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mollymauk-teafleak · 2 years

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the warmth of the strangest thing

We're going back to out roots, people, it's a selkie au. Huge thanks to the lovely @nb-fearne for all of the love and excellent ideas

Please consider reblogging and leaving a comment on Ao3!

Alone and in hiding after the destruction of his family, Percy de Rolo hopes he'll be forgotten in the ancient, dilapidated lighthouse his family used to own.

Now Percy's own memories are finishing the job the Briarwoods started. That and a fall from the top of the lighthouse on a stormy night.

But someone is looking out for Percy de Rolo.

The light has gone out.

That was the one thought in Percy’s mind when he opened his eyes to complete darkness. It made a nice change to wake with just the one fear, rather than the usual thousand but he supposed the whiskey had taken care of the rest.

But the light had gone out. A storm was raging and the light had gone out.

“Fuck,” Percy croaked, the word burning in his raw throat.

He staggered upright, the world lurching around him though whether it was the disorientating sound of the waves or the drink, that was hard to say. He didn’t immediately feel the sunburst pain of a banged head so he surmised he mustn’t have made it to the bunk after all. Hands that were only somewhat connected to his body groped into the shadows. Boxes. Bottles. Books and papers on the floor. Unhelpful as the whole bloody place was full of such junk.

But then the leg of a table. Fine then, he’d passed out in the kitchen and fallen from the chair. Not unusual. Percy hauled himself to his feet, unsteady, every cell of him groaning in pain. The urge to head to his bunk or simply slump back to the floor was painful to ignore. Every sound made him flinch, which was unfortunate as there were many to accompany his staggering across the tight, black, cluttered interior of the lighthouse. Bottles clinked and chattered as he kicked them, boxes screeched as he shoved them across the splintering boards, piles of books and papers slid to the floor in accusing avalanches.

And the storm. The waves were hungry and angry with it, roaring at Percy from a distance, throwing themselves against the rocks in an effort to reach him. The rain was sheeting against the milky glass, Percy could see it whenever the lightning flashed and broke the darkness, silent but painful on his eyes. It felt like the world was furious at him, roaring and snapping and flashing at him.

Percy found it hard to blame it. He’d let the light go out, after all.

Everything in the old lighthouse was damp-rotted and splintering and twisted. The climb up the stairs into the lamp room was dangerous at the best of times, when there weren’t whiskey bottles rolling around on the floor. If you could call those the best of times, which Percy didn’t. But he had little choice, the light was up there. If a storm was raging, that needed to be shining bright or people could die.

So he climbed the crooked spine of the building, nearly losing his footing twince, cursing as his palms were scraped by the rough wood, his thin, slurring voice echoing feebly off the walls. He was barefoot too, when had that happened? He’d be pulling splinters out of the balls of his feet for the rest of the week.

He dragged himself up onto the floor that housed the immense lens, the baleful, blind pupil. There were still sections of its face that were dull with grime, some that were missing entirely, he hadn’t got around to fixing those yet. It was the system behind it all that was the real horror, the pipes for the oil and air blocked with god knows what, the reservoirs run dry, the pressures unbalanced, the whole thing a tangled mess of brass, like a metallic octopus who fought him at every attempt to fix it. The damn wicks just plain refusing to stay lit.

Percy thought he’d rigged up a fix the other afternoon, he’d got a flicker that would magnify into at least a little light. Something to show for his effort. Something to say he was doing his job. Just something. But the whole lot was dark now and he couldn’t see what with only the occasional lightning flash to light his way and the ceaseless hammering of the rain drumming on his skull.

But he reached in anyway, blurry eyes and bile rising in his throat, casting around and finding a wrench on the boards. If he could just tighten the channel so the air didn’t escape, the pressure would rise and the oil would flow to the wicks. It still wouldn’t be perfect but he was past that. He just needed some light.

The bloody thing clanged and clattered at him as the wrench slipped and slid but it finally bit, finding purchase on the right pipe. Percy grit his teeth and forced his aching muscles to tighten, his own body as broken and creaky as the damn lighthouse.

“Come on,” he groaned through his teeth, feeling sweat that reeked of whiskey run down his back, “Come on, please…”

The wrench slipped and Percy careened forward, all of that tension pitching him into the bowels of the wretched thing, a copper pipe racing up to slam into his forehead. The roar that tore from him was frustration and pain and disappointment, all different forms of hurt rushing into one ocean of it that burned in his chest and out of his mouth.

“Damn it,” he howled, throwing the wrench in a fit of anger, sending it spinning.

Two things happened in the same instant, overlapping each other like those strange new photograph things. One, the world turned white with another flash of lightning. Two, the wind suddenly whistled through, stronger and colder than it had any right to be, in through the now broken window. The wrench had shattered it and then sailed on through into the soaked darkness.

Percy’s heart dropped.

“Shit. Shit, shit shit, shit…”

He staggered up, running towards the broken window. He only had so many tools, he couldn’t risk any of them, going into town wasn’t safe for him. How could he fix the lighthouse with no tools? The one thing he could do, he could tinker, but he couldn’t do it without bloody tools.

Percy could feel the whiskey sloshing around in his skull as he ran to the railing, his own personal ocean with its own swells and surges. He climbed through the maw of the broken window, feeling glass bite into his palms but the alcohol numbed it into a problem for later. The problem right now was the wrench.

It wasn’t anywhere on the balcony. The fierce wind whipped his loose shirt around his thin body, turning it into something like wings, at least until the rain soaked it through. Every so often a wave would crash against the rock and spray right up to where he stood, more rain to burn his eyes. He’d left his glasses somewhere but he could only thank his drunken self for doing that, if the wind took them he was done for. And it wasn’t as if they’d be any help.

The only thing to do was lean over the railing and peer down into the slick blackness. The lighthouse sagged slightly over the end of the rock, it was just meaningless white patterns of surging foam when Percy looked down. It was another world down there, so black he may as well have been looking up into the night sky. And he saw no hope there.

He wouldn’t recall what happened next. A slick board, a gust of wind at the wrong time, tilting too far forward because he couldn’t tell which way was up, it could have been an accident. It could have been.

It could also have not been. Percy wouldn’t remember.

The only things he’d remember were the despair, the feeling of failure, the fresh one and the old one that didn’t heal no matter how far he ran. He couldn’t save his family. He couldn’t keep the light on.

Percy remembered that and he remembered falling.

Vex thought it was a bad idea.

She’d watched the human in the strange, tall house just like he had but she thought he looked like ill winds. Like a brewing storm.

“He looks like Father’s type,” she’d said once, her yellow eyes narrowed and untrusting.

His sister’s eyes were sharper than his, it was true, though Vax would never admit that to her. So maybe she was seeing something he couldn’t, some darkness or threat in that odd human. He did look a little like Father’s kind, the hooked aquiline nose and high cheekbones and set back shoulders. Those humans that thought themselves in a higher class than others.

But no one around Syldor had ever looked so broken.

So while Vex dismissed the human once she was sure he knew nothing of their cove, Vax kept watching. His sister had noticed and warned him off going anywhere near that shoreline, reminding him of everything they’d done to escape the attention of humans. Vax had scoffed and shoved her and reminded her he wasn’t a fool.

He knew the dangers as well as anyone and had the scars to prove it.

But Vax kept watch over his strange human with the weird, tall house, without really being sure why. It was just a feeling, an odd one at the back of his mind, a little like the pull that drew him across the oceans towards home. Mama had taught him to trust feelings like that.

And he saw why on the night of the storm, when he saw his human fall.

Vax didn’t hesitate. As soon as he realised the white shape tumbling towards the black waves was the young man, he pulled his skin around his shoulders and kicked into the water, ignoring his sister’s shout of alarm.

The sea was a riot of colour. Currents pulled this way and that, creatures swam frantically towards safety, the rain beat a song on the surface up above him. Vax cut through it all, riding the surges the way birds rode air currents, closing the distance between the twins’ cove and the strange house in a few lightning flashes. Vex was stronger but he had always been faster, a dapple skinned blur through the waves.

It was easy to find the human even as the storm currents played their tricks. For one he was bleeding, Vax’s hunter instincts flaring at the smell of a wounded animal until all he had to do was follow the red pulsing. For another, he was a different colour to everything else, a white ghost suspended in the blue green water, a trail of bubbles hanging suspended above him and showing the path by which he’d been thrown into their strange world. Vax’s eyes spied him straight away, off in a distance that he quickly shrank to nothing.

Vax caught the human’s shirt in his teeth, dragging him back towards the solid surety of the cliffs. As soon as they realised he had a prize, the currents became mischievous, trying to steal it from his grip, slowing Vax down. With a growl of frustration, he arrowed to the surface, very aware of the seconds ticking by, the time the poor, ragged human had been without air, the time the chill Vax couldn’t feel had been bleeding into those weak muscles.

The waves rose around them tall and imposing as cliff faces, like the world was reshaping itself, trying to trap them. Vax plunged forward, huffing out heavy breaths that steamed in the air, whiskers trembling towards the land when his eyes lost it in the surging water. The human was skin and bone but with the water soaked into him, the sea trying to claim him, this was becoming a harder job than Vax had thought.

Until the weight of his human seemed to suddenly halve and the warm, amber smell of his sister made his sudden panic retreat.

This is a very, very bad idea, she snapped at him across their bond, her yellow eyes narrowed at him from where she had risen up under the human’s body, supporting him across her back.

I love you too, dear sister, Vax barked with laughter, now easily guiding them towards the shore.

There was a small beach tucked right into the bowl of the headland, sheltered from the storm. Vax made for that relative peace, feeling the water’s anger recede behind them as the pebble beds rose up to meet them with gentleness. Here great spires of sodden rock stood sentinel, outcroppings like immense gates between the sea and the land.

Passing by them, Vax felt a moment’s unease, one that he sensed clinging to his sister like a burr in her fur whereas he shrugged it off. It was often that way with the two of them.

As he started to feel the pebbles rolling under his belly, Vax slipped his skin, feeling his limbs stretch and grasp once again, the colours fading into a realm his eyes now couldn’t see. But he could stand, sliding strong arms under his human’s lip form and carrying him the rest of the way to the beach.

He felt Vex’s intense disapproval through their bond even if he couldn’t hear her voice anymore. He ignored her and laid the human down, bending to listen for breathing. Shallow, weak breaths but there all the same. He must have hit his head on the rock, unconscious when he slipped under the waves. That made the bleeding wound the priority. That meant bandages, scissors, ethanol. That meant the strange, tall house.

Vex growled from the shallows, lips lifting back from her long teeth, as Vax gathered the human back into his arms.

Vax sniffed, “Go back to the cove if you want. I’m going to help him.”

He didn’t need to hear the bond to understand what the angry slap of his sister’s tail on the water meant.

“Oh I’m not going to do anything stupid!” he set his shoulders stubbornly, “I’m just going to patch him up and see him safe to bed, that’s all.”

He began walking up to the thin, crooked path that led up the face of the cliff, hoping he looked very righteous as he did so. He only faltered slightly at the sound of a gentle, worried whimper from behind him.

Vax turned, eyes soft.

“I’ll come back,” he promised, knowing his voice would carry to her even as the wind whistled around them, lifting his skin around his shoulders and trembling her whiskers, “I won’t leave you, I’ll come back.”

Vax didn’t know if he’d reassured Vex but she stayed in the shallows, eyes shining as she watched him walk up to the tall house. He got the message, if he took too long, she’d be following him and dragging him out by his ear. He could always depend on his sister.

The path up the cliffs was a shaky switchback, easy enough for someone who spent most of their life swimming but must have been difficult for the bird boned young man in his arms. The odd building drew closer, only looking stranger as it began to tower above them. Vax wished it had the bright light it sometimes wore up top, it would have been so much easier to find in the dark. He liked having opposable thumbs but his eyes left a lot to be desired without his skin.

Fortunately the path was crooked but sure, taking him right to the front door. It was heavily locked and barred, something that wasn’t usually a problem for Vax but he also didn’t usually leave his lock picking tools back at the cove because he’d rushed off on a daring rescue. Fortunately one of the windows wasn’t sitting right in its frame, a heavy shove with a strong arm popped it open easily enough, Vax slipping in easily as a shadow and promptly opening the door to retrieve his cargo from where he’d laid him on the wet grass.

He didn’t like the look of the blood smear left behind when he picked him up again. Moving faster, he wove his way through the cluttered interior, deftly stepping over crates and around listing towers of books and papers, avoiding sending glass bottles careening across the carpets to shatter on some other piece of junk. The nearest, partially clear surface was a large table so, with a scavenged sweater for a pillow, Vax laid him there.

A few gas lamps helped turn the dark interior into something he could navigate with eyes. Vax had never seen a human lair look so untidy, the inside of the strange place as fascinating as the outside. His fingers itched instantly at the sight of so many interesting trinkets but he sternly told them to wait. He could take a reward later.

So Vax forced himself to focus, using a voice that sounded an awful lot like his sister, until he had what he needed. Very basic tools, some scissors with dull blades, some rubbing alcohol he suspected might be for cleaning and no bandages but some relatively clean sheets he could sacrifice. His mama had worked with less, he supposed.

The storm was still raging outside but in this strange place, they were safe and warm and he was going to save his human.

This was a wonderful idea.

The light is on.

Percy woke to such a flood of relief that he opened his eyes without thinking and immediately recoiled in pain. Because the light was on but his eyes were raw and crusted with salt, a bitch of a headache beating inside his skull. In fact, all of him ached, like he’d been thrown from some great height.

And he had.

Fear tensed every muscle in Percy’s body in spite of the pain. By all rights he should be lying at the bottom of the ocean but instead he was…he was on his dining table, making puddles of sea water on the floor and soaking a blanket that had been laid over him. Someone had carried him here, laid him out and covered him. Someone had lit the lamps.

Someone had gotten through the door.

Percy tried to move but the whole back of his head felt numb and heavy. He gingerly reached a hand back and found bandages and cloth there, covering a wound he’d rather not think about right now. He seemed vaguely functional at least, his extremities and limbs all seemed to move when he asked them too.

I am Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III. I live in the old lighthouse now. The Briarwoods killed my family, the world thinks I’m dead too and I am on my own. His memory seemed alright then, even if he didn’t enjoy the remembering.

Was he on his own? The answer ran a cold finger down his spine as his brain woke up enough to hear the soft scratching sound at the door. No. He wasn’t.

Percy made to roll off the table and dive for some kind of cover, the old but familiar panic etched into his muscles flaring wildly. A weapon, a hiding place, anything. But he ached so deeply, still slow and bloody foolish the way he had been the first time, so when the door opened and the shadow slipped in, he was vulnerable. So he did what he’d done that first time, Percy squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the pain as something struck his chest.

There was a pause. After the silence had stretched far too long, Percy opened one eye a crack to see a large, wet fish on his chest.

“What the fuck…” he murmured weakly.

“Do you like it?”

Percy’s head whipped to the source of the voice, the half forgotten shadow. It was a man, a man with a long curtain of soaked, dark hair, wearing some dripping, dappled blanket over his shoulders. His face was almost fae, enormous eyes and ears with darker, freckled skin. His smile was a mile wide.

“I caught it for you,” he indicated the fish, leaking sea water and blood into Percy’s shirt that was already soaked in both, “You need to eat to get your strength back.”

“I…thank you?” Percy was unsure of what else to say so he defaulted to the deeply ingrained politeness he’d been raised with, “I’ll…I’ll be sure to put it on ice and prep it when I…yes, it’s very big, thank you.”

The man looked a little confused for a moment before grinning again, “Oh! Of course! Humans cook things. I forgot that.”

It was a credit to how hard Percy hit his head that it took a few seconds for that phrasing to send his heart plunging to the bottom of his bare feet.

“What…?”

The question had a hundred, horrified endings and the strange man seemed to understand that, offering several answers after a soft, sympathetic smile.

“You fell from your weird house. I was watching you like I always do and saw the whole thing so I came to rescue you. I got in by, I think, breaking your window which I’m very sorry for but in my defence, I think it was already mostly broken? You’ve hit your head on the rocks but you don’t need stitches, it just hit an unfortunate place and knocked you out. I’ll keep an eye on you to see if you have a concussion though if you don’t, humans have way thicker skulls than I thought.”

As he spoke, the young man walked around the table, fussing with the blanket that lay over Percy, tucking it in tighter around his body, reaching up to adjust the gas lamps above, turning them down to soften the light like he could tell it was hurting Percy.

And as he did, Percy got the answer to the most important of his questions. What are you if I’m human? Because the blanket draped around his shoulders wasn’t a blanket at all, it was too sleek, the water running off it and turning its dark colour into something that went on forever, blues and greens and blacks that moved all their own like ocean water. It was a seal’s skin, fixed at his throat with a smooth pebble the colour of his eyes.

What are you if I’m human?

“A selkie,” Percy breathed.

The young man turned his head, a crooked smile on his face and eyes like nothing he’d ever seen before.

“You know me,” something in his expression shifted, something otherworldly and beautiful and a little terrifying, the kind of thing that stretched the boundaries of what you thought the world had been.

“From storybooks,” Percy blinked in wonder, a little hypnotised by the colours of his skin, “From fairytales. I had no idea you actually existed, this is incredible!”

The selkie closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, quick as if he were in the water they were nose to nose, the lamplight shining in his eyes. Percy jumped in shock and instantly blushed. Not least because he’d just realised the young selkie was utterly naked under his skin cloak.

“I knew it,” his voice was breathy with delight, his teeth definitely sharper than any humans were and Percy was getting a good view of them as he beamed, “I knew you were different, I knew you’d understand! I told my sister, I said you weren’t like the others, you weren’t like Syldor. I believed in you and I was right!”

“I…your sister?” Percy grasped for one of his many questions that were raised.

“Oh yes!” he nodded happily, “She’s Vex, I’m Vax. Vax’ildan. In full.”

“Vax’ildan…” Percy rolled the unfamiliar name around his mouth. It tasted of salt.

It was a while before he realised why the selkie he could now think of as Vax’ildan was staring at him patiently.

“Oh. Sorry. I’m…” Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, “Percy. You can call me Percy.”

Vax seemed as awed by his name as Percy had been with his and seemingly unaware of the pregnant pause.

“That’s beautiful,” he murmured, like he’d been given a gift rather than a name.

“Can I offer you some…” Percy had no idea what you offered a mythical creature who’d wandered in from one of your grandmother’s fairy stories and saved your life, “Clothes?”

Vax cocked his head for a moment before giving a soft laugh, “Oh, right. Another human thing I forgot. Somewhat loses the point when you’d just get them soaked every time you changed. But you should get some dry, warm things anyway so might as well…”

Percy slowly swung his legs over the side of the table, checking for things breaking or splintering as he went. But he made it onto his feet without collapsing in agony, just dull throbbing in places he’d probably have hellish bruises the next day and a throbbing headache that could probably be blamed on the whiskey. Not bad for a tumble right off the edge of the lighthouse.

“Do you have any of that human stuff with the beans and the water and you put the milk and sugar in it and it makes you feel buzzy?” Vax piped up from the fireplace where he was loading up logs.

“Coffee?” Percy couldn’t help the bemused smile on his face, as strange as this all was.

“Yes!” he sat up, grinning as the fire crackled to life in front of him, “Gods, I love that stuff, I’ve missed it like crazy.”

It seemed a small reward to give for saving his life but Percy made it as nice as he could, using old cups and chipped saucers from the cupboards he hadn’t been in yet, even filling a little bowl with sugar and a little jug with cream, after hastily blowing the dust out of both. He only had one spoon, as it happened, they’d have to share. By the time he’d loaded it all onto a very lopsided tray and brought it to the fireside, the logs were ablaze, crackling and snapping and throwing warmth out into the cramped little interior. Percy set it all down, grateful he’d made it without spilling.

Vax had disappeared with the fish so he took the opportunity to change out of the salt crusted, increasingly stiff and uncomfortable clothes that had joined him in the ocean, also grabbing a warm sweater and soft trousers for Vax. The crates of old clothes in the lighthouse were musty and already big for him, cavernous for Vax, but they weren’t wet at least. Percy felt much better with his glasses back on in any case.

Just when he was sat cross legged in front of the fire, drinking coffee, thinking that this might have all been a very strange dream and he was about the wake up back on the kitchen floor or, worse, on the sea bed, the door opened with a howl of wind and a flurry of rain, an even wetter Vax ducking in with a vase of all things under his arm.

“Here! Come on, you need to eat,” he thrust it at Percy who glanced in and saw chunks of cleaned, gutted and deboned fish.

“Why…why did you put them in a vase?” Percy blinked, trying to process this odd gift.

“A what? I just grabbed the first thing with a hole in it,” Vax shook himself, sending a spray of rainwater over the both of them before looking sternly down at him, “I mean it. Eat up.”

Percy obediently stuck a chunk onto a toasting fork and held it in the fire until the skin was crisp and the flesh was seared. When Vax returned wearing the jumper- only the jumper, though it did come down to his knees- he nodded in satisfaction to see him nibbling the edge of actually the tastiest thing he’d eaten in a while.

“Good boy,” he hummed, sitting opposite Percy and spreading his skin out between them,

Percy blushed a little though he wasn’t quite sure why, “Would you like some?”

“No, no, you eat your share first,” Vax shook his head, “You’re the injured one.”

Blushing even harder with even less of an understanding why he was doing it, Percy went back to nibbling on his fish. His eyes drifted down to the skin, with all its depth and colour. It really was something alive, like it was always in motion, the light playing on it like it was rushing through the water.

“That really is gorgeous…” he murmured, fingers itching to touch it.

Vax grinned, hands curled around his coffee cup, “Thank you. I always thought so too…can I ask you some questions? There’s so much I want to know about you.”

That made him laugh, “There’s a lot I’d like to know about you too, actually. How about we take turns? You can go first seeing as you…caught and dressed an entire halibut for me…”

“Big isn’t it?” Vax grinned proudly, “My sister’s the better hunter but I can’t wait to tell her about that one…anyway, um…okay! What are those things you wear on your face?”

Percy reached a hand up to touch them, “My glasses? They help me see, my eyes aren’t so good.”

“Oh! Like a spyglass?” Vax tilted his head curiously.

“Quite like that actually. Here.”

He took them off his face and held them out for his inspection, giggling when Vax held them to his own face and turned his eyes enormous.

“It’s like I’m underwater but I can’t smell or hear as good…” Vax laughed too, handing them back, “Now you ask me something!”

Percy wiped his glasses on the edge of his sweater, trying to think where to start with the million questions crowding his tongue, “Have there always been selkies in these waters? My family’s had this place for generations and there’s nothing about your kind in any of the maps or books here.”

“Well, we’re pretty good at hiding when we have to. And we pretty much always have to,” a kind of sadness flickered across Vax’s face as he said that, “But no, me and my sister are the only ones here and we came recently after…well, after we had nowhere else to go.”

Percy paused, those words tugging on his heart and pulling his small confession forward, “I’m here because I have nowhere else to go too.”

There was a kind of comfort there in the firelight, an understanding that crossed the gulf between their worlds. Both of them found the same smile on the other’s face, like looking in a shifting, crackling, orange mirror.

“My turn,” Vax had clearly changed his mind, taking a chunk of fish from the vase and eating it raw, “Why is your house so strange?”

“Strange?”

Vax waved his hands around, stacking up an imaginary tower, “It’s tall! And it’s all white and sometimes the top lights up like it’s wearing a hat!”

“Oh,” Percy understood, smiling a little, “It’s a lighthouse. It’s tall so it can be seen and the light on top is supposed to run all the time during the night so the ships out at sea know they’re drawing close to land, to avoid running aground on the rocks. My grandmother’s family, they were lighthouse keepers going way back, living here and making sure people could travel safely. Between them, they must have saved thousands of lives.”

Vax’s expression was awed, “That’s incredible. So why is it dark now?”

Percy opened his mouth and surprised himself when his throat constricted and the words stalled.

“I…I’ve been trying to get it working again. It’s old, no one’s used it since my grandmother met my grandfather, but I…I thought I was good at this stuff, at tinkering and fixing,” he spread his hands helplessly, “I’ve read all the books, all the manuals I can find in these damn boxes, I’ve used the tools that are here, I’ve tried again and again. But I can’t make it work, the bloody thing won’t stay on. I can’t make it work.”

Vax’s image had started to swim in front of him, his voice had grown a little further away, “Does it need to? Percy…”

“No, it does,” his voice came out strangled, like he was back underwater and drowning, “It does because I need to be able to do this, I have to fix at least this because I couldn’t fix anything else-”

“Percy.”

The tears had started flowing when he hadn’t even realised, his voice had broken without him noticing. He’d been slipping out of his body and only Vax’s voice had snapped him back. He realised their hands were joined between them, the selkie’s touch cool and grounding, his voice a vibration to the heart of him, a call across the distance that had grown between them. Percy gripped his hands like an anchor.

“I’m very sorry you can’t fix your house and make the light come on,” Vax said, voice gentler now, “I’m very sorry you’re here because you have nowhere else to go. I’m very sorry you’re scared. But I’m here now so you’re not alone any more. And if you’d like, I’ll help you fix it. I promise, we can get that light back on together.”

Percy trembled, gripping Vax’s hands so tight it had to be painful but the selkie just stroked gentle circles with his thumbs, “You…you would do that? You’d help me?”

Vax tilted his head, his smile brightening, “Of course. You’re my human.”

“I am?” Percy felt comforted by that, though he wasn’t sure he understood.

But Vax nodded like it was perfectly simple, “My mama always told me the currents seem random but pull things where they need to go. And they pulled me and Vex here, to you and your lighthouse. Neither of us fit so well into the world we came from so they drew us here, into the middle. So I could save you and protect you.”

Percy blinked hard, tears still freely running down his face. It was the craziest thing he’d ever heard but wasn’t it true? The world he was born into had hurt him, took his family from him, chased him out here into the fringes. Vax was the first good, kind thing he’d come across in so long, so long that he’d given up all hope of finding any happiness again.

“I can’t…” he croaked, that last shred of doubt twisting in his chest, “Vax, I…I’ve got bad people after me. I’m not safe and I’ve already had everyone I love completely destroyed. I can’t just take from you and offer nothing in return but a target on your back.”

That sad edge crept into Vax’s smile, “Selkies are born with a target on their back, it's nothing new to me. And if you’d really like to give something in return, more than I was going to ask anyway, if that light can keep ships away from this shore, it would go a long way to making us feel safer in our den. Not all humans are like you, Percy.”

Percy absorbed that, though his attention snagged on one phrase, a rare and unfamiliar hope alighting in his chest, “What were you going to ask in return?”

Vax smiled shyly, “Well…”

Percy thought he understood that at least. He leaned forward and that hope took flight when Vax leaned in eagerly and kissed him. And for the first time in a very long while, Percy forgot to be afraid.

They stayed like that for a good, long while, until they were both breathless and gasping. They resurfaced, foreheads resting together, keeping each other upright and hands clasped. The storm still raged outside but for a moment, their strange little place in the middle was still.

All the joy in the world was in Vax’s eyes, “My human.”

Percy gave a soft laugh, “My fairy tale.”

Neither of them needed to be the one to close the distance between their lips again. They simply moved together, naturally, inevitably. Like the tides.

The storm had screamed itself hoarse and dissipated into damp grass and weak dawn sunlight. Percy leaned in the doorway of the lighthouse, a now cold coffee in his hands but he wasn’t one to waste it. Cold coffee and seared halibut, a very strange breakfast.

“I’ll be back soon!” Vax promised for the tenth time since he’d started walking down the path back to the sea, a lot seeing as he hadn’t gone more than fifty paces.

“I know,” Percy smiled, “I believe you.”

And gods help him, he did.

“It’s just my sister will think you’ve kidnapped me and she’ll come up here and maybe kill you and it’ll just be a whole thing,” Vax shrugged, back in his skin now dried and soft from the fire.

Percy grinned, “An inconvenience, I’m sure. But you’ll be back tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Vax nodded, again. Maybe Percy had needed him to say it ten times. “We’ll get that tall house fixed.”

“Well, we’ll make a start,” Percy allowed, mouth quirking into a smile.

“How else are you meant to fix something?” Vax grinned, wandering down the path on light fight, nearly making a dance of it.

Percy stayed and watched until Vax disappeared from sight, vanishing behind the cliff as he started down to the shoreline, back to the water. As soon as he was gone, that fear he’d carried with him since the day he lost his family whispered he won’t come back. Percy would be haunted by that thought until he’d open his eyes the next morning and see Vax smiling at him with, what else, another fish.

But for now the sun was shining, the weight was off his chest and he could believe that this was in fact the start of something.

Percy could believe the light would come on and stay on.

#percildan #selkie au #classic rescue from a stormy sea #please reblog and comment!#critical role #percy de rolo #vaxildan

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havfayth · 9 months

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are you alright, @astrcls ? are you doing well ? no ? you know what ? jing yuan is just going to bend yinyue jun over the table and massage his shoulders, his strong, calloused, powerful fingers kneading into yinyue's stressed and strained muscles, rubbing the thin, CONGESTED rivers into a plethora of waterfalls that slip into the much needed reservoir of tranquility and peace. do you feel it ? do you feel every inch of your muscle giving into that singular points where jing yuan makes contact ? ignore that hot breath travelling down your shoulders for a minute.

worry not about the world around you, focus on the rhythmic rubbing into your weary knots and the way their hips are rocking back and forth in perfect tangent, the way your tail is somehow trapped in between the general's ridiculously powerful thighs that have once snapped the neck of a mara struck soldier ... or a watermelon. but your tail is fine ( your dick won't be though ) mmmm that's good, that's good. at some point, they also both turn their heads towards the mirror for that much needed therapeutic eye contact™.

#the tm stands for trust me #TRUST ME. THIS WORKS.#crack. / it's shitposting time !

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graaaaceeliz · 1 year

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Tagged by @notmanthelessbutnaturemore for lockscreen, last song listened to, latest photo, and last photo saved. We've got MacLeod's Tables on Skye, peas, Lament for Derwent Village by Bella Hardy - about one of the villages that was evacuated then drowned to form a reservoir. This one was in Darbyshire, 1944. Very sad. My last saved photo is for a silmarillion au and I laugh at it a lot.

Enjoy @the-jin-to-my-tonic @catchandelier and uhhh who else do I know ah my rocks and history guy @imfallingthroughtime

#ask games

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songoftrillium · 1 year

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Optional House Rule: Ability Trait Specializations

MET ability traits may be used as ability specializations.

The connotations for gameplay is big for any WoD table.

For those not familiar with LARPing with Mind's Eye Theater rules for World of Darkness, here's a brief rundown of how it works: Where one would have, say, 4 dots in STR, 3 dots in DEX, and 3 dots in STA, they instead have 10 physical traits, of which they may list these traits to declare in a challenge. So one's 10 physical traits may be Lithe, Stalwart, Brawny, Brutal, Savage, Deftness and any of a broad number of adjectives that collectively give a complete picture of this person. Then when one wants to do something physical, they say "I will Brutally claw at you!" and the person defending may say "I will stand Stalwart against you!" and then the rock paper scissors thing ensues. On a tie, they compare total number of traits. Shared traits are canceled out, and whoever has the most unique traits wins the tie. The real magic lies in the way these traits are described. They are generalized enough to apply to a wide variety of applications while being specific enough for an individual to capitalize on them. That is, when applied as an ability specialization, it can both be explained succinctly in it's applications, while also being a generalized-enough specialization that it can be applied to a wide variety of tasks. In short, these traits are themselves aligned with the general nature of Abilities, making them the perfect candidate for specializations.

See below for a list of Traits, and their application is pretty self-explanatory:

Physical Traits:

Athletic: You have conditioned your body to respond well in full-body movements, especially in competitive events. Uses: sports, duels, running, acrobatics, grappling

Brawny: Bulky Muscular Strength. Uses: Punching, kicking or grappling in combat when your goal is to inflict damage. Power lifting. All feats of strength.

Brutal: You are capable of taking nearly any action in order to survive. Uses: Fighting an obviously superior enemy.

Dextrous: General androitness and skill involving the use of one's hands. Uses: Weapon-oriented combat (melee or firearms). Pickpocketing, Punching, Celerity

Enduring: A persistent sturdiness against physical opposition. Uses: When your survival is at stake, this is a good Trait to risk a second, or successive, bid.

Energetic: A powerful force of spirit. A strong internal drive propels you and, in physical situations, you can draw on a deep reservoir of enthusiasm and zeal. Uses: combat, Celerity Ferocious: Possession of brutal intensity and extreme physical determination. Uses: Any time that you intend to do serious harm i.e. frenzying

Graceful: Control and balance in the motion and use of the entire body. Uses: Combat defense. Whenever you might lose your balance (stepping on a banana peel, fighting on four-inch-thick rafters et al)

Lithe: Characterized by flexibility and suppleness. Uses: Acrobatics, gymnastics, dodging, dancing, Celerity

Nimble: Light and skillful; able to make agile movements. Uses: Dodging, jumping, rolling, acrobatics. Hand-to-Hand combat.

Quick: Speedy, with fast reaction time. Uses: Defending against surprise attack. Running, dodging, attacking. Celerity.

Resilient: Characterized by strength of health; able to recover quickly from bodily harm. Uses: Resisting adverse environments. Defending against damage from an attack.

Robust: Resistant to physical harm and damage. Uses: Defending against damage in an attack. Endurance related to actions that could take place over a period of time.

Rugged: Hardy, rough, and brutally healthy. Able to shrug off wounds and pain to continue struggling. Uses: When resisting damage, any challenge that you enter while injured. Earth Melding.

Stalwart: Physically strong and uncompromising against opposition. Uses: Resisting damage, or when standing your ground against overwhelming odds or a superior foe.

Steady: More than simply physically dependable: controlled, disciplined, and balanced. You have a firm mastery over your efforts. Uses: Weapon attacks. Fighting in exotic locations. Piloting oil tankers.

Tenacious: Physically determined through force of will. You often prolong physical confrontations, even when it might not be wise to do so. Uses: Second or subsequent physical challenges.

Tireless: You have a runner's stamina-you are less taxed by physical efforts than ordinary people. Uses: Any endurance related challenge, second, or subsequent challenges against an evenly-matched foe.

Tough: A harsh, aggressive attitude and resistance to harm. Uses: Whenever you're wounded or winded.

Vigorous: A combination of energy, power, intensity, and resistance to harm. Uses: Combat and athletic challenges where you're on the defensive.

Wiry: Tight, streamlined, muscular strength Uses: Punching, kicking or grappling in combat. Acrobatic movements. Endurance lifting.

Social Traits

Alluring: An attractive and appealing presence that inspires desire in others. Uses: Seduction. Convincing others.

Beguiling: The skill of deception and illusion. You can twist the perceptions of others and lead them to believe what suits you. Uses: Tricking others. Lying under duress.

Charismatic: The talent and inspiration and motivation, the sign of a strong leader. Uses: In a situation involving leadership or the achievement of leadership. Awe contests.

Charming: Your speech and actions make you appear attractive and appealing to others. Uses: Convincing, Persuading, or Entrancement Challenges

Commanding: Impressive delivery of orders and suggestions. This implies skill in the control and direction of others. Uses: When you are seen as a leader. Presence challenges.

Compassionate: Deep feelings of care or pity in others. Uses: Defending the weak or downtrodden. Defeating major obstacles while pursuing an altruistic end.

Dignified: Something about your posture and body carriage appears honorable and aesthetically pleasing. You carry yourself well. Uses: Presence challenges. Social Defense.

Diplomatic: Tactful, careful and thoughtful in speech and deed. Few are displeased with what you say or do. Uses: Very important in intrigue. Leadership situations.

Elegant: Refined tastefulness. Even though you don't need money to be elegant, you exude and air of richness and high society. Uses: High society or Toreador parties. Might be important in some clans for advancement. Defending against social disciplines.

Eloquent: The ability to speak in and interesting and convincing manner. Uses: Convincing others. Swaying emotions. Public speaking.

Empathetic: Able to identify and understand the emotions and moods of people with whom you come into contact. Uses: Gauging the feelings of others. Beast Within contests. Not useful in defense against social disciplines.

Expressive: Able to articulate thoughts in interesting, significant, or meaningful ways. Uses: Producing art, acting, performing. Any social situation in which you want someone to understand your meaning.

Friendly: Able to fit in with everyone you meet. Even after a short conversation, most find it difficult to dislike you. Uses: Entrancement challenges. Convincing others.

Genial: Cordial, kindly, warm, and pleasant. You are pleasing to be around. Uses: Mingling at parties. Starting an entrancement challenge. Generally used in second or subsequent social challenges.

Gorgeous: Beautiful or handsome. You were born with a face and body that is good looking to most people you meet. Uses: Modeling, posing. Beast Within Challenges. Entrancement challenges.

Ingratiating: Able to gain favor with people who know you. Uses: Dealing with elders in a social situation. Entrancement challenges. Defending against social disciplines.

Intimidating: A frightening or awesome presence that causes others to feel timing. This Trait is particularly useful when attempting to cow opponents. Uses: Dread gaze and Majesty challenges. Inspiring common fear. Ordering others.

Magnetic: People feel drawn to you; those around you are interested in your speech and actions. Uses: Presence Challenges, Beast Within Challenges, Seduction

Persuasive: Able to propose believable, convincing and correct arguments and requests. Very useful when someone else is undecided on an issue. Uses: persuading or convincing others.

Seductive: Able to entire and tempt. You can use your good looks and your body to get what you want from others. Uses: Subterfuge, Entrancement, Summoning and Seduction

Witty: Clearly humorous. Jokes and jests come easily to you, and you are perceived as a funny person when you want to be. Uses: At parties. Entertaining someone. Goading or insulting someone.

Mental Traits

Alert: Mentally Prepared for danger and able to react quickly when it occurs Uses: Preventing surprise attacks. Defending against Dominate challenges.

Attentive: You pay attention to everyday occurances around you. When something extraordinary happens, you are usually ready for it. Uses: Preventing surprise attacks. Seeing through Obfuscate when you don't expect it. Preventing Dominate.

Calm: Able to withstand an extraordinary level of disturbance without becoming agitated or upset. A wellspring of self control. Uses: Resisting Frenzy or commands that provoke violence. Whenever a mental attack might upset you. Primarily for defense.

Clever: Quick-witted resourcefulness. You think well on your feet. Uses: Mentally attacking another.

Creative: Your ideas are original and imaginative. This implies an ability to produce unusual solutions to your difficulties. You can create artistic pieces. A requirement for any true artist. Uses: Defending against aura readingfs. Creating anything.

Cunning: Crafty and sly, possessing a great deal of ingenuity. Uses: Tricking others. Command Challenges.

Dedicated: You give yourself totally over to your belief. When one of your causes is at stake, you stop at nothing to succeed. Uses: Useful in any Mental Challenge where your beliefs are at stake. Defense against Forgetful Mind and the like.

Determined: When it comes to mental endeavors, you are fully committed. Nothing can divert your intentions to succeed once you have made up your mind. Uses: Facedowns. Useful in a normal Mental Challenge.

Discerning: Discriminating, able to pick out details, subtleties, and idiosyncracies. You have clarity of vision. Uses: Auspex-related challenges.

Disciplined: Your mind is structured and controlled. This rigidity gives you an edge in battles of will. Uses: Thaumaturgy contests. Facedowns. Useful in a mental discipline contest.

Insightful: The power of looking at a sityuation and gaining and understanding of it. Uses: Investigation (but not defending against it), Reading Auras, Using Heightened Senses, Seeing through Obfuscate when you expect it.

Intuitive: Knowledge and understanding somehow come to you without conscious reasoning, as if by instinct. Uses: Reading auras. Seeing through obfuscate, Blue of the Milky Eye, et al.

Knowledgable: You know copious and detailed information about a wide variety of topics. This represents "Book-Learning." Uses: Forgetful mind contests. Remembering information your character might know. Magic.

Observant: Depth of vision, the power to look at something and notice the important aspects of it. Uses: Heightened Senses. Picking up on subtleties that others might overlook.

Patient: Tolerant spersevening and steadfast. You can wait out extended delays with composure. Uses: facedowns and other mental battles after losing a primary challenge.

Rational: You believe in logic, reason, sanity, and sobriety. Your ability to reduce concepts to a mathematical level helps you analyze the world. Uses: Defending against emotional appeals. Defending against an aura reading. Not useful as an initial bid.

Reflective: Meditative self-recollection and deep thought. The trait of a serious thinker, Reflective enables you to consider all aspects of a conundrum Uses: Meditation. Remembering information. Defending against most mental attacks.

Shrewd: Astute and artful, able to keep your wits about you and accomplish mental feats with efficiency and finesse. Uses: Defending against mental deceptions

Vigilant: Alertly Watchful. You have the disposition of a guard dog; your attention misses little. Uses: perception-based rolls to prevent surprise attack. Keeping a lookout for trouble.

#world of darkness #vampire: the masquerade #werewolf: the apocalypse #mage: the ascension #changeling: the dreaming #house rules #gonzo storytelling

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cowboy-bumblebee · 2 years

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The Will of Mother

Chapter 12 - Demon Reservoir

Warnings: none

Reader is AFAB but gender neutral pronouns are used

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Summary: moving on from the Beneviento residence, you find yourself unable to move on from the lives that have been lost as you and Ethan venture forth towards a reservoir that holds a bad memory for you

I sat idly by, staring at the two vials of Rose that Ethan had placed upon the pedestal where they fit. Ethan bartered with The Duke in the background as I fiddled with my knife. I couldn’t help the feeling of guilt that persisted in my stomach.

I felt guilty about Joanna. I felt guilty that Ethan had to be hunting down pieces of Rose like this. And somehow I felt guilty about Donna and Angie. I still felt guilty about Alcina and her daughters.

"Hey, I got some stuff for you. Probably keep you better protected this time around." Ethan suddenly spoke at my side, holding out a gun on a holster for my waist with some ammo. I gingerly took the items from him, fixing the holster to my waist and making sure the gun was loaded.

The Duke bid us both a farewell and we continued onward through the gate that matched the keys Ethan had combined. We hadn’t even made it very far past the gate before the beast ran at us.

Wolf-like and massive, it charged us and went for Ethan. The both of us screamed as it attacked him, Ethan screaming at me to run as I scrambled and slid in the mud. I made it to the doorway of the building nearby before I was sent sprawling to the ground inside with Ethan on top of me.

I groaned and laid there, Ethan quickly scrambling away from me. The beast held onto the doorway and leaned in, letting a deep roar out before it scrambled away.

Ethan yanked me to my feet, letting go of me much too quickly before he scrambled up the ladder nearby. Shaking my head, I held onto the table behind me as I looked around.

I shrieked and stumbled back, landing on the hard ground and trying to scramble away from the body. Luiza’s husband…

My breathing started to pick up and before I could process much else, the beast outside let out a weak roar before a very loud thud followed.

Ethan came down from the ladder nearby, coming to me to help me to my feet before he left the building. My eyes were stuck to the body sat on the ground. It took a long time for me to get moving again.

I left and found Ethan, sticking close and keeping my gun out. Ethan tried to make conversation, make jokes. Despite his effort it was difficult to even listen after looking at the body of someone I saw almost every day. To have people that I knew disappear and die was very different from knowing they were dead stumbling across their bodies.

We stayed silent until reaching a wall of... something. It was green and slimy, yet was hard as a rock at the center as I jabbed it with a long stick.

"This is going to be extreme but uh... you should probably stand back. Maybe hide behind a wall or something." Ethan warned, answering my perplexed look by pulling out a grenade launcher.

"Ethan where did you even-"

"I found it, just kinda lying around honestly." He interrupted me, ushering me with him as he walked a safe distance away from the barrier of the green sludge. I put myself fully behind a wall, barely peeking out so I could watch as the blew up.

We continued up the path, finding a locked gate and more of the green sludge covering part of the wall. On a whim, with little warning this time might I add, Ethan blew the green sludge to bits. I punched his arm as the bits of it settled.

"Ow! Hey! What was that for?!"

"Warn me next time you go blowing up something right next to us! As invincible as you seem to be, I promise you that I'm not." I huffed out, dusting off the little bit of it that had gotten on my jacket.

Ethan rolled his eyes and mocked me under his breath, much like a child would, before going to the locked gate and trying to find a way to unlock it. Scanning the surroundings, I found part of a ladder at the top of the wall where Ethan had blown up the sludge.

"Hey, Ethan, come give me a boost. I can unlock it from the other side." I said as I went and stood by the piece of ladder. Ethan came over to me, boosting me up to the piece of ladder and watching as I hopped up and over the stone wall. The pigs on this side of the wall ran from me as I ran to the gate, unlocking it and opening it for Ethan to come in.

After a quick combover of the yard in front of the windmill in front of us, we both went in. Much to my dismay, I already hated it here. Ethan remained deathly quiet, gun ready as we descended down and down into the windmill, finding ourselves in a mineshaft of some sort.

I almost gagged at the initial smell, the wet cave reeking something awful. But of course, stone cold Ethan remained unaffected. I swear it's like he's not even human sometimes.

The sound of static was heard up ahead, and with all these locked gates and so few options, I followed Ethan up the steps and towards the sound. I stayed to the side, watching Ethan as he made his way to a hole in the wall. He stared for a moment before reaching through the hole, snatching another vial of Rose out of the room on the other side.

Ethan casually raised the vial and simply stated, "I'll just be taking this," before turning to leave. And then I heard his voice.

"Wait! Wait! What are you doing with Mothers special child!" Salvatore Moreau. His voice put me on edge, the image of his hunchback form and face covered in blisters and boils filled my mind.

"She's not hers." Ethan firmly stated, hesitating before turning to leave. Yet he stopped, again, at Moreau speaking. "What do you mean 'Mother's special child'?"

"Ethan, we need to leave, now." I hissed at him, trying to grab his free hand only for him to yank it away from me.

"Mother just wants her baby back."

"Don't screw with me."

"Wait, wait, wait! Please! If you take it... then... then the others will laugh at me." Moreau started to plead, trying to bargain the vial back anyway he could. I felt childish as I tugged at Ethans jacket sleeve, trying to pull him with me. Only to have him shrug me off again.

The conversation continued until Moreau paused mid sentence, beginning to laugh before he talked to Ethan again, "You're stupid! You talk too much!"

A hissing sound came from behind me, forcing me to jump back in surprise and let go of Ethan. The green sludge began forming along the walls, the floors, the ceiling. Everywhere.

"Ethan! Lets go already!" I shouted as more of it formed.

"This is my territory, and I won't let you leave!" Moreau said with a laugh, Ethan finally got the memo and started following me out. Our original path blocked, the twists and turns of the caves we were in became confusing very quickly.

Until I spotted the light. Grabbing Ethan, I dragged him with me as we ran out into the open air. Greedily, I took a deep breath of the fresh air, continuing up the path until my eyes landed on the reservoir. Flooded.

Ethan came up behind me, glancing over every little thing before continuing down the path. Hesitantly, I followed him down to the boathouse at the end of the path.

"Hey, Ethan? I know nows a bad time and all but... I can't be here. It-it freaks me out." I cleared my throat awkwardly, watching as he read a note he'd found in the boathouse.

"What do you mean? It freaks me out too but I'm fine."

"That's not what I mean, obviously this place should freak anyone out. I just..." I trailed off, looking away from him and to the water. He followed my gaze out, then looked back at me. Shaking his head, he just walked up to me.

"I have to go back in and get the key for the boat. You stay here."

"What?! I don't wanna be out here alone!" I shouted, starting after Ethan only for him to stop me.

"Just stay out here. I get that you don't want to, but I'm faster alone. Stay out here, keep watch. Make sure nothing follows me in, if it makes you feel better. Or stay inside the house down in there instead. Just whatever will make you stay put." Ethan lectured, almost like he were an exasperated parent. He keeps treating me like a child.

"Fine! I'll stay out here by the stupid water." I grumbled, walking away from him and back to the house. I plopped myself down on top of a crate on the ground, inside the house but still facing the water. The cold feeling of anxiety washing over me. I remember what happened here. And I remember it vividly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I laughed and giggled as Mom chased me down the path. Close to the reservoir shore. The water was much lower, not flooded like it is now.

"Be careful Darling! Don't go too far ahead!" She called after me as she stopped running. One of her most important rules was not to play near deep water, and stay within her sight.

I always was bad at listening, I suppose, because I kept running. First mistake. Around the bend and out of sight as she shouted for me to come back. I giggled, thinking about how funny it'd be if I scared her. Oh to watch the look on her face once I jumped out of the bush!

Giggling, I planted myself behind a bush. My back was to the water, my shoes barely holding in the mud of the bank. Second mistake.

"Darling! Come back!" Mom’s voice neared along with her rushed footsteps. And as soon as she came close, I jumped out from behind the bush. But instead of jumping out onto the path, I jumped just to the side of the bush, still on the muddy bank where the ground was uncertain. Third and likely my most fatal mistake.

Mom screamed my name as the bank crumbled beneath my feet, sending me tumbling backwards into the reservoir.

I knew how to swim, of course. Growing up with the reservoir so close, I was taught how at an early age. But I panicked, I froze. The cold shock of the water at this time of year made my mind blank as I tumbled into the dark water. I stared into the dark abyss below as it seemingly stared back. Just as I was regaining my ability to think and process the situation, the eyes opened. Hundreds of them. Glowing and staring back at me from the depths.

I let out a scream, muffled by the water that invaded me as I opened my mouth and airways to its cold, prying hands. The eyes were approaching, getting closer and closer and so close until-

I was thrown on my back, landing on the path. I coughed and choked on the remaining water in my lungs as Mom climbed out of the water after me. As soon as I could breathe, I burst into tears. Sobbing, shouting about the monster. The monster with many eyes, glowing yellow eyes. Hundreds of eyes that watched me until it thought it could gobble me up.

No one believed me, of course. I didn't even believe myself for a long time. I was a child, traumatized by a fall into the deep waters of the reservoir. Of course my memory would be unreliable. The doctor told Mom and Dad that it was shock, I had maybe seen a glint of something shiny or the eye of a fish reflecting light, and my seven-year-old imagination spun it out of control.

Mom and Dad trusted the doctors words. And they instilled in me that the doctor was right. I was wrong. There was no monster in the reservoir.

#donna beneviento #ethan winters #flirty #karl heisenberg #lady beneviento #lady dimitrescu #lord heisenberg #lord moreau #mother miranda #re8 #reader insert #resident evil 8 #salvatore moreau #alcina dimitrescu #resident evil village

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samyborewell · 5 days

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marketinsight1234 · 2 months

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Tight Gas Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2023 – 2030

Tight Gas Market Size Was Valued at USD 36.93 Billion in 2022, and is Projected to Reach USD 57.02 Billion by 2030, Growing at a CAGR of 5.58% From 2023-2030.

Tight gas refers to natural gas trapped within low-permeability rock formations, typically shale, sandstone, or limestone. Unlike conventional gas reservoirs, tight gas requires specialized extraction techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, to release the gas from its tightly packed rock pores.

These methods involve injecting high-pressure fluids and proppants rock and create pathways for gas to flow. Tight gas reserves have gained prominence in the energy industry, as they represent a significant portion of global natural gas resources. Their extraction raises environmental concerns due to water usage, potential groundwater contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a topic of ongoing debate and regulation.

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Leading players involved in the Tight Gas Market include:

MARATHON OIL COMPANY(US), DEVON ENERGY CORPORATION (US), EOG Resources, Inc. (US), ConocoPhillips (US), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (US), Chesapeake Energy (US), Southwestern Energy (US), Chevron (US), CNPC (US), Exxon Mobil (US), Valeura Energy Inc. (CANADA), Ensign Natural Resources (CANADA), Canadian Natural (CANADA), Royal Dutch Shell PLC (UK), BP p.l.c. (UK), Repsol (SPAIN), Total Energies (FRANCE), Equinor ASA (Norway), SINOPEC (CHINA), YPF (INDIA), PetroChina (China).

The latest research on the Tight Gas market provides a comprehensive overview of the market for the years 2023 to 2030. It gives a comprehensive picture of the global Tight Gas industry, considering all significant industry trends, market dynamics, competitive landscape, and market analysis tools such as Porter's five forces analysis, Industry Value chain analysis, and PESTEL analysis of the Tight Gas market. Moreover, the report includes significant chapters such as Patent Analysis, Regulatory Framework, Technology Roadmap, BCG Matrix, Heat Map Analysis, Price Trend Analysis, and Investment Analysis which help to understand the market direction and movement in the current and upcoming years. The report is designed to help readers find information and make decisions that will help them grow their businesses. The study is written with a specific goal in mind: to give business insights and consultancy to help customers make smart business decisions and achieve long-term success in their particular market areas.

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Segmentation of Tight Gas Market:

By Type

Processed Tight Gas

Unprocessed Tight Gas

By Application

Industrial

Power Generation

Residential

Commercial

Transportation

Market Segment by Regions: -

North America (US, Canada, Mexico)

Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe)

Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)

Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of APAC)

Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)

What to Expect in Our Report?

(1) A complete section of the Tight Gas market report is dedicated for market dynamics, which include influence factors, market drivers, challenges, opportunities, and trends.

(2) Another broad section of the research study is reserved for regional analysis of the Tight Gas market where important regions and countries are assessed for their growth potential, consumption, market share, and other vital factors indicating their market growth.

(3) Players can use the competitive analysis provided in the report to build new strategies or fine-tune their existing ones to rise above market challenges and increase their share of the Tight Gas market.

(4) The report also discusses competitive situation and trends and sheds light on company expansions and merger and acquisition taking place in the Tight Gas market. Moreover, it brings to light the market concentration rate and market shares of top three and five players.

(5) Readers are provided with findings and conclusion of the research study provided in the Tight Gas Market report.

Our study encompasses major growth determinants and drivers, along with extensive segmentation areas. Through in-depth analysis of supply and sales channels, including upstream and downstream fundamentals, we present a complete market ecosystem.

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

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About Us:

We are technocratic market research and consulting company that provides comprehensive and data-driven market insights. We hold the expertise in demand analysis and estimation of multidomain industries with encyclopedic competitive and landscape analysis. Also, our in-depth macro-economic analysis gives a bird's eye view of a market to our esteemed client. Our team at Pristine Intelligence focuses on result-oriented methodologies which are based on historic and present data to produce authentic foretelling about the industry. Pristine Intelligence's extensive studies help our clients to make righteous decisions that make a positive impact on their business. Our customer-oriented business model firmly follows satisfactory service through which our brand name is recognized in the market.

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intheturning · 4 months

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The heart opens

I have been meditating through the heart. For the most part this has felt like a familiar meditation. Familiar experiences, the quieting of the mind, the creation of a distance between the floating of random thoughts and my awareness of the thoughts. I witness. The heart meditation leads more quickly to states of bliss, of being lit from the inside with love, like a strong sun, quickened by the Ram Dass mantra, ‘I am loving awareness, I am loving awareness, I am loving awareness’. I have increased the frequency of practice and the length of the meditation. This time something different happens. After maybe half an hour, Unexpectedly, I find myself moving through the flat in Anderson place in Cardiff where my Nana used to live. My father’s mother. We would visit every Saturday until I was thirteen when my life as I knew it began to dissolve. I have memories of the place, largely held at arm’s length, as though seen through glass, but now I am stood there, looking. I am seeing detail from the reservoir of my recollection that I had forgotten.

I move through each room. There is no one else here. I am visiting the space alone, although it is furnished as it used to be. Through the black slat wooden gate to the shared yard where ball games were not allowed, and forbidden rat infested bin shelter. Up the stairs. Black rail, concrete steps inlaid with strips of grip. Every word and footstep echoing my infant feet and voice. Heavy door with a weighted closing mechanism. Utilitarian door of council flat with small reinforced glass pain. Through the dark entrance hall, coat rail ahead. Turn left. Either side are bathroom left and bedroom right. I go straight on to the living room. Three chairs and a sofa. To the left a rocking chair, sturdy with a sliding mechanism rather than rails. Hung above, a bamboo and plastic back scratcher and shoe horn with its tiny hand pointing downwards. Wooden armchairs with thick flat wooden arms and upholstered thick, flat cushions of foliate design. Between them, a display cabinet of things beyond touch. The contents of which I can’t see, apart from a couple of glass clowns, both intriguing and repulsive to my young eyes. To the right of the second armchair, a folded table perhaps, with a clock on it that my father would wind with a key that was hung near the back scratcher in a tiny key house.

There is a table with legs carved in spirals where we eat against the right hand wall which is all windows. Reinforced frosted safety glass at the bottom, clear at the top. I am standing against them as a child trying to look down to see the root of the wall below. On international days I would open the window to hear the anthem ring across the city, half a mile away. When we eat, the meal is always the same. We have salad for lunch. In the evening we have soup. Nana is delighted that she mixes up different tins together to get hybrid flavours. The top of her soup is white with salt. The TV is the sound of Saturday in the seventies and 80’s. In the daytime, grandstand racing, wrestling, five nations. Later the drone of the scores from each of the leagues, and filling out the football pools. In the evening it’s basil brush and Larry Grayson and the ghoul Savile fixes it. I lie on the sofa, feel the large cushions with small vibrant pink roses fall on me. There is a mirror above. On the floor is a round rug, concentric blue yellow circles which I had forgotten, but can see now.

I get up and walk to the kitchen, sink ahead. The taste of Cardiff tap water which is harder than in the valleys. He’s a real Taff isn’t he, my aunts and uncles would say. To be from Cardiff, for them at least, meant they were a cut above. Cooker is to the left, where Nana would butter toast on both sides and put it back under the grill. I likes lots of butter. I likes lots of salt. Window above the sink looking out onto the railway lines. I would watch the train come from the west, from Swansea and beyond, in the lounge window, and run to the kitchen to see it carry on to Newport. Nana’s retelling, retelling of the trains that span the whole length of the views, were the first sign that all was not well. Pantry to the far right. Tall cupboard, where Nana kept her boiler stick, long running source of humorous threat. I’ll get you with my boiler stick. She would delight in us as children. The bathroom is imperial leather. She would put a chair upside down on the toilet in case anyone tried to get in through the tiny window. Across the hall is her bedroom. She didn’t like us going in there. When I did it smelled of makeup, and faint whiffs of perfume. Even more faint memories of city lights at night through the bedroom window. A phone. We didn’t have one at home until I was a teenager, so winding the dial was gleeful. A teasmade. Big mirror on the wardrobe, where I would try to outrun my reflection.

I understand that this is a lesson. A reconnection to something that I had denied. I am overwhelmed by a feeling of love that I recognised at that time. Not just love, but of belonging, although I never felt I belonged here as I did at my other grandparents home. It is belonging to an extended family, before the whole became fractured. It is part of myself that I have shut away because the loss of it hurts. My heart is open where I had closed it.

My father left home and moved back in to Anderson place. Visits stopped then. Nana’s health began to decline at the same time of my parents’ divorce. I heard that she was answering the door in rages, no longer recognising him. I saw her briefly at events. A birthday party, 89 perhaps, like the year. Hospital visit. My father would take me to the hospital that she stayed in when her brain was destroyed by dementia. It was somewhere in Ely. I went a few times as a passenger in the yellow Austin Maxi but couldn’t find it today if I tried. Two fat friendly King Charles spaniels roamed free in the grounds and would greet us on arrival. There is a large hall, with people like shadows roaming, smells of cooking and disinfectant. Light from skylights above. Colourless, white and grey. Nana sits. Her eyes are just holes. She looks at me but there is no answer to my gaze. Whatever moved there before has been incinerated and I see only ashes and char.

When the heart opens, it opens in all directions.

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william-cardi · 5 months

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Understanding the Differences: Well Water vs City Water

Well vs City Water Ok, so let's look over here well vs city water.

Water is an essential resource that we rely on for our daily needs. Whether it's for drinking, cooking, or bathing, the quality of water can have a significant impact on our health and well-being. When it comes to water sources, there are two primary options: well water and city water. Understanding the differences between these two sources is crucial in making informed decisions about the water we consume.

Well Water: A Natural Source

Well water is sourced from underground aquifers, which are natural reservoirs of water beneath the Earth's surface. It is typically accessed by drilling a well into the ground until it reaches the water table. Well water is often considered to be more natural and less processed compared to city water.

One of the advantages of well water is its potential for high mineral content. The water absorbs minerals as it passes through rocks and soil, resulting in a unique taste and potential health benefits. However, the mineral content can vary depending on the location and geological composition of the area.

Another characteristic of well water is its independence from municipal water systems. This means that well owners have control over their water supply and are not subject to any disruptions in service that may occur with city water. However, this also means that well owners are responsible for maintaining and testing their water quality regularly.

City Water: Treated and Regulated

City water, also known as municipal water, is sourced from surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It undergoes extensive treatment processes to ensure its safety and quality before it reaches our taps. City water is regulated by government agencies to meet specific standards set for drinking water.

One of the main advantages of city water is the rigorous treatment it undergoes. The treatment process typically involves filtration, disinfection, and the addition of chemicals to remove contaminants and ensure the water is safe for consumption. This treatment process helps to eliminate potential health risks associated with waterborne diseases.

City water is also regularly tested and monitored by water authorities to ensure its quality. This provides an added layer of assurance for consumers, as any issues with water quality can be addressed promptly. Additionally, city water is often fluoridated to promote dental health, a benefit that may not be present in well water.

Understanding the Differences: Quality and Maintenance

When it comes to water quality, both well water and city water have their pros and cons. Well water's mineral content can provide a unique taste and potential health benefits, but it can also lead to issues such as hard water and mineral buildup in pipes and appliances. City water, on the other hand, undergoes extensive treatment to ensure its safety, but it may contain trace amounts of chemicals used in the treatment process.

Maintenance is another crucial aspect to consider. Well owners are responsible for regularly testing their water quality and maintaining their wells to ensure a safe and reliable water supply. City water, on the other hand, is maintained by water authorities who are responsible for monitoring and addressing any issues that may arise.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between well water and city water is essential in making informed decisions about the water we consume. Well water offers a natural source with potential health benefits, but it requires regular maintenance and testing. City water, on the other hand, undergoes rigorous treatment and is regulated to ensure its safety, providing peace of mind for consumers.

Ultimately, the choice between well water and city water depends on individual preferences, location, and water quality considerations. By understanding the differences and weighing the pros and cons, individuals can make the best choice for their specific needs.

References

well vs city water

References:

EPA - Private Wells

CDC - Private Wells

EPA - National Primary Drinking Water Regulations

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mtgacentral · 9 months

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Magic: The Gathering Artifacts

Magic: The Gathering is a thrilling game with a huge fan base of devoted players who love its complexity and thrill. Artifacts play a pivotal role in this game, ranging from plain tools to ancient relics with magical properties, all with special abilities. Key Takeaways: Magic: The Gathering Artifacts - Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering are versatile cards that can be used by any player, regardless of their deck's color or theme. - The history of artifacts in the game shows their evolution from powerful cards to imaginative tools that expand gameplay possibilities. - Artifacts come in various types and functions, including Equipment, Mana Rocks, Artifact Creatures, Vehicles, and Enchantments. - While artifacts can boost gameplay in many ways, they also have some disadvantages, such as vulnerability to artifact removal spells and abilities. - Artifacts have a significant impact on competitive play, influencing the meta and the strategies that players employ. Artifacts give players a valuable resource to shape their strategies and unleash powerful spells. Magic swords can boost creature strength while enchanted amulets provide protection. What sets artifacts apart is their versatility: they don't need specific colors or mana to be cast - they can be used by anyone, regardless of their deck composition. This flexibility allows for inventive deck-building. Moreover, artifacts are resistant to disruption. Creatures and spells may come and go, but an artifact will stay until it's targeted and removed. This gives players the assurance that their resources won't be lost. To fully experience this enchanting world, understanding and making use of artifacts is key. Every new expansion adds even more options, so it's easy to be overwhelmed by the possibilities. Now is the time to embrace the magic and explore the realm of artifacts! Collectors can drive up prices from simple rocks to game-changing artifacts! Join the ranks of skilled players and find out why artifacts are so important in the world of Magic: The Gathering!

History and Evolution of Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering

Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering have a long past. Let's take a look at their journey with facts and figures. The table below shows the history of artifacts in Magic: The Gathering: Set Release Date Notable Artifacts Alpha August 1993 Black Lotus, Mox Sapphire Mirrodin October 2003 Sword of Fire and Ice, Chrome Mox Kaladesh September 2016 Aetherflux Reservoir, Panharmonicon Artifacts possess powerful abilities and effects, and are available to any color or combination of colors. This makes them great for deck strategies. In the early days of Magic: The Gathering, artifacts were seen as powerful cards. Later, new sets presented more imaginative artifacts, expanding gameplay possibilities.

The history and evolution of artifacts in Magic: The Gathering shows the growth of the game. With each set, players can't wait to see what new artifacts will join the game and modify the metagame. Types and Functions of Artifacts in the Game: From swords to rings, these artifacts are the ultimate bling for nerds.

Types and Functions of Artifacts in the Game

Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering bring variety and depth to the game. Let's take a look at their types and functions. Types and Functions: Artifacts come in several forms with different functions. Here's a summary of them: Artifact Type Function Equipment Strengthens creature abilities and gives bonuses Mana Rocks Speeds up mana production, enabling faster spellcasting Artifact Creatures Mixes creature and artifact traits, offering versatile strategies Vehicles Temporarily changes into a creature, allowing extra mobility and strength Enchantments Gives enchantments to permanents or changes game rules Each type of artifact has its own purpose. For instance, Equipment cards make creatures more powerful. Mana Rocks shorten mana production time. Artifact Creatures offer flexible tactics. Vehicles change into creatures and give extra power. Enchantments give magical properties or modify game rules. Here are some tips for using artifacts: - Look out for synergy: Combining artifacts with certain cards can boost their effect. Explore various sets to uncover hidden potentials. - Adapt to each challenge: Change your artifact lineup according to opponents and environment. Use artifact removal spells to get rid of troublesome ones. - Choose the right time: Wait for the best moment to deploy artifacts. This will maximize their impact. - Maintain balance: Overusing artifacts may make you vulnerable to targeted removal. By knowing the types and functions of artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, players can craft winning strategies and unleash the power of these captivating game elements. Make the most out of the interplay between creatures and artifacts, and show them on the battlefield!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Artifacts in Gameplay

Artifacts can boost gameplay in many ways. They offer unique powers, such as extra mana, card draw, and control over opponents. And they're colorless, so they fit any deck. But, heavy use of artifacts leaves you open to an enemy's removal spells and abilities. And they often have high mana costs or activation requirements. Be mindful of their weaknesses. Balance artifacts with other cards and strategies for success. Magic: The Gathering has some iconic artifacts that shaped gameplay. Like the Black Lotus, released in 1993. It was legendary for its three mana of any color when tapped. But, it got banned from tournaments due to its immense power. Still, it's a beloved part of Magic history, proving the impact artifacts can have on gameplay.

Strategies and Deck Building Tips for Utilizing Artifacts

Artifacts can be a powerful addition to your Magic: The Gathering strategy. Utilize these tools to gain an edge and dominate the game. Here are some great strategies for using artifacts: Ramp Include mana-producing artifacts to quickly cast higher-cost spells. Utility Choose versatile artifacts that offer multiple uses or abilities. Interaction Use artifacts that interact with other cards or trigger effects. Protection Incorporate artifacts that protect your creatures or prevent targeting. Unique properties of certain artifacts can be incredibly helpful. Some have activated abilities that manipulate the game state. Others grant buffs or hinder your opponents. Choose artifacts that fit your deck's strategy and playstyle. A perfect example of the power of artifacts? During a tournament, a player used a combination of artifact creatures and enchantments to create an unbeatable defense. Their opponents couldn't break through the barrier and the player won. This shows how well-chosen artifacts can change the game!

Notable Artifact Cards and Their Impact on the Game

Notable artifact cards in Magic: The Gathering are super special! They have the power to shape strategies, influence gameplay decisions, and leave a lasting mark. Let's take a look at some of these powerful cards. Black Lotus revolutionizes card advantage with its ability to generate lots of mana quickly. Mox Diamond boosts strategic depth by offering an extra resource that heavily influences early-game decisions. Plus, Jace, the Mind Sculptor explores new deck-building horizons with its unparalleled card-drawing abilities.

These artifacts have changed Magic: The Gathering in big ways. Each hold their own strength, making them highly sought-after. So, when building a deck, consider adding these powerful cards strategically. Leverage their game-changing power to maximize your chances of victory. Plus, select companion cards that complement these artifacts to increase the deck's potency. Ready to make your friends believe in real magic? Collect enough artifact cards to make them disappear... along with your social life.

Collecting Artifacts: Tips for Building an Artifact Card Collection

If you've been thinking about building an artifact card collection, here are some top tips: - Research the different types of cards. - Set a budget to manage your spending. - Mix & match cards to create interesting combinations. - Trade smartly to acquire new cards. - Protect your cards to keep them in good condition. - Attending Magic: The Gathering events and tournaments is also a great way to find unique pieces. Most importantly, remember to focus on your personal interests and play style for a more enjoyable experience. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating an amazing collection!

Artifacts in Competitive Play: How They Influence Meta and Strategies

Artifacts have an immense impact on competitive play. They influence the meta and the strategies that players employ. These cards can completely alter a game, leading to new tactics and strategies. Their effect on competitive play can be seen through their role in the meta and how they shape players' decisions. Here's a breakdown of some noteworthy artifacts and their effects: Artifacts in Competitive Play: - Mox Opal - Fast Mana - Aggressive Deck Building - Aether Vial - Creature Deployment - Flash/Tribal Decks - Mana Crypt - Early Advantage - Risky Gambles These examples showcase how artifacts can shape the meta and strategies, leading to dynamic gameplay experiences. In addition, artifacts create unique scenarios that add depth to the game. For instance, 'Gilded Lotus' gives a large mana boost that must be used strategically. This adds an additional layer of strategy. One legendary example is of a renowned player who used 'Sol Ring' in an unforeseen way. Combining it with other artifacts, they were able to generate a huge amount of mana. This shock move caught opponents off guard and repeatedly ensured victory. It's clear that artifacts are powerful in competitive play, drastically affecting the meta and influencing strategies. Their ability to add unexpected twists makes each game an exciting battle where innovative ideas often win. Magic: The Gathering proves that even in fantasy, a fork can be mightier than the sword.

Artifacts in the Lore and Storytelling of Magic: The Gathering

Artifacts captivate Magic: The Gathering players with their immense power and ties to the game's characters and worlds. Let's explore some of these fascinating objects! The Eye of Ugin is an ancient Eldrazi artifact. It can summon creatures to do its bidding. The Black Lotus is a highly sought-after artifact. It can generate massive amounts of mana. Other notable artifacts include The Mirari, which grants incredible powers but corrupts those who possess it. The Urza's Legacy Saga comprises multiple artifacts created by the powerful planeswalker Urza. The Weatherlight Ship is a legendary vessel with various powerful artifacts. Artifacts not only enhance gameplay but also provide immersive storytelling and world-building. When incorporating artifacts into your strategies, consider their thematic elements, strengths, and weaknesses. This will make your gaming experience more exciting and enjoyable. Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering are the real magic trick that keeps players hooked!

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal and Significance of Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering

Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering have lasting appeal. They boost gameplay with unique abilities, and can be used by any player. Artifacts possess versatility and depth, and can bridge colors and creature types. These effects can be powerful, from drawing cards to destroying opponents' creatures. Players must decide when and how to use them, for strategic advantage. Artifacts also come with lore. Many have epic stories from the Magic: The Gathering universe. These tales add depth for players who appreciate lore. Pro Tip: When constructing an artifact deck, strike a balance between attack and defense. Include both creature and non-creature artifacts for versatility. Related Reading: - A Beginner's Guide to Magic: The Gathering - This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the game, including the basics of gameplay, deck-building, and strategies. - The Lore of Magic: The Gathering - This section of the official Magic: The Gathering website provides a wealth of information on the game's lore, including the stories behind many of its most iconic artifacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about Magic: The Gathering Artifacts What are artifacts in Magic: The Gathering? Artifacts are a type of card in Magic: The Gathering that represent magical objects, machinery, or devices. They can have various effects and abilities, and are colorless. How do artifacts work in the game? Artifacts can be played like any other card, usually by paying their mana cost. Once on the battlefield, artifacts can have activated abilities or provide passive effects. Some can also be tapped to use their abilities. Can artifacts be destroyed? Yes, artifacts can be destroyed or removed from the game by certain cards or abilities. There are spells, enchantments, and creatures that specifically target and destroy artifacts. Players can also use artifact removal spells to get rid of them. Can artifacts be used by any deck? In most cases, artifacts can be included in any deck, regardless of its colors or theme. They are colorless and have no mana restrictions, making them versatile in deck-building. However, some artifacts may have restrictions or benefits based on colors or types. Can artifacts be creatures? Yes, some artifacts have the subtype "creature" in addition to being artifacts. These artifact creatures can attack, block, and have power and toughness just like other creatures. They can also have additional abilities specific to being artifacts or artifact creatures. Are there any disadvantages to playing artifacts? While artifacts can be powerful, they also have some disadvantages. They are generally more vulnerable to artifact removal spells and abilities. Additionally, some cards and abilities specifically target artifacts, making them easier to disrupt than other card types. Read the full article

#ArtifactCards #ArtifactDeckBuilding #Magic:TheGathering #MTGArtifacts #MTGGameplayStrategy

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