#everyone screeching and then helping look up ways to clean tattoos during a live i feel like this is just

[tabletopjourneys]

Session 39 Notes

(Skipping ahead so last session notes are in time for a quick read before next session) The Silver Scale Pack split up: While group A confronts The Superb Owl one last time, group B falls for a cryptid and gets teleported to the other side of Bouldergap from their recon mission. Plus: Shopping. Again. lol.

@gher-bear​ @aradow​ @telurin​ @epimetala

On this day The Silver Scale Pack's split missions get critical. Diem and Ixayl'anu have to battle it out with the The Superb Owl and her mob of charmed Bouldergap citizens.

Ultimately they win by deceit and successfully chase The Superb Owl off, back to The Iron Heights (mountains) without any loss of life or nonconsensual fey abductions.

The Bouldergap citizens are pretty grateful once the distance shakes off the last vestiges of charm and begin getting back to their lives, cleaning up the mess of a spontaneous tournament, and finding/checking on loved ones lost in the crowd and/or forgotten in their bespelled states.

In other words, nobody we know of is angry at us for chasing off the pretty owl. They're all pretty aware it was a spell that made them love and admire her so much.

Meanwhile, group B meet one of the near-mythical cryptids called a ropen up close. This one seems to be super ancient and magically potent with decorative colorful jewelry and tattoos that commonly get mistaken for "colorful plumage" in the rare (and doubted) accounts of sightings.

When first attempting to communicate the ropen (accidentally?) deals 3 psychic damage to the safety-bubbled forms of Rana and Fee. It sounds like the angels from Supernatural. Once it corrects this, it's voice still holds tangible power and sounds like an ancient being of immense power speaking to children.

It tells them both they are not safe here and that they have the situation contained and are handling it. Then puts them both to sleep and sends them safely to the other side of Bouldergap out into a field where they wake up about an hour later.

Just in time to hear Diem communicate through the stone that the owl has been handled.

The pack reunites and reports everything to Lawmaster Eldeth. They agree to gather in the morning for another trip out to Stoneroost with the help of two guards.

Their free night until then is spent shopping for gems and supplies. Afterward, Rana and Fee play a training game with their ratties and chill in the Temple of V'kandis until they wake there in the morning and procure another helper for the trip out in the form of a dwarven priestess who offers her healing skills in exchange for being able to check in on her family in Stoneroost.

Ixayl'anu spent the night in the stables with her newly resummoned elk. Diem went off to find and presumably spent the night with the other disguise-loving storyteller The Superb Owl had suggested they have a nice chat with.

(Read More)

(At Least Group A is Safely in Town…Right?)

The Superb Owl: Capture them! (80 ft reach command)

Initiative order starts with Ixayl’anu and then Diem; Ixayl’anu goes first and casts moonbeam on the Superb Owl (it really is a fey owl; though a typo does turn her into the super bowl instead. Just a thought.). Ixayl’anu then runs her 30ft south along the fence.

Diem has to run to catch up as Ixayl’anu shoots past them. “Fly, Ixayl’anu!”. They cast fly on them both as soon as they manage to catch up to her in about 30ft.

5 villagers jump the fence to try and grab us.

One guy across fence to her right manages to grab Ixayl’anu and yank her a little off balance and out of the reach of the guy coming straight at her who’d jumped the southern fence to follow the owl’s orders.

Two guys of three more guys who also jumped the southern fence manage to grab me - one to each arm.

The Superb Owl not only takes half damage from a save (8dmg) by staring her turn in moonbeam, she actually pretends she created the moonbeam as an awe-inspiring spotlight for attention. She spreads her wings and flies straight up in it, showboating a little, and says, in an enunciating announcer voice: Bring them to me and I will deal with the heretics!

Practically everyone near the owl by the northern gate of the square arena and out in an oval of about 40 ft east and west is gazing in star-struck admiration at the owl.

Ixayl’anu struggles to get loose and succeeds her strength check, gets loose and flies 30 ft up and 30 ft east.

Diem uses fey presence to go all Galadriel-style-you-would-have-a-dark-queen visage and voice to inspire fear (16 wis check): Not me you fools!

This works on four out of five of the guys around them, but the one who resists just happens to be one of the guys holding on to them, who actually tightens his grip in half panic as Diem tries to fly away with him still attached (contested strength check failed). They only succeed in lifting him a few feet off the ground.

Diem to Ixayl’anu: Get out of here, go get the others!

A new guy enters the area from the south gate and helps the first pull me back down to the ground as those other four continue to cower a few feet back from me.

The owl takes 4 dmg starting in moonbeam again and doesn’t care, the barely-felt pain is worth the extra awe-inspiring beauty of her spotlight. She is hovering there at about the same height as Ixayl’anu (about 30ft off the ground): Keep that one contained, I will get the flying one!

She’s sad to leave her moonbeam, but flies after Ixayl’anu and misses both attacks. Screams: Look at me! (tries to charm Ixayl’anu and fails)

Ixayl’anu screams right back at her and lands all 3 attacks plus a level 2 smite: 45 total damage. “Never trust owls!”

The Superb Owl screeches again.

Diem goes completely limp and in the owl’s voice says: I have possessed this one, you can let it go. (23 deception)

Everyone buys it and lets Diem go. They immediately zoom 30 ft up and 30 ft toward Ixayl’anu, flying with her between me and the owl.

Guys who let them go realizing their mistake: Oh shit!

(3D chess for everyone now!)

The Northern portion of the crowd begins surging toward us as well, both guys who had Diem are running after them even though they’re 30 ft up.

Korial, the feathered dragonborn from one of Ixayl’anu’s home islands (who had been in charge of and enlisted in the fighting competition) had come out at some point, disappeared in his tent again, and is now coming out, handing off nets to capable-looking people nearby so he can take a shot with his bow at Ixayl’anu. He hits her for 10 dmg

The Superb Owl screams in Ixayl’anu’s face again and tries to grab at her for a grapple. 18 slashing damage and a strength check of 20 vs 21. Ixayl’anu pulls herself away from the grapple at the last minute, which is ruled one reason why the claws hurt so much - made the wound worse pulling out of the grasp.

Ixayl’anu’s next attack misses, but her 2nd does 15dmg plus another smite for 9 more dmg (total 24dmg).

Diem still doesn’t want to hurt the owl if they can avoid it, it’s chaotic good, but just doesn’t understand the concept and finality of death for mortals or why consent is important for the little honor guard it’s trying to create. They are out of big spells, but still have a lightning bolt in their ring if it comes down to it. However, the people also need to know this fey is willing to kill them for the sake of convenience anyway. It’s not outright evil, but inhuman enough it will kill them as easy as praise them.

As such, totally trying to create some doubts and tarnish the awe, show a little truth in a dramatic way, Diem moves their hands in front of their face as if they’re casting a spell, conveniently blocking anyone able to see their face from seeing their mouth move as they mimic The Superb Owl’s voice again, as loud as they can supervillain style and say: I will kill anyone who fails me! (21 deception).

A good amount of people around the South fence pause a little bit at this, including the guys who let them go during the last deception.

After that, Diem shoots Northwest and up 60ft to get above and behind The Superb Owl without flying close enough on the way to cause an attack of opportunity (essentially 20ft behind the owl to the northwest and 30ft up for a total of 60ft above ground and away from Korial’s bow).

They cast an eldritch blast but their heart still really isn’t in killing this pretty fey creature yet (Ixayl’anu is definitely not holding back for sure). Their first blast of crackling iridescent magic misses entirely as a result, and the other is held back too much, doing only 3dmg.

The guys who got nets from Korial are now close enough to throw them at Ixayl’anu, but both nets go wide without accidentally ensnaring any of the people under her instead.

Korial shoots at Ixayl’anu again, but misses.

The Superb Owl: Get more archers! Stop using the nets!

She disengages from Ixie and flies a bigger circle away. She goes up to about 80ft off the ground and take a commanding view of the whole area.

Ixayl’anu has seen birds of prey do this maneuver - she’s getting height so she can do a dive at Ixayl’anu (from 50ft above her now/20ft higher up than Diem is). Diem is clueless what this means for Ixayl’anu.

Ixayl’anu drops moonbeam and downs a potion (16 healing) on her way to get behind the owl and in front of me, close enough she and Diem both get the advantages of the bless she casts in moonbeam’s place (add a d4 to any attack roll or saving throw for a minute - 10 rounds).

Diem casts message on The Superb Owl, speaking directly in her head in sylvan, using their patron’s voice: Harm my pets and mark my words you will have an archfey hounding your immortality, making sure no one anywhere ever even thinks about worshipping you ever again (Intimidation check of 26).

The Superb Owl’s wingbeat pauses and she dips down a couple of feet in reaction. She’s still for the moment.

Diem yells out as loud as they can, in part for the Northside audience this time (and in their own voice): This is your last chance, do this the right way, no one’s taken by force and no one dies if they refuse!

24 performance for the crowd gets another big circle near enough to hear who are beginning to doubt. This includes Korial who has run forward enough he heard Diem’s yell. He also pauses and shakes his head a little bit.

The owl takes a good look around at the chaos and doubters, she screams an angry and hurt sound: None of you were really worth it anyway!

She disengages, picks up speed by dropping about 30 ft (still about 50ft from the ground though) and books it back toward the iron heights.

Ixayl’anu misty steps after her and crackles lightning effects, swiping at the air in the Superb Owl’s direction, making noises to reinforce driving her away and generally trying to be intimidating “You better run!” style. She rolls an 11 for intimidation. She can’t see the owl’s face for obvious reasons, but feels like she did a good job.

(The “Victory Speech” No One Asked For)

Diem flies lower toward the ground and makes themself look like an autumn-and-firey-sun themed archfey with a slightly higher voice than their patron’s to address the people around then. Their impulsive goal here is mainly to check on the hostility levels of the crowd while also trying to make sure a the presence of an archfey makes it into some stories. Just in case any of those get back to The Superb Owl in the future. They don’t use their own patron’s looks because they don’t know how their patron would feel getting that credit. They do go for a fiery-autumn look thinking this heavily V’kandis sun god religious area might attribute the deed in story to V’kandis instead, or an archfey follower (vague spur-of-the-moment possibilities for how this story gets retold over the years lol). Their performance is only a 16 for this though and it’s ruled that most people are simply distracted by the charm suddenly getting dispelled, becoming worried about loved ones and children/parents, etc. no longer in sight. Either way, everyone clearly knows what happened now (insofar as being charmed goes). Diem finished the story with what the owl had been planning, that it wasn’t just harmless (to hopefully discourage later retellings from making the owl out to be something to be tolerated the next time it comes around. Like no, it was definitely planning to take people against their will and seriously considering killing anyone merely for refusing to go with it. As they see the mood of the whole crowd shifting toward deflated sadness and seriousness, they end with what they hope is an inspiring message to find their loved ones and celebrate the return of their freedom. Diem knows it’s not their best work for sure, but they think it went over reasonably well for people being understandably distracted by suddenly remembering all the things and people and tasks the owl made them forget. They do notice Korial is standing there just listening and watching, head tilted after the hold on him was also dispelled.

At the end, Diem then pretends, for the benefit of whomever might still be watching, to be released by the mysterious autumn-fire entity who’d possessed them, their own visage fading back in as they get their bearings and look up at Ixayl’anu. They pull out their sending stone and say into it: Owl taken care of, we’re on our way to you guys in Stoneroost, let us know if we shouldn’t.

(Rana and Fee are falling!)

Fee makes a perception or investigation of 23 right before they start falling, they both hear a crack of thunder even though the sky isn’t stormy. Arcana check of 2 - Fee thinks it’s thunderbird thunder, there might be a thunderbird nearby she just doesn’t know.

Rana was showboating a little like “look at my mountains!” before she fell.

They feel cocooned in this nice little bubble of antigravity and have a slow descent that stops right above the trees like levitating above the treeline.

The ropen are following their descent with intent. 30-40 ft away still, it has embellishment on it - what Rana assumed was a natural coloration, it’s a paint/tattoo and jewelry situation.

These details make no difference to Fee.

Rana has an arm extended toward Fee about to cast a polymorph, but then they’re slowing down to a stop. “Fee are you okay?”

“Yeah, you?” Fee was also reaching for her hand and they manage to grasp hands.

When they stop, Fee tries to see if she can swim in the air, but she doesn’t move.

Rana: were you hit?

Fee: No you?

Rana: No

Fee: Can you become an owl again?

Rana: No...well, yes, but not the same way and I don’t know what knocked me out of owl to begin with (Rana is watching the Ropen as they talk - it’s taking its sweet time to get to them like a turkey vulture rather than any bird of prey about to swoop down and snatch you motions.

Fee looks for the ground through the trees and asks something I missed.

Rana perceives 18 trying to see if there are any other ropen around. 100 ft or so and getting closer (overiding the shorter distance earlier). She casts speak with animals and calls out: “Hello!?” (holds her hands out in peaceful gesture, rats freaking out with “What the fuck is happening?!” type chatter in her ears now).

Rana and Fee must make a con save, both fail (7 and 9, respectively). Both begin to hear ringing sounds in their ears - it’s SPN angel speak type noise. It crescendos to the point it hurts, all in their head, past the point of unbearable for a half second before it cuts out and they take 3 psychic dmg.

The ropen is close enough to hover in front of them after that and they both hear an intense psychic voice “This is not a safe place to be so I am going to bring you back to the nearest settlement - you should not be here until we handle it.”

Rana: We can’t go back, we’re here to figure out what’s going on.

Ropen: We’re taking care of it, their invisible bubbles of levitation start moving both Rana and Fee back the way they came.

Rana makes one persuasion check of 6 before the ropen puts them both to sleep. The whole time the ropen made them feel like they were being talked to as a child by an ancient, one that radiates strong magic.

(The zone you tried to access is down for maintenance; have a portal, take a nap)

Both Fee and Rana wake up feeling like it was really brief, but find themselves in a field outside Bouldergap. (Tournament was southwest of Bouldergap, they wake up northeast of Bouldergap - slightly farther away from town, and directly North of the road in.

Wisdom saving throws: 13 Rana, 20 Fee; Rana wakes up without memory of why she’s even here, the last she remembers she was an owl flying to Stoneroost. She tries to point at the empty air like the ropen is still there though.

Rana: Look, look that’s the thing I saw!

Fee: Yeah we both saw it…?

Rana: Yeah it’s right there! (the air is obviously empty though)

Fee: Uuuhhhhh…

Rana: Wait a minute, why are we back here? (She checks on the rats, who she can no longer understand, but that’s okay because she doesn’t remember casting that spell anyway.)

Fee: Oh, I see, what’s the last thing you remember, friend?

Rana: Flying

Fee: And then we were falling.

Rana statues.

Fee: Here’s what I think happened, I think your bird demons have some kind of bubble around Stoneroost because you somehow became not an owl and we were plummeting toward the ground and they slowed our descent and they made this awful noise screaming in our heads or maybe just my head and then talked to us like kids and were like “No we don’t need your help, we got this dudes.” (She retells the whole thing with more words than this but this is all I got transcribed live).

Rana looks doubtful: I think I’d remember that...

Fee: Yeah you would think…

At about this time, Diem’s voice comes through on the sending stones.

Diem: Owl taken care of, we’re on our way to you guys in Stoneroost, let us know if we shouldn’t.

Fee picks up almost immediately: No, don’t go to Stoneroost - fly to the other side of the tournament just out of town, we’re, well...marco polo or something when you get close until you find us and we’ll catch you up on--

Rana interrupts: Meet us at the gate into Bouldergap.

Fee: Yeah. That probably works better.

It will take Diem and Ixayl’anu about 5 minutes to fly to their destination.

In the meantime, as Rana and Fee walk toward said gate, they talk about what Rana doesn’t remember. She is very VERY interested in everything Fee has to say about the ropen. Fortunately for her, while Fee didn’t care about all the details of the ropen, she did take note of them with her high perception and was able to describe them pretty accurately to Rana - including the detail that they aren’t naturally colorful so much as wearing paint or tattoos and decorative jewelry that glints in the sun. Rana doesn’t know enough about ropen to say whether any of this was normal or not.

The lore for them is only that they’re brightly coloured pterodactyl-like creatures. No one’s gotten close enough to realize it’s not a natural thing and Rana thought they were just animals until now.

They do both remember getting just past the area where we saw the abominations on the road before they were stopped and ported away.

(Together again)

As Diem and Ixayl’anu approach and land, they find Fee and Rana both looking pissed, Rana has her map out, half plotting a route through the mountains instead.

Diem: How’d you guys get over here? Nevermind because…(they proceed to excitedly tell how things went with the owl - including the bit Ixayl’anu was not yet aware of about the message spell convincing the owl that their patron promised retribution if their pets, plural, were harmed)

Ixayl’anu preens with pride over her actions and shining moments during the story. We did not highlight, live, that she would be hearing the message that chased the owl off for the first time though, so there’s no noted reaction to that bit.

Rana (after Diem concludes the story): I hope the Ropen gets it.

Ixayl’anu: Ropen?

Rana looks at Fee: Well, since I don’t remember what happened…?

Fee: Yeah...remember how Rana was gonna carry me safely and we were gonna do this recon mission…?

Rana glares into the open air at nothing over the whole situation.

Fee: Once we got a little more than halfway to Stoneroost, just past where we were before we hit a bubble or something I don’t know but that big Rope-Roc bird thing flew in and Rana got switched back and we were falling then we were not falling and then the bird thing screamed in our heads and it hurt. Then was all like, “Don’t come over here I got this.” and then I don’t know yeah that’s when we were put to sleep and moved over here. I guess Rana must’ve been dropped too hard because she doesn’t remember it all.

(Again, there were definitely more words used than this, more things said, all amusing retellings, but this is all I got transcribed live)

Rana: They’ve never stopped me going through the mountains before, so I’m thinking we go through the mountains and hike out there in the morning. (She also notes that they didn’t see abominations on the road though, at least).

We talk about possibly going by road one more time, but this time, coming out silver scale first to see if that gets us in the door with these Ropen. Among our options is Rana just straight flying out there again with one of us on her back, Ixayl’anu riding on her elk, or possibly hiking back out there and flying for the last 10-20 minutes. All with the silver scale and letter ready to show as a potential vip pass.

Diem pulls out their sending stone and starts to catch the guard captain up on everything as we head her way to check in.

Eldeth: Just meet me at the guard house, this is too much to take in over sending stones.

(At the guard house)

By the time we get there Eldeth says she’s heard many different stories but they all start with YOU (here she points at Ixayl’anu) breathing lightning all over the damned thing.

Ixayl’anu (not in the least as guilty as she should be lol): Yeah…

Eldeth: (nods to self like “Alright then.”) Well we hadn’t tried that, but it worked.

Diem fills her in with 25 performance on every little detail of everything tried first and failed and why etc. including visual demonstration of the archfey they tried to put in the story for retelling in case anything got back to the owl at least some versions might have an archfey involved.

Eldeth seems to appreciate all the details: Well, we had a deal and you handled it, but I’m not gonna lie I’d prefer to help you through to Stoneroost in the morning.

She calls in two guards for us though - a dark blue skinned goliath barbarian type named Mash Jufrin who has a pegleg (Mash was one of the dumb guards from the other day) and a reddish older looking warrior tiefling named Tioshikio Ayibi. Eldeth introduces them and says, “These are who I can spare - they’re the best at smashing things.”

Mash (laughing): Yeah I’m best at smashing things.

Diem: Delighted to meet you (to Eldeth after looking at the rest of their party) I’m definitely for the morning though too, I could use a short rest?

The others nod agreement.

Tio: In that case, I’ll go help out with breaking down all the festival havoc and meet you all at the gate out toward Stoneroost in the morning.

As Diem notices no one is telling the Stoneroost route story, they message Fee to ask why they’re not telling their story.

Fee out loud: Oh yeah you should totally do that!

Diem (also out loud now): Me? Oh...okay *tries to remember everything Fee said and does a 26 performance on telling their story*

Only because of that performance do they not laugh at Diem outright for talking about sky bigfoot but Eldeth is still looking at Rana (the local of our group) like “Seriously?”

Rana gives a look back like yeeaaaah...it is though, I know how it sounds. (She’d been wincing and frowning at every mention of ropen during the story.)

Eldeth believes us but points out that she wouldn’t otherwise if not for the owl and everything crazy that’s been going on of late. She recommends Tio to get more supplies to that end from the armory. We all part ways, Diem getting their extra sending stone back after announcing they have a date to get to.

(Free evening for shopping and more!)

We get the evening to do whatever we like. Rana needs a 300 gold diamond, so she’s going to go shopping. Since it’s on the way to other places we’re all headed, we all go with. Rana gets distracted by all the shiny pretty gems, Ixayl’anu has to pry her away eventually. Rana picks up 2 diamonds and can’t help herself, picks up 2 rubies, a sapphire and an emerald. Loose stones that call to her. Handful of rubies and pretty things.

Diem forgot in the live session but since it was determined they were there for the shopping on their way back to Emmen’s festival tent, they have been approved for also picking up some pretty stones and would have been just as enthralled by the pretties as Rana lol. Gem haul (whopping total of 1500gp lol): Includes 3, 10gp titanium rainbow peacock kyanite feathers, a large Iolite/Cordierite sample that is dark blue with white and clear crystal clusters in it at first glance - looking closer at various angles reveals the whites to shift into shades of silver that blend in with the blues that also shift with lighting into shades of black and violet as well (300gp for a small “brick” sized uncut chunk). Another normal-sized sample of this same uncut stone for 50gp, a water opal with an imperfection that looks like a crescent moon, worth 1000gp (the two big ticket items are to be gifts for their patron, if anyone asks), and topped off with a pouch of additional, hand-selected rough cut samples of asst other stones mostly in shades of teals and purples (basically would look like a small stash of rough fluorite, quartz, etc.). They also pick up a little amethyst cat figuring worth 100gp (because gifts to the fey should always come in threes).

Ixayl’anu hauls us out of there before we spend ALL of our money there (I mean for her goddess’ sake, it’s not like they’re the teeth of a rare and impressive beast or something) and goes off to find a shop with healing potions where she buys two common healing potions (100g total).

Diem gets 2 greater healing potions for 150 each.

Rana says she’s going to the temple, everyone but Diem is gonna join her there. Diem splits off from the rest to find their aforementioned “date.”

Ixayl’anu resummons her elk in the temple courtyard. It takes her 10 minutes to do so. He bugles frantically as though no time had passed since he was attacked and Ixayl’anu is there with horse girl hugs and affection that he appreciates as she calms him down.

Mutanamri quietly comes up to her during this: So while you’re welcome to stay here, and we appreciate all your help recently...your steed does have to stay outside the temple...it’s a little bit of a sacrilegious thing, so if you could put it out in the stables please?

Ixayl’anu nods and says she understands. She and her elk continue their affectionate reunion on the way to stables. She spends the night in the stables with her elk, sleeping together.

Rana floats the idea with Fee to do a find the item and retrieve course for the rats outside the temple somewhere. Fee agrees. Rana hands Fee a frickin ruby for this game and uses a frickin emerald for Hamlet, hiding them for retrieval. These are the games of the rich, people lol. Rana casts speak with animals and they send the rats out on their missions. They make animal handling checks of 8 for Rana and 17 for Fee 17. Horatio wins! It does help that he recognizes the “retrieve” game through practice a little better than Hamlet does.

We confirm that tiny animals stopped speaking draconic about a couple miles out of Longview. So Fee can also speak to and understand her rat through her ring.

Afterward Rana settles down by the flame and Fee with her, presumably.

(In the morning…)

In the morning, after everyone’s gotten up and performed early morning mass, Alka Briskfizz, a dwarven priestess in green, gold, and cream-colored robes, her orangey-red hair in pigtails approaches Rana and Fee: I heard you helped with the owl situation and I know you talked to Mutanamri a little bit about that already. I’m actually here right now because I’d like to offer my services for your other trip - I’ve got some family in Stoneroost as well. It would be nice to go up and see them with your group, make sure everything’s alright. I have some healing capabilities.

Rana nods: We’ll take all the help we can get.

Fee: Yeah…

Alka: Good - though...I thought there was more of you?

Rana: Yeah, we have to go collect one of us somewhere in town and the other is sleeping in the stables with her elk.

(some missed conversation for sure)

Fee: Have you heard anything more about what might be going on?

Alka: Every time I’ve been on the road it’s been uneventful, so this is new to me.

Fee talks about how the road was creepy and Alka says that’s definitely not normal for the pass.

Rana talks about what to expect on the road, mentions the ropen but frames it like, ‘yeah, we know it sounds crazy, but with everything else that’s going on, why not an impossible cryptid too?’.

Fee chimes in every now and then.

Alka’s listening politely. Rana insight checks at a 12 on her reactions - she seems skeptical but open to there being something best described, for now, as a mythological cryptid.

They swing by the stable first to pick up Ixayl’anu and that’s where the session ends.

#Fight the owl meet the ropen #Anesh #Bouldergap #Stoneroost #ropen #The Superb Owl #Korial #Lawmaster Eldeth #Mash Jufrin #Tioshikio Ayibi #Mutanamri Sichar #Alka Briskfizz #Autumn archfey disguise #Diem pretends to be their patron #Emmen Hayley alluded to #The Iron Heights mentioned

[mystic-kitten-writer]

Limerence [M] ︳04

Pairing: Zuko x OC

Genre: Romance, mainly fluff with future smut, and if you squint hard enough - you’ll find some angst.

Rating: SFW

Words: 4000+

Notes: I think I’m finally getting in a groove, it only took me forever -facepalm- I hope you enjoy the story, thanks for the likes and reposts my little buns <3

Masterlist ︳03 ︳05

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

Limerence: (English/n.) the state of being infatuated with another person.

The moment their eyes locked they knew - the flames within him twisted while the water within her turned. It was a connection, a connection that would lead to love, adventure, and drama.

Kilig

(Tagalog/n.) The rush or the inexplicable joy one feels after seeing or experiencing something romantic.

~ Ying Yue Jiang ~

            Kima and I were red in the face as we laughed hysterically together. The brisk cold air was forgotten about, as Momo managed to switch himself from shoulder to shoulder, in a desperate, needy, attempt of stealing the bowl of seaweed and fish that I carried. Kima tried helplessly to grab Momo off my back, but he had bigger dreams and hopes. “I can’t grab him; he's too fast!” Kima yelled out frustrated as Momo managed to dodge every move she made.

            I giggled as Momo dug his hands and feet into my hair, making pathetic swipes at the bowl, which was at arms reach away. My beautiful bun was a mess, and my plain navy blue kimono and white cloak were all shaken up and wrinkled. Good thing I dressed casually for this. Appa groaned as he saw Momo take swipes as his food, clearly not amused. “Momo this isn’t for you, it’s for Appa!” I cried out, as Kima once again ran in circles around me. Momo screeched and to my utter surprise, came to a complete halt when a booming voice echoed in the barn, “Momo, what are you doing to Yue!”

            My head snapped upwards as I saw Aang laughing, failing to maintain a face of seriousness as he tried to lecture Momo. Momo dropped from my body and quickly dashed out the barn, most likely back to the house to bother the kitchen staff. Kima gave a quick bow to Aang before rushing to my aid and grabbing the bowl from my hands and feeding Appa, who ate the food without any hesitation. Right away I took my hair out of the bun, letting my hair run loose as I fixed my kimono, “Thanks for giving some attention to Appa, I’ve been so busy I haven’t spent much time with him.” Aang said apologetically, as he walked over to me to help out.

            I smiled and waved off his thanks, “No worries, I love Appa, he's the best cuddle buddy I could ask for.” I said with a giggle. Aang laughed and gently patted Appa. “He's the best.” Appa didn't seem to care for the attention as he was busy eating the food that Kima held in the bowl. Aang shook his head, watching Appa eat before looking over his shoulder. I raised a brow, curious as to what he was looking for. I could hear the barn door open once again - Fire Lord Zuko...

            Kima noticed right away, and tried her hardest to bow, “Fire Lord Zuko.” She sputtered, as she re-positioned the bowl. Appa didn't like that Kima moved the food when she bowed, a loud huff erupting. My ears perked up, and Aang moved over slightly, and I could see Zuko begin walking over to us with a tender smile on his face.

            A faint blush covered my cheeks seeing him once again. He wore a simple Fire Nation gown, quite casual from the usual outfits I have seen him wear, and his hair pulled back. The moment our eyes met I instinctively began playing with my hair, I look like such a mess. “Good Afternoon Ying Yue.” Zuko said, I nodded and gave him a quick courtesy, “Good Afternoon Fire Lord Zuko.”

            “Did you sleep well?” Zuko asked, an innocent question but I understood the double meaning. I nodded my head, and I couldn't help but smile, mainly remembering the events from last night. After a good hour of talking and sharing stories, we all finished our hot cocoa and cookies, and one by one we began leaving to go to bed. Everyone wanted to stay behind to help clean up, but as usual, I refused. It was only mugs and two platters anyways. In the end, it was just me and Zuko, who insisted on helping me clean - and refused to take no for an answer. But instead of cleaning up and going to bed, we ended up spending hours in the library talking about each other.

            By the end of the night, I felt like I've known him years. I learned that Uncle Iroh was more than just his Uncle, but a father-figure. Zuko also I told me that his mother, Ursa, lived in the kingdom with his step-father and little sister Kiyi. Zuko adored his sister, and we planned another date to the market to find some gifts for her. He even spoke about some of his adventures during his time ‘chasing’ after Aang, and his odd obsession with honour, something Toph mentioned while intoxicated briefly before his visit.

            I smiled and nodded my head, “I slept great, and you?” I asked shyly. Zuko chuckled, “I slept wonderfully.” From the corner of my eyes I could see Kima and Aang give each other looks, as they were completely confused at our plain, but clearly, double-meaning conversation. Both, unaware that we stayed up late talking for hours. Kima lightly tapped my shoulder, catching my attention once again. “My Lady, your cloak…” She whispered as I noticed that my outfit was still a mess from Momo.

            Kima was busy balancing the food bowl, so I attempted to fix my cloak by myself. To my failure, the weight of the fabric and my hair was starting to get in the way. This is why I need to cut my damn hair. “Here, let me help,” Zuko said as he stepped forward. Kima looked at me grinning madly, that was when it hit me. Kima knew he would offer to help me, that sneaky bugger! Zuko began walking behind me, as I nervously pushed my hair to one side so he could help me center my cloak.

            I could feel his hands brush against the skin on my neck, as he grasped the neckline, helping me reposition the fabric. I blushed, remembering that just last night I was holding those hands, and boy were they soft. How does a Firebender manage to keep such soft hands? Once the cloak was centred again, I could feel his hands smoothly run back up the hemline and found him tracing ever so gently along my neck. I could feel goosebumps appear, it was such a delicate touch, but I knew what he was outlining. He noticed my tattoo.

            With a swift motion, he stepped back and placed his hands on my shoulders, “Better?” He whispered, his lips barely touched my ear. I could feel his hot breath against my neck and my blush redden. I anxiously pressed my hands against my chest, “Mm-hmm.” I looked back to face Aang, as he tried to process the whole situation that was unfolding in front of him. Aang raised a brow at me, and I gave him an innocent smile. He rolled his eyes before finally coughing.

            Zuko dropped his hands from my shoulders before walking to stand beside Aang once again. “So what brought you two out here in the barn?” I asked as I kneeled to pet Appa. Also a pathetic excuse to regain my composure after that intimate moment, a moment I enjoyed a bit too much. Aang looked at Zuko, who finally spoke up. “Aang and Katara invited me to dinner, at a seafood restaurant. I remember you telling me you liked seafood, would you mind being my date for the evening?” I could see Kima redirect her gaze from them to Appa in a second, internally fangirling for me. He remembers me telling him I loved seafood last night. “I would love to go with you,” I said happily.

            Zuko grinned, “Meet me at the front entrance again, in front of the fountain?” I nodded my head, “I promise.” Aang clapped his hands and smiled, “Then it's set, we'll see you later Yue.” Aang said excitedly, as they both moved to leave. Just as they were about to walk out, I saw Aang discretely pointing at Zuko’s back with a ‘really’ expression. I shrugged my shoulders but gave him a gummy smile, only for Aang to provide me with a thumbs up. I giggled, hearing the barn door shut behind them - they left.

            Before I could even process what had happened Kima jumped up and gripped my shoulders, “I may be stepping out of my place, but this needs to be addressed.” I giggled as I fell against Appa, who happily snuggled back as he had finished his food and was ready for a nap. Kima sat on the ground and crossed her arms, “So, I’ve been talking with Fire Lord Zuko’s maid, Lia, and she told me that he didn’t go to bed until late last night. But she heard some female giggles before he arrived in bed. Care to explain?”

            I shrugged my shoulders, “We stayed up late talking.”

            “Just talking?”

            “Just talking! I promise.” Kima huffed and gave me a knowing look, “Now we need to make sure we pick out one hell of an outfit for tonight. This is no longer a ‘trying to catch his attention’; this is ‘making sure you are the only thing he pays attention to’ situation.”

            Zuko came from behind as he pulled the chair back for me to sit down. Carefully, I sat down across from Katara, as Zuko gently placed his hands on my shoulders before leaning over to my ear, “Comfortable?” He asked. I titled my head to face him slightly and nodded, “Thank you.” I spoke. Zuko backed away and sat on the chair next to me, as Katara and Aang both eyed each other.

            We were in a beautiful restaurant, a high-class one as a matter of fact. Along the windows were bystanders who stared through the glass, mouths hanging open as they stared at the Avatar and Fire Lord Zuko in awe. It was a rare sight for the Southern Tribe, to see two highly regarded people in a restaurant having a meal. Zuko scanned the menu, reading all the exotic dishes in front of him, while I was in my glory and ready to indulge in food. Hot cocoa and now this, I'm in the spirit world.

            “What would you recommend?” Zuko asked, as he slightly nudged my elbow. I perked up and leaned over to his side, scanning the menu with him. “Hmm, I would go with the arctic hen with a seafood soup of your choice. The arctic hen is seasoned with spices that you would be familiar with, besides the meat being an arctic hen.” I said with a giggle, “I would get a small portion for the seafood soup you order. Although it's yummy, it can be a bit off-putting if you don’t usually eat seafood.” Zuko nodded, taking into consideration my input.

            Within minutes the waiter came with our wine and took our orders. “So, how is the Southern Water Tribe treating you?” Aang asked. Zuko smiled as he reached for the bottle of wine, and began pouring our glasses, “I'm enjoying it, I would have come here sooner if I had known I would enjoy it as much as I have.” He said as he glanced over me while filling my glass. I smiled and took the drink from him and took a sip. Katara’s eyes narrowed as she glanced over Zuko and me repeatedly.

            “I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. How is Mai may I ask?” Katara said, but the tone she used was different. It was not as cheerful as Aang’s, what's she trying to do? Zuko frowned and placed his wine down, “I prefer not to discuss Mai, we have better things to talk about.” He replied, but like before; his tone was different. I smiled and awkwardly took another sip from my wine. Aang glanced over at Katara, seemingly just as puzzled as I was. “Suki told me you two went to the market yesterday, isn’t it amazing? I always leave with a full belly.” Aang said as he tried to change the tense atmosphere.

            Katara crossed her arms, and I ignored her evident discontent. What's wrong with her? Zuko smiled and nodded, “Ying Yue took me yesterday and showed me around, we're going there again so I can buy some gifts for my little sister.” Aang grinned, “You can find some nice souvenirs there. Later this week I have to take you for a ride with Appa and show you the landscape. There is just something about the endless fields of snow that can help you relax.” Zuko nodded, “I can imagine…” They continued their small talk, but I couldn't help but notice the eeriness radiating off Katara, something is wrong. Katara is never angry, especially while eating seafood, one of her favourite meals.

            At that very moment, our waiter came and began placing our meals in front of us. I looked over at Zuko, watching Zuko’s face expression as he cautiously observed the food served. He didn't seem like a picky eater, but he was definitely unfamiliar with Southern Water Tribe cuisine as his nose scrunched up and he looked entirely out of place. I giggled and placed my hand on his shoulder, “If you don’t like it just ask for it to go, I can cook you something at home.” I whispered. He looked at me relieved, and I shuffled back to my seat.

            Katara frowned and quickly began indulging in her food, as she way-to-aggressively stabbed at her fish. I kicked Aang under the table and looked over at Katara. Aang shrugged his shoulders and mouthed ‘I don’t know.’ We all began eating, and thankfully, after a bit of persuading with my eyes Zuko ended up eating his meal, and in fact, enjoyed the arctic hen. Although he did ask for the seafood soup to go and whispered to me “Feel free to eat it as a late night meal.” I laughed, and he grinned, he is adorable.

            Zuko came around my side and pulled back my seat, helping me sit up. Just as I was about to reach for my cloak, he swiftly grabbed it and held it up, “Let me.” I smiled and let him wrap the fabric around my body, as I pushed my hair to the side once again, making the beautiful loose curls Kima did to my hair fall to my side. Zuko’s hands once again slide along my shoulder before delicately tracing the pattern on my neck, “I’ve never noticed this before…” he whispered in my ear. I turned to face him, as I pushed my hair back, “Every girl has a least one secret.” I teased as I wrapped my arm around his.

            Zuko smirked, “A Princess with some secrets, I wonder what other secrets you are hiding…" He spoke in a low tone. I blushed, suddenly my confidence fading as he gave me such a look, a look that was different from his usual soft glances. I was so lost in his golden eyes that Katara’s dry cough brought me back to reality, and before I could realize what was happening she linked arms with me and swiftly pulled me away from Zuko, “Let’s get going, it's already dark outside.”

            I faced back to see a dumbfounded Zuko and Aang who stood at the table still. I looked at Katara, I knew her long enough to know something was bothering her. Her eyes looked swarmed with thoughts as she walked hastily, “Katara what is wrong?” I whispered harshly as we walked through the doors. Katara huffed, “Nothing.” I rolled my eyes and took my arm out of her hold, “Something is up, you never act like this.” I crossed my arms, and I could see Zuko and Aang catching up. Katara frowned, “We can talk later.”

            I looked at Katara worriedly, before making my way back to Zuko and linking arms with him. What’s up with her tonight? Unconsciously I gripped Zuko’s arm tightly and bit my lip, as Zuko softly gripped my hand, “Everything okay?” He asked. My eyes widen, and I gave him a small smile, “Perfect.”

            Kima wiped the steam away from my mirror and helped me towel dry my long hair. We gossiped about the events of tonight during my rose petal bath before I touched upon Katara’s strange behaviour. “Katara is not like that…” Kima pondered. I huffed and crossed my arms, “Everything was perfect, but she made it so awkward.” Kima frowned and threw the towel away in the laundry. “Something must be wrong; she didn't say a word to you?” She asked again.

            I sat up and shook my head, “Nothing. As soon as we got home, she went straight to her bedroom with Aang. Maybe tomorrow she'll talk to me?” Kima shook her head and shrugged, “I'm just as lost as you are my Lady.” I nodded as Kima stood up and we both exited the bathroom. “Thank you for the bath, I appreciate it,” I said as Kima began grabbing her bag and coat. She smiled and gave me a quick hug, “Anything for you. I'll see you tomorrow.”

            I nodded, and with that, she said her goodnight and left. I huffed as I went back over to my bedpost and grabbed my robe. Although it was late, and I knew I should be heading off to bed, I was still riding off a high after today’s events. I left my room and began walking to the kitchen, ready to make a tea.

            Events from today flashed throughout my mind, but more specifically the way Zuko gripped my shoulders and delicately touched my neck. A cold shiver ran up my back, remembering the way he looked at me at the restaurant and how he traced my tattoo. It was a look he never gave me before; it was different from his gentleman gazes filled with care. This time it was more, sensual? I slapped my cheeks and turned the corner in the hallway, just as I was about to step inside the kitchen I bumped into something, well, more like someone.

            I pouted as I rubbed my head achingly, “A-are you okay?” A deep voice spoke with concern. I looked up only to see Zuko looking down with worry written all over his face. I groaned and stopped rubbing my head, “I'm okay…but what are you wearing? Armour?” I whined. Zuko chuckled and patted my head softly, “Well, if you consider muscles a form of armour, then yes.” I rolled my eyes and slapped his arm; sometimes he was way too cocky for his good. Although he had every right…

            Zuko laughed and rubbed his arm playfully as if I had hurt him. “What are you doing here anyway?” I asked. Zuko raised a mug filled with fresh steaming tea, “Don’t you have a maid to get you stuff like that?” I said with a raised brow. Zuko grinned and pointed his chin at me, “What about you? Why are you here?”

            “To get tea.”

            “Don’t you have an assistant to get you that?” He said mockingly.

            “She went home.”

            “Mine went to bed already.” He shot back and laughed at my defeated look. I crossed my arms, looking annoyed, but truthfully, I was enjoying every minute of this pointless banter. “You can’t sleep tonight?” Zuko asked as he moved aside, letting me step into the kitchen. It was empty, although I was not surprised as almost all of the workers besides the guards had gone home already. I shook my head and leaned against the counter, “I can’t sleep at all.” I said as I gazed out the window.

            I could see the beautiful Southern lights dancing in the sky, the first time in a while that I have witnessed such a sight. It had been snowing for weeks, keeping the skies cloudy, although today was the first night the skies were clear… My eyes widen, and before Zuko noticed, I ran up to him. “Zuko, would you like to go on an adventure?” I asked excitedly. Zuko looked at me with wide eyes, completely taken aback by my bold statement.

            “Adventure? Like what?” he asks, clearly interested but also weary. I smiled and pulled him towards the window. He put down his tea on the counter as I pushed him, “Remember when I first took you to your room, and I told you about the Southern lights?” Zuko nodded and pointed outside. “You said you often sneak outside to the- you want to go to the cliff?” He said as he sharply turned out. I smiled innocently, “This may be the only chance you get. You need clear skies, and it’s been snowing for weeks. Today is the first time it stopped, and it may be the last.”

            Zuko grinned mischievously before lazily wrapping an arm around my shoulder, “That means sneaking out of here. The guards won’t let us leave that easily.” I smiled and leaned forward, “What’s wrong, scared?” I said in a teasing tone. Zuko leaned forward as well, “This whole time I thought you were an innocent Princess, turns out you are quite naughty.” I blushed, and I swiftly ducked under his arm as I dashed to the kitchen exit, “I can meet you in a few minutes at the entrance.” Zuko shook his head, “Where are you going, grabbing your snowshoes?”

            I titled my head, confused. Zuko grinned and waltzed over to me, “If we are going to do this, we are going to go now, as is.” He said. I looked at him shocked, “I need something to keep me warm, we are just wearing pyjamas.” Zuko wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and I could feel a sudden wave of heat, “You got me to keep you warm, remember?” He whispered in my ear. I blushed, and I bashfully looked the other way, boy he knows how to flirt when he wants to.

            “Fine, let’s do this,” I said, and with that, we quietly walked in the hallway. I was stunned at how many guards were posted around the home. I guess with Fire Lord Zuko here; security has tightened. Multiple times we were forced into awkward, cramped corners to hide, but after a few minutes, we finally succeeded at finding a door that was not guarded and led outside. The cold wind made my silk robe seem like ice against my skin. I gasped at the sudden cold, and Zuko tightly wrapped his arm around my shoulders, “Don’t worry, I got you.” He said, and right away I felt a sudden force of warmth wrap around my body. “Lead the way, Princess.”

            Without another word, we began trekking through the snow. It was only a matter of minutes that the house looked tiny, the farther we walked. I could start hearing the waves crashing against each other, and I knew we were close. I eagerly walked faster, as our warm breath caused clouds of fog around us. It was a powerful wave crashing against ice that caused my eyes to widen in anticipation. “Do you hear that?” I asked. Zuko stopped walking and carefully listened. “Is that…water?” He asked. I smiled and grabbed his hand and began dashing. Zuko ran behind me, keeping up as I ran up the hill, this is it…

            We both stopped right at the edge of the cliff. Beneath our feet was nothing but a long way down to the cold waters. Zuko’s eyes widen as the sky was pitch black besides the colourful display of nature above us. “It’s beautiful…” Zuko spoke quietly, completely mesmerized at the sight. The Southern lights danced in the sky, and ribbons of colours intertwined with each other. The sea reflected each movement, making the sky seem vast, almost like we were both floating in the heavens.

            I tightly snuggled against Zuko, absorbing all the warmth I could. His arm wrapped around my waist, as we stood together in each other’s embrace, looking at the stars. I smiled happily, never did I think I would do this. Be in my pyjamas, in the middle of the night, with Fire Lord Zuko. Yet, here I was. I rested my head against Zuko’s chest, hearing his even heartbeat. It was this moment that I knew; I like Zuko.

Copyright © 2019 Mystic-Kitten, inc. all rights reserved. No reposting, modifying, or translations of any kind allowed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Avatar characters portrayed in this story besides Ying Yue Jiang, Lia, Kima, and any future creations.

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[the-house-of-the-nine]

In Depths Below: Epilogue, Part 3

[ OOC Disclaimer ]  | Over the last year HoTN has put together this story ‘In Depths Below’ it began with Lazarius being taken from Kun-Lai Summit, and the chase to get him back from the Hunters hired by Magister Dawnseeker was unveiled.  Every member eliminated a certain threat, the Order banded together to orchestrate the take down,  and accomplished their mission they’d set out to do.  The events here are what happened during.  This is Lazarius’ side, where he was; and what he’d done.  And just how he and a certain new savior became bonded.  Id like to give a tremendous thanks to @zandalaridruidofgonk for the help in putting this together and making it happen.   And thank you to everyone who has offered support and kind words over the last year.  Without further delay, the conclusion of our 2nd fictional collaboration.  In Depths Below. |

[ J ]       Jursol listened to his words, his questions about how far she’d go to protect her family, her way of life, her freedom. Many thoughts crossed her mind in those moments. Memories of how she came to care for her raptors. How she was taught magic that others saw as dangerous, or to primitive. How upon returning home to Zandalar she has only suffered at the hands of others.

The magic she used brought the wrong kind of attention from others. Some days she wondered why she even came back. This man was one of the few who seemed to not despise her. He was also something that fascinated her. Especially seeing how he seemed to be healed already after suffering such damage.

Jursol continued to pet the small raptor as she gave a fanged smile before speaking.

“Freedom not be free. It be paired for in blood, death, suffering. It be something I will never give up without a fight. Dis war be something I want nothing to do with. Dis world be suffering. Dis world be afraid of anything it not be understanding.”

Taking a look around at her hut with a slight smile she spoke frankly to him.

“I be doing anything to protect my freedom, my family, my way of life. Even if it be meaning killing.”

As she finished speaking the little raptor leaped off her to run around the hut. It found a place to rest as she moved to prepare to follow the elf into the jungles. Grabbing a few small bags, and; some vials that were empty to collect blood, before moving to the door to leave.

“If you be healed it be time to hunt.” She seemed eager to shed the blood of those they are after.

[ L.K ]     “We are very much alike in that respect Miss Jursol.”.

Lazarius would make his way beside her. Taking it upon himself to move from the inside of her cabin to the outer jungles that seemed to scream with life. It was obvious he didn’t seem all too bothered by the sounds and sights of the jungle. Unlike most elves that would have probably found dirt and sweat to be unappealing, he was quite comfortable.

“I will need you to lead the way as I have the navigation skills of a drunken dirt farmer. Especially in these unfamiliar territories.”.

[ J ]       As the two walked outside, Jursol noticed the elf seemed very at ease here. She remembered another she met who would swat at every single leaf or insect, and jumped at every sound they did not recognize. Laughing softly at the memory before she took the lead.

“At least you be honest about dis. Most I bet not be wanting to admit any weakness.”

[ L.K ]      His voice cracked as he let a small laugh escape his lips. Lazarius was pleased so far, free from those shackles and bindings, free from the grips of his captors. Hopefully the rest of his order was not irrationally starting a war, God’s only knew his twin must have been livid with him missing...again.

As she was permitted to take charge, he relinquished control to her. Staying close but not too close as to crowd her. He was trying to match her stride but he was absolutely no where as skilled at jungle traipsing as she.

“My views and...thoughts have changed over...the years.”.

He said brokenly as he walked behind her, his voice only loud enough for her to hear under the weight of their steps along the brush.

“My life has... been in the service of the ... old ones since I was only ... very young, but now ... I know that I must balance ... carefully on both sides...”.

[ J ]       As she lead the way with her white raptor near by, she heard a sound in the brush. A simple wave her hand and the raptor took off after what ever it was. A screech was heard as the sounds of a struggle came from the brush. The loud sound of crunching of bones was the last thing heard, before the raptor returned looking pleased. It’s mouth dripping in the blood of what ever poor animal was there. Jursol listened intently to him as she moved branches such out of his way.

“Old ones? Ah you be meaning Old gods I take it. Mmm, yes as with everything balance must be held. As one once be telling me, da be no darkness without light, no light without darkness. Even da shadows need da light to exist. It be hard to be free here in Zandalar. One must follow certain ways, or be shunned.”

[ L.K ]     Lazarius was more thinking out loud than anything, thank the gods they found flat soft ground to walk on finally.

“The people who serve with me, I will do anything to ensure they are free of tyranny, judgement and persecution.”  

He thought to himself for a moment then spoke.  

“Consider that my debt paid in full Miss Jursol, should you ever need somewhere safe... of these jungles come to claim you and the tribes encroach on your lands...should you need an ally in your darkest hour. The Nine...our Bastille, and my wrath...will be yours to use as you see fit.”

[ J ]       A deep sigh escaped her lips as she continued to clear a path. The beach was now close enough to hear the waves crashing on some rocks at the shoreline.

“I tank ya for dat, really. . . I be under attack more den most know.  Now more den evah...”

[ L.K ]     “ We are family...and I will protect the ones who protect me with my life...if that means we can be at peace and do as we wish....Freedom...” he said softly as they came closer to the exit of the forest edge.

[ J ]       Growing silent Jursol pointed to the beach now within sight. Scattered around still were bits of the ship, and maybe it’s contents of anything made it ashore. The white raptor made a sound as it seemed to pick up on something. Scavengers perhaps? Or perhaps others looking for this elf.

[ L.K ]     He reached out and took hold of her scaled flesh with the wrapped edges of his bandages.

“ Wait...”

As he moved up closer beside her, both elf and troll would be in that sneaky crouching position, and from their height vantage looking down at the beach, a small fire with seven figures could be seen huddled about massive piece of drift wood and debris. They had in fact found part of the wreckage of the airship.

“It must have crashed nearby and drifted in the lagoons...”

She could see his eyes flare up at this point had she looked back to him when he spoke. Voided magic’s beginning to drip from the gaps of the wrappings around his fingers, sizzling like a black magma as it hit the ground and slithered back to its master to be reborn again.

“These men are mercenaries, come to claim the price on my head. Their intention was to return me to Quel’thalas and deliver me to a very powerful Magister. They have something very important to me that I need in order to return to my people.”

Lazarius slowly moved a hand toward his shoulder where his robes were not even covering half, she would see the circled serpent branding against his tattooed flesh. The symbol of the Nine.

“I need that talisman...”

[ J ]      After scanning the intruders Jursol looked to the elf. She noticed more and more how he differed from others. He was definitely something else indeed.

Her gaze was locked onto the void magic dropping from his fingers seeming to come from the pours themselves. As it sizzled hitting he ground, her eyes widened in amazement and fascination. It was clearly alive as it even returned to his body.

Wishing to ask questions she held her tongue for now. There were enemies to deal with now. His words seemed to break her focus on the void magic as she nodded slowly to him.

“Mercenaries dey may be, but like others trespassing dey will die. I guess we be keeping dem alive long enough ta find what you be looking for.”

A sly wicked grin crossed her lips as she licked her fangs.

“Den I be feeding my raptors good tonight. Perhaps even da small little ones can eat some as well.”

Clearly she had no care for the lives on those down there. To her they were about to be a few meal for her family, and entertainment for her.

“When you be ready I be ready.” She said as she studied the mark, burning it into her memory.

[ L.K ]     “There are no reasons to leave them alive... I will strip their flesh from their bones and flay them alive if I need to. The only one I want alive is the one wearing the red cap. He was second in command to the leader I killed on the way down during the crash.”.

Lazarius narrowed his black eyes at the rest of them.

“Elf flesh is delicious...so I have heard from a companion of mine. Your raptors will eat well.”.

Slowly the man rose from the brush and began to pad down his robes and clean himself the best he could.

“Well...how do I look?”. He stated as he gave her a generous charming smile.

“How about we go for a walk dear Jursol? I’m sure they will get quite the shock when we waltz on down and introduce ourselves.”

[ J ]       Looking to spot the one he wanted alive she snarled.

“Den the one shall live, while de others become a nice meal for my raptors. I feel dis will be a great night a hunt.”

In the distance the sound of a raptor calling echoed though the jungles. Jursol grinned even more as she readied herself. Looking him over and quietly laughing at his charming smile, she gave a nod of her head.

“Be looking ready to be teaching a lesson to dem.”

She said as she made a strange animal like sound. The jungles seemed even more alive as the other animals reacted to her sound. As he gave word he was ready she started to make her way down, clearing a path for him as she went. Once they were near the beach Jursol blew loudly into her Death Whistle.

Her hope was that mixed with the sudden uproar of wildlife sounds would throw them off. Perhaps make them a bit uneasy being in a new place, that does seem very unforgiving. She remained hidden until he was back next to her. The raptors hunting call growing louder as they to neared the beach.

"Gentlemen!"

[ L.K ]     Lazarius hollered loudly as he slid down the embankment and onto the beach where he could be seen clearly walking toward the group of seven turned even more startled.

First the death whistle and the sounds of the creatures nearby causing them to reach for broken pieces of metal and wood that they had used to as makeshift weapons, and now this?

"Gentlemen it is good to see that you've all survived our little crash. . ." He raised his hands upward as he offered to show them he was in fact unarmed. These men were not fools though. “Most of you. . .some of you. . .”

They knew that the restraints missing were a bad thing. Or maybe they didn't.

"Now I know none of us expected to get stranded here on the beautiful sun baked beaches of Zandalar but. . .that is what has happened. Suffice to say we should all hope to eventually make it off of this island in one shape or form or another."

Lazarius walked calmly toward the small camp. If Jursol so chose to join him, the introduction to the men would continue.

"This is Jursol, she is a friend of mine. We've actually decided to come down here to see if you fine, upstanding people were alright. And seeing as how at least some of you didn't get picked off by the shark swarms, it goes without saying that you'd probably like to live past breakfast."

"Shut up you fucking mouthy son of a bitch! Light be damned this was why we bound and gagged you, just Shut up!" yelled one of the men watching the Inquisitor coming toward them.

“Marill let him speak. . .maybe he actually has a way out of here." called another.

"No Calleh, we aren't going to let him speak. . .did you forget that Dawnseeker wants him. We're getting paid a shitload of gold to deliver him alive. . .fuck his plan, we take him in and get that-fucking-money."

The man named Marill snapped back, slapping the side of the moronic man who wanted to allow him a chance.

"Now gentlemen I think that is a pretty unwise decision. . .considering the fact that I'm not actually planning on going back with you. So why don't we just all relax and think about this. . .you just tell me where my talisman is. . . and we'll just forget this whole thing ever happened. . .How does that sound?"

Lazarius asked as he grew closer still, walking at the same pace with his hands raised above his head.

[ J ]       Jursol grinned wide as she waited a moment before walking out from the thick jungle. She found the fact they reached for makeshift weapons highly amusing, clear by the pleased look on her face. Her eyes scanned the men as she walked out next to the elf. Hearing him introduce her she gave the men a, very sly, fanged grin.

Hearing the men speaking back to the elf in such a tone as they did, only stood to amuse her even more. She had seen what he can do, and she knew that lack of respect will be the end of them. They need him alive, but he only needs one of them alive. This won’t end well for those men at all. The banter was making her laugh as she kept her hands within sight for now. Staying close to him as they approached the hunters.

“Jo be in mah jungles now. Trespassers be not welcome here.” She said oddly calmly as she grinned more.

“I be thinking you best be tellen him where dat talisman be. That or we can be maken dis a game. I be happy ta help ja meet Ole Bwonsamdi. He be needen some new souls ta rule.”

As she spoke she stretched her clawed hands. A faint humming came from a bag she carried. She had a little surprise for those hunters with her. The screech of raptors grew ever louder as they grew ever closer to the beach.

[ L.K ]     Lazarius calmly continued on his trek toward them, his hands raised, and a smile on his face hearing the troll interact with them.

The men were somewhat in a daze at this point. The sight of the tall elf walking toward them with hands raised high. The sight of an even taller troll beside him. That buzzing, what the hell was that buzzing. The screech Of raptors, why did it have to be raptors! They were panicking and bunched together. Eyes wide and hearts beating.

Lazarius turned toward Jursol and smiled.

“Do you hear that? Thump thump, thump thump...such a lovely rhythm that tempo...”.

Lazarius turned his attention back toward the men.

“My good men...this troll...this beautiful...mesmerizing creature...she will end you.”.

He stopped several paces from them, hands still raised.

“I am NOT kidding, she does not take kindly to strangers who burn fires, make messes and just overall are being rude on her shores...you are being rude, you haven’t even introduced yourselves..”

“Im Calleh!” shouted one of the men as he was swatted by Marill.

“ Shut up... look Kashebahl...no hard feelings or anything but you... you have to come with us, this isn’t personal it’s work...you shouldn’t be so hard on us we’re just doing our jobs...”   one more of the group had called out.

Lazarius paused and nodded slowly.

“Just doing your...jobs. Right well I mean that does make sense, makes a lot of sense...”.

He looked at Jursol and sympathetically offered her a frown.

“That makes sense doesn’t it Miss Jursol?”.

Lazarius would slowly lower his hands and droop his head.

“Do...any of you know what my job is?”.

He asked as his bare toe started to draw little figures in the sand haphazardly.

“ Youre a rich guy!” Calleh borked again like a fool.

“Shut up Calleh!” Marill howled. “ Youre a noble...you move fine art, spice and fabrics. And you..owned a massive manor in Tirisfal.  Look it really doesn’t matter. . .it isn’t personal, it just is what it is. . . ”

Lazarius was tracing a little smiley face as he nodded listening to them. Or wasn’t listening and he chuckled.

“Is what it is. . . Hmm. . . So you don’t know what my job is...”. He continued to draw and extended his palm toward Jursol.   He completely ignored what they’d said to get back to his point.

She could see by the gesture that it looked like he was offering her his hand, but then he swept it away and moved it to point at the men. As if now he was saying, “have at them” which was exactly what he was saying.

“My job...is locating individuals such as my beautiful counterpart here; who share a like minded opinion of the state this world is in...rallying under one banner...forging a future together. . .drawing strength and resolve from one another in order to survive the insufferable garbage fire that is Azeroth and nearly all of its inhabitants. ..”.

All of that was said as she did whatever she was going to do. The only thing Lazarius had told her was to leave the one man alive, he changed his mind and called to her.

“Spare Calleh won’t you...I like him.”

To be Continued in. . . “In Depths Below: Epilogue, Part 4″

[viridian-angel]

Black Pearl [Chapter 1]

Series: Original [Sara]

Genre: Thriller

Characters: Original [Rights Reserved]

Wordcount: 2,306

Prologue to this chapter here 

“Boss, you’re back!”

A round of cheerful hollers rose from the room as Sara entered, followed by a few confused mumbles and curious glances.

Held close to her chest, a frazzled-looking, skittish, scruffy black cat trembled in her arms, eyes darting around the room. Everybody gave it at least one look before returning their gaze back to Sara, who was currently more stone-faced than her typically charismatic and cool self.

“Uh… Boss? What’s with the cat?” one of her yakuza clansmen asked, scratching the back of his head.

“Ain’t that typical, goes out on a hit, comes back with a stray,” another joked, laughing to himself and stretching in his chair. The man behind him scooted closer in his chair, letting out a not so quiet whisper of “Isn’t that how she found you, dipshit?”, prodding him and laughing.

A massive man, about as tall as her and twice as wide approached her, reaching his arms out with palms open. “Here, I’ll take it, Boss. You still got blood on yer hands, you outta wash up.” Sara stared him in the eyes, conveying a silent message that he nodded in response to. She carefully offloaded the cat into his arms, the man holding it close to his shirtless, tattooed chest.

Sara took a deep breath and took a moment to stretch, clearing her throat. Everyone else in the room immediately fell silent and all eyes fell on her.

“Matano’s dead. Be on the lookout for retaliation– anyone loitering around the building, cars parked a little too long outside with no one coming out of ‘em. So on and so forth, you know the drill. As far as a lot of people are concerned, we’re even now. He put out the hit, he got hit back, no extra collateral racked up in the process. It’s about as cut and dry as you can get, we should be good– but you never know.”

Everyone in the room began to chatter quietly to themselves, picking straws as to who would be doing what and when. One of them spoke up above the rest, idly flicking the toothpick held between his teeth.

“’Grats Boss, but where’d the cat come from?”

“Heard it mewling from a janky old abandoned lot after I finished my business. It’s way too cold and wet out there right now for a stray to survive, so…”

She scratched the side of her head, just sort of ending the sentence there.

“Anyway, I need to wash up.” she continued, preemptively rolling up her sleeves. “Kentaro,” she addressed the large man, “Bring the cat to my room and just take care of ‘em for a little bit. As soon as I’m not covered in dry blood I’ll pay a visit to a convenience store and get some cat food for them.”

He nodded without another word, letting the cat have some wiggle room and shift back and forth between his massive hands.

Sara scrubbed her hands thoroughly in her bathroom, the dried blood on her hands flaking off and falling down the sink drain. She splashed some water into her face for good measure, drying her eyes with a hand towel and staring into the mirror.

“You’ve been dealt a real shitty hand–”

She shook her head. What could he have even meant by that? The implication was that something big was about to go down– but she hadn’t heard so much as a little blip on the radar regarding anything huge in the works. Then again, her clan was very much detached from any huge alliance– she was on her own, an outcast followed by punks. No one to answer to– but no one else on her side beside the people who pledged their loyalty to her. So, no one tended to give her friendly tidbits advice. Mainly, they just flung lead and shrapnel her way.

Cupping her hands, she gathered and poured water down her thick, silver hair. She worked little specks of red out of it the best she could, meticulous in her cleaning.

“All eyes are on you now, kid.”

More than usual? She was always going to be viewed as an unstable upstart to every other clan, and that much wasn’t new to her. What could she have possibly done? Something that he was going to do instead of her… something that he was sure of. What could he possibly be sure that she’d do?

She did a quick comb through her hair, pulling a hair-band from her pocket and tying it up into a neat ponytail.

“Guess I’ll just have to bide my time and find out…” she muttered quietly, stepping outside and walking into the main room again. Quick count– two, four, eight, sixteen… and Kentaro makes seventeen, in her office with that cat. Everyone here. Two of them were on relaxing back in their chairs while watching multiple camera feeds set around the surrounding streets and buildings. Five of them were playing cards and laughing together, waiting for their turns to do the basic tasks the others were currently taking care of. Three were doing routine check-ups and tune-ups on their small cache of weapons, four of them had taken point at the only reliable ways to enter the building, just out of view. The last two were hanging out in the kitchen attached to the main room, cooking a large meal for the rest of the group.

She couldn’t help but smile a little at it all. Despite not having any real instructions from her, they always managed to settle into the natural rhythm of work to keep the place safe. Sara knew she could trust each one of them, and it was the kind of peace that she always doubted she’d ever really be able to have.

“Boss!” one at the table shouted, reaching to the ground and flinging a raincoat up at her in one smooth motion. She instinctively caught it in her hands, earning a little dramatic “Ooooh!” and applause from the rest of the table.

“Figured you’d want to actually be a little dry when you go out there this time.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Michiya.”

The woman stepped into the rainy streets, now properly protected from the downpour the weather had turned into. Not cold enough for snow, but cold enough that this would turn pretty dangerous for anyone just trying to hang out outside. It was really late at this point, so most anyone would simply be sleeping at home. Anyone with a more… typical job, that is.

Sara looked around, eyeing the surrounding area for anything suspicious. Almost like clockwork, she saw a car parked across the street start up, lights flaring up.

She didn’t flinch, merely walking forward with an unsettling, unblinking glare focused on the car’s tinted passenger window. Within a few steps, the car’s tires begun to spin and screech against the street, quickly speeding off into the wet roads.

“Great. That’s real reassuring.”

Sara put her raincoat's hood up, taking more relaxed steps out into the rain. Whatever the case for someone to be watching her currently, she’d have to trust her crew to be able to handle themselves for now. She did have a hungry cat she needed to take care of right now.

There were few times in her life she had been happier for 24-hour convenience stores. It was a true boon to the people who didn’t typically get to live out their lives during the day– such was true for her now, and it was back when she was a temporarily homeless teenager. It didn’t take long for her to pick out a decent amount of cat supplies, pay for it, and get out.

From the crowd of people waiting for her outside, it looked like getting back home would be another matter entirely.

A large group of fourteen men formed a semi-circle a couple of meters away from her, all equipped with a range of close-range weapons from bats to katanas. Her eyes narrowed, observing all of them and making mental notes to herself.

“I don’t suppose you guys came to help a lady carry her groceries, did you?” she commented, forcing a laugh and shrugging her shoulders.

The most nicely dressed one of the bunch attempted to light a cigarette, not offering a response as much as his frustrated noises over the rain.

“Tsk. Real shitty weather tonight, huh?” he said dryly, giving up and tossing his now soggy cigarette onto the ground.

“Yeah.”

A tense silence fell over them before the man started to speak up again.

“So, Matano finally bit the dust, huh?” he muttered rhetorically, leaning against his car and sighing. “Well, I suppose that’s what he gets. Not really a smart idea to go starting shit when we got more important things to be doin’.”

Sara remained silent, keeping her eyes trained on everyone she could to be ready for an attack at any moment. The man straightened himself up, walking with a casual pace up to Sara. He stopped about half a meter in front of her, hands in his pockets. Looking her up and down, he let out a short whistle. Sara’s left eye twitched.

“Well, they weren’t kidding when they said you were big, huh?”

“Am I supposed to know who you are?” she said, an unsettling grin spreading across her face.

“Nah, not really.” he replied, looking past her at the bag of cat supplies she was holding. “Just Matano’s soon to be replacement. You really opened up a spot for me on the ol’ corporate ladder. Say, what’d you got there in the bag–”

The second he began to reach for the bag, Sara’s free hand lashed out and tightly wrapped around his throat. He let out a startled sputter and wheeze, his hands instinctively latching onto Sara’s to try and pry it free. No matter how hard he attempted to, he didn’t get so much as a budge.

The men behind him stumbled a bit in place, quickly readying their weapons and inching closer.

Sara squeezed tighter, eliciting another pained grunt from the man in her grasp. “Name.” she commanded, her eyes hard at work keeping tabs on each yakuza as they moved forward.  

“N… Noboru…” he managed to choke out, relinquishing his grip on her hand and waving hurriedly at the men behind him. “F-Fucking stop moving you idiots! She could break my throat right now…”

“Okay, Noboru. I’ll fill you in on any details you might’ve missed. Matano died because he tried to kill me. I’m not looking to start shit, but when people try to hurt me, I can’t help but lash out. I don’t care if you’re his replacement, or you end up being the big bad boss of your clan. You don’t piss me off, stay out of our turf, and leave us alone, we’ll get along just fine.”

“G… Got it…”

Sara stared at him in silence for a few moments, before unceremoniously letting go of his windpipe. He sputtered and coughed, massaging his throat with a hand and stepping back. “J-Jesus, alright then… you really outta loosen up, lady. I thought you were supposed to be the goody-two-shoes pushover of the patriarchs around here…”

“I’m nice to those who deserve it. People who come up to me with their entourage of goons to small talk don’t really fit that description.”

“Fair enough,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “I didn’t come here for a fight anyway. They’re just protection, really. More specifically, we’ve been searching around her for something…”

He scratched the back of his head, a knowing smirk on his face as he eyed Sara’s bag. “More specifically, Matano was around these parts looking for a little stray cat… it was pretty important, actually. I don’t suppose you happened to see one after you, uh… offed him, right?”

Sara kept a calm poker-face and shook her head. “No. Do you think I’d be looking for a cat in this weather?”

“Nah, I guess not. Just, you know… you happened to have a bunch of cat food and whatnot in that bag, and it seemed a little late to be going shopping for that kind of stuff.”

“I ran out of food. My cat’s hungry and yelling about it, so I went out.”

“Oh yeah? What color is it?”

“White.”

“What kind of cat?

“Persian.”

“What’s his name?”

“Yuuto.”

The rapid-fire exchanged paused for a moment, and he scratched his chin.

“Huh… so, a white Persian cat named Yuuto… how old is she?”

“He.”

His smirk widened, scratching the back of his head again and laughing. “Ah yeah, I’ve got a bad short term memory, sorry.” he said, casting Sara a cold glare despite the smile plastered on his face. “But you’d remember that for your own cat, of course…”

Sara returned the glare, but any trace of a smile was absent on her face. “Yeah. Are we done here now?” Sara hissed between clenched teeth, gripping her bag tighter.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to hold you from you cat any longer. Youta, was it?”

“Yuuto.”

“Right, right, sorry, sorry. I’ll getting out of your hair now.”

He opened his car door, taking a step inside before stopping. “Oh, and Miss Reighs…”

Sara didn’t offer a response, merely staring him down instead.

“… Might want to get indoors soon. Heard this weather was going to get even worse later tonight. Heh.”

He stepped fully into his car, sitting down and shutting the door as his crew begun to wander in different directions, offering her silent scowls.

Sara waited in place until all of them were out of sight, then let out a long, deep sigh. She tilted her head up, staring at the stormy sky and blinking through raindrops.

And then, a quiet, almost inaudible,

“What the fuck?”

#writing #ocs

[wild3flow3r]

Here is the one shot I promised like two weeks ago lol I hope everyone enjoys it!! Please let me know what you’ve thought of it!!

Down The Hall

A story about annoying neighbors, repeating phrases, and the overuse of the word okay.

Thalia would not have known about her new neighbor down the hall if it hadn’t been for his incessant band practice. Every night from ten in the evening to four in the morning there would be a constant banging on the drums, a guitar ringing out of an amp, and someone screeching out a song that wasn’t even good through a microphone. Maybe if there were other tenants in the building they would complain with her to the landlord and then her neighbor would have been kicked out only a day after they moved in, but she was the only other person to live on this floor and the old lady who lived upstairs could barely hear anything with her hearing aids in.

Now this is the fifth night in a row with that insufferable noise and Thalia is very sleep deprived. She had been leaving notes on the door all week begging whoever the hell it is that lives there to either practice somewhere else, or at a more reasonable time, but each night when she arrives home for work she finds her notes crumpled up and in their communal trash can. She would stand this no longer, she decides as she shoves her feet into her pink bunny slippers and ties her yellow robe over her silk pajamas.

She throws her apartment door open with a loud slam and stomps her way down the hall. With three loud bangs to the door, the godforsaken music finally stops. The door opens just seconds later, and Thalia is met with a woman about her age with purple hair and several piercings on her face.

“Do you live here?” Thalia demands with a hand on her hip.

“No,” The girl states simply with a bored expression.

“Well can I speak to whoever does,” she requests.

“Hold on,” she sighs before shutting the door in Thalia’s face.

Thalia can hear some murmuring on the other side of the door before it opens again. This time she is greeted with a man much taller than her with brown curly hair and murky green eyes. Similar to the woman, this man has several tattoos inked to his skin, but not a piercing in sight.

“Can I help you?” his voice is heavy with annoyance.

“You need to stop practicing your horrendous music this early in the morning!” Thalia spits out right away.

“Who are you?” The man asks with crinkled eyebrows as he looks her up and down. Thalia steps back self consciously.

“I live right down the hall,” Thalia points towards her still wide open apartment door.

“I didn’t ask where you lived, I ask who you are,” he chuckles quietly when he spots her bunny slippers.

“My name is Thalia-”

“Well Thalia, I believe that you should mind your own goddamn business. What I do in my apartment is none of your concern, and you have no right in telling me what I can and cannot do within my walls.”

Thalia sends him a glare filled with hatred, “You’re keeping everyone awake throughout the night! It’s rude!”

The man rolls his eyes, “Well you have been the only one to complain about it, and this is, if I’m assuming right, that you are the person who has been leaving notes on my door.”

“Yes the notes were from me-”

“Exactly! You’re the only one with a problem with it, so you’ll just have to deal with it.”

“No! I won’t just deal with it,” Thalia snarls.

“Okay.”

Thalia’s face scrunches up in confusion, “And I’ll continue writing my notes until the day I die or until you stop, whatever comes first.”

“Okay.”

“And I’ll complain to the landlord about you until he finally kicks you out.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” Thalia replies with a bemused sigh.

Harry raises an eyebrow once more before shutting the door without another word. Thalia stands there for a minute longer in frustration and with her mind a bit muddled. She finally gathers her bearings after the music starts up again, this time louder than how it was before Thalia had interrupted them. She let’s out a scream of frustration before storming back to her apartment, slamming the door behind her. She hates him, she hates him, she hates him.

/\\//\

Thalia was ready for the longest sleep of her life. Sadly, she knew she wouldn’t get it tonight if her neighbor continued to refuse her request of practicing at another time. She stumbles her way into her building after a strenuous day of work. Before she can climb her way up the two flights of stairs, she stops by the mail room where, unfortunately, he is.

Thalia ignores him while she goes to her mailbox which is only a few feet away from his. She can feel his eyes burning into her skull, but she still never turns towards him. Not even when he clears his throat to speak.

“You’re not wearing your bunny slippers,” he states simply and his body turns towards her.

Thalia’s head snaps in his direction, “What?”

He looks down at her feet, “Or your robe. Didn’t it have ducks on them?”

Thalia feels her cheeks flush, “What the hell is this about?”

He shrugs nonchalantly, “All I’m saying is that you dress way differently at night then you do during the day. It’s almost like you’re hiding your true self from your peers.”

“You have to right to make false statements about my life, arsehole,” Thalia growls.

“Actually the name’s Harry,” his lips turn up into a smug grin, “and I’m almost completely sure they aren’t false. You’re just a person who pretends to be someone they aren’t to please the people around them.”

“I don’t care what your name is. Hell I don’t care if you’re the bloody queens long lost grandson. You have no right to talk about people that you know nothing about.”

“Okay,” Harry turns to leave.

“What?”

“Okay,” Harry repeats over his shoulder and walks away.

“What do you mean okay? You should at least apologize for being an arse,” Thalia jogs after him, but it’s a bit of a struggle in the heels she’s wearing.

“Okay,” his feet carry him up the stairs much faster than hers do.

“Stop saying that! I hate that!” She barks from behind him.

“Okay.”

By the time she catches up with him, he slams his apartment door in her face just as he had the night before. She pounds her fist against the door in aggravation.

“Yes?” Harry opens the door after the fifth pound.

“Listen you, you have no right to make assumptions about me or what I do. Believe it or not I have a job, unlike some people on this goddamn floor, where I need to dress as someone I’m not because it’s the fucking professional thing to do!” Thalia pulls on the skirt of her black dress.

“Okay.”

“You and that goddamn word!” Thalia screeches through clenched teeth.

Harry tilts his head to the side in amusement, “Is that pizza place across the street any good?”

“What?” Thalia squints up at his face.

“I’m hungry. Do you want to get some pizza? You can keep yelling at me if there’s more you want to say,” He grabs his jacket off of the coatrack and slips his arms through the sleeves. He shuts the door behind him.

“Okay,” Thalia agrees in her moment uncertainty.

“Stop saying that, I hate that.” Harry raises his eyebrows before racing back down the stairs. Thalia staggers behind him.

/\\//\

“You look like you’re about to pass out,” Harry points out to Thalia as he places her slice of pizza in front of her.

“I haven’t been getting much sleep lately,” she mutters bitterly and watches as he sits directly across from her.

“Do you have, like, insomnia or something?” he asks before stuffing his pizza into his mouth.

Thalia sends him an unamused stare, “You’re joking, right?”

Harry’s lips tip up in the smallest of smiles, “Of course, it’s just so much fun to see you get all riled up.”

Thalia grumbles to herself and picks at her pizza.

“So what do you do during the day that makes you dress so fake?”

Thalia glowered at him in disdain, “Believe it or not, I don’t dress fake for my job. Just because you saw me in one outfit, which was my pajamas by the way, does not mean you know my sense of fashion.”

Harry’s eyes scan over her attire, “So you like dressing like an old widow going to a funeral?”

“I’ll have you know that I look bloody amazing in this dress,” Thalia snarls.

Harry chokes back a chuckle, “For a widow.” “You’re an absolute prat,” Thalia huffs and pushes away her uneaten pizza away from her.

“So are you going to tell me what you do or not?” he asks, unfazed by her small tantrum.

“I work as an assistant to the woman who styles the models for the women’s fashion magazine The Gentlewoman. This dress actually came with my last raise.”

“Oh so you dress terribly so that you look better in front of your boss,” Harry smirks.

“I do not,” Thalia defends in a quick snap, “and you have no right to make fun of how I dress. At least what I’m wearing is actual clothes. You’re literally wearing rags! That shirt looks like the cleaning towel my grandmum uses when she dusts.”

“This is fashion.”

“I work at a fashion magazine, and I can promise you it is not.”

“I’m a rock star! All rockstars dress like this.”

“I dressed Mick Jagger last week and I’m telling you that he does not dress like that.”

Harry coughs so hard his water that Thalia fears it might go out through his nose, “You what? You’re lying.” he finally asks between shallow breaths.

Thalia smirked in victory, “I am lying, but it’s just so much fun to watch you get all riled up.” she repeats the words he had told her earlier.

Harry glares at her, “Eat your pizza before it gets cold.”

“I’m allergic to food given to me by people who dress terribly.”

“So what if I let you dress me? Then will you eat the goddamn thing?” Harry sighs.

Thalia thinks about it for a moment before a sly smile appears on her face, “Alight, you’ve got yourself a deal.” She picks up the pizza.

“Wait! I was just kidding. If I let you dress me then I’d probably end up looking like my father is his stupid business suits.”

Thalia rolls her eyes, “I wouldn’t dress you in a suit. You want to be a rockstar, so I’d dress you like a rock star.”

Harry stares at her skeptically, “I’ll let you dress me if you come to our show in two weeks.”

Thalia frowns. She already hears them play at three in the morning, she doesn’t know why she would want to suffer an evening of torture voluntarily. But she really really wanted to get those disgusting clothes off of his body. They hurt her eyes whenever she looked at him.

“Meet me at Piccadilly Circus in four days. Be there exactly at noon and then I’ll take you to my office. You can tell me where your concert is then.” Thalia stands up, picking up the pizza on the paper plate with her.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. I’d like to get at least an hour of sleep before your screeching starts.”

“Aren’t you going to thank me for the pizza?” Harry leans back in his chair with an amused smirk.

“I could, but I’d rather die than do that.” Thalia flips around on her heel and walks out of the restaurant without another word.

Thalia must have left some kind of impression on Harry because that was the first night Thalia got a good night's sleep in a week. There was not one off key note to be heard for the next three nights.

/\\//\

Harry was late. Thalia has expected that he would be, but that didn’t calm down her frustration in the slightest. She was spending work hours on him, and although he might not feel it he should be thankful. It wasn’t everyday that someone like Harry got the opportunity to get a new wardrobe that is ten times better than his old one. So when he showed up twenty minutes after noon Thalia was ready to claw his eyes out. She is not a patient person.

"You're late," Thalia states in a clipped tone.

Harry shrugs his shoulders, "Okay."

Thalia glowers at him, "Follow me."

A tense silence surrounded them in the elevator ride up to Thalia's office. At least it was tense for her, Harry looked like he didn't have a care in the world.

"Strip down to your underwear," Thalia orders before losing herself in the racks of clothing in her office.

"I thought you said you were an assistant?" Harry calls out. "Doesn't that mean you get your boss coffee and and mail all of her letters?"

Thalia scoffs, "It's a styling job Harry. Officially I assist my boss in styling her clients. Unofficially, she's training me to take her place after she moves to America next year to work for Vogue."

After finding a few articles of clothing Thalia is sure will look amazing on Harry, she reveals herself back to the center of the room. Like she had ordered him to, Harry stripped down to her underwear. The disgust she held for him was on the ground with his rags, that is until she caught his cocky smirk.

"Is there a problem Thalia?" Harry asks with a tentative eyebrow raised.

Thalia coughs awkwardly and avoids her eyes away from his body. Her cheeks flame up, "Uhh... No sorry I just hadn't expected um... so many tattoos is all."

Harry bites his bottom lips to try and deeter his ever growing smile. It didn't work. "Okay."

"Just try this on," she huffs in response before shoving one of the outfits she'd selected into his chest.

“The shirt is pink.” Harry points out.

Thalia rolsl her eyes, “Oh my, you’re right!” her voice drips with sarcasm.

“I’m trying to be a rock star.”

“Pink is the color for rock stars.”

“Since when?”

“Since I just said it right now. Now change!:

Thalia makes sure to turn around as he starts tugging the tight jeans up his legs.. She doesn’t want him to catch her looking at him again, and she doesn’t trust her eyes to not do so. She fiddles with something on her desk before he lets out a cough.

"I'm not entirely sure about this," Thalia turns around to see Harry staring at himself in the mirror with an unsure look on his face.

"Well you're wearing it wrong," Thalia rolls her eyes.

"How can someone wear clothes wrong?" Harry's eyebrows crinkle on the top of his head.

"Just..." Thalia sighs, "Come here." She walks to him and turns him so that he's facing her. She feels his eyes on her face, but ignore them while she fixes the shirt.

Harry had buttoned all of the buttons nearly all the way to the top. If he was trying to look like the rock star he wanted to be, he was failing miserably. Thalia undoes the first four top buttons so that the top of his chest is exposed, revealing two swallow tattoos and the top of a butterfly. Her hands reach up to fix his hair, but he jumps away from her.

"What are you going to do with my hair?" He glares at her.

"I'm just trying to fix it!" Thalia throws her arms up in the air in frustration.

"It doesn't need to be fixed."

"Stop acting like a baby and come back here," She demands and points to the spot where he had been standing in front of her moments before.

"I don't-"

"Oh forget it, you wanker. If you want to look like an idiot then look like an idiot!”

Harry frowns, “I don’t look like an idiot.”

“If you’re going to grow your hair out that long then I’d suggest you style it properly and not always let it frizz up so much. When was the last time you washed your hair anyways?”

“Oh fuck off and get back to your job,” Harry grumbles.

Thalia rolls her eyes and then sighs, “Here, put these on.” she grabs a pair of black boots off of her desk and hands them to him.

“Boots?” he scrunches his nose in distaste.

“Yes, now put them on. They are better than your ratty old sneakers.”

Harry groans quietly but leans down to get them on his feet.

He looks in the mirror when he does. Thalia stands behind him, and as she does with the other models she dresses (and without thinking it through all the way) she pushes her hands against his back and then over his shoulders to smooth out any wrinkles on the shirt. He tenses under her touch, but she barely pays it any attention.

“How do you like it?” she hums and watches over his shoulder to see his expression in the mirror.

“I don’t know…” Harry murmurs.

“Oh shut up, you love it and you know it. You just don’t want to admit it to me.”

Harry’s eyebrows raise, “You’re kind of arrogant, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t be insulting me if I were you. I just gave you a shirt that’s more than one month's rent for free. I think a thank you is in order.”

Harry holds his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger, “I could, but I’d rather die than do that.”

Thalia shoves at his back; Harry lets out a loud laugh.

“You’re going to wear that next week at your concert.” Thalia states more than asks.

“I suppose if I have to. I might look better than my band mates though.”

“I’ve already thought of that. Here, take this to them and make them wear it when you perform.”

Thalia hands him a bag filled with clothes she’d already picked out for his band earlier in the day. Each outfit was not the same, but all of them were black and white. Harry would be the only one wearing pink, but he was the lead singer so she figured he should be different. She hands him another bag, this one a bit larger than the first one.

“What’s this?” he asks as he grabs onto both bags.

“It’s filled with other clothes you can wear for concerts. This way people will take you more seriously when you perform.”

“People take me seriously,” Harry pouts.

“Believe it or not Harry, as much as the people of the world deny it, most of the population judges others on their looks. It’s the first impression they receive of you, and first impressions are very important. For example, my first impression of you was that you were an arsehole because you didn’t care about the other people on your floor.”

“And now?” his eyes alight with amusement.

“I still think you’re an arsehole,” Thalia shrugs “Now I have to get back to work.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll see you around then.”

“Okay.”

Thalia watches his with raised eyebrows when he makes no move to leave the room. His eyes move towards where his original clothes of the day were folded on a chair next to her desk.

“I’m burning those. They’re a monstrosity to this world,” she notifies him.

Harry rolls his eyes, “Okay.” he finally leaves the room.

/\\//\

“Just stop your crying, it's a sign of the times. Welcome to the final show. Hope you're wearing your best clothes. You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky. You look pretty good down here. But you ain't really good.”

Thalia hates to admit it, but Harry’s voice did sound better at ten PM than it did at three AM. Many others seemed to agree with her by their constant applause. They also seemed to agree with his superb outfit choice. Just like they (she) decided, Harry was wearing the pink polka day outfit she gave him a week ago. He looked much more comfortable in it than he originally had.

This song was the last and final song his band was playing for the evening. It was also Tennille’s favorite of the few he sang. His eyes catch hers, and he smirks when he catches her slowly swaying back and forth with the rest of the crowd. She glares at him, but he only rolls his eyes in response before focusing once more on hitting those falsettos.

“Thank you so much for having us tonight. We’re The Bandicoots and we’re signing off.” Harry speaks through the microphone after the song finishes.

Thalia sits at the bar, sipping her drink while waiting for Harry to find her like he promised to when she first arrived at this place. He just had to help the band pack up their instruments before he could meet her, and that took another twenty minutes to finish. He sits next to her in a small huff, his eyes alight with happiness.

“So what did you think?” he leans in closer to talk directly into her ear. A new band was already performing, but they were not as good as Harry.

Thalia shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly, “It was okay, I guess.”

Harry chuckles quietly, “It was good enough to get you to dance.”

“I was being pushed around in the crowd. It may have looked like I was dancing when really I was only trying to save myself from being trampled.”

“Yeah yeah, alright.” Harry rolls his eyes. “Do you want to go outside? I think I might need some fresh air.”

Thalia only nods in response before getting up and following him to the back entrance. The alleyway the stepped out into was filled with smokers and members of other bands, but Thalia and Harry found their own private spot against one of the walls.

“My band mates really liked the outfits your picked out. They think we should make you our personal stylist when we make it big,” Harry starts with a teasing smirk.

“I don’t think I could ever work for you. Not if you wouldn’t let me touch your hair.”

The wrinkles by his eyes crinkle up, “I’m sure we could come up with some type of agreement.”

“We can’t agree on anything,” Thalia points out.

“It’s not my fault that you’re so unagreeable.”

Thalia puts her hands on her hips, “I am very agreeable, thank you very much. Just to prove it to you, let’s agree on something right now!”

“Well what would that be then?”

“I don’t… I don’t know! But I’m sure we could find something.”

“You’re probably a terrible kisser.”

“I am not! Why are you so rude all the time?”

“Well there’s only one way to find out,” Harry winks.

“I’m not kissing you.”

“See! So unagreeable!”

“Don’t be an arsehole-”

Harry cuts her off by pressing his lips against hers. She’s shell shocked, she can’t even breath. It was almost like he was suffocating her, like he was taking her life force away from her with just one touch, but it also just felt… right. It’s not until he backs away that air lets itself back into her lungs again.

Harry looks up for a moment with his chin resting on the palm of his hand, “I guess you’re right. You aren’t a bad kisser.”

With wide eyes Thalia stares at him. Her mouth open and closes a couple of times, no witty responses successfully breaking through the haze in her mind. Harry lets her be as she collects her thoughts. When she finally does speak it’s only to mumble out a quiet, “Okay.”

Harry laughs, “Stop saying that, I hate that.”

“Oh shut up,” Thalia growls before leaning up to push her lips back against his again.

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