#he did drop out of project artemis though | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

zooophagous · 1 year

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Insomnia, like most forms of pain, can eventually become a way of life. For Artemis it had been carefully grown and twisted, like a bonsai, into a contained and functional thing. Dealing with creatures of the night, as the Van Helsing family did, if one lacked insomnia before, it became necessary to cultivate it.

That didn't mean it was without its drawbacks. Dawn was yet far away, the reasonable people of the Institute were long in bed, save for the security rotation, and there were precious few distractions to keep her occupied while sleep eluded her. She'd found some coco mix in the commissary, that would have to do. The only sound was the gentle hum of the refrigerator unit and the small clinking of her spoon at the edges of the mug as she stirred in the powder.

"Hey."

She turned around. "Oh, hey Troy. You usually up this late?"

"Are you?" He asked and sat down across from her. "I saw the light on and got curious. How are you doing? Strauss was acting moody after he talked to you so I assume it went a bit rough."

"Rougher for me than for him." She shrugged. "He had a few choice words for me, but honestly, it went ok. He wasn't overly mean about it. Asked some tough questions and that was it."

"So did he ask about Sylvain?"

"Yeah, and I told him about Sylvain. Maybe I should have told him all of this up front. I don't know. It seemed like the sort of thing you don't just unload on a stranger. Especially a stranger you need to listen to you. Is there a delicate way to tell a guy "Hey, we were trying to kill you and we changed our mind, do you want to help out our science project?" She snorted and drank her watery, tasteless cocoa.

"Yeah I get that. Still, maybe should have found a way to tell him before he figured it out on his own. Now he feels like shit over it. I could have told you this would happen when he got library access. Happened a little faster than I thought though, he seemed to know right where to look."

"Yes. Isn't that odd? Almost like a little birdie has been chirping in his ear. I'm still worried we have a mole. Has he told you anything else?"

"No. If anyone told him where to start digging, he wasn't about to name drop them. I get the feeling he's concerned someone will get hurt."

"Yeah, he's the one who's going to end up hurt if he keeps dicking around in secret. I know I haven't been the best about honesty. But I really, actually don't want to hurt him, which is more than I can say for anyone else who might be in his ear."

"I know, I know." Troy raised his hands in mock surrender. "You still might want to keep ahead of any other potential sore spots or secrets though. Better he hears it from you."

"You're right. I think maybe I thought I could protect him more if he knew less, but he's not a child. It was stupid of me. I guess I'll just have to pay the price of broken trust for it. Speaking of- make sure he doesn't run off again, will you?"

"He won't. He likes you too much." Troy stopped. Was he not supposed to tell her that? Maybe he wasn't supposed to tell her that. "Was he weird to you, when you talked about Sylvain?"

"A little. He was way more interested in her than anyone else whose name came up in the file. Why?"

"Well... I mean it's obvious right?" Troy chuckled. "Artie, he's had a major crush on you for like weeks now. And he sucks at hiding it. You really don't see it?"

"Oh I see it." She sighed. "I wasn't sure what to really do about it. It would probably be wrong to encourage it. I mean, I sort of... keep him in a cage. I control his entire life. It would be kind of fucked up to date him in that case wouldn't it?"

"Maybe. He's also way older than you. Both literally and like, in apparent age. Usually it's fucked up for an older dude to go after someone way younger than him but maybe in your guys' case it cancels out." He smirked.

"I don't think it works like that."

"I don't know. Do you like him back?"

"Well..." She shrugged. "I guess I'm not sure. I admit it's nice to have attention again, after Sylvain. I like him fine as a friend, he's not bad looking. I worry though. Am I just convincing myself I like it because it's convenient? It's not like I get out much and neither does he. If we had other options, would either of us still care? What's worse. What if I'm just exploiting it?"

"Exploiting how?"

"What if I'm using his feelings for me to buy cooperation?" She looked up at Troy. "It would make life much easier if I knew he'd consent to whatever we wanted because he wanted to please me. But that's not ethical. It's not a good foundation to build on. I already got out of one toxic relationship. I'm not about to start making a new one."

"Sounds like you have some things to think about. But whatever you do decide, I think you need to talk to him about it in plain English. Maybe I'm naive but if you're both rational, consenting adults who want it, I don't see what the hangup is. And if it doesn't work out, whatever."

"He's also way stronger than me so trying to get physical could be dangerous. Not to mention we don't know if vampirism is an STD yet."

"Just use the muzzle."

"Shut up." She laughed. "I'm sure we'll figure it out. And I'm very sure you'll be the first to know either way."

"What can I say, people talk to me." Troy got up from the table. "If you do let him down, just... let him down easy? He's sort of a sensitive type even though he pretends to be really aloof. And if you don't let him down, don't keep me up all night." He winked.

"Christ you're terrible." Artemis shook her head with a stifled smile. "Good night Troy."

"Night Artie."

#wayward souls #writing

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shiki-stars · 4 months

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Sailor Moon - Thoughts (S01EP28-EP46)

01-12 . 13-22 . 23-27 . 28-46

spoilers! regarding| season one ending

Tired. 0535 AM. Will probably drop some screenshots and call it good with a few comments.

Jan. 4

Seems like Rei and Mamoru are acutally dating. For Rei, I give her a pass because most teen girls will have a big fat crush on someone older than her without fail, but why are YOU going along with it, Mamoru???

Motoki major green flag. Has a messy apartment but he's a college student he gets a pass. Even though I knew he was a college student, it truly didn't dawn on me he's a college student until I saw the beer bottles in his apartment. Like. "Oh. Oh you can drink. We are nearly the same age. Crazy." But again, Motoki is SUCH a green flag. "They're still in middle school." SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE ONES IN THE BACK.

The problem isn't being dense, it's that he's literally not going to date middle schoolers. Mamoru what are you on.

"Just as I thought." Just as you thought my ass. You used the crystal to see exactly who had the crystal, you thought nothing.

Rei. Please, please, please. Pick Yuichiro. Drop the other motherfucker.

The Shitennou literally have so many powers??? Each of them have a power unique to them (I think), Jadeite and Zoisite both used the projection message, so I assume Nephrite and Kunizite each have it as well. Zoisite can shapeshift and has pyrokinesis. Zoisite and Kunizite have telekinesis and levitation. Kunizite could also send the sailor soldiers to another dimension??? I'm going blank right now, there's others too but whatever, my point stands. So many powers but all is mundane in the eyes of love and friendship.

I THOUGHT ARTEMIS WAS A GIRL. Got jumpscared when I heard his voice.

I do love a good reveal though. I love when the truth comes out and everyone is like :0 It's so satisfying. My lil angsty heart doesn't know how to react when the truth is revealed.

His transformation was silly, the way the hat paused then plopped down on his head lolol.

"Aristocrat from England", counts in French???

WHY DOES HE LOOK LIKE THAT TWT

Awww they all look so cute here. Look at Luna and Artemis's big kitty eyes ><

Makoto! "He looks just like him..." You also said that about Crane Game Joe. They look nothing alike??

Nevermind she clarified that it's the hair... So the senior who broke Makoto's heart has a face like Crane Game Joe, voice like Motoki, and hair like Misha. Makoto is literally the type to name herself "i miss him" on Valorant.

Ice skating blades on heels is crazy.

They did Queen Serenity dirty. She deserves a power sequence for when she casted "Moon Healing Escalation".

The sailor soldiers can teleport if they're all together. That would've been really handy information earlier on, Artemis.

Me tired. 0635 AM. Wonder how they'll navigate season two, I would hate to sit through another dozen episodes of the characters rekindling their friendship. I am not a big fan of shows ending the season (or even worse, the ending itself) with some sort of "everyone forgets" situation, because it feels like a huge cop out. How Sailor Moon progresses in season two will determine whether I hate it here too or not.

01-12 . 13-22 . 23-27 . 28-46

Beige Stars - Divder @/saradika-graphics Purple Hearts - Divider @/cafekitsune Purple Heart Fairy Lights - Divider @/benkeibear

#thoughts #sailor moon #pretty soldier sailor moon #bishoujo senshi sailor moon #magical girl anime #mahou shoujo

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a-flux-uchiha · 1 year

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Coronation

Gen, Fable centered, Artemis and Dusk also feature heavily. Definitely one of the things I'm more proud of this month. Kinda funny that both things I'm most proud of are both Fable things haha

“Hey Dusk, Artemis, can I ask you about something?” Fable asked, probably failing to disguise her anxious fiddling. She’d mostly successfully been ignoring her anxiety over her impending coronation and ascension to the throne, but it had come back to hit her over the head out of nowhere, and she’d gotten the idea to ask Dusk and Artemis, both of whom were Queen in their respective eras, about their coronations and how it had been immediately afterward.

They’d settled down in this area for the day so that Shadow and Dot could work on transmuting the dark magic left behind by the monsters the Links had killed. Fable would be helping them, but her anxiety over becoming queen had been skewing her magic control past what even her rings could control. Her magic control had always been a bit iffy, interacting directly with the triforce twice had completely thrown it off, enough she couldn’t just account for it when trying to do something and causing dangerous flares.

Legend had found the control rings for her, which she hadn’t really taken off since, but they could only do so much. So if her magic was thrown off by high emotion, then she couldn’t really do any magic. So Dot had banished her from helping until she figured it out.

“Sure, I wasn’t really doing anything anyway.” Artemis sheathed her sword and stood up, re-clipping the rapier to her belt. “Would you like to take a walk?”

“Yes please.”

“I can come as well,” Dusk agreed, standing up and dusting off her clothes. “Let’s not go too far from camp though.”

“Of course.” Artemis led them off, although dropped back a bit to walk between Fable and Dusk once they were a bit away. “So, what did you want to talk about Fable?”

Fable took in a deep breath of the fresh forest air, then let it out slowly. “I wanted to ask about your coronations, and kinda about stuff right afterward.”

“You’re turning eighteen soon, yes?” Dusk asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fable nodded, ears tilting down. “A month or two. I don’t know if it’ll have to be rescheduled because of this or if it’ll finish before it’s scheduled.”

“Perhaps preemptively reschedule it when we reach your world next,” Artemis suggested. “It will put less stress on the planners if they know beforehand it will likely need to be pushed back. They don’t appreciate being told they have to reschedule something only a few weeks in advance, especially if it's such a big event.”

“Good point,” Fable said, a bit embarrassed she didn’t think of that sooner. “I’ll do that as soon as I can.”

“Back to your initial question,” Dusk said mildly, if a bit firmly. “My coronation was quite the affair, but it was less nerve-wracking than you would think. There were many people, but there were enough that faces blurred together. I couldn’t tell you even ten people that attended my coronation that I saw.”

“Mine was similar,” Artemis agreed, smiling faintly. “If you asked me afterward who attended, I would have only been able to tell you that Impa was there. It will seem quite daunting, but leave your focus on the ceremony. It will be over more quickly than you think.”

“And afterward?” Fable asked hesitantly.

“Not much of a difference,” Dusk admitted. “I was already functionally ruling, it was simply a formality at that point. My parents had already died a year or so beforehand, I had been prepared my whole life, so I was ready. I had a regent until I was of age, but they were simply a formality by the end of the year.”

“I too was functionally already ruling before my coronation, however, it was because my father’s mind had begun to go. My mother died when I was small, so technically he was functioning as my regent until I came of age, but Impa took over for him three or four years before my coronation because he was unable to fulfill his duties, and slowly transferred all duties to me to prepare me for being queen. She’s taken it back on with my absence, I feel a bit bad, but she did admirably during the war, and I have no doubt she’ll continue to do so.” Artemis chuckled quietly. “I do hope she’s getting along without Warriors and I. No one to gossip or mock old biddies with.”

“You are doing the majority of the duties of a queen, yes?” Dusk asked after their giggles over Artemis’ last comment died down.

“I think so,” Fable mused. She didn’t technically have a regent, something she had heard complaints about, and she oversaw the majority of matters in the kingdom. Those she didn’t her advisors did, and they reported to her. “I oversee the majority of things personally, and those I cannot my advisors handle and then report to me.”

“Sounds like a queen’s workload,” Artemis said, huffing quietly. “You delegated the majority of your work to your advisors?”

“Yes, I have several levels of advisors to ensure only the most important things get to me.” A system set in place by the Queen two generations before Fable, when the kingdom was just barely getting back on its feet. There had been so many issues with getting the government up and running the way it had been before the Fallen Hero that the Queen had just fully started over, creating new positions in court, and establishing a set of levels that anything had to get through to go to the Queen’s attention. There were a couple of ways to bypass it, but those were rarely used, and all went through Impa. “It was a simple matter of having them take slightly more power, I’ll review anything big when we arrive at my era again.”

“Sounds more functional than my system.” Dusk sighed, ears dropping. Fable glanced at her curiously, it was probably the first time Dusk had brought up her government, after noting that she had figured it out so she could leave with them anyway.

“Mine certainly could be more functional for delegating work,” Artemis mused, contemplating something. “You’ll have to sit me down and describe how exactly yours works at some point. I feel it would be useful.”

“Let me sit in too,” Dusk said quickly.

“Delegating problems too?” Artemis guessed, although Fable doubted she actually thought it was delegation. If Fable had to guess, it would be more of an issue regarding Dusk’s control over the government itself.

“Not really.”

“It’s just us, you can speak freely,” Fable offered quietly, they were still fairly far out from camp, definitely out of earshot. “It’s not like word will get back to anyone in your kingdom.”

Dusk sighed, changing course to head for a recently fallen log. She settled delicately on it, while Fable and Artemis just sat down on the ground, far more used to just sitting around wherever than Dusk. “It’s not delegation. I fear far less information gets back to me than I would like. I have no way of otherwise obtaining that information, however.”

Artemis and Fable exchanged a glance. They hadn’t met an Impa in Dusk’s world, and no one had mentioned one, and there hadn’t been any Sheikah among her staff, at least not full-blooded ones. No white hair or red eyes to be seen in her staff anywhere.

“No Impa?” Fable asked gently, scooting a bit closer in case Dusk needed the reassurance.

Dusk’s ears dropped further, if that was even possible. “No. She-” Dusk paused for a long time, and Artemis and Fable exchanged another look. “She died in the invasion. Zant killed her as an example.”

Fable’s ears flattened against her head. She couldn’t imagine not having Impa, she’d been there all of Fable’s life, Impa had half-raised her, and supported her in everything. She couldn’t imagine not having any sort of confidant.

Based on Artemis’ similarly pinned ears and hard expression, she also couldn’t imagine being without her Impa.

And if there hadn’t been any sort of attempt at replacement, that had to mean the Sheikah were either so depleted that they couldn’t spare someone to be trained as an Impa, or there simply weren’t any Sheikah to fill the role. Neither was good.

“She did her best to support me, and she died for it,” Dusk whispered, staring at her lap.

Dusk wasn’t crying, but Fable had to somewhat discreetly dry a few tears. “If we can, we’ll help you reform your government,” Fable promised, laying a hand on Dusk’s knee. “Whatever we can do, just say so.”

“I don’t even know what can be done.”

“Start with the top level,” Artemis suggested, a wry smile playing at her lips. “Sweep them clean and start with a new slate. Then work your way down with their assistance. Fable has her government structure, we can work off of that.”

“Yeah, and if we need extra help we can get my Impa to help, she’s been doing this since she was a young woman, and she hasn’t been a young woman in probably a century.” Maybe that was a bit of an overstatement, Impa couldn’t be more than eighty, but it certainly felt like a century.

“We’ll work it out,” Artemis said, affirming the sentiment. “You aren’t alone in this.”

“Thank you,” Dusk whispered, although she didn’t look up at them.

Fable huffed when no one made a move for a hug. That was totally a hug moment. “Come on, that was a hug moment, get in here.”

Artemis giggled, but did lean in to let Fable grab her and pull her in for a hug. Dusk took a bit longer, but eventually scooted hesitantly off her log and into range. Fable cheerfully pulled her in too, hugging both women as tightly as she could manage. Maybe she hadn’t expected to be brought on this adventure, but it was well worth it for the sisterhood she’d found.

#hhau artemis #hhau fable #hhau dusk #hope of hyrule au #zeldas meet au #march of the zeldas 2023 #hhau #check the ao3 version for my notes on things in the authors notes #I'm not gonna try and put them here #too long #but I think they're important anyway

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artemis-fowl-incident-report · 2 years

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Coral and Beachwood Short

Okay, since I've not seen anything really discussed about Holly's parents, here are some of my personal head canons (yes, I used the name they give Holly's father in the movie, because we literally don't have anything else to call him)

- They originally met on a conservation mission, to check on a creature that we humans would know as the Loch Ness Monster. Coral was there to actually check the beast over, and Captain Beachwood of the LEP had been assigned to her for protection, since Loch Ness is a heavily monitored by humans searching for the monster. They were both blushing messes throughout the entire mission.

- It was Coral who asked Beachwood out, since he was a stammering mess who couldn't get his words out.

- Coral's favourite thing in the whole world is a type of candy called a "fire drop". Yes, they were made for Goblins, as a means of helping their children learn how to spark off their flames, since they make you breath fire. Yes, she did crave them when she was pregnant with Holly. Yes, Beachwood was utterly terrified of his wife from the moment he saw her eat these suckers like there was no tomorrow on one of their various dates (it was also the moment he knew he wanted to marry her).

- Beachwood had an obsession with human board games, especially chess. He started teaching Holly from when she first started to speak, which is why she can hold her own against Artemis.

- Coral's family wasn't very approving of Beachwood at first, since they were a little higher up in terms of economics, and through their relation to Cupid. Once they saw how dedicated Beachwood was to Coral, though, they started to relax a little around him.

- Both Coral and Beachwood really wanted a second child after they had Holly, but it just never happened, so instead they poured all their love and attention onto her.

- Beachwood started teaching Holly self defence soon after she started kindergarten, more as a means of protecting the other children, since some of the boys decided it would be a good idea to pick on her, and Holly gave the leader a black eye for his troubles.

- Coral loved getting assigned to long term projects above ground, since it meant that Beachwood and Holly could come with her, as the LEP usually assigned Beachwood as part of the security for said missions, and Holly was too young to be left alone.

- Beachwood used to put his LEP helmet on Holly when they were playing together, pick her up, and "fly" her around the room like they were going on a mission. (please, can an artist draw this one in particular. It's so god damn sweet)

#artemis fowl

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codenamed-queenie · 4 years

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#BatsInQuarantine

I am going insane. So I poured my restlessness into one long and very detailed post and got super into it. Please enjoy this hot mess.

The Justice League, being the well-meaning virus-proof Super Friends that they are, took one good look at the news, one good look at their non-powered friends Ollie, Bruce, and their families, and collectively decided that these normal humans must be Protected At All Costs.

Now, keep in mind, Bruce is never one to roll over when it comes to being benched.

However, he understands the importance of social distancing. He knows he needs to set a good example for his kids, and keep up appearances as Gotham’s Most Responsible Multi-Billionaire.

So. Quarantine it is.

But how are his kids handling it?

Dick -

100% on board in the beginning. Gotta do the Responsible Thing. Gotta set a Good Example. Besides, guys, this is gonna be Fun. Quality Family Time is always a Must.

He lasted 2 days.

Then he started to get twitchy.

And as everyone knows? A Trapped Dick Grayson is a Feral Dick Grayson.

He bounces off the walls.

Literally.

“I have to climb.”

“Dick, no.”

“I have to climb everything.”

Has scaled the manor 16 times already. Has climbed the chandelier. The banister. Bruce. The roof. The Cave. Anything in the house that’s been bolted down and especially anything that hasn’t.

Duke found him clinging to the wall 10 ft off the ground like Spiderman and screamed so loud it shattered glass.

Desperate for news of the outside.

He thrives off of it like a starving man.

Was the one to suggest he and Barbara take a break to Social Distance from each other (”Sorry, babe, kissing spreads germs”) and experienced Instant Regret(TM) approximately 5 minutes after.

The Family has labelled him a Flight Risk Level 1 (Most likely to say f**k it and make a break for the outside world)

Jason -

Accidentally got trapped inside the manor with the others when Bruce called Shutdown. If he had his way, he’d be chilling in his favorite safe-house right now, binging The Witcher with Roy and Artemis, and not worrying about finding a stray brother in his sock drawer.

But he’s nothing if not an opportunist.

The way he sees it, Jason has 3 options:

Self Improvement

Self Isolation (See Duke, Cass, and Damian)

Descension Into Madness (See Dick and Steph)

And, well, he always wanted to try a few things. Now he’s got the free time to do it.

So he settles on baking.

Alfred’s got enough food and raw ingredients stored up to feed an army. (Not because he’s a Panic-Buying-Hoarder in times like these. But because he’s a Panic-Buying-Hoarder all the time. Just try feeding 11+ teenagers sometime.)

Uses recipes he finds off Google.

His first few attempts are, in a word, ‘tragic’.

Alfred slips him a few of his recipe cards, and Jason suddenly starts seeing Results.

Turns out he’s pretty good at this baking thing once he gets the hang of it.

Hope everyone’s okay eating nothing but pie, macaroons, biscuits, and whatever else Jason whips up.

Cause that’s gonna be the only food left by the time he’s done.

Barbara -

Self-quarantined with her dad.

They’ve been binge-watching classic black and white movies together.

It’s a fun time, but she’s started to get a little antsy. Loving her dad and wanting to be around him 24/7 are, understandably, mutually exclusive.

Calls the manor to video-chat every day.

For her sanity just as much as theirs.

Gives everyone little challenges to film on their phones and send in. She makes compilations of everyone’s submissions so they can all watch and laugh together.

Bonus points for Creativity

One comp shows the family trying to drop Mentos into coke bottles.

Dick did a handstand, and dropped his Mento from the second story balcony.

Tim did it wearing the Batman cowl. The soda exploded into his face, and the rest of the video is just Bruce’s Shrieking.

Stephanie tried it, but the bottle tipped. Everyone on camera screamed as the bottle rocketed through the front window.

She spends most of her calls having one-on-one convos with Dick.

They’ve come up with little code phrases so they can be Cheesy even with family members lurking in the background.

She thinks the way he clings to the monitor is cute.

Almost like he’s giving her a hug through the screen.

(It’s easier than letting herself worry about his mental state, at least)

Tim -

Oh this boy.

Freaked out for the first five minutes before he decided ‘hey wait, Bruce is letting me stay in my pajamas all day? Noice.’

Now he’s just vibing.

The rest of his family is Low-Key shielding him.

He Has No Spleen, you see.

Steph: “Someone could cough on him and he could die!”

He just goes about his day, playing Animal Crossing like there’s no tomorrow, tinkering on projects, taking naps, etc. Living his best life.

Meanwhile there’s always someone lurking behind him, keeping watch, keeping him safe.

Dick sneezed within 5 feet of Tim once (the fact that he was on top of the dusty bookshelf Tim was perusing is irrelevant)

Jason still full-body tackled him the second Tim’s back was turned.

No one with any symptoms--

Like, any symptoms. They don’t even have to be Corona-related.

--is allowed within 10 feet of Tim.

Tim has been wandering the manor for weeks, now, without seeing another human being.

(He sees Dick on the ceiling sometimes, but that doesn’t really count)

He’s been trying increasingly drastic pranks and shenanigans to draw someone, anyone, out.

But it doesn’t matter how many times he steals Damian’s sword, or sets fire to Jason’s brownie bites.

Nobody wants to risk it.

Cass -

No one has seen her since quarantine started.

Everyone is approximately 87% sure she’s somewhere in the manor though

Because she does eat the meals Alfred leaves out for her.

Or at least someone does, at any rate.

(Jason and Santa top the running suspects list)

Santa was Steph’s suggestion. For some reason it snowballed.

It’s assumed that Cass misunderstood the meaning of ‘social distancing’ and took it too far.

But no one knows for sure.

She is Tim’s Guardian Angel.

People who so much as clear their throats a little too loudly anywhere near him suddenly wake up on a different floor of the house four hours later.

Duke came closest to spotting her while he was up in the attic.

Either that, or there’s another Creepy Sister everyone forgot to tell him about living up there.

She is silent, and watchful, sticking to the shadows, but she does leave the occasional note out to brighten her siblings’ day.

Things like ‘helo i love u’ and ‘hop u ar ok’ mostly.

She is bound and determined to protect her family from this invisible threat, no matter the cost.

Steph -

Like Dick, she was Super Pumped at first.

(Just kind of showed up at Wayne Manor before quarantine was enacted. The original purpose of her visit is unclear, but regardless, she’s Trapped.)

Also Like Dick, her descent into madness was swift.

She is impossible to pin down.

Not like Cass or Damian, who’ve stayed off the grid, and are therefore Untraceable.

No. She’s impossible to pin down, because she never stops moving.

Switches seamlessly between Zumba on top of the Giant Dinosaur in the Batcave, and furiously knitting Alfred (the Cat) a sweater with a pair of Tim’s used chopsticks.

Braided everyone’s hair while they were asleep.

Even Bruce’s.

She tried to do Tim’s, but somehow blacked out and regained consciousness in the attic.

When she woke up with a scream and a furiously twitching eye, she startled Duke out of his Makeshift Fort he built out of old cardboard boxes and antique furniture. He’s had to resort to finding a new hiding place.

Sometimes, on the rare occasions she does sit still, staring off into the distance, she’ll suddenly start laughing hysterically. This may last between thirty seconds and thirty minutes, depending entirely on how long it’s been since she’s knitted a cat sweater or done cartwheels through every room in the house.

Blew up the greenhouse out back, somehow.

Everyone has agreed not to talk about it.

Some people were built to handle prolonged time inside their homes.

Stephanie Brown is not that way.

Damian -

Damian Wayne Cannot Be Contained.

At least not inside the house.

He took off thirty-six hours into quarantine.

Thanks to the security equipment around the borders of the Wayne Estate, he can’t escape the grounds.

(He’s tried and failed multiple times. Jason and Bruce have a running bet on how many times the perimeter alarms will go off per day.)

(Jason is winning.)

He wanders the grounds with Titus as his only companion.

The two of them run laps, practice drills, and find ways to occupy their time.

No one’s entirely sure what those ways are.

In fact, nobody knows exactly where Damian is at any given time.

Only that he is Out There.

And he’s the best security system Wayne Manor’s ever had.

So far, he’s stopped five groups of civilians scaling the perimeter walls before the lasers and electric nets even have a chance to deploy.

They were trying to break in and steal supplies.

(Even ones they already had in surplus. Like Toilet Paper.)

He’s also stopped Dick from escaping twelve (12) times.

Drags him back by his shirt collar and deposits him on the welcome mat.

Usually with a note for Alfred/Jason, requesting more fruit tarts.

Duke -

Did not leave the attic for two weeks.

Then Steph discovered his hiding spot (read: was dumped there by Cassandra) which forced him to relocate to the basement.

Yes, it turns out Wayne Manor does have a basement.

This was a surprise to Duke, who always thought that the Batcave was Bruce Wayne’s basement.

Alfred keeps him supplied with all the necessities:

i.e. food, magazines, assorted pastries from Jason’s latest batch, usually straight out of the oven.

Duke also snagged the Manor’s Alexa.

She has become a sort of ‘Wilson’ to Duke’s ‘Chuck Noland’.

She is his only comfort. His only ally.

He’s determined to wait out this quarantine, doing his best to avoid the others.

Duke has seen these people under pressure.

He knows exactly what he’s dealing with.

Duke: “Alexa is the only motherf****r in this madhouse I ever respected.”

*offended butler noises from the other room*

Duke: “And also Alfred.”

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write-orflight · 4 years

Text

Trouble: Chapter 1

*Gif not mine*

Pairings: HotchxReader

Prologue

Rating: M

Words: 2K

Warnings: Basic witch stuff. Sex talk

Request: OPEN/CLOSED

Summary: After Haley’s passing, Aaron Hotchner has lost the light in his eyes. He seems to find it it the most unlikely of places, an occult themed coffee shop ran by a witch.

A.N: Tarot and Crystal information is very secondhand if you see any inaccuracies, no you don’t

Chapter one: Got so much to prove.

Virginia wasn’t necessarily in your top five places to open your shop.

In fact, you wouldn’t even say it was your top ten.

But you knew better than to question the process, life never led you anywhere you didn’t need to go. Quantico wasn’t that bad either, at least it was in a good school district.

You wake up to tiny fingers tapping on your forehead, you smile slightly opening your eyes to see your daughter's almond colored eyes staring back at you.

“Artie…” You say, trying to be the scolding mother you were supposed to be. You were never like that though, your daughter was too cute to be mad at sometimes. “What’s the rule?”

“Not to wake you unless it’s an emergency because you might be projecting.” She says, stumbling over the words the way six year olds seem to do “But it is an emergency, mama.”

“And what emergency is it this time?”

“I want pancakes before school.” She smiles, you can’t help but grin back at her.

“That’s not an emergency, Bean.” You say, flicking her nose lightly, she giggles at the action. “However, pancakes do sound good right now. Chocolate chip?” You ask standing, she nods excitedly, arms stretched fully for you to pick her up which you happily obliged. You knew the days where she wouldn’t want to be picked up were fast approaching so you held on tight as long as you could.

After a batch of messily made pancakes, you strap your daughter into her booster seat and make your way to her school. Most days, you were opening up at the shop so you didn’t get to take her to school which was why you were very appreciative of the times you could. You drive in silence for a second until your daughter pipes from the back.

“Hey, mama?”

“What’s up, bean.” you ask.

“Why don’t you have any friends?”

Wow, cutting deep this morning, Artie. You think. “What do you mean? I have friends, Auntie Silly, Auntie Lola. And I have you! My very best friend!”

“But you don’t have a Boyfriend.” She says, emphasizing the boy in boyfriend.

“First of all, who taught you what that means?” You say, looking in the rearview mirror at your daughter

“I don’t know what it means.” She shrugs. “Auntie Silly just said it’s been a while since you’ve had a boyfriend and gotten any. What does that mean, mama?”

“Means we need to have a conversation with Auntie Silly about what’s appropriate to say in front of you.” You say, rolling your eyes. Silena never did have a filter. You go to park in the drop off lane. Turning to your child. “And while I appreciate your concern, I’ve got everything I need right here.” You say, reaching back pinching her cheek. “Now, left palm please.” She opens her hand automatically, knowing the drill at this point as you slip the Sodalite crystal into her hand. She closes her palm around it. “What do you say when accepting?”

“My mind is open to new information!” She says, excitedly. She slips the stone into her pocket and hops out of the car.

“Learn something, Artemis!” You yell after her. She turns briefly to wave as you drive off.

-----------------------------------------

You walk into Hallowed Grounds a little later stopping at your apartment to change. Your green hair in a sleek ponytail, wearing a simple black v-neck and olive green pants. As you walk in. you’re greeted by a mostly empty shop which you expected as the morning rush is typically gone by this time. Your best friend Silena, leaning against the counter bored, perks up when you walk in. Salem, the black cat who lives in the cafe, is surprisingly lively and rubs against your leg when you enter. You reward him with a pet as you walk behind the counter.

“Hey, how was your morning off?” Silly asks.

“Pretty good, until my daughter told me that Auntie Silly said I needed a boyfriend and I hadn’t gotten any in a while.” You turn to see Silena’s extremely guilty face. “Know anything about that?”

“I may have been talking on the phone to Lo while I was babysitting last week. In my defense, I didn’t think she could hear me.”

“We’ve talked about this, Sil. Artie’s smart, she soaks things up like a sponge. You’ve gotta watch what you say and secondly, Why are you and Lola discussing my love life in the first place?”

“Uh, maybe because there’s nothing to discuss.” You roll your eyes, starting to clean out the pots, Silena helps alongside you, rinsing out the grinders. “Think about it, Y/N, when’s the last time you’ve been on a date?”

“I don’t have time to date, I’ve got Artie and the shop…” You trail off. “I don’t know if a boyfriend’s in the cards right now.”

Silena looks excitedly at you. “Let’s find out if he’s in the cards right now.” She says scurrying to the corner of your store, grabbing a tarot deck of one of the shelves before settling on one of the bar chairs you had set along the bar counter of the shop. “Tarot reading, right now.” She says, already shuffling. You push back.

“Silena come on, not now.”

“No, you come on.” She counters. “I haven’t done a good reading in a while, and if it’s truly not in the cards for you I’ll stop bothering you about it. Scout’s honor.” She says in mock salute.

You roll your eyes. “You’ll really let it go?” You ask, she nods enthusiastically. “Fine.” You say as she shuffles the cards. She giggles, child-like. You guys were slow anyway, what’s a small tarot reading to you.

“Now you have to be serious and ask like you actually care and want to know the answers. The cards don’t like mockery” she says, handing you the deck to cut it.

“I know, Sil.” You finish cutting the deck into 3 piles. “Is new love in my future?” You ask, seriously before letting go. Silena grabs the deck and starts pulling.

The first card is Two of Cups.

The second card is the Ace of Cups.

Silena practically squeals, you don’t know why.

The third card she pulls is The Devil. Which only makes her squeal more.

“Sil…” you say hesitantly.

“Relax, big baby. The devil isn’t inherently a bad card. It depends on what the rest of your reading is. Plus, he’s balanced so that’s good.This is a really good pull, extremely good actually.” She smiles. “So I’m sure you know this is past, present, future. The Two of Cups means that you’ve actually already met someone you have a potential strong connection to. And the Ace of Cups means should you choose to pursue it, it can become a long lasting love, I’m talking Marriage long.” Silena says, before picking up the devil card. “And this bad boy right here means the sex is going to be wild.” She emphasizes. You can’t help the flush that spreads across your cheeks. “I mean, crazy, sensual, amazing sex. Don’t look at me like that, we were roommates in college. I know exactly what you’re into. Unfortunately” She adds, smiling wildly at you. “Claim it! Claim it now.”

You clear your throat, still flushing. “I am grateful and claim this reading for me. Thank you.” You say to the cards, knowing that it’s best to thank your cards no matter the reading. Silena puts the card away before grabbing her bag.

“I’ve got to go, Mike’s taking me to Donnatello’s tonight.” She says. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll get wild sex too tonight.” She says winking at you. You wave after her before resuming what you were doing before.

---------------------------------------------------

You’ve been in the shop for hours now, you had a pretty decent rush but for the most part you were slow today. Around 7 PM you notice a familiar face come in.

“Hey Doc!” You say as the lanky doctor saunters in. “I thought I told you I’m not selling you coffee this late anymore, you’ll never get to sleep.”

“Right now that’s a good thing.” He says, sighing. “We’ve got a rough case right now and it’s looking like we’re all pulling an all-nighter so I offered to run for coffee.” He says handing you a list of coffee orders.

“Aw, can I ask what’s got you working so late?” You ask, looking over the list, getting to work. A white mocha for Derek, Caramel macchiato for Emily, Earl Grey for JJ, Americano extra sugar for Spencer, Iced Caramel mocha for Penelope. Simple enough.

“Missing kids, time’s winding down on us.” He says, you pout, you had a soft spot for kids after having your own.

“I’m sorry.” You say. “Can I offer you some chalcopyrite? Helps find lost items.” You add.

Spencer shakes his head. “I don’t think a stone will be necessary.”

You narrow your eyes at him. “I know you don’t believe but the extra help couldn’t hurt. I’ll bless it for you though, just in case.”

You and Spencer make idle chat while you make the drinks. “I met your boss the other day.”

“Hotch?” he asks, you nod.

“Is he…” You didn’t know how to ask this without seeming like a weirdo. “Is he...ok? I didn’t have much of an interaction with him but his Aura is very dark, like he’s suffered loss or something, I don’t know.”

“That actually does make sense.” He says. “He lost his ex wife a couple months back and his son lost his mom. Killed in her house, incredibly sad. I think he still blames himself.” Spencer tells you.

You look sadly, you knew there was a reason something was telling you to protect this man. You had only just met him and you gave him a powerful protective stone for internal battles. You had felt he was fighting grief but not grief that big.

“Will you bring him a coffee, if I make it?” You say, Spencer nods letting you get back to work.

——————————————-

Spencer walks back into the office, coffee in tow. Immediately, everyone greets him with grateful looks.

“Thanks! Was y/n working?” Emily says, grabbing her cup.

“Yea, so you know it’s good.” Spencer says. “She said to tell you to come visit.”

“I know, I never have the time to get over there.” She adds. Spencer nods before grabbing the cup y/n had indicated was for Hotch. He steadily made the walk up the stairs to his office, rapping lightly on the open door. Hotch signaled for him to come in and wait while he finished up a phone call. Once done, he looked at Spencer and the cup.

“I didn’t order coffee.” He says, bluntly.

“I know, sir. Y/N insisted on making one for you.” He said sitting the cup down on his desk. Hotch examined it. On it was a drawing of the dwarf, Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Agent GG in her script. Hotch smelled the cup, he knew it wasn’t regular black coffee. It smelled too sweet and nutty for that. He took a sip, tentatively. Fuck that was good and he definitely needed to ask her what it was for next time.

“Why?” He asked. “Did she tell you?”

Spencer shook his head. “Honestly, I stopped asking why Y/N does anything a while ago. But she did tell me to tell you to come back and see her, she wants to see if the crystal is working for you.” Spencer’s eyes immediately zeroed in on the clear quartz that had now taken permanent residence on his desk. He didn’t know why he kept it. He didn’t believe in that stuff but for some reason it made the work less stressful and less energy draining but most importantly, it made him think of you. You’d never know it but you had taken permanent residence in his head as well. “You took a crystal from her?”

Hotch cleared his throat, awkwardly. “Yea, why?”

Spencer shrugged. “It just doesn’t seem like something you’d do.” He said before walking out.

He was right. This wasn’t something Hotch would do. But It seemed like you were becoming his personal contradiction.

Taglist: @megatrexus @roses-and-grasses

#criminal minds #hotchner x reader #aaron hotchner x reader #hotch x reader #aaron hotchner #aaron hotchner x reader smut #hotchner x reader smut #bau x reader #hotch x reader smut

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miniherodesktales · 4 years

Text

The Prefect (4)

Dr Argon had told Artemis that he should find “light-hearted” projects to occupy his thoughts, and put aside the high-stakes business (criminal) activities and Earth saving ventures for the time being; they would wait for him.

Artemis had told him that although he clearly did not understand how business worked the suggestion was a fair one.

‘You’ll be pleased to hear that I already have started a couple of different projects.’

‘Which are?’

Artemis had shrugged. ‘Just dull school projects.’ Five syllables, good.

It wasn’t a complete lie. He was researching the murky history of magic in humans and his only subject for observation happened to be another student in his school... in his year...in the same gifted and talented classes...they often sat next to one another... they worked on the tasks together when group work was required....they visited each others homes...

Some (everyone) would say that Artemis had a crush on Oliver Doyle (a five syllable name) and that discovering that Oliver possessed a small amount of magic had given Artemis the excuse he needed to get close to Oliver without having to admit that he liked Oliver.

Artemis would deny this and have you destroyed.

Oliver would be delighted.

It was Monday morning and Oliver was performing his duty as a prefect by supervising the Student Lounge before school began. He was dressed up as a pirate; Long John Silver to be accurate.

He hopped up on the coffee table on just one leg (Artemis neatly slid himself and his laptop over out the way of his boot) and waved his plastic cutlass at a gaggle of Year 7s drinking hot chocolate.

‘Drink up me hearties, yo ho!’ Oliver sang at them. ‘Mornin’ assembly be on the horizon and that scurvy dog, Headmaster No Brain, will force any cad to walk the plank if they be late. Ain’t that right, Arty, me lad? Arty?’

He nudged Artemis with his crutch. Artemis flinched but caught on, rather unenthusiastically. He had been quickly typing up a note about Oliver’s ability to leap up on tables using only one leg and then being able to balance on that leg without toppling over. Such physical process had to be due magic.

He tried to glare at the Year 7s. ‘Shiver me timbers...’ Five syllables again.

One boy rolled his eyes. ‘You two are strange. Let’s go, lads.’

Artemis looked up at Oliver. ‘Why do you always dress up for prefect duty?’

Oliver jumped down onto the sofa. ‘Meh, it started because I wondered if I would be allowed to get away with it, so I took a dinosaur costume from the drama department -’

‘Yes, I remember. I tripped over your tail.’

‘-and nobody stopped me, so I carried on. But mostly I do it because it’s fun.’ His brown eyes flashed. ‘Why don’t you join me?’

‘No.’

‘Oh, but -’

‘No, never.’

Oliver’s expression suddenly became serious. ‘Hey, is everything alright, Artemis? You looked worried.’

Artemis almost laughed, bitterly. There it was, the heightened empathy. The ability to look into his soul and see what was hidden, even though no one else could find it.

He would make a note of that too.

‘My mother has returned to her favourite spa, in the south of France.’

He wanted to share but he also wanted to test just how perceptive Oliver was.

Oliver bit his lip and looked at up the ceiling.

‘Your mother...’ he said, so softly that Artemis almost couldn’t hear him, ‘She gets sick sometimes, doesn’t she?’

Artemis said nothing. He didn’t have to. It felt strangely good to just have someone understand.

Oliver sat up straight. ‘I’m sorry to hear it, Artemis. But, she’ll be okay. So will you.’

Suddenly, Artemis was all emotion, heart racing, blood pounding in his ears. He quickly tapped his foot five times and slammed his laptop closed.

Such anger was irrational, he knew that, but he couldn’t hold back the fury he felt towards his mother, his father, even towards the twins.

Unconsciously he tried to rush away, but Oliver had gently caught hold of his wrist and wasn’t going to let go.

Artemis couldn’t even look at him.

‘It’s not fair.’ He heard his voice crack.

‘What isn’t?’

Artemis brushed away his tears with the back of his hand. He felt that since he had already humiliated himself he may as well bear his soul to Oliver.

‘Life, Oliver, just life. I had been holding onto this childish belief that because I was sick my parents would support me. But, that was foolish. Father doesn’t know that the number five is my magic number, that I go to therapy: he’s on a business trip again. Mother has always been fragile. Like me I suppose.’ He sniffed, smiled with wet mismatched eyes. ‘I am childish, you see. I have no right to resent them. Mother can’t help being unwell and Father doesn’t know.’

Everything went black for a moment when Oliver dropped his pirate hat onto Artemis’ head and it slipped over his eyes.

‘You don’t look childish to me,’ Oliver whispered. ‘You look like a pirate who’s been forced to stay on dry land for too long when what he needs to do is have adventures and hunt for gold.’

Artemis pushed the hat back.

‘You’re really pushing the pirate thing. I am not going to dress up for you.’

Oliver grinned. ‘But you will come and have adventures with me.’

‘Very well. But, since I’m being so uncharacteristically honest....I know you have magic.’

Oliver’s face froze.

#artemis fowl fanfic #artemis fowl books #artemis fowl

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nancydrewwouldnever · 1 month

Note

Here's what I find interesting, though: so that means he and his team were dead set on him filming three projects in 2022, since they jumped so fast to replace the dropped Project Artemis with Pain Hustlers. Why? Why did he/his team feel it was imperative for him to film three back to back projects in 2022? Especially since it made him look completely exhausted by the time it got to Red One filming, which was probably the biggest paycheck out of all three of them. /

I think we’ve all known for a while now that his team isn’t his greatest strength. A lot of his 2022 decisions come across as being panic driven, and as you’ve mentioned previously the pandemic likely played a much bigger part in his current trajectory than we realize

But panic over what? The time frame of his name visibility waning, due to Marvel being over for him? Surely not panic over money, given the Marvel residuals still coming in on those movies (he even bragged about it almost in that GQ interview).

#ask

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canary-warrior · 4 years

Text

A Quick Beth/Artemis Fic

“Artemis, please,” Beth begged the dark green leather clad girl. Artemis made no movement, keeping her arrow aimed toward Rick’s heart. Courtney and Yolanda were in the other room, fighting off other ISA members. From what Beth heard through the walls, her friends weren’t doing well. And now, Rick could die at the hands of Beth’s other best friend. How did everything get so messed up?

Everyone was surprised when Beth and Artemis became friends. The two were opposites, but somehow clicked when they were paired up for a history project. The duo started hanging out more and more. The rest of the JSA were wary of Artemis because of who her parents were, but Beth insisted that she was a good person. Not everyone is like their parents, which is something the rest of the team understood well.

Courtney, Yolanda, and Rick weren’t friends with Artemis, though, they were more like friendly acquaintances for Beth’s sake. Beth was okay with that though, of course she wished all of her friends were close with each other, but she knew that was unrealistic.

Beth felt a tear drop from her eyes. She should’ve seen that Artemis was slowly descending to the dark side. Beth was her best friend, how could she have missed it? She always prided herself on being observant, but she didn’t even notice that Artemis was on the path to villainy.

Was she too late?

“I have to, Beth,” Artemis responded, feeling her heart clench at her best friend’s words. Or was it her ex- best friend? Artemis doubted that Beth would still want to be her friend after all of this. Why would she, Artemis chose her parents and the ISA by extent over Beth. It didn’t matter that Beth was the only person who truly understood her, who never pushed her to be anything other than herself. She was too good for Artemis, the archer reasoned.

“No, you don’t. You don’t have to kill Rick, he’s your friend,” Beth tried to explain. Maybe she could save both Rick and Artemis tonight.

“We’re not friends,” Rick and Artemis said in unison, prompting Beth to slightly glare at Rick.

“I’m trying to save you here, stop making it difficult,” Beth hissed.

Rick pointed out, “But it’s true. And even if Artemis kills me, she won’t kill you… At least you’ll get out of here alive, Beth. That’s what matters.”

Beth softened at Rick’s words, but part of her refused to believe him. “Do you really think that?”

Artemis scoffed. “Hourman here may be a dumbass, but he’s right.” She softened her tone. “I wouldn’t kill you, I don’t think I can, Beth.”

“Why? I thought since you joined the ISA… well, I thought that you hated me for not telling you the entire truth about me and the JSA and the ISA.” Beth’s mask was off at this point, so Artemis could look at her friend in the face rather than stare at a mask.

The shorter girl’s words stunned Artemis, whose grip on the silver arrow loosened a bit. “I don’t hate you, Beth, I could never hate you. You’re my best friend.”

“And you’re mine.” More tears fell, and Beth was sure her eyeliner was definitely messed up at this point, but she didn’t care.

Rick remained wisely silent, eyes shifting between the two girls. His life was in their hands, but he cared more about the girls getting out of here safely. He trusted Beth and his heart broke for her when Artemis joined the ISA. Rick didn’t like this, he wanted Beth to find Court and Yolanda and get the hell out of there. However, he knew Beth had to do this. Artemis was Beth’s best friend, no matter how much his heart ached at that thought. This was important to Beth.

“Really? Even after everything?” Artemis wondered, eyes getting watery.

Beth nodded. “Of course! I love you, Art. That’s what friends do, they forgive each other and they fight for each other. And I will never stop fighting for you.”

Artemis lowered her bow completely and looked at her best friend. Even with eyeliner running messily down her face, Beth still looked pretty, she noticed. The archer was touched at Beth’s words, but it’s not like she could just leave the ISA right then and there. She couldn’t leave her parents. But she could leave Rick alive, for Beth’s sake.

“I’m sorry, Beth. I love you,” were Artemis’s last words before she ran into the shadows, vanishing through what Beth assumed was a secret passage.

Beth wasn’t going to give up on Artemis.

#Stargirl #beth chapel #artemis crock #rick tyler #beth x artemis #beth x rick #stargirl fic

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candideangel · 4 years

Text

Outside Witnesses

Chrono, a worker in timepieces and spellwork, and Artemis watch as their superiors start from embarrassing moments to all out prank wars.

featuring moments from @meepsthemiqo‘s @emetspersephone‘s & @themadchemist‘s pieces which gave me a constant joy. Sorry if they were brief mentions or if something seemed off!

The small office was quiet, one of the window panels open and wafting in a breeze that brushed strands of red hair into a young man’s face as his green eyes with a hue of blue mixed in was silently sitting at a work desk, his tools lightly clicking and clinking against metals of the project in front of him. It was supposedly a simple project, something he was making for himself, but Chrono knew that it was for someone else completely. As his hand picked up a small set of clamps he used them to pick up a delicate piece of inner clockwork to set into its new discus shaped home.

Then came the knock on his door, making the master of time as he often been teased with looked up, reaching over to lightly push away a magnifying circular glass aside. “Enter.” his voice called calmly, and at first while he kept a straight face, absently reaching over for the white mask that was across on his desk, not sure if it was a mere guest looking for his opinion or someone he trusted. However, it was relief that washed over his features as a young woman opened the door with a soft creek of hinges, his heart doing a little jump, usually hooded features were free, a very pale gold head that could have been mistaken for white or even silver, of hair wound up in in intricate bun with a few added braids with a few feathers dangling off the ties, and piercing bright blue eyes glittered like gemstones when her gaze met Chrono’s.

“Artemis, what...what brings you in here?” the young man asked, cursing himself for the slight issue with his string of words he couldn’t quite seem to form.

“Oh, I figured you would like something to drink.” Artemis replied as Chrono’s eyes finally noticed the tray she had laden in her cloaked arm. It was a simple silver tray, but with a curious white pot that seemed to shine, painted with long branches with pink flowers with a matching set of cups nested on their saucers. A steam rose from the spout of the pot in an unrecognizable aroma, but it put his tense muscles relax a little even as the door shut. Walking over with a soft click of heels she would set the tray down on the side of his desk.

“It’s a rather cute pot if I must say.” Chrono muttered, being mindful and rolling up the set of tools to make sure he didn’t knock anything over while Artemis held the pot and would carefully pour a steaming stream of a clear yet bright red liquid would start filling the delicate white workings.

“Ah, thank you. It was...a design I’ve been fiddling around with. I hope it’ll keep the tea hot for a while longer.” She replied, pale cheeks dusting with a shade of pink that matched the flowers painted on the pot.

“Well, you certainly have always had an eye for aesthetics and color.” Chrono couldn’t help but tease, being someone who worked in the offices, they didn’t work in the seats, but they often helped with designs and prototypes. When Artemis offered him the cup of tea he would take hold and took a small sip, letting the flavor put him at ease; floral, slightly sweet, a hint of fruit dancing on his tongue until the after taste was slightly tart. “Mm, delicious…” he breathed relaxing in the chair with a soft creak of the wood under him.

“Heh, rosehip tea does wonders.” Artemis chuckled and poured herself a cup that was still on the tray before the pot was set down, she would go to a small metal can and went to the various flora that had been potted around Chrono’s office. It never used to be filled with greenery, just shelves and a mess of books and ruined prototypes...at least not until Artemis arrived into his life. One who could have looked so naive as an assistant, turned out to become a great friend and confidant...he often found himself happier, able to focus a little better without the clutter, but most importantly always felt his heart leap into his throat at her presence every time.

Chrono glanced over his shoulder a little and in the faint light of the sun that was streaming through it practically haloed the woman in his office while she watered the flowering plant in his window, the aroma coming in on the breeze. Even as he set the cup down into the saucer with a soft clink so he could go back to work, it all felt peaceful.

At least it HAD been peaceful, the foyer doors banged open as if by a nasty wind, reverberating into Chrono’s office, making the delicate work he had been working on break, and the tea in the cups ripple. “Earthquake?” Artemis muttered as she set the water can down into a stand made of thick wired material to walk to the door, Chrono in the meantime staring down at some of the parts that had broken free from his project...making it clear he would have to start over again with the inner workings. Just as Artemis reached the door however, they both froze, a set of heels clacking against the floor with utmost determination even though one of the other workers were obviously trying to get whoever it was to stop because of a meeting.

Slowly Artemis opened the door to peer outside curiously in time to see a sweeping motion of dark hair, a few pink flowers poking out, and eyes set most determined, and as she looked out more watched as she marched with purpose towards the meeting chamber for the Fourteen.

“It...seems that Lady Fae is on the warpath.” She spoke softly once the door clicked shut quietly.

“Oh...dear…” Chrono muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose and suddenly he startled when there was another equally loud bang that echoed again further down the hall.

“HAAAADEEEES!!!!” Fae’s voice echoed before there was a third and final bang as the doors slammed shut and silence fell hard and heavy between Chrono and Artemis. They stared at each other for a long moment, but it only took one of them to softly start chuckling, then they fell into soft gales of laughter, faintly hearing the voices carry their way. Little did they know it was only just the beginning.

---

Then the “prank war” began. Artemis had been carrying a stack of papers with Chrono’s help, though were brought to pause when they watched the pink haired Persephone walked by carrying a rather curious green colored creature in her arms and humming a delightful tune to Lady Fae’s office. When they had dropped off the work to where they needed to be, finishing off from Hades’ office Fae had just been...oddly coming from Lahabrea’s office, speaking to Elidibus.

“What do you think that was about?” Artemis asked curiously while glancing back over her shoulder at the pair. It was a little strange that Fae was acting rather dodgy around her bonded’s questions.

“Not sure.” Chrono muttered as his fingers were dancing a gemstone between them, a spark of golden dust pouring from it. “Lady Fae hasn’t always been in Lahabrea’s good graces, but perhaps she was just simply seeking him out.” Though the first part had always contained proof as the Speaker’s voice shouted from down the hall and almost as fast as she had come, Fae had disappeared into the shadows without warning. Leaving the two rather confused.

Artemis though as they went back to Chrono’s office, couldn’t help a wry smile. “I bet for a day off that Lady Fae has some kind of ulterior motive. It did seem rather odd that Miss Persephone had come in carrying a small creature and suddenly Lady Fae is coming out of Lahabrea’s office.” It was obviously broken logic, at best to be a jest as they leaned against the door just under the frame.

“Oh, what would you do if you won the bet?” Chrono was grinning a little bit and would lean against the door a bit, Artemis gave him a smile that made his heart practically rattle like a bird trying to break free from its cage.

“For a day off? I think...if I’d gotten the day off, it would be walking through that tree park. Maybe with some company…” her voice trailed off and her breath caught a little in her throat as Chrono, practically hypnotized by her words, her voice, his feelings were overrunning. But he stopped and they both jumped when there was a very loud, and very agonized scream come from down the corridor and they both looked over, but Chrono did the smart thing and pushed them both into his office just as Lahabrea was storming by, covered in NEEDLES and his robes looking rather holed, spitting venom as he looked for Lady Fae.

“P-Probably best we stay here for a bit.” Chrono muttered once he shut the door, Lahabrea had shot them a look that could whither all the blooms in his office. “At least until the storm dies down.” But his lips trembled a little bit and he couldn’t help a slightly nervous chuckle that escaped his lips as he slumped to the ground, knees weak as even Artemis was on her knees by his desk. “Looks like you won…” he breathed and gave the light haired woman a lopsided grin, “When do you want to go?”

---

The next few days that came were at relative peace, Elidibus and Fae were gone for a little while, but when the two had come back, it had been both Fae and Persephone who had become the targets for the next bout of revenge pranks. Artemis and Chrono had made playful banter that perhaps it would be one of them, this time placing a few coin bets for who would be next in line for either a tongue lashing or a prank in return. Chrono had been the one to place on Fae and Persephone perhaps both, at the time, just due to the logic after the curious Cactus creature had been talked about through the hall and had the earmarks of Miss Persephone’s design work.

While it had been a harmless one, the two women breaking out in rashes, sneezing like they had colds, and watery eyes. It was obvious they were having some kind of allergic reaction to something, but in their wake had been a very, very strong scent of roses. It was very possible that the harmless prank had come from Miss Anais, the alchemist and even a medic of the city. It...did make some logical form of sense.

Artemis sighed as she would hand over a bag of coin to Chrono, who pocketed into the sleeve of his robes and gave her another wry smile, his hand reaching over to gently tug her by the waist to pull her close.

“So, who do you think will be next?” he asked curiously, they had started to find this as some type of entertainment and a way for them to bond. And in a way bonding they did! Even if everything was trying to be subtle gestures.

Artemis still looked as if she were pouting from the loss of her money, but let Chrono lightly pull her to his side. “...I think Miss Anais will be up next possibly. I know Miss Persephone and Lady Fae won’t take this little though harmless prank lying down. Or maybe there will be some bonded prank wars with Hades and Persephone.” she chuckled in a hushed voice as they walked down the streets as Chrono who was often a reserved person before was offering to purchase Artemis dinner, waiting for their next little revenge show.

#enjoy the half-baked work of Chrono and Artemis #or the unsundered G'raha Tia and Angelique #they are just as nerds in this life as they are in the present #prank war series!#outsiders perspective #ffxiv writings #just for funsies #to get me out of the inspiration funk I've been having

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silenthillmutual · 4 years

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I'm assuming you mean writing prompts! Not sure what kind of mood you're in so I'll give you 2. First: Daniil or Artemy bragging about their partner to someone else. They're not trying to but. They do anyways. There's too much love. Alternatively: One of Artemy's kids (Sticky or Murky, perhaps) fall grievously ill and he's got to be a good dad and tell them everything's gonna be ok. Sorry idk anything about jjba dr or mp100 lol

i’m so sorry this has been sitting in my inbox for forever while i’ve hit writer’s block. so i’m gonna write something short for the first one, ty<3

The way Daniil is going on at length here is going to give him a migraine. He’ll admit to this: he’s mostly gotten used to it. The man can talk - and talk, and talk, and talk. It’s really a shame they haven’t got a school set up in the Town. He’d be a natural lecturer. And he knows Daniil used to give lectures sometimes in the Capital, which is probably how he manages to either follow him or tune him out depending on the subject.

It’s just that right now, Artemy is the subject. So his levels of embarrassment are about through the roof, but there’s no real polite way to stop him.

Were they back in Town, Artemy would just get up and leave. Daniil just does this sometimes. Artemy started to realize about a month ago that he was the sort of person to speak his affection rather than show it. Which always felt like some sort of issue, because Artemy is - “Acta non verba,” he hears Daniil say, right on cue. The grip Daniil has on his hand is remarkably strong for someone of his size, and Artemy’s face feels like it’s going to explode. Daniil’s got his head tilted, looking up at him with those wide brown eyes and he can’t leave. Even if Daniil wasn’t anchoring him to the spot, he’d just feel bad about it when he looks that damn sincere. “Really, it’s remarkable,” Daniil says, eyes never leaving his face. He pulls Artemy’s hand up to his mouth to kiss it.

He swears the woman Daniil’s been speaking to rolls her eyes. Artemy feels like his face is going to explode. His cheeks hurt so much he doesn’t think he’ll ever feel them again. And yet, he can’t be too mad at him, because he knows there’s not a hint of sarcasm to his words, and this is probably the nicest Daniil’s ever been about anybody.

“So what is your specialty, exactly?” the woman asks, though it’s clear she’s only doing it for the same reason Artemy hasn’t left this soiree altogether and headed back for their hotel room.

“I’m a herbalist,” he says flatly.

Her eyebrows raise, but Artemy doesn’t get a chance to find out if it’s a genuine pique of interest or more high-class Capital snobbery because Daniil scoffs and says, “Don’t be so modest, Tëma.”

The nickname is what really sells it. “I need another drink,” the woman says. Her own has been empty for a while now, ice melting in the bottom, but she throws back what’s left of it to crunch the ice between her teeth, stepping away. Daniil uses her leaving as an excuse to set his body against Artemy’s, leaning against him to get better leverage to kiss him on the cheek. He’s been wondering the whole time if this is normal for the Capital. He hasn’t exactly seen many couples like them, but then he’s not sure if it would matter if it was. It seems Daniil doesn’t blend in any better here than he had in Town.

Artemy sighs. Doesn’t push him away, but leans into one of the fleeting moments of physical intimacy. And sighs again. “Why don’t you talk about your own accomplishments, Daniil?”

“What accomplishments?” he snorts. Daniil avoids looking him in the eye, but he can feel the anxiety in the way his grip bruises him. “You know how poorly I did those two weeks. What on Earth do I have to brag about? No, no - I’m already well known here, though. But you - you deserve the glory, darling.”

“I’m not interested in glory.” He watches Daniil’s expression fade into a frown. And he doubts the man intends for him to read into the way his grip loosens, but it would be impossible to just not notice it. “I just mean -”

“No. I know what you mean.” His voice is already so lacking in tone that the difference is almost difficult to tell, but Artemy squeezes his hand to try and get the life back to him. He expects Daniil to speculate that he’s managed to embarrass him, but the next words he mumbles are, “It’s all rather trivial to you.” He shifts weight from one foot to the other. “The games they play here - it’s not all that different from the rulers of your town. Reputation is worth so much, but to you it’s meaningless.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s entirely meaningless.” He pulls their hands up and over his stomach, trying to drag Daniil closer to him. “Hey. Come on. No, it’s just that - I’m right here. It’s embarrassing to hear you say all that stuff about me. As if I did something special, and not just my job. You would’ve done the same thing.”

Wrong choice of words. Daniil doesn’t even bother raising his eyebrows to that, though he humors looking at Artemy for a moment. “Well I didn’t. Clearly I didn’t. You know I didn’t. You were there!”

“Alright, I get it.” Artemy nudges Daniil’s shoulder with his own. “But don’t act like you didn’t do anything while you were there. What about that vaccine you made with Rubin, huh? The discoveries you made in the Polyhedron?” He’ll have to gloss over that one quick before the ice sets in. “The Stamatins are sticking around, you could always talk about one of their projects -”

“Has no one ever praised you before?” Daniil interrupts. Artemy’s mouth shuts so suddenly his teeth click together. Daniil takes the moment of silence to look up at him, and that horrid smirk starts to work its way across his lips. “Nothing is stopping you from speaking for yourself, you know. Or leaving, if my incessant chatter bothers you so desperately.”

“Your hand is,” Artemy grumbles.

“Oh please. Just before we left - on the way to the station, in fact! I saw you cart four children on your back. Three of them were teenagers. This -” he rubs their joined hands against Artemy’s stomach - “Is hardly holding you back.”

Now he raises his brows, and Artemy has to let out his breath under Daniil’s scrutiny. “I don’t want to leave your side,” he says. “You’re the man I came with, and I won’t leave without you.” Daniil continues to blink at him. He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. “And this is probably the nicest you’ve ever been. I don’t mind the words, it’s... it’s the fact that people are staring.”

“Aha!” Daniil says, and really, Artemy does not trust the sentiment one bit, not with the wicked smile he’s wearing. “So you’re unused to positive attention, and that’s making you uncomfortable.” He pulls their joined hands back to his side, and up to his mouth to kiss Artemy’s hand again. “I should praise you more often,” he says with his lips pressed to Artemy’s skin.

“Alright, whatever. But could you do it in private?” His words come out as a grumble, but he knows as soon as they leave his mouth its a mistake, cheeks tingling from the blush. “That’s not what I meant!” He doubts very much Daniil believes him. “How do I explain this? These peoples’ opinions - they don’t mean very much to me. And I don’t want them staring at me like I’m some specimen under their microscope. I didn’t come here for them, emshen. I came here for you.”

Daniil hums, and lets their hands drop. “Duly noted,” he says. “I will cut back my bragging to a minimum. That should keep conversations short, anyway. The less time we spend here, the sooner we can get to admiring you in private.”

Artemy rolls his eyes, but doesn’t drop the other man’s hand. “You just live to be difficult, don’t you?”

#burakovsky #icarus.docx #ok to rb #i had a different version of this thought out w some ocs but i never got around to finishing it rip #Anonymous

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exiled-hacker · 3 years

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A Purely Brutal Halloween

I know it’s not Halloween, but I found this in my WIP stuff, and I decided to share. If anything, I recall Joseph belonging to Bleachedpages and I don’t recall their other blog. They are Birdy on Discord, though! If anyone knows them and wants to show them!

I think this was one of the ones I was proud of but also nervous of. SO! Here goes. c:

Halloween was on its way, which meant the crisp fall colors, teeth-rotting candy, and the ever present pumpkin smashing that would ensue. For the BIO team, it meant heading home to loved ones, perhaps even taking any children trick-or-treating... if they had any, that is. For Artemis, it meant going home to feed his cats and pets, followed by visiting Joseph. Perhaps he'd bring him out pumpkin shopping... Maybe. Artemis stepped out of the base, feeling the cool morning air hit his face. The forest around them was full of bright leaves, all within the beautiful fire colors of fall. The crisp scent caused him to sigh in delight, deeming to pick up some apple cider for the Pure Spy. His boots moved toward his car, which he entered and drove into town. His eyes gazed upon the multitude of costumes, and he wondered just how much he could pursuade Joseph into wearing one. The man was so.. different from the Brutal, however. Yet, he wondered if Joseph would have some fun when he got there. His eyes planted on a store, well.. mega-mall. Deciding that was the best place to find some candy and costumes, he wandered inside. It'd been a while since he'd been here and sought out the bookstore first. There was plenty of new books, which he felt he had to add to his growing library. This was followed by hitting the arts store for book making materials, something he did in his spare time. But the biggest place he hit was a halloween store, seeking out something for both himself and Joseph. Something he felt both the spy would like and he would feel comfortable in. Eyeing the costumes, he came across several angel based ones; finally setting his eyes upon the mechanical wings, which spread at the push of a button. This would be perfect for the Pure spy! He pondered about for a moment, seeking out anything he'd enjoy. Seeing nothing, he decided that perhaps it'd be better if he hand made both costumes.

With the idea of the wings in mind, he hit up the craft store again and bought some real feathers. Next was the stop to the supermarket, which he bought his favorite chocolate, chose out steaks and potatoes for he and Joseph, followed by candles that changed colors as they melted. Blacks and oranges for Halloween! The candles would be the center piece in each window, castng the eerie glow upon the rooms. This was followed by a few more decorations and some cider for the two. Who needed wine when warm apple cider was to be had? Artemis then began his way home, seeking out a simple way to get there and arrive on time to surprise Joseph. He trusted the man now to give him a key to his home and have him feed his pets when on the job, yet Artemis felt he owed it to Joseph to atleast get him something! The home was empty, something the man was used to. He headed to his library, placed the books on the shelf, then moved outside to a barn along the pathway into the woods. It was there he set to work on the wings. He molded metal, fused wires, and added the feathers; studying his white raven's wings in order to gain some form of understanding on how to place each individual feather. The outside he painted gold, which the inside was given a varinish to shine in the sunlight, followed by a white glow for the night hours. Testing the wings, he felt satisfied with his work and glanced at the clock. It was near three A.M. And Artemis realized he'd forgotten about dinner and Joseph! Hurrying with the wings back to his home, he made his way inside. There, he was greeted by Joseph, who took in the grime coated man and the wings which he struggled to hide behind his back. “Hey, Joseph..” Artemis spoke with a shakey breath, “I.. er.. sorry, I was working a tad... too late.” “I see,” Joseph spoke calmly, “May I ask what the wings are for?” “Er..” He paused, “Oh! Just a project I'm working on! Don't worry about it. Just something silly..” It was partially a lie. It was indeed a project, but not silly. It was important to Artemis. Very important. Joseph's grey eyes settled upon the man. He knew he was lying, and watched as Artemis squirmed under the piercing gaze. Quickly, Artemis removed his black jacket and placed it over the wings as he finally revealed several scars upon his arms and neck. Many that looked like battle wounds. Recent and red as they healed. “Artemis..” Joseph spoke, his tone a bit stricter than Artemis was accustomed to. “Alright, Alright,” Artemis raised his hands and pulled the jacket off of the wings; hanging it by a peg in the doorway, “They're for.. a friend. Someone special in my life. I want to repay them.. and well..” He glanced at the finished project, “Truth be told, Joseph.. they're for you. For Halloween..” “Artemis..” Joseph was going to scold him when he heard the second part, “You... you really didn't have to..” He moved over to inspect the wings. It had such intricute detail when it came to the feathers, each placed in their proper place so that they looked like real wings. He even jumped back when they spread, the varnish doing it's job as it shined within the light. “I don't.. really celebrate Halloween,” Joseph spoke, voice soft, “But thank you.. Perhaps I will this year.” “I know people always have their kids dressed up as monsters and demons.. but.. I thought.. maybe you'd enjoy being something that.. well suited you.” “I am but a humble servent of the Almighty,” Joseph responded, “You know this, Artemis.” “I know, but.. I thought.. maybe.. I dunno.” He gave a small smile, “As I tell you when you say that.. 'Even servents have their rewards.'”

This was somehing that seemed to happen whenever they spoke with gifts. Joseph had gotten something for the Brutal as well. Holding out the package, he gave a small smile, “I thought you'd appreciate this.” The Brutal gingerly opened the paper, fearful he'd tear the beauty of such a simple brown paper. He then looked at the book in awe, fingers tracing over the cover. “I've wanted this since I was a boy..” He spoke softly, “T.S. Elliot... I could never find any of his works in the store.. never. I..” He gave a small smile, fingers running over the pristine edges as if they'd be destroyed within an instant. “Thanks, Mate,” He spoke, then moved to grab the candles. “Artemis,” Joseph began, “Are you going to court me again?” “Nah,” Artemis responded, “These are for the windows. For Halloween and all.” He then moved to make the very late dinner, handing a small bag of chocolate to Joseph. The chocolate was not the ones he had prior. In fact, they were shaped like bunnies, seashells, and other animals. Joseph eyed them, then took a bite. Such delicious belgian chocolate seeped through his tastebuds and he gave a small murmur of how good it was. Artemis chuckled, noting that the spy made dinner already. Eyebrow raised, he glanced at Joseph. He supposed he should thank him again, but instead gave a yawn. He didn't realize how tired he was. Any thoughts about decorating the house would have to wait. He needed to eat and sleep, so, with that thought in mind; he began to eat the prepared meal. Eventually, however, his eyes drooped and his head dropped into the mashed potatoes, coating them in their fluffy whiteness. Joseph watched for a moment, then gave a small chuckle. Quickly, he scolded himself and picked the man up. Far heavier and bigger than he, Joseph made it to Artemis' bedroom. He'd never seen the interior, but now he had.. Pictures of birds, people, and family covered the man's desk. On the walls hung his team, people he knew, and his boyhood. Joseph glanced at them, then decided to ask later. Grabbing a wet cloth, he cleaned Artemis' face and shook his head. Gingerly, he felt the gloved hand wrap around his suit, grey eyes filled with surprise as Artemis pulled him into bed, the sniper still snoring away as he did so. The Brutal pushed his face into Joseph and gave a small happy snort. “Brother,” He spoke in his sleep, “I love ya.. P-Papa..yer warm..” Joseph sighed, then pulled a blanket onto the sniper, followed by one around himself, letting his head hit the pillow. Friends often slept in the same bed, so Joseph felt there was no harm. And somewhere in him, he knew the Almighty had no problems with this sleep over at all. Slowly, the grey eyes shut and Joseph fell asleep; drifting off into the pleasant world of dreamland.

#My Writing #Artemis #Joseph #Bleachedpages #((Someone please tell me their new username. I don't think I have it!))

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af-answers · 4 years

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Four Times Artemis Tried to Convince Holly to go to Mars with him and the One Time he Didn’t

The First Time | The Second Time | The Third Time | The Fourth Time

The Time He Didn’t

Holly arrived at the private airstrip in Italy two weeks later. She’d had to call in two and a half favors to get authorization to go topside without divulging why, but the mountain views alone made it worth the hassle.

The mountain-hedged valley belonged to Giovanni Zito, who’d become a close confidante of the younger Artemis. He was one of the few Artemis had told about the self-winding rocket project, though Holly suspected this was so he could have access to the valley. In an odd turn of events, the launch pad was built not on the landing strip, but in a copse of hot springs in a craggy outcropping to the west.

Fifty meters away and twenty meters up on the strange launch pad, Artemis’s ship gleamed in the noonday sun. As she approached, the polished titanium alloys gleamed in a way Holly could only describe as optimistic. The name of the ship was embossed on the cone in sans-serif script: Ingniculus ex Decorum. She smirked to stem the tears pricking her eyes. Artemis was being sentimental. She never thought she’d see the day.

A couple humans she didn’t recognize circled the spacecraft, squinting through the glare and marking on clipboards. She hovered above the craft, still shielded, until they cleared the hatch, then flew through.

She heard Artemis before she saw him.

“I appreciate your concern signor,” she heard Artemis say from the bridge, “but I’m confident in my calculations.”

“As am I, il mio giovane amico.” Zito’s accent was accentuated by the speaker phone. “But you’re not running a test, you’re risking your life. I’d like it to be as slight a risk as possible. And don’t worry, the engineers have signed multiple NDAs. If any scrap of their future research resembles your magnum opus in any way, they’ll be paying for it from jail cells for the rest of their lives.”

Holly dropped to the ground and took off her helmet as she walked down the narrow galley path. She looked up and around the cylindrical compartment: this would be Artemis’s home for the next five years. It could have been her home, too. She snorted softly and shook her head.

“I appreciate your loyalty, Giovanni,” Artemis chuckled. “Though if this technology succeeds, I plan to make the blueprints open source. I suppose as long as they’re here, I can consider their opinions.”

“For once, I hope I am wrong and there is no need for concern.”

Holly knocked on the ovular doorframe.

“Ah,” Artemis said from the captain’s chair, his back to her. “I have a guest. I’ll see you in five years, my friend.”

“Call before then, you son of a jackal!”

Now he laughed. “Of course, ciao.”

As soon as the call ended, the doors behind Holly slid shut. Artemis turned the captain’s chair to face her. His blue eyes sparked with a rare energy, a kiddish glee he never showed in his actual boyhood. Her eyes widened when she noticed his space suit. It looked almost exactly like a padded, fire retardant LEP containment suit, except light blue and grey instead of green and brown. For some reason, the connection made her chest clench.

“Commodore! Thank you for coming.” He pivoted the co-pilot’s seat toward her. “It means a lot. Please,” he motioned to the chair.

Holly flitted over, not trusting her legs not to shake. “To be honest, I almost didn’t,” she said. “You were so hellbent on my coming along, I thought you might commit an encore kidnapping.”

To his credit, Artemis recognized the joke. “As tempting as that is, I couldn’t handle twelve hours of angry fairy, not to mention sixty months.”

“Damn right.” She hoped he didn’t hear her throat constrict on the last word. To be honest, she did have doubts about staying behind. She’d actually packed a bag before coming to the surface, just in case she decided to go after all. In the end, she’d forced herself to leave it behind.

“Who else is in the farewell party?” she asked before she fell too far down the rabbit hole of doubt.

“Besides Zito’s surprise inspectors? No one. Butler is talking with Juliet at the moment, but I wasn’t allowed in on the call as it might blow her cover somehow.”

“What is she doing?”

“Not a clue.”

A pause.

“So— no family, then?” she asked.

He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, there never would have been. Mother will be livid, of course— this will be the third time I’ve left without warning, and will be my longest departure to date. I left them all digital messages, though, and a way to call me in space, solar flares willing. Speaking of—“ he leaned behind him and plucked what looked like a high tech monocle from the dash. It was, in all actuality, a tiny screen held in front of the eye by a wire attached to an ear piece.

“It can also interface with other mobile devices,” he explained, “but only the monocle’s receptors can pick up on this ship’s signal.”

She accepted it, cradling the hardware in her lap. It would fit her perfectly, she could tell. He made this specifically for her, which he wouldn’t have done if he’d believed she was coming with him. Even though she’d rejected his offer, he still wanted to share this adventure with her. Why did her decision, which was so obvious in the beginning, feel like a betrayal now?

“I’m sorry.” The words cut through Holly’s fog of thought. She looked up at him, confused.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, “for making this separation harder on you than it should be. I never should have been so insistent. I was so consumed with how much I needed you— still need you. You’ve always been the best of me.” He laid his head back against the head rest, staring up at the ceiling. “But I made your decision all about me, and I’m sorry.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Haven needs you. And though they don’t know it, humanity needs fairies like you, too. To put myself over the needs of the many shows I haven’t grown as much as I thought.”

She pursed her lips. Though he was haughty and smug, Artemis was one of the most humble humans she’d ever met. He was always the first to admit his shortcomings, and he constantly worked to change them. Sure he was a pain, but he was also her best friend, and rightfully so.

“I wanted to go,” she admitted. When he squinted at her, she clarified. “With you, to Mars. Going to another planet isn’t something I’d thought about before, but if you were going to space it seemed natural I’d be going, too. We’re part of each other, Artemis,” she gestured between them. “Two sides of the same coin. Even though you don’t have my eye anymore, that hasn’t changed. And that’s part of the reason I can’t go. The two of us, sharing close quarters for so long? We’d either kill each other, or—” she took a deep, steadying breath. “I told you once I couldn’t do without you.”

Mention of that strange chapter of their friendship made Artemis go very still, and she wondered off-handedly if he was holding his breath.

“And I haven’t had to do without you, for years. We haven’t been apart longer than a month since…” she bit her lip. Thinking about the six months he had been dead still hurt. “But though we’re stronger together, we don’t need each other. You’ve always had that spark of decency, even before I came along.”

He grinned. “So you approve of the ship’s name?”

She shrugged. “It seems a bit self aggrandizing.”

“That wasn’t my intention, it was supposed to be a dedication to—“

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, her coy smile cutting him off.

“You’re joking,” he realized, his frustration deflating.

“Yes, and I love the name.”

His gaze dropped to the communicator in her hands. “Now I hope more than ever those are functional.”

“What’s this?” She tilted her head. “Artemis Fowl isn’t sure of his programming abilities?”

He rewarded her with a classic vampiric grin. “It won’t happen again.”

Setting the monocle on the armrest of the co-pilot’s chair, she flew over and pulled him into a hug.

His grin shrank to a warm, genuine, one as he carefully returned the embrace. Not that he was afraid of hurting her, but as a full-fledged human adult, hugging tiny fairies presented a unique challenge. “I’m going to miss you, Holly,” he said, hooking his chin over her shoulder.

Hot tears stung her eyes when he used her name, and she curled her arms tighter around his neck, threading her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. “I’ll miss you too, Mud Boy.”

A few minutes later, the baffled engineers informed Artemis the ship was sound and ready to fly, to the best of their knowledge. Artemis had smirked at the phrase. He and Butler shook the strangers’ hands before boarding the ship for the final time (for two and a half years). As the two entered, a shielded Holly disembarked, grazing her friends’ elbows as she passed them. They all smiled knowing smiles as the hatch hissed shut.

Holly hovered a few feet away from the two engineers, all necks craned back to watch the launch.

Artemis had designed the tall launching platform to artificially compress a geyser beneath the ship to a meticulously timed breaking point. When the countdown on the inside of her visor reached zero, a column of water erupted from the pad, catapulting the ship into the air much like the hot air pushed a shuttle pod up a chute. One of the engineers yelped, realizing until very recently he’d been standing on all that pressurized power.

Holly waited with bated breath as the water flew hundreds of meters up before being reclaimed by gravity, waiting to see if the ship would succumb to the same fate. The craft, now but a speck in the cerulean sky, wavered for a few tense moments as gravity fought for dominance. Finally, the engine took over and the ship darted at a shocking speed up into the atmosphere.

When Artemis finally called her she was still at the launch site, lounging in a hot spring with her suit thrown over a tree branch overhead.

“I’m not even gone two hours and you’re already on vacation, commodore?” he asked. Though she’d been careful not to engage the “visual” half of the audio-visual headset, he could still hear and thus deduce where she was.

“Not even gone two hours and you’re already checking in, mud boy?” she teased.

“To be honest, I thought you would have called me an hour ago,” he said. “It was a highly unorthodox launch, Holly. The first of its kind. I thought you would, at the very least, be anxious to know we escaped Earth’s orbit unharmed.” She didn’t have to see him to know he was pouting. And he didn’t have to know she’d been monitoring every news site on or under the earth for reports of mysterious explosions in the upper atmosphere. True, she could have gotten the news straight from the horse, but she was curious how long it would take him to call her.

She shook her head with a smile. She had spoken too soon when she said she would miss him, and presumed too much when she thought even parsecs could keep Artemis Fowl and Holly Short apart.

After their chat, she received an image file. The first was a photo of Artemis and Butler in zero gravity, which she promptly saved to her home server. The second was a picture of a second self-winding spacecraft, this one named The Commodore. It came with a note. Under an address in Switzerland, Artemis had written, “In case you change your mind.”

Holly grinned.

#artemis fowl #holly short #fanfic #The Fowl Twins Spoilers #mild spoilers #last chapter

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master-ray5 · 4 years

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Fairy Tale Challenge: Miwako’s Bedtime Story

I finally got around to finishing my entry to the @fairytalechallenge. This is one of my last few fanfictions. I have other projects which need my attention and sadly fanfiction is a bit of a distraction. Enjoy this little cute story.

Picture source: http://fanartsailormoonbythaiartistfan.tumblr.com/post/135649421834/kunzite-his-child-he-embraced-his-daughter

Fanfiction link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13631011/1/Miwako-s-Bedtime-Story

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First off, here is the‌ ‌guide‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌names‌ ‌I‌ ‌use‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌Shitennou‌ ‌in‌ ‌this ‌story.‌ As they are now married men, they have taken the names of their beloved wives. Jadeite=Hino ‌Taito‌ Nephite=Kino ‌Masato‌ Zoisite=Mizuno ‌Saitou‌ ‌ Kunzite=Aino ‌Shinn‌

Also, I’m using the daughters of the Senshi introduced in the “Parallel Moon” story but I will change their names. Frankly, I find adding Jr. at the end of the names was a tad lazy writing (not even addressing how the girls all look like tiny cloned versions of their moms). So the names I use will be: Minako Jr.=Miwako Ami Jr.=Mami Rei Jr.=Reina Makoto Jr.=Makino Kousagi is still the same as it fits in the style I’m going for.

O.o.O.o.O Miwako’s Bedtime Story O.o.O.o.O Royal Advisor and Leader of the Shitennou, Kunzite had just finished a long day of diplomacy and aiding King Endymion. His wife, Lady Venus, was helping Neo-Queen Serenity with an ambassador, who was known to be very dry and boring, so his only concern for her safety was if she somehow managed to die of boredom. Despite his long day, he had managed to return to his wing of the place just in time. He had to see the other woman in his life. He opened the door to the sitting room of his wing of the palace. Upon entering this area, he no longer thought of himself as anything other than Aino Shinn, a man like any other. He was surprised to find Hilda, the housekeeper, slumped out on the couch, looking exhausted as if she just climbed Tokyo Tower with her bare hands. “Are you alright Hilda-san?” Shinn asked as he dropped his briefcase on a table and moved to check on the woman. “Sir, I thought you and I had an arrangement,” Hilda began, draping her arm over her eyes as if facing the world was too difficult. “I would continue to assist with watching the young miss when you and Lady Venus worked late but in return, you promised me you would reduce said girl’s sugar intake.” “We did,” Shinn chuckled, realizing the housekeeper was exhausted from attempting to keep track of his daughter. “She is just naturally full of energy. She gets it from her mother.” “She is exhausting is what she is,” Hilda insisted as she pulled herself off the couch and began to head towards the exit. “I highly suggest you find a convent to send her, or else she will be nothing but trouble when she is a teenager.” “Then she will be exactly like her mother. Good night Hilda-san,” Shinn snapped as he took off his jacket and undid his tie. He could tolerate Hilda insinuating his daughter was a handful but to insinuate she was anything more than a spirited child was where he drew the line. He knew very well Miwako was the spitting image of her mother and the energy she possessed would be one of her greatest gifts. Somewhat comfortable for the evening, Shinn made his way through the halls until he came across his daughter’s room. He knocked on the door before turning the handle and stepping in. “Miwako-chan, how are you?” “Venus Love Me Chain!” A voice shouted before the snap of a whip slapped against the wall and inches from Shinn’s face. Before the weapon could recoil, Shinn stepped on it and kept it in place. “Daddy! I’m trying to fight the evil guys!” Miwako insisted as she tugged at the whip to free it from her father’s foot. The comparisons to her mother were apt, as Miwako looked exactly like when Minako did as a child, even with her own red bow in her hair. Though her outfit didn’t look much like Sailor Venus, as the young girl had cobbled together a makeshift Sailor costume with an off-color skirt, part of her school uniform, and large sunglasses. “I need my weapon back!” “That will be enough of that. Where did you find this?” Shinn asked as down looked at the whip, already knowing the answer to the question. “In your and mommy’s room,” Miwako replied with a proud smile. “Do you have it in case some monsters show up before mommy can transform?” “Yyyyyyyyyes!” Shinn lied through his teeth. “That’s exactly it, honey. You are so clever.” “Ain’t I,” Miwako glowed as she continued to tug at the whip, still hoping her father would let her play with it. “Come on, let me play more.” “Sorry my little love,” Shinn insisted as he reached down, grabbed the whip, and tugged it from her hands with ease. He vowed to find a better hiding spot for the item when he had time later. “Now, why don’t you get your pajamas on and I’ll tell you a story.” “Really? MMMM….okay,” Miwako agreed before letting go of the weapon and rushing into the bathroom. In no time at all, Miwako had slipped into her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and hopped into bed. “I’m ready.” “So you are,” Shin began as he pulled the covers over Miwako’s legs and took a seat on the bed. Making sure she was comfortable, Shinn reached up to her hair and untied the bow on top. “Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wore a…” “Red riding hood,” Miwako interrupted with a smile. “I heard it before. What else you got?” “Okay…,” Shinn groaned. “There was once a selfish prince who...” “Beauty and the Beast!” Miwako yawned. Not from exhaustion but because she was not amused. “Next!” Shinn did his best to maintain his composure but just like her mother, Miwako had a way of pushing his buttons. “A girl trapped in…” “Rapunzel,” Miwako answered, not giving her father an opportunity to continue. “You need to learn some new stories, daddy.” “Fine!” Shinn hissed before taking a deep breath and managed to regain his cool. “Let’s try this. I’ll make up a story for you. Feel free to just interject any suggestions you have as I go. “Yeah,” Miwako agreed with a smile. “That does sound fun.” Shinn cleared his throat and began. “Once there was a lady named…” “Mommy!” Miwako blurted out. “Make mommy a part of the story.” “Sure why not,” Shinn smiled, admiring how much his young daughter looked up to her mother. He couldn’t help but remember how when Minako was pregnant she had been worried that her daughter would have the same strained relationship she had with her own mother. Instead, Minako was blessed as Miwako had nothing but love and respect for her. “A woman named Minako who was working as a…” “Housekeeper,” Miwako suggested. “Like Cinderella!” “So you want me to tell you Cinderella except it stars your mother?” Shinn chuckled. “Now, who’s not being original” “I’m sure we will find a way to change it,” Miwako replied as she snuggled into the covers and looked up at her father with a warm expression. “Just keep going.” Shinn shrugged, leaned against the headboard of the bed, and pulled his daughter close. “So, once upon a time, there was a woman named Minako who was working as a housekeeper for her wicked stepmother. What should we name her?” Miwako thought for a moment before she volunteered, “Beryl?” “Beryl?” Shinn’s heart skipped a beat when his daughter said the name. “Where...where did you hear that name?” “Mommy said it was the name of an evil queen who once kidnapped you, daddy,” Miwako answered as she snuggled closer to her father when she mentioned the word “kidnapped.” “They must have been really bad to kidnap you, daddy.” “You have no idea,” Shinn agreed, his heart

O.o.O.o.O The ringing of the bells of her alarm clock woke Minako up. It was a new device but the only reason she had been given such a high priced gift was to ensure she got up in time to get everything done before her stepmother, Beryl, awoke. With her father no longer around, Minako had become a slave to her widowed stepmother. “Meow” Artemis called as he jumped on Minako’s bed. He was an old pure white housecat known for keeping the mice problem at bay. He nuzzled Minako in an attempt to get her to wake up. “Oh Artemis,” Minako “How I wish you could talk, perhaps even give me a magical item which would allow me to turn into a warrior and fight for love and justice and someday even reunite with my soulmate. Oh well. I have no choice but to serve my wicked stepmother.” Minako went to work getting herself ready for the day. She combed her hair, dressed, and put on her shoes. She made her way to the kitchen and after a breakfast of crusty bread and a glass of wine, she began her duty of servitude to her wicked stepmother. She cleaned the kitchen, prepared breakfast and made sure the tray was lined up as she pushed it towards her step mother’s room. She was just about to knock when she heard a voice on the other side. “The prince is looking for a bride. I intend to use this opportunity to brainwash him,” Beryl cackled as she talked to her subordinate. “Soon Prince Kunzite will bow to me and then you will give the reward you so rightfully deserve.” “Excellent plan my lady,” Adonis Danburite commented. He had been an advisor to the Kingdom but had become sick of the way the royal family seemed to ignore any of his advice lately. Adonis had feared for his livelihood and had decided to reach out to Lady Beryl, a woman known for her sinister ways, for advice. “Oh no,” Minako gasped as she heard what her evil stepmother was planning. “I have to warn someone!” “What was that young lady?” Adonis asked as he opened the door and stared at Minako with cold eyes. “Lady Beryl. I do believe your stepdaughter has been eavesdropping on our conversation. You discipline her better.” “Your right!” Minako admitted. “I have heard what you are planning to do to Prince Kunzite and I won’t let you.” “You have been nothing but a pain since your father died!” Beryl shouted, grabbing a vase from the nearby table. Minako ducked at the last minute as the vase shattered on the wall behind her. “And I never cared for your spinach puffs! Never! Now lock her in her room so we can go take care of the prince.” Before Minako could make a break for it, Adonis grabbed her wrist and restrained her. With the help of Beryl, the two locked Minako in her room and left for the Castle. Minako tried to break down the door but no matter what she tried, it wouldn’t budge. Tired and discouraged, Minako fell on her bed and began to sweep. “Oh Artemis!” Minako cried as she felt the cat jump onto the bed. “What am I going to do? The prince is going to be corrupted and I can’t do anything about it!” “There is something you can do,” Artemis announced before he leapt into the air. In a flash of light, Artemis transformed into a man in a white suit with white long hair. “Hello Minako. I am your Fairy God Cat.” O.o.O.o.O “This sounds too much like Cinderella,” Miwako interrupted as she shifted in bed. “Change it up a bit. Also can I have a drink of water?” “Sure, one second,” Shinn replied as she got up, filled a cup in the little girl’s bathroom, and returned to the Miwako’s bed. “Also, did Cinderella have a Sailor scout in it?” “No,” Miwako answered as she took a sip of the water. “Then you haven’t heard this story before,” Shinn commented as he sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, “Now where was I?” O.o.O.o.O “My Fairy God Cat?” Minako wondered, still shocked by Artemis’ new appearance. “I wasn’t aware that was a thing.” “Well it is. I am here to give you the power you need to defeat your stepmother,” Artemis explained as he snapped his fingers. In the palm of his hand, the transformation pen of Venus formed. “Here, take this. Holdit over your head and shout “Venus Power.” It will allow you to become a warrior capable of defeating Beryl. Or at least help you break out of this room.” “If you say so. Venus power!” Minako shouted as she was surrounded by a shower of light. In the blink of an eye she transformed into Sailor Venus, but not one most people knew. Instead, she wore a yellow Sack-back gown, white gloves, white stockings, and orange glass slippers. “Incredible!” “You have become the warrior of love, Sailor Venus. Now,” Artemis clapped his hands together, getting Minako’s attention. “Point at the door and scream, “Crescent Beam!”” “Crescent Beam!” Minako yelled, A blast of energy erupted from fingertips and created a giant hole in the center of the door. “Impressive,” Artemis complimented, seeing how strong Minako was. “Now use one of the horses in the stable and ride to the castle as fast as you can.” “Wait, aren’t you coming with me?” Minako asked, stopping herself before she ran from the room. “No, I’m going to stay here,” Artemis commented as he shook his head. “That way it’s easier to tell this story. Less characters to keep track of.” O.o.O.o.O “Dad,” Miwako whined as she tugged at her father’s arm. “Well it is,” Shinn shrugged. O.o.O.o.O Making her way out of the house as fast as she could, Minako saddled her horse, Bbuttercup, and rode to the castle. When she arrived, she found the place on high alert with guards at every possible entrance. As she rode up, she was stopped by a guard with a spear. “Halt who goes there?” The soldier asked, captured by the beauty of the rider. “I am Sailor Venus, a warrior of love,” Minako announced. “I have come to save the Prince from a wicked witch who wishes to control him for her own gains.” “You are too late,” The soldier announced. “The witch was here and made off with the Prince’s...with the prince’s…” O.o.O.o.O “His smile!” Miwako suggested. “The prince’s smile?” Shinn asked, unsure of where his daughter got such a suggestion. “Yeah, I actually asked mommy once if a witch stole your smile,” Miwako admitted, as she snuggled closer to her dad. “You don’t smile that much daddy. When I asked mommy my question, she said “its because daddy is trying to be strong to protect us and only smiles when we are around.”” “Well yeah, I guess you're right,” Shinn agreed, a bit disheartened. He had heard the comments by social media and online articles. “Lord Kunzite is so cold.” “What does a warm person like Lady Venus see in someone like Lord Kunzite?” “Instant credits to anyone who gets a picture of Lord Kunzite smiling.” Saito had made the joke once, “You have a resting angry face.” He didn’t do it intentionally. It often became focused when at work and often forgot to smile. “Daddy will try to smile more around you and your mother.” “It’s okay daddy,” Miwako insisted, resting her head on her father’s chest. “I don't mind. I know you have to be strong because you have to protect me and mommy from monsters.” “Your mother has fought even more monsters, little Miwako, “ Shinn lamented as he thought about how many battles his wife had fought over the years and how it seemed he could only do so much to help. Yet, through all of it, she somehow managed to keep a smile on her face. It was part of what made them so strong as a couple. Kunzite helped his wife stay focused and Minako helped her husband find joy. “I will find a way to try and smile more. Anyways, let’s see, after she heard about the Prince…,” O.o.O.o.O “She must have escaped to the family cabin on the coast,” Minako announced as she rode as fast as she could towards her destination. “I will make sure to save the Prince.” Minako made it to the coast in less than an hour and dismounted the horse on a hill which allowed her to look down at the cabin. She noticed a light in the window. “Time to bust in and save the day,” Minako announced to herself. “I hate to burst your bubble,” Adonis growled as she snuck up behind her, grabbed her wrists, and bound them with a chain. “But you are caught.” “Oh come on,” Minako groaned as Adonish dragged her to the cabin. Soon, Minako was kneeling in front of her stepmother who sat in a chair by a roaring fire, holding a glowing pink gem. “Welcome dear stepdaughter,” Beryl called as she caressed the gem with her fingers. “This is what you came for. The emotions of the young prince. His youthful energy and his very happiness is here in my finger tips.” “Give it to me,” Minako demanded as she tried to struggle against her shackles. “What are you hoping?” Beryl asked, shaking her head at Minako. “Give this back to the prince and he will fall in love with you at first sight? Such a way of starting a relationship will only end in dirovce or having a relationship with your riding instructor “Well I thought I would use returning his happiness as more of an icebreaker, then maybe go for tea,” Minako speculated. “Take it one step at time, might try wine tasting,” “Silence!” Beryl roared, “I don’t care to hear about your ridiculous plans which are never going to come true anyways. Now turn to stone!” With a wave of her hand, Beryl cast a spell on Minako causing her body to slowly turn to stone. The spell started at her feet, moved to her legs, and had soon turned her lower half into stone. It looked like she was at the end of her rope. O.o.O.o.O “Oh no!” Miwako cried as she sat up in bed and looked her father in the eyes with concern. “How is she going to get out of this?” “Yes, how would she get out?” Shinn wondered aloud. Truth be told he never was one for creative works. He was more the logistic one of the group. Saitou had written a few novels and Taito managed to fill an entire wing of a museum with his work as a painter over the years. Shinn’s most creative work was when he had a chance to enjoy photography every once in a blue moon. Even then, they were mostly landscaping shots and times Minako felt photogentc. He was at a loss of how to save his wife in this imaginary story he was telling. “How would you end the story?” “Well she needs help,” Miwako decided, putting a finger to her chin like she was truly contemplating what should happen next. “Someone who could save her. Um..I know! What if Mini Sailor Venus came to help.” “Mini Sailor Venus?” Shinn chuckled, realizing Miwako was talking about herself. “So you are going to save your mom? Sure, why not.” O.o.O.o.O “Hold it right there Beryl!” A voice announced from the entrance to the cabin. Standing there was a smaller version of Sailor Venus. “I am Mini Sailor Venus! In the name of Future Venus, I’ll punish you with the power of love! Catch mom!” “Mom?” Minako wondered as the smaller version of her threw a bottle. The projectile hit her stone legs, broke, and covered her with a glimmering blue liquid. The liquid instantly turned her legs back to normal. Able to stand, Minako leapt away from Beryl and Adonis and stood close to Mini Sailor Venus. “I never gave birth to you.” “Not yet you haven’t,” Mini Sailor Venus explained as she pulled out a key she just happened to have on hand and unlocked Minako’s manacles. “I have come from the future to not only help you escape and return the prince’s happiness, but also I have come to help to tell you Beryl’s secret weakness.” O.o.O.o.O “Secret Weakness?” Shinn asked, unsure of what his daughter was talking about. “I wasn’t aware Beryl had a secret weakness. What is it?” “Shiitake mushrooms!” Miwako shivered at the thought of them. “She’ll eat them and immediately pass out because of the bad taste.” “Shiitake mushrooms?” Shinn smirked as he shook his head. “You are so your mother’s daughter. Okay, Mini-Sailor Venus, having brought shiitake mushrooms, threw one into Beryl’s mouth with a single elegant toss. Beryl, overwhelmed by the terrible taste, fainted and was no longer a threat. Wait, how would they beat Adonis?” “Simple! Twin Crescent Beams!” Miwako cried, bouncing to her feet, and recreating her mother’s attack. “Crescent Beam! BOOM! And then he explodes into a billion pieces!” “Okay, okay settle down,” Shinn appealed, pulling his daughter to the bed and tucking her back under the covers. “So with Adonis and Beryl defeated, Sailor Mini-Venus returned to the future and Sailor Venus returned the prince’s happiness. Back to normal, Prince Kunzite was ever grateful to Minako. The two started dating, eventually leading to them getting married, and having a beautiful girl named Miwako. The end.” “I liked that story,” Miwako admitted as she slowly started to fall asleep. The sudden burst of action to recreate the Crescent Beam had been the last of the energy the little girl had in her reserves. Her eyes fluttered in a desperate attempt to stay open. “Hey, papa...How was the real Queen Beryl defeated? “She…,” Shinn stopped himself as he remembered witnessing the incident through a psychic sensation despite being locked in the form of a stone. The image of Minako plunging her sword into the witch's stomach. O.o.O.o.O It was not until years after his return, on the night of their wedding she confessed her dark secret. After making love and consummating their marriage, a dark expression crossed his new wife’s face, as she felt the need to confess to her husband. “There’s something I promised I’d tell you when we were married,” Minako admitted as she looked down and buried her face in her Shinn’s chest, a bit afraid of how he would react. "The fight with Queen Beryl. I...I was happy I killed her. I still am and I hate that I am." “Never feel a shred of guilt or shame for ridding the world of that monster,” Shinn answered as she wrapped his arms around his bride. “You did what you had to. We are warriors. Our hands have to be dirty so the innocent will not have to suffer under the darkness. Also, I want you to remember, there is nothing you can ever do to make me stop loving you.” O.o.O.o.O “They beat her with teamwork,” Shinn answered with a little white lie. It was as much of an answer he felt Miwako was able to handle. It was half true as part of how the Sailor Senshi had been able to defeat Beryl. “All thanks to your mom leading the way.” “Hmm, Mommy’s awesome,” Miwako hummed as she laid her head on her father’s chest and drifted off to sleep. Shinn stayed by the girl’s side and gently stroked her hair. He was so lost in the moment he didn’t even hear the door open or see a familiar figure approach until the newcomer was at the edge of the bed. “I go away for the evening only to find you in bed with another woman,” Minako teased low enough so as not to wake Miwako. “Did you two have fun?” “What can I say she has a hold on me,” Shinn admitted, as he admired how good his wife looked in the dinner gown she had worn when she aided the Queen. Part of him wanted to have some alone time with his beloved, but he didn’t dare move and disturb Miwako’s sleep. “A power over me I can’t and don’t wish to fight. Just like her mother.” “She’s adorable,” Minako whispered as she slid into bed and snuggled against Shinn’s other shoulder. “She’s the only woman I could ever see sharing you with.” “That makes you a better person than me,” Shinn whispered back as he wrapped his other arm around his drowsy wife and pulled her close. “I could never share you with another man.” “Actually there is another man,” Minako sighed as she took a hold of his wrist. She brought his hand to her stomach and rubbed it affectionately in circles. “And you’ll meet him in a few months.” Shinn’s eyes became wide as he realized what his wife meant but he made no response. He dared not wake the sleepy blondes in his arms. Instead, the stoic man laid his head back, pulled his family close and smiled wide, feeling blessed he lived in a reality where he was able to tell them Fairy Tales. O.o.O.o.O In “Parallel Sailor Moon'' a few things were added to the mythology of the franchise. First off the girls getting married and having kids who look a lot like them (the Juniors). It is also implied in the comic, all of the men who married the Senshi took part in Mukoyoshi (Adopted son in law”) and took the family name of their wives when they got married. Hence, Shinn would become Aino Shinn. Also, I wanted to try and recreate that family picture that exists online of Minako, Kunzite, Minako Jr., and a tiny boy with white hair standing together as I really think it’s the ending Minako always deserved in the end. Thanks to Knowall7 for being my Beta.

#sailor moon #sailor moon fanfiction #sailor venus #kunzite #Minaxkun

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