#warlock dialing

[megamindsupremacy]

A personal favorite Good Omens headcanon of mine is that, despite being born an entirely human person, Warlock has a bit of reality warping powers. In the book (less so in the show, but still there to an extent), a lot of emphasis is placed on how Crowley and Aziraphale expect things to happen, and so they do. Aziraphale expects a phone to work by just talking to it without pushing buttons, so it does. Crowley expects his plants to grow better when he yells at them, so they do.

And of course, for eleven years, they both expect Warlock to be the Antichrist.

Warlock literally spent eleven years getting molded back-and-forth by Aziraphale and Crowley to be this or that sort of magical. Can you really expect that to not make any sort of difference to him? Crowley and Aziraphale expected Warlock to be the Antichrist so hard (because they literally didn’t even know there was another option) that I wouldn’t be surprised if Warlock was more Antichrist-like than Adam at this point. Adam grew up human (enough) and then revoked all of his Antichrist powers at the end of the book. He’s a regular human kid now. Warlock is probably more powerful than Adam at this point because it wasn’t just Crowley and Aziraphale who expected him to be incomprehensibly powerful- Warlock believes it himself. His name is Warlock, for fucks sake, that’s gotta do something to him.

#mads posts #warlock dialing #good omens #aziraphale #Crowley #Adam young #kinda #listen I am the number one warlock fan. put him in s3 or I will cry #he’s POWERFUL. let him be antichrist numero dos just for funsies. he’d be more chaotic about it than Adam

[wynnyfryd]

Trailer park Steve AU part 50

part 1 | part 49 | ao3

cw: angst, canon-typical violence, period-typical homophobia

Steve gets the full story from Jeff later that night.

After Eddie and Wayne come out of the bathroom — after Eddie goes straight to his room and shuts the door without so much as a glance in Steve's direction, after Wayne clears his throat and suggests they all clear out and give the kid a night to cool off — Steve drags himself back to his trailer and paces for a while. Tries not to feel horribly rejected, which is...

It's fucking ridiculous, is what it is.

Stupid to be focusing on his own dumb feelings right now.

Eddie's the one with a pulverized face.

So anyway, Jeff. Steve dials his number, and it feels weird that he even has his number at all — weirder still that, of all the guys in Corroded Coffin, he and Jeff have the most in common. Makes sense, though; Jeff's the only one who likes professional sports even a little.

"Hello?" Jeff's nasal voice comes over the line.

He sounds like his usual self — doesn't sound like he got pummeled, at least. Steve paces a tighter circle, says, "Hey, man, it's Steve."

Jeff makes a clipped noise. "You saw Eddie then?"

Furious heat crawls up the back of Steve’s neck, the image swimming red in his tunneled vision: the welt under Eddie's eye, the blood blooming on his chin. Someone did that to him.

Someone who needs to fucking pay for it.

“Yeah,” he seethes, trying to keep his voice down. “What the hell happened?"

Jeff sighs; launches into the vague version of events that he's allowed to tell — the version with no names and no identifying details, because Eddie made them swear not to tell Steve who was responsible.

"Sorry, man," he says when Steve presses for the third time; sounds like he means it, too. "Eddie seems to think you'd just land yourself in big boy jail if you knew, so…”

Steve clenches his jaw, his fists. Imagines fresh blood against his knuckles, how good it would feel to slam them into someone’s face; has a flashback of Billy Hargrove pinning him to a kitchen floor, laughing maniacally while his world went dull and dim.

…Goddammit. “He’s not wrong.”

So Steve listens, silent and helpless while Jeff tells him as much as he can about the mounting Satanic panic: how the townspeople are still grieving everyone who died last summer, how that grief is turning to paranoia, conspiracies about the destruction of the hospital and the fire at the mall, and now there are all these news articles coming out, whipping churchgoers into a frenzy over the queers and the occult, and the end result of all of it is that Eddie gets his ass beat in the alley behind a shitty dive bar.

All for having the nerve to wear a Black Sabbath shirt in public.

“Eddie said they stole something?” Steve prompts after a short silence.

"His amp,” Jeff says, and Steve sags in relief. At least it wasn’t the Warlock. He can replace an amp no problem. “They stole our fucking tip jar, too. Not there was much in it, man, but still.”

Fuckers, Steve thinks.

"Fuckers," Jeff spits, then sighs, "so much for being Christ-like, or whatever."

Steve chews his lip. Fiddles with his nails, hoping to work out a way to get Jeff to give him names. He only knows one name that comes to mind, but he can’t just go pummeling people on a hunch.

“If you ask me again,” Jeff says, “I’m hanging up.”

Well, damn. He slouches back against the counter, folding his arms over his chest. "The rest of you are alright?"

"Yeah. Yeah, we're good. We were loading the van when it happened.” Another short, derisive sound. “Of course they waited to corner him when he was alone."

"So they planned this," Steve says, and the name in his head is practically flashing on a marquee. Jason Carver and his lackeys at that party back in November. The back of Jason’s head at the midnight mass they snuck into. Is this freak bothering you?

Steve’s voice is a lethal whisper. "Do you think they'll do it again?"

"Steve—"

“Do,” he repeats, “you think” —Hopper’s ghost in his mouth, authoritative and slow— “they'll do it again?"

Jeff lets out a long breath, his words wobbly with nerves. "I don't know, dude. Probably not? One of them looked pretty freaked out by how messed up Eddie's eye was."

Steve tastes blood in his mouth.

Fucking better have.

Another silence falls, rustling and static sounds, and Jeff hesitates. "Listen, uh..."

"Yeah?"

"Nothing, just... Well. Eddie can get a little, um. A little weird, about people seeing him be, like, vulnerable and shit. So. Just a heads up."

Weird like hiding from his boyfriend? the petty part of Steve’s brain supplies. Weird like shutting his door without saying goodbye?

He tamps down hard on the hurt that bubbles up at the reminder, because—

Because Eddie’s seen him at his most pathetic too many times to count. Has seen him blubbering and soft and desperate for comfort; has offered it so eagerly without judgment or thought. And if Steve can’t do the same now, if Eddie thinks there’s shame to be found in it, then that means— that means…

He swallows the glass shard in his throat. “Thanks for the warning, man. For real.”

—

part 51

holy shit i can’t believe i wrote 50 parts of this

tag list in separate reblogs under '#trailer park steve au taglist' if you'd like to filter that content. if you want to be added please comment and let me know (must be over 21; please either verify in the comment or have your age visible on your blog)

#trailer park steve au #steddie #steddie fic #steve harrington #eddie munson #jeff stranger things #corroded coffin #my writing #my fic

[remidyal]

What is Fig Doing? - Mechanical Discussion edition

So! I know a lot of people who watch D20 are relatively new to DnD, or may not have much experience with the game itself at all, and as a lover of exploring weird and mechanically ineffective multiclasses I thought I might dive in in advance of whatever the hell Emily's about to do to Fig's character sheet following episode 7. Spoiler alert: Weird it may end up being, but this is absolutely NOT going to be anything like an ineffective multiclass.

First, here's Fig's character splash screen as of episode 7:

In addition to the information shown here, we know that she's currently subclassed into a Hexblade patron and into being a Lore bard. The Lore bard part is less important, but Hexblade is an incredibly common subclass for multiclassers into warlocks and might actually be the most common multiclass subclass in the entire game for reasons we'll get into.

There is a very small elephant in the room: Multiclassing into or out of Barbarian would, by the rules as written, require 13 strength; multiclassing into or out of Paladin requires 13 strength and 13 charisma. The charisma Fig has in spades, but she's short on strength, and in fact I would actually argue that Fig's overall stats are the worst of the entire party - she has a whole lot of 0s or +1s, where most everyone else either has multiple +3s or higher or has almost all +2s past their primary. However, the multiclass requirements have been consistently ignored in Dimension 20 as a whole and have been ignored in Fantasy High in particular in the case of Gorgug going into Artificer back when he was at 8 int; I think it's safe to say that if Fig/Emily wants to add Paladin and/or Barbarian that either they'll move around stats to allow for it or just ignore the requirement, because that strength stat is, in fact, completely irrelevent to this build.

So let's get to the meat of this: There is almost no combination of bard, paladin, and warlock that Fig could end up with that is not going to be an incredibly effective build, as long as she has pact of the Hexblade and is at at least two levels of Paladin for access to Smite (the first level of paladin gets her almost nothing). There are some that are going to be better than others, but mostly it's going to reflect different strengths and focuses, and the reason for this is this little section of the Hexblade level 1 abilities:

The influence of your patron also allows you to mystically channel your will through a particular weapon. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch one weapon that you are proficient with and that lacks the two-handed property. When you attack with that weapon, you can use your Charisma modifier, instead of Strength or Dexterity, for the attack and damage rolls. This benefit lasts until you finish a long rest. If you later gain the Pact of the Blade feature, this benefit extends to every pact weapon you conjure with that feature, no matter the weapon’s type.

Fig is a one-trick pony, statwise. Being a hexblade allows everything she would want to do in combat across all of these classes to use that trick. She'll have dials she can tweak across the three classes, and they're going to impact just what she can do, but if she's really decided to leave being a Bard behind it wouldn't surprise me to see her ditch Bard levels for Paladin and Warlock ones over the course of the season.

For those dials, one key thing to consider is the spell slots she'll have, which are WEIRD to calculate for any warlock multiclass with another caster. For every other caster class in the game, there is a pool of spell slots that go up as you level any of them that refresh on long rests. Warlocks, however, have a seperate pool from any of those, so her warlock spell slots are seperate and refresh on short rests. If she stays at level 2 in warlock, this pool will be two slots of first level. If she levels in warlock, the level of these spell slots go up but the number of them doesn't (unless she somehow were to end up at level 11, when warlocks finally get a third slot.)

The paladin and bard combo is a little simpler to look at - she's going to have spell slots from the table that a primary caster would have at the level equal to her bard level plus half her paladin level. Just as an example, let's say she by the next combat were to drop two bard levels for two paladin ones and she were to end up 7 bard/2 paladin/2 warlock. She would end up with the two warlock first level spell slots that refresh on short rests, and 7 + .5*2 = level 8 from the primary caster spell slot table. (4 1sts, 3 2nds and 3rds, 2 4ths). A very deep pool for using Divine Smites - a full paladin wouldn't be able to match this until level 16, and that's not even counting the warlock first level spells!

Key level breakpoints that might be worth looking at: At level 5 of Paladin, she would have multiple attacks; at level 6 Paladin gets one of the best abilities in the entire game, an aura where she and allies within 10 feet get her charisma mod as a bonus to ALL saving throws. In Fig's case this is an absolutely incredible +5 - at their level, this is a bigger boost than being proficient is! If she really wants to guard her president, this would allow even Kristen to have a +2 on dex saves! I'm not certain I could overstate how good this ability is in general; with a +5 it's completely insane.

She can also get multiple attacks through either Bard or Warlock, but neither is automatic. For Warlock, she would have to choose to take Pact of the Blade at level 3 (warlocks have, somewhat confusingly, two more-or-less subclasses, and Hexblade and Pact of the Blade are in fact different things) and Brennan has been HEAVILY hinting at wanting her to take Pact of the Chain so that Baby can be a class feature instead. She'd then have to get to level 5 in warlock and take the Thirsting Blade eldritch invocation, which are sort of little bonus powers warlocks get. I think this is the least likely path to multiple attacks but it is there. (Mechanically, while it's all still fine, I also think leveling warlock would be the worst of the three in a three-class build.)

Bard CAN get multiple attacks at level 6 but Fig would need to change subclasses to either Swords (which is what Fabian is) or Valor (which is, frankly, a worse version of what Fabian is, though it's still fine.)

Getting multiple attacks is a really big deal - Paladins can smite multiple times per round, and given being able to lay on mid to low level spell slots for ages Fig would likely want to.

I have no idea what Oath Fig would pick for a paladin if she gets to level 3, but honestly the level 3 subclass features for Paladin are mostly not that big a deal; she'd need to get to level 7 for the subclass aura for it to really matter all that much.

You'll notice I haven't been talking much about Barbarian above. If Fig dips into Barbarian mechanically at all, it's almost certainly just for one level given how spread thin she might be. This is a level she won't get any spell slots for, but she will get two rages per day, which will add 2 to damage rolls if Brennan allows it (technically it wouldn't apply normally because it does specify only to rolls made for attacks using strength) but much more importantly will halve quite a lot of incoming damage - bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing damage, more or less all of the physical attacks in the game.

Barbarian is a massively bad combination with caster classes in general because you can't concentrate on spells or cast them while raging; there's been a lot of in-character noise made about Gorgug's multiclass being unique and a bad fit together for exactly this reason. The exception to this, as Porter demonstrated to Fig in their last scene together, is that Smiting things is burning through spell slots but is NOT casting and you CAN do it while raging.

So, if by the end of the season, we see some wild 6 Paladin/5 Bard/2 Warlock/1 Barbarian build, know that it's going to be an absolute menace. And if Fig and Gorgug keep trending the directions they are, where she's adding heavy hitter abilities and he's shedding Barbarian levels for Artificer ones, don't be surprised if on the last boss she's the one up on their face and he's casting spells next to Adaine or casting the key Revivify.

#fhjy #fhjy spoilers #figueroth faeth #gorgug thistlespring #fantasy high #mechanical discussion #dimension 20

[punkrockgrantaire]

A Court of Fey and Flowers future where Peep Featherfowl isn’t technically a warlock but DOES have all the most powerful and influential archfey on speed dial. Literally any problem comes up and she always just says “oh lemme call my mom/uncle/auntie/uncle/uncle OR entie”. She constantly insists she is NOT a warlock tho.

#“I’m a straight rogue mothercuckers’’ #acofaf #peep featherfowl #a court of fey and flowers

[margareturtle]

Kit V Ash rivalry be like:

Kit: so it’s decided then, we will go with my plan

Ash: no it’s not decided, when my plan is better!

Kit: yeah but as the first—

Ash: well as the one with an immortal faerie queen as my mother—

Kit: as the the one with an immortal warlock eldest curse as my adopted mother—

Ash: as the one with more faerie magic training—

Kit: as the one with Emma Carstairs and by extension Julian Blackthorn on speed dial—

Ash: as the one who knows how you feel about Ty—

Kit: EXCUSE—

Dru: guys shut up, we’re obviously going with Ty’s plan

#kit and ash bonding #kit and ash is the real enemies to lovers #friendship ofc #i love my faerie prince boys #dru blackthorn #ty blackthorn #ash morgenstern #kit herondale #kit x ty #morgenthorn #the wicked powers #the shadowhunter chronicles

[phenomenalgirl9]

Mingyu x Reader: Bonds of Magic

Summary: When Warlock Y/n's subordinate Hoshi the Hamster brought in a stray kid and he grew to be someone important to all of them.

Pairings: Warlock!Reader x Mingyu (kinda)

Genre: Supernatural au, Fluff, 13+

Warnings: Talk of death (no major characters), Eternal life, Magic.

W/c: 2.3-ish

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

“There she comes, make way”

“Ssshh… Don’t make eye contact with her, she might Jinx you”

“Don’t go near her, or she’ll turn you into a rabbit”

She looked up at the man standing on the edge of the road under the oak tree and he cowered away, in fear.

Yes, it has always been like that, for her, for 3 centuries, since she was born and her mother had abandoned her near this village’s borders. She doesn’t remember that woman, it was kind of the child-less woodcutter and his wife who took her in and raised her as their own. Even though they knew what she was, they never made her feel any different. They’re not around anymore to shut the mouths of these villagers, so she just lets them talk.

Y/n walked into her cottage and closed the door, setting the basket down and taking off her cloak. “Did you find the ingredients that you were looking for?” Chan asked and she nodded and said “Got some fresh mugswort”. He picked the basket and walked away to sort in on the herb cabinet. “Where is Hoshi? Has he not returned from the market?” she asked, feeling absence of the Hyper-Active Hamster, who surprisingly hasn’t come up to her yet. “Chan, it’s been hours” she said, looking at the sun dial in the garden through the window, “This is why I tell you to go with him” And shook her head. “I was busy making the order” he defended himself and the sound of the front gate echoed followed by a “Guys! Looks what I found” from a very excited Hoshi. “I swear to Merlin, if you brought home one more stray Dog, I’ll-“ Chan stopped midsentence and you looked up to see a child, A whole Human Off-spring walking down the porch behind Hoshi.

“Hoshi! Who is this child?” Y/n gasped. “I found him, in the borders of the village by the forest” Hoshi said grinning. “Why did you bring him here?” Y/N asked again. “He's so small, and he has nobody, none of those villagers want him, I asked around, they said his father killed himself the day he was born and his mother killed herself recently.” He said in a pout. “It is pitiful, but we can’t keep him, I can barely take care of you both. How will I take care of a child?” She panicked. “We’ll take care of him!” Chan suddenly piped out “We won’t disturb you” he added and Hoshi nodded. Y/n stared the child down, and knelt to his level, examining him, “It’s a Human boy, beware, don’t be heartbroken when he dies” she said, she’s seen too many deaths in her 312 years that it stopped mattering. “What’s your name child?” Y/n asked, “Mingyu” he muttered in a tiny voice.

“Nice, stay away” she said and walked away.

Time passed and Mingyu grew, Y/n aways maintaining a safe distance from the child. Hoshi and Chan never forced her, no matter how much the child tried to step towards her, Y/n would always push him away, literally, using her magic.

It was on the kid’s 16th year when one night Hoshi came running to Y/n. “What” she asked, “Don’t tell me you’re hungry again”

“It’s Mingyu, he was running a fever, now he says his skin is burning. Please, help him!” Hoshi said, the poor hamster turned boy was trembling. So, Y/n nodded her head and rushed to the kid’s room. He finds the kid crumbled in bed, holding his shoulder. “It burns” He was crying, Y/n felt sorry for it.

She rushed to him and exposed the area he said was burning, the area was turning blue, Y/n hadn't quite seen something like this in her life and she touched the area to examine it. Her cold fingers brushed against his skin, giving him a sort of relief.

“Chan, bring me water and a towel” she instructed. Chan ran to bring the things and Y/n wet the towel and held it against his skin. She moistened the area, Mingyu looked at her with his big eyes and seeing him up close Y/n thought that Hoshi and Chan were right, he does resemble a puppy. “Trust me” she said, surprising even herself. Why would this kid, whom she never even let near herself, trust her, but he gave her a small nod. With one stroke, Y/n pulled the towel over the area, completely peeling it off. “Y/n!” Both Hoshi and Chan screamed as Mingyu groaned. Y/n removed the towel to reveal the skin under to be greenish-blue.

“So this is why-” Y/n started but caught her word, this is why your parents killed themselves and the villagers found your name as a taboo. Yes, she had gone to that village a few days later in a disguise and asked around and people got volatile just at the mention of him.

But, this was something Y/n had never heard of, every warlock child is born with their devil’s mark, why is his so late. She walked away as she found MIngyu now calm and sleeping. “He’s a-” Chan broke the silence, “Warlock” Y/n completed.

“He’s now your responsibility, Chan” She said before walking away.

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

“I still can’t believe he’s one of us” Chan said, as he was sewing a new cloak.

“Hard to believe? That’s for him?” Y/n asked, and Chan nodded “Can’t let him parade around like that. Not until he learns masking. You know he has sensation on his scales area and it's so smooth, it's scary” he said.

Y/n laughed “of course he does, all these marks are functional, my eyes, your split tongue, all of them” she said. “Why was his so late though?” Chan asked the question he has been wondering for hours now. “It’s rare but it happens, I guess it’s his Sixteenth birthday” Y/n shrugged nonchalantly.

“What?” Chan said, “So it's today”

“Don’t worry he’s gonna have a lot of those” She said and shrugged. “But there’s only one sixteenth okay!” he protested.

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

It was a peaceful day. Y/n was minding her own business (literally) she was preparing for a batch of wolfsbane a nearby pack had requested. When she heard a knock on the door of her work room. Strange, she knew Hoshi and Chan weren’t home and the boy stayed away from her, since his childhood. Another round of knocks sounded and she finally decided to get up and check and there stood the boy, he seemed really nervous. She carefully looked at him, hes towering over her, his features so much more different, and she wondered why she never noticed all this before.

“I-um. I- I found someth-ing in the wo-wood. C-can you please come and see?” he said in a tiny voice almost unsure “please, or it may die” he added and that snatched Y/n’s interest.

So she followed the worried boy through the woods. Now that she noticed she realized how much he has grown, he’s much taller than her now, he’s a man now. His body was developed and toned, the boy she remembers is long gone. Y/n was completely distracted and before she could realize a branch hit her arm, scathing through her skin, “uh” she groaned. In a blink of an eye Mingyu was beside her “Y/n? Are you okay?” he asked and before she could react he grabbed her arm to examine it. “”It’s okay, I’ll jus-” she stopped. Flares appeared around his fingers and he grazed it over the wound, and just like that, the wound was gone, so was the pain and the scar.

He took her hand into his and started leading the way again. “This way” he said. Y/n felt a blush creep onto her cheek and she shook her head, ‘He’s a child’ she told herself.

They reached near the mountains and the entrance of a cave came into view. “It’s in her” he said and walked in leaving her behind. The inside was dark, Mingyu turned to ask her if he should conjure a fire, but he was stunned. There she walked proudly in the darkness, her eyes shining bright fluorescent. “Don’t worry, that's my mark” she said, walking confidently with her perfect vision. Mingyu awed inside his mind but didn’t let a word out, he silently led the way.

You heard a grunt, an animalistic one, it wasn't unfamiliar though, just that you haven't heard these in over a century. As soon as it came into view, you rushed to it. It was a dragon, not full grown though and it was extremely weak and hurt. “Conjure a fire” she instructed Mingyu as she herself conjured her Potions cabinet.

She examined the dragon’s injuries, thankfully they weren't infected. “Mingyu bring some water” Y/n said and Mingyu rushed out, thankfully the river was close by. On getting back they both made the dragon drink the water followed by a concoction that she had made. The dragon slowly opened its eyes and it seemed scared, “sshhh” Y/n calmed it down by stroking its head, “We're friends”.

“I didn't know dragon's were real” Mingyu finally said. “They actually are, but spotting one is a very difficult task in this century” Y/n said, Mingyu just looked at her confused, hesitant if he should ask further. She realized that and went on, “Two centuries ago, the humans got this wicked idea of killing fair creatures, for merry and bravery” she chuckled, but Mingyu knew it wasn't a bit funny “Species after species went extinct in their cruel hands. That was when a warlocks’ summit was called. We all came to the decision to go into hiding. We trained our fair creatures to stay out of sight. This baby seems like it wasn't lucky enough to learn that and got injured”

“Will it be okay?” Mingyu asked. “It's okay, they're tougher than you think” Y/n said, her eyes glowing.

It was the first time he interacted with her, he knew Y/n was kind and was cold to him for a reason, as Chan and Hoshi always told him, but he witnessed it himself today.

“Can I ask you a question?” He finally mustered the courage to speak up and Y/n nodded. “Why do you show that you hate me?” He asked. “What do you mean?” She asked, feering like a deer caught at a torch light. “I remember how you used to push me away whenever I stepped near you, but you have saved me from dangers multiple times since I was small. Once from that wild dog, then that time when I was falling off that branch, another time when I almost poured a boiling potion on myself. Many times, why? Why did you hide and save me. I know that if you hated me then you wouldn't have saved me, so you cared but you never showed” he concluded and Y/n stayed silent. He had a feeling that his question wouldn't be answered, but Y/n started speaking, shocking him.

“When you have a long life you'll have to see too many deaths, some of them leave you shattered. I just wanted to not get attached” a sad smile on her face “When we got to know that you're a warlock, that night I laid down and thought back to how wrongly I had treated you. You were always this ball of light and I felt like I dimmed it by treating you the way I did. So I told myself I didn't deserve to have you in my life.” She said, finally looking at him “I'm sorry, I know that won't be enough for ev-” she was interrupted by him.

“No, don't say that, I knew you had a reason, even Hoshi and Chan told me that. I know how kind and loving you are. Don't apologize, all I've ever wanted was to be someone you trusted, I've always looked up to you, when I realized I was a warlock, I felt like I finally had a chance so stand beside you” he said as he knelt down on the ground to her level, where she was sitting.

Y/n didn't know if it was the effect of the shadows or something else but right now, his honey skin seemed so alluring. Something about him felt so familiar, yet distant. Something about this warm feeling she's having gave her comfort yet stirred her soul.

“Y/n! Mingyu!” They heard distant calls, it sounded like Chan. “Y/n! Mingyu! Can you hear me?” Seemed like he was at the entrance of the cave and before they could call out a small ball of fur came rushing towards them and jumped into Y/n’s arms and a very relieved Chan was heard saying “there you are!”

“Oh my god! That's a baby dragon!” he exclaimed and walked close as the Hamster started moving it's hand and making random noises. “Yes yes” Y/n said, and flairs were seen around her fingers, she swerved them over the Hamster that she kept on the geound and there stood Hoshi, who now rushed and hugged Mingyu. “I was so worried! So I asked Chan to turn me so that I could smell you both and track you” he said. “You're such a fine tracking hamster” Y/n said with a smile. Mingyu extended his hand and she took it, pulling her up on her feet.

This kind of threw Chan and Hoshi in surprise, but only Chan noticed a different shine in both their eyes as they looked at each other.

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

Other Works

#caratlibrary_february24 #kvanity #caratlibrary #seventeen x reader #mingyu x reader #magic #kim mingyu x reader #dragon

[tofixtheshadows]

Larian Studios should've had me on speed dial so they could call me up and ask "Hey, our origin character who was coerced into a Warlock pact as a teenager and ideally breaks free from it in any good ending, what should we do with him?"

And I would have been like "I'm so glad you called! Wyll is a Bard. A charming free spirited folk hero with a dramatic entrance and catch phrases and a taste for dancing and courtly love? He's meant to be a Bard. Yeah, College of Swords. Yeah it's really easy to picture him with a lute or a guitar, isn't it? He could have easily had access to music lessons when he was young. I know. Oh no need to thank me! Can't wait to see the concept art!"

#Baldur's Gate 3 #Wyll Ravengard #I mean I have many notes about his story but we'll leave it here for now #I need to be showering it's fucking midnight #musings with Dea

[weirdsatellites]

Manifest #495 from NROL-111 (CONFIDENTIAL) 1. Pataphysical Warlocks 2. Den of Cosmic Dial Tones 3. Desert Anti-Matter Facility

#surveillance #weird #maps

[thousandbuns]

I had an idea how to "solve" the issue of "40K media invoking Abaddon all willy-nilly in the dumbest of contexts", like DoW2: Retribution having Abaddon micromanage Eliphas' grudge-campaign against Blood Ravens (a small, battered chapter of relative nobodies in an equally insignificant corner of the galaxy) or "Soul Hunter" and the plotline about Abaddon and the billionth Sorcerer on his payroll both getting very sweaty about bringing in one specific Night Lord (who does have some clout and historical significance... for Night Lords, maybe*, and whose divination gift is only "impressive" and "special" because ADB says so**):

Warp-based automatic secretary.

It works like this: you grab some Sorcerers skilled in illusion and mind-reading, put them in what's essentially a magic call-center, and whenever some two-bit nobody warlord tries to dial you up and pester you about the hundredth "this is blatantly my personal issue and frankly a gross misuse of Black Legion's resources" campaign, you just have the warlocks conjure up a convincing enough illusion of yourself acting deeply invested in all that nonsense and pressuring the commander to act fast and efficient. Meanwhile your accounting and logistics division assign the bare minimum of armor, weaponry and supplies to that fleet and only notify you if Azkul the Deprecated's Individual Hangups Jaunt goes over the budget, just so you're aware of this loss in the grand scheme of things. Your subordinates will most likely schedule an extra supply raid to make up for it anyway.

That way none of those losers are directly tugging at your sleeve and you don't have to worry that their dumb little escapades will put a dent in your pocket. Your undivided attention can remain on plotting how to deal with Indomitus Crusade and sliding into Huron Blackheart's DMs to call him a smelly upstart bitch.

*) Based on the fact that Ruven had no qualms about jumping ship over to the Black Legion even before Talos was there, how fractured Night Lords are, and how Talos is specifically one of the few people who sincerely cares about whatever disjointed nonsense passes for Curze's philosophy and legacy? I'd say bringing him over to BL isn't that important and it's just Ruven trying to resolve his personal grudges with Legion's resources. Much like Eliphas.

**) Like yeah, sure, you have your fortune-telling epilepsy, Talos, shame that Abby can just walk down the street and hit on that one ex-Thousand Son Corvidae who can see the future without having to go into fits for 72 hours, or consult one of many daemon oracles or even greater daemons. He can probably stage a ritual to dial up Kairos the fucking Fateweaver and have his Sorcerer covens try to decipher whatever nonsense it spewed at them. There's even a good chance Tzeentch won't purposefully muddle the visions too much because Abby is the Gods' Chosen Loser and he deserves a treat from time to time.

#40k rambles #warhammer 40k #I may be channeling my personal experiences with working in corporate here #like I'm one of those replaceable and ever-changing boots-on-the-ground positions #and speaking from experience you'll only get noticed by people higher up in the hierarchy if something is blatantly falling apart #or lagging behind #(it wasn't even my fault anyway - we went through 4 people on that one position in 1 year) #(and I literally took over as the 4th person that very month) #(shit's predictably not good for business but the corporate machine ironically cares little for its cogs)

[skylarsin7]

Chapter 14: Puppet Master

TW: Death

Lily followed Eddie and Dustin into the trailer, making their way to his room for his amp and equipment. Eddie sucked in a breath as he opened the door. “Jesus…” He said, his voice a reverent whisper. His eyes were wide as he stared across the room. Lily followed his gaze, sucking in a small breath of her own. Hanging against the mirror was a guitar. This must be the Warlock Eddie had told her about. “It’s like…she was destined for an alternate dimension.” Eddie’s voice had a faraway quality to it, like he was entranced by the sight. Lily had to admit, the guitar was gorgeous. And happened to be Eddie’s first love. He had told her that himself. He approached the instrument, its place of display nearly a shrine. “What do you say guys, are you ready for the most metal concert in the history of the world?” He asked as he took it down from its peg. The guitar almost seemed to thrum in his hands. “Is that a rhetorical question?” Dustin asked, a grin spreading over his face. Eddie turned to them, his eyes glittering with both excitement and unbridled passion. That one look stole Lily’s breath away. Eddie strapped the guitar across his chest, swinging it onto his back. “Let’s do it.” He announced.

         They set up the amps, placing a huge subwoofer off to the side. Lily watched in fascination as Eddie moved about the pile like a worker bee, plugging in wires and adjusting dials. He didn’t speak as he worked, but she could feel his tension in the air. This was the biggest moment of his life, and she could feel his anxiety, which only served to amplify her own. She desperately wanted to wrap her arms around him, to offer him her strength. But despite what they had shared the night before and the reassuring weight of his ring on her finger, she couldn't help the burning jealousy that welled in her chest as Chrissy's bright smile surfaced in her mind. She shook her head. The head cheerleader had been a brightly burning star snuffed out by Vecna's evil, and now was their one chance to make sure that her fate didn't fall on anyone else. Mind made up, she jumped back down, racing into the trailer. She grabbed a mic, smiling as its weight settled with familiarity in her palm. 

“Hey Dustin…” Eddie stepped closer to the younger boy, dropping his voice as he did so. "What's up?" Dustin asked as he turned to face him. "If we live through this, I'm going to make Lily my wife. Legally. And when I do, I need you to keep her safe for me for a few days. I'm going to get her stuff from Philadelphia, inform her mother that she has passed beyond her reach, and return with her things." Dustin's eyes went wide. "You are going to lie to her mother?" He asked in disbelief. Eddie's smile was mirthless and unkind. "That woman hasn't been Lily's mother in over three years. Not since her father died. Her stepfather abused Lily repeatedly, and her mother didn't care. Lily has the scars to prove it. One of them was made by the buckle of his belt. She doesn't deserve to know the truth." Dustin's eyes widened even further, swirling with a combination of intense hate and sorrow that Eddie himself felt all too keenly. "But this way, she will be free, and they won't come looking for her." He said fiercely.

The boys were murmuring together, and Eddie was making gestures with his hands that she didn’t quite understand, but they fell silent and glanced up as Lily joined them on the roof. Dustin’s eyes were wide and filled with an odd mix of sadness and fury so intense, she couldn't help but shiver. She wondered vaguely what they had been talking about. She found the plug for the mic, triumphant and proud she could be of some help. The boys glanced at her in question, but she only smiled in lieu of an answer. 

         “She’s in. Move on to Phase Three.” Came Robin’s voice over the walkie. Lily tensed. Max was alone with Vecna, and she was much too far away for Lily to even attempt protecting her. “Copy that. Initiating Phase Three.” Dustin responded, turning to the mother amp and cranking it up. “Let’s hope they hear this.” The amps roared to life, and Eddie stilled for a moment. Reaching up, he tugged his pick necklace from his neck, a look of steely determination on his face. “Chrissy, this is for you…” He said, letting out a cry as he struck the first chord. Lily couldn’t pretend that his comment hadn’t hurt, but she shoved the pain aside. She would deal with that when this was all over. She recognized the song by the third chord, smiling as it thrummed through her system. She knew this song very well and could belt it with the best of them. As Eddie played the intro, she readied, taking a deep breath. 

         “End of Passion play…crumbling away…I’m your source of self-destruction…” She belted the words, her voice a heavy metal growl, so unlike her normal speaking voice. Or even her singing voice. Eddie’s eyes snapped to hers, wide, questioning, but he didn’t stop playing. Dustin grinned, giving her the devil horns. She smiled. “Veins that pump with fear, sucking darkest clear…Leading on your death's construction…Taste me you will see…More is all you need…Dedicated to…How I'm killing you!!!” She felt power pulsing through her, her heart pounding to the strike of the chords and the beat of the amp. “Come crawling faster…Obey your master…Your life burns faster…Obey your master, master!” It was every jam session her and her father had ever had, but so much more powerful. She closed her eyes, letting those memories come for the first time in three years, and for the first time, she didn’t feel pain. She felt elation and pride. It was almost as if she could feel her father smiling down on her as she sang. “Guys, we gotta lock down in T-Minus 30 seconds!!!” Dustin cried, gesturing to the horizon. Lily could barely make out a huge swarm of bats as they drew ever closer and closer. Eddie nodded, strumming even harder, playing for all he was worth. Lily continued to belt out the lyrics, a warmth spreading through her system. The same tingling tickled her fingertips, her eyes. It coursed through her like blood through her veins. Eddie shredded through the final rift, Lily’s voice ringing into silence as they finished the song together. 

         “MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!” Eddie bellowed as the bats closed in on them. “Shit, shit, shit!” Dustin agreed. Lily dropped the mic, jumping onto the truck then onto the ground. She landed lightly like a cat, dashing for the front door. She held it open for the boys as they followed after her. She slammed the makeshift gate just as the bats reached them, roaring triumphantly in their faces. They screeched and hissed, throwing themselves against the chain link fence. She smirked, following the boys inside. They panted heavily, jumping up and down. “Dude, MOST METAL EVER!!!” Dustin bellowed, and he and Eddie jumped around like excited children. Eddie whirled on her, grabbing her to him and spinning her. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Mrs. Munson, you are a Metal Goddess! Where did those vocals come from?” His wide eyes and words of praise warmed her, and she could almost push the hurt of his dedication to Chrissy from her mind. Almost. She shrugged. "My dad was a radio DJ and personality. I learned a thing or two from him. Besides, Metallica is one of my personal favorites." He smiled, his eyes alight with adrenaline and another emotion she was learning to recognize. Passion. "I knew there was a reason I loved you. You know, other than your charm, razor sharp wit, and stunning personality." He murmured. He let her down, kissing her, hard. She laced her fingers in his slightly damp hair, tightening her grip as she held him to her. He moaned against her lips and she could feel his hips move instinctively against hers. “Ugh, can you two just…get a room?” Dustin said with mild disgust. Lily jumped. She had nearly forgotten that he was there. She pushed Eddie gently away. “Laters, baby.” She said with a wink. He grinned wickedly in response, a world of promises in that smile. 

         The bats continued to beat against the trailer, screeching and thrashing as they tried to get in. Lily, Dustin, and Eddie were back to back, the boys with their shields and spears, Lily with her bow notched and ready. The sound faded almost abruptly. “Hey dipshits! Give up that easy, huh?” Dustin bellowed. The other two shushed him harshly. “Is that really necessary?” Eddie hissed. The clattering resumed, louder this time, and above them. “They’re on the roof.” Eddie said, his voice low, devoid of emotion. Lily shivered. 

Dustin froze. “Shit…shit…shit…” He whispered. Lily followed the line of his gaze, her heart stuttering as they landed. A vent in the ceiling. And it wasn’t boarded up. They approached it slowly, carefully as the creatures found it themselves. “They can’t get through there, can they?” Dustin asked quietly, hope in his voice. His hope was dashed as the vent burst open, a bat’s head poking through. Lily readied an arrow and fired before anyone else could react. The barb buried itself into the bat’s head, silencing it immediately. It hung for just a moment before it was dragged out of the hole and another one replaced it, screeching in defiance. The boys hollered, stabbing forward with their spears. Lily readied another arrow. “Save your ammo!” Eddie told her. She lowered her bow, eyes wide, her heart hammering. “MOVE!” Eddie bellowed, all but shoving Dustin out of the way before grabbing a chair from the kitchen, climbing on it, and slamming his shield, nail side up, into the ceiling. The sound of the bats sputtered and died. “Holy shit, holy…shit…” He panted, turning wide eyes on Dustin and Lily. “Nice.” Dustin said breathlessly. Eddie managed a small smile. “Thanks.” Lily let go of the breath she had been holding. “Are there any more vents?” Dustin asked as he high-fived Eddie. 

         Eddie stared at him a moment before his eyes widened even further. “Oh, shit…” He managed before bolting down the hall to his room. As he reached it, bats burst from the floor, where another vent had been missed. They swarmed around the room, screeching and braying in triumph. Eddie shoved the others back out of the room, slamming the door shut behind them. It was only a wooden door and the creatures immediately began throwing themselves against it. “That’s not gonna hold!” Dustin cried. “Let’s go! Let’s go!” Eddie agreed. Dustin climbed up the rope, flopping down moments later in the Rightside Up. 

  Eddie shoved Lily ahead of him, urging her up the makeshift rope. The bats continued to beat themselves against the door, the wood making sickening cracking sounds as it splintered. Lily fell through the portal, landing neatly on her feet like a cat. She stood, staring up at Eddie as he climbed. There was a loud snapping sound, not unlike gunfire, and Eddie paused in his ascension. “Eddie! Come on!” Dustin was calling. Eddie glanced up at them and his eyes locked with Lily’s. Her heart faltered. 

  Something incomprehensible flickered in his gaze and he dropped back onto the mattress, stepping back. “Eddie, come on!” Lily’s voice rose rapidly, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. He ignored her. Dustin begged him to climb, urging him to join them. Lily reached for the rope, moving to climb back through the portal. With a cry, Eddie swung his spear, cutting the rope and moving the mattress so they could not follow. “What are you doing!!?” Dustin demanded, catching the rope as it fell limply like a dead thing. Eddie’s eyes met hers again, stopping her heart in her chest. Those deep and expressive eyes were silently telling her Goodbye. 

  “No Eddie, please…” She said, her voice soft. “I’m buying more time.” He said with a small, sad smile. “Im Mel Cin, Nyn Naur Tinu.” He said, the words so full of the emotion behind them that tears stung her vision. ‘I love you, my Fire Star.’ He ducked away and out of sight. “Eddie, come back!” Dustin called after him as he disappeared out the trailer door.

As he ran, he could hear her piercing cry echo behind him. His heart squeezed and he nearly gave in to its demands for him to return to her. “I’m sorry my love. I know you won’t understand why I’m doing this. But I’ve spent enough time running away. Now, I have something I am willing to do anything to protect. You. And maybe this way, I can make up for all the things I’ve done wrong in my life. All the things that people have blamed me for. I love you, I will always love you. No matter what. I’m Forever Yours, Faithfully.  And I hope that you can forgive me for this.” He pushed faster, hopping on his fallen bike and pedaling away from the trailer, the bats closing in behind him.

“EDWARD KASPIAN MUNSON! COME BACK!!” Her voice was nearly a screech as those tears of anger and anguish raced down her cheeks. “Dustin, give me a boost!” She demanded, whirling on him with wild eyes. He hesitated only a moment before complying, cupping his hands together. She took a running leap, using his leverage to bridge the distance to the portal, her nails digging into the vines that surrounded it. Icy needles pierced her fingers where they dug in, but she ignored it. She heaved herself up, clawing her way back into the Upside Down. As she dropped down on the other side, she glanced up at Dustin. “Stay there, I’ll bring him back.” She said before sprinting through the door. She ignored the frantic call of her name as she dashed away from the portal.

         She could hear the bats as they shrieked in unison, circling like a demented cloud of featherless vultures. Lily readied her bow as she ran, grateful once again that her dad had insisted that if she wished to play an archer, she needed to learn how to shoot. “EDDIE!!!” She screamed, her voice barely heard above the flapping of hundreds of wings. He stood in the center of the bat vortex, spear and shield in hand, attacking as he was swarmed by the monsters. 

She stopped about a hundred yards from the vortex, forcing air into her lungs as she drew the throng back. The tip of her arrow glowed, the steel head glinting like a star. As she exhaled, she let the arrow fly. It darted through the air, slamming into the first bat, a blast of light temporarily blinding the rest. It only lasted a few seconds. When the light faded, she spied Eddie’s head whip in her direction. It was all the distraction the bats needed. One flew by his head, lashing its tail around his neck, yanking him to the ground as it dove. Eddie struggled to release the vine-like tail around his throat as it choked him. 

         Several more bats swarmed, biting down and rending his flesh. Lily screamed, launching herself into the vortex, firing arrow after arrow. But it was as if she were trying to beat back the tide with brittle twigs. They just wouldn’t stop coming.

 “EDDIE!!!” She cried, her heart shattering into pieces as each scream of pain escaped his mangled throat. She drove her way through the bats, swinging her bow like a club at the nearest of them. She tried to fling the creatures off him, but more only took their place. She stood, gripping her bow once again. She felt the tingling well up inside her as she notched an arrow. The tip glowed, the metal white hot almost instantly. She readied her stance, and it was as if everything was happening in slow motion. She closed her eyes, letting out the breath she had been holding. “Starlight Smite.” She whispered as she arched back, firing straight into the air. 

         Lightning struck, shattering her arrow before it could do any damage. It exploded in a flash of bright, golden light. The bolt continued, snapping her bow in two as it blasted her back. She was flung several yards, hitting the cracked pavement with a sickening smack. She shook her head, dark spots blooming in her vision, unconsciousness threatening to drag her under. She climbed slowly, painfully, to her feet, the bats still swarming around Eddie as he writhed on the ground. A cry of frustration bubbled up in her throat, and the bellowing scream that followed would have made a mountain lion flee in terror. “VECNA!!!” Her voice could hardly be called a voice anymore as she reached for a bow that was not there. Her eyes widened. “No…” She managed. She searched for something, anything that could be used as a weapon, but came up empty. All at once, everything halted. The bats screamed as they fell, broken, as if they were puppets whose strings had suddenly been cut. 

         She struggled to remain upright, staggering a step as her world tilted dangerously on its axis. “Eddie!” She cried, forcing her feet one in front of the other. He lay on his back, gasping for breath, blood bubbling up in his mouth, dribbling down his chin. “No, Eddie…” She collapsed to her knees beside him, gently lifting him into her arms. She gently unwound the now limp bat's tails from around his neck, wincing as blood flowed freely from the gouges, pooling beneath him. She was temporarily sucked into a memory of another scene too much like this one. She had been helpless to save her father then, and now she was powerless to save the man she loved. Eddie’s dark eyes were wide and a little unfocused, but they landed squarely on hers. “Lily…what…are you…” His speech was slurred and more blood dripped from his mouth. “Shh, shh…” Anger and sorrow warred in her chest, tears burning her vision. “Don’t try to talk.” She said softly, her voice breaking. “EEEDDDIIIIEEE!” Distantly, she could hear Dustin’s voice, but she couldn’t answer him. “I’m s-sorry…” Eddie whispered. Lily’s eyes once again focused on his. “Why did you…?” She trailed off, unable to utter the words. He reached up with a blood coated hand, his thumb brushing over the ridge of her cheek, leaving a smear. She didn't care and nuzzled into his touch. “I only wanted t-to…k-keep you s-safe…” He murmured. “We were supposed to keep each other safe. As a team.” She managed, her voice breaking into a sob.

“Eddie!” Dustin’s voice was closer, and Lily looked up. He was a few feet away from them now, hobbling on an injured leg. A stab of guilt speared her heart. His injury was likely her fault. She hadn't put the mattress back and Dustin wasn't as agile or steady on his feet as she was. “Oh God, Eddie…” Dustin managed between panting breaths. “Bad, huh?” Eddie tried to laugh, but it came out as a garbled cough. “No, no, we just need to get you to a hospital, okay?” Dustin insisted. “Okay.” Eddie said flatly, as if he didn’t really believe it himself.  His dark eyes glistened with tears as he glanced between Dustin and Lily. “I..I didn’t run away this time, right?” There was a tremor in his voice and he coughed again. “No, no, you didn’t run.” Dustin confirmed, struggling to keep his emotions in check. 

“You’re g-gonna have to look after those little s-sheep for me, okay?” Eddie said as he drew in a shuddering breath. “No, you are gonna do that yourself!” Dustin insisted. Eddie shook his head. “Naw man.” Lily’s heart clenched painfully, cutting off her air. “Say “I’m gonna look after them.” Eddie insisted. Dustin swallowed hard, tears streaking down his face. “Say it…” Eddie repeated. He was fading fast and they all knew it. And there was nothing any of them could do to stop it. “I’m…I’m gonna look after them…” Dustin managed, his voice breaking. Eddie smiled. “Good. Because I’m ac-actually going to graduate…” He murmured. Lily nodded, silver tears streaking down her cheeks. “That’s right Nin mel, you are. You’re gonna walk that stage, grab your diploma, and we are gonna get the hell out of Hawkins. Together. You promised to take me to go see Bowie in Tights, remember?" She told him, her voice trembling, breaking hoarsely over her words. He managed a small smile.

“I think it’s my year…I think it’s finally my year…” Eddie’s eyes were no longer focusing and they wandered between Lily and Dustin’s faces. She closed her eyes, willing power into her fingers. She felt the tingling spread through her limbs, her fingers trembling as they hovered over his neck. ‘Heal…’ The word whispered through her mind, the tingling intensifying. She felt his fingers wrap around hers, effectively severing her concentration. Her eyes flew open, his dark ones locked on hers with a sadness so deep it felt like a shard of ice lancing through her chest. “It’s o-okay love…” He murmured. She swallowed hard. “No, it’s not okay…Eddie, you have to hold on…please don’t leave me…” She whispered, her heart splintering into knives around the shard.  

  He didn’t seem to hear her. “I love you guys…” Eddie managed, his voice a hoarse whisper now. “We love you too…” Dustin answered, his voice breaking in a sob as it tore from his throat. Lily leaned down, her forehead pressed against Eddie’s. It was clammy and cold with sweat. He sighed, enjoying her closeness and warmth. She kissed him gently, trying in vain to ignore the coppery taste of blood on his lips. “I love you…” She whispered, gripping his hand tightly. Eddie smiled softly. “...Until my last.” He managed, his voice barely audible. He seemed to sink a little, relaxing in her arms. She held him tighter, as if that would somehow keep him from leaving her. A single, silver tear slid from his dark eyes as the light left them, and in that moment, Eddie Munson’s courageous heart stuttered and ceased its beating.

((And since I love you all, I have a recording of Eddie's thoughts as he went against the bats. Enjoy. ^.^)

#eddie munson fanfic #Youtube

[enigmatist17]

Weight of the World (Pt 2)

Part 1 3 4 5

-----

It's been a long time since Ripper had been out. 

Rupert did a lot to distance himself from that part of his life, and while the darkness lurked underneath his Watcher visage, the two sometimes blending when things became dire.

So it was surprising that Ripper was not the one to take Ben's life, but Rupert himself, the broken man beneath his hands weakly struggling for breath before he finally stills, glazed eyes closed when the Watcher was sure he had breathed his last.

Ripper was the one to tend to Buffy, tucking Rupert into a blissful void as he searched for a blanket or some such cloth, eventually stumbling across Glory's trove of things she'd wanted to bring with her return to Hell. He finds a beautiful blue blanket and gathers it into his arms before slowly returning to Buffy, gazing down at the child that Rupert had grown to love as his own. If it wasn't for the still of her chest and the blood that had stopped spreading from a shattered skull, Buffy looked to all the world like she was merely asleep.

She's so light when he picks her up, covering the Slayer with the blanket before vanishing into the rapidly disappearing night with the bundle in his arms. His apartment is mercifully empty as the man enters and kicks the door shut, eyes flickering around the room before he decides that his couch would suffice for now, carefully setting the bundle down before running a hand through his hair.

The cigarette is out and lit before he realizes, the long drag settling frayed nerves as he slowly exhales. His bruised ribs don't appreciate it much, but Ripper ignores them as he heads for the phone, dialing a number and waiting.

"Rupert." The voice is gravelly from sleep, and Ripper exhales once more before he clears his throat.

"I need you here." He can hear some shuffling in the background as the person on the opposite line sits up from bed, and for a moment there is only silence. "She's gone."

"What do you need?" Tired eyes trail over to the couch, the ticking of his clock breaking the oppressive silence.

"Whatever you 'ave, whatever you can spare." Another cigarette is lit when the other side of the line is silent for a time, the two just stealing the small moment. "He'll need you too."

"I'll be there soon, alright? I'll call some people I know for...for the girl, and they'll tend to her."

"Door's open." Ripper hangs up before the person on the other end can say anything else, shaking his head as he treads up to the loft. A blood-soaked shirt is cast aside and a fresh turtleneck is slipped on, his extra smokes are grabbed from the nightstand before he heads back down the stairs, grabbing a chair and dragging it outside before closing the front door.

Ripper sits and waits, just smoking one by one until a familiar warlock and two unidentified women soon trail down to his courtyard, the two hanging back with a stretcher as the warlock approaches Ripper with a slight frown.

"Who're they?" Ripper stubs out his umpteenth cigarette as the other stands before him, taking an offered hand when he moves to stand.

"They're from a funeral home that owes me a favor, they'll come take care of her." 

"Ah...she's on the couch." The women nod before heading inside his home, both giving pitying looks as they get down to business with Buffy's body. Ethan watches as Ripper fades, cradling Rupert as he sags into his open arms with a noise he can't describe, gently drawing the man away to sit on the edge of the dried-out fountain in his courtyard. The morticians are quick and gentle, Ethan shielding the other from seeing the stretcher eventually wheeling by with the foreboding black bag on top, waving a free hand to make one of his neighbors forget the sight when they poke a curious head out.

They sit together for a long time, not even the heat of the California sun warming the dead void of Rupert's heart.

-----

Xander isn't sure how he was able to convince Dawn's school she was going to be out for a few days due to illness, but as he steps out of the front doors and into the sun, he sighs in relief.

The night had been long, signing forms and talking to nurses as his friends and family were treated, and he was glad that he'd been named a primary contact by Buffy a long time ago for Dawn. She'd not said a word after Willow had pried her away from Spike, those eyes that normally sparkled dull as her wounds were tended to by a nameless doctor, one hand holding his in a grip that could shatter bone. He didn't blame her, Ben had truly seemed like a nice guy until his secret was outed, and a small part of him didn't care that he was dead.

Xander didn't see what happened, but had been the only one to see Giles come from the room Buffy had been fighting the bitch inside, taking off those familiar glasses with a steady look. 

Good.

The drive toward his home is silent, and he can't help but remember the day Joyce died, how the world had been muted as if in mourning. A lot of that day is a blur, but for some reason today is the opposite, every twist and turn and car that he passes seemingly etched into his mind. He doesn't want to remember all of this, doesn't want to be able to recall the crunch of gravel under his boots when he decided to stop outside of a familiar bar, the various demon patrons either paying him no mind or staring at the human who stalls at the entrance.

"Hey, kid." Willy gives him a wave, the movement jump-starting his feet to start moving forward, the bartender whispering something to his employee before slipping out from behind the bar with a small smile. "You look like you could eat."

"Eat? I guess?" He's not sure the last time he ate, honestly, and doesn't question when he's led to the back with a friendly arm on his back. The room still smells of blood as they move, and Xander can't help but wince when he catches a resting Spike safely out of the sunlight in what was most likely a break room, the vampire more bandages and braces than anything else. "He gonna be okay?"

Xander wants to laugh when he thinks Spike looks like death.

"Vampires heal quick, so I wouldn't worry too much." Willy whistled into the kitchen, motioning for Xander to park it on any of the chairs scattered around as he called out an order Xander couldn't quite catch. He ends up choosing a worn armchair, eyes drifting to the sleeping vampire in a mixture of concern and faint distaste.

He'd not been a fan of learning that Spike had moved into the Summers' household after Joyce's death, disgusted to see blood in the damn fridge after a research party was wrapping up. Yet, despite his anger, seeing the way Dawn in particular had cheered up with the vampire's company, it melted the barrier a little bit. Despite knowing she was some mystical fancy schmancy key that hadn't existed for long, Xander loved her like the little sister he never had, so the comments and jabs lessened, the two usually riffing on Angel to send Buffy's eyes rolling to their laughter. Hell, he really was a hopeless case when Buffy asked his help to fix the basement floor into something more for Spike. Both he and the vampire were surprised when he agreed to take on the project, the bitching lighthearted but neverending as the basement project began.

Xander is shaken from his thoughts when something warm is placed in his hands, a bowl of some sort of stew when he looks down. 

"On the house, just for today." The bartender pat his shoulder before pointing to a red bottle that had been set on a table close to Spike. "If he wakes, make sure he drinks it aight?"

"Okay." Xander shrugged, already inhaling the stew he'd have to kill for the recipe to as the other headed back to the bar. Days of being on the run and trying to save Dawn's life had suppressed his appetite, and now it was returning with a vengeance, a demon he'd never seen before showing up with more when Xander had finished his first helping. "Oh, thanks!"

The other nods and leaves with the empty bowl, the human truly stuffed by the time he drinks the last of the broth and slumps back with a yawn.

"Smells good." Jerking forward, he looks over towards the far wall, a slowly waking Spike looking confused at his surroundings.

"Hey man, how ya feelin'?" The vampire blinks as Xander hauls himself onto his feet, suddenly wishing he'd gone home to his bed when the room spins and his spine aches. 

"Like shite." He snorts at the honest response, moving towards the bottle and swapping out the empty bowl for the carafe of blood. 

"Well, yea, you broke like 90% of your bones I heard." The younger man winced as he stalked over, pulling off the cap. "Time to eat deadboy, think you can?"

"Just hold it," Spike grumbled, far too exhausted to snipe back as he shifted his face, not missing the slight tremble of Xander's hand as the bottle was raised to his lips. The human blood nearly comes back out as fast as it goes down, but Spike needs it desperately, so he drains every last drop before dropping his head back with a quiet wheeze. Surprisingly, the whelp checks him over in concern, and after seeing no visible signs of stitches tearing or the like, he sets the carafe on another table.

"You need anything else?" He watches as Spike reverts his face with a small shake of his head.

"How's the Bit doin'?"

"She's...not good." Spike's brow furrows as Xander goes back to the chair he'd been in before, dragging it over to Spike's side before settling back in. "She's okay physically but hasn't spoken a word since we got her to Tara and Willow's dorm. I had to tell her school she'd be gone, and then I came here for...uh, well, I'm not sure? And now, we're just sitting and talking, or well I'm sitting and you're more lying, but talking all the same." He knows he's rambling, but for once, Spike says nothing, just watching with that gaze akin to an X-ray.

"Is she safe?" 

"No one's gonna get to her, not with two witches by her side." Xander clenched his fist, watching his knuckles turn white as he waited for Spike to answer, only to realize he's asleep when he looked up. He decides that the vampire might have something there, and after adjusting his seating, the carpenter is out like a light, suddenly not afraid to be asleep next to a vampire.

---

It's so strange to have her mind back. 

Tara doesn't remember anything past seeing Glory lunge for her head, but had a good guess when she "awoke" in the middle of a battle to save Dawn, Willow tearfully hugging her when she saw her mind was restored. What little elation they both had gotten back was taken just as quickly when Buffy sacrificed herself, Tara doing everything in her power to keep Willow upright as she screamed in agony for her dead friend. Giles was the one to take charge after an agonizingly long amount of time, Tara's eyes tearing from Buffy's corpse to look at the rest of the group to take in their injuries. Anya is being carried by Xander, blood spilling down her face and one arm is bent at an awkward angle as she bites back cries of pain. Dawn is holding her side as she slowly moves down the stairs, and any other thought is cut off when there is a noise that defeans the world. She jumps when it seems to rattle her bones, Xander stumbling back while Giles stares at the source with a pained look she's never seen before.

It was Spike, the vampire crumpled on the floor with his head in his hands, letting out a wail that was the very definition of pain. 

Dawn is the only one to move, stumbling over bits of construction before kneeling down, hugging Spike the best she was able.

"Xander…find a car, we need to get everyone - well - most everyone to the hospital." His voice has an edge Tara hasn't heard before, but judging by the way he leaves without a word, carrying Anya as he rushes off to find whatever he can to drive them to the hospital. The remaining eyes turn to the vampire, Giles unsure of what to do as he couldn't take the broken man to a conventional hospital. 

It's her time to step up.

"I'll take him," Tara offers, feeling Willow stiffen against her side as the Watcher looks over. She places a gentle kiss on Willow's cheek before motioning to Dawn, who was beginning to look unsteady as she cradled Spike. "G-Go, keep Dawn safe." Willow looked unsure, but with a gentle prod, they headed over towards Dawn, who gave them an unweary look. 

"Dawn? It's going to be okay." Willow leaned down when she reached Dawn's side, the teenager looking at her with wide eyes.

"B-But he fell, a-and his bones are broken, and we don't have any blood left." She sounded terrified as she looked up at them, waiting for an answer that was going to fix everything.

"Go pet, I'll be right as rain." Spike's voice is scratchy as he gives Dawn's knee a gentle squeeze, and the small smile he gives her is enough to get Dawn to slowly stand up to lean against Willow. Tara takes her place to help Spike sit up, the vampire putting on airs until the moment Dawn and Willow round a corner to freedom, nigh-on collapsing with a pained noise.

"Take him to Willy's, he knows." Giles helps get Spike up and roughly onto his feet, the vampire surprisingly light as Tara starts the hobble down familiar side streets. Spike is breathing in time with his steps, body trembling as he suppresses any noises of pain as he moves his battered body.

"I-I'm sorry, we'll b-be there soon." She hoped she was a comfort as they took a turn, the vampire's face changing when some demons took an interest in the duo. Tara supposes she should be scared stiff at the growl he makes, but strangely, she doesn't as the demons take off running from the angry man. "T-That is so cool."

"Thanks luv." Spike mumbled something she couldn't catch, his steps becoming increasingly unsteady. "Wish everythin' would stop spinnin'."

"Willy's is v-very close, I see the sign." Tara soothed, the vampire mumbling again and putting all his energy into walking one step at a time. Neither of them is sure how they'd managed to get to the bar, but Willy shoos her out with a fresh shirt and some takeaway almost an hour later.

"He's gonna be fine, you go where you're needed eh?" His kindness, along with Clem offering the exhausted witch a ride to the hospital helped push some fear away, the sympathetic demon chattering away about something to fill the silence on the ride over.

"T-Thank you for the ride Clem," Tara whispered when they pulled up at the back entrance, the other giving her a small smile. 

"You're good people, want to make sure you're safe. Give little Dawn my best will you?"

"Of course." He doesn't stick around once she's out of the car, and the next few hours are spent tracking down Xander and the others, waiting for the discharge paperwork and then an awkward drive to the campus. 

Revello Drive is far too painful to be at right now, so it's silently decided Dawn would spend a day or two until Giles reappeared and they could properly discuss what was next. Dawn drifted off at some point, curled up against Tara on her bed while she and the other two quietly talked about everything and nothing, filling the void until Xander left to deal with Dawn's school.

"Poor Dawn." Willow's voice is a whisper as she kneels on the floor beside Dawn's head, the tears again starting as she gently squeezes the teen's lax hand. "What will we do now?"

"Protect her." Tara carefully leans down and kisses the top of the sleeping girl's head. "Love her, make sure she knows that we'll all be here for her." Willow sniffles as she watches Dawn sleep, a firm resolve settling in her gaze when she stops crying again.

"No one will ever hurt her again." Willow looks up when Tara extends her hand. After some awkward shuffling, she and Willow hold Dawn between them as exhaustion finally takes over, and sleep grants them temporary peace.

#personal #buffy the vampire slayer #spuffy #ethan rayne x ruper giles #buffy summers #dawn summers #tara maclay #willow rosenberg #xander harris #spike #spike btvs #william the bloody #ethan rayne #rupert giles #ripper btvs #part 2 let's go

[nightmarist]

now that i actually have a minute let me go on a (positive) tangent about how much I Loved the epilogue party.

I love that its so sweet and silly for Grandpa Withers to throw us a reunion party. I did a version letting Karlach die, and a version where we went to Avernus. In the death version, he asks us several questions about us and how we're doing, about her absence, and how much we miss her, and even makes a Joke in order to help us feel better. It was genuinely the sweetest thing for the bag of bones.

I howled and wanted to throw something in pure joy when Halsin gave us a whittled duck. I WANT that duck. I want to paint it. It's so sweet he gets to have fun with the kids under his ward and his version of balance isn't pure nature, it's the challenge of nature and civilization working together.

My Shadowheart got her parents back and I just love that she decided to live on a little abandoned cottage with them, making apple cider. Getting a letter for her from Nocturne was lovely, I hope they could be friends again someday.

I LOVED that Wyll decided to be a ranger. I think that suits him so well. I want to do a new run with him as a ranger - I don't think I've ever played one, even in DnD so I don't know how they work, all I know is they get animal companions and "favored enemies" which I think suits his folk hero and adventuring background well. I also just think its the cutest thing he was SO excuted to share his stories and adventures with us, he gives you the Biggest, Wettest Puppy Eyes known to Faerun and asks "Please?" if he could tell you a story. I thought I was going to die.

In my Astarion Romance Ending, and sadly Karlach dies, I initially chose I wanted to help him find a way to walk in the sun again (and tbh I guess it depends on your DM but Wish or True Resurrection could possibly do the trick to cure vampirism, but "cure vampirism" and "stand in the sun without dying" are two different asks, Wish might be able to fix the former if some enchantment or enchanted item doesn't). Anyway, it was interesting to see him a little excited if not desperate to want to look for a potential aid. In the Avernus ending I loved that he accepted the shadows and darkness as part of himself, it was a nice juxtaposition without necessarily making it "bad" for the player and him to want to help him walk in the sun again. It was rather bittersweet to see him in an ended romance but still call you pet names.

My Gale became Dekarios the Divine, the Galerian God of Ambition. I tried to find a way to prevent it but it seems te only way (I think, anyway) is to prevent him from acquiring the Book about Karsus. Every permutation led him to becoming a God, and it was so cold. I LOVED this ending, as much as I hated what Gale became. It really turned the dial up on his hubris and ego. He hadn't bothered to even visit his mother, and Tara (rightfully) scolded us, and asked us to visit his mother to "hold on to" the old Gale. It was really sad. As a Warlock, and my Tav being Ambitious (and would have encouraged Astarion to Ascend if it were not for a bug preventing the ritual) he asked Gale if he could potentially be patron / find a better patron. Gale said it would take a few millennia for Ao to allow such direct contact. And it was Alarming to hear (and fascinating) that he has worshipers primarily located in Thay.

I have NOT seen Gale's alternate endings yet, I'll be doing more playthroughs as soon as I figure out who tf I want to play next.

My Lae'zel became the new diplomat betweeh the two Gith clans, to unite the sky. I was obsessed with I saw the opprtunity to give her that. When it came up as an option after orpheus (whom I convinced not to die after he became an Illithid), i wanted to give that woman Everything. So I encouraged her to take up the sword and Orpheus' offer and I felt SO PROUD when she called his dragon(s) and stood on one's back like she'd been admiring since Day Fucking One. SO. PROUD.

I saw two separate letters from Dammon depending n Karlach's alive-or-dead status. He sends his condolences to us if she died and blames himself for not trying harder, dedicating his life to working with Infernal Iron. If he's alive, he asks s to ask Karlach to write to him, its very simple but I think it's so sweet. She's just so fun and happy, and relays to us that there may be a way to fix her engine with blueprints she's found the location of, which sounds so hopeful without actually giving us a "canon" (similar to astarion's "maybe there's a way to walk in the sun" - i prefer the ambiguity than total fix-its). The hope feels better than the confirmation, tbh.

It was also interesting, i think, that with the a non-karlach romance there's the addition of after I help Karlach with her engine in the aforementioned fixing plot she's found, I could potentially return to Astarion's side so it's a lot less dreary feeling like we're both permanently trapped in the Hells and instead the hopeful promise of a future where Karlach can return to the surface alive and forever well, and we can return to our loved ones.

This directly connected to one of the new Raphael epilogues - I LOVED how threatening Raphael was with it. On one hand, Asmodeus would tear him to shreds if he tried to overtake the Hells even with the crown, that I feel is inevitable. But either Gale as his Ambitious Patron of sorts, or perhaps as a distraction (remember: even gods can die) tearing apart the pantheons, he could very well take advantage of that to overtake Asmodeus, I think. It seems even more on par with his style of planning, he seems very min-maxed when it comes to working towards a goal - the less he has to do himself, the better.

YOU CAN HUG THEM. I talked to Halsin first and I screamed when "you look like you need a hug" came up. My god. I went to shadowheart after and saw you could hug her, too, and I wasn't expecting it, I genuinely just thought it'd be a Halsin thing only bc he just seems like the obvious "gives good (bear) hugs" choice. Oh my god you can hug your party members. I lost my fucking mind.

Also, Milil..... very nice little lore, I loved how excited he got when we passed our check if we knew who he was. The floating instruments around him was a lovely little touch.

Getting letters and newspaper clippings from all our saved comrades was incredible. I Liked everyone's letters yes but i was MOST excited and happy to hear from our tieflings after they've been through Literal Hell and back. Rolan got an interview, Lakrissa bought Alfira a house and dedicated a plaque to us for their music school, Bex and Danis opened a bakery together. The tieflings collectively built a whole new district for themselves in Baldur's Gate. It'd be excellent for comradery - that they can share with one another as a tiefling community, weave a rich tapestry of tiefling culture, to have people to be safe around, and people who know what its like whether theyre from Elturel or not.

ZEVLOR MY BELOVED. I was so happy to hear from him. He said his hands shook the whole time he stayed at the temple "with the other veterans" - other tiefling hellriders - and it was rather bittweserrt, both inspirign an sad to read his hands only stopped shaking when the city shook, and all the Rider paladins restored their oaths by being devoted to preventing Baldur's Gate from becoming the next Elturel. He said "Come see us, when you can" OF COURSE Im going to visit, oh my god. It was just nice to hear he's doing fine and is volunteering at the temple that helped him.

I loved the epilogue so fucking much. It felt really nice.

I like to think that our heroes do it often, maybe annually or just casually see each other on adventures. maybe an occasional "Hey, I'm on a bit of a quest and need the expertise of my favorire [class]" it felt so cozy.

Did Withers put up all those decorations himself. I Love the old bag of bones so much. He just wanted to give us a little party. Let me hug Withers please he deserves it.

#bg3 #bg3 spoilers #bg3 epilogue spoilers #dont mind me im just gushing

[kissingwookiees]

the dark urge and gortash working together to set up the whole cult of the absolute stuff in the first place is unbelievably funny as izaak bc yeah as a great old one warlock there is a 90% chance he had a tadpole dealer on speed dial…

#oc: izaak #‘what’s that gortash you wanna rule baldurs gate through brainwashing and absolute order?’ #‘well it just so happens my life in exile in the underdark for being the accursed son of bhaal got me some SWEET connections’ #you stumble upon on mindflayer hive in your youth and your set for life

[serenstars]

bg3 posting

am i gonna reblog anything here? idk maybe. mostly this is for posting thoughts and screenshots of my characters tho :p

list of my tavs n durges under the cut

Aeron, she/her mephistopheles tiefling rogue (thief) bard (subclass not unlocked yet) urchin chaotic neutral romancing Astarion tragically separated from her large family as a small child, swept away by the bustling crowds of the marketplace; she has since scraped together a living in whatever way she could. taking on odd jobs from anyone who would hire her eventually led to shadier and shadier business, until she found herself smuggling drugs and stolen goods and trading her body in exchange for shelter, information, and cash when she needed to.

Vesper, he/him seldarine drow druid (circle of spores) bard (college of swords) durge chaotic good romancing Gale (multiplayer with @talfrynn's Zevan) struggling to piece together his past, Vesper has no idea where he's come from, how he got here, or who he even really is; what he does know is that the dark thoughts and desires that plague him (and uncontrollable violent actions that seem to come from them on occasion) are not- CANNOT be a part of who he is.

"Ceri", she/him mephistopheles tiefling sorcerer (draconic bloodline - blue) charlatan neutral evil (multiplayer with @sorcedin's Shishko) bearing a striking resemblance to a famous musician known as Ceri, this conwoman has spent her adult life using that resemblance to her advantage. by fooling people into thinking she IS the real Ceri (simply out of her typical silvery stage makeup), she's found herself capable of scamming folks into buying overpriced forgeries of autographs, or simply giving her almost anything she asks for. encouraged by a circle of criminals she's unfortunately fallen in with, she's kept the lie up so long that she's not sure whether or not the real her is still in there somewhere.

Fluttershy, she/her asmodeus tiefling druid (circle of the moon) outlander true neutral romancing Wyll (would be in a polycule with Karlach and Astarion if there was a functional way to do this in the game) still working on it give me a bit ok. she turns into bear

Hyacinth, they/them mephistopheles tiefling warlock (archfey) durge lawful evil probably gonna restart this file...was originally Very Awful but i think i'm gonna dial it back to just being pretty rude and being driven by curiosity and a desire for information and entertainment. sometimes they do bad things, sometimes they do good things; it's entirely dependent on what they think will have the most fun results, or give them the most information.

Mag, she/her lightfoot halfling paladin (oath of the ancients) soldier iirc? neutral good romancing Karlach Mag has lived her entire life by the sea, and even when she's apart from it she conducts herself by its rules. raised by and around all manner of seafaring folk, she's brash and rowdy with the manners of a sailor; but if you look past that you can see her heart of gold and noble dedication to fairness and kindness.

Calliope, she/it copper dragonborn bard (college of valour) durge chaotic neutral romancing Astarion rather than being disgusted, entertained, or curious about her urge, Calliope is simply clueless. she's lost her memories, which also removes all social context as to what is and isn't normal for a person to want, or do. she looks to others to try to rebuild that context and get a grasp on whether these thoughts and urges are strange, or simply something that is part of being alive.

#navigation: #(character tags) #t: aeron #t: fluttershy #d: hyacinth #d: vesper #t: ceri #t: mag #d: calliope #astaeron #galesper #cerizel #cerigale #(original posts) #txt #png

[valkeakuulas]

Thanks for the tag @odekiisu

Last song: You're My Heart, You're My Soul from Modern Talking

Fav colour: Green

Currently watching: Nothing actually but the last series I bingewatched was Brokenwood season 9

Last movie: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Currently reading: Fanfics but I'm gonna start Margit Sandemon's The Warlock / Noitamestari for my bookclub

Sweet/Savoury/Spicy: Sweet

Relationship Status: Ahahahahahahahaa. Haha. Ha... Single. Sad, bitter single.

Current Obsessions: Them Identical Bois in White (The Clone Wars)

Last Google: "Mandalorian color meanings"

Currently working on: I'm trying to crochet this neck warmer by modifying the pattern and also writing a fic.

No pressure tagging: @sharky857 @evol-astraea @marloviandevil @gaogaigar-the-king

#kuulas info

[have-some-heals]

Titan: Ardent-2 & Ghost: Nova

Warlock: Kuraokami & Ghost: Khione

Hunter: Sybll & Ghost: Veles

The warlocks cheeks were flushed. His helmet sat on the bar next to a pair of empty shit glasses the bar keep had yet to collect. “C’mon guys thisss isn’t fair” he slurred as he leaned forward the full shot in his hand trembling dangerously. Off in the corner three ghosts bobbed and circled each other sharing tales of how they had saved their guardian this way and that.

The exo titan looked over the warlock and hunter that accompanied him and shook his head. “You knew going in that alcohol has little influence on my program, and her well…”

The hunter slammed back another shot n the process knocking over the stack of 5 shot glasses that she had been turning into a pyramid. 3 rolled around the bar in a circle before their momentum reversed and they circled back. One remained up, to be used to rebuild the stack. The final rolled off the bar, bouncing once, twice, and shattering on the third.

“PARTY FOUL!” The hunter called “another round!” The barkeep looked over the group and shook their head before continuing to serve the more solemn guardians that were squeezed into the bar.

In the background music began to build across the speakers. A bar back moved to a dial and adjusted the lights, in the back of the bar lights flicked on highlighting the stage where a DJ was set up. As the music built various ghost moved into the air and began to flash, twirl, and fade in/out of the area as they danced in their own way to the music. Some guardians moved of their own will to the dance floor while others were coaxed by their fireteam or their own ghost.

The warlock shot up off the bar as the song continued- the DJ came across the speakers “and this is a long lost song recently pulled from the archives of an old Ishtar facility” the beat faded in as the song began in full-

“Every time we touch I get this feeling”

The warlock stood shakily and grabbed his helmet putting it on snuggly. The sight made the hunter jump to her feet. “Oh the doctor is serious now!”