#i did not add this bc i felt like it was already too lengthy

[unexpectedbrickattack]

Does Peppino actively enjoy using himself as a subject or does he just use it for marketing? What other things does he usually like to draw or make? Is he a wood carver? I can see him as a wood carver

Oh this is interesting; ive been stuck on this for a little bit. The needle swings between yes and no mid response lol. I think he enjoys being able to use his likeness for marketing, but less so for personal, artistic use. It feels obvious to use ur own face and/or name for ur business (one that u put so much blood sweat n tears in) but he doesnt feel compelled to draw himself. There is a level of self awareness(?) i think u have to have to even desire depicting oneself in art and i think he would be too focused on his failing business to start that process. He has more important things to do. But on the flipside; i think he would look at his own creations (for his business) and regard them as reminders of his failures. So he wouldnt have the best opinion of himself.

But! i think he would enjoy others depictions of his likeness. Despite his awkwardness, he enjoys putting on a show, he enjoys performing to some degree, he likes entertaining a crowd. He feeds off of positive attention (like most people do) even if it leaves him a little flustered. People take pictures of him and he smiles earnestly. He doesnt have the words for it, but it is grounding to see himself outside of his business and existing outside of his failures.

This obv gets better postgame as he gets more support for his business. But also, as Pepperman starts to take genuine interest in his form to use as a muse. It is the perfect balance of him enjoying being an art subject, without him having to Make the art. And tying his visage to a now profitable, successful shop, makes him feel a bit better about seeing his own caricature on the storefront. I can see him in Peppermans studio being convinced to draw himself on canvas, and instead of his usual caricature style, it is an attempt at realism with him waving hi towards the ‘camera’, which is a nice contrast to Peppermans first picture of Peppino looking very blue and very sad. Pepperman is delighted lol look at his muse branching out !!!! Pepperman does not do this for anyone but he lets Peppino take the picture home with him (‘But you must promise to give me a copy of this to hang in my studio 😊 PROMISE ME-‘)

And yes, Peppino wood carves bc Peshino is a wood carved toy!! Hes got some bits in him to let him move around w a simple wind up mechanism. I dont think Peppino would do this in his free time prior to postgame, but as he gets more (positive) time to himself, he starts to take up some easy crafts. Wood carving when hes home and watching tv, and sculpting/painting when hes at Peppermans studio.

#chattin #answered #peppino #heehee thank u so much for this; it really scratched a good itch on my brain #i am sorry but if u ask about Art and Depiction of the Self #well u are simply opening the doors for the autsim to crawl out #i did not add this bc i felt like it was already too lengthy #but the reason he even does the logo and peshino design is bc i hc him as a bit of an artist in his youth!! #so it was something that was nutured and encouraged #but at some point it shifted and it was no longer a form of expression #and simply a Skill he had to make life easier (why hire an artist if i can just do it myself?) #but he gets some of that love back postgame :)

[eikonbound]

I've been tossing the idea of writing Barnabas around in my head for a while and I came to realize that I am interested in writing him, but his story arc in the game makes me soooo miffed. I wanted him to have more autonomy in the game. I wish that, even if he did have faith in a higher power of some sort, he hadn't totally acquiesced to it. I really wanted Barnabas to be the Big Baddie in the story and be motivated by the fact that he truly does believe he's ultimately doing right by the world.

I'm going to put this under a read more bc my thoughts got lengthy.

I'm going to add him to my muse list but stick to a specific verse where:

He was still born in the outer continents and, along with his mother, was a follower of the Circle of Malius.

They still relocated to Ash as the blight spread and joined other followers of the Circle of Malius who were already there.

But unlike other Dominants who awaken with their Eikon, Odin is more like Anima from FFX, where Seymour's mother sacrificed herself (against Seymour's wishes actually) so she could become an aeon.

In Barnabas' situation, Odin is an Eikon who the Circle of Malius believes can only be awakened by offering a sacrifice from the potential Dominant -- the stronger the connection, the more likely it is that Odin will choose that person as his Dominant. But according to their legend it doesn't always work; Odin may not see them as worthy or strong enough. And in those cases, there have been followers who sacrificed multiple loved ones (most of the time willingly, sometimes not) in the hopes of becoming a Dominant only to be refused each time. It's been many, many years since Odin has deemed someone a worthy Dominant, to the point where some people wonder if it ever truly happened at all or if it's just the stuff of legends.

I think maybe Barnabas' mother sensed something very strong and resilient in her son that made her think he had a good chance of being chosen by Odin. It was probably something she put off for as long as she could for the sake of raising her son. But once the conflict between the religious factions grew too dangerous, she wanted him to have a fighting chance. She would rather die in service of her religion and her son, even if it wasn't a guarantee, rather than the way she died in canon.

Similar to his canon story (according to Ultimania lore, since I like drawing from some of it!) he was 18 when she died. Unlike Seymour who was staunchly against his mother sacrificing herself to become an aeon, I think by the time Barnabas was 12 or 13 he understood the teachings well enough, and his mother well enough, to see that she would do anything to keep him alive. And I'm sure that he himself also felt the potential to offer something greater for his religion and peers.

So when his mother realizes their time has run out, he sacrifices her as an offering to Odin, who miraculously does grant his wish and chooses Barnabas to be his Dominant. Unlike Anima, his mother does not become Odin herself -- the Eikon is his own essence. His mother served as proof that he would give up even his most beloved relationship to act in service of the Eikon.

He still creates Sleipnir at this time. I'm not 100% sure what I want to do as far as how that pact was created between them but I like the idea of Sleipnir still being his closest advisor & confidant, and extremely important to Barnabas/Waloed as a whole.

And since the followers of the religion have been waiting for someone to be chosen as Odin's Dominant, they very eagerly follow his lead as Barnabas begins the process of taking over territories in Ash.

He already has a p big ego and superiority complex in canon (he is a King after all) and I could see him having been chosen by Odin in this verse being a reason why he wouldn't bend a knee to a god. I think he'd be more likely to try and become one himself.

I definitely have blank spots to fill in, such as why Barnabas stopped aging at a certain point, what Sleipnir's presence as Odin's steed means personally to Barnabas, and what his overall plans are for how he envisions himself granting the world salvation. I'm sure Ultima will have something to do with all of this but I really don't want to write Barnabas as a conduit for Ultima, simply doing his bidding and being manipulated by him. I'm also not sure how I want to integrate the Mythos aspect to it (though I think it could be v fun to plot out!) so that's a WIP for sure.

I normally don't write my muses in a way where I would only write them in a specific verse; I love being able to plop them in various ones and see how it goes. But the canon version of Barnie's story is so meh to me so I'm putting this out there in case anyone is interested! And I'd love to do more world building for individual plots with partners where the verse I've created for Barnabas can work with their HCs for their muse.

I figure he'll be a separate category muse on my page (request? guest? idk I'll figure it out) with an asterisk that makes it clear I'm only writing him with major changes to his background. I'll add all of this to a verse page for him soon and fill in those blanks as time goes on :3 Thank u for reading about my new terrible equestrian muse.

#excited & a lil nervous to write him but mostly excited! #lmk if you're interested and we can plot together :^) #also i'm gonna take a small nap & do some writing here later! #ch: barnabas #hc: barnabas

[abbacchiosbelt]

hello! could i ask 1 or 38 from the prompt list with gyro? you decide which one bc i can’t 😭 thank you!!

38 — Everyone thinks we’re already dating, but we’re just best friends- oh wait...

“You’ve got to be kiddin’ me, Gyro,” Johhny says, exasperated. “You still haven’t asked ‘em out?” 

Gyro shoots Johnny a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. “We’re just really good friends. What if I ask them out and I mess up our friendship?”

Johnny rolls his eyes. “Since when have you ever been scared of somethin’ like that?” He purses his lips as he stares down Gyro. “You must really like them, huh?”

“You think they know?” Gyro says. Johnny gives him a withering look that tells Gyro all he needs to know - it was obvious to everyone but them. “I’m working on it, I just need a little more time.”

---

“Gyro and I have been close friends for so long... You really think he wants to date me?”

Your friend Hot Pants - affectionately referred to as HP by your group of friends - takes a long sip of her coffee as she considers your question. She tilts her head as she sets her cup down. “You mean you two weren’t already dating?”

“Wh— No! What gave you that idea?” You exclaim, heart thumping in your chest. It wasn’t the worst thing to hear, but had your friends really been getting the wrong impression the whole time? If so, what did that say about you and Gyro?

“Diego says you two are stuck together like glue - he says Gyro is always giving you a ‘disgusting’ googly-eyed look when you’re not looking, and vice versa.” HP’s direct way of speaking left no room to argue. “‘Disgusting’ were his words, not mine.” She assures, the smallest hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Well, I could have sworn you two were together...”

HP lets her voice trail off as she goes back to sipping her coffee and reading the book in front of her, leaving you to wonder if maybe you hadn’t been making up those fleeting touches and hidden smiles between you and Gyro after all. Before you can talk yourself out of it, you text a quick message to him asking to meet up. While normally you would shoot off a text to your best friend with no issue, this time your meeting would be different.

---

Time passes slowly as you wait for Gyro in one of the parks located near your apartment buildings, which is where you had met so long ago. You’d lucked into a combination of cheap rent and great neighbors for the price of being 25 minutes out from the city. Your mind wonders until you hear a familiar voice calling your name, prompting you to stand up.

“Buonasera!” Gyro exclaims. He seems unusually full of energy. You move forward to hug him as you usually do, warmth and comfort spreading through your body as Gyro’s strong arms wrap around you. His signature cologne, smelling strongly of tonka beans, lavender, and basil adds another layer of comfort to the hug. When you finally pull away from each other - your lengthy hug exceeding the time of two people who were just friends - you can feel your face heating up.

You’ve never felt this way around him before, like you were greeting a lover instead of your very best friend. The idea had played around in your mind, but you’d never indulged in it until just now. Gyro grins, dropping his arms from you slowly.

“You won’t believe what Johnny told me today,” Gyro starts as he walks towards the bench you were sitting on. He waits until you’re both seated until he continues, eyes bright. You don’t miss how his foot is tapping insistently on the ground, which was odd - Gyro wasn’t usually a nervous person. “He thought we were dating. Isn’t that funny?”

You let out a strained chuckle, the words sounding all too familiar. “Well, then you’re not gonna believe what HP told me.” Gyro leans in, eyes wide. “She and Diego thought we were dating. Pretty funny, huh?”

Gyro chuckles, soft, and looks away from you. “Yeah, funny, huh...”

An awkward silence fills the air. You and Gyro always had something to talk about, but the tension in the air was too thick to cut through without discussing the matter at hand. Gyro wasn’t a traditional sort of person, so maybe he wouldn’t mind if you brought things up - besides, he was your best friend. Even if he didn’t reciprocate, he’d understand. 

You blurt out your next words, unable to stop once you start. “But, that wouldn’t be so bad, would it? If we were dating. I mean, so many people already think we are - not just our closest friends, but strangers too when we go out together! That’s got to mean something, right? We would—”

Gyro puts a single finger in front of your lips in a shushing motion, grinning. He leans forward until he’s almost nose to nose with you. “Can I kiss you?”

“Wh, I mean, yes! Ple—” Gyro cuts you off again as he presses his full lips to yours, gentle but sensual. One of his hands comes up to cup your cheek as he deepens the kiss, only pulling back when both of you are nearly breathless. 

“I was going to say the same thing, but you got to it first, nyo-ho,” Gyro leans back, his hand not leaving your cheek. “At this point, I don’t think I need to say it, but...”

“Would you like to go out with me?”

#my writing #jjba #steel ball run #gyro zeppeli #writing prompt #fluff #gyro zeppeli x reader #modern au #Anonymous #in case ur wondering gyro is wearing 'barbershop' by maison margiela

[for-ests]

Always Enough- Peter Parker x Reader

Okay so this imagine was an anon request that I had previously posted, but I accidentally deleted. I didn't mean to, so here’s a re-upload. Happy finals & sorry my dumbass clicked the wrong button on tumblr mobile because im stupid

Summary (bc the request deleted w/ the post): The reader realizes she had been neglecting Peter because she was stressed over school. Peter thinks there might be another reason because she has become distant. Confrontation and angst follows!

Word count: 2, 360

✭♡✭♡✭♡✭

Finals were a killer, especially for a nursing major like yourself. The stress of it all made you want to curl up into a ball and cry. Cry for hours until you couldn't cry no more. 

But that wasn't an option. What you dreamed of becoming, something simple, yet incredibly difficult, was growing out of reach. Your hours of studying had led you nowhere, only to barely tangible grades. Grades that were barely above average. You were disappointed, discouraged, and running out of options.

What else would you do with your life? Becoming a nurse was the only thing you had ever wanted to be, it was all you knew. Ever since aliens rained in the sky, your only motive was to help the ones who couldn't help themselves. But how could you ever hope to do that when you couldn't pass biochem?

What didn't help your anxious mind was the house you had to stress over, and your minimum wage restaurant job that didn't add to your required expertise. Tears welled in your eyes as you remembered you had to lay a payment down on your ever-increasing student loans. Maybe college wasn't for you. Perhaps it was never meant to be. Your summer money was running out and fast.

Just breathe. You repeated. I don't have time to cry.

You could cry after you studied. And right now, you had barely glanced at your flashcards for more than ten minutes. It seemed like you were paralyzed, sitting in bed with your flashcards scattered around you, all of them laid out and waiting for involvement.

Just as you were about to pick up the first card, your phone buzzed beside you. Instinctively, you glanced at it, your heart dropping when you saw Peter's name flash across the screen.

Date. You had a date night, and you forgot.

"Fuck!" You cursed out loud, the tears you had tried so hard to control seeming to burst over your eyelids. How could you forget?

Peter: I'll be there in 15 minutes :D

You replied immediately, glancing at yourself in the phone's reflection. You looked terrible and distraught beyond compare.

Y/N: Peter…im so sorry I forgot, i'm not ready

Peter: oh

Y/N: i have a huge exam soon, maybe its for the best that we rain check? i'm sorry I know ive done this before but im really stressed about it

Peter: we havent talked for days, y/n, i think theres more going on than what youre telling me

Y/N: what? of course not wtf

Peter: im coming over anyways, ill be there soon

Y/N: why?

Peter: we have to talk.

Your heart dropped down to your stomach. Those words were what you had been dreading, and all focus you had managed to gather vanished into thin air. You knew you had been neglecting Peter's affections. Even if every fiber in your being wanted to make him the single most important thing in your life.

It had been almost a week since you'd seen him, and honestly, it was painful in the most innocent way.

But Peter didn't have to worry like you did. He was gifted and already had his entire life ahead of him, set in the middle of Stark industries. But you never asked for a handout, you never asked for help. Even though you knew he was the smartest young man around. You were proud to be his, and the thought of that disappearing was more detrimental to you that failing your upcoming exam.

Y/N: ok, front door is open

Tears were rolling down your cheeks at this point. You had been with Peter for over a year and had gone without seeing him for longer, but he was right. This time was different. This was the third date you had canceled without wanting to, but sometimes apologizing wasn't enough. Peter deserved a lengthy explanation of what you were really going through.

You were so used to holding back your emotions, that times like this were an occasional reoccurrence. You had always been so afraid of unloading your burdens onto others that you still sometimes forgot that having a boyfriend came with that perk. He was still going to love and cherish you if you asked for help and advice. Hell, you needed to realize that he wanted to.

That was a factor of why you were so in love with Peter. He always listened, and sometimes, even push the truth out of you when he could tell you needed it.

"You're already crying, huh." A sad smile was on Peter's face as he opened the door. His sudden appearance startled you, and you managed to chuckle despite the circumstances.

"You know me." You sniffled, immediately embarrassed by the state he had caught you in. Instinctively, you brushed your hair to the side and dabbed the tears from under your eyes. You could feel the remnants of Make-up drying to your skin.

"I didn't mean to ruin your study-"

"But we need to talk." You finished, shoving your school supplies to the edge of the bed. You made enough room, so he was able to sit comfortably.

Slightly embarrassed, you kept your gaze averted as best as you could. Just Peter's presence made your heart flutter, and a part of you was trying to prepare for the worst. You might really lose him this time. And for what? Yes, school was incredibly important, so, so important. But so was Peter, and you needed to find a balance.

Your silence was enough to beckon Peter's thoughts into the open.

"I just need to make sure you're still serious… about us." His voice was soft as if it was struggling to stay neutral.

Finally, gaining the courage to look at him, you locked eyes. Peter's gaze was heavy and forthcoming, and it took all of your willpower to swallow the knot in your throat.

"Of course, I am." The conviction was entirely evident in your tone. So much so, that Peter fell silent. His accusations seemed to die in his throat, but he knew that if he didn't get them out now, they would creep back to him later.

"It's hard to tell sometimes," Peter muttered, unable to gaze at your confused expression. You looked so hurt.

Your silence beckoned him to continue.

"I haven't properly talked with you in a week. You've canceled our last three dates… it seems like you never want to hang out with me anymore."

Peter winced. He was a grown man, and he sounded like a child. Yet, he had let so many things slide, hoping you would come around, hoping you would make it up to him. Perhaps he had been selfish to only think of himself in the relationship. He failed to realize that maybe in attempts to please him, you were putting your own future on the line. 

"I know you're going through a lot, but you can't even seem to talk about it." Peter's shoulders felt tense, his eyebrows knitting together in an agitated expression. His leg was bouncing up and down uncontrollably. He looked like he was about to burst.

"I'm sorry." You said, trying to swallow the knot in your throat. Pausing, you tried to gather your thoughts into cohesive sentences that would soothe his anxious mind.

"There's nobody else, right?" He suddenly blurted, actually turning his head to look at you. Insecurity was glazed in his eyes for the first time.

"Why would you even think that?" You said, startled. The question felt as if he had shoved your head underwater and held it there just long enough for you to choke on the liquid.

His expression was blank for the first time. Vulnerability at its finest. "My life isn't perfect, you know. I overthink just like you. I need reassurance."

Peter was so calm, so calm that it worried you. Though you were already afraid of how this conversation would go, it hurt you to realize that this conversation was the result of your actions. You failed to make Peter feel special like you had promised. Like he had promised you. Relationships go both ways, and for the last couple of weeks, it had only gone one.

"No, Peter. There will never be anyone else."

He sighed, relaxing slightly. "You've been acting weird. I don't really know what to think."

"I told you a billion times, I'm studying. After work, that's literally all I do. And I need to focus."

"I feel like there's more. It feels weird to not see a text from you when I wake up. It feels weird to not hear your voice. I don't… I don't like it, Y/N. Even if that's selfish."

And selfish it was. Peter expected you to be transparent while he was hiding possibly the biggest secret in the world. Maybe that was why he was so worried about how much you loved him. Peter wanted to be honest with you. He wanted you to know he was spider-man, but right now, he still couldn't bring himself to. Perhaps he was looking for a reason.

"I'm sorry." Your hands were clenched in your lap. "I've never had to deal with this before. Everything is so new, even if we've been together for a year. I've never cared about anyone like this, and I can't manage my time."

Peter paused as if every word in this conversation pained him to no end. His eyes were glossy, his mind unclear. He was desperately trying to understand why you were isolating himself. "You can't make any time for me?"

"That's the thing, I can't focus on anything else when I'm with you." Your lip quivered. "And that's a problem."

"It's not for me." He said quickly. "I make time for you, and you don't for me. And you need to tell me why."

You glanced away, embarrassed. No matter what you said, the reason wouldn't be good enough. You were just a bad girlfriend.

Peter reached his hand out and pulled you to him. You rested your chin upon his shoulder, soothed to feel his warmth once again. "You need to tell me, Y/N. We've made it work for this long, and all of a sudden, it stopped."

Your body started to shake. Trying to muffle your sob, you brought your hand to your mouth. It was all too much.

"-You have your whole life together, Peter. I have nothing, I still have to work for it. I'm not as smart as you, I'm-"and that's when the tears started to flow. It was a literal flood, tear after tear poured over your eyelids until they were bloodshot, until pressure pounded through your head.

Before you could finish, your face was pressed against Peter's chest. He held you tightly, his sweatshirt dabbing up your tears of sorrow. You gripped tightly to him, releasing the stress that had been building up inside of you for the last two weeks.

He did not know what else to do. Showing you that he loved you seemed like the most viable option. Sometimes all you had to do was listen, and that was enough.

"I got a bad grade on my midterm exam, one that I didn't study for because I spent my time with you—I thought-"

"Shh." He stroked your hair, understanding what you meant without a complete explanation.

"I work so hard, and it's never enough-"

"It's always enough, Y/N."

"I got so caught up in it that I neglected you in the process. So much so that you thought I was cheating on you" you inhaled sharply, whimpering against him, so many different emotions swirling through your mind. "You're the best thing in my life, and I put you second…"

"Look at me, Y/N." He cupped your cheeks in a swift movement, forcing you to look at him through tear-filled eyes. "You are enough for me. That's why I bothered to have this conversation with you. That's why I care." He pressed his lips against your forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too, Peter." You tilted your head up to kiss him wholly on the lips. You were a mess, but Peter had always told you that you looked beautiful when you cried.

"Rosy cheeks." He whispered, patting down your hair, inhaling your scent, and appreciating the beauty you constantly radiated.

You chuckled, sniffling loudly. Peter always said that after you had a successful mental break down, your cheeks brandished a rosy shade.

"Shut up." You whispered, tightening your grip around his torso. His back fell against your bed, and you shifted to lay completely on top of him. The firmness of his chest underneath you caused instant relaxation, instant relief. Maybe, just maybe, being in his presence was enough to get rid of the stress from everyday life.

The corners of your eyes were raw and red, yet it complimented your shade. Peter vowed from the moment he had met you, that he would never let any harm come to you. The last thing Peter had ever expected was that he might be the reason, instead of the world.

At least, for now, he had the power to fix it. You were the love of his life, and he had never felt so gratified to be in anyone else's presence.

Peter's fingers traced light, small circles on your back. He could hear your heartbeat slow. The softness of your finger against his was enough to help him close his eyes.

He was at peace, real peace for the first time in weeks.

"We need to remind ourselves to talk about shit more." You mumbled sleepy, almost inaudible. "So this doesn't happen again, because I hate it."

"Me too, babe." He whispered, content with watching you rise and fall in sync with his breathing.

"I couldn't bear to lose you."

#tom holland x reader #peter parker x reader #peter parker fanfiction #peter parker imagine #peter parker

[angelic-holland]

Dirty Shirley // th x fem!reader

request by @barnes-parker :  hey! can i request for a tom holland x reader? reader is part of the mcu cast, and they all went out to eat dinner after filming for endgame. reader just turned legal age (is it 18?) so they drank afterwards, to celebrate her legality. since it’s her first time drinking she went a bit overboard but tom took care of her. fluff pls!

Summary: Basically above ^ 

Okay so I made the reader Scott Lang’s daughter (Cassie) shoutout to the actress who played her in the movie but for the sake of the one shot the reader will be playing her :), reader is turning 21, so she’s a little bit closer to Tom’s age and that is the legal drinking age in the US where they filmed Endgame I also just recently celebrated my birthday and got way too drunk so I made it a little more fluffy than the reader just getting sick from drinking bc those memories yoinks

Warnings: drinking

Word count: 2.5k

“You know what we should do?” Paul asks.

“What?” You laugh as you, Evangeline and him had just wrapped on your small scene at the end of the movie.

“Celebrate! You turned 21 the other day! And didn’t tell us! We can all go out to dinner if you want,” Paul says as you all walk towards your trailers.

“What do you mean by all of us? Like the three of us?”

“Well Tom, Jacob, Chadwick, a few other people are here filming so we can see if they want to come with?” Paul asks, coming to a stop at his trailer.

“Oh, I mean, we don’t have to, that’s, I don’t want to bother them.”

“I’ll see who’s interested,” Paul says, entering his trailer and leaving you and Evangeline to walk towards your own.

“You know, if he was smarter he’d know you have a little crush on Tom.”

You felt yourself blush and stutter, “pssh, no,I, I hardly know him, we’ve met like three times.”

‘Yeah but he’s pretty charming isn’t he?”

“Ugh, I just, don’t want them to feel like they’re forced to come celebrate with me when they don’t know me like at all, you know?”

“But, no matter the size of your role in the movie, you’re still here, you’re still a member of the cast.” “I guess.”

“Just, let’s see what Paul can do okay?”

You nod as you come to a stop at her trailer, she hugs you and you walk the rest of the way to your trailer. You’ve only been here for a few days, just two small scenes to film, it’s been a really great experience so far though.

You decide to wear something really nice, a pretty A-line black dress, the edges adorned with lace. You fix up your hair, curl it a little, keeping the makeup they put on you for the scenes, much better than anything you could do yourself.

You hear a knock on the door as you’re getting your purse together. You open it and are greeted by Paul and Evangeline who both had changed into nice formal clothes.

“You look beautiful birthday girl,” Evangeline says, hugging you.

“Okay, so I was able to get us a spot at a really nice restaurant downtown, our reservation’s in like thirty minutes,” Paul says as you all walk out of the trailer lot towards the parking lot.

“How’d you manage that?” “Pulled a few strings,” he says with a shrug.

“Were you able to uh, invite anyone else?”

He frowns and you know you’re about to be disappointed, no matter how unreasonable it was for all these famous actors to drop everything to hang out with you on your birthday.

“I’m sorry, they’re all pretty busy, but hey, I think we’re a pretty fun bunch,” Paul says, swinging his arm around your shoulder as they reach his car.

****

Paul gives his name at the restaurant and the hostess leads you to the back of the restaurant, towards a private room.

“Wait, what’s the private room for?” You ask, turned towards Paul and Evangeline as the hostess pushes the door open.

“SURPRISE!” you hear a group of people shout and you turnaround, eyes widening as you take in the group of people sitting around the large table.

“Paul, Evangeline, I thought you said, said nobody could make it,” you stutter, blushing a little as they guide you to sit down at the head of the table.

“Yeah well, we lied.”

You shake your head, hoping you’re not blushing too hard as you look around the table, filled with people you’ve met in person before, Tom, Scarlett, Chris Evans, Don, Brie, a few people you’ve never met in person but have wanted to, Jacob, Chadwick, Mark. You were in awe of how they all showed up to your little party.

“I, uhm, thank you guys, for coming, this is uh, pretty cool,” you laugh.

“Of course, wouldn’t want to pass up the opportunity to celebrate someone’s 21st birthday,” Tom speaks up, he’s sitting on one side of you, Evangeline on the other.

“Thanks,” you smile at him, quickly looking away because you know if you look for much longer you could get lost in his smile or his eyes and you don’t want to be any more awkward than you already are.

****

You all had a fun dinner, everyone talking amongst themselves, talking to you, you telling different stories about your time on set and auditioning and joking about the Russo Brothers.

You had thanked everyone, a few of them staying back, saying they wanted to buy you a few drinks for your 21st if you wanted to, which you happily agreed to. You’ve never really drunk before, other than a few sips of your parents wine at dinner or parties. You were sitting at the bar with Tom and Jacob, Evangeline sitting a few seats down, she told you as you were all leaving the private room that she’d be there to take you back to your trailer but she’d let you spend some time with ‘those two cuties’ before you left.

“So, you said you did musical theater before, right?” Jacob asks as you wait for your drinks.

“Yeah, I was in a few shows on Broadway before auditioning for Endgame. I’ve been doing theatre all my life and I thought that acting on TV or in movies might be a fun change of pace.”

“What did you do on Broadway?” Tom asks as the bartender sets down your drinks, Tom called them ‘dirty shirleys’, explaining they were basically just Shirley Temples with vodka. He preferred beer but this was his guilty pleasure drink.

“Uh, I was in a few ensemble casts before I got cast as Wendla in Spring Awakening.”

“Wait, did you play her in 2015?”

“Yes?”

“Holy shit, I saw you, I went to see Spring Awakening then, I stood outside the cast doors like a dork and got pictures with everyone.”

“Sorry, I totally don’t remember you,” you laugh, people did that after every single show and you never remembered their faces.

“No, that’s totally fine I’m sure I was a total nerd but that was such a good show, you were amazing.”

“Thanks,” you blush, taking a sip of your drink. It was really fruity, tasted almost exactly like a Shirley Temple, a little bit of a kick which had to be the vodka.

“So how do you like acting in movies compared to acting in theatre?” Jacob asks.

“I mean, I know you guys probably love doing movies and acting in front of a camera but, gonna be honest, I like theatre more. Maybe because I like the pressure of having to do it perfectly in front of a live audience, I don’t get multiple takes and editing to make everything look perfect. In theatre, that’s on you.”

“Yeah, I mean the process can be so long though, I don’t know, I guess I’m basing it off of my experience with Billy Elliot but that was ages ago and most of it was dance training,” Tom adds.

“Yeah, I mean, the rehearsal process can be lengthy, more so for shows like that that requires a deep knowledge of dance especially ballet and aero, whereas with shows I’ve been in, there’s dancing but it’s mainly typical musical theatre dancing. We’d have rehearsal eight hours a day, every single day a week, 7 days a week for a few months, and then we’d have our show. So I guess it just depends on the show you do, if you’re touring, stuff like that.”

“Sounds like you’re very passionate about theatre.”

“Yeah, I mean I’ve been doing it since I was a little kid, can’t remember a time before I was in a singing lesson or dance class after school.”

The conversation and drinks flow throughout the night, you start to feel a little more comfortable, only getting tense when Tom’s hand touched your shoulder when you made him laugh, leaning in, full body shaking with laughter.

“We should probably head back,” Jacob pipes up and you all agree.

“Mind if we get a ride with you? Ours ditched us,” Tom asks as Evangeline stands up.

“Of course, I’ll go grab the car,” she says, nodding at you.

You stand up, stumbling almost immediately. Tom helps by holding you up, a hand against your waist, the other wrapping around your shoulder.

“That was fun,” you giggle as you all walk towards the exit.

“I think you’re a little drunk,” Jacob laughs as he opens the back door to the car for you.

“Maybe, just a little,” you say as Tom helps you into the car, leaning over you to buckle your seatbelt.

You can’t help but stare at his chest, the very top of it peeking out of his partially unbuttoned shirt. You feel yourself blush as he sits down besides you.

“You okay back there?” Evangeline asks and you nod, rubbing your eyes.

You don’t realize you’re resting your head on Tom’s shoulder until you are parked back at the lot and Evangeline is calling your name.

You sit up, your head spinning a little, “hello.”

“Hi,” Tom laughs, helping you out of the car.

“I think?”

“Yes? What do you think?” He asks as he walks you to your trailer, his hand a warm presence on your waist.

“I think I’m just a little bit drunk,” you giggle.

“I think you’re a little bit more than a little drunk,” Evangeline says, opening your door.

“It was, nice to meet you Jacob,” you say, reaching out your hand to shake his.

He laughs as you fumble for it, eventually shaking it.

Tom helps you into your trailer, sitting you down on your bed as Evangeline gets you some water.

“Wanna know a secret?” you giggle.

“Y/N,” Evangeline says, sitting next to you and you blink, looking between her and Tom.

“Yes?”

“Have some water,” she says, helping you take a few sips.

“It was nice to talk to you, get to know you,” Tom says, backing out of your trailer.

“Oh, yes, you too,” you giggle, waving at him.

“See you around,” he says, so casually as he leaves.

“Did you hear that? He’s gonna see me around.”

“Alright drunky, time to go to bed and make sure you don’t choke on your own tongue.”

You gasp and stare at Evangeline with wide eyes, “that can happen?”

“Yes,” she laughs, shaking her head, “just gotta get you a bucket, make sure you sleep on your side in case you need to throw up.”

**** You wake up the next morning with a raging headache, Evangeline nowhere in sit but a note on your bedside table.

I stayed for a while but you were sound asleep, I checked in a few times during the night but you seemed fine, glad you had a good time with the cast and Tom last night.

Your eyes widened, Tom, what did you say to him? What happened? You remember his hand on your waist, warm and comforting, his laugh, him telling you he’d see you around. You roll over, rubbing your eyes. You’re still wearing your dress from last night so you begrudgingly get up and stumble a little towards your suitcase, pulling out a random t-shirt and sleep shorts, planning on sleeping in, you weren’t going to be called again until the editors have seen the footage of your scene and determine if it was okay for the final cut.

You are situated in your clothes, about to flop back down in your bed when you hear a knock on your trailer door. Figuring it’s Evangeline checking up on you, you make your way over, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes as you fling the door open.

Your eyes widen and cheeks flush when you see who it really is. Tom, who still managed to look hot in a plain black t-shirt and sweatpants.

“Hi,” you say, staring at the bag in his hand.

“Hi, I uh, I remember the first time I got really drunk, didn’t know how to make myself feel better the next day, had the worst hangover, so I figured I’d get you some supplies, help combat it for ya.”

“Oh, uh, thanks? Come in, come in,” you say, stepping aside so he make his way inside.

“My mum taught me one of the best tricks, coconut water. It tastes gross, whatever, but it’s got tons of potassium which you lose when you drink lots of alcohol and it’s not full of preservatives and artificial stuff like sports drinks so even though you could drink those to help, it’s better to drink this,” he says, pulling out the coconut water and placing it on your counter.

“And of course, aspirin, never Tylenol, don’t know why, you just shouldn’t take it,” he says with a shrug, placing a bottle of aspirin next to the coconut water.

“Did you just have all this lying around?”

“Nah just took a quick trip to the drugstore.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” you say, rubbing your arm, confused as to why he cared so much.

“I know, just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he says, “here, take some aspirin with the coconut water,” he opens both and hands them to you.

“Thank you,” you mumble before taking the aspirin.

He laughs at your scrunched up face after you take a sip of the coconut water.

“Yeah it tastes a little weird, I like to pretend I’m on an island on vacation when I drink it, makes it taste a little better.”

You close your eyes, pretending you’re laying on a beach somewhere, a real coconut in your hand. You take another sip, it’s not as bad.

“Kinda works,” you say, placing the drink down and leaning against the counter.

“You should also get some rest, are you slotted to film today?”

“No, gotta wait for the go ahead from the editor’s to either leave or do a few more takes of the scene.”

“Good, good, so get some rest.”

Fuck it, you were going to shoot your shot. Now or never, you’d be gone in the next few weeks anyways.

“Are you filming today?”

“Nah, same as you, we’re in a holding pattern I guess.”

“Guess so,” you shrug.

“Something else, uh, that helps hangovers.”

“What?” You ask, your breathing picking up.

“Uhm, nothing, it’s stupid.”

“No, come on, tell me.”

“Just. sometimes cuddling with someone, makes you feel safe, feel better.”

“Is that an elaborate excuse to cuddle?”

“What? Pssh, no,” Tom says, looking between you and your bed.

“I mean, we both should rest, so, why not do it together?”

“Really?”

“It’s a good thing you’re cute,” you laugh, taking his hand in yours.

You get comfy, both a little too hot to pull the blankets over you so you lie on top of them. You lie your head on his chest, his arm resting over your shoulder.

You both quickly fell asleep, hoping to sleep off the achy feeling and your headaches.

**** Evangeline and Paul go to check on you a little later, she knocks on your door and there’s no answer so she lets herself in.

She stops when she sees you and Tom curled up on your bed, sound asleep. She closes the door gently and turns to Paul, “you owe me 10 bucks.”

#tom holland #tom holland one shot #tom holland imagine #tom holland blurb #tom holland x reader #tom holland fluff #tom holland x reader fluff

[bumblbytrash]

My Just Right™️ Theory

So I know I’m not the only one who thinks Blake is Baby Bear. Or at least I hope I’m not alone.

I mean then again I literally never really see anyone else posting about it other than people reblogging my posts so fucking maybe.

But I’m really latched onto this head canon and y’all better buckle up cause I’ve got new thoughts to add to this crackpot theory.

Now, I’ve made a semi lengthy post about this already, which can be found here, and y’all should really go read that first bc I’m gonna gloss over what over already talked about and y’all will be confused. Now that post really only talks about Blake’s introduction as Baby Bear. But now I’ve got for y’all all the reasons how Blake fills the role of Baby Bear/ being Just Right™️ for Yang.

-

The first thing I wanna to clarify with y’all is the basics of Goldilocks and the three bears. Just cause I’m obv gonna talk about symbolism that I’m pulling from quite a lot and I want us all on the same page. So,

Goldilocks vs Papa Bear: porridge is too hot, bed is too stiff. Angry and mean, or passionate and protective.

Mama Bear: porridge is too cold, bed is too soft. Distant and bracing, or level headed and receptive.

But then Baby Bear’s stuff is Just Right™️. Y’all starting to get why I’ve also latched on to “Just Right™️”?

-

Second thing I’m gonna come right out and clarify is that yes. I am aware that Junior’s name means Baby Bear. Actually his name means Black Bear, the nickname Junior is what makes it Baby Black Bear. But I’m imagining the titles being a little flexible and applicable to multiple characters.

-

So cool, Yang fought two Ursai, one was “hot headed” and aggressive, attacked her up front. The other was a more “cool headed” passive one that watched at first, and the poof, Blake.

Baby Bear. But I wanna take it a step further. So let’s look at team RWBY

Papa Bear = Ruby. Yes I know, the Yang is far more hot headed and fiery than ruby but hear me out. In the scene immediately following Blake’s introductionas Baby Bear, we see Ruby rum into a situation without much thought. She makes a hot headed move to attack without double checking her surroundings and fucks up Weiss’ shot. Then, in the ensuing argument, Ruby loses her temper and cuts down a tree. That’s some pretty hot porridge right there.

Mama Bear = Weiss. I means come on, she’s literally called the ice queen. In the scene after Blake’s introduction as Baby Bear, Weiss is shown being ice cold and honestly a total bitch. She’s literally standing there surrounded by beowolves, slowly going down a check list. I’m not here to say that proper form isn’t important but woman. Don’t wait for the second ice age. Then after Ruby beats her to the punch she starts an argument and she’s really cold. Saying to Ruby that no, she’s not perfect but she’s leagues better than her. That porridge is FROZEN.

Baby Bear = Blake. Y’all. Do I even have to say it? They’re literally perfect for each other. Blake is Just Right™️ in so many ways. Blake’s the person that Yang has the deepest connection with. Blake’s the one who laughs/smiles the most at Yang’s stupid jokes or really even just at Yang because she’s there. Yang strives for Blake’s approval, she immediately tears up and visibly breaks down the second it seems like Blake doesn’t trust/believe her. And when Blake asks Yang to promise to her specifically, in return for Blake’s trust, Yang doesn’t even hesitate for a second. Makes eye contact and promises. Blake’s also like, the only person to show worry or concern over Yang in a fight. Then, after being separated from each other for around a year, they just fall back into sync as it nothing ever kept them apart. Sure, they had a bump of two I’m looking at you apathy barn but they were just that bumps that’s they got over in a snap.

I mean shit, even the color scheme lines up for team RWBY.

Next we get to look at our in-world family of bears: The Belladonna’s

Kali Belladonna. Y’all look at this sweet bean and tell me she isn’t the softest Mama Bear to ever soft.

Kali Belladonna isn’t ice cold in the way that Weiss is, she’s more cool and soft. She does silly things, teases her daughter about the boy that followed her home and doesn’t hesitate for a second to wrap her daughter up in a bear hug.

And damn if Ghira Belladonna isn’t intimidating as all shit

Ghira Belladonna is a damned force to be reckoned with. This man is the very definition of a hot headed, protective Papa Bear. Y’all cannot convince me other wise if you tried.

The Belladonna’s are admittedly a fav and I’m really just including them cause I can and it fits sooooooooo. Moving on:

So the last thing I wanna talk to y’all about is Yang’s abandonment issues. How we’ve seen it played out in the show and how it fits into my Baby Bear!Blake theory. And yes, I know this is reaching. Like shit, my spine popped, I was reaching so far up to this shelf but hear me out.

Yang has canonically been abandoned 3 times.

The first time was her birth mother, Raven Branwen.

Now we can only speculate on why Raven really left. Yang also, has no idea why Raven left, a fact that hit us over the head in V2. So for Yang’s entire life (tho she got some closure in V5) Yang has just built up bitterness and anger toward her mother. “How dare she leave, how could she just go, abandon her family like that.”

The second time was Summer Rose. But Summer didn’t chose to leave.

I mean yes she chose to leave for the mission, but she fully planned on returning. She was killed. The was a fight, a slip up, an accident, and Summer couldn’t make it back home. Yang more than likely spent her years wishing that maybe she or Tai or Qrow or anyone would have just gone with her, made sure that Summer was alright. Summer didn’t leave, she was taken away inexplicably and Yang would have felt sad. Lost and cold without her mother’s guidance.

The third time was Blake. And yes, our baby girl fucked up when she left, I’m not here to deny that.

So during the fall of beacon, Yang finds Blake on the ground under Adam who has just stabbed her. Keep in mind, Yang has spent the majority of her life wishing she or literally any one could have been there to save Summer. Wishing that someone could have prevented her loved one from being ripped away from her. And now, Blake is about to be killed in front of Yang’s very eyes.

Y’all damn know she flipped her shit. She is CRYING as she launches herself at Adam, so blinded by her need to make to Blake, to be there in time, to save her life. Y’all also know that she failed, pretty miserably in fact. But Blake didn’t care. She only cared that Yang had come at all, and was upset with herself for having brought Yang into her world of trauma. So she left. She left because she thought that that would protect Yang.

What’s different about Blake leaving is that she’s the only person who actually chose Yang. Sure the message didn’t come across to Yang right away, but that’s what happened. Blake chose Yang’s safety over her own safety, well being, and happiness.

And I know, I know, that what t probably hurt Yang more than anything was that Blake chose to leave her behind, like Raven had. Yang ultimately made her peace with Summer because that was out of anyone’s control. But Blake? We see in volume 5 we see that Yang is very VERY upset that Blake left. When Ruby tells Yang she wishes Blake was with them, Yang lashes out. Ruby pushed farther, prying, trying to force Yang into wanting Blake there and Yang snaps, of only for a moment.

Her eyes burn red and she is LIVID. Yang eventually gets up and sulks in her room while carressing Blake’s image in a group photo. And then, enter Weiss. Weiss says nothing as she enters the room. Just sits and lets Yang rant. Once Yang’s down Weiss speaks. Talks about her own traumas and her own family issues. And finally talks to Yang and convinces her to try and see things from Blake’s perspective.

I mean shit. The poor girl did her absolute best to remain distant, to keep her secrets, to keep her past away from the rest of them. But she opened up to Yang, they became very close friends and at some point (I’m looking at you Burning the Candle) it became a little more flirtatious and romantic. Then with all this going on, Adam appears of literally nowhere and maimes the one person in all of Beacon that Blake has truly opened up to. And like let’s not fucking forget that Blake is also the only person we see Yang open up to. I mean we see her open up to Weiss, but she’s literally opening up about her pain from Blake leaving soooooooo.

The last thing that sets Blake apart in this cycle of the three bears, and the reason why she gets to be Baby Bear/ Just Right™️ is because BLAKE CAME BACK.

This girl, who is notorious for running from her problems, to the point that her semblance which is an extension of her own soul, is literally a mechanism to run away, SHE CAME BACK.

Blake came back to Yang. And she’s promised she’s never going anywhere again. And Yang believes her, Yang trusts her, and y’all can damn well believe Yang LOVES her.

So yea. Blake’s Baby Bear. She’s Just Right™️ for Yang. Try and change my mind. You can’t.

This post has gotten really long, and I do have more thoughts, but maybe in another post cause again, this is already a fucking full length essay.

For y’all who wanted to be tagged:

@sunnydragonqueen @yeehawyang @AG_Nonsuch

#Just Right™️ #Rachael’s got theories #rwby #bumbleby #blake belladonna #ship: bumbleby #yang xiao long #weiss schnee #adam taurus #ruby rose #raven branwen #Summer rose #ghira belladonna #kali belladonna

[starswornoaths]

📔

I wrote these a bit lengthy, so I’m sticking a cut here bc spoilers for 4.5 but I was an indecisive bean and there’s an entry for Serella, Uthengentle, and just because I write him enough that I might as well, one for Aymeric as well! Thank you for the ask! \o/

(edit: OR IT JUST WON’T LET ME ADD A CUT WHAT THE ACTUAL SHIT TUMBLR I’M ON THE DESKTOP SITE SO FAIR WARNING SPOILERS FOR 4.5 AFTER THIS EDIT OKAY THANK YOU I’M SO SORRY WTFFFFFF)

Serella:

My name is Serella Arcbane. (her name is underlined)

Not so long ago I would have found it ridiculous that I needed to remind myself what my name is. Given that I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been referred to by my name instead of a title, however, I think I’m allowed. Now that I have another one, however temporary...it seemed a good time to remind myself.

Antecedent...the title carries with it too much pain. Too much loss. The remaining Scions approved of my accepting the title for lack of anyone else with any seniority willing or able to take it. I remind myself that it’s temporary, that the second even one of my companions wakes up, I get to just be the Warrior of Light again.

Just, I say. As if it were an inconsequential thing in itself.

At least then, when I was naught more than the Warrior of Light, I was able to still be Serella. I wasn’t made to isolate myself from everyone I know and love. It hurts, knowing that I had finally found family amongst so many people, so many I hold dear, who now can’t see me, either because they are unable to make the journey or because it would be improper of them to do so.

Ma came to visit me today. Her visit...I don’t know. When she called me by my name...I didn’t even respond to it at first. It was as if I had just...forgotten it. Perhaps I did. Perhaps I will again. She suggested I write it down. Said it’s how she remembers the little things about Da. I don’t know if it’ll help. I wish he was here, too. Of all the things I’ve forgotten, that I can’t remember what he looked like hurts me the most.

I’ve forgotten so many things I took for granted. So many little things about those I love. In writing, I hope I can remember at least a few- or at least, be reminded of them.

Raubahn has this deep belly laugh when I crack jokes with him- and really, he is the one constant patron of my puns, readily exchanging more with me for as long as we both have jokes to spare. Says it’s from years of being a father. I can’t remember how his laugh sounds.

Merlwyb would refuse to admit it- and if she ever catches wind of documentation of it, she’ll throw me to the Sahagin, of that I have no doubt- but I miss her singing. Low and rumbling as thunder, textured like velvet but fills the room like smoke. I’ve forgotten how the tune goes, which is ridiculous. I’ve heard her hum it a thousand times.

Aymeric...gods, for how he haunts my dreams you would think I would remember his smile. I should. I remember the things that made him smile. When I would bring sweets from that one chocolatier in town, or sweets from somewhere I had recently traveled. When I would move his bangs to kiss his forehead. Or sometimes...just when he looked at me. 

What shade of blue were his eyes? Were they a deeper shade like the night sky over the Steppe? Or was that the blue of his coat that I’m remembering? 

Why am I forgetting everything so quickly?! I have object permanence! It’s only been some moon and a sennight since I last saw everyone! I’m not some geriatric invalid rapidly losing who I am! I’m not some tempered thrall of a primal, adrift in want to serve my master and bereft of all concept of self! I am not-

(The following lines are writ with words made illegible with scribblings of ink and lines frustratedly crossed through them with enough force to nearly tear a hole in the paper. At the bottom, as if in triumph, there are only two more legible sentence:)

I am Serella Arcbane, and no one can take that from me. Not even a god.

Uthengentle:

Visited Ma over coffee this morning. I went fully intending to just say goodbye then and there. Made sense, I figured. We were leaving tomorrow.

I couldn’t say goodbye. I tried, Rhalgr knows I did. 

Had written a letter ahead of everything just in case. Only makes sense, given our line of work. Left that instead. Didn’t even have the stomach to say goodbye at the door. I left while she went to make another cup for me. I’ll have to apologize to her later. If we make it back.

...When. When we make it back. No sense in the doom and gloom; we’ve been through such shite before. Doubt this would be the end of it, either, but I can hope.

Ellie’s been having worse episodes with that voice, nearly passing out a time or two from what F’lhaminne told me. I hate I can’t be more help. I wish I could at least understand what she’s going through. All I get is headaches, sometimes a flash of an image, but it never bothers me. Krile suspects that has to do with Serella being more sensitive to aether and the Echo than I am. 

I just hope they stop once we leave. They should, right? If we’re going where we’re being called, they have no reason to keep callin’, I’d assume. Or their arseholes, and will do it anyway. Won’t matter. Let ‘em. We’ve got our family to save.

...Well. Some of ‘em. Still feels wrong to abandon everyone on the front lines. We should be there. The closer we get to leaving, the more ill I feel about it. From what Ellie said, she’s not faring much better in that regard. Said Aymeric told her to let them handle this fight, but he’s gotta know without us it could go either way. The man’s not stupid- none of ‘em are. Raubahn promised he’d defend the camp with his last breath...but I don’t want it to come to that.

Riol’s been scouting in Thancred’s place- from what he’s been able to gather, the Garleans are holding their cards to their chest. They have something big planned, and they’re just waiting for the right time to use it. Is that time when we’re out of the picture?

I hate that I don’t know, and I can’t find out before we leave.

I hate even more that we have to leave at all, but it’s clearly not something we have a choice in. Either we go to them, or we’re pulled to them. Better we still have our bodies and our senses and just bite the bullet. 

Warned Hilda to up the Watch with the Templars out of Ishgard. Not that she needs that warning; woman’s an unstoppable force already. It could be her and her alone standing at the gate if the Imperials march on Ishgard, and the safe money would still be on Hilda, far as I’m concerned.

I know my friends are capable without me around. I know they don’t need the Warriors of Light to keep them going. Doesn’t mean I don’t just want to be there to protect them- or failing that, die with them- and just fuck off to some far flung wherever.

We’ll be back before we know it. I’ll see to it myself if I have to.

Aymeric:

The battle continues into its fifth week, now. Though we have not lost an ilm to the Imperials, nor have they lost ground to us. Losses on both sides are mounting. We are hitting a breaking point, everyone can sense it. That there is a turning point fast approaching is not in question, but to which side the tide shall turn. 

O Halone shield your children from the encroaching dark, I beseech thee. 

The Warriors of Light make to leave in search of the Scions. The Alliance had to all but force them into leaving this battle to us, a turning point that came with the fear that (there is a name crossed out) the acting Antecedent had fallen to the same affliction that had claimed the rest. With her restored, however, they yet have hope to find those whose souls have been set adrift from this star. I only hope their path leads to victory, and then to home.

(the remainder of the entry is written in a different ink, presumably at a later point in time. The letters are splotched in places with drops of water.)

I nearly lost her. When Estinien laid her lifeless body in front of me, I feared the worst. We bore her to Ishgard with the full expectation that she would not wake. By the Fury, but when she did...

We are...no longer courting. I remind myself of this every time I am made to respond to one of her missives. That we are only separated by temporary obligation is beside the point: whatever relief I might have felt, whatever ache I carry in my chest will have to stay there, so long as she holds the title of Antecedent. 

Only for now. Another reminder to myself.

She yet shields me, even now, so far from the battlefield as she is made to be. Her promise still sits upon my hand. It shall do so unto death, and longer yet. I have already requested she not be allowed to take the ring from my finger. I have no need to be freed from it in Halone’s halls; regardless of her own heart, if I am the first to fall, then I will wait. I had long since decided thus, even before we were betrothed. 

I only wish I had not been so reserved with her for so long. I should have made more time for her. I swore to her I would never take her for granted and yet to dwell on our courtship, I always took her return as given. Now...now I only pray, and continue to fight that I might live to see her return.

(there are entire swaths of sentences scratched out, only some words such as, “promise,” “love,” and, “forgive,” are barely legible)

She must return. I know not what to do without her otherwise.

O Halone guide my beloved home in victory. 

#chysgoda #thank you for the ask! #why yes I'm still on this feels train! #spoilers for 4.5 #ffxiv rp ask meme #Serella Arcbane #Uthengentle Arcbane #Aymeric de Borel