#granted they're both slouching but still

[genshinlover101]

May I request anything with Jean, Kaeya, Diluc, and Eula noticing their s/o slowly but surely feeling safe and comfortable in their own skin/around others and not always on high alert all the time?

Like the characters have never really heard it coming out of their s/o's mouth but just based on the body language and the calculated/hypervigilant attitude towards everything, they can tell that reader has had a life that revolved around fighting/violence/killing and has never truly come out of that fight or flight headspace.

So what would be their reaction to seeing their usually closed off s/o, just come to a revelation that they can just,,,be, without feeling like they're in danger? S/o isn't as tense when being held and allows themselves to melt against them,,,just allowing themselves vulnerability that has been denied for so long

Closed Off S/O Unwinding Around Them

Characters: Jean, Kaeya, Diluc, Eula x gn!reader

Warnings: none

A/n: this idea is so cute 🥺 I feel like it’ll fit even more with Diluc cause of his backstory

I am also ashamed to say that Diluc is my main dps on my team currently while I’m still building Miko and I know nothing of his character :,) 

• You’ve always been uptight, on guard, and stern. Jean understood the initial anxiety that came from your trauma, but 24/7 was something she couldn’t stand by. It might be hypocritical, but Jean would try and convince you to relax.

• As if it were magic, one day her wish was granted. You slowly began to calm yourself around her. Not overreacting to small noises or mishaps anymore, simply ignoring them around her as if you were suddenly at peace.

You sat on the sofa with her, your body normally sitting up straight, arms folded as you used all five senses to keep your guard up. Jean sat beside you, her posture in a similar stance but more relaxed, a cup of coffee brewed by Lisa in one hand and a newspaper in the other. She looked at you like she was observing a meerkat scouting for predators.

She leaned over to place her mug on the wooden coffee table, only to reach to your shoulder and rub it slightly. Your attention shifting from one source to Jean. “You should rest honey. The weather is fine out today, there’s no threat to Mondstadt looming over us anymore, relax,” she told you.

You took a deep breath, thinking a moment or two before weighing your options. Jean was not wrong, Mondstadt seemed to be safe in the hands of the Knights of Favonius, it was a moment of peace. Resting now wouldn’t hurt a fly. You began to slouch, your eyes feeling heavy. “Don’t mind if I rest here then,” you mumbled.

Earning a smile from Jean the woman grabbed your head with her empty arm, letting you rest on her chest as you both slouched on the couch together. Her fingers stringing through your hair, her nails scratching the best parts to lull you into a perfect sleep. Continuing to read her newspaper she planted a small kiss on your forehead. “Rest for as long as you need, I’ll protect you this time.”

• Kaeya’s carefree attitude towards everything was always a fresh breath of air. But for you it wasn’t, you still felt danger behind every corner. It turned into a game for him, trying to get you to relax even if it meant neglecting his own duties. 

• Once you started to crack, the young man would immediately take advantage. Inviting you to a drink with him, giving you a small back massage, overjoyed that you gave him the slightest space within your personal bubble.  

Kaeya sat at the bar, some regulars nearby that he recognized as he made small talk with them. You sat up straight, your arms folded, and your head held high. You felt like an accessory for Kaeya, sitting there to look all nice and dainty for him, your guard up in case anyone decided to try some funny business. 

It wasn’t until his conversations got dry that his attention divided to you, sipping from his beer he side-eyed you. “Have a drink once and a while, it’s on me?” He tried offering you. Pushing his own drink towards you for a sip. When you didn’t give a reaction or even a turning of your head, he frowned. “Sheesh you’re a tough one. I’ll even order your own- then you’ll have to drink it.”

With a smirk he stuck his hand up to call the bartender, sliding his regular order. “Here taste this, it’ll change your life,” he passed you your own cup. Looking at it hesitantly, your brows raising in suspicion. “Pfft, suit yourself... more for me then.” he shrugged your behavior off. One day or another he was going to get you.

His welcoming atmosphere gave you a sense of belonging. He always invited you out to drink with him but never had you felt like you were supposed to be there. Your guard always up in case an argument or fight broke out like always. But today felt different, lowering your posture you reached for the mug that he had taken back. Taking a slight sip, Kaeya smirked from his cup as he saw you from his peripheral. “Good, right?” he asked you.

• When Diluc was younger he knew what it felt like to be in the pit of danger at any moment. To never let your guard down and sleep with one eye open is how he lived. But when in the safety of the City of Mondstadt he would advise you to take a short break, relax, have a drink. 

• It didn’t take you long to feel safe around the man, even though he didn’t drink with you, his drinks had the skill to lull you in a state of relaxation. Even though he had many secrets, you always felt safe around him as you knew no one could stand against him. 

Diluc stood behind the bar, wiping a clear glass with a white cloth napkin till it was spotless. The young man stood poised, since it was 3:00 pm, the night rush had yet to come. You sat at the bar, looking left and right at the few customers who decided to come quite early. Ensuring they wouldn’t sabotage or try anything suspicious. 

Diluc would occasionally open one eye to check up on you. Although he was the silent type, he still wanted to make sure you were okay in his own little way. Making sure you didn’t get bored as he carried out his afternoon chores that he assigned himself. Your stiff posture made him cringe, some time had passed and you remained in the same stance.

Using one of the glasses he had just shined to perfection to pour some juice, “I know your distaste in alcohol, besides it’s the afternoon. Unwind a bit, It’s my job to ensure this environment is safe, not yours.” You caught the glass, your reflection shining from the apple juice. Looking at your eyebags and your dark circles you decided maybe it was a good idea to give your body a rest.

Besides, Diluc was tall, handsome, strong and one of Mondstadts most revered. There wasn’t much he couldn’t handle, maybe he didn’t need another pair of eyes to watch for him. Yawning you took a sip of the drink he poured. he might’ve been harsh and rigid, but he definitely knew how to calm one’s mind. Your sudden drowsiness making him feel pride in his actions.

• Eula knew why you’d have such a hyper fixation on danger. She’s been subjected to prejudice from hilichurls and citizens of Mondstadt alike. But unlike her, you never rested.

• She would urge you to rest by trying to find little hints she could throw at you to take a nap or to relax your muscles. One day however, she found it to be working even without her ushering you to.

One fateful evening Eula had invited you out to eat at Good Hunter for the afternoon. She always took Amber out for the same treatment, finding that around the young girl her mind was always clear and relaxed despite how poorly her day was going. She had high hopes that it would have the same effect on you. 

You poked at your food with your utensils, looking at it intently to ensure it wasn’t poisoned or tampered with. For some reason, you never trusted food unless it was cooked by yourself, Eula always finding that habit of yours strange. However, instead of five minutes of lingering, after a couple of pokes, you decided to dive in. Quickly devouring the mouth-watering scent that the food gave off. “Were you hungry? You seem to be enjoying your food a little much,” Eula commented.

Around Eula you felt relaxed, the woman had been making more frequent appearances in your life. Each time you hung out with her you found yourself unintentionally dropping habits that you had developed over time. Feeling safer around her each time you saw the young maiden's face.

“If you’re still hungry, we can order dessert,” Eula insisted. Your face lit up to her surprise. To so suddenly witness such a childish reaction from someone as cautious and mature as you made her heart skip a beat. A light blush on her face as she tried to hide it with her handkerchief  “I’ll treat you to as many dishes as your heart desires,” she said impulsively. 

#jean x reader #kaeya x reader #diluc x reader #eula x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #jean gunnhildr #kaeya alberich #diluc ragnvindr #eula lawrence

[allnewalldifferentwildspider]

Zuko & Katara's Relationship Dynamic

This is like the third or fourth time I've tried to write up this post so please bare with me.

Oh wow. That video. Hopefully everyone has seen it now. Not only did it articulate arguments I've been making for years, but it also brought up ideas I had never thought of or noticed before. Watching that and watching the second half of Book 3 again (because it's my favorite) made me want to redo my zutara dynamic post.

I'm going to be using the tiny bits and pieces the show gave us to see how Zuko and Katara's relationship looks and how it would look if they gave us more because...Bryke really fucking hated zutara. I mean, I guess they did.

Katara is compassionate; Zuko is empathetic

A lot of anti-zutara arguments have said that Zuko and Katara could never be together because they would constantly fight and hate each other and it end sooner than later. Not only does this actually describe maiko, but that argument would need to ignore the characters' actual character.

One of Katara's biggest character traits is how compassionate she is. She has a drive to help others and ease their pain. Whether it's getting Aang out of the iceberg or healing a Fire Nation fishing village, Katara will go out of her way to help someone in need.

Katara: No. I will never ever turn my back on people who need me.

Zuko is very emotional and passionate person. As much as he tried to hide it to appease his father, Zuko does want to open up and connect with people. Unfortunately, aside from his uncle, most of the other people he knows are like Zhao and Azula. Not the most understanding of crowds. But because of this he can pick up what people are really thinking and feeling. Think of it as a defense mechanism he developed growing up around people like Azula.

Get these two kinds of people together and you get the crystal catacombs scene. Katara lashes out at Zuko until she breaks down. When she does Zuko opens up with empathy since they have something in common. This creates the beginning of an understanding between the two. Zuko uses that to finally open up to someone who isn't his uncle and Katara listens and reaches out to help. Contrast to the first episode of Book 3 when Zuko tries to voice his thoughts and concerns to Mai and she...doesn't really care.

Something similar happens during The Southern Raiders. Zuko figures out that Katara is taking out her anger of being separated from her father by The Fire Nation onto him and even connecting her mother's death to him.

It's not the first time Zuko has done this either. He easily figured out that Sokka was planning on going to The Boiling Rock. He does it again during Sozin's Comet when he tells Katara that Aang needs to figure out what to do about Ozai by himself.

There's a noticeable pattern of behavior by the time Sozin's Comet arrives. Zuko voices his concerns about meeting his uncle again and Katara is right there to help him through it.

Zuko's empathy combined with Katara's compassion creates almost a cycle of understanding and emotional vulnerability that the two can't really get with anyone else. One notices the other having concerns or problems and goes to give comfort by words or by actions.

Zuko still has a temper but so does Katara

Even after Zuko's fever dream character change thing, even after The Day of Black Sun, he still has it in him to yell at anyone who commits even the slightest transgressions against him:

Aang: That one felt kinda hot. Zuko: Don't patronize me. You know what it's supposed to look like. Aang: Sorry, sifu hotman. Zuko: And stop calling me that!

Sokka: So all we have to do is make Zuko angry. Easy enough. *pokes him with his sword* *annoying laugh* Zuko: All right! Cut it out!

Maybe it's the firebender in him or maybe he really is just like that. Basically if you annoy him, he'll let you know. What people sometimes overlook is that while it takes Katara a bit longer, she also gets worked up when people upset her.

Toph: What's the matter? Can't handle some dirt, Madame Fussy Britches? Katara: Oh, sorry, did I splash you, mud slug?

And remember, it was Katara getting angry at Sokka that even broke the iceberg that revealed Aang.

Katara: Ugh, I'm embarrassed to be related to you! Ever since Mom died I've been doing all the work around camp while you've been off playing soldier! Sokka: Uh... Katara? Katara: I even wash all the clothes! Have you ever smelled your dirty socks? Let me tell you, NOT PLEASANT! Sokka: Katara! Settle down! Katara: No, that's it. I'm done helping you. From now on, you're on your own!

The point is that it is both Zuko and Katara that are very passionate and emotional people. One of them isn't emotionally dominating the other because they both wear their emotions on their sleeves.

This also comes in to play when they set goals for themselves. When Zuko sets a goal, he puts everything into it. Katara is the same way. The difference is that Zuko's drive sometimes gives him a one-track mind while Katara is more flexible. Like for example Zuko being so focused on finding Aang before Sozin's Comet that he ignores Toph's story about her childhood versus Katara wanting to go to the North Pole but taking time to stop and help whoever they come across.

This passion also fuels their values and how strongly they stand by their beliefs. I already put The Painted Lady quote up above but Zuko's morality is what is making him so angry at himself during The Beach. He knows what he did was wrong, but he couldn't face it yet.

Sometimes their emotions get the better of them, but it's only because they are passionate about what they're doing.

Their natural teamwork is amazing

I can't provide a lot of clues in this bit because it's more of a visual thing. Just consider how flawlessly their plans worked during their attack on The Southern Raiders. Especially when you consider that it was a stealth mission so they barely even said anything to each other during and it still went incredibly well.

You could see it again during their mock battle with The Melon Lord. Sokka must have noticed because he paired them together to deliver some "liquidy-hot offence." And they pulled it off, again, without having to say anything.

They've only been a team for a few weeks(?), days(?) but they act as if they've been doing it for years.

They trust each other's judgment

Piggybacking of the previous point, Zuko and Katara have only been a team for a while but there seems to be a level of understanding in terms of judgement. They both know that whatever the other chooses is going to be a well-thought out decision. Maybe it's because they see each other as the mature members of the group even though Sokka is the same age as Zuko? I don't know.

Aang disappears right before they embark on their fight against the Fire Lord, and out of nowhere, Katara puts Zuko in charge.

Zuko: Get out of the bison's mouth, Sokka. We have a real problem here. Aang is nowhere to be found and the comet is only two days away. Katara: What should we do Zuko? Zuko: I don't know. Why are you all looking at me? Katara: Well, you are kind of the expert on tracking Aang.

and that wasn't the first time in that episode that she went along with one of Zuko's decisions

Katara: Aang, don't walk away from this. *She begins to walk towards him as a hand touches her shoulder to stop her from doing so.* Zuko: Let him go. He needs time to sort it out by himself.

As a lot of people have pointed out during the entirety of The Southern Raiders, Zuko never gives a suggestion on what he thinks Katara should do. Aside from making it a stealth mission, he follows her lead the entire way.

Katara teases Zuko (and he lets her)

The fun one. This one has two parts: pre and post The Southern Raiders.

Before The Southern Raiders, Katara was tolerating Zuko. She was still angry with him about the betrayal at Ba Sing Se. Getting little jabs at him was the only thing that was really helping her from loosing her cool around him.

Katara: I'm sorry. I'm just laughing at the irony. You know... how it would have been nice for us if you lost your firebending a long time ago? Zuko: Well it's not lost. It's just weaker for some reason. Katara: Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are. Toph: Ouch.

He just finished yelling at Aang and Sokka but all he does is glare at Katara. She does it again, but to be fair, he kind of set himself up for it.

Zuko: It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old! Katara: Oh yeah? What's your little form called? Zuko: ...The Dancing Dragon.

Then comes post The Southern Raiders and...yeah, she's still picking on him and he still lets her. Granted it's a lot more playful this time around.

Zuko: They make me totally stiff and humorless. Katara: Actually, I think that actor's pretty spot on. Zuko: How could you say that? Actor Uncle: Let's forget about the Avatar and get massages. Actor Zuko: How could you say that?! (Cut back to Katara wearing a satisfied grin on her face and she looks to an expressionless Zuko as he slouches in his seat.)

I love pointing it out every time. She teases him and he does nothing about it.

Katara: Er, no. I was looking for cooking pots in the attic and I found this. Look at baby Zuko! Isn't he cute? Oh lighten up, I was just teasing.

And she admits it!

-

So what can we take away from this? From what little time they were given together (thanks, Bryke) it seems that Zuko and Katara really understand each other on an intimate emotional level. They can sense when the other is distressed and offer comfort. They're both passionate in and out of combat, for better or for worse. They're comfortable with each other as if they've known each other for years even though it's such a short time. Katara also likes to add a little bit of playfulness in there with Zuko letting her have her fun, again, showing how comfortable they are with each other.

I do think their relationship could have gone to romantic sooner than later if you would have given it a bit more time. Like first half of a hypothetical Book 4.

To me, at least.

#zutara #zuko #katara #anti kataang #anti bryke

[leonidas1754]

Years ago, I made some mock-up FE:H units for the characters of Etrian Odyssey Untold 2: The Fafnir Knight. They weren't bad, but with power creep, I decided what the hell, I'll go back and redo them! So we have the main five, plus I decided to add Fafnir's transformation because we have beast stones now, and Regina for kicks. BSTs are based off of what I could find for the highest of their respective Movement/Weapon category, though stats listed do include stat increase/decrease from skills. Read More because length.

Fafnir is basically meant to be the banner's "completely OP" unit, considering that's basically what Fafnir is in EOU2, lol. I'm not worried about any of these units being too OP for the game though, since, y'know, they're not real. I'm not a game dev, I'll leave the balancing (or lack thereof) to IntSys.

Knight's Blade- 16 MT, +3 Def/Res If unit Initiates combat, ignore all enemy skills other than those of the enemy in combat.

I'm fairly certain this weapon effect already exists in game, but I couldn't find it on a wiki (maybe not updated yet) and didn't feel like digging into the game for a unit I may or may not be able to get a look at. In basics, he's able to ignore any drive or rein skills, or others of the sort, that would be assisting a unit he's attacking. The weapon name is mostly me not having a better name lol

Ignition Ray- Increase damage by 70% of ATK Cooldown: 5

Ignition Ray in EOU2 is a skill that does all kinds of elemental damage to one enemy, but since that's not really a thing in FE:H, I figured a raw atk power boost would be apt. Definitely would need a massive cooldown on that, though.

Even if Fafnir is meant to be completely OP, Flavio isn't any slouch either. He's meant to be the glass canon to end all glass canons, a monster on initiation but completely vulnerable in enemy phase. He'd also get completely fucked by Null C-Disrupt on most units, especially dragonstones or anything with advantage over colorless.

Divide Bow- 16 MT If unit initiates combat and Unit's SPD ≥ Foe's SPD, unit attacks twice and foe may not counterattack.

Again, this is all about Flavio being able to nuke something down while it can't hit him. Relatively simple in concept.

I decided to do something a little bit different with Arianna and treat her like a Staff with both an assist and special but only one passive. Her special also doesn't go down with using her assist like staff users, but she makes up for that with a decent CD and survivability.

Princess' Blade- 16 MT Unit may counterattack at any range. If foe initiates combat, damage from foes subsequent attacks is reduced by 50%

Simple and to the point, but helps her make up for her lack of speed where survivability is concerned. Built in distant counter is just kinda a standard too, and would make her an easier target if she didn't have it.

Proof of Nobility- After Combat, restores HP = 40% of ATK (Minimum 7 HP) and grants Def/Res +3 to all units within two spaces. Cooldown 3

Arianna's class is majorly about healing and buffing, though I primarily used her as a passive heal/primary buffer with the party composition story mode gives you. Still, her primary role is survival and the survival of her team, and I think a party healing sword would be an interesting idea. It requires a very tight-knit party comp, too, which I wanted to do because of how, when I stopped playing much at least, Solo skills were becoming a bigger deal. I just like close set party comps.

As expected, Betrand is built to be a protector. That said, he's primarily concerned with melee threats, so that's where his focus lies. Nothing too crazy except for his weapon, which I kept just kinda 'okay' for a prf.

Ancient Lance- 16 MT If HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Def+5 and bonus to Atk/Def during combat = current penalty on each of those stats × 2. (Example: if unit has -7 penalty to Atk, grants Atk+19, for a net bonus of Atk+12.) Calculates each stat bonus independently.

So yea, Bertrand basically has ATK/DEF Unity on his lance, but with an HP trigger rather than a positional trigger.

Chloe's concept has remained about the same; buff allies and debuff enemies, simple and to the point, though now she can also reposition an ally if she wants. Handy for if you need to send Flavio in deep to secure a kill, then get him out so you don't lose him. Not really much to explain here.

(Edit: I only noticed this after, but her defense is definitely not supposed to be 0. It's supposed to be a little lower than her res, but I'm not gonna recreate the entire damn thing just to fix that, you get the point)

This one was fun to consider. The Fafnir transformation is crazy, and I just really enjoy his stuff. So I gave him a unique weapon, special, and A skill, plus a buffed version of an existing C skill.

Mark of Fafnir- 16MT Unit may counterattack at any range. If foe's HP = 100% or if unit initiates combat, unit makes a guaranteed follow-up attack and targets lower of Def or Res. At start of turn, if unit is adjacent to only beast or dragon allies or if unit is not adjacent to any ally, unit transforms (otherwise, unit reverts). If unit transforms, unit can move 1 extra space. (That turn only. Does not stack.) If unit transforms, grants Atk+2.

Beaststones are weird. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to go with besides distant counter and dragonstone properties, and garunteed followups are usually good.

Akashic Nova- After combat, foes in an area near target take damage equal to 2 x (unit's Atk minus foe's Def or Res). Cooldown 5

Basically one of your standard AOEs, but stronger. NBD.

Holy Grail- Unit may transform when adjacent to sword, lance, axe, bow, dagger, tome, and staff allies.

THIS is the fun one. This skill essentially allows Fafnir to transform regardless of his allies, though he has too sacrifice the critical A slot to do so. The transformation aspect has always been the thing preventing me from using beasts, as with how I tend to play, it would basically require me to build a team fully of Beasts/Dragons, things I didn't really have built up.

Infantry Rush 4- Unit and infantry allies within 2 spaces gain: "if unit's Atk ≥ foe's Atk, grants Special cooldown charge +1 per attack. (only highest value applied. Does not stack.)"

Basically the same as Infantry Rush 3, except now it's also applied to the Unit and the trigger stipulation is foes atk instead of foe's atk +1.

Last but certainly not least, I knew I wanted to make Regina a unit, but since she never sees combat in her native game (that I know of, at least), it was a bit tough to decide. Ultimately, I thought it'd be fun to make her a refresher!

Chef's Knife- 12 MT, SPD +3 If a skill like Sing or Dance is used, grants bonus to target's Atk/Spd/Def/Res = highest penalty on target ally for 1 turn. (Example: if target has a -6 penalty to Atk, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+6.)

This Regina build is all about punishing debuffs. It's a fun one.

Hearty Meal- Grants another action to target ally, and if target is an infantry or armor ally, target can move 1 extra space. (That turn only. Does not stack. Cannot target an ally with Sing or Dance. This skill treated as Sing or Dance.)

This is basically just Gray Waves but effecting Infantry/Armor instead of Infantry/Flying. I figured since her special abilities have already gone into her weapon, I could just go with something mostly preexisting for her actual refresh.

And that's it! Thank you for reading if you got this far, and I hope you enjoyed my self-indulgent nonsense~

#Fire Emblem Heroes #FEH #Etrian Odyssey Untold 2 #EOU2 #Custom Units #Simon Says

[ladyramora]

Can we get some flirty Nabriales? Maybe following the WoL around, acting like they're on a date. Either greatly annoying or amusing them? Or both. Both is good

…..

There is an Ascian following you.

It should be concerning, really. You should be concerned.

But it has been days. And it is always the same one. He calls himself “Nabriales” and has been consistently hovering around you for about a week now. Everywhere you looked, there he was. Out of the corner of your eye. Leaning up against walls. Lounging in chairs. Smirking, smug. Insufferable.

Today, it seemed, he was done watching. And now…

“What will it be, hmm? More tedious errands? So very dull.”

He would not shut up.

You sigh and continue walking, but Nabriales never seems to be far behind. In fact, he always seems to be ahead of you as you walk. As if you were the one following him.

“I did wonder about Lahabrea’s obsession with you,” Nabriales continues, now holding an apple and tossing it up and down in his talons - which, where had that come from? And Gods, not more talk of Lahabrea… Nabriales would not stop complaining about the other Ascian. Which, granted, you shared such annoyance because Lahabrea never seemed to stay gone. He kept popping back up despite your every attempt to be rid of him. And now you had Nabriales, another Ascian who would not leave you be.

It’d be lying to say you hadn’t considered trying your hand at contacting Elidibus just to be rid of this smug Ascian. Lahabrea was looking more and more appealing as company went. At least he kept up the status quo. Nabriales almost seemed… friendly? In a smug, pretentious sort of way. He and Alphinaud would get along swimmingly if not for the whole Ascian-Scion-mortal-enemies thing.

“Here’s an idea,” Nabriales says with a grin that showed his teeth. Pointed things, like the fangs on his mask. It suited him.

Ugh.What were you thinking now?

“What,” you say flatly. Just so he’ll get on with it.

Nabriales tosses the apple at you, clapping his hands together. “It speaks!”

You snatch the apple from the air, glare at it suspiciously, and toss it over your shoulder. Call you paranoid, but you would not be one to fall for faerie tale tricks like poisoned apples.

“My, how rude,” Nabriales says, and with a twist of his fingers the apple freezes mid air, and flies back into his hands. He raises it to his mouth and sinks those pointed teeth in with a crisp bite, juice dripping down his lips. You glower at him, and definitely don’t stare over long at the shiny wetness of his lips. Nope. Nope, nope, nope.

“Not hungry, hero?” Nabriales smirks, crunching on apple. “You’ve yet to eat today.” He would know. The stalker.  “Shall we share a meal together? My treat.”

You cock your head at him. You had not known Ascians ate until just now watching him with that ridiculously juicy apple. “…I could eat.” Why had you said that? This was a bad idea.

Nabriales smiles.

….

It feels very strange to have an Ascian sitting across from you at a table for two, waiting to be served. Nabriales, who seemed entirely incapable of sitting up in chairs, staring at you from behind that slitted, six eyed mask of his. Chin propped up on one hand as he smirks at you, and the other tap, tap, tapping away; sharp talons on wood. Your eyebrow twitches with the sound of every tap. Another thing he did that had been very distracting. If he was so bored, why did he persist in watching you?

You reach out without thinking and lay your hand over his, putting a stop to the sound.

Nabriales grins. And teases you? “Fond of me already, hero? If you wanted to hold hands, you need only ask.” His clawed fingers slot through yours, and you stare down at your tangled hands, entirely unsure why you haven’t snatched your hand away.

Nabriales hums low and thoughtful, the tips of those talons tracing over your hand. Light, teasing. No intent to harm. “I could be convinced to allow you such.. indulgences.”

Twelve. Was he… flirting with you? 

“Why are you doing this?”

Nabriales tilts his head, tonguing his teeth. “Did I not already say? I was curious about Lahabrea’s obsession with you. I must say, watching you has been… enlightening.” His hand squeezes yours.

You frown. “Lahabrea wants me dead.”

Nabriales barks a laugh. “Is that what you think? Well, I could hardly blame you for coming to such a conclusion. Lahabrea would be pleased. Ever unfortunate, that.”

You pull your hand away, a shiver zinging down your spine as those claws scrape at your skin. “You don’t seem to favor him.”

Nabriales slouches further, if that were possible, folding his arms across his chest. “We have our differences, the Speaker and I.”

The Speaker? “Is that his title?” 

Nabriales presses two taloned fingers to his lips. “Oops, I’ve said too much,” but the smile stretched across his face tells you that he did not care. 

Your lips quirk. Amused despite yourself. “…It is a fitting title for him.” 

Nabriales’s smile only grows, flashing those sharp teeth. 

You clear your throat. Looking around for the person serving you. “It has been some time since we ordered,” you comment just to change the subject. To escape that shared moment of humor. Of bonding with your enemy. Of admiring the shape of Nabriales’s smile. 

Nabriales sits forward then. “So ready to be rid of me, hero?” 

You look him in the eye. Well, eyes. Six of them on that blood red mask. “Yes.”

Nabriales only laughs. “So honest! I like you, hero.” 

Your face feels hot. Oh no. 

Nabriales raises his hand, wrist twisting and fingers curling. “I’ll be generous, then, and speed your food along.” Time seems to slow around you, and you look around, lips parted as it suddenly speeds up so fast that the colors around you blur. You feel a little nauseous looking at it, so instead to stare at Nabriales. Who seems so very pleased, and stares intently back at you. 

Just as abrupt as it started, it stops. And you look down in surprise to see your food in front of you and the server walking away. 

“They certainly took their time,” Nabriales remarks, forgoing silverware to instead stab into a popoto on his plate with his clawed pointer finger and pop it into his mouth. “We would have been waiting quite a while.” 

You should ask him how he did that. What else he could do. If all the Ascians could do such a thing. If they could control time, what were your efforts but miniscule annoyances? But no, surely if they could control time at a large scale, their plans would have already succeeded? Ugh, headache.

You withhold a sigh and instead tuck into your meal. Best get this over with. You could not be seen fraternizing with the enemy. Heaven forfend a Scion spot you. 

But you had only just begun to relax and enjoy your food under the intent stare of Nabriales when the empty surroundings near your table shimmers, shifts, and warps into an open portal of darkness. A familiar Ascian stepping through, hissing, “Nabriales!”

Nabriales looks over, chin still resting on his hand. “Oh, dear,” he says blandly, and looks to you. “Lahabrea has come to ruin our date.”

You choke on your food. “Our what?!”

Nabriales grins. “Til next time, hero.” And he disappears before the other Ascian can lay hands on him. 

You stare at Lahabrea. Lahabrea stares back. “…I’ll deal with you later,” the Speaker says darkly. Like you were in trouble for sharing a meal with Nabriales. 

You blink. “…I’m sorry?” What did he think this was? It’s not like he had dibs on being the only Ascian to pester you so. Or did he? 

Lahabrea looms over you. “Not yet, Bringer of Light. But you will be soon.” 

And then he is gone. 

You heave a sigh, glance at Nabriales’s barely touched plate, and then drag it towards you. No sense in wasting it. 

“Weird day,” you mutter around a mouthful of popoto. 

Good popoto, though. Mm.

#ladyramora writes #nabriales #ambiguos wol #lahabrea #poor Lahabrea #he thought they had something special #ascians #love me some ascians #idk this is my first attempt writing Nabriales #I hope you like him