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#leaving himself at the abyss order's mercy
smittenroses · 9 months
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Hiii
If you have time could you write Hastur comforting (or helping in his own strange way, he's still an eldritch god lol) overstimulated reader.
Sensory overload has been kicking my ass recently </3
Your work makes me so happy, and motivated me to start learning how to write in my free time
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— To Be Human
ask box open | commissions open | hit the tip jar | Patreon
Fandom — Identity V Pairing — Feaster | Hastur/reader (suggest this takes place in the same universe as the Mouse and the Cats) Summary — Hastur's knowledge of humans is still lacking. You constantly confuse him — he adores that. Content Warnings — mentions of Hastur eating people Word Count — 532 words Author's note — when I got this in my inbox my heart bloody melted, nonnie. To be the person that motivates you to learn how to write is such an honor and I do hope to be able to read your stuff sometime in the future 💕
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Endless knowledge, endless power, and yet Hastur always found himself to be confused by you. So tiny, so frail against his mighty form, one that you had grown close to despite the knowledge he had feasted on mortals, feasted on the innocent and guilty alike, yet you always sought comfort in his endless robes.
“For what does my most devote follower need?” He asked one day as he felt your presence against the back of his robe, feeling the way your arms came to wrap around the vast colours of soiled yellows and whites of his sins, your face pressed against the fabric that smelt of the sea. When you did not reply, he allowed his body to shift ever so slightly to look down at you, seeing the way your hands trembled and shook. Though his form of slightly involved his body contorting in inhuman ways, his spine audibly growing and shaping in order to allow him to commit the impossible.
Like a rabbit or sheep ready for the dinner table, your soul smelled divine to him as the two of you stood in the manor’s library.
“I cannot aid you unless you speak up, mouse.” His hand came to cup itself under your chin, raising your face away from his clothes, tentacles appearing from the abyss to slowly stroke at your legs. “Ah, have you been crying, little one?” He muttered, his thumb coming to caress your cheek. “I can smell your sadness,” he muttered softly, even if his voice may boom like the mountains in your mind, “who did this to you?” To make a devotee cry, to sadden the one thing that did not fear him besides the snake wrench that wandered the halls, it was a notch on his soul, one that fanned the embers of rage that constantly welled in his heart.
“No one…” You finally muttered, your words soft and meek in reply, “the world is just too loud, lord.”
“Too loud?” he questioned as you buried your face back into his robes, escaping the merciful touch of the Lord in Yellow as you weeped. “What thing do I have to silence to bring you peace?” For you, he would send any animal, person, god to the abyss, to the eternal silence and madness that was where he crept, but yet your fingers clenched tighter on his cloak and he knew all at once something that made his soul ache and burn.
This was not something he could squash with the weight of madness. He could not even grasp it in his feeble hands. “Talk to me, dear mouse. What is it that makes you cry so?” As you began to talk about the sound of the wind in the trees, the texture of food you dislike, the feeling of cuts and bruises on your skin that would not fade; it all overwhelmed you so, caused for your mind to whirl and your senses to increase.
“Stay for as long as you need, mouse.”
Wrapping the edges of his coat around your shoulders, he did not let you leave until your heaves softened and your eyes dried, you were his most devoted follower after all.
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guiltycorp · 2 years
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One of the many things I like about Kaeya as a character is that his inner conflict is so nuanced.  Like, there are different shades to his loyalties! When it comes to Mondstadt vs Khaenri’ah — Kaeya has abandonment issues from his dad leaving him and then also from Crepus's death and from Diluc, but when it comes to his own duties he is similarly flaky. If you think about it, Kaeya is abandoning his own people in a similar manner without showing much remorse ('sinners' line and his attitude towards the Abyss Order). When he did go against the Abyss Order by gathering info on them, he passed it over to the neutral party (the Traveler) instead of reporting it to the Knights and we can assume that he does the same when collaborating with Diluc, pointing him in the direction of the Abyss Order activity without attacking them himself directly. Neither declaring them his personal enemies, neither joining their cause.  He was irritable about Diluc selling Crepus's manor and wasting father's 'legacy', and yet he himself claims that Khaenri'ah's legacy is long gone. He’s an actual descendant of the regent family, but chooses not to follow their goals of reviving their homeland. Their legacy is there, but he avoids it. And then gets mad at the Ragnvindr heir for doing something as innocuous as getting rid of a small part of his father’s inheritance only because it feels more personal to him due to their relationship (plus he was maybe drunk I guess). And yet! He was apparently forbidden from celebrating his ancestry (the burnt note about Alberichs, keeping 'the truth' about himself hidden), but he still puts Khaenriahn symbology on his outfit and incorporates its design elements into his attacks...  Kaeya is always bringing up his ‘pirate’-grandfather who’s probably going to turn out to be a very real person, although maybe not an actual pirate. He doesn’t keep his surname hidden, either, and likes jokes that hit a little bit too close to home (’that must make me a descendant of the last royal family too’). So, when it comes to his more personal familial issues — He's surrounded by people who are in some type of broken-family situation. Jean is a child of a divorce, separated from her sister by their parents' decision, Rosaria was stolen away from her family and then also had to kill her new father figure, Klee's mom left her in Mondstadt for years. His only real example of what a normal family should be like were the Ragnvindrs, but even then 1) mom’s gone, 2) Crepus apparently lied to his son about important matters and then unceremoniously died (mercy-killed by Diluc). And when Kaeya also revealed that he was lying about himself, Diluc rejected him. That, and being abandoned by his bio dad, is why Kaeya feels so strongly about broken relationships and being separated from family. However! Despite his strong need to belong somewhere, he is routinely messing with his subordinates (providing sadistic challenges for them, wasting their time with Darknight Hero stuff, openly mocking them at times) and he clearly prefers to work alone. His only real emotional connection to the Knights is his relationship with Jean, but it’s still more of a working relationship (just compare how Jean acts with him and how she acts with Lisa.. and remember how Kaeya shied away from admitting that he organized her birthday).  Despite wanting to belong, he makes the conscious choice to pull away. Despite being loved by half the city, his only real attempts at a deeper connection are focused solely on Diluc. Really, he could choose anyone in Teyvat to carefully reveal the truth about himself once again and then forge a real relationship with them. But he is stuck trying to get through to a man who already rejected him once, because it is a safer alternative to risking heartbreak once more.  
Idk I just love how even though Mona says that Kaeya ‘believes he has made a clean break with his past’, he is still clearly undecided about much of anything. He strives to have strong convictions like Crepus&Diluc, but he has an extremely shaky ideological foundation which leads him to an unfulfilled life. But trying to fully commit to a cause or a person would be too risky! And his life is overall still pretty happy, so he has no real need to do that, which means... he’s stuck like this.
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reilliane · 2 years
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Halo ★ Childe
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— ★ Scry: Ecliptic Umbra + Borealis + Childe + Absconder AU — ★ Genre: Romance + Fluff & Angst + Waiting for the inevitable time when paths will diverge — ★ Concept: He can never forget that one shred of mercy he's been shown within the nightmares of the Abyss. — ★ Words: 4k A/N: Aaaah this ties in so well with Absconder AU! Given that MC resides in the Abyss with Aether, aaaaAAAAHH BIG BRAIN, REQUESTER DEAR!
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Without any sign of future repose, taut limbs begin to quiver. An unwanted display.
In the stygian environment where one has to rely on various other senses to see, resounds a scoff. It is mellow compared to the dangerous growls from all around the place.
“Raise your sword, do not waver.”
A boy no older than fourteen widens his stance, flexing his fingers around the hilt of his weapon.
“Strike.”
He obeys without hesitance, swinging his sword with all his might towards the direction where he assumes is the location of his chained enemy.
Though his vision is yet to fully adjust to the darkness, he’s beginning to adapt.
And, judging by the cry of despair from what he can tell is some kind of rifthound, he’s succeeded in his slaying endeavors.
“They must fall before you ever can.”
He’s not adept by any means—at least that’s how he views it—but according to the swordswoman, he’s starting to be polished out of his rustic overture.
It’s a rewarding compliment, indeed, for someone like him.
A little douse of color in a life of black and white. If he keeps his head wrapped solely on the weapon in his shaking hands, he will eventually forget what led him here in the first place.
An abysmal place, unreachable with the light he so desired to see once more. How long has he been here?
He hears fading footsteps and tenses, “… Master.”
You’re leaving again? It really shouldn’t be surprising anymore.
“Only for a moment’s time,” the swordswoman he knows not the name of reassures, “Sustenance is well-needed. I’m certain you can hold your guard with what I’ve taught you the past two months.”
That ‘moment’ certainly will last longer than an actual moment.
The child can’t help but think that this is just another test for him to take, which it isn’t a bad thing, per se, since it does examine his capabilities.
So, it’s been two months, he notes to himself after sensing the disappearance of his mentor’s presence.
How strange, it feels like he’s been in here for longer than eight to nine weeks.
The place does not allow him a respite. Distant sounds of incoming monsters enter his hearing and, without the intention to face death, he adjusts his grip on the sword.
Crossing vision making a mess of his balance, the boy attempts not to tumble over and be fodder.
He’s made it this far surviving only with the rudimentary necessities, he’s not going to disappear off the face of the surface world and not return.
His escape from a life so monotonous will cease and he will return rekindled with an ambition.
The end is not his to meet, at least not now—and certainly not here.
His shortsword is swinging before the rumbling growl to his right can fully escalate.
There’s a burst of gold and violet following his attack, cutting into another rifthound that lights its entire body for him to see—and discern that this monster is much bigger.
Much, much bigger than what he’s seen so far.
Its floating form coupled with its size only proves to be intimidating with the way it towers over him, so short—so small. The juxtaposition is notable.
Hesitance delays the supposed order he meant for his limbs to follow, to attack—to strike first like his mentor said before he can ever be the first one to fall. But even a single second is a second too late.
The enormous wolf with golden streaks roars, its equally enormous claws rising with the intent to cut and rip through him without mercy. All in probable turn for its slain brethren.
I won’t die, is what he affirms to himself. I won’t.
So, despite the lethargy in his body and the dread in his chest, he lets out a battlecry—and thrusts his sword straight into the wolf’s chest. Just as he feels its claws dig into his own torso.
There’s a rupture of intense pain in his chest and for sure, the black he’s seeing turns into dangerous red, but that all is insignificant when he’s already falling unconscious.
Maybe he overestimated himself.
Maybe he’s being too ambitious.
Or perhaps complacent, thinking that he’d last long enough in this place after learning how to use the sword and be proficient in it in two months.
Will he breathe his last here after all.. ?
He doesn’t want to. He can’t—he won’t.
Though that distress is seeped and registered by his head, it refuses to be acknowledged by his flaccid limbs. Beyond torpid as if it’s disconnected from his control.
I mustn’t, the boy demands, but his vision is already fading. He’s beginning to get numb.
What is there to do but await death’s embrace?
He breathes out, consciousness dissipating—but he swears that he sees a flicker of light, like a delicate flame, flicking inward in its white splendor.
Then lays a soft touch on his hand, followed by a whisper intelligible to his ears.
What he can say, however, is that touch… oh, how comforting that is.
Icily cold—but gentle.  
The darkness he’s seeing turns blinding white, and he loses grip of his responsiveness.
Knock, knock
When the man bearing abysmal hues of blue opens his eyes in response to those knocks, he’s no longer in that black, otherworldly chasm.
Instead, he’s in his office, sitting straight behind a desk with completed paper works.
The white candles in golden candelabra shed the same flickering light he’s sustained in his nostalgic recollection a few seconds ago.
Knock, knock
A shame he can’t continue visiting that memory now. Ah, maybe later, then?
The color of the of sky outside implies that it’s an hour or two before dusk—and three or four before nightfall.
“Enter.”
If he finishes another set of work early then he would be able to go out for tonight.
“My lord, Tartaglia, I’ve procured the reports from the reconnaissance stationed at Sumeru,” informs a masked man as he steps in after a bow and a salute.
Come to think of it, won’t it be a full moon later?
The Harbinger beckons to hand the papers over so he can get started right away, the plan to finish early already set into motion.
He’s not about to miss such a sight in the night.
With a contented hum and a wave for the officer to leave, he makes himself comfortable on the chair and begins to read over the report.
It is a little difficult to concentrate, though, not with the flickering candlelight persistently endeavoring to capture his attention from his peripheral.
So, with a small frown—he truly doesn’t wish to put out what reminds him of ‘her’ but alas—he leans closer to the candelabra.
Then ceases the flames with his fingers.
The hot sensation lasts for but a moment.
“It’s you.”
He awakens to the warm—almost searing—touch on his chest.
It hurts, but the pain is dull when compared to the claws that sunk and ripped through him.
Through his daze and blurred sight, he’s able to discern a pair of [c]s looking down at him, muted with concern. There appears to be some circle at the back of her head, a pronounced element against their dark surroundings.
When his vision regains clarity, he realizes it to be the same light he witnessed just before losing consciousness a while ago.
It’s a halo of glowing stars, ethereal, well-nigh elysian.
Befitting for a lady who’s come to grace him with her presence each and every time his master departs.
This person always seems to carry a light of her own.
Not literally, for she has no lantern or anything remotely similar. She simply appears to glow, thus making her standout amongst the black.
It’s enchanting.
“Bethink yourself of times before, one when you once were afeared by the mantle of this abyss,”
She’s always had such a gentle yet firm voice as if she’s royalty.
“In sooth, after hearing your faint orison, it became a plan of mine to take you in … care for you, but that was thwarted by that woman. Not like it begot a quandary.”
She helps him sit up.
His injuries are treated and bandaged without a single stain of blood in sight. Even the weapon he’s brandished for months is now untarnished with the rust of carmine.
“She taught you the convolution of lusting for battle, honed you the finesse of a blade, wherefore you’ve changed in a month’s time.”
She then lifts her hand to brush it through his ginger locks, like she’s trying to get a proper view of his face. It’s reminiscent of what she did the first time they met, only this time his hair has gotten longer.
Her touch is warm as always.
“The guerdon for falling into a place untouched by the faintest of light, is this it? Are you gratified, Ajax?”
Is he?
Is this what he sought for when he fled from his home—into the snowcaps of a mountain, and fell into a fissure in the earth where he’s being taught by a swordswoman to indulge in his bloodlust?
A strike of color in his monotonous world; a splatter of red and a bloom of [c].
Some warmth in a life where all he’s known is the cold.
“You know, miss,” he responds after a minute or two, “I don’t follow you at all.”
With the way the mystifying lady carries herself around him along with her choice of words, he’s really about to liken her to someone belonging to a royal lineage.
Most of the time he can’t understand what she’s saying.
Hearing this, [c] eyes blink, then an abashed sounding chuckle echo.
“Mayhap I’m a bit too fixated on the archaism I’ve been used to.”
“Probably,” he finds himself smiling.
At least, before that’s whisked away by a thorough chill that has him shivering. He sometimes forgets how mercilessly cold the abyss could be.
The darkness and the cold can only be precluded if one alights a fire, which although a little difficult, isn’t entirely impossible.
What comes to mind when the word ‘abyss’ is mentioned is self-explanatory; barren, devoid of any light.
It is partially true, but this abyss is far from being stereotypical. This is a place of its own, with monsters and materials and probably a whole lot more if he chooses to venture further.
He doesn’t, though. Perhaps not now.
He sees the lady moving away after his faint tremor.
She scoots towards the arrangement of firewood nearby. Ah, will she light it up with a flame? That will be nice.
The boy waits eagerly for a burst of orange and red—but instead, he’s faced with a smile, an open palm, and no flames.
He is just about to question it when all of a sudden, a rhombus appears to float above the palm.
Then from it blooms with starry design, the blazing element he’s been looking for.
The reds, oranges, and yellows of a flame return to the candles in the gilded candelabra following the lighting of a match. The matchstick is then discarded in the trash.
A warm tint envelops the previously dim room.
The abyss held no light—or so they say.
Childe begs to differ, not like it’s something he would admit, for what has transpired underneath the surface world is a matter he’ll keep to no one but himself alone.
Without the pressure of reconnaissance reports weighing him down, he stretches his limbs with a yawn. It took a lot of time—it’s already evening—but what’s important is that he’s done.
Maybe he could’ve finished earlier if he wasn’t being sidetracked—in other words revisiting his memories—every ten or fifteen minutes, but what’s done is done.
The night is yet to end and that’s all that matters right now.
After leaving the papers he’s arranged to be picked up, he makes a beeline towards the door.
The presence of his smile isn’t something that he has to hide despite being stared at incredulously by his underlings.
Well, though their eyes are veiled by their masks, he has a feeling they’re looking at him in bafflement. It isn’t so often that he goes out of desk duty with a smile on his face.
Have they always been so fixated on him?
“My lord, are you not going to dine first?” questions Ekaterina.
Always concerned, even? Hah.
“You remind me of my people, who I wanted to keep safe and be loved. Perhaps that is the reason,” is the answer given to him when he asked why he’s often visited.
“Or maybe you’re just fond of me!”
Recalling the hearty laugh in response to that bold statement of his—he really wasn’t jesting then—lifts the corners of his lips. The sight has the receptionist at Northland Bank tipping her head in surprise.  
Childe shakes his head in dismissal, answering, “I’ll get something on the way. Don’t forget to advise Vlad when he returns from his own affairs later.”
“Understood, my lord.”
Liyue’s chilly night air is a wonderful element to come across after being cooped up in the office, continuously drained of the energy he’s supposed to exert in battles. Not papers!
The Harbinger takes a deep breath in, relishing in the wind that’s evocative of Snezhnaya’s own icy air. It doesn’t match the frigidity of the faraway nation, but the cold is always something he’ll welcome.
It, after all, reminds him not only of his nation—but the very stygian world that pivoted an angle in his life. Along with it, his mentor.
“Fond? Maybe I am. But don’t be misled, you are still but a young boy.”
“I’ll grow…”
“I’m aware.”
And that lady.
As Childe proceeds to hike up the path towards the pavilion—the perfect spot to gaze at the full moon—he wonders why he wasn’t given the blessing of learning her name.
Well, it might’ve been too selfish of him, maybe, since he’s always being nursed back to health during that woman’s visits… and he hasn’t given her anything in return…
He’s but a youngster then, seeking for colors, for excitement. Who would’ve thought that all those would be found in a place so detached from the quotidian norms?           
  
“Perhaps our interaction was all for naught, for even if I endeavored, I failed to keep you in your nest of innocence.”
She did look upset came the third month of his sojourn in the abyss. Maybe he’s too childish for her tastes? He was fourteen. Ah.
“The light in your eyes have gone, Ajax… but perhaps this is what you needed before returning to the surface? The darkness of the abyss..”
Oh, yes, how can he forget.
That person’s objective has always been to try and keep the luster in his pools of blue—to have them unsullied by the horrors of that place. Protect him, she tried, but failed.
He’s played a part in that failure, for in the horrors of that world came the urge to rid it, to slay, to battle. And in those battles, he found the sparkle of joy, genuine fun.
So perhaps that is the reason why she did not give her name? Was she malcontent? Disappointed? It’s a little unfair. He gave her his name.
Why couldn’t she give hers? Oh, he’s still hung up about it after all those years—maybe within, he’s still the fourteen-year-old boy then.
“That’s not right,” he recalls saying without a beat of shame, “There is some kind of light in this place. It can’t be seen often, but it’s there.”
“That’s you,” Childe mutters the words he wasn’t given the chance to utter.
‘You’, because he knows not a letter of her name. He directs this statement to the full moon—the moon that lady’s always speaking of whenever possible.
She says that it’s because it is only when the moon is at its whole does the beauty of her ruined beloved shine the most in her memories.
What that beloved could be, he doesn’t know for sure. When he asked, all he received was an answer so vague he wasn’t even able to pick up the puzzle pieces.
So it can be someone, or something, or someplace.
A lover… or a heart… or a home.
When he said that he’ll do his best to help restore whatever that was into its golden state—that is, assuming that ‘beloved’ is concrete and not abstract—in turn for all her darling company, she only smiled.
He wonders if she thinks that he’s incapable of doing so. To the present, he’s still mulling over the plan to restore something he doesn’t even know.
And it’s amazing how several years have passed yet, all their conversations are untouched by time.
Until now, when he’s no longer fourteen, he can remember her words with ease.
“Then I am happy that I’ve been of good company until late, but do listen to this rede of mine.”
“Once you are at the surface, omit your memory of me. I do not wish to see a familiar face be dolorous when the loom of fate has begun and the war against the celestial arises, with me being the progenitor of such a cataclysm.”
He really thought their separation would be more mellow. He had hoped for a sign of future meeting, but was given nothing of the sorts.
“Farewell to you, Ajax.”
Instead of an assurance to reunite, he’s handed the request to leave what he saw in that world in the dust.
To forget the very light in the abyss that would’ve driven him to insanity had it not been for the bearer of that halo, doesn’t it sound so mean? How can he possibly…
But oh, she mentioned that it was because she did not want him to feel betrayed, for a future war that will damage Teyvat will be caused by none other than her and her order. An understandable thing.
That does not matter though, does it?
He has come to walk upon a path that mirrors the hadean atmosphere of the abyss itself, has strung upon lives and hearts for the fruition of a plan of the leader he’s devoted to.
If anything, he has become someone as twisted as that warped halo.
To be able to show mercy… yet at the same time have motives.
Oh, what would she say if she saw him now? He was but a child, then.
A child who lived a life of black and white, who found crimson in the crevasse of an ancient world—and a multitude of colors through that transient companionship with the lady bearing a halo of stars.
The mass of war has dimmed his own light but in contrast, he’s found strange euphoria following that lone ‘adventure’.
He wonders how he, a fourteen-year-old child, was able to smile in that abyss despite being beaten half to death.
Was it because his growth was complimented by his mentor?
Because he was shown that there was some kind of beauty in the abyssal stars?
Or maybe it was because it was there that he discovered something inside him that would be impossible not to unveil in the surface world?
… Or, was it because he found the idea of that strange lady with the light of the stars and the dark side of the moon so mystifying?
Intriguing?
Childe will be lying if he says he didn’t actively try to find a way back to that realm years afterward, when the urge to meet her again bugged him for days on end.
Because he did try, though it’s become an unfortunate endeavor—because he couldn’t find an entrance anymore.
He has already forgotten what that person looked like, alongside his master who taught him survival and battle. But he’s certain that if he ever crosses path with either two, he will remember.
The question is if he will meet them again.
They both conferred no positive answers.
Was it meant to stay like that, then? The thought is tart to taste. A dark fairytale like memory of a boy who fell in the crater of Teyvat?
The boy, now a man, a Harbinger telling of doom, can only wait—and maybe hope. Until then, whenever night befalls upon Teyvat, he’ll take a moment of time to gaze at the moon.
Because much like the luna and its glow within the dark sky, it reminds him of her.
The evanescent halo in an empire overruled by twilight.
Just reliving those memories swells his chest with a peculiar warmth, fuzzy despite the macabre environment it bloomed in.
Ah, he truly does wonder if he’ll see her again.
“If it’s within fate’s design for us to reunite in the surface world… well, we’ll just have to see, no?”
He hopes so.
Meanwhile, over looking the entirety of Liyue, atop the peaks of a cliff stands the same person alive in the memories of a now battle-scarred Harbinger.
Near to witness his moment of solitude but far enough to go undetected.
Who would’ve thought that he’d cling onto those three months in the past? Aha, well, he’s always given off a stubborn vibe.
“Princess… you were acquainted with someone like him?”
The befuddled tone of the Abyss Lector at your side has you laughing.
That surprise is well placed. No one knew of your relation to the man who hailed from the nation of ice and snow. Until now, that is.
“Is it that surprising?” you muse, smiling as you continue to observe the distant figure, “It isn’t just him that I’ve monitored over the years. There is also a certain Captain… and I’m delighted to see they’ve gone so far.”
The Lector lets out a low grumble. One of distress.
They’re probably worried—they’re assigned to watch you, in particular. Not knowing of the people you’ve approached and observed until now puts him in jeopardy.
Unfitting for a guard.
You simper, “Concern yourself no further. I will speak on your behalf.”
“My sincerest thanks, your Highness.”
The smile on your features grows fond the more you overlook the figure of the Harbinger.
Ajax, who’s stargazing in his leisure time. Oh, how he’s come to grow into the man he promised he’d be.
You almost feel bad that you didn’t give him your name—but it had to be done. Whatever ties you’ve made to someone not a part of the Order must be buried in ash.
For in the surface world of Teyvat, you are deceased.
At least, that’s what those who knew of you thinks.
The small cough erupting from the Lector has you humming, “Is it time already?”
“His Highness, the Prince, will worry…”
Ah. Understandable. You mustn’t stay out here for too long, anyway.
“Then we shall be off.”
The Lector parts open a rift in the space, revealing a portal of black and blue, bespeckled with the abyssal stars you’ve come to call a second home.
Wind gusts from it, cold and inviting.
Before you take a step inside, you glance back at the Harbinger who remains unaware of your faraway presence. His voice resounds one of the last statements he’s ever said.
“When I see you again, prepare to witness me in all my glory!… But will we, miss?”
You turn around, walking into the crevice of onyx and azure.
“Will we, indeed…”
The portal closes.
A huge gust of wind coming from the back prompts the Harbinger to swivel, finding that gale to have not come from simple nature.
It felt unnatural, actually, almost familiar, even.
But when Childe looks back, all he sees is the empty pavilion, the looming cliffs-
His eyes widen for the briefest of moments—then he blinks.
It’s gone, the thought passes. Maybe I need to call it a night.
He could’ve sworn that he saw a tiny halo in the distance.
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a/n: And thus, the beginning of Childe's part as a special LI in the Absconder series. Talk about being hung up on your first crush aeeaeaeae - also, it's only mentioned that he was trained by a 'swordswoman' in the abyss, so i went with that!
Also tested writing the transition between scenes again w/o a divider in preparation for future comebacks (coughsmitecough)
@cherryflushz @e7t3 @scarlet-halos @lordbugs @nebulaera @annoying-and-upset @hanniejji @applepi1415 @tjjjrsj @azirajane @hey-comrade-hold-still @limelightsuperhero @chloeloe @loptido @windyventi @nejibot @ganyuqrt @justrinnn
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭'𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬
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n30n-le0n · 10 months
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Pain.
It was the first thing Summer registered as the explosion sounded off behind her. The next thing was the feeling of singed fur and a then more pain, but sharper and it stung...badly. Probably an injury that would scar or bruise later she reflected idly.
Through the loud ringing in her ears she vaguely heard Leo shouting something, nothing more than a green and blue blur above her and she relaxed. Leo was safe, and that was all that mattered.
Her tail weakly thumped against the ground a few times as she lifted a shaky paw to place over his hand as almost a form of comfort; wanting to reassure him despite the state she was now in. @mutation-station
Shit, nonononono--SUMMER!
[They'd been fighting...well. He couldn't remember now, so all-encompassing was his panic as he practically flew to the mutated wolf's side. All he knew was that an explosive had been deployed, too quickly and too close for him to possibly deploy a get-away portal in time, and his friend had heroically, stupidly, jumped right in front of it for him to take the brunt of the explosion. No thought of Donnie deploying counter-measures, or Raph swooping in to save the day with his energy projections, no, he'd frozen up and then she'd had to--
She--
She was placing her paw over his hand, and Leo suddenly had to blink back the hot sting of tears from his vision. A vocalization that was somewhere between an agonized sob and a distressed chirp escaped his mouth in that moment as he used his free hand to cover it a second later, glancing away from her to take stock of the situation. Those wounds didn't...they didn't look good, that much was for certain. She was burned to hell and back, and there were various bits of shrapnel poking out of her that he was determined to not glance at for longer than he needed to, and Leo didn't even know if the fight was still on at this point, but they needed to--
God damn it, why had Summer chosen now to be self-sacrificing? It felt like...like it was all his fault, for being in the line of fire in the first place. It felt like someone was ripping his heart out and then stomping on it. His friend was lying at his feet, bloodied and singed and altogether looking like absolute shit, and he felt so incredibly helpless in that moment, eyes welling up with tears more and more as he tried to rein his fucking useless brain back in and formulate some kind of plan. He felt like the floor had suddenly been dropped out from under him. Like he was spinning around in an abyss, with no earthly way to tell which direction was up.
Was this how his brothers had felt, when he'd portaled himself into another dimension to try and keep an inter-dimensional enemy from wreaking havoc on their world? When he had left himself completely at the mercy of an enemy that had taken all four of them to even make a dent in? When they'd been faced with the knowledge that for once, Leo might not come back from one of his stupid stunts?
If this was even a fraction of how they'd felt when he got hurt, Leo was never going to pull another self-sacrificing move ever again.]
Shit shit shit. Summer, Summer, hey, keep looking at me, okay? You're gonna be fine. You're gonna be just fine. We're gonna get you to the med bay and patch you up and you'll be--
[A sound behind him made him whirl for a moment, a feral snarl peeling his lips back over his teeth as his hands automatically went to his swords--but it was just his brothers, just his family coming to see why the fight had abruptly stopped, and Leo couldn't even bring himself to feel embarrassed over how cracked and broken his voice came out in that moment as he finally brought himself to issue orders.]
She's hurt bad, guys. We need to get her to the med bay, like, yesterday. We're leaving those guys alone for now. No, Donnie, I actually could give less of a shit about where they got off to at this point. Let's focus on the friend who is literally bleeding out as we speak.
[His voice was sharp, but it was only to convey the urgency of the situation. He'd apologize for any ruffled feathers later. Right now, they needed to move. Moving his swords to slash open a portal to the sickbay almost without consciously thinking about it, Leo directed his gaze towards Donnie and Mikey first.]
Go ahead of us, get the sick bay ready. I labeled where everything is, you shouldn't--yeah, if you need anything, ask Dad. He's the one who taught--yeah, yeah, the usual stuff, just go!
Raph, you think you can carry her, I don't think I trust myself to...right. Check her over for injuries. Uh, she was still moving her limbs and such, far as I can see. That...probably rules out a spinal injury. And we don't have any medical things...with us, and a hospital won't take her, so we basically have to move her anyway. Right, okay. Summer? Summer, hey.
[He leaned down to grasp at one of her paws then, expression open and almost pleading with her.]
Stay with us, okay? Raph's gonna have to lift you. I'm gonna apologize in advance, it's probably gonna hurt like hell, but we need to get you to the sickbay. Okay, easy, easy. On three. One....three!
[Checking to make sure that Raph had hoisted Summer as gently and safely as possible, Leo ushered them through the portal, closing it behind them with an audible pop and a whiff of ozone before he ran ahead.]
Got the bed ready, you guys? Okay, yeah, set her down, we'll work from there--
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nellie-elizabeth · 1 year
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His Dark Materials: The Clouded Mountain (3x07)
Dayummmm I'm gonna cry so much when I watch the last episode, it's not even funny...
Cons:
The thing is, this show never should have tried to pull off an action movie. The special effects don't pass muster, they're forced to rely on shortcuts that just aren't all that visually interesting... angels and witches are having an epic battle but we can't really see it, human troops are valiantly dying for the cause but it's in dark snippets we can barely focus on. The Gallivespians continue to have not enough to do. It's not a matter of what's on the screen being bad, so much as it is a matter of them not being able to put stuff on the screen that should be there, if they really want it to.
Underpinning this problem with effects is a bigger one of Asriel's motivations. This whole time, his vendetta against God himself has been sort of a weak point. In the books, Asriel is more of a distant figure. By giving him so much screen-time in this final season, we sort of shine a spotlight on the fact that his whole war is a little silly and kind of useless. In the end, it's all about Lyra and the prophecy. So why is Asriel bothering with all of this? Is it just a distraction, a la the battle at the black gates in The Lord of the Rings, so Frodo can destroy the ring, or in this case, so Eve has the chance to "fall" the way she's destined to do? I don't know. When you really look at it, kinda weaksauce.
Also, Metatron ended up being kind of anticlimactic as a villain. He's just some name that we hear, then we meet him as a force of destruction, and then he's just Some Dude that our heroes of the hour can defeat by pushing off the side of a cliff. Meh.
Pros:
That stuff probably makes it sound like I didn't like this episode, but honestly for all my talk of how the finale will make me cry, this one got me weepy as well.
Starting with Will and Lyra, who took a backseat this episode. Their main role is getting reunited with their daemons. We get to see Will's daemon for the first time, and we're reintroduced to Pan who is... deeply hurt and betrayed still by Lyra's decision to leave him behind. We get this reunion moment but it's not fulfilled; it's painful and there's agony and longing on both sides, and then more plot stuff happens which means we're still unresolved with that. I loved the way Will reacted to the first sight of his daemon. Like meeting a friend he'd forgotten he once knew so well. Quietly beautiful.
I also want to mention Will and Lyra killing God. It's such a quick moment, anticlimactic, and the kids don't even know what they've just done. They set an old creature free, let him go to a merciful rest. It's a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, here in the show and honestly in the book as well. That's just as it should be.
The rest of this review is just going to be about Marisa and Asriel, are you surprised? Knowing this was coming, I was anxious about how it was going to play out. I've been praising the performances from these actors from the jump, and the writing for Mrs. Coulter has been one of the most intriguing, gorgeous parts of the whole show. The writing and use of Asriel has been a little more hit and miss. McAvoy does a great job giving Asriel the presence and gravitas he needs to have, but his mission and his goals and his wishy-washy-ness about his priorities has made his build to this final moment a little less satisfying than what we've got going on with Marisa.
But that said, it all becomes so worth it to me for those moments at the very end. Mrs. Coulter, playing mind games one final time, against an adversary more formidable than any other. She uses her real feelings of pain in order to trick Metatron. Asriel is on the ground, weeping and weak, and Mrs. Coulter approaches him to "gloat." And then her daemon, left behind, deploys a weapon that turns everything on its head, and Asriel, Marisa, and Stelmaria together are able to knock Metatron into the Abyss from whence there shall be no return for any of them.
Just... the beauty of Marisa and Asriel doing this for their daughter, giving up everything so Lyra can save the day, both of them finding selflessness within them but only just in time to give their lives for a greater goal... this element of the books always gives me goosebumps and they did a properly epic job of depicting it here. The real gut-punch comes with the golden monkey, Marisa's daemon reaching out to touch Lyra in his final moments, but fading away into dust before their hands can connect. Lyra watches the moment her mother's soul ceases to be, and knows herself orphaned.
And... yeah. We're setting the stage for the finale to be the emotional center of the story, to focus on Lyra and Will where the focus should ultimately be. This episode wasn't some strong pinnacle of everything TV can be. I had my problems with it. But the stuff that worked about it was so strong that I was just happy to be there to see those elements, at the end of the day!
8/10
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cassianus · 2 years
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I look at the stream of my past life, I see a chain of sins, a succession of spiritual falls; almost at every step I was laughed at and abused by the devil for my shortage of spiritual wisdom, for the excesses of my pride, for not inclining to ask advice of my neighbor. My soul is in such a position, and my journey already stretched past half of its designated days. Besides that my body is weakened, pierced, and crossed by various ailments. They are messengers; they tell me of the approaching separation of soul and body. Soon, soon, I will lie on the funeral bed, not for the purpose of giving my overworked body temporary rest but in order to fold it within the ark of the coffin, into the bowels of the earth, from which it was taken, until the future universal resurrection. Remember me Lord, in Thy Kingdom: for my soul is beset by ulcers, and my body is marked by sin. In this state it is more seemly to leave everything and give oneself up to inconsolable crying; when all is lost, one should at least not lose the opportunity for repentance. But to achieve this condition, which I admit is the most proper thing to do, I use no means except my feeble prayers, in which I ask that the Lord’s will be done over me. This petition for the will of God is instilled in me by the fear that I do not ask for something which will exceed my own strength. This fear comes from experience itself: for during all incidents with which my strength was tested, my weakness was revealed; where demons painted before my eyes visions of brilliant achievements, there, in fact, is where I was brought to disaster, there the fatal abyss was hidden by flowers. I learned deception by committing deception; I learned delusion by being seduced and corrupted by it. Now I fear to initiate something special through my own will, even though I believe it to be edifying for the soul. It is better, said the Holy Fathers, to struggle with excrement, that is with fornication and gluttony, rather than with one’s own wit, high-mindedness, pride, and superior self-interest. For these last passions are subtle as they imperceptibly creep into your mind, taking the form of sound and righteous thoughts. They cannot be detected except by the light of grace. I stand before the Providence of God with my mind, setting aside for a minute, the reasoning and wisdom of this world. God created me without my wishing and asking for it: for “nothing” could I wish for, even less to ask for anything. God redeemed the one who was fallen and lost; the price of redemption was God Himself. The Redeemer, clothed in humility, yet clearly God, cannot be recognized as such by carnal minds, who stopped being amazed at kindred spiritual things and chased after alien corrupt things. To me the accursed one, He allowed self-knowledge. When my eyes were dimmed by wax and clay, He applied spittle from His mouth and healed them. The Cross of Christ opens the mind’s eyes; the Cross of Christ preserves sanity, heals the ailments of these eyes. Outside the Cross of Christ there is no truth. The World and its truth will be lost because they are from the devil. I stand before my Lord and His Providence and see, and wonder at His long patience, for He is merciful to those who fell into error, who fell into self-will and pride. My soul I hand into the hand of God; whatever He gives me I will receive. He knows my strength, because he gave it to me. If He gives me one talent in accordance to my strength, I do not seek five, in order not to succumb under the weight of them; so the gift, given to serve as a benefit, not serve to become my greater accusation. From my sinful fall I run not into a shelter, not into the desert, but into self-reproach, to the confession of my sins, to repentance. My bewilderment, and my limited ability to reason, and my will I entrust to the endless largesse of Divine Providence.
St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
Harbor of Hope
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reginrokkr · 1 year
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‘  stop punishing yourself. please. you don’t deserve it.  ’
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Should I proceed down this path, will that still make me a sinner? Unlike many others whom strove to make amends for those who had fallen into insanity in bygone times where astral pupils were a more common sight —albeit still rare in their uniqueness— and wondered if their deeds would make them heroes instead, Dáinsleif has no interest in being one. He never was nor intended to be one. In essence, he is just a man who wanted to do his best to protect a nation that had more reasons than one to conceal themselves from the divine, who wanted to do the damnedest to fix that which could no longer be fixed, for millennia of wounds and proximity to the Abyss can't ever go well.
The Twilight Sword of old could have abandoned everything as an immortal, forget about everything that will not return and rot in his misery until his mind faded to nothingness as many other fellow Black Knight Serpent and only a husk remained of him, roaming the wilderness until someone attune enough with the workings of this world would mercy-finish him. He could've fallen to madness as many others, wish for the darkness come to engulf everything under the sun and make the rest of humanity pay for some reason he cannot understand yet.
So many things could have happened, if only he wished so.
In rare and fleeting moments when his mind would drift to himself for once, he wondered: is following the Abyss Order, trample their schemes and end them not another form of self-punishment? Dáinsleif had many centuries to think, only to come to the same conclusion over and over again.
If he whom has the ability to do so doesn't, who will?
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This line of thought is what made him push forward and persist through the countless of adversities and trepidations, paying little regard to his own suffering in the process or the thousands of ways the Abyss Order has to get under his skin and strike where it hurts the most. For in the end, they have known him in his best days but also in his worst after divine's wrath descended to Khaenri'ah. They call him a murderer and he silently agrees. They call him a traitor and he would still buy it in uttermost quiescence. His own name translates into bearing the legacy of death and he dons it like a mantle on his back to serve as a reminder and a channel to make others who know a iota of the truth of this world realize the wrongs of this dying world. He takes more blames than what belong to him and hurtful as they may be, they are also his strength and reminder that he has many reasons to press forward. For human's tomorrow.
Imagine when someone whom by norm should not know any of his doings shows a smidgen of understanding of his mind. Dáinsleif cannot help but pause and stare, the wear and tear of the passage of years evident in the way his features daren't move in the slightest. But the eyes— it's those same stellar pupils that tremble within icy sapphires that gives him away, that reflect the impact those words have. A tremble of a loose hand and the rigid posture of a man struck by words more harmful than any insult the Abyss Order may throw his way, albeit unintended to be that way.
❝I am a far cry home from being a person undeserving of retribution.❞ Albescent lashes flutter to a close to conceal that which his mouth won't speak through his eyes and he looks away. Were he stare much longer into sorrow-ridden eyes that match his own, he's uncertain about his endurance to hold the persistent negative emotions that permeate his existence. For all the self-convincing that he is doing this for a better cause that transcends the borders of home, it hurts to hear himself say that he saw it on himself to be punished so— it hurts even more to hear that he's wrong, it makes his heart bleed because deep down, he agrees with Kaeya.
Lingering further in his presence takes a bigger toll on Dáinsleif than he anticipated it to be, thus he turns on his heels with the intent to leave, to recompose himself and his resolve to press forward and not falter. ❝You Alberich are good people, dare not consider treading the same path I do.❞ That is the Twilight Sword's duty, to be a beacon of light but also to be the one whose hands are bloodied. He turns his head some to look at the steel blue-haired over his shoulder. ❝Perhaps you should apply that line of thinking to yourself, instead.❞ Words that perhaps may sound harmful are meant to be a show of acknowledgement of Kaeya's struggles and self-sabotaging demeanor he had noticed over the years, a gentle nudge to make him know that what he sees in others may be just a reflection to himself.
Save your energy to tend to your wounds. I will be fine.
...I have to.
@aalberich ✦
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barbaricbunbunny · 2 years
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I reek of the sweet aroma of vulnerability that men smell out like starving dogs. Brown wide eyed girl full melancholy… or is it joy? He can’t never tell! None the less it leaves a hum of poetic melody in his heart. It whispers to him a forgotten lore of a feral creature he can cherish but never domesticate.
I am a free spirit composed of scars of inner battles of self destruction and mutilation lived out in youth like a ritual of a catholic wiping themselves with a leather belt to absolve themselves of sins. A spiritual war survivor, lost night of the soul champion, spunk that embodies me. Hooked him in like heroin.
My soul composed of the element of dark, murky waters but thriving and illuminated with lotuses which flourish my landscapes. He attempts to pick them off, and put them in a vase in an environment he can control and love.
A beautiful disaster is what I’ve been called. But the right words would be tragically human. A walking contradiction, a vessel of divine logic but bound to the rails of an emotional roller coaster. I am a thrill unlike any other. I leave trail like a snail my kisses never really dry.
Over the years they linger like damages felt long after the nuclear bomb was dropped in Hiroshima. A cancer that transcends genetic lineage mutates his desires and like a witch curses him and his kin to a forever long of me. An incurable STD of the soul is what my touch leaves behind. Like urinating with gonorreah he burns for me.
See,
I’m a spray paint
stain to his third eye. A illusion of plasticity, like the princess bride, as you wish type of love. Moldable to his demands so he thought of me. But I flow like water or wind. I am shapeless and formless. The more he grasp me the more I fall through the cracks of his fingers in his cusp hand, scattered but I remain free. He cannot evolve the wild wolf in me into a tame poodle. He cannot erect man made relics in all the wilderness that is in me. He can’t kill the cockroach people!
He sought me like a fetish a wet dream come true. The sad broken doll he can glue back together with his sticky baby making fluids. To fill the void of me with his thrusting masculinity. His instinctive nature to repair, he was blinded with love.
He builds me a cage of gold and locks me up. Now sadness colors my days. Melancholy chirps I murmur all night.
I am the sun burning for his love but his toxic anger like the industrial revolution depleted the Ozone layer. And now like climate change in the West Coast I burn to the ground.
My love dried up like California’s water.
I am a house plant whose out grown it’s pot, a great, giant cherry blossom cursed to be a bonsai. I am a Chinese woman’s bound feet.
Love is an enclosure like plastic molding applied to fruit in order to grow it into different forms, yet, the insides will always taste the same.
Only shallowly can I ever be changed!
Hide my tail as much as he wishes, it always falls out. My essence untamable like my hair, I’ve come to terms to let be as it wishes.
The you belong to me love is controlling. Breaks your legs like misery. So stories pleasing to him can be created by me. In which my love saves him from himself! But who saves me from him?!
I cry into the abyss of the maze that makes my psyche. Holding his hand in darkness feels like bear trap puncturing down on my soul. I leave a trail of sacred bleeding everywhere I go. I am his sacrifice! Amputation is my only option leaving behind a part of me, ghost limb syndrome.
But his grip is too tight
my breathing shallow. His words lacerate. Splitting my mind into two a victim or hero? Disemboweled, exposed and incapacitated by desire and sympathy. I am at the mercy of my love and predator.
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Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
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Readings of Saturday, June 10, 2023
Reading 1
Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20
Tobit called his son Tobiah and said to him, “Son, see to it that you give what is due to the man who made the journey with you; give him a bonus too.” So he called Raphael and said, “Take as your wages half of all that you have brought back, and go in peace.”
Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: “Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Honor and proclaim God’s deeds, and do not be slack in praising him. A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you. Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life; but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies.
“I will now tell you the whole truth; I will conceal nothing at all from you. I have already said to you, ‘A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be made known with due honor.’ I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead, I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.”
“So now get up from the ground and praise God. Behold, I am about to ascend to him who sent me; write down all these things that have happened to you.”
Responsorial Psalm
Tb 13,2.6.7.8
R./ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy; he casts down to the depths of the nether world, and he brings up from the great abyss. No one can escape his hand. R./ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of ages. R./ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation. R./ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones, and may all of you praise his majesty. Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise. R./ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Gospel
MK 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
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10th June >> Mass Readings (USA)
Saturday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
  or
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
Saturday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))
First Reading Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20 So now praise God. Behold, I am about to ascend to him who sent me.
Tobit called his son Tobiah and said to him, “Son, see to it that you give what is due to the man who made the journey with you; give him a bonus too.” So he called Raphael and said, “Take as your wages half of all that you have brought back, and go in peace.”
Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: “Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Honor and proclaim God’s deeds, and do not be slack in praising him. A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you. Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life; but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies. “I will now tell you the whole truth; I will conceal nothing at all from you. I have already said to you, ‘A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be made known with due honor.’ I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead, I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.”
“So now get up from the ground and praise God. Behold, I am about to ascend to him who sent me; write down all these things that have happened to you.”
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Tobit 13:2, 6efgh, 7, 8
R/ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy; he casts down to the depths of the nether world, and he brings up from the great abyss. No one can escape his hand.
R/ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of ages.
R/ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
R/ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones, and may all of you praise his majesty. Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.
R/ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mark 12:38-44 This poor widow has given more than all others.
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
------------------------------------
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary   
(Liturgical Colour: White: A(1))
(Readings for the memorial)
(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)
Either:
First Reading Genesis 3:9-15, 20 I will put enmity between your offspring and the offspring of the woman.
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me– she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The LORD God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.”
The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
OR: --------
First reading Genesis 12:1-7 The Lord spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever (Luke 1:55).
The LORD said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
”I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai, his brother’s son Lot, all the possessions that they had accumulated, and the persons they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land as far as the sacred place at Shechem, by the terebinth of Moreh. (The Canaanites were then in the land.) The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.
OR: --------
First reading 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-11, 16 The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father (Luke 1:32).
When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?’ “‘It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
OR: --------
First reading 1 Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2 They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it.
David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORD to the place which he had prepared for it. David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites. The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD. David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brethren as chanters, to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals to make a loud sound of rejoicing. They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. When David had finished offering up the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
OR: --------
First reading Proverbs 8:22-31 Mary, seat of Wisdom.
The Wisdom of God says:
“The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; From of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; Before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; While as yet the earth and fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.
“When he established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; When he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth; When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; Then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, Playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the sons of men.”
OR: --------
First reading Sirach 24:1-2, 3-4, 8-12, 18-21 Mary, seat of Wisdom.
Wisdom sings her own praises and is honored in God, before her own people she proclaims her glory; In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, in the presence of his power she declares her worth.
“From the mouth of the Most High I came forth the first-born before all creatures. I made that in the heavens there should arise light that never fades and mistlike covered the earth. In the highest heavens did I dwell, my throne on a pillar of cloud.
“Then the Creator of all gave me his command, and he who formed me chose the spot for my tent, Saying, ‘In Jacob make your dwelling, in Israel your inheritance and among my chosen put down your roots.’ Before all ages, in the beginning, he created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be. In the holy tent I ministered before him, and in Zion I fixed my abode. Thus in the chosen city he has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain. I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of the LORD, his heritage and in the company of the holy ones do I linger.
“Come to me, all you that yearn for me, and be filled with my fruits; You will remember me as sweeter than honey, better to have than the honeycomb my memory is unto everlasting generations. Whoever eats of me will hunger still, whoever drinks of me will thirst for more; Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, whoever serves me will never fail.”
OR: --------
First reading Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 The virgin shall conceive and bear a son.
The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel which means “God is with us.”
OR: --------
First reading Isaiah 9:1-6 A son is given us.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
OR: --------
First reading Isaiah 61:9-11 I rejoice heartily in the Lord.
Thus says the LORD:
Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; All who see them shall acknowledge them as a race the LORD has blessed.
I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.
OR: --------
First reading Micah 5:1-4a Until the time when she who is to give birth has borne.
The LORD says:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.
OR: --------
First reading Zechariah 2:14-17 Rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem. Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD! for he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
EITHER: --------
Responsorial Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm Judith 13:18bcde, 19
You are the highest honor of our race.
“Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the LORD God, the creator of heaven and earth.”
You are the highest honor of our race.
“Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God.”
You are the highest honor of our race.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17
Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father’s house. So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord, and you must worship him.
Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
All glorious is the king’s daughter as she enters; her raiment is threaded with spun gold. In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king; behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you.
Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king. The place of your fathers your sons shall have; you shall make them princes through all the land.
Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or Alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised. High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or Alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor To seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or Alleluia.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. or O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. or O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
“For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.”
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. or O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
“He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.”
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. or O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. or O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
“He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. or O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
Gospel Acclamation see Luke 1:28
Alleluia, alleluia. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. Alleluia, alleluia.
Or: see Luke 1:45
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. Alleluia, alleluia.
Or: see Luke 2:19
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart. Alleluia, alleluia.
Or: Luke 11:28
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary; without dying you won the martyr’s crown beneath the Cross of the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
EITHER: --------
Gospel Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
OR: --------
Gospel Matthew 1:18-23 For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
OR: --------
Gospel Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.
OR: --------
Gospel Matthew 12:46-50 Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, here are my mother and my brothers.
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 1:26-38 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 1:39-47 Blessed is she who believed.
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 2:1-14 She gave birth to her firstborn son.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 2:15b-19 Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 2:27-35 You yourself a sword will pierce.
Simeon came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled; my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 2:41-52 Your father and I have been looking for you.
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
OR: --------
Gospel Luke 11:27-28 Blessed is the womb that carried you.
While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
OR: --------
Gospel John 2:1-11 The mother of Jesus was there.
There was a wedding in Cana at Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from although the servers who had drawn the water knew, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
Or:
Gospel John 19:25-27 Behold, your son. Behold, your mother.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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it-begins-with-rain · 2 years
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TV Recommendations by Genre
(C) = Mandarin Chinese language (K) = Korean
** Many of these fit into multiple genres, I just put them where I felt they most strongly lean based on how I enjoy them. 
Comedy
Love is Sweet (C)- Two childhood enemies reconnect as adults and manage to aggravate one another into a bratty, loving relationship.
Psychopath’s Diary (K)- A kind young man ends up in possession of a diary chronicling the appetites and murders of a violent serial killer. After surviving a car accident that leaves him with long term amnesia, the young man believes that he himself is, in fact, the serial killer.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (K)- Bong Soon wants nothing more than to hide her superpowers from the world and live a normal life. A dangerous stalker following her new boss- and a killer lurking in the shadows- makes Bong Soon re-evaluate her position on her powers and the kind of life she wants to live.
Crime
Abyss (K)- The Abyss is a device which resurrects a dead person, whose appearance changes to reflect if they were good (they become hotter) or bad (they become uglier). When the young master of the Abyss accidentally resurrects a serial killer- who then kills his best friend (who he also resurrects)- it is a race against the clock to find him before he kills again.
Beyond Evil (K)- A serial killer returns to torture the residents of a quiet village. A young, ambitious detective transfers to the town to smoke out the culprit and prove once and for all that the original suspect- now a police officer himself- was the culprit all along.
Dear Judge / Your Honor (K)- When he needs a place to hide from the cops, a criminal steps into the life of his missing twin brother- a corrupt judge. The young man begins using his newfound power to bring mercy to the law, and falls in love with a wide-eyed optimist intern.
Flower of Evil (K)- After a brutal murder that echoes the pattern of a demented serial killer, a police detective begins to hunt down the long-lost suspect in that case. She quickly realizes that she found the killer long ago by pure chance- and married him.
Guardian (C)- The chief of a secret police unit composed of demons and humans works closely with a mysterious professor to preserve the balance between this world and the Underworld. For the chief, the professor represents a future he could never predict. For the professor- the Dark Lord who maintains order in the Underworld- the chief is a past he will never forget. (The show says ‘aliens’ but it treats them as demons)
Lawless Lawyer (K)- A ganster-turned-lawyer returns to his hometown, where his activist mother was brutally murdered decades ago. He intends to uproot the evil that grew in his home, and will cross any and all lines to do it.
My Roommate is a Detective (C)- In 1940s Shanghai, a police officer partners with a brilliant- but very himbo- young man to solve crime and protect the city. Joining them on their adventures is the reporter daughter of a local crime lord, eager to make a name for herself.
Drama
Chicago Typewriter (K)- A writer comes into possession of an 80 year old typewriter, haunted by the memories and spirit of a young man killed during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1930s. The writer- and the young woman who delivered the typewriter to him- are caught up with the memories of their past lives- when they were the two closest friends of the ghost inside the typewriter.
The Crowned Clown (K)- The King of Korea is an evil, twisted creature. As his reign crumbles around him, his closest allies secretly bring in an entertainer who bears an eerie resemblance to the mad king in order to save the kingdom.
Hello My Twenties (K)- A group of women sharing an apartment in Seoul experience the ups and downs of life as they try to navigate their early 20s.
Hotel Del Luna (K)- Centries ago, the goddess of fate cursed Man Wol to tend as an immortal overseeing the Hotel Del Luna, a resting place for souls to heal on their way to the afterlife. Now, she has put a young mortal in Man Wol’s path, tasked with healing the hatred in her soul before she succumbs and transforms into an evil spirit.
Mr Queen (K)- A playboy nearly dies and wakes in the body of one of Korea’s last queens. He finds himself falling in love with the King, while helping him fight to save his nation and put off the Japanese invasion.
Oh My Ghost (K)- A depressed young medium is possessed by the ghost of a virgin who believes she just has to get laid to pass on to the afterlife. As the ghost helps the girl make progress with her crush, the ghost begins to remember her own death, and that her unfinished business has nothing to do with sex, and everything to do with solving her own gruesome murder.
Princess Hours (K)- In a world where Korea exists as a constitutional monarchy, the hateful Crown Prince agrees to marry the daughter of a poor family (a deal set up by their grandfathers). The prince married her because he takes sadistic joy in watching the royal life suffocate his new bride and snuff out her obnoxious optimism, but by the time he realizes he has fallen in love with her, it might be too late to save the light and warmth that once burned so brightly in her heart.
Princess Silver (C)- An amnesiac princess is sold in marriage to a rival nation to secure a peace treaty. While there, she falls in love with the crown prince while maintaining her cover as a spy for her kingdom... even though she suspects she may not be their princess at all.
Well Intended Love Season 1 (C, independent of S2)- A wealthy businessman ensnares a sick, struggling actress and forces her to agree to a contract marriage in exchange for life-saving treatment. He treats her well and love begins to bloom, but the question remains: how did he magically appear when she needed a miracle, and why did he make her pretend to be his wife?
Found-Family
The Best Hit (K)- A Kpop star from the early 90s winds up in 2017 Seoul to see the devastating legacy he will leave upon not only those who relied on him, but those who loved him. His only chance to set things right is to solve his own 1994 disappearance (suspected to be murder)... a bit of a tall ask considering he came to the future from 1993.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (K)- For centuries Gong Yoo has walked the earth as an immortal, cursed ghost, waiting to find the one person who can see the sword pierced through his chest and pull it out, freeing him from his torment. He finds his so-called Goblin Bride at long last, but also finds his way back to the reincarnations of those he loved and lost so long ago.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha (K)- An arrogant dentist from Seoul moves out to a remote fishing village where she learns the healing power of a simpler life, and love of a welcoming community.
Hwarang (K)- Once upon a time, the Hwarang were Korea’s most elite fighting force. This comedy follows the founding of the Hwarang, and the king who secretly trains among their ranks. And everyone brings it up so I’ll say it here- yes, the moony-eyed one is V from BTS.
Mystic Pop Up Bar (K)- Over 500 years, Wol Ju has settled the grudges of 99,990 people in penance for killing herself and damning a sacred tree. To meet her quota in time, she recruits a lonely young man named Kang Bae who, together with an afterlife police officer called Chief Gwi, will work to settle the final 10 burdens and set Wol Ju free.
Sell Your Haunted House (K)- For years, Ji-a has lived in her family home, unwilling to leave the trapped soul of her mother who died inside. She is a real estate agent who specializes in removing the evil spirits from hautned houses, and partners with a charming con-man who serves as her medium until she can unravel the power keeping her mother trapped in death.
Adventure
DMBJ (C)- A series encompassing 8+ standalone shows chronicling the adventures (and misadventures) of three friends as they explore dark, mystical tombs and try to protect their wonders from falling into evil hands.
Handsome Siblings (C)- 18 years ago, a popular hero was cut down and his newborn twins separated and raised on opposites sides of the conflict- with no idea that they even have a brother. Now they have been unleashed upon the world, and must try to survive long enough to expose the darkness of the past and heal the family that was ripped so cruelly apart.
Word of Honor (C)- A dying assassin seeking redemption teams up with an alluring, mysterious young man to uncover the darkness at the heart of the cultivation world. Along the journey they find love and family, but what fate gives, it can also take away.
W: Two Worlds (K)- After a writer vanishes, his popular web novel takes on a life of its own and drags his daughter into the pages. The walls of reality begin to crumble, and it becomes apparent the monster from the story has escaped into this world.
Romance (many of these could also be called fantasy)
A Love So Beautiful (C)- From high school up through their adult lives, the romantic tribulations of a group of four friends plays out.
Ashes of Love (C)- Star-crossed immortals must fight to be together and find their happily ever after. At every turn they are haunted by the darkness of their parent’s generation, and unspeakable horrors committed by their predecessors against one another.
Be Loved in House: I Do (C)- A Taiwanese drama following the almost nauseatingly cliché story of a cold, love-hating new boss who moves in with his kind but inexperienced underling. Mutual hatred melts away to understanding and love.
Because This is My First Life (K)- A man and woman- both enduring trials and traumas of their own- agree to enter into a two-year contract marriage in order to keep their domineering families away. As they heal from their own traumas, they realize that the first step in loving someone else is learning to speak in a language they can understand.
Doom At Your Service (K)- The embodiment of Doom makes a deal with a dying woman to save her from pain for her final 100 days, but in return she has to wish for the destruction of all life. The only way out of the deal is to force herself to fall in love with Doom, so that when her time is up the bargain backfires and destroys him instead.
History 3:Trapped (C)- This Taiwanese drama follows the nauseatingly cliché love story between a gang leader and the police detective who seeks to unravel his whole operation.
Love O2O (C)- A young woman who is prolific at online role-playing games meets and falls for the best male player on their server, after he inexplicably offers to partner with her for couples-based quests. Little does she realize that he has found her in real life and fell in love watching her play.
Oh My Venus (K)- Once a knock-out beauty, Min-Ah has lost her “perfect” figure and been overlooked and disregarded by those in her life. Unhappy with who she has become, she employs a personal trainer who helps her correct medical problems, find healthy stress-coping mechanisms, and overall gives her a brighter outlook on life as the pair fall in love.
Romance is a Bonus Book (K)- Divorced, destitute, and homeless, a woman leans on the shoulder of her lifelong friend for strength. As she gets her feet back under her and sees hope in life for the first time in years, she comes to realize at long last that her friend has quietly loved her his whole life.
The Romance of Tiger and Rose (C)- An author is drawn into her own story and put into the body of a doomed character on the day they die. She must survive to the end of the story to get back to her own world, but falls in love with the ill-fated male lead, and must choose between saving him and returning the home she left behind.
Tale of the Nine-Tailed (K)- The God of Bukhansan, one of Korea’s most powerful mountain gods, gave up his power and chose to exist as a nine-tailed fox in exchange for the soul of his beloved to be resurrected one day. That time has come, and the lonely god will stop at nothing to prevent her from repeating her tragic fate.
Well Intended Love Season 2 (C, independent of S1)- A popular actress and wealthy CEO fake an engagement to get out of a scandal. But as it becomes clear that someone is targeting them both to destroy their lives, they must rely on one another for support in the gathering storm.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (K)- When his assistant suddenly quits, an out-of-touch CEO first proposes to her, then tries to woo her into staying. But relationships aren’t so simple- and Secretary Kim has another, secret reason for wanting to leave.
Fantasy (many of these could also be called Romance)
Miss the Dragon (C)- In order to serve his penance and lift the curse on a young mortal, an immortal dragon has to find her and protect her across three lifetimes, knowing he cannot be with his love until the trials are complete. They are aided in their centuries-long love by an immortal bird demon and the seemingly cold God of Death.
Love and Redemption (C)- A young group of cultivators attempts to stop a renegade sect from resurrecting an evil demon general. The key to their success or failure lies with the Goddess of War- and the heavens will stop at nothing to keep the goddess from recovering her memories and rising to annihalate the heavens.
Oh My Emperor (C)- A doctor is in an accident and wakes up in a world where each sign of the zodiac is embodied in a mystical Lord. The thirteenth zodiac sign has been hunted and slaughtered ever since their master was executed for high treason- and the young woman is the new Lady destined for the empty Ophiuchus throne.
Tale of Arang // Arang and the Magistrate (K)- A young man hunting for his long lost mother comes across a ghost who happens to possess his mother’s hairpin- meaning she was holding it when she died. Solving her murder will free her soul and find his mother- but it will bring Heaven and Hell both to their knees.
The Untamed (C)- History remembers the life- and death- of Wei Wuxian, the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, as a period of strife and struggle. Sixteen years after his downfall Wei Wuxian will rise again, return to his boyhood love Lan Wangji, and uncover the darkness that destroyed him so many years ago.
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madametrashbin · 2 years
Text
A Lovely Day
A gift for @nicebonescomrade because why not. 
I did mention to le comrade of bones on main weeks(?) ago that I was making another Disney Princess AU (credit to @i-put-the-yan-in-polyandry for this AU by the way), which is this but also wanted to try out Scaramouche so...  *awkwardly finger guns* I made this... fic. I’msorrythiswasn’tfullyplannedoutandnotevensureifitfitsbutIwantedtotrysomethingnewtoday/tonight.
I also apologize for not posting for weeks because good god why did I sign myself up to do world building using characters that will never be mentioned ever again? But alas, I must march on with the Cosmos series and crawl my way forward. 
Uhh... yeah, enjoy this while I die over Veil of Starlight.  AndmanyapologiesforthisbeingshorterthanmyusualworksbecauseIdunnohowtowriteScaraandI’minterribleneedforsomecomfortandcravingforhugsrightnow-
It is quiet, but perfect day outside.
A day like every other, with the singing birds and pleasant atmosphere... occasional visits from the animals, the Abyss Order and monsters alike.
None means any harm, of course. Why would they, when their lovely Creator is with them and gracing their lives with their smile?
Ah, there was also that puppet made by that one God, but that detail is insignificant... he’s not like his maker in the slightest, and was certainly different from the rest with how much their Creator adored him.
He was the only one who did not harm them after all, so it is only fair that they leave him be unlike the rest of the world who dared to do so in their blind beliefs and self-imposed justified truths.
It is a peaceful day outside, and the Garden that houses their beloved Creator will always remain that way... contrary to the world outside where civilizations beg and cry out for mercy from the very God they thought to wrong.
No sinner is allowed in the Garden, and only those loved by their Creator are allowed to stay.
The world outside is harsh, Teyvat had condemned them all with eternal suffering for their transgressions.
Scaramouche has witnessed the world’s act of retribution from his place in the Garden, watching the sinner try to beg and plea for their Creator’s mercy. He finds it hilarious that they’re trying to desperately appease you now, despite the fact not once did they ever hear your pleas.
He heard you though.
He heard your pleas, and had been the only one who had done so.
Because of that, he had earned his place by your side forever, and was most fortunate to be taken in as the one you love and adore the most out of all the other fools who call themselves your “acolytes”.
He only laughs every time he sees one of them try to get near in their weakened state, only to be sent away by the likes of the creatures who thrive as your protectors... the same one who stayed by your side before he came.
“Kuni...”
Your voice is quiet, yet so loud in his ears that it has his entire existence shaking in both awe and love for you. It is heavily laced with sleep as you had been napping beside him earlier before he went to check the state of the world outside.
Now you’re partially awake, and with the call of his name that not many were graced to know, he immediately knelt by your side with a delicate touch to your outstretched hands.
“Yes, my dear?”
If anyone who knew him had seen him speak with such a soft and fond voice, they would have thought they were hallucinating... but none of those worthless fools are here, and he has you all to himself.
(Of course, there is also Teyvat but he doesn’t bother with that subject all that much since he still cannot fathom the thought of being “rivals” with an entire planet.)
“Cuddle.”
You only said to him, and he willingly complies because who was he to deny something that he desired all the same?
So he laid himself upon the soft ground, letting you move on top of him where your head rests upon his chest... your arms holding each other close and legs lazily tangled together.
Today is a nice day outside, like every other day he spent in the Garden.
A lovely day... perfect for another nap in his opinion as the gentlest breeze brushes over your forms and wished you both a wonderful nap under the warm sunlight.
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helpimhyperfixating · 2 years
Note
mer! Y/n: "Dio is hot on our tails! How do we shake him?" mer! Joot: "There's always a bigger fish! Trust me, Y/n!" (swims right through the deep sea trench where the ancient giant pillar mers dwell and as Dio gives chase glowing eyes from the abyss lock onto his golden gleam, hungry for feral vampire mer-- the abyssal giants' favored prey)
Risk - A small Mer AU fic
Word Count: 1120
Your hand in his, you and Jotaro fled from the vampire Mer.
Jotaro’s grip was tight on your hand, pulling you with him as he swished his tail frantically, going as fast as he could. Normally, he might have stood his ground and fought, but Dio was cunning, and he would no doubt try to find a way to use you to weaken or distract Jotaro. And he just couldn’t risk you getting hurt. So he ordered you to swim, the both of you fleeing.
“Jotaro, he’s right behind us!” Your panicked voice called out, and while there was worry and fear for you inside of him before, now Jotaro’s gaze hardened. “What do we do?!”
A squeeze on your hand made you turn your head forward, everything seeming slow as Jotaro briefly look down at you. “Trust me.” His voice was calm before he already turned to look forward again, his eyes focusing on the deep basalt chasm laying ahead of you. “There’s always a bigger fish.”
Without any warning he suddenly shot down, abruptly pulling you with him as he swam to the edge of the trench, diving down as deep and far as he could while you could practically feel the displacement of water of Dio’s claws swiping at you from behind.
“Jotaro!” You panicked, starting to run out of steam. You couldn’t go much further and everything around you but up was dark, the basalt rocks seemingly absorbing all the light coming from above, leaving just an inky darkness below and a dark blue all around.
Jotaro squeezed your hand tight, knowing how close Dio was, making his heart beat. Cursing in his head, he darted further down in a spiral, going down until he really could barely see anything around himself, trusting that his plan would work before either of you reached the edge of the trench.
“You think you can out-swim me, Jotaro?” The chilling voice came from above and Jotaro quickly levelled out, pulling you closer to himself as he swam, chancing a glance behind. Right on your tails, were the glowing orange eyes, hungry and vengeful.
Hissing loudly at the vampire, Jotaro wasted no more further energy on looking behind himself and swam. Yet as he did, he noticed your tail-stride get weaker with each moment, indicating your exhaustion.
And so did Dio.
The vampire Mer smirked, knowing you wouldn’t hold out much longer, and neither would Jotaro, seeing how the shark Mer’s tail started to falter as well.
Yet what he didn’t take notice of, were the glowing eyes looking on from below. Dio was so focused on the two of you that he didn’t notice the other presences until it was too late.
From the depth, Mer that must have been three times as big as Jotaro lunged up. Their gazes fixed on the small group of Mer, the three of you were suddenly surrounded.
Large and terrifying silhouettes danced in the dark waters, circling all around you and forcing you to stop, Jotaro quickly pulling you into his chest protectively. Even Dio came to an abrupt stop, his eyes widening briefly at the rapidly moving shadows, yet he venomously glared at Jotaro a second later. “Where the hell did you lead us?!”
All of a sudden, two more dark forms appeared from above, swimming in opposite directions of each other as they circled your little group vertically; now surrounded and herded from left, right, front, back, up and down.
In response to the vampire, Jotaro turned his eyes away from the giants and to him.
“Pillar Trench.”
Just those two words were enough to have your breath hitch and Dio’s eyes widen.
Pillar Trench was a myth. Said to be home to the Ancient Mer. Abyssal leviathans who once ruled the sea, punished by the gods and swallowed up in lava, encasing them in a rock prison for hundreds of years, stuck in darkness with no sensory stimulation. After serving their sentence and seeing, feeling and hearing nothing for so long, it is said that any sight of light was harmful to them, the regular sounds of the sea so loud that they were forced into the deep.
But that was a myth. A story told to pups to keep them out of and away from the deep. Only now, you weren’t so sure.
The shadows seemed to speed up. Everything was dark and your night vision did barely anything to help. Every now and then, you were able to catch a flash of eyes; bright red and terrifying.
You didn’t dare speak a word, afraid they would attack if you did. So you just clung tightly to Jotaro, finding solace in his presence. Never had you felt like this. This afraid. This much… like a prey.
You and Jotaro stayed as still in the water as possible, Jotaro only very quietly swishing his tail to keep you both upright and at the same level, one arm around your shoulders while the other was in your hair, holding your head to his chest.
Dio was a different story, moving around and following the giants with his eyes and body, trying to never show his back to them yet failing with four circling around from all angles.
Suddenly, the two circling vertically tightened down, cutting between you and Jotaro and Dio. The vampire dashed back, trying to stay away from the Mer, yet his eyes were giving him away in the dark.
Leaving you and Jotaro on the wayside, the four silhouettes closed in on Dio and you felt one of them pass right by you - you could have sworn you felt its nails dragging across your back lightly.
Yet at this moment, Jotaro bolted into action, holding you tightly as he rapidly moved his tail, swimming straight up into the light.
Your eyes were still focused on the deep, seeing Dio’s eyes wide as the two of you were able to swim away, let go by the seeming mercy of the ancients.
That, or they just had no interest, having eyes for a different prey.
The four abyssal giants closed in so tight now that the entirety of Dio’s form disappeared from your view, a desperate screech sounding from the deep as he seemingly tried to attack or break free, all the while Jotaro kept a powerful stride in his tail, bringing you both up and back into the light.
As Jotaro held you tight, swimming back home as he refused to let you go, you chanced a last glance at the basalt trench and you could have sworn you saw glowing eyes following your every move.
That day was the last anyone had ever seen of Dio.
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whumpzone · 3 years
Note
everyone wants to see col broken, but i want to see linden broken. maybe sick with a fever so bad he's totally out of it, maybe with a broken bone, maybe with the kind of panic attack that takes you out of reality and leaves you completely drained. i want to see how col scrambles to care for him with his still-unfamiliar hands, when linden isn't even in the headspace to praise or thank him.
yes!!! CW for general illness & mentions of pills/medicine
-
Linden woke- rather, he was pulled forcibly from sleep- to a pounding headache. He kept his eyes shut and furrowed his brow, realising slowly that his whole body hurt, not just his head. He was on his back- when he tried to roll into the foetal position, his muscles complained as if he’d hiked up a mountain yesterday.
“Mmph,” he grunted. The small noise irritated his throat enough to set off a coughing fit. He finally opened his bleary eyes. He was definitively ill. He groaned, grinding his head weakly into the pillow.
-
Pet didn’t see Master all morning. The sun was in the middle of the sky, casting only slim shadows, when he gathered his courage and went to check on him. Every step felt like a mistake. He was disturbing him, he was attention seeking, Master was probably busy, he was doing something that didn’t concern the stupid little animal he kept around, and Pet was going to get ordered away at best and punished at worst.
Still, he gently knocked on Master’s bedroom door. The action hurt his knuckles. “Col,” he heard, just barely, from inside. “Come in, please.”
Master’s voice didn’t sound right. He didn’t look right, either, when Pet pushed open the door. He was still in bed, his long hair stuck to his face with sweat. His dark skin looked flushed-out and pallid, and his eyes were half-lidded. Two pupils slowly met his own.
Oh, god. Master was dying.
Pet rushed and collapsed to his knees at Master’s bedside, his mind racing to find a solution. He wanted to cry out, ask what is it, where does it hurt, what do I need to do?
But he couldn’t. He could only stare stupidly, his mouth parted with worry, eyes big and searching. Master saw his panic and slowly spoke. It looked like the words were painful.
“I’m okay, I’ve just-“ he coughed, turning his face away. “I think I’ve got the flu. It’s fine, it’s-“ another few seconds of coughing. “Okay, I’m quite badly ill.”
He half-groaned, half-laughed. Pet’s heart was still thumping out of his chest, but he made himself nod. Master pressed his face into the pillow, a pained look on his face. His eyebrows were drawn close, heavy over his eyes, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. Pet stared, waiting, but Master didn’t speak anymore. He was tense, like he was trying to stave off an invisible pain.
A car rumbled past outside. Had… had Master fallen asleep? Pet wouldn’t dare touch him without permission, so instead he got up and looked down. It felt so wrong. Pet should be the one laid out, sweaty and barely conscious.
He had to help. What did Master need? Paracetamol? He knew that word, from somewhere. Had Master given him some, when he burnt his own hand? He went to the bathroom and retrieved the packet. Water. Pet would get him water, too. He’d be a good, useful dog.
Pet’s mind wandered as he completed the task. So often his thoughts were preoccupied with what Master could do, what he was capable of, all the ways he could hurt Pet in that moment. Constantly vigilant of any attack. Would he kick him? Whatever was in reach, would he smash it against his head? Would he reach out and slap him?
But right now, Master really couldn’t do anything. He was weak, he was tired. He could barely open his eyes- would he notice, say, if Pet failed to kneel quickly enough? If he didn’t cast his eyes down, or if he was slow? He wouldn’t do any of that, of course. Pet knew he shouldn’t be thinking this way, but he also knew he wasn’t considering anything disloyal. Just because Master was incapacitated didn’t mean Pet would let his own training slip, or- god forbid- try to hurt Master or slow his recovery. Never. It was just… an interesting thought, the fact that Pet wasn’t at risk of harm right now.
He also thought about how seeing Master this way, pained and exhausted, evoked a strange feeling he hadn’t felt for his old owner, even as he died. All Pet could feel back then was hopelessness, and fear. He had felt like a balloon cut loose and left to fly, unguided, into the abyss. Here, he could tell that the drive to help Master feel better was motivated by more than his obligation to serve, more than his fear of his owner dying. Seeing Master so reduced had created a strange sadness in Pet. He didn’t like it.
-
Master didn’t look much better when Pet returned, a glass of water in one hand and the pills in the other. He knew it was disgusting, to give his owner pills that had been handled by an animal, but he didn’t know how else to give them to him. He wasn’t sure Master would be able to open the packet by himself.
He was curled up, his face still taut, and breathing far too shallowly. It made Pet’s heart seize up. This was wrong wrong wrong.
Kneeling, he put the glass down and tried to gently wake Master. He knew he would get in trouble for touching his owner, for daring to disturb him, but he had to help. Master opened one eye and Pet proffered the glass.
It took both of Master’s hands gripping it, with Pet supporting the base of the glass, for him to drink enough to swallow the pills. Once he was done he immediately slumped back into bed with a groan, and shut his eyes.
-
By the third day, Master was improving a lot. But, naturally, he didn’t have any time for his Pet. He understood, he really did. Master had to focus on recovering and look after himself.
Still…
He was getting really hungry. He had no way of asking, and duh, it kept him dependent on his owner’s mercy, as he should be. But he worried that if Master didn’t grant him the privilege soon, he would be useless at helping fetch pills, water, warm blankets, anything. He was already starting to wobble a lot more as he walked. Once he thought he would actually fall onto his owner.
Pet tried to push the hunger away. He had to focus, this was important! He had to be perfect. He could hear Master’s voice in his head, once he was back to full health.
You just let me suffer in that bedroom, you fucking mongrel. No help, no care, I don’t know why I ever kept you in the first place. You can get out and never come back, you hear me?
So he ignored the void in his stomach. Tried to compensate for the way his limbs ached. If this was a test, he was going to pass. He had to.
-
tagging: @newbornwhumperfly @whumpadump1939 @firewheeesky @whump-me-all-night-long @captainseconds @grizzlie70 @unicornscotty @lave-whump @princessofonward @cupcakes-and-pain @bumbumbea @whumpfigure @yet-another-heathen @secretwhumplair @whumps-up @as-a-matter-of-whump @getyourwhumphere @itzagoodthing @whumpymirages @soapparentlyilikewhumpnow @zipadeedooda-drabbles @penny-for-your-whump @briars7 @legallylibra @angel-stars @loyds-of-registry @tears-and-lilies @badluck990 @rosesareviolentlyread @vickytokio @neuro-whump @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @whumpsy-daisies @control-whumps @theydy-cringeworthy @starnight-whump @cursedandtired @jo-doe-seeking-inspo @justabitofwhump @glamrockgregory @rippedjeansandfadeddreams @genesissane @justbreakonme @addyez @httyd-chocolate @littlespacecastle @haro-whumps @extrabitterbrain @neverthelass @downrivergirl914
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kurimiaki · 3 years
Note
T, R, N and P with Diluc please?
the uncrowned king of mondstadt, diluc ragnvindr.
yandere alphabet via dear-yandere! revisions i made are flaky so. my bad wwwww
cw: dark content, physical abuse, kidnapping, confinement, claustrophobia, extremely unhealthy relationship.
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Tears: How do they feel about seeing their darling scream, cry, and/or isolate themselves?
Just because Diluc may be attending to business elsewhere, does not mean you are free from his heady grasp. Distant yet coddling; his attentiveness is a curse just as much as it can be a blessing. You’re never without security, that much is true. Dawn Winery is his eyes and ears, every single servant wrapped around his finger, wrapping around and constricting you. Self isolation could never be a possibility, not when Adelinde ushers you out of bed without a minute left to spare, always in such a hurry, as if wallowing in utter boredom for days on end is anything of importance. From the very beginning, Diluc had made it a point to ensure your physical health was a top priority to those surrounding you; strict itineraries have maids silently mourning over their packed workload. A plethora of duties— take you on brief walks outside the winery, never longer than 15 minutes, feed and serve meals delicately planned and catered to your health, eyes and ears constantly watching, watching, watching. They keep you like a dog on a leash, no matter how pampered. They do so dutifully. They must. Who could possibly decline such a hefty pay at the expense of silence?
It would be a blatant lie to say your physical health had declined any whilst under his... care, however, the same cannot be said for your mental well being. He can’t, despite how much he hates his inability to do so, prevent your tears. And by the archons, do you cry. Diluc is unable to approach you some days, those days when the illusion of normalcy and domestic living he works so hard to put up simply melts away, when you can do little more than curl in on yourself and wretch into your silk sheets with a litany of tears flush in your eyes. He wills himself to allow you the mercy of a few hours alone, albeit with check ups and that blatant discomfort of his when you wail at the slightest touch to your shoulder. Of course, it’s a different case entirely when such cries are symptom of punishment— whereas Diluc will weakly attempt to comfort you with softened eyes when you work yourself up, flaky and visibly uncomfortable, his resolution is unflinching and unwavering should you choose to act out of turn. Wail, sob, beg and beg for mercy, for forgiveness, his mask of nonchalance will stay firm.
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Regret: Would they ever feel guilty about abducting their darling? Would they ever let their darling go?
No. Diluc is understanding that the situation he has thrust you into may not be ideal, he anticipates a lack of reciprocation and overall resistance, but he feels absolutely no guilt. In his eyes, this is for the best, the world is much too cruel— who better than him to make that judgement for you? Even if you do prove yourself to be capable of taking care of yourself, (with Diluc himself to measure up to) this Darknight Hero will find every minute, minuscule little thing to prove you otherwise. Just about every one of your shortcomings Diluc will try and use to his advantage, to put himself in a better light. Who else is as capable as he is, who else can prove themselves worthy of your companionship, your devotion, in the ways that he has? The longer you stay in his grasp, not that the possibility of leaving will come otherwise, the more difficult it becomes to prove him wrong. He feeds you with the utmost care, keeps you healthy, entertains you should you need conversation or otherwise, and provides, provides, provides. There may be a lack of freedom on your end, but really, do you have much room to complain? Without him, you may very well be dead. He ensures that point is driven straight to your heart, however many times is necessary until you grow compliant.
His will and rationality is fully reasonable, in his mind, hence why his wishes to keep you by his side shall forever remain solid. Perhaps it is the idea of you keeping close to him that entraptures Diluc so entirely, for he is a distant admirer. He would be contented growing old and without your touch, merely sharing your company for as long as life allows. All the same, he wishes to swallow you whole, skin, blood, guts and tears, if only to keep you with him. It is selfish, but he tells himself that is something of which he is deserving. He must.
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Naughty: How would they punish their darling?
Diluc is nothing if not dedicated to his goals, a driven man in everything he sets his mind to. In order to maintain the position he thrives in, he is forever alert, forever adapting, prepared for any strenuous situation thrown his way. Should you push past a line you are never meant to cross, jab at him a tad too harshly, well... it’s not as if he gives no thought as to how to keep you in line. Rarely are you knowing enough of his inner workings to be able to push him past the point of no return, a point where even you, his dearest, are not spared from his wrath. Emphasis on rare, for he is wholly tolerant and gentle with you, to an extent. Any person has a breaking point, and Diluc, despite his detached disposition and stoic attitude, can only withstand so much. He bottles up so much to remain composed, after all. When he snaps, he is unable to hold himself back any longer.
He is not one to take pleasure from the suffering of others. Lest they truly deserve it, is what he’ll tell himself, to at the very least maintain the illusion of normalcy. Sway not from the path of righteousness, forget not the splendor of dawn. His mind is able to concoct the most horrific scenarios he could possibly put you through, for he does the same with his enemies. In a way, when you act out of turn, an instinctual part of him, cultivated after years spent at the whims of the dangerous and unknown, sees you as just that— an enemy. He doesn’t often choose the more unsavory methods to keeping you in line, ie: beating or threatening you with his vision, further keeping true to said threats should you continue. Diluc is wholly capable of restraining the urge to simply slap the snark off of your face (he had done so regardless, once or twice), and much prefers isolating you on his own terms, away from everyone and everything, even himself. It’s a small room, not even on par with that of your shared bedroom, much more similar to a closet or crawlspace.
A room, but a cage all the same. Splintered wood floors, dank cobblestone surrounds you and few cracks in the stone leaves room for bugs of all nature to crawl through, allows the elements to rain hell upon you should you end up locked up during the harsher months. A lone maid, not even Adelinde, the head, attends to you, sparing meek glances should you call out when she gently places a meal of one roll, a piece of meat, and a few shoddily cut slabs of potato. No begging and weeping and screaming you may do will soften Diluc into coming back for you- again, his resolve is akin to that of steel, his will forever unyielding. He decides when you are thoroughly broken in, and when it is time to hold you in kind, he shines through like that of The Darknight Hero the people proclaim him to be. In the end, what is necessary is that he shows you how much better off you are when with him. He’s much too possessive and to a point, coddling, to ever consider discarding you into the wild and at the whims of hilichurl camps and abyss mages alike.
His hold is firm and grounding. Had he always been able to hold you with such ease? Had he ever truly held you in kind, as he does now? He’s warm. A familiar, comforting scent of smoke and acidic wine fills your senses and him, oh, him. He had left you, left you alone, all alone, in that room, not even a room, all alone, and yet you can do little more than gag and writhe and latch onto him with pleas of his name whispered hoarsely— ‘Diluc, Diluc, Diluc’. A cry of your savior.
He can’t look at you, won’t look at you. Won’t give you the mercy, but he couldn’t be angry. Not anymore. He holds you tighter and so flush to himself, with a ferocity narly shown to anyone but you, not in kind, not with this passion. You smell of dust, a husk of yourself. Faintly of his sheets, faintly of iron, of vomit, of filth.
Fresh memories of your betrayal burn hot in his mind. He’s contradicting himself. He cannot relent. It comes out as a whisper, barely even heard to himself, and he curses his very soul the moment it passes his lips.
“Strive to do better. Lest you want your time there to increase tenfold.”
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Patience: How patient are they with their darling?
He can bear with defiance and unwillingness on your part, to an extent. He can anticipate as much, for he is not delusional enough to fool himself into thinking your relationship is even somewhat typical to that of a normal couple, no matter how much he wishes that to be the case. No, for the initial few weeks of your captivity (he’s always gotten so mad when you refer to him as such, a captor) Diluc allows you to lash and sob and attempt to reason with him, attempt to soften him, attempt to hurt him. He’ll allow you to do so, but he himself remains impenetrable, unblinking, almost uncaring. He is prepared for about anything and everything, always expecting the worse possibilities as to save himself from further harm. For you, as well, he is constantly anticipating and observing. In hidden, minute little ways. It may even come as a shame to him if the fact that he enforces the maids to note down your every little move ever reaches your ears.
All in all, Diluc’s complete preparation for anything and everything you may throw his way makes him extremely patient, for better or for worse. Difficult to crack, impenetrable, almost— on one hand, the distance he keeps from you to accommodate for your lack of reciprocation may come as a blessing, but it makes it all too difficult to try and pester him into letting you go, to try and understand his goals and motivations in keeping you locked right away. Your complacency is inevitable, sooner or later, Diluc will begin approaching and weaseling his way into your routine in the smallest of ways, gradually and unconsciously causing you to grow fonder of his presence. It’s a slow process, one he had planned from the very moment his wishes of a domestic life with you grew much too much to handle. He loves you completely, yearns for your love, and for it, he will wait as long as necessary.
Blazing red eyes leer down upon you, your shame increasing tenfold for each second that passes subjected to that gaze of his. A fit of expaseration, you will admit, had sent the cutlery dear Hillie had so delicately prepared flying off of the white tablecloth and onto the hardwood floors, further staining the expensive rugs with wines and crumbs and oils from his favorite meal, a concoction of pasta and steak and cheese. He had prepared yours alongside with it, striking tonight as a tad more special than the rest. You didn’t blame yourself for what you did, not when he had proposed something as outlandish as marriage.
He keeps silent, leaning back in his seat, his throne, as if he were a king observing a mere peasant begging for mercy— quite frankly, you should be. But perhaps tonight he will be more lenient, you ponder, averting your gaze to the flickering embers sparking from the fireplace beside you.
He sighs, suddenly, worn and thoroughly put out by your antics, further embarrassing you by his facade of nonchalance. No, you could tell from the way his leather gloves creaked from gripping himself too hard, he was barely concealing his own anger.
“You hardly let me finish my scentence. Come, we’ll continue this conversation upstairs.”
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moonbaby26 · 3 years
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Title: Night of the Storm
Pairing: Loki x Goddess!Reader
Summary: Story set nearer the Viking Age. You were a Greek sea goddess who crossed paths with the god of mischief. Continuation of previous chapter. Weeks after Loki’s last appearance you were finally beginning to give up hope, only to find you’d been on his mind all along as he lures you into being alone with him late one night. His other side shows more of itself as things quickly turn into relieving that pent up physical need.
Warnings: People drowning. Also *here comes the smut.* But the start and finish of it is still marked in red within the chapter if you want to skip that part. I know everyone has their own comfort levels. The only thing in this though that I would even consider slight kink is just a bit of biting and tiny bit of blood from that, like really small. Otherwise it’s just needy gods doing what needy gods do.
Chapters: Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
Taglist: @rosaline-black , @lawfeys , @loveableasshole , @insanitybyanothername
My Masterlist
——————————
You had replayed your last words with Loki over and over so many times in your head. Had you been too forward after all? Was it too presumptuous to think anything could really come of such a random acquaintanceship?
The more days that passed, the more you questioned what you really remembered of your brief time together versus what you may have only imagined in your optimism.
The night he left, you remembered feeling so sure that he would return. Maybe you weren’t certain in what way he would want to see you next, but you had at least felt he would set foot in your home he called Midgard again. And that he would call your name to the waves once more.
So when the days eventually stretched into weeks with no further sign of him, you had to accept the possibility that you were very wrong on your assumptions.
As you stared upward now from the deep ocean, the blackness all around was only penetrated by the briefest strobes of white. The occasional lightning’s flash silhouetting the wooden ship hulls rising and falling far above you.
It was so late into the night, but your Father’s anger cared not for time. The captain of the fleet above had committed the sin of hubris. He had declared himself a master of the sea after too many trips safely across, and now your Father’s storms aimed to remind this man of a harsh truth.
Your uncle Hades would surely claim souls tonight, one way or another. That was already decided per Father’s orders. But should they all die, then none of the men could carry on this message, this teaching moment either.
So you waited, and you listened. Who among them would plead for intervention as the waters first breached their ships? Father could show his wrath, but he’d sent you to show the other side as well.
Mercy from the gods. Whichever ship contained the most believers, whichever prayed the hardest, that was the one Father had asked you to spare.
But the rest....you could only watch as their bodies joined you one by one in the darkness. And you knew soon that they would only find themselves upon the banks of the river Styx.
You bid the nymphs to comfort the men as best they could, to accept fate rather than fight it. The ocean above was simply rage, but down in this abyss they would only know peace.
When the chosen surviving ship had emerged in your mind though, you pushed only that one forward. The waves began to miss it, ignore it even as the ship fully righted.
“Follow them all the way to their home shores,” You commanded the nymphs. “Let none from that vessel drown under your guard.”
“Yes, goddess.” They answered, swimming quickly to join the now fleeing ship. These mortals would return home with tales of their brush with death. But they would also remember as their prayers had parted the seas only for them.
Yet you felt no satisfaction, even with your duty to your Father done. Your distraction still lingered as you only sank further away from the storm’s flashes in the time afterward, to the colder depths where you intended to again sleep alone.
Floating, suspended in the blackness as you’d closed your eyes, to any that could have somehow seen you, you would have looked most like a corpse as well. Albeit intact, unmarred, and with that smallest pulse of life as the thin slits on your neck pulled in those tiny breaths.
But after only a little while you’d opened your eyes again into the void. Because you felt that someone was watching you. It would seem impossible, but you were so certain of this fact so abruptly then that you called out, your magic giving your words wide presence even within the water.
“And what being are you that should watch a goddess as she tries to sleep? Do you now judge my actions invisible one?”
You waited, but of course the void would not answer back, could not even as the feeling of some ethereal eye upon you would not leave.
What did it want from you?
“Milady!”
You startled harshly, even the distant voice of a nymph shocking you at this depth. She couldn’t reach you though, so you had to swim back upward to her.
When you neared further back towards the surface a quick moving fish cut across your vision. It circled, panicked, and calling again. A younger nymph who could not yet take on any larger form. “Milady, thank goodness I found you. Loki has finally returned! But he is injured!”
That was the last of anything you had expected. But you ordered her to stay where it was safe, to only join the others once more before you tore off into the darkness to head for shore.
———————————
As you emerged from the waves, they crashed rough against your back. You hadn’t realized father’s storms had stretched this far. The rain stung against your now exposed skin as you walked onto the beach in the downpour. Loki had never come at night before. And for it to be now no less, in this tempest, you breathed as you looked around for him in the darkness. But you heard nothing over the wind and waves.
“Loki!” You called.
At last you saw a shadow somehow darker than the rest, shifting then just within the tree line. You hurried towards it.
“They said you were injured!” You spoke over the storm.
“I’m fine.” He grumbled, though seemingly more agitated at the rain as he looked all like a drenched rat fallen off a moor line now, making you wonder how long he’d really been waiting for you here.
“I know a place, come on,” You insisted.
But even in these circumstances, you hesitated to touch him, yet knowing it would have been far easier to guide him if you could have only taken his arm. But you did your best to lead him regardless, further along the shore until you came upon the cave opening you were seeking.
“Even during high tide it stays dry in here,” You explained, now finally able to speak at a more normal volume with the sounds of the storm muted somewhat as you went farther back into the cavern together.
Yet light would be an issue, as you were already looking around for a way to at least make a fire.
But to your surprise one started from nothing, in the center of the cave now flickering as the light then shown on you both.
Loki lowered his hand afterward, evidently having just used some other kind of magic you weren’t aware of.
But as you turned to him, you could now see the deep bruising on his face even in the firelight.
“You said you weren’t hurt.” You spoke, that tone of concern not hidden.
“It is minor.” He answered, but offered nothing more.
You waited for one long moment, before finally deciding that any notion of privacy he may hold was now overshadowed by the obvious need for some explanation. “Minor enough to come here in the dead of night in the middle of a near hurricane?”
He gave you an odd look, but you didn’t shrink back.
“I only had another large, predictable argument with my brother.” He finally said. “He decided to help solve things in the only way he knows how. I used magic, he used his fists, and here I am.” Loki had already started to try and smooth his wind mussed hair back into place though, some vanity evident there even as he continued. “And this was only one of few places he would not follow me. Brother has no interest in this part of Midgard currently. He at least allows me this.”
“I see.” You answered, though feeling something was still not right here even as you tried to choose your next course of action carefully. “Would you like help drying off at least then?” You asked.
“You insinuate that you can control rainwater as well?” He questioned skeptically.
“Only if it’s made by one of my father’s storms, yes. Which this clearly was.” You replied, raising your own hands as you willed the water to leave him. And it did lift from his hair, from his clothes, even his skin as the reformed droplets floated strangely in midair before you cast them back out the cave entrance with another flick of your hands.
He watched the water leave with the slightest bit of interest before turning his attention fully back to you then.
“And what is your dear father so unhappy with tonight?” Loki asked, adjusting his now at least somewhat dryer clothing. You couldn’t pull out every bit of dampness true, but it was far better than being completely drenched.
“He felt a mortal had lost respect for the dangers of the seas.” You answered plainly.
But Loki actually was silent for a moment at that as only a dark smirk crossed his features. That little knot in your stomach seemed to tighten at the sight.
“And they say I’m petty.” He finally said. “How many mortals did you really let drown tonight, goddess?”
“So it was you.” You said abruptly, accusing him then and there as you neared closer. “You were watching me!”
“No.” He corrected, though looking pleased none the less that you had made the connection so quickly. “Heimdall was. Yet by my request.”
“Why?” You questioned, but not really knowing what to feel as a mix of anger and embarrassment rose in your confusion.
“I wanted to know if your parting words held any truth. And if you’d grow restless the longer I waited to return.” He smiled then, but there was still a cruelty to it. “Yet that show I did not expect. Heimdall can be quite good at relaying details when pressed. And sparing only the mortals that plead for you tonight, letting the rest become food for your sea beasts....ah, and yet with your servants still comforting the damned. It was really quite a finishing touch.”
“So this is the kind of god you are then?” You asked sharply, though still not sure what you’d really expected.
“I am.” He offered. “And I also am not.”
You tensed, patience truly beginning to wane. “There is no point to speak in riddles to me. What is your real intention here Asgardian?”
“Tsk. Now you wound? I am only back to the Asgardian again?” He tilted his head slightly. “No, you tell me. Why did you leave the protection of your seas so quickly at only the word I was wounded, so panicked that you did not even think to bring that spear of yours?”
Your eyes widened slightly, that realization only just hitting you with his question. It hadn’t crossed your mind once to bring it, even now as he stood so near with that growing look of triumph in his eyes.
“You play games with me.” You retorted, even as you watched those fake bruises now fade from his pale skin.
“And now I know what you would do if it were all true,” he answered, yet with that smirk returning.
“I could fill this entire cave and drown you where you stand you know.” You countered.
“You could try,” He agreed. “But you won’t.”
“You presume too much.” He was becoming maddening. Everything you said, he only grew bolder, he taunted harder. And the worst of it all was, you were not really fighting back. Why were you not fighting back?
“You missed me, goddess. It isn’t that hard to deduce. Not anymore. You wanted this.” He finally said. “And if it’s all the same, I share that frustration. I kept away long enough to be sure. But watching you, knowing what you’re willing to do...I wanted to come back and see it first hand.”
And in all these weeks, tonight wasn’t the only night you’d let mortals perish in Father’s name, or even caused it yourself as you’d manipulated the seas on his orders. And was that really what excited Loki tonight? Seeing you use your powers to this darker extent?
“Is this really how Asgardians flirt? Over the bodies of the innocent?” You asked, unable to keep yourself to sane words any longer. It had all gone too far so quickly.
“I am not all Asgardians. And you and I both know there is no such thing as innocence.” He murmured just as his hands first touched you, taking your wrists. The grasp of his long fingers was surprisingly cold. That chill honestly the first thing you noticed, even as you didn’t push him away.
You watched only his eyes for that moment. And in your own awe you realized he was actually still waiting for you to deny him. You were being given a choice here. But you didn’t refuse him. You couldn’t. You’d already thought of this possibility more than once in your many nights alone.
And it was only you who closed the gap first as you took his lips in yours. You felt him tense briefly though, as if he was still somewhat surprised himself before he returned the motion in full force.
****SMUT INCOMING, KEEP SCROLLING IF WISHING TO SKIP
The rock wall of the cave soon met your back as he pressed you against it. It hurt somewhat, but you weren’t made of glass.
As he pinned your arms against the wall as well, his tongue pressed its way into your mouth. But the taste of him was something you only wanted more of then. Yet when your own tongue fought quickly back, you felt him pull away just enough to look into your eyes once more.
His face hovered only inches from your own as he eyed you hungrily. “You realize I won’t be able to stop once this starts. It’s been far too long. Speak now...or be silent save for saying my praises, goddess.”
“Prideful beast,” You breathed, shifting in his grip. “You think I do this each night either? Try closer to never.”
He seemed even more goaded at that, pleased at the revelation, “Then tell me what you want, (Y/N).”
“You.” You answered immediately, reservation shattered as his body pressed further against your own.
“Then I shall enjoy the privilege.” He whispered huskily, and you leaned your head back just as you felt him bite suddenly after, his mouth rough on your neck. You were sure he was testing if marks could be made on your skin, trying to claim it any way he could now as he pressed a little harder and harder with those teeth.
The juxtaposition of a man who would sit with you for hours only reading, versus this possessive creature he was now shifting towards was so very interesting.
And as he released your wrists, his hands only moved to the straps of your dress next. Yanking them from your shoulders, and sliding the thin fabric easily from your chest, exposing your breasts to his groping touch before his mouth moved over your chest.
As he roughly kissed one breast, his hand squeezed the other tightly. In another too fast movement though, his other hand had now already pulled the rest of your dress away. He pulled you from the wall just enough for it to fall around your ankles then as you realized just how quickly he’d rendered you fully nude here before him. All while you’d only been nearly still, too wrapped up in the desperate feel of it all.
After the dress had fallen though, he did pull back not long after, seeming to admire the view for a moment before his hand then went between your legs.
“I wondered how much you’d taste of the sea,” He murmured, licking that slight residue of salt from his lips as his fingers massaged your entrance.
You opened your legs a little more, leaning further back against the wall to help support yourself as those little flicks and movements of his fingers weakened you further.
“You have entirely too many clothes on,” You panted quietly, not caring if your tone sounded more like pleading in that moment.
“You just want me in you already, don’t you, goddess?” He all but growled, taunting you even as he slipped his fingers inside then.
Before you could hope to really answer, he was kissing you again though, his tongue probing nearly as hard as his fingers were pressing below.
You could feel the resistance decreasing though, the more your inner wetness grew and his fingers slid in and out all the quicker. Something he no doubt could feel as well as he broke the kiss once more.
“Beg me then,” He commanded against your ear.
Even in your own need, you were realizing how much he wanted to be in control. Power aroused him, just as he’d evidently been watching you exert your own in all these days, and just as he wanted to feel dominant over you now.
But you also knew how little you cared either way in this moment. You wanted him to be satisfied just as much as you wanted your own release.
“I want you,” You tried again, locking eyes with him once more. But as you tried to reach for his clothing he only caught your hand in his free one.
“Not good enough,” He reiterated, needing more.
It was hard to think in depth though as his other hand only kept moving just enough to keep you stimulated, but not enough to finish you off.
But alright, you could play this game if you had to. You growled a little yourself, “Fuck me, Loki”. That’s what he wanted to hear wasn’t it? You could see that desperate look in his eyes grow and you knew you about had him. In the moment though, you added one more thing, this time being quick enough with your hand to grab hold of his crotch before he could stop you. “Do it, King. Fuck me.”
He let out another sound, somewhere between a growl and a moan as he pulled his fingers out from you before grabbing you by the arms to force you away from the wall entirely.
He released you only brief enough to face his palms towards his own body. The dark green cloak he wore separated at once from his other clothing, it then splaying out across the floor of the cave. And with another motion his black leather unwrapped itself, almost like invisible hands pulling it all from him as he stepped out of his boots. Then at once he was to you again as the rest of his clothing folded itself neatly out of the way.
But you wished time would slow down in that moment, yourself trying to see every detail of his naked form in the firelight before his body slammed back against yours. That vivid white skin, lean, but surprising you with the musculature that had still been hiding there.
In the ocean, you knew well that it wasn’t always the biggest, bulkiest predators to fear the most. Some of the leaner, faster ones could have your throat ripped out long before the others should you let them in too close.
And his mouth met yours just as harshly then, urging you down to lay on your back upon his cloak on the cave floor.
If your back was bruised later, you hardly cared, as you wrapped your legs around him and he laid his weight upon you. Your hands were free now, and you gladly used them, running them through his hair, and up and down his body to feel all you could of him. He was smooth, with that chill to him that was still so unique.
You found his already strong erection as well, stroking it with one hand as your other moved back into his hair. You held the back of his head as he moved down again to suck at your collarbone, his fingers digging into your hips harshly as he thrust against your hand, urging you to guide him in.
And you were more than ready, allowing him to push inside as you angled him as deep as he could go.
He took full advantage at once too, pulling almost all the way back out before slamming back inside as you gasped.
He lifted up onto his elbows enough to look you in the eyes as he pulled out again, before repeating the second harsh thrust, then a third, and a fourth.
It ached, yet somehow you couldn’t imagine this any other way tonight. He wanted to claim you now, as hard and thoroughly as he could.
And you could take it as you breathed his name. You wanted him to let out all his frustration as your hands moved to his back and your nails dug into his shoulders with each faster thrust.
He bore his teeth with a hiss of pain as your nails finally broke his skin. But he liked it you knew, even as he bit down on your shoulder in return.
You felt the pressure, maybe a little stinging, but your back only arched into him as his hips continued to slam against you mercilessly.
As his mouth let go of you again though, and he lifted up, manhood still inside you, you could see that slightest bit of gold ichor on his lips. The blood of the Olympians. Your blood.
He smiled, knowing full well what he’d done in his haze of lust. “Is that what the remnants of ambrosia tastes like?” He whispered, licking his lips.
Contact with ichor could kill any mortal outright, and here he was playing with it. Yet you truly had no idea what its effects could be on an Asgardian. “You do take risks, don’t you, King?”
He made a pleasured sound, still thoroughly enjoying that word out of your mouth as he grabbed your breasts again, thrusting hard once more. “Only when the odds favor me, goddess.”
Your muscles were tensing though, as he squeezed your breasts and changed his angle slightly to rub more against that sensitive bundle of nerves at your entrance as his cock slid in and out.
You couldn’t know what you really looked like to him right now, sprawled out on your back beneath him, laying on his own cloak as he fucked you like he’d never have the chance again.
But you could see his own expression, and his eyes were so intense, like under a spell of euphoria as his breath grew more rapid.
Would he pull out you wondered? Did you even want him to?
“Loki,” You spoke, raising your hand up to the side of his face gently, even though you realized his own red blood now dotted your fingernails.
He surprised you when he only turned his face enough to kiss your hand though, still watching you even as you felt him jerk inside you abruptly. You saw him shudder as that orgasm went through him, and you felt his seed pulsing out deep inside you.
But even as he came, his hand went back to your entrance, bidding you to do the same as he tormented your clit. You’d been on that edge for so long, it was easy to finally let go as you trembled beneath him, getting your own release then.
And even then he still didn’t pull out. He only tugged you so that you both rolled onto your sides on his cloak, still facing one another.
You were both breathing rather hard now, and you truly wanted to close your eyes to rest for a moment, but you felt his fingers edging along the side of your face as you opened your eyes again.
He kissed you once more, and you could taste that sweetness that you knew was indeed the leftovers of your own blood.
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****SMUT DONE, CAN KEEP READING HERE
“Have you been sated?” You asked, reaching up to run your thumb across his bottom lip.
He grinned slightly at the touch. “To say yes would only be another lie now wouldn’t it? I am never sated, dear. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t thoroughly enjoy this.”
With that he reached out enough to touch his hand to the cloak beneath you. You felt the material shift before the sides of it suddenly extended, wrapping around you both like a blanket in the cool cave.
More of his own magic no doubt, but there were no complaints from you as you just rested your head against him, closing your eyes again. He allowed it, so you supposed he was also too tired to do anything differently.
You weren’t sure for how long he would actually stay this way. But for now you would only take comfort in this rarity of intimacy as best you could, breathing in his scent, and savoring the feel of his skin still against yours.
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It was only the extremely persistent calling of seagulls that finally woke you. Groggily you yawned, only startled as you realized yourself fully naked and for one chaotic moment could not remember how in Gaia’s name you got that way.
You sat up abruptly as the green cloak fell away from your bare body. But the silky feel of it brought you back to reality as you ran your hand out across it.
The sunlight was shining brightly into the cave. The fire long gone, and Loki along with it as you now sat alone here. All his clothes that had been stacked against the wall were also gone. Though with some bit of humor you realized your dress was now neatly folded beside the edge of the cloak for you to find. Quite far removed from its original point of just being piled beside the wall last night.
Though with him gone it was interesting that none of the nymphs had yet joined you. Perhaps they had just been too polite. But when you saw those same annoyingly loud gulls with some now walking up and down nervously at the cave entrance, you realized them for what they were.
You pulled Loki’s cloak back around yourself before laying back down, even while calling out. “You can come in, girls! I’m awake!”
With that a flurry of seagulls immediately flew into the cave, landing all around. And in moments they were all beautiful sea nymphs again, staring at you expectantly.
“You cannot tell my father, okay?” Was the very first thing you said as they all nodded highly enthusiastically.
But when you didn’t say anything immediately more, you could tell they were all about to explode in anticipation. “Yes, we coupled. Yes, I’d do it again.” You finally said.
They all squealed, no doubt realizing as well how badly you’d wished for his return in the last weeks. Yet that was also when the questions came.
“But was he better than an Olympian?”
“Was he tender, or rough? Did he try to please you, milady?”
“Was he big? I’ve heard everything is bigger up north. Aren’t they from the north?”
“My gods, girls, I don’t know. It’s not like I do this all the time.” You grumbled a little, curling up further into his cloak. It still smelled like him you realized. A rich scent, likely whatever it was that the royal quarters in Asgard smelled like.
“Oh we know! But it’s just, oh this is so exciting! You’ve finally taken a lover!”
Though as they continued to chat away, you did think of something you could actually ask them in return.
“When did he leave anyway? Did you see him?” You questioned.
“Oh,” They considered this for a moment. “Before sunrise surely, but we were um, asleep...most of us. We roosted outside the cave to wait for you, goddess.”
“I followed him!” Another one said. “But he told me to leave him be and go home.”
“What form were you in?” You asked, surprised he would so quickly recognize a nymph if in another form.
“Oh...well I was a seal.”
You blinked, imagining the ridiculousness of a nosy seal trying to inconspicuously waddle behind Loki all the way back up the beach and hillside last night.
“You should have been a small shorebird, and stuck to the trees to watch from a distance.” You commented.
“Ah, yes, that probably would have worked well.” They agreed.
You sighed a little, but it didn’t matter much regardless. As much as you still wanted to savor last night, Loki was already gone again. Which also meant that once again you could only wonder when, if ever, he might see fit to see you once more.
He’d already showed his capacity to fake his own injuries just to lure you in faster. So there was always the possibility that everything, all of it, had just been some elaborate scheme to bed you. And with that pleasure won, he may only be off to his next challenge far away from here.
You would have to accept whatever the Fates allowed, because what other choice did you have? But there was still no question. If you could see him again, you would gladly do so.
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(Continued in next chapter here)
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