notquitejiraiya

[notquitejiraiya]

happy late ShikaTema day 💚💛

#SO CUTE #SO STINKING CUTE #GORGEOUS

[notquitejiraiya]

hi! I was one of your readers of ‘Grandmaster’. I'm probably never getting another chance to say this, there's a lot i'd like to say about your story but sadly I'm only now coming here to thank you for writing such a heartfelt piece. It's unfortunate i'll won't be able to know how it comes along. I read the sand siblings follow-up where Temari and Shikamaru get into a runaway wedding (not sure of this expression but I hope I'm understood). Sorry for my poor english btw, it's not my first language. I'm not sure if you will follow this ending but I had fun imagining that scenario taking place. Because of ‘Grandmaster’, I went back to playing chess. When I was a junior in high school, I was part of my institute chess club, then the pandemic happened and it was just one of a ton of things I parted ways with. I've played at least once a week since my first binge reading back on late December. Today I reread a few dozen chapters (4th time rereading). All I can say is that Grandmaster is very loved and that I'll miss it. I wonder if you continue writing, hopefully it'll be possible.

Dear author, I wish you well. Thanks a lot. These months have been way less hard because of your creation. If I can, I'll try to continue following your fic. There's so much more I wanted to say but I'll be comforted if my sincerity finds you

Dear Anon, I have to start this by thanking you as much as humanly possible for your kind words, your time, and for sharing your story here with me. You are perfectly understood, don't worry, and I hope my reply can do justice to the gratitude I feel for your ask. I hope you don't mind that I am replying to it - I thought long and hard about doing so, but I couldn't leave you unanswered. Your words have found me, and they have touched me, and I'm immensely grateful to have heard them.

I'm so happy to hear that you've enjoyed Grandmaster so far and Strangers, too. It makes me even happier to hear that it has brought you back into the chess world, too - that is so very wonderful, and I hope you continue to love the game going forward.

Whatever your situation may be, I am sorry to hear that times have been hard. I wish you only the very best going forward, and if you do continue to follow Grandmaster (which will be finished, don't worry), I hope you can continue to enjoy it. I would love to hear from you again if you do.

Take care, and thank you again for your kindness. Much love and all the best to you <3

[notquitejiraiya]

can you please post definitions of what the titles of Grandmaster mean?

Hello there, anon!

The delay in answering this is insane, I'm sorry! You've probably just got on Google yourself to find out by now but, in case you haven't, let's go through all the Grandmaster chapter titles so far and anything they might refer to. I'll update as more chaps come out.

GM Chapter Title Definitions:

Opening - The beginning phase of a chess game, during which players set up their pawn structures and develop their pieces.

Olympiad - An international team chess tournament where players play for their country. Basically, it is the chess Olympics.

Scandinavian - The Scandinavian Defense is a chess opening.

Tråkig - Not a chess term; it means boring in Swedish.

Cover - Just in reference to a magazine cover.

Fish - A (quite mean) term for a weak or easily defeated chess player.

Open - In reference to an open tournament, where people can enter regardless of rating, invitation or gender. It is also a term used to indicate tournaments which are not women-only.

Pressed

Exchange - To swap or trade pieces of equal value.

Adjournment - A pause in a game.

Attraction - A type of decoy involving a sacrifice of a piece on a square next to the enemy king, forcing the king to abandon the defence of another square.

Adjust - A player can adjust the placement of a piece only on their own move and by first declaring "I adjust."

Recognition - No definition here, just an important quality for chess players to have.

Centralisation - Moving towards the centre of the board to better control and influence a position.

Breakthrough - Penetrating an opponent's position or breaking down their defense.

Agreement

Spectator

Compensation - A positional improvement in return for a loss of pieces.

En Prise - A term to describe a piece or pawn exposed to a capture by the opponent.

Exhibition

Tension - A position with tension is one where exchanges are possible.

Fork - The term for an attack by a single piece on two or more of an opponent's pieces at the same time.

Tabiya - The point in an opening from which variations can occur and the game branch out into different or even unknown territory - a "point of departure."

Sotilas - The Finnish word for "pawn", meaning "soldier."

Move

To be continued...

#shikatema #chess au #grandmaster #ask #anon

[notquitejiraiya]

WIP Game! 🖊️

I was tagged by the lovely @spellcasterlight ! Thank youuuu ♥️

"Please share your last sentence; or, if you don't have one, share a plot bunny or idea!"

Here, have my last paragraph. A GM snip, of course. A little ahead, but don’t worry, without spoilers 🥰

Wrapped up in a hoodie, in total disrespect of the tournament dress code, Shikamaru sat slumped in his chair, almost horizontal. With one hand tucked beneath his armpit, the other hovered at his mouth, his second knuckle catching his upper lip as he moved it mechanically up and down. His attention fell somewhere on the floor, and didn’t stray despite the many pairs of feet that scurried past him. Some players even seemed to speak to him and wish him luck, but nothing was enough to break his trance until Temari pulled back her chair.

#wip game #snippet #grandmaster #shikatema

[notquitejiraiya]

Karura was the best thing to ever happen to Rasa but for the power he sought, he lost her and with her, his own humanity

[notquitejiraiya]

people will write think pieces on why they can't enjoy female characters or f/f because they aren't fuckable to them or crack "hates women so much he's gay jokes" but if someone even cracks a joke about hating men people start having a nuclear meltdown

[notquitejiraiya]

Shikaku & Yoshino are the blueprint 🫶🏻

[notquitejiraiya]

Tagged by the lovely @clumsydragon28 — I won’t be tagging anyone but I love seeing these so pls do it 😍

Last song:

Favourite colour: Blue (specifically pale or Piccadilly line blue)

Sweet/Spicy/Savoury: Generally, savoury, but I definitely have a sweet tooth. Saying I can’t handle spice is an insane understatement 😅

Currently watching: No ongoing shows at the moment, but I rewatched Fleabag last week and that’s always a hit.

Current obsession: blimey, in what category? Books: Bret Easton Ellis. Music: it’s Yard Act. General nonsense: as many Ace Attorney lets plays where people do all the voices and act it out like a play and ad lib as I can get my mits on. And I’m vibrating with anticipation to watch All of Us Strangers in a bit. (And obviously writing GM when I can actually get my brain to whizz and work at the end of a long day)

#Spotify

[notquitejiraiya]

"sharing a kiss while dancing >>>" WE NEED 😍😍😍

Ahh what a perfect request 🥰

For those of you who have read Plié-sed to Have Met You, this little teaser takes place within that same universe. It's a scene that I plan to include in my soon(ish) to come Shikajin part 2 of this dance AU. It is not necessary however to read Plié to understand the below. And so, without further ado...

Sway

“When we dance you have a way with me Stay with me, sway with me”

Dean Martin

Full story below the cut ✨

“Hey, Inojin?”

He looked up from removing his shoes, expecting to meet Shikadai’s gaze and instead was met with the back of his boyfriend’s head. Inojin made a small noise to indicate he was listening, waiting for Shikadai to continue as he kepy fiddling with his laces.

“Would you be interested in teaching me some dance steps? I mean, nothing too crazy. You know, just the basics or—”

Inojin nearly catapulted himself up off the ground and grabbed Shikadai by the arms. Those were words he never expected to come out of his boyfriend’s mouth.

“You want to dance?”

Even though they happened to be standing under one of the ceiling lamps in the studio where the bulbs had blown out, Inojin could still make out the blush on Shikadai’s cheeks as he gave a shy nod in response.

“Oh my god, really?! Really? I can’t believe it, oh my god, of course, sweetie! That makes me so happy.”

He watched as the initial shock on Shikadai’s face from the excited outburst morphed into a smile. But not just any smile. This was a special smile. A smile that made Inojin’s heart flutter more than even the worst bout of stage fright.

It was that smile where his eyes became alight with love. That smile that revealed Shikadai was exactly where he wanted to be and there was nothing else he’d rather be doing. That smile only few people ever got the pleasure of being on the receiving end of.

Inojin still couldn’t believe that he was so lucky to see that smile every day.

He kicked his shoes off fully as he grabbed Shikadai’s hand and dragged him over to a part of the room where the overhead lights did work and they could see each other clearly. 

Inojin decided to start their lesson with the class step ball change. He chose it not only because it is one of the most basic moves in all styles of dance, but he assumed Shikadai would have an easy time with it. It’s one of those steps where the name of the move tells you how to perform it: you step with one leg, then switch your weight to the ball of your opposite foot, and then back. Inojin thought it would appeal to his boyfriend’s overly logical brain and come naturally to him. All he had to do was follow along with the words.

Apparently though, Inojin thought wrong.

For ten minutes now, he watched as Shikadai continuously tripped over his own feet. He just couldn’t seem to comprehend he had to change the balls of his feet and not keep one plastered to the ground. Inojin offered several times to teach him a different step, but Shikadai refused. He was trying so hard to get it right, Inojin could see beads of sweat drip down his forehead and land on the lens of his glasses.

Shikadai seemed determined to get this step down no matter what, and Inojin was wracking his brain to come up with a way to help him. He started to think back to moments with his parents. Back to a time when he was small and he was first learning these steps himself. The memories prompted him to try a different tactic than having Shikadai just watch and attempt to copy his feet.

Inojin walked over to where Shikadai was fumbling around and wrapped his arm around his boyfriend’s waist. He pulled him in tight so that Shikadai’s backside was flush with his whole body. He could feel Shikadai stiffen at the sudden contact, so Inojin placed a reassuring kiss onto the back of his neck.

“Don’t fight against me, okay? Just relax and let my body guide yours.”

Inojin started to move, lifting his right foot fully off the ground. The top of his thigh pressed into the back of Shikadai’s, effectively raising the other man’s leg with it. Inojin then placed both of their feet back onto the floor and repeated the movement on their left but at a much quicker pace. Then again with the right as that same faster speed.

He continued the slow-quick-quick pattern over and over. With each step Inojin took, Shikadai’s legs did the same, being led by the gentle nudging. Inojin could feel the rhythm start to flow through Shikadai as he became more accustomed to the movements through this hands-on approach.

Just like a child learns to ride a bike without training wheels for the first time, Inojin slowly loosened his grip from Shikadai’s waist and let the other man try on his own. He couldn’t help but grin with pride as Shikadai continued to step ball change all by himself. 

It was a different kind of pride than what he’d experienced with the students he taught in class. Inojin imagined it was similar to how his parents had felt every time they watched him first master a new step.

This wasn’t a sense of pride fueled by pure accomplishment, no. This was a pride synonymous with love.

“Well, now that you’ve mastered that, let’s try something else.”

Inojin chuckled when Shikadai jumped at the sound of his voice. He gave Inojin a puzzled look as if asking how they were now on opposite sides of the room. Shikadai had seemingly gotten so caught up in the dance, he hadn’t noticed he was no longer being held.

Inojin walked back over to his partner, making sure to flash one of his signature cheeky winks. He then grabbed Shikadai’s arms, placed them around his neck, and put his own hands on Shikadai’s waist. He once again felt his boyfriend’s body tense up with shyness, so Inojin pulled him in closer and rested his chin upon Shikadai’s shoulder.

“Don’t be nervous. I got you. We’ll take it nice and slow.”

Inojin started to move again. This time, his feet barely lifted off the ground as he gently rocked the pair right and left. He then rubbed encouraging circles into Shikadai’s sides, silently asking him to follow along. Inojin could feel the other man’s body melt into his own, allowing Inojin to lead them in the slow dance. 

Inojin had danced with many partners over the years. Girls he’d had to lift over his head and hold their waist as they spun around. Guys he’d had to dive over and swoop under as they moved across the floor.

But this. This wasn’t anything like that. 

There was no choreography to ensure they didn’t step on each other’s toes. There had been no practicing for hours on end to make sure the timing was right for a big lift. There was no set rhythm of 1-2-3 over and over again to the tune of music.

No this. This required no plans. No counts. No steps. No marks to hit. This was the most basic of dances and the most natural. The most comforting. The most freeing. The most pure. 

This was simply two people. Sharing their space, breathing as one, swaying side to side, and just existing. 

Inojin nuzzled further into the crook of his boyfriend’s neck, enjoying the ever-present scent of sand and heat. Even though it had been a few months since Shikadai had gone home for winter break, the smell of the desert never left his skin. It was so foreign to Inojin who had grown up in the concrete laden labyrinth that is New York City. He could live without the stench of sweaty subways and steamy sewer grates. But the aroma that was pure Shikadai? He couldn’t get enough of it.

Now that he had calmed down from the earlier excitement at Shikadai’s request, Inojin decided it was time to ask the question that had been on his mind since then.

“So, why the interest in dancing all of a sudden?”

He felt the blush from Shikadai’s cheek warm his skin. 

“Well, it’s such a big part of who you are. A part that I don’t know yet.”

Inojin rearranged them slightly so he could look at Shikadai’s face. He could feel that same excitement from before eager to resurface. It was taking all of Inojin’s patience to let Shikadai finish without interrupting him again.

“I want to know as much as I can about every part of you. Even the parts that I don’t really understand.”

The flush on his face was still present as Shikadai turned his gaze to the ground. Inojin’s eyes watched as the movement caused his glasses to slide down the bridge of his nose. Shikadai unconsciously wrinkled his nostrils as if trying to inch the frames back up to the top. 

God, his boyfriend was so cute. Inojin couldn’t stand it.

“I just. I really appreciate the part you play in my own life. And I wanted to thank you for that. So, I don’t know, I just thought—”

That’s it. He couldn’t hold himself back anymore. His patience had run out.

Inojin snatched Shikadai’s hand and raised it above both their heads. He spun the other man around, twirling him like the ballerina inside his music box, before grabbing Shikadai around the waist and dipping him back across his arm. He then bent down to place the biggest, sloppiest kiss on his boyfriend’s lips.

Inojin put every single part of himself into the kiss so that Shikadai would know all of it. That he too appreciated the role the other man played in his life. That he was beyond grateful for the journey they had taken together to get to here.

He imagined right now they looked very similar to that famous photograph of the sailor kissing a complete stranger in the middle of Times Square. Inojin had seen so many tourists reenact that pose over the years. And though Times Square was a part of Manhattan that every native New Yorker tried to avoid at all costs, Inojin couldn’t deny that he had secretly wanted to join in the fun too and copy it with a partner.

But right now, taking a photo was the farthest thing from his mind. In this moment, Inojin felt so special, so cared for, so loved by the man in his arms. It was a feeling that spoke more words than any picture ever could.

And so, even though it went without saying, Inojin just couldn’t help himself.

“I love you too, Shikadai. So very, very much.”

Inojin in return received the biggest grin he had ever seen. Shikadai’s smile was so wide that his cheeks pressed into the bottom rim of his glasses. He then proceeded to right himself up and engulf Inojin in a hug so tight only an Akimichi could rival it. 

He had expected Shikadai to let go after a while, so Inojin was surprised when instead the other man brought them even closer together and began to rock them side to side. He had apparently decided to take the lead, and now Shikadai was the one to guide them in the slow dance.

Inojin tried to think of a time in all his years of competing and performing where he had loved dancing more than this moment right here. But none even came close. 

This was special because it wasn’t about how high he could jump or how many turns he could do in a row. There was no music, no counting. It was just about them and the air that swayed with them as they floated through it. 

They danced without outside pressure. They danced without clear cut rules. They danced without thinking about.

They were just dancing.

And they were free.

#outrageously good #stunning #beautiful #all the positive adjectives one could hope to think of #just GORGEOUS #Barb is a clever bunny #and this was the cutest thing #so here for Plié continuation and so so excited #incredible #thank you for writing this ♥️♥️♥️

[notquitejiraiya]

Hello hello! I would like to propose Shikadai and Inojin for your doodle requests please 💜💚

timeskip Inojin & Shikadai // Chocho made them wear the shirts, which garnered mixed reactions 😁🫢

thanks @clumsydragon28 💚

[ref from pinterest]

[notquitejiraiya]

TEMARI CUS I LOVE HER

#her nose has made my day #she is unbelievably beautiful #I love her

[notquitejiraiya]

I think it’s about time I was fair to tumblr and uploaded the artwork I’ve done for GM over the last year or so, so stay tuned, hang about, won’t be long

[notquitejiraiya]

Hello. I got up to date with your Grandmaster story and I want to say how much I like your smut scenes. There are more smuts than I expected but they do feel rewarding not overwhelming. It is like it is part of them and normal which is nice and I appreciate it. I hope it is not strange to ask but what books do you take inspiration for those type of scenes from?

Well, hello there, Anon! Thank you very much! Im glad to hear you’ve enjoyed GM so far, that you enjoyed those scenes, and that they’re not overwhelming 🤩

It means a great deal to hear this. It was really important to me that while yeah, sex is definitely a driving factor of the story and is important, it’s not a big deal as such and comes across as ‘normal’ as you say. Just a part of life for them. So thank you very much!

As for inspiration, it’s not weird at all! I am always happy to recommend things I love. However, I have to disappoint a bit here and say I read very little romance at all, and never smutty “books” in the published sense. Sex scenes in the books I read are usually short, quite mechanical and/or told without great feeling, and are portrayed either as a regular part of the day or as a background activity for something else going on conversation- or thought-wise.

Maybe a bit of the latter bleeds over in my writing, but mostly when I write those scenes, inspiration mostly comes from elsewhere; movie/tv scenes, known/personal life experiences, etc. The only written works that I can say inspired GM in this way were fics by an author called Laurie on ao3, specifically a fic called Minor Human Discomforts (and also this one which uses the phrase “wiry limbs” which made me die laughing and permanently shifted my perspective on descriptions of “sexy” things from being default “sexy” and to just being real and objective). That is unlikely to appeal to most Naruto folks, but since you asked, I will share 😅

Apologies not to better answer your question but I am so happy and grateful to hear your thoughts, and I hope you have a wonderful day ♥️

[notquitejiraiya]

Hi, thank you for replying! My healthy way of dealing with life is always assuming the worst. I'm very happy to read that you want to finish GM entirely before posting, I think it will work better for anyone but especially for you, as you won't feel guilty if you miss an update because life gets in the way. I thought of writing to you only to reassure you that we'll (I for sure) always be here to read and support again, in case you had doubts. But I'm glad you have friends to share this with! x

Thank you so much for your kindness and your patience — it means so much to me 🥹 x

Good GM progress is being made. I really do hope everyone won’t have to wait TOO long, but it’s certainly wonderful to hear you are so understanding. Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful day, dear friend ♥️

(so sorry for the delay in replying; I am terrible at replying quickly on this sit haha)

[notquitejiraiya]

Hello! Congrats for your accomplishment. I’m not totally original here, but can I request ShikaTema/Tentative kisses given in the dark?

Have a great day!

Thank you for joining my 60 subs challenge 🖤

I am jumping onto the chance to write some FLUFF for this prompt🥰 Long live fluff as well among all the blood.

This snippet I wrote will definitely be incorporated in some way should I continue we hold galaxies with a second chapter, which is rather likely during lat Feb/early March.

Enjoy ✨

FLUFF

Word count: 456 words

Tags: Fluff, kisses, newborn baby bubble

“Are you asleep?”

“No.”

“Me neither,” Shikamaru whispered into the dark.

“We should.”

“We should,” he agreed. “But I can’t. I just want to listen to him.”

“He is just breathing,” Temari whispered back.

“Are you in pain?” Shikamaru asked and reached over to touch Temari’s arm.

“A bit,” she replied. “It’s dull, though, I can manage.” It wasn’t like she hadn’t moved position at all since getting into bed. It hurt to tense muscles down there when twisting and turning and she had decided to do it only when going to the bathroom, or to feed her baby. Besides, she was still bleeding, and lying still made it easier to ignore it unlike being upright.

She couldn’t see Shikadai in the bassinet by their bed through the dark, but if they both lay entirely still, holding their own breaths, they would hear his steady, small snorting breaths. The way a newborn breathes is so peculiar, a cute little sound filling the parents of awe and swelling their hearts with love one didn’t know existed.

“I think he is having a good sleep. It must be tough to learn how this vast world works,” Temari whispered as Shikamaru reached even further over her body in an attempt to stroke the babe. “You are going to wake him up.”

“You think?” Shikamaru whispered back. Temari couldn’t see his face, but knew he was smiling. She heard it in the way he spoke, and it warmed her heart. When she didn’t reply he grew bolder and reached all the way over to Shikadai, the little bundle of joy, in the bassinet and patted his chest and stomach.

Shikadai made more small sounds, but none alerting ones and as soon as Shikamaru moved away his hand the sounds turned into secured breathing once more. Shikadai hadn’t woken up and he was content and safe.

Safe. Safe. Safe.

“I guess I was right again,” Shikamaru whispered, still half reached-over Temari’s torso – though very careful not to put pressure on her stomach. When he tried to lean back again, he stopped half-way. “Thank you,” he sounded softly close to her lips.

“For what?” Temari asked back.

“For bringing him to this world,” Shikamaru said. “Truly, thank you.”

Temari snorted softly, but was interrupted by the smallest, softest kiss she had ever experienced. Tentatively she leaned forward to return the soft kisses to her husband. Her hand found his chin rough with a small stubble beard.

“I did it,” she whispered against his lips. She should sleep, but couldn’t. But it was okay. Being here in the dark with him and the baby was like all she needed. She wasn’t even tired. Not now.

“You did it,” Shikamaru confirmed. “I love you.”

#I am in bits #this was so gorgeous #beautiful #like 😭😭😭 #🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[notquitejiraiya]

Hello, are you alright? Are you planning any update soon? Take care x

Hello there! Thank you for checking in I really appreciate that ♥️

I apologise for the lack of updates. Neither the end of 2023 nor the start of 2024 were particularly kind to me, so I’m still working away at finishing off GM behind the scenes. I’m sorry for saying regular updates would be back — I genuinely thought so at the time, and couldn’t have foreseen otherwise :(

To make sure the story is the quality I want it to be, and to avoid continuing to give people hope of me being speedy (although I doubt anyone has such hope after the last 6 months), I’ve decided to finish GM off completely before I continue posting to ao3. Good progress is being made, but life isn’t giving me the writing time I’d like so please forgive me.

My friends can attest that I am not talking out of my arse here; the work is really happening, the fruits just aren’t ripe quite yet.

Take care. I’ll be a as quick as I can ♥️

[notquitejiraiya]

Congratulations on the new number of subscribers. Surely I am one of them. So this is the prompt for your tiny giveaway.. I love ShikaTema, in the mood for AU and angsty storyline, but I choose I don't have time to bleed as the main one. Thank you for all your wonderful stories, you are one of my favourites of shikatema writer. I hope you always be in abundance of happiness, imagination, and creativity.

Oh, thank you, dear Anon 🖤 I am glad to hear you're subbed to me (and sorry for the lack of new fics...).

You said you're in the mood for an AU and angsty storyline and then I cannot not write a snip of that blasted Witcher AU that has lived rent free in my head since 2020. The snip here would most likely not be part of the main story in my head, but connected to it.

Thank you 🥰

Bleeding Fire

ShikaTema Witcher Au

Word count: 950 words.

Tags: Blood, Magic AU, inspired by the games not the show

“I’ve seen you in better shape,” Temari snorted when she closed in on Shikamaru. “I found this downstairs,” she added and waved with his silver sword. “They had taken good care of it. Were probably going to melt it and recast it as a silver chain, I’d wager.”

“You holding it doesn’t suit you,” Shikamaru replied through a tired smile. The blood from his nose had already dried along his upper lip and he was deadly annoyed at being in this position, trapped and bound by a pillar in some kind of attic just because one decoction failed and made him temporarily blind as the gang had caught up on him. During normal circumstances it would never have happened. He’s more skilled that this.

“I know,” Temari said and dropped the sword by Shikamaru’s feet. Her hands were splashed with blood – someone else’s blood, but the blade was shiningly clean. She observed her own hands. “As long as I didn’t touch the silver it worked. The hilt saved me.” She looked down at him. “Being bound in simple rope doesn’t suit you either.” Then she grinned and crouched down in front of him. “Or does it? I may like this position of yours.”

“For fucks’ sake, get me out of this, succubus,” Shikamaru muttered, but not even he could deny the slightest fun idea Temari’s suggestion gave him.

Temari reached over and her claw-like fingers worked fast on the rope, slicing it open so Shikamaru could get up.

“Why are you here anyway?” she asked after throwing the rope away. “Lost a game of Gwent? I thought you agreed never to contact me again, yet here I stumble upon you.”

“So I see you smelled me from quarters away, huh. And remember, I never gave any such promises,” Shikamaru said as he got up. His sturdy leather gloves were lying on the floor, and he dressed them on. Unlike the succubus Temari, he didn’t have claws, so this was next best protection. “I am assuming you killed them?”

“Of course,” Temari muttered. “They were part of the fanatics. Eternal Fire and all that crap. Which is why I am surprised you came here when you know they’ll prosecute you, mutant, for even existing. I told you to live a life –”

“Which is why I am surprised you’ve not run away yet,” Shikamaru shot back and placed the silver sword on his back. “When you know the Eternal Fire will kill you for existing. I saw it just yesterday at the square. I saw them burn someone at the stake, and who knows if she was a proper sorceress or not, but now nothing but crisps remain of her corpse. And people applauded.”

“This is my home,” Temari said, voice hard. She stared out of the window, down at the muddy, miserable street below them which was filled with activity. Beggers, merchants, washers, whores, children and cats. The horns sticking out of her head was visible in her reflection. “I lived here before the fanatics came, before that blasted Eternal Fire poisoned everyone’s mind. We created a home here, my family and I.”

“Listen Temari,” Shikamaru said and grabbed her shoulders. “The life you told me to live? I am a witcher. My life means risking it every minute of every day. People hire me to kill monsters and not all monsters are like you. Elementals can smash my skull into mush with one strike if I am not careful, leshens impale me with branches if I am one step behind and specters suck out my soul if I don’t oil my blade before encountering them. This is my life. But you, you have the power to change your life. Do not live here, risking your life every minute of every day – “

“So join me,” Temari said, cutting him off. Shikamaru stared at her and followed her down the wonky stairs. They walked over bodies lying in the staircase and he found his steel sword stuck into the back on one of the red-dressed dead men. Fanatics, not even soldiers by trade. He ripped the sword out and tugged a piece of cloth from the man to clean it from blood.

“No,” he continued. “Skellige is safe for your kind. I know the queen of Skellige, she’ll allow you shelter.”

“Skellige,” Temari echoed when they reached the lowest floor. “A freezing island in the middle of a freezing sea.” She pulled her hands out to exposed her mostly naked upper body, where her tattoos and markings made up a huge hourglass and different swirls. “I want to live in the warmth.”

“I know succubi who live on Skellige,” Shikamaru said and looked down at Temari’s legs which were covered in fur. “They survive just fine. Put on a jacket, maybe.”

“You don’t command me,” Temari hissed and stared out of the window of the door. “Join me, I said. Join me as we rid my beloved city of the plague.”

“And kill the fanatic king in the same breath, huh?” Shikamaru joked. Temari smiled.

“I could cry blood out of fury for all my brothers and sisters who has been prosecuted and killed since the fanatism started,” she said before turning around. “But I don’t have time to bleed. It’s time to put an end to the prosecution of magicians and non-humans. I can kill a king for it if it gives me my freedom back. Shikamaru, why did you come to Novigrad?”

Shikamaru couldn’t give her an honest reply. Temari smiled thinly.

“So help me, witcher,” she said. “You kill monster for hire. So, join me when we kill the true monster in our city. The king himself.”

#Absolutely. #bloody. #obsessed.