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#SCRIPT  ——  you’re so far from your weapon and you want to go home.
raburabusama · 1 year
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Gladius
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Kokuyou Cards pt 4/??
-  Please do not repost, translate to another language or use on videos without my permission :’) -
Translation under the cut!
1st Card
Kokuyou & You, restaurant hall
You: (The second anniversary show is so intense! Ah, Kokuyou-san came out on stage, he's the centre of this one)
Kokuyou: Ora, where's my applause!
You: ( He has a sword as a prop, so his performance is incredibly extravagant....!)
Kokuyou: I can't hear my name! All of you, shout from the bottom of your hearts!
[kyaa]
[After show, break area]
Kokuyou: Oh you came, Y/N.
You: Yes. The show was just so intense, I had a really good time!
Kokuyou: Well, I guess so. A show using this long a thing as a basis cannot be that intense.
You: Hm? The basis for this show is the Karamazov Brothers, isn't it?
Kokuyou: So I hear. I don't know the details, though.
You: (Hmm―m? If I think about it again, does a weapon like that make an appearance in the original story....)
Kokuyou: Oi. I kinda guess what you're thinking right now, but stop right there. It's the usual crap I'm sure.
Kokuyou: No matter the show, as long as we get customers in and the restaurant goes on, that's enough.
You: Haah.... Speaking of which, congratulations for the second anniversary.
Kokuyou: Yeah, thanks―.
Kokuyou: With the fire and the whale falling, it might've been in the top ten for the troubles this place has gotten into.
Kokuyou: There's no proof that there won't be more trouble incoming either, but Starless goes on. For now, that's enough.
Kokuyou: Speaking of which, are you okay?
You: Eh? How do you mean?
Kokuyou: Do you have no self-awareness. In reality you are quite brash/impudent, aren't you.
Kokuyou: There's you being targeted by shady folks, fainting all over the place, the shit with Kei, you have a lot going on, don't you.
You: Ah, yeah. It is so....
Kokuyou: Yare yare... (aka. good grief) As always, you're just totally out of it.
Kokuyou. Oi. If you're going home, I'll see you off to the station. Wait here, got it?
TBC
2nd Card
Kokuyou & You, in front of the Starless
Kokuyou: Kept you waiting (this is not a real real apology). Well, let's go.
You: Please take care of me (whereas this is a formulaic and formal thank you xD)!
Kokuyou: That's a bit too much for just taking you to the station.
[off you go]
Kokuyou: Since I went onstage today, I have to work the hall tomorrow. Stupid, tiresome rules.
Kokuyou: You got caught up in this crap too, didn't you? For fuck's sake, just refuse them.
You: They're just asking who I wish to see participate in the shows, that's all, it's like answering a survey....
Kokuyou: Is that so. In that case, just make sure you put my name in there. As long as I'm onstage there won't be any problems.
Kokuyou: Compared to the first anniversary, the shows are limited so it's easier to do (I can't for the life of me remember how the first anni went so I hope I got this right xD). But it gets on my nerves that I'm getting used to these crappy systems they come up with.
You: This time around, the scripts for all the teams are based on the same story, aren't they.
Kokuyou: Yeah. According to Sin, all the characters showing up in the play are all trash.
Kokyou: That's perfect for Starless's second anniversary, isn't it. Right?
You: I-I'm not going as far as to say anything like that!
Kokuyou: The original work might be the same, but each show has a different main character. For Team W the centre is Dmitri.
Kokuyou: Hah, again they send us a laughable script (There might be some context here that I'm forgetting xD)
Kokuyou: 「Even if we are in the same place, the directions we are looking in are different.」Everyone should already know that.
Kokuyou: everyone is in here for their own reasons and objectives.
You: ....For their own reasons....
[at the overpass]
Kokuyou: Y/N, how is it with you.
Kokuyou: Is the thing you want in Starless? You're not one of the cast, you're just one of the customers.
You: ....I wonder... I....
Kokuyou: .....
Kokuyou: I'm not saying you need to come up with an answer right this instant. There's a ton of folks all over the place who're not even thinking about that.
Kokuyou: But, if you find that it is something 「different」, don't leave yourself with regrets. Don't go clinging onto Starless (if you have something else that could replace it)
Kokuyou: ――That's all.
Kokuyou: Well, until you're done with it, just have fun. It's not like I think you're a nuisance or anything.
You: ....Okay. Kokuyou-san, thank you very much.
Kokuyou: You're gonna thank me for this? Well, it's okay. (that soft face he makes kills me every time)
Kokuyou: Y/N. See you at Starless.
END
TBH this was way less spicy or even romantic that I hoped, but I think it got pretty romantic in a Kokuyou kind of way towards the end, love you so much, King
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jones-friend · 1 year
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I’ve just finished playing Horizon Forbidden West! This time I did not finish this game. I did not get very far in this game. After the tutorial and after about two side quests I felt myself getting more frustrated than I wanted to be, I’d rented the game from the library and wanted to beat it in about a week. I’m going to say some things that aren’t super positive, so I wanted to start with if you enjoyed the game that’s great! Just bc I didn’t like a game doesn’t mean you can’t. Maybe there’s something outside this opening that really hooks you. Maybe your entire experience was different than mine. Its ok if you feel differently from what I’m about to say. There were also a few changes I liked. I like that bonfires are fast travel points now. Swiping the pad for objectives keeps the HUD clear.
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My experience with Horizon Forbidden West was full of the frustrations of modern gaming. NPC’s chastised me for searching rooms or seeking alternate paths in an open world game eager to rush me along the current scripted event, crafting was a nightmare, and the game turned itself inside out when I opened the skill tree screen. To me it was a very telling sign of intent when the quest tab was the fourth one in on the menu.
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Early on the game makes you go to a workbench to strap two quest items together. It does this at least twice, the game wants you to get familiar with upgrading at benches. The upgrade system that was just a weapon menu is now locked on specific points in the world: workbenches are the only places you can upgrade your gear. To a degree I like this more, gives me a feeling of gathering resources to come home after a long hunt. My problem is the grindy-ness of the upgrades has been cranked up in this sequel, requiring players to repeatedly hunt small animals that don’t drop useful loot until they drop purple or blue loot. There’s more of that here, with each upgrade node requiring two upgrades and spreading more parts to shoot off among new machines. Its a nightmare to keep track of, and it doesn’t feel good to get it right. The payoff for managing the upgrade system is getting more upgrades. It was the start of the game turning inside out, I’m not upgrading weapons for the field I’m playing the field for upgrades in the workbench menu minigame.
That’s to say nothing of the stash mechanic. You no longer carry everything all at once, after a certain number on each item they’re stored in your stash. Your stash is a separate storage accessed in the overworld. This is frustratingly constrictive, where in the previous game I’d enjoyed keeping materials on hand for hungrier gear I used in HFW I ran out of freezing ammo in the first fight because the rest was in my stash. I did not enjoy that.
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Horizon Zero Dawn also had skill trees. Sure. Not every game will make a groundbreaking new level progression system, that’s an unfair expectation. Horizon Forbidden West’s skill trees are a dizzying level of tedium that are a front. It wants to give you the feeling of making a build but it is just an illusion of progression. Enemies scale with perks acquired, it feels like I’m wasting my time fiddling something inside on a hot summer day when I could be outside in the pool.
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Then you open the skill tree and its a nightmare. There’s so many branching paths, node requirements, and individual skills to acquire for each one of the skill trees. This is where the game turns itself inside out. The game hands out upgrade parts and skill points at a very brisk pace, to the point where its less intrusive to cash multiple at once. With all the focus on these microprogressions like some mobile game you’re no longer playing the game for the core gameplay loop of fight robots, you’re playing the fight robots game to play the menu stat preparation game of unlocking new nodes and upgrading weapon abilities.
What made my head hurt the most was the ability to respec from the skill tree menu with a button press. For a game that will require me to be at specific Workbenches for upgrades, enforce an inventory/stash mechanic that forces me to points of the map to access my supplies, and encourages me to find bonfires to fast travel: you can pause the game and respec your abilities mid swing of your spear and take them all out of stealth and dump them into warrior. From my understanding there is no respec limit, cost, etc.
I feel they expected the skill tree system to be so obtuse they wanted players to take back misallocated points. Really, my mind mapped out optimal builds for each scenario: dumping all points into stealth until the battle broke out and respecing into melee. Allocate into machine taking and shift when I lose my machine. Typing this at 12:25am, I cannot believe you can respec on the field when none of the other systems allow for that.
Which. There’s one last bit I realized and its when I decided I wasn’t having any more fun. Sneaking through the red grasses I ambushed a baby starter area elk-like creature. My sneak attack only dealt half of its health. So I swung my spear, chipping 1/16th of its health as the initial crit alerted four other machines to my presence and I got ganked.
HFW heavily nerfs Aloy from move speed to stealth to damage dealt. You get suitable damage from progressing in the skill trees, that’s what gives you baselike workable ability. Its a system that punishes flexibility and improvisation paired with a stash system that forces improvisation and flexibility.
I hear full games of HFW are around 32hrs, and if you do all the side quests its 88hrs. HFW spends all its time in the wrong places, it inverses its gameplay loops, and it swears your tedium in hunting 10/10 squirrels for the day will pay off. Its chalk full of systems designed to grind your time away for the sake of Content (TM) and I don’t think its very good. There are much better games you could be giving TLC to, and I’m stunned with the positive reception its received. Maybe I’m just missing something. But when I think abt respec’ing mid swing to optimize from stealth to melee it makes the challenge of the game fall away and all that’s left is how willing am I to file for taxes on my skill trees.
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deputystakes-arc · 3 years
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@trshmouth  ——  everyone gets over things in the end, you know? / sounds fake but ok
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     𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐑, 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆, he’d always found some kind of peace.   always walked in alone, walked out knowing a few more friendly faces.   it was one of those old-time familiar faces he was sitting next to now,  while hunched over his drink, foot gone still while it normally tapped,  restlessly yet rhythmically. 
they had another fight.   back at the motel.   didn’t leave until they were sure they struck the other’s nerve.     (  ash would walk in later,  in the early, early morning,  sleep the rest of what he couldn’t drink away off, and they’d drive to the scene like nothing ever happened.   ash, with his eyes set on the road, christian nodding off in the passenger seat.   no peace, all quiet.  )     their rivalry was a scab they just couldn’t stop picking at.   it was going to scar,  and it’d be the ugliest thing once it did,  but for now, it was still bleeding, still trickling blood.   it’s all he can think about as he takes another pull from the stout.
“  yeah,  I know,  I just  ...  ”    words trail off.   his existence had become a lonely one.   a watercolor landscape drenched in blue, dark hues.   always so overcast, the streets so bare, so devoid.   to think he’d gotten a chance at companionship only to rip it all to hell.   there’s a laugh forced from his lips, then, and he doesn’t meet richie’s eyes, just stares down at the table, at his hands,   “ I think I really fucked it up this time. ”
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redrobin-detective · 3 years
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the end is where we start from
What we call the beginning is often the end / And to make an end is to make a beginning / The end is where we start from. ~ T.S. Elliot, Little Giddings
Danny was running, he didn’t know where to all he knew was who he was running from. He didn’t know if his parents were even coming after him, guns blazing and mouths sneering but he didn’t dare turn around to look. Maybe they weren’t even going to bother chasing him, maybe they were just happy the ghostly scum was out of their house. 
He saw the entrance to Amity’s deepest woods and he darted for it. It was dark and thick and easy to lose yourself in so people usually thought twice before they entered. But people like Danny had little else to lose. The sting of branches swiping at him before he could turn intangible, giant, gnarling roots tripping him up before he could float over him. But he didn’t dare slow down because that would mean acknowledging what had happened.
Another missed curfew, another argument where he and his parents talked about but around each other. Another ghost showing up just as he got dressed for bed, another transformation to take care of it before he could get some sleep. Only the same old script flipped on itself when Mom opened the door, bringing in some tea as an apology for her harsh words just into time to see her son become a ghost. Her gun was drawn before the cup hit the floor and shattered, along with Danny’s heart.
Deep in the thicket of the woods, his human lungs burned and his living muscles ached but he couldn’t turn into Phantom now. Not when it was the stupid ghost’s fault he wasn’t welcome in his own home anymore.
‘What are you doing with my son, ghost?’
‘Mom, please it’s Danny I can explain, please would you just listen?’
‘You can’t be alive and dead at the same time! It’s impossible!’ Oh god my baby died and I didn’t even notice’
‘Mom, Dad, listen to Danny, he’s telling the truth. This is why he never-’
‘Jasmine, you’ve been deceived that’s what ghosts do! That’s what Phantom in particular is known for!’
“Jazzy, Danno, I want to believe you, but it’s a lot to take in. Let us run some tests to make sure.’
‘Danny! Danny wait! Come back!’
Eventually his human body ran out of steam, adrenaline and desperation can only take a person so far. His speeding gait slowed to a lopping jog before settling into a quiet, miserable walk. He squeezed his eyes shut and dared to look over his shoulder but, of course, no one was there. It was just him, the darkness and his own woes.
“What am I going to do now?” He asked quietly, weakly as he fought back panicked tears. All he could see was his mother’s angry, grieving face. His father’s confusion as he tried to make sense of it all while trying to keep the peace. Jazz’s frustration and futile attempts to shield Danny from the worst of the shouting.
He had nothing on his person, why would he? He’d been about ready to go to bed when his whole world came crashing down. His worn Star Wars t-shirt and sweatpants offered little protection from the gloomy October weather but Danny’s ice core more than protected him from the chill. He welcomed it if anything, it matched the ice growing in his heart. No money to escape with, no phone to call for help, no tools to contain any ghosts he battled. He hadn’t even had dinner last night, too busy fighting ghosts. For the first time, Danny was well and truly on his own. Not even dying had seemed so scary.
“I can handle this,” Danny said with false calm. It was pitch dark around him but a little ectoplasmic light brightened the area up. “I’ll just stay here for the night and then I’ll check in tomorrow. If things are still bad, I’ll grab my gear and go.” Where he’d go was a whole other question but that wasn’t important right now. He was still too raw to think about what he’d do if he actually had to abandon his human life. All he could focus on right now was the hurt pulsing through him.
He wandered around in the dark for a little while longer, looking for a suitable place to set up camp for the night. Eventually, he came upon a set of twisting trees that was perfect for his purposes. Lightening his weight, he climbed up halfway and made a little ice tent in the branches. It was lightweight but thick, covering him up and serving as a shield between him and the rest of the world. In his own little ice palace, no one else could hurt him.
“There we go, home sweet home,” Danny mumbled as he crawled inside with a dull thump. He’d left a little skylight open, so he could look up at the stars. If he didn’t think too hard about it, he could imagine he was out camping with his dad or stargazing with his friends. “No, stop it. You’re only making it worse,” he said quietly to himself as the annoying flush of sadness washed over him. He didn’t like to cry; it made him feel stupid and childish and exhausted. Jazz had lectured him about the cleansing release of neurochemicals and other junk but really he usually felt worse after crying. 
“This is fine, everything is fine,” Danny sniffled, shuddering as he curled in on himself. The only cold that could hurt him was his own. It really wasn’t a great idea to use his that much of his ice in his human form, it chilled his body too much to be healthy. That, combined with his light clothes, the chilly night and that fact that he was laying on a solid block of ice, didn’t help matters. If Sam and Tucker could see him, they’d be shoving him in the shower to warm him up and plying him with food and blankets. Jazz and her dozen kind of herbal teas that help with mood or digestion or whatever would shove one or two into his hands and hover until he drank some. Their nagging was annoying but it was helpful and made him feel so loved. Love he wasn’t feeling out in the woods all by himself in the middle of the night.
“This is fine,” he repeated, more choked up this time and gave into his desire to cry. His chest hurt from the force of his sobs and eyes burned from the salty tears. He was flushed and cold and miserable but eventually, after wiping snot away from his nose and hiccupping quietly, he was ready to sleep. He was so worn out from all the hurting and the crying that he slipped from wakefulness as easy as going ghost.
“Child, what are you doing?” Danny groaned at the vaguely familiar voice. His ghost sense went off, reminding him once more how cold he was. He barely had it in him to shiver right now. “Ghost child, awaken and explain yourself.” Cold metal poked repeatedly into his side until Danny shoved the hand away, sitting up with a miserable glare.
“Go away, I’m not in the mood,” Danny grumbled, turning away from Skulker to try and go back to sleep. “I already feel bad enough, I don’t need you making it worse.”
“That does not explain why you are in a tree in the woods,” Skulker said slowly, still hung on stupid details. “The last I checked, the human Lair you stayed in was still standing. I stopped there to show you my latest weapon but you weren’t there, I traced your signature here.”
“Congrats, pass go and collect $200,” Danny sniped back quietly, not putting any heat into it. He didn’t have much to spare.
“Why are you out here, all alone?” Skulker frowned, “humans are susceptible to the elements, I presume you’re no exception given your current state. Just this once, I will stay the hunt to return you to your human Lair and we shall resume at a later-”
“No, I can’t go back,” Danny gasped fearfully, he curled in deeper on himself. “My parents, they know about me, about my powers. They didn’t take it well, I can’t- I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“But those human children-”
“I’m not getting them involved in this, they’re already in too deep. Tucker’s still grounded from that incident with Desiree and if Sam’s parents caught me in her room at night I’d lose the other half of my miserable life,” Danny grumbled. “Just leave me alone or kill me and take my pelt. Either one, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I see,” Skulker hummed, “stay here, Child, I will return.” Skulker said before flying off.
“Great, can’t wait,” Danny murmured as he rearranged himself on his ice block. He still felt unbearably cold but it probably wasn’t enough to actually kill him. Probably. “Stupid ghosts, stupid powers, if I hadn’t walked into that stupid portal, I’d be be safe and warm in bed right now and only have to worry about passing pre-calc.” It felt like he’d barely fallen back asleep when he was forcibly awaken by something soft and heavy dropping on him.
He phased out of the tangle only to find a bunch of blankets and heavy winter coat that looked 2 sizes too big for him. “What the-”
“Wow you weren’t kidding, babe, he looks like a trainwreck,” he heard Ember’s gruff voice say. “Hey dummy, put on the stupid coat. I ain’t had nerve endings in a while but I’m getting cold just looking atcha.”
“You bring your girlfriend to harass me in the middle of the night with,” Danny eyed the pile with price tags still on them, “stolen merchandise.”
“Shut up, we’re crashing your pathetic little pity party so you don’t die before I can off you myself,” the rock star huffed. “If that coat isn’t on you in five seconds, I’m manhandling your skinny arms into it.”
“Jeez you’re worse than my sister,” Danny grumbled even as he pulled the coat on. It was big but fluffy, the extra layer instantly made him feel a bit better. “Happy?”
“Getting there. Techy, you brought the food or what?” Danny yelped as a large amount of food dropped in through his skylight. It was an interesting mix, a jumbo bag of peanuts, dijon mustard, a jar of pickled eggs, a couple bags of chips and a box of uncooked macaroni noodles. “Here, eat some human food.”
“What?” Danny questioned as Technus poked his head into the icy tree house. 
“Oh nice place you got here child but it needs more lights and a flat screen and, oh, I can set you up with a killer stereo system over eek!” the technology ghost yelped as he was pulled back and Poindexter replaced him. 
“Hey Danny, heard you were in a bit of a bind. Thanks to you, my Lair’s school is a better place now, bully free. You can cool your jets with me if you need to fly the coop.” Danny didn’t answer and instead opened one of the bags of chips, barbeque and ranch sweet. 
“You can also stay on my island for however long you need to recover,” Skulker grumbled, like it pained him to say. “It’s no fun to hunt you when you’re so weak. I want to defeat you at your prime not at your lowest.”
“No, no, come to my lair! Everything is beeping and flashing all the time and I have a Minecraft room!” Technus interjected.
“I guess you could come to mine if you have to,” Ember huffed. “But aren’t you also buddy buddy with the Yetis bein’ an ice core and all? Or Queen Dora? Pretty much anyone will open their lairs to you with your stupid, beaten puppy dog eyes.”
“You guys, I don’t know what to say,” Danny said softly, taken aback by the show of kindness. He took in the blankets, the coat, the food, their offers. They didn’t understand, not really, but they were trying. It meant a lot, coming from his enemies. “Thank you.”
“Well, yeah, us nerds got to stick together,” Poindexter grinned.
“You’re human and an annoyance but your existence has given my afterlife quite a thrill. I’m not ready for the hunt to end quite yet,” Skulker announced.
“You’re our favorite nemesis,” Technus exclaimed, trying to squeeze his face back through the packed skylight. “We fight, we banter but we also support each other when we’re down! Whenever I’m feeling down, I come into the human world and our battles have me back up and running in no time!”
“Huh,” Danny said, looking down with a small smile. If his enemies could put aside their grudges and help him when he needed it then maybe... “Thanks again really but uh, I think I should go home, check in with my folks. Probably shouldn’t have run off like that but um, if it goes bad...”
“You’re part ghost,” Skulker said with a sharp nod. “The Zone is as much your home as it is ours. Really should get around to making a Lair one of these days. Only weak ghosts and parasites leech off of others.”
“You know the way back from here?” Ember asked. “Need an entourage?” 
“Yeah I got it,” Danny answered, triggering his transformation. Poindexter squealed with delight as he phased out of his sad little ice cave. It looked cold and lonely which wasn’t what he needed right now. “And I’ll- it’ll be fine. I don’t think bringing a bunch of ghosts home with me will help my case.”
“Farewell, Child. May your spirits be higher on our next meeting. Having the support of ghost hunters will certainly add to the challenge of the hunt,” Skulker grinned. “I look forward to it.” He flew off and the others followed. Danny smiled, watching them go for a moment before flying in the opposite direction towards his house.
He was halfway home when the Fenton Assault Vehicle careened around a corner at an unsafe speed. Danny jumped as it went past, startled out of invisibility. He made eye contact with his parents before the RV skidded to a screeching halt and then hastily backed up. The window rolled down and he met the wide, teary eyes of his mom and dad.
“Uh funny running into you in a place like this,” he said shyly, looking down.
“Oh thank heavens, Danny where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!” His mother cried, jumping out of the RV and pulling him down into her arms. His father was on the phone, he heard Jazz’s name being mentioned, along with Sam and Tucker. “Baby, you’re freezing! Is this,” she paused, pulling back and delicately touching his wisp like hair. “Is that normal?”
“Sort of,” he said, leaning back into her touch. “It’s all kind of a long story. I shouldn’t have run off like that, I’m sorry.”
“No, you shouldn’t have but I don’t blame you,” Dad said, stepping out of the car and wrapping them both in a hug. “But Fenton men always make up for their goof ups. You were headed back home, right?”
“Yeah, home,” Danny sighed.
“Danny, I still don’t understand but I, we, love you and I’m sorry if we made you doubt that. We’ll work it out, sweetie, I promise. That’s what family does,” Mom said before ushering him and Dad into the car. “Now in you get, it’s too cold and too late for this and I do not want the neighbors complaining to the HOA again.”
Danny changed back in front of his parents for the second time that evening, this time intentionally. Their curiosity and happiness at seeing him overrode their earlier fear and confusion. He settled more comfortably into the backseat, warm and happy for the first time all evening.
“Danno, where’s you get the jacket?” Dad asked.
“My other family, don’t worry, I’ll explain it all tomorrow.”
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bimswritings · 3 years
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Savage Opress x Reader: Pt.2
Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Yandere Themes, Language
PT.1
Presents and Possessions
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Life aboard the ship of the Zabrak brothers wasn’t what you had been expecting. 
Savage had told you that you were to serve him, be there for his every call, but so far he had neglected to have you do anything. As far as servants went, your duties were next to nothing, and you hardly saw him on a regular basis.
His appearances were sparse appearing every other day. There were times when you would go days, even a week without seeing him. When you did he was, for a lack of better words, clingy.
The first few nights he had to wrestle you to get you to lay down, struggling against your squirming figure even with his superior strength. At first you had feared that he would try to pull something, leaving many sleepless nights for you as you remained stiff and on guard. As time progressed without incident, you found yourself becoming more relaxed, falling into a routine of sorts.
You would spend the day doing whatever it is you could find to occupy yourself in the room, be it reading one of the stray books he would bring or trying to maintain your physical skills and strength earned from years working in the mines. That strength could be your saving grace if you need to fight your captor, should he decide to flip the script and try to pull something one day. Then, at night or random intervals during the day, Savage would return. He would spend a majority of the time ranting, pacing back and forth across the room as he complained about one thing or another. All the while you would sit on the bed, silently listening.
On particularly rough days, he would forego any words and just drag you into his arms, holding you there for hours and not saying anything. It was as if the rest of the world was shut out to him at those times, ignoring your squirming as his horns poked into your skin, all the while his face remained bruised in the crook of your neck.
Even with having to deal with the clingy Zabrak, you were far from mistreated on the ship.
Visits with your brother were held once a week, either in your own room or in his own barracks. Sometimes he would even lead you to one of the various training rooms, excitedly bouncing up and down as he showed you whatever new skill he had learned from the Mandalorians. Savage would come along on those trips a few times, watching from the corner of the room in silence as you caught up with one another. Jay seemed to be in better health than he was back home, even putting on some weight between the regular meals and all the training he was doing. His strength was ever growing, and you had to put in some actual effort when wrestling with him.
Now that he wasn’t an enemy in their eyes, he was quick to earn the other warriors respect, often earning greetings as you walked side by side through the halls. There was still some bad blood between you both and some of the soldiers, namely the same blond man who had injured you back on your planet, but it was only to be expected. They never dared to bother you though, resorting to scathing glares as they walked past, Jay leading you through the halls with practiced ease, something that you found yourself slightly jealous of.
The only times you ever really left the room were to visit your brother, neglecting to explore more of the ship even though the doors remain unlocked. The fear of getting yourself into trouble or stumbling upon one of the guards with ill intent was too real in your mind, and the unknown territory did nothing to put your mind at ease. After spending the majority or your life on the same planet, in the same village, following roughly the same routine year after year, it made you cautious around the unknown simply because you didn’t know how to deal with it.
Unfortunately, the behavior didn’t go unnoticed by Savage as you had though. Hoping he just didn’t care about what you did when he wasn’t around, or that he was providing ample time to acclimate to the new surroundings, all theories were crushed after he broached the topic a month into your stay.
“Why do you never leave this room? The doors are unlocked, and you are allowed to wander. It’s not as if you could escape, even if you wanted to.” He spoke, turning towards you and pulling you from the daze you had been caught in. 
The question came out of the blue, and you had debated on lying to him. There was no point though, as withholding the truth did nothing to better the situation. So, with a small shrug of your shoulders you answered.
“I know no one here but my brother, and he finds himself more and more busy each day. If I were to run into anyone or get into any trouble, I fear what might happen. After all, I doubt the others, especially your brother, have any such fondness for me. I have no position on this ship.”
He said nothing, only staring at you a moment longer, eyes narrowed, before turning back to resume getting ready for bed.
You shrugged it off, figuring that he would drop the subject now that he had his answer. There was no reason he should have any concerns over your behavior further than that, and he acts no different when he pulls you into his chest that night, letting out a sigh as you begin humming lightly. Something you had done for Jay whenever he had trouble sleeping, and while trying to sooth yourself in the early nights of your forced companionship you discovered that he enjoyed it as well. The better mood he was in, the better things were for you, and you would be lying if you said that all the nights spent with him hadn’t warmed you up to the large Sith a bit, even if rationally you knew it was just a result of dependence and Stockholm.
Sleeping soundly as ever, it comes as almost a shock when he wakes you in the morning. Normally he would leave without so much as a word, so to be greeted with the sight of him standing above you, already dressed and shaking your shoulders roughly, was a bit of a surprise.
“Get dressed.” Is all he says, throwing the clothes in his hands into your lap before turning around to wait, facing the wall as you slip from your sleeping garments.
You do as he says, shedding your clothes and quickly slipping into the ones he had given you. The material was softer and nicer than anything you had ever owned, though still thick and heavy, providing warmth from the ever present cold of space. Upon closer inspection, you notice some stitching running all over the black fabric, which suspiciously resembles the same markings of his own skin. 
How long had he had this? And why was he giving it to you now?
Before you can put too much thought into it, he’s turned back around. Golden eyes give you a once over, a small lift to his lips as he takes in your form before turning back to the door.
“Come.” Is all he says before exiting, leaving you to scramble and catch up as you pull on your shoes before running after him. 
Once you do catch up, you still struggle to keep pace with him. His longer legs cover the same amount of ground as two of yours and he’s no slow walker. Taking place just behind him to his right, you catch him looking back over his shoulder to you. Now, certain that you’re following along, he begins pointing out different areas as you pass. Meeting rooms, offices where more notable figures could be found, even the control and engine rooms.
After a time of walking around the ship, you follow him to one of the previously mentioned training rooms to find Maul waiting for him.
“I see you managed to coax the little lolth out of her den.” His eyes flicker to you, practically burning into your skin and prompting you to hide behind Savage’s larger form. Said man ignores his brother’s words, instead directing you to stand by the door and out of the way as he removes some of his bulkier armor. 
For the next two hours they spar, switching between simple hand-to-hand combat and using their lightsabers, which crackle and spark with every clash. Not only was the sight of such weapons enough to amaze you, having never seen anything but simple weapons and the occasional blaster from traders, but the strength that both Zabrak possess. While Maul is clearly strong, he still relies on his superior agility to remain out of Savage’s grasp, who’s not as jumpy but just as dangerous, crushing metal floors and walls a plenty with both raw strength and an invisible force.
You can’t help but watch with wide eyes at the display of raw power, unaware of exactly how much both men were showing off. Savage in earnest, taking secret pride in the way you watched, and Maul in more of a teasing way. He knew what his younger brother was doing, bringing you with him, and while he might have found it annoying if it was anyone else, he found it quite humorous in this case.
After both men conceded and caught their breath, Savage approached and took back the armor you had been holding for him until then. All the while you tried to avoid watching the way his now uncovered chest stretch and pulled with every movement, soon hidden beneath his many layers of clothing once again. At least you were able to confirm the theory about the markings, with identifiable parts matching up against the ones on your own clothing.
Despite the embarrassment of the subtle claiming, it was also a bit infuriating for him to do so without even telling you. It’s not like you could complain though. He technically owned you through the twisted rules of conquest.
The day wasn’t done however as you soon found yourself surrounded by others in the middle of what you surmised was a war meeting, standing just behind Savage as he discussed their next move with the others. No wonder he always came back so wound up. Just listening to all the arguing going on was enough to give anyone a headache, just like the one that was quickly coming to surface and pushing behind your own temples painfully.
Even with all the arguing going on, you were still aware of the stares you received and the whispers that followed. You tried not to pay them much mind to it, knowing they wouldn’t try to pull anything or speak out with Savage there. The same couldn’t be said for Maul, who did nothing to hide his disinterest as he continuously stole glances your way, clearly relishing in the discomfort he caused you. 
By the time it was over, your legs were ready to fall off, feeling like jelly after spending hours standing during the meeting, which had stretched into late afternoon. Savage, seeming to sense your exhaustion, swept you off your feet and over his shoulder, all the while you were too tired to protest. Before you even made it back to the room you were out, the excitement of the day taking its toll and leaving Savage to deal with you, leaving both of you in your clothes from the day as he situated you in bed before curling his own form around yours.
If you had thought that your little adventure was just a one day thing, then you were dead wrong, treated to the same rude awakening, rushed out the door and forced to follow Savage around as he goes about his task.
This pattern repeats day after day, and he gradually begins giving you instructions and tasks. You’re led all over the ship, sent from one end to another on various orders for different people. Slowly, you start to become more comfortable and familiar with the surroundings. Finding your way around the ship is no longer a daunting task, with dark and ominous hallways that all looked the same becoming a well visualized mental map.
During the entire time you were learning, Savage was surprisingly patient. Not once did he get angry if you got lost, or took a while finding your way back. He simply just reminded you or where or what was needed in the same short tone he always used.
It took longer than you would care to admit, but eventually you caught on to what he was doing. He was getting you more familiar to the ship in his own way, practically forcing you to know the layout and interact with its occupants while turning you into his unofficial assistant. Thinking about it though, it is what he had said you would be doing in the first place.
Despite recognizing it as a form of slavery still, it made you feel lighter inside that he went out of his way to introduce the concept slowly, instead of just throwing you in headfirst. The feeling was quickly washed away as you remember who he was, beyond his interactions with you. A warlord and Sith who brought nothing but ruin to other planets, seeing them as nothing more than another part of their conquest and unfeeling for those he killed. Your planet was just one of the many to fall to their march.
Becoming familiar with the ship, there were obviously places that became your favorite to visit when there was time. Finding Jay, just to simply watch him progress while he trained and catch up, was the first thing you would do when given the time. Being around him also meant you were around the other Mandalorians, and you grew familiar with some, even friendly as they now extended their own greetings when seeing you run through the halls. It was comforting in a way, not feeling so isolated anymore.
Still, there were times where you simply wished to be by yourself. To take a break and attempt to forget the current situation you were in. The best place to do that was the large view port near the front of the ship.
It was a large window, spanning the entire length of the wall. You had discovered it by accident after getting lost once, taking a half hour to find your way back as there was nothing of importance close by and as a result there was little foot traffic. The lack of people made it perfect for thinking, and provided a beautiful view of the space beyond. It helped the wanderlust you held for the galaxies beyond, places you had never seen, nor had you ever thought you would see.
It was here you currently found yourself, relishing in the dim light of the stars passing outside and the atmosphere that came along with it. Savage would be expecting you back soon, but you could stretch it out a bit longer. Even if you were a bit late, he would only give a side look without saying anything against it.
So lost in the view beyond, you didn’t hear a set of footsteps approaching. Not until he speaks do you realize he’s even there.
“Nice view, eh?”
You jump, turning to face the young Mandalorian who holds his hands up in defense. Having never seen him before, even among the ranks of those who regularly populated the barracks and halls.
“I didn’t mean to startle you!” He smiled lightly, eyes crinkle at the action. “Just saw you standing all by yourself and figured you might want some company.”
Not really, you think to yourself. You came here to be alone after all, but there was no reason to be rude, especially since he had only approached with concern. Why not humor him with some small talk?
“It’s alright.” You smiled back, relaxing against the wall once again and content to continue the conversation. His questions are harmless, hardly even bordering on personal, but the way he seems to grow closer by the second puts a knot in your stomach, prompting you to slowly inch away. If he notices your discomfort he doesn’t mention it, only continuing his actions as his questions quickly turn more personal. Things such as ‘’do you have a boyfriend’ and ‘Which of the rooms are you assigned to?’.
“Listen, it’s been nice talking to you, but I really have to get back to work.” Sidestepping, you try to move around him, only for his hand to latch onto yours. You try to pull away, only for his grip to tighten painfully.
There’s no one around to help nor hear your struggles, and you curse yourself for allowing such a situation to occur. It’s one of the things you had been fearful of in the first place! There was still little you could do about the situation, fearful of the repercussions if you actually hurt him. But then again, Savage wouldn’t let them touch you, right? Surely he of all people would understand the need to protect yourself. He might even be glad you stood up for yourself! With that in mind, you swallowed thickly before drawing your arm back.
“Let go!” You cry, bringing your free hand down to deliver blow after blow. Each strike only bounces harmlessly off his armor, and it's only when you clock him across the face with a force that snaps his head back does he react.
He grunts, one hand coming up to staunch the blood now flowing freely from his now crooked nose. Long gone is the friendly smile, and in its place is a teeth gritting snarl as he tries to pull you closer.
“Listen here you little bitch! Why don’t you jus-”
He never gets to finish his sentence. Instead, he’s lifted into the air by seemingly nothing, eyes wide in shock, before being thrown against the wall with a force that shakes the ground.
It all happens in a split second, leaving no room to process what had just happened before your attention is drawn to thunderous footsteps approaching.
Savage’s aura is dark and menacing, almost tangible as he gets closer. It reminds you of the Rynic back home. Dangerous beast with razor sharp horns and needle like teeth. They were ill-tempered on the best of days, and it was better to just avoid them, should they take you as a threat and charge. 
He was like that now, the intention to kill glaring, seeming more like his brother than ever before.
He says nothing, not even sparing a glance at the dazed Mandalorian who’s still pinned against the wall, bleeding nose now the least of his worries as the angry Sith comes closer. It's now you realize that he’s using whatever he had when fighting Maul. The Force, you had heard him call it before. Not something you were well versed in to give a lecture on, but knew enough about from the whispers of traders and those aboard the ship alike.
“How dare you.” He growls. “How dare you touch what is mine!”
It’s now you notice his clawed hand, fingers constricting even tighter in the air as he approaches and prompts more choking noises from the trapped man. His own hands pull uselessly at his throat, trying to free himself from the invisible force preventing him from breathing. His efforts are to no avail, and he’s left at the mercy of the enraged Zabrak as you helplessly watch.
Within seconds his skin is turning blue, color creeping in and spreading like a virus from his lips and eyes, which themselves have become webbed with red, bloodshot and panicked as they dart around the room before landing on your own frozen form.
‘He’s going to kill him.’ You realize with a chill. You knew he was violent, murderous, but he had never killed in front of you before. The sight of which had shocked you, but which was gradually wearing off. If you didn’t do something quick, he was going to die, and while he had assaulted you just moments ago you still felt no desire to see his life slip away before your very eyes.
So, with all the strength you could muster, you launched yourself at Savage’s back, throwing your arms over his shoulders and around his neck in a choke hold. He shook, trying to rid himself of your weight much like a dog would a flea, and while he almost succeeded dug in deeper, legs barely managing to reach around his wide waist, and locked your ankles together.
While one arm remained locked around his neck, the other reached out in an attempt to pull his extended hand down. Maybe if you managed to drag it away from its current position pointed at the Mandalorian, it would break some sort of connection.
It's almost laughable how little you can do against his vastly superior strength, and any hope that you can actually do anything is a pipe dream, leaving you nothing but words as you plea for him to stop.
“Savage! This is crazy!” He seems to not hear, only grunting in mild annoyance as his only response.
By this point the man has stopped struggling, his once struggling form slowing to a stop as his kicking legs simply dangle alongside his hands. He looks like a corpse already, and if not for the occasional jerk of his chest as he tries to suck in air still. 
“If I’m anything to you, if I've ever been anything to you, then stop! Spare him!”
Something in your words seems to shake him, his head tilting lightly to catch your gaze over his shoulder. He pauses, hatred full eyes softening just a fraction, before his arm drops. The man’s body follows suit, falling the four feet to the floor, unconscious yet alive. There’s no time to be relieved however, as now with the advantage of both hands, Savage reaches around and grabs you by the collar, easily pulling you over his shoulder where he then proceeds to drag you along the floor, ignoring the way you kicked and struggled as he made his way through familiar halls. Anyone you saw did nothing, content with ignoring what was going on before their very eyes as you made your way to your destination.
A sense of dread filled your stomach as he roughly tossed you onto the bed of your room. There wasn’t even time to bounce off the soft surface before you were pinned down. Large hands worm their way under your clothes, discarding the layers and sashes with ease.
“S-stop! Stop!” You squirm, finally managing to pull away and spin around to face him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
His face is a mixture of anger and confusion, as if he can’t believe the way you’re reacting. 
“What am I doing? I’m protecting you, that’s what I’m doing!” His finger stabs accusingly in your direction, voice tinge with disbelief. “You’re so weak and defenseless! If I hadn't come along then who knows what might have happened.”
You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. Did he really think that you were so incompetent, so incapable? New rage burned through your veins, emboldening you as you stood chest to chest with him. Your neck was tilted at an uncomfortably angle as you glared at his towering figure.
“Helpless? I got along just fine before you came and kidnapped me! Now I’m living on a foreign ship with people who killed my entire village and two psychotic Zabrak, one of which has some weird obsession with me and has reduced me to nothing more than a glorified secretary!” 
He stiffened, aura growing increasingly menacing with every second. His hands flexed, clenching and unclenching by his sides. All of which was lost on you, too far gone and fed up with being ordered around without a choice. Now that the dam had burst, there was no holding it back.
“I would have handled the situation myself! I’ve dealt with far more handsy and stronger men than him! Furthermore I am not some toy to be fought over by grown men acting like children!” You pushed your finger into his chest to emphasize the point, feeling his chest expand as he takes in a deep breath. It's too late that you realize your mistake, and you doubt any amount of groveling will get you out of this one.
Instead, you back up slowly, wearily watching as you back away from his still form. His markings shine in stark contrast in the dim light of the room as he squares his shoulders, blocking any room for escape as he approaches. You’re forced back with every step, retreating until you find yourself backed into a corner. Fleetingly, your eyes dart around the room, landing on the door that seems light years away. If you could just make it there and out in the halls beyond then..then..
Then nothing. You were trapped. Even if you managed to escape, where would you go? He would find you, stuck on this ship, eventually.
Quicker then you’re able to process, one of his arms whips forward, cutting off any route of escape and causing the metal to vibrate with the impact. The ear closest rings dully, and you don;t even have to look to know that he’s left a dent. Hot breath fans across your skin as you stare wide eyed at the floor, not daring to look up and meet his gaze. Heart racing so fast, its amazing you can still hear over the thudding in your ears as he speaks.
“Has the lull of space dulled your senses, or have you forgotten what I said when I saved you from that pitiful little planet you called home. The one so barren and empty that you had to import all your goods. Where you were forced to do back breaking labor in order to survive, if that's what you want to call it.” 
The words are like daggers, sinking deeper the longer he speaks as you're reminded of your previous circumstances. You had survived, yes, but could you really consider it living? Then again, how was it any better than your current situation? Instead of having the freedom to provide for yourself, you were forced to bow under the will of others and hope that they were kind enough to keep you around and alive.
He draws closer, leaving you nowhere to go and feeling entirely too claustrophobic. 
“You. Belong. To me. I saved you! I'm your protector! And I can do whatever I want to you.”
His once quiet tone has risen to a yell, seeming to shake the very air and finally breaking your resolve.
A whimper leaves your quivering lips. Hardly louder than a whisper, but in the deathly still room it’s like a blaster shot, prompting the sith to freeze. Slowly, his hand raises. Ignoring the way you flinch away as he grips your jaw, he forces you to look at him directly. The calloused skin of his hands scratches at your own as he wipes away the tears now flowing freely. You hadn’t even realized you were crying, but the discovery breaks a sob from deep within.
He rears back like he’s been stung, leaving you feeling cold in the absence of his scorching skin. Stepping forward once again only results in a choking sound escaping your throat, freezing him in his tracks.
“I-I didn’t…” Words fading, his gaze moves from his own hands to your shaking frame and back again. A silent war goes on within him as the voices in his head fight for dominance. All the while you’re left to watch in fear for his next move.
With one last angry growl, he turns on heel and storms out of the room. The familiar beeping of the lock sounds, sealing your fate and you in the room.
Savage doesn’t return for seemingly hours, though it's unknown how long exactly as there was no way to keep track of time. All you know is that, after getting your tears under control and fixing your clothes back into place, you climbed onto the cot and fell into an exhausted sleep, constantly tossing and turning with your nightmares, yet forgetting them the moment you wake, drenched in sweat and shaking.
When you're woken once more, you nearly hurl yourself off the bed as bleary eyes spot a shadowy figure standing above. A hand clasp your ankle tightly before you can even move, pulling rough and dragging you to the edge where they then proceed to hold you in place with their legs alone. The entire time you struggle, kicking and squirming, which is quickly brought to an end as a startling familiar large hand grasps you by the nape, forcing your face into the blankets as he speaks.
“Hold still.”
It's Savage, you realize with a start. The shock of which stills your motions long enough for him to slip something around your neck. The foreign object was stiff, yet not uncomfortable apart from the fact that it was too tight to ignore.
Once in place, he released his grip, allowing you to escape and stumble your way towards the bathroom. The luminescent light was nearly blinding as it flicked on, revealing your latest accessory in the reflective surface of the mirror.
A collar. He had put a collar on you, like you were some sort of pet.
“What the fuck?” You whisper, hand ghosting over the offending wardrobe addition. The majority itself was made up of a thick black material, almost like steel woven fabric. Tilting it forward for a better look, you could see a thick layer of cushion-like material that you assumed was to keep from rubbing the delicate skin of your neck raw. In the very center was the only addition to the otherwise minimal design.
At first you thought it was a tooth or claw of some sort, the rough cone coming to a sharp point. The edges had clearly been smoothed, though you hated to think of how sharp the end was before receiving the dulling treatment.
Movement from the edge of the mirror disrupts your pondering, drawing attention to the lurking Savage. Not wanting a repeat of your last encounter, you're quick to exit the small room, ducking under his sweeping arm as you go.
“What is this!”
You seethe, keeping careful watch and making sure to keep ample distance as you circle the room. He seems unconcerned by your rage, simply watching with a hint of smugness to his heavy features.
“A gift.” 
A gift? Was this some kind of sick joke for him? A punishment for what happened yesterday perhaps?
As if sensing your confusion, Savage indulges you and explains further.
“You’ve made it clear that you wish to retain some form of independence, as laughable as the idea is. That,” he gestures to the item around your neck. “Is one of my own horns. As clear of warning there can be, since you seem so against me killing the fools who think to oversteps boundaries.”
You blink owlishly, hand moving to the organic charm. Taking a closer look, you saw that he was indeed down one of his normal crown protrusions, sawn cleanly from his right side. 
“Come. You’ve sulked long enough.” He leaves the room, not even sparing a glance back to see if you were following, which of course you were. While he framed it as being for your own benefit, you knew what it really was. 
A claim. A warning. However you wanted to phrase it. It all boiled down to one thing; you were his property, and this was his way of showing it. More merciful, and less humiliating, than other ways he could have done so, you surmised.
So, with great reluctance you followed him, feet shuffling and head down.
____Bonus_____
Few things in Maul’s life had given him the same amusement he felt now. From across the room he watched as you sulked after his brother, clearly unhappy. Your displeasure was easy to detect even for those that weren’t force sensitive.
The ‘necklace’, as it was kindly called, rather than the collar it more closely resembled, was already in place and on full display for all. Clearly you were unaware of the implications of what Savage had given you, otherwise your reaction would be of a highly different kind.
The broken horn fragment gleamed, and he noted that he had dulled it just as advised. Though he would have gone for a different design. Something more elegant, and less flashy. It did the job though, screaming his claim and ensuring only an idiot would dare to question his claim, lest they attempt to challenge him for the right to court you. If he didn’t know Savage any better, he might have thought that he was moving extraordinary fast in his advances, but he was one for action first and thinking later, just like when he had those robes made for you.
One thing was for sure, and that was how much he was looking forward to the ensuing chaos. After all, Savage was no ordinary Zabrak, and these were no ordinary circumstances. It was highly unusual for his kind to take mates outside their species after all.
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heliads · 3 years
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Over the Edge
Based on this request: “One shot of reader getting shot and hides from everybody including Wanda. She ignores it and continues to fight sword agents. At the end reader faint due to the injuries she has and Wanda take him and goes to the cabin where she cries.”
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You feel as if you’re standing on a precipice. One push, one shove, and you’ll be falling down, beyond the reach of anyone save a dark-winged angel.
You’ve always known that there will come a moment in time when your life will end. An injury, a sickness. A battle, maybe. You could sense that something would stop you from living life until the last- old age may be a guarantee to some, but to you, it was a privilege that you would never attain. No, you would die a moment too soon, a time before all others.
You had a certain affinity for seeing into the future. Your gift was frustratingly vague, always coming when you least wanted or expected it and never showing the final result. Your death was one of the first things you had ever seen. It was fitting, in a way: your birth of power was used to show how you would die. You would be alone, maybe. Whatever it was, it would be before you got the chance to grow old.
Ever since you’d gotten that first vision, witnessed the horrible sensation of something utterly wrong happening to snuff out your last breath, it was as if you’d been haunted by the promise of what would happen. You always checked behind you for someone watching your back, for an attacker or accident that could fulfill your vision. For a while, you were safe in the knowledge that your death wouldn’t be coming for a while as you had visions involving a future you, but you have no idea when those would run out, spelling the end for you.
The Avengers had come for you after the rumors spread. They always seemed to show up for cases like yours, cropping up like flies before the bodies can rot on a battlefield. This time, you’d predicted something too well: an attack on S.H.I.E.L.D. in the form of a HYDRA mole. You had seen the entire organization crumble as friend turned on friend, and no one had believed you.
Your family and friends had laughed. HYDRA? Shield? Girl, you’re stuck in fairy tales and ghost stories. Then it happened, the Triskelion falling flame to fiery explosions. Suddenly, your freak hallucinations weren’t quite so funny after all.
Representatives of the Avengers had shown up after that. No one knows about S.H.I.E.L.D. until after they come, that’s the way it always is. Yet you had known, and you would have to explain it all. You were sure that they would kill you for knowing, and that’s how your abrupt death would begin. However, you weren’t to be granted that reprieve of life just yet- when they offered a gun, it wasn’t a barrel pointed at you but a handle offered to you. A job, not a death sentence.
You took it. Of course you did. There is no way to politely turn down an organization with that much power, with that many members willing and able to dole out death like a greeting card. You had agreed, taking the job, and flowing along with the tide wherever it took you. No matter where you went, though, no matter how many prophecies you made, you always kept returning to the precipice. Somewhere, somehow, you would die. Did anything before that really matter?
The knowledge haunts you. It is hard to avoid. You might have saved yourself from certain death by taking up the Avengers’ offer, but by starting down that line of work, you might have damned yourself even more. Death threats and violent confrontations were a cup of coffee in the mornings with the Avengers, and by involving yourself with them, you increased the amount of times you could die. Sometimes, you wished you had never spoken those words allowed, never made the prophecy so they wouldn’t have found you.
Then you met Wanda Maximoff, and that was when you realized it might have all been worthwhile after all. She was like you- fleeing death, doing her best to do it on her own times. She practically sang with the tune of the dying, of her city and parents and brother. People tended to avoid you, afraid that you would see their end and they’d have to live with it just like you. Wanda, on the other hand, was not afraid. She’d seen enough death to know that you were no harbinger, just a Cassandra born to speak aloud. Why fear the speaker if you’ve seen enough of the stories?
The two of you stayed together. She woke up screaming on nights when the air was cold and the sights reminded her of all the damage she’d lived through. You didn’t want to speak for days at a time, when you’d had another vision and were horrified by what would come to be. No matter what happened to either of you, you’d always be by each other’s side.
It was good for a time. Maybe too good. Maybe you should have known then, that nothing in this world ever stays good for too long. You’d seen enough stories fracture to never place any trust in hope. Yet when you had that vision, seen the Infinity Stones brought together under Thanos’ watch, it had still torn you utterly apart.
You had told the Avengers, been the first call to muster the forces and prepare for war. It didn’t do much in the end. They still fought, bled, and died. Thanos snapped his fingers, and you were one of the first ones to go. Wanda had reached out to you just before you went. She was just a hair too far away. Her outstretched hand was too slow to reach you before you turned to ash and dust. In your last moments, you weren’t afraid at all. You had known it all along, hadn’t you? One last step off the precipice. You had seen it coming for years.
You had expected that to be it, that Thanos’ snap and your resulting death fulfilled your very first prophecy. However, your eyes still opened on the battlefield. From what they told you, it had been five years. You had spent a very long time in the dark, forced to behold hundreds and thousands of prophecies. Your mind felt like it could scream and tear itself apart from all that you had witnessed, yet you kept fighting as they asked. A wind up soldier, dealing out destruction wherever they pointed your weapons.
You knew that the fight wouldn’t end, even after Tony Stark sacrificed his life to save you all. The precipice would still loom. You had found Wanda in the fight, and she had finally wrapped her arms around you and pulled you close. Later, she would tell you that not being able to reach you in time had been one of her greatest regrets. It was one of the first times you had truly been separated in many years. She had never felt more alone as she died, even though it would bring you closer to the same home in the dark.
You had found her after the battle, after the funeral. You had told her in a trembling voice of all that you had seen, the countless prophecies and visions you had witnessed. If the Avengers or S.H.I.E.L.D. knew about them, they would send you down to record everything until your mind ran dark with blood and you went mad. Some of the visions weren’t yours to tell, you knew that, but spies have rarely cared for the price of secrets. By now they would already know that you had seen too much, and already be on the move. You had seen people following you for the past couple of days. It had already begun.
You didn’t know what you thought Wanda would say. You weren’t the mind reader, and you had only seen bare glimpses of what she would do in the future: a rushing wall of red, loud sobs, a house in the mountains. Twin boys. You had no idea what any of it would mean, just that she would continue to live. That alone was enough for you.
Wanda had stayed silent for a minute. You were used to her silence, welcomed it as much as a hearty conversation. At last, she rose, taking your hand to guide you back to the road. We will have a home, she had said, and they shall not hurt us here. When you arrived at Westview, New Jersey, you at last understood. You had seen this very sign when you were dead, and you had seen the scarlet barrier before even as Wanda casts it now. The very scope of her powers is astonishing, but everything was proceeding as it had been foretold. There is nothing you can do to stop the tide of time from flowing, nothing to stop the precipice from drawing ever closer.
When you look around you again, you’re still in Westview. Technically, your feet haven’t moved an inch. But the town itself is different- walls are brighter, people are happier. If you look closely, you can tell that something is wrong. This isn’t the way people are supposed to move, like they’re being jerked around on strings. This isn’t the way time progresses, or the way everyone seems to look at you like they’re screaming for help. This is wrong, horribly so, but it’s so tempting to be safe for once that you can glance away and pretend not to see.
It’s just so good here. So nice. Wanda smiles at you, and you smile back. They cannot hurt you here, cannot reach you. There are no labs or interrogations or people begging for details on your visions. For once, you’re not living in the future, but the present. You haven’t made a prophecy since you came, and your head is blessedly yours. Wanda understands what it is like to be a prisoner of your own powers, and she’s given you a chance to live.
You can tell which people are being manipulated by Wanda’s magic, which people are given scripts and lines to rehearse. You are not among their numbers; Wanda wants you to be you, and that means that you two can have your perfect future. It’s not a prison, it’s a refuge, and that means that you won’t need protection from her.
For the first time, you have the chance to grow old. You have always loved Wanda, and it is so easy here. There are no wars, no guards, no soldiers. You pick wildflowers in the park and present them to her with a flourish, she makes the entire town look like your favorite sitcom so you can practically be living in your favorite reality. You are both fighters who have bled for too long, but for once, you are whole. It’s an opportunity you wouldn’t give up for the world.
When the sky begins to fall, you pretend you don’t see it. You’re silently begging with the future, pleading it not to come. It has never listened to you before, but you can’t help but hope it will stay its hand this once. You see Agnes become Agatha, see the twisting wires of purple magic infiltrate the red. You see S.W.O.R.D. arriving outside the town, and you turn away. Please, you ask, just this once. Let me live this once.
Your pleas are ignored. They send people through the barrier, then armored trucks and weapons. Suddenly, your picture perfect home is shot through with rot, your happy future crumbling away to ash. You try to find Wanda, but she is gone, locked away with Agatha. Everything comes true. The cycle will always turn. You cannot find your love, and you cannot live as you hope.
When it breaks down fully, you know what must happen. So does Wanda. She finds you before she takes down the barrier, holding you in her arms. You can feel her on your hands, breath hot against your cheek. You’ll never stop being on the run from the precipice, from the watchers who want your visions. At least you had this with her. It was worth it, all of it.
The fight begins as they always do. Guns rattle, people cry out in terror. You have seen this scene before in countless different ways and places. However, you’ve taken part in enough battles to know how to continue. Knock out a soldier, take his gun. Keep fighting. Wanda is by your side, lovers staying together once more.
You hear the gunshot from across the town square. Distantly, a voice in the back of your head cries out in relief. This is it, what you’ve seen all along. The bullet hits you a moment later, a piercing pain that seems to shake your very bones. Your hand presses to your stomach, and when you pull it back only a second afterwards, scarlet is already starting to dye your shirt red. You look up, searching for Wanda. She doesn’t know yet. No one does.
Clarity is falling upon you. This is it, at last. The precipice. You stand up, forcing yourself to keep moving. You have always been born to die. At least let your last moments be worth something. S.W.O.R.D. agents fall, but it’s not enough. Will it ever be enough? You don’t have a choice. Wanda is turning to you now, eyes widening as she at last sees the red smear on your side.
When your head hits the pavement, you realize that it’s finally over. The gun falls from your head, clatters to the pavement. Wanda lunges for you, but she arrives too late again. Why is it that she is always one step too far? You don’t have any more visions of yourself, just of her. You’ve always been looking at her. When you die, you have a smile on your face.
Death is not peaceful. It never is for you. Your eyes are forced open by invisible hands, and you watch once more as the future is laid bare for you. I’m dead, you want to shout, stop making me see any more. But the prophecies keep coming. You are the one who sees them, and so you must see the world through. That is how it works.
Wanda, however, is not willing to give you up so easily. You’re not sure what price she paid to put breath back into your lungs and keep your heart beating, but when you wake, you’re in a cabin in the woods. You’ve seen it before, you realize, when you died the first time. This means you’re still alive, and you’ve eluded the precipice once more.
Wanda is leaning over you, relief written in every line of her face. When she sees you look at her again, she starts to sob in earnest. “Don’t ever do that to me again. I can’t take your death.” It is a shame, then, when you know how it ends. For now, though, you manage to crack a smile. “I don’t much enjoy it either.”
Death still weighs upon you, heavy as an anvil. There will come a day when even Wanda’s magic won’t be enough to save you, when love falls through the gaps and you will finally be laid to rest. The precipice still looms, as it always will. But for now, you sit up and take Wanda’s hand. At least when you face that fight, you will have your lover by your side. You can look far enough into the future for that. For now, you can keep on fighting, even when the precipice seems inevitable. You’ve accepted your death, but you would live for her.
marvel tag list: @mycosmicparadise
wanda maximoff tag list: @mionemymind​, @xxxtwilightaxelxxx​
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gremlinbehaviour · 2 years
Note
prompt: Percival accidentally causing injury to another of the knights (ideally Lance) in training...gotta be hard to control his strength, right?
“Today we’re going to be practicing grappling,” Arthur announced. “I know many of you may see it as undignified, but it’s important to be able to hold your own if and when you’re separated from your weapons.” This statement was directed at the knights who had been born into nobility, since he knew that his Round Table knights had no qualms about doing what was necessary to survive, and probably had plenty of experience already. The most wrestling that the others had, however, was probably from horsing around with their brothers as children or the other young men when they were squires. “Everyone pair up.”
“May I have this dance?” Lancelot joked, offering a hand out to Percival as he, predictably, chose his best friend as his partner.
“Are you sure you don’t want to pick on someone your own size?” Percival teased in return, grasping his friend’s forearm firmly.
“I figured we should spare the nobility the embarrassment of being thrashed by you on their first round,” Lancelot said, more seriously than before but still with a smile on his face. It was typical of him to still be concerned with the dignity of those who would never show him the same courtesy. The other two non-noble knights had also paired up with one another, although their motivation for doing so were probably less honorable. Percival was excited to watch the two grapple, given their skill and dexterity, but also also their willingness to fight dirty and their love of messing with one another. If neither of them ended up at least bruised by the end of this it would be a miracle, although they wouldn’t actually try to hurt one another.
“We’ll demonstrate a few moves and then you all can practice,” Arthur announced over the chatter of people talking to their partners. He turned to Leon and showed a few techniques for how to deflect a blow away from one’s body at a slow speed before releasing the knights to practice for a while. Lancelot dutifully used the moves that were shown, even though he knew them already along with many others. Percival just rolled his eyes and humored him, but when it was his turn, mixed it up a little with some strategies he found more effective. Back in his home village, he had been a star wrestler, winning every competition that was sometimes held during festivals and the like.
Since today was about learning instead of winning, though, he held back on his full strength so that Lancelot had a chance against him. As soon as he stepped up the pace, his friend smiled and matched him blow for blow. Striking with his hand open instead of a fist and far more lightly than he would in a real fight, the smaller knight landed the first proper strike, hitting Percival below his chin with the back of his fingers. It didn’t hurt at all, in fact he barely felt it, but it still got the point across that Lancelot had gotten through his guard. He knew he wasn’t as fast as any of his friends, and his main advantage in fighting of being able to take a lot of punishment didn’t really apply here. He would have to do something else to gain the upper hand.
Arthur and Leon called the group back together before he could retaliate and, probably frustrated with Lancelot and Percival and Gwaine and Elyan going off script and distracting all the other knights who had stopped their own practice to watch them, guided them through the next set of exercises as a set. They demonstrated the moves and had the knights follow along in time until they could do the motions at speed. As long as they knew the blow that was coming, though. The motions themselves were easy, it was choosing which ones to use to counter a specific blow, and anticipating what that would be in time, that were the tricky parts. By the time Arthur and Leon finally released them to practice at their own speeds again, Percival could see that even Lancelot was getting frustrated by the slow pace.
He took this out on his sparring partner, although never straying out of control, of course. He didn’t bother with pretending to be learning the demonstrated moves this time, attempting another hit to Percival’s face right off the bat. The larger knight was ready for him this time, blocking the blow. He knew he wasn’t fast enough to hold his own in the striking section of a fight, however, so he quickly executed a quick move to get Lancelot on the ground. Leon yelled something at him, and there were a number of sounds of surprise as the less experienced knights quickly became an audience.
“Is that legal?” Someone asked, at which Gwaine scoffed.
“There’s no such thing as legal in a fight,” he replied. Lancelot, appropriately, grabbed Percival’s hand from where it pushed against his chest and pulled two of the fingers back. He could have broken them if Percy hadn’t reacted and let go in time, moving his hand around to grab Lancelot’s arm and pin it behind his back. He wasn’t expecting his friend’s shoulder to shift under his hand as he shoved him onto his stomach, or for the popping noise that followed, or for him to suddenly scream. Startled as he was, Percival took a second to move, but once his shock wore off he instantly scrambled off of him.
“I’m so sorry, I- I don’t know what happened. I didn’t mean to,” he rambled. That move shouldn’t have hurt him that bad; he was trying to be careful! Leon, who had immediately rushed over, knelt down between him and Lancelot.
“Are you okay?” he demanded of the knight who still lay on his back, making no attempt to move. Maybe he couldn’t. Percival’s heart pounded with the thought that he’d seriously injured his friend; he had been on top of him, maybe he’d shifted his weight wrong and hurt his back. That would be bad, really bad. Why had he thought it was a good idea to grapple with Lancelot? He never should have taken that chance with anyone, much less his best friend.
“I- I’m okay,” Lancelot gasped, though his voice was shaking. “It’s nnnot his fault. My shoulder just dislocated, but it’s done that before. I shouldn’t have been fighting this way, it’s my fault-”
“How can it be your fault if I hurt you?” Percival asked, guilt replacing panic at the revelation that it was just his friend’s shoulder, not his back or neck that was injured. Although it was bad enough that he’d hurt him at all, even if it would heal.
“We can assign blame and forgiveness later,” Leon said sensibly. “Lancelot, can you move, or should we get Gaius to come down here?”
“I’m f-fine, really,” Lancelot tried to insist, using his good arm to push himself upright even as he gasped with the pain of it. He kept his injured arm held tight against his body, but accepted Leon’s help in getting to his feet. “I can walk.”
“Let me help you to Gaius’s,” Percival begged, scrambling to his feet as well.
“I can make it there myself,” Lancelot protested. “I don’t want to take you away from training.”
“Like there’s a chance in hell of me practicing with anyone else after hurting you,” Percival countered. Even if someone else was willing to fight him, he wouldn’t let himself risk it. “Please, Lancelot, let me help you. It’s the least I can do.” Although he insisted that he was okay, the knight’s face was pale and he looked about to faint at any moment, and Percival would never forgive himself if he let him go along and then he hurt himself more by passing out.
“Okay,” the knight finally agreed in a soft voice. Percival gently grasped his elbow on his uninjured side as he led him towards the castle.
“Get well soon!” Gwaine called after them.
Despite Lancelot being a little unsteady on his feet, he was able to walk at a normal pace with support, so they reached Gaius’s chambers fairly quickly. The physician looked up from his desk when they entered. Instantly diagnosing that this was not just a social call by the way Lancelot held his arm and how Percival lingered protectively near him, he gestured for the injured knight to take a seat on the patient cot.
“What happened here, then?”
“I dislocated Lancelot’s shoulder,” Percival explained with a wince. “We were wrestling and I guess I don’t know my own strength.”
“I told you, Percy, it’s happened before,” Lancelot sighed as he sat down. “More than once. It’s not your fault.”
“Once a joint has been injured once, it does make it easier to reinjure,” Gaius confirmed. “Can you take off your shirt? Gently, now.”
Percival stepped forward to help, carefully rolling up the back of Lancelot’s shirt where he couldn’t, and shouldn’t have tried, to reach himself, and then slipping it over his head and down his arms. The knight still groaned as his arm was jostled, but it was better than him having tried to do it himself. Now revealed, his shoulder was visibly out of place, with the skin around it red and already starting to swell.
“Gods, Lancelot, I’m so sorry-”
“It’s okay, Percy, accidents happen,” Lancelot tried again to absolve him before breaking off with a groan as Gaius touched his arm. “I’ll forgive you if you sit down here and let me squeeze your hand.”
Percival hurried to do as he was asked, taking a seat on the cot next to his friend and gently taking hold of his good hand. Lancelot immediately leaned further into his touch, laying his head against his shoulder and pressing his face into the fabric of his shirt. To his surprise, Gaius grabbed Percival’s free hand and guided it over to Lancelot’s right hip.
“You’ll have to hold him still,” he explained quietly. He wasn’t wrong, since as soon as he lifted Lancelot’s arm to begin to manipulate it back into place, the knight jerked under his touch and squeezed Percival’s hand tightly.
“This’ll be over soon,” Gaius promised. Valuing speed over gentleness, he swiftly pulled on the limb with one hand while the other grasped the joint and and popped the dislocated shoulder back into place. Lancelot screamed into Percival’s skin and then gasped as he tried to get his breath back, chest heaving. “Stay there, I’ll go get some cool cloths and arnica to keep the swelling down.”
Lancelot wasn’t planning to move anytime soon, perfectly content to let his friend take his weight as he slumped against him, all his energy wrung out by pain. Percival rubbed his hip soothingly.
“I’m sor-”
“Please, you don’t need to apologize again,” the injured knight interrupted him before he could finish. “I’ll be alright.”
“Okay. I’ll stop saying sorry if you let me look after you to make up for it,” Percival negotiated. He knew his friend would insist that he was fine and try to move his arm when he should have been resting it, but that wasn’t going to happen under his watch. “I can, like, carry things for you and such. My strength has to be useful for something.”
“It’s good for lots of things,” Lancelot reassured him, though he really should have been the one receiving the comfort, not giving it. “Like holding me.”
And hurting you, Percival thought to himself in guilt, but he gently folded his arms further around his friend and held him close.
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writingbeary · 3 years
Text
Kingdom - To The World (pt.2)
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Minyoung’s Outfit
Note:
Texts placed inside brackets are Kingdom’s show subtitles
Italicized texts are in English
Texts that are block quoted are interview cuts
────────── ♔ ──────────
Hongjoong went to the studio to gets ideas from Pirates of the Caribbean and writing down notes when a knock was heard. Pausing the movie, he stood up and unlocked the door to check who came.
"Joong-oppa! I brought you snacks and coffee. I figured you'd pull another all-nighter to brainstorm and a little sugar might help generate ideas." Minyoung entered with a paper bag full of snacks and a cup of coffee.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting by now? I thought you had a schedule tomorrow." Hongjoong frowned knowing how late it is, before taking the snacks thanking the younger girl for them before making himself comfortable on the couch.
"I accidentally left my script at the lockers this morning so I went to get it. I figured I’d drop by the studio and give you something while I'm at it. Don't worry, I'll get some sleep as soon as I get home and the shoot starts at 10 anyway so I'd get plenty of time before I have to leave tomo-.. later" Minyoung smiled plopping down next to Hongjoong
"Just try to get some rest soon. You're busiest among all of us with your drama on top of our promotions and Kingdom." Hongjoong reached out to pat Minyoung's head
"It's nothing I cannot handle! You know me, I can sleep whenever." Minyoung laughed as she look at the screen, recognizing the movie she turned to look at the leader excitedly “You’re watching Pirates? Are we continuing our Introduction Stage concept?” 
“I’m not yet sure but our group’s concept is mostly about pirates so we might as well stick with it.” Hongjoong shrugged taking a sip of coffee
“I always trust your decision oppa! Your ideas for songs and concepts have been all brilliant so far that I’ll follow you in whatever you plan on doing.” Minyoung declared making Hongjoong chuckle.
“I appreciate the confidence but I’ll also ask for your inputs once I talk it over with Eden-hyung” 
“Mhm. I’m just saying that if you tell me to do perform a stunt, I’ll do it. Or maybe even if you tell me to suddenly sing a ballad version of Fireworks or Pirate King, I’d do it in a heartbeat if you arrange it. You know what I mean?” Minyoung said seriously before laughing with Hongjoong. “I’m pretty sure the other members would tell you that too. That’s how much we trust you as our leader.”
“Got it. Thank you bun.” Hongjoong ruffled her hair smiling. “You should head back and get some rest. I’ll finish up here first before my meeting with Eden-hyung. I’ll see you during our meeting, okay? Did you come with manager-hyung?” 
“No. Don’t worry, I’ll just call a cab home. I’ll be fine, I’m already an adult. Geez! If it helps, I’ll send you a message once I’m at the dorms. Fighting oppa!” Minyoung pouted before waving goodbye to Hongjoong “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow!”
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[What song did ATEEZ choose for their first round?]
“We just finished our practice and it’s almost 1:00AM” Hongjoong faced the camera as San and Wooyoung fiddle with the vitamins in the box with San being forcefully fed. “It’s good for your body.” Wooyoung chuckled as San looked at him in disbelief.
“We have to win first place after we eat this.” Hongjoong declared laughing
“Okay. First place? We can do it.” San nodded, trying to finish what’s in his mouth despite not liking the taste. “People say what’s good for your body, tastes bad.”
“Do each of these taste different?” Hongjoong asked as he force himself to swallow despite the bitter taste.
“Nope. They all taste the same.” Wooyoung laughed when Hongjoong confessed he might not be able to finish his before going off to get water.
“There is a reason why I made you guys eat this.” Hongjoong said as he took out his tablet showing them the division of the teams made in preparation for Round 1 of Kingdom. “So I need your ideas on what comes to mind when you think about pirates?”
San listed of things that first came into mind like guns, sword, and eye patch. Wooyoung adding in that they need the flags “We already have flags right?”
“But isn’t the ship the most important thing?” San asked as Hongjoong writes down all their ideas on the tablet for the KQ teams to check before their meeting tomorrow.
“Hey. Hey there. Park Seonghwa-ssi. Got any ideas?” Hongjoong called out to the him on the other side of the practice room. The three laughing when they noticed what is happening. Minyoung was clinging unto Seonghwa like a koala while the eldest just lets her do what she wants, patting her back repeatedly as if making her sleep.
Minyoung answered “Treasure! Pirates go sailing for treasure with their treasure map.” her sudden answer making the three in-front of the camera laugh.
“I thought you didn’t want to be in today?” San asked the girl who looked up at him from her position before shaking her head. “I’m comfortable here.” 
Seonghwa chuckled before answering Hongjoong’s previous question “Maybe like a compass, a trumpet, or a telescope.”
“You’re saying we should reuse what we used before? I like the idea.”
“Oppa, I don’t think we have the luxury not to use what we have.” Minyoung commented making the members crack up particularly with how she looked when she said it.
“Now that we’re discussing together, we’re getting lots of ideas.” Wooyoung noted as their concept grows clearer as they talk
Hongjoong looked at the growing list of ideas nodding “Yesterday, I watched all of Pirates of the Caribbean in the studio all night.”
“Did you get anything from it?” Wooyoung asked curious what they’ll adopt into their performance.
“I really want fog effects on the stage. You know how the ship appears with the fog? I really want to incorporate that to our performance.” Hongjoong explaining the scene to the members. Everyone agreeing that it’ll look great and cinematic which is perfect for the concept they’re going for.
The next day, the members sat around in their practice room to discuss the details of their performance with everyone. “Since our results for the Introduction Stage was a bit disappointing, we need to get ready for round one.” Hongjoong stated as everyone looked as determined as ever to rank higher this round. 
“Since we’re sticking with the concept of being pirates, it’ll be fun if we make it like a movie.” Wooyoung suggested
“Then Hongjoong-hyung will be Joongyi Depp.” Jongho quipped with Hongjoong playing along. “San will be a swordsman. San has to fight.”
“As for Wooyoung..” Hongjoong looked at Wooyoung trying to think of a role when Yunho suddenly said “Chef” making everyone laugh at the unexpected role.
“Oh! That’s true though. We all need to eat and someone has to be the chef.” Minyoung said through her giggles
“So when a war breaks out, he’ll be fighting with frying pans.” Hongjoong chuckled doing fighting motions as if he was holding pans in both his hands while Wooyoung just laughed in disbelief at the idea
“As for Yunho since he’s tall, he’ll be in charge of raising the anchor.” Yunho nodded before firing another remark “Seonghwa-hyung can be the parrot on the Captain’s shoulder!” At this everyone laughed imagining the it.
[Parrot Seonghwa, featuring Hongjoong’s shoulder]
“I’m..I’m not even a human?” Seonghwa asked laughing at the idea
“For Yeosang-hyung since he is smart, he can plan strategies.” Jongho continued on.
“What about me? What am I? Oh! I can be the doctor! I like Chopper!” Minyoung exclaimed making everyone crack up at the random remark.
“Okay that’s enough joking around. We can position ourselves and show something in terms of our gestures.” Hongjoong explained as the others nodded already thinking of what to do for the performance.
“We’re not ordinary pirates. It’s a contest in a way..so in order to look more fancy and grand, I think we need fantasy elements. For example, we can have the Kraken come out.” Yunho suggested
“So based on what we said so far, let’s scatter and talk to the professionals if these can actually come true.” Hongjoong nodded delegating tasks to everyone
[They split into the music team and the choreography team and continue the discussion.]
“The TF team was formed just for Kingdom.” Hongjoong explained to the camera while Minyoung and Jongho nodded. “All the members are scattered right now.”
"The reason we split up is because we cannot waste time. We still have our promotions on top of making preparations for Round 1. So I came here with Minyoung and Jongho to discuss the music" Hongjoong explained to their producer Eden
“Personally, I think of Jongho’s crazy high notes as one of our strengths.” Eden started glancing at Jongho as he explained his idea, then turning to look at Minyoung who looked at him curiously.
"I was thinking along the lines of showcasing our main weapon and the hidden weapon." Hongjoong continued as he tapped both of them on their shoulders
"Right. People already know about Jongho's strength but I think it's about time we unveil ATEEZ's hidden treasure. So I’m wondering if I should add 3 or 4 levels of pitch for the both of you and blast them away with that." Eden suggested with Hongjoong agreeing almost instantly when Eden declared “Nevermind. Let’s just go with four. Since we’re doing it anyway, we should go all out.”
Jongho shifted in his seat knowing there’s no backing out of this plan when Minyoung sat up and said in all seriousness along with a blank face "Ah. It is time for my death. You’re asking me to die” making everyone laugh at her antics.
Minyoung let out a sigh before smiling “Since my leader says so, I have to prepare myself thoroughly and execute it well. I'll do my best, at least enough not to drag Jongho down!"
"You'll do well bun." Hongjoong grinned already planning how to highlight the youngest two’s vocals for the performance.
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[What did you mean by hidden treasure?]
"It's actually a bit of a shame for me to say this..but we haven't really had the chance to let Minyoung's vocals shine in our songs. Although, we've made her do the killing part of songs here and there but she is mostly highlighted for the dance. If I were to put it in figures... I guess you could say we were only able to show off 40% of her potential as a vocalist." Hongjoong smiled before continuing "You can definitely look forward to it."
[Are you feeling pressured for Round 1?]
"Of course! This time, I was given a very important role that could really make or break our performance. I'm nervous but I think the excitement overshadows that nervousness. I just want to show off what ATEEZ is capable of and give back to our fans who continues to support us." Minyoung answered with a confident smile
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“Let’s not worry about anything else and make a movie out there.” Hongjoong looked at everyone as they gathered in for their group cheer before they head to the stage. All of ATEEZ nodding with a smile before they cheered “9 makes 1 king!”  
“Is that a ship?” Chan asked as he moved a bit closer to the monitor as the familiar sound effect was heard.
“Waah. That’s so ATEEZ.” Changbin nodded as the ship interior is shown before the music starts
“I guess their entire stage is set inside the pirate ship.” Q noted to the other members of THE BOYZ.
“Everyone has a story.” Eunkwang leaned in, anticipating the upcoming stage.
“I guess they’re going with the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean for this stage.” Jaeyoon noted finding the feeling of the opening similar to that of the movie.
“I guess he’s the Captain. That so cool! He wore a fur coat!” Bobby noted already absorbed in the performance.
“This is a movie. Totally a movie” Chan commented as the scene played and changed into Hongjoong’s opening rap.
“I asked Minyoung what they planned to do for this stage and all she told me is that I’ll understand when I see it. I can see why she didn’t tell me anything now.” Jisung chuckled as Minyoung’s part played after the opening rap.
“They really prepared a lot for this one. So cool. This arrangement is totally my style.” Eunkwang confessed watching the performance intently.
Everyone was surprised when Wooyoung danced together with the bone-breaking dancers but even more when the Kraken came into the screen. Out of everyone, Bobby was the most excited at seeing the creature. “It’s the Kraken!”
“That’s crazy. How did they come up with this idea?” Jisung exclaimed, letting out an astonished laugh
When Seonghwa sang the chorus, everyone’s mouth was hang wide open and cries of joy were heard from the groups as he fired at the creature killing it. The excitement from that scene has not yet faded when the camera changed and zoomed in on both Jongho and Minyoung on the platform as they sang the bridge as if answering one another. They were also unprepared for when both the youngest members of ATEEZ suddenly pulled off a 4-level high note, leaving most of them speechless.
Minhyuk gasped at how high the notes were while Changsub and Eunkwang clapped in admiration, knowing how hard it is to hit those notes.
“Just how high are they planning to go?” Sangyeon laughed in awe at how the two were able to hit the notes clearly.
Inseong chuckled in disbelief before saying “I can’t believe they’re going all out right now.”
Jisung not expecting the high notes let out a laugh, amazed at both of his friends as he clapped for them. “Wow.. Hold on.” Changbin managed to say shocked at what just happened
Chani laughed astonished particularly towards his friend, exclaiming “Park Minyoung! You’re crazy. From the highnote, now you do this?” when Minyoung took center position during dance booster of the last chorus before passing the focus to Seonghwa for the ending.
After the performance, the groups couldn’t help but compliment the group as they showed off and proven that the title monster performers wasn’t a title without reason.
“They’re awesome” Junhoe stated while Bobby who was still excited with the Kraken and the high note agreed nodding endlessly.
(Comments after the performance)
SF9 Inseong: I was really impressed with Jongho-ssi and Minyoungie. They both hit four high notes. SF9 Jaeyoon: Right. I knew Minyoung-ssi could sing well but I never knew she could do it this well. SF9 Chani: *proud smile* Minyoung pulled a huge surprise attack. 
THE BOYZ Juhaknyeon: I was really surprised when they sang the high notes. Really. 
THE BOYZ Hyunjae: Me too. I thought it was over, but they hit another high pitch. It’s a lot more difficult since there are two of them who did it. *laughs*
iKON Jinhwan: When their performance airs on TV, this will be a legendary performance for them.
Stray Kids Felix: The moment the Kraken came out.. *sound of awe* Stray Kids Changbin: I’ll go see it in person. *stands up* Stray Kids Chan: Yah.
THE BOYZ Sunwoo: They chose the performance they could do well and show who they are the best and executed to perfection. 
BTOB Eunkwang: There were no flaws. Even as another singer, I thought it was really cool. 
Stray Kids I.N: When they got off the pirate ship, everyone danced as a  group. That was very impressive for me.  Stray Kids Han: I loved the Kraken. How did they come up with the idea?  Stray Kids Chan: Wahh. Kraken. Really. That’s all I can think about. Stray Kids Han: No wonder Minyoung wouldn’t give me any hints on what they prepared. Seriously.
iKON Bobby: I was so nervous when Kraken showed up. They defeated it. He shot his gun at the end. iKON Jinhwan: You were so happy iKON Bobby: I was so overwhelmed with the grandeur. It was incredible.
ATEEZ finally done with the performance thanked everyone as they made their way backstage. Minyoung hugging Jongho with tears in her eyes saying “We did it. We really did it.”
“You did well.” Jongho returned the hug, patting the girl’s back lightly. He knows how hard Minyoung had to prepare and how high the pressure she felt for this performance. He was really proud of her and glad that they can finally show off her talents through the show.
“This is why people love Kingdom.” Hongjoong grinned at the camera when it focused on him, Seonghwa adding in “It feels liberating.”
“We all had this feeling. After the performance, we had such a good feeling. I was satisfied with that.” Hongjoong explained when asked what he thought of their performance
As soon as the group is back in their waiting room, everyone commented how it felt liberating after they finished the performance.
“When we finished our performance, I felt so proud of ourselves.” Hongjoong confessed as the other members let out a laugh
“Didn’t you choke up?” Seonghwa asked chuckling
“Do you know who cried after the performance?” Wooyoung grinned teasingly and moving his hands to point towards Minyoung who was still a bit teary-eyed.
“Yah. Let her be. She did extremely well.” Yeosang reached out towards his friend patting his arm
“Who says she didn’t? We all did well but you have to admit, Minyoung had a higher hurdle than any of us.” Wooyoung stated defending himself. “I’m proud of everyone but right now, I’m most proud of Minyoung.”
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(Phonecall with Chani and Minyoung)
Minyoung: Hello? Chani: Youngie-ah! What’re you doing? Minyoung: I’m at the broadcast station for our album promotions. Why? Chani: Is ATEEZ preparing well for round one? Minyoung: Are you trying to spy on us right now? *laughs* We’re still not done since we have to promote our album well too. Then what about SF9, are you preparing well? Chani: *laughs* yah. We haven’t even started anything. Minyoung: Ahh. That means you’re almost half way done right? What song are you going to do? <Fanfare>? <RPM>? <Now or Never>? Chani: *surprised* Why are you asking- Minyoung: Oh! So It’s one of the songs I said *laughs* so which one is it? Chani: Why did I even bother to call you? *sighs, chuckling* Minyoung: *laughs* Alright alright. Let’s just see each other’s stages during the filming.
[As expected, these two friends know each other so well]
(During SF9′s Stage)
“I talked to Chani last week and he said they didn’t get to practice as much but every time he says that, it always ends up something incredible. I don’t really believe him anymore.” Minyoung told her members as she focused on the monitor.
“That’s also what you told Jisung when he asked, no?” Jongho laughed as the girl shrugged
“It must be <Now or Never> given how they’re describing the song” San concluded
As SF9 started their stage, everyone wondered about what concept they’re going to show for this performance. 
“Omo. That was a mirror? Are they going for Snow White?” Minyoung asked outloud making Hongjoong look at her laughing “Why Snow White?” 
 “I don’t know. They’re wearing red outfits and Snow White has the Witch with the mirror. Don't mind me." Minyoung shook her head realizing how far fetched the theory sounded.
“Oh, I got goosebumps!” Jongho confessed as the song’s overall atmosphere was changed into a darker tone than usual, highlighting SF9’s vocal and acting abilities.
"What is Chanhee doing? Did he suck blood or something? Omo. Are they vampires? Is that what's happening?" Minyoung fired continuously, Wooyoung who was getting distracted by her comments reached out to place a hand over her mouth. "Shh. Let me watch in peace."
"I know I shouldn't say this when their concept is far from it but Dawon-sunbaenim looks adorable." Minyoung commented, trying to stifle her giggle, as Dawon's part came with a mirror on his back. "..it's like he is pouting"
San still focused on the performance pointed to the monitors and said "I have no idea what is happening but this performance screams SF9. It shows off their mature characteristics. It’s all sexy."
“Oh he took his heart.” Hongjoong noted as the music cut off for a second transitioning to a group dance sequence.
“Omo. SF9-sunbaenim. This is really sexy.” Minyoung mumbled with Wooyoung glancing at her, as the opportunity to tease her presented itself again, saying “Are you falling in-love right now?” Minyoung became flustered shaking her head, lightly hitting his arm. “I didn’t mean it like that!”
“SF9-sunbaenim really showed off their acting skills. Their expressions were really on point.” Minyoung exclaimed clapping when the performance ended.
“I really got goosebumps throughout their stage. Wow.” Jongho agreed still in awe of how the performance went.
“But really..they know what the fans want. The fans love concepts that exude these charms and well, they have every capability and the confidence to pull off this concept. They’re all so cool.” Minyoung explained her thoughts from before as the other members nodded in agreement that SF9 does fit well with the concept.
“So are mature concepts are your style? Sexy?” Wooyoung continued to tease her while Minyoung blushed but kept quiet knowing that answering him would only fuel his teasing. 
While this was happening the members of the Minyoung protection squad, as fans would call Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and Jongho, looked at each other with a silent agreement: make sure Minyoung doesn’t get too close with the rest of SF9 if they’re her type. If she’s going to be dating anyone then they have to get through at least the three of them before anything else.
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All of the participants gathered inside the studio while waiting for the production staff to tally the results of Round 1 for both the expert’s evaluation and group evaluation. ATEEZ were seated beside iKON, a wish granted for the group as they all wanted to interact and get closer to their senior.
“Later..What time are you going?” Chanwoo asked Seonghwa who was seating beside him. 
“We’re probably going to go straight right after this finishes.” Seonghwa answered truthfully, Minyoung who also heard the question looked over, piping in “We still have a schedule around 8 today.”
Jinhwan nodded before asking “How many weeks has it been since the start of your comeback promotions?” at this the whole of ATEEZ had their full focus on iKON, a bit giddy for being able to talk with their idols.
Wooyoung immediately answering “The first week has ended so it’s the second week now.” to which Hongjoong adding in “We came back around the same time as sunbaenims.
“Ah but the choreography for Fireworks is really intense, how did you have the time and energy to do two performances together?” Jinhwan praised them, in awe and curious how they could manage to prepare for the round 1 stage while having to promote with such an intense song. ATEEZ laughed understanding what he meant but offering no comment.
“Were you the one who did the high notes?” Bobby asked Jongho beside him the latter nodding “Ah yes. I did it with Minyoung” motioning to the girl who bowed to the rapper. Bobby was smiling looking over the two vocalists when Jinhwan explained “Bobby said he became a fan.” 
“Ah. Thank you.” Minyoung surprised to hear the revelation bowed in thanks.
“Yeah really. Those high notes were just out of this world, more than the Kraken. For real..you’ll be first this time.” Bobby smiled as ATEEZ thanked them for the compliment.
Yunho taking in the opportunity to talk with iKON confessed that during their trainee period, everyone watched iKON’s performances and practiced their stages a lot. “That’s true. When we were trainees, during our monthly evaluations, everyone here did at least one iKON song for the test. We all did <Apology> and <Rhythm Ta> together.”
“That must have been tough.” Junhoe chuckled, thanking ATEEZ for liking their songs.
“How long has it been since your debut?” Bobby asked curiously
“We debuted in 2018.” Wooyoung answered
“Ah it has been a while. But it’s tough, isn’t it?” Bobby recalled his own experiences when they first debuted while ATEEZ just laughs awkwardly as they cannot deny that it does get tough. “When do you rest then?”
“When the promotion ends..” Jongho started trailing off, Hongjoong finishing the sentence for the maknae “When promotion ends, we get our breaks then.”
The continued to talk regarding promotions when Bobby suddenly asked them where their dorms are with Wooyoung readily describing the place making Bobby in particular excited as it is also near his residence. San invited him to visit the company sometime while Bobby agreed that he’ll drop by when he can.
“If there’s some time, it would be great to get a meal together.” DK suggested as all of ATEEZ agreed, excited at the idea.
“I’ll get your number sunbaenim.” Wooyoung shyly said making the rest of iKON chuckle and agree saying they should get each other’s contact number before they leave the studio today.
“I already have Minyoung’s number though?” Chanwoo confessed making his group members look at him in disbelief. “Yah. You didn’t tell us that though?” while ATEEZ looked at Minyoung who suddenly felt shy with all the attention she’s getting from both her members and iKON.
“We met through SF9′s Chani.” Chanwoo added in as the girl nodded.
“Ah but..we haven’t really talked after exchanging numbers.” Minyoung confessed shyly, wanting to hide herself or use Seonghwa as a shield. This information made both groups laugh, iKON acknowledging Chanwoo as a true insider for having celebrity friends outside of their company.
“That’s true. Sorry, let’s grab a meal together with Chani.” Chanwoo chuckled an apology. 
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“Now we’re going to announce the results of Round 1 that you’re so curious about.” the MCs started while all the groups waited with bated breath. The atmosphere in the studio suddenly becoming tense as no one knew what criteria the experts used for their scores or who the experts were. They also didn’t know how the other groups voted. There were a lot of unknown factor in the show made it harder for the groups to anticipate the ranking for the round, particularly so since this is only 50% of their overall score.
Minyoung suddenly feeling nervous, held unto Wooyoung’s and Seonghwa’s hands, trying to get some comfort. She felt as if she’ll faint the longer it takes to announce the results. 
“Today’s first-place team will be given the authority to select the bracket for round two.” MC Changmin announced as all the groups gasp and commented that points aside, it’s a huge advantage to be able to do decide the bracket.
“I’m curious who the experts are.” Seonghwa wondered
As the MCs announced that all of the expert evaluation scores will be announce all at the same time, Minyoung closed her eyes tight mumbling “I cannot take this. Can you just tell me what the results are? I cannot watch. I’m too scared.”
“I’ll look for you.” Wooyoung patted the girls’ hand, giving it a light squeeze.
[What’s the result of the expert evaluation scores?]
As all of the members gasp, Minyoung who had her eyes closed asked scared “What is it?”
“Minyoung-ah, you can look.” Wooyoung let out a relieved sigh as ATEEZ placed first for the expert’s evaluation scores. At this, Minyoung peeked and immediately hugged the male in her joy. “I’m..reading it correctly right? We’re currently in first?” she asked as if in disbelief
“I’m actually relieved and glad that the things we wanted to do were actually conveyed properly.” Yunho confessed during the group interview.
As the results for the group evaluation were announced, Minyoung immediately hid behind Wooyoung scared that the rankings would change drastically.
[What will be the results of the teams’ evaluation?]
“ATEEZ you’re currently in first place. You wouldn’t want to step down. Do you think the others rooted for you?” the MC asked the group everyone nudged Jongho to answer for the team
“The eight of us finished our performance today without any regrets. Well...I’m not sure.” Jongho let out a laugh nervously as there really was no way to know how the other teams voted. Kingdom is still, after all, a competition. Everyone could have voted strategically to secure the points.
The MCs continued on with the show and as soon as the results were all announced, ATEEZ finally felt like they were able to breathe. They kept the number 1 spot even as the group evaluations were added in. Minyoung bit her lip trying not to cry as she felt the pressure lift off a bit. Seonghwa noticing it, rubbed circles on her back smiling at her. Minyoung turned to him and placed her head against his arm as she took deep breathes to calm herself down.
When asked how she felt during their interview “It just..It feels like our efforts were seen not only by the experts but also by the senior groups. We felt disappointed during the Introduction Stages so we steeled ourselves to do better and rise up the ranks but to actually be rewarded with the top spot just made me feel overwhelmed. It’s like hearing everyone say ‘good job today’ after a long day of hard work.”
“The past two weeks were really hard on us. All of the members has many moments when we were exhausted both physically and emotionally. One thing I can say confidently now that the results came out is that it was really hard, but we did our best. I think I can say that now.” Hongjoong concluded nodding
“We did well. ATEEZ is so lovely.” San adding in making the rest of the members smile, even Minyoung who was trying to fan her eyes with Jongho patting her back in comfort.
“Since we won first place, let’s take this energy and work hard to prepare for a great and fun performance.” Hongjoong declared before they did their team cheer “9 makes 1 team. Let’s do it!”
────────── ♔ ──────────
ATEEZ Minyoung Masterlist
Disclaimer: This is just a work of fiction. Any portrayal of real people is a combination based on what we could see on cameras and imagination of the author. This is purely fan fiction written for entertainment. Thank you for understanding.
━━━━━━ʕ ˵• ₒ •˵ ʔ━━━━━━
Writing Beary Corner
I seriously wanted to cry when I had to rewrite this because the site ate my drafted one. I don’t think I was able to capture the initial feeling anymore and it definitely got a whole lot shorter after rewriting but I tried to at least..make it a bit decent.  Again, I have already drafted posts up to the Reborn stage but Kingdom “episodes” would be slowly posted to avoid spoilers for the people who haven’t watched it yet. 
Thank you and I hope you enjoy reading this!
-Mimi
15
63 notes · View notes
moonchildsaurora · 3 years
Text
When Monsters come out to Play
✤ Trickster!Hongjoong + reader (feat. Wooyoung) ✤ genre: Dead by Daylight AU // horror, angst (not really tho), survival mode ✤ t/w: sfw, rated M, contains: swearing/depictions of violence + blood/unhinged minds/death scene/mentions of weapons ✤ count: 1.9k+
a/n - have y’all seen Trickster from the dbd game? I would betray everyone in game for that man. So this piece is heavily inspired by that character & his lore, my mind is still reeling that the creators really did THAT. A few tweaks from the canonverse but hope you guys enjoy this wild ride! 💙
✛ play these vibes: Sub Urban - ‘Cirque’, P!ATD - ‘Emperor's New Clothes‘, Gi-DLE - ‘Oh my god’ ✛
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Neon lights streaked across his face and dark ash hair, illuminating the silver that hung around his neck. Sharp kohl-lined eyes fixed on the two other figures dancing heartily around the karaoke booth, singing at the top of their lungs. Although one could argue that their borderline screams could be passable as so.
However, it was music to his ears and a hunger woke from its deep slumber. This feeling that was on the crisp of being foreign to him because he has not yearned for something this badly for quite some time now.
“I need it.”
The shrill cadence of the laughter from the figure who nearly tripped over his own feet, in a harmonious duet with the other’s. A soprano-like noise escaped your mouth when you fell from grace unto the lap of your newly-acquired friend who narrowly moved his wild berries cider out of harm’s way.
“I want it.”
You missed the rapacious glint in his eyes as you shouted at the other howling male, who was now in a heap on the couch and microphone dangling from his hand. You turned to apologise, with a peck on his cheek, to your angel of music. As you had so kindly dubbed him upon your first meeting. Peals of laughter fell from your lips when his onyx-dipped nails squeezed your sensitive sides. He was buzzing, not just from his drink but the sudden inspiration to create once more.
The spotlight has returned and centre stage beckons him home.
Yes, he wanted it.
“All of it.”
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“C’mon! This way,” Wooyoung heaved sharply, tugging you with haste round the corner.
His grip on your hand, though sweaty, was desperately firm. Survival instincts had kicked in for the both of you, forcing adrenaline to fuel your exhausted bodies to run.
Agonised screams plagued the foggy darkness around your surroundings. Another fallen prey in this twisted game of cat-and-mouse you were forced to participate in. You didn’t know exactly how many others were stuck in the abandoned industrial site either. One minute Wooyoung and you were having a late night study at the local library, before the lights cut and so did your consciousness.
A manic laugh that echoed through the grounds and jerk of your arm wrenched you from your hazy thoughts.
Wooyoung held you close to him, signalling for you to stay hushed. He peered around the metal storage container to see if the coast was clear, not that the fog allowed anything to be visible more than beyond a few feet ahead. So he had to rely on sound and visual tracking of any sudden movements.
The dead silence was unnerving.
You had barely stepped out around your hiding spot once you’ve both deemed it safe when Wooyoung hissed in panic, “Watch out!”
You were dragged to the hard ground, scraping your palms on the gravel before what felt like a bee zipping past the crown of your head. The metallic thud caught your attention enough to swerve to look behind you. Where your head had been just a few seconds ago, now had a neon blade embedded right through the steel panel.
“Fuck! He’s coming, we need to go. NOW!”
The manic laughter seemed to be echoing all over your surroundings now, and not being able to pinpoint the direction whilst having to run blindly in the dark probably wasn’t the ideal plan for your survival.
Your breath hitched when Wooyoung’s hand suddenly slipped out from yours.
“Wooyoung!” you cried out for him.
“RUN!”
A forceful shove pushed you away from the initial direction you were heading towards, causing you to be thrown off balance and stumble onto the damp ground. The sounds of more cussing and a scuffle could be heard. You scrambled backwards, away from the source.
Scarce beams of moonlight filtered through the holes in the roof provided limited light to help you navigate your way around, using your sense of touch to avoid running into objects. Your mind screamed for you to turn back for Wooyoung yet the logical side of you knew he’d be mad at you for not using the window of opportunity he so freely gave to escape.
“He knows how to fight, he can handle himself.”
False comfort was the only thing you could offer yourself then. Skidding round a corner, you almost bowled someone over had they not latched onto your shoulders first.
“Please! You have to help me!”
The young woman was hysterical and dug her nails into your skin as she had her iron grip on you. Seeing her up close you were quick to notice both her arms and clothes were stained dark crimson, whether or not that was her own – you couldn’t tell.
“He’s going to kill me! He’s going to KILL ME!”
You winced as her voice became progressively louder. That fool was going to give your location away at this rate. You tried to wriggle your way out of her hold, which proved to be a wrong move, for she threw herself against you and shook you silly.
“Get me out! I didn’t do anything wrong. Why is he doing this?!” The tears that cascaded down her grimy face mixed in with the blood and left trails of red.
She sure was getting on your nerves.
“Shut it! You’re goin-“
“There you are my little mouse.”
The both of you froze. Like deer in headlights upon hearing that sickly silky voice purr out from the shadows. The young woman immediately drew back and hid behind you, as if you were a pillar of defence against this predator. Her hands that still clutched onto the back of your top trembled so intensely, you wouldn’t be surprised if the seams were to split open.
Hongjoong took his sweet time stepping towards you. Twirling those neon blades deftly around his fingers, metal glinting dangerously whenever it caught the moonlight. The scattered beams acted as spotlights and this was his stage to run. You’d thought a paint job had gone wrong for the mess of reds, both fresh and dried, marking him from his obnoxiously bright coat to his bare toned torso to the heels of his boots.
“Aren’t you having fun?” giggled Hongjoong, making a gesture to his foggy domain by spreading his arms wide out.
“What do you want from us?! You monster!”
Her cries added fuel to the already burning flames, ironically extinguishing out the last of your patience.  
“Call me something I don’t already know darling.”
The tip of his tongue darted out to lick the blood smear at the corner of his mouth.
That playful grin that had grown to be your favourite on him now looked so sinister. Hongjoong pointed one of the blades directly at you, “It’s time for you to join your little friend, I’m sure he’s already dying to reunite with you.”
“Don’t leave! Please don’t leave me!” the woman buried her face in your back. You didn’t reply to the woman but reached behind to firmly grasp her wrists. She mistook this for reassurance and to your relief, dropped her hands from your back.
Oh, how easy was it to lay the bait.
“What did you do to Wooyoung?”
Hongjoong might’ve expected you to be angry or even hurt, considering you three grew to be somewhat friends over time. Wooyoung and you had taken him under your wings when he was new to the town, and this was how he repaid you? Instead, you held his gaze and your voice didn’t waver when the question came out. If he was surprised he did not show it.
“I wanted a sample, of his music. It didn’t hurt…much…to get it!”
And the crazed twinkle reappeared in his foreign golden orbs, replacing the gentler brown eyes you were used to.
“And I want one from you too! In fact, both you and Wooyoung will be the main features of my next musical composition. I always save the best for the last, but…”
Hongjoong unfolded a fan of blades and drew his arm back into a pre-throw stance, “I’m just a tad impatient tonight and you’ve made me wait long enough angel.”
You found yourself facing down several blades making a beeline for you. To hell with the theatrics if Hongjoong thought he had waited long enough. You had done yours far longer, for the pure satisfaction of being able to rip the limelight away from one who thrives in it – in the perfect moment.
Within the few milliseconds you had left, you harshly yanked what you still had within your grasp to the front.
The applause died down and silence consumed the area.
Hongjoong tilted his head with curiosity and eyes widened by a miniscule at the scene before him. A choked gurgle. The blades had all found their marks on a new target and the corners of your lips curled up as you felt the life drained from the woman’s body before it went limp. Finally, the pest ceased to exist.
“Oh Hongjoong…”
There was a vicious edge to the tone of your voice now, and you let the ragdoll of a body fall into a heap by your feet. You bent down to pluck one of the blades from her body and nonchalantly inspected it. Not really having a care that the pool of red was starting to creep towards your feet.
“…Or would you rather I address you as, Trickster?”
A flicker of surprise, or supposedly irritation, passed over his features. Hongjoong clicked his tongue and slowly dropped his arms back down. What were you exactly playing at? This was his game, not yours.
“Word’s been around. And hearing about the Trickster perked our curiosity…so of course we just had to meet you.”
The puzzle pieces were starting to click together – Hongjoong merely became an actor in this script you gave him. Having Wooyoung and you cross paths with Hongjoong was a crafted intention.
Yet, what made the seeds of anger burst under his skin more so was the climax you denied him.
Hongjoong let out low grunt when one of his knees gave way under him, effectively bringing him down. A hand roughly grabbed the back of his freshly dyed silver hair and forced his head forward.
“When in the presence of the queen, you should be bowing. It’s only courteous, no?”
The dolphin-like laugh followed wasn’t hard to recognise who it belonged to. Another flick of his wrist, Wooyoung manoeuvred Hongjoong like a marionette. Thin, almost-invisible strings gleamed under the tiniest fleck of moonlight. Hongjoong would’ve attempted to sever his ties free but at what cost? Wooyoung prided himself in giving the cleanest cut each time he got bored of his new toy.
You scoffed at the nickname Wooyoung used, with slight affection.
“Hate to burst your bubble hon, but you’re not that special,” Wooyoung continued his mocking. Stepping aside to let you crouch in front of Hongjoong, he watched on with eagerness as you tilted Hongjoong’s chin with his own neon blade you were holding from before.  
“Little musician, you’re the new kid who strolled into our playground. And…”
Hongjoong’s eyes darted to look over your shoulder, at a few other figures who started to appear out of the dark. You tapped his chin to garner his attention once more. His golden eyes met your now, brilliant ruby red ones. A venomous smile stretched across your lips with your pupils forming into slits.  
“…unfortunately, there isn’t enough room for another monster to play around this part of town. “
“However, should you put on another show somewhere else…” suggested the one wearing a white crow’s mask, voice deceptively child-like.
You hummed at the idea. Fingers slowly tracing the playful grin that was already growing back on Hongjoong. It’d be a waste to get rid of such a pretty face wouldn’t it?
“We’d gladly come as your audience when you take the centre stage once more.”
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cheelduh · 3 years
Text
A Liar’s Bait
Pairing: Kaeya x fem!reader
Warnings: Idk fatui abuse? Also Aether gets his braid pulled don’t hate me. Also unedited asf.
Synopsis: There’s a hiccup in the elaborate plan you’ve concocted to rescue your friends, and said hiccup comes in the form of a handsome Cavalry Captain that doesn’t have the foggiest of clues as to what personal space is.
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"Ah darling, I didn't know you'd be wondering about this late in the night." The charming cavalry captain, Kaeya, sang from behind you.
For a brief second, you froze in place, but not long enough for him to see through your motives. "Kaeya," You turned to him naturally, and spoke your next words like an actor revising a memorized script. "Have to return a book. You know how Lisa gets."
"At these ungodly hours?" He raised a brow, and you blinked away any remnants of sleep in your eyes at the mention of time.
Barely skipping a beat, you gave him an acknowledging smile. "I have some tasks to do tomorrow. It's better if I return it now." The book that is supposedly due tomorrow is waved hurriedly in the air, as if to exaggerate your point.
"Though it seems like Lisa has went home." He pointed out, cornering you against the brick wall, a knowing look in the deep pools of his eyes.
Of course you knew Lisa wasn't in. That was the entire base of your plan. There were a total of four knights on rotation at the headquarters. It was simple really, sneak into the library with your authority as trusted aide, and if push came to shove, an easy knockout would do.
However, Kaeya's sudden appearance put a hiccup through your plans. It would take more than a sock to the face to put him out of commission.
"Oh really?" You tilted your head in confusion, eyes widening, as you eyed him. "I probably should have came by earlier. Well then, I'll just have to put it on her desk with a note."
"You could trust it with me, and I'll return it tomorrow. Captain's word." He replied innocently, snatching the book from your fingers.
Archons, you absolutely did not have the time for this.
Aether and Paimon were waiting after all.
You decided not to shove a stick up his ass, and instead let your anger blow over silently.
"Your hands are clammy darling," Kaeya went on, flipping through the text just for show. "I can feel it on the book."
'Ew that's gross' You wanted to say, but decided to play his game instead.
"Guess I'm nervous." A forced a blush made its way onto your face. Okay maybe it wasn't forced, but you couldn't blame yourself for letting his subtle teasing get to you.
"Oh?" He feigned curiosity, letting the book close with a soft thud. "My presence often does that to people." The cocky undertone in his voice made you fantasize smacking his face a hundred times over.
"Of course," It was a struggle to not speak in a dry tone. "You are truly..." A small cough escaped your lips, and you tried to stumble upon the words, wishing upon barbatos that the flattering would work. "charming."
Kaeya's grin widened, all cat like, and for a brief moment you felt your heart stutter. He swooped in to cage you against the wall. "I didn't know you were so bold dear."
Before he could utter another flirtatious remark, you pushed yourself close to him, distracting him for a mere moment just to strategically slip the book into the safety of your arms. "Thanks but no thanks. I'll return the book myself."
With a swift duck under his arm, you made your way to HQ before a cold hand grabbed your shoulder. You ceased any movement and glanced over your shoulder, a frown made clear.
Kaeya narrowed his eyes at you, clearly not liking how you weren't becoming a bumbling idiot at his flirty behaviour like you usually did. You'd love to—but you just didn't have the time to deal with him, not when the fatui were breathing down your neck.
"I'll go with you." He said slowly, testing you for any reactions. Shit. He's on to you. "I can't let a pretty lady wander all alone. You might get lost."
Like hell you would. You knew everything about the damn base as if it were the back of your hand. Kaeya understood this as well, but instead, he opted to wake up every morning and choose to be a dickwad.
You swallowed the lump in your throat. "Lead the way."
Kaeya seemed satisfied at your reply, and slid his grip down from your shoulder, straight to your free hand. He walked in front of you, pulling you behind him like you were a clumsy toddler.
His gaze wasn't on you, so you took the chance to examine your surroundings, trying to find the presence that was tailing you.
Kaeya being this close to you wasn't looking good for you at all. The walls had eyes and ears, and the only way to apprehend the risk was by doing as they said. Only then would you get your opening.
Paimon...Aether...hold on a bit longer.
With a nod to the guards, Kaeya and you made your way in, stopping right in front of the library. With a puzzled expression on your face, you were about to question his intentions, until he readjusted his grip so that your fingers were intertwined.
You were sure your face was flushed in all kinds of colours by now.
"Shall we enter?" He asked you, mirth clear in his eyes.
The only signal you managed to give him was a quick nod.
The library smelled of dark oak and silk flowers. You briefly remembered Aether giving her the plant from his adventures back in Liyue. The bookshelves were decorated with intricate designs, filled with countless of books that had all earned their rightful place.
And you were about to steal one, summoning chaos into Lisa's beloved library. It would be you who might deliver an archived book straight into the hands of the very people who sought out violence in order to achieve power.
"I'll check it in for you," Kaeya let go of your hand after dragging you all the way to the front desk, only to outstretch it for the text you were gripping too hard.
"Oh yeah," You handed it to him—willingly this time. "thank you. I'll be looking around."
It was understood what you had to do. Easily finding the locked case from which you would slip the book into your clothes only to make a run for it wouldn't cut it.
The captain would make too much noise and track you down himself before you could get the chance to shove the book up the Fatui's ass, get Aether and Paimon their freedom back. Then once you'd ensure their safety, you'd beat the living shit out of the Fatui agents right after. It's not like you'd have a choice.
The whole reason you were in this whole mess was because you decided to help Aether out with his latest commission, which happened to be clearing out a hilichurl camp smack dab in the middle of a road. The camp blocked all imports and exports, proving to be a stick in the butt for the merchants of Monstadt.
You, oh helpful and kind you, assisted him with the task, seeing as you were walking back from a fishing trip.
Turned out that the hilichurl camp was a cover for a bunch of Knights of Favonious hungry Fatui agents who were hellbent on getting the one and only copy of a book Lisa had tucked away in the library.
While you two could've easily ended every single one of those shady bastards, enemy reinforcements came out of nowhere and dug their claws right into Aether.
At least that was the cover story.
Violà, a hostage situation was born.
They promised to let Aether go on one condition. If you obtained a book they had their eyes on for quite some time. But their promise had as much worth as Venti's word did when he told you that the drinks were on him.
They couldn't risk the Knights finding out. You were just another loose string that would be cut off along your two friends.
Locating the book and hiding it in your outfit undetected was as effortless as it could get. What was coming would not be.
"Darling," Kaeya called out to you, but his voice is different. More darker than usual. You didn't summon your spear just yet.
"I've finished up. Let's get going yeah?" His footsteps are light on the wooden planks of the floor, but his words are solid. Frozen even.
You breathed out, but refused to turn around.
"You know," He continued, halting next to your shoulder, leaning his sweet mouth down to your ear. His hot breath fanned against your neck, but you paid no heed. "A liar is no stranger to a liar."
You lunged to the side, spinning on your heel as your back hit the railing in the middle of the library. The captain reacted quickly by swiping the air, but ultimately failed to grab you as you gracefully tipped yourself over, landing right on your feet.
There was now a floor that separated the two of you. Just as you had intended.
The reflexes you showcased earned you a smooth-voiced chuckle, an amused smirk gracing his lips. He leaned against the ledge with both hands, bending down his upper body.
"Oh my. We've got ourselves a thief. You didn't think I wouldn't notice, right?" He contemplated, weapon materializing right then and there, ready to put on a good show. You could read him like a book just as he could you. "Can't believe you're such a naughty girl."
Despite his teasing tone, his eyes remained cold and calculating.
"Don't flatter yourself." You spoke monotonously, brushing a hand in the air. "The date stamp didn't match up right? Tight time frame, couldn't really think about the logistics."
Kaeya narrowed his eye shrewdly, offended. "I can't let you go you know."
"I don't need you to." You quipped, but then placed a finger on your chin. "On second thought I kind of do. How about a friendly transaction? I really don't want to fight you."
"And I do not wish to fight you, darling." Kaeya's face split into a viscous smile, a far less forgiving gaze meeting you halfway. This was your chance to tell him, he was giving you a generous opening to explain yourself.
You bit your lip, feeling the unknown presence yet again. The walls had eyes and ears. The walls had vengeful teeth that would dig into you the minute you'd let it slip.
"I need you to let me go." You clutched the leather of your gloves desperately, your prior confidence flickering. Begging was the only card you had left.
His hardened gaze on your form softened slightly, but disappeared almost instantly.
You didn't have to wait for him to voice his answer. It was as clear as day.
The captain didn't waste any more time when jumping over the ledge.
By the time Kaeya's feet made impact, your pole arm was already aimed and ready to strike.
"Let's dance."
-
After a tactical withdrawal, you found yourself taking tentative steps on the outskirts of Springvale. It wouldn't have been possible if Kaeya didn't let his guard down momentarily.
The cuts on your shoulder still stung, but it was difficult to spare any time towards the throbbing.
Why were you walking so slow? Did your plan not work? No, it should have. You calculated every risk. But why the hell were you prolonging the inevitable end?
It didn't matter. Either way, you'd get to sink your teeth into some unfortunate fatui agents, injecting them with centuries worth of pain.
The opening was nearby, you noted, the pathway familiar. You always were good with maps, oftentimes lending a hand to the certain young outrider with a bright smile and kind heart.
You allowed yourself to calm your erratic heartbeat, and slow your breathing as to get a clearer sense around you. There were two, but before there had been three. The third one revealed himself when you deployed your "return the book" scheme, flipping through the guidebook carefully to see if you left potential breadcrumbs.
Gnawing at your lip, you followed the trail, the world behind you quieting down to a silent whisper.
It seemed like forever when you reached the destination, halting your movements.
Your ears perked up at their footsteps before you could catch a glimpse of them, but made no sudden movements except for dropping the book on the ground as they had instructed.
It was odd that you felt as calm as you did. It could've been because of your confidence in your abilities, or perhaps, something else entirely.
The pyro agent appeared from one of the bushes, right after shoving a bruised and gagged Aether. Paimon came next, in a cage controlled by a fatui cicin mage who wore a wicked smile on her stupid face.
They managed to shut Paimon up real quick. You wondered what it took, but not for too long.
"Hey now," You grinned, but your fingernails were digging crescents in your palm. "I thought we agreed that no one gets hurt?"
"The traveller here is a real handful." The fatui agent hissed from under his mask, harshly yanking Aether by his braid.
Aether, immobile, scowled in discomfort and continued to struggle through his bounds.
You didn't acknowledge the blond nor the agent's words, alternatively choosing to nod your head to the book instead. "Here as promised."
The agent motioned to the Cicin mage, who walked forward in order to obtain the book safely. She handed it back to him, and he briefly flipped through it, seemingly satisfied.
Just like that, Aether was knocked down on his knees next to your feet, Paimon thrown like a sack of potatoes atop him. They were out of the red. Your signal to strike.
"Unfortunately, promises are beneath our pay grade." The agent placed a finger on his chin, as if in thought. "However, you prove to be a valuable asset."
"Oh really?" You piped, eyes crinkling in mock excitement. "I'm really glad a lowly fatui scum thinks so highly of me. It's truly an honour."
Said fatui agent glared knives straight through his mask.
"Kill them." He ordered, and the Cicin mage hummed a sound of delight, summoning her electro-flies or whatever the hell those things were called.
Your polearm took shape in the clutches of your left hand, a twisted grin plastered on your face.
"I'm gonna have so much fun tearing you apart." The bloodlust you emanated was enough to choke the air out of both the mage and agent.
Pouncing on your prey, you didn't give the mage a chance to scream before you landed a roundhouse kick straight to her ribs. She made a guttural choking sound, moving to clutch herself. You ended the move by twisting your weapon into the air to send a shattering hit straight to her temple.
Your blow successfully knocked her out, the kick back proving to be enough to send the pyro agent flying into a nearby tree.
"I really expected something more challenging." A pout formed on your lips, eyebrows furrowed. "Hopefully you can make up for what your mage lacked. If not, I'll be disappointed."
The agent chuckled painfully. "You won't get the chance. You can't take on all of us."
"All of you?" You questioned, tilting your head, eyes widening innocently. "Oh you mean those pesks that were tailing me? So sorry, but they're gone now."
"W-what?!" He sputtered, quick on his feet as he pulled out his knife, charging it with elemental energy. "How could you have—"
"How unfair," A low tone whistled, and Kaeya finally made an appearance, smiles and everything. "Don't give her all the credit. You're making me feel left out."
The pyro agent scattered around his flames, preparing to shake up the battle—
You lost your patience and picked up a decent sized rock, aimed for his nose, and sent a plunging attack.
The agent lost consciousness before he hit the ground.
"Oh come on!" Kaeya's dejected groan rang in your ears. "Could've let me have a turn."
"You already had your turn." You sent a pointed stare at him, bending down near the mage to wipe the blood of your pole arm with her clothes. "Two times if I recall."
He rolled his eyes playfully, forgetting the banter to go and free the traveller of his bounds.
"Let's me get this straight." Jean said with fingers pinching the bridge of her nose. "You two roughed up some fatui agents without informing the knights, and put the traveller at risk." There's this look of disappointment in her face, but you're used to it by now.
Hanging around Kaeya sure had its ups and downs.
"Precisely. The folder on your desk has all the details. Enough proof to have them in our custody.” The cavalry captain nodded along, and it somehow made you feel like you were a kid being scolded after getting caught stealing cookies from the jar.
"It was an operation that the traveller agreed to," You declared so her brewing anger didn't overflow. "The perfect plan to catch them in the act. It was my idea. The captain didn’t really know until later.”
"Although I’m quite hurt you didn’t fill me in any sooner, I must say, watching those ignorant fatui diplomats scramble to try and find an explanation is going to be worth the wait.” He spoke with a hint of a smile.
The both of you fist bumped. Jean wasn't amused.
The acting grand master produced a stern glare. "Y/N, assist Lisa with anything she needs for the rest of the week. And the Cavalry Captain here won't be going out on patrols any time soon."
That was a clear lie, but Jean had to keep up appearances after all. What kind of acting grand master would she be if she didn't at least pretend to have some sort of authority over her two trouble-making subordinates.
With a dramatic sigh, you spun on your heel to leave.
“Hey Y/N,” Jean called out, and you tilted your head, wanting to know if she changed her mind and decided to make your punishment worse. “Good work today. That will be all.” She avoided eye contact, feigning deeper interest in the pileup on her desk.
After the "briefing”, as Kaeya liked to call it, you found yourself outside of HQ with him right on your tail.
"Not too shabby for a day's work." He winked, smoothing out his words. "I must say, I'm quite impressed with how this went. Didn't expect you to put so much faith in me.”
"How did you get my signal anyways?" You snorted. "The entire scheme was off the bat. I had to wink at the traveller like five times to get him to showcase a crappy fight stance and become my fake hostage. Dense little guy.”
There was a momentary pause before Kaeya enlightened you with an answer.
"You hate reading, and you're irresponsible." He pointed out cheekily, poking at your nose. You scrunched your nose and turned away, cheeks warming. "The abyss would freeze over before you ever read a book, let alone steal one. That’s several red flags for me.”
He kept going, finding the topic of this to be quite interesting. “Not to mention returning the “Code of Conduct” handbook.” The relentless teasing was one of the reasons why you dreaded work,
"Gee thanks." You remarked unceremoniously. “I didn’t need your help at all. You just love sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
"Aww don't be so low spirited." He suspended your movements by curling an arm around your waist. "Let me treat you for a job well done darling." His hot breath fanned your ear, lips teasingly close.
Dammit dammit...why does he have to be so close!
"That's unfair." Paimon screeched from thin air, scaring the living daylights out of you. "After all the traveller and I have been through, don't we deserve a treat as well?!"
Kaeya laughed apologetically, cold hand never leaving your hips. "Of course. The honorary knight has been quite the help. Now let’s get moving, we're not frozen in place, after—"
A smack on the arm shut him up real quick.
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theonceoverthinker · 3 years
Text
500. As this daily series of mine comes to an end, I just want to reflect on all the MARRY time writing Fair Game HCs has brought me!
I’m freezing up as I’m trying to write even just this intro. I don’t feel ready. After a year and a half, how can I feel anything else? This series is now a part of me and ending it is like losing a piece of my soul. I have so many emotions -- too many emotions -- it doesn’t feel wrong to end the series here (The 500 milestone makes sense), but it hurts all the same.
Let me start with thank you to everyone whose read these. Seriously, I know I thank you occasionally, but I can’t do it enough. Knowing that there are people interested in what I write and think about these two and enjoy the happier life I’m paining them in the absence of canon just makes me feel so much less alone than usual. It means the world to me so please believe me when I say that I wouldn’t have gotten to 500 without each and every one of you, whether you were here from the beginning or just joined in whenever. 
I’m so happy to have finally reached this moment, but simultaneously so torn up about what that means.
Will I never do another Fair Game HC again? HECK NO! While the regular daily episodes are ending, if I find another topic that I want to Fair Game-i-fy, I will definitely make more episodes, and hopefully, before long, I will! I just need to take a break from the daily updates. I’ve hit burnout several times over the past year and a half and it’s not fun, so while I still have some energy to spare, I want to end the daily series on a high note!
Also, forgive me because I’m gonna cheat this as a submission for @fairgameweek2021 while I’m at it (If it’s not cool, then my apologies). The theme today is Charms/Dreams and while neither of these come up in the HC itself, this wedding and this series as a whole I think acts as a reflection of the dreams much of the Fair Game fandom had for this ship. 
When I say this, I don’t mean it in the sense of I’d be upset if not each and every one of these didn’t come true -- that’s never been what my love for Fair Game was about, nor that each and every Fair Game fan subscribes to these HCs (Good GOD, no -- not even close). Like many fans, I just wanted these two characters who deserved happiness (Especially Qrow given his almost unreal amount of trauma and hardships) and seemed like they’d finally found it with each other to get exactly that. So in the absence of canon, I hope people were able to take solace in this space and live in the daydreams I created for them here.
So here we are at long last: The Fair Game Wedding. If you want to follow the story thus far, you can check out my HC compilation page. I’ve highlighted all of the wedding HCs in green, and have fully caught up the HC list!
That said, if you don’t feel like reading all of them and just want to check out this last one, here’s the tldr for what you need to know: The wedding is taking place in the Amity communications tower (This HC series only follows canon until 7X11 for those who didn’t know because I only choose to acknowledge good writing (especially for Qrow and Clover) here), Tai is Qrow’s Best Man, Marrow is Clover’s Best Man, Robyn is officiating, Ruby’s walking Qrow down the aisle, Yang’s walking Clover down the aisle, Clover got Qrow a silver ring with four tiny encrusted emeralds, Qrow got Clover a dark ring with four tiny encrusted rubies, Qrow’s wearing an onyx tux with a white undershirt and a crimson bowtie and handkerchief, and Clover’s wearing a black tux with a white undershirt and a dark green bowtie and handkerchief. 
Okay! We’re good to go!
Well, for the last regularly-scheduled time, let’s get to it!
HC under the cut!
“Uncle Qrow! Help! We can’t find your shoes!”
Ruby’s cry is what wakes Qrow up.
What a way to start the day. He hasn’t even had coffee or breakfast yet and he’s already been tasked with finding his wedding shoes. Give him a break.
It then comes to attention that this is his wedding day. By the time he goes to bed, he and Clover will be married. 
His crankiness at being woken up and put to work so quickly doesn’t fully evaporate, but a lot of it does all the same. 
And as Qrow starts searching his temporary room to find his shoes, he can’t help but take note of the bubbling happiness under him.
()()()()()()()()()()()
It feels so weird to Clover to wake up in the Ace Ops’ suite. He’s stopped by from time to time since leaving the Atlesian Army, especially as he’s been planning his wedding, but staying over feels simultaneously nostalgic and bizarre. 
Mostly though, the odd feeling is one that stems from not waking up beside Qrow. It’s not that they haven’t slept apart, but whenever they have outside of their bachelor parties, it’s been for a mission.
Well, in all fairness, today’s at once a party and a mission, and by the end of it, he and Qrow will be back sleeping right beside each other.
Clover can just barely stand the wait.
()()()()()()()()()()
The alter is beautiful. The whites and browns and red and greens come together so nicely. 
In an interesting surprise touch, Harbinger in its scythe form and Kingfisher in its rod form are tastefully placed right next to Tai and Marrow respectively. And on top of their handles, Qrow and Clover’s respective rings rest safely on each of their handles.
They’re both impressed, more so that their weapons were somehow sneak out and brought all the way to the communications tower without either’s knowledge.
Clover’s the first to arrive at Amity Tower. Tai and Marrow organized how Qrow and Clover would check in on things so they wouldn’t see each other until the ceremony. Though Clover found the superstition banal, he decides not to make a fuss about it today, not when there are more important things going on.
The sweet smell of flowers greets his nose. They’re all laid out so nicely, and possibly even more so in the reception hall. Clover looks to his and Qrow’s table, and then to his pants.
Marrow gave him back his phone this morning, and with Marrow temporarily busy in the bathroom, Clover sends Qrow a quick text before he returns.
Clover: Everything looks perfect up here, but I bet you’ll look even better. See you soon. ;) 
Qrow arrives a bit later than expected...which for him was anything but unexpected. Between finding his shoes, Tai insisting on ironing his suit (”I swear, there was a wrinkle on it this morning!), making sure he got a good meal in him, cramming everyone into Tai’s car, and dealing with traffic, it’s amazing they got there when they did.
By the time Qrow gets there, the caterers are starting to arrive and their cake is on its way over, too!
Though Qrow initially felt his scroll buzz in the car, he’s unable to look at it until now. He sees Clover’s text in between the tons of congratulations messages, and smiles.
He’s such a dork.
But he’s Qrow’s dork.
Qrow: You know it. ;) See you soon.
Far too much time is spent for either of their taste’s getting into their suits and going over their entrances and everything (Though given how their rehearsal went, neither can be too annoyed).
Both meet their respective halves of the wedding party and soon enough...it’s time.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Robyn’s the first to enter. She has a basic script in her hand, but everyone knows she’s gonna do some ad-libbing and are excited for it.
Qrow walks down the aisle first with Ruby. The whole time, he can’t but hold his breath behind his smile, worried he might trip. Ruby, who can now fully tell how her uncle operates, holds his arm tighter and more supportively. Qrow would be lying if he said it didn’t help. Upon reaching the front, Ruby gives Qrow a big hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving his side.
After he arrives, the two sets of groomsmen enter side-by-side: Marrow and Tai, Elm and Port, Vine and Oobleck, and Harriet and Theodore (Yeah, I know basically nothing about Theodore, but I realized my numbers for Qrow’s groomsmen didn’t add up to Clover’s, and I hear the two of them got along, so we’re doing this!).
Once they’re in position, Clover enters with Yang. Clover, like Yang, holds his breath, but for a different reason. Qrow looks so impossibly good in his suit, and he can tell Qrow really likes how he looks, too. Like Ruby with Qrow, before leaving to join her sister, Yang gives Clover a hug and cheek kiss, but also a nice pat on the shoulder and a wish for “good luck.” Clover loves the sensation.
Clover whispers under his breath that Qrow looks amazing. Qrow thanks him, throwing a wink at Clover. Clover looks as stunned by it as Qrow did when he did it the first time.
Ceremony stuff happens, and then we get to the vows!
Robyn signals for Qrow to go first. He nods at her and begins.
“Clover,” Qrow says. “I want to say something to you, something that I never thought I would, especially here of all places, but something that feels like it should be said all the same. ...Here it goes. Clover, we don’t have to get married.” 
There’s a pause as everyone watching gasps. Clover is the only one who doesn’t, though he does raise and eyebrow. Qrow maintains eye contact with him and continues.
“It’s true,” he says. “We know we’re going to be together for the rest of our lives. I’m not leaving you, you’re not leaving me, and once this is all over, we’re going to go right back to the same home we’ve spent years building together to build even more of it for as long as we can. We’ll get up, make breakfast and coffee, work, come home, watch TV, and go to bed. Maybe we’ll do different things on the weekends with Tai and the kids, or maybe we’ll just relax on the couch with a movie. So no, we don’t need to get married...but that’s exactly why I want to.”
The sighs of relief are close to deafening, and expecting that, Qrow takes another pause. Clover’s smile is beautiful, not beaming of exceedingly large, but radiant as it has ever been. Qrow hopes that whoever their planner organized to record their wedding captures it because it’s a smiles Qrow imagines he’ll want to look at over and over again.
“It’s exactly because we don’t need to throw a ceremony or a big party to show the world we love each other that makes me want to do just that,” Qrow continues. “A love like what we have, one that’s special because of all the things that don’t make it special just as much as all of the things that do, well to me, that’s a love worth celebrating. I love you, Clover, and I love the fact that being here with you gives me another chance to celebrate how we feel, how far we’ve come, and how much further we’ll go.”
There are tears in the corners of Clover’s eyes threatening to fall any second. Qrow feels that his own are on the verge of doing the same.
Clover pull him in for a hug. They know it’s not what they’re supposed to do, but it feels right and that’s all that matters. It lasts for ten seconds before they finally pull back.
Robyn’s looking at them jokingly. 
“You know you’re not supposed to do that yet, right?”
“Eh,” Qrow says, shrugging with a smirk on his face. “We’re unconventional.”
“Except when we’re not,” Clover chimes in, winking at Qrow over the joke.
Robyn, smiling all the while, rolls her eyes.
“Clover, it’s your turn,” she says. The two exchange nods and then Clover turns to Qrow. 
“Qrow,” he starts, “I definitely saw my life differently before I met you. I was an Atlesian Military Captain of the kingdom’s strongest group of Huntsmen, likely to stay just where I was until I retired or died in combat. That’s what I saw for myself, and that’s all I saw for myself. In that life, I didn’t see a home, I didn’t see a family, and I never saw someone I loved so much that I’d leave everything I thought I knew behind just to stand by his side. But once I met you and the kids, I began to see all sorts of things that I’d never considered for myself before -- all of those things I just listed and more. That’s the life we’ve had together so far -- deep, kind, strange, fun, sometimes a bit mundane but also beautiful because of it. I’ve got to tell you, Qrow, I can’t think of anything luckier happening to me in my entire life than finding you.”
Qrow snorts. It’s not an interruption, but Clover can’t help but comment on it. 
“I guess you saw that coming?” Clover jokes. 
“Maybe a bit.”
“Fair enough. Well, I don’t need to tell you that with semblances like ours, luck’s always been a special thing between us. Misfortune and Good Fortune just have a way of being part of our lives, no matter what we think or plan or want. We’ve talked before about how they counter each other or why one might be more powerful than the other on any given day, but while luck might have been what brought us together as partners initially and it certainly is part of us, it’s not all of us. Luck has some interesting perks, both good and bad alike -- it can make a day or even week better or worse -- but it can’t get either of us what we have together nor take it away. Luck doesn’t earn me the sight of that gleam in your eyes when I bring you a bowl of noodles just the way you like or that smile of yours when I tell you tell you a joke. Luck helps us live our lives, but we do the rest, and I think we do a pretty good job living it together, and I can’t wait to keep on doing it with you for the rest of our lives.”
A good number of the attendants make an “awwww” sound at the end of Clover’s vows. Qrow’s tempted to make fun of it, but abstains.
Robyn nods at the conclusion of her vows. Tai and Marrow collect the rings for Qrow and Clover from off of the weapons and bring them to them. Robyn then turns to Clover.
“Clover Ebi,” she says. “Do you take this man, Qrow Branwen, to be your lawfully-wedded husband -- to love, cherish, and grow with him in sickness and in health and for better or worse as long as you both shall live?”
Clover’s smile is present. It doesn’t get bigger, but it gets deeper. 
“I do,” he says. Qrow takes Clover’s ring and slides it easily onto Clover’s finger.
Robyn turns to Qrow.
“And Qrow Branwen,” she continues. “Do you take this man, Clover Ebi, to be your lawfully-wedded husband -- to love, cherish, and grow with him in sickness and in health and for better or worse as long as you both shall live?”
Qrow’s smile stays the same -- relaxed, easy, and so utterly content. Despite seeing it hundreds of times by now, it still looks so beautiful to Clover...especially when he says the next two words.
“I do.”
Qrow extends out his hand, and Clover, with the ring he got him, slides it down Qrow’s flawless finger effortlessly.
Robyn’s smile grows.
“Then by the power vested in me by the Kingdom of Solitas and the land of Remnant, I now declare you husbands. You may now kiss.”
Qrow and Clover have kissed more times than they can possibly count.
But by the time Robyn declares them married, they’re starving to feel each other’s kisses again. Cupping each other’s cheeks, Qrow and Clover share their first kiss as a married couple.
Everyone cheers. A quarter of the room cheers through their tears.
Finally, they’re married.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Qrow and Clover get a small break to themselves before they enter the reception. They spend much of it standing and sitting close together, kissing, telling the Qrow and Clover equivalent of sweet nothings to each other, and talking about what their previous night and this morning were like. It’s kind, relaxed, and happy -- so, so happy.
The reception’s amazing. Between awesome food, “the world’s best cocktail hour” (Qrow and Clover’s words, not mine), a good DJ, heartwarming (and a little embarrassing) speeches, gorgeous decorations, cool party favors, and a beautiful and loving first dance, everyone has an amazing time.
At some point, Qrow and Clover find themselves able to sneak out of their own reception for a break (Qrow especially needs one, but Clover’s not about to pretend he’s not at least a little tired either). There’s a small empty balcony right in front of the moon. Clover loops his arm around Qrow’s shoulders and settles it on the left one.
Clover takes a deep breath through his nose and Qrow can feel his hairs bounce up and down with it.
“Smell something you like?” Qrow teases.
“More like someone. And I can’t wait to keep smelling him.”
They relax in the quiet for a bit. Qrow snuggles into Clover’s side as the gentle wind embraces their forms wherever it can.
“We’re married,” Clover finally says, said as if he’s just realized it for the first time. 
It must be the tenth time today he’s done so since the ceremony.
Qrow hasn’t gotten even remotely sick of hearing it.
“We’re married,” he repeats. 
Clover releases a rumbling chuckle, then kisses Qrow’s upper right temple. Qrow presses his lips to Clover’s hand. It’s not a kiss, per se, but it lingers delicately on his hand.
They stay for a couple more minutes before deciding that they should probably return to their party.
The rest of the party is so nice. Friends and family party and dance the night away with the gorgeous night sky all around them for hours.
The cleanup is exhausting and despite loving their wedding planner from the moment they hired her, Qrow and Clover have never been more grateful for her services than where she says they can head out and that she would finish up the rest of the work and text them (”Tomorrow afternoon. You guys are gonna need some shut eye.”).
It takes Qrow and Clover about an hour to get home. Clover drives once they’re on solid ground again. In the car, neither talk much, content to sit and enjoy the drive home in a comfortable quiet, save for the occasional joke and “We’re married” statement.
When they’re finally home, they stop at the door. After all, who’s going to carry who over the threshold? 
They compromise. Kissing each other’s face all the way, Qrow carries Clover through their front door, and Clover carries Qrow through their bedroom door onto a...very fun wedding night (Which I’m gonna let you all imagine for yourself because I have literally been writing this all day and writing about sex is kind of tough for me when I’m at my best).
When they’re at last ready to go to sleep, Qrow and Clover cuddle close and give each other a final loving look before falling asleep in each other’s arms, blissfully together tonight and for decades worth of them to come, just as they deserve. I don’t even know what to say now that we’re here at the end. I think I said it here earlier, but it bears repeating: I love you all and thank you so much for following these Fair Game HCs.
Tagging @skybird13 @whipped4qrow @mooksie01 @luck-of-the-caw @xwildangel @solitude-of-stars-deactivated20 @vastnessofthespiral @o0nashipear0o @unfairgamey @doctorrwby @clover-and-co @megan-atthedisco @wash-my-brain @bisexualdisasterqrow @thursdayseraph @doubledexterity @rwby-things-i-guess @atlas-heartthrob @the-answer-was-bi-klance @compoterie @thuskindlyiboop @oceansquid @transdemion @deltastream21 @mimiori @xya-hunter @dinosaurs-last-day @roman-torchtwink @subatomictealeaves @drbtinglecannon @saphiralunaris @pretentiouskneecaps @amxngsthxmans @ayomez13 @carbonated-table-spices @darkestsiren @chaosgameingkoi @collectingsparechangemadeeasy @michaels-daughter2005 @youmaywanttoduck @lovethewitchofendor @victorious1956 @spence0112 @madamoisellesica @ju-ka-mc-24
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deputystakes-arc · 3 years
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@freakfink —— i’m not gonna let you die today.
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   𝐈𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃’𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐉𝐀𝐖 𝐒𝐄𝐓, 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐍, 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃’𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐏, 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃.   when christian hadn’t answered his phone for the fifth time in a row, ashley knew something was going on.   and when he pulled into an empty driveway, received no answer at the door, something twisted in his gut.   like a knife.   like the hot metal of a bullet, embedded.   dread washed over him,  white-hot, fucking molten.   but hearing christian’s name over the phone, roll off the slayer’s tongue, so casually, that was something else entirely.   the sink of the blade and the twist, the upward pull, he felt gutted.     (  stake's already tucked away, and while he doesn’t plan on using it, he’s never left without it on his hip.   it was a reminder of who he was.   what he was doing.   who he was doing this for.  )     he checks the magazine of his sidearm and slides it back into dark holster.   the man on the phone had dug his own grave.   ash was only coming to collect.
a man who should’ve called him kin was now threatening the life of his partner.   ash knew two things.   one  ——  no one was going to stop him from slamming that door shut behind him and taking off like a bat out of hell.   two  ——  he wasn’t going to stop until the slayer was dead.   the slayer wanted to talk.   said he couldn’t get graves’ attention before.   said he was confident he sure as hell had it now.     (  ‘ ain’t gonna die ’  he says, as he shrugs dark jacket upon tense shoulders.   before blaring ringtone, he’d been pacing the room, foot tapping incessantly when he’d finally taken a seat, finally talked to ferris, let it all out.  )
and ashley appreciates the sentiment, he appreciates her, but the fire’s already been lit.   they all knew the consequences of having a job like this.   there wasn’t a place he went where he couldn’t feel icy breath on his neck, feel eyes on his body like crosshairs.     (  always out of the grave and back in the saddle, they’ve nearly died for each other more times than they could count, always said,  if we survive this, it’ll be one hell of a story  ...  )     dying under glaring sun.   dying in the other’s place.   cut to the day he opened a vein for christian, the first time in a long time he’d let a tear stream down his cheek so openly, first time he’d smiled while vision blurred, first time he’d ever rested his forehead against christian’s, let the relief wash over him in waves, let the fires die down, drown out.   ferris would understand, wouldn’t she?
« he’s out there, so I’m gonna walk out that door, and I’m gonna bring him back. »    finally does he meet her eyes.   is it telling?   can she see the cracks in the glass holding everything back?   his life before christian was hard liquor out the bottle and unto the tongue,  cold beds and cold meals and cold stares.   christian had brought some warmth, somehow.   lit a fire, was the jacket on ashley’s shoulders in the coldest times.   to go back to that life, that long line of fine  ——  he couldn’t imagine it.   imagine that.   she’d understand, wouldn't she?    « he’d do that much for me. »
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grailfinders · 3 years
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Fate and Phantasms #185
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Today on Fate and Phantasms we’re making the snake/shrine maiden/ninja/widow Assassin of Paraiso! She’s got more jobs than a freakin’ barbie doll...
Check out her build breakdown (expect true name spoilers) below the cut, or her character sheet over here!
Next up: In Shimousa you must wait, until the dice read five or eight.
Mochizuki Chiyome is an Arcane Trickster Rogue for the regular kind of ninja trickery, plus a Fathomless Warlock to grab the kind of thing your forefather would normally have to boink a snake god to get. (That’s what happened, right? It’s been a while.)
Race and Background
Shockingly, Mochi is a Human, but Variant so we can get cool stuff. This gives her +1 Dexterity and Intelligence, as well as Religion proficiency to make her cover as a shrine maiden foolproof and the Mobile feat for when the right fool comes along. This adds 10′ to her movement speed, dashing lets her ignore difficult terrain, and you avoid opportunity attacks from creatures you’ve attacked this turn.
Magical assassins seem to be more common in D&D than their mundane counterparts, because they have their own freakin’ background! As a Volstrucker Agent, you get proficiency in Deception and Stealth. You know, for ninjaing.
Ability Scores
Dexterity is number 1. You’re a ninja, it’s not a surprise. Second is Charisma. Your snake blood doesn’t like to cooperate on good days, you’ve got to be convincing enough to make it behave. Also, there’s more ninja stuff in charisma, it’s a good skill to have. Your Intelligence comes next, ninjas don’t really have magic powers, they’re just really clever. That being said none of your spells actually use intelligence that much, so we don’t need it to be that high. Your Wisdom isn’t bad, spy networks don’t work if you can’t tell when someone’s lying, and since we’re only building the one character you’ll have to be your own spy network.
Oh yeah, the real Mochizuki ran a spy network, we’re throwing that in the build too. So we’re making a shrine maiden/snake/ninja/widow/master spy. Real simple.
Anyway. Your Constitution isn’t great, just don’t get hit and you’ll be fine. That means we’re dumping Strength. Don’t worry, you don’t really need it anyway.
Class Levels
Rogue 1: Starting off as a rogue gets you a lot of proficiencies, like Dexterity and Intelligence saves, plus four skills. Grab Acrobatics for ninjaing skills, Performance for better disguises, and Insight and Investigation for spy work. If that wasn’t enough, you get Expertise in two of those skills, doubling your proficiency bonus in Stealth and Insight. You also get a Sneak Attack if you’re attacking with a finesse weapon or a ranged weapon, and you have advantage or a friend near the target. This adds 1d6 damage to the attack once per turn. You also learn Thieves’ Cant. It’s a language.
Rogue 2: Second level rogues have a Cunning Action, which lets you dash, disengage, or hide as a bonus action. Y’know, ninja stuff.
Rogue 3: Boom! 2d6 sneak attack. Also, you’re an Arcane Trickster now. This gives you some Spells, most of which are Illusion or Enchantment, but all of which use your Intelligence to cast. Or they would, if we didn’t go the galaxy brain route and pick spells that don’t use your intelligence. You’re forced to pick up Mage Hand as one of your three cantrips, but you also get Friends to make fooling guards easier, and Prestidigitation for smaller magical tricks. On top of that, Illusory Script makes you an expert codewriter, Disguise Self takes care of your... well, your disguises (Though regular disguises are probably better since this is the one spell that actually uses your intelligence), and Fog Cloud gives you a quick and dirty smoke bomb. Speaking of Mage Hand, you also get a Mage Hand Legerdemain right out of the gate, making your mage hand extra sneaky. It can be invisibile, and you can use it to stow objects in containers carried by other creatures, steal objects from containers held by other creatures, or pick locks and disarm traps at range. Also, you only have to use your bonus action to control the hand.
Warlock 1: Bouncing over to grab your cursed Orochi blood makes you a Fathomless warlock. I know that’s a bit weird, but don’t worry, we’ll fix it in flavoring. Instead of a Tentacle of the Deep, you’re summoning a head of Orochi as a bonus action for up to a minute! Each turn you can attack for a bit of cold damage, and you can summon up to Proficiency heads per day. You also get a Gift of the Sea, giving you a swim speed of 40′ and the ability to breathe underwater. As long as you stay near the surface, you can probably get away with calling it walking on water. You also learn Pact Magic, which you cast with your Charisma. This doesn’t mix with your spell slots from rogue, but you can use warlock slots for rogue spells and vice versa. You get Eldritch Blast so you don’t have to collect your throwing knives like a chump, Minor Illusion for minor illusions, Hex for a weak Orochi’s curse, and Expeditious Retreat so you can go even faster if you wanna.
Warlock 2: Second level warlocks get Eldritch Invocations, like Devil’s Sight which lets you see in magical darkness and Armor of Shadows for free mage armor on yourself. Shrine maidens aren’t known for wearing plate mail, so this should help a bit. You also learn how to Cause Fear, frightening a creature for up to a minute if they fail their wisdom save. That means they can’t move closer to you, and they have disadvantage on attacks while they can see you.
Rogue 4: Now that we’re done with warlocking for a bit, bouncing over to rogue gets you your first Ability Score Improvement. Bump up that Charisma for stronger spells and Orochi heads. You also learn the spell Color Spray for some pocket sand at the ready whenever you want. Roll a couple dice, then blind creatures from least to most HP up to the point you rolled.
Rogue 5: Fifth level rogues get 3d6 sneak attack, and they can make an Uncanny Dodge as a reaction, halving incoming damage from an attack.
Rogue 6: At sixth level you get another round of Expertise, so double up on your Deception and Performance so you can sneak into wherever you need to go.
Rogue 7: Seventh level rogues get Evasion. It’s been a while since someone’s gotten evasion, huh? It’s a good feature though, it turns your failed dexterity saves into basically successes as far as damage goes, and successful dex saves now negate damage entirely. (Also, your sneak attack goes up to 4d6.)
Warlock 3: The Orochi isn’t quite done with you yet, so we’re heading back for a few more levels. At level three you undertake the Pact of the Talisman, letting you add 1d4 to a failed ability check Proficiency times per long rest. It’s a shame you don’t have a fancy sword like Grass Cutter, but at least it’s useful. Now that you can see in the dark though, you can cast Darkness to create a more effective smoke bomb that only you and other warlocks can see though.
Warlock 4: Use this ASI to get your Keen Mind. This adds 1 to your intelligence among other neat tricks, but the big reason we’re here is for the ability to recall information for up to a month. This will be more useful later, but it’s always nice to be brainy. You also learn the cantrip Toll the Dead for some ooky spooky necrotic damage, and Silence to perform acts of violence, in silence. Ninjas.
Warlock 5: Fifth level warlocks can cause Fear, frightening multiple creatures who fail their wisdom save. Once per long rest you can also mark a creature with a Sign of Ill Omen, casting Bestow Curse using a warlock spell slot. There’s a couple out of the box options in the PHB, but ultimately you can make up whatever you want, as long as it’s DM approved. The target also has to fail a wisdom save, and it lasts up to a minute.
Rogue 8: Use this ASI on your Dexterity for better damage and a higher AC. Turns out rogues are dexterous, who knew? Speaking of being dexterous, grab Misty Step so you can become so dexterous you literally blink out of existence and back in. Related note, dexterous no longer looks like a word.
Rogue 9: Ninth level rogues can really mess up their enemies with 5d6 damage on a sneak attack, or you can mess up enemies with a Magical Ambush. As long as you’re hidden from whatever creature you’re targeting, they have disadvantage on a spell’s saving throw. This also applies to warlock spells, making it especially useful for curses. (Also, 5d6 sneak attack)
Rogue 10: Tenth level rogues get another ASI, so bump up that Charisma again for a stronger curse. You also can cast Message to relay info over short distances, or Magic Mouth to set up information dead drops for other party members.
Rogue 11: Eleventh level rogues can deal reliable damage thanks to their 6d6 sneak attack. They also have Reliable Talent, so the lowest you can roll on a skill you’re proficient in is a 10. When you’re good at something, you’ll never fail a day in your life. You can also cast Blur to become harder to hit. Maybe it’s like, a little smoke bomb? Not my best work, I’ll admit.
Rogue 12: At twelfth level you get your last ASI, so max out that Dexterity for the best damage and defense you could hope for.
Rogue 13: Thirteenth level arcane tricksters are Versatile Tricksters, letting you spend an action to distract a nearby creature with your mage hand, giving advantage on your next attack that turn. If you don’t have extra ninjas at home, magic bought is fine. Don’t scoff at free advantage though, especially with that 7d6 sneak attack. You also learn to pull a Kotarou and can cast Enemies Abound, which makes it so one creature can’t tell friend from foe and will attack randomly if they fail an intelligence check.
Rogue 14: Your brand new Blindsense means you’ll always be able to sense other ninjas, since invisible and hidden creatures within 10′ of you are always on your radar. You also -finally- get your spy network online thanks to Clairvoyance, letting you create a sensor in any location you’re familiar with, or an obvious one you aren’t, like around a corner. For up to ten minutes, you can see or hear through that sensor as if you were there, and can even swap which sense you use at will.
Rogue 15: Your capstone isn’t particularly flashy, but Slippery Mind will help make sure you don’t get cursed more than you already are, since you now have proficiency with wisdom saves. One last thing: 8d6 sneak attack. It’s pretty good.
Pros:
With multiple kinds of magic backing up your impressive stealth skills, you come packing with plenty of ways to slip into and out of combat at will, or even better, avoid combat entirely.
Thanks to your keen mind and clairvoyance, you can spy on others and keep that information tucked away for safekeeping. Then, you can use spells like Message and Magic Mouth to get that info where you need it to go without arousing suspicion. Who knows, you might legitimately start up a spy network.
Curses are great. For your enemies, I mean, sorry. But yeah, they’re pretty effective, especially if you can start a fight with an enemy already cursed. Like, say, you sneak up to them and use Magical Ambush to make it even harder for them to avoid the spell, and that starts initiative? That’d be nice.
Cons:
Some DMs are not very flexible, and they’ll just force you into combat regardless of how much you try to avoid it. That’s really bad for you, since you’ve only got 100 HP. One stiff wind and you’re in Power Word Kill territory. Fortunately you’ve got a good AC, but still.
The one spell you have that actually uses intelligence is probably one of your most crucial, at least early on. Disguise Self not being that good kind of sucks while you’re getting set up, but eventually you’ll be good enough with a regular disguise kit it probably won’t matter.
You have a lot of utility spells, but only a couple spell slots to use them with. Long missions might be a problem if you don’t pace yourself.
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savethelastdan · 3 years
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Yashahime Is Over Party: Contribution #2
“All right, all right!” 
The crowd of villagers quieted (some with a wince) as the high-pitched shout rang around the village entrance. Ten-year-old Moroha gave them one last warning glare for good measure. 
With, as her Great-Grandpa on the other side of the Well would say, “more gusto than should be necessary”, she then leapt upon the nearest height-offering surface - one of the tourists’ suitcases, emblazoned a dozen times on every side with “FRAGILE” - and began her welcome speech. 
“Shut your mouths and hold onto your butts, folks, because this is a real treat! The coolest village ever to exist in any timeline, on a sunny day! Since my big brother is at kitsune academy today, you all have the honor of yours truly acting as escort around this prime piece of feudal real estate!” 
Dramatic pause for emphasis. (Yes, she’d taken some liberties with the script that Shippo had left, and she didn’t quite know what ‘prime piece of real estate’ actually meant, but her cousin Towa agreed that it sounded fancy and fancy always worked with humans.) 
A soft-faced young woman glanced around the crowd self-consciously before raising a hand. “You mean, this is the village where priestess Kikyo - “
“Ahem!” Moroha held up the wooden sign hanging from her neck, tapping the carved-in letters spelling ‘Village Tour Guide #2” with one nail. “Are you wearin’ the sign?”
“Oh. Uh, sorry.” The woman blushed. 
After a moment, Moroha cleared her throat. “Okay, yeah, it is. But there’s a bunch of other super-cool people here, too! If you wanna meet them - follow me!” With that, she jumped from the suitcase to land solidly in the dirt. A few tourists reared back from the cloud of disturbed dust, putting them at the back of the moving crowd. 
“First up, the sister of the blah-dee-blah-famed-priestess-blah-dee-blah Kikyo - Lady Kaedeeeeee!” She swung both arms in a dramatic half-circle towards the healer woman’s hut; the crowd ooh-ed and ah-ed appropriately. “On days like these, she’s either healing a sick patient, birthin’ a new baby, or taking a long nap! Since she’s awfully old, the napping’s more frequent.” Hooking an arm around a teenage tourist’s shoulder, she hissed in a spooky tone, “Some say she’ll live forever, getting older and older until she’s like a living zombie-” 
“I heard that.” With a cross expression, Kaede leaned out of the window.“Don’t think I won’t curse you for those bad manners.”
Moroha waved the group on with a nervous chuckle. 
“And this is the home of the most famous demon slayer known to womankind - Sango!” Cupping both hands around her mouth like a bullhorn, Moroha drew out the last syllable of the woman’s name to emphasize her coolness. Several of the humans perked up with excitement; it wasn’t hard to imagine that they had themselves benefited from some of the woman’s work. 
“Her husband Miroku lives here too. He used to be a monk, but now he’s a family guy! My papa says -” She straightened, putting on a deep, gruff tone - “it’s a damn miracle -” Dropping the tone, she grinned cheerily at the group - “nobody will tell me why!” 
As if on cue, the door to the house opened to reveal a group of tall, bickering young adults. The loudest were two women with matching features, the only visible difference to a stranger being that one’s slayer outfit was trimmed in pink and the other’s in green. Behind them trotted a younger boy, also wearing a slayer outfit in red.  
“I’m taking the kusarigama, you’re taking the wakizashi!” The green-outfitted slayer said, ignoring her sister’s attempts to talk over her. “Otherwise you and Mom will have two long-range weapons, and that makes no sense!” 
“Plus that’s Uncle Kohaku’s specialty!” Their brother piped up; he dodged the twin elbows that swung back at him as easily as if they’d warned him. “She wants to impress him with it so he’ll take her on his trip to the mountains with Rin this summer!” 
Through the left-open door, came the sweet smell of treats baking - one of the many hobbies Miroku had taken up with his time, now that he wasn’t going to up and die (Moroha knew she wasn’t technically supposed to know about that. Or probably phrase it like that… But if her godfather Koga said it that way, why was it any different for her?)
The group of slayers stopped short upon seeing the crowd; with awkward bows, they quickly skirted their way around the gaping tourists. 
““That’s Sango’s kids; every one of ‘em demon slayer prodigies.” Slinging her arm around the same teen from earlier, Moroha shook her head with a dramatic sigh. “Makes me almost want another sibling. Except then I’d have to share my room, nooooo thank you!”
“Excuse me.” A mustached man in the middle of the group raised one arm curiously. “I heard one of those women mention Rin - is that the human who died twice and was resurrected by the sword Tenseiga?” 
“Huh? Oh, yeah. That’s Rin.” Moroha tapped her own head thoughtfully and muttered under her breath, “Was it really only twice…”
“Does she still live here?” The man’s mustache drooped in a frown. “Or did she go to live with that dog demon?”
“Dog demon? Ohhh, you mean Uncle Sesshomaru!” A smile stretched across her face. “I almost forgot about him! Nah, after she got married she decided to stay in town -” 
“Married?!” The group erupted in murmurs of horror. One kerchiefed mother clapped her hands over the ears of her daughter; the mustached man turned green.
Moroha’s face fell. “Well, yeah. She wanted to keep taking healer lessons from Kaede, and even though he travels a lot, she wanted to stay by Kohaku’s side when he comes home. Be a team, and all that.” 
“Ohhhh, so she’s Kohaku’s wife!” The human mother’s shoulders slumped with a sigh. “How lovely and age-appropriate.” 
Moroha wasn’t sure what that meant, but if it made the negative energy go away then she was all for it! “Rin’s super cool, anyway. She knows how to heal demons, not just humans, and she tells really good ghost stories, and she’s actually really good at arm-wrestling -” 
Suddenly she ducked her head to whisper, “She’s probably my favorite cousin, if I’m bein’ honest with ya.”
 “Do you have other cousins?” A man who appeared to look a thousand years old squinted in her direction. Perhaps in confusion, but it was hard to tell with all the wrinkles. “I doubt a full-blooded dog demon like that Sesshomaru fella would leave his legacy in the hands of a human girl.” 
“My mom would say that’s prejudiced,” Moroha said helpfully, causing the old man to blanche. “But Rin’s got two little sisters, who you can see riiiiiiight now!” 
With a dramatic twist, she whirled around to point in the opposite direction with both hands, adding a low growl that was meant to mimic the roar of an excited crowd. 
The moment was slightly underwhelmed by the confused looks of the tourists as they took a moment to figure out where exactly to look. That’s okay; she’d work on it. 
Down the road, her twin cousins leaned against the wall of a house (Moroha’s house, which she was saving for last because you always save the best for last). Towa was smiling and pointing out something up in the sky, while Setsuna wore a very predictable scowl. From this far away, the red streaks in their hair were little more than smudges. 
The extremely old man with an attitude problem made a weird hacking noise, most likely in surprise. 
“Did he adopt them like your other cousin?” asked a teenage girl. 
“Kinda!” Both hands landed on her hips; Moroha then modeled her expression on her Uncle - stoic, dismissive, oh-so-cool. “On a cool spring night, Uncle Sesshomaru walked into the darkest, deepest forest on the planet, waved his sword over a really old and creepy tree, and when he cut it open - there they were. Two lil’ hanyou babies.” 
Dramatic pause. 
“Just kiddin’.” Laughing loud enough to bring back the wincing from the group, Moroha slapped her knee. “They’re full demons. I can still take either of ‘em in a fight, though. Oh!” She pointed up in the air with a wide, excited smile. “There’s their mom right now!” 
Murmurs of confusion filled the air as the tourists moved their heads this way, that way; only when a chilling breeze morphed into flesh and bone, right before their eyes, did the group exclaim in collective understanding. 
Moroha waved. “Hi, Auntie Kagura!” 
“Yo.” Clearly taken aback by the crowd, the wind demon gave a tiny salute. The side of her neck bore a half-moon symbol tattooed on the skin; Moroha thought it was neat, even if her dad thought it was a dumb, archaic wedding ritual. “Do your parents know you’re doing this?” 
“Uh, duh!” She held up the sign with a cheeky grin. 
“Fair enough.” Upon spying her daughters across the way, Kagura’s expression softened a bit. “Well, I’ll see you later.” 
“No, wait! We’re actually heading the same way.” Gesturing to the not-moving crowd, Moroha repeated, “The same way. Meaning the best part of the tour - come on, folks, work with me here -” 
Kagura snorted, walking quickly as though to avoid the gawking humans and their nosy questions about how she had been resurrected or could still live now that Naraku was dead or got Sesshomaru to admit he had feelings much less have kids with her. A curt “none of your business” was all they’d get, no matter how much Moroha tugged on her sleeve and whined about “giving people their money’s worth.”
Luckily, once they reached Moroha’s house, it was easy to escape. After all, a much more awe-inspiring attraction awaited the group of lucky, lucky tourists. 
“And now! The Greatest Love Story Of Our Time!” With a winning grin, Moroha landed a kick on the door, sending it slamming open. 
“Oh.” Kagome blinked at the group from where she sat on a futon in the middle of the house, surrounded by magical artifacts. A scroll marked with ink rolled from her lap all the way to one side of the room. Behind her, halfway through helping her put her hair in a bun, Inuyasha froze “Uh, hello?”
“My parents! Dumdedumdummmmm!” The warmth of her pride felt like it was going to burst in her chest. It was the absolute best to come home to people who loved her! Whether it was tickle fights before bed, or her dad taking her and Shippo out on demon-tracking trips, or her mom humming a lullaby if she felt sick on the full moon night, Moroha was certain her family was the best of anybody’s anywhere. “One fell through time, and one fell -- fell, uh, for her -- sorry, I’ll work on it.” 
Inuyasha huffed in the way that meant he was going to complain later. Kagome just chuckled and waved. 
For once, the humans reacted exactly the way Moroha wanted them to - smiling, clapping, appreciating the wonder of her super-beautiful-and-also-hella-powerful mom and grumpy-but-still-amazingly-brave papa. She launched into the story she knew by heart, of how they had come to be together and saved the whole world while they were at it. Some parts were probably missing or misrepresented, from the laughter in her mom’s eyes, but she had enough of it right that half the tourist group was in near tears by the time she was done. 
“And now, they have one more accomplishment to add to the long list - parenting the greatest warrior this world has ever seen. Moro-uh, Beniyasha!” Swirling the ends of her fire-rat robe, she twirled. “The Crimson Slayer!”
“Slayer of my patience, maybe,” Inuyasha snapped, though he was unable to hide his smile as he marched over to grab her by the collar. “Come ‘ere, kid. You’ve got chores to do!” 
Tossing her over his shoulder, he waved dismissively at the group of humans. “Sorry folks, the show ends here. Yeesh...” 
Moroha cupped both hands around her mouth, screeching to be heard over her parent’s laughter before the door shut.
“Make sure to leave your comment cards in the box at the entrance!”
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subbing-for-clones · 3 years
Text
The New Apprentice Part 10
Maul x Sith Reader 
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Word Count: 2.6k
WARNINGS: Pining, death canon and non-canon, blood
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       Maul had given into your desires as he stayed behind on Zanbar while you boarded one of the Death Watch ships with Savage and Vizsla. You scoffed at the loosely hanging Pyke robes attempting to pin them back so the extra fabric wouldn't get in your way. Savage was muttering specifics with Bo closer the rear of the ship while Vizsla eyed you.
"Allow me." He sauntered over to you and expertly gathered some of the fabric behind your back, fastening it with a safety pin.
"A warrior, leader and seamster I presume." Slightly annoyed how your flesh reacted to touch. Only your master had touched you outside of combat for the first time in years. You weren't attracted to this human. Your body simply reacted because of biology, or something, you reasoned.
"I'm sure you'll come to find I'm a man of many talents." He hummed with a smirk on his face.
    He dug the mask out of your pack and held it in his hands, looking deeply into the eye holes with a stoic look on his face.
"I need to ask a favor of you." His tone was firm but some kind of anxiety lay behind it. You narrowed your eyes at him expecting bile to spring from his lips.
"What?"
"I know you are powerful, a gifted fighter and I'm assuming strong with the ways of the Sith." You had no clue where he was going with this so when he paused you waited, searching his eyes for something his words didn't tell you.
"What I don't know is what stake you have in this... conflict."
"What is the favor you're dodging around Mandalorian?"
"These aren't your people. This isn't your planet. Although your current role in this siege is to make a fuss for us to stop, I ask that the chaos you spur on sticks to the script. These are my people; this is my home. I know civilians will die and I know buildings will burn but please... please don't destroy everything. I may not be a force user but I can sense that, you could."
    You sighed. Why does he have to care? In a way he reminded you of the Nightbrother you loved. Commanding, fierce, taking what he wants. But encased with a hard exterior that cracked, leaking a gentle and soft core. You shook your head. Why must men be these complicated yet predictable creatures. You'd much rather go back to viewing everyone in the same light as the slaver except for Savage and Maul. It was so much easier that way, but you couldn't.
"I assure you. No one who doesn't need to die to get the point across will fall by my blades."
    He actually looked relieved. Much too trusting this bald and scarred man was. You weren't lying but how could he tell?
"Thank you."
    He handed you the mask, just hardly brushing his fingers against yours. Your skin still tingled when he pulled away and walked to the cockpit. You were thanking the stars that your Master had stayed on Zanbar. Simply biology. You continued to sooth yourself. Maul may not have sensed it but Savage not far from you definetly did.
    He would never say anything about it however. He understood the wanting of the heart and the body often intertwined but were also separate. He held no romantic love for you but sometimes when you sparred something would stir in his belly that had nothing to do with his heat cycle. It's probably a touch starvation symptom. He knew this but also knew that Maul wouldn't be so understanding if he ever found out so he wouldn't say a word.
       You had stowed away with a few Pykes in a cargo container currently being lowered onto the shipping docks. The four of you smiled and chuckled with an excited anticipation. You had given your sabers to Savage remembering the discussion that took place in the makeshift strategy tent on the moon once everyone had left but the three of you.
"We need Vizsla to be the face of our rule so the Jedi are none the wiser until I'm ready for them to come." Maul seethed in that velvety growl that never failed to make you tremble.
"One Sith causing trouble, especially if he leaves no survivors won't give us away but two or three? They'd come in full force and we aren't ready for that just yet."
The grip on your newly acquired viroblades tightened. Of course, he was right. Your master was always right. A slight wave of guilt for doubting his reasoning in the first place tugged at your heart.
    You had almost lost yourself in your thoughts when the cargo entrance opened, revealing several Mandalorian guards. Every cargo container down the line burst open with Pykes pouring out, pointing blasters at the shocked men in uniform. You slashed open the throat of the one nearest you, blood spurting from his neck and spraying your loth wolf mask.
"Surrender, these docks are now under the control of the Pyke syndicate," the leader of this faction spoke smoothly.
    The remaining guards nodded furiously with their arms in the air, glancing down at their slowly dying brother as he writhed, desperately trying to stop the bleeding. You threw your knife and stuck it square between his eyes just to quiet his chocked groans.
    Within a matter of hours many 'hot spots' were taken under various syndicate control. The Pykes had taken the docks. The Black Suns had control of a number of public meeting grounds, leaving the city center for Death Watch to make an appearance. Savage was currently overtaking the banks with members of the Hutt Clan's minions. All was going according to your master's plan.
    The following day you had hidden away your costume and disappeared into the crowd of citizens as the Duchess made her address to the people. Of course, she tried to calm them, ordering they wait this out, refusing to retaliate. You rolled your eyes so hard they could've fallen out of your head. She's making this so fucking easy.
    But when Vizsla broke the skyline, hovering in front of her with his guard your stomach turned at the sight. She couldn't have been quicker to accuse him of these attacks which if course he denied. He turned to speak to his people, giving a proper introduction and spoke with authority. He kept his speech short and strong. Promising to save the planet that the Duchess had so easily and eagerly weakened. You could sense the relief and admiration from the thousands gathered in the city center through the force just before cries of joy echoed throughout. It made your heart flutter. Surely you were just picking up on the peoples' emotions you reasoned.
    Slowly but surely across the city members of Death Watch were rescuing the guards and citizens from their false imprisonment. Effectively dropping Pre Vizsla's name once the scripted gangsters were in custody.
    You tore away from the main vault just before Savage activated the detonator. "Keep up you weaklings!" He called to the Pykes as the two of you led the retreat eliciting a feral giggle from you. The both of you were throwing bystanders over the rail as you ran. Only one out of five actually fell to their death before they could be saved by the surviving guard.
You're supposed to rid the galaxy of fear not ignite it!
    The voice boomed in your mind causing you to halt just around the corner, shaking your head furiously, confused. Death Watch was waiting for you as planned. It was Vizsla himself who fought Savage with the dark saber. Coming out of your confused stupor only sent you reeling into a new one at the sight. It was choreographed for sure but still, you did love a man who could wield a weapon of the sort. He submit Savage and turned his attention to you with a smirk on his face. Thanking the gods that the mask hid your blush as a binding cable shot out of his gauntlet, tethering around you. You fell to your knees and although that was the plan, your emotions had clouded you and it was not necessarily a false win on his part.
    At this point of the plan Maul wanted you to keep a close eye on the Death Watch leader. Vizsla had his own reasons for wanting you by his side so it took little convincing for him to lend you some spare armor and a helmet as he stormed the palace with you and his team. As predicted, Satine didn't struggle and he shot you a victorious glance nudging his elbow into you. You couldn't stop the bubble of excitement as it manifested itself in a stifled giggle.
    That night you stood by his side on the tallest terrace while Savage, the leaders of the Pykes and the Black Suns knelt in binders below. The crowd of Mandalorians chanted Vizsla's name as Bo Kataan addressed them, announcing that Vizsla would lead them forward if the people would accept him which they whole heartedly did.
"Its gone even better than I could've hoped."
    You turned your helmeted head to face him. The voice you heard just before your capture never stopped echoing in your mind. You knew this was wrong. Your role in it anyway. You shoved your subconscious down deeply inside yourself as you responded to him.
"The people love you. They think you saved them."
"I wouldn't be where I am without you."
"Or without the Pykes, without the Hutts or the Black Suns. Truly at its root you wouldn't be here without my Master. I fear you forget, he orchestrated all of this. You'd still be on that moon grasping at straws without him." You straightened your back and looked back towards the crowd calming the storm that raged within you. Sensing his twinge of displeasure through the force as your loyalty was solidified before him.
      In the throne room Maul finally joined your band of criminals. You quickly returned to his side earning an approving glance from him. Vizsla's eyes narrowed finally understanding exactly how far your loyalty lay with your master.
"Good of you to join us Lord Maul." His annoyance was adamant and you felt something uneasy stir in you. Maul seemed to sense it as well as Vizsla's guards slowly formed a half circle behind you.
"The transition of power will be seamless; we now have the support of the people and Satine to bait Kenobi." Vizsla continued, confident as ever. "With his demise our deal will be complete."
Maul crossed his arms over his chest inadvertently flexing his biceps and his chest as he rumbled.
"Your oversight requires correction... we now have a base, an army and the means to expand into other neutral systems."
Vizsla scoffed. "It wasn't an oversight. It was intentional. I don't have an interest in another systems. Your vision no longer matters."
With blasters pointed at your heads you and your master growled as the members of Death Watch placed you in binders while Vizsla took the throne.
"Oh don't fret, I'll still honor our deal. Kenobi will be dealt with but now you'll do as I say." You snarled at his words. You fucking hated the way your arms were trapped behind you. Baring your teeth, you shot daggers into him as he turned his attention to you, an almost pained look in his eyes.
"You however darling I will give one and only one chance to rid yourself of this angry brute." He loosely waved his hand in Maul’s direction. Your Master's pupils dilated and his chest vibrated in fury.
"Join me. Rule by my side and I will give you everything you could ever want." He extended his hand out to you as Bo Kataan reluctantly guided you to him.
    Maul roared with a bestial, primal rage filled roar that shook the windows while his guard pressed the blaster harder into the back of his head. You smirked and leaned forward so your face was inches apart from the false king and you hummed seductively.
"You sweet, foolish human man. You have nothing I could ever want. You will never have anything I could ever want." You straightened and cleared your throat, spitting in his face.
    He angrily wiped the spit off of his cheek as Bo fired her blaster that had been set to stun, dropping you to the floor at his feet.
"It’s a shame really." Vizsla grieved. "Such a waste of someone so beautiful and powerful." He kicked you down the stairs that led to the throne.
"Take them away!"
  "We still have time to put in place a ruler that will bend to our will. By putting us in prison he has only placed us within reach of viable candidates." You stirred at your Master's whispers.
"Then we shall find one!" Patience gone from Savage's tone, you opened your eyes and took in your surroundings. A thick glass door, starkly bright white walls of the small cell the three of you were crammed into. You sat up on the cold bench you had been resting on. Rubbing your temple as Maul sat beside you wrapping one arm around your waist.
"Your loyalty to me is astounding and appreciated my young apprentice. You will be rewarded in due time." He traced your jawline with a finger while he turned his attention back to Savage.
"Calm yourself brother we will find one. Vizsla has imprisoned the Duchess here and various other political figures who will serve our purposes well."
"Hey! Quiet you monsters." A guard called out to the three of you.
"Savage, I wish a tour of this facility."
    Maul helped you to your feet and Savage smirked, using the force to shatter the glass subsequently launching the mouthy guard over the rail and far down below. Without your sabers you reached your hand out to one more guard as he gripped at his throat. Your teeth bared you clenched your fist pulling a delicious crunching sound from his now limp body, tossing it aside.
    Once you found the Duchess it didn't take long for her to point you directly to the kind of man you sought. She had thought she was being clever, sassy and insulting but like all other areas in her life; she failed.
"Thanks blondie." You taunted as the three of you made your way to the next cell. The former Prime Minister called Almec was confused that Maul was interested in him and the cause of his imprisonment. Once he explained that he was here on charges of corruption for dealing in the black market his suspicion that you were in league with Vizsla was satiated at the death of a third guard. Killed by Savage for firing a stray blast in their direction.
"I can see you are powerful but how would you overthrow Vizsla? Just the three of you?"
"He is a solider therefor bound by honor. I will challenge him to single combat and once I defeat him, take possession of the Dark Saber, the Death Watch will follow my rule. You will then act as my puppet, ruling falsely in my stead while I take control in the shadows."
"Yes. Yes that will work. According to the ancient laws of Mandalore his men will be bound to follow you."
    The four of you smiled with determination as you led Almec from his cell, killing the few and far between guards that stood in your way of the throne room.
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four-loose-screws · 3 years
Text
FE8 Novelization Translation - Chapter 15, Section 1
If you would like to start from the beginning, read a missed part, etc., click here!
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I call this a “section” because it is not a separate part of the chapter in the book, but divided from the rest of the chapter by a scene break.
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Chapter 15 - The Day the Empire Fell
Bethroen was a port town located in southwest Renais. After capturing Fort Rigwald, Ephraim's army continued their preparations to head towards Grado’s capital city by ship.
Their march progressed smoothly. The only worry on Ephraim’s mind was Eirika, who was currently headed for Rausten.
The day before, the Frelian pegasus knights had told him the grave news that Carcino had betrayed them. Prince Innes was all alone at a fort on a plateau, and Eirika was headed his way to rescue him. Both the status of the prince and Eirika’s safety were currently unknown.
Because they’d thought that going to Rausten was the easier journey, he’d sent his sister out on that mission. It made Ephraim panic, but now that he’d come as far as he had, he couldn’t go back. He continued to pray for his sister to stay safe, and with no further time to spare, he decided the only thing he could do now was hurry to Grado's capital to capture it.
First, they had to find an appropriate ship. Ephraim gave the command to his soldiers to procure a ship, then he received a message from a member of the reconnaissance team.
“Lord Ephraim, the Grado Army is straight ahead of us!”
“So they’re on their way here?” Ephraim decided to put their ship search on hold for the time being and order everyone to prepare for battle. 
However, the next piece of information was very strange. 
“The Grado Army is not coming this way. They are chasing someone.”
“Who…? A deserter?” Ephraim quickly climbed atop a tall cherry tree and scanned the area.
Just as it had been explained to him in the report, he saw the Grado Army chasing around a knight atop a horse. The knight was avoiding his pursuers with expert handling of his horse's reins, but they had him surrounded, and it was only a matter of time before they captured him.
The moment that Ephraim saw that sight, he realized the identity of the knight dodging the Grado soldiers. He shouted aloud without even thinking before he spoke,  “That… That’s General Duessel, isn’t it!? Why is he being chased by the Grado Army…?”
He knew absolutely nothing about the situation, but couldn’t overlook his teacher when the man was in danger. Ephraim immediately changed his orders. They were now to prioritize rescuing General Duessel over fighting the Grado Army.
He also grabbed his own lance and ran towards Duessel. The crowd of Grado soldiers dispersed, and once he was within earshot, he called out his instructor’s name as loudly as he could. 
When Duessel noticed him, he galloped his horse over to where Ephraim stood. He looked so different that Ephraim was at a loss for words. Both Duessel’s clothing and hair were in disarray, and he was breathing heavily. The general, once with a refined demeanor fit for royalty, now looked like an entirely different person.
“Lord Ephraim…!”
"What happened, General Duessel? Why are you being chased by the Grado Empire? ...Nevermind, we can talk later. It's more important that we protect you. Come with me." Ephraim immediately started to turn around, but Duessel didn't move. Ephraim turned back around and said in an irritated tone, "What's wrong, General Duessel? You're surrounded here. Please come with me to my army."
"I am sorry, Lord Ephraim. You are my enemy to the bitter end. And no matter the circumstances, I cannot accept help from an enemy." Ephraim immediately started to give his argument, but Deussel shook his head with a heavy heart and interjected, "I am Deussel, the Obsidian. Ever since that title was bestowed upon me, I have sworn my loyalty to Grado and the emperor. I am running now only because I am to be executed, as His Majesty is questioning my loyalty. It is not to get help from you."
"Did you just say… executed? What the hell happened…?"
"There is nothing for me to tell you. Please retreat, Lord Ephraim."
"What will you do when you get away from the army?"
Duessel did not answer.
Ephraim, now all the more irritated, thumped his lance against the ground and shouted, "What's going on, General Duessel?! Tell me what happened!!"
"...No. I can't tell you…"
"Why won't you talk no matter what? If that's the case, I have an idea too. I know it's selfish, but I will protect you."
"Lord Ephraim…" Duessel's face was frozen in utter astonishment.
Ephraim said to him with conviction, "It is because it is something I can do. Don’t throw away your own life in front of me. You are my teacher. No matter the circumstances, I will not allow you to die. Even if I have to drag you along with me. Don't make this that difficult for me."
Duessel clenched his teeth in pain and looked at Ephraim. 
Ephraim softened his words a little. “I’ve heard rumors of the emperor’s descent into madness as well. And those who advised against his actions were his true retainers… isn't that right?"
"Yes. And so I…"
“You can’t do anything by your own power alone. Do not choose this path you are on and be captured without resistance. Right now, even if you have to bear with the disgrace, please accept my assistance. The happiness of the Grado people is much more important than your honor, isn't it?"
Deussel's cheeks turned slightly red. Ephraim's sincere speech seemed to have hit home. The general clenched his jaw, then nodded. "...You're right. I've been showing you my embarrassing side. I will entrust these old bones to you. The countless evil deeds that the Grado Army has committed… Take me with you, and help me atone for all of them."
With Deussel added to their ranks, the Grado Army was no match for Ephraim's army. The battle ended with hardly anyone on their side becoming injured.
Ephraim and Deussel first found an inn in a port town to rest in. After Deussel cleaned himself up, his face was still pale, but his expression calmed. "You've grown up, Lord Ephraim. When I taught you the lance, you were just a boy who hated losing."
"It is because of your guidance. General Duessel, please, I want you to talk to me. Why were you discharged from the imperial army?”
Duessel was silent for a long while, but when Ephraim pushed him one last time, he finally opened his heavy mouth to speak. “...His Majesty ordered me to kill you.”
Ephraim’s expression froze, and he nodded. He had of course expected that to be the case.
“Nothing could get me to agree to this war. It might have been only a matter of time before the countries of Magvel started fighting with each other, but this war is not for a just cause. It is an invasion, and nothing more. A war like this makes not only the people of Renais, but also Grado, suffer… I said that to His Majesty, but he did not listen to me. Or should I say… it made him question my loyalty.”
Ephraim knew that Duessel was more deeply loyal to Emperor Vigarde than anyone else who served him. He could easily imagine just how painful it would be for the emperor to question his loyalty.
“And so, I decided to do as I was ordered and set out to kill you. Please forgive me.”
“There is no need for you to apologize. It is just something you would do as a general of the Grado Army.”
“But his Majesty really did doubt me. Selena went with me under the guise of my assistant.”
“Selena… The general known as “Fluorspar.””
“You are correct. She is a woman with a powerful sense of justice. She had doubts about this war from the very beginning as well, just as Glen and I did. But she is also a Grado soldier… she could not disobey His Majesty’s orders either. Selena insisted that I go kill you immediately, but I was still hesitant. I wanted to talk to you if at all possible… If I could, then we might be able to avoid a pointless fight. That is what I insisted upon.”
Ephraim and Eirika planned to avoid fighting whenever possible, and so had Duessel. That reassured Ephraim, but at this point, it was also stressful.
“And with that, I was branded a traitor. Selena accused me of the crime of betrayal, and told me to immediately drop my weapon. If I resisted, then I would be executed. I did not fear death. If I did not have the resolve to sacrifice my life for His Majesty, then I never would have become a soldier. But I couldn’t allow myself to be executed for groundless suspicions of my loyalty. His Majesty is walking the wrong path. Until I successfully advise him to choose otherwise, I cannot die. With that conviction in my heart, I ran from my pursuers, but… it seems that I was lacking a bit in my usual composure. Your words have opened my eyes. There really is no way that I can do anything on my own. I will bear with my humiliation, and lend my power to Renais.”
With that explanation, Ephraim knew exactly why Duessel had run from the Grado Army. Things were worse than he imagined. For the emperor to question his most trusted retainer meant that his descent into madness was much further along than Ephraim had suspected.
“So is General Selena close by here now?”
“No, as I understand, as soon as I escaped, she received orders to return to the capital. What is His Majesty intending to do by scattering the generals…? Even if he is doing it on a whim, it is still an absolute mystery."
“General Duessel. I can't help but think that the emperor's personality has changed to its very core. What happened in the capital? Isn’t there anything that comes to mind?”
Deussel furrowed his brow at Ephraim's question. 
Ephraim guessed what he might have that he wanted to talk about, and waited.
Deussel's hesitancy over whether or not he should say anything likely came from the fact that he had not yet abandoned his loyalty to the emperor. It wasn’t impossible. Even if he had been branded a traitor, he wasn’t the type of person to have a sudden change of heart.
After a long pause, Duessel finally opened his mouth.  “I have no way of confirming whether or not this is related to the emperor's change of heart, but… there is something that has worried me for a long time."
“What kind of thing is it?”
“This happened quite some time ago, but… Prince Lyon and the mages said one day that they had successfully made the Dark Stone. The prince was unusually excited about it."
"What is this 'Dark Stone?'"
I do not know. But they said that it is an amazing stone even more powerful than the Sacred Stones. Now that I look back on it, I think that was the day that the emperor started to change."
Ephraim was deep in thought. If that story was true, then this Dark Stone was what was negatively influencing the emperor.
"...Ephraim."
He heard a small voice. It was Myrrh. He'd put everyone else in rooms far away from this one, but she was different. Just taking his eyes off her worried him, so he had told her to always stay close by.
"What is it, Myrrh?"
"I have felt an ominous energy coming from the capital for a very long time now. That energy twists people's hearts. No matter how good they may be, it will turn anyone into a bad person…"
"...Is that true?"
Was the Dark Stone the source of this "ominous energy" that Myrrh was talking about? It would mean that they would have to destroy the Dark Stone to save the emperor.
"General Deussel, where is the Dark Stone now?"
"Prince Lyon should have it. He hasn't put it down for even a second ever since that day."
"...So that would mean there's a chance the Dark Stone has also had an effect on Lyon as well, correct? Has Lyon changed at all?"
"Well…" Duessel seemed to be even more baffled by this question. Once he was finally done thinking, he shook his head.
"No, I don't think that he has. He stays holed up in his room even more now, but that's probably because he is fervently studying the Dark Stone. On the occasion that he has shown his face to us, he is the same kind prince that he always has been. Even if he has not clearly stated it, I believe that this war is weighing heavily upon his heart."
"I understand." Ephraim breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, as we thought, our march towards the capital is the key. I want to meet him and talk to him. If we were to combine our strength, then I strongly believe that we could return the emperor to normal."
"I will go with you." Duessel's tone was full of conviction. 
Ephraim looked him in the eyes, and asked, “We will be fighting the Grado Army. Are you okay with that?”
“I have already been branded a traitor. To worry about that at this point is futile. More than anything else… I want His Majesty’s heart to return to what it once was. If you figure out the mysteries of the Dark Stone, then surely His Majesty will be freed from the terrible curse he is under. To accomplish that, I am prepared to resign myself to my fate as a disloyal servant." Duessel said word by word, slowly trying to convince himself of what he was saying. “Before that, there’s just one thing I’d like to ask. You might think of it as a shameless request, but…”
“Whatever it is, I’ll hear it.”
“It’s about my subordinates. There are some that still did not abandon me, even after I was branded a traitor. Their numbers are few, but… I was wondering if you would let them do as they wish. If there are any soldiers that want to serve you, I want you to welcome them. And I want you to let those who say they wish to return to Grado do so. It is a selfish request… but I want to reward them for their loyalty however I can.”
“General Duessel, you really are my teacher.” Ephraim laughed. “The soldiers that serve you are yours. I won’t interfere with them. All of you may do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Lord Ephraim.” Now that one of Deussel’s worries was gone, his face relaxed.
He left the room and explained to his soldiers what Ephraim had said to him, then told them to consider themselves free to do as they wanted from here on out. None of them said they wanted to return to Grado. Every single soldier was prepared to tie in their fates with General Duessel’s.
Together with their new allies, Ephraim’s army finally set out on a ship. Their destination was the shore opposing Bethroen, Port Taizel. That put them in Grado territory already, and just a few days' distance away from the capital.
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