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leviathans-watching · 1 year

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Hi!!! Could you write a mammon x reader piece where he and mc meet at a Royal ball and dance together and stuff? Pure fluff! Thanks <3

dancing with mammon at the royal ball

includes: mammon x gn!reader (no pronouns mentioned)

wc: .7k | rated g | m.list

a/n: ough this is going to be my brainrot for the next few days, i hope you enjoy!! my inbox is open to chat, req, or leave feedback so come stop by!

please reblog (or else /j)

“sir mammon, at your service.” the handsome man in front of you bows, and you introduce yourself, returning the formality.

“it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” you say. “i must give you my thanks for the protection you provide this country, as without you knights this nation would have probably fallen to ruins. i am from the countryside, and quite sheltered to ways of the palace, but i still know of all the good the battalions have done.”

sir mammon laughs. “it is my pleasure, so no thanks are needed. being out and actually helping sure beats sitting around in an office.”

“an office? were you an assistant before becoming a knight?”

“something like that,” he answers vaguely.

“what was it like, working in the palace? i am to become the new financial manager and must admit to being somewhat nervous.”

he looks at you with surprise, then a small smile appears on his face. “well, i have to imagine you’ll be working with the princes, so i’d guess quite busy. i’ve heard they’re a handful.”

before you can speak more, the orchestra begins to prep for the next set and he straightens. “if you do not have a partner lined up, may i have this dance?”

“you may,” you reply cordially, holding out your gloved hand. hopefully, he thinks the flush on your cheeks is due to mere excitement for dancing rather than to your specific partner.

you join the line of couples entering the floor, and after a moment, the piece begins. you’re no bad dancer, but he truly puts you to shame. his form is impeccable, his steps neat and clean, and his manner the most cordial and charming.

“you are quite talented at dancing, sir,” you exclaim as he spins you, and he smiles.

“your praise flatters me.”

“oh, it is no praise,” you argue with a laugh, “but the mere truth! your skill far surpasses any of my previous partners.”

“have there been many?” he asks. “previous partners, i mean.”

“a fair amount,” you admit, seeing no need to play coy; such a handsome man as himself would likely have a queue of his own. “many a man has tried his hand at being my dance partner in hopes of securing something more permanent. but alas, i’m not looking for marriage so they’ve never been successful.”

“i see,” sir mammon replies. “i will choose to be grateful for that, as it were. had you been looking for marriage we may never have had this chance to dance.”

“now who’s the flatterer?” you ask, raising a brow, and his grin is dazzling.

“i only speak the truth,” he says, repeating your previous words back to you. “for you are one of the most attractive partners i have ever had the pleasure of dancing with.”

his blue eyes are intent upon yours, and with a small gasp you look away. he does not press, merely continuing to lead you through the steps. his hands are strong and broad, gloved as they are, and you can see the strength wired into his arms, shoulders, and back as he moves, not at all hidden by the smart cut of his suit.

the set comes to a regretable end.

“too soon,” sir mammon murmers, giving you a rougish look as he bows. “i would ask you for another go, but i fear that would be horribly improper of me. would hate to give all of those hoping for a chance with you the wrong idea.”

“that’s probably the smart choice,” you say, wishing for once you could let go enough to act stupid. “i wish you a good rest of the ball, sir mammon.”

taking your hand in his, he presses his lips to the back of your knuckles, warm even through the fabric separting his skin from yours. you shiver. “you as well. enjoy your time in the city.”

it’s not until later, when the seven princes are announced and you hear a familiar name, do you realize just who you were dancing with. prince mammon, apparently famed for his skill on the battlefield and praised for his hands-on contribution to the war is second in line to the throne behind prince lucifer.

somehow, his eyes find yours in the crowd. he gives you a quick wink and you know with sudden, concrete surety, you’ll be seeing quite a bit of the princes as he’d predicted, and with any luck, a good deal of the second prince whilst completing your duties as the financial manager.

leviathans-watching's work - please do not copy, repost, or claim as your own

#obey me #obey me game #obey me shall we date #omswd #mammon avatar of greed #mammon obey me #obey me mammon #om mammon #mammon om #obey me x you #obey me x reader #mammon x you #mammon x reader #obey me fluff #obey me au #anon ask #answered asks #leviswriting #leviswriting-obeyme

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bougainvillea-and-saltwater · 4 months

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Jiraak OC relationship ask: 5, 31, 32, 38, 40, 61 and 100! (only if it’s no trouble! I’m incredibly nosy :3)

I LOVE NOSY!!! BE NOSY ALL YOU LIKE!!! Thank you so much for asking about my stupid blorbos!!! 💖🥺

💕ask game💕

5. What is something they like to do together?

Ah, many things! Firstly, I can see them enjoying learning from each other since they're both very inquisitive—Jia teaches Miraak alchemy, while he teaches her magic, mostly restoration and alteration. They like cooking together (Miraak's not there yet, but he tries okay; he loves eating though! 🥲), and they even like to stay close in comfortable silence; I promise, though, Jia loves it when listens to him humming Atmoran shanties and/or psalms from his Dragon Priest era! Having been out of Apocrypha, she knows he'd appreciate walks in the sun and picnics in the frosty woods by Heljarchen Hall, as well as gazing at the aurora and the stars at night, feeding the birds nestling in her roof tiles, tending the flowers in her garden, and generally, being reintroduced to the world with her helping him remember every single detail...🥰

31. How would they describe one another.

Due to the nature of their soul bond (which hasn't been clarified completely in my fic yet...👀) I can only imagine them describing one another the way Emily Bronte did it in Wuthering Heights, which is to say not so romantic, but with a tint of pain and inevitability instead:

“He is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. If all else perished and he remained, I should still continue to be, and if all else remained, and we were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger. He’s always, always in my mind; not as a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.”

32. Can they communicate private thoughts whilst in company? If so, how?

I mean,,, they can read each other's minds if they try hard enough! There's a scene in my fic where Miraak just. skims through Jia's memories and almost uncovers her worst fear (wow, rude much, Miraak? 😤). Also, they tend to recognize each other's mannerisms. For example, Jia has very specific ways she moves when she's nervous, angry, excited, etc, and Miraak, being very observant, knows how to interpret them even if she can't speak her mind at a specific moment, and vice versa.

38. What would be their ideal evening in?

So, both in Heljarchen Hall and Breezehome, Jia has purposely left a piece of her wooden canopy a little open (just so, she can't stand the cold!), so the light of the night sky always slips right into her room. I imagine an ideal evening in would be her lying in bed with Miraak, both moonbathed, talking to each other, discussing everything, good and bad, tales and real segments of their lives, until the night eventually turns into day, and instead of starlight/moonglow, they are cloaked by the warmth of the sunlight and birbs' chirps...🥰

40. THE OLD WITCH SLEEP AND THE GOOD MAN GRACE BY THE AMAZING DEVIL.

Their shared trauma, their pain, their despair, their attempts to give strength to one another ["You're better than this" He says as a hand slaps my face and I stand And say, "No good man grace" I can't do this (you can)] AND ["Oh, sleep now," oh, she pleads "You're not a coward 'cause you cower You're brave because they broke you Yet broken still you breathe So breathe, breathe, just breathe"]

Not to mention the "'Cause you are in the earth of me", which for Plot Significance makes me jump around like a monkey. Ough. Just Ough...

61. How would they describe their S/O in one word?

Miraak for Jia: ember (a smouldering one...👀)

Jia for Miraak: angel (a bit fallen and corrupted but an angel nonetheless 😅)

100. Make a meme of this ship.

I am a bad Meme Maker myself, but I stumbled upon a Perfect Jiraak Meme on Pinterest, which is this right here and has a very "give me your hand" "I'll stain you" "I'll take it" vibe:

This also goes either way, for both.

#I'M SO SORRY FOR THE ESSAYS I HOPE I DIDN'T BORE YOU...😭#i love these two pathetic kittens too much...#miraak #oc: jia #miraak x ldb #otp: twin flames #the priest and the dragoness #skyrim fanfiction

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totaldramacruisecontrol · 17 days

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Last Time On Total Drama Cruise Control: Can You Take the Heat?

CHALLENGE 13: Kingston, Jamaica

“Hello, contestants! Are we feeling…hungry,” Chris grins. “Actually, I have an important announcement for everyone! Mascots, please come forward...” The Beaver and The Tapir waddle their way up the front of the bow, each holding their mascot flags. Neither speak. “Starting today, teams are no more. Yep, merge is here baby! Say goodbye to your lovable mascots! Buh bye-bye!” The Mascots silently wave, but Chris suddenly shoves them both overboard! You hear two distinct splashes… and silence. “From now on, you all will be fighting for immunity, and the winner of each challenge will get the luxury floor all to themselves! Well, actually…they’ll get to pick one person to join them and reap the spoils, if they wish. Yep! Your last chance to grab any hot Mascot merchandise is gone now. We're dumping all of it into the ocean!" “Well, enough talk. I hope everyone is ready to expand your flavor profile!” The boat bellows, docking on yet another beach. Wait, this place, to some of you, might be familiar! “The kind people of Jamaica were so gracious to overlook my last visit and allowed us to visit once more! WELCOME TO KINGSTON, JAMAICA!”

Chris leads everyone to the beach, where a delicious smell wafts through ... it's so good, it almost makes your mouth water! “See? I told you there was a reason Chef didn't serve you all breakfast today! Or lunch...I wanted everyone to be HUNGRY! Awww. Don’t give me that face, I didn't hire just anyone to make us food…everyone say hello to our guest star, DJ!” DJ is stirring a pot, the contents inside smelling absolutely divine. He adds a dash of his special spice with a smile. “Hey everyone! Long time no see!” He takes a taste test, content with his cooking. “Chris! It’s almost done!” “Awesome! Today’s challenge is an eating contest! But we aren't eating hotdogs or pie...we are eating DJ’s famous jerk chicken! And it's SPICY! This is an endurance test for your tastebuds!" “Wait a minute….I thought you said this was for the locals! No offense but this…this is too spicy for...um...C-Chris!” “They’ll be fiiiine! I've got milk for them! Uh…I think…uh…hm. Well, we had milk.” The mascots were supposed to wheel in the cart full of milk...uh… “....oops! Well, DJ, get to plating, and everyone else, sit down and get ready!” DJ scoops out a plate of jerk chicken, handing them out to each and everyone. He gives a soft, nervous smile and a tiny, “I’m sorry…” under his breath. "Be careful, don't eat it too fast. I don't want anyone getting a stomachache...." The jerk chicken smells amazing, but you can feel the heat radiating from it… “OK! Are you ready? Get set, GO!” ROUND ONE! Everyone passes with flying colors! ROUND TWO! RAJ, LIGHTNING AND ALEJANDRO COULDN'T TAKE THE HEAT! It's like a dice bot is against him or something. Alejandro freaking taps out. Lightning coughs out his food! "Man, that spice was rough!" Raj starts coughing. Ough. He pushes his plate towards Wayne. ROUND THREE! WAYNE, MK, AMY AND RIPPER ARE OUT! TOO HOT TO HANDLE! As Wayne kept eating Raj’s seconds…oh oh! It’s coming back out… Wayne spits out an actual fireball out of his mouth, dragon-style…he passes out with smoke emitting from his mouth and nostrils. coughs smoke…Did I win, Rajie? Amy's coughing so much. She's OUT. sorry alejandro </3 MK’s still eating and… Oh fuck turns out she had tastebuds the whole time. She practically snorts out smoke. Ripper's stomach gurgles dangerously, and a fart follows. Oh. THAT hurt. Another. That REALLY hurts. The plate in front of him is pushed forward. He freezes, a look of contemplation on his face. ROUND FOUR, FINAL ROUND! JO VS BRICK VS HAROLD! Brick tries to take a bite....he tries......he finally gives out! "Yeah, I'm here too," Harold sulks as he eats more freaking chickeng. There's a gurgling most unpleasant in his stomach. He fears there is not much time left for him. bathroom NOW

THE WINNER OF THE SPICY JERK CHICKEN CONTEST IS...JO!

Jo sneers at DJ, the plate empty in front of her. “That was supposed to be spicy? Give me a break.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------

ELIMINATION:

It was Brick who was served the Mocktail of Misery and walked the Plank of Shame. Brick marches up to the plank of shame, he turns around to look at them all. "Don't worry. This is a good thing for me. I am free from my torment. I was never very good at this game after all." His eyes land onto a certain individual.... "Be careful. Not everyone on this boat is who they say they are." Brick salutes one last time, and jumps off the plank! THANK YOU FOR PLAYING! HAVE A GOOD TRIP, SOLIDER! ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>The Sea Tails (Wayne, Raj, Ripper, Amy and Alejandro) celebrate Ripper's return with dinner at a sports bar. Wayne and Ripper share a gross fry kiss. Amy and Alejandro leave early. There's ketchup everywhere. >Ripper wins a live cassowary from the crane machine! It attacks him, makes Trent bald, and chases Raj. It attacks the door to the confessional he's hiding in and runs off of the ship. >Raj is freaked out because he's afraid of birds, which Lightning finds out about. Wayne tries to comfort Raj while Lightning helps Ripper in the med room. Wayne and Lightning go off to find the cassowary while Ripper and Raj stay in the cabin. >Ripper and Raj talk through trauma and try to comfort each other. They do a little counting thing together that Raj taught Ripper in order to calm each other. >Raj has a nightmare. Wayne and Lightning finally return after the cassowary is eaten by a shark and dies. Wayne, Raj, and Ripper throw fries into the ocean for fun and Raj refuses to sleep. >Lightning tells Amy and Alejandro about Raj’s fear of birds without knowing it was a secret. They throw Lightning under the bus to cover up the fact that Amy already knew. Raj gets upset with Lightning and ends their friendship. >Wayne almost reveals the bird secret to Harold. He has a panic attack and thinks that he disappointed Raj. Raj tries to comfort him. >Harold tries to see if his vampire cure potion works. Amy and Raj are there and so is Trent very briefly. It didn't appear to do anything. >Ripper and Wayne work out together, bake a cake together and plan a prank on Raj, running around to gather the things to pull it off. They also go grocery shopping together and Wayne gifts Ripper a little spinning top. >Alejandro and Raj finish a Lego set together! >Jo is in mourning after Brick's elimination. >DJ does improv therapy with Harold and Jo at his jerk chicken stand. He plans on meeting up with Harold after the game. Ripper visits at the same time Harold does and attempts to break his new record right there in the middle of their conversation. He does not succeed, but he does discuss cooking with DJ. >Ripper and Lightning share drinks at a bar. Ripper asks Lightning for an alliance, and he agrees to it. >Sierra is following the ship, and MK has a conversation with her. Sierra mentions that MK was dating Caleb in the past. They discuss shipping discourse. >Ripper also has a conversation with Sierra. He is loving all of the attention and talk about he and Wayne's relationship until she reveals she got information about him from his dying Nonna on the phone. She actually initiated the conversation using his real name. > Jo has a conversation with Sierra at a bar. Sierra learned information about Jo by calling her parents and paying them to give some to her. They discuss her time on Revenge and as well as her relationship with Brick, Courtney, and Scott. The mention of Brick makes her upset, but her mood returns very quickly after Sierra offers to make fun of people with her. >Harold and Amy go wig shopping. Harold also buys a stuffed puppy that he gifts to DJ. > Alejandro and Amy sit at a park together. Alejandro discusses a heavy conversation he had with Ripper at a bar in the Bahamas. It was a personal conversation and Ripper shared parts of it with her. Amy comforts Alejandro and they swap their phone and camera, two items they've been sharing.

#recap

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anika-ann · 4 years

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Errare Humanum Est - Pt.10

...and Drink It with Gusto

Type: series, soulmate AU series (part 1, part 2) x Supernatural

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader (past?) Word count: 3400

Summary: Steve’s a bit difficult (poor baby), not that anyone blames him. Sam Wilson makes a confession – sort of.

Warnings: mentions of violence, blood and death, alcohol, unhealthy coping mechanism, sad sad Steeb

A/N: dropping the chapter early, because I won’t have time to post for a bit

Story masterlist

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The mission hadn’t been a shitshow, surprisingly enough, but the reports to Fury had been. Natasha had spent the rest of the day, whole night and a better portion of the next day at the SHIELD HQ, having to deal with everything, because Stark had quite literally fled. To be fair, he had at least taken care of Steve’s still unconscious and very much muscular (read ‘really fucking heavy’) form.

Tired and annoyed, Natasha finally landed with small jet at the Tower, making her way to her room, wishing nothing more but to shower and get some fucking sleep.

Of course, walking through the common room, she should have known she wouldn’t be that lucky.

She heard his icy yet somewhat cheery voice before she even saw him and it made her stop in her tracks, dreading facing him. She was too tired for his reproaches now.

“AH! There she is!”

Natasha took a deep breath, closing her eyes and mentally counting to three.

“Here’s ‘ur soulmate ex-pert!” Steve howled again, making her heart clench.

Black Widow was not a coward, but neither her nor Natasha liked dealing with feelings too directly – the jet was enough to get her fill for several years prior. She scanned the room before she would settle on him – and sure enough, she and Steve weren’t alone.

Bruce was standing indecisively by the door, torn and helpless expression on his face, his eyes one big question mark, asking Natasha how the hell he was supposed to deal with that.

Good question, Bruce, good question.

The smell of booze and Steve’s demeanour were unmistakable, but she silently asked anyway.

“Is he…?”

“Yeah. He… uhm… he found Thor’s stash,” the scientist answered her in equally hushed voice, inconspicuously pointing towards the counter where three flasks lay, emptied. Jesus.

Steve apparently heard and saw them anyway, because his voice bellowed again in reaction to their conversation. His words were slurred.

“Goooood friend Thor. Thou’ he t’ied to take my g’l. Nooot a g’d friend. Baaaad, bad friend.”

“Oh bozhe moy…” Natasha whispered under her breath and Steve turned to her, looking almost excited to see her.

Which didn’t mean he didn’t look like absolute shit. He had a t-shirt stained with the alcohol, his eyes red-rimmed, bruise-like dark circles under them as if he hadn’t slept for a year.

She hadn’t thought he could get worse than in the quinjet. Clearly, she was wrong.

“’tasha! Greeeeat ‘dvice you gave me,” he exclaimed, trying to rise from his spot on the couch where he had been half-lying like a dead fish casted ashore.

Natasha resisted the urge to massage her temples as the headache started to build. She tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach at the audible edge to his voice, the accusation glaring at her from his eyes.

“Steve…”

He finally stumbled to his feet and she noticed another flask secured in his right hand. He held it out as if he was pointing at her.

“Tried wat’ you s-said. Hurts,” he hiccupped, the sound blending with a sob. He cleaned his nose with the back of his hand hastily. “S-saw her grave. Fuck it hurts… ‘dis thing’s good ‘ough.”

Natasha bit the inside of her cheek, her mind racing. She didn’t need to call anyone for advice now. Her friend was shitfaced. The only thing she could do was to get him to bed and try not to antagonize him or trigger something worse than… whatever this was. She wasn’t sure if moving on from being snowed under work – voluntarily – was more or less healthy than drinking himself into oblivion. But she counted any change that wasn’t a step towards a suicide (possibly assisted by the last of Hydra goons) like a progress.

“Is he drunk?” Tony’s incredulous voice ringed from the doorway and Natasha didn’t even bother spinning on her heels to him, hearing him enter and close the distance between them as he stopped at her side. “Cap?”

Blood froze in Natasha’s veins and she was swift to call out, but it was too late. “No- don’t call-!”

So much for not triggering him and making it worse. She could see how he suddenly stood straighter as if he swallowed a wooden ruler, and an indefinable expression appeared on his face.

She gulped in anticipation of a storm.

“Cap!” he called out, mimicking Tony and the billionaire realized his mistake, judging by the silent dammit that left his lips. Steve raised the flask in a mock toast, turning around and nearly tipping over his feet. “Captain ‘merica! What a heeero! Cheers to him!” He took a long sip before continuing, his gestures animated. “Swin’ in, safe th’m all! Kill his g’l, why ‘ven care… hero, murd’r, potato, tomatho…” his voice slurred into a murmur, until he spotted a newcomer and came to life again. “Ah! Hey, Clint!”

Clint was quick to understand the situation and it took one glance at Natasha for them to agree what needed to be done. He approached Steve cautiously with his features emotionless.

“We should get you to bed-“

“Nope! No!” Steve howled instantly, taking several steps backwards to get out of Clint’s reach. His expression was dark, tears welling in his eyes. “Smell like h’r. Not ‘nymore. Hurts!” he sobbed, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead, his figure swaying dangerously as he closed his eyes and lost the visual control of his balance. “Hurts!”

“Come on, Steve…” Clint coaxed him gently, attempting to close the distance between them again. His gaze flickered to Bruce and Tony and they took few steps towards Steve as well.

“Nope! Gotta-ta sssay sm’thin’!” Christ, Natasha had never seen him like this and she wanted to bleach both her eyes and ears. He pointed the flask at Clint resolutely. “You knew. You warn h’r. Fuck-fuck up. Shouldva told- I ain’t gettin’ killed. I kill h’r.”

“Steve…” Natasha approached him as well, grimacing when she saw the flash of emotion on Clint’s face.

Steve spun to her immediately, this time accusing her. “And you! Gooood job. Pushin’ us togthe’. You kill h’r too.”

“Hey! Watch it!” Tony snapped at him, running out of patience, but Natasha knew Steve didn’t quite mean it. Pushing them together wasn’t her fault – the fact she had tranquilized him was her sin and she was aware he had the right to be mad at her.

“Your friggin’ ‘stem! You too- n’t fly fast ’nough!“

“Steve, you’re wasted. You’re going to bed before you say more things you regret,” Bruce said calmly after Steve managed to finish his roll and blame another person.

Bruce speaking up gave the captain a pause and he looked like his brain froze. His brows knitted together and he nodded, another sob erupting from his throat, his inhale shaking his whole being as he crossed the distance to Bruce, murmuring.

“Regert. Her. My folt, no yours. Kill h’r. Miss her. Shouldva s-s-saved her. Pick h’r… love h’r. Hurts. Hurts s’much…”

Steve’s large frame enveloped Bruce, resting his whole impressive weight on him. The scientist was nearly tripped over – except a hint of green flushed his neck, Hulk coming to rescue before the other men and Natasha rushed to help. Steve went completely limp, the flask falling to the ground, the little liquid remaining in it spilling and staining the carpet. No one cared as they tried to support the supersoldier’s goo-like body, exchanging desperate glances.

“Well, that was… enlightening,” Tony summarized, his poor attempt at joke that not even he apparently believed in barely gaining any reaction.

Clint sighed. “Please, this is hardly any news. We knew he blamed himself.” He readjusted Steve’s arm he had slung around his shoulders and Tony’s right side of suit came to the rescue, taking most of the weight off from the billionaire. “I hate this, but I think he needs this.”

Natasha wasn’t so sure about that, but yeah, Steve definitely needed to start accepting the reality. It was probably a natural reaction to want to dull the pain with something else when work was off limits. She pressed her lips together as their whole grouped slowly made their way to Steve’s room.

“Let’s just get him to bed.”

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Not many people could probably brag they had Black Widow’s number. Well, probably no one could, because if they told a living soul, they’d meet their end. So Sam Wilson didn’t brag. And he sure as hell didn’t call her first.

That said, he did not hesitate when she called him with location and time to meet, no greeting, no goodbye. Rude, but he’d take it. He had more than one reason, not that he would advertise it.

So there he was, sipping coffee from a take-away cup as he sat in Central Park with Black Widow, both of them having the best super-spy disguise; sunglasses and baseball caps.

The silence between them was getting awkward and Sam couldn’t take the tension anymore.

“Well, this is much more… civil than our last meeting,” he noted casually, hating to admit he was… nervous.

“I’m not gonna say sorry,” Ms.Romanoff hummed back, sipping her latté.

“Guess I wouldn’t expect that…”

He didn’t expect her to face him either but she did, a reminiscence of a sad smile gracing her lips. The warmth around his heart was familiar and not entirely unwelcomed. He found himself longing after seeing her whole face.

“I’m saying thank you, though.”

Huh.

“Didn’t expect that either,” he admitted and one corner of her lips rose higher in a smirk. Sam had a hunch she loved surprising people – or rather shocking them. “How did it go?”

She huffed out a sound that could only mean frustration and Sam grimaced. Confrontation usually didn’t go very good, but this sounded awful.

“That well, huh?”

“No, no…” she shook her head, red curls swaying around her head elegantly. “He’s… an asshole. He fell asleep on a mission. In a cockpit. When he was piloting. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but God bless Stark’s inventions and auto-piloting,” she grunted and removed the cap of her cup before taking a long sip of her coffee.

She seemed to be gathering thoughts. Sam might not be able to see her eyes, but he did learn to read people. She didn’t like talking about feelings, but she was making an exception. Whether it was because of him, because of his job or because she wished to help her friend so badly, that remained a mystery. Either was pleasing though, the action itself intriguing Sam.

He had given her a lot of thought after their first unconventional meeting. He could not get her out of his head and for a good reason, of course.

He came to a conclusion that… despite her manners, she probably wasn’t a bad person. There were rumours about her past, but everyone had one. She was with the Avengers now, getting clean and the present and willingness to fix mistakes often mattered more than what had been done – especially when it came to a past like her own. Sam had made living by helping people dealing with their past actions and failures; judging her would be a hypocrisy and as far as he knew, he was a killer too. And if it came to it, he would punch, sliced or shot his way out again.

“It’s just… he’s… he’s really at the bottom,” she Natasha spoke softly, emotions lacing her voice. Regret. Compassion. Helplessness. Sam knew all those too well. “Seeing him going from one mission to another just to pass out in exhaustion was bad enough, because I knew it was wrong, but… seeing him drink himself into oblivion? One time only, but it was a nightmare. And seeing Steve doing nothing? Struggling to find a purpose, himself… that’s just…”

“It sucks. But he has a good friend in you. He needs time.”

“I know that, it’s… I wish there was someone hurting him so I could just punch them in their face and call it a day. But that one guy blew himself to hell and the others just… don’t really matter, getting them doesn’t do much help to Steve.”

Sam couldn’t help but smile softly as she said Captain’s name. It held a meaning – he was clearly dear to her and it went way beyond professional relationship. Not that the fact alone that she had shown up at Sam’s apartment the way she had wasn’t enough of an evidence. Not to mention her surprising openness.

“It’s a long way to recovery, Natasha.”

Her first name just slipped past his lips unwittingly, but he didn’t feel like apologizing. The informal space they found themselves in, the honest open conversation… first names suited it better. He was aware he sounded like he was speaking from experience on top of that, but it wasn’t like she didn’t know. She had done a thorough research on him.

As if she agreed with him feeling his surroundings and the atmosphere, she put away her glasses, her green eyes burning with honesty when she met his – he automatically lost the barrier too, because it felt unjust for her to be left… vulnerable like that.

“I’m truly sorry about poking at your past, Sam,”

Sam felt the last remains of hostility towards her resolve. That apology meant more than he had realized it would.

“Thanks. I get it, you know. Being worried for someone so much… he’s gonna be okay, eventually. Scarred, but okay.”

“He could be better than that…” she sighed, leaning onto the backrest of the bench tiredly.

“What was that?”

“When I confronted him on the plane… he told me he had another words,” she revealed hesitantly as if she wasn’t sure if it was her secret to tell.

Sam’s heart positively stopped. Was she telling the truth or was this a game? Did she know about his own too? He swallowed the panic when he saw her resigned gaze.

She wasn’t playing no game.

“Two soulmates. That’s rare,” he remarked, a lump growing in his throat. His palms started sweating and he hated it. Fortunately, Natasha didn’t seem to notice – or she politely ignored it, her voice dry and laced with a bit of irritation.

“He never wants to meet her.”

“That’s not rare.”

Sam would know. He had struggled with the same feeling, after all. He wanted to forget the world existed. He wanted to live peacefully and alone. It was probably no coincidence fate sent him Black freaking Widow as the one – if she was willing, Sam would not be alone. And definitely wouldn’t get ‘peace’.

If he was being truly honest with himself, he wouldn’t be able to say he minded.

“He thinks… he thinks he doesn’t deserve her or something.”

Sam sighed, mentally chuckling at the irony of fate once more. The Universe did have a messed up sense of humour, didn’t it?

“Because he thinks he blew his chance. Because he thinks that he will mess it up again and fail her. And it feels like being unfaithful,” he offered, venting his own feelings for the first time.

He had never told that to anyone, ashamed of the set of words sitting on his other collarbone, appearing shortly after Riley’s death. Why did he tell her of all people? He wanted to question his own actions, he barely knew the woman, but… there was a significant but, wasn’t there?

Her emerald eyes were searching on his face, recognition lighting them up. She fidgeted, something he hadn’t seen her do before and he was sure not many people had either. It was a privilege and while his heart started racing, seeing her nervous eased his own nerves the tinniest bit.

“…yeah. I guess. You… uhm, you dealt with someone like that too?” she asked, looking away, seemingly intrigued by something in the distance.

Sam didn’t buy it and swallowed loudly.

“Just one case in my whole carrier.”

“What did you tell them?” she queried gently, her shoulders tense.

Sam shrugged. He told himself a lot of things, but he wasn’t certain they were all presentable.

“Never figured it out. First, the meeting with his other soulmate was a bit unconventional. He kinda hated her,” he admitted, glancing at her with the corner of his eye. She gave almost an inconspicuous nod, her gaze casted down. She took it as a rejection, he realized. “Then he started thinking and realized she wasn’t too bad. He’s still struggling to make up his mind – whether he should try. Whether she would want to. She would be a catch though, no doubt,” he lighted it up, biting the inside of his cheek right after.

Was he really trying to flirt now?

One corner of her lips rose in a smirk. “Somehow I doubt that. Sounds like a bitch.”

Sam wanted to chuckle at the joke, but then her eyes lifted to him and his heart just… stopped, the amused sound stuck in his throat. He had to clear it to be able to speak up, but it did nothing under the intensity of her gaze.

“Not to me. Not anymore.”

Natasha licked her lips – and Sam would lie if he claimed he did not mirror the motion instinctively – and finished her drink.

“Wouldn’t do that if I were you, huh? That must have been a pleasant surprise when it appeared,” she stated, a hint of amusement along with relief that the secret, the whatever that had been hanging between them, was finally addressed.

Sam snorted, not necessarily because he found his next statement funny.

“Yeah and I bet growing up in Russia and have an English soulmark must have been walk in a park.”

Good, there was so much sarcasm in his voice he might even feel ashamed. But the redhead – his second soulmate, holy shit, it really happened – didn’t seem to be offended.

“Wow, this almost beats the way Steve met his and that was some story….”

“Yeah, I bet.”

Silence fell on them then, both of them unsure how to continue and where to go from here. They found each other – their other half, supposedly, but no one could tell the outcome.

She was an Avenger. Sam was a therapist, a veteran at ridiculously young age, because he had lost his partner. They had a perfect example of how wrong it could go, served on silver plate – it was how they had met for God’s sake. But once again – Sam would lie when saying he didn’t miss some of the adrenalin. He did. A lot, actually.

The reason he had left the field was his soulmate. Was there any better reason to get back in when the need would rise, than another soulmate?

“Do you want to explore this?” Sam broke the uncomfortable silence, lacking the courage to look at her expression. The tension in her shoulders he could almost feel told him enough. He didn’t want to see her rejection. Did he want to see her agreement though?

“Do you?” she hummed back, staring ahead just like him.

“That’s the million dollar question.”

Riley had been… his everything. But could he ignore something like this? Could he ignore the opportunity, a woman who was no doubt fabulous and he was already finding interesting and that apparently was matching his sense of humour? Did he believe in fate? Did he have the right to try again?

Deep down, Sam knew he had already made his mind about it. Now it only depended on her.

“But I keep telling everyone to move on,” he mused out loud, catching her gaze. “Try to live. Some do. Neither of them had the… advantage of having another soulmate if we can call it that.”

Small smile appeared on Natasha’s lips, new twinkle lighting up her eyes and Sam knew he had made the right decision, no matter the outcome.

He didn’t complain when she rose to her feet to clearly leave though – they had enough to deal with today, they needed more time to think of how to approach this.

“Okay. Okay then… You have my number. Call me,” she offered simply, saying goodbye only with a nod and spun on her heels.

“Oh, I will!”

She casted a flirty grin over her shoulder and Sam found himself smiling.

“Hey, you bowl?” he blurted out the first idea that came to his mind and this time she stopped in her tracks, her smile turning almost wolfish. It might have done a thing to his crotch.

“I do, but you can’t run crying when I beat you!” she smirked and gave him a wink, hips swaying as she left him behind.

His laughter sounded like a soundtrack to her catwalk.

Cheeky lady. Sam kinda liked her.

༻༺༻༺༻ღ༺༻༺༻༺

Part 11

༻༺༻༺༻ღ༺༻༺༻༺

Thank you for reading!

We’ll be leaving Stevie next time, coming back to our wayward sons and daughter (...that’s a spn reference, if any non-fan is confused). We’re getting closer, y’all!

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unproduciblesmackdown · 5 years

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You're so right about the Will Roland fanart problems. It seems like back when Will Roland was only known for Jared people were way more proWill because he could be their funny meme boi who ate bathbombs but now that he's a lead with all these emotional songs it's like God forbid he's not their "twink bby". Idk it annoys me so much especially when people draw the rest of the Broadway cast and still use WillC or do an animatic with WillRs voice and WillCs character ugh like. Accept the Roland pls

lmao we are all just out here grabbing the mic like “attention all bastards: Look, just because will roland isn’t your ideal fancast for most adorable twink of the year - “

really like, i have never come across any signs of there having been any pattern in the deh fandom of ~taking issue~ with will’s Abilities to sing or play the part of a struggling teen or whatever like what crops up re: him being the lead in bmc.....it also is unsurprising yet disappointing that like, jared and alana are so easily completely ignored, but when they Are acknowledged it’s super flattened interpretations like, either they’re both hypocritical jerks (just based on evan’s gfy accusations basically lol) or if they’re actually viewed in a positive way it’s just like, alana is your friendly local Model Student and jared is memes and neither of them are in the way! :3

you litrally cannot ignore jeremy the Whole Entire Main Character tho and also like. can’t ignore the fact that caring about jeremy as a Romantique Lead is ahhh important to many ppl in the fanbase? so him being regarded as ~less cute~ is more of an Issue b/c the character must be taken seriously and is the sympathetic hero and has a lot more solo material / more of Any material / more focus than jared does in deh.........you Have To Look At Him and care about his actual feelings and not just misinterpret the character as “has no serious emotions b/c he doesn’t say serious things in a serious tone” the way ppl misinterpret jared. there’s the assumption that someone who is good / sympathetic should also be attractive / cute / Personally Appealing To Look At and that wasn’t as much a conflict when ppl didn’t think it was important to sympathize / care about / pay attention to jared too much, and the “conflict” of caring abt jeremy’s capacity for a romantic relationship but that’s less important if he’s not as Cute also not being as much an issue when most people don’t care about jared’s romantic feelings or think that they exist despite jared being in love with evan But Anyways

like it is wild the things people will just make up to “justify” their Dislike for will, which has only manifested as apparent Issues thanks to him playing jeremy rather than jared........there’s the classic “mm idk i don’t think he can sing that well” approach which like. some people are just trying to say they do not like the inherent descriptive qualities of his voice, which is more nasal obviously and don’t anyone come in here with the “Actually the Technical definition of Nasal re Vocals is” b/c we know what i mean, alright? nasal voices are not considered ~serious~ and there’s the kneejerk dumb-annoying-loser-nerd association. god knows that jeremy heere canNot have characteristics that could be automatically judged as irritating and unappealing. then there’s the notion that He doesn’t have the (vocal) range!! which like. do you honestly think they would cast someone who doesn’t have the correct range. you’re aware that will roland was being considered for the part of jeremy in the two river run up to the last round of callbacks. you know that the song that was literally written expressly to suit will roland’s individual voice and singing abilities makes use of his falsetto which people go “omg he can’t hit those high notes” except sometimes when they misattribute his falsetto to other singers they suddenly find it worth complimenting. and then you get people who like, want to subscribe to this softened version of it and get all backhanded like “oh i think will’s vocals are improving whew that’s good” in any random video and always Only single him out apparently like. did you think he gets worse with experience? you don’t wanna talk about any of these other professional singers improving or worsening or anything? only wanna give ur assessment of william’s huh

honestly i for real haven’t seen the 1.0 version b/c i’m here via will roland in the first place & i’ve never gotten the impression that there’s some Essential Content i’m missing out on by having only seen 2.0........but between a) people complaining that will r’s jeremy is Too Frustrated He Shouldn’t Be That Angry It Makes Him Less Sympathetic and b) saying just as a point of comparison betwixt the depictions that will r’s jeremy is more frustrated and c) i haven’t read That much bmc fic but people sure talk about jeremy being like five seconds away from bursting into tears at any given moment which like, okay yeah aren’t we all, but also i presume this stems from will c’s apparently Sadder portrayal of jeremy. i almost forgot where i was going with this one but i think it’s just that yeah people truly take issue with will r’s jeremy being more frustrated and it’s like you realize there’s no Right or Wrong portrayal / interpretation even if you prefer one for whatever reasons......theatre just is Like that.......you have a slightly different portrayal during ever performance even from the same actors, and you’ll often have different actors playing the role........yeah people usually are attached to the first performance they see / have that as their Standard and that’s fine, it’s just like, you don’t have to decide that’s an Objective view and that you have Objective issues with everyone else’s take. 1.0 is still there for you

uhhhh oh yeah and the whole Clout idea lmao......people really putting themselves out there shaking their heads at the supposed fact that will was cast for the off bway run to Boost Popularity b/c he was part of the deh obc......besides the whole thing that it’s hardly likely that would’ve been considered necessary anyhow, there’s the little thing that a) again, will roland had already been very seriously considered for the part even before will connolly was decided on for the original run and b) like.....these people had been collaborating for eons and you really think will roland only popped into their minds thanks to being in deh....and c) joe iconis has repeatedly said they specifically did Not want to cast people based on who was Known enough and whose names would be good for marketing and d) maybe anyone has noticed that the marketing never involved any mention of anyone in the cast? no? cool. and yet people like so truly think they’re Wise to ~real reason~ that they’d go and cast will roland as the lead. like people are making shit up and really just thinking it’s true b/c they Want it to be true b/c they Want to be validated in having actual contempt for will’s casting despite the “issue” being that he doesn’t seem as Likeable (worthy of sympathy...cough...) thanks to his deemed-unattractive looks and sweetly-adenoidal voice and more-frustrated portrayal all seeming less cute or whatever

and i mean i haven’t seen it crop up of late but the one particular Grasping At Straws ~justification~ for will being unworthy of the part thanks to perceived acting/singing incompetence which is soooo wild is when people are like “ough i Hate when he just holds his arms out when he sings” like fmslkdj if anything that’s just an individual quirk and the fact that it was something you noticed means you just latched on to it as potential fodder for “the fact i registered this information abt someone whose existence i Resent means it distracted me which means i hate it and it’s bad”...like another thing he does with his hands while singing is when he makes the loose claws and kind of half crosses his arms in front of his chest! where are the complaints about that?? nowhere, b/c people have not really processed it as a particular thing, so they can’t deem it a Particular Thing To Criticize. people sometimes Notice that his jared talks with his hands a lot, which will says is an acting choice that came from an unconscious tendency, but people really only bring it up to juxtapose will’s jared’s dramatic tendencies and nervous habits with sky’s jared’s more outwardly still and smoothed-over behavior. aka they don’t Complain about it or deem it a weakness / bad thing. and yet people caring about bmc are really jumping on that chance to be like oh ugh there he goes again, having a characteristic i associate with him as an individual, disgusting, can’t believe will connolly was murdered for this..

it’s a bit clearer too with bmc moreso than deh that people aren’t super willing to accept how will roland Looks b/c like, thanks to will connolly’s jeremy having the long hair thing you can Tell The Difference In Which Actor Is Represented when ppl draw the character even if the rest of the features are kind of “generic” (and how even the costuming isn’t a dead giveaway since ppl will draw connolly jeremy in 2.0/3.0′s outfits) and it even serves to specify the actor in writing format too if they mention the hair lol........and honestly?? this fact is one of the most damning things lol in that people the reason so many ppl continue to produce connolly-based jeremys is Not because for whatever reason they can’t / it’s too difficult to draw a will roland lookin jeremy......like a lot of the time The trait which serves to distinguish between the two is the hair thing. people are adopting jeremy’s new costuming and stuff but choosing to make sure we know that jeremy does not Look like will roland and the clearest indicator of this is the longer hair thing......which also means that for many people the main effort they’d need to exert to make it clear they’re drawing wrol jeremy would just be to....shorten the hair. And Yet!!!! it is apparently beyond people to do this

like uh nice on making a lgw animatic but really.........really we’re gonna take the song that is specifically from the 2.0 / 3.0 runs, so it’s obvious we’re Accepting that non-1.0 content, okay......and we’re Accepting will roland’s vocals, which, a person’s voice is a physical trait of theirs too, same as The Existence Of Their Body........and yet jeremy Cannot Look Like How Will Roland Looks, that’s too far, can’t do that. we can take material from the specific versions the actor was cast in, that material being a song written specifically for this individual actor’s voice, in the form of this actor’s actual vocals......but can’t have the depicted image of jeremy be based on this actor’s appearance..............of all the......

really all that it is is that more people find will connolly more attractive than will roland and this makes them feel like will roland Is Worse and then the people who just run with that either just embrace that and are crashing around on public forums saying Lol i hate him cuz he’s ugly lmao....and then you have people who don’t wanna do that but don’t wanna actually examine why they ~take issue~ with will being cast and so they’ve gotta leap on any Other things about him that feel more acceptable / Objective like oh the portrayal is “Wrong” (that’s not how this works) or he can’t sing well enough (yeah he can) or high enough (yeah he can) or he was stunt cast (no he wasn’t) or they wanna label every characteristic / trait they can think up that Isn’t his physical appearance as Annoying And Bad like. maybe stop and ask why you find it SO pressing that this other actor has the part and it Must be objectively inferior if not ruinous for reasons you gotta invent about him being incompetent cuz it’s better to make stuff up about how a professional actor isn’t good enough for a part than to say you don’t think he’s cute enough and are bothered by that

it didn’t matter as much to people when they viewed his character as either Just A Joke or Just A Jerk or flat-out disposable material. being attractive is for serious sympathetic beloved characters, natch

unfortunately jeremy can’t be written off as The Unimportant Meme Friend With No Real Feelings so now there’s a whole problem if an actor is not as cute

like b/c of the way he looks ppl can accept that a character played by will roland can be funny or can be rude or can really not be too important to take seriously / consider complex or sympathetic or likeable beyond being a walking Running Joke, but when it comes to a sympathetic main character whose emotional state is so important it’s practically assigned a character and who’s a romantic lead? now people have a problem with him looking the way will roland does

#''grandma poison water SNAPPED'' post but it's me going off about people's campaign of insisting they dislike his casting for Totally Valid #and the common tendency to reject him in particular out of all 2.0 / 3.0 changes #won't draw him won't write him won't let him be the jeremy in the song written for him!#i'm not gonna beat around the bush on this topic. like it is just Nonsense #and it's all b/c people can't examine their kneejerk displeasure at jeremy being ~downgraded~ to a guy whose appearance they deem less attra #Anonymous

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tryingtoimagine-fics · 6 years

Text

Wait... THAT’S Your Sister

Characters: Bruce x sister!reader, Tony x reader, pretty much all the Avengers are at least implied if not mentioned specifically

Summary: The team finally gets the chance to meet you, Bruce’s sister, an author. However Tony, not knowing what you look like, is his usual flirtatious self at your party.

Words: 2,781

Warnings: Nothing really. I guess swearing and flirting ?

AN: The only movie I’ve seen with these characters is the first Avengers movie that came out a few years ago, so I’m basing my characters off of fics I’ve been reading (and loving oh my god) so I apologize if my characters don’t fit the script. For that reason though, I’d really appreciate feedback on the characters!

Tony glimpsed at Bruce before letting himself stare at the excitement on the man’s face as he talked on his cell phone just on the other side of the glass walls of their shared lab space. After Bruce hung up though, Tony quickly focused back on the tabletop in front of him and when the door opened he asked, “What was that about?”

Bruce tucked his phone into his pocket with a smile, “Oh uh, just some news from my sister.”

“You have a sister?!” Tony asked incredulously.

Bruce rolled his eyes, “Yes Tony, I’ve told you this before and no, you don’t get to meet her. Why? Because I don’t want you anywhere near her.”

Bruce seemed to answer all his questions at once so Tony just let out a “hmph” before resuming his loud music.

ONE MONTH LATER

“No way! That’s amazing!” Bruce said to his cell phone as he walked across the living area towards the kitchen. “I’m so proud of you! ” He exclaims, unable to keep an ear to ear grin off his face.

“What’s got you all worked up, Brucie?” Tony asks, watching his friend enter the kitchen as he sips on his fresh coffee.

Bruce shakes his head with a proud smile on his face, “My sister’s book got picked up by a publisher. She’s gonna be an author. She is an author.”

Steve’s head perks up from the table nearby, “Wait, you have a sister Banner?”

Bruce nods, “I swear I’ve told you about her…. Y/N? Remember?” After Tony still holds his confused expression, Bruce continues, “She’s just not really into the Avengers lifestyle and I mean she has her own life, I’m not trying to interrupt that.”

ONE WEEK LATER

‘Bruce please, you talk about all these guys like they’re family. It’s only right that I - your actual - family meet all of them.’

‘But Y/N, I thought you didn’t want any of the Avengers lifestyle’ Bruce texts you back.

‘1. I never said that, you declared it and 2. Who knows, they could strike some inspiration into me for a new character in my next book!’

‘Fine. I’ll talk to them about it.’

‘Thanks Brucie, I love you!!’ You texted your big brother.

‘Yeah yeah, love you too, Y/N’ Bruce ended the conversation before heading to the living space and clearing his throat to get the attention of all the Avengers. “Hey guys, uh” he rubs his hands together nervously, “I was hoping you all could do me a favor.” After nods and mumbled affirmations from the team he continues, “There’s this party I’m supposed to go to this weekend in Minnesota and it would mean a lot if you all would come with me.” He flashes a nervous smile across the room.

“Minnesota?” Clint yelped, “In the middle of January? Are you crazy?”

Steve smiles, he sees the desire in Bruce’s eyes for everyone to say yes so he agrees to go and practically demands that all the Avengers do the same.

“Great!” Bruce cheers, “Uh not quite Tony black-tie fancy, but definitely be ready to dress up.”

FRIDAY EVENING

Upon landing in Minnesota, the team tightens their jackets around themselves and Bruce interrupts their walking when he hold his cell phone to the side, “Uh hey guys I gotta go take care of something, you can get settled at the hotel or go to The Mall of America or… something.” He hustles off from the rest of the team, suitcase still in tow as he speaks into the phone, “Yeah, yeah, yeah Y/N I’m on my way.”

“Y/N,” Tony rolls your name on his tongue, “I’ve heard him talk about a Y/N before…”

“Whatever Tony, I wanna go shopping,” Natasha sasses, pushing past the billionaire headed towards the hotel before the mall.

The Avengers assembled in Tony’s room, since he booked the penthouse, there was plenty of room for them all. “Hey, has anyone seen Banner?” Tony asks his crowd, but everyone shakes their head no so he decides to text his science partner. ‘Bruce where you at man? You’re missing the real party.’

‘...’ Tony waits, ‘Very funny, Tony. I got a room somewhere else, I’ll swing by the hotel tomorrow to get you all before the party.’

“Hmph” Tony lets out, holding his phone up as he reads Bruce’s response to the rest of the team.

“Wait, does anyone know what this party is for?” Clint asks, taking a seat next to Natasha on the plush couch.

Everyone paused before Wanda spoke up, “I think something about a book. I don’t know though, Bruce’s thoughts don’t usually make sense to me anyway” she shrugs.

“A party’s a party!” Tony exclaims, raising his glass to his lips and tucking his phone away, forgetting about anything but the friends in front of him for the rest of the night.

MEANWHILE…

“Bruce!” You fling your door open, throwing your arms around the curly haired scientist standing in your doorway. “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too Y/N, but uh can we move this inside? It’s kinda cold…” Bruce’s voice drifts off.

“Sorry,” you giggle, releasing your grip on him and ushering your brother into your house, “I guess I’m just used to the cold now.”

As your brother takes off his jacket and hangs it on the hook, you can’t help but stare at him with love in your eyes. ‘What?” He asks when he notices.

You smile sweetly, snapping out of your trance with a shake of your head, “Nothing, I just missed you big bro.” You envelope him in another hug, a softer one this time.

You pull away, “Let me look at you, Y/N!” Bruce said. As you back away, letting him look at you, his face straightens, “Wow, you’ve gotten old,” he jokes.

You gasp, “Bruce!” You hit his shoulder as you walk towards the kitchen, grabbing a couple glasses and Bruce’s favorite wine. “You’re one to talk, you look like you haven’t slept since I last saw you 3 years ago.”

“Ough,” Bruce places a hand over his heart while he reached for the wine you offered him. The two of you spent the rest of the night on the couch, catching each other up on the last few years of your lives. Although you told each other the big news, like your book getting signed, there was still so much to talk about that you two were up until nearly 2 am before you showed your brother the guest room and you bid each other goodnight.

SATURDAY

You and your new PR specialist (provided by your publisher) scurried to finish the decorations at your house in the morning, leaving the afternoon for you to get into your outfit for the party after whisking Bruce away.

“Bruce there you are!” Natasha remarks, causing the Avengers to turn their heads towards the door of the penthouse as Bruce shut the door behind him.

“Where have you been?” Asked Sam, “Tony was worried about you,” he teases. “Had JARVIS try to track you.”

Just as Tony entered the room with a steaming cup of coffee, Bruce answered, “Well sorry, I wasn’t gonna let him track me to my sister’s house.”

Tony snaps, and he points at Bruce, “Y/N! I knew I remembered that!” He says triumphantly.

“Wait your sister, the author?” Steve asks.

“Yeah, it’s uh, it’s her party we’re going to. Her publisher wanted some big party and she asked me to come.”

Natasha, Wanda and Clint all looked at him with a cute, puppy dog expression and Clint even let out an “Awww.”

SATURDAY EVENING

Upon entering the home, the Avengers did not cause a stir, which was surprising since that did not happen often. Bruce tried to look for you over the sea of heads wandering through your house and after the team asked what you looked like all he could give was “Uh.. dark hair about,” he holds his hand up to the level of his eye, “This tall.”

Since that clearly didn’t help the team locate someone they had never met, let alone seen a picture of they worked their way to the bar to get their first drink of the night. While there weren’t too many people here, your house was sizably smaller than Tony’s so it seemed more crowded. “Who can have a party in a place like this?” Tony asks, “I would’ve let her use the Tower if she asked.”

Bruce just shakes his head at his friend, still peering over the crowd, trying to locate you. After a while however, he gave up and just focused on having a good time with his friends. By which point Tony had already left the group to try and find a girl for the night.

“Hi there,” Tony interrupts your conversation, causing you to turn towards him with your eyebrows raised.

“Hi,” you greeted quickly before turning back to your conversation with the owner of a local book store, ignoring the vaguely familiar man who interrupted you.

As you turned away from what seems to have been your 100th conversation of the night, he shows up again, extending his hand out to you. “I’m Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist.”

“Ahh,” you nod, smiling. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Stark,” you greet, careful not to give up your identity quite yet.

“Please,” he smirks, “Call me Tony. What can I call you later tonight?” He flirts.

You fight the urge to roll your eyes, but let a smooth smirk break out on your lips, “That doesn’t matter, I’m sure I’ll see you later, Tony.” You send him a wink before strutting away, towards the bar to pick up your first drink of the night.

“You know,” Tony begins, leaning up to your side as you stand at the wall, admiring your party. “The ‘Iron’ in ‘Iron Man’ isn’t referring to the suit, it’s referring to something else.”

You scoff and push yourself off the wall, heading into the dense crowd and leaving the billionaire behind with a smirk on his face. “I’ve been looking for a real challenge,” he mumbles to himself.

He comes up to again later in the night, whispering in your ear, “My favorite page number is 69, and I bet I can get you in that position by the end of the night.”

At this one you let out a boisterous laugh and stay there, nearly wheezing, literally crying. “That was so horrible!” You exclaim.

“Well usually I don’t have to chase this hard to get laid,” he shrugs.

“Pft. You’re not getting laid Tony Stark. At least not by me.” You pat his shoulder and walk away again.

Tony meets the Avengers in a slightly quieter corner of the house with a smile while he shakes his head softly.

“Where’s your girl for the night?” Sam asks Tony.

“I found a challenge tonight, boys,” Tony divulged, making most of the people in the room groan. “She’s gorgeous, she’s got this hot green dress on that looks so damn soft and her hair is perfect.” Before anyone can comment however, a voice comes over the speakers that had previously been playing music.

“Hi everyone,” you greet, watching as your guests flow from the outskirts to the center of your living area while you stand in the hallway overlooking your first floor as you speak. “I just wanted to thank everyone for coming out tonight and supporting me and my new novel, The Discovery. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful evening so far but before we continue the festivities I have a few people I must thank.”

“Oh shit…” Tony mumbles, realizing that he had been flirting with you, Bruce’s sister all night. He quickly looked around for Bruce, finding him nowhere nearby, luckily.

“First, of course I have to thank my new publisher not only for accepting my work but for helping me put together this amazing party,” you pause, allowing room for applause. “Also, I would be remissed if I didn’t thank my brother, who always believed in me, even more than I did in myself. It’s clear Bruce got the science and math skills in the family, leaving me with the much less-profitable skills of English and history.” The audience laughs as you look out for Bruce, finally finding him and making eye contact. “Really, Bruce, thank you so much for your never-ending support for me. Even after you got a job in the lab of none other than the oh-so humble Tony Stark,” you smirk, “You didn’t leave me behind. Thank you Bruce,” you raise your glass to your brother, resulting in applause. “Alright, that’s it for the announcements! Thanks again everyone, enjoy the rest of the night!”

With that you make your way back down to the lower level, finding Bruce waiting for you at the bottom of the stair case. He wraps you in a tight hug, “I’m so proud of you Y/N. You know I’ll always believe in you.”

“Thanks Bruce,” you smile into his hug. “Did you bring them?” You ask.

Bruce sighs but smiles too, “Yeah I did. I apologize in advance for Tony.”

You laugh, “I’m sure he won’t be a problem.” Before Bruce can question what you mean, you reach the group of superheros that came to Minnesota with your brother.

“Guys,” Bruce announces, “This is my sister and famous author, Y/N Y/L/N.”

“Bruce stop,” you blush, extending your hand to each Avenger individually, “You can just call me Y/N.” Once your hand reaches Tony, you attempt to hide the smug smile on your lip, but your brother catches on.

“Oh no, what’s that look, Y/N?” He asks.

“Oh nothing, brother dear,” you assure him sweetly, before moving towards the middle of the group you chat with them all.

“Y/N Y/L/N?” Steve questions, “Why not Y/N Banner?”

You smile, “Although Bruce Banner may not be as famous as his alter ego, I didn’t want that effecting my book sales at all, so I legally changed to my mom’s maiden name when I started writing.”

As you laugh with your brother’s family Natasha asks you a question that you had expected to hear much earlier, “I don’t mean to be rude, but why are we here?”

You laugh and respond, “That’s a fair question. My brother and I,” you look over your shoulder to see him in deep conversation with Tony, “Haven’t seen each other for 3 years, but we try to keep in touch.” You smile, remembering all the times he got so excited talking to you on the phone, “And whenever he told me about you guys I could just hear the love in his voice for all of you. You’re like family to him.” The Avengers around you grow quiet and take a moment to look up at your older brother. “I figured, as his sister, that it was about time I met the people he lives with, works with and fights with just so I know for sure that he’s in good hands.”

After glancing at your brother and receiving a small wave in return, you sigh. “Well, I guess I better get back to playing hostess. It was great meeting you all, make sure to see me before you leave! Maybe we can all get breakfast tomorrow.” You exit the room of superheroes, patting your brother’s back lovingly as you pass behind him. While behind your brother’s back you shoot Tony a wink and giggle when his eyes widen before taking on an almost predatory stare.

“Dude what is your problem?” Bruce asks Tony, trying to find where Tony’s eyes had drifted to.

“Oh uh nothing,” Tony attempts.

But Bruce’s eyes land on his sister. He quickly turns back to Tony. “No,” is all he says at first.

“What do you mean no? What are you talking about?” Tony tries to ignore the green spark in his friend’s eye. “No, you are not getting with my sister, Tony!” Bruce raises his voice.

Tony puts his hands up defensively, “I didn’t even know it was your sister, man!” He tries to reason.

“Tony…” Bruce fumes.

“What I,” Tony pauses and takes a heavy breath, “Nothing’s gonna happen now that I know. I promise,” he holds out his pinky finger.

Bruce looks from the extended pinky promise to Tony, and back again, before huffing and turning to join the crowd.

Tony exhales heavily, “That was a close one,” Natasha remarks.

Tony just glares at her for a moment before heading towards the bar to get another drink.

187 notes · View notes

throwingideasatthewall · 3 years

Text

Clone Wars Kidnapped

Also, yeah how do you follow up an episode like that?

Also isn’t this like the second kidnapped episode?

You know we actually needed the levity so that I am completely OK with the saving a thing plot,

Gives time to breathe-

Ho-nest, This place looks pretty neat,

[Though they still knowingly enabled Tox be hav-ior]

This is the equivalent of someone ditch -ing productivity, And att -em pt Ing To Go Straight To creat-iv-ity Before anything’s set up,]

And I should really be careful not to get distracted by the pretty lights,

Wa- rr ior-

Well least tox

Whe lp, In- Sti gators , Fe ck, - Oh hey that war we enabl -ed

Whelp

Okay, seriously who is that guy? (Normally I wouldn’t be so nervous (but the last few episodes Not Krell The under water One) Introduced a guy of a random species that we have never heard or seen of and he died before we ever did,

So,

I’m a Little Nervous , (I like different species,)

His design seems nice ... Neu tral.

Yet we won’t assume the amount of accoun- tability necessary to enforce it Don’t get me wrong; I don’t want an infinity war

But if you enable, be prepared for the consequences and/or to push it back, (what ever You Left,) Whenever it comes for your life, For the rest of it, (Or until you snap and hold it accountable,)

Pro-tection

Usual spiel but it works.

You know that would’ve worked really well with overinvolved positivity,

Though at this point it’s pretty clear they are going for the clear-cut Jedi- are Posit Ive Ly Over- Involv e -d- (Sith - negative)

And more so general “everyone is a shithead,” Kinda Vibe.

Which is perfectly fine,

Why?

That’s a lot

[also never mind with the - warning - or get into lines,]

Obi-Wan looks really young-er in the scene for some reason

-His face

-it’s too smooth

- and are his eyes a bit bigger?

Also yeah they specifically told us not to get involved and that they were going to do it on their own I-n. Ia tiv e

But screw that

“Let’s escalate the situation!”

Despite that being literally what the dude fears and probably his nightmares

[screw respecting other adult’(s) initia tive]

I know Dooku is implied to be really feckin tox also

But talk means nothing

Dude has to have the actions Attempt it on himself and decide what to do for himself,

He’s decided to enable, Ain’t nothing that can be done about that,

[What was that look?

[also did Obi-Wan not ask what happened down there?]

Great

Time for warfare

For the Jedi that can’t take a “no,” For an an -swer

Gr -e a-t - ? Voice -act -ing - People Shield - What, I’ve- Watch -ed The Watton Boar - Arc- - -Battle

Yeah but it’s -also pretty bullshit - (when have the separatist ever respected the Gen eva convention?)

Rex- Has a Feck’in Point

(Also that doesn’t tell them anything this could be basic clankers when no in fact they are commando droids )

Ana Kin’s Voice De-eper?

Com -man do-

[I have a feeling they’re really trying to contest the we have no fig -h-ters)

Lin e- - A-g ain-

O-h Sir, Oh, , Also, how?

But also ok that guy,

Surprisingly, calm ly spoken-

So this could make a great scene contrasting Obi- won’s I believe moral nature, With another strategist that seems to be believing some kind of chivalry

[Also, OH SHIT, is that where they’re keeping the pris oners,

Whelp

Anakin is a dick to holograms,

Seriously you could’ve just turned it off,

[if you had news or opinion to share ?)-

Ok, where the fuck?

[Don’t, get me wrong I know Anakin, was an ex slave, Everything else is new.. .

Including his rage towards it,

Me,

Hey, they’re being smart about this, - Up- s- et-

Yes, thank you, did I miss something?

P-ast

Doesn’t justify any of this bullshit. .

I mean,

Literally no one is smarter than anyone else

So Ana Kin, , OK but that’s a whole different species and/or a group - - this is not “past” this is I just hate feck -ing sl-av er s - And possibly un-vented anger at trauma- - Either way pretty damn va -lid - Dis- trust - Whe-

Oka-y , I don’t-

Also is that an animal or sentient? - A game I find myself playing to no One ‘s Cha -grin- -, Oh

Arro gan -c- e

Ah- tak e? , Also he has a non-evil pet - That’s kinda cute

But also kinda sad, Hint,ing at the fact Dude was probably intended to be some kind of animal focus (Someone who works around or just generally likes animals - special ity)

Before he went corrupt

(Showing some interest in keeping them out of the battlefield, And Fond-ness)

Or this could just be a short han d-e d symbolism For slavery and grooming - Both -work - Do -Tell - [oh yeah dude totally gave away his plan,]

Despite Obi-Wan almost clearly not being in earshot

Nice interaction * introduction

Also ,doesn’t he already know, Holo-gra -m - Formal in- tro duc- tions - Are Nice, - Er-

Seriously what is up with these two people?

Also why did dude growl?

For people that look like cats they sure act like dogs (Bor- d -er) (Nothing wrong with that- just- curious- “ -i

How?

Also they’re just really shout-ing their plans out here aren’t they?

S-u -rr en- der- - Obi- won still playing along.. —— W-help - He gave him a chance - Whelp-

O-k

Honestly he’s acting pretty calm and diff-erent-ly characterized, The Kenobi we know wouldn’t raise a hand to help even himself (In ani.) Also I’m surprised Aniken hasn’t stumbled across anything by now,

Thought that would be the crutch of the narr-ative tension in the office,

But Aight , Calling the chips early is completely fine I will never have an issue with chara- ter -(s- acting slightly smarter than expected,

Though wish Anakin had shown some kind of initia- tive-

Like the stories telling us that he’s really pumped up “about the whole slave thing,” . . . But has just found nada when it comes down to rescuing the slaves, Or just finding any hints about this oper -ation in general,

To summarize; What the heck has Aniken been doing the last minute and a half ~ ? No-thing

[like if everyone had told him to chill due to his clear aggression believe he caused some harm in his rage,

And sent Ahsoka in-stead

That would make a lot more sense,

[and make up Obi- wan look like less of a Irrational Dick By sh(ar-ing) Anakin‘s backstory without any permission or reason,

While there he might have to explain to Ahsoka why he’s sending her and not Anakin,]

Just- Writer Th- ough -t- - Treat- ment - “ You have broken through my defenses,”

Emotionally or ... physically? . . Never mind-

Would’ve been nice if someone actually took him up on that offer - (Like some villain(/enabler) is like you know what my job sucks, my boss sucks, I could really use an nap...

Sure] .. They were just standing there ... doing nothing,

Like, Dude literally just said there were bombs planted all over the city,

And, no one’s in a ru-sh to fix that-

Or use them to find the kidnapped people..

[I mean fair ... but geez.

Colo -nists,

Again, where are they? . . . You supposedly sent Anakin to find - them but we haven’t seen anything - Also yeah the dude is totally going to give up his only bargaining chip . . . After being out gunn -ed- - Well - Also you have one button that only activate(s one mine?

Like did you, set that up just for the purpose of in-timi dating people

Also congrats you likely threw away your only bargaining chip - because from his point of view the explosion already went off- - And he doesn’t know that you had one specific button just for that one mine- - (Like it doesn’t sound that loud but he could’ve gotten hear-ing probl-em (s-) from the near- by explosions, )

We- ll-

“Col-on-ists,”

Oh good thing you told him after you destroy-ed the thing-

And he didn’t go into attack mode and you have a light saber press-ed to your throat-

dumb

I’m sorry but that’s just so adorable

Look at it;

Man like(s soft squishy things and he doesn’t seem to be hurt ing- -it,

Like, How ?

Also, did no one check for that shit?

Like, No-

Me- dic

Wh- el p-

Bo-

Several people -just died And he comforts the robot.. .

Dick

Also, Maybe It’s be cause Cody is Obi-Wan’s Gen. (Generation or General) Doesn’t make much of a dif-ference? - That this flies? (I mean I can understand him not giving too much of a heck, Due to this being a war caused by this guys’ Gen, But seriously,)

Also yeah kinda ,dick , Screw medical attention,

Well,

That’s a lot of faith for a whole lot a nothing,

Also let’s go do the thing we were supposed to be doing this entire time,

(I think)

My brain started going numb and I half paid attention - Oh, wait

now we’re getting into the back story?

After they’re on the planet

Without any pre-emption?

-Er

My brain cells are asleep, - Al -ive - Seriously, what is up with the -bird thing,

(I really hope it factors into his character)

Or is brought up

Frust- trat- Ion

“Zy,”

Dude they’re slave traders I really don’t think you want to do that (Just a thought)

Also maybe suggest trading him some exotic animals,

Dude seems to have a pen -chant

And he seems to treat them re- lati vely well,

(There are some in cages but that just seems to be for transport, ) - no I thought you should ever take animals out of a pre- ferr ed Safe climate

But he could have one set up abet a smaller one,

Wha? (The voice acting there was weird,)

Also, really?

That’s the competition?

(Is there ever a tradition..

That isn’t fighting?)

Also, okay,

but is it like some kind of style of fighting?

(I swear he you challenges him to sword fighting.)

Then again Zy- ger- Ian- fighting-

Dif-ferent rules could be interesting

Possibly establish Obi-Wan as a well traveled man,

(So long as he isn’t allowed to use his feck -in light saber, -) (Which Anakin hasn’t been doing at all,

Also lower ed risks are nice,

Again, not saying anything about deactivating em,

Also what the fuck is with that guy’s facial expressions,

Like ever since that moment it has gone insane, (As in I can’t for my life read what they’re trying to express, And that is the closest translation; I can come up with,

Never mind - he’s an asshole - Even th-

Screw It

(The logic is not on the high setting with this one.”

Any way, Per-

That’s

[do you know how back when I was revie- wing the movie I thought about how the escalation one from 1 to 10 and the characterization switched on a dime?

-Not to insult,

But this is starting to feel a lot like that-

My brain already very checked out at this point-

Because I really don’t need it for this- - W-

Constant Characteri-zation?!

What-

[Excuse me while I sit over here drinking my ‘wtf just happened,’ juice

You know when I was reviewing (Earlier) scenes like this; I used to give it somewhat of a pass saying; (Some thing along the lines of)

Well people change on a dime,

Which I’m starting to realize getting further into this; Is that you need some kind of sentiment Or pre- -empt To Connect Those Thoughts - The eyes need to narrow - The body language needs to change - The music (perhaps) a subtle change in tone; - It can’t change on that much of a dime -

I don’t need a lot; Just some kind of indication about what the feck just happened, - Because otherwise it’s just spaghetti - Like I’m sorry but it’s true- - The expressions before were completely unreadable and down right- unhuman,

There was no word ,cues to indicate anything

And the music which could’ve been a brief Cue, Of whether this is supposed to be abrupt or instigated, Well I don’t, think there is any,

Fix scen; e

This guy smirks, possibly chuckling, the bird leaving his arm-, possibly pre-facing it with, “ well then, let’s be-gin,” or a body posture is simply leaning in before pouncing,

Telling me this is part of the plan,

And that’s Zygrians value a more wild style of fighting with the element of surprise being emphasiz ed-

Which makes sense considering what seems to be a hunting focus,

With snark following up either confirming or denying,

That as true (Or False)

That his actions were prec- edent- ed or not,

As it stands,

There was no Cue

And I’m completely lost. . . . Whel -p

Well that was a bunch of nothing . . . Which is a shame because it had a lot of good subjects to focus on, Slavery, the difference between Wild and Order, tam-ing, groom- Ing, Cap- tivity - The concept of an invasive species,

Unfortunately the writing is so inconsistent, And generally poor, That it can’t carry a beat for longer than a few min-utes

Well I’ve noticeably praised the attempt to take on a higher intensity material

That doesn’t give an excuse for the apparent drop in quality

Often; i’ve said that stupid villains are fine

However the thing that often irritates me in those episodes; Isn’t that the villain’s Stupid

It’s the lack of self-awareness (Not in the poking fun of one’s self way)

Is that it isn’t framed that way,

(No snark, very little realistic the consequences without drawing attention to it, And very little change except the villain is now Stupider Though it attempts to keep the same dramatic tension and stakes)

In sum -mary:

While I think this episode had a lot of interesting concepts to work with they will unfortunately Wasted By the episode lack of commitment, consistency, and constant characterization,

Most notably;

- Anakin’s resent -ment Of slavery (His care of it turns off and on like a light switch and his intensity varies)

Functioning less like a Berzerk/. accountability button (Mild Responsibility)

And more like an excuse to have him flip his lid,

Make odd facial expressions,

And generally put, shout put emphasis In a nonsensical bordering on inhumane way

What seems to be a disturbing trend (with the characters ;)

Specifically the Zygarian here

And Ani

-The difference between wild and tamed; Along with a constant theme of slavery, It’s paired with the constant imagery of animals in cages

Which would be fine if it was actually presented as an excessive detail,

But the focus is put on it and nothing ever seems to come of it

(Almost as if it’s expected that just by having it there, the motif comes with it)

Which no

Animals in cages and... What?

Like, I have an idea what they’re trying to hint at,

But until the story commits;

“These animals are very much like you,”

Then it remains in limbo,

As wasted time And wasted emphasis, -

The Zy- Gar Ian (s) backstory; Note this works off another point about captivity,

Now, from the little bits, I could get from the conversation;

The Republic inter fer r e d, Note; this seems to be a pretty big deal

The antagonist esp ecially affec t- e-d

By It,

But we never learn much about it or him (How it affected)

Yeah he re-peats Some po-ints; But it’s never elaborate- d on

What exactly hap-pened to him?

What exactly hap-pened with the conflict?

How?

To be more precise; This presents the idea of a rather fas- cin- at ing conflict about the over- involve-ment of an outside species into a Nother’s Planet - And I don’t think it really utilizes it

Drop ping it almost instantly, For an almost emotion- less fi- gh t, Where are dude repeats ‘they were happy, And generally everything except “I” (How he was affected) Or any authentic emotion

Just unread able inhumane expressions . . . Not much in the way of themes, motifs, Or anything of real sub- stance- - Sub Category; The clones got injured in an attack; This is not treated with any sort of heaviness - Or even note (Nor to the status/ theme of captiv- ity- or Sta Tus In The Empire-)

Or represen-tation of order,

(And is quite point blank pointless)

Not to speak of the ending where the Anakin is almost point-blank informed That the captives are being held on Ty- Ger ia/ By the Ty- ger-ians

Po-int being; This is pretty subst antless Sn -ack, That lacks any kind of consis tence

- And isn’t. worth the watch,

(With nothing set up)

(Might’ve wanted to go with an R2-D2/ (CpO?) episode) Work on that tone first

Before trying anything serious, With that robots scream of absolute terror upon its death..

0 notes

proven-paradox · 7 years

Text

The Lesser Evil Side Sessions: Neera takes care of some loose Ends

<DM_Dox> ---

<DM_Dox> The next day dawns, and apparently people are beginning to prepare for another day of festivities. The previous night was a long and loud one, whether celebrating in the common room or trying fruitlessly to get some sleep above.

<Neera> Neera awakens even earlier than usual, performs their morning prayers, and takes a quick breakfast downstairs before heading into town. Recalling the relative haste with which they were able to have their armor refitted earlier, they seek out Toragrin's shop once again.

<DM_Dox> The door to Toragrin's shop is closed when Neera arrives.

<Neera> They're anxious to have this task dealt with, and knock at the door. It might not be polite, but it's better than repeating the events of yesterday and searching in vain for a working blacksmith.

<DM_Dox> There's a pause before Toragrin's voice shouts out from inside, something in Kanish. Another few moments and the door opens a crack, Toragrin peering out bleerily. "Oh, ah, mornin' lass...?" He smells of ale.

<Neera> Neera lets out a stunted sigh of relief. "I'm sorry to bother you so early," they offer a quick half-bow. "I have some work I need done as soon as possible. It can't wait. I can pay whatever you want."

<DM_Dox> The man nods and rubs his eyes blearily. "Arrigh', arrigh'... Give me five minutes ta put on some coffeh an' a shirt, t'an we'll talk, aye?" He opens the door fully to allow Neera in.

<Neera> "You have my gratitude," they assure the smith as they step inside. Neera stands and patiently waits for the dwarf to make himself ready.

<DM_Dox> The inside is slightly less cluttered as Neera would remember from their previous visit; possibly due to the army purchasing a lot before the fight. The man is indeed shirtless and the inside is dimly lit. "Jus' have a seat wharever for th' moment, lass. Be right back." He practically drags himself into a back room.

<Neera> They nod, and, not wanting to spurn his hospitality, take a seat.

<DM_Dox> A few moments later the smell of coffee drifts from that doorway, and the dwarven smith returns with a simple green shirt and carrying a bottle of water. He takes a long drink before nodding to Neera. "So, ah, while th' coffeh simmers. Care tae tell me th' short version?"

<Neera> They grunt an affirmative, and gesture vaguely to the pack they've set down beside them. "I need more armor resized. Two suits this time. The first is the same one you worked on before, which I just need returned to its original dimensions. I have it here. The second I need scaled down, and I can bring to you when I come to pick this one up."

<DM_Dox> He gives Neera an odd look. "'Tween th' 'angover an' me old age, 'tain' sure I heard y' right lass. Y' want th' armor I worked on not even a week ago undone?"

<Neera> "That's correct." They aren't about to explain further than that unless pressed to do so. "And a second suit re-fit for my person once you're done."

<DM_Dox> He sighs and shrugs. "'Syer gold, lass, I'll not tell ye 'ow t' spend it. 'At said, if I'm also scalin' down anudder piece, be more efficient t' 'ave 'em both." He shrugs. "Take material from one t' use on th' ot'er."

<DM_Dox> "'Ow 'bout 'is, aye? I need a good t'irty minute 'r so t' heat up tae forge an' finish wakin' up." He rubs his eyes again to accent this. "You go get th' second suit, bring 'er 'ere."

<Neera> "Not a problem," they reply. "I'll return shortly, and we can discuss your payment once you've had a chance to appraise your work."

<DM_Dox> "Sounds good, lass." He waves her out of the shop.

<DM_Dox> Some time later, Neera returns with Crimson's armor. Toragrin is sipping on a large cup of coffee with a powerful smell. The forge is starting to glow with gentle heat, and he has laid the armor already delivered out on a table (with a small pile of clutter at the end where he wiped it off into the floor).

<DM_Dox> "Welcome back, lass!" He seems much more sociable with some coffee in his system. He points to a table next to the one he'd laid the armor out on. "Set it there, let me see what we've got..."

<Neera> Upon returning, Neera begins setting the second suit as directed. It still seems to be in impeccable condition despite the battle it recently survived.

<DM_Dox> The dwarf perks up a bit as he sees the armor set out. "Someone's gone an' sheened it! Very important tae someone, this suit..." He starts examining it closely.

<DM_Dox> "Howed y' come across t'is'n, lass?"

<Neera> "It belonged to a..." They struggle for the exact words for a moment. "To another proud warrior. My allies and I faced him down during the battle with the gnollish horde..."

<DM_Dox> As Neera speaks, the dwarf starts lifting up plates on the armor and examining what's underneath the red sheen on the armor's surface. His eyes grow wide with shock as he examines the suit.

<Neera> "...Is something wrong?"

<DM_Dox> He looks to Neera and lowers his voice to nearly a whisper. "Lass... d'ye understand what t'is is 'fore y' brought it tae me?"

<Neera> The crusader looks at him in utter confusion. "Should I have?"

<DM_Dox> "I... 'Tis Defender's Steel!" He peers at the armor in wonder. "Th' sheen hides it from tae outside, but peer under it... Genuine adamantium!"

<Neera> "Adamantium?" they step forward to observe for themself. "No wonder he was able to handle so much punishment..."

<DM_Dox> "Tae make such a fine armor from such a difficult material..." He shakes his head. "Lass, adamantium is traditionally only handled by tae finest dwarven smiths, masters whose art makes all of dwarvenkind proud and envious all at once!" He continues lifting pieces of the armor to observe joints and connections. "A master smith may hammer at such a treasure wi'out a single break and still take five years to complete the work."

<Neera> Neera's stomach sinks. "Do you mean you can't do anything with it?"

<DM_Dox> He shakes his head. "I di'n' say 'at, lass. Gimme a moment."

<DM_Dox> He does a meticulous examination of the armor. It's unclear whether he's actually trying to figure out how to work with it or just admiring the thing.

<DM_Dox> A few awkward moments pass before he replies, "I can do it. 'Tain' a master meself, but I'm better 'n anyone else you'll find in 'is town."

<DM_Dox> "Twill have to call in a favor 'ough. Me forge won't get even half as hot as we need it."

<Neera> "Whatever resources you need," Neera assures him. "I can make sure you're supplied."

<DM_Dox> He steps back from the armor, fiddling with his beard-braid thoughtfully. "Let's talk price, lass."

<DM_Dox> "Tae other armor, 50 gold an' I can be done in three hours." He shrugs.

<Neera> "Done," they agree. "How much will you need for the Crimson suit?"

<DM_Dox> "Tae red one... I must find a magewright what can give me the fire I need. I 'ave a few ideas. Once 'at's done, should be fast to get it small 'nuff for you to don, and 'en magic in th' suit will shift it tae fit you well."

<DM_Dox> "Price: 800 gold. If I do 'is'n first, 'twill be done tonight 'fore I hang up me tools."

<Neera> "Perfect." Neera begins digging out the payment. "850 gold, then. How does half now and half when it's all finished sound?"

<DM_Dox> He nods and replies, "Sounds far tae me."

<Neera> "The Builder guide your hands." They offer up the payment with apparent satisfaction. "I'm sure you'll do me an excellent service."

<DM_Dox> The dwarf takes the coin with a nod and a grin. "My thanks for bringin' such fine work into me shop. 'Twill be an honor to work on it."

<Neera> "And I shall be sure to praise the smith who worked it after battles to come," they grin back. "Now, I have a few other errands to attend to. I will see you again tonight."

<DM_Dox> "Aye. See you 'en."

<Neera> Their next destination is the mayor's office. Neera makes for town hall without delay.

<DM_Dox> There's a lot of hustle around town hall; most of the populace has time to celebrate, but the various city workers who manage the town's business apparently still have a lot to do.

<DM_Dox> Neera is able to make it into the building without a problem. Inside a secretary is busily doing paperwork. He looks up to Neera as they approach. "Can I help you?"

<Neera> The orc nods respectfully. "I need to speak with Mayor Tanisk as soon as possible. Tell her... Tell her that Kurth has asked for her."

<DM_Dox> The secretary raises an eyebrow at the name but nods. "I'll go ask. She's been very busy and keeping to herself. Prepare to wait for a while." He stands and motions to a seat near the opposite wall.

<Neera> "Thank you," Neera replies, before sitting down as instructed.

<DM_Dox> The man nods and moves to the door to the mayor's office. He comes back momentarily, looking perplexed. "She said she'd see you immediately. Head on in."

<Neera> They rise, a bit tense, and enter.

<DM_Dox> Inside is Elvira, her desk littered with paperwork. If there is a method to her work's madness, it is not immediately evident. She looks up to Neera, her face making it clear that she has not had much sleep recently. She is silent.

<Neera> There's an awkward moment as Neera attempts to find the appropriate words. They settle with, "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I... hope you've been well?"

<DM_Dox> She sighs. "The city's freed from the gnoll siege and thanks to Calther and Terril there weren't even many casualties. All said, this was a better ending than I could could have asked for, I suppose. Just... very busy."

<Neera> "I understand. Both captains did commendable jobs, your man Calther especially." They seem to contemplate before continuing. "I'm sorry to burden you further, but I need a favor, one I wish I did not have to ask of you."

<DM_Dox> "Go on..." She seems nervous.

<Neera> "I need to ask you to lie," Neera explains. "I understand if you feel that you cannot do this, but I need you to tell my clan that my-- That Kurth's body was recovered in the battle, and that it will be sent to them for proper respects to be paid."

<Neera> "And then, well, I need you to send the body to them."

<DM_Dox> She is quiet for a long moment, eyes closed, looking thoughtful.

<DM_Dox> "Kurth... You just accept this then? You're not even going to try to explain to your family?"

<Neera> "When I was dealing with Tasha, the Toad, trying to bargain for her assistance in repairing the breaches in your sewers, she knew who I was. I was forced to make an enemy of her to secure her aid. My people might have paid grievously for my own error. Then, during the battle..."

<DM_Dox> Elvira looks like she's about to say something, but closes her mouth.

<Neera> "Crimson, one of the enemy leaders, he recognized my armor as well. Now he is dead, and his body will serve as a worthy substitute to my former flesh. It is better if I am dead, Elvira."

<DM_Dox> "Better for who, Kurth?"

<Neera> "For my people," they reply, almost instantaneously. "This way, I can do them no more harm with my failings."

<DM_Dox> "So... what, you think that your successes have been completely erased now?"

<Neera> "It was easy to succeed with a brother and an army at my side," they respond solemnly, eyes downcast. "Those victories still belong to Clan Stone-Sun. Let them have that honor, and be unburdened by what is to come. This is not about me; if I cannot protect them, I refuse to endanger them."

<DM_Dox> "You can still protect them though!" She slaps her desk loudly. "Calther told me of your fight out there. Getting the sewers repaired, helping the druids, all of it. You're still a capable warrior. You can still be who you were before."

<Neera> "Not with that abomination--" Neera starts to match the rise in tone, but stops, suddenly, and drops into a low whisper. "What we uncovered in that ruin, Elvira... Northwall is safe from it, but myself and my companions are now part of something that I cannot subject my clan to. I wish I could tell you, but you would not believe me if I did. Believe only that there is no going back, however desperately I want to."

<DM_Dox> She seems taken aback by this, clearly unsure how to respond. After a moment to consider, she finally replies, "After seeing what the druids' spell has done with you, you really think I would not believe you?"

<Neera> They seem to consider something, mournfully. "Anything I tell you runs the risk of putting you in danger as well. Please, know that your city is safe and leave it at that. I expect we will be departing soon, and then neither you nor my clan are like to hear from me again. This is the way it must be."

<DM_Dox> "Kurth. You're still standing here. At this point I don't even care about what kind of body you're in! You don't have to walk away from everything! You don't have to face whatever's coming alone!" She seems desperate.

<Neera> "I must," Neera professes, conviction stalwart as stone in their voice. "Do not doubt that I appreciate your sentiment, but there is no other way. Please, I need you to assist me with this one final thing."

<DM_Dox> She puts her head in her hands, defeated and dejected. "If... If that's really what you want, Kurth..."

<Neera> "It is." The Dal looks exhausted, as if the years of their past life have somehow manifested upon their new flesh. "Thank you, Elvira. For everything."

<DM_Dox> "Just... Just go." She doesn't take her head out of her hands.

<Neera> Neera bows, a bit less gracefully than they would like. "The body will be ready by tomorrow."

<Neera> They move to exit.

<DM_Dox> As they leave the building, Neera hears Marohi, seemingly coming out of a yawn. <Sooooo, ah, done cuttin' ties yet?>

<Neera> <Done,> they respond, sounding none too pleased. <Nothing left but to pick up the armor from Toragrin when it's finished.>

<DM_Dox> <So what's the plan for the rest've the day?>

<DM_Dox> <If you got time to mope, you got time to train. You think I'mma just let you swing me around next fight? I got higher standards than that.>

<DM_Dox> <You're gonna take me to the nearest spot where we don't gotta worry 'bout collateral damage. Preferably sand or some other soft floor.>

<Neera> <The barracks has a room that will serve,> they suggest. <And I had no intention of moping, I'll have you know.>

<DM_Dox> <Uh-huh, sure. Either way, take me there. Before we do any real fightin', you gotta get t' know me, an' I gotta get t' know you. So let's get to it.>

<DM_Dox> ---

#the lesser evil #dnd 3.5 #neera #toragrin #elviratanisk #marohi

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