re already paying the price for it anyway…

“Make it worth it.” You clasp your hands over Percy’s as he tries to turn you and go for the arrow. “Make. It Count. These people are going to need you one day. You better raise hell.” And like a proper nobles’s son, Percy takes your hand, kisses your knuckles before you step away out of cover. Another arrow flies but you deflect it again, the closer proximity easy covered. Ripley didn’t expect you’d close the distance and run for her. You deflect her punch and instead of turning in an attack of your own you reach for the pouch on her belt, pull out the components you need and focus, let that distant force run through you.

“Run.” You mouth as the spell shoots, the distance extended and both Percy and Cassandra disappear from view. You struggle with Ripley, the woman having one of her own nasty tools at the ready, now having found justification to use them on you and enough pent up anger and frustration to take out before she gives chase after the de Rolo’s. You can only hold for so long but hopefully it’s enough to give them a fighting chance. The components are taken from you, you’re a couple of deep gashes in and feeling lightheaded. It’s one more blow, right between the ribs that does it. The light fades as does the familiar tension of an active spell, it all fades. You did what you could. You gave Percy and Cassandra a fighting chance. That’s good enough. Maybe one day you will meet again, should you ever be allowed to see the light of day again…

You can’t help but wonder, what if times where different. What if you would have met under different circumstances. Could you have been friends? Something else? Could you have lived good happy lives? Happy lives make for poor stories. Your story isn’t over and neither is that of the de Rolo’s, despite certain efforts. You’ve made up your mind. You’ll fight. You’ll play your part but you’ll fight. You’re patient. You can wait. Meanwhile you’ll light the sparks of rebellion, be that from a tower, a dungeon or wherever else you’ll end up. You. Will. Fight.