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prythianpages · 1 month

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Dandelions | Azriel x Witch Reader

summary: you and your daughter return back from visiting your family in the Middle with an unexpected surprise.

warnings: fluff; mentions of a scorpion (yes, there's a spider in the pic above but I could not stomach using a scorpion picture since I find them so creepy lol)

a/n: This is a little imagine for my Dandelions series since I miss Az & witch reader. If you'd like to read as a stand alone imagine, all you have to know is that reader is a witch and is an established relationship with Az and they have a daughter.

You’re still not back.

Azriel knows he shouldn’t worry. When he had asked Rhysand to reach out to you, you had let him know that you and your daughter would not make it in time for dinner but that all was well. Knowing that, that wouldn’t be enough for him, you had also flooded him with reassurance and love through the bond. Visiting your family has become more frequent since Melaina’s birth.

Azriel had chosen to stay behind this time.

The memory of the last visit lingered—your mother pestering him for a lock of his hair, her intentions veiled behind a wicked gleam in her eye. You hadn't voiced her reasons, but the instant glare you shot her with conveyed enough. Despite over a decade together, tension still simmered between Azriel and your mother. Her overbearing and overprotective nature remained unchanged, and Azriel couldn't bring himself to blame her.

Regret begins to crawl in, his shadows slithering along his limbs, as he realizes that perhaps, he should’ve accompanied you both. He glances at Rhysand lounging on the couch opposite, contemplating asking him to check on you once more. Rhysand's lips quirk up, meeting Azriel's gaze. Even Feyre shoots him an amused glance.

But before Azriel can even ask them to check up on you, there’s a round of three familiar knocks echoing through the river house. He’s rising to his feet in a heartbeat, feeling the warmth of your nearby presence pouring through the bond. When he opens the door, he’s greeted by the green glow of your magic as both you and your daughter appear in front of him, standing hand in hand.

His shadows reach out, tentatively brushing against your skin, as if searching for injuries, even though they expect none. It’s just a habit now. Meanwhile, the ones that darted toward Melaina dance around her own shadows, the tendrils greeting each other with familiarity, akin to old friends.

“Please, don’t be mad,” you say to him and the smile doesn’t falter on his face. Not when you wrap your arms around his neck and soften the oncoming blow with a kiss. He could never be mad at you, he thinks, as he’s blissfully overwhelmed by you.

“I could never,” he voices in a murmur as he pulls away. To which you only respond with a smile that radiates pure mischief. Your hand finds his and he lets you guide him back toward the sitting room, where Melaina had quietly headed to.

“Whatcha got there, Azriel jr?” Cassian asks with a grin, curious to see what your daughter is holding so dear to her chest.

"Uncle Cas, I got a pet!" Melaina chirps, a bounce in her step as she approaches Cassian, her wings fluttering behind her. Azriel feels a sweet ache in his chest, mirrored by your gentle squeeze of his hand.

"Oh! Let me see!" Cassian's twins and Nyx rush toward her in excitement, eager to catch a glimpse of her new pet. Azriel casts a side glance toward you, noticing the way you bite your lip.

Suddenly, a shriek pierces the air, drawing Azriel's attention sharply toward his daughter and Cassian. “Mother’s tits, what the fuck is that thing?” Cassian exclaims, eyes widening in horror while Rhysand throws his head back in laughter.

“Language!” You hiss at Cassian with a glare.

Azriel blinks in surprise, torn between amusement and concern at the sight of one of the strongest Illyrian warriors cowering behind his sons and the giant scorpion cradled like a baby in his daughter’s arms. It’s as big as a small pup, for Cauldron’s sake.

“You got our daughter a pet scorpion?” He asks, turning back to you.

“I couldn’t bring myself to say no to her,” you reply sheepishly, looking up at him through your lashes with that soft look in your eyes that has him melting. He senses Melaina must’ve given you that same look earlier. “My mother placed an enlargement spell over the scorpion so we wouldn’t lose sight of it.”

"Lovely," Azriel says, his voice dripping with sarcasm, but a grin tugs at his lips. He looks back at Melaina, who is beaming as she sets her "pet" down, eliciting another cry from Cassian and laughter from the others. Oh, he’s going to enjoy every second of this.

Nesta rolls her eyes, rising from her seat to kneel down and run a curious finger down the scorpion's back. Her sons join her, seemingly braver than their father. Feyre giggles and Rhysand shakes his head with an amused gleam in his eyes. Yet, he sinks further into the cushions of the couch, wanting to keep a safe distance from the scorpion. Mor tucks her legs beneath her, sharing the sentiment, and taking a large swig of her wine. Amren remains unfazed.

Nyx turns to his parents, blue eyes bright. “Can I have a pet too?” he asks in a pleading tone and Azriel swears the blood drains from Rhysand’s face, violet eyes flickering between his son and the scorpion. Feyre’s giggles come to an abrupt halt.

“Yes but maybe something cu—“ Feyre stops herself at the pointed look you send. “Something smaller,” she says instead with a sheepish smile and there’s a subtle sigh of relief escaping from Rhysand’s lips.

“Me too!”

Cassian’s twins, Cardan and Calian, say in unison, looking toward their father with pouts on their lips. “Ask your mother.”

Nesta’s eyes burn into him. “Of course you can,” she replies and the boys squeal in delight. Her lips curve into a wicked smirk as she rises to her feet and makes her way back to her mate. “Perhaps, y/n can take us to the same shop she got Mel’s at.”

“Oh, yes! There was just the cutest snake, longing for a good home.” You grin as Cassian shakes his head no. “The color of it’s shimmering scales matches the exact shade of Cas’s siphons. I think it’s meant to be!"

“Perfect!"

“Does your pet have a name, girl?” Amren asks your daughter.

“His name is Sprinkles!” Melaina chirps, clasping her hands together when the scorpion’s claws pinch at nothing. Her shadows echo her joy, pulsing as they snake down her legs and wrap around Sprinkle’s pointed tail. “Isn’t he just adorable?”

“Absolutely!” You are quick to reply, despite Cassian’s protests in the background.

You beam down at your daughter the way same Melaina beams down at Sprinkle. Azriel just knows you genuinely mean it. The depth of your admiration for all life is one he enjoys watching but even more so, when all life admires you back. It’s as if every creature, every living being can sense your light. Sprinkles seems drawn to it too, slowly crawling over to you and brushing its stinger against your leg in what appears to be an affectionate gesture. Your grin widens.

For a moment, Azriel wonders how your spider and the scorpion will get along, but as his daughter’s giggle reaches his ear, he pushes the thought aside. He'll deal with that later. For now, he simply basks in the joy of his mate and daughter with a fond smile on his own face.

Because as long as his girls are happy, he’s happy... even if his own skin crawls at the sight of your daughter’s new pet.

a/n: I picture Mel as a softer version of Wednesday Addams 🖤 So I couldn't help myself with this one. Hope you all enjoyed it!

I still want to write an imagine for when reader and Az find out they're expecting Mel but am waiting for the inspo to hit me for that one so if you have any suggestions, I'm all for them 👀 I also have this thought of Mel developing a crush on Eris's son when she's older, which totally makes Az freak out lol.

tagging: @fxckmiup, @aria-chikage

if you asked to be tagged in this series and I didn't tag you, please let me know! I've lost track of some tag requests 😅

#azriel x reader #azriel x you #azriel x y/n #azriel fluff #azriel fanfic #acotar x reader #acotar imagine #acotar fanfiction #azriel imagine #acotar x you #acotar x y/n #azriel x witch!reader #az!dandelions

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contremineur · 4 months

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Let us begin again. This time on a train. Where the tunnels only highlight your flicked cheekbones. And maybe you are going to a job you hate. And maybe you’re going home to a wife. And maybe you’re going to visit an old friend or lover. And maybe you don’t even look at me. But you leave your book, Marquez, and touch me through the way the edge of the pages are rubbed upwards, pushed down in the love of wearing out. There are words you circle, words I can only assume catch you, that you repeat, mouthing them in the shower, speaking them into your coffee, trying them out in places they’d seem inappropriate: saying vulgar to the papaya at the corner market, metamorphosis to your bank teller, empurpled to your empty kitchen. And these are the reasons I love you, and these are the words I try on now, and these are the words I’d never even be able to speak if I saw you again.

Melaina Elise Evans, Affirmation

also here

#melaina elise evans #affirmation #poetry #quote #lit #excerpt

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silvygonzalez · 8 months

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Council Meeting

The Council of Redwood is called to the Community Centre to discuss the report from Silvana González about Ares Melaina's alleged violent past.

@aresmelaina / @davxdalexander / @ermanodelgcdo / @ijemmaokafor / @isaacapatow / @salemcampbell

Ike

-standing, arms folded, keeping a weather eye on Ares- We're gonna listen to Silvy's side of things first. Don't interrupt her, Melaina.

Ares Melaina

-glances at Isaac, before standing up straight- Wouldn't think about it, sir.

Silvy González

-takes a deep breath- Thank you. Over a year ago, I was travelling with a group of fellow survivors. One night, my group was attacked by raiders. Ares was one of those raiders. I was the only one of my group to escape and survive. -takes a shaky breath- If Ares is going to be a part of our community, the Council should be aware of the brutality he's capable of.

Ermano.

-moves his gaze to Ares, watching his body language.- Please inform us Silvana.

Silvy González

-glances at Ermano when he uses her full name and she nods-

That night, the attackers surrounded our camp, effectively trapping us in. They took out the look-out first before starting with the rest of us. Before this night, we had heard stories of raiders attacking other groups for supplies but these guys did not care about our supplies. Before I escaped, I remember seeing Ares. He stood there, covered in the blood of my friends.

-her voice breaks and she looks down as she composes herself- He was grinning, like he was having the time of his fucking life.

-she looks up at each of the Council members- Even if I wanted to, and believe me I do, I can't forget that image.

Ares Melaina

-as he listens to her, he closes his eyes, body rigid; when her story ends, he takes a deep breath and opens his eyes again- Is it my turn now?

Ike

Not even close. And if I have to remind you again, you won't like the consequences.

-to Silvy- They didn't try to steal anything? Their goal was to murder your group?

Silvy González

If they did steal anything, they waited until everyone else was dead. I didn't hang around to find out.

David Alexander

-standing with his arms crossed and looking between Silvy and Ares and Isaac- Did he tell you this when he was being vetted, Isaac?

Ike

-takes a breath, clears his throat- No, he didn't. But I know him too, from back before the world fell. Twenty years ago, in New York.

Salem Campbell

You knew him? What happened?

Ike

He sold drugs to the guys at my halfway house. The ones who were in rehab and recovery.

Ares Melaina

-for a moment looks like he wants to say something, but stops himself and bites his lip-

David Alexander

Real winner, here, huh?

Ijemma Okafor

Forgive me my newness here, but those are the kinds of things y'all specifically ask newcomers to divulge when they're being vetted, right?

Ike

-sighs, rubs his eyebrows briefly- It's a sliding scale. There's the standard questions and then there's the things that each of us might wanna chase down specifically, if that's our specific area. Or if we got a hunch of something hinky. I didn't follow this one down because it was twenty years ago and I was willing to think he'd changed.

I figured he'd be a raider and I could keep an eye on him.

Ermano.

Still that’s something we need to know.

Ijemma Okafor

Oh, I don't even mean past past stuff, I mean...this wasn't just a matter of him failing to mention the murderous raid. Y'all specifically ask what kind of atrocities a person has had to commit since the outbreak, right?

Ike

If you're asking if he lied to us outright? Yeah. He did.

David Alexander

-sigh- So what options do we have here?

Ike

Well, you might notice signs of the absolute shit having been beat out of him, which was me. But this is a new thing to take into account. -lifts his chin in Ares' direction- Go on, then. Explain yourself. If you're tempted to leave anything out, don't.

Ares Melaina

-takes a deep breath to steady himself- What she's saying is true. I was with that raiding group at the time, and I was there during the attack. -stops for a few moments, letting his eyes wander over the council, before coming to rest on Silvy for just a moment- Only thing I can say in my defence is that I didn't kill anyone. Not there. I don't know if any of you are gonna believe that, but that's the truth.

Ike

Pretty hard to get that image of you -- what was it, Silvy? -- grinning like he was having the time of his fucking life? Yeah. Hard to strike that from the imagination, Ares.

Silvy González

-she just nods in response to Isaac but doesn't say anything-

David Alexander

-senses Silvy is extremely bothered and walks up to squeeze her shoulder reassuringly.-

Silvy González

-lets out a shaky breath as David squeezes her shoulder. She is trying her best to not cry.-

Ares Melaina

It was a damn massacre. -his voice becomes raspy for a moment and he clears his throat- We hadn't done anything like this before. We attacked other raiding groups, for the most part. We didn't just... slaughter random survivor groups for the sake of it. I just... something broke. By the end of it. Seeing all those people dead. -looks down at the floor for a moment, to collect himself- Ain't here to throw a pity party for myself. In that moment I just laughed. I couldn't control it.

Ijemma Okafor

-shaken, baffled- You didn't kill anyone there, you specified. -turning to the other council members- Did he admit to killing someone else? -turning back to Ares- Did you kill with that raiding party somewhere else?

Ares Melaina

-nods- I did. In that area it was almost like gang wars, practically. Raiding parties killing each other for territory 'n shit. I... I killed people there.

Silvy González

-opens her mouth, determined to state she was certain Ares had killed some of her old survivor group but she doubts herself. She remembers seeing him there that night but can't remember seeing him actually killing someone. Instead she closes her mouth again and shakes her head-

David Alexander

-squeezes Silvy's shoulder again- Hey, you okay?

Ermano.

-lets out a breath and shakes his head- Silvana, I'm going to ask you a bit of a personal question, apologies if it makes you uncomfortable. Did anything happen to you during the attack? Were you assaulted?

Ijemma Okafor

-nudging Isaac did he tell y’all about the other killing?-

Silvy González

-to David- No but yes.

-to Ermano- I fought back. I have scars but no one tried to sexually assault me if that's what you're asking. They didn't seem interested in that kind of attack, only the slaughter.

Ike

-leaning down to Jemma, quietly, still keeping an eye on Ares- Nope, nada. This is the first I'm hearing of it.

David Alexander

-to Ares- So then why didn't you come clean about this when you got here?

Ares Melaina

-seems genuinely shocked at Silvy's statement, but shakes it off to answer David- 'Cause I thought you wouldn't let me in if I did.

Ike

I've asked Ares all I wanna know. We can send him out when the rest of you are satisfied.

Salem Campbell

I've heard everything I need to know.

Ermano.

I have a question. -looks to ares- Are you working with them now? Were you tasked to infiltrate our community to eventually break them in and take over?

Ares Melaina

No. No, they're dead. The raiders. Killed by another group. I don't think any of them survived.

David Alexander

And we should believe you now because....?

Ike

-unfolding his arms- Because all he's got is his words and what he does from now on. And me. I vouch for him.

Ares Melaina

-turns to answer David but is stopped by Ike's answer; eyes widen in surprise as he blinks at Ike, before turning to the rest of the council- As Isaac said. I got nothing but my words. If you believe me is up to you.

David Alexander

-glances at the rest of the council - alright, I've heard enough.

Ermano.

I don’t feel comfortable putting you out. Who’s to say you don’t round up others and seek revenge. -he sighs, hating this process, finally understanding why jason left. his heart breaks as he gives Silvana a once over.- Council vote. Ares stays or goes. I vote stay.

Ike

I think we should toss Ares out of the room for this, boss.

David Alexander

I'm with Isaac on that

Ermano.

-he sees no point but nods in agreement-

Ike

-nods at Ares- Outside, you. Silvy, if you wouldn't mind staying?

Silvy González

-is now feeling sick to her stomach but craving something hard to drink. She numbly nods in response to Isaac- Sure.

Ares Melaina

Yes, sir. -turns and leaves the meeting room-

David Alexander

-starts to rub between her shoulder blades as he senses how uncomfortable she is-

Ike

I know this is rough on you, Silvy. Thanks for staying. I just ... kinda want you to know the reasoning behind our votes. You deserve that.

Silvy González

-appreciates how David's reassuring touch is stopping her from spiralling completely. Again, she nods at Isaac- Thank you.

Ike

-takes a breath, looks around at them- I think he should stay. He's one of my guys now and I've got him on a leash. And not for nothing but ... I was in the same shape when I got in here. There's shit I did with the Reavers that's as bad as or worse than anything that shitbird did.

Ermano.

As much as I hate it when we agree, I'd be lying if I said my ledger was clean. We've all done things before getting here.

David Alexander

True, but none of us have lied about it. If he's lied to get in, who's to say he's not just telling us what we want to hear now so he doesn't get kicked out?

Ike

I didn't lie, but that's because I couldn't. You all knew I was with the Reavers. There's lies and then there's omission.

Ermano.

Salem, you've been quiet. What are your thoughts?

Salem Campbell

-seems to think about his decision before taking a deep breath- I vote leave. I don't think he'd do it again, but... -glances at Silvy- I'm not sure if he'd be good for the community. We can't exactly trust him.

Ermano.

I agree with you on the trust. But if he's here, we can keep an eye on him. If it's out there, who's to say he won't come back. He's been in long enough to snuff out any weaknesses we have.

Ijemma Okafor

If y’all permit it, I’d like to know what Silvy thinks of the prospect of him staying.

Ike

Of course. That's why I wanted her to stay behind.

David Alexander

-nods and looks to Silvy -

Silvy González

-as much as she detests the idea of Ares staying, she can see the logic in allowing him to stay. She gives each of the Council a grim look-

I don't trust him. I'll never trust him. For the rest of my days, I get to live with the image of what his gang did to my friends. If he stays, all I ask is that I never have to deal with him unless necessary and if he goes rogue, I get the right to tell you all 'I told you so'.

David Alexander

-sighs as he looks at the group- If he stays, someone needs to keep an eye on him. I don't like the idea of him roaming around all on his own when he's not out raiding with Isaac.

Salem Campbell

I'd suggest Isaac is responsible for him, since he vouched for him.

Ermano.

Agreed

Ijemma Okafor

Especially since Silvy herself is half our inside security.

Ike

-looks profoundly uncomfortable- We, um. Nicki and me hit a bail bond office a while back. We snagged a couple ankle monitors, I just ... didn't think we'd need 'em.

Ermano.

-looks at isaac- Did you bring them back or keep them there? How far away is it?

Ike

They're in the overflow storage. I was thinking to use them as trackers for other purposes, but I suppose we could use one for what it's intended for.

And -- yeah. I'll make him my responsibility.

Ermano.

What other purpose? -he thinks for a second- Nevermind, that's a conversation for another time. Right. Are you okay with that Sil?

Silvy González

As ok as I'll ever be with any of this, yeah

Ike

Thanks for bringing this to us, Silvy. I've got some business I gotta talk to the Council about, now.

Silvy González

-nods- If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bar. -walks out-

Ermano.

-crosses his arms and faces isaac- What's on your mind?

Ike

Well. I had some time to think on it, and -- no offence, Davey, you've got your ... qualities -- but I want Renee on the Council. To take Tristan's spot.

Ermano.

-looks to salem then to david- I know you weren't exactly thrilled for the spot. I personally see Renee qualified. -looks back to salem- You on board?

Salem Campbell

If Renee can handle it, besides her work as a doctor.

Ermano.

I'm assuming you talked to her about this already, Isaac?

Ike

Yeah. She's game.

David Alexander

Oh thank God

Ermano.

Fine. Renee it is. David you're relieved, and relieved. -ermano smirks more at himself for the joke-

David Alexander

-Two finger salute and walks out after Silvy

Ike

Great, done and dusted. One of you guys can go tell her -- she doesn't associate me with good news. And besides, I got an ankle monitor to attend to. -lopes out, collecting Ares by the collar of his shirt and marching him out of the community centre-

David Alexander

I'm gonna check on Silvy -leaves after Ike-

Ermano.

I'll tell Renee the good news. -he looks at Salem- Or bad news. Whichever way she views it.

Salem Campbell

Well if she's on board, hopefully good news. Jesus. rubs a hand over his face- I gotta go. I just hope we're not kicking ourselves in the ass with this.

#sgtalks #thread: silvy ares and the council #ares #the council #tfh.discord thread

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aresmelaina · 21 days

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HEY

Where Ares and Fleet talk about their lives, issues and resolve to do a movie night @fleetsummers

Ares Melaina "Hey. Mind having a customer? Or… Company? Partner? Whatever you call it." Ares grins as he makes his way into the kissing booth, a little slow. "Thought I'd check out what you're offering.

Fleet Summers "Ares!" Fleet keeps it a little less than a shriek, although he's delighted to see his friend, darting out to help Ares to the stool on the other side of the booth before he goes back behind. "Customer, maybe? Although we're not charging. Obviously."

Ares Melaina "You guys would probably make a killing with whatever people pay with." Ares leans back on the stool with a relieved sigh, regarding Fleet. "You look good. How are you holding up? Or is right now not the right time to catch up? Does the booth have a talking option?"

Fleet Summers "We can talk. Although if somebody else comes, then I'll have to attend to my duties for a minute." Fleet flutters his eyelashes with a laugh. "It's a tough job! I'm a national hero." He reaches across the narrow booth for Ares' hands, saying, "I'm doing all right. Lots to think about that's hard to think about, but. C'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?"

Ares Melaina "The community appreciates your service." Ares reaches out and grabs Fleet's hand, soft and warm, squeezing them. "Still what we talked about on the ranch? With your dad?"

Fleet Summers Fleet sighs a bit, almost instinctively, when Ares brings up Cole, and then says, "Sort of. It's gonna be him for a while, but it's Uncle Sol missing too. And the … everything that happened on the ranch. To you, to Nicki…" He looks at Ares, squeezing his hands back. "Do you want to talk about that kind of stuff, though? I'm fine with being more fluffy, if you want. You've got a lot to get better from, Ares."

Ares Melaina "Hey, I was the one who asked." Ares grins, reassuringly, his smile only faltering a little at the mention of what had happened to him. His thumbs trail over Fleet's knuckles. "Want a hug?" Ares asks, suddenly. "You're gonna have to do most of the work, though. But nobody can interrupt us, because you're doing your job and all. I could use a hug."

Fleet Summers "Of course you can have a -- oh, Ares." Fleet rounds the end of the booth again, wrapping his arms around Ares and pushing his face against the side of his friend's head. Ares isn't the sort who'd groan about being hugged too tight, so Fleet doesn't temper it much, and kisses the shell of his ear to boot. "I'm a murderer, now," Fleet murmurs against him. "I don't know how the rest of you stand it."

Ares Melaina "It gets easier." Ares wraps his arms around Fleet, holding him as tightly as his body would allow. His fingers rub circles into the lean muscles on his friend's back. "If it hadn't been them, it would've been you. It's survial. You get used to it, in some way." Killing a person was different than killing a walker. Even if that person was trying to kill you. It'd probably mess with anyone, if they had to. "Want to talk about it? What happened? What you did?"

Fleet Summers "I don't think I want it to get easier." As he said that, heard himself out loud, Fleet realized how true it was. "I can accept that I had to do it out of survival, but I don't want it to be something I'm ever used to." He stayed in Ares' embrace, breathing him in; a scent of illness, a little bit oily and antiseptic at the same time, but also something orange, almond. Ares' usual warm-fur scent under that. It was astonishing how quickly Fleet had acclimated to it, but it had been like that with Nicki, too. The Ranch had some good aspects to it.

Ares Melaina "Yeah. That makes sense. That's good, I think." It was a conscious choice Fleet was making. The opposite probably would've been easier. There was something admirable about it, the choice to not get used to it. "That's how the rest of us stand it though. We get used to it. I think we'd go crazy if we didn't. We have to. It just happens."

Fleet Summers For a moment Fleet almost rushed to temper his statement and assure Ares that he hadn't meant to sound critical, that he was only speaking for himself, but he bit down lightly on the sides of his tongue and didn't, in the end. Ares hadn't meant it that way. Ares meant everything he said, just the way he said it. That's good meant that's good. "And I don't want any of you going crazy, so however you get through it, that's enough for me." Fleet giggled, slightly, adding, "…some people in town don't need to get any crazier."

Ares Melaina "Different ways of getting through it." Getting numb to killing people wasn't a great thing, but it was survival. The addition made Ares smile, a little sadly, though with the hug Fleet couldn't see that. Ares reached up, petting the back of Fleet's head. "Nicki? Yeah. She doesn't need to get any crazier." He breathes in softly, feeling the warmth of Fleet's body seep into his. "She talks to you, right? Do you think she's… getting better?"

Fleet Summers "Oh, hey." Fleet might have moved back a little, so they could look at each other for this, but the way Ares was holding him made him reconsider. Ares didn't seem like he'd flinch from hard conversations but everyone had their few subjects that were harder to talk about, that they had to push themselves to reach. So instead he cuddled closer and said, "We talk. I think it's hard for her. She's super defensive about things, and she avoids thinking about motivations -- anybody's motivations -- so her world is very … flat? One-dimensional. Maybe that makes her feel safer, if she thinks she can see everything laid out." Fleet nosed behind Ares' ear, where the skin was soft and almost vulnerable, deerlike. "I think she's on her way to trying, but she has no idea where to begin. How to start seeing in dimensions."

Ares Melaina One dimensional. It sounded harsh, but Ares knew what Fleet meant, how he meant it, and suppressed that initial urge to jump to Nicki's defense that gnawed at him. "Yeah. I didn't even think of it like that. I just .. I'm glad she isn't running out of the walls anymore and getting herself into danger." Ares laughed, though it wasn't really funny. He took a soft breath. "I think it helps. People telling her her own motivations. That's how I try to do it." He leaned his head to the side, pressing himself more against Fleet. "I think she's getting better. I hope she is. I'm… Worried she isn't."

Fleet Summers That laugh of Ares' was so much like all the rest of Ares: his innate habit of making everything just a little bit sweeter, a little bit simpler, like he was constantly sanding the edges off life. Even the unfunniest, not even slightly simple or sweet things that had happened to Ares, he did that with. Fleet stroked his hand over Ares' strong shoulder, kissing it a few times compulsively, like he used to do with his plushies as a child when he'd accidentally kicked or dropped them. "I think," Fleet said slowly, "it's good to be concerned, but not worried. She gets a whiff of that and it makes her all--" now it was Fleet's turn to laugh though it wasn't funny, "--crazy. You're very calming, Ares, and nothing shakes your love. That's an incredible thing to give her.

Ares Melaina "Yeah. You're right. She would just get worse." He knew how Nicki got when people were worried about her. More eager to prove she was okay, even when she wasn't. She had enough trouble asking for help as it was. "I love her." He muttered, slightly muffled as he nuzzled against Fleet. He took a breath, a soft smile and then a huffed laugh breaking out of him. "Are you okay? I don't think I'm okay."

Fleet Summers "No. I'm not okay, I don't think I was even when I was going into all this. But mine's different from yours." They stayed nosing against each other, holding close, soaking up each other's presence. "Mine's a bunch of … I hate to say it this way, but it's new. Meeting Daddy, him dying, learning to fight and then killing people -- it's all brand new to me. You being raped, Ares, that's something that's happened to you before. It's bringing that all up again. Ares Melaina "Doesn't make ot easier, huh? We're both struggling." Ares buried his face against Fleet, whatever part he could find. "You know, I thought maybe it would be easier to handle, because it isn't new. But it isn't. I don't really… got a way of handling it well." His grip on Fleet tightened again, fingers twisting in his shirt. "I want it to happen again. I miss it."

Fleet Summers "Is it … because of Clint's brother?" Fleet had heard the rumours, but had also heard terse shards of information from Zack. Those, he tended to take on board with more immediacy and weight. "That he was in prison too, like you? So it's bringing all that up again along with the Daybreakers hurting you?" Fleet moved closer to Ares when his friend tugged on him, tightened his grip. "I felt that way too, sometimes. It's a weird thing your brain does to cope."

Ares Melaina "Kind of? He's making it worse." Ares had to swallow. "He calls me Daisy. That was what they called me in prison. I got a tattoo. He saw it when he found me and he keeps calling me that. Fuck, it's-" Ares soaked in a deep breath. One of his hands trailed up to the back of Fleet's head, feeling the curly hair there. It'd been cut short on the ranch. "How do you deal with it? With… everything? With missing the fucked up shit and what happened with your dad and the shit on the ranch?"

Fleet Summers That was a huge question, and Fleet gave a terse, wild little laugh at it. "I deal with it badly," he said, inhaling through the statement. "I cheat on my boyfriend and I feel insecure about how I look and I snap at people for doing nice things for their loved ones because I think it's a waste of sugar or milk. I shave my hair off." Fleet slumped into Ares, melting against him. "I make myself be productive and organize feel-good things that I bully people into participating in, when really I want to curl up with Rex in bed all day, or take a really hot shower and jerk off until I'm exhausted, or swim out into the middle of the lake and scream till I cry."

Ares Melaina "Hey. Some of those don't sound like bad ways to deal with it. Like organizing the pot of gold. Or shaving your hair, or getting upset with people wasting things." Ares can practically feel Fleet relax and leaning into him. They both needed this contact. "I wish the stuff we wanted and the stuff we should do was the same."

Fleet Summers "That would be too easy, I think. One of those great moralistic lessons about life, that we need to resist temptation in order to … I don't know. Keep safe. Get better. Be healthy." Fleet stayed crushed up against Ares, the solidness of the other man a comfort; even wounded and recovering, Ares felt so there. So present. He was that kind of person, who was always right in his body and not mentally wandering elsewhere. "I wish I could get over my dad. I knew him for a few months and it's screwed me up so much! I had years not knowing him and I was fine." Fleet repeated that, a little less surely. "I was … fine. Mostly. Not like other kids haven't grown up without a dad."

Ares Melaina "Mostly?" Ares asked, noticing the doubt in Fleet's voice, slight but still there. "I don't think you're supposed to compare it. I mean, it messed with you, didn't it? Him not being there?" Ares remembered their talk at the ranch, the way Fleet had spoken about his dad. Had wondered what sex with him had been like. Ares didn't loosen his grip. "Maybe… it really isn't all that new for you?" He suggested, thoughtfully. "Not that you already lived through it. I mean… it kinda sounds like it brought up some old stuff for you to. Like what the Daybreakers and Mike are doing with me."

Fleet Summers "I suppose." Fleet made a disgruntled sound, frowning. He sat with that for a while, then leaned his head back, making a sound of frustration, then dug the heels of his hands against his eyebrows. "Fuck." That felt good, so he said it again: "Fuck. I'm so tired of trying to figure everything out. Sometimes I wanna just -- stop, y'know? Switch my brain off, take it out of my head, rinse it off. Maybe stick it in a jar and spend a day not thinking about anything before I pop the … the fucking thing back in."

Ares Melaina "Yeah, I know. That'd be a lot easier." With Fleet leaning back, Ares could see into his face, see the frustration and exhaustion in it. Ares leaned forward, bumping their foreheads together. "Wanna spend a day together? You and me? We can go and bunker down in the cinema room and watch whatever movies they have. I'm pretty good at keeping people busy, you know. You won't be able to think about a thing." He huffs softly, opening his eyes so he can meet him. "Would that help?"

Fleet Summers Fleet laughed at Ares so earnestly taking on what he'd said, almost to a literal point with the promise to get Fleet to not think at all. He nudged his nose against Ares' face, so close and so familiar now after the Ranch, one of Fleet's pack. In a manner of speaking. "That would help tons," Fleet agreed, getting his fingers pleated into Ares' shirt so he could give it a tug to seal the deal. "Just you and me, though, nobody else. I only want it to be the two of us, minds off, brains empty."

Ares Melaina "That's exactly how it's gonna be. Just us. No thinking at all. It's gonna be good." He grinned and softly bumped their foreheads together again, a response to Fleet's tug on his shirt. Ares went quiet for a moment after, before speaking up again. "Would it be weird to kiss now?"

Fleet Summers "No. That's what the kissing booth is for, silly." Fleet pushed his fingers gently through Ares' hair a few times before bringing his hand down to cup just behind Ares' ear, holding him gently as he pressed a soft, squashy kiss to the other man's mouth, then repeated it a few times. "Fuck," Fleet murmured against Ares' mouth, then dissolved into a fit of giggles, like somebody might scold them for saying bad words at any moment.

Ares Melaina The kisses were affectionate, a wet crush of their lips that vaguely reminded Ares of how he kissed people as a child. Ares stayed still, Fleet's breath warm on his lips when he cursed and then giggled, in such an infectious way that Ares laughed, a short, huffy laugh. He grasped Fleet's face in his head and kissed him again, harder, crushing their lips together and holding, just holding. When he let go, both of their lips were flushed. "Sorry. You okay?"

Fleet Summers "I'm okay. You're the one who's mega wounded." Fleet petted at Ares for a bit, not moving away yet, staying in the circuit of their shared damp breathing and slightly reddened skin. "I'm holding you to that promise. The just you and me watching dumb shit together and eating popcorn. We have a lot of dry corn, at least, so even though we don't have butter we can have the popcorn. Sound good?"

Ares Melaina "Sounds great. Just the two of us. With popcorn." As if to confirm and seal the deal, Ares pressed a kiss against the corner of Fleet's mouth. He let himself linger, letting their warmth and breath mingle, soaking it up, grinning against Fleet's lips. "It's going to be amazing. You can hold me to that promise, too."

#with: fleet #pd: fleet001

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aresnotthegod · 30 days

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ARES MELAINA

Name: Ares Melaina

Age: 39

Gender, Pronouns: Cis Male, He/Him

Place of Origin: Kalamata, Greece / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ethnicity: Greek-American

Sexuality: Bisexual

Relationship Status: Single

Headcanons:

Ares is Greek-American. Born to a Greek father and American mother, his family ended up moving to America when Ares was very young. He speaks some very rudimentary Greek.

He was raised Greek-Orthodox in faith and was quite devout as a child, until he got into highschool. He still believes in God at the moment, but isn't practicing.

He has no contact to his family, except for sporadic contact with his older brother.

He's struggled to keep a job in the past, but seems to have settled as waitstaff in the All Nighter Diner.

He never finished highschool.

Biography: (CW for drugs, prison, homelessness)

Ares childhood was pretty normal. Born as the youngest of three to a middle-class family in the suburbs, his life could really only be described as ordinary. Ares was always described as a "good kid", sociable and a natural extrovert, albeit a little easy to be influenced by his peers. Naturally athletic, albeit with lacking grades, it seemed his life was on a stable path to a sports scholarship and potential professional career.

That was until he fell in with a bad crowd. Starting with a somewhat sleazy kid Ares befriended starting highschool, he was soon indicted into a small group of friends who all seemed to earn their money with drug dealing. Cajoled by his friends, Ares found himself quickly enticed by the approval and money, and slipped deeper and deeper into the business. It all came to a head when his parents found out. Enraged by their son's illicit business, at age 17 Ares was disowned and thrown out of his family home.

With his drug dealing friends as his only support system, Ares only slipped deeper into the business, eventually ending up in New York and working his way up from a small time dealer to bigger and bigger deals. However, as the business he was involved him got bigger, so did police attention. Eventually, things went wrong, and Ares was caught and picked up by the police. At the age of 21, Ares ended up being convicted and sentenced to fifteen years in prison.

His time in prison isn't something he likes to talk about. While he adjusted to being in prison, his time in there wasn't easy. Especially as he had no outside support system to send him money, he had to find workarounds to earn his keep and place with his fellow inmates.

When he was finally released, the world seemed to have changed quite a bit. Ares found himself almost confused and overwhelmed by the life he returned to. With no support system, he ended up on the streets. It was easy for hik to slip back into illicit business, anything to earn some money to survive, might even slip into drug abuse himself, if it hadn't been for his older brother who managed to track him down. Ares' older brother had made a name for himself, building a lucrative career in the arts and while their relationship was damaged from the many years of no contact, his older brother seemed to feel guilty for what'd happened all those years ago.

He offered Ares money, the only string attached being that he would not deal drugs or slip into other illicit business. Ares accepted. Realizing he could have some form of fresh start, Ares bought a car with his brothers money and traveled across the country, living out of his car. He came across Aurora Bay almost randomly while traveling six months ago, decided to stay the night and just never left.

Now, two years later, Ares has a place to live, a somewhat stable job and has so far kept away from slipping back into dealing. With his brother occasionally sending money and his own income, he's managed so far. Still, his life remains directionless, no clear goal to work towards, the years in prison weigh on him and the world he came back to is still, in part, overwhelming and hard to get used to.

#intro #ares melaina

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lucienmelaina · 9 months

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Name: Lucien "Luc" Melaina Age: Forty-six Gender & Pronouns: Cis-male, he/him Sexuality: Gay Time in Redwood: Two years Resides in: Second floor of the library building Previous occupation: Author Community occupation: Librarian

musings // answered // mirror // wanted connections

An old soul, that’s what they called Lucien ever since he was a kid. And as if in a hurry to catch up with that old soul, the oldest Melaina son walked and talked and read earlier than all other kids his age, impressing parents and teachers and everyone who came to know the little guy who spent his days with his nose stuck in a book. They talked about how he would become a scientist, a politician, a lawyer, half-joking and half-hoping and doted on his every need.

But Luc didn’t share any of those aspirations. Luc only needed his books and his few good friends and his peace and quiet in order to be happy. He never excelled at school the way everyone expected, his mind wandering to far away worlds, or trying to keep his eyes open after having pulled an all-nighter to read just one more chapter. He didn’t get invited to many parties and he never found the appeal in sports, but even though he lived in a different bubble than the popular kids, no one dared to bully or make fun of him.

Even his college years were quiet, his degree in English Literature coming almost easily to him. He spent his hours in the library and next to the sea and in cute little coffee shops with his laptop and his books, reading and writing and daydreaming until he found himself scrolling through pages and pages of his own creation.

His first novel did well enough, especially for a debut. His second one, even better. His third one changed his world forever. Luc doesn’t know how and he doesn’t know why, but it apparently hit the right chord– there was success and money and awards and a movie deal. And there was a thrust into the spotlight that nobody could have prepared him for.

Because Hollywood was very different from the peace and quiet he had always tried to maintain. He tried to be grateful for the kind words and the selfies and the interviews, but he found himself returning home exhausted and empty and with zero energy or interest to turn or write a single page.

When the virus hit, Luc was on a promotion tour for the movie that was set to premier at the end of the year. Every day he put on a mask of excitement and answered the same questions and said the same catchphrases and ignored his true feelings. He did everything the publicists and managers told him– so when they said that this virus was nothing to worry about, he believed them.

They were in Washington, DC when the outbreak became impossible to ignore. The tour and the premiere and everything was ‘postponed until further notice’, flights were canceled, panic spread. Luc stayed in town for as long as he deemed safe, and when everything became too suffocating, he joined a group that fled to the countryside.

He felt terrified and exhausted and completely useless– he couldn’t run very fast, he couldn’t cook very well, and he definitely couldn’t fight. People came and people left and people died and somehow, probably through pure luck, he survived day after day. Months later, he found himself at Redwood, dehydrated and starving and with a broken and infected leg.

And the people of Redwood took care of him. They let him rest and gave him food and water and clean clothes and a place to stay. So he gave back what he could, even if it was just a few kind words, a good conversation and a renovated library– after all, he knew from a very young age that sometimes a few good friends and a few good books are enough to make you happy.

With the understandable shortage of new items coming into the library, he is very strict with return deadlines and demands all the books remain in the best possible condition.

His leg has good and bad days, sometimes he can barely get out of bed, others he can almost forget the pain is there. Still, he always carries his cane with him and leans into it whether by need or habit.

There’s always that one orange cat in the library- Luc calls him Gatsby, feeds him, lets him sit on his lap while he is reading, has him sleep on the foot of his bed, but is not willing to admit that the cat is his at this point.

Before the outbreak, he used to be a vegetarian, but since then he has had meat on various occasions for the sake of survival. When there are other options, he always goes for the vegetables.

He knows that it’s a weird thing to say, but he is happier during the apocalypse than he was before it, getting to enjoy the slow life of Redwood after so long in the spotlight. However, the thought of what is going on outside the walls never really leaves his head, as he knows that if the city falls, his chances of survival are next to none.

#tfh.intro

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jamesxdarmody · 2 months

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ESTABLISHED

David Alexander - Close Friend : They've been together through 2 years of Redwood and Jimmy just enjoys taking the piss out of David.

Ermano Delgado - Close Friend : trusted companion, replaces Ermano for security when he's out. Does also inner security. Also enjoys bantering with him

Hazel Parsons - Friend : it takes a kind of person to understand Hazel and Jimmy gets her also she's the only person who gets to handle Squid or take care of squid

Lucien Melaina - Remembrance : found him at the gates injured. Jimmy brought him back in. Mikaela enjoyed the library a lot , Lucien at Jimmy's request recited one of her favorite poems at her funeral. Jimmy has been helping Lucian with physical therapy and brawl training

Leigh Madison - Soft spot : Did a lot of work for her. Enjoys the little munchkin and will always let her dress him however she sees fit.

NEW

Alden Kane : Sims ++

Wanted

Old Cellmate (0/1) You were in prison with him and you two connected in a way. You helped each other break out and shook hands to go your seperate ways.

Redwood residents (> 6 months there) - You know him because you are part of Redwood, he's an established figure, even though he's not really one of the voting voices. However, a community living together usually means you have some sort of connection to your neighbor, positive or negative.

His responsability (0/1) : He took you under his wing , he will care for you and protect you , he's the dad you never had or the uncle you can call at 3 am, he's the Logan to your Rogue

#connections

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mayrarcjas · 6 months

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Mayra x Lucien

mayra.

-walking out from her bedroom, mayra realized someone was knocking on her door. quickly making her way to it, mayra took a peak out the window and saw lucien- Luci! -she threw the door open with a big smile- God it's so good to see you upright. Come on in.

Lucien Melaina

Hi. -he says it almost out of breath, even though the walk to Mayra's place from the library is not that long- Yes, that thing you made me that tasted like moss did the trick. -his chuckle comes out half-hearted as he enters he cottage, as he has done so many times before, taking his spot on the couch- I need to say something, and you're probably going to fight me on it, but I need to say it anyway.

mayra.

-Closing the door behind him, Mayra made a line to the kitchen to start her tea kettle- Why do I get the feeling I’m not gonna like this? -She stepped to the doorframe, leaning her shoulder on it-

Lucien Melaina

Because you're not. -he leans forward with his elbows on his knees and takes a deep breath- You know how things have been feeling off lately? With new people coming in and our own getting hurt, coming back wounded... There's this constant feeling of threat in the air that I can't shake off and when things go to hell... if things go to hell and something horrible happens, I need you to promise me that you're going to leave me behind.

mayra.

-Mayra's arms unfolded, falling to either side of her. She pushed herself from the doorframe to move closer to her friend.- The hell I will. I've told you from the very beginning, I'm going to stick by you no matter what.

Lucien Melaina

Mayra, I can't fight, I can't run. Hell, with all the physio I've been missing with this pneumonia crap, I can barely walk at this point. And I'm double your size, it's not like you can carry me. -he tries to keep his voice steady, focuses on his palms in front of him- I know you want to stick by my side and I love you for it, but I want you to do it only as long as I'm not a lost cause.

mayra.

-Mayra didn't know what to say. She hated how he was feeling, but understood where his mind was. Still, she managed to cross the living room, sitting next to him to pull him into a hug- You jump, I jump, right?

Lucien Melaina

I don't want you to jump -his voice came out muffled, his face buried in her shoulder- And I really don't want to jump either. But I feel so... so useless, Mayra. And so tired. -he feels tears well up in his eyes and just holds on tighter-

mayra.

-she held tightly onto her friend, feeling his pain seeping into her pores. mayra didn’t know what to say to make him feel better; in fact, she was sure there wasn’t anything she could say. pulling away, she held his hand in her hands and gave him a stern look- Hey, you are not useless. And I’m not promising anything. I can’t. But what I do know is you’ve made it this long just like the rest of us; hell just like the military guys. You’re a fighter. That, in itself, means you’re not useless. So don’t talk about my best friend like that.

Lucien Melaina

-a part of him wants to protest, say that he has gotten so far on sheer dumb luck and the skill of said military guys at protecting them, but he looks over at Mayra's stern look and their joined hands and he knows his words hold no power at convincing her- If anything happens to you because of me, I will never forgive myself. -he wipes the tears with his free hand, only to be replaced with new ones; he breathes deep, coughs, wipes his nose, relieved that it's only Mayra seeing him like this- Can I sleep here tonight? If I spend even more time in my bed, I think I'll go crazy.

mayra.

Nothing’s going to happen to me. -In a perfect world it would be believable, but that’s why mayra initiated training with david and planned on asking others for more- Hell, move in if you want to. I don’t care. Make yourself at home and I’ll be here for you through it all. -mayra released his head and wrapped her arms around him again-

Lucien Melaina

-she sounds convincing enough, as Lucien sniffles once more against her shoulder, giving a small chuckle at the thought of them living together- What are the rules? -he asks, forcing himself to lighten the mood and feel better- Never leave dirty laundry and stay away if I find a sock or tie on the doorknob?

mayra.

-mayra loudly laughed, almost not recognizing the sound coming out of her- I don't think I'll be putting up a sock or hair tie on the door for a bit, but in case you have someone over, you can put your cane up. -she joked, poking his side- Do you need me to grab anything from your place? You know I'm more than happy to do it.

Lucien Melaina

-it warmed his heart to hear her laugh, even managing to smile himself- How will I get to the bed without my cane, then? Be practical in your hypothetical scenario of me somehow getting laid, babe. -he leans back on the couch, stretching his legs in front of him and taking a deep breath- Can you bring me my medicine? Just the ones for the pain. Leave some food out for Gatsby too, if you can, tell him I'm not cheating on him with Salem.

mayra.-she playfully rolled her eyes, standing from the couch- You know me, always living in my fantasy world. -grabbing her jacket, she moved to plant a wet kiss on his cheek before making her way to the door- Do you want me to bring him over? Salem won’t mind the company.

Lucien Melaina

Sure, he'll follow you better than he'd follow me. But when he refuses to go home with me afterwards, it's your fault. -he takes off his shoes and lies across the couch, using a cushion as a pillow- You know I love you a lot, right?

mayra.

I’m sure you’d be so sad to have him here. -mayra spoke sarcastically, knowing lucien liked to pretend he didn’t like having the cat around. his next comment made her smile- I love you, too, Luci.

@lucienmelaina

#mayra ;; discord #discord threads ;; lucien

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isaacapatow · 4 months

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Satisfaction Rating for your: LUCIEN MELAINA

How often do you use the product or service?: Not often enough, because it tends to be off the shelf when you want it or on reserve or some shit

Would you recommend this service to colleagues or friends?: Yeah, I mean it's not like it needs recommendations, people seem to know about it and sign it out already

Would you view this product as: budget/economy/midscale/upscale/luxurious: Luxurious.

How is the selection of available services?: Minimal. Some would say sparse. Barebones. But in the fancy way like those really expensive clothing stores that only sell a single style of shirt but in about eight different fabrics each more pricey than the last

What words would you use to describe the product?: useful/unique/good value for money/ineffective/poor quality: Unique

How can we improve your experience?: Well, I like to break the spines of my books when I read 'em

@lucienmelaina

#ikeapabout #lucien melaina #he insisted on using this cryptid pic idk why

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redwoodwv-hq · 9 months

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Name: Lucien “Luc” Melaina Age: 46 Town Occupation: Librarian Previous Occupation: Writer Redwood Resident Length: 2 years Faceclaim: Lee Pace

Bullet Points:

With the understandable shortage of new items coming into the library, he is very strict with return deadlines and demands all the books remain in the best possible condition.

Before the outbreak, he used to be a vegetarian, but since then he has had meat on various occasions for the sake of survival. When there are other options, he always goes for the vegetables.

Biography:

#redwood.characters

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nickitxrres · 2 months

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Checking In - Pre-Ranch Attack

where Nicki checks up on Ares after he gets hurt and they spend some time together; Nicki finally tells Ares what happened the last time she was with the Daybreakers. @aresmelaina

tw: mentions of torture, physical & sexual abuse

Ares Melaina

-he's been resting on the bed Val had declared his sick-bed, staring at the ceiling. When he hears somebody come closer and he sees who it is, his eyes light up- Nicki! -he grins and tries to sit up, slowly- You know what's the worst part about being sick is? I get to sleep in my own bed. I kinda got used to both you and Fleet sleeping next to me.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki had put together a little goodie bag for Ares and was cautious as she stepped into the room Val had for him. As soon as she saw his smiling face she had one of her own and sat on the bed next to him- You don't have to sit up for me, mi luz. You did a number on your ribs. -she gave him a kiss before opening the bag and pulling out some snacks- It's mutual. We miss you so much, baby.

Ares Melaina

-he returns the kiss, his eyes lighting up when she pulls out various pieces of fruit- Ooooh, that's for me? -he grabs a pear, almost overripe and soft- We're gonna be sleeping together again before we know it, mi Reina. You're not rid of me for good, y'know?

Nicki Torres

-Nicki smiled, although it was a bit softer- I don't know about that. -he was bound to find out sooner or later- They're gonna send you back to Redwood to heal.

Ares Melaina

Yeah. -his smile slightly falters and he leans his head back- Zack told me. I mean, it makes sense. Guess we'll have to do that once you get back, huh?

Nicki Torres

-of course Zack did- At least you'll be safe. -She runs her fingers through his hair as she tries to keep a reassuring grin on her face- Among other things.

Ares Melaina

Yeah. I won't be a liability for you guys, too. I'm pretty useless right about now.

Nicki Torres

You're not useless. You're never useless. Having you here does so much more than you could even know. For Fleet, for our friends and for me. I just wish it was a different reason you were going back.

Ares Melaina

Right now I am. Can't even really lift my arms. -he sighs softly, blinking up at her- Me too. Like us having killed all the Daybreakers. I wanna fight with you.

Nicki Torres

I know you do, and I would love to have you fighting with me. But I want you to be healthy and alive a lot more. Besides, there's nothing saying you can't come back after you're all healed up, right?

Ares Melaina

I want that too. I am planning on having a couple of years more. -he smiles but his face falters a little again when she talks about him coming back- Yeah. Maybe. I don't know if it'll be healed up soon.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki smiles softly at him. They both wanted that but she knew nothing was ever guaranteed. Especially now- What if I promise to save all the fighting until you get here?

Ares Melaina

-he chuckles softly, reaching to the side and for her hand- Val said if it heals, it's gonna take at least 10 weeks.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki inhaled a breath- Okay, ten weeks. I can hold them off for ten weeks. I mean, how hard can it be, right? -She laughed a bit at the end-

Ares Melaina

-he laughs too, wincing slightly when it hurts- Be safe, mi Reina. Please. Don't be reckless.

Nicki Torres

-She laughs with him but feels immediately guilty as he winces- I'm sorry, mi amor. -She pulls her legs up and carefully curls into him so she can hold him- I'll be safe. Promise.

Ares Melaina

-he closes his eyes, immediately overcome by a feeling of comfort when she curls around him- Good. You're gonna kick their asses, mi reina.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki wants to hold him tightly to her but she knows that she can't with his ribs and abdomen so she settles for what she has and nestles against him and letting the rhythm of his heartbeat soothe her- I'm gonna do more than kick their asses.

Ares Melaina

Shove your boot so far up their asses they're going to taste the leather? -Ares offers with a smile, reaching out to caress whatever part of her was closest- Ike told me something happened with you and the Daybreakers.

Nicki Torres

To start with, yeah. -she laughs at the thought, but it's true. When she got her hands on them she was going to make them wish that was all she did. His touch was enticing. Her warm immediately felt warmer just from it, calming enough to help numb her reaction to Ares' statement. She was glad that Ares couldn't see her face- He did, huh? What did he tell you?

Ares Melaina

Not much. Just that you had a past with them. -he would shift if it didn't hurt and he wasn't so comfortable, nestled up with her- I told him about what happened with Fabian.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki wasn't surprised. Ike probably wanted the whole story from both of them- I'm sure he asked oh so nicely about that, huh? -she hummed amusement at the end- But yeah, mi luz, I've got a history with them. It's why the whole Fabian thing shook me.

Ares Melaina

Yeah. I'm sorry. I tried not telling him but... He convinced me. -his fingers trail over her clothed skin, gently petting it- Is it hard for you? Being here and fighting them?

Nicki Torres

It's not your fault, Ares. I know what he's like. -for Ares' sake, she wouldn't bring it up to Ike. She was prepared for Ares to ask what the history was but he didn't and she pondered whether she should tell him now- Hard? No, not at all. I'm just getting ancy and worried about everyone else. -she breathes in and pushes the air out of her lungs- You can ask, y'know.

Ares Melaina

Okay. But do you want to tell me?

Nicki Torres

I don't like talking about it, but I don't want there to be unknowns between us in case things happen. Like I don't want you to wonder why I didn't tell you something or feel like I was hiding things from you. So if you want to know, I can tell you.

Ares Melaina

I want to know. -he blinks up at her- You don't have to deal with that stuff alone. Whatever happened to you. So you can tell me.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki sucks in a breath- I know. Ike said something similar. -she focuses on the wall for a moment- You know how before Redwood I was with Zack and his group, right?

Ares Melaina

Yeah. You mentioned that.

Nicki Torres

Well, the Daybreakers attacked the group. It was a massacre. Only a few of us survived and were taken as their prisoners. I got separated from Zack and the others almost immediately. This asshole had "other plans" for me. He beat me, he tortured me and, of course, I can take a beating any day so he came up with another way to get what he wanted and it worked. He wanted me to be his little obedient wife and I was so that he wouldn't hurt this other girl. He used me, touched me, made me do whatever he wanted. Just so he wouldn't hurt her. He's dead now, but it still bothers me.

Ares Melaina

-he listens attentively, carefully. He wants to reach for her hand but stays put, gently caressing her side with his thumb- Oh. Shit. That's horrible. I'm sorry. -he looks up at her, eyes earnest- How did you get out?

Nicki Torres

I.... -she breathes out- I got a knife and hid it under my pillow and after I let him fuck me I grabbed it and slit the motherfucker's throat. Then I ran as far and as fast as I could until I ran into Redwood.

Ares Melaina

Oh, Nicki. -he nudges her with his head, gently- I'm glad you made it out. Shit. That must've been.... You must've been scared.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki nuzzles against him as he nudges her before nodding- Yeah, I was. And you know I don't get scared. But I wasn't scared to die. I was scared they'd take me back to their camp.

Ares Melaina

What would they have done in the camp? -he knows the answer can't be pleasant, but he wants to know-

Nicki Torres

Best case? Executed me to make an example to the other prisoners. But they're psychos, so I'm guessing probably locked me in a cage to only be brought out to be used for fun and entertainment.

Ares Melaina

Shit. Nicki. -he looks at her, eyes wide and full of sympathy.- Why didn't you tell me? -his tone isn't accusing, but gentle, though there is a slightly pained tone to it-

Nicki Torres

-Nicki breathed out heavily as she met his gaze- Because I don't like talking about it. And I don't want people thinking I'm damaged or weak because of it.

Ares Melaina

Do you think I'd think that?

Nicki Torres

I think that's what most people think when someone tells them something traumatic that happened to them.

Ares Melaina

I wouldn't think that. -his voice is a little quiet before he shakes it off again- I don't really think that's true. I don't think anybody would think you're weak. I mean, you're the opposite.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki brings up her hand to gently caress his face- That's because you know me. And I work very hard to not let it define me.

Ares Melaina

I don't think anybody else would think that either. -he responds earnestly- I... Sharing things like this isn't weak you know? Or living through things like that.

Nicki Torres

No? -she traces his cheek with her thumb- Why not?

Ares Melaina

Why it isn't weak? -he blinks for a moment, not sure how to answer that, and needing a second to put his words together- Because just shouldering that stuff on your own when it's hurting you isn't really strong. It's just...hurting you. I don't think it's weak to share things like that.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki listens and ponders his words- Huh.... I never thought of it that way....I always just thought if I told someone what happened that it would just make it harder to move past.

Ares Melaina

No. I think it can help. Having somebody know. -he looks up at her, tilting his head so he can kiss her hand- I want to help you.

Nicki Torres

-Nicki's mouth twitched at first but when his lips touched her knuckles she couldn't stop the smile from growing- I love you so fucking much, mi luz.

Ares Melaina

I love you too, mi reina. -Ares eyes were wide, full of love as he looked up at her- Can we just stay like this?

Nicki Torres

-Nicki used her free hand to run her fingers through his hair and massage of his scalp- Of course. I'm not going anywhere.

Ares Melaina

-he leans his head back a little nd closes his eyes. His mind ws whirling, with the things Nicki told him, but being like this with her, he had the distinct feeling that things would be okay. fter some time, his breathing began to slow, and he could feel some sense of tiredness swap over him-

Nicki Torres

-Nicki gently hums a soft lullaby as she plays with his hair. She can see how he was relaxing and his eyes drooping. Once he fell asleep she kissed the top of his head and curled around him more to make herself more comfortable so she could stay with him. Despite the threat around them, this felt safe and normal and she knew so long as she had Ares, everything would be okay-

///END

#nicki && ares #c: ares 007

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wutbju · 1 year

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Katherine Annelle Bills Harty, 89, of Dallas, Texas, peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday, August 11, 2022. She was born in Paris, Texas on October 11, 1932 to Dan A. and Mattie Katherine Bills. She married the love of her life, Robert "Bob" A. Harty on August 27, 1954 at Paris Bible Church.

Annelle started her college career at Bob Jones University in South Carolina, and completed her Bachelor's degree at North Texas State University. She taught high school English and Speech in Fort Worth, TX for five years. She spent the next 11 years raising her three young children and supporting Bob's ministry in several churches in Texas. During their time in Nashville, Tennessee, Annelle wrote children's curriculum for the Baptist Sunday School Board and co-authored a children's book, Made to Grow, with Bob. In 1970, they returned to Dallas and took ownership of J.C. Harty Publications, "The Shopping News", and Harty's Printing from Bob's parents.

Annelle and Bob were long time members of Wilshire Baptist Church, and were charter members of the "New Song Community Choir". Annelle was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to every family gathering, encouraged strong family values, and was known to all as "Grandmommy". Traveling in the states and abroad was a passion of Annelle and Bob's and they have many fond memories of trips with friends and family.

Annelle is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Sarah Gambill, and her nephew, Daniel Gambill. She is survived by her husband of nearly 68 years, Bob Harty, her daughter, Kathy Noland and her husband, Kim, her daughter, Julie Kampfer, and her son, Rob Harty and his wife, Carter. Annelle and Bob were blessed with nine grandchildren – Amy Kampfer Lovell (Jerry), Trey Kampfer (Katie), Matthew Noland, Tripp Harty (Courtney), Sarah Noland Mankin (Cody), Daniel Kampfer (Melaina), Jamie Harty, Sean Noland (Ashley), and Hunter Harty, and eight great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her brother-in-law, Glen Gambill, her niece, Gail Gambill King and family, and her late nephew, Danny Gambill's family.

A celebration of Annelle's life will be held at Wilshire Baptist Church – McIver Chapel on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following. A graveside service will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, Texas at 3:00 p.m. Sarah Stafford, director of New Song Community Choir, will be officiating the services. Pallbearers will be her seven grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you make a donation in honor of Annelle to New Song Community Choir at www.newsongcommunitychoir.org, or can be mailed to: New Song Community Choir, 505 W. State St., Garland, TX 75040.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Annelle's amazing caregivers from AmeriTouch Health and Home Care Services, and to the hospice staff at Knights of Comfort.

#Bob Jones University #Archive #Obituary #BJU Hall of Fame #BJU Alumni Association #2022 #Katherine Annelle Bills Harty #Freshman #Class of 1961

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thearchivistsjournal · 2 years

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Day 130,

Melaina stopped by after classes today. She wanted me to come take a look at the blackboard to make sure it matches what I had in mind before she hauls it all the way over to the library. I invited Cass to come along too. I was inordinately excited enough about this to put off the cleanup and prep for tomorrow for later in the evening.

It turned out to be an even more intriguing trip than I expected.

Rather than the large workshop doors that I’d seen last time, Melaina led us to a smaller (well, normal-sized) side door that opened into a room that seemed to be somewhere between an office and a storefront. A counter bisected the room, and on the other side of it lay a cluttered table with stools and a staircase that I inferred ascended to Melaina’s house. On our side - save a space for a door to the workshop - the walls were lined with shelves filled with various smaller woodworking products. While we took a few moments to hang up our cloaks and dry our shoes (puddles in the workshop were a safety hazard) I had the chance to examine the contents.

They ranged from the practical items like cups and cutting boards to more decorative pieces like statuettes and wind chimes. Noting my interest, and perhaps remembering my outsider status, Melaina explained that these were mostly practice pieces carved and assembled when she didn’t have more important things to work on but occasionally other villagers will take a fancy to them.

Sufficiently dry, we soon sallied to the shop. Workshop. Got caught up in the alliteration opportunity there. Melaina proceeded straight to where she had the blackboard propped up against a table, giving some sort of explanation about her process working on it. Something about deciding on the proper level of roughness to leave the surface at, I think. I was frankly far too distracted by the rest of the room to pay proper attention.

While I had expected handsaws and hammers - and, indeed, these and other such tools were present - I had not imagined I would find machinery. Here, a tablesaw, there, a drill press, by the wall, a lathe. Not to mention other devices I lack the woodworking expertise to name or properly guess their use. All of them crafted of metal shaped with a precision not even the most skilled blacksmith could achieve, but then scratched and worn and stained from years, perhaps decades, of use.

Realizing that Cass and I had stopped paying attention to her, Melaina made the archetypical move of clearing one’s throat for attention. The two of us apologized, chagrinned, and she said that she tends to forget people who haven’t been in the workshop before aren’t used to the equipment like she is. Although most of them find the machines strange and offputting rather than enticing. Then again, she’d always heard outsiders like weird stuff.

When I started to ask where it all came from the carpenter, sighed, cut me short, and went into an explanation, doubtless practiced on every prior new visitor to the workshop.

A long time ago, several generations before she was born at least, an outsider with an interest in woodworking started hauling these machines back from expeditions into Cloud Tower - maybe with help of friends, maybe with an artifact of some kind. When he - or maybe they were a she - eventually didn’t come back from one of those expeditions, the new Village carpenter was left with the machinery. Yes, it all looks strange at first, but really not fundamentally different from traditional tools and just as safe if you treat them with the same respect and care. Yes, there were concerns about keeping them at first, but they were judged safe and too useful to get rid of. No, we don’t know what keeps them powered and running on their own. No, we haven’t tried opening them up to examine their inner workings because there’s no way to do that without damaging, possibly breaking them and they’re not replaceable.

Picking up that Melaina was tired of answering questions about these machines long before I ever even showed up, I held my tongue on further inquiries. Although I do find myself with a renewed interest in going into Cloud Tower someday. It just feels so far down the list of things to do with more mundane day-to-day concerns in front of me.

Like the blackboard.

In overall form, it was much as I’d pictured; a black-painted rectangle about as long as I was tall, and half as high with a tray jutting out and running along the bottom. Melaina handed me a chunk of chalk (or something close enough to it) and urged me to try it out. I had to press harder and with more resistance than I expected but I was able to write a quick “Hello, World” on its surface handily enough. Cass looked unimpressed, but I passed her the chalk and started waxing poetic about the usefulness of being able to write examples large enough that all the students could see and follow along with at once instead of relying on my own paltry verbal explanations. Before I got too far into that, Melaina handed me a damp cloth that I’d been too distracted to notice her retrieve and I took that as my cue to try clearing the board. Again, it took more effort than I expected, closer to scrubbing than the wiping my otherworld memories told me was the ideal, and there were certainly ghostly traces left behind if you looked for them, but it would get the job done more than well enough. Just might need a new coat of paint every now and then (some sort of mixture of eggs and charcoal I think Melaina mentioned). Still easier than working with the wax tablets.

Cass and I thanked Melaina - myself more excitedly than I ever expected to be regarding a blackboard - and she told us she’d get some help and bring it by the library the next time the rain let up.

I wonder if the children will be half as excited as I am about this?

<==Previous Next==>

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nightsmudge · 2 years

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Here's the first big set of drawings of the month, featuring the main seven characters for Daughter of Death I've been posting each drawing every day over on my Twitter and Instagram https://twitter.com/nightsmudge https://www.instagram.com/nightsmudge/ Descriptions for each character:

Top, from left to right: Sarah, twin sister to Samual, is the quiet and introverted type who likes to spend her time reading books and learning new things. Though her presence may be silent at times, she does enjoy the ambient company of her friends Melaina may be the daunting demigod daughter of the Grim Reaper, but she is an incredibly kind and sympathetic soul Nameless the Half Demon, a young man who got rid of his soul so he could become a powerful immortal being. He’s sly and calculating, and if he doesn’t kill you and steal your soul, he may make you question if he’s actually the villain Melody may have an intense personality that can make her come off as fiery, spiteful, or firebrand-ish, but her passionate nature has led her to become a fairly skilled witch Bottom, from left to right: Samual, twin brother to Sarah, tends to be more of the cautious type when it comes to exploring the hidden world of magic. However his wary tendencies are product of wanting to make sure his friends and family stay safe Andrew may have been cursed with vampirism at a young age, but that doesn’t stop him from being a goofy energetic teenager Chris is the chill and laid back one of the group, with him being the one to real in Melody when she gets worked up as well as being Andrew’s buddy when it comes to video games and shenanigans. He was bitten by a werewolf as a kid and has to wear an enchanted necklace during the full moon to maintain control

#Inktober #inktober challenge #inktober 2022 #Daughter of Death #reaper #grim reaper #demon #witch #vampire #werewolf #original character #original characters #oc #ocs

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aresmelaina · 9 months

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Ares Melaina

Age: 40

Community Job: Raider

Reside in: In a rundown house near the outskirts of town

How long have they been in Redwood?: Newly arrived

Faceclaim: Zac Efron

Sexuality: Bisexual

Relationship Status: Single

Biography:

Look, everyone has regrets, right?

Ares wishes he could tell you where everything went wrong. But his upbringing was normal. His parents were loving, high school sweethearts, living the nuclear family, apple-pie life. Three children (with Ares being the youngest), a nice house, financially well-off, mother a housewife - what could someone want more?

He had been a good kid. Not the smartest, but good at sports, to the point that he probably could have had a career in it - if he had continued. Ares has no idea how it happened, how he slipped. He knows it’s no one’s fault but his own, even when his parents blamed themselves. But at some point in high school, he sought out a bad crowd. The ones hanging out behind the school. At first, it was nothing. Some petty theft here, a break-in there. Making quick cash, money that he didn’t need, but that gave him a thrill when he counted it late at night on his bed. Then it got to drugs.

Small stuff, nothing even a cop would bat an eye at. Then it got worse. He dopped out of high school, spending time with his new friends. His parents kicked him out after they found his personal stash, but at that point, that felt okay too. He didn’t need his family, his family could never understand him.

Headcanons:

Ares got into it, deeper, further, selling more and more. Until he got caught. And where he lived, they didn’t take things lightly. It was a clean case. As Ares refused to give up any information in exchange for a lighter sentence, the judge didn’t hesitate. At age 25, Ares got a 20-year sentence.

Ares doesn’t enjoy talking about his time in prison. It was a time of violence, with Ares quickly getting in on it, feeling that he needed to prove himself if he wanted to survive. He survived, getting taken in by one of the gangs, working his way up. And then things got worse. With the outbreak, prisons seemed to be of the least concern to anyone. Conditions got worse and worse, guards less and less, until there wasn’t even a chance of keeping order. It started small, but escalated - at the end of the riot, the guards were dead, prisoners were dead, with Ares’ gang barely intact.

Ares stumbled into a world of chaos, barely surviving on his own. Until he found a group of raiders. Desperate for a place to belong, he joined them. This time is the time he is the least proud of. The things he doesn’t want to talk about. He tried to keep some semblance of morality, showing mercy where he could. It was one thing to beat up a guy who was in for shanking someone, it was another to do that to a couple who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. That does not change that he did kill. Not everyone he could have, but there is blood on his hands, and that is something he can’t change.

In the end, the violence tore his new group apart. Another meaner, more ruthless group of survivors, a violent battle, that hardly left any of them alive. Ares escaped - barely. Wounded, he escaped into the wild, stumbling in the dark until he collapsed. At that moment, he believed he would die. And part of him knew that he was at fault and that he deserved it. How many had he killed? How many had he left for dead? Robbed people of everything they had, because he was told or because he thought he needed to, to survive?

He stayed there for hours, waiting for his death. When morning came, he was still alive. Ares didn’t believe in god, in fate, but he took it as a sign - that he was meant to live, to survive this, for some reason. After that, he swore he would turn his life around. Be a better person. Even if his past was the past, he would try his best to make up for it, in some way.

And that was what he did. He killed walkers, he saved others, shared his food and supplies with those who needed them. At some point, he stumbled across Redwood. Part of him feels like he doesn’t deserve a new beginning, but part of him wanted it, so he made an attempt to join the sanctuary.

Ares knows there are many things he needs to repent for. He knows his past is out there, ready to haunt him. Maybe closer than he thinks.

He had a girlfriend in highschool. He was half planning on marrying her, before falling in with the bad crowd.

He used to go to Sunday school and was a devout Christian. He stopped believing in God in high school.

While he is trying to repent, there are still hints of the old him inside of him, ready to come out in the worst circumstances.

He becomes/became a raider for several reasons. He feels restless when staying in one place, he is good at it, and part of him believes he should take the riskiest job

#tfh.intro #about

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