#temenos why are you such a STICK

[viridiave]

Spoiler-heavy thoughts about Crick and how the Game Mechanics treat Temenos’s story

So. yeah if you press ‘Keep Reading’ I should probably let you guys know that these thoughts are just a tiny bit unhinged. And again - spoiler alert! You’ve been warned!!

GAME MECHANICS AND UI

- Gonna preface THIS section by asserting that yes, not EVERY mechanic needs to be taken apart under a microscope and re-contextualized into the greater lore of the game. Not EVERYTHING has to mean something to everybody. Some of my classes in game design disagree though and honestly for the genre that Octopath Traveler is, that being a story-heavy role-playing game where the narrative is half the game, I'd say that integrating lore into the mechanics and vice-versa wouldn't hurt - in fact it ENHANCES the experience. The second game does this pretty handily through the EX Skills (the first of the skills being Divine Blessings, and the second being earned at the end of the story.) and the Latent Powers.

Okay the Latent Powers? Honestly that part's mostly for Hikari. Shadow's Hold/Light's Radiance is STILL one of the best examples of Gameplay and Story Integration that this game has

No I swear I don't have a bias for 'other selves'/'deep parts of yourself made manifest' what are you talking about -

I swear I can write an entire separate post JUST about the EX Skills. Mostly for Osvald, Castti, and mOTHERFUCKING TEMENOS AGAIN

aND THIS IS WHY I GO FUCKING BONKERS WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE DEMO VERSION OF THE GAME LIKE WHAT THE FU-

- Literally the fucking emblem for Temenos's story is a staff and a sword over the Sacred Flame like - they REALLY want you to know how important Crick is to this tale

- tHE FACT THAT CRICK IS THE ONE WHO HAS COVER. NOT EVEN HIKARI OR THE WARRIOR CLASS. IT'S CRICK - DOES THIS COUNT AS FORESHADOWING???

I'll like - write here what I should have written in the bath - and that's me being like 'oh it's because he's recklessly protective. OH SHIT IT'S BECAUSE HE'S RECKLESSLY PROTECTIVE'

I fully acknowledge that it doesn't have to be that deep. MAYBE I'm pulling stuff out of my ass. But allow me to go bonkers over Crick and his for-some-reason-worryingly-appropriate moveset

Man I wonder how bonkers I'd go over Malaya if she was allowed to throw hands. I want her to complement Castti's moveset so bad

- Also the fact that both of their kits complement each other. Crick's bulkier build was made specifically with supporting Temenos in mind.

My guy's Sacred Sword reduces the enemy's elemental defense. Wonder if that implies that the Sanctum Knights normally work with magic and/or magicians

aGAIN HE HAS FUCKING COVER which is PERFECT because early-game Temenos can and will faint if a monster blinks at him too hard

Then there's his OTHER skill Godsblade's Shield which RAISES his physical defense to SO HE CAN COVER FOR TEMENOS BETTER LIKE. AT SOME POINT I SHOULD JUST ASK WHY THEY TRIED SO HARD FOR HIM SPECIFICALLY

And I mean. It makes SENSE but I don't think any of the other helper characters really had this level of chemistry in their mechanics as these two do

Emerald and Gus both have healing moves for better survivability considering how squishy Osvald and Agnea are

And it makes sense, Temenos already has access to a healing move because he's a cleric

The thing that separates Crick from them is that neither Emerald nor Gus really have moves to further support their leads on the level that Crick does. Emerald is fast and he breaks well and Gus is clearly meant to be the DPS of Agnea's Chapter 1, but again - Crick has moves tailor-made for Temenos to go off and do his thing

You lose Pirro and Scaracci/ Rai Mei and Ritsu after the intro and none of them really complement the Throné and Hikari and vice versa as much as Crick and Temenos do with each other

The difference with them too is that they have established relationships with their lead characters prior to the story, sometimes even encountered as antagonistic forces

Pirro, Rai Mei, and Ritsu are all bosses that were once considered close comrades of Throné and Hikari

Scaracci displays mutinous traits throughout Throne's Chapter 1

Emerald subverts this by acting mutinous - which, his conflict with Osvald amounted more to a sacrifice of goodwill

He knows Osvald and how he acts even prior to the beginning of Chapter 1, so he's in this category of having an established relationship

Gus averts this completely by just being a genuinely supportive part of Agnea's life

Mechanically, you never have anything to do with these characters again past Chapter 1 - save for Rai Mei and Ritsu being bosses. Hikari's companions also play an integral narrative role in his final chapter, with Ritsu being encountered as a boss again for the final time

Crick is a subversion of all of them in that he doesn't have any direct relationship with Temenos prior to Chapter 1, and though we never use him as a helper character ever again he consistently shows up as an integral part of Temenos's story up until his death in Chapter 3: Stormhail

Weirdly Crick is also the only one out of all of them where the use of Path Actions is required more than once - Osvald has to Scrutinize Emerald at one point

AND GODDAMNIT OF COURSE THE FIRST AND LAST TANGIBLE INTERACTION WE HAVE WITH CRICK IS TO FUCKING GUIDE HIM I'M SO MAD ABOUT THIS BOOKEND IT'S SO MEAN AKSJKAS

And this in itself makes complete sense given that he has larger roles to play outside of Chapter 1 - just not in the same vein as Ritsu or Rai Mei, but the fact is that Temenos's story is VERY good at establishing and building up chemistry between its characters

bUT FOR MECHANICS WE NEVER HAVE TO USE AGAIN AFTER CHAPTER 1?? THEY WENT SO HARD AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY

- It's not as big of a deal as it looks but I also find it funny just how much fun the devs seemed to have with Crick's introduction and entry into the party - using the Path Action to fucking TROLL with him.

- ON THAT NOTE, LET ME FREAK OUT OVER GUIDE AS A PATH ACTION A LITTLE MORE

I saw a post on Reddit earlier about the 'summoning townspeople' Path Actions and it kind of shook my world a little, so I'll just put my response to it here

For a guy who makes it a point to tell people not to follow anything blindly it's INCREDIBLY hilarious to me that Temenos's Path Action is getting people to follow him blindly.

MECHANICALLY, it's because he's the designated cleric. Temenos has Guide, because Ophilia has Guide. But thematically it's interesting to think about just how antithetical it is to his central creed of doubting, and how this specifically applies to Crick.

I did go back and check and yeah - Crick's one of three individual people I was able to find over the course of the stories that has a required Path Action used on them more than once.

Malaya is one other example with Inquire, and she even one-ups him with one use of Soothe. And I'll get to HER when I get to Castti's essay - I mean infodump - because it's like. Somehow even MORE heartbreaking than this instance of Guide

While I'm here I'll also mention Roque, who also has two instances of a Path Action used on him, namely Purchase and Hire in Partitio's Chapter 5

But back to the dramatic aspect of it it's like. I really want to shake the devs because it's so mean of them to have Temenos's relationship with him begin by guiding him towards not only the cathedral but to a healthier way of thinking, and to end with Crick's fucking GHOST leading Temenos to the crucial truth that he's lost so many people to find, including Crick himself

- I won't scrutinize everything about the cleric class itself but I WILL talk about the EX Skills, because to me it's ironic just how mean they are. I'm glad that the irony isn't lost on the fanfic writers like I see you guys use these as fanfic titles - bless you all

First - Prayer for Plenty, the sequel's answer to how absolutely fucking broken Saving Grace was as a passive in the first game. Limiting it to JUST Temenos's natural moveset feels like it should be sending a message honestly - it's a way to prolong the lives of his comrades and he couldn't do that for the ones he held dear in his own story. Can't help but feel like the fact that this is the one he gets from AELFRIC'S SHRINE rubs salt in the wound - no pun intended -

Secondly is Heavenly Shine and it's like. It's a holy nuke filled with divine power that drains Temenos's magic reserves completely. He invokes Aelfric's name when he uses it to and to this day I think the reason it feels cathartic to use is because it feels like a manifestation of Temenos's wrath

Unlike Osvald's own magic kamehamehadouken nuke where he learned it out of a need to protect Elena, Temenos learns this AFTER his story - and maybe it's just my concern speaking but man I really want this to represent his sheer need to go absolutely fucking apeshit like my man is NOT in a good place after his story is done

- This is the part where I go into the tinier, 'definitely stretching this past the realm of MATTERING' details that actually have something to do with the game mechanics

Some of Temenos's class lines are reminiscent of Crick's own. We've drawn the comparison with Temenos's Sweeping Cleave line already and it's adorable

Temenos Sweeping Cleave [insert handshake emoji] Crick Sacred Slash: I'll cleave you in twain!

Reaching even further here. His lines for Lux Congerere and Sacred Effulgence also somewhat invoke Crick's declaration of 'cleaving the shadows from this world', but it's not exact and I'm just indulging

Lux Congerere: Banish the shadows from this world!

Sacred Effulgence: Aelfric, banish the shadows from this world!

I'd also be extremely remiss to NOT mention the recruitment of Ort in postgame and it physically hurts me to summon him because of the way he says 'I will avenge you, Crick!' like DUDE. Oh well at least he's grieving healthily

Sacred Slash brothers let's gooo

There's like. No way that I'll be able to fit all of this in my other thoughts about Crick that are dedicated mostly to his and Temenos's arcs so. It's like not even in a ship sense anymore even if I do think they're fruity as hell

Honestly I'm just glad to get this all out of my system EXCEPT THERE'S MORE, because Temenos's story loves to torture my brain and its themes resonate with me a bit TOO much

#octopath #octopath traveler 2 #temenos mistral #crick wellsley #vir rambles about octopath yet again #this time - FOR WAY LONGER THAN IS NECESSARY #these aren't even like half the overall thoughts i have about crick #let alone TEMENOS #i honestly don't know why it matters to me this much #it's kind of scary lmao #this is why i should talk to people more #shoutout to jae for some of the lines here because there really was no better way of putting it #temenos why are you such a STICK #ot2 spoilers

[tobiasdrake]

Okay, so what's this guy Temenos's deal?

Temenos: I am an inquisitor of the church. Me: Loaded fucking language there. You sound like a bad guy. Temenos: I have a comically dismissive and callous persona while nonetheless fulfilling my duties. Me: ...yeah, I'm still getting bad guy vibes. Are you sure you're not a-- Temenos: My Path ability is to beat nuns with a stick until they confess to me why they enjoy visiting the library. Me: ...yeah, okay, that settles that.

#octopath traveler 2 #temenos mistral #octopath 2 blind play

[beantothemax]

I've seen some writers share their Octopath fan fics here so I though to throw my hat in the ring. This is about Temenos coercing a cleric for information in hopes to find another entrance to the cathedral in chapter 1. I thought it would be fun to write out the method of his coercion outside of a minigame. Buckle up, cause it's lengthy... (I apologize for any spelling or grammar mistakes)

Temenos began to make for the library.

The building was modest but useful. Inside the floorboards creaked under the weight of the inquisitor and the platemail knight. The first thing the two saw was a small desk with a ledger, lamps, and an attendant. The walls were lined with brown shelves stacked with books of archives, hymnals, myths, bibles, and the published works of theologians across the continents. and two tables with chairs were placed centered in the room. The cleric in question had her nose stuffed in a book by a case, completely oblivious to her surroundings. Her robes were teal and her habit a creamy white. Crick stood by the entrance and prepared to watch Temenos work his talents once more. Temenos used the Staff of Judgement as a walking stick as he approached her. He put on a warm smile and greeted her, “Good evening, sister!” 

The cleric jolted from her book and traced her eyes to Temenos’s face, “Inquisitor! I didn’t expect to see you here tonight!” She tilted her head from right to left and whispered, “ It’s quite late… Is something the matter?” 

Temenos could detect something was off. The way her voice wavered when she spoke, her eyes never seemed to meet his own, and her knuckles turned white from clutching her book when he made his introduction. It would appear this subject was flighty. Interrogating anxious people was a balancing act. Just as a shepherd would lead a lamb, Temenos needed to judge when to push, when to pull, and when to relax. Too little pressure wouldn’t draw out anything useful. Too much may make them blubber, panic, cause a scene, or in extreme cases… break them. Temenos once again began his inquisition with a push to test the waters, “Why yes, something is the matter,” he said with a sigh. He turned his back against the shelves and leaned, facing the other side of the room, “I wish not to dance around the topic so I’ll skip straight to it. I am bothered you are hiding something from me.” From the corner of his eye he could tell her nerves were alight. It would appear he struck the nail on the head. 

“W— Whatever do you mean inquisitor!?” the cleric sputtered as her posture shrinked activating her flight instincts. Temenos may have pushed a bit too far and it was time to recorrect.

He bounced off the bookcase and bent down to the anxious sister’s level and lowered his voice, “Worry not my friend! I do not say this to antagonize you! I know not what this secret may be but it pains me that one of my fellow clergymen would keep secrets from me. I am saddened at the thought of you not feeling safe with a messenger of Aelfric.”

The cleric’s jitteres steadied, “I— I see… How foolish of me to think I could hide anything from you inquisitor. You’re so perceptive about these matters.” 

Temenos laxed his pressure more, “I appreciate the praise but let’s not make this about me. I just thought to inform you that my ears are open anytime. We could meet somewhere privately if you wished.”

The cleric relaxed her grip on her book and her blood returned to her hands, “That is a very kind offer inquisitor. Perhaps… tomorrow could we arrange a meeting?”

Tomorrow absolutely would not do. Temenos needed whatever she was concealing as quickly as possible. Now, he had to force his hand again, “That could be arranged,” he made his tone sound uncertain, “But just know my mind will not be at ease until I hear what you have to say. I may be tossing and turning all night over the predicament!” Temenos began to walk away but he was not done just yet.

Ever the people pleaser, the cleric called to Temenos, “W— wait! I can tell you now! I would hate for you to lose sleep over my secrecy. I apologize.”

Temenos’s ears perked up, “Remarkable! Please, let us sit.” He escorted her to a table and sat across from her. She took her book with her. 

After she was settled, the cleric spoke in a hushed voice, “You see inquisitor, I have always been a lover of books,” she hugged the tomb close to her chest, “In fact, growing up with such a quaint library and reading its myths and legends inspired me to join the church.”

Temenos leaned closer and let her go on without interruption despite a pause. Creating room for the subject to speak was crucial.

“But… but…” The cleric swallowed, “I carry this great shame.”

Crick could see Temenos’s excitement. That same light was in his eyes when he questioned the historian. It seemed every time the truth came tantalizingly close, a spark flashed in his eyes. “A shame? What have you to be ashamed of?”

The cleric scooted closer, “Secretly, I feel like a fraud, a false servant because… the real reason I joined this coven is because…”

A smile creeped across Temenos’s face.

“I liked the smell of the books…”

Crick watched as the fire in Temenos’s eyes died right then and there. His face deflated and his posture drooped.

“Really! It was merely a coincidence my post was assigned to the church library but I am ashamed I spend more time indulging my lust for leatherbound pages than spreading the good word of the Sacred Flame!”

“That’s all?” Temenos was disappointed. “Why did you feel the need to hide this?”

“Well, with the increasing number of heretics abound, I feared I may be labeled as one if I let slip my facade.”

Temenos held up his hand, “I understand.”

“I am not in trouble am I? I swear to confess everything at out next service and—”

“There will be no need. You shant worry anymore about this terrible secret of yours any longer. But for future reference, I implore you to focus more on your duties rather than your indulgences if you feel inclined to remain with your coven. I too enjoy a good book but all in moderation, yes?”

“Of course. Thank you for your mercy, inquisitor.” She laid the book back out on the table and opened the cover. Temenos caught a glimpse of a name tag inside. It read, “Vados”. 

Temenos began a new inquiry, “Forgive my meddlesome questioning but you have been quite protective of that book. Pray tell sister, where did you ascertain it?”

The cleric met Temeonos’s face again, “I had borrowed it from an architect staying here on the cathedral grounds.”

Temenos sat upright, “And architect you say?” 

“Yes, Vados the Architect. He is residing at the temporary housing units. I believe he oversaw the repairs here. I had run into him here as he was checking out a prayer book and we began sharing our favorite novels. We exchanged books.”

Temenos sat silently in thought. “Thank you for your time.” He left his seat and rejoined Crick. “Come little lamb. We have an architect to interrogate.”

Crick shot back, “Did I not make myself clear when I said—”

“Ah yes, my apologies.” he said failing to fight his smirk. It was somewhat cute how easily Crick was flustered by harmless teasing.

The two left the library and made for the temporary housing.

ooooo I really like how you portray his coercions as actual interrogations!!! instead of the ‘temenos sends a random lady to the Shallow Water Dimension to smack them with a staff repeatedly’ we get in the actual game.

and SDHFNDGBEGXB that whole part of the ‘fire dying in temenos’s eyes’ was funny. girl just wants to smell books.

for your first(?) fic this is really solid!!!!! loved reading this!!!

#asks #temenos mistral #crick wellsley #liked this a lot!!

[broomballkraken]

Title: The Scholar and The Merchant Chapter 13: Love Will Spell Your Doom

Fandom: Octopath Traveler 2

Pairing: Osvald/Partitio

Word count: 6770

Warnings: Contains spoilers for the final chapter

Fic Summary: “I forgot what love was a long time ago,” Osvald tells himself, and nothing would change that. That is, until a certain merchant dressed in yellow came into his life and slowly helped him to remember.

Chapter Summary: The travelers take a well-deserved break in a small Leaflands camp after they completed all of their quests. However, their journey wasn’t over quite yet, and Osvald and Partitio were determined to fight for the dawn, and their future together.

After helping Castti prevent tragedy from striking the city of Timberain, the eight travelers had all completed their various quests. With their burdens finally eased, the tight knit group of friends had made camp in the Leaflands, and were finally able to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

“Hrmm…The fire won’t catch.”

“Let’s give it another go, Agnea.”

Partitio grit his teeth as he gently blew on the small flame that was teetering on the edge of being extinguished. It was being stubborn, and seemed to not want to ignite the pile of logs that he and Agnea had arranged in their campfire. They needed to get it started before the hunters came back, or Ochette would be upset…

“We’ve brought firewood, you two.”

Partitio looked up to see Castti approaching, and he beamed when Osvald came up behind her. They both set the wood in a pile by the campfire, and Osvald crossed his arms over his chest, letting out an exasperated sigh.

“I spent all of that time teaching you fire magic, Partitio, so why are you not using it?” Osvald asked with an eyebrow raised.

Partitio rolled his eyes and shrugged, shaking his head. “C’mon Osvald, sometimes you gotta work up a sweat before a good meal!”

“If you insist on being so…inefficient.” Osvald cracked a smile, and Partitio’s face flushed at the fondness in his eyes. “I suppose I can let it slide this time…but only because it’s you.”

“Aw, sweetheart, you’re makin’ me blush!” Partitio gushed, and Agnea giggled at the spectacle.

“Y’all are so cute, you’re gonna make me blush too!” She continued to giggle, and Osvald averted his gaze and tugged on his beard. Partitio chuckled and went back to the task at hand, as Hikari and Temenos returned with water after scouting the area.

Soon after that, Ochette and Throné arrived after a successful hunt, and everyone engaged in friendly banter, which brought a smile to Osvald’s face. When he had escaped from his five year confinement and embarked on his journey for revenge, he never could have predicted that he would end up traveling with a group of people he now considered his closest friends. And he certainly never expected to fall in love with one of them.

“...We’ll show this pile of sticks who’s boss!”

Osvald laughed at Partitio’s words of encouragement to the struggling fire, and his eyes went wide when the fire suddenly burst to life, finally catching onto the pile of logs.

“There we go!” Partitio and Agnea said in unison as they high-fived. He beamed as he rushed up to Osvald, grabbing his hands and giving his arms a good shake.

“See? I told ya I could handle it without magic!”

“Hmm, indeed.” Osvald chuckled when Partitio let go, and he reached up to cup Partitio’s face, caressing his cheek with his thumb. “You certainly are full of surprises.”

Partitio sighed and leaned into Osvald’s touch. After everything that he and his companions had gone through, he was so happy that they were able to relax and have fun like this. Osvald especially seemed like he could use this kind of carefree camaraderie, and Partitio’s heart swelled with happiness when Osvald leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead.

“Hehe, there’s a lot more where that came from, darlin’,” Partitio said as he took Osvald’s hand and entwined their fingers together.

“Ahem.” Throné loudly cleared her throat, and Partitio flushed a bright red as he pulled away from Osvald, but kept hold of his hand. “We should get to cooking. We might have gone a little overboard with the hunting…”

“No way!” Ochette shook her head vigorously as she began cutting the meat, “You can never have too much meat, Néné!”

“With how much you can put away in one sitting? That is certainly not a lie.” Temenos chuckled and glanced at Partitio, shooting him a knowing wink. Osvald cleared his throat as he adjusted his glasses, and Partitio thought he looked mighty cute with a dusting of pink covering his cheeks.

“Let’s help out, dear,” Osvald said, giving Partitio’s hand a squeeze, and he nodded as he flicked up the brim of his hat.

“Yeehaw! We’ll make the tastiest meal yet!”

After all the meat was cooked and the sun had set, the eight travelers sat around the campfire, enjoying their meal along with each other’s company, with most of the conversations focusing on their feelings about their journey together and what they wanted to do next. Partitio sat snuggled right up against Osvald as they ate, and Osvald had one arm settled around Partitio’s waist. This was the first campfire that they had without the weight of one or multiple of the group’s troubles dampening the mood, and Partitio was all smiles as light conversation dominated their mealtime.

“Hoo-eey! Ochette really knows her stuff. This is some mighty fine meat!” Partitio said, biting off a large chunk and chewing it slowly to savor the delicious flavor. He swallowed and licked his lips before turning to Osvald. “D’ya like it, darlin’?”

“Mmmhmm.” Osvald nodded, and Partitio stifled a laugh. He really did seem to be enjoying it, maybe a little too much, as a few bits of meat had gotten stuck in his beard. Partitio bit his lip as he slid into Osvald’s lap, earning a startled grunt from him.

“You’re not supposed to wear it, sweetheart,” Partitio said as he plucked a handkerchief from his vest pocket. Osvald flushed with embarrassment, averting his gaze while Partitio doted on him until his beard was nice and clean again.

“Did you get it all?” Osvald asked when Partitio put his handkerchief away.

“Hmm, most of it.” A cheeky grin graced Partitio’s lips as he cupped Osvald’s face, “But I reckon I missed a very important spot…” Osvald opened his mouth to ask what he meant, but he found it very hard to speak with Partitio’s lips covering his. He chuckled as he slipped his hand behind Partitio’s head and pulled him closer…

“Oh for Aelfric’s sake, get a room.”

Partitio pouted when he pulled away from Osvald, and he turned to find Temenos watching them with a shit-eating grin on his face. The rest of their friends were staring at them as well, with smiles on their faces, while Agnea and Castti tried to stifle their giggles with little success.

“Aw, c’mon Temenos!” Partitio whined, wrapping his arms around Osvald and resting his head on his shoulder, “Y’all can’t expect me to just keep my affection for my darlin’ all bottled up!” Osvald cleared his throat, his face a bright red in color, but he did not push Partitio away, which sent Partitio’s heart a flutter.

Castti hummed as she tapped her chin. “Oh, that wouldn’t do at all. You both spent so long bottling up your feelings for one another, it would be a crime to stop you now.”

“Yeah, it was a bit painful at times watching you two pine hopelessly for each other,” Throné chimed in, and Ochette let out a dreamy sigh.

“I’m sooo glad you two are finally together!” she said, clapping her hands together excitedly, “And the story of your confession was so romantic, having your first kiss under the stars like that…”

“That wasn’t the only first for you two that night, was it?” Temenos said, a sly grin crossing his face as the rest of the group snapped their attention to Osvald and Partitio. Partitio’s face went pale when he felt Osvald stiffen, and he gulped as he turned to look at Osvald’s face to find his eyes narrowed into a glare.

“You told him?!?” Osvald growled, and Partitio waved his hands in front of him as he vigorously shook his head.

“C-C’mon darlin’, give me a break! You know how good he is at interrogatin’, and when he cornered me, it was more than a little scary…” Partitio's heart hammered hard in his chest as Osvald’s scrutinizing glare bore into him, but his gaze softened and he let out a weary sigh.

“...You’re lucky that you’re cute, Partitio…” Osvald grumbled as he playfully cuffed him upside the head, and Partitio laughed as he placed his hands on his shoulders.

He sighed and swiped the back of his hand over his forehead. “Whew, that’s a relief! Thought you were gonna give me a good wallop for a second there.” Osvald chuckled as he leaned over to whisper into Partitio’s ear:

“Don’t think you’re off the hook, dear. I have a special punishment in mind for you.”

Partitio’s mouth went dry and his face burned as he jerked backwards, finding Osvald looking at him with a rare, mischievous look in his eyes. This man…Golly, Partitio reckoned had never loved someone so much, and he was really looking forward to their next stay at an inn…

Agnea giggled and shook her head. “Y’all are so sweet, it’s a bit nauseating to tell ya the truth…”

“Indeed.” Hikari smiled and nodded in agreement. “Could you wait until after we’ve eaten to continue showing your affections? I do not want Ochette and Throné’s hard work to go to waste.”

“Aw, not you too, Hikari!”

Boisterous laughter erupted from the entire group, and their bantering continued well into the night. It was a bit embarrassing being teased so much, but because it was about him and Partitio being so in love, Osvald knew that it was all in good fun.

The moon was high in the sky when the group called it a night, and with his arms wrapped securely around Partitio, Osvald’s sleep was restful…That is, until he was awoken by a most disturbing nightmare.

Osvald sat straight up, breathing heavily as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “...What was that?” he wondered aloud. The Sacred Flames…had been snuffed out? By whom? And why? And what was that purple flame?

Shaking his head, Osvald rubbed at his temples. This was illogical. It was only a dream. But why…why was this foreboding, ominous feeling so real?

“Mmmm…Did I just…Huh?!?”

Osvald turned to see Partitio suddenly jerk awake, and his eyes were wide with panic. Osvald noted that he was trembling and covered in sweat, so he quickly wrapped his arms around Partitio in a comforting embrace.

“Easy, Partitio. I’m here,” Osvald said as he gently ran his hand through Partitio’s hair while the other rubbed his back. Partitio gripped Osvald tightly, but his breathing did eventually even out, and he let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

“T-Thanks, darlin’,” Partitio said, smiling up at Osvald, but he could see the unease in his eyes, “Hoo-eey, let me tell ya, I just had the weirdest dream.”

Osvald hesitated a moment, tugging at his beard, before he asked, “Was it…about the Sacred Flames being extinguished? And an unfamiliar place, where a dark fire was blazing?”

Partitio gawked at Osvald like he had just grown another head. “Wait, wait! Are you yankin’ my chain? Y-You saw it too?”

Osvald nodded slowly, his lips set in a tight line as a grim look passed over his face. Something about this was very, very wrong, and he gripped Partitio’s hand tightly. His suspicions were confirmed when one by one their other friends awoke and all of them described the same dream.

“Strange…Dawn should be upon us soon…” Castti commented, and Osvald took in their surroundings. The darkness was…suffocating, unrelenting…unnatural. It almost seemed like there was a purple tint to the fog that permeated the wilderness around them. Ochette suddenly bristled, her ears sticking straight up and Mahina let out a distressed hoot beside her.

Partitio’s grip tightened on Osvald’s hand as he gazed up at the pitch black sky. He had no idea what was going on, but he didn’t like it one bit. He felt Osvald’s thumb gently rub against the back of his hand, which did a lot to put him at ease, but it was not enough to alleviate all of his fear.

Hikari’s eyes narrowed as he gripped the hilt of his sword. “Something is amiss. This is no natural nightfall.”

“I’ve felt this…” Ochette said, her ears falling flat against her head as she pulled out her bow and pointed it into the darkness, “It’s just like before…On your guard, everyone!”

Osvald was quick to react, and he stepped protectively in front of the group, using his One True Magic to get the jump on the strange creatures that emerged from the darkness. With all of them working together, they made quick work of their assailants, and Osvald was left with many unanswered questions.

He listened intently as Castti and Ochette recalled seeing the creatures before, and he couldn’t help but see the similarities between them and Harvey’s bastardized version of the One True Magic, the Shadow…

“We need to check on the Sacred Flames,” Temenos said, “If they truly have been extinguished, then we must make haste to get them lit again. Let us split into pairs to cover more ground.” The group agreed, and they were quick to pack up camp.

“Osvald…” Partitio said as he heaved his bag onto his back, “What do you think of all this?”

Osvald closed his eyes and shook his head. “Further research is required…But we must find an answer to this conundrum.”

Partitio laughed and slapped a hand to his back. “That sounds just like you, darlin’.” He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, and punched a fist into his hand.

“Well, it's plain what we've got to do. Keep movin' forward, right? I'm amenable to that, so let's get a move on!” Partitio continued, turning to Osvald and taking his hand, “Let’s go see to our flame.”

“Well said.” Osvald nodded and entwined their fingers together. “Just…be careful, love.”

“You too, sweetheart.”

Osvald and Partitio bid their friends to stay safe as well, before they rushed off to Crackridge, mentally preparing themselves for whatever they might find there.

---

There are some things, Osvald noted, that you really can never prepare yourself for. Finding out that Partitio’s scrivener friend Ori had been working with Harvey was one of them.

“W-What in tarnation…” Partitio’s hands were trembling as he read the torn journal page that he held. Osvald tightened the grip that he had on his own page, tearing the paper slightly.

‘Osvald is sentenced to life imprisonment’ was the first sentence on the page, and a pit of unease settled in his gut. As he read more, his eyes narrowed and he set his jaw. Well, he never thought that he would be thanking Harvey for anything, but that damned ego of his gave Osvald the chance to survive and silence him for good, so he would extend the courtesy just this once.

“Hikari…You…Temenos…Castti…Me…” Partitio bit his lip so hard that he tasted blood, and tears welled up in his eyes as he looked up at Osvald, and his heart ached at the betrayed look on his face. “She was watchin’ all of us…I-I don’t know what to think…”

“Come here.” Osvald wrapped his arms around Partitio and pulled him into his warm, comforting embrace. They stood there for a while, with Osvald holding Partitio and letting him cry softly against his chest.

“Better?” Osvald asked when Partitio finally pulled away, and he swallowed thickly and nodded.

“Y-Yeah…Thanks,” Partitio said, a small smile crossing his face when Osvald placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, “Ori always seemed so cheerful and spirited. I never would have thought that she’d be harborin’ so much…disdain for humanity.”

“It is…surprising.” Osvald adjusted his glasses and took Partitio’s hand. “However, we cannot linger here. We must get to the flame.” Partitio nodded as he entwined their fingers, and they picked up more of Ori’s journal entries as they pressed deeper into the ruins.

When they reached the end, Partitio’s jaw dropped as he looked back and forth between the two statues flanking the Sacred Flame. There was no mistaking it; they were Bifelgan the Trader and Alephan the Scholarking.

“Hoo boy…We may have been onto somethin’ when we joked about channlin’ the gods back in Wellgrove…” Partitio said as he moved to stand in front of Bifelgan. He slowly reached out and brushed his fingers against the cold stone, and he gasped when the statue started giving off a blue glow.

Osvald didn’t respond, his jaw hanging open; he was stunned into silence. He examined Alephan carefully from all angles, before he followed Partitio’s lead and touched the statue.

“...Fascinating.” Osvald breathed, and Partitio was given pause at how beautiful he looked basked in the blue glow from the statue. Osvald’s gaze met his, and they both nodded, before moving to stand before the extinguished flame. Taking the mirror shard out that Temenos had given him, Osvald took Partitio’s hand and held it up before them.

Osvald cringed as his vision went black, and a scene played in his head of Ori extinguishing the flame with her own blood. His blood ran cold when the scene of Ori lying motionless before the snuffed out Sacred Flame faded away. When his senses had returned, Osvald quickly moved to catch Partitio before he fell to the ground; his legs had given out under him.

“Partitio?” Osvald’s tone was laced with worry, and Partitio sniffed as he shook his head.

“Ori…why?” he choked out, tears falling down his face, and Osvald cupped his cheeks and gently wiped them away with his thumbs. It hurt to see Partitio upset like this, but Osvald’s eyes widened as something important came to mind.

“Partitio, I heard from an apothecary in town,” Osvald said, and Partitio blinked away his tears and watched Osvald intently, “A woman was found collapsed near the Sacred Flame, and brought there for treatment.”

“Huh?” Partitio’s eyes went wide, and Osvald smiled as he brushed a few loose strands of hair from his face.

“She had brown hair and wore a cap, much like a scrivener,” he continued, and a smile slowly spread across Partitio’s face as he spoke, “After she regained consciousness, she simply…vanished.”

Partitio’s placed his hands on Osvald's arms and nodded. “That’s Ori, it’s gotta be.”

“But…if that’s true…” Partitio cast his gaze downward and worried his bottom lip between his teeth. “Then…what saved her?”

“It appears that her wounds fell just short of being fatal.”

Partitio let out a sigh of relief. “She must have changed her mind…just in the nick of time. She saw the worth in walkin’ towards the dawn.”

Osvald chuckled and slipped his fingers under his chin, tilting Partitio’s head up until he was looking him in the eyes. “Well, I can hazard a guess as to why she hesitated.” Partitio tilted his head, his brow furrowing with confusion, and Osvald took Partitio’s hand and lifted it to his face to place a gentle kiss onto the back of it.

“I believe it was thoughts of you that saved her life.”

Partitio blushed as the heat from Osvald’s lips spread from his hand all the way up his arm, and he raised a dubious eyebrow. “Me? Now, don’t be ridiculous! Like I’d have anything to do with that!” Partitio shook his head vigorously and waved his hand in front of him. Osvald rolled his eyes and grabbed his hands to stop him.

“Much like how you were able to mend my broken heart,” Osvald said as he pressed one of Partitio’s hands against his chest, and Partitio’s breath caught in his throat at the softness of Osvald’s gaze, “I think that you managed to sway Ori with your boundless positivity, sincerity, selflessness, and unwavering faith in the good of humanity.”

Partitio felt his face heat up considerably, and he rubbed at the back of his neck bashfully. “O-Osvald, you’re makin’ me blush…” As Osvald laughed, Partitio pulled the brim of his hat down over his face for a moment, before flicking it back up, revealing a fiery determination blazing in his eyes.

“...Well, no matter. As long as she’s alive, all’s well.” The smile fell slightly from his face, and Partitio crossed his arms over his chest. “But just where did she wander off to…?

Osvald studied Partitio over his glasses, taking note of how his brow furrowed and how he nervously wrung his hands together. Taking Partitio’s hand, he gave it a squeeze and rubbed the back of it with his thumb. Partitio took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and a bright grin was plastered on his face when he looked back at Osvald.

“Heh…I sure am lucky that you’re around to cheer me up, eh darlin’?” he said, and Osvald smiled as he pulled Partitio into a hug.

“Our journey isn’t over. We’d do well not to waste time in idle conversation.” Osvald hummed as he brushed his fingers through Partitio’s hair. “But if you must talk, then perhaps a different topic of conversation would suffice.”

Partitio’s eyes went wide, and he felt a few tears prick at the corners. He knew that Osvald disliked pointless small talk, so for him to suggest that…It made Partitio’s heart swell with happiness, and the tears he tried to hold back fell down his face. They were happy tears this time though, and Partitio laughed as he reached up to cup Osvald’s face, his fingers brushing through his soft beard.

“Osvald…Thankee kindly,” Partitio whispered, before he leaned up to place a tender kiss on Osvald’s lips. Their intimate embrace lasted only a few moments, and when Osvald pulled away, he pressed his forehead against Partitio’s and gazed deep into his eyes.

“I would do it a thousand times over for you, love.”

“Hehe,” Partitio giggled and took Osvald’s hand, “That’s mighty cheesy, sweetheart.”

“Perhaps, but I know you like it.”

“You got me there!”

They both laughed at that, and Osvald turned towards the Sacred Flame, which was blazing hot as it should be. Partitio’s face fell and his eyes narrowed. They had completed their mission, and now it was time to really get down to business.

“Let’s go and fight for the dawn, partner,” Partitio said, punching his fist into his hand and cracking his knuckles. Osvald nodded, taking Partitio’s hand, and they rushed to leave the ruins, eager to regroup with their friends in Flamechurch and save the world.

---

Vidania…The battlefield of the gods. If someone had told Osvald a year ago that he would end up here with a group of random strangers to fight for the fate of the world, he would have dismissed it as the ramblings of a madman. Yet here he was, with his closest companions, in the midst of a smothering shadow that threatened to end the coming of the dawn. Osvald would not - could not - allow that to happen.

As they approached an ominous staircase leading up the island, Partitio took a deep breath and tipped his hat. Their journey was coming to an end, and to what end rested on the shoulders of himself and his companions. He had a feeling that this last fight was going to be the toughest yet, and he turned to his friends with fire blazing in his eyes.

“Well well, looks like we've reached the final stop of our journey. I'm glad we saved the best for last,” he said, and they all nodded in agreement.

“All the answers I seek can be found here.” Osvald crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. Five years ago, he might not have cared if he lived to see the next day, but now…he had so much to live for. His friends, Elena, Partitio…They were all worth chasing the dawn.

The group of travelers wasted no time as they hurried up the stairs, and a familiar face was waiting for them at the top. Osvald listened with narrowed eyes as Oboro said his piece, and he scoffed when he asked a question of them:

"Can you tell me, without a shade of a doubt... that the dawn is worth all you have endured?"

“Nonsense,” Osvald said, crossing his arms over his chest as he shook his head, “Those who march toward the dawn will be welcomed in its embrace. Those who don't will be left behind. That's all there is.”

“Well said, partner,” Partitio chimed in, giving Osvald’s hand a squeeze as he tipped his hat at Oboro, “Allow me to share with you a nugget of wisdom...‘Haste makes waste, and you can't sell a horse without a herd.’”

Partitio reached into his pocket and plucked out a silver coin, flicking it into the air with his thumb. “You want somethin', you better not take any shortcuts to get it. If you want the future to be a brighter place, then it's up to you to make it shine. You got to polish it little by little. Day by day.”

“...Well said.” Osvald echoed Partitio’s sentiments as he gripped his hand tightly, and Partitio took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. They watched as Oboro gave himself to the shadow, and Osvald moved to stand protectively in front of his companions - his dearest friends - as Vide the Wicked appeared before them, speaking of devouring the world. Osvald would not allow that to happen, not while he still drew breath.

“We will not fall today. The source of your destruction stands before you now.” Light erupted around Osvald as the One True Magic coursed through his body, fueled by thoughts of his friends, his daughter, and the man that he loved. “Love will spell your doom!”

Partitio moved to stand at his side, spear gripped tightly in hand. “Hoo-ey, you got that right, darlin’! Time to charge headlong into a new day!” He grit his teeth and thrust his spear in Vide’s direction. “And when we get there, not a one of us will look back in regret!”

A loud cheer erupted from the rest of their friends, and the sounds of weapons being drawn filled the air. Osvald shared a glance with Partitio, and the fiery conviction that he saw in those bright blue eyes spurred him forth, and they began their final fight for the dawn.

---

In the end, the travelers had struck Vide down and managed to usher in the dawn, allowing life in Solestia to go on as it always had. They had returned to their camp in the Leaflands to resume their rudely interrupted night of relaxation and comradery. The next morning, it was time for them to finally part, and one by one they took their leave.

“Wahh, Pops, Parti! I’ll miss you!” A teary-eyed Ochette clung to Osvald’s back, burying her face into his hair one last time. Osvald never thought that he’d actually miss her climbing all over him, but as Ochette jumped back to the ground, he felt…bittersweet.

“Don’t worry Ochette! We’ll make sure to come and visit you!” Partitio said, laughing as he ruffled her hair. Ochette beamed as she hugged him tightly, and she wiped away her tears as Mahina flew to her side.

“During our journey I found something I never thought I would. Something even more important than meat. Until next time!” Ochette ran down the path leaving into the woods, turning back to give them one last wave, before she and Mahina disappeared into the wilderness. Osvald smiled as he watched her go, and he turned to Partitio when he heard him sniff.

“Well I'll be... Seems I've got somethin' in my eyes…” he choked out, tears falling down his face as he rubbed his eyes. Wrapping his arms around Partitio, Osvald pulled him into a hug.

“This isn’t goodbye forever. We will see them again,” Osvald said, reaching up to wipe away Partitio’s tears. Partitio let out a sigh as he rest his head against Osvald’s chest.

“Yeah, I know. It’s just gonna be weird not having our rowdy bunch of friends together all the time, you know?”

“...That I can agree with.”

Partitio went oddly silent for a few moments, before he pulled away and took Osvald’s hand. “Hey, sweetheart? Now that we’ve taken care of Harvey’s accomplices and made it through the whole savin’ the world thing, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Oh?” Osvald raised a curious eyebrow and he let Partitio lead him to one of the logs near their campfire. He sat down and watched as Partitio rummaged through his travel bag, where he pulled out something strange: a set of lockpicks.

“Um, so…” Partitio sat down next to him and Osvald followed his gaze to the collar around his neck. “Throné taught me how to pick locks, so if you’re ready, I reckon I can get that collar off of you.”

Osvald’s felt his throat tighten as he reached up to brush the chain the dangled over his chest. His mission was indeed over. He had saved Elena, and made sure that the dawn would always come for her, as well as himself, his friends, and the man that he loved. He swallowed thickly, blinking away the moisture in his eyes, and he nodded.

“I’d…like that.”

“Great!” Partitio beamed as he started to work at the lock right away, and Osvald sat as still as possible, his heartbeat hammering hard in his chest with his anticipation. It seemed like an eternity, but eventually he heard a ‘click’ and Partitio pulled the collar away with a big grin on his face.

“There we go! How do you feel, darlin’?”

“I feel…” Osvald rubbed at his entire neck for the first time in over five years, and tears fell down his face as he smiled at Partitio, “I feel free.”

“Aw, Osvald…” Partitio smiled softly as he pulled Osvald into a hug and let him cry on his shoulder. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what Osvald had gone through during his five year imprisonment, but he figured it must feel pretty damn good to have that reminder of that time finally gone.

Osvald composed himself and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Partitio. Words cannot describe how much this means to me.”

“Don’t thank me yet!” Partitio grinned and shot up, going over to his bag to rummage through it again. “‘Cause I’ve got another surprise for you!”

Osvald raised a curious eyebrow at him; he had no idea what else he could possibly surprise him with. Partitio pulled out a large box and returned to sit on the log, practically shaking with a giddy excitement as he shoved the box at Osvald.

“What is this?”

“Just open it already!”

A dubious look crossed his face as Partitio stared at him with bated breath. Osvald decided not to keep him waiting any longer and he opened the box, and his jaw dropped when he looked inside.

“T-This is…” Osvald mumbled as he pulled out a long coat. There was also a vest, pants, cravat…it was an entire outfit. He was rendered speechless, and he could only look at Partitio with his mouth agape.

“I hope ya like it!” Partitio gushed, smacking a hand to Osvald’s back. “You see, when Agnea gave us those fancy dancer outfits, I figured I could commission her pa to make an outfit for you, and now seemed like a perfect time to gift it to you!”

“Partitio…you didn’t have to…” Osvald was still stunned, and Partitio laughed as he helped him to his feet.

“I wanted to, darlin’! Now let’s see ‘em on ya!” Partitio quickly helped Osvald shed his prison rags and soon enough, he was sporting a rather dashing new look, and Partitio’s eyes sparkled at how handsome he looked.

Partitio tied Osvald’s hair back with a ribbon, and then placed the top hat on his head. “There, the finishing touch!” He let out a whistle and gave him a once-over.

“Shee-oot! You’re lookin’ mighty handsome sweetheart-” Partitio said, but he was cut off when Osvald suddenly pulled him into a very tight hug.

“O-Osvald…can’t…breath…” Partitio squeaked out, and his eyes widened when Osvald squeezed him tighter still and started sobbing.

“Darlin’...” Partitio whispered, and a soft smile crossed his face as he wrapped his arms around Osvald, gently rubbing his back as he continued to cry.

“Y-You’re…too good for me, Partitio…” Osvald choked out, and Partitio chuckled as he shook his head.

“Hogwash. We talked about this already, Osvald.” Partitio cupped Osvald’s face when he finally pulled away, and he gently kissed away the tears that clung to Osvald’s cheeks.

“T-Tickles…” Osvald mumbled, letting out a chuckle when Partitio nuzzled his nose against his own.

“Hehe, I know.” Partitio pressed his forehead against Osvald’s and looked him in the eyes. “I’m proud of you, Osvald. You saved Elena and completed your mission, and watching you overcome every obstacle in your path, well…It makes me so happy to see you finally happy.”

Osvald sniffed as a few more tears fell down his face, and he pushed his glasses up so that he could rub at his eyes. “…I couldn’t have done it without you, Partitio. If I didn’t have you to pick me up at my lowest point, I don’t think I could have achieved what I did.”

“I was happy to help!” Partitio took Osvald’s hands and gave them a squeeze. “Even before I fell in love with you, I could see the good man that was buried under all that pain and heartbreak.”

Partitio lifted one of Osvald’s hands to his face and placed a kiss on the back of it, and he smiled when Osvald’s cheeks turned a light pink in color. “And I see him now, standing in front of me, and I count myself as the luckiest man in the world that that man loves me in return.”

“Partitio…” Osvald let out a deep sigh as he pulled him into another hug, “You’re…a remarkable person, and by my calculations it is in fact me that is the luckiest man in the world, being loved by you.”

“Hehe, we’ll have to agree to disagree, darlin’!” Partitio’s laughter was cut off when Osvald kissed him, deep and tender and full of love, and Partitio melted into his embrace.

After they had parted, Partitio pursed his lips and shifted awkwardly on his feet. Osvald raised an eyebrow at him and waited for him to explain his sudden change in demeanor.

“Hey, Osvald?” Partitio looked back at him as he took his hat off and wrung it in his hands. “Now that we’ve taken care of all of Harvey’s accomplices, what will you do now?”

Osvald closed his eyes as he stroked his beard. “The pursuit of knowledge is endless, and so my journey continues.” He opened his eyes and smiled at Partitio, before turning his gaze to the sky.

“This time, however, I have a place to return to. A home. I…think I’m ready to go see Elena.”

Partitio beamed and slapped a hand to Osvald’s back. “I was hoping that you’d say that! I’m sure that Elena will remember you when she finally sees you!”

“I…really do hope so, Partitio.” Osvald set his jaw as a nervous pit formed in his gut. It was wishful thinking on his part. What if she didn’t remember him, or never did? Or what if she rejected him outright? The negative possibilities were overwhelming…

“Osvald, I wanna come with you.”

Blinking with surprise, Osvald looked at Partitio with a dubious eyebrow raised. “Don’t you have a company to run, Mr. President?”

Partitio laughed and placed his hat back on his head, flicking the brim up with his finger. “Well, sure. I suppose the real work's only just begun, and I've got a long road ahead of me! And I won't quit it until that devil called poverty is driven from the world!” Partitio thrust his arm in front of him as he flicked a silver coin to the air with his thumb, and Osvald rolled his eyes as he chuckled at the spectacle.

“That being said…” Partitio turned back to Osvald and took his hand. “I reckon it might be a bit hard for ya to go back to Elena on your own, so I wanna be there to support you.”

“And…” Partitio blushed as he rubbed at the back of his neck, “I just…well…I wanna stay by your side. I really am serious about us…I-I know it might be a bit too soon to say that, but…I’ve never felt so much love for someone before. I just know that this is the real deal.”

Osvald’s heart raced and his jaw hung open slightly as Partitio continued. “It’ll be hard at first, with me workin’ in Clockbank and all, but if you’re up for it, maybe we can relocate there? B-But only if Elena is okay with it…and, well, I guess I’ve gotta see if she likes me first, so maybe I am taking this too fast-”

Osvald burst out laughing, interrupting Partitio, and he pulled him into a hug. “Calm down, dear. We have time to figure out all of the details, so to address your first point: Yes, I would love it if you came back to Conning Creek with me. As for the rest, well, let’s just take things one step at a time.”

“Haha, sorry sweetheart,” Partitio chuckled as he rest his head against Osvald’s chest, “Got a bit carried away there.”

“A bit?”

“C’mon Osvald,” Partitio pressed his chin to Osvald’s chest and pouted up at him, “I just…love you so much, it kinda makes me feel a bit crazy…”

“Maybe you should have an apothecary examine your head for injuries.”

Partitio stuck his tongue out at him, and Osvald laughed. “Although, I think that I’d have to get my head examined as well, given that my love for you exceeds any rational amount.”

“...Ya know, I think I like this cheesy side of you quite a bit.” Partitio snickered as he pulled away from Osvald and gazed around their camp. “So, whaddya say we pack up and get a move on then?”

Osvald nodded in agreement, and in no time at all they were ready to hit the road. Partitio smiled as he adjusted the pack on his back, and he took Osvald’s hand in his.

“Hey, Osvald? Is it okay if we make a slight detour on the way to Conning Creek?”

Osvald raised an eyebrow at him. “Yes, but why?”

Partitio beamed as he rubbed the brim of his hat and gave Osvald’s hand a squeeze. “‘Cause, I wanna stop by Oresrush and introduce my sweetheart to my pops!” Osvald chuckled as he nodded.

“I see. Is that the real reason why you got me new clothes, so that I looked presentable for your father?”

Partitio laughed and slapped his knee. “Yep, ya caught me! Although, to be honest, I don’t think my pops would care if you showed up in nothin’ but a potato sack, as long as you show him that you’re an upstanding kinda person!” he teased, winking as Osvald’s laughter joined his, and he shook his head.

“I see. You seem pretty confident that he will like me.”

“You bet! I just know deep down in my heart that he’s gonna love you!”

“...If you say so.”

Partitio beamed as he leaned up to kiss Osvald. “I love you, Osvald. Let’s get a move on and start this new journey of ours, eh?”

“I love you too, Partitio.” Osvald tipped his hat and reached up to caress Partitio’s cheek, before he took his hand again. With that, they set off for Oresrush. Osvald didn’t know what would happen during his reunion with Elena, but with Partitio by his side - with his boundless positivity lighting their way - for the first time in a long time, he felt confident that everything was going to be okay.

#octopath traveler 2 #octopath traveler 2 spoilers #osvald v. vanstein #partitio yellowil #osvald x partitio #fanfiction #jade writes fanfiction #osvitio

[jeannereames]

Super weird question, but how did women in ancient times deal with their periods? Was it taboo? Was it acknowledged at all?

Pretty much everywhere, women on their menses have been expected to take special care, as bleeding is viewed as disruptive. What “disruptive” means, however, varies, and here we get into technicalities that can sound a bit odd to modern ears. Stick with me. I’m going to divide this into “How menstruating women were viewed” versus “What women actually did about it.”

Part I: How menstruation was viewed

Throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Ancient Near East (ANE), both women menstruating and women who’d just given birth were regarded as “ritually unclean.”

This should not be confused with sin. First, “sin” was much more of a thing in the ANE (and Carthage) than in Greece and Rome, where “impiety” mattered more. This is not hair-splitting. While “sin” could include strictly religious affronts, it also embraced a lot of what we’d call immoral behavior. By contrast, “impiety” might include moral affronts, but was more focused on religious error.

I’m trying to avoid going down the rabbit-hole of sin vs. impiety. The main thing I want to point out is that sin in the ANE carries different overtones than Greco-Roman impiety. And neither of them is necessarily connected to ritual impurity.

Certain aspects of human life were “unclean” and all involved bodily fluids. These “unclean” actions or states are things that you are not allowed to enter a sanctuary after doing, or are not allowed to do in a sanctuary. And I say “sanctuary” (temenos) because this is the broadest term for “land that is cut off as sacred.” Sacred space was set apart for the gods.

For the Greeks, one was not permitted to kill in a sanctuary, or have sex. One might be bad, but the other wasn’t. Similarly, someone who’d committed murder (not in war), especially kin murder, was barred, even if the killing was accidental. And not only could you not have sex IN a sanctuary, if you’d had sex the night before, you couldn’t enter until taking a special bath. Likewise, a woman on her menses couldn’t enter a sanctuary, nor could a woman who’d given birth. A certain number of days were required for a new mother to wait. That doesn’t mean having a period, much less giving birth, were “bad” things. Certain diseases weren’t permitted in some sanctuaries (except those to Asclepius). All Greek (and Roman) sanctuaries had “rules” about who was, and wasn’t, allowed inside that could be highly arbitrary. Some sites permitted only members of that city-state, or perhaps barred members of certain other city-states. Spartans might be barred from sanctuaries in Argos, for instance. Some sites wouldn’t allow women, others allowed only married women, etc. Many if not most chthonic sites required the one entering to have no bindings, from sandal lacings to braided hair. The restrictions depended on the god (or hero) involved.

But the broader matter of ritually clean or unclean spanned sites. Being “cleansed” was usually pretty easy. It involved taking a bath, or waiting a given set of days. In the case of murder, it might be more complicated, and involve a trip to Delphi (to be thwapped on the shoulders with a laurel branch), but the MORAL side wasn’t considered. So if you had sex with your wife, or committed adultery with your neighbor’s wife… either way, you’re ritually unclean. If you killed your brother with premeditation, or just knocked over somebody accidentally in the street who hit his head on a rock (and died)…you’re ritually unclean.

It’s not that murder or adultery wouldn’t carry their own CIVIC repercussions, but in terms of religious purity, it’s a different matter.

In the ANE, similar restrictions surrounded menstruating women (or those who’d recently given birth). There, it was also ritual purity, not sin, and the concern is sacred space.

Now, if you want a completely different view, I give you American Indian attitudes, at least those I know of the NE woodlands. Here, also, menstruating women were restricted in their contact, mainly with medicine men (not necessarily medicine women), as well as where they could sit relative to the Grandfather Drum. But in this case, it’s because menstruating women were regarded as so much more powerful than men, they disrupted male medicine. Why? They could give birth. (How this fit into ideas of the third gender varied, but there were men, and male-bodied; women and female-bodied, so a menstruating man might be subject to the same restrictions.) In any case, here, too, women’s menses were disruptive but for positive reasons.

We have to figure out how any particular group actually understood what was going on, not make assumptions based on our (culture-locked) views of their (equally culture-locked) actions.

Part II: What did you do when Auntie Flo came to visit?

Before I go into details, let me first recommend a really great book that addresses not just the status of women in ancient Greece but women’s health using the Hippokratic Corpus. As I frequently tell my students, the status of women in ancient societies depends on two things: control of fertility, and control of her own finances. Demand’s book addresses especially the former, and she talks about the states of a woman’s life, from birth to first menses to marriage to childbirth to menopause (for those lucky enough to live that long).

Birth, Death and Motherhood in Classical Greece, Nancy Demand, Johns Hopkins UP, 1990.

So, the practical side.

The BIG problem with such logistical matters is 1) that stuff doesn’t survive except under special, unusual circumstances, and 2) men mostly ignored what women did about Those Things. So they didn’t write about it. But we know a few things.

The first tampons, at least in the west (not counting Americas), seem to have been invented by the Egyptians. Softened papyrus around a reed. (Even softened…ow.) I note that women in Egyptian society had relatively high status and more freedom, so the fact they invented tampons doesn’t surprise me.

I wish we knew more about societies like the Scythians, where women regularly rode and (past a certain age) fought on horseback. Similarly with the Illyrians. But at least the concept of a “plug” was out there early. The Hippocratic corpus says Greek women put lint around a stick: same purpose. Romans used wool.

But these societies aren’t giving tampons to virginal girls. And not just because it might be uncomfortable. It could break the hymen…and that’s potentially disastrous for her reputation. But also, ancient tampons probably wouldn’t have been easy for young girls to use. (Modern tampons aren’t always easy for young girls to use,)

There are mentions of something like a menstrual belt, with clips for cloth pads. One can assume an enterprising ancient woman came up with the idea of a pad between the legs and something to hold it up pretty early. Certainly, the notion of the “girdle” was known to the Greeks and associated with virginity, first menarch, and marriage.

Other societies, however, weren’t that kind. Women stuffed rags into their underwear. Or they simply bled into their clothes. (Yuk.) My impression, though, is that just because the society in question isn’t writing about it (assuming they’re writing at all) doesn’t mean women IN that society hadn’t figured out how to deal with Auntie Flo. Certainly, there’s also hints of various teas brewed to deal with cramps.

A final, sorta wacky ancient idea I’ll leave you with … as I’ve mentioned in a few asks before, the ancients mostly had bad knowledge of women’s bodies. They thought the womb sorta wandered around inside the body causing havoc unless a woman was preggers. They also didn’t understand that menstrual “blood” was mostly fluid (and a little blood to give it color) from the womb shedding. They thought it was blood, which came from all parts of the woman’s body. And they assumed she was losing a LOT more of it than we know today to be true, even for those with a heavy flow.

But they also believed it was that blood from which babies were made. It was almost like soil, into which the father planted seed. Once fertilized, the blood turned into flesh and “built” a baby.

Yeah, weird, but they didn’t understand reproductive cell replication.

Another titbit…even at a very early period, menstruation was connected to the moon. Modern research has shown little connection between lunar cycle and menstruation (aside from the 28-day thing), but the ancients believed in it. So “moon-bleed” is a not uncommon term for menstruation. And of course, the term “menses” is the plural of the Latin word for “month.”

#menstruation #menses #ancient menstruation #ancient attitudes about female menstruation #ancient tampons #Egyptian tampons #menstrual pad belts #Nancy Demand #ancient Greek views of women's bodies #ritual purity #ritual impurity #Classics #tagamemnon #asks

[thesilverdragoon]

Bumps and Bruises

Previous: An Iron Grip

Next: By Order of the Exarch

Vesevont landed on the ground backside first as the viera captain, Lyna, circled around him like a wolf who’d managed to single out its next meal. "I thought you said you were trained."

"I am!- I was… ow… it's been a long time since I've had to do any fighting like this," The Ishgardian groaned as he got back to his feet with a slight wobble.

"Mayhaps if you direct more of that energy you spend on complaining into your messy footwork, you may be able to land a hit on me yet." Lyna goaded him on.

Training and assessing novices wasn't something she typically had the time for. But the Exarch had absolutely insisted she take the outlander out for a practice session. He wouldn't explain why, of course, but she'd come to expect that from him. He always had his reasons. She just hoped that the answers would come to the surface a lot sooner than they usually did.

She twirled her sword in her hand as easily as a baton. "Again. Better this time. Faster. Harder."

Ves' ears pinned back in annoyance as he clutched his own weapon with his prosthetic arm. He'd lost his sword-arm to Puffy when they had rejoined together again in Coerthas, and he hadn't the time nor the need to practice fighting anything while he recovered.

He became used to using his right hand for more mundane activities of course, but not combat.

Using the prosthetic for swashbuckling and sword swinging felt awkward and clumsy, despite him finally growing accustomed to the weight of it. Regardless of its impressive range of movement, it still couldn't account for the real thing. And it never would.

He didn't want to fight anymore. But Lyna wouldn't let him quit.

"Hurry up. The eaters won't wait for you. And neither will I." She suddenly lunged for him swinging her sword down hard, leaving the knight barely any time to react (a more recently trained soldier would have begged to differ.)

The sounds of their steel rung in the Temenos Rookery where they kept pastures for the furry flying beasts they called amaro.

Quite strange looking things… Puffy would try to catch a glance at them every time Ves' back faced one of the holding pens, putting the poor beasts on edge.

On one of the nearby corrals the worm spotted a boy standing on the fence boards, watching them eagerly.

The young dark haired elezen boy with the ball from the marketplace.

Ves tumbled backwards suddenly, startling the worm enough to let out a shriek as they both flopped down into the dirt ungracefully.

Arval laughed from his place at the fence as another boy, his brother, came up from behind him.

"What are you doing?" Fenick eyed the scene before them, sticking his head in between the fence boards rather than standing on the middle one like Arval had been.

"Watching Captain Lyna beat up the old man! He's Eulmoran you know. I saw him with the others in the marketplace yesterday! He got hit with the ball right in the face on accident."

Fenick raised a brow curiously as he turned his attention back to the two. "How do you know he's Eulmoran? They don't like it here, even if they DO run away."

"Look at his coat! Have you seen anything that fancy around here?" Arval pointed at Vesevont. "That means he had money at some point. Pixies got to him he said! Poor sod."

Fenick hummed in disbelief as Lyna shoved the old man back into the dirt. "He's not very good at fighting, is he?"

"Not at all! He's probably going to have to pay a visit to mum after all that."

The sparring went on for a little while longer, until Lyna decided enough was enough for one day.

"I'm not sure who taught you, but your swings are too readable. Too stiff. You need to work on the flow and timing. Next time it will be against a more appropriate sparring partner than I." Lucky for him, she wanted to say. But she kept it to herself.

Ves panted as he leaned forward, hands on his knees. "What's… what's wrong with the way I... fight?" He remembered the techniques Ishgard drilled into his head. They were perfectly fine under any other circumstance. And certainly fine enough for fighting dragons with. Sin eaters were just a different flavor of beast.

Lyna, however, danced around as she fought and never held still. It was hard to catch her and stay in range long enough to actually strike out against her.

He could feel Puffy snickering at him from his back. If only the worm was allowed to help him... But... 

He could hear the Exarch’s words in his head, and for whatever reason, they always gave him a harsh sense of deja vu. “A time and place for everything, my friend. But not now...”

Lyna frowned. "You need to work on listening as well. No matter... enough for today. I will report your progress to the Crystal Exarch when I have finished my daily duties. Go and get yourself cleaned up." She came to his side, pulled him back up by the arm (before dusting his sleeve off a little for good measure) and turning her back to him, walking away and back to the Rotunda.

Ves eventually was able to catch his breath. His knees hurt, his elbows hurt, his head, his ribs- every little thing. Lyna really knew how to hurt someone when she needed to. And she wasn't even trying, he would have bet.

"You almost had her that one time!" Arval called out, climbing over the fence and hopping back down onto the dirt.

Fenick followed him by stepping through the fence instead.

The knight paused and looked around before he turned and saw the two boys approaching him, one of which he recognized. How long had they been there? "Oh. You're the one with the ball back in the marketplace, right?"

"That's right!"

"Ah… er… what...are you doing here? If you don't mind me asking." This area didn't look like a place for children to play. Especially not with the brutal looking amalj'aa keepers around (or the Zun, as Lyna had called them.)

"Watching you and Captain Lyna spar. It was good fun!" Arval grinned as Fenick cringed at about the same time.

Ves pursed his lips. These children watched him get knocked around in the dust. And so gleefully too. Well, one of them anyway.

He eyed Fenick then. "And...you are??"

"Fenick, I'm his older brother."

"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you?"

"You look like you could use a trip to the Spagyrics. Have you ever been there? Mum works there. She'll be able to clean you up in no time!" Arval suggested as he quickly began to lead the way with Fenick following behind him.

"Your m- oh! I believe I've met her already. Hanameen, yes? Brown hair, long ears," ...Adorable freckles-

"Yes! Wait- you met mum already??"

"Yes, my arm was hurting me the other day. So she took me upstairs to the craftsman terrace up on the top floor to find someone to fix it for me. I was there all evening yesterday."

Arval paused and waited for Ves to catch up before coming closer to look at his prosthetic. "Your arm? Can I see??"

The Ishgardian stooped lower a bit so that they could both look if they wanted to.

Arval's eyes lit up. Even Fenick came closer to have a look, only he was more sheepish about it.

"I don't think I've ever seen anything like yours before! Where'd you get it??" The old man definitely had to be Eulmoran. Without a doubt.

"A friend built it for me; her family makes these. They're very talented." 

"I wish I had one, it looks so cool.."

"N-no, you might reconsider when it gets stuck or starts hurting your back or whatever else!"

"Well it's attached to your shoulder, not your back."

"Your shoulder connects to your back."

"WELL-"

Fenick remained quiet as the two bantered along the way. Something about the old man was… odd. He could have sworn he'd seen something in his coat moving at one point, but it was impossible to tell otherwise.

The Spagyrics came into view, and the three walked inside. "Mum! The old man's gotten himself beat to a pulp by Captain Lyna!!" Arval announced, leaving Vesevont incredibly red in the face.

Hanameen glanced up from wrapping another soldier's arm in linens. "I'll be a minute!"

"Well now! Back so soon?? It's only been a day. Vesevont was it?" Chessamile chuckled from her desk, once again busy with her log book.

Steam could have been coming out of Ves' ears by that point. "Yes ma'am."

"You should have been there- Captain Lyna was throwing him around all over the place like a blanket that needs a good dusting!" Arval began to swing his arms in very dramatic sword-wielding-like fashion.

"No- it wasn't like that." Ves retorted, trying to look at a wall or a shelf instead of anybody directly.

Arval paused. "You’re right- it was more like this," He yelled and threw himself on the floor.

Fenick's ears were completely pinned back at the embarrassing display (right along with the old man,) and he floated off towards the back where his mother worked.

"Now you're just exaggerating it too much!!”

"If you were an eater you would have exploded into a shower of sparkling aether! Poof!! Like a cloud!" Arval picked himself back up, moving his hands in an outwards motion as Ves groaned.

"Arval leave the man alone! Any more of that and he's going to stay that shade of red for the rest of his life!" Hanameen scolded from behind one of the dividers. She couldn’t even see him and somehow she knew (Ves wanted to hide.)

Arval winced but still held a smile on his face. "At least that would mean you're not white as a sheet... We’d have to start panicking then."

Eventually Hanameen came over, eyeing Ves up and down and shaking her head, clicking her tongue a few times for good measure. "I'll fetch you a basin. You don't look too bad, maybe a bandage and a bit of salve here and there once you wash all that dirt off and you'll be good to go get beat up again."

Ves sputtered as she turned and walked away to the other side of the room as Arval giggled to himself.

When she returned she set the water-filled basin down on the floor at his feet and threw a few clean rags at his lap, then quickly walked over to a shelf filled to the brim with potions and salves and other sorts of colorful liquids in equally colorful bottles. Fenick had retreated there earlier and remained close to her, watching the old man warily from afar.

"So, when are you going to actually go out and fight eaters instead of fighting the dirt??" Arval asked, leaning against the edge of the cot in which Vesevont had sat.

"Fight? You mean the sin eaters?? Oh no no no- I'm not doing anything of the sort."

"But you were sparring with Captain Lyna! Doesn't that mean you're going to join the guard and help defend the Crystarium?? You need a job right??"

"Arval you'd best watch where that tongue of yours is wagging." Chessamile warned from her desk.

Arval groaned aloud before looking towards his mother who had returned with a short and round glass bottle in hand. The sour smell of herbs clung to it.

"Arval," Hanameen eyed him.

"Well… I guess he is a bit old,"

"Arval!"

The boy quickly darted away towards the back of the room.

Hanameen sighed. "Sorry about him. He gets too excited sometimes.

Done scrubbing off??"

Ves blinked a few times as he went back to wiping off the dirt from the few scrapes and bumps he had collected in the short time he sparred with the viera. Or viis. Or whatever Lyna was. Whatever anyone was anymore. "It's no trouble really, my own son was a handful, so I know what you mean. He was shy, but he had his moments. Very outspoken ones." Just remembering those moments made him chuckle. "Oh- yes, I am, sorry."

"Oh! I had no idea. How old?" Hanameen asked as she knelt down, cotton in one hand, now uncorked bottle in the other.

"He'd be about twenty now I believe. Time certainly flies all too quickly."

"Ah… I see." She didn't ask beyond that. Instead, she pressed the cotton piece to the lid of the bottle, turned it upside down, and then pressed it lightly onto one of the few scrapes. It burned immediately.

The Ishgardian looked away and scrunched up his nose briefly before the sensation faded. "He uh… Arval, was it? Seems to really like the guard."

"Oh, that's because their father Gennar is one. He’s stationed at Fort Jobb most days. He's gone for a week or maybe several and then he comes home for a few nights. It's hard sometimes, but you have to manage as best as you can, right?"

Ves hummed in agreement as his head drifted off into memories of pulling very, very long shifts at the Vigils. He'd be stationed for weeks, maybe months at one before moving on to the next.

Those days were very wearing. When he'd heard he was to finally be permanently stationed at Whitebrim, it had truly been a blessing.

Again came the burning cotton with the salve and his breath hitched suddenly. "Ow-"

"Hold still,"

"I am,"

After a few more times Hanameen stood up again to put the bottle away. "There we are. Try not to roll around in the muck and they'll be healed up in no time. They weren't so bad.”

Ves sat there, watching her move to and fro almost falling into a sort of trance before shaking his head slightly. "I won't.

...Roll in dirt that is." He quickly added as he got to his feet, his knees creaking. "I don't have pay-"

"Oh it's not a bother. You know how much I wish I were treating only minor scrapes and bumps all day long? It would mean there's less trouble in the world." Hanameen rolled her eyes. "Speaking of, find some ice for those lumps on your head lest they turn to horns. That goes for the rest of the bruises I see beginning to form already. They’ll be only end up purple as opposed to yellow, green, red, blue, and a whole myriad of other colors."

Ves reached up towards the spot on his head tenderly. "I'll try…"

As he wandered away from the Spagyrics, Arval came to the doorway and watched him go. "I like him, he's funny!"

"I have a feeling we'll be seeing him a lot." Chessamile said aloud, mostly to herself. "He seems like the sort."

Fenick scowled and joined his brother, glaring at the old man's back as he wandered off towards the other side of the Crystarium. "Didn't you see the way he was looking at mum?"

"Huh? No." Arval tilted his head in confusion.

"Well, I did.

He looked at her like father does. He can't do that!"

Arval glanced at him, and then back outside. "...Well, I think he's funny… and nice." He didn’t believe him.

Fenick gave a sharp hmph before making his way back to Hanameen protectively.

"Fenick?? What's wrong??" She asked, looking down at him as he clung onto her and pulled on her arm a little.

"Nothing," He muttered darkly, shoving his face onto her apron afterwards.

#dovah writing #ves gets beat up chapter 308393993 #i actually had to proofread this it was pretty IN NEED OF IT

[tobiasdrake]

So that was Temenos Chapter 5.

Kaldena makes for an odd foil to Temenos. In the sense that Temenos is a proper misotheist, applying a level of scrutiny and skepticism even to the heavens and refusing to accept "Because God said so" as a valid reason to do something even if it's true.

Where Kaldena is a Hollywood Misotheist. "I hate the gods for the sin of making humans! Humans are wicked and all deserve death, and gods are wicked for making such wicked things as humans! I will kill all humans and kill all gods out of spite! Death for all and all for death!"

Like Trousseau, basically every single line out of her mouth is just, "I am the bad guy. Please beat me to death with a stick." She has pretensions of a sympathetic backstory but there really isn't anything more going on here than "Card-Carrying Supervillain wants to exterminate the globe because she's evil."

She also gets marked down in the Magneto category, under the header "Can we please stop making victims of genocide into heinous supervillains who want to perpetrate more genocides"? Like, the Cycle of Violence is irritating enough as a victim-blaming villain motive, but writers constantly applying it to genocide is several degrees of magnitude worse.

Being a victim of genocide does not typically make people want to go out and commit more genocides.

Kaldena feels like she could be a tragic figure. Falling into the sway of what is presumably the same dark force that drove the Moonshades to commit the massacre of the Kal in the first place. She didn't survive the extermination of the Kal, but rather, converted to the enemy's side.

But she's so far over-the-top about it that it becomes impossible to see her as anything more than Insert Bad Guy Here. It feels wrong to call something an overreaction to genocide but like I said, the jump from "My people were slaughtered and my dad died in front of me" to "exterminate the globe and burn the heavens, all must die for my vengeance" is such an extreme leap that this stops being any sort of identifiable character at all.

It's likely that we're going to find out that Trousseau and Kaldena are acting like this because they're being controlled by the Shadow. But that doesn't change the fact that as characters, they're pretty disappointing. They feel very much like hollow vessels of evil rather than people. Which is not mitigated by the likelihood that they might literally be hollow vessels of evil.

As villains go, a nebulous force of pure evil will never be as interesting as a person.

(Also, given how hard Temenos plays the "Doubt is what I do" card, pitting him up against a Heretic in a straightforward "Non-Believer DARES to threaten our Church!?" scenario is a terribly unimpressive way to wrap up his story. They whip out The Line in an attempt to make it triumphant, but it falls flat as a response to "Why won't you kill the world with me?" when all other contexts were about his relationship with faith.)

Not loving this one. Hopefully the endgame investigation into the Moonshades, who are explicitly motivated by My God Said So, will be a better conclusion for him.

#octopath traveler 2 #octopath 2 blind play #temenos mistral

[beantothemax]

If the church looked spooky outside, it wad plain freaky on the inside. It was dim and dusty, and both of their phone flashlights did barely anything to fix that issue. Pews were lined up all the way to an altar, where dark stains were splattered on the surface. The same dark stains were splotched on the floor leading up to the altar, and Thronè knelt down to investigate, phone screen indicating that she was recording. “...Blood,” she announced after a second. “Either that, or someone spilt a lot of red paint.” Temenos swallowed around a lump that had formed in his throat, and instead focused on something else- something he wished he hadn’t,

“Oh gods... Thronè, stop recording.”

“What? Why, we just got to the good part!”

“Thronè, stop recording!”

Thronè fumbled with her phone, and paused the video. Temenos stared at what he’d seen, stomach swirling with disgust.

A corpse sat slumped in a corner, knife sticking out of his chest. He had scraggly strawberry-blonde hair that must have been beautiful in life, and tan skin that had long-since lost its colour, His grey shirt had been stained with blood, and his jeans were tattered and bloody at the knees. Temenos’s mind reeled. Was there a connection between the injuries on the man’s knees and the stains on the altar?

Kneeling was a common position to pray in, after all...

Temenos approached the body carefully, and saw a nametag hanging from his neck.

Crick Wellsley, Youth Pastor

“... This man worked here. He was the youth pastor. ...Thronè, we need to leave, now!”

He heard Thronè stir beside him. “Right behind you.”

As the two raced to the open door, their efforts were in vain, as the door slammed shut- most likely from the wind- and locked tight, and the windows wouldn’t open.

“LET US OUT!” Thronè screamed, but to no avail.

To any outsider, their wails would sound like the whooshing of the wind.

(getting crick out of the way early i see)

ooo the tension is palpable… I’m makin a tension smoothie as I speak. I am. IMMEDIATLY hooked on this concept

#asks