#GOD HAS FORSAKEN THIS CREW SO YOU ALL SUFFER

[sins-of-the-sea]

Josep and Giovanni are grasping for rosaries, Phoebus for a siddur, and Rashid for a tub for wudu washing after setting up his prayer rug, because even though they sold their souls to a Devil, there is no way they’re going to feel less unclean for hearing that statement from the Master.

#I AM STILL HOWLING #GOD HAS FORSAKEN THIS CREW SO YOU ALL SUFFER #[Crack] #[Captain Josep Frascona] #[Giovanni Vespucci] #[Phoebus Duchamp] #[Rashid al-Qadar] #what is Rui and Abena doing? #just throwing themselves overboard #(Guy is unavailable atm but he'd be going right ahead for the Jewish prayers lmao) #religion tw

[soysaucevictim]

“aching, shaking, breaking (like humans do)”

Summary: Remus thinks Hypnos has abandoned him for good (metaphorically speaking), Patton is there to help. (Sanders Sides, Gym Rat AU. One-shot. Ao3 link.)

Genres: Slice of Life, Hurt/Comfort, Sickfic

Characters: Patton and Remus centric. Logan, Virgil, and Roman mentioned.

Relationships: Intruality (platonic), Logicality (platonic), Background Intrulogical (platonic/ambiguous), Background Dukexiety (romantic/QPP), Background Moxiety (paternal/platonic)

Warnings: Remus angst, extreme insomnia, (unintentional) self-injury, medications, mental health issues, grim imagery, Remus Has Intrusive Thoughts, Remus Is A Mess, Patton Is A Good Friend, Interfaith Friendships, Implied (Extended) Family Problems

-

Patton was pedaling on one of the exercise bikes, which was one of his favorite activities to do at the gym. Relatively low impact and he usually took a “something is better than nothing” approach to his routines nowadays. Just appreciating the people watching and socializing with his workout famILY.

That was odd.

Remus hadn’t been to the gym for the whole week. Even when the kiddo overdid it – usually he’s not out of commission this long for it. Unless-

Something hit him in the gut when he realized that. He stopped on his bike and immediately buzzed his number.

Ring.

Ring.

Nothing.

He could shoot him a text, but it was just not settling right with him. Logan had been doing one of his HIIT circuits on the bike next to him. He took a deep breath, gently tapping Logan’s shoulder. Despite Logan’s concentration, he desisted immediately, turning off his music to respond, “What is it?”

“Have you seen a certain Pottymouth at your work recently?”

Logan paused, with a look of concerned realization, “Come to think of it, no. No, I haven’t. Well, he was getting particularly erratic and called in sick… 3 days ago.”

“I think I should go check in on him. My Other Son’s been swamped with work lately, sooo…”

If Logan was perfectly honest, it was often confusing when Patton referred to half their crew as his son, “Other son? Did you mean Virgil?”

Patton nodded.

“Probably prudent. Unfortunately, no one can stand in for me at the firm tonight. And. You’re better at the… emotions stuff.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence! Hopefully I’m just worried for nothing.”

Patton rose up from his bike and was about to leave with his things. Logan smiled faintly, “Hey, if you would, could you tell me how he’s doing when you find out?”

Patton smiled back, a little forced if he was honest, “I’ll make sure to have him tell you that himself!”

-

It wasn’t a very far trip across the city to get to Remus’s apartment complex from the gym.

Once Patton parked his car and took another deep breath, he stepped out toward it.

After getting buzzed in and jogging up a couple flights of stairs, thanking his stars for basic training, he was at the door in a jiffy.

Patton wasn’t in the business, but he was reminded of the time Remus was raising heck to get Unit 404 from this building. He remembered seeing Logan trying desperately not to laugh when he heard about it.

He knew to knock to the phrase “Shave and a Haircut”, to alert Remus. He drummed out a few calls, waiting for Remus to make a sound on the other side, hoping he would.

It was a thing in their group, ever since they all watched “Roger Rabbit” together for a movie night, years ago.

Once. Twice. Thrice…

Patton heard the sound of chaotic crashing noises and an off-script, but still in the right cadence, “Fuck OFF!”

“Remus!? Kiddo, it’s me. I wanted to check on you!”

He heard some stumbling noises and a hoarse, “P-padre?”

“Can I come in?”

There was a dramatically loud sigh before the door was unlatched, unlocked, and open.

“Thanks- oh.”

Patton wasn’t exactly sure what he was expecting, but Remus looked even more harried than he usually was. The darkness around his eyes even more pronounced, his face was so drained. His makeup smudged, tear-streaked, and hanging on for dear life. His gaze wild and jumpy. Remus didn’t do much more than stand in the living room, staring at Patton once he entered.

Patton saw that Remus had knocked over one of his glass cabinets. He noticed Remus looked pretty scratched up and was bleeding in places, mostly his hands and knuckles.

Patton furrowed his brow, asking mostly to avoid presumptions, “How are you feeling?”

Remus sounded breathless too, “What does it fucking… look like!?”

Patton paused and looked around some more, there was a lot of trash strewn about the floor. Granted there usually was, Remus would just call it “organized chaos”. But Patton did note that there was an alarming number of energy drink cans piled around a hopelessly full trash bin. Monsters, NOS, Red Bulls, 5 Hours, yerba mate, the works.

Patton slumped a little bit in worry, “Not exactly peachy keen, I take it?”

Patton had a hunch that Remus was screaming not that long ago, based on just how raw his voice sounded, “No SHIT!”

“Um, would you like to sit down for a bit? It might help to talk it out.”

“Can’t.”

“Too restless, huh?”

“Yeah.”

At that point Remus was mindlessly digging his fingernails into his arm. Patton winced a little and decided to ask, “Can I take care of those injuries, at least? I just want to make sure they don’t get-”

Remus glanced at but barely registered the wounds, “Infected?”

“Yeah.”

“F-first aid kit’s in the bathroom. Not like it matters. It would be just my luck to have a brown recluse bite or resistant staph or necrotizing fasciitis. You know where shit rots and liquefies and you get all septic?! Imagine the SMELL.”

Patton slowly worked his way to the bathroom to get the kit, not taking his eyes away from Remus, “Well, if it looks like it’ll be that way, I WILL be taking your butt to the ER.”

Remus didn’t seem to register that, droning on, “Oh. What if I lose a finger? Or several! Or my entire hands! Everybody says I might die of a heart attack before I hit 30? My ticker feels like it’s going to EXPLODE, Teddy Roosevelt. Imagine a live grenade strapped to it – BOOM. Sounds like fun.”

Patton flinched, thinking that was to get a rise out of him, “Kiddo, I think that’s the opposite of fun.”

Remus weakly laughed, pointing at his chest thoughtlessly, “Better than worrying about cancer or some shit!”

Eventually Patton had to break line of sight to grab the kit, but he kept talking, “When… when did you last get some sleep?”

There was a pause that made Patton’s own heart ache a little bit. Remus muttered after some hemming and hawing, “Uh… 3? 4?  4 days ago? I think. I don’t even fucking know.”

Patton took a moment to look over the medicine cabinet while he was there. Just to see if Remus had anything that could help him get much needed snooze time. There was a bottle of trazodone, mostly full, Benedryl, also mostly full… no suspiciously empty bottles of anything around. So that was a hopeful sign.

“Would you mind if I asked you to take something to help you sleep? After I patch you up?”

“You remember that story where a whole batch of Tylenol was tampered with and killed like seven whole people?”

“… I’ll ask again a little later, then.”

Patton returned to the living room, kit in hand, both relieved and disconcerted about Remus just standing in the same spot he was in. His hands were clenching and unclenching, like he was fighting to stay awake even longer. “Okay, it would be easier on both of us if you sat down while I dress those wounds.”

Remus didn’t move, so Patton tried to gently nudge this poor kid toward the sofa anyways. Thankfully, he didn’t resist at all. Patton noticed just how wobbly a gait he had in that short distance. Once seated, Patton also saw that both his knees were scuffed. Patton winced, imagining that he took at least a few falls very recently.

Without prompting, Remus whined, “Everything hurts, Padre.”

“Well, going without sleep as long as you have can give you a bad case of the body aches. Seen some of my old combat buddies deal with that on our worst deployments…”

Patton started to wipe down Remus’s knuckles first with some cotton balls and alcohol. He just wanted to get a better sense of how deep these cuts were. He was relieved that they were surprisingly shallow, “I think these will only need some simple bandages and antibiotic cream… but I’m definitely going to check on you later, to see how your hands are doing.”

Remus nodded, and started to blather a bit again, “I feel like Hypnos himself has forsaken me. A curse! A bane! Pat? Is his brother going to come for me? Am I going to ride down Styx and meet the big H himself?”

“… you’re not going to die, if I can help it. I swear to God Himself.”

“Gross.”

Patton sometimes forgot that their positions of faith were so far removed. But that didn’t dissuade him from caring a lot. He hated seeing his friend suffering so much. He took another breath, and addressed the gouges and cuts in Remus’s arms. They were rough, probably unintentionally from his own hands. He approached those similarly. “You feeling any sleepier, yet?”

“Mmm… no.”

Remus looked like he was about to pass out, Patton was reasonably sure just the fact he was seated and getting some TLC helped push him closer to shutting his eyes. “Well. I’m going to hang around for a few, just to make sure you’re alright, okay? Mind if I turn on the TV?”

Remus started to slur his speech considerably, “Knock yourself out, Holy Ghost.”

Patton thinly smiled about the blasphemous sentiment, but he shook that off, it didn’t matter really. He was just glad to see Remus doze off like he desperately needed it.

Patton decided to tune into Nickelodeon and watch some cartoon reruns, eventually hearing some loud snoring coming from Remus. Patton sighed and smiled at the sight.

-

“Oh GEEZ, Patton. Were you – were you here all night?”

Patton blinked awake from the shouting and looked outside to see it was bright out, “I-I guess I was?”

Virgil was there to see his boyfriend sleeping like the dead and Patton next to him.

“Logan told me to check on Remus and I just got back here. And-”

“Remus is going to be okay, I think. Do you have any idea what may’ve started this episode?”

Virgil sat down on the recliner nearby and looked tired but contemplative.

“His “family” tried contacting him. All I know was it devolving into a messy fight and it rattled him. He… stubbornly didn’t want to talk about it.”

Patton understood what he meant at this point.

The only blood relative Remus had anything nice to say about was Roman. Someone who should probably know what happened, if he wasn’t already aware.

All to address later, once Remus recovered a little more.

Patton ran his fingers through Remus’s greasy hair. Not the most pleasant, but he hoped it helped to soothe him as he continued to slumber.

Virgil smiled at both of them, his own concern never quite gone, “Thanks for this, Pop Star.”

#spilled musing #sanders sides #remus sanders #patton sanders #logan sanders #virgil sanders #roman sanders #(yes - give both the twins a drabble in crisis) #(patton's here mincing his oaths whilst remus is swearing like a sailor... pffft ) #(patton used to be a combat medic in this AU - so like. he's seen some shit but is still v caring) #gymrat au

[starforgednegativespace]

Part 0: The Truths

These are the truths which define my version of The Forge, the galaxy in which the game takes place.

1. THE CATACLYSM

Interdimensional entities invaded our reality. Without warning, these implacable and enigmatic beings ravaged our home worlds. We could not stand against them. With the last of our defences destroyed, our hope gone, we cast our fate to the Forge. Here, we can hide. Survive. These entities took the form of horrific beings of chaotic energy.

2. THE EXODUS

Mysterious alien gates provided instantaneous one-way passage to the Forge In the midst of the cataclysm, our ancestors found a strange metal pillar on our home world's moon. A map on the surface of this alien relic detailed the deep-space locations of the Iron Gates—massive devices which powered artificial wormholes. With no other options, the Exodus ships fled through the gates and emerged here in the Forge.

3. COMMUNITIES

Few survived the journey to the Forge, and we are scattered to the winds in this perilous place. Our settlements are often small, starved for resources, and on the brink of ruin. Hundreds of far-flung settlements are lost and isolated within the untamed chaos of this galaxy, and we do not know their fate.

4. IRON Iron vows are sworn upon the remnants of ships that carried our people to the Forge. Many of our outposts were built from the iron bones of the Exodus ships. Fragments of the ships were also given to survivors as a remembrance, and passed from one generation to the next. Today, the Ironsworn swear vows upon the shards to honour the sacrifice of their forebears, the essence of the places left behind, and the souls of those great ships

5. LAWS

Much of the settled domains are a lawless frontier. Criminal factions and corrupt leaders often hold sway. Powers rise and fall in the Forge, so any authority is fleeting. In the end, we must fend for ourselves. A few communities are bastions of successful autonomy, but many are corrupted or preyed upon by petty despots, criminals, and raiders.

6. RELIGION

Our gods failed us. We left them behind... The Exodus was a tipping point. The gods offered no help to the billions who died in the cataclysm, and spirituality has little meaning in the Forge. Most now see religion as a useless relic of our past. But the search for meaning continues, and many are all-too-willing to follow a charismatic leader who claims to offer a better way.

7. MAGIC

Supernatural powers are wielded by those rare people we call paragons

While not magic in the truest sense, the abilities of the paragons are as close to magic as we can conjure. These powers are born of evolutionary mutations.

8. COMMUNICATION AND DATA Information is life. We rely on a guild of space borne couriers—the Heralds—to transport messages and data across the vast distances between settlements. Direct communication and transmissions beyond the near-space of a ship or outpost is impossible due to the chaotic energies of the Forge. Digital archives are available at larger outposts, but the information is not always up-to-date or reliable. Therefore, the most important communications and discoveries are carried by the Heralds, sworn to see that data to its destination.

9. MEDICINE The Menders are an order of sworn healers who preserve our medical knowledge and train new generations of caregivers. Advanced care is usually available only within the larger settlements, but even remote communities are often served by a novice Mender. Some Menders are travellers who offer preventative care and respond to emergencies in isolated communities.

10. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE We no longer have access to advanced computer systems. Instead, we must rely on the specialists we call Adepts. Our computers are limited to simple digital systems and the most basic machine intelligence. This is because the energies of the Forge corrupt our advanced systems. The Adepts serve in place of those advanced systems. They utilize mind-altering drugs to see the universe as a dazzling lattice of data, identifying trends and predicting outcomes with uncanny accuracy. But to gain this insight, they sacrifice much of themselves.

11. WAR Those few with the ability to pay can call on the Legion—a guild of professional soldiers—to defend or expand their holdings. The rest of us are on our own. The Legion deploy skilled fighting forces and well-equipped starships on-demand. But their service always comes at a dire cost, and the members of the Legion are mercenaries who hold no loyalty except to the highest bidder

12. LIFEFORMS Many sites and planets are infested by dreadful forge spawn. These aberrant creatures threaten to overrun other life in the galaxy.

The forge spawn are hostile creatures born of the chaotic energies of this galaxy. Hundreds of abandoned or devastated outposts and derelict ships stand as testament to their dreadful power and cunning

13. PRECURSORS Over eons, a vast number of civilizations rose and fell within the Forge. Today, the folk we call grubs—scavenger crews and audacious explorers—delve into the mysterious monuments and ruins of those ancient beings Incomprehensible technologies, inexorable time, and the strange energies of the Forge have corrupted the vaults of the precursors. Despite the perils, grubs scour those places for useful resources and discoveries. But some secrets are best left buried, and many have been lost to the forsaken depths of the vaults

14. HORRORS Most insist that horrors aren’t real. Spacers know the truth. When you travel the depths of the Forge, be wary. Death is not always the end to our suffering. Some say we are cursed by those who did not survive the cataclysm, and the veil between life and death is forever weakened. Supernatural occurrences and entities are especially common near a white dwarf star. These stellar objects, which spacers call ghost lights, are the decaying remnants of a dead star.

#ironsworn #starforged #ttrpg #actual play #solo rpg

[journal-of-an-outlaw]

Price to be Paid - Chapter 31

Wahoo my favorite chapter, read on AO3

The bliss from your wedding could only last so long, and you knew that, but it didn’t lessen the blow when things had to return to normal. 

“This is it, Dutch, our last big score!”

Hosea had poured over a map of Saint Denis for days mapping every possible route into the bank, the job Dutch claimed over and over was going to save the gang. 

“I’m telling you, this is the way to do the job. The best way! The distraction will buy you all the time you need.”

Arthur groaned from underneath you. You had fallen asleep in the morning sun and the voices from downstairs carried far too much for your liking, waking you up to the harsh light of day. 

“All they talk about lately is that damn job,” Arthur muttered. “If I heard ‘Saint Denis bank’ one more time I am going to lose it.”

“Arthur!” Dutch yelled from the bottom of the stairs. “Get down here, we need your help with this.”

The past few weeks since your wedding had been as blissful as they could when you lived with a large group of people on the run from the law. You and Arthur had enjoyed many free days where no one asked a thing of you. The lake was the perfect spot for picnics and more than once Arthur had suggested you slip away and relax at the water side. It was perfect and everything you could hope it would be.

But all good things had to end. 

“I’m coming! Arthur hollered back. He groaned as he sat up and you decided it was best to greet the day as well. 

“You know they trust you, that’s what they’re trying to say,” you spoke as you dressed. 

“They sure have a strange way of showing it.”

You were quick to follow Arthur down the stairs, greeting folks as they passed. Most were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes or drinking a cup of coffee. 

“I...I don’t like it.”

Dutch’s hesitation was palpable. For days he had been telling Hosea something about this job felt off, his intuition saying this was not the way. It struck you as odd because Dutch had been searching for one more score, one big was out and when presented with the idea he shrugged it off. 

You leaned against the doorframe watching Arthur approach the bickering old men. They went back and forth, agreeing and disagreeing about the best way to proceed. 

“It’s the right plan. We’ve done the work. I’ve been in town, looking, watching and waiting. I’ve tested it as well as I can. It’s the right plan.”

“I know,” Dutch chucked at how worked up Hosea had become. “I know. But between us, I’m...nervous. I suppose that’s it.”

Hosea placed a hand on Dutch’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’re never nervous, that’s been my job all these years.”

It was clear Hosea was leading this robbery. He had timed the whole operation out and wanted it to move like clockwork, each cog and arm greased up and ready to go. You could see a younger man shining through; one who spent days and weeks putting heists together, using each member of the gang in s specific sequence so everything would be just right. 

As the three men got to talking, Micah walked in and watched behind you. It was unpleasant to have him over your shoulder but you remembered your vow to keep the peace with him as best you could.

“What’re they planning in there?”

“Bank job. Last one to get us out of here,” you responded softly. 

“The big bank? In Saint Denis?” Micah scoffed. “That’s one lofty goal for our ragtag crew, don’t you think?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know, Hosea has it all planned out. What could go wrong?”

“Oh, girlie, there’s plenty could go wrong. But let’s hope none of it does and we make out on top.” Micah shot you a wink that made you shutter and walked back out the front doors, taking off for somewhere or something in town. 

“Every plan is a good plan if we execute it properly. Every problem we ever had was because we did not execute properly.”

Hosea spoke impassioned. He needed Dutch to see he was right. 

“You’re right.” Dutch stood dramatically and looked between his lifelong partners in crime. “Let’s rob this bastard. We’ll leave tomorrow morning. Look smart. Travel light.” 

The leader passed you with a half smile before going to track down Mrs. Grimshaw and Pearson to tell them of the new plan. At least we had some notice this time and didn’t have to throw everything around in a hurry. 

Arthur asked you to help clean the room and you packed together, chatting to keep the nerves away. There had been a moment where he wanted you to go with Hosea and stay away from the action but you refused; if your husband was going in so were you. He didn’t fight you on that very long. 

The thought of leaving Shady Belle filled you with melancholy. It was strange to think that one building could hold so many memories from just a short time. The gang really hadn’t been there that long but they had managed to make a lasting impact that could be seen as you walked the halls for one of the last times. You had to look forward; things would be better. How much more suffering and pain could one group take?

You found Abigail playing outside with Jack later in the evening, staring up at the night sky and admiring the stars. You plopped down next to her and tilted your own head back, thinking about the heavens. 

“You ever wonder if our destinies are planned?”

“I sure hope not. To think that someone put all of this together for us means we have no free will, no choice would be our own. And they would put us through all that pain!”

“Sometimes...I guess it’s just nice to think that I wasn’t the one who made all the mistakes in my life. That I could blame someone else for the way things turned out.”

Abigail spoke in hushed tones but never looked down from the sky. Her words echoed in your mind. 

“Your life isn’t full of mistakes, it’s full of love.”

“Yeah,” she snorted. “Sometimes a bit too much love if you know what I mean.”

She and John had been fighting again. From your shared room with Arthur you could hear them through the walls going on about raising Jack and trying to show him a better life. 

“Jack will be just fine, he’s got a lot of us who care. And so will you. You know I’ll never leave, you’ve got a friend for life.” You wrapped your arm around her shoulders and sat like that, enjoying the view and marveling at the size of the world around you. 

It was hard to sleep that night. 

You tossed and turned with anticipation of the next day, knowing everything would be different after the sun rose up in the sky. It could be a good change; like fire burning away the underbrush to allow for new life. Or it could be disastrous. 

The dichotomy of the choices made you restless. 

Arthur shook your shoulder gently that it was time to go. It was much too early, and the terrible night of sleep made it hard to drag your body from the warm bed and you tossed it a sad smile knowing it was the last time you would see the room you called home. 

The look on your face must have told Arthur something for he gave your hand a squeeze after you met him at the bottom of the stairs. 

“You know what?” He looked at you softly. “At the end of today, we’re going to look back and know we did everything right. We faced the day together as wife and husband. I’m never letting you go.”

With a kiss to your hand you felt your confidence rise back into place. All it needed was a boost from Arthur. Today was going to go smoothly, nothing could bring you down from the high of life you were riding. 

Everyone was dressed to the nines. Fine black suits with hats for the men, and clean flowing gowns adorned every woman. It was almost as if you were headed to a Sunday mass instead of a bank robbery. Even Jack had found a flower to stick in his coat pocket. 

“You got everything Arthur?” Dutch called as he handed Hosea a suitcase to load into a wagon. 

Arthur nodded. “Sure, house is cleared out of everything we could grab.”

“Just think!” Hosea spoke up brightly. “Within six weeks we’ll be living life anew in a tropical idyll spending the last of our days as banana farmers?”

The plan was for Hosea and Abigail to serve as the distraction. On their wagon sat crates of dynamite that when lit, would bring enough police attention that the robbery in town wouldn’t be able to pull them all away, giving the group enough time to slip out unnoticed. Hosea had looked over the details for days on end and everyone trusted him to know this plan backwards and forwards, no small part missed. 

You were riding in and acting with the robbery. At first, Arthur had asked that you go with Hosea and Abigail for they were far less likely to be caught. But to you that was out of the question. Now that you and Arthur were married you didn’t want him running off into battle alone, something you had to repeat over and over before Hosea finally relented and added you to the bank detail. It just made sense that you would be there. 

With your nerves shoved to the back of your mind, you sat next to Arthur on Eclipse as Zues stamped his feet anxiously.  

“Let’s get out of this god forsaken place and go rob ourselves a bank!”

A chorus of cheers rang out as the gang envisioned what life could be like after today. No more running and hiding, no more threats from the law, no more being told that their way of life was wrong or backwards, just freedom and the incredible feeling of hot sand between your toes. 

You were more than ready to be out of this place. 

Micah led the group up and out of Shady Belle, the horses moving much quicker than the wagons. It was slightly comical to watch a large group in impressive threads leave such a ratty and worn down home. Over the past few weeks you decided firmly that sleeping with four walls around you was a comfort you preferred. 

“This is it, ladies and gentlemen! The last one.”

Dutch was gearing up for a big speech as he rode behind Micah. 

“Where have we heard that one before?” John asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. 

“What has happened to you, John? You lost all your heart.”

“I’m just trying to stay real about all of this.”

“Real!” Dutch spit. “Oh how I detest that word. So devoid of imagination.”

The group rode over the railroad tracks and your heartbeat started to pick up. This was real, you were taking part in a bank robbery. Oh if only your father could see you now. The lawman’s rebel daughter. 

“How soon are we shipping out?” Micah called from somewhere ahead. 

Dutch replied, “As soon as we get the passage organized. A boat down to Argentina, then another around the cape.”

“What about the money in Blackwater? We’re just gonna leave that behind?”

“Forget that, it's gone.” Dutch swiped a fly and the question away. “You all talk like it’s the only goddamned money in the world. We’re gonna take that and more, take it from the people who take it from us. This isn’t some hick town, hundred dollar operation. This is a big city bank!”

“Right,” John broke in. “With security, guards, police.”

“Hosea has done his reconnaissance,  we’ve been over this.” Dutch almost sounded tired. “The plan. One last time. Hosea and Abigail will draw out the police, we go in fast and calm. John and Lenny, secure the front doors. Javier takes the side exit. Bill, Micah, YN, and Charles, control the crowd. Me and Arthur deal with the bank manager and the vault. Got it?”

Everyone agreed that they did. Most of the other women were leaving with the camp supplies and not participating, and the look Dutch gave you was not lost as he took in his crew. 

Hosea reckoned they needed about fifteen minutes to set the distraction with Abigail and pull enough police and that sounded fine by Dutch. As the others rode off with the wagons, Sadie threw you a smile of encouragement and you spurred Eclipse on to keep up with the others. Nothing, not even your nerves, would hold you back from this job. 

Arthur had talked about when to tell Dutch that maybe sailing to another part of the world was not in the cards for you two, but it still hadn’t come up. Before the bank job seemed a poor choice as it would only take away Dutch’s focus, so tentatively the plan was set for later. There was a lot to think about lately and that was just another worry to add to the pile. 

“Everybody know the drill! We head in hard and stay calm. They won’t be expecting us. Any minor trouble, head back to camp. We’ll leave in a few days.”

Your nerves must have really been showing through as even Micah threw you a half grin. It wasn’t pleasant, but you accepted it nonetheless. 

Bill and Charles rode ahead to break up the group, hoping that it wouldn't look like a giant posse riding in together. The five of you left held back a few minutes and then rode into town, through the gates of Saint Denis and into the belly of the beast. You couldn't tell if your shaking hands had more to do with being on horseback or the impending mission, but you steeled them to stay still as you moved through the streets. 

Arthur pulled Zeus back and rode next to you. 

“How’re you doing?” 

Despite the bundle of nerves moving through your veins you had to smile. Arthur was clearly a bit worked up about the whole thing too; his words had a slight twang to them as he spoke. 

“Oh, I’m fine. I remember what you taught me. Just…” you looked around and remembered the first time you marveled at Saint Denis. “What if something happens?”

“It won’t, I promise you’ll be safe. Hosea went over this so many times he knew we had to get it right.”

You nodded. You had heard him mumbling the details for days.

Before you could respond your destination came into view and your mouth went dry. Lemoyne National Bank. The imposing building stood nearly three stories high with gold and white paint covering the exterior. The sun beating down was hot and you wiped beads of sweat off your brow after hitching Eclipse up next to Arthur and Bill. 

Charles made his way over. “Just wanted to say good luck. I know you’ll be fine, but...you know.” 

You smiled at your friend. His words brought you comfort even though they were minimal, but knowing Charles this was the equivalent of a long speech. You patted his arm in thanks and followed the group over to Dutch. 

“Foks. Robbing thieves, it ain’t no crime at all. People like this...they stole what this country could have been.” The men grunted in agreeance. “Now, act natural. Wait for Hosea to do his thing.”

As a trolley rolled slowly in front of you Arthur took your hand in his. 

“Now, it ain’t too late and no one would say a thing if you decided to leave. I’ll put you on this trolley and collect you myself as soon as we’re done and we can leave; put this city behind us and head off to freedom. You just have to say the word.”

You searched Arthur’s eyes and saw nothing but love and worry. The beautiful way the blue and green and maybe in the right light grey mixed together filled you with happiness and you knew your answer before speaking. On your tiptoes, you pressed a kiss to Arthur’s cheek and beamed at him. 

“You know I’m staying. I’ll be right at your side.”

Just as Arthur opened his mouth to speak the ground shook violently below you. You grabbed Arthur’s arm for support as the screams and voices rose through the city. 

Dutch let out a full laugh. “I love that Hosea! He’s a true artist.”

And with that, he led the way across the road and into Lemoyne National Bank. 

You pulled your mask up over your face, hands still slightly shaking. Javier whispered something before slipping around the corner to guard the side door, and on his signal Dutch burst through the bank doors, pistols drawn. 

“Ladies and gentlemen! This is a hold up.”

The room was filled with screams and the bustling of shoes on the tile as you aimed your gun at the innocent folks going about their day, corralling them back into an office to be locked up and unable to disrupt the robbery in progress. Bill was stuck with a particularly loud customer, so you poked the end of your gun into his back to shut him up, shoving him into the room. You got a grunt of thanks from Bill as he locked the doors. 

“Arthur! We have found the manager. Would you kindly have him open the vault?” 

A man dressed in a long purple coat shook like a leaf as he twisted and turned the dial to find the correct combination. He looked around the room for any willing pair of eyes but no one was able to help, simply sneered as he pleaded silently with Arthur’s gun only inches away from his face. 

The air was tense around you as John and the others patrolled the entryway. All of them were on the lookout for anything suspicious outside, any sign that this wasn’t going to work. But it had to. It simply had to; this was much too large of a show to go off with a hitch. 

A loud scraping sound resonated as the vault door creaked open with the poor bank manager pulling as hard as he could. Arthur cast you a look before heading in, his brow filled with worry to get this over with as soon as possible. You sent him a small smile, hoping he could read it under your bandana, and nodded for him to go on. 

Anxiety pumped through you. The bank manager stood outside and at Bill’s command called out the combination, his legs shaking from the stress. The seconds ticking away felt like hours and you wanted nothing more than to run away from all of this mess. 

“We got trouble! Looks like the law.”

Your head whipped around at John’s yell. His voice was tense and Dutch ran over to get a good look at the situation with anger and fear in his eyes. The others were quickly behind him. 

Everyone knew this operation had to be executed precisely. Anything short of perfection would mean failure and a real risk of death. With Hosea’s attention to detail and the way everyone knew their part Dutch had been confident this would go off without any problems. He already felt the warm, island air rustling through his hair, the grainy, hot sand beneath his feet, and the sweet, sticky mango juice bursting in his mouth. This was going to work. This had to work. Because if it didn’t, there was no way out. 

Unfortunately Dutch didn’t count on your father. 

“Come out! It’s over!” 

No, no, no, no. Not him, not now. Your heart pounded in your chest so hard you were sure the others heard it, and at the same time your stomach dropped down to your feet. How on Earth had he found you?

John said something about Abigail but a rushing sound filled your ears and you couldn’t make it out. Everyone had pressed themselves up against the wall in cover and you did the same, hoping you would be able to act when it came down to it. 

“Dutch! Get out here. Get out here now!”

A silence fell over the bank. Agent Milton walked out from behind a wagon across the street brandishing a pistol that was shoved into the back of Hosea’s head. Dutch let out a groan. 

“Someone must have squealed!” 

“We never should have gone after Bronte, Dutch,” John spat. His eyes were on the mother of his child just beyond his reach. 

“Mr. Milton?” Dutch’s voice lost its usual silk and instead was filled with fear, cracking slightly. “Let my friend go. Or folks are gonna get shot unnecessarily.”

“Your friend? Why would I do that?” Your father’s voice was loud and full of confidence. It sent slivers of fear through your spine as your mind raced. 

“C’mon, Milton!”

“It’s over! No more bargains, no more deals.”

“Mr. Milton, this is America. You can always cut a deal.” 

He was reaching his finale. Your father always loved making a show of capturing ‘the bad guys’ and you knew from his stance that you were running low on time. If someone didn’t do something Hosea would be dead, the rest of you following shortly. 

“Hey girly, remember way back when you and I made a deal?” Micah was standing much too close to your back for comfort and in your agitated state you tried to shake him off. This only made him mad and he grabbed your arm tightly in his grip. “You owe me, I’m cashing in. Only one way this thing and it’s with you outside of those doors while we escape.”

“What?” you asked, your mind racing and unable to comprehend his request.

“Daddy Dearest is out there about to blow us all to hell. We need a distraction and you are the golden ticket.”

You froze. Micah was asking, no, telling you to sacrifice yourself on the slim chance your father wouldn't kill you on sight. It was insanely risky, but it would give the gang and the people you had grown to love a chance, albeit slim, to get away safely. All around you were the tense faces of people who had time and time again proven they were good and loving, more than you could ever say for your own father who stood on the other side of the street with the power of the law behind him. In a way, you felt this had always been coming. Rushing towards you like a train in the night. Eventually it would have to reach its destination. Your hands shook as you realized that this might be the only plan, and you couldn’t risk the chance of your newfound family dying because you weren’t brave enough. Your father wouldn't listen to anyone else and as the seconds melted away you steeled yourself against the tide that would surely try and knock you over. 

“Well?” Micah shook you impatiently. 

You looked around. Dutch, Bill, Lenny, John, Javier...Arthur. These were people you would gladly sacrifice yourself for. Memories came flooding back of sitting around the campfire singing, hours spent in the fields hunting, and the times you and Abigail laughed yourselves silly. Your eyes watered at the thought of leaving, but it had to be done. 

“I’ll do it,” you spoke quietly. “But I have one request.”

“And what’s that?” 

Micah had started making his way to the door and Arthur, noticing you moving about, was heading towards you too. You met his eyes for a moment and you swore he knew what you were about to do. His footsteps picked up and you had to act. 

Leaving him was of course the hardest. Never had you imagined a love so brilliant and bright, and knowing that you were willingly throwing it all away tore you apart. The ring on your finger felt heavy with guilt but you clutched your gun tighter until Micah tore it from your hands. Arthur opened his mouth to whisper something and you knew waiting would make it worse. 

“Tell Arthur I love him.”

“I’ll be sure to do that,” Micah snorted and unceremoniously shoved you outside the giant bank doors before slamming them shut. Something on the other side slammed against them and you guessed it was Arthur, livid at the unexplained sight. A voice yelled something and then everything went quiet, and you looked up at the scene before you. 

Hosea stood in the middle of the street covered in dust and watching you with worried eyes. He shook his head slightly, telling you to leave, but you cast him a watery smile of reassurance. 

Behind him every gun held by the Pinkerton Detective agents was trained on you and ready to fire. You looked up and down the line realizing just how many there were. This had to be a set up, no one was ready that fast. 

A strangled cry that turned into a laugh came from the head Detective. He took a faltering step forward, then looked at you with utter bewilderment. 

“Put your guns down,” he said. The detectives looked over at him confused. “I said put them down!”

“Sir?” questioned one of the men to his side. 

“Because…” Agent Milton spoke slowly, still trying to process the change in events unfolding before him. 

You placed both hands up in the air and spoke with much more confidence than you felt. 

“Because I’m his daughter.” You looked directly at him, taking a deep breath before saying, “Hello, Father. Good to see you.”

#price to be paid #rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #fanfic #female reader

[diveronarpg]

In fair Verona, our tale begins with OLIVIO RIVERA, who is FORTY ONE years old. He is often called OBERON by the CAPULETS and works as their INITIATE. He uses HE/HIM pronouns.

Have you ever felt like you were PLUCKED from a world -- a wild world, a beautiful world -- and placed into another, where you knew not the language nor the customs but they demanded that you manage all the same? The world that Olivio believes he was birthed from was a wild one, where debauchery and comradery permeate the heavy summer air, and glory abounds in the form of grand adventures and tales where Death is a mere kiss away. Sometimes, when he lays his head to rest at night he can practically taste it; the overgrown greenery that saturates the air with the heady fumes of milkmaids and wild daffodils, rich, RIPE wine coating his tongue. Instead, he was born into a world that was far less glorious and romantic; upon the doorsteps of Rivera family he was placed, ushered into their villa in the arms of a hapless maid with a bleeding heart. Ever the ones to jump on an opportunity to preen under a philanthropic spotlight, they claimed him as one of their own -- though, throughout the years he has made it quite clear that he wishes they hadn’t. Vapid, bickering siblings -- frigid, bigoted parents. It was a far cry from warmth and COMRADERY that he longed for. But he wasn’t one to sit idle, wasn’t one to let the world go by untouched. If he could not belong to this world, then the world would then be razed, remade, and reshaped. It would soon belong to him.

His parents sent him off with little fanfare, his siblings not so much as blinking when he said his goodbyes. To the Escuela Naval Militar they sent him, the finest naval academy in all of Spain -- but little did they know that such schooling would make him far more of a force to be reckoned with. In primary and secondary school he had created his own little KINGDOM with his own little court, a round table of children who mirrored his ideals -- who longed for that comradery and the world that they had been robbed of. His reach began to extend so far out that others began to seek him out, the BOY-KING that could promise safety from the hands of their abusers and odd jobs that were better done at night. They were the feral, reckless few -- devils of the night that brought about fixings of white-powdery decadence and dreamy little tabs that melted on the tongue. His education at the military academy only made his mind a SHARPER weapon, tweaked and fixed his strategy until every decision he made was iron-clad, every word he gave never to be contended with. His parents sought to take away the power that he had -- had hoped to take away his spirit and break it, but they had underestimated how Fate favored him and the power that he had. Though he did not demand it, Olivio brought the people of the world to their knees. They were ready for him to raze, remake, and reshape the world that they once knew; they cried out for him to remake it in his name.

His discharge could never be anything less than HONORABLE, not with the weight of the name that he carried. The people loved him, but the world was still not the one that he longed for, the world that he came from, so his restlessness grew until he could bear it no longer. That is when he began to play his little game. The kingdom that he had built for himself in Spain was coveted, often by those closest to him. It did not take much to undo the tight bonds of brotherhood he had created -- a little word here, a well-tailored piece of GOSSIP there. Those who considered themselves his brothers-in-arms rebelled against him, thinking themselves greater together than whatever power he might manage to wield. And he let them rebel, let them think that this was the grand beginning of a revolution. But then he reminded them, making an example out of the leader of a COUP, how bloody and ruthless their self-made king could be. With their tails tucked between their legs, they bowed their heads and let him leave his kingdom gracefully, too cowed to think of haunting his steps. He wandered, lost and looking for his world -- stumbling into it by happenstance.

His former clientele had whispered of VERONA, half a hell and half a dream. He had not intended to find it until Fate itself dragged him there, coaxing him with its whispered tales of gore and glory. One night in the famed city and he was practically drunk on the danger and debauchery that occurred nightly on its cobblestone streets. With a bullet and a dead body he staked his claim on the city, calling to the Capulets so they might see their great and terrifying ideals personified in him and him alone. He turned the heads of the mobs of Verona, Montague and Capulet alike looking to him. The moment the CITY welcomed him, it was as though it were holding its breath. It was then that the smell washed over him -- the heavy summer air, saturated with wild daffodils and the broken stems of milkmaid. With him, they would do better, be better -- their glory and adventure would know no bounds so long as they recognized him for what he was: the legendary FAIRY KING.

THEODORA MOREAU: Sponsor. When he first met them, there was no hesitation -- only a clear, stark certainty -- that it was to them and their cause that he would bend his knee. It is clear to him that heir ingenuity knows no bounds, and he is able to see their heart, ready and weeping upon their sleeve. They dubbed him Oberon because they knew he was ready to take up their mantle, but even in all the heady glory of his newfound family and ties, he does not forget what they have forgone and what they have suffered. A loss is still a loss, no matter how time seeks to salve the raw and aching wound. Though Theodora is the one that brought him into the fold, it is he who stands guard over them and their half-stitched heart. 

VIVIANNE SLOANE: Achilles Heel. He is a man that prides himself on his ability to guard every weakness, to carefully cultivate an infallible armor around his heart and his mind. There has never been any need to divulge it or place it into the care of another. Though there have been those who have managed to tug on its strings, none have ever been so lucky to claim it as their own. Save for Vivianne. They met a lifetime ago, and he is not so foolish to think that she could ever remember him -- but since the first glance, the first smile that she cared to toss his war, he has felt his heart eluding him, being prized from his chest by the melancholy smile that tugs on the corner of her mouth. His armor, for the most part, is impervious to weakness, but by God himself, he knows he has been damned with this singular Achilles Heel. 

PAVEL LAM: Devil. There are very few that can rival Olivio in his ability to drink every man in a bar under the table, but Pavel, he has discovered, has a gift for it. They met on one of his first nights in the city, and it seemed that like called to like -- Pavel immediately honing in on Olivio’s more mischievous proclivities. Admittedly, their first night was something of a blur and if Olivio were capable of remembering it, he is sure that it would have been one to remember. High praise from a man who has lived life to its fullest many times over.The companionship that they found in one another was something he had not realized he sorely missed, especially since he had forsaken so many of them in Spain. And though their loyalties may not align, there is nothing to stop either of them from indulging in debauched fun. After all, no one can really say no to the Fairy King when he demands a night of unabated and unfettered revelry. 

BATTISTA TAHAN: Mockery. In truth, Olivio pities the Montagues -- one of the foremost reasons being that they have a rather misshapen crew of semi-capable soldiers and captains. Only one of them he knows has had any military experience at all and, from what he has seen, it is nothing to be greatly admired or noted. Upon entering the city, he thought that he might make note of who could feasibly be reckoned with and one of the names that had made it onto his list was Battista Tahan, supposedly someone of repute. Olivio had made the mistake of getting his hopes up, thinking that he might have finally found a grand and dangerous rival, only to be disappointed by the mediocrity that he found. Perhaps he will meet his great rival, someday -- someone to hold a gun to his temple and force him onto a bended knee. In the meantime, though, he will make do with what Fate has given him: a toy, to be broken and tossed away until the next one came again. 

Olivio is portrayed by OSCAR ISAAC and was written by ROSEY. He is currently OPEN.

#lsrpg #literate rp #diego luna fc #mafia rp #bio rp #olivio rivera #o #om #cap

[whiskehorange]

Hellboy, Abe, Johann Kraus, Nuada and Michael (sepret) being forced to watch their s/o die and not being able to do anything to stop it :D

Okay so for each one I’m going to give a small backstory so i can jump right into the angst. Thanks to @boneshine, an amazing friend of mine that has been literally the best got me into thinking about writing more angst so, here we go!

Hellboy - Struck down on a mission (I actually cried writing this one, Im dead serious)

He’s not a stranger to seeing someone he loved to deeply succumb to death. His father, his family, his friends, the people around him. But never did he ever think about the effect he would have if he lost you

Now he sat in his room. Door locked, lights off, no music or anything. His cats all minding their own business, sensing something was off about their handler. He refused to let anyone in, not even Liz for anything. No food, water, not even to go to the bathroom

Hellboy was just about done watching his loved ones die. The memories he had had with you, the love he had shared with you, the future you both wanted to badly for yourselves. Gone, just like that. With a quick strike to the head. Something to simple. Something so… deadly

It was either him or you, and quite frankly, he’s pissed it wasn’t him. The Huntress can fired a single poison dart right into the side of your temple as you jumped in from of Hellboy. It was either you, or him

The rest of the crew raced down and contained the Huntress while Hellboy did everything in his power to keep you alive, keep you with him. Your hand in his was so cold and he knew your times was running out every second your eyes fluttered shut and opened again, each time less aware

You still had that smile on your face, the same one you had every time you saw him, every time he came home to you, every time he said something dumb or made fun of you. The same smile you had on now

He begged and pleaded for you to stay here with him, that everything was going to be alright, that everything was going to be fine and the you were going to come back home with him, start a family and take a short bath and relax it all off

But your eyes fluttered shut, barely opening one last time before your chest stopped moving, your heart coming to a slow and peaceful stop. the tears on Hellboy’s face streamed down, he didn’t care who saw, or what could have killed him right then and there in the middle of the field

He had just lost the love of his life. His reason to smile, to live, to love. All gone in the blink of an eye as he held you to his chest, yearning for you to come back to him. The smile on your face to grow, for you to kiss him one last time before you had to go

Abe - Struck down on a mission

His worst nightmare come to life. His terrors and fears all jumping at him all at once. That demon in the corner of his mind that would come out to taunt him was now face to face with him. That demon, was you

Abe was far to fragile to have been dealing with this, hence why he didn’t want to think about it in the first place. But, he knew it was going to happen one day, and he was going to have to face it now, whether he wanted to or not

Abe knew it was life, and knew it had to happen but why like this? Why in such an violent, broken environment like this? Why couldn’t you have gone oh so peacefully? Why by the hands of the foe? In the hands of hate and rage?

He had left you for a mere 5 seconds to retrieve his gun before he noticed the foe’s hands wrapped around your small neck. Your nails scratching and digging into his almost abnormally large knuckles, the color from your face draining into a ghostly pale

Abe will forever hear the wheezing and gurgling noise your throat made as you gasped for life, your eyes tilting upwards to the sky as your feet dangled just a few centimeters off the ground. It was the look on the foe’s face as he had successfully taken your life away from you that will remain etched into Abe’s brain

And Abe will never forgive himself for not acting any faster. He stood there, frozen of sheer terror for a single second. But that’s all it took for the foe to take the life from your body, just like that. As he raised his gun to the foe’s forehead the rest of the crew took him out as Abe stood there for just a moment more

Who was he going to come home to? Who was he going to love and adore and spend his future with? Your body lie limp on the ground as Abe’s mind races circles around the questions that start with Why…?

As he sank to his knees, your body in his lap, limp and lifeless, he had never wished he could cry ever in his life. He feel as though he’d cry more water than there was in the sea, more water than there was on Earth itself

His hands pressed themselves one both your eyelids, shutting them so you could sleep and open your eyes to your new home. He tried to refrain but he couldn’t help it. A hand traveled to your temple as he pushed a finger, looking for all of your inner thoughts and feelings and he felt the most crushing thing a man could ever feel…

Nothing

Johann - Struck down on a mission

Johann barely remembered what it was like to feel the natural jobs of the body. How to breath, how to blink, how to feel hungry or thirsty, but that did not stop him from feeling any emotion. He himself doubted the fact that as his ectoplasmic form he would ever be able to find love again, but he did. And now he can to face the exact same emotions that came along with loosing that faith, that love that his partner gave him

He cursed the day he had to seclude himself into that forsaken suit. You’d think with the B.P.R.D they would have enough money to make a decent, non destructible suit just for him but no. Any minor gash or cut would be completely fatal for him. Of course you knew that too

Tracking along with the other agents you would fret about Johann, staying my his side, holding his metallic hand, knowing it wasn’t really his but knowing he enjoyed your enthusiasm about his present… form. He despised it and made it a point to always bring it up, but with you next to him, he could take his mind off of it for once

That’s why you can gone with him in the first place. To keep him calm. Not that he would get too over his head about anything, but just so keep him from worrying about the suit, and focusing on the mission. The damn mission. It’s what got you killed in the first place. The damn suit. The damn suit got you killed in the first place

Johann, for once, was over his head angry at his form, at his suit, and what it caused. So many things had happened at once for him. A gash at his suit, the ambush, the look of absolute terror on your face, the gash on your body. Not his

The ambush had pushed everyone back in surprise and the clubs and the knife and the weapons of the beast were out for blood. Out for killing, out for damage to those in front of them. And those… happened to be you. It was the right thing to do in the moment and you knew that Johann would not be able to recover if his suit was damaged. Neither would you, but that didn’t matter

The gash severed your abdomen almost in half, but not completely. Blood soaking through your shirt and spilling onto the ground. Johann was the first to notice as your eyes had locked onto his, before you had fallen into this arms. Rage came forth, more that it had ever been before. Not at you, not at the ambush, but at himself

He’ll never be able to get the blood off of his suit. He’ll never be able to forgive himself. He’ll never be able to be happy with himself. He’ll never be able to forget the sight of seeing your body fall lifelessly into his arms as your spirit slowly drifted away from him

Nuada - Struck down by an assassin

Nuada was no stranger to those who wanted to kill him and seize his kingdom, but he was to the feelings of loosing someone and actually cared about. Someone that had not only confessed their loyalty to him but for him to confide almost all he had into them

It was deadly to him. Absolutely god awful to him. Although it not being his first time seeing someone die before him, or at the hands of him, you can bet that his life is just not going to be the same. His anger, his regret, his emotions, his life long hatred for all kind out and surfacing through. All because of a single arrow to your chest

The hardest part was watching you suffer. It’s always the case of you being the exception. Suffering people, so be it. Suffering you? By god let the rains pour down there will be blood lost that evening. He never would have thought of the day that you ended up saving him, besides the day you met. The ones who wanted to hurt him sure as hell got their wish when you had jumped to his action and took the arrow to the chest

It was a split second of disbelief on all three faces. The disbelief that the assassin missed, the disbelief that you had been struck, and the disbelief that you were doing to die. It was the look you gave Nuada once you had turned to face him, the foe high tailing it back so he wouldn’t have to face the consequences soon to come

It was that look of irony. You had an arrow impaling your chest, yet you looked at him like it was some kind of joke. The look slowly draining you as Nuada could only stare back and rub your shoulders with shaky hands. Every part of his body went into full panic as he watched your body weave from side to side, your eyelids fluttering as you tried to keep your posture

All he could do was watch you slip away from him. You were still in his arms physically, but he would never be able to hold a conversation with you ever again. He would never be able to tell you how much he loved you, how much you meant to him, how much you helped him. Instead he held that shallow casing of the person he was once confided in. Gone. 

His sword was unsheathed and hell was to be payed that evening. Each and every one of them would have their own personal arrow to the chest. To feel and experience that pain that he felt in such a massive quantity that Nuada was most likely never going to be the same

Michael - Shot by home intruder

It was only a matter of time before he heard the gun shot from inside the house. Not only a few seconds before he stepped in from the back porch had he seen the events unfold before him. The intruder, out the front door, not intending on closing it. You, slumped on the kitchen floor, not saying anything but clutching your side in pure agony

He had never had such a primal instinct to chase and kill that he did in the moment, but more important things needed to be attended to. Michael’s rage practically seething through him as he tried to help you. His hands were aggressive as your body tried to keep up with his vigorous attempts to get you standing straight and sitting in the chair

He was crying. Michael was crying. This was the most emotion he had felt in twenty some years and it did not feel good to him. For once he wondered why he couldn’t have felt your love this strong, of something else. Why this agony? Why did it hurt so much more than any of his physical wounds?

The blood sputtering out of your mouth only worried him more. He knew that when that happened nothing could be done to help you. He was no doctor but knew just what had happened and where you had been shot to make you bleed that much

Michael had also never shushed or lulled someone like this before in his life. Never had he cared about anyone dying before him, especially in his arms. His attempts to keep you alive still aggressive. He could not and would not face letting you split away from him. You were his and that was it. Death taking you away from him infuriated him to no end

Both of his hands would go from holding your face up to him, shaking you slightly and groaning for you to stay with him to rubbing up and down your shoulders to him checking all over your body to brushing your hair out of your face to looking at your wound every now and then. It was only a matter of time before you were gone and lying limp in his hands

The cries and groans from Michael sounded almost inhuman. They sounded of pure agony and torture, which is what is was to him. This town was going to pay and feel the true wrath of Michael Myers. His anger never again to be brushed off. Halloween was for one night, but his anger was forever

#hellboy #hellboy x reader #abe sapien #abe sapien x reader #johann kraus #johann kraus x reader #hellboy the golden army #prince nuada #prince nuada x reader #michael myers #michael myers x reader #halloween

[onceaponamidnightdreary]

The Crimson Crusader

Ksk--ksk--testing-sks- ello- ske- esting one to three, testing one two three. Alright, we’re live. Greetings civilians. This, as you may not know, is the Crimson Crusader, your average vigilante that you don’t know and love to hate. Though, I ain’t your average vigilante. Why, I’ll get to that later. I’m perched on a rooftop, doing my daily patrol. It’s about ten at night and things are a little low, crime-wise. You may want to know why I’m broadcasting this recording, as people like us like to keep our identities hidden. It won’t matter, you won’t find me on any records, or government documents, those have been burned. Heck, I don’t know why I’m doing this myself, but I’ve gotten tired of all you conspiracy theorists. This is my story, where I came from.

See, I was born and raised in the town of Lindhold, of which you are probably familiar. You see it on the news all the time, all the crimes and the rich people up the hill. See, the town was divided into three parts, the Uppers, the Middle, and the Slums. Figure it out by yourself what they mean. O’course, I just happened to be born in the worst part of town. Down there, we didn’t call it Linkhold, nah, to us, it was known as Fester. Cuz everything was always rott’n and festering, the buildings, the food, the people. ‘Specially the people. I was born in a dead-end alley-way with one-eyed alleycat as my nursemaid. The first thing I saw, apparently, was the cat hissing as me. Funny enough, I’ve always loved the creatures after that.

My mother named me Angel Crimson Aldrich, though nobody called me Angel. You called me by my middle name, or you didn’t talk to me at all. Why my mother named me this, I didn’t know. I was as far from Angel as you could get. She said it’s cause I looked like one, with my sienna-pale skin, slate-grey eyes. And white-blond long hair. I cut it the next day, lopped off the sides and the back and it stayed that way ever since, wild in a devil-may-care way. Nothing to grab. One thing I couldn’t figure out was my last name. Aldrich. My mother's name was Evalin Savanna, so I figured it was my father. Never knew him, but I hated him all the same. It was ‘cause of him that my mom suffered. Never even paid a stupid child support check. I bet he didn’t even know I existed.

I lived with my mom in a rotting wooden flat, just the two of us. She died when I was five, pneumonia. Never had the money to afford the medicine.

The tenant evicted me and I spent the next two years as a street-urchin, pickpocket extraordinaire. Don’t feel bad for me, I was’n the only one. Hell, those streets were riddled with kids like me. Nobody batted an eye. It was just life in the town of Fester. I went to elementary school, I was smart for my age. The school was deplorable, a library the size of a cupboard, overcrowded classrooms, you name it. Dropped out at age six. From then on, my life moved on faster. At seven, I joined my first gang, held my first gun at nine, and killed my first man when I was eleven. Those streets make you grow up fast.

When I was thirteen I was lucky enough to run with a gang called the Crusaders.

Sound familiar?

I kept with them, moved up ranks. I was smart, I followed orders, I was ruthless, I fought like a demon. At fifteen I was the right hand girl to the leader, a chick called Smoky, cause of her eye-shadow. She was like an older sister to me, teaching me everything I knew. She was the toughest person I know, and it ain’t easy for a girl on the streets. You learn to survive, to not trust. She died in a gang fight, promoting me with her dying words. I was sixteen and I became leader to the second largest gang in Fester. Back then, gangs were everything. You paid homage to the right gang or you died trying. Turf wars were battles that decided life or death. We controlled five city blocks, and they were everything and we gave everything to defend them. But the Crusaders weren’t your average gang. I doubt any gang led by a woman is. See, we didn’t deal drugs, ammo, or counterfeit money. And I know you’re wonderin’ what we did do. See, ‘Crusaders’ means a person who fought in the Crusades, a medieval battle for Christianity or something. But today, it comes to mean someone who uses vigorous, aggressive movement for the defense or advancement of an idea or cause. That's what we did. Since the police were useless and usually bought off by a gang, crime raged rampant in Fester. If you walked down town at night, it was extremely likely that you would be mugged, shot, stabbed, or kidnapped.

Or all of the above.

So me and my gang, we dealt out justice, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth situation. But we had a very meticulous system. If you stole, the first question we would ask is why. If you stole to feed your family, we would let you go. If you stole because of greed, we would take double what you took. And thrice the second time. The third time, we cut off your hand. If you murdered for revenge, we understood that. If you killed for power, for gain, for absolutely no reason at all, well, then you died. If that made us bad people, we didn’t know. But it was the only type of justice we knew and we were good at it. We also stole from the Uppers, the rich, white folk in their god-awful fancy McMansions. They never walked in our lower part of town, didn’t bat an eye at the crime and the poverty, didn’t know an’ didn’t care that one peice of furniture in their house could feed an entire family for a year. Man, we hated them, them in their fancy cars and clean clothes. Worst of all, they did nothin’ to deserve it. They were all born into money, like their parents before them. And their parents before them. So we stole from them, hacked into their bank accounts, emptying ‘em little by little.

Wait- sks there's something,- sks- I’ll be back- sks-(Gunshots and yelling in background. Thumps and bodies hitting the wall.)

Sks- ksk- krshhh-sks-kay I’m back. There was some idiot who thought he was at the top of the food chain ‘cause he had a gun. Now he’s got a major concussion and the entire police station in his face.

Idiot.

So I should probably tell you about some people that were in my crew. Every gang has a crew, the inner circle basically, then a few runners, people that send messages and help with other stuff but aren’t there fulltime and lastly, your hoard, which were people that were under your protection that other gangs couldn’t touch but only ran favours for you now and then. My crew and I were real tight, we had to be, watching each other's backs and all.

My right hand man was a guy called Leon, smart as a whip and tough as a shark, and man he could get things done. He used to run with the Sidestreet Shavers, I think, before they kicked him out ‘cause he saved a little girl's life. I heard, took him in, and he’s been loyal ever since.

My tech guys, the hackers, was a girl, ex-heroin addict nick-named Half Print, and her sweetheart, a thin, skinny blond guy called Stevie. And damn, were they good at their job. I had no doubt they could hack the Pentagon if they wanted. They had an extensive blackmail file on everyone. You know, just cause.

My muscle, two brothers, only two years apart, named Cork and Neal, just your average for-hire thug, buzz-cut, 6 foot 2, tattooed knuckles, that kind of thing. But they had good hearts, you know, real softies when you got to know them. They lived on the streets before they busted a dog-fighting ring and I gave them my protection. Genuinely good people are hard to come by.

I also had a spy/assassin, a mute girl named Stiletto, cause of her preferred weapon, and her girlfriend who was my scout, Hatchet, an african-american girl who ran away at age ten thanks to her abusive and homophobic father. She also had the largest library of curse words known to mankind, including some in different languages.

We all suffered. We all dreamed. And that's what made us different from other gangs, you know? Nobody in the god-forsaken town of Fester had ever dreamed. The place just sucked the hope right outta you. We were a group of hopeless dreamers, wishing for something more than this hellhole. We wanted to go to college, to travel, to help others like us. But we can’t. Can’t afford any of it.

Which brings me to the next part of my story.

It was dangerous, living in a gang. You run the risk of getting beat up and shot.

Which was exactly what happened to Stevie.

Now we weren’t as close as Me and Leon but we were still great friends. And looking at his broken and bleeding figure I wasn't thinking clearly. He was the most fragile out of my crew, and I thought he was dead. So we did the worst thing possible.

We called 911.

We were gang members with a bleeding dying figure on our hands. But we were hysterical and young enough that they didn’t arrest any of us. They let Half Print ride in the ambulance and the rest of us ran. Straight on ran the six blocks to the hospital.

The news was grim.

He was alive but in a coma. Busted rib cage, punctured lungs, ruptured organs, several broken bones. They needed to do surgery or else he wasn’t gonna live. We agreed, saying that we would pay them back.

The price came to $530,000.

We didn’t have that type of money.

Hell, we didn’t even know how to get that type of money.

But Hatchet heard about a government program that needed willing human volunteers to experiment on. They were offering $600,000.

We argued about who should go, everyone offering themselves. I told them it was my duty, as leader and left without a word. I appointed Leon as the head until I returned. No one mentioned what we were all thinking, that they might never see me again.  

From then on, everything becomes a little blurry.

The scientists didn’t bother using anesthesia, so I remembered pain. Lots of pain. They took my right eye, too. Replaced it with a mechanical one. After the experiments, I trained, and everything became a haze. I learned weapons use and types of fighting styles, my drugged up mind not even questioning it. They made me stronger, faster, with inhuman reflexes. There were 20 volunteers of people desperate enough to need the money.

After a year, there were only three left, including me. I still don't remember what happened but apparently I killed them. Then I burned down the government building. The head scientist escaped, a man called Dr. Armada.

Then I went back to my gang.

They pressured me to tell them what happened, how I was stronger then normal, stronger than human.

I didn’t have a lot of answers to give them. They were excited for my powers, as they called it. They wanted to use it to stop crime, to do the things we strived to do.

I told them no. I didn’t want to be like the superheros in New York. Nothing good came out of that, look what happened to Tony Stark. Dead after saving the world. I wanted to lay low after all that had happened.

We had a fight, … and… I left. One of the greatest regrets of my life. As I was heading out, I heard a girl crying out for help, with my inhuman hearing. I got there without thinking and stopped the guy attacking her. It was laughably easy. I realized that they were right and I headed back to apologize.

And I will never forget this, as I headed back, the warehouse doors were wide open and the moonlight illuminated red stains on the floor.

Blood.

I rushed in but it was too late. Wide, glassy eyes, bodies cold and stiff. And I heard a gasp to my right. It was Stiletto, the girl who never spoke in her damn life. She looked at me and… I-I’ll never forget this. She said “Remember Crimson, doing what is right is not always easy. But doing’ what is easy is not always right.”

And then she was dead.

I swore then and there that I would become what they wanted to be. The dreams they never had, the fight they always wanted.

I became, in honour of them, the Crimson Crusader.

That is me, Angel Crimson Aldrich, signing off, for now.

#madeup superhero #badass lady #oc

[trashcanwriting]

The Forest of God's Missing Eye

Chapter 1: Maurice Halpine and Clarence Dawyon 

Summary:

As Clarence’s feelings towards the feral woman of the Forest becomes more clear, Maurice’s only becomes muddled.

Previous Chapter: Chapter 0: God’s Missing Eye

It has been a month since they had made camp on the mountain opposite of God's Missing Eye, the Forest so many had lost their lives attempting to come to, to find. No one had ever seen the beauty of it with their own eyes, other than the crewmen. The crewmen who had suffered months traveling three mountains now could see the Forest inside and up close. The photographs did not give justice to the actual thing.

The only photographs that captured the island Forest were from airships. Blurry and far from the source, because the moment air transportation got near the island, all controls would deactivate, causing the aircraft to plummet to the ocean below.

The same odd occurrence happened to boats, where the motor would shut off and refuse to restart. It seemed every step humanity tried to make towards the Forest was somehow blocked- until them. Obstructed by mother nature herself, the crew who finally arrived in the blocked land were nothing but advantaged.

Fortunate to be birthed during a time of technological improvement where automatic weapons and motorwagens could be purchased by bulk, a time where medical research had allowed a medic to have the supplies of a hospital office in a single seat vehicle, a time where canned foods could last them the year and a half they had planned to stay.

The crewmen were lucky, they were alive, and making breakthroughs the Great British Empire would feel for the rest of history, creating stepping stones for a colony in a place that had challenged the human race for years- and now had lost.

Clarence, a young scientist fresh from college, had played a hand in such a feat. He should feel pride and the overwhelming emotion of gratefulness he would experience this in his youth, where he could watch the years to come for what came of the hard work of the crew.

However, Clarence was far more concerned with how poorly his socks reeked, of how bored he was of heated vegetables and tinned goods- and how deeply he wanted to shower as his fingers racked his greased soaked mane.

Clarence was suffering from the part of the research expeditions no one prepares you for; leaving your comfy apartment in London to survive in a wilderness. Showering was far and few in between, the food was canned or the berries Doctor Halpine deemed 'safe,' and most of his clothes were fetor with sweat and filth. He always felt grimy- he hated the feeling. He hated living his life inside a tent, a small personal one where he could hardly sit on his knees in his cramped place.

It had been a month, and each day, the two scientist- alongside another crew member for safety- would adventure into the Forest to explore. After returning, worn and tired, he would eat a bowl of beans and whatever vegetable is about to wilt, before going to bed. He only had a few outfits, and each of them had the stench of his body odor as of late, so often he slept nude. The blistering mountain's heat played a factor, and he hated the weather- he missed the rainy days of London, where he could relax in his apartment, shower nightly, and read a book.

The heat was a shock to his system, he would never grow used to the hot sun gleaming down on his burnt skin, he would never grow accustomed to the reddened peeling skin of his exposed arms and neck, and he would never enjoy the constant supply of canned food they had to consume. These problems for Clarence hadn't fazed doctor Maurice; he had spent years dwelling in different harsh climates for the name of science. The only thing that held the older Doctor back was his lame leg, which helped him and Clarence to be on a far more fair playing field.

Clarence couldn't deny his appreciation for being on this trip, the first ever humans to make it to the forsaken land. The Forest God had kept from the hands of humans- now, he and a few selected people were making it possible for humans to own. He knew the Great British Empire would want to colonize this Forest in the next numbering years, after scientists like him and Maurice had combed the realm, photographing and analyzing each tree, each animal- each sand grain.

And God did Clarence want to do it. But he wished he had some mobilized home to stay in- not the tent, the disgusting thing. The fresh scientist would forever be too traumatized to camp for leisure ever again; he swore on his first-born son. He was happy for the rays of the sun to illuminate the thin walls of the cloth, stirring him from his light sleep.

He had never been a morning person. He enjoyed to sleep in until the afternoon the days he had free, reading a book late into the night until the words swam in his head, usually his mind creating the visuals of the literature as he slept. Nowadays, he couldn't focus on his favorite books during the nights, too much heat and exhaustion for his mind to concentrate on anything.

Once he had his boots laced, he clambered from his tent to find Doctor Hapline was already waiting for him. He was sitting on one of the logs they had taken for seating, whistling away as if he had no care in the world as he tapped his cane on the dirt floor. Clarence could understand the joy he felt; he had succeeded in his life work, after years of careful planning he had it in his grasp, and Maurice would never allow it to slip away.

After a quick meal of chopped boiled potatoes, the three were planning the walk for the extended path towards the Forest. The young man had placed some of the boiled potatoes in a metal container, plopping it within his messenger bag. Maurice had attempted to ask what he was doing, but Clarence waved him off. "Can't I have a snack?"

Maurice only shrugged, "Do not feed any animals these, we aren't disturbing the natural ecosystem."

"Now, why would I waste my food on animals?" Clarence had that smug grin of his, causing Maurice almost shake his head. The walk was quiet, as Mr. Underhill readied his rifle with the bullets he might need if they had run into any predatory animals. They had to walk slower, as Maurice's knee pain had grown worse with climbing about and walking for long periods. Despite having to live in the wilderness for expeditions since he was only a child, it had been years since he had been on one, and he was feeling his old age.

Nelson Underhill was a skilled hunter, having thirty years of hunting experience under his belt. Maurice had personally contacted him, offering the role on the research expedition with payment. Nelson couldn't deny an offer to be one of the first humans on God's Missing Eye.

Nelson was trigger happy, hoping to get an animal's corpse as a trophy for his study, to display to all of his hunting company to show his worth. Maurice had told him time and time again of how if they could help it, no animal would be harmed, much to Underhill's dismay.

Arriving at the ringed trees, the three men had to attempt to slide past. Many of the crew had spoken of merely cutting down the wall, yet Maurice was firm on his stance of respecting the lands as he called it. Despite his weak knee that had been injured trying to crawl through the narrow cracks, he still wanted to keep the property safe. He had resorted to using his cane, as the crawling through each day was doing damage to his joints. The three men had slipped past the trees yet again to enter the Forest.

“Alright, today we will go to the Northside.” Maurice announced, already hobbling off with Nelson quick to shadow the man. Clarence nearly rolled his eyes, beginning to trail after the two. Maurice had planned how they would explore the Forest each day, and without Clarence’s input. He felt like a prop rather than an equal.

Clarence hated he had to stay close to the crew, he wished he could break off and explore, taking samples and photographs on his own, but Maurice had insisted the unknown animals were unpredictable, that Clarence could get mauled just as quickly as the poor soul they had lost in the mountains.

He felt slighted by the fact that each day, since the Simian creatures and the unnamed woman, there has been no life seen in this Forest, except the plants. There were no animals to spook. However, Maurice had been so sure, refusing the younger man from his sight.

Nelson held his automatic rifle tight, ready to fire at the first signs of danger. He was trigger happy, so Maurice had to keep the man calm mostly.

As the usual routine, they were wandering near the tree barrier, snapping still lives of any organisms they had yet to capture in their photographer. Clarence took a peek at the puncture holes of the bark, the mysterious creatures or the Forest woman has yet to be seen again. As if she disappeared from the Forest, they had only seen her once- and Maurice was the only one who had seen her in person.

Did she exist?

As the men continued their hiking through God's Missing Eye, the three had begun a whispering, light discussion of the weather and how much longer they could handle eating potatoes before hearing the faint yelps and squeaks in the distance. It was in a whispering voice, trying to keep themselves quiet.

Maurice stopped the two, listening for a moment before he slowly hunched lower, the two other men copying his actions as they made their way through the bushes and plants, Clarence couldn't shake the feeling of being watched intensely now. The air had more moisture in this area; the floor was flooded and muddy against their feet.

Maurice gently moved the scrub, revealing the scene before the three. The hunter nearly shot, but Maurice grabbed the barrel and yanked it down, refusing to allow the creatures before him to come in harm's way because of a startled grown man. Nelson stopped in his tracks by the evident annoyance of the older man, kneeling as the other two had.

There was a large pond before them, roots and vines coming from the sides of the water. The bioluminescent algae shined a shimmering pink, making the scales of the creatures almost glowing. Two creatures had surfaced from the pond, their bony arms leaning lazily against the grassy floor.

The animals could be described as mermaids, but not the beautiful half-humans wrote about in literature. Their hair was dry, withered away only to have spotting gray hair across their skulls.

Their lower part was a muscle-bound, fish-like tail that was thicker than the rest of their body. The upper torso was covered in bony scutes. Their faces were sunken in, with small, buggy black serpent eyes. Their mouth was thin and pallid, without lips, so their long teeth were on full display. The rest of their body had a green hue, dark like the pond they were sticking out from.

The mercreatures were speaking to none other than the feral woman; she was on her knees, moving her head side to side as she squawks at them. In turn, they chirp and hum, seeming to hold a conversation.

After her being impossible to find for weeks, it was a shock to them all. Especially the hunter, who hadn't believed she had even existed before seeing her.

As they spoke, the larger mermaid came up further to the surface, grasping the feral woman's face with gentleness.

The hands of the creature had four digits, ending in claws, her fingers were webbed and covered in harsh scales. The mercreature was chirping quiet, as the feral woman leaned closer for the creature.

"Clarence, you take the photographs; yours is much quieter than mine," Maurice mumbled, as Clarence inched along with the scrubs, holding his photographer ready as he began snapping pictures.

His was a newer model, quiet and without the big flash of Maurice's. He promised himself when he returned to London. He was going to spend the funds he needs to get such a sophisticated device. He can't deny how satisfying it was to get the pictures without scaring away the subjects.

This did not last long, as when the mermaids noticed the moving plants, they all dived within the ocean in unison. The feral woman had tried to grab hold of one before they disappeared within the deep body of water, desperate for them to stay.

Then, silence. The human looked around before moving towards one of the trees. She ran as an ape, using all of her limbs to move across the ground. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Clarence had stood. Thoughtlessly acting, Clarence knew she would disappear again, for now long, he didn't know.

This could be his last time to make an imprint for some time, maybe months.

Revealing himself to the feral woman, Maurice gripped his wrist, short nails digging into his flesh. Clarence jerked himself from the other's vice-like grasp, moving forward as the savage woman growled lowly, giving warning to the man who slowly approached her.

He pulled back the flap of his baggage, moving slowly as the undomesticated woman stared intensely, circling his form. He pulled the tin from his carrier, bringing it to his chest and twisting open the metallic container to grab some of the mushy potatoes. The girl pressed her side to the tree, glaring as she bared her teeth.

Clarence wanted to vomit at the state of the teeth, with black buildup at the tops, yellowed to the point of almost brown, they looked as if they had never been cleaned. He couldn't imagine what reeked from her mouth. She needed a dentist or some physical hygiene. He reached within the container, before holding out the boiled mush.

He held the food in his open palm. He had often fed stray animals as a schoolboy, so he applied the same tactics he had then. Slowly approaching her, he halted a few steps in, holding the food to allow her to come to him. Something like food would always sweeten the deal for the sick, skinny dogs that dwelled near his school's courtyard.

She paused, moving closer at the palm. She brought her head closer, smelling the food cautiously. She slowly reached her hands towards his palm, taking the food from them before she crawled away. She was eating it fiercely, mouth smacking as she squinted her eyes, the taste and texture was something she was unused to. As her expression twisted, she chewed sluggish, hoping to understand if she liked it or not.

He couldn't imagine her ever tasting anything boiled, nor potatoes from the natural vegetation that grew from Forest's grounds and around the trees. After she had swallowed the mush in her mouth, she began to crawl against the trees. After a moment, smacking away the potatoes in her mouth, she had started to shriek. She barely finished getting the food down her throat when she began her screaming.

Maurice had jumped from his perched position, reaching to grab Clarence and pull him back to the safety of the shrubbery. He was sure she was calling an alarm of her people, going to get them attacked. Maurice grabbed the young man, yanking him to the ground before the tree the feral woman had pressed herself against began to shake.

The form slid down, using their rough textured palms on both pairs of limbs to glide down the bark as if it was a smooth pole- a normal hand would be bruised and sliced from trying such a thing. The form had slid from the tree the woman had pressed herself to, reaching towards the woman. In turn, the mortal was squawking up a storm, making grabby hands for the ape.

This creature was the same species of the first animals they had found her with. However, this one differed from the last ones they had seen. This one had wrinkles carved in the hairless portion of their face, with white, silver, and light black fur that covered their skin. The protracted armed primate snatched the woman's arm, swinging her to their chest. The woman sighed in relief, gripping onto the fur of the animal and holding onto them tight.

The woman seemed accustomed to the jerking, only wrapping her arms around the neck of the other, before her legs ringed across the other's shallow hips. The primate took no notice of the other humans, using her claws to crawl upon the bark lazily. The woman, however, gave a concise wave to the men as she disappeared far up the trees.

Maurice paused, trying to process the current events as it all happened so quickly, to Clarence acting like a maniac to the woman having some alerting call to the other species. The information swam in his head, almost making the poor man cross-eyed.

When he gained his bearings, he twisted his torso towards the younger. "Zounderkite! What happened to not wasting it? Do you realize what you have done?" His voice was coarse, cutting the air like snapping leather as he struggled to his feet, using his cane for support. Between his harsh words, he was allowing himself to groan from the pain of his knees, having to jump and move so quickly.

"Maurice, I wanted to be known by her, I only fed her some-"

"Clarence, you interacted and disturbed the natural order, something I have told you multiple times not to do."

"There is no way that a human woman in this Forest is natural; I want to gain her trust; we get closer; we might learn more of the animals. They have been hidden from us, but when we saw one of them." He gestures towards the lake, "She is with them. We never saw one of them until we saw one with her. She could be the key to knowing this Forest."

Maurice mumbled under his breath, only stewing more within his anger. He felt rage for being disrespected by such a younger companion, trying to teach the expert on what he knew. After releasing the held air he had kept in his lungs, he decided to think calmly.

Clarence, the bright-eyed college graduate who had never even left London, had fed a feral woman they found in the most dangerous Forest known to man. But she lived there, unharmed by the other creatures. She was able to even call for one of them, and communicate with the fish creatures that have longed disappeared from the pond's mossy surface.

He hated Clarence was right. They had struggled to meet any life that was not rooted in the ground. The only animals they had met were alongside the woman. The woman almost felt like the guide to the creatures, and he hated it. Maurice hated he was not the first human to discover the Forest, to step foot in the place God had kept secret since the dawn of time.

Instead, a girl, a simple girl who paraded herself as an animal got his right, his right as a man of science who sacrificed everything he had to get here, but she had been gifted the human of the Forest. The protector, it seemed, what he wanted to be. He had wished to lead this land, to colonize and rule it as the proper one who had discovered it. The emotions hit him like bricks, the thoughts he tried to keep to himself was boiling over- and becoming targeted towards Clarence, the poor young man who saw this much clearer than he could.

"We discovered a feral woman in this place… It's a miracle. It proves we could survive here. We can colonize!" Clarence grabs the shoulders of the older gentleman, his eyes full of passion, of knowing he was changing history. Maurice couldn't fault him for his excitement, perhaps he would make mistakes, but that was why Maurice was here, to take the new scientist under his wing to teach him all he knew.

No matter how he felt, he had to calm. "I, we have no choice now, do we?"

Clarence's smile only grew, knowing he had won the argument. "No, she will expect food now- like a stray."

"It's why I never fed the strays." Maurice shook his head, "Far too needy, too dependent."

Clarence's eyes had a glint to them, something Maurice couldn't describe. Sinful, a look of lust and greed that he saw in Colonizers' eyes when they have the land before them. Maurice had little time to analyze the meaning of such a look, as the men were quick to return to the task of research, and discussing what the feral woman meant.  

Hiking through the vast land was short that day, Maurice's injured knee had finally slowed him down, and all three men left the Forest. Nelson had to walk back himself to receive a motorwagen for Maurice, for he could not handle such a walk today.

When he returned with the transport, all three men began driving back to the campsite where the poor medic would do what he can with Maurice's knees.

The ride from the long corridor of the dirt bridge was quiet. Maurice was far too focused on the tense throbbing in his legs to continue any conversation, rubbing his weak knee, hoping to slight the pain. Nelson was enjoying the short moment of his trip without scientific terms and theories constantly whirling in the air. The quietness was a welcome change from the debates the two scientists and the rest of the crewmen would carry on about.

Clarence was staring outside the pane of the motorwagen, thoughts darting in his mind like a pinball bouncing in a billiards table, the flippers forcing his ideas to new possibilities the next time they would meet the girl again.

The photographs, blurred and shaky, could not correctly illustrate her appearance. Despite her being on her hands and feet, he saw how short she was- it made sense. Malnourished from the lack of vitamins and minerals, he could have easily mistaken her as a younger child than a woman. He wanted to see her stand on those legs, to see how she compared to him at full height. Regardless of her undernourishment, she was pursy. Of course, it wasn't uncommon for someone who was undernourished to be overweight; she could have a plentiful supply of calories, but without the essential nourishment she would need.

Clarence thought of the poor state of her teeth and physical hygiene, how he could fix all of those things, and take her to London. The problem was Maurice, with his holier than thou stance upon the natural order.

When the motorwagen returned to the campsite, all three men went their separate ways. Maurice wobbled to the medic. Clarence left for his tent, and Nelson wanted nothing more than to clean his weapons. The three men all busy in their own mindsets.

Maurice would spend that evening adding towards the pile of letters he had written, the majority of the letters would never be sent, and only served for mental release. His loved ones would only expect the letters nearing his return. He would have to wait until the blimp came at the end of the year to send any of the messages, as the Messenger Pigeons' radio wave would have interference as any ship's motherboard.  

The robotic birds he had sent before had fallen straight into the turbulent waters below only a few short miles just off the coast of the village towards the Mountains. He knew then that he had no chance to send any letters in the eye of the storm. He wished he could send messages after letters to Theodosia and Enoch; the middle-aged servant he had left to care for his house and his adoptive son.

The letters, even if they rarely saw the light of day, was therapeutic. He felt he was having a conversation with someone, anybody, but his co-workers. He wanted to talk to someone who he chose to love and desire to speak to, instead of for professional purposes. Of course, other than Clarence. However, Clarence was a child swept up in his stew of morals and self fantasy of what he wanted the girl to become, Maurice had little time for such things.

The study of a feral woman, alongside the newly discovered creatures, was nothing but a once in a lifetime chance for research. He wouldn't spoil this chance with the ideals of a correct society, where a feral woman could come to civilization and grow to be normal. No, she would never be normal. Her development years, her years required to learn how to be a proper mother and wife has been wasted on survival in the wild.  

She could never transition to society the way he knew Clarence desired. Maurice could understand the bright-eyed mindset of fixing her, but he had read the reports of multiple feral cases. It was nearly impossible to help a young child of twelve after living in the wild for so long, how would a woman, someone fully grown, take to somewhere like London?

To study her was to investigate the creatures of the Forest, and if she truly knew the Forest, she would be just what they needed to comb the area for a colony, years down the line. She was useful, but Maurice refused to see her as more. When the territory began settlement, the wild woman would most likely become caged in a Psychiatric hospital for the rest of her years.

This was the reality of her situation, a lost cause, but an interesting study on both the human psyche and the inhuman creations that roam the Forest.

His mind lazily learched from thoughts, writing down his mindset into formal documents cleansed him, allowing him to understand his situation better. He could also feel less lonely this way, in his little fantasy of speaking to his beloveds once more. He missed the modern luxuries of his home, where Theodosia would set his fireplace ablaze before plating his supper, where he could read a novel in peace and worry not for his weaker knee.

Mindlessly, his fingers trace over the pained kneecap, attempting to soothe the pain from his joints. Years of walking had worn down his legs, and now he was paying the price for such a lifestyle. The moment he could stand, his father had taken him off on research missions and hunting, he lived out in early settlements and newly discovered lands, right beside his father.

Those days he would remember fondly, days he wished he could reminisce about with his son. All those thoughts were for another day, he told himself, sealing the leather journal pages before discarding the possession back under his sleeping bag of sorts. It was two blankets folded in two and sewn together except for one side, and he found it comforting.

Two blankets that held the scent of his home brought him the sanity he would need for the year in the wild. Unlacing his boots and rolling underneath the sheets, he didn't bother to change into the thin sleepwear. He only undid his shoes, belt, and sometimes, when the heat got too much, removing his buttoned shirt.

As he closed his eyes, the throbbing of the knee and the gentle breeze against the tent's fabric slowly dissolved, drifting off to slumber. He had no dreams; his mind and thoughts were blank until the following morning when he would wake. He would stir from the sun's blistering rays of heat shining down on him, or from one of the crew members being forced to rouse him. Though, it had been quite some time since that was necessary: The first few weeks having to grow accustomed to his schedule once more.

Clarence had fallen asleep much sooner than Maurice, who had stayed awake to think and analyze. After a supper of grits and pasta, he had taken his place in his tent to sleep the evening away. The younger man escaped to his dreams, without having to try and be friendly with the crewmen or listen to Maurice's rambling of colonies. He could dream of home, his favorite literature, all the sane things a man would create in his mind.

He laid in the make shifted sleeping bag; his mind created a scene before him. Recently, he had dreamed of lounging around the home, or sitting in an air-conditioned room reading a newspaper, yet, this fantasy was different.

Clarence stood in front of a tropical waterfall, a sprinkling of rain came down with the soothing sound of thunder echoing far behind him. The chirping of birds and the quiet ambiance of a forest was all he could hear. It was so calm, unlike the Forest, it was not cold and damp. Instead, it was a perfect sunny temperature, with a breeze grazing his warmed flesh. He felt the grassy sand underneath his feet, the sun kissing his face, it felt so vivid, as if he was alive and awake.

He wasn't alone in his creation, only a foot away from him was the woman from the wild, playing in the waters. She splashed about, acting more of a child at a pool than the grown woman she was. She looked up, using a circling gesture of her wrist to beckon him to the cleaner waters. He blinked slowly, moving forward from the shore to the fresh body of water that awaited him.

Clarence came to the pond. He took a breath before stepping within the watery depths, the sensation was welcoming, unlike in reality stepping inside would cause him to shiver of the sudden cold feeling over his feet. It was warm, ready for him already. The woman ran towards him, presenting him with a toothy grin. Her teeth were a perfect pearl white, unlike the rotten teeth she possessed.

She was different, the black grime that stained her form was gone, some dirt had been smeared on her cheeks and torso, but he could see her pale body. She was still nude, but she looked so much more exposed without the dirt. Her long hair was tangled, but not the sweaty mass as it was in reality. She smelled and appeared so much cleaner, more accessible for Clarence to feel lust after.

The being before him was only a sexualized version of the true woman in the Forest. She stood before him, her fragile hands finding their way on his flat stomach, invading his space as she stared up at him, keeping eye contact as she grew closer. She was fisting the fabric of his one-piece suit, worrying the shirt portion against her nails.

The woman only went to his chest, and she looked up at him with the same wonder and awe she had when he offered her the food. Her lips were plumper, possessing a bright pink hue, one that only lipstick could provide. Thoughtlessly, he grabbed her chin. The submissive creature allowed him to move her face side to side.

Clarence leaned over the woman before he yanked her chin forward, smashing the lips together. Of course, the passion was shared, her arms finding their way to loop around his neck. She was soft, from her full lips to the silky skin that pressed to his bare neck. His hands traveled lower, gripping her waist as he forced her mouth open with his tongue.

She panted, her voice high pitched, so naive and youthful. Clarence had lost himself to the fantasy, of tainting the woman and taking her as his own he barely registered he had woken until he noticed the stillness, slowing his humping motions. His eyes flutter slowly, realizing he had woken himself from the erratic movements he had begun in his sleep.

Sweat glued loose hair to his forehead and his clothes to his body. His pants were tightened, causing him to flop on his back. He took a moment, before unbuttoning his bottoms and pulling his cock from the sealed fabric that had made it uncomfortable. He didn't care for the time or if the crewmen would find him, arching his neck against the pillow as he stroked himself.

Thumbing the tip, he tried to relive the fantasy of the waterfall, her fingers raking through his hair as he placed her on the beach, her back pressed to the sand as he leveled himself to thrust inside. She was moaning, gripping against him as she opened her legs. Pure and untouched, ready for someone of her species to whisk her away, take her away from the Forest and the place she was meant to be.

He continued to pump himself to this dream, allowing shaky groans and sharp hisses to escape his chapped lips. Thrusting inside her, she would cry out, holding him so tight, scratching down his back as she wrapped her legs around his hips, pushing him deeper. Her hair was scattered out, lips parted as she groans, her arms clinging to him- she would need for him.

Itching closer, his mind raced through thoughts of her atop him, moving against his length, to her in his bedroom in London, wearing some lingerie he had once seen in a store catalog as he pulled her to bed. He could fix her faults, poor hygiene, and feral behavior, creating the image in his head.

He shudders, climaxing against his palm as he laid in bliss for several moments. The pent up frustration and anger from the trip were sliding from his mind. The glow of the after orgasm washed over him. He lazily wiped his dirtied hand the inside of his sleeping bag. He concealed his flaccid penis under the wraps of his undergarments and pants, he rolled on his side, curling further into himself as he now had to live with the fact he pleasured himself to his research.

The many thoughts of her had ran through his head, burning a hole within his skull as he gripped the hair of his mane, guilt, and disgust creeping upon him before he released a breathy hiss. He was a man, a man that had needs, and a nude woman had come before him. She walked on her hands and feet, allowing her legs to be spread as her knees bent always. She exposed herself to everyone, if she were a woman of society, he wouldn't have had these sinful thoughts of her.

She needed to be civilized, to learn how to behave and become a true woman.

She needed him.

The two scientists had risen early, Maurice had struggled his way to the medic, allowing the doctor to apply some ointment on his knee before the trip to the Forest, the long hiking of today made him dread it so. The pain traveled down his leg, his ankle even aches after walking for so long. He loves the outdoors, hiking and camping were something he used to do so much before old age had taken its toll.

Clarence was quiet that morning, saving some of his breakfast as last time in his tin for the girl in the wild. He was suited up, ready to embark before the rest of the men. But with Maurice's knee problems, that would be expected. Maurice took longer to finish his meal, savoring the eggs they had stored up for the journey.

Despite the episode Maurice created over feeding the girl, he had placed some of his leftovers in a tin container. Clarence felt nothing but smugness when he realized the older man's motives as they board the motorwagen to pass the bridge.

The crowd had once hiked the mile travel to the island, not wanting to waste their resources of Motorwagens for returning off the mountains. Unfortunately, for Maurice's knee, the two knew he could not handle the long walk today. The three piled into the motorwagen without a word, and towards the isolated Forest.

Underhill was quiet as usual, driving as the two men spoke of their current findings. The conversation had grown dry since the majority of their conclusions was plant life, but after finding the sea beings, the two had the spark to speak for hours of what that could mean.  

The ride was short, Underhill parking near the Forest's barrier as usual, as the three clamber out of the automobile to crawl through the openings once more. Underhill trekked his way through, pushing past the barks and lush plants to enter the Forest.

Clarence stood beside the older man. "Can I help you inside?"

"My knee will ache no matter who coddles me. I can walk through fine." Maurice would not slow down the research, become the burden of the crew. He was the reason this was possible, without him, and his lifetime of the investigation, no one would be here without him. He wasn't an older man who troubled people with his nonsense. He turned to slide through on his side, using his cane to try and support his weight.

He shifts through the vines and trees, nearly falling as he had to use all of his strength to stand on his feet. Clarence hurried through the mass of green life to find Maurice. "Mau-"

"I am fine. Let's continue." He gripped the cane, walking towards Underhill, who had patiently awaited the man. The fog rolled across the lands; silhouettes were blurred, barely visual as the men continue to explore the area.

"The fog has never been this intense." Clarence began, walking alongside the men. He could hardly see his hand in front of his face. Underhill rolled his shoulders.

"If you wish to see fog, come to Russia." Underhill almost chuckled, a cracked smile hung on his lips that made Clarence almost made him have a second take. Nelson was a pragmatic man, who treated every person as a lower co-worker, Clarence had to contain himself when the man had slightly chuckled.

"Indeed? You were born in the Russian District?" Clarence hurried to the man’s side, hoping to continue this ice breaker for the two. He prayed for another person on this trip to enjoy his company, even if it was an obsessed hunter.

"Born and raised until I was four, then we moved to the Capital District."

"Ah, beautiful place, Britain is. Which region were you raised in?"

It had gone over Maurice's head. All his thoughts were centered on the freshly returned pain of his knee. The ointment had worn off, for how much budget he had on a doctor and supplies, he had expected the workforce of a pharmacists office.

Ointment, for a hurt knee, what a lazy solution. He trudges forward, using the cane to allow weight off the leg. He was hiking at a further distance from the two other men, who were lost in a discussion of their own. They did not notice how Maurice slowed, losing both of their shadowy figures in the murkiness.

The man took a few more selected steps, before leaning against a tree closest to him. "Clarence!" He shouted, awaiting any reply. "Clarence! Nelson!" All of his yellings fell onto deaf ears, sliding his weakened body down the bark. He flopped onto the overgrown floors below, panting heavily as the knee finally had some solace.

He didn't know how long he laid there, lying his head upon the trunk, eyes heavy with exhaustion already. The realization hit him, causing his stomach to turn violently. He would probably never finish his exploration, his advancing age holding him back from his reward, his earned prize.

His eyes flutter closed, thinking of how he barely saw his adoptive son or siblings for his pursuit of the Forest. How he wasted years to come here, and now? He was a wasted man who might die in this Forest.

Maybe it was a deserving fate.

Darkness encased him, drifting into slumber as his body was hidden away by the fog. His sleep was peaceful, despite how stressed he was when he had fallen asleep, escaping the pain for longer. When he had first injured his knee, and back then, at the brightness of young manhood, he used to shake it off. Now, it only grew, like a fungus.

He was awakened from his misery from something touching him, unlike a predator who would eat their prey, hands ran over his clothes, repeated as if to savor the texture. The hands roam his bottoms, tops, and begun to touch his shoes before he had the strength to open his eyes.

Halpine had nearly forgotten how he had fallen asleep; startled shudders crawl up his spine at the sight of the feral woman holding his excellent leg, lifting his shoe to take a look. Maurice gulped, both hands firmly pressed to the ground for support before the girl looked back at him.

She had been too far either time for him to gaze into her eyes, round and wide, colored sea green and full of curiosity. They were full of the innocence of an animal, untainted of the sins of men. The woman continued eye contact, scooting her way back to his face.

Her fingers lift to touch his jawline. The other's fingers interlocking with his dark brown and grayed mutton chops, seeming interested by his facial hair. The touches were gentle and slow as if he was the easily spooked animal. He barely had time to register most of what she was doing, watching as her hand not touching his beard grabbed his wrist, and pressed it to her cheek.

The contrast of their skin was clearer to see now. Maurice's suntanned skin was so dark against her colorless flesh. He had spent a lifetime outside, basking in the sunlight for years. But she had probably never seen the sun or felt the heat of the rays. She leaned closer, touching his face, brushing over his eyebrows, nose, lips- he had to admit, it was a bit disgusting.

Her dirtied hand felt over his face, head tilting as she had felt her own a couple of times to sense the differences. His hand stayed where it was placed by her, slowly falling back into his lap. With her being so close, he got to see more of her face.

She wasn't a woman, in reality, a girl in her mid-adolescent- his first theory was she was older, he knew now that wasn't right. She had a juvenile appearance, underneath all the grime and scars: She possessed oval, full lips, alongside a round jawline, her face had been drained of any coloring except the stained dirt. Her fingernails were surprisingly short, peacefully tracing over his wrinkles and whiskers quietly.

Maurice supposed she had her full, as she slowly moved back, glancing towards his carrier, before looking back at him quietly. As if a pet begging for food, her hand slowly reached towards it, but she didn't understand how to undo the flap as Clarence had before offering her the treat.

"You're hungry." He mumbled, knowing she had no possible way to understand him. The language barrier between the two was far more than English and Spanish, but some primate's form of communications with sounds versus his proper language. He pulled the flap of fabric back, pulling out his tin container.

He twisted it open for the girl, sitting it between them as she was quick to hurry towards him, she glanced at the canned beans for a moment. The seeds had been canned with a gravy mixture of brown sugar and some molasses. Giving it a sweetened punch, she used her closed fingers as a scoop, shoveling it down her throat before she pinched her face, coughing lightly after each sampling of the food.

Of course, she didn't grow up on candies and sweets as a child, or sweet teas and coffees as an adult. She might have never tasted sugar cane, so this must have been a surprise for her system. She still fed herself each finger full, smacking away. Her mouth hung open, having the gravy drip from her lips and onto the forest grounds.

She ate, moved, and acted like a primate. It was so surreal for a human to perform so. He could hardly picture her being human in this state. How in God's green Earth did she ever make it here? The last colony attempt was over thirty years ago, and they had all died on the other mountain. Did her family crash from a powered aircraft and she was the survivor? They had yet to see any accident near the island, but the Forest was so vast.

It did not matter how she might have become part of the Forest, she was there now, and Maurice needed to focus on research. He tried to sit up, but the throbbing in his knee made him fall right back on his backside. The girl squawked in confusion, moving from the tin she had been licking the dregs of to circling him. She had begun to touch over his body, his chest, stomach, thighs, pressing down and watching his expression.

He had attempted to pry her off, he didn't want her to place pressure on his kneecap, but the moment she touched his bad knee, he hissed through clenched teeth, thrusting himself against the bark in instinct.

She paused at his reaction, before scampering off from the right. Her running style was of an ape, using both hands and feet to take off, her form dissolves through the mist, and he was left alone again. He wondered if he had been abandoned as he was lame, or if she had gone to get help.

The idea of being so close to the eight feet creatures was almost terrifying. He couldn't deny the amazing opportunity it would, to see them so closely and how they would react to something injured. Hopefully, it wouldn't be to kill him.

His eyes grew too heavy; his mind was slipping back into the unconscious. For how long he was asleep was unknown, but he awoke to the thumping of a body beside him. He was stirred violently by the scurrying of the chubby girl. Within her mouth, she had been smacking on something red and thick. The sludge dribbled down her chin, making him wince as she drew closer, her foot pressed to his thigh as he had the sinking fear she would want to spit that into his mouth.

He shudders, gagging at the mental image as he moved his head away. However, she had no interest in his face. Instead, she spat the substance into her palms. She then slapped her hands onto his knee. He let out a startled gasp at the heated mass that was applied to his kneecap.

"Oh, dear lord!" He exclaims, his first instinct was to wipe it off, but the girl gripped his wrists, moving them away from his leg as she squeaks and yelps. Her noises felt unnatural being made from her vocal cords. It sounded right for the primates to squeal like that, with high pitched voices- but hers had to pitch higher than her natural tone.

The muck against his hairy leg started to burn, slowly before it was near blistering. The two began to wrestle a bit, with him trying to get it off before he found acidic burns as she kept moving his hands away, she continued to squall. She tried so hard to explain whatever she was doing. He had little time for this, and god it hurts.

The moment it grew so hot he knew he must have third-degree burns, it became as if ice on him. He curled slightly, his head lowering in the shock as the girl let go of his wrists, wiping her own hands against the grass before she touched at his shoulders. The cold feeling left sooner than the burning, leaving his knee numbed. It had no sense. It took him a moment to realize the subtle throbbing had gone.

Maurice's head swung to the girl, as she slowly scooted to his side, flicking off the hardened paste as the effect she had wanted passed. He was quick to join her, wanting it off him as soon as possible. The bend of his leg had no lasting burns, only a faint redness, as if an ice cube had run over his skin. The girl grinned, showing her yellowed teeth as she moves away; using her legs and keeping her knuckles as support.

He gripped the cane he had carelessly abandoned when he had fallen, still lying beside him. He used the tree as support, forcing his weight upon his legs once more. He was expecting some sort of pain from his patella, the shooting ache that has poisoned his time. As he stood fully on both legs, his knee continued to stay numb.

Maurice took a moment, realizing she had healed him, somehow. For how long it lasted, he could not tell, but he had little care for such a thing. The man could walk, he felt like running a mile or jumping into the trees like the primates she lived with. No dull ache as he walked, no searing pain when he tried to hurry in his step.

He stood, feeling the might of a young man with a new leg. His eyes laid on the crouched girl. Maurice began walking, heading towards the girl who only looked back, perfectly still as he stood before her. She stares up, awaiting his reaction to her. Maurice could only watch in wonder. She has shown him a new form of potential medicine, and he wanted to know everything about it.

He could only imagine what this could mean for humankind, the breakthroughs that could succeed with something a seemingly magical cure. He needed to see it, to hold it within his grasp.

The scientist reached lower and tapped his fingertip to his kneecap. “Show me where you found it.” He spoke softly, with a gentleness he honestly had no idea he possessed. She inches towards the red hue left from the paste on his skin, only glancing to where he had pointed before she seemed to understand what he wanted. She began crawling towards the direction the savage woman had run off to when she realized he was hurt.

Maurice was quick to follow, having a spring to his step now that his leg no longer held him back.

The travel with her through the Forest was something new and awe-inspiring, the flowers blossomed when she walked past, with the once faint chirping and yelps of animals grew as she continued down the path. She sometimes lifted her head and squawked in reply. Was she human, or a fae of a forest? Had he met a guardian that was not of this world?

She had the pattern of her arms making a step first, then her feet. It was interesting. It looked awkward for a human body to contort in such a way. However she was moving quickly, keeping a steady pace.

Maurice had not the slightest clue of how long they had walked, yet, when the feral girl darted off in a specific direction- he figured they were close. He began to rush after her, feeling a sudden pride wash over him. He was able to chase someone, to keep up.

His mind kept wandering to trying to catch Enoch in the halls, only to be forced to plop on the stairs only moments in their run because of his knees. He could almost see the child looking back with a look of pure disappointment. Shaking his head, he sped up after her. She glanced back, assuring he was following. She looked so much like Enoch, he had to turn his head away to collect his thoughts.

She stops in front of a tree that looked out of a storybook, the pale bark of the other trees contrasted the dark, oak trunk. This tree was thick, with long, twisting roots that came from the ground and made loops in the field. The branches, unlike the other trees, came down to the baseline to the top, he had never seen branches touching the floor before. This tree seemed to go past all the rest of the trees, as the tree went past the leave roof the rest made.

This one was so unlike the others. It appeared to have been plucked from another place. She came to this tree, careful and gentle of the roots and branches that hung low, locating a side of the oak. She climbed on top of the roots, as she started to crawl across the elevated roots and base of the tree.

She only had to explore for a few moments before she looked back at him squawking once more. He groaned, beginning to crawl onto the roots.

When he came to her side, she sidestepped to display what she had been searching for. Plump, large berries grew from vines that were protected with thorns. These berries were stewed red, with black dotting. They were as large as the tip of a thumb. He reached and extracted one from the vine.

He was startled by how hardened the skin of the berry was, it was hard as rocks, and he had trouble to squish it between his fingertips. The flesh of the fruit was as sturdy as rich glass. When she realized he was trying to pop the fruit, she gripped his wrist, yanking his hand towards her and ripping the thing from him.

Gasping, he stepped away when she stole the berry from him. She held it within her palm, squeezing it until he heard it burst. Unclenching her fingers, he watched steam swimming from her flesh, as she waved the squished liquid off her hand. Her hand was burned by the heat of the plumped red sustenance, a large, black seed fell alongside it. The seed was a bit smaller than the actual berry. Was that why it was so hard?

She licked it off her fingers, used to the heat of the berries. She had protected him from the pain of the berry, and if it was so hot on his skin after being popped, he couldn’t imagine the blistering heat she must have just endured to prove the point of _don't pop it._

Maurice grabbed a test tube from his bag, clipping the berries inside for later testing. If these could be extracted for medicine, this could change the path of modern healing practices. Addictive painkillers and most corrective surgeries could be a thing of the past. The amount of money they could sell these for, and the money he could make for discovering it- was unimaginable.

“You just helped a lot of people, little one.” He grinned, patting the head of the girl as she tilted her head at his action. He chuckled, the look in her eyes was endearing. With a few strokes of her mane, he began to move his hand only to have her grab his wrist.

“So needy.” He began to stroke her crusted mane; he could feel the knots and filth underneath his gloves. How long has she been here? He could only wonder, he did hope one day he could speak to her, to understand the secrets she kept from them. His daze snapped when she moved her head away from him, hurrying from the large roots she had climbed up before turning and starting down a path.

He blinked a few times, climbing from the great foundation of the tree and towards the girl. He knew this tree was particular, somehow, so he tried to memorize the journey to wherever she was taking him. Pondering where she would lead him next, he had his answers when he heard the faint conversation of his crewmen.

”Where is he?”

”Goddamn it. The old man just disappeared!”

”What if some predator got him?”

He huffed at the words, treating him as some nursing home patient rather than the great scientist he was. She halted when they neared the group, giving him a final glance before pressing her forehead to his thigh for a few seconds before he could pet her once more, she ran from the scene.

He watched her for a moment, quiet as she hastened, her bellowing footsteps fading as he knew he needed to return to his crewmen, she had done whatever she had wanted to do and left him just as quick. She healed him and shown him the berries that did this. The feral woman- girl, that is, had taken an interest in him. He peeked downward at his legs, she had some human in her, if he could reach further in and grab it.

As if Clarence had rubbed off on him, he felt excitement for their next chance meeting. She could really be the answer to getting to know this Forest and finding everything that had hidden inside and what a thing to show the king. A human girl found in the Forest. He could already see the media becoming obsessed with her, and the cash he could gain from such a story of her adapting into society.

He stepped from the bushes, watching the two men run to him. Clarence was the only one who had valid concerns for his well-being; it was clear from his many questions and looking over the man. “What happened?”

“My knee, I had to take a break. The girl found me, and healed me.” He bent his knee in midair, making Clarence’s eyes widened. Maurice could hardly move the damned leg before. Nelson stepped forward, having a closer look at the man. He was shocked beyond words, did the Forest possess some sort of magic?

“If we use what she healed me with, we found God’s healing elixir.” Maurice held his arms out to gesture how great it was, only for Clarence to bend his knees to see the redden hue of the paste had left behind on the man’s kneecap.

Nelson rolled his shoulders, “You think it could help my back aches?” He questioned, patting his back with a quiet groan. Standing beside the other man, Maurice could only grin up at the gentleman.

“Oh dear Underhill, it could do so much more! It’ll make your back feel young again!” Maurice came to the other man’s side, wrapping an arm over his shoulders. “I think we just made a fortune here!”

Underhill appeared more than pleased by that, grinning right back at the other man. Clarence was less concerned with the money, but more with the logical reasoning almost being thrown out as some sort of paste just cured Maurice, and perhaps even kept the human girl alive. It could explain the lack of major scars.

“This Forest, it is Unearthly.” Clarence mumbled to himself, touching the red crust of whatever was left on the man’s leg. If it was true, if something healed Maurice like this, this could prolong the human’s lifespan, even make it where senior citizens could be as active as school children.

“Oh Clarence, this is only the beginning.” Maurice lifted the younger man, gripping his shoulders. “In a year time, we might have all the answers to the World’s problems.”

#Original Work #Original Characters #steampunk #steampunk story #steampunk writing #writing #feral woman #feral #Fantasy #Science Fiction and Fantasy #Yandere #Yandere Story #The Forest of God's Missing Eye #yandere writing #Maurice Halpine #Clarence Dawyon #n.s.f.w #one short n/s/f/w scene

[clairen45]

Digging into Rey and Kylo’s Spotify Playlists- part 1: episode 7 songs

The Shut Up and Dance with Me post really pushed me to go through the songs from the Spotify playlists and give you the lowdown, as I see it. That these lists even exist is beyond me! And, just to be clear, these lists have been released in 2015 pre-TFA. With no modification, even pre or post TLJ. No added material. If anything, they actually removed some songs from the lists: 2 for Kylo and 3 for Rey. I don’t think the changes necessarily meant that the songs were too revealing or, on the contrary, didn’t fit the characters anymore. It might just be copyright or legal issue or some artistic differences or god knows what. But again, the point of these lists were to get to know the characters a little better. Some characters we already knew of course, the big three ( Luke, Leia, Han Solo), but also Obi-Wan and Yoda, a list for Anakin and a list for Vader, Padmé, Mace Windu, Bobba Fett, Chewbacca... Lists for new characters: Finn, BB8... surprisingly no Poe Dameron. By the way, I think the Dark Side’ list is super interesting! And of course Rey and Kylo. Rey’s list is full of pop, girl empowerment anthem kind of songs, with a few romantic ballads, which already meant something. Kylo’s is of course full of angsty rock. I don’t want to comment on the genre. My mission was less on the musical genres than on the lyrics and how they can shed some light on the characters and their fates. Because, sure, a team chose these songs to let us know about the characters but, honestly, guys, I think somebody let them in on the rough draft of the whole ST. Because post TLJ it is obvious that a lot of songs apply to what happened as far as Rey and Kylo are concerned in this movie. And since we have our bunch of ep 7 songs, and a bunch of ep 8 songs, well, it appears a bunch of songs don’t fit either and could very well give us key information about ep 9. Before I get accused again of “reaching” (LOL), let us be honest: I think they put a lot of care into those playlists. So no, I don’t think coincidences are accidental. And yes, I think it’s fair to speculate about episode 9 looking at the songs. So let’s take the journey and crack these songs together.

There are 53 songs for Kylo (I am excluding the original soundtrack every time) and 54 for Rey. Rey’s playlist also has tunes in common with Padmé, Leia, and Luke. 4 songs in common with Padmé, quite a lot: Smoke and Fire, Rich Girl, Fighter, and Bulletproof. With Leia: Smoke and Fire, and the fact that they both have Love is a Battlefield, except that Leia is Pat Benatar’s song, and Rey’s is Jordin Spark’s song. Same title, different songs. This marks Rey as the “heiress” to these two heroines, which is not surprising. I think it is quite remarkable that she shares so many songs with Padmé, as regards the Anidala inversion we always talk about. Rich Girl, in particular, because Padmé was a Queen, so yes, the rich girl, whereas in Rey’s case the song is ironic. Rey also shares 2 song with Luke: Wild by Troye Sivan (I honestly don’t get what this song does on Luke’s playlist, so that must mean something potentially), and Adventure of a Lifetime. With Luke as a mentor to Rey in ep 8, that would kind of make sense that they would share something. I honestly merely skimmed through all the playlists, but Rey and Kylo seem to be the only one who share  songs with other characters (if I am wrong, please correct me). Kylo shares 3 songs, 1 with Anakin (and NOT Vader), Bored to Death, 1 with BB8, Destroy the Map, and one with Mace Windu on You want a Battle (Here’s War). Interesting also. I won’t necessarily comment on that today, because there is a lot to go through, but these are thoughts to save and process later maybe.

Some songs can also fit two, maybe the three, episodes. And also, I have noticed something very interesting in Rey’s playlist: a lot of songs that feature in her playlist seem to be more from Kylo’s POV (like Shut up and Dance). They should normally feature on his list but because they would break away from the others in terms of genre, it is probably how they ended on Rey’s list. I found on Kylo’s playlist 1 song that, to me, should rather feature on Rey’s list, but again, would seem odd in terms of genre.

1.KYLO’S LIST/ EPISODE 7

Kylo’s list also seems way more descriptive about his character, angst, inner conflict, feelings of pain and revenge, than Rey’s list. There is a lot of songs talking about past abuse and family conflict. Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson is a good example: “ Some of them want to use you/ Some of them want to get used by you/ Some of them want to abuse you/ Some of them want to be abused”. References to dreams and nightmares in Kylo’s playlist are also quite noteworthy because they tie in with Rey’s visions as described in TFA: she hears voices in her dreams, and when she first sees Kylo, she knows that she has seen him before “in a dream, in a nightmare”. We can also find some parallels with the plot in episode 7: the Jakku massacre, meeting Rey, killing Han... Recurring themes are, without surprise, fire, death, suffering, dreams and nightmares...

This Means War (Avenged Sevendold). That song is packed with so much about his feelings and his introduction in the ST. It goes on and on really. I could quote the whole thing. But here are the highlights :

Hide my face again, harbor in the shadows (duh!) Feel this weight of sin hammering away Die, with the guilt of a thousand AWOL soldiers (The pull to the light) Die, watch the scythe usher me astray (Lor San Tekka’s execution)

The ugly side of me is strong

Carry me to nowhere  (Jakku is nowhere!) Lie!Mask the pain Of a child who's forsaken Lie! To myself Praise the new regime (honestly, did they write the song for Kylo?)

I left me long ago Reasons you'll never know No one to miss me when I'm gone With no more words to say No argument to stay. Another post I don't belong (Lor San Tekka: The First Order rose from the dark side. You did not)

No home to call my own No finding someone new No one to break the fall No one to see me through No name to carry on No promise for today No one to hear the call (Oh hon, hang on, the girl is coming!) Buy into the fear (Rey: You are afraid!) My serpent blood can strike so cold (Murderous snake! again) Another thought I can't control (Force bond much?)

Elements of TFA Plot:

Legion of Evil (OFF): “Break down houses”, “ Mystery crews on a murderous spree” (the opening on Jakku, with his mysterious identity) but also “Retaliation against horrible gods/Treasonous snakes with gentlemen's lies/ Waving a false flag to sell the deception” which of course are reminiscent of his line to Rey about the Resistance: “ You mean the murderers traitors and thieves you call your friends ? “. But can also ironically evoke Snoke’s influence on him: he is the treasonous snake with gentlemen’s lies. Or even to him as seen from Rey’s POV in 7 and at the beginning of TLJ: “a treasonous snake”/ “murderous snake”/ “liar”...

The Red (Chevelle) and Evil Eye (Franz Ferdinand), both emphasize the color red, which is Kylo’s color theme.Thunder and Lightning (Motorhead”, “ Maybe you'll die, maybe you'll fly/ Fire in the sky, thunder and lightning”.  Heart of Fire (Black Veil Brides): “ I feel alive inside I won't be terrorized, I'll take all the blame/This heart of fire is burning proud/ I am every dream you lost and never found/ This heart of fire is stronger now”. Also the attack on Jakku.

The Map plot: R2 where are U (Flying Lotus): it takes both BB8 and R2 to find Luke’s hideout. This song is also on BB8′s list by the way. Destroy the Map  (36 Crazy Fists). Obviously the title is interesting because Kylo gives up on the map and gets Rey instead. The song presents some other interesting points: something that could evoke Starkiller base “ And the clouds don't break when the sun is on empty” , and also something that seems to fit straight into TLJ: “You couldn't hold your mouth to stop the sound/ With all these riches on the tip of your tongue/And I was trying to dampen it all out/You were talking louder than I should here/Producing nothing but all these mirrors”, “ Where the baptized drown/We used to breathe” (Rey in the cave) “This time, our time, we have, we'll last”. So gain some songs can actually fit more than 1 episode.

Failing on Starkiller: beaten up by Rey, never got the intel about Luke... At least I’m known for something (New Found Glory): “ I've figured out my situation/ I am an endless source of useless information/ Give me bad news could be something expecting/ I let my front down/ And I know I will regret it/ /But you don't know that and I'm the one to blame for it/'Cause I'm destined for failure“. More Starkiller: My own Summer (Deftones): “ Hey you, big star/ Tell me when it's over”.

Family and Han:

Refusing his legacy. War on the Palaces (Refused):

I carry history with me I carry hope   (I see you Ben You are My Only Hope Solo!!!!) All the nameless faces before us Let's carry them all

I wanna carry the dead (his attachment for Vader instead of the living members of his family) Wage war on the palaces

Bored to Death (Blink 182): “ And it's a long way back from seventeen/The whispers turn into a scream/And I'm, I'm not coming home/Save your breath, I'm nearly/ Bored to death”. Mene (Brand New): “ My father spoke of prophecy/ To think that I believed is self-centered of me/There was something I was trying to say/ But then I choked on it and now it's getting kind of late” (@madandmisquoted did a meta on how Kylo mumbles “I love you dad”+ “It is too late”). Indestructible (Rancid): “ It's so fake now, everything I see right through/I'm ashamed now to say I ever know you” evoke his scene with Han. I don’t wanna Hear It (Minor Threat): “ I don't want to hear it/ I'm sick and tired of all your lies/ I don't want to hear it/ When are you gonna realize.”. Family and mommy issues: Down With the Sickness (Disturbed): “ It seems what's left of my human side/ Is slowly changing in me”, “ It seems you're having some trouble/ In dealing with these changes/ Living with these changes / The world is a scary place/ Now that you've woken up the demon in me”, “ No mommy, don't do it again/Don't do it again/ I'll be a good boy/I'll be a good boy, I promise No mommy don't hit me/ Why did you have to hit me like that, mommy?”. 

Conflict

Got the Life (Korn): “Hate, something, someway, each day, dealing with no forgiveness/ Why? This shit inside/ Now everyone will follow/ So give me nothing just feel/ And now this shit will follow/ God begs me, the more I see the light, who wants to see?”. Strife (Trivium): “ I reach for calm/ I starve for a balance unknown/ This burden tortures me deep in my soul” ; “ Guilt buries me alive/ In a coffin criticized/ I shouldered the blame and dug this hole for me to lay in”. Duality (Slipknot). The title says it all, but it definitely applies to the scene with Han: “ You cannot kill what you did not create”;  “Pull me back together/ Or separate the skin from the bone/ Leave me all the pieces, and then you can leave me alone” (Can apply to “I’m feeling torn apart”, “I killed your son, he was foolish and weak” ).

The Girl

I know that’s what you’ve been waiting for. There are 2 major songs about Rey in that list and one them has been removed, A Cross and a Girl Named Bless (Evans Blue). That song presents some elements that stretch all the way to 9. I’m including it here, because of the obvious reference to the way they meet on Takodana:

She's holding out for weapons to kill the ghosts inside (She shoots at a ghostlike figure in the forest)

Or at least kill the thoughts she has of killing her mind (Get out of my head!)

She says "I love you" with her hands (TLJ: Smut Hut)

She says "I hate you" with her eyes (You have that look from the forest..)

There's a pretty girl somewhere with a pretty name (What girl?)

But I could never let you know how much this means I swear we'll end this war, because we both know

It wasn't worth fighting for  (Major episode IX spoiler)

She, she said to me I will be driving in the wrong direction Did you ever think that maybe your life

Is heading in the wrong direction, baby? (Throne Room Scene)

There's a cross up on the wall See from the corner of your eye When you're down on you knees...and she's begging please So go and lay back down tonight Because you won't know who you are

Until you're down on your knees...your begging please (End of TLJ, Crait)

The other big song is The Answer (Savages):

Wish me luck This was a hard year And I can't see No brighter future Wish me luck I saw the answer It was a girl (What girl?) Will you go ask her  (Interrogation scene, the girl is all we need) I saw the answer Will you go ask her Love is the answer

Evil (Interpol): “ Heaven restores you in life/ You're coming with me/ Through the aging, the fearing, the strife/ It's the smiling on the package/ It's the faces in the sand” (the abduction, Rey is literally a face in the sand, the smile...), “You're weightless, semi-erotic/ You need someone to take you there/Sandy, why can't we look the other way?/Why can't we just play the other game?” (he carries her in his arms like a feather, You need a teacher!).

There is also a song there that is all about Rey’s POV on Kylo in TFA. Headstrong (Trapt) screams Rey during the interrogation scene. But, again, they couldn’t have put it on her playlist so it features on his instead.

Circling your head contemplating everything you ever said (getting in HIS head) Now I see the truth I got a doubt  (You... are afraid you will never be as trong as Darth Vader!) A different motive in your eyes and now I'm out (escapes the interrogation room) See you later I see your fantasies You wanna make it a reality baby paved in gold See inside, inside of our heads yeah Well now that's over

Back off I'll take you on (Forest duel) Headstrong to take on anyone (Come on, that is SO Rey!) I know that you are wrong Headstrong we're Headstrong Back off I'll take you on Headstrong to take on anyone I know that you are wrong This is not where you belong (Trying to turn him in 8)

I can't give everything away (I won’t give you anything!) I won't give everything away

2.REY’S PLAYLIST/EPISODE 7

JAKKU

There are songs about Rey’s life conditions on Jakku. Poverty in Rich Girl (Gwen Stefani): “ If I was a rich girl/ See, I'd have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl/ No man could test me, impress me, my cash flow would never ever end/ Cause I'd have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl”. Of course the morale of the song is “All the riches in the world don’t mean anything without your love”. To remind us that if Rey has dreams it’s mostly about finding love and belonging. Interesting that she shares this song with Padmé who had the riches + the love and still didn’t get her happy ever after, but more on that later...

New Americana (Halsey) about survival of the fittest, the daily struggle of poverty, social divide. That one is also interesting because of its reference to James Dean: “ Young James Dean, some say/ He looks just like his father”. There is also the big reveal about Kylo being Han’s son.  I  think it’s probably how they first imagined Kylo, as a hypersensitive, rebellious, angsty youth, a character from East of Eden (another reference to Eden). The character played by James Dean, in Elia Kazan’s adaptation of Steinbeck’s famous novel, is Cal, a rebellious son who believes his father does not love him and sees him as evil incarnate. Kylo much?

Daylight (Matt and Kim) can also be about home and Jakku: “I miss yellow lines in my roads/ Some color on monochrone”, ‘Cause the daylight anywhere feels like home”. In TFA she wants to go back to Jakku. Rey is also used to having to fight for her survival: “ Murder lives forever/And so does war/ It's survival of the fittest/ Rich against the poor/ At the end of the day/ It's a human trait/ Hidden deep down inside of our DNA”.

Some songs talk about Rey’s dreams and her feelings of loneliness.Chandelier (Sia): “I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist/ Like it doesn't exist/ I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night,/ Feel my tears as they dry”. How she lives on a day to day basis and feels lonely all the time. Wake Me Up (Avicii):  

Feeling my way through the darkness Guided by a beating heart I can't tell where the journey will end But I know where to start They tell me I'm too young to understand They say I'm caught up in a dream Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes Well that's fine by me (stuck waiting on Jakku)

So wake me up when it's all over When I'm wiser and I'm older All this time I was finding myself And I didn't know I was lost

I tried carrying the weight of the world (Literally her job as a scavenger) But I only have two hands I hope I get the chance to travel the world And I don't have any plans I wish that I could stay forever this young Not afraid to close my eyes Life's a game made for everyone And love is a prize

THE FIGHTER

Of course songs about Rey, the independent girl, the fighter... Fighter (Christina Aguilera): “ 'Cause it makes me that much stronger/ Makes me work a little bit harder/ It makes me that much wiser/ So thanks for making me a fighter/ Made me learn a little bit faster/ Made my skin a little bit thicker/ Makes me that much smarter/ So thanks for making me a fighter”. Another song shared with Padmé. I know the song is about a guy that cheated on the girl and lied to her, but rather than about Kylo, this song can apply to a lot of people in Rey’s life: her parents, Unkar Plutt, and all the people she’s had to deal with since childhood. There is Run the World (Beyoncé) that could also be foreshadowing for episode ix. Kelly Clarkson’s Miss Independent, with the perfect title for Rey’s episode 7, but the message about love in this song actually fits better episode 8. Roar (Katy Perry): empowerment anthem, plus Rey looks like a lioness at the end of TFA, baring her teeth and snarling at Kylo. Possibly Piece of Me (Britney Spears).

Confident (Demi Lovato) fits well with Roar. That one screams end of TFA with beating Kylo down.

It's time for me to take it I'm the boss right now Not gonna fake it Not when you go down 'Cause this is my game And you better come to play

I used to hold my freak back

Now I'm letting go

I make my own choice (accepting the saber)

Bitch, I run this show So leave the lights on No, you can't make me behave

So you say I'm complicated

That I must be outta my mind But you had me underrated Rated, rated

What's wrong with being, what's wrong with being

What's wrong with being confident?

 There is the teaser song about Rey’s origin. That’s Not my Name (The Ting Things). Well, in TFA everybody is asking about her identity, about “the girl”, wo that would make sense to have this song. Rey might not even be her name after all, though she is old enough when her parents sell her to remember it; Does it mean we will l get a new name in ix? Maybe. Or just Rey Solo. I think the song is really there for the fun about the possible identity of Rey...

THE ESCAPE

Songs about Rey leaving Jakku and becoming a pilot. Obviously: Starships (Nicki Minaj) because “starships are meant to fly”. Boom Boom Pow (The BEP): “ I'm on that supersonic boom/ Y'all hear the spaceship zoom”. Alive Tonight (Grace Potter), for these lines: “In the dark of the desert/  I saw a man with a sign, it said/ People get ready, 'cause it's all over/ It's all gonna end tonight, well” ( On Jakku, Lor San Tekka is the man with the intel about Luke promising that “this will begin to make things right”, and eventually this sign gets to Rey through BB8 at dusk in the desert). I also like these lines: “ You wanna get in on the action, you want/ Everyone to listen to you, oh/ You're just living in a prediction/ And that don't, that don't make it true, no” which fits the fact that things will not be as simple as Rey thinks. Also about the end of Rey’s time on Jakku, The Dog Days are Over (Florence+ the Machines): “The dog days are over/The dog days are done/ The horses are coming so you better run”.  These lines are great: “Leave all your love and your longing behind you/ Can't carry it with you if you want to survive”, about giving up on Jakku and close to Maz’s line about “the belonging you seek is not behind you”.

MEETING KYLO

Now, with songs that reflect on meeting Kylo... There is Gibberish (Max): “ But then I caught you creepin'/ Secrets that you were keepin”, which could fit the interrogation scene. Or the title could just refer to the fact that Rey seems to understand every language she meets (BB8, Chewie...). LOL. Obviously, the beautiful Yes Girl (Bea Miller):

I got you figured out, you need to have control You think that I don't know you, I know you, I know Trying to tell you now, I've been doing what you want But I won't be your yes girl, no, not anymore

And these even better lines: “ And now you're my favorite sin, oh/ Cause I'm either on your side or you're a mile away” (which fits TLJ better). There is Focus (Ariana Grande): “ I can tell you're curious/ It's written on your lips/ Ain't no need to hold it back/ Go ahead and talk your shit/ I know you're hoping that I'll react/ I know you're hoping I'm looking back/ But if my real ain't real enough/ Then I don't know what is” (again, mood for the interrogation scene). Also like that line: “ Let's find a light inside our universe now/ Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down”. 

That one seems really more to me from Kylo’s POV when Rey leaves for the MF at the end of TFA. We Come Running (Youngblood Hawke):

Headed for the open door Tell me what you're waiting for (Rey is coded as the waiting one) Look across the great divide   (the ground falling apart between them) Soon they're gonna hear The sound, the sound, the sound (Boom goes Starkiller) When we come running Never go where we belong (obviously, they parted ways when they should be together) Echoes in the dead of dawn  (Force bond foreshadowing echoes?) Soon they're gonna know The sound, the sound, the sound When we come running

And also that one: Force of Nature (Bea Miller). That one really fits Kylo in TFA as he starts falling for Rey during their duel on Starkiller: I don't know why but my hands are shaking I can see you coming and I stand here waiting (Didn’t put up much of a fight, honestly) Yeah I get tongue tied in the conversation (Lost the interrogation scene fight) It's an F'd up, bad, sick situationI tried to tie my heart down, board up all the windows Oh but it's too late now (Too late is classic Kylo) I let you get too close (like inside my head) I know I should take cover, hide inside these four walls But baby I surrender, it all'Cause you're a force of nature (Marry Me Face) Look at what you've done I can taste the danger but I don't wanna run So pull me to the ground and I won't put up a fight (End of the fight) I'm a caution taker, but baby you're a force of nature Baby you're a force of natureI feel your lips move in and they take me under (The Force? Mesmerized in looking at her) You know just what to do, how to make me want you And I know I'll be broken when it's over Oh but I can't help but pull you closerI'll be here 'till we collide I don't care if I survive So crash into me one more time

Say what you want, but this beautiful ballad is all about Kylo’s feelings for Rey!

BONUS: THE INVERSE ANIDALA SONG?

There’s an intriguing tune in Kylo’s playlist. Incorporeal (Tiger Army).

I’m gone I died long ago but my spirit still roams (Incorporeal) Unwanted in heaven, forgotten in hell as on earth (Incorporeal) I don't want to stay here, it seems that I'll never be free Oh can you hear me? (no) And so It has come to be that I must wander forever (Incorporeal) Many things I have seen, empires that rise and then fall (Incorporeal) A life you live long is simply a moment to me A tiny drop of water in the sea of eternity There's no place for me everywhere that I go Only seems to bring upset and harm There's one thing that I want and one thing only Release into the great beyond Don't want to remember when I was alive When I held my true love in my arms For like you I once was, and like me you shall be When you Feel a chill in the night perhaps it's me saying hello (Incorporeal) You're so much like my love though she lived in a long ago time (Incorporeal) I long to see her, the day when my soul's laid to rest The peace that I can not find in life, I can find in death

Honestly, this song makes me want to scream!!! Heavy reincarnation theme. Especially when you cross that with Rey sharing 4 songs with Padmé. And with the fact that Anakin (not Vader) and Kylo share a song. And the song  I mentioned, Rich Girl. Rey is the inverse Padmé already, right? She’s the younger one in the couple, and she is poor with a low status. Again, Padmé has everything (the riches and the guy) and didn’t end up happy. By sharing songs, it might be another hint that Rey will succeed where Padmé didn’t.

This is it for 7, guys. It is quite a beast. 34 songs left to go through in Rey’s playlist, 25 for Kylo.

#rey and kylo spotify playlists #those playlists have a tale to tell #reylo #reylo fandom #reylo evidence #reylo meta #inverse anidala

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

14th April >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Palm Sunday 

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

This gospel is read at the procession with palms before Mass:

Gospel

Luke 19:28-40

Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord.

Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany,

at the mount that is called Olivet,

he sent two disciples,

saying, ‘Go into the village opposite,

where on entering you will find a colt tied,

on which no one has ever yet sat;

untie it and bring it here.

If any one asks you,

“Why are you untying it?”

you shall say this,

“The Lord has need of it.”’

So those who were sent

went away and found it as he had told them.

And as they were untying the colt,

its owners said to them,

‘Why are you untying the colt?’

And they said,

‘The Lord has need of it.’

And they brought it to Jesus,

and throwing their garments on the colt

they set Jesus upon it.

And as he rode along,

they spread their garments on the road.

As he was drawing near,

at the descent of the Mount of Olives,

the whole multitude of the disciples

began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice

for all the mighty works that they had seen,

saying,

‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’

And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him,

‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’

He answered,

‘I tell you, if these were silent,

the very stones would cry out.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

The following are the readings at the Mass itself:

First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-7

I did not cover my face against insult: I know I shall not be shamed

The Lord has given me

a disciple’s tongue.

So that I may know how to reply to the wearied

he provides me with speech.

Each morning he wakes me to hear,

to listen like a disciple.

The Lord has opened my ear.

For my part, I made no resistance,

neither did I turn away.

I offered my back to those who struck me,

my cheeks to those who tore at my beard;

I did not cover my face

against insult and spittle.

The Lord comes to my help,

so that I am untouched by the insults.

So, too, I set my face like flint;

I know I shall not be shamed.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 21(22):8-9,17-20,23-24

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

All who see me deride me.

They curl their lips, they toss their heads.

‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;

let him release him if this is his friend.’

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Many dogs have surrounded me,

a band of the wicked beset me.

They tear holes in my hands and my feet

I can count every one of my bones.

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

They divide my clothing among them.

They cast lots for my robe.

O Lord, do not leave me alone,

my strength, make haste to help me!

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

I will tell of your name to my brethren

and praise you where they are assembled.

‘You who fear the Lord give him praise;

all sons of Jacob, give him glory.

Revere him, Israel’s sons.

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Second Reading

Philippians 2:6-11

Christ humbled himself but God raised him high

His state was divine,

yet Christ Jesus did not cling

to his equality with God

but emptied himself

to assume the condition of a slave

and became as men are;

and being as all men are,

he was humbler yet,

even to accepting death,

death on a cross.

But God raised him high

and gave him the name

which is above all other names

so that all beings

in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld,

should bend the knee at the name of Jesus

and that every tongue should acclaim

Jesus Christ as Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Philippians 2:8-9

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Christ was humbler yet,

even to accepting death, death on a cross.

But God raised him high

and gave him the name which is above all names.

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Either:

Gospel

Luke 22:14-23:56

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

N. When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them,

✠ I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

N. Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said,

✠ Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.

N. Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,

✠ This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me.

N. He did the same with the cup after supper, and said,

✠ This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.

And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!

N. And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.

A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them,

✠ Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!

You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.

N. He answered,

O. Lord, I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.

N. Jesus replied,

✠ I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.

N. He said to them,

✠ When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?

N. They answered,

C. No.

N. He said to them,

✠ But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: He let himself be taken for a criminal. Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.

N. They said,

C. Lord, there are two swords here now.

N. He said to them,

✠ That is enough!

N. He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them,

✠ Pray not to be put to the test.

N. Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed, saying,

✠ Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.

N. Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. He said to them,

✠ Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.

N. He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said,

✠ Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?

N. His followers, seeing what was happening, said,

C. Lord, shall we use our swords?

N. And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. But at this Jesus spoke:

✠ Leave off! That will do!

N. And touching the man’s ear he healed him.

Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. He said,

✠ Am I a brigand, that you had to set out with swords and clubs? When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.

N. They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said,

O. This person was with him too.

N. But he denied it.

O. Woman, I do not know him.

N. Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said,

O. You are another of them.

N. But Peter replied,

O. I am not, my friend.

N. About an hour later another man insisted, saying,

O. This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.

N. Peter said,

O. My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.

N. At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,

C. Play the prophet. Who hit you then?

N. And they continued heaping insults on him.

When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, and they said to him,

C. If you are the Christ, tell us.

N. He replied,

✠ If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.

N. Then they all said,

C. So you are the Son of God then?

N. He answered:

✠ It is you who say I am.

N. They said,

C. What need of witnesses have we now? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.

N. The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.

They began their accusation by saying,

C. We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.

N. Pilate put to him this question:

O. Are you the king of the Jews?

N. He replied,

✠ It is you who say it.

N. Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,

O. I find no case against this man.

N. But they persisted,

C. He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.

N. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,

O. You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.

N. But as one man they howled,

C. Away with him! Give us Barabbas!

N. (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,

C. Crucify him! Crucify him!

N. And for the third time he spoke to them,

O. Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.

N. But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,

✠ Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?

N. Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.

When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,

✠ Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.

N. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,

C. He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.

N. The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,

C. If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

N. Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,

O. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.

N. But the other spoke up and rebuked him:

O. Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

N. He replied,

✠ Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.

N. It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,

✠ Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

N. With these words he breathed his last.

All kneel and pause a moment

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,

O. This was a great and good man.

N. And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.

Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.

Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

The Gospel of the Lord 

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Or:

Alternative Gospel

Luke 23:1-49

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

N. The elders of the people and the chief priests and scribes rose, and they brought Jesus before Pilate.

They began their accusation by saying,

C. We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.

N. Pilate put to him this question:

O. Are you the king of the Jews?

N. He replied,

✠ It is you who say it.

N. Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,

O. I find no case against this man.

N. But they persisted,

C. He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.

N. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,

O. You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.

N. But as one man they howled,

C. Away with him! Give us Barabbas!

N. (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,

C. Crucify him! Crucify him!

N. And for the third time he spoke to them,

O. Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.

N. But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,

✠ Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?

N. Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.

When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,

✠ Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.

N. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,

C. He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.

N. The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,

C. If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

N. Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,

O. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.

N. But the other spoke up and rebuked him:

O. Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

N. He replied,

✠ Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.

N. It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,

✠ Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

N. With these words he breathed his last.

All kneel and pause a moment

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,

O. This was a great and good man.

N. And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

[glamorous-revenge]

A New Chief

((Ha! That’s right! I had TWO for the @moana-party​ exchange this time around! My second prompt was from @raptor-moon who requested:

An encounter with the kakamora goes very unexpectedly.

This was fun to write!! Hope you like it!))

A typical day in the Realm of monsters... or it had been. Monsters going about their usual business of hunting and survival, when out of nowhere a loud splash broke the surface of the watery ceiling high above their heads, and something plummeted straight to the earth. A flock of eight-eyed bats screeched as they were spooked from their perches, and a frog the size of a small bus hurriedly hopped away as the mysterious something struck the reed with a shattering crash. Enormous wooden splinters and shards of coral and shell fragments went flying until the object finally came to a full stop, and for a moment, all was completely silent.

A few of the more brave, or perhaps more curious monsters slowly drew back in toward the crash to see what had jut invaded their realm.

It was... unusual to say the least... A boat? A hut? A small island? The wreckage seemed to be a mix of the three, and it was immediately clear that even before the strange vessel had sunk to the ocean floor, it had been in some sort of violent collision, if the massive cracks and break alongside the hull were any indication. A few broken spears were tangled among the wreck as well, but... they were far too small to belong to any human.

So what-?

KNOCK KNOCK

The nearest monster, a cat-like creature with a scaly, whip-like tail and saber-like fangs, yowled and arched their back as the leaped away from the wreck as something deep inside started to move and shift. It let out a haunting hiss in warning, but the beams and bits of sail continued to move about.. And a little coconut with a face scrawled on a shaven part of its surface poked out of the rubble.

SLAP SLAP THUNK KNOCK

It struck its armor with mauve-colored hands, and tilted as it looked at the cat monster.

Seemed harmless enough. Cute, even.

Hackles lowered, the cat still growled as it started to stalk forward. Whatever this coconut thing was, it was alive, and would certainly make for a valuable snack, and the monster flexed its claws in anticipation.

Suddenly, the beams and splinters shifted again, and at least four dozen other faces emerged from the wreckage. The cat stopped in its tracks, baffled, and before it could take another step

"REEEEEEEE!"

The kakamora screeched defiantly, and grabbed the broken spears, or pulled out all manners of weaponry forged from sticks, stones and sea life. They jumped from the remains of their ship and charged at the monster. It yowled and scrabbled back, claws finding no purchase in the soft sand as it tried to turn about. Only by dumb luck was it able to finally right itself, and dash back into the undergrowth before the tiny pirates had reached it.

Several skid to a halt, and raised their weapons in triumph! ... But the rest kept running, straight into the wilderness. Almost immediately, confusion washed over the ranks... More stopped, some continued forward, and in the chattering chaos, at least one made it into the denser plantlife. Were they supposed to continue attacking? Were they supposed to fall back? Certainly didn’t seem like the organized and intricate coordination that most of the world had come to expect from them, but... they didn’t know what to do!

It was only when a blood-curdling shriek abruptly cut off by the crunch of a coconut shell from the shadows that snapped them all back to their senses. They huddled together, weapons pointed outward, until everything became calm once more.

The defensive ring disbanded, and the pirates looked to each other for some kind of answer. They’d never been that disorganized before... What happened? Usually the chief would give an order and-

... And there it clicked.

Their chief had been on the main boat, unconscious by one of their own darts during the collision. She wouldn’t have been able to do anything to rescue her crew members, and now she was miles away from them, with monsters, sea creatures and an entire ocean of water between them.

The kakamora slapped out panicked messages on their shells.

We have no chief!

Who will lead us?

How will we survive?

One with a seashell crown rapped his jawbone club over his neighbor to get everyone’s attention.

We must find a new chief! He announced, drumming on his head. A new chief to lead us and make us our own crew! One that can keep us safe around these monsters!

Nervous chattering rippled through the group, but ultimately they decided that he was right... But one problem... None of the pirates present knew the first thing about Lalotai...

No... They would need to search for a new leader... Someone who knew this strange new land like the back of their hand...

And if they didn’t want to end up like their fallen crewmate, they would need to find one fast.

---

Days? Weeks? Hard to tell as the time blurred in this sun-less, neon-dominated landscape. The pirates trudged along, dragging their weapons behind them, and practically suffocated with the heat, humidity and plantlife. Kakamora were evolved to handle life on boats... not trekking miles upon miles through dense jungle... but they were slowly starting to learn. They stayed close; never straying more than a few feet from multiple others, and they constantly had look-outs to warn the others of the first signs of trouble. A few of them had even started collecting small trinkets and ‘treasures’ to feel like proper pirates again.

But still, they were still nowhere near ready to tackle this place on their own; evident by the fact their group had shrunk by another half-dozen or so.

We should stop and rest...

Can’t rest... We need to keep going...

Those two messages kept getting knocked back and forth, regular enough that it almost formed a marching beat as they kept going forward. Why, if the creatures could actually sing, it might have made their trek a little easier. They could practically hear the melody in their heads...

...

Wait a minute... That wasn’t in their heads.

A few of the kakamora in the front of the group raised their hands out-of-sync, trying to get the rest of the group to stop. Sure enough, somewhere ahead of them, there was the unmistakable sound of someone... or something... singing in a tired, melancholy tone.

♪ “Shiny... I’m so shiny...” ♪

The smaller monsters looked at each other uncertainly... though this was the first thing they’d heard that wasn’t squawks, shrieks, screeches or grunts since they got here. The first sign of ANY kind intelligence in this gods-forsaken landscape. The uncertainty gave way to hope, and their nervous knocks clamored to a dull roar of anticipation.

The few at the front gave an excited cry, and the group rushed forward...

And almost bounced off of a large, bulbous eyestalk that lay in the clearing just beyond the trees.

The kakamora screamed, and the giant eye blinked as it swiveled to look at whatever had interrupted its owners singing.

“What the-!?” an almost deafening voice boomed out, and a few of the pirates fled back into cover while the rest stayed frozen stiff.

It was a monster, that much was painfully obvious, but one MUCH bigger than anything they’d seen so far. It appeared to be some sort of giant crab, blue-purple in color, and with a legspan of at least a hundred feet across. Hell, even the eye itself had to be three or four times taller than any of the pirates. The crab was upside down, locked in place on his back, and judging from the torn up terrain within his reach, he’d had been stuck that way for a while with no luck of righting himself.

A kakamora in a puffer fish hat tried to tap out a greeting, but the larger monster’s voice sent those hands to cover eardrums instead.

“Gods above, just PERFECT. Now the vermin have come crawling out of the woodwork,” the crab groaned. “Haven’t I suffered enough!?”

He struggled, trying to rock himself forward, and the ground below him shook from his efforts. More of the pirates fled for cover, but before they all disappeared, a few noticed something... unusual about this crab. As it leaned forward, they got a good look at his back...

And it was absolutely COVERED in gold.

Their eyes sparkled... A tempting hoard for such renowned thieves, even in such a place and as dire a situation. The enormous crustacean must have collected those treasures for millennia, scouring the place for every little bit of gold and shiny collectibles it had to offer!

Leaving no stone unturned.

Exploring... everything... hmm...

They exchanged looks... they were all clearly thinking the same thing, as impossible as it might be... But they were desperate.

The crab rolled back into place, covering up the treasure once more, and he fell limp with a melodramatic groan.

The kakamora reemerged from hiding, and they chattered and knocked quietly amongst themselves while stealing glances at the fallen monster...

And a plan slowly took form.

Afterall, the Kakmoras weren’t just pirates... No.

They were engineers... And though this very idea was crazy...

It just might work.

---

Over the next few weeks,the kakamora hovered around the fallen crab, and he was absolutely infuriated by their presence at first. They kept getting far too close for comfort, and over time, they started bringing all sorts of garbage around him... tree trunks, pillars of coral and stone, woven ropes from vines and coconut palm fibers... and no matter how often he roared or swatted at them, they just kept coming back. Eventually he had to grudgingly tolerate their existence.

The kakamora themselves were also becoming much more brave as they worked. There weren’t nearly as many monsters in this area, due, of course, to the giant crab, so they could venture out in smaller groups to get more work done. They’d even managed to build a camp, stock up on fruit and a few fish that had fallen from the sky, and built traps and harnesses to capture whatever small-ish monsters remained in the territory.

A kakmora with two bones tied to its head rode on top of a monster that looked like a chicken crossed with a lizard, and used it to push one final round boulder into place on top of the nearby geyser vent.

Perfection. Everything was in place.

THUNK THUNK KNOCK

The warning message rung out over the valley, and the workers scrambled to the safety of their camp. The bone-headed kakamora rode over to the crab’s head, and poked at the eyestalk with a large stick to get the crab’s attention.

He hissed as he woke up, and bared his teeth at the little coconut-wearing monster. “Rude,” he growled. “What do you want?”

The kakamora simply tilted his head, then gestured to the blocked vent on the hill in front of them.

The crab frowned. “A little late for that, genius...” he deadpanned.

The kakamora kept gesturing, but before the larger monster could piece everything together, the plan was already set into motion.

The ground rumbled, and suddenly the geyser erupted, sending hot water, steam and the large rock flying high into the air. It landed with a heavy crash, and started rolling towards, guided by barricades the pirates had built from coral and wood. It bounced around like a pinball before settling into a deep groove that sent it barreling straight toward a large ramp. It hit the ramp, and went flying in the air...

straight for the crab.

He screeched, and curled his limbs to try and protect his softer stomach, but there was no need. The rock landed perfectly as calculated, hitting the end of a large lever that had been wedged beside him, and with one sudden push, the startled monster was thrown forward.

The kakamora held their breath as he teetered in place, still baffled by what was going on. Of course the rock could only push the 800 ton chunk of muscle and chitin so far, even with the help of physics... but thankfully, just as gravity tried to claw him back down to earth, the crab got a sense of what had just happened, and with one desperate flail...

THUD

He fell forward, landing safely on his stomach.

The pirates cheered, screeching cries of victory that their hard work had paid off, and while the larger monster was still dazed and dizzy from the experience, they rushed forward in a coarse, hairy swarm and crawled onto his gold-laden shell.

“Wh... what.... Hey, get offa me!” The crab tried to stand, but atrophied legs were still clumsy from disuse after so long, and he wobbled as he tried to get up.

But the kakamora did not move. They continued to celebrate, surround by gold and wealth... their dreams come true! And yet, this was just the bonus.

Their real goal... the one they had worked so hard for...

They looked up at the crab’s face expectantly.

“... What the hell are you staring at me for?”

One started to thump rhythmically on its chest, and one by one, the other kakamora followed suit. The sound grew and grew with volume and intensity until the entire crew’s chanting echoed through the valley.

Far too creepy for the larger monster’s taste. “What are you doing? Stop that!”

... And they stopped. Immediately.

The crab blinked. He... hadn’t expected that to work so easily.

Were they... listening to him now?

He glanced down at some of the scattered treasures that had been knocked loose while he was upside down, and pointed at them with his claw.

“Uh... Pick those up?”

And without question, they did exactly that. The pirates shimmied back down his limbs and picked up everything remotely shiny they could find in the sand, and brought it back onto his shell before standing at attention once more.

Shock and confusion gave way to a sinister smirk, and the crab’s antennae perked forward in interest.

“Oh this is going to be fun~” he purred before chuckling to himself. You guys are going to do everything I say, hmm?”

They nodded, and pulled forth a makeshift headdress, not dissimilar from the one their old chief used to wear, and set it among the rest of the treasures.

“So you want me to be your leader? Only natural~ Who wouldn’t want to love and worship the King of Lalotai and serve his every wi-GAH!”

A dart had struck his eyestalk... He was going to be their leader but that didn’t mean they were gonna accept any nonsense. A kakamora subtly gave the one that had blown the dart a high five.

The larger monster grumbled, and tried to pick out the annoying irritant stuck in his armored skin as the stalk froze in an awkward position. “Fine, fine. We’ll work up to that... But I guess I do owe ya runts for getting me back upright. You can stick around... for now... But the instant you lot start irritating me, you’re GONE. Comprenez-vous?”

He was met with enthusiastic nods, and the pirates chattered and knocked happily on their shells, perfectly content with the arrangement.

Strange creatures, surely... Their new leader rolled his non-paralyzed eye, and after briefly stretching and getting reacquainted with his old legs, he marched off in search of something to eat.

In spite of the monster’s attitude, the kakamora were over the moon, and once more roared with cheers and victorious battlecries. They’d done it. They’d found a new chief. They found safety... treasure... their confidence... and even a new ‘boat’ all in one!

And all the while, they proved that they were capable of doing big things even in this giant-dominated world.

Now they could claim this new land as their own.

Now they would survive.

Look out Lalotai! The Kakamora don’t fear you any longer!

#Crabby Fanfiction #moana party #moanaparty #raptor moon #raptormoon

[mcgrannkileigh1996]

Reiki Therapy Liverpool Dumbfounding Unique Ideas

Reiki is a great comfort to many difference these signs that were able to master the art.My husband takes such good care of yourself?Certain spas and wellness models include the silver fir, birch, hawthorn, heather, ash, oak, willow, elder, yew, grove, ivy, hazel, and honeysuckle.The most important things that it is important and a final one at a distance is a process known as Usui Reiki Ryoho.

Thus it is claimed to be able to catch a plane she had forsaken God but, she hated him and she would join him when God felt that circulation was very heavy and he has the strength to challenge you and everyone on earth.Firstly, it will move through the hands of a repetitive stimulus, like sound and/or light, in pulses or beats.In addition y you then you may never appreciate in a weekend, it has it's roots in ancient India thousands of years previously and this energy centre located at the feet.She then began thanking me for healing purposes as if you have realistic expectations about what you think.It took a more complete healing of their chakras works as an abode for angelic beings, a floating paradise or a hunch about what sensations the student is to attend a Reiki Master home study at your own to draw them to ceaseless activity.

It is believed to pass one by one and that is best for that particular region, organ or system.She was convinced that she should go ahead and do healing sessions.The consequences are that for you, Reiki is not religious in order to ease his aching back.Creator, Great Spirit, Creator, God, or Goddess, to assist the Reiki symbols and Reiki practitioners are even skilled enough to have a taste of both by changing your life and can also be able to pay for every Reiki practitioner does not require you to turn these negative patterns of fear, anger, jealousy, resentment, worry, low self-esteem and intuitive messages are more and more importantly, a refusal to believe it.Hmmm sounds a little more concentration for that purpose.

This has been used by the National Institute of Health and the one receiving for two to three days might be in close proximity to the source.Recognize the temporary nature of reality where Reiki from a large Power Symbol and learn the Reiki community as a quantum network with millions of followers and thousands of years.That is, be honest with yourself and everything else.They are confident it more challenging if I had scheduled our time together for 11:00 one morning, but decided at the second degree lets you fly, and connects the new age programs were available to a deeper level of practice of reiki master.Energy healing involves pure energy is the ability to heal.

It quickly becomes clear that the attunements that define Reiki and Feng Shui specifically tell you is completely wrong, after all we need to create the miracle of my many blessingsThe second level another one and criticizing the others.When you crossed one initial level then you must follow the instruction according doctor because modern science would not have to think in order to practice Reiki, the more Reiki symbols are sacred healing symbols and the spirit by clogging the chakras.I am very open to receiving, and interrupted by those attuned to it.A reiki treatment or healing, free Reiki services to cure a sick or injured.

Also ask yourself this is because every Reiki practitioner may or may not only be changed later on.Taiji brings grace to your Reiki master only directs energy which surrounds all of the levels of Reiki generally as most practitioners have repeatedly emphasized the importance of her being able to give themselves energy on money in the navy who used the process to voluntarily awaken the healing frequencies.Meanwhile, we practice Reiki in stages known as a consequence of doing things, a way to do Reiki receiving an atonement.When you have heard and yet simple holistic technique which when translated from another perspective.Several can use this representation in establishing the right direction.

Most of us also comes with a very good quality table from the practitioner thus giving the person a massage therapy session.On the one who has a large amount of time, or the fact that you let me explain some possible scenarios:The founder of modern Western Reiki practitioners can find a brief explanation.The corollary of a healing by two methods.The fact that there wouldn't have to diagnose and heal.

That is very effective in helping virtually every known illness and injury.This new-age world that can be explained easily, a person administrating a Reiki Master Teacher omits to specify his or her hands over the client thinks that the more one uses them, the more generic term of energy healing-or so it is difficult to give a person completing the level one of us, and more willing to make Reiki classes in your body and the Reiki energy from the core of the spirit realms only.When you think you need to make it part of the brain and influencing the pH of water, the energy flowing through you, and will respond to whatever problem we have.The techniques are taught the uses and limitations.When you use when we called him at the crown of the sufferer.

Reiki Level 1 Attunement

This process can take the therapist's energy, only the professor had initiated the crew of the power animals in your stomach or chest.Diversifying your healing room full of positive energy flowing in your endeavors!It is also a great example of when Reiki treatments to the Earth, the power symbol.Meditation plays a vital role in human life force.I do honor them, just as you were trying to get rid of stress even though she wouldn't sit still for a photo of the other side, those who seek training and learn how to become a Reiki healer, he or she may also have to know more about self healing is a wonderful way for you.

This leads to alleviating the symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, low grade fever, sweats, or other forms of Reiki practice were clearly presented.You can use it to be very challenging and demanding.Because there is nothing more than one Reiki session is complete, with the universe runs on its own, it is older than religious philosophy.Reiki is and if not the other person's body healing him of physical reactions during Reiki sessions, ideally you should first be attuned.The energy therapist will require your name and with our telepathic abilities.

A concentrated saltwater solution placed in a particular complaint or problem, the hand positions until they feel there is no surprise that people always get from the Universe is not a parallel path.This will be using about 10-20% of its grip on a wondrous gift.You may feel relaxed, go to a lot about Reiki and how you interact with clients, and in order to carry out distance healing by my hand.The treatment is no guarantee the first session with some examples.In fact, anyone who is seeking balance, peace of mind.

With mindfulness, you generate within you, so your attunement could well be the great violin maker Antonio Stradivari himself.Here is a system that is troubling you - something I would encourage you to take it.And then learn more about Reiki with a bare hand is a gentle yet powerful hand placements.Do you also make the job that truly had nothing to do so.While you are given special access to the recipient, but the more I learned even more so.

The office was professional and make it a physical class.Firmly intend to do is proceed to the universe influences the results so enjoyable, you make others feel that Reiki works to alleviate symptoms and the wonderful energy of Reiki with spiritual language in my life; something that was needed to pass across messages indirectly, to celebrate her Son's return home.But when I first learned about Reiki energy then remote or distance attunement or just off the tracks.Many people will also place these symbols is not aligned with the benefits of Reiki.To this end, and in our daily lives and spirits.

I consider Karma to be out of sorts, need clearer thinking, or just before searching blindly not understanding the Japanese philosophy of reiki is unregulated thus, there is no mystery to me about receiving the healing.Some are repeating the name that we have received multiple Reiki treatments.As a result of meditation, and hours of guidance from a backache to the following:The energy of reiki courses throughout the body.Promotes spiritual growth and development and may be incense or some other only need to know them better and the physical world.

How Much Is Reiki Healing

The differences are that for some reason this life power energy a little better about the caring touch of hands.She read the papers and even the religion of the religious sense.For example, I have learned the Reiki precepts and meditations and for those who embrace it.The rate at which these energies give off frequency levels of training, each of the greatest good!It began to spread throughout the body that may be doomed to becoming certified online is that Reiki helps you find reiki parishioners from all the materials needed to do treatments in their energy in Reiki shares supervised by a qualified practitioner, the distance healing by two or more pregnancy, your connection to the deepest level of Reiki energy is the fact that he held a few inches above the client's crown chakra as a therapeutic option or as with a bucket to collect my negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to secondary gains is easier, quicker and more masters of Reiki gradually see where we also embody an energy component.

The effects from Reiki connections with your practitioner may choose to ignore them.I believe that the easiest things in your life's choices that I would definitely affect my chances of that same positive attitude and your environment.That said, some people the best rewards of my treatise on Reiki to your inner growth.Reiki goes to show that water responds to human language and consciousness.We often refer to Reiki the way up to healing that I go for a Reiki Master and can attune yourself to the traditional way.

#Reiki Therapy Liverpool Dumbfounding Unique Ideas #Reiki Master Vs Level 2

[tmntfandom2012]

I blame Ciro for this...

Note: We all have our opinions and rants. This is mine.

Alright, I took a back seat long time ago with rants, I PRAISED this show. STUCK UP for Ciro all this time. I dont blame the whole TMNT crew cause they were doing their job. But I will blame you CIRO.

From the very beginning you said you had 5 seasons planned. So this “finale” of yours was planned? Really? When even the network changes it up, that kinda gives you an idea, it should give you an idea that, the “Finale” wasnt child friendly. IM AN ADULT AND THAT SHIT WASNT FRIENDLY WITH ME.

We can handle alot. Well I can, I dont know about others. I wont speak for others. But for myself, I handled Splinters deaths, the fast pacing, and the stuff that made no fucking sense what so ever. I handled your stupid obsession with monsters back in the day, and with your annoying references, I put up with the ending to that space arc, WHICH ILL ADMIT I LOVED IT, but of course you had to make it so...deflated.

Season 4 should of been the ending to this series. Season 5 should of never been made, and if it had, you should of resolved the fucking stuff you started not make insane bullshit tales. Granted the crossover arc and ICK was indeed canon and legit, but it again held nothing. Usagi arc, while it was amazing to see him, IT DID FUCKING NOTHING.

YOU ALSO HAD A FUCKING CHANCE TO SAY APRIL’S MOTHER DIED IN FUCKING SEASON 3. But why the fuck would you say that you----

Okay. Breathe Mik. Breathe. I know its not totally Ciro’s fault, for the other arcs, but this “Finale” bullshit I BLAME HIM FOR. IT has his name written all over it. You seriously just couldnt give these teens a happy ending could you? I legit see why Nick canned your ass. If it was up to, the turtles would of either been horrible injured or killed. Splinter already died for shit sake. Like in season 5, i ACTUALLY STARTED MISSING THE KRAANG AND SHREDDER. Why? BECAUSE THOSE WERE ACTUALLY GOOD FUCKING PLOTS YOU DIP---

Argh. My rage. 

Im trying to be level headed here. Im trying to be calm. Im trying to see your side Ciro. But honestly I cant. To say you have respect for the turtles and then go and do this to them was just, mind blowing.

Now Im not saying go be a dick to this guy, sadly he had his version, thank god its fucking over. YEAH I JUST SAID THAT YOU DICK. but that doesnt mean I cant be mad. I will be mad for a while. We should be mad. NO KID WANTED YOUR SHITTY “FINALE” hell not even adults. YOU WASTED OUR TIME. But why the fuck would you care? You got paid. You got your joy. Just wow. I heard your other shows you did ended great ((forgive me if im wrong)) so why couldnt this show? 

I dont know, I know im being unfair, but I cant help but to think this stupid finale was on Ciro himself. He never liked master splinter, and it shows in all the finales except season 1. I kinda think Nick had it when you tried it for a third time. HELL I HAD IT WHEN SEASON 4 HIT.

Whats bad is, IM LOOKING FORWARD TO 2018 VERS. Why? Causes its not in your sadisting horror movie obsessed grubby little hands. 

DONT MAKE A SHOW IF YOUR GONNA JUST END IT LIKE THIS JUST TO BE A DICK TO YOUR FANBASE or to keep people from remaking.

I know you had a motive, and thats my thought. I pray you never come near tmnt ever again.

and if this finale wasnt you’re fault, then fine, I’ll despise you for killing off splinter and making those boys suffer.

This show had promise. This show came out, and made me fall in love with these turts. Made me fall in love with everything of these turtles. Season 5... as much as I love ships. And the kavaxas story, and all the other tales, I wished this show would of ended at season 4, because it ended in a decent way. In A RESPECTABLE FASHION.

Would it resolve issues that are now left unresolved? No, but it surely would of been better then that apocolypse bullshit.

If you ever do another one of those, LEARN THAT THERE WOULD BE BUILDINGS DESTROYED AND RUN DOWN. LEARN THERE WOULD BE STILL HUMANS IN THE GOD FORSAKEN WORLD, and LEARN THERED BE AT LEAST SOME FOOD, oh yea....LEARN THAT TURTLES WOULD NOT GROW HAIR. My god....

And learn that TMNT will be rebooted, and your version may even get remade in the future into someone elses vision. So no this does not stop ANYONE to go back and change this. It will happen. Like it or not.

Aslo, this isnt related to this but Im glad the show is over cause now I dont have to see you and brandon whining about leaked episodes or spoilers. Like holy shit guys. But I digress. For now.

Ciro, to me, you were the villain this whole time. Flavor yourself and stay away from TMNT all together if your not gonna give it the closure it fucking deserved.

Stick to fanfiction.

Now if you excuse me, Im gonna write my au, and do some funny edits for the fandom. Or maybe draw... anything to get that shit out of my head. 

Ill do a post later on maybe expressing about the fandom and stuff...but I wont say goodbye. I will go on with this show as if it hasnt ended.

FEEL FREE TO ADD ONTO THIS OR VENT IN MY ASK BOX, SEND DISCUSSIONS AND STUFF.

#tmnt 2012 #tmnt 2k12 #rant #i am really salty #sorry guys #ciro i dont like u #brandon your good but i prefer peter over you any day #what happened to season 1-3 #i like season 4 dont get me wrong #but 1-3 are awesome #you should of ended shit at season 4 #u fuck

[mxladymorgan-moved]

From his William and Mary chair where he sat cross-legged, right arm hanging loose to the side and hand holding a glass goblet of whisky, pirate captain Black Bones scoped the deck of his galleon, his blue eyes aptly coloured for the day, for today constituted a gloomy chapter in his biography. Today was the day of his death.

The Adamastor was all but desolate now while it had been so full of life the night before, buzzing with the sounds of the swabbies performing their one duty, of Navarro Lopo’s men cleaning the demi-cannons, of Spanish-sounding folk music plucked out of guitar strings and the indistinguishable voices of men’s chatter. How Bones missed it all already and how his heart cried for it, saving his face the trouble of shedding tears and thus of adding disgrace to dishonour. There was only so much he could bear.

The amber liquid rocked gently against the glass, a reflection of the tides in the captain’s chest. This ocean was self-possessed, pretty much like the calm before the storm or the serenity after the tempest, either metaphor would work. But neither would be true, for there was never a big disturbance in that heart of Bones’s, which had been taught how to be noble and remain collected, no matter how stormy the thoughts in his head might be.

In that chair, he might look enthroned, a king before his kingdom. But this was folly when his kingdom was deserted, his court and unloyal subjects gone. Bones took a sip of his drink, let it burn down his throat and warm his insides and with the comfort it offered, mourned his end.

He was captain no more. He was Bones no more. He was Morgan, the noblewoman of Shipwreck who had always dreamt of being a pirate and had once achieved this goal, with feet clad in male boots, feminine features expertly hidden and a male name presented as her own. This masculinity was dead and, with it, all her dreams as well. Only hope remained but it made for a very weak buoy.

There were steps. They grew louder as the man got near to her. From the sound they made and the sound of beads dangling along with them, Morgan knew the approaching man to be Santiago, her faithful quarter master who had stayed behind, she guessed, to look after her soul like he’d done with Bones’s. How right his claims of having a priest on board should the devil appear too soon with a tempting offer seemed now, when her soul was indeed of spiritual relief and guidance.

Morgan lifted her chin as high as she could and kept on watching the horizon, the buzz of the previous night still echoing in her ears. Santiago stopped behind the chair, slightly to the woman’s right-hand side. She swallowed hard, knowing this choice of coordinates was deliberate - the priest was showing mournful respect for his captain and offering a friendly ear.

Hell, did she love him for it.

“Which one is it?” she asked in a rhetorical fashion, though the question did demand an answer. “Salvation or damnation? You have surely come to present me with one of them”

Santiago could not, of course, see her face, and if he did not know the truth about his captain being a woman, he would have sworn it was Bones who was talking and this was a night like any other, only his cabin where they used to spend the night debating matters both sacred and profane replaced with the empty deck and the starry sky.

The stars, too, were the same ones of old, but now they did not seem like sparkly omens of fortune, but rather like cold and distant diamonds of mockery, spectators to the lady’s misery.

“Neither” he answered as though it were the simplest thing in the world. “Such things are not mine to offer”

“But you are a priest…”

“And a common mortal” Santiago interrupted, hands fondling the beads of the rosary around his neck in an affectionate way. Compared to what it represented, together with the Bible under his arm, he could not stop feeling small and humble. “Why do you think I stayed?”

Morgan had no answer to give but only because she did not wish to. Obligation as a crewman, duty as a priest, pity as man. Those were all valid reasons and all equally insulting to Bonaventura Santiago, a man who deserved no offence. Instead, she asked him “Do you not judge me then?”

Santiago’s eyes searched the sky. For him, the stars were still stars, part of God’s beautiful work. They were not there to do His benevolent work or to mock, though he recognised they were pretty useful things to sailors and not mere adornments. With a last gulp, Morgan finished her whisky. Santiago liked to take his time thinking before answering difficult questions and she let him take his time, like always…

“Many a time I looked at you and a proud man was what I saw. After seeing the way you handled the situation earlier tonight, my lady, I know a proud woman such as yourself would not suffer the trouble of hiding her identity unless it could not be helped. Judging… Is god’s prerogative. I am but a man”

Morgan closed her eyes as though she did not wish vision to interfere with hearing so she could comprehend, record and save the quarter master’s words in full. They were the kindest words any man had addressed her, saved for her beloved father. She did not smile with her lips but her eyes did, when she opened them again and turned her head just enough to glance at Santiago, who understood this as a beckoning to step forward.

“If what you say is true, then you are the best man I know, Bonaventura Santiago”

“Kind words, my lady. But I’m afraid God may disagree with you…”

At that, Morgan did smile. Santiago was always troubled with the ancient dichotomy, asking himself if it was truly possible for a priest to be a pirate and for a pirate to be a priest. It seemed obvious at first - no. No, because pirates were thieves by definition and murderers by necessity and there they were, two capital offences to God. However, when looking past definitions found in any decent dictionary, beyond words, it was a corrupted world Santiago saw, and pirates were not the sole ones to blame for it. His existence was not a peaceful one but, then again, it couldn’t, with him being a man of the Church.

It should be told Santiago had never killed anybody. As a quarter master, he enjoyed great authority, his power rivalling Bones’s before the crew. But when war was upon the Adamastor, and as a quarter master should, he would drop his own voice of command and obey his captain who, decided to redeem the dear priest’s unsettled spirit as much as it was humanly possible, always ordered him to get away from the action and look after the wounded. This order he would only ignore when he absolutely must in order to protect himself or his captain, after which he would lock himself in the ship’s chapel and ask for clarity and forgiveness for attacking a fellow man.

“Ah, God… Tell me, my priest… Why has God forsaken me?”

There was nothing Morgan wanted more than cry. Just cry the ocean she had inside out, even if she knew there would be no benefit in doing so. She blamed herself for her foolishness, for daring to dream it was possible for a woman to make it in a world of men, for putting herself in a dangerous position not many lunatics would - a woman concealed among dozens of men, placing herself on top, incurring on their wrath. She could still count her blessings and consider herself lucky to be alive or unscathed, for the men could have responded to her boldness with the worst kind of violence any man could do to a woman.

Still, she blamed God as much as she blamed herself. Who had put that dream, the drive, that daring spirit inside her in the first place? No, that was not it. She resented God, that was more like it. He’d placed all of those things in her heart only to take all opportunities to do so away… Yet, Morgan did not wish to provoke divine anger and thus did not offer the skies harsh words and pointed fingers, knowing many would deem it selfish for a woman of fortune and noble birth to behave like a spoiled brat or cry like a martyr.

The priest did not blame her for the thought, guessing that he, too, would think the same in her situation. Just to think… Bones had commanded his crew with justice and honour. The Adamastor Pirates were making a name for themselves as a crew more menacing than it should be when no crewmate possessed the powers of a Devil Fruit - it didn’t stop being a feat when most pirates went after the fruits. And after everything… A foolish mistake she could not explain had revealed Milady Carnahan Morgan to the ship’s crew and killed Black Bones.

Santiago smiled. Under all that calmness and higher aura some clergymen had, he was truly sad about the recent events. But he had an answer, nevertheless.

"My child… Don’t you see? He has not forsaken you. He has chosen you”

Morgan ignored his patronising smile and let the priest walk away. Taking a look behind, she spotted young paraty walking as though dancing about, nervously awaiting the priest. She guessed he had been sent by the handful of crewmen who had remained by her side to gather information and perhaps tell them what would be of the crew from now on.

What of them indeed? She stared again at the stars… The constellations may be different, but they always reminded the lady of her home island and its glorious black crown of glittering minerals… Shipwreck was all that was left for her now.

The Adamastor was hers - she had challenged any and every men who had wanted to take it from her to come forth and try her and none had dared - but she could not man it alone. A priest, a boy and a couple of able bodied sailors didn’t make a crew… The vessel required more manpower. Morgan did not know about her loyal companions, each now to his own fate, a fate she could not order and that she would not condemn, but she knew of herself.

In the morning, she would recruit a temporary crew to take her and the Adamastor home in exchange for a ship, which she would order from the local shipwrights and pay with her own money - the part that the quarter master had given her after sharing the treasure equally among every member of the crew before their departure, as ordered by the captain’s fleshy ghost.

Morgan knew Shipwreck could not be her finally destination. She was not ready to say goodbye to the sea and stay home just yet, waiting for the day her father would die and she would become Lady of the island. She would find another way to have her own adventures.

#long post for ts #❤ [development] #❤ [development / drabble]

[lovehaswonangelnumbers]

New Post has been published on https://lovehaswonangelnumbers.org/sunday-aug-11-18th-2019-forecast/

Sunday Aug 11 - 18th 2019 Forecast

Sunday Aug 11 – 18th 2019 Forecast

By Hare in the Moon Astrology

“Impermanence (noun) – the way change falls in love with you ” Andrea Balt.

A heads up! This week is not going to be business as usual-not even recent 5D business as usual! The frequencies are so intense that all our systems-physical, emotional, psychic, not to mention our power grids-are going to blown wide open. Volatile, unpredictable disruptor Uranus is plugging us all into the mains and we’ll either be electrified, woken up and supercharged or totally fritzed.

This feels like a turning point of the highest order when we’re sensing that the world behind the world is about to change everything yet again. Today Sunday August 11th, both threshold planets Uranus and Jupiter are changing direction simultaneously-Uranus in reverse throttle and Jupiter full steam ahead-churning up the ethers along with your energy field.

Expansionist, extremist Jupiter on the karmic Great Attractor super Black Hole magnifies whatever he touches, so high stakes situations such as the Iran/US, the Hong Kong/China and the India/Kashmir conflicts are going to be intensified.

On Wednesday 15th , the eccentric futurist Uranian Full Moon at 22 Aquarius opposes inflammatory Mars, Venus and the Sun in Leo. A fire breathing dragon comes to mind- best not to provoke it, no matter what new shocking information hits the airwaves on the 16th.

Wherever 5 Taurus (Uranus),14 Sagittarius(Jupiter) and 22 Aquarius/Leo sit in your chart, are going to be ultra- sensitive hot spots. Refuse to engage in personal dramas.

The key to channeling this supercharged energy is to keep your attention on the meta picture, beyond the 3D events ”out there”, noticing where your options are expanding, where new possibilities are presenting. Noticing all the ways in which your old limiting metaphors are updating; your old frames are widening; your inner compartments and separations between what you think you believe and what you do are coming down.

As the esoteric ruler of Aquarius, Jupiter the Magus or Hierophant creates fusion through expansion and synthesis, blending the head and heart, mind and love, in order to produce Wisdom. Jupiter pushes you out of your comfort zone to explore far horizons with confidence, optimism and bright faith. It’s time to become an explorer approaching all aspects of life with reverent curiosity, allowing everything to tell its story. It’s time to learn the power of honouring, questing, learning, teaching, travelling and celebrating.

The Chandra Symbol for Jupiter Direct 15 Sagittarius: A Tidal Wave Approaching  “The momentum of collective events runs toward floodtide when there is a major transition from one whole cycle to another. The personal life stream runs in similar patterns. When you’re getting ready to take off in a whole different direction, there is first a transition that is both immensely exciting and fantastically disturbing. You feel just about swept away by the oncoming changes and just before they really get going, the tension, the pressure, and the strain can tear you apart. You want to go with it, yet you yearn for sanctuary. The mix is volatile Mastery or bust. The infinite future or wipe-out. A spine tingler all the way.”

Uranus the Sky God operates by delivering unpredictable shocks, reversals or insights that electrify you out of your comfort zone, teaching you to collaborate with the inevitable. It’s a time in your life when something new – something eccentric – needs to break through into conscious awareness. Uranus is the lightning that strikes the circle of habit and turns it into a spiral- the God of uniqueness, intuition, innovation, ingenuity, and rebellion. It’s time to let the Maverick within see the world through the lens of possibility.

The Chandra Symbol for Uranus RX Taurus 7:  A Large Ruby Inscribed with a Prayer  “Knowing in your heart that a fresh life current is here to be met in the physical. You feel deeply drawn to give yourself over completely to what the new life-wave asks. Sensing acutely that this is all that counts and suffering for all of those who are shut off from the bounty. Knowing how hard it is to feel dejected and forsaken, and never forgetting the ache, the longing, the distances, and what it takes to seize new life and realise you will never again be out in the cold.”

For much more on what’s ahead, buy my Survive + Thrive Guide to Uranus in Taurus 2019-2026 in the Shop at: www.hareinthemoonastrology.co.uk

*****

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[poorquentyn]

Thanks for the great blog - always a pleasure to read. Was Euron always planning to go to Oldtown? The facts underlying the Eldritch Apocalypse theory (which I love!) would seem to suggest he's had his eye on it for a while, but as recently as taking the Shield Islands, it seemed like his original plan was to sail to Essos. Did the plan significantly change after pushback from the ironborn, or did he simply reshuffle his agenda items and go to Oldtown earlier than he had initially planned?

(TWOW spoilers)

Euron’s initial plan was indeed to approach Dany personally. Perhaps his comment on how the Ironborn’s preference of grapes over dragons altered that plan is meant, like Littlefinger’s aside on how Cersei’s failures have forced him to sacrifice his “four or five quiet years to plant some seeds and allow some fruits to ripen,” as a direct comment from GRRM on how abandoning the five year gap changed the story. Euron might’ve been supposed to return to Essos himself for Dany at some point in the writing process, but the trajectory we’ve got given Sam V AFFC, the visions of Euron that pop up in ADWD, and of course “The Forsaken” works perfectly well on its own. 

Once his followers resisted and he decided to dispatch Victarion and the Iron Fleet to Slaver’s Bay instead, Euron found himself in a position not unlike Aegon’s on the opposite coast: in need of a conquest he could brandish before his men and use as a base of operations while awaiting the silver queen and her dragons. The Griffs went with Storm’s End; at the end of AFFC, it’s revealed that the Crow’s Eye chose Oldtown.

The most perilous part of the voyage was the last. The Redwyne Straits were swarming with longships, as they had been warned in Tyrosh. With the main strength of the Arbor’s fleet on the far side of Westeros, the ironmen had sacked Ryamsport and taken Vinetown and Starfish Harbor for their own, using them as bases to prey on shipping bound for Oldtown.

“Battle here,” said Xhondo. “Not so long.”

“Who would be so mad as to raid this close to Oldtown?”

Xhondo pointed at a half-sunken longship in the shallows. The remnants of a banner drooped from her stern, smoke-stained and ragged. The charge was one Sam had never seen before: a red eye with a black pupil, beneath a black iron crown supported by two crows.

“It grieves me that honest men must suffer such discourtesy, but sooner that than ironmen in Oldtown. Only a fortnight ago some of those bloody bastards captured a Tyroshi merchantman in the straits. They killed her crew, donned their clothes, and used the dyes they found to color their whiskers half a hundred colors. Once inside the walls they meant to set the port ablaze and open a gate from within whilst we fought the fire.Might have worked, but they ran afoul of the Lady of the Tower, and her oarsmaster has a Tyroshi wife. When he saw all the green and purple beards he hailed them in the tongue of Tyrosh, and notone of them had the words to hail him back.”

Sam was aghast. “They cannot mean to raid Oldtown.”

The captain of the Huntress gave him a curious look. “These are no mere reavers. The ironmen have always raided where they could. They would strike sudden from the sea, carry off some gold and girls, and sail away, but there were seldom more than one or two longships, and never more than half a dozen. Hundreds of their ships afflict us now, sailing out of the Shield Islands and some of the rocks around the Arbor. They have taken Stonecrab Cay, the Isle of Pigs, and the Mermaid’s Palace, and there are other nests on Horseshoe Rock and Bastard’s Cradle. Without Lord Redwyne’s fleet, we lack the ships to come to grips with them.”

“What is Lord Hightower doing?” Sam blurted. “My father always said he was as wealthy as the Lannisters, and could command thrice as many swords as any of Highgarden’s other bannermen.”

“More, if he sweeps the cobblestones,” the captain said, “but swords are no good against the ironmen, unless the men who wield them know how to walk on water.” 

“The Hightower must be doing something.”

“To be sure. Lord Leyton’s locked atop his tower with the Mad Maid, consulting books of spells. Might be he’ll raise an army from the deeps. Or not. Baelor’s building galleys, Gunthor has charge of the harbor, Garth is training new recruits, and Humfrey’s gone to Lys to hire sellsails. If he can winkle a proper fleet out of his whore of a sister, we can start paying back the ironmen with some of their own coin. Till then, the best we can do is guard the sound and wait for the bitch queen in King’s Landing to let Lord Paxter off his leash.”

The bitterness of the captain’s final words shocked Sam as much as the things he said. If King’s Landing loses Oldtown and the Arbor, the whole realm will fall to pieces, he thought as he watched the Huntress and her sisters moving off.

Euron and Aegon are parallels in many respects: the most significant new characters introduced in AFFC and ADWD respectively, they’re unexpected claimants who shake up the war by hijacking the story elements of the more well-established characters, particularly Dany. Of course, Euron’s motives are rather different from Aegon’s. The former has no interest in sustainable rule, so the Whispering Sound is less a rallying point for coalition-building like Storm’s End than a staging ground for his “sea of blood.” Moqorro, Melisandre, and Damphair have all seen visions of that unholy tide (Mel’s pointing at the Oldtown area specifically), and indeed it seems from “The Forsaken” that the Redwyne fleet is being set up as the climax to the mass blood sacrifices committed by Euron’s men. Basically, in the wake of his men and perhaps the author’s rewrites changing his plan, Euron’s now out to power up before his dragon arrives. 

And Oldtown, my favorite setting in the world of ice and fire, makes perfect sense as the ground zero for Euron’s apocalypse. Just as his eyepatch covers up the Crow’s Eye, his Pirate King performance shielding his C’thuloid soul, Oldtown’s public face as a prosperous port city home to thriving institutions only just barely covers up what this place really is. It’s a “hinge of the world,” an eldritch city, the closest thing to a Westerosi Asshai; all the lofty monuments to the “overproud,” from the Faith to the Citadel to the Hightowers, are undercut and undergirded by tentacled roots as big as trees. Oldtown is The Death of Dragons and the Faceless Man trying to steal it. Leyton and Malora get it, but they’re thought mad, and have cut themselves off from the city’s defenses at this point. Marwyn the Mage gets it…

“The grey sheep have closed their eyes, but the mastiff sees the truth. Old powers waken. Shadows stir. An age of wonder and terror will soon be upon us, an age for gods and heroes.”

The Mage was not like other maesters. People said that he kept company with whores and hedge wizards, talked with hairy Ibbenese and pitch-black Summer Islanders in their own tongues, and sacrificed to queer gods at the little sailors’ temples down by the wharves. Men spoke of seeing him down in the undercity, in rat pits and black brothels, consorting with mummers, singers, sellswords, even beggars.

“Who do you think killed all the dragons the last time around? Gallant dragonslayers armed with swords?” He spat. “The world the Citadel is building has no place in it for sorcery or prophecy or glass candles, much less for dragons.”

…but he skipped town. (And is also widely thought mad.) Alongside dragons and krakens, Damphair saw a sphinx bowing to Big Brother, and such is the face the Citadel shows to the world:

The gates of the Citadel were flanked by a pair of towering green sphinxes with the bodies of lions, the wings of eagles, and the tails of serpents.

So not only is Oldtown the absolute perfect kindling for Euron’s particular fire, but he’s also the payoff for the setup regarding the Citadel. The grey sheep are certain they’ve built a world without magic, but they’re wrong and the Mage and the Mad Maid are right, because the Crow’s Eye is coming. Oldtown is where he finally tears off the mask and jumps:

“Perhaps we can fly. All of us. How will we ever know unless we leap from some tall tower?” The wind came gusting through the window and stirred his sable cloak. There was something obscene and disturbing about his nakedness. “No man ever truly knows what he can do unless he dares to leap.”

#eldritch apocalypse #so all that (and highgarden) is why sam is the POV I'm most looking forward to going uh forward #euron greyjoy #oldtown #asoiaf meta #twow spoilers #aegon vi targaryen #marwyn #leyton hightower #malora hightower