#We Who are Blessed Under Starlight

[thatruerealmwalker]

Crawls out of a hole in your wall

GET MAGICAL GIRL'ED MOTHER FUCKER!

"Despite it all, This Empty Shell still Remains." -Pre Acceptance Quote

"Within this Hollow Heart, Love Still Remains!" -Post Acceptance Quote

This is Claire Taker, a new OC I've made! And let me tell you- the origins of the OC is fucking weird.

This tainwreck of a Lady came about because I was reading @zoeywinterrose's smiling critter fanfic on A03 (which you can check out HERE), started letting THE VOICES speak through me, eventually pulled out the original story I have and made the Caretaker seen there into a fully realized character in my story (get it? Claire Taker?), told them so, found each other on tumblr, because friends(?), and they maybe sort of said yes when I said I was gonna draw the character and make and AU of their AU (in some order there, the progression of events may be off a bit)... I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT TO THIS POINT.

So yeah, I'm gonna be both explaining this character, my own story, and having all that be loosely connected to Poppy Playtime (Again how did I get here?) So the tags are gonna be silly because of that.

Claire Taker is, as said before, a Magical Girl by the name of Heart Hollow (well Technically Magical Woman, she is pretty old but I prefer saying magical girl)... well the term for in my Canon is a "Blessed" or "Actor"... but those are the official terms, she and the others still use Magical Girl and Magical Boy (because that IS what they are)

And yes! There are both Magical Boys and Girls in this World!

Claire Fights with her Fists and Legs, being a close range brawler, as well as fights with her threads. She uses them in a variety of ways, from creating points to jump, pulling things to her or pulling herself to them, wrapping up targets, or even sometimes using them a whips.

Her Threads are also capable of Stitching people back together and healing them! Apparently the world thinks this means she should be one of the few to get constantly injured, needing to reattach her limbs in the middle of fights sometimes! (or it could be seen as caused by her low self worth as well). I mean look at all of those scars! And those are just the ones she couldn't fully heal for different reasons, she gets hurt alot! ("Better then letting one the kids take the hit" she would say)

Her mental health isn't the best, but it gets really bad when she is alone- Luckily, she's gained the trust of the Parents of the three kid members of Her group to look after them while their at work- as well as fostering the teens when they need somewhere private to hand out. (Her home is like one of 2 unofficial team bases)

At this point, almost everyone who isn't an adult (and two who are like 18-19) calls her Auntie- which she is still getting used too.

After finally getting into a far more okay mindset, she takes to jogging and exercise in her free time. She even helps the younger of the team practice fighting forms and working out when they train at all.

She actually owns a good few properties thanks to her parents- and after her depression weakened she put them up for rent. After a while (and learning how to duplicate cash with Starlight from the group's resident self appointed "Chaotic Gremlin") she was able to start getting a good amount of cash saved up for when the group needs a break or wants to go somewhere fun- (The cost is usually split between her and the other full Adult in the group most of the time).

She still has episodes where her is very not okay (like panic attacks or just bad thoughts)- but it never gets to the point where she feels like hurting herself at all anymore. It helps that one of the kids, the team's unofficial mascot, lets himself be her comfort animal when she has these episodes (and while he hates to admit it, he does enjoy her hugs)

That's all for now! If your interest in more of this original story, let me know!.. Though it probably won't be tagged under Smiling critters next... unless I make William apart of this then it will!

A full view of her plot is down below if your interested in that as well- Anyways thanks for reading this and maybe what lies below, and I hoped this sparked your interest/was a fun read all the same! I think I got an AU to write now!

Claire Taker's Story:

(Content Warning! This gets a bit dark!)

Claire Taker used to be a Person of Joy, living life as Happy as any other- even had Children she cherished most dearly... however one day- in a series of events, Claire loses her kids, be it an Accident or something far worse. Believing herself to be solely at fault, she shut down, remaining within her home and rarely leaving. At first those closest to them attempt to help, as it does, even if She rarely talked or interacted. Just being with others helped to keep her afloat...

But she was abandoned- left alone... and that is what sealed her fate. For a long time- years, close to Ten even, she drowned. She lost her smile, her kindness, her emotions, her Love. She tried, and try she did to get better... but she still drowned all the same.

She made many half attempts on her life- and the one time she fully went through with it- she only lived because she forgot to turn off the Safety on the Gun. This attempt was on the day, when she was so close to pulling herself back together that she was reminded of her kids- undoing all the work she did to get better at a single moment (one the prolonged her deep depression for a few more years-)

Eventually, upon one better day Claire spent shopping with a local mall for much needed supplies for her bare home, a Star fell from the Sky and landed nearby. From it formed a Matrix, and Starlight Leaked into the world. The pure, unfiltered and uncontrolled Starlight, the Blood of Creation, tainted the area in its presence, and Claire. The Building Creaked and Groaned as Starlight lashed into the populace surrounding. Many ran as the structure began to collapse around them...

And Yet Claire stepped forward, Drawn in by the Star.

Even while her body warped, as fur sprouted from her skin and monstrous claws ripped out from between her fingers. As her bones cracked and shattered before being reformed. As the demented whispers that long accompanied her gained form, breaking out from Claire's back and ripping into her flesh-

She reached the center, Where the Fallen Star has landed and with her last bit of strength before she became tainted under Starlight, reached out and touched the Glowing Star within the Epicenter-

And Starlight gathered and condensed, leaving her body, the surrounding air, and returning herself from the Monstrous form it was trying to become- And within her hands laid her Matrix, a Softly glowing heart floating between her palms.

A Stranger came to her one day, and promised her he would grant her most wanted wish "To return your children to you" in exchange for gathering as much Starlight she could.

She, like many other Actors, believed his word, and walked forward with a long lost flame in her eyes, ready to do Anything to get her children back.

Even after learning there was others like her (most of them teenagers or young adults), even after learning that many of the monsters she is fighting against and killed to gather Starlight (the Tainted or Cursed) were once people, even after she learned that should she actually get her wish- she would have to kill the other Blessed and steal their Starlight- She continued on.

It was only when the Three Children amongst the Blessed stood against her to protect their older peers then she questioned if what she was doing was worth it- if ignoring the signs that something was wrong was worth it- if her once beloved children would accept being brought back through the blood of others- if she could really kill these three if it was required of her.

It was from there, after giving up and fleeing that she changed from an antagonist to a protector akin to Tuxedo Mask for the Blessed- more so the Three kids that fought in this battle than the other Blessed.

It was here that Claire was taught how to tell if a Cursed was made from a person, animal, or object/fully made from Starlight as well as how to defeat the Tainted without killing the Person or Creature within. She learned that gathering Starlight is unneeded, and should she continue to gather Starlight like she has- she would only overwhelm her Matrix and become a Cursed herself. She learned how to truly use Starlight, how to prevent herself from Tainting someone on accident, and how to dispose of unneeded Starlight safely.

She was slowly pulled into the Group, being one of the Few Actors to listen and stop the senseless fighting between them. Even when she fell and broke, these Bright Souls dragged Claire along, taking her on their group adventures away from the Magic within their lives. Exploring the town, eating at an Café, enjoying the park. Slowly but surely, she became apart of this group, of the team who fought against the darkness that surrounded them.

The rest of the Blessed, especially the younger of them, started to call Claire 'Auntie'.

However, there was one final truth all of them avoided telling Claire, the final Lie told to Claire about the situation, even if in the depths of her heart she knew the answer herself yet feared to speak it aloud in vain hope for it not to be true.

That there was no Wish- That it was the ploy of The Man who Thought Himself God to either gather followers and resources or spark war between those who could threaten his goals and attempt to turn them into monsters- a Truth that they all knew could break Claire, steal her reason for continuing to live, to stand up tall.

They were going to, right after they handled this newest Tainted... but The Man who Thought Himself God appeared near the battles end... and with a smile, knowing Claire's history of mental health, and the reasons for it, held her by the throat while floating in the air, while Claire thrashed and fought with all of her might, while her allies called out in fear and rushed to save her, whispered in her Ear- "I lied~ There is no Wish, no reversing your most heinous Sin. Your children will never come back- for you killed them. They are gone and you killed them."

Claire SHATTERED then and there. Once again all of the work she put into getting better, doing better shattered- and as The Man who Thought Himself God threw her from high above towards the ground- Starlight, once Shining, became fully black- And the Blessed became Cursed under the weight of Despair-

Mother Gospel: The Harbinger of Mourning was born- as so her fellow Blessed fought, and after a long an almost lethal fight, where the extent of Claire's grief and broken heart was bared to the world, the ones who claimed her as their own, with all they had, ripped Claire out of her Depression made Manifest, and saved her from her fate.

Amongst the broken building, Claire laid as her Heart, once healing, was now torn apart once more as she cried tears of sorrow... and then she was hugged by the most youngest of them... then the other children joined in, all crying and making sure their Auntie was okay. The older kids of the Group joined in as well, despite two having to be dragged within. And even the young adults sat nearby and showed their love for Claire-

And that was what it was- Claire was LOVED, and she could Love in return. She was not Alone anymore, and so the dam burst within her and she cried and screamed and hugged back as sadness and joy danced within her. Her Hollow Heart had become not so Hollow anymore.

It took time, but somewhat soon Claire stood, still in mourning of her lost children, still not fully okay, but she could finally move on, she could finally live with those who saved her from that Sea that engulfed her and gave her warmth and belonging.

And so she fought, and even now fights, against those that would bring about the horrors she went through upon to others with the family formed under the Light of the Stars.

#poppy playtime #smiling critters #OC #My OC #Magical Girl #We who are Blessed under Starlight #Original work #Again the tags are weird here #I'm very happy with how this came out #And happy I get to share this as well! #Maybe William would look good- fuck I've already done it haven't I #He's an Orphan! #I have! I've already technically made apart of this already #AHHHHHHHHHHHH-

[evilminji]

You know what would be both Cool(tm) AND Pants Shittingly Terrifying? Eldritch Space Whale Danny!

Except NOT! Because he's not a whale! Just snoozing and Giganto-Fuck-Off HUGE!

Imagine it! Danny. Joint Custody Child of The Ancients Of Time And Space. Space is SALTY AF because their BITCH OF AN EX has used his FUCKING POWERS, AGAIN, to CHEAT. Clockwork how DARE YOU.

You knew he'd be our Son in advance!

YOU SNUCK IN AND STARTING BONDING WITH OUR CHILD BEHIND MY BACK!

YOU [REDACTED]!

Danny? Sitting off to the Side as a Sentient Everything and Nothing made of galaxies and starlight, howls expletives at their Ex, who is being... REALLY snippy back? WOW, Clockwork. I mean, JESUS, man. Danny's from "oh bless their heart" Nowhere, Midwest. And even HE thinks that last one was both backhanded and cold af.

......he should take notes. *continues to eat his popcorn*

Anyway! APPARENTLY, Space Parent has taken him in the divorce. With much huffing. Tucked under their arm Like The Football(tm). And honestly? This is kinda hilarious, so he's cool with it. Byyyyyy~ Clock Dad! See you on weekends~☆!

*Exasperated Time Noises*

It's pretty cool! He learns a lot. Learns he's probably? Gonna be SOME variation of Space Ghost. Might even take over Space's... well, EVERYTHING, should the unforeseeable occur. So obviously, gonna have to learn The Family Business, as it were!

Which?

UNSPEAKABLY HYPED, YES PLEASE.

SPACE AND STAR STUFF! HECK YEAH!

Unfortunately? Still a Halfa. Bleh, squishy need to eat and sleep. Why they get in the way of Hyperfixation? Why no more space dust? Nooooo, don't drag him away from the controls! He can still learn! Sleep is for quitters! Cowards! *whining in Give Me Back My Blorbos, You Monsters*

But, no. He apparently has to "take care of his body" and "not burn out". Eat "real food". A protein bar counts! He probably ate one of those! Give him back his STARS! He doesn't CARE if he sounds like a toddler! That's DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SECRETS OF SPACE ITSELF! He'll BITE, so HELP HIM-! *Is scruffed like a cranky infant being carried off to beddy bye*

Injustice! D:<

But, none the less, body's require sleep. He shovles down his food, washes up, and flops down in his bed. In the nice lil cozy "Safe For My Half Apprentice Who Is Also My Adopted Son" corner. He passes out in that corner. Starts to float, as he has done countless times before, when agitated before bed. Floats OUT of that corner.

That Safe Little Corner.

IN THE CENTER, THE BEATING HEART OF SPACE.

You know... the place ALL OF SPACE connects too. Where Universe Form and Die. The Grand Recycler. Dust to Dust, from the ashes of old, to the creation of new. Where PORTALS are randomly assigned. So that the Omniversal Ectoplasmic Levels may always be balanced at near to perfect levels, allowing free flow of Souls through the various Reincarnation cycles.

Space, of course, doesn't MANAGE the Ectoplasm itself. Nor the Souls! Different Ancient for THAT, but they DO manage the PORTALS. We live in a SYSTEM after all. Everyone has their "departments" as it were. So really, it's quiet... Danny? Honey? Awful quiet back there! You, uh, fallen asleep, Starlight?

*empty room*

(O.O)

*inhale* AAAAAAAAAAA-!!!!!!!

Meanwhile! He be Snoozin'! And Ghostin'! Ghost Snoozin'! Is extra comfy, cause he weightless and got not booooones~☆!

But! He? Is not a child anymore! Has learned to... for lack of a better term, Let Go. To finally ACCEPT his Death. His inhumanity. His Amortality. Death no longer holds him, can no longer let him go. He is... not immortal. He is disowned, by his own doing and his own choice, at his timeless moment of Ending.

When Life let go of his hand and Death kindly offered theirs, he did not take it.

And that's okay.

It took awhile. Talking to older ghosts. Most vague and vast, near formless. Because it's... it's scary. And it's all you know. All, really, you've EVER known. Inherent to your identity, even after you leave that part you behind.

You are "human". "Martian" or "Xy'xeruian", something else, and you never question it. Even when you've left behind everything ELSE. Your name, your eyes, your history and skin. Yet you fly around and pretend. Still alive, still human.

But is that YOU?

Or just the form you found your start in?

And like? It's okay if it IS! Sometimes, yeah, you ARE. You look down deep and find a "don't know what you were expecting, buddy" sign stapled to a mirror. But more often? It's that last hurdle. The final step in Letting Go.

Everyone mourns at their own pace.

And they are the ghosts of who they were.

It helped. Mourning for the kid he was. Who was fourteen and wanted to be an astronaut. Who died and will never have a grave. The longer he exsists, for he can't technically be called Alive, the more painfully young that child seems.

It was okay.

To cry for Danny Fenton.

Then? To let him go. Let his memory, be memory. And his Past be the grave that child rests in. Loved dearly and remembered, but no longer binding his soul.

He doesn't have to wear that face anymore.

No tributes to the Dead.

He got? Kinda... BIG. Like REALLY big. Spiraling, serpentine, cracking ice, and burning galaxies. Like a fourth dimensional dragon, of ice and stars, somehow forcing its way into a three dimensional space. Atop it all, between two vast, impossible horns? Made of glacial ice coating the warping hearts of black holes, who's shape themselves seem to shift in unknowable ways? There burns, like comet trails, with super novas, compressed to decorative gems beneath glittering morning frost, a Terrible Crown.

He? Thinks? He MIGHT have wings.

He can't tell.

Because APPARENTLY he's a fuckin tesseract! Oh, no, sorry. He might me a Zone DAMNED PENTERACT!!! Is THIS what he gets for hanging out with Clockwork all the time? He just liked the quiet! Now his "true form" is PHYSICALLY PAINFUL for most people to look at!

Clock Dad WHAT THE HELL?!

(You see, now, why Space broke up with him? An ASSHOLE)

So! Danny stays, usually at least, in his "Hi, yes, I am Normal Human Man" Ghost form. But NOW? Now it PINCHS. Because it's TOO SMALL. But hey, that's fine! It's not like he has an ingrained habit of transforming when super tired and stressed! To float sleep for Maximum Restfulness(tm).

Ha ha!

Why does that feel like foreshadowing?

BECAUSE IT IS!

Danny? Snoozing! Space? Has LOST THE BABY! Portals? Have done a Jood Gob in Portalling, something they are vaguely sure they are supposed to be doing! Yay them! They have no brain cells but still enjoy helping! They moved a thing! That's helpful right? Yay! Probably!

And on DC's planet Earth?

They? Just choked on their fuckin coffee. One moment? La dee daa~ oooh~ look! Stars! Deep space! Oh, hiiii~ Watchtower! The NEXT? *every alarm in the building starts LOSING ITS SHIT* Giant World OBLITERATING SHAPE completely takes up the screen.

From near PLUTO.

There are NO WORDS TO DISCRIBE HOW FUCK OFF BIG THIS THING IS, MR. PRESIDENT. It will eat our nukes and LAUGH. Call! EVERYBODY!!!

Obviously? Superman. I mean really, OF COURSE Superman. Frankly, all the Supers. Because we would like to KEEP having a planet, thanks. Only? The more reports that come in? The more everyone is getting "oh fuck. This is a Workd Eater" vibes.

A massive, massive, Sleeping Titan of a Planet Destroying World Eater.

That MIGHT BE MAGIC.

*highly stressed Everyone noises*

And WORSE? Superman? Can't TOUCH it! Oh sure, at FIRST he could! But then he apparently pushed too hard in just one spot! And it felt POKED AT. So now, after flicking superman HALFWAY BACK TO EARTH to make him stop? No one can physically touch it!

But! There is hope!

Because? The creature is GREEN. Bright, luminous, Lantern Green! And Earth's Lanterns have already sent for back up. Combined? The were able to move a... hand? Paw? Something. But! With the combine forces of several nearby sectors of Lanterns? They promise the power to either relocate the creature or at least hold it in orbit until FURTHER forces can be deployed!

They refuse to harm the creature until it proves actively hostile, as it could have been seeking a place to nap and chosen one inconvenient to established planetary life. Frankly? Earth doesn't CARE where you relocate the giant Eldritch Space Dragon. Just NOT IN OUR BACKYARD, PLEASE.

....YES WE ARE SURE! We don't CARE if the scientific community of our planet is begging you to set up an area for them to place an "observation satellite"! No giant Eldritch Space Dragons in our solar system! It might WAKE UP!

Naturally, about half way THROUGH this Highly Delicate Operation?

Danny Wakes Up.

@hypewinter @hdgnj @lolottes @babbling-babull @nerdpoe @the-witchhunter @mutable-manifestation

#dpxdc #dp x dc #dc x dp #dcxdp #dc x dp prompt #danny phantom #minji's writing

[spacebarbarianweird]

Astarion x Big-Breasted!Tav

Inspired by @mglennonart art

Thanks @thechaoticdruid , @rachelle-on-the-run and and @not-so-lost-after-all for help!

Masterlist

Headcanons

So, you are a human woman.

Human women come in every form and size, and you are particularly cursed/blessed with huge breasts.

You know how human women find elven men attractive coz they are so beautiful and gentle?

Elven men love human women for their "tits" and "asses".

You know, half-elves are usually born to human mothers, after all.

Unfortunately, the same features, loved by elves, are often a reason for mockery from other humans.

Be it jealousy from other women or undercover lust from men.

You were bullied when you were young and grew up ashamed of your body trying to cover yourself from unasked attention.

Besides, people call women like you "asking for things".

As if backache and inability to sleep on your stomach aren't enough!

Or people assuming facts about you just because you look like that.

With Astarion…

It's different.

It's not "I don't care about tits".

If anything, he cares a lot about them.

But there is awe in how he looks at you.

There is adoration.

He likes pressing his face against your chest, burying his nose in your breasts.

He likes to occasionally put his hand under your shirt.

At first, you were embarrassed by this but later you got used to it.

He sews dresses for you - the ones with deep necklines.

When he first presented you one you refused to leave the house without him by your hand.

But you know he will protect you if someone can't keep their dirty thoughts to themselves.

A man who dared to grope you at the tavern is now missing three fingers.

An old pervert who called you a slut is now a one-eyed pervert.

Astarion also makes you a corset which makes fighting and travelling easier for you.

But it's also suspiciously easy to unlace.

Because if you stay in camp or in an inn, Astarion likes seeing you as you are.

With time, Astarion learns how to transform into a bat, and - and in a bat form he easily fits in your bra.

He can never get enough of it.

Me and @rachelle-on-the-run were carried away A LOT and we have some ideas for NSFW headcanons. Coz it's already very naughty. Would you like to read it?

--

Tag list

@tugoslovenka @marcynomercy @wintersire @vixstarria @not-so-lost-after-all @ashiro20 @theearthsfinalconfession @herstxrgirl @starlight-ipomoea @micropoe10 @astarion-imagine-archive @veillsar @elora-the-slutty-songstress @fayeriess @lumienyx @tallymonster @caitlincat-95 @tragedybunny @valeprati @lynnlovesthestars @marina-and-the-memes @waking-electric @ayselluna @connorsui @asterordinary @darkarchangel96

#spacebarbarian headcanon #astarion #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 astarion #astarion romance #bg3 #astarion bg3 #astarion headcanon #baldurs gate 3 #astarion headcanons #astarion x tav #astarion x f!tav #tav x astarion #astarion x reader #astarion and tav #astarion x you #human tav #baldur's gate tav #baldurs gate 3 astarion #astarion ancunin #astarion baldurs gate #astarion brainrot #astarion baldurs gate 3

[readychilledwine]

Hi! I love your writing, it always makes me grin. Could I request a platonic Az fic? One where reader is like 10, super cuddly and touch affection starved and Feyre’s ward (kind of like Evangeline is to Lyssandra), and maybe like the kid or sister of one of the children of the blessed that was sent over the wall but feyre found her and took her in even though Tamlin didn’t like it, so when Mor took Feyre, she had to take reader too, and then during that dinner, she gets scared to meet everyone (especially cass sine he seems intimidating) so she runs behind the nearest person, Az and when he doesn’t get upset, she sticks with him through the dinner, wanting to be next to him, hiding behind his wings, asking for cuddles, and playing with his hands. He doesn’t get upset and reader just decides to follow him like a shadow from then in and make him her fave person, like watching when he train, being sad and quiet when he’s gone (until Nuella and Cereadwin bring her sweets), happy when he’s back, and never leaving his side, and even asking him to carry her etc.

Oath

Warnings - platonic soul mates, mentions of Amarantha and UTM, visions

A/N - I'm not saying I am tucking this away for a rainy day, but I'm not not saying that 👀

Azriel Masterlist

You didn't even have to ask or knock. The door opened, and shadows pulled you in. Guiding you to Azriel in the dark as he opened up his blanket and pulled you up to his bed and into his arms. "Nightmares?" He murmured softly into your hair, holding you close. "It's okay, little one. We all have them." You curled into him, basking in the warmth and protection he offered. His wing rested over you, feeling like a blanket weighing down like a tight hug. "Tell me what you saw?"

You started softly. "A robed figure with swans. But this time, it was like.." You paused, wiping tears from your eyes. "It was like I was a swan. You were on the waterline of the lake, yelling for me."

Azriel went stiff, then pulled you closer to him. "No one is going to take you from me. From us. You are ours to look after."

And you had been since you arrived in the Night Court. You had been ripped from the mortal realm with Feyre by Tamlin. Feyre had taken you in, despite arguments from her sisters, when she found you starving in the streets. You became hers, and she yours. She was closest thing you had ever had to a sister, and her regret the moment you were caught following her Under the Moutain was something she struggled to live with to this day.

Amarantha had taken a liking to you, though. You were a tender human girl she enjoyed using as a personal servant. She kept you at her side, almost always glowing with how much you admired the fae, how you were raised to be complicit to them by the Children of the Blessed. You complimented her constantly, adoring her dresses, her hair, her glowing skin. You had no idea she was so evil. So cruel. That was until Feyre's first trial.

It was Rhysand who pulled you into his room one night, sheltering you from the violence going on. He had whispered to you tales of a city covered in starlight and a family. A family that all found each other, chose each other, loved each other. He had worked you into the bargain with Feyre, ensuring he had you for one week every month, ensuring you were away from Tamlin, who, for unknown reasons, hated you.

When you first came to the Night Court, Rhys spent the week with you, teaching you to read and write more gently than he had Feyre, teaching you the different courts, the different high lords. He had put you in dresses that made his eyes sparkle but grow distant with longing. He had called you his little second chance, and on that second visit, you were sold. You loved Rhysand so fully that you had clinged to him, crying as Tamlin ripped you from his arms.

When Tamlin locked you and Feyre in the manor, it had been the scariest moment of your life. You were still mortal, but the power radiating from her, consuming her as she pulled you into her chest for comfort, was terrifying. She had told you the Night Court would be your home now once she had calmed down, and the decision was made to have dinner with Rhysand's family. Mor had taken you, winnowing you two in and letting you enjoy that drop, that rush of free falling. Everything had been fine until you saw Cassian.

Cassian was loud, he was huge, he had muscles in places you hardly knew could have muscles. You had ended up hiding, much to Cassian's amusement, behind the closest thing you could. Azriel.

And it had begun after that. Azriel became your best friend. You constantly looked for him, snuggled him, loved him. He became your everything and you his. You made him carry you everywhere, take you flying, and made him laugh with you under blanket forts.

On your 9th birthday, he had taken you into town, spoiling you before the war with Hybern begun with pastries, books, new dresses, and a stuffed animal. It was the same day Velaris was attacked. You had been taken from him, locked into a cell with Nesta, who held you close, whispering how it would be okay. You were forced into that same Cauldron as Feyre screamed, held back by Rhysand as the male pleaded for the King to let you go.

Azriel had promised you from that day forward you were his, swearing it to you in an oath that you two sealed with a pinky promise. He promised to protect you. To keep you safe. To make sure anyone who harmed you would regret it. But even Azriel, as powerful as he was, could not save you from the aftermath of the Cauldron.

1 week after your 10th birthday, weird things started happening to you. You had dreams where you saw things. Similar to Elain. Her visions came out in riddles, though. Yours were different. Odd to Rhys and Amren. Odd to Helion. Your powers were similar to a seer, yet so different.

Helion had described it as you walking through timelines. You could see all outcomes with no direction of how that outcome would come to be, whereas Elain saw one possible future and potential riddles guiding to it. "A burden," he had said to Rhysand quietly. "A burden to know each way someone you loved could die, to know what happens if one pawn doesn't move exactly according to plan, but not be able to tell them how exactly it happened."

You had fallen into yourself more, seeking only Azriel with Feyre's pregnancy and Nesta's spiral. You only told him what you saw in your dreams and occasionally the twins if he would send them to you with treats.

He pulled you close again, shaking you from the past. "What else did you see?"

"Elain," you whispered softly. "Lucien holding Elain tightly while she laid on the ground. She no longer glowed with the light of the fae. It was like the cloaked figure had taken it from her."

The grip on your nightgown grew tight. "What else?" His voice was tense, eyes getting slightly distant, letting you know he was communicating with Rhys that you had seen something.

"Rhys had facial hair." Azriel hummed. Unknown to you that you had just given him an idea of the timeline. It would have had to have been after the birth of babe. Rhys only grew facial hair when he was tired. "Feyre and Nesta weren't there. Just Lucien, Elain, the three of you, and I think me."

"As a swan," he repeated.

"Yes, as a swan. Trapped on his lake."

"Do you know how old you were when this happened?"

You shrugged. "No, but we had a string. It wasn't gold and glittering like Rhys and Feyre's, but red and power seemed to flow through it, not emotions. It felt like I was transferring something to you."

Azriel kissed the top of your head. "You know I need to tell Rhys about this?" You nodded. "And you know he may need you to show him?" You nodded again, but shivered at the thought of Rhysand in your mind. "We should also mention the red string to Amren. She what she can dig up."

"But she's so cranky." Hazel eyes, tired and heavy with sleep, peered down at you. "New Amren is way more mean than old Amren."

"A problem for tomorrow. Go to sleep, y/n. I'll keep your nightmares away."

"I love you, Azzie."

"I love you too, y/n. I won't let you turn into a swan."

You were asleep almost instantly, body back on that lake, and a cloaked figure with a bone like figure stroking your wings.

General Taglist:

@hnyclover @glitterypirateduck @slytherinindisguise @mischiefmanagers @bloodicka @starsinyourseyes @the-sweet-psycho @mariahoedt @rinalouu @sarawritestories @starryhiraeth @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @cumuluscranium @loneliestluvr @eternallyelvish @azrielsmate3 @daughterofthemoons-stuff @meritxellao @aria-chikage

Azriel Taglist:

@elle4404

#acotar #send asks #send anons #acotar x reader #azriel acotar #azriel #azriel x reader #azriel x you #azriel x y/n #azriel x platonic!reader

[vacantfields]

So... Here it is (:

----

Your hands were shaking around the backpack you were holding. It contained gifts for the two animatronics you cared so much about, the ones you hurt. 

You wanted to apologize to them for your behavior; it wasn't right of you to avoid them in the way that you did just due to their new looks. 

Sun's heartbroken expression jumps into your mind, and you frown, softly sighing as you look down at the bag; the flap of it is open. The bag held arts and crafts supplies and those glow-in-the-dark stickers Moon had mentioned once or twice. Hopefully, if the boys saw this, they would hear you out. 

Once you moved to the Daycare doors, you stood half-frozen in panic. It shouldn't be an issue coming here to the place now, as the kids wouldn't have gotten in yet. You groan to yourself, gently resting your forehead against the big wooden doors to the daycare. If they don't accept your apology, you'll lose the best friends you have ever had. Raising your head from the door, you grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open ever so slowly; it creaked quietly, but before you stepped in, you could hear the two jesters talking. 

"... I really thought they would like the new looks, Moon..." Sun sounded so sad, and it seemed like this talk had been happening for a while. 

Moon hummed in response before answering. "I think they do, Sunshine. I think they were just... Surprised?" 

Sun let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah? Because we are so surprising to see?" Then, someone gets playfully pushed due to the bells jingling that could be heard. After a short silence, you could hear their laughter through the door you were hiding behind and more pushing around. 

You suppose you caught the end of the conversation, so as you could hear the soft jingling of bells and soft laughter and giggles, you pushed the door open further and walked into the daycare, the bag tightly in your hands.  

The laughter and playfighting stopped immediately, and eyes snapped to your wildly shaking form. You thank yourself quietly for wearing your cap and oversized jacket so you could hide a little. It was quiet but somehow loud for what felt like eons.

Then, Sun finally spoke; god bless that guy. "Star? I thought you weren't coming back?" He sounded so careful that if he spoke any faster, he would scare you off. Moon remained quiet, you noticed. You stood there for a bit, taking some deep breaths, and then you heard more jingling, meaning they both jumped down from where they sat. The jingling of bells stopped, and you finally looked up and saw Sun in front of you on his knees, so he wasn't too terribly tall. He had a small but careful smile on his lips. Since he was this close, you could finally take all the details in his skin. He looked so soft, and his eyes looked so bright and friendly.

 "Starlight...?" Sun said softly, with a frown, as he moved his large hand up and carefully wiped a tear away from under your eye with his thumb, cupping your cheek with the rest of his hand. You hadn't noticed you had begun crying. Your blurry eyes went to Moon, who loomed over Sun's shoulder from behind; even he looked worried. 

"Ah, sorry! Sorry..." You quickly spoke as you sniffled and flinched a bit from Sun's soft touch, but he kept you steady, his free hand resting on your arm. "Star..." Sun tried, but you held a hand up, so he paused. Moon watched you cautiously, his hands at his sides. "I'm... I'm sorry for the way I acted and the way I treated you guys. I’m so so so sorry." You tried to hold your voice steady as you looked at both jesters. 

Sun's rays peeked out through his curly locks and gave a weak spin, a sweet smile on his lips. "Oh, daydream... Beloved little sunflower." he sounded so fond, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. You smiled, although a bit awkwardly, but you leaned into Sun's hand that still rested on your cheek. You glanced at Moon, who let out the loudest dramatic sigh, his head tilted back and his long black hair hanging behind him as he lowered himself onto his knees, looking at you sternly for a bit, his red eyes narrowed. 

You watched him with widened eyes before Moon moved his hand over his claws, sheathed, and cupped your other cheek. "You should have apologized sooner, Star." You weakly nod as both Daycare attendants cup each side of your face. 

"I’m really sorry... I brought you two some gifts in hopes of making it up to you or at least just a tiny bit..." You softly muttered, then held up the bag, to which Moon removed his hand from your face and gently pried the bag out of your grip so gently that you barely noticed Sun's rays spinning slowly. Moon gently sat back, using both hands to open the bag; you and Sun watched as Moon's expression changed from sad to excited. The soft grin that appeared on your lips when Moon's eyes widened as he held up the small bag of glow-in-the-dark star stickers was so worth the hours of driving around to get them worth it.

He looked to Sun and shook the bag of stickers like an excited kid on Christmas. "Sunny! Sunny!" Moon said with the happiest grin, and Sun's rays spun faster, and a happy giggle escaped his lips. "I see them, Moonlight, I see them!"

Even you let out a small laugh; the moment was warm and tender as you and Sun watched Moon stand up, the bag of stickers tightly in his clawed, excited grip. "I will be right back. I have to put them in our room!" He said with such excitement neither you nor Sun could stop him, not that you wanted to. You watched him attach their aerial wire and fly so quickly that he almost tripped onto the small stage that sat high up on the wall.

When Moon disappeared behind the curtains, your eyes returned to Sun, who was rummaging through the bag to see his gift; it was different colored paper, pencils, and even some paints. You could see his rays spin slowly, a content whirr from his fans as he put them down carefully and turned back to you, who was still standing there.

When Sun didn't speak, you opened your mouth for some reason.

"Its... Kinda funny that even after hours, you're both still dressed in your silly jester costumes." Your face flushed, and you let out a weak chuckle. Sun smiled at that. "Hm... Well, we have been a bit out of the loop due to someone!" He sing-sung to you with a teasing grin, to which you frowned. Sun chuckled at your expression as he sat back on his heels, his hands resting on his thighs. "Thank you for the gifts, Star, but you really didn't have to, you know?" He hummed as a soft grin stayed on his lips. "I know you think we deserve everything, but we just wanted our best friend." Your face once again turned red with how fast it flushed at his soft voice. 

Sun raised his large hand and gently pat your hip with a slight grin before he stood up at his full height again, the bag of his gifts in his free hand as the other traveled up to your chin, his knuckle hitched under it and tilted your head up; you looked at him curiously then he sent you a wink and a smile as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on your forehead before looking down at you again.

"Are you going to stay for a slumber party then?" 

"I don't... I didn't pack any clothes or items I need to do that, though?" You said, flustered, your voice no longer steady as you watched him with widened eyes.

"Hmm..." Sun moved his hand from under your chin to tap his own with a finger. "Well, clothes... You just need something to sleep in, right? You can borrow one of Moon and I's if you want to," He said with a smile. "As for... items as you say, I'm sure I can find a toothbrush or something in the gift store! And for a bed... Well, you can lay right in between us." He said with a huge grin.

You needed to get away from this teasing, giant android right now. "Moonie?" You called out, to which Moon responded by standing out on the small stage high up on the daycare wall. "Yes, Moonbeam?" he called back with a smile. 

"Sunny is trying to make me stay over!" 

Moon reattached his wire and lowered himself down to you and Sun. "Ohh.. But what if I also want you to stay?"

"What? You know I can't stay-" You began frantic and flustered.

Moon stood next to Sun. Both of the androids looked down at you, almost pleading. 

"Guys! The rules say I can't stay-" You got cut off by Moon, who put a hand on your head to take the cap off your head and put it on his own. "You and I know those rules are not rules anymore, dear Star." He hummed, and Sun nodded. "It's a true daydream! They changed it! So you could totally stay here with Moon and me for the night!" Sun spoke excitedly in his voice, his rays doing a spin and his hands clapping.

You were blushing so hard you felt like you were going to faint. Being alone with the jesters at night would be different now that they look like... well, for a lack of better words. Hot. 

They were both 8’5, so double your height, basically; they were built toned, with broad shoulders and chests, a slim waist, and arms and legs that looked toned. They looked like models of some sort for a more risky line of clothing. 

Your thoughts ran in circles about the idea of them being models, but you snapped out of it when you heard Moon snapping his fingers in front of your face.

"Hey, Moon to Star!" He said, but he sounded amused. "You have been staring at our chests for a long time." Oh, His grin looked dangerous, like he knew he had you in his claws now. You pouted up at Moon. 

"Don't be mean. I just zoned out, and you two are so tall it's hard to look into your eyes!" you tried to defend, but Sun just snorted but managed to keep his laughter in as he covered his mouth with his hand.

Moon hummed with a smile. "I see. I suppose that's fair, little stargazer." he chuckled before putting his hands behind his back, his arms folded there as he tilted his head, his faceplate tilting a little as well. "But you should stay the night." 

Sun nodded his head quickly to that. "Yes! You must stay! Please, Starlight?" He put his hands together in a plea. 

You watched the two for a long while, keeping them in suspense, but then you sighed and nodded. "Alright. I will stay."

They both jumped up excitedly and even high-fived, which made you giggle.

Oh, these two made your heart pound. You watched Sun and Moon fondly as they excitedly started to plan the slumber party. A tender smile on your lips.

Things were okay.

----

Part 2

Part 1

hope you guys enjoyed (:

#Things Are Better AU #dca fandom #dca au #dca x reader #daycare attendant x reader #sun x reader #sun x y/n #moon x reader #moon x y/n #writing #fluff #sweet #soft #see? everythings alright (: #.... for now >:]

[bonefall]

are there any differences when it comes to starclan worship and beliefs among the clans? considering how you’re taking a christian-flavored approach to their religion, there’s gotta’ve been some kind of “great schism” or “protestant reformation” religious discourse. especially when it comes to wind “we-sleep-under-the-stars” clan and sky “gone-for-the-past-50-years” clan

The most significant difference is between SkyClan and Forest Four worship. Between the four, it's mostly superficial ritual differences.

Traditional Forest Four religion is centralized. Clerics are both healers and religious leaders. There is a stricter concept of both blasphemy and dark magic that discourages personal worship of StarClan, so when you're given a strange dream or omen, you are supposed to bring it to your Cleric to interpret it.

By contrast, SkyClan has lived several generations on the lam. The closest thing to a Cleric they had was the Hub like Skywatcher, who was more of an "official networking expert" than anything. The Leader is the strongest spiritual authority and a Cleric is more of a doctor than a priest, so SkyClan cats nurture a more personal connection to Skypelt than Forest Four do with Silverpelt.

SkyClan's practices do not sit well with Forest Four. It's no wonder they have a demon like Brokenstar in their pantheon. Heretics, the lot of them.

As for Forest Four...

ShadowClan will surprise you with how pious they are. They have a deep connection to the Dark Forest with Ripplestar, Brokenstar, and Tigerstar in their recent past, so they fear the influence of demons more than other Clans.

So, their warding rituals also tend to be the best, and they're the most vocal about blasphemy. Clan cat AU of The Exorcist would have the priest come from ShadowClan.

WindClan is loud. The wind howls and so do they. They sing songs, chant as groups, and act notably performative about their piety. Visiting the Cleric regularly is a social expectation-- else you must be hiding something!

They have this practice of "counting their blessings," (Clanmew: "Pos shayu shai Laalha; For starlight I-lather") which basically means they like to point out the blessings StarClan has given WindClan. Usually this has to do with glowworms, an abundance of snails or rain, shiny things in general, a bountiful hunting week, etc.

ThunderClan does a lot of honoring. Sacrifices, dances, feasts. They have the most productive territory and make use of that. You'd think they'd get along with WindClan best, but they both find the other insufferable lmao

Leaftail: "bunch of shineless tailtasters over there-- they think they can just EAT FOOD and that means they're devoted to StarClan? I do that ANYWAY."

Shellfur: "maybe if they ate some more food over there they wouldn't have to visit their Cleric every 3 days. Your stomach growling isn't an omen bitch you just don't partake in StarClan's earthly delights."

Leaftail: "RICH coming from a TUNNELBUN BITER"

Shellfur: "MAAAAAAD that I eat YOUR food BETTER THAN YOU"

"SHUT UP"

"AND IM DATING YOUR COUSIN AND THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT"

And, lastly, RiverClan.

They take things slow and try to recognize the blessings present in their world. When something is acknowledged as having "personhood" in Clanmew, it's given a warrior name. RiverClan gives a lot of things warrior names.

They have a lot more rituals than other Clans, but they're little ones. Superstitions, really. Like saying prayers before meals, putting an intentional flaw in their crafts, throwing every 5th fish of a hunting patrol back in the river. Stuff like that.

#better bones au #clan culture #BB!StarClan #Piety #Skypelt #Silverpelt

[sgiandubh]

I was wondering if anyone else had this same fear as mine? I’m not sure it’s really a fear but I think there are going to be sex scenes in Sam’s upcoming project and who knows maybe Cait as well.

Is it crazy to feel uneasy, fearful, nervous or any of those emotions about watching Sam or Cait do sex scenes with people other than each other? I know it’s their job if the script has these scenes but maybe I’m worried that what I see on screen with them in their sex scenes with each other and how special it is isn’t as special as I think?

It’s probably an irrational fear and no it’s not the only reason or even the reason why I am a shipper. Their chemistry on screen sent me down the rabbit hole and it was really what has happened off screen that made me a shipper.

Sorry I think I rambled quite a bit there but you seem to welcoming and friendly and most importantly rationale.

Dear Uneasy Anon,

Let the woman in the audience who was NOT even mildly - how can I put it elegantly - ehrm.. unsettled by The Reckoning cast the first stone at your question and my answer.

*crickets*

I thought so.

I remember my stupefaction on a balmy late August night (not unlike this one) when I watched these scenes for the very first time. Shouted like a crazy woman at 4 AM something along the lines of OH, DEAR ME, WHAT THE HELL (literally: what the mother of all devils, told you that being a native speaker of obscure idioms is infinite fun)? And then immediately hit rewind, questioning my sanity and grateful I was under the radar.

I had never seen anything like this on a screen, let alone in what I thought to be a whachamacallit divertimento (Sam, who? Caitríona, who?). And chemistry is a paltry, almost sorry term to describe sexual attraction, in their case: these two were not blocking anything, and I do not mean it in a lewd way, but in an emotional one. A much more serious affair than a, heh, hydraulic incident while having to put up with carpet burns.

What we saw there were two people very much attracted to each other and yes, clearly in the early stages of falling deep and hard in love with each other. And I do not mean Jamie and Claire, here, for I have never made the confusion. Let's not be hypocrites: what consistently happened on and off-screen, in the Season 1- Season 3 interval, despite all the hurdles and the shitshow, is a real story on the constant brink of taking over the performance side of things. So much so, that at some point I almost completely blocked the characters and had to re-watch, for the sake of keeping up with that neglected storyline: it was embarrassing, but in a good way.

That was not acting, dear Uneasy Anon, and bless his heart, he repeatedly spilled the tea about it. Knowing that and having experienced that Mach3 impact yourself, I doubt you would feel uneasy by S/C shooting formulaic sex scenes with other people. An example: When the Starlight Ends. I howled in my popcorn. That is to say that particular movie was a doomed project. That is also to say: you'll know how 'not special at all' that is, when you watch it.

So, in a nutshell, I can only offer you this answer, along with the hope that it makes sense or helps you somewhat: you may feel uneasy because you know how rare and fragile that is and also because you are probably afraid of breaking that spell. But you immediately tell me that it is their off-screen shenanigans that made you a part of our rank and file: what you call fear is nothing else but maybe a bit of projection and certainly a deep fascination. You are desperately normal, dear Anon. Last but not least, remember FDR: the only thing to fear is Fear itself. Go ahead. Watch those with an honest eye. I guarantee there will be absolutely nothing to write home about.

This, however (emphatically NOT The Reckoning). This always punches me in the damn gut. This is better than Mantegna's Saint Sebastian. Objectification, schmobjectification:

#Anon

[purity-town]

No update today...because I just graduated from college!!! It's been a wild weekend with my graduation ceremony and moving apartments and all that, but from here on out I'm officially free!

We're also just past the third anniversary of Purity Town! I had started working on the comic towards the end of my first semester at college, during one of the lowest points of my life -- so suffice to say, I'm so glad to see how far we've come since then, and many thanks to everyone for sticking around for so long and making this such a fun experience to work on!

And with all that, after ages, I've finally got ask responses all typed up under the cut!

And thank you for reading!!!!! Seriously, it makes me so so so happy to see people enjoying this comic so much -- I'm getting to draw things and get excited about my lore ideas and present NPC interpretations and OCs and it's wonderful that other people are just as hyped about it. I adore Chris and Andrew a lot and I'm glad other people do too!

Haha, yep! The Dryad gets to see That Guy again after 450 years, the townsfolk get to see the equivalent of a mythical fairy show up to bless their town, and Andrew has to deal with the Literal Actual Dryad in town and up in his business. Everyone will be happy about this and there's no way it will end messily!

I've definitely thought about it! Particularly having her being Andrew's maternal grandmother, and then working elements reminiscent of that into Andrew's mother's design -- I even have a general idea for how she looks based on that, though I don't have anything to show for it as I haven't tried properly drawing her out.

I think there are several interesting hooks that could come of it, depending on how you spin it. Big problem with all of that being that, at least off the top of my head, there's hardly any in-game lore surrounding the nymph -- she's just someone (some creature? a type of creature? a unique being?) that exists.

I did see a note on the wiki pointing out the similarities between the Dryad and the Nymph's designs, but I'm not totally convinced that's intended; they just happen to both be showing a lot of skin. The definition of "Dryad" including the word "Nymph" nudges me towards them being related, but I'm still just...not sure. Maybe Nymphs (or Nymph, singular) are a handful of Dryads who were not outright killed in the war but instead mutated beyond recognition by the eldritch powers they fought against? Much to think about; I'm open to ideas if anyone has opinions on the matter!

Here you go! And a sta.sh link again in case of Tumblr-image-quality-shenanigans.

Thank you!!! The Aether is an incredibly fun location to draw in general; it's so strange and magical and gives me an excuse to add stars and sparkles everywhere. Add in the Shimmer and it's just- such a delight, haha. It's rainbows and starlight and it was really interesting translating the in-game side view we get of the Shimmer pond to the top view in the comic.

Thank you :) This was quite the semester, and working around other folks' schedules for groupwork and sudden project requirements changes and so on and so forth left me with a busy and unpredictable schedule. But I was able to wrap up the semester with solid finals and a great GPA, so it worked out in the end -- and now I'll finally be settling into a more regular work schedule. No more all-nighters (hopefully)!!

I’ll admit that I haven’t really thought about this much. If anything, I’ll probably handwave it a bit to be more general -- main reason being that there are plenty of reasons for someone to be on edge during a Blood Moon, and that can be an interesting thing to explore without making it into a “haha menstruation” joke.

(Also, considering the Zoologist transforms during a Blood Moon regardless of moon phase, I think the idea of the moon warping the mind and that being amplified during Blood Moons in general is a more interesting take. But even if you remove that element, Blood Moons are scary and characters being snappy or on-edge is reasonable given the circumstances.)

I don’t have a good response to this bit, but please know that it made me laugh quite a lot.

First off -- I’m so sorry for taking so long to answer this ask; I hope you’ve gotten good info elsewhere in the meantime but I’ll add what advice I can give! Here are some general tips below -- some may be more useful than others depending on your situation and approach to drawing, but I hope it helps in some way or another!

Start small. Purity Town started as a 2-page mini-comic, and then expanded into a 10-page chapter as I got used to the comic-making process and decided whether I wanted to stick with the project or not. Purity Town ended up snowballing into a larger narrative comic rather than the "small comic snippets accompanying a more typical fanfic" as I had originally been thinking of, but starting small helped me ease into it nonetheless. By the time that I had finished the first chapter, I had gained enough experience working with comics to feel comfortable/confident enough to continue on to chapter 2, and things just kept rolling from there.

Pace yourself. I'm quite slow at drawing, so I generally do my best to set aside time every Saturday just to work on the comic, as well as working on it whenever I feel like it over the week. This keeps me from burnout (and repetitive strain injuries). Importantly, having a set update schedule also helps me remember to actually work on updates, as leaving me to my own devices = never getting anything done (see: how long it took to answer this ask). However, many folks do just fine updating entirely on their own time, so take this one with a grain of salt and figure out what works best for you!

Plan ahead. This applies more to making longer, narrative-focused comics. Because comic-making is so time consuming, every page should count. You don't need to have the entire thing written out before you begin (see again: burnout; it's also nice to have some level of flexibility with the story to see it grow alongside your skills), but planning out at least the current story "segment" is a big help. I like to script out the current chapter, starting with a pile of out-of-context dialogue snippets and overarching chapter ideas and boiling it down to a proper dialogue script with notes for panel ideas. It helps a lot with figuring out how long the chapter will end up being and lets me freely move events around until I'm happy with how they fit together, rather than doing it all on the fly.

Do what you can to save time. If you're a digital artist especially, look into what tools your art program of choice has to help make your illustration process smoother, like paint filling tools or vector lines. If you want to re-use backgrounds or character art, then do so! It's okay! Do whatever makes you enjoy what you're doing and happy with the end result!

Stay organized. This was touched on in a number of the other points, but it's so important that I'm giving it its own slot. I make liberal use of folders and layers -- personally, I use three layers for lineart and every layer has at most two colors. Text gets its own folder and special effects have color-coded labels. My layers are always organized in the same way and I keep often-reused materials (like the lineart for Chris' staff) in separate files for easy access. Of course, the specifics are dependent on how you draw, but this has made a world of difference for me personally.

It's okay to experiment and change things. Figure out what works for you -- some folks do comics entirely as sketches or lineart without coloring, you'll see book-style vs. scrolling/vertical webcomics, and all that. It's okay to swap things up if you find that something isn't working out. Don't get too caught up in everything being "perfect," just experiment and see what makes you happy.

(Side note, but if anyone here specifically uses Clip Studio Paint and wants to talk about platform-specific details like brushes or using certain tools, feel free to send me a message on Tumblr/Discord about it. I am by no means a master of Clip Studio, but I am at least familiar with the particular tools I frequently use and can give info on them!)

Based on personal experience, a random cave halfway down to Hell. 90% chance that it’s completely enclosed and filled with random monsters, haha. Luckily the Dryad was there to stop him!

#purity town #not an update #pt asks

[lunaerys-archeron]

The Shadow Queen - Chapter I

(Daemon Targaryen x OC! Lunaerys Novak)

Prologue | Chapter two

For caution, most of this is fictional not included in the books or show!! So there will be more than a few of my original characters that have last names of main characters.

The sounds of neighs and hooves pouding against the grounds echoed throught the nature, several horses moving just as happily to return to their home, as much as their riders were. The sounds of armor being clunked together, banners of a single wolf surrounded by bones and ash, colors of black and gold being waved by the cloaks on the shoulders of the warriors returning. Eyes beamed with excitement as they followed their commander to the gates of their home.

"Great warriors of the East. We have returned undefeated once again!" A strong voice boasted as she halted for her giant black wolf, stopping by the gates of her home. She wore a proud and victorious smirk under her helm.

"Once we pass through those gates, you will no longer be stray men and women. But strong and willed warriors of a won battle." Her voice had been filled with leadership, her men and women warriors cheered for their commander, pounding their fists against their armor.

The gates to their Kingdom had opened. They were home.

"Princess Lunaerys Novak, heir to the ash-blood throne, future Lady of the Shadow Hills, Warden of the East, and Commander of the mercenaries." Ser Rickard Starlight announced loudly to the people that had gathered to witness the arrival of their future Queen and the warriors of Adrithe.

"Blessings to the four gods princess."

"May the four be with our undefeated warriors."

"May the God of war honor you."

The free folk began to chant as their princess and her mercenaries rode past them towards and through the entire city. They cheered in relief and pride, their protectors had once again defeated a great threat to their Kingdom.

Lunaerys Novak unsaddled her great wolf, patting her head as she did so, giving her comfort after a long time being away in battle. "Rest my dear friend." A young boy comes her way, Alan Vaulant, her squire and the soon-to-be lord of his house, learning under her guidance.

“Princess Lunaerys, welcome home.” The boy greeted with a polite bow and smile.

“Alan, it seems she missed you as well.” Lunaerys laughed when her wolf, Pandora nudged the boy with her snout wishing to be greeted as well, “watch over her will you? And you Pandora, take care of him.” She bid both a goodbye as Alan and Pandora walked to the fields of grass to roust in.

“Princess, your father, the King, wishes for your presence in the throne room.” A knight named Aethen Starfyre called to the young woman.

Lunaerys gave a nod to her childhood friend, "Thank you Aethen, do be sure that Ser Rickard and Ser Harland don't cause too much trouble. We've only just returned."

"You have my word princess." Ser Aethen chuckled, joining the Starlight twins into the ale house.

Lunaerys made her way to the throne room, she knew who was expecting her after her arrival to Adrithe. Her father. King Aelor. As she walked her way through the godswood the servants and maids all bowed when she walked past them, earning small smiles from the Princess. Her armor made a small noise as her black and gold cloak waved behind her.

"Ser Fergus, I see you're still alive old man." Lunaerys teased with a grin as she caught the eye of her father's friend guarding the throne room door.

"Princess I see you were victorious." Ser Fergus Redmond scoffed playfully. "I was sure the rogues would've killed you this time, I lost coin because of you." His grin matched her own.

"Careful Ser, I can have your head for your words."

"Oh but who would put up with you then?" Ser Redmond laughed.

"Is he angry?" Lunaerys asked, her bright mood changing instantly, remembering why she had come to the Throne room.

"He was for a short time, you're his only child, Lunaerys." Ser Fergus wore a glum look remembering the way his friend suffered after Lunaerys went off into battle, not knowing the status of his only child.

Lunaerys faced the ground in shame.

She never meant to cause her father any pain. She then faced forward as Ser Redmond opened the throne room doors. "Thank you, Ser."

She walked down the short steps, where her eyes met those whom she inherited it from. Her father, Aelor Novak, King of Adrithe. Many would've found him slightly intimidating, as the great King sat on a throne made of bones.

Lunaerys shuddered as she took in the presence of her father. His once bright blue eyes, now dull with worry.

She was to kneel on one knee, her head ready to be bowed preparing herself to apologize to her father for her doings. She never met the ground. Instead was buried into familiar arms, feeling the warmth of the wolf blood flowing through his veins.

"My girl. My little warrior." Aelor whispered, holding his daughter tightly to him, too afraid to let go. One year. A year that his only child had gone to war never once hearing word of her status. Paranoid thoughts ran through his head during the twelve moons. Was she hurt? Was she even alive? "You are home. Thank the gods."

Lunaerys did not hesitate another second and wrapped her arms around her father, returning his embrace. There a father and daughter had reunited.

"I'm sorry father."

Her father stepped back slightly, his hands holding onto Lunaerys' shoulders.

"No need for your apology. I should've understood, having a warrior as a daughter would never be easy. I just never wanted to lose you, like I lost your mother."

Lunaerys smiled sadly at the mention of her mother, she had died of a fever that plagued their Kingdom, leaving peacefully in her sleep.

"Would she be proud of me?" Her mismatched eyes, one gold like every member of house Novak and the other blue as the seas, just like her mother had the. Her eyes were filled with sadness and hope.

"Very, my little warrior." Aelor smiled before he placed a gentle kiss on her head.

In the throne room, a father and daughter had been reunited. But soon they would be separated as the girl would soon be of age to begin her own journey.

___________________________

"Welcome to you all! For tonight's feast will be in the honor of the return of my daughter and her mercenaries. For they have slayed another enemy, vanquishing the threat to our people!" King Aelor announced to the court that it had been settled for tonight's evening.

The noble houses all clapped and cheered for their princess and her mercenaries, either slamming their fists or their cups on the tables. They were proud that their Kingdom remained as they always had been. Unconquered by their enemies, protected by the wolf of the East.

"Tonight we shall thank and honor those who risked their lives for our Kingdom. May the God of War honor them and the others to allow them a place in their heavenly Kingdom" Lunaerys and the rest of those present had joined their King in his toast lifting their cups of ale into the air, "let tonight's feast commence."

With the words of their King the noble houses had begun their feasting, making conversations within their own house or with people from others. Though men and some women would sneak quick glances to the royal family's table, hoping to catch the beautiful eyes of the Princess. She had surely changed over the years in war, her face strong, jaw defined. Her beautiful mismatched eyes seemed brighter than ever before.

Lunaerys held a small grin behind her cup of ale, it was amusing as she felt the not subtle looks being thrown her way. Her grin grew as Aethen gave an amused snort her way. House Starfyre had been sworn to her own house since her great-great grandfather was King of Adrithe, she would find herself missing something, if Aethen was not by her side. They had been long friends ever since they were mere babes, their mothers friends before them. To add, they were born on the same day.

"Princess Lunaerys, would you so honor me. And join me for a dance." Ser Rickard had asked from a few feet away from the royal table.

Lunaerys nodded and joined the knight on the floor.

Music began to play, drums bearing like hearts of winds, calling out to the souls of the people. The particular song was one of Lunaerys' favorites, a song created for Adrithe's victory against the Dragons.

Lords and Ladies joined the princess and the knight on the floor, as the dance was turning to a switch in partners. The melody softened to something that was known by history, this particular dance was to resemble the one that was once shared between King Silas Novak and Queen Visenya Targaryen.

Forever forbidden love.

"You look radiant tonight, Lunaerys." Rickard whispered to the princess' ear.

"You clean up well Rickard. I almost did not recognize you." Lunaerys stifles a chuckle when the knight glared at her playfully.

"You wound me princess." Rickard lifted Lunaerys in his arms as the others followed in suit, the dance replica of the wolf and dragon. "You have once again lead us to victory, how does it feel?"

The eastern princess sighed deeply with a small smile.

"Good. Our home remains its own. Though my father has informed me, this will only add to the incoming ravens of betrothal offers."

Ser Rickard laughed, twirling the princess around a few times, before taking her in his arms again. "Anyone would be honored to have a woman such as yourself as a wife. I know of someone that would die for your hand.." It was now Lunaerys who lightly chuckled under her breath, "Who did you have in mind, Ser Starlight?" She teased, but before she received an answer she was spun to the next partner,

Now she was in the arms of the other Starlight twin, Ser Harland. One thing that was acknowledged by the people of Mordun, was that everyone knew the closeness the Starlight twins had with the princess. Though small rumors began that it was either Rickard or Harland that was in a secret relationship Lunaerys, but none were so brave to whisper these rumors in the Starlight twins’ faces, nor for it to make word to her father, King Aelor, who would surely cut the tongues of those who whispered of his only child, meeting their death soon after.

“Harland.” Lunaerys greeted with a smile.

“Princess.” Harland returned with a cheeky grin, without ease lifting the young woman in his arms and circling both of themselves around.

The two teenagers were completely oblivious to the many stares they were getting, the others in attendance either whispered the countless rumors made in their minds, or they gushed how beautiful Lunaerys and Harland would be together. They saw as they danced together, their height was laughable, but an adorable one. Two fierce and strong souls. They had grown together, and fought together. They were always seen near one another when Aethen was not by her side. They were Princess Lunaerys Novak and Ser Harland Starlight. A wolf and hound. A princess and knight. Friends for eternity.

_______________________________________________________

King Aelor sat in his council meeting the following morrow, rather focused to the conversations happening around him. As custom he sat at the head of the table, his closest advisor Lord Ambrose Redmond, brother to Ser Fergus, his sworn protector, and another dear friend. He tried to stay focused on the Master of Whispers speaking to him about something unimportant to the council. He ran his fingers against the russet colored fur of his large wolf, Allyan, who even kneeling to the ground reached past Aelor's height.

“What point are you trying to make, Lord Peter?” King Aelor huffed, leaning forward on his arms that rested against the table.

“A raven was spotted late at night, your grace.” Lord Peter Lagos began to backtrack to his reason for this meeting, handing the letter to Ser Fergus, who then handed the letter to the King.

“A three-headed dragon seal?” The Wolf King said in slight surprise. It has been long since the Dragons of King’s Landing ever tried to contact the Kingdom of Adrithe, since after his father became King.

“The Targaryen’s?” Lord Lucas Starfyre, the Master of Laws, asked in wonder. Why have the, above the gods and men believers, send them a raven? It has been nearly twenty years since their last attempt.

The council watched in anticipation as Aelor unraveled the letter. The Kings’ eyes followed each letter as he read them, his eyes widening in shock, then in slight annoyance as he reached the end. “Of course, another raven asking for my daughters’ hand.”

The council looked at each other before looking at their King worriedly.

“Surely the King does not offer his grandson to take her as a second wife?” Lady Myriah Vaulant, the Mistress of Ships asked. The Kingdom had known that Prince Viserys’ wife had failed to bring a son, and gave birth to a firstborn daughter instead. They did not shame the lady Aemma, but they felt some sort of pity as she was forced to another pregnancy shortly after the miscarriage of her lost child.

“No. But Jaehaerys does offer his youngest grandson, Prince Daemon Targaryen.”

The name of the dragon prince caught the attention of Aelor. It was no secret that the adventures of Westeros’ Rogue Prince made it all the way to Adrithe. The prince was said to enjoy his freedom and liked to cause trouble with that advantage coming with being of royal blood, many called him a womanizer for bedding many women in the brothels, but no one would dare shame him as not only was a prince, but he was also not married.

Though King Jaehaerys Targaryen had hoped with the things he heard of the intelligent and strong minded princess of Adrithe, Lunaerys would be able to hound down his grandson to become a good man. But Aelor would not have his daughter forced into a loveless marriage, nor one of convenience, he would give her the same opportunity he had.

“It seems our princess has made quite the impression during the battle, impressing a member of the Targaryen family takes quite a lot.” Lord Redmond snickered towards the KIng, but then sent him a small glare when Aelor kicked him from under the table.

“Who knows of the reasons that King Jaehaerys has to offer his grandson, but I will not give my daughter, unless she decides it is what she wants.” The council nodded with agreement to their King's words.

“Where is the princess, if I may ask your grace?” Lady Solia Darros questioned.

King Aelor smiled, his daughter was not one for meetings just yet. He had given her a break from her duties after being away for a year, his daughter deserved to be a young woman with freedom before she was backed into her duties forever.

“My daughter spends her time as she wishes, Lady Darros. She has a free spirit, just like her mother, one that can never be diminished.”

As the council continued with their conversations, a certain Princess had left her chambers and took her loyal companion for a small ride into the forests.

She was truly a free spirit.

__________________________________

Lunaerys held her bow close, drawing to the target in front of her, her eyes stilled on the sight, a large boar sniffing away to the trails the young woman made to draw it in. She held her breath as it came closer, then, with one breath out, she let her arrow loose. The boar let out noises of pain as it began to scurry away, but it was met with its end when a large wolf pounced onto it. Wails of its strangulation were heard loudly, before it limped in the locked jaws of its killer, crimson liquid appearing on the snout of the wolf drawing lines down into the grassy ground.

The princess walked closer to her companion, “You did well my girl, enjoy your catch.” She walked close to a tree sitting on its sprouting roots, she relaxed against the tall life. The scenery around her was beautiful, that is something she loved about her home, the beauty of the surrounding nature. The trees moving with life with the winds coursing movements, the bright skies glowing bright with the sun's radiance.

“You always preferred the outside world.” A teasing voice made Lunaerys open her eyes and sigh in announced.

"And you always had a way to rekove my peace, Aethen." Lunaerys joked her eyes closing once again, as she leaned back to the tree behind her. She chuckled when hearing his scoff.

"Well, who would protect the dear princess of Adrithe better than I? Her sworn guard and her most cherished friend." Aethen praised himself as he practically invaded Lunaerys' calming space by taking a seat right next to her. They both bumped their shoulders together playfully, trying to push the other away. "Hello Pandora, at least someone enjoys my presence." Aethen exclaimed with glee when the large wolf greeted him with a nudge to his side, he ran his fingers against her black fur.

"Traitor." The Novak scoffed with a pout. Pushing Pandora away when the wolf tried to nuzzle her head to her side as well. But the princess gave in, and began to scratch Pandora's head behind her ears. Lunaerys chuckled at the wolf's pleased huffs, and as Pandora layed behind both she and Aethen, her body curling around them.

"What is on your mind, Lunaerys?" Aethen asked with concern. The young man had noticed the way Lunaerys had been acting since they returned to Adrithe, she seemed different, more so than any time they had left to battle, "Is it Wayland again?"

Lunaerys eyes opened suddenly at the particular name. She had nor heard anyone else say the name in almost three years. It still hurt, hearing that name. One she had once cherished so deeply.

"No—no Aethen it is not Wayland that had been plaguing my mind. But rather my realization of the duties I will be expected to meet."

Aethen smiled lowly, "Ah yes. Your father has informed me of the many ravens that he received of Lords all over Westeros offering the hands of their sons. You are quite the topic, my dear friend."

Lunaerys scoffed in distaste, "The only reason for that many offers is due to those Lords wanting to see their son as King to an unconquered Kingdom. It is all they lust for in Westeros, power and their ambition bleeds to make it possible."

"Yes but Adrithe is different, Lunaerys. They may become your future husband, but it is you that we will all see as Queen. It is you that we will follow, not them, but you."

The Princess smiled at her friend and protector, she leaned her head against his shoulder, "Thank you, Aethen. You're always helping to ease my mind."

"It is my duty Princess, not only as your sworn shield, but as your friend." Aethen said resting his cheek against her head, "I heard that you have received another betrothal offer this morrow."

Lunaerys snorted a chuckle, "Yes those pesky Lannisters do not know when to stop do they?"

"I do don't speak of the Lannister's, I speak of the offer Jaehaerys Targaryen has made to offer the hand of his youngest grandson." The knight mumbled before Lunaerys moved her head away, and looked up to him suprised.

"Jaehaerys Targaryen sent my father a raven?" Lunaerys asked out loud, but mostly asked herself. Why would Jaehaerys try to offer his grandson? Perhaps this was another way of the Westeros King to men the broken treaty that his uncle long broke. "Interesting. How it would be to marry a man of dragon blood."

Aethen raised a brow in question, though he was equally concern when he saw Lunaerys look in thought. "Surely you're not thinking of accepting Lunaerys. Daemon Targaryen is wild, they call him the rogue prince for reasons, my dear friend."

The Princess only ignored him, she truly wondered what all the gossip about the Targaryen Prince was about. He surely couldn't be as handsome as they say, but she did believe the Whispers of his lustful ways in the brothels. Lunaerys knew that Jaehaerys wanted this marriage as a way to tame his youngest grandson, to better control his ways and become the ideal Prince.

"Of course not, who do take me for? While this would do well for duty, as Daemon Targaryen is to be known as a fine knight within his realms, but, I am not sure he will do well here in Adrithe." Lunaerys stifles a giggle imagining the trials that Daemon would have to go through in Adrithe to become her husband and a knight on their terms, not in Westeros.

How fun it would be to see it.

"Ah, the trials of earning the knighthood," Aethen sighed remembering the day he passed his own and earned his knighthood, "not many succeed the trials. But it would be entertaining to see him try completing the trials for your marriage."

Lunaerys and Aethen laughed together, but as they did so they stopped when King Aelor stepped into their view, his wolf Allyan standing tall behind him.

"Your grace." Aethen bowed now standing on his feet.

"Aethen, do mind to leave me and my daughter for a moment?" Aelor asked with a small smile at the knight.

"Of course your grace." Ser Starfyre sent once last look to Lunaerys before he walked away, leaving the King and his heir alone.

King Aelor let out a deep sigh, as he sat next to his only child he looked around. The small sounds of the water from the river clashing softy with the rocks in between. The area was quite beautiful, the greenery around seemed to grow even more beautiful with the sun's rays. He remembers this place.

The only place where he took his wife, Erys, the day he asked for her hand in marriage. Then after their daughter was born, they brought her here and would spend their days away from the stressful court.

This was the place they could just be together.

"I'm sure you either heard, or Aethen has informed you of the raven that was sent to Adrithe?" The king asked his daughter as they both stared towards the flowing river. But he received no answer from her only more silence, "Lunaerys, know that I would never force you to marry."

"I know", Lunaerys turned to look at her father. She wore a smile, one that resembled her mother's, "but I understand my duty father."

Aelor took his daughter into his arms, basking her in his comfort filled warmth that only a father could bring to his child. He tried to keep his daughter happy, he knew she appreciated the things he did for her, but he so hated the ways things were. He loathed that his daughter focused more on things that were yet to come, rather than to live her life in the slight freedom she had. But he knew that his daughter was too loyal and too wise to go against her duites, from a young age she was taught the things an heir to a Kingdom should be. She learned too much before she was to live happy life of a child.

"My daughter. My only child and solace in this world, you will make a fine Queen to this Kingdom."

Lunaerys smiled and held her father just as much as he held her. She enjoyed these moments when it was the to of them, a father and daughter just being themselves, carefree.

"Linōt eyssīa, mīedys." I love you, my daughter.

"Linōt eyssīa, lokto." I love you, father.

The father and daughter sat in the peaceful silence.

They enjoyed the breathtaking world around them, for they both knew that soon they would not see it again in many years.

_______________________________________________________

It had been two moons since King Jaehaerys Targaryen sent raven to Adrithe. It had been nearly one hundred years since anyone from Westeros has seen a person of Old Flame blood, Jaehaerys had remembered the last time he saw a member from the house Novak. It was when he first became King, and he tried to reconcile with King Lucian Novak to bring back the peace treaty his grandfather, Aegon I, had created. But the wolves of the East were not ones to forgive and forget if without good reason, for House Novak was one of loyalty and trust. Maegor Targaryen had long broken that bond.

It was early morrow, Jaehaerys sat in his own chambers breaking his fast in silence until a servant of his house came in silently.

"Your grace." The young man bowed standing next to the King's sworn guard.

"What is it?" Jaehaerys sighed tiredly, he only was visited either if important news came to King's Landing, or his youngest grandson Daemon had done something Daemon like.

"A falcon was spotted before the sun's light had risen, it carried this in its hold." The young man walked closer to the King handing him the rolled parchment.

The eyes of the King widened.

A black and gold wolf sigil. Unbroken at that.

"Thank you, you may leave." Jaehaerys dismissed the young man with a wave of his hand, he waited until the doors to his chambers closed shut to open the letter.

Jaehaerys Targaryen,

It is to my understanding that you have long wished to fix what your uncle had long broken many years ago. War had been called against your Kingdom and mine, for things that were mistaken and took to far. Both our families and Kingdom's suffered for such mistakes.

Though, we both wish to make things right.

My house, House Novak is not one to easily forgive nor forget. We have not forgotten what your house has done to mine, but it seems you bring a well enough reason to fix what was broken. But know this, if it is your wish to give the hand of your grandson to my daughter he must face many challenges and trials against our most fine fighters in our realm. For the hand of my daughter is no prize, for she does not need anyone to rule greatly beside her.

But alas my daughter understands her duties, as any good heir should.

In the name of King Aelor Novak and his heir Princess Lunaerys Novak, we fully accept your offer. For your grandson will wed my daughter if passed the trials given. Pray to your gods of the Valyrian or the Seven, for if your house takes our forgiveness to an dismay. We will finish what my ancestors had long started.

— King Aelor Novak, First of his name. King of Adrithe, Lord of Morukk, and Warden of the East, the Protector of the Old Flame.

Jaehaerys Targaryen was relieved, House Targaryen and House Novak would be untied as they were longed to be. But he knew the grieve consequences this could have on not only his Kingdom, but to his family. For he knew if his blood would continue their rebellious ways, filled with anger, betrayal.

For the only thing that could bring the end to the house of the dragons, was itself.

Lunaerys and House Novak would be the savior his house needed.

______________________________

#daemon targaryen fanfic #daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen x oc #daemon targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen fanfic #rhaenyra targaryen #aemond targaryen #hotd fanfic #house of the dragon #house of the dragon fanfic #house targaryen #aemond fanfiction #house aellos #house novak #game of thrones fanfiction

[thatruerealmwalker]

So...

WE'RE BACK AGAIN LADS- BUT THIS TIME IT'S A BOY.

Even as this Cradle burns down... From the Ash I will Rise once Again. - Finale Quote

This is William Rivers (Full name drop!) which has appeared on the blog before! Now you may ask me- "Realm? Why is William a Magical Boy now?"

Well one- He is a Magical Girl- because calling him that makes him scream- and Two- It's complicated.

William pretty much as the same back story and personality as Innocent Ash- I just never gave Ash a civilian form or an actual name. So when I did make William- I realized "Wait... this is just Innocent Ash."

So two became one and here we are. I'm not going to mention the certain flower girl toy mascot horror game- because unlike Claire, William was pretty much fully formed- just no name. Or some smaller details I've ironed out now. I have no 'legal' basis to tag this under Poppy Playtime- (Maybe I do? This situation is strange)

However- for the sake of being fair- and because I want to- Thank you @realizinau for indirectly helping me fully realize the OC. (I also think you maybe want to see this? It has a bunch of extra William lore if you just take out the Magical stuff and ignore the other characters mentioned- Great work by the way as always Vis, hope your vacation/trip is going well!)

As before with Claire- who if you have missed you can find HERE-

Below are some details, and under that is a short story telling you more of how he got to this point- In "We who are Blessed Under Starlight" specifically.

William is a Magical Boy by the name of Innocent Ash. He's rather young, one of three of what the Blessed call "The little Trio" which make up him, his adopted sister Swan, and Alice's adopted brother Mako. The three of them are pretty much inseparable (which took William's survivor guilt getting addressed- but more on that later)

William fights with a short sword on occasion- really just when he needs to. His main way of fighting is with his power- FIRE. Be it burning, destroying, or even warding things away, William fights like a fire bender who just wants to see the world burn.

His flames are sadly pretty one note- except for detail that he has almost always perfect control on what his flames will burn. He has also found that changing their color is pretty easy, not that it does much. This has lead to some... creative applications of fire. (One time, he was bored, so he tired to make a normal tree look like Christmas cam early. He is now asked to make flame decoration whenever he can. It's an art form at this point even though William isn't an artist.) (He does it for Swan.)

William is a quiet kid, who's rather smart but that comes from just how perceptive he is. He notices things. Be it moods or information others may miss, he always seems to catch that stuff first. It doesn't help his natural paranoia, but when it's needed- he uses it. (He... has had a lot of bad experiences in orphanages. Even now it clings to him. The feeling of someone trying to hurt him, right behind him- even when it's nothing at all)

William is an Orphan. His parents died in a home fire when he was young. Unluckily, his entire life has been accidents and hardship like that. From one orphanage that met the same fate his parent home did, to one who's entire child populace made his time there hell. He sadly had grow accustomed to wearing a mask- seeming meek and not worth the abusers time... even if it didn't always work. (The only time he's snapped is when his life was really in danger- when things actually got violent- those would also lead to him moving orphanages.) (The only time he harmed someone without violence... is when an older man who worked at the orphanage he was staying at at the time tried to touch him. William had to be dragged away from the man's blood face.)

As said before, he's the adopted brother of Swan- who's parent's took him in after he finally began to trust that he won't be the one person left again- that he won't be left alone again. Even if his new parents love him... he still has trouble sharing that back. He isn't trying to replace what he lost... but he has to tell himself that.

Swan's parents adopted him when he went back into school... there was an entire thing with the law trying to throw him back into the foster system- Claire and Zaken both has paid for a really good lawyer to help win custody and deal with the whole issue. (Later he learned that why it was so hard was that the Orphanage he was last at was only keeping kids so the government paid them- and was trying to keep it hush hush.)

William loves reading. It's his favorite pass times. He usually spends that time helping Swan to read. He cannot lie he doesn't enjoy teach now and again. (It's even better when it's all three of them. Him, Swan, and Mako.)

He has a weird bond with Kaito. Both of them once living on the streets- they kind of get on well together. He does not like when Kaito goes full gremlin and starts stealing stuff. (He usually has to be the one to place everything back. He just remembers where things were easily.)

As much as his entire brand is fire- he likes all of his drinks cold. Give him hot chocolate and he will place it in the freezer to cool it down quickly. Several other of the Blessed have issues with this. Swan emulates him to their collective horror.

William has periods where he just needs to be alone- be in silence and calm down. Over stimulation can get to him easy. Best one can do is give him that. (He tries to deal with it sometimes, pretend it isn't happening. Claire can always somehow tell though. She always makes sure he gets the room he needs)

And that is everything I have for now! Again, if you enjoyed reading about this story and William, feel free to reach out! Messages and the Inbox is always open- I love meeting new people!

Thank you for reading- but wait! There is still a short story about William down below. You might want to read that too on your way out. Either way, have a wonderful night!

William Rivers Story:

William believed himself to be Cursed for the longest time.

He had evidence for it. Just look at his life.

When he was only 5- he had to watch his parents burn alive in their home. When he was growing up he had to be tossed from orphanage to orphanage because he caused 'problems.'

Few wanted to adopt him- none ever fully committed after hearing everything he's been in. They said he was too quiet, too antisocial, too cold.

Maybe what else they called him was true... but he was never cold. He only learned how to hide the flames, hid the emotion. To put on a mask and seem like he was only part of the background. It helped, stopped at least the other children from bothering him- either in misguided blame or genuine attempts at friendship only missing the endurance to break through the shell- so he kept doing it.

He was the center of tragedy. No matter what, he always came out fine. He was always the lone person to survived unscathed. Eventually, he believed that to be true. That no matter what, he would be the only one to survive- only one to live. And so he would be alone. That is what he internalized during his time through those dark days.

One day, a Star had fell into a nearby forest. William, who had nothing better to do, followed to where he saw whatever fell from the sky above. Starlight seeped into him as he stepped forward towards the light in the clearing, clinging to his form.

His mind grew cloudy as his skin began to heat. Flames struck and clung to nearby trees. Soon, this once living forest became kindle to a flame unending.

And yet- William did not. Even as fire threatened to make him one with it- he stepped forward and reached for the Star-

The flames that once ate at the green plant life around him snuffed out in an instant, his body back to as it was before he stepped into this place- now with his Matrix, a bright shining Flame above what he knew was meant to be ash, hovering in front of him.

William, with his new found powers, ran. He lived on the streets, away from the constant hurt that came from the places that tried to board him.

One day, a Stranger appeared, and promised him he would grant him his most wanted wish- if only he were to gather Starlight until his Matrix was bursting.

Unannounced to the Stranger, he chose his lie poorly. William, despite it all, never truly wished "For his parents to come back to his arms." They were gone, and he had accepted that.

And so William distrusted The Man who Thought Himself God from day one.

Sadly for William, others did not share his worry, blindly trusting that horrible man's promises. And so- he was brought into the fight orchestrated by the one who sought to claim God's throne.

He did not trust any other Blessed, and did not fight against the Cursed. He defended himself when those who realized the other Blessed carried far more Starlight then a normal Cursed ever would. He ran when the one who could freeze others with just a touch approached him-

And again and again and again.

She wouldn't stop. She even started to do it outside of her costume- with no weapon and powers weakened. He didn't understand.

So he watched her.

He watched how she fought not for some stupid Wish... but for the sake of protecting others. How she had a smile when she saved that child from being eaten by the Cursed teddy bear. How she laughed in joy when she finally beat the tainted master of the towns local Dojo- before undoing as much corruption as she could- not thinking to harvest the poor soul for even a second.

Watching became brief interactions. Where he would ask a question- and she would answer as well as she could.

That too turned into him aiding in fighting- no protecting people. And soon he met others like her- Like Alice. (That was her name... why did it take him so long to ask?)

Then... he met the girl who would become his sister.

Later... he met the boy who he and she would call their brother.

Slowly but surely... he learned he had wandered into a family. He was afraid. Afraid they would die, and leave him... But they proved him wrong.

Again and Again and Again-

They lived. They survived. And they all went back home together in the end.

Even when it got hard. Even when the world itself chose to challenge them- to try and slaughter them as they tried to do what was right-

They did not leave him.

He isn't alone- and won't ever be again.

#OC #My OC #Magical Boy #We who are Blessed under Starlight #Original work #This took me a while so probably no Chapter tonight. #Now I'm not sure who to do next. #Mako or Swan? #Hmmmmm #I'll think on it.

[kinokoshoujoart]

scribbled down a relationship chart for the forgotten valley bros to collect my thoughts after snooping into their dialogue files, because i’m crazy over the barebones scraps of tiny interactions between them that we are given they’re a neat group of lads and i want to see them in lots of wacky situations together

rambling explanation and screenshots under the cut. spoilers for dialogue

gordy and gustafa are bffs and i love them!!!!!

they have mutual respect for each other… gustafa clearly admires and understands gordy’s art, and gordy seems to view gustafa as his closest confidant, he even gets you and Gustafa the new kitchen if you enter chapter 2 without being able to “afford” it yourself

they only really mention each other and don’t have anything to say about the other two boys

no one has anything bad to say about gustafa, which is exactly how it should be. blessed bard. it’s extra sweet to me that he’s the most well-liked bachelor both in and out of the game given one of the npc gossip lines your son can tell you— he grew up without many friends (in the original game the secret was that he was bullied). he deserves all the happiness in the world

matt opinions

matt shares his Opinions (slander) on gordy and rock specifically if you show him your kid with them, but has no slander for gustafa… his line for gustafa is instead just copied from what he says about the bachelorettes’ kids. so i count that as a gustafa win

i had to stretch to find any mention of gustafa by matt, the closest thing is that he comments that he doesn’t usually go to the starlight concert

i want gustafa and matt to interact!!! i want gustafa to give matt a tomato when he’s being gruff like he did with nami (matt: “th-thank you…..*blush* i already have ten billion of these”) matt also has lines about farm work being easier when you’ve got music accompanying you if you show him a record so i’ll count that as a very flimsy positive connection (matt IS friendly with gavin, due to frequenting the bluebird café, but is a bit reticent to make friends on his own)

rock opinions and social diseases

rock is extremely excited about hearing gustafa play music and calls him a wizard at the guitar and says he never gets tired of hearing him play. he also likes wandering over to gustafa’s yurt and listening to his music along with tei on market days (his most normal bachelor to bachelor interaction)

the only guy who gets no positive comment from rock is matt, instead rock goes to town roasting him in his fourth heart event out of envy for a completely imaginary situation and argues that he’s worth a hundred matthew’s (source?). he also likes to go into the already crowded farmhouse at night on market days and make it even more cramped, but he usually leaves right before matt gets home

finally rock has what i can only describe as a really odd one-sided crush on gordy!! he meanders into gordy’s trailer at 12:45 AM (AM) every market day and loudly, obliviously asks why there’s so much “trash” everywhere (you’re the trash, rock!!!!!!). thankfully rock is quite literally beneath gordy’s notice, however this seems to make rock sad and he tries to come up with wacky stunts to get gordy’s attention like drawing on gordy’s face and… holding his breath? (maybe, i dunno WHERE that dialogue triggers). he has a line celebrating gordy finally noticing him, i’m not sure what causes it though (for his part, gordy has no lines referencing rock)

finally, if you show rock your kid he will tease them by bragging that he was waaaay cuter at their age… but ONLY if it’s a bachelor’s child. rock your complex is so obvious that it’s more of a simple

in summary,

rock seems to think highly of each of the guys (except matt), unfortunately this manifests in him making really odd attempts to barge into their houses at strange hours and by trying to assert dominance in annoying ways. thankfully no one really notices anything he does (except matt)

matt doesn’t generally say nice things about anyone except cecilia (which makes the nice things he says, like about nina, more meaningful…) so unsurprisingly he has nothing nice to say about any of the guys, but he doesn’t have anything negative to say about gustafa. however he seems to want friends to do stuff with (he complains about how no one in the valley wants to go swimming…..hhhgg i am desperate to force rock and matt to spend time together. a friendship where you can’t stand each other but you’re the only two people who enjoy doing the same hobby so you put your differences aside and splash around in the water) like with rock no one really seems aware of matt’s existence except rock who is Extrwmely Aware to the point of knowing about matt’s crush on ceci, but unlike rock matt is not exactly jumping at the chance to go socialize with others

gustafa and gordy are friends with each other (and also both are friends with nami) and they support each others ambitions. i have no source but i’m confident that when gustafa visits gordy he’s also bringing him water and soup (he also visits daryl so i think it’s cool and fun if gustafa drops in on the local lost-in-thought creative hermits with hydration reminders and care packages)

#i really love all 4 of these boys i. i clearly have a babygirl but i am not immune to any of them #and each guy is not just standing out from the other 3 but also wildly different from all other bkmn men #the magic ingredient called ‘not designed to be a marriage candidate’ is the secret spice that makes me want to marry bkmn men #also this is why my husband needs to be set loose. please go outside and cause havoc honey you haven’t stepped off the farm since we wed #sos awl #bokumono #will probably make doodles based on some of the dialogue lines #gustafa (awl) #story of seasons #harvest moon a wonderful life #rock (awl) #story of seasons a wonderful life #gordy (awl) #matthew (awl) #sos awl spoilers #sos: awl #extremely sane posting hours #rock tumbling (sos)

[kristeristerin]

Hi there! Can I please request the Taylor’s song Starlight with Rhysand for the drabble?

AN- I think my favorite part of doing these drabbles is listening to Taylor songs that I have been sleeping on. Like, how did I not know this song before?!? Thank you for the prompt! It was a great choice for Rhysand! I hope you enjoy reading it! <3

As always asks are open for prompts!

Song: Starlight

Pairing: Reader X Rhysand

Content Warning: None

Words: 814

“Hello there, Darling. I’ve been waiting for you.”

You were speechless as you stared at the male. He gave you a lopsided grin before waving off the two large males who had been guarding the door.

“I’ve got her from here, thank you for finding her for me.” They grumbled and made their way back to the door. When he turned his sights back on you his eyes sparkled with mischief and he linked an arm through yours. “Come with me, darling. I am sure you have quite the story to tell.”

As soon as you were in a secluded corner he dropped your arm and raised a brow. Just as he opened his mouth to speak you began to ramble.

“I’m so sorry. I never expected to get this far. You see, it was a dare by a couple of my friends and they assured me the High Lord’s son was still out of town. I never expected to actually get into the party or to meet you. Can we just forget this happened? I’ll leave and not tell a soul, I swear.”

He chuckled and shook his head, “That’s nonsense. Somehow the mother saw fit to bless me with a gorgeous date tonight. It’d be blasphemous to not show you the time of your life. Tell me, love, what is your name?”

Your eyes were as wide as saucers as you stared back at the Night Court heir. “Pardon?”

“Your name?” he asked again, “If I am to introduce you as my date surely I should know your name.”

“Oh,” you blinked a couple of times, “my name is Y/N”

“Y/N” he repeated back and smiled. “You can call me Rhys. Well, darling, shall we return to the party? I think I’d like to take you for a turn around the dancefloor if you’d be amicable to that.”

“I don’t know,” you bite your lip and look away from him, “I should probably leave. I don’t want to be caught crashing a party at the High Lord’s home.

“My dear,” he put a finger under your chin and brought your face back to look at him. “You worry too much. I am inviting you to attend the party. Don’t worry I won’t anything happen to you. Dance with me, please?”

For a moment you can do nothing more than stare at him. His violet-blue eyes sparkle with the promise of a night you won’t soon forget.

“I’d be delighted to dance with you, Rhys” You smile shyly as you take his offered arm.

—---

You are trying to catch your breath when he leads you off of the dance floor sometime later that evening. Leaning on the balcony railing you grin at him. “This night has been incredible. Thank you for everything.”

Stars dance in his eyes as he leans on the railing beside you. “You know, when we’re married we can throw parties like this whenever you’d like one. We can invite all of our friends and I’ll twirl you around the dance floor until you’re sick of it.”

“I’m sorry, Married?” you sputter.

He grins widely at you. “Oh yes, my dear. This is the most alive I’ve felt in decades. I think I’ve decided I’d rather like to keep you if you’ll have me of course.”

“Hmmm,” You lean your head on his shoulder. “Well, sell me on this future then.”

“Of course,” he leans his head on yours as you both gaze out at the city. He’s quiet for a few moments before he continues. “Well, I’ll be High Lord.”

“Naturally,” you nod gently against his shoulder.

“Well, you, my love, will be the first High Lady in Prythian’s history.”

You lift your head and give him an incredulous look. “Is that so?

“Mmhmm,” he looks at you very seriously, “We will have to share the responsibility after all. Running a court and raising ten children will be a lot of work.”

At that, you throw your head back in laughter, “Ten, huh? Trying to keep up with the Autumn Court are you?”

“Of course, we are going to have so many children. Have you seen us?” He makes a show of looking you up and down, “We are gorgeous, Darling. We won’t be able to keep our hands off of one another.”

You go to turn away to hide your blush, but he catches your chin and stares into your eyes. “I wasn’t joking about wanting to keep you. Would you join me tomorrow evening for dinner and a walk around The Rainbow?”

You avert your gaze but can’t help the soft smile that spreads across your face. “I’d love to, Rhys.”

You look back at him when he lets go of your face and offers you his arm. “My Lady, if you’ll join me there are a few people I’d love to introduce you to.”

#acotar fanfiction #acotar x reader #acotar fic #rhysand x reader #rhys acotar

[alexagirlie]

We Daren't Go A-Hunting for Fear of Little Men - Chapter One

(Masterlist)

Fandom: Dune

Ship: Paul x OMC, Paul x Duncan

Summary: There were 48 000 gods in their mythologies and not one appeared to him except for HER. She was beautiful, even under the blood and gore which coated her from head to foot. Her skin was as white as freshly fallen snow, her hair soft and silver like starlight spun to thread.

Warnings: Magic au. Fantasy au. Battle. Injury. Blood. Near death experience. Old Gods.

Taglist: @succnfuccubus

There were 48 000 gods in their mythology, Goddesses to watch over lovers who had been lost at sea, to temper the waves and guide sailors home. Gods whose job it was to water the earth with their blood, making it fertile. Gods who pulled life from that fertile land and made the flowers bloom in the spring. Gods and Goddesses of war, death and destruction that lead the dead to the promised land. To lead a fallen soldier to rest and peace.

Every little facet of living life had a patron god for humanity to kneel at the foot of and pray pray pray. And yet…. And yet…

There were 48 000 gods in their mythology and Duncan was praying to every single one. Praying to DANDRA for courage, praying to AILA for strength, praying to NURAND for the will to stand and continue fighting. To ignore the wound in his gut and his life seeping away drip by bloody drip. To let him fulfill his honoured duty to House Atreides, to his Duke and to the boy turned young man who he was most loyal to.

There were 48 000 gods in their mythology and Duncan called upon every one known to share their blessings with those who know death is calling. Dying from a thousand cuts, dying from bright red blood spilt on cold stone, dying from a sword to the core. God whose symbols have been worn by warring tribes for centuries. Through sweeping victories and devastating defeats, cultures and societies waxing and waning. Whose symbols he himself wears, drawn on armour in white chalk. 

There were 48 000 gods in their mythologies and not one appeared to him until the very end. Duncan was laying on the cold, wet stone, rain falling warm on his face. He could no longer find the will to stand and fight, his body depleted and weak. He only hoped that he had done enough to protect those he swore to protect. That the House of Atreides would prove victorious in this battle.

There were 48 000 gods in their mythologies and not one appeared to him except for HER. She was beautiful, even under the blood and gore which coated her from head to foot. Her skin was as white as freshly fallen snow, her hair soft and silver like starlight spun to thread. SCATHACH was a Goddess of Death, one who only appeared to those fallen in battle and ready to breathe their last. So Duncan knew his time was up and he was ready for her hand in his, leading the way.

Laying on the wet stone Duncan's eyes fell closed, he had seen the face of the goddess of death and he had made peace with the thought. The world was fading away, the pain in his side, the rain falling on his face, all that remained was the memory of Paul. The memory of his boy, laughing and vibrant and alive. Duncan hoped that his efforts had turned the tide of the battle and the Atreides forces would come out the victor.

Suddenly he heard a voice call for him in the darkness.

“DUNCAN!"

The voice was familiar and otherworldly, pulling him back from the brink. It was full of anguish but underneath was an edge of determination, as strong as steel. He felt hands on his face, burning hot against his ice cold skin. Duncan forced his eyes open, his eyelids felt like lead, but he needed to see, need to know. He saw again the shining face of SCATHACH, before she faded away and in her stead there was Paul, his Paul.

Paul's black curls were soaking wet and clinging to his face and neck in messy clumps. There was a cut along his hairline and a line of blood was dripping down the side of his face, the red stark against his pale skin. Duncan couldn't help but think the colour really brought out the green in his eyes, making them glow like veridian. The chalk glyphs on his armour were only the faintest of smudged lines, their power and protections faded.

'STAY AWAKE' the command was dripping with power, with the weirding magiks of The Voice. 'LIVE'

So Duncan had no choice, his boy, the lord of his heart had commanded it and so it was to be. He found the strength to hold on while the healers arrived. While they patched him up enough to transport him back to the castle. Paul refused to leave his side the whole time, face wrecked with barely disguised pain and line with exhaustion. 

Duncan lost consciousness as they were settling him in the infirmary but it was the sleep of healing not death. While he slept he dreamt of Paul. Of when he had first come to work for the House of Atreides, when Paul was barely a teen. Voice cracking and all awkward limbs. He dreamt of the first time Paul won a match against one of his instructors, his joy and laughter ringing through the halls. 

He dreamt of Paul, at a Gala hosted by the House a few months back, of the beautiful tunic his mother had commissioned for him to wear. He had stolen the gaze of everyone present, Duncan included. Although he had tried to deny it, to keep his thoughts and feelings towards the young princeling pure. He failed.

Header by me

Divider by firefly-graphics

#kirstin's chronicles #dune #dune fanfiction #dune fanfic #WDGAH #magic au #fantasy au #paul x oc #paul x omc #paul x duncan #atreidaho #m/m

[mochibuni]

Watching the Cosmos films, my thoughts under the cut.

It's a lot of all caps. And lack of grammar because I gave up at some point.

some important things: wedding scene is after the end credits, so don't miss it!

also, THE CATS LIVE! I REPEAT, THE CATS LIVE!!!!!!

LOL WAS GALAXIA JUST SITTING THERE WATCHING THEM KISS. IS THIS HER WATCHING 90 DAY FIANCE.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HOTARU CAME TO PICK UP CHIBS I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THIS

YOU GET THAT NORMAL SCHOOL GIRL LIFE MICHIRU

the cgi is a little egregious in a distracting way

i'm only seven minutes in and i can't handle how cute their every day lives are someone help me

i like the little pink gradient they added to usagi's eyes

I prefer Usagi's original engagement ring. These new sailor crystals look great though.

ARE THE STARLIGHTS NINJA RUNNING THROUGH THE AIRPORT????????

and chibs is just gone bye

OMG LITTLE MOUSE BOTS

OMG MOUSE UHM that was fast. poor girl i wanted to see her do a little bit more, she really is just the cutest

"why haven't you sent me any letters? i'm going to be angry!" YEAH MAMORU, WHY HAVE YOU LET DEATH STOP YOU.

interesting that they used "sailor soldiers" instead of "sailor guardians."

...mina is so great with children looooooooooooooooooool

I FORGOT HOW MANY ZIPPERS THE THREE LIGHTS HAVE

WHO LAYS ON THE GROUND ON TOP OF THE BUILDING LIKE THAT TO WRITE A LETTER. THE GROUND IS DIRTY, USAGI.

"it's my business or not if i have ugly handwriting"

michiru is truly a blessing in this high school setting

MINA-P

TAIKI'S TRANSFORMATION STILL ABSOLUTELY CRACKS ME UP JUST PLANKING IN THE AIR

i really love everything about this galaxia, her voice is really great. also i just love the aesthetic naoko gave her, in general i love the aesthetic in the manga but oh my god is it so hard to draw.

PUBLIC SCHOOL GIRL REI HIJINKS

bahahah rei mad about mina talking about getting a boyfriend JUST DATE ALREADY

oh my god that mid scream cut off of mina and rei was so good and awful

DIANA IN HER BASKET

JUST LEAVING HOTARU BEHIND WITH THE CATS. IS SHE YOUR CONTIGENCY PLAN TO DESTORY THE UNIVERSE

"i only trust girls" yup

seeing hotaru get into her little bubble to go to her moms and i know she isn't going to make it choked me up a bit

HOW DARE YOU HURT DIANA

so far the stars arc works pretty well for a film, not at the half point yet though

KAKYUU IS SHORTER THAN USAGI JUST HOW SMALL IS THIS WOMAN

"trash can't become a star" I LOVE HER

MOVIE 2

IKUKO MY HEART

outer castle bus tour

HOTARU MY DARLING I'M PRETTY SURE YOU COULD HAVE DONE IT IF YOU HAD FIVE MORE SECONDS. I DREW AN ENTIRE COMIC ABOUT IT.

HAHAHA WE BROKE MORE OF MICHIRU MAMA'S PLATES

chibs has a really cute new transformation I'M NOT BITTER HOTARU'S STILL SUCKS

i really felt a big pang when the starlights died, i'm not sure if that's nostalgia talking or not

it was so nice seeing chibs and the quartet in action

FUCKING PUT THE CATS BACK i swear to god if they stay dead in crystal

HAHAHA MUST BE CHIBS DAUGHTER

"i can tell she's not my daughter, she has too much bullshit power like my mom"

oh they were cowards about kakyuu's death GIVE US THE ACTUAL STAB THROUGH THE BACK

getting to the evil sailors part and i think this really solidifies how much this art style doesn't suit the aesthetic of this arc at all. it was pretty apparent with a lot of the shadow galactica villains, but zero sagitarius is such an elegant and foreboding place and this anime shoujo style doesn't translate it well at all. i know i've complained about the art change in crystal a lot, and i do think the movies are miles above the 3rd season and sometimes cosmos looks really fantastic, but yeah i'll stop here before i get way too negative

MAMORU JUST CAPE FLIPS AND RUNS AWAY THE MOST TUXEDO MASK THING EVER

HE DOES IT TWICE ALSDJALS;KDSADA

part of galaxia's backstory here reminds me of the rose bride witch, at least visually with the sword piercings.

LOLOL NOW GALAXIA JUST TURNS AND RUNS I CAN'T

YES THE STAFF BEATING

"neither of us can keep fighting, all the sailor guardians have disappeared" GEE I WONDER WHY THEY DID, GALAXIA.

LOOK AT HOTARU GETTING THAT PRETTY LITTLE SOLO PANEL

just knowing it's keiko's voice teared me up a little

DO YOOU BEEELIIEEEEVEEE IN THE POWER OF LOOOOVE

usagi flying with all the sailor crystals begging for help really spoke to me, it's really so perfect

CHAOS' HAIR IS A BIG NEST OF SNAKES WITH PEARLS AND I'M HERE FOR IT

OH THANK THE FUCKING LORD THAT CATS ARE REBORN I WAS GOING TO BE SO PISSED IF CRYSTAL DIDN'T FIX THIS DOAISDJASP;JDKASOPKDAS 'DKASD

SERIOUSLY THE CATS LIVE AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

FINALLY SHE GETS TO MARRY EVERYONE THE END

#mochi talks about sailor moon #sailor moon #sailor moon cosmos #sailor moon cosmos spoilers

[your-highnessmarvel]

cotton candy | s.riley

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pairing: Simon Riley aka Ghost x Original female character

Warnings: KISSING. SMOOCHING. TONGUE KISSING.

Chapter Summary: Operation Starlight is on. But Laura doesn't know if she has what it takes to even do this thing.

A/N: OIIII I love this!!!!

Masterlist

Taglist: Open

Will be posting on AO3. IF ONLY I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW IT WORKS LMAO.

Chapter eight

It was so god damn cold!

My skin would peel from the frigid wind if it wasn't fastened to my bones like glue. Who would have thought that the South Asian weather could drop to sub zero temperatures and mimic the worst of Antarctic weather?

But here I was, hands under my pits to warm my fingers, standing in line behind two young girls with hair as dark as mine. They looked buzzed, blazed and confused, and the looks they kept shooting me over their slender shoulders gave my goosebumps goosebumps.

"Fucking hell," I muttered.

I heard the telltale crackle of the comms device in my ear. And then, Soap's drawl in my ear, "Don't start yapping those ugly words, lassie."

I smiled, the sound of his voice and the lilt of his accent making the ice in my bones thaw a little.

"I'm cold, Soap," I answered under my breath, pressing my chin to my chest to brace against the harsh wind.

"You'll be inside in a few minutes, mami," came Ale's honey voice. He sounded like a stripper through comms.

But who I really wanted to hear was Ghost. I wanted him to tell me he was alright, that he'd made it inside. Because that meant that I would cross someone in there that would potentially be him. I had to look for a blonde man with blonder lashes and a heart-shaped mouth.

No. I had to look for Alvarez and walk to the extraction point. I had two jobs and that's it.

"How did you guys make it in before me?" I asked. "In America, that's the other way around. Women don't wait in the cold."

Someone cleared their throat over comms. "That's because you're in the wrong line, sweetheart." It was Gaz, and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw him standing beside our Plan B car, smoking a cigar.

He motioned to my left with his chin and winked. Bless this man.

I looked over the shoulder of the girls in front of me and saw a lady walk to the bouncer and offer him a few bucks. Well, that's why Ghost had handed me Baht bills before we got out the car. It wasn't just to pretend to buy a drink.

When I made it inside the club, my skin felt soft, as if I had been a hard slab of chocolate placed near a raging fire.

I gave a few more bucks for the entrance fee, made my way clumsily through a dark hallway, and made my way towards the music. The closer I got, the more it echoed and throbbed in my chest, beating with my heart like two drums in sync.

I pulled the red velvet cliché curtain and stepped onto the mezzanine, where a sea of roiling bodies danced under me. Glaring, jetting blue and green lights washed over the dancers, and I gripped the railing, looking over to get a better glimpse at their faces.

The music was good and they moved to it perfectly. I caught the flash of a silver bracelet, a glimpse of someone's bright red hair, skin on skin, hands and nails digging into any exposed flesh.

It was the dream of any raver, any dancer who wanted to get lost into the notes. It was intoxicating to look at.

Someone bumped into me, spilling their drink across my top, ice tumbling into my bra. The drunk dancer excused himself in Thai and tried to clean it up, but I was too flustered, too raw to let him. Instead, I walked right passed him and followed the glowing yellow sign for the bathrooms.

It was another world in there. Behind the hardwood door, the music was muffled and replaced by the sounds of a flushing toilet and a sink that was accidentally left open. I grabbed onto the paper towels and dried my chest and dove into my bra to retrieve the melting ice.

Two girls burst in, laughing, and the fright it gave me sent me hollering. They stopped cackling and looked at me, watching as I tried to calm my racing heart.

One of them, the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, with cherry blonde hair and a pink, round mouth, cocked her head. "You're American?" she asked, holding onto the other girl's shoulders. She was American too. One of the former girl's blocky bracelets got stuck in the other girl's brown locks.

"Yeah," I answered.

"Who's that?" came Soap in my ear.

"Wow, I thought we'd never see any Americans here tonight!" the girl said, thunking against the wall, blonde locks falling into her eye. She smirked and laughed. "Your outfit is so nice."

I threw the paper towels into the bin. "Have a nice night ladies," I said.

"Wait," the blonde said, slurred mostly. She put a finger up, curled it, smirking like she had the nastiest secret about your beloved coworker. "I bet you want some meat tonight, eh?"

My cheeks heated like a match, instantly burning to my ears.

Someone laughed on comms.

"I - well, no."

She scoffed. The other girl yelped when the blonde slid to the floor, bruised bare knees bending up to the sky.

She laughed. "There's these guys upstairs," she slurred, gulped, and I could see the vomit clawing up her throat.

"Get closer," it was Ghost, and the command sung in my bones, struck me like a slap in the face, and my feet slid closer to the girls.

"Guys where?" I asked, scratching the inside of my wrist.

She scoffed again. "They're like, Thailand's fake mafia or whatever," she continued, chewing on her lip. Please God let her finish that sentence before she yacks.

"Fake mafia?" I questioned. "Like the Godfather?"

Her blue eyes light up, mouth opening. "Yes!" she answered. "And they paid me drink after drink like... and they told me to get more girls up there because they're bored, I think."

I nodded, nails clawing at the soft skin of my palms.

"Ask her what they look like," it was Ghost again and his order burned into my ear, lighting in my throat. As if he had tied strings to my limbs and puppeteered me.

"Are they handsome?" I asked. "I have a specific type."

"Good girl, Laura," came Soap through comms. Something brewed in my belly, like hot embers.

The blonde raised her brows, as if recognizing a fellow wild card girl.

"They have these dark, slick back hair, you know?" she said, trying to get to her feet. The other girl winced, pulling at the strands stuck in the blonde's bracelet. "They're tall and all full of muscle. And they're wearing these like black suits, like... John Wick, yeah?"

"Hmmm," I said. "Tattoos?"

"Atta girl."

She frowned, turning to peer at her friend. The brunette looked up at me, clearly less intoxicated than her friend. "They have these hand tats, like tigers or something stupid like that."

Never liked big cat tattoos either.

"That might be them," Soap mumbled. I fidgeted in my place, waiting for their orders. "Ask them how to get up there." Bingo.

"That makes me want to go so much," I giggled, trying to fake some kind of girlish, bathroom pact.

"That's so fake, mami."

"Where do I go?" I asked the girls.

The brunette carried her friend over into the open stall. "Just find the stairs that go up, not down. Give your name at the door. They let about any girl up there."

And just before I was bursting out the bathroom door, the blonde finally yacked.

"Guys," I whispered through comms. "I go up there alone?"

There was a long silence while I meandered through the mezzanine, looking for the stairs. But I didn't need to hear any answer because the problem found me first.

The man standing guard at the bottom of the stairs turned. When he faced me, his features felt like a puzzle I'd solved before and I could easily put back. He was familiar, down to the fucking busted front tooth when he sneered at me.

This was one of the men that were there when Ben talked with Alvarez.

And by the looks of it, he recognized me too.

"Shit," I breathed. I took a step back, and if this guy wasn't suspecting me already, that sure as hell made it clear now. He knew exactly who I was and that I wasn't, clearly, dead. I'd seen Alvarez's face. And I was here.

"Laura, what is it?" It was Ghost.

"He recognizes me," I answered. The guy brought a walkie talkie up to his mouth, keeping his eyes on me.

He took one step forward. Feet appeared at the top of the stairs. Three pairs. I looked up, saw three men descending, dressed up like they're the toughest assassin in the Continental.

Then Dude 1 pointed at me. And all four looked up to meet my gaze.

My heart beat against my rib cage, my breath coming in short spasms.

"Run," Ghost said.

I felt his command in my bones.

I turned, my feet, squished in the shoes that were a size too small, screamed in agony as I mulled against the wave of clubbers.

It felt like running in a dream, fighting against an invisible force holding me back, feeling the fire nipping at my heels. I made it to a hallway, bouncing off the wall like a clumsy idiot, and raced through. People knocked into me, bruising my shoulders, scraping against my elbow. But I felt along the wall, running until my knees ached.

I flew passed another hallway, gripping the wall to push my momentum. I'd always been fast. Ghost could tell you that.

"I'm taking the East side!" I heard Soap in my ear.

"I'm taking North!" that was Ale.

"I think I saw her on the mezzanine floor!"

But I didn't care. I ran and ran, passing partygoers and lovers and drunks.

Until, "Laura." His voice culled me out of my panic, slamming me back down into my body, into the fear beating against my chest, the terror running through my veins.

My ears were drumming with the echo of my breath.

"What do you see?" he asked.

I turned. "It's a room. It's so dark in here Ghost."

"What color are the walls?"

"Green, I think," I said, bracing my shoulder on the wall and walking backwards, away from the entrance, watching for any moving bodies. There was another entrance to another hallway to my right. This place was a maze.

"What are people doing? Is the music loud?"

I looked around. "People are..." The irony of it made my mouth shut. "They're making out?" Five couples were strewn about in various stages of making out or... oh, that was third base.

"Music?"

My ears were ringing but not loud, thrumming bass. "No, it's muffled though. I can hear it." I turned away from the lovers, focusing on the hallway I just came through. Waiting.

I heard shouting. Men. Fear gripped me like a cold hand, like fingers digging into my throat, clawing between my ribs.

"I see you."

His chest came resting, hot and firm, at my back. I stopped dead in my tracks, feeling his breath along the top of my head.

"Turn around, close your eyes," he ordered, his fingers gripping on the exposed skin just under the hem of my camisole, where my belly was exposed.

"Ghost, what do we do?" I asked, panted, hearing the men closer, louder. I almost fantasized that I could hear their feet slamming on the ground.

"Close your eyes, Laura, and turn." He was so firm, twisting me around, hair flying across my eyes and I closed them instinctively.

I felt warm, rough hands caressing my face gently, holding onto my cheeks like I was made of glass and he was made of stone.

"Don't open your eyes," he whispered, and this time, his mouth was at my ear and I could feel the warmth of his skin, his stubble, his lips against my jaw. He really wasn't wearing a mask.

And then he pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. I heard, behind me, the rustle of feet, shouting, and I tensed, like someone had poured cement down my spine and left me out to dry.

Ghost sprung us into action, one arm snaking around my waist, effortlessly lifting my feet off the floor and flinging us to the side. My back collided with the wall, and his entire frame pressed against me, covering me, hiding me. I could feel his thighs pressed against mine, his hands skimming along my waist, his face in the crook of my neck.

His face.

But I kept my eyes closed. I shut them tight, wincing when I felt him move, hovering his lips over mine.

The shouting was there, right in the hall, coming in the room.

"Ghost," I whispered. Lips trembling, hands clutching the front of his shirt.

I was on fucking fire.

He pressed one hand into my hair, combing his fingers through the strands and he pulled, tugging my face back. And then he kissed me.

He kissed me like he was a man starved, molding his mouth to mine, prying my lips apart so he could pet his wet tongue against mine. He groaned into my mouth, fingers tugging painfully at the roots of my hair.

This wasn't just a distraction.

His hips pressed flush against mine, his free hand roaming over my stomach, inching upwards until he held my breast in his grip. I squeaked, bracing my hands across his back, and I felt the fire lick up my spine at the thought that I could finally touch him. Finally feel the hardness of his muscles, the heat of his skin under his t-shirt, the ridges of scars, the valley between his shoulder blades.

And my hands went up until I could plunge them in his hair.

My world pinpointed to the breath he was breathing into my lungs, the feel of soft, blonde strands between my fingers. The scruff of his stubble burning my chin. The feel of his thumb and forefinger pulling at my nipple through my camisole. The grunt that broke through my teeth and echoed off his mouth as he kissed, devoured me.

And when my hips, my waist, pushed against him, I knew I was in big fucking trouble.

But he pulled away, panting, hiding his face in my shoulder, in my hair. He breathed against me and I opened my eyes, noticing his blue tee, the rise and fall of his wide shoulders.

And no one else in the room except us and a few lovers making out.

"Close your eyes," he panted, hands resting against my waist, fingers clawing at my frame. But his tone was sweeter and his accent so sluggish it was like he was drunk. One hand came up, fingers digging into my breast, tugging me closer. He was tearing at the fucking seams.

I could feel him, hard in his jeans, pressing against my belly. His thumb smoothed across my nipple, his teeth grazed my shoulder, tongue tasting the skin there.

His hips twitched, grinding into me, pushing me back harshly against the wall. I winced, hissed, but his hands caressed the side of my neck.

I closed my eyes. I felt the heat, slipping like tar down my belly. I bit my lip, feeling the heat, the pressure build between my legs.

Bravely, I pressed my face into the soft spot where his shoulder meets his neck and I bit him, marked him like he'd marked me in the shower. He groaned, pressing into me until the breath left my lungs. Until I squealed into his skin, feeling hot and cold, insects scuttling along my skin, my core aching. I felt his hand press my hip into the wall.

"I'm not looking," I whispered and God, my voice was wretched.

I felt him move, but his hands moved away from my breast, my neck, toyed with the hem of my camisole, index inching under it.

He breathed a shattered, shaken breath into my neck. I felt him grind into me, breathing close to my ear. He was so hard, so warm in his jeans. I wanted to touch him.

I wanted to say his name, to breathe the syllables through my lips, but the crackle of someone clearing their throat through comms made me slam right back to reality.

We'd just made out in front of the entire task force. Laswell included.

"Get Laura to the extraction point, right now." It was Soap.

"But Alvarez," I said. Ghost pushed back from me. I kept my eyes tightly shut.

"We need to get you out. They know you're here, mami."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, but no one answered.

I waited, perched between the wall and Ghost, until he moved away. I was so scared, so defeated, that I stayed there, eyes closed. The heat on my skin died, the buzzing of a million bees under my skin quieted. The ache, that throbbing, wet need between my legs, though, that didn't ebb.

Someone's warm hand tapped my elbow. "Open your eyes, lassie."

Soap smiled down at me, eyes so kind. He was dressed so normally too. It made him look so... brotherly. He gave me a look, raking his eyes from feet to toe, assessing. He could definitely see the red of my cheeks, my swollen lips, my hair in a mess.

"Time to go."

I let him put an arm over my shoulder, pretending we were friends, lovers even. He put his head down close to mine, mouth at my ear as we walked out onto the mezzanine, towards the exit.

"I'm sorry you had to do that," he muttered into my ear. I grabbed onto his wrist, where it lay on my shoulder. He was so warm.

A shiver sliced down my throat because... I hadn't hated kissing Ghost. Having to kiss him was the best part of this evening.

"It's fine."

Soap brushed his nose across my temple. His breath fanned the side of my face. "You'd tell me if it wasn't?" he asked, and his voice, so low, so comforting, made my insides roil.

What was wrong with this task force? What was wrong with me?

#simon riley #ghost #cod #ghost cod #simon riley x oc #ghostxoc #ghost smut #simon riley smut #fanfic #fic #fanfiction #ghostxofc #simon riley x ofc

[sixty-silver-wishes]

Original poem- Willow's Wrath

The lake was glistening with moon-milk,

Lilies floated on water-glass,

Their elegant roots a-swaying

As green and as placid as glass.

It was there where she met Mr. Tripthorne,

Sweet Annemarie, with rose-budded cheeks-

She glanced him once, and from then on,

He was all she could think of for weeks.

And when he returned to the moon-lake,

The lilies she wove in her hair-

He thought he glimpsed a nymph of old

Long-limbed, golden, and fair.

Tripthorne stood, enchanted by moonlight,

Dazzled, bewitched by this dryad,

Annemarie in turn gazed his way, flustered,

Her blue eyes rivaled those of a naiad.

He asked her, “Miss, what shall I call you?”

She replied, “Sir, my name’s Annemarie-

If you desire to meet me once more,

Come at twilight to yon willow tree.”

And so Tripthorne made her a promise,

Clasping her hand to his breast,

And dutifully, he waited til the following night,

Faithful, by love, to her request. 

Indeed, she was there, framed by branches,

Lily-woven locks flowing past limber limbs,

He’d never felt his heart so impassioned,

As she smiled and beckoned to him.

After sunset, his lips brushed her cheekbone,

Under moonlight, her lips locked against his,

Under starlight, his arms clutched her waistline,

Under sunlight, she said to him this-

“Good day to you, Mr. Tripthorne,” 

And turned to leave, but twas he who said,

“Annemarie, it is I who love you,

And by next week, we shall be wed.”

The following week there were church bells,

And vows and ceremony and lace,

Annemarie, all the while, apprehensive-

Only thrice before had she seen this man’s face.

At first, there was bliss, and nothing but bliss

Of the pomegranate nights they shared,

She didn’t know his first name and he didn’t know her last,

But in those days, neither one of them cared.

But alas, time would pass as it always does,

She saw him as frigid and cold,

And viewed through his eyes, she was never satisfied

By him, though he bought her jewels and gold.

Yes indeed, their union was torture,

When they dined, they had nothing to say,

Oft hadn’t they bed since right after they wed,

So it was, night by night, day by day.

She languished and sighed, and he wanted to die

Woe be upon that night at the lake!

The lilies, the lovers, the light of the moon-

Not a blessing, but a cruel curse of fate!

One day, Tripthorne went to the market,

A fair sight did his eyes behold-

Not a willow-nymph maiden, but a society lass,

Her hands adorned with rings of gold.

He knew that he should walk away,

That what he felt wasn’t right nor fair,

But fate must have brought them together, he thought,

And how enchanting was her golden hair!

He asked her, “Miss, have you been married?”

She said, “I have not, sir, why?”

With the last dying light of regret in his heart,

He smiled and said, “neither have I.”

Said he, “madam, my name is Tripthorne,”

Said she, “sir, my name’s Josephine.”

Her eyes, how they sparkled, like diamonds

Set in raiment worn by the Queen.

Josephine, in his thoughts as he walked home,

Josephine, not the old willow-tree,

Josephine, with her jewels and her golden hair,

Not a single inkling spared for Annemarie.

And so oft he returned to the market;

Their meetings transformed to a tryst,

They fled every night to the churchyard,

Their passions obscured by moon-mist.

How supple her hands were, how graceful!

How deep were her sighs, how serene!

How more precious than diamonds were the pleasures

Bestowed by the fair Josephine!

One fateful day, Annemarie told him,

“I’ve received word my mother is ill,

I’m visiting her in the country,

To relieve her of sickness and chills.”

Alas, Tripthorne was quite unaware

No truth resided in what she’d said

For Annemarie had no such mother-

The fact was, for years, she’d been dead.

So he sent her off to the country,

Where all was yet tranquil and green,

And the moment she’d left, he took out a pen,

And wrote to his dear Josephine.

“Dearest love, I declare in earnest,

That I cannot tell when we shall wed,

But let’s not lie in the gloom of the churchyard-

Let us trade it for the comforts of my bed.”

Josephine arrived soon, in a day’s time-

Rosy-red, and unshrouded by mist

Tripthorne welcomed her, heart beating madly

And greeted her with a deep kiss.

Said he, “love, you are radiant this evening,

The sun has set, and the night has begun-

How I will treasure our delight

Once you and I become one.”

Said she, “so at last, you speak of marriage!”

For tonight, I shall answer your plea-

At last, we bring an end to this lovers’ game-

As I stand before your bended knee!”

Said he, “I’ve said soon, and again I say soon-

For my darling, you must understand,

I hardly have but a cent to my name,

So I cannot yet ask for your hand.”

Josephine answered, “why, my beloved,

Your wealth does not matter to me-

Let us run far away, to some distant shore

To a small, lonely cottage on the sea.”

Yet that night, they made love on the mattress,

Awash in the light of the stars,

And yet, so sunk in their intimate bliss,

Neither noticed the door was ajar.

It was late at night when the wind whistled,

The sheets over their bodies began to billow,

From the window-frame came the dreadful scratching

Of ten thousand claw-branches of willow.

Vines snaked around the bedposts,

Roots erupted from under the floors,

The lovers watched in horrified silence,

At the creaking, opening door-

And then She was there in the doorway!

Towering, glowering, green!

Her white-flame eyes burned like scorned moonlight,

As she surveyed Tripthorne and Josephine-

“Shame on ye, the wretched unfaithful!”

Came the voice of the verdant deity-

Tripthorne paled, for he knew at once

That this could be none but sweet Annemarie!

“My darling, have pity! Forgive us!”

He, stammering and stuttering, said,

“Nay!” she commanded, “for you are dishonest,

And defile our marriage bed!”

And with that, Annemarie raised her right hand

As she piercingly wailed in the dark,

The lovers each looked on in horror

As their skin turned to cold willow-bark.

“I beg you,” Josephine cried in horror,

“Please, set your just curse aside!

For he told me that he was unmarried-

It was unknown to me you were his bride!”

“Leave this place,” Annemarie thus commanded,

“And nevermore shall you return,

Only once will I grant you my mercy;

Woe betide you if you fail to learn.”

Josephine fled the bed, out the doorway,

As Tripthorne intended pursuit-

But he found that he could not so much as stand

For his feet had become willow roots.

Screams escaped his mouth as his blood turned to sap;

It filled his throat, drowning his pleas,

But they would have mattered little, as they would have fallen deaf

On the ears of Annemarie.

His arms and his fingers extended to branches,

That twitched, then stopped moving for good,

As his wife looked on, her expression was blank

As she watched flesh turn to wood.

As for his soul, it still burned alive,

But never again would he sleep;

For in his place stood the willow-

The tree that eternally weeps.

A hundred years passed, and the house is long gone,

No one hears of Tripthorne and Annemarie,

But on moonlit nights, when the wind blows just right,

One can hear the cries of the willow tree.

And still lovers meet under its branches,

Blessed by moon and stars above,

And yet cursed to endure them forever

Is the soul of the man who scorned love.

#romanticism #neoromantic #poem #poetry #original poem #original poetry #writing