#lily shouting form somewhere -

[casasupernovas]

harry saying snape loved lily and voldemort yelling back that he thought snape only wanted to shag lily in front of the entire great hall, meanwhile snape from the grave is just like

#i would have considered it if you weren't already in bed with the dark arts! #how embarazzzzin #if he hadn't already died he would have died right then and there on the spot #snape #severus snape #lord voldemort #voldemort #harry potter #deathly hallows #lily potter #lily evans #lily shouting form somewhere - #loving caress in his voice kiss my ass #it's giving evil is my mistress #snapedom #pro snape #memes #merlin why have you forsaken me

[moonstruckme]

Whimsical!reader x Shy!remus 🤭🤭🤭 like the boys always try and get Remus to go out with them and he always tries to say no but James promises that Lily has a friend Remus might get along with and Remus is just so entranced by Whimsical!reader that he starts to come out of his shell and James is all 😏 “If I would’ve known it would end up like this I would’ve had you bring her around sooner, Evans”

Thanks for requesting my love!

Remus Lupin x whimsical!reader ♡ 933 words

“You can’t go home before ten,” Sirius insists, stepping through the front door as James chats with the party’s host, some co-worker of Lily’s. 

“I can go home whenever I want,” Remus says gruffly. 

“Give us an hour at least,” James negotiates as he breaks away from his conversation. He takes the lead of their little group automatically, navigating them through the house to the patio out back. “Lily’s friend is really sweet, I think you’ll like—hi!” His face splits open as he catches sight of his girlfriend, waving. 

He hurries over for a kiss. “I’ve missed you, sweetheart.” 

“I saw you this morning,” Lily reminds him, smiling against his lips. 

“Too long a period of separation. Terrible.” 

Despite the fact that they’re really being very tame, Sirius groans loudly. 

“You live together,” he complains, “don’t you think you could do this another time?”

Lily rolls her eyes at him, but James straightens, recalling his primary aim of the evening. 

“Right, this is Y/N,” he gestures to you, sitting with your feet tucked underneath you on the couch. He supposes you’ve found somewhere to stow your shoes away for the evening. “Y/N, this is Sirius” --Sirius shoots you one of his roguish half-grins. It slips a bit when you smile and nod politely, seemingly unaffected-- “and Remus.” 

Remus raises his hand in a little wave, but it does nothing to dim the lustrous smile you send him. James nudges his friend your way, going to sit with Lily and leaving Sirius to go in search of drinks. 

Lily’s done her job well. She’s chosen a quiet spot, tucked away at the fringes of the party, where you can enjoy the music without having to shout over it. James watches furtively as you take to Remus instantly, asking a steady stream of questions in your quiet, serene voice. Remus seems a bit tense, as if wary of some unknown form of verbal attack, but James is assured that he’ll relax soon. That tends to be your effect. 

You’re an odd bird, but mellow in a way James suspects will appeal to his reticent friend. Over the years, he’s found that Remus doesn’t need to be pulled from his shell so much as he needs people to crawl in there with him. You seem like you’d be exactly the right fit. 

“Neither of you are subtle,” Sirius says, returning with drinks for the three of them. “They’re going to scare if you keep staring at them like that.” 

“Shit.” Lily turns quickly, accepting her drink and fixing her attention deliberately on Sirius. “Do you think they’ve noticed?” 

“No,” James says. He has to hide a smile in his drink as you take one of Remus’ hands in both of your own. Remus’ face has turned stop-sign red, but you’re oblivious, running your fingers over his palm with tender care. “I think they’re too caught up in each other to pay us much mind.” 

“What the hell are they doing?” Sirius leans against the back of the chair Lily and James are sharing. 

Lily is visibly restraining herself from turning around to see what he’s talking about. James laughs, dipping his head to kiss her freckled shoulder. 

“I think it’s a palm reading.” 

“Oh, she’s freaky good at that,” Lily says. “I mean, I don’t want to believe in it and I don’t think I do, but she hasn’t been wrong yet.” 

James raises his eyebrows at her. “That’s a lot, coming from you.” 

His girlfriend scowls, sipping her drink. “I don’t like it.” 

“I can’t believe Moony’s blushing just from her holding his hand like that,” Sirius marvels. He shakes his head, astounded. “This has got to be the most prudish flirting I’ve ever seen.” 

“I’m not even sure she’s trying to flirt with him,” James admits. “I think this is just the way she is.” 

Sirius scoffs. “Whatever it is, it’s working. Look at his mouth.” 

James does. “Oh, shit.”

“What?” Lily evidently can’t stand it any longer. She turns around, but frowns when she sees nothing. “What is it?” 

“He’s got his tongue tucked into the corner of his mouth,” James explains, leaning over to align her vision with his. “See that little bump? That’s his tell. He’s trying not to smile.” He sits back, smug. “He likes her.” 

The more James watches, the more obvious it becomes. The faint flush that’s spread across Remus’ freckles, never really going away. The way he holds eye contact with you unfailingly, when ordinarily he’d be dropping his gaze. The tongue-tuck, which slips up occasionally as a bashful grin lifts the corners of his mouth. 

James doesn’t know you as well as Lily does, but he thinks you must like Remus too, from the way you keep talking to him without ever looking for your friend to come rescue you. Soon the conversation seems to have found its rhythm, with Remus contributing as much as you do. He starts teasing you, a familiar hand on your knee or a quirked eyebrow at something you say, and you eat it up. Your laughter tinkles like windchimes, floating over the party even after he, Lily, and Sirius have stopped paying attention. 

You move closer together over the course of the night. James’ one-hour stipulation passes, then another. Eventually, Lily is ready to go home and Remus hasn’t brought it up once. Probably distracted by the whisper of air separating his nose from yours. 

James whistles softly. “Evans, if I’d known this would go so easily I wouldn’t have you bring her around a long time ago.” 

#shy!remus #remus lupin #whimsical!reader #remus lupin x whimsical!reader #remus lupin x reader #remus lupin x fem!reader #remus lupin x you #remus lupin x y/n #remus lupin x self insert #remus lupin fanfiction #remus lupin fanfic #remus lupin fic #remus lupin fluff #remus lupin drabble #remus lupin imagine #remus lupin scenario #remus lupin blurb #remus lupin oneshot #remus lupin one shot #the marauders #marauders fanfiction #marauders era #marauders fandom #hp marauders

[inthewindandinthewater]

Doing Battle

Responding to this ask: Hi I'm wondering if I could request a sirius x reader but grumpy x sunshine BUT reader happens to be the grumpy one and sirius keeps trying to ask her out and gets rejected but it isn’t like “playing hard to get” but “hard to woo” if that makes sense but eventually the grumpy reader embraces the sunshine

A/n: So this kind of took on a life of its own, but I hope you like it. I did my best to keep the characterization in check whilst adhering the grumpy/sunshine trope. Like I said originally this is one of my favorite pairings so write so thank you so much for requesting!! (Side note! I changed my blog name/theme so I hope y'all can still find me, I was formerly Readitandshmeep)

Kisses -El

Warnings: Embarrassment, Drinking, that's all

Word count: 2205

Pairing: Sunshine!Sirius Black x Grumpy!Reader, Sirius Black x Fem!Reader

Doing Battle

You weren’t hiding. 

You were… finding your peace of mind, that’s all. 

Peace of mind was hard to come by these days, ever since Sirius Black had made you the object of his affection. 

About two months ago he had decided that he wanted you, and by god was he going to have you. You had no clue where it started, and you could only hope that it was going to end soon. 

The particular act that had driven you out onto the back porch of the Potter's house was beyond anything you’d ever experienced with Black. 

James, still unretired from his party boy persona that had ruled Gryffindor tower during his time at Hogwarts, had decided to throw a ‘small’ party. Just a little get together with his closest friends to commemorate their formative years. 

Of course, everyone who was invited was welcome to bring whoever they wished. What a wonderful idea, make sure everyone is welcome, right? Cute

What had started as a little get together quickly escalated into a full blown rager with just about every graduate and upcoming seventh year you knew.

You hadn’t even planned on going originally, James had sent you an invite. One you were admittedly surprised to receive until you remembered that his relationship with Lily meant the world to him, and being her best friend of course you’d be invited. 

When she’d called you you’d bet that she already knew you wouldn’t want to go. 

“Look, it’s going to be sooo small, don’t even sweat it!” She said

“Yeah I won’t sweat it,” you’d replied, your tone even “because I’m not going.” 

Lily sighed and you heard her bed sheets ruffle through the receiver as she flopped back onto her bed, “why not, you never get out anymore” 

“The last party you dragged me to I got accosted in the stairwell” 

“You didn’t get accosted!” She defended, “Fabian ran into you and yes, he spilled your drink, but I think you lived.” 

“I hate them.” You resigned to guerilla war tactics. 

“I don’t understand why though.” She whined. 

“Because they were rowdy and awful and I don’t understand why Sirius insists on speaking to me!” You huffed. Lily just laughed at you, her windchime like giggle coming through the phone in clear high notes. 

“He likes you, I don’t understand why you don’t see that” She says, “it’s an innocent crush, love” 

“Yeah right, nothing about them is innocent…” Silence hung in the air for a few beats, “but, if you really want me to go..” 

Lily’s squeal had you wincing as she bolted upright, “Thank you!! You won’t regret going, we’re going to have so much fun.” 

“Yeah, I bet” You sighed. 

That was how you ended up in the opulent living room of Potter manor, music blaring and people shouting. Your mood had gone from fair to spoiled and putrid within minutes of being there, especially since Lily had ditched to cozy up with James somewhere you didn’t have the stomach to look for. 

“Good evening” A familiar voice invaded your ears and shivers ran up your spine causing your shoulders to stiffen. 

You looked over your shoulder and there he was, in rare form tonight.  Long black curls tousled and falling just around his neck, a tight pink floyd t-shirt paired with wide leg jeans. He looked good, you’d be blind to say otherwise, and my god did you wish you were blind. 

Maybe if you were blind there wouldn’t be a flush crawling onto your cheeks at the sight of him. You could always blame it on the cup in your hand, maybe if the liquid were a little bit lower. 

He took a seat on the couch next to you.

“What do you want, Black?” 

He tilted his head a bit, smiling at you all too sweaty for your liking. 

“Other than you? Not much” He shrugged. 

You huffed, letting your head fall back against the couch. “Do you ever let up?” You said, staring daggers into the ceiling. 

“Unfortunately not, Sunshine!” He leaned a little closer to you and you could smell his cologne, and oddly a lot less liquor than you’d expected. 

“So, how is my favorite girl?” He flashed a smile at you when you looked his way

“You really wanna know?” You said, your head still against the back of the coach as you looked at him. He nodded, curls bouncing with him. “Awful” 

His grin dropped into a mocking pout, “now why’s that?” You threw him and incredulous look, “Why do you think?”

Sirius sighed, dramatically looking around. “Oh I don’t know, maybe because you insist on being in a bad mood all the time?” 

Your face hardens as you sit up, turning your body toward him. “Maybe I’m just in a bad mood around you? Ever think of that?” 

“I think you like starting fights with me.” He says plainly, mirroring your body language. 

“I think you like pissing me off.” You echo. 

He just smiles at you then, leaning a little closer to you putting his face right next to yours. “What can I say, you’re cute when you’re mad.” 

“You’re the worst,” You say, “You know, you might have had a chance with me. If you weren’t you” 

“Weren’t me?” He echos, cocking his head almost like a puppy. 

“Yes, if you weren’t so loud and obnoxious. If you weren’t such a player and a jackass” You say matter of factly.

He makes a little pouting noise at you, leaning back a little and taking your hands in his. “So that’s what you want, huh?” He pulls your hands to his chest and slides down onto his knees. 

A few people turned to look at the two of you as he readied himself for another embarrassing display. You rolled your eyes, looking down at the boy knelt in front of you.

“Don’t” you say. He nods at you again, smiling up at you as. You shake your head fervently, a small smile creeping onto your own face. “No, Sirius” 

He just keeps smiling and nodding until he opens his mouth, “I’ll be so good for you, if that’s what you want!! I will be so so good for you, darling!” He cries 

For just a moment you keep your eyes locked on him before you look around and what felt like a million eyes met yours. Some of them were smiling, others laughing, some just looking on with awe. 

“Best you’d ever had I promise!” He’s still staring up at you when you look back at him, but his smile fades when he realizes the small amusement behind your eyes has died. 

You rip your hands out of Sirius’ as sprint out of the room, leaving him there knelt on the carpet calling after you. 

You were furious, beyond furious. How could he embarrass you like that? Sure he’d been pursuing you but he’d never mortified you like that. 

All the times he’d crossed a room to sit next to you, or ditched his friends to walk with you at the back of the group were now eclipsed by this one thing. Admittedly he’d been starting to dissolve the barrier you’d set between the two of you, carefully chipping at the stone walls. 

When he’d knelt down you’d expected the pleas and whines, and for just a moment the thought had tugged at your heart stings. But you hadn’t expected him to turn it into a spectacle. 

Hearing yourself say it now you can’t help but think about how silly that was, naive even. This was Sirius Black, everything he did had to be a spectacle. 

You were no exception. 

So here you were, not hiding out on the back porch of Potter manor waiting for Lily to find you so you could go home. You considered giving her an earful for even bringing you, but thought better of it. She’d just wanted you to get out for once, fair enough, she’d always been the better of the two of you. Sunshine incarnate with a trusting nature to match. 

That’s why you worked, maybe that’s why subconsciously you’d thought about letting Sirius in. No he wasn’t exactly trusting, probably one of the most suspicious people you knew. Maybe sunshine incarnate was a little steep to describe his character, but he was hellbent on cheering you up. 

You bit your tongue remembering the feeling that had bloomed in your chest when you saw him, all smiles and jokes when he came to you. You’d never let anyone see it of course, as far as they knew he was the bane of your existence. 

But you could almost swear there was something in his eye that told you he knew, secretly somewhere in the head of his he knew you liked having him around. Sure, you could blame it on being wanted but that wasn’t entirely true. 

No, unfortunately Sirius had wormed his way into your psyche… and perhaps your heart. 

That was until now, when the thought of him only induced a blinding rage and near painful embarrassment in you. 

You were brought out of your thoughts by slow, creeping footsteps creaking over the old wood flooring behind you. It could have been anyone, but your intuition had never failed you before. 

“What do you want, Black?” 

Your voice was colder than he’d ever heard it. Not that he could call any of your greetings toward him warm exactly, but this one was devoid of anything other than spite. 

He said nothing, instead he slowly came to sit behind you, keeping a good distance and staring out across the gardens in front of you. 

A silence settled into the air for a few moments that felt like several minutes before Sirius spoke. 

“I shouldn’t have done that.” 

That was all he said. No empty ‘I’m sorry’s or ‘please forgive me’s. Just an admission of guilt, part of you appreciated that. But the other part of you wanted more, so you let the silence coat the air again. 

“Look, I know you don’t like me, or at least you pretend not to, but I don’t mean to embarrass you.” He says, turning to look at you. 

You shoot him a harsh glare, the anger you’d felt rising once again in the back of your throat.

“What exactly did you think was going to happen when you got on your knees and screamed at the top of your lungs?” The words spit from your tongue like venom, maybe if they burned him just a little he’d see that his actions do have consequences. 

Sirius just sighed and dropped his head into his hands, running his fingers through his hair. His sigh turned into to something like a groan. 

“I don’t know, I don’t think when I’m around you” He says quietly. 

“What’s that?” You say, incredulously. 

He lifts his head and looks at you once more, his expression is exasperated and border line annoyed. 

“I said; I don’t think much when i’m around you” 

For a moment the two of you just stare at one another, until… you laugh. Not just laugh, not like the little chuckles you’d let out when someone would tell a good joke. A full bodied, honest to god cackle. 

Sirius can’t help but smile watching you double over like a mad woman. He stared at you profile as you took a deep breath, a smile gracing your features. 

“So that’s what that was?” You turn to look at him, taking in the soft smile and look of adoration he wears, “A lack of thought?” 

“Yeah” 

You hum, looking away from him. “I don’t hate you.” You say, still looking out over the garden, “I’ve tried but I think it’s impossible.” 

It’s Sirius’s turn to laugh, not as hard as you but something little more than a scoff. “Trust me it’s not” He employs. 

“I guess it is for me.” When you meet his gaze he’s no longer smiling, but that thing behind his eyes that reads like adoration is still there. Something you suppose everyone else could see but you up until now. 

You don’t entirely understand what came over you next, but you do know that it was one of the best decisions you’d ever made. 

You always said that sunny weather was not the default, that rain and sunshine operated in a battle for control. Either one winning or losing everyday. But in that moment when you leaned forward and kissed Sirius Black for the first time your world view shifted a little. 

Perhaps it wasn’t about control after all. Maybe some days the storm clouds parted and dissipated to allow the sun to shine through to nourish the plants and heat the ground, so the children could play and the laundry on the line could dry. And perhaps other days the sun relented to the clouds, allowing them to water the earth and create cozy days where loved ones gathered together around warm fires. 

Perhaps everything existed in a balance, perhaps that’s why opposites attract. 

And perhaps that’s why that night on the porch was the first of many where you and Sirius chose one other over control.

#the marauders #harry potter #sirius black #sirius black x reader #sirius black x you #ask el #grumpy x sunshine #fem!reader #Sirius black x fem!reader #sirius black fanfiction

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

Son of Hell (Part 2)

Lucifer doesn't typically get summoned by his Lily she is usually more than happy to cause as much chaos as possible all on her lonesome. Who needs their loving husband getting in their way he is not bitter.

Imagine his surprise when he is dragged not even to his beautiful Queen, but to a child who is practically dripping with hell magic.

Seems he has a new kiddo, no wonder he's seen less of her lately especially if he's some form of hero which isn't exactly what he would pick for a profession but beggars can't be choosers.

-

Lily is Lilith.

Tim feels like an idiot he had assumed some form of fae or even minor god.

Not the queen of hell he has been bossing around the literal Mother of demons, who's husband is the devil and is smiling at him.

She promised though that she wouldn't leave that she would protect him so this even more doesn't make any sense.

He is still trying to puzzle it out when the fallen angel begins to walk to him.

"Hello my child, may I inquire as to what exactly is going on?"

A voice like honey comes across the battlefield somewhere behind a kneeling Darkseid.

"I believe I can explain, however darling put away the feather dusters you are scaring our imp and his humans."

A woman steps dark black wings almost as big as Lucifer's spread proudly behind, offsetting to the blonde hair and blood red dress that's seems to swirl.

She's looks different but he can feel that it's lily that it's Mom.

"The idiot behind me decided to attempt to kill our child, and well I figured it was time for you to complete your Fatherly duties."

He can't stop his mouth which seems to be operating separately from self preservation.

"You actually want to be my mom?" He can't help the hiccup that follows.

Warm hands come to wrap around his chin his eyes falling to meet emerald.

"You have always been my child, what have I done my imp for your doubt?"

He falls wrapping his arms around her burying his face in her curls smelling the sulfur but also a distinct scent of home.

She stands pulling him fully into her arms like he's a little boy again.

"Now you finish off that annoying stone thing, and than return home it's time for Timothy to meet his siblings."

He turns so he can look at the devil who apperently his adopted father who looks back at him with a wink.

"Anything for you, and yes because I choose to ignore him it's not because my wife never calls to tell me about children no it's all Lucy's fault. Have you been speaking to my father again?"

Tim can't help the giggle that slips out another warm smile comes from both his Mom and his sorta Dad.

He sees the bats and everyone else they look awestruck and angry especially Bruce he hides back in Mama's curls he know that he can't avoid it forever but maybe for a little bit longer.

She must read his mind as her wings begin to move she shouts out.

"To any hero who would like to argue with my child, you may argue with his Father, I'm sure he will be more than willing to make a deal."

As they leave the battlefield the adrenaline gone he feels his eyes start to slip closed he's exhausted.

A kiss across his forehand and a whispered,

"Sleep, sweetheart Mama has you."

Is all it takes before he's dead to the world.

@emstheshortone for you the one that inspired me to make this a series!

#tim drake #batfamily #lucifer morningstar #lilith #Tim is the adopted son of hell #Tim is confused #this is one version of part two I have another one #Bruce Wayne #jason todd #dick grayson #damian wayne #batfam

[witchofimber]

Jily/Wolfstar Drabble that was originally part of a larger fic

The first time Remus heard Harry’s name was three years before he even existed. They were stoned in James and Lily’s first flat, and Sirius was waving James’ seventh-year jotter in one hand and laughing until he cried.  

“What you have to remember – “ James made another one-handed swipe for the jotter, the other hand still pleading at Lily – “what you have to remember is that I was seventeen, and – Sirius, give it back – very in love, and perhaps my taste wasn’t fully formed – “

“Ah, and now you’re a mature old man of nineteen,” said Remus.  

“Thistledown Potter,” sang Sirius.  

“For a boy or for a girl?” said Pete.  

“God, does it matter?” said Lily. “James, in what universe would I have agreed to any of these names for my kid – “

“Hey, these are old family names, some of them are traditional – “

Remus leaned over and snatched the book from Sirius. “Oh yeah? Hey Padfoot, do you remember any Bowie Potters on the family tree?”  

“Your great uncle, I believe, wasn’t he James?” Sirius stopped jumping around and fell onto the sofa next to Remus, half in his lap. “Second cousin of – ah, here it is – Zepplin Potter. Are we about to find a Ramones Potter somewhere on the list?”  

James raised a finger as if to argue, and then lowered it, abashed. “Ramona. For a girl.”  

“I can’t believe I’m in love with you,” said Lily. “I’m going to name my kid something nice and normal. None of this weird pureblood shit.”

“Good shout,” said Remus, pulling the joint from Sirius’ mouth, “otherwise you might end up with something really out there, like – I don’t know – James.”

“Fuck off, Remus. Me and Pete are the only ones here with a proud family tradition of normal nomen- nomen- ugh, name-stuff.”  

“Nomenclature,” said Remus, which earned him a middle finger from Lily.  

“Isn’t your sister called Petunia?” said Sirius.  

“Petunia,” said Lily, with a grand and sweeping air, “does not count as a person. Anyway, I’m going to pick something as aggressively mundane as I can. Bob or Sally or Harry.”

“I like Harry,” said Pete.  

James scoffed. “Harold, surely. Shortened to Harry.”

“Absolutely fucking not, otherwise he’ll grow into the sort of person who ends proclamations with ‘surely’.” Lily planted a kiss on James’ nose and snuggled softly into his arms as she gestured at Remus and Sirius. “Anyway, what about you two?”

Remus turned his head into Sirius’ hair. “Darling, are you pregnant? But you told me you were on the pill.”  

“I’m baby-trapping you,” said Sirius, and kissed him firmly on the nose. “Gotten tired of waiting to see you make an honest woman out of me.”

“You could always adopt,” said Lily. “Do you want to?”

“Not sure,” said Remus, who was dimly aware, through the wavering mist of hash, that this conversation was dangerous.  

“We’ll just be the cool uncles to Harry-not-Harold Potter,” said Sirius. “Teaching him how to ride a motorbike and giving him his first tattoos.”  

“And I’ll stop them from doing that,” said Pete.  

And after that it became a running joke, the kind that peppered all their conversations until they were nearly incomprehensible to outsiders. Lily, asking Remus if he really needed that much firewhisky for one party – Ah, Lils, I’m saving it for Harry-not-Harold’s first birthday. Sirius won a shitty plastic watch in a Muggle claw-machine and proudly presented it to James to save for Harry-not-Harold’s seventeenth. Pete ducked out of the office early to meet them for a pint – I told them I was needed for babysitting duties. If anyone asks, Harry has a terrible cough. James, pissed as a lord, had snorted and declared loudly that his son had the lungs of an ox, how dare you importune – is that the right word? – how dare you DENIGRATE the Potter family name. So by the time Lily stood up at a dinner party with a glass of sparkling apple juice in her hands and announced that she was pregnant, it felt like Harry had always existed between them.  

Like they’d spun him up into being together.  

#wolfstar #harry potter #jily #sirius black #remus lupin #lily evans #james potter

[anunstablemixofinterests]

A Mission

Rengoku Kyojurou x Amiya Chiminosa

(OC)

I'll do another blurb, but this is just their first mission together.

That day, Amiya appeared at the start of her mission with the flame pillar, Kyojurou Rengoku. He looked at her, she was beautiful. Her cherry red hair was curly, like red spider lilies.

Her eyes were ice blue, pupils in the shape of snowflakes, surrounded by beautiful lashes. Although she had a measly scar apparent on her left eye.

Her body from what he could see, was gorgeous. Her cute thighs were plushy in a sense, he wanted to hold them. He could see her uniform was tight but perfectly fitting to her, and her cape! It was similar to his but it was blue and white, then snowflakes trailing at the bottom.

She was a quiet girl, focused, and very much apparent to the world around her. As he walked by her side when they left the property for the mission, he couldn't help but be drawn to the fact that she smelled faintly like vanilla and cinnamon. She was lovely.

He walked beside her and eventually spoke up, "So, snow pillar, I was informed that you defeated upper moon 5! That's quiet impressive!"

She gave him a side glance and then put her arms behind her back, "Please, just call me Amiya, and, yes I did defeat that creature. With the help of the mist Hashira, muichirou Tokito."

He was making progress! He now knew her name! Fantastic!

"Ah, Amiya-Chan, Tokito-San indeed is quiet powerful, although the young boy has his head in the clouds at times!"

She blinked when she heard that, and then continued walking by his side, "I suppose." Rengoku fidgeted with his fingers and Amiya took notice of this. Was he nervous?

His flame filled personality didn't give off the shy vibes, but perhaps anyone could be shy if they so wished it. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was charming. His golden orbs only showed kindness. Like that red haired boy, tanjirou.

Rengoku's smile was comforting to her, she thought she'd seen that flame haired male somewhere before, but she couldn't place it. As they ran side by side, she felt confident that this mission would be swift, proving to the master that there was no need for a second hashira to attend.

They came across a village, the demon in a full bound rage, smashing building upon building. Rengoku drew his sword but she was already running ahead of him. What are you doing!! Follow her!! He thought to himself and followed her protecting her flank.

She was almost too fast for him, she drew her sword and jumped up, leaving him on the ground to just watch, he was frustrated, but let her do her thing.

"Snow Breathing, First Form."

She drew the demons attention and swung her sword right into his neck, slashing it off with ease, the demons body turning blue at the base of the neck and then cracking until it fell to pieces on the ground.

"Poisonous snow storm."

She landed on her feet and sheathed her sword again. Rengoku's jaw dropped at her swift but powerful strength.

"Amiya!! That was amazing!!" He shouted, She looked back at him and rubbed her neck, "T-Thanks." He ran up to her and started waving his hands excitedly.

"Um- perhaps we should, head back to the corps property eh?" She said before he soon started talking over her a little too much.

"Right!!" He said and they made sure the villagers were okay before taking their leave. Rengoku only hoped that they would slowly become friends. He got along with everyone, but her? She was beautiful.

He wanted to know more about her, and he hoped he would with time. They made their way back to the property and he walked her to the gate.

"I live in the harsh mountains, I don't think it would be very smart for you to exactly, walk me home Rengoku-San." She spoke with a bit of laughter.

"Right!! Um- maybe we'll be paired up on another mission soon!" He boasted and crossed his arms over his chest. Amiya nodded, "Of course, I'll- see you when I see you Rengoku-San."

She said before walking down the path to start her way home.

"Farewell Amiya!! Be safe!!" He shouted and then booked it to tengen's estate to tell him how the mission went.

Snow Breathing Technique Guide

First Form: Poisonous Snow Storm

User jumps high from behind opponent and slashes weak spot, following the slash, small drips of wisteria and freezing water attach to opponents neck, which causes hypothermic symptoms and loss of blood flow to vital organs, which can cause explosions within arteries. Leading to apparent death.

🩵🩵🩵

@desi-the-blue-eyed-kakushi @mysticalwombatdinosaur

@selkiipon

Hai, just a lil drabble. What do you guys want to see next~?

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #rengoku kyōjurō #flame hashira #amiya chiminosa #snow hashira #snow breathing #flame breathing

[makibeni]

Ch. 3 -A Lock of Auburn Hair

Kobeni lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling, resigned to another night of waiting for exhaustion to do the work of putting her to sleep. No matter how much she twisted and turned she felt too aware of herself, unable to settle without feeling a hint of discomfort somewhere. Her mind was racing with thoughts about what had happened, so rapidly she couldn't focus on any of them, it all felt like static, refusing to leave her be.

She thought to tire herself out by sorting through the noise, coalescing those disparate yelps into at least one coherent scream of panic with purpose behind it. She tried to remember about Makima, about her interactions with her before today, had they ever even talked? Maybe exchanged pleasantries as coworkers, or going to the same bar after work, but never just the two of them. Why did she take such a sudden interest in her? She didn't hate her... probably, so what then? Did she... like her..?

As weariness finally caught up with her, her eyelids slowly rocked themselves closed, and the faint sounds of the outside world faded away. The potent concoction of overflowing emotion and fatigue transporting her to an uneasy destination.

Kobeni opened her eyes and found herself back home, not her apartment, but the home she hoped never to step foot in again. A creeping angst took hold of her as she could hear her parents arguing in the other room. She couldn't make out the words, but she'd heard them all a thousand times before, and she knew what came next if they found her. Panicked, she crept towards the door, she wanted to escape, before they saw her. The shouting quieted down and she began to tremble, had they heard her? She bolted for the door, but just as she reached out a hand to pull it open she saw the lock begin to twist. Recoiling in fear she leapt back and went for the window, only to stare down a ten story drop. She turned around to see her family approaching from the shadows, closing in around her. She crumpled down into a ball and began sobbing, unable to prepare herself for the agonies her mind envisioned for her. Just then, she saw a faint ray light beaming at her through a keyhole, a door appeared beside her. Without time to think she stretched out her hand and grasped the handle, pulling herself into the opening to escape.

She stepped out into a moonlit beach, she could see the city behind her off in the distance, so far away yet still she felt the need to hide. In a rocky alcove she found solace in the familiar lonely darkness, the quiet solitude she'd grown accustomed to was a welcome reprieve from her family, and she'd long since given up on brighter days. As long as her head was above water, that was enough for her. She wanted to stay there and rest, but something was pulling her deeper into the cave.

A warmth called to her, a warm and gentle breeze guiding her steps as she chased a memory. Stepping out of the cave into a field of white lilies, her senses were overwhelmed, the flowers had a scent that reminded her of something, of someone. It captivated her and drew her closer.

She saw a form in the distance, beckoning her closer. Her timid apprehension overtaken by an unknown desire, she approached. As she stepped closer, a tender caress glid across her body, it felt familiar, reminiscent yet somehow new, she could feel a loving curiosity behind every touch, a desire to know her she hadn't felt before now.

She tried to reach out, she was anxious but wanted to reciprocate, she felt her fingers run through silky locks of hair and followed them to their roots. She slid her hands across the warm cheeks of her companion and traced them down their jaw. Following the path down the slender neck of her partner and placing her hands on their chest, A warmth radiated from within herself, and she pulled herself closer. She could feel their heartbeat echo within herself, she felt safe, in this soft embrace she was at peace.

As rays of morning sunlight reached her face and woke her from her sleep she was washed over by the crushing wave of reality. The sounds of cars and barking dogs filling her ears as the world around her came into focus. As the threads of her dream began to unwind she tried desperately to commit them to memory but to no avail, she wanted something to hold on to and stave away the painful loneliness she'd grown so accustom to. That was no dream, she thought. It was a nightmare, a reminder of what love and warmth felt like, dangled in front of her as a cruel joke to remind her how much it hurt to be without it. The sunshine that had so eagerly roused her from her sleep had retreated behind a cloak of grey clouds, and Kobeni looked around her room, now drained of light. In that sea of dreary grey something caught her eye, a stray lock of auburn hair left on her uniform. She reached out a hand and plucked it, twisting the red string around her fingers.

She could feel it again, if only for a moment, if only a memory, it gave her something she could hold on to. It gave her hope.

#makima x kobeni #kobeni #makima #chainsaw man

[whispersafterdusk]

Lost in Time - ch 24

"--dead."

That was quite possibly the worst thing Eli wanted to hear the moment she got back in signal range.

"Repeat that - who's dead?" she shouted at her Hi-Def.

"I said, Franklin's dead.  It's over," Remington repeated, sounding out of breath.

Eli felt an instant wave of relief wash over her. Granted, a dead man couldn't provide answers or be held accountable for those he'd killed tonight yet she couldn't help but consider this the best ending they could have hoped for.  "Where is everyone?  I'm on my way back to Portia.  Sam is -- somewhere behind me," she went on, letting herself slow to a brisk jog versus the full sprint she'd been moving at. ((Continued below cut))

"I'm here at the Corps building - Adam and I are overseeing two additional suspects," came Mali's answer.  "Remington hurried out of here but was uninjured."

Sam, Mali, Adam, and Remington accounted for.  "Arlo? Asher?" There was an uncomfortable stretch of silence. "...Arlo, Asher - where are you?"

"Everyone...  Meet at the Corps building," came Arlo's response, finally.  "We'll...we'll get everyone caught up as to what happened tonight."

Eli's heart sank at how defeated he sounded and the relief she'd felt only moments earlier was replaced with a sort of cold fear -- what had happened in town?  Asher wasn't- Asher hadn't answered, or had anyone confirm his whereabouts.

"Arlo - what's Asher's status?"

No answer.

"...Arlo?" Mali asked.

Eli pushed herself into a sprint again.

When she finally crested the hill and the Corps building came into view she spotted Mali and Adam at the Corps building's open door, standing to either side of a body face down and...Lily's mother?  Why would -- oh, of course...  The gunshots probably alerted her and she'd gone looking for Lily.

Whatever.  The girl was dead and not important right now.

Beyond them, further along the path, there was something laying on the ground - closer to the clinic than to the Corps building and glinting dully in the poor light, and beyond that she spotted a...a long, wet, dark trail coming up the hill from the opposite side and marking a path directly to the clinic's door.

Eli blew passed Mali and the others and collided shoulder-first with the clinic door, shoving it open with a bang, almost colliding with Remington just inside the doorway and sliding a bit in the thick blood smear that went from the doorway to-

Asher.  On a bed with a blood-soaked cover pulled partially up his torso.  And beside him sat Xu on a stool, with his hands stained red from fingertips to wrist and little rivulets tracing paths up his arms and smeared on the front of his white coat.  There was a small puddle of blood at his feet, formed from what was dripping off the sheet that was under Asher and slowly expanding outward toward the pile of shredded cloth Eli recognized as one of Asher's shirts that had been tossed to the floor.

Xu had had his elbows braced on his knees and his head hanging low, and had jerked upright with a start as Eli barged in.

"Eli-"

She finally registered Arlo standing near Xu's desk; he was soaked in red down his right side, from his waist down to his boots.

"What happened?  Is he...?"

 Is he all right?  Is he...he has to be, he-

Arlo looked away, lips pressed together; Remington was staring a hole through the floor at his feet.  She looked from them to Xu, who gave her a shake of his head.

"...he was gone before Arlo managed to get him through the door," Xu said softly.  "I... The aorta.  The bullet severed the aorta.  Even if he'd been shot here in the clinic I don't think I could have stopped the bleeding in time...not from something like this."

Eli timidly approached Asher's body on the bed, reaching out to gently take one of his hands in hers; it was cold, and heavy and limp, and he was a mess of blood.  Just...so, so much blood soaking into the sheet draped over him but didn't quite cover him fully - she could just see the tip of an open surgical cut sticking out from under the fabric...proof that Xu had attempted at least something, for all the good it would have done.

Such heavy blood loss had left Asher pale; someone had thankfully closed his eyes but there was no peaceful look to him...no way one could fool themselves into thinking he was merely asleep.

"I..." she whispered.  She tightened her fingers over his and pulled his hand up to beneath her chin.  "I'm sorry...  I'm so sorry.  I never should have...  I shouldn't have listened.  I should have just gone in.  I knew I needed to...  I knew I should have..."

She was faintly aware of Xu moving away, heard a splash of water and the sound of rustling cloth; not long after she heard footsteps and the clinic's door opening and closing.

The hot prickle of tears started at the corners of her eyes and her knees felt ready to give way.  Before she toppled she turned and scraped her back down the bed's edge, coming to sit partially in the blood puddle in the floor but not caring.  She kept hold of Asher's hand which brought his arm down with her to dangle off the bed, hanging beside her head and over her shoulder.

She rested her cheek against his forearm and cried.

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

The door to Selene's factory was unlocked and a sharp metallic smell hung in the air as he cracked the door open; one of Selene's main rules here was to always check before walking in and dutifully Django did just that, pausing with his face near but not beyond the threshold -- though he couldn't see the source he was aware of a flickering light reflecting off the floor and could hear a popping noise coming from within so he kept his gaze fixated on the polished stone at his feet as he pushed his way inside.

Mere seconds later the flickering stopped, as did the pops.  "Didn't hear you knock."

"Because I didn't," he replied with a short chuckle as he gently closed the door behind him.

In front of him Eli sat behind a workbench that had been moved away from the wall and into the empty space between the entryway and where a line of machines started; in one hand she held a torch and the other was sliding a pair of thick-lensed goggles off her face and onto her forehead. Splayed across the bench before her was the Access Suit in a state of partial disassembly with wires, various relic pieces Django couldn't identify, tubing, bottles of oil and lubricant, a roll of soldering material, (and, strangely, what looked like the device she'd been speaking into the other night but now missing its casing) all carefully arranged within easy reach around it.

"Trying to fix it?"

"Trying to...  It needs a new cooling system, the environmental simulation sensors are both shot and the brackets need to be re-aligned, it needs a new projector processor, some replacement wire and some fine-tuning... I may not be able to get it back to perfect working order, but it'll be enough...  It has to be enough," she added after a moment.  "Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to check on you - you left the funeral pretty quickly."

At the mention of the funeral she closed her eyes; he walked over to lean against the workbench opposite of her.

"...I know his parents couldn't possibly have known when they purchased the plot," Eli finally said, voice low,  "and I guess no one thought to explain or even ask me, but seeing his headstone so close to Darren's was...painful.  I didn't think I could keep it together enough to mingle."

He nodded but remained silent, and she too was silent for a long moment before opening her eyes and meeting his; the look of exhaustion, of both body and soul, was painfully obvious.  Django circled around the workbench, reaching out to take the welding torch out of her grasp and lay it on the bench before gently turning her to face him with his hands resting on her shoulders.

"It's all right to grieve, Eli," he said softly.

She let out a huffed, bitter laugh.  "Yeah?  Maybe I could if I wasn't so broken.  The list of people I've lost is too long.  It's too much.  I can't...I thought maybe with time I could come to terms with it -- even before now it felt like an impossible order, with my husband, my family, my entire world gone.  And now Asher is gone too.  I can't.  I can't. Not right now."

It was odd being in such familiar territory; his days as a knight, especially the early days, had been far bloodier than he'd ever shared with anyone.  There was always joy in recounting the heroic tales but the ones that had cut deep he always kept close to himself -- names and faces, places where they'd fallen or parted ways...  He'd been in this exact position (well...maybe "exact" was not quite the right word) time and again and Eli's expression was the same look he'd seen on his own face staring back at him from the reflection of too-polished armor.  After a moment he tugged her forward into a hug; she stiffened at his touch at first, then relaxed a bit though she did not raise her arms to return the embrace.

"You're not broken, and you can't run from the grief forever...it won't ever lessen if you refuse to treat with it."

"I know.  I know, but right now I don't want to think about it.  Not when I've still got a job to do." She leaned out from the hug and turned back to the suit on the table.  "If I can just get this damn thing working..."

"A job? What are you planning?" he asked, letting his hands drop to his sides.

"I'm going to get this suit functioning, then I'm going to head north and get Harrison's family out of Duvos's hands."

"I suppose I should have guessed that...  You can't do this on your own, Eli."  At that she shot him a withering glare and he held up his hands in a placating gesture.  "That's not me disparaging your skills -- this isn't the world or people you knew.  Perhaps a better way to word it is, you don't have to do this alone."

"I won't be alone," she grunted.  "Rose is coming with me."

"...Rose?" he repeated.

She wordlessly pointed across the bench toward the far wall.  He shifted to follow her finger with his gaze and was shocked to see the Ghost Knight leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes closed, motionless and positioned so that, as he'd opened the door and come in, the door itself had blocked her from view.

He'd completely missed her presence in the room and a chill of uncertainty shot down his spine as he jerked his head back around to Eli.  "Absolutely not!  You can't be serious!"

Eli cocked an eyebrow at him.  "I get that she's stabbed you and has worked for Duvos in the past, but she gave you the Access Suit and just wanted to leave with her daughter."

"I do not, not for an instant, trust her to lead you down the right path," Django insisted, shooting Rose an uneasy look.  "I am not letting you leave with her."

"And just how did you plan to stop me?" Eli asked dryly.  "You know if I don't go then you're leaving a rescue mission up to the whims of bureaucracy."

Django paused, glancing between the two women; Rose still had not moved or spoken, or opened her eyes for that matter.  After a moment he squared himself to the workbench, balling his hands into fists and then bracing them against the benchtop.  "-I'm not.  I'm not going to stop you.  But I am going to go with you."

Eli let out a sigh that trailed off into a growl; she kicked her heel out and Django heard the scrape of wood on stone as the stool just behind her slid abruptly backwards several inches, giving her the needed space to plop onto it while crossing her arms atop the workbench before resting her forehead on them, all in one smooth motion.  "Are we really going to have this argument...?"

Rose chose that moment to interrupt, though she remained as still as a statue as she spoke. "We have not truly talked in decades, knight."

"No, we have not," he agreed.

"That you would imply I have not changed in all that time is insulting."

The woman stirred at last and gave him a dead-eyed, empty look -- where he'd seen unimaginable grief in Eli here he saw...nothing.  No emotion.

"I can believe that you could have changed," he replied.  "I just have no reason to believe it was wholly for the better."

"You think I would side with the empire that has killed my daughter?"

"No.  But I don't know what else you might do."  He turned his attention back to Eli who was still face-down on her arms.  "Have you told anyone what you intend to do?"

"No, and I want it to stay that way," came the muffled answer.  "I don't want anyone worrying, or trying to stop me, or trying to follow me."  After a pause she lifted her head and stared up at him.  "And I definitely do not want Duvos to see me coming.  If I'm going to have a shot at getting up there, finding them, and getting them home, NO ONE can know."

Django straightened, rubbing his fingers over the crease in the knuckles of the opposite hand and unflinchingly meeting her gaze.  "I am coming with you."

"What about the Round Table?"

"Sonia has managed it by herself before -- she knows every bit of my business though she insists she's content being just a waitress while she waits for the right man to come along," he paused, then smiled a bit.  "I've debated giving ownership of it to her, if she wants it, when I'm finally too old to do the work myself."

Though...Sonia wouldn't appreciate having this dumped into her lap without warning.  Was this the right choice?  It had to be; he couldn't stand by and not help -- Eli, Harrison and his family, (maybe even Rose as well) they were all in need and he was in a position to help them.  To NOT help at this moment seemed cruel.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Eli shoving herself up off the workbench, craning her neck to stare up into the ceiling as she took in several deep breaths.

"On my honor as a knight," he said quietly, waiting until she'd lowered her chin and was looking at him before he continued.  "On my honor, I swear I will not tell a soul, so long as you do not leave without me."

"And if I do?"

He smiled at her.  "I guess I would need to share what I know with the Civil Corps when they realize they have a missing person case."

She snorted - loudly and heavily - at that but stuck her hand out toward him.  "Oh shut up...  Fine, whatever.  We'll leave the morning after I've gotten this damn thing fixed.  Preferably well before dawn, so there's no chance we're spotted."

Django shook her hand.  "Agreed.  I will be ready."

She let go and pulled the stool closer to the bench, reaching up to pull the goggles back into place.  "I'll let you know - I'll let you BOTH know - but I need to concentrate on this so, respectfully, clear out."

With a nod Django stepped around the bench and stopped halfway between it and the door, eying Rose silently; he remained there until she finally stepped from the wall and came toward him, then continued on and disappeared outside. When he was certain she had left Django stepped out of the factory and took a few deep breaths of the fresh air.

He would need to get his armor ready -- the set on the stand in the Round Table was just a costume he'd commissioned for display.  His actual suit of armor was still carefully stored in a trunk under his bed; he'd dutifully tended to it over the years -- oiling the straps, buffing rust from the buckles, polishing the metal.  There had been many times where he'd debated getting rid of it...  His days as a knight were over, he'd told himself; he was retired and the memories would remain even if he never wore it again or even kept it.  But he'd held onto it -- and thank goodness he had!

It had been a few months since he'd last taken it out and as often as he'd tended to it over the years he wasn't expecting it to really need any repair; he could have it ready to go in an hour or so, then leave it laid out where he could don it quickly and leave.

He would also need to write a note of some kind for Sonia... An apologetic one, as he could not give her any details on where he was going or why.  Hopefully, when they all returned safely, he could explain and earn her forgiveness.

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

Almost...done...

After she'd taken it from Asher's belongings in the clinic his Hi-Def had been a constant presence in the factory as she'd worked to get the Access Suit back into working order; she'd debated just burying him with it and if it had been in her time she would have. She'd been unable to convince herself to let it go though, and then, after she'd had a chance to look the Access Suit over, to determine what it needed, she'd understood.

Among the list of parts the suit had needed was a new projector processor -- a part the Hi-Def's also utilized.  Balance had intervened to make sure she'd have what she needed.

With a steady and gentle hand (and a pair of slender tweezers) she removed the processor from the Hi-Def and carefully slotted it onto the control board of the suit.  It slipped into place smoothly and she closed the little metal clamp over it to press it fully into the connectors, then picked up the little current-testing tool and touched the prongs to the input and output points -- she didn't think anything inside the Hi-Def would've been damaged but she had to be certain...

It read green.  Working like a dream.

A bad, terrible, endless nightmare of a dream.

She set the tool aside and rubbed grimy fingers to her temples. "...I miss you.  And I always will, but you're going to see the end of this chapter.  I promise," she said into the empty air.

All that was left now was to bend the simulation brackets back into place and attach the last few bits of the cooling system, then a final test...

Her personal story may have stalled and she still didn't know where she was meant to go from here but Balance had acted to give her a chance to be Judgement's hand...  For Harrison's family, for Asher...for every tale Duvos had disrupted.  It was time to act.

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

With her plane Mali had helped them comb the surrounding territory, looking for any sign that the Sky Sharks were lurking about.  To the far northeast near the coast they had spotted what looked like tracks left from landing gear but aside from that one hint there was no other clue that anyone had been around -- certainly no sign of the Sharks themselves.  Mali had suspected they'd simply abandoned the mission when it seemed like it had failed (by Windsor's account the delay with the clinic expansion had set them back weeks when it was only supposed to be a quick in-and-out job), and with nothing to go on and no clear sign of danger, there wasn't much they could do.

Arlo hadn't been sleeping well these last few days; while finding no sign of the Sky Sharks had relieved some of the constant anxiety he was...was-

-buckling under the guilt, honestly.  How anyone could stand to be around him was beyond him -- his orders had gotten someone killed.  Asher's loss was his fault.  He especially couldn't bear being near Eli; her words in the clinic kept echoing in his head:

I shouldn't have listened, she'd said.

No...she shouldn't have.  She never should have accepted his command; she had years more experience on him -- formal training, a career based around leading others.  And what did he have?  A quick rise to #1 in a town that barely saw any crime -- how stupid, how arrogant, to think he was qualified compared to her.

It had been difficult to put on a brave face for everyone around him; Sam was struggling with the fact that she'd asked to trade places with Asher and he'd had to reassure her it wasn't her fault as there wasn't a guarantee anything would have played out differently if he'd not been there.  Remington had quietly stepped up and took on extra patrols, to give Arlo the time needed to search the countryside with Mali in pursuit of the Sharks, and then when those scholars had come up from Vega 5 he'd taken them off Arlo's hands without complaint.

...Remington also had more experience than he did.  He'd been in Lucien and seen combat at the border with Duvos before he'd settled back in Portia.  Even he would be a better choice than...

It had taken another day or two to think it through but...Arlo had made his mind up, and the very next morning he was up and pacing restlessly while he waited for time to tick over and Town Hall to open.

At 9am on the dot he'd left his room and hurried to Town Hall, pushing open the door in a rush and coming to a skidding halt in the foyer.

"Gale?  Gale, do you have a moment?  I need to speak to you - it's important."

Arlo could see Gale at his desk, some kind of paper or letter held in front of him, and as he watched the man's expression grow steadily more crestfallen he felt a surge of nervousness - what now?

"Gale?"

"Ah, ahem, yes - sorry Arlo, please, come in," the man responded, clearing his throat.

"If this is a bad time I can come back."

"No, no, I don't- there-" Gale paused and took a deep breath, then managed to reclaim that usual look of professional friendliness he always wore as he set the paper down on the desk in front of him.  "I have a free moment now and you're here anyway so may as well speak.  What can I help you with?"

"I-" Arlo opened and closed his mouth a few times -- just say it.  Just say it-  "I wanted to resign as leader of the Civil Corps."

Gale's expression immediately fell and Arlo was shocked to see him bury his head in his hands.  "Not you too..."

"What?  What do you mean?" Arlo prompted.  He came over to the desk, punching a fist into its top.  "Not 'me' too?  Who else...?"

Gale picked up the letter he'd been reading as Arlo had entered and held it up, clearly going over it once more before tossing it listlessly to the desk.   "This was in the floor when I came in just now - I guess she put it under the door.  It...would seem that Eli has resigned from the Civil Corps and left Portia."

Arlo felt like someone had hit him square in the gut -- she'd what?!  "She what?  When?"  He reached out to snatch the letter and Gale didn't stop him.

It was a simple and to the point note:

 Mayor Gale,

 Effective immediately I am resigning my position with the Civil Corps.

 I am also leaving Portia due to a personal matter.  I apologize for the abruptness of my departure.

 - Elizabeth Summers

No... no, this had to be a-  a joke, right?  She couldn't leave...not like this.

Arlo turned and bolted for the door, leaving the letter to flutter to the floor in his wake; outside he slapped his Hi-Def open and was dismayed to see her name in bright red -- out of range.

He opened a channel to everyone.  "Has anyone seen Eli?"

"Not since yesterday morning, why?" came Remington's response.

"I haven't, no," was Sam's.

"She's not been out this way in a few days," Mali replied.

Arlo silenced the Hi-Def before sprinting toward the Peach Plaza gate and heading for Selene's house beyond it, leaping the fence and falling against the front door before banging on it.  A few moments later Selene opened the door and was almost bowled over as Arlo barged in.

"Please tell me Eli's here," he asked in a rush.

Selene got her balance back and hesitated.  "I didn't hear her get up this morning, what's-"

"Is she here?" he repeated through gritted teeth.

"What's going on?  You're starting to scare me a little--"

She trailed off as Arlo darted around her and pounded his way up the stairs to Eli's bedroom.

The door wasn't fully closed and there was no answer when he knocked so he simply shoved it open and was hit by an encompassing sense of emptiness -- the bed was immaculately made, there wasn't a single speck of dust on the bedside table or dresser, and aside from a photograph pinned to the headboard there wasn't any sign that anyone had been living in this room.

He heard Selene come up behind him, huffing a little bit.  "Arlo, what's wrong?"

"Eli left," he mumbled.  He moved into the middle of the room and slowly spun in place -- the place was painfully neat and tidy.

"She what?  When?" Selene asked, coming in behind him.  "She didn't -- why would she leave without saying anything?" She stood there looking around in confusion before moving over to pull a drawer open -- empty.   Shoving it closed she tugged open the next and there, at least, was some clothing folded up; there was more clothing (pajamas, some socks, and what Arlo suspected had to be undergarments as Selene was quick to close that drawer without looking too closely at its contents) in the next drawer and he could see Selene's baffled expression reflected in the mirror.

"You're sure she's left?" Selene asked after a time.  "Maybe she just...  She's out for a walk?"

Arlo stepped over to the bed and tugged the photograph off the headboard; he remembered this picture -- it was from the solstice celebration, not long after they'd rescued Eli from the facility.  He held it gingerly between his thumb and pointer finger, numbly backing out  of the room and into the hall until his back bumped into the opposite wall.

"She sent Gale a letter," he said softly.  "She left.  She's gone."

Selene covered her mouth with her hands, eyes wide; Arlo slid down the wall and sat in the floor, studying the picture a moment longer before slipping it carefully into an inner pocket of his jacket, then he drew his knees up and looped his arms around them, letting his head droop between them.

What could he do now?  How could he possibly make up for his mistakes if she wasn't here?  Could he somehow catch up to her if he figured out where she'd gone?  ...no, that would probably make things worse as it was pretty clear, based on how she'd left without a word, that she didn't want anyone coming with her or following.

Damn it...  More than anything now he regretted that he'd been avoiding her.  What if he never saw her again?

He was aware of a pair of feet appearing in his peripheral a moment before Selene settled into the floor beside him, shoulder to shoulder and with her left leg pressed in against his leg.

"You don't need to talk unless you want to...but I'll sit here as long as you need me to," she whispered.

They sat in silence and after some time - how long?  Who knew - Arlo let his head drop to the side, finding Selene's there to lean against.  She gently nudged him with her shoulder and wrapped her arms around his.

"For what it's worth..." she said into the silence then.  "I don't think she'd leave for good without saying goodbye."

He stopped bracing his heels against the floor and let his legs slide flat, his arms falling to his sides (or at least one of them did - Selene was still holding him on the one side).  "...I hope you're right.  I don't want this to be how it ends."

The hours passed; he finally stirred when he could hear Selene's stomach growling and realized that he was also hungry.  She got up with him, excused herself long enough to put on clean clothes (she'd mumbled something about grease-stained work clothing) then they walked together to the Round Table.  Being as it was somewhere between lunch and dinner it wasn't as crowded; they settled at a table together and weren't waiting long before Sonia bustled over.

"Hey you two -- just letting you know ahead of time it'll be a bit slower than you're used to," she said as she dropped off a pair of menus.

"Oh?  Everything all right?" Selene asked.

"I hope so -- Django left me a note that he needed to travel suddenly so I'm handling the place by myself again until he gets home," was Sonia's response before she held up a finger to them and hurried off to greet the small group of tourist types that had just entered.

Arlo stared after her.  Django...left?  And at the same time as Eli...  He turned back to the table and saw Selene giving him a knowing look.

"That can't be coincidence, and I doubt she'd run away with Django without any intention of coming home," Selene whispered.  "She'll come home...  I just know it."

Arlo took a deep breath and leaned back into the cushion behind him.

She'd come back...  She would.

#Lost in Time #lit #Lost in Time - ch 24 #Arlo #Remington #Sam #Django #Xu #Gale #Sonia #My Time at Portia

[shipsgaysfordays]

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

So, I’ve realized that I have not posted the past 2 chapters to tumblr and only posted them to ao3, so just in case anyone was interested in my story Remus’ Descent Into What Can Only Be Called Madness, this post is the past 2 chapters

Links to other chapters here

Sirius' pronouns this chapter and moving forward are ze/zim/zer/zey because it just feels right idk man

Remus’ pronouns are still they/them

Also (I do this in all my ao3 posts but I’ve realized I don’t do it here) FUCK JKR AND HER TRANSPHOBIC, HOMOPHOBIC, RACIST, ANTISEMETIC, AND OTHER JUST GENERALLY HATEFUL RHETORIC

 Mary was the only person “alive” that it seemed that Sirius could turn to, their hands shaking as zey walked along the streets in shadows. Trying to slide along unnoticed as they approached closer and closer to what had to still be her address, it couldn’t have a new owner, she couldn’t live somewhere else, coincidence and consistency would be necessary for Sirius’ fate to turn out positive in any way. All their hopes came to these next few moments, as Sirius knocked on the wooden door, praying to anyone who could be out there that Mary McDonald still lives in the same flat that she did however long ago.

 He stared at the door, the mixture of warm lighter highlights of brown, deeper darker shades, the dim hall light hitting the door. They knocked once more, louder.

 “Alright, alright, I’m coming but you better not be trying to sell me shit.”

 Relief filled their bones for a split second as the magnetic voice of Mary hit zer eardrums. Followed quickly by a sense of panic because how the hell does one explain all of this.  

 In seconds the door is open, Mary staring out at the figure in front of her, before looking around and speaking hastily, “Get in here, now.” Though Sirius didn’t have much choice in this as Mary pulled them into the less than glamorous kitchen.

 “Mary, I need you to–” Sirius started.

 “I believe you, I trust you.”

 Sirius stared at her, puzzled as hell.

 “But…”

 “Nothing seemed to add up, you would never do that to Lily, let alone James, he was basically your brother except you two actually had a good relationship….sorry.”

 There were a few seconds of silence as she looked at them with what had to be pity and a bit of embarrassment on her own part, as she seemed to try to form the words for something.

 “Remus just….they let it get to their head, part of them broke and I don’t think they ever truly thought it through….they saw someone to blame and took the chance to do so,” Mary muttered, her stress and worry for the wolf visible as the lines that had grown into her face over the years.

 “I would have done the same,” Sirius sighed.

 “I tried–I tried so hard to get them to give up all of this fucking nonsense!” Mary shouted, waving her arms around, “...they just couldn’t see reason anymore.”

 “They’ll come around, when they find out the truth they’ll come around,” Sirius spoke, hoping that maybe saying it out loud would make it real.

 Mary’s eyes darted all around as they welled up a bit, “and…what is the truth, what happened? Who really–” her hand covered her mouth for a second, wanting to stop herself from talking about it or thinking about it, but she needed to find the truth, “who really killed the Potter’s?”

 “No one.”

 “Sirius, I’m not some child or damsel in distress and you are by no means a knight in shining armor, tell me the truth.”

 “I am,” zer voice pleaded.

 “So I’m just expected to believe the Potter’s died in a random accident and Dumbledore blamed it on you for fun?”

 “No, because they’re not dead.”

 For a moment Mary’s mouth gaped in disbelief, until her eyebrows shifted, her expression changed, and all that she could seem to feel was a sense of rage.

 “You mean to tell me that James and Lily still have a pulse, they’re still alive and well, that Harry celebrated his 5th birthday a few months ago? That you went to prison FOR NOTHING! That I had to go through the worst grief of my life and watch my closest friend breaking themself day in and day out all over this death THAT NEVER EVEN HAPPENED?!?”

 “Yes,” Sirius nodded, solemnly.

 Mary grabbed their face, looking for any sense that Sirius was lying, any clue, any reason not to trust them, but they had never been this great of a liar. At least not with Mary. She could recall observing the ways Sirius would stare at Remus when they were all still in the closet (what a big closet to hold every single marauder in it). Now their face seemed to show no lying, and they honestly wouldn’t have any reason to lie, it seemed, or maybe they had all the reason to lie and Mary was being naive. Remus would think she’s being naive.

 “Where are the Potters?” her voice was acidic.

 “I think–”

 “You THINK?”

 “Yes, my brain does have the capacity for thought,” Sirius jokes, hoping for just one second that things could be how they used to be.

 Mary gently shoves zer, “You and I both know that’s not what I mean, anyways, you don’t know for sure where they are?”

 “I can’t be certain, plans could have fallen through and anything really could have happened while I was in Azkaban. I think they could be somewhere in Siberia…or maybe the Yukon, but for all I know they could be in rural West Iowa. I wish I had my old notes or really anything to make me remember.”

 “Well…we can work on it, you’re out and safe enough. You can stay here, no one really seems all too concerned about your prison escape. Or at least the government doesn’t seem to care as much, everyone’s energy is in the war. Maybe it’s just that everyone thinks you’ve gone mad, or since Dumbledore knows what really happened he doesn’t think you’ll do much. Remus of course is still obsessed though, so–stay here, just to be safe,” she said the last part anxiously, almost afraid of speaking about them.

 “They’ll come around, they’ll see what’s happened and they’ll come around. Moony knows us, they just got a bit confused with all this time that’s happened,” Sirius says resolutely, eyes almost daring Mary to challenge zim.

 Remus had always had people thinking they’re a monster, they even talked about thinking it sometimes, but Sirius never thought Mary would think that. Never thought Mary of all people would be warning Sirius to stay away from Moony because they’re “a danger”.

....(this is where I had previously split the chapters)

 Sirius had been walking along the streets.Two days after the full moon, zer mind spoke. Two days after you were a coward yet again. The guilt of not seeing Remus weighed on Sirius, they weren’t ready to see zim, that much was made very clear, still they were likely in incomprehensible pain due to the whole monthly breaking apart of their bones in order to become a wolf only to then become a man about 8 or so hours later. A part of Sirius wanted to sneak into that flat they used to share, maybe Moony would be asleep, still ze couldn’t do that. If Remus really believed that Sirius….killed the Potters….then zim sneaking into their house would be terrifying.

 Mary had been telling zer to just stay in her house, to be careful and just wait on it. Remus had always had that part to them that was like a scared animal, always ready to pounce or run when necessary, rather thinking about their safety than being able to think through the whole situation.

 Despite all of this Sirius kept pacing around the flat, peering in for any glimpse of Remus. Moony would normally recover by now, or at least they used to,    Sirius thought, fumbling with their hands. I need to tell them something, I need to do something. I need to know they’re okay, they need to know I’m here for them. I need–    

 Sirius stopped their pacing as they caught sight of a lost dog poster, a picture of a familiar looking black dog displayed across the front  LOST DOG, “Padfoot” large black dog  (Remus had never been all that great recognizing with dog breeds),  7 years old  (they used to joke about Sirius having a mental age of 7, ze remembered)  If found contact 578-2857-48302 for reward.

 They really were trying to look for Sirius, they really were trying. A part of them wanted to give in, that idiotic part of them that still believed Remus would never actually want to hurt zem, that maybe if they just strolled into the flat it would all be okay, zey could wrap Remus in a blanket, feel their heartbeat next to zer and it would all be fine. But they had to try making peace with this current situation, that’s what Mary had been trying so hard to convince them both to do.

 Sirius ripped the lost dog poster off the lamp post and took one of Mary’s muggle pens from their pocket, quickly scribbling in their cursive like writing, “I love you still, I hear your screams at night and I wish I could help, but I know even this message may be hurting you more,” looking up every few letters to make sure they were safe standing there.

 Swiftly Sirius was back by that flat, staring at the door, just knock dumbass, a part of zis mind spoke, a different part arguing at the same time this was such a stupid idea. Still zer hand hovered by the wood door, remembering how terrible Remus’ headaches were around the moon, how loud noises bothered them so. Softly, in a way that made Sirius question if Remus even heard zem, Sirius tapped their knuckles against the door. As they heard movements, bones cracking and standing, Sirius stood in shock for a moment, a moment they likely couldn’t afford, but still a moment before quickly sneaking behind a wall, still staring at the door as they transformed into Padfoot. Now would be a great time for the invisibility cloak James, ze thought, almost praying that magically their friend would show up and all would be well, but this is no fairytale, good for Remus it isn’t a fairytale. Zeir mind filled with images of villainized wolves who blow down houses and eat grandmothers, until being brought back to reality with the sound of a creaking door. Calling Remus simply disheveled would be praise, Sirius hated to think it as zey observed the feverous man bending down and examining the note. Queerly, Remus had been staring at the front of the flier first, for a moment Sirius wondered if maybe Remus wasn’t the one who made it…but it was THEIR contact information on the sheet.

 Tears started to stream down Moony’s face, and all Sirius could do was stare. Stare at the salty water, at the red sickly face, at the new scars they had acquired over the years, the new scars they never should have gotten. Even when ill Remus is enchanting, Sirius thought, it was a thought ze had had many times before, but now more than ever zer eyes were glued to their face. Even as Remus looked around in paranoia, even as they retreated into the room and slammed the door, Sirius stayed observing. Silently wishing that they would come back out, just so ze could get another glimpse that close to Remus.

 Time seemed to pass by, very slowly, nothing truly seemed to be changing. Sirius tried to work on notes on how to undo this: possible locations of the Potter’s home, specific locator spells, ways to break the charms meant to hide them.

 Mary tried to help where she could, but it had been a while since she had been consistently doing magic, a part of her was afraid of being around it again. Maybe because of Marlene and Dorcus. Their deaths had hurt all of their friends, but Mary was always closer with Marlene, since they met on the train they could barely be separated.

 Mary seemed to be trying more to build a muggle life than anything else, Sirius overheard her talking with Remus about needing to move on. Would that really help Moony? Sirius wondered. She seemed to believe that if she had something else to focus on then maybe Remus would calm down about everything and begin to see reality.

 Though reality seemed to look different between the three of them. Sometimes Sirius would stay up at night, wondering if she really believed zim about James and Lily, maybe she’s just playing into this idea because she doesn’t want to hurt Sirius? There was always a tinge of doubt in her eyes whenever they talked about plans for finding their friends.

 On the outside it really did appear that Mary was moving on, that she was doing fine, that she had found some sense of happiness or at least normalcy again–but Sirius knew differently. Sirius could see the tears that fell down her face when she caught a glimpse reminding her of her friends, could hear the long sighs or even worse the sobs after the phone rang for minutes on end only to not be picked up.

 “Remus, sweetie I know this is hard, but please just call me back…I just want to help.”

 “Remus…you’re not a burden, I need you to know that. I’m here for you, you’re my friend, we only have each other left. Please.”

 “Remus I can’t keep doing this, call me back.”

 But they never did.

 Eyes red and puffy, Mary stared at Sirius, “I don’t think I can help them anymore,” her voice broke. Eyes darted away as she spoke lowly, “I don’t know if I can help you anymore either…”

 Sirius looked around for a moment, was ze being kicked out? Of course you are, you couldn’t expect this to last forever.  

 “I’m sorry for all of this mess, thank you for everything Mary, I can get my stuff–”

 “No, no, you’re misunderstanding. Stay, please stay, I just don’t think I can do much other than that to help you. I was never that amazing with spells, and I’m so out of practice, and I don’t think I can think about magic without seeing….her.” Oh.  

 “I understand…” Sirius held out zeir arms, moving slowly so Mary could back away if she didn’t want this, but she stayed still. And so Sirius held onto her.

 “Thank you,” she whispered.

       ….

     March, 1985  

 Sirius looked at the calendar, today was the day, the day that used to be filled with cakes and chocolates and kisses and pranks and Moony. Zis eyes continued to stare as zer mind went elsewhere, Remus would be spending another birthday alone.

 Truly alone this time, Mary had made the decision that she wouldn’t visit until she was called back.

     Sirius had decided that ze  needed  to leave a message for Moony and despite how easy it would be to simply use Mary’s phone, Remus wouldn’t be ready to find out about this whole situation going on. Before dawn Sirius left to find a random phone booth, hoping that zhe still would remember how a phone booth is used since it’s been years. After fiddling around with buttons and circular shapes and putting the phone handle next to zis mouth, finally zey spoke hoping this message would get to Moony.

 “Happy birthday Moony, I wish I could give you a present, or a kiss, but all I have are my words. Though I thought you might enjoy hearing my voice more, muggle phones still seem so incredible all these years later….Sometimes I wish you would discover where I hide, so maybe I could gaze deeper into your eyes. To see the anger, fear, or passion of anything through simply a glimpse into your brown pupils, into your soul. I saw tears that day in October, I hope I am still in your heart, my love.”

 Sirius let out a sigh, missing the person ze once loved, hoping that soon Remus could find out, that things might return to some sense of normal.

     After getting home Sirius stared at zeir maps, laid across Mary’s living room floor, it had become a pastime to stare at them, hoping that somehow a memory would come back into zis mind and zey would know exactly where the Potters were. Whatever thoughts came to zis brain ze tried, a million patronuses, letters to random locations, until they remembered a specific part of the spell that had been created all those years ago. The specific phrase “invenire vanum” needed to be stated, then Sirius could use magic to locate them once again.  

#the marauders #marauders era #the marauders era #sad marauders #wolfstar #wolfstar fic #wolfstar fanfiction #sad wolfstar #not cannon compliant #still sad #Remus Lupin #remus and sirius #Sirius Black #sirius angst #mary macdonald #remus' descent into madness

[kayssweetdreams]

Camp WonderDream Part 3

The Children cheered at the appearance of the figure. Leo looked around, but slowly clapped as he still didn't know what was happening. The figures grin got bigger "Ah! It's always nice to see such smiling faces once more! And some new faces all around!" He said, gazing to Leo's hidden form in the shadows. "I am Balan! One of the Camp Counselors here at our magical hideaway!" He said, bowing to the kids. "And for those that are new at our camp, it's time for a role call!" He said, pulling out a whistle.

Balan blew on it and more Counselors filled the stage. "This is Counselors Sundrop, Moondrop, Mayday, Zuke, Lance, Hakim, and of, my best friend in the multiverse, NiGHTS!" He said, as a flying jester in a purple cap flew across the stage. Leo's mouth dropped, how was this happening? How on earth was this possible? "Was Aunt Hildegard smoking something that's making me see things?" He asked himself "We have a great line up of activities, adventure and magic that await you at your time here!" Balan said, making various images appear from thin air. "We hope that you have a magical time at CAMP WONDERDREAM!!" Balan cheered as fireworks went off. The children cheered for him again before they got up and moved somewhere else...except for Leo.

Instead, the blonde haired boy waited for everyone to leave so nobody caught him this time. "There's no way this is possible...maybe this just some hoax for money..." Leo Thought as he ran back to the woods, however, they seemed more denser than when he first entered. "OK, there has to be some way back to the city...somehow.

Meanwhile, Back at Camp...

The Counselors had been taking roll of the many children that had come to Camp this year, and there were double as many as last year.

"...Luke Triton?" "Here!" "Gregory Fazbear?" "Here!" "Cuphead, Mugman and Chalice?" "Here! Here! Here!" "Lili Zanatto?" "Here! (Duh...)" "Yinu Natura?" "Here Mr Counselors!" " Molly Blyndeff?" "Here!" "Billy Hatcher?" " Here!" "Claris Sinclair?" "Here!" "Mei Lee?" "Here!" "Leo Craig?" "..."

Silence met Counselor Zuke as he cleared his throat "Ahem...LEO CRAIG!" He shouted, silence met him again. "Um Balan? Did we have anyone named Leo Craig come to Camp this year?" He asked. Balan looked at his list, and sure enough, Leo's name WAS there. "Yes, I believe so!" He replied "He's not here..." Zuke told him. Sundrop's head popped between them "He's probably got lost in the woods again!" He said jubilantly.

Balan chuckled "It's alright, all new campers have a hard time navigating the grounds, but we better find him, it's getting dark..." He said, gazing at the setting sun. Hakim gave a cheeky smile "I'll get the little Chico" He said as he snapped his fingers and disappeared in a flurry of rose petals. "Maybe I should go and look too!" Sunny said. Balan gave a smile "Alright, go on and follow Hakim." He said as he backflipped outside. NiGHTS looked at Balan "I dom understand why anyone would try and leave." She said. Balan gave her shoulder a little squeeze "Oh don't worry, he'll change his mind, everyone does, and who knows...maybe he'll make a few friends in the end..."

This is a story inspired by @julili 's VERY adorable camp pic! I hope you enjoy AND go check out her work!

#Balan Wonderworld #Balan #Leo Craig #Zuke #Mayday #NiGHTS

[mxndanemagic]

Lilith

The coast seemed clear, nobody in the halls - everyone occupied with routine tasks. She had her to-go bag ready and adjusted the witch’s hat atop her head.

“This is a stupid idea.” The accessory stirred from it’s slumber, coming to life to open it’s makeshift mouth and luminating eyes. 

“Quiet you or you’ll be used as an addition to Cerberus’ quilt.” The young woman hushes in return. 

“Why don’t you just portal your way home? Unless you still can’t get that right.” A low chuckle comes from the hat. 

“That’s wasteful, Ghost. Besides who doesn’t like a joy ride through the sky? It’s beautiful outside. Now keep your lectures to yourself or someone might hear-”

“Lily! Aren’t you coming to cauldron maintenance with us?” A voice calls out to her. A group of students coming up the stairs, cauldrons in hand while waving her down with the other. 

“Sorry Erieus, got an emergency at home. Urgent mirror call! Don’t want to keep the folks waiting~ Tell Professor Willow I’m really sorry about missing out.” the witch grins, holding a broomstick close as she inches away from the group. 

“What emerg-!” Ghost’s words are cut off by his mouth being zipped with a snap of his wearer’s fingers. 

“Lily, do you seriously want to get an earful from the head master again? They’ll make you drink a newt smoothie at this rate.” Erieus sighs. 

“He still does that?” One of the group members lets out a noise of disgust. 

“Or threaten a trip to the iron maiden.” Another classmate chimes in, examining his clawed nails. “Heard they still keep it on the premise.” 

A collective shudder runs overs the group. 

 “I need to get out of here that’s all. Get a head start on my summer break. I’ll be back for the new semester before the stuffy old head master even notices. Promise.” And she’s off, making a sprint towards the Academy’s rooftops and leaving behind a trio of exasperated friends. 

“How is she still a student here?” The boy wonders. “Well got give her credit. They still haven’t pinned her for half the shit that happens around here.” 

“Sounds about right.” Erieus laughs nervously. “But does make things more fun?” More of a question than a fact as she looks between the two others before they all sigh once more. 

- - - -

“Oh look Ghost! Do you see the patterns on that one? Isn’t it cute?” 

“KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE SKY LILITH!” Ghost shouts down with a panic. “WE’RE GONNA NOSE DIVE INTO A FIELD OVER SOME DUMB FELINE.” 

A roll of her eyes and Lilith smirks up at her companion. 

“Maybe we should! It’ll really give you a thrill for feeling alive.” she teases, giving a jerk downward and last second looping back up towards the clouds towards their original direction. 

“You’re not cute, you know that?” The hat snarks back at her. 

Lilith laughs, “Oh come on, just a little scare. Besides it’s not nice to insult a sweet, adorable cat lounging in the sun.” 

“What’s not nice is your mother gifting me to you instead of someone else.” A huff from the enchanted clothing item. “Why couldn’t I stay home with her or even your father. Anybody else! I could be relaxed, watching your mother work away at her potions and be a diligent and refined witch.” 

“. . .You have some selective memory about mom. Great Auntie has stories that say otherwise~” 

“Speaking of your parents. What’s your grand plan anyway? You think you can just show up at home with the excuse of starting vacation early?” Ghost yawns. “She’s not going to believe you.” 

“I’m an expert at looking like I supposed to be somewhere without a hint of doubt coming up. All about how you form your words and charm away any suspicions.” 

“You sound like a witch alright.” Ghost huffs. 

“Although maybe the right label for you is you really do sound like a Nowell.” he cackles. 

Lilith laughs, “Well who else would I be~?” 

#behind the scenes; drabbles & world building #have a hypothetical future (could be canon or not) in ella's canon? #wanted to try writing some look into the future stuff #even if it's not canon ;; #probably gonna stay unfinished

[shamelessmagazineangel]

It begins

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

Story Two Part Three: Awakening

Asher awoke in chains in a damp, dark place that stank of death and dismay. She tried standing only to find herself unable to move. She could barely see, only hear, and breathe, albeit barely.

“Awake yet, monster?!” Spoke an intimidatingly loud voice. She was jerked up from her resting place to be face to face with a helmeted man, clad in gold armor. His shoulder pauldron adorned with a Golden Lily, much like the Cleric… he was here for revenge. “You thought you could escape, that you could kill Necitan and get away with it?! The Church of Gold does not take such treason lightly!” He shouted at Asher. I didn’t want to, she wanted to say, but her voice couldn’t form the words. The man kept shouting. “I should kill you here. But the Mage Academy convinced the Church to give you over to them. I hope they make you feel as much pain as you’ve caused.” The man slams Asher against the wall, and she slumps over, unconscious.

Days pass. Asher slips in and out of consciousness. She sees flashes of vials and robed men and women. An elf dressed in finer dressing than the rest is the only one she hears.

“What a fine specimen. Surely, you’ll endure the Flames.”

Asher awakens again. Magically chained in an arena. Asher finally manages to move. Looking at herself, she sees that she was in a collar and wearing worn down leather armor. She stands… looking around to see a group of mages staring down from her.

“You’re finally awake, Subject 12.” Spoke one of the mages, the elf in fine robes. Asher dully looks up at her. “Welcome to Terices’ Academy of High Magecraft. Be grateful, that brutish Church of Gold wanted to execute you. In exchange, you have become our newest lab-goblin.” The elf spoke condescendingly, as if she viewed Asher as lesser. “You’ve been in and out of consciousness for about three weeks. That dreadful Dragonborn and hideous Gnoll were dealt with, unfortunately. But you should not care. You’re far more important than their lives.” The elf chuckled and murmured something to a mage beside her.

“Beginning test implantation of The Fell Dawnflower.” Asher overheard from a Mage.

A Mage Hand floated over, carrying a stone flower… the earth around it seemed to rise and fall at random. Asher was suddenly restrained to the floor, her arms and legs spread as the Mage Hand floated over her with the stone flower. The Mage Hand dropped the stone flower onto Asher. It was soft against Asher’s body, slowly sinking into her chest. It as mesmerizing to watch.

Then the pain started. In violent pain so great that for the first time since she awoke armless, she screamed in pain. Her whole body felt like it was set on fire, as if the very flames of hell came to burn her alive for her sins. Three agonizing minutes that felt like hours passed, Asher still screamed in screamed as her hair grew grayer and grayer… Asher fell limp. Her voice gone. Her eyes dull. She didn’t feel like breathing.

“Tch. So much potential, wasted. Alas, risk comes hand in hand with progress. Dump her body somewhere or-“ Started the elf, before being cut off by Asher wreathed in purple energy, the very foundation of the academy being lifted. Asher raised with it, awake and breathing… the magic chains being torn asunder at their very basic nature. Asher screamed, shattering the ground and causing the balcony the mages were observing her from to fall. The surge of power was shunted, absorbed by the Demon Ezizh who gladly feasted upon this newfound power. Asher then fell to the ground, now exhausted. The elf stood first, glee shining in her grin and smile, “Finally. A viable host. Take her away and prep her for experimentation. Let us see what this Subject is capable of.”

#fanfic #? #suffering does not build character #dnd #oc #it doesn't get better #tw: abuse #tw: child neglect

[nessypanda-art]

I dabbled in a bit of writing, don't pay it too much mind <3

Angsty shit below, I wanted to write stuff about Gienne getting fatally injured and Makarro having to deal with it <33 for my amusement <33 (sometimes you just have to write some angst to take a break from editing your thesis)

Bones powered by a pulsing flame clamored and fought against the golden light. They climbed over each other, all trying to grasp at the light inches away from them. Effortlessly, the Guardian forced the mindless devotees away from themselves. Amongst the skeletons, a green flame flickered. As the fight reached its grueling standstill, Gienne climbed over the rubble and the skeletons. She was dirty with soot and her hair fluttered behind her. Her arms and legs were covered in scrapes, but she kept her eyes trained on the green flame. She was determined. Her throat was raw from trying to shout over the explosions and the falling buildings. 

“Makarro, please!” yelled Gienne, seeing a pause in the fighting. But the Guardian and the Necromancer continued going blow for blow in spite of her begging. She gathered more of her strength and pushed on, yelling again once she could feel the heat of the green flame against her skin. “Makarro, please, I never asked for this!”

The Necromancer turned at the sound of her voice. She was the only living thing among the destruction. His own voice was caught somewhere in his chest. What could she know about what this is? She didn’t know any better. Besides, what was there to return to? He watched her come closer and closer, strangely afraid of the idea of her seeing him like this. She shouted something at him again, but he couldn’t hear her over the blood pounding in his ears. Suddenly, Gienne was right next to him, pushing him away from an unseen attack from the Guardian. There was blood, or maybe there was always blood, somewhere in the corner of his eye. No, this blood is different from whatever amalgamation dripped from his veins. It’s red, so red. 

“Gienne.” said Makarro, the first thing falling from his mouth. The world stopped as he watched her collapse to the ground. It happened.

Her choked breath pierced him, watching her horrified eyes take in the blood and gore pulsing on her chest. It was without thought, in two strides he was by her side, but she didn’t see him. She only saw the flowers of red blooming on the fabric of her dress. 

“Darling, look.” he beckoned softly, caressing her face. Tears streamed down her ghostly expression as he furiously pulled off his gloves and cast a protection spell on his hands. Makarro gingerly cradled her face again, watching her eyes immediately flicker to his. Her lips parted to release a strangled breath. 

“Don’t waste your strength, darling, it’s going to be ok.” he soothed, a lump forming in his throat as he forced down his tears. “It’s going to be ok.”

He kissed her forehead. Panic spread across her face. Gienne opened her mouth again, her frantic wheezing filling his ears. He kissed her cheek and stroked her hair. Once again, the world was silent.

“Darling, it’s going to be ok.” said Makarro, steadying his expression, “Do you remember our little pond, with the water lilies?” Through the fear, there was a pulse of recognition, and Makarro continued, “Do you remember the sunlight washing over you, or the breeze pushing through your hair? Think about it, remember how nice it felt.”

Her wheezing grew more regular, “That’s it, darling, let it wash over you, the warm sunlight and the fresh breeze.”

Makarro watched the panic leave her eyes. For a moment, they were both back at home, under the willow tree with the breeze passing around them. The waterlilies had unfurled their colored petals for the sun. Their laughter filled the steady air, their limbs tangled in one another’s. The grass swayed peacefully. They are the only two people in the world, tucked under the willow tree. The world was quiet.

He couldn’t tell whether the wetness on his cheeks was his tears or hers. The grief silently tore through him. Among the rubble and the cold destruction, there was no willow.

#no proper tags only vibes #i'm not as confident in my writing as I am with my art #but i like writing little flash fiction pieces because I don't think about everything too much #i just put down words on a page #and then reread the whole thing multiple times until I'm absolutely sick of it and post it #tw: character death #not my characters! #I feel like my writing sounds pretentious and artsy #and it has yet to sit right with me #nesswrites

[forpiratereasons]

one word prompt: soap

stede's optimism lasts about as long as it takes for izzy hands to wrangle him into the captain's cabin, hands bound, arms aching. it lasts about as long as it takes for him to realise all his things are gone.

books. trinkets. furniture. curtains. the model of the revenge had not been in its cabinet when he'd passed. the wardrobe doors hang open, an empty cavern. the secret lever to his secret room has been pried out of place. everything he'd built for himself here, everything he'd so carefully curated, everything he could finally revel in unapologetically, free from derision: gone.

ed presents these losses to him like a challenge, like he's daring stede to break and yell and shout, to find him wanting, to find him unacceptable, but stede can't find the anger. he already understands.

all stede's life, these have been the things people have wanted him to toss away. to care less about. he already knows what it means when someone loses patience for his--idiosyncrasies.

ed is a shadowed swath of leather and weapons in the corner of the room, more mad devil now than he'd ever been before, leaning into the threat of himself. he looks at stede with arms crossed and says, "well?"

"i do apologise, captain, for my intrusion," stede says automatically. it's not the first time he's had to apologise for being somewhere he's not wanted. "i--misjudged."

"misjudged what?" ed wants to know. "the distance between the barracks and the docks? which direction you were headed? your own fucking courage?"

you're a weak-hearted, soft-handed, lily-livered little rich boy. that's all you'll ever be, stede bonnet.

he very much does not want to cry in front of blackbeard, but true to form, stede finds again that he lacks the ability to be anything other than himself. "i thought i understood something," he manages, throat tight, cheeks salt-wet and prickling-hot. "i was wrong."

"i think you probably were," blackbeard agrees. "turns out i was too."

that's fair, stede thinks. it's only what stede could've--should've--expected. he closes his eyes now and waits for ed to decide what to do with him.

he'll accept anything.

but ed doesn't tell him to leave. ed doesn't draw his blade. he's unbearably quiet for an unbearably long time, and then he says, under his breath, "fuck's sake."

there's the sound of water, and then of footsteps, and then ed's fingers, gentle on stede's face--stede jerks, surprised, but ed is faster, his hand wrapping around the back of his head to hold him in place.

"keep still," ed says gruffly, "keep your eyes shut," and then there's a wet linen pressed to the delicate skin under stede's eye, cleaning away the tears. it's soft, and so tender that stede spills new tracks down his cheeks, remembering the reverential way ed had touched stede's cashmere to his own cheek that first day. the way ed had smiled at him, and allowed him, and reached out for him.

ed wipes the new tears away too, and the ones after that, and the ones after that.

when stede has finally caught his breath again, ed presses the linen into his hands. unties his wrists. turns his back and says, voice thick, shoulders trembling, "go on, then. get out of my cabin."

it's not what stede wants. it's not the gentle exchange of wiping away ed's greasepaint, ed's fear, ed's heartbreak. it's not the confession, the declaration, the understanding, the beginning. it's not an erasure of the last few weeks; it never could be. it's not an explanation or an apology or an excuse.

but it's not a goodbye, either. it's not an end.

it's hope.

the room may look empty, but the linen in stede's hands is soft, and it smells like lavender soap.

#ofmd #blackbonnet #gentlebeard #our flag means death #darcy writes pirates

[moonlitmeeks]

𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭'𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 - 𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤

pairing: sirius black x gn!reader

summary: sirius has a little too much fun at a halloween party, and you aren't sure where his costume ends and his injuries begin.

warnings; swearing, mentions of alcohol, mentions of injuries

a/n; again, im extremely sorry for how late this is. uni is killing me as of late but, nonetheless, i hope you enjoy!!!

your vision swam as you surveyed the room, eyes betraying you by showing you a vision that was a second behind what you were actually looking at. you closed your eyes briefly, hoping it would clear up your sight even by a little.

it was halloween, and you were currently attending a party in the gryffindor common room. the gryffindors were known for their great parties, and this one was no different.

your fellow students surrounded you, dressed up in costumes ranging from obviously last minute mummies to intricately planned group looks.

your boyfriend sirius was somewhere in between.

he had told you he would reveal his costume to you on the night as a ‘surprise’, seeing as he was always one for the dramatics. no amount of puppy eyes and pouts could convince him otherwise. before you could begin to wonder where he was, a cup of firewhisky was placed into your hand and an arm wrapped itself around your waist.

“having fun?” he shouted over the music.

you turned your head to respond, but your answer died in your throat when you took in his appearance.

“what are you supposed to be?” you asked, frantically scanning his form for some sort of clue.

he stood in a white button up and black flares. eyeliner framed his eyes, smudged purposefully as he often did when he wore it. he was also covered in blood splatters.

“isn’t it obvious?”

“...no?”

he sighed, running a hand through his dark locks as he pushed the strands back from his face.

“i thought you’d be able to come up with something.” he admitted, lips quirked into a cheeky grin. “i just wanted to throw some fake blood on myself if i’m honest.”

upon seeing your judgemental expression, he laughed, tilting his head back as his grey eyes met the ceiling.

“i thought it would look good! and i was right!” he smirked this time as his gaze returned to yours, placing a kiss to your lips. “i look great and you know it.”

you sighed, resting your head against his chest with a smile.

“sadly, you’re correct.” you shouted into his ear.

you hadn’t spoken to sirius for too long before your conversation was cut short.

lily, who was dressed in an emerald dress paired with light green fairy wings and looked unfairly gorgeous, had grabbed your hands, pulling you away to dance with her and remus. the three of you swayed and bounced around, fuelled mainly by alcohol and each other’s energy as time slipped away from you.

“y/n!” james’s grip was strong on your shoulder, his eyes widened slightly in panic behind his glasses.

“james! is everything okay?” you asked.

“sirius got a little too excited. he’s uh,” he paused, raking a hand through his unkempt hair. “i think it’s better if i just show you.”

you trailed behind james as he led you through the crowds and up into the marauders’ dorm, mind reeling as you worried over the various predicaments sirius could’ve gotten himself into in the half an hour he’d been out of your eyeline.

there, sitting back on his bed looking incredibly blase despite his situation, was sirius, looking significantly bloodier than you last saw him. his lip was swollen and bloody, and small grazes kissed his knuckles, turning his skin raw and angry.

“sirius, please tell me that’s fake blood.”

“hate to break it to you darling, but that’s not quite the case.”

although he tried to hide behind his bravado, you could see the small winces with every movement of his lips. cupping his face in your hands, you sighed as you examined his injuries.

“i’m going to get my wand, then i’ll fix you up, okay?”

sirius hummed in appreciation, closing his eyes slightly as he lay back with his toned arms folded behind his head.

when you returned, he sat up, folding his legs under his body as you positioned yourself in front of him.

“you wanna tell me what happened then?”

“turns out, the coffee table isn’t as sturdy as it looks.”

you bit back a laugh.

“sirius black, do not tell me you bust your lip dancing on the table?”

he shrugged, smirking lazily.

“matter of fact i didn’t. i bust it falling off of the table.”

“what am i gonna do with you, hm?” you muttered, tone soft and dripping with love as you stroked a thumb across his cheekbone.

he leaned into your touch, pressing a soft kiss to the palm of your hand.

“fix me up, i hope.”

"of course love."

one day i will find out how to write a good ending. today is not that day. reblogs/feedback are much appreciated!!!

taglist; @thesilverskull @lilgayn00dle @caffeineconstellations @star-dust-2317 @bazpitchs-violin @pagetpagetpagetpaget @adoreachilles @wlfstxr @cozyballofanxiety @matte-moony

halloween horrors masterlist!

marauders era masterlist!

#becca's halloween horrors! #becca's writing <3 #sirius black #sirius black x reader #sirius black imagine #sirius black x you #marauders #marauders x reader #marauders imagine #marauders x you

[whumpzone]

Tomas and Rowe - Part 17

Masterpost

taglist: @sola-whumping @just-another-whumper @misspelledwitch @looptheloup @briars7 @black-polarf @zipadeedooda-drabbles @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @rosesareviolentlyread @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @kestrelsparverius @whumpsy-daisies @whumpersworld @memoriesneverforget @sky-or-something-idfk @cupcakes-and-pain @frankieswhump @ihaventwritteninsolong @mybrokenlittletoy @kiretto-laorentze @morelikepainsley @lavmars @tears-and-lilies @whump-me-all-night-long @newbornwhumperfly @itaina-anta @whump-it @haro-whumps @simplygrimly @alex-ember @rippedjeansandfadeddreams @mnmlover2002 @jordanstrophe @princessofonward @xmonster-under-the-bed @as-a-matter-of-whump @5boys1house @crystalrainwing @starnight-whump @jasm0307 @lightdrinker @hurting-fictional-people @captainseconds @glamrockgregory @justbreakonme @downrivergirl914 @cdragontogacotar @whumps-up @vaguelyhumanvoid @kim-poce

CW: pet whump, dehumanisation, fingore, amputation, mentions of alcohol/being drunk

-

It was the middle of the night- probably- when Rowe was startled awake. He could hear the sound of the door at the end of the corridor unlocking, impossibly loud against the silence. There was a shuddering bang as it struck the wall. Kasia had slammed it open. He was angry.

The next sound was footsteps, irregular and heavy. Stumbling.

Ice ran down Rowe’s spine. It was stupid, he knew, but the fact that it was night-time made everything worse. It was night. It was dark. He was chained up in his old master’s basement for being a stupid, bad, ugly little dog, and he was going to start screaming in pain very soon.

He tried to focus his eyes. He was here, in the present. He was chained to the floor in Kasia’s personal torture chamber. Not much better. Oh, god, and why had he charged in in the middle of the night?

Was this it?

I’m a person, I deserve, fuck, uh, I deserve to be cared for, I’m, I’m, I have worth, I don’t-

Kasia stepped into view, looking down at Rowe with half-lidded eyes. He had dark, bruised knuckles on one hand. His weight shifted unevenly along his hips.

He grabbed the key to the cell, but before he unlocked it, he leant out of sight and dragged the duffle bag towards him.

It had been there the whole time. Rowe hadn’t realised. Kasia unlocked the door, pocketing the key again, and kicked the bag through roughly. The sound of metal clattering inside made Rowe’s skin crawl. It had only been a few seconds since he’d first woken up and his head was pounding.

He stayed very still, watching, waiting. Not wanting to do anything to piss Kasia off more.

The kicks weren’t too bad- his aim was off, tonight, and Rowe could grit his teeth and take it. Maybe he just needed to quickly let off some steam, maybe this time he wouldn’t bother with his sadistic creativity.

“I hate you. I fucking hate you,” he spat, reaching down to grab Rowe’s hair. He missed, swung again then blanched and pulled himself back up. He took a shaky step back to right himself and a hand came to rest on his belly. “Stand up. Stand the fuck up! I’m not crouching down. Ugh.”

Rowe stammered, words failing him for a few seconds as he tried to push through the fear and reply. “I-I-I can’t, I’m ch-chained to the f-f-f-floor-“

“Fuck,” Kasia shouted and Rowe whimpered, pulling back. Kasia yanked the duffle bag up and began digging through.

A smile spread across his face and Rowe’s heart stopped when Kasia pulled out a pair of bone shears. He hooked them onto his thumb while he continued to rummage until he retrieved a key.

Rowe realised it was the key to his collar. Kasia grabbed his hair successfully this time, pulling Rowe up so effortlessly he could have been made of paper. God, he was still so hungry.

The collar fell open and Rowe stayed where he was, hanging pathetically from Kasia’s hand. His lips parted to ask what he planned to do with those shears, but sick fear kept his tongue clamped down.

“Stand up then,” he snapped, his eyes burning two holes into Rowe’s. He obeyed without a thought, and Kasia locked his fingers around his throat, slamming him against the far wall. It was the hand holding the bone shears, and the thumb hoop pressed against his windpipe like a threat.

Oh hell, Rowe thought, staring up at the ceiling. Is he going to slit my throat?

“I’m going to fuck you up,” Kasia growled, and a few tears slipped down Rowe’s cheeks. Kasia’s free hand suddenly grabbed his left wrist, holding it up, looking at it.

Rowe did he best to keep breathing through his rising terror. “Pl-please, please d-d-don’t, have mer-mercy, pl-“

Kasia pulled his wrist out straight with such ferocity that Rowe’s pleas died immediately, turning instead to gasps of horror. The hand holding the bone shears left his neck, opening wide like a jaw.

It all happened too fast. The bone shears clamped down onto Rowe’s ring finger, only slowing when they struck bone, but within seconds his finger was severed and blood was streaming from the fresh wound.

For a few moments everything was silent; the only sound was the ringing in his ears. His vision splintered, the form of Kasia blurring before him, and bile quickly rose in his throat as he screamed. Oh, god. Oh god oh god my finger he really did it no please no no no no it’s not real it’s not real.

Kasia released Rowe’s wrist and took a step back, admiring his work while Rowe howled. Both pairs of eyes were wide and bloodshot, staring at the empty space between Rowe’s fingers.

“Now,” he slurred, drawing up his weapon hand once more. “I’ll make it symmetrical for you, Pet.”

All Rowe could do was try to get away. He didn’t think about it, he just knew he had to. Kasia filled the entire space before him, a great towering beast. There was nowhere to go except to stumble on his weak legs towards the corner of the cell.

Kasia smiled at this pitiful display and moved forwards, when it happened. His foot landed in the fresh pool of blood and onto Rowe’s finger and he slipped.

Rowe had until Kasia hit the floor to make a choice. As his tormentor’s back struck the concrete, Rowe chose.

He thrust his arms forward and grabbed the duffle bag, and fuck, it was heavy. It must have been adrenaline and the raging thrill of disobedience that imbued his limbs with the strength to heave it up and send it whirling into Kasia’s head. It connected with a rusty clang and Kasia let out a thick groan, collapsing.

There wasn’t a second to lose. Rowe reached out with his good hand, the one with all five fingers, and gripped the chain still attached to the floor anchor. Pulling it up, he twisted towards the dazed and hurt Kasia, and wrapped it around his neck, gritting his teeth and begging silently for this to work. He pulled as hard as he could.

Kasia’s hands shot up to Rowe’s, scrabbling and writhing. His nails easily broke the skin along Rowe’s taut, pale-white knuckles in a desperate attempt to get free, but Rowe was used to pushing through pain. He dug his feet in and summoned his whole weak, malnourished body to help him.

“You- fu- ugh!” Kasia’s words failed as the chain around his throat only tightened. He kept struggling, thrashing his legs until they were soaked with Rowe’s blood. One hand stayed scratching around the chain, while another reached up to claw at Rowe’s face, but Rowe easily evaded it.

It was sickening. He was hurting him, he was being a bad Pet, he was forgetting his place, he was going to become a murderer if he didn’t let up soon.

Kasia’s arms fell limply down. His legs stopped kicking. Rowe loosened the chain just a little, leaning forward and listening. He was breathing- just. Unconscious. Good.

“I hate you,” Rowe whispered.

His skin was still prickling with terror, and he dug around in Kasia’s various jacket pockets until he found what he needed. The collar snapped shut around Kasia’s neck nicely, the click of the lock filling the room.

Finally, he could breathe. He noticed a watch on Kasia’s left wrist- it truly was the middle of the night. Rowe had to go. He had come too far now. It would be cold. There would be people about. He was drenched in blood, old and new, and had burns, sores, bruises, and a neck bearing all the hallmarks of a collar. He decided to take Kasia’s jacket. It wasn’t much, but it would keep him warm, and hopefully make him look less like an escaped Pet.

Before he put it on he ripped a portion of Kasia’s t-shirt and did his best to staunch his wound. It would have to do. He draped the jacket over his shoulders and opened the cell door, taking a last look inside. Kasia was lying in a pool of blood, more similar to a corpse than a living being, the collar trapping him within the confines of the short chain. To the walls, and the tap, but not the door. The duffle bag lay near him and Rowe pulled it out of reach, just in case anything inside could double as a lockpick. Somewhere in the midst of all the gore was Rowe’s finger, but he couldn’t mourn it. Better it was left in there, rather than him.

He shut and locked the door, and turned to look down the corridor, his heart in his mouth. It was short, with only four cells on either side. He walked down it, and-

Yes, oh thank fuck yes, his suspicion had been correct. He had truly heard it. The sound of the door at the end of the hall opening- and nothing else.

Kasia, in his wondrous, amazing, heaven-sent state of drunkenness, had forgotten to lock it behind him. The keypad sat uselessly on the side of the open door.

He reached the exit. This was it.

Rowe pulled the jacket tighter, and ran.

#tomas and rowe #pet whump #whump fic #pet whumpee #mine #ENJOY GUYS!!!!! #this was so fun to write god