#Blue Skies teapot

[imaginethezeldaverse]

A little Zelink drabble - Tears of the Kingdom Spoilers mentioned!  Also just want to say as a disclaimer I haven’t finished the game yet if this doesn’t feel 100% accurate, my apologies! I just wanted to write something Zelink today lol.

------- Looking down at her cup, Zelda watched the swirls of fresh Hateno milk mix and lighten the original darker hue of her black tea. Milk and two sugars, exactly how she liked it. Her gaze shifted to the window, the sky boundless and blue in its vast stretch across the world. She almost wished she could remember basking in it the way she had.  “Link,” the princess called softly to her knight, who was pouring himself his own cup of tea. He looked up, cerulean hues moving away from the teapot and onto her. Zelda turned toward him wearing an almost wistful, but curious expression.  “What was I like when I was a dragon?”  The hero thought for a moment. So many memories he had of her in her temporarily immortal state. He remembered pulling the Master Sword from her head, the realization of who the Light Dragon truly hitting him square in the heart. Knowing the cost of her sacrifice held like a constant weight on him. He also remembered feeling light as a feather, laying in her golden mane as she traversed the skies; he remembered promising to get her back. Link realized his face must’ve read something sad when Zelda asked, “Not good...?” He straightened up, fixing his face to smile instead, “Big and scaly, that’s for sure.”  Zelda giggled at that, “I’m sure, of course.”  Link sat at the table with her and reached for the sugar, “You were always warm. I’ve ridden the other dragons before to grab scales and stuff, and I mean... they were always,” his eyes wandered as he tried to find his words, “Not cold, I guess - except for Naydra, he’s constantly freezing, but you - you were always pleasantly warm.”  Stirring the sugar in his tea, he continued, “Your scales were always so pretty, they shimmered in the light, just like your mane did...” suddenly his spoon came to a stop. Zelda caught the wisps of sorrow that flashed across his eyes for a split second, “...But your eyes always looked sad. Even though they were this crazy shade of violet and you had these giant golden lashes...there was this sadness in them that I just couldn’t shake seeing.”  Locking eyes with Zelda, Link felt a pang of hurt in his chest, the memory of her transformation still fresh in his mind, “I didn’t like seeing you so sad.”  The princess’s lip trembled at her hero’s softened voice, though her memory failed her of her time as the light dragon, she understood the impact it had on all those involved: especially Link. Without a word, she reached her hand out to cover his, her doleful smile willing to offer him some comfort,  “I’m not sad anymore, Link.”  Like a reflex, he flipped his palm to turn upright, his rougher fingers curling around hers. He took a deep breath, really allowing the warmth of her hand to register with him. Slowly, he matched her smile,  “I hope I can make sure you never are again, princess.” 

#tloz #tloz: totk #the legend of zelda #the legend of zelda: tears of the kingdom #tears of the kingdom #totk #link #totk link #zelda #totk zelda #princess zelda #zelink #zelda x link #fluff #comfort #totk spoilers #tears of the kingdom spoilers #totk fanfic #totk drabble

[whenwindwhispers]

Tag game: five character associations

Whisper Dekarios

tagged by @thetavolution (thank you!)

emotions:

compassionate

affectionate

motivated

quiet

lonely

colors:

boreal blue

silver

mauve purple

glacial white

taupe brown

scents:

blueberries

lavender

spring water

firewood

mint

objects:

his lucky coin

silver earrings

toad teapot

nyx’s amulet

garden pots

body language:

ducking/tilting head down to try and hide under horns

hunching shoulders trying to appear smaller

idly fiddling with coin or doing coin tricks

giving passionate hugs and kisses

tail flicking from side-to-side excitedly or nervously

aesthetics:

silver armor and swords

golden fields of wheat disturbed by strong winds

old statues of greek heroes

forget-me-nots

blue skies, blue hearts, blue anything

tagging @left4dead @fawkesfeckery @malewife-of-waterdeep in case y’all want to join in!

#finally got around to doing this ahhh!!! #such a fun idea #thanks again for tagging #bg3 #bg3 tav #bg3 oc #oc; whisper dekarios #baldur's gate 3 #baldur’s gate #tav #my tav #tag game

[thek1ngtalks]

"I'm sorry."

The Wanderer had imagined this day often. A purple sky crackling with blue thunder. Mother's sword cast away from her, lying at his feet but unneeded, his sword already pressed to her throat. His mother, with a defeated kneel, and words that sounds like begging.

"I'm sorry."

Here, in reality, she hesitates. Her throat is not held to a deadly blade, the skies are not darkened with his rage. His mother, sitting quietly, a rigid, unbendable line in her spine that betrays her puppet's inhumanity. She does not know what to call him, that is why she hesitates.

When she left him in that domain, he had been nameless, without purpose nor the gnosis he'd been made for. Mother has probably heard of the countless aliases that refer to him, but she does not know which to say. He doesn't know if he'd prefer Scaramouche, being what he's most used to. He does not know if he likes the name the most, but he does not like it the least.

He's loath to image her calling him Wanderer, a cop out, or Balladeer, a title and not a name. Even briefly thinking of the name 'Kunikuzushi' falling from her lips makes his vision red. The ambition behind the name, he hasn't quite abandoned yet, but the memories behind it are more sensitive.

In the end, she says none of them. Just as always, resigned to the easiest option: giving up before even trying. Just as she did with Inazuma.

Just as she did with him.

"I'm sorry."

Her voice is soft, which is unlike her. Nothing about Mother is soft or warm. She is the sudden explosion of superheated water, the rising of hair before thunder strikes. The thunder itself, jagged edges and all. Her touch is a taunting, cold and impersonal thing. Even before put her consciousness into a puppet, she had been cold.

He thinks of a distinct difference in his mother, once, when Yae Miko visited. Mother had been kinder, softer. Happier with the conniving fox than her own son.

It's that last one, perhaps, that tips him over the edge. His mind, tightroping over the Chasm of his fragile psyche, was always too weak. Built to break.

Memories have always stirred up something unique in him. The Wanderer is used to nostalgia, being over 500 years old, but this is not that. This is bittersweet, stuck to his teeth like a poison. Rotting his tongue, staining his teeth bloody.

"I'm—"

"Shut up," He says, closer to a howl maybe. It startles both of them. He clears his throat, something viscous clogging it. "Why are you here?"

Here, in the Traveler's odd teapot. A large collection of islands, filled to the brim with structures and the mansion stuffed with decorations and clutter. They had invited him despite everything that should've driven them apart.

Mother hesitates, turning her head, scanning for something. She doesn't find it and her gaze returns to him. Haltingly, she says, "The Traveler... invited me. I was not... They did not inform me you'd be present."

"Why? Wouldn't have come if you'd known?" The Wanderer's teeth are sharp, a change Dottore made. They cut his tongue when he grins. For as vile as his smirk is, a potent Harbinger smile, his mother is the Electro Archon. Even if he cut through her with her own sword, he's more likely to find anger and disgust then fear.

"That's not what I meant," Softly, again. It is disgusting.

"Shut up," He says again, calmer. It is a testament to his growth, he supposes, that he did not immediately try to kill her. "I don't care.

If it were a few weeks away---hell, a few days ago, maybe he could convince himself that was true. However, somewhere between getting the shit kicked out of him and facing the collective of all of Teyvat's knowledge, The Wanderer came to terms that he may always care. A fact that was just as disgusting, if not more, than the sullen look on Mother's face.

She is quiet for a long moment, as if expecting for him to say something to break that silence. There is a painful naivety to that expectation. It has never been more apparent to him just how big of an effect spending hundreds of years isolated in her mind could have.

"I'm sorry," She whispers. Weak, pathetic. Everything like him.

Mother says it like she thinks he hasn't heard. He has. He has been waiting for a day like this for centuries.

Cruelly, his mind says 'So has she.'

The Wanderer is just as cruel as his mind is so he replies, "I don't forgive you."

The cracked look on Mother's face is almost worth his own heartbreak.

#ei is mommy but NOT mother #well she is #but a pretty bad one #this is what woulda happened (in my head) if Scara hadn't erased himself in Irminsul #Neither could actually love the other after everything that happened but the traveler definitely did that on purpose so they could try #then scara goes and cries to nahida and she DOES fix things #in nahida we trust #do i post this on ao3 *insert contemptlative emoji if i was on phone* #jk gonna do that anyway #genshin impact #scaramouche #raiden shogun #raiden ei #ei genshin #mommy issues frfr

[foggedupwindows]

part two

After an hour of easy chatter, Evan finishes his second drink and looks at his watch. The sense of disappointment that comes over me is surprising. "Do you need to go?" I ask.

He looks up at me. "Well…." He looks around. "Kind of. But…."

"It's okay. I'm here most days." I realize that might sound pathetic. "I mean, not for this long. I stay up the street."

He turns toward me and leans in. "I would love to give you my number."

My cheeks heat up. "Really?"

He smiles. "Yeah. I have an errand to run but really want to see you again."

We exchange numbers and chat for a few more minutes before Evan's phone goes off. He holds it up. "Uber's here," he sighs. He stands and grabs his coffee mug. "I'll be free in like forty five minutes. I just need to run somewhere real quick."

"Okay. I'll text you," I say, standing with him. We drop our dishes at the counter and head for the door. As we hit the sidewalk, Evan smiles down at me. "This was so fun. You're really easy to talk with."

I return his smile. "You are, too. I can't wait to see you again."

He pulls me in for a tight hug before heading over to his Uber. He waves and they drive away. For a moment I am stuck. Like the last hour is all catching up with me. What a dream. He is so warm and engaging. Alert and methodical. I love the way his mind tries to tie into everything I say. Such genius.

I blink and look down the road. I see a mess of red hair moving toward me and my heart pounds. "Ally!" I squeal, running toward a stunning, frumpy babe of a woman.

"Girl!" she says, running toward me. "What are you doing?"

"You're not going to believe what I HAVE been doing."

I give her the rundown of the chat I had. After Evan and I talked about Crypticon, we kind of veered into darker subjects, obviously excluding the worst of the worst. But he's a pretty nerdy guy and enjoys many different genres. We had momentarily touched on the subject of sex.

"Wait," Ally says, grabbing my arm. "You… talked… about sex… with Evan Peters?"

I nod and we both squeal a little.

"And??" she asks.

"Well…."

Evan had mentioned he wasn't into anything super weird. I had tried to press the subject but he was adamant.

"He did, however… say…." I blush.

"What!?"

I cover my face with my hands. "He's submissive."

Ally shrieks in my ear. She jumps around in a circle before grabbing onto me again. "And?!"

I peak from between my fingers. "I told him… I'm a switch."

Ally primal screams up to the sky: "You are living my dream!"

I back away from her laughing. We have made it to her apartment up the street from the cafe. I've been staying with her for months. I've known her for years. We've both been hot on Evan Peters for over a decade. The excitement we're sharing is so fun.

We clomp inside then up the stairs to Ally's apartment. The dark-flowered wreath hanging from her door is always a welcome sight.

We go inside and Ally immediately heads for the teapot on the stove. I walk toward the small window above the kitchen sink and look out at the hazy afternoon. Springtime in Seattle is perfect. The water is a great dark blue, to match the clear skies. A breeze blows through the open window to cool the slowly seeping, warm promise of summer.

"What's your poison today?" Ally asks, standing in front of her tea cupboard. I look up at her porcelain cups (strictly Do Not Touch) and admire the delicately painted flowers and golden rims. There are boxes and containers of tea, ranging from a simple chamomile to exotic teas with foreign languages written on the packaging. My eyes stop at a rose tea, and I reach for it.

"Ooh," Ally teases. "Feeling a little lovely?"

"I try to hide a smile but Ally laughs. "This is kind of wild!" she exclaims, setting a couple of black eartherware mugs on her wooden counters. "Of all the people, all of the weird random dreamy scenarios…." She is shaking her head as she pours steaming water into both of the mugs. She has chosen an herby, nettle tea mix. The metal tea infuser floats to the top of her mug before bubbling its way back to the bottom. "I should have come with you this morning. We could be having a threesome instead."

"I doubt he would be down for that, anyway," I say as I reach for my mug. Ally gives me a sideways glance.

"Everyone can be persuaded," she says lightly.

I chuckle as we make our way into the living area. Ally has this great, overstuffed green couch that is almost too large for the space. It's full of silk pillows and a couple of cozy, hand-made blankets. We set our cups on her glass coffee table and pick up our knitting projects. Ally is making this intricate, beautiful cream-colored cardigan. I am making a square. To go with all of my other squares of various colors and yarn types.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and my heart goes wild. I try to ignore it, to enjoy some time with Ally. We knit for about ten minutes, alternating between knitting and sipping our tea. We talk about some small plans for our week. Ally's brother is coming to visit from Vancouver, so we talk about some of the bars she wants to go to. I tell her about this fun goth bar over in Tacoma, and she mentions a fun, dark bar in Fremont.

My phone buzzes again. Ally's ears perk up, and she beams at me. "Is that him?"

I take out my phone and unlock it. Two new messages. I smile up at Ally. "It's him." I look back down at my phone and immediately drop it. "Oh my god," I say, head in my hands.

"What?" Ally asks, grabbing my phone. She pauses a moment before saying, "Oh my god!"

The two messages are from Evan.

"Free tonight?" the first message says.

"Would love to hear more about you being a switch."

***

#evanpeters #evanpetersfanfic

[asterism-writing]

prologue- ii

SYNOPSIS: i try to help her remember. he tries to run away.

WORD COUNT: 1,306.

SERIES: [ not found ]

“…a year?”

Her mouth agape, she looked at the blue-haired Mondstadter across the dinner table, her spoon hanging limply in between her fingers.

The starry-eyed captain, strangely enough, was not wearing his teasing lilt, nor donning his mask of confidence with an air of dramatics.

He seemed solemn.

Reluctant.

“Yes. You’ve been gone for that long,” he confirms, nodding, “It has been a full cycle of seasons since you were last awake— winter has taken its toll on Mondstadt again.”

…

She blinked at him disbelievingly.

“Kaeya— that is your name, right?— i-i did not sleep for that long,” she declares, shaking her head, bowing down and continuing to eat her meal. “I refuse to believe it.”

He allows himself a smile.

You’re stubborn for your own good, Esther.

“After you’re done, let me show you the stars,” he proposes. “If you say you did not sleep for that long, it should be same ones you gazed up long ago.”

She nods at that, gripping the utensil with a shaky hand.

…

The two of them walked amonsgst the lively grass of the mushroom forest, coming to life with every step that she takes, glowing blue with vigor.

“Weird… this forest seems aware of our arrival,” she mutters, prodding the grass suspiciously, “Has it always been like this?”

Kaeya nods, beckoning with his head to follow him still.

“It has been ever since we stepped foot here,” he mutters, watching her catch up with him just in case she stumbles, “The blue glow is blinding when you’re around, Esther.”

She frowns at that, her brows furrowing in thought.

“…is that really my name?” she questions, “You better not lie to me now, Kaeya.”

He shakes his head, then stops.

“We’re here. Now, look up.”

She gazes at the skies.

…

She squints, settling down on a rock and searching the skies for any bright, noticeable stars.

“What exactly am I searching for?”

“Five constellations,” he instructs her. “The most visible ones should be a hexagon and a bull.”

…

“I can’t see it,” she admits. “All I can see is a wolf and a lion.”

Cyno and Dehya.

…

“Let’s say i DID sleep for a year,” she glares at the man sitting beside her left, “Why?”

At that, he shrugs.

“I cannot answer that question,” he prefaces, “All we know is that Tinuvion found you in a domain—“

“Wait, who?” she butted in.

“He’s the guy with the big hat,” he gestures a large circle around the top of his head, “That, and wielding words so blunt it might as well be a Debate Club.”

….

He spots her confused face and hums thoughtfully, taking care in choosing his words.

“He has violet eyes,” he adds, which promptly makes her snap up.

“Oh, him! Yes, he was the first one I saw after I awoke,” she nods at him, “You’re saying he found me?”

Believe him.

He nods again, staring up at the sky as well.

“It took quite a while before he found you— almost three months— but then, everybody else was searching,” he begins, reveling at the soft wind on his hair. “Seeing as how you lost your memories, I was surprised that you did not scream while alone with him, much less when you’re in an unfamiliar place.”

That sentence made her think, fidgeting with the blue grass.

True, she never did panic when he woke up, but…

“He felt like someone I know of, yet different,” she admits.

“It’s a… hm, i can describe it as something like the sensations of water you feel after swimming for a long time. You feel the waves touch your skin and ripple your arms, yet you’re lying in a bed. It’s the same thing here.”

I feel like i should trust him, but he feels so, so different.

He is.

Kaeya raises his brows at that sentence.

“…you really forgot, didn’t you?” he muses, looking down, “No matter. It will return to you in due time. Come on, let’s go.”

With nothing better to do, she followed him back to the inconspicuous teapot hiding in the bushes past the forest and underneath a certain statue.

“This person…” she mutters, squinting at the figure above. “Who is she?”

“Hm? Oh, she’s Lesser Lord Kusanali, the Dendro Archon,” he supplies, reaching down and checking the ceramic for any cracks, “You helped her as well, dear Esther.”

“I… did? Huh,” she thoughtfully says, “Why do I have a feeling that everybody knows me?”

At that, the Captain allows himself a rare grin— one that is wholly genuine— to her.

“That’s because you did,” he says with a certain… nostalgic tone to it, “But let’s move this conversation to another place.”

He gestured at her to get in the teapot, and he soon followed.

…

…

A cold, pale hand grabbed the ceramic and checked to make sure that it is well hidden amidst the greenery.

Tilting his hat towards him, he walked away from the Statue, stewing in his own thoughts.

…or rather, listening to the voices in his head.

“Hah, do you even know how it feels to lose her permanently?” his own voice echoed. “To let her go from my hands and end up with the likes of you?”

He only scoffs at that, flying away towards a random direction and walked again, muttering, “What exactly is your point here?”

“It’d be nice if she stays with us forever,” his voice cockily says, “It’s a design flaw that we somehow came from you— seeing as we will cherish her more than you ever will.”

Gritting his teeth, he walked towards who knows where, determined to drown out the whispers.

“I didn’t do anything,” he vehemently denies. “She loved me of her own volition—“

“-and we loved her back!”

A second voice joined the fray— one that sounds like him as well, yet the way the voice carries himself seemed more dignified.

“Do you enjoy spinning her around like a top? Making her go in circles about how maddeningly hopeless she is for you?”

“At least I had the decency to admit that I like someone back like a normal person,” he spat. “And look where that got me. All those years, well spent with her.”

He stops in his tracks.

“You—“

“What? Going to do something?” the voice taunts, “Can you do anything about it? She and I were together for that entirety— and I loved every single second of it.”

“But what about you, huh? You can’t even help her when she’s lost her memory— you just had to let her best friend do all the work again. What a dead weight,” it scoffs, “Don’t you have a shred of gratitude for what she did to you when you’re the amnesiac?”

“I am not obligated to do anything to help her,” Tinuvion mutters, flying away again, “She did that of her own—“

“Moron!” The second voice irately shouts, “Go back there and help her remember!”

“No,” he grits his teeth. “That captain will help her remember.”

As he said that words, he felt like a bomb had gone off with the amount of shrieking and screaming inside his head, making him lose his focus and stumble to the grass floor.

“Pathetic. Here I thought you learned your lesson.”

“Just admit it, you smartass.”

“Say it to her.”

“Help her like she helped us.”

“Say it back.”

“Say it.”

“Say it.”

“Say—“

“Fine!” The puppet bursts out, clutching his head. “Fine, i’ll tell her!”

The din ceased, leaving only the familiar buzz in his ears that no internal maintenance from Faruzan will ever fix.

Cursing his fate, he flies up again and goes back to the watchful gaze of Lesser Lord Kusanali…

…and enters the realm stuffed inside a teapot once more, ending a month of pointless wandering.

#esther arkados #wanderer #kaeya alberich #wanderer: tinuvion #genshin impact wanderer #genshin impact #kaeya #echo: [ redacted ]

[joieyx]

Design Process - Poster 1

First Draft

Second Draft : I picked dark blue because blue represent calmness and reminds me of the blue skies in nz  

I didnt like the look of the teapot so i changed into another shape created by the letter c for the pot itself and the handle. I tried another look for the cup as well to try if it gave a better flow  alas i preferred the coffee bean version.  

I decided to print out and got some feedback from my friends

Type needs depth 

Separate the wavy lines so that its readable 

The mouth of the teapot feels distant 

Feedback 

The shadow behind the slow creates a bouncy effect - fast not slow vibes

The coffee beans scattered around are messy 

The teapot looks more like the letter e than a teapot 

The dark blue doesn't represent the vibes of nz ( slow, peaceful) but is too loud

Blue represent quite alot / too general

Green relates more to NZ's identity

Overall, the poster doesn't give off coffee slow-living vibes but is too bold and pop in the eye. 

Too vague

Decided to go back to my first idea

Refined the tea pot and added gradient but was too bright

My printing trials + editing colours because digital and printed don't look the same

Final

[chrancecriber]

Radio NET Bulgaria (December 11, 2022)

23:56 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Club Life 23:53 JESSY J - Besame Mucho 23:49 AL DEGREGORIS - Hey You 23:45 MELINA - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 23:41 BENNETT B - Above The Clouds 23:37 JAZZ FUNK SOUL - Life And Times 23:33 JAZZ IN PINK - Joy Joy! 23:28 DANNY LERMAN - No Ordinary Love 23:25 MARION MEADOWS - Jingle Bells 23:21 NEIKA SIMONE - Beautiful Moments 23:17 ED CALLE - Faces in the Clouds 23:13 JIM ADKINS - Wind Dancing 23:10 WILL DONATO - Always You (Feat. Steve Oliver) 23:07 VINCENT INGALA - Sleigh Ride 23:03 NILS - Summer Nights 23:00 OLI SILK - Eva's Song 22:59 LINKIN PARK - New Divide (Lukas Termena Chillout Mix) 22:53 MICHAEL E - That Night Last Summer 22:49 AMYCANBE - Rose Is A Rose 22:43 ASHENI - Only Magic (Chris Wonderful Remix) 22:38 EMMA HEWITT - Foolish Boy (Zetandel Chill Out Mix) 22:35 JAY SEAN - Maybe (The Xtreme Chillout Remix) 22:30 ROGER SHAH, SUNLOUNGER - Trademark White (Omega 3 Bossachill Remix) 22:24 LEMONGRASS - Ocean Kisses (Original Mix) 22:20 SUNLOUNGER - Punta Galera (Chillout Mix) 22:17 TIESTO FEAT. JES - Everything (Acoustic) 22:09 KITARO - A Passage Of Life 22:05 JULIAN VINCENT, SHANNON HURLEY - Lost In Space (Lovers & Poets Remix) 22:02 MISS B.T. - Right Now (Sweet Lovin' Edit) 21:57 SEBA - Painted Sky (Imagine Chill Out Remix) 21:52 JOHN O'CALLAGHAN, LO-FI SUGAR - Never Fade Away 21:48 BELLATRAX FEAT. TINA COUSINS - Can’t Hold Back (Acoustic Mix) 21:45 SYLVERING - Just An Illusion 21:39 SMOOTH DELUXE - Boulevard Rouge 21:35 ABOVE & BEYOND, GARETH EMERY - On A Good Day (Incognet REWORK) 21:32 KOSMOPOLITANS, ATHENA ROUTSI - I Belong To You 21:27 FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE - Seven Devils 21:24 ENIGMA, SARAH BRIGHTMAN - La Mer 21:20 LOUNGE GROOVE AVENUE - Don't Be So Shy 21:14 SIR LOUNGEALOT - Silver Beach (Original Mix) 21:11 JES - Stronger 21:07 CUEBRICK - Safe (C-Systems Alternative Mix) 20:58 VINTAGE, MORELLI - Tree Of Life (Magnetik Remix) 20:53 DEEPER SUBLIME, AVO - Hypnotic 20:48 ANDAIN - You Once Told Me 20:44 ROBERT NICKSON - Russell's Teapot (Original Mix) 20:39 DASH BERLIN - Listen To Your Heart (Acoustic Mix) 20:36 FENNA DAY - Skin & Bone (Original Mix) 20:32 SHARAM, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD - The One (Downtempo Mix) 20:26 MACIEJ LABUDA - Be Free 20:22 DASH BERLIN, EMMA HEWITT - Waiting (Acoustic Version) 20:19 SEPTEMBER - Cry For You (Candlelight Remix) 20:15 FRED HYAS - Meet Dawn (Rework) 20:10 POLISHED CHROME - Secret Of Sound (Album Version) 20:06 SAGI REI - Your Loving Arms 20:00 LIFE AUDIENCE - Vanilla 19:55 BEN GOLD, SENADEE - Today (Chilled Datt Remix) 19:52 CERF, MITISKA & JAREN, RANK 1 - Witness (Acoustic Mix) 19:49 HARDWELL, COLLIN McLOUGHLIN - Call Me A Spaceman (Unplugged Version) 19:44 INDIGO SUN - You Don't Fool Me (Tango Cafe Mix) 19:39 FRIENDLY BREAKS - Jazzy City Walk (Deep Lounge Mix) 19:35 ANDY MOOR, ASHLEY WALLBRIDGE, GABRIELA - World To Turn 19:30 KITARO - Itonami 19:26 CHRIS REECE - Overflow 19:22 ARTENOVUM - When You Fall Asleep (Slow Coach Mix) 19:17 ALEXANDER POPOV - The Last He Said (Original Mix) 19:11 MOUSSA CLARKE, TERRAFUNKA - She Wants Him (Dynamic Illusion Chill Mix) 19:04 TWENTYEIGHT - Monday night 19:01 VITO FOGNINI, CARI - True To Myself (Original Mix) 18:56 SMOOTH DELUXE - Dream Of Insomnia 18:51 MARGA SOL - Prayer For Love (Soul Avenue's Balearic Blues Mix) 18:48 CLAES ROSEN, NATALIE PERIS - Stay (Original Mix) 18:44 DJ CHART, DOBA, PRINCESS LARISSA - Danger Games 18:40 LOUNGE GROOVE AVENUE - Silk And Smooth 18:34 ROAN PORTMAN - In Faith We Trust 18:30 SARAH MENESCAL - Don't Speak 18:25 LEO ROJAS - Friendship 18:22 CNBK - Burning Skies (Acoustic Version) 18:17 SINOPTIK MUSIC - Black Islands 18:12 ANGELO CRESCERI - Harmony 18:07 PETE MURRAY - So Beautiful (Acoustic Version) 18:03 LANA DEL REY - Born To Die 17:58 SUNLONGER, LORILEE - Your Name (Chill Version) 17:55 SIRENS OF LESBOS - I Got New Feelings (Pablo Nouvelle Remix) 17:51 MICHAEL E - People Watching (Rubber Neck Mix) 17:47 AURORA - Where Would You Go When It Starts To Rain (Original Mix) 17:42 KENNY FONTANA - Wonderful Life (Cafe Buddha Del Mar Bar Mix As Made Famous By Hurts) 17:39 JAMES BUTLER - Dinner For Two 17:33 VIV DE LA ROSA - Agua Caliente 17:29 SUNLOUNGER, SEIS CUERDAS - A Balearic Dinner (Chill Mix) 17:25 NOMOSK, ROMAN MESSER, CHRISTINA NOVELLI - Lost Soul (Zetandel Chillout Remix) 17:19 FARUK SABANCI - As Faces Fade (Domenico Cascarino & Luca Lombardi Chill Out Remix) 17:13 RAZ NITZAN, MOYA BRENNAN - Find The Sun (Original Mix) 17:08 PREMASARA COUNCIL - Sensual Ecstasy 17:03 MEHMET CEMAL YESILCAY - You And I 17:00 DIANA KRALL - California Dreamin' 16:56 PAUL MESSINA & MARK R. HARRIS - A Better Day (feat. Ignacio Nunez & Jason Meekins) 16:52 VINCENT INGALA - Not Meant To Be 16:48 RAGAN WHITESIDE - So Glad 16:44 K.VIO, TIM TONIC - Little Snow Flake, Little White Coat 16:39 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - New Hope 16:34 JOHN E. LAWRENCE - Cool Jazz 16:30 NATHAN WOODWARD - Hark the Herald Angels Sing 16:26 DIRK K - Daafuunk 16:22 SPONTANEOUS GROOVIN' COMBUSTION - Road to Redemption 16:17 DERRICK HARVIN - From Here 16:14 TONY SAUNDERS - All Alone 16:10 TOM SCOTT - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 16:06 PHIL DENNY - Lifted 16:00 BOB BALDWIN - Get Over It 15:56 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Candlelight Flight with Me 15:52 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Hip Today 15:47 NORMAN BROWN - The Feeling I Get 15:44 JEANETTE HARRIS - Away In A Manger 15:40 BRIAN SIMPSON, STEVE OLIVER - The Way Home 15:36 CAROL ALBERT - On My Way 15:27 BRUCE MCKENZIE - Holiday Season 15:24 RANDY SCOTT - Tempo 15:19 DANIEL DOMENGE - Between Your Hands 15:16 WILL DONATO - Jaywalkin' 15:12 CHRIS STANDRING - The Gist of You 15:07 REZA KHAN - December 15:04 J3 - Hela 15:00 MARION MEADOWS - Dream Catcher 14:55 PHIL DENNY - Tough Get Goin' (feat. Ryan Montano) 14:51 LOUIE FITZGERALD - When I Look into Your Eyes 14:47 PETER WHITE - The Juggler 14:44 JONATHAN BUTLER - Joy To The World 14:39 NAJEE - Hurricane 14:34 WARREN HILL - Renewal 14:29 NICK COLIONNE - We Three Kings 14:25 PAUL BROWN - Wine Night 14:21 PAUL HARDCASTLE - Flight of the Phoenix 14:17 BONEY JAMES - Ain't No Sunshine 14:13 VINCENT INGALA - Kimi Trick 14:09 HERB ALPERT - White Christmas 14:04 JS FLOYD - Walk The Dog 14:00 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - Subway 13:56 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Emotion 13:51 JOHN E. LAWRENCE - Slow Jam 13:46 BLAIR BRYANT - Chocolate for Breakfast 13:43 SHAKATAK - Jingle Bells 13:38 KIM SCOTT - Seabreeze 13:34 PATRICK YANDALL - Gaviotas 13:30 TONY CRADDOCK JR. - The Christmas Song 13:25 WALTER BEASLEY - Strasbourg 13:21 BRIAN SIMPSON - Rio Sway 13:18 DREW DAVIDSEN - Overdrive 13:13 DAVID PETROSYAN - Everytime You Go 13:09 RONNY SMITH - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 13:04 JEFF KASHIWA - The Name Game 13:00 GABRIEL MARK HASSELBACH - Vanishing Summer 12:56 JEANETTE HARRIS - Just Keep Holding On 12:52 NAJEE - Don't Make Me Wait 12:47 GREGG KARUKAS - Floating in Bahia 12:42 BRIAN CULBERTSON - This Christmas 12:38 DARRON COOKIE - Another Day at Work 12:34 CHRIS STANDRING - Living the Poetry 12:30 DAVE KOZ - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Feat. Michael Lington) 12:26 NORMAN BROWN - The King Is Here 12:22 MARION MEADOWS - Any Time Any Place 12:17 KAYLA WATERS - Zephyr 12:13 NILS - Up and Away 12:09 ANDRE DELANO - Do You Hear What I Hear 12:04 PETER WHITE - Dreamwalk 12:00 OLI SILK - Take Some Time Out 11:57 RON OTIS - Stay in Your Lane 11:53 WARREN HILL - Gimme Some 11:48 GREG MANNING - I Need To Know (Feat. Adam Hawley) 11:44 KEITH MASON - End of Days 11:40 K.VIO, TIM TONIC - The Little Drummer Boy 11:36 VINCENT INGALA - If You Were Here Tonight 11:32 BONEY JAMES - Powerhouse 11:29 ART MORRIS - White Christmas 11:25 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - Livin' In NYC 11:22 KEN NAVARRO - That Time Of Evening 11:17 RICHARD ELLIOT - Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) 11:13 GORDON JAMES - Rainy Afternoon 11:08 MARCUS ANDERSON - Hark The Herald 11:04 JACKIEM JOYNER - Secret Admirer 11:00 J. WHITE - Free 10:56 TONY MOMRELLE - We Can Have It All 10:52 DARREN MOTAMEDY - After the Storm 10:49 DAMIEN ESCOBAR - Night Drive 10:44 OLI SILK - All Roads Lead to Home 10:40 BROOKE ALFORD, MARCUS ANDERSON - The First Noel (In the Sun) 10:34 WAKANA - Hometown 10:30 BEN TANKARD - Still Here 10:26 KNIGHTHAMMER - Christmas, I Love You 10:23 JEANETTE HARRIS - 12 57 (feat. Marcus Anderson) 10:18 FREDDIE FOX - Day Dreamin' 10:14 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Used to Love You 10:11 ALTHEA RENE - Blue Room 10:07 FANTASIA - This Christmas 10:03 TIM BOWMAN - New Day 10:00 BRIAN SIMPSON - Whisper To Me 09:56 DARRON COOKIE - I'm in to You 09:52 NORMAN BROWN - Sunset On Chandler 09:49 PEET PROJECT - ark Corner 09:44 MARION MEADOWS - Dark Beauty 09:41 DAVE KOZ - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Feat. Jonathan Butler) 09:37 ART RUPRECHT - I Get It 09:33 PHIL DENNY - Give a Little 09:28 PETER WHITE - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 09:24 NAJEE - Day By Day 09:20 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - American Garden 09:15 ROB SABADO - I Just Wanna Hang Around You 09:11 JOYCE COOLING - After Hours 09:07 JAMES 'PJ' SPRAGGINS - Hark the Herald Angels Sing 09:04 SLIM MAN - 3 AM 09:00 VINCENT INGALA - Lost In You 08:56 RAGAN WHITESIDE - Meu Amigo, Meu Amante 08:50 BRIAN BROMBERG - Mr. Miller 08:46 RHYTHM JETS - Angels We Have Heard on High 08:41 KHARI, CABRAL, JIVA - Show Me The Way 08:37 JEFFERY SMITH - Spring Time 08:33 DR. SAXLOVE - Deck The Halls 08:28 JACKIEM JOYNER - Lil' Man Soul 08:23 MARK ETHEREDGE - For Your Love (Feat. Chuck Loeb) 08:20 PAUL BROWN - Sugar Fish 08:16 BRENDAN ROTHWELL - Keep On Keepin' On 08:10 MARCUS ANDERSON - White Christmas 08:06 GERALD ALBRIGHT - Eddie's Groove 08:00 ROD TATE - Chillin' with Li Li 07:57 THREESTYLE, MAGDALENA CHOVANCOVA, ROBERT FERTL - Better Days 07:51 EUGE GROOVE - Get Em Goin' 07:46 GREGG KARUKAS - Riverside Drive 07:42 OLI SILK - So Many Ways 07:39 DAMIEN ESCOBAR - Silent Night 07:35 BONEY JAMES - Sunset Boulevard 07:31 RICK HABANA - Rum Factory 07:27 YUTAKA - This Christmas 07:23 BRIAN SIMPSON - So Many Ways 07:20 HERB PARTLOW - Another Interlude 07:16 FRANK MCCOMB - Cha Cha 07:12 LAWSON ROLLINS - Momentum 07:08 MARION MEADOWS - Christmas On The Radio 07:04 BEN TANKARD - More Rain 07:00 ART RUPRECHT - A Good Thing 06:56 SHAWN RAIFORD - Good Vibrations 06:51 PETER WHITE - Reason To Live 06:46 JIM ADKINS - A Kiss From You 06:42 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - LA Nights 06:39 YOLANDA RABUN - The Greatest Gift 06:35 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Day In Day Out 06:31 TIM BOWMAN - Just Another Day 06:27 BRAD ALEXANDER - What Child Is This 06:23 VINCENT INGALA - Sunset On Marco 06:19 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Better Days Ahead feat. Jeff Pescetto 06:15 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Roundtrip LAX - Release. 06:11 JULIAN VAUGHN - Amore 06:08 DOUG CAMERON - Feliz Navidad 06:04 JOYCE COOLING - Don't Mind if I Do 06:00 RICHARD ELLIOT - Coastline 05:56 SAM RUCKER - Overcomer 05:51 JEREMY HECTOR - Ascension 05:46 PAUL TAYLOR - Find a Way 05:41 MEZZOFORTE - Sea Breeze 05:37 SAM LEVINE - I'll Be Home For Christmas 05:33 JACKIEM JOYNER - Let Me Love You 05:29 KOOL&KLEAN - Amazing 05:26 DR. SAXLOVE - Frost The Snowman 05:23 DONN BYNUM - Mercy Mercy Me (feat. Lew Laing Jr.) 05:19 BLAKE AARON - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing (feat. Kim Scott) 05:14 INCOGNITO - Move It Up 05:10 JAZZ FUNK SOUL - Hustle 05:08 SHIN GIWON CHRISTMAS CAROL COLLECTION - White Christmas 05:04 MARQUEAL JORDAN - I'm Coming Home (feat. Chris Big Dog Davis) 05:00 PEET PROJECT - Tell Me You Want It 04:55 GREGG KARUKAS - Walkin' in Time 04:51 NATE WHITE - All in My Head 04:46 KIM SCOTT - Glorious 04:43 SMOOTH SOUL HOLIDAY - Jolly Old St. Nicholas 04:39 STEVE OLIVER - In the Shade of Cool 04:35 LAWSON ROLLINS - Bossa Nova California 04:31 KEB' MO' - One More Year With You 04:27 DAVID PETROSYAN - Endless Love 04:22 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - Been A Long Time Comin' 04:18 NILS - Casablanca 04:14 PETER WHITE - Don't Want To Be A Fool 04:08 BRIAN CULBERTSON - Angels We Have Heard On High 04:04 DEAN JAMES - Brighter Days 04:00 BAKERS DOZEN - Bring It Home 03:55 JONATHAN FRITZEN - Sweet Spot (feat. Paul Brown) 03:50 KIM WATERS - 95 North 03:45 LES SABLER - Esselle's Dance 03:41 HANK BILAL - Hark the Harold Angels Sing (feat. Jonathan Knott) 03:37 BRAD ALEXANDER - A Matter of Time 03:33 JULIAN VAUGHN - Sunday 03:29 PEGGY DUQUESNEL - Light of Christmas 03:24 RICHARD ELLIOT - Like Butter 03:20 CHRISTOPHE GOZE - Lazy Sunday 03:16 MARCUS ANDERSON - Your Touch (Dedicated To Will & Maggie Shares) 03:12 RICK HABANA - I'll Be There (feat. Will Donato) 03:08 HERB ALPERT - Merry Christmas, Darling 03:04 BRIAN SIMPSON - One of a Kind 03:00 PIECES OF A DREAM - It's A Vibe 02:56 JAZZ HOLDOUTS - April and May 02:52 JACKIEM JOYNER - Where's The Love Gone 02:47 NICHOLAS COLE - Just One Night (feat. Steve Cole) 02:43 RONNY SMITH - Groove 106 02:39 GEORGE HOWARD - The First Noel 02:34 SPONTANEOUS GROOVIN' COMBUSTION - Tribeca 02:30 AMANDUS - Quarter to Midnight 02:26 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Oh Come All Ye Faithful 02:22 PEET PROJECT - Wanna Have a Party 02:18 KENNY PORE - Touching Hearts Today 02:15 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Hookin' Up 02:11 NORMAN BROWN - Brighter My Light Shines 02:08 KEB' MO' - Please Come Home For Christmas 02:03 KIM SCOTT - No Worries (Feat. James K. Lloyd) 02:00 NICK COLIONNE - There It Is 01:56 BAKERS DOZEN - No Doubt 01:53 RON OTIS - Stay in Your Lane 01:49 J.J. SANSAVERINO - The Groove Messengers 01:45 GHOST JAZZ TRIO BAND - Sun Tides 01:41 EVERETT B WALTERS - Mom's Biscuits 01:37 NEAL DAVIS - Golden Bells 01:32 CRAIG SHARMAT - Nite Moves 01:28 KEN POWE - Above The Clouds 01:24 GERRY SMOOTH - I'm Glad You're Here 01:20 THOM ROTELLA - Feelin' It 01:15 LISA ADDEO - Touch Me In The Night 01:07 BRUCE MCKENZIE - Holiday Season 01:03 DEE BROWN - Tie The Knot (feat. Lin Rountree) 00:59 BONA FIDE - Funk Box 00:54 GORDON JAMES - Cafe Soul 00:50 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD - Morning After 00:47 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Someday Soon 00:43 ALTHEA RENE - Rock with You 00:40 ARIEL B - Candy Cane Love 00:36 JAZZ IN PINK - Smoother 00:32 KEITH ANDREW - Take It Slow 00:28 DAVE BRADSHAW JR. - Jumpstep 00:24 MAX HIGHSTEIN - Gratitune 00:20 FRANK SUTTON - Its Gonna Be A Lovely Day 00:16 THE TIMELESS QUINTET - Angels We Have Heard On High 00:11 MICHAEL LEMMO - Ready for It 00:08 CAL HARRIS JR. - Endless Summer 00:03 BLUEY - Back Here Again 00:00 REZA KHAN - Waiting for the Sky

#Radio NET Bulgaria #Smooth Jazz #Chillout #Lounge #Downtempo #Ambient #Trance #2022 #December 2022

[sylvctica]

@abyssmalice​  ➤ unprompted     ​

A familiar lady with a basket of flowers has passed by, leaving a large, round cookie on a cute napkin for a parting gift. Its warmth belies its freshly baked status, the faint steam leaving a welcome scent of blueberry in the air. Though, peculiarly enough, the cookie tastes more like strawberries or raspberries than blueberries.

Similarly, the skies are green and the grass is blue. Truth is false and lies are the mark of honesty. What is hidden deep is unveiled to the sleeping sun, and what is known to all becomes a secret for the waking moon.

(It would seem that the eternal missus has added a strange crossbreed of blueberry to this cookie batch. Perhaps it's strange enough to notice before even nibbling at it - and if not, then, do opposites abound and nothing left sacred to silence, should the guest of honor indulge in her truly innocent gift.)

      Their initial thought was that perhaps it was something someone left behind, but the set-up of the situation was making them think differently, as if it were left behind more as a gift than anything else. Normally, they wouldn’t dare touch food that may belong to others, but they were the only person around here and there wasn’t much sign of anyone else traversing this area ( especially to drop off a freshly-baked cookie ).

      Tentatively, the cookie was picked up at smelled before a tentative nibble followed with confirmation ... yep, smelled like blueberries, tasted like raspberries, oddly enough, and it didn’t take very long for the cookie to be absolutely devoured.

      “This cookie tastes disgusting. Wonder w—”

      Wait.

      Those were not quite the words that wanted to leave their lips; a hand was lightly smacked against their own mouth, staring holes into the cookie because few things genuinely affected them. Whatever this cookie caused, it’d take some time for their body to process and absorb.

      Fingers pulled out their notebook and a simple, condensed pen to see if writing would yield the same results—only for the pen to spill a blob of ink on the notebook, rendering that page ( and a few under it ) as completely useless alongside the pen. Any attempts to get any communication written down was an absolute flop, like the sheer nature of life was throwing the opposite at them.

      This was a teapot day, wasn’t it.

      ... well it would be if the teapot would let them in, leaving them to so tiredly stare at it for a few minutes too long. This is not going to be fun to navigate.

      Perhaps, trying to do the opposite of what they meant to do, and hoping it’d work out might work ... gods forbid anyone talk to them for the next few hours.

#[ sylvie vc: i already talk stupid enough i dont wanna sound even more stupid ] #SYLVIE // ANSWERED. #OOC // WAITING FOR QUEUE. #abyssmalice

[bachiles]

Feeling Fishy - Teapot Tuesday

Feeling Fishy – Teapot Tuesday

This week’s teapot was a Christmas gift from our youngest son, Aaron.  I absolutely love it!  It is whimsical and adorable, colorful and detailed, unique and sturdy all wrapped into one teapot.  It will be one of my favorites not only because of the looks but because it was hand picked for me by him. It makes me smile every time I look at it. Surely a pretty woman never looks prettier than when…

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#animal teapot #Blue Skies teapot #fish teapot #fun teapot #teapot #teapot collection #teapot Tuesday #whimsical teapot

[brainworms-all-night-long]

Razor: *exists*

The abyss order: And I took it personally

#genshin impact #i hadn't really been to wolvendom yet so idk #after hours of Enkonomiya exploration seeing green garss and blue skies is weird #i want to put the floating rays in my teapot #i propably can actually do that #i hadn't really tried it yet #genshin razor #genshin impact 2.4

[blzzrdstryr]

Alone together

Yandere!Dainsleif x gn!reader

Wordcount: 2011

CW: Yandere themes, stalking, possessive behavior, PTSD

Khaenri’ah burns. Skies turn red, as tall pillars of smoke arise in the place of ruined towers. People cry and beg and scream.

“Ah, [First] , you came to help” Lisa greets you, waking up from her half-slumbering state: “Welcome, welcome. I already made some tea for you, just let me”. The librarian stretches and yawns akin to a cat, after she stands up from the counter, flashing you one of her charming smiles afterwards: “Go and fetch it. We will work after the tea”.

Something in her voice leaves no room for argument, so you sit at the offered table, eyes immediately shifting to the nearby window, mostly out of habit. Skies are blue and clear, buildings are whole and steady, people are laughing and cheering outside. It’s a sight that brings you heartache and comfort at the same time - no one should be subjected to what you had to live through, whether they worship the seven or not.

“And here it is”, the witch says, holding a tray with a steaming teapot, cups and a plate of cupcakes resting on top of it. The next fifteen minutes are spent drinking and carelessly chatting about everything and nothing in particular: Lisa is an excellent company, adept at maintaining the conversation interesting and atmosphere comfortable, her wide array of knowledge and keen intellect keeping you on your toes throughout the exchange despite the advantage of experience you happen to possess.

The brief tea party is then followed by the shared work of deciphering ancient documents, the librarian sometimes turns to you asking for the meaning of one word or another - most of the texts are written in Khaenri’ahn or archaic forms of the modern languages.

She doesn’t pry why you happen to possess such intrinsic knowledge on the long dead language, nor does she ask anything about your star-shaped pupils - she must have seen the descendants of your compatriots, then. You know there live at least two - one with tan skin and a warm smile that never reaches his cold eyes and a blonde youth with the powers of khemia rolling under his palms. There’s no courage to approach them.

You in turn share Khaenri’ah’s greatest legacy - knowledge and science that helped your nation to outpace the deities and turn them against you. It’s a nice feeling - making sure that the thing your people cherished the most will not be forgotten, even if it’s given to archon worshippers. Five centuries ago the thought of educating Teyvatians would be laughable to you - there’s no use in it, they will continue to believe in their gods - you would dismiss it, but now nationless you have no choice but to do it - it’s the only way to keep the products of your people alive. To keep the memory of your people alive.

Khaenri’ah burns. You run across the collapsing city, eyes growing wider as you see people slowly morphing into something. It’s bestial and feral, primitive. Your breath hitches, you want to scream.

“[First]?”, it’s Lisa again, she lightly taps your shoulder, a hint of concern creeps into her voice

“Ah? Everything is fine, I just zoned off” you reply, too quickly and too strained to be believable. Who could have known that even after five hundred years the flashbacks of what happened on that day will still haunt you? They trail your thoughts like determined hounds, sneaking up on you in the most inopportune times. One moment you are talking to someone, the second you relive the fall of Khaenri’ah. The memory feels too real to be a fantasy, leaving your thoughts messy, anxious and disordered, as you shake and try to calm yourself.

“Are you sure?”, she stands up from her seat and makes a couple of quick steps to you, taking a good look at your face: you must look horrible, you think, those episodes always leave you panting and on the verge of panic.

“Maybe we should continue tomorrow, there’s no use in haste, it’s not like our documents will run away”, Lisa continues, massaging circles into your shoulder - her hand is warm and comforting, grounding. You want to thank her for this - the understanding tone and the way she caresses you right now, helping you to keep the link with reality, but the words get stuck in your throat - it’s too much and too scary, to admit what just has happened not only to her, but to yourself too.

“Yes”, you finally force out of yourself, nodding along the way: “it would be for the better”. Your voice is still too tense and strained, filled with the grief for the people and places long past, but Lisa, to your relief, doesn’t point out any of it. You quickly gather your belongings and leave the library, almost forgetting to bid a farewell to the witch as you exit.

The sun begins to set as you make your way to the rented house, it’s small and nondescript, a complete opposite of the one you had in Liyue. You used to work as a scholar in the harbor before He found you again - you fled your spacious and cozy apartments in less than a day, leaving almost all of your possessions behind.

The thoughts of what had happened still buzz in your mind - you want to scream and cry, you want to vent to someone, but the words you will utter will be in pure khaenri’ahn they won’t understand you.

You think of finally approaching that star-eyed cavalry captain, Kaeya, maybe he saw what you witnessed too. You think of Albedo, who carries the same energy all khaenri’ahn constructs do. You want to ask him about his creator, you want to talk with him about Khemia. You think of Barbatos who wears the form of the cheerful bard, you want to accuse and scream and hit him.

You do nothing as the power leaves your body the same second - it’s scary, so scary to verbalize that, to talk and share and relive, and approaching any of those three means doing exactly so.

You stay inside instead, calming your beating heart and kicking out intrusive thoughts, and only when your pulse returns to the norm you allow yourself to finally stand up. The world is shaky and unreliable, but some things stay the same. Your room for example - you have a habit of leaving things in specific places, as a way to keep you grounded. There’s a comfort in familiarity - the one you desperately need.

Your eyes shift from one object to the other, until they stumble across something that sends your heart racing again. The cup you use is shifted by a couple of inches, facing you by the opposite side, there’s a flower and a note lying beside it. The words are in khaenri’ahn, the handwriting is familiar too.

Khaenri’ah burns. Your lungs do too from the sheer overexertion and fatigue, but you keep pushing further and further - you can’t give up yet, not when He needs you. A name forms on your lips.

Thousand of thoughts form in your mind, they’re panicked, fast and disjointed - flee again, cut and dye your hair, change the name too - you can start over in Inazuma again, it’s a closed country, so if you will manage to get in, it will be harder for him to track you again.

Who are you kidding?

Unlike you, he has a core of steel, an unwavering determination to settle things his way or die trying - be it opposing Celestia or gaining you. It was always like that, with the Twilight sword being stubborn to a fault - he never budged or surrendered, not when Khaenri’ah was still proudly standing, and not now, when there’s nothing but the charred remains of your homeland.

You met him when you got accepted into the Royal order, where a Konungr paired you with Him. The twilight sword was unrelenting in his pursuits even then, a trait that you both admired and feared in equal volume. The collapse of your nation only worsened this quality - if back then he was striving to supervise and oversee everything, then the tragedy exacerbated his controlling tendencies even further.

You were travelling together for the first fifty years after the fall, both affected by the same curse, as he started getting possessive. It began in innocuous things: asking where you were, what you were doing, you didn’t pay much attention back then, celestial wrath still fresh in your memory - he was just cautious you told yourself, it’s a safety measure.

But then these safety measures grew from simply inquiring about your day to accompanying you almost everywhere, and then it all culminated in Him locking you up, to keep you away from leaving.

You escaped then, and avoided him ever since, departing your residence the second you caught the wind of his possible proximity. Years turned into decades that later morphed into centuries, and you began to grow lax - he was getting closer and closer to you with each turn. The first time you had a suspicion of him being near you packed your things the same second and spent countless days traversing the land by hidden passageways, careful not to leave any traces, and now, now you still sit in your house, despite having evidence of him knowing where you are.

Maybe you grew tired of the cat and mouse game, maybe you just accepted that your recapture is inevitable and all your little escapes do nothing, but set it off for a couple of months, or maybe you’re just that lonely. It doesn’t matter, really, as you make no attempt to do anything - it’s useless, he already knows your location.

Khaenri’ah burns. You cry and you hate yourself - for weakness, for helplessness, for still being alive and sane. He stays near you as a silent shadow, his blue eyes shifting from your crying face to the wreckage of the city. There are no words shared between you that day - you’re crushed and empty, yet bare and aching at the same time.

“Dainsleif”, you greet him, once you hear the squeak of the opening door. He doesn’t look that different from five hundred years ago, but now his eyes are both more tired and alive with fervent light.

“[First]”, he simply replies, your name rolling off his tongue like a prayer - there’s adoration and worship in his tone. He almost falls to his knees, as he takes your hands in his, capturing them in a steel trap.

“[First], I finally have you, [first]”, he murmurs, bringing your palm to his face. You don’t resist him, knowing it’s futile. His skin feels just like all those years ago - rough and dry, weathered down by the demanding lifestyle he leads. He gives a shy peck to your inner wrist, blue eyes intently watching you as he does so.

“Long time no see, Dain”, you start, trying to diffuse the tension in the air, as he grabs you by the chin and forces you into a kiss. He kisses with the desperation of a dying person, one of his hands firmly holding your head, the other starts to explore your body. It feels obscene. You are lightheaded, when he finally parts and hugs you again, still chanting “[First]” over and over again.

You allow him this liberty too, feeling a prick of pity in your heart. You know what it is - to be the sole survivor, too see your own people crumble and fall and transform. You know that he returns to that place again and again, reliving the same moment against his will. You know that he gasps and shivers when the memories get too real and overwhelming.

You both are children of the fallen nation, and there's no person in the world who could understand you better than he does. Maybe, you shouldn't have run, you think, listening to Dainsleif speak in Khaenri’ahn. There's a chain of connection between you two, it's unbreakable, forged in shared losses, tears and pain.

Khaenri’ah burns. It burns in both of you.

#yandere genshin impact #yandere dainsleif x reader #Yandere dainsleif #Dainsleif x reader #Dainsleif #Yandere genshin #genshin impact x reader #Yandere genshin x reader #Yandere #Yandere male #Genshin impact #Introverted atheist w/ 0 people skills? I kin #my writing

[tartagliaxx]

Hi there, can i request for xiao + sampaguita?

“ XIAO + SAMPAGUITA ”

━━ ☆ PAIRING: xiao/reader

━━ ☆ GENRE: fluff

━━ ☆ SUMMARY: sampaguita | 'i promise you', love, purity, devotion

━━ ☆ WARNINGS: none

MONDAY

the subtle scent of green tea wafted through the air, slipping into the cracks of windows and doors alike. daylight wasn't even prominent yet but the alluring sense of comfort the warm drink brought you slowly pulled you back to reality's grasp. haphazardly slinging your arm across the bed, you bit back a groan as you felt nothing but the clean linen sheets that remained to be undisturbed as it was the night prior.

"xiao?"

voice husky from sleep, you slowly peeled yourself from the bed's embrace, soft feet padding across familiar halls as you slipped in and out of rooms looking for the one person you needed to see. maybe he left, you sighed dejectedly, it would certainly not be the first time. unknowingly, your feet brought you to the small kitchen that barely saw any use aside from failed cooking attempts and midnight snack hunts.

and occasionally this, a scene straight out of a romance novel. broad back turned to you, muscled arms moving uncharacteristically gentle as they tipped the teapot with a care you rarely see on him. so tempting and so inviting. striding closer to him, you wrapped your arms around his waist, cheeks smooshed as you laid them on his shoulder.

"good morning," a little muffled but he heard you loud and clear. such a sweet sound so early in the day — skies still painted with a deep purple-blue. at his straying thoughts, xiao grunted, tapping your arm thrice in greeting.

"are we having dumplings with that?"

dumplings... xiao didn't know how to make them but he did know someone who did. before getting home last night, xiao dropped by smiley yanxiao's kitchen, asking him to prepare some and leave it for tomorrow. 

"there's some by the table."

you hummed in delight and xiao could feel the way it slipped out of your throat. tilting your head slightly, you pressed a quick kiss on his cheek before pulling away and xiao's hands almost shot up to hold you in place.

"i'll wait outside. call me if you need help," right before you stepped out of the kitchen, you paused, "and thank you for this."

he didn't need to look up from the tea leaves to know you were beaming.

TUESDAY

xiao left early that day.

while you were accustomed to waking up without him — 'adepti have no need for sleep' he grunted three years ago as he crossed his arms almost haughtily — he was always around to keep you company over breakfast. some days he ate with you, some days he only stared far away as he listened to your quiet musings. whatever he did mattered very little as long as he was there.

today was different. a resurgence of old power, a duty he must uphold. by the time you woke up, there was no xiao and in his place was a hastily written note that simply read 'had to go.'

what a menace, you groaned as you glared at the heavy sheets right in front of you. tuesdays were laundry days and partnered with skies that appeared to be close to tears, they all just reaffirmed your frankly biased hate for the day.

"do you need help?" a scream tore through your throat as you turned wildly to see xiao clicking his tongue — a thing he does when he's unimpressed but you knew him and he also does that when he's entertained.

"xiao! you scared me!"

"be more alert next time."

you huffed, shoulders slumping as you returned your gaze to the basin that held all your half-washed clothes in one intimidating pile. "it's so heavy. what was i thinking when i bought those blankets?"

"'oh! xiao look! kittens and puppies! i have to get them!'"

you glared at xiao who only shrugged as he repeated the words you knew once slipped off your lips. "it was a rhetorical question!"

"i know." without much of another word, xiao crouched down and lifted the other basin that held the rinsed clothes. "where am i putting this?"

"oh! can you hang them over there?”

softened eyes watched as xiao nodded curtly, disappearing to do the task that you asked him to do. now with him to keep you busy, you supposed that tuesdays weren't so bad, after all.

WEDNESDAY

liyue harbor was as busy as ever. on your left was a fruit merchant who kept on approaching people saying something about a 'bargain sale' and 'fresh fruits from mondstadt.' on your right was a jewel appraiser who bugged you about testing whether the jade on your neck was genuine or not. 

"of course it is! my lover gave it to me and he's learned a lot from his... boss."

what you meant to say was rex lapis used to slip into long tangents about rare jewels and xiao, always around him one way or another, heard enough to pinpoint which ones are of good quality. when he first gifted the jade to you, it was a mere chunk of graceless rock but because it came from him — him who very rarely gave gifts of appreciation — you accepted it. sure enough, the jeweler you took it to gasped as he cracked it open saying it was such a 'rarity' and 'never in the fifty years i've been on this job had i seen a jade as fine as this.'

you wondered if xiao ever figured out why you were more... clingy that night.

having gathered that week's supplies, you set off to leave but a signboard caught your attention. a twenty percent discount on almonds? on a city that only imports the nut, that was rare.

"should i buy some for him?" you muttered to yourself, subconsciously already fishing out your wallet to buy some.

what harm would it do? you chuckled as you attempted to bargain even more with the store merchant. maybe he'll help you cook the dish he holds very dear this time too.

THURSDAY

"are you awake?"

you shifted your gaze from the book to the door that remained close despite xiao's telling presence. "i am. is something wrong? you can enter, you know?"

he didn't respond. not until you attempted to walk closer, brows furrowed in concern. "don't."

"what do you mean 'don't'? xiao, what exactly is happening?!"

too much but at the very least, he knew that you shouldn't be seeing him like this. with a grunt, he slid his back against your door, wincing as the wound by his stomach spurted another wave of blood.

"just stay right there."

gritting your teeth, you laid your forehead against the wooden board, hoping that it'll whisper to you all that you needed to know about his current condition. hearing nothing but his heavy breathing and occasional grunts, you sighed, slowly slumping down in a position similar to his. tentatively you pulled the door open — just a little — prompting xiao to tense up, a surprised gasp leaving him.

"i won't force you to tell me what's wrong but... don't push me away." blindly, you reached for his hand through the small crack of the door. it was uncomfortable but as you practically felt the tension leave his body, you found that it was all worth it.

"i don't know what's happening but i need you to know that i don't expect you to be strong in front of me every time. i promised. i promised that i'll care for you through thick and thin and i don't intend on going back on my word."  you felt him tremble underneath you before he interlaced your fingers together, pulling your hands to his chest.

"sorry."

with a soft smile, you ran your thumb against his knuckles, still wrapped in his gloves. "it's okay."

a few moments passed with just the two of you comforting — reminding each other that you're there, alive, a little hurt, but alive. looking down, xiao caught the sight of your soft hands in his and he thought that maybe it was time to let go and entrust himself fully to them.

"will you let me see you now?"

a beat. a final scream of reluctance in his head before he squeezed your hand. "okay."

"okay."

the door softly creaked open and he was prepared for you to scold him and to look at him with displeasure. he was prepared for everything but your hand on his cheek, slowly lifting his face so you're eye to eye where he found nothing but the sweet longing in your irises.

"thank you for trusting me," you whispered against his lips before letting them crash together for one short moment, "let me take care of you now."

as you dabbed the cotton on his wound, as you slowly stitched him up albeit a little clumsy, as you pressed the herbs he brought with him... xiao couldn't help his mind from screaming 'i am completely devoted to you' as he traced over your focused features.

FRIDAY 

nights in liyue could grow very cold. snuggling closer to your fuzzy blanket, you stepped out to the balcony where you immediately spot xiao sitting by the ledge, amber eyes trailing over the marvelous painting overhead.

"i'm making some tea. do you want one?" his gaze briefly turned to you before moving back to the stars, a subtle shake of his head being his sole reply.

humming in recognition, you moved to walk away but before you could you heard him whisper, softly, meekly, gently. "stay."

you weren't sure if he intended for you to hear it but you did and you gladly complied, carefully sitting beside him, blanket forming a long train behind you.

"that looks kind of like cloud retainer..." xiao huffed, amusement showing, as he stared at the shape you drew in the night sky.

"you do know that if she was here, you'd be chastised, right?"

"hmph. i'm just stating facts. see, you didn't even deny it because it's true!"

he didn't deny it because he thought you were being too endearing but he'll allow you to think like that if it made you happy.

"and that one," you linked your hands together subconsciously and xiao had to tip his head to hide the beginnings of his smile, "that one's like moon carver."

"...the antlers are too short."

you laughed at xiao's unexpected play-along, "is that so? just a regular stag, then."

tentatively, xiao shifted closer to you, hoping to feel more of your gleeful laughter in such a good night.

SATURDAY

he kissed you like a dream, lips barely there and undeniably tender. you could feel his hand slowly draping behind your neck, subtly pulling you close until neither of you could be any closer. calming — his kisses were calming for the both of you, thoughts concerning everything else ceasing to exist because all that mattered was the body pressed against yours. hearts in sync and content, he slipped his tongue into your mouth, a smooth kind of love being shared all this time. at that moment, you knew and you reveled in the fact that there was no greater place in this world than his embrace and you were there.

SUNDAY

"sleep with me."

xiao sighed, lips moving to say the answer that has slipped past his lips so many times before but before they could, they died and choked him until he couldn't breathe — or maybe it was your ethereality that did that to him. there was a splendor, a beauty that could only come out from you during the night when you're about to pass out from exhaustion.

drooping eyes, soft lips slightly parted, hair messed up from all the tossing and turning that you did. without him knowing it, he was beside you, hand softly brushing against your cheeks. "okay."

a bright smile that would've been brighter if not hindered by your lethargy. hesitantly, you pulled him to your chest where he hears it beating — calm but faster than your usual calm. one moment and he was about to slip into slumber but then he felt you running a hand through his hair then down to his back, leaving goosebumps and small shivers that startled him awake.

"sweet dreams, xiao. i'll be here in the morning and every morning after that. i promise you."

it was useless wish because he was sure that every dream would turn out to be lackluster compared to you.

━━ ☆ NOTES: i had no idea what to do with this so i just... ‘lol ok. one week of pure domestic bliss with xiao it is :)’ still, i hope you liked it and thanks for joining the event! view the rest of the event shorts here! 💐

#genshin #genshin impact #xiao #genshin x reader #genshin imagines #genshin scenarios #genshin self insert #genshin oneshot #genshin fluff #genshin x you #genshin x y/n #genshin xiao #xiao imagines #xiao scenarios #xiao x reader #xiao x y/n #xiao fluff #xiao oneshot #gi x reader #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact oneshot #genshin impact x y/n #genshin impact self insert #flowers that bloom in summertime #˗ˋˏ°• stories from lady lei •°ˎˊ˗

[superheroesiguess]

So since I’ve dragged my way back to this blog I did some digging into my older DC works and came across this fic I was writing with a friend (one you guys will be hearing a lot about) that we never ended up finishing.

As an apology for my unexplained absence, I will be posting that WIP under the cut:

Today was one of those long, boring, humanish days that happen every once in a while— the sky was a cloudy white and grey, traffic was loud with a certain irritating buzz to it, and the people in the streets were rushing to their boring, absolutely dreadful everyday jobs. This did not make Mr Mxyzptlk happy. Who wanted to wake up at 6 A.M. on Monday for something so mundane and tedious as ringing up some disgusting vegetables? Blasphemy, absolutely forsaken bullcrap! He always despised boring, bland, no-fun-ever-happens days like these because nothing ever exciting happens, so he got an idea— a really, really splendid idea; an idea that makes the teapots whistle and hiss, the birds sing and screech, and his chaotic nature scream in joy and anarchy.

Because by this time tomorrow, when the sun sets and the twilight settles, and when the sun rises with the day horizoning, Mr Mxyzptlk’s favourite toys and puppets and everyone in-between are going to be a bit spun around and upside down. Man, it would be so genius and over-the-top and funny he’ll laugh and cry and slap his knee and maybe turn some innocent goober into a crow! Oh this day just got better, better than smokey skies with plentiful rain and the pitiful oddities who scream and kick and deem themselves “superheroes” until their fingers bleed red and their face slack-and-blue!  Oh, so much better . . . 

The first one to discover what the mischievous imp had done was Oliver Queen, who woke up to the sound of rapid-fire knocks on his bedroom door. Did Roy or Dinah come back or am I hallucinating again?  

“Father, Todd has arrived unexpectedly and is tormenting Alfred, do I have your granted permission to maim him?” an unfamiliar young voice asked from the other side of the door.  Definitely hallucinating; need more sleep or Bruce to one punch me.

Tiredly, the archer replied, “Ugh, go for it,” before turning over and sinking his face in the soft pillow.  His consciousness was drifting into sleep again, his vision was blurring the nearby surroundings, and somewhere in his brain there was a dull pulsing ache that he wanted to bang his head in to make it stop. Fuck, who did I fight and get a concussion from again?  This is getting old . . .

He felt himself dozing off before he heard the most terrified, Bloody-Mary scream of his life.  His eyes shot open and he groaned. Fuck, Dinah’s gonna kill me! He hurriedly shuffled out of his bed (with new black decor), stubbed his toe on the bedside table (that was a dark oak, antique, and held more picture frames than it could possibly fit), nearly face plants into the floor (the cleanliness was nearly obsessive), and yanked the door open with a force of a Canary Cry.

That was the moment Oliver Queen realised something was up and not right. The hallway before him looked like a part of some weird paradox; too many door frames, different carpet patterns, unique window styles. Plus, he was only in his boxers. He knew for a fact that itself was strange for himself. Nevertheless, he decided ‘fuck it what more can hurt’ and sprinted down the tall velvet stairs to try and stop an attempted murder he may or may not be an accomplice in.

In the middle of the foyer that looked very clean for a welcoming area, there was a small, angry child who barely reached Oliver’s elbows, a tired old man dressed very elegantly for a Monday, a laughing adult with a white tuft of hair, and the infamous Catwoman who was leaning casually on the wall sipping her coffee. Oliver was certain he looked a bit foolish when he reached the bottom of the stairs and everyone was staring at him, even the murderous toddler, “Don’t,” he wheezed, out of breath, “don’t stab anyone!” he was able to huff out.

There was silence before suddenly the guy he’s pretty sure is Todd or Pennyworth started to laugh uncontrollably, “B! You look like an idiot!” He grinned as he pointed straight at Oliver.

“Who the f-” Oliver’s question was interrupted by Alfred who cleared his throat loudly, “Master Bruce, you should go and get prepared for the day, I have everything handled here.” Oliver’s pretty sure Alfred glared at the angry child by the end there.

Oliver was halfway up the stairs before he realised something, “Wait- did you just call me B? B as in Batman?” He questioned with a confused expression on his face.  

Everyone then looked at him quizzically, including the now less angry toddler, before someone spoke up, “Did he get a concussion last night?” Cat lady spoke up as she walked towards him with her coffee still in her hands.

“Nothing happened last night, it was the same patrol as usual.” Damian informed while sheathing his katana, which made Oliver yell at Bruce in his head for letting a child carry a weapon like that.

The room was silent again, only to be interrupted by a loud, shrill meow, “You’re back!” Jason let out an excited squeal upon seeing the cat who just kinda appeared out of nowhere.

As soon as the cat saw Jason though they sprinted back from where they came which displeased the literal murderer, “No! Come back!” Jason yelled before running after the, probably scared, cat.

“No! Leave Alfred Pennyworth alone!” The now angry again toddler unsheathed his katana and ran after the past Robin with what looked like intent to kill.

That leaves just Selina Kyle, Alfred Pennyworth and Oliver Queen, who was very confused about the cat being named Alfred Pennyworth, “So… Uh… I’m, like, ninety percent sure I’m not meant to be here.” He awkwardly gestured to himself as he spoke.

Cat lady and the butler shared one look between themselves before Alfred spoke again, “That is most definitely not Master Bruce.”

“Don’t know why you’d think I was him in the first place but okay-”

#long post #fic #my writing #wip #body swap au #dc fanfic #prolly never writing this again #I wrote this so long ago lol #green arrow #oliver queen #robin #damian wayne #red hood #jason todd #catwoman #selina kyle #alfred pennyworth #the human and the cat #mr mxyzptlk #forever my favourite imp

[awkward-snake-girl]

Centaurworld Season One Song Lyric Starters

( Slightly modified for role playing. Feel free to change to fit your muse)

“You’re okay, you’re all right.”

“I’ll never ever leave your side.”

“I will stay, and I will fight with you.”

“I’ll stay here through the darkest night.”

“Hey, new friend, I’m glad you made it!”

“As long as you are with us, you are home.”

“It really sounds like where you’re from is overrated.”

“We have no sense of boundaries!”

“It’s the place where all your new friends are, girl!”

“I mean, technically, sure we were at war with a ruthless horde of invaiding warriors.”

“ I promise you will never find anywhere friendlier.”

“Why are you sitting around here doing the same old, same old?”

“ it takes a little boldness and a little bit of magic.

“I’d go on my own if only I had it.”

“Follow the colors.”

“Together, we’ll go into the unknown.”

“Say goodbye to the old.”

“One careful step at a time.”

“Please watch yourselves as you go.”

“We are all just fragile things, soft and small.

“The outside can harm you, reject you, but just stay close and I will protect you.”

“Oh, I never feared the drums of war!”

“I crushed the skulls and I want more!”

“While you’re hiding in the fringes, I’ll go out and I’ll get my vengeance!”

“You can fight for yourselves, you’re all right by yourselves.”

“Cause you know, only you can protect you.”

“Don’t think, just trust.”

“What if I forget your face?”

“Do we still remember what is gone?”

“You and I are fragile things.”

“When you break something of someone’s,It’s an opportunity to make a new friend.”

“What are you looking at? Nothing is happening here!”

“These are frustration tears.”

“I’m not sad, I am fine!”

“I am a strong, strong girl!”

“I’m a soldier. And you know a worthy soldier, never cries…”

“Those war tactics you know? They got no utility. Not in this world.”

“Open your heart and your mind, and that is the key.”

“Our eyes have gazed upon desire, hope, and greed.”

“We give not what you want, but what you need.”

“You might believe you know your truth. But truth can often be lies.”

“Hide, all you little ones.”

“Rush now, into the middle of nowhere, singing and laughter will die.”

“When his kingdom comes, darkness is nigh.”

“Quiet, crawl to the in-between.”

“Silent, secretive feeling of fearsome hatred that reaches the skies.”

“Deep down in the depths, a shadow lumbers.”

“It’s hidin’ time.”

“ I’d like to show you my collection.”

“But what I’m missing here is you.”

“I even stole this guitar!”

“I steals so I can feels.”

“Life is a miracle, but life’s a little strange.”

“We don’t really care for interlopers.”

“Cause when you fall from grace, It’s a long way down.”

“I didn’t wanna share this. Oh my gosh, I’m so embarrassed!”

“Well, hello there, So Embarrassed! My name’s (name).”

“Say, I’ve got a joke about paper that’s tear-ible!”

“Where do you keep the skeletons locked up? In a rib cage!”

“Who wins the thing that we do every day?”

“We strike poses on the runway.”

“I’ve been practicing the piano.”

“And we do this every day.”

“I don’t know him.”

“See, the Competition Is for youthful souls.”

“Folks like you cannot compete, because you’re too old.

“Who is she?”

“This girl is super fancy.”

“She sings, she struts, she dances.”

“(Name), are these heels getting higher?”

“Okay. Which one of you catty jerks tripped me?”

“She is strong, but she hides her fears inside.”

“She is flawed, but she’s learning.”

“You might be waiting quite some time.”

“There’s so many games for you to play!”

“Hello, hello, it’s nice to meet you!”

“Oh, why don’t we talk about the bay?”

“ If you’re feeling blue, I’ve got the place for you.”

“I promise I’ll consume all of your pain.”

“I know sadness when I see it, and I’m here so you don’t feel that way again.”

“I see you’re eyeing my constant crying.”

“It’s not easy doing what I do.”

“You can fade in blissful peace and have one restful, gentle happy final day.”

“I want to help the suffering beings I keep seeing everywhere.”

“She’s the ghost of the girl I used to know.

“My reflection has become an unfamiliar someone.”

“Love still finds us, family finds us, even if we can’t make out their faces.

“And a warrior from a different world can find love so far from home.”

“When I look back upon the story of my life I find I’m not a hero, I’m the best supporting actor...”

“My life, it was no fairy tale.”

“I’m the hero of my story now.”

“This will take just a minute, this will only take second of your time!”

“We haven’t technically said goodbye yet…”

“‘Cause teapots are a thing everybody needs, right?”

“Just thought you ought to know that some of us have not accepted you’re leaving.”

“Let me just enjoy this moment.”

“Despite the changes, I would know you anywhere.”

“All I wanna do is hold you close again.”

“Love is a blaze, it shines through the dark.”

“Sometimes the ones we love the most have the worst things to hide.

“Nothing good is meant to stay.”

#jane’s memes

[forever-more-never-again]

Light and Dark (Part One)

Word Count: 2879

Pairings: Zuko X Avatar!Reader, Aang X Avatar!Reader, Platonic!Katara X Reader, Platonic!Sokka X Reader, Platonic!Toph X Reader

Warnings: None

A/n: So, I really love Avatar the Last Airbender and had this thought and well...I’ve started another Series that will have irregular updates! Heheheh....

Matsterlist

The smoky skies of the Fire Nation filled your lungs as you drew a deep breath. In all your years, you never thought you would end up back here. 

Your homeland.

Taking another deep breath, you fixed the scarf that covered your face and began walking through the marketplace on the outskirts of the Fire Nation. 

The palace loomed over you like a dangerous shadow. A reminder of why you escaped all those years ago.

“Princess Azula!” The hushed urgent whispers reached your ears and you flinched.

Stepping into a tea shop, you turn your face away so that anyone walking outside wouldn’t see it.

“Well, Hello there. Could I interest you in some Jasmine Tea? Good for soothing nerves and calming the mind.”

Your attention was diverted from the danger lurking outside to the stout middle aged man standing before you with a welcoming smile.

You couldn’t help but return the smile, as your felt your muscles relax from their constant tension, “Yes...I think, I think I would like a cup.”

You let yourself be led to a small table in the corner, you couldn’t help but smirk as you realized the man had put you in a table where you had easy access to the back door, and a wide view of the entire store and front door. 

“I’ll have my nephew come right out with a pot of tea for you-”

The man’s relaxed nature and easy going smile made it easy for you to reply with no hesitation.

“[Y-].” You stopped and cleared your throat, giving a fake first name, “Chen Ikem.”

A flash of confusion and then understanding flew through the man’s brown eyes. And you couldn’t help but grow slightly worried. You should have also used a fake last name.

After all...Ikem was the last name of the late Fire Nation Queen. It wasn’t a very common last name. And if anyone caught a look at your face and put it together with the wanted posters that were from years ago, you would be dead before you could ask for mercy.

Heaving a heavy sigh, you sunk into your chair, eyes vigilant as they scanned the small tea shop. There were only a few patrons. Mainly older generation fire nation males. You could easily take them if worse came to worse.

“Your tea.”

The brusque voice broke you out of your analyzing. Gaze going up, only to freeze in fear as you saw a young man with an eyepatch, a single gold eye staring down at the teapot he held morosely, his black hair slicked back. 

You knew who it was. Even with the scar covered. This changed everything.

“I...I have to go!” You jerked out of your seat, startling Prince Zuko into dropping the teapot.

The shattering of porcelain caught everyone's attention. The elderly man, who you now realized was General Iroh-

Oh my god you couldn’t be caught by General Iroh and the banished Prince!

-came out from the backroom with a frown, and a shimmer of tears in his eyes, “What a waste of perfectly good tea.”

Zuko, however was staring at you as you jumped over the table, the scarf around your face falling down to the floor, soaking up the tea.

“[Y/n]?”

The small voice. Reminiscent of a younger prince, who still had hope and love, made you pause for a split second, your eyes catching his.

A pained smile flashed across your face before you vanished out the back door. Escaping into the crowd.

Distantly, you heard his footsteps run behind you, his voice louder, “Wait!”

But you knew how to disappear, and with a scarf snatched from a stand and bumping into a group of young women, and you were gone.

Faintly you heard his curses. But they soon faded as you walked with the group of young women further into the Fire Nation.

A memory flashed in your head as you walked. Remembering when you had been a simple servant girl in the Fire Nation Palace. Playing with the Prince. Laughing together. Kissing his bruised knuckles when he got in fights. The innocence of children long gone now.

Every since you discovered that you were not just a fire bender. 

You were the Avatar. 

Which carried a death sentence.

Shaking off the memory and the sadness it carried. You slipped away from the group and began walking by yourself.

You had come to the Fire Nation for a reason. Breaking your promise to never return. For one reason and one reason only.

A family in the Earth Kingdom had told you about their daughter, who was blind, running away with a group of unusual people. One of who, they claimed, was the Avatar.

And that caught your interest. According to history and lore, there was only ever one Avatar per cycle. Because the spirit of Raava was a single entity, unable to be duplicated. 

So why were you, a Fire Bender by birth, able to water bend and earth bend? 

It made no sense, especially considering the last Avatar had been a firebender. The cycle dictated that another Firebender wouldn’t be the avatar until after three avatar cycles. 

The confusion hasn't stopped you from learning other bendings though. After escaping the Palace and traveling the world, you had picked up Water bending from an old warrier in the Earth Kingdom, and learned Earth bending from a wacky traveling group of merchant’s.

“My cabbages!”

A strangled cry caught your attention, along with the sight that was with it.

Four young teenagers stood around an overturned stall of cabbages. The vendor yelling at them to pay for damages.

Sneaking closer, your eyes widened as you saw the white eyes of the short woman. Blind.

Looking at the others, you noticed the blue eyes of one of the males and females. Not Fire Nation.

And the smallest male...could he be the airbender that everyone was saying was the Avatar?

As the four took off running away from the vendor, you decided to follow them. Sticking to shadows and alleyways, you keep them in your sight.

They left the inner city and began walking towards the rocky caverns of the mountain side. But before you could see what they were doing out there, you found your feet encased in stone.

“Why are you following us!?” The blind girl shouted, suddenly appearing right in front of you.

The two blue eyed teens took up fighting stances. And the small male looked at you in disguised fear.

You quickly held up your hands, “Woah! Hey, I mean no harm.”

The tall male snorted, “That’s what they all say! You’re Fire Nation!”

Your shoulders tensed before relaxing, your gaze dropped to the ground in shame, “Yes. Though I wish I was not. And according to the palace, I am merely a traitor.”

The small male stepped forward, ignoring the warning looks of his companions. You caught his eyes with yours.

“What do you mean?”

You breathed out through your nose heavily, before dropping your hands. And the stone encasing your feet disappeared back into the ground.

“Toph! Don’t release the prisoner!”

The blind girl blinked, confused, “I didn’t.”

Your snort laugh caught their attention again, “That’s what I meant. I think...no, I know...I’m the Avatar.”

A pause. Silence. And then an uproar.

“What!?” “That’s bullshi-”

“How!?”

Before the girl stepped forward, brandishing water in her hands. A waterbender.

“You’re lying. A Firebender can’t be the Avatar. And I know for a fact who the true avatar is.”

Quickly growing tired of this, you drew the water that she held with her bending to you, wrapping it around you.

Her eyes widened in fear.

“I’ve never heard of this from the Monks. It shouldn’t be possible.”

The small male stepped forward, eyes wide in awe and confusion.

Deciding it was past time for introductions, you dropped the water and held out a hand, “My name is [Y/n] Ikem. I left the Fire Nation years ago after discovering I could Earth Bend alongside my Main Firebending abilities. I lived in the Palace as a servant and know the inner workings of it like the back of my hand. I heard about a blind girl traveling with the possible avatar and that information led me to you.”

The blind girl started before she muttered, “My parents.” And scoffing in irritation.

Sokka pulled a boomerang out from behind him, welding it dangerously at you, “You’re working for Zuko! I knew it!”

Your eyes widened and you flung your hands wildly in front of you, “No! No! I promise! I’m actually hiding from him and Princess Azula! They have a bounty on my head.”

The short kid nodded, looking off in the distance for a moment before turning to you and smiling.

“I’m Aang. I’m the airbender Avatar.”

The female beside him gasped, “Aang! You can’t just give this person that sort of information! How can we trust them!? Sokka could be right, they could be working for Prince Zuko!”

The other male stepped forward, eyeing you suspiciously, “Yeah. How do we know they aren’t trying to play mind games with their-their mind!”

Aang looked at his group, “My gut is telling me that they speak the truth. And you guys know I need a Fire Bender teacher. They could be it.”

Aang grinned sheepishly at you, “This is Katara and Sokka, from the Southern Water Tribe, and this is Toph, from the Earth Kingdom.”

You bowed low, hands clasped in front of you, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Aang laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head, “So...uh...you can bend other elements.”

You smiled wryly, “Yes.”

Aang sighed, looking at Katara with a plea in his eyes. Whatever silent communication they did, seemed to work as Katara sighed loudly and waved her hand towards the cave they had been heading towards.

“Alright [Y/n], you can come with us. But one step out of place and-”

You laughed, “I know, I know. One step out of place and you end me. I get it.”

Walking in the giant cave, a loud rumble drew your attention to the back end.

You gasped, “Is that a Sky Bison!? I thought they were all extinct!?”

Sokka scoffed behind you, muttering maliciously, “Yeah thanks to the Fire Nation.”

Deciding to ignore him for now, you ran towards the giant white beast with stars in your eyes as you stared into his intelligent brown eyes.

“That’s Appa,” You squealed in surprise as a small flying monkey creature landed on your shoulder causing Aang to laugh as he stepped up next to you, “And that is Momo.”

You chuckled, scratching Momo under his chin, “Well hello Momo.” You turned back to Appa and bowed your head, “And Appa.”

Katara’s voice was loud and icy as she exclaimed, “So...Are we going to figure out what is going on? Why there are two Avatars at one time?”

You and Aang shared a look, both of you were in new territory.

Sighing you walked to where some stones were upraised to be used as seats. Toph already relaxed in one, Sokka and Katara on edge, glaring at you.

Aang tilted his head, “Have you managed to travel into the spirit world?”

You shake your head, “I’ve tried, but I seemed to be blocked. I once entered the Avatar state when I was attacked by some Fire Nation Patrols, but I haven’t done it again since.”

Aang sits down on the ground, legs crossed over each other, hands relaxed on his knees in a lotus pose, he looked at you expectantly.

Curious, you copied his movements, sitting right across from him.

He grinned at you, “Okay. So just...open your mind. Don’t think. Just...be. Allow you spirit to float freely from your physical body. Hopefully the Spirit World can give us some answers about what is happening.”

You nodded and closed your eyes.

Clearing your mind took a few minutes, but then you did it.

You felt a tug, and then weightlessness. Opening your eyes cautiously, you gasped.

You were floating above your body.

Looking over, you saw Aang’s spirit was watching you with a childish grin.

“Freaky, right?”

Noticing the lack of reaction from everyone else, who were watching your bodies closely, Aang elaborated, “They can’t see or hear us.”

Reaching out, he took your hand, “Come on. Let’s see if the previous Avatar’s have some insight.”

And in a rush of wind, you were flying. Images blurred as you fly at speeds you thought impossible.

And when you stopped abruptly, you noticed where Aang had brought you. The Avatar temple in the Air Nomad Nation.

Statues of every Avatar past, stared down at you with stone eyes.

Aang walked up to the latest one, Avatar Roku.

You silently watched in awe as a blue glow illuminated the statue, and then a copy of the statue stepped out. The spirit of Avatar Roku.

He smiled down at Aang gently, “What is it this time young Avatar Aang?”

Aang looked back at you and waved you forward.

Cautiously, you stood next to Aang.

Avatar Roku looked at you in shock and horror, “No. This can’t be possible. It shouldn’t be possible.”

Drawing a breath of courage, you looked at Avatar Roku, “What do you mean? Why are there two Avatars this cycle? Why has a firebender gained the Avatar abilities so soon after the last Fire Nation Avatar?”

Avatar Roku glanced between you and Aang, silent for a long moment, the horror in his eyes never fading, “It’s a sign. A sign of change. Of unbalance. Vaatu is within you, young [Y/n]. As Raava is within young Aang here.”

Aang thankfully shared the same confused look as you, which you found comforting.

Avatar Roku sighed, and waved you both forward. You stepped forward and simultaneously also back in time.

You watched in awe, alongside Aang, as you witness the birth of the first Avatar. Wan. And the connection of the Avatars with the Spirit of light. And also, the subsequent imprisonment of the Spirit of Darkness.

Stepping back into the Air Temple, you rubbed your forehead in anger and confusion, “What does that mean? That I’m inhabited by an evil spirit allowing me to bend multiple elements?”

Avatar Roku softened his gaze and rested a hand on your shoulder, “Not so, young one. Vaatu is simply one side of the same coin. He and Raava had lived together for far longer than humans have. They are light and dark, peace and chaos. One cannot survive without the other. What concerns me, is how Vaatu was freed. He was locked in the tree of time, it should be impossible.”

While Roku was muttering about that, you noticed Aang looking deep in thought.

Turning to him, you smiled gently, “Hey. I’m sorry about all of this. I didn’t...I-”

Aang turned to you, but the voice that spoke was not his, it was femine and held immense power. Avatar Roku took a step back, his posture straightening as he bowed low.

“Do not worry young [Y/n]. My brother managed to trick a young spirit into freeing him. Had I known, I would have stopped it, but sadly Aang here was unable to communicate with me.”

Avatar Roku stood up with a smile, “It’s been a while Raava.”

Aang’s face lit up and a musical laugh escaped, “Roku.”

You hesitantly took a step forward, stopping in fear as Aang’s head whipped around and seemed to stare you down.

Biting your lip, you asked, “So what does this mean for the mortal realm? For...for me?”

The spirit, Ravva sighed gently, almost motherly, which made your eyes tear up.

“Avatar [Y/n]. You and Avatar Aang will be two sides of the same coin. You will balance each other out. But it’s up to you on how to keep Vaatu in check. There cannot be light with dark, just as there cannot be dark without light.”

A jolt and you felt yourself fall into a void.

“Wait!”

“Hush Child. I must speak with my sister.” A cold, menacing voice echoed around you.

Shivering, you were hesitant to speak, “Vaatu?”

A deep sigh, “Yes child. I will explain, momentarily. Your physical body is soon to be in danger, and I wish to talk to Raavu before we are back. So be quiet!”

The roar shook you. And you quickly nodded, unknowing if the spirit could see it in the inky darkness that surrounds you.

In the silence and darkness you took a moment to go over what has happened in just a few short hours.

You had returned to the Fire Nation. You had been seen by General Iroh and Prince Zuko, both who were exiled and banished from the Royal Family. 

You remembered the past. And based on the fluttering of your heart, you also remembered the feelings you harbored for the prince.

You had found the Avatar and his group, and subsequently found out that you were also an Avatar, but one that was powered by the Spirit of darkness and Chaos instead of Light and Peace. 

Things just got a lot more complicated.

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#Avatar The Last Airbender #avatar #prince zuko #zuko x reader #aang x reader #atla zuko #the legend of aang #aang the last airbender #atla aang #Avatar the last airbender x reader #avatar x reader #katara #sokka #avatar sokka #toph beifong #element bending #fire bender #water bender #earth bender #air bender #spirit world #spirit bending #yin and yang #raava #vaatu #reader insert #please give credit #please give feedback #rose writes

[gerbiloftriumph]

The Silence Between Snowflakes

(also on ao3) ~ 5/8 - Snowbound

~*~*~

Alexander thought he had lost Rosella somewhere behind him as he raced through the twisting corridors.

He had quickly uncovered most of Daventry castle’s secrets. Abandoned secret passages filled with dust and cobwebs that made him stifle sneezes. Alcoves long ignored behind ancient tapestries that overlooked odd little abandoned gardens. Closets stuffed to the hinges with cleaning supplies, torches, blankets, pillows, and the other sorts of things the guards needed to keep the castle suitable for royalty. It was almost possible for Alexander to make it from one side of the castle to the other without ever setting foot on the rich red carpet that covered most of it. Rosella wasn’t supposed to be able to track him through it.

Except, she did.

He had shoved himself into one of the forgotten alcoves, knees drawn up to his chin, watching snow fall beyond the dusty window, when she chirped from the other side of the tapestry, “You might think you know this castle well, but you forget: I grew up here. I know things about it you’ll need two decades to find.” She squeezed next to him. “Ohh, it’s cold.”

“It’s my fault,” he whispered, watching the guards trooping through the snow, the red and blue flashes of their uniforms striking against the endless white road. His warm breath fogged the frozen glass, turning them into colorful little blurs that faded out of sight around a snowbank.

“What is? Scoot over,” Rosella said, all elbows and knees and trying to find a comfortable place to sit without jabbing him—the alcove was too small for one person, much less two.

Alexander twisted his hands in his scarf. Rosella traced patterns in the frosted window with her fingertip.

She was better at getting reluctant courtiers to talk than Alexander knew, even if her means were a little less refined than Graham’s gentle coaxing. The expectant silence she radiated was more uncomfortable than being squished into this alcove. Alexander made himself start talking to fill some of the weird wariness.

“When Roberta…Number Three,” he corrected himself, “came in to tell us what she saw….” He took a deep breath, not wanting to admit this next part but knowing it would help. “When I lived with him, I could tell what he was feeling most of the time. It was the only thing that stopped me getting…um. Hurt. But. She was so afraid, even more than she was letting on. I think…she was worried she was going to get fired for not doing more, not getting rid of the problem like a guard should. And I…I don't want her to feel helpless. I wanted to see if I could do something to help her.

“I knew there was magic out there. I could feel it. Even last night, I sensed it was coming. Living with him, I got used to the taste of it. It’s like…it’s like hearing bells in another room, or like feeling dust in the air, but dust like the sugar dust in the Fey’s shop. Not a bad thing, even when he was doing it. And I thought, if I didn’t hide this time, if I went to see the castle with her, maybe I could help. I don’t want anyone to be upset anymore. I’m tired of being useless. I want...I want them to be happy.

“But when we got to the gate, everything felt wrong. Like there was this greasy stain over the whole castle. And I didn’t pay any attention to what Gra—Dad was doing, and he touched it, and the roses, and I should have stopped him, and I didn’t, and now this is happening. It’s my fault.”

It felt like the most he’d ever said at once in his life, and he sank deeper into himself, not at all sure he’d said anything right.

Rosella kept tracing circles in the frost, ice gathering under her fingernail. It was almost like she could do magic herself the way she could drag words out of people just by sitting there. He watched, wondering what it felt like for ice to spread up your hand. The others might not have noticed, but he had. The warmth of the fireplace and everything had probably slowed it down, but it was definitely moving. Graham had tugged down his sleeve at some point, so Alexander wasn’t sure how far along it was by now. What would happen when it reached his lungs, his heart?

“First, you couldn’t stop Dad from marching right up to those gates even if you tried,” Rosella said dismissively when she decided he wasn’t going to say anything else. “You saw Number One try, and they’ve known each other since the day Dad came to Daventry. So, quit thinking that. But that’s not important. If you can sense it, is there anything you can do to stop it?”

“I’m not sure,” Alexander said. “I know…a few things.” He shifted, evasive. “Maybe.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I…I don’t want to make it worse.”

“At this point,” she pointed out, “it might not be able to get much worse.”

“I could make it permanent.”

“It seems pretty permanent now.”

“That’s true.” He sat silently. Then, anxiously, worried about making her worry: “Did you see it spreading?”

“I did. And I saw him shivering. He’s hiding it, but you can see it hurts. What do you know about ice magic?”

“It’s not just magic,” he said. “It’s more like a curse. That greasy, sticky feeling. There’s something extra to it.”

She looked flustered by her own helplessness. This wasn’t something she could fight her way through. He thought about how she played Battle of Wits, how she always went for direct attacks and never around the board. “Why can’t I feel it?”

“You might not have been around magic enough to notice.” He’d grown up immersed in it, breathing it in, like glittery dust lining his lungs.

“Do you know how to lift a curse?”

“I don’t know.” His shoulders drooped and he stared at his fingertips.

Rosella, though, stumbled (fell, more like) out of the alcove and reached back to help pull him out, too. “That’s better than a no. Come on, let’s go back to the sitting room. At the very least you can have a look at it and see. I bet you know more than you think you know.”

But when they got to the sitting room, they paused. Valanice was pacing an otherwise empty room, clutching a tray with a teapot on it in her hands and fretfully muttering under her breath. She glanced up, and her face was ashen. “Where’s your father?” she asked.

“Isn’t he here?”

“No, he...” her face crumpled, and her eyes darkened with realization. “I’m going to kill him. He wouldn’t.”

“He would,” Rosella said.

“Would what?” Alexander asked.

“Go back to the castle,” Rosella said. “It’s Dad. Of course he would.”  

“I’m going to kill him,” Valanice repeated, slamming the tray on the table. The teapot rattled.

“He’s going to freeze,” Alexander breathed, barely audible.

Valanice heard him anyway and gestured dismissively. “I’m sure he’s got his cloak.”

“No, the ice. It’s spreading up his arm. Didn’t you notice?” Rosella said.

That drew Valanice up short, and she looked at her daughter with a perfectly unreadable, blank expression, something she’d honed in her role as queen dealing with unpleasant news. For Rosella, that look was as good as a scream: she knew exactly what it meant, and she almost flinched.

“Alexander and I noticed. It’s slow, but I saw it. I don’t know how much time he’s got if he’s gone to a place made of actual ice. We were...I mean, Alexander kinda knows a little magic. A bit. He might be able to do something.”

That, too, took Valanice aback, and she glanced sideways at her son with an appraising eye. Alexander squirmed beneath her gaze. “A bit of magic,” she said, thoughtfully. “Well then. Get your gloves on, find a warm hat. Let’s go.”

“Go? To the castle? Really?”  Rosella’s eagerness was tempered with surprise. “You...want us all to go? Just walk right up to the castle?”

“I’m not going to let my kids go there by themselves. What kind of mother would I be? I know you’re going to head down there the moment I turn my back, and I’m not going to sit around here wondering what’s happening to him.” She picked up a heavy woolen cloak and twirled it over her shoulders, a match to Graham’s but in her favorite color. “And anyway, he and Number One are probably both staring at a wall of ice, completely unable to get in. Now, what did I say about gloves? Shoo, go on, get them on.”

~*~*~*~

The gates were open.

Yawning, silent, open. Blue ice glittered, beckoning Graham forward. He lingered just outside the tunnel that led under the portico into the courtyard, wary of stepping forward, sure the gates would slam behind him and leave him trapped. Nothing within moved, nothing indicated the gates even could close. They seemed frozen into place, as immovable as a mountain.

But they had seemed that way yesterday when they were shut, too.

His icy fingers would no longer bend, and his wrist was starting to lock up now. The chill was well into his shoulder, and he couldn’t stop shivering despite his warm cloak and thick gloves. He drew in a deep breath, tasting the frost in the air, and, back straight, walked forward with as much confidence as a king.

The entrance was cold, but not nearly as cold as he’d expected. The exterior walls were so much colder than the interior, like it was leeching heat from its surroundings and hoarding it inside. He passed the guard house (empty), and he glanced a little nervously at the grates in the entrance tunnel’s ceiling, in case they did have some defenses ready to pour down on intruders—although to be fair, burning oil would probably chill back to regular oil before hitting him. He entered without incident.

The courtyard was smaller than he would have anticipated, but that was because it was crammed absolutely full with dozens of small buildings, much more than a functioning castle needed. Duplicate stables, barracks, keeps, kennels, aviaries, greenhouses, all with different designs. All the doors were blocked off with snow mounds and icicles thick as dungeon cell bars, proving that no one used those buildings.

The most impressive thing, and the building that seemed most likely to be occupied, was the central keep with the spindly tower stabbing into the skies from its exact middle. He walked around lamp posts of all different varieties, past snow coated benches and bushes, to approach what seemed like the main door. Like the gates, this door seemed frozen open. Snowflakes blew inside, covering what little of the entrance hall he could see.

He had definitely beaten the royal guards here. The courtyard was entirely unmarred by footprints other than his own lone trail. That was for the best—if Number One caught him here, Graham would catch quite the earful, king or no.

He hastened inside, cloak snagging on the door frame. Before him spread a cavernous room, as icy and clear as he’d imagined it. Huge reflective pillars soared upward. Alcoves, which would normally hold things like suits of armor or busts of nobility, were empty, but numerous. Graceful tapestries were frozen into place across them. The floor was checkered with large tiles in different shades of blue, and a little way inside, a snow-white carpet trailed off into the darker shadows of the hall before meeting an impressive staircase that swirled around and up, an impossible structure that promised more fascinating delights deeper inside.

With all the snow piled up within the door frame, his weight almost didn’t trip the pressure plate trap set up along the door. Almost. He didn’t feel his heel pressing down against one of the tiles as he walked, couldn’t hear the bell that started ringing in the depths of the castle, didn’t sense the crackle and snap of ice as figures stiffened, distracted from their original tasks, and started moving toward the courtyard.

He did notice the second trap tile, though—mostly because this one opened up a slide beneath his boots and sent him careening into a labyrinth of frosty rooms and tunnels beneath the castle. The tile slid back into place, the heavy ice perfectly silencing his startled yelp. Another, different bell started jangling elsewhere in the palace, interrupting teatime. The queen set down her cup and watched the chiming bell, the cat at her side flicking its long black tail.

~*~*~*~

Royal Guard Number One was already shivering. He and the rest of the guards were bundled up, but even with all the quilted padding and scarves and gloves and earmuffs-under-helmets and everything, he still felt the chill ache in his bones. But when he considered Graham’s frozen hand and how miserable that must be, he walked faster. He was determined to fix this. He would march right up to those gates and knock them down if he had to. He would find a cure for his king. He had to. Failure was not an option.

He didn’t have to knock anything down, though. The gates were open. Practically inviting the Daventry troop forward.

“That’s. Different than it was. Should we go in?” No2 asked. His voice was oddly hollow sounding, echoing off the castle walls.

“Something’s here,” No3 muttered. She nodded at the set of footprints leading inside.

“Stay in line. Move forward,” No1 said through teeth gritted to stop them chattering. The little group of colorful guards spread out inside the courtyard, looking around with wary curiosity, checking every corner for foes. Hands rested on sword hilts, ready to attack—but there was no one here. The courtyard was entirely still. No sign of any life. Their footsteps made soft crunching noises, but other than that and the gentle whisk of the wind twirling among the banks, the courtyard was silent.

And absolutely crammed with a ridiculous variety of structures of every shape and type. Whoever had planned this layout had definitely been at the mead too hard, and No1 should like to have a word with the castle steward about this mess. It was almost overwhelming to consider how much stuff was here, frozen in haphazard places. Benches, lampposts, fountains crammed between unnecessary buildings of every make and type—all coated in snow and ice.

No1 took a deep breath, held it, and let it out in a rush, an old, favorite way to maintain his poise. His breath fogged in front of him; impossible to hide his little calming trick in this weather. But when the cloud faded and his vision was clear, the courtyard was not the same as it had been. Not at all.

He found himself face to face with himself. Well. Sort of himself. It looked like a royal guard of Daventry, the same uniform and everything, but mangled, abstract. A sculpture done in ice, wacky and wild. It was taller than he was, and the feather part of the helmet crooked out at a ridiculous angle. He glanced behind him and saw more of the sculptures standing around his men. They’d just appeared. At least, it felt like they had.

He probably simply hadn’t seen them. They were practically translucent, a purest sort of ice. It was a trick of the light, a trick of the angle he was standing at, that had hidden them from view. And the courtyard was so crammed with other things, he just hadn’t noticed these particular statues among the rest of the chaos. Which was admittedly odd, since there were at least two dozen of them standing all around at first glance, if not more....

No one else had noticed them before this moment, either, it seemed, and all were surprised. Numbers Two and Three were now pressed against each other, trying to take up as little space as possible while still standing in about the same place—four or five sculptures seemed to be hemming them in. No4 was standing a little distance from them, not slouching for once but stiff as a tree. Larry squeaked and leapt into Kyle’s arms, and they stumbled back a pace from one of the sculptures posed as though it was reaching for them. Everyone was shivering, staring, baffled.

No one had gone for their swords—they were frozen sculptures, not enemies, after all. The team had merely been startled, and looked sheepish for being frightened for no decent reason.

No1 made to step around the sculpture in front of him, and it stepped with him.

It mirrored his movement perfectly. Its steps were silent. His hand instinctively reached for his sword hilt. The ice sculpture did the same, with the reverse hand, exactly like a reflection. He eased his hand back, and he watched his reflection mimic him. At his side, behind him, he thought he detected more movement. More sculptures. Circling and trapping him. Stars.

“Ah. I suspect you weren’t here a moment ago, were you?” he asked, quietly, careful not to goad the thing into attacking his men if he could avoid it. The sheer number of their foes was well beyond anything his team, well trained as they were, could handle. It was a pointless question. He already knew the answer. It hadn’t been a trick of the light hiding them—these sculptures had marched into place, alerted to the Daventry guards’ presence by something. Their blank visages were grim.

The ice guard cocked its head, and then it seemed to repeat the same question back at No1, the same intonation, but apparently in reverse. Alive, cognizant, and, No1 was absolutely, breathtakingly, certain, dangerous.

“Swords!” No1 yelled, whipping out his weapon. Didn’t matter how futile this was. They had to try. Around him, he heard the rasping metal sounds that indicated his men had obeyed. “As you will!”

But as he drew back for a slashing cut, to bring the ice creature down, something struck the back of his helmet, making his ears ring, and while he was momentarily distracted, freezing hands tighter than manacles grabbed his wrists, his arms, his legs, his shoulders, and he struck out desperately, but he was seeing double and his sword caught a bad angle, rebounding uselessly off the ice, and something heavy crashed down over his helmet, and everything went dark.

~*~*~*~

Even from a distance, Valanice could see that the castle gates were open, and that no one, not her husband, not the royal guards, not even someone belonging to the ice castle itself, was around. Her children trailed after her, and she wondered if she’d made a mistake. She should have asked the Feys to babysit them—never mind that Alexander and Rosella were almost eighteen. The two of them would probably rush off, stubborn as their father, to go have an adventure without someone watching them. Even the bubbly Feys could bring out their protective parent sides if asked. They’d done such a good job raising Taylor after all.

Too late now. She didn’t feel comfortable sending her kids back alone, if they would even listen to her in the first place. Both her husband and the whole team of guards were missing, and that likely meant something nasty was underfoot.

Speaking of underfoot: the courtyard’s snow was a tumultuous mess. It was impossible to determine anything in the mire. She couldn’t verify, in that tangle of tracks, if Graham or the guards had even been here or if they’d been waylaid on the road. But that, too, made her pause. The castle dripped loneliness like melting icicles, so who had made these tracks if not the Daventry folk? And if they had been here, where were they now? They hadn’t had that much of a head start, perhaps no more than twenty minutes, and Valanice and her family had been moving fast.

And why did the snow look so overturned? It looked like they’d been in a fight. But there was no one here. There simply hadn’t been time.

Rosella made a strange sound in the back of her throat and lunged for something half buried in the snow. Alexander drew up next to her, and they both stared, crestfallen, at the bright red feather that had clearly been yanked from one of the royal guards’ uniform helmets.

That proved matters simply enough. Valanice’s hands curled into fists, but that was the only sign she let herself show in front of her children. “I want you to go back to the castle,” she told them, in a sharp voice that left no room for argument, the voice of a queen. “Now. I want you to send a message to the villagers once you’re home. I want everyone to come to the castle, immediately, and I want the gates barred the moment the last villager is safe.”

But when they turned, they found the ice gates barred themselves, entirely frozen over, like they’d never been open in the first place. As immovable as the Daventry castle foundation. Valanice felt a shiver of fear dance along her spine (though, again, she showed none of her uncertainty).

Alexander’s eyes were half closed. He was glaring at the gate, muttering under his breath. “Not the curse,” he said, slowly. “That one’s ordinary magic. It’s dusty, can you feel it?”

“Can you reopen it?”

“Um. I’m not. I don’t know. Maybe? It...it’s strong.”

Valanice smiled, tried to set him at ease. “I have a feeling you’re stronger than you’re letting yourself believe.”

They coaxed him toward the gates. His boots slid haphazardly over the trampled snow, and he stood in front of the icy walls, concentrating hard.

Far, far above them, beyond the royal family’s sight, someone watched. And someone smiled, a cold, sharp, wicked smile, with rather more pointed teeth than a smile normally had.

The traps were all springing closed faster than expected, even with the day’s delay he’d needed to recover after encouraging the castle to come here. He wasn’t sure whom the ice labyrinth had caught (he hadn’t yet gotten a report) but whoever it was, he was sure he could use them as leverage against dopey Graham. The man loved his citizens to a fault. He’d planned on using whoever it was as a bargaining chip: trade them, possibly with all fingers and toes intact if he was in a good mood, for the crown prince.

The ice guards had been notified by the bell at the entrance hall. They had been coming up to check on the labyrinth to see if the interloper was suitably valuable for trading. But they had been distracted by the appearance of a whole pack of Daventry royal guards nosing their way into the courtyard. He’d stood at the tower window gleefully watching the ice guards surround the hapless royal guards and pick them off one by one, starting with that annoying Number One, and dragging them all away. Daventry's security was pathetic. It was a marvel the place was still standing. The royal guards should be ashamed.

Once they were done locking up the guards, the ice troop was going to come back and check on the labyrinth captive. But, suddenly, Manannan decided that whoever it was probably wasn’t important enough to worry about at the moment.

Not when the boy had strolled in of his own volition.

With Queen Valanice and Princess Rosella, even. It was enough to make him purr with delight. This was just too delicious, too lucky, too easy.

He’d shut the gates behind them almost as soon as they’d entered, practically vibrating with the urgency of holding the family inside before they turned around and left. For a moment he thought he’d timed it wrong, thought the boy had noticed the magic as it was cast and might be able to do something about it in the process. But Rosella had satisfactorily distracted them by finding something in the snow.

Tragically, the ice guards were a little too busy taking care of the royal guards to attend to the family. One of the various traps in the entrance hall would have to suffice. He even had a lever that he could pull to drop them straight into a single icy cell, and the more he thought about it, the more eager he was to use it. He wouldn’t have to scour the labyrinth but could simply pluck Gwydion out of his cushy life and make him undo this awful curse.

He padded lightly into the depths of the tower, scheming. The things he could do with all three royal family members in his claws.

Meanwhile, below, Alexander stepped back, breathing raggedly. “I can’t,” he whispered. “I don’t...it’s so strong. I don’t know how to open it. I don’t know the words. I don’t know how. I’m sorry.”

Valanice reached out and gently touched her son’s shoulder, and he flinched away. “Don’t fret, Alexander. Your father and the guards are here, and they probably need our help. We shall simply have to find them together, and then sort out an escape after that. We shall be fine—the Cracker family always is. All right?”

He nodded almost imperceptibly, looking guiltier than ever, like he could sense her unease.

“But we shall have to stick very close together,” she said. “No wandering off, right, Rosella?” The last two words were pointed.

“Right, Mom.” Rosella bounced on her heels, face upturned to study the tower, not actually listening. “We should hurry.”

“No, we should take this slowly and carefully,” Valanice decided. “Haste is what got your father into this trouble in the first place. Come along, let’s go inside. That wind is biting. And then I shall decide what to do next.”

As they came upon the entrance hall, Valanice, looking for trouble, drew back. She caught her children by the arms to make them wait. Little shreds of red thread were snagged on the icy door frame, easy to spot against the blue. Graham’s cloak. He had made it inside under his own power, she was certain—and her thoughts were confirmed when she found a few of his footprints, blurry but visible and alone, in the snow piled up beyond the door. But then...nothing. The snow petered out, the hall made of hard tiles that revealed nothing.

“Alexander, do you...” she hesitated, not sure of the right word. Feel? Taste? See? “Is there any magic here?”

“Lots,” he whispered. “It’s almost hard to breathe.”

“Can you tell where it’s coming from?”

“Everything’s made of it. But there’s this layer of…something on top? It feels like Gr—Dad’s arm. Sort of greasy. It’s hard to know what’s underneath it, but I think…we should be careful where we walk. The first couple tiles don’t, uh, feel safe.”

“And the rest?”

He shrugged helplessly. “Some are bad, some are good. If we can get to the carpet, we should be fine for a while.”

“Stay close together,” Valanice said, and stepped carefully over the tile where the snow abruptly ended (and Graham’s footprints vanished with the snow—she wondered about that). “Alexander, lead the way, if you please. We’ll see where those stairs take us.”

Alexander stepped ahead of his mother, Rosella at his side as they had promised.

In the tower, Manannan kicked back a lever.

A locking mechanism, entirely unmagical and entirely unnoticeable, clicked open. The floor began to shift.

Valanice saw Alexander and Rosella start to fall as the floor slid away to nothing beneath them. She lunged, slamming her hands against their backs and sending them flying forward. Rosella lost her balance and skidded across the floor face first, and landed solidly on one of the tiles Alexander had warned them about, which opened and sent her deep into the castle. It was a little hard to tell if her screams were of terror or excitement, but they cut off as the tile slid back into place behind her. Alexander fell hard, spinning in circles around and around and around. He saw Valanice drop into the pit that had almost claimed him and his sister, and he tried to scramble to his feet and reach her, but his momentum carried him to a different tile and he, too, disappeared into the castle depths with a cut-off yelp.

~*~*~*~

The slides had been Manny’s idea. He didn’t have the magic to carve and bespell them himself anymore, but the lady of the castle had been more than willing to oblige once he’d praised her strength and cunning and ability. He’d been bored and frustrated for numerous reasons, and she had been eager to please. The slides went all over the castle’s underbelly.

Some dropped people into a frozen labyrinth of spiraling rooms with no exit. Some didn’t bother with the tormenting labyrinth but simply dropped people soundly in the dungeon. Not as many, though: the labyrinth, a pre-existing feature of the castle composed of rooms as numerous and varied as the buildings in the courtyard, was tricky and confusing and uncomfortable, and he rather enjoyed leaving people to stumble around it helplessly for a long while before hauling them out. One or two of the slides led to pitch black ice pockets with no way out until one of the ice guards retrieved the captive or left them there to freeze (he’d been in a particularly devious mood that day).

And one spat people outside in a snowbank, although that one was near the stairs and mostly existed to annoy Mordack, who sometimes didn’t pay attention to exactly which tile he was stepping on when he descended the steps.

Mordack was the one who had learned of this traveling castle, the strange icy palace that left silence in its wake as it drifted with the winds. Mordack had sleuthed out its whereabouts, had helped lead Manannan, cursed and humiliated, to its gates. Manannan had found wheedling his way into the castle’s good graces a snap.

Everyone else she had met in her travels had demanded that the queen take her castle and leave. Threatened her, were rude and angry to her, and made her angry in kind. No one else had asked her if they could stay.

She was incredibly lonely…and incredibly easy to exploit. The castle had been his in less than a week.

A promise here, a smile there, a compliment every once in a while, and the castle and its ice servants were his to command. He promised to increase its strength, to magnify its storms tenfold. To protect the queen from invaders who would love nothing more than to destroy her for being different, as he himself in his current shape was different. Comparing the two of them had been a stroke of brilliance, he thought. Made her much more susceptible to trusting him as an equal outsider, not knowing he planned on dropping her off a cliff the moment he had his own magic back.

Still, once he was in charge, he wasted no time at all in guiding it to its new destination in Daventry proper (even if it was the slowest, most time- and power-consuming form of travel he could imagine, spreading its storms long before it even came close to the horizon).

Mordack could have complained about the snowbank slide, then, since he was the one who had helped his brother find this place. But Mordack was never one to complain about being the butt of a joke. At least a snowbank was softer than a goblin spear thumping across his shoulders. He still bore the scars to remind him of his abused years underground. He was careful to never complain in Manny’s presence about his treatment, about Gwydion’s treatment, about anything. Just in case Manny decided to send him back.

It took Manannan quite some time to navigate the ice castle, which was cavernous even on a human scale, much less his current cursed self. His stroll to the entrance hall was entirely unhurried. He knew how large the trap had been, and he was quite sure he had all three family members safe and sound. Best to let them shiver together and wonder. The anticipation was frequently more deliciously terrifying than the end result, he’d found.

He sauntered up to the pit, composing his fuzzy features into something suitably boastful. He gleefully called out, low and threatening, “Hello, hello, hell—” he stopped.

Valanice, and only Valanice, was standing at the bottom of the pit, arms crossed, tapping her boot and scowling up.

~*~*~*~

Standing at the bottom of an icy cell had not improved Valanice’s temper. She was already on edge, and with this she was positively fuming. She’d been standing here for ages. Her children could be anywhere by now, and her husband had definitely gotten himself into tremendous trouble, and she was stuck here waiting. The time for gentleness and politeness was long gone. She was more than ready to deliver a scathing attack to whoever deigned to look in on her.

But best laid plans began to melt away the moment she heard the voice. The voice that laced her nightmares. And the remnants of said plans shattered when she saw what was leaning over the edge of the pit, inhuman features distorting around a human voice. The face didn’t match her memories, but it didn’t matter. It was the voice that mattered.

Helpless, stumbling against the wall, spiraling back eighteen years ago, back to that horrible night. The sound of the green crackling magic banishing the final notes of Graham’s lullaby to their children, the pain of her wrists pinned behind her back, the aching loss that cursed her every step from that moment on, that moment when her son was stolen from her by this monster. At least the face was appropriately inhuman now, as he himself was inhumanly cruel.

Only her queenly respectability stopped her from swearing violently. “Manannan,” she snarled, as cold as her surroundings.

From behind Manannan, another voice spoke, and this one was all the more familiar, and all the worse for the strange icy echo behind it. It pressed deep into her heart, and she felt something splinter and break inside of her as she realized who else was in this castle, who else had been lost to Manny’s treachery.

All the different emotions, between hearing him and hearing her and losing Graham and her children and the guards and everything cut her knees, dropping her to the ice, startled and afraid and confused and lost.

From above, that oh so familiar voice said: “Did you catch another nice mouse, my dear friend? You do have so many traps. I wish we had not made quite so many, it does cause—oh. You are not a mouse.”

#plot plot plot oh man we plottin' #and juggling so many different little threads--they'll all knit back together eventually #kings quest #King's Quest #King Graham #alexander (king's quest) #rosella (king's quest) #vee #neese #Manannan #fic'ing #ch4 #this post is protected by the royal guards #the problem with keeping your blog organized by character tags is that your tags feel real cluttered when you're doing big fixit fics lol #hope ya'll like ice castles cos this is where we're at for the rest of the fic #now with fewer sliding block puzzles and bad selfie-jokes!