#and yes peacock is under that umbrella

[bigassbowlingballhead]

Peacock cancelled Rutherford Falls and I’m ANGRY ABOUT IT

#rutherford falls #HONESTLY HOW DARE THEY #we’re never going to see how Bobbie Yang is as mayor 😭😭 #i blame the Warner discovery merger #they want to court middle America #and less diversity #fuck em #and yes peacock is under that umbrella

[mhysa-leesi]

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒢𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹𝓈𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅𝑒𝓇 (Part I)

𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈: Dark Groundskeeper!Bucky Barnes 𝓍 (femme) Agoraphobic!Reader 🌹.

𝒮𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒮𝓊𝓂𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓎: "Something is seriously wrong with your new groundskeeper."

𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹 𝒞𝑜𝓊𝓃𝓉: 3,781

𝒯𝒲: Descriptions of Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, and Death. ⚠ VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI‼

𝒩𝑜𝓉𝑒: Here is our first part of the mini-series, yay! Nothing happens in this part, just some character introductory. Again, I'd appreciate any feedback! ❤ **ALL GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES ARE MY OWN.

𝒜𝒩: This story contains adult and dark themes, please do not proceed if you are under the age of 18 or if ANY of these warnings upset you! I am not responsible for your media consumption–you and only you are. If you'd like to join my permanent taglist to stay updated on new and upcoming fics, please fill out this Google Form. 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊.

𝒜𝒩 𝒞𝑜𝓃𝓉.: If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, please reach out for help. I do not condone ANY of the actions described in this story, this is merely a work of FICTION.

The overcast sky had the color of dark, grey ash. And although it was only high noon, the world was already dark. The fog blurred every detail and the rain glittered under the pale and muted sunlight hidden beneath dark storm clouds. A withered maple leaf left its branch and fell to the ground; fluttering in the wind, its movements like that of a scarlet butterfly in flight. A cold wind blew in from the north and then it looked as though the leaves of autumn had all taken flight, flying far, far away from here.

You watched from the window as Natasha, your errand girl, arrived home. Her red-hair bright against the grey and foggy background. She was lovely, a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and skin like porcelain. She saw you and waved, and you sheepishly waved back. You watched the rain come down from the window before tiptoeing down the winding stairs and into the kitchen.

Natasha was there, unpacking today’s groceries as she hummed a quiet tune. She wore a peacock-blue basque that was embroidered in gold with whimsical creatures, and her skirt gathered like a ripple of blue satin with peacock feathers trailing in the back. Her eyes had been dusted with glittery purple, that complimented the green of her eyes, and her lips were an orange-coral. You watched from the doorway as she peeled and cut an orange, only moving when she offered you a slice. Juice dribbled down your chin as you bit into the sweet, tarty fruit.

“What does it taste like?” she asked you.

“It tastes like… Summer,” you said.

“Summer?” she quirked a perfectly arched brow, “That’s odd, it tastes like a regular orange to me.”

You smiled for the first time that morning, then. That was what you loved most about Natasha, her wit and eccentricity. You wished you were more like her.

She sucked the juice from her orange slice and turned to you, “I almost forgot, we have a new groundskeeper coming to the property today, Miss.”

“There still hasn’t been a word of Mister Barton?” you frowned.

“I’m afraid not, ma’am,”

“Perhaps we should wait? Just in case he returns to us. I’d hate for someone to take his place—”

“Ma’am,” she said firmly, “the garden is in desperate need of tending. Your mother wouldn’t approve of such an unkempt lawn.”

You hang your head in shame, “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

There was a moment of comfortable silence between the two of you as Natasha finished unpacking the rest of her basket of groceries.

“Have you gone outside today, Miss?”

“Yes. I went out to the garden,” you quickly lied.

Natasha narrowed her eyes at you, piercing you with emerald daggers. She quickly ducked underneath the table and lifted your skirts to check your boots for mud, “You filthy little liar!”

“It’s been raining all morning,” you quickly defended, “I–I promise I’ll go out tomorrow.”

She snatched her umbrella from its stand and thrusted it into your hands, then. It was still wet with rain.

“We’ll go together,” she said matter-of-factly, “out to the garden to pick some flowers.”

You began to shake at the thought, but before you could protest, she had already linked your arm with hers and was leading you toward the garden doors.

“B–But it’s raining, Natasha,”

“We have an umbrella,” she smiled mischievously as she popped it open and led you outside, her hand holding yours.

Natasha laced her fingers through yours and turned them, so the rain pattered against your skin. She rubbed circles with her thumb, smoothing the raindrops into your skin. And with her gentle reassurance, you took a deep breath and reluctantly stepped out from underneath the terrace. With closed eyes, the only noise you could hear was the soft pattering of rain against the umbrella. You took another step, past the cloudberry bushes, and another, until you were standing fully on the lawn and under the raining sky.

“You must open your eyes, Miss,”

You took in another deep breath and forced your eyes to flutter open, blinking as you adjusted to the clouded sunlight. A veil of damp fog hung over the garden, giving the world a greyed cast, and you stumbled over every hidden stone and in every misty puddle as Natasha led you along. You came to the aged, stone dragon statue, then; and your heart started to quicken in your chest. This was the farthest you’ve ever been, always stopping at the sleeping dragon—never daring to cross him. One, two, three more steps and you’ve slayed the dragon.

You were happy about your new accomplishment, but as the rose-covered garden gates came into view, your mouth dried. Has it always been this far? You focused on your breathing, trying your damnedest to be brave and strong like Natasha, but you seemed to lose touch with yourself between each breath and each honeysuckle bloom you passed. Your legs began to shake, then, and you wanted nothing more than to hide under the blankets of your bed. Natasha picked a purple petaled clematis and placed it behind her ear, and with tense legs and tingling hands you inched forward toward a bed of fiery heleniums.

You felt yourself sway as you plucked the blossom from its stem, as if the ground was opening up to swallow you whole. And before you knew what was happening, you were on the ground, with the grey sky raining down on you. Your cheeks were wet, and you couldn’t tell if it was from the rain or your tears. How long you laid there, you didn’t know. But when you finally came to, you saw that the light of the moon had long poured into your bedroom.

On your nightstand sat your fiery helenium, you frowned as you looked at the lonely flower. If only you could’ve picked more, you thought. You drew the covers over your head and just laid in silence, listening to the sounds of the gentle rain that rhythmically tapped against your window. How you longed to be a woman who danced in the rain, instead of one who watches from their window. You shut your eyes and tried to make yourself fall back asleep, but the rain wouldn’t let you, so you sat up and rubbed the tiredness from your eyes.

You sat awake until the rain had stopped, and you were about to try to sleep again when you heard scratching from within the walls. You listened for a moment, and the scratching came again. You got out of bed, then, and went to look out the wet window. You froze as you saw a man. The silver glow of the moon illuminated the darkest shadows of his face, giving him a sinister look.

His face was pale white as he looked up at you, smiling a smile that seemed to be too wide for his face. He just stood there motionless, smiling. You needed to go and find Steve and tell him about this strange man. But you couldn’t move, your heart even seemed to stop beating as you continued to stare out into the night at the mysterious man. Suddenly, he waved up at you, and you shot out of your room as fast as your fatigued legs could take you.

You ran out into the dark corridor, pressing yourself against the cold wall as you calmed your racing heart. There, in the dark of the hallway, you heard the scratchings again, and they were louder this time. And for a moment, you forgot about the man standing outside your window as you tiptoed into the drawing room. But as soon as you stepped inside, they abruptly stopped. You looked around the room and your eyes landed on the ceiling as the faint scratchings started again.

Rats.

Something moved in the corner of your eye, then. It was a shadow from outside, moving like an inky silhouette made of night. You watched as the black shape walked across the garden, its shadow long and ominous against the billowing curtains, and you followed nervously. It was the man, and he was walking around your house. You crept out of the drawing room and down the corridor, then ran down the winding staircase as soon as the coast was clear.

“Steve, there’s someone out in the garden!”

Steve looked up from his book, “Someone out in the garden? Are you sure?”

“Yes,” you hissed, “he was smiling and waving at me.”

Steve put down his book, then, “Are you sure you weren’t having another nightmare, Miss?”

“Steve, please,” you frowned, “j–just come and look. I’d feel better if you did.”

With his hand in yours, you tugged him along until you came to your bedroom window. You peeked through the curtains and shuddered as you saw him standing there… Waiting. Steve looked out through the rain-stained window. Your heart began to skip and quicken as you saw the serious expression on Steve’s face.

“Stay here, (Y/N),” he said.

He left the room before you could speak. You followed him, despite him telling you to stay put. Your heart thudded faster than ever as you crept down the stairs after him. Steve rarely ever called you by your name, and he only did so when he was truly serious. When you reached the bottom of the stairs you caught one last quick glimpse of his back as he disappeared out into the night.

“Steve?” you whispered. No response.

You inched closer to the open door and called out for him again, and still no answer. You rubbed your feet together nervously as a sense of foreboding slithered its way into your heart. You tried not to frown at the thought of something happening within the dark of night. “You’ll get wrinkles”, you heard Natasha’s chide in your head. When Steve reappeared in the open doorway, you jumped.

“Ma’am, this is Mister James Barnes, our new groundskeeper,” he introduced.

You looked past Steve and at the man behind him. Mister Barnes emerged from the darkness and stepped into the light that poured out into the night, but he never stepped foot inside. He stared at you so deeply you felt embarrassed and small, and didn’t know where to look. So, you just decided to stare back with narrowed, scrutinizing eyes. He broke his stare first as he smiled at you.

It was a strange smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. It was too wide, too… Forced. You didn’t smile back. Mister Barnes pushed his wettened hair back, it reached just below his stubbled jawline. He was dressed in shadows without a kiss of color to him.

“Evening, Miss (Y/LN),” he finally said.

You mentally reeled back upon hearing his voice, it didn’t match the coldness of his smile, “E–Evening, Mister Barnes.”

He offered you his hand, and you hesitantly accepted it. You flinched as he kissed your knuckles, he was as cold as ice, he felt more like a dead man than one who was living.

“Mister Barnes was my father, please, call me ‘Bucky’,” he smiled that cold smile again and you instinctively wrenched your hand from his.

Steve stepped out and took Bucky’s luggage, then. And before you could call Steve back, he was already leading in the direction toward his quarters. Bucky lingered just behind the doorway for a moment, just looking at you with an unreadable expression that made you uncomfortable. You couldn’t explain what you felt in that moment as his eyes seemed to look through you, just that you had the sudden impulse to hurry and hide away from him. Without a word or explanation, you closed the door with a frown.

You saw his silhouette against the closed curtains, and that seedling of foreboding you had felt earlier blossomed, spreading its black, ominous petals. He melted away into the night, finally, but you stayed frozen in your place until Steve returned.

“Send him away, Steve,” you said, “Please, something about him isn’t… Did you see his smile? I don’t trust him.”

Steve gently led you back toward your room with his warm hands on your shoulders, “We’re in desperate need of a groundskeeper, Miss.”

“Then we’ll find another. Please… Just send him away,” you begged, turning back to face him.

Steve looked at you apologetically, “You know I can’t do that, your mother has already hired him. It’s out of our control.”

You sat on your bed with your knees to your chest as Steve moved to close and lock your open windows. Alpine, a snow-white cat with sapphire eyes and a pink nose, jumped up onto the bed and curled next to you, purring as you scratched behind his ears. The bed sank under Steve’s weight as he sat beside you. You had to brace yourself not to fall against him. He took your hand in his, then; giving it a chaste and reassuring kiss to your knuckles.

“You think I’m crazy,” you murmured.

“I do not,” he said incredulously, “I just think that you’re nervous, he is a stranger after all.”

You huffed, “That’s not it, Steve. It’s not all because he’s a stranger, he’s… Oh, I–I don’t know. I can’t explain it.”

“He’s not Mister Barton?”

“Yes! Well—no, I–I mean… Christ, I don’t even know what I mean anymore,”

You fell backward onto your back and sighed as you stared up at your starry ceiling. And Steve did the same.

“He was so cold, Steve. Like a dead man,” you let out a shaky breath at the memory, “It was frightening.”

You were so close that you felt Steve’s heat, and you found yourself comforted by it. Your fingers were laced with his, ever so loosely. And your skin brushed against his with the softest of touches. He took your hand in his, then. Linking himself to you so naturally without a second thought.

“You don’t have to be afraid of anything when I’m around, (Y/N). I would never let anything happen to you,”

You chuckled and looked over at him. He was already looking at you, “Isn’t that your job, Mister Rogers?”

He laughed quietly and looked away to your painted constellations.

“Do you promise?” you asked in a small voice after a moment's silence.

“I promise you,”

“Cross your heart?”

“Cross my heart, doll,” he said.

You rested your head on his shoulder, then. And everything suddenly felt right again.

It was early morning when you woke up. You were going to roll over and go back to sleep, when you sensed someone else in the room with you. Scared, you ran to the window and drew open the curtains, letting the early morning light pour into your bedroom. But no one was there. Just you and a waking Alpine.

Outside, the songbirds were chirruping happily. You dressed yourself in black. A beaded and embroidered bolero with a matching bodice, breeches that would send your mother to an early grave, and a pair of your late grandmother’s uncut ruby earrings. You looked nice for once, and you hoped the others would take notice. After your hiccup in the garden yesterday, you were in desperate need of a distraction, and a change of clothes already seemed to be working.

Everyone was sitting at the kitchen table. When you came into the kitchen, everyone turned and wished you good morning with smiles. You sat, and Wanda, your cook, brought you your breakfast. A bowl of porridge, fresh eggs, and sliced bacon from the market, and your favorite banana bread, with cinnamon and honey, from the bakery.

“Is Mister Barnes not joining us?” you asked.

“I’m afraid not,” Steve said, shaking his head, “Mister Barnes leaves for the docks at dawn.”

Natasha came into the room, then, with baroque vases of beautiful flowers. She placed pale pink tulips, marbled orchids, frilled peonies, dark purple carnations, and buttercups that looked like whipped cream around the house, so you could see the blossoms everywhere.

“I’ll just have to bring the garden to you,” that’s what she had said the first time she brought them to you.

You smiled as she tucked a white rose behind your ear and kissed your temple, they were your favorite.

“Doesn’t our mistress just look positively ravishing this morning, Steve?” asked Natasha.

Steve coughed as he choked on his tea, “Y–Yes.”

Your cheeks warmed, then.

“You’re blushing,” Natasha whispered in your ear. And your face grew even hotter.

You were about to retort when you heard the scratchings again. Everyone stopped what they were doing and listened. Then, you saw something move. It was a little shadow, and it scurried into the pantry. Alpine hissed and dove after it.

Alpine came out of the pantry a moment later and dropped the dead rat at your feet. He began to lick his paws clean, but paused, and listened to something that was unheard by your ears. Then Alpine went down into a low crouch and slowly stalked forward. Suddenly, he dashed out of the kitchen and up the winding staircase that led into the attic. And you stood to follow him.

You heard Natasha grumble about “That damn cat,” before you disappeared around the corner and up the stairs to the attic.

You stopped and called for Alpine, but you heard nothing. There was a musty and distinct smell of urine that came through the open doorway. You stepped into the dark and walked into the room uneasily until you felt the brass of an oil lamp. You lit the lamp and watched it flicker and light. The faint glow of flame casted a distorted silhouette of yourself that moved like a liquid shadow as you swept the room.

You heard a noise and saw something move within the darkness, then. It scurried silently across the floor and toward the farthest corner of the room. You held up the lamp and nearly screamed at what you saw…

Alpine was sitting in the center of the room, licking his whiskers and grooming his bloodstained fur. He was surrounded by dead, bloody rats.

A cold draft blew through the room, flickering the lamplight and casting strange shadows along the walls. You brightened the flame and looked around the attic. Hundreds of unblinking, beady, black eyes twinkled back at you. A loud gasp from behind made you jump and yelp and the rats scurried back into the walls. It was Wanda, and she was crossing herself and praying in hushed Sokovian.

“Rats are harbingers of doom, Miss,” she told you.

Doom? Something shifted, then. You could only describe the feeling as something mysterious and ominous… And it scared you.

Twilight fell and the sky was painted a dark dusky blue and purple. Tiny stars twinkled in the sky above and the world became still and shadowy. Outside, the cricket’s song filled the night, and a veil of soft, silvery mist settled over the rose bushes. Wanda came to you, carrying a tray with a kettle of tea steaming on it, and a plate of leftover banana bread from this morning’s breakfast. She poured out your tea and added cubes of sugar and cream, just the way you liked it.

You watched the world from the comfort of the terrace as you helped Wanda bind bundles of thyme and rosemary with twine. She was picking mint under the full moonlight and humming an old Sokovian lullaby to herself. Her voice faded to the chirping crickets as she moved deeper into the garden.

You heard a sudden cry, and you stood from your seat to see Wanda trembling on her knees. Her basket of mint spilled out onto the damp grass beside her.

“Steve!” you called and he came running to you.

You pointed toward Wanda and he went to her, gently helping her to her feet. She was crying and her hands slightly shook as she wiped away her falling tears.

“What happened?” you asked as you followed them inside.

Steve just looked at you with sad eyes, “You should stay inside, Miss.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Wanda turned to you, then.

“I told you, Miss. Rats are harbingers of doom. And cats,” she sniffled, “are the worst of all.”

Your brows furrowed, “Wanda, what do you mean?”

She just shook her head and murmured, “I’m sorry”.

“Steve, what on earth is she talking about?”

His mouth opened and closed as he searched for the right words, but you never gave him the chance to find them.

You stepped out into the moonlight and counted your steps to the sleeping, stone dragon. You froze and you heard your heart shatter…

It was Alpine. He was dead. His snowy fur was red with blood… And there was so much blood.

He was just ahead of you, past the rose-covered gates and among the shrubs of mint and chamomile bushes. Your legs gave out from under you as you saw the too dark grass that pooled around his body. His blue eyes were cloudy and wide, lifelessly staring back at you. You didn’t move—you couldn’t. And you were too shocked to cry or scream, you were just… Still.

A curtain billowed by you as Steve draped a sheet over Alpine’s body. You watched as scarlet bled through the white, bleeding and blossoming like a macabre flower. You heard Steve talking to someone, and you finally looked away.

Bucky was paler under the silver glow of the moon, and his eyes seemed to gleam like an animal’s as he looked down at you. Steve lifted you to your feet and you found yourself clinging to him like a child. He hugged you, then. Holding you close to his beating heart, engulfing you in his warmth. And you swore you saw Bucky’s jaw tick.

You watched from your window as Bucky covered Alpine’s shallow grave with white roses. He paused, then, as if he had sensed you watching, and turned to look up at you. Bucky’s lips slowly pulled back in a chilling smile, and you saw something hungry flash in his eyes that made you feel unsettled.

You saw Wanda’s light red hair appear, like a pale flame cutting through the misty veil of night. She placed a saucer of milk by the roses and you smiled, Alpine loved it when Wanda gave him milk.

Your smile dropped as you watched them talk. Bucky’s face was stony and shadowed with darkness, but Wanda seemed upset—scared. And even from the window, you could see how Bucky loomed over her. Her shadow was so small, and his… You froze.

He had no shadow.

You heard the scratchings again…

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*тαgℓιѕт*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧: @kuranes-12, @syrenavenger, @thehuntresswolf, @kriegersimp, @haleyheart0197, @that-one-girl-who-simps, @xxmizzmariexx, @thenewmrscullen, @alexwinter, @supernaturalbaesduh, @lidivi, @hoosier-daddi, @lou-la-lou

#dark!au #dark!fic #dark fic #dark bucky barnes #dark bucky x you #dark bucky x reader #dark!bucky x you #dark!bucky barnes #dark!bucky smut #dark!marvel #dark!fanfiction #dark!mcu #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes #james bucky barnes #bucky fic #james buchanan barnes #bucky fanfic #bucky #mcu smut #marvel smut #dark smut #bucky barnes series #bucky barnes fanfiction #dark!bucky x y/n #dark!bucky x reader #james buchanan bucky barnes

[tartagliadevotee]

—  chapter 1. the fine print

pairing: kaeya / fem!reader / dainsleif

warnings: no warnings for this chapter! (not beta read)

word count: 2.3k

chapter summary: you finally arrive at khaenri-ah and meet the prince. 

a/n: here we go finally the first chapter!!! hope you guys enjoy it and tell me if you want to be added to the taglist <3

 masterlist (check here for overall summary + warnings of the story)

previous / next (soon)

Finally stepping out of the carriage, the sun caresses your already warm skin. A maid hurriedly scurries towards you and opens up an umbrella to protect you from the sun's grilling rays of heat. You smile at the maid and she quickly averts her eyes. You shrug, despite working for you and your family for so long the maids and servants still feared you. Rightfully so, your family was never kind nor compassionate. They didn’t even bother to come as they sent you off. You mostly found it to be rude towards the royal family of Khaenri-ah but it was obvious that your family didn’t feel the same. You take a step forward and the maid follows, Khaenri-ah is hot but has a pleasant wind. The air smells of something unknown but sweet, vanilla maybe? 

Your light blue dress ghosts over the red carpet as you enter through the large silver gates. The guards bow before you and you quickly pass them. Your own guards follow you, and linger as you momentarily stop before the entrance of the palace. You feel as you can’t breathe, anxiety squeezes your beating heart and you curse at your tight corset. The maid that holds your umbrella gives you a worried glance and with that, you gesture one of the guards to open the door for you. 

You’re surprised to see the royal family ready to greet you, you can almost see sparkles in the air. With a bright smile you take a step inside and do a small bow before observing who you were bowing to. You see the king, the queen and the prince. The king almost seems bored but smiles when he notices your gaze, your ears are ringing and before you can introduce yourself the prince stands up and swiftly makes his way towards you. With a bow of his own he takes your hand and gently places his soft lips. Feeling your cheeks starting to heat up, you slowly pull your hand back when his lips leave your scorched skin. 

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” the prince speaks, his voice smooth like honey. “I am prince Kaeya Alberich, your soon to be husband.” 

Hurriedly you held your skirt and bow once more, your mind was racing as you tried to keep up a pleasant appearance. 

“It is a pleasure as well, I am y/n y/l/n.” 

With a wide smile he turns back to his parents, his fingers intertwined with yours and you can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Both his father and mother smile back at the two of you, they seem much more pleasant than your own family. 

“You are beautiful as the rumors state, my dear.” the mother speaks. 

“Yes,” the father chuckled. “A great bond between our families is forging. I am quite pleased.” 

You part your lips to speak but Kaeya interrupts before you can say anything. 

“I believe I own my fiance a tour,” he chirps and starts to walk to the door, dragging you along with him. “We will see you at dinner.” 

The prince, without proper form or anything, pulls you along with him as he jolts towards the doors you just entered. With the corner of your eye you notice your maid hurriedly trying to catch up with you, lifting your hand you motion her to stop and the doors close. Her horrid and shocked expression being the last thing you see before looking up to Kaeya. 

He truly was breathtaking. You had  heard many rumors before your arrival, how the prince of Khaenri-ah was such a flirt and how he broke hearts left and right. But he didn’t seem like such a man who would break a woman’s heart just for his own pleasing. His dark skin looked soft and inviting under the sunlight, his blue hair tied and lazily thrown over his broad shoulder and his eye, that shimmering oceanic blue eye just reminded you of home and seemed to be gazing to the future. It was a pity that he covered the other one with a pitch black eyepatch, in the middle of said eyepatch there was a gold stitching of a peacock. The animal that stood on his family crest. 

Prince Kaeya is breathtaking. 

You can’t help but stare, his gold earring reflects the sun and his shirt, rather indecorously, exposed his chest. You feel yourself starting to get embarrassed by your inappropriate leering and start to turn your gaze to your surroundings, but before you do Kaeya’s gaze momentarily shifts back to you and notices you glancing away at the last second. A smug grin spreads across his handsome features and your heart stops. 

“How do you like the view?” he asks, starting to slow down. 

“I-I beg your pardon?” your voice is sheer and laced with fake offense. 

The prince chuckles and comes to a halt, his fingers still intertwined with yours, you stop as well. Your eyes still glued to him, trying to comprehend what he had just asked of a woman he just met. Facing you glare head on, his smile widens and he tilts his head to the side, gesturing you to look around. 

And you do as you were told. 

With a gasp your mouth falls open. The two of you were standing at the edge of a grassy cliff, a warm wind caressed your skin, a plain of colorful flowers spread out seemingly all the way to the horizon. You can see every color, red, yellow, blue, green, pink… it was like a colorful ocean that laid underneath your feet. Each blow of a soft wind brings you a different smell coming from a different flower, taking in a deep breath you turn to Kaeya, a shocked expression visible on your face. Your heart thuds faster this time, he was watching you, his smug smile never faltering. 

“It is beautiful,” you manage to blurt out, not knowing what else to say you add. “Thank you.” 

“You are the utmost welcome princess.” 

You smile and turn back to the view, oblivious to the fact that he was observing your every move and mimic you made. He chuckles and takes a step close to you, gently he places his hand ever so delicate on your waist and feels the lace of your dress. Your face heats up at the bold gesture but you can’t help but lean in a bit. Your back presses against his chest and he hums, clearly pleased. 

He muses, “You are not what I expected.” 

With a raise of an eyebrow you tear your gaze away from the view and back to him. A soft smile tugged at your lips, despite having a guess of what the prince had meant, you still inquired further. 

“And may I be so bold to ask what you expected instead, prince?” 

A heartfelt laugh ripples from his throat, his chest trembles and your smile grows. His laugh is similar to a beautiful symphony, it pleases you to see him happy. 

“I expected you to be less willing to marry me that’s for sure.” his laughter dies down and he pulls you closer. He smells like cinnamon. “You must have heard the rumo--” 

“The rumors that you’re a flirt? Yes I have,” he averts his sole eye, momentarily you see pain but it is quick to vanish when you place a hand on his cheek and gesture him to look at you. Your fingertips burn at the contact. “I decide to judge things of my own accord. I am not one to heed to rumors.” 

“I am quite lucky then.” he replies with a wide grin.

“I wouldn’t be so hasty if I were you.” you tease, you hand still gently pressed on his cheek. 

Kaeya’s grin never wavers as he places his hand above yours and slides it down to his lips. His eye flutter closed with the bliss of feeling his skin against yours. A warm wind blows. Your ears ring as you hold your breath, Kaeya’s soft lips grazes against your palm and he places a soft kiss. You part your lips to say something, anything but it seems that all words have left you. He places another kiss and his eye slowly opens, you expect him to look at you, maybe even make fun a bit at your shocked demeanor but instead his eye lingers over something that is behind you. 

You slowly turn, upon seeing someone you pull your hand away and Kaeya clicks his tongue. It seems like the prince didn’t enjoy being interrupted. 

While you observe the man, he gently bows and takes a step closer. He had straight light blond hair and sea blue eyes, much lighter than Kaeya’s dark ones. He was rather tall. His uniform was a mix of black and dark blue, golden stars littered across it, with the corner of your eyes you can also see a sword dangling from his hip. If it wasn’t for the uniform and sword you might’ve mistaken this stranger for royalty. His beauty was almost matched with Kaeya’s.

“Dainsleif,” Kaeya mutters, bored. “What is it?” 

“Sir Albedo requested your presence, he also wanted me to add that it was quite urgent.” 

“Is that so?” 

Kaeya falls silent before sighing and shooting you an apologetic look. 

“I need to go,” he says and gestures to Dainsleif. “This is my personal guard, he will be escorting you to your quarters. I apologize.” 

“It’s alright, please go. I shall meet you at dinner.” 

You smile at him and can see the prince visibly relaxing. With a quick nod he quickly disappears from sight, leaving you with the royal guard Dainsleif. 

“This way your highness.” he says simply with a small bow and starts walking expecting you to follow him.

The edges of your dress dragging across the grass, with quick steps you try to keep up with him. He didn’t seem like someone that indulged in idle conversation but you were used to untalkative, or to put it better, fearful maids and guards around you. Though you didn’t think that this specific guard was fearful of your presence or nervous, he seemed more focused than anything. Usually you would try to talk with whoever was near you, this was mainly due to learning more about the people near you and trying to figure out if they were a threat or not. You were on unfamiliar soil, it was only logical to try and get the people to like you, even if they were just there to serve you. 

But for some reason this peculiar guard makes you nervous. He feels...cold. Despite having such bright blue eyes his gaze seems almost foggy, like he wasn’t completely there with you. 

The two of you reach the castle and as per tradition, he opens the door for you. You swiftly pass him and strut deeper inside of the castle, he quickly follows and leads you through the maze like halls. You were mildly surprised to find the inside so dark, not a candle in sight. Maybe this was due to the day just starting to end but you still found it rather odd. 

You raise an eyebrow and a small smile tugs at your lips as you continue to observe your surroundings. Everything had a silver lining and the dark halls were yours. 

“It is rather dark isn’t it?” you ask, shifting your gaze back to Dainsleif. “Are the halls always like this or are the candles to be lit?” 

“The royal family hasn’t had a visitor in a while,” he begins. His voice, despite being soft, still echoes off the walls. “These rooms haven’t been used for decades, I will be sure to ask the maids to light some candles.” 

“It is surprising that no one has been here for a while.” you say with awe, your eyes once again wondering across the pale white walls. “Is there a reason for that?” 

An uncomfortable silence follows your question. The sound of footsteps fills the silent void and just as you part your lips to speak, or rather apologize, for asking so much Dainsleif comes to a halt. You mimic his movement and notice that the two of you are standing in front of a clean white door.  

“The prince prefers not to come here anymore.” he nonchalantly answers, then he gestures towards the door. “Your room, your highness. I shall be standing watch if you require any assistance.”

“Thank you.” 

Quickly you open the door and walk inside. Swiftly closing the door you immediately press your back against it and take in deep breaths. What did he mean by that? Why didn’t the prince want to come here anymore? If the prince didn’t like it here why was your room located here? Despite Dainsleif’s calm demeanor his answer was shrouded with mystery and sent a chill down your spine. The tone of it, the silence, all of it was enough to get your stomach churning. 

You close your eyes and sigh, slowly walking forward you reach the bed. It was rather large with comfortable looking pillows and white sheets. With a tilt of your head you notice a dark blue dress with a note, curiosity getting the better of you, you slowly take the note. 

“Sorry for leaving so suddenly, I gift you this dress as a sign of my apology.” you read out loud barely in a whisper. 

Placing the note down, your hand wanders across the dress. Your fingertips screamed with pleasure with the feeling of something so soft against them. The dress has a low-cut neck and long sleeves, the skirt was littered with beautiful small golden stars, it’s a thoughtful gesture on his part and you can’t wait to wear it. 

With that initial thought, you push your suspicions to the back of your head, surely you were just being paranoid over nothing. Besides, the reason for the prince’s dislike towards the wing you currently occupied could be anything. 

Right now you just need to focus on leaving a good appearance and that’s all. The prince’s past was none of your concern. 

#genshin impact x reader #gi x reader #kaeya x reader #kaeya x fem!reader #dainsleif x reader #dainsleif x fem!reader #kaeya x reader x dainsleif #peach.writes #multichapter #lonely shade of blue

[hotdadsdrawing]

My Unpopular/Opinions about Miraculous LB

Yes I'm Categorizing this leave me alone,

SHIPS:

-Ladrien, is only good in fanfictions, cannon Ladrien would be LB using her superhero status to date the guy she likes knowing that he doesn't romantically like the girl under the mask

-MariChat, one, the stans are so toxic and two, MariChat should just be a platonic ship and would be horrible in cannon. MariChat works out 100x better when they're just best buds who do best bud things together.

-Adrienette, Adrienette has been really unsettling for the past 2 seasons, Mari is being super creepy obsessed.

-Ladynoir, I fully agree with the cannon that they shouldn't date in mask before they defeat Hawkmoth, it could lead to a lot of danger to both parties and a lot of emotional damage.

-Adrigami, Adrigami is toxic. All Kagami wants is some TLC but Adrien is so in love with LadyBug that he barley notices her and makes her feel shitty, I'm glad they broke up.

PLOT: There is literally no plot progression for any ships so far, Adrienette got the reverse umbrella scene yeah yeah but besides that no one has showed interest in anyone yet (besides Chat obviously). I understand that it's complicated cause of masks and identity but it's been FOUR SEASONS, mf jim and pam were dating by the fourth season.

CHARACTERS:

-Marinette, love her to death but the way she spies on Adrien and constantly stalks him is disgusting and cringey. It's so invasive and if I were Adrien she'd already have a restraining order.

-Tikki, sometimes I feel like she's putting more stress on Marinette. I understand that sometimes everyone needs to hear the hard truth but Mari is 14 years old she does not need a little red god telling her about every mistake she's made.

-Alya, I feel like she's still got that vlogger and reporter mindset when it comes to identities. The fact that she's taking selfies and telling Nino stuff behind Mari's back. She'll get better as the season progresses but it's making me real stressed out rn.

-Adrien, this mf has got to get another personality that isn't "simp for ladybug" and "cause world destruction", I get that it's probably a good distraction from his trauma but he needs to get a hobby istg, maybe collect rocks or smth.

-Nino, perfect character rn.

-Just because Chloe is a disliked character doesn't mean you have to like her, she's a racist, backstabbing, untrustworthy person and her mommy issues don't justify that.

-Zoe is better.

AKUMA VICTIMS: Bro the costumes for so many victims are so bad. Bright colors does not equal good costume.

The names are bad too, "malediktator" nah cause what was that

"befana" is just hag in Italian and it connects to Christmas folk lore, wtf does that have to do with old candies.

SEASON 4:

No complaints for season four but the filler episodes are horrible.

MIRACULOUSES:

-The pig miraculous is so corny. "The Power of Kindness" NAH

-When the Butterfly miraculous isn't being used for evil it'd be kinda useless

-Max uses the horse miraculous so well and they need to use him more often

-Aspik. Just Aspik.

-Mylene is great for the mouse, the costume is VILE though.

-The Snake miraculous' accessory is completely useless for any type of climbing or jumping that the rest of the hero's do. This also applies to the turtle, pig, horse and peacock.

-Monkey miraculous is extremely useless to any enemy that has WORKING LEGS, they can just walk away from the very small toy banana.

-I know Ladybug has her magic compact but where does Chat keep all his stuff, how does he just pull out the magic camembert that can transform them. Does he have magical cat pockets?

-Lila looks amazing in the fox miraculous, I'm sorry someone had to say it, she rocks it so hard and the character design on that costume is too good for a bad person.

-Zoe looks 10x better in the bee miraculous than Chloe, the mask on Chloe makes her face look all wonky and Zoe's transformation is so much cooler.

#miraculous lb #opinion #miraculous les aventures de ladybug et chat noir #mlb #miraculous ladybug season 4 is so good #miraculous ladybug and catnoir #chat noir #ladybug #ladrien #marichat #adrienette #miraculous ladybug #ladynoir #kwamis #tikki #pig miraculous #aspik #snake miraculous #monkey miraculous #bee miraculous #mouse miraculous #butterfly miraculous #Akumas #miraculoustalesofladybugandcatnoir #miraculous

[fanartfunart]

Fly Away

Episode 1: Paon Lilas (*Lilac Peacock)

Ao3 Link (If I actually continue this, check my Ao3 of the same name “Fanartfunart”.. Considering how much mental real estate it’s taking up, I probably will.)

An au in which Adrien didn't succeed in trying to 'sneak' into brick and mortar school and therefore also didn't get the Black Cat miraculous..... but he did find a pretty peacock. (It's in his house... I mean....) Ladybug and Féline Sombre (Who uses She/They. Black Cat hero name thanks to @broadwaytheanimatedseries) get some help from the mysterious peacock miraculous holder, but Ladybug isn’t sure he’s 100% doing this for good.

Warnings: Canon typical violence.... Not much else? Tell me if I need to add anything.

A/N because Brick and Mortar schoolers never know that’s what they are: "Brick and Mortar school" is a homeschool/online school method of reference to in-person schools before calling it “in-person” was a thing. I 100% think Adrien would use that phrasing. (if the writers knew it existed...Tho. Idk if there's a French equivalent)

-*-

Adrien knew he shouldn’t be doing this. This was a worse idea than trying to sneak his way into brick and mortar school. He’d only seen it by accident. He wasn’t even doing very good at committing to breaking into his father’s mysterious safe. This was the third time he’d come back down to find out what was behind that painting.... He should really not be doing this. But...a secret compartment behind his mother’s painting was just… too interesting to ignore. He unfurled an umbrella to cover himself from the cameras his father probably had in the room. Inching his way to the painting of his mother. 

...He had had far too much time to think about this. He only had to punch in the code once (his mother’s birthday- frankly, his father really needed a code harder to guess), for the safe to click and unlock.

The contents… were not what he anticipated. It looked like a keepsake box, not a super secret compartment. He ghosted a hand over the frame of his mother’s photo, blinking away the lingering sadness. ...A peacock brooch? He picked it up, tumbling it in his hand. It almost hummed with energy. He tilted his head, brow raised.

Footsteps.

Adrien frantically closed the hidden compartment and glancing for a hiding place. The umbrella closed over his head just as he dove for the curtain. That… might bruise. He flattened himself against the windowsill, going on his tip-toes on the barely-there window ledge. 

From the distinct clack of dress shoes on the floor, his father had entered the room. Adrien held his breath, hearing his father’s footsteps come closer. A strange whirr. Then silence. Adrien stood there for a long moment, feeling the edges of the peacock brooch dig into his clenched fist. Heart hammering. But father never called for Natalie, or his bodyguard, or moved, or anything. It was eerily quiet. The umbrella peaked out of the curtain. He popped open the umbrella to find… no one. 

"What?" Adrien whispered to himself. He frowned, and tiptoed out from the window, before racing out of the room, down the hall, and outside. Once safely in the garden, he dropped the umbrella. He slid down into the grass, taking deep breaths. 

The brooch vibrated.

Wait. The brooch vibrated? He opened his hand. He had to shield his face from the burst of light. He opened an eye to see… a tiny… hummingbird? No, it was a peacock. Why is a peacock… floating? And Tiny? And why isn’t he sneezing? Are miniature peacocks hypoallergenic? “What the...”

“Ooooo, hello!” The creature said cheerfully, “Lovely weather isn’t it? Beautiful flowers! Nice to be outdoors for once isn’t it? Are you my new miraculous wielder? You’re so cute! You look almost like…” tears welled up into the miniature peacock’s eyes. Adrien looked around frantically. It kept talking unintelligibly between sobs, gesturing vaguely.

“Are you… okay?”

“Noooooooo.”

“Right. Er-” Adrien frowned, clearly it wasn’t going to make sense if he asked what was wrong. He opted for distraction. “Do… you want something to eat?”

“Oh sure!” The tiny peacock’s tears cleared up immediately.

Adrien blinked at the sudden change in mood and nodded “Let’s… Let’s go get you something to eat… I guess. Er, what are you?”

"Oh I'm Duusu, a kwami, I can grant the power to hone emotions into constructs."

He tilted his head. The image of Ladybug summoning her Lucky Charm came to mind. "Like… a superhero? How?”

"Well you are transformed by a magic phrase, and once transformed, you can create a sentimonster out of vibrant emotions. Whoever holds the Amok, the item imbued with power, can control the sentimonster."

“Oh, cool!”

"It is! Do you have any mangoes? I love mango."

“We’ll see.” Adrien glanced at the peacock brooch and stuffed it into his pocket. He looked back at the door inside, then Duusu. “Actually, can you… hide? Just for now-”

“Oh yes! Don’t worry! I know the Kwami and our wielder's identities are a secret.” The kwami zipped into Adrien’s over-shirt inner pocket and settled there. It felt… almost natural. He smiled a bit to himself and went to find out if they had some good fruit for the tiny peacock. 

-

The TV played in the background while Duusu had another sudden breakdown about… something. Adrien still wasn’t sure what. He was starting to feel very out of his depth. 

“Duusu.... Duusu. D- Duusu, do you want to talk about it?” There was a pause before the tears flowed even harder. Adrien was reminded of a sprinkler.

His eyes were pulled to the TV, with a flash of red and black blurring on the screen. Followed by an Akuma. Ladybug and Féline Sombre. He glanced at the Kwami. “Duusu… you mentioned you can give me powers, right?”

“Mhm! You just have to say ‘Spread my feathers.’”

“Alright! Duusu-”

“OH! Wait I didn’t-”

“Spread my feathers!” The transformation felt so natural, like he was made to do this. He struck a pose and smiled behind the fan that materialized in his hand. “Alright, let’s go help Ladybug and Féline Sombre.”

He didn’t expect to start… feeling, seeing emotions. Although he supposed that made sense for the power set. They were everywhere- it was like being dropped into the deep end of a pool, surrounded and covered. Fear, worry, frustration, annoyance, determination. Stronger emotions felt… bigger, somehow. The world was full of colors and feelings he’d never expected. He lept across rooftops, feeling like he was flying. His own elation from the truest sense of freedom he’s ever had in… ever; a bright vibrant bubble. He stumbled to a stop as he spotted Ladybug.

Ladybug was determined… and scared? He didn’t expect that from Paris’s hero. She kept looking around, searching for a plan. The redhead cat hero dove in from above and smacked the Akuma with their baton. Her baton was then immediately captured and swallowed by the plants under the Akuma’s control. Féline Sombe pulled desperately before eventually giving up and vaulting towards Ladybug. She was scared too, he noticed, and frustrated.

The Akumatized person was angry. So so angry it was overwhelming. He almost couldn’t see the person behind their anger. “It’s only a matter of time before Chloé Bourgeois and the litterers of Paris pay!” The plant-covered Akuma cackled. 

Chloe?! Well that’s not good. One of his only friends is in danger?

“Bonzaniac is just gonna grow bigger if they go anywhere near the Eiffel. We need to prune this plant before it’s unmanageable.” Ladybug told Féline Sombre, wrapping her yo-yo around the Akuma’s legs, straining to control Bonzaniac’s movement.

Féline Sombre gestured widely, “If I touch them I’ll just become Cat-nip! How are we supposed to stop them?”

Ladybug called her Lucky Charm, ending up with a polka dotted fishing pole. “How’s that supposed to help?” 

The peacock hero frowned and… Chloé? What’s she doing here? Bonzaniac noticed her as well, it seemed, because the plant growth reached toward her. Chloé’s fear grew rapidly and immediately. He plucked a feather from the fan, imbuing it with power. He dove from his perch on the roof down towards Chloé and Bonzaniac. 

“Fly away, darling amok.” The feather fluttered into Chloé’s necklace. He grabbed a traffic cone and hurled it at the plant tendrils, keeping it from touching Chloé. Féline Sombre quickly took over the idea, batting away the tendrils with a trash can lid. (That made Chloé cringe.) A purplish mask of light illuminated Chloé’s and his own face. “Chloé, I am…er- Paon Lilas. I can sense your fear. Let me help you turn it into safety. I can grant you a construct to protect you.” 

“Then just do it already!” Chloé cried, “Please just don’t let it turn me into a sticky sappy gross tree!” A large golden bear materialized in front of Chloe. It roared and Chloé gasped. “Mr. Cuddles!”

Ladybug was... understandably confused. “What? Another Akuma?” She furrowed her brow and deepened her fighting stance.

“OH! No no no, uh, I’m Paon Lilas." He flourished his fan with a bow. "I’m here to help.”

Ladybug’s suspicion grew, but he didn’t have much of a chance to explain himself as Bonzaniac roared and turned on him, aiming their plant tendrils towards him. “Hey! I’m not really the roosting type of bird!” He dived for cover behind a car, patting himself down, “Come on, is the only weapon I get a fan? Why couldn’t I get a baton or something like that?”

The gold bear attacked Bonzaniac, knocking them down. Bonzaniac grappled the bear in plants, taking the plants away from protecting their back.

Ladybug gasped, "There! They only have so much plant matter! Féline, destroy as much plant matter as you can, Paon, distract Bonzaniac! I'm going Akuma fishing."

The two other heroes nodded. 

"Cataclysm!" Féline Sombre yelled, summoning black destructive energy around their hand. She ducked and weaved towards the center of Bonzaniac's plant mass, jumping out of the way of grasping tendrils. 

Paon Lilas whistled "Hey Bonzaniac, have you heard about Fast Fashion? I use all my outfits that way. Never worn the same shirt twice!"

The Akuma roared "All. That. WASTE!" They focused a massive amount of plant matter towards him. 

"Didn't think that'd work so effectively," he muttered under his breath. He lept out of the way, and back around the bend of the car. The plants wrapped up around the car. He whooped in triamph.

Féline Sombre finally managed to hit Bonzaniac, severely reducing the amount of plants in their control. Ladybug swung the fishing pole and caught a necklace from in the middle of the thicket of plant matter. She crushed it under foot and captured the purple butterfly that fluttered out. 

Mr Cuddly the sentibear sat on the Akuma victim. Paon frowned and glanced at Chloé. The gardener looked dazed and confused.

“Now who do you think you are?” Chloe said, crossing her arms.

The gardener smacked the side of the over large bear. “Wh- you! You littered in my garden! And refused to simply pick it up!”

“So what? That's not my job," Chloe huffed, crossing her arms. The sentibear huffed with her.

Paon snapped his fingers, pulling the amok from the necklace, the sentibear disappearing. Chloe gasped, pouting.

"Mademoiselle Chloe," Paon sighed softly, "How would you feel if someone threw trash into your beautiful hair and refused to help clean it up?" Chloe grabbed her hair, and Paon saw her horror at the concept. "Exactly. That garden takes just as much work, or more, as your hair. I suggest apologizing."

She pouted, "Fine, your garden was pretty or whatever, sorry I messed it up." She flicked her hair over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. "There. I apologized."

Féline Sombre and Ladybug chatted in the background. Féline grabbed their baton and with a light salute, she vaulted away. 

Paon's Miraculous beeped. That... meant something right?

"Birdy!" Ladybug called, walking toward him, her own Miraculous beeping. "Where did you get that Miraculous?"

"Oh… um…. Funny story-"

"I'm sorry, but you need to give it to me. It doesn't belong to you."

"What?" Paon took a step back, "Why?" 

"It's been lost. I'm going to take it back to the original owner."

Paon paled. Did Ladybug know his father? Or did his father find the lost miraculous without giving it back? Did his father know what it was? What would happen if his father found out he took it? The bubble of elated freedom popped. "That… sounds like a great, morally right thing to do… but… consider…” He took a soft step back, glancing up to find a path of escape, hands raised surrender. “I can't. Sorry, bye!" Paon ran, leaping up and away.

Ladybug moved to go after him, only for her miraculous to beep again. Sabrina had run in just in time to comfort Chloé, so Ladybug sighed and ran in the opposite direction.

Adrien tripped over himself as he detransformed in a back alley. His legs weak, and head dizzy. "Woah- is that normal?"

Duusu looked up at him with sad eyes. "I meant to tell you. The miraculous is broken... If you continue to use it... it will hurt you."

"... Does it hurt you?"

Duusu thought for a moment. "The transformation? No.... It is nice... to see another use it's power so kindly."

Adrien glanced down. He looked at the broach clipped to his overshirt. The lightness... the freedom. He nodded firmly. Unclipping it from his shirt and instead clipping it in his inside pocket. Hidden. "I'll be careful. Come on, let's get something to eat...” He rubbed his head, “I feel like we both need it."

-

Marinette just barely managed to make it to the bakery before the afternoon rush.

"Marinette! How was school?” Tom called, opening his arms for a hug. She happily took her place in her father’s arms.

"Not great.. Chloé caused another Akuma."

Tom sighed and shook his head, releasing her with a pat on the back. "At least we have Ladybug and Féline Sombre. Come on, if you can't learn in peace at school you can learn some more Dupain-Chang classics!"

Marinette chuckled and nodded, heading over to get ready to work behind the counter.

The door chimed, signaling the entrance of a young blond. She stared at him. He seemed oddly familiar. She started picturing him against all the blonds she knew, although her brain was still somewhat stuck on the Peacock Miraculous holder…. She really needed to talk to Master Fu about that. 

The boy stumbled. He was just about to faceplant into the counter before Marinette, intending to catch him- shoved him. He fell on his rear instead. 

“OH, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Marinette cried, moving to pull him up to his feet. He was surprisingly light, ohmy and now she just manhandled him like a human doll.

“It’s okay! You saved me from what was probably a worse fate.” He giggled awkwardly, "Thanks... I’ve been.. a bit dizzy today, I guess."

"Oh, I hope you feel better, anything I can do to help?"

"Heh, I was looking for food. Got some, er, fruity stuff?"

"Fruity, fruit. For sure, fruit." Marinette stared at him a bit longer. Finally the images and fashion magazine clippings clicked next to the boy’s face. She gasped "Adrien Agreste! You're Gabriel Agreste's son! He’s my favorite fashion designer!"

He laughed awkwardly. Rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah… That’s… that’s me."

"You probably hear that all the time, sorry! But! Fruit." She walked over to the counter and gestured at the prepared goods. "Macaroons are always good, and there's some a couple of fruit Eclairs, brioche and jam-"

He smiled somewhat stiffly, before frowning at the eclairs. He made a subtle 'come here' gesture. Marinette looked down at the eclairs herself, unsure what exactly made him frown.

He sighed, adjusting his overshirt. (Duusu settled nicely into the pocket again, glad to have been able to choose his treat.) "I think one of those is good.... Er... actually, I think two." 

He handed her the money, and she handed him the pastries. "Thank you."

She smiled, "Thank you! Come again soon. Just try not to trip, that's usually my thing."

He laughed. "Actually…” He takes a bite of his eclair, with a smile “I think I will definetly try to come in again."

"Oh! Okay, cool!"

He waved and walked out of the establishment with a small smile.

Tom leaned over as she watched him leave. "Flirting with the customers?"

Marinette gasped dramatically, "NoOo dad no. He's... just a friend."

Adrien leaned against a wall and sighed. Duusu floated up into view, taking a section of eclair. "Ah young love..."

He shook his head, "...She's just a friend..." He gasped, glancing back at the bakery with a smile, "A friend."

-

Marinette frowned, "Wait, Master Fu, do you think he could be working with Hawkmoth?"

"It is a possibility. I wouldn’t be surprised if the butterfly and the peacock had been nearby each other. If you can find out where he found it, it may help us find Hawkmoth.”

“Hm, he didn’t seem like he was with Hawkmoth. He was helpful... And he actually got Chloé to apologize?”  She was still bewildered about that. It wasn’t the best apology ever, but she still actually did it.

“The peacock wields the power of emotion, Peon Lilas will be able to sense emotion. He can very easily use that information to manipulate others into doing things for him. Even something as simple as an apology.”

She frowned, considering, “I think I understand.”

“Be careful, the peacock is not to be underestimated. Make sure you and Féline Sombre are prepared for what he might do next."

She nodded firmly. "I will be.”

-

Gabriel Agreste stared at the paused frame from the newscast on his newest enemy. Emile's painting ajar and missing a vital item. "Natalie... Where is the surveillance footage for this room?"

She silently pulled up the footage, scrolling through to find an umbrella blocking their view of their thief.

Gabriel growled under his breath and stood up. "Time to catch a runaway bird, it seems. See what you can find from the rest of the cameras in and out of the building. If there's anything or anyone out of place, you tell me immediately."

"What will you do sir?" Natalie asked, already scanning through footage on her tablet.

"Someone found and stole the peacock miraculous from right under our noses. I need to find a way to protect my identity and a lure for our heroic peafoul.”

#gabriel agreste #hawkmoth #adrien agreste #miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #ml #peacock!adrien #black cat!sabrina #Chloé Bourgeois #akuma oc #ml fanfiction #fanart's fanfic #Peon Lilas AU #Duusu #Up next: me drawing them lolol

[graaythekwami]

YES, yes, yes 👏. Make. That. Fic. (Just imagine! Peacocks flying after everyone to amokitze them hehe.)

They had him. Hawk Moth was cornered on the Eiffel Tower, the five heroes pressing in close. Scarlet Moth was no more, his army of akumas were no more. Ladybug felt her heart hammering, knowing that this could finally be over. They could claim his Miraculous, free Nooroo, and free Paris. They knew they had the upper hand, they could see the fear in Hawk Moth's eyes.

Then she heard the sound.

Not quite a screech, but not a honk either. But still the cry repeated, through the silent city, gradually growing louder. Hawk Moth's eyes flickered to above them, going wide as a shadow fell over them.

The large blue blur dove down in front of them, large wings whistling through the air, and a flowing tail of feathers trailing behind the avian. The creature rushed towards Hawk Moth's abandoned cane, merging with it with a flash of blue.

The heroes didn't have time to question what had just happened, as a giant purple bug was materializing behind Hawk Moth.

-------

There hadn't even been a fight, the giant insect having blown them away, and right as Ladybug came in to strike it had vanished, alongside Hawk Moth.

What hadn't vanished, however, was the bird that had reappeared.

"A peacock?!" Queen Bee cried, watching the bird as it sat upon the remains of Hawk Moth's cane.

"Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah!" The peacock shrieked, raising his head up high.

"The second Miraculous that was lost..." Ladybug muttered.

"Was a Peacock!" Chat Noir cried, eyes widening in realization.

Rena Rouge glanced between them, then at the bird. "A Peacock Miraculous...? But that still doesn’t explain where the bird came from?"

"Well Hawk-dude does send out butterflies," Carapace said.

"And Ladybug has her Miraculous Ladybugs," Queen Bee snapped.

"Yeah, but those are tiny!" Chat protested, pointing to the peacock, who was now preening himself. "What do we do with this guy?"

"Um... Maybe my cure will send him back to wherever he came from?" Ladybug muttered, throwing her Lucky Charm up into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

A wave of pink light flared out from the Charm, which immediately swept across the tower and the city, pink ladybugs humming within. As it surged out their eyes returned towards the peacock, waiting to see what would happen as the cure faded.

Hawk Moth's cane was gone, but the Peacock was still there, preening his feathers.

In the end Queen Bee volunteered to bring him home.

-------

The Peacock's holder first attack turned out to not be their last, and more peacocks were sent out to create what soon became known as sentimonsters, fighting alongside Hawk Moth's akumas.

It honestly didn't take long for Paris to come to fear the noise that could be heard above the honking of traffic and the chatter of talking:

"Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah!"

Immediately the Paris crowd scrambled to escape the shape descending from above. The large blue bird wasn’t the most graceful of flyers, his large tail trailing out behind him, but he wasn’t slow either. He swooped after the fleeing crowd, wings flapping wildly as he tried to descend down onto them.

Most civilians managed to flee into nearby stores and buildings, and the ones who hadn’t were bolting down the streets. The peacock stood there on the sidewalk, before sprinting after the nearest fleeing person with startling speed, crying out.

"Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah!"

He opened his wings, diving at the man’s shoes, vanishing with a flash of light, allowing another sentimonster to appear.

-------

“You have to purify it, My Lady!”

“Peacocks don’t fit into my yoyo!”

“Hurry, it’s getting away!”

-------

People started to carry umbrellas with them to use to ward off peacocks.

The items that the peacock started to hide in was now mostly umbrellas.

-------

“M. Agreste! M. Agreste!” A reporter cried as Adrien and Gabriel exited a limo. He glowered at the man in annoyance, but the reporter didn’t back down. “Recently you’ve volunteered to take the peacocks that create sentimonsters into your garden, why?”

“Because they needed somewhere to go,” Gabriel said stiffly. “And rescue centers were getting overwhelmed with the numbers that were showing up. I have the money and resources to care for these birds, and my wife was always fond of peacocks. I am simply doing what she would want me to do. Just like we don’t blame the akumatized villains for their actions, these birds don’t deserve to take blame either.”

“That’s so noble of you, M. Agreste!” Someone else cried.

“I have more important things to do,” Gabriel said stiffly, laying a hand on Adrien’s shoulder to guide him away. “Let’s go, son.”

“Yes, Father,” Adrien said softly.

“You heard it here first, folks! Gabriel Agreste says rescue animals, and don’t point blame! What honorable actions.”

“More like the peacocks were just getting expensive to smuggle in without anyone knowing,” Gabriel muttered under his breath, and his son looked up at him in pure confusion.

-------

“Do we have to do this?” Plagg muttered with a yawn as they walked out through the night. “We could be sleeping, or eating cheese. These birds are stupid.”

“You heard what Father said,” Adrien muttered, camped out in the Agreste Gardens, near the roost that had been built for all the rescued peacocks. All of them were peacocks, no peahens, all of the bright blue male birds fast asleep.

Adrien didn’t know what his father planned on doing when spring came when they needed to separate all of the peacocks, but right now he was more worried about what his father might else be planning.

“You get to catch one this time,” a voice muttered, and Adrien stiffened up, retreating further into his hiding place. “I got all scratched up last time.”

“I’d rather not, sir.”

“It’s for your Miraculous!”

“A Miraculous that’s taking my life force.”

“...Fine. I’ll catch one...”

Adrien held his breath, listening to the sounds of his father and Nathalie. Plagg had seen disinterested until the word ‘Miraculous’ had been said, and suddenly the kwami was on alert, staring out at the two figures moving closer to the peacocks.

“Maybe this would be easier if we kept them in the lairs like the butterflies...” Nathalie muttered.

“The birds would eat my akumas!” Gabriel protested. “And if not them then the caterpillars or chrysalis. Annoying little birds, aren’t they... will that one due for an amok? It’s pretty small.”

“Whatever one you want to grab, sir,” Nathalie said, sounding exhausted.

“Psst, kid,” Plagg whispered in Adrien’s ear, who was stiff as stone. “We need to go find Ladybug, now.”

Adrien didn’t trust himself to speak, instead giving a sharp nod. He waited until his father disturbed the peacocks in his attempt to catch one, the sound of wings flapping filling the night, and used the chance to retreat. There was no point in waiting until morning, not with the information they had now.

-------

At the crack of dawn Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie Sancoeur found themselves in handcuffs as they were lead from the mansion, the sound of the ‘rescued’ peacocks singing in the morning sun.

"Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah! Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah! Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah!"

“Are you okay, Chaton?” Ladybug asked softly, laying a hand on her partner’s shoulder.

He leaned into her touch just like an actual cat. “I will be in time, Princess.”

“Anything I can do now?” She asked. “I told the police that I moved Adrien somewhere safe after you told us what you found, so no one will be excepting you for sometime.”

“Hold me?” He asked quietly, and immediately he found himself wrapped in her embrace, and he let out a low purr. “I love you, M’lady.”

“I love you too, silly kitty,” she whispered back, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

"Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah! Rrrhhhahhh! Rrrhah!"

Ladybug glowered up towards the peacock enclosure, the birds calling out together. Chat Noir let out a small laugh, wrapping his arms around her. “I guess another home will have to be found for them.”

“Do you think Chloe would take a few dozen more peacocks?”

#peacock holders send out peacocks instead of feathers au #peacock miraculous #my fics #anon ask #adrien agreste #gabriel agreste #nathalie sancoeur #marinette dupain cheng #hawk moth defeat #LadyNoir #My fic

[palpunte]

Top 5 Gareth Mallory Looks

Warning: thirst.

Honorable Mention: tired defeated old man

With Bond gone rogue and that brat C moving in on his turf, Mallory sits alone in some posh restaurant or somesuch, brooding with his jacket off and collar popped, stripped of that palpable dommy energy he normally exudes. Would men and women line up to offer him a comforting blowjob? Yes, yes they would. However, this is only an honorable mention since it's less of a look than a mood. Look: 5/10 Delicious old man whump: off the fucking charts

#5: arm sling

After getting shot in the arm, Mallory kindly returns to the MI6 so we can all get a good luck at the exact right balance between proper and disheveled that only he can pull off. Look at how he's still wearing his signet ring on his little finger, all proper like. Look at those suspenders, taut over his chest and tummy. Look at that messy rolled up sleeve, teasing a bit of arm hair and bony wrist. I don't say this often, but: DADDY Look: 7/10 Skin: more than Mallory has graced us with before or since

#4: coat and umbrella

I gasped when I upped the lighting on this scene and saw the coat properly; what a delightfully retro look on him, maybe a tweed Burberry? The classic black umbrella and leather briefcase complete the look of the stuffy upper-class English bureaucrat, the role Ralph Fiennes was born to play. Would watch 12 seasons of a BBC sitcom starring this man. Look: 7.5/10 Stuffy boss you write dirty self-insert fanfic about on your work computer: this guy

#3: red tie

For his appearance at M's formal hearing, Mallory wears a red "power tie" in contrast to the blues and navies he seems to typically prefer, looking absolutely dashing and standing out in a room full of bureaucrats in dark suits, drawing our eyes to him immediately. And then he makes that face, barely holding back a roll of his eyes, speaking a million words with a turn of his neck and a raising of one eyebrow. We can only imagine what dirty obscenities would come out of his mouth if he weren't sitting two feet away from the PM, and that is delicious. Look: 9/10 How magnificent is that look on his face: so cocky, so dry, so magnificent

#2: suspenders

The first time we see Mallory he has graciously taken off his jacket to reveal these amazing vintage suspenders over his deep blue shirt, instantaneously cementing him as an old-fashioned traditionalist in the viewers' minds. But also, hot. We know immediately that Mallory is a proper dresser, his slacks tailored and suspenders in place to make sure he never looks sloppy, and yet here he is, without his jacket, giving us just a hint of what he looks like under his prim exterior, making us imagine what he might look like if he ever did get... sloppy. Perfect, iconic, might as well be porn.

Also, this is the scene where we get the one and only look at those high-waisted slacks covering his ass, and I don't know about you, but I am here for it.

Look: 10/10 Ass: yes

#1: waistcoat

For his first meeting with Bond at the new MI6 headquarters Mallory evidently decided to dress up, because he's wearing this gorgeous blue silk three-piece suit complete with a waistcoat properly buttoned up, that aforementioned dommy energy positively radiating off of him. He knows we all want it, and knows we all want it that much more because we can't have it. Honestly, at this point he's just toying with us.

Also, look at the man strut his stuff; he's a damn peacock is what he is.

Look: 12/10 Would Bond get on his knees for this: on any day of the week ending in y

#james bond #gareth mallory #gif #thank you for coming to my ted talk #my gifs #my thoughts

[goldeaglefire1]

okay so SKULLGIRLS THEORYCRAFTING TIME

(put under a readmore because I have many thoughts and this is going to be long)

so. we have Umbrella now. this isn't a confirmation that they're going in the True Story Mode direction with Black Dahlia and Marie, because we all know Annie and Umbrella are fan favorites who people have been requesting to get in for a while, but it seems likely because, let's be real, that would definitely get people excited and sell very well. I mean, I don't know exactly how Black Dahlia would be received, but Marie as a finishing touch? With the announcement of an actual canonical story mode? HOO. that would get people pumped, even if they're not into Skullgirls, because how fun would playing as the boss sound?

but there's one thing that's been bothering me...if they truly are going True Story Mode here, where does that leave the DLC characters?

like, okay, Squigly fits right in because she was planned to be in the cast from the beginning. that's a no-brainer. Big Band is a bit trickier, but his relationship to the ASG Labs, and therefore Peacock, Valentine, and Painwheel, and general coolness factor let him slip in as well. but then you get to Eliza, Beowulf, and Annie, and things start going sideways.

yes, Eliza has well-established relationships with the other characters, and therefore could hypothetically serve as a minor threat like the Medici, but the thing is she's much higher on the threat scale than them by a long-shot. her route is literally just her girlbossing her way into the role of main villain. it'd take a lot of narrative gymnastics to justify her being a minor threat compared to the Skullgirl.

and Beowulf? Beowulf is just a guy, he's just - there. he has absolutely no relation to any of the original cast, doesn't know anyone personally; the only personal relationship he has with any of the playable characters is Annie, which is only retroactively true considering she was added after him.

Annie has probably the best shot of slipping into the story seamlessly out of the three, but it's considerably shakier than Squigly or Big Band considering that her main personal relationship right now is with Beowulf, who has the aforementioned issue of being Just a Guy. This might change with her story mode, but we'll see.

anyway. while I was thinking about this something hit me. this DLC is being labelled as the Season 1 Pass. Season ONE. I don't think anyone's really let the implications of this sink in because it's just too insane to even consider but this seems to imply that, should this pass do well enough, they could very well do another.

so here's where the theorycrafting comes in

let's say they are in fact going True Story Mode route. here's my theory. It's going to have the OG 8 - Filia, Cerebella, Peacock, Parasoul, Ms. Fortune, Painwheel, Valentine, and Double - as well as Squigly and the True Story 3...and that's it. The other characters are going to be there, sure, but they're not going to be playable.

because they have their own shit going on.

I'm thinking that, if they're truly going the True Story Mode of yore, it's going to have two halves - one with the OG cast, Squigly, and the True Story 3 where the main antagonist is the Skullgirl, and one with the remaining DLC characters and the Season 2 Pass where the main antagonist is Eliza, with the two halves happening around the same time and occasionally crossing paths.

I am aware this sounds insane. trust me, I have severe doubts in what I'm saying too. but also this makes sense? like if they are truly going with the True Story route and also intend to make another pass then one has to wonder where the hell those characters could possibly fit. this would also let Eliza exist without literally girlbossing her way into the main antagonist role because she'd already be in it, just not in the first half. and the other DLC fighters would fit better too because they get their own time in the spotlight. like this is all extreme speculation but at the same time it makes sense

as for who this second pass would be? again, this is purely speculation, but just going off the past and story roles...Minette (consistently voted high during the two character votes that got Eliza and Beowulf in; she's clearly as much of a fan favorite as Annie and Umbrella are), Brain Drain (need a minor threat like the Medici for the second half; also this would let them canonize Robo-Fortune (probably not Fukua though. RIP Fukua) and think about how hilarious that would be), Isaac (again, voted fairly high during the character votes, also he has a talksprite in the art compendium even though as far as I'm aware he hasn't made a canonical appearance? so they're doing something with him already), aaaaaaand Scythana (...this is more of a pipe dream than anything else but also so is this entire post probably).

anyway! end of the post. wow I went off huh. glad I added the read more

#skullgirls #long post #rambling #speculation #idk what to call this

[dangermousie]

I love this so much! His ability to feel gratitude and appreciate concern someone expresses about him and the need to return it makes him very different from someone like Shimei, who took people who treated him nicely and salted the earth with their blood, pretty much.

This is just funny and sweet, but I also like that Moran has zero ego learning from a kid. Awww.

In other news, this time reading about Chu Xun’s core removal made me think how both CWN and Moran get this happen to them in this story (CWN in the past time line and Moran in this one) and the thing that strikes me is that in all three instances, the horribleness of so-called “average person” is highlighted. in the Lin’an City arc, Chu Xun literally lost his child to protect the awful people who killed him to curry favor with the Ghost King and still gave up his core to protect the few who felt bad. CWN had his core taken out by TXJ as he fought to protect that world and still remember the prologue - the so-called noble cultivators did not want to rush up the mountain and their excuse for that cowardice was “well, Moran was CWN’s disciple so it’s all CWN’s fault Moran turned out that way” and then of course in that whole horrifying sequence near the end, Moran has his core dug out in public even though he did everything possible and impossible to save that world and all the common people enjoy watching it because it makes them feel superior.

Side note - the core removal ceremony is a horrific escalation of Shimei/Hua Binan’s plan to get Moran’s core. Their lovely other attempts failed so let’s go for broke. I do love that on reread it’s clear that the spellcaster who trapped them in the Lin’an City “illusion” in order to kill Moran and get at his core, is Shimei. And not Hua Binan Shimei but the present Shimei. The spellcaster is described as young and delicate and under the hood even though CWN cannot see him much, he thinks he looks familiar. UGH. I do feel such joy at the frustration Shimei must feel at Moran escaping over and over. Before I was “Chu Wanning is a psycho magnet for every psycho in 100mi radius” and that’s true but Moran is the target of serial killer fixation that transcends universes and I honestly don’t know what’s worse. I do find it such a good narrative choice that in this timeline, except for dying once, CWN gets off pretty easy (and only in a Meatbun novel can you say that) and the bulk of the knives get directed at Moran; which is only fair since CWN suffered more than enough in past life and the knives in the present timeline are part of Moran’s redemption arc.

Ok, other things about the Lin’an City arc - I noticed how Moran freaks when for a brief moment he think CWN is a reincarnation of Chu Xun and one of the reasons is because Chu Xun was married and had a son. Oh, Moran.

I also love that this is the first time present timeline Moran is confronted with the horrors of war and suffering and starts making parallels between this and his behavior in the past timeline. It’s so gentle and gradual luring in - since suffering here was not caused by him nor done to his loved ones - it’s like a little first step on a path strewn with knives but it looks relatively harmless, a small nudge to make him think, without showing how much it’s going to torment him later on.

Oh, and since the traitor is the person who eventually becomes Chu Wanning’s father figure, and they rescue him and prevent him from being killed by zombies, one wonders if there is a predestination paradox since if they never time traveled (or did they?), he’d have died and never made CWN and so they’d have never time-traveled. This makes my head hurt.

I love this bit - they are stuck in jail but are pretty content and Moran teaching Xia Sini how to play. I love it so much how somehow even that place is warm and fun somehow. And CWN feeling he’s somehow stealing warmth from a child called Xia Sini - he is so unused to happiness and care, and so somehow thinks he shouldn’t have any. I mean, prior to Lin’an City arc, he and Moran would walk in the rain and Moran would carry umbrella over both of them and this is the first time anyone has ever carried an umbrella for him which is heartbreaking. I do think this arc is good for both of them- like when Moran is able to comprehend Xia Sini grumping at him doesn’t mean bad stuff but his helping him just with a grumpy manner because that’s how he is (which is the case when CWN looks like CWN too!)

And the two of them trying to protect each other! Like even in this mess, CWN tries to shield Moran even tho he’s a tiny 6 year old and even being confronted by his worst nightmare (I think the memory he can’t bear to think of is when he was accused of the rape and murder of that girl when he was 14 and nobody would believe him), Moran still tries to shield Xia Sini.

God, I love Xue Meng! And I love that Moran is slowly beginning to appreciate his peacock of a cousin. He really will treat someone well if they treat him well.

Also, this gives me so much joy!

Yes, be freeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Shimei trying to get his attention by pretending to be hungry so Moran would take him to eat instead of picking up Xia Sini (I can’t remember any more if by then Shimei figured out Xia Sini = CWN) and Moran being nice but in a hurry and Shimei hating it is DELICIOUS. I mean, Shimei finds Moran about as attractive as I would a rat, but needs him for his plan and there is the ego that is getting bruised and I love it - his panic and anger, even if hidden. Heeeee. In your face! (His pretending to be sick and pretending to “unconsciously” ask Moran to stay so he’d not go find Xia Sini piss me the hell off tho. UGH.)

#cnovel #2ha

[isabilightwood]

THE PROBLEM WITH AUTHORITY - CHAPTER 5

Or, Sacrifice Summon! Jiang Yanli is here to make things right, be the ultimate big sister (step 1: bring back her dead brother), and maybe steal the Peacock throne in the process

AO3[1][2][3][4]

Wen Qing knocked the mortar and pestle to the ground as she jumped to her feet, the red-orange powder scattering across the ground.

Belatedly, Jiang Yanli realized she had stepped into view.

“Who are you?” Wen Qing demanded, reflexively reaching into her sleeve for a needle. She came up empty. “This is a warded house. You can’t be here.”

Wen Qing was wan and pale, like the sun had not touched her skin in long years. Dark circles ringed her eyes, though cultivators could manage on little sleep. A woman for whom the nightmare of their youth had never ended.

“I -” Jiang Yanli’s voice caught, and she pressed her hands to her throat. Her umbrella dropped to the ground, and the downpour rapidly soaked her through. “You’re alive.”

“How did you get through the wards?” She demanded again, scrutinizing Jiang Yanli as though trying to place her.

She must be wondering why a Jin is happy to see a Wen alive. Qin Su cut through her shock.

Her thoughts inched into motion, like wading through the muddy shallows of a lake after a long day in the unforgiving sun.

Of course. Wen Qing was not trying to place Jiang Yanli, but Qin Su, who she had never met. She should say something, to allay her fears. Something, anything to explain. But she could do nothing but stare at those suspicious eyes, in that impossible face.

A stirring of air against her neck heralded Nie Huaisang’s arrival at her side. “Wen Qing? Now this is a surprise.”

Wen Qing laughed, harsh and rough, like she hadn’t had reason to in a long time. “Six years in the same rooms and I’ve finally lost it. Nie Huaisang is not standing outside my prison.”

“Nie Huaisang is standing outside your prison.” He swept his fan outwards, giving a shallow bow.

Wen Qing considered this, and let her shoulders slump. “Ok, then. Who are you?”

Jiang Yanli hesitated.

Maybe you shouldn’t have this conversation out in the open. What if a servant comes by with dinner, or something? Qin Su suggested, gently coaxing. Jiang Yanli was reminded that though she usually thought of her like a shimei, Qin Su had been a mother. And from how the young disciples ran to her excitedly, trusting and curious, she had been a good one. However acerbic she might have become, Qin Su still had a good heart.

Qin Su flinched, and closed herself off even as Jiang Yanli gathered herself together. And so she did not hear Jiang Yanli wonder if the same could be said for her.

“Before I say, may I come inside? If anyone comes by...” She glanced over her shoulder, and saw a servant dash past, carrying a lidded tray, unprotected under the rain.

Wen Qing studied her, and Jiang Yanli stared back, unblinking. Finally, she sighed.

“You might as well. But I’m not making you tea.” Wen Qing agreed, shockingly apathetic. Though Wen Qin had often pretended indifference, it had never felt like she meant it before. Now, she accepted an apparent stranger with unknown motives entering her room like it was nothing.

Once, in the calm before the storm after the Sunshot Campaign, A-Xian had joked that if someone tried to kill him, it would be the most interesting thing to happen that week. When he saw how distressed the idea made her, he’d rushed to assure her he didn’t actually want to be assassinated, and never repeated the sentiment. But it had been the truest thing he’d said in those months.

In spirit, this felt the same.

“And you’re going to sit on a towel.” Only as Wen Qing spoke did she realize rivulets of water were dripping from her hem and sleeves, and the pins in her hair dragged heavily at her scalp.

In her own body, Jiang Yanli would have spent the next week lying fevered in bed at least. Now, she would simply have to change before returning to the conference.

Reaching into a cabinet, Wen Qing retrieved not one, but an armful of towels, and lay them out as Jiang Yanli maneuvered herself over the windowsill. As she retreated to her desk, Jiang Yanli dripped her way into a seat on the towel across from her.

Nie Huaisang perched on the windowsill, one leg hanging outside. He, unlike her, had remained mostly dry. “I’ll keep watch,” he said, though he posed like he expected to model for a painting.

But then, maybe Wen Qing was his witness, and he was lying. She couldn’t be sure. The fact that they were both liars did not mean he would be honest with her.

“Explain.” Wen Qing demanded, folding her arms and setting her jaw in a way that did not scream willingness to listen.

And there was the question. Was it safe to reveal her identity? Was it any more dangerous to tell Wen Qing she was Jiang Yanli than Qin Su? If there was a chance she would tell Jin Guangyao, either would crumble her nascent plans, and she’d be lucky to flee to Yunmeng with her life.

Yet she did not believe that Wen Qing would ever be won over by Jin Guangyao’s act.

Well. Wen Qing had always appreciated bluntness. She’d grown up in a snake den, and could smell deceit from a mile away. If Jiang Yanli wanted Wen Qing to trust her, there was only one option.

“I’m a dead woman in a living woman’s body. This,” She gestured at her face. “Is Qin Su, Jin-furen. As for me, you once sheltered my brothers and I at your Wen Ning’s request, and it cost you everything.”

An inscrutable collection of emotions passed over Wen Qing’s face, settling on anger. “That isn’t po—” She cut off, jerking back.

“So you know it is possible.”

Wen Qing’s brows narrowed further. “Prove it.”

And — that was a problem. Nie Huaisang had caught her in a slip of the tongue.  That would not work with Wen Qing. She couldn’t say which stories A-Xian might have told her, or which might have entered common knowledge. She and Wen Qing had been friendly, but not close. “It’s not well known that you helped my brothers and me. But if anyone was actually listening...”

“I did,” Nie Huaisang volunteered, grimacing as he once again admitted to possessing knowledge. “I imagine your late husband’s friends do as well.

These are trying times for him. Qin Su, who had been slowly emerging, surfaced fully to say. If people know he uses his brain, they might expect things from him.

Her guard frayed from recent revelations, Jiang Yanli giggled aloud. “Sorry, Qin Su said something.” And I’m sorry to you as well, she told Qin Su, though she could read the feeling within her.

Qin Su’s exaggerated good humor deflated. I can’t keep running away from him — from the memory of my son forever.

“A joke at my expense, no doubt.” Nie Huaisang tilted his head back to rest on the frame, his mouth curled upwards.

“Did you say Qin Su is within you? But —” Wen Qing snapped her jaw shut.

“That’s not how the array works? Yes, I noticed that. Nevertheless, here we are.” Her hands fisted in her soaked robes, replacing body-warmed fabric with the cold drape of her skirts. Shivering again, she forced her hands to let go, and smoothed out the fabric. “But you wanted proof.”

Wen Qin nodded sharply, retrieving a worn, threadbare red pouch that had been hidden behind the pile of books. She clutched it in her hands.

Jiang Yanli had not, yet, thought of anything truly conclusive to offer. “Anyone could guess we mostly spoke about our brothers, under the circumstances. I must confess those days are something of a blur, thanks to my fever.”

“That doesn’t prove your identity, no.” Wen Qing agreed shortly, but Jiang Yanli barely registered her tone.

The open book to Wen Qing’s left was new, a half-labeled diagram of a person’s meridians on the page. A still wet brush and bowl of ink sat nearby. She didn’t recognize the herbs that had spilled from the mortar, despite her experience in both cooking and field medicine. But the stack of thin volumes with deteriorating bindings were too low quality for even a non-cultivating Jin servant to purchase.

Yet she had seen their like in Koi Tower before.

“Quite the quandary,” Nie Huaisang shifted to put a hand behind his head, his other reaching out to brush the finally slowing fall of rain.

Perhaps not. “Those tattered journals — You’re the one who’s been transcribing A-Xian’s work, aren’t you?” Wen Qing’s eyes widened, and she knew she was correct.  “Would it convince you if I read one?”

“His journals may as well have been written in code for all Jin Guangyao and his minions can make sense of it.” Wen Qing shifted on her knees, her posture losing its perfection in a way that somehow conveyed challenge. “I suppose it would. I haven’t worked through this one yet.”

Selecting a volume from the middle of the stack, she held it out to Jiang Yanli.

She took it with trembling hands, wary of which of A-Xian’s secrets she might find within. Flipping it open, she found lotuses. “He tried to grow lotuses in the Burial Mounds?” She asked, but Wen Qing remained impassive.

Jiang Yanli would gain no sympathy, without sufficient proof. “This describes his attempts to grow less-hardy crops in lands tainted by resentful energy, beginning with the ‘noble lotus’, because ‘as Shijie always said, lotuses are a vital part of any diet, and radishes are rabbit food.” She couldn’t help but smile, almost able to hear A-Xian say those words. Certain, for the space of a breath, that if she turned, he would be standing behind her, grinning and no older than ten. “I definitely never said that last part.”

Lotuses; however, should be a part of any diet. They were, objectively, the best vegetable. Less popular in seafood-loving Lanling than Yunmeng, unfortunately.

A-Xuan’s pond had been maintained, but only as a memorial. No one who truly knew them had been involved in that decision.

“He predicted lotuses could only tolerate a certain level of resentment, and calculated that the levels of the patch of land must be reduced by 60%. He played Chenqing to draw out spirits bound to the plot and — there’s a drop of spilled ink there— the bound spirits willingly moved on.” She turned the page, hoping to find the missing link. “Oh. This is.” There was an unusually detailed piece of artwork filling the next page, depicting Wen Ning and a boy who must be a younger Lan – no, Wen – Yuan elbow deep in a muddy pond of lotuses in full bloom, Wen Qing with an overflowing basket of laundry on her hip, watched them fondly. Smaller figures were grouped together in the background, bent over in the fields, or sitting together over the mending.

This had been the Burial Mounds they all so feared.

“What is it?” Wen Qing asked.

Wordlessly, Jiang Yanli turned the book towards her.

Wen Qing took a shuddering breath, and looked away.

It was a reminder, Jiang Yanli realized, that Wen Qing was the only one left.

Except that she wasn’t. “The boy, A-Yuan. He’s alive.” She said, breathless. “Lan Wangji adopted him. No one else would have guessed, but...”

To her, it had been obvious.

Wen Qing met her gaze, disbelief warring with naked hope. “You’re not lying. And you’re really —”

“I can cook for you if you need more proof.” She smiled, looking down at her hands. “The servants would get a shock out of Jin-furen in the kitchen.”

Soup-making is not a required skill for Qin cultivators. Qin Su said. I could not be trusted not to poison myself.

Only the basics had been required of the Jiang. But Jiang Yanli had taken to it, latching onto the skill instinctively. A young girl who had finally found something she was good for, beyond a marriage alliance.

“Jiang Yanli.” Wen Qing breathed, her lips parting as her grip on her needle tightened.

The sound of her name on Wen Qing’s lips felt like a warm embrace, though Wen Qing had never touched her in anything but a professional manner. The first time she was recognized by someone who mattered to her before everything went wrong.

She shivered, but not from the cold.

Concerned, Wen Qing got to her feet. “I’ve changed my mind. Since you’re not a stranger or a lying impostor, I will make you tea.” She slapped a heating talisman on a cast iron teapot with a peacock motif emblazoned on the side and turned to grab a folded robe from a nearby cabinet. The robe, she handed to Jiang Yanli. “And put this on, or you’ll catch your death.”

She held the robe away from her body. “I won’t. While many of my problems carried over into my new body, my health ones did not.”

“How did I never notice you’re just as bullheadedly stubborn as your brothers?” Wen Qing sighed. “Wei Wuxian told me he invented his drying talisman to hide the evidence when he pushed Jiang Wanyin in the lake, but he never figured out how to make it work while someone was still wearing the clothing.”

Letting her will be faster and less suspicious than going back to the Fragrance Hall to change, Qin Su pointed out.

They were both right, but — since when had accepting help become so difficult?

Maybe she was just like her brothers, when she wasn’t spending all her time as their moderating influence. “I am a Jiang. But I appreciate the gesture.” She hurried behind a folding screen to change, and attached the offered quick-drying talismans.

When she stepped back out in Wen Qing’s robe, she said, “I have some questions.”

“I can guess them.” She poured a cup of tea for Jiang Yanli as she knelt on a fresh, dry pillow.

Jiang Yanli cradled the cup close to her chest, savoring its warmth. “I missed much of what happened while I was  -” shell-shocked and unable to summon the expected wailing sobs, terrified for her brother, while still hoping Zixuan would walk through the doors, and it had all just been a big mistake — “attending to my husband’s mourning rites. You turned yourself in?”

“They promised Wei Wuxian and my clan would live if A-Ning and I turned ourselves in, and then killed everyone except us.” What might have been a broken, bitter laugh tore from Wen Qing’s throat. “Though I don’t think Jin Guangshan ever knew about me, since his son used me to make his heart give out.”

“What on earth made him think it was a good idea to keep you around?” Nie Huaisang asked. “Meant in an entirely complimentary way of course.”

Jiang Yanli grimaced. “What Nie-zongzhu means ask is—”

“Exactly what he said. It’s fine.” Wen Qing rolled her eyes. Nie Huaisang awakened Jiang Yanli’s eldest sibling instincts simply by existing, so perhaps Wen Qing was experiencing the same phenomena. “They wanted A-Ning as a tool, to figure out how Wei Wuxian made him, and how to control him. Me, well — there’s no one else in the world who knows more about golden cores.” She wasn’t bragging. The woman who had kept Wen Ruohan in a semblance of stability for years and kept company with the Yiling Patriarch had no need for boasting. “My familiarity with Wei Wuxian’s work was merely a bonus, he said, though he’s gotten more out of my translations than his original goal.”

“His original goal?” Jiang Yanli took a careful sip of tea. It was a rich golden color, with the fermented taste of a pu’er, of mushrooms and dried fruits and honey. Wen Qing had left the box out, and its label read Qishan, and a date two decades earlier. A purposeful reminder, then, of everything Wen Qing had lost.

A tea or a wine might age into readiness, but Wen Qing lived on borrowed time.

“To strengthen his golden core.” She said. Knocking back her own tea like it was wine, she poured another. “A lack of proper instruction and years with a fake manual left his stunted. Of course, I’m his prisoner. I’d prefer he stay that way. So he doesn’t trust anything I come up with.”

“Greedy.” Nie Huaisang said, “Meng Yao would never have kept you around.”

“If Jin Guangyao erred, it’s our gain.” This time, when Jiang Yanli reached out, Wen Qing let their fingers brush before pulling away.

Shaking her head, Wen Qin continued, “If you’re hoping to use my skill against him, that would be difficult. He takes my methods and has them tested extensively before use. Especially on himself.”

“I’m certain you could find away around that,” Jiang Yanli busied her hands with the teapot to keep from offering unwelcome comfort. “But you’re A-Xian’s family. You are worth finding, whether or not you can be of use.”

Rather than risk eye contact Wen Qing stared at Jiang Yanli’s hands. “Though Jin Guangyao understands it’s not so easy to correct his block, he’s starting to get impatient. Now that his known enemies are out of the way, I don’t know how much longer he’ll take to accept I’d need to treat him directly to have any effect. He would never allow that, of course. I’d kill him.”

Qin Su made an offer to hold him down that Jiang Yanli did not repeat.

“Speaking of murder, did you help kill my Da-ge?” Nie Huaisang asked pleasantly.

“Unless he used something a second time, no.” Wen Qing said. Then startled, “Chifeng-zun is dead?”

Pointedly, he hummed a tune that sounded… off, somehow. When Wen Qing just stared at him, he huffed. “He used an obscure musical cultivation score.”

Wen Qing raised her chin high, and stared him down. “I am the last person anyone would ask about music. My attempts at a lullaby made A-Yuan cry. I couldn’t even clap a rhythm when Wei Wuxian needed one for his cultivation. He had to ask Popo.”

Nie Huaisang did not loose his flippancy when he said, “Then you can live. Perhaps, if you’re willing to trade some information, I could do something about your brother’s situation.”

Wen Qing looked him over, calculating. Glancing at Jiang Yanli only briefly, she nodded. “I doubt there’s much you can do for me, but if you can find a way to free A-Ning, that would be worth it.”

“We came here looking for a witness to Jin Guangshan’s murder.” Nie Huaisang leaned towards them, balanced precariously on his perch.

I’d almost forgotten. Qin Su said softly. Jiang Yanli had forgotten.

“Well, I mixed the poison. But the person you came for might be upstairs. I was restricted to this floor a year ago now? Or so? It’s difficult to keep track of time, these days.” At that, Wen Qing seemed deeply disturbed. Jiang Yanli could understand why — days passing in infrequently interrupted isolation could be no less disorienting than waking up one day to find her infant son reached her waist. “Sometimes, I hear footsteps overhead.”

“Excellent!” Nie Huaisang snapped his fan closed, and jumped down outside the window. A gray flash blasted upwards a moment later.

In his absence, silence crept in. Wen Qing’s hands shook as she reached for her teacup, and she let them fall in her lap.

“I should return to the banquet soon.” Jiang Yanli said, finally. “But I am wondering. What is Jin Guangyao using to keep you here?”

One of Wen Qing’s brows quirked up. “You must have noticed the wards.”

“Yes, but they’re based on A-Xian’s work, and you know it better than anyone else alive.” And after his complicity in her family’s murder, Wen Qing must be unable to overcome his means on her own.

“If it was only those wards, yes.” Grimly, Wen Qing pulled up her sleeve.

An inky blackness ringed her wrist, a chain of distorted characters that wavered before her eyes. Unthinking, Jiang Yanli reached out to touch, but the characters dissolved and scattered up her arm as her fingers connected with warm skin. There was an intake of breath, and Wen Qing hurriedly drew back her hand. As she did so, the characters began to creep back into place, now somehow less comprehensible to her mind. “Sorry, I didn’t think.”

“It’s fine.” Wen Qing refused to meet her eyes. “This is evidence, I think, of the only time Jin Guangyao lowered himself to personally research demonic cultivation. Wei Wuxian filled dozens of journals with his inventions and theories and half-baked ideas he dreamed up at three in the morning. But he never would have come up with anything like this, and Xue Yang couldn’t have managed it.”

“What does it do?” She asked, certain she wouldn’t like the answer.

“If I take a single step out that door, A-Ning will not only die again, but his soul will be shredded.” At that, Jiang Yanli gasped. Wen Qing’s face crumpled. “They — they kept him for experiments. Like he’s nothing more than a mouse.”

“Oh, Wen Qing.” Jiang Yanli wanted, instinctively, to hold out her arms, and let Wen Qing fall against her shoulder. But she knew better than to offer. Wen Qing hunched inwards, clasping her arms at the elbows.

A thump from outside the window startled them, but it was only Nie Huaisang, resuming his perch. “There’s a woman upstairs. She didn’t notice me. But you, Wen-guniang, must have much more interesting information.”

“There’s a problem with that.” Wen Qing had straightened her posture while Jiang Yanli was turned away. Unwilling to show Nie Huaisang weakness, where she’d let some of what she was feeling through when it was only Jiang Yanli. “You can’t come back here. Not when Jin Guangyao is in Koi Tower, at least.”

Jiang Yanli thought she might have a solution. “Are you familiar with A-Xian’s papermen?”

“The ones he pranked the Lans with back in the Cloud Recesses? Of course, but he never had cause to use them in the Burial Mounds. I don’t know the talisman.”

“I do. Here, let me demonstrate.” Once, her mother had confined A-Xian to his room for a month, and for the week it took her father to decide the punishment was too harsh, the talismans had been their only contact.

Jiang Yanli borrowed a talisman paper, since her own were ruined by the rain and cut out the shape of a paperman. She focused, but the world didn’t swirl down into a mouse’s perspective. She registered the empty feeling in her mind at the same time as the paperman twitched, and stood. “Qin Su?”

The paperman nodded. <This is weird> Qin Su’s voice said, as though from a strange distance. Wen Qing and Nie Huaisang startled.

“You can hear her?” She asked, breathless.

Wen Qing stared, open-mouthed at the tottering paper figure “You said she was still around but — this shouldn’t be possible.”

Qin Su’s little paper body wobbled from the center of the table towards the edge, but before she got halfway, it fell, inert. Qin Su was back in her mind. I lost my hold on it. Looking at a giant version of your own face is extremely disorienting.

Much in the way seeing a face that didn’t belong to her in the mirror every morning was disorienting, she imagined.

Still, that was amazing! I need to try it again. Qin Su continued. I wonder how long I could last in there with practice. Just being able to move again…

“You’re welcome to try to figure out what happened.” She told Wen Qing. If anyone living could figure out what had happened to Qin Su’s soul, and if it had affected Jiang Yanli’s, it was her.

“Another time. You said you needed to go.” Wen Qing urged.

“Yes.” She agreed. She’d stayed far too long as it was. “After you make one of your own."

Jiang Yanli returned to the banquet in talisman dried robes, with Wen Qing’s paperman in her pocket. It was uneventful, in comparison. Her absence had gone largely unremarked. the dramatics of Nie Huaisang were universally understood to be time consuming. That she returned without him only helped sell the ruse.

That he’d been cagey about what he wanted to speak to Wen Qing about without her was less comforting.

It was another few hours before Jiang Yanli could retire for the night, but she absorbed little of the conversation.

Finally sliding open the door to her bedroom, Jiang Yanli lit the candles with a wave of her hand. The thrill that went through her at the fact that she could turned to terror at the sight of a figure sitting cross-legged in the middle of her floor.

Until she saw that it was Nie Huaisang. Which wasn’t entirely reassuring, but was unlikely to end in bloodshed.

“I’d appreciate if you could remove your sword from my throat.” He tapped Chunsheng’s edge.

Jiang Yanli was startled to realize she’d drawn the sword. Qin Su’s instinctive panic had bled into her, and she’d acted without thinking. Her ears rung from the force of Qin Su’s scream, visions of splattered blood flashing with each blind.

She sheathed the sword with a sigh. “I’d recommend not hiding in our rooms in the future. Traumatic experiences. Qin Su still wants to gut you.”

She was actually stuck in the panic stage, her volatile emotions ricocheting around the confines of Jiang Yanli’s mind like a coin caught in a crevice. But a part of Jiang Yanli wanted to gut him for her, a heretofore unknown bloodlust that crawled back with her from the grave.

I think that’s just me, Qin Su managed. But Jiang Yanli knew better. I don’t think I could have stopped in time.

“Yes, well. That’s nothing new! Someone tries at least once a week.” Nie Huaisang waved her off, unshaken. “Wen Qing and I came up with a brilliant idea! Just a tiny seed of a suggestion, really.”

She’d been working with Nie Huaisang for one day, almost to the minute, and he’d already begun involving her in schemes that would probably get her killed. A second time. Dragged Wen Qing into it too, as though she weren’t in a dangerous enough position already.

Rather than sit, Jiang Yanli crossed her arms, taking up a position between Qin Su’s two ink paintings. “I’ll listen, if you promise this won’t happen again. And leave, after.”

“If you still want me too!” He agreed brightly. “You should get Wen Qing out for this. The lynchpin was her idea. Very clever. I would have just found someone convenient. I’m nothing if not lazy, after all. But she thinks we can take out two birds with one stone.’

As he was speaking, Jiang Yanli had reached into the seam of her robe, and retrieved the paperman. It stirred in the palm of her hand, as though Wen Qing had been waiting for the right moment.

<I’m flattered.> Her little paper arms folded over one another. <Not that you managed to say anything with all those words.>

Nie Huaisang’s sly smile broke as he grimaced at the paperman. It returned, as he tilted his to look at her from the corner of his eye. “What would you say to bringing back Wei-xiong?”

“Yes.” The part of Jiang Yanli that crafted dark, twisted schemes for that very purpose responded before she could stop herself. She shoved it back into the dark corner of her mind where it belonged. “But the sacrifice summon doesn’t work without casualties, and I can’t —”

“Yes, that is a problem.” He agreed, at odds with his breezy tone. “Who would buy into trading their life for vengeance, and deserve to have their soul ripped apart? Or at least, that’s a problem for you. I care about getting the job done.”

I miss being able to think that pleasant-seeming people were just pleasant people. Qin Su grumbled, and Jiang Yanli wholeheartedly agreed.

Yet Nie Huaisang wasn’t volunteering himself, she noticed. “It wouldn’t be difficult to convince someone I was Qin Su, possessed by my own spirit. But unlike you, it is the destruction of the soul that concerns me.”

<Would you still be opposed if the sacrifice did deserve it?> Wen Qing interjected.

Jiang Yanli’s first instinct was to say that no one deserved that. It was even more unlikely that someone so monstrous would agree. But when Wen Qing explained her suggestion, Jiang Yanli found herself agreeing.

“You don’t want to bring your brother back?” She asked, later, after Wen Qing’s paperman lost its animation. It was not a serious offer. Though Jiang Yanli had not disliked Nie Mingjue nearly so much as most sect leaders, she could not help but think that if he had not been quite so intransigent, A-Xian might not have been driven to the lengths he had.

She would not trade her chance to bring back A-Xian for Nie Mingjue. She simply needed to know if Nie Huaisang was going to be a problem.

You can be kind of scary sometimes, Yanli-jie. Qin Su was likely reconsidering her stance on Jiang Yanli’s general level of bloodthirstiness.

Nie Huaisang’s eyes went wide before he sputtered into a fit of laughter more bitter than a mouthful of lotus pits. Wiping a tear from his eye, he said, “Are you kidding? Dage would murder me. Which would be worth it, except he’d immediately undo all my hard work and send himself into another qi deviation. Resurrect Dage, really.”

He tsked, and laughed again, but this time there was something wistful in it.

Longing, perhaps, for what he could not have.

“And you? You don’t want to bring back your husband?” He asked, startling her.

“Zixuan? I hadn’t even thought about it.” She had loved her husband, and lost him far too soon. But she was, she felt, capable of grieving him, where the place A-Xian belonged was a gaping hollow inside her. She’d practically raised A-Xian, watched him grow and change into a brilliant young man. A world of difference lay between him and the man she’d admired from afar, and only gotten to love for a single year.

There was, she thought, another key difference between them. A-Xian was like her. He’d never move on peacefully to his next life, while those he cared for were unhappy or in danger. Zixuan, on the other hand… “If I know my husband, Zixuan will have already been reincarnated.”

His soul probably belonged to a child not much younger than A-Ling now. One with doting parents and many siblings, for whom the worst thing in the world was sitting inside to memorize characters.

Or so she hoped. “But A-Xian… he’s still waiting. I’m certain of it.”

“Waiting? Not a restless ghost, or in…?”

“A-Xian’s anger never lasts- lasted. He’s always burned bright and hot. If he took revenge, that was it.” The longest grudge he’d ever held was against Zixuan. It had also been his pettiest. There had been Wen Chao, of course, but something had stopped A-Xian from getting to him faster, though he’d never told her what. Otherwise, A-Xian’s anger was like a firework: a spark, an explosion, and gone, as insubstantial as smoke. “And if the kings of hell are as quick to condemn as mortals, then what’s the use of the justice he loved so much?”

Justice that had been stolen from him in every turn in life. Jiang Yanli could only hope that this new life she might — just might — be able to offer him would grant her A-Xian everything he’d been denied in the first.

Nodding, Nie Huaisang produced a jug of wine from his sleeve, and raised it towards her in toast. “To brothers with too many morals and bringing yours back.”

Qin Su spent the night practicing slipping in and out of a paperman, wobbling around on tiny paper legs and indulging in her newfound ability to move and speak, of her own volition. She lasted longer each time.

Each shift kept Jiang Yanli alert and awake, the feeling of being alone in her mind now as strange as sharing it had been at the start. Jiang Yanli didn’t mind. She wouldn’t have been able to sleep anyway.

Even as she hoped to see her brother again, she felt the empty space in her bed more viscerally than ever. A-Xuan would not have had advice she could use. Likely, he wouldn’t have approved. Certainly, he wouldn’t have understood. But he wouldn’t judge her, or try to stop her. He would hold her close, stroke her hair, and give her a place where it was safe to feel.

Jiang Yanli hadn’t known that was something she was missing, before him. It was something she would likely never have again.

The paperman Wen Qing had left lying inert on the table surged back to life. <Oh, you’re still awake. Or did I wake you?>

“Couldn’t sleep.” She whispered, propping herself up on one elbow, softly enough that Qin Su — busy scaling the shelving near the door — could not hear.

<I couldn’t either.> Wen Qing admitted. <You gave me a lot to think about.>

“Questions of morality?” Questions like, who was Jiang Yanli to condemn a soul to be torn apart by trickery? Who was she, if she purposefully eliminated a living person’s soul, a line only Xue Chonghai had admitted to crossing? What, then, separated her from Jin Guangyao?

Qin Su had caught her wondering this, as her thoughts cycled through those questions on one of her returns, and scoffed. The difference is you’re not murdering innocents for power.

But Qin Su’s anger was scalding and freshly kindled; her own was a low, steady flame. She had the clarity to stare down the path she’d chosen, and ask where she’d draw the line, if not here.

Jiang Yanli couldn’t help but wonder how much blood she’d have on her hands when the dust had settled. Whether anyone else would be able to see it.

Wondering wasn’t enough to stop her.

But Wen Qing surprised her.

<You gave me hope. I haven’t had hope in a very long time.> She took a flying leap into the air, the little paper figure drifting unevenly down from its peak to land on the bedframe, near Jiang Yanli’s head. <I’m sorry if I’ve caused you inner turmoil.>

She giggled a little into her hand, surprising herself. “Turmoil. That’s a good word for it. But I think — I’m glad you did.”

The silence that settled between them felt warm and comfortable, like she’d just put on a broth to simmer. Like if she waited for it to be ready, maybe she wouldn’t be so lost after all.

After some time, Wen Qing asked, <Would you mind telling me about A-Yuan?>

What she knew wasn’t much. But to Jiang Yanli’s surprise, she drifted off in the telling.

#the untamed #cql #wangxian #yanqing #qin su #my fic #the sacrifice summon! JYL fic #where the summoner (qin su) sticks around #this time featuring the return of wen qing #and plotting wwx's resurrection #finally my yanqing tag is relevant #posting multiple days after i uploaded to ao3 whoops

[dandelionflower]

@mcheang I want a Felix episode AU, where Felix is taken with Marinette but doesn’t really try to go out of his way to see her. And then he meets her cousin

[Send me Felinette prompts!]

......

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, famous child designer.

Her mother was a famed model and her father a gentle baker. It was no surprise that with that encouraging environment surrounded by beautiful clothes that Marinette’s fashion sense bloomed. Her brand, Cheng, skyrocketed when she was barely ten years old.

When Marinette turned thirteen, her father, Tom Dupain, disappeared. Her mother became a recluse and Marinette took it upon herself to heal her broken family.

Her mother was taken to therapy and soon rejoined the modeling world, becoming the sole model for Marinette’s new line, Dupain.

Marinette was a legend, she was graceful, responsible and humble even in the face of success.

And she had been sitting in front of Felix in class for most of the school year.

Felix had to admit, he had had a little crush on Marinette ever since she offered him her umbrella after her first day of school, and the first day Felix became Crimson Spot.

He kept his distance, but there were still times where he found himself abandoning logic to hang out with her, but not to the extent that he could be.

But Marinette’s job as a famous designer did take a toll on her, as she put so much pressure on herself to learn languages, play piano and guitar and be a generally well-rounded human being. It caused her to have to skip some friendly outings.

Today was one of those days.

The whole class had met up to discuss ways to lighten Marinette’s mood on the anniversary of the day her father disappeared.

“What if we sent her videos?” Felix suggested. “Telling her how happy we are to be friends with her.”

“Great idea dude!” Nino elbowed him. “Why don’t you go first?”

A shock of fear ran through him as he snatched the tablet from Nino’s hand. “Why don’t I just record them for now?”

Nino gave him a look, but allowed it and moved on.

—

Gina Dupain stared down at her granddaughter, sitting next to her daughter-in-law, both of them looking at the statue of her son, singing the little kitten song he had taught them before they left.

She had so desperately wanted to tell them, console themselves with the information that he would return, just as soon as she got the miraculous from those pesky heroes.

She was the ‘villain’ Lady Violet and her darling son was resting under her families home, comatose, because of the peacock miraculous.

She wanted to tell them, to ask them to help her, but she just couldn’t.

Gina walked down the stairs and sat next to them, wrapping her arms around the only family she had left.

The doorbell rang and and they all jolted from their song and they walked to the door just as it opened, revealing a large shadow.

“Papa?” Marinette whispered, stepping forwards.

The figure walked forwards just a little more, revealing him to be Sabine’s brother, Wang.

He stepped aside to reveal a petite girl with deep blue hair tied in a high ponytail.

“Bridgette!” Marinette smiled and launched herself at her cousin. “It’s been so long.”

“It certainly has.” Sabine grabbed her brother by the arm and began chatting with him in Mandarin, a language the whole family was fluent in, thanks to Marinette. “Remember when those two would dress up like each other and you ended up taking Marinette home?”

He chuckled. “I was so easily fooled.”

After Bridgette had successfully detangled herself from her cousin, she glanced at Gina, more specifically, the necklace Gina was wearing.

Gina caught her glance and casually tucked the necklace into her shirt.

“So, sister, I don’t mean to pry, but would you consider giving me the family rings?”

“Of course, Tom’s is somewhere upstairs. Marinette, take Bridgette upstairs and help her get settled.” The four of them went upstairs and Gina was left alone, staring at the ring on her necklace.

That girl better be worth an akuma.

—

Bridgette scrolled on her phone absentmindedly, as Marinette chattered on about who knows what.

“I’m just so glad you’re here!”

“Yeah... so am I. Anyway, can I take a shower? I feel like I’ve been on that plane forever.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Bridgette stood up and began walking to the room she gestured to, before she got an idea. She turned slightly, wrapping her arms around Marinette and slipping her phone from her pocket into Bridgette’s.

“Thanks for being here for me, Mari.”

She heard a soft hum and Marinette hugged her back.

“Anytime.”

Once the shower was turned on, Bridgette slid to the floor and started going through Marinette’s phone.

“A superhero crush? Seriously?”

Just as she was about to go onto social media, the phone buzzed with a video message.

“Hey, girl.” A girl in a plaid shirt waved at the camera. “I know you’re probably having a bad time right now, but-“

“Boring.” She deleted it.

“Markov and I have done the research an jokes are statistically proven to improve your mood by ninety-seven percent. So, knock knock?”

“Lame.” She snorted.

“You’re so sweet and kind and considerate and-“

“Wow. Original.”

“Marinette. I know you’re likely going through something right now, and I want to let you know that I’m here for you, because... I adore you. I have for quite some time, ever since you gave me your umbrella that day at school.”

“Pathetic.”

After the last video had been deleted, she leaned her head back against the wall.

So the little princess has some good friends... not for long.

“Hey Bridgette?” Marinette spike through the door. “I’ve got some stuff in the oven downstairs, mind if I leave you here to go get it?”

“No problem, but do you have any extra clothes I could borrow?”

“Sure thing, I’ve got some in my closet. Take whatever you want.”

She heard the door close and turned off the shower.

First, a little more snooping.

She checked the drawers, computer, and a really smelly cabinet.

“Yuck.” She threw the awful thing on the bed and pushed a pillow on it.

Finally, she opened a drawer and found the biggest stash of hair ties in the world.

Good, now she could put her hair in those insufferable pigtails.

She opened the closet and chose a navy jacket and neatly cuffed jean shorts, along with a white t-shirt.

She pulled out the phone and pressed record, a smile on her face.

—

“I hope you’re happy, Tikki. Because I am never doing anything again.”

She giggled, floating over his head. “Don’t be so dramatic! I’m sure Marinette will appreciate the confession.”

“During the time she is most vulnerable, another thing to think about is the last thing she needs.”

“Well...” His phone buzzed before she could answer.

“Marinette answered.” He remarked, walking up to the rest of his friends.

“...It only served to make me feel worse! I hate all of you!”

“I can’t look at this.” Alya passed the tablet to Nino.

“How could she say that about us?” Rose whimpered. “I thought we were her friends.”

“Marinette said all of that? Impossible.”

“She did.” Juleka shook her head.

The girl who made sure she was at every rehearsal, every practice, everything she was asked to go to?

“Nino, I really think-“ he was cut off when a cloud of violet attacked his three classmates, transforming them into their former akumatized selves.

“He’s not ‘Nino’ anymore.” Reflecta spoke, transforming Alya into a carbon copy of her.

“I’m Bubbler now.” He swung the tablet-shaped wand in the air, deadly bubbles pouring out.

“One of the three Punishers!” Princess Fragrance remarked with glee, a familiar toxic cloud pouring from her gun.

Felix gulped in a breath of air, barely muttering “Spots on” as he dove into the water.

It can’t be an akuma, maybe a sentimonster?

He threw his yo-yo out, swinging after the three punishers, hoping to save the true Marinette and get some answers.

—

“I made cookies!” Marinette sang, opening her door with the tray. “It’s been so long, I can’t remember what your favorite is, so I went with an old classic; chocolate chip!”

She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Bridgette rocket off of her office chair, hair in pigtails.

“Whatcha doing, Bridge?”

“Well...”

“Marinette!” Her mother barged in. “Akumas, get the both of you to the bunker!”

“Too late.” Reflekta walked in, accompanied by Bubbler and Princess Fragrance.

“Dude, which one’s the real Mari?” Bubbler whispered.

Marinette glanced at Bridgette. She needed to transform before anyone got hurt.

“It is I! The cruel Marinette!” She cackled, relishing in the concerned and confused look on Bridgette’s face. “You’ll never take me alive!” She dashed out of the door.

Once she had made it into a secure hallway, Plagg flew out of her pocket.

“So, I know you’re against using cataclysm on a person but...”

“No, Plagg.”

“She smushed my cheese!”

“I’ll get you more cheese, now come on, claws out.”

She felt the familiar magic leather clothe her and jumped out a window, eyes landing on the familiar red bug in the distance.

—

Felix swung into the room, grabbing Marinette and swinging her out and onto the roof of the nearest hotel.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know!” Her eyes were wide and innocent; Felix felt his composure slipping.

“Well, if you don’t have any information, just stay here and hide; I’ll deal with the akuma.”

He turned to leave.

“Wait! Crimson Spot!” She grabbed his arm and Felix swallowed.

“Yes?”

She started walking and Felix stepped backwards in an attempt to preserve personal space.

“How ‘bout a little extra courage?” His back bumped against the wall and he stood, frozen, as he watched the girl he had adored from afar lean closer.

“That won’t be necessary.” He tried to gently push her away, but she persisted, her lips mere millimeters from his.

Something within him burned red and snapped. He crouched low and swept his right foot in a circle, knocking her to the ground.

“You’re either an imposter or a sentimonster, because Marinette certainly understands that no means no.”

“That’s Bridgette,” Catastropheline landed gently on her toes, not making eye contact with Crimson. “Marinette’s cousin. I ran into her and she told about the... situation.”

She glanced at Bridgette, who was backing away ever so slightly.

“It must be difficult keeping what few friends you have with you acting like that, huh?”

“If she’s not a sentimonster, then we need to stop wasting time and find the akuma.” He threw his yo-yo into the air and a small can of whipped cream fell into his hand.

“As always, Tikki.” He groaned.

“Cataclysm.” Darkness collected over Catastropheline’s palm just as three thumps sounded around them.

“I wouldn’t if I was you, kitty.” Refleckta had her brooch aimed at the dark clothed hero’s heart.

“I usually prefer my servants to wear pink,“Princess Fragrance twirled her gun around, “but I suppose red would do.”

“And if that’s not enough, I’ll send you both on a one way flight to the sun if you so much as move.”

“Crimson.” His partner spoke from beside him. “Do you have a plan?”

Before he could deliver the depressing answer, a shout turned them both to Bubbler, who was clutching his hand with Bridgette in front of them, holding the tablet.

“Good! Bridgette, break the wand now! Then this torture can be over.”

“Oh, I don’t want it to be over. I’m just switching the roles.” She smirked before she held up the rectangular wand. “Lady Violet! Are you listening? I can help you; all I need in return is a certain piece of jewelry.”

“Get the miraculous first, and I’ll consider it.” Bubbler growled, holding out his hand for the wand.

She grinned wider. “With pleasure.”

She tossed the wand to Bubbler and started running towards the superhero pair.

“Feline, batter up.” Was all he said as he launched his can into the air.

Even without the use of her ring-bearing hand, she swung her baton effortlessly, slamming it into the can.

It fell just ahead of Bridgette’s feet, and she stepped on it haphazardly, tripping and sending it into Bubbler’s face.

The wand flew through the air and started its decent to the pavement.

“Crimson! Go!”

“What about-“ He glanced at the imposter who had stood up and was moving towards him, only to see a metal baton slam into her abdomen.

He took in the two Punishers struggling in the pool and dashed to the side of the building, jumping off.

He landed directly on top of the bubble wand and heard the reassuring snap of broken plastic.

He purified the akuma swiftly and launched the battered can of whipped cream that had landed beside the wand, into the air with a shout of “Miraculous Ladybug.”

He swung back up as the cure swept the streets and landed beside Catastrophiline, who was helping Rose out the door.

“Pound it?”

She grinned and attempted to step over to him but ended up tripping over her own baton and, in a series of impressive acrobatics, landing on her face in front of Crimson Spot.

He chuckled and held out his hand. “I’d just begun to think you’d grown out of that.”

“Well, old habits hie dard, I mean, die hard.” She sprung to her feet with a sheepish grin, twirling the leather straps holding her pigtails in place.

They pressed their fists together and left, a screaming Bridgette still on the roof.

—

“... I just want you to know, Mari, that I am so sorry. I just... I was jealous that my father named his famed Celestial soup after you, and not me.” Bridgette, back in her own clothes looked down.

“What are you talking about?” Wang looked down at his daughter. “I’ve named so many of my dishes after you. My Angelic stew, to name one.”

“What?” She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I thought...”

“If every dish I wanted to name after you was called ‘Bridgette,�� people would get confused.” He explained, pulling her into his arms. “If only I had noticed, I could have explained.”

“It’s okay, Papa. I overreacted.” She spared another glance at her father, then turned to her extended family.

“I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, after all the strife I caused.”

Marinette was the first to hug her, whispering a soft apology.

Sabine joined next, until it was just Gina standing beside the group hug with a hand on Bridgette’s shoulder.

She felt a slight tug and was pulled deep into the hug. The tension seemed to melt from her body and Gina allowed herself to feel content.

Bridgette was the first to pull out of the embrace.

“Thank you all, for forgiving me so quickly.”

“Of course.” Marinette grinned.

“You’re welcome back anytime.” Sabine added. “And, brother, I’ll call you if I ever find Tom’s ring.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

The two entered a black vehicle and drove off, Bridgette still waving through the window.

—

“Hey guys! I’m really sorry, but I wasn’t able to see your videos. It really warms my heart that you were thinking of me today, though. I want you to know that I love you. All of you.”

Marinette’s beaming face filled the screen as Felix watched the video again and again.

“She’s so considerate.” He sighed.

“Yeah, considering all that just happened with her cousin.” Tikki remarked. “It’s too bad she didn’t see your confession, though.”

“It’s probably all for the best. However, that Bridgette girl may prove to be an issue.”

“Yeah, working with Hawkmoth and his akumas all on her own, it’s kind of scary. I wonder what could be worth that?”

—

“It’s truly a pity that Sabine couldn’t find the second ring.” Wang sat down next to Bridgette, allowing her a window seat on the train.

“You mean this one?” Bridgette pulled a chain from her pocket and displayed the ring adorning it.

“Yes, Bridgette, that’s it!” He stared at the ring, transfixed for a moment, before hugging his daughter. “My little magician, always saving the day at the last minute.”

Bridgette smiled and, as her father turned to slip the ring in with its partner, turned to the window, her innocent features twisting into a cruel smirk.

It really was a shame their trip was cut so short. She could have had a lot of fun in Paris.

#felinette #ml felix #felix agreste #mlb #felix culpa #marinette dupain cheng #ml marinette #miraculous ladybug #bridgette cheng #ml bridgette #inverse au #wang cheng #gina dupain #felix rewrite #request

[tsuki-chibi]

Marinette March Day 24: Pressure

Behind? Start from day one on AO3: Under My Umbrella 

--------

“Alya, could you and Nino go make some tea?” Marinette said, not looking away from Adrien.

“Sure,” Nino said, jumping up. He had to pull Alya along with him into the kitchen, but finally they were gone.

Then Marinette sat down on the couch beside her partner and said, “Are you sure about this?”

“It doesn’t really matter what I think, does it?” Adrien said quietly. “He can’t keep doing what he’s doing.”

“We could just take the miraculous back. We don’t have to expose him,” Marinette pointed out. She would do that, and weather the consequences, for Adrien.

Adrien shook his head. “Thank you, Marinette, but no. Paris deserves to know who’s been behind that mask. I don’t even know if they’d take the word of Ladybug if you told them that Hawkmoth had been privately dealt with. I bet we’d have a lot of people pressuring us to get his name.”

“He’s right,” Tikki piped up. “The safest thing for you and Adrien is to expose Hawkmoth and send him to jail.”

“But…” Marinette blew her breath out in frustration, looking at Adrien worriedly. This night had been a huge shock for him and she was worried about making it worse. They would need to strike immediately if they were going to do this right.

“I’m okay,” Adrien said, reaching for her hand. He laced their fingers together. “It’s going to take some time for me to come to terms with it all… and I don’t even know who my father is now…” His voice broke slightly. “But I’m just trying not to think about that right now. There’s time to figure it all out later… I – I don’t even know what’ll happen to me after he goes to jail. My mother had – has – a sister, but we’re not close…”

“You can stay with me or Nino,” Marinette said immediately, squeezing his hand, and Adrien gave her a watery smile.

“That would be nice,” he said.

“Don’t worry about that part of it, kid,” Plagg said. “If worst came to worst, you could always run away.”

“Plagg!” Tikki exclaimed, but Adrien let out a soft chuckle. Marinette smiled too, her apprehension eased slightly by the humor, however brief, in Adrien’s face. She knew then that he would be okay. It would take a long time, and it was probably going to be a bumpy road in the process, but eventually they’d all be okay.

When Adrien wasn’t looking, she caught Plagg’s eyes and mouthed ‘thank you’.

Plagg winked back at her and added, “I’m just saying. That’s not the thing to get caught up in here. The more important thing to focus on is how you’re going to get the Butterfly and Peacock miraculouses away from Gabriel and Nathalie.”

“They probably keep their miraculouses on them all the time like you and Adrien do,” Tikki said.

Marinette frowned. “Logically, the easiest time to get to them would be when they’re sleeping,” she said slowly.

“I could get us into the mansion,” Adrien said. “But the security system locks everything down after a certain hour. I think it’s 10pm, but I’m not even sure about that. I have to be really careful when I come and go so that I don’t set off any alarms.”

“Which isn’t great, because ideally we’d have the police with us so they could arrest Gabriel on the spot,” Marinette muttered, tapping her fingers on her thigh in thought.

“Mind if we chime in?” Nino said, walking back out of the kitchen. He had two cups of tea and two packages of cookies tucked under his arm. Alya followed with a couple bags of chips and more tea.

“Alya, do you have any cheese?” Adrien asked, looking at the cookies.

“Uh… I think so. My mom uses it a lot in her recipes. Any particular preference?” Alya asked.

“Camem – mmph!” Plagg’s shout was muffled by Adrien’s expertly placed hand.

“Whatever you have is great,” Adrien said, smiling at her.

“I’ll see what I can dig up,” Alya said, amused. She went back into the kitchen and returned a moment later carrying a chunk of Gouda cheese. Plagg’s eyes lit up and he descended greedily on the cheese; Alya quickly set it down on the coffee table and yanked her hands back.

Marinette took a package of cookies and opened them, handing one to Tikki. Then she said, “Do you guys have any ideas for how we can make this happen? I don’t want this turning into a huge fight if we can avoid it, and Hawkmoth and Mayura aren’t going to go down easily.”

“I think we shouldn’t give them the chance to make it a huge fight,” Nino replied.

“But how can we do that?” Adrien said.

“That’s easy. You use your friends,” Alya said calmly, squeezing into the chair beside Nino. “Viperion can use Second Chance before we go. That way if something goes wrong, we can start over. Pegasus can portal directly into the Agreste mansion. Queen Bee can use her venom on Hawkmoth, because he’s the biggest threat; he can’t fight us if he’s paralyzed, and then it’s just a matter of plucking the miraculous right off of him. For Mayura, I can use my illusion to confuse her if she wakes up. Carapace and Ryuko can provide support, and King Monkey can be there just in case one of them manages to transform.” She smiled triumphantly, tipping her chin up.

There was a long pause during which Marinette, Adrien and Nino just stared at her, and then Marinette said dazedly, “I think you know more about the miraculous than I do.”

Alya smirked back at her. “I haven’t been obsessing over the Ladyblog for like two years for nothing, Marinette. I am very careful to keep track of all the known miraculous powers and what they’re capable of.”

“Alya, you’re kind of scary sometimes,” Adrien said. “You weren’t even there for some of those battles!”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Alya said, obviously choosing to ignore the implied question in what Adrien had said.

“Alya’s right,” Nino said. “Having your allies there takes a lot of the pressure off you two. Plus you can hit Hawkmoth and Mayura at the same time, giving them no chance to alert each other.”

“Exactly. You also don’t have to worry about separating and going in alone,” Alya added.

“But wait. Queen Bee?” Nino said, turning to Alya. “Shouldn’t we find someone else?”

An awkward silence descended upon the group while they all looked at each other. Adrien pinched his lips together, his frown speaking volumes. Marinette knew how he felt already. She and Chat had had a conversation about Chloé a few times now. At least now Chat’s opinion that Chloé had been manipulated by Hawkmoth and deserved another chance made way more sense.

The real question was whether or not Marinette could trust Chloé again. She had been very frustrated with Chloé’s childish behavior in the days following that attack, but time and several lengthy conversations with both Chat and Tikki had helped to give her new perspective. She could appreciate why Chloé had been so frustrated, and could even see the role that Ladybug had played in that – she should’ve chosen the Bee miraculous to help against Heart Hunter, not given in to her jealousy and gone for Kagami.

It didn’t excuse Chloé’s decision to partner up with Hawkmoth, of course, but Marinette also had to weigh in the fact that Hawkmoth was exceptionally skilled at manipulating people. Being the Butterfly holder meant that Hawkmoth was highly emphatic and understood exactly how to play on someone’s deepest fears or flaws. Chloé probably hadn’t even realized she was playing right into Hawkmoth’s hands.

Could Chloé grow? Marinette didn’t know. Chloé had been relatively quiet over the past few weeks, sticking mostly to Sabrina and not interacting much with anyone else. But it was hard to say whether that was because Chloé grasped that she’d done something wrong, or if it was because Audrey Bourgeois had remained in town and Chloé’s attention was being preoccupied by her mother. And if it was the latter, Audrey was a terrible influence…

But on the other hand, it wouldn’t be wise to take a brand new miraculous holder into a fight like that. They needed the help of someone who was familiar with the Bee miraculous and its powers. Ladybug or Chat could unify with the Bee, but it would be best to have someone separate wielding it. In this situation, she thought that the more people they had the better.

“Marinette?” Alya prompted finally. Marinette blinked, realizing that they were all looking at her expectantly and that she’d been sitting there in silence, just thinking, for a couple of minutes.

“I think I have to talk to Chloé first,” she said finally. She looked at Adrien. “I’m not saying no, but I’m also not saying yes.”

“She did side with Hawkmoth,” Nino said.

“I know, but…” Marinette sighed. “Chloé is a kid like us. We’ve all been manipulated by Hawkmoth. Even I almost got akumatized that time. If Chloé realizes that what she did wrong, then I’d be willing to give her another chance.”

Another small smile crossed Adrien’s face. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“Okay then,” Alya said, ripping open a bag of chips. “Then you should do that today so that we can do this tonight.”

“Tonight?!” Marinette exclaimed.

“Well, why not? Do either of you want to give Hawkmoth a chance to akumatize someone else?” Alya asked, sounding so reasonable about it all that Marinette couldn’t argue.

“I… I guess not,” Adrien said, looking a little bewildered.

“Great. Then Adrien, you go shower. Marinette, you figure out what you’re going to say to Chloé. If you’re up for it, go can go talk to her after school. Nino and I can work out the fine details of our plan,” Alya said.

“Uh… sure,” Marinette said, realizing that while it was kind of weird to have someone else calling the shots, it was kind of nice too.

#miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #alya cesaire #nino lahiffe #tikki #plagg #miraculous team #marinettemarch2020 #marinettelove2020 #under my umbrella

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML Dream: (The one with the plot twist)

Previous Dreams: (ML Dream Episode) (My Subconscious is f***ing taunting me) (Because my mind finally wants to be nice) (Yes there is more) (The one with Zag Spoilers) (Cause my mind wants this to be a saga for some reason) (Bustier gets some decent development) (There is a musical number apparently)

-So its a continuation of the last dream. Emperor showing up at Hawkmoth’s layer during an akuma attack. (The Dancing Queens)

-”I have made my choice Hawkmoth. I am taking your miraculous.”

-Hawkmoth glares at the penguin miraculous wielder.

-”You are foolish to think you can take it.”

-Fight ensues. And it is a really fun looking fight. Umbrella against cane. It is kind of like a classic sword fight.

-Emperor knocks the cane away from Hawkmoth.

-”You lack battle experience old man. The only reason you have been able to avoid getting defeated completely is because you hide like a coward. If you really wanted the miraculous, you would have gone out and grabbed it yourself.”

-Emperor is berating Hawkmoth, and it looks like he has the edge, until Emperor starts getting woozy. Hawkmoth capitalizes on it and gets his cane. Striking back.

-----------

-Meanwhile Marinette gets Adrien to safety after he saved her life. She tells him to stay hidden while she goes to get help. Adrien asks her to be careful. (cute moment)

-Marinette gives him a peck on the cheek, thanking him for saving her life before she ran off.. Adrien gets a weird feeling of familiarity from it. Plagg comments its just the smack to the head he took earlier.

-Ladybug and Chat noir are on the scene and they are fighting the Dancing Queens

-The akumas use their dance moves to fight. Like their dance moves sent out energy blasts and stuff. It changes based on the dance move. Salsa dancing uses Fire, Ballroom dancing uses flashes of light, Break dancing causes earth tremors, it was pretty cool.

-Their designs were pretty chaotic and hard to describe It was like a mix of prime queen, Style queen and like Princess Fragrance (It would be better if I could show you but my mind has s*** memory with designs)

-Ladybug was a lot more fierce in her fight with the akuma. Chat noir commenting it was hot.

-”Focus! People are getting hurt by this akuma! We need to make sure no one else gets hurt.”

-Some good teamwork and Ladynoir dance moves that were used to fight against the akuma.

-The lucky charm was a banana. (The way it was used was both unnecessarily complex and amusing Just to get the akuma to slip)

-The akuma slipped on a banana peel. it was actually a pretty amusing situation.

______________________________________________________________________

-”You act confident, but you are clearly not in the best health. Your miraculous will be in much better hands under my control.”

-Hawkmoth starts beating up on a weakened Emperor, and he gets ready to snatch his monocle.

-”With your powers, I will be able to finally get what I want.”

-Suddenly, Emperor is gone, and Hawkmoth’s transformation is undone.

-Gabriel turns around to see Emperor holding his miraculous.

-”Nice try Gabriel.”

-Gabriel desperately lunging at emperor for his miraculous.

-Emperor smacks him sending him against the wall.

-”You are a lot of things Gabriel Agreste. You’re stubborn, Arrogant, manipulative, callous, opportunistic, and a shortsighted fool.”

-Gabriel looked up at him.

-”But do you know what your biggest mistake was?”

-Gabriel watched as he approached. He tried to get up.

-”In your quest, you neglected the one person in your life that needed you.”

-Gabriel’s eyes went wide.

-”You don't know my life! You know nothing of my quest. I am doing it for....”

-Smack.

-”I don't give a damn about why you are doing this. Because it isn't justified.”

-Ladybug had cast miraculous healing and everything got fixed. Including the window.

-Emperor grabs Gabriel.

-”What are you doing?”

-”This city needs a new Hawkmoth, and Adrien needs a better parent.”

-Emperor basically does this:

-Gabriel is out cold, and emperor breaks the window and escapes just as Nathalie waked into the room.

-(I remember pausing to process this, of course it was censored so you don't see the knee make contact. but good gravy it was intense.

-Nathalie calling for an ambulance as she got him out of the lair.

-Nathalie was pissed, she took Duusu and swore she would End that Penguin once and for all for what he had done.

______________________________________________________________________

-Arséne arrived back just after everything was back to normal. He made sure to check that Adrien and the others were alright.

-Emotional hug from Arséne to Adrien.

-Adrien gets a message about his father. 

-Adrien was devastated to hear about the news.

-Marinette and the others were shocked to hear the news.

-Adrien hearing that his father fell down the stairs and was in a coma. Nathalie comforting Adrien, promising that he will recover. Nathalie, clutching the peacock miraculous.

-”I swear he will be fine.”

- Arséne back at his apartment, and he is talking with Nooru, who explained why Hawkmoth was doing all of this. Including the power of the wish. Arséne realizing why Gabriel was so desperate, he however does not regret his actions.

-Tuxx looked at Arséne

-”So partner, what is the plan?”

- Arséne putting the pendent on.

-”I guess its time I played the villain. But we will do it better, and we will do it right.”

-”Nooru, Wings rise!”

-If you cut out the penguin, this is basically what Arséne looked like using the Butterfly miraculous. (Did not think I would get as much use out of this commission as I am, but thank you @knightsweeties)

-Tuxx looks.

-”So, you’re the new Hawkmoth now?”

-”No, I am no Hawkmoth. I am going to be better. Monarch. I am Monarch”

-Tuxx chuckles

-”It suits you.”

-”This is only temporary. I prefer my other transformation better. Once I get those wishes, I will be able to live without worry ever again.”

-”Wishes?”

-”One for myself, and one for Adrien’s mother. The boy deserves at least one good parent.”

-”And here I thought you would adopt him.”

-“If I’m not here how can I be a parent?”

#ml #ml dream #ml dream saga #I just liked seeing Gabriel get Bane'd #miraculous ladybug #my dream may have gone a bit overboard #ladynoir #adrinette #miraculous #Arséne manachot #Monarch #Emperor

[lost-eternity]

Stars Aligned: A Zodiac Fanfic

I'm doing a little characters test with a new OC of mine. She is based in a steam-punk world where powers are given to everyone at birth based on the star sign they were born under. Maikela is a known illusionist. Outfit design done by yours truly.

  “You lied to me! You lying-”

     “Nu-uh.” Maikela extended a leather-clad finger, pressing it to the lips of the monocled man with whom she spoke. “Your mother raised you better than that.”

His eye twitched, his fists curled in a knuckle-white grip by his side. He practically shook from poorly concealed rage, his lithe frame quivering under the illustrious black fabric of his tailcoat.

Once she was sure that he would no longer sully his tongue with profanities, Maikela daintily removed her finger.

      She feigned a look of hurt, grasping at her chest and knitting her eyebrows together. “Me? Lie? Why, Lord Sisyphus. You wound me.” 

 

    Outside the quiet confines of the Billard Room, the sounds of chatter and music drifted through the thin walls, coming from the dazzling ball was taking place. Men and women of high social stature gather inside the grandiose room, clothes in only the most ornate of fineries. Each one an attempt to outdo the other resulting in comically overdressed individuals peacocking around the ballroom, zealously flaunting their wealth.

 

     The ladies with their fans raised against their lips gossiped among each other in hushed tones while the gentlemen attempted to court and swoon. It was all a trivial affair, heedlessly pointless but attending this ball was an absolute necessity in accordance to her father. 

 

     Much to Maikela’s acquiescence, he had sent her out to the ball on a retrieval mission, pursuing rumours about the host’s treasonous infidelities. Apparently a consultant of her father’s would be in attendance and offered some incriminating evidence in the form of photography. Of course, he would only hand them over for the right price. 

 

     Lord Sisyphus merely scoffed at her response, turning his shoulders away from her as Maikela continued with a pleasant smile. “Surely you know, my Lord.” She ends of her lips tilted upwards in a subtle smirk as she pressed her finger against her lips. “I never lie. I merely allowed you to believe the wrong truth.” 

     The disgruntled aristocrat did not appear amused by her word. “Fallacy.” He snapped, leaning in closer. “Your father promised me cash in return for the photos, girl. Now I that I have given you them, I expect our agreement to be honoured.”

    Tsking softly, Maikela shook her head. She clasped her hands loosely at her hips, her smile never once faltering. “I believe his exact words were “adequate payment”, not money.”

     “What’s the difference?” Sisyphus’s wrinkled brow creased with frustration.

     “Kind, sir. Surely you jest.” Maikela’s eyes widened in an innocuous expression. “In some cultures, karma is about repaying an untold debt to the universe.” 

     “I don’t see how this has anything to do with my transaction.” Sisyphus folded his arms in the most ungentlemanly fashion. 

     “I beg you to practice patience.” Maikela’s tone took on flirtatious lilt.  “Good things come to boys to wait.”

     The lord blanched slightly at the sudden salacious remark. “I- I beg your pardon?”

Maikela paid no heed to Sisyphus’ solicitous concern. “I have it under good authority that you have been embezzling money from your own charity, using it to fund your interests in arms dealing and excessive amounts of alcohol.”

     “Excuse you?” Sisyphus growled, his teeth grinding against each other.

     “I feel that keeping your... endeavours a secret from the populace is adequate payment for your photographs, is it not?” Maikela drawled on, her tone pitched and lazily expressing no real concern with the issue. 

     It took the lord a few moments to comprehend Maikela’s intentions. Once he did, she noticed the stirrings of vindictive wrath flash behind his cerulean gaze. “You are blackmailing me?!”

     “To put it in the simplest and most ineloquent of terms... yes, yes I am.” Maikela flashed him another one of her dazzling smiles.

     “You are going to regret that. I will ruin you!” Sisyphus proclaimed dramatically.

Maikela turned away, walking gracefully towards the exit of the Billiar Room. With a serene smile, she raised her left hand into the air, offering the infuriated lord a passing farewell without making eye contact. She gingerly allowed her parasol to rest upon her shoulder.

     “Have fun with that.” She purred lackadaisically.  

 

     Before Maikela could reach the doors, they swung open, nearly hitting the lady in her face. Unfazed by the jarring motion, Maikela did not even wince. Instead, she tilted her chin upwards to gaze dully at the two figures who loomed menacingly over her petite frame.

     “Oh.” Lord Sisyphus chuckled darkly. “I meant that you would pay right now. I’ll let your father find your beaten body outside of his manor. Then he will know the consequences of messing with me.”

Maikela did not move, she merely raised her chin to meet the unwavering gazes of her opponents.         

“Oh?” Was all she had to say. 

One of the men in a blue suit softly closed the door to the billiard room, locking it with a muted ‘clink’. 

     “Make haste. We don’t want her screaming to distract the rest of the guests from their leisure.” Sisyphus hummed callously.

 

     Upon his command, the man in the brown suit lunged, beefy arms spreading out to grab hold of Maikela’s delicate frame. As his hands came into contact with the ruffles of her dress, Maikela shattered, her form crumbling like porcelain dust where it dissipated into the carpet

     “What?” The muscle growled, clenching a fist over the empty air where Maikela stood only seconds prior. 

 

     “Yoo-hoo.” Maikela crooned softly.

Three pairs of eyes swivelled to stare up at her.

She had perched herself adroitly up on top of one of the many bookshelves that lined the room, one leg folded neatly over the other. A serene Cheshire smile spread across her pristine features as she waved her hand delicately down at the men below her. Her parasol rested against her shoulder in the opened position, the pink lacing casting intricate shadows down upon the men below.

 

     “H-how?” Lord Sisyphus stammered, jamming his hands into his pockets in lament. He rolled his eyes. “Enough of your tricks.”

     Chuckling, Maikela gracefully leapt off the wardrobe, her parasol catching air as she fluttered towards the ground. Her feet hardly made a sound as it came into contact with the wooden tiles underfoot. 

     She stared at her attackers, an unspoken challenge burning behind her sweet smile. With the fluidity of a feline, she raised her parasol, closing it. Bringing it over her head, she extended the umbrella out in front of her as one would do in fencing, issuing a silent challenge. 

     Raconous laughter echoed through the room as Sisyphus clutched his stomach, another peal of hearty laughter falling from his quivering lips. “What... what are you doing?” He gasped between fits of snickers. “You planning to shade us to death, little girl?”

     Maikela did not speak a word, nor did she lose that self-assured smile. Instead, she silently drew her thumb up along the handle of the parasol. With a click of a button, a silver sword slid soundlessly from the tip of the umbrella, its point gleaming dangerously in the dim lighting. 

     The realisation that Maikela’s parasol was a hidden weapon silenced Sisyphus. He stared for a moment, before smirking. “Suit yourself. We still outnumber you.” 

      Without uttering a word, Maikela extended her free hand, gazing at the three of them with a ‘come-hither’ expression and beckoning hand.

 

     That was all the command they needed. Both bodyguards rushed Maikela simultaneously as the latter braced herself for the attack.

Blue’s fist came flying towards her face however it stopped short as Blue suddenly tensed, stumbling back. 

     Maikela had jammed the blunt end of her parasol directly into his gut, smiling prettily as he fell away from her. She tilted her umbrella upwards, opening it and allowing it to rest delicately on her left shoulder.

     Brown took up the front of the fight, aiming a flurry of punches at the smaller girl. 

Humming casually, Maikela danced around him, dodging each blow. Her smaller stature enabled faster reaction time. All she had to do was wear him out.  

 

     True to her predictions, Brown began to falter in his attacks, chest heaving with the strain. 

     “My turn.” Maikela giggled, folding her parasol and blocking a punch which rendered Brown’s right side exposed. With a well-placed roundhouse kick, she dislodged her attacker, setting him off balance. 

     Maikela swept her parasol under his feet and he stumbled off to the side, crashing heavily against the ground. 

     Smiling, Maikela leapt forward, the gleaming tip of her sword poised to plunge into Brown’s under-protected jugular.

     However, a heavyweight threw her off as Blue seemed to have recovered from the blow he had been dealt. He launched her to the ground, but the moment she touched the wooden panelling, Maikela once again shattered, leaving Blue to crash into the floor inconsequentially. 

 

     Appearing behind him, Maikela kicked his rump, driving him further into the ground. The sound of a clicking gun brought her attention towards Sisyphus. 

Maikela was quick to twirl around, facing away from the lord and opening her umbrella. As the shot rang out, the bullet bounced harmlessly off the microlattice “lace” of her parasol. 

 

     Smiling, Maikela turned back around to find that Blue and Brown had recovered and were fast approaching. Maikela blocked the first punch with her umbrella, aiming the tip against his chin she quickly unfurled it. The parasol snapped open, clocking Brown in the face. 

Blue was quick to fall into place but he did not last too long either as Maikela’s high kick hit him in the jaw. 

     Growling, Brown attempted a kick to her chest.

Launching herself backwards, Maikela sprung off her hands, landing comfortably in a leather armchair at the head of the billiard table. 

 

     Maikela tauntingly opened her parasol, laying it over her left shoulder and spinning it in a playful manner, her legs neatly crossed, poised as if she were ready to receive some tea. She giggled teasingly at Blue and Brown who continued to approach whilst Sisyphus loaded another round. 

 

     “Your games are through. This ends here.” Sisyphus demanded, raising the firearm. “I was hoping to suit my fancies but you are making proceedings unnecessarily difficult so unfortunately, I will have to get sloppy.” Then he squeezed the trigger.

The round fired from the pistol as sparks flew through the air. The bullet sailed through the air, penetrating the sound barrier with a concussive boom before hitting Maikela square in the chest.

 

     As soon as the bullet touched her skin, the illusion shattered, revealing Blue gagged and tied to the armchair in her place. Blood leaked into his suit, staining the hand-sewn satin dark crimson. Sisyphus appeared to be positively befuddled as he spun on his heels to glare at the Blue who had been standing behind him. 

     Smirking, imposter Blue tilted his head, revealing two unmistakeable eye colours. One pink and the other blue. 

     “You...” Sisyphus raised the gun but Blue grabbed it, ripping it from his hands. 

Fractal-like patterns shifted along his arms causing his figure to shimmer. Sisyphus blinked as he found himself staring at his mirror image. Except his other self had two separate coloured eyes. 

Making use of the real Sisyphus’ shock, fake Sisyphus slammed the base of the gun into Brown’s head. 

     The hired help dropped like a stone to the ground, vision swimming and sparks of pain flaring across his agitated body. 

 

     The heavy oaken door of the billiard room slammed open, sending the lock flying across the room and clattering against the wall.

      Maikela had dropped the firearm and resumed her own shape, however, now bruises and cuts marred her flesh. Blood leaked from a busted lip, trickling down her chin as a panic-stricken cry rose into her throat.

     The man who had busted down the door rushed into the room. He wore a simple white tux with golden accents, his eyes framed by wire-rimmed glasses. 

     “Maikela, I have been looking for you everywhere. Why did you run of- oh my gosh!” He gasped as he took note of her beaten shape. 

     “Jack!” Maikela sobbed, tears pricking the corners of her gaze as she fled over to him, flinging herself into his arms. “T-these men. T-they tried t-to hurt me. They attacked me.” She stumbled over, steadying herself on his bicep, shaking with a renewed vigour as a fresh wave of tears wracked her bruised body. “T-they wanted my father’s money... w-what if they kidnapped me? Oh my-”

     “Shh.” Jack consoled her, looking up to glare at Sisyphus who stood dumbfounded by the table. 

     “The girl lies. She scammed me out of my payment!” Sisyphus argued, rolling his eyes. “If you think that man will save you, you are sorely mistaken. I am untouchable.”

     “Not by the law, you aren’t.” Jack hissed, with one hand he held up the weeping form of Maikela, and with the other, he reached into his pocket, procuring a police badge. He showed it to Sisyphus, his tone gruff. “You are under arrest for assailing a woman and attempted abduction.”

 

    "What?”  Sisyphus objected, practically fuming. “Don’t you know who I am?”

     “Save it for the courtroom,” Jack mumbled and gingerly set Maikela down.

The girl quivering, hiccuping softly, her lower lip trembling. 

     Jack withdrew a handkerchief from his coat pocket, wiping the tears from her cheek. “I am sorry I never got the chance to dance with you, my lady.” He cooed.

     Sniffling, Maikela nodded. “I-I am just glad that you made it.”

     Jack forced a smile. “I will take care of this gentleman and his henchmen and then I will come back for you to escort you home... I told you that a cop like myself has no place with the gentlefolk of the upper tier.” 

     A strained chuckle fell from Maikela’s lips as she looked up at Jack, her gaze shimmering with tears. “Thank you.”

     “Of course, my lady.” He murmured the turned on his heel, stalking towards Sisyphus.

 

     Jack listed Sisyphus’ rights in a flat tone whilst he handcuffed the lord with two magnetic rings, pulled together by an energy field that binds the body. As Jack forced Sisyphus out of the billiard room, the lord swivelled his head to send one last scathing look but what he saw caused him to falter. 

     Maikela’s abrasions had all but vanished, leaving her as stately and pristine as ever. She smiled at him coyly, the ghost of a smirk touching her lips as she tauntingly waved her fingers in farewell. 

     Sisyphus’ throat felt dry as he glared daggers into the ground, attracting quite the commotion as he and Jack passed through the ballroom. The music faltered as thousands of eyes turned to don him, hundreds of moths moved in hushed whispers, each one discussing the unlikely scene before them.

     Rising to her feet, Maikela brushed off her pants. She retrieved her parasol from the floor, tapping it twice on the ground. Her form shimmered as a bountiful hoopskirt materialised, intricate lace drapings adorned the bust of her dress. A halter top crossed her chest and her jacket shortened to accommodate the sudden gown. Smiling, Maikela appraised her outfit in a nearby mirror before she exited the billiard room, brushing imaginary wrinkles from her dress. 

     Maikela had purposefully invited Jack, an officer from their local law enforcement to join her at the party under the guise of wishing to court. He was more than eager to agree. Maikela needed only to ensure that he runs into some trouble arriving at the ball to give her enough time to retrieve the photographs from Sisyphus and expose him to be arrested. 

     Every single detail about her plan had been carefully orchestrated, each scenario thought and then rethunk to include potential complications such as Jack arriving earlier than expected or not at all. Fortunately, he had arrived just when expected and Maikela made a mental note to thank a few people for ensuring this. 

 

     As Maikela glided across the ballroom, the nobles did not appear to trifle themselves with trivial concerns such as arrests. The music was quick to resume, and their sprawling figure rejoined in with the courtly dancing. 

     Maikela slid through the ground moving hastily and dodging any servants offering drinks and other amenities. She was on a tight schedule and needed one last thing from the host’s manor before making her departure.

For those interested:

Maikela was heavily, heavily inspired by Patty Hearst. Maikela's father runs an influential news chain and media company. He is the owner of nearly every major tabloid and paper in town. He uses his daughter’s skills to collect sensitive data on rivals to present to the public in his papers. And he will use methods that are not exactly legal in order to get that big scoop.

#fantasy #art #drawing #zodiac #pisces #zodiac sign #stars #original art #digital art #fan art #artwork #oc art #oc #ocappreciation #oc tag #my oc art #pisces star sign #star sign #capricorn #scorpio #aries #gemini #aquarius #cancer #leo #virgo

[vesta-carpathian]

“Veniki - Beniki”

There are maybe some mistakes, English is still not my first language.    

      The doorbell rang. Margo looked up from her book and stared at her visitor. A little old lady in a knitted beret. Her sharp-nosed head was drawn warily into her shoulders, and her dark eyes roam the cupboards and shelves. A puddle of rainwater had already fallen from the raincoat to the floor. 

“Hello,” Margo gave a strained smile. “Can I help you?”

“I came to see you by accident...”

“I already knew that,”  Margo thought with annoyance. “Third for this day...”

“...it’s raining so hard,” the old woman nodded toward the window, which was veiled in smoke. “Can I stay here?”

Margo sighed, tucking a short, dark strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yes, of course, wait here. The rain will stop soon...”

But the guest didn’t need an invitation. She stretched out her scarf - wrapped neck and walked along the tall glass - fronted shelves.

“I don’t understand,” the old woman frowned.

“Brooms, yes. It’s all brooms.”

The girl glanced impatiently at her watch. Half an hour left for closing. And also need to clean up, close the store and deal with the protection on the door. She’s been acting up lately. 

“The shaft is ‘magnificent abies’,” the old woman leaned over the shelf and squinted at the inscription on the sign. “The rods are ‘weeping willow’ and peacock feather. Finish - black silver. Who needs a broom like that?”

Margo shrugged:

“Well, you know... consumer society. It’s plenty of things now, isn’t it?” 

The rain didn’t stop. Of course, she can announce that the store is closing, and throw out the annoying old lady. But she - Lilith forbid - will raise a scandal, will write complaints - and wait after that the visit of journalists, bloggers and other fighters injustice. It’s better to be quiet, so that no one understands anything. Margo plucked a sheet of paper from her diary and drew a few complicated symbols on it with a pencil. In their interweaving could be discerned the wavy edges of clouds, the round sun disk and arrows of rays. 

“Mahogany, inlaid with beryls and amethysts... God!” the old woman backed away from the shelving and stared at Margo with wide eyes. “This is the price or article?!”

The girl spread her hands:

“Understand your surprise.”

“And someone buys?”

“Everyone has their own quirks. But I think I agree with your opinion. I would also choose something simpler instead of this kitsch.”

“Money nowhere to go.” the old woman muttered.

While she stared at one broom, and then another, shaking her head and wailing loudly, Margo ducked under the counter and came back with a clear vial of yellow - green powder. Crushed herbs fell in a thin path on the drawing, enclosing it in a ring. Excellent. Margo dusted off her hands and looked the window again. Hypericum and sunflower petals - just for that... 

“Look, the rain is over!” the girl announced triumphantly. 

“Really?” the old woman looked up and blinked several times. A ray of sunlight flashed across the window pane. The last drops were falling from the visor. Passers-by, looking at the brightening sky in surprise, closed their wet umbrellas and shook them off. “That’s right. Wow, how fast... Then I’ll probably go...”

“We were glad to see you in ‘Veniki - Beniki’,” Margo said. “Good day to you, come...” She started to add “Come again” but stopped. “In general, all the best.”

The old woman adjusted her beret and, gave Margo a tenacious, narrowed look and left shop. 

The girl exhaled noisily and rolled her eyes. Well, finally. 

First she closed the blinds, then went to the door, stood on tiptoe, and, feeling the top trim, pulled out a red silk bag from a hole in the wall. And there is. The wormwood is completely exhausted. That’s why everyone comes in. Margo grimaced. 

Lumber - room. Boxes and jars with dried herbs, seeds and roots. The new sachet is ready and hidden behind the jamb. Grass, knocking out of the way. Now everything is as it should be, wait just for a decent public on a preliminary call. 

Margo tidied up the shop, hastily wiped out the puddles that the intruder had left behind. She pulled on a short leather jacket, lowered her aviator sunglasses, and slipped out the door into the backyard. 

Purple twilight descended from the roofs of five-story buildings. One by one, the windows flashed with golden light. Margo looked around to see if anyone was watching. But all she saw were a couple of pigeons that were wandering around in circles looking for breadcrumbs. 

“There she is, my beauty,” the girl said tenderly. Her hand touched the slender black shaft.

After a moment, the pigeon raised its blue head in puzzlement and blinked its round orange eye several times. But he didn’t see anyone. 

#witch #story #magic #flying brooms #fantasy #image #modernwitch #Mara_writes

[pug-bitch]

That’s not why I’m going (34)

Worth fighting for

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Drake Walker x Amara Suarez

Rating: some foul language, some extremely suggestive. This is absolutely NOT appropriate for people under 18. 

Word count: about 4,350 (let me know if the ‘keep reading’ cutoff isn’t working well!)

Notes: This picks up pretty much where we left off, except on the next morning, while the gang is at Ramsford the day before the rehearsal dinner! We’re starting with Amara’s POV. This is a bit filler, but it sets up important moving parts for the next chapters, where shit is really gonna go down!

*****

Amara slowly opens her eyes, to see Drake sitting up in her bed, reading a book. She glances at the clock. 9 AM. It’s been a while since she’s slept in so late. 

Crazy how, when she was a bartender, not so long ago, 9 AM was the earliest she ever got up, since the night shifts took a lot out of her, and so did the nightmares. But last night, no nightmares for her, at least none that she could remember. All she remembers is having a great time at karaoke, and going up to bed with Drake. Making love lazily right before falling asleep. 

‘Morning baby,’ Drake whispers. ‘I brought coffee up from the kitchen.’

Her savior. She sits up next to him and he opens up his arm for her to nuzzle in the nook of it. She wraps her arm around his waist, pulling him closer, and leaving a trail of kisses on his chest. ‘Thank you,’ she says, her voice raspy.

‘Someone sang too much last night,’ Drake chuckles. He kisses the top of her head. God, she loves his smell. His puffy eyes in the morning. His sweet smile that he keeps only for her. His kisses, always the right amount of tender, or sexy. She closes her eyes again, to try and retain as much as she can from the moment. 

‘Guys, are you dead?’ Maxwell shrieks through the door.

Drake and Amara both burst out laughing. ‘No, Max, we’re alive, just chilling,’ Drake yells out.

With no warning, Max walks in. ‘Good morning beautiful people!’

Amara rolls her eyes and thanks God that she’s covered up by a sheet. ‘Morning, Max. We were about to get up.’

He sits on the love seat by the bed. ‘Great! Hana is making pancakes and we were thinking of spending the day by the pool. We need to enjoy our life before--’ he stops himself and pauses. ‘Before we die, dammit!’

They both chuckle and Drake finally says, ‘If you let us actually get ready, I promise we’ll be downstairs very soon.’

Max smiles excitedly and takes his leave. As soon as the door is closed, Drake turns his head to capture Amara’s lips in a deep kiss. ‘Let’s hop in the shower, Suarez. Get your sexy ass in there.’

*****

Drake’s breath catches as soon as he sees Amara remove her beach wrap, and reveal the stunning bikini she’s wearing underneath. Dammit, this swimsuit looks like it was made for her. He’s completely enthralled in her, even after they just spent half an hour having sex in the shower before breakfast. But still, he feels a twinge in his own swimsuit at the sight of the beautiful woman he loves. He takes a deep breath, tries to cool off, and takes a sip from his lemonade glass. Amara takes a seat next to him in a chaise longue after kissing his cheek.

‘Hey handsome,’ she says excitedly. ‘Beautiful day to be by the pool. I can’t believe we’ve never used it for all the times we’ve been at Ramsford.’

Drake smiles at her. ‘I know.’ He lowers his voice. ‘You’re so fucking hot, I’m gonna need to chill a little.’

Amara cracks up. ‘Yeah take a chill pill, Walker, our friends are joining.’

Maxwell comes out of the house running, in his blue swimsuit with squids on it, and without stopping for even a second, jumps into the pool and splashes both Drake and Amara.

‘How’s that for cooling down?’ Amara asks jokingly.

Drake shakes his head.

Liv comes out, wearing a giant sun hat, sunscreen in hand, lathering it in thick layers on her arms. She sits down under the umbrella, and settles into her seat, a frown on her face.

‘You ok, Liv?’ Amara asks.

‘Yeah,’ she replies, annoyed. ‘The sun is blasting already. Not good for me.’

Maxwell emerges from the pool and makes eye contact with Drake and Amara, before saying: ‘You know, Liv, if you wanted, you could tell Rashad to join us. Plenty of food and drinks for everyone. Right guys?’

Drake nods vigorously. ‘Of course. I like Rashad, he’s fun to be around.’

Amara and Hana nod as well, bright smiles on their faces.

Liv rolls her eyes. ‘Guys, you’re very transparent. And pains in my ass. What tells you I want to see Rashad right now?’

Amara sits up and slides her sunglasses off her nose. ‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you’ve been staring at your phone and moping all morning.’

Liv scrunches her nose. ‘I’ll have you know, Suarez, that I’m not like you. I don’t need to be romanced at all times.’ She gestures at Amara’s hand in Drake’s. ‘I’m fine on my own. Better than fine, in fact, I’m grand.’ She pauses and returns to her sunscreen application.

Maxwell lets out an exaggerated sigh. ‘Oh, so you want us to insist, huh? Alright, fine by me. Pleaaaaase Olivia, tell Rashad to come! We are desperate to see him in a swimsuit. Pretty please?’

Olivia snorts. ‘How would it even work, huh? He doesn’t know about these two,’ she gestures to Drake and Amara.

Drake shrugs, ‘We can keep it in our pants for a day, Liv. We’re not animals.’

She snorts again. ‘Tell that to the bar bathroom last night.’

‘Seriously, Liv,’ Amara insists. ‘We’ll play it cool! Plus, Drake and I might go to a little restaurant tonight for dinner, so we’ll be out of your hair.’

‘It won’t work,’ Liv replies. ‘He’ll see right through you.’

‘Um,’ Drake brings his hand to his ear, ‘is that an excuse I’m hearing? Look, Rashad is sneaking around with a suitor. He has no reason to rat us out, even if he suspects something. He doesn’t care. And tonight, you and him can go out, and Amara and I can go out, too. No one will be the wiser. Come on. Stop making excuses, Nevrakis.’

Amara nods furiously. ‘Come on, I’m with Drake and Max. Specifically on the swimsuit front.’ Drake nudges her with his elbow and feigns shock. ‘Oh please,’ Amara continues, ‘I’m kidding.’ She turns to Olivia and mouths ‘No I’m not.’

Olivia lets out a throaty laugh. ‘Ughhhh guys, this is torture. You’re trying to turn me into one of you sensitive types, who sneaks out on dates and bones in a bathroom because she just NEEDS to have him right here right now--’

Drake interrupts, ‘Please stop talking about the bathroom.’

‘Yeah Liv, get over it,’ Max adds. ‘They celebrate each other’s bodies and it’s beautiful.’

Drake makes a disgusted face. ‘Alright, let’s all calm down. And Liv, text him to come over. Say we all invited him because we wanna hang out.’

Olivia rolls her eyes, but grabs her phone again. 

*****

Bastien walks into the King’s study and curtsies. ‘Hello, Your Majesty. You called for me?’

Constantine sighs painfully. ‘Yes, thank you, Bastien. I wanted to know how things were going with the plan for tomorrow.’

Bastien nods and hands him the file he brought with him. ‘I figured you’d want to know, Your Majesty. I brought you the ticket, as well as a full report on him.’

Constantine takes the file and peruses it, nodding. ‘Great. Are we still on for hitting the nail on the head during the Decision Ball? I want nothing left to chance, Bastien. I cannot afford for Liam to make the biggest mistake of his life.’

Bastien gulps down. Maybe he’s the one making a mistake. Still, duty first. He nods. ‘Everything is in place, Your Majesty.’

*****

‘Hello? I’m coming in!’ Rashad announces through the main door. Amara walks back from the kitchen, where she was preparing a pitcher of margaritas, and comes face to face with the newcomer.

‘Hi Rashad! Welcome to Ramsford,’ she says as she gives him a one-armed hug, the other hand busy balancing the pitcher. ‘So glad you came!’

‘Oh,’ he says, running his hand through his hair. ‘Thank you guys for inviting me. I’ve never been here during daylight, or um...without any peacocks around. It’s awfully quiet.’

Amara laughs. ‘Well, Max and Bertrand sent the staff home until they figure out who snagged Liv’s phone, when, you know…’

Rashad nods understandingly. ‘Oh, I wasn’t complaining. It’s nice to have some peace and quiet.’

Amara leads him to the pool area, where everyone else is either swimming or sunbathing, except for Olivia who is safely under her umbrella. Amara notices that Liv sat up a little straighter upon noticing Rashad. It makes her smile. ‘Rashad’s here, guys!’

‘Hey everyone, thanks for letting me crash! I brought some whiskey.’ He holds up the bottle for everyone to see.

Drake predictably lights up. 'Thanks, man! Good to see you.’

‘Is it good to see him, Walker, or is it good to see the booze he brought?’ Liv asks sarcastically.

Drake rolls his eyes and smiles at Rashad. ‘Obviously both.’

*****

Two drinks in, Hana and Amara are waddling in the pool, enjoying the sunshine and relaxation. They chat together about everything and nothing at the same time, and observe the people around them. Drake and Maxwell on one side, chatting excitedly, and on the other, Liv and Rashad, talking intensely and having a drink. They look sweet and bashful and all the adjectives Amara never thought she’d use to describe Olivia.

‘Jeez, they look cute together,’ Hana whispers, before taking another sip of her margarita.

‘I know, right? Liv’s features actually relaxed when she started talking to him. It’s almost magical.’

Hana giggles. ‘Are you guys ok spending our last free day pretending not to be together?’

Amara shrugs. ‘I’m having fun with everyone. I’m not gonna avoid Drake, we’re just going to avoid PDA, that’s all.’

Hana nods. ‘You know...you two are also very cute together.’ She nudges her with her elbow. ‘Something tells me everything is gonna be ok.’

Amara sighs. ‘I hope so, Han. I’m so nervous about tomorrow and Saturday’s events, you have no idea. I feel like something’s gonna happen, or maybe Liam will find us out and throw us both out of the country. Either way…’

Hana raises her eyebrows. ‘Look, you’re too in your head. You need to take a step back. Remember what I told you a while ago? Don’t lose sight of what’s important. Of love.’ She lowers her voice. ‘Of what’s worth fighting for.’

Amara chuckles. ‘How can you always stay so positive?’

‘Well hun, I know both you and Drake by now. I know you’ll be fine, if you keep your eyes on the prize.’

‘Woooo!’ Maxwell yells out behind them, suddenly jumping in the pool again. Hana and Amara cover their faces from the splashes.

Drake seamlessly slides into the pool next to them. ‘Hey ladies,’ he whispers. ‘Look at these lovebirds. This guy is the Nevrakis whisperer. I swear I saw her laugh.’

*****

Amara gets out of the shower after a long, fun pool day. She dries her hair with a soft towel and moisturizes her face. As she’s about to take off her towel and put on some clothes, her bedroom door bursts open. 

She jumps up, ready to pounce on the intruder the way she destroyed Tariq at Applewood, but as she gets out of the bathroom, she realizes it was Olivia.

‘Fuck,’ she yells, ‘you scared me, Liv! Ever heard of knocking?’

Olivia shrugs and sits on the bed nonchalantly. ‘Don’t be dramatic.’

Amara rolls her eyes, tightens her towel around her chest, and sits by Olivia. ‘What’s going on?’

Olivia stares at her nails, not making eye contact with Amara. ‘Nothing. I wanted to catch you before you’re off with Walker, that’s all.’

Amara nods and plays with a strand of her hair. ‘And?’

‘And I wanted to catch up, that’s all.’ Liv sighs. ‘Also, um… I wanted to clear the air. I didn’t mean to chew Drake out last night. For telling me that Liam knew.’

Amara exhales slowly. ‘Liv, that’s no problem. He knows you didn’t mean it. You scared me, you know, I thought something was really wrong. In case you didn’t notice, I’m a tad on edge these days.’

Liv gives her a sympathetic smile, which sends a shiver down Amara’s spine. ‘I get that, Suarez. It’s just new for me.’

Amara raises her eyebrows. ‘What’s new for you?’

Liv takes a deep breath and says, ‘Human interactions. How to talk to other people, people who are not Liam. He’s the only one I let in, in the past what, 23 years. Now--’ she interrupts herself, stares at her nails again. ‘Now you guys have weaseled your way into my life, and I don’t know how to act.’

Amara can’t contain her smile. ‘Aww, Liv, that’s so sweet!’

Liv turns around briskly and frowns. ‘Don’t you dare, Suarez.’ 

Amara throws her hands in the air. ‘Fine, sorry.’

‘I’m not used to it. People having my back. Like all of you last night, about the Rashad thing. And Max inviting him over today. No one ever thinks of me like that. So, I just wanted to say that.’

Amara bites her lip to make her smile disappear. She knows what Liv means, and she decides not to push her any further. She gets up from the bed and says, ‘So, since you’re here, do you wanna help me pick an outfit? Drake and I are going to a little pub in town, for fish and chips. Something casual.’

Liv rolls her eyes, but can’t hide the seed of a smile. ‘Fine. I guess you need my help. I noticed that there’s been an awful lot of color in your outfits lately. What’s up with that?’

Amara shrugs, ‘It’s sunny out, why not wear color? What’s wrong with wanting to be cheerful?’

Liv stares at her blankly. ‘I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that. Go with jeans, and oh, this blouse.’ She picks up a white, flowy top, with a plunging neckline. ‘It’s classy, yet casual, and it will show off the goods.’

Amara chuckles. ‘Thanks. Shoes?’

Olivia stares at the closet intently. ‘Maybe these tan sandals. I like these.’

Amara nods and grabs the outfit. ‘What color nails should I go with?’ She gestures to her massive nail polish collection.

Olivia’s eyes widen. ‘What? Last time I was in your room, you had like half of this. When did you go out and stock up on nail polish?’

Amara shrugs. ‘I have an addiction. My friend Mia says it’s better than buying drugs.’

Olivia cocks her head. ‘I’m not so sure about that.’ She pauses. ‘Light gray. Go with light gray for your nails.’

Amara changes in the bathroom, and gets out triumphantly, showing off the outfit curated by Liv, who nods in approval. Amara sits at her vanity to paint her nails, and notices that Liv swiped a light red polish from her collection, and is starting to do her own nails. Amara smiles, and decides not to comment. They sit in silence for a couple of minutes, both paying attention to their manicures.

‘Rashad asked me to dinner tonight,’ Liv finally says.

Amara smirks. ‘Oh, that’s so nice! Where are you guys going?’

She shrugs. ‘I think we’re going to this tapas place about half an hour away. Quiet spot that Rashad knows.’

Amara nods. ‘That’s awesome. I’m glad he’s here, Liv. He’s really fun to be around. We all had a great day with you guys.’

Liv flashes an awkward smile. ‘Yeah, yeah, he’s great. Should I fuck him?’

Taken aback by the bluntness of the question, Amara shakes her head in disbelief. ‘Oh, um, I’m not gonna tell you what to do with your body, Liv. Do you want to sleep with him?’

Liv snorts. ‘Have you seen the guy, Suarez? Of course I want to sleep with him. But um--’ she blows on her nails to dry them. ‘I’m still feeling a bit...vulnerable,’ she says with a grimace.

‘I get that. Maybe you can take your time, until it feels right.’

Liv chuckles. ‘I’m not in high school, waiting to lose my virginity, Suarez.’

Amara admires her nails. ‘Virginity is a construct, Liv. You can feel like you need to wait at any point in your life, not just when you’re inexperienced. So take it easy if that’s what feels right. He sounds like a really good guy, he knows what you’re going through. You can talk to him about it, if needed.’

Liv nods. Amara notices that she is blushing slightly. ‘Right. Well, no one expects a three date minimum with the bitch who rode her bodyguard in the car, though.’

Amara makes an offended face. ‘Excuse me, Liv, you owe nothing to anyone. This is not Liam we’re talking about, with his entitlement and his warped view of women. This is Rashad, a guy who’s actually grounded in the real world. His formalwear does not consist in a sash like Prince Charming. He’s a real guy. He will not equate you to your past.’ She catches her breath and starts her second layer of light gray. ‘Plus, there’s nothing wrong with riding someone in a car, you know.’

Liv smirks. ‘Right. It’s not like it’s the bathroom of a cop bar we’re talking about.’

*****

Drake waits for Amara in the living room, a cup of tea in hand. Maxwell was keeping him company but Bertrand just called him in the study to discuss tomorrow’s statement about their dad. Drake finds himself get a bit nervous. It’s silly, because it’s not their first time going on an actual date. They’ve been to the cop bar together before, way back when they were barely an item. But now...it’s different. It feels official. It feels real. Drake is waiting for his girlfriend to come down so he can take her to dinner; a casual dinner, but dinner nonetheless. He wonders if he’s overdressed. He ditched the denim shirt tonight --well, he’s still wearing jeans, baby steps-- and, following Max’s recommendation, opted for a white linen shirt that Amara had commented on, on a different occasion. 

Rashad walks into the living room, holding a cup of tea as well. ‘Hey Drake.’ He raises his cup. ‘Great minds think alike.’

‘Heh,’ Drake replies. ‘Cheers. How are you doing?’

Rashad nods, ‘Good, thanks. Just um… waiting for Liv to come down. We’re gonna go get tapas.’

‘Oh good! Are you going to Matador?’

Rashad smiles brightly. ‘Yeah! I can’t believe you know the place! It’s so small.’

‘Yeah, I’ve been a couple of times with--’ he cuts himself off. He went with Savannah, back in the day. ‘With my family,’ he finally says.

Rashad nods. ‘Nice. I love that place. I’m glad Liv texted me today, I’ve had an awesome time with you all.’

Drake smiles. ‘We did too. It was fun to spend time with you, so thanks for coming.’

‘I honestly couldn’t be happier that she texted me.’ He runs his hand through his hair. ‘I um… at the risk of sounding pathetic, I had been sitting at a café, pretending to work, but really I was checking my phone every two minutes.’ He chuckles. ‘I didn’t expect this to happen, man. We’ve known each other for a long time, but I guess something changed, and now…’ he throws his hands up. ‘I don’t know. I’m kind of in disbelief. She’s a little too cool for me.’

Drake laughs along. ‘Eh, you’re cool enough.’

Finally, Liv makes her appearance. Drake notices that she’s wearing her hair down, which softens her features. Rashad’s face visibly lights up at the sight of her.

‘You look great, Liv,’ he says, holding out his hand for her to take.

She smiles. ‘Thanks, so do you. Have a good night, Walker.’ 

Rashad smiles and waves at Drake and they’re on their way. A few minutes later, Amara comes down, wearing a white blouse that highlights her tan skin and her beautiful figure. ‘So sorry babe, I didn’t mean to make you wait, but my nails weren’t dry.’

Drake smiles broadly and gets up from the couch. He wraps her in a tight hug. ‘You’re so beautiful.’ He kisses her tenderly. ‘Let’s go?’

*****

‘That is SO cute,’ Amara squeals.

Drake had filled her in on his encounter with Rashad, and on how he had been gushing about Olivia right away. ‘I know right? I really hope that--’ he interrupts himself and shoves a French fry in his mouth.

Amara frowns. ‘What? You hope what?’

He rolls his eyes. ‘Fine. I didn’t want to say anything anxious tonight, but… I really hope that Liam doesn’t shit all over Liv’s new thing with Rashad.’

Amara nods. ‘I know, right?’ She takes a sip of her beer. ‘He better not ruin things for these two.’ She pauses, and looks at Drake, at his intense expression. The expression of a man who’s completely involved in his friends’ lives. A completely different man from the one she met in New York City, and yet a lot of him is the same. He’s just more open, less impervious to the world around him.

‘What?’ he asks. ‘Do I have something on my face?’

She shakes her head. ‘No. You’re perfect.’ She eats a fry, and continues. ‘You know I’m all in, right? I’m completely, utterly happy with everything that’s been going on between us. All in.’

Drake’s lip twitches, and his face lights up in an emotional smile. ‘Me too, Amara. I’ve never been so sure of anything my whole life.’

‘Whatever happens this weekend, Drake. Whatever shitstorm comes our way. Even if it takes work, time, and energy, even if we lose sight of things for a while, you have to know I’m not giving up.’

She sees Drake’s lip quiver some more, and he swallows hard. ‘I’m not giving up on us either.’ He grabs her hand and brushes his thumb against her knuckles. ‘Fuck, Suarez. Don’t make me cry in public.’

She smiles. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you, too.’

*****

Liam is sitting on the grand patio, a cognac in one hand, and a cigarette in the other. He never smokes, but he figures, for his last night of free time, he can do something a little stupid. So, he sent his chauffeur, Thierry, to fetch a pack. He doesn’t even like the taste, but it keeps his hand busy. It keeps him from grabbing his phone and texting Olivia angrily. Like, ‘How could you do this to me?’, or ‘I was considering picking you!’

No no, smoking is a lot less damaging. To his ego, at least. He takes a big swig of his cognac, then picks up the bottle, and refills his glass to the brim. Who cares about serving sizes? Not him, not tonight.

‘Your Highness?’ a butler disturbs his peace.

‘What is it, Thomas?’ he says a little too abruptly.

‘Lady Madeleine is here to see you.’

‘Ok, thanks.’ He takes another big sip.

He hears her walk out to the patio, but he doesn’t turn around. He’s not sure how he feels about her visit. She’s been more than sympathetic and understanding over the past few days, ever since she was the only one to notice his absence, and she finally opened up to him a bit more. But still, Leo’s warnings resonate in his head like big, red flags.

‘Good evening, Liam,’ she murmurs.

‘Good evening, Madeleine. Take a seat, if you wish.’ He gestures to the seat near him. Does he really want her to sit? Maybe. He likes that she cares so much. About him, and about Cordonia. She may be a less than stellar person in her human interactions, as Leo pointed it out repeatedly, but… she’s kind of trying to redeem herself, right?

‘I didn’t mean to interrupt your quiet moment,’ Madeleine says softly. ‘I just came back from having tea with the Queen and she mentioned that you looked wistful when she saw you earlier. I wanted to see if you needed company.’

Liam smiles faintly. ‘Thank you. I just have a lot on my mind, with the Decision Ball approaching and all.’

She nods. ‘I know. I’m not going to bother you with that. I just wanted to offer my company, that’s all.’

Liam nods weakly. But then, something shifts in his mind. Why not just talk about it bluntly? After all, Madeleine had been the only person who made her intentions clear with him. So, he says, ‘Actually, I’d like you to tell me what you’re hoping for. For this weekend and the end of the competition.’

Madeleine’s eyes widen. ‘What...I’m hoping for?’

He turns towards her. ‘Yeah. What do you want out of this? The King and the Queen are certainly on your side. What is your dream scenario?’

Madeleine smiles elegantly. ‘I think it’s quite clear, Liam. My dream scenario is for you to pick me. I have been at court my entire life, and have never caused any type of scandal. I care deeply about this country and would rule it fairly, by your side. Your brother had chosen me during the last competition, and I know he probably would tell you that he was pushed to do it by the King, but the truth is, before he left court, he truly understood how beneficial our betrothal would be for Cordonia. Except that he and I had no chemistry whatsoever.’ She pauses and eyes his glass. He picks up on the cue, and slides it over to her. She nods gratefully. ‘Us, on the other hand, I’d like to think we would make a good team.’ She takes a sip. ‘I’m realistic. I know there’s no love as of right now. I wouldn’t expect you to give up on your social life…’

She falls silent. Liam nods. ‘Thank you for being candid with me, Madeleine.’

*****

Madeleine has trouble keeping her lips from curling up in sheer satisfaction. For a second there, she thought she’d talked too much, but he seems to eat it up. He’s obviously still reeling from the whole Olivia situation, and he may still be into the Mexican one, but this will change very, very soon.

*****

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