#fane wants to STAY AWAY

[sturionic]

In the course of spiralling down an internet rabbit hole today, I found a truly excellent essay about the trials and tribulations of fandom: How To BNF Without Tears, by Walter A. Willis

If you are familiar with the term BNF (Big-Name Fan), you may have heard it in the context of early-aughts fandoms, or some configuration of superwholock. But this article is from 1954!

Please enjoy these excerpts:

Very well, let's consider a day in the life of this wretched Neofan. Brighteyed, the little fellow wakes early, listening for the tread of the postman. His ears are so sensitive to this faint sound that he will leap out of bed, every nerve quivering, when the man is a hundred yards away ….. whereas before he became a fan a whole battery of alarm clocks barely fluttered an eyelid.

It's me, I'm the wretched little fellow refreshing my AO3 inbox, nerves a-quivering

Consider now a day in the life of the BNF. He too is driven from pillow to post, but since he was up to two o'clock in the morning finishing an article he had promised for ten days ago, the postman has to knock twice to waken him. He staggers down the stairs, observing with a sinking feeling that the porch is covered with a layer of various sized envelopes[....]Some of the letters are from his friends, and he puts those in his pocket to be enjoyed later. Some are from self-appointed enemies, and he puts those aside until he feels stronger. The rest are from Neofen. Some of them want subscriptions to his fanzine. Some want information. Some want material for their fanzine. Nearly all of them are rude.

1954 equivalent of "RIP your inbox"

Now, on the way the BNF handles this mail depends whether he shall stay in fandom or retire suffering from chronic disenchantment like so many others[...]So I am going to suggest some rules which you might consider following when you become a BNF. (All that is necessary to become a BNF is to maintain a reasonably energetic standard of fanactivity for approximately two years.)

And then our friend Walter goes on to advise BNFs to "comment on as many first issues [of fanzines] as you can, and always find something to praise," "Always be polite and kind to Neofans," and to take the piss out of yourself: "Humourous attacks on you should be encouraged -- they add to the interest of fandom, rank as egoboo, and might give you something to write about." (Walter also warns on the dangers of attending conventions, and advises that you wear a false beard to maintain anonymity.)

Of course, I had to know: what fandom were these guys in?

So I did a little digging. Walter mentions a "Ken Potter" in his letter. Turns out Ken Potter ran multiple science fiction fanzines through the 1950's and 60's, including Brennschluss, Triumph and Scientifiction.

A scan of Brenschluss, containing such gems as "tho I did once kiss a girl" and "Isn't Fandom romantic!"

Additional glossary for some terms used in Walter's essay:

"Egoboo": A colloquial expression for the pleasure received from public recognition of voluntary work. Originated in science fiction fandom as early as 1947

"Hectoed" fanzine: A method of copying text and illustrations that fell out of fashion after the 1940's. It involves involves making a bed of gelatin, transferring a special carbon ink to the gelatin and then laying on and picking up pieces of paper.

"Faned": Slang for "fan editor," aka the editor of a fandom publication, usually a zine.

#anyways next time someone tells you you're too old for fandom #you know where to direct them #shout out to those ladies in the 70s trading kirk and spock yaoi fanzines #and shout out to these guys in the 50's sending each other hate mail about science fiction fandom beefs

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

03/08/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Cast&CrewSightings; DavidJenkins;RuiboQian;Samba Schutte; Alex Sherman; Rhys Darby Cameo; Fan Spotlight; SaveOFMD End of the Line Statement; SaveOFMD Billboard News and updates; Watch Party Reminders; OFMDCrew Gratitude Event; Kudoboard Reminders; New Kudoboards; Fundraiser Statuses; Articles; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Tonight's Taika

== Cast & Crew Sightings ==

= David Jenkins =

Chaos dad poked his nose out to send us some lovely and encouraging words. "Your power is noticed and admired, Don't doubt it. Ever."

= Ruibo Qian =

Our Pirate Queen Ruibo Qian had so much love and support to send today.

= Samba BTS =

Samba's keeping us fed with little bits of BTS each day, thank you Samba. Full Video here courtesy of @daria-meoi

= Alex Sherman =

Oh Alex, our 'Ass Tonight' Guardian Angel. I love that he's just over here liking all our unhinged stuff on top of the usual porn.

== Rhys Darby Cameo ==

Our wonderful crew-mate @_irene_adler and the Our Flag Means Daddy crew got us a wonderful bed-time story from Rhys. Please check it out on Cameo.

== Fan Spotlight =

Thank you @melvisik for continuing to give us lovely collectibles for all our cast & crew. Tonight is Fred Armisen!

== Save OFMD Crew "End of the Line" Statement ==

"Like our inimitable captain Stede Bonnet, we aren’t ready to give up just yet. We are devastated by the news from David Jenkins that attempts to find an alternative home for Our Flag Means Death have "reached the end of the road", but we want to keep fighting—not just for Our Flag Means Death, but for all the shows cancelled before their time. Shows that people put their heart and soul into. Shows that create life-changing experiences for their fans." Please read the rest on the website here.

== Save OFMD Crew Billboard News ==

== OFMD Gratitude Event ==

Join the OFMD Crew on Saturday March 9th, 11 AM PST / 2 PM EST / 7 PM GMT / 8 PM CET, follow OFMDCrew on Twitter.

== Watch Party Reminders ==

03/09/2024 there will be a watch along with the German premiere of OFMD Season 2!

@OurFlagRTL at 1PM EST/4PM GMT/5PM CET #OurFlagRTL.

Feel free to watch in any language you like! #SaveOFMD#LongLiveOFMD

= Wrecked =

Wrecked Season 1 Catch Up Party Starts Tomorrow at 8 am CST / 2pm GMT on the #RhysDarbyFaction server, feel free to reach out if you need access.

= Coming & Going =

Tomorrow 3/9, 9pm cst - 1030pm cst / (3/10) 3am gmt - 430am gmt on the #RhysDarbyFaction server.

We know it's awful, we're getting drunk and having a laugh.

== Kudoboard Reminders! ==

= Taika =

Kudoboard Link

The board will stay up until March 12th, and we will share the link with him on March 13th. The Kudoboard is monitored prior to approval to prevent trolls from jumping in (so if you don't see your additions right away, that's why!)

== Cast & Crew Kudoboards ==

In addition-- thank you to @sharpenyersword on Twitter for setting up ALL THE KUDOBOARDS!

Go send the cast and crew some love folks!

David Jenkins

Nathan Foad

Con O'Neill

Ruibo Qian

Leslie F*cking Jones!

Matthew Maher

Samson Kayo

Alex "Ass Tonight" Sherman!

David Fane

Fellow OFMD Fan Crew!

== Fundraiser Statuses ==

Many fans are turning their grief and feelings of poison into positivity. Since this post by @gentlepanpirate was posted this afternoon around 1:45 MT, the eSIMS and Sanitary Products for Gaza has gone up 12%. Do you have a few dollars to spare? Everyone doing just a few dollars will move it up fast. If not no worries, please consider sharing the link instead!

givebutter.com/OFFP3

= In Soup Now =

In Soup Now in honor of Kristian Nairn's favorite charity Team Haven Belfast, is at 17% Great job everyone working on helping feed unhoused neighbors. Can't donate? No worries! Please consider sharing the link!

https://givebutter.com/OFFP3

== Articles ==

Lot of articles tonight yall. Remember that every one of these shows you made an impact. It sucks cause a lot of them say "failed to find a home" which isn't true, we were robbed of one. But they still matter. The fact that they wrote anything at all shows we've been making waves. You still have power, as Chaos dad said. They didn't take that from you.

Our Flag Means Death Creator David Jenkins Confirms Show Has Reached the End of the Road

Our Flag Means Death Fails to Find New Home After Max Cancellation — Read Creator’s Statement

'End of the Road': Our Flag Means Death's Fate Confirmed by Creator

Our Flag Means Death Creator Addresses Chances of Series Return

‘Our Flag Means Death’ Creator Raises White Flag on Former Max Comedy

‘Our Flag Means Death’ Creator Says It’s “The End Of The Road” After Comedy Fails To Find New Home

Our Flag Means Death Is Officially Done After Not Finding New Streaming Home

Series creator: No new home found for canceled 'Our Flag Means Death'

Our Flag Means Death Creator Confirms The End Of Cancelled Max Show

Our Flag Means Death creator couldn’t find a new home for the series, which is now officially on its way to Davy Jones’s locker

Our Flag Means Death season 3 not happening, creator confirms

Our Flag Means Death creator “officially confirms” show cannot be saved

Our Flag Means Death Canceled After Two Successful Seasons

Our Flag Means Death officially over as the queer series fails to find a new home

El creador de ‘Our Flag Means Death’ dice que es «el final del camino» después de que la comedia no logró encontrar un nuevo hogar.

Our Flag Means Death creator says it's officially the 'end of the road' after show fails to find new home

OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH IS OFFICIALLY OVER, CREATOR CONFIRMS SEASON 3 FAILS TO FIND NEW HOME

Unfairly cancelled show fails to find new home: ‘It’s the end of the road’

Heartbreak in the High Seas: Our Flag Means Death Officially Sails Into the Sunset

== Love Notes ==

Hey lovelies.

I know some of you found out the news later than others, and it's still very raw for you. I'm sending so much love your way, I know you had less support than some of us when you found out and that's got to feel terribly lonely. I've talked to some folks who were fine yesterday, and not okay today, and vice versa. Just know we are here luvs, we are here, and we're happy to talk. We're all going to be grieving for a while. So please be kind to yourselves. Give yourself some grace, it's okay if you can't do much right now. It's okay if you don't finish that gif set, or that artwork, or that fic. It's okay if all you do is get by today. You are doing enough. It's okay if you need to have distractions so you're doing twice as much as you did before. Distraction can help a lot with nervous energy. Give yourself room to be creative, and to let your mind wander, it could use a break. Take some time to laugh if you can. Laughter really can be healing. I wish I had some advice for tonight. I wish I had some better words of encouragement, I know it's all very hard right now for everyone.

Please just know a few things, and you've heard them before, but I need to hear them once in a while so I'm going to say them to you.

You are loved.

You are worthy.

You are enough.

You are beautiful.

You are kind.

You are exactly the way you should be.

You are loved.

== Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika ==

Just som giggle from our two guys to hopefully bring a smile to your face.

Daily Darby Courtesy of @fandomsmeantheworldtome

Tonight's Taika Courtesy of @IBrokeCharacter on twitter.

#daily ofmd recap #daily ofmd recaps #ofmd daily recaps #ofmd daily recap #ofmd #s3 renewal #our flag means death #rhys darby #save ofmd #taika waititi #samba schutte #david jenkins #ruibo qian #alex sherman #chaos dad #ofmdfancrew #saveofmdcrew #adoptourcrew #longliveofmd

[away-ward]

A list of things we know to be true about the Horsemen's parents:

In no particular order - Not an exhaustive list - Feel free to add

Evans Crist had Schrader Fane killed, and paid Martin Scott to do it.

Schrader Fane knew the truth of Damon's birth and, knowing how cruel Gabriel Torrance could be, gave Damon the key to the Carfax room.

Gabriel was also involved in Schrader's death when he learned that the Fanes intended to tell Damon the truth after he turned 18.

Katsu Mori did not inherit his wealth, but built it himself. Worked full time while going to school so his wife could stay home and raise Kai.

Katsu hated Gabriel and Evans, but did not hold that against their sons.

Vittoria did come from a wealthy family but gave it up to be with Katsu. Her family refuses to acknowledge Kai.

(dropped after Corrupt: Katsu has a brother who owns a construction company in Thunder Bay.)

Christiane Alder Fane married her husband at 18, and moved away from her extensive family in South Africa (who are apparently close enough for Rika to leverage to convince Damon his children can have a large family, but not close enough to know that something was wrong with Christiane).

Gabriel originally owned the Delcour and sold it to Evans.

Will's father, Will (Jr?) had two sons before he decided to pass on the family name (risky move, bro)

Caroline Grayson likes movie marathons, and the actress Doris Day.

Will Jr (?) has at least one younger brother, Matthew. (actually wanna call Will's dad Aaron. Do we know what he goes by?)

A.P. (may have) murdered his best friend.

A.P. (may have) shipped Evans off to Blackchurch and had him killed.

A.P. looked like he was in his 50s when he was in his 80s (he's either vain and had surgery, or has got some darn good genetics. Based on what Emory said about Will, I'm guessing the latter).

A.P.'s personality is more similar to Misha's, but Will is his favorite (Will is everyone's favorite according to Will).

Griffin Ashby cut Schrader out of a few business deals (and this was apparently enough for Rika to give Damon information to take him down over a decade after his death, despite not wanting to hurt Winter.(How do you send your attack dog at some one and then be surprised when they attack?))

Adam Scott moved into his wife's childhood home to raise their family. Presumably, his in-laws never left.

Adam and Paige Scott died during a hurricane.

Emory's grandmother moved from France to New England in the 1930s, when she was a toddler. Her father built the house Emory grew up in.

Emory's grandmother was wild as a teenager. She'd been hurt somehow. Her husband was a patient man.

Margot Ashby had an affair with Gabriel.

Natalya Delova Torrance was Winter's first ballet teacher.

Lucinda Evers sold her daughter to Damon for $9462, a Rolex, and emerald earrings.

Lucinda tried to get Damon to give Nik back.

#devil's night series stuff #devil's night series #most of these people are disasters #I have new headcanons though! #the horsemen of thunder bay #the women of thunder bay

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

Stay

ao3

Summary: The Dragonborn tells Odahviing why she needs to return to Windhelm, but Odahviing doesn't want her to go. And, perhaps, she doesn't want to go either.

Author's Note: This is purely self-indulgent. I'm kinda hooked on the idea that if Leara was pregnant with Ulfric's baby, Odahviing would steal the baby along with Leara. Leara's kid would have a cool dragon dad.

please I just like parent AUs and I am not sorry

But this isn't a parent AU! This is Rosewing mutual pining at its corniest.

Please enjoy, with extra salsa for your corn chips.

#######

"I'm pregnant."

One lazy dark eye opened to take in the Dragonborn. She was clad in only a linen robe, her long, pale golden legs exposed. She lay in the curve of his neck, her bare toes braced against his muscles and her back against his jaw.

Pregnant?

"Are you ill?" Odahviing asked.

"I suppose I feel a little ill, but I'm all right." His Dovthurjud sighed, her delicate pink mouth falling open. "You'll need to return me to Windhelm."

Hot fire boiled in the red dovah's belly. "Do you wish to return to the Strunkodaav?"

She pressed her face into his, so much smaller and yet so worthy of his adoration. "I must, for the baby."

Odahviing cast his mind back to the moment he took her from the Strunkodaav's city. Exhausted and fragile, a snowflake threatening to shatter. She climbed on his back then, despite the guardsman's plea for her to consider what the Jarl would want. Reason said the Jarl did not want the Dovahkiin flying off with a dovah at the flap of a wing. That had been two months ago. If Odahviing returned ber to the Strunkodaav, she would not come back. He could not, would not let his Dovthurjud return to life as a weapon for mey joor paar.

Not now, not after the tinvaak of their zii together.

Odahviing curled his tail closer, encircling the Dovahkiin, his heart heavy. She was Judsedov. If she commanded him, he would carry her to the Strunkodaav and never return. He prayed to Bormahu that she did not wish that of him. His soul would wither, feim zii, and there would be no return.

Odahviing growled.

She was on her knees beside him, her long cool fingers stroking the soft scales in the hollow of his cheek. "What is it?"

He was silent a moment longer, basking in the feel of his Dovthurjud's hands on him, stroking him.

Ah, if only she understood what she meant to him! But the minds of joorre are finite, even those with the Sossedov.

Hi los dii zii yol.

The fire in Odahviing's chest raged. He could not tell her that. He turned his head away from her hands.

The Dovahkiin stood and at once Odahviing felt the loss of her proximity. From the corner of his eye, he watched her leave the protective ring of his body, her feet padding against the dusty stone of Skuldafn's high fane. Her head was bowed behind a curtain of chestnut curls.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, mon coeur fidèle." Behind her veil, her smile was ever present, but Odahviing could not face it. "I'll get my things."

Then his Dovthurjud was gone. Odahviing coiled into a tighter ball. He did not wish her to leave. He needed her to stay. Her and . . .

The Junsedov was with child. The Strunkodaav's child. And she was returning to the mey joor for the sake of her kiir.

But, did she have to? What awaited monah and kiir in the Strunkodaav's Hofkahsejun but an eternity bound to joor paar and a life away from the lok se Keizaal?

Stones trembled as Odahviing jarred to his feet. His wings drug behind him as he crossed the high fane to the dwelling of the sonaak. His Dovthurjud had sheltered in there from the day he brought her to Skuldafn, her joor slen too delicate to withstand the frigid nights and harsh winds for long. She took Nahkriin's home as she took his mask, her strun sweeping through and cleansing the traces of the old order away.

"Ysmir," he rumbled, standing outside her door.

After a moment, it creaked open. The Dovahkiin's face was pale, her eyes wide and ringed red. "What's wrong?"

Odahviing teetered on the edge. There were many things he had not told her, but his pride would not allow him to let her go back to the Strunkodaav unaware. "I do not wish you to leave."

She stared at him. "But I cannot stay. Ulfric . . . the Jarl needs to know about, about the baby." Her eyes fluttered closed, but a tear still escaped to wind down her cheek. Odahviing did not miss it.

"Does he?" the dragon rumbled low in his throat.

"We-well, of course he does." Another tear, chased by a third and a fourth. "This is his heir. He'll want them safe and, he'll want them there. With him."

Lowering his head, Odahviing pressed his snout against the gentle swell of his Dovthurjud's breast. Her small warmth was a balm against his boiling thoughts. With hesitant hands, she ran her thin fingers over over the ridges of his nose. Her rosy mouth was twisted in a grimace, as if pained. Odahviing's soul stung at the sight.

"What do you desire, Ysmir?"

"I—" Her eyes were still closed, but the tears were coming down soft and fast now. "I don't—"

A gentle purr rumbled out of the red dovah's throat as his Dovthurjud pressed her face into his snout, her arms stretched around him as far as she could reach. Then her knees buckled and Odahviing was the only thing between her and the cold flagstones.

"Kunziiyol," he whispered.

She let out a sob. "I can't leave, I can't—"

"Kunziiyol."

"Mon coeur." He felt her lips press like a brand against his snout. "Je t'aime."

He did not understand. The Judsedov said many things in some joor tinvaak that he did not comprehend, but her voice soothed the inferno in his spirit. "Kunziiyol."

Her hands fisted against his scaled ridges. Then she spoke, her voice so low that he only caught the vibrations of it through the air: "I don't want to leave you."

The dovah hummed.

"Odahviing, please." She lifted her head, her pale golden face shining with tears. "Ask me again?"

Ask her . . .

"Stay."

Her lips were on his scales again, again and again as she ran them in a hot trail across his face. "Yes, yes, I'll stay."

Warmth bloomed like sunlight in Odahviing's chest, golden and all-consuming. His Dovthurjud, his, and her kiir, she would stay, both of them.

Slipping his tongue from his mouth, he slid it passed the folds of his Dovthurjud's robe. Encircling her leg, he ran it up the silkin skin and pulled her legs against him. The Dovahkiin gasped, slipping forward along his snout as he lifted her. "Why do you want me to stay?" she asked, breathless as her weight settled over him.

Holding her aloft, a growl tumbled out of his throat. His Dovthurjud's eyes squeezed shut and she moaned, her mouth falling open. In response, his tongue constricted around her thighs, cradling the swell of her below the hips.

"Why . . . " she tried again, her voice trailing off in a groan.

He could not speak, not with her form enfolded in his tongue, with the taste of her on his lips, in his mouth . . . He could taste the changes in her body on her skin, though they were not yet visible to the eye. With her supported against him, he moved away from the sonaak's dwelling, carrying her to the ruins of the portal to Sovngarde, now sealed. Settling in the epicenter of the crater, he lowered the Dovahkiin to the ground, drawing his tongue back from the warmth of her skin. She slid to the ground, her legs disappearing beneath the pale linen of her robe. Odahviing reared his head back to take her in. Joor though she was, she was the Judsedov, his Kunziiyol. His.

Tears still stained her face, but there was a light in her eyes, a bright koor where before there was a brooding strun.

"Odahviing."

He bowed his head, settling it before her on the ground. Almost at once, her hands were stroking him again. "Do you not know?"

"Tell me."

As the Judsedov commanded, he must obey.

"You are my Dovthurjud, the great queen over all the dov."

She hummed, a chestnut curl trailing its way over her shoulder to settle on her breast where her robe fell open. Offhand, Odahviing noticed that she had not worn her wrapping. Just as she wore nothing about her hips.

"You are my Kunziiyol."

"What does that mean?" she asked, quick, eager.

Odahviing blew warm air against her, ruffling her curls and exposing the slender curve of her neck and shoulder. "You are the firelight burning in my soul."

"Odahviing, please." Her hands never stopped their gentle motion. "I don't understand what that means, but I, I think I have an idea, and I need to tell you something," she pursed her lips, her own small tongue poking between her teeth.

He could taste her emotions on the air, rising and full where earlier she was dampened. He could not bear for her to be so again.

"I don't want to take my baby back to Windhelm." She kissed him. "Maybe it's the way I left or because of the time we've spent here, but I, I don't want to leave you. I can't. Ulfric can do without me because I find I cannot do without you."

He breathed on her again, his warm breath flushing her skin.

"Odahviing," she whispered, leaning her head against his. "Mon coeur, I love you."

Kogaan Akatosh, but he loved her too.

#rosewing #fanfic #Odahviing #dragons #oc: leara roseblade #the elder scrolls #skyrim #mod post #dragon x human #last dragonborn

[luimagines]

((Florida trip imagine))

Morden reader bring the chain for a trip and help them find a portal the same time *tho no portal in Florida * and Morden reader see wind too close to the water were a alligator is clearly seen *minus wind since he failed to see it* and ran to wind to pull him away yet the same time hitting the alligator on the head with their faning pan making the alligator leave.

Morden reader: wind.. please stay near us, you almost dead.

Wind: you hit it with a faning pan!!!

Reader sign to see the faning pan is bend and bring wind back to the chain but they seen the whole thing.

Twilight: how hard were you hitting it??

Morden reader: enough for it to know not to eat him yet not to kill the animal. As reader put the bend faning pan back in their van while give the chain warnings of animals, people here.

Chain: why warn us? We can handle ourselves.

Reader: yes but I don't want to find out by police that one of you is in trouble and the heat here makes people do crazy stuff.

Reader: Also- he was about to be eaten. I can only do so much.

Wild:....Can we try to eat it instead?

Reader: Yes and no. Some people eat gator but that is neither now nor here.

Wild:...But soon?

Reader:.... Maybe

#pinky replies #modern! reader

[vanhelsingapologist]

question, what happened with Demetria at Castle Ravenloft cause I remember awhile back something with her being kidnapped if I remember that correctly

You do remember correctly!

Massive spoilers ahead

So the first time around, Volenta had intercepted our party about halfway to Vallaki. Demetria ended up being nearly killed and then dragged away, but our barbarian (rip) saved her life by holding off Volenta’s attention. This gave us just enough time for Strahd to arrive, who absconded with Dima’s barely conscious form.

They ended up keeping her in Ravenloft to ‘heal.’ This was three days of in-game time that consisted of Strahd subtly manipulating, gaslighting, and trying to coax Tatyana out of Demetria. He’s told her that they were meant to be married, that she was killed escaping an assassination attempt, and that the positive surges of emotion she feels he uses (read: strahd’s charm) are her true feelings emerging. I think he believes the last one wholeheartedly. In the meantime, I got to play my backup, a half dusk-elf named Emilia.

Demetria returned to the party after the St. Andral Debacle, and Emilia was written out.

She’s back in Ravenloft NOW because Strahd came to the Abbey of St. Markovia to check up on Vasilka and to retrieve an old enemy that we had brought back to life. Our Bloodhunter tried to stop him and he bemusedly went to kill him for interfering.

There was some bargaining on the behalf of the party, but the Bloodhunter was defiant one last time so Strahd killed him in two turns, stating he regretted that it had to happen. We also found out that our Warlock’s children were being held captive in Ravenloft in exchange for manipulating the party to Ravenloft’s ends.

Terrified for the fate of the party, our Druid (who is also spying for Strahd) pulled Dima aside and proposed a plan to keep Strahd off the party’s back, as we’d just gotten the tome and the sunsword: go to Ravenloft. The Warlock told Dima to pretend to be falling in love with him to keep his children alive. It’s all so, so bad.

Between the two of them, they convinced Dima to go for another three days, leading to Ravenloft Imprisonment: Electric Boogaloo. Only the Druid is there too, seeing what betraying the party could potentially win them in terms of safety. So the party has like a couple days of breathing room, but Dima’s being mentally fucked with 24/7.

Currently, Strahd has succeeded on biting Demetria once and believes he’s succeeding in seducing her. He is not. Dima’s stay is drawing to a close, and Strahd has already started fucking with the party again via Rahadin, so it didn’t even work the way we wanted it to. I think he knows we have the tome, and if he does, we CANNOT pull the ‘Dima go back’ card again. We’ve used that up, and my DM will thwart us.

Also, I’ll mention that my DM is pretty much superhuman at making sure everyone has time in the spotlight. I don’t always mention everyone else’s plot lines because my writing’s already so fuck-off long, but our Warlock is super tied to Strahd, our Bloodhunter is/was VR’s second, less impressive apprentice, our Druid is the chosen of the Fanes + a double agent, and our Cleric has a big Mother Night/Lycanthrope plotline.

#overall it’s awful #props to my DM for letting the party put up a member as a sacrificial lamb. I’ll never forget their amused little smile. #0 days since our dm last gaslit us #playing Emilia is a blast though! #If Dima died playing Emilia permanently would be so much fun #But don’t die Dima #curse of strahd spoilers #asked and answereed #Thank you so much for asking!!! I love getting to write about this

[templemoth]

FFwrite2023 #19 Weal

Mature content: assault

this is a companion piece to this story of a friend

He'd smelled blood the moment the door opened. He'd tried harder to backpedal then, all the nerves in his body that had been quietly prickling at the manhandling so far on fire now that he could smell death. The Keeper scrabbled for purchase on the door casing, nails digging in before he was shoved forward into the dark building. Like being offered into the maw of some horrible beast. Fane recoiled when his hands hit a shelf, eyes wide as he tried to get some layout of the space.

It was more than unease that bubbled up in him now. Panicked terror lit his veins. The kind he hadn't felt since he'd run desperate from La Noscea like hell was on his heels. Now it was right here, advancing on him in a tiny shop lit by just the moon's light in the windows.

Fane jerked back, ears pinning. He threw a hiss made savage with fear at the much taller man before making a mad dash toward the window. He was caught by the wrist and wrenched around. No amount of twisting or squirming seemed to loosen the bruising grip on his arm, though Fane tried to wriggle away. Being caught was the end. He couldn't be caught. He knew what happened when you were caught. His free hand raised to push at the man's chest, then, desperate, he slashed out with it, connecting just above the man's eye as he jerked his head away with a growl.

Fane wanted to scream. Always told himself at night he would argue and rage and light asunder anyone who did this to him. But the crystal bracelets he wore only tinkled uselessly as he was slammed into the wall, breath leaving him in a whoosh of air. Pain bloomed from his cheek when he was slapped, head jerking to the side. That hand stayed close then, fingers curling under Fane's chin so he could turn the miqo'te to look at him. It slid up to grab a handful of hair near his scalp, pulling his head back. "Nice kitty.."

The smug drawl of the words could have stopped his heart. The Keeper would never forgive himself later but that was when the tears had fell. He was caught.

Then it seemed all hell broke loose. There was a crash nearby and the hands holding him loosened, but if his attacker had bee about to do more he didn't get the chance. He was yanked backward. Once his grip on Fane was gone the miqo'te dropped to the floor like dead weight. He cowered for a moment, unsure what was happening before a familiar voice broke through his panic. "Fane. Get yourself out of here." Ardere? He whispered the elezen's name, peering up for a moment in confusion. How...? When? But the blond had already turned away, his attention back to Fane's assailant. It took a moment for the Keeper to gather himself- to recognize he wasn't about to die. He looked toward the door and slowly, as Arde dealt with the issue, clawed his way to his feet again. He heard little more than the 'go on' Ardere said next, before he had turned and fled out the door of the shop and into the night.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #fane #ardere

[scorbleeo]

Book Review: Corrupt

Devil's Night (Book 1) by Penelope Douglas

Source: Google Images

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

ISBN: 9781518783876 (2015) | Source: Goodreads

Enjoyable but Also WTF?

Going into this book, I already expected to read some messed up things but I am slightly taken aback that the level of messed up did not reach my expectations? For example, that whole revenge scheme? Taking away everything felt so mild and other than the assault that really disappointed me (in terms of the boys disappointing me), the only thing the boys did that I thought was edging towards evil was that box of remembrance. Maybe because I am a rather sentimental person so I cannot imagine what kind of hell I would rain down if someone destroyed my box of remembrance. Unfortunately, that "act of evil" was not even a planned event, it happened coincidentally just because box was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I would have called that pathetic.

Moving on to the attempted assault, I lost so much respect for Rika, honestly. I knew it was a misunderstanding from a severe lack of communication and so much miscommunication, but her forgiving them for attempting it was just, pathetic. Rika really should have more backbone in this regards and at least get some revenge. Instead, she slept with Michael. Utterly pathetic.

Something else I was not a big fan of. The boys constantly described Rika as fearless and a little screwed up but I don't see that at all. What I saw was a privileged girl with kinks and some amount of guts, that's all. Personally, Alex was a much better badass than Rika. Rika's character arc is something I don't quite like in the female characters I read about.

Corrupt might have been full of flaws but on some level, I enjoyed my reading time with it. Rika's relationship with Michael was boring but I loved reading about Kai. The way Douglas wrote the scenes of Kai with either Rika or Michael were filled with so much tension, it was so fun to read them. I guess that's probably why the threesome was unexpected but I do not mind it.

Oh, before I end this review. Trevor? Man, that boy is one of the most pathetic people I've ever read about.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

P.S.: Do not let my over-usage of pathetic take away the fact that I still ultimately enjoyed the book.

#book review #corrupt #devil's night #devils night #penelope douglas #erika fan #rika fan #michael crist #kai mori #will grayson iii #damon torrance #trevor crist

[lycantripuwu]

Legends of Barovia update! Its been a while and a lot of sessions since i did one!

Rhil has lycanthropy, we banished an escaped vestiage/demonlord, Traveled around with Ezmerelda and got harrassed by Morgantha

-We got back from the lonely tower to find Milijov abd Henrick about to be publicly executed by Rahadin for stealing the bones.

-Rhil stepped up and successfully talked down their sentence, they were only publicly lashed. Rahadin actually seemed sad that Rhil was glaring at him so hard.

-Mirre used his scryglass he got from the lonely tower and figured out where Anastrasya took the female children and Reek

-Rhil made a pact with Mother Night through her vestiage in the amber shard named Pandoryum. Hes serving as a conduit for Mother Nights power.

-Rhil got flash backs to her time as a priestess of Mother Night, her life before her temple was destroyed, and she was killed. Mother Night was a celestial archfey who was betrayed by the Rozana, the ladies three, and was sealed away by the fanes. Rhil was told that in order to free Mother Night, she had to use the gems at their respective fanes to destroy the seals.

-we headed out in the morning by horse to check a small town named Reneka. According to Urwin, it used to be a large trading hub for lumber until all communications stopped and traders started disapearing.

-We cross some flooding and end up at a sketchy lumbermill, it was filled with lycanthropes. Werewolves, werebats and wereboars, oh my. Combat ensues after we find out Anastraysa dropped off "unsuitable" children and the lycans have either been sending them to Kresk or snacking on them. We win after hordes of wolves and lycans. Both werebats fled, but not before Mirre branded one with his brand of castigation.

-Rhil and Jace got bitten, Rhil by a werewolf and Jace by a wereboar. Rhil learned that lycanthropy was created by Mother Night to serve as guardians of Cerrunos to protect the forests and it's been slowly corrupted by the mists since she was sealed away. Pandoryum told Rhil that if she can learn to control it, it will help her later on.

-Rhil grew up with lycanthropes, her Auntie Irda who she adores is a werewolf. So she's choosing to embrace the lycanthropy. Jace on the otherhand, does not want it. So through an old Mother Night ritual and help from Pandoryum, they cured Jace of his lycanthropy.

-We move on after sending back a group of traders with a girl from the orphanage back to Vallaki with our horses, and we make it to Reneka. Which is in horrible condition, tons of corpses litering the streets. We get chased around a bit by demonic statues that reform after being killed and end up at a old monastery of the morninglord which is arguably worse then the town itself.(very diablo like it was great)

-we prepare for a fight and armed with a banishment ritual to be rid of Arsynax, the lord of plauges. Rhil and Jace are eventually killed, trying to set up the ritual. Luckily Mirre stayed alive so he could finish the ritual and banished Arsynax.

-Mirre went to revivify Jace and Rhil, But one of his vestiges, Tarakamedes, stated the dead needed to remain dead and wasted a revivify scroll as Mirre tried to use it. Mirre begged his other vestige, Seriach, for help. After back and forth between the two(felt like a dad and mom arguement), Tarakamedes said he would help this once, but if both died, Mirre himself would not be able to revive them and they needed to stay dead. Seriach stated that Mirre owed him a favor before both dissapeared after reviving Rhil and Jace.

-after some much needed rest and Mirre getting got by a nightmare haunting from Morgantha. We headed out to follow the trail of one of the werebats marked by Mirre's brand of Castigation.

-we were eventually ambushed by spawns, wolves and werewolves, we got surounded pretty quick.

-a lighting bolt came from the trees and took out a few we had whittled down and in came Ezmerelda to help us fight!

-after the fight settled, we talked and turns out Ezmerelda has been tracking a pack of loup garu for personal reasons(her missing leg) and came across us. Believing we could possibly put her on a lead to the loup garu's, she offered to help us find and save the children.

-after hours of traveling and some catching up and learning about eachother, Mirre and Ez bantered quite a bit. Talking about past monster hunter stories while Rhil was fangirling in the back since she knows Mirre's has a crush on Ez. Ez is also looking for Rudolph Van Richten, who without a word, just up and left for Barovia.

-we eventually get to a cave, we fight our way inside and turns out that Anastrasya learned Mirre cared about Reek and took him with her back to Ravenloft. We figure out that shes been experimenting on these little girls and has them turned into undead and caged up in cells, a lot of them we recognize from the orphanage. The only one that wasnt fully turned was a little girl named Myrtle, a little girl we saved from the hags, but something definitely wasnt quite right about her.

-we quickly get ambushed by the bloodthirsty spawn and have to fight and kill off a bunch of children. we make it out through a back entrance since Anastrasya had traps set up to cave us in and we popped out on the other side of the mountain.

-Ez is about to part ways until Mirre confesses that he knows where Van Richten is and offered to lead her to him. Despite Richten telling him to steer Ez away from himself, Mirre's going through some things with the recent death of his mentor and feels Ez deserves the chance to at least talk to Richten. Ez appreciates it and comes along with us to travel to Vallaki.

-Morgantha shows up and offers to leave us alone in the future if we hand over Myrtle. We, of course, refused and get chased into the woods by large hordes of the undead and three yeth hounds. Morgantha saying she will make our lives living nightmares.

-after being chased around the woods, we try to settle for night after stumbling across a group of Dwarves that ended up in Barovia that day and have been lost.

-after some drinks, food and heavy flirting between Mirre and Ez. We get ambushed by sorrowsworn who tear through the dwarves and kill every one infront of us.

-after us quickly getting overwhelmed, Mirre dies and is torn apart infront of Ez, Jace being next until our lights go out and Rhil gets a powersurge from Pandoryum, entering a shadowy state where shes nothing but a black silhouette with glowing purple eyes and scares them off. Mirre gets revived by Pandoryum.

-Ez helps tend to Mirre who resets up his rites. Ez states that while the rites are useful, it was hard for her to see him bleed so soon after watching him die

-We have successfully killed off two yeth hounds but are chased into cave/crypt by a horrible storm. we open a coffin that was recently moved to find and unconcious Jace. Turns out the second we entered the cave Morgantha swapped him out with a fake Jace. Fake Jace looking corrupted and dead with a sword all to familiar to Vladimir's. The illusion disappears before it can strike us and Morgantha strolls in.

-She curses us. The curses go like this.

"We can do so much more then give you wee little nightmares dearies, we can make them into reality. You have no idea what you've messed with."

She sets her gaze upon Mirre. "You gave us your voice, son of bloody hunts, now let it strike fear into all those you converse with." A cold tickle can be felt within your throat.

She shifts her gaze toward Rhil. "You gave us your heart, daughter of night, now let it be drowned in the dark seas of doubt." A slight tightening can be felt within your chest.

Her gaze then lingers on the sarcophagus containing Jace. "The son of bright kings light gave us his word, a paladin is only as good as the oaths he keeps, is he not?"

-then she summons a huge shadow monster and atleast 9 shadows before leaving.

A fight ensues, Jace remaining unconsious the entire time. Mirre gets dragged off by the large shadow while Rhil and Ez fend off the smaller shadows.

Once Rhil clears up a lot of the shadows with spirit guardians. Ez races to try and help Mirre whos fighting for his life, she upcasts her lighting bolt and does just enough damage to let Mirre finish it off. Mirre only had 2 strength left, so he would have died if he got hit again.

-the fight ends, we get Jace up who has a level of exhaustion now and Ez carries Mirre since hes to weak to stand and we flee as fast as we can out of there.

-the session ends when we finally pop out of the woods at the walls of Vallaki!

#dnd #ttrpg #dungeons and dungeons #curse of strahd #mirre uldras #ezmerelda d'avenir #rhil darkstar #jace brightcrest

[roegadynroost]

FFXIVwrite 2023 - 03 Familiarity

The muggy climes of summer were finally giving way to cooler autumn air, but has always Gridania stayed green and verdant despite the shifting seasons. This early in the morning, before the sun peeked over the great boughs of the Shroud, the chill was enough to make anyone want to retreat back inside and return to the warmth of their waiting beds.

Alas, All Saints' Wake was less than half a moon away and it would be a busy time for the botanists' guild, thus it was that instead of doing her usual tasks for the day Crystal Ash was finishing up a bit of meditation early this morning. She was dressed in a ratty old dalmatica and a pair of her most worn tights, layered so that she would be warm enough to deal with the morning, but in nothing so cumbersome that she could not shed it when the sun rose into the sky.

Stillglade Fane was only a short walk from the Greatloam Growery, and with a warm smile on her face, she made her way to answer the call for help with the harvest. Crystal was far from the only early riser, there were already half a dozen others doing their best to make quick work of the waiting plants. Gourds of all color and shape, including her favorites, pumpkins. Currants, acorns and all manner of delicious treats waiting to be picked. 

Fufucha, the guild master was one of the early risers, already in the field doling out instructions and helping to pick the product. Crystal got out her heavy gathering gloves and waited her turn for the Lalafellin woman's attention.

"G'morning Ma'am! I'm hear to help! What did you want me on?" Crystal interjected when she saw her chance.

Fufucha's wide pretty eyes looked up from the squash she was examining, a bright smile finding her lips as she recognized the rabbit-earred girl. "Oh Crystal! I'm so glad you're here." Fufucha exclaimed, stepping past the plot to greet her. "I know you're busy with your other guilds so I'm happy you could still spare us some time."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss autumn harvest for anything." Crystal nodded, returning the smile before adding. "And I won't lie, I was hoping to get first pick of the pumpkins, there is one I have been eyeing every time I come with the fertilizer."

Fufucha chuckled, but left it at that before assigning Crystal her area, unsurprisingly the pumpkins. 

Crystal loved getting to harvest the gourds, she loved their different hues, she loved the delicate curl of their vines and she above all else loved their flavour. She could spend the whole day tending them, and she did so very often. It was past noon before she realized the time, and only then did she notice because Fufucha scolded her for not stopping for lunch like everyone else.

By now a dozen more had joined in and the harvesting was in full swing. Crystal stretched and shed her gloves. She tucked them in at her waist where she had tied her top by its sleeves, her eyes slowly scanning the field as she made her way back up to the hovel. There were all sorts helping today, Elezen, Lalafell, Hyur, Miqo'te, even a couple other Roegadyn to her surprise. She was all the more astonished when coming down the way from the hut she spied a pair of rabbits ears in the crowd atop the head of a young man. 

Crystal blinked, her footfalls stopping altogether. She was not in the slightest worried about how it would look as she was all but ogling this stranger. She simply could not believe her eyes. At a quick glance he might have been mistaken for a Miqo'te if not for the lack of a tail, but when one really took the time to take in his visage there was no mistaking the tall elegant ears spouting from his crown.

The man himself was much shorter than Crystal, by a head or so from what she could tell from her spot. His pale skin was kissed by Nophica, freckles dotting the bridge of his nose. His hair covered one eye, and she could not see the color of it. The other eye was a brilliant amber, and his hair itself was a vibrant auburn, nearly the same familiar color that she saw whenever she looked into a mirror. 

Crystal would have kept gawking if not for the strangers eyes meeting her own and snapping her from her stupor. She quickly closed her mouth. Had she had it open? She must have looked incredibly strange there, and surely he would say something about her curious staring. She readied herself but the awkward confrontation.

"Oh hey, you're here for the harvest too?" His chipper and familiar tone was so unexpected that Crystal almost looked around to see if he was talking to someone else, but as he came closer staring up into her bewildered face she knew he addressing her. 

"Ah, yes. Yes I am." Crystal replied, brows nit in confusion as she wracked her brain to figure out if she'd spoken with him before. She had not. There was no way that she would have met him and not remembered. If the look on her face bothered him, he didn't show it. His handsome face was bright and excited, the suns rays causing him to shimmer in the days light. He looked so genuinely excited to see her she couldn't help but keep up the facade of familiarity. "Are you enjoying harvest?"

He quickly nodded, a small hum in confirmation his reply before he spoke. "Yes, I am. Though it's much harder work than I expect. It's great to have so many in the guild around at the same time. I'm learning a lot in a short amount of time."

Crystal couldn't help but smile and nod back. She wanted badly to know more about this stranger and was about to form a reply when a shout from behind her interrupted and she looked over to the source.

"Honeyrust I could use your help over here!" It was Sandre, struggling to get a particularly large gourd into a wagon.

"I'm coming boss!" Honeyrust shouted back in alarm, moving forward to close the distance before stopping to give Crystal his attention once more. "Sorry, I gotta get back to work! We'll catch up later yeah?"

"Yeah, of course. Talk to you later Honeyrust." Crystal smiled down gently, the test of his name on her tongue came out in a very amused tone, as if she knew a secret he did not. If he noticed it he did not speak on it, he was already on the move again.

"See you later Thyn'a!" He called over his shoulder, jogging away to where he was called.

Authors note: I wasn't going to do the extra credit days, but seeing as the 24 hour deadline is not in effect yet and I had a spark, I figured I should take advantage of it!!

#ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #final fantasy #roegadyn #femroe #roegadame #ff14 #bunny ears #final fantasy 14 #ffxiv fanfiction #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #Crystal Ash #Thyna #Thyn'a #Honeyrust #friends #Thyn'a Sindyrl #Thyna Sindyrl

[sileniadream]

A new path among the trees

It didn’t take long for the merchant to strike a conversation with Lyreis, as the twins in the caravan were fast asleep (or faking it to avoid talking). But the hyur wasn’t giving much answers, as the questions fell into the category of memories she didn’t have. She shook her head most of the time, or shrugged, unable to follow a conversation. It didn’t stop the merchant to keep talking, maybe bored from his long travel around the Black Shroud. Approaching the heart of the Shroud, Lyreis felt the heavy ether dwelling in the forest, and saw strange creatures floating and drinking from the merchant’s bottle of wine. Surprised to see his bottle empty, Lyreis told him about the fuzzy things, and he explained to her that she was lucky to see them, as mogs tend to only be only seen by people sensitive to ether. Was it really luck when the mischievous creatures were playing tricks around? But the caravan soon arrived to Gridania, and Lyreis had other things to think about. She said her goodbyes to the merchant, the twins already gone without a word, and walked to the first city guard she found. An elezen, like many living there.

-Halt ! Who are you and what do you want here?

-I was sent here to meet with a Padjal, E-Sumi-Yan was his name.

-You…? Oh, you must be that refugee from that settlement… I was warned about your arrival. Alright, come with me.

The guard turned his back and walked into the city, Lyreis following as she was told to. She didn’t even look around her, not interested much by what was going on around her. The Padjal would help, that was all that she remembered from the past few days. Who told her? She couldn’t say, but it seemed to her that it wasn’t important. She walked past many elezens and hyurs working, talking, some eyeing the newcomer and wondering who she was, but most of them were just living their own lives. Meddling with their own business was the best they could do, as Lyreis wasn’t keen on dealing with anyone anyway.

-It’s down there. Just follow the path, and show respect to Master E-Sumi-Yan ! You refugees always act like you own the place…

The last part of the guard sentence was said between his teeth while he was getting back to his duty. It didn’t matter much, Lyreis following the path without a worry. As she already met with a Padjal, there was no surprise when a young looking boy with horns welcomed her in the Stillglade Fane.

-Welcome, stranger. You must be the one I was told about, Lyreis was it? Come closer. I sense the spirits around you, curious and eager, but scared at the same time…

-What does it matter?

-The spirits live everywhere in the Black Shroud, and they’re the one who let us live with them. If they feel you are a threat to the serenity of the forest, you will be sent back from where you came.

-You’ll have first to find this information, as I myself do not know.

-Amnesia, is it? That was what transpired from the message. I was a bit wary, since it could be an act to stay here. But indeed… something feels odd.

The Padjal was walking around Lyreis, watching her, analysing even. He stretched his hand towards her, feeling her ether to find something. His face made a quick grimace before relaxing his arm, pondering.

-You know something.

It wasn’t a question nor a supposition from the hyur. It was a fact. Turning her gaze to him, as she was only watching behind everything until then, she waited for his next action.

- … There is a strong power within you. I cannot tell for sure what it is, even if I have an idea, because it would be quite preposterous. I will need to check on you for a little while, and see if I’m right or not. You have a huge potential that I will train, and by doing so, we’ll see.

Another enigma. Another way to get the information away from her grasp behind a deal she didn’t really care about. She nodded slowly.

-Then train me. And see what you have to see, as it feels like this is the reason I’ve been sent here.

-You do not mind people making choices for you, about your life and future?

-Why would I? You seem to know what’s best for someone like me.

E-Sumi-Yan was unsettled by that answer. It’s true that it would be the best thing to do, but still, anyone should be able to choose their path in life. Or maybe not, as his own horns reminded him suddenly. He didn’t choose to be a Padjal, he was born as such, and his duty was given to him without having the right to say no. Was she the same? His hand reached his chin, thinking for a moment. If what he saw in her was really the power of light, then she indeed didn’t have a word to say. That hyur in front of him could be one of the precious warriors who saved them all in Carteneau, a Warrior of Light. Appearing from nowhere with no memories… It could be a sign. He couldn’t say, yet, but he felt some kind of familiarity with the situation that made E-Sumi-Yan a little more eager to help.

-Then it’s all set. You will become a conjurer, and I will teach you myself everything you’ll have to learn. But first, I will have to present you to Kann-E-Senna, our Oracle, and then ask Miounne to give you a room at the Carline Canopy. Come with me.

And so began her new life. This time, her memory didn’t seem to act up. Meeting people, learning their name, they didn’t disappear from her mind, nor the power she started to wield under E-Sumi-Yan’s wings. Lyreis was still emotionless, but tried to at least not unsettled her neighbours with her lack of reaction to many things. She gave a hand, helped around, protected Gridania and the Sylve, and it helped people to see her mostly as a stoic person than anything more. Or less. Doing her best to earn her place, that’s how everyone thought her actions were meant to. 

It’s during one of those missions, where she was sent out to investigate some strange behaviour from Ixalis that she met with two strange adventurers, named Yda and Papalymo. She didn’t know it yet, but this duo has been observing her for a while and seemed to have become aware of a characteristic power within her : the Echo. At that time, the subject was not talked about by these two people, who sent her back to Gridania, but Lyreis felt that meeting them was no coincidence. As if to underline this, she discovers a crystal which makes her have a vision of Hydaelyn and her Blessing. The interest she takes in all of this is limited, as if something was preventing her from really being aware of anything concerning herself. Shrugging it off, once more, she reported to E-Sumi-Yan what she saw, and her meeting with the two strangers. Knowing fully well who they are, the Padjal explained nothing and told her to rest, understanding what was going to happen. If she indeed saw Hydaelyn, then she was meant to meet Yda and Papalymo again…

#ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #lore dumping #lyreis levy #lyreis #story time #adelevy #e-sumi-yan

[ofelia-star]

Some books that fits this, that you've read recently

the Devil's Night series by Penelope Douglas.

i think it's a great starter for people who want to get into dark romance or the types of books i described in my previous post.

it's dark, it's provocative, it's thrilling, and it has a happy ending. the book also has many controversial characters that still experience a lot of character development which is a rare thing to find in the dark romance genre of books.

the first book of the series is Corrupt. i'll leave the book's description below so you can decide for yourself if this is something you'd be interested in reading. make sure to check the trigger warnings as well!

"Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true."

#booklr #booklover #female writers #penelope douglas #devils night series #dark romance #ask a mortician

[soupercatte]

FFXIV Writing Prompt 19: Turn a Blind Eye

Warrick wiped down the glass with the damp rag with a single minded determination, working quickly and efficiently as he placed the dish back into the cupboard before reaching for the next one in the sink. It was mindless work, easy work, something he didn’t mind doing day after day, especially since Kelas’ra had been paying him nearly twice what he had been making as a courier in Hyrstmill those handful of years ago.

He’d met the strange Miqo’te when the man had arrived in the small logging camp to retrieve an order of fresh oak and yew for the Carpentry Guild of Gridania. The request had been a large one and they were still waiting on a few more logs to be dragged in but he didn’t seem too worried, instead passing the time by asking around the camp to help those who needed it. It was a welcomed reprieve from the usual hateful glances of the typical guild lackeys and Warrick had found himself talking with the man, discussing various topics such as hobbies and family and where they were from. Somehow the two had gotten onto the topic of pay and Kelas’ra had balked at Warrick’s paltry stipend for the work that he did, so little that he couldn’t afford a place to live himself, staying in a local inn room, instead offering him a new job directly with him.

“You’re far too old for this mess! Why not come and work in my house?” He’d asked brightly. “I’ll pay you to keep things tidy and you are welcome to the guest room downstairs until you have enough to purchase a cottage of your own. I would wager it’s much easier than hauling logs back and forth every day!”

And so Warrick had agreed with little back and forth, setting out and following him back to the city once the order had been fulfilled. He’d been surprised to see that a Moon Keeper had even owned a home in Gridania, knowing all too well the strained relationship between the city and race but he supposed it was because he wasn’t a native that he didn’t seem to have much issue. If anything he seemed to be thriving, a familiar face to his neighbors who waved and greeted him as they passed.

A handful of years had passed and Warrick was content with his life, well into the prime of his years and gladdened to no longer be a manual laborer. He’d even been able to buy a small home nearby with his funds just after two years, which appeared to be perfect timing as Kelas’ra had shown up late one night with a small trembling child, adopting him and converting the guest room he had stayed in to a child’s room, complete with a plethora of toys and trinkets and a shimmering glass lamp in the shape of a carbuncle.

As he finished with the dishes he heard the gate outside clang shut, signaling the house’s owner had finally returned. Placing the last dish into the cupboard he turned as the door swung open, Kelas’ra stepping inside.

He looked drawn and haggard, paler than usual with tired, exhausted eyes.

“Welcome home.” Warrick said with some trepidation. “Are you…alright, Kelas’ra?”

The man gave him a weak smile, brushing loose strands of silvery hair from his face. “I’m just fine, My Friend, no need to worry. Just a bit tired, is all.”

He raised an eyebrow as Kelas’ra stepped past, pausing at the table to pick up an apple from the bowl resting there, a gift from the neighbor down the hill. “Are you certain?” He quizzed. “If you would excuse me for being so blunt, you look like death warmed over. Where is Master Teka’a?”

Kelas’ra grinned as he took a bite of the apple, wiping away the juice from his lips. “I would prefer your honesty more than anything, Warrick. You are right though, I do look a bit rough, huh?” He shrugged, taking another bite. “Teka’a wanted to go speak with his tutors in Stillglade Fane the moment we got back into the city, so I took him over and promised to pick him back up this evening. Seems he has a few questions to ask for his studies with conjury.”

“Ever studious, that one.” The Elezen man chuckled. “That boy will make for a great conjurer some day if not a White Mage. It’s impressive.”

Nodding in agreement Kelas’ra finished off his apple, placing the core in a small basket to be taken outside for the compost bin. “I am quite proud of him, if I do say so myself. He’s smarter now than I have ever been. It’s why I don’t mind the extra bills or effort to ensure he gets to study what he wants.”

As he mused his face blanched, doubling over slightly against the table and clutching the chair with a white knuckled fervor.

“Oi, what is the matter?” Warrick dropped his towel and rushed over, pressing a hand to Kelas’ra’s back but the man swatted him away. It was an angry hit, one he’d never seen before and stepped away, stunned.

“It’s nothing.” Kelas’ra hissed, clutching his chest. “Just…under the weather is all. I’m going downstairs to take a nap I think. You can take the rest of the day off. Actually, I insist.”

“That’s a load of shite and you know it.” Warrick pressed. “You’re doubled over! Shall I fetch a thaumaturge? Your neighbor is a healer, is she not? Perhaps I-”

“Just drop it.” Kelas’ra waved his hand, using the wall for support as he made his way past Warrick and towards the stairs to the main floor below. “I just need some rest is all. It’s been a long day, traveling back in from Ishgard. I’ll be right as rain in a couple of hours.”

The Elezen did not argue, watching him as he disappeared down the staircase, the wooden steps creaking under his weight. After a few moments he heard the bathroom door slam downstairs followed by the sounds of retching.

You want my honesty and yet you dwell within secrets of your own making. He grumbled to himself, pacing back and forth. You are not as truthful as you posit yourself, my friend. As reticent as you have become over the years…

This wasn’t the first time he had come home ill but it was certainly the worst. He couldn’t just leave him this way, his conscience wouldn’t handle it. So Warrick sat himself at the table, waiting patiently to sneak downstairs once Kelas’ra had fallen asleep.

He could still hear him in the bathroom, sick as he was, till after a while it grew silent and he heard the door open. With bated breath he waited to hear the bedroom door close but it never came, the distant tinkling of shattering glass audible instead.

What could that even be…? Warrick thought, slowly rising to his feet. He thought about quickly descending but if Kelas’ra knew he had stayed he’d be furious so instead he took his time, waiting longer until he was certain he had to be out.

With careful steps he sneaked down the staircase, wincing as the wood squeaked and cracked under his shoes, pausing at each step to allow the silence to pass. So far so good.

Reaching the floor he crept around the corner, peering first into Teka’a’s room, a messy flurry of books and toys and clothing strewn about and then to the bathroom, the door cracked. It was deceptively clean but he saw the splash of water in the sink and on the floor, denoting he had washed his face and hands.

He’s in his bedroom, then. He concluded, passing through the small sitting area with the fireplace before stopping by the last room of the cottage. He wasn’t sure what he’d find, but he had to ensure his friend was alright.

The door was cracked and he poked his head in, blinking in the near darkness as he could see a form sitting on the floor, leaning against the side of the bed.

“Gods be good…” He hissed, creeping inside and crouching by the Miqo’te, pressing a hand to his shoulder. “Come now, man, are you alright?”

Kelas’ra’s head lolled to the side and Warrick froze in place, not quite certain what he was looking at. His face was distorted as he gritted his teeth in pain, needle-like fangs poking out from his lips as he gasped for air, eyes closed tightly but there were many of them, far too many. They creeped up the upper half of his face, rising to his forehead and disappearing into his hairline as more seemed to appear as he watched, his facial markings creeping down his cheeks like tree roots, spreading out spidery tendrils across his skin. They soon combined with a strange black mark that was beginning to spread from his throat, staining his skin like ink or a deep dark bruise.

“What in the…” Warrick glanced down, noting his hands had become blackened as well, nails long and sharp, melting into his fingertips seamlessly. And in his palm was an empty small blue glass bottle with another one at his side, shattered. This was the sound Warrick had heard from upstairs, it would seem.

He recoiled at first, trying to make sense of what had become of his friend but he couldn’t bring himself to leave him be.

“Come now, then. Into the bed.” Warrick said softly, winding his arms underneath Kelas’ra’s, hefting him upwards. He was light as a feather, not struggling the least bit as he laid him across the mattress, watching him as he writhed and gasped, whimpering slightly as he slept. Or rather, as he remained unconscious. This was no restful sleep, this was certainly a condition he was suffering from.

Warrick stood in the center of the bedroom and watched him for quite some time, thoughts whirring a malm a minute. What should he do? This was something unnatural, Kelas’ra himself was something unnatural.He’d heard of men being bewitched by Voidsent in the forest, enthralled and turned over time. But it didn’t make sense! He’s always been so kind, so gentle and vibrant! 

No, not always. Not since a few years ago…

Turning to the table by his bedside he saw a tray filled with various small glass bottles, the same as the one he had been clutching. Picking one up, he turned it over in his hands, pulling on the stopper and sniffing inside. No scent…is this medicine? He pressed his tongue to the bottle, tilting it to taste. It was water. Just plain water. How peculiar.

He wasn’t sure which recourse he should take. This was something he knew he should report to the Conjurers or at the very least the Twin Adders. After all, if he had been swayed by a Voidsent he was a danger not only to himself but everyone around him. But if he did turn him over, what would become of him? Of Teka’a and the house? Kelas’ra would be slain and the boy would be turned over to an orphanage while the house would be burned to the ground with all possessions inside just in case the Voidsent had lingered.

Despite knowing this was the most logical step, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. As long as Kelas’ra had been ill it would seem he was fighting against it, managing the condition well. After all, how long had Warrick known him and hadn’t realized anything was amiss? True, he had always been on the sickly side as of late, always tired and thin and weakened in his physical capacity. He should have realized it sooner when his hair had begun to fade and he had started losing weight far too quickly to be healthy, but no matter what became of him he was still the same person that had befriended him long long ago.

“I will give you the benefit of a doubt, my friend.” Warrick said softly at last, taking one of the glass bottles and pressing it to the Miqote’s lips. He drank deeply, coughing and spluttering as the water hisses on his skin, steam rising as he thrashed and cried out in his sleep. Purified Holy water… So he had been managing it, trying to remain human.

He finished the water and sat the bottle on the bedside, watching as the corruption faded slightly, his visage returning to normal with time as his breathing slowed, his pained expression fading away to one of pure exhaustion.

I will hold my tongue for the meantime. Warrick thought to himself as he removed the man’s shoes and straightened him out in the bed, taking the thick blankets and draping them over him. I will avert my eyes and feign my ignorance. I will keep your secret until you break our bond of trust. Until then you must continue to fight.

Warrick looked back one last time before leaving the room, closing the door behind him and ascending to the top floor, lingering just a while longer in the kitchens as he regathered his wits about him. He would not tell Kelas’ra that he knew of his condition and instead would endeavor in the shadows to aid him, pretending as if nothing had changed. He would begin to purchase purified water from Stillglade under the guise of appeasing aggravated elementals and would start mixing it into his foods and drinks if anything to aid in his treatment.

Straightening his tie and smoothing the wrinkles from his clothing, Warrick nodded to himself, stepping out of the cottage into the yard. First things first; Kelas’ra wouldn’t be waking anytime soon, that much was obvious so he would go and oversee young Teka’a and ensure he got home safe. That was the least he could do in the meantime. With any luck Teka’a himself would be exhausted and would retire to his own room to nap as well.

Warrick passed through the gates, turning back to the cottage with a sigh, shaking his head before he stepped onto the stone pavers of the road, descending the hill towards the ferry to make his way to Gridania once more.

#ffxiv writing challenge #ffxiv writing prompt #ffxivwrite2022 #ffxivwrite #ffxiv oc

[away-ward]

What do think the Horsemen and their women are like as parents?

Oof. Way out of my depth. I don't have a parental bone in my body. And really outside of willemmy I don't have a clue about the inner workings of these characters. But...making this up as I go...

Parenthood

I think for the most part, it would be easier to describe any of them as overly protective, or wanting their kids to have independence, ect. I'll try to stay away from the obvious.

The Fane's:

It's hard to tell because their first kid is Athos and she's 18 by the time Aaron comes along, so they probably raised them very differently. One thing is for sure though.

They are going to absolutely BABY Aaron.

Michael has high standards and expects his authority to be respected but will (proudly) hear Athos out when she wants to argue her point. He wants her to be smart and independent, striving to accomplish her goals. He'd considerate it a personal failing if he asked his kids "what do you want to do with your life/what do you want to accomplish/what is your goal?" and they responded "I don't know." He wants them to be mentally strong and determined in pursuit of what they want. He has a low tolerance for emotional outburst but thankfully Rika is there to balance that out.

Rika would want to create a warm, encouraging, supportive environment. As a parent, she want to instill a deep sense of purpose within her children, something that would guide them when she wasn't there. It would break her heart if her children ever felt lost or disconnected who they are. They should know who they are and what they value, even if it ends up being different from her and Michael. She'd encourage Athos and Aaron to speak their minds and cherish their unique personalities. She's more flexible in her role than Michael, and might let them get away with more just because she thinks it's fun.

The Mori's:

Mads is a curve ball for sure, but I think once Kai comes to understand and settle with his peculiar ways, it'll be fine. Jett, I think, is more chill and the easier of the two to parent, which Kai and Banks are thankful for. They train their kids in endurance and restraint, but of course letting them know there's a time for control and a time to let go.

Kai would want to give his children the same stable and comfortable foundation that he had. He'd be gentle but firm in guiding and discipline. He'd expect their respect at all times. There's no yelling or arguing in the Mori household; any disagreements are managed with a calm discussion followed by a reasonable punishment that matches the wrong, if one is required. Punishment isn't meant to hurt; it's always made clear the lesson that he wants them to learn, and it would end when he felt they'd learn it, no matter if it were half-an-hour or a week. Unlike his own father, he tries not to put heavy expectations on them. At the same time, he'd want to make sure they were ready for the world ahead of them and any sign that they weren't would unsettle him.

Banks, for all her worrying over being ready, is actually pretty comfortable as a parent. Along with Kai, she wants a structured environment most of the time, with clearly defined roles and expectations. She leads by example and doesn't expect her kids to do anything she wouldn't. This means, of course, that they contribute to the household chores such as keeping their own rooms clean, doing their own laundry when they get older, dishes and cooking when they're ready. She considers knowledge of these things to be standard and necessary for a successful life. She can be a bit stubborn when her kids start to develop ideas that conflict with the family's as they get older. Still, she finds it easier than Kai to deal with them testing their boundaries and putting up walls as they seek their independence. As hard a lesson as it was, she learned through Mads that sometimes, just letting a kid be is what they need. But she'll always be there when they ask for her, no matter how small the issue.

The Torrance's:

Damon gives his children complete freedom to do whatever they want. He doesn't deny them any opportunity to explore or experience the world at large. Nothing would piss him off more than his children not using their lives and freedom to the fullest extent. But even he has limits, and the expects his kids to not push them. He's given them a lot of space to roam, but don't go pass the fence, so to speak. Or, if they do, they should at least know how to conceal it. He encourages their creativity and spontaneity, often joining in with them if he can, but he isn't pushy about it. As they grow, his kids will trust Damon to be level-headed if (cough-when-cough) they get into trouble. And as a warning, don't look sideways at his kids unless you want him to be looking directly at you. He knows they're loud. Deal with it. But it's not all fun and adventure. At times, Damon may struggle with with the more emotional side of parenting and will leave that Winter if he thinks he's going to do or say something that will mess them up.

Winter enjoys motherhood. More than just having a house full the sounds of family, she's naturally warm and relaxed as a parent. She usually feel confident and capable when it comes to her kids. Not that motherhood is easy, but I think of all the girls, it comes easiest to her naturally. Being an artist, she's always thinking of something new and exciting for her kids to do. Since they are so...energetic...it has to be something hands-on. She'd be understanding when her kids make mistakes. Her first priority is making sure they're okay, then figuring out what happened, and then correction if needed. She's open-minded enough to let her children take risks (some that maybe even the others parents would hesitate with), but she expects them to own up to it when they do wrong. And because she's proven herself to be understanding and warm, they usually do without much resistance. People think that because the Torrance children are wild, they don't respect Winter or that she has no control over them, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

The Grayson's:

maybe it's my personal opinion and soft spot for willemmy, but they are the most normal parents???? Or maybe it's just because they have the most average American family: three kids and a dog.

Will is the fun-dad. The "you're dad is so cooooooool" dad. (It's music to his ears every time one of his kid's friends say "I wish I had your dad." He looks over to Emory with a little wink and a smile, and she always rolls her eyes. "yeah, because impressing an 11 year old is sooo hard.") Like Damon, Will wants his kids to explore and experience everything. Unlike Damon, he wants to be there for every second of it, not as an overbearing parent but as a friend. He's just as hyped to do stuff as his kids are. Will has few rules when it comes to his kids branching out into the world. Hearing his them say, "I don't know what to do" isn't a failing or a flaw. It's because there's so many possibilities, and he's just as excited to explore those possibilities with them. But when disappointments come - because it always does - Will is uniquely qualified out of all of the Horsemen to help them deal with it. He's sensitive to emotions and understanding the ways of the heart, which he uses to help his kids get over setbacks and rise to the next challenge. Will would be happy with his kids doing anything. All he expects from them is to be kind most of all, no matter what they do in life. And while he doesn't enjoy the idea of disciplining them (often giving Em puppy eyes when it comes to that part of the job), he'll follow through because he knows they need it to develop into good people. Not rule-following people, but good. He makes sure they know there's a difference.

Emory encourages her kids independent thinking skills. Because of her and Will's natural curiosity, and fostering that quality in their children, her children ask a lot of questions. She'll always answer in an age appropriate way. Emory doesn't want to hide things from them because "they're too young" or "they won't understand", even if the topic is difficult. Because of this, her kids feel comfortable speaking around her, asking for help, or maybe sharing something embarrassing. Emory loves showing her kids physical affection - holding them everyday and showering them with praise so they never doubt they are loved. But for her, this is more of a private activity. In public, her words will be supportive and proud. She doesn't place a lot of importance on what she considers meaningless rules (hence, Indie dying her hair blue), so she makes sure the ones she does provide have good reasoning. Unfortunately, because of Will's resistance to discipline, it leaves her to the be strong one. Which is fine, for the most part. She knows that kids need guidance to be responsible adults, and she wants nothing more for them to be self-reliant and capable. So if that means a grounding here or there so her kids understand when to push the boundaries and when to fall in line, she can do that without problem, but that's the extent of her punishments.

Overall, these are people who are completely devoted to their children. They truly encompass the "it takes a village" saying. Where one of them as a failing, another picks up the slack. This means, as crazy and unusual as the kids appear, they're actually really well-developed, strong-willed, and confident in their skills and each other.

pic link

Thanks for the ask. Let me know your fun HCs!!

#asked and answered #devil's night series stuff #the horsemen of devil's night #the women of devil's night #michael crist #rika fane #kai mori #nikova banks #damon torrance #winter ashby #will grayson iii #emory scott #i also wanted to add catch emory playing with her son's legos long after he went to bed. she's building a city #asked and answered 30 #parents #parenthood #ko's headcanons

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

Ask

Agnes with Agnes/Estinien later. As a teenager in Gridania, Agi had a crush. What happened lead her to think no one would ever love her until a certain dragoon... cw bullying and fatphobia

Just be calm, Agi. Be calm. Gregor is a friend. He’ll probably say yes.

Agnes walked slowly to where Gregor, a Midlander teenager, sat eating his lunch with several other people from the Conjurers Guild. She and Gregor had gotten close, and Agnes had a little a big crush. When she approached, everyone looked at her and gave her a nod.

“Hi Gregor! I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go by Bentbranch sometime and go fishing? Or maybe just sit and talk with a picnic? Or whatever you’d like to do is fine with me.” Agnes spoke quickly and stopped herself before she rambled too much.

Agnes expected him to say yes.

What Agnes did not expect was the cruel smile that crossed his features.

“Agi, why are you even asking me? It’s not like I ever would! No one wants a fat bloody cow like you! I mean, look at you! Do you all see her?” He gestured to the others around him, who laughed.

“A cow who eats like a pig! Have you seen her eat?” One girl giggled.

“Big fat Agi!”

“Do you see her rolls under her tunic?”

Gregor, nearly a head shorter than fifteen-year-old Agnes, poked her in the arm. “No self-respecting man would ever, ever want to fuck an ugly cow like you.”

No. This can’t be real. I must be dreaming. This can’t be happening. No. Why? Why? Agnes stood in silence, tearing dripping down her face.

“I-I-I…Gregor, I don’t understand—”

“Well understand this, cow, you’re a fat ugly bitch! Now fuck off!”

Agnes walked away from the raucous laughter behind her.

***

“Agi, sweetie? It’s Mummy. Da and I are here. Brother E-Sumi wrote to us saying you want to leave the Guild. What happened, sweetie?” Luci gently rubbed her daughter’s hair as she lay in her bed at the Stillglade Fane. Agnes had barely left her bed since “the incident” a few days prior. “I brought some bilberry hand pies—”

“NO!” Agnes screeched, alarming both her parents.

“Agi, you need to tell us what happened.” Corrai said not unkindly. “Come on. You can tell us. We won’t be mad.”

“It doesn’t matter. I want to go home. I don’t want to be a conjurer anymore. I’ll stay home with you and all my friends and never, ever leave Costa del Sol ever again.” She whimpered, removing her glasses to wipe tears away. “I just want to go. Why won’t anyone let me go home?!”

Corrai and Luci shared a look. Then, Corrai spoke. “Brother E-Sumi mentioned something about a boy. Did he do something to you?”

“I-I just wanted to go to Bentbranch for a date with Gregor and I thought he’d say yes because we’re friends. But he humiliated me in front of everyone, and I WANT TO GO HOME!” The teenager screamed and sobbed. “I want to go home!” Luci sat on the bed next to Agnes and held her. “I want to go home!”

The sight in front of Corrai and Luci Currai broke their hearts. While Luci tried comforting her daughter, Corrai nodded and left to find Brother E-Sumi. It wasn’t long before he found the padjal speaking to a senior member of the Guild.

“’Scuse me, Brother E-Sumi?”

E-Sumi glanced at Corrai and gestured for him to come closer. “You are Agnes’s father, am I correct?”

“I am. Corrai Currai of Costa del Sol. My girl is sobbin’---sobbin’---in her bed because of something an awful little shit did. And I want to know what you plan to do about it.” Corrai hadn’t meant to sound harsh but after seeing his beloved child weep, he felt he had no choice.

“I personally spoke with Gregor and have set out a punishment for him, according to the will of the Elementals. I also spoke to Agnes who wishes to leave, though I told her to wait for your arrival before she took any further action.”

“My girl is sobbin’! She never wants to leave home again! And you want her to stay here? How we will know she’ll be protected? Or do I have to stop providing for my family just so my girl isn’t harassed?” Corrai’s fists were balled at his sides, and he felt like decking the padjal for being so calm. “What exactly was said between them?” Corrai, desperate to keep calm, couldn’t help but think the worst.

Brother E-Sumi, sensing Corrai’s agitation, sighed. “From what both said, as well as speaking to others present, Gregor mocked Agnes for her size. The others joined in.” He stopped to consider his next words carefully. “Master Corrai, I am nearly two hundred years old. I have seen children be cruel to each other. This was like many an incident I have seen.” Before Corrai could say something, he held up his hand. “However, I believe in the punishment the Elementals have chosen for Gregor and he gave me his word he will not bother with Agnes again. Rather selfishly, I want Agnes to stay with us. She is bright and caring. She has so much potential to do good in this world. The Elementals approve of her. I, and the other senior members of the Guild, will do our best to see to her wellbeing. That I promise you.”

Corrai closed his eyes and exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “That’s all I ask. My girl’s got a good heart—”

“A very sensitive one too.” Brother E-Sumi said with a wry smile. “One that even argued with me on a few occasions during lessons. She’ll make a fine conjurer.”

“Aye, she will. Just keep your end of this, Brother E-Sumi or there’ll be hell to pay. And trust me, you’re lucky you’re not dealing with Luci right now.”

The padjal sniggered and took his leave of the lalafell.

***

Years later, Agnes sifted through the rubble of what was Min Khetto’s Amphitheater. No more survivors now. Just bodies. As she and a few Wood Wailers moved a large stone that had fallen, Agnes gasped.

Gregor.

The young hyur, a respected member of the Guild, had been crushed to death.

Agnes shut her eyes.

The Elementals and Brother E-Sumi let you off easy all those years ago. Cleansing of the forest didn’t make you a better person. You and your mates teased the shit of me. I never ate in front of anyone in Gridania again after that.

I hope you rot in the seven hells, you fucking asshole twat motherfucker dickhead.

***

“Ah, that’s what happened to him.” Estinien said, stuffing another piece of dried squid into his mouth. “I wondered when you’d tell me the whole story.”

Agnes sighed. “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, lest you think otherwise. My reaction to Gregor’s death isn’t exactly something I’m proud of…” She stared into her poke bowl. Even if he deserved it. NO! That’s not what the Warrior of Light is supposed to think.

Estinien snorted and picked up more dried squid. “Hmph, sounds like he deserved it, the little shit. You didn’t do anything wrong, Agi.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “You did nothing wrong. If anything, Brother E-Sumi should’ve done more.”

“H-he goes by what the Elementals tell him. You must understand, I have the upmost respect for Brother E-Sumi and the guild, but—”

“But they failed you when you needed them to protect you from those little assholes. And instead of going to them again, you, as a child, kept silent.” He shook his head. “And you didn’t tell your parents about anything else, did you?”

“I…” I didn’t have to say anything. They knew. I know on at least one occasion Mum spoke to Brother E-Sumi, but that changed nothing.

“Oh sweetheart.” Estinien smiled gently and kissed her head. “None of them can hurt you now. Not a single one. And if they try, then they’ll have to go through me.”

Agnes couldn’t help but laugh. “To be fair, love, one Assize from me and they’re done.” Estinien laughed heartily, and Agnes was grateful. Enough of this. All I care about now is moving forward with the man I love and who loves me in return.

#Agnes Currai #luci littlefoot currai #Corrai Currai #e-sumi-yan #estinien varlineau #estinien wyrmblood #estinien x wol #wolstinien #cw bullying #cw fatphobia #gregor #poor teenage agi #she was utterly destroyed

[kariachi]

I have accomplished getting an early part of the ‘Mike on Osmos V’ storyline down!

And so, we get his arrival and introduction to some of the major players of the next few years of his life.

~~

While it wasn’t technically accurate to say Mike had never left his home planet, travel to other dimensions came with a very different feel from travelling between worlds. The wait alone to get from Earth to an entirely different part of the galaxy was enough to eat away at a person. It was only a few days, but when you were stuck in a cell and so couldn’t even enjoy the supposed view (something something “if you get yourself together-”) without so much as a book to occupy you, you’d be wanting to bite somebody too.

Not that the urge was anything new, it’d been there for years before he started feeding off people, but the point still stood. The time dragged along. Still, even he had to admit that as far an imprisonments went this one so far topped the little chart he’d begun making. Not that the bar was very high. It was only really competing with his time in Earth’s Plumber base, waiting to the dragged off, and the Inspectors had looked about ready to take out the whole organization themselves when they’d seen their little set-up.

He almost liked them for that. Almost. Under different circumstances, maybe. As it was, they had far too much control of the situation for his tastes. Though they were kind enough to warn him before they came in to land at least.

Landing a ship on Osmos V, it turned out, was not a peaceful maneuver. At first, yes, but once you hit wind level you knew it. Mike didn’t like flying under power not his own at the best of times, but doing so when locked in a cell, when the ship was more averaging out to level than staying that way, and you could hear the wind buffeting against the hull? Brought things to a whole new level. And they went so slow, he’d have sworn it was hours before the ship stopped at what he had to assume was the ground. Hoped was the ground. Never in his life had he wanted to have dirt under his boots more.

“Still in one piece, Michael,” Inspector Vares chimed as they opened the door, Mike composing himself as soon as he’d heard them approaching.

“Somehow. I take it neither of you actually know how to fly?” The worst part about dealing with professionals, there wasn’t even a hint of a rise from Vares. They merely huffed.

“There’s only so much knowing helps around here,” they said, “but we’re all safely on the ground now.” Oh thank Keal. Stepping out of the doorway, the Inspector motioned him out. He took his sweet time, just because he could. “Welcome home, Fane chick.”

No attempt was made to bind or hold him as they walked to the exit, Inspector Uhaoe quickly joining them, and the reason was obvious as soon as the door opened.

In one direction there was a mountain range, but all others Mike could see presented nothing but sparkling sand desert as far as the eye could see, all blue-greens, reds, whites, and greys. The sky, what you could see of it through the sand the wind whipped through the air, was a dusty teal, and the dry heat absolute murder. Even if he’d tried to escape, where would he go? And how would he survive with no supplies? He was a city boy, even in the best of circumstances he was only an eighth built for this. All there even was to see besides the mountains was a small herd of massive bugs that he consciously avoided shying away from- no animal should’ve been that large, none of them, ever- and a stone shelter that seemed to lead into the earth.

His new home, presumably.

The Inspectors flanked him as the three of them headed for the shelter, the two with metal armors and Uhaoe shielding Mike from the wind and sand. It wasn’t too great a distance, maybe half a block’s worth, but the conditions were far from ideal, and it was obvious that all three of them were more than happy to slip indoors. Even a few generations removed from full Ossy blood, a degree of tension slipped from Mike’s muscles in the tunnel. Every wall, the ceiling and floor, were all covered in colorful, if worn, mosaics, with webbing and the occasional massive spider-like creature on the ceiling lighting the path.

Only a few yards down they were met with company. Two other Osmosians, both with bronze hides and wearing the oranges, blues, and greens of the clan, tails twitching from side to side as they watched them. Mike raised his chin on an instinct drilled into him by his father since he’d been old enough to meet their Packhead. The others did the same.

“Inspectors,” one of the new Ossys, boney with sunken green eyes, said calmly, chin tucked low and impressive antlers on full display.

“Clanhead Anta,” Uhaoe replied, “and I presume Clan Second Reivy?” The second made an affirmative noise. “We’ve brought you your chick, under Imperial Order.”

“For which we thank you,” the Clanhead said, throwing a look at Mike that almost made him want to brave the desert. She then glanced to her Second. “Reivy, if you would.”

“Of course, Clan Head.” Vares made an encouraging noise at his side as Reivy stepped forward and herded Mike further down the tunnel. There was no noise between them as they went, hearing Anta’s offer of the clan’s hospitality and the Inspectors’ polite acceptance echo and fade in the distance as they headed deeper. It was only when they were passed the dining cavern, Mike’s stomach gnawing at itself at the thought of food, that he opened his mouth.

“So,” he said, brushing off the Imperial he hadn’t had cause to use since his father’s funeral, “how long can I expect to be here?”

“That depends on you.” Stopping, Reivy turned a stern look that almost matched Anta’s on him.

“You will stay with the clan until you stop being a stain on our reputation,” they said. “You will not leave clan territory without the agreement of Clanhead Anta, myself, and Kereo Girem. Even then, you will not leave clan territory without at least one chaperone. You will do whatever chores are assigned to you, you will behave yourself, and if- if- it’s determined that you will no longer behave in such a shameful manner, then and only then will you be free to leave if you so wish. Understood?”

Mike’s hackles were straight on end. The tone, the look, and phrasing all rankled against his already battered pride. Muscle memory and instinct strained to strike back, mouth off, something clever and cutting that would give him some control. But. He was many things, stubborn, selfish, vain, but never had he been stupid. While he couldn’t help but glare, he still managed to flash his throat and get out a

“Yes, Clan Second.” This, it seemed, was enough for them, as Reivy turned back down the tunnel and motioned Mike to continue on with them.

“Come along then.”

The walk down into the depths of the den was several minutes, going directly passed the level of the workrooms and down into the residential level. Mike reached out and began letting his fingers trail over the mosaiced walls halfway down, something soothing in the texture alternately slipping and rasping under his touch. That Ossy blood maybe, built for this as it was for the indoors. As they turned off the main tunnel the mosaics become more eclectic, wild and random in form and imagery, until they stopped at the entrance to a den. There were sparse mosaics inside, mostly simple stone walls with veins of copper running through them. A cavity in one wall held a pair of stone chests, a large handful of stuffed leather mats were scattered about the floor, and one other Ossy sat inside, playing with one of the spiders. Someone his age probably, by the lack of antlers, with a darker hide, white spotting, yellow eyes, and a tufted tail.

Reivy gave a pleased huff.

“Crysie,” they said, as they eyed the pair of them, “our cousin’s arrived.”

“I can see that,” Crysie said, following quickly with “Clan Second” when a firm look was turned his way. “Should they be so small?” Mike, who had been trying not to notice that everybody he’d met so far had at least half a foot on him, quickly decided he hated him with every fiber of his being.

“By human standards I’m fairly tall,” he said, and Crysie very clearly did not believe. Reivy nudged him into the room with a hand against his back before he could tear a piece off the wall and throw it at him.

“From this point forward,” they said, “Michael is your responsibility. Help him settle in, and get him introduced to the rest.” Crysie sighed like this was far from a surprise and flashed his throat.

“Yes, Clan Second.” Looking him over for a moment, they were apparently content with that. Reivy turned their attention back to Mike.

“You’ll behave yourself,” they said, more an order, “and listen to the advice Crysie gives you. And you,” they turned back to him for a moment, “will not take advantage of that.”

Crysie sighed harder this time, tail flicking in annoyance. Mike huffed. But both gave their “Yes, Clan Second”, and so with another hard look at both of them, Reivy left to do whatever it was a Clan Second did when they’d been able to shove their job off on one of the chicks. Left to themselves, the pair sized each other up for several long minutes. Eventually, Crysie broke first, placing the spider on his shoulder as he stood and headed for the door.

“Alright, Michael-”

“Mike.” Crysie stopped, head tilting. Mike leveled a Look of his own at him, long tired of putting up with it. “Nobody calls me Michael.” Chuckling, Crysie flashed his teeth in a grin.

“I could call you Shorty, if you’d rather.” Oh fuck no.

“I could eat you, if you’d rather.”

“You can try.” Outright laughing now, Crysie slipped passed him into the tunnel. “Come on, may as well show you around the place.” With no real options, he was starving and eventually would need a bathroom, Mike followed after, glaring at his back.

This whole thing was going to be a nightmare, he could tell.

#fanfic #den arrest #michael morningstar and the horrible terrible no good very bad punishment for his crimes