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rinhaler · 4 months

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PRELUDE

CHAPTER SUMMARY : Your best friend Chigiri is hanging out at your place helping you wrap gifts for the holidays. Weird coincidence that your ex-boyfriend's brother texts you while you're talking about him with an invitation to visit the Itoshi family cabin!

ex-fiancé!rin x f!reader

WARNINGS : 18+, alchol consumption, mentions of a breakup.

WORDS : 1k

notes: SOOOOO nervous to share this but I hope u all enjoy :3

MASTERLIST ┊ NEXT CHAPTER

“Do you miss him, still?” Hyoma asks, helping you wrap gifts to deliver to your family throughout the week. His question halts you, momentarily, before you shrug the thought away. “I get it, this time of year makes you think about things like that too much.”

You sigh, finishing one present and placing it in a tall gift bag before starting another.

“I don’t have any right to miss him, right? I ended things…” you try to laugh at yourself so you don’t cry, but Hyoma knows you too well, he knows how sensitive you are. He knows how you try and downplay your feelings so that you don’t make others feel uncomfortable.

But he knows you.

“It’s a big change, though.” he reminds you, “Cut yourself some slack.”

“Anyway!” you giggle, still trying to hide your true feelings before you burst into tears. “I’m dreading Christmas. I’m meant to be seeing my parents on different days, my dad has a new girlfriend who is younger than me. It’s so weird.”

“I told everyone I’m working so I don’t have to see anyone all week.” he smirks, laughing a little when he sees you staring at him with a look of horror. It’s kind of genius, really, you’re a little jealous you didn’t think of it. “It’s my birthday week, I choose peace.” he tells you, defending his choice.

“I love your birthday.” you tell him, finishing up another present. You stand up so you can stretch your body, sitting on the ground is definitely taking its toll. You end up yawning loudly as your body relaxes, but you feel a surge of energy as you look down and see a notification on your phone.

SAE: hey, are u doing anything next week?

“Um…” you say, pacing around a little as you read the text over and over. You catch Chigiri’s attention, he finishes wrapping the last item and puts it in the bag for your dad. “Sae just texted me.”

“Sae? What did he say?” he wonders, pulling his body up so he’s sitting on the couch behind him rather than the cream, fur rug in the middle of the hardwood floor. “You’re still in touch with him?!”

“Well, y-yeah! I figured I broke up with Rin, not his family, so…” you explain, sitting next to him on the couch and showing him the text. His eyes widen, surprised at what he’s asking. “Once we started getting along we were close! I didn’t feel right about cutting him off too… should I reply?”

“I don’t know. This is weird.”

You roll your eyes and look at the text thread again.

YOU: it’s chig’s bday and I’m seeing family! wbu? SAE: my parents are in Europe for the holidays so I’m heading up to the cabin with some friends. Interested?

“Oh my God.” you speak, showing Chigiri your phone.

“Stop calling me Chigs.” he scolds you, focusing again to read the most recent text. “Shit. What’re you gonna say?”

YOU: can’t! hyoma will be alone for his bday if I come 💔

“Don’t use me as an excuse!” he chastises you. “If you wanna go, go.”

“I don’t want to… what if Rin is there?”

SAE: bring him. SAE: there’s more than enough room.

Your heart is racing. You only realise how much when Hyoma reminds you to breathe. Even your hands are trembling as you hold your phone. He doesn’t say anything in way of an answer if he’d like to come or not, he’s leaving it in your hands.

“I- it’s your birthday, Hyoma!”

“I don’t have plans! We’ll either spend it together at home or spend it together in a rich boy’s cabin.” he assures you. You smile, weakly, appreciative of the support. But there’s no way you can go. You can’t face Rin after everything, not yet, maybe not ever. “Whatever you wanna do, I’ll support you!”

You look down at your phone again, still having no idea what to say.

SAE: Rin won’t be there, that’s why I’m inviting you. YOU: … YOU: why? Let me guess, training? SAE: yeah. SAE: so… YOU: ugh… fine! If ur sure he won’t be there SAE: I’ll send the address 😊

“What am I doing?” you ask Chigiri, tossing your phone down onto the coffee table before turning to face him. He laughs, leaving you alone to open a bottle of Disaronno. “Hyoma… it’s 11am.”

He shrugs, “It’s Christmas.”

You laugh, watching him pour two small glasses for you both. The two of you get comfortable on the couch, facing each other, as you begin to dissect what just happened. He pulls the blanket down from the back of the sofa and you both struggle to adjust it with one hand each, neither of you willing to put down your drink.

Disaronno is dangerous, because it tastes so good. You drink it, lots of it, forgetting it isn’t in fact Dr Pepper in a glass. You both end up wasted, forgetting everything that just happened.

You look at your sparse Christmas tree, feeling a wave of sadness as you remember this time last year you and Rin had decorated it together.

“I do miss him…” you tell Chigiri after a lull of silence, lip wobbling as you think fondly of your ex. Chigiri shakes his head, though, taking another big gulp of a much larger drink.

“Don’t start.” he insists.

You sigh, putting your drink down and taking a few deep breaths. He tries to distract you with nonsensical chit chat, though it doesn’t really help. Rin is still at the forefront of your mind, no matter how hard you try and push him away. Who’s stupid idea was it to drink at 11am? Hyoma’s! It’s all his fault you’re in your fucking feelings.

“Hey, I’ve been wondering something…” he tells you, tilting his head as he thinks. “How are you gonna get out of seeing your parents for Christmas?”

You look at him, dumbfounded. You lean back over to the coffee table to grab your drink without taking your eyes off him. It’s gone in one swig, so he tops it up again. And you devour that, too.

“… Fuck.”

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sayafics · 8 months

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Dance of Shadows - Chapter II

Thank you to everyone who showed so much love to Chapter I and waited so patiently for this chapter! I do hope you enjoy it. Reading all your comments and seeing your likes and reblogs made me feel so appreciated, so thank you again!

This chapter will be very Daemon/Saenyra focused, but please presume everything else happens as normal <3

This is quite a long chapter, but I hope it's worth the read!

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

Masterlist

The crowd roared in unison, a crashing wave of victory and excitement rolled through the tourney grounds as the people of King's Landing yelled in celebration - the tourney has begun, and so has Queen Aemma's labours.

Saenyra's father held the tourney in honour of her maybe-brother that was itching and turning to leave her mother's womb.

She wanted to be by her mother's side, to hold her hand, and ground her during the pains of bearing a child.

But Viserys had promised the girl Aemma would be fine, that it was of more importance she was to attend the tourney. As that was where her duty required her to be - an ornament, a prize placed at the forefront of a bloodied battle for men to lust for, soldiers to grovel for, and Lords to prepare bounties in exchange for.

Of course he had not said so directly to her, even his words, so gentle and kind, were not her's to listen to. Yet they were a silent command to follow.

Viserys had spoken the words to Rhaenyra, Saenyra had simply been there and nodded like the obedient child she was and obeyed an order they did not feel the need to grace her with.

In the back of her mind, Saenyra knew if her absence did not draw up the suspicions and whispers of the people, then her father would have paid no mind. Rhaenyra is heir, if not to the throne, then to Dragonstone.

She was simply a princess, with no power tied to her name nor land for her to cherish. All that came to her - all that would be her own, would first belong to the man her father asked her to marry. And, some nights, Saenyra feared she would not be able to deny her father's wishes, because she had always seen her father's words to her as they truly were - commands of a King, not the gentle whispers of a loving father.

The tourney had begun, and Saenyra sat next to her sister as she gazed upon the grounds, suppressing a flinch as she watched the men collide into each other with a violent crack. The sound was enough to snap her out of her reverie, realising she had already missed the introductions and did not know who was competing. She sat straighter, spine stiffening as she rolled her shoulders - it would not be good if the Lords and Ladies were to catch her ill-attention, cursing it as a lack of manners and a mockery to the Court.

She paid no mind to Alicent's and Rhaenyra's incessant whispers, knowing their words were not for her and to include herself would only lead to them drawing back until she stopped. So she sat, quiet and proper, eyes flitting over the game in front of her in feigned interest.

The man who had fallen was Ser Gwayne Hightower of Old Town, Alicent's brother. Saenyra remembers him well, recalls the whispers that Otto Hightower had proposed a marriage between his eldest son and one of Viserys' daughters, but it was Aemma who denied the match. She did not think it a coincidence when she had ran into the man the following evening in the library, and she was bound in suspicion when he offered to walk her back to her chambers.

To this day, Saenyra finds herself grateful that Ser Harwin Strong had found her in those moments, and she was gladdened to hear him offer to escort her back in his stead. Ser Harwin was a dangerous man, but he was also loyal to the crown and would do her no harm.

Ser Gwayne Hightower was his father's child, and Saenyra, despite all her years sharing the castle with him, had never known Otto Hightower enough to trust him.

She watched how Alicent held her breath as the armoured man knocked Gawyne off his horse with brutal ease. Ser Hightower conceded, and the man dressed in an armour of dark grey and riddled with red as dark as rubies cheered in victory.

Saenyra's eyes traced over the armoured man, following every curve and line that decorated the fine metal-work. She noticed him draw closer, and at his proximity Rhaenyra leapt up from her seat.

Rhaenyra exuded a familiar scent of childish glee at the sight of the man, and it was only then that realisation sunk in as gentle lavendar hues met the molten colour of vicious violet.

This was Daemon, dressed in armour fit for a dragon, so unlike the one she had seen him only before. He stood now, clean and shining. His eyes were bright, glowing with the fire of a new battle, his expression seemed eased, and Saenyra knew the tourney was nothing like the bloodbaths Daemon loved to seek.

"Nicely done, Uncle."

Daemon's eyes flitted to Rhaenyra, squinting against the sun as a pleased smile crossed his face. Saenyra couldn't help the jealousy that festered under her skin, to see her sister once again preen under the attention of their uncle who seemed to care for one sister more than the other - just like her father, just like her mother, just like the Kingdom and probably, just like her brother too.

"Thank you, Princess."

Daemon's words were spoken with a lilt, and any passerby would have assumed the man was enamoured by the girl who stood in front of him - the Realm's Delight.

Instead, his eyes bounced from Rhaenyra to her friend standing loyally beside her, and his mouth parted, ready to ask a question.

It was at that moment a glint caught Daemon's eye, and his eyes darted back to the quiet girl who sat in the shadows of her sister's tall and domineering presence. It was at that moment he remembered a call for a promise and a whisper to wait until the time came to be.

Daemon could have used such a promise to bargain some leverage, to gain the upper hand, and receive power or triumph in turn. But, eyes roving over the girl who avidly avoided his boring stare, he found he did not want to wait and see if a different opportunity arises. Not when he could live in a whispered moment of his desires right now.

"Now I am fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent," Daemon watched how Rhaenyra's face fell as he addressed her friend instead of her, knowing what question lay on the tip of his tongue, and for a moment Daemon truly felt pity for the girl. "But having the favour of one so kind and gentle would all but assure it," he watched Alicent radiate a warmth of eagerness at his words, despite her attempts to stifle it in Rhaenyra's presence.

As a man who abhorred the existence of her father and his twisted words, Daemon could not help the thrill that wracked through him as he continued his words and watched the Hightower girl deflate.

"Would you send for my dearest niece? I have a question for her."

Alicent looked between Rhaenyra and her sister, pulling herself together as she deliberated her next course of action. Daemon raised a brow, and she nodded hesitantly in reply. She stepped backwards - once, twice. As though she was waiting for Rhaenyra to stop her - she never did. So Alicent turned on her heels and walked ever so slowly towards Saenyra who determinedly looked towards her fumbling fingers and avoided the eyes of her sister's friend, dread settling in the pit of her stomach at the sound of the approaching figure.

"Princess, your uncle calls to you."

Saenyra looked up with a frown, "what does my uncle want with me?"

Alicent looked over her shoulders for a moment, glacing at Rhaenyra's tense shoulders and Daemon's narrowed eyes - "I believe it is something you must ask him."

Saenyra regarded her with suspicion, eyes flitting over to see her uncle and sister locked in a bout of seething words. She found she did not want to approach, worried of what she may hear and what she may be asked.

Did Daemon want to ask for his favour now? Was it truly to do with Rhaenyra? Was that why she was so angry? Did Rhaenyra not want her to overhear what Daemon plans to ask of her?

Despite all the questions echoing in her mind like a deafening storm, she finds herself standing in a graceful manner and making her way to them with Alicent lurking a step or two behind.

When they approached the pair, Daemon and Rhaenyra were sharing a gaze heated by the fire of dragons - Rhaenyra glared at the man as though they had shared venomous words, despite them not being overheard by others.

Saenyra waited a few steps back, hesitance clouding her mind as she waited - hoping Daemon would call to her.

And he did.

"Saenyra," her name sounded so sweet, rolling off his tongue, his anger that flowed in steaming waves now seemed to lull in the air of her presence. "I have something to ask of you," a knowing look crossed his face, a sign that he was referring to their meeting by chance a few short days ago, and it was as though he knew she had not forgotten about it either.

Saenyra glanced towards her sister, but Rhaenyra simply avoided her gaze and stood with a passive expression painted along her face. Saenyra cleared her throat, her voice almost a whisper as she spoke, unsure of what to say, "of course, Uncle. What is it that you desire?"

She had stumbled over her words, cringing as she spoke faster than her mind had been able to think. But Daemon paid no mind, though his lip quirked with amusement as he thought of asking for her, then and there.

Alas, he knew he could do no such thing. So he commanded, an air of reverence in his words, "give me your favour."

His words were simple, so close to the words he truly wanted to say, but knew he could not with his brother's watchful eyes upon him.

Saenyra's cheeks heated at his words, but she did not miss how Rhaenyra's fingers tightened upon the railing, nor how her jaw twitched as she clenched it in irritation.

She almost said no, a part of her even wanted to - fearful of hurting her sister's feelings and possibly losing her in some way. But there was a selfish part of Saenyra, so young and wanting, that had craved for a moment such as this, where someone would ask for her in place of her sister. And she would truly be mad to deny this moment, regardless of how fleeting it came to be.

She bit her lip in feigned contemplation, and Daemon found himself growing warm in the confines of his armour at the sight. She glanced back at Daemon, unable to stop the teasing smile slipping onto her face as she leaned towards him over the railing - "only if you say please."

A flare of pure, unadulterated want radiated through Daemon at her words, and he found himself leaning towards her without a care for the watchful eyes of his audience - "please."

Despite all his savage glory, his plea was close to a whimper, and it seemed to ignite something in Saenyra he had never seen before. Her eyes glance to his lips before moving back, she pulled herself back with heated cheeks and laboured breaths as she clears her throat.

Saenyra turned to grab her wreath, only to find Rhaenyra stood infront of her with it in her grasp.

She stared at her sister for a few moments, unsure of what to do. It seemed even her father was not sure if he should intervene, and Otto simply watched with an interested gaze.

Rhaenyra held the wreath tight, her unrelenting grip causing the flowers beneath to crumble and give in. Saenyra glances back to Daemon's waiting figure, a shroud of determination settles in her as she regards Rhaenyra again, taking slow steps towards her before holding the wreath firmly and taking it from her grasp, she spares her sister a stiff nod - "thank you, Sister."

Rhaenyra doesn't move, nor acknowledge her. She simply waits to see if Saenyra would truly go ahead with this, and give Daemon what he seeks.

Saenyra walks towards Daemon, her steps much more sure and confident. She leans over the railing and gives him a shy smile. He returns it with his own - a broad and mischievous grin.

She reaches towards him to place the wreath, and just as the flowers brush the tip of his sword, he cants his horse to step back away from her as a glorious laugh escapes him. Saenyra can't help the way her heart flutters at the sound, but she rolls her eyes all the same - "Uncle."

Her words were drawn out in feigned annoyance, and he pulled himself back closer at the sound, waiting for her to reach out again before moving away.

"Ugh, Uncle. I swear to the Seven, I will simply take my seat again, and you can fight without my favour."

Daemon tuts, "we can not have that now, can we? Perhaps to make it easier, you can come onto the grounds?"

He raises his brow in challenge, so sure she would not heed. But a look over her shoulder, into the eyes of her raging sister, was all it took for her to move towards the stairs and duck under the arms of a cautious guard.

She ignored the calls of her father and his Hand, the indignant call of Rhaenyra and her friend. She stepped onto the grounds with a huffed breath, but her lips were stretched into a traiterous smile as she walked towards Daemon, who met her halfway.

Daemon unmounted his horse, leaving his joust on the ground as he moved towards her in slow, deliberate steps. He paid no mind to the baited silence of their audience nor the exasperated calls of the Court. He stood in front of her, his armoured boots brushing against the billowing skirt of her dress - a pale pink that stood brightly against the sun.

Saenyra held the wreath out towards him, a simple ring of flowers decorated in shades of blues and yellows - her favourite flowers, irises and begonias, formed into a colourful cluster.

Daemon reached out to accept it. His fingers, encased in his harsh and cold armoured gloves, brushed slowly over the petals to then skim the skin of her warm and delicate hands. Saenyra shivered, goose-flesh running up her arms as she repressed the tremble that silently wracked through her body. His touch paused as metal met metal, and his armoured fingers glided against a ring made of familiar steel.

A ring, so dark and grand, sat on the Princess' hand in place of where her future bethrothed's would. And it was made of Valyrian steel, a shared piece of ancestry.

Daemon admired how the ring looked upon her finger, how the blood-soaked jewel hammered into it radiated against her skin as though it was proud of its wearer and yearned to be showcased because of it.

A shared piece of him.

***

Daemon had avoided Saenyra after his trysts in Silk Street, unable to meet her eye or hear her voice without his mind flashing back to his escapade with Myseria, where all he could think about was Saenyra.

The lengths he would have gone to have her, or someone that simply looked like her.

His stomach would roll with nausea, and his mind was heavy with questions. He found himself needing to apologise with no true need except for the guilt that plagued his mind due to his traiterous fanatasies.

The night after his venture with Myseria, he found himself lazing away in his chambers as the sun fell into the arms of the night sky and the moon rose in its place.

Daemon found himself staring up at the ceiling, eyes tracing over every animate shadow and ears on alert for every step and whisper that sounded at his doors.

His heart beat at a calm pace, but every thud brought a sinking feeling of unease to settle in the confines of his chest. His mind began to wander, his thoughts flitting between images of his night with Myseria, to his gift to Rhaenyra, to walking into his little niece.

Daemon remembers how he struggled to force his gaze away from her bare neck - a princess of a Kingdom so grand and powerful, and yet her father would rather have the girl dressed as a commoner than royalty.

Daemon scoffed at the thought - oh, how he wanted to adorn her in jewels and diamonds, to weigh her heavy in the best of refineries so others would see just how much her beauty was worth. How much she is worth.

But he had already given Rhaenyra a necklace, and he wasn't blind to Saenyra's stares of sadness and envy. He knew to give her the same gift he gave Rhaenyra would be nothing short of an insult.

He would do no such thing.

He closed his eyes in frustration, his racing thoughts barely allowing him to catch a breath long enough to lull himself to sleep. He sat up stiffly, throwing his legs over the edge of the bed as he held his head in his hands.

A deep sigh escaped him, thumbs digging into his eyes as though he was forcing away the images of Saenyra - trying to forget her moonlit hair, her pale eyes, her murmured words and her hesitant breaths.

Daemon glanced towards the fireplace that now burned low, the heat had dampened down, and a cold chill filled the air. It was a feeling akin to flying Caraxes in the winter sky, a scathing feeling that somehow brought a warmth to him all the same.

His eyes rested upon his sword, which stood defiantly against the hearth. Dark Sister looked almost black in the shadows of a dying fire, the rain-guard glinting a violent gold against the blade.

Rhaenyra's necklace had been a piece of shared ancestry.

But Saenyra deserved something more. For all she had done to be a dutiful daughter, she had not shared the grace of being a true dragon despite the blood of one burning through her veins.

When she was younger, a hopeful child who was so sure her egg would hatch as she aged, Daemon had pitied the girl. Even now, his heart would clench in sympathy for her. But he could see how such a loss of an opportunity had strengthened her.

She was just as much of a dragon as he was, despite never having one to call her own. She was just not able to see it yet.

Daemon saw a fragment of his soul in hers. The part of him that yearned for his father's approval, his brother's love. The fraction of him who had ached and begged for a dragon before he made it his mission to tame his own.

Daemon had called for a blacksmith the next day before daylight had broken and offered a pouch of Gold Dragon coins with one hand and his Dark Sister with the other.

Daemon knew exactly what his sweet girl deserved - what she needed.

Saenyra was a dragon, through and through - she simply needed a reminder of such.

The blacksmith had returned before dark, standing nervously with trembling hands as he offered Daemon his sword with one hand and held forth a cotton bag in the other.

Daemon glanced over his sword, his eyes easily catching the part that did not belong. The pommel was the same gold as his rain-guard, but it seemed dainty in comparison. He longed to hold his sword and test it for deficiencies, but his eyes caught the ivory bag clenched tightly in the hands of the blacksmith.

Daemon laid out his hand, and the bag was placed upon it with hesitance. Daemon rolled his eyes at the man's slow movements and snatched the bag away, pulling the ties open and tipping its contents into the palm of his hand.

A bejewelled piece of metal fell with a light thump. The metal felt familiar, even though it had been melted and twisted into something he did not recognise.

The band was simple, engraved with vines and flowers that were so quaint yet so detailed. And fitted perfectly in its centre sat a timid, glowing jewel likened to a pool of congealed blood.

Daemon thought back to the necklace he gifted to Rhaenyra, how its jewels were a bright and lively red. A mockery of who Daemon pretended to be.

This jewel, this colour, this steel. It was a part of him - a reflection of who he was. It was admiration and bloodshed and protection all in one. It was a silent promise and a vicious outcry.

It was a gift, fit for a princess. Fit for Saenyra.

Daemon reached for his sword, turning it over to have a look at the pommel of his sword where Valyrian Steel had been replaced by something else - it was a worthwhile sacrifice, he thought. His hands fisted around the ring, relishing in the feel of it imprinting against his skin.

Daemon had walked through the Keep with the ring settled in the pocket of his chemise for days now, unable to bear the courage to face her in fear of what his desires may ask of him.

It was not until the day of the tourney that he found himself in front of the youngest Princess' chambers. He nodded in greeting to her guards, not waiting for them to announce his presence before he marched into her chambers - he could not risk allowing hesitance to cloud his decisions and walk away.

Daemon held his breath as he closed the doors behind him. Saenyra sat at her dresser, combing through her hair before the sound of Daemon's loud entry forced her eyes to meet his in the reflection.

She was still dressed in her sleeping gown, a sheer shade of pearl that hugged against her figure. Daemon roved his eyes over her by instinct, hungrily drinking in the sight of her whilst he could. Saenyra was not blind to his devouring stare, clearing her throat despite her skin flushing under his heated gaze - "Uncle, can I help you?"

Daemon's eyes met hers, and the desire that pooled in them began to wane as he pulled himself together into the semblance of a gentleman.

"Saenyra," there it was again, her name passing through his soft lips with a gentle caress, "I have something for you."

She raised a brow in question, turning to look over her shoulder at him instead, "and what would that be?"

Daemon did not speak further, he walked closer towards her before stopping at the foot of her bed. He sat cautiously, waiting to see if she would object and send him away, but the girl was much too curious to do such a thing.

He beckoned her forward, and she hesitated for a moment.

"Come."

His voice was firm, as though he knew she would obey without question, and as she stumbled to her feet, she had the fleeting realisation that she would do anything Daemon had asked. She would follow him to the ends of the world and more, if he so desired.

She stood in front of him, and still she felt so small despite the fact that he had to look up to her. Her hands fiddled with the ends of her gown, which brushed against her thighs lightly - the idea she was so exposed in front of her uncle sent a shiver down her spine.

Daemon forced himself to keep his eyes upon hers, to not disrespect his darling niece when she had so politely adhered to his wishes despite the burning temptation to drink in the sight of her bare legs only a hairs-breadth away.

If he leaned forward, he was sure he could run his lips against her bare skin, and his body heated at the thought of her trembling under his touch.

He shook himself from his thoughts, looking upon Saenyra with adoring eyes as one of his hands took hers. He tugged her gently, tempted to pull her onto his lap but knowing it was a move much too daring.

Instead, she fell neatly onto her knees between his parted legs, and Daemon had to hold back a groan. She eyed him with such trust, full of so much naivety and innocence he found himself intoxicated with the idea of corrupting her and taking her as his own.

But he couldn't.

Shouldn't.

"I have a gift for you."

His words were a gasped whisper, spoken only between their shared breath that she had almost missed it, becoming so distracted by his warmth - by his dragon fire.

She blinked slowly, as though she was confused, "for me?"

He smiled at her, kindly. Something so unlike Daemon that even he was struck with the oddity of their circumstances. Still, he nodded.

She frowned, "why?"

His head tilted in sympathy to see his niece so surprised by such an act - "why not? Anything for my favourite niece."

Her eyes widened in surprise, "I'm your favourite?"

He grinned, "who else could it possibly be?"

Her head became down-turned, "everyone knows you love Rhaenyra more."

Her words struck a cord in his heart, is that what she truly believed? "And yet it is you I brought a gift for."

She looked back up at him, her face dead-pan as she spoke, "that is because you already brought her one. This is probably something gifted out of guilt."

She was close to the truth, but not entirely. This was a gift out of guilt for his wreckless thoughts and violent desires, but it was also a token of his devotion. Not that his dear niece needed to know.

He shook his head in turn, "this is so much more."

His hand reached into the pocket of his chest, nimble fingers pulling out the jewel he held so close to his heart as he waited for this moment. Her lips parted at the sight of it, and Daemon was sure he saw unshed tears pool within her eyes.

"That's for me?"

"Just for you."

Her eyes flickered to meet his disbelief, painting her expression - "Daemon," she spoke his name as though it was natural to her, and it sang with melodic delight causing desire to curl in his chest and hum contentedly. "Daemon," she repeated, so sweetly and softly, "I can't accept this."

"Yes you can."

"It is too much. It would not be fair to accept such a prize with nothing given in return."

Mischief raided through his heart as though it was a second nature, it clashed with desire and became pronounced - "then take it in exchange for another promise. A bigger one," his voice dipped, lowering into a whisper, "a dangerous one."

Saenyra didn't let her gaze fall from his, she knew she should deny him and his gift. She should send him from her chambers and pretend nothing had happened, but to have him so close and to see him act so daring, to challenge her so openly - it sparked a burning fire within her, setting her dragon alight - "so, what is it that you want?"

Her words felt like an echo of the ones she had said to him only days ago.

"I guess you shall have to wait and see."

She couldn't help the shy smile that slipped across her face at his echoing words, nor the heated flush that painted her cheeks as she felt him take her hand and slip the ring onto her left hand. It sat snugly on the finger where her future bethrothed's ring would have sat. And a small part of Saenyra, the one so selfish and greedy, knew no other man would have been able to produce a perfect fit for her apart from Daemon.

Saenyra couldn't pull her eyes away from his, she watched as his eyes darkened under her curious gaze. His own glanced towards her lips that she bit anxiously, and a thumb came to brush across it softly as he pulled it out before she could abuse it further.

His thumb sat on the bed of her lip, and he kept her gaze with a new ferocity. She glanced to his now, watching how he wetted his lips under her watchful gaze as his head grew heady with desire.

A knock on the door, loud and harsh, startled her from his grasp. His hand was still outstretched towards her, and his eyes never left her, even as she stood and brushed the gown straight.

Ser Harwin entered the room, a curious gaze passed between the unusual pair, before he focused upon the simmering figure of Daemon Targaryen- "my Prince, the King calls for you. The tourney is to begin."

Daemon lets out a frustrated sigh as he pulls himself to his feet, he walks towards Saenyra and pulls her focus back onto him. He holds the hand bejewelled with a piece of him and presses a longing kiss upon her knuckles - "I hope to see you on the grounds, Saenyra."

She did not get a chance to reply. He turned on his feet and walked out her chambers - not without sharing a sharp glare with Ser Harwin Strong.

After he had left, Saenyra shared a nervous smile with Ser Harwin before he prompted her to get ready as he would send the handmaids to help her. She nodded in agreement, returning to her dresser to brush through her hair, but throughout it all, she was unable to tear away her gaze from the fine ring that adorned her hand.

A flutter sang within her chest, and a traiterous smile and bubbling laugh escaped her as she thought of Daemon's glimmering eyes and bright smile.

***

Daemon had been knocked onto the grounds by Ser Criston Cole, the man was skilled in tourneys but Daemon was better - more experienced.

He launched from the grounds, demanding his sword before slashing and swinging against Criston's flail. He sent a frenzied attack that was oragnised yet doused with the fire of unbridled rage.

He admired the man's strength and his stubbornness, but Daemon was not one to lose.

He had knocked Criston to the ground, Daemon's shield had been shattered to splinters, but he swung his sword with ease, his golden pommel a shining beacon for the girl who owned the original piece.

He turned towards the audience, towards her - cheering and celebrating. He searched for the missing part of his sword in the victorious cries of the Court, in their waving arms and broad smiles. His sword usually felt light in his hand, as though it was an extension of him, but the longer he struggled to seek her out, the heavier it felt.

She had left the tourney before he had even succeeded, she had not waited to celebrate his victory, she had not shared a parting goodbye or stayed for a boisterous celebration.

And with her, she had taken her favour.

Daemon had let his guard down, and Criston had taken advantage of his wavering heart and beat him to the ground whilst his back was turned - the act of a coward, but the rise of a victor.

Daemon yielded.

His eyes closed in frustration as his mind flooded with flashes of her once more - why had she left?

***

Within the walls of the Keep, Queen Aemma's cries sounded loudly. Saenyra had wanted to comfort her mother, but they tore her apart before she could reach her.

They let her mother cry and scream and beg until her last dying breath. And the babe followed shortly after.

Perhaps her mother did not care for her as much as she did Rhaenyra, but Aemma was her mother.

Perhaps the babe would have preferred his eldest sister, the dragon-rider, to his other sister, the timid. But Baelon was her brother.

She had gained the affection of her uncle, but lost her mother and her brother as consequence.

Saenyra felt as though her body revolted in the shadows of a dark and humourous curse, one that took and took and gave so little.

Saenyra stared at the ring Daemon placed upon her finger, her eyes were blank and her face was streaked with tears, her breaths were coming out short and panicked and she tried her best to avoid her mother's gasping breaths, her pleas for a daughter who was absent and not the one who was present, her last tear and her father's wails.

She stared at the ring, and a piece of her - the growing envious beast within - wished she had never accepted the token, believing if she did not, she would still have the half-love of a mother and the possible love of a brother, in place of a displaced infatuation of an uncle.

She wanted Daemon, but she was not sure how.

She wanted Daemon, but she wanted her mother more.

I honestly loved writing this chapter, it was like the words just flowed. I really do hope you guys like it! Please comment, like, and reblog! Every single one is so greatly appreciated <33

I have so many ideas for the next few chapters, I can't wait!!

Taglist: @marihoneywk @ahristata @gracielikegrapes @luanasrta @pet1t3

#daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen smut #daemon x reader #daemon targeryan #daemon targaryen #daemon targeryen x reader #daemon targaryen fluff #daemon targaryen angst #hotd x oc #hotd x reader #hotd fandom #hotd fanfic #hotd #house of the dragon

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toffeelemon · 7 months

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I don’t feel like our love is brand new. There must have been lovers, soulmates, before us, experiencing what we get to have. And it’s giving me comfort to imagine there will be many more like us to come. Our kind of love is the kind of love that makes this rotten world worth living in.

prince simon in madrid

a pilgrimage along the world that @prince-simon created 🥹

Simon’s neighbourhood, Chueca

“It’s actually the Queer Neighbourhood of Madrid, and coincidentally also where I live.” He lowered his voice as if to tell a secret, “It’s actually not a coincidence at all.” (chapter 2)

Casa de Campo (view from the Royal Palace lol oop)

Wilhelm didn’t even recognise himself. He didn’t think he’d ever looked that happy. And Simon… his eyes were closed and his curls were a mess and Wilhelm had never seen anyone more beautiful. (chapter 3)

El Retiro

Simon looked at Wilhelm much too adoringly for a statement this goofy. “The ducks are gay!” He yelled at Santiago and Paula, “Just so you know!” (chapter 9)

Palacio de Cristal

“Here’s a funny thought - bear with me, okay? But just imagine. Flowers. Everywhere, like on the ceiling, up the walls. Fairy lights scattered all through it. It would be so gorgeous as a- uh, like. For a wedding…” Realising where his train of thought had gotten him, Wilhelm fell quiet, looking at Simon with wide eyes. (chapter 9)

El Palacio Real de Madrid (more specifically the Throne Room lmfao)

Simon traced his fingers over the bruises on Wilhelm’s neck and in the opening of his dress shirt, humming contentedly. Wilhelm followed the movement in the mirror, and marvelled at how good they looked together, how well they fit together and how much Simon belonged right here – on the throne, with Wilhelm. He deserved the world and so much more. (chapter 12)

Museo Nacional del Prado

Around them, the other visitors kept moving, admiring the art on the walls, and for the moment Wilhelm felt infinite, imagining himself a painting, looked at and analysed hundreds of years from now. El Abrazo de los Príncipes.

Lo Spasimo, Raphael, 1515-1517

“Are we allowed to kiss in front of Jesus on his way to crucifixion or is that tasteless? Because I really want to kiss you right now, Simon.”

Las Meninas, Diego Velázquez, 1656

“He made me look at Velázquez in the painting and how he was looking back at the viewer, at me. I still remember the exact tone of his voice, how he was so certain when he told me that I had every right to be where I am. That I am the subject of this painting, the king being painted. All those tyrants, King Felipe and Emmanuel and all those that came in between, they are trapped in that mirror forever while I am here, alive, we’re here. Velázquez is looking at two queer princes, ready to paint us.” (chapter 13)

Casa Alberto

“So, tell me more about this special part of Madrileñan history.” He was slightly teasing but mostly actually curious.

Simon seemed all too eager to answer that question, and it hit Wilhelm how genuine Simon’s care for his city — his country — and its people was. It made him a little sad to know that a lot of people didn’t get to see that because they only focused on Simon being too gay or too Latino, or even just too carefree and enjoying life because he was young, to be their future king.

bonus content:

Iglesia de San Antonio de los Alemanes (where Simon goes to church)

“I think I need to go somewhere.”

“Oh?” Wilhelm said softly, “Right now?”

Simon hesitated before he nodded. “I need to- get some clarity? Or - I hope that I’ll get it there?” He whispered, voice shaky.

“Do you want to tell me where you’re going?”

“To- uh, to pray? I mean- to church? I don’t know if I’ll pray…” Simon’s voice was shaky, uncertainty shining in his eyes when he dared to look up at Wilhelm. (chapter 11)

#god i don’t think i have immerse myself into a fictional world so deeply before #this story lives and breathes #and i love what it has given me god to imagine when i read the first chapter i have not moved countries or gotten a cursed degree yet #he feels like a friend i held by the hand and walked through adventures together🥹#i really went to a particular restaurant and ordered particular dishes because i read about it in a book #and it was as magical as i imagined heheh #(including the snails sksksk)#prince simon i love you forever #prince simon au #prescribing everyone a reread Right Now!#give me attention and i’ll come back with extra pics of the food sksk #simon’s depression church is not mentioned in Text but this is canon source hehe #i’m not the first person to visit pscu locations and i love everyone who’s done it what a great idea it was so fun!#yes i know you’re not supposed to take photos in the prado but then i remembered this was built by a colonial powerhouse then felt less bad

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sotwk · 8 months

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Can I ask what inspired you to write about Legolas having other siblings?

Superficial yet honest answer: Because it means getting more Elves that resemble both Legolas and Thranduil, and that means you get a gorgeous lineup of characters that look like THIS:

(Please click/zoom to enlarge)

L-R: Prince Turhir, Prince Gelir, Crown Prince Mirion, Prince Arvellas, Prince Legolas

Now for a more thorough, meaningful answer...

What inspired the "Sons of the Woodland King" (SotWK) AU, the core premise of which is that Legolas had brothers?

It started as a roleplay concept, back in 2004 (I think? It was so long ago!), when I first started dabbling in LOTR fanfiction not long after the release of RotK.

Because roleplaying games typically encourage the creation of original characters, I suppose it just occurred to me that having multiple Princes of the Woodland Realm would make for an interesting setting and premise centered around the Elves of Mirkwood.

Believe it or not, I had not even read The Hobbit at that point, and it was prior to PJ's film adaptation, so inspiration did not come from Lee Pace's magnificent portrayal of Thranduil--though it certainly turbo-fueled ideas later on!

SotWK back then was quite a silly, shallow game focused primarily on fluffy romance and shipping, without much direction, canon authenticity, or detail. I still have some old copies of the stuff I wrote from that era; they are definitely cringe and I don't care to share them again, ever. LOL.

Fast-forward to 2014, when The Hobbit Trilogy came out. I returned briefly to the Tolkien fandom and the SotWK concept, and dropped a few chapters of "Greenleaf's Day Out", only to pause it halfway, unfinished (because I got distracted when I met the man who would then become my husband...and life happened).

Fast forward again to 2022: A husband and two babies later, in need of a hobby I can squeeze in between the hectic activities of motherhood/adulting, I returned to fanfiction writing and wound up coming to Tumblr to share it. Finally equipped with book knowledge from LOTR, Hobbit, AND the Silmarillion, I completed "Greenleaf's Day Out", my first (and so far only) Thranduilion-focused story, and decided I wanted to keep writing and sharing more.

Why the Thranduilion Princes, brotherhood, and family-centered stories hold such a dear place in my heart:

I grew up as one of three sisters, and just one brother whom I love but never really had a close relationship with. I guess with boys being few in our family (even amongst my cousins), I didn't have a lot of interaction with them growing up, and it led to a fascination and fondness for brotherhood stories.

As most of my followers know by now, I'm a mom with two sons of my own. The birth of my second son coincided with my return to fanfic writing and the Tolkien fandom, so surely life with my young family influenced the decision to focus on the SotWK concept.

I think Thranduil is an AMAZING character with a fascinating yet underdeveloped history. I enjoy creating stories about his background as a king, a lover/husband, and a father, but I love most of all his role as a father both to his biological sons and the citizens/subjects he views as his children.

Thank you for this wonderful Ask @a-world-of-whimsy-5, and giving me the opportunity to share my writing history! <3

#sotwk answers #thranduil #thranduil headcanon #sotwk headcanon #legolas #legolas fanfiction #legolas headcanon #tolkien #mirkwood #mirkwood eleves #thranduilion

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mery-cm99 · 1 year

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Vixen ~ Nikolai Lantsov (Chapter 3)

Masterlist

Description: Vixen is one of the Crows. Kaz saved her a long time ago. He’s the only one who knows the truth about Vixen. He’s the only one who knows her past, her secret. That’s until a certain privateer shows up in Ketterdam looking for a living Saint.

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x Fem!OC

Warnings: Mention of trauma, blood, war and sad stuff in general. English is not my first language, so sorry in advance for any grammar or spelling errors. The sign language used in this story is made up and does not correspond with any official one. The story is based on the series, not the books.

Rating: Teens and up

Chapter 3/6

Word Count: 3,308 words.

As soon as Vixen went downstairs, her gaze went to the two strangers sitting at the table with the rest of the crows. The man looked Shu, but he must not have come on behalf of his people because he was accompanied by a ravkan girl. She had her back really straight and her hands folded on the table. It was clear that she was high society, or at least had exceptional manners.

As she approached, Vixen heard Nina reproach the ravkan girl for following General Kirigan blindly. That made Vixen realize the stranger was also a grisha, and one of the highest ranks.

The first one to notice Vixen was the shu man, who observed her in detail. It seemed as if he was comparing her to something he had heard. She assumed the man was aware of the rumors that ran on her behalf.

"I guess you're Vixen," he commented, cutting off the two grisha's discussion. Everyone turned to look at the newcomer.

<<What's going on?>> she asked Kaz by signs. Her boss didn't answer her, but held out a letter for Vixen to read.

She felt her heart race at the sight of the Lantsov’s family crest, the royal family of Ravka. Vixen tried to control it, knowing that Nina could hear it. She didn't want her to ask her about it. It was enough that she now knew about her father. So she focused reading the rest of the letter. As she did so, she noticed two pair of eyes on her. She decided to focus on the one closer to her: Kaz was studying her, seeing how she reacted to the news. He was the only one who knew her secret, so he was the only one who could guess what was going through the girl's head.

When she finished reading, she handed it back to Kaz and saw that the stranger was still looking at her.

<<What are you looking at?>> She scowled at him. The man turned to look at the rest of the crows, confused. It was Wylan who translated for him.

"I've heard of you, but no one knows much about Kaz Brekker's shadow."

Vixen didn't answer. Now it was her turn to look at him in detail. People referred to her as Vixen. Very few people called her <<Kaz's Shadow>>, and it was quite a coincidence that in just a couple of days two people had referred to her that way. That shu man had something to do with the pirate who had asked them about the Sun Summoner. She didn't know if it was just that they had talked to the same people or that they worked together, but she was determined to find out.

That thought triggered the torrent of others that the girl had been avoiding since she had first seen the pirate. Vixen had found it hard to stop thinking about him constantly. She kept thinking about who he might really be, why he might want to pose as a pirate. But among her theories about his identity also crept in some thoughts about his bright blue eyes, which seemed full of life, or his lips, which smiled with that arrogance that attracted and repulsed her in equal parts....

Kaz had passed the letter to Nina so that she, Jesper and Wylan could get a closer look at it. It was thanks to the latter that Vixen was able to take the stranger's attention off her. She hated being the center of attention.

"The Lantsov crests." Said Wylan, surprised.

"Prince Nikolai wants you to retrieve and deliver Neshyenyer to Alina Starkov in East Ravka," the man explained, referring to the sword of myths.

Vixen could not hear the rest. Her brain decided to shut down and all she could hear was mumbling. If there was one place that scared her more than Hellgate, it was Ravka.

The next thing she heard was Kaz's voice, speaking for the first time since Vixen had arrived.

"It’s settled. We're in," he declared, tucking the letter into the inside pocket of his coat.

Vixen was about to scream, but restrained herself at the last moment. What she couldn't control was her heart, which was beating fast and strong. So much so that Nina turned to look at her in confusion. But Vixen didn't notice her because someone else had looked at her at the same moment, the unknown man. The girl became even more nervous as she understood why. He was also listening to her heart. He was a heartrender in service of the king. That terrified her even more.

Kaz got up from the table and left for his office. Vixen soon followed him. As soon as they were alone, with the door closed, Vixen began to speak while signing effusively.

"I'm staying here in Ketterdam. I'm not going," she said, signing along. If it were about anything else, Vixen would not have dared to speak to her boss like that, so dry, as if it was an order. But she was too nervous to make a big deal of it.

"You're coming with us. We're going to need you," Kaz refused, sitting down behind his office desk and starting to look through his files. He didn't seem to be paying attention to her, but Vixen knew better. Kaz was listening to her perfectly.

"We have been hired by the royal family of Ravka, Kaz. You can't ask me to go with you. I have to stay away from this," she insisted. Although her words were loaded with importance, she spoke them quietly. No one outside the room could know what they were talking about.

"No one is looking for Anya Makarov, Vixen. She died three years ago. I made sure of that," Kaz reminded her.

"But this job is going to attract attention, and staying away from it has been the only reason I've survived this long," she pointed out.

"It hasn't been the only thing," he contradicted her. He didn't say it out loud, but his words were implied. If Vixen had survived those three years on her own, it was because she was good. She was very good at hiding, listening to rumors, looking for danger and defending herself.

The girl sighed. She wanted to refuse to go. She was terrified. But she knew she would eventually agree. She would never let Kaz and the Crows put themselves in danger while she stayed hidden. If she had stayed in Ketterdam during the mission to find Alina, it was because Kaz had ordered her to.

The trip to Shu Han was relatively uneventful, if you didn't take in account that Vixen nearly had an anxiety attack when the ship began to pull away from Ketterdam. It was the first time she had left the city in ten years. As soon as the shore was out of sight, the girl felt helpless, as if the world had disappeared beneath her feet. She only managed to calm herself by closing her eyes and breathing in salty air. If she concentrated hard, she could almost imagine that she was still at the docks, waiting for the next ship to arrive so she could find out the latest rumors and deals.

Then she focused on the job to take her mind off her problems. She focused on studying the history of the sword and what little was known about it, obviating who it was that had hired them to find it.

They had discovered that the sword on display was a forgery and that the real one had been stolen by a thief called "The Disciple". He had retired and put some items up for sale on the black market. Kaz's plan was to meet with his fence, Ohval Sheran, and try to get the sword.

When they arrived in Shu Han, Kaz, Nina and Inej went to the fence's tea shop to talk to her while the rest studied the city. Zoya, the grisha soldier, was left praying to her deceased at one of the monuments for it. Vixen had also prayed to her own after Tolya, the shu man, claimed that it was bad luck not to do so in Suntsa Sar. The others went to the market at the request of Wylan, who needed material for his explosives. Vixen thought about studying the city by herself, but she didn't dare. Everything was so different from Ketterdam that she preferred to stay with Jesper, Wylan and Tolya. Even when the latter seemed determined to discover her darkest secrets.

While Wylan was shopping at a stall, Vixen and the other two men sat down to drink. The girl didn't order herself anything, but sat with them so she could keep an eye on Wylan, worried that the boy might disappear if she looked away.

"What have you done to him?" Tolya asked, drawing Vixen's attention to the conversation between them. He was referring to Wylan, who was deliberately ignoring Jesper. "You've clearly done something stupid," he added, meeting Jesper's gaze.

"I didn't do anything stupid," he defended himself. Vixen signed something at him, so Jesper looked at her offended. "That's not true! Take it back!" he demanded, but the girl ignored him. She was a little annoyed with the zelemi for making Wylan feel bad. The younger boy had told her that Jesper had found out he couldn't read and had made him feel like an idiot for not being able to. "I said something stupid," he clarified to Tolya.

"Well, how will you fix it?" he asked this time, getting an amused smile from Vixen. Tolya saw it only because he was looking that way, because the girl didn't move a single muscle of the rest of her body. The man wondered how it was possible for a person to stand so still that she almost seemed to disappear.

"If I knew that, I wouldn't be here talking to you two" Jesper pointed out obviously. "Well, talking to you, because with Vixen it's practically impossible," he added with a smirk. It was his revenge for the previous comment. Vixen returned it in the form of a punch on the shoulder. "Ahh, how aggressive!" he complained. They were both used to such exchanges. Jesper loved to tease the girl about her refusal to use her voice, "I think that was her way of telling me to go talk to him," he added towards Tolya before taking a last sip of his drink and getting up from the table towards Wylan.

Vixen cursed her plan to work things out between Jesper and Wylan when she realized she was left alone with Tolya. Now she had no excuse to ignore his curious looks or his questions.

Tolya looked at the girl, who was completely tense. Her heart sounded very loud and very fast, although the man had noticed that it always beat a little faster than normal, as if she was in constant tension. He had also noticed that it sped up much faster when someone mentioned Ravka or the Grisha, as if she hated them.

"They did something to you, didn't they? Is that why your parents left Ravka?," the man asked. His gaze was fixed on her, he could see how the girl glanced around, as she did every so often.

"How do you know I'm from Ravka?" she asked.

Tolya looked at her in surprise, it was the first time he heard her speak.

"Wow, you have a beautiful voice. It reminds me of a poem..." but Vixen didn't let him finish.

"What does your boss know about me?" she questioned this time. She was terrified to think that the prince of Ravka knew of her existence.

"What do you mean? He only knows what they say about you in Ketterdam. That you are Kaz Brekker's shadow and that they call you Vixen because you have the cunning of a fox, though you are less conspicuous."

There it was again: <<The Shadow of Kaz Brekker>>. Tolya had to know Sturmhond. But she could not yet ask him directly about it.

"So how did you know my family was from Ravka?" She insisted.

"Because that pale skin and those eyes can only be from Ravka," he replied. <<And because your heart races at the mention of the country, as if you long for it and hate it in equal parts,>> he thought, though he didn't say it aloud. "Now it's your turn to answer my questions. Was it a grisha? The reason your parents left their homeland."

The girl's eyes wandered again and scanned the market, looking for possible threats, but she ended up nodding her head. Tolya was about to ask her something else, but the girl got up from the table and approached Wylan and Jesper to avoid further discussion. The man did not find it difficult to understand that sign.

When Kaz, Nina and Inej returned to the meeting point, the boss of the Crows told them what they had discovered. That Ohval was not only the fence, but the Disciple herself, and that she had to have the sword. That was why he had asked Inej to follow her home. Kaz's next plan was simple: Nina and Vixen would follow the woman through the marketplace while the rest went into her house to get the sword. Zoya, who refused to participate in the actual robbery, said she would go with Nina and Vixen. Kaz agreed without heeding Nina's complaints.

Vixen decided to separate from the two grishas when they started to follow the woman, she was not interested in the conversation they might have. She didn't want to hear what they had experienced together in the Second Army. At first she didn't have much trouble following the woman, she walked slowly and nonchalantly. But all at once, when Vixen passed a woman carrying a large roll of cloth, Ohval disappeared from her sight. The silent girl approached where she had last seen her, but no trace of the woman remained. She wanted to curse for having failed in her part of the plan, but she didn't have time because she heard a scream. Nina's. She started running in her direction and when she reached the alley she found her lying on the ground. Vixen cursed herself mentally for not noticing. It was right under her nose. Ohval was no novice, she knew how to deal with thieves. She wouldn't have acted so nonchalantly if it hadn't been a trap. She turned Nina around and checked that she was still breathing. As soon as she saw Zoya appear at the entrance to the alley she gestured for her to help Nina and ran off. She had to find the Crows. She had to save her people.

Zoya watched her go. She hadn't understood a thing she had gestured to her, but she assumed Vixen was going to look for Kaz and the others. In the short time she had known Vixen, Zoya had noticed how loyal she was to the Crows boss. Zoya could almost be sure she would be able to stop a bullet for him. But she also didn't hesitate to tell him the things she didn't agree with. She supposed he had done something to earn such loyalty, but Zoya figured Ravka's royalty could use more people like Vixen around them.

Vixen ran all the way to Ohval's house, and when she arrived she heard banging and things breaking. The Crows were engaged in a fight. Tolya was lying on the ground, he didn't look hurt, but he was having a hard time getting up. Jesper was off to the side and had a metal collar around his neck, trying to end his life. Kaz and Wylan didn't seem to be around. Inej was facing Ohval at the moment, but it wasn't her best fight. Ohval, though older, also seemed to have more practice. Vixen stopped, not knowing what to do. She couldn't let them die, she had to help them. But if she did, everything would come out.

"Hey!" Vixen shouted. It was the first time she had raised her voice to anything more than a whisper. But she needed to draw Ohval's attention away from Inej to give her advantage.

When the woman was looking at her, Vixen clasped her hands together in front of her chest and join her fingers. It came naturally to her, as if she had been doing it all her life. Because at the end of the day, it was. When she pulled her hands apart, a large ball of water fluttered between them. She threw it in the direction of the woman, who dodged it by an inch. Vixen thought nothing of it and created another water projectile. Then the door behind her exploded and through it Zoya and Nina entered and joined the fight. The woman, who was also a grisha, used her power to control them from the metal in their bodies. Vixen felt her blood thickening and her daggers pulling her to the ground. She tried to resist, but it was like fighting the sea in a great storm. Vixen thought that this was the end of her, that she would die surrounded by her people, and she supposed it was not a bad end. But then a trembling voice rose among the moans of her companions and the pain disappeared. The girl coughed, trying to regain her strength, and looked up to see what had stopped her. Ohval was looking towards the entrance of one of the rooms, where Kaz Brekker was pushing a chair in which an older man was sitting. As soon as she heard the man's voice, her expression relaxed and she spoke to him with gentleness and affection. It didn't take much observation to notice that she loved him. Vixen had seen the same love in her parents' eyes when they looked at each other.

In the end Ohval let them leave and gave the sword to Jesper. Vixen walked first, trying to get away from the rest. They had seen her. Now she could not deny the truth, and then the questions would begin.

"Vixen!" She heard someone shouting behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The person she least wanted it to know. "Vixen, wait," Tolya insisted, and when he reached her, he grabbed her arm out of habit.

Vixen let go and took two steps away from him. Her heart was pounding so hard that it almost rang in Tolya's ears.

"You don't hate the Grisha. You are one of us. You are a tidemaker" he said with a small smile, as if the discovery was good news. The girl kept walking, trying to put everything that had happened behind her.

"I don't like having them around," she corrected him seriously, taking long strides. Vixen was short in stature, but she was going so fast that even Tolya had to move faster than normal to keep up with her.

"Why? It's who you are, what makes you special," Tolya pointed out, genuinely confused.

"Because they killed my mother," she replied, turning to face him. When she saw in his expression that the information had sunk in, she turned around and continued walking briskly toward the ship. She had to pretend that she was moving on, that everything she had fought for for five years wasn't falling apart because she had been stupid enough to use that curse in front of people. And worst of all, a part of her felt good, it was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. As soon as she had formed the first water ball, the pressure in her chest (which she didn't know she had) was gone.

#sturmhond #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov imagine #shadow and bone #six of crows #grishaverse #grisha netflix #Kaz Brekker #inej ghafa #wylan van eck #jesper fahey #zoya #genya #alina starvok #tolya #tamar #the darkling #ravka

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galaxythreads · 11 months

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Thor trilogy 🤝 gotg 3: fantastic end to two good trilogies

(Yeah i said it shh)

i mean. *deep sigh* okay. So yes. But no. Gotg 3 was much different than Thor 3. To be clear, my feelings toward Ragnarok have shifted from loathing to at best, apathy, over the last several years, so I'm very very neutral when it comes to Ragnarok. I know that there are good parts. I have adopted Hela has my chaos child.

But there IS a massive difference between what gotg3 did vs what Ragnarok did. Gotg3 was willing to meet the characters where they were and do what was best for the character, rather than the story and Ragnarok wouldn't do that.

long post:

Like Gamora. Yes, it would have been better for the story if she and Peter ended up together, but it was better for the character that she go back to the Ravagers. Yes it was good for the story that Rocket kill the villain whose name has slipped my mind, but it was better for Rocket to let him live. To give mercy when he wasn't ever allowed any. And yes, the two can coincide and meet in the middle and it's good. IT was good for Drax's character and the story that Drax slip into a more fatherly role. But the director of gotg3 clearly loved the characters. The story was a backdrop to the emotional journey the characters were on. And the director knew that. And he respected that. And he focused the story around their characters. There was no end all be all plot, it was focused on Rocket and what Rocket means to the guardians.

Ragnarok didn't do that, and that's where I think a lot of fans do feel a pull. Ragnarok is an amazing story. It has brilliant pacing, the narrative structure is amazing, the set up, the pay offs--everything. Ragnarok is one of the best put together movies I've seen in a lot time, save one thing:

It is not a good emotional journey. It doesn't serve the characters, it only serves the plot. What has Thor learned or gained between Thor 1 and Thor 3 that he didn't have at the beginning of Thor 1? The main problem for Thor in the first film was his arrogance and impulsiveness kept getting him into trouble. The disregard of his brother was what sent the film going. Odin's lack of love to Thor, his lack of love to Loki--Frigga's failings to reach out to both of them...Thor 1 is a story about a broken family.

Gotg1 is a story about a family coming together.

Gotg2 is a story about what it means to stick together through the hard stuff

gotg3 is realizing that your family will always be there for you to return to, and that no matter what, they have you.

Gotg is a story about family, and that's what the Thor films desperately wanted to be, but kept falling short at.

Thor truly, and I mean this with the most sincerity, did not grow in Ragnarok. What fault did he overcome? What new chapter to his story did we unveil that made us think about Thor in a new way? With gotg3, we learned about how much Rocket means to everyone, but we learned more about Rocket. His past, what makes him tic, why Rocket is Rocket.

We didn't learn anything about Thor. It was like they had already presented the whole character to us, and rather than make him stretch and grow...Thor turned and ran from any sort of arc in Ragnarok. So did Loki.

Like I said, the story of Ragnarok is really well put together. But it doesn't serve the characters. And the thing is, Ragnarok could have been tweaked just a little bit and it would have given just as satisfying of an ending as gotg3:

Keep Hela. Keep Ragnarok. Keep the destruction of Mjolnir.

But change the stakes. Loki and Thor are fighting for each other, not Asgard, not Sakaar, not some arbitrary Thing with stupid betrayals that didn't make sense. Because to me, my own personal opinion, the huge thing that Ragnarok circled around but never actually fixed was this:

In Thor 1, Thor needed to choose Asgard. (And Loki) Prioritize his kingdom and throw out his arrogance to put them first. He didn't. His selfishness is what puts Asgard is danger. And Thor's selfishness/arrogance is ultimately what blinded him to Loki's pain and led to the massive fall out later. In Thor 2, Thor did the exact same thing but this time it was under the guise of "wanting to be a good person." which is. my frustrations with that are for another time.

In Thor 1, Loki needed Asgard to choose him. (and he needed to choose Thor) He needed to know he was accepted even though he's Jotun. He needed that reassurance that he still means something. And Loki needed to choose Thor anyway. And he did. In the Dark World, Loki helped Thor with Jane, and he let Thor go because he knew the throne would make Thor unhappy. They needed to talk and they didn't. Loki is midway through his arc.

So is Thor. An acknowledgment of why Thor doesn't want the throne in TDW was actually reallly really good. It helped develop Thor as a person. He was deeply traumatized from the events of Thor 1, and the throne to him is equal to becoming his dad. And Thor needed to realize that he can be a good man and be a good king and they never got to that.

We never completed that arc. Thor has the second coronation where he's not trying to goad the crowd in the Statesmen, but we didn't earn that. We didn't earn any of that. Not Thor and Loki's "repaired" relationship, not the coronation, not Thor's development, nothing.

In gotg3, we earned their relationship with Rocket. We watched it develop, and we watched him prioritize them, and we earned that scene at the end of the movie where Rocket doesn't kill the High Evolutionary because Rocket has changed. gotg1 Rocket would have slit the High Revolutionary's throat and walked away happily. Rocket gotg3 didn't.

So I honestly think that stakes should have changed in Ragnarok. Hela takes Loki captive because he's king and has information and/or powers she needs and she banishes Thor to Sakaar. Thor is given the opportunity to stay in Sakaar and live out his life peacefully as the "good man" he always wanted to be. Thor doesn't want to be king. It's been this looming thing that's felt like promised corruption since his failed coronation. Thor meets with Val, and then Bruce, and Thor, in a series of drunken conversations, realizes some stuff about Odin and why he doesn't want the throne, and then gets off his butt because Val and Bruce have helped him realize that he needs to put Asgard first. That he can be a good person and a good man. Maybe Thor thinks Loki made a deal with Hela, or maybe Loki actually did make a deal with Hela, idk. Point is, Thor thinks Loki is fine.

On Asgard, Loki is not fine. Hela is making a mess of everything and killing people, and Loki puts his neck on the line to keep people safe. He uses his manipulation skills to con her, works with Heimdall, and is working on a plan to rescue Thor because he doesn't know where Thor is and if Thor is safe. Heimdall and Loki discuss this at length and Heimdall says that he knew Loki was Jotun and that it's okay. Loki's heritage is revealed to Asgard not through a play, but some other means and Asgard still chooses to trust him anyway. That would go a millions years into helping Loki feel better about everything.

Thor comes back to Asgard with the rescue ship and the knowledge about Ragnarok, and Loki almost dies to keep Thor alive. Both of them realize that they've grown up since the first film. Loki put Thor first. Thor is putting Asgard first. Ultimately, having accepted themselves for who they are, the kid who does not want to be their father, and the kid who does not want to be a monster, Loki and Thor can now accept each other.

Because Loki and Thor already love each other. We know that. We've seen it. We know that their relationship can be repaired and fixed and that they'd let the universe burn to keep the other safe. What we don't know is if they can meet the other since they've changed and grown and Thor 3 had the opportunity to do that.

Thor 1 broke their relationship

Thor 2 started to mend it

Thor 3 should have healed it

I don't know if they should kill Hela. Thor and Hela are mirror characters of each other, and I think Thor showing her mercy would be a better character growth than him immediately trying to kill her. If Thor can help Hela change, then he knows he can change to. There shouldn't have been this big fight on the bifrost again. Ultimately, it should have been something more verbal. maybe they fight in the throne room but with words. Communication isn't their family's forte, okay, great, then fix that! LET THEM COMMUNICATE. SCREAM AT EACH OTHER.

Thor, Hela, and Loki will never be able to grow until they accept the damage that Odin did to them. So the final fight should have been about that. With the shadow of Odin hanging over all three of them, they should have turned their backs on Odin's legacy by choosing each other over some stupid seat of power that Odin has been making them fight for since conception.

Hela, at her core, wants connection. She's doing that with everyone (I thought you'd be glad to see me, tell me about yourself? *rambles about Odin's past* I was his executioner, I executed his vision) Give her that with Thor and Loki when they talk about Odin.

Loki, at his core, wants to be accepted for who he is. Give him that with a public acceptance of his Jotun heritage. Where silver tongue is able to save them. His magic. Let Loki use his powers for good and remind him that at his core, he's still a good person.

Thor, at his core, wants to be worthy of love. SHOW HIM that he doesn't have to EARN it. That it's already there. Let Val and Bruce take care of him. Let Loki choose him over and over again. Destroy Mjolnir, and then show Thor that he is worthy anyway. Let him throw off the legacy of his abusive father armed with the knowledge that he is worthy of his family's love anyway.

Idk, I'm rambling, but the point is: gotg3 honored the character's journey and the path they needed to take, even if we the audience didn't always like that path. Ragnarok stomped all over the path the character's needed to take in favor of being funny or convenient and it really messed with some narratives.

Generally, I like Ragnarok. I enjoy the movie when I don't think about it connected to the rest of the Thor franchise. But it didn't meet the emotional beats it should have because it was so focused on telling a good story, it missed the story it needed to tell.

#ragnarok meta #anti ragnarok #gotg3 #gotg3 spoilers #loki meta #thor meta #thor and loki #ragnarok #hela #answered #long post #hela meta

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ragnar0c · 6 months

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Part 2 of comparing my EO ocs to my Mage Prophecies ocs

Tank and Tankei

The similarities in their names is purely a coincidence. Also Tankei is pronounced T-awn -KAY vs Tank just being said Tank. Plus... is Tank reaally his name? 🤨

Tankei was such a big supporting chara she could be elevated to main status. Subplots in most arcs focused on some aspect of her. And she was the fan fav.

She was an asshole, my favorite asshole whose reckless actions get the main girls in and out of trouble.

She needed to be watched bc when alone she was always misbehaving-- she hates authority, and she REALLY HATES injustice/unfairness.

Tankei melded so well with Mio bc she was the more real version of her. One that knew not everyone could be her friend bc she learned the hard way. And the reason why she is so harsh to Mio is because she never wants ANYONE to be like her. To be taken advantage of.

She has one of the absolute most DRAMATIC backstories ever. And it's one that shapes the plot.

If anyone has a more dramatic back story than Tankei it's probably Tank BAHAHAHA.

He is also a drunk asshole who has the be watched bc he misbehaves (thank you for watching Enid.....). But unlike Tankei. He's super... meticulous about what he does 🤨

His back story also leads a few subplots I have in mind. Actually maybe like 3. He was supposed to just be a side chara but the more I characterized him? He's actually so much more intelligent than Tankei when it comes to people. (I think). And his arc is sweet too. Yeah that guy is an asshole but I personally think he says so to trick people.

If they met: also at a bar. (They both use alcohol to turn off their brains).

They would beat the shit out of someone who was rude at the bar and vaguely remember each other afterwards.

He'd call her "chick" tho. Different than how he calls Alope and Hana kids... he'd definitely view her as more adult than those too bc he knows that she has seen very much.

Tank when Tankei calls him old man (he is tasting his own medicine)

Enid and Kai + Kiemi

Okay so Enid... Enid is one of my only EO ocs that embodies a few ocs rather than just 1. I have like 4 ocs that remind me of him. But narrowed it down to 2... the other 2 are more closely related to other EO ocs anyway.

Anyway Kai is another OC's son. Lady Micah's son!

I don't have comics of them interacting but it's. Oddly in character. Lady is the leader of a like police force, the specialized knights of the nation, the Royal Guardians. Kai is the highest ranking RG member. He is so ridiculously talented, powerful and awesome. But none of this stuff means anything to him bc his self esteem is soooooOoooo LOW.

Yeah. He can control gravity in a certain location. Yes he's a skilled swordsman. But what if hes faking that? ☹ he feels like an impostor...

He has all these achievements, but since he's so... insecure people dont know and view him as some average guy. Most don't even know he's rank 1. Which reinforces his inferiority complex.

Enid... Well when I rewrote chapter 1 I wanted to make it more obvious they were similar.

Like. You see Enid but not really?? Like. WHOA. That's a person. But... then you look at something else. They are the most vibrant in the room but surpress most of their personality. So people just view her as some guy.

Can't get into all Enid's problems bc Enid is a rare character who's backstory isn't super important. Maybe like 2 notes of it are. But other than that, all Enid is in the main story.

If they met: I think Enid would see Kai having a bad time and give him a pep-talk. Only to find out bro is basically capable of killing demigods and get SUPER PISSED OFF.

It's okay Enid. Post game, you can kill demigods too.

The other MP character is Kiemi.

Also one of the Royal Guardians. One who dedicated her whole life to the king. She represses her emotions like Enid too. Acting regal when shes really really upset that she's spent her life this way. Kiemi masks it and usually just tries to make sure no one feels like her. Giving confidence to everyone else and supporting them. (Including Kai)

She reminds me of young Enid. Before Enid became a monk they were unhappy in the same way Kiemi was.

If they met: ENID WOULD NOTICE HOW MESSED UP KIEMI'S QI IS. Kiemi's energy is so out of whack. They are repressing so much more than Enid.

They would talk and be good friends. Also if Enid ever lost confidence Kiemi would gas him up SO HARD.

Also! Kiemi and Kai are the main two who baby sit Tankei. So Enidcore. You know with Joe they babysit Tank. (Though... who is rlly being babysat between those two????)

That's it for this one!

I'll do more charas once I actually introduce them. :3!

#ragna ramblings #brainrot #oc plug

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allthecastlesonclouds · 7 days

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heard your head was full of thoughts. spare one for a curious mutual 🫴🫴🫴

(gimme ur thoughts i wanna know)

THINKING ABOUT THE DRAWTECTIVES AND THE BAD KIDS SO MUCH RIGHT NOW THIS MIGHT JUST BE A CONGLOMERATION OF RANDOM POINTS

IT'S GOING UNDER THE CUT BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN THIS GOT LONG

so rosé canonically doesn't have much lore at all– first season bc karina didn't have roleplay experience and had a headache creating her, and second season because it just didn't come up and rosé's a little shit <3 BUT WE HAVE SOME AND IM EXTRAPOLATING

she had a balcony in her old apartment and an outdoor cat visited her (<- canon. headcanon ->) she said she didn't name it but she started calling it barfield bc it was an orange tabby, then forcibly stopped herself by moving away. every apartment she's had since has had a balcony, though, because she really does love them and she misses the cat. they're the right vibes for her, she thinks.

she cannot cook (the most she can do is reheating stuff) but she is a plants girlie and, on the aformentioned balcony, she grows a buncha vegetables and herbs. she's got tomatoes (much to gma's chagrin) and mint and cucumbers and spinach and basil and also lavender just for funsies!

she's afraid of needles and is also afraid of death. her previous job got violent and she simply had to leave. she'll never get a tattoo or her ears pierced, but she will draw on her skin whenever with enough skill that people will ask her where she got her tattoo.

and fuckin FABIAN he's HAUNTING ME this BOY

he'll send the hangman to other people's houses to check up on them. if someone mentions in the groupchat that they're having a hard time, there is a dog pawing at their front door in the next 5-10 minutes. fuck traffic laws his friends don't feel good :(

he had a crush on adaine freshman year and then felt bad for having a crush bc it wasn't the same sorta relationship as bill/hallariel and focused all his attention onto aelwyn

he wears his blanket battlesheet constantly. It's a sash. it's a scarf. it's a shawl. one notable time it was a skirt over his leggings. he has been dared to wear it superhero-style and those videos Are Blackmail

the more stressed he is the more his dyslexia seems– this school year's been ROUGH. bringing fig or adaine to the banker's is not just great for the extra money he receives but he can also actually ask for the paperwork and have it read over now! he doesn't have to just Go Off His Banker's Word!

that man got his ears pierced when he was 5 by one of bill's friends. pirates wear earrings and bill seacaster will give his boy the chance to wear them. after toxic masculinity is dead he starts wearing some that are less "piratey."

riz and fabian refusing to go to therapy duo :D :D :D

and then ghost stories.

fuckin. bird song by juniper vale is so incredibly gs!fig. i found the song as i was writing chapter two and decided i had to make it the title because it was perfect. just. rahhh. all she wants to do is bond and explore and learn who she is because she may be slightly older in this but the Identity Issues are still Very Prevalent (because i think they come with having shape-shifting abilities)

and actually i have a whole playlist for the au and i have at least one song for every character besides kristen and i can't find a good song for gs!kristen and i'm sobbing

anyway the two for riz are tardigrade song by cosmo sheldrake and false confidence by noah kahan

there's a disproportionate amount of noah kahan on that playlist actually but they all apply to different characters so it's okay!

fig listens to paramore. adaine simply embodies paramore. coincidence i think not (they are so incredibly Besties)

gorgug's majoring in environmental engineering

riz and adaine listen to and read the news daily. fabian's news intake is solely whatever people tell him. fig will listen to the news if it's on but prefers media she can turn her mind off with. gorgug will read news emails. kristen is in a cult.

riz lives about 10 minutes from sklonda. they have lunch together twice a week.

they all love chocolate because chocolate is delicious. however if it's ice cream riz goes vanilla based. this is kinda just a riz headcanon in general however i think fabian brings this up midbattle and riz judges fabian for judging him

#bird :D #not maintagging this #will add #ghost stories au #though #questionnn!#OUGH THEY'RE MY FAVORITES I LOVE THEM ALL #IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE PLAYLIST YOU CAN ASK ABOUT THE PLAYLIST TOO IM INSANE ABOUT THEM #and i'm talking i guess

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peachcitt · 1 year

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hi so i've been wondering this for a while and idk if other people have askd you but im just going to ask lol

why did you decide to do the summary of metamorphosis so... out of context? like the only reason i started reading it was out of blind hope that it would be good yk. (and it was, it was beautiful)

you dont have to answer if you dont want but im just genuinely wondering!!

great question!

this bit:

was actually because anna asked me if she could give a summary for an ask that she’d gotten. prior to metamorphosis’s release, i kept its plot really under wraps because i wanted the chat/hawkmoth situation to be a surprise, so i gave anna the absolute most vague description that was still true. also i thought it was funny

in metamorphosis i experimented a lot with how and when information was given out, and so i do think it adds a certain something to go into the fic knowing the bare minimum and then to learn about what’s happening as marinette does

as for this bit:

it’s actually a piece of dialogue from the chapter 4 sleepover that i modified:

i removed the context because i knew that the context of the dialogue would paint a picture about this fic that simply wasn’t true. this exchange is weighted and meaningful, but out of context as a summary for metamorphosis, it would make it seem like metamorphosis was something more domestic and focused on their past school lives than it actually is.

i also shifted around who says what exactly - in the original dialogue it’s adrien who says “i didn’t” and marinette who replies “i know”, but in the summary dialogue, that’s reversed. partly that was out of necessity to make the summary dialogue chain make sense, but i did in fact think of the meta-narrative implications of having the dialogue switched.

(spoilers for metamorphosis)

chapter 4 is our first sneak peek of violet. in this moment, before we see violet but after we know somebody has begun using the butterfly miraculous again, adrien is thinking about a time when marinette hated him. and, yeah, that’s not really a coincidence. here adrien is expressing his anxiety about his choice, about how he knows (thinks) it’ll make everyone hate him, and he is doing so by reminding marinette of the time where she hated him. when marinette says “because i thought you put gum on my seat” and adrien replies “i didn’t,” it’s like he’s trying to plead his innocence while also reminding himself of his own current guilt. when she hated him in the past, that was a misunderstanding. now, when she will hate him in the future, it’ll be justified.

in the summary dialogue, though, adrien doesn’t have to plead his innocence or remind himself of his own guilt - marinette has already forgiven him, doesn’t even have to forgive him because she never hated him in the first place. she always loved him, and adrien says “i know.” he doesn’t doubt her, which implies that he has reached a point where he can accept marinette’s love, where he can forgive himself.

the summary dialogue is dialogue that never shows up in the course of metamorphosis, but it’s not unreasonable to assume it might’ve happened after the events of metamorphosis have unfolded. and i think that’s a wonderful way to start such a heavy story - to start knowing that, in the end, no matter what, love is there every step of the way. and the characters know that, without a doubt.

i had a lot of trouble finding a piece of metamorphosis to use for the summary because of how i didn’t want to give too much away, and in the end i kept on coming back to the original dialogue, kept on thinking about changing it and what it would mean. and although i know it’s not the most illustrative of summaries, the sentiment is one that i know aligns with metamorphosis more than anything else i could think of.

thanks for taking a chance, and thanks for asking<3

#ask #anon #metamorphosis #the life cycle of the butterfly #tl;dr im an insane person and i am Constantly Thinking #also words cannot express how much sending anna that description had to do with comedy reasons #one time i joked with her that metamorphosis is a sleepover fic and then it just became a good bit

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starlit-dreaming · 2 years

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[ch2] élémentaire

Fandom: MLB Ship: Eventual Felinette, MarcNath & Chlogami, Past Lukanette TL;DR: HBIC Marinette + Rich Marinette + ML Salt Fic + Canon Divergence

0 | 1 | [2] | 3 | 4 | 5

Note: another surprise update for myself!

also i’m thinking about making marinette be poly (i’m a multishipper. i like lukanette. i like felinette. and marigami and chlogami), but for the time being i’ll just focus on felinette (after this chapter). idk i might decide to go crazy, or maybe make a side story for my polyshipper indulgence while letting élémentaire be solely focused on the salt and felinette (felix will hopefully be here in the next chapter, whenever that may be) and imply lukanette happening later in life

this will be crossposted on ao3 under the same name

there is salt in this fic. idk how much yet, but please take care of your blood pressure–

NOTICE (PLEASE READ FOR CW): • EMETOPHOBIA and EATING DISORDERS

at the last scene of this chapter, there is 1 paragraph that mentions (for the emetophobia) and implies (for the eating disorder)

you can skip the exact mention of it by stopping at “I’m… I… I’m so sorry,” and continuing at “You’re okay,” -- truthfully you can skip the dialogue paragraphs altogether (there are only 2 paragraphs with dialogue in the last scene)

————————————————————

ii. les azalées magenta

————————————————————

Marc Anciel had always been a wallflower.

Not a lot of people ever noticed him — that was something that Marc very much appreciated, especially when he was a student at Notre Dame. He wrote his stories and kept to himself, and he would always quietly observe the world around him.

His grandpère had always been a wealthy man, but he always stressed the importance of never revealing the truth of their wealth. It was to prevent people from using them, he used to always say — his parents always agreed with him, and now that Marc was older, he understood.

When people found out that he wasn’t a girl, they feigned… kindness and had been rude to him behind his back. They mocked him for acting like a boy, claiming that he’s a freak.

That was how he met Marinette Dupain-Cheng for the first time. She confronted them over their mistreatment of him even when he hadn’t fully recognized it back then, and had told him that he didn’t deserve any of it, that he deserved to have friends who genuinely cared about him and to be happy. Granted, that was among the many things that Marinette Dupain-Cheng had done for him, but it was one of the most memorable.

Shortly after that, they went to separate schools, and it had been a coincidence that his family hired the Dupain-Chengs to cater for a business party. It was a coincidence that she remembered him and spoke to him.

It was another coincidence that he happened to transfer to Dupont, the same school where most students of Notre Dame had gone to.

And, when he offered to help Marinette whenever with whatever, as thanks for helping him talk to Nathaniel and for their blossoming partnership (which might even lead to more than just business), he never thought it would lead to this.

——————————

A few hours after the beginning of The Magentas, everything seemed… baffling, to say the least.

“Did Lila actually rip Marinette’s sketchbook?” Marc asked, feeling more and more horrified as he listened to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel paused from his sketching to give Marc a grim look. That was more than enough of an answer, but Nathaniel verbally confirmed it, continuing, “Yeah. She ripped all the pages out until everything was taken out. It wasn’t her commission sketchbook, but that doesn’t change the fact that Lila destroyed Marinette’s property. If anything, there’s more than enough evidence for Marinette to take to the Board of Education regarding how Dupont hasn’t been handling everything properly regarding bullying. Marinette could easily file a restraining order against Lila, too, but she hasn’t, even with cameras in the school to prove it.”

Well, he knew that Marinette had a plan — of course she did — but it didn’t seem like she was going to tackle that issue until later. Granted, that was assuming that she was going to do something.

Even Aurore didn’t know what was going on. All she knew was that Chloé — and he’s quoting Aurore on this — had the gall to tell her what to do after everything she’s done to her. The only reason why she was actually helping them was because she owed Marinette a favor and because Marc’s one of her friends.

Hearing a confirmation of their friendship was nice, he had to admit. Still, he doesn’t understand why she carries around that old yellow parasol if she’s not happy with Chloé.

(Actually, she’s been wearing an awful lot of blue sundresses nowadays. It’s possible that she’s now a neutral party or decided to change factions… then again, that wasn’t any of his business.)

Nathaniel sighed.

“Did… Marinette, um,” Marc fumbled, unsure of how to say it without sounding accusatory. “Did she… tell you anything?”

“Huh?” Nathaniel blinked, looking at him owlishly — that was so cute.

“You were part of Le Jardin back then,” Marc rubbed the back of his head, the uncertainty creeping in as his cheeks started to feel warmer than it needed to be. “So… I was wondering if Marinette told you anything apart from what she told all of us?”

“Oh,” Nathaniel awkwardly said, seeming a bit, well, he didn’t want to say disappointed, because it felt almost as if Nathaniel found the question to be more off putting and uncomfortable than anything else. “She didn’t really tell me anything yet. She wanted to make sure that everything was falling into place first before confiding in us. If anyone knew anything, it might be Alix.”

“There’s definitely more that we don’t know,” Marc nodded, calming a bit as he resumed his work on his computer. “I’m really curious about what she has planned.”

“You and me both,” Nathaniel nodded. “I already tried asking Alix after she left the bakery last, but she told me that Marinette didn’t say much. Assuming that Marinette even said anything to her, Alix is our best secret keeper; she would never budge, even when she got in trouble back in élémentaire.”

“Really? Nothing?” Marc slumped his shoulders, feeling a tiny bit frustrated from his curiosity.

At this, Nathaniel stared at him, so much that Marc felt a little too tense and nervous and couldn’t focus on writing anymore. He could feel Nathaniel’s stare, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he ought to feel guilty for trying to pry so much.

Alix may have been the closest person to Marinette back then, but Nathaniel was pretty good at keeping secrets too…

(The thought of Nath keeping a secret from him hurts more than Marc would like to admit.)

“The only thing that Alix told me was that it depended on what Rose and Nino would do,” Nathaniel admits after what seemed like hours — three minutes, actually, Marc’s brain unhelpfully notes as he glanced at the time on his computer screen. “She told me that Marinette will tell us the full plan either by the end of this month or the first week of next month.”

Huh… that really didn’t make sense. Rose and Nino betrayed Marinette and were no longer part of her inner circle, right? And yet the plan depended on them?

It didn’t seem that Nathaniel knew what she was going to do, and that fact comforted Marc more than it should.

Maybe it was just one of those things that Marc will just have to patiently wait for.

. . .

Still, he does wonder why Marinette wanted them to make a blog similar to the Ladyblog.

——————————

Luka and Juleka Couffaine could’ve easily been mistaken to be twins, however, Luka was a year and half older than Juleka. He was in the same grade as Félix and Claude, and he was the son of Jagged Stone — the last part had been a well-kept secret that Marinette hadn’t even known until she herself started working with Jagged.

Most would never expect the rockstar to let his kids attend a rich kid school, but they did. Penny Rolling — now Penny Rolling-Stone — made the recommendation, as many French celebrities chose to send their children to this private school in particular.

While Anarka Couffaine and Jared “Jagged” Stone had broken up, they both decided to give the school a chance for the sake of their children, no matter how snooty the rich kid school seemed.

They were both creative children, and got along better with the creative bunch of kids than the others.

However, they both chose different factions for different reasons.

Fondamentaux for Luka, Méticuleuse for Juleka.

——————————

Stitch the needle and thread in. Stitch the needle out.

Pull the thread by the needle.

Repeat the process.

Repeat.

Stitch in. Stitch out.

Pull. Repeat.

Repeat.

For the first time since they’ve broken up, Luka Couffaine was standing at the entrance to Marinette’s room. He wasn’t here as a friend, nor was he here as her ex-boyfriend. That was a rather obvious fact that needed no words, yet Marinette couldn’t help but take note of it.

Because it was quite simple: Luka Couffaine was here as an older brother.

Stitch in.

“Juleka is being manipulated,” were the first words that came out of Luka’s mouth, his usually calm demeanour being a touch panicked. His shoulders were tense, his mouth in a firm line, and his eyes seemed to be searching for something.

She’s not quite sure if he’ll ever find what he’s looking for — well, only if she doesn’t help him. That was the real question, wasn’t it? Should she help him before everything is set into place? It’s only been several days since her meeting with The Magentas. She still had at least two more weeks before she could safely tell anyone about her plans.

Stitch out.

Luka is a kind-hearted soul, and he would easily have been a perfect match for her own, if only she could tell him the full truth. Their relationship was a cruel thing, in a way. It was a glimpse of a happiness she had never anticipated in her life, a calm happiness that lingered with affection that could be mistaken for love. On one hand, that affection had the potential to blossom into a love that Marinette’s heart had always yearned for.

On the other hand, it was a relationship built half-heartedly around lies and kindness. Complications will inevitably arise left and right, and if she hadn’t known any better nowadays, if she had stayed naïve, she would’ve deemed it as trials that lovers must overcome to have their happy ending.

Fortunately or unfortunately, however one might see it, she was merciful, but not naïve.

At least, not until Lila showed up.

Pull.

Marinette doesn’t respond, nor does she shift around in her seat on the chaise to look back at him properly. She merely glances up at him with a brief flicker of her eyes before looking back down at the black leather jacket in her hands.

A mere look had been more than enough, but she needed to hear more if she were to answer him.

And perhaps by then, it will be enough.

Stitch in.

“I know that’s no excuse for being a bystander,” he continues, taking her silent cue to continue — he was always good at that, at knowing her silent cues. Most would’ve found him annoying for reminding her of her stuttering whenever he greets her, but everyone knew she stuttered, even in the past. “But Juleka shouldn’t be punished for being swayed by a liar. She’s already hurting herself for listening to the liar’s advice.”

That was certainly true, and it really is unfortunate that Juleka was getting dragged into everything. In fact, the last thing she heard regarding Juleka was that she was starting to lose hope in her dreams of becoming a model.

It was fairly obvious who was at fault for that, too.

Stitch out.

Marinette resisted the urge to let out her bone-weary sighs. She manages to remain still, calm and composed.

“Juleka plays a vital role in my plans regarding Lila. If you’re asking me to exclude her, then I’m afraid that’s impossible. Even before I started planning, it was always going to be impossible to keep her out of it.”

Pull.

Marinette already knows that the statement crushes him, and still her gaze briefly flickers back up to him before refocusing on her work. That glimpse was enough for her to see the desperation in his eyes, the worry for his sister, the frustration in being unable to do anything for his little sister.

“Is it because of Rose?”

Stitch in.

An accurate assumption — Juleka and Rose had always been attached to the hip. Whatever plans Marinette considered for one of them, it always factored in the other. This situation was more or less the same. Rose was an undeniable part of her plans, and therefore, Juleka would naturally be involved.

Marinette considered him for a moment. It would seem her silence for that moment was enough of an answer for Luka.

“Melody, please,” he quietly pleaded. Despite their relationship not working out because of Ladybug, he did have a very special place in her heart. “Will you not reconsider?”

It was a shame that she couldn’t do as he asked just this once.

Stitch out.

“If you’re concerned for Juleka, then you have no reason to be,” Marinette stated, the sewing needle firmly held between her thumb and index finger. “This is a matter involving Méticuleuse, Luka. No more, no less. You’re very dear to me, but when it comes to the factions, you made your choice a long time ago.”

The statement did little to reassure him, but it was the truth. He has no reason to be concerned for Juleka, just as much as he was an outsider to the issues of Méticuleuse.

Pull.

She is Marinette, his ex-girlfriend, she is also Dupain-Cheng, a renown baker’s clumsy daughter. She is MDC, a rising fashion designer known only in the fashion industry. Above all else, she is Ladybug, the Hero of Paris and the Guardian of the Miraculous.

Now, maybe it was because Marinette couldn’t be at peace with herself that they didn’t work out as boyfriend and girlfriend. Perhaps it was because she didn’t know who she wanted to be, and only knew who she was and is, for that matter, but that was that.

Despite everything that she — is, was, will be — at the end of the day, she is still Marinette, the Mirthful Majesty of Méticuleuse, a faction leader who knows exactly how to prioritize everything that matters most.

It was for that exact reason that he came with the intent to negotiate, rather than make outright demands.

“Is there really nothing I can do? Nothing at all?” Luka asked.

Stitch in.

Marinette was not at all like Chloé or Félix, who placed the importance of their status as faction leaders. She knew that colour was typically a matter of preference, she knew that there would be people who dyed their hair regardless of its brightness and saturation.

People dye their hair in this world. It was a natural part of this world, just as how it was natural for people to wear the same colours aligned with a faction.

Stitch out.

For the former students of Notre Dame, who took part of the unofficial factions with a gleeful joy that always comes to the children younger than ten, it wasn’t that simple. Colours were everything. Ranging from hair to the outfits they wore, just one item was considered their chosen symbol, one article of their outfit to declare their choices.

It didn’t matter if it was the shoes they wore, the accessories they keep, or even their hair.

The former students had been dedicated to their faction colours.

Pull.

For Rose, it was a pink ribbon. She always wore pink casual dresses that matched with it, or if she felt like changing things up, she would use that ribbon as a headband. Sometimes she wore it wrapped around her wrist, or had it tied around her neck. She was never far from anything cute and pink.

Nino had always been a casual wear sort of person, but he was firm in wearing a red baseball cap. He felt that pink was a little too confining, that it claimed people. (Case in point: Rose in her pink, pink, pink outfits.)

The more surprising of them all had been Alix. She dyed her brown hair a dark pink — pink so that it wasn’t exactly red, but dark enough to not be mistaken for Rose’s pink.

Nathaniel had also dyed his hair red, and it suited him perfectly well that most wouldn’t think anything of it. It suited him, more than people thought it would.

Others were simple — Ondine didn’t dye her hair, but she was happy to think of it as her symbol. Marc always wore red hoodies, and Juleka had dyed her hair pink at the time.

Stitch in.

Despite wearing different colours in most of their cases, they consistently wore the same colour to signify their faction. Nino had always been the most subtle about it, while Rose was always obvious.

A handful of her classmates knew nothing. Adrien, Ivan, Alya, Mylène, Max, and Lila. Six of her fifteen classmates. And an additional three of the fifteen who weren’t a part of Méticuleuse.

Kim and Sabrina had always been a part of Charmante. Kim was one of her close childhood friends, much like Nino, so Marinette had been a little miffed that he picked Chloé over her back then.

(Granted, the Valentines incident painted a clear picture as to why he picked Chloé.)

Stitch out.

Luka Couffaine still wears a blue jacket, but now old and worn down, its colours muted.

But as always, Luka still had blue highlights in his hair.

Pull.

She was half-tempted to tell him to dye his hair pink just to see how he would react, but it would be rather cruel of her to do so.

“Not even Maman could change my mind,” she stated.

He says nothing.

Stitch in.

Marinette sighs, quiet and weary, as the silence stretches on. For a moment, she halts, contemplative as she stares at the black leather jacket in her lap.

“I won’t involve you in my plans, nor will I tell you anything except for the matter regarding your sister, Luka. Juleka will be safe. I haven’t forgotten that she did nothing as I watched my sketchbook get torn to shreds, but I acknowledge that she’s stuck in Lila’s clutches, and I am considering whether or not to forgive her because I know she’s already remorseful.”

Stitch out.

He says nothing, but there is a relieved sigh.

A pause.

“But wait… why would Juleka be involved in your plans? You just told me that you know she’s actually remorseful over…”

He froze.

Pull.

And that was it, wasn’t it? How could she know that Juleka was remorseful for doing nothing about the sketchbook?

Stitch in.

Tucking the needle into her light pink pin cushion, she places her latest sewing project off to the side.

“Wherever Rose goes, Juleka follows. We both know this,” Marinette stated, her eyes remaining on Luka, mirthful at his shock. “Rose used to be a very close friend of mine, and Juleka joined Méticuleuse just to be with her more easily. Unlike you, however, Juleka doesn’t constantly get pink highlights in her hair anymore.”

He remains silent.

“I’m not like Chloé. I don’t want to dictate a person’s fashion choices, but that doesn’t mean I won’t critique and criticize the abhorrent colour combinations and outfit choices I do see. However, I have to admit that the faction colours can be pretty handy to have,” she smiled sweetly at him. “After all, the former students of Notre Dame can be very… dedicated. Juleka may not have that same level of dedication, but her girlfriend does, don’t you think?”

He blinked, before his eyes widened in realization.

“I know that she’s very sweet, but did you know that excessive sweetness can’t always be good? It could drastically change a baking recipe after all. That’s why measurements have to be consistent, otherwise the end result can be too much.”

“What…?”

“See, you’re worried that Juleka would be hurt because of Rose’s actions — or rather, inaction — against me. I’m not the one that’s hurting your sister, and I won’t be if I can help it because she is somewhat of a friend. Frankly, Juleka is at her safest by Rose’s side.”

——————————

Rose knows that she had the most charm within Méticuleuse, only second to Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Past or present, she was a social butterfly, and she had always been firmly aware of the role she’s expected to play.

From the beginning of their first meeting, she knew that it was a lie when Prince Ali finally responded to her text messages stating that he only worked with Children’s Hospitals. For a while, Juleka took the liar’s words with a grain of salt, and Rose simply went along to keep the peace, because surely everyone else knew about the lies.

She’s had enough time to regret the decision in letting it go. Ever since Lila became an actual model, Juleka started to think her words had merit to it and started listening to the liar’s harmful lies. She didn’t know what the hell Adrien was thinking, letting a snake model with him. It took everything in her not to tear into him for letting Lila gain fame and influence, no thanks to their modeling shoots with the Gabriel brand.

But Adrien was a problem for Nino to deal with. She agreed to that, just as much as she agreed to wait.

That didn’t change the fact that this was by far the most painful thing Rose had ever dealt with in her life. It broke her heart, seeing the love of her life hurting herself like this. She knew that Juleka was starting to listen to Lila’s lies about being a model, and only recently did Rose realize the extent those lies had been affecting her.

“I’m… I… I’m so sorry,” Juleka hiccuped, hunched over the toilet in the girl’s restroom, choking out apologies in a sobbing mess. Her eyes were red, from lack of sleep or from the crying, she didn’t know. “I’m sorry, Rose.”

“You’re okay,” Rose stated, reassuring as she gently rubbed Juleka’s back. “You’re not alone, Juleka. I’m here for you.”

She held Juleka’s hair back, murmuring words of comfort as she tried not to cry. There was nothing Rose could do against Lila having some form of credibility by being a model. Not yet, not right now, not while Juleka is trying to achieve her dreams in the worst way possible.

Right now, she’ll get Juleka the help she needs later when they see Anarka. She’ll stick to Juleka’s side more than before, making sure she won’t keep listening to those poisonous lies.

And later, she’ll cry when it’s all over, but for now, Juleka needed her the most.

#hbic marinette #fic: elementaire #fic: élémentaire #rich marinette #wynter writes #past lukanette #marcnath #ml salt fic

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discet · 2 years

Photo

An Alchemist Abroad Update! [10/10]

Chapter 7: It Takes Two to Burn a Bridge

Marcy and the Plantars finally arrive in Newtopia

This is part of the second ‘season’ of my Amphibia swap AU that started with A Witch in Wartwood. A swap AU focusing on Marcy if she landed near the outskirts of Wartwood.

This one’s an emotional one ya’ll. Just a heads up.

Also! I ran out of characters in the end notes, so I’m just going to put the questions and answers from last week beneath the readmore here.

I got a lot of sweet comments for the end of our pirate adventure last chapter. Thank you everyone new and old readers for your kudos and comments.

@PS_Tiernon had two incredibly flattering questions

How do you make sure the character progress hits just right?

So, first, so glad that it hits right. But also, I think a big part of it is making sure that the progress costs something? Changing for good or ill is a process and having it be earned I think is important.

How far in advance have you created these storylines?

Varies wildly by character. I had the main beats of Marcy's arc since I was outlining Season 1. This whole storyline for Sprig spawned while I was writing the penultimate scene chapter 19 of aWIW (Where Anne catches Hop Pop trying to steal the box). I realized that with Anne going to be exiting the story for a while in the finale there would be no one to really hold Hop Pop to account. Then while I was writing fort in the road, I realized I could give the whole thing nuance with Sprig being so blindly supportive of Marcy that he could hurt her without meaning to

@FruitDragon Re: Has Anne actually been getting the letters Marcy was writing to her, or am I missing something?

We do not know for sure!

@Jarul_9561 had a couple of questions What encouraged you to write this fic?/Where did you get the idea?

Honestly originally I had jumped into the fandom during the season 3 hiatus I was writing Picking up the Pieces when I saw a piece of Swap AU fanart by 5d-Theater (Where Marcy's Pre-Toad Tower and Sasha's armor Design came from). And my mind started clicking away at how much things could go differently. It became something I focused on so hard that I almost didn't write the finale for PutP. The more I sketched out the more I really liked how the swap would effect all three of the girls' arcs. My brain would not let it go, so I just gave in and started outlining season 1

Do you do this like a hobby or something of the sort bc I really like you writing, you either have an experience or a talent (maybe both)

Thank you so much! This is really flattering! To answer your question, I've been writing fanfic off and on since I was 14 there abouts? So it's been a while. I stopped for several years, but HRT absolutely obliterated my writers block as my brain chemistry finally started to work which was also coincidently back when I started watching Amphibia.

#amphibia #marcy wu #sasha waybright #awiw #aAA #update #It's a sad one ya'll #I cried a little #writing it

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scorchedhearth · 9 months

Note

3, 7, 24, and 43 :] <3 <3

thank <3

3 Describe the creative process of writing a chapter/fic

it always starts with getting an idea that'll motivate the writing, can be the whole concept as in 'i wanna bring up those themes with this specific plot with this ending' or vague ideas like a scene, a gesture or an exchange i wanna write around

then i'll quickly draft a plot/timeline, depending on how long, how much goes on, etc, which is me writing lines and paragraphs describing the whole piece in broad strokes so i know where i'm going. if i know it's gonna be a more complex piece then i'll go into the details, but usually i just make sure to pin down important things for the overall message or feelings i wanna get across, like specific words, gestures, descriptions, etc to make sure i write them in the appropriate places and the right order to get the effect across. for example in the other side of the coin i tracked all the mentions of kyle being tired in one way or another, as well as the repetitions and literary devices i wanted to use

i work in bits and patches, from this point on it's not writing from start to finish, i usually write what i can until it's complete, so often it'll be big scenes, the first idea, what i've got in mind already first and then at the very end finding the small bits to connect the pieces already done (or, as i call it, the fun first and the struggle for the end). for fanfic i usually don't bother doing multiple drafts unless i think the piece is worth it, so then it's editing over a period of days to weeks depending on how long and how much i struggled writing it and then posting

7 How do you choose which POV to write from?

im boring and will stick to the limited third-person pov in my work, i like how it forces u into a character's spot, unless i specifically wanna try something else. i don't usually like alternating pov, so i pick the most interesting one, as in the one i can do the most with. so the pov that'll provide the most interesting insight, or the one that'll be the most fun to play around given the tone and goal of the piece. that's why i usually pick kyle in my jk fic, unless jason's unreliable narrator vibe is what i want. it also often coincides with who the piece is about, i usually give the narration to the character i'm focusing on

24 Worst writing advice anyone ever gave you?

i don't think i was ever given a bad advice. i wasn't given a lot of advice in the first place, most of what i do when writing comes from fucking around and finding out so. that being said i think the idea that u have to know everything about ur character is stupid, u just need to know what u need for ur plot, and sometimes it can basic favorite food but often times it is not and it's not worth pondering over it for hours

43 Do you take a sadistic joy in whumping your characters, or are you more the "If you hurt them I would kill everyone and then myself" kind of person?

oh the first one absolutely >:] from the words of the great @captaincrais 'u gotta crack them open to get to the good stuff' and i absolutely stand by that. ur characters will crumble under pressure and that's when u can open them up and dig ur hands in the meaty parts and pull it all apart and study it. if ur character is happy then it's boring to write and boring to read and boring is good in real life not in fiction. also im an enjoyer of gore and violence so there's an extra kick for me in it. that's why unhappy and bittersweet endings do it for me, why doomed relationships and stories are my things, why i like situations with no good solution for anyone involved

fic writer asks

#asks #pendulum-north

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aroacehanzawa · 1 year

Note

What are kaleidescope of death and global examination? You've piqued my interest after your liveblogging lol (as in, I'm very curious to know what makes one so terrible and the other so good, and what they're about)

Heyy! They are both danmei webnovels of the unlimited flow genre, with basically levelled survival games where if you die in the "game" you die in real life. Kaleidoscope of Death by Xi Zixu (147 chapters, info carrd) is horror-focused, where characters who are close to death must pass 12 doors that are kind of like elaborate escape rooms filled with ghosts and monsters typically from urban legends. Global Examination by Mu Su Li (166 chapters, info carrd) is similar but less focused on horror and follows characters who have been pulled into a mysterious system where they have to solve exam-style questions except the questions are actually dangerous scenarios where it's easy to die. And there's romance in both of them <3

GE is brilliant in the way that both the MC and ML are well-written with fleshed-out backstories and they are both incredibly smart and complement each other's skills perfectly. The exam system is really cleverly laid out and the way the characters solve each level is presented in a very logical way, so that the way they are smart doesn't feel forced and instead reads very natural! The world inside the system is also consistent and we get to find out more and more about it at a good pace, and the recurring characters all turn out to be very important not only to the plot but also to our protagonists.

To me the plot never felt like it was dragging on, because on top of solving each exam level there is a greater narrative connecting everything, so that eventually all the plot points come together in a very satisfying way at the end! The leads also have great chemistry even without knowing their backstories, which makes it even more emotional and romantic after you learn everything about them. It's genuinely one of my favourite webnovels!!

In comparison, KOD just falls flat despite the amount of 5 star reviews and the hype i keep seeing by people who recommend it as a similar novel to GE. I didn't think the horror part was scary at all, at least for me, because it relied mainly on stuff like grotesque ways to die and mutilated body parts, which i thought were just gross instead of actually scary. But the main problem i have with this novel is that the main characters are presented as 'smart' but the way they solved each door relied too much on luck and coincidences or them somehow coming to 'obvious' conclusions that seem like they just came out of nowhere. It was like the author just kept telling us that 'oh here is this random item or situation so clearly it must be like this' without any intermediate steps, and most of the time they never would've even escaped the door if the ML or MC hadn't ~somehow~ stumbled on a key item or hint.

There is also a ridiculous amount of plot armor for the main characters, which i could suspend disbelief for, if the rest of the story wasn't also written in this hand-wavy style of 'anyway so this is how they solved the problem' and 'anyway so this is how they got out the door'. The world of the doors is never clearly explained or given any more meaningful treatment than if they were levels in some random video game, and the climax felt like a poor attempt at bringing it all together but just ended up with basically 'then so-and-so many days passed and they survived'.

The characters were not very fleshed-out*, especially the MC who seemed like he was only given basic traits like 'exceptionally calm' and 'cat-lover' - and even the cat-lover part was forgotten for most of the story and feels like when you make an OC and give them random traits that are only ever mentioned in the character sheet... The way the leads got together felt abrupt and superficial, and after that it's like no other characters mattered, which i suppose is a romance trope of its own, but when you apply it to shallowly-written characters like this, it just feels forced.

*) My biggest gripe was the author deciding to put key plot twists about the main characters in the first extra chapter after the ending (like ?!?!?), that changed the whole perspective of the story but didn't actually add anything of value to the plot itself and just makes everything more convoluted and plain worse if you think about it. The side characters who were actually interesting were either used as plot devices or plain forgotten about. And the ML who starts off relatively interesting in comparison to the others, is practically reduced to a caricature of himself by the end.

Anyway. Sorry this got so long i really had to rant about KOD to get it out of my system. Basically GE did everything that KOD tried to do but wayyyy better, and if you're looking for a well-written infinite flow novel with an ingenious plot and well-written characters with outstanding chemistry, look no further than Global Examination!!

#can you tell i'm soooo salty about kod #i pushed through because i wanted to know how it ended but uhhhhh what a waste of time #and it's not even how low i would rate it but it's so annoying to see the amount of 5 star reviews like...........really?#i mean if you read it without using your brain then sure. unfortunately that couldn't be me

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ccss10987 · 8 months

Text

Happily Ever After

Chapter 3: Thera

Links: Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, Also on A03

Previous - Next

Roman pulled out the map and laid it out On Remus’s back. “So I think if I’m reading this right-”

“You weren’t reading it correctly the first time.” Virgil smirked at him. Remus let out a loud snort at this.

Roman took a long look at the map, the compass on it, and then the sun. “Yes, I’m reading this right, thank you very much. We should be at Thera before nightfall. Just follow the path.” Roman put the map back in his bag.

“He started off this journey with the map upside down and let us go the wrong way for at least an hour before admitting defeat.” Virgil said.

Remus cackled, holding his stomach with one hand while he kept the other on the reins of the horse.

“And you continued to let him hold the map?” Dee asked him, trying to stifle his laughter as he focused more on talking.

“I was supposed to.” Virgil mumbled.

Remus cackled louder. “Both of you are idiots.” he got out in between laughs.

Roman scoffed. “You didn’t have to tell them that.” he said to Virgil.

“Oh no. He definitely had to tell us that. Tell us more of that juicy stuff!” Remus said. He couldn’t be more interested in learning about more embarrassing moments Roman had throughout the journey.

“Absolutely not!” Roman yelled. “And don’t say it like that.”

“You mean juicy stuff?” Remus asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Motherfucker,” Virgil let his head fall back as he sighed in annoyance. “Is that Patton?” he pointed to someone down the trail

“Oh my stars. I think it is.” Roman said, squinting and leaning forward to see the man walking alone in the distance.

“Who’s Patton?” Dee asked Virgil.

“Some guy who broke the script. We met last night in a tavern. Then we ran into him later unexpectedly and we’re running into him now. Let’s speed up and not make eye contact.” he answered, looking down and away from Patton.

“Hey! Patton! Wanna ride!? Where ya going!?” Remus yelled. Patton jumped at the sudden loud noise and turned around to face the group, eyes widening at the sight of Roman and Virgil’s familiar faces.

“Remus!” Roman lightly hit Remus on the shoulder.

“Oh, uhh, I think I’m good.” Patton told him. “But, um, thank you for the offer.”

“Nonsense. Walk with us. We should give these horses a rest anyway.” Dee said. Remus dismounted his horse. Dee took out and unfolded his cane, and walked over to Patton.

Virgil groaned. “Why do you hate me?” he asked, dismounting his horse then going over to help Roman. Roman held onto Virgil’s shoulders and struggled getting his footing.

“I’m going to Thera.” Patton told them.

“What a coincidence. We’re all going to the same place!” Remus exclaimed. “Wait, are you really? I meant that I’m going to uhh…” Patton trailed off.

Virgil took some deep breaths. “Let’s start walking. We can’t accidentally run into you again if we walk together.” he said after a while.

“And you’re okay with me walking with you?” Patton asked, looking at Virgil hesitantly.

Dee gave Virgil a cold look before looking back to Patton with a gentle smile on his face. “Of course he is. Why would he be bothered walking with someone who’s probably in a different story than he is? You aren’t messing with his happily ever after.” he said like his words were laced with venom

“What story are you in anyway?” Remus asked.

“Oh, uhh, I’m the witch in Hansel and Gretal.” Patton kicked at the dirt path he stood on and avoided the stares he thought he was getting. He got them all the time after all. If people even believed it was true.

Dee gasped. “A script-breaker who became nice? Unheard of. Isn’t that right, Roman?” Remus laughed alongside him.

“We’re also script-breakers, so don’t you worry, Patton. Those two are the ones who have their heads in their asses.” Remus said as he put his arms around Patton’s shoulders and brought him close.

“That’s some, uhh colorful language.” Patton gently took Remus’s wrist and moved it off of his shoulders. “But it’s always nice to meet other script-breakers. Not being alone is great. The friend I’m visiting in Thera is also a script-breaker. He’s the one that taught me it was possible, you know?”

Dee nodded. “Remus did the same for me and we’ve been friends ever since.”

Remus hugged Dee tightly. “That’s right. Best decision I’ve ever made.” he mumbled into Dee’s hair.

“Smartest one too. What would you do without me?” Dee smiled up at him.

Virgil sighed. “That’s… Dee and Remus. I’m Virgil. That’s Roman. Everyone, this is Patton. Now, let’s start walking, because your display of affection is starting to sicken me.”

Patton squealed. “You didn’t tell me your name before. It’s such a nice name too!”

Virgil looked away from him. “Whatever.” he mumbled. “Let’s just get going.

“You can call me by my real name, Patton. It’s Janus.” the blonde told him. Patton smiled widely. No one outside of his best friend had trusted him. Not immediately anyway. It always took a while to befriend the refugees he saved, and he never really stayed in Thera long enough to get to know them any more than an acquaintance. He was getting along just fine with these four. It may have taken Virgil a while to warm up to him, but he just got four new friends. He’s never been happier.

Patton was pulled out of his happy thoughts and feelings when Roman started laughing uncontrollably and slapped his knee. “Janice!? What are you, an old librarian?”

Janus looked at him with a neutral stare. Anger fueled his thoughts but he kept a calm appearance. The only thing really showing how mad he felt was his fists clenching and unclenching. “I can’t believe people say Remus is the evil twin.” His voice was cold and clear cut.

Roman went quiet. “What is that supposed to mean? It’s not my fault you have such a stupid name.”

Janus scoffed. “J-a-n-u-s like the Roman god of transitions. I swear you are the dumbest prince I’ve ever met, and I have met some really stupid princes.” He stormed ahead of the group, leaving Roman in the back.

Roman scoffed and fired a complaint at Janus, throwing his arms in the air. “Oh come on! How was I supposed to know that?”

“Alright, let’s not fight.” Patton said, putting himself between the two, stopping the group from moving forward.

“Aww, why not?” Remus smiled, pulling out a morning star from his bag.

“Where did you get that from!?” Patton yelled, starting to panic. He hated fighting.

Remus shrugged. “You are an absolute barbarian!” Roman shouted at Remus, pushing Virgil behind him who rolled his eyes in response to Roman’s attempt at trying to protect him. He knew Remus well enough to know that he could absolutely take Roman down in a single hit.

“Excuse you, prissy royalty, but I’m technically still a prince!” Remus raised his morning start, threateningly.

“Stop fighting and yelling!” Patton yelled, throwing his arms out to create more distance between the two groups that had formed during this argument.

“You’re yelling!” Virgil fired back, crossing his arms.

“Because I hate yelling and fighting!”

“So why are you doing it!?”

“I don’t know!”

The group went silent as Patton took a few deep breaths. “Everyone, take a deep breath,” Patton demanded with crossed arms. The group followed, all inhaling and exhaling. “Okay. Roman, apologize.” Patton pointed at him then at Janus.

“Why do I have to apologize?” Roman whined. “Janus is the one that lied to me.”

“Because I said so. You shouldn’t laugh at someone’s name, whether you understand it or not. Now apologize.” Patton crossed his arms and gave him what could only be described as a dad look.

“Dad’s angry. You should apologize.” Virgil smirked.

“I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed.” the so-called dad clarified.

“Fine. Janus-”

“Dee,” Janus interrupted, looking back at him with a sharp look. “ If you don’t like my name, don’t use it. I introduced myself as ‘Dee’ for a reason. That reason being, I don’t trust people who blindly follow scripts. I’ve found that script-followers are the most judgemental. Obviously I was doing the right thing not trusting you. You’re obviously a judgemental prick.”

“Let him apologize at least, Janus.” Patton told him gently. “Go ahead, Roman.”

Roman looked at the ground for a quick moment before facing him. “Dee. I’m really sorry for making fun of your name. I know it was wrong and I won’t do it again.”

Janus turned back around. “I don’t forgive you. Let’s keep walking. I want my payout.”

“What was the point of apologizing if he wasn’t going to forgive me?” Roman scoffed. Janus rolled his eyes. “I don’t have to forgive you.”

“I know that, yeah. But-

“Let’s just drop it and move on.” Patton said. He put his arms down, but kept walking in the middle of the group to avoid further argument like a dad keeping siblings from fighting.

The group walked for a few minutes. Janus and Remus in the front, Patton following behind them, and Roman and Virgil in the back of the group.

“What did you mean when you said evil twin, Jan-um Dee?”

“We don’t have time to unpack all of that.” Remus laughed.

“Let’s drop it.” Patton said.

“If you think I have a twin, you’re wrong. I grew up an only child.”

Remus let out a sigh poorly disguised as a laugh. Roman couldn’t see his face, so he had a hard time judging how Remus reacted toward the question. Mad maybe?

“I can’t believe you, Roman. You’ve already pissed the both of us off. Just keep digging that hole.” Janus took Remus’s hand and squeezed gently. Remus smiled at him and squeezed his hand back.

“I’m just asking a simple question. I don’t even get why you’re so mad at me for not getting your name spelled correctly. Now you’re mad at me for what? Being an only child?”

“You aren’t an only child.” Janus snapped. “That’s just what you were told, because your twin didn’t follow society’s new made up rules well enough to be remembered as a royal family member. You are related to Remus who didn’t want to follow the path you’re on. Virgil ended up replacing him on this journey after leaving us. Narrators have done nothing but hurt us and you two do nothing about it.” He took a quick look at Virgil.

Virgil was fidgeting with his cloak and looking at the ground. “At least Virgil knows the consequences of his actions, even if he still can’t get his head out of his ass.”

Roman was silent, but he still followed behind the group. He had a brother. A twin brother. Someone that was kicked out when he was only a young child. This news had been hidden from him for years. What else had been hidden from him?

His mind went back to the history books. There were hundreds of them in the castle library all published during a large range of years. How long had people had narrators exactly? Clearly some sort of propaganda was involved in this mystery, so he couldn’t find out from books. He had to ask someone else. A script-breaker. It would give him the other side of the story. He didn’t want to ask Janus or Remus though, or even ask while they’re around. They were already angry with him.

“Prince Roman will do no such thing. There’s no research to be done. Following the script is the law, not a social rule. Laws are meant to be followed.” Roman’s narrator declared. Roman inwardly sighed. It’s been a while since he heard that voice.

“Prince Roman and Knight Virgil were almost at their destination.” Roman thought this statement was redundant, considering he could see the town of Thera ahead of them. “He was filled with pride, knowing he would be the one to save the kingdom from the absolute horrors that lurk there.”

Roman looked at what he could see of the town. It wasn’t that busy with people, but there were a few still out and about. Was it the late hour? The kingdom seemed nicer than his. Why wouldn’t people want to live here? There seemed to be enough living areas to house more people than he saw.

It was getting late and they would need an Inn to stay the night in. There didn’t seem to be any danger. The people seemed happy. Too happy? They seemed happier than the people in his kingdom. Why, though?

“I think I know a place we can stay in tonight. I’ll have to ask Logan though.”

“Is Logan your friend that you’ve been talking about?” Janus asked. Patton nodded and smiled. “You all will love him, he’s the best. Follow me.”

Patton led the group through the kingdom. They heard bits and pieces of conversation.

“My narrator went away yesterday.”

“He’s just so quiet now, I’m glad it’s almost over.”

“My first born is thankfully still with us.”

“I can’t believe I was so scared before.”

“Are those script-breaking refugees?”

The last bit of conversation was said to one person to another. They were looking at Roman’s party. They thought the party was here to seek refuge from people who hate script-breakers. Did that happen a lot? Is everyone here a script-breaking refugee? That would explain why the town was so small.

“Where exactly are you taking us, Patton?” Virgil asked. He was always nervous about meeting strangers.

“To my friend’s place. He’s a dragon tamer!” Patton.

“I get to see a dragon!?” Roman exclaimed. He waved his hands by his side and snapped his fingers three times. “And I don’t have to slay it!?” He squealed and gently shoved Patton forward. “Faster. What are we waiting for? A molasses flood?”

“As if that would ever happen.” Patton giggled. “I’m glad you’re excited though. Most people are afraid of dragons. Even I was scared at first, but then I realized that they’re just misunderstood shadowlings.”

“They are giant creatures of fire and destruction!” Remus exclaimed. He tapped his fingers to the palms of his hands, almost like clenching his fists excitedly.

“Oh great. Both of the chaos twins love dragons. Going to a place with tons of dragons will surely end well and not in flames.” Janus commented.

Roman felt a small pang in his heart at being called a twin, but it was shadowed by the excitement he felt of meeting dragons in person.

“At least most of the dragons are tame?” Patton offered.

“Ah, most of the dragons. That helps a lot.” Janus said.

“Less talking. More dragons.” Roman said, snapping his fingers excitedly so more.

“Wow, you really are twins!” Patton smiled.

Roman felt that pang in his chest again. “Uhh duh,” Remus cackled. “Was our identical appearance not enough for you?”

Roman shoved the feelings down and scoffed. “I look way better than you do. And cleaner.” he retorted.

“That’s what happens when you have to travel from place to place. Dirt! Oooh scary. Gonna fuck up your purely white suit with my hands dirty from work.” Remus reached out his hands towards Roman who backed away, swatting Remus’s hands away with a look of disgust on his face.

“Okay, let’s not fight again. We’re almost there. Almost to the dragons! Come on!” Patton said to them quickly. He was not prepared emotionally for another big fight.

A man walked over to the group. He was tall, very skinny, and had black locs pulled back. He was wearing a very unfashionable gray jumpsuit complete with gloves and boots, and rectangular glasses. He was holding a giant bag of something. Roman didn’t know what it was exactly, but it looked heavy and he looked like he was buckling from the weight. He was about to offer to carry it for him, but the man spoke first.

“Patton, I do not believe these refugees are children. You can speak to them like adults.”

Patton squealed and ran to his best friend and engulfed him in a hug. “This is my best friend, Logan! Logan, this is Roman, Virgil, Janus and Remus. They aren’t refugees. Roman is the one who got your ‘utmost important’ letter. He was traveling with Virgil, and then he met Remus and Janus later. We all traveled together most of the way back. I wasn’t able to find any refugees this time.” Patton adjusted Logan’s glasses as he noticed they were slipping off of his nose. “Oh sorry.” He let go of Logan and took the bag from him with ease. “Dragon feed, huh? They are very excited to see dragons.”

Logan took all this information in and slowly nodded.

“Roman didn’t trust Patton or his friend, but he decided to keep them both close for now. It’ll pay off later.” Roman’s narrator told him. His narrator used to dictate his whole life, but since this journey, he noticed it was becoming more sparse. When Roman first met Patton, the narrator told him to avoid Patton. Now his narrator had changed his mind, which seemed really worrisome. Roman decided to push these thoughts away. He had some questions for his narrator, but those would wait until he got some time alone with him.

“Oh, please. I’m not the suspicious one here. If I didn’t know any better I’d say that you’ve already reached the title of script-breaker.”

Roman went still for just a moment before Logan’s voice brought him out of his stupor.

“I’m fortunate that someone got that letter. I didn’t think the narrators would allow it. It begs the question of why the narrators allowed it. You might have noticed by now that this town is all script-breakers, including myself. The king and queen of Thera are also script-breakers, so they made this kingdom a sort of safe-haven if you will. It’s not very full of people yet, but Patton has been bringing more and more here frequently.”

“I know that script-breakers are like a smaller group compared to the script-followers, but why is it still so empty?” Janus asked.

“Good question. Through my own research, I’ve noticed that most script-followers only follow their script in fear. While people are around script-followers they feel social pressure to follow their script. This causes some problems trying to bring people here. They might not trust Patton, or don’t want to ruin someone’s ‘destiny’ by leaving or they might be around script-followers at the time of the offer extended to bring them to Thera. You look confused, Roman. Do you have any questions?”

“I stopped listening after the first few words.” Roman admitted. “You talk, just so much.”

Logan let out an irritated sigh. “The kingdom is full of script-breakers and therefore they feel safer. Narrators don’t like script-breakers, so it’s astounding that they forced you to be here.” he summed up. “Did you listen this time?” Logan asked, irritation cut through his usual calming voice.

“Yeah. Got it.” Roman nodded quickly. He was a little afraid of making Logan more annoyed with him.

“So… if you didn’t think that someone would come, why did you ask him for help? The place seems fine-” Virgil started.

“Yes! It seems fine. That’s the problem. I think the narrators are planning something. They have left this kingdom alone for too long. I didn’t want to waste any time, so I called for an outside force as soon as possible. I explained all this in the letter. Didn’t you read it?” Logan asked.

“There was a “plot mandatory” ink blot on the letter.” Janus explained. “These two are script-followers. Roman is a prince. The dragon slaying kind.”

Roman gasped in offense. “I’ll have you know, Dee,” he pointed at him. Janus gave him a blank stare. “I have never slayed a dragon before. I never even met one.”

Logan frowned, looking between the two of them. “In any case, you two will have to stay in my library while I discuss the plan with Janus and Remus. Patton will even be with you. I won’t be taking any chances.”

“Why would you send a letter to someone who follows their script if you didn’t want me to know what’s going on!?” Roman demanded, stomping his foot like a child.

“It’s more complicated than that. You’ll know what is safe for the narrators to know. It was all explained in the letter, honestly.”

“I didn’t see most of the letter.” Roman whined.

“I won’t tolerate this whining childlike behavior. The narrators cannot know what’s going on. You will know what I want them to know. You have the privilege that most script-followers need to live to fulfill their destiny. Most princes need to survive a threat, save a princess, and get married. You need to be alive to fulfill that destiny. I don’t believe the narrator would do anything to kill you. I plan on using that as an advantage.”

“Wait a damn minute. You are going to put Roman through a life threatening situation because you “hypothesize” that his narrator will want him alive!?” Virgil yelled.

“Yeah Logan. That seems a bit… harsh.” Patton looked to the side.

“We should get going. I want to get this plan in action as soon as possible.” Logan told the group. He started walking away.

“Logan! We are not done discussing this.” Patton yelled after him while he ran to catch up.

“I don’t know what the fuck he thinks he’s doing, but I’m not letting him do this. Let’s go back.”

“Prince Roman could not back out now. He still had to fight the threat looming over Thera.” his narrator told him.

Roman took a deep breath. “Let’s hear Logan out, Virgil. From what we know about Patton, he wouldn’t let Logan get me killed. What’s the worst-

“Don’t say it!” Virgil cut him off.

“Do it, dearest brother of mine.” Remus taunted. “Test your fate!”

“Come on, you stinky rat bastard. I walk slowly enough as it is with my cane, and I don’t want to fall too far behind.” Janus took his hand and followed after Patton and Logan.

“Logan looks smart. He has glasses. I think he knows what he’s doing. It’s going to be okay, scare-amore.” Roman reached for Virgil’s hand, but stuffed it into his pocket at the last second. He hoped Virgil didn’t notice what he was about to do. Roman knew it would never work out.

“I… I trust you, Roman. Not for the reason that Logan has glasses and therefore must be smart, but I do trust you.” Virgil wrapped his arms around himself for comfort. “I just really hope you’re right to trust Logan.” Virgil looked at him, and Roman smiled at him. Virgil looked away quickly. “Let’s catch up to the others.” he muttered, walking towards the rest of the party.

Roman walked beside Virgil. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them traveling on this journey again.

The group eventually caught up with each other. Logan was arguing with Patton. Janus and Remus were a couple feet away from them, giving the arguing couple some space. Virgil and Roman caught the last few bits of Logan and Patton’s disagreement as they walked up to the two thieves.

“I assure you I would never do an experiment that puts someone in danger.” Logan told Patton calmly.

“Roman is a person! He’s not an experiment, Logan.”

“You can collect more data if you need that to feel more confident about Roman’s well being. I’ve already read a few stories about script-followers being resuscitated, sometimes by strangers, because they need to be alive for their stories to continue.” Logan adjusted his glasses. “You can find more data like that in the library with Roman and Virgil.”

Patton frowned. He knew he wasn’t going to win or convince Logan otherwise. “Roman, are you feeling okay about this?” he asked, noticing the group was together again. He felt a bit self-conscious knowing that his new friends saw him fight with his best friend.

“Yes.” Roman nodded. He pushed his emotions and doubts aside and put on a brave face for his audience of friends… and Janus, Remus, and Logan.

Virgil and Patton both frowned at this. Neither of them were okay with someone braving into battle with that, especially since Virgil and Roman had gotten really close to each other. With Patton, it was just in his nature to care.

“Roman…” Janus started. Roman braced himself for a string of insults or a ‘you’ll get what’s coming to you’. They had not been getting along since that argument. Janus was really smart though and he had given Roman a lot to think about, mostly about his own beliefs like script-breaking and the news about Remus being his brother. Roman would really like to be closer to him. He just needed to learn first. Maybe Thera would be perfect for that. Afterall, most people here were script-breakers.

“You really are an idiot.” Janus finished and walked off hand-in-hand with Remus. Roman blinked a few times as he watched them leave, following Logan. That was not the response he was expecting from Janus. Did Janus also not want him to go through with this plan and risk his life? Didn’t Janus hate him?

“Okay, let’s go. I guess. I trust Logan, I really do, but you know you don’t have to do this right? The narrators probably won’t get to this town for years. It’s relatively small with very little reach.” Patton fiddled with his glasses, as he spoke.

“I want to help.” Roman said.. His voice was clear and strong. He was determined to do one good thing in his life towards script-breakers. He hadn’t exactly been kind to them in the past after all.

“If that’s what you want…” Virgil trailed off.

Roman put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s gonna be alright, Virgil. I’ll be careful in any way I can.”

“You’ve never been careful before, and you know it. You’re always reckless…”

“I’m sure Logan will prepare for every possible solution.” Patton smiled at them.

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#my writing #sanders sides #prinxiety #roman sanders #virgil sanders #patton sanders #remus sanders #janus sanders #logan sanders #fantasy au #human au

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