#Misty Moo

[jasposeyblog]

Misty Moo is is asking if the tree and decorations are still up where are the presents?

#Misty Moo #Misty Moo of Medford MA #cat #cats #kitty #catlife #Caturday #Christmas cat #christmas cats #Christmas kitty

[mythical-art]

The Moss Rose by John Shenton Eland (Undated, colour lithograph)

#art #artwork #kunst #kunstwerk #john shenton eland #mythical art #mystische kunst #mythical creature #mystische kreatur #fairy #fee #moss rose #moos rose #magical #magisch #mist #misty #nebel #fantasy #fantasie #fantasy art #moon #mond #flower #blumen #fairy tale #beauty #schönheit

[inthedayswhenlandswerefew]

Comet Donati [Chapter 9: Why Don’t We Go There]

Series Summary: Sex, drugs, boy bands. You are a kinda-therapist recruited (via nepotism) to help Comet Donati through a recent crisis. Things are casual with Aegon, very not-casual with Aemond. Loosely inspired by One Direction.

Chapter Warnings: Language, sexual content (+18), beef cattle, drugs, alcohol, smoking, Walmart, vegan baking, David Archuleta, mental health struggles, pregnancy, pigs, bodily injury, death, miscarriage, Jace acting vaguely human, angst, Southern Baptists, Cookie Monster pajama pants.

Selected Chapter Quote: “You have no idea how much I’ve kept from you.”

Word count: 8.6k.

Link to chapter list (and all my writing): HERE.

Taglist: ​​@doingfondue​ @catalina-howard​ @randomdragonfires​ @myspotofcraziness​ @arcielee​ @fan-goddess​ @talesofoldandnew​ @marvelescvpe​ @tinykryptonitewerewolf​ @mariahossain​ @chainsawsangel​ @darkenchantress​ @not-a-glad-gladiator​ @gemini-mama​ @trifoliumviridi​ @herfantasyworldd​ @babyblue711​ @namelesslosers​ @thelittleswanao3​ @daenysx​ @moonlightfoxx​ @libroparaiso​ @burningcoffeetimetravel-fics​ @mizfortuna​ @florent1s​ @heimtathurs​ @bhanclegane​ @poohxlove​ @narwhal-swimmingintheocean​ @heavenly1927​ @mariahossain​ @echos-muses​ @padfooteyes​ @minttea07​ @queenofshinigamis​ @juliavilu1​ @amiraisgoingthruit​ @lauraneedstochill​ @wintrr13​ @r0segard3n​ @seabasscevans​ @tsujifreya​ @helaenaluvr​ @hiraethrhapsody​​​

Only 1 chapter left! 💜

The last day of summer, the first day in Kansas City: emerald seas of soybeans, cornstalks taller than you are, massive tractors rolling laggardly on the shoulder of the road, red-tailed hawks perched on utility poles, cloudless cerulean skies, sunlight that beats down like soft rain. There is a long, rambling dirt driveway that leads from Route 210 to your parents’ farm. When you climb out of the Escalade, you cannot hear traffic or voices or some playlist of bygone pop hits or ice cubes jangling in misty glasses or the roar of jet engines. You can hear only the sounds of the Midwestern earth: wind in the leaves, cicadas humming, the distant mooing of black angus cattle. For a moment, Comet Donati just stands there breathing in the unhurried, golden air like the atmosphere of a new planet, their lungs acclimating, their eyes wide and peering around. Where have we landed? Any signs of intelligent life?

There are footsteps and then the squealing creak of the screen door as your dad throws it open. Along with your parents pour out five Australian cattle dogs. They bark uproariously, herding the new arrivals like errant calves. Aemond laughs and crouches down in the dust of the driveway to pet them. Rhaena screams and clings to Luke.

“Belmont! Bel, you git down!” your dad scolds, pulling her away from Rhaena by the collar: pink, so everyone knows she’s a girl. “Don’t be scared, sweetheart, she don’t bite none.”

“Unless you’re a cow, of course,” your mom adds, tittering merrily. She starts handing out glasses of sweet tea, already dripping with condensation. Outside it’s 80 degrees even.

Your dad whistles as he studies Aemond’s scar, his sightless left eye like a pool of blue fog. “That must’ve hurt like a son of a bitch.”

“Jeff!” your mom objects mildly; she abhors swearing.

Aemond considers your dad: a man who doesn’t flinch away from him, who doesn’t bury truths under the cover of night. “It did.”

“My uncle came back from ‘Nam with something like that. Was never right again.” He taps his own skull. “You must be tough as nails to be carrying on like you are, son. What happened to you was a damn shame.”

“Jefferson, please!” your mom says.

“The man’s been to New Jersey, Carol! I think he’s heard worse words than bitch and damn!”

“Her name’s Belmont?” Rhaena says, frowning nervously at her canine tormentor: rust-orange, brown-eyed, tail wagging eagerly at the prospect of making new friends.

“You betcha.” Then your dad informs Aemond: “That’s Lone Jack you got there.” He points to the remaining dogs. “And the others are Carthage, Kirksville, and Island Number Ten. We call her Tenny.”

“They’re all named after Civil War battles,” you tell Comet.

“Civil War battles in Missouri,” your dad says. He turns to his guests. “Were you aware that over 100,000 Missourians served in the Union Army? Ulysses S. Grant’s first military assignment was in Missouri. He met his wife Julia here.”

“Daddy, they’re English. They don’t know what the Union Army is.”

“Were they for or against staying colonies?” Aegon asks, and Criston covers his face and groans.

Your dad spots the motorcycle Aemond rode here from the airport, weaving between the Escalades until Criston stuck his head out a window to yell at him. “Lord almighty, is that a Gold Star?! Made by the Birmingham Small Arms Company?”

“Yes sir,” Aemond says, smiling down at a delighted Lone Jack and scratching his long pointy ears.

“An ingenious piece of machinery! ‘55?”

“1960.”

“Remarkable.” Your dad admires it. He’s wearing red flannel, Wrangler jeans, the UChicago hat that you bought for him your freshman year of college.

“We’ve been told you don’t eat meat,” your mom says to Aemond, with a gentle, sympathetic tone like she’s conscious of some bad luck that’s recently befallen him: a grim diagnosis, a storm that carried away his house. “So I’ve got some chicken soaking in buttermilk to fry up for supper.”

Aemond chuckles uncertainly.

“No, she’s serious,” you tell him. And then: “Mama, we went over this on the phone. He’s vegan. That means no animal products at all. No meat, no poultry, no fish, no dairy, no eggs, nothing that came from an animal.”

“Well I’ll be, what the heck does he eat?!” your dad says. “Carrots? Acorns? Sticks and leaves? He can graze out in the pasture if he likes.”

“We’ll find you something,” you promise Aemond.

Your dad surveys Aegon (white cargo shorts, neon pink tank top, sparkly matching Crocs) and then Jace (black skinny jeans and a violet sequined blazer with nothing underneath except a mosaic of tattoos). “I suppose you two will be wanting to share a room. Well, it ain’t my place to pass judgement, I reckon. But I don’t want to overhear nothing that couldn’t be done in church.”

Jace is confused. “Huh…?”

“No, Daddy, they’re not gay.”

“What, me?!” Aegon exclaims. “Gay?! For Jace?!”

Jace says: “Sir, if I ever start looking at Aegon that way, I give you enthusiastic permission to take me out back and shoot me dead like a horse with a bum leg.”

Your dad guffaws, a deep gruff rumble like an earthquake. “I don’t think I could oblige you, buddy.”

Your mom gestures to the front door. “Y’all go on in and make yourselves at home. We got a few extra bedrooms and a nice big den if anyone’s willing to sleep on a couch. But be warned: you’ll probably end up having a dog or two snuggled up with you.”

“We are guests here!” Criston shouts at the band as they begin dragging their luggage inside, suitcase wheels bumping up the creaking wooden steps of the wraparound porch. “You will not humiliate me! You will not break things! You will not cause any problems whatsoever or you can stay at the Hilton with the security guys and I’ll have them handcuff you to a bed!”

“He will,” Aegon warns the others. “I’ve seen him do it before. To…um…somebody.” He disappears into the five-bedroom farmhouse: mint green paint, white accents, two rambling stories plus an attic and a cellar.

Criston waves to the security detail as the Escalades turn around in the driveway—stirring up dust like a parched cough of earth—and then head back towards Route 210, towards the light pollution and acclaimed barbeque joints of Kansas City. Now Aemond is standing by the barbed wire fence of the pasture and looking longingly at the black angus cattle grazing on tall swaths of windswept, green-gold switchgrass. Lone Jack, Carthage, and Kirksville are all bounding around him hoping to elicit praise and scratches. Tenny has taken a liking to Baela and follows her and Jace into the house. Belmont, still held captive by your dad, whines and struggles.

“Aemond, you can’t pet the cows,” you say. “They’re beef cattle. They spend most of their lives out in fields, they don’t get handled very often, they’re not used to people. They can be aggressive.”

He is disappointed. “Oh, okay.”

“You can pet the pigs though,” your dad says.

“Pigs?” Cregan perks up. “There are pigs?”

“Sure are. Well, they’re pigs now…come Thanksgiving, they’ll be hams! Hahaha. They’re right ‘round the back of the house. You’ll show ‘em, chickadee?”

You reply: “Yeah, Daddy. I’ll show them.”

As the rest of the band claims sleeping spots and unpacks their suitcases inside, you lead Cregan and Aemond—and Lone Jack, Carthage, and Kirksville, all blue speckled with random splatters of white markings like stray dabs of paint—to the pigs. They have a large, muddy enclosure surrounded by a wooden fence that stops at your waist; pigs, fortunately, cannot really jump. They immediately come trotting over to their visitors, tails swishing and snouts twitching, spewing a chorus of guttural oinks. Aemond leans down to pet them, beaming, then takes a Ziploc bag of raw cauliflower out of his jeans pocket and starts dropping pieces into the pigs’ gluttonous, slobbering, gaping mouths.

“Wow,” Cregan says. He’s grinning broadly, something that’s rare for him. He slips out his phone and starts taking pictures. “Iris is going to love this.”

On the second floor of the farmhouse, a window slides open. “Aemond!” Aegon calls. “I need help! It’s an emergency!”

“What’s your problem?” Aemond snaps.

“Tell Jace I need the bigger bedroom!”

“Please go away.”

“Aemond! Do not betray your favorite brother!”

“Hey!” comes Daeron’s muffled objection from inside.

“Aemond! Threaten to break Jace’s face again!”

Aemond exhales in a loud sigh and then makes for the house.

Still taking pig photos, Cregan glances over at your belly: ten weeks. Not enough to be properly showing, but enough that you can feel a difference, an extra inch here and there, a heaviness that settles in you like stones plinked in a jar. Your parents don’t know. Nobody knows but Aegon. “So,” Cregan says. “Have you told Aemond yet?”

Your attention jolts to him, a lightning strike, a surge of adrenaline. “What?”

“I remember what it looks like when someone’s trying to hide the fact that they’re pregnant.” He smirks. “And I remember that night at Club Camelot.”

People are going to start figuring it out eventually. Aemond is going to figure it out. “Do you think he’ll take it well?” you ask hopefully.

“No,” Cregan says.

In your chest, a sinking like dead weight: “Oh.”

“But he’ll probably come around to the idea eventually.”

After he’s said something unforgiveable. After he buries another knife in me, spilling blood and scraping marrow. You stare down into the pigpen, observing them root around for remnants of cauliflower and blink their awfully intelligent eyes, too clever for the fate they’ve been assigned.

Cregan lights a cigarette and puffs on it, taking advantage of a rare moment out of Criston’s line of sight. “When I first found out about Iris, I did not behave in a way that I would consider to be honorable. But fortunately, nature gives everyone time to adjust to these things. I had my head right by the time she was born. If I had to guess, I’d say it will be similar for Aemond. Then again…” He takes a deep, meditative drag. “I’d like to think I was never as fucked up as he is now.”

You study Cregan. “So you’ve been watching me. I’ve been watching you too. You haven’t been partying as hard. A few vodka shots, a secret cigarette on occasion. But no more disappearing with Aegon to do lines in the bathroom or arranging drop-offs with drug dealers.”

He shrugs. “Someone has to be the adult. Someone has to help Criston look out for the others. It used to be Aemond, but not anymore. He’s different now. One day he’ll figure out where he’s supposed to be and he’ll stop touring with Comet altogether. So I’m going to do it. There are people who need me.”

“Comet is your family,” you say. “Just as much as your mother and siblings and Iris. They love you. They belong to you, and you belong to them. And that will never change.”

He smiles; his greyish eyes are teasing but kind. “Good luck, Stargirl. You need it.”

“Thanks, Cregan.” And together, you leave the pigs and join the rest of the band inside.

Your parents’ farmhouse, the same one you grew up in—a different world, a different you—is painted in shades of gold: late-afternoon sunlight, chicken thighs and drumsticks browning in canola oil, mashed potatoes wet with cream and butter, corn cut from the cob, an enormous pan of baked macaroni and cheese, homemade rolls, a butterscotch pie cooling on the windowsill. You find a vegan alternative for Aemond in the pantry: a box of Barilla spaghetti, a jar of Ragu marinara sauce. Criston insists on cooking it so everyone else can enjoy their supper. Cregan asks your parents about tips for raising pigs; Rhaena asks about the history of the farm; Aegon eats butterscotch pie until he has to roll out of his chair and lie sprawled on the hardwood floor for a while, Australian cattle dogs licking at his pink palms and cheeks. And when Aemond finally receives his spaghetti and marinara sauce, you think: That’s the same thing he was eating in Rome. And you remember the razored sting of the comet tattoo, the nightscape motorcycle ride, the incomplete truth about Aegon, the realization of what you felt for his scarred, perfect, brilliant, haunted younger brother.

“I didn’t know the weather would be so nice here,” Baela says as she scoops herself a third helping of macaroni and cheese. Tenny lies by her feet under the table, her muzzle resting on her paws.

Your dad nods, but his words hold a warning. “It can turn quick.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“He could be a stay-at-home dad,” Aegon suggests. It’s the next day and you’re up in a hundred-year-old white oak tree, killing time until the Escalades arrive to shuttle Comet to soundcheck and their first of two shows at Arrowhead Stadium in downtown Kansas City. You’re sitting on a colossal, sturdy branch only four or five feet off the ground, your feet dangling; Aegon is a few limbs above you, alternating between swinging like a monkey and lying on his stomach so he can peer down at you with those large, oceanic eyes.

“No. If he chooses to, sure. But not because he has no other options. A baby is not something to paper over a quarter-life crisis with.”

Aegon thinks, then is struck with inspiration. “He could work for your dad on the farm!”

“The beef cattle farm?” you say. “You want the traumatized vegan to spend the rest of his life as a cog in the blood-drenched machine of American industrial agriculture? Besides, I’m sure he hates Missouri.”

“I don’t know, I mean I thought I hated Missouri too. But lowkey it kind of slaps.” Aegon closes his eyes and smiles as the warm, sunlit breeze breathes through him, tousling his hair. It’s long again, it’s almost down to his shoulders. He smells like sunscreen and Axe body spray and the homemade waffles your mother made for brunch, soggy with dollops of butter and a river of amber-colored maple syrup. Something’s missing. It takes you a moment to realize it’s the scent of beer. Your parents don’t approve of drinking, the house is bone dry. Aegon hasn’t complained about that yet, a miracle, Moses turning the Nile to blood. Maybe Missouri is good for him after all. “How’s Starbaby?”

“Good, I think. I’m not nauseous anymore. Now I’m just super hungry and horny.”

“Oh my God, you can’t say stuff like that around me, now I’m having immoral thoughts.” He squeezes his eyes shut, frowns mournfully. Goodbye forever, pornstar pussy. “When are you going to tell Aemond?”

“Soon,” you say noncommittally, like a coward. Not a coward: someone who’s been hurt before. Not just hurt: slaughtered, buried, exhumed, robbed for the jewels on the bones of her fingers. You’re finally whole again. You’re in no hurry to imperil your resurrection. “Cregan knows.”

“Rhaena knows too.”

“What?!”

“She asked me in Dallas, but she waited until I was sloppy drunk first. Smart girl. I tried to deny it, but honestly she already had it figured out.” Aegon looks at you meaningfully. “If you wait much longer you’re going to lose control of this thing. It’ll get to Aemond before you can. And I think it will be worse if he finds out from somebody else.”

“I’ll tell him.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. I’ll tell him, Aegon, I promise. Before Comet flies out of Kansas City.” They’ll be leaving you here, though no one except Aegon and Criston know that yet. Their private jet will take them to New Orleans, and then Miami, and then all the way to South America: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Buenos Ares, Lima, Santiago.

Now someone is trekking across the field behind your parents’ house and towards the centenarian white oak tree. It’s Jace. He’s wearing a rather understated outfit today: a lavender polo, denim shorts, boat shoes. His dark curls whip and tangle in the wind.

“Ugh,” Aegon says once Jace close enough to hear. “Why don’t you go try to pet a rage-filled, 2,000-pound mound of unprocessed cheeseburgers?”

“I’m here for my complimentary therapy session.”

Aegon stares at you. You stare back. The only sounds are made by the earth and the sky and the animals, air in the leaves, the low mooing of cattle. You both wait for Jace to rescind his request. He does not. At last, you relent. “Okay. Fine. Aegon?”

“You want me to leave you alone with this inked-up ogre?”

“Confidentiality is important. I’ve always given it to you, Jace deserves the same.”

“Does he really?” Aegon flings back; but he obediently climbs down from the tree and walks to the farmhouse. Your parents have no booze, no internet, a landline telephone, and a single tv with basic cable. Everyone else is in there playing Uno, doing animal-themed puzzles, and baking apple cider cookies in honor of the first day of autumn. You’d think Comet would be losing their minds after adapting to months of nonstop, breakneck excitement, but they seem to be enjoying themselves. You feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. You don’t miss the jet, you don’t miss the bars or the five-star hotels, you don’t even miss your apartment in the city that is still being sublet by some grad student with a Flemish Giant rabbit. You wonder if you ever wanted to leave the farm at all, or if you only wanted to leave the way you felt about yourself the last time you called this place home.

Jace grins and hauls himself up onto the tree branch to sit beside you. “Want to see my new tattoo?”

“Comet has definitely already been to Kansas City.”

Still, he’s acquired one, left wrist, black ink: a single star the size of a quarter. “For you, Stargirl. So I don’t forget about you. So I don’t lose you in the sea of gorgeous women I have marooned myself in.”

“It looks like a pentagram,” you say. “That’s appropriate, since you’re basically Satan.”

He’s not offended. “Aren’t you going to ask me what I want to talk about?”

“I already know.”

“Do you really?”

“You’re happy, but you feel bad about it. You wanted to be the leader of Comet, but you wish it could have happened a different way.”

Jace opens his hands and offers you a crooked, wry smile. “I might jibe at Aemond, but I don’t hate him. Why else would I let him knock out four of my teeth without expecting any penance in return?”

“No, you certainly don’t hate Aemond.”

“And what happened to him…it sucks. I mean, obviously, it was life-ruining for him. Not ruining, I shouldn’t say that. I’m sure he’ll get a new life someday. But it wrecked him in ways I’ll never be able to understand.”

“You’ll have to let him go when the time comes.”

“Yeah,” Jace says, unusually somber, gazing out across the field of white wild indigo, prairie dropseed, blue star, yarrow.

“And if Baela gets into ballet school, you’ll have to let her go too.”

Now Jace turns to you, startled. “I can’t. I’d miss her.”

“Yes, but you aren’t right for her. Sometimes we have to give people the freedom to realize they want something more than us. It’s the greatest act of love we can do for them.”

He laughs, a disdainful little snort. “That’s what everyone says. If you love someone, let them go. But then nobody ever really does it. They cling and they manipulate and they beg. Nobody helps the people they love leave them. Nobody escapes the indignity of becoming a regret.”

Please don’t let that be true. Please don’t let Aemond regret meeting me, touching me, maybe even loving me. “Why do you think that is, Jace?”

And he says, like it’s obvious, like you should already know it: “Because letting go is too fucking painful.” He hops off the branch and drops into the tall grass below. Then he extends a hand to help you down. “Come on. I bet those apple cider cookies are ready.”

~~~~~~~~~~

You see glimmering dresses, incandescent string lights, neon signs, the winding reptilian sheen of the Missouri River in the distance, faint dots of stars muted by the city’s synthetic luminance. You taste your faux Bramble: ice, cranberry juice, a sliver of lemon on the rim, sweet and tart and cold. The speakers are thumping out Prayin’ For Daylight by Rascal Flatts. Aegon is in neon yellow. You almost wore the same, but the flowing yellow gown you bought in Reykjavik suffered an unfortunate Australian-cattle-dog-related incident before Comet left your parents’ farmhouse for the concert. You opted for the short sparkly black dress embroidered with silver stars instead…and hurried out the door before your parents could catch a glimpse of your comet tattoo.

“No way!” Baela cries as she checks her phone. “Look, look!” Liam Payne has just posted a selfie on Instagram. Cuddled up next to him on a beach in Ibiza is Shelby, tan and with her long blond waves flying everywhere. The comments are a smorgasbord: Cutest couple EVER! Aww, did you and Aemond break up again :( Enjoy your vacay, girlie! Guess love really can’t conquer all. You are stunning, Shelby! I’m still hoping you guys get back together. You deserve better! What is Aemond even doing these days?? Is this why Comet took A Girl Named After A Car off their tour setlist :(((

“Damn, poor Liam,” Daeron says. “Should we warn him?”

Aegon replies: “Bruh, this is so tragic. That dude has enough demons already.”

“Good luck, Liam,” Luke says, toasting his Mai Tai against Aemond’s fully-alcoholic Bramble. “Thoughts and prayers.”

“Maybe he’s dumb enough to sign up to be her boy band baby daddy,” Aemond quips. You and Aegon exchange an uneasy glance. Then Aegon gets an incoming FaceTime call. It’s Taylor Swift. He beams—he lights up, he glows—and rushes away to find a quiet spot where he can talk to her. Criston chases after him, extra vigilant since Aegon’s overdose in Las Vegas.

You gulp down the rest of your not-cocktail cocktail. The bartender calls over: “Another cranberry juice, ma’am?”

“Cranberry juice?!” Daeron says. “That sounds…healthy?”

“Why aren’t you drinking?” Baela asks you. It would be a rude question if you didn’t know each other so well. Though not quite as well as she thinks. Cregan and Rhaena peer awkwardly down into their glasses, eyebrows raised.

“Because. Um.” You hesitate. Aemond looks over at you curiously. “I’m an alcoholic.”

Baela blinks. “You’re what?”

“Um. I was developing an alcohol problem so to be safe I stopped drinking altogether.”

“How mature of you!” Rhaena chirps, then drags Baela towards the dancefloor. Luke and Jace go with them. Daeron and Cregan depart to charm some potential paramours: a flock of Kansas City University students for Daeron, a bachelorette party of flattered, giggly soccer moms for Cregan. You procure another cranberry juice from the bar and then return to Aemond. You are alone together, a strange combination of adjectives: solitary, secretive, appreciated, known. You migrate towards the edge of the roof and sip your matching drinks, wearing your matching black clothes, wind in your hair and the sounds of late night traffic on the streets below.

“So this is the place,” Aemond says, playful, wistful. “Where you and Aegon…met.”

“It feels so different now.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” You look out over the city, breathing in humid night air and a verdant, ancient wildness. “You know how when you’re a kid, you’ll go somewhere and it feels endless and magical, and then you go back five or ten or fifteen years later and you’re disappointed? Like, that’s it? Is this even the same place?”

He swigs his Bramble. Ice clinks; the glass is frosty in his hand. “I know what you mean. But it hasn’t been that long. A little over a year.”

“I guess I’ve changed.” More grounded. Less restless. Less aimless. More pregnant.

“I hope Comet hasn’t traumatized you.”

You laugh, and he’s looking at you like you’re the only two people at this rooftop bar, in this city, on this planet: one river blue eye, one pool of sightless otherworldly mist. He hasn’t worn sunglasses since Shelby’s deportation from the band’s retinue. “Not yet.”

He is mischievous. “There’s still time.”

Not much of it. Aemond’s iPhone rings, Mr. Brightside. He checks it. “Is that Shelby offering you ten thousand blowjobs if you take her back?”

Aemond smiles. “No. It’s Helaena.” He answers and puts it on speakerphone. “Hi, LaeLae. Can I call you tomorrow? I’m at a very loud, very crowded rooftop bar.”

“With her?” Helaena asks, delighted.

“Yes, actually.”

“Okay. Call tomorrow. I wanted to tell you about the praying mantis I found in the garden. Check the weather. Goodbye!” She hangs up before Aemond can.

“Weather…?” he muses, then shakes his head and slips his phone into the pocket of his dark jeans. He returns his attention to you. “Ten thousand blowjobs, huh? I think I’d rather have another ten minutes in a bar bathroom.”

You are so game. It’s humiliating how game you are. Dear Starbaby, today I had slutty bar bathroom sex with your slutty dad, the same place I hooked up with your super slutty uncle. “Really?”

“No,” Aemond says sheepishly. But the corners of his lips are curled up in fond nostalgia. “That’s not my usual style.”

“What is your style?”

He drains his Bramble and turns to you. “Do you want to get out of here?”

You want few things more. “Yeah.”

You leave your empty glasses on a tray by the edge of the roof. Aemond lets Criston know that you’re taking one of the Escalades back to the farm. Aegon pauses his conversation with Taylor Swift just long enough to wink at you. No need for condoms, he mouths with a grin. And then he shouts, as the opening notes of Starboy blare from the speakers: “Stargirl, it’s our song!”

The Escalade makes one pitstop: the Walmart just off Route 210, the same one you always shopped at growing up. Aemond piles the requisite ingredients for vegan chocolate chip cookies in the screechy-wheeled cart, flour, baking soda, salt, white sugar, brown sugar, dark chocolate chips, rice milk (Aemond swears it tastes like Rice Krispies), vanilla extract, coconut oil. You wander down the aisles together talking, joking, finding excuses to touch each other, hands on wrists and collarbones and waists.

As you scan the items at one of the self-checkout kiosks, two guys buying frozen pizzas and White Claws peek over at you and start snickering. You grab snippets of their conversation like fireflies from the air: critiques of your body, critiques of your soul. You ignore them. This happens sometimes when you’re home. Someone from high school will recognize you, someone will remember.

Aemond is staring at them. Not staring; glaring, seething, mentally splitting flesh and dislodging teeth.

“Aemond, it’s okay.”

“It’s not okay.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m not upset. Just ignore them.” He walks away from you. “Aemond, don’t!”

He grabs the closest man’s shoulder and spins him around. “You got a problem?”

Both men gawk up at him, mouths hanging stupidly open and eyes inane like fish. The one he’s clenching sputters: “I’m sorry, are you…are you…are you Aemond Targaryen?!”

“I’m the guy who’s about to go to prison for second degree murder if you don’t shut the fuck up.”

He puts both hands in the air. “Hey man, I am actively shutting the fuck up. You have a nice evening.”

Aemond releases the man with a shove that sends him staggering back into a rack of tabloids. He returns to you, puts the bags in the cart, starts pushing it out to the parking lot.

The man turns to his friend. He is starstruck, elated. It might be the best day of his life. “Bruh, I just got assaulted by Aemond Targaryen…!”

The Escalade glides through the dark to your parents’ farm and drops you and Aemond off in the dirt driveway before zooming back towards the city. Aemond insists on carrying the shopping bags…but he doesn’t go inside. He stands near where his Gold Star is parked and gazes up at the night sky: moon, stars, the hazy white shadow of the Milky Way, all unmarred by the arrogant, buzzing radiance of electricity.

“Aemond?”

“You can see everything out here,” he says. “Maybe Kansas isn’t so bad.”

“Missouri.”

“Missouri,” Aemond agrees. “But you’re still the best thing about it.”

You smile. “I don’t know the names of any of those constellations.”

He points to show you. “Ursa Major. Ursa Minor. Perseus. Draco. Hercules.”

“Heroes,” you say.

“And animals.” He ascends the steps of the front porch. They creak beneath him, weight that will soon be gone, to New Orleans and Miami and South America and God knows where else.

Your parents are watching the 11:00 news in the den. The weatherman is issuing tentative warnings for tomorrow. Summer is gone, storms are coming in. They politely ask what you and Aemond are up to and then try not to look repulsed when you mention vegan cookies. You’re actually pretty excited; you love cookie dough, and because it will have no raw eggs in it, you can eat as much as you like without endangering Starbaby.

On the kitchen counter is the same CD player that your mom has owned since 2008. You press play on whatever she has currently spinning around in there. MercyMe? TobyMac? Danny Gokey? What you hear instead is Crush by David Archuleta.

“That’s a throwback,” Aemond notes.

“My parents love David Archuleta. He’s Christian, he’s cute, he’s gracious, he doesn’t swear. I remember them incessantly calling in to vote for him when he was on American Idol. They put in a prayer request at church to help him win the competition. I guess God used his executive veto power.”

“Do they know he’s…?” Aemond draws an invisible rainbow in the air with his fingers.

“No, they don’t use Google.”

“We won’t tell them. He needs the record sales.”

You and Aemond mix the cookie dough and then portion it out on a baking sheet. He slides the sheet into the oven, sets the timer, and then notices the reserve of dough you’ve left in the bowl. You dip your pinky finger in and then lick it slowly, savoringly: sweetness, chocolate, fats obtained without the sacrifice of a soul.

“Looks good,” Aemond says, a little hoarsely.

You swipe your index finger around the curve of the bowl and then offer it to Aemond. He holds your hand still and licks your finger clean, his tongue dragging over your skin, goosebumps rising on your arms, heat stirring up everywhere. You’re transfixed by him; you can’t stop watching. Then he closes the gap between you and cups your face in his palms and kisses you, not in some glittering city or on a stage or for an Instagram post but in the kitchen of a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, the home of nobodies. His lips are sweet, swift, seeking more. He only pulls away when the noise of heavy footsteps approaches the kitchen.

“Smells great in here, chickadee! Even if they are vegan cookies.” Your dad says the word vegan like someone else might say the name of a tourist destination halfway across the globe. He can’t quite get the pronunciation right. His eyes snag on the bare skin between your shoulder blades. “Lord almighty, what is that on your back?!”

Your comet tattoo, that’s what. “Uh, Daddy—”

“It was my idea,” Aemond says quickly, seamlessly. “They’re my lyrics. Lyrics I wrote before the accident, I mean. And I was feeling just…purposeless, and useless, and really doubting myself. She wanted to show me that my work still mattered. So when the band was in Rome, Jace got a tattoo and I suggested she get one too. It’s entirely my fault.”

“Huh,” your dad replies uncertainly. “Is that right? Well, I suppose there’s not much to be done about it now.” He chuckles and moves your hair so it’s covering your tattoo. “Let’s not mention it to your mother. She’s already got high blood pressure. Say, can I try one of them cookies when they’re ready?”

Criston and the rest of the band arrive back at the farmhouse just as the cookies are coming out of the oven. Miraculously, no one is drunk enough that your parents are aware of it. Everyone samples the vegan chocolate chip cookies and agrees that they are nearly as delicious as the cruelty-enhanced version. You and Aemond watch each other from across the kitchen that’s now crowded with people, hearing them but also not, wanting more and knowing you can’t have it, here in this place with little privacy and very few remaining secrets.

Comet scrambles to get ready for bed, racing to claim bathrooms and banging on doors to peer pressure people into finishing their showers faster. Back in your bedroom, clean and alone and wearing an oversized Backstreet Boys t-shirt and your favorite Cookie Monster pajama pants, you rearrange your pillows over and over again and try not to think about the band leaving in two days. Strangely, you don’t really want to go with them; you don’t want to board the jet, you don’t want to sightsee, you don’t want to be surrounded by people ingesting poison in all its forms. But the thought of being away from the band—from Aegon, from Aemond—is impossible, unbelievable, horrifying. You’re humming something as you crawl into bed. You don’t even realize what song it is until you’re under the covers and sinking into sleep: The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.

You’re only asleep for ten or fifteen minutes. When you wake your eyes are watery and you can’t remember your dream—you almost never can—but you know that Aemond was there. Now he’s here in your room as well. He’s gently stroking your cheeks, your forehead, sitting on the edge of your bed.

“Hey, hey, you’re okay,” he’s murmuring, only a silhouette in the darkness. But you would recognize him anywhere. “You had a nightmare. You were crying, I heard you.”

“Were you lurking outside my door or what?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead he asks: “What were you dreaming about?”

“You.”

And when you reach for him, he meets you without hesitation, his hands in your hair and his lips on yours, blankets thrown aside, his weight between your thighs, your fingertips ghosting against his face, reading his past and future like braille. He bites your lower lip, nips at the curve of your jaw, kisses a path down your throat like the contrail of an airplane. You yank off his t-shirt. He lifts away yours. He’s touching you everywhere, fingers beneath your pajama pants, smothering his moans against your neck so no one else will hear.

He whispers breathlessly: “I don’t want to rush this time.”

“I’m yours for as long as you want me.” Forever, I hope. And then: “Can I turn on the light? I want to see you.”

For a moment, he doesn’t answer. And then he reaches out to click the lamp on. The nightstand is cluttered with your souvenirs: refrigerator magnets, snow globes, figurines, cosmetics, snacks, crochet celestial objects, the frisbee from New Jersey, your plushie sika deer nestled together with the hammerhead shark from the aquarium at the Mandalay Bay. In the weak golden lamplight, you study Aemond like a painting, a marble statue, a comet you’ll only see once in a lifetime.

You say, softly like a prayer if you believed in such things: “You are so fucking beautiful.”

He doesn’t believe you, but he doesn’t stop. He wants to see you too. Your clothes are gone, every scrap of fabric and concealment; if he is cognizant of any minuscule changes in your body, he is not suspicious of them. Now he is bare for you as well, now he is pushing your thighs apart so he can marvel at you, taste you, drench his mouth and chin in your wetness, bring you to the edge of a cliff with no bottom, no rocks to rupture against. Now he is inside you, tremendously big but also careful, listening to you, watching every line of your face, slowly, so exquisitely slowly, his tongue darting between your lips and his palm against your cheek. And you remember how Aegon felt—always so simple and yet transient, soothing and welcome but never necessary—and Aemond could not be further from that. Nothing about what you have with him is simple. It is profound and intense and singular, and the thought of it not lasting forever is agony.

Afterwards, he retrieves his vintage metal lighter—small, square, Targaryen etched into one side—and a shimmery gold pack of his Benson & Hedges cigarettes out of the pocket of his pajama pants that are crumpled on the floor. He lies on his back and takes deep, drowsy drags, smoke like opaque morning mist in the air, one arm draped across you as you rest your head on his chest, lungs and heart and bones and blood.

Secondhand smoke isn’t good for the baby. You get up out of bed and sneak across the treacherously creaky hardwood floor. “Let me open a window.”

“So your parents won’t know?”

“Yeah.” You push the window open and then turn to him. “You should stop smoking. It’s really bad for you.”

Aemond smiles faintly. “Why would I care about that?”

“It’s bad for the people who love you too.”

He looks at you for what feels like a very long time. “Come back,” he says at last.

You do: to Aemond, to his warmth and lust and tenderness, to the space he occupies that will soon be empty like the vast expanses between comets, between stars.

~~~~~~~~~~

“I would like to say something.” You rise from your seat at your parents’ long dining room table, perfect for hosting judgmental-church-people gatherings and family reunions. Lunch for Comet Donati is steak and baked potatoes, lovingly prepared by your mom just before she and your dad left in their Ford F-150. It’s Sunday, and your parents will be at church socializing with their friends until late afternoon. Aemond is suffering through another meal of boxed spaghetti and Ragu marinara sauce. He doesn’t seem to have much of an appetite; not for food, anyway. You take turns glancing at each other and then looking away, smiling, flushing. Now he is intrigued by your announcement. His brow knits into thoughtful little grooves. The Australian cattle dogs scuttle around under the table for scraps. The television is on in the den. A tornado watch has been issued for the greater Kansas City area; no big deal, they get alerts like this once or twice a week here sometimes. It rarely amounts to carnage. Outside the sky is a tumultuous grey but not especially sinister at the moment: no greenish hue, no cloud rotation.

“You agree that Aegon hooking up with Taylor Swift would be disastrous for everyone involved,” Jace jokes.

“No, I know what it is,” Aegon says. He pokes at his baked potato with his fork, melancholy.

“I want to thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity,” you tell Comet. You have perhaps not dressed for an occasion of this significance: flip flops, a tie-dye One Direction hoodie, an old pair of shorts you found in your bedroom dresser. You like the way Aemond watches you when you wear them. “And I’ve experienced so many things, and learned so much from all of you, and I sincerely hope that we’re going to be in each other’s lives forever. But for right now…for this tour…Kansas City is my last stop with Comet.”

“What?!” Baela cries.

“No!” Rhaena gasps, her dark doe-like eyes glistening.

People are asking you why, people are asking you to reconsider. Aemond only stares, a sharp hostile look, menacing like storm clouds.

“I really, really appreciate everyone’s concern. But it’s been over three months, and this was never intended to be a permanent arrangement. Right, Aegon?”

“Right,” he reluctantly agrees.

“And it’s time for me to figure out what the rest of my life is going to look like, because I can’t just follow Comet around the world forever.”

Cregan nods to Criston. “Did you know about this?”

“I did, yeah,” Criston confesses. “We finished up the paperwork last week.”

“But we’re going to miss you,” Baela says. She sounds shockingly close to tears. Jace tries to soothe her and she shrugs his hand away.

“I know,” you concede. “And I’m going to miss you too. But we’ll still talk all the time, and I’m always willing to help you guys with anything, and maybe in the future I can visit—”

Aemond stands, his chair squealing against the hardwood floor, and flees from the dining room.

“That went well,” Jace says.

Aegon points towards the doorway Aemond left through and asks you: “Do you want me to…?”

“No, I’ll do it,” you say, and go after Aemond. He’s outside by the pigpen, his hair and t-shirt whipping wildly in the strengthening gusts of late-September air. Sparse raindrops fall from the sky. The pigs are agitated, pacing, oinking, scampering in and out of the shed they have for shelter. Aemond is smoking, embers glowing on the end of his cigarette; you purposefully stand upwind from him.

His voice is stunned and dazed and beneath that dangerously angry. “You’re leaving the tour.”

“Yes.”

“When we get on that jet tomorrow, you’re not going with us.”

“No, I’m not.”

“And you told Aegon and Criston but you didn’t tell me.”

“I had to tell Criston. And Aegon…” What can I say? What is the truth? “Aegon is easier to talk to about things like this.”

“So you feel like you can’t talk to me?” Aemond demands.

“Well, yeah, because sometimes you’re kind and patient and the single most incredible man I’ve ever met, and then something rattles your demons awake and you’re this…this…this vengeful, mistrustful, irrationally insecure person, and I can’t do anything right because you’ve already decided what my intentions are.”

“I want you to stay with Comet,” he says suddenly.

“I can’t, Aemond.”

“In Tokyo you asked me what I want, so now I’m telling you. I want you to stay.”

“Why, so you can sometimes love me and sometimes hate me, and refuse to build a new life for yourself, and relive what happened at the Budokan over and over and over again because that’s the background noise of everything you do now? Why?”

He gestures vaguely. “So we can figure things out.”

“I’m figured out, Aemond! You’re the one who isn’t and I can’t help you anymore, you have to do it for yourself, you have to want it!”

“You’ve never wanted to stay with me. You’re a liar, you’re a user. I’m glad Comet could fill that gap in your resume.” He takes a forceful drag and exhales smoke that the wind snatches away. “All you do is keep things from me.”

Venomous, violent disappointment blooms dark and scarlet in your veins. “You have no idea how much I’ve kept from you.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

You watch him, mourn him, commit him to memory for when you can’t see him anymore, every thread of him, miraculous and doomed. Saint Jude, you think, a man your parents as good Southern Baptists do not pray to. You tell Aemond: “You’re a lost cause.”

“And you’re a nobody.”

You turn away from him like ripping a page in two. You don’t want anyone to see the tears welling up in your eyes, escaping down your cheeks, marking you as someone who was weak enough to believe you could save him. You know that’s not the way it works, you know people have to be willing to accept the truths you help them uncover like prehistoric bones. Still, you believed in him. Why? Why?

Because I wanted to. Because I love him.

Your flip flops pound against the soil of the driveway, raindrops leaving spots like freckles, dust flying everywhere. You swipe at the tears that blur your vision. When you are far enough away that nobody can see you from the farmhouse, you rest your trembling hands on your belly. The life in progress there is half-built of Aemond, you carry pieces of him around with you like coins jangling in you pocket. You can’t forget him. You can’t forgive him. It shouldn’t be possible to be so close to somebody and yet so far away.

There’s no one out on Route 210. Your flip flops cross from a dirt road to black pavement. You lose track of how long you’ve been walking. Five minutes, ten minutes, it doesn’t matter. What are minutes when your mind is years away?

How will I keep Aegon in my life without tabloids finding out about the baby? What will I tell my child when they ask who their father is?

A vicious wind, so strong it snaps branches from trees and almost knocks you over. And then you hear it, that sound that every inhabitant of the Lower Midwest knows: a deep rumbling like a train. You peer up into a sky that is dark and murderous and glowing a strange sickly green. And above your head, spiraling with increasing speed: a funnel cloud, an emergent tornado.

~~~~~~~~~~

Criston is herding everyone towards the cellar, bellowing, waving frantically: Aegon, Luke, Rhaena, Jace, Baela, Cregan, Daeron, five yelping Australian cattle dogs. Through the window, they can see the tornado approaching the farmhouse, a column of shadowy atmospheric fury, unpredictable and unstoppable, here and then gone, the meteorological version of a comet.

Aemond slams the door as he sprints inside from the field behind the house. He breaths heavily, his chest heaving as his clear right eye studies the band’s panicked faces. “Where is she?”

“What the fuck do you mean ‘where is she’?!” Aegon pitches back. “She was with you! She’s with you, right?!”

Aemond looks at Aegon, looks through the glass at the tornado, grabs the keys to his 1960 Gold Star off the dining room table.

~~~~~~~~~~

You’re running, but you can’t see; there’s dust and debris everywhere, there are pieces of trees and fences careening through the air, when you breath you choke on airborne earth. The wind keeps pushing you off the road and then you have to fight your way back. You have to find your parents’ driveway. You have to get to the house. The sun is gone, and the roaring like a freight train is louder, louder, louder. And now there is another sound too, a different sort of growling, mechanical and familiar. Punching through the haze like a bullet, Aemond and his Gold Star screech to a stop beside you.

“Get on!” he screams over the storm, then helps drag you onto the seat behind him. You link your arms around his waist and then you’re flying together, just like Rome, just like before Reykjavik or Paris or Singapore or Tokyo or East Rutherford or Las Vegas or any of the other cities happened, back when you believed you could cure him like a witch with a spell, back when you wanted him in a way that was unburdened by truths you wish you didn’t know.

The Gold Star rockets by trees, utility poles, fence posts seconds before they are ripped from the ground by 200 miles per hour winds. Aemond steers roughly onto the dirt road of your parents’ driveway. You cling to him, breathing him in: smoke, cologne, memories, nightmares, dreams. In the rearview mirror is a maelstrom of dark, churning grey peppered with wreckage.

Something collides with the motorcycle, a pence post, a tree limb, you don’t know, it doesn’t matter. The Gold Star is knocked off the driveway like a bloodied tooth from a jaw. You sail off of it as it begins to roll; you hit the ground hard on your back, loose a pitiful wounded howl, try to start crawling towards the farmhouse.

“No, stay down, stay down!” Aemond is saying over the roar of the tornado. He covers you, he shields you, he pins you to the ground, he puts his hands over your eyes. The last thing you see is the Gold Star lying on its side a few yards away, its wheels still rotating. It’s over 400 pounds, too heavy for Aemond to lift even if you helped him, even if that couldn’t hurt the baby.

The baby?? Your own hands go to your belly. You try to ascertain if the heat throbbing in your back has traveled anywhere else, reached with blood-red, needle-sharp talons to your child, to your future.

The wind is letting up; is that your imagination? No, the tornado is receding, the debris fall to the earth, the deafening runaway train made of rogue air evaporates. Cautiously, Aemond rises from you. When you look at him, the right side of his face is riddled with shallow, bleeding gashes; but his eye is mercifully unharmed.

“Aemond,” you say, pained, reaching for him, trying to clean the blood from his face with your sleeves, a hoodie with some boy band on it, men you don’t know and don’t care to meet, fantasies that pale in comparison to the reality that stains you like rust.

“I’m fine, are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I think so…”

They come stampeding down the driveway: Criston, the rest of Comet, the barking Australian cattle dogs.

“Oh my God, they’re alive!” Jace exclaims, and soon everyone is there, surrounding you and Aemond like a circle, a ring, an orbit, something that goes around and around and might fade but never ends.

You aren’t worried about the baby. There’s no cramping, no pain except the throbbing in the curve of your back, blood loosed and then trapped, indigo bruises tattooed under your skin like ink. You press your palms to the earth and brace yourself so you can stand. No one is helping you get up; why is no one helping you? Why are they only staring, gasping, covering their mouths with shaking hands?

“You’re bleeding,” Aemond says, a panicked voice through fog. Slowly, like trying to run in a dream, you look down. There are thin rivulets of scarlet snaking their way down your thighs, calves, shins, ankles, painless ruinous tributaries, constellations unraveling until the patterns cease to exist, no myths, no monsters, no men, just senseless pinpricks of distant light you’ll never know the names of.

“No,” you whisper, like you can stop it from happening if you refuse to believe it, like it’s a mistake you can talk yourself out of. You gaze up at Aegon. Knowledge flies between you, something shared like an heirloom or an oath.

“Call an ambulance,” Aegon says to Cregan. “Tell them that she’s…” His eyes dart to Aemond and then back to you. “Tell them to hurry.”

Aemond is holding you, he is touching your face, he is asking: “Are you cut, do you need stitches—?”

“I’m alright, it’s nothing, it’s—”

“What are you talking about?! It’s not nothing, you’re bleeding, why are you bleeding?”

“Aemond, it’s nothing—”

“Tell me what to do, tell me how to help you!”

“It’s just…” And a sob breaks from your throat, and your words are brittle and splintering, and you can’t lie to him anymore. You’re out of time in so many ways. “It’s just the baby.”

#aemond one eye #aemond targaryen #aemond x you #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond x y/n #aemond x reader #aegon ii #aegon x reader #aegon targaryen #aegon ii targaryen #aegon targaryen ii

[i-just-drink-coffee]

The Yellowjackets as things I’ve heard pt9

Shauna: I’m not gay but if she even implies that she wants to have sex sex with me then who am I to not listen?

Lottie: I would let a goth girl ruin my life coz how much worse can it get

Taissa: I didn’t call her a bitch I merely implied it… there’s a difference

Jackie: Do you ever think that cows hear our language like “moo” but in different accents?

Misty: Listen, I don’t get called a “fucking annoying, nosy, diabolical and insane person” for nothing

Mari: Shout out to ugly people- could never be me but I stand in solidarity with y’all #uglypeopledeserverightstoo

Nat: I don’t know how to flirt I just kind of punch them and show them a little bit of my boobs

Van: All I need is a homo to my sexual

#yellowjackets #shauna shipman #lottie #lottienat #misty #nat #jackieshauna #jackie #mari #van #natalie scatorccio #van palmer #taivan #vantai #lottie x nat #jackie taylor #jackie x shauna #misty quigley #taissa #taissa turner #gay #quotes #incorrect quotes #I love lottienat #I love jackieshauna #I love Taivan #miss #Yellowjackets s3 #coach Ben #Travis

[snailsagere]

cn u shw al u’s stufies?

Haha probably not, I've got around 100 atm so that would be hard to show buuut I can show what stuffies I have on my bed since I change what ones hang out with me every week :3

That's from left to right their names are: papyrus, sol, mewo, fern, fae, mimikyu, rarity, chrissy, hello kitty, ashes, misty, cotton, moo, baa/dipsy, monokuma, friendly cube, teddy, reksio and the big dodo is Mrs Dodo :3

#snailsagere

[rhiannatruex]

misty moos

#queueue #cows #dairy cows #original photography #original photographer #photographers on tumblr #lensblr #original photography blog #photoblog #artists on tumblr #landscapes #landscape #landscape photography #landscape photographer #uncropped nature #nature #cottagecore #cottage core #grandmacore #ireland #travel #travel photo #travel blog #wanterlust

[thistledown-au-warriors]

fire and ice - chapter 30

< Chapter 29 || Index || Book 3 - Forest of Secrets >

The snowy forest spread out around him, glowing white beneath the cold moon. Fire Heart stood on a tall, jagged rock. Beside him stood a faceless warrior. They smelled of ThunderClan. Behind them, a battle patrol of his Clanmates stood tall, muscles tensed. Frost sparkled on the stone beneath their paws. 

A group of faceless enemy cats stood down the slope, teeth bared and fur bristling. The ThunderClan battle patrol let out a fierce battle cry and the all leaped down onto the forest floor, and Fire Heart lunged at one of the enemy cats with a snarl. However, as soon as he landed a blow, all the enemy cats dissipated into black smoke. No trace of their scent was left in the still night air.

Bewildered, Fire Heart spun around, looking for his adversaries, but he soon froze. The bodies of his clanmates stood broke and bloodied behind him, scattered around the forest floor. Their blood pooled in the snow. Fire Heart felt bile rise through his throat. He wanted to wail into the night. 

Then he noticed. A single clanmate stood living - the faceless warrior. Their pelt was matted and red with blood. Blood of ThunderClan cats. Fire Heart felt himself bristle in horror and betrayal. Although the cat had no face, Fire Heart felt their malicious eyes on him.

  Fire Heart woke up with a start and turned to the nest beside him. Gray Stripe was curled up, fast asleep, his nose tucked under his thick tail. Fire Heart breathed a sigh of relief as he checked over his friend. The image of the faceless bloodied Clanmate was still vivid in his mind. He shivered. The bitter cold of the forest seemed to cling to his fur even here. He hadn't dreamed like this in moons - only vague imagery had plagued his subconscious since arriving from the WindClan mission. 

Gray Stripe stirred beside him, and Fire Heart flinched. His friend lifted his head, rubbing his eyes with a large paw. "What's wrong? Nightmare?" The warrior mumbled sleepily.

"You could say that." Fire Heart muttered, heart still pounding. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"S'fine." His friend put his paw down and gazed at him. "One of your dreams?"

The ginger tom hesitated, then nodded. He'd told Gray Stripe about many other things before they went back to camp, including whatever he managed to bring himself to tell about his visions. His friend had then shocked him by saying that he was already used to Fire Heart's apparent recurring trashing and mumbling in his sleep, and only hadn't brought it up because he himself snored himself and figured it was just something embarrassing like that. "I'll be fine." Fire Heart added hastily. "Go back to sleep."

"If you're sure." Gray Stripe readjusted himself, tail draping over Fire Heart's back and tucking his nose under a paw. "Sleep soon you too." He meowed drowsily. Soon enough, the tom was back to sleep again.

Fire Heart knew he wouldn’t go back to sleep again, but he stayed in his nest and watched his friend sleeping until the dawn light began to shine through the walls of the den.

***

"And how long have you had these dreams for?"

"Since I was a kit, I think." Fire Heart answered, not uncomfortably. "I dreamt of the forest a lot before I joined ThunderClan… but they only seemed to have real significance after I was an apprentice for a while."

Violet Fang's tail swished, extra creases appearing on her flat face as she frowned. 

It was the morning after his dream. Spending the night with his own thoughts made him realize that he couldn't go on like this. His dreams had always gotten intense and mysterious before something big happened, and he wanted to be ready so no more cats he cared about would be in danger. Now, he sat with Violet Fang inside her herb storage, Misty Step and Stone Pelt standing guard just outside the large rock. He felt they too deserved to know, and he also didn't feel safe turning his back to the blinded Broken Tail.

"So, you've dreamed of the moonstone, of Broken Tail's first attack on camp, had visions of WindClan, and had a dream of another dream about danger to ThunderClan." Violet Fang recounted thoughtfully. Fire Heart had omitted his dreams that seemed to allude to Tiger's Claw - he knew he still had no evidence that would convince anyone to distrust the deputy besides his own words. "Why didn't you mention any of this before?" The healer went on, somewhat frustrated.

Fire Heart looked at his paws and shrugged. "I didn't know much about StarClan when it all started. And at first, I thought that I was nobody special to be receiving dreams from our warrior ancestors. Blue Fur wanted me to be a warrior anyway, I wouldn't be in ThunderClan otherwise."

The old molly huffed, and he saw her narrow her eyes. "The will of StarClan is as it is, we can do little to understand it. If they wanted you to be a healer, Blue Fur would be foolish to go against it."

His ear twitched uncomfortably. He felt defensive. "She was right though, we had two healers until recently. Er, no offense, Stone Pelt."

"None taken." The tom answered, his blue-green eyes blinking calmly.

"Also." Fire Heart went on. "I haven't dreamt much since I became a warrior. Just some sense of dread and nightmares."

"Of course." Rasped Violet Fang. "You're not trained. A connection with StarClan can be strong, but it's pointless if you don't know how to heed their call. They won't call for you like a lost kit in the woods forever."

A cold chill ran through him. Could he have risked losing these dreams forever if he didn't come forward? Fire Heart realized he couldn't figure out how that made him feel. As a well-trained warrior, could have he gone on living on the path his leader ordered him to live unquestioningly if he didn't have these dreams making him question himself? Or would that small seed of resentment just grow further, poisoning his loyalty to the Clan like slow-spreading rot? He shuddered.

Violet Fang got to her paws abruptly. "So, Fire Heart. Do you truly want to walk the path of a healer?" Fire Heart blinked at her, startled, and she went on. "You're a fine warrior. StarClan calls, and you certainly have potential, but it's clear you have two clear paths you could follow. You're aware by now of what being a healer means. You're a grown tom, you can choose."

He stared at her flat, scarred face for a moment. Had she been happy as a ShadowClan warrior? He knew she had many regrets, and Broken Tail's injured shape was the physical manifestation of them. But when he looked at her, all he saw was the healer he'd come to admire and trust. He glanced at the herbs stored in the rows of stone, and breathed in their comforting scent. It felt like the calming presence of the former healer, Leaf Spots, still stuck to the den after all this time in the scent of the herbs. He thought of the wise WindClan tom, Bark Face. He thought of Morning Bloom and her kit. He thought of Blazing Cinder. He thought of Blue Fur's very last life.

"I do." Fire Heart meowed. "I want to be a healer."

Violet Fang nodded, and he wondered if he imagined the glimmer in her eyes before she turned away sharply. "Then there's no time to waste."

The three cats followed the healer to Blue Fur's den, and Fire Heart lagged a bit behind, trying to control his racing heart. Misty Step fell into pace beside him.

"Misty Step." He murmured, and she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "I hope I am not offending you. I didn't mean to waste your time and not be a warrior anymore."

"Nonsense." She replied. "I'm proud to watch you tread your own path, Fire Heart."

He smiled at her, relieved, but still was tense for what was to come. Violet Fang paused in front of the lichen veil beside Highrock. She announced their presence, and Fire Heart barely suppressed a groan as Tiger's Claw's growl sounded from within the den. "Come in."

Blue Fur laid in her nest with paws tucked under her, while Tiger's Claw stood beside her like a large shadow. Fire Heart dipped his head to them as he sat beside Violet Fang, while the other two warriors sat behind them. The menacing yellow eyes of the deputy fixed on the group suspiciously. The leader's eyes burned in the dim as she narrowed them, and the ginger tom noticed her gaze resting on him for a moment before she spoke. "What's the matter, Violet Fang?"

The old healer didn't dawdle. "As you know, Stone Pelt isn't my apprentice any longer. I'm not getting any younger, and I need to train a cat to be the next healer." Blue Fur's eyes turned into slits as the healer went on. "Fire Heart shows promise as a healer, and it would benefit ThunderClan if I trained him."

"No." Blue Fur answered immediately, her tone firm and almost hostile.

Violet Fang sighed. "Blue Fur-"

"Although you weren't present, Violet Fang," Tiger's Claw interrupted. "The other cats gathered here know that your leader ordered Fire Heart to not bring up this foolish idea again." His tone was drenched in disdain, and he glared at Fire Heart.

"Why is it foolish?" Violet Fang shot back. "He has skill, and I believe StarClan calls for him."

"He has not a single drop of Clan blood. Why would our ancestors bother with him?" The striped warrior retorted, lip curled to show his teeth.

"StarClan was witness to his naming ceremony. He's as much of a ThunderClan cat as any of us." Misty Step spoke up, chin raised.

A growl rumbled in the deputy's throat, but was silenced as Blue Fur sat up, tail twitching behind her. Fire Heart looked at her expectantly, but she wasn't looking at him anymore. "RiverClan is still a threat, and ShadowClan isn't less of one either just because it was Broken Tail who invaded our borders. We need warriors to make it through leaf-bare without any more losses."

"And healers." Violet Fang rasped, unfazed. "I know you haven't forgotten who cares for warriors who are injured in battle. Besides, it wasn't being outnumbered that put the Clan in risk when Broken Tail invaded."

Both leader and deputy flattened their ears at this statement, but it was Blue Fur who spoke first. "Fire Heart had the initiative of a warrior that day." She spat.

"Knowing how to act in a crisis isn't exclusive to warriors, Blue Fur." The healer shot back.

"None of this matters." Tiger's Claw growled. "You're asking moons of training to be thrown away for a young cat's whims!" 

"Thrown away? You think I forgot how to hunt and fight just because I'm not a warrior?" Violet Fang lashed her disheveled tail. "In ShadowClan healer apprentices are all taught warrior skills for a reason!" 

"This isn't ShadowClan." Tiger's Claw hissed. "Unless your loyalties began to waver now that your old leader is in our camp."

The old healer's neck fur bristled, eyes blazing with fury. "Broken Tail is no leader of mine!" 

This wasn't what Fire Heart wanted at all. He stood, blocking the way between the deputy and the healer before either could break out into fighting, and gazed pleadingly at Blue Fur, head low. "I truly believe this is the best way I can serve the Clan, Blue Fur, and I'll do my best to prove it and make you proud to have me as a healer. If you truly believe I must be a warrior for the sake of the Clan, I'll accept it. But I insist you at least consider this."

The gray molly's eyes met his, and she hesitated. 

Stone Pelt shifted closer, dipping his head. "Mom, I believe Leaf Spots approves of this, and I would be glad to know Fire Heart took my former position."

She glanced at her son, then draped her tail over her paws and closed her eyes in thought.

"He has a right to decide his destiny, Blue Fur." Violet Fang rasped, and there seemed to be more meaning behind her words, but Fire Heart's gaze remained on his leader. Blue Fur's ear merely twitched as she frowned.

"Tiger's Claw, what do you think?" She asked, eyes still closed.

"This is a waste of time, clearly." He snarled, still glaring at Fire Heart and Violet Fang with hostility. "I think you should stick with your decision."

"And you, Misty Step?"

"I wouldn't be here now if I didn't believe in Fire Heart's decision." The molly replied simply.

Blue Fur took a deep breath, then opened her eyes. She eyed Fire Heart, then turned to Violet Fang. "Very well. If StarClan will accept him at the moonstone, then so will I." She announced.

Fire Heart felt like his legs were going to give out. He fought to remain dignified, dipping his head and managing to babble his thanks as his heart did leaps inside his chest. Blue Fur nodded distractedly at him.

The healer dipped her head as well. "I shall take him to Highstones at the half-moon meeting. Until then, I'll be getting him started on some training along with his usual duties." 

"As you wish." Blue Fur replied, sounding almost defeated. She turned to her deputy. "I believe it's time to assign patrols now, Tiger's Claw. I'd like to be alone." Fire Heart didn't need to look at Tiger's Claw to notice the raw anger in him.

Dismissed, the cats padded out of the den. Before they walked even a fox-length away from the Highrock, Tiger's Claw long fur brushed Fire Heart's as the large cat craned his neck. "I'm watching you, kittypet." Tiger's Claw hissed in his ear. "I know you're planning something. Try to weaken my Clan, and I'll make you regret setting foot outside your Twoleg nest." 

Fire Heart watched the large tabby march past him towards his spot in the middle of the clearing. I haven't forgotten about you, Tiger's Claw , he thought angrily. His paws felt like they were following a path that perfectly matched his pads, and he wasn't alone. In a couple moons, he'd grown stronger, older and had more friends than before. Gray Stripe, Sand Storm, Princess, Misty Step, Stone Pelt, Violet Fang… 

If Blue Fur had changed her mind on this, perhaps he could change her mind about Tiger's Claw too. His dream flashed in his mind - Tiger's Claw already had ThunderClan blood in his claws, he only had to prove it. If this was the danger coming to ThunderClan, he had to hurry, before more innocent cats were hurt by the dark tabby.

He knew who to trust. With more certainty in his heart than he'd felt in a long time, he knew that he could take Tiger's Claw down.

#thistledown au #thistledown fire and ice

[livingincandisworld]

I miss the gang sm <\3

I’ve met and gotten pics with all of them two times now, so here’s me and misty moo <3

#butlins #butlins skyline gang #skyline gang

[bitofthisandthat]

𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆𝒔  𝒐𝒇  𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆  :  𝒅𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒔  𝒂𝒏𝒅  𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒔  𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔

bold  what definitely applies  to  your  muse. italicize what conditionally applies  to  your  muse. repost  ;  do  NOT  reblog.

MARSHAL MOO MONTANA.

𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙸𝙰𝙽   »   toothy  grins,  stories  around  the  campfire,  clothes  covered  in  pet  hair,  hot  temper,  old  jeans,  heartbeat  in  head,  potatoes  and  steak,  beaded  jewelry,  bruises  like  galaxies,  mementos, backpack  stuffed  full,  craigslist  furniture,  spontaneous  road  trips,  air  ripped  from  lungs

𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙳   »  homemade  bread,  white  lies,  easily  excited,  trying  on  hats,  band  geek,  pep  talks,  no impulse  control, sunsets, vintage  fashion,  long  showers, selfies,  following  dreams,  rosy  cheeks,  song  mash-ups,  pink  lemonade  with  tequila,  loves  easily, animated  storyteller,  full  of  comebacks

𝙲𝙻𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙲   » list  of  wishes,  biting  their  tongue,  band-aids  and  neosporin, shoulder  to  cry  on,  morning  sun, necklaces,  trial  and  error, homemade  quilts, formal  clothing, astrology  fan,  messages  in  bottles,  pleated  braids,  speaking  up  for  friends,  feathers, motivational  quotes, vivid  dreams

𝙳𝚁𝚄𝙸𝙳   »   bird  watching,  shy  kid,  wind  chimes,  trying  to  whistle,  summer  camp,  apple  orchards, lost  in  their  head,  glow-in-the-dark  stars  on  the  ceiling,  hoodies, thrift  shopping,  saving  worms  off  the  sidewalk,  pig  latin,  bare  feet, thunderstorms,  numb  fingers,  braided  hair,  naming  potted  plants

𝙵𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃𝙴𝚁   »   goosebumps,  leather  jackets,  adventure, chewing  nails,  cares  deeply  but  can’t  show  it, bronze  locks, no  sleep, taste  of  iron,  netflix  binges,  never  forgets, combat  boots, stories  behind  scars, table  for  one, official  soundtracks,  sore  calves, trusts  themselves  the  most

𝙼𝙾𝙽𝙺   »   always  trying  to  be  better, wanderlust,  meditation,  sweat  pants,  old   photographs, yoga, sleeping  in  hammocks,  nostalgia, minimalist  design,  breath  of  fresh  air, baby  animals, volunteering, perfectionist,  doesn’t  care  about  fashion,  healthy  snacks,  noticing  the  little  things

𝙿𝙰𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙽   »   school  uniforms,  thick  jackets,  sleeping  with  the  windows  open,  logical  advice, scrapbooking,  compasses, I  fight  for  my  friends, sculpture  gardens, cold  morning  air,  big  soul,  likes  routine, secret  romantic, last  to  get  jokes,  sunflowers, practical  presents,  misty  weather

𝚁𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚁   »   herbal  tea, smell  of  rain,  blinking  away  tears,  camping  trips,  collecting  bones,  swiss  army  knives, first  impressions, anxious  thoughts, bobby  pins,  burnt  marshmallows,  too  competitive, clothes  lines,  messenger  bags,  holding  grudges, gets  along  better  with  animals  than  people

𝚁𝙾𝙶𝚄𝙴   »   flirtatious  sarcasm, candid  photos,  lost  phone  chargers, adrenaline  rush, picking  dirt  out  from  beneath  their  nails,  social  chameleon,  clashing  clothes,  self-deprecating  jokes,  claw  machines,  sits  in  chairs  wrong,  smudged  eyeliner,  has  too  many  sunglasses, eats  nothing  or  everything

𝚂𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝚁𝙴𝚁   »  infectious  laugh, family  trees,  shivers  down  their  spine,  lipstick  and  roses, mood  swings, clumsy,  believing  in  destiny, high  expectations,  sleeping  in  darkness, collection  of  nail  polish,  passionate, good  grades  but  never  studies,  poetry  books,  blowing  kisses,  not  knowing  their  own  strength

𝚆𝙰𝚁𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙺   »  knowing  everyone’s  secrets, backpack  covered  in  pins, envy, being  in  walmart  late  at  night,  earl  grey,  selective  memory,  conspiracy  theories  and  cryptids,  keysmashing,  need  to  know  basis, can’t  cook,  bags  under  eyes, experimental  art, flickering  bulbs,  black  clothing  all  year  long

𝚆𝙸𝚉𝙰𝚁𝙳   » piles  of  textbooks,  cat  in  lap, keeping  a  diary,  indecision,  scented  candles, studying  alone  in  a  café, lingering  touches,  museum  dates, unanswered  questions,  taking  on  too  much  responsibility,  collections, chalk  dust,  comfy  robes,  unnecessary  apologies, coming  home  after  a  long  day

#HEADCANON || MOO MONTANA

[mabelthedork]

New Misty Design

Moo, so as some of us may or may not know, there is a new G5 toy wave coming out with Zipp, Pipp and Misty, and it has given her a new design, so I took the opportunity to draw my girl!

The image if you haven’t seen it yet!

[sastrugie]

I bet your poems are amazing. My dad and I have this ongoing thing where we send each other poems on our birthdays, or he'll write one for a family event. And they're purposefully cheesy. AABB rhyme scheme with an occasional AABA stanza. But they're always written with a smile, so much heart, and sometimes tears. Even bad poetry is good poetry!

I wrote a few fics for Riverdale and now I'm working on a Christmas fic for the Kingsman movies.

I've been meaning to learn more about Led Zeppelin for so long! (So many bands, so little time!) My favorite song is Fool in the Rain. What are your favorite songs or albums by them?

awww thanks love! i might even be in the moo to share one ngl.

thats beautiful! i love poetry! and the girl im dating and me also send each other poems often. do you write poetry?

i dont do rhymes but i loveee standard ABAB poems <3 I LOVED KINGSMAN 3 OMG OMG OMG WHAT PAIRING R U WRITING???

led zeppelin my beloveds <3 my fav album is Led Zeppelin III and my fav song is probably misty mountain hop? but all are great (going to california fghjkl)

do u celebrate christmas?

#r #ss22 #anon

[dndfuckhouse]

Session 42 - A Wolf and a Witch

> 🎵   The Library  / Kentucky Route Zero OST

Picking up from last time, the party all continue down the trail through the dark and misty forest. The glowing mushrooms bracketing the path continue to light their way with a low glow, but the place has no less of an eerie atmosphere. The walk with the pixies earlier helped instill them all with a little cheer at least.

As they continue down the trail however, Vinny seems to crane his head towards the darkness off the path curiously at something.

Vinny: he shakes his head incredulously before speaking up “did you all….. hear something moo..?"

Craning his ears, Cimmorro hears the sounds of faint mooing and shuffling grass, off to the right of the path through the trees in the dark.

Cimmorro: "well i definitely hear them..." and i point to the path "is it normal to have cows in a... forest..." Psalm: "Yeah, now that you mention it that's not exactly normal... although what about this forest is normal?" Han: "first farmers must've gotten cows from somewhere, right" Cimmorro: "that's a fair point... but also true? but in the middle of the forest is quite odd. i'd imagine a field if anything."

Cimmorro glances over, and after a moment the group all see a line of cows slowly begin to amble out of the dark foliage onto the path ahead. They appear as if they’re tied together by a loose rope, daisy chained around their necks. They don't seem to be moving anywhere with any real intent, more wandering aimlessly as they softly moo and waddle about.

Han: "okay, that" hand wave at rope "is bit more weird" Cimmorro: "it's like the horses earlier.." Rokka: "just cows!"

Han and Cimmorro walk closer to observe, as they do they note that they don't look like typical cows, a few of them have strange fungus formations growing out of the tops of their backs. Some of their faces are even warped heavily by the presence of mushrooms, the cows don't seem at all perturbed by this however and don't look otherwise injured in any way. Glancing down at the rope they see a shoddy wooden sign attached to it dangling between them.

Han: "woooooaaaah"

the sign reads ‘IF LOST, RETURN TO BOTTY.’

Han: "should we look for botty?" Cimmorro: "we probably should....?" he's trying to study the fungus rly Han: han pokes the mushrooms with a stick, trying to recall anything from forest class n remembering she fucking hated it so no Psalm: did forest class tell you to poke them with sticks  Han: no they specifically said not to but forest class no longer controls her

Plum steps up and inspects the mushrooms for any familiarity. They soon recognize them as 'Body Hoppers' a unique strain said to thrive in deep forests, the mushrooms when cultivated right can be introduced to the body of a heavily damaged creature as a way to restitch their wounds. Though once the process is done they can no longer be separated from the fungus and the two share the body afterwards, as the mushrooms effectively 'hitch a ride'. They quickly explain this to the group.

Cimmorro: CIMM FACE IS LIKE WOWWW COOOL "do you think we can take samples :O..." Han: hans like :O "can we like... keep some? can we use it as emergency bandage?" Rokka: rokka looks at the cow like owie 🙁 Psalm: "Why would you want that. Emergency wh-” Psalm is floored like literally speechless Cimmorro: "why not wtf... it's worth having!" Finn: finn stares at (han) in absolute disbelief Plum: "i feel like we have......better emergency methods??" Keva: keva's face is already a bit twisted from plum's explanation but this really takes the cake Psalm: "Yeah I dunno about that chief" Han: han feels u 2 staring n turns like :D -> 😐 "what..." Psalm: "I wouldn't necessarily want mushrooms growing out of me" Han: "would you rather have mushrooms growing out or be dead on ground" Plum: "well to be fair i'd want that more than dying" Psalm: "Hmmmmm" 🤔 Cimmorro: "they and han get it." Finn: "did you not catch the part where you must share your body with the mushrooms forever?" Han: "did you not catch part where i said emergency" han does a mockery of how finn speaks Finn: he grimaces at you "theres- this is- just! no! i wont even argue with you about this" and dismisses you by flicking his wrist

Rokka: rokka hears this and the cogs in his brain starts turning "wait...that means I can have infinite food if i ever go back into the woods..." 🤔 Psalm: "I don't know if eating something that's a part of you provides nutrition?" Rokka: "hmmmmmmmmmmmm" Han: han stares like ure a fucking genius Cimmorro: "on the other hand though, this means these cows had some very jarring injuries no? this botty might be in trouble then?" Han: "oh shit yah" 😬 Hans On High Alert Again ! Psalm: "Oh you have a point, especially with that beast prowling around that we saw earlier." Finn: "they couldve had these mushrooms growing out of them for a while now for all we know. doesnt seem like its the first time theyve gotten lost either" he points to the sign Vinny: he strokes his chin in thought "that or they have a strange way of caring for their cattle..." Han: "arent they saving these cows rather? GASP or maybe they did injuries themself.......................We Need To Find This Botty Guy" Vinny: he laughs a little "i meant more.... theyre caring for them but their methods are just unorthodox" he looks back at the mushrooms "i wonder how abundant these are in this place... maybe its easier than other means... or they're just strange" Cimmorro: "OHHH that's what you meant... here i was thinking your imagination was getting kinda crazy" Vinny: "to be fair i wouldnt rule out anything in this place" he sighs a little wearily Cimmorro: "you definitely put the image in my head" Vinny: “😅”

Plum: okay i ask han and cimmorro if that seems like a worthy undertaking, growing the mushrooms Cimmorro: cimm nodding so fast his neck would snap Han: han same as ^ Plum: "well i don't mind snipping some off to cultivate them for you two @ han and cimmorro, but i don't really want to get near those cows to do it" Han: "you want us to try for you? ill do it if you guide me" Cimmorro: "you're right i wonder if it'd hurt them if we clip them off" Rokka: 😟 Plum: "oh there's that too, i don't know. maybe we should figure out what's going on with these cows first” Rokka: 😥 “okei....” Cimmorro: "if we find out what happened to them maybe we can find where the mushrooms come from too? so we need not to clip them" Psalm: "I think whatever's going on with these cows is afflicting that beast from earlier too." Cimmorro: ? Psalm: "There were mushrooms growing out of it from what little I could tell." Plum: "oh true, i think this botty person is growing them" Cimmorro: "should we bring the cows with us... if that's even possible" Rokka: rokka wondering if he can pet the cows

Cimmorro picks up the end of the rope and attempts to see if he can lead them along. As he gently tugs in a direction the cows begin wandering the same way.

Cimmorro: cimm has childlike joy written on his face rn “looks like they'll come along :DDD !!" Rokka: "woah cimm you're good at this!" Han: han claps quietly Cimmorro: "they love me <333" Vinny: he nods his head "shepherd to your flock" Cimmorro: "just missing one of those herding staves, you lot should walk ahead and ill be behind with the cows"

Keva moves to pet one of the cows as they walk, the places that aren't mushroom are firm and soft... good cow.

Cimmorro: "you wanna hold em?" he holds the rope out to keva Keva: she looks surprised cimm'd ask considering how happy he looked when they followed him lmao shakes her head "no i'll let you have that honor" Cimmorro: he only shrugs "if you change your miiind"

The party march on, the ambient mooing of the cows trailing behind them, making their way deeper into the forest. After a time they begin to come upon a couple of shacks built into the trees. If these are the ones Spriggan mentioned then they ought to be getting close to their destination.

Though as they continue on past them, they notice the path seems to be becoming muddier and more unclear, the light around them seems to dim even further as if to accompany the mood, a few of them feel as if they’re starting to lose track of the path...

Keva: 8 LMAO that's with a +5 in survival Plum: i have a -2 get like me Keva: i'm trying okay

Through the dark mists, Cimmorro, Rokka, Plum and Finn somehow manage to keep their bearings. Once the mists clear a little, they glance all about and then back down at their feet. They note they’ve not wandered off the path but…. they feel like there’s less of the party than there were before… the cows remain stalwartly at Cimmorro's side, though Vinny is also nowhere to be seen.

Cimmorro: "hey... we're missing numbers" @ cow group Plum: "oh fucking hell" Finn: finn has like the most openly tired expression on his face and his shoulders slump a little Rokka: rokka stops and looks around "huh? where'd they go?" Cimmorro: "i've no idea, any wandering footprints?"

> 🎵 Emergence Cave (Enemy Near) / Pikmin 2 OST

Han, Keva and Psalm find themselves lost, each separated on their own within the mists. As they head deeper and deeper in, they all squint around at the dark mist and listen to the sounds of water and animals echoing around themselves.

They’re no longer sure if they’re traversing the right path, or any path at all really. Every now and again they feel like they spot something moving in the darkness amongst the foliage that's just too vague to make out, before realising they have no idea where they are.

Han: han completely stops moving the second shes stopped feeling everyone else around her. Keva: keva will also freeze where she is when she realizes

As the three quickly look around for any sign of anyone else around, Han and Psalm manage to stare at footprints in the earth and shadows in the mist well enough to find each other, though its mostly just Psalm walking directly into Han with a THWACK.

Han notes the mist is thick enough to not be able to see in anything in front of them, the two still don’t know where the others are.

Han: han just wordlessly grabs ur wrist Psalm: "Is that you Han..?" Psalm: "yes. i dont feel others"

Keva meanwhile, stares about completely lost, she has no idea where anyone went, as she cautiously ambles about in the fog she feels herself get even more lost.

Keva: keva completely stops walking and calls out "guys?" [no response] keva reaches for amos so she can hold onto him in a hand

Psalm: "Hmm...should we stay put or keep going?" Han: since the fogs crazy thick hans gonna get basically on all fours to work anything out on the ground to try n work out prints Psalm: bc of this btw psalm is like crouching down jsyk Han: wait thats cute for some reason

Han: "do you hear anyone? wanna try calling out?" Psalm: "Sure" i'll use thaumaturgy to make my voice louder and just yell "HEY WHERE DID YOU GUYS GO?" Han: han JUMPS Cimmorro: i hope slender man gets you Psalm: WHY

Psalm BELLOWS, the whole party hearts it, but the sound of it feels as if its echoing from all around, no one can pinpoint a location.

Rokka: rokka looks around after hearing psalms echo and spins around as he looks "PSALM? PSALM? WHERE ARE YA ROOMIE!?" he yells at a random direction

Han continues squinting down at the dirt, as she examines hers and psalms footprints she notes the two of them look like they've both been walking in circles somehow... looping back around and around until they walked into each other.

Back on the path Cimmorro also attempts to examine the dirt nearby, he soon spots footprints heading off the path going directly to the left. As he stares at them he feels the cows begin to pull on the rope in his hand, wanting to walk in the same direction.

Han: han starts talking (swearing) in giant, han will point out the prints to psalm "we've been walking in circle..." and under her breath "stupid bullshit forest shit" Psalm: "Might be some kind of magic then?" Han: "potentially....... why else would we be walking in circles.."

Cimmorro: i point at the footprints "do you think its theirs?" @ cow gang, he's also like slowly getting pulled by those cows eventually Plum: "well idk if we have a choice really... it's our only lead" Cimmorro: "... yeah, they're alive, well, psalm at least" Finn: "they ought to be" finn tags along "lets not get separated as well" he makes sure to pull rokka along Rokka: rokka gets pulled along but he's still taking glances behind him to see if he can spot psalm Cimmorro: "we oughta.... grab ahold of each other now" cimm just reaches out for anybody while his other hand is getting pulled by the cows

the nakama handholding line | cows > cimm > finn > plum > rokka

Finn: he doesn't make a fuss about it although he really wishes he was holding anyone else's hand. he'd have to wash his gloves later, even if it has to be in muddy water. he also really wishes cimmorro was lost, because he wouldn't look for him and just happily move on with his life. "cant you just perform a sending? or are we going to stake our faith on these cows?" Plum: plum looking at finn like wow finn holding cimmorro's hand without quarrelling, proud of him rn Cimmorro: cimm sighs through his nose "i doubt even if i did that they'd know where they are or where we could find them, seeing that they've gotten themselves lost in the mist. we barely can even tell them where we are" Finn: "well thats simple" he rolls his eyes "we're on the path, unlike them" finn is about to say something derogatory when the cogs in his brain turn and it does occur to him he could scout the area in bat form. is that worth it to him though? he'll have to contemplate Cimmorro: cimm shakes his head "i think everyone is smart enough to know we need to regroup in the same path regardless" Plum: "well we could be lost in the next second, we don't really know what we're up against in this forest" Rokka: "yeah, psalm's out there all by himself!"

Keva continues glancing around with Amos in fist through the mist, she manages to spot the light glow of a lake nearby through the fog, lit up by moonlight filtering through the trees. As she walks over she walks into a clearing of sorts, though the sense that something is watching her grows all the more intense.

Keva: she takes a deep breath and exhales with her cheeks puffing out a bit, is quiet for a moment, and then just whispers "fuck" and looks around the clearing to see if she can figure out what's watching her

As she senses the presence she puts herself on high alert, glancing around the darkness she spots a pair of eyes watching her from the trees. Han and Psalm, seeking a reprieve from the fog, also continue looking around.

Psalm soon spies the same lake Keva had, seeing a chance to give themselves something to center their surroundings on, the two head in the same direction, as the fog clear ever so slightly they spot her staring out at the trees.

Psalm: Psalm yells "Keva, there you are." Han: han tries to follow your gaze and struggles "do you see her? be careful, could be some ball trash again" Psalm: "I doubt there are doppelgangers out here if that's what you're worried about but, better safe than sorry." Han: "... could be... GHOST..." han whispers dramatically Psalm: "She looks solid to me." Keva: being so focused on the eyes staring at her, she jumps hearing someone yell and automatically reaches for a dagger. when she realizes it's you two though she relaxes a bit and holds up a finger to her lips "something's watching us" and just her chin towards the pair of eyes she saw Psalm: "Should we call out to it? I think I'll try to let the others know the three of us are together at least, not like me yelling is gonna change the fact that we're being watched" Han: han has a facial journey and then ends up on eh true

Han shoots a glance down at the lake they’re standing next to, various fluttering bugs and plants are scattered on its surface though nothing about it seems particularly strange. The moonlight is giving it an ethereal glow. She shoots another glance into the foliage but cant make out anything but the beast’s eyes.

Keva squints alongside her, and just like Psalm earlier, she sees a large beast on all fours staring back at them. As she continues staring it suddenly jumps out of the misty foliage.

Upon quick observation it appears to be a great and large wolf. Its back however, is covered in glowing fungi the same colour as its eyes. It haunches low to the ground to growl at them all, seemingly irate and agitated at their presence.

Han: "holy shit puppy" Psalm: he just looks at it like... "Uh..actually maybe never mind. I'm sure they know we're fine 0__0" Han: han has her hand on her bow but kinda slows "..wolves typically hunt in packs" Psalm: "So you're saying the wolf I saw and this one now could potentially be two different wolves. Great. Love that for us." Keva: “or maybe this one got separated when it got hurt?” Han: "also, plum said these mushrooms regenerate the body.... possibly.. making this wolf... very hard to kill..." Psalm: "Maybe it's friendly?"

> 🎵 Call of the Wildwood / Monster Train OST

The wolf flicks its eyes between the three of them before glancing behind itself at something, it quickly lets out a loud howl before leaning back on its haunches, seemingly about to attack.

Psalm: FUCK Han: "or we have a hoard of these-"  SQUAKS Finn: finn squeezes plum and cimm’s hands upon hearing the howl as it slightly spooks him.... Rokka: rokka's ears twitch "that.......didn't sound like psalm,,,:

The three ready themselves for combat, as they do they spot Vinny in the same clearing through the mists. Situated behind the wolf he looks on in shock at the beast before him. In the darkness of the forest, spiderlike eddercaps begin slithering out of hiding, sensing an opportunity for easy pickings.

One of them glances at Psalm and shoots a jet of webbing at him, instantly restraining him. He tries to break from the hold but fails against the strength of it coiling around him.

Psalm: he just yells "FOR FUCKS SAKE WHY ME" PSALM GRINDS HIS TEETH Ghester: you hear ghester in your head speak up "dont ruin your molars" Psalm:

Cimmorro: do we hear psalm yell lol Psalm: he was at thaumaturgy volume without casting it

Vinny moves soon after, spotting the wolf he skitters away in the direction of another lake, before thinking for a second and flinging his hand out. He casts witchbolt, dealing it damage as he quakes in his boots.

The wolf soon follows however, it glances back at Vinny before the group see a fine mist of spores begin to disperse from the mushrooms on its back. As it does it seemingly fades from sight, they cant see where its gone.

Keva cocks an arrow soon after, shooting at the spider that restrained Psalm, blinding and damaging it. It reels back from the unexpected shot, chittering behind a rock. Soon after she makes an attempt to cut Psalm free from the webbing.

Psalm: psalm like weh hewp meh Han: grab psalm by the scruff n pull him out Psalm: the scruff...

She tries to run the edge of her arrow across but the web is too thick and sticky, she manages to wrench it free, giving psalm the equivalent of a papercut in the process. She rushes up a nearby pathway after to try and give herself any cover.

Another eddercap attempts to restrain Vinny, though it misses him by a hair. Soon after Han bounds up close to Psalm as Keva absconds.

Han: since keva bounces im gonna stick next to psalm n yell "vinny!! get over here!!!"

Han quickly shoots a volley of arrows at the spider creature Keva blinded, by the end its barely standing, a barrage of arrows poking out of it as it chitters in pain on its last legs.

Han: standing next to psalm protecting my useless moegirl Psalm: 🫣

A third eddercap slithers through the dark and shoots a web at Han's direction, it narrowly you misses her as it zips past, it chitters angrily in the dark. The now barely conscious one makes another attempt to shoot at Han, restraining her with one of its final breaths in revenge.

Psalm makes another attempt to break free from his restraints, but his struggling is so counter intuitive somehow he instead feels himself begin to suffocate in the webbing,

Vinny follows up as he steps around cautiously, as he can no longer see the wolf, he activates his witch bolt again dealing more damage to it wherever it is. The group all hear the wolf growl somewhere in the brush as he sweats, heading to Han.

The wolf soon makes itself known, they see it all appear out of the fog as it jumps at Vinny, knocking him prone to the floor with a scream as it bites into his shoulder, taking damage from its jaws. It quickly releases him with a growl and releasing the same spores as before, disperses in a mist jumping back into the trees.

Han: that wouldve been half of auroras hps at lvl . 6 or w/e she is Cimmorro: cow gang arriving to the scene with vinny righ thtere like the pizza fire gif

Keva quickly finishes off the first eddercap, it lets out one last chitter before collapsing into a heap of bile on the floor. She then runs back up to Psalm finally cutting him free of his webbings.

Though soon after she does another eddercap slithers up behind, biting and swiping him with its claws. He manages to resist its poison, shaking his head as he stymies the effects.

Thinking on her feet Han casts misty step to dash out of her restraints, shooting another volley of arrows at the eddercap clawing at Psalm. The creature hisses and whips around, enraged and looking worse for wear.

Across the way the third eddercap slithers towards Vinny, whipping out its web it grapples him instead. He finds his air supply cut off as he slowly begins to suffocate, gasping for air as he struggles against the webbing.

> 🎵 Creeping Ivy / Wargroove OST

The rest of the party finally makes their way to the clearing, cows in tow. Seeing the scene before him Finn quickly runs up and shoots out an acid arrow at the eddercap grappling Vinny, dealing it damage. It hisses and chitter as it glares in his direction.

Cimmorro: cimm is gonna go "SHIT, SHIT FUCK"

Cimmorro runs over quickly after, he attempts a toll the dead on the spider though it fails. Switching gears, he shoots off a healing word at Vinny instead afterwards. Rokka follows suit, casting entangle at the spiders feet, though it narrowly misses becoming restrained by the plants.

Now free from his own webbing, Psalm shoots off a series of agonising blasts at the eddercap trying to stab him, it chitters out in pain as it quickly whips its head around in confusion, its looking pretty bad.

Psalm: yeah then after that psalm just yells at the others "STAY ON YOUR GUARD, THE BEAST FROM BEFORE IS HIDING ITSELF."

As he shouts that Vinny continues to struggle against his restraints, quickly beginning to suffocate. Before they can ponder Psalm’s words however the wolf reappears from the mist, it jumps from the foliage appearing out of nowhere, biting at Cimmorro and knocking him prone.

Cimmorro: cimm's like "what fucking BEAST- HOLY SHIT" Psalm: psalm wincing watching that go down from where he's standing

The wolf rears back soon after, shaking the mushrooms on its back it releases a cloud of poison spores in the area. Cimmorro manages to resist the effect, but feels if he inhales anything he’ll be in danger. Satisfied the wolf jumps back again, letting out another howl into the night air, standing at attention.

Keva quickly rushes to the eddercap in melee with Vinny, slicing it with her poison dagger. She cuts through it like butter as it collapses to the ground in a chittering heap of bile.

Keva: i think it's really funny that keva is again trying to save vinny from the brink of death Cimmorro: I KNOW ITS LIKE THE BASEMENT Keva: basement 2 theyre somehow here again Cimmorro: EVEN PSALM IS GETTING MURKED Psalm: time is a circle

Plum quickly scutters over afterward, healing Vinny further and casting resistance on Rokka. The last eddercap alive hisses and attempts to make an attack on Psalm again, though both end up missing.

Psalm: PSALM LIKE 😼

Han quickly follows with another set of arrows, firing the shots point blank at the eddercap and exploding it into a fine paste. She then quickly turns, firing some volleys at the wolf, it seems unperturbed by the damage.

Following this display Finn regretfully weighs his options.

Finn: despite how much finn wishes cimm would inhale poison and die already, he grabs him by the hand and yanks him out of the area, right behind finn. "idiot.." he mumbles before moving closer to vinny Cimmorro: cimms kinda just like o_o while finn drags him out then goes liek "i didn't fucking know that thing was there!!" Finn: "rokka do you think you can negotiate with the wolf???" he shouts Rokka: "huh? oh- y-yeah! I can try!"

Finn quickly runs ahead, and cuts Vinny free of his webbing, as he does the man falls to the floor coughing, regaining his breath.

Vinny: shaking his head he fumbles around as he gets to his feet "t-thank you!" 

Quickly getting up from being dragged around on the floor, Cimmorro stands and casts shield of faith on Vinny. He shoots a look at Finn and Rokka, holding his action in case their ‘negotiation’ goes awry.

Rokka: rokka charges through the cloud and turns to the wolf "heyyy wolfyyyy we don't have to fight! let's talk this out!" he signals with his hands to ease up ??: the wolf rears back on its haunches and growls as it turns its head towards you "you are trespassing..." the fur on its back bristles Rokka: rokka subtly moves into an attack stance "we didn't mean to! we're just trying to find a way out, if you can help us that would be great!" ??: it growls again "no one is allowed to have knowledge of this place, you cannot leave after getting here" it rears up again "i must guard it, and remove all witnesses of it" Rokka: rokka whimpers a little bc noooo why must we do this and he quickly yells out to the vengaboys "KILL IT OR WE DIE!" Psalm: 😃

Rokka quickly flies into a rage, slicing through the wolf. It flinches at the slices but levels him with a glare as his ancestral guardians begin to circle it, ghostly lupin's faces appearing in the mist. Soon after, Cimm lets out a roar of his own to try and frighten the wolf, but it simply levels him with a glare and lets out a loud howl at the air, unbothered.

Psalm quickly scuttles off to hide behind a tree and sit near a stump, shooting off a few more blasts from a distance.

Han: psalm literally just walking off 🚶‍♂️ Rokka: i am benching MYSELF

Free from his restraints, Vinny rushes away as fast as he can, activating his witchbolt again to deal damage to the wolf. In turn, the wolf rounds on Finn, pouncing and taking a bite out of his shoulder, though he resists the urge to be thrown prone to the ground by the pressure of it.

The wolf then shakes itself again, releasing another cloud of poison spores in the area, Finn simply stops breathing while Rokka manages to resist it despite his sensitive nose.

Seeing the failed negotiations taking place Keva weighs her options as she approaches the wolf, speaking up once more.

Keva: first i'm going to say to the wolf "we're looking for botty. do you know them?" ??: at mention of the name the wolf tilts its head in your direction surprised before it crouches low and growls, though you aren't sure why Keva: keva's trying to talk to it as calmly as she can "we found a bunch of cows" and she points to them "and there was a sign that said return to botty, but then we accidentally ended up here. we don't want to hurt you"

Staring at the wolf, Rokka gets the sense that it didn't like that they knew Botty, or their name, as opposed to being opposed to Botty themselves

Rokka: "I THINK THEY KNOW BOTTY!" rokka yells out to Keva: "okay well can you tell it we brought their fucking cows and can we go now???????" Rokka: "it understands! keep talking i think it's workin!" Keva: keva just gives rokka a wild look like wtf am i supposed to keep saying ??: the wolf glares at keva before turning its head in the direction of the cows, it glares at her again and growls but steps back a little, its attention now focused in the direction she pointed, it still appears alert however. Keva: she tries anyway "do..." keva kinda shrugs bc she has no idea what this dog wants other than to kill them "do you want to take...the cows.........to botty instead of us? we can go, we didn't mean to end up here" very doubtful this will work but she's trying "we don't know who botty is" Han: these convos going on for more than 6 seconds so hans just been standing here like DO I SHOOT THIS THING OR NOT * SHAKING WITH REPRESSED BLOODLUST *

??: the wolf growls again as it continues inching back, it doesn't seem less aggressive but it seems less interested in you all for the moment, it quickly jumps back into the darkness of the foliage dispersing with spore mist.

The wolf appears again, bounding out of the bushes in front of the cows, as it levels the idle beasts with a look.

Plum: plum screams ??: after a moment the wolf whips its head back to the sky and howls, different from the howls before, this almost seems to resonate in the air vibrating the air Han: han drops her archer posture "WAHT is HAPPENINGGGG"

Suddenly the group begin to hear in the distance, great loud thumping sounds… as they listen closer it sounds like a constant rumbling, accompanied by a random THUMP, SNAP, WHUMP, CRACK every other few seconds as it gets closer and closer.

Plum and Cimmorro standing near one another, feel like whatever it is its going to barrel right into where they’re standing. Cimmorro quickly manages to dive and skid out of the way across the grass safely.

The rest of the party watch on as bursting out of the trees and foliage they see, a small wooden shack lofted high into the air. It’s being carried on the backs of four bipedal creatures, with mushrooms for heads.

They crash through the forest into the clearing, the fungus heads veering to a stop as they skid their feet across the grass. The shack tilts and shakes before the creatures settle themselves, quickly lowering the shack to the ground. Plum’s little legs dont carry them too far unlike Cimmorro, they get knocked backwards rolling 10 feet away into the grass, they soon recover sitting up, their head feeling very dizzy.

> 🎵 Phosbat Cave (One or Two Bulbs on, Phosbat Near (In the Dark)) / Pikmin 3 OST

From the front of the shack they see an old woman whip the door open with a kick and bring her fingers to her lips, she lets out a loud whistle. As she does the wolf’s ears perk up, and it quickly rushes towards her direction, skidding to a stop just beside the door, coming to a heel.

??: they hear the woman speak up “good boy! good boy! ooooh aren’t you so good at keeping watch for mummy, yes you are, yes you are!” she begins cooing and scratching the gargantuan creature behind the ears, though you see no change in the creature's expression it carefully tilts its head for the scratchies. Keva: keva lets out some of the breath she's been holding but doesn't quite relax yet Cimmorro: cimm on the floor in shock Rokka: rokka like wtf is going on Han: han reeling from the tonal change rn, she doesnt put bow or arrow away but walks closer and is throwing her hands in the air "I SAY!! WHAT!!! IS HAPPENINGGGGG" wailing

??: the woman turns her head around to the rest of you and the scene around her as she scratches the dog “hmm? we got some funny guests while mummy was gone? oooh you gave them a good thrashing i'm sure, yes you did yes you did !” she cackles loudly and whacks her knee. Vinny: at her strange demeanor and act vinny seems to pale slightly. Psalm: Uh yeah.. i'm just gonna watch this unfold from a distance

Han does a quick walk over to Vinny to check him over, throwing a glance at Cimmorro and Plum to make sure they also arent concussed she walks over to the old woman.

Han: "EXCUSE MEEEE who are youuu" Cimmorro: cimms gonna try to get up while collecting jasper clutching on his shoulder and just eyes whatever is going on Plum: plum gonna stay seated on this nice grass Finn: finn walks up to her (not too close. respectful distance) and clears his throat "so youre botty then?" Botty: she turns to you two as she finally waves the wolf off, it settles on its feet, laying next to her at attention. she puts her hands on her hips and gives you a gnarled grin amused at han's exasperation, before pointing at finn "hmmm know my name do ya little man?" as she stares at you she leans forward as if to inspect you "...think we got some things in common buddy!" she cackles again and leaning back "normally i dont like people knowing me, but i see you've found my beloved little kids over there" she gestures at the cows "- is what my boy here tells me" she whaps a hand on the wolfs back Han: han looks between botty and finn a  couple times trying to look for similarities "you both have huge ego?" Botty: she stares at you a moment and cackles again leaning her head back "ahhhh i like you already!" Han: ok han beams at her since she got good grade in milf 😳 Finn: finn is surprised at her inspecting and nearly staggers. however at hans comment he facepalms briefly. attention back to botty he goes "whatever do you infer? do those mushrooms actually grant you immortality?" he tilts his head "but yes indeed, we did find your cows...it does seem awfully contradictory to have your name on a sign when you dont want to be known.. but i digress" Botty: she turns back to finn "dunno if id call it that, but these little guys well... a little here and there can do things for you, though between you and me not everyone can make em work like that" she scratches her chin as she considers her words. Vinny: suddenly in your head [finn] you hear the words "....she's a wiiiitch..." being whispered by vinny, as you shoot a casual glance back at him he's looking away with a hand covering his mouth Botty: botty continues "if you don't label your property around here all sorts like to stick their hands in" she rolls her eyes exaggeratedly "a necessary evil"

Finn: "oh?" finn tilts his head "so it doesnt work on any being, or is not just anyone able to utilize them like you do?" @ vinny he thinks to himself "what a weirdo..." Botty: she folds her arms amused "trade secret little man, i dont think youll be figuring it out anytime soon" she turns her attention to the cows again waltzing over as she picks up the loose rope, directing them slowly one by one to walk into the shack Plum: "hear that @ han @ cimm, probably best we don't fuck around with the mushrooms then" Cimmorro: "it just made me more curious if anything.." Han: after finn speaks han goes "oh, oh, yah, we wanted to take samples of those mushrooms!! do you know how to make it work??" Botty: she glances towards you "hm? budding alchemists are you?" she grins "and here im doing you the favour already of letting you walk away with my name.... well a little wouldn't hurt i suppose" she follows the cows into the shack briefly as the door swings shut behind her.

The group hear a few strange knocking and grinding sounds before Botty kicks the door back open. She carries a small jar in hand with little straw wrappings on the lid. She idly chucks it at Han, glancing inside she sees a small snipped off portion of the mushroom buried in soil, glowing softly.

Plum: plum genuinely surprised rn Cimmorro: ^ same Han: "oh fuck yea!!" she turns to plum n cimm and waves it at them "she gave me mushroom guys!!!!" ^O^ Plum: "i'm genuinely surprised you got that, nice job" Han: han looks over the bottle curiously "can we use it just like this??" Botty: she laughs again "no lady, you need to grow that for a bouuut a week or so in the dark, then itll bloom a great big one, cut that off and you got your flesh stitcher. though the rest of it will shrivel up after, one time use" Han: hans like woah she called me lady............... but she nods at the rest of the info Cimmorro: cimm gives you the wolf fist pump but strained due to the pain he's in “do these things only grow around here...? also why cows” Finn: "and youre not teaching this to anyone i take it?" he seems somewhat relieved and relaxes visibly. nothing for uncle vorde to worry about it would seem Botty: she eyes you cimm as he speaks up "mmmmm, no, but this forests a good place to grow 'em. places rich in life and darkness, and all the things that like to crawl around in those places" at the cow question she simply tilts her head grinning "aren't they cute?" she raises a curious brow towards finn and leans towards you again "scared of fungus are ya little man? but yes I'm quite protective over my..... practices" she scratches a gnarled finger on her chin Cimmorro: he nods and goes "oh, well, yes, actually, they are. well behaved too! with our time with them that is... but i assume they often get lost for you to put up a sign like that?" Botty: "the fungus...." she waves a finger next to her ear "makes them a little too docile..so they just go wandering where they please the moment i look away" she shakes her head "not much self preservation instinct"  Finn: finn once again staggers backwards ever so slightly "i am not afraid of a little fungus! ive got much worse to deal with, as you strangely mustve understood from a single glance! apparently!" he sighs and calms himself "i merely ask because word of your 'practices' has already traveled beyond your woods, you see. since your guard dog here" he glances at jotchua "told us he leaves no witnesses i cant help but wonder if youve been backstabbed or some such misfortune" Plum: plum is gonna mutter to finn "you might want to be careful about letting her know that your uncle knew about her, i dunno..." Finn: finn gives you a glance of acknowledgement regarding this....like... I Got It Bro Plum: pleading eyes like ok i have no choice but to believe in u rn Psalm: sensing an impending diplomacy disaster psalms gonna wander over

Han: han blinks n puts 2 n 2 together n then gasps "ARE YOU.......... ONE OF THE WITCHES........." hands clasped stars in her eyes Botty: she grins a little again "i sure am, one of the funnies in the forest they like to whisper about" at that she shoots a glance at vinny who is pointedly not returning eye contact. she turns back to finn and snickers at his reaction "you'd be surprised what things people like you worry about..." at the rest of the information he tells her, her face seems to take on an eerily serious expression, still grinning but she seems to be clenching her teeth a little "...what exactly have you heard little man?" Plum: plum facepalming at this devleopment btwn finn and botty rn like dragging their hand down their face Han: han turns back to the rest of the party esp cimm like OH EM GEE WE DID IT.. WE MET A WITCH....

Cimmorro gives Vinny a glance curious at his reactions, he gets the sense he has some apprehension regarding witches in general, as opposed to knowing her personally.

Finn: he meets her with an equally serious expression and speaks plainly "merely a rumor about a strange form of magic being practiced around these parts. nothing incriminating as you can see" he pauses "ive no interest in your practice or spreading more rumors either, we merely ran into your guard dog" Cimmorro: "oh so it affects them in that nature? then would such risks be imposed if and when we find ourselves needing to use the fungus ourselves?" Han: "oh, ye, by chance, now that said dog isnt eating half of us, can we pet it" Botty: she leans into Finn again her expression unchanging "i asked you what EXACTLY you heard" she pokes his chest with her gnarled finger. she doesnt glance at cimmorro as she answers still staring at finn "you and the fungus share your body essentially, it can influence your personality a little...unless you get used to telling it quiet down, they're not too crazy though" she turns her head to han still leaning into finn intimidatingly "if you ask him reaaal nicely" Cimmorro: "how intriguing... thank you for sharing it with us. i'm sure it's not exactly easy to part with, especially with uh..." he looks between her and finn "yeah." Finn: "exactly what i said. strange magic being practiced. i did hear that it might be related to blood? clearly way off the mark. thats it, truly" Botty: she leans back finally squinting at you as if confused "blood? where?" Finn: finn merely tilts his head like I Dont Get It Either Man

Han: hans like I GOT THIS BRO and turns to the wolf with the most star filled eyes she can muster, no words required ??: the wolf stares at you now free of aggression... but also pretty neutrally Han: slowly.........reaching...out hand................................ ??: the wolf eyes your hand...... Keva: ooh ooh i wanna pet the dougy too ??:it swivels its head ever so slightly in your direction as you approach Cimmorro: cimm watches everyone pet the dog that just bit him and turns to botty again "ehh... what is the dog's name, by the way? he looks like a jotchua" Botty: she turns again "hm? oh thats little benny boyyy, i like jotchua though... maybe ill use it for a cow..." Cimmorro: "oh, benny :) (<- strained smile) very... strong jaw strength " he shakes his head lightly "anyway, if you could regale me for another question, do you know anything or anyone that could be related to curses about lava? vomiting it, specifically..." Botty: she grins again at the teeth marks "he's a good boy, curses though? what you got some hex on you fella, someone here give you the evil eye?" Benny: he doesnt sniff but he doesnt recoil... the pets are accepted from the two women. Rokka: rokka shuffles close to benny and quickly says "sorry about earlier benny" bark bark avoiding his eyes Benny: the wolf huffs a little beneath the petting at you "we were merely conducting our duties, i would do again if need be" benny bears no hard feelings... war is war 

Plum: plum kinda rolls their eyes, "there's some cult activity we've been investigating that has largely to do with blood and we thought this forest might be a lead. but it's clearly not, is all" Psalm: "Would this not mean we don't have to continue onto the town to investigate by the way..." Plum: "probably not honestly" Psalm: psalm like man i fucking hope so tired of this forest Han: looks away from dougie "but...but more witches.........." Psalm: "I don't see why you think searching for witches is a good idea Han. Considering the giant wolf we just fought to get to this one." Han: "ye but its super cute" (sadaharu biting gintokis head off jpg) "and it only fight us because its protecting this place (probably). totally make sense. and botty is so nice to us now" :) Botty: she raises a brow "cccccccult?" she leans back even further with her hands on her hips humming to herself loudly, she listens to psalm’s conversation with han "you say town, beanpole?" Psalm: "I did in fact say that yes." He ignores the name. Han: han laughs really loudly at beanpole Botty: she nods "which one" Psalm: “Greenpea." Finn: "a cult, yes. back in shorewater, doubt word of it wouldve traveled this far... lest?" Botty: botty thinks to herself at the name greenpea "ahhhhh that jingles a few bells...." she scratches the finger on her chin again, she turns back to finn cackling "nahh cults and whackjob funnies i know about dont make friends over the seas, they come here to do the opposite. BUT if you want someone messing with blood in greenpea lately, then i can think of two names that come to mind"

She flicks up two gnarled fingers beside her head as if sbout to elaborate, ther party stare on in rapt curiosity...

Notes

—

🏹 Han recieved「 Mysterious Fungus Bottle✨ 」

-👨‍👩‍👦‍👦👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 The Party recieved「 A Beating! 」

#recaps #woo

[jasposeyblog]

Misty Moo absolutely loves her really large box!

#Misty Moo #Misty Moo of Medford MA #cat #caturday #cats #cat in a box #cat nap #cat napping #happy cat

[happyheidi]

archive mb for collieflower215 (cows & wildflowers) ♡

#I love cows!!! #and it’s moo-nday!! so it fits perfectly! <3 #cottagecore #archive mb #I really like how this turned out! #cows #calfs #animals #nature #naturecore #flowers #flowercore #farmcore #cute #wildflowers #soft aesthetic #mist #misty #fog #foggy

[rhiannatruex]

misty moos but vertical

#queueue #cow #dairy cows #original photography #original photographer #photographers on tumblr #lensblr #original photography blog #photoblog #artists on tumblr #landscapes #landscape #landscape photography #landscape photographer #uncropped nature #nature #cottagecore #cottage core #grandmacore #ireland #travel #travel photo #travel blog #wanterlust

[patchworklabs89]

Meet my older kitteh Misty... Nicknames include: Fatty Fatty moo Mooms Chunkums Chunky- flunkums Fat meefs ..and so on...loves da fat kitteh! Ouo

#fat kitteh #misty moo #kitteh #cats #cat people #kitteh belly