#fives is magical and a charmer

[newtabfics]

Title: Puppy

Summary: Tieflings have heats, or maybe Rolan just has a really low resistance to a certain adventurer that has plagued his mind since they've met. So when the city celebrates victory over the Mind Flayers, Rolan joins her for a drink.

Heads up: Bottom!Rolan, "Puppy", Breeding kink, Oral (MR), Cowgirl, Creampie, PWP

The request that helped inspire this: Can I get a Rolan x sorcerer tiefling reader please? Wizard x sorcerer is a funny pairing since they have so much beef with one another and man do I love tieflings, they can hold tails❤🥺 But anyway it can be either nsfw or not...or both 👀 no complaints about that.

The roar of the tavern rumbled around him as he sipped his ale. He smirked as he watched the twins dancing with the warlock. They were teasing the poor man until he was practically dizzy.

"Seems they like torturing Wyll," A new voice purred behind him. Glancing over, he almost sneered out of reflex. Tav smiled at him. "Mind if I join ya, Puppy?"

"Sure," He said after a moment's hesitation. The nickname again. He was unsure what it was but every time she teased him with that nickname, it sent a jolt through him.

His tail flicked as hers twitched. He couldn't help but admire her form, frowning as he saw the bandages on her. "You look like a wrapped corpse," He muttered.

"Charmer," She snorted. Her smile made his chest warm as he eyed her. "You doing alright?"

"Yes. Just…prefer a bit of quiet drinking myself."

"Is that your way of saying to fuck off?" 

Rolan's heart sank as he realized the implications of his words and quickly declined the thought. "I mean…Ah…" He cleared his throat.

Through the corner of his eye, he saw the twins grinning beside Wyll. The three were watching him. Even Wyll joined in giving him an encouraging thumbs up.

Tav's laugh filled his ears. "Relax. I'm only jesting, Rolan. Wanna drink on the balcony?" She offered.

His shoulders untensed as he smiled softly. "I'll get us another round then. Go on ahead?"

She nodded as she turned. His eyes trailed down her body as he watched her walk away. His breath hitched as he caught sight of her tail. It was raised and twitching, practically inviting him in.

Rolan gulped thickly as his face turned hot. He ordered the next round and prepared himself to meet her out on the balcony.

Tav took a steadying breath as she leaned against the railing. The ruined city was laid out before her. In the river, she could vaguely see lights. Likely scavengers attempting to salvage what they could from the remains of the Elder Brain and the bodies of Mind Flayers being thrown in carelessly.

A part of her wondered if those that were turned were ever saved. She barely remembered the truth from Withers as the wizard appeared at her side with a frothing glass of ale.

"Thank you," She chuckled.

Rolan nodded to her politely as he stood with her. Silence filled the air as he studied the area with her. He smiled softly. "Maybe…sorcerors aren't all bad."

"Oh?" She snickered. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, you managed this, didn't you?" He gestured to the city around him. "Saved it. Not bad for someone who can barely hold a flaming sneeze."

"It was one time!" She groaned, blushing as she laughed.

It was when they'd first met. Dirt had shifted from the cave ceiling and landed on her nose while talking to him. Rolan went to help dust away the debris, feeling pity for her, until she sneezed and flames came pouring out, burning his robe.

"You apologized about…a hundred times?"

"More like five hundred," She corrected as he grinned at her. Tav smiled as she felt his tail brush against hers as she moved closer. "You never did forgive me."

Rolan blinked. "I didn't?" He asked, heart jumping.

His tail twitched against hers. Slowly, they intertwined until they were wrapped around one another intimately. Her shoulder pressed against his as they stood closer.

"Yeah. You called me…ah, what was it?" Tav hummed, tapping her finger to her chin. "A hellspawn of blackened magic?"

Rolan groaned, laughing at himself in embarrassment. "It was rather…harsh," He confessed.

"Harsh?" She laughed. "It was the cutest thing ever said!"

He groaned as the woman teased and laughed, tightening her tail around his. He looked at her when he felt the weight of her head on his shoulder. A warmth spread through him as he took in her scent.

A smirk played over his lips. "You thought that was cute?" He leaned closer to her, eyes flicking to her lips. "I was trying to insult you."

"Keyword being trying," she chuckled, meeting his gaze.

She smiled nervously as she studied him. His eyes turned almost a molten gold as he watched her. A shiver ran up her spine when his tail rubbed and nervously squeezed hers.

Her heart jumped as she realized they both leaned in. "Rolan."

He gulped thickly at her breathy voice. "Yes?" On the railing, his fingers threaded with hers as their mugs of ale were forgotten.

"I…" 

Her words were lost as they stared at one another. Like a unified mind, their lips connected. The kiss was gentle and careful. 

His mind felt like a magic buzz as their tails tightened and lips locked. The taste of ale on her lips was enough to make him move closer.

Before he was fully aware of his actions, he had her against the balcony railing, kissing her deeply and cradling her face.

Her breath quickened as his scent filled her nose. His musk made her head spin with desire. Tav wrapped her arms tightly around him as they kissed, their bodies pressing against each other. 

She felt the heat from him radiate through her as they held each other in the darkness. His tail snaked its way around hers as his hands gripped her suddenly.

The kiss intensified until she was writhing against him. Finally, she broke the kiss and whispered, "We need a room. Now."

Rolan nodded eagerly. "Y-Yes. Yeah." His eyes darted everywhere, trying to think of the quickest route.

There was a blur of passing people, laughter, and drinks before he finally found himself pushed against the door of the room she was renting at the inn. His hands scrambled to touch her, gripping her rear as he pulled her up his body for a deep kiss.

His mind grew hazy as his tail twitched. He grunted and pressed himself against her. She could feel his hardness against her stomach through the robes and layers of clothing.

"Use your words, Rolan," She ordered, nipping and biting at his neck. "What d'ya want, Wizard?"

"You," He breathed against her horns. His lips brushed and scraped gently as he pressed against her again.

She watched his tongue dart over his lips before cupping his face and pulling him close. Her tongue licked gently at his. She swallowed his moan as his hands tightened on her hips.

Tav hummed and gripped his horn gently. His vision blurred as the drink made it hard to steady himself. She had moved so quickly. He blamed that she was likely using a spell to overpower him as she pinned him onto her bed.

She straddled his waist and tore off her shirt. His eyes widened as he took her in.

She was covered in scars from battles long past and bruises from her recent. She was still wrapped up in bandages. His hands hesitated as he made to touch her.

What if I hurt her? He wondered briefly as he traced the curve of her body with his eyes.

"If it's not attractive…"

His eyes widened. She was scared. Her body trembled as he hesitated and he let out a breath that sounded like the word "Beautiful."

Tav's cheeks heated when his lips found the scar over her chest. A slash from a goblin when they'd first met. She was lucky to survive. His tongue over the long mark made her shiver against him.

"Scared I'll hurt you," He admitted, kissing up her collar.

She smirked and nipped his ear gently. Her fingers gripped at the tie in his hair and pulled it out. "Trust me. You can't hurt me," She muttered, rolling her hips to grind down on his hardening cock.

Her eyes were focused on him as she toyed with him. She studied the way he whimpered and breathed shakily against her neck. His hands kept flinching and grabbing. Unsure.

"Rolan," She whispered. "Do you need me to take control?"

"Fuck, please," He begged. "Please, Tav. I…"

His face felt hot as she cupped his cheeks. Her thumbs rubbed soothingly as he trembled. He was unsure of how to voice his inexperience but he knew he wanted this. He had been wanting it since he met her.

"Fuck. Too hot," He muttered, sitting up. With her help, his robes were tossed away and she tore off his shirt. 

Her chest pressed against his as she kissed him. He whined as he gripped her waist.

Tav nuzzled him. "Let me take care of you, Puppy," She teased gently.

He shuddered as his cock twitched in his pants. He bit his lip when she kissed down his body. With wide eyes, he watched Tav's tongue dart out to his stomach.

She hummed at the taste of him, watching the way he panted and shuddered. Her sharp teeth gently pressed against his hip as she tugged his pants down. Her fiery eyes found his as she pulled slowly.

His heart hammered at the slow drag as he was finally stripped down. His cock ached as she eyed him hungrily. She groaned at the ridges along his length and licked slowly from his base to tip. Her eyes locked onto his as she shuddered and settled between his thighs.

Tav smirked as her tail flicked behind her as she continued to lick and tease the wizard's cock carefully. She studied his reactions, pressing and stroking her tongue carefully. Finally, she caved and took him into his mouth.

The taste of his salty tip against her tongue had her moaning softly around him. She loved the weight of him on her tongue. She relished in it even. 

"So thick," She murmured as she pulled back so only the tip was in her mouth. "Rolan, you taste so good."

He whined and whimpered as he watched her bob her head slowly along him. He whimpered and shuddered. "Fu…Never thought…this would ever happen. Gods," He whispered.

Tav's tail twitched as her hand gripped at the tip of his tail. Her eyes widened when he bucked his hips up, slipping quickly into her throat.

At her choke, he pulled back, apologizing until her nails dug into his hips. With a dark look in her eyes, she sucked him down.

His mouth hung open when her lips suctioned around his base, tongue rubbing along his ribbed shaft. He let out a breath and whimpered as his back arched up.

Her tail began to slide along his again, rubbing and teasing gently as she held his hips in place. His eyes darted to watch her pull back just enough to allow him to move. At her twitching hands, he bit his lip as he gripped her horns.

Tav gave him an encouraging hum and he began to thrust slowly. Her eyes watched as the wizard shuddered and thrust into her mouth. He was near babbling as he began to grow more intense.

She rubbed his thighs, encouraging him as she let her mouth hang open. She could feel his tip bumping against the back of her throat as he gripped her horns harder.

He blinked as he heard her moan and looked down. Sure enough, her hand had slid down the front of her trousers. He moaned as he watched her touching herself with his cock in her throat.

"Mmffuck," He stuttered, twitching in her mouth. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

Tav grunted when he shoved himself fully into her throat. She felt him pulsing and pumping his load into her throat. She choked and coughed a bit, blushing when she felt it leaking from her lips.

"Oh gods," He whispered at the sight as she pulled back slowly. "I'm so–"

He froze as her fingertips pressed to her lips. She gulped twice before licking her lips clean with a pant. With a lovely twist of her lips, she stood and stripped down. His eyes fell over her frame again and he bit his lips.

"I'm dreaming," He finally breathed as he looked at the ceiling.

That had to be it. She was an illusion of his mind. He was delirious from the alcohol. He was moaning her name as she rubbed her folds along his length.

"Not dreaming. Rolan, I'm gonna fuck you until you're howling like the adorable puppy you are," Tav groaned as she slid her tail around his.

The gesture was intimate and made Rolan whimper softly. He still couldn't help but think he was dreaming. A dream he never wanted to wake from as Tav slid down his cock.

Their moans melded together, tails tightening around one another carefully. Tav's claws dug into his chest as she rocked her hips quickly. It was like she was manic and desperate to feel him.

Rolan's mouth opened in a pitiful moan as she kissed his neck and licked his ear. "Tav!" He grunted, biting his lip as he gripped her waist.

"Go on, Sweetie," She moaned. "Touch me where you like. It's okay."

With her permission, he began to let his hands wander. His thumbs grazed over the ridges on her ribs. Her body rolled under his hands, dragging herself along his length.

"Gods above," He whined. "I–Fuck…"

"That's a good boy," She moaned, tail tightening around his as her clawed hands gripped his hair. She was thrusting herself harder now, making him choke and moan. "Like that? Like being fucked like this?"

"Yes, oh fuck yes!" He sobbed, hands tightening around her waist. He bit his lip and dove his head down.

Tav moaned softly as he bit her shoulder and neck as his hips pulsed upward. "That's it, puppy," She whined. "Just feel good f'me. Just want you to come in me already. Fill me with your cute pups."

Rolan's brain shut off with those words as he gripped her hips tight. His hips jutted up into her as he growled and moaned.

Vaguely, he felt something in the back of his mind screaming at him to pull her off him. But as she slammed down with finality, he was lost.

Her sweet moan of his name, hips rocking still, sent him over the edge. His claws dug into her ass as he pumped up into her, panting and whining.

"Fuck, Tav," He whispered before she fluttered his neck and jaw with kisses. His eyes fluttered as he panted and held her to him.

Tav kissed his ear. "Mine," She whimpered.

A small smile spread over his lips. "Yours…all yours."

He settled slowly, shaking still as she adjusted. Tav smirked down at him and he blinked. "What–Ah~" He moaned as she rocked her hips.

"Rolan," She hummed softly. "You're still hard. Makes me wanna see what you look like when you're too lost. Too into it. Too desperate for me."

The wizard bit his lip as he watched her and nodded. "Please. Please keep riding me."

"Make me."

#rolan x tav #bg3 rolan #bg3 smut #bg3 fic #tav x rolan #sorceror tav #tiefling tav #bg3 tav

[fiddlehead-soup]

Raphael x chronic hand pain!Reader

It'd been years and you'd tried every potion. Every healer you can find. You've had surgery and still, the pain in your hands persisted. There seemingly wasn't much anyone could do anymore. Everyone told you to just live with it, but you didn't want to--you wanted things to change. You want to feel better. So you sought out the devil Raphael.

Raphael turned out to be much more handsome and charming (funny; so damn funny) than you ever could've ever imagined. You even had a lot in common. The arts were one of the few things left in life you could appreciate without expending yourself. It was how you passed the time. It was what brought a smile to your face amidst your aches, what softened the pain for you when medicines could not. The romantic poems and heroic tales brought you to places you could never imagine going in real life anymore.

Your passion and appreciation for them extended beyond the typical fan and Raphael not only saw this, but admired it. Not to mention the fact that you hold conversations much better than most, even though at first, to him you were just a pitiful mortal in dire need of help like the rest of them. The more sadistic part of him even enjoyed watching your daily struggles, knowing each one would bring you closer to selling him your pretty little soul.

Maybe you knew that deep down, but it just felt so good when he held your hands in his. He made them hot--really hot--and that warmth was always a boon to your aches, it soothed them so quickly like nothing else. Afterwards, he'd lift each hand up to his lips and leave you with two kisses atop your hands, the charmer.

At least he did at the start. The typical routine eventually lead to five little kisses on each of your knuckles. Ten total kisses.

Maybe one on each cheek for good measure afterwards.

They kept adding up, but you never complained. It felt, ironically, heavenly.

A year of that passed. He eventually stopped reminding you to make a contract with him. He no longer chided you when you complained, no longer teased that he could heal you in an instant if you weren't such a scared little mouse (just sign the damned thing already).

No; when you called for him then, exhausted after a long day of strain; he simply held you. Hugged you, kissed you, sang with you, read with you. There was no magic at work, but yet, you felt better each time. Just for awhile.

And it was around then that Raphael realized in a moment of horror? Disgust? Betrayal? Honesty. That he did not really want to cure you. Should you have made the contract with him and healed, you would have no need for him any more, or so he thought. And he wanted to keep visiting you. Dare he admit to himself that he rather enjoyed the time you two spend together listening to live music, attending theater, and reading romantic literature...

Five years, that situation continued on. You'd found a new reason to want to live. You'd grown so much. He didn't realize he was a part of it all, not really. He was too busy focusing on how brightly you smiled, the sound of your laughter, the way you held yourself up with more confidence, even when he wasn't around.

It really did seem like you'd no longer a need for him, even with your condition. You healed in your own way.

He didn't like that. He didn't like the hold you had on him, either--he needed you to need him the way he had grown to need your company.

Unbeknownst to him were your true feelings for him and so, perhaps in a rash act of desperation--something to keep you wanting, needing, something to cause you ache as he did whenever he saw you--he left you a goodbye letter dressed with a rose on your night stand to wake up to one random morning.

The letter stated: Though he'd thoroughly enjoyed his time with you and finds your taste in many things rather impeccable, including in his own company, it is clear no actual business was ever to be done between you two. The devil would always welcome you to his home with open arms--should you decide to ever make him a serious offer--but the curtain on the show you starred in must fall at some point. This letter would be the end of whatever it was you had, and what a grand finale it was.

Silly devil! Didn't he know, the best shows always featured an encore?

#bg3 raphael #raphael the cambion #baldur's gate #bg3 #raphael x reader #:3 #hi

[wp-blaze]

Belgrade or Bust!

We lolly-gagged this morning, as we had such a short day ahead. Coffee at a cafe, a stop at a pastry shop for some unknown but delicious delights, and a grocery store stop for emergency food (Snickers Bars) in case things went sour during the what we assumed would be 15ish miles into Belgrade. The […]

[arc-misadventures]

You’re A What?

Jaune: I’m back! Hey, Nora how are youuuuuuuuuuu…?!

Nora: Oh, hello, Jaune.

Jaune: Whoa…

Nora: Oh please, Jaune. You’ve seen me dressed like this before. You’ve even made sure that I was wearing less at that~!

Jaune: Hey, just because I’ve seen a thousand sunrises, doesn’t mean the thousandth, and one sunrise I see will be any less if not more beautiful.

Nora: Oh my, such a charmer aren’t you~!

Jaune: I just tell the truth. Speaking of truths; Is this just an outfit you put on for fun, or are you an actual witch?

Nora: Oh I’m an an actual witch.

Jaune: S-Seriously?

Nora: Yes. I haven’t shown you this because there was no need to. But, I need to get my magic circulating again, otherwise I will use my youthful visage.

Jaune: Wait, you use your magic to make yourself look young?

Nora: Quite successfully at that I must add~!

Jaune: So… How old are you…?

Nora: Ohh… I’m seven hundred, and thirty two years old.

Jaune: S-Seven hundred, and thirty two years old?! But, you look like you’re in your mid-late twenties!

Nora: I wanted my body to represent me when I was in my prime. And, I have been for over six hundred years.

Jaune: Oh my gods…

Nora: This isn’t a problem now is it…?

Jaune: Gods… I thought I was lucky, being the country bumpkin who managed to snag a big titty goth girlfriend. But, some how I managed to get a mature, big titty goth witch girlfriend?! How am I so lucky?! And, why are you even hotter now then you were five minutes ago! You’ve literally done nothing, but you’re like a thousand times more hotter than you were before!

Nora: …

Nora: Well, the bed better be broken by the time I’m done with you~!

Jaune: Can do!

Nora: Perfect~!

#rwby #jaune arc #nora valkyrie #jaune x nora #nora x jaune #rwby nora

[furrbbyx]

This is an idea I had because I really really wanted the wednesday show to be part elvira, part body horror, part camp, and utrerly the same vibe as the old movies. Kooky. BUT GROWN

Anyway heres the first part of a fanfiction I never really finished, fearuring a naga. I'm editing this on mobile which is to say im not editing this at alllll.

Approx 2200 words. Do not reproduce or copy.

Warnings...uh....really soft vore. This is maybe sfw.

In a haunted warehouse in upstate New York, on any given weeknight you can buy a ticket and enter into a delightful, odd place where nothing you experience can be trusted. Maybe you heard about it from a coworker, or maybe you were drawn by the eerie blinking lights announcing

Wednesday World.

Wednesday World.

Either way, you will be ushered into a seat on risers that climb high against the brick walls next to a couple sharing a soft drink and a hotdog, or a family of five all trying to get the best view and coddle the baby who is out way past it's bed time. Each act will strain your sense of reality.

A fortune teller picks a victim from the crowd and reveals a terrifying prophecy of failed love in a scratchy high voice. Will the prediction come true?

A magician mesmerizes the crowd with increasingly dangerous tricks. Did he really conjure a demon in a fiery cauldron? How it all seems like a dream when you wake up in your bed the next morning in your normal house and go about your normal day, pretending those feats weren't all that impressive. But maybe you aught to go back and see how to do that that hypnotism trick.

Yes, maybe the curiosities of Wednesday World are only as real people want them to be. Yet that never stopped a show, nor the crowds, nor the money. As for Wednesday Addams, well nothing stops Wednesday.

On this night, a brisk October evening where mist floats over the vast concrete parking lot like waiting ghosts, the last act of the night is drawing quite a spectacle.

A hand painted canvas hanging on the facade of the building reveals the biggest attraction of the night and tonight it reads:

"Sinful Snake-Monster Man! He'll devour your soul!" in bright blood-red letters. Below the lettering is the image of a beautiful brown-skinned shirtless man with glowing yellow eyes and a imposing black-scaled hood flared around his face and shoulders. He's a beautiful and terrifying beast who's smooth torso flows into the thick coiled segments of a white bellied snake. The artist is quite talented as this snake-man looks like he's about to slither out of the canvas and start eating the people lined up to buying tickets.

The crowds press into the building from all entrances. Their warm bodies add to the heat and the heady undercurrent of anticipation, stopping the freezing cold of the winter night from dampening the hype. They mingle and writhe like a sinuous creature themselves until the mood of the room changes suddenly.

Cheers erupt from the stands, clapping, and whistling and laughing humans ready for their entertainment.

Ah, the Ring Master has entered.

"My gracious fans" The RM coos into the microphone. The smile and charisma in his voice cause another round of appreciative whistling.

"Heh, you flatter me! Tonight my lovelies the greatest exibit to date, brought to you by the one and only Wednesday World. The night cirsu of delights and horrors, magic and mystery, danger and daring! We cannot be responsible for the state of your brain after viewing this specatcle. Those with weak stomach have been warned!"

The RM lowers their voice and spins slowly in place addressing everyone in the room.

"Deep in the indus valley lives one of the most deadly creatures known to man! Thought o be a myth, a silly tale to scare the children."

RM wags their finger as a nervous chuckle goes through the crowd

"No myth however! We have found him! Captured by the skilled renowned snake charmer Ares Zarin!"

With a flourish the RM gestures to a tall lanky human man who has come from behind the curtain at one edge of the ring. His tightly curled brown hair is cut close to his head and shines with pommade. The white linen shirt he's wearing is unbuttoned showing his muscled chest. At his hip is a long wicked looking whip. He walks with a confident swagger into the ring smiling and greeting the now wild crowd with waves and bows. He stalks around the ring in his big thick jungle boots as if he's never known a day of fear in his life.

"Come now friend, aren't you a little worried?" The RM goads Ares as they exchange a hand shake and hug greeting.

"Well I've never met a snake I couldn't control" Ares says into the microphone. Quite a few in the crowd can be heard swooning over his easy confidence and good looks.

"I don't know, ladies and gentleman. No beast can love it's captor." The RM sweeps their arm to the curtain again where two brawny pale circus workers and pulling a huge cage into the ring. Inside the barred cage is the snake man. He's been adorned with golden jewelry and a silken wrap about his hips. He looks relaxed but there is an agitation to his shifting coils and flicking tongue.

A hush ripples through the crowd.

"Abomination!"

"Monster!"

Some cannot contain their fear, compulsively screaming in the face of their worst nightmare.

The workers bring the cage to the middle of the ring and await the RM's next words. They are simple. The crowd is already stunned.

"For your delight! and fuel for your nightmares, Wednesday Word presents the Sinful Snake-Monster Man and the Charmer!"

The men work at the locks on the cage and the door falls open before they scramble away and the lights in the room cut off leaving only an ominous spotlight on Ares. Ares looks unaffected, bored even as the sounds of the snake-man uncoiling itself fill the ring.

The susurration of skin is the only sound coming from outside of the spotlight. No one can see what's hidden in the darkness, yet they already know what waits there.

The crowd seems to cringe as one, as the tail of the beast whips out from the darkness. Ares leaps to the side, rolling away from the first strike then another.

A loud hiss of anger blooms in the darkness. Ares uncoils the whip from his waist and stalks towards the the edge of the light.

"Come now, my sweet. Don't be sore. We've let you out of that cage, show yourself to the crowd" He says, taunting.

The hiss grows louder. Ares jumps back. The beast follows him into the light fangs bared and its patterned hood flared wide and quivering. Ares laughs.

"You see, he's vain if nothing else!" Ares shouts to the crowd. They whistle and cheer in response! Some stomping their feet in agreement.

The snake-man curls and twists his body into the ring. He so big that his long tail seems to encircle the entire space, leaving no room for escape. Ares holds the whip loosely, watching, not ready to strike at the snake-man but he reaches into his shirt with the other hand and draws out a peculiar object. A smallish thing that looks like a long-necked little gourd with a doubled fife stuck into the bottom of it. There's a net of cowrie shells around the bulbus middle and the neck is painted with arcane symbols of protection. Ares lifts it to his lips and begins to play a reedy rhythmic tune charging the ambiance with an eerie feeling.

The song calls the beast closer. It sways to the music, coiling and slithering with unnerving grace towards Ares. And it seems the human crowd is just as hypnotized by the sweet soothing noise.

Outside of the glare of the spotlight  all of this fanfare is being closely monitored by the RM and the grunts, yes, but also by the proprietor of this unholy circus: Wednesday Addams. Below the circus ring, in her tightly locked office sits the genius woman and mastermind of this operation. Wednesday watches the act, the RM, and the crowd as they are captured by her surveillance system. In fact she watches the entire building, the grounds the receiving garage and the corridor leading to her office on multiple monitors spread across on wall of the room. 

Wednesday has grown into a bewitching, maniupulative woman, Her gothic style is a symphony of darkness and allure, embodied in her striking hair and makeup choices. Long ebony locks cascade down her back in thick waves, contrasting against her porcelain skin. Her eyes are framed by dramatic, winged eyeliner, accentuating their piercing intensity, while deep, burgundy lipstick adds a touch of mystery to her full lips.

As for her attire, she embraces her gothic sensibilities with a bold and daring ensemble. A mesh top, intricately patterned with occult symbols, hugs her curves snugly, revealing hints of skin beneath its web-like design. Paired with a flowing black skirt that sways with each confident step, she exudes an air of elegance and defiance.Her gothic style is a symphony of darkness and allure, embodied in her striking hair and makeup choices. Long ebony locks cascade down her back in thick waves, contrasting against her porcelain skin. Her eyes are framed by dramatic, winged eyeliner, accentuating their piercing intensity, while deep, burgundy lipstick adds a touch of mystery to her full lips.

As for her attire, she embraces her gothic sensibilities with a bold and daring ensemble. A mesh top, intricately patterned with occult symbols, hugs her curves snugly, revealing hints of skin beneath its web-like design. Paired with a flowing black skirt that sways with each confident step, she exudes an air of elegance and defiance.

She's anticipating the climax of the act, having watched the rehearsals between her current lover Kaliya and the cocky Ares. She licks her lips. The unnatural scene in front of her is quite arousing. To the crowd it looks as if Kaliya is utterly under Ares's spell, they feel safe now that the snake-man is under control. But Wednesday knows Kaliya is stalking the man. No mortal could match Kaliya in speed or strength, nor in the bedroom Wednesday muses. For a few moments she's hyper focused on the thick smooth-scaled muscle of his tail especially where the sharp human hip bones meld into his monstrous snake body. 

He sways in front of her on camera while she toys with a nipple, sore from the fang marks he'd giver her just this afternoon. The sheer mesh of her top gives her easy access to her puckering nipples.

Ares plays like Kaliya is occupied with the sound of the fife, sauntering closer to the swaying snake-man. Kaliya plays like a docile beast for the crowds, until it's too late that is. The sudden speed with which the man's tail grabs Ares distorts the air with a noise so ominous it causes someone in the crowd to scream in its wake.

"Look out!"

The fife flies from Ares's grasp as he's stunned by the hit. The vicious tail lifts Ares by his leg dangling him above the ground like a bunch of grapes. Ares recovers quickly enough to grab at a hidden dagger and lunges for the appendage wrapped around his leg.Kaliya's hiss fills the room setting off the crowd like never before. Screams erupt as the crowd watches Ares become wrapped in writhing snakeflesh up to his stomach, still held high and being dragged closer to doom. 

"abomination!"

"god someone stop it! he'll be eaten!"

"Kill the beast!"

Kaliya seems to transform before their eyes, his body vibrating and expanding the distinctive reptilian hood of his species making him look even larger than before. His jaw grows wide, unhinges with wet pops until a terrifying maw opens around fangs as long as a tiger's, glittering with saliva. With shocking quickness the constricting coils around Areas release him suddenly and he drops down Kaliya's throat before the man has a chance to scream. Kaliya makes a single gulp around the fat bulge in a grotesque feeding display of Ares getting devoured alive.

Finally the spell of spectacle is broken as the people panic and start stampeding out of the circus. Suddenly more of the burly, pale workers appear among them guiding the flow, trying to stop the worst of the trampling and pandemonium. The ring is filled with 5 men and the ring master, making a show of conquering the man-eating monster and trying to save Ares. Yet they need not have strained their acting skills in such a way. The illusion had done much better than anticipated. Not a single patron stayed long enough to see Kaliya pushed into the shadows backstage.

#terato #monster lover #monster fucker #monster fluff #monsterfucker #fanfiction #the addams family

[raeynbowboi]

How to Play as Bugs Bunny in DnD 5e

That’s right, today we’re building the epic icon of Bugs Bunny. As the star of Looney Tunes, I could think of nobody better to start with than Bugs Bunny. Now, Bugs has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He’s a master of disguise, misdirection, manipulation, he can pull items out of the hammerspace behind his back, and defy the laws of physics. So, clearly Bugs is some kind of all-powerful trickster. But how do we build him?

For his race, Bugs is a Harengon, a type of rabbitfolk from the feywild. We’ll give him +2 CHA, +1 DEX. As a Harengon, Bugs is a Fey type creature immune to the effects of spells like Charm Person and Hold Person that specify a humanoid target. He also gains proficiency with Perception, adds his proficiency bonus to his initiative rolls, add a d4 to a failed DEX saving throw, and jump five feet times his proficiency bonus.

 For his background, Bugs is most famous for his ability to pull things over on unsuspecting maroons. We’ll label him as a Charlatan. Now, why is he not a Performer? Because Charlatans get automatic proficiency with the Disguise Kit. If there’s anything he’s known for, it’s his disguises.

 In terms of Alignment, Bugs tap dances on the border between Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral.

BARD COLLEGE OF CREATION

Bugs is undeniably a Bard. He has a long history as a Vaudeville type performer, even canonically being a famous performer in numerous cartoons. In one, his gags with Elmer Fudd even began as a comedy routine they performed on stage, and later evolved to make them a famous comedy duo. In others, he’s a famous celebrity famed for his career in show business. So, he’s definitely a Bard. But, what College? Well, that would be the college of creation. They can create musical notes that attack people, they can pull items out of nowhere, which by 14th level can be Huge items,  they can animate objects around them like some old black-and-white cartoon from the 20s or 30s, and by late game, he can make multiple items at once. As a Bard, we get any three skills, and we’ll take Performance, Persuasion, and Stealth.

Name: Bugs Bunny Race: Harengon Background: Charlatan Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

STATS STR 8 DEX 20 CON 12 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 20

SAVING THROWS STR -1 DEX +11 CON +1 INT +1 WIS +2 CHA +11

HP: 123 AC: 15 PB: +6 SDC: 19 SAB: +11 PP: 24 Initiative: +11 Bardic Inspiration: (5) 1d12

SKILLS Deception (+17) Perception (+14) Performance (+11) Persuasion (+17) Sleight of Hand (+17) Stealth (+11)

SPELLS

C Friends, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery 1 Charm Person, Command, Disguise Self, Silvery Barbs, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter 2 Mirror Image, Enthrall, Gift of Gab, Suggestion 3 Antagonize (UA), Dispel Magic 4 Charm Monster, Confusion, Polymorph 5 Dream, Geas, Mislead 6 Mass Suggestion, Otto’s Irresistible Dance 7 Teleport (how he often ends up in the wrong place) 8 Glibness 9 True Polymorph

BARDIC MAGICAL SECRETS 10th Counterspell, Fly 14th Fabricate, Creation 18th Contingency, Reverse Gravity

WHY NOT ROGUE?

Some may wonder why I didn’t even consider the Rogue for Bugs Bunny. After all, Rogue does have some useful features. Uncanny Dodge and Evasion go a long way to make Bugs as slippery as he is, and that’s a good point. They also get another skill, giving him the chance to pick up Insight proficiency. Sneak Attack bonus also lets Bugs capitalize on his sneaky underhanded tactics. But, there’s a good reason why I chose Bard. Firstly, Arcane Trickster Rogues work off Intelligence, and Bugs is not book smart. He’s a wise guy and a charmer, but one of his common running gags is mispronouncing common sayings, like saying maroon instead of moron. Arcane Tricksters are also cut off at the 4th level, cutting Bugs off from great spells like Creation and Mislead, which go so well with his tactics. Any other type of rogue doesn’t get any spells, which deviates from where Bugs Bunny shines as a DnD Character.

Bugs is a character I’ve wanted to build for a while. I was going to do him when the Harengon came out, and then I just kind of forgot and left him sitting on a backburner. But he can do everything I would hope for. He’s clever, charming, and most importantly of all, great at manipulating people without outright brainwashing them. Just exploiting their stupidity. And since the Bard of Creation can create just about anything out of thin air, it really lets the player let their imagination run wild. Let’s see how intimidating Strahd is after he’s had an anvil dropped on his head.

#bugs bunny #looney tunes #merry melodies #daffy duck #porky pig #dnd #dungeons & dragons #Dungeons and Dragons #dnd 5e #fifth edition #dungeons and dragons fifth edition #dungeons and dragons 5th edition #5th edition #elmer fudd

[allwaswell16]

All the One Direction fics I read and enjoyed in Dec 2022. You can listen to my podcast to hear me talk about each of these fics as well as an overview of what was posted on ao3 including the fics on this month’s fic roundup which you can find here! Please let the writers know if you liked the fics by leaving kudos and comments! Happy reading!

Fanfictional Podcast #45 |  ko-fi | fic recs

-Larry-

Chasing, Searching, Dreaming by @parmahamlarrie

(E, 46k, soulmates au) Harry has known who his soulmate is since he was twenty years old, and ever since, he has been waiting for Louis to be ready for him. 

I Keep Looking For Magic by @lululawrence

(NR, 36k, fake relationship) Harry cannot go home alone when he had promised to bring a significant other again. 

Set the Sky Alight, Oh Holy Night by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup

(T, 33k, roommates) One house, five almost-strangers (plus Niall), six new beginnings.

reckless behaviour by @nouies

(E, 13k, strangers to lovers) Harry is a retired football player looking for a new opportunity. Louis is the image consultant hired to help him find it.

It Started with a Spark by exceptionallyordinharry / @exceptionally0rdinary

(NR, 6k, canon) Could the magnetic pull he feels towards a certain curly-haired cutie be about more than friendship?

come my love be one with the sea by CuckooTrooke / @larrydoinglaundry

(M, 6k, mermaid au) Pirate captain Louis gets saved from the storm by mermaid Harry, and grows particularly fond of this mysterious creature.

Seems You Cannot Be Replaced by QuickedWeen / @becomeawendybird

(M, 5k, high school) Harry and the popular boy in school, Louis Tomlinson, share a tension-filled night together when they're young. Fifteen years later they see each other again.

Love In Conversation by @hellolovers13

(T, 5k, baking au) Louis has a severe baking breakdown. Thankfully, he gets help from baking-hotline operator Harry.

Tide's Deathless Death by Jennifer_Kaid / @poetsreprieve

(E, 4k, pirate au) There was no single man who had survived after taking up arms against the captain.

Every Boy is a Lily (series) by docklands / @hershelsue

(M, 3k, trans Harry) Harry moves to Paris. With no one to talk to, he makes friends with his neighbour from the window next to his, a painter named Louis with a burning passion for life.

Chicago by @hellolovers13

(G, 3k, exes to lovers) They hadn't seen each other in four years, why was Louis still writing songs about Harry?

-Rare Pairs-

Me And You Is All I've Ever Known by restless_rebels / @restless-rebels

(T, 24k, Louis/Zayn) “I love you! And I always will! I’m going to come back and prove that!” Louis shouted down the hall as Zayn opened the front door.

When you love someone, you make room by louloubaby92 / @louloubabys1992

(E, 20k, Louis/Jamie Campbell Bower) Jamie Campell Bower is a big deal, of that Louis is sure. He's a walking charmer with a jawline to die for. So, it's a bit of a surprise when Jamie looks his way, let alone approaches him to chat him up.

Sweet Talk (series) by wordsnnotes / @quelsentiment

(M, 12k, Louis/Niall) Niall easily deflects her, though, then grabs the collar of Louis’ leather coat with her unnaturally strong grip and throws her back into the wall where she came from. If Louis had been human, she might have been knocked out. It’s a good thing that she isn't.

The Concept Of Controlled Love by Kikiberoski16 / @larrysballetslippers

(E, 10k, Louis/OMC) Louis and Andrew make a deal to help each other pass the term, but things turn out differently than expected.

Cigarettes and Chances by @faithinwalls369

(G, 7k, Louis/Liam Gallagher) On a whim, he decides to enter a competition via local radio, for a chance to have backstage access to Liam Gallagher's latest album release tour. 

The Seduction Of Draco Malfoy by Stillwriting / @adam-my-adam

(E, 7k, Louis/Draco Malfoy) The handsome, prickly stranger had melted into a wrecked, sexy, pleading dream…and Louis had done it to him.

something runnin' around my head by andfollowthesun / @halien

(G, 7k, Louis/Niall) Louis likes to think that Anne and Robin like them though; the three of them have been flatmates for the better part of two years, and friends before that. It would be bad form to show up to an anniversary empty-handed.

here with me by haveufoundwhaturlookingfor

(T, 6k, Louis/Nick Grimshaw) Louis has been secretly dating Nick, and things were going so smoothly, but then Nick finds out that he's pregnant and they have no choice but to tell everyone about their relationship.

Worth the Risk by Lhhome / @lhhomefics

(E, 5k, Louis/Lando Norris) The one where Lando Norris just wants to flirt with the cute guy he saw from across the room and Louis finally finds someone who is worth the risk.

flame colored paradise by cinnamons / @sunbellylou

(E, 3k, Louis/Mads Mikkelsen) He looked like a sight straight from heaven in his dark three-piece suit, hair in perfect place, a relaxed look on his face, as if he hasn’t had a hard-on for the last half an hour. Louis loved how Mads was always perfectly composed, never a single strand of hair out of place.

It's All Come and Go by @haztobegood

(E, 2k, Louis/Orville Peck) “Truck stops are like the original Grindr.” - Orville Peck, Coachella 2022

Demons Hide by sitandadmire / @louistomlionson

(NR, 777 words, Louis/Four) "When are you getting that tongue piercing we talked about?" Louis chuckles. "As soon as you manage to keep me pinned down long enough, love."

#28th appreciation #hltracks #trackinghome #tracksintheam #trackinghappily #1dficvillage #1dsource #ficrec

[wp-blaze]

The Pure, Unadulterated Gospel

I want to get back to the basics, and be very plain, because I have been told that my articles are too long. This article is going to be a “remake” of “The solution to evil, The Good News”, and this time I want to give without any digression the pure message of the Gospel […]

[therhythmafterthesummer]

Safe Haven ~Bang Chan | Day 1.

Pairing: SpaceRebel!Chan x WitchQueen!F.Reader Themes: Fantasy AU | Sci-Fi AU | Royalty AU | Soulmate AU | Slow Burn | Mutual Pining | Angst | Smut | Fluff. Series Warnings: Third person POV · Very loose and liberal usage of Star Wars concepts (mostly to refer to weapons and tech). you don’t need to know anything about SW to read this, trust me · Physical descriptions of the main female character such as: can visibly blush, having long hair, and being short · Violence · Swearing · Mature themes and language · Original characters · Graphic smut (later chapters) · Mentions of the members of other groups (later chapters) · No one is straight, beware · Each chapter will include its own individual warnings. Chapters marked as M (Mature) either include highly detailed violence, or smut.

Chapter Warnings: near death experiences · mentions of weapons · food consumption · usually Chan’s thoughts are presented within the narrative in italics.

Word Count: ~9k | AO3

Due to all the abovementioned warnings, this story is intended for an adult audience only. Minors please do not interact. ✰This chapter has been reworked as of 16/08/2023

Series Masterlist. | Next Chapter: Day 2.

Disclaimer: the story presented in this work does not represent Stray Kids in any way; anything described in this story and all actions performed by the characters are purely fictional, this was created just for good fun.

“Felix! On our left!” Chan couldn’t have felt more stressed than he did right now. They had truly gotten in quite the pickle this time. 

Laser beams shot past them while Chan expertly steered the ship out of their path. One of the beams landed on an asteroid nearby, shattering it to pieces, the shockwave produced upon impact made their starship shake slightly when they flew by.

“I’m on it, I’m on it!” Felix shouted back at his captain from the weaponry, with his gaze fixated on the radar as he tried to lock onto their attackers.

Chan, Changbin, and Felix were carrying out a stealth mission. Dall–their leader–had tipped them on a way to circumvent the security systems on one of the main bases of operations of the Charmer. All they had to do was sneak in, steal the intel from the main computer, and leave undetected.

They had almost made it. Almost. 

The Charmer–as the man liked to call himself–was a murderous usurper, a warlock that used dark magic to conquer small, vulnerable planets. He was incredibly strong, so much so that he would be able to enslave the inhabitants of planets in a matter of minutes, with only the help of a handful of loyal subjects, and his own army of mutated creatures.

No one would dare stand up to the Charmer; no one would dare show any sign of defiance, as being a slave was better than being dead–or worse, being turned into a monster with no regards to human life. No one would dare… except the Rebel Alliance. 

The Alliance openly opposed the Charmer. They worked in opening safe routes for people to escape his grasp, and slowly, but surely, they were working on a plan to finally overthrow his cruel ruling across the galaxy.

Chan, Changbin, and Felix were part of this Rebel Alliance. They had a special unit, SKZ, which consisted of them and five other friends; friends, who came together by tragedy. It started as a way of self-preservation, as a way to survive with help from one another, but it quickly evolved into a statement. They joined the Alliance as one of the main units four years ago, and have since contributed immensely to Dall’s cause.

Which had taken them to this point, chased by an enemy battleship–much larger, and way more powerful than their own. All because of a stupid miscalculation in Chan’s navigation coordinates, which somehow gave away their position.

Another beam was shot at them, Changbin reacted quickly, he hit buttons on the main control unit as his life literally depended on it. The beam barely grazed them thanks to his quick thinking. From the feedback Chan could read on one of the many screens in front of him, the heat had left superficial scratches on the starboard of the ship. 

However, the relief they felt after avoiding the attack was short-lived. In seconds, all warning alarms started going off when the enemy battleship released attack droids into the atmosphere.

“Come on, Yongbok! Use your third eye or something!” Changbin was clearly slightly panicked–not enough to impede his thinking, but enough to shout at the younger boy in the weaponry.

“What the hell do you think I’m doing?!” Felix shouted back while he kept shooting incessantly to stop the attack droids from coming too close to them.

“Enough!” The last thing Chan needed right now was for his two crewmates to distract themselves arguing with one another.

They were in a bad position. Really bad.

Hitting a few buttons in the main console, Chan started communications with their base of operations.

“Chan!” A voice came through the speaker, clearly exasperated, stressed.

“Seungmin, lock our position! You might need it later! Over!” The words rushed out of Chan’s mouth, he could hardly focus on what he was saying, since he had to have his full attention on his steering to avoid more laser beams flying past them.

“I’m on it! Over!” Seungmin took his captain’s command, and the loud crackling sound from the speaker signalled the connection to be over.

“Changbin, load hyperdrive!” Chan’s orders came out of his mouth effortlessly, but hurried. “Lix, set shooters to defence mode and come back here!”

Changbin got to work immediately, he continued to frantically hit buttons on the main console to prepare their jump into hyperspace; meanwhile, Felix changed settings on the shooters to defence mode, and immediately ran back from the weaponry to the main control room. As soon as he was in the room with his friends, he sat down in one of the available seats, and strapped himself to it.

Another laser passed by them, and the tell-tale sounds of a charging hyperdrive filled their ears among all the explosion sounds out and around them.

“Hyperdrive ready!” Changbin spoke quickly as soon as the indicators flashed green. “What coordinates?”

“Any! The closest and safest you can find in five seconds!” 

Changbin paused for a moment as he gathered the numbers on his monitor. This was no moment to hesitate, so he chose the first numbers he saw on the screen that fit their needs. “Alright! Coordinates set, captain!”

“Hold on tight, boys!” Chan pressed the big red button, effectively launching them into hyperspace. The scenery took indecipherable forms as he steered as far away as he could out of the enemy’s reach.

Chan liked to call himself an expert pilot. He was able to perform tricky, precise moves, even now as he tried to confuse the enemy’s radar with his complicated–and admittedly dangerous–moves.

With minimal recoil, they finally reached their destination. The sudden quietness gave way to a slight ringing to start in their ears. The ship shook slightly when they entered the gravitational pull of the planet located in that quadrant.

Chan turned to Changbin, and Changbin turned to him. A look of relief passed Changbin’s eyes, but before he could say anything, they were both startled by Felix’s sudden movements and the sound of his safety belt unlocking.

“There’s a stray attack droid!” Felix yelled, running as fast as he could to get back to the weaponry.

Panic flooded Chan. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, getting ready to bolt out of there.

Felix took control of the shooters, and quickly aimed and shot on instinct without aid from the radar. Right before his shot landed on the droid, the thing fired at them, and hit their ship’s motor with a loud, and very unpleasant boom.

The droid exploded into space rubbish as soon as Felix’s shot landed on it, and then, they were falling.

“Lix!” Chan shouted for his friend while he tried his best to stabilise the ship. “Get back here, Felix!”

Even if Changbin was clearly panicking next to Chan, he did his best to start an emergency landing.

The warning alarms were loud around them, and the temperature was rising quickly inside the main control room as they fell. The landscape started transforming, from blobs of colour, to actual defined shapes. Mountains, rivers, forests, and even buildings were quickly approaching, or, more accurately, they were quickly approaching the ground.

Chan manoeuvred the ship as best as he could. By pure luck he was able to spot a clearing, hopefully big enough for them to land on. Would we even be able to land? The thought briefly flashed in Chan’s mind. Anxiety dangerously clung to every fibre of his being, but he couldn’t let it affect his motor skills. He needed to make sure they landed safely, he couldn’t let his friends die like this, he had to give this intel to the Alliance…

With one last turn of the wheel, the ship hit the ground. The sound of the crash rumbled across the land. Chan’s ears popped, and immediately, his mind went blank.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Why is it so stupidly hot?

.

.

.

My head hurts

.

.

What’s that noise?

.

Thoughts came and went as Chan slowly started to regain consciousness. How long have I been out? The main console was in flames, there was smoke everywhere, which made it difficult to see past a few metres in front of him. Ah, yes. Crash-landing… The memories started coming back to him as he took in the dancing fire in front of him.

“Changbin…? Felix…?” With trembling fingers, Chan unbuckled his safety belt, trying to get a response from his friends.

Since Changbin had been sitting next to him, Chan found him without much difficulty. With a sigh of relief, he realised Changbin was already stirring awake, and Chan gripped his shoulders to get his attention.

“Are you okay?” Chan was panting heavily, still shaken from the crash.

“What… the…” Changbin breathed out. Okay, one crewmate alive out of two.

“Good, good. Words are good”, Chan helped Changbin get out of his seat. As he did, a memory suddenly flashed in his mind, and panic flooded him again. Felix had taken off his safety belt and left his seat to go to the weaponry. “Shit”.

With wobbly and uncoordinated steps, Chan started to walk away from the control room. His right hand moved to his left side to grab his ribs, trying to ease the pain he was feeling in the area. 

“Felix?” Chan asked to the empty space as he moved in the direction of the weaponry.

No answer. 

Changbin was right behind him, just as wobbly as Chan, limping slightly.

“Felix!” 

Felix was on the floor of the corridor between the weaponry and the main control room, passed out. Both Chan and Changbin crouched down next to him as best as their aching limbs let them.

“Yongbok, wake up. Wake up, please”, Changbin started shaking his younger crewmate in hopes of waking him up.

“Dude, please”, Chan lightly ruffled Felix’s hair, his own attempt at trying to wake him up. He honestly lacked the strength to do anything else.

A few moments passed with no reaction. Uneasiness and anxiety settled between the ship’s captain and his co-pilot with every second of silence.

Eventually, though, groans started spilling from Felix’s lips as he slowly stirred awake. 

“Did I die? Am I in hell?” Felix mumbled, sitting up, and groaning in pain.

Chan and Changbin looked at one another, then at Felix. They both hauled themselves at him. Relieved, borderline maniac laughs fell from their lips while they hugged each other.

“How the fuck are we even alive?” Changbin said between laughs.

“I think… After I saw the attack droid explode to bits I started casting a spell”, Felix closed his eyes tight in concentration, rubbing at his temple with his hands while he tried to remember the events. Then, a shy smile spread on his face. “I think it worked”.

Chan looked at him, then at Changbin. He was so happy his friends were alive, and yet, he couldn’t help but feel so, so guilty… “Guys, I…”

The words got stuck in his throat when he started hearing noise coming from the main corridor, noise that dangerously sounded like steps.

There were other people on the ship.

Unidentified people. 

The three exchanged panicked looks. They had no weapons at hand, nor any physical capacity to defend themselves. They had just survived a crash-landing only to possibly die at the hands of the enemy anyway… It was honestly almost… cruel.

Trying to take on a better defensive position, they shuffled around. Felix was still not exactly dexterous with his magic, but he was the only one with a chance to defend them at this point.

Suddenly, a cloaked figure popped out from the main corridor with a spear in their hand. Not a lightspear, just a regular, old-fashioned spear.

The person stilled as they saw the three men crouched on the floor.

“Don’t move!” They ordered, pointing their spear at the group. The cloaked figure turned their face to the corridor, shouting, presumably for backup. “Over here!”

In the blink of an eye–before Felix had the chance to even cast a puny spell–five cloaked figures were standing around them, all pointing their spears at them. These people were fast, too fast for them. With one look at them it was easy to tell… Chan and his friends were, for lack of a better word, utterly screwed.

A sixth figure popped out from the main corridor. Of average height, male presenting, with white hair, white beard, and a scar going from his eyebrow to his cheek, the man simply looked them up and down.

“Seize them”, his voice was gruff, with an odd edge of disgust to it.

As soon as the command left his mouth, the cloaked figures lunged at the crouching rebels, and they forcibly pushed them to their feet.

They were strong, too, Chan realised as soon as their hands were on his body. Alarm bells rang in his head while he assessed his opponents. At this point, there wasn’t much they could do, he figured. They were unarmed, wounded, and unable to ask for backup.

The three rebels had their hands forced behind their backs. One of the cloaked guards flicked their wrist, and ropes of light immediately fell from their fingertips. The tendrils quickly wrapped around Chan’s, Changbin’s, and Felix’s wrists. 

Hope started slipping between his fingers as Chan realised just who these people were. Or rather, what they were. Magic wielders… We are truly, truly screwed.

“Move it!” A warlock pushed Chan to move forward, and the others did the same to his crewmates. 

Chan bit the inside of his cheek as they walked the main corridor. Everything was in ruins. Cables hung loose from the ceiling, the formerly automatic doors were half open, completely still and stuck in that position.

His heart sunk further in his chest when he realised what they were walking towards… There was a huge, gaping hole in what he knew was the side of the ship.

Realistically, as soon as he regained consciousness, he knew the ship was trashed, but he just couldn’t help the crushing feeling that overcame him when he saw the extent of the damage.

Chan understood then that the people that seized them had used this hole to enter their ship. One by one, they stepped out of the ship, the sunlight was almost blinding, and a cool breeze hit their faces. For the latter, he was grateful. 

As they marched in a line, rebels sandwiched between magic wielders, he turned his head to see the damage on the outside of the ship. The hole they came out from was right next to the white letters Chan himself had carefully painted on the shell. Big Bad Wolf.

With a defeated sigh, he turned his head back to keep looking in front of him, ignoring the knot he felt forming in his throat.

So far, this place looked nothing like he expected.

After Chan identified their captors as magic wielders, he was sure they had fallen into the enemy’s territory. And yet, this place looked nothing like any Charmer-invaded planet he’d been to.

There was grass beneath their feet, but not the usual brown, dry grass he’d see. It was green, it was alive. There were tall bushes around them, trees, even flowers. All full of colour, full of life.

In the far distance, he could see a castle-like structure standing tall past the trees.

After a few minutes of walking, more and more human-made structures appeared among the greenery. Fountains, benches, statues… And finally, people.

People started scarcely popping up around them. They gave them weird, concerned looks, but they didn’t look enslaved, nor abused in any way. This gave Chan some semblance of hope.

They eventually reached an open corridor adjacent to the castle he’d noticed earlier. Pillars with intricate patterns and carvings both adorned and supported the roof of this corridor, and to the farthest end, a grand arch provided a view of their destination. They were being taken inside the castle, Chan reasoned.

The inner corridors were ample, paintings and banners hung from the walls, intricate symbols were carved on all surfaces, none of which he recognised. The floors were lined with a marine blue carpet, which slightly muffled their steps as they walked.

Chan saw a few people walk past them. They were carrying stacks of books, baskets full of clothes, or even plates with food. They spared the group of rebels a glance, but carried on with hurried steps, with no real fear or concern in their eyes.

He was trying to look out the windows, to try and figure out where exactly they were, when they all came to a stop. The white-bearded man pushed open two big doors, and signalled his people to go in.

Once inside, Chan noticed two thrones on the last third of the room. One was golden, with wolves carved on its sides, the back of it adorned with a sculpture of a sun at the top, and red fabric on its cushioning. The other was silver, with tigers at its sides, violet fabric, and the sculpture of a moon at the top. Behind the royal seats, there were tables pushed to the wall with miscellaneous items scattered on top of them.

The warlocks positioned Chan, Changbin, and Felix in a row in the middle of the room, one of them had taken their hood off, and gave them warning looks, as if to say ‘Don’t move’.

“Who are you?!” The man’s tone was harsh as he addressed them.

The three of them exchanged looks. Should they speak? Should they remain quiet?

“Answer me!”

Chan cleared his throat, deciding to take the lead, as usual. “I’m Chan. I’m the captain, so I’ll speak”.

The man’s eye twitched when he turned to Chan. “Tell me, Chan. Why did you and your friends decide to ruin our royal gardens?”

“It was an accident”, Chan tried his best to appear impassive, to not give away any lead to this man about what they were actually doing before they crashed.

The man’s scarred eye twitched again, his nostrils flared, and he stretched his left hand towards Felix.

“Who do you plead allegiance to?” He slowly started to close his hand, and Felix was immediately affected by the man’s magic, if the desperate, choked sounds coming out of his mouth were anything to go by.

He didn’t even need to cast a spell to do this, Chan’s worried thoughts momentarily stunned him.

“Felix!” Changbin desperately shouted, with panic written all over his face.

“Answer me!” The man’s tone was harsh, his grip tightened ever so slightly for a moment, only to finally let go. As soon as his grip loosened, Felix fell to his hands and knees, gasping for air.

“That’s it, scums. Kneel! All of you! Unless you want me to continue with your friend”.

Changbin gave a hesitant look to Chan, who just barely nodded. Both sank to his knees. And, honestly, the carpeted floor provided little to no comfort in this situation.

The man walked towards Chan. With a snap of his fingers the rope of light that bound Chan’s wrists moved, carrying his hands to his front and locking them there. He took a hold of Chan’s left wrist, right on the little space left between his hand and the light-cuff.

“What are you doing here, and who do you pledge allegiance to?” The man emphasised his words with a tight squeeze. Chan just grunted in response, clenching his teeth to withstand the pain. This old man had a stupidly strong grip, and his already weak wrists could definitely feel it.

“If you don’t answer me… ” The man took a dagger from his belt, and placed it right on top of Chan’s bent wrist. “There will be consequences”.

This was quite the predicament now. On one hand, he certainly wanted to keep his hand–thank you very much… But on the other hand, there was no way that he could betray the Rebel Alliance by giving confidential, possibly compromising information to this man.

Above all else, Chan was a man of principles, and he would not back down. He just looked the man in the eyes, defiant, keeping his mouth firmly shut.

He could see it in the man’s eyes, the rage fueled by every second Chan stayed silent holding his gaze. He let out a frustrated groan, and lifted his dagger in the air. Chan braced himself for the impact.

Maybe he was a fool for being hopeful earlier, maybe this place was just like those invaded by the Charmer, maybe–

“What’s the meaning of this?”

The stern voice came from behind the group, just before the dagger connected with Chan’s wrist. The old man halted his movements, and he immediately tensed when his gaze moved from Chan to the person that spoke from behind them. Chan could see a flash of fear pass the man’s eye for a second, before he composed himself.

“Your Majesty…” He let go of Chan’s hands, and took a step back.

Chan held his wrist to his chest, trying to find a position to relieve the dull ache.

Muted footsteps could be heard from behind them. The sound grew closer, until a female figure came into their line of sight. Walking past them, she stopped right next to the old man, looking in the opposite direction of his, giving her back to Chan and his friends. 

“That’s enough, Lord Skallarg”, she emphasised her command with a tight squeeze on his shoulder, side eyeing him. The man Chan now knew was called Skallarg winced in pain under her touch.

She was dressed in a long sleeved cotton shirt, form fitting trousers, and boots. Chan couldn’t help but notice the dagger strapped to her thigh, but she didn’t seem to have any further weapons on her.

If he were honest, she looked rough for someone referred to as ‘Majesty’. Her hair was tousled, and her cheeks had visible smudges of dirt on them. Even then, though, there was some strange energy radiated off her. It was almost like he could hear a minute hum emanating from her, a hum that somehow made it so Chan just had to look at her.

“I hope you have a very good reason to be torturing people in our throne room without our consent”, she finally turned to look at him, speaking with a firm tone. 

“You–Your Majesty”, Skallarg stumbled on his words, and Chan had to use every drop of willpower not to laugh at the absurdity of it all… This man who almost cut Chan’s hand clean off was now cowering, and it was honestly a bit… satisfying. “You know that in the absence of the High King and the Queen, I’m–" 

“You’re in charge of political matters, yes. But considering I was gone for only a day, and knowing I would be back today, I would’ve expected you to wait”, she spoke solemnly, but there was a clear edge of disdain in her voice. These two clearly had some sort of history, and Chan filed that information in his brain in case it came in handy later. “Explain yourself”.

Skallarg cleared his throat. “These men crashed a ship in the royal gardens, Your Majesty, and they refuse to provide any explanation for their actions”. 

The Queen finally recognized their presence. She looked down at the three men kneeling in her throne room. Her eyes landed on Chan, looking him right in the eyes. He held her gaze, with no hesitation. There was still a bit of hope in him, and by the Gods he was going to hold on to it.

After a few moments of silence, Her Majesty finally spoke, still staring deep into Chan’s eyes. “Remove their restraints”.

“Wh–what”, Skallarg looked visibly taken aback by his Queen’s request.

“Iʼm not going to repeat myself”.

“But, Your Majesty–!” 

The Queen let out a clearly annoyed sigh, rolling her eyes. With a wave of her hand, the light tendrils that kept the three men’s hands bound disappeared. 

The group exchanged confused looks, trying to make no sudden movements, keeping their position on the floor. 

The Queen turned to Skallarg. “Leave us”.

Her command left no room for argument, and yet…

“Your Majesty, I would advise–”

She turned towards the back of the room again, and held a hand up to his face. Skallarg immediately recoiled at the sudden movement. “I honestly don’t care about your advice. You can leave it for the High King”, she started to walk, putting a stop to the conversation. “Leave. And take your guards”.

Skallarg’s face twisted in disgust. He shot one last condescending look to the three of them, and without any further comments, he made a signal to his guards and left.

Aside from the Queen, Chan, Changbin, and Felix, there was another person in the room. A tall, brown man, dressed in a similar fashion to the Queen’s. Next to him, sat a panther. Its tail slowly swayed from side to side. Chan locked eyes with it and gulped.

It was huge, like a small horse.

The panther stood up, stretching–its body formed that classic arch felines make when they stretched, and had he not been almost completely in shock, Chan would’ve probably found it cute. Slowly, it crept towards the group, and as soon as it was in front of them, it started sniffing them one by one. It took its sweet time, sniffing their hands, their necks, their faces…

The three sat completely still, understanding the silent command. The panther stood in front of Felix last. It sniffed him way longer than the other two, taking its time with each limb. After a while, it settled on sniffing his forehead, and a low rumble started resonating from deep within it when its tongue poked from its mouth and licked Felix’s forehead, right in the middle.

The Queen hummed at the action, sounding somehow satisfied. The panther simply stretched forward once again, and walked away towards the two thrones. It spun a couple of times around them, until it finally plopped down in front of the silver throne, and started to groom itself.

“Stand up, travellers”, Her Majesty spoke, breaking the deafening silence that had fallen in the throne room. “Tell me your names, and explain to me, what business do you have in our domain”.

The three men exchanged looks. And, once again, they reached a silent agreement for the captain to speak.

“I’m Chan. These are Changbin and Felix. We were travelling with course to Anem when suddenly our ship’s motor gave out”, Chan spoke confidently, he surprised even himself with how level and sure of it all he sounded. “It just so happened that the first clearing I spotted turned out to be your gardens. We managed to stabilise the ship enough so we wouldn’t die. Which was good for us. Not so much for your garden, though…”

The Queen’s lips quirked up the tiniest bit, almost like she was going to smile, but instead, she just hummed at his answer. She looked thoughtful for a second, a second in which her eyes never strayed from his. “Do you know where you are, Chan?”

“I do not”.

The Queen raised an eyebrow, but quickly composed herself, turning her expression neutral once again. “Do you know where you are?” She asked, turning to Changbin and Felix.

They both shook their heads.

Her eyes returned to Chan. The way she looked at him so directly made him feel only slightly intimidated–lies, he felt very intimidated by this woman, but he couldn’t let that show through.

“You’re in Lira Le”, she said simply.

Chan’s eyes widened in surprise. Lira Le was known for being a neutral, peaceful planet. However, paradoxically, they were also known for birthing the strongest warriors and magic wielders in the galaxy. Suddenly, the people that seized them on the ship, that man Skallarg… It all made sense.

“We like to help those in need, and keep things amicable… solve things without violence when possible, you know?” The Queen continued. “However, what we can’t stand is dishonesty and lies”.

Chan’s left eye twitched at that. Well, shit… He had always thought of himself as a good liar, as a decent spokesperson, and yet, he was caught. Maybe embarrassingly quickly. He held the Queen’s gaze regardless. He was willing to get his hand cut off for the Alliance, he would be willing to lie to this woman’s face if it meant the safety of their cause as well.

There was a pause. The Queen’s eyes darted all around his face, and, for a moment, he thought he would fall back to his knees under her heavy gaze.

His resolve to keep the Alliance’s secret trembled slightly, he’d admit…

“Let me ask you something, Chan”, she said finally, ending the staring contest. “When the night is dark, and the forest is calm, who attends to ease the wolf pup’s cries?”

Chan’s eyes widened immediately. This was a turn of events he didn’t expect.

He could feel his companions stiffen next to him once the Queen had recited the Rebel Alliance’s code, of all things. The one they used to identify each other in times of need.

There was hope after all.

“The Moon”, he replied simply, almost in a breathless whisper. 

The Queen smiled, a genuine smile, and turned around to start walking towards the tables behind the thrones.

“The moon, what?” She asked, with a slight lilt in her voice that Chan could only describe as teasing.

Chan gulped, and the gears started turning desperately fast in his brain. “The moon, Your Majesty”.

“I’ll give you another chance, Chan”, the Queen fetched a tray from the table, and placed a jug and five glasses on it. She walked back towards the centre of the room, and handed the tray to her companion. “What business do you have in our domain?”

She sounded sincere. It didn’t seem like any tactic to get them to confess their secrets, she had recited the code so convincingly that it left no room for doubts in Chan’s mind that she was, indeed, acquainted with the Alliance.

“We had no business here, Your Majesty”, he decided to add the honorifics to his sentences moving forward, in hopes of staying on her good side. “We stole intel from one of the main bases of the Charmer. We were unfortunately discovered and chased by a battleship. We escaped to these coordinates by chance, but were ultimately shot down by an attack drone”.

The Queen listened carefully to his words. A flash of something passed through her eyes, but she quickly concealed it. Even though she was clearly trying not to let it show, her tone was almost worried as she asked, “what happened to the attack drone?”

“Felix here shot it down”, Chan offered, pointing to Felix. The Queen’s face visibly relaxed at the confirmation. “We truly didn’t mean to land here. Lira Le just so happened to be below us, and we were just barely able to survive because of it. And that’s the truth”.

The Queen looked at him for a few moments, her eyes scanned his face for what he guessed would be any signs of a lie. He was telling the truth, and yet, a cold sweat broke on the back of his neck. He held his breath in anticipation while they shared the silence.

Finally, the Queen nodded. “I see”, were the only words to leave her mouth. Was that a good sign?

She turned to the man holding the tray, took the jug in her hand, and carefully poured the contents into the five glasses. It was a clear liquid, so Chan reasoned it had to be water. She took one of the glasses and drank from it, gulping it all in one go.

To him, the gesture was pretty direct, as if she was telling them ‘This liquid is safe to drink from’.

“Drink some”, the Queen handed the glasses to the three of them one by one, leaving the last for her companion, with an apologetic smile on her face. “I’m sure you need it”.

Chan was suddenly hyper-aware of how thirsty he was. With all the ‘getting captured by possibly evil magic wielders’ thing, his bodily functions were clearly not his major concern. He took the glass from the Queen’s hand, their fingers lightly brushed against one another in the process, making a shiver run down his spine. What an odd reaction to have with a stranger, he thought. But, ultimately, he decided to ignore it.

The container was cool in his hand, and condensation was already dripping from its sides. As he drank, he could feel the fresh liquid cooling him from the inside out, for which he was grateful.

“Well”, the Queen’s voice broke through the silence. “Welcome to Lira Le, Chan, Changbin, and Felix”, she regarded them with a smile, another genuine one. “I must apologise for Skallarg’s behaviour. When he’s given the tiniest bit of power he becomes a complete monster”.

Her tone was sharp as she spoke of their captor, and, immediately, a light sense of relief washed over Chan’s chest. It seemed like the odds were truly looking in their favour.

“Unfortunately for me, the High King wants him there, so there’s nothing much I can do about it”, she poured more water into her glass, offering more to the group, which they gladly accepted.

“Can I ask a question”, Changbin asked all of a sudden. “Uhhh, Your Majesty…”

“Please, go ahead”, the Queen turned around, hopping over her sleeping panther. She reached the silver throne and sat down on it, taking another sip from her glass.

“You’re in with the Rebel Alliance… I thought Lira Le was a neutral planet”.

The Queen’s gaze met her assistant’s briefly, only to look back at Changbin while turning a ring on her thumb with her middle finger.

“Yes, well… It’s complicated”, she offered. “Lira Le is a neutral planet, yes… But we’re also a very moralistic society, and I, personally, will not accept injustice. My affiliation with the Alliance has nothing to do with my people, nor the High King. This is a me thing. Which, I would appreciate if it could remain between the people in this room, and us only”.

The group simply nodded in agreement. 

With a flick of her wrist the glass in her hand floated all the way back to the tables behind the thrones.

“I will provide you with food and shelter. I will also get our best engineers to repair your ship. You can stay here as long as you need. As long as our little secret is not compromised, of course”, she added the last part with a wink.

There was a moment of stunned silence. A smile crept on Felix’s face, while Changbin’s mouth fell slightly open in surprise. Chan was just baffled, incapable of doing anything other than blink repeatedly for a bit once he heard her offer.

“However!” Her Majesty stood up from the throne, hopping once again over her still sleeping panther and walking towards the three men. “We still need to settle the matter of our destroyed garden…”

Her tone was calm, with no malice or ill intent in it, and yet Chan winced as the words came out of her mouth, as soon as he remembered the extent of the damage. Yeaaah, there’s no way we can afford that, he thought, and a cold sweat broke on the back of his neck.

“I’ll be willing to pardon the intrusion, and all the damages, as long as you guys do me a favour”, the Queen started her proposal. “My assistant here, Dev”, she pointed towards the tall man that had been in the room with them. “He needs two companions to go on a week-long expedition up the mountains of Kar”.

“Of course, we will provide all safety equipment and supplies”, the Queen continued. “And, based on my darling Freyja’s assessment”, she pointed to the panther behind her. “I’m sure any of you would be more than suitable for the task”. 

The three of them exchanged looks, speechless. One thing of having lived with each other for so many years now was how easy they could communicate, even without words. A look of ‘Do we even have a choice’ flashed in each other’s faces, emphasised with a shrug from Felix.

Well… Decision made.

Chan spoke, trying his best to conceal his hesitancy. “We’ll oblige”.

“Excellent!” Her Majesty sounded relieved, which confused Chan a bit. A smile made its way onto her face, and seemed to not want to leave, even as she turned to her assistant. “Dev, dear. Please, inform the maids to prepare three rooms and warm meals for our guests tonight. Let Jenna and Wang Eun in immediately. And then, send the engineers down to check their ship’s damage”.

“Will do, Your Majesty”, Dev bowed his head, then turned to the three men. “Welcome to Lira Le”, he added, smiling. With a final bow, he left the throne room.

The Queen turned to Chan once again. “You don’t need to tell me right now who’s going. We need a minimum of two people, but if all three of you wish to go that’s fine, too”.

Two people entered the throne room then, dressed in a simple, comfortable looking uniform. They stood by the door, with their hands behind their backs

“I have matters to attend to”, the Queen informed the three of them. “Should you need anything, our Wang Eun here will be able to help you”.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled at them, she sounded almost… grateful, which immediately threw Chan for a loop. They should be the ones sounding grateful here, why would she be grateful?

With a slight bow of her head, she moved towards the two people stationed at the entrance. As soon as she was within reach, Her Majesty took the hand of the female presenting one to tug her through the door and out of the room with her, leaving Chan and his friends alone with the person Chan assumed was Wang Eun.

“Uhm, hello. Wang Eun, right? I’m Chan”, he extended his hand towards the man, offering a friendly handshake.

Wang Eun looked at Chan’s hand, slightly confused, but he smiled regardless. Instead of taking his hand, he just bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Chan. Is there anything I might be of assistance with at this time?”

Chan felt just a normal amount of mortified as he retracted his hand and wiped it awkwardly on his trousers. 

Changbin cleared his throat, diverting the attention to him. “Hey, I’m Changbin. Would it be possible for you to take us to our ship?”

“Sure, but”, a playful look passed Wang Eun’s eyes. “I believe a trip to the infirmary is in order. Please, follow me”.

“Well, this doesn’t look too good”, Changbin said as soon as they were standing in front of their ship.

‘Not too good’ was an understatement.

To their surprise, people were already walking around the ship, going in and out from the hole on the ship’s side with their hands full of blackened pieces of metal and miscellaneous loose wires.

“C’mon, let’s see what’s left”, Chan hated how weak his voice sounded, but he couldn’t help it, not when the knot in his throat and the heavy feeling in his chest returned tenfold. Entering the ship from its side certainly felt like a slash to his pride, like an absolute offence to his title as captain. 

There were even more people inside the ship. Some measured the gaps and holes on the walls, some were dealing with the burnt electronics hanging from the ceiling, others simply stood there, with their fingers flying over some stone slab-looking device in their hands that Chan couldn’t quite recognise.

“I’ll check the sleeping quarters”, Felix said suddenly, just as someone rushed past him, furiously tapping the slab in their hands.

“I’ll be checking the weaponry”, Changbin offered.

“Meet me in the main control room when you’re done”, Chan ordered before he walked away from his friends and towards the main control room.

“Shit…” Chan couldn’t help but swear the deeper he got into the ship.

Without the smoke, and without the threat of imminent death, he was finally able to see the true extent of the damage. The people working around the ship had somehow placed floating orbs of light throughout the space, which helped fully illuminate every crack, every obsolete circuit panel, and every loose cable along the walls.

By the time he reached the main control room, the knot in his throat seemed to have gotten bigger, and tears welled in his eyes. He didn’t let them loose, but he was so, so close to.

His attention turned towards the main dashboard, more specifically, to an old man kneeling next to it. The man had a bionic eye, he was carefully examining what Chan knew to be the circuit board of the main navigation system, which was usually located under the main console. 

“Can I help you, boy?” The old man’s gaze didn’t stray from the thing in his hands when he spoke. His bionic eye made small whirring sounds as it zoomed in and out and he kept assessing the circuit board.

“Uhm, yes. I’m Chan, I’m the captain of this ship”, he introduced himself for what felt like the millionth time that day. He chewed the inside of his cheek, trying to contain the question that was bubbling inside his chest.

The old man placed the circuit board on the floor next to the main console. With effort evident in his huffs and grunts, he stood up. Once standing, he immediately wiped his hands on his oil-stained overalls.

“The name’s Talboot”, the man placed his right hand over his heart and bowed. “I’m the one in charge of this restoration project. This baby has been through some rough patches, hasn’t it?”

“One or two, yes”, Chan chuckled. He still had some hope that at least the internal components of the ship were salvageable, and, before he knew it, the question he’d been trying to keep contained finally left his mouth. “How bad is it?”

“Well, I’m not sure I can answer your question right now. We’re still running the diagnostic, trying to see how much has been damaged…” Talboot scratched his chin, his bionic eye wouldn’t stop moving, and it made it really hard for Chan to not focus on it. Talboot looked towards the main viewport, which was shattered to pieces, before he continued speaking. “Although, let me tell you, boy. It doesn’t look like she’s exactly in mint condition. If you know what I mean…”

“Yeah…” Chan sighed in defeat. “I know what you mean”.

“Oddly enough, the navigation system seems okay-ish. It’s not gonna need much work, probably just a lot of rewiring”, Talboot walked past Chan, and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t look so sad. We’re here to help, boy”

With that, Talboot left the room.

Chan walked towards the main console, he swiped two of his fingers on the surface. The action left dark splotches of soot on his fingertips, and the path left behind by them made him sigh in defeat.

“The navigation system is okay-ish…” Chan repeated to himself, still trying his best to hold it together.

With a deep breath, he brought a hand to his head to card his fingers through his hair. He took a look at himself then. The healers in the infirmary had patched them all up quite well. One of them gave a vial of a mysterious blue liquid to the three injured rebels. It certainly helped ease the aches in their bodies, especially so as the healer took his time afterwards to dress their wounds.

As Chan stood there, in his trashed control room, he stared at a particular dressing on his arm. For him, that piece of gauze was a perfect reminder that he had, ultimately, failed his crewmates.

They had been on numerous missions before, but none as dangerous as this one. Had it not been for Felix’s quick thinking back when they were being chased by the battleship, they would have all died.

All because Chan made a mistake.

He had made that mistake, and almost killed his friends because of it.

The sound of footsteps suddenly pulled Chan away from his thoughts. Felix came into the main control room with two bags slung over his shoulder. With a hand tugging on his blond locks, he took in the state of the room, huffing at the extent of the damage.

Regardless, Felix approached Chan with a smile on his face.

“These are all the personal belongings I could save from the mess. I found your journal!” He announced as he dropped the bags on the seat closest to Chan.

Changbin popped into the room right then as well, with only one bag in hand. “It’s incredible, but all our hand weapons are intact”.

Felix huffed, and the annoyance lacing his voice was almost palpable. “Wish I could say the same for our stuff. It’s like they deliberately shot right at our sleeping quarters, holy shit. Most of my underwear burnt to a crisp”. 

Changbin gasped. He dropped the singular bag on a chair next to him, and made his way straight towards the other two with hurried steps. As soon as he was in front of the two bags Felix had dropped next to Chan, he started to frantically rummage through them. “Dude, was my Dwaekki harmed?”

“No, he wasn’t. Here”, Felix reached into his trouser’s back pocket, pulled out a small piggy plushie, and handed it to Changbin.

“Oh, Dwaekki… Thank Gods, if something had–”

“Guys. We need to focus here”, Chan really couldn’t help the sternness in his voice. After all, it was almost second nature to him whenever they were inside the ship at this point. “Her Majesty has requested for us to assist her. We need to decide what we’re gonna do”.

Felix flashed him a look of confusion. “Oh, I thought it was pretty obvious what we were going to do”.

“Yeah, man. Thought it was pretty clear”, Changbin added.

Chan looked back and forth between them, confused. “I’m–I’m not following”.

Changbin blinked at Chan, almost looking at him like he had three heads. “We’ll go with the Queen’s assistant. Dev, was it? Anyway, we’ll go with him to this mountain expedition-thingy, while you stay here”.

Chan opened and closed his mouth a few times, until his eyebrows furrowed together in concern. “Shouldn’t we, like, vote or something? This doesn’t seem fair”.

“Think about it”, Felix started. He knew that the moment Chan tried to disagree with them, they needed to really back up their decision with facts. “The three of us can’t go. When the communication system is restored, someone needs to make contact with the others. It makes the most sense for you to stay. You’re the captain of the ship, and you know your way around these things. Plus, you’re notorious for gathering information, I think it’s worth knowing what’s going on with the Queen and the Alliance”.

“It’d be beneficial for you to stay, though”, Chan countered immediately. “You could even ask them to teach you a trick or two?”

“What? You wanna submit this to suffrage? Who’s in favour of Felix and me going on the expedition”, Changbin raised his hand.

Felix raised his hand as well. “Oh, wow. Shocking. Major vote”.

Chan rubbed at his temples in frustration. He was the captain, but sometimes–most times they were not flying–they could persuade him. “Fine. Let’s do it that way. But you guys need to be very careful out there”.

“I think we can manage”, Changbin winked at Chan. He just visibly cringed at Changbin in response.

Footsteps could be heard from the corridor again, but this time, instead of cloaked figures, it was Wang Eun who came into view and greeted them politely.

“Your chambers are ready. I’ve also been informed that supper will be ready soon. The food will be delivered to your chambers by yours truly”.

“Okay, let’s go”, Chan picked up one of the bags, and his companions picked up the other two.

With the little belongings they had slung over their shoulders, they followed Wang Eun out of the ship, and into the castle.

Chan’s chambers were certainly much bigger than the sleeping quarters on his ship, much bigger than his own room back at their base of operations. Big windows lined one of the walls, he could see vast greenery outside, along with what looked like bioluminescent plants glowing faintly in the distance as the sun set.

The major add-ons were the attached washroom, a queen sized bed, a dining table, and a tall bookcase covering one wall. The rest was just standard furniture, empty shelves and closets… Indeed, much better and more comfortable than the shared sleeping quarters inside the Big Bad Wolf.

Wang Eun brought him food earlier, the plate full of food was now on the table, growing cold. Next to the meal, his journal laid open, where Chan had been catching up on documenting the events of the past few days. He stood by the bookcase, his dark curls barely grazed his eyes, still damp after he had taken his sweet time in the washroom, and a fresh set of Liralean clothes hugged his frame. 

He was immensely thankful for the clean clothes, since his own had been turned to scraps after the crash. A black sleeveless vest top, paired with black trousers that hung loose on his legs–except for their anchor points at his waist and ankles–were provided to him to spend the night in.

His eyes scanned through the spines of the books, they were all adorned with detailed drawings and intricate lettering. Going by the titles, they were of varied languages, and of many different genres.

A knock on the door resonated in the otherwise quiet room. Wang Eun had informed Chan that he’d come back later to retrieve the plates, and to provide him a fresh set of clothes for the next day, so the sound didn’t really take him by surprise.

“Come in”, a book caught his attention. It had golden letters that seemed to pop on the blue background. Chan heard the door open and close at his back, just as he took the book from the bookcase, and carefully looked at the cover–Lira Le Historia, it read.

“Not very cautious of you to not check who’s coming in, Mr Rebel Captain”, the Queen’s voice broke the silence, sounding immensely amused.

Chan’s whole body jerked as soon as he heard the unexpected voice.  The book slipped from his hands with the shock, he quickly caught it with his other hand–albeit not very gracefully–before turning around to look at her.

Her Majesty was wearing black loose fitting pants, similar to his, and a lilac vest hugged her torso. The garment had a deep neckline that accentuated her cleavage, and highlighted the intricate rune-like designs adorning almost every centimetres of her exposed skin. The runes spread from her chest, to her neck, blowing into her arms.

Oh, dear. We must stay focused, Chan, he mentally slapped himself as he scrambled to fix his gaze on her face and not on her… attributes.

“Have you grown comfortable already? I must say, I’m flattered that that’s how you feel about our castle, but I would suggest you don’t make it a habit”, she grinned at him.

“Nothing malicious has happened so far. Except, well… that guy that almost cut my hands off. Other than that, though, it’s been great!” A grin spread on his lips as well, and he finally put the book down on the table.

The Queen visibly winced at the reminder. “Yes… that… I would like to apologise once again on his behalf”.

“Somehow, I don’t think he’d mean it”, Chan chuckled. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your esteemed company?”

The Queen dismissively waved her hand at his comment. “Please, I don’t need any polite flattering. I might be Queen, but as long as you show some decency and respect, anything else is unnecessary. Just speak freely, that’s how we do things here”. Point taken, Chan…

“But you still want to be addressed by your title?” Chan couldn’t help but be slightly teasing, which was probably not a good strategy on his part. She did ask him to speak freely, though…

“That, Chan, comes in the respect part”, she emphasised his name, a teasing grin danced on her lips briefly, until her face turned more serious, and one of her hands started to play with the rings on the opposite one. “I was wondering if you’d made a decision on my request from earlier…”

Chan paused for a moment. He really didn’t want the boys to go out there on their own. He was especially worried about Felix and his untrained abilities, but they would kill him if he didn’t go with the agreement.

“Changbin and Felix will go with Dev”, he took a deep breath. “I’ll stay here to check on the ship. We want to communicate with the rest of our crew as soon as the communicators are repaired. We can only do so from the specific wavelength transmitted through the ship”. 

The Queen exhaled then, her shoulders relaxed, and she looked almost… relieved.

“Thank you, truly”, and to Chan, it sounded like she meant it. “Is there anything we need to take into consideration? Allergies? Food preferences? I will inform Dev to start the preparations as soon as possible”. 

“Not really. They’ll eat pretty much anything. As long as they’re not harmed or killed, they’ll be fine, but thank you”.

Will they be fine?

Chan’s thoughts would often drift to the worst case scenarios. They intruded his mind and troubled him endlessly, it was ingrained in his DNA at this point. This was one of those times, and it was honestly incredibly inconvenient.

“You don’t have to worry about your crewmates. Dev has an integrated communicator, so you’ll be able to speak with them whenever you need to”. 

“Integrated?” Chan was slightly taken aback, until the memory of Talboot and his bionic eye flashed in his mind. “Is everyone here enhanced technologically?”

“Oh, not everyone. But it’s pretty common. I’m not, for example. The High King isn’t either”.

Oh, yeah. There’s a King. Right…

“We’re a pretty longevous society”, the Queen explained. “However, if an accident occurs… Well, we can make it a little easier on ourselves”. 

“Is it done only in case of an accident?” He asked, curious.

“Most people… To be honest, at the end of the day, anyone can do whatever they want with their bodies as long as they don’t harm anyone else”, she offered. “I’m… not going to ask where you’re from, since you’ve already given me enough personal information, but from your reaction, I imagine it’s nothing like Lira Le”.

Memories came and went swiftly in his mind with Her Majesty’s comment. Chan’s home planet was… humble. It was small, full of arid areas, and communities settled around the few waterfields available. He was happy there, his family operated a ship repair shop, which offered him his first expositions to the vessels.

Everything was fine there. Until it wasn’t… 

Twelve years ago, the Charmer invaded and usurped the land with no regard to its people. Chan could still remember the day it happened. To this day, the memory sometimes–more times than he’d like to admit–woke him up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. He could vividly remember the screams as the Charmer’s mutated creatures were released on them. He could remember the chaos that ensued after, how his planet was no longer the place it used to be. He could remember it all… as if it’d happened yesterday.

A bittersweet smile crept on his face at the memory. “Yeah, definitely nothing like Lira Le. Especially not now… Not after the Charmer”.

Slowly, tentatively, the Queen walked closer to him, and got into his space. She carefully took Chan’s hand in hers. She spoke calmly, almost… tenderly. “Let’s have faith that our cause will finally put an end to this”.

There’s a King, Chan. There’s a King…

She gave his hand a light squeeze, and immediately after let go, regarding him with a genuine smile on her lips. “I’ll leave you to rest. There’s a standard breakfast schedule. Should you wish to change it, you can speak to Wang Eun about it. Feel free to go around the castle, but I highly suggest you don’t go to the throne room, nor the entire wing after it”.

It honestly didn’t sound like a suggestion at all. It was a command.

Chan nodded in understanding. “Once again, thank you, Your Majesty”.

“Good night, Chan. Rest well”, with that she turned around and left, just as Chan offered her a ‘You as well’.

Chan stood there for a few moments, staring at the hand the Queen had held. Indecipherable thoughts chaotically roamed his mind, like a flock of hens picking at corn kernels on the grass.

With a deep breath, he walked towards the table, until he was able to pull back his chair to sit down in front of his now cold meal.

Her Majesty was right, he was getting too comfortable.

Maybe it was the fact that he’d been flying for the last three days trying to get to the Charmer’s base, just eating enough food to keep himself standing, maybe it was the injuries he’d suffered in the crash, or the tiredness that was leeching to his bones as the day passed, but he felt oddly comfortable.

Even though they were on unknown land, getting help from a Queen that acted in the shadows, behind the King’s back, he felt lucky. Lucky he was alive, but most importantly, that his crewmates–his friends–were alive.

Chan took the spoon in his hand to finally take the first bite of his food. As he chewed, he felt the knot grow in his throat once more, and the events of the day suddenly felt heavy on his shoulders.

Putting the utensil down, he placed his elbows on the table, and he brought his hands to his head, to rest his forehead on his palms while he lightly tugged on his hair. Tears welled in his eyes for a moment, and this time, he let them fall.

Between quiet sobs, ignoring the trembles coursing through his body, he realised the food was good.

Really good.

Series Masterlist. | Next Chapter: Day 2.

© therhythmafterthesummer 2022-2023. all rights reserved. do not repost or translate my stories.

#stray kids fantasy au #stray kids fanfiction #bang chan fanfiction #bang chan fic #skz fanfic #skz fanfiction #stray kids fanfic #bang chan smut

[carewyncromwell]

“So prepare for the coup of the century... Be prepared for the murkiest scam!”

~“Be Prepared (cover)” by Man on the Internet

x~x~x~x

So I thought it was high time I tried drawing Carewyn’s grandfather Charles Cromwell again, so as to practice drawing older characters...and in doing so, I decided to make a proper comparison post pitting Charles up against his game-canon counterpart: the “Leader” of R as imagined by Jam City, Peregrine.

Yeah, uh...I think you can see why I was a little disappointed by the direction Jam City went with.

In case the text isn’t easy to read, here’s a transcript copy --

Charles Cromwell VS Peregrine

Evil Patriarch // Dead-beat Dad

“Mob Boss” type // “Darth Vader” wannabe

Works in the Wizengamot // Works as a “tracker”

Powerful Legilimens // ...Yeah, no

Rich AF // ...Also no

Social connections galore // ...Still no

Gaslighter Extraordinaire // LOL, he *wishes*

Has competent underlings // *SNORT*

Emotionally abusive // Neglectful

Runs R with an iron fist // Can’t control his subordinates??

Torture and death // Wampus Cats and cursed CD’s

Dark Empath // Charmer (?)

Widower // Divorcee

Obsessed with control // Obsessed with revenge

Would hurt a child // (Does too but denies doing it)

Blood Purist // Anti-Death Eater Extremist

Commands 50+ people // ...Five? Ten, maybe?

In my personal headcanon, I see Peregrine as the original leader of R when Charles first discovered it, only for his supposed right-hand man and mentor figure Charles to backstab him and get him assassinated by a younger and much more trusting Patricia Rakepick so that the head of the Cromwell Clan could take full control of the Cabal, its members, and its activities. According to Rakepick’s account of the event, as told to Carewyn in the still unfinished, grah Good!Rakepick AU --

“I immediately went to Charles Cromwell and told him [about how R had ordered my cohorts and me to attack you]. I had thought that he, being your grandfather, would be furious, regardless of his bad blood with your mother. And, at first, it seemed like I was right. Charles was very displeased when I told him that R had ordered me to attack you. He confided to me that he was concerned about the direction R’s leadership was taking – pointing out that, since I’d joined the Cabal, its members had been using more and more violence to get their way – and he asked for my support in helping him supplant the current leader and put an end to the way he did things. I stupidly accepted. In an attempt to right the sinking ship that I’d joined, I helped Charles assassinate R’s previous leader. I didn’t even know his name. It was only after Charles took over…that I realized what a big mistake I’d made. The violence R had been using wasn’t even planned by the man in charge – it had been Charles who had advised him to use force, to begin with. Charles hadn’t wanted any harm to come to you…but he was more than willing to make Jacob think that he would harm you – and that you, eventually, would also think he would harm Jacob. That way he could keep both of you as his pawns – using your love for each other to keep you in line. And worst of all…he was less upset that R had been willing to hurt a child…than he was that I had told him about it with the intent to try to stop it.”

With this cult of followers now fully at his disposal, Charles had a valuable new tool he could use to re-exert control over the family members who had tried to escape from him...namely, his daughter Lane and her children, Jacob and Carewyn.

Have a magical day, everyone! Much love! 🖤

(LOL, adding the individual frames of the GIF here, for those who want a better look at them. 😏)

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #charles cromwell #peregrine #mc's father #art #my art #patricia rakepick #carewyn cromwell #jacob cromwell #lane cromwell

[aro-simp]

i collected five f/os in one sitting yesterday so uh… [walks in and sits down because i have words to say]

the first of which was ironically an oc! he’s like… antihero, but slathered with patheticness. he keeps getting his ass kicked but still looks pretty?? he’s a tiefling bard (and he’s about to get a class switch if he doesn’t murder some harpies while remaining alive!!) he has hair the color of a storm, a mixture of grayish blues and purplish tints. which is one of my favorite parts of him alongside his pretty lips. i’d move mountains for this man because he’s just my baby girl!!

his personality leans on chaotic good, though he is a slick bastard whenever he wants to be. in his past, he was a tiefling who was beloved by his community and did his best to be considered “one of the good tieflings.” although, he ended up an outcast many times which led him to become quite the beast keeper. even in life or death situations, he’ll try to save as many lives as he can. this led him to forge a connections with various sorts. he has no intention of traveling alone whenever the stakes are high. anyone who can wield a weapon or magic is useful company. don’t take his heroic nature as a shoe that fits the dead. anyone who is a corpse is free to be pickpocketed, though he’ll try to carry out any last wishes if he has the time. as well, he does utilize “heroism” as a means to get people to trust him. regardless of how his party feels, he’ll often put them out there first if they’re in need of help and aid people because a grateful person is worth more than a corpse free to loot.

he’s a masculine nonbinary (primarily he/him, but i feel like he’d have a treasure box of neos! maybe he collects them from the dead… sees a corpse, gets a new neo) his identity goes unlabeled as he’s more interested in pursuing his goals than agonizing over yet another identity. he had his fun with that once, no need for twice! oh, forgot to mention his name of all things, whoops! his name is thyrais! i also just call him pathetic bbg— despite my insults, i promise i love him so much he’s my baby and i have already cried over several deaths he’s had. like you silly stinky sad boy!!! do not die!!! i love you too much for that!!!

anyhow i’m giving him all the kisses and hugs because he’s really my silly lil guy. can be super stupid, but he really is mine regardless!

please feel free to gush in return!!! i love hearing others gush too!!

OOOO HELL YESSSS OC F/O'S, Thyrais seems to be quite the charmer ;)

I don't even know who to gush about... so much love I have !!

I gotta say I am considering to f/o Gollum... I've been slipping into a LotR mood against and he's just so cute??? In like... a slimy stinky way. I just love himmm. He needs to be dangled like a cat!

[savebatsfromscratch]

Okay fine. Fine. I will talk about my 'Pokespe Better Powers' AU publicly.

(Basically, it's an AU where the dexholders other than Yellow ALSO have magical powers??? Also Yellow's power gets buffed a little bit because I was annoyed of how it was written in Fire Red Leaf Green compared to the Yellow series. It's not completely fleshed out yet, but it's very fun for me, so here goes.)

-

Source for the names (in the 'Main Dexholder' section. The others are headcannon): https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9dex_holder

-

Main Dexholders:

Red: He's "The Fighter" so I gave him super strength. It's nothing fancy, but I'd imagine it would take a second to get used to.

Blue (male): He's "The Trainer" so I thought it would be cool if he could like... have a commanding presence? Like he could tell someone to "stand up" and they would. (This would be able to be resisted, particularly if you had warning, but it would also not be able to be used on more complicated requests.)

Green (female): She's "The Evolver" so I thought it would be really cool if she could evolve and devolve (also mega evolve) Pokemon... just at will. The Pokemon would have to be okay with this of course, but the trainer is not to be consulted.

Yellow: She's "The Healer" and because she already canonically has a magical power, I think that it would be cool if I just gave her less of a cooldown. (Doesn't pass out quite as much, I think.)

Silver: He's "The Trader" (Or the Exchanger, whichever you prefer.) So I think it would be cool if he could swap the places of sentient things. (Like Pokemon and people.) He could tap one, run across the room and tap another, and they would swap places. It would have to be on a certain timer (like five seconds for Pokemon, ten seconds for people... or something), but I think it's cool. :)

Gold: Uh... Sooo Gold is "The Breeder," right? (Or the Hatcher. But I read it with Breeder first and this is going to be EXTRA cursed if you don't keep that in mind.) Okay so... TW for mentions of Omegaverse (SKIP IF YOU MUST.) What if he was like... able to have children uhhhh both ways? Yeah I know it's crazy. I made it up 'cus it was funny. qwq I swear it's mostly a joke. He seems overpowered anyway, so I didn't want to give him anything ACTUALLY good (even though he is my favorite).

Crystal: She's "The Catcher" (Or the Capturer, I think) so what if she could like... produce Pokeballs out of thin air? Like toss her hand up, and a Pokeball comes down into her waiting hand. (This is especially fun if there are just... berries disappearing off trees as she does this.)

Emerald: He's "The Calmer" and because I didn't want anything that made his cool mud shooting thing obsolete, I thought I could just enhance it by giving him the ability to get the mud he needs at any time he wants. Just... summoning mud from any place he wants.

Sapphire: She's "The Conqueror" so how about she has the ability to unleash a burst of confidence on her side or a battle, and a feeling of overwhelming dread on the other? (Not that that doesn't happen already.)

Ruby: He's "The Charmer" and I think that the Pokemon move "sweet kiss" describes what I'm getting at well enough. (Either that or something similar to "charm speak" from the Heroes of Olympus series. Which allows the user to basically persuade who they are talking to do do anything. The only problem there is that it's a bit too similar to Blue's power.)

Pearl: He's "The Determiner." I... I don't really know what to do with this information so I'm just gonna buff the power that he has. (Meaning his ability to see what move a Pokemon is about to use.) I know that kinda sucks, but I have no ideas man. Feel free to suggest some!

Diamond: He's "The Empathizer" so I decided on the ability to feel other people's emotions. Sort of the way Jayfeather can in Warrior Cats? If you know what I'm talking about?

Platinum: She's "The Understander" so, because I am very bad at coming up with powers, I decided on the ability to understand any language, written or otherwise. (Not including Pokemon languages though.)

Black: He's "The Dreamer" but he's not the only one. Because of this REALLY COOL narrative choice (seriously that could have some cool aus about it), I think it would be interesting if him and White could read each others thoughts. (And appear in each other's dreams.) Like, when both of them want too, they can hear all of each other's thoughts, but to make it so that White isn't always overwhelmed, that can also be turned off. There is still an 'emergency call' thought beam (?) though. So if someone gets stuck they could ask for help even if the other one wasn't planning on listening to their thoughts in that moment.

White: She's ALSO "The Dreamer," and I basically gave a rundown of her power in Black's entry lol. Just because they are connected.

Blake: He's "The Arrester" so I thought that if he wanted too, he could create chains out of nothing. Like, *taps something*, *draws hand away and a chain follows it*. If he closes his hand, the other end of the chain attaches to his wrist, if he taps something else first, it attaches there.

Whi-two: She's "The Liberator" so I thought she could be the other end of Blake's 'law of science breaking' so she gets rid of the chains that he creates. They dissolve and stuff. I bet it would be pretty. :)

X: He's "The Loner" (lol Professor Oak that's so mean). I couldn't think of ANYTHING for this power, so I had to ask my mom and she said "invisibility" and I think that's pretty good.

Y: She's "The Flyer" and even though I already based this AU in a wing AU (don't worry about it lol), I thought it would be neat if she could turn her arms into wings at will. (And also fly with them... obviously, otherwise the power would be dumb.)

Sun: He's "The Saver" (which sounds kinda cool until you remember it's about money). Because of this disappointment, I decided that he should be able to sense when there's a coupon or a discount on something if he wants too. Like, Person 1: "I want this desk but it's really expensive. :(" Sun: "There's a discount in the IKEA in Viridian City. Try ordering from there."

Moon: She's "The Mixer" which is about medicine, so I decided to make it about poison because of course I did. ...anyway I want her to be venomous.

-

Bonuses (some from Pokespe, some not):

Wally: First off, Wally is perfect. Second off I want him to be "The Captivator". Partially because it sounds really fricking cool, but also because it starts with a 'c' like the other trainers from his region. I think that this power could be used to draw everyone's attention onto himself. (Letting other people, I don't know, sneak across a room without being noticed.) This might put him in danger though, to be honest.

Shawna: This is probably gonna sound stupid, but I think a name like, "The Designer" would fit her pretty well. Her thing could be a (powered down) version of the Evillustrator from Miraculous Ladybug. (If you aren't familiar, he draws things and they appear in real life.)

Tierno: This is ALSO gonna sound dumb, but how about "The Dancer?" (Mostly because he likes dancing and I had no other ideas.) A possible power to go along with this would be giving him higher agility and speed than your average human. That could be VERY helpful in a whole array of situations!

Trevor: Because I gave the other two in his group of trainers dexholder names that start with the letter 'd', I'm calling him "The Decider." I can't really think of a power that matches how cool that name sounds, but maybe a little bit of a time slow? It would be very limited and would probably need a fairly long cooldown though.

Ash Ketchum (from the anime): I think the name "The Victor" fits him fairly well. So how about SLIGHT (and I do mean SLIGHT) HP drain on his opponent's Pokemon if he wants too.

Koya (from Pokemon DPA): I'm gonna call him "The Changer" because of his character arch in DPA. BUT, the power is gonna need some prefacing. I have another AU that I have had SINCE I FOUND these series (so like... six years ago?) that I seem to be physically unable of letting go of. Specifically for Koya. (As he is usually the main character.) Because of that I want him to have fire and dark powers. Meaning that I want him to be able to control fire, but that fire doesn't give off any light.

Hareta (also from Pokemon DPA): Maybe "The Befriender"? That might sound dumb. Well, in Pokemon DPA, Hareta sort of has this weird ability where he can become friends with (almost) literally anyone or anything. I don't know if that was on purpose, but that's pretty much what the power I'm giving him is. It's not gonna change much, but the character needed a nerf in comparison to the other ones.

Mitsumi (still from Pokemon DPA): I like to call her "The Gambler." I think her power could be better luck with slot machines (or in general), because she really likes them but she's really bad at them and it makes me feel sad. :(

Jun (last one from Pokemon DPA... or in general): I think he could have another 'double name' situation. I'm gonna call him "The Gambler" along with Mitsumi. This, again, will be the same power, making him more lucky. However, I am now deciding that when the two are in a battle together, they can choose to basically 'flip a (figurative) coin'. This will let them be 1. even MORE lucky (for that battle), or 2. UNlucky (for that battle).

-

Feel free to come up with your own powers/upgrades lol. This is very fun. :)

I HIT THE TAG LIMIT DANG IT-

#pokemon diamond and pearl adventure #pokemon adventures #pokespe better powers AU #pokemon dpa #pokespe #pokemon #trainer red #trainer blue #trainer green #trainer yellow #trainer crystal #trainer gold #trainer silver #trainer ruby #trainer sapphire #trainer emerald #trainer wally #trainer platinum #trainer pearl #trainer diamond #trainer black #trainer white #trainer blake #trainer whitwo #trainer sun #trainer moon #trainer x #trainer y #trainer koya #too many to tag

[theserpentpharmakiea]

My name is Vivian. I am a Plant Charmer, Trance Dancer, Janara, Folk Magic Practitioner, Writer, Artist, Italian & Irish American Witchy Woman, Medium and Healer.

I am a teacher at Zinzeudo University. Where I teach online classes in relation to my practice.

The link for the class is below.

https://courses.zinzeudo.com/courses/Italian-Folk-Magic-Poisonous-Plant-Workshop

In this Course

Class begins Saturday, September 16th at 7:00 pm EST

In honor of the five-week “Poison Plant Series” I am doing a workshop for a crash course but in depth detailed look at the Poison Plant Series!

This information packed and accessible three-hour online class will be a mix of information from the series, with some added information that has not been in any class prior!

The Italian Folk Magic and Poisonous Plant workshop is a great chance to get you started working with poisonous plants in a spiritual and magical sense. This workshop will not only go over working with poisonous plants in spell work and magical practices, but shadow work and personal evaluation as well

Topics include:

Flying Ointment

Shadow Work

Ancestral Healing

Working with Plantcestors

Building relationships with poisonous plants

and much more!

Shamanic Journey to the Plant Realm

The class will end with a trance journey to open up the way to a connection to your poisonous plant guide. This is much like a guided meditation resulting in practical information to carry you into your magical practice.

Is this workshop for me?

This workshop is recommended if you

have a love or curiosity for working with plants and herbs

want to deepen your emotional and spiritual connection to the plant realm

have a desire to find new pathways to healing

Also Good To Know:

Class length:  three hours

What to bring:  pen and paper for note taking. 

Class recording will be made available in your Zinzeudo University account.

**As an added bonuses, If time allows at the end of the class we will be doing a guided meditation to connect with the plants spirits of the plants we are leaning of. I look forward to seeing you all there!

#plantspiritwisdom #plantcharming #plantwitch #plantdancing #poisonousplants

[mahvaladara]

Sims Say the Darnest Things: When you get this, list five of your characters and their best quotes so far. Then pass it on to five other storytelling simblrs. (if you already received it, feel free to ignore ♥)

One:

Arlo: Can we get rid of it?

Mal: Who, Apollo? Arlo, he’s a dick, but I don’t think murder is in order…

Two:

Apollo: He deserves anything that happens to hi- Aaagh!

Mal: Say that again and I will crush your windpipe, boy!

Three:

Mal: You really think I wouldn’t find you? This game only has so many available residential lots, you know. It’s not like I had much to look through.

Four:

Arlo chuckled: Eggs?

Syra: Yes! For smoothies and icecreams! Lot’s of protein.

Arlo: Salmonella too.

Syra: No! Our chickens are grass fed… and rodent fed. And bird fed. I watched them murder a canary who made the mistake of try to steal their food. Like… John Chick!

Five:

Mal: Learning to accept that people are passing parts of your existence, makes that (immortality) easy to cope with. Pain however, can become a constant. That’s why I keep some scars. Some pains were just… too much and no amount of time will ever make me get over them. That’s why I have a deep seethed resentment towards vegans, religious zealots, and blond, blue-eyed white men called Jullian.

Maeve: Ex-boyfriend?

Mal: Ugh! I’d rather be sawed in half again!

Six:

Mal: Knowing is not useless! Knowledge is not useless. Yes, perhaps knowing advanced algebra won’t teach you to fix a broken ankle, it’s not supposed to, it’s Math not Medicine. But knowing snakes are deaf can certainly prevent you from buying a ‘magical’ song just because a snake charmer was seen using it to control a snake. Or knowing basic biology will make you understand how vaccines and essential oils work.

Knowledge is power. And power is freedom!

[rhapsodyred-writes]

Jude was exactly where Roxy expected her to be - in the training room, with a pair of boxing gloves on.

"You should go talk to her." Roxy whispered to Jamie beside her, as Jude delivered punch after precise punch to the training dummy in front of her.

"Are you kidding me?" He whisper-hissed back. "I'd rather go up against an angry goose! Besides - your sword, your problem."

Roxy huffed a sigh at the same time that Jude turned around and fixed the both of them with an unimpressed stare.

"Do you need something? You're really distracting."

"Roxy wants to ask you something," Jamie piped up before Roxy even had a chance to open her mouth.

She made a mental note to shuffle his video games into the wrong cases later.

"I'm wondering if you have any idea where Salem is? I have it on good authority that he has a sword that's missing from my collection." Roxy took a tentative step forward; even though Jude was five inches shorter than her, Roxy knew Jude spent as much of her free time training as she could, and it wasn't for nothing.

"Did someone tell you I might have info?" Jude slipped off her boxing gloves and put a hand on her hip.

"Ah, not quite, but Xilixas did think maybe I'd need your help kicking Salem's royal rear once I do finally catch him."

Jude snorted. "Yeah, that's a pass for me. I know what that guy's capable of, with all his dragon magic. You ever seen him turn back time on a table that someone's wrecked before?"

"Ah, yes, but-"

"You think he couldn't turn back time to make the ass-kicking never have happened?"

Roxy was at a loss. It was unlike Jude not to pick every fight she could. Although, maybe she smartened up a little after that fight. Toni (even though it wasn't technically Toni) had been unstoppable, and only one person had been able to match her. Now that Roxy thought about it, Jude had been much more careful with the fights she picked after that.

And, of course, seeing as how Salem was 10,000-ish years old, picking a fight with him probably wasn't in anyone's best interest.

"Alright, well I don't suppose you've at least seen him?"

"Nope." Jude shrugged in an infuriatingly nonchalant way. "Maybe you'd consider enlisting the help of a reptile charmer?"

Her tone was teasing, but it gave Roxy an idea. Sykes wasn't exactly a reptile charmer, but he did deal in music.

In a bold move, she stepped forward and shook Jude gently by the shoulders. "Jude, you're a genius."

"I am?"

"She is?"

Roxy wheeled on Jamie. "What kind of music does Salem like?" She asked, her eyes twinkling with something that bordered on excitement.

"Uh, classical?"

"Exactly! And what kind of music does Sykes play the most?"

She watched the slow dawning realization on Jamie's face.

"You think we could find him there?" He asked.

"If not, maybe we can summon him somehow."

Jamie scoffed, but didn't offer more objections.

"Alright, we might as well. On to the music room, I guess!"

--

Previous

Next

First

#part fifteen #who has roxy's sword? #red writes #roxy #jamie #jude peele #my ocs #my writing

[littleakatsuki]

The Moon's Feast

IF AS TRUE A STORY AS I AM ABOUT TO TELL YOU, began an afternoon when the uneven cobblestone paths of the city of Oromoas came to be marked by a turning kaleidoscope of colours beautiful and blasphemous, then the silence was long, insufferable, and a prison to Marquis, the voice of the crowd having been long since lost to him; then indeed have it in mind that he was a short man of five feet eight inches with an elegant style even when he was at work thieving. Also he was barefoot, and at present in the heart of Charmers Cast where the air was full of magic, cool and sweet. And somehow Marquis had gone from an hour to possibly three in and amongst a gallimaufry of competing ads fading in and out and perched atop buildings like gargoyles—HICCUPS, HICCUPS, HICCUPS some screamed—others gliding past or over people, offering fourth dimensional colouration, a distortion in the visual world that flickered at the edges of his vision in waves of curves and angles, lines of light, a sense of artificial personality lurking from whence a little spark of code had sprung, truth and illusion even harder to untangle. But if anything, Marquis was in Charmers because of the obvious line it cast between what was real and what was a lie. The festivities of the moon’s feast had brought Mudalans from far and wide, including many Ar and Rad from across the Viridian sea, as well as those of the neighbouring Uniakke tribes. Visitors surfed the streets with the curious inquisition of children, spellcasts dashed the air, false mages yelled come hither in a way that was full of life, as life was good for profit. The merchant stallmen were still goading and enticing loaded pockets with silk tongues—it was clear that the last seven years had not touched on the desert city.

And: indeed, the Mudalans were quite remarkably without the bloodshed and agonizing conflicts that existed in the west. Its economy, already huge, was growing at the fastest rate of any major nation. She was a paradise built in hell. In times of crisis, the place to flock to. Man, beast, goblin—whoever was attracted by the desert felt that they were returning to tribal, or more shamanic forms of intoxication, where magic generated a primal engagement with nature. The intensity of the shared experience bound the people with a powerful initiatic sense of group identity, that expressed itself in distinctive visual, conceptual, and magical forms. Oromoas was ancient, good and wise, and perhaps too cramped by techno-enhancements, but there was always something more to be said about her. She was dear to Marquis for a reason. He surveyed and measured the streets and found them pleasing to the eye. His home had the best of interests to go along with its people. And there were fewer places left in the world more rooted in the ‘Old Ways’ of which he was still privy.

#creativewriting #story prompt #fiction #shortstory #ao3 writer #excerpts #fantasy #worldbuilding #magic #fun

[waveridden]

can you assign some random CARDS to teams. your favorites preferably.

favorite cards. favorite teams. doesn't matter idk. here are the first five i think of

yellowstone magic get charmer cards. i love the charmers.

atlantis georgias a legendary ocean. obviously.

give the hades tigers a pet sangan or give me death

tokyo lift des kangaroo because i think it's funny

this isn't a team but i'm giving beck whitney black rose dragon

#waveridden.ask #leonstamatis #blb ygo hours

[axdently]

𝑬𝑾𝑨𝑵 𝑴𝑰𝑻𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑳𝑳, 𝑯𝑬/𝑯𝑰𝑴 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑺, 𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑹𝑰𝑻 𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑹𝑰𝑶𝑹

To ELRICH DIONYSUS SPEEDWAGON, the whole world looks like an open page. with a leap of faith, their ability of BLOOD SOLIDIFICATION grows a little stronger. they’re pledged to the HOUSE VANITAS to defend the enchanted lands of cagliostro with their BLOOD STONE MASK for TWENTY- FIVE years, they have survived a world of magic with both their CHARM and MANIPULATION. they work as a AIR-FLYING PIRATE & BLOODSMITH, but if they could change their fate, they’d want to FIND A NICE CASTLE TO WEAR SILK PAJAMAS IN

─── 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒.

With a single sapphire eye, your gaze captures both the allure and the enigma of the unknown, and your eye patch shrouds secrets even deeper. Your words are like finely honed weapons, their edges sharp with derision and condescension, slicing through the banalities of conversation. Your communication of calculated cadence, a composition that keeps others on their toes, unsure of whether they are witnessing your true self or merely a façade. Yet, beneath this bravado and manipulation, there's a complexity that's hard to miss, a depth that hints at layers you guard with the vigilance of a sentinel.

In the presence of finer things, your heart finds solace. The glint of exquisitely crafted weapons, the warmth of dragon whiskey trickling down your throat, the sensual touch of silk against your skin—they are your retreats from the ordinary. Freedom is your creed, and the notion of confinement is abhorrent. The world isn't a place meant to be observed from a distance; it's a realm to be captained, a stage for your pursuits as a blacksmith, a collector, and a captain.

Beneath your hardened exterior lies a mission that fuels your every step—a quest for revenge against an age-old feud. In the meantime you find yourself leaping for glory of any kind. Elrich Speedwagon, you are not just a captain, nor merely a swordsman, but rather a reflection of the intricate interplay between desire and vengeance, vulnerability and strength.

─── 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒.

NAME: Elrich Speedwagon NICKNAME: Captain DATE OF BIRTH: March 25, 1988 GENDER: Cisgender Man HEIGHT: 5′ 10″ MARKINGS: A scar that runs 9 inches directly over one of his eyes. Where the eye has been gouged out, a single sapphire jewel or eye patch rests to cover. There is also a faint scar on his cheek and a stitching scar gone bad running from his ear to his collarbone. He has calloused fingertips, rough hands. TATTOOS: a compass over his heart, a swallow on his hand, a sleeve of his ship sailing roaring ocean waves with poseidon’s face in stormy skies. PIERCINGS: Double earlobe piercings on each ear, and one stone in the cartilage of his left ear. DECORUM: Exudes an air of confidence with a touch of the rugged. Sharp and calculated, moves with the grace of a predator, every gesture deliberate and poised, often adorned in pirate clothing that speaks of adventure and defiance or blacksmith’s clothing. SCENT: Carries the scent of aged leather, brimstone musk, with a subtle undertone of saltwater breeze, sometimes the hint of dragon whiskey twinges his sweet breath. GOALS: To exact revenge on an age-old feud, to command his own destiny FEARS: Losing control of his emotions, being betrayed POSITIVE TRAITS: Charismatic, strategic, determined NEUTRAL TRAITS: Reserved, disciplined, pragmatic NEGATIVE TRAITS: Manipulative, guarded, prideful ZODIAC: Aries Sun, Aquarius Moon, Sagittarius Rising ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil TEMPERAMENT: Melancholic ELEMENT: Water PRIMARY VICE: Envy PRIMARY VIRTUE: Fortitude TROPE: The Anti-Hero, The Charmer with a Dark Side, The Manipulative Bastard, The Cynical Mentor, Mysterious Backer, The Stoic Gentleman INSPIRATION: Complex characters with shades of gray like Jaime Lannister, Loki’s sinister shapeshifting and cunning abilities, and Captain Jack Sparrow’s affinity for adventure. OCCUPATION: Airship captain, skilled blacksmith RESIDENCE: His airship, and plenty of Inns, and/or brothels. HOBBIES: Swordplay, collecting rare artifacts, reading history HABITS: Running his fingers through his hair when agitated, spitting while talking in a conversation, tapping his fingers rhythmically when lost in thought.

─── 𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒.

BLOOD SOLIDIFICATION The power to condense blood into a tangible form. Users can solidify, or give solid-like properties to blood by causing the fluid particles to come together with the level of solidity going from loose coagulated jelly to metal-like hardness or beyond. Users can shape, and manipulate blood. Users can concentrate blood into a single point, and shoot it out akin to bullets, or sharpen their blood to the point that they can slice and tear flesh with ease or solidify blood to use as rock-hard ammunition. VARIATION 1. BLOOD CONSTRUCTS

When wearing the famed BLOOD MASK ( Hewn from a deep, dark-hued stone resembling bloodstone, with intricate veins of crimson across the surface of the mask, reminiscent of blood vessels coursing beneath skin. )  the ability to create weapons and other constructs out of blood including but not limited to: armor, barriers, objects, platforms, restraints, structures, support, and even vehicles in extreme cases.

VARIATION 2. BLOOD COMBAT

Users are able to utilize blood with their physical combat, creating weapons or tools, enhancing their own abilities. The power to use blood as a form of offense for the following:

BLOOD BOMB GENERATION: Create bombs/explosions of blood.

BLOOD SPIKE PROJECTION: Project blood spikes.

SWORD BEAM EMISSION: Release blood blasts from swords and other such bladed weapons.

SCATTER SHOT: Release blood blasts that split into multiple fragments.

BLOOD BULLET PROJECTION: Fire in short sequence over a wide area.

─── 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘.

1. BRACERS OF SEA GIANT:  Movements, whether in the sea's embrace or on solid ground, are seamless, unhindered by the weight of water when wearing these. Imbued with THUNDERWAVE, ready to unleash a resonating boom.

2. NECKLACE OF PEARLS: Each pearl ingested bestows 24 hours of underwater prowess. Breath flows smoothly through water, and the language of the ocean becomes second nature, creating an intimate bond between the wearer and the sea.

3. CRIMSON AMPLIFIER: Push a finger on the needle tip of this pendant, and it drains a single drop of blood into the pendant. A glass gem pulses at this amulet’s core, amplifying magic in response to the wearer's command in exchange for blood.

4. COMPASS OF TRUTH: An unwavering companion in the uncharted. It guides, protects, and empowers those who hold it. This compass is more than mere directions; it's a talisman of adventure, guiding the bearer through the unknown, towards safety, treasures, and even ahead of adversaries.

5. INTERVENTION: In the midst of conflict, this musket is a tool of intervention. Its shots echo with resolution, punctuating the battle's rhythm, and raining blood upon those below.

6. SPYGLASS OF THE SEASPECTER: Imbued with SPECTERS FOCUS & EYE IN THE SKY, this spyglass magnifies objects twice their size.

7. STORMEYE SLING: Short-sightedness has claimed the careers and lives of many a pirate. But for those with the foresight to look past the surface, this mysterious eyepatch grants a peek behind the veil for a short period of time.

8. SHARD OF THE SEA: A relic rooted in legend, the Shard of the Sea is said to be a fragment of a once-great crystalline city beneath the waves. It holds the essence of the ocean within its radiant core, a conduit to harness the sea's power. It's a piece of submerged wielded into a dagger.

9. BLOOD MASK: Imbued with Blood Gust and Blood Fog.

─── 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒.

1. THUNDER WAVE: a wave of thunderous force surges outward, encompassing an area extending roughly 15 feet. Objects without secure anchoring within this range are compelled by the spell's might to shift up to 10 feet away from them. The unleashing of this spell is accompanied by a resounding explosion akin to a distant thunderclap, echoing audibly for a radius of 300 feet.

2. SPECTER’S FOCUS: A spell to increase spellcaster’s focus– while holding the spyglass, combat attacks are increased and defenses are stronger

3. EYE IN THE SKY: When invoked this spell captures a panoramic scene to its user, functioning as an aerial scout, a vigilant observer of events below.

4. BLOOD SACRIFICE: Through the ritual of Blood Sacrifice, Elrich infuses his constructs with the furious essence of Vanitas blood magic. The constructs gain heightened strength and resilience, transforming into formidable allies on the battlefield. 

5. BLOOD FOG: The sinister magic of Blood Fog marries mist with malevolence. When invoked, an ominous crimson haze blankets the surroundings. This dense fog obscures vision and infuses the air with a metallic scent. Shadows shift, whispers echo, and unease takes hold, as if the fog itself holds a malevolent consciousness. Those caught within its clutches are enveloped in an unsettling aura, feeding both dread and uncertainty.

6. BLOOD GUST: By uniting the forces of his blood magic with the power of air, Elrich conjures a devastating wind funnel of red-hued energy. This spell crashes into adversaries with tremendous force, causing both physical damage and debilitating effects. 

7. PIRATES’ PARLEY: or “discussion, conference,” If a pirate is captured by an enemy, he has the right to declare parley, or temporary protection, until he may have an audience with the enemy captain. When spoken at the right time, Elrich incants a true protection spell against his captors. 

#cag: intro #cagintro #⸻ 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅-𝒊𝒔𝒎𝒔 ; INTRO. #//ya this mans aint right