#especially when MAVIS points out how dangerous it is

[queensconquest]

#〉gaze upon a night of falling stars〈 — ⚜ ⌜rufus image⌟ #〉birds chirp sweetly of future stories〈 — ⚜ ⌜rufus quotes and musings⌟ #i love him #yes i intentionally kept the text #and will i forgive the fandom for forgetting about him? #no #especially when MAVIS points out how dangerous it is #and how everything really did hinge on him #i just CMON

[catflowerqueen]

So nobody actually commented on this in my recent story, but I thought I should address this anyway. Mostly because it’s been bugging me all day that I might have inadvertently created a plothole  in Betrayal is a Thorn that would remain unfilled if I don’t actually write another fic about the aftermath.

I realized I should probably clarify a few things in my fic as to why Era leaving Mavis surrounded by the uneaten foot hit her worse than the fact that one of Frer’s events centers on a literal food fight, so here are my thoughts on the matter.

Firstly is the fact that Frer falling into the food (which is what led to the friendly food fight) was an obvious accident. He didn’t mean to ruin any of it, and the fight was his way of salvaging the situation. Some of it probably was still edible, so they would have consumed what they could and were just using what was obviously unusable. Additionally, Frer could have claimed that fighting like that was practice for the Winter festival’s snowball fight, thus acting as some sort of “justification” for why that meant the food wasn’t actually going to waste—much like he did with the mountain lion eating the spilled food in the kitchen.

Secondly, there is also the other part of the situation Frer was mad about, that being the physical danger that would have been present if Era’s food was left there overnight. Frer in his event admitted that he’d only recently gotten into cooking, and from what I remember of the food he brought, most of it looked vegetable-heavy and was packaged in easy-to-carry vessels. Not to mention that it looked like they were mostly just throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at each other during the fight. Such foods might have attracted more of the ibex and bunnies to the area if it got left, but that probably wouldn’t have been enough to draw in the bigger predators. Especially because the area they had their picnic in was a lot closer to the village and far from where the wolves tend to gather in-game. Also, it was daylight, and Frer didn’t leave her to carry everything back alone. Unlike Era did.

Thirdly, Mavis and Frer were in an actual relationship at that point. They had already developed feelings for each other and were just deepening them every day. So even if Mavis did feel a little upset and uncomfortable? She was willing to pry and push it back to further both her own recovery and the fun date. And, again, she knew it was an accident when Frer messed up the food to begin with.

Tacking onto that, and as the majority of the fourth point, is that Frer was a bit of an unreliable narrator given how angry he was on Mavis’ behalf, and since the story was from his POV, Mavis didn’t get to chime in as much on how she actually felt beyond being obviously upset by the whole thing. He was probably overstating just how upset and panicked Mavis still got about food waste and resource scarcity, especially since they figured out farming and everyone in the clan is constantly commenting about how much easier it is to stay prepared for winter and things like that ever since moving to their current location. She does still get upset, yes, the same way Jag does about his own issues. But it might not have been as much on her mind in the moment compared to what else happened to her that night.

But taking a few steps back… still on the topic of the unreliable narrator bit when it comes to the food fight is that Frer was probably overstating in the story how much he was actually aware of all the things still plaguing Mavis. He was mad about Era not bothering to find such things out, and how her not knowing meant that she didn’t really love Mavis? At the time of the food fight, Frer was also likely unaware of the extent of the problems Mavis used to have—and sometimes still did struggle with—simply because they were still getting to know each other as Frer already stated that they hadn’t been close as children and he only found out bits and pieces of how serious the situation was as time went on. If he had known the depths of it at the time, he probably would have suggested the two of them try and salvage what they could and maybe go out berry picking to find more food to replace it.

Though, as a last point—the “you don’t deserve it” line is what would have hit Mavis the hardest in terms of dredging up her trauma and issues. With Frer, it was obvious that the food was extra food Frer made just for them. No one else needed it or expected it, so it wasn’t a big hit to clan security if they were frivolous with it on their date. As for Era… well, in her second hangout she takes the player character—so, Mavis, in this case—on a picnic to the savannah. Nokk shows up and you have the option to call him over or suggest hiding. Since Mavis was, again, already in a relationship with Frer—and possibly also a Union, I forget the exact timing on that—she called Nokk over to join and he revealed that Era accidentally left behind some food she’d been planning on bringing. Nokk gets invited to join them and worries about being an imposition, but then Era says something to the effect of “I made the food to share.”

So in the case of the story, this means Mavis would have had that prior experience ringing in her head in the aftermath of it all and likely had in the back of her mind before all the drama went down that whatever they didn’t end up eating would be shared among the rest of their friends. Era likes cooking for people! So of course she didn’t mean for all this food to be solely for her and Mavis, right? Even if they were the ones specifically picnicking? Or at least she wouldn’t mind if someone else crashed the party like Nokk had before. Meaning that after Era struck that emotional blow and Mavis wasn’t quite thinking straight, she would have fallen back into the worst of her old habits and the “logic” would have been that since Era made the food to be shared, that meant Mavis had to be the one to take it back so that it could be shared around since Era didn’t eat any and Mavis’ eating privileges had just been revoked. Or something like that.

…Hope that makes sense. And, again, some of this stuff will likely get brought up if I do choose to continue—not to mention that we would get a better look at what exactly was going on in Era’s head and why she made such poor choices when she really should know better, and not just about why you shouldn’t pursue someone already in a romantic relationship—but since I can’t guarantee right now that I will continue, I thought it best to just post this here.

Also, shout out to @shockwaveassassin for your very kind words on your reblog about how you liked the fic and backstory for Mavis!

#betrayal is a thorn #roots of pacha #fanfiction

[khantoelessar]

Hogan’s Background

This is only my personal headcanon but here’s my take on what Hogan’s background and childhood was like.

Based on what we are shown about him, I think Hogan comes from what is now called a broken home. I don’t know if his parents were actually divorced (the 1920s did see a spike in the divorce rates in America although it still carried a heavy stigma and the burden was on the woman) but I suspect his father probably cheated frequently on his mother. This is where he got his attitude about women and marriage and where he learned to lie to them to get what he wanted. Children learn by example.

I’m basing this headcanon on several things. The first is the contrast between the way Hogan talks about women and the way he treats them, at least the women on his side.

To hear Hogan talk, he is incredibly misogynistic, especially by today’s standards. To site just a few examples he tells Klink in Cupid comes to Stalag 13 to lie to a woman to get her into bed and that

“I can take [women] or leave them alone. To be honest with you, I’ve taken more than I’ve left alone.”

When Schultz gets into trouble with the Gestapo spy in Schultz meets Mata Hari he tells Schultz

“That’s what I’ve always said Schultz, you can’t trust women in war time.” When Schultz replies “In peace time either.”, Hogan says “I also said that.”

In Request Permission to Escape when Carter gets that Dear John letter he tells him

“Come on, forget it. Write her off”

I won’t even go into Gertrude Linkmeyer because everyone slags off against her, even her own brother calls her ugly.

But when it comes to how he actually treats women, at least the ones on his side, it’s another story. Oh he’s definitely a player to put it politely (or a tom cat if you want to be more brutally honest about it) but he’s also honest with all those women he sleeps with, despite what he tells Klink. We never see him lie to them to get them into bed. He makes it very clear that sex is all he’s offering. When Hilda hints that she wants more in Top Secret Top Coat by saying “How about an engagement ring?” Hogan’s response is pretty clear.

Hogan also does not have a problem taking orders from women either. In Hogan and the Lady Doctor and Lady Chitterley’s Lover both Suzanne LeChey and Lady Valerie Chitterley take command and Hogan follows their lead (even if he disagrees with them as in the case with Dr. LeChey) with no mansplaining or insults or telling them as women they can’t do this.  He has no objections to women in combat as we see on the multiple occasions when he’s fighting along side them in the Underground.  He shows respect for their strength and courage as being the equal of any man and refuses to leave them behind when they get captured any more then he would any of his men. When Maria is captured by the Gestapo in Unfair Exchange, he is the one who is the first to say she’ll be rescued despite the dangers.

Hogan: “More important, she blew her chances to get away so that we could make it. Now it’s her turn.”

Even when London orders him he will never give up on or abandon the women who fight along side him. In Operation Tiger he went against orders to rescue her, was even willing to go it alone when his men objected, and it wasn’t because he had sex with her. It’s because as he puts it;

“Less than a month ago she saved my life, she saved us. She’s organized half the underground between here and Berlin”.

These are only a few examples of all the women he’s fought along side with, and he and his team continually express admiration for their courage and their skill.

It’s not just because they are women either. As we see in It Takes a Thief . . . Sometimes and The Ultimate Weapon Hogan will kill women when necessary, even those he’s slept with.

This brings me back to my original point of Hogan being from a broken family. We’ve got Hogan verbally slagging off against women, pretty much saying they’re only good for one thing and one’s as good as the next. But when it comes down to how he actually treats them, it’s as complete equals, fully capable of anything a man can do, including being soldiers and leaders. This sort of dichotomy, verbal misogyny but respectful treatment of women, is in my (completely amateurish) opinion pretty indicative of someone whose childhood consisted of both types of parents, a father who cheated and mother who couldn’t leave him. Another indication of this is in the episode Paint the Luftwaffe Red. In the hofbrau when Schultz lifts a toast and says:

“To our wives and sweethearts”, Hogan replies, “May they never meet.”

Which brings me back to Hogan’s mother. Hogan mentions his mother in a number of episodes, either writing to her or receiving letters from her. But he never once mentions his father. Now, granted we don’t know much about any of the families of the core team. Newkirk apparently has a sister Mavis and (in one episode) eight more siblings. We know absolutely nothing about Kinch’s family, we’re not even sure what his first name is, James or Ivan. Carter mentions an uncle once and that’s about it. Yet I do find it interesting that for all of Hogan’s misogynistic talk about women he never once accuses women of being cheaters or “loose women” (I’m being polite here; most true misogynists would be using words far more graphic and uglier) and the parent he seems to have the most connection with is his mother.

The third reason that I think Hogan came from a broken family is his criminal record. In the episode, The Empty Parachute we learn that he was vandal, defacing billboards as a child and in Praise the Fuhrer and Pass the Ammunition he says that

“In school I was voted most likely to be a troublemaker”.

Now, Hogan is not like Newkirk. He didn’t grow up scrapping for a living, his brushes with the law resulting from his struggle to survive. Hogan, in my opinion, has not just that sense of self-confidence but also . . . I almost want to say sense of self-entitlement that really only comes from growing up with money. He’s upper middle-class at the very least if not higher. Add to this is that he’s an officer and while I couldn’t find what the requirements for West Point were in the 1930s when Hogan would have joined (the US Air Force Academy wasn’t established until 1957), today you need not only grades through the stratosphere but also a congressional nomination. Given that the United States was much more class conscious back then, in my mind this argues for Hogan’s family having both money and connections, especially if we factor in Hogan’s previous record which by today’s standards might be described as juvenile deliquency.

Which brings me back to my headcanon on Hogan coming from a broken family. It is very common (in my extremely limited and entirely unprofessional opinion) for children whose parents are separating or fighting constantly to act out as a way of venting their pain and frustration.

Let’s put all this together. We have a character who repeatedly disparages the whole idea of marriage and love, who plays fast and loose with women to get what he wants and is such a commitment-phobe that he practically breaks out in hives at the very idea of a serious relationship with a woman. Yet outside of sex he treats women as complete equals, in intelligence, skill, bravery, in every respect. He appears to have a good relationship with his mother but never mentions his father and he appears to have a troubled childhood despite coming from what might be described as a privileged background.

My headcanon of Hogan coming from a broken family is about the only explanation I can come up with to make sense of Hogan’s seemingly conflicting attitude and actions towards women.

#Colonel Robert Hogan #Hogan's Heroes #Colonel Klink #Sargent Schultz #my meta #Hogan's Heroes meta #headcanon

[jiantan]

Awkward Introductions || Jian & Brandon

When: May 3, 2021

Where: Jian’s apartment, Santa Monica, California

Featuring: Brandon Kelly (dialogue provided by Katie @itsbrandonkelly)

Triggers: N/A

Jian was heading home from the drycleaner. As he unlocked the front door to the building, he noticed someone approaching. The man looked familiar to Jian, but he couldn't put his finger on where he had seen this face before. The stranger definitely didn't live in his building, but perhaps he had visited before. He held the door open for the other man, offering a polite wave.

Brandon checked his messages for what felt like the hundredth time since he’d left his apartment before slipping the phone into his jacket pocket. Now that he wasn’t distracted by the device, he realised the door was being help open for him and quickened his pace slightly. He should say thank you, like any normal person would. Instead he flashed the other male a smile as he passed. “Cute and courteous. Must be my lucky day.”

The stranger's words brought a light blush to Jian's face. After hearing his voice and getting a closer look at him, he realized where he had seen this man. "Uh, you... You know Minjoon, right? You've been in his videos before, I think. At least I think it's you. I'm sorry if I'm mistaking you for someone else."

The blushing was cute but it was the others comments that caused him to grin, even giggle a little as he nodded in confirmation. “I can’t believe I’m getting recognised from Joonie’s videos. That’s cute, I’ll have to tell him he’s making me famous. You’re a fan of his channel then?”

“Oh, uh, yeah. He told me that he made videos, so I decided to start watching them to support him.” Joonie was his friend, and he also had good recipes. “My name is Jian. I live on the same floor as Minjoon.” He wondered if Minjoon had mentioned him at all, but he doubted it. He wasn’t really worth mentioning.

“Hold the fuck up. You’re Jian? I can’t believe he could take an hour to tell me about a recipe for Reginald but couldn’t take five seconds to tell me that you’re hot.” Brandon shook his head, tutting in disapproval. “Not even five, more like three. So how long have you known Joonbug, then?”

“... Yes?” he answered, confusedly. He was surprised that he knew who he was, and even more surprised when he was called hot. “I-I... what?” he stammered. He didn’t know how to respond to the compliment, so he quickly tried to change the subject. “Um... we started really speaking to each other in January of this year. I’ve lived here since September of 2019 though.”

“It’s nice to finally be able to put a face to the name. If I’d known it looked like that I would have come and said hi sooner.” He was getting more and more amused at how easily Jian seemed to be thrown off with the compliment. “You’ve lived in here longer than Joonbug then. Damn, if I’d known Mav had some kind of hot people only requirement, I would have gotten an apartment here instead. Maybe I should...”

“I, uh, I’m sorry. I’m not sure what your name is. I’ve seen your face in the videos but I’m not the best with names.” He felt bad, but also thought it would be better to ask than to pretend that he knew his name. “Oh, you know Maverick too?” he asked, getting increasingly redder the more the stranger complimented his appearance.

He raised an eyebrow, still amused at the responses he was getting but he still held out his hand to be polite. “Brandon. My friends call me B, my employees call me Queenie and if you’d like, you can call me at any time.” Brandon have a small nod, his smile becoming fond at the topic of his friend. “Yeah, Mavie and I are good friends. Joonie and I have brunch every weekend with the whole family.”

Jian shook Brandon's hand, feeling silly for not making the connection until now. "Oh! You're Brandon! I've heard about you, but I never put the face to the name. I can... wait, uh, but I don't have your phone number..." He scratched the back of his head in confusion. "Oh, we hang out sometimes. I've never had brunch with his family though. I think it would be a little inappropriate because his sister is my boss."

“That’s okay, I prefer having some kind of reputation proceed me.” His smile was amused as Jian made the point about his number and reached into his bag for a pen and one of his cards, stepping into his space and pressing the card to Jian’s chest so he could write his cell on it too. “There’s an easy fix to that..” He rolled his eyes at that but kept smiling. “I tell his mom all the time how hot she is. I don’t understand inappropriate.”

Jian was extremely confused about what was happening and didn’t have the words in English to express how he felt about this interaction. Was this flirtation? Was he just extremely friendly? Jian honestly couldn’t tell. “I’m sorry, you do what now?” Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell had hired him, and he had a lot of fear and respect for both of them.

Slipping the pen back into his bag, Brandon giggled and shook his head. “Every time I see her, I tell her how hot she’s looking, offer to pay for the divorce so I can be Mav’s new step dad, all that jazz.” He waved it off as though it was no big deal. “So you work with his sister? I could have sworn that Joonie said you were a computer dude or something?”

Jian blinked at Brandon. "Why do you want to become Maverick's step-father?" he asked, curiously. Though he wasn't certain if he actually wanted to know the answer. "I work for her. She's my boss. I'm a cyber security engineer. My job is to make sure Maxwell Energy's business secrets and financial records don't fall into the hands of hackers."

“Is that really even a question? His dad is hot and rich, I wouldn’t be opposed to being his sugar baby and his mom is a beautiful, successful woman. I wouldn’t be opposed to being her sugar baby either. Or maybe I just want Maverick to call me daddy for a change.” Brandon had barely reached the end of his sentence before he started grinning and he had to press his lips together to bite back a laugh. “That’s hot. I’m not really a computer person myself but that sounds a little dangerous and a lot sexy so kudos. Now I’m no longer surprised why he tried keeping you to himself.”

"I-I don't think I can think about the people who hired me in that kind of context..." The Maxwells were objectively an attractive family, but as an employee of their company, this whole conversation felt inappropriate. Brandon didn't work for them, as far as Jian was aware, so it probably wasn't an issue for him at all. Brandon's next comment caused even more confusion for him. Who was keeping Jian to himself? Minjoon? Why would he do that? "What do you mean by that?"

“Huh. I’m pretty sure that’s not how being attracted to someone or finding someone attractive works but you do you buddy.” Brandon’s grin softened into an amused smile, a small roll of his eyes. “I mean you’re this close by and I’m only just meeting you now, without him introducing us. Probably because I can be a menace when I want to be but can’t we all?”

"Brandon, I am not sexually attracted to my bosses. I am too afraid of them for that... and I don't know why I said that out loud." He was getting flustered by this conversation, to say the least. "I assumed it was because he liked my animals more than he liked me... And once again, I'm oversharing. Sorry." He usually only overshared like this if he was drunk. He wasn't even the slightest bit intoxicated, so he had no idea why this was coming out.

Jian’s candidness caused a laugh to escape him and he had to bring his hand up to cover his mouth. “Oh my god. You don’t have to want to bone them to think they’re attractive. You’ve totally thought about it, that’s hilarious! Don’t worry, Jiji, your secret is safe with me. I won’t bring it up on purpose at brunch, at least.” He snorted softly, teasing Jian with how easily he became flustered. “Surely if that was the case, we’d have met sooner and I’d be the perfect distraction so he could chill with your pets. Don’t take it personally though, everyone thinks animals are easier than people and you must already know he can be an anxious bean.” He hummed quietly, scrunching his nose up. “It’s my cute, innocent face and maybe tiny Joonie trusting me. Lures you into a sense of security, right?”

The more Brandon spoke, the more Jian wondered how he and Minjoon ended up becoming friends. It reminded him of himself with his ex-boyfriend. Perhaps the phrase ‘opposites attract’ really did hold some merit. “Thank you— wait, did you just call me Jiji?” he asked, blinking in confusion. That was a nickname that his mother called him as a child. She stopped calling him that when he was 11, once she felt he was ‘too old for nicknames.’ It was strange hearing the name again, especially from an American. He never let his American classmates call him by nicknames because he wanted them to learn his actual name. It was the same reason why he never adopted an American name. “I know animals are easier than people, that’s why I have pets instead of roommates,” he half-joked. “I... plead the fifth.”

#self para #Brandon Kelly

[bloodys44]

Silence and Cigarette Smoke

Original story and bonus content found here! ↓↓↓↓

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13289933/1/Silence-and-Cigarette-Smoke

(Also I’m so sorry the last chapter posted all jumbled together like that. And also that I’m to garbage to fix it)  The issue with chapter 7 not being viewable though ff.net also seems to be resolved so feel free to read some more if you enjoy. :)

Warning//Gore

Chapter 4: The Post Birthday Bloodbath

788

The dull thundering of a train traveling over laid track had always sounded soothing to Lucy. Whether it was a version of simple white noise or one of few comforting memories from her days of running, she could never tell. Something about the rhythmic sway of the train car, mixing with the light hum of the metal hovering. She would argue that she never slept better, besides maybe sleeping near Natsu during the cold winter months. A perk she had come to favor about him over the years. And yet, the rattling of their train compartment lacked its usual lulling charm, her mind wired yet not focused on anything in particular. The dark of the sky had crept up slowly, tearing apart the wicked blue that it had previously embodied. Stella wasn't overly far away, a neighbouring continent overthrown by the Fiore army. Majority of the land was underdeveloped, a cluttered mess of forest and mountains. A singular city near the center was all that resided on the vast land, thus keeping the name of the continent itself. Their train wasn't due to reach the platform until the early hours of the morning, and Lucy couldn't help but let an annoyed sigh escape at the thought. There were at least four more hours of traveling remaining, and time seemed to be passing at half it's regular speed. Not to mention the fact that her companions were sleeping soundly, letting the night slip away without a worry.

They had lucked out with a train equipped well for travel, small, but personal compartments lining down each side of the train's cars. The compartment's themselves were nothing extravagant, simple cloth-covered benches mirroring one another. The sliding door creaking obnoxiously when it was opened. If anything, it's most astounding feature was the lingering smell of old shoes and musty wood.

Lucy glanced over to her pink-haired partner, smirking with slight pity for the boy. Natsu had never served well with travel, a rather astonishing relationship with motion sickness. Even in his sleeping state, she could tell he was miserable, clutching the edges of his stomach with purpose. Porlyusica, the guilds head medical attendant had explained it stemmed from his dragon-slaying abilities. Supposedly his senses were so over heightened, the motion of vehicles rattled his own sense of balance. Still, it didn't make it any less enjoyable to tease said boy about it. Currently, he was seated with his shoulder blades pressed heavily into the cushioned backrest, leaning his head against the chilled window pane. A frame of light fog splaying from where his skin connected, the contrast in temperatures causing the reaction. Natsu was always warm, his average body temperature running much higher than that of a regular human. Though when he slept, it usually spiked much higher, his concentration lacking, barely keeping his own skin under control. He had never voiced it to Lucy, but she knew it was a draining task for him, his wild emotions always causing it to fluctuate. When he got overly flustered or rageful he became damn near scalding. Lucy never really minded it, especially in situations like this, his natural body heat making for a cozy effect. She was curled up on the opposite side of the bench, her back resting against the wall connected to the sliding door. With a muffled groan she moved to remove her freezing toes from the constraints of her boots, deciding to take advantage of the living heater across her. Tucking her feet under his left thigh carefully, she relished in the heat before his sudden jolt startled her. Almost instantly the warmth retracted, simmering under his pores. A slight pout overtaking her lips while she stared at his wide, yet sleep-filled eyes. Of course, he would wake up from the sudden change in atmosphere, the boy always on edge while away from the guild.

"Sorry," He mumbled sheepishly, "Did I get too hot again? I didn't mea-"

"No, it's alright, I was just warming my toes." She cooed, interrupting his typical nervous ramblings. "Sorry I woke you."

"S'all right, wasn't sleeping that good anyway." He shifted in his seat, stretching his strong arms wide with a rough yawn before facing her again. His eyes trailed over the compartment quickly, stopping briefly on all the exit points. The door, the window, and the emergency exit placed snuggly between the roofs panels. His shoulders taking on their practiced tense state as he strained his hearing. Lucy could barely hold back the amused smirk that danced over her face when she saw his nose twitch. Her lips only pulling back wider as he continued his practiced motions, checking the surrounding area for any danger. The nose on that boy could beat that of trained hound any day.

"What, afraid the black wizard might get ya?" She teased, wiggling her fingers at him for emphasis.

Natsu only sighed embarrassingly, scratching at the side oh his throat. Subconsciously acting on his traditional nervous habit."Sorry, Stella always-"

"-Makes you nervous," She finished easily. "I know." She slid her feet deeper under his leg, adjusting until she felt comfortable again. His on edge behavior wasn't unusual when they traveled through Stella, always becoming an anxious mess that intensified greatly the closer they got. He never delved into details about it, always stomping her curiosity with a simple defense. Just a bad feeling. She could practically feel her eyes rolling, hearing his voice clearly pronounce the words in her head.

"Honestly, it makes me nervous too," Lisanna added on a whisper, sluggishly pushing herself up from her resting position. Delicate fingers brushing the sleep from her electric eyes. "After all, its where Zeref was born."

Zeref. The great black wizard. A mage trailed only by the stench of death, or so the legends say. Though he hadn't been sighted in years, his very name still struck fear into the hearts of mages and non-magic users alike. A young boy with the tongue of the devil. His very words a magic vice on your mind. He controlled what he wanted, and that was that. "They say he's immortal." The white-haired woman started again. "A blade couldn't pierce his heart."

Now Lucy's eyes really did roll in their sockets. "Please, your only going to rile him up more." She gestured over to Natsu who served her a practiced annoyed frown. "He'll be on edge until we hit Magnolia again."

Lissana giggled slightly, turning her attention to him. "Don't worry, nobody's seen him in years, it's nothing to stress over."

"Doesn't mean he's gone." He bounced back. "Regardless, there's enough to worry about in Stella with or without him." Lissana's brow arched, curiosity plain as she questioned the statement. "Stella's crawling with royal knights, it's the second base from the border of Bosco."

"I thought there was a ceasefire?" She pressed, to which Natsu scoffed.

"They won't stop until they find Mavis's grave."

"What do they want with the holy goddess?"

"Mavis was the first grand witch," Lucy interjected. "It's rumored her grave carry's the secret to eradicating all enchantments."

Lissana hummed in understanding. "So basically mages should be avoiding this area?" She laughed weekly, crossing her arms with lazy movements. "What a perfect place for us."

"If we keep our hoods up we should be fine," Lucy stated pointedly. "Stella's train station is the major rest point between Seven, Bosco, Iceberg and Joya, there's lots of travelers with new faces. Makes it pretty easy to blend in. Besides, nothing remotely bad has ever happened to us while traveling there. It'll be good to keep our wits about us, but Natsu's major anxiety is a little overkill."

"I just have-"

"A bad feeling?" She finished for him again, rather cheekily. "I know." She nudged him with the top of her foot at his exaggerated eye-roll. "I have no doubts we'll make it back just fine. Lissana peeled her legs from the front of the bench, pulling them upwards to rest her chin on her knee.

"Aren't you from Stella, Natsu?" The man grunted slightly, stiffening and sending the woman a warning look before granting a structured nod.

"Did you ever see him as a child? The black wizard I mean. I think he would have been a few years older, but still a child back then."

"No." His response blunt and harsh, pushed over his teeth. Lucy quirked a brow, scanning over Natsu intently. He crossed his arms at her curiosity, a blank statement that he wasn't planning on explaining the situation further. Lissana sighed, placing a hand under her delicate chin.

"Stella is where Gildarts found Natsu as a child." She explained to the blonde. "He grew up there."

"Come on Lissana." He hissed back. His arms twitching as they stretched over his chest.

"How come you never told me that?" Lucy pressed, fixated on the man's jittery movements. "I thought you didn't remember your childhood?"

"I remember bits and pieces." He slumped backward obnoxiously, deciding that he was definitely stuck in this conversation now. "I just never thought it was important."

"You know where I grew up." She defended shortly.

"Geeze," he scoffed at the blonde playfully. "Like that was a hard one, Princess of Fiore."

The blonde found herself pulling a pout. She wasn't trying to be rude, only holding genuine curiosity about her best friend's life before her. "Well, maybe we could stop at your childhood home before we leave? It would be nice to see where you grew up." Her face warming as she beamed at the boy.

"It doesn't exist anymore." The words forced roughly from his tongue. "I burned it down." She didn't miss the slight twitch of his shoulders, or the way his voice threatened to crack. He puffed out a never mind before claiming he was getting some air, the trains rattling my stomach. A blunt end to their conversation. He was up in a single movement, pushing through the door and ignoring the wine of the sliding mechanics as it slammed back to its original closed resting state.

"Don't take it personally, Natsu's very protective of himself." Lissana tried, (as if Lucy didn't already know that) hopping over to sit next to the blonde. "I shouldn't have brought it up, I only know because I was there the day he arrived. I thought maybe he would have told you, finally opened up to somebody."

"Why would he open up to me? You've known him much longer."

Lissana huffed playfully, tossing her hair with a flick of her wrist. "Even I can see the way he looks at you, all doe-eyed and bashful. It's hard not to notice really."

"Natsu is anything but bashful." Lucy scoffed, giggling slightly. "Though I'm sure I could say the same for you."

"That's sweet of you to say," The fair-haired maiden flushed, "But I have my theories." Lucy stilled for a moment. Was she making a joke? Natsu had never pushed the boundaries that they had established over the years of their friendship, unlike he pushed for the fair-haired woman. Maybe it was because her feelings were so blatant, easy to play off of. Not to mention the comfort fo the family dynamic he shared with her siblings. It's not like she could find any reason she wouldn't want to notice casual pining in her direction, especially from somebody like him, any girl could dream of being so lucky. It was just that it didn't happen like that, and she didn't see any change for the future.

"You're ridiculous." She decided as a response, to which Lissana chuckled fondly. The rest of the trip remained rather silent, even after the dragon slayers return.

Meeting with the client went well, no arguments or concerns from the traveling wizard trio. The client himself was nothing out of the ordinary, a common man whose mother had been a successful wizard. Though he possessed no enchantment of his own, he held the secret of magic secure. The man owned a gracious amount of property in the city, majority of the population's homes falling on his land. Expressing his concerns for the people he bid the group luck as they headed to find the feverish bandit group that had been terrorizing them. Natsu didn't remove his face-concealing cloak, let alone speak during the whole exchange which only left the blonde wondering if he recognized the man from his childhood years. Unlikely as it was, she couldn't shake the suspicion; her friend's body language balancing on peculiar.

The bandit group, Twilight Oger (or so they called it.) had taken up residence in the city's abandoned mine. Converting the tunnels into a makeshift base. The group had established a rather daunting reputation with the city of Stella, the citizens growing too weary to attempt to run them out on their own. The royal guard batting an unusually blind eye. The rumor of their supposed sex trafficking didn't sit well with Lucy either. "We should set up a plan," Lissana suggested lightly. Her voice a much-needed contrast to the silence they had been walking in.

"Walk through the front doors and knock some heads."

Lucy shook her head playfully at the brash fire-breather, shoving his shoulder slightly. "I think we should split up," The peppy white-haired woman continued. "It would be easier to sneak around, a stealthy approach might be best considering we don't know how spread out in the tunnels they are."

"Also easier for one of us to get caught off guard. Aren't these thugs notorious for trapping woman?"

"You aren't traveling with common woman Natsu." The fair-haired woman retorted back. "Don't be so degrading, we can handle ourselves just fine." The peaceful smile she sported did little to sweeten her harsh words. Though Lucy found herself nodding slowly in agreement. "Plus it'll allow me to try out my new spell without you two getting in the way." She winked cheekily.

"I dunno," the dragon slayer mumbled, scratching at his throat in practiced fashion. "I really think we should stick together, I have a bad feeling about this place." Lucy could practically taste the anxiety of his words as they dripped over his chin. They should probably listen, Natsu's suspicions usually turned out to be right. But his overly annoying constant worrying from the city made it hard to distinguish his keen senses from his blind panic. Nothing ever happened to them in Stella. A nieve approach yes, but also a chance to prove herself to the man that always seems to protect her.

"I think it should be alright," the blonde finally interjected. "The tunnels should echo enough to hear one another if we call for help." Natsu simply shook his head muttering an annoyed Whatever under his breath. She felt kind of bad, gaining up on the man. This was supposed to be his birthday mission after all. But in all honestly, Lucy found herself surprisingly excited, an opportunity to show her teammate how far she'd advanced. A fully-fledged Fairy Tail member that could handle her own.

The group traveled to their destination at a quick pace. The air filled with Lissana's constant enamored pestering towards a certain Salamander. Lucy more distracted by the winding paths of the city's streets, decorated sporadically with aged trees and vegetation. She thought it was rather sweet, how well her two teammates were getting along. Even with Lissana's words on the way over. It was nice to see Natsu's pleased expression towards the woman. A long-time childhood friend and admirer. Though their newest member still bristled her, Lucy made a silent promise to invite her out with them more. It was nice to travel alongside another female, and if it made Natsu happy, then she was sure she could live with it.

The sun was beginning to set by the time they arrived, the night sky pouring out for its time to play. The stars blessing Lucy's soul, her magic vibrating deliciously under her skin. Her power almost doubling in the light of the night. The moon's shift was her favorite time to cast. As they stepped through the taped off mine entrance she could practically feel her excitement begin to bubble over. Traditionally she held a rather level head during missions, keeping her partner's explosive personality in check. Yet she found herself letting go, ready to show off her own power.

"I really think we should push through together," Natsu mumbled under his breath. The words so foreign on the rambunctious man's tongue; always ready to run ahead of the group in search of action, yet never far enough away that he couldn't protect those closest to him. It wasn't a secret that he was much stronger than his usual travel partner Lucy, but she didn't want him to feel obligated in protecting her when he already does so much.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Lissana bubbled, already skipping off towards one of the winding shafts. Lucy's lips pulling into a smile as she began following her lead towards another turn-off.

"Lucy." Her name pronounced like rocks on cement, jaded and sharp. She spun on her heel carefully, her smile falling at the dragon slayer's serious tone.

"I can take care of myself Natsu." She mused. "You don't need to hold my hand all the time."

A low grumble resounded in the boy's throat as he ran his rough fingers through spiked locks nervously. "Geeze Luce, I know I don't." She raised her eyebrow at his cautious tone. "It's just.. last time you were on your own I found you beaten half to death in the middle of the forest."

All mocking aside, Lucy felt her temper skyrocket. Of course, he didn't think she was capable. "I'm not a fragile little princess anymore. That was years ago." She spat, anger boiling over. "You don't need to save me all the time."

"I know, I know... I just want you to be careful. Sometimes you have trouble keeping your magic under control during the night."

"Like you're one to talk, you burn everything around you the second your emotions get out of wack." Internally she knew her anger was getting the better of her, words falling from her jaw faster then her mind could process. He was just worried about her, as a caring teammate should be. The pained expression he was now wearing only verified that fact. Mindlessly her fingers began fidgeting at her belt. Her lungs pushing her spitfire attitude out with a breathy exhale. "I'm sorry Natsu, that was uncalled for. I shouldn't have said that. I'm just excited is all. I'll be careful, I promise." Natsu's deep onyx gaze burned into her for a moment before he nodded, although reluctant, it was an agreement none the less. She reached out, squeezing his wrist confidently before turning back to face her chosen path. "You be careful too! Mira will surly cut off my head if I bring you home needing more stitches."

The forgotten shafts were confusing, to say the least. The floorplan coming across as sporadic and unplanned. There was little that argued what a great hideout it made, trapping its victims in a maze until they were prayed upon by vicious ogres. The lack of security flowing down the halls only proving that their targets felt the same way. Lucy had only run into two men along the way, their skills lacking, making it an easy victory for the blonde. The lack of scream's echoing offered that her teammates were fairing the same. Even with their earlier agreement that stealth was the best option, Natsu had never been the quiet/silent type. Especially when fired up in a battle. Either the mine shafts didn't share sound as good as Lucy had estimated, or he hadn't run into anyone just yet.

The must that surrounded her intensified greatly as she progressed, the smell practically suffocating her. Senses dampened by its nature. The only sound around her was the clack of boots connecting to the rocky earth, and the creaky hinge of the lantern strung to her hip. The ground becoming less and less traveled. It was peculiar really, with the placement of the mine so central to town. One would think at least a few curious teenagers would have come to poke around before rumors had sprouted about Twilight ogres appearance. And yet her footprint's were the only evidence of human life.

Groaning loudly, Lucy spun, heading back towards the entrance. Agitated that her luck pulled her towards one of the unused routes. Expectedly her group had already rounded up majority of their targets while she wandered around uselessly. Placing her palm to her forehead she let out an embarrassed huff. All her big talk was for nothing, the harsh tone she had used against her friend making her mood plummet even farther. All she could do now was pick up her pace and hope she could make herself helpful with tying up loose ends. Lucy always hated when jobs turned out this way, especially when Natsu insisted she collected her portion of the reward despite her actual effort. Not that it mattered today, this mission was supposed to be for Natsu after all. And truthfully after Lissana had decided to join them she had done nothing to make the trip enjoyable for her pink-haired friend. Silently she promised to the empty halls that she would apologize to him when they finished their job.

When Lucy rounded the corner back to the entrance she was debating which tunnel to follow. Pacing back and forth in front of Natsu's entrance before resolving that his nose probably led him exactly where he wanted to go. With quick steps she bounded down the winding hall's, trying her best to stay along the path of the firebreathers signature sandal footprints.

A scream that caused her blood to run cold echoed around her with striking prominence. Lissana's sweet tone coming across shrill and ragged. There wasn't a moment to process before Lucy's legs propelled her forward. The sound of angelic sobs guiding her path. Any and all excitement she had previously been consumed with smothered like a candle without oxygen. The shaft began to blossom with light as she rounded each corner, the weight barring planks becoming more and more re-enforced. If that wasn't already enough clues she was approaching the center of the base, the newly constructed grand entrance that appeared before her did.

Acting quickly, Lucy pressed herself against the corner of the doorframe, analyzing the situation before charging headstrong into the commotion. Obviously, the treacherous group had put some work in. The cavern dugout to be much larger than anything man-made underground should be. Large metal lanterns decorating the ceiling with patterned placement. Casting enough light to see, but not enough to dismiss the eerie atmosphere. Small beds, makeshift furniture and gang members coating the outer walls while the center remained bare. Except of course for the probable main event of their evening.

A rugged-looking man stood center a wooden stage-like platform. Greasy hair curling over knarled shoulders. Even in the dim light, Lucy couldn't miss the disgusting gleam of the man's golden teeth. Oh so typical of a rich bandit. But what really caught her off guard was the squirming woman entrapped by his rugged arms, top strewn aside leaving her covered only in lacy white undergarments. His chapped lips smirking into her cheek while he pinned her against his bare chest. His one hand prying dirty fingers into her supple mouth while the other pressed a rusty blade to her exposed stomach. Though not enough pressure to break skin, it was just enough to make Lucy's mouth run dry.

"Let her go." Natsu's enraged voice scrapped over every surface, demanding attention from all living things. Lucy cast her eyeline off to the side, finally noting her partner's presence. His clothes looked slightly battle-torn, but overall he looked un-worrisome. His expression was firm, lips drawn into a tight line while his eyes trained on the enemy standing before him. Even from her placement on the other side of the cavern, Lucy could feel the scorching waves roll off of him. A terrifying might in the face of adversity.

"What are you going to do about it fire boy?" The man's shrill voice causing Lucy to shiver. "Even if you get rid of us, more will come. Those royal soldiers are very eager customers. And there's plenty of women to go around here." Natsu lunged forward, feet indenting the ground with sheer pressure. The man howled playfully, cackling like a madman as he sidestepped out of harm's way. Lissana squeaking at the sudden movement." Natsu spun quickly, fang-like teeth bared while he coiled his muscles, ready for his next pounce. "Make a move like that again and I might have to carve up your little girlfriend early!' The blade against her stomach pressed deeper, causing Lissana to jolt, a high pitched screech crawling between the man's fingers. A sloppy line of red spilling from her torso down the hilt of the blade. Natsu looked frozen, his eyes never daring to stray from the glint of metal. Mind fighting with his anger to consider the safest course of action.

Shit shit shit. This was definitely not how Lucy had expected to reunite with her teammates. Instantly her fingers shot into the confines of her purse, searching desperately for the lone piece of white chalk she always carried. Mind racing dangerously through her memorized incantations. Though her magic wasn't necessarily designed for hand to hand combat like Natsu's, she held a natural talent for spellcasting. Confident that she was capable of at least making a big enough distraction for Natsu to proceed, she started scratching the lines of a practiced magic circle. The white of the chalk easily visible over the dark rock beneath her. Her frantic hand movements made the lines far less legible then she preferred, but it would do for now. The blonde dropped her weight to the floor, careful in her attempt to stay silent as she crossed her legs. Delicate palms slapping against the earth over her created circle. Her eyelids slamming shut in concentration while her lips parted for the whisper of incantation. Almost instantly the very ground beneath them shook with purpose, guiding cracks up the walls and spewing rocks from the ceiling. She didn't worry about frightening her teammates, she knew Natsu could smell her, even with his focus concentrated elsewhere. Hopefully, they could get this situated and escape to safety before she brought heaven's wrath down atop their heads. The spell itself was no easy feat, calling upon the gods light to alter the earth. Lucy only capable of casting it under the light of the moon. No doubt it would bring attention from the townsfolk their way, but at this moment the blonde thought it was the best course of action. She could feel the shudder under her legs as the shafts hidden deeper under the earth collapsed, the roaring sound of rockfall scattering through the cavern.

Natsu's strong tone carried over easily as he sneered cheekily, "Now you really fucked up. Gone and made the angel mad." Even in deep concentration, Lucy felt a smile drum at her lips.

"I already knew there was three of you. We thieves hear of all magic activity in Stella. She's no threat, pesky fairies lack the resolve to drop the ground over the heads of their 'comrades'."

"Bet." The dragon slayer's singular cocky reply sang like a choir to Lucy, pushing her magic to expand outwards. A sickening crack bestowed over them, one of the main support beams snapping under pressure. The scared cries of ogres screaming far louder. The blond's brow furrowed slightly as she felt her very skin vibrate, her magic fluctuating drastically. "You're okay Lucy." Natsu's voice rang true, obviously taking notice in her power surge. Yes, she was O.K. She wouldn't falter so easily when her friend's lives were on the line. She just had to keep the main cavern intact a little longer, enough time for them to escape. She was strong, and she could do it.

The man continued to cackle hysterically, bouncing his weight between his feet. "Bad move fire boy." He taunted. All Lucy could hear was Lissana's blood curtailing wail and Natsu's panicked shouts when she realized they had lost. Her lashes fluttered open, eyes rolling uncomfortably as her vision was obstructed by blinding light. She couldn't stop. She was losing control, just as her partner had foreseen. Her own magic blinding her sight.

"Lucy!" Natsu's worried screech reached from the main cavern. "Cut the fuse!" A pit burned its way into the depths of her stomach, fear of how this situation was going to end if she couldn't regain control. All she had wanted to do was help, and now the situation was only going to get worse. Splinters of support beams rained furiously over her, enraged with being disturbed after so many silent years. She felt her body shake with the earth's pure ferocity. "Please, Lucy!" He tried again, his voice swirling with Lissana's wild screams. She still couldn't stop. She was going to kill them all.

Lucy wasn't sure how many agonizingly slow minutes had passed when her vision finally re-focused, disturbingly strong hands clamping around her delicate wrist's and pulling her back to earth. And god, what an unpleasant sight to be greeted with. Two men that reeked of whiskey and sex smirking greedily at her.

"You's a pretty scary witch when you're casting, eyes going all white and shit. Body twitching like an addict." Lucy scrambled back frantically, her spine slamming into the stone arch. The men leaping upon her with a timed pounce, pinning her tightly against the frame. The first man stretching his fingers around her chin. "But yet, your so pretty. I'd have fun breaking a little thing like you." His alcohol glazed tongue searing along her creamy cheek. Lucy screeched vividly in disgust, springing her knee upwards to the man's groin. He recoiled with blunt movements, swinging his arm around to backhand her. The ferocity splitting her skin. "You sly bitch!" He fired another shot to her jaw. "You's makin' enemies with the wrong person." She tried to pry her head away from the man's violent swings, eyes scrambling to take in her surroundings. Small pebbles and dust still gave way from the ceiling, but the ground seemed to have relaxed, her magic cut out at the roots. The tunnel she had originally traveled down lay in ruin, barley leaving enough space for a full-grown adult to crawl back to the light. Thankfully though, the traumatizing screams had stopped, Natsu's much calmer voice the only thing ringing out.

"You okay Lucy?!"

If the blonde hadn't received another painful blow to her lower lip she probably would have snickered. "A little preoccupied at the moment." She grunted, purposely spitting the blood that was pooling around her gums over her assailant's face. She bucked her legs intently, thrashing around like a child until she freed one of her arms. With a sinched brow she slammed her palm over the first man's chest, muttering a simple incantation that caused her hand to pulse. Holy light rained down again, this time pin-pointed above her enemy's lungs and flinging him backward through the semi-demolished doorway and into the main cavern. A short victory smile produced from her mouth before she felt her body tremor. A light, yet firm reminder of how much magic she had just finished exerting, and how fragile it made her body.

Sucking in a deep breath she tried to muster strength from tomorrow, using her free hand to claw into the dirt. Muscles protesting annoyingly while she pulled herself away from the remaining man. "Not so fast witch." His tone twisting the word to sound like a vulgar insult. The hilt of his own blade striking into the round bone of her ankle. A torn wail exhaled from her, reacting to the pain but thanking the heavens that she hadn't heard the crack of her bones splitting. It wasn't much, but it gave the man an opening, tucking his legs in only to spring them out into her back. Shoving her ungracefully through the frame to join the rest of the crowd. Lucy cradled her ribs carefully, attempting to regain the air that man had so rudely ripped away from her. She was only able to catch a glimpse of her dragon slayers unreadable expression before more greedy hands tore her from the ground, dragging her center-stage to join the 'show'.

"Well fire boy, I suppose thanks are in order." The leader mewled again tapping his now drenched blade against a whimpering Lissana's torso. "Bringing me two of the most beautiful woman in Fiore and barely puttin up a fight to keep them." He was taunting now, voice never losing his deranged laughter. "Don't know why to maidens of this caliber are slugging around with someone like you, but I guess I should give you a little credit," Natsu growled darkly, his body growing tenser (If that was even possible), muscles coiling dangerously. The leader followed Lucy with hungry eyes, watching as Lucy was strung up by another man in the same manner as Lissana. The only difference was the blade pushing fearfully hard against the pulse point of her throat, leaving her stomach out of harm's way. Honestly, she wasn't sure which she would prefer more. She watched Natsu's dark anguish filled orbs bounce back and forth between her and Lissana. She tried to capture his attention, pleading with him by expression that everything was going to be alright. That he should focus on the more injured of the two and leave her to her own devices, but his glance never lasted long enough. "I know!" The leader piped up again excitedly. "It seems a little unfair to steal away both your girls after that pathetic display," He toyed, "So, how about I suggest a little game?"

"I ain't playing shit." Natsu responded bluntly.

"Don't be such a downer fire boy, this will be fun."

"Every time I hear that, things don't usually end up being that 'fun'." He spat. relaxing his tight fist momentarily before clenching it again.

The leader only smiley devilishly, continuing his frantic knife tapping over Lissana's stained skin. "I'm going to let you pick one." He decided. "Pick a girl to take home while one rots away under some pompous sex-deprived guard." The look on Natsu's face practically shattered Lucy's heart. One of absolute horror that something like that had even been offered to him. His singular broken reply of sick bastard weighing heavily on the limited oxygen.

"It's okay Natsu," Lucy offered dumbly, wincing when the tip of the blade punctured her skin. Hot thick liquid oozing down her neck, threatening to break her resolve. "Take Lissana out of here, I'll be alright." She tried to produce a weak smile but Natsu's sad cold eyes froze her as he shook his head. She gulped loudly, feeling the blade press deeper with her every word. Her captor obviously not pleased with her speech. "Please." She tried again, but Natsu only shook his head faster.

"No way in hell."

"This is so not the time to be stubborn." She retched, cringing at the sticky feeling coating over her chest. She tried to ask him again but the blade slid uncomfortably under her skin and all she could summon was strangled yelp. Surprisingly, it did nothing to help the exchange.

The dragon slayer's eyes bulged, raising his arm's defensively, voice frantic and lost. "Stop!" He yelled, "Don't hurt them anymore, give me a second to think!" She had never seen the man look so uncomfortable.

Lucy slammed her eyes shut at her holders' increasingly wild movements, jerking the blade against her without a care. "This is ridiculous lover boy," The leader spat over his laughter. "I, out of the goodness of my own heart offer you back one of the women you practically dropped in my lap. And you cant even decide which pussy you'd rather ride? Pathetic!" He hollered, the rest of his goon's joining in. "I'm good and bored now, you sucked all the fun out of this. I don't even need these girls!" At this point, it was hard to distinguish words through his manic howls. "You have three seconds before I just kill them both." Natsu's attention snapped back to him like his mind was finally processing the events that were about to unfold.

The cold-hearted cheering of a slow count sprouted from the other members. Starting at Three and barley pronouncing the O in One before all hell broke loose. The roaring sound of metal clad boots slamming into the earth above, signaling the extremely overdue arrival of the royal army. Bandits screaming and crawling over one another like wild animals in search of escape from a rabid predator. And Natsu's scalding shoulder crashing into her sternum, throwing her away from the wicked man's grasp. She rolled roughly against the dirt, hand shooting to her throat to pressurize the bleeding. She was gulping greedily for air when she heard the stomach flipping joyful voice cry out above the commotion. "Good choice! I think I would have picked her too." Nothing but freezing, blood-curdling cries followed. Lucy felt her limbs stiffen at the sound, her chocolate irises the only responsive part of her body. Taking in her horrific environment with shocking detail. Natsu was only a few steps away from Lissana, His body recovering quickly from surging towards her, propelling him back to the remaining prisoner. But a few steps was a few too many, and Lucy and her partner could do nothing but watch as their friend was quite literally gutted before them.

Blood had always been red. But nothing compared to the deep scarlet pooled around the stark white of Lissana's being. An enraged bloody titan plucking the clouds goddess right from the sky and dragging her to the fiery pits of hell. That is, if hell consisted of somebody shredding your torso to smithereens and hysterically laughing as vital organs spewed through the skin. Lucy was sure that in this world, nothing would ever hold a candle to the vile scene displayed before her. The grotesque sound of a lifeless body crashing limply over its inner parts. The ferocious roar of a wounded dragon casting thieves to scaper away, a high pitched squeal on their lips. All the while a daunting march of hungry war men encroached on them.

Lucy's head snapped painfully back to reality. They couldn't stay here, the army would swallow them alive. The Ogres were sprinting out of a tunnel near the back of the cavern, no doubt another way out laid beyond it. They still had a chance. With a silent prayer to all that was holy, she pulled herself up from her shambled mess on the floor. Taking rushed staggered footsteps towards her partner and the offending carcass in front of him. "Natsu..." She croaked. "We need to get out of here." She rested her palm on his shoulder, placing most of her weight on him. Her ankle lacking in its career of helping her walk. He didn't seem to notice her. Lips quivering as he muttered under his breath, fingers twitching, coated in the blood he had tried to prevent. "Natsu, we need to go..." She tried again, giving the man a light shake.

"We can't just leave her here..." His broken cry pleaded, head-spinning to meet her gaze. Never, in all the years Lucy had known Natsu, had she seen him cry. His deep onyx eyes swimming with salty tears, his raging passion extinguished. Her strong motivator completely shattered before her, frantically attempting to scoop spilled organs back into a frayed body. The footsteps of soldiers drawing ever closer as her own tears spilled over.

"Please Natsu." She sobbed, gaging slightly as blood bubbled from the split in her throat. She thought his previous expression succeeded in breaking her heart, but the look he was giving her now practically split it in two. A mangled pain-ridden yell erupting from his chest while he grasped Lucy's wrist, dragging her away from their murdered friend and the on slot of guards that inadvertently let it happen.

Again, check out the full story here! ↓↓↓↓

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13289933/3/Silence-and-Cigarette-Smoke

#natsu #natsu dragneel #lucy #lucy heartfilia #fairy tail #fairy tail fanfiction #fan fiction #lisanna strauss #zeref #Nalu #nalu fanfic #nalu fanfiction

[make-it-mavis]

Homesick (Entry #34)

(cw: discussion of addiction) ----------

01/22/88   11:56 AM

Hey.

I left off the last entry at a very tense moment. What you might call a cliffhanger. 

Well, I’ll tell you this. I certainly did feel like I was dangling off the edge of a deadly cliff, hanging onto bare roots that could have broken away at any moment, debating whether or not to grab onto the rope thrown down to me by a rescue crew that just so happened to include my attempted murderer. There were so many things that could have gone wrong.

Many of those things, granted, could have been caused by my own hand, and I knew it. I may not have known what to do, but I knew for certain what I wanted to do. I wanted to leap across the room and tear that bug apart joint by joint. I wanted to shatter her exoskeleton and use the shards to cut her into ribbons. I wanted to cause her every bit of pain she had caused me. And part of me -- a very dangerously large part of me -- believed that it might have been fate that brought us together. Like I was meant to take this chance for revenge.

After all, it’s not every day the Devs offer you your enemy on a silver platter. I had been through enough pain by then -- I deserved a chance to pay it back. An awful lot of it had been her fault, hadn’t it?

That fact boiled over in my brain, every popping bubble releasing another memory of what she had put me through. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. I just sat there, letting the frothing memories burn painfully, and grasping onto that pain like a concealed weapon. My broken brush. Your name on my chest. My legs torn to shreds. The humiliation. The nightmares. The paranoia. The violent buff hallucinations. The crushing fear that fed my addiction and landed me in that sad circle of addicts. It was all her doing.

Yet, for all that fear, she was just there, existing like a normal sprite. Not a disembodied hellish shriek of hatred, not the cruel hand of death that let me slip through its fingers, no. She was just some bug. Some other loser who had popped one too many power-ups.

It was striking to me, how she could be so mortal.

Listen, I’ve said this a thousand times -- I don’t really wanna hurt anybody. But during that session, part of me wondered if I just didn’t have a reason to hurt anybody. Because a big ol’ reason was plopped right in front of me that night, and… I think I would have killed her right there, if they let me. I wanted to wipe her from existence.

Obviously, I did not do that.

I actually made it through the session without even realizing. I did not absorb anything much, and I had not spoken at all, but I think I got a free pass for it being my first time. I was also very concerned that it would be my last. How could I be expected to attend therapy with that monster? 

I didn’t mention it to Surge on the way back, and I did not tell Fix-it at first either, even though he could tell I was shaken up by something. I’d been staying with him for a little while by then, as odd as that might seem. He was keeping an eye on me while I recovered, and while it was not the most comfortable thing for me, I was nervous to be alone with how much I’d been blacking out. But that night, I needed space, so I went up to the roof of Niceland to pace around and weigh what little options I had.

Option one was to simply attend and ignore her, which I wrote off as impossible. Option two would be to quit, which I refused to do. Option three would be to reach out for help, finally telling someone of the attack I suffered at this bug’s creepy hand, which I was not eager to do. Option four was to brutally maim her and be locked up for life. It was amazing, really, how long I spent debating option four, yelling curses into the sky and pulling my hair out. Hours of heart-pounding anxiety went by as I paced between the decision to quit and the decision to maim, until I found myself sitting down and breathing into my hat, nursing a panic attack, trying not to let it remind me of my last night with you.

I’d been up almost all night by the time I’d come to a decision. My decision was… I couldn’t trust myself to make a good decision. Not after everything I’d done.

So I’d have to ask for help. Option three.

Still was not a fan.

All the same, that was the route I took. Surge seemed like the right guy to tell, but it was not like I could leave my game and flag him down, and I couldn’t keep the raging conflict to myself a moment longer. So I went back inside and rode the elevator down to Fix-it’s apartment. He was asleep when I came in, but I sat on his bed and viciously poked him until he woke up.

Now, I don’t really wanna bore you by recounting that whole conversation. You’ve heard me tell the story of my attack already. And it was actually easier for me to open up about it than I thought it’d be. Once upon a time, it felt like such a big deal to keep it a secret. But that felt like such a long time ago. Something had changed. 

I wasn’t really sure if I was coming to trust Fix-it a bit more than I did before, or if it had more to do with the fact that by then, the night I was attacked was no longer the lowest point of my journey. He had seen me sink way lower already. So… I guess I had just become forcefully accustomed to having him see me at my most pathetic.

Is that what trust is?

Fix-it, however, took it like a blubbering baby. In fact, I’m pretty sure he did most of the talking while I just held the tissue box for him. He asked the same questions over and over, which I got bored of answering, but did anyway. He was horrified. He was outraged. He could not believe anyone would do something like that to me, or to anybody. And he suddenly understood so much more clearly why I’d turned to buffs, if I had been keeping a secret as horrible as that. The fact that I’d been carrying that alone for so long seemed to thoroughly break his heart.

My favorite question he asked me was, “Mavis, for the Devs’ sake, just how many near-death experiences have you had this year?”

I sort of laughed at that, which he didn’t like. “Year’s not out yet,” I told him.

“No,” he scolded me, in genuine distress, “don’t say that!”

It was a long, trying process. But I’ll admit that I came out of it feeling kind of lighter. Maybe I was more relieved to get it off my chest than I thought I would be. He sure did thank me thoroughly for telling him, even as he wept in horror.

I did still have to make a decision. Even though Fix-it did want me to go to therapy, the idea of me attending with her terrified him. I wasn’t sure if he was more scared of what she’d do or what I’d do. In any case, he made a feeble effort to make two-years confinement seem like not the worst alternative. He grasped at all kinds of ideas of what we could do to make it enjoyable and productive, even conducting therapy himself. As if he had not been attempting that for the last 4-ish years.

No. Quitting did not feel like an option for me. I would just have to talk to Surge and see what he could offer me.

Not much at all, it turned out.

I was able to have a conversation with Surge that day in my game’s cord station. He was decidedly less emotional about it than Fix-it had been. He barely seemed surprised. I reminded him of the day he helped me across Game Central when I was torn to shreds, and he remembered it well. As I told him the rest of the story, he took notes on his clipboard, only nodding and asking the occasional question. When I finished, I guess I was hoping he’d tell me that he would arrest Worluk and pull her out of therapy, so justice could be served. 

That’s not what he told me. Quite the opposite. 

He said he believed me, but one sprite’s word is not enough to go on for an arrest, especially for attempted murder. And especially if all I could identify her by was her voice. If I had any evidence or witnesses then it might have been a different story, but I sure did not. That was hardly my fault, though, was it? I was ambushed alone. I didn’t choose to have no witnesses. It made me so angry, I wanted to throttle the bastard. Even more so when he suggested that I wait until Worluk was done her required therapy and then begin mine. That could have taken two years anyway, for all I knew!

He did offer me this: He would hire an extra security guard, and make sure all three of them knew to keep an eye on her. It wasn’t much at all, but it was something, at least.

So, that was it. I knew all my options, and barely any of them actually helped me. If I wanted to get help, I had only one real choice. 

I had to help myself. I had to REALLY give it my all. 

I had to march right into therapy and roll with the punches. It just so happened that punching and screaming had gotten me nowhere over the past couple months. As badly as I wanted to rip Worluk to shreds, I was painfully aware that doing so would solve nothing. It would only land me in deeper trouble than I was in already. So, as impossible as it seemed, and as agonizing as it felt to go against my instincts, it was time to keep my mouth shut and keep my hands to myself. Time for the aforementioned ‘Option one’ that I had also called impossible --

Just deal with it.

With this new mile-high hurdle in place, my second session came sooner than I’d have liked. I mean sure, I could have postponed it, but to what end? Whether I liked it or not, it’d be over sooner if I started sooner. That’s what I kept telling myself. Just go, get it over with.

I arrived at that tiny room in Pac-man as I had before. I sat down in the same spot. It seemed like everyone who was present for the last visit also came that day. Everything seemed to pick up exactly where it left off. Except this time, there were, as Surge promised, three buff guys from Front Line observing from the corners, and my sickening anxiety came less from the program itself and more from the pressure to behave as if my mortal enemy was not sitting in the same circle of folding chairs as me.

Before long, the group was going around in a circle and talking about what step they were on in the twelve step program. Their insights, their struggles, their epiphanies, and all that. I tried my best to listen over the screaming in my brain, but it was deafening. All in response to that one freakin’ bug just sitting there. Just going about like I wasn’t even there. Just doing the work. Y’know, like I was supposed to be doing.

I forced myself to take some deep breaths and look away from her. If she could pretend, then I could, too. I would not give in and lose to her in this battle of willpower. I would outlast her. I would outlast her. I would not back down. No matter what. I would win. 

I meditated on that thought. I let it loop around my light, dizzy head. Over and over and over.

“Mavis?”

I jolted.

It was just Clyde. I think he noticed me sweating bullets, because he had floated just the tiny bit closer to whisper to me while the rest of the group was occupied. “Are you okay? You look a bit faint.”

“Uh-huh,” I answered automatically.

He asked me something else, but the words didn’t quite make it into my brain. I’d noticed that someone was speaking to Worluk about something -- maybe some experience they’d had -- and I was listening hard for any response from her. Any brief window into that sick brain she was hiding. But she was stoic. Cool and calm. Wretchedly silent. 

Still, I absent-mindedly answered the question from Clyde I didn’t hear. “Uh-huh.”

“Wonderful,” he said, and after the monologue pointed Worluk’s way ended to a small round of golf claps and no further insight about the bug, Clyde announced calmly, “Alright everyone. Mavis is ready to take her first step with us.”

Oops.

I jumped and stammered just a bit, but tried to just roll with it. “Uhhh-- yeah, yeah, let’s do it.”

Everyone was looking at me. Waiting.

Those few seconds were an intense struggle. I was scouring my brain for any memory of what the first step was, all while fighting the overpowering need to keep my guard up with Worluk watching. I had to say something, and the obvious answer came to me when I remembered how everyone introduced themselves before speaking. I let it come out on autopilot, so absent I barely heard myself.

“My name’s Make-it Mavis, and I’m an addict.”

More golf claps.

I was confused until Clyde spoke. “Congratulations, Mavis, you’ve taken the very first step to recovery: Honesty. We all begin by admitting that we have a problem. You’re already on your way to recovery.”

It felt weird, hearing all that. I never liked to be told I had problems, but if all it took to get started was admitting that things were bad… Well, that seemed obvious enough.

“Really? That’s it?” I asked suspiciously. “I just gotta say it?”

Clyde gave a gentle laugh that was a little annoying. “No, not quite. Admitting it once might be easy, but moving forward into sobriety, you must always be honest with yourself. Never fool yourself into not taking your addiction seriously.”

“Right,” I said, trying to take paraphrased notes in my head while I watched Worluk in my peripheral. She still wasn’t looking. Unless she was doing the same thing I was. Did she have those compound eyes that some insect sprites have? Could she see me even when it seemed like she was looking away? It’d be hard to sneak up on her, then, with those bulging red eyes. They practically took up her entire head.

These are the sort of thoughts that drowned out the rest of the meeting. But I got more out of it than I did the first one, at least. I’d completed a whole step, apparently. Hooray?

Except the second step, I’d find, would be vastly more daunting than the first. And even after that, I’d still have ten more to go. All of increasing difficulty, and all, assumedly… with Worluk.

Hooray.

#fanfiction #fanfic #wreck it ralph #fix it felix #make it mavis #original character #homesick

[pinkbutterfly84]

Scorpion Season 2

Here we go season 2 and my personal favourite season.....

2.01 - there has been a break between episodes supposedly over the summer whilst Walter recuperate, Paige tries to improve the office, Cabe is working on a film, Sly tried to evolve, Tony was outdoors and Happy developed a paint gun

The question is have Happy and Toby been spending their time together they walk into the garage together??

No fratanisation at work...... but that doesn't mean out of work? Happy's look to Toby makes me think they see each other a lot out of work

Notice how each time they say no fratanisation 'at work' is always added

I love the way Toby's tone of voice changes when he is taling just to Happy or caring for her

Last scene they are off to Kavalskis together

Favourite quote- 'what do you see' 'a rare and delightful fungus' - this is a very Happy type compliment definitely there are still feelings there but she is still torn between wanting to move on with him and wanting to remain friends

Favourite scene- Toby taking care of Happy and her eye, his hand casually placed on her leg she once hated any form of contact now she didnt even flinch

2 02 - poor Toby obviously feeling the frustrations of being sidelined by Happy so he directs is attention onto poor Sly

The look Toby gives Happy when she said Orphanages suck a look of pure luck and he could help heal her wounds

First time Toby uses the nickname 'Hap' also the only person who calls her this

I love Dr Toby seeing him use his skills either medically or behavioral is when his character shines

Favourite quote- it's like jumping off a really high diving board going 100 miles an hour, exposure therapy

Favourite scene- not my favourite scene but definitely the cheesest was paige coming out the sea slow motion and Walter's face pure cheese

2.03 - this episode doesn't have much Quintis in it but I love Sly having an episode revolving around him he overcomes some fears and opens up to Megan

Ray is a very funny character 'the right way, the wrong way and the Ray way'

Poor Toby overhearing Happy's conversation thinking she is moving on meeting someone at a club he looks so hurt and Happy looks regretful that Toby overhead

How does Toby know Happy doesn't like to dance? Maybe suggested they go dancing together?? Happy's face when Toby actual fights back a bit at her half impressed half annoyed

Chet turning up at the end broke Toby's heart he needed to release some tension. Happy wanted him out of the garage so the team wouldn't know what they meet at the club to do

Favourite quote- Slyvester you and I are about to have a very uncomfortable conversation

Favourite scene- Toby talking g to Sly over the comms picking a fight in the jail yard

2.04 - Happy coming in with Chet either Happy is clueless on what effect this has on Toby or she is trying to make him jealous either way Happy is doing wrong this time

Starting to get some humour from Happy..... I wonder why!

I feel this is one of the first turning point episodes for Happy starting to acknowledge she doesn't need to be alone and there are people especially Toby who will stick with her and support her

Toby is so worried about Happy during this episode he even admits his love to her dad - good advice from him to let her come to him

Happy wants the list to go to Toby none of the others a subconscious decision that proves she relies on Toby

Happy acknowledges she is in denial!

The look she gives Toby over her dads shoulder what do you think she is thinking?

Favourite scene- Toby giving Happy the dolls house, he just wants to spend time with her even if friends

Favourite quote- I am surrounded by Robots!

2.05 - such a fun episode off set with the seriousness of Sly and Megan

Toby looks hot boxing 🔥🔥

Toby giving Happy a gift then saying there just friends - someone is in denial

Toby only worrying about Happy being in danger how does she not pick up on this?

Plus the minute she says she's stuck Toby is out the van to rescue her

Notice how they play dumb about knowing anything about Superfun guy yet in season 1 when Sly was in hospital they all sat and read the comics!

Toby saying no to hanging out with Happy must have been so hard for him but he obviously is feeling too much hurt not being with her but did she overhear him saying he was done with her, she wasn't far away, how would she have felt?

Question is the orange van the same as in the Cuba episode and the episode with Mya Hernandez??

Happy looks so impressed with Toby when he punches the guy, think she likes that he can be tough when needed

Favourite quote- with great responsibility comes great wedgie or dear diary it finally happened

Favourite scene- seeing the team dressed up nice to see the comedy side of the show

2.06 - part 1 of a double episode a really good episode showing Walter being taken advantage of and the guys all in danager

Toby trying the show his independence from Happy but taking it too far they work better together.

Toby looking fine in a suit!

Favourite quote- I kicked that habit cold Turkey, I need Happy like i need necrotizing fasciitis

Favourite scene- Happy creating a speaker and using it to put out a fire great mechanical engineering

2.07 Part 2 - Happy put her life in danger for the greater good in the sub but when Toby was in danger in the server room nothing else mattered but rescuing him

Toby will never know how much she fought to get him out

The look of pure fear and worry about Toby dying was excellent acting and showed such emotion and perhaps made her reevaluate her relationship with Toby

Happy was quite hostile towards Toby when he thanked her why was that? I think it was a defense mechanism he shield going up because she was scared to loose him

Favourite quote- with the clarity of one just risen from the dead, you're being a grade A tool

Except you cant unring a bell - Toby knows he cant easily get over his feekings

Favourite scene- Happy trying to get Toby out of the server room this first real sign that she really does have deep feelings for Toby

2.08 - Toby in the boxing ring he is trying to toughen up the ond thing Happy is known for iz being tough

Happy at the comedy club trying to be funny the one thing Toby is known for

I think there interests are a way to become closer to each other and understand each other

Mighty love oak - Toby finally realised if anything is going to happen he needs Happy to make the first move he has been as open as he can she needs to make the decision herself to get into a relationship with him

Favourite scene- Happy at the comedy club Slys reactions were so much funnier then the joles

favourite quote- this is nuttier then squirrel poop

Yes I know I drive crazy, just give me the keys

Suicidal genius says what now

2.09 - very sad to see the decline in Megan and what Sly is dealing with. How Walter deals with it is unfair to them both and quite selfish although I appreciate everyone handles these situations differently

Happy and Toby support Toby the only way they know bh giving him money.

Happy and Toby seem in sync in this episode just good friends with a deep connection

Toby is focusing his energy in predicting the future possibly to keep him distracted from Happy

In previous episode Toby has been seen with smart phones why all of a sudden is his phone old??

Favourite quote- dental hygiene is beautiful

Favourite scene- no real favourite scene but I do enjoy this episode the team hring scared of the unknown is hilarious

2.10 first time I watched this episode I was hooked and confused and loved the twist of Scorpion playing on Cromwell

Happy and Toby stood next to each other again mimicking each others postures

Walter finally accepting Megan's condition and her relationship with Sly is a heart warming moment and one of the few moments I like Walter

Favourite quote- are we heading to England for a spot of tea

Favourite scene- the team relaying how they duped Cromwell

2 11 - a really sad but beautiful episode with a touch of humour at the right times

Toby shines in this episode with his medical ability

Toby's face when Happy collapses and the lady is in labour his heart wants him to ho to Happy but he knows he must deliver a baby.

I would like to know what Happy thinks when she wakes and sees Toby?

Such a heart breaking scene 💔

Notice how Toby instinctively stays by Happy in the garage providing emotional support

Happy doesn't deal well with the situation so excuses herself to make the drinks

Favourite quote- i have super powers, I am bacteria man

Am I seriously the only doctor in the house

Favourite scene- the end scene with Megan's video and the team gathering to hear Walter's story a beautiful end to a touching storyline

2.12 - really liked this episode finally Happy giving into her feelings for Toby plus seeing them all dealing with their own issues from college gave some of the funniest moments of the season

Seeing cabe trying to talk wrestling was hilarious

She also admitted Toby was cute!

What Mavis said to Happy got her thinking she needs to let her shield down if she wants a Toby/ a family

Meeting Quincy Berkstead I don't think Toby's issue is him stealing Amy away it's a reminder of what a bad place he was back then and that Quincy was a better person than he seemed to be. Quincy said some things which hit close to home. Let's remember Toby is a doctor Quincy is just a psychologist!

Favourite quote- you were cute, what happened

Favourite scene- Happy and Toby dancing this showed real feelings from Happy she wanted to.do something nice for him when he obviously felt so down. I imagine that they all heard what Quincy said to Toby she she knows how it would of effected him

2.13 - quite possibly my favourite episode of the season maybe all 4 seasons

Happy seems uncharacteristically happy at the beginning embracing Christmas or looking forward to a possible future with Toby

Walter talking to himself, Megan's ashes in his car - Toby has his work cut out for him this episode

Sly talking about his love for Megan and not wasting time really gave Happy something to think about

Grandma got ran over by a reindeer! Supposedly some or all of this wasnt scripted just shows how amazing the actors are

The pure panic from Toby when Happy gets pulled under water shows his love and then change in his voice when talking to her is a beautiful moment

Favourite quote- at least we got a doctor in the house, who has 2 thumbs and rocked his GI rotation

'Quality kiss doc, good work' ' now that was a Christmas miracle

Favourite scene- the kiss! Need I say more you can even hear Happy hum during the kiss perfect chemistry

Toby waited so patiently and it paid off Happy came to him and initiated the next step

2.14 - perfect Quintis episode

Toby full of new year spirit wonder why??

Happy is also uncharacteristically Happy perhaps thet both had a good new year together.......

Happy trying to change be more positive maybe to help in a relationship with Toby, so much to surmise in this episode

The look happy gives Toby when he asks to make out is not a never gonna happen but a not now later look

Notice how when Happy is separated she repeatedly calls for Toby. Instinctively that's who she knows will rescue her

Toby is never seen as the brave one but when happy is in danger he is willing to risk his life

Near death has changed the dynamic between them. Happys dad points out she needs to find her Happy- then looks longingly at Toby

Question what everyone wants to know is what happens in the tent!

Favourite quote- who are you and what have you done with unhappy quinn

Favourite scene- Toby admitting he never thought he could die being so lucky with Happy in his arms

Such an honest and emotional scene excellent acting by #EddieKayeThomas

2.15 - poor Toby not feeling well love the thought of happy quickly scribbling down instructions for Ralph on how to look after Toby. Starting to show her feelings more openly

Paige and Walter singing was actually really good

Favourite quote- this is what I get for trying to help Walter date, influenza

Favourite scene- truth is I'm falling for the guy - finally Happy admits it then if only to Ralph - I do think Toby here her and probably calls her out on it later

2.16 - poor Walter trying to do something normal and it all goes to pot!

Toby and Happy going to Kavalskis under the pretense of taking the dish back..... sounds like a date to me that they dont want the others to know about, one of many over the course if the last few episodes I think

Favourite quote- that was a compliment knucklehead lob a little ear candy at her

You got sent to the senior section of speed dating and now your trying to Benjimen your Button

Holy ball boomerang Mericks back

I might only be a psychiatrist but they taught me at med school blowing people up is bad

Toby is on fire in this episode with his one liners - I wonder if all these jokes and sarcasm is because he is finally happy with Happy

Favourite scene- no favourite scene in this not much Quintis action but Toby was in fire in this episode great behaviourist skills and jokes

2 17 - love seeing the dynamic between Walter and Toby in this episode, seeing them in therapy is funny

Toby is definitely the more antagonist one is this episode he says its because he is happy with Happy I think he hates keeping secrets from his best friend and so he is distancing himself

Happy starting to side with Toby shows character growth

On a separate note I love Sly and Ralph's relationship in this episode they are a great duo

Favourite quote- hands at 10 and 2, check, seatbelt on, check, eyes firmly on the ramp in front of you, check, dont tell your mother, check

Favourite scene- the end scene Happy and Toby together at Toby's home confirmation the are together how long has this been going on is the question we all want to know

2.18 - Quintis is announced!

Walter being so upset is a bit strange surly he should be happy for his friends- maybe he's jealous he doesn't have what they have or maybe he is hiding something else........

Comparing to quintis to brangelina maybe not such a good comparison

Walter punishing Toby by making him stay behind is petty and not the first time he has tried

Toby is obviously very excited about his new relationship but suffocating Happy slightly

Walter giving them the ultimatum is uncalled for and Toby is not happy with him

First time we discover Happy's fear of blood, seeing Happy slightly off kilter and Toby supporting her is nice to see

Happy looks do happy when Toby says he is proud of her

Toby using his tone of voice he only uses with Happy, this is his caring soft voice

Oh Toby tracking Happys phone not a good idea I get why he did it and I think she does but not a wise move without talking it over first! I like how they experience normal bumps in the road in their relationship

Happy standing up to Walter was a big step and an important moment in showing she is all in and she looks so Happy when Walter says its ok

Favourite quote- for a million reasons the answer to that question is yes but believing in you the most incredible person I've ever know, no that does not make me crazy. You hear my voice now you hear how calm it is......

Favourite scene- Toby talking Happy through medical procedure

2.19 - Gambling addiction is a very sensitive topic which needs to be dealt with correctly

It is always alluded to Toby being addicted we are lead to believe over the past few years largely thanks to Happy it has gotten better but is obviously an issue for Happy

I dont buy that he gambles more cause he is happy but I'm no addication specialist

I think this shows real growth with Happy 1 year ago she would of just called it quits but now she raises her concerns which are genuine due to her childhood and Toby agrees to give up gambling for her - now that is true love

I feel Toby needed to hear this from Happy he had cut back a lot but the risk of losing Happy is too high and he knows he needs to stop

I think they really played into the gambling references this episode when usually it gets one or 2 mentions if that!

Favourite quote- 'that Pantera is the sexiest thing I've ever seen' 'second sexist'

Favourite scene- the end scene with Toby and Happy, Jadyn gives probably the best performance of the series so far so much emotion

2.20 - playful team is nice to see makes a pleasant change!

Toby shows his medical and behavioral knowledge off well In this episode

I really like that happy is comfortable in her relationship with Toby to show affection ftomt of the team by falling asleep and hugging her

Favourite quote- that guy doesn't respect the game

Well you make friends wherever we go

I know I'm the oh one wearing a hat, hold on to your hats I'm gonna profile the crap out of this guy

Favourite scene- the team waiting to see how Olivia gets on following her surgery

2.21 - so we meet interloper Tim, going to he controversial now but I quite like him.as a character!

Toby doing dares as a way dealing with giving up gambling - Happy should be supporting him not belittling him after all he gave it up for her

Toby compliments Happy and gets told off for doing it st work 1. He is allowed to shower her love and compliments at home 2. She turns her face and smiles secretly likes the compliment

Toby marking his territory with Happy when Tim talks to her its shows his jealous side

Happy chastise Toby for truth or dare he says he still needs to adrenaline rush so she kissee him and compares the adrenaline from the kiss to the gambling adrenaline. This shows how she must feel when she kisses him and is encouraging him to lean on her when he feels the need for the rush

I've also noticed that most kisses on screen she goes to him he also doesn't speak after the kiss until she does - shows he is learning from their first kiss

Favourite quote- 'just dance monkey', 'a 20 year old just called you monkey is life working out how you planned'

Favourite scene- happy kissing Toby on the piano

2.22 - this is a good episode considering it lacks in quintis moments - something which highlights the difficulties in gaining closure with missing military personnel

Oh no Toby lost his hat, I hope this isnt the one Happy bought him hopefully he keeps that safe at home!

Toby asking Happy if something were to happen to him would she move on, Happy saying no she wouldn't just shows her love for him.

Also theoretical marriage proposal and Toby asking Happy to think about it..... could a ring be on the cards although Happy's face is not convinced scares or hiding something

Favourite quote- dont use humour on a date because your not funny

Me and the hat are a package deal

Favourite scene- Toby asking Happy if he was missing would she move on

2.23 - not many quintis moments in this episode I start to look for the small moments in the background the looks std justices telling as the big scenes

Happy and Paige both outting Toby in his place when he makes a joke is funny

Funny how this time Happy doesn't have an issue with Toby crawling behind her in the tunnel

Toby has his arm around Happys shoulders swoon...

Happy puts her arm around Toby when they celebrate its these small things which show the couples development

Walter may diss Toby's skills but he does value and listen to them

Favourite quote- she is very much EQ for my IQ

Crazy man says what now

Favourite scene- Toby and Happy talking at the table playing cards - do I sense a proposal on it's way...... too soon surly they have only been together a few months???

2 24 - Toby Toby Toby winding up mark collins may prove to be a big mistake

Happy actually taking Toby's feelings into account doing a guessing game when Toby isn't around

Happy's jealous face when Toby said a show girl made him a man so sweet

Favourite quote- medically speaking hes nuttier then peanut brittle

I will always give you what you need whether it be emotional, spiritual or romantic so here it is sugar plum

Oh no Toby is in trouble what's going on......

Favourite scene- happy talking to Walter about Paige. This just shows the growth in her character willingly having a this conversation also picking up behavioural tips from Toby

2.25 - there is so much about this episode to write about from the kidnapping to the marriage proposal to the rejection.........

Happy comes in thinking the worst of Toby is he gambling lovd the fact she references the fact they text and meet outside of work - obviously they do but it's never referenced

The minute she hears Collins escapes she knows Toby is in danger and is worried

What is Sly hiding Happy knows he is and isn't Happy that Sly wont say anything

Seeing how worried Happy is, is a refreshing change from her normal closed off self. Her love for Toby really shows through in the episode

You can see Happy's frustrations Sly keeping a secret and Walter not giving up his researched

Happy's face when she thinks Toby is being electrocuted, she looks in pain telling Collins to stop the fear in her voice must be reassuring for Toby to know how much she loves him

Happy face when Collins outs the proposal, she blames herself for Toby getting snatched whilst picking up the phone, is there another feeling there aswell???

When Toby talks to Happy there is so much emotion in his voice saying goodbye, he uses that soft tone he saves just for Happy

Happy risking her life to save Toby shows her commitment to him

The first time I heard the proposal song I thought it was so cheesy but the more I watched the episode the more I realise it was perfectly Toby

Happy face when Toby is singing and proposing is the first sign of any guilt we have seen from her. She is obviously distraught that she has to say no and admit she is married to someone else. Utter heartbreaking scenes acted out superbly

Happy actually had tears in her eyes she must of been so devastated to have to had said no

Toby has never lost his ability to smile or joke but he looks completely heartbroken not only to have had his proposal turned down but to also find out the lovd of his life is already married. So much so he doesn't want to talk to anyone just hit the bottle.

Anyone notice how guilty Walter looks??

Favourite quote- hey is that hat wearing dipstick here

Its Toby Curtis, Doctor, Harvard trained. Were the smartest people in the world why is it so difficult to locate a 168lb wise ass

Favourite scene- there is no favourite scene I love this whole episode even Tody drowning his sorrows in tequila

Season overview - Sly has dealt with alot this season falling in love and then losing Megan he is now trying to look forward still keeping his love for Superfun Guy

Walter has had a few good moments this season mostly with Megan and he seems to deal well with kids. He is still obnoxious and struggles to communicate with people and says the wrong thing

I don't like the say Paige is going she is losing the qualities she was known for at the beginning kindness, compassion. I do like her relationship with Tim

Quintis- the start of the season started with them trying to get back to being friends and they had a few moments early on and then Happy merry Chet which made Toby jealous and he eventually realised that he needed to wait for Happy to come to him. A string of events finally broke down Happy's walls starting with her thinking Toby was going to die then Megan passed away, she met Mavis who encouraged her to lower her shield. Sly then told her to life in the moment and she finally kissed Toby from then things moved quickly secretly at first then in public before Toby gets kidnapped, proposes to Happy, gets rejected and finds out she's already married.

Questions are who is Happy married too?

Why didnt she tell Toby before? I think because she didnt want to ruin what they have and was scared to tell him and the more time passed the harder it got

How is Toby going to deal with this news?

Season 3 will certainly be interesting.......

#toby x happy #toby curtis #happy x toby #cbs scorpion #quintis #eddie kaye thomas #jadyn wong #happy quinn #team scorpion #scorpionedit

[glasyasbutch]

playlist: nissy

link to playlist (on spotify)

1. We R Who We R by Kesha

It’s about damn time to live it up, I’m sick of being so serious, it’s making me delirious

listen. i could pull some shit out of my ass or I could say that i wanted the first words on this playlist to be HOT. AND. DANGEROUS.

2. LIVE THE WEEKEND by Rhizza, GIRLI

Oh, what do you care who I’m kissing / Oh my god you’re suck a dickhead, can’t you let me live the weekend?

anthem for bi people who just want to be left alone to be horny. bonus points for the use of the word dickhead in the exact context nissy would use it. he’s a child like that.

3. Nails, Hips, Hair, Heels by Todrick Hall

Ass fat, lips real, full purse, big bills

I debated on adding this song for him, bc it’s not super his vibe. Like he’s not quite as ‘strut into the room and check to make sure everyone’s staring at me’ as Zier, and he’s not quite as effeminate as this song would make you think. but i do think this is the kind of carefree, self-loving atmosphere he tries to escape to when he’s not being trained on the social graces necessary in political meetings.

4. Fabulous from High School Musical 2 OST

I need something inspiring to help me get along / I need a little fabulous is that so wrong?

He’s a fucking spoiled ass rich bitch tho, no matter what, and he like. Wants His Stuff. And he wants it to be Nice.

5. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

I come home in the morning light, my mother says “when you gonna live your life right?” / Oh momma dear, we’re not the fortunate ones

Nissy’s had this exact conversation more times than he can count; getting yelled at after he’s sneaking back in his own bedroom window and makes a little too much noise. You’d think his parents remember a bit more about youth, having each had two of them. 

6. Blind Leading the Blind by Mumford & Sons

Running from the weight of ancient labels and leaving what identity there was / Well, my generation’s stuck in the mirror / “Forget about the poor, cause I don’t like the word”

Oh you thought it was gonna be all meme-y songs, huh? You thought I was gonna let you get a whole playlist without getting even a bit emo? Fools.

This song sticks out for me in a lot of ways. There’s a lot to be said about the classism inherent in the Den system (correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe consecution is exclusive to the Dens? People not born into them pick a Den when they go through the process?), and as much of a bastard as Nissy is, he realizes this and isn’t a huge fan of it. Especially when the den members keep getting reborn, he knows that the leadership of this country is getting really insular, really quick, and its. Not Good. So I suppose this song’s about his relationship with his identity as a Den member, and his attempt to sort of break the cycle, and to actually like. Know and understand the rest of the country he’s been raised to fight and die for. 

7. Heirloom by Sleeping at Last

It is the consequence of living in between the weight of family and the pull of gravity / You are so much more than your father’s son, you are so much more than wars you’ve won

Building off the last song, this one digs deeper to his problems with his family on a more personal level. He and Leth are easily the babies of the den, and grew up feeling like the one un-dried out tub of play-doh at preschool. Everyone around them trying to mold them into some pleasing shape. 

Leth did great! She became a skilled dunemancer, and she’s got the wit and cleverness to make her an asset to any political negotiation. And Nissy’s sort of just floundering around, trying to find somewhere to stand that’s not in someone’s shadow - including his own. He doesn’t particularly like being an echo knight. Kinda fucked up that his entire profession is based on staring his wasted potential in the face. He wants to be more than his den, more than his knighthood, and this song’s a full on tribute to that. 

8. My Life by Billy Joel

I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life / Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone 

This song and the next one are basically there to describe Nissy’s breaking point at which he decided to leave home. This one’s more personal, his anger at his family and the way they constantly critiqued his every move, comparing him to his sister and his elders, asking why he refuses to measure up.

9. Not Gonna Take Me by BAILEN

You took my mother, you took my father, oh, but you’re not gonna take me

And this one’s more the anger he feels at the entire system. At the dens and the Luxon and the selectivism of consecution. He wants out (in principle. He’s still too much of a coward to walk out all by himself). I also like to think that the “she” in this song is Mavy. She certainly wasn’t the first or only person to cement in Nissy the idea that Kryn little fucked up maybe, but she was the one who convinced him to actually leave it behind.

10. Do What We Wanna Do by Zayde Wolf

We won’t stop now, we do what we wanna do, just like we wanted to

So this song fits more to Craving and Manic’s vibes, but I also think its trash music and neither of them deserve it, but Nissy himself is kinda trash so its ok for his playlist. Consider this the song that plays over the montage of him and Mavy running from the city and finding their way across the plains of Xhorhas to Uthodern.

11. Songs I Can’t Listen To by Neon Trees

And its all because of you, I’ve got a list of songs I can’t listen to / And it’s all because we’re through, I’ve got a list of songs I can’t listen to

Morgan sent me this and was like “its a breakup song but upbeat” and I vibed with it. It’s on here more because it slaps than because it’s extreme Nissy vibes. I do have it on here to mark his breakup with Mavy, and I do think that the focus being on the material things that are ruined for him because of memory, rather than like. Actually being sad. Is pretty accurate to how he’s handling being left.

12. Fight the Dragons from Big Fish OBC

So I fight the dragons, and I storm the castle, and I win a battle or two / Then comes the day, it’s time, I’m packing up and bringing all my stories home to you

This is a really sweet song about a dad trying to be a man his son can be proud of. And I’m fulling appropriating it to make it be a song about the grandiose lie that Nissy’s trying to put on when he does get home, where he’s gonna pretend that he was a totally valiant hero who killed a BUNCH of cool shit ALL BY HIMSELF so his family will be proud of him.

13. Grace Kelly by MIKA

I could be brown, I could be blue, I could violet sky / I could be hurtful, I could be purple, I could be anything you like / Gotta be green, gotta be mean, gotta be everything more / Why don’t you like me, why don’t you like me, walk out the door

MANDATORY MIKA KIN SONG! This was the first song I put on this playlist, actually. It perfectly sums up his vibes. Fairly righteous anger at not being loved without having to change everything about himself, but himself is simultaneously an absolute dipshit. 

#playlists #nissy

[bluepenguinstories]

Happiness Overload Chapter Twenty-Nine

Smooth. Real smooth. That's what the whole situation was. Smooth like oat cream in a nice cup of coffee that's served at an overpriced coffee shop in the shady part of town as some sort of gentrification scheme that is totally being planned by government agencies. Or, smooth like the life that I lead and have to put up with because I don't know the definition of 'normalcy' nor have I once looked it up. You would have thought by now I would be done with this schtick, have some new perspective. Learned something valuable. Gotten some sort of character development. Instead I'm stuck here complaining about how smooth this whole situation has been that I got myself stuck in.

By smooth, I mean, a total mess. Isn't that what smooth is?

I don't know. Not really sure. All I knew is that I was still hungry and I didn't know shit. I haven't learned a goddamn thing and I ached on every inch, no, inch is too kind. I ached on every centimeter on this piece of shit called a body. Not only that, but I remained stuck with someone (while cute, I'll admit) I wasn't quite sure was in their right mind. Could I really blame her, though? Was I in my right mind?

“Tell me you know some way of getting out of here,” I heard the trying-too-hard-to-sound-gruff voice emitted from the person behind me.

“Sure,” I shrugged.

“What is it, then?”

Nerves flared about. She was really beginning to annoy me.

“Can't tell you.”

“I'm pretty sure at a certain point we've held off on killing each other. Maybe it's because other forces have been trying to kill us. But we're still alive, aren't we? So I'm pretty sure we're in this together, aren't we?”

She raised a good point. If we kept up the whole “there's no point” and then the other “but let's go on anyway” or even the whole “I don't like you” and the other “but we need to work together”, it would get old real fast. Then again, I've seen such storylines play out in fics enough times that even living in this situation was getting old real fast. I think I was starting to annoy myself. I think even being next to someone else, regardless of them being annoying, was getting annoying. I was beginning to think that even the word 'annoying' was annoying.

“Yeah, but I really can't tell you,” I insisted.

“Oh yeah? And why's that? You better not give me some bullshit answer, by the way.” This Mavis chick was the worst. Someone who didn't like bullshit? Just who are you, anyway? Well, these military types sure are something. As in, not my type.

“Because I don't know.”

She stomped her foot. It sent a jolt up my spine and I jumped from where I stood.

“You know, I really hate you! You know that? You're the worst. We're in a life-or-death situation, just as we have been since you got here, and you still find time to joke?”

It's how I cope, jeez.

We scoured the lab I had been hiding in just a bit ago, but found no supplies. Despite rows of computers and lab equipment, there was no power and all of the lab equipment was ordinary. Doesn't mean there wasn't a use for them, but I couldn't think of any. Then again, could I think of anything at all in my current state? My stomach was still growling...

I recall noticing she grabbed a few things, but they didn't look like food to me, nor did they look all that important to me. My vision was too blurry to figure out what they were and it was rather dark in the lab as it was. We just made our way out of the lab and into another set of halls.

The first thing I noticed when we emerged was the state she was in. Bloodied, limping. She needed to see a doctor, something. The chances of finding any help like that here were around zero, with a margin of error. Especially as there were still forces trying to kill us, although where they were at the moment, I couldn't tell. Still, it was worrisome, seeing someone in such a state.

Really, I was glad she survived, though. To think there could have been another whose life I would have been responsible for, it was too much. So bless whatever that Mavis wasn't on the growing list of folks who died while in my care. Not that I really care for her, though. I'm just glad she's not, like, dead or anything. Because that wouldn't be very nice. She looked on the brink, but I hoped to do whatever I could while we were still near each other to make sure she made it out. No matter what strange creatures or doctors happened to pass us by, I was determined.

I was sure she felt the same way about me. Not that I cared how she felt.

No, this all really did seem futile. I hate more than the situation, but the lack of control I've been in it. I should have known everything in and out. I should have been more than capable. But I didn't know a goddamn thing and as I seemed on the constant verge of fainting, I had to keep reminding myself why I'm still alive.

Because I can't stand dying knowing she's still alive and well.

I thought I had made it so far. I thought I had made it out of the clutches of such a troublesome redhead. But once I stepped into that lab, I heard the familiar voice, and my world once again crumbled in what may as well be called “Mavis' no-good-very-bad...'

Holy shit.

I wasn't even sure how long it had been. The likely answer was that it had only been an hour since Dr. Chekhov meant to execute us both. It felt longer. Or shorter. Oh, but the trauma didn't start there. It started with the power going out and the strange frog-like creature. Oh, but it must have started before that. It must have started when Velvet appeared, running around with her tail between her legs and the power was still on and I thought, oh, I thought for the longest time, that she would die and glory would go to me.

I shook my head. I didn't care who got the glory. I knew Sgt. Michaels wanted to kill her and however much his mind had been warped, if he wanted to do the honor so bad, why not?

But in that short span of time, I've learned.

She was always in control. Whether luck or skill, she could find her way in and out of a mess without so much as a scratch. Meanwhile I've been holding on to dear life as if it means anything.

When I'm just a copy of myself.

Before we left the lab, I grabbed a screwdriver and a vial of acid. I didn't know how either would be of use, but I would find a way. They would serve their purpose, whatever their purpose may be.

Don't let me down.

Etna's voice echoed. That sadistic artificial intelligence. The offer to allow me to become a part of Ecstasy. I would never allow myself to become a part of her. Be it machine or supernatural being, I would never allow her to influence me. I was myself, damn it!

Was...I still am, aren't I?

I needed to focus on the present.

The fool in front of me was in my grasp. As long as I followed her and she didn't bail like before, I could make it out to see the light of day.

Yes, that's right. She left me to die. She must have thought me excess cargo. She didn't think I would make it this far. Well, I did and you won't be able to get away with the same trick twice. If I die, I'll make sure you'll be the one to go down first.

“We've been walking through these halls for a while, haven't we?” I pondered.

“Hard to tell. Not like either of us has the time on us,” the fucker gave another irritating shrug.

“I'm just saying it's odd how we've not been met with soldiers or any type of death traps like we've been before.”

“Don't jinx this,” she groaned.

“Too late. Something's definitely up, too. I ought to figure it out before we get ambushed. It could be just around the corner. Or coming out of the walls.”

“My god, what did you have to deal with? I had a pretty smooth time getting to the lab.”

She just had to rub it in, didn't she? I growled. I couldn't even help myself.

The lighting wasn't much lighter than the lab itself. Not pitch black, but it was like a deep gray filter had been applied to the hall. Or, the entire thing was through the lens of a window screen. Not sure which seemed more plausible an explanation. It was suffocating and I hoped it wouldn't stay that way.

Velvet stopped moving. She held her arm out. I stopped in my tracks as well. She turned her head, raised her index finger to her lips, and made a shushing sound.

“Do you hear that?” She whispered.

“No?” I looked at her, incredulous.

“Exactly.”

She turned around, jumped back, and pointed at me.

“The real death trap here is you! That's why they don't need anything! You're still plotting on killing me, aren't you? Even after all this time, you just can't give it up! You hate me that much!”

I...was at a loss for words.

“What?”

“You can't fool me! I see right through you!” Her hands were shaking, just as her whole being was. Maybe she wasn't in as good of shape as I thought. Still better than the shape I was in...

Maybe there was a grain of truth to some of the things she said, but even still! This was ridiculous!

“Excuse me? Do you see the state I'm in? Do you think I'm in any position to kill anybody? I'm relying on you, dumbass!”

I mean, there was those soldiers I took care of, even as I had my leg punctured pretty bad...

Her gaze was unrelenting until she drew a deep sigh.

“You're right. Everything's cool. There's no danger. For now.”

She lowered her arm and turned forward as she continued onward.

I let out a sigh as well. It seemed fitting somehow.

“...And once there is danger, I'll do all that I can to protect you,” she added.

“I don't need your protection! I survived all on my own! Do you think I'm not capable! I'm capable! I'm hella capable! So get that through your thick skull!” I barked, as if I were some sergeant giving orders.

“...Cute.”

“What?! Don't patronize me!” I screeched.

Even as my lungs felt like sandpaper, I still managed a good volume. Impressive. Impressive and yet no activity beside the two of us bickering and walking toward whatever lie in wait.

My steps were stilted. Crawls on two legs. One of which barely seemed to work. That wouldn't stop me. Nor would the fact that seeing her functioning just fine on two was making my blood boil.

“If we make it to the end of these halls, or however far, and something just kills us right away, is there anything you want to say?” I decided to be the driving force for conversation.

“Yeah. Bitch-ass Chekhov never gave me any food.”

“Beside that. What about the reason you came to our facilities in the first place? It wasn't by chance and no matter how much you claim otherwise, I know it wasn't just for fuel for your ship. I refuse to believe that on the grounds that you're you and we had an extensive profile on you.”

“Oh? What did it say?”

“Don't change the subject, missy! I want to know what caused you to set all these things in motion.”

“I can't tell you that,” her voice lowered. Turned serious. “They're probably still listening in.”

“Does that matter anymore? There may be a chance of both of us getting out of here alive, but whatever your goal was, you failed! You lost! The least you could do is --”

“Since when do I owe you anything?” She snapped. I was stunned.

“Excuse me? You put me through hell! You left me for dead with that escape plan of yours! You sure as fuck owe me something!”

“Sorry about that. I thought you would be fine on your own...” If I wasn't mistaken, I thought I saw genuine concern. Even still, her phrasing was awful.

“'Sorry about that'? That's it?!”

“What do you expect? I'm not a sensitive person.”

“No. I guess you're not. You're just an annoying, sorry excuse of a person,” I grumbled.

“Does it say that on the 'extensive profile'?”

I wanted to run into her, pummel her. She deserved it. For all her quips and annoying quirks. She's earned it.

“It doesn't matter what it says,” I shook my head. “It's probably all bullshit. Just red herrings. Just like everything out of your mind.”

“I'm nothing but honest!” She protested.

“I bet you couldn't refrain from cracking a joke even on your deathbed.”

“Ask me anything. Right here, right now. I'll answer.”

“Just whose side are you on?” Came blurting from my mouth.

“My mother was the Isdal woman and my father was D.B. Cooper. I was trained at a young age as a super soldier for a spy program in the arctic.”

“What? Wouldn't that mean you're in your 50s? You don't even look like you're in your 30s!”

“Anti-aging cream,” she winked. Even as she joked, her dull voice never wavered.

“Be serious! Just how old are you!”

“Forever twenty-one, baby!”

“Can you stop it with the jokes for ONCE? JUST ONCE! I'M SICK OF SPENDING TIME WITH YOU! I CAN'T BELIEVE I EVER THOUGHT YOU WERE ALL THAT GOOD! YOU'RE JUST PATHETIC AND THE ONLY REASON YOU'RE STILL ALIVE IS THROUGH DUMB LUCK! YOU KNOW WHAT? I HOPE WE BOTH DIE SO I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOUR DUMB ASS ANY MORE!”

“GOOD!” She shot back, the nerve on her. Just a one word response. Was I just a joke to her? Was my entire existence just a joke to everyone around me? I deserved so much better than this. Everyone else looked at her. Looked at her and went “yes, this is who we should focus on”. Just a single idiot who had no special technology or powers. Had no substantial secrets. Just the fact that she was able to sneak in once. I could have done that! I know I could!

She laughed. It was an ugly laugh.

“Finally! Took you long enough to see that! We've been forced together for how long and you're just now realizing what a sad sack of shit I am? Who's the one with a thick skull here? I'm really just a bag of bones who any day will collapse, but for some reason, through sheer luck and nothing else, haven't. It's not about what I deserve, it's just the way things have gone!”

My breath...the pain was tenfold. Blood had dried, but I felt it run down once more. Run over me. She was in front, but it should have been me. We should have been in different positions.

“It's not...IT'S NOT FAIR!” I screamed as I shook. I was on the verge of collapse, a constant feeling amplified by her comedic routine. Making a mockery of me. “Every day I had to listen to 'one day Jo-Ann will get her due' and everyone talking about how you stole an entire-fucking-ship as if it was some huge accomplishment! Well guess what? I was caught up in it, too! It sounded amazing! No one had managed to do such a thing before! But do you know what? I was going to prove I could be every bit as amazing AND BETTER! I could hack! I could monitor security cameras! I could do EVERYTHING you could do and I could BE you, a better version of you. Instead, I'm stuck with this version of you, who the only amazing thing about them is how they can even survive tying their shoelaces!”

I wasn't done. No, not yet. I wouldn't be done. I wouldn't let her crack any jokes about how hard it is to tie shoelaces. I wouldn't let her. I darted toward her before she could react. She must have been caught up everything I said. I pinned her to the ground. I pushed her hands against the floor, tightened my grip, and stared into her face, leaning mine closer to hers. I could see the fear in her eyes. Or rather, I saw nothing. I couldn't see fear or shock or excitement. No anger or anything. It was the worst feeling ever.

“Not anymore...” I whispered. My breath against her face. The face that should be mine.

“This is a bit sudden. Shouldn't this happen several chapters from now?” She murmured, even in spite of it all. I tightened my grip. It didn't seem to do anything to change her demeanor.

“Look at me! Look at my hair! It's red now! It's not blue anymore! I will become you! I will be everything you should have been...and more...”

She turned her head and groaned. “That's nice, but I didn't realize you liked to be on top...”

My breath was heavy. I knew what needed to be done. To be complete.

I reached down, my arm releasing her wrist. At any moment, the tide could turn. She must have known this. The fact that I couldn't tell whether or not she would seize the opportunity was painful. I was the one bleeding, not her. I would continue to bleed, too, if it meant that I could be me. The only me. The only Velvet.

My fingers glided down the surface of her torso and I worked my way down until I reached in and got to work.

Jolts of pain surged through me as I felt the dull metal of a screwdriver pushed into my thigh.

“SCREW YOU, TOO!” I roared as I kicked her off of me. I felt the stinging sensation and blood trickling down, yet I ignored that and picked myself up.

“JEEZ! What's your damage?”

She looked like a ragdoll, twisted limbs. Yet somehow she managed to pick herself up as well and lunged at me once again, and once again, with the screwdriver. I'll be honest, I couldn't wrap my head around how she had it in her hands once again when I was pretty sure it was still in my leg and I didn't even bother prying it out, but logic and I never seemed to see eye to eye.

“I NEED YOUR FACE!” She screeched, the screwdriver so close to my...well, you heard her. I did my best to hold her off and yet she seemed to have greater strength than I would have thought, given all she had been through.

“I'm flattered, but it's not even that great!” I protested. “Pretty average, in fact. Five out of ten right here.”

“I DON'T CARE! IT'S WHO YOU ARE! WHO I AM! WHO I NEED TO BE!” Her arm was closing in and the screwdriver scraped against the side of my cheek.

So this is the death trap, huh? Turning Mavis into some kind of raging zombie? Or maybe she already was like some sort of sleeper cell agent...either way, I feel like I'm going to regret this...

I kicked her in the shin, then shoved her aside with all my might.

“Blame my lack of arm strength...” I groaned as I huffed and puffed. I took a few paces back and shuddered. She still got up, laughing and giggling. Maybe one of my jokes finally got a rise out of her.

“In my reflections, I've been seeing you,” she cackled. “I'm looking more and more like you. But I need to BE you. I see now that I should do away with my own face before I take yours!”

I watched as she stood, or, half-stood (it was more like a crouch) as she applied the screwdriver to her face and dug in.

This was too much.

“I CAN FINALLY BE YOU! I'M SO HAPPY!” She winced and grinned, even through the blood and the tears. I couldn't bear to keep watching.

“HEY MEPHISTOPHELES!” I raised my head and called out to the heavens.

What appeared before me was a cute girl with pink pigtails and wearing a sort of tacked-on fake fairy wings. At least they looked pretty fake to me? Also the rows and rows of teeth were just as adorable.

“HELLO THERE! I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!”

“Yeah, yeah. Wait...weren't you blonde when I met you?”

“I'M WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY!”

“Legit. I've probably had dreams of that sorta girl. Anyway, can you make her stop?” I pointed toward Mavis, still cackling and still worrying me sick.

“BUT SHE'S HAPPY!”

“But I'M not!” I protested.

Mephistopheles or whatever this fairy wanted to be called danced around in the air while the horrific sight continued to play out. I had my arms crossed and tapped my foot.

“C'mon,” I pleaded. “I like her.”

“WOULD IT MAKE YOU HAPPY IF SHE STOPPED?”

“I mean, I guess? It would be an improvement.”

Mavis stopped what she had been doing. Her face still bled, but she dropped the screwdriver and she just stared, her expression blank.

“Could you turn her to normal, too? I think that would make both of us pretty happy.”

“SURE THING!”

Elated little bugger, that thing was, but I sure was thankful they existed. Mavis just collapsed onto the floor and turned away, her head lowered. I wasn't sure if that was really normal or not, but I was just relieved to know she was okay.

“OH!” I just thought aloud. “And how about doing away with all our wounds?”

“AYE-AYE!”

I poked my belly just to make sure, as none of the changes really felt noticeable. Bit pudgy, but didn't hurt. Kinda fun, actually. I poked my belly some more. Then my stomach growled.

“Shit, are you some kinda genie or something?”

“IF THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!”

“Dead-ass?”

I let Mephistopheles float about. The bigger fish to fry was seeing if Mavis was okay or not, so I went over to her and crouched down. She was sitting, head in her legs. I wished I could see her, if nothing else, to confirm that she was all right.

“Hey, I'm flattered that you want to be like me, but I think you should try to be more like yourself. I'm sure you've got some good qualities, too, you just gotta figure out what those are.”

“Shut up...” She muttered.

“Suit yourself,” I shrugged and sat down next to her. Little rumbling sounds made their utterances from my stomach. Oh boy, I sure knew that call when I heard it.

“Hey Mephisto, could you get us some pizza? I'm kinda hungry.”

“WHAT TOPPINGS?”

“Pepperoni, sausage, hm...yeah, I think that should do it.”

As I sat, cross-legged, a large coardboard box of pizza manifested into my lap. I opened the box and the sweet steam of grease and cheese flew into the terminals of my nostrils. I picked up a slice and took a bite. So much goo, so much love. Some little bits of meat never hurt, either.

I finished my slice and picked up another, mouth full of crust.

“You want some?”

“Leave me alone...”

“More for me!” I declared, dropping the whole thing in my mouth.

In a sense, I enjoyed the silence. We were in a deadly series of facilities, deep underground, just us two girls and whatever Mephistopheles happened to be. It was the best form of relaxation I had gotten in a long time. It almost made up for the previous five minutes.

“That's not me...I am me...I want to be me...” She continued mumbling and trailing off. “I don't understand what that was...why I was acting like that...”

I took in another bite of pizza while listening to her.

“You want my guess? My guess is you were probably someone who looked somewhat similar to me or had a similar background. Maybe a similar personality. Or you were tangentially related. You were someone else way, way, long ago. Kind of like how Sgt. Michaels was probably just your average run-of-the-mill jingoistic commando. Now he's all obsessed with fabric stores. Anyway, over time, your personality kept altering either through death and rebirth via cloning or genetic manipulations through 'check-ups'. You might have been some hacker type or just an eager lesbian hooked by some army mall kiosk and they looked at you and went 'we want you...to be Velvet'.” I tried to explain, mouth full of food. Delicious food, by the way. Who knew genies were such good cooks?

She turned her head. I got a glimpse of her eyes through her hair. Violet. Her side-eye may have obscured most, but I never ignore eye color.

“...Do you really know all this?”

I shrugged. “Of course not. Just a guess.”

“What I don't get is why me? Well, maybe it's the fact that I broke in and stole a ship. They probably thought that was pretty impressive. Maybe they thought if they could replicate me in someone else and get that someone else to kill me, they'd have some pretty sick shit on their hands. Not saying they're wrong, but that's awfully dumb.”

I stretched my arms. Hungry as I had been, I just wasn't sure how I was going to finish all that pizza.

“Anyway, I think we ought to get a move on, don'cha thnk?”

She went right back to burying her head in her lap.

“No. Leave me.”

“Excuse me? After all that? After all those...whatever, these past few days have been a blur, I gotta admit.”

“I was born here. Or maybe I wasn't. I don't know. But this place is all I know. You should go.”

My face scrunched into a grimace. “No! I refuse! Nu-uh! Nope!”

She looked at me, matching my rage with her own. “You don't get a say! It's my decision! I'm staying right here!”

I let out a sigh. I couldn't just deny someone, could I? My mind flashed back to Blanc in that makeshift forest with Mephistopheles, the two sitting together under that tree. If I hadn't left them, maybe Blanc would have still been safe...

Even still, I relented.

“Fine. I'll go. But promise you'll be safe?”

“I make no promises!” She barked, then stuck out her tongue.

Even as hard as a decision as it was, I decided to start getting up and walking, leaving her and the pizza box behind. Before I even took two steps away, she called out to me.

“Hey!”

My ears perked.

“Hm?”

“You do realize if I die, it's not your fault, right?”

“Yeah,” I smiled.

“Good. Now go, you annoying piece of shit.”

I got a few more paces in.

“One more thing!” She yelled. “Etna was wrong about you! You're too nice to ever have been one of us!”

...I didn't understand that last bit, but I decided to roll with it, still smiling, and watching as my new companion, Mephistopheles, floated right by my side. With my legs and the rest of me fully functioning, I forged ahead and wished Mavis all the best.

#happiness overload #velvet #Mavis Beacon #mephistopheles #writing #stories #actually cant think of what else to tag #ok bye now

[anneimaginesundertale]

Replies - Scattering Brainstorm

Thanks for all the responses to my brainstorm post last night.  Let’s see what we’ve got...(Under a cut because this is super long...)

@mavi-mav - Those are all fantastic ideas.  Oblivious!Reader would be fun.  Based on the Horrortale short, I think we could also make her kind of overly trusting and tenderhearted. I’m interested to see what happens with her and how she develops as the story unfold.  

Roadtrip tropes will abound, I’m sure.  I can see Sans pulling the “Are we there yet?” schtick just to annoy his brother and Papyrus saying, “Don’t make me pull this car over!  I’ll do it!” I like the idea of having to sit with someone in the backseat, the skeletons fighting over who gets shotgun (and who gets to sit with Reader), and someone falling asleep on someone else in the backseat.  The skeles would also have to get used to Reader needing to go to the bathroom. And of course, at some point, there will only be one bed.  Also probably fighting over whose bed Reader will take.  (I can see the Fell bros fighting over this...) 

I love the idea of going to visit Alphys and Undyne (and maybe Mettaton?) in Japan.  Someone can end up in Canada, and they can definitely take a trip to France. I think the Dancetale skeletons might have ended up traveling the world with a dance troupe, so maybe that’s why Reader and co. would go to Europe.  Not sure on that yet.  I haven’t read a lot of Dancetale stuff, so I’d need to look into it more.  It is a cool AU, though. 

We will meet the skeletons from the AUs I already do first.  Reader knows the UT brothers, who take her on the initial road trip, and then they’ll pick up others along the way. My current plan is to space them out across the country (and then around the world) and for Reader to meet them in order from least to most threatening, at least until she gets to Horrortale.  Those boys are the first ones that the skeletons tell Reader to avoid.  I don’t think they’d even warn her off the Mob boys, although you could argue that they are more dangerous than Sansy and Sweets.  But they really didn’t want her to meet the HT boys, and whatever happens after that, it’s something Reader and the boys would have to deal with. 

@helpmeimawkwardbutfun - I love all your ideas too!  Everyone seems to like the idea of Dancetale, so they will make a cameo.  I’d have to think about where Outertale and G!Sans would end up, but I wouldn’t mind have them pop up for a visit.  I’d have to look into G!Sans more.  I’m not sure he has his own official AU.  I think he just kind of pops up in various places.  If anyone knows more about him, please let me know so I can look into things. Maybe I’ll have the Mafiafell boys in the same place as the Mobtale boys - rivals, perhaps? I’ll have to think about how to make them different from the MT and UF boys...

A beach chapter seems to be a given in reverse harem stories, so that could definitely be worked in somewhere. A camping trip could also be part of things.  Maybe they have to camp out one night because there aren’t any motels? Or maybe the skeletons they’re visiting like camping so they tag along?  I’ll keep it in mind...

I love all your international travel ideas. If you’ve been to all those places, then I will have to pick your brain about them!  I am not actually all that well traveled, so I want to do some research about any place I send Reader to make sure I get things right.  I’ve been to England and Scotland but other than that I’ve spent my whole life here in the USA.  

Friends to lovers is a given in pretty much any story I write.  :)  Reader and UT Sans will have been friends for about a year when this story starts, and she’s going to befriend all the rest of the skeletons along the way. Some of them will probably flirt more with her than others, but (especially if she’s going to be Oblivious), her first goal is going to be just to get to know all of them.  

Overall, a lot of good ideas!  Feel free to send more if you have them.  I’m working on an outline of what should happen when. 

#a scattering of skeletons #brainstorming

[insanescriptist]

Rereading the Fairy Tail manga for research purposes, so having reached a little past chapter 100, here’s impressions:

-Natsu’s not a complete idiot

-He’s just a mostly thoughtless one who doesn’t see destruction as a bad thing or as something to avoid. Hence why he doesn’t try to limit it

-He’s actually bad at intentionally trying to destroy things. Accidentally however...

-Dragon Slayer Magic is technically using an Enchantment to temporarily transform parts of a person’s body to be like a dragon’s. Which makes sense considering an Enchanter made it.

-Considering that magic can change a person’s body in various ways, accidentally making it possible to turn into a dragon should have been expected.

-Actually considering that due to Lacrima, Cobra and Laxus don’t have inner dragons doing the anti-body thing to prevent that specific side-effect, chances are they will turn into dragons eventually if they keep using it.

-Same for Sting and Rogue, since their dragons are dead.

-A lot of Natsu’s attacks are actually magnified by the enchantment; Natsu’s sheer destructive power makes a lot more sense that way. Natsu however has no sense of scale so he does things like 500x times more powerful than he needs to

-Happy is a lot smarter than he appears; he’s just an obnoxious little shit-stirrer

-Lucy stayed with Mira while trying to find an apartment to rent; also it’s Mira that hands out a copy of Lucy’s apartment key to her team.

-So they’re not breaking in. Mostly.

-Gray so killed a person without blinking; he froze a guy’s head solid during the whole ‘Lullaby Incident.’

-It’s Gray’s speed with his magic that makes him dangerous

-Gray has his issues but he’s a lot more prideful than a person would expect; intelligent fighters are great okay?

-Lyon however I have issues with. Lots of. How did you get followers? Especially ones that were part of a mage guild? Did you put out an ad in Socerer’s Weekly? How did you pay for all the supplies you’d need for a group of people for three years? How did you even move Deliora?

-Also Gray’s from the ‘northern continent’ so um... plot-hole space? Unless there’s like a second ‘northern continent’ so the ‘western counties’ remark by Ur makes sense

-need to go look at that book Levy has on one of the splash pages; is a world map

-Actually there’s a lot more death, but it’s mook death so we don’t care. See how the army was ‘defeated’ by Eisenwald or whatever it was called. This is further combined with the mooks that died at the Tower of Heaven; not just in the slave revolt flashback but when the tower is destroyed and they’re crushed, followed by the unstable magic of Etherion doing whatever to the crystals

-Lucy knows she weaker than them physically; she at least makes up for it by having a wider background knowledge of magic. Too bad none of this ever gets followed up on in other ways.

-Lucy is uncomfortable taking jobs without the rest of the team; no wonder you’re a broke bitch. Taking jobs with just Natsu means your income is breadcrumbs.

-Lucy’s also had to have renegotiated her contracts with her keys several times; otherwise she’d have only access to all her spirits on Wednesday as that’s the only ‘day’ Aquarius originally let Lucy call her on.

-When Lucy got Loke? She went and accidentally renegotiated Celestial Spirit Magic contracts in general. Because for Loke’s story to logically work out, a mage could only have one Celestial Spirit out at a time. With Loke jamming Karen out, she couldn’t summon another.

-So Lucy made it possible for summoners to have two out at one time; clearly the time for Spirit Double Battles is near

-Also Karen probably had another magic of some sort. Celestial Spirit Mages by themselves are considered weak because there’s so many conditions built into using the magic; when to use the spirit mostly but also all the agreements between the contractors. Hence Lucy must have renegotiated all her contracts at least once, as Lucy uses her keys more indiscriminately as the series progresses. It’s a versatile magic, but limited to having the item, having the contract, being the day of able to use the spirit’s time/energy etc

-Lucy might want to look into learning some other magic to be more well-rounded; as intelligent as she is, runes would be easy enough. So would re-quip. You’ve lost your keys how many times now?

-Laxus what are you wearing when first introduced? Please tell me that it was laundry day and you were wearing a gag gift from Bixlow, even if Bixlow hasn’t been introduced yet. Because awful. Let Natsu burn it, please.

-Also Laxus, considering the size of the communication lacrima in the guild, how large is the one you’re carrying? Also how do they work because the one Urtear has with her later is like the size of a basketball. Not exactly portable.

-Cana is awesome and has great leadership skills; she lead the defense of the guild against Phantom while Erza was out cold and Mira was being useless

-The Guildhall clearly has several sub-levels. Mavis’ body is well hidden and probably the reason why the basement hasn’t flooded despite being next to the lake. Makarov, I love you but it’s probably Prech/Hades who reinforced the shit out of the sub-layers.

-Loke probably overdid it during the attack by Phantom Lord and probably shaved off a few months of his ability to stay in Earthland while defending the guild. No wonder he was looking so terrible after

-Juvia once dated Bora of Titan’s Nose; you know the guy in the first chapter that Natsu beat up? You’re better off without him.

-Juvia dear, a crush is not love and you’re being somewhat obsessive; that it only gets worse and is eventually reciprocated is less than ideal; maybe it’s those last few chapters of Naruto but I keep seeing Sakura/Sasuke parallels in the ‘chase the man down for a pity fuck, get it, get a child, have ongoing depressive episode’?

-I probably wouldn’t mind this so much if Juvia had more of a personality than ‘love struck, obsessive fan.’ Like what are your ideals, what do you like that’s not about Gray?

-Lucy’s tragic backstory is probably less lonely when you consider she probably could hang out in the local ‘large’ village; she’d be slumming it but she at least would have had friendly acquaintances

-The staff do love her and she them; Lucy just doesn’t have her father’s love

-Jude is a piece of work that deserves to be told off; also, marrying Lucy to nobility for land to expand business so your eventual grandson will inherit?

-Fuck you; Lucy should have slapped a bitch. As it is, refusing to do so probably put a nail in the coffin of your business Jude.

-There’s a difference between ‘army’ and ‘rune knight’ and the latter are solely answerable to the ‘Magic Council.’ Also the ‘Magic Council’ seems to be a continent spanning organization separate from the national government, meant to monitor and organize mage guilds.

-It being corrupt as it is later is not really a surprise as there’s really not a lot to hold them accountable; Jellal and Ultear infiltrated the council and it’s implied that Jellal through work for the Council was named Wizard Saint.

-There’s probably more than just those two who have infiltrated the ‘Magic Council’ organization. Those two are just notable for having reached such a high level, as they both had voting power.

-Erza’s actually a holder-type mage, who can also use caster-type magic

-Specifically re-quip is a caster-type magic but she uses both the inherent and charged abilities of her armor and weapons to further her strength and abilities physically and magically. She’s also got some telekinesis so she can also further use this to ‘wield’ more weapons

-Erza’s oblivious to a lot of social things, which is not surprising as she’s not actually the social type.

-She’s missed so many people having a crush on her: Simon, Lucy, Gray, Bisca... yeah, Erza turns people into useless lesbians. Gray somehow manages to avoid this, possibly through the power of stripping. More probably through friendship and being in a Rivalry with Natsu

-Rivals is a relationship status okay; someone where between committed and it’s complicated

-Erza’s ability to kill a bitch gets nerfed for plot purposes; namely Jellal

-Jellal, you being evil I like. You have personality. You’re an asshole but somehow charming with your teenage boy sense of humor and extra-ness. Your fashion sense however needs work.

-Jellal was clearly in charge of getting supplies and such for his minions/slaves. And yet he can’t import a fashion sense? Clearly skipped movie night too much

-Wally so did make movie nights happen; they can probably quote movies verbatim

-Jellal focused a lot on Natsu. Not for his magic but because he wanted to fight Natsu. No evil plotting here

-Simon, you are so pathetic, this is why you’re a plot point later, so you can actually be useful after death

-Also Erza, ‘Eternal Wizard Saint’? Aren’t you just going a little far in your imaginary funeral. Makarov’s speech was in character but, a little more realism

-Oh and there’s more mook death in the Tower of Heaven arc; I think I mentioned it before? Them getting crushed by a collapsing tower and then vaporized by unstable magic? No wonder Erza and Jellal were spit back out; plenty of people died.

-Erza probably ripped open her second origin/magic container here, trying to absorb and direct the unstable Etherion magical build-up

-The way the story is framed makes you think the dragons are out and in hiding somewhere, instead of being spirits inside their slayers or something

-It’s probably a flashback?

-Oh and Lucy can make fireworks too; clearly gate keys are not just for summoning spirits

#Izzy rambles #Izzy tells no lies here #reference #Sin and Power

[ratretro]

You probably don't do requests, but i was wondering if you could do a Nalu fanfic involving Natsu listening to Lucy's heartbeat and/or performing CPR on her (somewhat inspired by manga chapter 538)?

Title: Let’s Read a Book

Pairing: NaLu

Request: Natsu listening to Lucy’s heartbeat

Rating: T (edited because it wasn’t even M I just forgot to change the rating)

None of these characters are owned by me, they are all owned by the wonderful Hiro Mashima!

A/N:

So, this was slightly inspired from when I went to the bookstore yesterday. Otherwise this would have sat in my WIPs for like a long time. I’m human garbage honestly sorry not sorry. I do take requests, but only when I’m not taking commissions. Luckily, I’ve decided to prolong opening commissions because I’m still hashing out a few extra details. 

           Lucy mumbled to herself as she struggled to turn the page of her favorite book. Natsu’s head was delicately pressed to her chest, and while it had caused her some mild strife at first they eventually found a position that worked for them both. Still, his sudden need to be right on her had thrown her off course. She’d been nose deep in her book as she’d come to the climax of the story. Her heart was pounding in her chest furiously with every page turn as Tom was rushing in to save the love of his life from danger. It’d reminded her of Natsu, and how he’d save her no matter what. Even if it meant his life – which she by no means wanted, and had he ever done it she’d bring him back to life just to murder him again. All of his actions tonight had her concerned, but she was trying not to mind it. She wasn’t going to question or pry.

             “Lucy.” A statement with no follow up. She was currently resting the bind of the book on the top of his head so she figured it was bothering him. She lifted the book from his scalp.

           “Yes?” he wasn’t even worried about the book. In fact, it had taken them nearly ten minutes to finally get comfortable, and if she wanted to rest a book on his head then so be it. Currently, he had his pressed into her chest with his right hand pulling her body to him, and his left draped across the bed. They were both laying on their sides with their legs in a tangled mess.

           He was in heaven with her heart beating in his ear. It rumbled strong, and steady with every single beat and a small sigh escaped his lips. His intense fear finally subsided after 20 minutes of her nose deep in whatever book she was reading that week, and him listening intently to the sounds deep in her chest. He chuckled when she came to a part that he assumed  was exciting since the steady thumbs had become frantic, and then they’d calmed down after 3 page turns. Finally, his nightmare rolled off his shoulders allowing him to relax. He’d been experiencing them frequently lately, and every time he couldn’t hear the thumping that normally lulled him to sleep he would panic. He’d awaken in the stark darkness of night with her missing from his side only to find that she’d gone to the bathroom.

           The terrors of his dreams constantly flashed in his mind of Lucy unmoving, and sticky, wet blood covering her eyes. They weaved together in an unmistakable pattern. Though settings may be different, or even the manner in which the incident occurred it always ended the same: Lucy without the echo he heard right now. He couldn’t let that happen, but if he told Lucy he was sure she’d say something that would ease his troubled mind. That wasn’t in his cards right now. The only thing in his cards was ensuring the life of the girl next to him. The girl who was slowly reaching her breaking point.

           Lucy was becoming anxious as he continued to say nothing. He just stayed pressed against her like his entire life revolved around this single moment. If he thought she hadn’t noticed his tossing and turning or the way he sometimes mumbled her name in his sleep he’d be wrong. Not even two nights ago had she been mindlessly staring in the mirror when a loud, anguished scream jolted her from her sleepy haze. She’d run into the room frantically to find him scanning the room wildly like something was missing and he was filled to the brim with desperation to find it. She was on the bed in seconds with a grip on his shoulders that could rival the dragon slayer’s own strength. His eyes set on her, and immediately he relaxed. He’d tugged her next to him in a swift motion, and with his head in her chest – much like now – he was fast asleep.

           “Please don’t leave.” His tone of voice caught her completely off guard as the pinkette had once again surprised her. Leave? Why would she leave?

           “Silly, I won’t leave you. Although, I think I reserve the right to at least one disappearance. But just be warned you started it.” today she was teasing. That was a variable topic. Somedays, she could tease and even laugh about it wholeheartedly. Somedays, it hurt her deep in her heart and she couldn’t stand to think of it let alone mention it. It didn’t seem like the time to be opening old wounds, and that was certainly a deep one so today was teasing. Still, her heart skipped a beat and Natsu’s grip on her tightened.

           “I did. I won’t leave ya ever again. I promise.” His promise filled the tension in the room, but Lucy knew better. If he’d left once he’d leave again. Hopefully, the next time he did she would be able to keep herself together. The thought that she’d fallen apart after his departure was a deep regret. She’d have to live without Natsu someday, but thankfully today wasn’t that day.

           “Right. We’re supposed to be together forever.” What hit Natsu like a freight train was how she said ‘supposed to’ as though it wasn’t a guarantee. He couldn’t really argue a point here since he was the one who left. He never once regretted his choice on that. What was the point of being strong if you couldn’t protect the ones you love?

           “And we will be. Have I—” he never finished his sentence, because for an entire year he had let her down. Even if he hadn’t intended to. He’d left a note, and he thought she’d be safe in the hands of the guild. He didn’t realize gramps was going to dissolve Fairy Tail the very next day. He hadn’t expected everyone to separate. He hadn’t expected that she’d be left all alone.

           None of it had occurred to him, because that was just never something that could happen to Fairy Tail. Except it had. His hands were rough, and scarred, from every battle he’d won, and even the battles he’d lost. That didn’t matter to him, or her, as his fingers threaded into her blonde tresses to push them from her face. His hands cupped her cheek as he nuzzled into her neck. Lucy quivered slightly, and it wasn’t hard for the pinkette to notice the reaction considering how their bodies were meshed together.

           “We will be.” She mumbled back even though she didn’t believe the words she’d just spoken. The celestial spirit mage’s heartbeat was hammering in her chest, and Natsu found his body vibrating at the sound. He tugged her even closer and what skin of hers was bare rubbed against his own. He’d started stripping his clothes off the minute he walked into her apartment, and at this point he was clad in a tight pair of boxers that hugged his lower body.

Lucy wouldn’t lie and say she’d never looked, but it was hardly the time to be thinking that way about her best friend. Did best friends even do these types of things? Holding each other close, laying tangled together? She didn’t feel like they were supposed to, but for her and Natsu it just seemed right.

           “If you stay naked all the time you’ll end up like Grey.” She teased him softly with a voice that sounded like there was something stuck in her throat.

           “And here I thought you loved me.” He said in an exasperated tone, clearly following her lead to usher them into a topic that would be comfortable for the two of them.

           “Alas, as an heiress to a previously well-known konzern it is impossible for a delicate lady such as myself to love a stripper.” she pressed her Fairy Tail mark to her forehead to follow the drama that had ensued.

           “Right. Delicate.” A snicker left him before he could stop it, and then it was full blown laughter that rumbled like thunder in his chest.

           “You’re incorrigible.” She huffed with a pout settling to her lips. Those red lips that contrasted with her pale as snow skin. Natsu had to tear his eyes from her face to look literally anywhere else.

           “I don’t know the meaning of the word.” He was trying to be sultry, and his voice even dropped an octave as he gently raised to his hands and knees. Honestly though, he had no idea what the word meant. His right leg was positioned between her thighs, and his hands were on either sides of her hips as he hovered over her body. Natsu finally allowed himself to look at her face. Most especially her eyes. They had a light haze to them, but he’d recognize that honey brown anywhere. The honey brown he’d almost lost to Dimaria.

           “N-Natsu?” she moved backwards ever so slightly until her back bumped into the wooden headboard she’d bought earlier that week.

           “Yes?” his lips hovered just inches from hers while he lay in wait for the sound of her heartbeat. His ears were finally able to focus, and dear Mavis Lucy’s heart was pounding a million miles a minute.

           “What are you doing?” the blonde mumbled with her voice low, and even though she was questioning him there was no doubt in his mind that she knew exactly what he was doing.

           Lucy Heartfilia realized in that moment that he might be trying to kiss her. The second thing she realized was that she wasn’t opposed to it. In fact, she wanted it. Her heart threatened to rip from her chest as the distance between them clouded her mind. He was going to hover, and torture her for all eternity at this rate. Stubborn dragon with his equally patient teasing. The fact that he could be so still for so long was what got her every time.

           So, she did what she thought was best. Her body moved barely an inch forward so their lips could meet for the first time. Natsu stiffened as the soft flesh met his chapped skin, and suddenly it occurred to him that his partner might actually have feelings for him. What kind of feelings? Only Mavis knew. Lucy, however, was torn between two choices. Since the dragon slayer hadn’t reciprocated the kiss she felt she had to correct the situation. One option: follow through with her decision and deal with the consequences. Two: end it and apologize. Both were appealing as one was fulfilling a moment she’d wanted, and then the second was allowing her a back track.

           Natsu was still frozen while he waited for his brain to finally reboot. He hadn’t thought she’d be the one to initiate, but here they were. Him hovering above her while keeping his weight from crushing her. His strength was draining quickly from the way she was effecting him. He didn’t want to follow through in case she was just rolling with the moment, but he didn’t want it to end either. If he proceeded then it could be a change of their relationship, and he didn’t want to ruin what they had. Well, shit. He pressed his lips to hers gently earning a small whimper. Oh Mavis, he had to turn back now or he might actually drown in this girl’s body and scent.

           She was reciprocating even as their teeth occasionally clicked together from their shared lack of experience. It was a tender kiss where his hands cupped her cheeks, and though his lips were cracked he still pressed to those soft pink lips that tasted like strawberry.

           “Promise?” he brought the question back to her during a small break while she gasped for air.

           “Promise.”

#kaminon #nalu requests #nalu #nalu ff #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #bae #dorkneel #otp: welcome home #fairy tail #ft #my writing

[cosmeticleaf-blog]

A Gruvia Fanfic: A Battle

A Gruvia fanfic Based on the period of which the Grand Magic Games arc is held. Story: Juvia was listed to battle one of Raven Tail's member Kurohebi. As it was Juvia's turn to enter the field of battle in the Grand Magic Games. She happens to encounter the enemy such as Kurohebi, a RavenTail member, who just so happens to be a very strong wizard. Master Makarov was very worried on what the outcome will be, so as the 1st master Mavis. But, Juvia wasnt afraid, no she was not. To prove herself to Gray, she has to prove that she is strong enough for battle. "The next round is Fairy tail B's Juvia Lockser vs Raven Tail's Kurohebi!!" As one of the hosts of the game reminded everyone. The crowd went wild. One side voting for Fairy tail, the other for Raven tail. "Juvia has to find a way to battle him. But for somehow its very hard to think of a strategy. However, Juvia cannot lose! She has to fight for the guild!" Juvia told herself metally. For the guild and everyone she loves, she will have to fight. As Juvia looked towards the arena with worry in her eyes, Mirajane placed her arm on her shoulder. "Hey Juvia, It'll be ok. Win or Lose, your still a member of Fairytail and we can simply gain more points next time so this is nothing to worry about ok?" Juvia placed a smile on her face. Right, it will be ok. Juvia walked into the Arena as well as Kurohebi, everyone looking in their direction. Screaming, "Raven Tail! Fairy Tail!". Juvia looked around at the crowd, feeling nervous if shes going to win or not. "Are you going to strike or not. Im not going to stand here and watch you look like an idiot." Kurohebi complained. Juvia had nothing to say. All she had was a glare like no other. "Now the match begins in three, two, one, BEGIN!" As Juvia quickly striked, using one of her spells. "WATER SLICER!" She screamed as a slice of water came towards him. However, he dodged it. SAND STORM! a storm of sand went towards Juvia, so quickly, she wasnt fast enough to dodge it which sent her flying in the air, and landing on her body with how many bruises and wounds. "Juvia-chan! You can do it! I believe in you!" A familiar voice cheered her on. It was Lyon. She heard him cheering her on which gave her a little smile. Gray, however, heard it as well which made him grit his teeth and groan. Then the battle continued.. Juvia was never able to lay a single scratch on him which made the Fairytail guild worry about her wounds, especially Gray. "WATER NEBULA!" "SAND BODY!" "WATER NEBULA!" "What? How did you- Gah!" "Juvia!!" Gray screamed. "I display the magic 'Mimic' which gives me the opportunity to copy any spell the enemy strikes." "Ahh! Juvia is not backing down on a fight which she has already entered! SIERRA!" A surprising attack hit Kurohebi and caused him to fall. "Gah!" Kurohebi screamed. "Thats it. Ive had enough." Kurohebi exclaimed with terrorizing eyes. As Kurohebi sprints into Juvia with speed like no other. "WATER SLICER!". "GAH!" Juvia screamed as she fell onto the ground. Is this the end? Will Fairy tail lose against RavenTail? As Juvia lays down on the ground, lifeless. Kurohebi places his foot untop of her head. Crushing the life out of her. "STOP THAT! PLEASE!" Lucy screams with tears upon her eyes, as for all of the Fairytail wizards faces were filled with tears seeing their friend in danger. "GAAAHHH!!" "That bastard!!" "Come on Juvia! Stand up!!!"  "What are you goin to do now? Helpless little fairy?. Give up yet? I'll makes sure that all of your little guildmates go down. They'll all suffer never ending pain with the wrath of Raven tail!" "WHATS THIS?! KUROHEBI THREATENS THE FAIRYTAIL GUILD WITH DEATH?!" "Ivan." The 6th master Makarov muttered. "And as for your boyfriend, Gray Fullbuster. I'll makes sure he suffers something more than death itself. Then, all your guild mates as well" Juvia heard the words that slipped from his mouth. Which gave her rage like none other. (Just like the time when Juvia had to fight Meredy but even more frightening.) Will Juvia prevail? Find out in the next chapter!! Authors note: Hi guys! Hope you enjoyed- no i know you enjoyed the chapter! (Maybe) Its basically my first time posting a fanfic sooo i hope you enjoyed! See ya!

#fairy tail #gruvia #gray x juvia #gruvia fanfiction #gray fullbuster #juvia lockser #mirajane strauss #fairy tail fanfiction #grand magic games #enjoy #water vs sand

[6ix-dragons]

FT Speculation Time: Which One Will be Gone, for Real?

So, you may have already heard about the news regarding the Fairy Tail manga ending in a couple of volumes. However, there was also other news that made the rounds online, especially on Reddit, and probably around here, as well. 

According to this post, by @thefairystales, this translated account of what was mentioned from a promo event (for the Dragon Cry movie) indicates that “a very important character” will be killed-off for real—at some point in the final chapters for the story. In this post, a question was directed to Hiro Mashima by a fan. The manga’s author responded by mentioning how saddened he was, when he drew his manuscript (presumably for the upcoming chapter, or so), just before further mentioning that at some point in the final 10 chapters of the manga, there will be “the final scene of a very important character”. 

Just who is that “very important character” has yet to be revealed, as Mashima has stated in that post that he “can’t say who it is about”. What has also been known so far, from what was reported in that post, is that two of the people who voiced the major characters in the anime adaptation, have voiced their surprise after his answer. In the case of the person who voiced such surprise at Hiro’s answer...it was actually from the voice actress for Lucy.

Now, before I continue any further, I just want to express a few things. Firstly, I want to mention about how there is a precedent behind this kind of news. A couple of story arcs before the current Alvarez arc, the Tartaros arc in particular, Hiro Mashima mentioned somewhere that an important character will be killed-off around the end of that arc. It was later revealed that Natsu’s father figure, Igneel, was killed-off at that point, late in the arc. 

Secondly, however, I also want to point out that, depending on how it goes for the final chapters of the story, the very potential for this ‘important character’ to be killed-off may not even happen at all. If it does happen, ‘though, then there may also be the potential for said character to be written right back in. And, again, this is due to a precedent behind it. Fans of this series may recall the “fake deaths” that happened earlier in the Alvarez arc, particularly with Gajeel, and Juvia (Makarov, however, is someone that will be mentioned further down in this post). Those who have read those chapters that featured such instances would believe that this certain character was killed-off for real, until it was revealed later on, that they really weren’t.

Thirdly, and this is rather from me personally...I just don’t like it that one of the major characters will be killed-off for real—especially if it’s a protagonist. For certain reasons in my mind, I feel that killing-off a major character this late in the story just doesn’t feel right. Especially with all the fake deaths that were aforementioned here, it somewhat doesn’t make sense to just kill off a character like that. Besides, the author of the manga mentioned at one point in the past, there would be some sort of “happy ending” for the story. There wasn’t any mention of a “bittersweet ending”, or anything like that...so, I have to wonder what the author intends to do, in terms of wrapping-up the story. 

And now, lastly, what you’re about to read below, is just purely speculation of what’s going to happen in the final chapters for the story. Simply put, these are only my opinions of what will happen in those final chapters, and these opinions are based on what has happened already, in those previous two chapters of the manga.

With all that mentioned aside, here are the characters that I think, have the potential to be killed-off for real—for the final chapters of the story (from the highest potential, to the lowest potential):

(Be aware; there are spoilers for the most recent FT chapters below!)

Jellal

Ohhh, boy...he’d just had to do it, didn’t he? But, in all seriousness, he currently has the highest potential to be killed-off permanantly. You would have thought from before, with how Erza had to talk him off of doing things like this, he would be able to learn not to give his whole life away for what he has done in the past. 

To those who have already read the manga, or just don’t give a hoot about spoilers, this is what happened: chased down, on the heels of a furious Acnologia (in his fully-fledged dragon form, mind you), Jellal decides to save the lives of those on the Christine, by just going after one of the biggest bad. Instead, he ends up in the clutches of the villainous dragon-slayer...and this is where I think that might be it for Jellal.

Personally, I’m kind of okay, if Jellal is the one who gets killed-off. I mean, with how he deeply feels about all the things he has done over the years, I don’t doubt his intentions to risk his own life, for the sake of saving those he knows and cares about. As someone who ships him with Erza, ‘though...yeah, it would definitely be devastating. I mean, considering what they went through, and how their relationship developed, it would have been nice to see those two end up together AND living! But, in case if Jellal gets killed-off for real, then I’d be okay with it (although I will greatly lament what could have been, in terms of him being together with Erza).

I would also seem to think that this is just a result of the author’s writing, given the intentions to end the story sooner. I just don’t think that the whole chase between the Christine and Acnologia should have been written in at all, so that something like this wouldn’t even be necessary! Or, even before then, not have Acnologia confront Erza and Wendy in the first place. 

Despite all this, there’s still some sort of expectation that Jellal wouldn’t be the one to be killed-off for real, after what he just did in chapter 535. Here’s hoping that he doesn’t meet a tragic fate!

Lucy

Here’s another character that I think, has the highest potential to be killed-off for real (not as high as Jellal, ‘though)...hopefully not.

Having saved Natsu from certain death (another character, in which I’ll get to, shortly) in chapter 534, Lucy becomes empowered by the Book of E.N.D.—so much so, it ends up affecting her physically. Fortunately, in chapter 535, she wasn’t further harmed by the effects of editing the book, but there are mentions in the chapter that she could face even worse reprecussions, by making changes to whatever’s inside the book. 

Now, the only way I could ever think about how she can be killed-off, is if she sacrifices herself (just like Jellal did) to save the ones she truly cares about. This might be quite apt, but this is something that I can definitely see happening. Maybe in a situation where she is confronted by Zeref, she somehow makes a sacrifice that takes up a certain amount of magic she cannot handle, and it ends up saving Natsu, and the others...but at the cost of her own life. 

I’m pretty sure reading that paragraph above will make some of you quite unsettled (especially for the NaLu fans). Honestly, I wouldn’t like it very much, either, if it comes to this. Furthermore, it leaves the question of what happens to the Heartfilia family line, if she ends up dying.

One of the things that would certainly have to be addressed, in order for that to happen, would be the Book of E.N.D. itself. I believe, when Lucy rewrote certain sections of the book inside, it resulted in her life being chained directly to Natsu’s life. How the author addresses that issue, is pretty much up to him.

Otherwise, I can also see a scenario where Lucy gets revived somehow, after she “dies” (much like what happened at the end of Rave Master). That is one particular scenario that I’m hoping/expecting it will happen, in the story’s conclusion.

Erza

If I had to guess another character that is most likely to be killed-off (as with Lucy) within the closing chapters of the story, it would be Erza—despite how ridiculous it may sound. 

However, I can’t really mention that it is ridiculous to think of that idea, after what had transpired in chapter 535. The only way I can ever think about how she would be killed-off, is if she gives up her own life to save Jellal from Acnologia. A situation, in which Erza dies fighting the major villain, or they both end up through the Timelapse. That would devastate Jellal, much in the same way Erza would be, for if he does sacrifice himself for her. Of course, it would also devastate Erza fans, as well as fans of the Jerza pairing. 

As we’ve seen before, ‘though, just about no situation can ever be that dangerous, nor threatening to her life. Time, and again, we’ve seen her in such perilous instances, where it felt as if she were to die. However—and this could also be attributed to the way the author writes things—she somehow manages to pull through, barely by the skin of her teeth. So, it may be possible that she could be the one to be killed-off...but, at the same time, it may also be possible that she can pull through. Hopefully, with Jellal still there, by her side.

Zeref

As much as I can mention about him, Zeref does have the high potential to be killed-off in the story’s close...especially so, given the mostly-villainous vibes of his character. 

The only ways I can ever see Zeref being killed-off, is if he is defeated, by either one of: Mavis, Lucy, or Natsu. I mean, there’s the possibility that these three can team up to go against him, and one of them strikes the finishing blow. Also, there’s the potential of Acnologia defeating him, too, which would be more interesting for the story—should it actually happen. 

I know that, for some, they would feel somewhat saddened if Zeref were to die, considering his unfortunate past. But, the fact of the matter is, it is still the same Zeref that Natsu and the others in the guild have to stop, before he becomes the catalyst for the end of the world (and the timeline, as they know it). And so, he continues to be one of the main villains that Fairy Tail must defeat. 

Again, just like what was mentioned with Lucy above, the issue surrounding the Book of E.N.D. must be addressed first. 

Natsu

I believe that Natsu (as likely as Zeref, Erza, and Lucy above) is also most likely to be killed-off, in the final stages of the story. 

There’s one scenario that I could think, with the way he is taking on Zeref right now. Instead of Lucy sacrificing her life to save the others, Natsu sacrifices his own life to save her. 

The only thing I have against this notion, is that he was already on the verge of death, in chapter 533. Also, it was Igneel who expressed to him, more than a few chapters earlier, to keep on living. I can also see the potential that Natsu gets somehow revived, after he “dies” (again, much like what happened in Rave Master). Unless, I’m mistaken, and will sound foolish for mentioning it.

Furthermore, Mashima does need to address how Acnologia will be taken care of. The answer to whether Natsu takes on Acnologia—after Zeref, of course, or whether Natsu takes on both Zeref and Acnologia depends on how the author continues from 535.

Anna

Alright, so here’s another one that I’ve considered on this list. As lots of you may have known already, Anna (the ancestor to Lucy, from 400 years back) has emerged from hiding, and has devised a plan to send Acnologia into the Timelapse, after her original plan went awry.

It seems to me that, following the events of chapter 535, there is potential for Anna to actually spring into action. In this case, she would be the one to take on Acnologia herself, or be joined with Erza, in the fight against him. I would think, by doing so, she would take Acnologia into the Timelapse with her. It would be the one scenario that I would like to see, the most.

However, I also believe that Mashima has plans of his own, and that he’ll carry them on, for the next few chapters ahead. We’ll see how it pans out.

Gray

As likely as it is, but not as much as the five characters above, Gray may have the potential to be killed-off. I mean, he’s currently in the same area with Lucy, and they have to reach Natsu—while he’s still taking on Zeref. If anything, there is a considerable likelihood that Gray could be the one to take the fall for his guild. 

On the other hand, I don’t really think Gray will be the one, at all. When you look back from the beginning of the story, he already had quite a few of these instances, where he had a brush with death. Go back to the time, around the Galuna Island arc, where Gray tried to use “Iced Shell”, but ended up not using it. Then, it happened again, in chapters 334 and 335, where it seemed that he might have died for real. The next following instance of where he had the potential to be killed-off again, was much later in the Alvarez arc, when both Juvia and him had seemingly sacrificed themselves. Finally, there was the moment, when Gray tried to use his “Iced Shell” again, against Zeref.

Fortunately, in those few aforementioned examples, Gray came back alive and well—so far. And, honestly, I don’t think fans of Gray (nor the fans of Gruvia) would definitely want to see him be killed-off for real. 

Mavis

Technically, she was already dead, but she somehow still exists. Mavis, to me, is also likely to be killed-off. 

The way I can see it happen for her, is if she ends up defeating Zeref—by any means, but taking her own life with her, in doing so. It would certainly give closure to both Zeref and Mavis, in the story...although it would be quite bitter-sweet, as well. Ultimately, it’s up to the author, to decide what should be done about her.

BONUS: Makarov

Now, it seems totally absurd that he would be included into this list, seeing as how he’s already dead (having taken place, after all those ‘fake deaths’...a-hem). But, consider what Mashima mentioned in that blog post, from above. He mentioned the “final scene of a very important character”. 

What if, based on those very words, it really means that all of the surviving guild members pay their respects to Makarov—who passed on his legacy, by sacrificing himself, to protect the ones he knows? For all that’s known about Mashima, he can truly be a trolling author at best. So, I’m hoping that Mashima is referring to the fallen guild master, when he mentions the “final scene of a very important character”.

BONUS #2: Blue Pegasus/The Christine Crew

Well, considering how the Christine has ended up crashing into the water, it would seem that nobody on that ship could survive. But, this being Fairy Tail, where the majority of the characters end up unscathed...it would be much less likely that anybody on that ship would be killed-off. It just doesn’t seem that way, to me!

Alright...that’s all the characters that I can think of, who have the most potential to be killed-off for real, in the story’s closing. Again, it’s all speculation, and only my opinions, too, but I know that some of the choices out there, can be uncomfortable for some in the fandom. However, we don’t really know what’s going to come around the corner, as soon as the next few chapters hit. All that I can mention about it, and it is that we must remain a little bit optimistic, for some of those characters involved. And, if it does come true for the worst, we must be well prepared to brace for it (I know I’m trying to). 

If you have any comments, or suggestions you’d like to share, I’m all open to them!

#fairy tail #speculation time #personal takes #ft spoilers #long post #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #gray fullbuster #erza scarlet #jellal fernandes #zeref dragneel #anna heartfilia #mavis vermillion #makarov dreyar #blue pegasus

[riverofmemoriesft]

. Between the Lines . 195

Lucy was awoken from a restful sleep by a tug in her chest telling her something was wrong. She snapped upright with a gasp, panting for breath, as if she'd had a nightmare. She looked around, feeling Happy shifting between she and Natsu, who was still peacefully unconscious beside her. There was nothing off around her. No sign of dragons or future people.

Just Natsu and several others around them, all asleep.

Still not reassured, Lucy fingered her keys for comfort and dropped back down to watch the stars above, grateful that it was still warm and that no rain had passed by recently.

A soft sigh escaped Natsu beside her and for the first time that day, he shifted, moving, but didn't open his eyes. Lucy smiled a fraction as he threw an arm over her and buried his face contently against her shoulder, snoring away.

Something told her he'd wake up the next day despite Porlyusica saying otherwise, and she closed her eyes, eager for such a sight.

When she woke up the next day, she wanted to throttle the dragon slayer. While it had been nice to have him cuddling so close at night, with the sun up, the heat was sweltering. Add on a fire mage and you were in a puddle of sweat. Happy was gone and while there was a few people around, there weren't many. Many were hard at work out in the city.

"Get off," Lucy muttered, squirming out of Natsu's grip. He shifted, seeming to stir, and then went back to sleep. Rolling her eyes, Lucy checked her phone - only to find it was dead. And with power out for the entire city, there was no way to charge it unless Laxus somehow could convert his electricity.

After straightening her clothes - she really wished she could change and considered summoning her Spirits, but decided against it - Lucy headed out to see what needed to be done that day.

She found Hibiki of Blue Pegasus after searching, and he greeted her cheerfully. She returned the smile, remembering working with the mage before, and asked, "What can I do?"

He gestured towards the northern side of Crocus, where the worst of the destruction had happened. "Head over that way. There's not too many of your guild members there, but I know Sabertooth is working. They'll give you something to do."

"Thanks, Hibiki." Lucy flashed him a smile and then jogged off. She ran through the streets, catching sights of buildings that still stood in the once beautiful city. It still held its beauty in a haunted way, with its emptied streets and buildings. She remembered walking through them, side by side with her guild, and even the times she'd paced through them alone before magic even existed. She remembered striding down this very street to meet Ali…

How things had changed.

"Lucy!"

Lucy snapped out of her thoughts when she heard her name shouted. She looked over and found a cheerful Lector standing atop a piece of rubble, one of the first toppled buildings. He waved a paw as she started over.

His eyes twinkled, whiskers twitching. "Do you want me to take you to Sting?"

"Sure," she agreed. She frowned. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

Lector wiggled his tail playfully. "We cats are small and can fit where everyone else can't. So Frosch and I have been checking the buildings and getting inside to make sure there's no one trapped. I just happened to be out here."

"Hm," Lucy hummed, "Good job then. Why don't you take me to Sting so you can get back to work?"

Sting greeted her cheerfully and sent her off to work with a mage who worked outside of the guilds and under the control of the Council. She specialized in earth magic and she was friendly enough with just enough sarcasm to amuse the blonde. Together, they sorted through debris and the earth mage kept her magic going to make sure that they sifted debris away.

It was a few hours into their work, when Lucy was aching and sore, that a shout rang out.

"Lucy!"

She looked back to see Jellal rushing over, his dark eyes wide with shock. He stopped before them, heaving for air, and the earth mage arched a brow in amusement, continuing to work.

"Natsu's awake," he finally gasped. "He panicked a little when he woke up, but he's fine now. He said those weird chest pains have left completely and that he's ready to work, but Porlyusica wants him to rest. Makarov wants to know if you can come help him keep some children occupied."

"Sure," Lucy agreed. "Do you mind taking my place here?"

"Of course." Jellal offered the earth mage a friendly smile that she returned with a wink.

"Was fun working with you, Lucy. See you around," she hummed, waving as Lucy bid her farewell. Lucy waved in return and then left.

It took her less time to get back to the gardens than it had to find Lector and when she reached them, she just followed the source of the heat that added to the normal heat until she found Natsu bouncing up and down impatiently before an agitated Laxus and Mirajane. Mirajane beamed at the sight of her, a deadly look in her eyes.

"Take him," Mirajane growled, dropping her hands onto Lucy's shoulder. Lucy flinched, suddenly scared of the silver-haired mage. "Take him and entertain children and keep him out of the way, okay?"

Natsu pouted, onyx eyes sparkling with energy. "I'm not in the way though-"

"I just had to stop you from burning the gardens to ash," Laxus grunted. "You're in our way."

Lucy sighed, watching them leave - and then squawked as her energetic boyfriend tackled her in a tight hug, rubbing his cheek happily against hers. "Lucy! I couldn't find you and thought you'd disappeared again."

"That's because you're clingy as hell," Lucy snorted, but ran her fingers through his hair and pressed her face into his shoulder. He buried his own in her hair, inhaling happily, arms warm around her.

After a moment, he pulled back, searching her gaze. "Are you okay?" he fretted.

"Just a few bumps and bruises," Lucy promised, letting him look at the bruises on her chin. He frowned at the oddness of them and for once in his life, Natsu chose not to get too worried about them. She was a little relieved. He had no idea that Zeref, who she knew had some kind of weird obsession with him, had been there and she had demanded that Gray keep it a secret from everyone.

Finally, he was satisfied. He practically purred like a cat. "They said I couldn't do anything fun so we're gonna go play with the kids."

Lucy grinned. "Oh, really?" she mused. A thought suddenly entered her mind. "By the way! Erza told me last night that the royal family is hosting a party for us in the palace on the thirteenth."

"We're going, aren't we?" Natsu said, eager. He'd enjoyed himself dancing with Lucy and knew that the big royal party would have it. It had been planned for the eighth of the month, but with the Eclipse Gate and the dragons ruining Crocus, he hadn't expected it to happen.

She gave him a look. "Of course we are. Why wouldn't we?"

He shrugged. "None of us have clothes-"

"The Council is going to help out. We're all being sent dresses and suits especially fitted," Lucy hummed, beaming. "And we'll be allowed into various working buildings to get ready. I thought about inviting Loke to come with us, but I don't want him flirting with everyone…"

Natsu snorted. "Bastard," he muttered. Lucy only laughed and turned her face away. "Come on, Luce," he said cheerfully, flashing his teeth in a quick grin. "Let's go play with some kids!"

Playing with children was an immensely fun activity after so many days of stress. Lucy laughed and watched with an infant in her arms - an orphaned infant, she was sad to learn - as Natsu wrestled with several other kids. Juvia and Gray joined them after an hour or so for a break, and Gray joined in, using his magic to create gifts for the children. Juvia watched with a warm look.

Some of the children showed a possible hint of magic that they might someday develop, but Lucy knew the majority of them weren't. Once, parents would have dragged their children away from the others that showed prospective magic, but now, as the parents picked their way through rubble, they all thanked the mages for watching them and took their children to wherever they were staying.

"Aw," a voice cooed as Lucy watched Natsu spar with Gray for the entertainment of what children were remaining, their parents no longer alive. She looked up and found Mavis taking Juvia's place as the water mage ran to find Gajeel. Mavis' emerald eyes shone as she played with the baby, who surprised Lucy by cooing and trying to grab the ghost's fingers.

"Mavis," Lucy greeted. "I didn't think you were still coming around. I didn't see you at all during the dragons' attack."

"I was keeping Asuka and some other children who could see me company," she murmured. "They were scared and needed me." Her gaze flickered up. "Gray informed me that Zeref was there."

"I'll kill him," Lucy growled. "He wasn't supposed to tell anyone!"

Mavis giggled and then promised, "He only told me because he thought I should know." Her gaze became wistful. "Zeref...I was once in love with him, as you know. He was a good man then, Lucy Heartfilia. Now he is a monster."

Lucy's grip tightened on the baby, a shiver running down her spine. "Mavis," she rasped. "He said he would remember me. That he'd seen something and I...what do I do? I don't want his attention."

Mavis jaw clenched. "I know what it is he speaks of and you have very little time, I believe, before it comes out. The truth. Perhaps, when Leo is capable, he will tell you the remainder of what remains in regards to the secrets that are hidden."

Lucy smoothed a finger over the baby's cheek. "Will it kill me? Hurt Natsu? Anyone else?"

"I'm not sure. It's something I dealt with until you were born." Mavis cocked her head a fraction. "It's incredibly dangerous. Keep close to your friends, Lucy, and keep in mind that gaining a favor from the Spirit King as well as allying yourself with the dragons will help you at some point in the future."

Lucy felt her face go white, the blood draining from it. "You're not kidding," she breathed, horrified. "Is it really that bad, Mavis?"

"Deadly," she murmured with a huge sigh and then disappeared, leaving Lucy to sit there in silence as Natsu, covered in sweat and smelling of smoke from using his magic, rushed over.

"What did Mavis want?" he demanded curiously.

Lucy kissed the baby's head. "I don't know," she lied, flashing him a quick smile. He searched her gaze suspiciously. "She just wanted to see the baby, Natsu. I promise."

"Okay." He faltered, and then said, "Luce...if ya need to talk, I'll be here, okay?" He spoke fiercely, eyes flashing. "I won't ever leave you to deal with something bad alone."

Lucy's heart filled with adoration for her dragon slayer and she giggled. "That means the world to me." She winked and then sent him to continue working, closing her eyes as she thought over the conversation she'd had with a spirit who couldn't give direct answers.

#fairy tail #fanfiction #au #between the lines #riverofmemoriesft #nalu #natsu x lucy #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #jellal fernandes #sting eucliffe #hibiki #lector #laxus dreyar #mirajane strauss #mavis vermillion

[make-it-mavis]

KICKS DOWN UR DOOR HEY I’VE GOT SOME JUICY NEW HEADCANONS THAT IM WAY TOO EXCITED ABOUT

in which i continue, always and forever, to be this image

SO, you know that for every second I’ve loved WiR I’ve been sweating headcanons and always looking for ways to fill in holes where the creators left no worldbuilding. And since time immemorial, I’ve been plagued by one question -- WHAT ABOUT THE CORD THAT LEADS TO THE WALL? How do you get there? What’s it like? Is it dangerous? What role does it play in arcade society? Well, buds, I think that I may have settled on something while contemplating another pressing question:

Where do those extra doors/tunnels in Game Central Station go??? 

You see!! People are going in and out of them so they must go somewhere. This is from the concept art, but they’re still there in the film, too. Maybe there are bathrooms in there, a whole heck of a lot of bathrooms. But what I’d like to think is that one of these paths (maybe that lonely door) leads to the WALL SOCKET. Why would you go there?

TO GO TO THE OTHER GAME STATIONS!! Game Station West, and Game Station East!!

There’s no way Litwak has the entire arcade plugged into the same power bar, with only 12 game cabinets. I’d like to think that there are two others, with their own sets of games and even their own Surge Protectors. It’s just that GCS has the most full ports with active games, while the others might have more empty ports or cords to games with no screens/characters like Whack-a-Mole that are unsafe to enter, if you can at all.

People can travel between the stations through the wiring in the wall, and it works a lot differently from travelling between game/station. There’s a train ride through the power cord up to the plug in the wall, but past that, it gets a bit funky.

In early concepts for GCS, the artists imagined the characters literally walking on electricity between games. 

I’d like to imagine that’s how travel through the wall socket works. I can also see similar imagery to how Ralph and Vanellope enter the Wifi in the 2nd movie. I think that for a moment, your entire electrical being enters the stream. On the outside, you disappear, but you’re actually riding the electrical current at high speeds. It’s not the most comfortable experience and it’s also more risky than train rides, but its the only mode of travel through that space. No one’s meant to live in the wall, so there would be no cozy accommodations. It’s a drag, and most people don’t do it that often.

I think that it would not be open travel access 24/7. I think that maybe three times a night, the Surge Protector would open gates to travel to and from the other stations. Since he wouldn’t be able to follow anyone out, he really has to keep on top of security for anyone leaving or coming in, and he just can’t do that all night while also keeping an eye on the games in GCS. 

And SINCE the Surge Protectors can’t leave the power bars, the space in the wall is more or less lawless. There must be other ports in the wall that don’t lead to power bars, yes? Maybe a claw machine is plugged directly into the wall. If one made the right detour and twists and turns in the wires, they could visit that socket. The plug/port would still be there, like the ones we see in GCS, but it would not be nice and clean and full of couches. I think that the day it was plugged in, it could have been clean and completely empty+sterile. But those places get fucked up over time because they’re the perfect spot for illicit activity. Which is another reason the Surge Protectors gotta keep a sharp eye on travelers. 

So here’s a fun thing I thought of because there’s massive gaps in my HC timeline for Turbo’s (and Mavis’) life. What if, eventually, with Mavis’ help, Turbo more or less set up camp in one of the wall ports? It’s not comfortable, but it’s safe from the law. He would only live there between his and Mavis’ attempts to infiltrate and settle into other games. Maybe he could find a way to block visitors, like with a wall designating the place a hazard, or something, and Mavis had a password to get in. It’d be a really sad, lonely way of life, effectively imprisonment until a miracle came along, and it would do no good to his already unstable mind. Mavis would keep him company of course, relay news of any opportunities in GCS, bring him stuff to keep busy with and just spend time with him. Especially once Mavis is locked out of her game (working on that plot point), I’d imagine she would spend days at a time with him.

Maybe, eventually, whatever’s plugged into that port is unplugged, and like we see in RBTI, the light from outside actually pours in and he can tell when it’s night or day again. And he spends hours just staring out, thinking of what he wouldn’t give to feel alive and free again, and that list just keeps shrinking. Desperation for a real home and place in life lead to some awful deeds. But in his eyes, the alternative is rotting away forever in a box, and that’s just out of the question. 

ANYWAY. I don’t really have a good way to close this off other than “I’m really excited about this and I’m gonna adopt it into the way I write things from now on.”

YEAH!!

#wreck it ralph #headcanons #infodump #nearly threw the concept art book when i thought of this shit