#I wish we could have truly saved her. I guess at least getting transported into the ancient past to slowly malfunction & shut down there is. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

artgirllullaby · 3 years

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Chapter 16: After Shards

There is much stuff i want to say about this update, but not enough space. So I decided to make an author Notes close to the end.

For now I wanna thank everyone who was patient, understanding and welcoming me. Many of you probably forgot this existed, some stopped around to ask how I was doing, and i'm thankful for it.

You guys have no idea how your reviews and knowing i had to complete this had saved my life. And I say this more than I really would like to admit. Your reviews, comments and messages were the line to bring me back to end stuff many times. For that, thank you.

Thank you every single one of you who stop by, leaving a comment, review or not. You who take few minutes to read what I'm writing, those of you who are silently lurking and hoping for an update, this is for you. Thank you for existing, thank you for saving my life in more ways than i can ever put in words.

Thank you.

Now let's get back on where we left, shall we?

Chapters: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

You can read Ever After at Ao3 | FF.net | DeviantArt and on Tumblr, feel free to go read where it pleases you the most

Chapter 16: After Remembrance

"So let me see if I got it…" Janna said crossing her legs on Marco's bed, he tried not to get annoyed on her dirty sneakers on his sheets given he was asking a favor to her "You want me to perform some kind of witchery-"

"Enchantment." Marco corrected.

"Whatever, you want me to try to make magic in a world that has become void of it to recover your girl?"

Marco shifted on his computer chair replying with an awkward "Yes?"

His childhood friend frowned a bit in deep thought, "Don't get me wrong Marco, but how in the hell am I supposed to do that?!" resting a bit back on his bed she continued "you said yourself that when she left it also erased not only her existence but every trace of magic here, including my own magic as you say. How would I be able to use magic if there's none around or in me?"

"You see, here is the catch. I don't think you're completely void of it."

Janna exchanged looks with his dog before both of them looked back at him as if they were reconsidering the option of calling the hospital to take him in.

"OK, let me explain." He took a breath, "When Star had come to this dimension, we had no idea that magic truly existed. In fact, there is- or at least had by then, a bunch of magic creatures living among us and we had no idea because we were used to our routines and livelihood. But Star had to adapt and she had to question and understand everything and while she had to discover and learn, she ended up showing and doing the same for us."

Janna rested her chin on her hand in a tedious position "Your point being?"

"My point is that there was magic here before Star came along. Magic that was from here, from Earth. Like, very low and not much, but once was enough to connect our worlds and dimensions, then we can do it again."

"That… kinda makes sense." She agreed with a nod "But if she blocked the other side it would still be impossible."

"She might have blocked the way directly to Mewni and other dimensions I knew the way over. But it's impossible for her to have blocked all dimensions back and forth."

"So what? Your plan is to go aimlessly into a random dimension and find a way over into another until you jump onto Minnie?"

"Mewni, and yes. I will get the right way eventually. I know I will." Marco said determinedly, "I had to hunt down the entity that was responsible for creating the material for transportation through the dimensions and I did it. If I was able to do that by then, nothing will stop me from reaching out for Star. And I know for a fact, there's a place that connects all dimensions."

A place that once almost got destroyed by desperation and naiveness, by that's another story and a detail he didn't need to disclose right now.

"Except the fact I can't use magic." Janna reminded him.

"Not really, that's what I am trying to say. Star might have cut or blocked the magic traces that were unnatural from here, but she can't get rid of what is natural."

"Uh…" Janna squinted her eyes, having trouble understanding "I kinda get your point, but not what you aim at…"

"Look, think about this like… the seasons!"

Janna gave a flat look as if that seemed more confusing but gestured to him to go on.

"You see, in Spring it's the prosperous time, when flowers grow, fruits are there and things blooms, then comes summer and while the temperature is high, we still can get the supriments spring gave us, then comes autumn and that's when the hard time comes. Leaves fall, fruits are not that much, some plants die, all while we prepare to the winter, when it's cold and we need to survive without much food-"

Janna facepalmed herself "You know that's totally not how it works, right?!"

"Just listen!" He sighed "after the time at lowest, what comes next?"

"Spring?"

"Exactly!" Marco replied her bored tone with excitement, "It comes the time when it flourishes again! You understand?! It's a cycle!"

Janna frowned, understanding his logic but still questioning it "You think Star speeds up the cycle?"

"She did something. Knowing or not." He shrugged, turning to her once more "Nature finds a way. It will make magic flow again, if it follows the seasons or not I have no idea, but I know it does follow a cycle. He have magic in our history, we got historical events that none can explain, and that follows some impact, and it goes around the world not just a place particular, and we had quiet times and then the new things again and-"

"Breathe, boy" Janna said standing up and sighing a bit as she forced Marco to sit down and take a moment, "Did you take your medicine?"

"We don't have time to-"

"We made a deal." She crossed her arms standing up in front of him as she looked at him sternly from his bed. "You keep yourself sane and under the medical conditions, as long as you're stable and healthy I'm willing to help you." The dark-haired girl looked around and asked again, "So, did you take your meds?"

Marco sighed and thought for a moment, "I did take them this morning." He looked at his phone for a moment and took a breath of redemption, "It is a bit past the time for me to take some I guess…"

"Well, then." His childhood friend gestured to the door, so he could go ahead and get the medicine wherever they were. Marco did as she suggested, knowing she was asking for the best of him and she was indeed looking out for his health. The last thing he needed now he was getting his memories back and was determined to find Star, was to have a breakdown and lose control (his last one was still healing in his eyebrow), he ain't got time for that.

He got his meds and went to the kitchen taking a cup of water as Janna promptly got herself to sit on the couch with Barko Jr. After taking his meds and sitting on the couch he was about to continue when Janna gestured him to wait.

"Take a breath. You were getting anxious, so take a few minutes. I'll wait."

"We don't have time for this, Janna."

"Then you're gonna have to deal with this alone." She looked at him, her face completely serious, "We made a deal, and I'll make sure you stand your word even against your own wishes."

Marco huffed, dropping himself on the couch "What is this, your crush on me is back?!"

"Hm, kinda. Considering you're the best candidate? Maybe." At his unbelievable stare she smirked "What? You can see me dating Alfonso? Ferguson? Jason?! ugh, no. The girls aren't much better and the hottest take went halfworld away" Janna made a dramatic gesture "So I might as well take care of my last option in case the worst happens."

"Wow, thanks" Marco replied to her in a sarcastic tone.

"You're welcome. Don't worry, once our kid gets my talent and hits big, that will make me meet my true guy. I'll dump you right away."

Marco frowned "I really have no idea if you're serious or not."

"Me neither" Janna replied.

He looked at her in complete confusion and decided to let it go since it wasn't going anywhere. Taking some breaths instead as he watched the clock he was able to feel himself calming down slowly and organizing his own thoughts.

"You had always liked spooked stuff, remember?"

"So what?" Janna said, turning to lay with her feet up, "Does that have to do with anything?"

"Remember the time church used to hunt witches and other beings, but mostly witches?"

"Yeah, many women got killed, they never apologized and all that jazz… Why are you giving me a history lesson?"

"You are a descendant of the Witches…" He frowned "I don't remember quite much clearly yet, but… I remember you found out one ancestor of yours was hunted down, claimed to be a witch and got to escape, you found there actually two types of such thing and used Star magic to… Do something… I can't remember well, but I know you used her magic to make your own flow again from the sleepy state it was in."

Janna sat straight and looked at him in shock "Are you telling me, I'm magic?"

Catching her tone of both disbelief and sassiness, Marco joked back at her "You're a Wizard, Janna."

"I'm a what?"Janna whispered before laughing with him, "Seriously, you're telling me I'm a witch?"

"Pretty much. You used to say the others called you something else because they didn't consider you one of them, but you got it."

Janna stood up and paced slowly in the living room, murmuring to herself as she was making her own conclusions from the information he gave.

"OK, if what you say is true, then there might be a way to awaken what was inside of me. I mean, she didn't destroy the magic, she just erased what existed from her existence, right?"

"I guess? I don't know that much actually. It's just a theory"

"That makes sense," Janna prompted "if she truly had erased every magic or destroyed then that would erase even the ones who weren't involved with her… Like your dog and, well, me."

"You?"

"It's just as you say, if I already had a bit in me, even if too little to make a difference, doesn't change the fact I got it and could try to do again what I did last, if she had went far enough it would have erased the existence of those who have some magic connection in them, me." She pointed out.

"So you think you can do it?"

Janna smirked, grabbing her purse and fishing for her phone as she began to type "Only one way to find out."

It was weird enough how her mother had been hovering over her lately, but having Tom, Ponyhead and Kelly aside every other person around to do the same was becoming maddening.

Star knew she had been sick, whatever her cough was, made everyone worried since they didn't find a solution. It was recurring more and more, if she coughed in front of them there was a desperation to show in their eyes so quickly she had to find out what they were hiding.

The little petal in her hand told her it was a lot more than they let her know.

The doctors have told her if she ever coughs something, she has to go to them immediately, and so her friends often offered to give her a doctor if there was any signal of her cough…

If she wanted to find out what was going on, she couldn't trust either side about the petals in her cough.

Besides they should be busy and worried about something else, she was getting married soon for the sake of her kingdom, they should be trying to find a way out of the war menace.

Just like she should be if she wasn't busy organizing a wedding ceremony she would rather not have anyways.

"Why do we have to make it big?!" She moaned tiredly to her mother.

"You're a princess, simple as that. The people need to know and have security for their new king, the wedding it's not just about tying laces, but also about showing the people you have a ground and know what you're doing, in the fateful decision you're making by marrying this man." Moon replied and put her papers down.

"Can we like, make an agreement, sign stuff and bep bop do? No one is interested in anything else aside from keeping Mewni safe at this point."

Moon turned to her and took a breath, "Is that why you agreed to the marriage?"

"Well, yeah…" the princess replied, turning away from her mother. "It's not like I had many choices anyway."

"I'm really sorry for all of this Star…" her mother replied with a sad voice, "Of all people, I really wish you had the chance to make the choice like I did in my time."

"You're not helping much…" Star observed looking at another stupid list of things to get for a wedding. Why did they need a golden cornucopia?!

"I know… That's why I invited someone that knows about this to talk it out with you."

Turning to her mother, her eyes turned curious "Who did you invite?"

Moon smiled at her, "It's a surprise."

She rolled her eyes and continued to look in her to-do list about what there was to still afford for the ceremony. She couldn't wait until the papers had been over so she could get to…

To what?

Star shook her head and tried to focus again. There was no one for her to meet after that, she had been so sleepless and stressed about things happening that she had been catching herself into errands that didn't exist or lost in corridors trying to find a room that wasn't there.

Maybe she should see a doctor after all.

Marco stood blinking at a board that Janna made with pins, pictures, lists and scribes around and even a red string that connected to a question mark.

"Uh… what am I looking at?"

Janna sighed, "You're looking at the fact that you were right." Crossing her arms she looked away "Damn I was hoping you weren't so on point."

"What does the criminal board have to do with this?"

"This is an investigation board, thank you very much." Janna said and pointed at her notes, "I went around my stuff to figure out the blanks points or odd stuff that I couldn't remember how happened or that the explanation was just plain weird."

Marco frowned at a picture of her and pointed, "What does a picture of you in a pink dress have to do with this?"

Snatching the picture from his hand, Janna followed her notes as if there was never the said picture there, "So there are a lot of those blanks around like, why the heck I have a recipe for cupcakes? I don't even cook, and if I did, I wouldn't be interested in cupcakes!"

Marco looked around the said notes noticing the odd that Janna was mentioning. She was right about most of them, the pictures of scenarios and selfies were not her thing, just like notes on clothing, books, and… that Korean version of Twilight?

"What matters is that you're right. Whatever I had in me or that composed those pictures enough to make me interested, was changed."

He nodded, "and how are you finding proof I was right to help us?"

"It helps because I began to look into my stuff to see if I could find anything else and, BOOM!" Janna shoved her phone in his face.

"A… contact list?" He asked, confused.

"Yep. I went through my contact list, I don't know the majority of these names and some weren't even real numbers like this… Thomas the Train?! Why do I have the number of a toy train to begin with?"

Marco tried to bring her focus back again, "Well, and did you find anything that helped us?"

Janna began to tap her phone again, "Actually, I did!"

Turning the phone to him again Marco was to stare at the eyes on the screen looking right back to him. It was a woman a bit older than them, she was red haired and skin a bit paler than his, her brown eyes blinked at him then she smiled and waved at him from the screen.

"Tami, meet Marco. Marco, this is Tamir LesTrange" Janna said, motioning between them.

"Hello!" Tami said, smiling from the other side.

"Hi…" he replied and looked at Janna, "how exactly is she supposed to help?"

Janna put her phone on his table where the stranger could see them both, "Tami remembers what I can't, or at least most of it. To begin with how we meet and what we are."

"Hey! I thought you said you believed in me saying you were a witch?"

There was a giggle and Marco realized it came from the screen, "There's a difference between believing and fact checking," Tami explained, "she was trying to recover what was lost in the spell of your friend."

"Wait, you remember too?!"

"Kinda" the red haired replied, "your theory of Earth's own magic isn't completely wrong, but also has some fantasies into it. I can remember what is related to me, Janna and the betweens, but if you ask me specifically about that friend of yours, well, I'm afraid I'm not much help." She shrugged embarrassed.

"So, how can you help us then?"

This time Janna replied to him, "Dude, she's a Witch."

Marco blinked twice at Janna and then at the phone before letting a gasped "Whaaat" escape his lips.

"A witch, Marco." The other laughed, "Oh boy, Potter references never get old!" The red haired girl shook her head and continued "I'm one of the natural magic users from Earth, see?"

On a movement with her hands, there was a wave of energy that made some stuff on her desk float before getting down again by another gesture to make it disappear.

He looked at the lady's hands in shock. It was one thing to know magic existed and have memory of it, but to see it was something completely different. To see the proof in a live video of another magic user was… almost unbelievable.

Wow, he gets why the others had trouble believing him.

"OK, Tami, can you explain what you told me before to him?" Janna asked.

"Why don't you say it?" She questioned.

"I forgot already."

With a sigh, the woman on the other side began to speak to Marco. "As I told Janna, your theory is in the right way, but not quite. Our world is about cycles, from the survival and animal one, to life and magic one. So yeah, there are parts of history that magic is stronger and others that are not, but aren't related to seasons, but with world history itself and around."

"World history?"

"Yep!" Tami nodded, "It's one of the biggest and sadly most natural occurrences in humanity, history repeats itself. Kind of like a curse even. People study history to not make the same mistakes, but while they do, the other part is making up and learning that stuff and find themselves agreeing with the past and making their own conclusions to do over again and as a result it happens again."

"That… is awful, is there nothing to do?"

"It's human nature. To find themselves in a group and try to engage into their battles to survive and the goals to fight against the opposition. The only way to stop the cycle would be to put everyone in a stance of ultimate survival: work together or die."

"Like stone age." Janna replied.

Marco shook his head to focus again, they could talk about history lessons later "What does this have to do with the magic?"

"Oh yeah!" The woman said changing her sitting pose "Well, the reason is because once there was a limited or over-limits magic on Earth is pretty simple, the Inquisition and Witch hunting events."

"So the Inquisition was right?"

"Nope." Both women replied and Janna continued, "they did kill a lot of innocents while hunting. Most people dead weren't related to magic even, or didn't even know."

Marco tried to follow their line of thought "Uhh… That means?"

"That means that, whatever your girlfriend did, she can't change history. She at most repressed what was already around. So we can recover the state to what it was and make magic flow around Earth, however I don't know about the portals stuff, that was never knowledge of our world magic."

"We still have to try." He replied determined, ready to get up. "It's the best chance We- I have to."

"Easy there, Romeo." Said Janna pushing him back down to his bed, "So far we gave you the good news."

He sighed, of course it wouldn't be that easy. "Ok, tell me the bad news."

"Well, for beginners…" Janna started, "Thomas the Train it's not the only contact missing. There's a bunch of them, for both me and Tami."

Tami looked at him with a sad smile, "That's true. And while I'm good friends and a mentor to Janna, I'm still a minor witch. In fact, Janna was stronger than I was. I lost contact with the Witches and other creatures more or less around the data your friend had cut the magic flow."

"Did something happen to them?" Marco asked in worry.

"I don't think so." The witch replied "I think they sensed something to come and took the ways to be safe, even if we lost contact with others. They probably left the others safe from consequences out of it, like Wiccas and minor witches, and in Janna's case, an illegitimate Witch."

"Illegitimate witch?" Marco asked his friend.

"Long history to another history and time. Now," Janna said, focusing back on the matter, "the point is, all the people who have better knowledge on Earth magic or how we could make the portal thing work again are out of reach and the others who are left aren't powerful enough to connect to other worlds."

Marco crossed his arms and thought for a while, looking between a magicless-witch Janna and the witch on the phone before an idea struck him again. "What if we reunited you?"

"What?" Both of them asked.

"Alone you can't do much, but… United, maybe we could bring enough power to make a connection, even to another world…" Marco took his magical scissors out of his pocket and showed them "From there I can get to other places until I reach the right one to get to Mewni."

"YOU HAVE AN INTERDIMENSIONAL SCISSOR?!" Tami screamed from the other side of the phone "Damn, you were someone important! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get one of these? A human even?!"

"I have vague memories of it." Marco shrugged, smiling sincerely to her "So, we can get contact with others you girls find and reunite to try to make these work, how about it?" Tami smiled sadly at him again and Marco could already sense the bad news again, but this time it was Janna who let out a sigh as she crossed her arms.

"You think I didn't want to meet her or bring her here for a reason? Would have been a lot easier and better" She pouted.

He looked at Tami questioning in silence what Janna meant, but observing the scenery behind her, more specific about what he thought until then it was a poster until the moment he saw a bird flying there, it dewelled him the reason of why Janna was upset and the bad news.

Marco let out a groan as he hid his face in his hands, to which Tami confirmed in voice what he just concluded, "I'm in Japan."

"And as far as we had been, well, mostly her since they refuse to talk to an illegitimate witch with no powers, most wiccans and witches left are in the same situation. We are scattered around the world" Janna replied.

He let his back fall into the bed and groaned louder. It could not be easy, could it?!

When she was told she had visitors, Star had expected to be one of her friends checking on her again for the fifth time that week, or maybe even a surprise visit from a messenger from her fianceé kingdom with more stuff arranged or to be arranged for the wedding.

She didn't not expected to meet Eclipsa sitting in the garden drinking tea as she waited for her.

"Oh dear!" Eclipsa smiled "There you are! It's so good to see you! Come sit!"

Confused, Star obliged to what the other queen requested, "Hi Eclipsa… I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you."

"Really?" She replied surprised, "Your mother invited me, I thought you do know."

The princess blinked confused, "You were the one she told me about? I didn't know. She just said it was someone I could talk about and it was a surprise."

"Well, she told me about what you had been dealing with and… I can understand. I think from all the people I'm the closest that can understand you, that's probably why she told me to come talk to you."

So that was it. Her mother was still worried, despite her doctor saying she was ok and that she agreed with the meanings behind the wedding. Yes, she was still trying to find a way out of the war menace, but it was more a precaution and safety than anything else. Besides, so far the plan is going very well and… If it came to worse than she had to make sure someone was left to look after what she left.

"I'm fine, really." Star sighed.

"It's natural for a mother to be worried, more so in this case in which the daughter was forced into a decision she wasn't ready or didn't want to take." Eclipsa replied "It's a different situation, but we both had to go with the decision for outside factors."

It was only then that Star was reminded of the fact that Eclipsa was married before Globgor, despite already being with him and having her relationship established. Solaria didn't accept their relationship and arranged her wedding with a prince from a fellow kingdom in hopes that the marriage and kingdom obligation would make Eclipsa forget her forbidden passion for a monster of all people. Star didn't know much details aside from the fact that Globgor broke his promise to never feed himself from human flesh again by consuming Chastican, getting away to have Meteora and get captured shortly after and separated for all those years.

So far, Eclipsa was really the one who could understand the situation the most, even if the reasons for the arranged marriage were different, neither had been out of love, but because the obligations of the crown required so, for the safety of the people. For Eclipsa, because the former queen's prejudice against monsters was so powerful, she took a blind eye to who she put her daughter with. For her, because the war menace was a risk to the whole of Mewni and other possible dimensions and kingdoms Mewni had been in peace, not to count the possible multiverses.

She looked up to Eclipsa again, the queen being patient in Star taking her time to speak if she wished. Eclipsa has always been a kind heart that didn't deserve what happened to her. Star was really glad she was able to help get Eclipsa's happy ending by letting her rule the Monster Castle, which was her rightful place given Globgor once was the king of monsters. Maybe she couldn't fix the time and all that happened, but she could at the very least help.

Besides, it was a great help given that monsters and Mewmans still had much distaste on each other to just live together magically, it needed time to adapt, and so far having the kingdoms nearby with a free pass to both sides was showing to be really helpful. Even those who disliked the idea, at the very least respected the new ways of living… Well, after the battle that is.

Eclipsa also had been kind to them by giving the Crown back and rebuilding Mewni. So now they could rule together and work so both kinds would live and work together, the progress has been promising so far. Both crowns had been working hard to make it possible to unify in the future.

"Do you think…" Star said unsure "Am I doing the right thing?"

Eclipsa thought a bit, "There's no way we can know. For as long as I know you, Star, you have been writing the history your own way, taking what you thought was best by following your heart but taking your mind into it." She smiled at the princess "You proved yourself over and over again, you showed every single one that you can do more than one can imagine and even yourself. When we think you're done, you come with something new and that is what makes you the best queen of us all. Even now, I have no doubt you have something in your mind of how you can make things right and fix, and if you don't have the answers… you're on the way there." She looked into Star's eyes and smiled "Am I wrong?"

For the first time in a long time, Star smiled. Eclipsa had her right, she was trying to find a way to fix things up… But she didn't know the cost of it. And if she were to admit…

"I am scared." Star replied.

"I would think it weird of you not to be. You're about to face something new, but then again, you can always overcome the obstacles given. You and Marco."

Star blinked, her heart racing to the name familiar and dearly but yet new to her. She repeated in a whisper to her lips, she could even see the image of a boy with a red hoodie over his head…

A loud childish laughter distracted her. Both of them looked beyond their table to where Globgor was playing with Meteora and… Since when Eclipsa had another child? Star felt her chest tight and the coughs coming up, but she couldn't take that since the feeling of dread and anxiety had been washing over her. To the memory of her holding the other girl as a newborn baby, to her older brother introducing them, and the images flooding back.

Her head hurt, breathing was hard, and she couldn't even walk in a straight line when she got up abruptly to leave the garden abandoning the worried calls of the other queen. She just had to leave that place. She had to be quiet and think, she had to…

Remember.

She remembers now. The friendship, the love, the heartbreak. Earth, the school, her friends, the time spent between dimensions, the fights and all that came along. She remembers him always by her side and their hands together, she remembers his little sister, who they had promised to let grow with Meteora again, she remembers Diaz, who asked to be called as her parents too, she remembers why the earrings were so important. She remembers Angie telling her goodbye and Rafael holding her close…

She was so stressed up by then she didn't get to think about Mariposa, who wasn't around and didn't get mentioned by them.

She feels the tears on her eyes and coughs some more petals as she falls on her knees. She remembers the sickness and what happened. She remembers why it's so important that the plan works and she gets someone to take care of what's left once she's gone…

Eclipsa steps behind her carefully, and kneels to the ground, trying not to scare her after how she fled the garden. Her hand makes gentle circling motions until Star is calmed enough to speak if she wishes.

"Mariposa…" Is all she can say.

Eclipsa bites her lip and sighs, deciding to say once for all. "As you know, after how well Meteora and her bonded, we agreed with Diaz to have them grow together. The vacations here and school time on Earth… Since me and Globgor were going on the vacation trip early and Mariposa wasn't in school yet, we invited her to come."

Star slowly turned to look at Eclipsa as she continued, still sniffing for what she was about to hear, "That's when they contacted us and told about what was to happen. We spoke to Moon too and… We talked. A lot. So we decided that Mariposa was taken care of by us, and Diaz sent all her material to study, and also things to be remembered by. We thought about moving to Earth or they moving here, but… It didn't solve the problem in the end. Angie said they had Marco to take care after, and they had been parenting once, they would miss Mariposa everyday, but it would be the best. Rafael agreed they couldn't take Meteora away from us to take care of given she had magic, and that we had been apart for so long and we finally had our second chance…"

"So Mariposa is trapped in here."

"Mariposa is growing up with Meteora…" Eclipsa sighed, "She's too young to understand she can't go back to Earth. We have all the stuff from her to know and we're gonna tell her, but…" The queen took a breath, "The Evanescent magic took effect here too… Mariposa doesn't remember anything about Earth aside from what we told her."

Star choked as she started crying harder, she didn't mind to know if the petals were choking her or the tears, believing she deserved at this point. She just tore a family apart and erased a little girl's memory of her own family. Mariposa didn't remember her family back on Earth and by this she could only guess that the portals cutting severed those ties and by that maybe the Diaz couldn't remember her too.

She deserved to suffocate on those petals.

Now that she thought about it, the Diaz were looking into a family album when she left… They weren't looking into her pictures only, but the ones with Mariposa.

"What have I done?!" Star whispered crying in pain "Why no one told me?!"

"Oh dear…" Eclipsa caressed her head "You had already so much… None of us wanted to give you that pain and burden. It was a parenting decision for adults to take, and we did. We didn't want you to take the blame or responsibility."

"What for?!" Star continued to cry "How can I ever forgive myself from separating her from her family, for her losing her memories? for them to lose their daughter?!"

Eclipsa smiled sadly and was about to speak when she saw someone else in the room. Star looked up to see the little girl with brown skin and the cute mole as her brother, those big brown eyes confused looking at them as she slowly approached, her hair a bit longer than she remembered and she looked at Star sad.

"Don't cry…" She said, patting Star's face.

Star smiled sadly, trying her best to not scare Mariposa as she picked her up and hugged tightly, she looked so much after her brother it hurt. She continued to whisper how much she was sorry until she began to calm down.

Eclipsa stayed there supporting Star by staying by her side simply. It didn't miss her eyes the smudged makeup that covered the broken hearts, nor the petals on the floor.

Janna walked into Marco's room letting out a whistle. There were papers all around, his computer open with at least thirty tabs open, there were scribbles, notes, and red strings on the floor, maps, pictures and even other stuff that Janna didn't pay attention to in the middle of her process.

"I understand why you weren't surprised with my board now."

Marco chuckled as he marked something in another note, "I'm the crazy guy, remember? This is organized close to how my mind had been before. I don't like to admit it, but those pills do help."

"Are you taking them, by the way?"

"Yup." Marco took the bottle out his pocket and shook so Janna could see and hear the pills inside before he put back in his pocket, "They are necessary, so I take them. I wish I didn't have to? Yes, but for now I need them and that's it."

Janna clapped to him and Marco rolled his eyes. He knew medicine was important, and took time for him to accept he needed the mental medicine just like any other sick person would need. If they were for the heart he would take them, so why not take them for his brain?

"You said you had news." The former witch replied, trying to step further into the room, "Is this it?"

Marco got up and bit his marker end thinking a bit more into how to voice his thoughts.

"I think I know how to open the portal." Janna stopped in her tracks, not daring to make any movement until he continued "If this place was once connected to Mewni through magic, it means it should be connected again, even if just a little. Might not be enough to create a portal, but the magic is already in both places, Earth is already connected to the magic dimensions as so. We could reunite a number of people to try to gather enough energy for the scissor to work, but even so might not be enough, and focusing them on one place might not help the magic to keep flowing."

His friend decided it was safer to step back and lean on the doorframe, "Ok, so, we need to reunite or not?"

"We need everyone to stay where they are." Marco replies nodding "If you had been scattered all around the world, there might be a reason for it. Tami said that the natural course is that the flow comes back little by little and the other witches and whatever are waiting the time for it, so I thought, 'what if that's it?' you know?" Marco said happily. Janna blinked slowly to him and continued her deadpan stare so he could continue for her to understand. "She cut the unnatural magic, her own and what came with her, the witches might have been influenced by the flow of her magic around, that's why they left."

Janna thought for a second, "Actually, that makes sense. If it wasn't much and suddenly there's a new one around they might have been caught by the new magic too… They could have lost all the magic like I did for mixing it up."

"Like filling a cup of water with orange juice. If you want to get rid of the mix you need to get rid of both." Marco said "And because they had the influence, they couldn't risk to stay. However!" Marco said pointing to a scheme drawing on his wall, "Tami said she and the other left were more natural magicians, that used Earth and natural sources, that's why they are out of risk!"

There was a gasp heard and then a voice replying to him, "It's natural magic!"

The trickster took her phone out of her jacket and showed him her mentor on video call who was clapping and smiling happily. "Well, that explains how I was so oddly and suddenly put in Japan."

"You weren't there before?"

"Nope!" She replied "I made a test to come here, but I was sure to fail because of some missing papers, but then they suddenly were found and approved at the last second." She thought for a second, "I wonder if there are others who have done this too."

"It might if we go by Marco's theory." Janna replied. "Maybe the Elders knew that we could restore the magic flow by ourselves and made a way to scarce us around the globe." She shrugged.

"If that's the case," The boy continued "I thought that if you all used your magic at the same time, it might be enough to get magic on Earth flowing on the levels that it was again."

The red haired woman frowned a bit in worry, "I'm not sure, it might need a lot of people doing it at the same time, and there are the timezones, not to say so far the ones I had contact don't have that much power enough to make our magic connect one point to another to make it flow." She sat back on the chair and crossed her arms thoughtfully.

"Marco, are you really asking us to do that? We would be risking to expose ourselves and be hunted down to death again for what? So you can be with your girlfriend?"

Marco gulped. She had a point, there were many factors to make it harder. to make one witch to pass the magic from a point to another, then that required that some ignored the timezones, and…

And this was the best chance he had to see Star again.

"Yes." He replied "I'm asking you to do this so I can go to her. I will cross every mountain, swim every ocean just to fix what I've broken. If I need to go around the world to talk and ask one by one to agree then I will. This is the best if not the only chance I got to be with her. So yes, I'm being selfish and asking you all to take the risk to restore the Earth magic and I can be with Star again."

There was a moment of silence before a loud squeal and giggling from the phone startled both in the room, "Okay!"

"Okay?!" Both Janna and Marco replied surprised.

"Okay." The witch nodded, grabbing some papers and writing something in them, "I'm a big fan of love, and that confession? That got me. So yeah I'm going to do it. I'll talk to my friends and the ones I got in contact to plan this and will get back to you. Ah! I can't wait to help you two get back together!" Suddenly the woman began to transform the notes she wrote into paper birds and sent them to the window. "I have much work to do, I'll see you later!" With another set of squeals and giggles she hung up.

Both teenagers stood there looking at the phone screen locking it up in shock. It was rather… easy. And that was exactly why Marco wasn't sure if it would work, if there is something he learned about this whole thing is that nothing would come easy to him.

Still, he had high hopes and for that, he grabbed the bracelet that once belonged to her and held it tight, hoping that soon he could give it back, that then he could hold her hand - if she allowed, he had to recognize that he had every right to reject by how things messed up.

"I would love to stay," Janna commented but stopped for a second, "Wait nevermind, I'll stay and look around your stuff to see if I get any other stuff to this mad plan of yours"

"Gee, thanks" Marco shrugged and moved for her to come into his room. "Be my guest. I'll get some air."

"By the smell of this room, you do need it."

He ignored the comment even through his blush. He knew she was just teasing him… right?

He was walking down the corridor when he saw his dog lying in front of the guest door crying. Once he saw Marco, it got up and began to scratch the door asking to be open for him. He was ready to open the door when he touched the handle and suddenly began to hear a song from the other side.

When I wake up, yeah I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you!

He stopped for a moment, he was sure the room wasn't in use for a long time and that there was nothing on the other side of that door. So that could only mean…

When I go out, yeah I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you!

Marco opened the door, but instead of looking into the visitor room that was very much like his, he saw a huge room, with an aquarium, stairs, and even a balcony. He stepped into the room with a fond smile on his face as he watched in admiration the figure on the bed jumping and dancing to the song blasting in her speaker.

If I get drunk, Well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you!

It was another of her times singing super glue songs, she was jumping on her bed as she sang the lyrics, laughing happily as she did so, her golden hair dancing up and down, her bed already a mess from her dancing.

And if I haver, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's haverin' to you!

He couldn't help but smile openly at the memory, it was such a happy and innocent time. She was just there dancing and singing to a good song and enjoying the moment, while he was making nachos down the stairs. She was smiling so brightly and it was such a good memory that made him laugh a bit to see her like that.

There was a noise beside him, she didn't notice because of the song and how distracted he was by the scene, he found himself years young putting down the table some nachos only to lean on the doorframe crossing his arms and watch her performance of happiness.

How he didn't realize by then he was already falling for her? That fond and loving smile and the joy he remembers to feel just to watch her jumping to the song and be happy for a moment… It was enough to make him smile and be happy himself.

He laughed, they were really oblivious.

Star soon took notice of him standing there watching her and motioning to him to get up her bed and join her, he gave an eye roll pretending to be reluctant but joined her more than glad.

"When I'm lonely, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you!"

They began to dance together, both laughing above the bed as they continued to lip sync the song.

"When I'm dreaming, well I know I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you!"

They began to run in circles in the bed, getting dizzy and then switching to another game.

"When I go out, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you!"

They began to try to ticklish one to another. Sometimes missing and others getting right making another fit of laughter go up.

"And when I come home, yes I know I'm gonna be, I gonna be the man who's coming home with you"

They both sang together getting louder and louder until they reached the chorus and began to shake their heads, messing up their hair hard as they sang one to another as they jumped in her bed.

"But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more! Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door!"

The song went on, and Marco grabbed a pillow to hit her, Star laughed, grabbing another to defend and attack him. They stayed like that until the chorus came back again and they sang together breathless.

"But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more! Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door!"

They both give a last jump and fall laying down on her bed in a fit of laughter with their belly hurting and red faces from all the energy wasted just for the fun and singing together and having a fun time.

The laughter began to fade in the air as the memory faded and gave place to reality. His dog was laying down on the bed that was just like his, he stepped closer and sat there looking at the bracelet once again.

"I miss her too." he told Barko, embracing the animal and caressing it's fur until he fell asleep.

At the door, Janna looked down at the floor before taking her phone and dialing some numbers. She couldn't let him go on like that, if Marco needed to meet the girl again to get his closure, then he would meet her. Even if she had to ask some favors she had been saving.

"MOON!"

Her name echoed into the room and she flinched, but still took a breath. She should have expected that Eclipsa would find out about what was going on sooner or later, and given she took Star as a granddaughter/nephew it was no surprise she would be furious once she found out about the whole thing and not only what Moon let her know.

"Before you take out your fury on me, take a seat so I can explain…"

"You erased her memories!" Eclipsa slammed her fists on the table, "You took away her memories about the boy she loved!"

"I had my reasons to do so and you would understand if-"

"And she has broken hearts! Her magic is unstable, she's been crying non-stop! Moon, have any idea of what you have done?!"

"I have plenty of ideas of what I did and I did what was best for her!" Moon replied, raising her voice.

Globgor came into the door a bit after being accompanied by River, Glossaryck and Baby. The monster tried to calm down his wife by gently pulling her to sit, but she refused, still staring at Moon like she could punch her, maybe she would.

"What right do you think you have to take away her memories?!"

"It was hurting her far worse than it should!"

"And taking away was the answer?! That's not up to you to decide, Moon! You out of everyone should know this!"

"Sweetie," Globgor tried again, "let's hear what they have to say."

"I did what I had to do to save my daughter, you would have done the same!"

Eclipsa gasped more angrily than before "What harm could the memories of Marco could have caused?!"

"The memories are killing her! From inside out!" From the moment of shock of the other queen, Moon took a breath and looked down, she admitted in defeat the truth about the condition. "Star has the Deadly Flowers."

Eclipsa let out a breath and finally let herself be led by her husband to sit down as he stood beside her holding her hand, now just as worried about the princess' condition as his wife was.

"What stage is it?" The king of monsters asked.

Moon sat down, River coming by her side as her hands massaged her temples, "She was vomiting the flowers weeks ago. We didn't have many options, so…"

Globgor nodded and Eclipsa looked at him confused, as he clearly knew of the sickness better, it wasn't fully disclosed how many monsters fell victim to such sickness. As he explained what the disease was and the cure methods, Eclipsa felt more heartache for the princess that was playing with the two children in her room at the moment.

"So… you took the flowers out?" She asked.

"We did," River replied, "but she seed is placed in her heart so…" He looked down sadly and Globgor continued for him.

"The flowers will continue to bloom over and over again, and quicker every time, until it comes to a point where… There's no way out."

Eclipsa felt her eyes water and held her husband's hand tight, "There must be something we can do! Some potion or-"

"Don't you think I've been trying?" Moon replied looking up with teary eyes, "I sleep every night without knowing if my daughter will be there in the next day, or for how long… And she's about to marry someone she doesn't love because Marco is back on Earth where we cannot reach anymore."

Eclipsa sniffed and stood in silence for a moment with them. It was a serious situation, and if Star had come to pass before the wedding would be even worse.

Even so, she knew she should, but couldn't bring herself to tell them that Star had partially recovered her memories and the flowers are back. Star made her promise not to do so and now she gets why, she's afraid of losing them again and by now… That's all she has left of her happiness back then.

"So we… wait?" Eclipsa said reluctantly.

Moon closed her eyes with River, showing how much pain they have to admit that all they could do was to provide the best they could while they could, but they couldn't afford a cure or miracle to get her rid of her pain and death.

Eclipsa wished for a moment that she could have convinced Diaz to move to Mewni, this could have solved so many things… but they didn't know back then. Even if they did, once Star severed the magic ties, they would have been sent back to the place they belonged, without magic.

But if was like that, then-

"Wait, Star erased her magic back from Earth, then the same happened from here, right?"

"That's right." Glossaryck confirmed.

Eclipsa then looked up a bit more hopeful, "Then how's Mariposa still here?"

It took a moment for the others to understand what she meant, but when they did, the same feeling of a sparkle of hope that got into them.

"That's impossible!" Moon said, still hard-believing "Earth is magicless!"

Globgor got up and turned to them, "Eclipsa has a point, we had been taking care of Mariposa ever since the portals closed. The only thing that changed was that she also lost her memories, she is still affected by the magic, and possibly what happens back on Earth for that to happen."

The Mewni queen got up and turned to the magic guide, "Glossaryck, is it possible?"

The blue creature thought for a moment, "Earth has its own natural magic like all dimensions, but would be very unlike - not to say impossible to make it connected back or flow enough to connect again. It would be necessary to have an incredible amount of magical power to reconnect with their own magic to make it flow enough and then later they do it again for someone from this side to make the connection."

"We didn't have to do that the first time," River complained.

"The ties weren't severed or blocked then. Just out of use" Said Baby. "Besides, Earth has been out of Magic users for many years, and we have no communication now. They would have to make this plan on their own with none of our communication. No one knows about this to make it happen."

Moon was about to try to argue with another solution when Tom and Ponyhead got into the room in a hurry and were screaming with something in their hands. The queen was about to ask for them to calm down and sit when Tom put the device with a point blinking and made her go speechless.

"I don't know how, but somehow, they are up to something!" Tom said.

The others got around Moon to look into the screen and see what they were so amazed about too and felt themselves in shock as much as the teenagers were, but in a good way. Glossaryck groaned rolling his eyes, but smiled still after everyone gave a hopeful laugh.

On the other side of the room, Ponyhead was dancing in the air chanting happily "I cannot believe it! Earth-Turd did it! Earth has magic again!"

_________

This is for now.

On a brighter note, I'm out of the horrible writer block the finale and few other things gave me. That is to say I'm finally writing the final chapters to go.

Thank you again, and onwards to the finale!

PS: we got a discord now if interest anyone :)

A special shout out to @tamiletrange for having my back and also, a special tribute for her in this chapter as Janna’s mentor

@manifisto42 @judytrashcan @thatgirlinspace @ido100 @cid331 @krystalhuntress @mrevaunit42 @luigifan7 @avatarrocks132 @touya-r @dvvkroh @starkiller9903 @oofcorp @ironlightsheep @ironlord-firoh @the-x-files-fan

#svtfoe #svtfoe fanfic #svtfoe ever after #star vs the forces of evil #star vs the force of evil spoilers #starco #fanfic #by me #svtfoe fic #star vs fandom #star butterfly #marco díaz #moon butterfly #river butterfly

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chevrolangels · 4 years

Text

though the stars walk backward

#24: You’re my ex but I think I still have feelings for you, 4.1k

From this prompt list

For @princessjimmynovak This was requested approximately a million years ago and I finally finished it!! Happy belated birthday darling 💜

Feat. Space Ex-Boyfriends who are bad at talking to each other. So, canon. But in space. (Dean has always wanted to be an astronaut, lbr)

read on ao3

“New crop of cadets coming in today.”

“I know.”

Charlie bites into her apple, munching as she scans her screen.

“Hope they’re better than the last ones. Half of ‘em couldn’t tell the difference between a spectrometer and an ammeter.”

Castiel doesn’t comment. He’s too on edge to indulge Charlie today, so he just shrugs, swiveling his chair back in front of the control panel.

Everything’s on autopilot, like always, but he likes to check the nav-console by hand, every once in a while, if nothing but to prove his usefulness. Wouldn't do to have the computer shift a few degrees without anyone noticing and end up halfway to Alpha Centauri.

“I mean, what do they think we do up here? Run pretty tests for fun?” Charlie continues. “Like, one leak is the difference between life and death.”

Castiel makes a noncommittal noise and starts typing in the complicated sequence with his stylus, the starmap projected before him, their course pulsing with gentle blue light.

“I mean, they’re gone for all that time, least the Academy can do is make sure they’re prepared.”

Castiel bites his tongue, typing with perhaps a little more force than is necessary. He loves Charlie, but her ranting is really starting to get to him. Castiel might be the best pilot this side of the Pleiades, but hey. He’s only human.

“If they send me one more programmer who asks me how to do an abstraction, I’m going to―”

“Charlie, do you mind?” Castiel snaps. “I’m trying to concentrate here.”

He regrets it immediately. Charlie does go quiet, but makes a thoroughly overdramatic roll of her chair into Castiel’s eyeline. She raises an eyebrow.

“Somethin’ you wanna share with the class there, bud?”

Castiel exhales, rolling his shoulders.

“Sorry. I just...need to focus.”

“...Right.”

A decidedly sneaky look crosses her face, one that Castiel knows spells trouble.

She leans forward, propping her chin up on her hands.

“Is it because you gotta do the whole ‘Captain Thing’ later?” She asks. “Shake hands, greet the greets, that whole deal?”

Castiel acquiesces.

“Partly.”

He quickly finishes the rest of the code and enters it into the nav-console, sinking back in his seat. Charlie purses her lips.

“And I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that the teaching staff is coming back, huh.”

Castiel keeps his face carefully neutral, even as he feels the back of his neck grow hot. He fiddles with the stylus in his hands, turning it over and over again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh.”

Charlie taps her chin, looking thoughtful.

“What’s it been, two years?” She whistles, drawing it out. “Long time.”

Castiel just grunts. He should be getting up, to change into his uniform for the new batch of arrivals, but he makes no attempt to move.

“Dean’s coming back, too, right?”

Castiel snaps the stylus in half.

Charlie grins.

Castiel looks down at his hand, shoving the broken stylus into his pocket.

“If he is, I haven’t heard anything about it,” he says loftily. “And whether he does or not certainly doesn’t affect me.”

Charlie tilts her head.

“Didn’t they send the transfer roster last week?”

Castiel glares at her. She smirks back, giving him a cheeky wink.

Castiel abruptly pushes back from the console, standing.

“I have to go change,” he says shortly.

Once he gets to his quarters and the door slides closed behind him, Castiel sinks back against it, dropping his head in his hands.

Two years. Two years since Castiel chose to stay, and he chose to leave. Two years, of long lonely nights in front of the computer, of avoiding the Observation Deck, of throwing himself into his work. Two years in which Castiel thought he’d successfully ridded every last trace of Dean Winchester from his life.

After that night, Castiel had thrown away everything he’d ever given him. Every trinket, every gift, every scrap of paper―pathetic trophies of infatuation that Castiel had saved like a fool, pressed between the pages of his books.

The rest of the ship noticed, of course, because how could they not―Charlie, especially, had been particularly persistent in trying to get Castiel to tell her what happened. But Castiel resolutely refused to talk about him, and glowered sufficiently at any mention of his name that eventually people just learned to stop bringing him up.

But time marches ever onward, and the training cycle at the Academy is complete. The institution that Dean fled to in the first place is now spitting him back out, thrusting him back into Castiel’s life.

Castiel presses the heels of his hands to his eyes. How is he going to stand in front of nearly three hundred people and shake his hand? Just the mention of his name made Castiel want to throw something, bringing back all those memories Castiel tried so hard to forget. It may have been two years, but everything that made the man named Dean Winchester the best part of his life is still imprinted in Castiel’s memory, like a brand.

It’s times like this when Castiel wishes he could be like one of Charlie’s computers, erasing all information at the touch of a button. There would be no pain, no memories―like he had never existed in the first place.

Castiel exhales, looking down at his hands.

He’ll just have to make it quick. It really wouldn’t do for the captain to start a fistfight in front of the entire crew.

Roughly thirty minutes later, Castiel finds himself standing stiffly at the end of the receiving line of officers, the collar of his uncomfortable dress uniform cutting into his neck. Something must be off with the temperature regulators in the receiving deck, because he’s sweating, a few locks of hair slipping loose from his hat. He attempts to comb them back into place until Naomi hisses at him to stop fidgeting.

Charlie is beside him as Chief Engineering Officer. She cranes her neck above the crowd, looking at the small group that’s just disembarked from the transport ship.

“Showtime,” she says, adjusting her gloves.

Castiel closes his eyes briefly, breathing in. He can do this.

The new ones pass through first, freshly graduated, young and starry-eyed. Castiel can appreciate their eager enthusiasm. It’s important work they do here on the ship, and they need the best crew to make it possible. They shake his hand vigorously, hopefully interpreting his tight-lipped stare as stoic strength.

Then, the officers.

Hannah, who Castiel has always liked, gives him a warm smile and clasps his hands, telling him how much they missed him. Castiel agrees with the sentiment, but he can barely focus during their conversation, continually darting his eyes towards the end of the line.

The procession inches forward, painfully slow. Cain, Chief Military Strategist, is next, then Billie, and Linda Tran. Crowley, a truly despicable human being, but perhaps the most brilliant Flight Engineer Castiel’s ever worked with, passes with a slimy smile―and then, a face Castiel hasn’t seen in a long time.

“Captain Novak,” Sam says warmly, reaching out to shake his hand. “It’s been a while.”

Castiel smiles back, unable to help himself.

“It has,” he agrees, taking his hand. Despite whatever may have happened between him and his brother, Castiel always liked Sam. “I can’t tell you how much we’ve missed you during your absence.”

Sam nods, dropping Castiel’s hand.

“Believe me, we missed it here, too,” he says, smiling. “You never know how good you have it until you have to spend time way out in the boonies.”

Castiel chuckles. He remembers. The time at the Academy might be necessary, but it certainly couldn’t be called comfortable.

Sam turns, indicating the cadets behind them.

“We’ve got a good group for you here, Cas,” he says, dropping the nickname with easy familiarity. “I think you’ll be happy with them.”

“Good to hear,” Castiel replies. “I’m sure they benefited from having you as a teacher.”

Sam shrugs, ever modest.

Naomi clears her throat from behind them, not-so-subtly encouraging him to move it along. Sam smiles and gives Castiel a small little salute, moving away.

Castiel sighs, tugging at his collar. To his left, he hears a low chuckle.

“Still hate that uniform, huh?”

Castiel stiffens.

He’d know that voice anywhere.

He slowly lowers his hand, looking up into the face he tried two years to forget.

“Hey, Cas,” Dean says softly, smiling.

His eyes are bright, shining, like he wants to be here. Funny. Castiel seems to remember he went halfway across the star system just to get away from him.

He extends a hand, holding it out for Castiel to shake.

Castiel clears his throat, but doesn’t move.

“Dr. Winchester,” he replies stiffly. “Welcome back.”

Dean chuckles.

“Oh, right,” he says sheepishly. “I gotta call you ‘Captain Novak’, now, huh? Sorry.”

He looks up, that soft smile returning.

“Old habits, I guess,” he murmurs.

His hand is still extended, in the distance between them. Naomi must be practically foaming at the mouth at such a lack of decorum. Castiel couldn’t care less.

Dean looks exactly the same, perhaps a few more lines around his eyes, still that perfect shade of green. Dean's eyes always reminded Castiel of Earth.

Dean seems to be thinking along the same lines. He looks Castiel up and down, gaze lingering for a moment on the few locks of hair Castiel knows must still be stubbornly escaping from beneath the brim of his hat.

“You haven’t changed at all,” Dean continues. “Even after two years.”

“And three months, six days,” Castiel says coolly.

Dean’s smile fades a little.

“Right.”

He pulls back his hand, awkwardly picking at the edge of the hat in his hands.

Castiel’s heart is beating wildly, but he keeps his face still as stone. Dean shifts uncomfortably, then seems to make a decision.

He leans in, lowering his voice.

“Look, Cas, you know I always hated this formal junk,” he murmurs. “Can we talk later, maybe?”

He sounds so cavalier, so oblivious, and Castiel hates it.

“Catch up?” Dean asks. “Away from all these people?”

Castiel gives him his coldest stare.

“I don’t think so, Dr. Winchester,” he says sharply. “Running this ship is a full time job.”

Dean blinks, and he stares at him, looking like he’s just been slapped across the face. The monster of heartache and pain inside Castiel roars with a vicious triumph.

“I have enough on my plate as it is,” he continues dismissively. “I simply don’t have time to indulge every junior officer who wants to waste my time.”

He straightens, looking away disinterestedly.

“You’d do best to remember that.”

For a moment, Dean doesn’t speak, merely staring at Castiel, his mouth open in disbelief.

Then he remembers himself, and with a glance at Naomi, he stands up straight, placing his officer’s hat back on his head.

“Yeah,” Dean mutters, lowering his eyes. “Well.”

There’s an awkward cough from Charlie to his left. Castiel ignores her.

“It’s good to see you, again, Cas,” Dean murmurs. “Really.”

Somehow, he makes it sound genuine.

He exits the platform, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Castiel watches Dean go an uneasy curl in his throat. The brief flare of vengeful satisfaction is already leeching away, leaving him feeling brittle and hollow.

Naomi is already busy shooing the officers into the reception hall, for the welcome banquet. Charlie finds Castiel’s arm and squeezes it, her eyes sympathetic.

“Cas?” She asks quietly. “You okay?”

Castiel clenches his jaw.

“Think I might have to get back to you on that."

Later, after the banquet, after three hours of restless tossing and turning, Castiel slowly gets up, not bothering with shoes.

Wandering the hallways used to be his favorite pastime. The quiet, the stillness. He still does it, on occasion, when he finds sleep isn’t easy in coming. The lights that try to mimic some semblance of a day and night cycle are dimmed low, the halls empty, most retired to their chambers.

Castiel makes his way up to the Observation Deck, taking a brief look around. There’s no one there, no one to spy on the captain of their ship, stealing away in the night for some much needed solitude. He walks the ramp to the very top part of the observatory, leaning his arms on the handrail. Castiel used to spend hours here. He would sit and watch the stars turn, feeling at once very small and very infinite. He sits now, staring out at the vast darkness before him. It’s utterly quiet, the electric hum of the ship the only sound in the gloom.

Unbidden, his thoughts turn to the last conversation he had here.

Castiel had just learned he had been chosen to be the next Captain, a highly selective process that he had stressed about for weeks. The first person he wanted to tell was Dean.

But Dean had come with news of his own.

A teaching job at the Academy. Highly prestigious, second probably only to Castiel’s role―but that meant―

“Two years,” Dean said to his hands, his voice flat. “That’s how long I’d be gone.”

Castiel felt his brief taste of happiness deflate like a suit after a spacewalk.

“Two years?” He echoed, his tongue thick in his mouth. Dean nodded mutely.

“That’s…”

Castiel bit his lip.

“Wow,” is all he managed.

“Yeah,” Dean muttered.

There was a long moment where neither of them spoke.

“So…”

Castiel hardly dared to say it.

“I’m guessing you knew that when you applied,” he said flatly.

Dean nodded mutely.

“Didn’t really account for you becoming the Captain,” he muttered.

Anger flared within Castiel.

“What, because you think I wouldn’t get it?”

“No!” Dean said immediately, looking up. “God, no, Cas, of course not. Why would you think that?”

“I’m thinking a lot of things right now,” Castiel shot back.

Dean shut his mouth angrily.

“I guess...I guess it’s just hitting me how long two years really is,” he said finally.

Castiel sucked in a breath, stunned.

“You’re not serious,” he whispered. Dean dragged a hand down his face, avoiding his eyes.

“I don’t know, Cas!” He said, voice rising in the quiet. “I mean...you’ll have your job, Cas, I'll have mine...who knows if you’ll have any time for me―”

“Oh, I won’t have time for you?” Castiel repeated scathingly. God, he should have known, it’s just like Dean―shove the blame off himself and project it onto Castiel instead of owning his feelings like an adult.

“Just say you don’t want to be with me and get it over with,” he snapped.

“Cas…” Dean started.

Castiel couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t believe this was happening.

Dean sighed, breath shaky.

“I―”

Castiel looked up.

He saw the look in Dean’s eyes and he didn’t let him finish. He didn’t let him break his heart.

He ran like a coward.

Castiel wipes angrily at his eyes, banishing the memory. He can’t change the past, so he might as well not dwell on it.

He looks up, at the wilderness of the stars. They shimmer gently against the blank expanse, his constant companions. Castiel can tell you the distance between Betelguese and Rigel, can calculate the time it would take to travel to Sirius and back, but he could never navigate his own life so surely.

If only humans could be as constant as the Heavens.

Behind him, the floor creaks softly. Castiel goes still.

“Hey, Cas,” Dean murmurs.

Castiel turns, glancing over his shoulder.

Dean is standing at the end of the platform, in his sleep pants and shirt. He looks so different out of his uniform. Softer. More like himself.

“Dean,” Castiel says, unable to stop the name from coming to his lips.

Dean responds with a bashful smile, one hand twisting nervously into the hem of his shirt.

“Figured I'd find you here."

He glances out at the stars, then back to Castiel.

“You mind if I join you?”

Castiel swallows, but looks away, saying nothing.

Dean seems to take that as permission, and sits, legs hanging over the edge of the deck, next to Castiel.

There once was a time when they’d sit close enough for their knees to knock, their hands lacing over the railing as Dean told stories, weaving grand tales of the constellations and their histories, while Castiel listened, enraptured.

Now the distance of that memory feels vast, lightyears away. They’re both quiet, not speaking a word. The silence is thin, fragile as glass.

“Cas―”

So Dean will be the one to break it.

He pauses, brow furrowing as he searches for words. Castiel bristles, waiting for it.

“Look,” Dean says, turning to face him. “I get it. You don’t want anything to do with me. But―”

“You’re right,” Castiel interrupts fiercely. “I don’t.”

Dean goes silent beside him. When Castiel finally musters the courage to look up, Dean is staring at him, hopeless and broken.

“Can you at least let me explain?” His voice comes out low and hoarse.

Castiel is torn. Half of him melts, seeing Dean so desperate. But the other half, the rational part of him that remembers the danger of falling for Dean Winchester cautions him, telling him the smartest thing he can do right now is walk away, and never open his heart again.

He lowers his head, exhaling heavily.

“I can’t,” he mutters. “Dean, I just…can’t.”

“You’re angry,” Dean says softly. Castiel scoffs.

“You’re damn right I'm angry,” he mutters. “And I don’t care about any half-assed apology you have for me, not now. Too little, too late.”

He moves back from the railing, pushing himself up. Tears are starting to come to his eyes, hot and bitter, and he’ll be damned if he’ll let Dean see him cry.

“Cas, wait―”

He reaches out, grabbing his hand.

Castiel freezes, rooted to the spot. Dean is frozen too, looking down at their joined hands. He doesn’t let go, though.

“Just...slow down, will ya?” Dean says, and there’s a hint of a laugh there, the way he always sounded when he would talk Castiel off the ledge. But now, it only ignites the rage inside him, and Castiel rips his arm from Dean’s grasp, whirling on him.

“No!” Castiel yells, shattering the silence. “You left, and you don’t get to do this now, you don’t get to come waltzing back into my life like everything’s fine―”

Dean’s eyes widen, he holds up his hands.

“Cas―”

“You broke up with me, remember?”

“No, I didn’t, Cas, will you shut up for two seconds and listen?”

Surprisingly, Castiel does. He blinks, slightly stunned at Dean’s words.

What is he talking about?

“Look,” Dean says quickly, probably to prevent Castiel from shouting again. “I only applied to the stupid Academy because Sammy was too―he was freaking out about the process, so I did it with him, just to show him it was nothing. He’s the smart one, so never in a million years did I think they’d choose me, too.”

Castiel crosses his arms, huffing under his breath. Even if he does hate him right now, it always hurts to hear Dean undersell himself.

“The moment I found out, all I wanted to do was talk to my best friend about how fucking scared I was.” Dean sighs. “And then you said you were picked to be Captain, and it all just...seemed too much.”

He looks down, twisting his hands.

“I panicked. God—somehow had it in my mind that the minute I told you you wouldn’t want to be with me, that there wouldn’t be any room in your life for me anymore. And seeing your face in that moment, you were so excited, and then it just slid off your face…"

Castiel remembers. Shit, he had been so happy, so proud—and when Dean told him…

He’d never been good at hiding his feelings, not with Dean.

He turns over their last conversation in his mind and all at once it seems to click, now that he knows what Dean must have thought.

“I jumped to conclusions,” Dean admits quietly. “I was...so afraid you wouldn’t want to do the long distance thing for two years so I….kind of...let you break us up before I could.”

Castiel stares at him, a painful bubble of emotion rising in his throat. Oh.

Dean continues.

“If anything, I wanted you to ask me to stay.” He lowers his head, dragging a hand through his short hair. “Which was wrong. I get that now.”

He looks up, huffing out a feeble laugh.

“Believe me, Cas,” he says lowly. “It took me all of about an hour to realize how badly I fucked up. But by that time the solar flares were surging and we had to go.”

Dean bites at his lip.

“I looked for you. I tried. But you had locked yourself away in a meeting and I didn’t get to say goodbye. You didn’t let me,” he finishes, a sad bitter note in his voice.

Castiel cannot speak, in shock. He never knew. He’d always thought...after that conversation, that Dean had left without so much as a glance back.

“You…”

He eventually trails off. He has no words.

Dean takes a tentative step forward.

“And you know what it’s like out there. The distances are too far, so they restrict communication.” He shrugs, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t try, though.”

“What?” Castiel asks.

“I tried to send transmissions back,” Dean says, rushing out the words. “Every day for a month. They kept telling me personal messages weren’t allowed. I even tried to break into the control center after hours.”

“Dean,” Castiel breathes, awed and horrified all at once. “You didn’t.”

Dean chuckles.

“Nearly got myself tossed out of the airlock for that one.”

His teeth return to his lip again, his green eyes hesitant.

“Sam said I was crazy. I just told him he’d never been in love.”

Castiel's throat goes dry.

They’d never said, not even before Dean left. But Castiel knew he was. Only love leaves that big and jagged of a hole.

“That’s why,” he says softly. “Why I never heard from you the whole two years.”

“And three months, and six days,” Dean says quietly.

Castiel bites his lip.

“Yeah,” Dean says softly. “I was counting, too.”

He sighs, spreading his hands.

“So, yeah. I messed up. And I get it if you never want to talk to me again, I just―”

Dean never finishes his speech because he doesn't need to. In three swift steps, Castiel has reached him and pulled him in by the front of his shirt.

Dean makes a soft noise of surprise as Castiel presses their lips together, but he quickly gets on board, pulling Castiel in by his waist, kissing him back. And he no longer needs to dream about Dean’s warmth, his lips underneath his, the dry rough touch of his palm coming to cup Castiel’s cheek. He’s here, and he’s real, and he’s never going to let him get away again.

Dean pulls back slightly, pressing his forehead against Castiel’s

“Damn,” he breathes. “I missed that.”

Castiel tightens his grip.

“Dean, I’m so sorry,” he whispers.

“Yeah,” Dean chuckles. “So am I.”

He licks his lips, looking down at Castiel’s.

“I was an idiot,” he murmurs, and the sound rumbles through his chest. Castiel shivers.

“I should have just told you,” Dean finishes, shaking his head slightly.

“Yes,” Castiel says, bumping their noses together. “You should have.”

Dean laughs, and it’s possibly the most beautiful sound Castiel’s ever heard.

“There’s the asshole I remember.”

They both grin, just basking in their closeness, breathing quietly.

“So.”

Castiel clears his throat.

“So, this whole time, we wanted to be with each other and we just...weren’t.”

Dean chuckles.

“Sounds like it.”

“Wow.”

Castiel shakes his head.

“We’re a couple of dumbasses.”

Dean laughs again.

“Sums up the last fifteen years of us knowing each other.” He reaches out tentatively, fingers brushing Castiel’s. “Don’t you think?”

Castiel smiles, turning his hand up so Dean can thread their fingers together. He knows they so much they still have to say, so much to catch up on to fix everything that’s broken between them.

By a backdrop of stars, Dean kisses him once more, and well, that’s as good a start as any.

#requested approximately five million years ago #and it was your birthday yesterday ahhh!!!!#HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!#hope you like it!!!! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧#destiel #my writing #ficlet #yeah i made it a space au bc i can #fight me #au #destielficlets

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yelena-bellova · 4 years

Text

Don’t Be Afraid: Poe Dameron x Solo!Reader - Chapter Nine

(gif not mine, credit to the original creator)

Chapter Nine: Not Even Death Could Break Us

Series Masterlist

Plot: Reader returns to the Resistance base and recieves a welcome surprise.

Warnings: Fluff, fluff and more fluff.

Word Count: 5.2k

A/N: Here’s your reward for sitting through weeks of angst because we’re jumping right back into it next chapter. ENJOY!!

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

“Commander Solo requesting clearance to land.”

I waited for a response as we flew above the familiar forests of D’Qar. I wished they’d have brought me the same level of comfort they typically did. Today, they just looked like trees rather than a reminder of home.

“Landing permitted. Welcome back, Commander.”

I tried to focus on adjusting controls as the base came into view but my father’s voice broke my concentration,

“Commander Solo.”

“What about it?”

“Nothing,” he said as his chest rumbled with a small laugh, “I’ve just never seen you as a Commander.”

“Well, I’d never seen you as a smuggler till today,” I replied with a faint sideways smile.

We were coming up on the base along with several X-Wings, I spotted Mom’s transport had just parked and was emptying. We landed easily amidst the other ships and as Dad powered down the ship, I stared off out the cockpit window. Everyone was rushing around yet I couldn’t find the strength in me to muster up similar energy. Not when I was about to face fighting a war without Poe.

“Alright, guess we’re doin’ this,” Dad remarked, turning to face me.

“You go ahead,” I replied monotonously, “I just...need a minute.”

“Sure,” Dad answered before standing up and placing a kiss on the top of my head.

After he’d exited, I buried my face in my hands and tried to keep my tears at bay. I needed to be Commander Solo now, the General’s daughter. Not Y/n Organa-Solo, the broken-hearted sob story. Poe would want me to walk into the command center, head held high, and ready to start giving orders. That seemed almost impossible at the moment, but I owed it to him to at least try. People were depending on me just on the other side of the ship and I couldn’t disappoint them.

I rubbed my eyes, smacked the armrest of my chair, and hoisted myself up. I took a quick look around the main area of the ship to see if Finn or Chewie were still there, everyone was already out. With no more ways to stall, I left the comfort of the Falcon and headed out into the uncertainty of war. I saw Mom from a distance heading inside with Chewie and Dad in tow. Around me, pilots were talking to their mechanics about what repairs needed to be done on their ships. And then I saw Finn a couple of hundred feet away from me, hugging someone with BB-8 at their feet. Finn didn’t know anybody here but us as far as I knew. He looked as if he was speaking urgently to the person and after a second, he turned and broke the embrace revealing his companion.

Poe.

I wanted to blame dehydration or lack of food, it could’ve easily been a hallucination. But it was undeniably him, I knew that as soon as our eyes met across the tarmac. Standing in his bright orange pilot’s uniform, jaw dropped at the sight of me, it was him. No matter how impossible, Poe was standing right in front of me.

Maz’s words had been right.

He kept his promise.

Poe took off at full speed towards me with no regard for the confusion he was causing. My feet began to carry me towards him in response like some magnetic force was pulling us together. We collided into one another with such force I should have cried out in pain, but instead, I whined in happiness. My arms wrapped around his neck and held on with a grip that death itself couldn’t break. His arms were wound tight around my waist and his face was blissfully buried in the crook of my neck.

“Sweetheart,” Poe whispered against my skin, reality setting in and causing my tears to fall in time with his.

“I thought I lost you,” I sobbed softly as one of my hands found itself in his hair, “I-I thought you were dead.”

Poe pulled back to look at my face but never did his hands let go of my waist. He wasn’t going to let me go any time soon and I didn’t take one issue with it,

“I thought so too for a while, so much happened that I have to tell you,” he said, his thumb softly rubbing the tears off my cheek, “But I’m here, I’m here.”

Despite my blurry vision, I could finally get a good look at him. He had a few scrapes that were already fading. It looked like his lip had been cut but was already healing. Nothing like how he’d looked in the dream I’d had. He looked just as I’d left him, tearful and shaken but for only good reasons this time.

“I told you I’d come back for you.”

I let out a sob of joy as I pressed my forehead against his, savoring the sensation of our breaths mingling together. In a surge of adrenaline, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. It didn’t take him more than five seconds before reciprocating, making me smile and sink even deeper in. Our lips moved in sync with one another’s as if we’d shared a thousand kisses. Our bodies molded against each other as if they were meant to perfectly. For a few wonderful seconds, there was no war, just me and Poe.

We broke apart breathless, but I still pushed out the words that desperately needed to be said, “I love you.”

After catching his breath, Poe lifted my chin with a gentle finger, his chocolate brown eyes searching mine for any hint of falseness. Maybe to make sure it wasn’t a heat of the moment thing to say rather than a deep-seeded confession. All he’d find was affection and quite a few happy tears. I’d never seen him grin so widely,

“I love you too, so much...” he whispered before meeting my lips again, this time with more tenderness. We’d both experienced so many harsh things in the past day or so, one gentle moment was more than welcome. He pulled away after a few seconds, “What brought this on?”

I laughed as I brushed a finger at the tear stains down his face, “So many things that we don’t have time to talk about now. But I was stupid to not see it sooner.”

Poe chuckled, “You weren’t stupid, sweetheart,” he said softly, “Just a little bit behind me.”

I smiled and pecked his lips gently, they were gorgeously swollen by now. Judging by his smile, he didn’t mind...

“As much as I want to stay here kissing you, we’ve got work to do.” I stated.

“Yeah, we do,” Poe said determinedly, “And as soon as it’s done, we’re going to be doing a whole lot more of this.”

He gave me a final kiss, one that left me weak in the knees and gripping his biceps for stability. We broke apart and I’d never been so happy to see his smirk,

“Yeah,” I cleared my throat, “I think we will.”

Poe grabbed my hand and we jogged back to where he’d left Finn. He was standing there, definitely trying to look like he hadn’t seen our reunion,

“Finn buddy, come with us. We gotta introduce you to the General.”

“And we need to form a plan to go get Rey.” Finn said to me as the three of us marched toward the base.

We made our way through the halls swiftly, I ignored passerby’s wide-eyed stares at Poe’s and my intertwined hands and focused on Finn. Though his thoughts were solely about Rey, he couldn’t hide the childlike wonder in his eyes at the base. He’d never experienced goodness in his life and now it was everywhere he looked. Though its was all new to him, I could tell he was already one of us. The three of us stepped down into the command center and I spotted my mother conversing with officers,

“General Organa,” Poe called, “Sorry to interrupt, but this is Finn, he needs to talk to you.”

“And I need to talk to you,” Mom said warmly, addressing Finn, “That was incredibly brave what you did, renouncing the First Order, saving this man’s life, helping my daughter…”

Finn looked a little surprised that the information had reached her so quickly, “Thank you, ma’am, but a friend of ours,” he gestured between the two of us, “was taken prisoner.”

“Han told me about the girl, I’m sorry,” she replied.

“General,” I spoke up, “We need to make a plan to get Rey back however, Finn worked on the First Order’s base and is familiar with the weapon that toke out the Hosnian system.”

“We’re desperate for anything you can tell us.”

“That’s where she was taken, we need to get there fast.” Finn replied, urgency in his voice. He wanted to help us, but saving Rey was his first priority.

“And I will do everything I can to help,” Mom answered, “But first you must tell us all you know.”

“They go hand in hand,” I added, “We can’t get Rey unless we know about where we’re going.”

Finn looked to me and nodded determinedly, “Okay.”

Mom left us with a polite smile to go stand amongst beside Dad, 3PO and BB-8, she was going to examine the map. Squeezing Poe’s hand, I broke apart from him and Finn to go and join her,

“I didn’t get the opportunity to talk to you about the map. It’s not exactly what we thought it was.”

She furrowed her brow in confusion as 3PO took the drive from BB-8 and inserted it into one of the computers. As I drew a breath to explain, the map appeared holographically in front of us and I was too late.

“General,” C-3PO explained, “I regret to inform you, but this map recovered from BB-8 is only partially complete. And even worse, it matches no charted system on record. We simply do not have enough information to locate Master Luke.”

I sighed heavily, “That’s what I wanted to talk about.”

She looked wildly disappointed, we all were, but it ran deeper for her. This was family, this was years of hope washed down the drain. This had been her only shot at bringing her brother back,

“I can't believe I was so foolish to think that I could just find Luke and bring him home.”

I placed a hand on her back as my dad leaned forward, “Leia…”

“Don’t do that…” she replied, shaking her head in disapproval.

“Do what?”

“Anything,” she answered as she walked away from us. I turned to my father who looked defeated, he was truly trying with her. He followed her like it was reflex but I hung behind, they’d been reunited and that was enough for me. I didn’t need to listen to their conversation like a child trying to spy, no matter how tempting it was. I simply leaned against the computer and rubbed my face anxiously.

“Hey,” Poe’s voice made me look up, “What’s going on?”

“You know that map you and I went through hell to get?” I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms.

“I’m vaguely familiar with it, yes.”

“Well, turns out we only retrieved a piece of it.”

Poe exhaled and ducked his dead down, “Fantastic…”

“I thought we had a shot,” I mumbled as I shook my head, “But we’re no closer than we were a week ago.”

“That may be true,” he replied before grasping both my arms, “But the most important thing is that we made it out alive.”

I nodded, “There were a few too many close calls for my taste.”

Poe raised an eyebrow, “Such as?”

I chortled, “Getting chased by Stormtroopers, fighting off TIE’s, running from Rathtars, the scene at Maz’s castle…Is that enough for you?”

“A little too much,” he replied as he rubbed my arms softly, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you.”

“You’re here now,” I smiled, still getting used to him being here and whole, “That’s all that matters. You did miss me flying the Falcon though…”

I left him, smirking, as I heard him cry out “What?!”

—————

A short while later, Resistance leadership (plus Dad, Chewie and Finn) was gathered around a map table staring at a hologram. Snap had been on a recon mission and had brought back information on the weapon the First Order used to destroy the Hosnian system. I was stood next to my father, who seemed to have slid right back into his old militia role with ease. Poe stood across from me, the chatter in the room went silent as he cleared his throat to begin,

“The scan data from Snap’s reconnaissance flight confirms Finn’s report.”

“They’ve somehow created a hyper lightspeed weapon built within the planet itself.” Snap explained.

“A laser cannon?” Major Brance asked from next to me.

“We’re not sure how to describe a weapon of this scale.” Snap replied.

Major Ematt looked like he was having a war flashback, “It’s another Death Star…”

“I wish that were the case, Major,” Poe sympathized as he hit a button that displayed a wireframe of the aforementioned battle station, “This was the Death Star.”

He hit another control and we all watched the Death Star shrink in comparison to the gargantuan holo on display, “And this is Starkiller Base.”

Gasps and groans filled the air, there wasn’t even a comparison to make. This was nothing any of us, young recruit or veteran, had ever seen before.

“So it’s big.” Dad mused nonchalantly, leave it to him to act cool about something like this.

“How is it possible to power a weapon of that size?” Admiral Ackbar inquired.

Finn stepped up to the table, “It uses the power of the sun. As the weapon is charged, the sun is drained until it disappears.”

An officer approached my mother and handed her something, she looked over it before looking up at the group,

“The First Order, they’re charging the weapon again now,” her eyes found mine, “Our system is the next target.”

I drew a shaky breath as others reacted similarly. A few hours ago I was a few hundred feet away from my brother and now him and his followers were coming to kill us. I caught Poe’s eyes and we shared a concerned look.

“Okay,” Dad began, racking his brain for something helpful, “How do we blow it up? There’s always a way to do that.”

“Han’s right,” Mom replied, causing both me and Dad to look over to her in surprise. For just a second, the three of us felt like a united front again.

“In order for that amount of power to be contained,” Admiral Statura began, “That base has to have some sort of thermal oscillator.”

“There is one,” Finn stated, he walked over to join Poe at the controls, “Precinct 47,” he pointed towards an area in the structure, “Here.”

“If we can destroy that oscillator,” Statura continued as he paced around the table, “It might destabilize the core and cripple the weapon.”

“Maybe the planet,” Ematt added onto the idea, the plan was forming.

“We’ll go in there and we’ll hit that oscillator with everything we’ve got.” Poe assured confidently, I’d missed him and his determination so much.

“They have defensive shields that our ships cannot penetrate.” Ackbar protested, I shared a knowing look with Dad before turning back to the crowd.

“We can disable the shields, me and Han,” I volunteered, “Finn, you worked there. Surely you can help.”

After a beat, Finn nodded, “I can do it.”

Dad leaned down to me, “I like this guy.”

“I can disable the shields, but I have to be there on the planet.”

“We’ll get you there, kid.” Dad promised, Finn looked to me for confirmation and I smiled in assurance.

“Han, how?” my mother spoke up.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t like it.” he answered, causing me to smirk. The fewer details she knew, the smoother everything would go.

“So we disable the shields, take out the oscillator and we blow up their big gun.” Poe stated, earning a loud roar of agreement from Chewie, “All right. Let's go!”

Our group disbanded and the room became a sea of chatter and orders. Poe had taken off to assemble Black Squadron while me, my dad and Chewie were making our way out of the command center. Mom had ten different people flooding her with questions so I didn’t want to add to it when I could take care of things myself,

“You two go start running diagnostics on the Falcon. I can get techs and mechanics if you want but-“

"There’s only two people I trust with the Falcon other than me and neither of them are any of your guys.” Dad interrupted as we walked down the hallway.

“But I know you’d never trust them so I’ll leave it to you guys,” I finished, “I need to grab some things from my quarters and I’ll be out to help.”

I showed them out of the base before heading back in and taking the familiar walk to my room. It felt like I’d been gone weeks when really, it had only been less than two days. I punched in my code and entered, locking the door behind me. There was no time for sentimentality, or even a shower, as I began searching for the things I needed. I grabbed my communicator off of my desk and shoved it in the pocket of my pants. I slid my jacket off and stripped the sweaty shirt off my torso. I caught sight of myself in the refresher’s mirror and grimaced, my hair was frizzed, there were ugly bruises littering my arms and grains of sand stuck to my skin. Halfheartedly dusting the leftovers of Jakku off and running my fingers through my hair would have to do for now. I dug through my dresser, pulled on a tight black long sleeved shirt and found my dark green military jacket. Something felt off as I put it on, like something was missing.

I groaned as I dug through the pile of clothes, “Why do I need you so much?

Unhooking the lightsaber from my brown jacket, I clipped it into my new one and sighed. My father’s words from earlier rang in my ears, he wasn’t Force sensitive but he damn sure knew about it’s advantages. Could he be right? Was I being too dramatic about the whole subject? I’d spent so long afraid of what I could do, so worried that I’d turn into something dark and twisted. Could I let myself give into the pull towards the light side? As much as I hated to admit it, I loved using my saber, despite the traumatic memories attached to it. I enjoyed meditating and using the Force, I felt less like myself when I restricted my usage. I placed a hand on the cool silver handle and closed my eyes, hearing the words as if someone was in the room saying them to me,

Don’t be afraid.

“Okay.”

Opening my eyes, I took a deep breath and knew I couldn’t waste any more time. People were counting on me, the galaxy was counting on the Resistance to see them. Where I should have felt anxiety, I felt resolve and determination.

It was time to go do my job.

——————

The entire base was in a frenzy, the good kind though. The kind that united people, that caused everybody to pull together and do their part, even if it wasn’t their job. I saw people from the kitchen helping Commanders, mechanics and communication officers working together. This was one of those days where you felt extra proud to be a member of the Resistance.

If we succeeded, that was…

I made my way out of base and searched for the ships I needed to find. Along the way, I spotted Jess and Snap’s X-Wings parked next to each other, the both of them communicating with their techs.

“Pava, Wexley,” I called out, “You two come back alive, Commander’s orders.”

“The same goes for you, Solo. Black Squad’s order.” Jess shouted across the tarmac, I winked in response and continued towards one specific X-Wing. Bee was already loaded into his slot, yet his owner was nowhere to be found.

“You good to go, Bee?” I asked, climbing the ladder to get a good look at him.

All set. Just waiting on Poe.

“Me too. You take care of him for me, okay?”

“Why?” Poe asked from behind me, “You don’t think he can take care of himself?”

I climbed down the ladder and came face to face with him, “I don’t think it hurts to have someone watching your back. Especially when someone’s as reckless as you are.”

He put his hands on his hips and chuckled, “Same words could be said for you, sweetheart.”

I smiled and snaked my arms around his neck, “Well, then this is a perfect match.”

His lips curled into a grin before leaning down to capture my lips in a slow, passionate kiss. I carded my fingers through the curls at the back of his neck as his hands gripped my hips, pulling me close. A few days ago, kissing Poe was an intrusive daydream I tried not to focus on and now? It was a reality I never wanted to come to an end. We broke apart only when we needed air, he brushed his nose softly against mine and I hummed in contentment.

“I wish I were coming with you.” Poe admitted, “I hate the idea of you actually inside that base.”

“You wouldn’t be able to do anything that I can’t,” I assured him, “Besides, you’re most needed in the skies.”

“Doesn’t mean I won’t be worrying about you,” he replied, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead to mine, “Haven’t done much else since I watched you disappear into that desert.”

I scraped my fingernails lightly against his scalp, committing the little moan that escaped his throat to memory. There weren’t any words I could say in response to him, the past 24 hours had been a living nightmare for the both of us. All I wanted was to keep him in my arms and reassure him a thousand times that I would never leave him. But instead, we had to separate again and pray that the other returned safe and sound.

“Don’t worry, Dameron. You’re going to be stuck with me for a very long time.” I promised, staring as deep as I could into his eyes to drive my point home.

“Sounds like a plan, Solo.” Poe remarked before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling my body into his. He buried his face in my neck, a spot that was quickly becoming one of his favorites. We stood there drawing strength from one another that would carry us through the battle, me on the ground and him in the air.

A familiar throat clear interrupted the moment.

Poe and I turned around to the sight of my parents standing a few feet away from us, my mom smiling and my father scowling. I chuckled and grabbed a very nervous Poe’s hand and walked towards them,

“Dad, this is Poe Dameron.”

At the mention of Poe’s last name, Dad’s face softened and he made eye contact with Poe,

“Are you Kes and Shara’s kid?”

Poe’s lips curved up, “Yeah, I am. They used to tell me stories growing up about fighting alongside you and the General during the Rebellion.”

Mom and I beamed as Dad chuckled and stuck out his hand for Poe to shake, which Poe happily took,

“It’s good to meet you, kid,” Dad began, before giving Poe a knowing look, “I’d say take care of my daughter, but I’ve seen first hand that she can do that herself. If you hurt her though, I can have the worst scum in the galaxy on your ass so fast you won’t even have time to power up your X-Wing.”

Poe was trying so hard not to look scared, “Y-Yes sir, I-I mean no sir, I would never hurt her.”

“That’s the right answer,” Dad grinned lopsidedly, “Give Kes my best.”

“I will, sir.” Poe replied, finally taking a breath again. That breath was gone again when Mom stepped forward, striking fear in both of us,

“Hurt her and the only squadron you’ll be in charge of, Dameron, will be janitorial.”

“Yes, General.”

Mom gave a smile and wink before she went back to Dad, “Time to get moving, Commanders.”

“Yes, General.” I repeated after Poe, they began walking back to the Falcon. I snorted as soon as they were far enough away to not hear, I thought I heard Poe actually whimper.

“I think I blacked out for a minute, please tell me I didn’t say anything stupid.”

“I was too busy trying not to laugh,” I replied as I chortled, “I can totally see you in a janitor’s uniform with a mop.”

Poe shook his head and took me back in his arms, the air between us became serious once again fast. I placed a hand on his cheek and watched him lean into it, kissing my palm softly before looking back up at me,

“I love you, Y/n.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, “Come back to me, Poe.”

“I always will.” he replied.

He leaned in and gave me one final quick kiss before we hesitantly broke apart, but this time it felt different. Though we weren’t by each other’s sides, we were still going to be fighting together in a way. I was disabling the shields so he could come in and blow up the oscillator. We were still working together, but it didn’t make turning away from him any easier.

I walked back to the Falcon where my parents were waiting, “Well, at least you guys weren’t too over the top.”

Dad laughed, “Was he scared?”

“Wildly.”

“Then,” Dad looked to Mom with an amused expression, “We did our job.”

I couldn’t help but smile, we felt like a family again. Even if we were all about to split up again, we were together right now and my heart felt at home. Tears began to swell in my eyes as I looked between the two of them, they each reached out and took one of my hands. Unable to contain my emotions anymore, I surged forward to hug them both. I hadn’t been held by both my parents in so long but it still felt just as familiar as when I was a child. As much as I wanted to stay in their embrace for hours more, we had to go and do our respective jobs,

“I love you.” I whispered, they both kissed my head in response and squeezed us together a little tighter.

“We’re so proud of you, Y/n,” Mom gushed as we pulled apart, “We love you so much.”

I noticed that they each had an arm around each other, something I hadn’t expected but a sight that was welcomed. Maybe, just maybe, everything was finally going to work out. We could go and destroy the weapon, come home and I could have my family back, or at least most of it…

“Han, Y/n,” Mom’s face turned serious, “If you see him, bring him home.”

I knew there was a chance that Ben would be on the base, though the chances of us coming in contact were slim. The request my mother was making was big, I wasn’t even sure if it was possible. But if the opportunity presented itself, I had to try. I’d be kicking myself for the rest of my life if I didn’t at least try. Looking at my mother with tears in her eyes, I wanted nothing more than to bring my brother home for her.

“I will.” I assured her, taking her hand in mine as Dad pulled her into his side. We embraced once again and I got to witness the sweet sight of my father kissing my mother on her forehead. It gave me hope and reminded me that this is what I was fighting for. For my family, for Poe, for the people that were closest to my heart.

“We’ve gotta go…” Dad interrupted the moment, but he had to.

“Be safe,” Mom ordered, we broke apart and me and Dad watched her hesitantly leave us and head back into the base. I knew she would have rather watched us disappear into the ship but she was needed elsewhere.

“Chewie,” I called as I walked around the ship to find him, “We good to go?”

He roared in response that we were all set before picking up his tools and heading up the ramp. I looked around for Finn, I assumed he was already inside and ready to go. He was the most enthusiastic about going since we were going to retrieve Rey. Dad was right behind me as we entered and walked to the cockpit,

“To think you started your day out hauling Rathtars…” I retorted, elbowing him lightly.

He chuckled, “I was looking for a job when I met your uncle and by the end of the day, I’d met your mother and was heading to blow up the Death Star. I’m used to this sort of thing.”

“Thank you for sticking with me,” we stopped before we got to the cockpit, “I know it was hard for you to come back here.”

He shook his head, “When it comes down to it, I’d do anything for you and your mother.”

I patted his arm warmly and we went into the cockpit to see Finn and Chewie waiting for us. Except Chewie was sitting in the seat behind his usual, “Why aren’t you up there?”

He didn’t say anything, he just shook his head and nudged me towards the co-pilot’s chair. I smiled, who was I to argue with a Wookie? Dad took his seat next to me and I didn’t even have to ask if he was okay with it, his beaming face said it all. We began adjusting controls and Dad powered her up,

“Alright, here we go…”

I looked back to Finn before we took off, he looked a little nervous yet wholly determined. He’d slid into the Resistance so easily, he’d fit in so naturally in the briefing when he spoke up about the base. We shared a nod and I turned back around to watch us lift above the base. I took one final look at Poe’s X-Wing, I could distantly see him climbing up the ladder and take his seat. He wouldn’t be far behind us, his squadron would be waiting to drop in on the planet once we’d disabled the shields.

“Ready to jump to lightspeed?” Dad interrupted my thoughts.

“All set.” I answered looking to the sky ahead, silencing any anxious thoughts that dared to come to my mind. We would succeed at our goal and we’d all come out alive, I didn’t know what I’d do if we didn’t.

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

A/N: TA-DA, hope everybody enjoyed the reunion! Fun Fact: When writing this series, I’m watching parts of the movie + reading the script online so everything is as movie accurate as I can make it. Hope everybody is staying safe and wearing your 😷 Let me know what you thought or if you’d like to be added to the taglist.

Taglist: @m1rkw00dpr1ncess @springfox04 @constantdisgrace @holybatflapexpert @seninjakitey @tammythompson-singslikea-muppet @leilei-draws @eternal-fandoms @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @imaginecrushes @eternallyvenus @thescarletknight2014 @simplyhemmings @captain-america5 @breyasficletblog @caseymcflurry @stumbleonmywords @april-14-blog @i-ievu @ultrunning

#poe dameron x solo!reader #poe dameron fanfiction #poe dameron imagine #poe dameron fanfic #poe dameron x reader #poe dameron #star wars #star wars fanfic #star wars imagine

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

Text

Survey #401

“my love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses”

Do you typically do your makeup the same each time? Or do you like to change it up often? IF I wear makeup, it's essentially always the same. Who is the last person you were in a room with just the two of you? What were you doing? Yesterday with Mom. We were trying to find the best deal on Eco Earth, a substrate we're getting for Venus. What was the last really good book you read, and what was it about? If we're talking REALLY good book, then The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. In short summary, it's a dystopian future novel where women are now basically just objects used only for repopulation, even having their names stripped from them. They follow very strict rules as society has returned to horrible misogyny. As a woman, the "oh my god, this is possible" aspect of it is terrifying, and it causes such a sense of disgust and urge to ensure women rights always continue to be fought for. Do you feel safe in your country? For the most part, I'd say. I guess. There are places I'd feel safer, though. How many meals do you eat a day? Three. Have you ever performed a solo dance in front of a crowd? No, but I was supposed to my senior year in high school; the seniors at my dance studio were always welcome to do a solo in celebration. Mine was a modern dance to "Coma White" by Marilyn Manson, wanting to tell a story about depression and how being medicated could feel, but I eventually decided like halfway through learning the choreography that I was just too nervous to do a solo. Have you ever sung a solo? No. When you go to McDonalds, what drink do you usually get? Coke. Have you ever had to call and complain about a product you bought? No. Do you own a designer purse? Definitely not. I'm not wasting that much money on something like that. What’s the weirdest rumor you’ve ever heard about yourself? Apparently, Jason and I had a baby in high school even though I was obviously never pregnant. To my knowledge, it was started by his ex. Who is now a good friend of mine lmaooo. Life is funny. What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon growing up? Pokemon, of course. Would you ever have an affair? Nope. Would you ever have a one night stand? Nope. Where you present at any major historical events (e.g. 9/11)? No. What are your opinions on marijuana legalization? Legalize it, but treat it similarly to alcohol in that driving under the influence is illegal and punishable, and I believe you should be of a certain age. How about abortion? I am pro-choice. I was pro-life most of my own life, but now I am very firm about a mother being able to choose if she wants to endure a pregnancy or not. Like, that is a MASSIVE life event that almost inevitably changes - and sometimes traumatizes - people. I do believe a fetus is its own body and not part of the mother's, but rather in the mother's, but the belief that a woman decides what she wants in her body is her choice, too. I'm not very fond of people treating abortion as a simple, regular form of birth control, like it's nothing but an "lol whoops," but I still believe it is ultimately her decision, and she should always be free of judgment for doing what is best for her. Do you wear skirts or dresses more often? Neither. I wouldn't dare wear a skirt more so, though. What do you think about tipping at restaurants? There should always be an expected minimum, imo, unless the person was truly, sincerely, genuinely fucking awful. Waiters do not have an easy job, fight me about it, and they're just trying to survive while putting on a happy, jovial face, all the while dealing with hungry people who can be such assholes. I believe the actual tip should relate to actual service, but again, give them something. Would you ever get back together with any of your exes? One, absolutely. The other would take a shitload of consideration and proper communication on his part. Do you have a preferred coffee brand? No, because I don't like coffee. Do you usually befriend your coworkers, or do you prefer to keep work separate from your personal life? IF I had a job, I'd like to build a friendship with those I have to engage with almost every day. What is something you frequently forget? Dates, ages, names, what I was about to do five seconds before I forgot... Pretty much everything. My memory is frightfully poor. Is there any drama currently going on with your family? No. When you take a nap, do you nap in bed or on the couch? In my bed. Were you raised by both of your parents? If not, then who raised you? Both; my parents split when I was somewhere around 17, though, but I'd say there wasn't much more "raising" to do at that age. Have you ever stolen anything? If so, why? No. Have you ever plagiarized someone else's work? Hell no. What's your most-used mode of transportation? My mom's car. Have you ever taught someone else a useful skill? Not to my recollection. Does seeing everyone else's 'perfect lives' posted on social media ever bring you down or affect how you feel about yourself? It actually does, honestly. Not ALWAYS, but if I'm being honest, it does most of the time. I've contemplated deleting Facebook for that reason, but with is also comes things that make me happy, and I think I'd feel even more isolated without it. What is your favorite Hostess/Little Debbie snack? This is SO impossible for me to answer. I loooove Hostess and Little Debbie treats. I want to say honeybuns, but I also love those chocolate cupcakes with the white swirls on top, as well as Twinkies. Very few exist that I don't like. Do you/your family buy loafs from the bakery or bagged on the shelf? We just buy bagged bread. What’s the best news you’ve gotten lately? My APAP mask is definitively WORKING!!!!! :') Mom got an app that connects to the machine via Bluetooth that monitors the effectiveness of the mask, evaluating many factors of your sleep, and it's detecting a definite decrease in disruptive behaviors or something like that. It is so, SO encouraging to know that. ^And, the worst? Hm. Oh, probably some news on something serious a good friend is going through, but I don't feel it's my right to disclose what. It's just a very worrying and potentially dangerous issue that I wish I could help her with. Would you rather receive (or give) flowers, chocolates or jewelry? I'd appreciate any, but my fat ass is drawn to the chocolate, ha ha. What *I* would give would vary depending on what the person liked. How do you feel about coconut? Smells lovely, but is otherwise gross. ^ Ever cracked one open? No, but omg I've always wanted to, haha. What’s the best thing about being your gender? I guess the fact it's more "normal" and "accepted" to show our emotions. Fuck that generalization, though. I don't give a shit what your gender is, you experiencing emotions is NORMAL and welcomed to be expressed. ^ And the worst thing? The ability to be raped and impregnated by it. Do you do your part to save the earth? I don't do nearly enough. :/ We recycle, but that's about it. Well, none of us DARE to litter either, but I still don't feel like it's as much as the earth deserves from its denizens. Who do you think should have their portrait on a bill? I don't know or care. Why did you last feel exhausted? Yesterday was my niece's birthday, and I spent essentially ALL day playing with her and her brother. I have a very limited battery when it comes to kids, and I was running on empty for hours. My anxiety was SO high and I really needed a break from them, but they're too young to really understand that Aunt Britt can only socially run for so long before I'm completely burnt out, and TRUST ME, I was there for sure. I didn't want them to think they did something wrong, you know? I just had to keep going. I slept like a baby last night though for sure, haha. Have you ever used emotional blackmail to get your own way? Wow, no. Has anybody ever used emotional blackmail on you? No. Who did you last worry about and why? Sara for health reasons. Are you currently looking for a new place to live? Not actively, but Mom and I definitely want to move. We feel very out-of-place here in the suburbs. Which would you prefer as a view; mountains or the sea? Mountains. Do you have a mouse for your laptop? (Assuming you have a laptop) Yes. I canNOT play games with a trackpad. Do you apologize a lot? Extremely excessively. When you get married what do you think you’ll put most of your focus and money into? Do you mean like, for the wedding? In that case, probably the venue. Being a photography buff, I want a place I think is really pretty to have pictures taken. What’s something you complain about frequently? My legs hurting, my weight, and being hot. Do you have anything planned for the summer? Nope, and that's fine with me. I'd rather stay inside away from the heat. Who usually makes dinner in your household? My ma. Do you have a blog? Just on Tumblr. Does anyone in your family snore loudly? My mother does because of gerd, and at least when my father still lived with us, he snored super loud, too. Do you want to fix anything with anyone? Yeah, a few people. What shows do you watch? Right now, only Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty. Whenever The Edge of Sleep comes out, I will 110% be watching that, too, because Mark is a key actor in it. :') Plus the concept seems super cool. Have you ever broken someone’s heart? I don't know. Who was the last person you had a conversation with on the phone? Me mum. Does the song you’re currently listening to remind you of anyone specific? No, given it has like... one lyric, haha. Do you own any TV show soundtracks? No. Last thing you did that made you feel like an adult? I mean I guess sign myself in at the doctor's. What’s your favorite picture of your mom? Dad? Oh my god, there's a candid one I got of Mom laughing when she was posing as my subject for a photography assignment, and I cherish it with ALL my heart. I want to share it with essentially the whole world, but yeah, I'm not gonna put my mom's picture here. As for my dad, I like this one I took of us at Red Lobster for his birthday a year or two back. Last TV show series you finished? Fullmetal Alchemist with Sara. Favorite flavor of cream cheese? Regular. What US state would you like to visit? Alaska. Last meal you made yourself? I put a chicken pesto thing in the microwave earlier for dinner.

#survey #surveys #random questions #lyrics: ''whispers in the dark'' by skillet

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unluckyadept · 3 years

Text

Flare of the Morning Star

||—Origin——————Flare of the Morning Star——————Next—>>

PART I: THE SHADOWS LENGTHEN

Looking back, it was easy to see…

All the little warnings, scattered over the years, pointing to the inevitable, and the years without a sunrise.

{Early 2016…}

Felix: I’m wanted on the entire continent I hail from, and especially wanted in her home village. Which, I might add, has been harassed by the Tolbi empire, who are all too eager to enforce the “dead” part of “dead or alive”.

{December 22nd, 2016T…}

Felix: I’ve mentioned once before that I do not get along with Tolbi soldiers. That I live in hiding from them.

Felix: There’s a good reason for that.

Felix: If I were ever found, they have authority to -try- and kill me on sight. If they ever managed to overpower me, I would be publicly executed.

Felix: They control much of the continent where I was born and spent about half of my life… including Sheba’s home town.

They built on sacred ground, there, held her hostage to make it happen…

Felix: My face will not be so easily forgotten.

{May 31st, 2017T}

Felix: As we continued our journey southeastward, we heard more and more about the Tolbi Empire… specifically, their soldiers.

Felix: They had placed tariffs and taxes to restrict and control trade… they were hinted to keep political prisoners… they maintained watchposts and waypoints—gates along the roads, and everything required official papers, if not a seal of approval.

[He looked up again, and his brown eyes seemed… dark.]

Felix: Babi was a man who stole, lied, kidnapped, and extorted. He sought eternal life and the power of conquest—exactly the sort of man that the people of Vale were sworn to give their lives to protect the world against. And exactly the sort of man who was our enemy.

Felix: I do not like Tolbi soldiers.

Felix: And that is, yes, one reason why it is necessary to avoid them. …But there’s more to it than that.

[He looks down at his hand again, silent. Eventually, he opens it, looking at the Douse Drop distantly.]

Felix: Isaac sealed my fate in the wake of Saturos and Menardi…. There is a bounty on my head.

Felix: When we traveled to the Lighthouse…

[He clasped his hand again, and held his fist against his lips, a troubled look on his face, with his eyes closed. He is silent for a while.]

Felix: …We came across Tolbi soldiers in the desert. I managed to save a few, but we had to take Sheba with us. There were soldiers in the way…

[He looks up, looking off into the sky.]

Felix: Isaac had tracked us all the way there. When word came of our location and the Proxans’ deeds, he named me to blame, instead.

Felix: Thus, it was my name and description that ultimately has been circulated among the Empire, all across my home continent.

Felix: Babi is dead. But the Tolbi Empire is not.

Felix: Should I ever be discovered, all the forces they can muster would be brought down against me.

Felix: They’ve fought an Adept directly once—Alex easily dispatched at least a dozen soldiers, and Saturos and Mendari killed just as many, if not more.

Ray: -...raises an eyebrow-

Felix: So they know that even a hundred would not be enough.

Ray: (Well, they're a little stupid if they just--I mean, I've seen him fight Countershade, I can guess just how strong he is. They're a little stupid for thinking they can actually kill him.)

Narrator: ((Ah, but you’re assuming the lives of the soldiers are valued over there))

Narrator: ((most likely not))

Felix: -Shakes his head- I cannot single-handedly defeat the army of an entire empire.

Ray: (...No, but I bet you could wipe out a good portion of it.)

{June 19th, 2017T…}

Puelle: {What news do you bring, from the south?}

[Felix is quiet. Eventually…]

Felix: {I have taken to the wilds, and heard little of the world. But I know in heart and mind that the Tolbi Empire has been driven back beyond the Suhalla Desert. They are no longer a threat to Venus Lighthouse.}

Ray: .....

[Everyone seems a disgusted kind of “good, they didn’t belong there” kind of satisfied at this.]

Ray: -Snorts, heh-

Felix: -Absentmindedly causing nasty thorns to grow on the vines- {They shall regret it if they dare to go there again. Iodem seems more reasonable than Babi ever did, and is honorable compared to the others… though I do not know if coming into power would greatly change him.}

Felix: {The earth is changing, though… Prox must maintain vigilance against the return of Machines.}

[A lot of murmurs at this.]

Felix: {The ancient world was more than just the Lighthouses. I do not know how much of it has truly survived… but ruins may be unearthed as the years go by. Prox should prepare delegations with scholars to travel south and study the places where the ancient cities once were bold. But I’m warning you—attempt conquest, and I’ll put a stop to that myself.}

Ray: .......

Felix: -Flatly- {Even with the damage to the native inhabitants aside… the wrong sort of display of might could draw Tolbi’s attention into conflict. You cannot afford to wage a far-off war with the Tolbi Empire. I would not have any here taken because of their own antagonistic ways.}

{October 30th, 2018T…}

Felix: The people I will choose as Warriors will need to be strong of will and sharp of mind—and above all else, patient and... observant.

Felix: I do not wish to empower those who would inflame a mindset of conquest. The last thing Weyard needs is a return of the Psynergy Wars... and Tolbi is still a threat.

{October 18th, 2019T…}

[Ø] //: It's your decision on where you want to live. The hell does anyone else have to say about that?

[Ø] //: I mean...besides Tolbi, but to hell with them--

Felix: -Curls his right hand into a fist, placing his hand against his mouth—-

[He frowns at the reminder, his mood turning more grim.]

Felix: I’m hoping Tolbi won’t be too much of a problem. Their forces were driven back beyond the desert, and they will be hard pressed to bring large forces over land. I expect Briggs will prevent them from making too much use of sea transport to that degree, either.

Felix: I have not discounted the possibility that something could go wrong, though.

Felix: It can always get worse.

Felix: -Closes his eyes and shakes his head- I may have full say where I live, but there are other factors that determine such matters. Duties in Prox to be attended to do mean that I need to maintain my property there, to give me somewhere to stay while I’m there for long periods of time. It’ll be something similar with Gondowan.

Felix: If my responsibilities to others mean that it is more conducive to stay in Gondowan, then that is input I won’t ignore.

[Ø] //: Ugh, just thinking about the risks is enough to give me a headache.

Felix: One of the reasons why it would be Gondowan despite that is because…

Felix: -Exasperated sigh- Regardless or not of whether we are there, they’d still have their eyes on Venus Lighthouse.

Felix: Being in the area would at least make it easier to fight them.

{May 29th, 2020T…}

Sheba: So what are your thoughts, given the meaning? You would need a stable to keep the horses somewhere, and once they are here… what is it you plan to do…?

Felix: Well, breeding the horses to give a good stock of {[war/battle] horses} to provide for the resources to Lalivero as a community…

Sheba: You’re planning to train Lalivero soldiers?

Felix: I’d much rather the defense consist of more than two people.

[His look was quite serious.]

Felix: Prophecies or no, being so close to the Tolbi Empire is going to spell trouble. As people come realize that this place exists, eventually it will become more of interest. Population will increase. Better guards will be needed. Maintaining the defenses would be faster on horseback, if there were ever need to mobilize. The desert won’t shield you for much longer; the power of Venus will make this land green again.

Sheba: The Laliverans are a peaceful and timid people. The very idea is outright foreign to most of us. The customs, you realize—they’re also much like the Tolbi.

Felix: There is a reason for that, and it’s because those things work. How else do you think he managed to build and maintain a massive empire with nothing but Fori to staff his elite? Horses will give better options, and I feel they will readily accept them.

Sheba: What makes you so certain? Are you going to lead them?

Felix: It will be necessary for me to instruct the defense, that is for certain. I have come to accept that.

{June 12th, 2020T…}

[But that was not the only thing that was going on. There were other things at play, which stood in stark contrast and, in the worst of cases… direct conflict.

The Colosso was underway, and the widespread effect that had made it difficult to ignore the aggression and disgust and resentment that the oppressive and tyrannical people in Tolbi had for anyone who wasn’t like them and didn’t submit to them. That was the main thing—and while it was always something that was in the background… during the Colosso, it was so much worse.

He had been tense; this year had been plagued by unrest in the north, and particularly in the Tolbi Empire. He had been reluctant to leave for central Angara out of worry that Lalivero would be attacked while they were gone, but he had accepted the risk for the sake of the greatest need he had ever known. It had been too dangerous to travel south after he had finally made his peace, and they had been stranded for months before they could make their way back; he hadn’t been well enough of mind to use Teleport, and the Wilderness would not bring them back to Lalivero, because he—whose influence on the nothingness was the strongest—just couldn’t focus on the distant town.]

{June 13th, 2020T…}

Darzul: {The lands below the Northern Reaches have changed, but we have not yet had the capacity to send out Scholars beyond our borders. Even if you had recognized candidates into Warriors the moment the alchemical mayhem dawned… it’s only recently that we have the population to support such lengthy trips.}

[The look in his eyes became harsher, his voice growing sharp.]

Darzul: {And that’s JUST the trip. You might not remember, since you were forced to travel without proper aid… but it takes dozens of people just as SUPPORT to a main party, to travel to waypoints in preparation of the main group, that they may have fresh supplies. That takes months, and quite a lot of resources… but these days? There is something going wrong, alright, and Loho is being picked at by buzzards now that the dwarves have finished excavating.}

Felix: {You mean they LEFT?}

Darzul: {We were unable to convince them to stay. They had finished what they set out to do and garnered as much as they cared to bother out of it; as best I understand based on the records submitted to the council, the EVENTUAL general consensus was that it was not worth the cost and not worth the RISK to stay so close to Tolbi in the context of being a buffer. Not that once can blame them…}

[Felix growled in frustration and sat up in full, looking alert.]

Felix: {Is there NO ONE guarding the place—?}

Darzul: {Not full-time, no. Again with the resources thing.}

[Felix put a hand to his face, growing stern in thought as he continued listening.]

Darzul: {With them gone, trade there has dwindled. There are not enough yet who see Loho as being of interest enough to travel there out of appreciation… and Tolbi has not yet bothered to expend the resources to turn it into a bastion.}

[Felix spoke in a cold, flat tone.]

Felix: {We cannot afford to have the Tolbi Empire on our doorstep. Least of all in a bastion that controls the best landing point in the Western Sea.}

-=-=-

Darzul: {If it weren’t for the problems that they probably have with us, I would suggest that you seal Venus Lighthouse off and move the people of Lalivero here. Even diaspora is better than what would happen if they were overrun by the Tolbi Empire. The Tolbi could not enter the Lighthouse if YOU sealed it, no matter what they may try—and I doubt that even the traitor would work with them to do so. Because your sister certainly wouldn’t allow it.}

Felix: Mmmng.

Darzul: {I have several guesses as to what paths of brooding thought you are sifting through before picking one of your choosing, but allow me to say this: if the people of Lalivero were willing to do such a thing, even if only temporarily? They would be given land under your authority, though you would become responsible for maintaining it.}

Felix: {What exactly gives you the impression in the first place that such drastic measures would be necessary?}

[The Proxan frowned.]

Darzul: {We do not have enough evidence to suggest it would NOT be necessary, that’s what.}

Felix: Gah…

Darzul: {It is not beyond the realms of possibility, Felix. They have already expended a great deal of power in the past to overtake the people who lived there, and it is likely that they will try and use it as a port to guide ships deep into the heart of the Eastern Sea.}

-=-=-

Felix: If the Tolbi make a move on Lemuria, I am absolutely positive that the Lemurian fleet would not be enough to stop them. The Lemurians don’t understand the danger, and Piers was exiled! Even if he found it in his fibre—out of utter desperation—to break obedience and violate the banishment… they’d never listen to them in time! Curse the oppressive voices that have taken over their council!

[The other man frowned deeply at this, but couldn’t process quickly enough for an immediate response before the Venus Adept continued.]

Felix: Piers is a valiant man, and a Warrior in his own right—but he doesn’t burn with the… mmmn…

[He slipped back into Proxan, unable to express it without the proper precise terms in the other language.]

Felix: {He doesn’t have the [dragon’s/Hunter’s/vicious mother’s] instinct. The people of Lemuria are pacified, and haven’t even ventured outside of the Sea of Time en masse for any reason for centuries! Not even the wrath of the sea has brought out the combat instinct! He fought well beside me, but he could not—gah, you don’t understand… he’s very powerful, and astonishingly intelligent, but his heart and mind are anchored in order, which is very different than the burning drive to defend the peace.}

Darzul: {Are you saying you don’t think he could handle the situation if the Tolbi Empire decided to set out for Lemuria?}

Felix: YES! {Even the likes of us can be overpowered, eventually! He cannot take on an entire fleet of ships alone, not if they had enough numbers.}

Darzul: {To confront a WATER-son in the OCEAN? Oh, get REAL, Felix—}

Felix: {I’m serious, Darzul! You don’t understand the COMPLETE disregard for Life from the oppressive forces that dominate Tolbi; you may think you do, but you don’t—not the way I do.}

{Later that same day…}

Brand: {...you mentioned something about the threat of Tolbi, though...}

Brand: -Concern ping-

[The other two look more serious at this, and Felix frowns somewhat.]

Felix: {They're dangerous and the forces in power can be ruthless.}

Felix: {I don't know what happened to the one Isaac insisted was reasonable… but I fear he may have been… deposed.}

Felix: {Permanently.}

Darzul: {They sought to use Alchemy to their own ends. That never died off, even if their tyrant did.}

Felix: {With Venus Lighthouse lit, they could navigate the Sea of Time, in theory…}

Felix: {They've always been a threat to Lalivero.}

{Thursday, June 18th, 2020T…}

Felix: -Looks over to Puelle- {The chaos of the south is a threat to Venus Lighthouse. And that in turn is a threat to the Eastern Sea, Lemuria in particular.}

Felix: {Venus Lighthouse must not be compromised. The malevolence behind the violence would not have any mercy, nor any qualms about doing anything to drink from the mythical fountains.}

Felix: {Which, I go on record to point out, do not cure all ills and do not grant immortality, but having tyrants around as long as Babi was is bad enough as it is.}

Felix: -Turns to address the crowd- {It is for this reason that I find it of the most urgency to also make sure Prox is fully prepared as well.}

Felix: {It has been high time for Prox to have Mars Clan Warriors again for years, but now IS the time, it is the hour that is right!}

Felix: {I cannot be in two places at once, and the people of Lalivero do not have the Warrior [spirit/mentality/culture/training] as we of Prox do; they need me more.}

Felix: {For that reason, I choose to work in the south now, so that I will not have to be there in the future.}

Puelle: {Your choice is a noble one, and well-Seen. But it must be noted, Felix…}

Puelle: {That is where the threat to you is the greatest.}

Felix: {I acknowledge the truth that given the chance, my lack of surrender would have the teeth of Tolbi rend me on sight.}

Felix: {That is a price to which I am forced to submit and accept the doom sealed within my fate.}

Felix: {It is true that it puts me close to the source of the peril, and the seat of malice…}

Felix: {…But I shall not abandon the task set before me for want of my own life.}

Felix: {I lived too long in that kind of wretched misery! I will not now actively CHOOSE cowardice, even when that is choosing a secondary nobility instead.}

Felix: {I shall have both, or neither!}

{SATURDAY, June 20th, 2020T...}

Felix: ({Last night was the night for choosing a successor; it’s too late now to do so the normal way…})

Felix: ({On the other hand…})

Felix: ({I do think he has promise, and this is going to be VERY dangerous…})

[He was filled with a distinct feeling of steep dread. A sickening, smothering feeling that left one drowning in sudden submission in the face of death.]

Felix: -Somewhat ominously, darker in aura and tone and certainly a bit louder than he intends- There is Death on the horizon.

[Silence. An uncomfortable and almost full-stop horrid silence from all of the guests.]

Felix: -Coldly, with an oppressive aura fitting for a son of Death- Standing up to tyrants comes at a price.

{Later That Same Day…}

Brand: {I must thank you in particular, once again, for the gifts that you've bestowed on us.}

Brand: {They truly did make a great difference.}

Brand: -Bows-

Felix: -Returns the gesture- {They are for you to use in your time of need and many of them in your own personal pursuits, my friend. I am glad you find them well…}

Sheba: {…and have the chance to practice with them in a time of smaller need, in light of the Sun, before greater need comes in darker times.}

Kalora: {You speak with great Insight, Lady d'Lalivero. Do you see shadows in the days ahead?}

Sheba: -You know Felix and you're asking this question?-

Kalora: -Ah, right, point taken-

Felix: -Shrug pose-

Felix: {I have no intention of landing in a disaster so soon after such excitement, I assure you—}

Felix: {It'd take a tyrannical invasion the likes of Tolbi to cause me to rush out headlong into trouble!}

{July 18th, 2020T…}

Darzul: {Don’t dismiss your own suffering so easily. You do that far too much, and it’s part of why you’re afflicted with this undying torture to the [soul/mind/being].}

[He stood, jabbing a finger somewhat accusatorially in Felix’s direction, a clear gesture of challenge.]

Darzul: {You’re like this because you FEEL like you have no one else to stand up for you, and that you’re the only man out there willing to stand up for others—because they won’t even stand up for themselves, and you’d rather die than see them conquered by tyranny. That’s a hopeless cause, and you KNOW it, Felix!}

[Felix gritted his teeth and put his hands near his head, rather mentally muted by the sheer truth in that statement.]

Darzul: {You don’t see anyone else out there who has the fire you do, and it’s killing you from the inside to see everything and everyone you care about just massacred mercilessly by selfish, cowardly hatred and Pride!}

[Loud. Too loud now, but it wasn’t stopping.]

Darzul: {You know full well that you can’t do this alone, and that one voice against hundreds, thousands—it will only end with you dying a brutal and painful death, made an example to others, with your body and your remains violated in the process! Because you know what happens when no one stands up to such evil—it murders out of hatred alone.}

[Felix’s energy traced words in the air, as he was FAR too stressed to vocalize.]

Felix: 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼, 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼—

[His eyes snapped open, and he glared back in a slight challenge of his own, clearly keeping his ground.]

Felix: 𝓦𝓱𝔂 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓘 𝓪𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀?!

Darzul: {Because you refuse to ACKNOWLEDGE what you’re up against, Felix! You might to others, but not to YOURSELF, and that’s where it matters!}

[He drew closer, flickering with Mars energy that was cautious but undaunted.]

Darzul: {You’ve spent so long out in the harpies’ fields that you’ve come to realize the horrific depths of depravity that such hatred is not merely capable of, but aspires to and ADVOCATES for. You’ve spent FAR too long doing so in silence, out of the pain that they inflicted upon you!}

[He bought up a fist out in front of him sharply, holding his stance.]

Darzul: {And I see how being hewn at the roots has inflicted immense damage to the rest of your being. You devote yourself freely and entirely; having that devotion gutted without remorse has caused you such intense agony that you feel damned to an inevitable martyr’s end. For there can be no other closure, in your mind, to your infamously ‘terrible fate’ than for evil to continue to grow, and grow, and grow, with you left alone, abandoned to a miserable demise because no one else would stand up to it, and you cannot and will not change who you are—Lord Felix of Prox, Warrior, Hero, and Dragon Slayer!}

[Felix closed his eyes at this, his tension dropping somewhat in some form of resignation.

It was true, it was all true.

These were the nightmares that plagued him, again and again.

And not just metaphorically, either; literal ones, too.

He could find no comfort even in the folds of sleep—for he could feel pain even in his dreams, and he suffered the torture, even the death that would be inflicted upon him as such heartless forces closed in.]

Darzul: {Speak it to me now, Felix! Tell me the truth!}

[Felix—who still had his eyes closed—responded in turn.]

Felix: {People just stand by and watch, if they aren’t joining in. I have heard the threats against me, and seen them carried out on others who weren’t even being assertive. I’ve heard of those who do stand up for themselves then being treated as traitors.}

[He clenched a hand into a fist.]

Felix: I know, I know from experience, that there EXISTS such cowardice in this world—and such malice that has been allowed by those who came before me to grow out of control. Such brutality does not stop at symbols. It carries a twisted bloodlust.}

[He gritted his teeth, and opened his eyes to a glare.]

Felix: {And I know that if they come any closer to me and those I care about…}

[He suddenly blasted the night with an INFERNO of an aura, Venus and Mars—]

Felix: {I WON’T STEP ASIDE AND SURRENDER WITHOUT A FIGHT! EVEN OVERPOWERED, I WILL NEVER, EVER BE COERCED INTO VIOLATING WHAT IS RIGHT, EVEN IF IT COSTS ME EVERYTHING!}

[His friend grinned at this, but Felix wasn’t done yet.]

{Because in the end—even if I must stand alone—I will NOT abandon the people who need me, AND I WILL DEFEND THEM AGAINST MALICE AND GREED!}

[The fire of an enriched Venus spirit infused with the passion of Mars radiated from him in his fierce determination.]

Felix: {They mean more to me than anything. Whether the price be my injury, captivity, torture, or death—I am in no way deterred.}

[He narrowed his eyes.]

Felix: {Quite frankly…} Virtutes potius obsequia.

[This earned a pleased look of strong satisfaction.]

Darzul: {That’s right, Felix. Because that’s the real you.}

[He came closer and placed a hand firmly on Felix’s right shoulder.]

Darzul: {You don’t surrender to injustice. In fact, the only reason you haven’t gone out to challenge it on the offensive is because there ARE people who need you, so you keep silent for their sake since, given you know you can’t fight it alone.}

[But Darzul gave a bold grin, his Mars energy burning with loyal fondness.]

Darzul: {But you don’t give yourself enough credit, Felix. And you’ve spent FAR too long alone. So long, in fact, that you’ve forgotten just how much you INSPIRE others, granting them courage and determination to face the darkness.}

[He brought up his free hand in a fist yet again, shaking it slightly as if firmly grasping onto victory.]

Darzul: {You inspire others in their darkest moments, in times of peril, in times of fear. The fire in your [spirit/heart/soul] NEVER dies—just that you all too often don’t give it enough to eat, making it so troubled that you can no longer see it.}

[He placed both hands on Felix’s shoulders, now—he looked the Venus Adept right in the eyes, and Felix merely crossed his arms as he continued to listen.]

Darzul: {But I see it. I’ve seen it ever since you showed up here as a scrawny, still half-drowned twig all those years ago, and I see it now.}

[Darzul grinned brightly.]

Darzul: {And I can think of a lot of people who would stand by your side in such a moment of need.}

[The Proxan let go and took a step back, bringing up both fists wreathed in flame with an undaunted grin of fierce loyalty.]

Darzul: {Like it or not, you are a LEADER, Felix! Sometimes, all it takes for people to stand up for what matters is to KNOW that they are NOT ALONE! Sometimes, all they need is to see just one, just one take a stand, to defy such brutality with nerves wrought of the heart of Sol itself! To see just one, just one who will reawaken the FIRE in their own hearts, AND BRING THEM THE LIGHT OF HOPE! There are a lot of good people out there, Felix… people who have been convinced they have no hope, that there is no one to be their champion and no way they could make a difference, that their oppression is inevitable, because there is no one they see they can turn to, that they can trust to never let them down and NEVER give in…}

[He sweeps his arms apart, sending off flares of energy that trail like dragon wings.]

Darzul: {Felix… all that they need is to know there is someone like you. People need a champion, especially in their darkest hours!}

{September 11th, 2020T…}

Felix: It doesn’t have to be this way, and just resenting others and not even trying doesn’t get ANYONE anywhere at all! Tyranny can’t just be wished out of existence, {and you can’t access the river if you don’t even break a hole in the ice!}

[Mikhail could only raise an eyebrow at this. Obviously, it was some variation of “you miss 100% of the shots you never take” and other similar adages.]

Mikhail: You say that as if I don’t know that. But intellectually knowing—even understanding it to be true—and actually believing it are two very, very different things.

[That did help deflect the sense of frustration, but it didn’t really help much beyond that. Felix held his hands in such a way that showed a clear sense of forlorn mental despair.]

Felix: How can I help people who hold such a degree of hopelessness that they can’t even see that we can work together to improve their lives?! What am I supposed to do?!?

[Mikhail crossed his arms, speaking in a quiet tone that had a sense of sternness to it, as if issuing a sense of warning, challenge, or rejection to the attitude.]

Mikhail: Well, Felix, you have two choices, just like any other man. Either you discern and decide that you are needed to function in the role you have, with the influence at hand, and commit to the role even though you have to keep your head down, or. You decide that enough is enough, and you will put yourself out there—doing so ready to take on the consequences, which involve, among other things… endangering those near to you, and marking yourself as an enemy to those who will make your life a living Hell, possibly in a way that leaves you with nothing.

[He could tell Felix wasn’t quite expecting such a response, and he chose to take a step forward, increasing the sharp edge in his tone to something quite fierce.

It was the context and behavior that truly spoke to his mindset and would actually get fully through to him, after all.]

Mikhail: Are you willing to sacrifice your personal comfort for ‘the cause’, or not? You don’t make change for others by keeping to yourself. That level of sacrifice means giving up your time and putting yourself in danger of being ridiculed, mocked, mistreated, verbally abused, possibly even physically assaulted. It means being willing to be laughed at, slandered, disrespected for YEARS out to the line. It means NEVER being safe from having records of the scandal being thrown in your face after it’s all over, disrupting whatever peace you had chosen. On such a scale, that, and NOTHING less, is what it takes to make a difference.

[He took another step forward.

He didn’t particularly enjoy the tone he was taking, but unfortunately the Adept really needed it.

And if that meant being the aggressor, then so be it.]

Mikhail: Well? Are you willing to do that, or not? If you’re so determined, if you really believe that your cause is just and worth sacrifice—if you really believe that people do or will see it your way, given the chance—then what’s stopping you?

[…Admittedly, he didn’t quite expect the response that he got.

He had expected Felix to get defensive, and possibly aggressive, or at least sullen or humiliated, but…

After a brief wince, Felix just looked down with a worried look on his face, holding his hands near his chest and looking down not out of a proper sense of being admonished, but out of dismayed confusion.

His voice was a bit strained too, and he sounded very resentful of his own perceived shortcomings.]

Felix: …I have absolutely no idea where I would even start.

[A pause.]

Felix: There are… there are good ways and stupid ways to go about doing these things, Doctor—and acting out of pure need with no thought is not a responsible way to deal with it.

[Mikhail loosened his own tension and ran a hand over his beard, frowning at this.]

Felix: If… if I had some idea of how to do so responsibly…

[He looked up, a clear sense of pain in his eyes.]

Felix: Wouldn’t that be worth it? I think it’d be worth it. How can I stand by when people are suffering? There’s got to be something I can do, and… even…

[He looks away, his voice reflecting he was reaching his stress limits where he was still able to physically verbalize.]

Felix: …even if I lost everything, there are… there are people I trust, who… I feel…

[He was clearly forcing words now.]

Felix: …they’d… as long as I could… could get there, then at least I wouldn’t be alone.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Have to believe

ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕧𝕖

Real this time

𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 not

𝕟𝕠𝕥

not again not again not again

𝕹𝖔𝖙 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖊

hurts

𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕥𝕤

🄷🅄🅁🅃🅂

𝕹𝖔𝖙 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖊

𝕹 𝕺 𝕿 𝕷 𝕴 𝕶 𝕰 𝕭 𝕰 𝕱 𝕺 𝕽 𝕰

𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠

𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖎𝖓

𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮

𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮 believe 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕳𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖆𝖙 𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝖙𝖔 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖇𝖞 𝖒𝖊

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Felix: …believe, have—have to believe, they… would not. Not abandon. Real. Real this time. Not. Not again. Like before. Have. Have to believe that. They. At least would want to.

Mikhail: …

[All aggression was gone from the Doctor’s eyes now. He almost felt a bit guilty, having forced this battle between hope and insecurity to come right to the surface.

And he was rather worried.

The people Felix was up against were certainly cultured, but hardly what modern society would call “civil”. While there wasn’t a whole lot of difference in terms of motivation, technique, outlook, and methods between the modern tyrants and the ancient ones, it was enough to truly, truly, LEGITIMATELY fear what could happen to the young Adept if they managed to get their hands on him—

With the average nobody, “mere” assault, even to the point of violation and murder, was “enough” for the totalitarian cowards.

But with a leader? An inspiring, charismatic, powerful leader?

Oh, they’d make an example out of him. And he really, REALLY felt cold with the unwelcome visual of what a Romanesque vindictive force would put him through.]

Felix: Why? Why does it have to be like this? Can’t it be enough to worry about love and loss without TYRANTS AND MURDER?!

[He had suddenly started shouting at that last bit, and Mikhail had to wince ever so slightly and discretely take a step back. Felix was in a downright stormy mood, and this one was something he had more or less invoked.]

Felix: Sol’s scales, I’ve just had ENOUGH of this! We’re ALL absolutely FED UP with feeling fenced in, and I am NOT happy with being goaded into second-guessing anyone who’s different! I DON’T BUY IT!

[He whirled around, glaring in aggravated disdain and defiance.]

Felix: I’ve traveled all over the world, lived in vastly different places, and when not being provoked, no one ever even thinks TWICE about it once the novelty wears off! I know for a FACT that there are good people everywhere, and even if they would prefer to be left alone, they don’t deserve to be treated as aggressive threats!

[He advanced in a somewhat dominant way, giving a gesture of focus, accusation, and warning.]

Felix: And I will not be talked by my friends into believing otherwise! We all deserve better than this. I HAVE to do SOMETHING!

[Mikhail winced again, but grabbed Felix by the shoulders.]

Mikhail: Felix, please—! These people make a HABIT of invading their surrounding neighbors to BURN their cities to the ground! If you aggravate them, they WILL kill you!

[Felix knocked one of his hands away, speaking with a highly offended tone of disappointment.]

Felix: You think I don’t know that?! That’s all I can think about most times, day after day, picturing that INEVITABLE end! I can’t stand for this. I shouldn’t have to!

Mikhail: ({Dear God, this wasn’t at ALL what I was going for, DEEPLY regret it—}) You said it yourself, so please don’t do anything rash!

[Felix turned sharply so that his back was facing the Doctor. He seemed moody, and gave off a string of sentences in a language that the older man had never heard before. He couldn’t even guess what an equivalent might be, which made him wonder where in Weyard it originated. Given Felix’s stressed state, it might even be his native language.

After a moment, Felix gave a frustrated sigh and put his hands in his hair.]

Felix: …I hate what this has been doing to me. I absolutely loathe being FORCED into focusing on combat, when all I want is to focus on a family life working as a blacksmith!

[He crossed his arms and glanced over at the Russian scientist, clearly unmoved and rather insulted by the latter’s attempt to admonish him into humble shame by calling out his (nonexistent) hypocrisy.

In retrospect, Mikhail thought to himself, he really should have known better than to guess—let alone ACT so openly, even just to provoke honest scrutiny—the erroneous idea that Felix wasn’t willing to risk his comfort and his life for the sake of regaining a true sense of peace.

And in hindsight, hadn’t he once felt the same? Hadn’t he felt it worth crossing LightLabs, of all people, and all its industrial and academic power, just to defy the callous treatment of AI&As and secure a good life for his family, giving the world an alternative to the heartless and irresponsible regime?

Good Lord, had he really spoken thoughtlessly; that was a TERRIBLE mistake.]

Felix: I can see by your expression and your aura that you know exactly what I mean, and know you’ve made a mistake.

[Mikhail put a hand to his face. Great, now he was being called out on it.]

Mikhail: I’ll admit, I was rather hoping that you were just voicing frustration and would ‘come to your senses’ by realizing you didn’t want to risk the violence to yourself and others.

[Felix held his hands apart, speaking with an edge of irritation.]

Felix: Well, that’s backfired, so I’ll have to speak with others to get an idea for an outreach project.

Mikhail: Felix, please be careful; our feelings aside, there are a LOT of people who are relying on you and would be in rather dire straits if you were abruptly eliminated. You truly underestimate the degree to which you are absolutely vital in your position. Don’t do anything dangerous.

[Felix gave a strained snort, and then spoke with a heavily incredulous, almost amused tone.]

Felix: You say that like I ever have any choice in the matter. Let’s be a bit more realistic, mmmhh?

[Mikhail had to mirror the sentiment. It was rather ridiculous, given who he was talking to.

It seemed to have helped Felix calm down, though, and he placed a hand to Mikhail’s shoulder and spoke calmly, with a sense of gentleness.]

Felix: I’m not out to cause trouble, and I can appreciate the art of subtlety. Maybe nothing will come of it except a long conversation that is thought provoking; I don’t know. Not yet. But I will try. I will find a way to force myself not to be complacent. Standing by will only make the cost even higher, and in the end… with only one life to give, and knowing that I am doomed to suffering, is it not worthwhile—when forced to take a stand—to do what is right so that others might live? It’s not enough that they survive; they must truly, truly be able to live.

Mikhail: …You’re a brave man, Felix. The world needs more like you.

{October 8th, 2020T…}

Felix: I wish I could bring just six Proxans with me to be in Lalivero. I anticipate that the Tolbi will start advancing. Within weeks.

[Mikhail blinked at this, not having expected that. Felix sighed inwardly and stood, walking over to finish preparing tea.]

Felix: They’ve burned much of the buffer in Northern Gondowan, and disbanded all native defenses. There really isn’t anything left that stands between us at this point.

Mikhail: I thought—wasn’t there one large city?

Felix: Suhalla? It’s been utterly sacked. Razed to the ground. The city’s been abandoned; it’s in shambles.

Mikhail: You’re sure of this?

Felix: I haven’t been there myself, but yes, I’m sure. Only the desert stands between us now, and with enough supplies and ingenuity… they would be able to make it through.

Mikhail: But why now?

[Felix looked up.]

Felix: Haven’t I told you? Autumn is the season of Venus. The power of Venus is at its strongest; if you wanted to harness its potential, this is the time to do it.

[He added some tea leaves a metal device, resting them over the cups.]

Felix: They’re out for plunder. The power of Venus is connected to the harvest, and it takes a great deal of food to supply an army of that size. Having burned so much of the surrounding land, they’re looking for something that hasn’t been razed yet. Any survivors are liable to end up forced into labor… to produce resources for their army.

[He looked up again.]

Felix: I’m going to have to travel south to Venus Lighthouse, with a garrison that lacks fighting spirit. They will rely entirely on me—

Mikhail: What about Sheba?

Felix: She has a more important job than I do. She’ll have to stay in Lalivero to defend the actual entrance, should we fail at holding them back. She’s strong enough to raise violent storms to deter them, and they’ll listen to her as a voice of leadership. We can’t leave Venus Lighthouse unprotected, but the entrance and the exit are in two different places. BOTH of them have to be handled simultaneously.

Mikhail: …

[Felix’s eyes betrayed some mental exhaustion as he sat down again.]

Felix: I had hoped it would never come even this far. But it will take a true miracle now to avoid conflict altogether.

[He bowed his head, as if dragged down by the weight of responsibility, and rested his elbows on the table as he held his head in his hands.]

Felix: These people don’t have the fighting spirit. They’re timid, and reliant on saviors. People like Sheba—and me. They don’t…don’t have that inner fire to stand up for themselves against tyrants, if their shepherds are struck down.

[He looked up, a flat expression peeking through his bangs.]

Felix: The garrison stationed at the Lighthouse is going to depend on my leadership. They’ll look to me for the confidence to be courageous, and the strength to take a stand against brutal oppression.

[He lowered his hands.]

Felix: The people of Tolbi have made their way to Lalivero in force before. They are better equipped now to do so, and have experience. This is not something they are going to leave alone; it’s been their goal for a very, very long time. We… probably will not end up facing the entire army; I anticipate them sending a scouting force out instead. And I don’t… I don’t think that they will be willing to peaceful negotiation. Not after what they’ve done in the region, and how they look down on other people as sub-human.

[His hands curled into fists.]

Felix: I can’t ask for help from Prox because Lady McCoy’s forces are a very dangerous threat to the region. She has her own army and is actively expanding her territory. Not only is Mars Lighthouse in need of defense… but Kalt Island has requested that Proxan forces join with them to station in Loho to preserve the key beaches that grant easy access to the Western Sea. Our forces in the Northern Reaches will be stretched rather thin. Can’t afford to weaken the lines of defense that protect Prox and Contigo.

[He looked up again.]

Felix: And before you ask… no, Piers can’t help, either. He’s bound to patrol the Sea of Time, to protect Lemuria itself. Briggs is doing likewise in Champa waters with his son, who’s more or less captain of one of the other vessels in their fleet. No… we’re on our own, with this one.

[He shook his head.]

Felix: I can’t place any of you in the path of war. It’s not your place, and I would not subject you to such peril. I cannot ask them to risk their lives, let alone in the context that could demand the death of the aggressors as the only means of stopping their invasion.

[He laid his hands flat again, running them across the table somewhat.

There was one person, of course. One person who had the spirit of Mars and the willingness to take lives. Even to the point of striking terror into the hearts of the enemy.

But Ray’s greatest strength lay in tandem with a healer, and the strain of Time put her well-being far too much at risk for front-lines combat in a group setting, even if he could handle it. And he anticipated that his supernatural strength would be stretched rather thin, if he committed to using restraint and fighting defensively.

If he were being proactive, then it would—in some ways—make it so much easier. Much simpler, that was for certain.

But he felt so uneasy. It’d been years since he’d taken a life, and that wasn’t willingly. He’d held funerals for Tolbi soldiers before, out there in the desert; he could still smell the sickening smell of the pyre turning the corpses into ashes.

The prospect of doing so a second time was not pleasing in the slightest.

He swallowed.]

Felix: There is Death on the horizon.

[Mikhail felt his blood run cold. All around them, the temperature in the room took an abrupt nosedive.

Felix had said such things before. And each time, without fail, it had come to pass… with multiple casualties each time, so far.]

Felix: This will not end without great sacrifice and suffering.

[Felix closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath before looking up again.]

Felix: People will be looking to me for confidence.

[He interlaced his fingers, not breaking eye contact.]

Felix: If they see me afraid and conflicted, or certain of defeat, then they will internalize a sense of despair. I have to be entirely undaunted and confident, and… I’m filled with absolute dread at what could happen if we lose. What will become of our people, our land. The thought of the torment in retribution, let alone the life of captivity…! How do I maintain unshaken confidence when that is what I am up against, when ill-equipped to do so? Until now, it was easily dismissed as a distant paranoia, but now we’re living it as a grim reality!

[Mikhail felt a pang of sympathetic worry. It was certainly his urge to stay and fight, and to rain down the fury of General Winter on all threats of such caliber. But he, too, was subject to fear, and forced—for the sake of not drawing attention to himself and his family, for the sake of his daughter—to cower against it.

To see Felix now trapped, boxed in into a role he never wanted, forced to take up arms to defend his people (and indeed, most of Weyard), cornered by his enemies in a way he could not escape…

…and especially knowing Felix may not survive it, if the worst came to pass…

…Mikhail had a hard time feeling altogether unshaken, himself.]

Mikhail: Felix…

[He had to put in incredible effort to avoid getting lost in memories, and tried his best to force himself to talk through it.]

Mikhail: If there’s one thing I know about your leadership capabilities, it’s that you ARE capable—far more than you realize—when you are properly focused. It’s when you are overly indecisive that you become distracted and start to doubt yourself.

[He sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing his face a bit.]

Mikhail: I recommend not doubting yourself. This is not a time for self doubt and ‘what-if’ demons. Do what you can with what you have, and deal with reality as it chooses what challenge shall be testing your limits. You have thoroughly planned things out at this point; now you just have to wait.

[There was a pause.]

Felix: Doctor…

Mikhail: Yes?

Felix: There could… be a way for me to…

[Mikhail shook his head, holding up a hand to cut him off.]

Mikhail: Felix, I’ve heard about what happened the last time you tried to singlehandedly stave off disaster by using your considerable inner strength. That nearly killed you, and whatever it is you have in mind, I do not recommend it.

{October 13th, 2020T…}

Felix: {The lands around the Karagol Sea have utterly destabilized.}

Felix: {There has been no word and no trade from Kalay in over a month. I can only pray that this is because most people have fled… though that would mean that other forces have taken over the city. Prior experience traveling those lands tells me that Xian would have closed the Silk Road entirely if Kalay fell and/or trade was no longer safe.}

Felix: {But I am not here for guesses, nor speculation. No… I am here to make an announcement.}

Felix: {Word has reached us from the north that Suhalla was razed to the ground. They no longer serve as a buffer between Tolbi and Lalivero.}

Felix: {I believe that the Tolbi Empire has already gathered the resources to march south, and I imagine they have already set out for the invasion. As such, I anticipate the soldiers will reach the garrison guarding Venus Lighthouse… within a few weeks.}

Elder: {So it truly begins.}

Puelle: {We have received word from Kalt Island that they were posing a threat to the West via Loho; are you certain you have accurate information on their movements?}

Felix: {I think you underestimate the sheer size of their military, Puelle. There are possibly somewhere between 84,000 and 125,000 people in their army—}

G.M. Blacksmith: {125,000!?}

Felix: {—and that’s not really counting the non-combatants in a supporting role. They could send a legion to BOTH locations and still not make a dent in their overall forces.}

G. M. Blacksmith: {That has to be a lie. An exaggeration, at the very least.}

G. M. Dancer: {I rather doubt that. Remember just how much land they have under their power.}

G. M. Tailor: {How would they have the resources to spare in a time of such unrest? I should think they would be busy not falling apart at the seams.}

Felix: {I’m sure they ARE busy, and I imagine that the torment of their victims serves as distraction enough to stabilize their own city just long enough to spare the forces to mobilize on their next targets.}

Felix: {They would not anticipate much resistance in Loho. If they do mobilize to the northwest, then you might see a few cohorts… but I doubt much more than that. Personally, I doubt they would set out for Loho at this time of year at all; spring is much more likely.}

Felix: -Shakes his head a bit- {I will review the matter of Proxan defense, but that is not the main reason I am here. The ice will prevent them from sailing before too long, so I am not as worried about Prox’s defense; nature will see to most of that. Few in the south can withstand the wrath of the winter in the Northern Reaches.}

G.M. Scribe: {You managed.}

G.M. Tailor: {He’s equipped to deal with our winters. They would not be.}

Kalora: {Why did you call the council together if you’re not here primarily to discuss our defenses?}

Felix: …

[He closes his eyes for a moment.]

Felix: …

[He sighs and rests his hands on the table, his head bowed.]

Felix: …

Felix: {I need to discuss… legal complications, particularly regarding the role of succession.}

Felix: {The greatest Seer of the modern age made a prediction years ago.}

Felix: “Felix bears a terrible fate, a burden I would not wish on any man.”

[He looks up, his eyelids lowered halfway.]

Felix: -Calmly- {I’m not invincible, Kalora. If Tolbi does in fact send several thousand PROFESSIONALLY trained soldiers our way…}

Felix: {…Win or lose, there’s a good chance that I won’t survive.}

{October 30th, 2020T…}

Felix: Any advice?

[Darzul didn’t look up from his journal, where he was recording some notes about the local wildlife.]

Darzul: Advice? No. Insight, maybe. What about?

Felix: …How confident should I be about this?

[Darzul looked up, raising an eyebrow slightly.]

Darzul: That’s an odd question.

[Felix moved his pace a bit.]

Darzul: Why do you ask me? YOU’RE the leader.

Felix: I know that.

Darzul: It matters more what you think. And don’t second-guess yourself. Base your thoughts on what you can observe, on reality.

Felix: …I don’t think that the Tolbi will be able to overtake us, given how difficult we’ve made it for large armies to pass through the forest barricade. They’d have to break formation, and they’d be dealing with more monsters. It’s easier to get lost, because the canopy is too thick to see much of the sun, and none of the stars. They could clear a path through the forest through brute force, but that would take a ridiculous amount of time. Food would be a big issue, as would water—having just passed through a harsh desert, both will be in short supply. As long as we stand our ground should they manage to break through, we should be able to hold them back using the fortifications that are in place.

Felix: They are bent on destroying us, but they do still have an empire to run—and that requires a lot of resources and a lot of manpower. They don’t have much of their force to spare to begin with. I know that I feel strong. The power of the season is amplifying the power from the Lighthouse, and I… I did hold the Star in my hands, resting with it above my heart for several days. I feel… feel a burning sense of need to hold them back, and… I don’t think the people of Lalivero are as afraid, being able to look to a leader.

Darzul: Then base your confidence on that, on that knowledge that it IS possible and you are determined to make it happen.

Felix: What if I’m wrong?

Darzul: You can’t afford to think like that right now.

Felix: I can’t just ignore—

Darzul: Felix. You won’t be able to rally to hope if you are focused on despair. Accepting defeat outright is setting yourself up for it.

Darzul: There’s nothing worse than a confidence that’s been shattered by cruelty. To be left in despair, to see your only hope gone. And right now, Felix, you ARE that hope. So you need to be it for them.

[He stood up and walked over, placing a hand on Felix’s shoulder and looking him in the eye.]

Darzul: They need to know that you will never surrender, will never abandon them. That they can trust you, trust you to protect them and everything they care about, and be glad to do as you say to keep it a reality. You need to have real confidence in yourself. Remember, Felix; you’re the strongest Warrior alive. You are a dragon slayer! Champions of lands—and of entire worlds!—are forced to kneel in acknowledgement of your superior might!

[He could feel his spirit lifting as Darzul continued.]

Darzul: They need to see that you are confident, that you are strong enough to protect them! Put your trust in them as they have in you. If you will not abandon them—you, their chosen leader, the defender of their hopes and dreams—then they will not abandon you, not even in the face of grave danger. For they know that they must hold their ground if they are to survive—and there is nothing quite like the burning zeal of passion for one’s homeland to bring fire to a man’s resolve to give in sacrifice.

[He placed his other hand (still partially holding his notebook) onto Felix’s other shoulder.]

Darzul: Now close your eyes.

Felix: …

Darzul: Just do it.

Felix: …

[He did so, and Darzul spoke a little more gently.]

Darzul: Venus… you see yourselves as the Tree, but Mars sees you as the Man. For the connection Venus has to {[humanity]} is beyond what words can say. You can feel them, can’t you? All the others.

Felix: …

Darzul: Well, focus. Focus on them. Focus on the thousands that gather to heed your words, to rally in force in support of your cause. Open your mind to how real they are, how staunch they are in defending what matters.

Felix: …

[He opened his eyes, but they were distant in thought.]

Darzul: Trust. Trust in them as well as yourself. You are not alone. These are people who, by their own choice, would follow you into battle—to face Death with courage, because it matters more to defend their people, their home. Trust, Felix. Trust that that means something. And more than that? Trust your own resolve. Not your ability, but your resolve. For resolve and dedication matter a great deal more than ability in times of trouble—those with great strength but no result will cave, but the weaker with dragons' spirit will burn with unyielding fire, unmoved and unbroken. Set your resolve, and do not let it go. Not even in the face of great fear… and I know that when it calls for it, you can do what you must. And that's all you need see.

{November 1st, 2020T}

[Felix used the brooch that Ky and Ray had made for him to contact all the others.]

<FLX to ALL >: > -Ping!-

<FLX to ALL >: > -Victory-

<FLX to ALL >: > I don't think this is over, but it is over for now…

[MN-ALL] //: -Rush of relief/victory/joyous data!!-

[...on top of what was PROBABLY going on at Halloween night, it was more like another wave rather than just a burst.]

[Ø to FLX] //: -Huge sigh in relief data, safe....-

<DLN-000 to FLX>: > You know this isn't over.

<FLX to DLN-000 >: > Not nearly enough of a force… and quite a lot of scholars, actually…

<DLN-000 to FLX>: > Scholars??

<FLX to DLN-000 >: > Cardinal, I'm tired, and very distracted thinking about how grateful I am that… mmmn… I'll explain later.

-=-=-=-

<FLX to Ø>: > Returning to Lalivero for now. So… so eager to this to be over, to… make my request, my celebration…

[Ø to FLX] //: ...

[Ø to FLX] //: Soon. -Almost there-

[Ø to FLX] //: -And we will help you get there-

[Ø to FLX] //: -Soon- -Soon you'll have your day in sunlight- -You deserve that much-

But they all ought to have known better.

For Felix bears a terrible fate, a burden one would not wish on any man.

||—Origin——————Flare of the Morning Star——————Next—>>

#cje #unluckyadept #mowseries #codedhopes #Paradox posting

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sustraiii · 4 years

Text

TEAM ZRCN ARC 3 - CHAPTER 12

The team is taking a much needed rest after the battle in the previous chapter. Also, we’re introduced to another ZRCN family - the Oxfords!

Many thanks to @neopoliitan for proofreading again!

ZELDE

It had been a day since ZRCN and the Mob Ops had dealt with the herd of Karkadan and Krypterons threatening the town of Highpoint. Little had happened after the Grimm had been defeated, discounting three pages of paperwork the team were assigned to complete. In the early hours of the following morning the base was contacted by Councilman Oxford, extending an invitation for them to come speak with him about the attack and security measures that had previously been discussed with the Mob Ops.

The meeting proved to be a source of curiosity for ZRCN as Councilman Oxford was none other than Neela's father. Zelde had never met him in person, but had a rough idea of the sort of man he was based on the numerous calls Neela had often made to her family at the academy.

Though the invitation had been extended to everyone at the base, not everyone would be attending. Team ZRCN was not required to attend in its entirety, but Neela had practically insisted as it meant she could formally introduce them to her family. Of the Mob Ops, only Wren and Elio would be attending, along with Helia.

Whilst waiting for some of the group to get ready, Zelde found herself sat with Cordovan in the comms room, fiddling with her gun; her weapon had taken a bit of a hit in the battle yesterday - and despite several attempts to fix the issue, it was still refusing to fire.

"It's most likely going to be something internal." Cordovan advised politely, reiterating a point he had made the day before. Zelde grumbled in response, and continued to fiddle before setting it down with a huff, hiding her face in her hands.

"This is just what we need in a time like this," She sighed, lifting her head out of her hands.

"I could take a look at it for you, if you'd like."

A voice cut in from the opposite side of the room. The offer came from Morgan, who was sat with Calantha, inputting information into a file on the screen. Zelde hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have another pair of eyes take a look at it."

Morgan closed the screen and he and Calantha came over to join them. Morgan held out his hand, and Zelde gave her weapon to him. Cordovan and Zelde both watched as he examined the weapon carefully. “I think Cordovan is right...” He said after a moment, “Besides some minor scratches and general wear, the outside of your weapon appears to be fine, meaning the issue is something internal. Since you will be meeting with Councilman Oxford today, I could try and fix it for you if you like?”

“That would be great. Thank you.” Zelde smiled.

“If you like I could also look into adding an attachment for you too.” Morgan offered.

“You can do that? I didn’t even think my pistol was built to allow upgrades.”

“Of course.” Morgan nodded - Zelde could have swore the man seemed to puff his chest out proudly. “Your weapon was based off of a carcass produced by Hollyhock Weapons Manufacturing, they have a tendency to allow on-the-fly modular additions. Now, speaking of attachments, what do you think would benefit you most? Based on your fighting style, I feel like a scoped attachment would be useful.”

There was a pause for Zelde to respond, but Calantha jumped in before she could.

“I think a bladed attachment would be more beneficial, actually.” Although she had spoken confidently, she seemed to shrink back in on herself when the attention was shifted to her. Morgan gestured for her to continue, after which Calantha launched herself into a lengthy explanation as to why a bladed attachment would balance out the team, and be better suited for Zelde.

Weapons and Shop class had never been Zelde’s favourite subject at the academy, and so a lot of the terminology Calantha used seemed to fly right over her head. Even Cordovan - who always seemed to fare much better in that class - was looking lost. Only Morgan seemed to truly understand what was being said, as he was the only one to engage her in further questioning. By the time the rest of their group had readied themselves to meet with Councilman Oxford, Morgan and Calantha were still in a hearty discussion, though they had come to an agreement that a bladed attachment would be best, they were now locked in a debate over which type of blade would be best.

After reuniting with those who would be attending the meeting, Wren led them from the base and towards the heart of the town. As they walked, Zelde noted that there were a surprising amount of shops, restaurants, and bars lining the streets, which she deduced was in part due to the high density of college students who made their home in the town during the school year.

The group continued to walk through the town until they came to a stop at a bandstand, where a man was addressing a small audience.

It wasn’t hard to realise that the man speaking was Councilman Oxford. Even without the traits he shared with Neela - the same pale skin, and sky blue eyes - the neatly tailored suit, and the presence of two guards flanking his side were a dead giveaway.

It seemed the current topic of conversation was the Grimm attack that had occured the day before, with Councilman Oxford calmly alleviating the concerns of the gathered citizens, who were clearly worked up at the growing threat.

“The rise of Grimm attacks is, of course, as much a concern to me as it is to anyone else. With resources from Atlas few and far between in recent months, we must continue to operate as we have for weeks now. It is not a pleasant thing to hear, but we will be continuing to triage supplies and resources to the most vulnerable parts of the city, at least until the agreed upon support from our Mistrali allies arrive.” He would explain to the crowd. “If any of you are in need of any further support, I request that you do not hesitate to seek help from me or my family. We have set aside a considerable amount of funds to help those less fortunate in this difficult time.”

Councilman Oxford paused to arrange some papers on the podium in front of him. When he lifted his head, he seemed to take notice of the group among those gathered. “I’m afraid that is where we will be wrapping it up for today everyone,” He said with a shy smile, “I thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any further queries, please feel free to reach out to me or my team. Thank you and goodbye.”

With a small wave, Councilman Oxford wrapped up the meeting and the crowds began to disperse. As he stepped down from the bandstand, a middle-aged woman hurried over to him, giving an affectionate kiss on the cheek. With the same blue hair as Neela, she was clearly the man’s wife and Neela’s mother.

The two of them walked hand-in-hand as they approached the group, only breaking apart when Neela rushed forward to be embraced by the two of them. It was touching seeing her teammate reunite with her parents, but Zelde couldn’t help but feel a stab of jealousy at the sight of them.

When they broke apart, Wren stepped forward, offering out a hand in greeting. “That was a wonderful speech, Councilman Oxford.”

“Oh, there’s no need to be so formal,” Oxford grinned, as he returned the gesture, shaking her hand with vigour. “Gorman will do just fine.” Neela’s father then took the opportunity to introduce himself to the rest of the group, before introducing Neela’s mother, Nerissa to them.

In return, they all introduced themselves, save for Elio as they were already familiar with one another. When Cordovan introduced himself last and revealed he was Wren’s son, Gorman and his wife shared a surprised glance between themselves.

“I never would have guessed our children would be on the same team,” Gorman laughed after a moment. “I knew there was a reason I liked you when we first met. Besides, of course, the fact you are an excellent negotiator.”

“Please don’t mind my husband,” Nerissa said with a smile, giving her husband a playful smack on the arm. “He always was a charmer.”

“And my wife would know best, since we’ve been happily married nearly thirty years.”

Nerissa rolled her eyes playfully, earning another laugh. When he stopped laughing, he clapped his hands together. “So, shall we continue this conversation at my house?”

“If you wish,” Wren shrugged.

“What, did you think I would be conducting my business out in the cold?” He questioned.

“Doesn’t feel that cold to me,” Xanthos chimed in. “Which is surprising since you don’t appear to have any generators warming the town like Atlas does.”

“Highpoint was built over a giant fire dust mine,” Gorman explained. “So it’s naturally a bit warmer here. It’s been closed since I was a young boy as it couldn’t keep up with the competition from the Schnees. Not that it ever stopped teenagers from sneaking inside and trying to break off small crystals as a test of worth when I was growing up.”

“Not that you would know anything about that, right Gorman?” Nerissa prompted.

“No, of course not,” Gorman responded - but the sheepish expression he gave his wife told Zelde it was very likely that Gorman had taken part in such hazing.

Not long after, transport was hailed to their location, and everyone piled inside before heading out to the Oxford manor. Neela's home was an impressive, three storied building, sitting within the shadow of Astrolabe University - with which the Oxford family were so closely linked. Zelde had believed her own home was large and decadent, but Neela's home put her own to shame, being close to two or three times the size of hers.

Much like when they first arrived at Zelde's home, Xanthos was quick to exclaim his awe at the size of the place, a feeling that was shared by Elio. Unlike her own parents - or at the very least, her mother - the Oxfords found the comments quite amusing.

"You'd be surprised how many times we hear such things," Gorman explained, when Wren gave them an apologetic glance for Elio's outburst.

"Neela, dear, why don't you go and find your brother whilst we have some food and drinks prepared for all of you?" Nerissa suggested. "If he's anywhere, he'll be in the training room."

Neela nodded her head in agreement, and with a wave of her hand, gestured for ZRCN to follow her. As she led them through the house, Zelde took note of numerous portraits of blue haired individuals lining the walls, and the exquisitely decorated rooms.

Eventually they came to a pair of finely carved wooden doors, which opened into what could only be described as an indoor training room. It was a large and expansive room, with sparse decor, save for a small seating area opposite the entrance. The whole room was illuminated by natural light pouring in from a glass rooftop.

Currently, a young man and woman were sparring on the floor. Both were wearing similarly designed athletic outfits, but were as different from each other in appearance wise as you could get. The man was very obviously Neela’s brother. He had choppy blue hair the same colour as Neela, as well as the same sky blue eyes. The woman sparring with him was tall and slender, with light brown skin, darker brown hair she wore in a long ponytail, and hazel coloured eyes. The woman fought with a sabre, whereas Neela’s brother fought with a pair of thin bladed weapons, which curved into hooks at the end.

There was one other person in the room with them too. Although the resemblance was obvious, Zelde was certain she had to be Neela’s sister, based on the same dark blue-black she shared with Gorman. She appeared to be acting as a referee of sorts, judging by how intently she watched the two sparring. She was also the first to notice the group in the doorway and interrupted the fight by announcing their presence.

“It seems we have some guests.”

At her words, the two of them ceased their fighting and looked over in the group’s direction. Whilst the young woman appeared curious, she didn’t hurry to approach them. Neela’s brother practically darted across the room, and headed straight for Neela, who he proceeded to envelop her into a tight hug that lifted her off her feet.

“Oh, Harebell, it’s good to see you again!” He smiled warmly.

“Ugh, Cas, don’t call me ‘Harebell’, I’m not five anymore,” Neela said with a small groan.

“Mhm, we’ll see,” He said with a wink, before letting her down and stepping aside. “So, are you going to introduce us all?”

Neela turned back to her team. “Everyone, this is my brother, Caspian Oxford.”

When Xanthos began to introduce himself, Caspian quickly waved him off, already explaining he knew who everyone was from the calls he had shared with Neela. Regrettably, Zelde did not know as much about Neela’s brother as he seemed to know about them. In fact, she hadn’t even known his name until now. The only thing she did know was that he had once aspired to be a huntsman himself before dropping out.

At that point, the two women had come over to join them, and from being this close to her, Zelde could see the girl she believed to Neela and Caspian’s sister had the same indigo coloured eyes as their mother.

She gave Neela a short hug, but it seemed less warm and inviting than Caspian’s had. She then offered out a hand for one of ZRCN to shake. “A pleasure to meet you all,” She began. “My name is Mirela Oxford, but everyone just calls me Mira. I’m Caspian and Neela’s elder sister.”

“And my name is Seraphina LeClair, but everyone calls me Sera!” The other woman loudly introduced, almost imitating yet mocking Mira’s introduction as she did so.

“Sera’s not technically our sister, but mom and dad have practically raised her with us since she was little,” Caspian explained. “She’s certainly annoying like a sister though.”

“Thanks, Cas, I love you too,” Sera laughed, before hooking an arm over his shoulder.

Mira watched them with an unflinching gaze, before turning back to the group. “I hear you are supposed to be meeting with father, correct? "She asked, looking at Neela in particular.

“Yes, but he was just preparing some things for us,” Neela explained.

Mira made an unamused face. “Well, you would do well not to keep him waiting,” She advised. “As nice as this reunion has been, father took the time out of his busy schedule, you shouldn’t waste all that time speaking to Caspian when you can easily catch up on another day now that you're here.”

“I suppose,” Neela said with a shrug. “But I doubt we’d be able to offer much input about what’s being discussed, so there’s no real hurry.”

Mira didn’t seem particularly satisfied with that answer. So opted to take matters into her own hands. She ushered Caspian and Sera away from the group, encouraging them to continue their training, before gesturing the team to follow her through the doors they had entered. “Follow me,” She instructed, beckoning them with a wave of her hand. “I will take you to father myself.”

#team zrcn fic #team ZRCN #Zelde Sewick #Xanthos Ravindra #Cordovan Radcliff #Neela Oxford #morgan lark #calantha rossi #helia vines #elio goldfinch #wren honeycutt #gorman oxford #nerissa oxford #caspian oxford #mira oxford #sera leclair

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crackimagines · 4 years

Text

New Horizons (FE: Three Houses Short Fic)

Animal Crossing AU

(PART 1)

(PART 2)

Byleth, Megumi, and Kazuma must spearhead their group to safety after being transported to an unknown world…

…Of pure comfort and relaxation, led by talking Raccoons, apparently.

----

DAY 1

When the plane finally landed, Kazuma, Aqua and Megumi stretched and took in the island air.

(Kazuma) “Ya know for a buncha raccoons, they’re really good fliers!”

(Megumi) “It’s strange seeing our world like this. Though...the situation here seems far more ideal than the one I was in...”

(Aqua) “Hm? Whatcha mean?”

(Megumi) “...Oh! I’ll save that story for another time, I think everyone has sea legs...Or would that be air legs?”

Everyone else was shaken after being on a vehicle that defied all of their logic.

(Claude) “Sweet land, how I’ve missed you so!”

Kazuma rolled his eyes and turned around to see three raccoons.

Two of them were Timmy and Tommy and the bigger one seemed to be in charge.

(Tom) “Hello, is everyone here?”

(Megumi) “Yes, sir.”

(Tom) “Perfect! Now, let’s all head over to the plaza, I’ll be making our announcement there!”

After heading to the plaza, the raccoon took names of everyone and checked the names off his clipboard.

Once everything checked out, he cleared his throat.

(Tom) “Welcome everyone, to your new island! My name is Tom Nook, and I’m the founder and president of Nook Inc., yes yes! Today is the first day of your new pristine island life!”

Tom Nook explained to the party that they were to begin their new lives on this deserted island as a getaway package, and that their company would be providing everything they need to be comfortable.

Tommy and Timmy gave everyone tents to set up their first homes.

(Tom) “When you’re done, please head back to the plaza! We’ll see you in a bit!”

He turned around and began speaking to the smaller raccoons, presumably about what to do next.

(Byleth) “I guess we oughtta go head and find somewhere to camp out.”

(Kazuma) “Well, see ya in a bit then.”

Everyone nodded and went off in separate groups.

Dimitri, Edelgard, Claude

(Claude) “Ah, this gives me some nostalgia!”

(Edelgard) “You cannot be referring to the time when we were running away from those bandits, right?”

(Claude) “Course I am! It’s kinda a similar situation. On the move, unknown territory, and all of us together!”

(Dimitri) “I fail to see the connection. These aren’t bandits they’re...talking raccoons! I cannot wrap my head around this, nor the technology they possess!”

(Edelgard) “Megunee Kazuma and Aqua seem used to it though. They did say that this was their world, correct?”

(Claude) “We should ask ‘em next chance we get, I’m getting more and more curious about this place myself.”

(Dimitri) “Well in any case, is this where we are sleeping?”

The three of them were standing near the beach, the view looking right at the ocean waves crashing against the sand.

(Edelgard) “Beachside property, eh? Heh, looks like you do have some taste, Claude.”

(Claude) “I’m the only one who does here.”

Byleth, Darkness, Megumin

(Byleth) “Strange, I thought you would’ve gone with Kazuma and Aqua.”

(Megumin) “We already live with them, so it’s nice to take just a little break now and again! And besides, with how small this island is, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other a lot.”

(Darkness) “This truly is a fascinating world. No war, just peace and quiet...and...talking animals.”

(Byleth) “Yeah, it’s quite the sight. Oh and uh, while we’re here-”

(Darkness & Megumin) ?

(Byleth) “Try...not to weird Tom Nook and the kids out, yeah?”

(Darkness) “I honestly have no idea what you mean.”

(Megumin) “Uh...huh.”

The three of them made their tents nearby the river on the right side of the area.

Megumi, Kazuma, Aqua

(Megumi) “So this is camping!”

(Aqua) “First time?”

(Megumi) “Yes, I’ve never had the chance to do this as a kid. In Japanese cities, there’s not a lot of places where you can do this.”

(Kazuma) “Yeah, it’s a bit claustrophobic. Though, I wouldn’t know too much about that.”

(Aqua) “I’m still trying to figure out how we got here? I can contact Eris and Sothis just fine, so we definitely have access back but...”

(Megumi) “But you don’t know, yes?”

(Aqua) “Right. For Kazuma to get back to his old world, he had to defeat the Demon King. And when we got transported to Fodlan, I think we’re supposed to fight the Flame Emperor or something. As for here?”

(Kazuma) “Meh, I’m fine living in Animal Crossing.”

(Megumi) “So, what is this world? You seem to know this place a bit.”

(Kazuma) “I’ve played a few of the games myself, actually. Basically we just live here in houses and just laze around all day. It’s very relaxing to play, and it’s gonna be even sweeter to live in! Just the life I wanted!”

(Aqua) “Tch, of course the first thing you do is take advantage of it.”

(Kazuma) “Hell yeah, I am! No way I’m gonna let my life of luxury go away like this!”

(Megumi) “Well...Do you know if humans are still around? Tom and the others didn’t seem to react to us that violently.”

(Kazuma) “Oh yeah, it’s supposed to be modern day and everything. Japan, Europe, America, they’re all still here. Only difference is that there’s talking animals that live here in this world too, and no bad war or anything seems to happen.”

(Megumi) “I...I see.”

Megumi’s hand clenched around her necklace for a moment.

(Aqua) “You alright?”

(Megumi) “Y-Yes! Let’s just set our tents, shall we?”

They all nodded and got to work. Their tents were in the middle of a field with barely any trees around.

Everyone made their way back and Tom Nook smiled.

At least they assumed so, all he did was close his eyes.

(Tom) “Alright, with that taken care of, we can move onto more serious business...LIKE THROWING AN ISLAND-WARMING PARTY! We’ll have it right here in the plaza with a roaring campfire!”

(Claude) “Hah, that’s something I can get behind!”

(Aqua) “PARTY, WOOOO!”

(Tom) “I’m glad to see you’re so excited! Now, we’ll just need a couple supplies! Dimitri, Claude, and Edelgard, let’s clean up the plaza! Byleth, Darkness and Megumin, you should find some snacks on the trees! I’ve test tasted a few of them and they’re safe to eat. Aqua, Megumi, and Kazuma, if I could have a word?”

Everyone got off to work as the three went up to Tom Nook.

(Tom) “Now, I know it says that Megumi is the Representative of the island, but can I entrust you two to help as well? You all seem the least nervous about the package, and I’m sure everyone would rally behind you!”

(Aqua) “Hah, you made a good choice!-”

(Kazuma) “Can we have Byleth instead?”

(Aqua) “HUH?!”

(Kazuma) “He’s actually our professor, alongside Megune-Er, Miss Sakura here. Aqua is just kinda here.”

(Tom) “A professor you say? Very well, Aqua could you go help Megumin and Darkness then?”

(Aqua) “I WON’T FORGET THIS KAZUMAAAAAAAA!”

She ran off quickly towards Byleth’s group and everyone else looked on in awkward silence.

(Tom) “...She’s a colorful character.”

(Megumi) “Hah, you have...no idea.”

(Kazuma) “Anyways, we’ll be more than happy to help mister Nook!”

(Tom) “Excellent, thank you very much! Now, let’s get to work!”

Kazuma walked off to help Dimitri’s group, but Megumi was still standing.

(Tom) “Is something wrong?”

(Megumi) “Um...is it possible to send a letter out?”

Later...

Once everyone did their assigned jobs, they all stood in front of the plaza as Tom stood in the center.

(Tom) “Now, it’s been a big day for the island of Garreg, and it’s gotten a bit late, so let’s all have a toast!”

Everyone got out their drinks.

(Tom) “These are pear drinks made with the help of Byleth, Aqua, Darkness, and Megumin!”

(Byleth) “Glad to have helped.”

(Aqua) “Hmph!”

(Darkness) “A simple task for a paladin.”

(Megumin) “Insultingly simple for the Crimson Demon!”

(Tom) “And we have this toasty fire thanks to the efforts of Dimitri, Edelgard, Claude, Kazuma, and Megumi!”

(Claude) “No need for thanks!”

(Dimitri) “How modest you sound, Claude.”

(Edelgard) “We appreciate the attention, mister Nook.”

(Kazuma) “My arms are sore as heeeee-...ck.”

(Megumi) “M-Mine as well, but it was well worth it in the end!”

(Tom) “Now, on the count of three, let’s have a cheer to our new life!”

“HERE HERE!”

The party began with everyone chugging down their drinks, and the music played from the nearby radio.

Aqua entertained everyone with her party magic, and for a grand finale, Megumin cast a powerful and colorful explosion in the skies. As everyone mingled and danced to the music, Byleth quietly slipped away from the crowd.

Megumi was the first to notice and followed her, which in turn made Kazuma follow her.

Byleth sat on the beach, watching the waves glisten from the starry sky above.

(Megumi) “Byleth?”

(Byleth) “Megumi.”

She sat down next to him, and Kazuma joined the two by sitting down as well.

(Byleth) “This...is a bit unsettling. I’ve never had an experience quite like this.”

(Kazuma) “After the first time you kinda get used to it.”

(Megumi) “I don’t understand how!”

(Byleth) “I...think I understand how you two feel now. Being transported to some unknown world, not sure what happened to everyone back at home...”

(Kazuma) “Bah, you got the easy end! We’re in a happy cuddly world, lot better to your war torn world!...No offense.”

(Byleth) “Hm. None taken. My world is the Monastery now anyway I don’t care much for outside of it.

(Megumi) “My old world was...enjoyable...until a certain day...”

(Kazuma & Byleth) “Huh?”

(Megumi) “Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to bring the mood down! This is supposed to be a party after all!”

(Kazuma) “This have something to do with your letter you sent out?”

(Megumi) “Ah...”

(Byleth) “Letter?”

(Megumi) “Well...When you said that this was a world without crisis, and it was Earth in modern times I...asked Tom Nook to send out a letter to some former students I taught and my mother.”

(Kazuma) “What are their names?”

(Megumi) “Yuki, Yuuri, and Kurumi. In short, let’s just say...something happened to me that I was no longer able to talk to them so...If this world is truly as peaceful as you say, I wish to experience it with them. My family as well.”

(Sothis) “Hah, that’s much like her. Thinking about others before herself.”

(Kazuma) “Wouldn’t be Megunee if she didn’t right?”

(Megumi) “H-Huh? Who said that?”

Byleth and Kazuma’s eyes widened and Sothis faded away quickly.

(Byleth) “Um...Anyways, so what are we in for, Kazuma?”

(Kazuma) “Well...if this is like Animal Crossing, we’ll be living here for a good long while. We can pretty much relax everyday and do whatever we want. But uh...we’ll be in debt.”

Kazuma loudly sighed.

(Kazuma) “Even in a kid friendly world, my ass is still in debt...”

(Megumi) “Wait, debt?”

(Tom) “Oh, I wouldn’t phrase it that way!”

Everyone jumped up, hearing Tom directly behind them.

(Kazuma) “JESUS!”

(Megumi) “GAH!”

(Byleth) “WHOA!”

(Tom) “Sorry, I did not mean to frighten, haha! I just wanted to let you all know that everyone is heading back to their tent for some shut eye. I’ll be telling you all what’s in store for your new lives tomorrow!”

They looked at each other and nodded.

(Kazuma) “Well, we’re looking forward to our lives here!”

(Megumi) “Indeed!”

(Byleth) “It’ll be interesting.”

(Tom) “Good to hear it, good night!”

Tom nook waved everyone off and went back to the plaza.

(Byleth) “New lives...again.”

(Megumi) “I won’t waste the second chance of life I’ve been given.”

(Kazuma) “Same here...Wait, what?”

(Megumi) “Good night everyone!”

Byleth and Kazuma looked concerned for a moment, but decided to ignore it. After saying good night, they all went to bed.

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Rise Up

Ch.3: Lonesome Rogues

Previous Story: It Had To Be You || Current Masterlist

Pairings: Barry Allen x Female OC

Chapter Summary: The Snarts have made their way back to STAR Labs only this time they're in need of help.

Pronunciation of OC: Bell-en. The last syllable has an emphasis so it’s not pronounced like ‘Helen’ would be.

Taglist: @ocfairygodmother @anotherunreadblog

Maritza Palayta knew by now not to expect many visits for her, from anyone. She counted herself lucky if Belén decided to stop by once a month. Having her mother sitting in front of her now was something beyond shocking.

"Mom?" the word tumbled from Maritza's mouth before she could even finished thinking.

Veronica stood on the other side of the glass, her facial features not as readable as they once were. She didn't know what to make of her eldest daughter now. She'd been there for Maritza's sentencing, head held high but nothing but disapproving of Maritza. Never in Veronica's mind did she ever consider her daughter becoming a metahuman and much less a criminal.

"I didn't expect you to visit me..." Maritza said after a minute of awkward silence. "At all."

"Should I?" Veronica's tone was cold, but Maritza knew she deserved it. In her mother's perspective, she ruined their reputation in the police department both in Central City and in Starling City.

"I don't know," Maritza answered honestly. "I don't let Axel visit, and I'm lucky if Belén decides to give me the time of day, so...to what do I owe this visit?"

Veronica closed her eyes, sighing. "If you haven't seen Belén already, I think you know what my situation is right now..."

"Ah," Maritza slightly raised her head. "Are you still bothering Belén about my son's custody? You know I left instructions, written out legally, of who I wanted to look after my son, right?"

"Maritza, we both know that Belén is neither ready nor has the means to sustain herself and a child," Veronica remained adamant in that aspect. She viewed this as logically as she could and it was the simple truth. On her own, Belén was able to pay for herself and do her own things, but having a child was something completely life-changing. "You and I, we had our children at a decent age. At a time where we were physically, emotionally and economically ready to care for a child."

"Well, one of us was," Maritza corrected coldly. "Because I may have gone down the wrong path, killed people, but I was always there for my son no matter what. Can you say the same? Where the hell were you?"

"I accept my faults," Veronica lowered her gaze, surprising Maritza for a second there. She'd never won a small disagreement like that, ever. "And after seeing how each of my children have ended up...I realize I should've been there more. It's why I want to try and get close to Belén."

"Your words are nice but your actions say something else," Maritza sighed. "You want Belén, fine, but on your terms and that's not going to work, Mom. And that's the problem. Mom, I love you, I really do. In your own way I know you love us back but you are making the biggest mistake of your life. You lost Dad, Rayan, me...do you really want to lose Belén too?" Maritza so desired for her mother to see the errors she was making. She would want nothing more than the last remaining family of hers to be together.

Veronica swallowed hard and looked down. "I am trying-"

"No, you're fighting," Maritza corrected her softly. "Mom-" she laughed softly, "-stop fighting and help Belén instead. You think it doesn't kill me to know she's struggling because she has to raise my son? I wish nothing more than to change what I did, but I can't. But you...you still have a chance to mend your errors. You want to have a relationship with Belén? Prove to her that you are committed to seeing her perspective for once."

Maritza hoped her mother would heed her words because she was sure if Veronica kept going forth with her plan, Belén would never forgive her.

~ 0 ~

"So my mother has filed for custody of Axel," Belén sighed as she explained to Barry. The two were sitting on the steps of her front porch. Little by little, they had scooted closer to each other. "Like, she actually filed for it. I thought she was angry and bluffing but she wasn't. And you know she did it because I said 'no' to going back with her to Star City."

Barry was honestly shocked to hear what Veronica did. He never had the pleasure of meeting her and actually talking with her in a full conversation, but this was enough to put her on his bad list. "I'm so sorry Belén..."

Belén sighed and glanced at him with a sad smile. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to spread my depressive news to you."

Barry smiled back for a moment before assuring her everything was fine. He'd come by with the intention of asking her to lunch since they still hadn't had the chance of going on a date since their break up. But as soon as he'd taken a look at her face - which was after asking her to lunch - he saw something was wrong. And boy was he right.

He took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss. "We'll figure something out, Bells."

"C'mon. I'm 26 I don't know the first clue about being a pseudo-mother to a four year old. I'm selling my childhood house to keep up with bills. Maybe, on some level, my mom's right to file for custody..."

"You're doing everything you can, and you know what? If your mother is truly concerned then maybe she could help instead of doing...this!" Barry couldn't help the anger lacing his words the more he thought about Veronica's actions. "If she wants to fight, then let's make sure our fight is a damn good one."

Belén was smiling softly, and he had no idea why. The way he'd automatically joined her side with 'our fight' made her feel...warm. She missed that. A lot. "I'm glad you're around again."

The smile that came to Barry's face was automatic. His hand gripped hers and there was a moment where he thought he couldn't ever let go of her hand. "So am I."

"And...I'm sorry about the whole...date thing...I'm-"

"-I get it Bells," Barry reassured her again. "We can go another time."

"Are you sure?" Belén asked, still mighty guilty. It'd been some time since they technically were trying to be together again and it was rather hard to do when there were no dates involved.

"Yes! C'mon," Barry stood up and, with his hand still holding hers, made her get up as well. "Let's go to STAR Labs. Cisco might be done with the breach search, remember? Portals into another world might be something fun to see, you know..."

Belén dramatically sighed. "For nerds, I guess." Barry deadpanned her until she laughed. "Alright, let's go see this breach thing. I need to pick up Axel anyways."

~0~

Indeed Cisco had finished with the breach search and found quite more than he would've thought. Down in the basement of STAR Labs gathered the group save for Stein, Iris and Joe to look at the biggest breach of them all...which turned out to be out of 53 in the entire city. It resembled a blue, moving blob suspended in air over a small platform.

"Pretty amazing, isn't it?" Cisco couldn't stop looking at the breach.

"It looks like a blob," Belén crinkled her nose. Cisco immediately shot her a look of offence for diminishing the breach's worth.

"Still can't believe what I'm looking at," Jay admitted.

"52 breaches in Central City, and the biggest one just happens to be in our basement," Caitlin remarked, totally unsurprised by the turn of events.

"We need a name for it," Cisco popped a finger in the air.

"It's not a pet, dude," Barry's words meant nothing for Cisco who was already on a brainstorming path.

"No," professor Stein walked in carrying a squared monitor hanging on a strap, "It's a wormhole."

Caitlin immediately turned for the man. "Professor Stein, what are you doing? Your blood pressure is 147 over 82! You could pass out again."

Stein didn't look the least bit worried over his condition despite the fact he had collapsed a few days ago while giving the group a lecture. "Oh, it's merely a few points above the 140 average for someone my age. Besides, I have some ideas I would like to contribute to this discussion, Dr. Snow."

"And I want to hear them. This isn't just a wormhole. It's my way home," Jay reminded them all. "Back to Earth Two."

"Jay, you really think that we can use this as some kind of bridge from your world to ours?" asked Barry.

"Zoom uses the breaches. Why can't we?"

"We don't know how. Everything I put through just bounces back," Cisco sighed.

Axel, who had been left sitting at a nearby desk looked up from his drawings he was working on. "Can we throw more things!?" he excitedly asked.

Not even waiting for the answer, he grabbed his crayon box and hopped off his chair to run for the breach. He and Cisco had taken turns throwing things into the breach earlier to see if they would come back and he was mighty disappointed when Caitlin came in to tell them not to do it anymore. He liked seeing everything they threw be bounced back at them.

"Cisco!" Belén exclaimed as the boy made a beeline for the breach, his arm already raised to throw the crayon box.

"Got him!" Cisco snagged Axel of his feet as he passed by him.

"Aw," Axel frowned. Everyone laughed at the young boy.

"I can't believe you," Belén shook her head at Cisco for yet again teaching something wrong to her nephew.

"If Zoom's using these breaches to transport people from Earth Two, maybe it takes a speedster," Barry suddenly theorized and gave a smirk.

"Barry don't-" Belén didn't get to finish when he sped out of the room. "He wouldn't…" she dared to think that Barry wouldn't be that impulsive.

But...Jay knew better. "Yeah, he is," he answered with eyes shut.

A second later, Barry sped into the room straight for the breach only to be thrown backwards. He landed in a small roll on the floor and groaned. "Maybe I'm not fast enough."

This time it was only Axel who burst into laughter. "Boom! Barry went boom!"

"Yeah!" Cisco gave him a high-five, missing Barry throwing them a mini-glare as he got back on his feet.

"I don't believe your speed is the entirety of the issue, Barry. It might be the breach's stability or lack thereof," Stein hypothesized more correctly.

"He's right," Jay nodded. "We need to think of the breach as a door, and on Earth Two, there's another door. In between, we have a hallway, but the hallway's constantly shifting, twisting, collapsing upon itself. And the doors keep moving with it."

"So we stabilize the door, we stabilize the hallway," Cisco understood the idea.

"And then I can jump through it," Barry beamed.

"Exactly, it would serve as a kind of cannon," Jay smiled but no one like Cisco.

"A speed cannon. Mm. We should hang out more," Cisco pointed at him, making the others laugh.

"Alright," Stein cut into the laughter. "No more tests today. All of you are leaving now, as am I. Cherish the gift of youth as I will go cherish my much needed nap." He motioned the entire group to get going. "Clarissa's already on her way to pick me up. Why not go get some coffee?"

"That is a fantastic idea!" Cisco agreed, already rubbing his hands together at the thought of some sweet coffee. "Jitters anyone?"

"You paying?" Belén teased.

"Can I get some chocolate milk?" Axel rushed up to Belén with his own hands put together. When Belén saw that she sighed do deeply.

"You have got to stop spending so much time with Cisco, buddy."

The others snickered while Cisco let out a mighty offended gasp with a hand over his chest.

~0~

Iris joined the group for some midday coffee and was excited to hear about the breach discovery, though not so much after she learned there 53 in their city. While Barry went to get their coffee, the others remained at the table chatting. Belén, however, was pulled away from the conversation when her phone started ringing. Seeing it was her mother calling, she dumped her phone into her purse and decided to go help Barry bring back their drinks.

"Need some help?" she asked him.

"Still waiting," Barry motioned to the barista running behind the counter. "You okay?" he noticed her anxious expression.

"Yeah," she said a bit too fast to be convincing. "Mom's calling and all."

"And you're not going to answer?"

"Not if I don't trust myself not to shout."

Barry thought that was fair enough. He pressed a kiss to her temple and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to him. Belén smiled to herself and got to thinking about the fact they hadn't really kissed either.

What kind of getting-back-together is this? Belén wondered if Barry had thought about it too. If he had, then he was being really good about it.

"Order 20!" A barista slid a coffee on the counter then hurried to continue with other orders.

A blonde woman leaned on the couple's side to reach for her drink then offered a shy smile at them once they could see her clearly. Only a couple days were needed to learn that Patty Spivot was a shy woman.

"Hey guys," she greeted with a wave of her free hand. She seemed far more cheery than when they first met her (separately). It stemmed from the fact she was finally on the metahuman task force at the precinct.

"Hey, Patty," Barry greeted. He looked down at Belén and realized he never introduced them, not that they didn't know each other already. "Oh, this is-"

Belén chuckled and lowered his gesturing hand before he could finish. "We already know each other, don't we?" she looked at Patty who laughed as well.

"Yeah, she's the one that gave me the advice to continue hassling Joe for a spot on the task force."

"I've been meaning to congratulate you, actually," Belén said. "Barry told me Joe let you in. I'm sure you'll be great."

Patty sheepishly smiling. "I'm hoping." Her smile sort of faltered when she noticed Belén's injured arm was...no longer injured. "Sorry, um...how's your arm?"

"Hm?" Belén quickly looked at her perfect arms. Her metahuman abilities kicked in and aided her in healing quicker than a normal human.

"Oh, um, it's fine. It's still a little sore but since the bullet didn't actually hit my arm it healed quicker," Belén cleared her throat and looked at the counter that was being filled with their drinks. Patty seemed to buy it since she gave an 'oh' and smiled about it.

As Barry tried gathering all of the, together, Belén laughed and decided to help. "Bells, it's hot," he said and then motioned to her hands.

"Oh shut up," she playfully rolled her eyes and took at two cups. She glanced back at Patty who was taking a sip of her coffee. "Do you want to have some coffee with us?"

Patty's eyes snapped back to the two. "Hm? Oh, no thanks," she shook her head. "I was stopping here on my way to work. Another day? I owe you for your help."

"Sure," Belén beamed at the idea.

"Great," Patty stepped aside to let the two get on with their coffee.

"C'mon," Belén led Barry away. "I like her."

"I do too. She's lively and she knows her way around a crime scene," Barry said, missing Belén's sarcastic glance.

"Hmm, young, pretty, blonde and a nerd? Should I be worried?"

"Wh-what!?" At that point he nearly did dropped the cups in his hands. "I-I no! That's...that's not at all what I meant, Bells!"

Belén laughed as they approached their table.

"What's with you two?" Iris eyed them.

"Oh, nothing, just teasing Barry on his new girlfriend," Belén said calmly as she took her seat next to Axel.

"She's not-" Barry began rather adamantly before he realized this was just another play of hers. He sighed and shook his head. "That's not funny," he pointed at her with a stern finger.

"Seems pretty funny from my end," she said slyly and picked up her coffee.

"Hey, you guys think Professor Stein is okay, right?" Caitlin didn't even pick up her own cup before thinking yet again on Professor Stein. "I mean, Clarissa would call if there was anything wrong."

"Yeah, of course," Barry said to her, but apparently it wasn't enough to convince her.

She grabbed her phone and started getting up. "All right. I'm just gonna call and check in. I'll be back."

"Uh- I don't see that call going well," Cisco said right before he started imitating Stein. "Young lady, these repeated intrusions are interrupting what should be a speedy recov-" but in the midst of his mockery he bumped into a passing brunette woman. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

The brunette looked up and revealed herself as Lisa Snart who answered in her usual flirty tone. "Don't apologize. You can bump into me any day, Cisco."

"Lisa Snart," Cisco's eyes widened.

"Oh, hell no," Belén said outright annoyed. Meanwhile, Barry tried hiding behind his coffee cup.

"You here to double-cross us again, or are you and your big bro holding up coffee shops now?" asked Cisco.

"Auntie Belén," Axel once again tugged on her good arm. "Who's she?"

"Someone who needs to go," Belén answered loudly for Lisa to get the point. "I would think you and your brother would stay away from places where there's children present."

Lisa didn't respond in her usual snarky tone. "I need your help," she said instead.

"In your dreams, Sister Cold," Cisco nearly laughed.

"I think her brain was finally frozen," Belén stared at the woman. "You do realize we could call in the Flash and the Azalea at any moment, right?"

Lisa nodded. "Call him. I know you two have a thing, so call him."

Barry nearly choked on his coffee while Belén gaped. Iris just smirked - she kinda liked this Lisa Snart.

"Unbelievable," Belén looked away, her face rather warm. "Was it that obvious?"

Her response was a very loud scoff from Iris.

Cisco had been studying Lisa in the meanwhile and had noticed something was just off with her. There was an actual shred of fear sitting in her eyes, and...concern? Was that even possible in a Snart?

"You really want us to call then," he said in realization.

"I need their help too," Lisa confessed. "My brother's been kidnapped."

~ 0 ~

Of course very curious to see what Lisa meant, the group took her back to STAR Labs to get the full story. However, both Belén and Barry made the excuse they had to go take Axel somewhere else - they may have forgotten their excuse as soon as Lisa was gone with Caitlin and Cisco. Instead, they let Iris take Axel and the two beat the trio to STAR Labs to get changed.

"I saw it happen," Lisa swore. She stood in the middle of the cortex, explaining her situation to the group before they would send her off. "Last night, Lenny, me, and Mick were knocking over the cashier's cage at Central City Racetrack-"

"Does it physically pain your family not to rob people?" Belén blamed herself for being so surprised when she knew she was dealing with a family of criminals.

Lisa rolled her eyes. "I never finished the job. After Mick torched through the side entrance, I looked back for Lenny and saw him getting thrown into the back of a van."

"And why didn't you and Mick follow?" asked Barry.

"I would have. Someone hit me from behind and knocked me out," Lisa gestured to her head. "When I came to, Lenny was gone, and Mick already made off with the cash."

"How do we know this isn't some kind of a trap?" Cisco logically wondered.

"If Lenny wanted Flash dead, he would have let Mardon, Simmons, and Bivolo take that honor, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember," Barry mumbled, thinking of it as yet another logical reason not to help them again.

"Good. Then you'll also recall that you owe Lenny a favor for saving your life. Time to make good on that debt."

"Even if we wanted to help, how are we supposed to find him?" Barry asked honestly.

Cisco turned on his feet and walked for the desk. "Not a problem. See, when I rebuilt the cold gun, I didn't have time to place a tracker on it, so I devised a method of locating it by borrowing some military technology." He started typing on the computer. "See, the gun works the same as thermal imaging, only instead of infrared heat signatures, it's looking for ultraviolet cold signatures. Whoa, look at that. The gun's UV thermal reading was last picked up at 5th and Hoyt eight minutes ago."

"All right. Let's see if you're a liar," Barry said to Lisa before speeding out.

"I'm not," Lisa argued but he had already left.

"That's debatable," Belén said under her breath, but not as quiet as she thought because Lisa had heard perfectly.

As it turned out, Cisco was right on where to find Snart. However, they did not account for Snart being with his father. As a result, Barry ended up being nearly frozen to death. Thanks to Cisco's new addition to the suit, the ice melted into nothing and he was able to return to STAR Labs where he had half a mind to tell Lisa Snart off.

"So your brother was not kidnapped. He was pulling a job with your father," he sourly informed Lisa upon arriving.

Lisa was nothing but confused. "What? No, Lenny would never do that."

"Oh, just like he would never try and kill The Flash with his cold gun?" Belén pretended to think. "Do you know your brother?"

Lisa still couldn't get over the confusion. It was the first clue that perhaps she wasn't lying to them. "Are you sure it was my dad?"

Cisco pulled up a reference file of her father. Caitlin walked over to the computer hanging on the wall. "That's him. Lewis Snart. Convicted of larceny, armed robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon."

"You have to believe me," Lisa pleaded. "Lenny would never work with him," she then added, like it was a secret no one in the room knew, "He's a bad guy."

"Did you miss the memo or something?" Belén honestly wondered if Lisa was just pretending she and her family weren't criminals. She was aware she was being ruder than usual but when it came to the Snarts she had no control.

"Why should we trust anything you say?" Caitlin crossed her arms.

Lisa stared at them a minute and then pulled on her jacket and blouse's collar to reveal a long scar running around the side of her neck. "I didn't get this scar being a criminal. I got it being a daughter," she mumbled and walked away.

The others, feeling a bit guilty, meant to follow her and get her back when Cisco stopped them. "Let me go. I got this," he made a gesture and left the room.

"I have to get to work," Belén knew she couldn't last long in the same room as a Snart. She was going to crack. "Every time I see a Snart all I think of is my sister's secret. Maybe the Azalea can take a rain check here."

"Don't worry," Barry said, understanding this wasn't one of her best moments. "We'll call you if something comes up."

Belén thanked him for it and took her leave. However when Barry got to thinking what she was planning on doing at work, he followed her out to the elevators.

"Uh, Bells, hold on a minute," his call stopped her in time. "About that article you, Linda and Iris are doing..."

Belén nodded, already knowing where this was going. She'd talked to him and the others about what they were doing and needless to say he was a little concerned with her decision.

"Barry, it'll be fine," she tried to say but he just couldn't agree so easily.

"I just don't think it's a good idea looking at where we are right now," he sighed. "You wanting to be the Azalea isn't the problem here, you know..."

"I do," Belén agreed, crossing her arms. "But if I live my life in fear because someone from another world decided to hunt me down...I'll never be happy."

"Datura is hunting you down for whatever reason and you letting the city know that the Azalea is alive might just give her more fuel to hurt you."

"Either way, Barry, she's coming to hurt me," Belén stepped closer to him, putting on her best encouraging smile for him. "Might as well let her know who she's dealing with."

Barry's lips briefly quirked into a smile. He loved hearing her so brave and sure of herself. He didn't want to be the reason it disappeared, but he just wished he could stop worrying so much.

~ 0 ~

Belén met with Linda to look over their almost finished draft. Since it was Iris' day off, they wanted to have everything finished for tomorrow so they could just give it another proofread and turn it in.

"This is really good," Linda said after reading some of Belén's lines. "Your perspective on the Azalea's disappearance is really interesting."

"Thanks," Belén felt a little ridiculous for taking a comment about a piece she did about herself. "I just think the city should wonder if this woman was away for so long then maybe it's for a big reason."

"I think they'll believe it," Linda said with absolute certainty. "And you know what, maybe reading this might encourage the Azalea to come back."

Belén smiled at their draft. "I think so."

"Belén?"

Belén inwardly groaned when she heard her mother's voice. "Mom," she turned away from her desk to find Veronica approaching her. "Seriously? You can't do this at my job-"

But Veronica calmly raised a hand to stop her. "I'm not here to argue. I want to talk. For real."

Admittedly this did stump Belén for a minute. Her mother seemed calm, calmer than any time she'd seen her as of late.

"You can talk in the conference room," Linda suggested, nodding her head towards the empty room behind her. "No one will bother you there."

"Thank you," Veronica told her before walking towards the room, leaving not much of a choice for Belén.

"I'll be back soon," Belén promised Linda then followed her mother. She closed the glass doors and readied herself for whatever her mother threw at her.

"Bells, your mother's here…" Caitlin's eyes were widened as a gesture that she was pretty nervous of Veronica's appearance.

"Belén, please. I have a proposition," Veronica came out with it in one go, however Belén had a different idea of what she meant by a proposition.

"If it's me and Axel getting out of the city then you can forget-"

"I want to stay," Veronica surprised Belén so much that for the next minute Veronica had free range in the conversation to say what she needed to. "I've been going wrong about this, and I get it, and I'm sorry. I'm just...I've lost my kids, and not just from the divorce, but from life. Rayan's gone, Maritza's gone, even David's gone. And I thought that staying away was the best thing. I've always done better when I'm alone..."

"How'd that work out for you this time?" Belén crossed her arms, unable to keep her resentment at bay. "Because for us it didn't go too well."

"I was wrong," Veronica knew those three words would become part of her daily vocabulary. "I have never been very good at expressing my feelings and when I do they're always in the wrong manner. But you just have to know that I do love you, okay? You're my daughter, how could I not?"

"I have never doubted that," Belén said quietly, shifting on her feet. "But you have never, ever, tried to see things from another person's perspective. Everything always has to be your way or it just blows up."

"I know, I see that now," Veronica nodded her head. "That's why I want to stay here in the city, and change, so that I can be that mother you need. I know things will never be perfect, but I want to try."

"You say that now but by Sunday you'll be back to your regular self," Belén remarked.

"Not this time. I mean it. I already made calls to SCPD to transfer here."

Belén's eyes widened. "You...you did that?"

"Mhm. I'm hoping to get transferred here, at the CCPD. And look," Veronica went back to her purse where she pulled out a manila folder, "this is something else I think could be good for both of us." She walked up to Belén and held out the folder.

Eyes glued on her mother, Belén took the folder and opened it up. She skimmed a couple of lines which resulted in a contract...and proposition?

"What the hell is this?" she looked up.

"I want to buy the house off you," Veronica declared. Belén's mouth fell open once again. "It's clear you and I can't live together, and maybe it's for the best now. You're a young woman who, as you've said, is trying to make her life now. You're selling the house and I would like to buy it."

Belén's eyes nearly popped out from her head from how wide they were.

"And-" Veronica continued with a gesture that Belén should keep looking through the papers, "-I want you to sign Axel's custody over to me, but-" she raised a finger when she saw Belén opening her mouth to argue, "-with conditions. I honestly don't think you are ready to take on the responsibility of a child. It's not that I think you are incapable. I just think you're too young for this."

"I am-"

"Belén please just stop being stubborn and view things logically for a moment," Veronica pleaded. Belén snapped shut the folder but adhered to the request. "You're at the starting point of your life. You just had an accident, your job is barely beginning, and I even hear you're starting a relationship again, and all that gets complicated when you have a child to look after. Tell me you haven't gone crazy looking for babysitters? Axel goes to school now and that can't be easy when it's only three hours a day. Plus, I can't imagine the sleepless nights you've had trying to look after him. He's four and he doesn't have his mother anymore. I know you're trying, but...it has to be hard for you, right?"

Belén bit her lip, her initial annoyance subsiding when she got to thinking. Of course there'd been days where she just couldn't find someone to look after Axel while she went to train for the aerial show or even just to go to work. There were sleepless nights that often had her nearly falling asleep at work. Then there were moments that she just didn't know how to talk to Axel, especially when he asked about Maritza.

"I'm not trying to take Axel away from you. On the contrary, I want to stay here in the city, live in the old house with Axel where you and I can make plans to see each other more often. I'm going to get old eventually," Veronica smiled lightly, "And when that time comes, you'll probably have a family of your own and then you'll know how to care for Axel and your children. It'll be your decision to have them."

Belén re-opened the folder to look things over again. Her mind was fumbling with different ideas but they were all screaming at her to agree. This was the closest thing her mother had ever done to benefit her and Belén couldn't find it in her to disagree when her mother seemed to be honest. Because in the end, she did love her mom and she did want to form some sort of relationship before it was too late.

~ 0 ~

Returning to STAR Labs (as the Azalea), Belén came to quite a sight. Lisa was sitting on a stool with Barry and Caitlin, the former as the Flash and holding some sort of whirring device in front of Lisa's neck.

"What in the hell is going on here?" Belén walked over to them.

"There's a bomb inside Lisa's that her father put," Caitlin responded then moved on to tell Barry, "Once you hold it steady with the magnet, I can surgically excise it."

Cisco came running into the room shouting for them to stop. "Put the magnet down! This is a really concentrated bomb. It's gonna combust if it's exposed to magnetic friction and an oxidant."

Caitlin and Barry retracted one large step away from Lisa who shared the same confused face as Belén.

"In English please?" Belén asked them.

"Air. Uh, the bomb will explode if it comes in contact with air," Barry replied.

"Scientific minds. Can we confer, please?" Cisco motioned to be followed into a side room.

"Yeah, I'm not scientific but I don't want to be near her," Belén mumbled and flashed an apologetic smile at Lisa. "This time no offence."

For once Lisa smiled back.

"What if Flash speed extracts it?" Caitlin wondered once they were in a separate room.

"Nope, it's too risky," Cisco shook his head. "I'm gonna find a way to get it out. I just need a little time."

"But you could lose track of Snart and his dad," Belén pointed out.

"I wish we knew what he was gonna steal next and when," Barry said, thinking. It only took a moment for an idea to pop into his head. "Maybe I can get them to tell me. Their tech guy is dead, so I'm betting they're gonna need a new one. I should infiltrate Lewis' crew."

Belén burst into a fit of laughter but abruptly stopped when she met Barry's offended face. "Oh, you weren't kidding?"

"No, I wasn't," Barry frowned.

"You're gonna pretend to be a criminal?" even Caitlin was surprised of the idea.

"How hard can it be?" Barry shrugged, not thinking about it too much.

"How do I say it nicely…?" Belén mumbled, thinking for a minute before coming up with, "...you're kind of a dork."

Barry tilted his head at her. Was this the best she could come up with? And she was trying to be nice. "Well, as long as you're being nice."

Belén smiled. "You know I mean that affectionately, but...you just have a thing about you that screams…"

"Nerd?" Cisco finished, or blurted.

Belén laughed again. "That's the word!"

Barry shook his head at them. "Thanks guys, really."

"Oh, c'mon," Belén couldn't stop laughing however and so Barry left the room before they added more to his apparent persona.

~0~

"He actually went through with it," Belén couldn't say she was surprised Barry went through with his idea to pretend to be a criminal and tag along with Snart and his dad.

Caitlin laughed as the two walked for the cortex holding respective cups of coffee in their hands. "I think he might have done it just to prove us wrong."

When the two women returned to the cortex Cisco had devised a new way to retrieve the bomb from inside Lisa. He had fashioned a gun-like device with a fitted clear tube sticking above from it.

"What exactly are you gonna do to me with that thing?" Lisa hadn't stopped staring at the big gun she knew was going to be aimed at her pretty soon.

"Operating pressure on this is over 1,000 PSI. This will easily suck the micro-bomb out of your neck and into the barrel of this with one high-powered sho," Cisco tapped the top of the gun. "There is one slight risk."

"Besides shooting a high-powered weapon directly against my neck? "

"The gun does use compressed air," Cisco admitted and looked at the other two women.

Lisa reached a hand on his arm and softly said. "I trust you, Cisco."

"Maybe that's one thing we have in common," Belén smiled at Cisco. "Do your thing. But, uh...we'll be over here," she gestured to herself, Axel and Caitlin.

Cisco nodded a thanks and moved a bit to the side to finish the last bit of the gun. Almost at the same time, Belén's cellphone went off. She took it and walked to the side to take Iris' call, not that she had much of a conversation since Iris was in a fit.

"Bells? I need you!" Iris blurted frantically, worrying Belén she was in trouble.

"What? What is it!?"

"It's just...my dad told me that...that my Mom was actually alive and-"

"He what?" Belén's mouth fell open. "She's...like...breathing-alive?"

"Oh yeah, the whole thing. Please, I just...I really need someone I can talk to with 'mom problems'. Didn't even know I could have those," she mumbled in the end.

"Y-yeah, don't worry. Are you home?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I'll be right over," Belén promised and hung up. "I have to go but I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Is everything alright?" Caitlin asked once she detected something was off in Belén's tone.

"Yeah, um...I hope," Belén pushed herself up from her chair. "I'll be back later, promise."

"We'll handle things," Caitlin assured.

Belén thanked her once more and hurried to find Iris. Like the woman had said, Iris was sitting at home completely alone. She had Axel coloring at the dining table actually quiet. She had pulled up several of her old albums that happened to contain some of her mother's pictures. It was all completely crazy to her. First, she thought her mother was dead and now apparently Francine was more than alive. But then...her father told her that Francine was dying. How was she supposed to think when there was all that behind it?

She nearly jumped from the couch when she heard someone knocking. She opened it up and was relieved to find Belén on the other side. "Thanks for coming, Bells."

"Yeah, of course," Belén walked in but not before giving her a hug. "I can't believe your mom's alive."

"Me neither," Iris said and closed the door. "I didn't have anyone to talk to about this. I mean, I tried getting through to Barry but he wasn't answering-"

"Oh, he's off being a criminal," Belén waved that off and headed into the living room. Iris made a face behind but filed that under 'ask later'.

"Bells, I'm so confused. I saw her today," Iris stopped by the couch, allowing Belén to sit down first. Belén reached for an open photo album with a picture of a baby Iris and her mother. "Like...she was there, and…" Iris shook her head, still unable to believe it.

"How is she?" Belén thought to ask.

"She's...put together," Iris took a seat beside her. "My Dad said that...she used to be a drug addict. She was put together and I told her...to go away. That's what I said to her."

"I think that's completely understandable. I mean, if she left…"

"Oh, she left," Iris said with a bit of resentment in her tone. "She just got up and left and then suddenly decided she wanted to see me again." But even then Iris knew that wasn't the complete truth. "She's...sick. That's what she told my dad. But...I don't know if I can believe her. She's made my dad lie this whole time who knows what comes out of her mouth now."

"Well, you're a reporter, research her," Belén instructed. "You're the daughter of a cop, and a badass of a reporter. This is your perfect talent. Use it."

"And if it turns out to be true?" Iris asked quietly. "If my mom...is dying...what do I do?"

"I can't tell you what to do," Belén shook her head. "I mean, you see the problems I'm having with my own mother, but if Francine came back at this moment...she probably wanted to make amends before she…" made a gesture and sighed. "But you have to be really committed. You can't do it out of guilt. It's okay if you don't want to know her because the truth of the matter is, while biologically she's your mother...she was never A a mother to you. I think she would understand that."

Iris nodded. "Yeah," she mumbled.

Belén stared at her for a minute before reaching over and hugging her again. "Come here!" Iris smiled as she was rocked a bit by the woman. "If you want we could research together."

Iris truly thought about it for a minute but went against it in the end. "I need to do it alone. But thank you so much."

"Don't worry, I understand," Belén nodded her head. "But you also need to understand that I'm gonna hug you for five more minutes."

Iris laughed.

~ 0 ~

At one point in the heist he was being forced to pull, Barry wondered how he would rub it in Belén's face that his plan had gone right so far. She thought he was too dorky to actually play off being a trained techy criminal. She so owed him, that much he knew.

Now as the Flash, he appeared to Snart and his father right at the end of their heist, ready to stop them. Both of them were getting ready to leave the vault with all the diamonds they found.

"Only place you're going is back to Iron Heights, Lewis," Barry spat at the older man he really disliked, and not just because he had shot him five minutes ago.

Snart raised his cold gun at Barry but did not shoot. Lewis, on the other hand, just smiled. "Ah, you wanna bet?"

That was the question wasn't it? Barry raised a hand to his earpod. "Do I wanna bet?

"Do not bet!" he immediately heard Cisco's shout. "Give me a minute."

"Tell me this, what kind of man puts a bomb in his own daughter?" Barry started to ask, hoping Cisco wouldn't be too long.

"A very rich man," Lewis smirked. "Shoot him, son." But as Snart failed to do so, Lewis pulled out a small, silver device that Barry assumed was the controller of the bomb inside Lisa. "Kill him or you'll never see your sister alive."

Barry wondered how this could play out where both he and Lisa got out alive. Thankfully, he didn't have to think for too long before he heard Cisco's 'okay'.

"Lisa's safe," he told Snart. Almost on reflex, Snart redirected his cold gun at his father and shot him square in the chest.

Lewis fell on his knees with nearly his entire body covered in ice. "You're working with The Flash? I thought you hated him?"

"Not as much as I... hate you," Snart responded, almost trembling from the hatred he felt for the man now dead on the floor.

Barry cautiously moved up to Snart and gently pulled the cold gun from his hands - to which the other man didn't even fight for. "Lisa was safe. Why did you do that?"

Snart looked up with cold eyes. "He broke my sister's heart. Only fair I break his."

~0~

With the Snarts' dilemma finished - however badly it was - the rest of the team called it a day. Belén hadn't stopped by STAR Labs anymore due to the time, so she left Iris' place with Axel and returned home. She put Axel to bed, with the promise that things would be looking better for them now. He was certainly excited to learn his grandmother would be staying in the city. His excitement deterred his sleep but eventually, after two or three bedtime stories, Belén got him to fall asleep.

She had to admit, the idea of having her mother around - on good terms - was something that made her smile.

Her thoughts about the new arrangement were interrupted when she found her dining table decorated with candles and dinner she'd most certainly hadn't cooked. (She may or may not have bought Axel take out and called it dinner).

"This is a surprise," she admitted when she saw Barry standing next to the table. He was holding one azalea in his hand and was wearing a nice outfit.

"The many perks of being a speedster means I can basically be a ninja," Barry smirked which just made her laugh. He moved up to her and held the azalea out for her. "I know we didn't have a chance for a nice date outside and I know it's just harder for you right now, so...I thought maybe a house-date might work better."

"House date," Belén repeated with a soft chuckle. "Thank you for that." She took her azalea from his hand and gave it a sniff. "And thank you for my flower. My deadly, poisonous flower."

"Yeah, keep that away from Axel..."

Belén playfully rolled her eyes and gazed at the dinner table. "Thank you for this. All of it. I really love it. I'm just sad I'm not better dressed."

"What are you talking about? You're looking lovely as usual," Barry dramatically gestured at her.

"Barry, stop," Belén laughed but Barry continued on with his compliments, from her hair to her shoes. Eventually she managed to quiet him down only to keep Axel from waking up.

The two sat close to each other at the table and started on their dinner. It was from the same restaurant they visited on their first date.

"Good points, Mr. Allen," Belén pointed her fork at Barry. "Only this time I'm not going to spit anything out."

Barry nearly laughed when he remembered her spitting out a spicy meal she'd ordered on their first date. "I thought it was cute."

"It was awful. I'm surprised you didn't walk out there and then," Belén reached for a sip of her drink.

"Why would I? You were gorgeous then, and now I know you're the best thing that could ever happen to me."

Belén lowered her fork for a moment to smile at him. "You're smooth tonight. Thanks."

"I'm just glad you're smiling again," Barry passed a finger under her chin, widening her smile.

It was then that Belén realized she hadn't told him about her mother's latest visit that day. "My mom stopped by again..."

"Oh, Belén..." Barry figured Veronica pushed her again and was prepared to comfort her.

"No! Um...things actually got better," Belén felt weird just saying that sentence about her mother. She was so used to always having problems with Veronica. "She um, she...she made a proposition. She's buying the house from me. She's going to live here, actually, with Axel."

"She still made you give up custody?"

"No, uuh...I agreed," Belén nodded. She drew in a big breath before explaining her reasoning. "I love my nephew, I do, but I'm fully aware that I'm not ready to take care of him nor any child for that matter. I'm trying my best but if things keep going the way the were...I'm going to drown, Barry. I'm just...I'm not ready for it and I just want Axel to be okay..."

Barry set his hands on her shoulders to keep her from going into a long ramble that would eventually turn her face purple due to lack of oxygen. "I get it. You don't need to explain it to me."

"I don't want you to think I'm giving him up like if he were nothing."

"I would never think that. I've seen firsthand how much you love him. If you're making this choice it's because you're sure Axel is going to be okay. He's going to be good."

"I think he will be," Belén said with absolute certainty. "Mom's transferring to the precinct so she'll be around. Who knows, maybe this is our chance at actually having a relationship."

"I'm really happy for you, Bells," Barry said, taking his hands off her shoulders. "I'm glad Veronica finally came to her senses."

"Well..." Belén cleared her throat. Barry noticed her shifting on her chair and wondered what else she had to say. "She didn't come up with it entirely on her own. Maritza...actually inspired her." Barry's eyebrows raised together in shock. "I know," Belén chuckled lightly. "I was just as surprised as you were. Mom told me she visited Maritza and that Maritza basically called her out on everything."

"I mean...that was..." Barry couldn't even find the proper words to commend Maritza for her actions. It certainly brought a lot of happiness for Belén and that made him see Maritza in a new light.

"I'm thankful," Belén bit her lip nervously. "I'm basically getting a second chance with my Mom thanks to Maritza."

"I'm happy for you, a lot," Barry smiled.

Belén stared at him for a minute with a soft smile. "Yeah, things are finally getting better for me."

She got up from her chair and surprised Barry by sitting on his lap. She looped an arm around his neck and pressed her lips to his for a kiss. It was a much awaited kiss that was filled with feelings - some of those feelings were from the very day they'd broken up. Barry wrapped an arm of his around Belén's waist, keeping her steady as well keeping her close to his body. His free hand came to rest on her cheek and repeatedly stroked circles over her skin with his thumb.

They remained like that for a couple minutes until they felt their feelings for each other had been rekindled.

They gazed at each other with the same dazed smiles until someone spoke up.

"I need more dates like this," Belén spoke for the two of them.

Barry thought the same thing and went ahead and kissed her again.

Dinner was pushed back for a couple minutes.

#ocappreciation #arrowverseocs #the flash #barry allen #the flash fics #barry allen fics #barry allen imagines #the flash imagines #oc: Belén Palayta #oc: Belen Palayta #oc: datura #fic: rise up

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kodigriffinofficial20 · 4 years

Text

As promised here is the filled out version of the character sheet. I know it has been a whole day later but here it is.

“Extremely detailed character sheet template”

Character Chart

Character’s full name: Benjamin Rose Steven Rodgers

Reason or meaning of name: “Benjamin” was his grandfathers name (on his fathers side) “Rose” was his grandmothers name (on his mother’s side) and because his last name is Rodgers the family wanted to put Steven in there somewhere because of Captain America.

Character’s nickname: Captain of America.

Reason for nickname: He was in the military and because of last name and rank of Captain he was dubbed “Captain America”

Birth date: November 30th 2030

Physical appearance

Age: He is 29 at the beginning of my book.

How old does he/she appear: 25ish-ish

Weight: 265

Height: 6 foot 3

Body build: very muscular.

Shape of face: I don’t know, think Steven Amell-ish

Eye color: blue

Glasses or contacts: neither.

Skin tone: kinda light but tans well. Think Alycia debnam Carey

Distinguishing marks: I don’t remember any right now.

Predominant features: I don’t know what this means.

Hair color: brown

Type of hair: I don’t know, very over grown and long. you would have to read the book to understand why.

Hairstyle: I don’t know, very over grown and long. you would have to read the book to understand why.

Voice: kinda deep but not like James earl jones. Again think Steven Amell

Overall attractiveness: Again think Steven Amell mixed with Chris Evans and a little bit of grant gustin? I don’t know that’s what I see when I picture him anyway.

Physical disabilities: can’t draw, afraid of heights, overly sarcastic, bad luck, gets injured a lot, kinda clumsy.

Usual fashion of dress: prison clothes for now.

Favorite outfit: pajamas.

Jewelry or accessories: watch, AR-15, shotgun, .45 ACP, 9mm, m4 carbine, and Kevin.

Personality

Good personality traits: loyal, stubborn, fight till last dying breath, survivor, sarcastic, funny, a leader, wise, adapts well, a good friend, trusting, trustworthy, and Macgyver like.

Bad personality traits: stubborn, sarcastic, trusting, puts himself into danger to often, not cautious enough, unlucky, clumsy, self deprecating, impatient,

Mood character is most often in: sarcastic anger and story telling indifference.

Sense of humor: sarcastic, self deprecating, light hearted.

Character’s greatest joy in life: Kevin.

Character’s greatest fear: Heights.

Why? Because heights are freaking scary man, that’s why.

What single event would most throw this character’s life into complete turmoil?

There are a lot of different things that could happen that could do that. But I can’t say any of them without spoiling the book.

Character is most at ease when: petting Kevin while reading him a book.

Most ill at ease when: when Kevin takes to long to come back from his outings.

Enraged when: a crop dies or an earthquake happens.

Depressed or sad when: one of the birds dies or When thinking about everything that has happened to him.

Priorities: escape

Life philosophy: survival and petting Kevin (which was a new addition)

If granted one wish, it would be: freedom from where he is

Why? Because he doesn’t like it there

Character’s soft spot: Kevin or an old friend from the Army named Flash.

Is this soft spot obvious to others? If it’s Kevin than no because there are no others. If it’s Flash than yes it’s very obvious.

Greatest strength: his gun abilities.

Greatest vulnerability or weakness: heights.

Biggest regret: going to prison

Minor regret: not asking some questions of Certain people.

Biggest accomplishment: Winning the Medal of Honor/silver star/Purple Heart.

Minor accomplishment: Saving America

Past failures he/she would be embarrassed to have people know about: none that I have put into the book or can think of.

Why? Because I can’t think of any.

Character’s darkest secret: I can’t tell you that.

Does anyone else know? Not even me.

Just kidding, but no, literally no one on planet earth knows but me.

Goals

Drives and motivations: survival

Immediate goals: getting out of there.

Long term goals: finding out what happened then finding Jimmy and getting revenge.

How the character plans to accomplish these goals: by blowing stuff to smithereens and walking out and then hunting him down and shooting him in the face.

How other characters will be affected: they will also be shot in the face.

Past

Hometown: Denver Nebraska USA

Type of childhood: Nice? I don’t know what the question wants from me.

Pets: one golden retriever when he was six but it died when he was 13.

First memory: going to court with his father

Most important childhood memory: his parents dying when he was 14

Why: because his parents died when he was 14

Childhood hero: his “uncle” Greg

Dream job: Army soldier

Education: high school

Religion: Christian

Finances: very good.

Present

Current location: undisclosed location in in the USA

Currently living with: Kevin

Pets: several birds

Religion: Christian

Occupation: none

Finances: none

Family

Mother: dead

Relationship with her: none but before she died it was very good

Father: dead

Relationship with him: none but before he died it was very good

Siblings: none

Relationship with them: none

Spouse: none

Relationship with him/her: none

Children: none

Relationship with them: none

Other important family members: none

Favorites

Color: blue

Least favorite color: yellow

Music: Dan+Shay

Food: Chicken Alfredo, fried chicken, steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, cheddar and broccoli soup are his favorite foods.

Literature: anything by Jules Verne or Kodi Griffin

Form of entertainment: reading

Expressions: “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it” or when asked how things are done or how he did that he replies “fermentation”

Mode of transportation: truck or walking

Most prized possession: Kevin or AR-15

Habits

Hobbies: working out, reading, meditating, listening to music, and writing in a journal.

Plays a musical instrument? The drums but that was a long time ago.

Plays a sport? American football back in high school.

How he/she would spend a rainy day: playing in the rain or on his bed reading with Kevin.

Spending habits: none anymore.

Smokes: absolutely not.

Drinks: occasionally but not really.

Other drugs: absolutely not.

What does he/she do too much of? Danger, working out, and reading.

What does he/she do too little of? Safety

Extremely skilled at: shooting, fighting, blowing things up, surviving, getting hurt, and petting Kevin.

Extremely unskilled at: doing nothing, waiting, art, and cooking.

Nervous tics: sarcasm and biting nails.

Usual body posture: that of a soldier but sometimes a teenager.

Mannerisms: Not really sure.

Peculiarities: I don’t know.

Traits

Optimist or pessimist? A realist which I guess means he leans more on the pessimist side

Introvert or extrovert? An introverted extrovert?

Daredevil or cautious? Daredevil

Logical or emotional? Logical

Disorderly and messy or methodical and neat? Methodical and neath

Prefers working or relaxing? Working

Confident or unsure of himself/herself? Confident

Animal lover? Yes siree

Self-perception

How he/she feels about himself/herself: wants himself to live confident about his looks and doesn’t care what people think about him or his looks.

One word the character would use to describe self: fighter

One paragraph description of how the character would describe self: “A survivor until the bitter end. A fighter for freedom, peace, justice, and the American way. And if all else fails kill everything I see and be the last one standing.”

What does the character consider his/her best personality trait? His sense of humor

What does the character consider his/her worst personality trait? Judge of character.

What does the character consider his/her best physical characteristic? Eyebrows

What does the character consider his/her worst physical characteristic? Hands

How does the character think others perceive him/her: He doesn’t care about what others think of him because he is his own man and his own self worth is what truly matters.

What would the character most like to change about himself/herself: the way he approaches certain things

Relationships with others

Opinion of other people in general: doesn’t like them all that much. yes people are needed but most of them he don’t care for

Does the character hide his/her true opinions and emotions from others? Yes

Person character most hates: jimmy

Best friend(s): Flash and Kevin

Love interest(s): none, at any point in my book

Person character goes to for advice: none maybe Kevin

Person character feels responsible for or takes care of: Kevin

Person character feels shy or awkward around: none

Person character openly admires: Kevin

Person character secretly admires: Kevin

Most important person in character’s life before story starts: Flash

After story starts: Kevin

#writebler #writing templates #writeblr positivity #writing resources #write #writers #writing #free write #writer #writeaway #l writes #my charcters #character template #characters #original character #fictional characters

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orsino-the-enchanter · 4 years

Text

Dungeons and dungeons

Few things frightened Jowan more than being returned to the Circle Tower, but Amell, despite his best efforts, could not spare him the Guerrin family’s sentencing. But...Amell did what he thought was the only thing that MIGHT save Jowan’s life, despite the fact that if Jowan had to spend even one more day in the Circle Tower he would set the place ablaze.

He never even got a chance to cast a spell after he awoke from the Fade though. His life was spared on the condition that he would be returned to the chantry’s custody upon the Warden’s return to the castle. True to their word, the Templars did not run a sword through the apostate’s chest on sight, but that /did/ beg the question-just what should they do with him??

The answer was unclear even to Irving. Making him Tranquil was the most...obvious choice. But Jowan had defeated a demon in the Fade in single combat-which technically matched the accomplishment of a Harrowed Mage. That would make the Rite of Tranquility an unjust and illegal move. And Irving knew Amell well enough that if he found out his former friend was branded, Jowan would die anyway. A mercy killing by Amell’s hand was still a promise broken.

So while the good folk of the Chantry bitched and bickered over what to do with Jowan he awaited sentencing in the dungeon at Kinloch Hold, no one visited him save for the Templars who so graciously offered him stale bread. Not eating was better than giving Templars the impression he was vulnerable. Maybe Jowan would even be stubborn enough to die. Amell has claimed to care for him but at the end of the day, the man had betrayed him to the First Enchanter and THEN attempted to get him a stay of execution?

Ohhh what a cruel game the system played with weak mages. It was the only reason Jowan was locked up, probably forever. He was believed to be weak. A weak mage wouldn’t save a child’s life, now would he? He was only a smidgen bitter. At least no one was beating or torturing him like Isolde had. He’d expected more cruelty in that regard.

But what he hadn’t been expecting was his sentence to be a transfer. To Kirkwall’s Circle. The gallows. Ultimately it was his choice. The gallows or tranquility. (He guesses a Harrowed mage could be made tranquil as long as it was “voluntary.”This was such a no brainer, as soon as he was given the chance to speak Jowan had already made his choice.

“I choose the Gallows.” He said, in a voice he almost didn’t recognize as his own. There was determination in his tone. A sense of stubbornness too. He refused to let anyone know how terrifying this turn of events was for him. At least he’d never hear from Amell again, though, right?

“You are braver than you look my boy. Very well. The Templars shall arrange transport -but I must warn you, and offer you one last chance to change your mind...you will be sent to the Gallows upon the condition that you will remain in their dungeon for six months. More if they deem it necessary.”

Jowan gulped at Irving’s words. But he stood fast, forgetting the ever present Templars who held his arms despite the fact that his hands were bound in heavy chains.

“Pass me from your dungeon to theirs then. Fine. I wanted to prove to you and yours that I’m not weak or evil-I’m well on my way to doing that. Send me to the City of Chains. At least tell Amell to never contact me or visit me.”

One of the Templars sighed loudly and Greagoir nodded to his escorts.

“You will need to learn to curb your tongue there, Jowan.” Irving pinched the bridge of his nose and turned away.

“Goodbye to you too, Irving. You know, I regret a lot, but I will never feel bad telling you that you bow to the Chantry’s every whim.” With that Jowan was led away, and he didn’t struggle.

The journey through the Blighted land was long and slightly terrifying for Jowan but the Templars did a good job keeping their group safe from darkspawn at least. The wagon was harsh in its movement and the cage in the bed of the wagon held Jowan for most of the journey, but he spoke to none of the escorts. It didn’t matter, they wouldn’t listen to him and he imagined if he talked too much, even just to himself, they’d gag him. So he didn’t bother. It was several days before they reached the sea. He enjoyed breathing in a few desperate breaths of fresh sea air before they cut him, poured magebane in the wound and threw him, hands still chained tightly, into the brig.

The ship was creamy and Jowan was at least allowed better food on this journey. But he usually threw most of it up if the sea was unsettled. Once in a while, before the cut on his arm healed he would be re-doses with magebane. That stuff put a huge damper on the former apprentice’s spirits and it made him ill most of the time. By the end of the journey he was so happy to be off that ship he could sing. But the Templars would likely gag him and/or beat him for that. Spoilsports. His journey ended when the gates of the Gallows closed ominously behind him and the small army of Templars they’d sent with him dissipated into just four or five. Two Gallows Templars met them at the doors to the inner quarters.

“Do the knight commander and First Enchanter wish an audience with this new mage before he is taken to the dungeons?”Jowan’s head escort asked.

“That will not be nesessary Ser Knight. We will take him from you. This is the Ferelden apostate we were expecting, with a history of dabbling in blood magic?”

“The Redcliffe one, yes. He’s been real quiet on the trip here. Might be a good idea to keep him isolated from the other mages until you know he isn’t planning anything.” His escort replied nonchalantly.

“Quiet, eh? We can change that. Knight commander has ordered a flogging for him on arrival, regardless. We agree that a problem mage must be made an example of? Don’t we?”

He felt all eyes turn to him. He was terrified and now the Templars could probably see it in his eyes. His face went very pale.

His escort nudged him roughly. “I agree with that, but I believe that question was directed at you, lad. Answer when spoken to.”

“Sorry. Irving told me to curb my tongue.” Jowan replied with a solid frown about his normally gentle features.

The Templars laughed and then one of them kicked the back of his calves, putting him on his knees.

“You insolent little bastard. You will learn to respect those above you. Now I think that flogging is long overdue?” The Templar in charge of the Kirkwall group asked.

“Want someone to gag him, Ser Karras?” Another Kirkwall Templar asked.

“No, let the boy scream.”

Jowan was struggling against the men holding his arms now. Not begging or pleading, just scared and stubborn. He was dragged to a metal stake cemented into the ground. His hand bindings were fastened into place hmwith it and then someone unsheathed a knife.

Jowan’s heart was racing.

He didn’t handle pain well even when he’d used blood magic. His shirt was cut off and then he heard who ever held the whip give it a test crack.

Then he was blindfolded. Jowan panicked. No one knew how afraid of the dark he was except Amell ... he pulled at his restraints uselessly.

“All right. Let’s get this done.” Someone said.

“Yeah Karras, stop making it into a show. Bad enough you gotta punish the kid.” A younger female voice retorted.

“Silence. Anyone who objects to this maleficar’s treatment gets the same as him. Including you, Recruit Shannon.”

He heard a sigh after that and he reminded himself to pray recruit Shannon never became like Ser Karras. One less horrible inhumane templar in this terrible place. Why hadn’t he chosen Tranquility again? Oh yes. Not giving Templars and first enchanters what they wanted. Speaking of which-

-CRACCCK-

Jowan didn’t make a sound.

-CRACK-

He was screaming by the fourteenth lash and when it was over, or he at least thought it was over, cold water was poured on his head to revive him so Ser Karras could continue to beat him.

He made it to...twenty nine? Before he passed out again. By fourty it was over,truly this time. Then he was dragged down to the Gallows’ dungeon. He was unconcsious but fully aware that his mana was sucked away the moment he entered the hall. He whimpered in Recruit Shannon’s arms as she carried his dead weight through the hall and his mana supply weakened down to nothing.

He let out a loud cry as she placed him down on his side on the lone cot in his cell. No blanket or pillow. Just a cot. Jowan was still seeing stars under the blindfold they hadn’t bothered to take off, but he swore he heard her say “Sorry you ended up here, lad. Good luck.”

Then he was alone. He drifted in and out of consciousness for a long time before the door opened again. Maybe it had been hours. Or days. He couldn’t tell. He was feverish for sure. His wounds weren’t healing and he couldn’t tend them himself even if he was able to cast spells -he was too weak. And afraid. And his hands were still bound anyway.

_________________________________________

Way above the Gallows’ courtyard where a metal stake was casting its ominous shadow waiting for its victim to arrive, another battle was being fought.

"I have questions, Orsino.” Meredith’s expression was more grim than the sight of the stake down below and her careful choice of words did nothing to conceal her irritation; however the determined stare from across her desk would not waver. “That maleficar who is responsible for almost killing Arl Eamon is being transfered here... and noone thought to inform me of this travesty?”

The First Enchanter kept his expression neutral as he replied, "I assume you mean apprentice Jowan." Meredith nodded impatiently, gesturing for him to continue. “If noone had informed you, Knight Commander, we wouldn’t be having this discussion right now. You did receive a letter concerning today’s transfer, did you not? It is on your desk this very moment.” The envelope with Knight Commander Gregoir’s signature was indeed laying on the desk half open like a smile that seemed to mock them both.

The Knight-Commander's eyebrows drew down, a sure sign she was displeased with the answer she received. “You do not need to state the obvious. This letter, Orsino, arrived only this morning. The maleficar is supposed to arrive in any minute, and I knew nothing of this.”

“Too bad. Gregoir should have sent a raven, then.” Orsino casually replied, with a shrug that irritated Meredith even further. “Apparently he does not share your overzealotry and thought there was no hurry in informing you. I still do not see how-”

“ORSINO!” The yell that cut the elven mage’s sentence was loud enough for the templars outside the office to hear. “It was not your decision to make!”

“It was not yours either. First Enchanter Irving and Knight Commander Gregoir had their hands tied when it came to the fate of the particular mage, until Senior Enchanter Uldred made the suggestion that he should be transfered here because the Templars are more vigilant in case he dabbles in blood magic again. I just happened to send a very persuasive letter in favor of Uldred’s suggestion, nothing more. The final decision belonged to the Ferelden Circle of Magi and the Arl Eamon, the injured parties of the mage’s endeavors and they were both in agreement to send him here instead of killing him. Jowan made his choice too.”

“And how did you know of this and I did not, until an hour ago?”

“I have no obligation to disclose the nature of my informants. As for you, you never asked so I never told you.” he replied smoothly. Meredith just huffed. This was proving to be a lost case, as it seemed there was nothing she could do to prevent the arrival of this maleficar. This accursed elf’s ability of fade-walking could be his informant for all she knew, but even if her suspicions were right, there was no way to push the First Enchanter into a confession, unless torture was involved. A Maker-destined pleasure for another time. The last thing I want is to make a martyr out of him.

“I just want to know how you persuaded Gregoir to agree to this.” she eventually said without bothering to conceal her murderous intent. “It must have been via blood magic.”

“Blood magic through a letter? Your underestimation of my diplomacy skills wounds me.” Orsino faigned a shocked and hurt expression.

“My fist will wound you more if you keep this up.” Meredith warned.

“He’s going to remain in the dungeons for six months, Meredith. Six months. It will take him at least one more month before he’s able to cast again, even if your templars -he uttered the word as if it were a curse- treatment of him is amiable. Speaking of which...” The moss green eyes darkened. “What are you going to do to him?”

“Seeing that I cannot kill him or send him back? I will make him regret he was even born.”

“I expected no less from you.” Orsino commented dryly. “I was hoping for a little more specific answer, though.”

“Why, you dislike the taste of your own medicine? I’m not-” Meredith scoffed.

“You are.” Orsino cut her off solemnly. “Bringing him here was out of your hands and you have every right to resent me for it. But when it comes to punishing my people, Chantry law gives me the right to ask and you the duty to answer.”

It took Meredith a while to reply, but when she did, her eyes were cold as steel.

“I will make sure he never thinks of doing blood magic again. They gave me six months with him in the dungeons. I will make the most out of it. Fourty lashes for starters. Then we’ll see.”

____________________________________________

~CRACK~

Orsino gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to turn away from his office window at the sound of the first whiplash coming from the courtyard below. Instead he steeled himself and gripped on the thick bars of his windows with white-knuckled resolve. It was one of them they were torturing; one of the very people he advocated for. It was his duty to watch and feel his pain as if it were his own.

He hadn’t lied to the Knight Commander, but in true Orsino fashion, he didn’t reveal the whole truth either. Neither he or Meredith had much say on the matter, and yes, this wasn’t the first mage that had been transfered to the Gallows due to bad conduct, but it was not the same. Meredith knew that; that was why she was furious. Being able to save a criminal like Jowan from death sentence was in itself something of a miracle, and even Orsino didn’t expect he’d be able to make it. It seemed Meredith had indeed underestimated his prowess in diplomacy; although having friends in high places and excellent knowledge of the Chantry Law didn’t hurt either.

Uldred, Jowan’s mentor in magic, was to be praised for this victory as much as he were. There was no doubt in Orsino’s mind that everything Jowan knew on blood magic had come from him; he had taught him many things on the matter as well; albeit years ago. The older man seemed to have a soft spot for the young apprentice, and was concerned about his safety even long before things went downhill. Orsino had promised him that if anything were to happen he’d look after the boy for him by taking him to the Gallows. Sure, he were the youngest first enchanter in the history of Thedas and the third elf to reach that position, but he already knew never to give his word lightly and always to keep it. If he wasn’t like that perhaps he’d be living a much easier life as a mage. Now, however, that Jowan’s pained cries reached the First Enchanter’s window, he was starting to doubt whether bringing him here was the best option.

I’ll make him regret even being born, that was what Meredith said. In that respect they were quite similar, for the Knight Commander was as good as her word too. With thirty years of Gallows experience under his belt, Orsino had no doubt that there was no shortage of Templars who would be more than glad to follow her orders on the matter... fenedhis; as if there weren’t enough incidents of abuse even without official authorization; some of which not even he was excempt. The templars were too afraid of him not to remind him constantly. Good. That meant he still had some power over them. It was now his job to prevent them from proving Meredith’s statement true. Jowan being whipped with nothing he could do about it was admittedly not the best start, but still, better whipped than dead, he forced himself to remember. We should take our small victories no matter where he find them.

Eventually it was over. The Templars untied the half dead by now mage and carried him to the dungeons. Orsino’s first instinct was to immediately follow, but he restrained himself. He needn’t see Jowan’s injuries to know how bad they were, and the mage would probably be half starved too. The elf first went to the kitchens and instructed the tranquil in charge to prepare a basket of food suitable for an ill mage, then to his chambers for a healer's kit and blankets. The basket of food was ready when he came back down, and so laden, he gave the tranquil the request to inform the spirit healer to meet him at the dungeons and headed into the dim lit stairway that led deep into the Gallows’ guts.

It was an intimidating walk, each archway guarded by seasoned templars, faceless in their helmets, glaring at him through the eye slits. At one point Orsino was forced to stand and wait while one of the guards went through his supplies and searched him. It was humiliating; the templar was rougher than he needed to be and seemed to enjoy the power he had over the First Enchanter. The worst part was, this was nothing unusual. He went through it every time one of his mages was shut away down here. "He's clean," the templar finally said, sounding almost disappointed. The elf was allowed to continue past. It was freezing cold in the dungeon, and the cells down here drained mana constantly, so casting was nearly impossible. Orsino wasn't sure if the Tevinters built it this way, or if it was something the Chantry added later. Either way, there was very little documentation. He supposed the Tevinter magisters must have built it though. If the Chantry had found a way to drain mana, every Circle would be built with nothing but.

Finally he was there, The templar accompanying him unlocked the cell and he pushed the iron door open, cringing at the creak the old hinges made. Jowan was huddled on the floor, torn robes pulled tight around her for warmth. His hands were still tied up as the First Enchanter noted, but the blindfold...? He cursed internally. That was utterly uncalled for. One more exhibition at the extra length some templars would go to cause more suffering to his people. This must have been Ser Karras’ handiwork... or perhaps Ser Alrik’s? At this point he was just glad he had Ser Thrask, Samson and Recruit Shannon on his side. At the sound of the door opening, the young mage crawled back, terrified. "Peace child. I've come to check on you," Orsino said softly, placing down the basket of food and medical supplies he was carrying and removing the offending blindfold from Jowan’s eyes. He nodded to the templar and he retreated, leaving them alone in the dungeon’s semi-darkness.

#orsino speaks #dungeons and dungeons #jowan #rp #submission

21 notes · View notes

lesdemonium · 4 years

Text

Into Nightfall chapter 2

Rating: M Words (so far): 9162 Chapter: 2/? Summary: Nilfgaardian insurgents do not want the treaty between Cintra and Nilfgaard to take place, so Geralt, a witcher bodyguard-for-hire, is reluctantly hired to escort Princess Cirilla across the continent to expedite the signing of the treaty. What should have been an easy-enough contract keeps getting more and more difficult, though, especially when Geralt is forced to ask for help from those he has wronged in the past. Calanthe tapped her fingernails on the thick, solid wood of the arm rest, thinking hard. Geralt could see her mouth moving in a silent conversation as she considered her options, and then she stood, a decision made. “Fine, Witcher. I remain skeptical at best of the intelligence you have brought me. But I accept the terms of your wager. You will attend the banquet tonight as a guest and tell no one of your true intentions. And in the morning, when I am right, you will leave Cintra and never return. Do we have a deal?” Calanthe strode forward, holding out her hand to Geralt. Chapter 1 on tumblr | on ao3

Chapter 3

It took Geralt an hour to return to where Cirilla and Yennefer had at least built a fire. As Geralt approached, they both glanced up and evaluated him. Geralt noticed the twitch of Yennefer’s hands as she likely prepared a spell, though they relaxed back into her lap with recognition. Cirilla, however, just looked tired, and didn’t relax once she recognized Geralt, but looked down into the fire, her expression unchanging. He was relieved, at least, to see Yennefer and Cirilla sitting close together on the log--at least someone could provide some comfort to the girl, even if it was middling at best.

Geralt dismounted and his hands hesitated over the saddlebags, before he turned to Yennefer and Cirilla and took a seat on the other side of the fire. He tossed the bag Mousesack had packed toward the child, and it landed at her feet.

“The queen is alright,” he grunted, and Cirilla’s wide eyes found his. “Mousesack is as well, and, I suspect, Eist. They were ambushed after you were abducted, but Mousesack didn’t tell me of any losses. No one else knows you’re gone, but they’ll notice soon enough. They bought us time to go to Nilfgaard.”

Cirilla considered him for a long moment, and Geralt met her gaze unwaveringly. He could practically see the wheels turning in her brain as she decided what she wanted to say to him, and he had no intention of rushing her. Yennefer seemed somewhat disinterested--or wanted to appear that way--and stood up to prepare a tent.

“We’re going to be traveling together for a while, then,” the princess finally settled on. Geralt grunted in response. The princess likely knew how far Nilfgaard was from Cintra; he didn’t need to add information. Otherwise, what was the point of her formal education? “Why you? My grandmother doesn’t seem the type to hire bodyguards.”

“She isn’t,” Geralt agreed. He stood up and prepared his own bedroll, and felt the princess’s eyes boring into him.

“Then why you? Why not the castle guards? Or her herself?” she repeated, and no amount of etiquette training could soften the edge of an annoyed thirteen-year-old’s voice.

“I don’t pretend to understand all the decisions of royalty, princess,” Geralt answered, nonchalant. He wasn’t going to rise to any bait. “She didn’t want to hire me. We set a wager. I won. So now I will safely get you to Nilfgaard, and she will pay me.” He squat low to the ground, arranging his swords close to him. He didn’t truly believe that they were safe from Nilfgaard, not to mention the random lucky bandits that would view Yennefer’s magicked tent as a luxury, and them worthy of stealing from.

His task complete, Geralt met Cirilla’s eyes again and was unsurprised to find her still looking at him expectantly. Her lips were pursed and it was clear she wasn’t afraid of him, though possibly irritated and likely stressed out by the entire situation, if Geralt had to guess. She was handling it well, and Geralt had to admit he was impressed at her standing her ground rather than shrinking back when he proved to be difficult. Geralt could throw her a bone.

“A full guard would call too much attention. A well-known and easily-recognized queen would also call attention. A witcher and a princess who does not look like a princess--if you change into the clothes packed for you--attract far less attention. We have a long way to go and the more we get by undetected, the easier it will be. I will keep you safe, Cirilla. As will Yennefer, for as long as she travels with us.” He stood up, and crossed the fire to her. Geralt held out her hand for her to shake. “Can you trust me?”

Cirilla stared at his outstretched hand. Then her eyes met his again and she stood before taking his hand in hers. Cirilla was far shorter, but she squared her shoulders back and added as much length as she could, and the corner of Geralt’s mouth quirked up into a small smile.

“Ciri,” she answered, and Geralt’s eyebrow rose in a silent question. “I prefer to be called Ciri.”

“Ciri,” Geralt agreed, nodding.

Geralt was in a surly mood the next morning.

It was entirely Yennefer’s fault. Part of why he didn’t want Yennefer involved--the first reason being that he didn’t need help, but he couldn’t very well say that now that she had saved their hides in the castle--was because she was so damn stubborn. She had woken this morning and rushed Geralt and Ciri, who had now changed into a dress more appropriate for travel rather than a banquet, on the road. But not the path Geralt wanted to take. No, of course not. For the gods knew what reason, they were going north.

“Kagen is in the opposite direction of Nilfgaard, Yennefer,” Geralt had groused.

“Yes, thank you, I’m aware, Geralt. You’re not the only one that knows his way around the continent. I’d like to remind you that I am just as world-weary as you are.” She hadn’t even deigned to grace him with the full power of her eye roll. It would have been a good one; he could hear it in her voice.

“Then why are we going there?”

“I left something there that you are going to need. Quite desperately.”

Geralt had already known when he started the argument that he had lost. However, there was something particularly infuriating about the fact that Yennefer refused to explain further, so instead he and Ciri were left to follow the whims of the sorceress who also insisted that she couldn’t portal them.

“I can’t transport Roach, Geralt.”

“We’ll leave her behind.”

“I wouldn’t want her to get the wrong idea about who the most important woman in your life is.”

She was hiding something, obviously. But there was only so much prying Geralt could do when Yennefer did not wish to be pried upon. They walked to Kagen. It took half the day, which meant it would take the full day just to get back to where they had started originally. Yennefer did not seem to understand that the entire point of Geralt transporting Ciri was to expedite the process of signing the treaty, not to waste an entire day on some errand.

Unfortunately, the pieces all fell into place as Yennefer led them to a tavern. Geralt could feel the dread well within him even before he heard the familiar singing leaking out from behind the shoddy-looking door. Geralt halted his feet abruptly, so abruptly that Ciri crashed into his back.

“No,” he snarled, wheeling on Yennefer.

“Ah, so he is still here,” Yennefer answered absently, and kept walking. At least, until Geralt took her arm in his hand.

“We’re not going in there.”

Yennefer’s stare was withering, but she seemed to forget that Geralt wasn’t afraid of her like most were. Aware of her power, absolutely, but he wasn’t any more likely to back down than she was. Unless she forced his hand.

“Ciri, aren’t you hungry?” Yennefer asked, turning her violet eyes toward the princess. “Let’s go eat.”

She tugged her arm away from Geralt’s grasp and they continued on, leaving Geralt behind as his teeth clenched. How he had lost two arguments with Yennefer already, he wasn’t sure, but now his charge was walking into who knew what, and he had no choice but to follow and enter the tavern.

The music was lively, it always was at first, and thankfully seemed to be a sexually suggestive song rather than anything about any heroics. Yennefer led the way to a table in the far corner of the tavern and Geralt slid in beside Ciri, trying to hide her from the other patrons as much as he could. It didn’t seem to be a worthy effort, anyway. No one had noticed their entrance; they were far too enthralled by the performance the bard was giving.

Geralt couldn’t blame them.

Geralt didn’t like the way his heart stuttered when he finally turned his gaze on Jaskier. The bard looked good, like the year away from Geralt had been good to him, and didn’t that just drive the knife in? They shouldn’t be here; clearly, Jaskier was doing just fine by himself, if the grin and the amount of coin he seemed to be getting from the tavern patrons was any indication. “Last time we were all together, the two of you openly shared your distaste for each other,” Geralt answered, keeping his tone even. If they didn’t leave soon, Jaskier was going to see them. Honestly, it was amazing that he hadn’t already. “I do not see how he would be able to help us.”

“And don’t the three of us make a inconspicuous traveling party! A witcher, a sorceress, and a young girl that we’re clearly protecting,” Yennefer hissed, leaning in. It wasn’t for Geralt’s benefit, so he assumed it was for Ciri’s. “I thought you were good at this. Jaskier is loud-mouthed, skilled in distracting, and a quick thinker. And he’s someone we know we can trust. You’re the one that cocked this up, so you’re the one that will fix this, or we will barely make it to the next township before someone notices that there’s something amiss with us and starts asking questions. How, exactly, are you planning on answering those questions?”

Geralt grunted in response and Yennefer leaned back, that insufferably knowing smile on her face. She was right, of course. Jaskier was the perfect person to throw others off their scent. And, as much as Geralt hated to admit it, Jaskier would probably be able to come up with a much more satisfying story as to why they were traveling companions, or at least annoy whoever was asking enough for them to drop the question. It had to be him. But why did it have to be him?

“Now’s your chance,” Ciri piped up, nudging Geralt with her elbow. Geralt looked up to see Jaskier thanking the crowd, making his bows, and collecting the money he had at his feet. From the way he was very pointedly not looking in their direction, he must have realized Geralt’s party was there.

Geralt’s jaw set and he hesitated only a moment before he pushed away from the table, following Jaskier to the bar. He sat down heavily on the stool next to Jaskier and if Jaskier knew he was there (how could he not?) he didn’t let on.

“Jaskier,” Geralt said after a long, painful moment of silence. Jaskier’s expression did not change, though he did take a long, long drink from the ale before him. It had been full moments ago, but now as he set it back down on the bar with a thud, it was only half filled. Jaskier wiped his lips, wrapped both his hands around the tankard hard enough that Geralt could see his fingers turn white, and let out a woosh of a breath.

“Geralt, to what do I owe the honor?” And that, exactly, was why Yennefer was right. They needed Jaskier. No one else could sound bright and cheery to see him, with the added layer of deep, deep sarcasm. He didn’t even bother to look at Geralt, which was probably the worst part. “Did you like my set?”

“Jaskier, we need to talk. Somewhere private.”

Jaskier turned, but still he didn’t look at Geralt. His eyes slipped right over the witcher and instead settled briefly on the table Ciri and Yennefer were sitting at. At least, that was what Geralt assumed Jaskier was looking at; he didn’t look himself. He was certain at least a few pairs of ears were listening in, and he wasn’t about to draw more attention to the princess.

“Interesting company you’re keeping, Geralt. You and Yennefer decided to adopt? How quaint,” Jaskier said in lieu of an answer, turning back to his ale. He lifted it to his lips, looking intent to finish the remaining drink, when Geralt seized his wrist to stop him. Jaskier’s reaction was immediate–he tore his arm away from Geralt viciously, his ale sloshing out and drenching a man a seat away.

The man shot up, towering over Jaskier’s seated form, and shoved Jaskier off the stool. The stein and what remaining liquid there was crashed to the floor, and Jaskier scrambled to his feet to face his assailant.

“Someone should have laid off the ale, bard,” the man declared, tone threatening and his face only inches from Jaskier’s face. Even with Jaskier standing, he was taller than the bard, but not by much, and the murderous look on Jaskier’s face had Geralt stepping off his own seat to intervene.

“Really? I think your smell has greatly improved. You should be thanking me for my service,” Jaskier snapped, and Geralt groaned. Of course Jaskier couldn’t just leave it alone. If Geralt hadn’t spoken to him, maybe Jaskier would have made a joke to calm the man down, get him off his back, but an angry Jaskier made for an impulsive Jaskier, ready for a fight.

Rather than allow this to get any further, Geralt tugged Jaskier back and behind him by the collar of his doublet, standing eye-to-eye with the tavern patron. “Leave the bard be.” He dropped some coins on the bartop. “For the injury and to get your clothes laundered.”

The man’s eyes glinted angrily, but he accepted the money with only muffled grumbling, and returned to his seat. The tavern slowly stuttered back to life, but when Geralt turned around, Jaskier was already halfway out the door, his fury palpable.

Geralt turned to Yennefer and Ciri, raising his eyebrow expectantly, but he was met with Ciri’s disappointed face and Yennefer’s exasperated one. Yennefer strode out the door without another look at Geralt, who felt thoroughly chastised, and irritated for it. How was he supposed to know Jaskier would behave so dramatically? He had done his best.

Taking a deep breath, Geralt made his way to the table and sat beside Ciri.

“So. That went poorly,” Ciri said, and her voice held all the practiced neutrality of a royal, which Geralt knew hid her scathing judgment.

Geralt only grunted in return. He would not be made to feel small by a charge, much less a child. They would wait for Yennefer to do whatever it was she thought she was going to do, and then they would leave, with or without Jaskier.

For a while, Ciri was silent, which Geralt was hoping would mean the subject would be dropped until Yennefer returned and they continued on their way, without Jaskier. But, because this was the way Geralt’s day was going, eventually Ciri said, “Who was that?”

“A bard,” Geralt answered hotly.

Ciri let out an exasperated sigh and shoved Geralt’s shoulder. “You asked me to trust you, Geralt. How am I supposed to trust you if you don’t tell me anything?” Ciri asked.

Geralt turned to look at her determined face. Curse him, he seemed to have a tendency for attracting strong personalities, and it didn’t seem to be working out for him, especially today. He was going to go back to hunting monsters as soon as this particular contract was through; Geralt had enjoyed quite his fill of people.

“We used to travel together. He sang the songs about me.”

Ciri’s eyes went wide and she shifted in her seat, peering out the window but, apparently, finding no acceptable angle with which to view the man she had clearly now decided was famous. “That’s Jaskier? Jaskier is going to come with us?” she asked, and Gods help him, she actually sounded excited.

“No, he’s not. Instead, he’s going to try his best to start bar brawls and storm off like a child.”

“Why is he angry with you?”

Geralt glared down at the table. A phantom of a memory he tried hard to purge crept up on him. If life could grant me one blessing--he shook his head, as if that would rid him of the thoughts that kept him awake so often. He grunted, and this time, when he felt Ciri’s eyes on him, he didn’t bend beneath it. It didn’t matter why Jaskier was angry, only that he was. Yennefer was wrong, anyway; they could get by just fine without him.

At the same moment that Ciri opened her mouth, probably to press further, the door opened and in walked Yennefer. Her eyes found Geralt’s and she nodded her head toward the door, so Geralt stood up, not bothering to look if Ciri was trailing behind him, only trusting that she would. Yennefer stayed at the door only as long as it took Geralt to take it from her.

Geralt stepped back out into the afternoon sun after Yennefer and Ciri, though he staggered a bit when he saw Jaskier waiting by Roach. Geralt turned his gaze imploringly toward Yennefer, who merely crossed her arms at him, before he resigned himself to continue to his horse.

“Right, then,” Jaskier said, his voice sounding a bit wrecked. But he put on a bright smile as he faced Ciri, and Geralt was sure he wasn’t the only one who noticed that it didn’t quite reach Jaskier’s eyes. “You must be Ciri! You’re the splitting image of Pavetta, you lucky girl.”

“You knew my mother?” Ciri asked, and curse Jaskier, because the girl already sounded charmed.

“Did I know your mother? My lady, do I have a story for you. I was there the night of your parents’, and grandparents’, for that matter, wedding! Good thing we have a long journey ahead of us, it’s really quite a long story.”

Geralt had seen enough of Yennefer’s smug looks in his lifetime; he didn’t need to look at this one. He took Roach’s reigns and pulled them back on track, cursing this Godsforsaken job the entire way.

#the witcher fanfiction #the witcher fanfic #geraskier #geraskier fanfiction #geraskier fanfic #geralt x jaskier #jaskier x geralt #my writing

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atrophiedcompassion · 4 years

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having watched TROS for the second (and final) time in the cinema, here’s my full spoiler abundant review, also with comments on the nonalogy as a whole.

the movie works a lot better aka is more enjoyable the second time. we know what’s happening and i could relax and enjoy even the dumb moments and allow myself to feel, to be washed into the music and just feel my good feelings towards the finale.

the plot is still dumb as rocks, with the new old villain, resurrected. who not only is back but is giving our heroes a chance to find him before all shit breaks loose. why is the emperor so fucking arrogant?? why did TROS/JJ keep arguably the worst plot from TLL namely the race against a certain but exact time to do something to save the day?

the rey as palpatine still makes no sense. why did the jedi (in particular obi wan) call to her when she has the first force vision back on takodana if rey’s a palp?? JJ truly pisses on his very own movie isn’t he? and the emperor himself, he wants rey dead, twice he tells this verbatim to KR and then comments the rey killing plot was foiled to commander pryde...but then he actually welcomes her with open arms? or did he foresee his new death by rey should she reach exogol still alive? why should this death stick? ugghghgh.

the movie moves at record pace, no time to grieve, no time to catch your breath. the falcon/poe does impossible feats. the trio is united only to trail rey, finn in particular acting like a puppy. the only scene with finn that had any weight and developed his character was the scene with jannah when they’re fixing the falcon. BUT even then...i thought it was fine for the Force to guide finn out of his servitude. but maybe let the other former stormtroopers have some fuxking free will. not the force guiding them. there were so many moments when finn could’ve inspired former fellow stormtroopers to put down their weapons, but no. the spy could’ve been a stormtrooper, not the ridiculous hux doing things out of spite...

the worst scene in the movie? rey going on a fucking stroll on pasaana to meet kylo ren’s ship...and before that, the knights of ren literally posturing on a rock. i laughed out loud in the cinema it was so utterly ridiculous.

it’s all fucking plains, the fucking audience could see rey advancing through ochi’s ship screens. but somehow chewbacca gets captured and there’s a second transporter. the whole scene plays just so we can set up rey’s sith lightning abilities..?? fucking hell.

c3po’s sacrifice works for me. it’s the first moment of the rewatch where i got truly emotional and shed actual tears. and it’s not really cheapened by his memory being restored, since Finn actually mentions r2 might have a backup which 3po dismisses in his usual fashion. so 3po actually believed he was going to be fully erased. and that’s what matters. i found the 3po humour almost on par with the OT, although sometimes poe’s wayyy too aggressive with him. (i mean, poe loves droids, or at least his droid bb8, but is awfully dismissive of both 3po and D-O, just to fill in the han role i guess? it’s overdone)

the fight on the destroyer/kimiji is ok, again rey with the aggressive stance and the reveal is....nothing. rey has NO fucking reaction. she like scrunches her nose a little. she was just told the JJ equivalent to luke finding out vader’s his dad and rey’s just like. oh okay. bummer.

she should’ve fucking jumped like luke did. and maybe be retrieved on the falcon somehow. she should’ve expressed some pain. but no. rey’s just as calm as before. maybe even calmer, now that she knows the whole truth.

the death star sequence. dumb as hell to imagine the dagger has coordinates to the fucking wreckage of DS2??!??! who made it and when??!?!??! but let’s not overthink this. you get force powered rey making the ride with the skimmer and finding herself attacked by dark!rey..and then kylo come by and apparently knows this? because he tells her that now she’s tainted and can’t go back to leia either??!

WHAT THE FUCKKKK does JJ not know how the fucking force works??? i mean was it a fucking inside joke when han says that’s not how the force works in TFA??? uughghghgh. i know TROS is trying its best to almost completely retcon TLJ, but the way the Force was described there, like a balance, decay from where new life spawns, THAT WAS A GOOD THING FFS!!!!

no, JJ thinks that jedi are all pure beings and sith are dark brooding monsters and if a jedi or equivalent has even the faintest connection to the dark side, they’re fucking done!!!!!! (when the FUCKING OT SAYS THE FUCKING OPPOSITE, even a shred of goodness can help you get back to the light)

and if that was SUPPOSED to be KR’s way of getting rey to join him on his fieldtrip to exogol...my god he’s fucking dumb as hell. rey’s resisted his offer every fucking time (altho during the force call on pasaana he tells her he will turn her and she says we’ll see. she didn’t say no lmao), why would she fucking say yeah sure now? just because she had a fucking vision of dark herself??!?!?

still, dark!rey is fucking hot and i will probably cosplay her sometimes soon.

then comes the kylo - rey fight on the death star wreckage, where she attacks him, she’s aggressive, and is bested. and he’s about to kill her (even though he told her he has other plans, LOL) and then leia calls. or her call to her son finally reaches him (no more voicemail) and he falters, drops the saber and is impaled by rey.......who also senses leia’s passing.

and we have ben again and the scene with han solo plays and it’s pretty fucking emotional. but i wish he had said father and not dad. dad feels unearned. father would’ve worked best, especially for such a serious, stoic char like ben, dad is far too playful. i would’ve wanted a moment more of ben mourning his mother too, but the movie’s gotta be done in 30 mins so we have no time for allowing emotional moments to sink in. note: finn & poe are in such a rush to get to leia they don’t even have time to wait a sec to be told properly that she’s fucking dead. fuck you movie.

the scenes with luke are good. of course, luke backtracks all of his development in TLJ (because fuck you that’s why) and apparently everyone knew she was a palpatine but they still trained her because fuck logic? this is just like the PT where they end up training anakin because they made a promise to a dead guy. lmao. and how convenient is that there’s another lightsaber, otherwise how would rey make an x at the end to (presumably) end palpatine?? hmmm. i said the jedi leia scene/flashback worked for me the first time i saw it, but in hindsight, the scene and motivation really takes a steaming dump on leia’s character, a mother afraid of her son and unwilling to help him. fuck you JJ. we never needed leia wielding a lightsaber. we only wanted leia using the force in some way that felt organic to her character. (sidestep: up until attack of the clones? when yoda first uses a lightsaber, i assumed he was enlightened and didn’t need actual weapons to wield the force. well, i hoped leia could be like that enlightened master yoda. but like all bad things in the SW universe, she ended up being as awful as puppet yoda with a toothpick lightsaber, cause how would we know she’s a jedi otherwise????)

so. because she refused kylo, and ended up alone on exogol and with the resistance trapped there, she’s actually considering palpatine’s offer??! and realises she has maybe another option when she senses ben’s there too??! then why the fuck didn’t they go together??!?! oh wait. i forgot she wanted to exile herself on ach-to LMAO.

and still. the whole palpatine plot train-wreck could’ve still worked had they actually used the pretty cool concept of Force Dyad for something good. i mean, KR tells this to rey on the destroyer. but apparently palp can’t do the math and is surprised when he takes a sip of their life essences??! like what the actual fuck, why isn’t palpatine aware of this?? if he (+plagueis) made vader and then he conceived his son. and then vader had leia and leia had ben and palp’s son had rey........why is KR able to put this together and not the FREAKING MASTER PUPPETEER of the whole fucking galaxy??!?!

anyway. back to the force dyad. we have awsome ben solo and rey reunited. ready to fight palps. but no. he freezes them and sucks the life force out of them. maybe the power of the force dyad of light users could be harmful to a sith?!??! maybe the power of a force dyad would help ben & rey resist palp?! maybe the power of a force dyad could be used to defeat palp?

but no. we get ben solo thrown into a pit so that palp and rey could reenact whitney houston’s hit

or, even worse, the year’s most anticipated battle of one liners: endgame. yeah, it was cool to hear all the jedi clamouring for rey, but this could’ve still worked as the jedi finally supporting ben skywalker organa solo for fucking once in the guy’s lifetime.

but no. JJ said fuck ben solo. he’s only good to give the life back to rey, then he can fuck off. i am not a reylo and i am not too bothered by ben’s death, as much as i am by his misuse. i mean, in such movies, we never really have to deal with reformed bad guys making amends. vader died, and so in a way, ben dying too and not having to be courtmartialled is actually convenient.

i have read some analysis where ben & rey being happy together is the undoing of anakin’s sad demise and brings peace to the skywalker line rather than pain and despair and that’s a valid premise, but realistically, ben’s death makes sense. they’d never be happy together in a hut somewhere, because ben still has to pay for a lot of damage. BUT his death is nothing but the crippling of the skywalker line, after a palp had defeated the palps. his death has little meaning in the story. them being a force dyad has little meaning, apart from powering palps back to his rots appearance. lmao

and finally, the death of ben is never mourned, never acknowledged. no-one is even told on screen about his return to the light (maybe maz felt it, when leia’s body vanished...) and his deeds. that kinda sucks. because luke took a moment to have a ceremony for vader, the force ghosts came through. here...we get nothing.

and then rey buries the anakin saber and leia’s saber on tatooine in sand no less (we need a sketch of anakin loudly complaining to rey about this)... and instead of finally accepting herself as being sufficient, she tacks on the legacy name. well done JJ.

(that was me when the credits rolled).

now, i love the OT more than life itself and the films give us meta to fill libraries. they are not perfect movies, but they are good, they tell a wonderful story with amazing characters and i will never stop loving them.

then the PT is made of really bad movies that now, in the light of TROS, surprisingly still come together as a trilogy far better than the ST lmao.

i still believe that the PT undermines and ruins Vader’s redemption in ROTS, because now you know exactly what he did (reminder: killed 30 children) and it’s hard to swallow. in the end, he dies to save his son and takes down the big bad so we can accept that he gains redemption in luke’s eyes alone and not necessarily in the audience’s. but ben solo didn’t even get that. he got thrown into a pit and crawled out only to give rey life lol.

anyway, TFA was okay at first, but i always had a huge gripe, aka the misuse of Leia and the complete silence on her being a Force user. like don’t even need ligthsaber fights from her, just gimme something explicit of her using the Force. she could’ve at the very fucking least sensed KR when he swoops in and abducts Rey on Takodana. but no. JJ fridged Leia from the get go, because he had no clue what to do with her. and then he fucked her character completely with what he believed was the flashback the fans wanted....UFHGHGHGH

JJ also and truly fridged Luke, because he had no idea what to do with Luke and the whole Force legacy either. he wanted to write a fun Han Solo adventure and by gods he did.

so, Luke. the guy vanishes the opening crawl tells us. he wasn’t abducted, so he must’ve exiled himself. people hating TLJ’s so called character assassination when it comes to Luke should point fingers at the real culprit, JJ. how could Luke do such a thing and run away (like JJ wrote him do) if he hadn’t done something significantly wrong?? it had to be FUCKING HORRIBLE. and so it is. because what Luke did was horrible and it set up for the fall to the dark side of poor, conflicted, manipulated and unloved Ben Solo. but had it not been THIS awful, then Luke’s self imposed exile, shame and guilt wouldn’t have made any fucking sense. so, TLJ haters, think again WHO was the person who wrote Luke running away for 10 years and allowing all that shit to happen?? it wasn’t Rian Johnson, that’s for sure. he merely justified the absence in a way that made sense plot-wise and actually character-wise too.

on repeated viewing, TFA isn’t that good, it’s a rehash of ANH and the stakes are never as good as the original movies. we all kinda know the heroes will save the day

TLJ, i liked, but the canto bight plot really falls flat. this is where RJ did some char assassinations: Poe. Poe is the cocky pilot who singlehandedly destroys the Resistance’s arsenal LMAO. and next scene he turns into sexist macho asshole trope itself, with his immediate and unfounded disdain of Holdo and her plans to keep our heroes safe. so he concocts a harebrained plan that doesn’t work. maybe it was intended as a refreshing look over this trope of barely a plan of the heroes always coming to fruition at the very last second, but the way it’s presented, it somehow really undermines all the characters involved, including newcomer Rose. at the start a breath of fresh air in the age of mindless heroics, the voice of reason, soon enough she too is pulled apart and becomes a sudden love interest...?? she is then reduced to a side’s side char in TROS, but she has space buns, so that’s cool right? that’s what SW is all about, women in space buns. fuck!

and yet, TLJ handled Luke, Leia, KR and Rey wonderfully and laid down some great ideas, Rey having no lineage, the Force Bond between her and KR, the catalyst for KR’s fall to the dark side, the little good in him, as sensed by both Leia and Rey...and set up a finale where, i believed and hoped, KR would be the main villain.

with the trailer spelling the probable return of palpatine, i kinda lost faith in TROS before it even hit the theaters. in fact, my faith in the movie was shot the moment JJ was brought on board.

we had a new villain, another race against time to save the day, and our heroes tell us again and again that it’s fine to share the burden, that they are not alone, that there are more good guys than bad - and when the ARMY OF PEOPLE came to exogol, it’s a wonderful scene. it works for me and it did both times. i know it’s awful that no-one came to leia’s call on crait, but here lando picks up (when lando says hello there, it’s not only panties that drop) half the galaxy, but somehow it still made me well up.

but, despite this very explicit message, our heroine fights alone. she faces palps alone and almost makes a bad decision, is alone in her final battle, is alone at the end. how truly horrible. instead of having ben and rey defeat palps together, rey has to do it alone, out of faux-feminism. it’s sickening. it’s stupid. and that’s not star wars and the star wars message. luke was not alone at the end, he was with friends, with family.

but she’s from a bad bloodline and she should die childless. ughhh. totally not hopeful, totally not satisfying message to have for the finale of the skywalker saga.

#tros #the rise of skywalker #full review

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

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Survey #290

“you’re a little pistol, & i’m fuckin’ pistol-whipped.”

What’s the biggest argument you’ve ever had with a family member? Did things ever go back to how they were beforehand? Definitely something with Mom. The biggest was probably in the car one night where she got so mad at me that she tried to kick me out of the car. No, I didn't listen. I don't really remember exactly what we were arguing about... other than it was something small that blew up about bigger themes. Have you ever experienced some kind of natural disaster? Hurricanes. If you have pets, do you feed them human food or do they just get regular pet food? If they do get human food, what’s their favorite thing to have? Roman only gets cat food. He's actually really well-trained about not taking human food after he did once as a kitten. Now he might just sniff around curiously and give it a look, but food can be pretty close to him and he doesn't go for it. Have you ever been in a physical fight? Who won? No. What were you lighting the last time you used a lighter or matches? Probably a candle. What’s the mode of transport that you take or use the most? Mom's car. Are there any sequels to things that you prefer to the original? I'm sure. Oh, Shrek comes to mind; I love the original, but the second is my favorite. What games do you play on your phone, if any at all? Just Pokemon GO, really. I have a couple others up there just for my niece and nephew to play. Aside from family, who was the last person you spent time with? How do you know that person? miss rona doesn't allow "hanging out." Do you spend a lot of money on your appearance? No. Have you ever had a zoo keeper experience or anything where you’ve been able to go behind the scenes and look after/feed the animals? I wish! :( Do you have an item that is your good luck charm? No. Your favorite thing about your job (or school)? N/A Least favorite thing about your job (or school)? N/A Do you have a "funny" toenail? No. Favorite canned soup? Meh, not a soup person. Do you have a particular coffee mug you drink from? No. Your take on declawing cats? It's cruel as fuck and you're despicable if you think it's all good and well to torture your cat like that. Do you have smoke detectors in your home? Yeah. What was your favorite snuggle toy when you were a child? First it was my little stuffed bunny that held a polka-dotted blanket, but through most of my childhood I cuddled a stuffed moose I got from Ohio at Cabela's. Brownie is still on top of my dresser. :') What did you do on your first date? Got Sonic and saw Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in the theater. I had the weirdest first date in that he invited my mom lmao. I still count it as our first one, though. The last time you let someone go, was it to make yourself happy or them? Myself. Who was the last person that could tell something was wrong with you? My ma. Have you ever thought about online dating? If so, were you desperate? Well I had a long-distance relationship, but it wasn't through a dating app or anything. Had one of those once and am mortified by it (even though no one shoud be), but no, I wouldn't have called myself "desperate." I was just incredibly lonely. Do you try not to take a lot of medicine or do you take it whenever? I just take it if I need it, honestly. I've been medicated pretty heavily most of my life, so whatever. Are you ever scared of people reading your survey answers? I wouldn't put them out there if I was. Would you ever go back to your most recent ex? That's the plan if things go ideally, but I'm not letting my hopes get too high. It'll be nice if that happened, but I'll still live on if not. What’s your best friend’s pet’s name(s)? She has lots of pets. There's Martha, Crowley, Little Dot, Jane Marie, Doris, Buster, Mango, and for her fish, I only know the one pleco's name: Raisha. When was the last time you got a splinter? I'm not sure. Are there any spiders in your room right now? I mean, probably. Somewhere. Have you ever taken a picture while laying in the grass? Not of myself. Who’s your favorite Disney charater? Dory. Are there any framed pictures of you in your house? In family shots, yes. What was the first television show you were obsessed with? Pokemon. Do you and your friends normally say you love one another? Definitely. How often would you say you get sick? Almost never. Let's not jinx it. Is there anything you get for free as a benefit for being a member of something? No. When were you the saddest in your life? 2016 was a year I'd wish upon absofuckinglutely nobody. Do you think bald guys are attractive? It would depend on the person? I don't find them inherently unattractive or attractive. If you don’t recognize the number of who’s calling, do you answer anyway? Nope. How do you pronounce route? "Rowt" What's the last thing you looked at under a microscope? Something during a biology lab when I was still in school. We looked at a number of stuff. Pretty cool. What internet service provider do you have? ... We just moved and changed providers and I already don't remember. Do you ever hear of something disgusting that you haven’t seen, so you go and look it up? This is very rare. If something is *disgusting*, I don't exactly wanna see it. If you had to get a tattoo on your face to save your life, what would it be? I'd have to think on this. I'm not opposed to a subtle face tat anyway, maybe near my ear or eye. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? No... but I've always kinda wanted a partner to lmao that's cute as fuck. Who was the last person you were “in a relationship with” on Facebook (including anyone you may have put “in a relationship with” for a joke)? Sara. Were you ever “the other man/woman”? How did it turn out? How do you feel about it today? No, and I never would be. What do you think of open relationships? If your partner suggested it, what would you say? Not for me whatsoever, but it works for some people. I'd honestly leave the relationship because I'd feel like I wasn't good enough. Would you ever date out of your race? I have before, would do it again with no problems. Have you ever had a reptile for a pet? Oh, plenty! Did you have a swing set when you were a kid? Yes. Swings were my favorite outdoor "toy" as a kid. What is a book that you really want to read? The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. I fucking adore The Handmaid's Tale and I literally have the book, I'm just too into WoF to make time for it. What is something that you really want to try, whether it’s a hobby, food, etc.? A lot of things. I guess to name one... wow, now that I'm actually thinking, nothing is coming to me, lmao. What sort of things do you like to post or look at on Tumblr? Mark-related stuff, what a shocker. What type of people are you usually attracted to? "Different," but not in a super weird-you-out way. I like clearly unique, truly one-of-a-kind people. What song are you listening to at the moment? "Watching For Comets" by Skillet is on. I'm surprised I feel okay listening to it. How often do you take naps and how long do they usually last? Almost daily. They can be an hour or two... embarrassingly, haha. Who’s one person who changed how you viewed something? Hannah Hart on gay rights. How many pillows do you like to sleep with? Two. What was the best conversation you’ve had recently? I dunno. Have you ever considered modeling? Nooooooooooo sir. When was the last time you did something daring? ME? DARING? Who in the world knows. List five of your favorite foreign foods. Uhhhh. 1.) This requires a lot of thinking and 2.) I'm very uninformed in what is *actually* truly foreign food that I've eaten and not just an American adaptation. I'm not very adventurous with foods, either, especially when I know it's "foreign." What types of seafood are your favorite? I just like shrimp. Do you write a lot for pleasure? I wouldn't say "a lot" anymore. Do you like bacon? Oh yeah. Do you like Rammstein? Hell yeah, they're in my favorites list. Have you ever been to a State Fair? Maybe, but I don't think so. Do you like YouTube? Maaan, I don't know what I'd do without it lmao. If so what's your favorite channel? I like that Mark R. Pliers guy a little bit, and lately I've really been digging Snake Discovery and Hazelnuttygames. Good Mythical Morning/Rhett and Link are deep, deep in my heart still, even though I don't watch them anymore. There is truly a *lot*, it's why I don't need television, haha. What is your favorite small dog breed? Papillons, probably. When was the last time you went through a McDonald's Playplace? Oh yikes, no clue. I definitely haven't ~really~ been in one since I was much younger (uhhhh and smaller), but I do have a faint memory of starting to go in one chasing after a kid. Maybe my nephew when he and his dad visited? idr What was the first comic book you ever had an obsession over? I was never into comics. Do you like kids pop-up books? BITCH you are LYING if you say you don't like looking at the cool effects lmao. Have you ever ridden a camel? No. Have you ever punched somebody? No. Can you sing opera? Oh, definitely not. Who was the last person you video-called with? Have you done this more often since COVID hit? My therapist, and you could say that, considering I never did before because I hate video calls. If you have pets, when was the last time one of them annoyed you? What happened? Roman (my cat) was just playing too rough with my hand. He's always hyper in the morning. When was the last time you took a dog out for a walk? Is this your own dog or did you borrow someone else’s? Wow... it's been many years. I walked Teddy sometimes, but that definitely slowed down and eventually came to a halt as he aged and his joints got bad; he would hesitate going down the porch steps, and I didn't want him to get too tired mid-walk and then have to go up them. Have you ever been the victim of a theft or robbery? What was stolen? Did the police ever catch the person who did it? No, thankfully. Are you a fan of garlic bread? Do you eat it on its own or as part of a bigger meal? Garlic bread would ruin my life if I let it, lmao. It's always a side. When was the last time your area was under some kind of weather warning? Did it end up being as bad as predicted? There was literally a tornado warning three days ago. I don't think so, no, but then again I didn't really look into it. Do you prefer having the blinds/curtains open or closed when you’re at home? Does it depend on the weather or the time of day? OPEN. You NEED natural light, I promise. I used to like my room as dark as possible in my worst times, but I am so glad I cut that out. I like, feel a part of me lighten up when I open my blinds in the morning. Who was the last person to tag you in something on social media? How do you know that person? My mom shared something that reminded her of Roman. Have you ever eaten a Big Mac? No; I don't like lettuce in my burgers, so I'm sure I wouldn't like it. What brand is your vacuum cleaner? I'd have to check. Where was your favorite hangout as a kid? So at my childhood home, down the road was a "stream" (aka a ditch and drainage pipe going underneath the road) that usually had at least some water in it, but if it rained, it really started to feel more like a real stream to us kids because of the movement. It drained into the pond just beyond the woods, and my sisters and some neighbors loved to play around that area. What’s your favorite pizza topping? Pepperoni,ig. Which sport do you suck at the most? All of 'em lol. My hand-eye coordination is awful, and hell no can I run. Are you good at rapping? I've never tried, but I'm certain I wouldn't be. I stutter so badly, and it's been getting worse. Can you say the alphabet in more than one language? I know it in German. Do you eat three meals a day? It varies. What do you want out of life? Fulfillment. To feel like I did something worthwhile.

#survey #surveys #quiz #questions #questionnaire #lyrics: ''pistol whipped" by marilyn manson

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oveliagirlhaditright · 4 years

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For @palizinhas‘s birthday. I finished the “epic” RiKai story I started working on for you last year, after all! I hope you enjoy! Oh! And it’s also SoRiKai, because that’s the only way I could get it to work for KHIII.

Changing the Curtain

Riku’s PoV

Riku had only gone to give Kairi her new outfit--he hadn't planned on staying in the Enchanted Forest long--but Kairi was too fast at changing... and apparently cutting her hair. So Riku saw her in her new look, that sent his heart sputtering despite itself. It was just that--even though she was clearly hanging onto some of her girly-ness--as she reached back to her tomboy side, in order to better fight, she was again acting like the girl he'd once been in love with. And Riku didn't know what to do with that, since he'd tried to move on from Kairi for his friends' sakes.

But at the same time… Sora had so much on his plate—and could be such an airhead sometimes—that Riku doubted his best friend would complement Kairi on her look… or anyone, for that matter.

Certainly not Lea, since he still walked on eggshells around her, and her teachers surely wouldn’t, nor any of the other guys.

So Riku did… He stammered it, of course, and tried to play it off that he just liked her hair short—to which Kairi giggled—but he still managed to tell Kairi he thought she looked cute without dying inside… and with most of his dignity still intact.

And when Kairi smiled at him—telling him that she liked his new hair better, too—and handed him a flower in thanks, he knew it had been worth it.

… The trio had decided to go back home before the War, and they were about to do so now. And Sora—as besotted to Kairi as he always was—had gone to put Kairi's luggage in the gummi ship for her. And everyone else was leaving to do their own thing... Even Master Yen Sid had mysteriously vanished... So Riku took the chance to talk to Kairi in a way he really hadn't since right before her training had started, because even their last conversation had been very few words. And so Riku meant to fix that now. "Kairi," Riku said, as he placed a hand on her shoulder to halt her progression down the stairs, and gently turned her to face him. "You’re doing a great job with training… but I think your jumps would be better, if you didn’t always change what foot you leap on. Do you think about what you’re doing before you do it, or-“

“I’m actually letting that part come naturally, since so much of it… isn’t. But I don’t know, do you think I should choose a foot and try to use that one before I fly?”

‘Fly?’ Riku wanted to ask. None of them were flying… unless you counted Sora the few times that he could still call upon what he’d learned from Neverland. But then Riku realized Kairi had used “fly” to mean “jump”. She just hadn’t said that—or “leap”—because he just had. And as a writer, Kairi was nothing if not a wordsmith. Riku winked at his best friend to let her know that he’d caught on to what she was doing, and that that would probably be for the best, yeah.

”Thanks- thanks for the advice, Riku. I feel most everyone else is afraid to give it to me, for some reason. But I know I can count on you! …Well, shall we go now Riku?" Kairi asked the last, as she took Riku's arm in her own and began walking down the stairs again. And yes, his breath might have stupidly hitched in his throat.

Then Riku couldn't help but to pat her head once, as he said: "Let's." And then they were soon heading out the door, going outside, and then helping a falling Sora get his and Kairi’s suitcases into the ship.

…

When they were on Destiny Islands, and about to visit their parents before the big battle--Sora had already gone to see his mom and dad; but as Riku and Kairi lived further away, and closer together, they were still waiting to have their goodbyes, themselves—Kairi asked Riku a question: "You seem to really have something on your mind... Can I help with it?"

And Riku doubted that she could with part of it, since… despite himself, he was starting to fall in love with her again—even though he did want her with Sora; he did—and he didn’t know what to do with it… and of course she wouldn’t, since her eyes had always been for Sora. But he imagined she could at least help with the other thing.

“So, Kairi… this is going to sound crazy… but you know my Riku Replica that I told you about? I, uhh, sort of found him when I was in the Realm of Darkness. And I guess he assimilated with me there? I don’t know… But I want him to be able to become his own person, too… But I also don’t want to force it on him, since it’s his choice in the end. But…”

Kairi was at her house now—exactly where she’d wanted to be before she went into a fight that all could easily kill her or any of them, Riku knew; Kairi had actually been the first one of them who’d suggested they tell their ‘rents something now—so he had to appreciate that even with that, she had paused outside of it and was giving him all of her time and attention right now.

“That is touchy, Riku. And I don’t know if I have the best answer for it… But I agree that he deserves to be his own person. And I’m sure Sora would, too. But you’re right, that it’s his choice in the end… I guess, if it comes down to it, give him time… Let him stay with you now, if he wants to be, but allow him to change his preference like I know Roxas and even Naminé are. Does that answer your question?”

And it did. It certainly did. But at the same time, Riku was impatient and wondered if there was still more he might be able to. “It does, Kairi… But I still think I’m going to take a moment by myself to see if I can come up with anything else.”

The smile Kairi was wearing before this, as she’d tried to help—and surely been ecstatic that she could—faltered just a little here, before it returned. “Okay, Riku. But come and visit with Sora and I soon. We- we always miss you when you’re gone.”

…

When Kairi and Sora shared the paopu fruits, he at first felt nothing. And not in a numb sort of way or an--I can't believe you'd do this to me--kind of one. Because this was what he'd expected for a long time--what he wanted for them, even--but after a while, it hurt. Yeah. For Kairi, who Riku was starting to get feelings for again. And perhaps for even Sora himself. Truthfully? Riku had had some feelings for him for a while. But when the Tornado of Heartless tore Kairi away from Sora; from them--and Sora reacted like that, as the army of Shadows then longed for Sora’s heart--Riku would feel awfulfor having again been jealous of what those two had. They truly deserved each other; and all the joy they could possibly find, in this tragic life. It wouldn't be until a bit later that Riku would realize he could fit into this life of theirs, too.

...

The first thing Riku was aware of after his death, was Sora in the background of his form--whatever was left of it--as the younger boy seemed to be trying to protect him from something, whilst Riku flickered in and out of consciousness and existence. But he also sensed Kairi, too, even as lost as he was. He could almost see her in Sora's heart... though Riku knew that wasn't quite right. And she seemed to be... praying for Sora to be able to save them all? So when Riku returned back to the Keyblade Graveyard--back to the land of the living--he knew those two would be okay, but still waited anxiously for their return. And Riku smiled at Kairi's newfound strength, as she was the one to steady Sora as they approached everyone. ... When Riku first heard that Kairi had been kidnapped by Xemnas, he'd been terrified for her. He'd stopped in his actions, and sent a concerned look Sora's way--internally begging his best friend to better fill him on the details, but Sora didn't. Too much had already begun to happen again. But the nightmare had continued, when Master Xehanort had summoned an unconscious Kairi--the bastard not even giving her a fighting chance!--and killed her before everyone's eyes, but especially Sora's. And then Riku was in shock, and transported back to what he'd felt when he'd had to lug Kairi's unconscious body around for a year. But this was so much worse than that, by a mile! And Riku fought back tears: not because Kairi didn't deserve them from him, but because he wouldn't give Xehanort the satisfaction to reacting to his sadistic show, like he surely wanted them to. The shock was the main reason Riku didn't react to attack Xehanort right away. But also, because he didn't want to mess up what Sora would do to Xehanort, if it'd work. But it didn't. And Riku lunged at the old geezer, himself--screaming the man’s name in red, hot anger: a ferocity he hadn't felt since he'd been so lost in the darkness in Castle Oblivion or when Saïx had Kairi--and that didn't work, either.

So, for the rest of the battle against the Thirteen Darknesses, Riku knew he had to focus on the world--like Kairi would have wanted him to--but in the back of his mind, he said the mantra "find a way to save Kairi. Find a way to save Kairi", over and over again: hoping that by thinking it so much, his wish would haveto come true. And wishing was part of the reason Riku didn't go with Sora to try and find Kairi, even though he wanted to do that more than anything else in the world. He told himself that since Sora hadn't been able to defeat Xehanort for Kairi by himself last time, the answer, then--in recompense for that--was that Sora alone would do what they hadn't figured out yet, and bring Kairi back. Because surely the multiverse couldn't be too cruel to Sora. Right? ... Right now? Riku was sitting with Kairi on the dock--after Sora had disappeared before their very eyes--and holding her in his arms (hoping to offer her some sort of comfort in this dark hour), as she rested away her head on his shoulder and looked out towards the horizon with lifeless eyes. And Riku wasn't too far from doing that himself. "Kairi, I'm so sorry," Riku said now, as he rubbed her arm and went over all the things he could have done differently in his head. "But I swear to you, we're going to-" But Kairi, amazingly, silenced Riku with a wink this time, and finger to his lips. "No, Riku... let me apologize to you. I- I want you to know I'm in love with you, too. And I think Sora also is... We should have shared paopus with you, too. But... our relationship has been rocky lately, hasn't it?” Riku was going to say something in response—that Kairi was being much too hard on herself, perhaps—but as she seemed lost in a trance now… and like she really needed to get these words off her chest, he just squeezed her shoulder slightly and listened. "We were so close when we were young, but your darkness scared me on our first journey... And I'm so sorry for that. But then on the second adventure, I realized that... more than I worried about the darkness, I missed you. And I showed youthat. And we- we were both so good together there. "I- I have fond memories of walking beside you while Sora was near his new friends,” And Riku smiled at this, because he’d felt the same way. That time in the Castle That Never Was hasn’t sent him reeling with jealousy the way seeing Sora with Donald and Goofy in the Vacant House had… but he’d still felt a little less sure of himself in Sora’s life; so it had felt good to have Kairi to bounce off of, who’d been dealing with some of those emotions herself. “But then you and Sora left again... and I horribly fell into my new, bad habits when it came to you. I can’t apologize enough, Riku… And I'm done waiting for anything to be right anymore. So, the two of us are going to find Sora, and then we'll finally all be together."

The expression Kairi wore now, was much like the serious and smirking one she’d adorned when she’d shown up at Master Yen Sid’s because she wanted to help… but somehow stronger, too. Riku could only hope that maybe he looked like that right now, too.

And the best answer he could give Kairi to this heartfelt speech, Riku found, was to kiss her on the head--the way he had dreamt of while she'd been asleep, near two years ago. But he hadn't dared it then.But now he did, and Kairi leaned into it as their legs tangled.

Then getting up at the same time, and stepping into the water, the two summoned their Keyblades at the same time and made a Corridor of Light towards Sora's location... and held hands as they stepped into it.

#fanfiction #rikai #kaiku #palizinhas #gift #oneshot #canon #au #canon au #my writing #Shanna writes #my work #mine #man I couldn't write this story for a year because I couldn't figure out how to write rikai for khiii. but I went back to it yesterday and #it was so clear to me. funny how that works

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