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felassan · 1 year

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Some DA facts collected together, from recent tweets -

GhilDirthalen: "the frostbite engine didn’t do ending slides, so the slides you see in DAI are actually paintings that quickly spawn in your bed room. You can zoom out during the end with fly cam" John Epler: "i remember when we were trying to do these and we're like 'hey can we display still images' and the answer was 'uhh it's a lot more complicated than you think' so this was the solution. i set up all the cameras, and I THINK level design handled all the scripting logic" JE: "anyways videogames are basically held together by magic and hope and it's a legitimate miracle anytime one gets finished"

JE: "When you 'sprint' on a horse in DAI it doesn't really do much because frostbite couldn't stream in levels fast enough, so we just added speed lines and changed the camera so it felt faster. JE: "i've carried the guilt of this for years. guilt is an ocean, and i'm tired of drowning." "feels like I just murdered Santa Claus in front of many of you" [source], "feels like i just declassified Area 51" [source]. "i'm just glad the truth is finally out there" [source] Seb Hanlon: "ME1 did it first" JE: "just to be SUPER clear, riding a horse is faster than being on-foot, but the difference between normal horse run and horse 'sprint' is non-existent except for making it look faster". "the base horse speed is faster than unhorsed run speed, but horse sprint doesn’t move you faster than normal horse speed" [source] JE: "there were three days on that project where my entire job was ‘try to make horse sprint feel faster’" User: "I swear to god John I knew it, I fucking knew it, none of the mounts have different speeds, either?" JE: "i actually don't know the answer to that one, i just set up the gameplay cameras and did what what i was told." Seb: "but they have different sounds /screams in Red Hart" JE: "no one believed that's what a Red Hart really sounds like but they are fucked up animals."

Seb: "The save system in DAI loads with all doors in the area closed. This is a problem if there’s a door between you and a party member when the save happens, because they can’t open doors. If they can’t path to you, they get teleported to join you before the fade-up from black." Seb: "This “system” was rigged entirely in Frostbite Schematic logic quite late in development once we realized it was a problem." JE: "i vaguely remember that the first time we really saw this problem was when we were putting together the Redcliffe demo for... whatever event we showed Redcliffe at." Seb: "Yeah I think that was the map I tested the teleport-fallback in. Dorian was there in those saves for sure?" JE: "yeah 100%. it was when you first end up in the future and you're fighting your way to the locked-up followers. i think we were playing it in Hanged Man or Neverwinter and we discovered 'oh shit our followers can't get to you'"

Seb: "Zither’s first-pass ability icons originally echoed a broad swath of iconic album art. The UI art team made me so happy. Why didn’t it ship? Ain’t nobody chasing down those IP clearances for an April Fools DLC."

JE: "in DA2 Mark of the Assassin, if you let Baron Arlange live after the first encounter with him, he shows up very deep in the background of several scenes, creeping on Hawke and the party around stalagmites and around corners." "no one asked for this but i put it in as a little treat because i thought it was very funny. i still do. oh the scene where you get captured in the vault by Prosper and his guards, that's the same 5 (6?) guards just cycled through multiple times." [source, two]

JE: "i've told this story before but the reason Iron Bull's romance scene takes place in a separate tower is because the mocap for everyone walking in on you assumed that there was a doorway, and the player's bedroom ended up having stairs. so we moved the scene to the Sex Tower"

Seb: "DAI: To enable party followers’ AI to use their defensive abilities (dodge/block/parries), enemies spawn a “telegraph volume” as part of their ability wind-ups. This tells the party AI what kind of reaction it can use to counter (if it’s not on cooldown and it can branch in time)." "“Parry” telegraphs are the ‘weakest’ (can activate block, dodge, or parry abilities); “dodge” telegraphs are the ‘strongest’ (dodge or get fucked). There’s an all-abilities AI cooldown on these responses; before this was added, I saw Cass perfect block for minutes at a time." [source]

Seb: "the Qunari Ashaad in Trespasser is the only combat creature I personally implemented; and the only one intentionally plays both ranged and melee. and it was great fun watching play-testers climb a ladder to close and shut down his range attack—and get kicked off by the sweep"

Seb: "I’m still personally pleased that the Red Templar faction in DAI has such a strong overarching principle: “power corrupts”. The more elite the creature, the less human they are."

Seb: "Both the Children in DAO Awakening and the Harvester in DAO hide their extra body parts *inside* their torso mesh before they appear."

Seb: "Varric in DA2 is the most specialest snowflake; he’s not like any other dwarf because his rig includes all the Bianca animation bones."

Seb: "DAI’s Emerald Graves was the map where we hammered out the conceptual balance of using abilities based on the enemy composition and position."

Seb: "There’s an animation-driven movement mode in DAI that’s only used by a handful of large creatures; the dragon and the Red Templar Behemoth are the ones I remember."

Seb: "“making two combat creatures at melee range face, and not slide past, each other when they’re playing attack animations” took a surprising amount of problem solving on DAI; most of the basic-attack animations have both moving and standing variations for this reason."

Seb: "30 seconds of good combat gameplay takes more-or-less the same development effort as 10 minutes of good combat gameplay. Which is more than you’d think. IYKYK."

Seb: "The original concept for the Grand Fear Demon at the end of DAI’s Fade was a “level boss” - instead of a single big combat creature (like a dragon), the idea was it was so big it would attack out of the darkness with “limbs” (creatures) that shared a health pool. Cut for scope."

Seb: "The core combat ability animation/effects/branching system in DAI is called “CSM”, for “combat state machine”. It’s the third generation spiritual successor to the first system called CSM that I worked on, built for a project called Revolver…"

Seb: "The “impassable” purple fire zones in Trespasser were a tremendous pain in the ass, because both: - making them do enough damage fast enough to be a lock-and-key for invincibility powers as intended - keeping party members from following you in and getting bug-zappered" User: "I hate to tell you this but my first time through, I was determined to get through and I did not know that invincibility powers were literally down the stairs so I spent 10 minutes and eventually managed to get through with some mage shenanigans" Seb: "by the time we got to trespasser there were so many abilities you MIGHT have that MIGHT JUST get you through that we gave it our best shot and said “good enough”" User: "I died at that thing SO MANY TIMES until I realized there was an invincibility boost, lol" Seb: "clearly signaling “THIS IS A THING YOU WILL DO LATER” without saying it, especially if it’s a mechanical systems thing, can be surprisingly difficult"

Seb: "during development on DAI someone made a staff that, when used (hit the ground with the butt animation) spawned a bunch of nugs that ran off in all directions. for checking pathmesh bounds, obvs"

#dragon age #bioware #video games #mass effect #long post #longpost

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baziutawrites · 1 year

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Punishment

Sub!Xavier Thorpe x Female OC smut

WARNING! If you are under 18 yrs old, do not read this piece. I do not take responsibility for anything if you proceed.

Masterlist is pinned on my blog. Check it out, cuz I can't link it.

Apparently, I cannot write short stories, so hopefully y'all excuse the abomination of a wordcount.

English is not my first language, please keep that in mind. And I sincerely hope this one shows up in the tags or else istfg. 😤

Xavier Thorpe was positively whipped by now and even his artwork couldn't help him get her out of his system. Even though he tried to, in more ways than one, nothing seemed to clear his head of the images she unknowingly burned into his mind. And it frustrated him beyond words, how oblivious she was to his suffering.

She wondered how in the hell was he able to do anything in here with this god-awful lighting.

Val got up from a desk, discarding the book she tried to read. Xavier’s art shed - a “studio”, as he called it, huffing in annoyance every single time he had to correct anyone who called it differently - was not the best place for reading apparently. Duly noted.

Xavier stepped back from the easel for like a hundredth time in the past half an hour, running his hand through his hair. He huffed in exasperation, glaring at the canvas he was working on like it had just insulted him. He glanced at her, noticed she was looking quizzically at him and quickly averted his eyes, almost as if avoiding her gaze.

“Can’t focus,” he mumbled. His eyes were now trained onto the mess of lines and colour splattered in an unspecified formation.

“Huh. Very, ah… abstract, I see.” Val hummed, standing next to him, unintentionally brushing his side with her arm and he hissed quietly, recoiling.

What in the heavens name was up with him today? She raised her eyebrows but shrugged it off, deciding not to say anything. Artist block must be like PMS or something, she figured. So instead, she took on exploring the rest of the space, leaving him to grumble under his breath behind her back.

There was a lot of artwork on every possible surface - some finished, some barely sketched out. Loads of tools and different mediums were scattered everywhere, mixed with empty cups, brushes and loose pieces of paper in between. There also was something on a table in the far corner of the studio that caught her eye. It didn’t look quite right - as if hastily discarded and half-heartedly covered with a piece of cloth. And, oh boy, it spiked her interest.

It turned out to be a sketchbook. She brought it closer to the light and froze, when her own face stared back at her from the paper. But this wasn’t the shocking part - her naked body, perfectly recreated in the act of riding a dick from the perspective of a person underneath her - that was. A pair of large hands were gripping her hips, digging their fingers into her flesh desperately. Xavier’s hands.

She leafed through the rest of the pages, finding loads of different sexual acts depicted with her at the forefront, with an occasional study of her face. She grinned to herself, quite flattered and embarrassed at how much she must have affected him to draw her that many times in a separate, dedicated sketchbook. Given his abilities, he definitely didn't use this solely as a study of human anatomy.

“Hey,” she called to him, smiling mischievously at him when she got his attention, “private porn collection?” She held the book higher so he could see it. Even in the dim lighting she saw his eyes growing wide. A deep shade of red flushed his face - she had never seen him so flustered and embarrassed before. He started towards her, yanked the sketchbook from her hands and shoved it angrily under some unfinished sketches.

“Jesus, what’s gotten into you?” She stepped back, crossing her arms.

He kept running his fingers through his hair, agitated. And then he snapped.

“You, Val. YOU. You are messing with my fucking head. Can’t you fucking see that?” He grabbed the canvas he was just working on and shook it in her face. “I can’t focus on shit, I haven’t been able to paint a single thing for god damn weeks. I haven’t been able to get you out of my fucking head for fucking weeks!”

He threw it onto the floor in anger, where it laid, wet paint gleaming in the dim light. He sat down on a stool and hid his face in his hands, steadying his breath.

“I can not stop thinking about you.” His voice now soft, quiet. He rubbed his temples, clearly very frustrated. “I dream about you more than I’d like to admit, in the ways I’m too embarrassed to say out loud.”

“It’s just… I want you so fucking bad all the fucking time, Valerye.”

Valerye remained silent. This was not what she expected to hear. A lecture on personal space or not snooping around in other people’s personal belongings, maybe. But this? Of course she noticed how needy he was when they fucked… and when they didn’t. Yet, it never crossed her mind that she had this much control over him.

Xavier Thorpe was officially smitten. And it excited her.

Step by step, she slowly advanced towards him, a slight smirk curving her lips. She could see his darting eyes and sheepish expression. This was good. Very, very good.

“Tell me, Xavi.” She stopped in front of him and lifted his chin with one of her fingers, forcing him to look her up in the eye. “How exactly is this supposed to be my problem? Or… my fault?”

His breath hitched as he inhaled sharply, eyes widened. She was calm and methodical, but he could make out an underlying tone lacing her voice. A warning to be careful, not to play with fire. This made his head spin, he gripped the edges of the seat for comfort. There also was a lingering promise of danger, a sweet risk of getting burned if he leaned into the flames too much. He swallowed, his knuckles cracking, trying not to let his mind be overcome by the dizziness he constantly felt near her. Shifting on his seat slightly, embarrassed of the fact he was getting hard so soon, he tried to hide his growing erection by pulling his shirt down.

“It’s not–”

“No?” She interrupted in a sickeningly sweet voice. And then there was her knee in between his legs, pressing against his crotch. He froze and squeaked, heat spreading through his body at the sudden contact. “Are you sure about that? Because that’s not what you’ve just screamed at me, baby.”

Xavier’s breath quickened, grasping at the fleeting self-control, desperate not to give in and rub himself on her knee. She definitely could feel his growing erection and his face turned even redder.

“I don’t think you were nice to me.” Her face was inches from his, studying his expression, her hot breath mixing with his. His plump lips parted slightly, a dazed look in his eyes, that were trained on her mouth. The way she was smiling made his head spin.

He threw caution to the wind and lunged for a kiss - but instead of her sweet taste, he felt a sharp sting on his cheek as she slapped him across his face and his head got yanked to the side by his hair. He blanked out for a second but was swiftly brought back to his senses when Val’s knee pressed harder against his now rock hard bulge.

“I think you are a very bad boy, Xavi.”

“Oh god,” he whimpered weakly, earning a dark chuckle from her that tickled his strained, exposed neck. More pathetic sounds escaped his throat as she placed surprisingly delicate, wet kisses along the line of his ear, not letting go of his hair. He didn’t think he could get even more turned on, yet somehow she managed to push him further with ease.

He felt his seat being rolled backwards and his back hit the hard, cold wall, trapping him in front of his girlfriend.

“And do you know what happens to bad boys? They get punished.”

She bit his neck suddenly, hard and he couldn’t help himself any more. A twinge of shame shot through his chest at how little it took her to make him a desperate, whining mess. His hips rutted against her knee, the pain mixing with pleasure in an intoxicating way. His moans filled the cool air inside the art studio, clashing with his flushed, sweaty skin, making Val feel the wetness seep through her underwear.

Almost as if he sensed it, his hands flew towards her waist, pulling her onto his lap, digging his fingers into her flesh in a needy way. She moaned despite herself at the sudden contact of his hard, heaving chest flush against her, his hot, wet lips crashing with hers. Oh, he felt so, so good, so right.

But Valerye could not be having it. He had to be punished. She slapped him again and gripped his face forcefully. She watched him in bemused disbelief as his eyes rolled back momentarily with a pained but lustful groan bubbling in his throat. This fucker was enjoying it just as much as she did.

“You are positively filthy, Xavi.”

He smiled at her stupidly, which made a coil in her stomach grow tighter. She quickly grasped his shirt and pulled it over his head, trapping his arms behind him in the tangle of fabric. Now, with one distraction out of the way, she could go on with the plan that has just formed inside her head.

“And I think we have to do something about that.” She smirked, pulling his sweatpants down his long, lanky legs and chuckled at how eager he was to help, lifting his hips up to make it easier for her to undress him.

“Yes,” he whispered breathlessly, “yes, please.”

Xavier shuddered under her fingers caressing his chest, bumping the back of his head on the hard wall as he relished in the sensation - but whipped back it almost instantly when she stopped at his nipples and pinched them. Hard.

Again, and again, she toyed with them, a self-satisfied smirk on her face as she watched him squirm and strain against the fabric of his own shirt restraining him. She straddled his lap, leaned forward, and latched her mouth onto one of his hardened nipples. She could feel the heat emanating from his massive bulge as he bucked his hips, desperately trying to find any friction to comfort his throbbing cock. His moans got louder, raspier, needier, the longer she sucked and licked them, leaving sloppy trails of saliva on his burning skin. And just as he started to quiver, she stopped.

His face scrunched in frustration at the sudden loss of contact, only to fill with hope as his underpants got pulled down to join the pants somewhere around his ankles. Poor thing, she thought to herself, slowly taking off her skirt and underwear, watching his eyes grow wide when she came back onto his lap. His dick was rock hard by now, twitching just mere millimeters from her wet pussy. He could feel the heat just out of his reach and whimpered, lifting his hips in a desperate attempt to at least brush his tip against her - to no avail. She grabbed him by his throat, pushing him back against the wall, making his breath wheezy.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She hissed, smiling at his dazed expression and she slithered her fingers into his disheveled locks. “You’re not being a very good boy. Think you’ll just… watch me.”

She pulled at his hair and grazed at his long neck, earning another strained moan from him. His eyes rolled back at the sensation of her teeth almost breaking his skin, following with a soothing lick over the pulsating mark she left. And when she moaned his name into his ear, his eyes snapped back to her, his pulse quickening, as he realized what she meant by ‘watching her’. His breathing almost stopped when his eyes laid on her palm, working her own wet clit almost on top of his swollen cock.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck,” a strangled string of words poured out of his mouth. His dick twitched again, involuntarily and tapped her hand and before he knew it, his face was stinging again, a red splotch forming on his cheek and tears prickling the corners of his eyes. Valerie almost felt sorry for him for a moment, until he pleaded.

“Do it again,” his eyes glossy with pupils blown out, burned into hers with a sudden despair. “Please, I’ve been bad.”

Xavier’s needy, faltering voice made her jolt with sudden pleasure and a new wave of wetness seeped out of her as she picked up the pace on rubbing herself. It didn’t go unnoticed, as his dick, now leaking, twitched once again, just as another slap graced his other side of his face. To his surprise, he felt drops of wet, thick liquid on his shaft and when he looked down at Val once again, his brain went hazy. He felt as if he could explode right here, right now.

“See what you’ve done?” She moaned, feeling her juices seep through her fingers in long, sticky strings, landing on his erect cock beneath her. With her mouth agape, getting lost in the pleasure, she locked eyes with him - and the pure lust she saw in them sent her over the edge in seconds.

“Xavier–”

He held his breath the entire time she writhed and moaned his name throatily over him. He desperately tried to ingrain the image in his mind in every single detail, every movement and every sound she made. Only when she removed her fingers from her clit, he saw how much they were drenched in her thick, glistening juices. Without a second thought, he leaned forward and clamped his mouth around them and sucked hungrily, lapping and slurping her palm clean. He looked like he had never tasted anything more delicious in his entire life.

Valerye’s face flushed with heat, as she felt fuzzy at his devoted action. He earned some ‘relief’. But only a tiny bit.

“Good boy,” she cooed and she could see his mind going places. She pulled her hand away - now coated with his saliva - and hovered it over his swollen dick. “I think you’ve earned a little bit of a reward.”

And with that, she slowly dragged her slippery fingers from his balls up, coating him evenly with her juices, ending at his pulsating, purple tip and enveloped it into her hand. With a steady grip, she started pumping.

Xavier forgot how to breathe. He felt like his brain went through a system restart and then, finally, a flood of long awaited pleasure crashed over him, taking over his senses. He spasmed and started trembling, a long, guttural moan followed by a slur of garbled ‘thank you’s fell from his mouth. He was bucking his hips in a frenzy, desperate to reach his release that was inching closer with every pump of Val’s slick hand. His jaw slacked, eyes crossed and rolling back under half-closed eyelids, he looked mad, completely out of control. He was so close, so fucking close–

And then she stopped. And did it all over again, and again, and again.

He never felt so desperate, so angry and so horny in his lifetime. His cock hurt at this point, his balls were on fire and his eyes welled up with tears but he didn’t want her to stop. When she let go of him once again, just as he was about to cross the point of no return, he cried out in agony.

“Fuck, no, please, no no no, don’t!” He wailed and whined in a high-pitched, cracking voice, pumping the air desperately, feeling the release painfully getting away from him.

“What's wrong, baby, you’ve had enough?” She teased, not doing a very good job at concealing her own trembling voice. The way he acted in such a frenzied despair made her want to rut herself on his thigh, face or cock - anywhere at this point. But she had one more thing in mind, before she would let him get what he craved so badly.

“Yes! No, please, don’t–”

His incredibly throbbing dick was in her grasp again, she was pumping him so fast he almost could not take this torture anymore. He was so over, and yet understimulated at the same time. He was making sounds that didn’t sound human no more, as he felt getting closer and closer to the dreaded edge, afraid that he might get denied the pleasure once fucking again. But then he felt himself being pushed past it, and she didn’t stop. His back arched, he lifted his hips up from the seat, head thrown back, howling in anguished pleasure, as he waited for this sweet, final release. And it came, seconds after she completely let go of him once again.

“Nonononono, please!”

Dull spasms tore through his body, as his cock twitched, coating his chest and stomach with impossible amounts of his seed. It didn’t bring any relief at all. Tears rolled down his face, as he sobbed from frustration and betrayal - she ruined him. He felt humiliated, degraded and completely corrupted. However, when she cradled his face, he leaned into her touch so desperately it made her heart flutter.

"You've been such a good boy, Xavi. So good." She caressed his splotched, stinging cheeks, wiping away the tears. He looked at her with those big green eyes, filled with so much need and torment - and such animalistic lust, she couldn't help herself but kiss him. He feverishly reciprocated, still sniffling.

"Will you be a good boy if I untie you?"

He noded frantically, babbling promises of his good behaviour. And he didn't lie - he awaited her next orders obediently after he no longer had his limbs constrained. He didn't even touch himself briefly. He was completely under her spell.

She ordered him to lay down on the floor, right on the discarded canvas and he didn't even bat an eye when his back came in contact with the still wet paint. He would do anything for her at this point. And just as he put his hands over his head by himself as a precaution, not to touch her without permission, she couldn't wait any longer. She climbed onto him, straddling him and aligned herself with his hard, hot cock, earning a whimper from him. He craved her heat, her wetness so bad.

"Val, please," he croaked. "Can I touch you? Please, I'll be good I promise."

She agreed. His large, trembling palms found their way onto her hips and grasped them as if his life depended on it. They followed her movements, as she slowly but surely lowered herself onto his dick. She felt him stretch her beyond imagination as she reached the base of it, her thirsty pussy relishing in the sensation of his hot, almost boiling skin. He moaned in the pleasure he awaited for so long. She was so wet again, so incredibly tight around him. He was starved for her.

As if she could read his thoughts, she moved up and down, setting a fast, delicious pace that made his mind go haywire. He threw his head back, eyes shut tight and brows furrowed. Gravelly, needy moans were falling from his mouth. The sound of wet lewd noises filled the shed as he began to lift his hips to meet hers quicker. He was numbed from the ruined orgasm but still desperately wanted to feel every single inch of her pussy, up to the very hilt of his cock.

She tangled her fingers in his silky hair and pulled, making him crane his neck backwards, his adam's apple portruding through his skin. He groaned, barely registering what was happening he was so focused on slamming his cock in and out of her and she didn't blame him. Moaning like mad, she latched herself onto his neck and bit him, over and over, leaving marks on him so everyone would know, who he belonged to. The pain, mixed with the gradually overwhelming pleasure was fucking with his head. He brought her down on his dick with so much force, moving his hips up at the same moment, she yelped when she saw sparks before her eyes. It seemed like he wanted to bury himself even deeper inside of her seeping cunt, even if it wasn't possible.

"You are such a good boy, you know that?" She whispered breathlessly to his ear and she felt his hips stutter, as a pained whine erupted from his chest. "Say you're a good boy, Xavier."

"I-ah–" His cheeks flushed red with embarrassement. "I am a g-good boy. I am, I really am," he whimpered, feeling himself inch painfully slow to the edge.

"I know, baby." His cock was getting even thicker, sending electrifying jolts through Val's body. "Cuz you're gonna make me cum. You're making me cum, Xavi."

His relentless, deep thrusts faltered and lost it's rythm as he felt, once again, as if his mind disconnected from his body, and a rumbling growl reverberated in his chest. He blabbered nonsense at this point, tears stinging his eyes as the frustration surfaced yet again. He was so turned on but nowhere near close to release it seemed. And now, she ground herself on top of him info her own high, smearing the cum from his ruined orgasm on herself as she rode him, chest flush against his, expertly rubbing her wet clit on his cut pubic hair, with his rock hard dick plunged deep inside of her. In other circumstances, just a mere thought of something of this kind would send him cumming all over himself - but now, it was not enough.

Xavier whimpered in despair, feeling her skin getting hotter to the touch with every roll of her hips, her walls clenching tight around his painfully swollen dick. He brought her into him and his lips collided with hers, swallowing her moans in a messy, open mouthed kisses.

"Such a good boy." She moaned breathily, her words immediately drank by him as he panted like a madman. "Make me cum all over your fat cock, Xavi."

He could finally feel his own, blinding pleasure rising up to the surface. His fingers dug into her hips, as he steadied her and and absolutely pounded her like an animal in heat, howling like one too. With every thrust, his abdomen glided over her aching clit.

"Let me cum too, V, please," he was getting closer and closer along with her. His voice needy, pitiful, face stained with fresh tears. "Can I cum?"

"N-no, not y--" Her voice drowned in her satisfied whining, as she clenched on Xavier's cock, her orgasm washing over her in repeated, delicious waves of heat. She kept moving and it drove him crazy, as he now had to force himself not to fall apart inside her fluttering hole as she still rode out her highs.

"Baby, please, I can't take it anymore, please let me cum, I'm begging you, I've been good, I've been good, please let me cu--" He wailed so desperately, tears in his eyes obscuring his vision.

It happened in seconds. She grabbed a fistful of his hair, yanking at it and lunging at his bruised neck.

"Cum," she commanded, as she bit him, still riding him through her aftershocks. This only solidified his fate, as the hair pulling has already pushed him past his limits. His breathing stopped, as he stared at at her with a pained expression and then completely exploded inside of her.

Unholy, guttural wails tore from Xavier's throat, his vision becoming blinded by what seemed to be fireworks under his eyelids. He convulsed, his torso lost contact with the canvas he was laying on for a second, then arched backwards stiffly, before he absolutely lost his god damn mind. His hips bucked so hard he lifted Valerye up several times, impailing her onto his dick so deep she thought he was going to tear her in half. He shot load after load inside her, filling her up to the brim, his hands bruising her hips as he pushed her down onto himself so hard his seed started to leak out, coating the base of his dick and her pussy in white.

He felt like he was on cloud nine, despite the dull pulsating pain he still felt in his loins. Both dazed, barely conscious, basked in each other's warmth and comfort, tired as if they had just ran the marathon twice. Xavier nuzzled into his girlfriend's neck, inhaling the scent of her skin, that was still intoxicating to him. His long hair stuck to his sweaty forhead and eyes but he couldn't bother to let V out of his arms to brush it away. He traced slow, delicate patterns on her back and chuckled when he heard her content sigh. He was lazily staring at her from underneath his heavy eyelids, studying her face in every single detail, almost as if he would never get to see her again. A smile lingered around his lips as she shifted on his chest, leaning into his embrace.

Xavier Thorpe was officially, completely whipped and he wouldn't have it any other way.

#xavier thorpe #xavier thorpe smut #xavier thorpe x oc #sub!xavier thorpe

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demonichikikomori · 8 months

Text

Proper Training

COMMISSION

Yan!Vil Schoenheit x Yan!Fem!Reader x Leona Kingscholar Word Count: 5k+

Art is by eb_hua on Twitter!

Hey, hey, heyyyy! I'm back with a finished commission! So, this one is actually based on the fic My Queen's Command that I wrote as a birthday gift! The wonderful devil @genuinelydisappointed asked that I write... Kinda like a spin off? But they aren't connected. If you do want a general vibe of what this piece may entail... Feel free to read that then come back! I hope you like it!~!

SUMMARY:

Leona has reminded you plenty that Vil wants nothing to do with you. Why? Simply because you are unskilled. With a bit of help and training, you feel as though you can finally please the one you adore the most! However... Vil doesn't seem very happy finding out that you've been spending time with someone else...

Tags: Leona is Here Kinda/Yandere x Yandere/Reader is a Casual Stalker/Nipple Play

Your head bobbed slowly as the hand in your hair roughly tugged as a silent demand for more. You were getting better, but you were often reminded by Vil that it wasn’t good enough. That it would never be good enough until you worked harder. Until you showed that you were willing to improve for the sake of pleasuring your Queen.

“Come on Herbivore, you can do way better than this. Is this what you did for Vil? No wonder he ignores your ass.” Leona scowled from his seat at the edge of the bed. The beast gave a languid and strong roll of his hips against your face. The force of his mushroomy tip smashed into the back of your throat as you relaxed your jaw around him and worked on not gagging. His soft groans indicated that you were doing well, but you knew it wasn’t enough yet. Not until he painted the back of your velvety throat with semen.

You were indifferent to the scenario you had put yourself in with Leona Kingscholar. With Vil always treating you so cold, you chalked it up to your abilities to bring pleasure were seen as inadequate to your queen whom you adored. Last Friday you spent sulking during school hours as you watched Vil from afar (in one of your many hiding spots). He was speaking with a student you couldn’t be bothered to remember the name of about an upcoming assignment. The sight left you with a pit of anxiety. What if he gave up on you? What if he chose someone else to please him? Someone that he deemed better than you? The sound of footsteps from behind you made you stop and look back at the person approaching. With his strong tan colored arms crossed over his chest and a raised brow, Leona Kingscholar caught you in the middle of ‘admiring’ Vil. The king of beasts was suave, and you never bothered to pay him any mind before. He was like charcoal beside your diamond of a queen. But when he kneeled beside you with a smirk and made a deal with you that was sure to win you Vil’s affections; you agreed without hesitation.

He and Vil had some history as close friends, and Leona knew what a man would like when receiving service. So you allowed him to ‘tutor’ you on the weekends and after school. This would be the second week of hard work between you and Leona.

You attempted to apologize for your lack of skill as you grunted and whined around Leona with furrowed brows as you bobbed your head quickly. You could feel him throbbing against your tongue. Oral sex was as far as you would allow Leona to take things. You promised your body to Vil, but you desperately needed the practice. And since you usually shut your eyes, you could easily block out the beast man and imagine Vil praising you and petting you from above. You felt your cheeks become hot as a hand rested on your head, and your wild imagination turned it from the beasts, into the queens.

You wanted Vil to pet your head.

Leona gasped as he came without warning. His rough, clawed nails scraped into your scalp as he pulled your head closer into his crotch. Your nose flush against the base and buried into the dark curly hairs of his pubes. His hips rutted against your face as your expression twisted into a cringe and your eyes fluttered open. Right, tutoring would end here with Leona.

“You’re not that bad actually, Herbivore.” He huffed as he retracted his hand from its resting place. It allowed you to slowly pull away from his softening cock with a soft ‘pop’ sound. The semen that coated the inside of your mouth always had a bitter and salty taste, stringy and thick as it mixed with your drool and coated Leona’s cock. It wasn’t exactly unpleasant in taste and texture, but it was a stark contrast to the addictive citrusy flavor and silky smoothness of Vil’s seed. When being tutored by Leona, you were always told to swallow even when you didn’t really want to. All men would find it attractive. Even your precious Vil would be thrilled that you drank up his sperm with a content expression. With a quiet gulp and a gasp of disgust, Leona flopped back on his cushiony bed with a content hum. “I think we should take a break on our visits. I’ve been having this bad feeling recently.” He expressed with a disinterested tone that there may be a bad omen in the air.

With the two of you meeting up added into your usual routine of rushing back to Pomfiore to spy on Vil, there may be some curious eyes looking for you to see what caused the change. You rose to your feet as Leona lazily peeled away his uniform to toss among the other scattered clothes on the floor. “Your toothbrush is in the bathroom. Clean up before you go.” He instructed as he propped himself up on an elbow to grab a tissue box from his night stand.

When Leona was completely naked and spent… You couldn’t help but to throw a few glances his way when it was time for you to return to Pomfiore. The dips and hills of his muscles and how they flexed with his lazy movements, the bright green of his tired eyes, the waves and coils of his chocolate colored hair, how his dark skin shimmered in the hot sun when he laid in the light. How his ears flattened, how his tail flicked, how he would slide his tongue over his cuspids when he had the energy to hump into your face. It was nice that he allowed you to practice with him. It was nice that he offered in the first place.

As you rubbed at your wet lips with the back of your hand you headed to the bathroom with a small frown. This would be the end for a while. But, you learned a lot with the sessions you shared with the beast king. “Do you need someone to walk you out? I can get Ruggie to go with you.” He asked through a yawn as he cleaned himself off and you shook your head slowly. “I can go by myself again.” You assured as you vanished into the bathroom to brush your teeth and he discarded the stained tissue to the floor as well.

~-+-~

You left the scorching sun behind as you returned to the hall of mirrors with your purse adjusted onto your shoulder. Your spare toothbrush had been packed away to return with you to Pomfiore since your lessons with Leona would be momentarily halted until this ‘bad feeling’ went away.

“Reine du Poison!”

An annoying voice called out to you from beside the stone mirror of the gorgeous campus of Pomfiore. The owner of the voice had his eyes shut with the corners creased. He smiled softly with his hat tilted in greeting as you stared at him with murky eyes. Rook gave you the nickname to honor you and your loyalty to Vil. You didn’t usually pay too much attention to someone like him, and you usually didn’t need to since he allowed you to get close and comfortable with the Queen in your own way. “Roi du Poison has called for you! Where have you been?” He asked with an upbeat chirp and a light tilt of his head. His hat began to slide and hid his bright green eyes as you adjusted the strap of your purse onto your shoulder with an agitated frown as he adjusted his hat as well. The crinkles that formed in the corners of his eyes deepened as he patiently waited for you to respond.

But you knew that he already had the answer to his own question. “I was out with Leona.” You answered honestly as you approached the mirror, paying little to no mind towards the surveillance camera on legs. “Can I see Vil now?” You asked as you stared into the glass separating you from the Housewarden you ached to see. The castle styled dorm was on the other side, and you could feel your face starting to grow hot with excitement shaking your body. “Of course, he asked me to escort you from here to there.” Rook opened his eyes as you began to walk through the glass without him. Not bothering to return any dialogue with the bob cut bodyguard. You did not need an escort of any kind. You knew your way to Vil’s chamber the same way you knew the entirety of his weekly routine. The destination was etched into your heart along with many other details on your beloved Queen. Your lack of attendance and attention after classes and on the weekends must have greatly upset Vil and you could feel guilt starting to settle in your stomach.

But that stuff between you and Leona was just training, you were practicing to please His Majesty. You did it for him. Everything you do is for him. You had no reason to feel guilty for your actions.

Rook was close behind with his steps falling into the beat of yours. You walked across the grandiose courtyard in collective silence. Your heart was pounding in your chest as you looked up towards the windows that would take you down the hall to the Housewarden’s dorm room. And there, you saw a light brush from the thin white curtains. He was there. He must’ve been waiting for you to finally show up. Vil must have truly missed you. Your heart began to swell in your chest as a smile snuck onto your lips. You would have to put on some lip gloss before going into his room, maybe… Just maybe you’ll get a kiss from your beloved Queen! That has to be because he missed you! He’s rewarding your obedience with a kiss!

Rook walked ahead of you to open the large double doors to the castle-like dorm. “Les dames d'abord.” He sang as his eyes remained shut. It was clear that he was refusing to look at you. But that wouldn’t affect your day nor would it change how well you slept at night. Your eyebrow twitched with fleeting agitation as you were reminded that Rook was still following. His very presence was bothering you as you passed him with your nose turned up. “I can walk by myself.” You assured with venom seeping into your tone. Rook chuckled softly. Was there something amusing about your distaste? “Oh please, allow me to escort you. Roi du Poison insisted that I walk you to his chamber.” Rook purred softly as he shut the doors after the two of you entered. You could smell the lingering scent of Vil’s favorite cologne as you walked across the wine colored carpet with haste. You remained frowning as Rook stuck close behind. The two of you walked down the seemingly abandoned halls. It was unusually quiet today in Pomfiore. Especially for it to only be 3:30 in the afternoon. It could be a case that Vil needed peace and quiet and demanded all of the students keep the noise to a minimum, he’s sent out a mass text in the past so it wasn’t strange to assume.

As you reached the outside of Vil’s door, you reached into your purse to pull out a clear gloss to slide over your lips. You needed them to be exceptionally shiny when Vil spoke to you. You smoothed out the hem of your uniform skirt and pulled out your phone to ensure not a hair was out of place as you knocked on Vil’s door. Your heart was beating against your eardrums with the anticipation of seeing Vil personally. How long has it been since he had called you to his room?

“Enter.”

You obeyed the command with no hesitation while Rook closed the door swiftly and silently behind you. It was almost impossible to fight back your grin as you turned to face Vil’s vanity with your items tucked back into your purse and your hands pretzeled in front of you. “Kneel.” Vil commanded from his vanity, not bothering to turn around to greet you, and you dropped to your knees. You admired Vil putting on a matte, apple-red lipstick in his mirror from your new position as you removed your purse to place it beside you. Dressed in a silk robe in a royal shade of indigo, his hair was done up in a neat braided bun. With the sun pouring in through his window with his curtains parted, the scene before you was bewitching.

“You’ve been hiding from me.” Vil commented with a tone of discontent before he meshed his painted lips together and judged the color silently. His amethyst colored eyes lingered for a moment with a wave of content before they floated to the image of you kneeling in front of his door like a patient dog. “Would you like to tell me why?” He was giving you the illusion of choice. “I wasn’t hiding from you my Queen! I promise- Please let me explain!” You defended quickly as your smile fell and your emotions flipped from positive; to negative. Your worried eyes locked with his piercing amethyst gaze. An intimate heat began to pool between your thighs and your heart skipped as you struggled to find the words. He was looking at you.

“I… I was worried that maybe… I wasn’t enough for you.” You explained nervously with bashfulness blanketing over the worry you felt. “I went and practiced-”

“Practiced?” He quipped with a brow raised and the corners of his lips downturned. “What does that mean? Practiced? You haven’t been coming to Pomfiore after classes ended. What practice are you doing outside of here?” You felt your mouth become dry and your face became hot as the guilty feeling from earlier returned. “Leona told me that you two were close friends, and he offered to tutor me since I couldn’t get your attention-” The Housewarden slammed his palms against his vanity table and stood abruptly from his cushioned stool. The tension in the air became thick as your thighs began to tremble and you rubbed your knees together from excitement. Maybe this was the beginning of a scene Vil had prepared for the two of you after a lack of intimacy for so long. He wasn’t actually angry at you, right?

Short black heels layered in velvet accompanied his silk robe as he approached you slowly with his hands tightened into fists. “Kingscholar? That’s who you’ve been seeing instead? A luxury house rug?!” The champagne blond’s lips were curled back, his jaw was tightly clenched, and his cheeks had gone red. His eyes were filled with scorn and disgust that left the soft cotton of your panties sticky. Vil nudged at your knee with the toe box of his heel. The soft velvet made you tremble as your legs began to subconsciously part and the two of you maintained eye contact. “Over a lack of attention from the one you adore?!” He snapped and you felt taken aback by his anger. He was truly upset with your actions and how you foolishly allowed yourself to be taken advantage of. The Housewarden’s heeled foot slid between your thighs and pushed until it was pressing against your clit bound beneath thin cotton fabric. “What did you do with Kingscholar? Tell me every detail, now.” Vil commanded as your hips began to slowly roll against his heeled-shoe to obtain relief for the ache between your thighs. As his hands uncurled from their fists and crossed over his chest, you gave a small nod of understanding. “I practiced my oral skills… I thought that they weren’t good enough to please you since I couldn’t ever get your attention. So… Leona offered to tutor me since the two of you are close.” You answered honestly as Vil allowed you to continue the leisurely rutting against him.

“You didn’t think to consult me first?” He asked as you shook your head with your face burning from embarrassment. You trusted Leona’s word since you’ve seen the two socializing before. And everyone adores Vil. It would make sense that Leona was the same. Right? Or so you thought, seeing how gullible you were to trust someone like Leona had landed you in trouble with Vil. The Housewarden pressed his foot harder into your crotch with a disappointed ‘tut’ of his tongue. “What else?” He asked as he inched his foot back, and your hips shamelessly chased the friction. "Nothing! Only using my mouth!” You promised as his arms fell from their crossed state and his hands reached for the sash on his silk robe. “Let’s see about the work you’ve been doing then.” Vil pulled elegantly at the fabric and allowed the garment to slide from his shoulders and drape over his forearms.

Grinding slowly against his heel as you chewed on your lower lip, you began to carefully stroke Vil’s slowly hardening erectioning. Pretty, and very eager for attention. Your attention. “I’ll be grading your performance harshly.” He warned through a soft inhale and the excitement returned. Presented before you was his erect cock, twitching in your fingertips and awaiting service. Your jaw was slack as he pressed his hand against the back of your head. Perfectly manicured nails digging into the flesh of your scalp as he guided you to take his cock into your mouth. Gliding against the plush, wet velvet of your tongue and nudging against the back of your throat. That training with Leona helped, but actually working to please Vil was far more intense. Feeling the smooth velvet skin inside of your mouth your heart skip with ecstasy. Vil was allowing you to suck him off.

Even though Rook told him about the training sessions you had with Leona, Vil was able to forgive you.

You bobbed your head slowly, your nose bumping against the porcelain skin below his navel and the scratchy stubble where his pubes once were. Carefully sucking and hollowing your cheeks. Rubbing your tongue against the veins and sensitive slit. Massaging his balls with one hand keeping you steady with the help of his muscular thighs. “I will admit… You have improved.” The compliment sounded sour as you continued on with your heart pounding in your ears and your hips sneakily humping against his foot. You mumbled a ‘thank you’ despite your mouthful that caused the Housewarden to shudder with delight. “You’re welcome.” He whispered with a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. He scratched gently at your scalp and his hips rolled with the rhythmic pace you set. Your tongue rolled over the tip as you slowly pulled away with a loopy grin and your eyes falling shut. You lapped up the sweet and addicting flavor of his precum, hungry for much more as you quickly deep throating the cock you desperately craved. As Vil began to twitch and throb, he suddenly pressed his hand against your forehead to halt your movements. You looked up at him with your eyes widened and you began to feel worried. Did he not like it?

“I just don’t want to cum yet.” He sighed quietly as if he was ashamed of something. Vil’s cheeks were flushed and his usual sharp gaze had softened from the overwhelming pleasure. The only thing connecting you to his erection was a thin string of saliva that was starting to separate. “Up. Onto the bed with me.” He instructed as he stepped away so you could get to your feet. A sense of pride swelled in your chest as you slowly rose to your feet, swearing that steam was rising from your skin. He didn’t want to cum yet, and he’s allowing you to touch his expensive sheets he had imported. You watched with awe as he discarded his robe to the expensive chaise longue at the foot of his bed. As he sat on the edge of the mattress, he removed his black heels and cast a glance towards where you stood.

“Now.”

The bite in his voice snapped you out of your thoughts as you rushed to the opposite side and slipped out of your uniform. The soft and smooth satin of the sheets smelled of Vil. You had to resist the urge to plant your face into the fabric as you threw everything haphazardly to the floor with a smile. The moment your soaked panties were discarded, you could feel his strong grip around your forearm. “Come here.” He growled and yanked on you as if you weighed nothing to him. You slid across the large mattress and against his side as he pressed a kiss against your cheek. You could feel the sticky matte wax of his lipstick stain the skin. It left you with a flutter in your chest as he kissed along your jawline, occasionally biting at the skin until he reached your throat. His tongue rubbed against your pulse point as a hand slipped between your thighs.

You couldn’t choke back your whimper as he began to suck on the sensitive skin on your neck while massaging your clit with both his middle and pointer finger. Vil didn’t usually leave you with marks in visible places, and you were taught to follow his example. It was possessive, and this relationship between you wasn’t exactly official according to the Housewarden. You yelped softly as he nipped at the bruising mark that had formed on your skin. Nice and high where the white collar of your uniform shirt wouldn’t be able to hide it. “Did you do anything like this with Kingscholar?” He asked softly, his warm breath danced over the abused flesh and you shook your head with a shiver.

A content hum followed as his fingers slowed to a stop and pulled away. His strong grip on your arm loosened as he then eased you into laying back against his expensive pillows. Before the daydreams could start, a squeak left your mouth and your eyes widened. With you laid against the silk sheets of his mattress you flinched as Vil’s nails pinched your hardened nipple. You struggled to swallow down your cry as your hands quickly found purchase in the expensive fabric below you. Vil narrowed his eyes down at your bare body. “What was that? Speak up. I can’t understand you.” He snapped with a snarl as he tugged at the hardened bud and your skin prickled with goosebumps. “I’m sorry.” You whispered as you squeezed your thighs tightly together as he began to massage your breast in his large palm. “You’re sorry?” You nodded as you rubbed your thighs together and choked back a whine. “I didn’t mean to make you upset…” You apologized softly as Vil looked taken aback. Eyes widened for a moment before narrowing into sharp lines. “Upset? You think that I would be upset over what you do? That ‘situation’ with Leona is over now isn’t it? I’m not upset.” The tone of his voice sounded as though he was speaking to himself and not you. But you wouldn’t comment further. He was silent as his hands slowed to a stop and rested on your chest. He was still and silent, looking at the mounds in thought as he gently began to massage your nipples with his fingers. “I forgive you.” His voice was quiet. As if the words were only for you to ever hear, and you accepted them gratefully.

His head dipped low and he began to kiss along your collarbones. Stamping his lipstick against your skin as your nipples were pinched and teased by his elegant and skilled fingers. Your hips trembled as you grew wet with excitement, quieting your moans and whimpers in case a certain guard remained posted outside the door. But with every surprise pinch of the champagne blond’s fingers, a startled gasp would erupt from your mouth. Soon, a hand vanished from your chest and slipped between your thighs. “When I’m finished, you may shower. But you are to return to my room afterwards.” Vil instructed as you glanced down at the hand between your thighs. A moan pushed out of you as his middle and pointer finger slipped inside of your hot, wet cavern. It was tight and sensitive due to the lack of use, and you rocked your hips slowly with need. “I understand.” Your response came out in the form of a breathless exhale as your eyes fluttered shut. “I plan to cum inside. To remind you that only I have the right to do so. Aren’t I so generous?” His sultry tone and quick pumping fingers left you aching as he latched his painted lips onto your neglected nipple; and sucked. You couldn’t fight back the moans and gasps that fell from your mouth and hung shamelessly in the air. The way his teeth would nip at the sensitive bud or how his tongue would roll over the marks left behind. How his fingers would pump into you and press up into that special section of nerves he loved to abuse… You wanted more. You needed more.

As if some higher power answered your prayers, Vil stopped and climbed on top of you. His hands wrangled you into a position with him above you, and your legs thrown over his hips. Usually you would ride him until he finished, and would be sent along your way. This was very different from the usual sexcapades you shared. You liked the difference. His hand lined his cock against your throbbing entrance as the other massaged your breast with teeth marks embedded into the skin. “Do you want me to fuck you?” He asked and you nodded. With a rough pinch to your nipple you yelped and your hips jerked up towards Vil’s shaft. “Y-Yes.” You answered as he slowly bucked against the entrance, but did not slide in. The slick that was pouring out of you coated the velvety skin as he massaged himself against the plush folds of your pussy. “Do you want me to cum deep inside you? To fill you up and remind you how much I love you?” He asked as the flutter in your chest intensified. “Yes, please?” You begged as he began to rub the tip against your opening. The slight breech left you breathless as you looked up at him. Once your gazes locked, he wordlessly began to fill you as his hands grabbed onto your hips and pulled you up into his lap. Only soft moans were shared as he pushed himself deep inside and nestled the tip against that very familiar bundle of nerves inside of you.

He began a slow and steady rhythm that rocked the bed beneath you. Your hands let go of the sheets and hesitated to reach out and touch Vil. Only when he gave you a nod as a form of ‘okay’ did you rest your hands against his strong thighs. The snap of his hips and the soft smack of skin made you overwhelmed with bliss as you allowed yourself to become boneless. To become an object of pleasure for the man you adored the most. You wanted to please him, to show him how badly you wanted to be used by him. To become nothing more than an empty headed slave he can call on whenever he wants. His thrusts had become rough as he hunched over you, his braided bun falling loose as a sheet of sweat clung to his flawless skin. His cheeks flushed, his pupils huge and dilated from lust. You could stare at the sight forever. “Do you love me?” He asked with a growl following as he leaned closer and pressed his sweaty forehead against yours. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple and kissed the space where your skin greeted his. “Of course I do.” You answered weakly, there was no other way to express the intense emotions you felt towards your Housewarden. “Say it.” Vil commanded as his amethyst eyes burned into yours. Sloppy thrusts and met your convulsing walls as you felt you and Vil reaching the euphoric high the both of you desperately craved whenever the two of you met.

“I love you, Vil.”

The words left your lips as you lifted your hands from his thighs to carefully cup his face. The moans became louder and the sloppy snap off his hips became rougher as you came first. Your orgasm was amplified with the overstimulation of Vil continuing without you. But you never begged him to stop. You wouldn’t dare. You babbled and sobbed, hands going to pull at his hair as he shakily rut into you one final time. The flow of warmth deep into your womb made your eyes flutter shut and your body fell still.

Vil slowed his hips to a complete stop as you laid limp against the mattress. “Don’t do that ever again.” The blond whispered, but you weren’t sure what he meant. The gold tresses of his hair that had fallen loose from his tightly braided bun and his apple red lipstick had become smeared across his cheek. “Do you understand me?” He asked with a soft growl as you weakly nodded. But again, you had no idea what he was referring to. A soft smile spread across your face as his lips brushed over yours. Your hands released his hair from your tight grip as Vil gently encased your lips in a short kiss. Chaste and sweet; you were craving more. “I’m glad we had this talk.” His voice ghosted over your skin as his soft pink tongue slid over your bottom lip next. Your eyes widened with shock as he cupped your face and eased the muscle into your mouth. Your heart was racing as your lips meshed together and your drool mixed with the Housewardens.

His bright red lipstick stained the soft skin on your lips and smeared against your skin and his. You had entered a form of Nirvana you had always wanted to experience.

When Vil pulled away, his hands cupped the sides of your face as his nails began to dig into the burning skin of your cheeks. A smile of his own had formed as you felt your heart skipped and jumped in your chest. “If I catch you with that beast again, or anyone for that matter,” He whispered and pressed a kiss against your other cheek. The red makeup stained your skin among the many other kiss marks and saliva. The blond looked down at you, his gaze burning and searing your flesh; as if he were trying to engrave his name into your soul. “I’ll have no choice but to kill you.” His voice was lowered so only you could hear him and this promise. And you were happy to nod in complete understanding.

Tagged Accounts: @stygianoir @spiritanimals64-blog @fortunatelyburningaphrodisiac

#demonic. contracts #vil x reader smut #yandere vil schoenheit #yandere male #yandere #tw yandere #male yandere #vil x y/n #vil schoenheit #vil x reader #vil twisted wonderland #vil twst #vil schoenheit x reader

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factual-fantasy · 1 year

Text

24 moar asks :}

..That’s.. That’s a good point.

I’ve noticed recently that I’ve been trying very hard to get all these projects done, but I just cant seem to get past this writers/artist block.. Ingo and Emmet part 3, my FNAF AU, the Rosalina comic.. all of it has just felt really draining. I think its because I’m turning these projects into work, instead of a fun hobby.

I actually was working on the Petey Piranha comic last night, but I just couldn’t get past the sketching stage. So I took a break to draw what ever I wanted and.. I had a lot of fun.

I think I’ve overwhelmed myself thinking I have to do all these projects and get them done quickly for.. what ever reason. And its made art really draining.

I think I’m gonna take all of my projects (aside from my FNAF AU) and just. Put them on the shelf for now. I’ll draw them if I ever feel like it.

Thanks for the little push anon.

When ever I want. And it’ll be what ever I want :}

@aemered

If you see that someone has reposted my art and you want to do something about it, first of all thank you very much that’s really kind of you-

SECOND OFF, report it if you can. If you cant then leave a comment saying its stolen and link back to my tumblr or just mention my name. Thanks again! Its really cool that you’d want to do that for me- 💕😭💕

I had planned that he could eat a fire flower and spit out a fire ball, but I later took away that ability. Yoshi ain’t got no fire powers :(

They do exist, and Bowser does care about them.. but he doesn't show it as much as he does in canon. He’s a lot more stern and ruler like. A lot less touchy feely you know?

The idea is that the 1-UP mushroom has fully left Mario’s body. So any effects or pain he experiences all lies in his trauma related to the incident.

Now, if Luigi were to die and be revived by a 1-UP? It would be the same. If the experience was traumatic and he suffered a horrible injury, he would probably deal with phantom pains too..

@tempestrio

For most of them I just referenced clothing that relates to the attraction/style they have in the game.

For Chica I looked up kids rock star costumes and took reference of what I thought looked good. For Bonnie I looked up old vintage bowling ally shirts and referenced the one that looked closest to his canon shirt. For Foxy I referenced pirate coats and costumes. For Monty I looked up old golfing outfits and picked out aspects that I liked and mixed it with punk/rock and roll. For Roxanne I referenced punk rock I think..? And old racing fire suits.

For Freddy though I mostly made it up.. but I looked at a bunch of different artists that made redesigns for Freddy and tried to capture the vibe of the ones I liked. Mostly the collar on his coat was something a lot of those artists drew-

For Gregory I just gave him a new outfit based on the story. When he went back to the Pizzaplex his clothes were dirty and worn.. so Freddy went and got him new clothes from one of the gift shops. So I went to google and referenced the sweaters and clothes you find throughout the game and gave him stuff that looked similar. Hope this helped! :}

There is! But its not that deep don’t worry-

When I was designing my sona, I wanted something on my hands. At the time my hands were covered in Band-Aids due to cat scratched and dry/cracked skin. So I thought hey! I could have bandaged hands! So I added them.

They also work if you call them my “artist hands” lol-

No, thank YOU for engaging with my content and sending me lovely messages! :D

@thedorkyidiot

Oh he’s in the AU, he’s probably one of the smaller gorilla types that just kind’a vibes and does old man stuff. He probably has to eat the sweeter fruits though because his jaw isn’t so strong anymore. Much to his dismay..

She didn’t cause any problems per say, the Toads didn’t even know she existed. Although she does create these shooting stars every time she comes to the planet.. but that doesn’t bother the Toads either, In fact they celebrate them. So the toads have no issue with Rosalina.

Also she apologized to Mario and Luigi for “disturbing” them because they heard her crying and they went to investigate. :(

And thank you! I’m glad you like my interpretations! :D

Well you’re in luck! My FNAF AU is the only project I plan to not drop and keep working on! Hahaha!... haaahhhh

(Also thank you very much that was very sweet 😭)

@shannonallaround

I don’t actually have a specific name that I tag my AU under.. but if you were to search “mario” in my blog search you’ll find just about every Mario related post I’ve ever made. AU and not AU.

Not yet.. 👀

The reason why Mario experiences phantom pain is because his first death was very traumatic for him. So whether or not he experiences phantom pains with his future deaths all depends on how he died, and how it effected him mentally.

Same goes for Luigi. If he dies a horribly painful/traumatic death.. he’ll likely experience phantom pains too..

@color-craz

There was a comic planned for how they met him actually.

They got lost in the woods and stumbled upon King Boos mansion. Like an idiot Mario goes in and Luigi follows. They both ended up getting tormented and pranked by the Boos. They were separated at one point but then met back up on the second floor. Mario sees a fire flower in an old flower pot and grabs it.

As soon as he becomes fire Mario.. the entire mansion goes completely silent..

Then, all the windows and doors slowly shut. Some of the lights come on and Mario and Luigi follow them. They follow the lights down the hall, down the stairs, through the main room and wind up led to the front door..

The front door is wide open. Mario and Luigi walk out.. only for the door to slam shut behind them. Locking them out.

Mario harnessing a fire flower was so bizarre, so impossible! That King Boo knew he was outmatched against him. So King Boo just silently let them out of the mansion without a fuss.

@mysteriousl0ser

I’m not sure how they would react to the Koopalings, but I imagine they wouldn't hurt them. It doesn’t take a genius to tell that the Koopalings are just kids..

As for their behaviors.. I think its close to the canon interpretations, except for Ludwig and JR. I had planned that Ludwig was going to be much bigger and more stern like his pa. Because he is the heir to the throne.. but then google told me that Roy is the oldest so there goes that plan-

For JR though his plans stick. JR is supposed to be smaller and younger. More like a toddler then a kid. He’s the youngest and the one Bowser is most protective of.

@gravitystar96

Thank you! I’m glad you like my AU! :D

As for if anyone will find Gregory.. I haven’t planned if anyone will or who it will be. Although it will likely be Chica or Monty.

Since Chica is so close to Freddy, she is bound to find out about this entire child that he has kept secret-

As for Monty.. I liked the idea of Gregory hiding for some reason.. and he calls for Freddy through his fazwatch in a panic. After a few minutes he hears big thumping plasticky foot steps approaching. He comes out of hiding thinking its Freddy..

But it was Monty.

I made them brothers because I could :}

Although I’m questioning it now. Maybe they could just be friends. They could just be two idiots who found each other and decided to reek havoc together.

Oooor they could be brothers., Hmm.. I’ll have to give it some more thought XD

If Bowser had gone straight for Luigi, first of all he would have to land a fatal blow twice. Because the power of the Ice Flower would Protect Luigi from one big hit. That’s actually why Mario died in one shot. Because the Fire Flower had just run our of power.

But anyway- after loosing the ice flower and getting hit? Luigi would just die.. and stay dead. Only Mario had consumed a 1-UP mushroom at that point..

I imagined them as these strange monsters that live in the woods. They don’t work for Bowser, or Peach, they just do their own thing. I also imagined them to deal with dark magic and rituals and stuff.

Wanna hear how Mario and Luigi first met one?

The plan was that the bros and Yoshi were exploring when they found a shy guy with its leg caught in a tree root. Mario carefully approached to try and help.. but the closer he got. The longer and more deformed the shy guy became.

Yoshi ended up snatching them both up and running away. Mario mysteriously had a fever that lasted for a few days after that..

Me waiting for my platonic kiss on the forehead be like:

My favorite character? Oooo that’s a good question. There’s a lot to choose from.. but one of my favorites is Hal Monitor. Always love it when he’s on screen XD

I actually like stupid Mario sometimes, he’s pretty funny XD

So far my favorite arc is the lawsuit arc. Mostly because I’m not caught up on the other arcs. The little nuggets of Mario angst/wholesomeness we got in that arc was delicious XD

@spencer-the-fox-87

If the Monkeys were to eat the red beets they would gain more muscle mass overtime. But its not a matter of them not being able to eat them, they just don’t like them.

The blue fruits are very sweet and juicy, and the beets are dry and bitter. The kongs that like bitter flavors eat the beets and grow to be huge. and overtime they develop a dislike for sweet tastes. And vice versa.

#my response #mario #fnaf security breach

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charliesgoodboy · 2 years

Note

I’m not sure if this is where I request for anything but I wanted to see if you were able right something like Rengoku x a feminine chubby male reader who’s one inch taller than him and has a ice type breathing, and they use fans to use their ice abilities.

Like I imagine the reader having a very blank face most of the time which makes him seem intimidating at times but is actually very nice once you talk to them and such

Ofcourse I can! I hope your ok with a full fic, it's kinda short cause of my writers block and I'm trying to get out of art block, but I'm happy to do this rq for you! Thank you!!♡♡(if you wanted and imagine/headcannon just dm me and i'll do that instead of this)

---------------------------------

Ice cold☆

Rengoku x Feminine Male!Reader

Summary:Rengoku never wants to seem to have the wrong impression on anyone so he tries and gets to know you better, and finds your breathing style very unique.

Warning(maniac):not rlly any just fluff my dude.

Read this carefully. If you are straight or you do not have your sexuality in your bio, I can and will block you and the rules will become more strict.

-------------------------♡♡♡

"Good work M/n!! I've never seen your breathing style!! And with fans?? Amazing!!" Looking up at you with his usual smile as you give him a blank face, you wanted to smile and talk to him, you really did but you didn't want to interact and you were so damn tired so you just nodded and made a 'm' sound as you followed your crow.

Rengoku knew that you didn't speak much and thought that you hated everyone that crossed your path, but that didn't stop you from wanting to get to know you better, deep down he knew you were sweet, and that you cared for others all the time.

And he is very correct, 100 percent in fact, you cared for everyone especially Rengoku. You always loved his energy and how he was always positive, even in grave situations.

But what you didn't know is that he really admired you, might as well be in love in fact, the way you use fans instead of a sword to slay demons, and it was ice style, he found it amazing really.

He loved how tall you were, even if it was only one inch, he admire you so, your chubby, yet feminine like, which he finds adorable at times, people have even caugt him stealing glances at you before,he just loved you so.

You reached the butterfly estate for some of the Hashira were injured, even Rengoku was injured, but mans could hide it good, like he was in inmese pain.

Once you reached the estate you were greeted by Aoi who let you all in and set each of you guys in a pair of a room, and ofcourse you got Rengoku.

She camd to Rengoku first as she, wrapped Rengoku's wounds in which you noticed how bad they were.

"I'll be taking my leave now." She bowed and left the room, leaving you and Rengoku.

"Hey...are you ok?? I'm sorry I didn't notice your wounds before, they seem really bad..." you look down in guilt even so it wasn't your fault.

Rengoku had a shocked face, he knew that you'd talk to him soon, but not this soon. He gave you a heart warming smile. "I swear I am ok, and none of this is your fault M/n."

You didn't belive that he was 'ok' so you grabbed him and made him rest on you. "Just rest and I'll take care of you..ok??"

He was suprised by your actions but obliged to them anyway. He snuggled deep into your stomach, you where looking outside so you didn't really notice Rengoku traceing your curves.

"You know for a man, you are quite feminine...did you know that??" Your face turned beet red when he said that to you, nobody had ever even said that you looked feminine, but you took this as a comoliment.

"U-uh thank you?? I guess??" He smiles at you once more.(damn how is yo jaw not broken??)"And your body is quite squishy, It's nice." He says as he burried his face into you.

"Hah!?!? Your not just saying that!? Do love my body that much??" He got up and came to you face-to-face.

"Absolutely! And not just your body, I love you as much as I love food!!" You were so red at this point, no one has ever said these things to you.

"T-thank y-you, and I'm glad your ok Rengoku..."

321 notes · View notes

silvanshadow · 1 year

Text

Masterpost: The Sellsword and the Mage

Ongoing @galladrabbles serial.

Art by: @suzy-queued

----------

Even at the base of the watchtower, the heat from the signal fire above was intense.

Unnaturally so, magically enhanced.

And Ian would stand there until Mickey came.

“Ian!” Lip grasped him by the shoulders, gave him a shake, “They’re gone! You heard the scouts! We need to fall back!”

“No.”

“Ian—”

“No, Lip. He’s alive.”

“He wouldn’t want this, Ian. Mickey would want you safe.”

“Can’t believe I’m agreeing with your brother,” gasped a voice. Mickey collapsed at Ian’s feet.

Ian dropped to his knees and pressed their foreheads together, “I knew you wouldn’t leave me like this.”

---

Their lips met once, twice in relief before Mickey whispered, “Sorry I didn’t make it back in time.” His words broke off with a hiss as Ian’s hands skimmed his torso.

“You’re hurt!” Ian gasped.

“A little parting gift from captain of Three River’s guard.”

“What?” Lip interrupted, “Mickey, the fuck? Three Rivers is our ally! The signal fire is for her army!”

Mickey barked a laugh, “Yeah, don’t count on that. Queen Svetlana has thrown in with Prince Gus and my dad’s bandit mob. They even have that cult of blood mages now, too.”

“Shit.” Lip eloquently summed up.

---

“We need to warn Fiona,” Lip started to pace.

“How?” Ian huffed. “It’s not like we can slink through the shadows down the mountain trail. It’s too open. And we’re not going anywhere until I heal Mickey’s wound!”

Mickey reached for Ian’s face, “Ian, hey Buttercup, look at me. I made it this far, a little longer won’t kill me.”

“But—”

“We gotta be smart here, yeah?”

Ian pressed his lips tight and nodded.

“Good. Done being moody now?” Mickey teased. “Cause I think I know a way.”

“How?” Lip crossed his arms.

“We take the old dwarf road.”

---

“You know about the old dwarf roads?” Lip scoffed.

Mickey motioned for Ian to help him stand. “You already forget I’m not from here? That I had a whole life before Ian cast his spell on me.”

“Stop saying that!” Ian hissed. “People will think I bewitched you.”

“Didn’t you, though?” Mickey pecked him on the chin. “Anyway,” he continued, “a few years back I was hired by a dwarf as his personal bodyguard. He told me all about the old roads.”

“Then you know the elves sealed them when they drove the dwarves north.”

“Ian can break those seals.”

---

Ian could tell the descent was getting to Mickey. His breathing labored by the time they reached the ornate arch marking the dwarf road. A dim blue-green shimmer the only sign of the elf magic that sealed the door.

He began working free the straps of Mickey’s gambeson.

“Ian--,” Lip snapped.

“No! This isn’t a game! No one has to lose to watch me win. I’m the one with magic and you--,” to Lip, “aren’t going to guilt me. And you--,” to Mickey, “aren’t playing the martyr so Lip will think you worthy of me. We’re doing this my way!”

---

Multicolor starbursts flash behind Ian’s eyes. Rosettes of every hue. It’s something he rarely experiences when calling upon his magic. And only ever happens when his spell is directed at Mickey.

Even when he was Mickey’s target. Before realization, and love, and a changing for the better, Ian would see those bursts with each spell. It was the first sign that there was something special between them.

Now he presses his lips to Mickey’s brow as healing magic flows through his hands. The rosettes pulse bright then fade as the wound heals.

“All better now,” Ian whispers against precious skin.

---

It was Mickey’s turn to look after Ian.

Even more than summoning fire and ice, Ian cherished his ability to heal others. It took so much energy, though. So, Mickey encouraged Ian to sit down and take sips from the waterskin.

Mickey frowned at the shimmer of old elvish magic blocking their path.

Because Lip was also right.

Mickey had glimpsed the horde bearing down on the Southern Kingdom. He could very well be on the losing side this time. But as he watches Ian take bites of a sad, mealy apple he knows it certainly isn’t the wrong one.

---

Elvish spells don’t like to be broken.

Ian can feel this one twisting and turning, trying to evade his own magic. But Ian has three things going for him here: First, he’s broken a spell like this before. It was years ago to save the life of a man that was first his enemy, then reluctant ally, and now the person he loves most in this world. Second, his love for his family in the Southern Kingdom. And third, his desire to prove to Lip that he is no longer the younger brother with a power he sometimes cannot control.

---

“Thank fuck!” Lip exclaimed as the spell broke with a flash and a gust of stale-smelling air.

“Or you could thank your brother.” Mickey fired back.

Ian gave Mickey’s hand a soft squeeze and shook his head. “It’s okay,” he said as he conjured two globes of light and sent one to sit at Lip’s shoulder.

“So mean and scary!” Ian grinned as he and Mickey fell in step behind Lip. “My tough sellsword boyfriend who rushes to defend me.”

“You bet I’m mean and scary!”

“So mean and scary.” Ian agreed as he pressed a kiss to Mickey’s cheek.

---

“What the hell is Three Rivers thinking?” Lip scuffed his boots in the centuries-old dirt and debris. “Breaking a fifty-year treaty?”

Mickey shrugged, “That treaty was with the old king, not Queenie Svet. She’s got her own plans.”

“Do you think the rumors true? That she murdered the old king and the eldest prince?” Ian asked.

“Wouldn’t put it past her,” Mickey shrugged again. “Either way, she’s in charge until that kid of hers is old enough. And he’s, what, two? Long time to gather power.”

“Well,” Lip, voice grim, said, “she’s about to learn what goes around comes around.”

---

Lip claims to know their path. But, to Ian, the march feels endless. The road is wide, and the ceilings high, but the darkness is all consuming. It steals his breath and quickens his heart.

So, Ian begins to hum. A distraction. Tuneless until a favorite lyric comes to mind:

“Black is the color,

Of my true love’s hair.

His lips are like,

Some roses fair.

He has the sweetest smile,

And the gentlest hands.

And I love the ground whereon he stands.”

“The song is sad,” Ian whispers to Mickey, “but I love that verse. Reminds me of you.”

---

A faint blue-green sheen lit the road ahead marking the end of their journey and a final elvish spell for Ian to break.

“Hey,” Mickey bumped his shoulder against Ian’s, “you remember that old farmhouse we holed up in that time? The one with that garden you about creamed yourself over?”

“Like I’d ever forget it,” Ian grinned. “A lot of amazing firsts happened there.”

“So whaddyasay after we’re finished kicking ass here, we find a place like that again? Get away from all this?”

“And just be Ian and Mickey?”

Mickey smiled, “Yeah, just us. No bullshit.”

“Sounds perfect.”

---

The trio exited the dwarven road to the sound of rolling thunder and fat, cold raindrops.

“Fucking perfect,” Mickey groused as he ducked back inside the arched door and shook out his wet hair.

“No,” Lip corrected, “no, this is good.”

“Getting fucking soaked is good?”

Lip nodded, “The rain. The mud. It’ll slow the invaders down.”

“Slow us down, too,” Ian added.

“I know,” Lip said. “It’s why I think we should split up.”

“No!” Ian leapt to his brother, pushing Lip’s shoulder until they were face-to-face. “No fucking way!”

“It’s the best plan, Ian, and you know it.”

---

The rain must’ve drowned all sounds of their pursuer as their only warning was a half-feral yell as a body slammed into Ian’s back, dagger poised to rip open his throat. Ian conjured a static spell. It paused the attack long enough for Lip to tear the man from Ian’s back.

Then Mickey’s twin daggers were in motion. In a blur, it was over. A body slumped in the dark archway and Mickey covered in ichor.

“All that blood looks good on you,” Ian said, once he was sure none of it was Mickey’s. “It really brings out your eyes.”

---

“Three fucking Rivers!” Mickey gave the corpse at his feet a not-so-gentle nudge with his boot.

“We knew that the dwarf road was a gamble,” Lip conceded.

“One we fucking lost!” Mickey kicked the corpse again.

“Ian, can you seal that entrance again?”

Ian shook his head at his brother, “I can break certain elvish spells, but I can’t perform them. Best I can do is a barrier spell that any mage could break.”

“Do it.”

“So, no more talk of splitting up?” Ian asked as he spun his magic.

“No, we’re sticking together. Speed over stealth from here on.”

---

At an outlying farm they met a grizzled former soldier who was determined to defend his land. They traded the use of two of his horses for Ian casting protection spells around his farm.

Now Ian held tight to Mickey’s waist as they teased as much speed as possible from the animals through the muddy ground.

Their ride continued like this until they reached a barrier of felled trees. Ian conjured a ball of blue-tinted fire—the agreed upon friend-or-foe signal—and sent it into the sky. A rider appeared from the dark to escort them to the army encampment.

---

“Send your fastest messenger,” Lip demanded as they reached the general’s tent, “Three Rivers has betrayed us.”

Ian expected a flurry of activity; a flood of questions to follow. Instead, the three were escorted inside the general’s tent. They accepted the offer of chairs around the map table. Declined the bread and cheese. And Mickey accepted the proffered small beer on behalf of all.

The general leaned over the map table. “Tell me, brothers Gallagher, why those brave folks you just passed through should fight and die because your common whore sister couldn’t decide which prince she wanted to marry?”

---

Colder than any ice Ian’s magic could harness was Lip’s voice when he replied: “The Gallaghers may be of common blood but call my sister a whore again and I’ll remove the tongue from your treasonous mouth.”

“Treason!” the general barked. “You dare speak of treason when your own brother bends over for the son of our enemy?”

Incredulous, Mickey motions at Ian’s crotch, “That dick is a piece of art! I’m the one taking it!”

“Mickey has suffered more at the hands of Terry Milkovich than anyone!”

The general scoffed. “Indeed, mage? I believe his many victims would disagree.”

----

It was as the general sat glaring that Ian felt it: a discordant note where he drew his magic from. He stood up and was just opening his mouth to say “something’s wrong” when Mickey threw himself at him—arms around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist—sending them crashing to the ground. At that same moment, the general dove across the map table with dagger extended.

Lip tackled the general from the side, knocking the dagger from his grip.

“Blood magic!” Ian gasped as he extricated himself from Mickey’s life-saving bear hug. “He’s being controlled by blood magic!”

----

“Guards!” the general bellowed, flailing on the ground to escape Lip. Lip increased the pressure of his hold at the same time the two soldiers guarding the general’s tent along with the general’s aide rushed inside with swords extended. Only Ian and Lip’s status as the queen’s brothers stopped them from attacking.

“Explain this!” the aide de camp demanded.

“Fucking asshole attacked Ian!” Mickey snarled, “Lucky he’s still breathin’.”

“Not helpful,” Lip strained as the general bucked against his hold.

Ian raised his hands placatingly, “He’s under the effects of blood magic. The mage responsible must be inside the camp.”

---

The aide-de-camp blanched. “But… the camp contains thousands! How are we to find one blood mage among them?”

“Too late,” the general’s chortle filled the tent. “She has laid her curse upon the Gallaghers. No escape now.”

“Shut the fuck up!” Mickey barked. He turned then to Ian. “Don’t worry, red. I’d rather have you, cursed or not.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, Mick.” Ian spared a soft look for his love before his face turned steely, “But don’t listen to any of this bullshit. He’s nothing but a marionette dancing on frayed strings.”

“OK, but who is ‘she’?” Lip questioned.

---

“It doesn’t matter who ‘she’ is!” Ian knelt in front of the general, “They just want us wringing our hands over bullshit curses and mystery women instead of focusing on the real enemy right in front of us.”

Ian snapped his fingers in front of their captive, “I know you are watching through his eyes so here’s a message you can take back to your master: your plan here has failed. There will be no surrender, no truce. Just us standing by our sister’s side whenever you deign to show yourself.”

Ian then chanted the spell to free the general.

---

“He dead?” Mickey asks, nudging the general with the toe of his boot.

“No, Mickey, stop it!” Ian hisses, but chaos is already spreading as the general remains unmoving. Ian’s pleas of “Just wait! Give him a moment.” go unheeded.

Mickey moves himself to stand between Ian and the closest of the drawn swords.

Finally, the general stirs. Tensions ease a bit as he is helped back to his chair behind the map table. Fortifying wine is called for. After one cup, then another is emptied, the general motions for Lip, Ian, and Mickey to join him around the table.

----

“I believe,” the general began, “that we are best served when we speak the truth. So, I hope you will believe me when I say I’ve had no control of myself since being bespelled.”

Ian nodded. “We know, general.”

“Thank you. I hope you will be as forgiving when I tell you what occurred shortly before you arrived.”

“What?” Lip asked.

“A delegation from Three Rivers—four horsemen surrounding a cloaked rider—arrived at our barricades. I ordered them to be escorted directly to the castle without delay. I fear I have let the enemy walk through the front door.”

----

A pair of fresh horses were brought to them. The swift ones reserved for messengers. They raced towards the castle as though trying to outrun the end of the world.

As they rode, Ian pressed his face tight against the back of Mickey’s neck whispering protection spell after protection spell into his skin.

“Hey,” Mickey nudged, “save your magic. We don’t know what we’re riding into.”

Ian shook his head. “Can’t lose you.”

“Not going anywhere, Red. Promised you a farmhouse, didn’t I?”

Ian squeezed his arms tighter around Mickey’s waist. “I want that farmhouse, Mick. I want it bad.”

----

Wallaceborough.

The Southern Kingdom’s seat of power.

Home.

The sight of those fortified walls and Wallace Castle on the hill above usually filled Ian’s heart with calm and joy.

Now dread filled his belly like a stone.

“Keep alert,” Ian warned as they waited for the gates to open for them.

“You see something?” Lip asked.

Ian shook his head. “Just a very bad feeling. Discord in the magic.”

“Hey,” Mickey nudged him softly in the ribs, “We’ve got this. Got each other’s backs.”

Lip spurred his horse forward as the gate finished opening. “Persevere, my brother. We’re nearly there.”

----

Ian had imagined many scenarios of what they’d find once they reached Fiona and Wallace Castle. Most the stuff of his bloodiest nightmare. But he never could have conjured the actual scene in front of them: one of revelry, flowing wine, and an over-laden banquet table.

The juxtaposition with the barricades, soldiers, and battle mages outside was surreal. Dream-like.

“What the fuck?” Mickey said what all three were thinking.

“Ian?” Lip questioned.

But, while Ian could still feel the discord in the magic around him, he sensed no enchantment in the room.

Ian shook his head, “This isn’t a spell.”

----

Ian watched Southern Kingdom courtiers dancing and flirting with Three Rivers knights with growing disgust. His gaze landed on Yvon, the captain of Three Rivers guard—the man who had tried to kill Mickey and barely controlled the urge to call down lightning bolts. There would be time later.

Queen Fiona, motioning for her wine goblet to be refilled, finally noticed them standing just inside the hall. “You’re here!” She rushed to hug Lip and Ian. “When we heard you weren’t at your assigned watchtower, we were worried!”

“You look worried,” Lip frowned. “Nice party you're throwing for the enemy.”

----

“Enemies where?” Fiona scoffed.

Ian took Fiona by the shoulders, “Fi, it was Three Rivers with some blood mages, and a few of the Milkovich Marauders who ambushed your envoy. Mickey barely made it back to me alive.”

Fiona seemed to finally notice Mickey standing next to Ian. “That wasn’t supposed to happen,” she whispered.

“Which part?” Mickey growled. “The ambush, or me surviving it?”

Fiona brought her hands to Ian’s cheeks, “I need you to trust me.”

“Real hard to take a leap of faith when the man who tried to kill Mickey is over there drinking your wine.”

----

“My captain was only following orders,” a thickly accented voice said. Ian looked up from Fiona to see Svetlana, Queen of Three Rivers approaching. “And it was not personal; just the price set by Terry Milkovich for the use of his Marauders.”

“That motherfucker!” Mickey spat.

Ian glared at both queens. “Well, let me be perfectly clear, Your Majesties: if anyone tries to collect on that price again, I will burn both of your kingdoms to ash.”

“Ian!” Queen Fiona gasped.

Svetlana merely shrugged. “Milkovich is greedy man. He will be given another chest of gold and say no more.”

----

“How could you do this?” Ian pleads to his sister. “How could you send Mickey away to be killed?” His eyes blurred with unshed tears.

Fiona grasped tightly to one of his wrists, “Ian, it was not like that. You must understand I’m queen now; I have to be willing to make sacrifices.”

Ian pulled his arm away. “But it wasn’t your sacrifice. It was Mickey’s. It was mine. When did we become your sworn enemies? All we’ve done all night is try to warn you of Three Rivers’ betrayal. You can’t expect me to ever forgive you for this.”

----

With his strong hand on Ian’s shoulder, Mickey gently guided him out of the Great Hall—and away from his sister. Once they reached the corridor beyond, Mickey turned Ian to face him, reaching his hands up to frame his lover’s face.

“Hey, take a breath,” Mickey soothed. “Don’t go breakin’ up with your family over me.”

“I just don’t understand,” Ian placed his own hands over Mickey’s. “Fiona was more our mother than our actual mother. Every comfort of my childhood came from her. Until my magic manifested, that is. She never looked at me the same after that.”

----

“Hey,” Mickey gave Ian’s head the gentlest of shakes, “don’t go getting caught up in Fiona’s past bullshit. Not when we still haven’t figured out her current bullshit. Yeah?”

Ian huffed a laugh. “It’s just, she never would’ve done that to Lip, Debbie, or Carl.”

“Well, fuck her then. I’m still here.” A smirk crossed Mickey’s face. “How could I not be with all those spells you wrap around me. Like wearin’ an invisible layer of plate maille.”

“That all? I was going for enchanted invisible plate maille.”

Mickey raised up on his toes to kiss his silly, beautiful love.

----

Without warning a strong hand yanked Mickey out of Ian’s embrace. Seconds later, one of Ian’s protective spells triggered, sending Mickey backwards and his attacker flying across the corridor in a shower of sparks. Momentary shock now passed, Ian set in motion—drawing his magic close and releasing a spell. Crackling ice gathered around the strange man’s feet and began solidifying around his legs, leaving him immobile.

“Wait, Ian! Stop!” Mickey called out. “It’s fine. He’s fine!”

Ian halted his spell. “What? You—you know this guy?”

“Unfortunately,” Mickey sighed. “Ian, this is Colin. He’s one of my dickhead brothers.”

----

“Lookin’ real good for a corpse, Mick,” Colin drawled.

Mickey shrugged. “What can I say? I’m hard to kill.”

“That’s nothing new,” Colin laughed. “Can I get some help here?” He motioned to his still iced-over lower body.

Ian stepped in front of Mickey. “That depends: are you here to finish the job?”

“Killin’ Mick is dad’s thing; I just like bustin’ his balls.”

“Okay then.” Ian drew on his magic.

“You never said your new butt-buddy was a fuckin’ mage,” Colin said as he watched the ice melt.

“You never fuckin’ asked. The fuck you doing here anyway, Colin?”

----

“I’m Terry’s messenger,” Colin grinned. “Dad doesn’t much trust the bog witch, so he likes having one of his own in the room when messages are delivered.”

Ian pulled a face, “Bog witch?”

“Queenie Svet,” Mickey supplied as he eyed his brother. “So, how much of what you’ve seen are you planning on reporting back to Terry?”

Colin took a step closer and gave Mickey a mocking punch to the shoulder. “Your secret stays with me, little brother. I have no interest in getting on dad’s bad side on this. Not when all the rest of the news is good.”

----

“Hey,” Lip knocks against the wall to get their attention, “we’re heading up to the solar. Something about a messenger arriving.”

“Duty calls,” Colin grins at his brother before loping off with Lip on his heels.

Mickey and Ian fall in step behind them. “So,” Mickey rubs a hand across his mouth, “how far are you out the door now you’ve met my brother?”

“Mickey, your brother being kind of a dumbass doesn’t change anything. I love you. I’m better with you.”

Mickey rolls his lips into his mouth. “You sure?”

Ian smiles. “Positive. Now let’s go get some answers.”

----

“A coup?” Ian yelled. “You were willing to sacrifice Mickey’s life to put Gus on his father’s throne?”

Colin had just finished giving his report of the fall of the Northern Kingdom to the Milkovich Marauders and a group of blood mages. That King Pfender was dead and his wife sheltering in the closest abbey.

“Gus, pfft,” Queen Svetlana snorted. “Quiet your brother, Queen Fiona. He whines like a mewling child.”

“Does Gus know he is now king?” Fiona asked.

Colin shook his shaggy head, “All messengers were killed.”

“Long live the king.” Svetlana raised her goblet in mocking salute.

----

“I swear,” Ian growled, “if one of you doesn’t start speaking plainly, I will summon rain clouds to drench you in freezing cold showers ‘til the end of your days!”

Queen Svetlana bristled. “Who are you, peasant mage, to give orders to royalty? Show the proper respect!”

“Respect this!” Mickey growled, presenting both his middle fingers. “Now, get talking or Ian starts casting.”

“I can counter any spell this child knows,” Svetlana scoffed.

Ian pulled on his magic, causing the air in the room to grow damp and humid. “Wanna try me?”

“Fine. It began when King James married Fiona.”

----

Ian, Mickey, and Lip listened rapt as Svetlana told, with Ian only having to fill the solar with the scent of rain twice when her pauses became overly long, of King Gus arriving at her castle demanding a private audience where he made insinuations on how she became queen of Three Rivers and the legitimacy of her son’s claim to that throne.

“I care not what others say of me, but I will not let anyone question my Yevgeny as the rightful heir.” Svetlana drained her goblet. “Gus demanded my help overthrowing King James or he’d formally question Yevgeny’s claim.”

----

“Queen Svetlana came up with a plan and, with great risk as Gus has people watching her movements, she came to us,” Fiona picked up the tale. She was raking her fingers through her curls, a sign of the frazzled state of her nerves.

“Our kingdoms would work together to remove the fools from the Northern Kingdom’s throne,” Svetlana finished.

“And what? Divide the land between you?” Mickey’s eyebrows rose. “You really think the Northern Kingdom will just let that happen?”

Svetlana scoffed into her refilled wine goblet. “No, we put someone on that throne with actual brain in head.”

----

“And who would that be?” Lip asks.

“Yeah,” Mickey adds, “what kind of mush-brain is risking their skin for you?”

It’s King James that answers, “Tami Tamietti of the Springlands. Part of a noble family with ties to the Pfenders and a legitimate claim to the throne.”

“The family was hit hard by the Sweating Sickness a few years ago. Only Tami and her brother-in-law survived; this is a welcome change of fortune.”

Ian looks from Svetlana to his sister, “And what do you get?”

“Three united kingdoms,” Svetlana grins.

“United how? Through regicide?” Lip sneers.

“Through marriages, of course.”

----

“Marriages,” Lip repeated. His eyes cut sharply to his brother.

The tension in the room ratcheted, rose, until it became a near physical thing as Ian groped for Mickey’s hand. Suspicions now raised over Mickey’s brush with death. “Explain.”

Fiona drew herself up into her best regal posture. “We must solidify our alliance with the new queen of the Northern Kingdom first. Lip, as my eldest brother, you have been betrothed to Tami Tamietti.”

“What the fuck, Fiona?” Lip breathed.

“And your alliance with Three Rivers?” Ian spat. The muscle in his jaw ticking as he glared at his sister.

----

Svetlana scowled. “Your brother appears to believe he is privy to the councils of royalty.”

“What?” Mickey barked.

“She means it’s none of our business,” Lip answered.

“She’s correct.” Fiona sighed, “Ian, it’s not your concern.”

“Oh really?” Ian could feel a storm of temper and magic not even Mickey’s hand in his could soothe. He needed a focal point, and he found one in the form of a half-worked tapestry. Swirls of yellow, purple, and blue. His sister’s work, he guessed, though he never saw her sew anything but clothing before.

He recognized little of his sister these days.

----

But even if Ian doesn’t know much about this version of his sister, he knows—right down to the marrow of his bones—that he isn’t free from these machinations.

And he knows exactly how she’ll spring it upon him: she’ll bide her time. Then she’ll sidle up to him, give him her famous sad eyes while explaining how important it is that Ian does this thing for her. No, not just for her; for their entire family. The kingdom, even.

But that won’t work on him this time. Especially now he has Mickey.

“So, what does concern me, Fiona?”

----

“Ian,” Fiona sighs. “It’s been a long night—one that isn’t over yet for the three of us.” She motions between herself, James, and Svetlana. “Let me have a room made up for you. You and Mickey can cuddle by the fire and then sleep in one of our softest beds. All the rest of it can wait.”

“No.” Ian’s voice is like steel. “I’ll hold Mickey in our own room, in our own bed after you have told us exactly what your plans are for me.”

“Dammit, Ian! Why must you always be like a dog with a bone?”

#galladrabbles #masterpost #The Sellsword and the Mage #Gallavich fanfic #Gallavich

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smallestapplin · 2 years

Note

Hey, about MC (or s/o) saving Volo

May I request he finally passed redemption arc and got accepted by MC, but there's another challenge. MC's two warden children, who knew well what he did, and won't even hesitate to break his neck. Slowly making himself into their hearts and in the end... They became a family! (And expect a baby sibling)

He's a menace but I'll shoot my shots

I simp for him too don’t worry. So same

Reader is called mom but uses they/them pronouns.

Volo knew he was forgiven.

You forgave him for everything, you two worked through all the issues he could possibly think his betrayal caused, even working through his own issues in the process.

He wouldn’t say perfect, but he does notice a calmer change, and being with you and dating you has helped. You both have a truer much stronger bond, Volo would do anything for you.

But your kids are a different story.

Yes he was fully aware of the two youngest wardens taking a liking to you, you spoke very highly of them a lot before, and after your banishment, and presently. Hell he was even there holding you while you cried happily cause they called you mom for the first time.

He is aware you’ve taken them in as your children, and they love you like their parent. The issue? Your children are protective of you.

Sabi plays dumb and sweet, that’s what she wants everyone to think, they’ll never believe him if he said she’s threatened him and move chairs from under him. The green haired warden made it her goal to teach him his place.

Volo is highly impressed though, her mini manipulation tactics to make sure he gets the hint are truly works of art.

Next is Lian, your eldest, and arguably the most upfront about his dislike of Volo.

Lian gets in between you and him quite often, blocking Volo from getting to you, and sassing him every chance the cowboy gets. What is usually reserved for Melli is thrown right to Volo almost twice as more vicious.

Volo has called Lian an ankle biter on several occasions because of this.

They trusted him vaguely once, but after his betrayal at the Temple of Sinnoh, and seeing the pain you tried to hide after that. The kids vowed to make him pay.

Sure you forgave him, but they didn’t, they didn’t like that he hurt you.

You try to calm Lian down the times he does talk back or insult Volo, but nothing you say calms the boy down.

You aren’t even aware of Sabi’s doings.

But Volo had an idea, he couldn’t win the kids over at the same time, he needed to get to know them one by one and little by little.

He started tagging along with you and Lian to caves for rocks and ore. Letting his knowledge of the area and the minerals be his way to Lian.

Sometimes it was just the two. While Lian has trained with you for his Pokémon to be stronger, he doesn’t keep them in pokeballs, so they aren’t all by his side.

Volo does however, which is why you asked him to go with your son, silently hoping the two would have some break through.

“Ya know I don’t like you.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then why are you coming with me?”

“Your mother asked me to, while they trust you and your pokemon’s abilities you only ever have one with you at a time, which can spell disaster against certain kinds of pokemon and swarms. So they asked me to tag along to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

Volo’s long explanation made the young warden huff and rolls his eyes.

When digging around around the cave Lian could hear Volo humming in thought before the blonde spoke.

“These markings are intriguing, with how the look I’d say this cave came to be over time a few hundred thousand ago at most, these markings however are more…Pokémon made, so I’d say it wasn’t originally thins big before Pokémon came around it.”

The boy looks at Volo confused, wary, but curious.

“You can get all that from the markings on the walls?”

“Why yes of course! If you know what you’re looking for it becomes easier to find. Here let me show you.”

Lian approaches cautiously, keeping a stern eye on the blonde before his attention is brought the cave walls. Volo wipes it down lightly before pointing at the markings.

“See? You can see where the limestone was washed away and dissolved over time by the weather.”

Volo fights his ecstatic smile while Lian ‘ooo’s at it all.

The man points to another set of markings.

“And see how this one is much different than the limestone ones? They one is a set of claw marks, and I’d say from how the highlands are, it was most likely a dragon type. They are usually the most territorial.”

The trip continues on even when finding rocks. Lian is in awe when Volo breaks open a few revealing amethyst clusters, fossils, and sometimes just rock patterns.

Volo is beaming with success, Lian wouldn’t stop asking questions, which Volo was happy to teach the boy.

Lian only swapped back into being stand offish when they returned. But this was an absolute win!

Next was Sabi.

Unlike her brother, she doesn’t go anywhere for trips, usually staying in the icelands and playing around.

It gives him memories of when you two were first dating, Sabi had him convinced there had been something between you and Gaeric. How she’d always run over to him and have you two talk like a split up couple coparenting.

He still chuckles at your shocked face when he asked.

But she is more energetic and wild, maybe he can appeal to that side of her? A snow ball fight maybe? Or tag? He isn’t sure. She’s the one child he has the most difficulty pinpointing things about.

In the Icelands he isn’t quite sure what to do with her. It’s not like she’d happily play games with him.

“What are you doing here?” Sabi tilts her head, eyes narrowing at him in suspicion.

“You left the house before taking a packed lunch with you, so m-..your mother asked me to bring you one while they worked.”

Sabi takes the bag and starts opening.

“I did pack something extra, you need to keep your energy up after all.”

Sabi glances at him one last time before opening the bag.

“You…packed me extras of my favorite sweets? And give me a few extras of my favorites?”

“You have a lot of energy and food is fuel for that, enjoy!”

Volo knows she’s going to be a much slowly process to work towards her kindness but he is willing to work with both kids.

He just wants them to trust him, he wants to be able to have an argument with you without them thinking he’s going to hurt you. You two don’t argue often anymore but still.

But walking away from the youngest warden while thinking wasn’t a good call. Not if the cold snow breaking against the back of his was to saying anything.

Turning around he sees Braviary holding the lunch box and her holding another snowball.

“Come on old man, are is the cold too much for your bones?”

“Oh, it’s on.”

Volo wastes the day away dodging her snowballs and tossing his own. The two bob and weave to avoid the incoming attacks even taking to hiding behind trees.

He completely forgot to track the time and they two ended up covered head to two in snow as the sun was setting.

“You’re very skilled at throwing.”

“Thanks, mom taught me.”

“Ah that explains it, they do have a good arm.”

Volo internally cheers when she smiles at him.

“Come on, I’m sure your mother is worried about is, it appears we will be a little late for dinner.”

The little warden nods and walks along side him back to the village. She doesn’t speak but grabs his hand as they walk.

While Sabi doesn’t talk most of the way home Volo is more than happy to walk in silence, he is just happy she’s warming up to him. Even if they both are freezing from the snow melting on them.

Volo continues this for he doesn’t even remember how long.

Join Lian on his cave trips, talk about rocks and ores, repeat.

Take Sabi lunch, have a snowball fight or plau tag, go home for dinner, repeat.

You’ve picked up on what he’s trying to go and give him pointers or little inside secrets to help him, he’s so happy about that.

He wants to marry you but wants your kids to like him before he does so.

“Hey pops where did you put my obsidian rock?”

“Uuhh it should be on your shelf by your bed.”

“Oh! Thanks.”

Volo goes back to cutting vegetables, a smile threatening to form on his face as you look between him and Lian in surprise.

“Hey dad, can we have a snowball fight later? I wanna kick Lian’s butt.”

“Sabi! You know better than to plan someone’s downfall out loud.”

The two giggle before she runs off.

“They seem to have grown to like you.”

Volo looks at you with a soft smile.

“Isn’t it great? I’m glad my hard work has paid off, they are good kids. I can see how you got roped in.”

You laugh “yeah well, they make it difficult, hopefully our other child doesn’t have their hardheaded ness.”

Volo stops preparing lunch and looks at you, eyes scanning every part of your face to find something.

“Though they’ll have your genes, so I’m almost certain they’ll be as stubborn as you are.”

“My angel, are….are you saying you’re-“

“Am I saying that in like eight months we are having a baby? Yes, yes I am, Pesselle said I’m a month along. Volo?”

You watch the merchant bounce on his heels before lunging at you, a smile splits on his face as he smothers you with kisses.

“Oh we got to tell our children! Kids! Kids!”

You try not to laugh at the sight of Volo running in your apron yelling for your children.

He’s going to be a good dad, you can tell.

#long post #pokemon #pokemon imagines #pokemon x reader #pokémon #pokemon fanfic #pokemon fluff #pokemon volo #pokemon volo x reader

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silversimphog · 6 months

Text

Attention I want to let people know there’s going to be a new update on this blog after I had this conversation with a Tumblr user named T4Tsurge

“Okay the first account got blocked because after I told you I was 20, you tried to bring up age of consent and "sometimes 20 year olds date teenagers and I'm a teen and I don't mind", which was inappropriate and made me uncomfortable because me saying "hey, I'm not attracted to teenagers" should not invite counter arguments. Me saying I'm 20 should've been the end of it’s”

She said the second reason she blocked in this account was because I posted NSFW art of Silver whom to which They believe is 14 .This isn’t really true as The Characters ages where removed it Sonic Frontiers which leads me to believe Mobias Evolve like Pokemon and Made me Realize this person thought I was some kind of WeirdoCreep (not the type that’s attracted to Teenagers in Perverted Way as I’m 16 years old) and That There could supposedly be Those kinds of Creeps looking to this blog so they could see NSFW art OFFF underaged characters

So keep in mind when you see Art of Characters like Silver, Kim Possible, Jenny from My Life As A Teenaged Robot they all take place in a universe where they are aged up ( with the exception of Silver and Jenny for reasons that they are ageless) I didn’t how this Blog wasn’t anything original so it’s JUST made for “Teenaged Characters” now .But Silver the Hedgehog is still the primary character here👑👁️🫦👁️

https://www.tumblr.com/shadow-thecutie-ailenhog 💖

Also The shadow Blog is being changed to being about Shadow and Black Arms as a Family Ship

and the Toris Blog to a Sl8tCore Lesbian Blog since I started to think my original concept for it was too creepy 🫥🫡🫢🤐😶🙂‍↔️

https://www.tumblr.com/toristhejacka-is-at-cutiehut

RULES:

1. Only fan art This or ships of Them 👑 👑

🪐☠️

2. Only Simps ,(people whom simp for the

👁️🫦👁️characters in a non predatory way)

3. Crushers,(people who have a crush on Them, Also in a non-creep way)🐸🌺🌸🥭

4. CharaTSexyies, (People who are sexually attracted to They while knowing the characters has No age like Siblings due to it being removed but used to be 14 Or Aged-Up )🫶🏽🤌🏽👩🏿‍🦰🧔🏽‍♀️

5. PET-res , (People who wish to have a shrunken down pet in a non-creepy way) 🦅🦉🐺🐺🐗🐤🦋🪲🪰🐛🐞🪱🐝🐍🦗🐢🐡🐋🐬🐠🦬

6. KINKers orKINKies(People who have KinK based around or involving Silver) No silver allowed 🥸🔞💋💄👄🧛🏿🧝🏽‍♀️🧜🏽‍♂️

(Sonic Frontiers removed the characters ages incase anyone says Silver’s 14 years olds Or this characters are aged up) those Art of Kinks are welcome just do get creepy about it NO GROOMERS OR PREDATORS ALOUD!!!!! 🤕😵‍💫🤧🤮🤢😡

7. This blog is 11-17+ (teenagers only 💖💩👾🤖👁️🫦👁️)

8. We’re just here giving this characters ALL the LOVE they need🥰🤘🏽

9. I expect fanart requests 🎭🎨👾🕹️🦔

10. You can ask They stuff on this Blog😍

#silverthehedgehog #cute

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mcclainwilla · 1 year

Text

Writing Fight Scenes, Part 2

I'm back. Here is a non-comprehensive list of different styles of martial arts, their usefulness (in my opinion), strengths, weaknesses and common features

Disclaimer: Yes, I did five years of martial arts, but my curriculum was mixed so I'm a bit of a jack of all trades. Take that as you will

Taekwondo

Usefulness: 6/10

Funnily enough, I rank this one a 6/10 on its practicality, yet this is the primary style I was taught.

Strengths:

Practitioners are flexible and strong in compromised positions (even when their muscles are stretched in ways other people would find uncomfortable - i.e, they have thrown a kick above their head level - they maintain their balance and ability to put some power into the hit)

Mentioned above, they have great balance

Weaknesses:

Taekwondo focuses a lot on kicks. 1. Kicks are slower than hand strikes, 2. they sap more energy than hand strikes, and 3. It's far easier to be knocked over when you're often standing on one foot

Taekwondo also focuses on big movements. Blocks utilize your entire arm and often travel the length of your face. Again, this is slow and takes up energy

Taekwondo is a 100% standing martial art, which means you spend all of your time on your feet and none of it grappling on the ground. If your character has a tkd-only background, they won't know what to do if they get knocked over (and, it's easier to fall down than it is to stand up. I'll elaborate on this in a later post)

People have genuinely laughed in my face when I admitted to having practiced taekwondo. Ouch

Features:

High, 'snappy' kicks

Broad, showy blocks and strikes

Generally exaggerated movements made to look impressive rather than to serve a function

Tldr; on a scale of martial arts, taekwondo is more 'art' than it is 'martial'

Brazillian jiu jitsu

Usefulness: 9/10

Bjj my beloved. Really, the only reason I won't give this one a 10/10 is that you have to wear your gi while you practice, which is sweaty and cumbersome. By the way, practice is called 'grappling' or 'rolling.' "Hey man, you wanna roll with me?" is an acceptable thing to ask your bjj buddy

Strengths:

Extremely practical. More likely than not, if a character ends up in a fight, someone is going to lose their balance and fall, and what happens then? You grapple

BJJ ends fights. If your characters are sparring, bjj matches end when someone taps out, either from a choke or some kind of arm/kneebar, wrist lock, etc. If your characters are fighting, bjj matches end when someone passes out from a choke or can't use their broken limbs <3

Despite the above bullet point, bjj is actually far safer than other styles of martial arts, as long as you communicate with your partner (if you get knocked out bc you didn't tap out on time, that's on you)

Weaknesses:

If your fingers get wrapped up in the material of your partner's gi, they're probably gonna get broken. Do not recommend

Features:

Very close proximity to your training partners. I cringe a little when I remember calling it 'aggressive cuddling' but that is truly what it is

Slower pace, more focus on short bursts of speed to maneuver from one position to another

Arm/kneebars, chokes

Side note: 'Grappling' can also refer to bjj performed in casual clothes (instead of gis); I rate grappling a 10/10 on the usefulness scale because, let's be real, what are the odds that someone would attack your character while they just so happened to be wearing their uniform?

Krav Maga

Usefulness: 10/10

Strengths:

This shit is mean I'm talking an unholy combo of elbow/knee strikes, chokes, arm/kneebars, and a whole slew of attacks directed at all your squishy bits (eye sockets, throat, left nut, you name it)

Weaknesses:

Uhh

Jk yeah because it's so mean it's difficult for your characters to practice in real time. If you gouge out your buddy's eyes, you're a bad sparring partner

Features:

Death

Elbow/knee strikes

Targets the face/throat/organs/vulnerable joints (human knees suck ass)

Muay Thai

Usefulness: 7/10

I'm not going to lie I don't know a TON about this one

Strengths:

Still pretty mean. When I think of muay thai, I think of the muay thai roundhouse kick (instead of hitting with your foot, you hit with your whole shin. It's a little like clubbing someone with a baseball bat) and a slew of throws

Weaknesses:

A lot of those aforementioned throws are, in my opinion, a little complicated. The more complicated the move, the more opportunities there are for you to fuck it up

Features:

Mean ass kicks

Cool ass throws

Boxing

I don't love referring to this one as a martial art. But whatever

Usefulness: 7/10

Strengths:

Common currency. Sure, since a lot of people know the basics of boxing, your characters have to be a little above average to gain the upper hand in a situation, but if they know fuck-all they're gonna get their shit rocked

Can end a fight. All it takes is one good punch to the right part of your character's opponent's face, and they're out

Weaknesses:

Focuses too much on standing. What happens if you trip and fall? Bitch

More of a brawling martial art with less opportunities for smaller/weaker characters to succeed

Features:

Lots of punches, lots of blocks, lots of ducks

Emphasis on footwork (favors the lightfooted)

Emphasis on strength (favors the bulky)

Two notes. 1. Yes, I did martial arts for a while. No, I don't 'know' martial arts, and I never will; it's impossible to learn it all. 2. Your characters probably won't (shouldn't) stick to one style, because there is something to be gained across all styles. Even with silly little martial arts like taekwondo, it wouldn't exist if it didn't work, at least a little bit (so don't bully me about doing tkd!!)

#writing #writing advice #writer things #writblr #martial arts #taekwondo #jiu jitsu #krav maga #muay thai #boxing #mma #taekwondo slander #willa mcclain

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saiyan98 · 1 year

Text

Estelle and The Mark of Arachnid: The Trident of Poseidon (Chapter 9 + Filler about Sam's new powers)

[First Chapter] - [Previous Chapter] - [Next Chapter]

Chapter 9: I Gotten Myself in a Sticky Situation

Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit, fanbase series. Percy Jackson and the Olympians; Heroes of Olympus; Trials of Apollo; Kane Chronicles and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard are owned by Rick Riordan. Spiderman or any concept of him are owned by Marvel Comics and Sony Entertainment. Please support the official releases.

Okay, so the first thing that came to my head was not something like, ‘Sam! You’re on fire!’ Or ‘Such devastation…’ (If anyone understands THIS reference, you will be an honorary friend for life); instead, my first reaction was literally, “HOLY CRAP! SAM, YOU LEARNED ULTRA INSTINCT!”

Ugh, I got to take a break from anime, Sam as well. Anyways, Mitch got back on his feet and asked, “The hell is Ultra Instinct?”

Before I could answer, Daniel replied, “It’s a technique in Dragon Ball that even gods struggle to master! It’s one of the most powerful techniques that Goku was able to master after Dragon Ball Super!”

“Hold up!” I yelled. “You watch Dragon Ball?”

Daniel looks at me with confusion, as if it’s common sense.

“Who doesn’t know Dragon Ball?”

“Can you guys shut up about cartoons and deal with this first?!” Mitch yelled.

At that moment, a murder was about to be committed.

“How am I friends with you?” Daniel replied.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind was blown at us from Sam’s position.

“I don’t care how strong she is, I beat her before, I can do it again!”

Mitch charges at her, but she dodges all of his attacks. The way she moves though was smooth and effortlessly; as if she’s just water itself. I’ve seen enough martial arts movies to tell… kind of.

“Why won’t you stay still?!”

Daniel answered, “If it’s like Ultra Instinct… okay, not a lot of time to explain but basically she’s just really good at-”

“DODGE!” I yelled as that strong tingling sense intensified.

Before Mitch could attack, he heard what I said and ducked down, a gust of wind flew past him and hit a tree, cutting it in half. Mitch saw the tree and shuddered at the immense power she demonstrated.

“Okay, nerds… let’s, uh, say I believe you now. Where do we go from here?”

Don’t quote Cell. Don’t quote TeamFourStar. Don’t quote TeamFourStar Cell.

“We just need to hold out long enough until she wears out. Though, I don’t know how long that’ll be,” Daniel explained. He’s not wrong, whatever Sam is going through, eventually she’ll have to get tired. Right? I mean that usually works in anime so I presume it should work in real life, right?

“ESTELLE!”

I look behind me and see Percy, Annabeth and Chiron heading toward us. I guess Jessie told the three about my note. Eh, it’s fine. I knew it was bound to happen, I just hoped that I would’ve finished the game before I got caught. Though right now, we have bigger problems.

“Hey Percy,” I said. “I know you're mad, but we have bigger problems right now. Sam is going berserk for some reason, and she has an immense aura surrounding her.”

Percy ran forward and picked up a shield that was on the ground. He uncapped his pen and it transformed into a sword. Sam reacted as Percy charged and sent another powerful gust of wind toward him. He blocked it with the shield, but he was pushed back a bit but still standing.

“Damn! What power!” Percy yelled.

Chiron was shocked and said, “It can’t be…”

“Estelle, get back! Mitch, Daniel, You’re with me. We’ll try to wear her down and knock her out.”

“Percy! Wait!” I yelled but the three already charged at Sam. I bet you’re thinking, ‘three boys against one girl? That’s cruel. Well, it would be if it weren’t for the fact that Sam has gotten an OVERPOWERED ABILITY AND IS DODGING LIKE A BOSS.

Piccolo would be proud.

“Estelle!” Annabeth ran toward me and asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Annabeth. But, what’s wrong with Sam? She’s… different.”

“That… is Aura,” Chiron replied.

“Aura?” I asked. “What’s that?”

“… Aura is-”

[PAUSE]

You’re probably thinking, ‘Isn’t this supposed to be about Estelle Blofis becoming a hero? Basically, a Marvel Story?’

Well, yes but you see… Sam awoke something that was deemed to be considered impossible to achieve and it’s a really complex thing to talk about. Most likey, it’d take a while to explain what this Aura is. So for now, we’ll put a pin to that and focus more on the fight. But trust me when I say this, Samantha Stacy has become a Shonen Anime Main Character, no joke. After this fight, I’ll explain what Aura is, I promise. For now we’ll talk about the basics.

[FAST FORWARD]

“-a strong energy source that dwells within all living creatures, especially the gods. What Samantha Stacy is doing is unlocking the full potential of Aura, which only gods themselves can do.”

“Woah… so she’s something special herself, isn’t she?” I commented.

Annabeth nodded, “Indeed, but it was only a theory. We never were able to confirm the existence of it. But seeing it now… It’s astonishing.”

“Okay, but… you know what, we’ll talk about it later. For now, we need to stop Sam from hurting anyone,” I said.

The three boys tried to knock out Sam, but she was too fast and kept dodging every attack. She hasn’t even moved out of her spot, like Percy and the others weren’t much of a challenge. Suddenly, a strong wave of energy burst out of Sam and pushed everyone back.

“Such power!” I yelled. “Just where is she getting all this power?!”

Percy was down on one knee but Mitch and Daniel are down. Percy kept on the offensive, but Sam was just too fast for him. As Percy tried to make her trip, she did a backflip and jumped on top of a branch of a tree nearby.

Percy cursed quietly as the rest of the campers arrived at the scene. Chiron informs everyone to stay back as Percy tries to calm down Sam. I got up and ran toward Sam.

“Estelle! Get back!” Percy yelled but I ignored him. If fighting won’t calm her down, maybe I can. At least, I hope so.

“Sam! It’s me, Estelle! Can you hear me?” I said.

Sam jumps down on the ground and faces me. The aura that surrounds her is immense but it’s starting to cool down a bit.

“That’s right, Sam. It’s me, no one is going to hurt you. I promise.”

I kept talking as I walked closer to her. Percy was trying to tell me to stay back but I looked at him with an expression that says I can handle it. Annabeth does it all the time and he listens. I may be over my head, but Sam is my best friend, and now technically my sister, so I gotta do whatever it takes to help her.

“Come on, Sam. You don’t have to be scared. I’ll always be there to help you out, remember? We’re sisters… well, technically we are now since you’re a daughter of Athena and Annabeth is one as well so- I’m getting off track. Look, just listen to my voice and be calm. I got you.”

Talking to her is working. The aura is dimming and she’s starting to wobble a bit. As I got closer, I heard Mitch and Daniel slowly getting up. Percy tells them to stay away from us as I try to calm Estelle down. Unfortunately, Daniel accidentally hit a small twig and it snapped, making a noise that startled Sam. She reacted quickly and was just about to fire another gust of powerful wind towards him.

“SAM! NO!” I yelled as I tried to reach her hand. Then, something crazy happened. There was this green magic circle that appeared on my sleeve. As I try to reach Sam's arm to avoid Daniel getting hurt…

THWIP

I suddenly shot out a ball of web fluid toward her hand, which made her miss and shoot upwards. Of all the things that happened in just a week, that was the most bizarre thing to ever occur. Monsters attacking us in a museum? Classic start of an adventure. Learning about the existence of monsters and gods? Seen enough Supernatural so I’m used to it. My family being demigods themselves (excluding my parents)? It explains everything about them.

But the fact that I just shot out a small threadball of web out of nowhere was the strangest thing to ever happen. And to add to that, that tingling sensation keeps happening whenever I’m in combat or about to get attacked. That can’t be just a coincidence, right?

Sam’s energy skyrocketed and burned off the web in her hand and faced me.

“Sam! Calm down! It’s me! Listen to my voice!”

But she wasn’t listening as she now aimed her hand at me. The tingling grew and then I ducked and tried to make her trip by instinct. But Sam jumped, but it’s what I want her to do. As she jumps, I grab her by the legs and she falls down. We landed near a puddle that was nearby so we got a bit wet, but the energy around her just vaporized it completely.

Oh man, I feel bad for the dude (or girl) that’ll break her heart.

“SAM! STOP!” I yelled.

Suddenly, I heard her mutter something.

“What? Talk to me, Sam!”

“...Dad… don’t… go…”

At that moment, I understood what was happening. Sam is still unconscious and is having a nightmare. Another burst of energy emerged and pushed me off of her. Sam got back up and charged at me. Percy was about to intervene, but I told him to stop. As Sam was about to punch, I dodged thanks to that tingling sensation. I kept dodging all of her attacks as I noticed that as time passes, her attacks are getting weaker. I can tell because of the heat, it was cooling down. If I can just get her to wake up, she’ll go back to normal. As I kept dodging, I tried to wake her up by talking. Seems like she’s still having nightmares about what happened to her father. I wouldn’t blame her, watching the only blood family you have die in front of you can be traumatizing. But I won’t abandon her.

I noticed that those magic circles that appeared on sleeves are still there. I don’t know how I did it, but I tried to use them again at Sam’s feet.

THWIP

It worked, though I figured that since it was just web fluid I thought, ‘What if it’s like Spiderman and I gotta do a certain hand signal?’ So I did the Spiderman web shot gesture and it worked. It made Sam imobile and unable to escape. Though normally, she’d just burn off the web fluid but she’s losing more and more of her immense strength.

I just gotta hold out a little longer. Sam was starting to yell out of nowhere, it seems like her nightmare is getting worse.

“Sam! Wake up! It’s only a nightmare!” I yelled.

“Don’t… Leave me! Dad!” Sam yelled.

The Aura grew hotter and stronger. Out of pure instinct (not the tingling one, but mine), I rushed toward her and hugged her.

“Sam… it’s okay. I’m here for you,” I said. “Remember what you told me, back in kindergarten? You said that you want to be as strong as me. Well you are, but you need to wake up and control that power. It’s yours and yours alone. You dream of having an adventure ever since you read those books. And remember Final Fantasy? Sword Art Online? Danmachi? You dreamed of having adventures like that, right? Well guess what; your dream will become a reality. And you’ll make more friends along the way.”

Sam's eyes were starting to close and the aura that surrounded is fading. Next thing I knew, she collapsed in my arms.

“I got you, Sam. I got you.”

She groans as she opens her eyes.

“Stella? Wha-,” Sam jolted up. “What happened?! Did we lose? I blacked out for a moment and…” Sam notices the crowd that surrounds them. “Did something happen?”

I chuckled, “Yeah, I’ll explain later. Let’s get you up.”

I got up and gave Sam a hand.

“Estelle!” Percy yelled.

“It’s fine, bro. She’s okay, no one got hurt… mostly.”

Percy just stood there with a shocking expression. In fact, everyone was.

“What?” I asked. I heard people muttering and whispering about something. “Don’t worry, Sam’s awake now. She won’t cause any troubles as soon as we figure out what the heck her powers are and-”

“Estelle Blofis,” Chiron interrupted. “It’s not Samantha that concerns us right now.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Stella?”

I looked back at Sam and saw her with the same reaction as everyone else, except she was looking above me.

“What is it Sam?”

She gestured for me to look up and I did. I saw a big symbol floating above me but I couldn’t tell what it was. Plus, how could I be claimed in the first place? I’m 100% mortal.

“Sam? What god or goddess is it claiming me for?”

“None…”

“Then what’s the symbol?” I asked.

She replied.

“...A Spider…”

Oh…

Suddenly, everything that was happening around me was making sense now. The Spider that bit me and disappeared; the tingling sensation on my body; the magic circles and web shooting and the crazy dream I have been having lately. And my first reaction?

“Ah… Crapbasket. Percy, do we have an Uncle Ben?! Cause I’d be very concerned about his safety right now.”

[Filler Explanation on next part. Not necessary to read unless you're curious about Sam's powers]

So… that happened.

Well… I have some time before we can start the next scene so…

I guess I can talk about what was happening to Sam earlier. Just to clarify, this is a theory Annabeth made with the help of Chiron and the Kane Family in the past. To start, it’s called Aura, it’s an energy source that dwells within all living creatures; like the Force in Star Wars. The gods themselves have better control of it because they are the living embodiment of Aura. It’s like this, for every prayer or thoughts related to the gods, Aura energy manifests those thoughts and creates the gods. How that even happened in the first place is still a mystery, but that explains how the gods and monsters exist and why they keep coming back. The stronger the beliefs, the more powerful the being becomes.

However, even Gods themselves cannot master Aura. It has three category types:

Mind: Basically, Aura can increase the ability your mind can handle. For example, you can be quick to adapt and can use any weapons available. Telepathy, Telekinesis, flying and other types of mind powers. IQ’s are also considered to be related to Aura as well. Annabeth theorized that Aura: Mind can increase or decrease IQ levels of a person, making them more intelligent in certain types of fields.

Body: This type affects more on body types abilities such as superhuman strength; speed; instinct and more. It also involves powers such as transformations and breathing underwater. Annabeth theorized that the more powerful Body is, the weaker Mind will be as well. But, the person using this type will become very powerful, and may even rival gods.

Spirit: Now this one is not in Annabeth’s expertise, it’s more of a friend of hers, Carter and Sadie Kane. Spirit does not involve body or mind but rather having some control on Aura on the area around the person. A great example of this is pretty much that it’s magic itself. The Green Mist? Symbols and Names? Sorcery and Curses? These are all types of abilities that Spirit users can use. Carter and Sadie believe that the stronger the will of a person, the more control they have on Spirit. They even theorized that these abilities can manifest as beings if such will is powerful enough.

If you want a more simpler analogy of each type its like this:

Aura: Mind = Charles Xavier/NewTypes in the Gundam Series (bunch of whiny telepathic kids committing war crimes).

Aura: Body = Shapeshifters/Inhumans or Metahumans/Transformations similar to Dragon Ball (From Super Saiyan to Ultra Instinct).

Aura: Spirit = Magicians or Sorcerers/ Stand or Spirit Users.

It’s kind of similar to Nen abilities from Hunter X Hunter. But what Sam did was almost impossible for a mortal to achieve, not even gods can master it easily. Sam used the full potential of Aura: Body which shuts down her mind and her body just reacted by pure instinct. It was basically the Autonomous Ultra Instinct from Dragon Ball Super. It was shocking for Chiron because Demigods can only use a fraction of Aura due to us being part-mortals. A demigod can use a fraction of two types of Aura while regular mortals can only use one.

For example, a child of Athena mostly uses Body and Mind types of Aura. A psychic mortal has some power related to Mind and a bodybuilder has endurance thanks to Body. Spirit-Types are more difficult to locate since they're mostly magic wielders or Spirit users. Gods can activate Aura at ease while mortals can not.

So… yeah… Sam basically just became a classic Anime Main Character in a modern society with monsters and gods in the shadows. Like a mixture of Supernatural, Demon Slayer, Hunter X Hunter, etc. Unfortunately, you won’t hear about her progress or adventures in my stories. She’s just starting her journey and when she’s ready, she’ll tell you all about it afterwards. Which sucks because what she told me was mind blowing! There’s not enough time to comprehend what she went through! I guess we’ll see in the future. For now, back to the story.

Author’s Note:

Sorry for the short chapter. I couldn’t think of a good way to prolong the fight and I don’t want to start the next scene until the next chapter. But I hope you enjoyed it. I also would like to make an announcement, coming soon in a future chapter in Wattpad and Archive of Our Own, I will also include a commissioned art piece of Estelle Blofis made by the same person who made the cover art for this story [@erabu-san]. I wish I could post it here as well, but it seems the website does not allow it. You can find it once I publish it (I publish each chapter in all three websites simultaneously) in AO3 or Wattpad. Same title and my author name too. I will announce it once it’s finished.

Again, I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will also be posted soon this month.

here's the cover art for the story (Also made by @erabu-san):

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moss-sprouted · 2 years

Text

deviantart and "lets make fun of teenagers art on tumblr" blogs fucked me up

i went from not caring too much of what my art looked like and having fun and Improving that way, to now i have a hard time drawing anything at all cause it has to look perfect and be original

i feel bad using references, i feel horrible when it trace to practice, hell i feel horrible even when a reference image is totally free use or a person who posts poses says i Can trace i still have this horrible icky feeling if i just do a like, stick figure over it to get the proportions and shape

when everything i read now as an adult says tracing and copying is not bad as long as you arent like, claiming things as your own and using stuff that you own or that allows you to do so

but i still feel this horrible feeling about it, when i used to use bases literally made from people tracing official monster high art and mlp art but i got accused of tracing Once when i didnt, because i used a base that someone else used to draw my own character and i also drew my character on that base

and i used to have my ocs put on tumblrs for being bad and even art my little sister made when she was just playing around and didnt have any art skill, and like i was 12-15 at the time, and got roasted constantly for no reason besides that i was learning and trying and even when id start to make art without bases that got shit on so i just, stopped trying

and the constructive criticism of "hey try png instead of jpeg" or "try to make the calves thicker" never bothered me but literally stuff like "this is awful and this idea is stupid" that i saw so much just totally ruined me and art feels so hard now, i feel like i cant do it and feel like i dont have ideas i can put on paper because i cant visualize in my head when i used to be able to draw whatever i wanted even without bases and i still couldnt visualize in my head i just

feel such a mental block,ive always found it easier to draw things for other people because then it was their design and no one could make fun of me for it,not because id let them make fun of my friends but because i still doubt my ability so much that i feel like nothing original i make is good enough and being able to bounce off of stuff that already exists is easier but i can only do that in like, a safe way that doesnt feel just

like a horrible bad thing, and fuck fanart actually exists but my brain still feels horrible at the idea of someone accusing me of tracing or copying or stealing because ive always been good at copying things and i wouldnt, be Trying to do that but i worry itd happen anyway so its bad to look at any references or anyone elses take on an art

im in like, art hell i think

#this was very rambly and not concise really #but anyway i have art block and im struggling

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russilton · 2 years

Note

Hiya! I just read through the Redbull au master post again and was wonder what the plan is.. No pressure just curious?! Are you planning to write the whole thing before posting? Do you have an outline! I think this fic is such a great and creative idea and I am very intrigued about it! <3

Also please feel to use this ask as a place to talk about the fic, I love to hear about anything and everything to do with this fic!

🥰

Hey! Always happy to talk about RB au, I have an ask sat in my inbox currently about another snippet that I want to be able to fulfil some time, but I haven’t really had time to write it yet…

Plans! I do have an outline, a VERY detailed outline, that goes race by race through the 2021 season. I have a race win chart, I have points graph, I have background blocked out for George. This thing is planned to the nth degree. Each chapter should be one race, with a couple extras… so you’re looking at a 26ish chapter fic, with a couple k per chapter minimum. This thing is going to take a WHILE to write. And no I absolutely won’t post it till it’s done, and I will not dump the whole thing at once. I hate deadlines and posting before I’m done will remove the ability to be flexible with continuity and adding scenes when I need them.

Also every time I’ve posted a fic before it’s done I don’t finish it. So for the sake of me not ghosting and running, y’all will have to wait. But art might happen, I liked the RB au art I did even if the response was luke warm lol.

#asks #anonymous #mark’s fic tag #redbull george au

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home-automation-company · 4 months

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Top Home Automation Companies in India 2024: Making Your Home Smarter

Introduction

Hey there, tech enthusiasts, homeowners, and all you cool cats between 28-58! The era of smart living is upon us, and if you're anything like me, you're itching to know which home automation companies are leading the pack in India this year. So, let's dive in and explore the top players in the game!

Criteria for Evaluation

How We Picked the Best

Before we jump into the exciting stuff, let's talk about the criteria we used to separate the wheat from the chaff. We looked at technological innovation, product reliability, what actual customers are saying, integration capabilities, and, of course, the all-important security features.

Top Picks: Home Automation Giants

1. BuildTrack Smart Home Automation Solutions

First up, we have BuildTrack Automation Solutions, and let me tell you, they're like the rockstars of home automation india. I recently got my hands on their system, and the sheer magic it worked on my home left me in awe. From controlling the thermostat with a simple app to setting up intricate lighting scenes, BuildTrack is all about making your home the talk of the town.

BuildTrack in Action

Last month, I hosted a small gathering, and the ability to set the perfect ambiance with just a tap on my phone was a game-changer. My friends were blown away, and so was I!

2. TechHaven Innovations

TechHaven is next on our list, and they're all about turning your home into a fortress of tech wonders. If security is your top priority, you're in for a treat. Their surveillance systems are nothing short of brilliant, and they've nailed the art of user-friendly interfaces.

Feeling Secure with TechHaven

A friend of mine, a fellow tech geek, recently installed TechHaven's security cameras. He caught a neighbor's cat on tape sneaking into his garden at night – talk about high-tech neighborhood watch!

3. SmartLiving Systems India

Now, if you're all about sustainable living, SmartLiving Systems India is your go-to. Their commitment to eco-friendly solutions caught my attention, and I was thrilled to find products that align with my green values.

Going Green with SmartLiving

Last summer, I integrated their smart thermostat into my home. Not only did it keep my energy bills in check, but it also felt good to know I was doing my bit for the planet.

4. ConnectHome Technologies

ConnectHome is all about connectivity, and in the world of smart homes, that's like hitting the jackpot. I recently explored their IoT integration, and let me tell you, the level of customization blew my mind.

Connecting Every Dot

I have this habit of losing my keys. ConnectHome's smart locks not only saved me from countless scavenger hunts but also allowed me to grant access to friends and family when needed. Game-changer!

5. SecureNest Automation

Last but not least, we have SecureNest Automation, and they take home security to a whole new level. Their integration of AI for threat detection is like having a personal security guard, minus the uniform.

The AI Guardian

A neighbor of mine installed SecureNest's system, and one day it detected an unusual activity – turns out, it was just a curious raccoon. But hey, better safe than sorry!

Emerging Players to Watch

1. HomeHub Solutions

Now, let's talk about the rising stars. HomeHub Solutions might be new on the block, but they're making waves with their user-centric approach. Their upcoming products have tech circles buzzing with excitement.

The Hubbub about HomeHub

I recently attended a tech expo where HomeHub showcased their upcoming lineup. The sleek designs and promises of affordability have piqued my interest. Watch out for this one!

2. InnovateLiving Tech

InnovateLiving Tech is another newbie that caught our eye. Their dedication to innovation and a sneak peek into their upcoming products tell me they're here to disrupt the game.

Innovate or Perish

A colleague of mine, a true tech aficionado, got a sneak peek at InnovateLiving's upcoming gadgets. Let's just say, the term "innovative" doesn't do justice to what he described. Exciting times ahead!

Industry Trends and Future Prospects

Riding the Wave of Change

The home automation landscape is evolving, and it's essential to keep an eye on the trends. From voice-activated everything to the integration of AI in daily living, the future is looking incredibly exciting.

A Shoutout to Technophiles

For all you technophiles out there, the convergence of home automation, consumer electronics, and cutting-edge technology is a playground you'll never want to leave. The possibilities seem endless, and the companies leading the charge are just getting started.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right home automation company is like picking the perfect gadget – it needs to suit your lifestyle, meet your expectations, and maybe throw in a surprise or two. The top picks for 2024 are all about making your home smarter, more secure, and, dare I say, a little more fun.

So, whether you're a suburban homeowner looking for convenience, a tech enthusiast eager for the latest gadgets, or someone who just wants their home to be a little bit cooler – there's a home automation solution waiting for you. Embrace the future, folks! Your smarter home awaits.

#home automation #touch switches #home & lifestyle #architecture #interiors #technology #artificial intelligence

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shaelashaela · 10 months

Text

Before You Were Born, ch. 5

[cw] catcalling, verbal harassment, physical violence [reading time] 7 mins.

“Hey. Hey, pretty. Slow down a sec.”

I averted my eyes and picked up my pace instead. Despite my best efforts to go unnoticed, I had the unfortunate luck of constantly attracting the worst types when I went out. Today it was a young man with spiky hair and an arrogant swagger. He’d followed me for a couple of blocks, probably thinking I didn’t notice him. Once he decided to open his mouth, it confirmed exactly what I assumed about him.

He wouldn’t give up, though. “Yo, I just wanna talk.”

I walked as fast as I could without breaking into a run. My heart kept pace with my feet, and I repeated in my head, Go away. Go away. Go away.

My heart sank as I approached the bus stop. I had to make a choice: either stop now and endure this, or keep moving and find somewhere safe to disappear for a few minutes. The man with the red beard was here again today, though. Maybe if I was closer to him, the other guy might not approach?

I walked up beside him and stopped, still pointing my eyes toward the ground. I hoped the bus would arrive soon, and I shuffled my feet back and forth, trying to be as unassuming as possible.

Spiky-hair stopped just an arm’s length away. “Why’re you bein’ a bitch? I just wanna say hi.”

Cornered, I finally responded without turning around. My voice rattled. “You’ve said it. Now, please leave me alone.”

Red-beard took notice at that point. He wasn’t wearing earbuds today, and he glanced over his shoulder curiously at spiky-hair.

The other man didn’t take the hint. “Just gimme a smile. C’mon.”

Red-beard turned suddenly to me. “Oh, hey! I didn’t see you walk up. C’mere.”

He beckoned with his hand. Confused but too scared to refuse, I leaned down closer to him since he was quite a bit shorter than me. Without warning, he grabbed me around the shoulders and hugged me tight.

“Don’t say anything,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ll let you know when he’s gone.”

His arms were stout like tree branches, so I didn’t feel like I could escape anyways. After a brief pause, I heard spiky-hair swear under his breath and walk away. A moment later, I was released. I regained my senses and drew away from my rescuer, both thankful and wary at the same time. A gasp left my lips; I didn’t even realize I held my breath.

Red-beard resumed his original position, waiting for the bus to arrive. “Sorry that dude was being a dick to you.”

I fidgeted with my skirt, smoothing it out to give my hands and mind something to do. “Th-thanks.”

He didn’t say anything else. Curious, I looked over at him, and for just the briefest of moments I glimpsed grey, bark-encrusted skin underneath his neatly cropped ginger hair. He caught me staring at him and shot me a stern glance right back.

“Hey lady, take a picture,” he quipped, his voice suddenly much colder than it was a moment ago.

I turned away, ashamed for being rude. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to stare.”

He harrumphed indignantly. My curiosity would get the better of me, though. There was only one kind of fey I knew that could pull off elaborate glamour in broad daylight. I had to ask.

“You—you’re a spriggan, aren’t you?”

He threw his hands up in exasperation. “This is the thanks I get? I just ran off that creep, and now you’re trying to blow my cover?”

I should have known better. I tried hard myself not to be noticed (and failed spectacularly, unlike him). But I was fascinated, and I couldn’t help myself. Most elves lost much of their ability to weave complex illusions when the veil between worlds shattered, and we could only do so with considerable effort. Spriggans were masters of the art and could wear whatever appearance they wanted. I was momentarily proud of myself for noticing his true form.

I didn’t want to push away another fey though, considering how few of us there were living among the humans. I apologized to him again, and he waved a hand dismissively at me.

“Forget it,” he responded.

“My name’s Sylvie, by the way.”

His face stretched under the strain of incredulity. “I guess you wanna be friends now?”—he grunted a half-hearted laugh—“I’m Malcolm. Most people just call me Mal.”

I made a friend!

The bus pulled up to the stop, and both of us were relieved for very different reasons. Mal made the same gallant gesture as the other day, motioning for me go first. I found a seat and moved over to let him sit down, but he walked past me. I’m not proud of it, but sometimes I can be a little single-minded. I got up and relocated next to him, blocking him into his window seat. He shook his head in disbelief.

The bus started to move again. I pursed my lips for a moment, trying to think of a good topic for conversation. “So, what brings you here? I didn’t think spriggans liked to venture much outside of the Moonwood.”

“Look lady, don’t make a big deal of this. I’m just trying to live my life. Let’s just say it’s complicated, and I like being alone. Don’t you have any elf friends you can bother?”

I shook my head. “Outside of my parents, I haven’t met any other elves that live here. A few pass through from time to time, but I don’t think they want to stay here. Oh! Though I did learn yesterday that my neighbour’s wife is an elf. Er… well, was an elf. She passed away some time ago. I didn’t even get to meet her.”

He banged his head up against the window. “Jesus, you’re a piece of work.”

I ran my fingers through my hair over and over again, nervously trying to think of what to say next. I annoyed him. Maybe it would be better if I kept my mouth shut.

A rush of air brushed past my legs, just for a second. Odd, since I didn’t see any open windows. I looked down but saw nothing.

Mal sat up, and his brow creased. “What was that?”

I started a reply, but instead cried out as pain shot up my right arm. Sharp icicles pierced my flesh. I looked down, and a faint glow of two red eyes in the midst of churning black smoke stared back at me. I panicked and tried to shake it off, but the shadow creature held tight.

Screams broke out all across the bus as people panicked. Dozens of the biting smoke animals surrounded us. I tried desperately to compose myself and remember what my father taught me about defence against dark magic, but my breath was short and strained. Fear clawed its way up my throat.

Mal climbed over me and slammed his fist down hard on my assailant’s head, and it finally let go. “You are just nothing but trouble for me,” he quipped, and then he tumbled out into the aisle via my lap.

The bus came to a screeching halt, causing further chaos as everyone was thrown forward out of their seats. Thankfully it also disoriented the shadow beasts, scattering them everywhere. I’d never witnessed so many conjurations in one place. I rubbed my throbbing arm, trying to assuage the pain and regain focus. Most of the other passengers took advantage of the momentary lull in the melee to force the doors and emergency exits open and flee, though a few were left behind, struggling to get off the floor.

My new friend got to his feet and tilted his head back and forth until there was an audible crack from his neck. I couldn’t fathom what he was thinking—was he going to beat them all with his bare hands? He’d be overwhelmed for sure!

Since he stood instead of cowered, the creatures all turned their misshapen heads in his direction. Several of them converged into a larger, wolf-like beast made of coalescing smoke and shadow, slightly more opaque as a unit than they were individually. I tried to warn Mal that he would be torn limb from limb, but he wasn’t listening to me anymore.

I felt a surge of energy in the air, a familiar rush of magic that only the fey could muster. It exhilarated me and at least partially cleared my senses. Before my eyes, Mal changed. His human skin melted away as he abandoned his glamour. His body grew to the ceiling like a great oak tree, and his skin turned ashen, bark sprouting from it in irregular patterns. Coppery autumn leaves cascaded from his head and chin in place of hair and beard. The few people who remained on the bus grew still, dumbstruck by his presence.

His voice rumbled like thunder from within his new frame. “Come on, mutt.”

The wolf lunged at him, going for the throat, but Mal was surprisingly agile for his new size. He slammed his fist into the beast’s chest while it was in mid-air, and then with one arm shoved it down so hard that the frame of the bus protested with a metallic groan. He gave it no time to recover and brought his other fist down hard in the same spot, this time striking so hard that his fist split the floor open. The smoky creature dispersed into mere wisps as it was crushed between spriggan might and solid steel.

The horde of fell animals was undeterred, however. While the wolf amalgam was momentarily dealt with, another group of shadows clumped together and fashioned themselves into a great snake. Mal rose back to his full height just as it fell upon him, coiling around his neck. He grunted and fell down to one knee, clutching at his throat.

I swallowed hard. Now was not the time to let my fear take hold of me. If I didn’t do something, the snake would surely choke him to death, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see the wolf slowly reforming itself from its scattered remains.

Time slowed for me as I let the adrenaline take over. I was terrified, but I grabbed onto one of the seats and pulled myself up. All around me, the shadows were closed in, and I wanted nothing more than to run as fast and as far away as possible. I couldn’t leave Mal to die, though. I called upon the discipline my father instilled in me through years of drills. For decades, I had wondered if my skills would ever be tested, and now I knew.

A low murmur rose in my throat as I recited incantations practised a thousand times. My eyes closed, and my mind sought the evil all around me. One by one, they lit in my consciousness like bloody beacons. One, two, three, four… I counted them all. Seventeen in total. It would be difficult, but I had no choice but to believe I could do it.

With two fingers, I drew a sigil in the air, leaving behind a trail of soft white light. Direct casting of sorcery was not one of my strengths, and magic itself weakened in the human world. But I hoped deeply in my gut that it would be enough. One, two, three swift motions—my fingertips reached the point where they’d started, completing the spell.

A hundred tiny darts of light shot out in all directions, seeking the gloom that threatened us. The creatures wailed and gnashed their icy fangs, writhing in pain as magic melted their ethereal bodies. A bead of sweat ran down my temple. Focus for a moment longer, and I’d burn them all.

No such luck, though; one of the shadows slammed into my chest, and I doubled over. It only took one of them to escape my grasp, and I knew I was finished. I closed my eyes and fell. At least I tried. I hoped Mal would forgive me. It was my fault he was caught up in all of this, after all.

I expected to hit the floor, but someone caught me. The low, throaty voice of my spriggan companion touched my ears. “So you’re not useless, after all. Let’s get out of here.”

He threw me over his massive shoulder and ripped a hole in the side of the bus with his bare hands, breaking out into the welcoming daylight.

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