#i mean. history is dark. history is important to learn. i get that for sure

[moonastro]

pick a picture⋆ ˚ ꩜ ｡ ⋆୨୧˚

𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙨 𝙥𝙩.2

left to right(top)-> 1,2

left to right(bottom)-> 3,4

*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚

°DO NOT take this as literal, take everything with a grain of salt as this is purely and intendedly for entertainment purposes.

°Don't be afraid to give feedback and opinions about this post (as i would entirely appreciate it).

° This is a GENERAL reading, take what resonates and leave and pass on what does not!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚

PILE 1-

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may have a significant-like a strong/muscley back or have problems with back pain--also the spine!!

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may regularly change hairstyle often, perhaps cut their hair a lot and dye their hair often. i see them leaning towards having red/blue/grey hair.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may like sparkly thing, for example diamonds, glitter, glass and so forth. anything with sparkles on it intrigues them.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may also be into star shaped jewellery, stars may be an interest of theirs.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may wear hats or like to wear hoods.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚loves sleeping, is a deep sleeper.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may prefer winter/ autumn more than summer/spring. prefer the cold weather in general. may constantly have a fan/air con on at all times despite the weather outside.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚like cooking, preparing meals for others. are interested in learning new recipes.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚like history, are fascinated about historic events and eras.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚are most likely into skincare and haircare, have a designated routine that they do every day.

thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed!!✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

PILE 2-

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚are definitely a high achiever, may have a lot of achievements academically speaking.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚are sensitive to sounds, sound is very important to them. For example, may like loud music blasting in their ears or are the opposite and hate loud sounds, like hating fireworks because of their loud sound.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may have green eyes, blonde/red hair.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚love children, would want a family for sure. has a soft spot for kids.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚has multiple of ears piercing, may have other body piercings also.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚hate being in tight spaces, are picky about clothes and overall personal space.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚very caring and nurturing. is the kind of person to anonymously do something to protect you without craving for the attention of recognition.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚has some signature sitting position/habit that they have when sitting down. may cross their legs or bend one leg and so forth.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚love warm weather, especially watching the sunrise- are perhaps a morning person as well.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚love movies, might have a comfort movie that they watch over and over again.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚have longer than average legs.

thanks for reading!!!✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

PILE 3-

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚loveee music, may make/create/produce music themselves.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may prefer gold jewellery or may have/own a lot of gold accessories.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may be lactose intolerant or just hate diary, cheese-- may be vegan/vegetarian or follow some sort of a diet.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may like dark themes, clothes, style, music, aesthetic etc.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚weird way to explain it but may hate how time goes fast, may be afraid of aging or growing up. even may be afraid of death also.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚they don't get bored easily, can sit still doing nothing for hours on end.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚have a very hypnotic/sweet/classy voice. i feel like their voice makes people melt ☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚keeps to themselves most of the time, and i don't mean that in a shy matter but in a energy reserved way- they just would much rather have/prefer their own company. or aren't bothered by being alone.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚might not celebrate their birthday. or may think that there is no need to.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚love thinking about the higher cosmos and the outer worldly possibilities.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may not drink enough water/don't like water/forget to drink water.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚prefer to stay silent than to express what they think.

hope you enjoyed this reading PILE 3!!!✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

PILE 4-

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚are sly with things, almost like hypnotic. their actions are so hypnotising that you cant say no to them.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚have a soft spot for old things, may like to go thrifting, collect lost things, love getting generational stuff passed down to them etc etc.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚definitely go with he flow, they may not think much of their future and are too busy thinking about the present moment.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚like to try new things, may like to go along with the current trends on the internet and social media. may like to make social media content also.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚think about others before themselves.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚may be from a hot country-may be racially mixed.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚are very loyal.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚keep very good secrets. i feel like they are the friend who is always getting the tea☕🍵😭

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚are good with little details, are always confronted with "how do you know that" or "how do you remember that??". because they surprise people of how good they remember the tiniest of details of a situation or person.

thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoyed PILE 4!!!✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

FRIENDLY REMINDER- paid tarot readings are available (DM or check out here for more info!!)

*IMAGES ARE NOT MINE*

#tarotblr #free reading #intuitive readings #free tarot reading #free tarot #free readings #tarotcommunity #tarot witch #tarot cards #kpop tarot #pick a card tarot #tarot #tarot pac #tarot pick a card #tarot reading #tarot deck #divination #tarot community #future #future spouse #fs #four swords #pick a pile #pile 2 #piles #pick a card #pick a picture #pick one

[moremousewrites]

The Lesson

Pairing: Gale (bg3) / Tav (Femme Drow)

Summary: Gale and Tav are separated from the group thanks to Gale's impeccable navigation skills. Being a drow , you try to navigate your way back. This proves difficult when Gale is constantly distracting you.

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Smut, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, semi-public sex, vaginal fingering, oral sex, masturbation, eugenics, sexual slavery (mentioned), innappropriate use of language barriers

Gale had never been to the underdark before. This was made clear when he inspected a crevice that seemed to be a “shortcut” back to camp. Being a drow and a former resident of the underdark, you knew all too well he was going to get completely lost. To make matters worse, he had gotten you separated from the rest of the group.

In an attempt to pass the time, Gale asked about your experiences growing up in the underdark, Not wanting to divulge in such problematic history, you explained the properties of Noble Drow magic to him instead. As this was an area of the weave Gale had overlooked, he was giving you his rapt attention.

“The Drow have fey ancestry as you know, but magic is not a given. Through selective breeding and environmental factors, the most powerful magic users can be born and trained in Menzoberranzan” you explained, guiding him through the channels of caves Gale somehow dragged you into.

Gale hung on every word, cautiously avoiding a tinmask mushroom to his side.

“Commoners can develop magical abilities and rise in society. It is what males often pursue if they are not gifted with wealth or strength. Or the Dark Mother's blessing” you explained, nonchalantly. 

Gale had noticed your jabs at the male sex before. Though you no longer swore loyalty to Lolth, it seemed that aspect of your culture had not yet been unlearned. He did not mention it as it seemed culturally insensitive to do so.

“Generally, we drow are endowed with many abilities as novices that any human or otherwise would need a lifetime to learn. Especially one so learnéd as yourself” you teased him. 

Gale gave you his ridiculous grin. You were not getting under his skin so easily. “Incredible. And the architecture of Menzoberranzan. Is it really supported by magic? I can't imagine how practical that is.” He asked, following your confident strides.

You rolled your eyes. “There is nothing practical about it. It is a land of excess and debauchery. Be grateful I renounced my faith, otherwise I would have enslaved you for mine own pleasure” you sneered, irritated by the topic. You never stopped to think about how much you resented your home. Gale's questions were too sincere and you had enough of them.

There it was, Gale noted, your entitlement. He hated when you spoke this way. You'd hold yourself to a higher standard than the Lolth-sworn but you'd threaten him with your past. It was a very drab game you'd play.

To make matters worse, you were so often a delight to be around. You sacrificed your life for innocents, and prevented unnecessary violence. You could be kind and empathetic, but for some reason you'd just revert back to these ugly habits. 

“I didn't mean to pry, Tav. If you want me to drop it, say the word. Unfortunately as a scholar, I feel the urge to educate myself on all aspects of the weave” He explains, trying to subdue your temper. You walk on a ledge and realize he can't follow. Huffing, you look for an alternate route. “I think it's important to know more about the cultures around us. Not just your home but your colony as well. I'm sure it must be an entirely different experience being a part of the Seldarine community-” Gale continued, trying to get your attention. 

You cut him off, tired of his voice. “Please I'm looking for the… the…” you trailed off rubbing your temples. 

Gale raised a brow, curious. “The..?”

“I don't know the word in your tongue. It's maybe only in Drowic” you took a deep breath and tried to think of how to say it. “like a cave but small and for falling”

“A hole?” Gale asked, amused. You never had trouble with common before. In fact, you'd sometimes take to mimicking him so accurately it would cause him distress.

“No no. It's called a…” you said the word but it was foreign to Gale. The sound of it rolling off your tongue was beautiful to him, in an odd way. Like  a  distant rolling thunder might be soothing. 

Gale shrugged and you groaned, running curses in deep drow. The passion in your voice mixed with the fluency in which you spoke stirred something in Gale and he had to sit down. 

“What's wrong? We need to get back to camp” you insisted.

“Oh nothing, just my knee acting up. Could you teach me something in that language?” he asked, folding his robes over his lap.

You pinched the bridge of your nose in agitation.

“No. We need to leave” you grabbed him by the arm and tugged at him but he wouldn't budge.

You tugged again, exasperated but he sat planted on the rocky surface. 

“Just teach me one thing and I'll get up” he encouraged you, cherishing the feeling of your touch on his arm.

You were trying not to yell at him now. “Fine, repeat after me” you taught him how to pronounce a rather derogatory word in High Drow. It was an insult towards unexceptional males who an individual might deem culling.

Gale seemed very proud of himself when he was able to learn it after a few tries. You found the concept funny enough to not bother chastising him for being wrong. 

“What does it mean?” He asked, shuffling his legs.

His face looked so pure, it annoyed you. What was he expecting from your little language lesson? You explained the phrase to him. He did not react.

“You're not mad?” You asked, irritated by his composure. 

“Was I supposed to be?” He asked, leaning closer to you. You realized your hands were still gripping his arm.

You studied him; he'd be an insufficient male for mating. His human heritage was unforgivable of course but his that was nothing to speak of his lack of innate magical abilities and obvious self esteem issues. But you were no longer the ideal candidate for breeding either. You were a Seldarine drow and the standards of Menzoberranzan no longer needed to apply to you. 

Taking interest in Gale felt wrong. It felt forbidden. But his arm was surprisingly solid in your hands and his gaze was fixed on your lips.

“Gale, I-” you started 

He cut you off before you could say anything one way or another. “Whatever you have to say, please say it in Drowic” he insisted. 

[This is a bad idea, Gale] you said, trying to convince yourself more than him. His cock twitched when you spoke his name. 

“Keep talking” he leaned in, pressing a kiss beneath your jaw. Your grip tightened on his arm but you didn't pull away.

[We're incompatible, you're unworthy, I would demean myself by indulging you] you continued, breathless. 

Gale's kisses traveled lower down to your collarbone, his hand gripping your thigh. You moaned at his touch, leaning into him. Gale moved to unlace your pants, sliding his hand inside and palming your clothed cunt.

[Gale, please. I need more] you panted out, grinding against his firm palm.

“I don't know what you're saying but I do love how you say my name. Please continue” he encouraged you by slipping one finger inside you.

You whined at the intrusion, noticing how wet you'd become. You'd started repeating his name as a plea for more but he wouldn't move.

“Ah, Tav it is lovely to hear my name on your tongue but I want to hear your native language. You have no idea the effect it has on me. Keep going, please” he toyed with you, pushing your hip back with his free hand.

Desperate for relief you cry out for him. [Please Gale I need you I need your touch. Fill me, take me I'm yours PLEASE] you begged.

Satisfied with your oration, Gale pumped his finger in and out of you slowly, drawing out your pleasure. His maneuvers were torture. He curled his finger upwards, pressing into you causing you to cry out in bliss. 

You kept rambling, not knowing what you were saying by now but afraid he would stop if you were silent. When you moaned his name again, he pressed his thumb against your swollen clit and placed circular motions. It took all but seconds before you were coming undone in his touch. He was very skilled with his hands. “That was phenomenal. Please, indulge me more” he said, removing his hand from your lap.

“I'm running out of things to say” you panted, looking at him through lidded eyes. But he was kneeling before you and pulling at your waistband. 

When he peeled the pants from your legs and saw your naked cunt, he looked like a feral animal ready to pounce.“I'm sure you'll figure something out” he leaned in close to your core but stopped just until you felt his breath on your folds. “Is this what you want?” He looked up to you, making sure you were alright. 

You nodded your head yes. [Devour me] 

Gale wasted no time after your permission. He snaked his hands behind your rear and pulled you forward to his mouth.You gasped as he licked the flat of his tongue against your folds. Bracing yourself against the stone surface beneath you, you pressed your hips further into his mouth. Gale grabbed your thighs, holding you in place. He took mercy on you and began lashing your clit with his tongue. His name was a chant, echoing in the cavern you occupied. You opened your eyes to look upon him feasting on you, wildly. You couldn't have predicted this meek, bumbling male to be so dextrous yet here he was proving you completely ignorant. 

Your second orgasm was creeping up on you. Wanting to communicate this, you tried to warn the wizard. “I'm nearly there” 

Gale removed his mouth from you at once. You nearly kicked him. “In Drowic, Tav” he ordered in a stern voice.

[In my tongue you would honour me as ‘mistress’] you hissed at him through High Drow. Gale noted the tone and did not continue his ministrations. You rolled your eyes. [Please let me finish. I've been good, it's not fair] you pouted, feeling restless. 

“I think I heard please” he chuckled and went back to his exacting pace. 

You threw your head back in relief. It was quick work bringing you back to the edge of your climax. Your eyes were shut tight until you heard a fast shuffling sound.

Opening your eyes, you saw Gale had loosened his trousers and was furiously stroking his cock. The scene was delicious. 

This time, you did not bother to warn him as you came. The orgasm shot through your whole body, so powerful you thought he might have triggered your fey magic. The taste of you on his tongue mixed with your moans and shuddering body was enough to send Gale over the edge.

He rubbed himself through his orgasm, licking you through yours. You squeezed your thighs around his head when he continued well past oversensitivity.

“Please I can't give another” you pushed his forehead and he pushed his tongue into you, making you squeal in ecstasy. 

Dragging his tongue out of you, he placed kisses on the inside of your thigh. You slowly opened your thighs to release his head, unsure if he'd continue attacking your cunt or relinquish you finally. He pressed one last kiss into the meat of your thigh and tucked his manhood away. It seemed he was going to be merciful. 

“Are you alright?” He asked, helping you pull your pants back on. They were still soaked from your initial climax.

“May I speak common now?” You asked, drunk on lust.

Gale felt especially proud of you seeking his permission. It seemed he'd earned your respect. “Yes, you may” he offered you some water and you shook your head ‘no’. 

“I underestimated you, wizard. You have many talents that I can appreciate. You would be a welcome courtesan in any noble house” you teased, knocking your knee against his as he sat next to you. 

“Ah yes, a very tempting position. I'm surprised you ever left. It seems Menzoberranzan is quite dear to you still” Gale said, challenging you.

“Perhaps I was too quick to judge you, Gale. I have much to unlearn from the conditioning of my culture. In any case, you're a fine educator” 

“Well I appreciate that, Tav. And thank you on the oral lessons as well”

#bg3 #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fanfiction #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #bg3 gale #gale x tav #gale x reader

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Jade, Riddle: Days that we Treasure

Why do they use the most Obviously Evil and Unsettling images ever 😭 Who looks at the Mega Ursula painting and goes, “Ah, yes. This is a perfectly sane and totally good person”??????? Or that unsettling image of the Evil Queen??? They did NOT get their best angles…

THE TWINS ArE NOT BEATING BACK THE LEECH CRIME FAMILY ALLEGATIONS ANYTIME SOON... Jade says his dad taught him and Floyd skills like how to break free of ropes and how to pick locks... 💀 and then Jade talks about how he beat up some sharks and made them bleed--

It's really cute to hear about how Jade collected baubles just like Ariel did 🥺 even gifting some coins to Azul!! Him chucking everything once he lost interest broke my heart though... (Some clarification: Jade indicates that he used to like manholes; this is a unique cultural aspect of Japan, as manhole covers tend to have fun designs there. He was probably referring to those, not just plain manhole covers.)

A Tale as Old as Time.

"Oya, what a charming portrait of a crustacean."

Jade spoke of a painting of a crab, lips pursed as if midsong, a flurry of bubbles and sea life swirling around it. Light shone down from the surface world, as if spotlighting a lone performer on an otherwise dark stage. Such fun! Such whimsy! Such…

… easy game, Jade thought. His polite smile tugged into what was decidedly a far less polite smirk.

He had honed a discerning eye, parsing people as easily as one might parse papers. One look was all that was needed for him to tell: the crab would easily be suckered into signing a contract. Gullible, cheery fools like him always were.

His grin grew. Fingers curled against his chin, almost resembling a folded paw which concealed claws.

“I don’t like that look of yours,” Riddle declared. His resolute tone resounded in the darkened museum as he fell beside the eel. “It looks extremely suspicious!”

“Riddle-san. How good of you to join me.” With a hand shifting to be placed over his head, Jade gave him a curt bow. "I apologize if you were disarmed by my expression. You see, I have a tendency to smile awkwardly out of nervousness."

Riddle made a face and shook his head. “I’m not sure if I entirely believe that.”

"Who can you trust, if not your dear classmates?"

Riddle gave no response, only meeting him with an exasperated look. Jade’s chuckles were loud in the cavernous quiet of the museum.

He gestured to the platinum frame containing the singing crustacean. “Are you familiar with this gentlecrab?"

"I have learned a bit of the history of merpeople," Riddle declared proudly, puffing his chest out like a swaggering peacock. "He is the Sea King's favored composer. From what I understand, music is highly regarded in your culture—and it is for that reason that this composer was able to earn such an important position in the king’s court. He was not only wise, but also wove stunning melodies which captured the hearts of all sea creatures. Truly an ideal candidate to stand by the king’s side.”

“That’s right. My, you certainly put in the extra effort to your studies. As expected of Riddle-san.”

Jade brought a hand to his mouth. “Ah, but there are many stories of him that the land textbooks do not tell. For example, did you know that this great composer was also a friend and confidant to the Mermaid Princess?”

“The Mermaid Princess… Surely you don’t mean the Mermaid Princess that bridged the humans and merpeople?”

“The very same.” Jade gave a light laugh. “They say she was spirited and defiant, with a deep fondness for humans, in spite of her father’s protests. The great composer discovered her hidden grotto, which was full of gadgets and gizmos aplenty, items the Mermaid Princess had scavenged from shipwrecks—and his loyalty was put to the test.”

Jade held out both hands, lifting one while lowering the other, then swapping sides. He simulated a scale and changing weights.

“The Sea King, who detested humans, and the Mermaid Princess, who loved them. Which of the two would the composer follow?”

“What a ridiculous question!” Riddle frowned, sweeping out an arm—as if to collapse a house of cards. “Of course the Sea King is the most correct. He has the most authority in the circumstances, and furthermore, the composer is in service to the king. It is clear that it is the composer should side with the Sea King.”

Jade's eyes glinted like coins shifting in the darkness. "In the end, he chose to support the Mermaid Princess."

"What?!" Riddle recoiled in visible shock. "That's preposterous! On what grounds....!"

“He must have valued the Mermaid Princess’s friendship with all of his heart,” Jade replied teasingly, “or rather, it was because he understood her sorrow and desire.”

“A man of his skill and stature, understanding her feelings and breaking the rules on her behalf…? I can’t picture it myself.”

"Perhaps it is difficult to understand without full context." Jade's brows turned upward, almost passing for sympathetic. "... There was a dark era of the Sea King's rule when music of any kind was expressly forbidden. However, the great composer—in an act of rebellion—played to his heart's content in secret. The Mermaid Princess came upon his secret and learned of the joys of song and dance from him. She understood that, to the composer, music was his most prized possession. His treasure. He could not bear to be without it, just as a fish cannot be without water."

Riddle's face creased. "I see, so the Mermaid Princess and this composer... They understood one another's circumstances. Both of them knew the pain of longing for something forbidden."

"Yes. To them, it was worth disregarding the law to attain that which they loved the most." Jade's suspiciously pleasant smile returned. "I believe that is incredibly courageous and admirable of them."

"That is hardly surprising, seeing as you and your brother constantly skirt school rules!" Riddle grumbled under his breath. "And no matter the reason for it or the results achieved, you are all still guilty of your crimes!!"

"Such harsh accusations." Jade's lips peeled, revealing the many tiny, razor-sharp teeth he so often hid from public view. "Most graciously, the story I was telling you has a happy ending. Th Sea King pardoned them both for their transgressions. As they say, all's well that ends well."

"Rule-breakers walking away without so much as a light sentence... That's considered a happy ending for you?!" Riddle's snarl filled the room, rattling the portraits that lined the walls, the priceless artifacts out on display. He was redder than the crab composer himself.

"Oya, Riddle-san. What a loud voice—you may just disturb the other museum goers.” Jade tossed a glance at the room adjacent to theirs. Their peers milled about, clamoring for glimpses of pieces of art, scraps of history, and shards of greatness.

The dorm leader hastily cleared his throat. “Apologies... I lost control of my temper for but a moment.”

“There is no need for an apology. I’m certain the merciful Sea King would have granted you clemency as well.”

“D-Do not tease me!!” Riddle’s face inflamed once more, earning a stifled snort from his classmate. “S-Stop laughing!! It’s NOT funny!!”

His protests were of no use. Jade’s snort swelled into barely concealed chuckling, and then finally burst into a monstrous grin. It didn’t quite match with the soft laugh that bubbled up from his throat.

The surface world had introduced to him a plethora of new wonders. Mushrooms, mountains, and what else…? The very people of the land.

I will never tired of these peaceful, fun-filled days.

They were his invaluable treasures, things well-worth fighting for.

#twisted wonderland #twst #Jade Leech #Riddle Rosehearts #twst imagines #disney twisted wonderland #something no one asked for #spoilers #twst scenarios #Jade birthday takeover #twisted wonderland imagines #twisted wonderland scenarios

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.99 The llama

"What is it?" she asked.

I was so smiley and nervous. This was one of those things that could go left really quickly, and I didn't want that at all. But I felt like we couldn't ignore it anymore. No married couple knew every single thing about each other, and I looked forward to learning the good, bad, and ugly about Sophia as time went on. But this? Family dynamics were basics. Previously, I tried to blame it on the newness of our relationship, but she and I were not new to each other. She had plenty of opportunities to share this story with me while we got to know each other as friends. I shouldn't have been wondering if her parents were alive or dead still.

"I think, uhhh... I think it's time we talk about...your parents...if that's okay."

She sighed heavily, but not in an annoyed, exasperated way. It felt like she conceded reluctantly, torn between not wanting to but knowing she had to.

"Yeah...I guess I have kept you in the dark long enough."

I almost told her she didn't have to if she didn't want to, but I bit my tongue. We were married, and I didn't intend to end up like my parents. Sharing the hard things with each other was of utmost importance to me.

"I'm adopted...as you know."

She paused for a few moments, staring at the floor, searching for the right words. She found some, but her eyes remained on the floor.

"When you adopt a child, you don't get to choose who joins your family."

She let that line hang in the air for a moment and had me on the hook already.

"You simply state what age you prefer and wait for an agent to arrive with a child. My parents...I think they were just so enamored with the idea of finally having a child of their own, they failed to consider this."

My stomach felt queasy. I had no idea where the story was about to go, but it was definitely not heading in a positive direction.

"They didn't want you?" I asked nervously.

She hesitated.

"They would take offense to you saying that, but they often made me feel that way. I wasn't mistreated or anything. They made sure I had everything I needed and took care of me to the best of their ability. But they didn't love me."

I groaned in agony, thinking of what she must have gone through in her childhood. My parents may have put me through a lot, but never have I ever doubted their love for me. I believe their love sustained me. Who or where would I be without that?

"Sophia...I'm so sorry."

She shrugged and kept going.

"I used to be sorry, too. Throughout my childhood, I thought I was the problem and needed to be better. But as I got older, I realized there was nothing I could do. I was a pretty freakin' amazing daughter. They were the ones with the problem."

The cat was out of the bag, but I was still nervous.

"But...how did you know?" I asked. "I mean, what did they do?"

"To start, they never gave me their name. They claimed they wanted me to remain connected to my heritage or whatever, but that was cowplant poop."

Given that we just got married, that one cut deep. I think it would upset me greatly if Sophia didn't take my name. That tradition had seriously deep significance, and they didn't give it to their own child? I feared what else she would tell me.

"They always made a big deal about where I came from. We read books, watched documentaries, and whatever they could get their hands on so I understood what kind of blood flowed through my veins. In truth, it's really great they did that. So many adopted sims are clueless about their histories. But when I got older, I found it to be weird. Like, they put all this energy into teaching me about my biological history, yet I didn't have relationships with my own family. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen my aunts and uncles and cousins... I felt like they were trying to get me interested in my biological family so I could go find them and forget about theirs."

Both my parents were the only child, so I had no extended family to speak of. Still, I couldn't imagine my parents not interacting with them. I don't think we would be super close, but I'd have a relationship with them, at least.

"We never went on vacations and barely went to local places together. My parents were not wealthy, so it took them a while to save they money to adopt me. It was easy to think we didn't go anywhere because we couldn't afford it or because they were older. But one time, my mom took me to the park. I was sooooo excited to be outside among other kids. I found something and wanted to show it to her, so I picked it up and ran over yelling, 'Mommy! Look!' She was talking to some other parents. The look on her face when I finally reached her... I was almost a young adult when I realized what that was because I'd seen it many times by then. She was embarrassed. The other moms were looking at her for answers because they'd never met me before, and she clearly never told them she had adopted a brown child."

Maybe all the sims in my six degrees of influence were just cool because no one ever made a big deal about me having mixed heritage. I wasn't naïve enough to believe that kind of thing didn't happen, but how could sims be so ignorant? I had no trouble imagining Sophia being the perfect child, but that was not enough for them, and it angered me. How could they go through the heartbreak of realizing they couldn't birth their own children, struggle through saving the money to adopt, finally get a child, and not shout it from the rooftops? What kind of parent is ashamed of their own kid??

"Like I said," she continued, "they took good care of me, but they kept me at a distance. By my young adult birthday, I had a clear picture of the situation, so I left home and never went back. Their care was an obligation, not love. It took me a while to see, but I was empty and it affected me; I hated them for it. I wanted to be loved so bad and went from relationship to relationship trying to fill that void in my heart. My ex was cheating on me pretty much the entire time, and I knew about it. I was that desperate for the crumbs he left me. It took a while, but eventually realized what a gem I am and what a llama turd he was. I didn't have to settle for crumbs. And I didn't have to be anyone's obligation. My parents had died by then and left me some money, so I broke up with him and went on vacation for the first time in my life."

I smiled.

"Mt. Komorebi?"

"Mmm hmm. It always looked so pretty and peaceful in pictures, and I definitely needed some peace. I went to spend time with myself, heal, and reset my mind. Then I met you."

"Wow. I had no idea you had gone through so much then."

"I just wanted it all behind me. I'm sorry for not saying anything. I know it wasn't fair."

I loved her before and tried to show her as much as possible, but I was even more compelled to ensure she never questioned my love for her. She was no obligation to me. It was an honor to love her, especially knowing she chose me after deciding what she deserved and how she wanted to be treated. I vowed to cherish her with every pixel of my being for the rest of my life.

#ISBI challenge #sims 4 story #sims 4 gameplay #adolting #adolting gen 3 #luca winston murillo #sophia aguilar

[book-place]

If We Had Each Other

Warnings: spoilers, slight cursing, fighting, mentions of death and war, let me know if I missed any :)

Pairings: Harry Potter x sister reader

*not my gif*

Summary: If there was one thing you could rely on in your life, it was your twin brother

A/N: Do I know what this is? No. Did I write this quickly just to get this out? Yes. Is it super repetitive? Also yes; The bolded and italicized text are song lyrics

Inspired by: If We Had Each Other by Alec Benjamin

Please don’t plagiarize my work, you may reblog if you like but I’m asking that you don’t steal my hard work

I’m thankful for my sister

You looked over at Harry with a grin, bumping your shoulder against his, “Chin up, Harry,” Your voice was the perfect combination of reassurance and amusement, “You’ll do better on the next exam.”

The black haired boy scowled, poking at his food with his fork and refusing to make eye contact with you, “Professor Binns said that if I don’t get my grade up, he’ll have to bump me down to a lower level class.” A huff escaped him as he began to rant, “It’s not like it’s my fault! Voldemort is back, I have more important things to do them learn about history!”

All you did was shrug, not letting your smile falter, even at the mention of the man who killed your parents; you kept a strong facade on for Harry, “I can help you if you want.”

He glanced up at you for the first time since entering the Great Hall, “You’d do that?”

You rolled your eyes playfully, “I’m your twin sister, Harry, of course I’ll help you.” A look of mischief sparked in your eyes, “Or, of course, I could just leave you to suffer-“

“No!” He was quick to cut you off as heat rose to his cheeks, “I mean, I suppose I can use a little bit of help.”

A giggle was emitted from you as you reached over to ruffle his hair, “I thought so.”

Even though sometimes we fight

“Harry.” You seethed, glaring harshly at him, “We are not having this discussion.”

He shook his head stubbornly, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared daggers at you from across the common room, “I’m not letting you be put in danger.” He repeated for the thousandth time.

You let out an incredulous laugh, running a hand through the strands of your already messed up hair and yanking on it out of frustration, “You always do this!” Your voice finally reached yelling level and you were sure that every person in Gryffindor tower could hear you, “You’re always willing to put yourself in danger, but the second I even suggest it, you get all defensive!”

“I don’t want you getting hurt.” He snapped, shaking his head, “So I’m going to the Minestry of Magic alone.”

“When will you get it through your thick head that we were brought into this world together? That the exact same thing happened to me that happened to you! We’re not different!”

Your twin brother scoffed and roll his eyes, opting to turn on his heel and storm out of the room instead of replying.

You let out a long breath, sinking down on the nearest couch and putting your head in your hands.

When high school wasn’t easy, she’s the reason I survived

Even the quietest of the footsteps cut through the silence in the echoing room.

The darkness of the room cascaded down like a blanket of fear and loneliness, and you subconsciously reached for Harry’s hand.

Though it had been a struggle, you had convinced him that it was better to have you come along then not, to which he eventually gave in and agreed with.

Without hesitation, he took your hand in his own and squeezed it, a reminder to him that you were there and weren’t going anywhere.

For a moment, you were his rock, the only thing keeping him from going insane, even with all your closest friends surrounding you. Someone that also believed with all their heart that Sirius was still alive. He had to be.

You both tensed when the first sound of laughter reached your ears. You squeezed his hand one more time.

I know she’d never leave me

“He’s the reason You-Know-Who is back.”

“Why was he in the Ministry of Magic?”

“He just wants attention.”

Some of the people tried to keep their voices down to a whisper, others didn’t even bother as they sneered down their noses at Harry.

It was only the first day of your sixth year and he was already being harassed because he was the first one the papers saw when everyone arrived in the Ministry after Voldemort.

It was not fair that he was always the one that had to shoulder the burden of being the center of attention all the time. Sometimes you just wanted to scream, “Leave him alone! If you must look at something, then look at me, you bloody idiots!”

But everytime you opened your mouth to snap at people, the bespectacled boy would just give the slightest shake of his head and plead with his eyes that you didn’t do anything stupid.

You would cross your arms and huff, settling for glaring at every passing person instead, even if they didn’t do anything.

“It’s okay.” Harry leaned over and whispered to you.

“No it’s not.” You complained, “It’s not fair that you always have to deal with this-“

He put a hand on your shoulder, forcing you to come to a halt and look at him, ignoring the way people stopped walking as well, straining their ears to try and listen to what was supposed to be a private conversation.

“It’s okay,” He spoke in a volume that only you could hear, leaving the others around you disappointed, “I have you here, I don’t care about what they’re saying.”

You smiled softly, tense muscles relaxing at your brother's words and leaned in to hug him.

When he wrapped his arms around you, you stuck your middle finger up behind his back at all the onlookers.

And I hate to see her cry

With tears flowing out of your eyes like a waterfall and bottom lip trembling, you rushed through the grass, ignoring the tickle of nature at your ankles, and fell in a heap in front of a tree near the Great Lake.

“What are you doing?” An unexpected voice announced itself from behind you, and you whipped around quickly in alarm, placing a hand over your heart.

“Merlin, Harry,” You scowled slightly, quickly wiping your face with your sleeves and sniffling slightly, “You scared me.”

Instead of apologizing, his eyebrows furrowed at the state you were in, quickly rushing over and putting a hand on your shoulder, “What happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” You grumbled, crossing your arms and turning your head the other way.

“What happened?” He repeated, moving so that he was in front of you and you were forced to look at him.

“Nothing.”

“Y/n.” His voice held a stern tone that you didn’t hear very often, it was the voice that he used to remind you that he was still the older twin, and he cared about you.

“It’s just…” You took a deep breath, “There were some kids… they thought it would be funny to take all my school supplies and throw them off the top of the stairs…” You shrugged, sniffling slightly, “It’s not a big deal.”

His entire face softened and he softly whispered, “Come here,” before sweeping you into a strong embrace that you completely melted into, “It’s okay,” He kissed the top of your head gently, “It’s okay.”

You allowed yourself to shed a few tears, clinging onto your brother like a lifeline.

What you didn’t know was that he was already planning his revenge on the kids that did this to you… Fred and George were always up for pulling a prank on deserving kids.

So I wrote this verse to tell her that I’m always by her side

The screams of students filled your ears as you wove your way through the crowd as quickly as your legs would carry you.

All of Hogwarts had gone up in mayhem when the news reached everyone that death eaters had snuck onto the school grounds and were wreaking havoc.

No one felt safe. No one knew where to go. No one knew what to do. And you didn’t know where your brother was.

“Y/n!” You heard your voice being shouted above all else and you whipped in the direction of the sound.

Harry stood, a few feet away, hair messy, eyes wide, and sweat running down his face.

“What’s happening?” You rushed out as soon as you reached him, panic leaking into you through every pore, “What do we do?”

“I don’t know.” He took your hand in his and squeezed it once, that reminder that he was there and wasn’t leaving anytime soon. That reminder that you always needed, “But we’ll figure it out.”

I wrote this verse to tell her that I’m always by her side

“I feel so helpless.” You admitted, leaning against the wall with your arms crossed over your chest.

Harry sighed, dropping his head into his hands from where he sat, “I know, I do too.”

“Who are we supposed to trust?” The question came out as a whisper as you averted your eyes and bit down on your lip.

“I don’t know.” His voice was as quiet as yours.

You both allowed the silence to swallow you whole.

“We can’t go back to Hogwarts in September.” You finally broke through the suffocating stillness.

“No, we can’t.” He agreed.

“Where will we go?”

His eyes finally raised to meet yours, “We’ll go after him, finish what we should have long ago.”

You nodded in understanding, but waited for him to tell you what he always had, that you should stay back. That he should do it by himself, but he never did.

Deciphering your confused facial expressions, he explained, “We’re in this together, always have been. We might as well finish this together too.”

I wrote this verse to tell her that the worlds not perfect, but it’s not that bad

You tried to hide your giggles behind your hand, stifling them as best you could, failing miserably.

“It’s not funny.” Harry grumbled, snatching a napkin off the table and beginning to rub the coffee that he just spilled, off his shirt.

Snickers escaped from the corners of your mouth as you looked at him, “It’s a little funny.”

He turned his eyes up to glare at you, only to have his features soften completely, this was the first time you had smiled- let alone laughed- in weeks.

When you finally sobered up and your grin faded, he couldn’t help but notice that a little spark of happiness was in your eyes that wasn’t there before.

His eyes rolled playfully, “Okay,” He admitted, “Maybe it’s a little bit funny.”

If we got each other, and that’s all we have

The brisk breeze nipped at your skin and you shivered, subconsciously pulling the blanket tighter against you to try and absorb some of its heat.

Harry stirred on the cot beside you, eyes fluttering open slightly and looking at you, curled up in your sleep as you tried not to freeze against the harsh night winds of the woods.

“Incendio.” He mumbled, grabbing his nearby wand and pointing it at the unlit lantern beside you.

Immediately, the warmth from the fire spread all around you and still asleep, your muscles relaxed and your breathing once again evened out.

Smiling slightly, your brother allowed his own eyes to close once again.

I will be your brother, I’ll hold your hand

Taking in a deep breath, you stepped through the secret passage and into the room of requirement, where you were met with the sight and the sound of all your old classmates greeting you and your brother, cheering upon your return.

You glanced over at him, immersed, noticing the way his face was scrunched up slightly, indicating that he was as uncomfortable as you were. You were only there to stop Voldemort before he could hurt anyone else, not give people hope that you would save them. Because there was a chance that you wouldn’t.

Just as your thoughts were beginning to spiral, you felt a hand gently grab yours from the side and squeeze. Harry.

You should know I’ll be there for you

The blending in wasn’t the hard part- for two famous siblings in all of the wizarding world, no one seemed to recognize you- the hard part was not crying out in agony as you looked around at the place you had once called home.

Everything was dark, with a depressing air hanging thickly between everyone and everything. A place that was once bright and full of laughter, was now filled with screams and cries.

Your eyes cut a quick glance at Harry, who looked as if he too was trying not to show much of a reaction in fear of drawing attention to the two of you.

You stuck together, making sure not to get separated as you and a swarm of people were herded like animals into the Great Hall.

A feeling of dread settled into the pit of your stomach as the temperature seemed to drop at the atmosphere of the room alone.

As you walked in, you took note of how Harry had moved to walk in front of you, as if to block you from sight if he was spotted.

Though he was no longer fighting with you to keep you safe, it was little things such as this that he still did to let you know that he was still looking out for you. And you appreciated that more than anything.

When the worlds not perfect

The screams and cries of your friends and teachers shook the walls of the castle, as well as your own heart and soul.

Fighting had broken out when it was realized that you and Harry were back in Hogwarts, and there was nothing you could do to stop it.

Left and right, enemies and classmates alike fell from blows from the other side. Total strangers fighting for the school that had become as much of a home to them that it had to you and your brother.

That very home was crumbling all around you, being shot at, punched through, and shaken.

Your home was falling right in front of your eyes, the people you had met there following suit. And it was all your fault. For existing, for not being able to stop Voldemort sooner.

People were losing their families and their friends because of the horrible, horrible man.

You had to put an end to it.

When the worlds not kind

You hadn’t been with Harry when Voldemort announced that if the school gave one of you up, then he would spare the rest of them.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that your idiot brother was going to try and sacrifice himself for everyone, just like he always did. Always putting the world before himself.

But you wouldn’t stand for that anymore. For once in your damned lives, you were going to be the one to make the sacrifice instead of him. You were going to be the one protecting him. And you wouldn’t let anyone stop you.

So you made sure to leave for the Forbidden Forest immediately, swerving through the trees with hardly anything on your mind, refusing to let it wander as you focused on saving everyone and everything that you had come to love.

If we have each other, then we’ll both be fine

You should have known that he would already have been there, just outside of the place that Voldemort and his followers were holed up.

He turned to you with wide eyes as you approached, “You shouldn’t be here,” He hissed, “Didn't you hear him? He only wanted one of us.”

“Exactly,” You snapped back, “that’s why I’m here and you’re going to go back to the school.”

Harry shook his head stubbornly, “This isn’t up to you.”

“The hell it isn’t.”

Silence fell over the two of you and a new sense of realization fell over your twin brother's features as his face softened and he held his hand out, waiting for you to take it.

“Then we’ll do it together.” He whispered.

You grabbed his hand, squeezing it softly, “Together.” You repeated.

I will be your brother, and I will hold your hand

You didn’t know why, but Narcissa Malfoy had lied for the two of you, claiming you both to be dead, therefore helping you escape.

Whatever had come over her, you wouldn’t complain, because it gave you both enough time to devise a plan without actually speaking a word.

When Voldemort had been boasting about your deaths, you had both made your move and fell right back into battle. Side by side.

You should know I’ll be there for you

When he was finally defeated, the two of you walked together in silence into the Great Hall, staring with not happiness- but sorrow- at everyone inside.

All seemed happy to be alive, but there were glimmers in their eyes that told you they had lost more that day then they ever should have had to deal with in their lives.

Both of you had lost friends that day as well, but all the others were dead and it was your fault.

You should know I’ll be there for you

“Are we going to be okay?” It was the first word you had spoken since the battle had ended.

Harry glanced over at you before returning his gaze to the castle from your spot alone on the bridge.

“I don’t know.” He answered truthfully, knowing he didn’t have the energy to lie to you, even if it were to comfort you.

“After everything, it feels like forever ago that we first came here.” A far off look had glazed over your eyes as you thought back to the times when becoming a witch was the biggest thing to happen in your life.

His nod was the only indication you received that he heard you.

“If we could go back and do it all over again, would you have chosen to go with Hagrid that first day he showed up?” It was a question that had been chewing away at you for a while, when things started to get really complicated.

It was quiet for a while, the only sounds coming from the nature around you before he spoke up, “I don’t know.” He repeated gently.

You finally looked over at him, taking his hand in yours once more and squeezing it, “Voldemort is gone now, for good. We’re free.”

He gave you a small smile, “He’s gone.” He repeated, shaking your interlocked hands.

It’s LeviOsa 🪄- none yet

#platonic #platonic imagine #x reader #teen reader #harry potter x reader #harry potter #harry potter x sister!reader #Harry Potter x reader platonic #sister reader #Harry Potter fanfic

[ecargmura]

The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons Episode 9 Review - Classroom Visitation Day

Oh gosh, Minato interrupted the opening to give his summary of the previous episode before resuming it. I think that has never happened in this show before! I had a good chuckle. This episode has Gakuto’s class visitation happen with its own twists and happy ending.

I didn’t expect Minato to want to skip class to go to the class visitation but I also didn’t expect Mikoto to come along. I know that Minato dotes on Gakuto a lot, and it was a sweet gesture that he wanted to show up for Gakuto’s classroom visitation, but haven’t he thought about the stares and rumors that would form if he, a middle school student cutting class, showed up? That would’ve harmed Gakuto more than helping, in all honesty. Having Mikoto around was handy, so I don’t really know why he was being so mean to him; his brother saved his hide by pretending they were out doing research for school when a nosy lady came and asked about why they were on the streets. I get that it’s sibling rivalry on Minato’s end, but still… I did like that Mikoto had no idea what was going on with Minato, but still wanted to tag along. When Minato accidentally spilled the beans, he wanted to come along not for Minato’s sake, but because he’s also Gakuto’s brother. That was sweet.

I’m glad that word of the classroom visitation got out to Hayato, but he had to learn about this from a colleague. I’m sure Hayato was extremely devastated when he learned about this. The fact that Gakuto hid it from him was already damage to his heart, but the fact that he learned this from a third party probably hurt even more. Hayato already has it rough being both the eldest and his brothers’ legal guardian. He always worries whether if he’s doing enough for them, so I’m sure Gakuto keeping the visitation event a secret must have been him thinking he was unreliable in Gakuto’s eyes. I’m glad that everything got resolved peacefully, though. I think what Hayato said to Gakuto about how they need to talk with each other because he’s important to him was beautiful; my heart squeezed because of the sweetness.

I think Hayato’s colleagues, specifically Mr. Akiyama and Ms. Hanaoka are absolute sweethearts. Although Hayato is much younger than them, they do whatever they can to help Hayato by talking to him about his worries and such. There was one instance in the beginning where Hayato and Mr. Akiyama were talking about how a student was asking Hayato for world history questions. While he wanted to help as he knew the student had the courage to come to him for help, he couldn’t be of much use, which worried him for future possibilities. Mr. Akiyama then suggests looking into manga as manga can be educational; he tells Hayato about how one of his students is good at geography and why he was good at it was because he read a manga where the characters had names that pertained to geographical locations. Mr. Akiyama seems a few years older than Hayato, so it’s nice that he has a more modern mindset rather than an old-fashioned one. Ms. Hanaoka was complimenting his bento but was also worried about his dark circles. I can tell that Hayato is a very kind and caring person because the same type of people are around him.

I’m glad that Gakuto learned an important lesson in not to assume and to always communicate with his brothers whenever something comes up. I hope that he takes that lesson to heart in a future episode. Just seeing the Yuzuki family and the people around them be such kind and sweet people makes me happy. I also feel bad for Saki missing out on everything. What was your thoughts on this episode?

#the yuzuki family's four sons #yuzuki san chi no yon kyoudai #Gakuto yuzuki #Hayato yuzuki #minato yuzuki #Mikoto yuzuki #review #anime #anime review #ecargmura #arum journal

[canmom]

on D&D

there have been many a Posten floating across my slice through the tumblr database of late on the flaws of Dungeons & Dragons. this is an old, old argument - pushed by the White Wolf fans before my time, raised to a furious pitch by the Forge movement (Ron Edwards infamously declared that D&D players have brain damage), and continuing to simmer as the Forge gave way to 'Story Games', and then ebbing a bit with whatever that movement have way to. i don't even especially disagree - most of the good times I've had with D&D have been more despite the printed rulebooks than because of them.

however, it's worth considering what D&D actually is.

"D&D" should not be confused with the books released by Wizards of the Coast or TSR. Nor even the other books in the D&D family in the OSR, Pathfinder, etc. these are an important part of it to be sure, and WotC would certainly like us to think that it all flows out of the books.

however, I think 'buying a D&D book without any expectations, reading it cover, and attempting to run the game as described in the book' represents probably a tiny fraction of D&D players. any more than you could discern the practices of a religion by reading their holy book.

D&D, as actually practiced, is something like that - a set of practices or sorta oral tradition. you learn what D&D is when someone invites you to a D&D group, or you listen to an 'actual play' podcast, or - like me! - you fall into forums and read libraries worth of arguments about which edition is best and game balance and funny game table anecdotes, which create a picture in your head of idealised D&D, and then off you go and try and get your friends on board. you use the books primarily as a reference. (or nowadays you go on 5e.tools instead and don't buy expensive books).

the thing is, this tradition is really good at perpetuating itself and it's as endless and weird to dig into as any long running media franchise. and because a lot of it is an echo of weird 70s shit that comes from, say, an off-brand tokusatsu figurine from Hong Kong, or an author like Jack Vance whose legacy has been kinda swallowed by D&D, there's real character. yeah, there's plenty of tedious wank too, but the density of it means it can serve the 'creative prompt engine' function of an RPG in a way that's very difficult for a smaller, more tightly focused, and tbh less stupid game to be able to do.

it's also got a huge body of folklore to immerse in. the Dread Gazebo. Tucker's Kobolds. Pun-Pun. and it's fractal. a D&D forum, a podcast fanbase, etc. will end up with their own niche injokes. (of course, so will an individual group). there's endless lore to learn about the game's own history if you're that way inclined.

now you might say, most of that doesn't depend on it being D&D, the janky system outlined in the books of WotC. and that's true! there's no reason (beyond copyright) you couldn't confront a Bulette in Burning Wheel, play a Mind Flayer in Fiasco, or even set a game of Apocalypse World in Dark Sun.

this is where one of the quiet strengths of D&D-the-product does come in though. the role of the book is mostly to lend a certain sense of concreteness. it's a rhetorical trick: if you can turn to a page of the Monster Manual and see a mindflayer with a statblock, an artwork and a couple of unique abilities, then mindflayers feel more 'real'. factor in the existence of decades of history, splatbooks expanding on the concept, articles in Dragon, modules, stories about other groups who've encountered a mindflayer, and you feel like you know something. nevermind that most of the mindflayer lore is kind of eh at best! D&D is a machine that rewards your autism, hard.

and in terms of actual game design, there are some things that D&D is very granular about, like what your character can and can't do. D&D certainly is an unbalanced grab bag of not-exactly-integrated systems with no unifying design philosophy... and that's largely to its advantage in terms of making the stuff on your character sheet feel concrete, rather than ephemeral like the freely chosen Aspects in FATE. by making the map more complicated, the supposed territory it describes (the shared fiction) might be made to feel more substantial. it's not the only way to do this, mind you - you can absolutely make something a strongly impactful, constraining part of the shared fiction without numbers and dice. but the numbers and dice provide a scaffolding, a thing to lean on when you draw a blank.

(D&D arrived at this more or less by accident mind you. you could definitely say that something like the Moves of a PbtA game are a more coherent and flexible framework for system and fiction engaging without sacrificing substance. and there's plenty of trad games besides D&D which follow the same paradigm, not least because splatbooks are good business. still, I think there is something gained by what seems at a glance to just be an unholy mess of jank).

for a new game, it can't work in the same way. it's a chicken and egg problem. if nobody's ever played your game before, you can't so easily introduce it by doing. (sure you can run it for friends, but you can't rely on most people being introduced to the game that way). there may be a small or even large community of people for any given game, or maybe fans of types of game, but you have to mostly rely on the book to build up the concept in the player's mind.

one of the most useful tools you have is genre, but that's a double edged sword. there are many games that are just 'PbtA for cyberpunk' or whatever, instantly forgettable. again, that's a tricky bootstrapping problem. somehow, a game book needs to get players enthusiastic about the premise using the familiar, introduce them to the unique quirks that make it interesting, and put them in a mindset where they're ready to extemporise in whatever idiom the game suggests. tall order!

the voice of Apocalypse World - the rulebook - is very casual, quite aggressive. 'to do it, do it', not 'when its condition is met in the fiction, the Move is triggered' as a later PbtA might put it. it swears a lot. the voice of a Jenna Moran game is full of little asides and wordplay. the voice of an Avery Alder game is exhaustingly sanctimonious, which has unfortunately spread to other authors. this aspect, the feeling you get reading it describe the stuff it wants you to do, is way more important in telling you about the game than the short story you skip over at the beginning of the book, or even any particular mechanical procedure.

the voice of modern D&D is... honestly in its current edition, painfully corporate and dull. nothing puts me off playing D&D faster than reading the class introductions! but where it has the most character unique sort of slightly arch 'game prose', kind of like an encyclopedia entry with dice rolls in the middle of a sentence. it's unabashedly nerdy, comfortingly so. this is why long lists of almost identical polearms are actually valuable. games need to have something weird and jank and inexplicable for your brain to hold on to.

however... that mass is also a weakness. because all that concrete stuff that you can lean on to flesh out and inspire your imaginings... is also a lot to digest for a potential new player. (this is a reason why I've found it hard to get into games like Shadowrun and Eclipse Phase, lacking a clear on-ramp, and my ideas clashing unpredictably with established stuff.)

compared to games with a hyper-defined setting, and games that create it all improvisationally in the first session, D&D's modular framework is actually pretty ingenious. if every campaign takes place in its own mini setting designed by the DM, there's huge libraries of stuff that could be there, so you can get that 'I recognised that' knowledge, but there's no need to digest a campaign setting or worry about lore conflicts. you can be ~intertextual~ with other D&D games - "oh yeah, my DM used that!" - without all the commitments of an official setting. (of course, D&D has plenty of those too, and many of them are pretty neat. but it's agnostic about whether you use them.) this also gives you a starting point for making your own setting. "here's a thing that's expected to be there. what's your spin on this?" is a really productive question, if the things are minimally interesting.

so being a DM is kind of a bridge between "run it by the book" and "make your own game". you have a lot of freedom, and you have fallbacks to lean on. that's actually pretty good I think.

the DM role is... you could spin it different ways. on the one hand, it gives one player vastly more work than the others, turning them into a mini game designer + master of ceremonies + multirole actor + narrative author + typically, organiser; the one who's responsible for carrying the whole thing. on the other hand... that's a stage. if you are lucky enough to play with a really good DM, the whole thing really does come alive in a way that a book, no matter how elegant or flavourful, could never convey - because it's responsive to you and you get a rapport going. of course by the same token an unengaged, unenthusiastic DM can't be saved by any procedures or rules you could imagine. in that middle ground... that's where tools like Apocalypse World's MC moves come in to help. for D&D, 'how to DM well' is in my experience communicated almost exclusively through stories and imitation - you could never learn it from the DMG.

viewed as a practice or a ritual, D&D likes to mysticise the DM, like the mad wizard who built the moldering pile etc etc. you have the pageantry of the DM's screen, hidden dice rolls, passed notes, asking for perception checks without explanation. if you play in to it (you should, it's part of the fun), you get to lean on the established image of the Dungeon Master, not just someone in a room telling a story. oh wait, is that actual magic?

incidentally, I never really ran Apocalypse World strictly 'by the book'. I was aware of the list of principles and vaguely remembered the moves, but equally, perhaps more so, I was thinking of the idea of an Apocalypse World MC suggested in discussions online. I was also of course leaning on previous experience playing D&D and other games. it worked well, better the second time when I was older, because it's like 75% about being genuinely enthusiastic and paying attention to people when you get right down to it.

all this is why it's hard to replace D&D with a suite of modern, elegant purpose built systems. most of what happens at a TTRPG table, with any 'system', is not determined by what's written in the book but some fuzzy social dynamic in a given group of people and their shared idea of what the game is supposed to be. you can try and introduce rules and procedures into that dynamic, even create a game like Firebrands where nearly every step comes from a prompt list. (the question of how much the explicit mechanics should touch social interactions and narrative structure is a matter of taste). it can be helpful, but you can also risk stifling something important that comes in improv.

viewing the broad space of indie RPGs as its own tradition, like D&D... 'indie RPGs' has its own content, a shared context of frequent ttrpg players, the type like me who are likely to try a new system every campaign. the more games you play, the more analogies you can draw and the quicker you can pick up the gist of a new game. you'll have cross-game skills in e.g. improv or breaking down systems, and an established habitus in terms of stepping into character or playing a GM-like role that can't be written in a book. if you've only ever played D&D, or no TTRPGs at all, you'll have some of that, but a lot will be unfamiliar and the benefit won't necessarily be obvious.

I do think getting into the broader space of TTRPGs is worthwhile, because... ok this is going to sound pretentious as hell but seriously, it's a ridiculously interesting art form, both the designing and the playing of them. but also that's given me a perspective to look back and say, oh, that's what D&D was all along!

what would kill D&D, WotC edition? hard to imagine. there have been splinters, like the OSR for people who like simple mechanics, high lethality and the flavour associated with older editions, or Pathfinder for people who... idk, who really like 3.5 I guess and just wanted a few balance tweaks, idk, did it diverge more? it's definitely just D&D in a funny hat though. oh and there's Dungeon World but lol, Dungeon World.

D&D-the-product-line has come close to collapsing a couple of times, once when TSR went under, again when 4e divided the 3.5e fanbase hard, but 5e being a 'pretty solid for the most part' game that managed to somehow appeal to multiple ideas of 'what D&D is', along the Actual Play renaissance selling a new generation on the idea of D&D... that saved it. maybe it's about to take another hit with this new OGL killing the secondary industry.

I don't think that most of the D&D groups out there, in it for the idea of D&D, would be playing other TTRPGs if only D&D was not so big. likely they wouldn't be doing any such thing at all, but some other dorky hobby. if WotC-run D&D goes under, I'm not sure what happens! D&D-the-practice would continue no doubt, and maybe it starts looking like the OSR, with numerous variations on a theme that don't carry the stamp of 'officialness', until one or another can become an unofficial standard. maybe it looks like open source software and some kind of nonprofit D&D foundation is created to control the source lol. would be interesting to see.

aaaaanyway. if you want your fave non-D&D TTRPGs to thrive as D&D has, here's what you gotta do. talk about them. tell anecdotes from your games, the stupid memes and injokes, what you really like about the mechanics, tell everyone about the weird fun fucked up bits of the lore. tell a story about what it means to play that game. and sure, talk about how it's different from D&D and why you like it more. that story is the bait that will get people onto that fun new RPG system and give them a handle to get started. what got me into 'Story Games' all those years ago was finding a forum with a whole bunch of people having fascinating nerdy discussions about sides of TTRPGs I'd never been exposed to in D&D.

[of course me being me, I took it way too seriously and made a whole thing in my head about how much better these new, progressive Story Games were better than janky old incoherent Trad Games. for years I wouldn't even consider playing D&D or similar. all I can say is, I'm really glad I got over that attitude. hence this kind of post.]

#roleplaying games #dungeons and dragons #tabletop rpgs

[hellcheer-heaven]

star wars au when Eddie as jedi and Chrisy as sith

Hello dear anon, I absolutely love this idea! Again my apologies for take a lifetime to answer. Considering that both Star Wars and Stranger Things are big fandoms (the latter I’m sure is still growing), I would love a ST au! or a crossover involving Hawkins’ residents living in a galaxy far, far away. Now while my knowledge of SW isn’t as big as it once was, I think it would be neat to have these two in such differing roles. I’ll discuss this as an au! and crossover. I’ll also have pictures and titles included so it doesn’t become too confusing to read.

Eddie Munson

On Tatooine, Wayne raises Eddie on a the desert planet. They take care of their livestock and sell goods in Mos Eisley just to make ends meet. Eddie is the only one who is force sensitive and even shows Wayne his “cool powers” when he moves things with his mind. Wayne is well aware of the Jedi, but fears what could happen to his nephew if someone finds out. When Eddie is 8 years old, a few of the Jedi visit their booth. Yoda senses great potential in him. As difficult as it is, Wayne encourages Eddie to go with them, noting that he will have a better life out there. They must go their separate ways, and he promises to return to Wayne when the time is right (which he does, Wayne will live in this universe because I say so).

Chrissy Cunningham

Chrissy lives on the busy planet of Coruscant. She’s force sensitive as well and is also given a wonderful opportunity to train. However her mother (an important, respected, and feared politician) forbids it and does what she can to keep her daughter in line. She believes that the Jedi are barbaric and are no different from the Sith. Whenever Laura spots Chrissy using her telekinesis, she resorts to scolding and hitting her. She denies her food and water as a means of punishment too. After Chrissy turns 6, it becomes difficult for her to control her powers. Further adding onto the stress of having to be the “perfect” daughter for her mother’s reputation. One night Chrissy ends up using the Force as a means to protect herself from another beating. Violently shoving Laura until her back hits the wall. In that moment, Laura knows that cannot control her daughter, so she sends her away to the Jedi Temple, believing that they will straighten her out.

Jedi Temple and the Tale of Henry Creel

Eddie and Chrissy become friends and as they age, something more blossoms between them. But as the code states, Jedi are never to form relationships with anyone. This becomes a bit more challenging when they are sent off on missions together with a Jedi Master during their time as apprentices. When the two of them are allowed to go on their own, they share tender kisses and hold hands. They get to learn more about each other and they talk about their dreams. Even though it seems impossible, they hope that perhaps one day they can be together, even if it means that they’ll be kicked out of the temple for good.

Their education requires them to study the history of the Jedi and understand the Force as well. In the process, they also learn of a past pupil who had turned to the Dark Side. He was like them once, young, ambitious, and ready to face the enemy. Henry Creel was highly intelligent and very intuitive as well, he studied the archives and the ways of the Jedi. Yet his thirst for knowledge was as boundless as the galaxy. He wanted to learn about the Sith, get a better sense of their ways. When his interest was discovered, he was banned and kicked out of the temple. His anger fueled his powers, resorting to using the Force for his own means. Going as far as to kill anyone that stood in his way when he enacted his revenge.

The masters and knights managed to stop him from committing a horrible massacre and he was arrested. He was able to escape and he soon became an enemy to the Republic and to the Jedi. Henry sought out the likes of Count Dooku and Martin Brenner. They taught him the ways of the Dark Side, utilizing violent methods to train him. Brenner was the lesser of two evils, treating the young man like a son. Dooku highly disagreed with Brenner’s antics, believing that he was being “too soft on the boy.” And so he made sure to really push him to his limit and then some. Henry was always the target of his lightening strikes. Each strike became much more unbearable, disfiguring Creel over time until he became the monster that he was meant to be. When his training was complete, he commanded his own loyal following and committed such unspeakable crimes. He was willing to teach anyone that pledged their allegiance to him and to the Dark Side. However, there was one person in mind that he felt a connection to.

Sith Lord Vecna

Chrissy couldn’t help but find the tale of Henry to be fascinating, so she wanted to know more about him. Obi-Wan sensed that something was amiss with her, pulling her aside to let her know that she needed to be careful. She reassured him that she was fine, but he could not let this feeling go. This bad feeling felt a little too familiar, he feared of what could happen to her like he feared for his current apprentice Anakin.

One evening when she was meditating alone, she sensed an unfamiliar voice speaking to her, it referred to itself as Vecna. He managed to get into her mind, bringing back awful memories of her past. Planting the seed of doubt and fear within her, letting it fester until she started to let the darkness in. Chrissy felt that she was pushed to her limits during her training and used her hatred to her benefit during her missions. Eddie had to stop her from killing a corrupt politician, having to remind her that the Jedi do not kill. He brings up his worries to the council, all they can do is speak with her and let her off with a warning.

Chrissy despises what Eddie had done, believing that he betrayed her. He tries to reconcile, telling her that he only did it for her. He cares about her, he doesn’t want anything awful to happen. She disregards his feelings and continues to focus on what matters to her. Vecna continues to plague her thoughts, telling her that Eddie will destroy her one day. The two of them are no longer on speaking terms from now on.

A Never-ending Battle

Some years later during an important mission, Chrissy fully embraces her darker side. The sight of blood and cut up bodies no longer frightens her. She even goes as far as to hurt Eddie, leaving permanent scars across his body during an intense battle. She has the opportunity to end him, but she leaves him for dead thinking he’ll simply die of starvation. The connection between her and Vecna grows when she seeks him out. He takes her as his apprentice, he teaches her everything and more. She becomes the warrior that she was born to be.

Jedi Master Munson and Sith Lord Cunningham cross paths many, many times. Their battles are long, epic, and difficult. Yet they both manage to show equal parts strength, agility, and endurance regardless of whatever planet they’re on. She tells him each time to join her, they can create the world however they choose, and he refuses each and every time. He tells her to leave Vecna, to come back to the light. He promises to do whatever it takes to help her, but in the end she refuses and so their battle continues until they meet again.

A tragic tale of two friends, turned lovers, turned into enemies for life. It begs the question if they could have any sort of romantic connection anymore.

#hellcheer #munningham #eddissy #chrissy cunningham #eddie munson #chrissy x eddie #eddie x chrissy #laura cunningham #wayne munson #uncle wayne #henry creel #vecna #st vecna #stranger things!au #stranger things #stranger things au #star wars #crossover #yoda #obi wan kenobi #obi wan #tried my best anon it’s not very good #anon reply #anon answered #anon ask #anonymous #cunningcreel

[shih-coulda-had-it]

do you have any sorahiko headcannons you'd like to share? :)

Not particularly, but I do have a snippet of an 'Exes of Gran Torino Club' fic I'm having fun with:

wc: ~800 | Toshinori's POV (trying out an narration where he isn't calling Nana by 'oshishou' internally) | Lots of flirtatious implications. Working structure of this fic is 'Toshinori's No-Good Horrible Bad Evening Improves When He Remembers He Can Stir Shit Up.'

//

Times like these, Toshinori is grateful that his growth spurts haven’t sent him past Gran Torino’s shoulders yet. He can still hide behind his and Nana’s capes when the time calls for it. Like now.

Gran Torino shifts just enough that he is leaning an elbow against the grimy wooden bar, and his cape covers any gap that might reveal Toshinori. He cocks his head and greets the stranger with a warm, “Hey. Haven’t seen you in a bit.”

“And whose fault is that?” the stranger returns. Toshinori frowns to himself—he thinks he heard something in the stranger’s voice, but surely…?

“Monk Kong’s,” says Torino blithely.

“Ah, you’re right. One of the most inconvenient men I’ve had to suffer in my life. He lectured me the whole time about a virtuous lifestyle before the cops pulled up.” Toshinori registers the slide of heavy-soled boots on a sticky floor, and he bristles at hearing the stranger sidle closer. “Think he knows one of his own lives a life of sin?”

“What happens when the cape’s off is my own business.”

“Yet here you stand, all buttoned up.”

He can’t witness in silence anymore, but he’s also pretty sure he doesn’t want to see who Gran Torino might be, god, fraternizing with off the record. Nana wouldn’t stand for this anyways. He’s her successor in all the important ways, which means he’s responsible for Gran Torino not hooking up with someone while on patrol. Toshinori tugs a handful of yellow fabric, only to get blindly slapped back by a thickly-gloved hand.

“Who’s he?” he hisses anyway.

“Shut up,” Torino hisses back.

“A little tag-along?”

Gran Torino sighs, but pointedly doesn’t move aside to reveal Toshinori. “Intern. Don’t mind him. Some stuff you gotta learn on the job, and speaking of, I’m here to talk about the recent break-out. Any clues as to where they are?”

“Torino-kun,” says the stranger fondly, “you know better than anyone that information like that doesn’t come for free. Can’t you sweeten the pot? For old time’s sakes?”

This is unreal. What’s happening? Toshinori mouths the last fragmented leading hint to himself and blanches, and he musters the strength to peek around Gran Torino. The stranger is maybe as tall as Gran Torino, but with light hair pulled back into a ponytail, an unshaven square jaw with a dark tattoo blooming across his cheekbone, and most notably, the missing joint of a pinky finger curled around the glass, the leftover stub bandaged over.

The stranger tips his head in acknowledgment of Toshinori’s staring, and Gran Torino actually shifts position to cut off the line-of-sight.

“You’re dealing with me,” Torino answers. “Considering who else could be shaking you down for details, the pot’s sweetened already.” He leans forward a little and tips his own head. While he softens his voice, Toshinori can still discern what he says: “I’m on a new patrol schedule. You’re lucky I can fit a meeting with you in before I really gotta work, Arashi.”

Like hell!! Toshinori quivers angrily as Arashi laughs, low, and for no apparent justification at all (what is Toshinori learning from this experience?! That Gran Torino flirts with his informants?! That informants are acquired by dating history?!) tells Gran Torino that he only knows ‘Tomoe’ is setting up shop in the business district.

“She’s gotta diversify her portfolio,” says Torino disapprovingly. “I told her that she’s too reliant on routine to carry her through the first week, and she still goes and rounds up her old bookies like the previous arrest meant nothing.”

“Hey,” says Arashi, “maybe this time she won’t use her Quirk, and you’ll just let the cops nab her.”

“Tomoe’s too set in her ways for that. Geez… Thanks, Arashi. Be seeing you.”

“Going to leave me so soon?”

Amusement bleeds into Torino’s tone. “Maybe if you told me about the rest of the escapees, I’d get the job done fast enough to return. But you aren’t, so I’m off.” A break in conversation, an audible clink of ice in glass, and clearly, by the toss of Torino’s head, he is drinking on the job--! 

It could be worse. It could be worse. All he has to tell himself is that it could be so much worse, and Toshinori will survive tonight to tattle so, so much on Gran Torino.

The glass is set down on the bar. Gran Torino says, “Low-proof. Good. Glad to know someone takes my advice.” He turns around before he bothers to hear Arashi’s response and scowls at Toshinori, ushering him to move. “Let’s go. Roofs, now.”

 “Oh, you’re done?” Toshinori says, scathing.

“Roofs,” says Torino, unbothered but more firmly. “Now.”Toshinori goes, if only because he doesn’t think Arashi should have additional insight into Torino’s life. No, that man can definitely stay here, in this dingy divebar, swilling his low-proof alcohol and looking--shady! God, he doesn’t think Gran Torino has anyone virtue for Toshinori and Nana to protect, but he refuses to let that interaction charge any further.

#bnha #yagi toshinori #all might #gran torino #torino sorahiko #exes of gran torino club au #shih.txt #shih's drafts #asks #anon #headcanon about sorahiko: he is the best right-hand man you could ever ask for #2nd headcanon about sorahiko: #he refused point-blank to bring toshinori along on patrols unless nana was there with him

[ae-neon]

Nesta Archeron in the Autumn Court

Other Neris Autumn Court stuff: (X)

[Non-political Neris because if I get into it, this will be 28 pages long]

She arrives in Autumn one month before the Hunt.

During her official introduction at court she wears a deep green dress, mermaid cut, the ends of the sleeves and tail made to resemble peacock feathers. It's the loudest thing she's ever worn so she opts out of jewellery.

She's almost horrified to find the dress barely stands out in the sea of outlandish fashion of the Autumn Court

Eris worries he'll have to spend most of his time babysitting an obnoxious Night Court brat but he finds Nesta surprisingly quiet aside from her sarcasm and wit.

He feels his power draw to the surface the first time they dance together, held hostage by that blue grey gaze.

She plays the aristocrat well enough that most things only take a few lessons and he ends up working while she buries herself in a book.

Nesta slowly adopting an Autumn sense of fashion but still holding back on the busier patterns and jewellery

There are things about Autumn so familiar to Nesta they feel like memories and things so strange they feel like dreams

Nesta wearing black pants and white shirts with fancy sleeves and ruffles

Nesta learning fire dancing and Autumn Court dueling

Eris being insanely stylish

Eris making sure his tailor and shoemaker include little couple details in their wardrobes to stir rumours

Nesta in embroidered coats, riding pants and knee high brown leather boots

Nesta pretending she can't be arsed to get into Fae history but becoming fixated on certain eras and people

The Lady of Autumn gives Nesta a fan made to look like a peacock's tail in remembrance of Nesta's first proper attendance at court.

It's subtle but Nesta can feel her magic rise closer to the surface in Autumn, the way the flames around her seem to burn brighter and the wind whispers as it flows through the sea of trees.

There are ruins in the woods near the Forest House that Eris tells her were once a part of the sprawling construct. The stairs circle into nothing above but lead down into a dark flooded tunnel below.

Nesta is almost sure she sees a ripple and hears something whisper her name as she stares down into the blue black water.

Nesta's favourite lessons become the fire dancing. The art lies somewhere between the classic steps she'd learned as a child and some sort of martial arts, flames all the while painting vivid pictures.

She hates to admit how beautiful Eris looks as he performs the movements.

Nesta asking Eris about certain details on the people and places she's reading about. Him answering earnestly and in full, sometimes they go on and on for hours - lost in quiet conversation

Sometimes, walking through the woods, Nesta sees figures moving between the trees, feels a chill run up her spine when she's sure something brushes past her

She dreams too, strange dreams about running through the woods with blood in her mouth, on her hands. Sometimes Eris is there, red hair glinting in the corner of her eye

The closer they get to the Hunt, the more she sees, feels and hears. The more restless the thing inside her becomes

Eris seems to sense it too, he grows quiet around her, watching and waiting

Other things watch and wait too; owls and foxes, wild horses and stray cats. She isn't sure if these things are happening in her dreams or not.

One day they walk out deeper into the woods than she's ever been. Eris quietly beside her all the while. Too quiet. So quiet she isn't sure he's there when she doesn't look.

It's two nights until the Hunt and she still isn't sure what that means or why it feels important.

She turns to see Eris, amber eyes watching her, leaning against a bone white tree. He's beautiful and terrifying, like her.

Nesta wonders if it's just another dream. She's sure she can hear his heartbeat. As loud as a drum.

She knows it in her bones before it happens, that she is the Hunter.

That Autumn, and Eris, had been waiting for her. That she would kill Beron and that the magic inside him would find its way into her.

Well, that took a turn.

I didn't plan this out and I actually have like 4 other Neris drafts but oh well. Also, this is definitely more Nesta than Eris but maybe I'll do another when I'm in a better headspace.

#acotar #nesta archeron #nesta x eris #eris vanserra #autumn court #anti nessian #anti acosf #nesta deserves better #anti sjm #acotar edit #neris #acotar headcanon #pro nesta #pro eris #pro nesta archeron #pro eris vanserra #witch nesta #nesta supremacy #ae aesthetics

[not-poignant]

Hi Pia!

Do you have any advice on how to hook readers? Like how so you decide on what sentence or subject or scene to start with at the beginning of a story that will encourage readers to continue?

I've told multiple different things by people, like to start in the middle of the action or with dialogue, but I'm still not sure and have no idea what I'm doing 😆

Hi anon,

Hilariously I have been told that my beginnings aren't always very good so you should really take this all with a grain of salt, lol. Go beneath the 'read more' if you want to just get some actual practiceable advice that you can start doing immediately to get better at beginnings.

Generally speaking, starting in the middle of the action scene or with dialogue is a distillation of something deeper and simpler:

Most authors start the story too early, because they need more exposition than the reader does, because they're learning the world and the characters and often have to learn it by writing them. This means that by the time they get to the good stuff, in many cases, they are 5-10 chapters in, and you can often safely drop all of those chapters, and other readers would have zero problems understanding the story, because the author has basically told themselves the story of those characters etc. and set up the major action.

This is especially true of authors who are learning to write, and still learning to feel out a story. And anon, you can't always shortcut this even if you do start in the middle of an action scene or in the middle of a dialogue scene. Sometimes you've just got to take it with grace when you hand a manuscript to a beta and they say 'cut the first 10 chapters, it's stronger without them.' I've had to do this to friends, and I've had this done re: my own writing.

The Ice Plague initially started - before I ever put it up - with Olphix going into the Aur forest and setting it on fire. That's a very strong, traumatising, major scene! No one can deny that's not starting with an action scene of great gravity. But it just wasn't the right place to start. I realised something was wrong and took a long hiatus, and then it came to me that it was more important narratively for the reader not to understand where Mosk's grief came from or what had happened to him.

The story had to start with Eran, and it had to start 9 months after that action scene, and if I had started The Ice Plague with my initial idea, I would have had to cut around 15 unnecessary chapters to get to the good bit, lol. (I do actually think The Ice Plague has a strong beginning). Mosk's history had to be mysterious and something that got revealed over time, in the same way that it was revealed over time. And I couldn't learn that until I started writing the story.

Sometimes, anon, you can know all the technical things about why some stories are stronger if they start in an action scene or with dialogue (some are weaker for it), but the only way you can really get through it is via...writing the story.

(Actual practical advice beneath the start plus a whole bunch of opening sentences).

Re: A hooky start, for myself, I want to start with an interesting first sentence. Something that interests me, lol, but something that I think would be interesting if someone else read it too.

I actually think the opening sentence of Stuck on the Puzzle is terrible, lmao. But I think the opening chapter is great. Anyway, here's a list of some of my opening sentences and you can decide or think about what you like about them, what you don't like, and if any of them prompts you to read further. Think about why, as well. What was it? What bit did you want to know more about:

Cateline described Grimglass as the ‘ass end of Corambis,’ and certainly while the heavy clouds hung over the sea like a pall, I could see what she meant.

Connor stared intently at the computer as it booted up, looked around the otherwise dark room, and then up to the security cameras he'd disabled. (This is not a very strong opening sentence, I think the whole paragraph is better lol).

Alex liked that they were both, in a way, failures.

In high school, Alex used to imagine forcing Sebastian to give him blowjobs. 

Red galaxies fired beneath Efnisien’s eyelids. (This one is also stronger in the whole paragraph imho).

The An-Fnwy estate was just as grand and imposing as Augus Each Uisge had imagined when he was an underfae teenager, living in a lake nearby.

When the Oak King proclaimed the new fae era, the ‘Season of Turning,’ we all assumed it would be a time of positive change, of growth. (Blah, the ORIGINAL first sentence was from the start of the next chapter).

Augus Each Uisge, predatory waterhorse, Unseelie fae, was bored.

Jack shifted uncomfortably in his ceremonial soldier’s uniform.

The magic around Eran’s wrist throbbed, the beetle-black ink of the months-old tattoo sinking deeper into his flesh.

Gwyn stood, embarrassed, in his wrestling gear.

Efnisien had forty four books in his plain grey melamine bookshelf.

The sun was bright red on the horizon, looking more like a bomb, the smell of smoke acrid in the back of Faber’s nose.

‘I hear they want to promote you to nursery manager,’ a voice said smoothly. ‘What a coup indeed.’

Almost eight months had passed, the next time Gwyn saw Augus.

-

Generally speaking I like to establish mood quickly, particularly embarrassment, discomfort, boredom, or the kind of emotion that you want to see resolved. These folks all have big and small problems they need fixing, and with very few exceptions, I want people to know that immediately, so that they'll...ideally stick around and watch the problems get fixed (or get worse lol). I also start strongly with character, rather than just...detached setting description.

That works for me, it might be different for you! Go find all your favourite books and read their opening sentences and paragraphs, do some research anon. Stop listening to friends (and ChatGPT written articles on how to write because there's so many now x.x) who say 'start in dialogue' or 'start in action' and do the research that teaches you why people say stuff like this and why it's also not always right. Don't even listen to me - I don't always write strong beginnings and I'm very open about that - go get 10 books, 20 books, 50 books, and write down their first sentences or paragraphs in a word document or in Google Docs and study them.

Which ones do you love? Which do you find boring? Which do you remember thinking 'ehhh maybe it gets better.' Notice and actively look for the things that hook you and the things that don't. How many start with dialogue? Or action? How many start with emotion, or description? How many are starting with setting, character, something else?

Try practicing writing sentences like this, or imagining openings like this for your own works. Learn by doing. How would you change the openings by genre? How would you change the voice by character? Alex's opening sentences are very strongly in his voice. Meanwhile Mosk's voice in Smoke in Autumn is non-existent, we literally start with Augus' dialogue dominating and intruding upon his mind and thoughts.

And then realise sometimes you still have to write 10 chapters that you might need to cut (hey bonus content that readers will want to devour one day! Make sure you save it :D ), to find the right place to start your story. It sucks, but it happens. I've been through this with Mallory & Mount and only now after like over a year have I figured out exactly where I have to start that damned story, and I finally have my opening sentence, which is:

The guard looked at Lewis Mount like the murderer he was.

And I love that opening sentence :D I'm biased, but I think it's very hooky.

Writing beginnings and endings is a craft, but you'll learn with practice! And you'll learn a lot via research. Thankfully, you probably like reading, which means you can start researching literally right now.

The best way to learn what you're doing is to learn from the people who have already done it successfully. This is sometimes famous writers, but just as often it's looking at what your favourite writers are doing. Chances are you maybe want to write a little bit like them, so go study their opening sentences! Maybe they don't have strengths in that, but I bet some of them do.

And from there you can study opening paragraphs, opening chapters. You can feel out the ones you wanted to skip, the ones you'd read again and again, the ones you love, the ones you didn't feel anything over. :D

Anyway I think this is probably a pretty good place to start! The folks giving you advice have the right idea, it's just good to understand why it's the right idea. The best way to get to that is to just...research openings of books for yourself and decide what you like, what you'd like to write like, and then trying it out for yourself :D

#asks and answers #pia on writing #dodgy advice #i have definitely gotten better at openings #the opening for the nascent diplomat made me laugh #it's so bad #administrator gwyn wants this in the queue

[flightyquinn]

5 Things Any GM Can Learn From "The Legend of Vox Machina"

Okay, I hesitated to make this post, because I didn't want to come off as one of those Critical Role fans that tells people to be more like Matt Mercer. So, first thing's first. Forget about Matt Mercer. Forget about Critical Role. I'm just talking about the show. A show which I resisted watching for the longest time due to its association with the Critical Role fanbase, and which now lives in my head rent free.

Regardless of how things are run at the table, the way that "The Legend of Vox Machina" adapts the gameplay into a show can teach some valuable lessons about what makes for a good story. You don't have to be Matt Mercer to adapt these ideas into your own game.

Work in the characters' backstories; This is probably the biggest one. Almost every story beat in TLoVM is in some way relevant to a member of the group. They don't just fight an evil cult, they fight the evil cult that killed a party member's family. They don't just find a city being attacked by monsters, it's where one of the party members is supposed to go for an important trial, and the last place her mother was seen alive. The group of monster hunters they try to enlist the aid of isn't just any band of mercenaries, it's one that someone in the party has history with, former friends and bad blood both. The players have more of a stake in the world, because their connections to it are everywhere. They're a part of what's happening already.

Give players cool shit; This can mean literal things, like the gunslinger getting a few extra bullets in his gun and a dark aesthetic when going after targets of vengeance. Or it can mean cool moments to use their abilities, like the central feature of a location being a magical tree that the druid can commune with to give the party a critical advantage. It can even be as simple as tossing out a few "softballs" during encounters by letting things target the PC who has the best chance of taking it, rather than the one it would be most effective against. Whatever it is, try to find things that make each player feel cool.

Treat RAW as a suggestion; This kind of goes hand in hand with the previous, but takes it a little farther. There's a lot of moments in the show that, strictly speaking, probably aren't in the rules. Like the druid making a path under a racing carriage by summoning vines under it, a dragon unleashing mass destruction with a single breath attack, or even something so simple as a magic hand spell being able to conjure feet and specific gestures. Letting things happen (or at least letting things be rolled for) helps to make the story more interesting, though. Sure, don't let players jump to the moon, or roll to win, but keep in mind that it's okay to play a little fast and loose, especially when it's something that reasonably could be done, there just isn't a rule for it, or when the story is more interesting with it happening than with it not.

Fail forward; At the beginning of the show, the party starts a bar fight and gets kicked out, but then finds a notice for a well-paying quest. Later, they cause a diplomatic incident and should be arrested, but a sympathetic NPC gets them put under house arrest instead, where a subsequent attack on their home convinces the captain of the guards watching them to let them go. Even when three members of the party are completely stopped by a thing of evil locked door, that door is eventually opened by a lone soldier come to empty a chamberpot whom they can easily (if not cleanly) deal with. What all these scenarios have in common is that they're all moments when the players messing up could have completely halted the game, but instead the game was allowed to keep moving, albeit with consequences. The point of the game is to have fun, and it's not fun if things stall and grind to a halt. So if something would lead to a dead end in the plot, give the players a way forward. It doesn't need to be easy, but it needs to be there.

Make callbacks to minor things; The party can't afford the dragon-slaying lance, and later when they could get it for free and bypass a major plot, they see it destroyed. The bard has miscommunication with a random noble, and later that same noble is a part of other events. The adventurers the party got in a bar fight with were the ones who were supposed to take the job they ended up landing. Much like referencing the players backstories, referencing the story itself helps the story to feel more grounded and real. The events are no longer happening in isolation, but to people the players recognize, and with things that they remember exist. It invites them to pay attention, because they know that their attention may become relevant down the line.

#tabletop gaming #tabletop roleplaying #ttrpgs #game mastery #dungeon master #running the game #the legend of vox machina

[onyxmilk]

May I also request a match-up? I'd like one for jjk and chainsaw man. I'm chill with either gender and I'd like both SFW and NSFW.

In terms of my likes/dislikes, I REALLY like fruit and fruity drinks, it's a very important detail that I tell everyone, but other than that, I enjoy reading (usually fiction works but I've gotten into classic literature the past few months), video games (usually horror), and I have a huge love for the fantasy genre (lotr, hobbit, got, DND, ect). Dislikes are a bit harder, but one main one is I absolutely despise loud and continous noises (pens clicking, loud chewing, drink slurping, ect) they drive me mad, other than that, my Dislikes are pretty basic, I don't like the heat, salty food, coffee (plain coffee, I'll drink a latte or mocha but not really enjoy it) and that's the basic stuff, we'd be here a while if I kept going. I'll also throw this in, I've been really loving mma the past few years so I've been taking classes for almost a year now, it's more than a "like" to me so I thought I should add it.

As for my appearance, I'm definitely taller than the average lady, I'm 5'10 according to my doctor. I have black hair that reaches just below my shoulder blades, grey-blue eyes (they look more like a pale blue in the sun) I'm super pale (I'm very Irish on both sides so 🤷‍♀️) and I mean like glow-in-the-dark or vampire pale, I have quite a few freckles but none on my face, they're all on my arms and legs, and I have 3 tattoos on my arms (cherry blossom branch, spider lily, and a bumblebee).

And lastly, my pronouns are (she/her)

I think that's everything, sorry if this is longer than the usual request.

thanks for the follow, toe gobbler!! - me, to the jjk server im in, nsfw under the cut, minors/ageless blogs dni

JUJUTSU KAISEN ; CHOSO

SONG; Apocalypse - Cigarettes After Sex

sfw;

THIS WAS HARD!!! I really thought on this and it was him or Megumi tbh- but then I thought harder and thought 'toe gobbler needs a fix me up man', so here he is!!!

Choso doesn't mind that you're taller or even the same height, he loves the comfort you bring.

He also loves to share drinks with you because you tend to know the best ones out there, that's how the two of you discovered he also has a thing for the fruit drinks.

He loves tracing your tattoos with his fingers, he finds the designs different and unique.

He loves to see what you're doing constantly when he's home and you're home too, often over your shoulder watching you read a book or even writing.

nsfw;

Something interesting he realized with you is that he feels more... safe, so that means being vulnerable with you.

He enjoys a slow pace, he gets to admire all his doing, even if you need to guide him through every move and how a woman's body works.

He likes to be able to trap your hands above your head, fucking you slowly as you moan and whimper out his name.

Choso is also learning his kinks, and so far he loves when you're quite literally begging for him to speed up and tears are pricking your waterline.

He tends to be rough too, despite his slow pace he will go as hard and rough as he can when gripping your hips or wrists.

CHAINSAW MAN ; AKI HAYAKAWA

SONG; Little Bit - Lykke Li

sfw;

You two met at a restaurant, you were his waitress and he was your guest. He laid eyes on you and immediately fell in love with you, asked for your number and you gave it!

He loves being able to brush back your hair and kiss the back of your shoulder in the mornings when you wear a tank top to bed.

Aki doesn't know the amount of times he's counted your freckles on your arms while you slept, he just does it and it helps him relax.

He finds your taste and his taste funny, you're into fruity drinks and writing while he enjoys a black coffee and reading. Sure, when you do read, its fantasy- Aki is more of a history enjoyer.

He's surprised you have tattoos, but similar to the person above, he tends to trace them when he can't sleep.

nsfw;

Fast and rough, that's the best way to describe sex with Aki.

He loves the way your nails dig into the skin of his shoulders or drag down his back, leaving pretty red lines in your wake.

He loves loves loves when you scream his name, makes him speed up even more which results in even more noises escaping your lips.

He tends to suck hickeys and such on to your skin, sometimes such different levels of intensity its hard for you to cover them up.

He enjoys biting at your thighs before eating you out, but never deep enough to leave marks.

#anime x reader #x reader #match up #anime match up #match-up #anime match-up #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk x reader #chainsaw man x reader #csm x reader

[rueitae]

Season 2, Episode 7: the crackle goes kiwi caper for @csweekly

AKA, one more week until Stockholm. Get pumped.

This opening is so cool. Love how it’s so seamless from the previous episode. We were promised Moscow and that’s what we get. There is a nice tension to the scene too that Player doubles down on. He’s glad to hear the IDs worked, which means they weren’t sure that they would.

Hello Mr Rhys Darby nice to hear your voice again. I would support your promotion to Faculty.

Dr Bellum has SEVEN uncles. And she hates figures of speech. I love??? These moments?? The Faculty are evil but also silly and completely human. It’s these moments that humanize them. Give them depth.

It is. SO cool to see Shadowsan vs Neal here. Maybe it’s because they’re in disguise, and Neal is an older operative, and they’ve got history, or maybe because it we get to see Carmen and Shadowsan really slickly working together on a caper. Up until now they’ve all been mostly improv. We are in the thick of it now.

Love the sibs getting to work on the warehouse and make it like home. Its productive for them! Look at Ivy’s smile! Zack’s sandwich!

OH yes! Okay Shadowsan is able to confirm for Carmen that Bellum wiped Gray’s mind. I love this moment because team red now has the most complete picture of the whole situation now that Shadowsan’s with them. And Player. Is so funny. He says “fair enough” with his eyes closed, finally surrendering the idea that Crackle is a sleeper agent. Listen, this kid does not like Crackle one bit and this scene just emphasizes it.

Also! Cool that Bellum just always has a project and wants to solve things. She’s a true mad scientist.

The enthusiasm with which Zack looks up to Shadowsan absolutely kills me. Shadowsan never speaks about ninjas in a particularly positive light because that’s what he is, and he knows it’s dark. But Zack puts a positive spin on it. He’s in awe of this man. He wants to learn. ~~he wants a dad~~

Zack. Ivy. nO.

Player what.

WHAT IS THAT GESTURE? Who is gonna sign him (and Carmen and Zack and Ivy) for drama club?

“Player has wicked awesome gamer reflexes” how many rounds of Mario Kart have you lost, Zack? Tell me.

Player offering to use Crackle? Interesting. Must be fully convinced he’s clean then.

Also I appreciate that Carmen says “we can’t pull him back into the game”. Nice little nod to the CS PC games. And that was a 90s Carmen theme too.

But also this episode makes me so mad, just get Player a plane ticket and sell the story to his parents. It’s okay. I’m fine.

The way Gray barely looks at her and is all “you’re late”. Magnificent.

Okay but Shadowsan waiting for the cable guy is an important job.

Okay. Take one moment to appreciate how pretty cool and unique this caper is.

Listen. LISTEN. how funny it would be if “Peter” were actually Player’s legal name. He’s using his legal name as an ALIAS. That's next level crazy. That’s gotta be worth it’s own fic or at least a plot point in one. I’m totally cool with continuing to find fun ways to keep referring to him as Player in fics but this is one instance I might be moved to actually use a non canon name, because there are so many ways to take it.

My “Player has a grudge on Crackle” agenda goes berserk in this episode. They literally talk to each other and have NO idea. My mind is buzzing. Player does it for Carmen but how many times is he thinking about the “my best SCHOOL friend” line. (Not much because he’s comfortable and confident in his friendship but these kids are petty let me live)

So, Gray, what you’re SAYING, is that you wouldn’t mind doing the lighting for Boston.

The way Carmen dances to the music while doing her thing this caper is so cool.

Was. Was Neal the one Black Sheep stole the belt from in her flashback? I wonder that sometimes. It’s so interesting to hear the perspective of an older operative who watched her grow up there.

The panic Player has at the change of plans. Nice show of multitasking too he’s literally typing and not looking.

I love this entire near miss. Bellum, Neal, Gray could have all seen each other so easily this entire part of the episode.

And here’s what I love about Carmen. Between finishing the mission and keeping Gray safe, she doesn’t hesitate.

AH that moment he USES the crackle rod and Carmen is HOLDING her breath if he’ll remember but he doesn’t!

ULTIMATUM!!!! I love a good ultimatum. I don’t think this series has had one yet like this? Like this is super big stakes. I love Bellum. She’s kooky mad scientist who wants to solve problems and the next SECOND she’s like “let’s destroy the rice and starve a whole population” and “let’s cut the power to hospitals and air traffic” like. The others want valuable objects but Bellum’s solo capers are just??? Actual life or death???? It’s chilling. And I just love it when a character is told to surrender or else it’s one of my favorite tropes. VILE is still wanting her alive at this point.

I’m actually fully convinced, that, if given more seasons, there would have been a time travel episode courtesy of Bellum as a nod to the 90a series. This episode further lays the groundwork for her wanting to solve scientific mysteries

Love the parallels to Casablanca here.

Haha. Carmen crashes with her glider two episodes in a row. (I am salivating over next week already)

Carmen is SO relieved that Gray wants to be one of the good guys.

“I do provide a service and it is secret” lol

Player found his bank account lolol not the first time he’s found and tampered with a bank account

VILE never laid eyes in Gray! Player double checking what Carmen wants to do about him, making sure she feels safe since he saw her doing her thief stuff. Carmen’s at peace that he doesn’t remember VILE…

Which ACME is about to COMPLETELY ruin.

Next week, Rue goes feral over the amount of angst and whump in one episode for EVERYONE. But particularly Carmen. I could watch it all day.

#carmen sandiego #carmen sandiego 2019 #carmen sandiego netflix #cs liveblog #csweekly #cs weekly #carmen sandiego weekly

[maideninorange]

for the ask game, not sure what you would do with this prompt but i'm curious anyway!

16. “You don’t have a choice.”

Oh my! I wasn't sure either for a while there! Sorry about the long wait (even by my standards)! But I came up with a decent idea in the end, so here we go!

(TW: Just some somewhat graphic death threats, choking imagery, and mild blood. Nothing too dark here for this one, because I was more in the mood for something humorous. Also, Maiden getting too into her worldbuilding, even by her standards.)

It was a little embarrassing, in Tenkai's humble opinion, to get so absorbed in their grumbling over misplaced things on the shelves that it took them until the knife at the back of their throat presses in for them to realize it was even there.

They raise their arms up, "Not even gonna bother by the spell card rules?"

"And put myself at a disadvantage? Why would I do that?"

Ah, they recognize that voice. So they've been ambushed by that scoundrel? Well, it was only a matter of time before they got the bright idea to try picking on them. This was gonna be fun.

"Ah, the Black Shitodo has finally decided to threaten me? Remaining a scoundrel I see," Tenkai can't help but smirk as the knife presses a little further into their neck, "Still 'accquaintances' with Saragimaru there?"

"I don't exist." And the snake is here too then. This oughta make their week.

"Shut up and keep watch," Kuroji's attention turns back to Tenkai, "Now Zuifeng, if you don't comply, no amount of danmaku will help against a simple knife. You'll-"

"I'll be nothing but a mere corpse on the floor? Have the snakes been rubbing off on you or something? You can't even be creative in how you're gonna kill me like Orochin usually gets!"

"...?!" Speaking of snakes, that must've got Saragimaru's gears turning. This'll make screwing with these scoundrels extra fun.

"Unlike Yaorochi, you'll find that I prefer much more simple measures of murder. So do you truly want to test me?"

Ouch. And now there's some blood gushing out from where Kuroji pricked them, making their point. They let out a nervous chuckle, "Geez, not gonna even give me the illusion of free choice?"

"You don't have a choice."

They gathered that much. But confirmation is always nice.

Tenkai takes a step forward, not quite sure what direction they wanted them to go in yet, "So what are you guys after this time? Money? Powerful artifacts? My pride?"

"Knowledge, actually," the scoundrel answers with a light hum, "Sources say Azumaterasu has a rare book cataloguing the Senri family line all the way back to the very first priest of Mugenri."

"And by sources you mean some poor village historian you extorted that information out of."

"He didn't even try to fight back. Just gave in begging for his wealth to be spared," Saragimaru grumbles, confirming what they already knew.

Tenkai was even pretty sure they knew who that someone was. Always was a snivelling coward. How anyone could've entrusted him with such important information is beyond them.

But even so...Ooh, this was definitely going to be fun!

They bite down a mischievous grin, "Let me guess, trying to one-up the current priest? I never knew you had any sort of interest in history!"

"I don't," A low growl hisses in their ear, "I simply see the value in learning all I can about this world. The rarer information I know? The more of a bargain it will be, if you know what I mean..."

"And to make that worthless priest they won't shut up about jealous. Or something." They can just hear Saragimaru shrugging.

Tenkai suppresses a loud chuckle at Kuroji's annoyed shout. Oh, make no mistake, it would be awful if they got ahold of it. The untold havoc that scoundrel would wreck simply by having one of the most important pieces of documentation the Senri clan ever entrusted to their family cannot be underestimated. And their superiors would have their head. That too.

But that implies they plan on letting them get ahold of it in the first place.

"Can't let ya pass on that one," they exclaim, trying to sound at least a little worried, "Even if I wanted to, that book is under lock and key. Sorry!"

"Allow me to repeat myself, just this once: You don't have a choice in this."

"Or what? You'd actually slit my throat? I mean, you are a scoundrel, so..."

And there's the knife drawing blood again. Ouch.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Yes I would. So start marching."

Tenkai obeys, legs automatic, "Sheesh! Someone needs to learn better manners!"

"Don't you know manners and this scoundrel don't mix? Not that you would know much more about manners yourself."

Tenkai can only click their tongue at that. Tsurubami would've been proud.

Kuroji drags them deeper into the bowels of the shop. The "Employees Only" scroll on the door was cheerfully ignored, and they were taken in and out of various rooms in less a sinister waltz and more a clueless stumble. They even start making low growls as the charade goes on. They oughta be glad Tenkai was left to their own devices (miraculously) today, otherwise they would be very, very dead right about the second room. Maybe the third if they want to be generous.

Oh, make no mistake, their superiors are gonna be pissed if they find out Kuroji decided to break into Azumaterasu, and at them especially if they find them compromised like this. The aftermath would not be pleasant if they get caught.

But then again... it's been a good while since someone tried to knock those arrogant asses down a peg. So why not give them a little helping hand, by a certain definition?

The dizzying constant shifting of their surroundings only stops when a loud crack rings out, causing both of them to look in its direction.

...Oh darn, the snake knows a thing or two about picking apart barriers. Not much, clearly, as Tenkai can easily bypass that particular barrier without busting it so loudly, but they did know how to destabilize the inscriptions at the very least.

Saragimaru turn to look at them, the blue glow at their fingertips fading away, "...Found it."

And by the grin returning to Kuroji's face, it seems Tenkai's reaction had given it away.

"Oh my oh my Saragimaru, how did you ever know the entrance was right there?"

"The melon took me into this very room when we met the first time. Something about the inscription working best in that room... though they were lying so..."

Saragimaru fixes them with a harsh glare. Tenkai can only give a half-hearted shrug, unapologetic, "So you can remember how to break the barrier like I showed you, but can't keep track of prices. Suits ya pretty well if you ask me~!"

"...! Why I oughta-"

"Put the sword down. We still need them to bypass whatever traps these old farts put in order to gatekeep us."

Saragimaru lets out a loud groan as they sheathe their kodachi, their jaw clenched. Kuroji hums in their ear a moment later, "But don't worry! Once they disable all the traps it should be perfectly alright to take care of them then!"

... Okay, now this is just downright hilarious. Last time they got held at swordpoint, the youkai were all cheerfully talking about dismembering them once they served their purpose. These guys are just being more polite about it!

Needless to say, Tenkai bursted out laughing. As if these two could ever be the death of them! They kept laughing as they were ushered through the library doorway and down the stairs.

It wasn't until their laughter became full blown wheezing that they were asked by their current captor, "...What's so funny?"

"You..." They wipe a tear from their eye, less walking down the steps and more skipping down them, "...You plan to kill me once I've outlived my usefulness. Are you sure you won't consider a career as a comedian?"

Judging by the low hiss, like a little bird trying to sound bigger than it really is, Kuroji was making, they weren't too impressed by their wit. The knife presses into their back, forcing them down two at a time.

"...Huh. I now see why you want to kill them. All this time I thought I was craving bread, not blood."

"I told you they were better off dead!" Their eyes bore into them from behind, "So don't tempt me! I will if I have to, consequences be damned!"

"Bloodthirsty now, I see?" Tenkai snickers, "See what I mean? Utterly hilarious! Seriously, both of you might have a future in comedy!"

"Shut up..." They both mutter in unison. That will probably be the first and last time they ever agree on something, to boot.

Tsurubami would definitely be proud. They've come a long way since...

Their feet touch down on smooth stone. They swallow hard, knowing where they are and what they'll have to do.

"March," Kuroji whispers in their ear. The knife digs into their back, and Tenkai obeys.

Tenkai roams the long corridors of books and scrolls, one foot firmly in front of the other. They knew exactly where the book in question is. Tsurubami had quite a few suggestions for it when they stole that very book the third time they met. Their superiors didn't know it, but they had gleefully heeded their suggestions.

Not that Kuroji knows that. Nor do they intend to let them know and ruin their fun.

Tenkai guided the scoundrels over to the bookcase in question. The one at the very back, the oldest and mustiest.

Oh, and the only one concealed behind a very obvious and visible barrier. Can't forget that part!

"...So what happens if you touch that barrier there?" Saragimaru asks.

"You rapidly age as your future death plays out right before your eyes."

"Even to the ageless...?"

"Then just the vision of your future death," Tenkai smiles as a loud sigh rolls by their ears.

Okay, they've never actually seen what happens when an actual intruder like these two tries to touch that barrier in question before. They do remember only getting a small shock as a kid when curiosity got the better of them though. One of their...more overdramatic caretakers did spin that story to scare them away, so perhaps there's a grain of truth in it?

Not that it really mattered. They aren't hearing any protests from them, that's for sure.

"Well I happen to like being the age I'm at," Kuroji huffs, "So...? Are you going to grab the book or not? Because if you're not, I presume you know-"

"You'll slit my throat and then leave me to bleed out and die. Yadda yadda yadda," Tenkai rolls their eyes, "If you're gonna actually go ahead and kill me, at least do something more fun than a simple knife to the throat."

"Believe me, the possibilities for me killing both of you are endless if I had it my way," Saragimaru deadpans, as if they actually had the power to follow up on that particular threat.

"I'm well aware. You've told me plenty of them already," Kuroji sounds way too chipper when refuting their wayward servant in Tenkai's opinion, "But unless you would rather be the one to try and break that barrier there, I would -"

"I lost the right to share my opinion. Got it," The butt of a wooden pole jabs against Tenkai's back, making them take a step forward, "...Hey melon, if you find a way to throw this scoundrel into that barrier, please do. Preferably at once."

A huff, "Ignore them. Try that and I'll show you 'creative'."

"I make no promises!" Tenkai grins, flexing their fingers, warming up with power, as they strut towards the barrier.

In theory, this barrier, designed to keep important books under lock and key (and far away from the nose of their least favorite apprentice), is one of the sturdiest, most complex constructs second to only the Great Barrier itself. It contains dozens of inscriptions, and many riddles to keep intruders (and certain smart alecks) from easily confusing and breaking it. Few should be able to access it without an elder's say so.

Keyword: should.

In practice, this barrier was merely further proof that their superiors have never actually fashioned a complicated barrier in their lives. Perhaps it was Tenkai's genius getting the better of them, but this barrier was about as complex as the one on their safe box of gag gifts ill fitting for someone like them to hold onto. It does it's job against one who knows jack about breaking barriers, but only serves as a fun puzzle for a professional barrier breaker.

Tenkai just so happened to be one such professional barrier breaker.

The runic inscriptions light up with a quick swipe over the barrier's surface. Glowing orange fingertips scrawl over it, seeking out the vaguest, frailest sentences.

...Found one.

A twisted grin sprung to Tenkai's face as they began to pour all their energy into it. The inscription glowed brighter and brighter, until it was almost blinding. And then, right before this section could crack, disabled, under the pressure, they let up.

They then reach inside the glowing section of barrier, and yank the target book out.

"You insult me," They huff as their handiwork fades, leaving the barrier like it was never touched, "I could break barriers like that in my sleep."

"...All you did was reach through the barrier and make the room smell like melons," Saragimaru pinches their nose, "You less broke the barrier and more bypassed it."

"And alert my bosses that they were being robbed the moment it shatters? You really ought to be thanking me for not blowing your cover!" They let out a small chuckle at Kuroji's low growl, "Breaking barriers is child's play. Now bypassing barriers? That's a completely different skillset! I put in all this hard work for you guys, and you're too greedy to even thank me?"

"The book. Now." Considering the knife now back at their throat, they guessed so. Kuroji is, at least. Saragimaru is more easily manipulated than greedy.

But nevertheless, Tenkai deposited the book into Kuroji's waiting hand, whistling a small tune as they cast their glance at a nearby bookshelf. It immediately vanishes into their electric purple jacket, never to be seen again.

"Thank you. Cooperating wasn't so bad, was it? Less painful," Kuroji's focus turns to Saragimaru, "Now tie up this loose end here. We don't need all of Azumaterasu coming down on our heads, now do we?"

"On your head. This feels a little too easy, knowing Tenkai Zuifeng. Don't you think they got something else up their sleeve? And don't mix me up in the consequences of your own actions!"

"Oh no, they'd definitely come after you too," Tenkai clasps their hands together, doing their best imitation of the grin Tsurubami typically wore when about to discipline troublemakers, "An excuse to go after one of the last remnants of Yamata-no-Orochi's lineage? It would be a crime to let it go to waste! And then both of your families for good measure! ...Just speaking from personal experience here."

They conveniently left out the time they went after Tsurubami once, for the exact same crime by raw coincidence. They were pretty sure Saragimaru and their beloved Yaorochi would be able to keep their hubris unscathed (unfortunately). Now Kuroji? ...A little more debatable. But that scoundrel's upset worse people before and their superiors are all old farts, so who knows?

It did the trick though. Saragimaru's eyes widened a little, "They'd go after Yaorochi-sama?"

"Loose end. Tie it up," Kuroji deadpans, their gaze flitting between Tenkai, Saragimaru, and the room all around them."

"So I can finally kill this obnoxious melon?" Saragimaru's voice lightens notably, a fang nicking their lip as they bite it.

"Tempting, but no. Leaving a body behind is the exact opposite of a clean break-in. You're going to tie their tongue up so they can't say we were here."

They put their naginata back in its sheathe, restrapping it to their back, "Ugh...Why do I always have to cast the curses? You can cast them too. I've seen you do it."

"...Because your curses are more effective, obviously," Kuroji's gaze turns back to Tenkai, nostrils flared.

"Translation: They can't cast magic like you and I can there, Saragimaru," Tenkai jeers, snorting at the death glare Kuroji then gives them.

"I mean, we all know that...I was just wondering why they weren't gearing up to-"

"Shut. Up. Both of you. You've lost the right to speak," They turn their back towards Tenkai, "Now curse them. Then let's get out of here."

"... Yes Your Excellency," Saragimaru grumbles, stepping towards Tenkai. A blue glow, like rainwater, emits from their fingertips, ominously pressing closer and closer to them.

Or at least, it would've been ominous if they haven't been so desensitized to the dark side of magic. Thanks Tsurubami.

"Sheesh, you guys are so mean! Can't take a little joke or-"

The glowing blue hand closes in around their throat, "Shut. Up."

Tenkai suddenly felt like they were choking on something. They tried to laugh through the pain of talons digging into their nape, but every sound they tried to make sounded garbled. A small white cloud puffs from their mouth, like breath on a cold winter day. Saragimaru's teeth gnash together, and soon enough Tenkai's throat felt clogged with them.

They gargle, clouds bursting from their mouth in a rapid stream like bubbles, purging their tongue of what occurred in this library. And then, just like that, it was all over and the magic all dissipated, their windpipe clearing of misplaced weather.

Saragimaru lets go, the glow of their magic fading, and Tenkai's body drops to the floor with a thud, as if they had dropped them. Air flows through their lungs like sand, black spots dancing in the corners of their vision as they watch their tail sway gently from side to side.

"There. If they say anything about our robbery and hostage taking, the heavens shall rob them of the ability to speak the truth. ...Poor thing, I'd feel bad if it wasn't for them being Tenkai Zuifeng..."

"Good enough. We got all that we need, so let's leave them here."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? People are going to know someone was here once they notice your stupid book is missing..."

"But will they be able to tell it was us specifically? Besides, it's not like we can't pin this on Tsubakura when all is said and done. They say the Senri priest has some kind of right to this book, don't they?"

"I thought this whole pointless excursion was to make that dumb priest you are so obsessed with jealous. Blaming them for your crime sounds very counter-intuitive."

"And that's enough out of you. Let's make our exit while this place is still clear of those elders we're supposed to fear."

"...Did I actually curse the right person?"

"Oh you're such a tease! Didn't you know my body can be just as loose as my lips?"

"Ugh..."

Tenkai clamours to their knees, watching the scoundrels march up the stairs, bickering all the way there. Right as they both reached the top, Kuroji whirls around, and tips their hat to them.

Then, the scoundrel and their swordsnake vanish.

Tenkai pushes themself to their feet, coughing up one more cloud as the curse rolls around their throat and onto their tongue, tasting of smog. It was a pretty unpleasant feeling actually, but Tenkai has been under enough of these sorts of curses to know a strong one from a weak one. And if Saragimaru really wanted them to shut up, they'd be coughing up clouds and hail for weeks on end for daring to think of the forbidden object in question.

It would also be much harder to unravel than this, going by the magical handiwork now decorating their throat and along their chin. Though going by their few unpleasant encounters with that scoundrel, that wrench in their plans was well deserved.

Not as good as the one Tenkai threw though. They can't wait to see the look on Kuroji's face when they realize they handed up a rulebook instead of the history book they were actually after.

Tenkai wobbles over to the bookcase off to the side. They pluck a certain book off the shelf, and with a wave of their hand, the barrier vanishes, revealing A Brief History of the Senri Clan in all its musty glory.

(It hasn't been updated since the fifth priest before the current ones. Tsurubami had ranted to them long and hard about that once they finally got their hands on the book.)

Like Tsurubami had suggested a long, long time ago, Tenkai had the book swapped out for a conveniently dense decoy, disguising both with a cloaking barrier as the other. Not even their superiors had figured out the swap, but that won't last much longer once someone finally realizes they're missing a book or two.

Especially not after Kuroji's plan blows up in their face and they inevitably throw caution to the wind over it. Tenkai can just picture their rage now. The way their cheeks puff up and turn red when angered had always made them snicker.

They blow the dust off the cover before tucking it under their arm. Oh, they couldn't wait until their little prank is discovered. People like those two are way more fun to manipulate than some of the other idiots that occasionally try to make use of them. It's going to be great.

But right now...What exactly should they do? Their superiors are going to be pissed either way, even though they have dozens of those bloated rulebooks lying around in here. Should they put this book back and let sleeping dogs lie for a little while? Hm...

Their attention turns to the old forbidden bookcase it should be on. A smirk plays at their lips.

Perhaps the scoundrels can serve one more use to them after all? They may not know it yet, but they've already humiliated their superiors once today with their crime. What's a little more to teach those hags a well overdue lesson?

...Tsurubami would definitely be cackling at what they've done if they were still here. They'll definitely have to tell them about this when they meet again.

#ask and you shall receive (writing requests) #len'en #len'en project #len'en fanfiction #tenkai zuifeng #kuroji shitodo #adagumo no saragimaru #(tsurubami is mentioned quite a bit here) #(because Tenkai) #(but I'm not tagging them lol) #Seriously I'm really sorry this took so long! #This thing was a complete asshole to finish #Ideas would not flow for a while there lol #I wanted to try something new #(and keep from pigeonholing myself) #and decided to flex my skills at comedy #not sure how funny this actually is #but I gave it my best shot! #...and got a little too into my worldbuilding again (Oops!) #the magic imagery was fun though #and hey! Kuroji finally got to be a bitch in a fic I wrote! Hooray! #Victory all around! #(Even if they didn't win) #(but they don't know that lol) #tw death threats #tw choking #(more imagery than actual but still) #gratuitous worldbuilding #a scoundrel and their swordsnake (slaver team) #the old dictators (tsurubami & tenkai)

[izzieg3987]

chapter 7

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Thankfully the group made it to class just in time. The Laboratory looked just like the ones Percy had seen Hex Maniacs have, with bubbling cauldrons, crystals, herbs, and colorful liquids in vials of all kinds of shapes.

Percy guessed potionology would be just like cooking, just follow the recipe, and you’d be fine. know what’s good for what, how one ingredient goes with another, and how much of it is needed, she did it all the time while making face masks, lotions, creams, and Pokemon food.

As she was thinking this the teacher walked in. He was young looking man with dark grey eyes and short white and black hair. He was wearing a fine suit and a faux fur coat over it. Fabulous, Percy thought as she saw him walking over to her.

“You must be Ms. Remmington. I’m your Potionology and homeroom teacher, Professor Divus Crewel. You may call me Master Crewel.” He introduced himself, and he had an accent too just like Percy. He then gestured to her lab coat and uniform with the pointer that was attached to a red collar, “I’m surprised that you got a uniform tailored this quickly, got to admit it fits you well. It’s a pleasure to finally have a puppy instead of these unruly mutts. If any of them get out of hand, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Thank you, Master Crewel, I know an amazing seamstress,” she thanked him with a kind smile while petting Mimikyu, who was currently on her lap, “And don’t worry sir, I have a vast amount of experience disciplining wild animals myself.”

“Excellent, good girl.” He praised then turned to the rest of the class and smacked his pointer against his palm, silencing the entire class. Then introduce himself again. “My name is Divus Crewel. You may call me Master Crewel. Now, take your seats. Class is about to begin. We’re going to start with the basics. And by that, I mean beating the names and distinguishing characteristics of one hundred herbs and poisons into your tiny brains. The mycelia are another matter. But eventually, I’m hopeful you’ll be able to take a walk without putting anything poisonous into your gaping maws. For now, I realize you have all the self-control of voracious hounds. But I will not abide a single student failing this class. Expect to be drilled accordingly.”

“Huh. So…” Deuce whispered to them slowly, “does anyone know what a mycelia is?”

“The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments,” Percy answered as she took a look at the potionology book. Oh yeah, she was sure she was gonna excel at this class.

She might’ve not been an official student since she was five, but that doesn’t mean that she was stupid. Percy had a proclivity for analytical thinking and unofficially, she was academically brilliant. She is a fast learner and she was natural at subjects such as mathematics, physics, biology, science, and chemistry.  

“I’ve never been one for like,” Ace took one look at the textbook and grimaced, “Memorizing what things are, ya know?”

“All I care about is how to tell the yummy plants from the yucky ones,” Grim said with his paws on his hips.

“It’s important to know what’s poisonous and what’s not Grim, just like the Nightshade berries, just because it’s sweet doesn’t mean it can’t kill you.” Percy said without looking up from the book.

The next was History of Magic.

The old gentleman gave Percy a curt, yet polite greeting upon entering. He was a tall elderly man with small grey eyes and greying, neatly combed back hair, but the most interesting thing about him was the creature he held in his arms. It was a chubby Purugly-looking creature with long black fur, a white muzzle, and golden eyes.

“I am your History of Magic teacher, Mozus Trein.” He introduced himself then lifted the creature in his arms for all of them to see, “And this is my familiar, Lucius. You are here to learn the rich history of magic, and how it has sculpted the world that you now so easily take for granted. I grade based on classroom behavior as well as the quality of work. Don’t let me catch you sleeping. Now, let us open our books to page fifteen. This section concerns the magestones discovered in the Dwarfs’ Mine.”

Okay, that took Percy’s attention from the professor’s familiar and she quickly turned the page.

 “As knowledge and awareness of magical energy began to spread across the globe from this point, this year is considered Year One of the Magic Era.” The teacher started again putting his familiar down.

Who then slowly made its way to the blonde girl and rubbed up against her leg just like her Purugly did when she wanted attention. She put Mimikyu on her desk and leaned down to pick up the creature.

“Well hello, Lucius.” She quietly greeted him and scratched his chin just like her Purugly liked; it seemed to do the job for this feline too. Lucius purred in his arms as she listened to Professor Trein’s lecture.

Normally she wasn’t in history, but knowing the history of magic from a different reality might come in handy while she was here, so she listened closely.

But that cannot be said for the rest of her classmates, as most of them were already dosed off, including the two Heartslabyul boys beside her. Ace was yawning loudly, and while Deuce’s attempts to be interested were unsuccessful, he did at least tried.

“Fascinating… ‘Dwarfs’ Mine’…” the blue-haired boy mumbled in his sleep, “Mhm, mhm… ‘magical energy’…”

“Maaan…” Grim groaned, “When do we get to the classes where we blow stuff up with magic?”

“You can’t get to those classes without learning their basics, Grim.” Percy scolded him silently as she took notes with one hand to not bother Lucius on her lap.

The rest of the class went normally, save for one incident where Mimikyu and Lucius hissed at each other while fighting for her lap.

And up next was Physical Education which was taught by a very muscular, broad-shouldered man with a thick neck and thick chest. He had dark brown hair styled in a pompadour, small blue eyes, and a thin beard framing his face.    

“I’m Coach Vargas, and physically educating your feeble little bodies is my responsibility. Great sorcery begins with a great physique! Behold!” he exclaimed gesturing to his body, “The muscles you can build with a diet of raw eggs! A great mage needs a great physical constitution! So gimme twenty laps and a hundred push-ups!”

“Bleah.” Ace groaned as they walked to the running tracks. “The forced exercise is bad enough, but meatheads like this guy drive me nuts.”

“Finally!” Deuce boomed, “A subject I’m good at!”

“Explain to me the appeal of runnin’ around in circles! Do I look like a hamster?” Grim complained to his human counterpart.

“Let’s do our best!” Deuce yelled.

15 laps later…

Both boys and the feline monster were breathless. Even deuce who was confident in his abilities was panting.

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up.” Ace wheezed.

“Normally I like running,” Deuce agreed while running next to him, “But not for this long.”

“I can’t feel my paws!” Grim cried.

And then there was Percy, jogging to them with Mimikyu running next to her, who was cackling at the boys’ condition, without even breaking a sweat. And snickering at them

“You guys are so weak, it’s not even funny.” She taunted.

“How are you still not out of breath?” Ace asked, he didn’t have the energy to be angry.

“I have been walking the entire length of continents since I was 10, mate. This is nothing.” Percy bragged.

The boys didn’t have anything to say to that.

“See you at the finish line losers.” She said and suddenly bolted finishing her 20th lap and starting her push-ups.

“Very good, Very good, Remmington!” Coach Vargas praised her as he counted her push-ups.

“Thank you, Coach.”

“And may I ask why your uniform has a hood?” Coach asked curiously, it was warm outside and most people tend to shed their clothing as they worked out, but the blonde girl was covered head to toe.

“Because Coach,” *Push-up* “I’m allergic to sunlight,” *Push-up* “So you see,” *Push-up* “I need to wear,” *Push-up* “Covering clothes,” *Push-up* “When I’m out,” Percy answered him between push-ups.

“All right, I’ll accept it. Keep up the good work.” He said as he left.

“Let’s see, our next class is…” Deuce started but didn’t finish his sentence.

“This so-called magic Academy feels a lot like a lame, ordinary school,” Ace said while using the wall as a crutch, he stretched out the lingering tension in his legs from P.E. “It’s not what I expected, but at least this collar won’t be much of a problem after all.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Percy shrugged, she was now carrying Mimikyu in her arms like a doll, “I haven’t been to school since I was 5.”

“What?!” Deuce interceded.

“Well, some things happened when I was 5 and I couldn’t go to school anymore. That’s all I wish to say about it.” She said sternly as she hugged her Pokemon partner tightly to her chest, but then she loosened her grip on him, “Also things function differently in my reality. Kids go to school until they become eligible for a trainer’s license at 10. Then they usually go on Pokemon journeys, fighting in their region’s gym circuits, and then when they’re done, they go back for a few more years of school for jobs, unless they’re like me and they make a career in Pokemon battles.”

“Lucky.” Ace whined, “Can I go back with you to your reality? I wouldn’t mind traveling around the world with a bunch of powerful monsters, battling with other people for a living.”

“If I find a way to and back, why not? But I’m warning you, it’s not as easy as it sounds.” She warned.

“Still, it sounds so much fun,” Deuce said with admiration, “Don’t you think so Grim? Grim?”

Percy had a bad feeling about this…

They look around but the feline monster was nowhere to be seen. Mimikyu hissed, pointing toward the window with his extended black hand-like appendage to his trainer. Percy then saw a gray form running away in the courtyard.

“He’s cutting the class on the first day?!” she fumed at the insolence of the fiery feline.

“Boy, that guy is not a fast learner.” Deuce shook his head.

“Not a good look to lose your only student on your first day as Housewarden.” Ace smirked at the girl, making both her and her partner glare at him, “Want help catching him? I’ll do it if you buy me a chocolate croissant.”

“I’d do it for an iced latte at the cafeteria,” Deuce added with a smile.

“I will remember this,” Percy glared at them, then looked down the window to see how high it was, “To hell with you two!”

“Uh, Percy what are you doing?” the blue-haired boy asked as he looked at her worried when she sat on the window edge.

But Percy didn’t pay any mind to him, you see she guessed something like this could’ve happened, so she planned accordingly. Fool her once, shame on you. Fool her twice… there won’t be a second time.

She opened her parasol and jumped off the window with Mimikyu in her arms while yelling, “Mimikyu, Psychic!”

Mimikyu’s entire body started to glow light blue, then the glow spread to Percy too and he got them down slowly.

Percy then reached her belt for a Pokeball and pointed in Grim’s direction, “Fletchinder, Quick Attack!”

In a flash of light Fletchinder appeared, flew at Grim as fast as an arrow, and slammed into him. As he flew he left behind a white trail of energy with silver streaks inside it. Once Grim was on the ground Fletchinder grabbed him from behind of his collar with his talons and flew back to his trainer while the feline monster struggled to break free.

“Mrrah! I had it with these boring classes!” Grim screamed as Mimikyu grabbed him from Fletchinder by his tail from his spot on Percy’s shoulder as she dragged him back inside the building.

“Then you will never become a great mage!” she shouted back.

“UGH! When did you get all bossy?”

“I was always bossy, are you just noticing it now?”

“Wooo! Lunchtime at last!” To no one’s surprise on the way to the cafeteria Grim was on the lead, once he saw the buffet he was already drooling like a Snubbul, “Whoa! They got some good-lookin’ grub!”

“Hmm, a buffet. That’s unexpectedly fancy. Mimikyu,” As her partner handed her a tray, she checked out the choices. “Thank you, darling.”

Now, what to eat? Its lunch should keep it light, a tarragon chicken salad would do, lemon tea with a teaspoon of honey also meat buns for Mimikyu and Fletchinder. She calmly picked up her food, meanwhile…   

“Look how fluffy those omelets are!”

Her feline counterpart was drooling over everything on the buffet.

“Ooh, grilled chicken! And a bacon-and-egg tart!” Grim exclaimed with stars in his eyes.

“Shhh! Dude, inside voices!” Ace shushed him, shaking his head, “Where was this energy earlier today?”

“Percy, grab me the grilled chicken! There’s only one left! And an omelet too. and that jelly-filled bread. Just fill your whole tray with ‘em!” In his excitement, Grim bumped into another student. “Ow!”

“Hey! Watch where you’re goin’!” the boy then looked at his tray and stuttered, “M-my carbonara! You broke the yolk!”

 “Whoa, that’s messed up! Pokin’ the egg is the best part! You better make this right, pal!” his Buddy joined in.

“I’m gonna need that grilled chicken of yours as compensation.” The boy reached for the plate in the feline’s paws.

“Myah?! No way! Hands off the bird, chump!” Grim guarded his food,” I need my protein, because I am HANGRY!”

“Hey! That’s no way to speak to an upperclassman!” the Buddy shouted getting close to Grim, “Catch me outside and I’ll teach you some respect!”

“Hah, respect? Respect is for people with class. You two, however,” Percy ran to the feline’s aid, no one can bully her beasts when she was around, “not even worth the dirt to bury you in. So run along now little boys, while I’m still letting you,”

“Why, you—“

the boy tried to get in her face but Deuce got in between them. “Um, excuse me, sir, but it said in the handbook that fighting with magic was prohibited…”  

“Fighting? You got it all wrong. “ The assholes smirked, “ this is just me helpin’ an ignorant freshman know her place.”

“Now, let’s see just how many ways there are to skin a cat, heh!”

“Hmph, you two are not worth the effort,” Percy clicked her tongue, looking at them as if they were the mud on the bottom of her shoe, and turned to her partner with a sadistic glow in her eyes and a sharp grin, which reminded to those who were watching a certain Leech twin, “Mimikyu darling, can you please take out the trash?”

Que the two assholes hitting the wall behind the garbage cans.

“Thank you, love. Mangy little runts, not even fun to beat up.” She then turned and walked to an empty table.

“Pfft! I knew you were all talk! You better hope I never see you again!” Grim yelled at the knocked-out bullies and then walked toward his human.

The fight ended quickly. Like embarrassingly quick, but after seeing how easily the Disguise Pokemon kicked Cater’s ass this morning the boys weren’t that surprised. They were slowly getting used to how strong their otherworldly female friend and her familiars were.

“Can we just get some lunch already? I’m about to collapse.” The ginger boy whined and walked with the feline.

“I guess this is my life now.” Deuce sighed but followed them anyway. “I can’t believe this. Textbook bullies at an Academy that’s supposed to be famous for producing exceptional mages…”

The group was now all seated and happily eating their lunch.

“This omelet is as fluffy as a Cloud, and practically burstin’ with cheese!” Grim commented with his mouth full while munching on his food, ”So, I saw you guys’ dorm, but what are the other ones like?”

“Yes, I got to admit they pique my interest too.” Percy agreed, taking a sip of her tea.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the statues of the Great Seven?” A familiar voice asked behind them.

They turned to see Cater approaching them with an unknown male with glasses, green hair, and a club under his left eye next to him. Mimikyu hissed at the orange-haired boy and was just about to use Shadow Claw when Percy stopped him by raising a hand, she was interested in what the boy was saying.

“Night Raven College has a dorm themed after each one.” Cater continued.

“Bwah! You’re that guy from this morning!” Ace yelped.

“You tricked us into paintin’ those dumb roses!” Grim growled with his paws on his hips.

“’Tricked’ is such an ugly word. Do you think I wanted to spend MY morning painting roses?” the orange-haired boy pouted, scratching the back of his head, “It’s dorm policy! I was just following orders.”

“Fletch Fletch Fletchinder.” The Ember Pokemon, who was now out of his Pokeball, happily pecking his meat bun, chirped. (Then maybe don’t smile like a fiend while doing it.)

Percy smiled at the comment her Pokemon made for a moment then turned to Cater with a neutral expression, “Still doesn’t change the fact that you did trick them to do your work,”

“Now, now, Percy. Outside of the dorm, I don’t care what rules you follow.” The orange-haired boy said with a cheerful tone, “Here, I’m just a friendly mentor figure!”

“I don’t recall giving you permission to call me Percy,” the blonde trainer glared at him coldly, making his smile drop, “And you better be, unless you want to taste another round of Shadow Ball from Mimikyu.”

“Ah ha ha. That’s just how Cater shows he cares.” The green-haired boy laughed, then pointed at the empty seats at their table, “May we sit?”

“Fine,” Percy said after she took a second to contemplate, “I’ll allow it.”

“And who are you?” Ace asked the stranger slowly.

“Ah, I should introduce myself. The name’s Trey. Trey Clover. I’m a junior at Heartslabyul, like Cater here.” He introduced himself after they sat, then turned to Percy, “And you must be Persephone Remmington, the new Beast Master Housewarden of Ramshackle dorm. I heard the whole story from Cater. Thanks for looking out for our boys yesterday.”

“no harm, no foul,” Percy paid him no mind and got back to her salad.

“I’m sitting right here.” Ace pouted but his words were ignored.

“Hey now, we’re all from the same dorm, right? Let’s try to get along.” Cater teased then pulled out his phone and held it out, “Here, gimme your digits.”

“I can do that!”

Percy’s Rotomphone flew out of her backpack and up to Cater’s phone to type the number with a mischievous emoji on its screen, making him recoil in surprise.

“Wow, that’s unexpected,” Trey’s eyes widened.

“Rotom! Don’t do that!” Percy yelled sternly and quickly grabbed her Rotomphone from where it floated, “You know that I don’t like you to going up in people’s faces like that and don’t you think that I forgot about your stunt from this morning, we’re going to have a talk when we get home.”

“I’m sorry but I couldn’t help myself, my queen.” The emoji on Rotomphone’s screen pouted, “I just had to show the people of this world that you’re the most wonderful Pokemon Champion of all.”

“O-M-G!” Cater exclaimed before Percy could talk, his eyes were sparkling as he looked at the purple phone in awe, “That’s the most amazing phone I’ve ever seen in my life! What brand is it? Where can I find it?”

“I don’t think you can find anything like Rotom around here,” Percy tried to end the subject and put her Rotomphone on the table screen down but the next thing she knew, Cater’s face was right in front of her, uncomfortably so.

“Aww, come on don’t be like that. You and I can make it a phone-shopping date!” Cater winked, making Percy cringle her nose in disgust.

“Cater, you’re freaking out the freshmen.” Trey pulled back his friend, staring nervously at the hissing Disguise Pokemon, “Maybe take it down a notch?”

“Ha! Sorry! I can get a little extra sometimes. What were we talking about…  The dorms, yeah?” The orange-haired boy giggled as he sat back in his seat, “Ah, what fun to mentor new students! Go ahead, A-M-A.”

“Before you get into the other dorms, I wouldn’t mind learning a bit more about ours.” Ace spoke up, crossing his arms as he glared at the collar around his neck, “Like, what’s the deal with all this ‘Queen of Hearts’ rule number whatever’ junk?”

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the legendary Queen of Hearts already?” Trey asked making the freshmen group collectively nod, “She had to rule over a kingdom of weirdos, and did it by emphasizing order and making strict rules.”

“Our dorm, Heartslabyul, is an homage to her.” Cater added, “By tradition, we wear armbands with red and black of the Queen’s dress. And we live by the rules she created.”

Percy looked at her own armband, she just chose two of her favorite colors and didn’t think too much about the symbolism. Guess that was one of the perks of making a new dorm from the ashes of its former self. Now Ramshackle dorm was whatever Percy wanted it to be.

“Not as much as you, my queen, but she is indeed an impressive monarch with a list of rules longer than the Kalos Pokedex!” her Rotomphone spoke as Percy picked it up to see that, it was showing her all 810 rules of the Queen of Hearts.

“Huh,” Percy hummed as she took a sip of her tea.

She did hear from the ghosts around the school, how strict the red-headed boy she saw at the orientation was, but she didn’t expect him to be strict enough to hold teenagers accountable on 810 rules. That was just unnecessarily cruel and an unrealistic goal, teenagers don’t even follow the easiest rules let alone the ones as strict as these.

“Pfft.” Grim scoffed with a bored expression, “Can you make me any more bored?”

“Now, the degree to which we adhere to the rules depends on the sitting Housewarden.” The orange-haired boy explained with a sheepish look, “Past wardens have been much more lax.”

“Riddle though? He doesn’t mess around.” Trey continued for his friend, “Basically, you could say that we’re honoring that tradition to the utmost extent possible.”

“Bleah. Just my luck…” Ace groaned.

“Fletch Fletchinder,” The Ember Pokemon chirped as he perched on his trainer’s shoulder, who scratched his head, now that he finished his meat bun. (That’s rough Buddy.)

 “So what are the other dorms like, then?” Grim interceded.

“As Cater mentioned earlier, the dorms of this school are themed after the Great Seven. We have our dorm, Heartslabyul, modeled after the strictness of the Queen of Hearts. To run down the rest of them for you, we have…” Trey explained in order, ” Savanaclaw, based on the persistent spirit of the King of Beasts. Octavinelle, based on the benevolent heart of the Sea Witch. Scarabia, based on the mindful personality of the Sorcerer of the Sands. Pomefiore, based on the tenacity of the Fairest Queen. Ignihyde, based on the diligence of the King of the Underworld. And finally, Diasomnia, based on the noble spirit of the Thorn Fairy.”

Percy remembered the names from yesterday, she only liked the last two, the rest she didn’t care for. But her feline counterpart on the other hand was looking quite overwhelmed.

“all those names are way too long!” Grim cried, “How’s anyone supposed to remember ‘em?”

“Ah ha ha! Well, you get the idea.” Cater laughed, “Want to or not, you’ll learn them soon enough.”

“At orientation, the Dark Mirror picks a dorm for you based on the essence of your being.” Trey continued to explain, “As a result, each dorm ends up with a distinct sort of… flavor, we’ll call it.”

“That is sooo true. I totes see it.” Cater agreed.

“’Flavor,’ huh…?” Deuce asked with a confused look.

“For example, look at that guy,” Trey said as he pointed at a tan, muscular boy with a pair of cute fluffy Lycanroc ears. “That rough-and-tumble vibe he’s got has Savanaclaw House written all over it.”

“I can’t express how much I want to pet his ears,” Percy smiled as she pushed her finished tray aside and rested her chin on her palm.

“No doubt. That dorm is full of scrappy guys who are into, like, working out and fighting.” Cater nodded in agreement and then described the dorm, “How should I describe the vibe…? Macho dudes? Gruff big brothers? Something along those lines. The black and gold armband is another giveaway.”

“Huh. All right, so what about that guy with the grey and purple cord wrapped around his arm?”

Grim pointed to the silver-haired boy with glasses Percy saw at the orientation, who was looking in their direction too. Well, more like looking at her Pokemon, which made Percy glare at him. Once he noticed her glare he turned back to chat with a pair of twins that sit across him.

“He’s gotta be from Octavinelle House.” Trey answered the feline monster and then pointed to the table Kalim and Jamil were sitting at, “And the student at the table in front of him has a red and gold armband—“

“Scarabia’s colors.” Percy answered for him.

When the cute Oshawott in human form known as Kalim noticed Percy looking his way, he smiled widely and excitedly waved at her.

“Oh? You know them?” Trey asked surprised.

“You can say that,” the blonde trainer said as she waved back to the little Oshawott.

“Those dorms are for the smart students. They’re always neck-and-neck in the academic rankings.” Cater said with a grin, “Ah, but the current Housewarden of Scarabia doesn’t seem to be all that great of a student…”

“Cater if you insult my adorable little Oshawott again, we’re going to have a problem, you and I.” Percy threatened the orange-haired boy, who immediately raised his hands in surrender.

“Okay… Let’s get back on topic.” Trey intervened before things could get heated and pointed to the table where a large group of students with the best postures Percy had seen in this school sat, “You see the flashy ones with the purple and red armband? Those are Pomefiore colors.”

“Whoa!” Grim jumped out of his seat and pointed to a student with remarkable lavender locks, “The girl with the potion books, I really like her!”

“What’s SHE doing in a boys’ school?!” Deuce yelped.

“Mimikyu,”

*SMACK*

“OUCH!” both Deuce and Grim shouted as they rubbed their cheeks where the Disguise Pokemon slapped them with his black appendages.

“Thank you, love.” Percy then turned to the two of the idiots in their group, “One, I’m right here, and two, are you two blind? That’s a boy. I’m the only girl here.”

Yes, he had a very feminine face but he was obviously a boy.

“WHAAAT?!”

Mimikyu smacked them again but they already got the attention of the lavender-haired boy.

“Speaking of girls, there’s a portrait in the west hall who’s a real beauty. Name’s Rosaria.” Cater teased the boys with a cheeky grin, “If you’d like to meet her, I’d be happy to introduce you. Maybe we can set something up?”

“A painting? Hard pass!” Ace loudly declined, “I don’t care how cute she is if she’s two-dimensional!”

  “Come on, man. Who cares how many dimensions she’s got! Anyway, they take vanity pretty seriously at Pomefiore.” Cater explained, humming delightfully, “It’s basically a dorm full of models. Their Housewarden has 5,000,000 followers on Magica, but don’t worry Housewarden Remmington, I’m sure you’ll top him in no time with how quickly you reached 1mil already.”

5 million was not bad, not bad at all. But it was nothing next to her 47.5 million followers in Pokevision.

“Hey now, they’re not all just pretty faces.” Trey cut in, “The students at Pomefiore are among the best at potions and casting curses.”

“Heh heh. True dat,” Cater laughed, “Next, we have Ignihyde… Their armbands are blue and black, but I don’t see any around here. They tend not to be the most outgoing of students. Even I don’t have a single friend from that dorm. They’re kind of the polar opposite of us sunny, fun-loving Heartslabyuls.”

“So they’re gloomy and miserable?” Grim blurted out.

“Now, now Grim,” Percy scolded as she petted Mimikyu’s head, which made him purr with affection even though it came out as creepy cackles to the boys, “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying solitude in darkness.”

“Yeah,” Trey agreed, “They just have a reputation for being quiet and serious, is all. That dorm tends to attract magical-energy engineers and students who are good with tech.”

‘Tinkatuff would love that dorm, and they would love Magearna.’ Percy thought. ‘Maybe they can replicate Pokeballs, if more wild Pokemon appeared in this reality I might need them.’

“And that just leaves… Diahonyalara, was it?” Deuce muttered the last part silently and quickly hoping no one noticed that he totally butchered the name.

“You were off to a good start, and then you rammed right into the guardrails.” Ace facepalmed, “It’s ‘Diasomnia.’”

“I know that! I just misspoke, all right?” the blue-haired boy lied while he blushed with embarrassment.

“Diasomnia House is, hm…” Cater glanced around before his eyes fell on a few students, “Ah, look over there. Those guys are in the special seating area. You can tell from the neon green and black armbands. They’re basically campus celebrities. The vibe they give off makes it really hard for regular schmucks like us to even approach them. And their Housewarden is that times a thousand.”

Percy, for the life of her, couldn’t understand what Cater was talking about. She didn’t sense an unapproachable vibe from them, to her the only thing out of ordinary was one petit boy, who looked fairly young. His blazer was draped over his shoulders, probably because he was small and his cropped black hair with magenta-pink streaks looked like he deeply offended his hairdresser. His pointy ears and blood-red eyes were another subject.

Then again she never had a normal sense of approachability, her specializing in Ghost Pokemon was proof of that.

“There’s a little kid in that group!”

And apparently, he stood out to Ace too.

“Ah, we do get some child prodigies here. But that guy there is no kid. He’s a junior like us. Name’s—“

But Trey was cut off by that very person, who was now hanging upside down in front of them. From up close, he reminded Percy of a Noibat.

“Lilia. Lilia Vanrouge.”

BWAH?!

The whole table shrieked. Except for Percy, she was around Ghost Pokemon since she was 5, Jump scares didn’t phase her anymore.

“H-he just teleported!” Grim yelped.

Lilia then gracefully jumped to the floor, no longer floating, with a very amused grin. “I understand my apparent age interests you? As this bespectacled fellow accurately noted… Despite my fresh-faced, boyish good looks, it would be inaccurate to call me a ‘child.’”

“’ Fresh-faced’ he says…” Trey muttered in disbelief.

Lilia’s magenta eyes then looked into Percy’s emerald greens as he tilted his head with interest.

His father senses were tingling, he just knew that the blonde girl was an orphan. She had that look in her eyes, the look all orphans had, the look you get when you’ve been left alone. He just couldn’t stand seeing that look in children’s eyes. “Greetings, young miss.” He reached out a hand.

On Percy’s end, she could see in his eyes that he was much, much older than he seemed. His eyes were very old and she could tell that he had seen too much, “Greetings,” she shook his hand.

“You need not gawk at us from afar. You may feel free to speak with us directly. We are schoolmates, are we not? All of us at Diasomnia House welcome you without reservation,” Lilia bowed with all the poise of someone who’d been trained in it and extended his arm towards his table.

“And yet, those guys over there aren’t exactly Rolling out the red carpet in terms of approachability…” Deuce remarked.

Lilia glanced at the silver-haired young man and a taller boy with slick mint-green hair, who was glaring at them and chuckled before turning back to the group, “Forgive me for appearing above you during your meal. I do hope we can speak again.” On his way out, he grinned at Percy in particular.

“Their table has got to be over twenty yards away from ours.” Ace whispered to Trey, “And they overheard our conversation? That’s WAY creepy!”

“Well…” Trey readjusted his glasses, “Diasomnia House does have a bit of a reputation for having lots of special students. Some of them are extremely talented at magic. Their Housewarden, Malleus Draconia, is considered one of the five best mages in the world.”

“Malleus is reeeeeal bad news. Though I suppose the same could be said of our own dear Housewarden.” Cater winked.

“No kidding! He collared me for eating one slice of tart!” Ace ranted, “All of his rule obsession is outta control!”

‘There he goes again’ Percy thought, she had listened to him whine about his Housewarden all mourning. And as fun, as it may be to watch him be miserable at the beginning, it was starting to get old. But then Percy noticed the short red-haired boy approaching them hearing Ace complain, and She had to hold herself from breaking into a fit of laughter.

“My ‘rule obsession’ is ‘outta control,’ is it?” the red-haired Housewarden drawled out, deceptively calm.

“You bet it is.” Ace kept going, not noticing he was digging his grave deeper, “Riddle’s just a petty tyrant who leans into the whole ‘rules’ schtick as a pretext to keep everyone under his puny thumb!”

“You’re an Imbecile, gingernuts,” Percy mused, watching the comical scene, while Mimikyu and Fletchinder snickered at the ginger boy’s misfortune.

“Ace! Behind you!” Deuce harshly whispered as he kept pointing behind Ace.

“Bwah!” the ginger boy cried once he finally turned around, looking as pale as a ghost, “Housewarden!”

#twisted wonderland x pokemon #twst oc #twisted wonderland #twst x pokemon #TGQTA